The lies of the world have a tempting appeal to them, but they are even more alluring when spoken by someone we trust. Dr. Joseph Hough, president of a Christian seminary, espouses these lies as do others claiming to follow Jesus.

Lie #1: All paths lead to God.

Mr. Hough wrote that the exclusivity of believing in Jesus as the only way to eternal life is a “barrier to genuine peace-making…” and is “inherently divisive.” This is exactly right and is the whole point of the gospel. In Matthew 25 we have an image of Jesus dividing the sheep from the goats, not uniting them and welcoming them all into His kingdom.

Lie #2: When in Rome, do as the Romans do.

Later in the same article Hough claims that by being exclusive we are “barriers to… the unconditional and universal love of God.” Since when is it loving to assure others they will see heaven when they are clearly on the path to destruction? Love requires we tell the truth, even if it costs us peace. The gospel tells us that God sent His Son to die and be raised again so that through Him we might be saved. Sounds like love to me. He freely chose to make the greatest sacrifice for us. How dare we say “no” and presume to lecture God on what love requires.

Lie #3: No one religion has all the answers, but all of them contain some truth.

Finally, Mr. Hough conjectures that Christians must affirm that God has revealed redemptive knowledge in other religions. Perhaps he ought to reacquaint himself with Jesus’ statement, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Sounds exclusive to me. This is not to say that there is no truth in other religions, only that the truth regarding salvation is absent from all other religions.

Dr. Hough’s argument is the same as the world’s and leads to, at the very least a diminished faith and at worst a destroyed faith. These lies lead one in a downward spiral that may result in eternal consequences. It is time for Christians to stand up and, in one united voice, exclaim to the world that God is real, God is relevant, and God alone is Truth. Should any claiming to follow Jesus say otherwise, reject them as the charlatans they are with Galatians 1.8-.9:

But even if we (or an angel from heaven) should preach a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be condemned to hell! As we have said before, and now I say again, if anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, let him be condemned to hell!