scott@GOMEZ.phys.virginia.edu (07/01/91)
Most would agree that the main difference between christianity and other religions is that the christian relies on Christ to eradicate sins, while other religions rely on the self. However, from a PBS show recently I learned that in India people flock to the Ganges river and bathe in its waters. People believe that the Ganges cleanses the body of sin. Isn't this analogous to the christian "washing in the blood of the lamb"? I just have trouble believing that all of the Hindu people are lost. Isn't the principle of not relying on the self at least partially present? Scott [The contrast you propose seems to be an oversimplification. There are many religions that have ways of reconciling us with the God (or the gods) after we sin. This includes the sacrificial system in Judaism and other religions, and other rites. Indeed the concept of Jesus as the lamb of God is based on the Jewish sacrificial system. But any such rite has to be based on spiritual reality. Christian practice is claimed to "work" because God was actually present in Christ and by becoming his disiples we are taking advantage of the method that God established for dealing with sin. Washing in the Ganges isn't going to accomplish anything unless God is somehow behind that act. (This is ultimately what lies behind the critique that it's an act of man. If God hasn't established it, then it's an action man has made up.) The usual Christian analysis is that the OT sacrificial system "worked" because it was established by God through the Law and Prophets, and it foreshadowed Christ's sacrifice. Thus it really presented Christ, even though that fact wasn't visible to most of those who practiced it. There are Christians who believe that Christ is just one of many ways to God. But given statements in the NT such as "no one comes to the Father, but by me" (John 14:6), this view isn't very common. More common is the idea that just as the OT sacrificial system could lead people to Christ even though they hadn't heard of him, God can work through the practices of other religions. Catholics refer to people who are really in relation to Christ even though they haven't heard of him as "anonymous Christians". I'm not sure how common this idea is. It's probably more widely accepted for people in cultures where there is no opportunity to hear the Gospel. But many Christians believe it is important to use only the means actually instituted by God. To make up your own religion -- no matter how plausible or attractive -- is idolatry. --clh]