Are Christians Crazy to Believe Jesus Is the Only Way?
If we are honest, many of us are uncomfortable with the fact that Jesus claimed to be the only way. At best, it leaves us wondering about the fate of anyone who does not follow Jesus, and at worst we can use this claim as a reason to disbelieve the Christian faith. Some believe that it is arrogant for Christians to make such a claim, and yet it was Jesus himself who plainly taught: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6)
In this episode, we examine our own experiences of how our peers think about this claim, how truth claims are generally treated in our current culture, and some of the goodness that comes from having a claim that requires us to clarify our decision about who we believe Jesus to be. We also look at some of the responses Christians give when asked about the exclusivity of Jesus, and we consider how the influence of the American culture is causing Christians to become increasingly confused about the tenets of their own faith.
Discussion Questions:
Are you someone who believes that Jesus is the only way to God? If so, is this something you have felt comfortable sharing, or do you find it hard to discuss with others who might have a different view?
If you are someone who is troubled by Jesus's exclusive claim, are you troubled by the claim itself, or by its implications?
Do you agree that Jesus claimed to be God? If so, how does that explain why Jesus is able to make such a claim? If you want to consider just a few of these instances, take a few moments to read John 10:24-30, especially v. 30; Luke 22:70-71; Mark 14:60-64; John 14:1-11; John 8:58-59; Matthew 14:33 and Matthew 28:9.
Does the fact that our country has become religiously more diverse make it harder to talk about the exclusive claim of Jesus? Does that make his claim less true, or does it simply mean that it has become more inconvenient for us to talk about it?
It may have always been difficult to consider the existence of one truth when it comes to faith, but it seems that we have an increasingly difficult time agreeing on anything these days, even in discussions about factual matters, news events and history. If we can't seem to agree on things that are observable and testable, do you believe people in our society are capable of acknowledging that there is an objective truth regarding matters of faith?
Do you agree that we seem to tolerate exclusive truth claims in other disciplines like mathematics and aerodynamics, but we bristle against anyone claiming to hold an objective truth in most other areas. Why is that? Are there areas where incompatible views can't all be true?
Do you agree that eventually coming to accept the claims of Jesus is part of what it means to faithfully following Jesus? Is there goodness in knowing Jesus is the only way, and does it bring clarity in some way?
If you are someone who believes that Jesus is the only way to God, how does that shape the way you approach sharing your faith with those whom God has brought into your life?
Do the statistics that were cited in the episode surprise you in any way? Is there a particular question or set of responses that stood out to you? What does it say to you that there is confusion about the claims of Jesus even among people who claim to follow Jesus?
In what ways does the exclusive claim of Christ help us to distinguish between the way God created for us to live versus the claims that are made by all the competing voices around us?