When you consider just how many religions there are in the world, it can seem a bit overwhelming. After all, 1 Peter 3:15 tells us to be “prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you…”. How can we possibly do this when there are so many different belief systems to cover? How can we intelligently defend the Christian faith and provide a reason for the hope within us to a Buddhist without spending hours upon hours understanding the core doctrines of his beliefs? In reality, there’s a much easier way to “make a defense”.
Whenever any other religion besides Christianity approaches the issue of salvation, redemption, etc., the focus is ultimately on man. While a supernatural figure or entity may enter into the picture, the responsibility of attaining perfection rests on man’s shoulders. Christianity alone proclaims man to be incapable of achieving salvation on his own power. The only way perfection can be attained is through someone who is perfect. The Bible repeatedly states that mankind is fallen and sinful — by default, imperfect. However, God sent His Son, Jesus, to earth to redeem mankind. Jesus lived a perfect life, died on the cross, and rose again three days later. His death served as payment for the sins of humanity. By confessing Jesus’ lordship and believing that He was raised from the dead, one may be saved.
The message of the Gospel truly is simple — confess and believe, and you shall be saved. When a Christian understands the Gospel’s terms of salvation and recognizes the underlying assumption that all other religions hold, he can more confidently defend his faith. Gaining a greater understanding of specific religions would certainly help in finding common ground when addressing non-believers — the apostle Paul provided an excellent example of this when he addressed the Greek Areopagus (Acts 17:16-34). Even so, understanding that all other religions believe that man is basically good and capable of saving himself is a tremendous advantage. How so?
If man is basically good, then it should be easily observed. However, we see exactly the opposite. Looking around on the news at all the crimes, violence, political corruption, and numerous other examples of immoral behavior should provide a clear picture of the state of mankind. Some would argue that man only appears to be flawed because of society’s influence. The problem is, people make up society. How could society be the reason people are flawed, when society is made up of people? If one truly considers the state of the world, it is readily evident that something is wrong; not just wrong on the surface, but inherently wrong.
Once we understand the true condition of man’s nature, we are better able to relate to any belief system we encounter. Because other religions will teach — in some form or another — that man is basically good and can save himself, our response would be to point out the impossibility of this claim. If man is basically good, then why does he continue to do bad things?
In order to stand before a holy God, man’s sinfulness must be fully atoned for. Even so, the One who created mankind is eternally faithful, steadfast in His love, perfectly just and righteous, yet abounding in grace and mercy. By accepting His gift of grace, there is no longer any need to seek salvation on one’s own might. No one can satisfy the price for their sins — it’s too steep. That’s what Jesus did on the cross 2,000 years ago. His death and resurrection are sufficient. There need be nothing else.
“Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”




