The Challenge of Pluralism

No doubt, there are many challenges to the Christian faith today, but one of the more difficult issues that will have to be dealt with is that of religious pluralism, which says that no one religion is true. All religions are basically the same. So any idea or notion that claims superiority over another is necessarily wrong. Obviously this has major implications for the Christian faith, which is inherently exclusive. Many within the camp have compromised the claims of Christ in order to be acceptable in a postmodern context. But as the saying goes, "He who weds himself to the culture, will soon become a widow." Here is a prime example of where are culture is from an MSNBC story about a guy who attempted to live biblically for a year in order to write a book about his experience:

One of the lessons of the book is, there is some picking and choosing in following the Bible, and I think that’s OK. Some people call that cafeteria religion, which is supposed to be a disparaging term, but I think there’s nothing wrong with cafeterias, I’ve had some delicious meals in cafeterias. I’ve also had some terrible meals in cafeterias. It’s all about picking the right parts. You want to take a heaping serving of the parts about compassion, mercy and gratefulness—instead of the parts about hatred and intolerance.

This is similar to a conversation I had with a U of L student last week. At first, she denied being a Christian, then said she is a Christian, but never tells anyone that. The following is a shortened paraphase of how the conversation went:

Me: So you claim to follow Christ, but don't tell anyone that Christ is your Lord?

Anonymous Christian (AC): Well, yes because it is associated with organized religion which has done some good things. I did a service project one time with a youth group, but organized religion has done more harm than good.

Me: So you privately follow the teachings of Jesus?

AC: Yes, Jesus taught many great things. I am a pacifist.

Me: You know, Jesus taught some pretty radical things. When is the last time you read any of his teaching?

AC: You mean the Bible? I haven't read it since I was little. But of course no one is perfect. We are all sinners. Gandhi was not always a pacifist, and Martin Luther King Jr. cheated on his wife. I don't follow these men because of their flaws, but because of their strengths.

Evangelism today requires time and energy. Pluralism is here to stay, and is a force to be reckoned with. We need to be aware of where our culture is, which means studying culture, and being deeply informed by the Christian worldview. Evangelism must start with creation. Tracts and the Roman Road are not as effective as they once were, in our post-Christian culture.