Is Christ the only way to heaven?

For some this question is pretty easy, for others very complex. It is also very divisive for those who make a bold claim of exclusivity. I would venture to guess that most of the people you come into contact with on a daily basis have an opinion on this. But my guess would be that even those with strong opinions haven't really thought this through.

This question seems to show up during political campaigns where candidates claim a certain denomination in the Christian faith. Barack Obama recently was asked this question with a group of Christian leaders. Unfortunately, the answers were closed to the public... pretty convenient.

So what makes this such a bold statement? In the bare-bone facts, by saying such a statement that Christ is the only way to heaven it strikes at one's own beliefs. You have just challenged everything they believe. In fact, many think this is very arrogant to believe you have figured out the way to heaven.

So this makes Christianity seem very arrogant and pompous. Granted there are those in the church that don't make this easy to explain, but Christianity is anything but arrogant. Here is why.

Christianity that is found in the teachings of the Bible give zero glory to the believer in Christ. The person who is a recipient of grace did nothing to warrant receiving grace. Christians who see who they are in light of the great and holy God acknowledge their wretched ways and proclaim they are nothing without Him. Isaiah 64:6 says, "All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away." So any Christian that is arrogant about their salvation is speaking error that contrary to Bible. The central message of the Bible is God is holy (set-apart) and man is anything but holy! The only way for man to be holy is to have that holiness given to them by Christ. So even when a Christian acts holy and shows fruit of righteousness it is from an outside source. NOT THEMSELVES!

Christians should proclaim the cleanliness of God. Christ was the spotless lamb that never sinned in this sinful world. He was able to withstand temptation to the greatest degree and walk to the cross perfect. We as sinners have nothing to boast about since we are sinful, spotted lambs, and fall into temptation regularly.

So what about this arrogant claim of Christ being the only way to heaven? What needs to be emphasized here is that we don't make this statement. We have no authority to make it true. Remember, all our acts are filthy rags. But it is the spotless Lamb who makes this claim when He said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except by me." (emphasis mine)

Those who hate the claim of exclusivity of Christianity has a problem with the One who made that claim. The problem is with the Scriptures and with its claims. Any Christian (or one who thinks they are, but are not) that boasts in "finding Jesus" or "found the truth" doesn't understand Christian orthodoxy. Christian theology has always made the claim that we are the ones who are lost and Christ sought us out. We were the rebels, the devils, and the enemies.

But now we have been reconciled with God and our sins have been paid in full. We now boast only in the glorious and forgiving Triune God of the universe! The exclusivity of Christ is a claim that Christ made, we just proclaim what has been revealed.

Time magazine published an article recently about some interesting findings. The poll suggests that more and more so-called Christianity is becoming more willing to accept a plurality of ways to heaven. This article is interesting and disturbing. Whether these findings are true or not, it makes my heart uneasy. Click here to read the article.