6. What About Other Religions?
Latter-Day Saints and Jehovah’s Witnesses
While there are many Christian denominations that center faith in Jesus for salvation, there are two major counterfeit Christian sects in America that have a faulty understanding of Jesus and salvation: Latter-Day Saints (LDS) and the Jehovah’s Witnesses (JW). The LDS, also known as Mormons, see themselves as the only true church as restored by Joseph Smith in the 1800s and guided by a succession of prophets with divine access. The claim all other denominations and religions hold apostate beliefs. The LDS view the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit as separate and distinct gods. The Father was formerly a man in previous existence and kept all the requirements of Mormonism. Therefore, he was exalted to godhood and inherited his own universe – which is our universe. There are an infinite number of gods with their own worlds who were also previously men. Every human has the potential of being exalted to a god of their own planet by fully meeting the requirements of the restored church. The requirements for salvation are many and include baptism in an LDS church, confessing and abandoning sin, receiving the Holy Spirit by the laying on of hands, celestial marriage in an LDS temple, and tithing.
The JW essentially promote a deficient version of apocalyptic Christianity that is based on the teachings of its founder in the 1800s and subsequent leaders, and not rooted in the Bible. As is typical with Christian cults, the JW claim to “have reestablished the form of Christianity that was practiced in the first century.†This remarkable claim is reminiscent of the LDS founder Joseph Smith’s claim several decades earlier. The JW are directed today by a governing body that receives “progressive revelation†from God and teaches the doctrines of the organization through the distribution of literature. Members meet twice weekly for both worship and Bible study in buildings they call Kingdom Halls. JWs believe only 144,000 people will merit heaven and the rest who work hard enough will be resurrected on the earth after Armageddon.
When talking with people from counterfeit Christian groups, it’s important to define your terminology and clarify what you mean by words like salvation, heaven, grace, and repentance. Ask questions to make a point instead of arguing. One of the best things you can do is share your personal testimony of salvation and assurance of God’s presence when you die. Also you can ask them to study the Bible with you. Pray for the Holy Spirit to open the eyes of the LDS and JWs to come to real faith and repentance in Jesus.
Islam
Every good Muslim, or follower of Islam, will follow a pattern of specific beliefs and actions. It is important to know something about their key beliefs:
Buddhism
Buddhism has been around for centuries, and it continues to grow all around the world. The goal of Buddhism is Enlightenment – a state of lasting and unconditional happiness. To get to this state, Buddha pointed to sustainable values, and he gave valuable information about “how things are.†Through understanding the law of cause and effect, using practical tools like meditation to gain insight and develop compassion and wisdom, it is the belief that anyone can tap into their potential to realize the ultimate goal of Enlightenment. Contrary to popular belief, Buddhists don’t believe in a distinct “god,†but instead they worship the idea of Enlightenment. While some Buddhists worship the Buddha as a deity, the original Buddha made it very clear that he was not a god. According to his teachings, he claims that there is no savior. Each person is responsible for their own Enlightenment, and only they can achieve it for themselves.
Unlike Christianity, most Buddhists don’t believe in the same truths. The path for each follower of Buddhism is somewhat subjective. Many would argue about what Buddhism is, so before you try and share the gospel, get to learn what that person believes first. Buddhists don’t recognize “sin,†and most are not concerned with it at all. Their primary goal is happiness, and they wholeheartedly believe in Karma. We must be diligent in the way we speak about sin, forgiveness, and our salvation. Stay away from terms that might suggest a works-based forgiveness or anything that sounds like Karma. Try establishing a relationship by focusing your conversation on physical needs. Most Buddhists are very concerned about social issues and the physical needs of those around them. By acknowledging your concern for these issues as well to find common ground, a Buddhist may be more inclined to believe what you have to say about God.
Hinduism
Hinduism has influenced western culture in various ways. Transcendental Meditation is the process of emptying your mind in order to recognize the inner divinity associated with Brahman. Christian meditation differs in that the goal is to focus the mind on the revealed truth of God in order to come into alignment with the character of God. Another major influence of Hinduism on our culture is the practice of yoga. The term yoga means “to yoke†and Hindus view it as one of the paths to connecting with the divine reality. The poses and techniques in yoga are designed to help a person connect with the cosmos and move toward self and divine realization.
Hindus may view Christianity as a western religion and their religion as eastern. However, share with a Hindu that Christianity was birthed in Jerusalem in the East and spread throughout the middle east as well as into Asia. Let Hindus know they do not have to give up their culture in order to surrender their life to Jesus. Christianity is a global religion because Jesus came to save all humanity from their sins. Jesus is not simply one teacher among many. Jesus made exclusive claims in relation to his incarnation and mission of salvation for all people. To say that Christianity is merely one of the ways to God is to affirm a contradiction. Jesus declared that no one could come to God the Father except through Him. Because Hindus believe they are in a cycle of reincarnation trying to obtain moksha, or salvation, explain to a Hindu the hope a Christian has in a personal relationship with God through faith in Jesus. The Bible affirms that the one true God can be know personally and has provided assurance to an eternity with Him through faith in Jesus’ death and resurrection for the forgiveness of our sins.
Sikhism
Anyone who has driven through Jackson on I-20 lately has surely seen the ornate Sikh temple. Sikhism is most likely a religion that the typical Mississippian has little if any knowledge of. The Sikh religion is an Eastern religion started by the first guru when he was dissatisfied with both Hinduism and Islam. As a result, Sikhism contains elements of both Hinduism and Islam. Sikhs believe that all there is to know about God has been revealed by the ten gurus. While the first nine gurus were men, the final guru is their holy book, the Granth Sahib. Sikhs reject the claim that they worship multiple gods, even though they claim their gurus were sinless. Sikhs don’t believe there is only one way to God and view their responsibility to meditate, serve the poor, and serve their community. They are not required to evangelize non-Sikhs. Sikhs are welcoming people whose temples are generally open daily to the public.
Sikhs value relationships. Long-term meaningful conversations about the gospel will most likely need to be preceded by a sincere friendship. Do not focus on secondary religious and culture symbols that represent the Sikh identity as a point of contention. Give Sikhs a copy of the New Testament and help them understand it. Invite Sikhs to a Christian worship service and explain what they experience. Although their understanding is somewhat different than the biblical view of grace, Sikhs will still identity with the concept. Sikhs view grace as God’s kind recognition of a person. Consider how to share your story of how God’s unmerited favor brought you to a point of need for forgiveness of your sins. Share how salvation is a gift that we could never earn no matter how many lifetimes we had. Help Sikhs understand that God has revealed specific truth to humanity through the Bible and also provided salvation through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
So, who do you know that is searching for hope in another religion? Maybe a neighbor, friend, coworker, or an acquaintance you see regularly? While its important to start learning more about what others believe in order to foster gospel conversations, our dependence on the Lord’s guidance through prayer and sensitivity to the Holy Spirit is ultimate. Be willing to share your story of how the Lord has not only given you assurance of salvation, but also how your life is continually motivated by the love and grace of God. If you haven’t already, begin praying for many opportunities to have gospel conversations about the transforming love of Jesus with those in search of hope!
While there are many Christian denominations that center faith in Jesus for salvation, there are two major counterfeit Christian sects in America that have a faulty understanding of Jesus and salvation: Latter-Day Saints (LDS) and the Jehovah’s Witnesses (JW). The LDS, also known as Mormons, see themselves as the only true church as restored by Joseph Smith in the 1800s and guided by a succession of prophets with divine access. The claim all other denominations and religions hold apostate beliefs. The LDS view the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit as separate and distinct gods. The Father was formerly a man in previous existence and kept all the requirements of Mormonism. Therefore, he was exalted to godhood and inherited his own universe – which is our universe. There are an infinite number of gods with their own worlds who were also previously men. Every human has the potential of being exalted to a god of their own planet by fully meeting the requirements of the restored church. The requirements for salvation are many and include baptism in an LDS church, confessing and abandoning sin, receiving the Holy Spirit by the laying on of hands, celestial marriage in an LDS temple, and tithing.
The JW essentially promote a deficient version of apocalyptic Christianity that is based on the teachings of its founder in the 1800s and subsequent leaders, and not rooted in the Bible. As is typical with Christian cults, the JW claim to “have reestablished the form of Christianity that was practiced in the first century.†This remarkable claim is reminiscent of the LDS founder Joseph Smith’s claim several decades earlier. The JW are directed today by a governing body that receives “progressive revelation†from God and teaches the doctrines of the organization through the distribution of literature. Members meet twice weekly for both worship and Bible study in buildings they call Kingdom Halls. JWs believe only 144,000 people will merit heaven and the rest who work hard enough will be resurrected on the earth after Armageddon.
When talking with people from counterfeit Christian groups, it’s important to define your terminology and clarify what you mean by words like salvation, heaven, grace, and repentance. Ask questions to make a point instead of arguing. One of the best things you can do is share your personal testimony of salvation and assurance of God’s presence when you die. Also you can ask them to study the Bible with you. Pray for the Holy Spirit to open the eyes of the LDS and JWs to come to real faith and repentance in Jesus.
Islam
Every good Muslim, or follower of Islam, will follow a pattern of specific beliefs and actions. It is important to know something about their key beliefs:
- There is one god, and his name is Allah. Allah is not a trinity. He is a single unit with a similar equivalent to what Christians call the Father. Allah cannot have a son, and it is sinful to believe that he has a son.
- Jesus was a real person but was not the Son of God. Jesus was a good prophet and did many good things. He did not die on the cross – someone else died in His place so that He would not have to die.
- There are good and bad angels. The bad angels are called jinn, and this where the concept of genies came from.
- There are a number of prophets who were used by Allah. The Old Testament prophets are revered, Jesus is held as a prophet, and Muhammed is the most important prophet. Muhammad was Allah’s chosen messenger. Because of this, it is sinful to speak against Muhammed – the penalty for speaking against him can be as severe as the death penalty.
Buddhism
Buddhism has been around for centuries, and it continues to grow all around the world. The goal of Buddhism is Enlightenment – a state of lasting and unconditional happiness. To get to this state, Buddha pointed to sustainable values, and he gave valuable information about “how things are.†Through understanding the law of cause and effect, using practical tools like meditation to gain insight and develop compassion and wisdom, it is the belief that anyone can tap into their potential to realize the ultimate goal of Enlightenment. Contrary to popular belief, Buddhists don’t believe in a distinct “god,†but instead they worship the idea of Enlightenment. While some Buddhists worship the Buddha as a deity, the original Buddha made it very clear that he was not a god. According to his teachings, he claims that there is no savior. Each person is responsible for their own Enlightenment, and only they can achieve it for themselves.
Unlike Christianity, most Buddhists don’t believe in the same truths. The path for each follower of Buddhism is somewhat subjective. Many would argue about what Buddhism is, so before you try and share the gospel, get to learn what that person believes first. Buddhists don’t recognize “sin,†and most are not concerned with it at all. Their primary goal is happiness, and they wholeheartedly believe in Karma. We must be diligent in the way we speak about sin, forgiveness, and our salvation. Stay away from terms that might suggest a works-based forgiveness or anything that sounds like Karma. Try establishing a relationship by focusing your conversation on physical needs. Most Buddhists are very concerned about social issues and the physical needs of those around them. By acknowledging your concern for these issues as well to find common ground, a Buddhist may be more inclined to believe what you have to say about God.
Hinduism
Hinduism has influenced western culture in various ways. Transcendental Meditation is the process of emptying your mind in order to recognize the inner divinity associated with Brahman. Christian meditation differs in that the goal is to focus the mind on the revealed truth of God in order to come into alignment with the character of God. Another major influence of Hinduism on our culture is the practice of yoga. The term yoga means “to yoke†and Hindus view it as one of the paths to connecting with the divine reality. The poses and techniques in yoga are designed to help a person connect with the cosmos and move toward self and divine realization.
Hindus may view Christianity as a western religion and their religion as eastern. However, share with a Hindu that Christianity was birthed in Jerusalem in the East and spread throughout the middle east as well as into Asia. Let Hindus know they do not have to give up their culture in order to surrender their life to Jesus. Christianity is a global religion because Jesus came to save all humanity from their sins. Jesus is not simply one teacher among many. Jesus made exclusive claims in relation to his incarnation and mission of salvation for all people. To say that Christianity is merely one of the ways to God is to affirm a contradiction. Jesus declared that no one could come to God the Father except through Him. Because Hindus believe they are in a cycle of reincarnation trying to obtain moksha, or salvation, explain to a Hindu the hope a Christian has in a personal relationship with God through faith in Jesus. The Bible affirms that the one true God can be know personally and has provided assurance to an eternity with Him through faith in Jesus’ death and resurrection for the forgiveness of our sins.
Sikhism
Anyone who has driven through Jackson on I-20 lately has surely seen the ornate Sikh temple. Sikhism is most likely a religion that the typical Mississippian has little if any knowledge of. The Sikh religion is an Eastern religion started by the first guru when he was dissatisfied with both Hinduism and Islam. As a result, Sikhism contains elements of both Hinduism and Islam. Sikhs believe that all there is to know about God has been revealed by the ten gurus. While the first nine gurus were men, the final guru is their holy book, the Granth Sahib. Sikhs reject the claim that they worship multiple gods, even though they claim their gurus were sinless. Sikhs don’t believe there is only one way to God and view their responsibility to meditate, serve the poor, and serve their community. They are not required to evangelize non-Sikhs. Sikhs are welcoming people whose temples are generally open daily to the public.
Sikhs value relationships. Long-term meaningful conversations about the gospel will most likely need to be preceded by a sincere friendship. Do not focus on secondary religious and culture symbols that represent the Sikh identity as a point of contention. Give Sikhs a copy of the New Testament and help them understand it. Invite Sikhs to a Christian worship service and explain what they experience. Although their understanding is somewhat different than the biblical view of grace, Sikhs will still identity with the concept. Sikhs view grace as God’s kind recognition of a person. Consider how to share your story of how God’s unmerited favor brought you to a point of need for forgiveness of your sins. Share how salvation is a gift that we could never earn no matter how many lifetimes we had. Help Sikhs understand that God has revealed specific truth to humanity through the Bible and also provided salvation through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
So, who do you know that is searching for hope in another religion? Maybe a neighbor, friend, coworker, or an acquaintance you see regularly? While its important to start learning more about what others believe in order to foster gospel conversations, our dependence on the Lord’s guidance through prayer and sensitivity to the Holy Spirit is ultimate. Be willing to share your story of how the Lord has not only given you assurance of salvation, but also how your life is continually motivated by the love and grace of God. If you haven’t already, begin praying for many opportunities to have gospel conversations about the transforming love of Jesus with those in search of hope!