(The Short Answer is YES!)
There is much confusion today about exactly what it means to believe, and the fact that there is a lack of objective truth when it comes to salvation.
The Christian church proclaims Jesus Christ as the only way of salvation; that ‘trust in Him and all He has done in His suffering, dying for our sins and His rising from the dead’ is sufficient for one’s salvation. If a church does not proclaim this Good News, then it is not a Christian church, regardless of what name it goes by!
What this religion survey seems to reveal is that many believe: that those in "other religions" have their way of salvation and "I have mine." In fact, even some of those who claim to be "Christian" would say that they do not think their religion is the only way to heaven. I have heard some leaders in my own denomination claim, for example, that Muslims and Christians worship the same God!
This is the result of “doing theology from below." In other words, instead of relying upon the clear Word of God which proclaims the truth, people are relying upon their own constructed religious opinion. The thinking goes like this: "What’s true for me is true for me, but not necessarily true for you. My religion is mine alone."
Such a view is totally incompatible with the truths of God’s Word. Just because a person thinks, that ‘I have my own religion and you have yours,’ it does not follow that this is what God says about belief and salvation. As Christians, we are to believe what He has said in the Scriptures. Jesus Christ says, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." (John 14:6).
When it comes to salvation, there is no room for personal opinion. Jesus declares that His own person is the way to eternal life with His Father. That kind of talk is "exclusive" and many do not like to hear that. We Americans, after all, are supposed to be "broad-minded" and "tolerant" of other views. And that is fine to a point. But when it comes to the objective truths of God’s Word concerning the salvation of people, Christians are not permitted to say such things to those who are outside the Christian faith. There is no such thing as, "your own" religion!
There is only Christ and He alone who saves through His cross and resurrection! All who would be saved from God’s wrath and hell must believe that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. Only those who would be sinners and believe in Him will be saved.
So Christians will not be in the same "camp" as the "broad-minded and tolerant" folks who would assert their own "personal religion" and say that anyway to any "god" can save. Not every "truth" is considered true by our Lord.
To be sure, Christianity is an "inclusive" religion in that Christ has died for all, but "exclusive" in that He is the only way by which our sins can be forgiven and by which we may enter heaven.
This "inclusive" yet "exclusive" religion is what Lutherans believe, teach and confess.
Keep confessing both the inclusive and exclusive Truth of Jesus!
Pastor Froh
