Norman L. Geisler of Loyola University, co-founder of Veritas and Southern Evangelical seminaries notes that many Christians are open to acknowledging the truth or value of other world belief systems. Such willingness is worrisome and therefore important to remind ourselves of the truth-claims of the Christian faith. Logically, any claim that supports one thing also refutes another. Hence, the truth claims of the competing world belief systems – Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, African Religion(s), Atheism, New Age Movement, and New Religious Movements – means only one can be true and all others false.
A brief survey of the major world religions shows that Judaism, Islam, and Christianity are monotheistic. Termed the Abrahamic religions by scholars, Judaism, Islam and Christianity express belief in a unitary God. Others are pantheistic in expression such as Buddhism, Hinduism, and New Age Movement. African Religion(s) and nineteenth-century birthed Mormonism are polytheistic. Notably, these belief systems have incompatible views of God, the world, humanity, destiny, salvation, etc. However, inherent in all these belief systems is the overarching direct or indirect acknowledgment of a Supreme Being. This can be traced to all humanity receiving General Revelation (Psalm 19; Romans 1:19-21; 2:12-15). It is therefore not surprising that these different belief systems also express good and truth. However, the truth as perceived within these belief systems is tainted and distorted in comparison to the truth and uniqueness of the Christian faith – Trinitarian God, Christ, the Bible, and Salvation.
Irrespective of the existence of other monotheistic beliefs, Christianity’s Trinitarian doctrine sets it apart. It is only in the Christian Trinity that a unitary God is expressed eternally in three distinct persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:18-19). This is the true view of God (1 Corinthians 8:4,6) and there is no other. Furthermore, no other religion recognizes Christ as the singular Son of God, the manifestation of God in the flesh ( John 1:1,14). In fact, while Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism honor Christ, they do not see him as God in the flesh. Therefore, there is no comparison between the Messianic Christ and that of any other belief.
The Christian Bible is equally unique in comparison with Judaism’s Torah, Islam’s Qur’an, and Hinduism’s Bhagavad Gita. Unlike these holy or wisdom books mentioned, the Bible is God-inspired (2 Timothy 3:16) and written by chosen men of God over a set period. Finally, Christianity shows a definitive and unique plan for mankind’s salvation. Mankind is declared sinful and alienated from God (Romans 3:23). Mankind cannot work his way to salvation through good works (Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 4:5) but can only do so through Christ Jesus (John 10:1,9; Romans 10:9; John 14:6)
As pointed out by Geisler, the truth claims of Christianity may be offensive to the unbelieving mind because the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God (1 Corinthians 1:18). More importantly, let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful (Hebrews 10:23).
