"I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” [John 14:6, NIV]
This passage and several more like it – John 3:18, 3:36, and 8:23-24; Luke 10:22; Matthew 11:27 – describe Jesus as the light/way/truth that leads us to God. Depending on your perspective and how much you consider them in context of the whole Gospel, Jesus is either the gatekeeper who keeps all but those who believe in him away from God or the guiding light who breaks down the barrier of sin that stands between us and God.
One perspective implies exclusivity; the other inclusiveness. I've seen those passages used like weapons of judgment and condemnation rather than as acts of love. Is that what Jesus intended? If you add context, Jesus also says “I have come into the world as a light” and “I did not come to judge the world but to save it” (John 12:46-47; see also John 3:16-17).
Jesus’ mission wasn't to condemn, not even those Pharisees who had lost focus on God among all the legal restrictions. Jesus came to do God’s will: to show people a way to live in God’s love and to experience eternal life.
God knows how hard it is to keep the commandments, so God sent Jesus to show what’s important (loving God and loving others). If we follow him it all falls into place. Jesus provides a revelation of God – one that is all we need to understand about God.
“Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.” (John 14:10)
There are those who insist that not only is Jesus the ONLY way to God but, in particular, their specific interpretation and doctrine are the ONLY correct ways to follow. I've had people say I’m going to hell because I don’t follow such-and-such doctrine. Sometimes they might use polite terms like “I’m deeply worried about your soul,” but the point was made. I used to think they were narrow-minded, overly-condemning, and probably drive more people away from Jesus than they bring to him. I’m now more inclined to think they have good intentions, but are overly zealous in their interpretation. I’m still not sure they’re bringing in more people than they drive away.
I believe our restored relationship with God and our salvation (from ourselves) comes through Jesus. But I don't presume to know how Jesus will reach out to everyone; nor do I believe that Jesus' loving act is only limited to the here and now on earth. I don't know how Jesus goes about reaching the millions (billions?) who died without ever hearing about him or who are raised in a culture that blocks him from the children. I have faith that, through ways I can't fathom, Jesus will reach out to all of God's creation and offer them the same gift of salvation he's given us. That, I believe, is in keeping with the Jesus I find in the Gospels.
I started out with the question: When Jesus says, “I am the way,” is he being exclusive (a gatekeeper letting in only a select few) or inclusive (a light who opens the way for us to know God)?
But, as I worked through the thoughts and notes that were mostly trimmed back to make this post short(ish) and sweet, another question keeps coming up: What if we spent more time as Christians emphasizing the inclusiveness of Jesus’ message – ANYONE who really listens to God and learns, will come to Jesus for more? What if we not only focused on that positive message, but had faith to believe it? Would we come across as less overbearing and exclusive in our approach? Would there be as many people alienated from God in the world today?
Is “Jesus is the way” a gate to keep out all but “true believers” or is it the key to opening the barriers we've put between us and God? Are we right in presuming it's the only way for people of all beliefs?
Thoughts?
Opinions?
Alternative interpretations?
"I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” [John 14:6, NIV]----This is scripture, the infallible word of God. What is meant when you write, "Are we right in presuming it's the only way for people of all beliefs?" Beliefs don't matter!!!! The word of God is what matters. There is no twisting John 14:6!!! You get to heaven thru Jesus. There is no other way. If you don't accept Christ as your Lord and savior there is no salvation. Be very careful with this!!!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat about John 14:2? What are those other rooms Jesus is talking about? Are they ways to find God through other religions? Are one or more of them Hell? What’s the deal?
ReplyDeleteWhat about Colossians 1:20 (Amplified Bible)? It says “And God purposed that through (by the service, the intervention of) Him [the Son] all things should be completely reconciled back to Himself, whether on earth or in heaven, as through Him, [the Father] made peace by means of the blood of His cross.” It doesn’t say “only through Him”. Does "all things" include non-believers?
If you want some light reading and have about an hour, check out Richard Baukham’s survey of the history of universalism at http://www.theologicalstudies.org.uk/article_universalism_bauckham.html
It's helpful (at least to me) to look consider how John portrays Jesus in his Gospel (and we also have the benefit of several letters from John as well). In the opening chapter of John, as well as later in this particular chapter, that John sees Jesus as the embodiment of God: "Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me." (John 14:11)
ReplyDeleteWe also know that not only does John say God is love, but he says that it is through love that we know God:
"Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. (1 John 4:7-9)
When we start adding more context to this, it's no longer an isolated passage. The way, truth, and life Jesus shows, then, is in a life of love (for God and for one another). And the Gospels provide plenty of examples in Jesus' life on what it means to live a life of love (for God and for each other). Moreover, if we don't love our brothers and sisters (and in Jesus' parable of the Good Samaritan, this included people the religious establishment of his time would have called non-believers), then we ourselves don't know God.
For me, that means our actions should be open and welcoming, not judgmental and condemning. I think a lot of Christians use this passage to reach to others in a sincere attempt to show them the way. I'm not sure that attempt is always done gracefully. For me, I think our call is to share God's love ("Love each other as I have loved you," Jesus said to who didn't fully comprehend who he was) and then trust that God is at work where we can't see and in ways we can't imagine.
Timothy Keller has an interesting take on this. He says that all religions can’t be equally right. If Jesus is who He says He is – essentially that He is God -then what better way could there be to get to God? Keller tells of a discussion he had with a Rabbi and an Imam, and they agreed that IF Jesus’ claims were true, then Keller was right.
ReplyDeleteKeller also points out that the value we put on equality comes from our culture particularly and is not shared by all cultures. That also applies across centuries (realize that cultural values will change in the future; they’re even changing right now). So, this idea that there can’t be one absolutely true religion is a product of our current cultural bias and colors any discussion we have about religion. How can we start from our biases when we’re searching for truth? How can you assert that because this part of the Bible doesn’t conform to our cultural bias, it cannot, therefore, be true? Keller additionally says that the view that Christianity is not inclusive enough on this point is just as narrow as the Christian view when it insists on its correctness. Importantly, however, Keller goes on to say that as Christians, what really counts in the end for us is how we treat others with an opposing view.
Finally, Keller posits that it’s not just non-Christians who might not spend eternity with God. He says that there may be some Baptists living a self-centered life in Indianapolis who haven’t really accepted grace; they’re in the same boat as those non-Christians.
Hi David,
ReplyDeleteI think you realized something very important for your own soul. By writing what you just did and reflecting upon the exclusivity problem of some forms of Christianity, you are doing exactly what God wanted. You are choosing not to judge others and allow everyone their own path to their salvation.
I have been thinking about this a lot as I am part of an inclusive religion myself, Islam. I have realized after actually reading all three books brought down by God what Jesus actually was trying to say and do. He never said "Pray to me, and worship me as your God". No. He said he is the WAY. He is the "wayshower"...the example for us to be and how to live our life peacefully with others and in the good graces of God. With the blessings and joys we bring to others, we in turn bring back to ourselves. Isn't metaphysics just discovering this idea of thoughts creating your own reality?
I think the secret lies in the story of the Tower of Babel. The idea that all men were once speaking the same language, but were scattered to thwart the plan of the vain King Nimrod who would have caused severe pain and suffering on humanity by trying to build the tallest tower in the world. God always has a plan, and I believe it doesn't just stop at the idea of Jesus redeeming us. I think it has to do with us realizing that through our diversity of language, culture and looks, we are truly brothers and sisters under the same Father. We just may call God different through different languages given to us by God during the scattering event!
Jesus was only one part of the story of humanity, the catalyst for great change, but the ending is up to us as a whole. We are forgetting other moral lessons inscribed in the Bible. Our true salvation will be in how we start to treat one another. Will we kill each other off with hate and ignorance? Or will we start to see the interconnection and treat each other as the Golden Rule suggests?
Our wordpress blog tries to show the same power of Love, Creation and Goodness working within all our lives by collecting testimonies from around the world. Thank you for your inclusive thoughts like yours David, that brings our world closer to a brighter future.
I will say one thing: I don't think we need to form ONE world religion, I think there is beauty in diversity, but to have thoughts go beyond labels and see the interconnection even through the different sects will be the next step.
"Surely those who believe, and those who are Jews, and the Christians, and the Sabians -- whoever believes in God and the Last Day and does good, they shall have their reward from their Lord. And there will be no fear for them, nor shall they grieve" (Quran 2:62)
God bless you!