What is religious pluralism?

There is today a rapidly growing movement in religious circles which has for its object the establishing of a common ground for worship, upon which professing Christians, Jews, Muslims and others may meet. Implicit in this is the recognition of the universal Fatherhood of God and, in consequence, the universal brotherhood of men. These are doctrines which carry an appeal, and have an attractiveness to the natural mind, and such passages as Malachi 2:10 and 1 Corinthians 8:6 are torn from their context to support what is asserted. We propose to examine the question in the light of Scripture, in which, and in which alone, is revealed the true basis of man's approach to God in worship.

The general trend in things religious at the present time is to form a world-church, embracing every breed and every creed. This movement takes in Mohammedans, Jews, and Christians of every shade; hence the need of a common basis of communion. Its leaders think that they have discovered such in the acceptance of the universal Fatherhood of God, and the universal Brotherhood of man.

The desirability of a universal religion — a religion that will suit the tastes of all — has been frequently spoken of. The "Review of Reviews" (June, 1908), in describing the Theosophist propaganda of a well-known Methodist (who yet retains his church membership without protest) remarks: "Nowadays all religions tend to approximate. The sharp corners and cruel angles are smoothed down. It is possible to preach in a Christian pulpit doctrine to which Jews, Buddhists and Moslems would listen with approval." It is reserved for the Man of Sin to bring this kind of thing to perfection. His system will be palatable to the mass. Woe to the godly few who refuse to conform to it!

In this favoured island of Great Britain it used to be believed that we had a perfect revelation of the mind of God, and this revelation was affirmed to be in the Bible. But at this present time men have become too wise for the Bible. As learning has increased, reverence for the Gospel of the grace of God has decreased; and it is not only corruption of the text, and true meaning of the Word, that prevails—this was so from the beginning—but the Book is altogether cast aside, and fables dominate the minds of men. Popery, Mormonism, Spiritism, Christian Science, Christadelphianism, Evolution, Modernism, and a host of other fables have taken the place of God’s revelation, and though few of those so led astray would affirm that they have got the whole truth, most are ready to affirm that there is a certain amount of truth in every religion, for all have the good of mankind in view, and if all were united in one they would be able with more perfect liberty to march together to the glorious goal, that they suppose lies before the human race.

This might, in the judgement of the uncircumcised nations around, seem very intolerant, very narrow, very bigoted. They indeed might boast of their freedom, and glory in the broad platform of their worship which admitted "gods many and lords many." It might, according to their thinking, argue greater breadth of mind to let every one think for himself in matters of religion, and choose his own object of worship, and his own mode of worshipping also. Or, still further, it might give evidence of a more advanced condition of civilisation, greater polish and refinement to erect, as in Rome, a pantheon in which all the gods of Heathendom might find a place. "What did it matter about the form of a man's religion, or the object of his worship, provided he himself were sincere? All would be sure to come right in the end; the great point for all was to attend to material progress, to help on national prosperity as the surest means of securing individual interests. Of course, it is all right for every man to have some religion, but as to the form of that religion it is immaterial. The great question is what you are yourself, not what your religion is."

This tolerance will tell the heathen that his religion is not error but truth—half truth, they say, and Christianity can supply the rest—heathen cults to form the foundation, Christianity to build the superstructure.

Before leaving this chapter notice how in the latter part of it the exclusive claim of Jehovah is emphasised again and again. Beside Him there is "none else." The faith of Christ, and the Gospel which proclaims it, have today just this exclusive claim, as witnessed in such scriptures as John 6:68; John 14:6; Acts 4:12; Galatians 1:8-9. There are today men who would go to the Buddhist or Confucian acknowledging their religions as ways to God and only claiming that "Christianity" offers them a rather superior way. In so doing they bring themselves near to, if not actually under, the apostolic curse of Galatians 1:8, while they avoid the reproach that the Gospel brings. It is this exclusive claim, inherent in the Gospel, which provokes the opposition.

People may think this only another way of really serving God (v.31), as though Confucianism, Buddhism, Mohammedanism, Shintoism, Mormonism, Christian Science, etc. are only alternative styles of worshiping the same God. but all of these are absolutely false and opposed to the worship of God as revealed in His beloved Son Jesus Christ. Such religions can sink into such a low state that people dare to even burn their children in the fire as sacrifices to their gods. Though some of these do not go that far literally today, yet by teaching unholy doctrines to their children, they are virtually sacrificing them to the flames of hell!

They tell us that Jehovah was understood to be one of many tribal deities, each nation having one or more. How does that consist with such words as these: "Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens is the Lord's thy God, the earth also, with all that therein is" (Deut. 10:14). There is no possible room left for any other god, save indeed the demons who, under Satan's leadership and guidance, preside in the heathen deities' worship. "The things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons, and not to God" (1 Cor. 10:20).

Yea, there was the awful sight of man with all his pride bowing down to his own handiwork, idols of metal or stone, in blank ignorance of the true and living God Who had sent His Son to die for sinners and rescue all who believe from the present evil age. Is He the only potentate, the alone Good, King of kings and Lord of lords, Who must not punish rebellion? And is it not plain and deadly rebellion against Him to worship, as they were doing, false gods? and gods so vile!