Q. There are so many religions out there. How can we be sure that Christianity is the right one?
A. No doubt about it – people believe all kinds of religious ideas, and most people are sincere in their beliefs. We should treat them with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15), and do all we can to protect their rights – as well as our own – to practice religion freely.
I also know that people can be sincere, but sincerely wrong. In fact, it’s impossible that all religions could be right, since they contradict each other on so many fundamental points. For example, look at what these religions teach about God:
- Buddhism historically denies that God exists (atheism).
- Hinduism teaches that everything is part of an all-pervasive, impersonal god (pantheism).
- Christianity teaches that there is one God who is personal and who created everything (theism).
Well, God is not schizophrenic – so we’re forced to choose between belief systems. How should we do this? Should we base our decision on our traditions, or on what some authority figure tells us to believe, or perhaps on what we feel in our hearts? Those are dangerous ways to decide.
My contention is that we should choose our beliefs based on where logic and the evidence point (while asking God for guidance). And it’s with that approach that I’ve concluded Christianity – over any other worldview – squares with the facts of science philosophy, and history.
My own experience has borne this out. Psalm 34:8 invites us, “Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.” Well, as one who has been tasting and seeing for more than four decades – and experiencing those blessings – I can testify that the psalmist was right: the Lord is real, and he is good.
“I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.” – Isaiah 48:17
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