Can Christianity be harmonized with other worldviews? (Part 2)

This blog is part of my series titled “Is Christianity true?” The series addresses four common objections to the truthfulness of the Christian worldview, namely concerns about: (1) the trustworthiness of the Bible; (2) the historicity of Jesus’ resurrection; (3) the compatibility of faith in God with modern science; and (4) the incompatibility of Christian truth claims with those of other worldviews.

CAN CHRISTIANITY BE HARMONIZED WITH OTHER WORLDVIEWS? (Part 2)

“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” —JESUS (JOHN 14:6) 

HAS TOLERANCE BEEN HIJACKED? 

Unfortunately, the word tolerance has come to mean agreeing uncritically with another’s beliefs. It bears little resemblance to the traditional definition of the word according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary: “sympathy or indulgence for beliefs or practices differing from or conflicting with one’s own.”

In essence, the word tolerance has been hijacked and has been made to mean the opposite of its original intent. To paraphrase what my father told me growing up, “I may strongly disagree with your opinions, but I’ll passionately defend your right to freely state them.” Vigorous debate in the public square over all matters, including religious beliefs, leaves people better informed. As a result, they can make better choices for their own lives and for the wellbeing of the society of which they are a member. It is surely a sign of healthy societies when those of differing persuasions can discuss their differences in an open and friendly manner. 

CAN TWO CONTRADICTORY BELIEFS BOTH BE TRUE? 

The concept of tolerance in the true sense of the word begs a very important question: How does one determine whose perspective is the correct one? Just because someone passionately believes something does not mean the belief is true. It could be completely untrue. Sincere, energetic advocacy will not make it less so. 

On several occasions in recent years, I have heard someone use the expression “his truth” or “her truth.” However, the word truth is being misused. While it is sometimes used as a way for people to express their personal feelings or to tell how an experience impacted them, it can also be used to show truth as relative. As such, what they are really calling truth is actually a feeling, belief or opinion. However, are these feelings, beliefs or opinions evidence-based? 

No one can rationally base his or her life on the assumption that two contradictory propositions can be equally true.

Truth is not a matter of opinion but quite simply that which aligns with reality. It is objective, not subjective, and it applies to everyone, everywhere, regardless of the culture or era in which they live or have lived. As a corollary, contradictory propositions cannot both be true in the same sense at the same time. This is known as the Law of Non-Contradiction. When I told a business friend on one occasion that his assertion that all religions lead to God was wrong, I was appealing to this law. Simply put, no one can rationally base his or her life on the assumption that two contradictory propositions can be equally true.

Having explored the genesis and falsity of the notion that all religions point to the same God, we conclude that the Law of Non-Contradiction implies that all religions including Christianity can be false but only one can be true! 

We will now turn to the absolute uniqueness of the Christian worldview. 

Photo taken from cover of “Dissonant Voices” by Harold A. Netland