Not Everyone Dies and Goes to a “Better Place”

Last updated on: July 27, 2018 at 4:33 pm by Mark Driscoll

Not Everyone Dies and Goes to a “Better Place” 2018-07-27T16:33:29-04:00 Mark Driscoll

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Some students at a major state university approached me for help on a research project on world religions. They brought their own wide range of spiritual backgrounds. A few were international students. Some were Muslims, at least one was Hindu, and another was raised Jehovah’s Witness.

The questions they pressed the hardest were about the exclusivity of Jesus as the only way to heaven. I tried to lovingly but clearly explain that Christians believe Christ alone saves because Christ himself taught that. He was put to death for saying it, and for 2000 years Christians have said the same thing and suffered in similar ways.

At the outset, I feared I would unnecessarily offend these nice people I had just met. So, I tried my best to be tactful. During the conversation, a student visiting from an Islamic-ruled country made me rethink. He said, “You are a Christian and I am a Muslim. We worship different gods and believe different things. It does not offend me when Christians say that because it is true. What offends me is when people who do not understand our religions say they are basically teaching the same thing, because they are not.”

Our discussion turned to the difference between our religions. The Hindu said it was reincarnation and not resurrection that would deal with our problems. The Muslim said it was our faithful life and not Jesus’ faithful life that counts. And the Jehovah’s Witness said that Christians were wrong about Jesus and that the only real church was his.

It became obvious as we talked that we all thought the followers of other religions were wrong and would pay for their error in the life to come. We each tried to make the best case for our belief system in hopes of compelling the others to consider it for themselves. While I disagreed with the others, their beliefs were genuine. And because they were trying to help me by converting me, I felt loved because they cared about my eternal destiny.

It is not mean for a Christian tells others that Jesus alone saves. It is like warning a friend getting sucked into a bad relationship. You see danger but they have been duped. Speaking up might feel uncomfortable, but it is the only compassionate choice.

Illusionist and atheist Penn Jillette tells about getting handed a Bible after a show. “I wanted you to have this,” the man said. “I’m kind of proselytizing. I’m a businessman. I’m sane. I’m not crazy.” The man likely knew he was talking to a resolute atheist, but he was neither aggressive nor defensive. He just looked Jillette in the eye, said some kind words about the show, and gave his gift. The outspoken Jillette says this about the encounter.

Blog

Christian beliefs about the afterlife

what happens when you die?

Previous Post

July 18, 2018

Are Christians Just Mean People?

Next Post

September 17, 2018 What Mark Driscoll and Family Have Been Up To

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Ask Pastor Mark Blog Daily Devotions Sermons Uncategorized

Select a Month July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 October 2018 September 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 December 2014

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

True or False: According to Romans, if God is for us, no one can be against us.

Select your answer to see how you score.

TRUE FALSE