"Is Jesus the only way?" conversation openers

"I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." -- Jesus (John 14:6)

Jesus' bold saying is a challenge to modern and post-modern minds. There is a tension between the ideal of truth and policy of tolerating all. Below are some notes on the more common objections I've heard to Jesus' claim, and ways to move the conversation forward. 

Objection: There are lots of great teachers

There may be a lot of great teachers from a human point of view, but God raised only one of them from the dead. God made clear which of the great teachers is the way to resurrection and life. We aren't left guessing about it or trying to see who has a better argument (or arguer). Once God has weighed in on the question, human arguments are pointless. 

Objection: There are good atheists too; they should go to heaven

Heaven is God's home. If someone hates God but thinks God owes them admission to his home, God may not think the same way about that. (This is in the context of the "atheists" who are intentionally spiteful about God and believers, the atheists of the "it's cool to be cruel" school.) 

Objection: It's not fair to have eternal fate depend on some obscure belief

God raised Jesus from the dead, and probably every adult in the world has heard that by now. There's no barrier to hearing it: anyone who knows even the barest basics about the major religions knows that. God loves everyone, and desires to save everyone, and sent a savior for everyone. 

After the initial round of discussion, the next move is explaining more about the good news: it means we can trust God. It means God loves us. It means he hasn't abandoned us to pointless lives that are nasty, brutish, and short. Or wherever the good news intersects the listener's felt needs.

The viral memories and the hidden vices

If my memories had view-counters like a video on the web, some memories would hardly have any views and others would be well-worn, their view-counters easily spinning up to double digits or more. As relentless as an ad algorithm, my mind can replay some of these memories when at rest. 

After some work trying to root out pockets of sin, it's clear that the worst parts of me tend to hide behind the best, or camouflage themselves that way: 

• If I want to be the MVP, I am likely to undervalue the contributions of others, or not make space for them. 
• If I am being helpful and kind, are my motives always pure, or is there some hope of being noticed and valued? 
• If I am being funny, have I done it at someone else's expense? 
• If I am noticing faults in others, am I doing it to think better of myself? 
• Am I a peacemaker, or am I avoiding conflict? 
• Am I patient, or am I undecided on the next step? 
• Am I overworked in one area of life, or am I avoiding unpleasant tasks in another area? 
• Am I focused on justice, or am I having trouble forgiving? 

When I look for my own vices, I might do well to see what's hiding behind my virtues. "Simultaneously saints and sinners," as they say in some circles. 

The commandment to be holy: How?

The Old Testament often repeated the command to Be holy as the Lord God is holy. The New Testament is clear that this applies to us also (1 Peter 1:16). But how do we become holy in that way? 

Of course we stay back from sin. I'm here considering times when we have done that, but still do not find ourselves having become a fountain of God-pleasing graceful thoughts, words, and actions. 

When the New Testament repeats the Levitical command to be holy, we do get some guidance, both in resisting our sinful tendencies, and in devoting ourselves to the brotherly love of fellowship (see 1 Peter 1). 

I'd also consider the Sabbath as a help for holiness. The Sabbath is a holy day, not because work is bad, not because work is illegitimate, but because the blessings of God deserve a time of focus. The Sabbath is especially useful for gratitude and for rest. Busy-ness can be opposed to holiness. So can tiredness and stress. And I'll speak for myself here that rest can be an act of faith: a recognition that my busy-ness is not always the solution, an act of trust that God is, after all, God. 

In the Bible we see that some "most holy" things can convey some holiness from God, as a bridge between God's ultimate holiness and this world. (Deeper dive here.) In the current Christian culture it's probably useful to add that book study is not the only means of time with God. Prayer and meditation, gratitude, and fellowship are worthy pursuits. For any who would hesitate about fellowship, consider  the apostle Paul's blessing of "the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit." I read that to mean both the fellowship with the Holy Spirit, and with each other through the Holy Spirit. It is a help to holiness when we listen to another person's cares, or otherwise arrange to be present in a way that encourages and uplifts.