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3 Responses to Christianity

Explore the responses to Christianity and the misconceptions surrounding tolerance, exclusivity, majority beliefs, and pluralism. Discover the biblical perspective and the search for truth in the 1st century encounter described in Acts 17:16-34.

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3 Responses to Christianity

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  1. 3 Responses toChristianity What people hear when you say, “I am a Christian.”

  2. Response #1Every other religion is wrong! Tolerance, Exclusivity, Majority, Pluralism

  3. 1st Century Encounter • Acts 17:16-34 • Areopagus – a panel of men who heard the newest and best debates, met on Mars Hill (v.18-21) • Defining the “right/correct religion” (v.22-23) • God is Creator (v.24a) • God is Sovereign (v.24b) • God is transcendent (v.24c-25b) • God is personal (v.25c-27) • God different/separate from/unlike idols (i.e. holy) (v.29) • God as Redeemer (v.30-31)

  4. 1st Century Encounter What is Paul saying? Every other religion is wrong!

  5. 21st Century Encounter You are not being tolerant! You are not being inclusive! 90% of the world disagrees! All religions teach the same thing!

  6. Tolerance • Defined – “Even though I may not agree with you, I respect your right to believe as you do.” • In practice – I can personally like a Muslim or Mormon or Buddhist… • Equality of People

  7. Tolerance • Re-Defined – “Even though I may not agree with you, your beliefs and my beliefs are equal.” • In practice – Society wants me to not only personally like a Muslim or Mormon or Buddhist, but to personally validate their beliefs! • Equality of Ideas

  8. Tolerance • All people are equal and deserving of respect. • NOT all ideas/beliefs are equal, i.e. correct, and therefore not deserving of acceptance. There cannot be only one right way…right?

  9. Exclusivity • Opposite – Each belief has its own merits, and cannot be ‘better’ than any other belief • RELATIVE TRUTH (subjective truth) • “Is it warm in here?” • Defined – One belief is correct…by default making all other positions wrong • ABSOLUTE TRUTH • Mathematics • Gender • Language • Morality

  10. Exclusivity While flying, the plane you are on suddenly experiences a catastrophe. The pilot crash lands in a field, but the plane is damaged and ablaze. The stewardess directs you to the only exit not consumed by flames. Is she “mean, arrogant, hateful” for her directions? A young man went to the doctor and was diagnosed with deadly but treatable disease. The doctor prescribed the only known antibiotic and a change of diet. Is the doctor “mean” or “arrogant” or “hateful” for his diagnosis and prescription?

  11. Exclusivity • Truth is absolute • Truth by nature is exclusive – it does not allow for ‘untruth’! 90% of the people cannot be wrong…right?

  12. Majority Objection: How can so many people be wrong? • Majority Rules • Other terms: consensus, popular, democratic Why does this objection have such appeal? • America as a democracy • Safety in numbers

  13. Majority How can so many people be wrong? • The one time in history every human was in agreement • “Everybody else is doing it!” • “If all your friends jumped off a cliff…” How does this objection validate the biblical position? • Matthew 7:13-14, 21-23 • Romans 1:18-23

  14. Majority • A simple majority never proved or disproved the truth (to err is human!) • The biblical record confirms our experience, that salvation is offered freely to all but only a minority will come In the end, all religions teach the same thing…right?

  15. Pluralism • Tolerance – of ideas • Inclusivity – no one is “right/wrong” • Relative truth – everyone has some of the truth • Popularism – majority cannot be wrong • Emphasize commonalities of religions: love, respect for others, moral codes, faith, peace

  16. Pluralism Do all religions teach the same thing? • Short answer: NO! • Long answer: NOOOOOOOOOOOO! The underlying belief: that religion is man-made! Judaism Islam Pantheism Atheism Theism Christianity Polytheism Monotheism

  17. Pluralism • All man-made religions teach the same thing: that man must search for ‘god’ and earn his own way into favor with ‘god’. • Only biblical Christianity defines religion as “God’s search for man”! In our search for truth, let’s return to the 1st century…

  18. 1st Century Encounter • Acts 17:16-34 • Areopagus – a panel of men who heard the newest and best debates, met on Mars Hill (v.18-21) • Defining the “right/correct religion” (v.22-23) • God is Creator (v.24a) • God is Sovereign (v.24b) • God is transcendent (v.24c-25b) • God is personal (v.25c-27) • God different/separate from/unlike idols (i.e. holy) (v.29) • God as Redeemer (v.30-31) Acts 17.30b God is seeking people who will repent!

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