Are all religions the same?

Answer

The English writer and poet Steve Turner, in his brief work titled “The Creed,” addresses the question of whether all religions are equal in this manner:

“We believe that all religions are essentially similar

At least the one we studied was.

They all uphold love and goodness.

They only vary on topics like creation, sin, heaven, hell, God, and salvation.”

As Turner highlights, each religion differs from others in its core doctrines. Moreover, they diverge in their overall approach to seeking spiritual truth.

Some religions, such as Buddhism, adopt an epistemological approach: “If I acquire knowledge, I will discover spiritual significance and truth.”

Others, like Islam, follow a pragmatic route: “If I perform certain actions, I will find spiritual significance and truth.”

Meanwhile, some, like many New Age religions, experiment with an existential method: “If I encounter certain things, I will find spiritual significance and truth.”

Christianity stands apart from all other religions as it is the sole one that takes an ontological approach to seeking spiritual truth; that is, it is entirely centered on the person of Jesus Christ. Additionally, Christianity encompasses the methodologies present in other religions and channels them into the figure of Christ.

For instance, knowledge is attained through words. In this regard, the Gospel of John commences by stating, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. . . . And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth” «In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. », (John 1:1,14, NASB). Jesus embodies the knowledge of God.

Regarding pragmatism (i.e., deeds), people onceHe asked Jesus, “What shall we do, so that we may work the works [plural] of God?” Jesus’ answer to them was, “This is the work [singular] of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent” (John 6:28-29; NASB).

Existentialism and experience are fundamentally concerned with life. To that end, Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” «The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. », (John 10:10).

So, Christianity differs from all other religions in that it is built upon the person of Christ, who embodies all approaches to spiritual truth. Paul acknowledges this unique and ontological nature of Christianity when he exclaims, “I know whom [not what] I have believed” «For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. », (2 Timothy 1:12) and “For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ” «For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. », (2 Corinthians 4:6).