Why Christianity?

The Age-Old Question: How can we be certain which religion is true?

Finding the Correct Faith...

Many people adopt a 'wait-and-see' approach, planning to make their decision when they stand before the seat of judgment. Unfortunately, the major monotheistic religions don't offer this option. By delaying our decision, we risk leaving our eternal souls to chance.

Instead, we can take a proactive approach. By doing some research and seeking answers, we can make an informed decision and gain confidence in our choice. Our eternal souls are worth the effort.

I approach the following with empathy, recognizing that questioning deeply held beliefs can be sensitive. My heart goes out to those who may feel challenged or uncomfortable. As someone who cares about truth and consistency, I have examined discrepancies within certain belief systems, intending to lovingly point out where the Bible offers a more coherent and hopeful message. I desire to share the hope of Jesus Christ, praying that we can maintain a spirit of love, respect, and open dialogue, even in disagreement.

What Religion is the Right One to Choose?

The Other Two Abrahamic Religions

Judaism

What if I told you that the same scriptures used by Jews for centuries are also a crucial part of the Christian Bible? The Tanakh, an acronym for Torah, Nevi'im, and Ketuvim, is the Hebrew Bible, and it makes up The Old Testament, the foundation of the Christian faith.

Torah (תורה) - the first five books of the Hebrew Bible
Nevi'im (נביאים) - the prophet books
Ketuvim (כתובים) - the writings, which include poetry, wisdom literature, and historical books

The life of Jesus Christ is intricately linked to the prophecies and teachings of the Tanakh. Over 700 years before Jesus' birth, the prophet Isaiah foretold of a virgin-born child who would be called Immanuel, God with us (Isaiah 7:14). Another prophet, Micah, pinpointed Jesus' birthplace as Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). The Torah, the first five books of the Hebrew Bible, identified the Messiah as a descendant of Judah and King David (Genesis 49:10 and 2 Samuel 7:12-13). Jesus fulfilled these and numerous other prophecies, including His triumphal entry into Jerusalem on a donkey (Zechariah 9:9), His crucifixion and burial with the rich (Isaiah 53:9), and His resurrection on the third day (Psalm 16:10 and Hosea 6:2). With over 300 Old Testament prophecies fulfilled in Jesus' life, death, and resurrection, the evidence overwhelmingly confirms that Jesus of Nazareth is indeed the Messiah Israel had been waiting for. The likelihood of fulfilling every prophecy as Jesus did is staggering - a probability of 1 in 10^1000 or a 1 with 1000 - 0's behind it, as the possibility generated by an AI. This astronomical number represents the infinitesimally small chance of someone fulfilling all these prophecies by coincidence, emphasizing the divine nature of Jesus' life and mission.

Islam

This is just a small snippet of the information about this subject. The groundwork for the belief system nullifies itself. Here is one brief explanation:

The Quran, Islam's holy book, recognizes the Torah, Judaism's sacred scripture, as a revealed book from God. Muslims believe the Torah, along with the Gospel, lays the groundwork for the Quran. In Genesis 16:12, Ishmael is described as "a wild donkey of a man". While the Torah does not imply that any descendant of Ishmael will be a prophet, some Muslim interpretations view this verse as a prophecy foretelling the coming of Prophet Muhammad, whom they believe is a descendant of Ishmael.

The Torah emphasizes the importance of Abraham's lineage, stating God's covenant will be fulfilled through his descendants (Genesis 17:7-14). Islam's prophets, including Muhammad, claim to be part of this lineage, with Muhammad supposedly directly descended from Ishmael. This connection is vital to Islamic theology, linking Islam's prophetic tradition to Judaism.

The Quran encourages readers to verify its message by consulting previous scriptures, like the Torah (Quran 10:94, 21:7, and 16:43). However, there's a significant discrepancy. The biblical account in Genesis 21:14-21 shows Abraham sending Hagar and Ishmael away from Beersheba to the Desert of Paran, contradicting the Quranic narrative that places them in Mecca. This inconsistency undermines Muhammad's claimed Abrahamic lineage, a crucial aspect of Islamic theology.

Unfortunately, by Qur'an nullifying the Islamic belief system, I personally, would have to imagine that any faith that is built off of, or originating from it would not be somewhere I would want to chance with my eternal soul.

The Next Two Largest Religions

Buddhism

Nirvana, a state of ultimate liberation and peace, is not exclusive to Buddhism. In fact, the principles of wisdom, ethics, and obedience that underlie Buddhist teachings are eerily similar to those found in Christianity. The Bible teaches that wisdom comes from God, and that obedience to His commands is the foundation of true understanding. By living a life of obedience, ethics, and love, Christians can cultivate wisdom, overcome suffering, and reflect God's love to the world. This resonates deeply with the Buddhist concept of "sila" (ethics) and the importance of cultivating wisdom through mindfulness and meditation. Whether one believes in the Buddhist concept of Nirvana or the Christian idea of eternal life, the path to spiritual growth and liberation is remarkably similar: a journey of obedience, ethics, and wisdom that transcends denominational boundaries.

Interestingly, if Buddhism is correct, believing in Christ would not necessarily preclude one from achieving Nirvana, as the Buddhist path to enlightenment is based on individual effort and the cultivation of wisdom. However, if Christianity is correct, not believing in Christ would result in eternal damnation, as salvation is seen as contingent upon faith in Jesus Christ. Essentially, making the choice to follow Christ could be considered a win-win scenario when choosing a path of faith!

Hinduism

Moksha, a state of ultimate liberation and union with the divine, is a fundamental concept in Hinduism. Interestingly, the principles of wisdom, ethics, and obedience that underlie Hindu teachings are eerily similar to those found in Christianity. The Bible teaches that wisdom comes from God, and that obedience to His commands is the foundation of true understanding. By living a life of obedience, ethics, and love, Christians can cultivate wisdom, overcome suffering, and reflect God's love to the world. This resonates deeply with the Hindu principles of Dharma (righteous living), Karma (selfless action), and Bhakti (devotion), which are all aimed at achieving Moksha.

Whether one believes in the Hindu concept of Moksha or the Christian idea of eternal life, the path to spiritual growth and liberation is remarkably similar: a journey of obedience, ethics, and wisdom that transcends denominational boundaries. Interestingly, if Hinduism is correct, believing in Christ would not necessarily preclude one from achieving Moksha, as Hinduism emphasizes individual effort and devotion. However, if Christianity is correct, not believing in Christ would result in eternal damnation, as salvation is seen as contingent upon faith in Jesus Christ.

Essentially, making the choice to follow Christ could be considered a win-win scenario when choosing a path of faith, as it provides a potential doorway to liberation and eternal life, regardless of the underlying spiritual framework.

Our exploration of the differences between Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, and Christianity has been a deliberate exercise in logic, demonstrating the reasonable appeal of following Christ. Yet, this barely scratches the surface of the transformative power of faith in Him. The profound changes that occur in one's life, the miracles, comfort, peace, and hope that become complete in Christ – these are the true hallmarks of a living God. While there are undoubtedly many more facets to explore in a comparative analysis of these religions, my aim has been to offer a glimpse, a fleeting insight, into the truth that lies at the heart of Christianity. May this reflection shed light upon your path, guiding you toward the salvation that awaits in Christ.