Unbelievable...57% of Evangelicals Nullify the Cross of Christ

In Tuesday's blog I wrote about a major survey by the Pew Research Center's Forum on Religion & Public Life that indicated that most Americans do not believe their religion is the only way to salvation. And that most Americans agree with the statement that many religions – not just their own – can lead to eternal life. This view is shared by a majority of adherents in nearly all religious traditions, including more than half of members of evangelical Protestant churches(57%).

Why is this finding so dangerous in regards to America's Evangelical churches? FIRST AND FOREMOST, WHEN WE BELIEVE THAT THERE ARE OTHER WAYS BESIDES JESUS TO ETERNAL LIFE WE ARE DENYING THE DEITY OF CHRIST.[see Tuesday's blog]

SECONDLY, BY BELIEVING THAT THERE ARE MANY WAYS OTHER THAN JESUS TO ETERNAL LIFE, WE NULLIFY THE DEATH AND RESURRECTION OF CHRIST. If we really believe that we can attain eternal life by our works or by some other way then why would Christ have to go to the cross and die for our sins? Why would we believe in a supernatural resurrection of Christ? Why would we need to believe that he ascended and makes intercession for believers in heaven? In essence, an evangelical Christian who believes that there are other ways to eternal life really doesn't need Jesus to go to Calvary. They are just fine with a crossless Christianity. Basically, Jesus did not have to do anymore than just be a great teacher or prophet if we truly think that there are other ways to have eternal life other than Jesus.

THIRDLY, IF WE BELIEVE THAT THERE ARE OTHER WAYS TO ETERNAL LIFE OTHER THAN JESUS, THEN WHY PREACH THE GOSPEL? Why share Christ with our unsaved friends and family? Why give to missions? Why make the effort to disciple people in the local church? I mean wouldn't the need and urgency to do these things be useless if there are other ways for people to be saved. If this is the case, the church should define all the ways you can attain eternal life and then preach "all these ways a person can be saved" to the unsaved. Doesn't that make more sense then proclaiming something we really don't believe?

FOURTHLY, IF WE BELIEVE THAT THERE ARE OTHER WAYS TO ETERNAL LIFE OTHER THAN JESUS, THEN DO WE REALLY BELIEVE THE BIBLE IS GOD'S WORD? From Genesis to Revelation it proclaims that Jesus has come to be the Savior of the world. The Old Testament books point to the cross of Christ and in the New Testament we hear from the eyewitnesses of Jesus testifying of His redemptive words and deeds. We also read for ourselves concerning His ministry as intercessor in heaven and the many scriptures that point to His return to set up His kingdom here on earth. Listen to me please, if you believe that there are other ways than Jesus to eternal life, then you surely cannot believe that the Bible is the innerant Word of God!

More tomorrow...