“Why did my Savior come to earth?” begins a familiar song. The poetic answer is that “He loved me so,” which is certainly true. Because of His love He was willing to die on the cross, and in the blood that He shed there is remission of sins for the penitent, obedient believer. The fact of His death for our sins, His burial, and His resurrection is the heart of the gospel (1 Cor. 15:1-4). It is the Truth which all must recognize who desire to have hope for eternal life.
During the course of His earthly life Jesus revealed Truth on a variety of subjects (including salvation) to all with whom He came into contact (whether multitudes or individuals). He even told His disciples that if they continued in His Word (His teachings), they would know the Truth, and the Truth would set them free (John 8:31-32). Truth is the powerful beacon shining forth from a lighthouse to guard ships against the path to destruction. Without it we must all remain shrouded in darkness, not knowing the way of salvation, correct expressions of worship, nor the way to live a holy and righteous life.
Truth cannot be diluted: when it is “watered down” even slightly, it is no longer Truth (Deut. 4:2). Just one word’s difference can make a world of difference (Gen. 3:1-6). Therefore, it is somewhat of a surprise to read of “interfaith” efforts. No, this term does not refer to efforts between denominations to achieve some sort of unity, but rather between major religions. According to an August 10th Dallas Morning News article by Deborah Kovach Caldwell, “there are more than 100 interfaith organizations” (36A).
In keeping with the usual media mentality (and that of some brethren) that those interested in unity are gracious pearls and those standing for Truth are legalistic swine, consider the following paragraph.
One woman-raised both Buddhist and Muslim-said her Anglican friend asked her to be a godmother at the friend’s baby’s christening. But could she? After they worked out special wording in the service with an open-minded priest, the answer was yes (36A).
If the “priest” had refused, what would he have been? He would have been called anything but “open-minded,” which seems to be a new synonym for a person lacking convictions.
Dr. Gerald Barney, who is president of the lofty sounding Millennium Institute, has plans for a Parliament of World Religions in South Africa in 1999, a massive interfaith worship service in Iceland in 2000, and a youth gathering in 2001 (36A).
Jesus would have no part of it; He wouldn’t even have interfaith meetings with the Pharisees and the Sadducees, let alone Wiccans and New Age groups, which are also invited to be part of the melee (36A). The reason is that in such diversity Truth is compromised and therefore rendered ineffective, or it is simply lost altogether. Out of many cultures one nation may be forged, but not one synthetic religion. The one true religion (John 14:6), however, must be preached to all cultures and accepted by them-if they are to have any hope of salvation.