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Does God Approve All Religions?
No, is the short answer.
Various religions have diverse doctrines and practices. The things Jews do contradict what Muslims do. Hindus practice things that are in sharp contrast with Buddhists. Among those who claim to be Christians, there is an endless assortment of beliefs and practices. It is not possible that God approves of all these at the same time, or else He is a hypocrite.
If a man claimed to be a Jew, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, and Christian, he would essentially stand for everything, which means he would stand for nothing. He would not have the respect of any group. The same thing is true in regard to denominations. If a man were a member of several denominations, Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, and Pentecostal, he would be a hypocrite. So it would be with God.
God has one standard of truth, His word (Jn. 17:17). He revealed it in such a way that man can understand it and be set free from sin (Eph. 5:3-5; Jn. 8:32). God does not teach two different points on a subject. He does not teach that babies should be baptized and babies should not be baptized. He teaches that penitent believers are subjects of baptism (Acts 2:38; 8:36-38). If men understand this, or any other biblical subject, in contradictory ways, it is not God’s fault, but man’s. God made His word as it is and man as he is. He did not reveal the gospel so as to stump man and cause confusion (1 Cor. 2:10-13; 14:33). He revealed it to save men—all in the same way (Rom. 1:16).
The pure word of God unites men. Jesus prayed for this unity (Jn. 17:20-23). The first Christians practiced it (Acts 2:38-42). They were of “one accord” and “one heart and of one soul” (Acts 2:46; 4:32). The will of God for men has not changed since the first century. It was fully revealed and providentially preserved through the centuries (2 Pet. 1:3; Jude 3; 1 Pet. 1:22-25). If men of the first century were united in truth, so can men today. The way to do this is by returning to the gospel alone. All traditions and doctrines of men must be cast aside (Matt. 15:7-14). Anything that does not have positive divine authority must be forsaken, no matter how precious or dear it may be.
God does not approve of various religions, not even the diverse doctrines of those who claim His Son. Those who persist in their own will and way, creating confusion and division, will lose their soul (Matt. 7:21-23). They will also be accountable for leading others astray (Matt. 18:6-9). |
