1. All roads lead to heaven All the sincere will be saved
Religious Pluralism
…is the belief that:
All religions are true
All roads lead to heaven
All the sincere will be saved

2. On the Roads Again
“I believe all roads lead to the same place. We’re taking different ways to get there, but we all end up in the same place. It’s kind of like Kinky Friedman’s statement, ‘May the God of your choice bless you.’ That’s the main thoughts that I have about life” (Time 8/7/06, p. 6).

3. Oprah Winfrey’s Pluralism
I believe that there are many paths to God…. I certainly don’t believe that there is only one way…. There couldn’t possibly be just one way to God …. I am a Christian who believes that there are certainly many more paths to God other than Christianity” (the Oprah Winfrey Show 1/3/94).

4. Eckhart Tolle: All Religions are the Same
“…Due [in part] to an influx of the ancient Eastern wisdom teachings, a growing number of followers of traditional religions are able to let go of identification with form, dogma, and rigid belief systems and discover the original depth that is hidden within their own spiritual tradition at the same time as they discover the depth within themselves…” (A New Earth, 18).

5. Bishop George Conger
“Christians understand that Jesus is the route to God. That is not to say that Muslims, or Sikhs, or Jains come to God in radically different ways. They come to God through human experience of the divine. But to assume that God could not act in other ways is, I think, to put God in an awfully small box” (Church of England Newspaper, 4/17/09).

6. The Six Blind Hindus & The Elephant
1 - ear = big leaf
2- tusk = spear
3-side = wall
4-tail = rope
5-leg = tree trunk
6-snout = snake
Same Reality Different Interpretations

7. FAN WALL SPEAR ROPE SNAKE TREE
Six Blind Men
FAN
WALL
SPEAR
ROPE
SNAKE
TREE

8. JUDAISM HINDUISM ISLAM TAOISM CHRISTIANITY BUDDHISM
RELIGIONS
JUDAISM
HINDUISM
ISLAM
TAOISM
CHRISTIANITY
BUDDHISM

9. Outline I. What is truth? II. Can all religions be true?
III. Is there only one way?

10. Outline
I. What is truth?

11. What is Truth?

12. What is Truth? Truth is what: Corresponds to the facts

13. What is Truth? Truth is what: Corresponds to the facts Matches its object

14. What is Truth? Truth is what: Corresponds to the facts Matches its object Tells it like it is

15. A true statement matches its object
“This object is a table.”

16. What is False? False is what does not: -Correspond to the facts Match its object -Tell it like it is

17. The Opposite of True is False
(The Law of Non-Contradiction)
The Law of Noncontradiction =
First Principle of All Knowledge
It Is As Elementary As:
In / Out - Opposites
Big / Small - Opposites
Up / Down - Opposites
Back / Forth- Opposites
True / False- Opposites
Two Examples:
Call PEF - meet student w/ problem!
Princeton Senior - Philosophy Major
The law is false - No you believe it’s true!
Krakov Professor (Anxious!!!)
Very narrow minded - Western logic = Aristotelian
limited - You need to learn about Eastern logic
Okay explain it to me!
Opposite ideas cannot both be true
at the same time and in the same sense.
The Earth is Round
The Earth is NOT Round

18. The Opposite of True is False
Sure-Fire Way to Convince a Skeptic!
“Anyone who denies the law of non-contradiction should be beaten and burned until he admits that to be beaten is not the same as not to be beaten, and to be burned is not the same as not to be burned.”
(Avicenna, Great Muslim Philosopher)

19. Self-Defeating Claims Aim at Something Else: Hit Yourself

20. Answering Objections to Objective Truth: Apply the claim to itself!
Examples . . .

21. A Self-Defeating Statement
“I can’t speak a word in English.”
“Didn’t he say that in English?”

22. A Self-Defeating Statement
“Truth is not telling like it is!”
“Isn’t that telling it like it is?”

23. A Self-Defeating Statement
“Opposites can both be true.”
“Is the opposite of that true?”

24. A Self-Defeating Statement
“There is no truth.”
“Is that true?”

25. A Self-Defeating Statement
“You can’t know truth.”
“How do you know that is true?”

26. A Self-Defeating Statement
“There is no absolute truth!”
“Is that absolutely true?”

27. A Self-Defeating Statement
“It’s true for you but not for me!”
“Is that just true for you but not for me?”

28. A Self-Defeating Statement
“Nothing is true for everyone!”
“Is that true for everyone?”

29. A Self-Defeating Statement
“No one knows the truth!”
“Then how do you know that is true?”

30. A Self-Defeating Statement
“Truth about God isn’t objective!”
“Is that an objective truth about God ?”

31. The Truth About Truth
All truth claims are absolute, narrow and exclusive. (Even the claim that “Every religion is true” excludes its opposite.)

32. The Truth About Truth
2. Truth is discovered, not invented. It exists independently of anyone’s knowledge of it (Gravity existed prior to Newton).

33. The Truth About Truth
3. Beliefs can not change a fact, no matter how sincerely they are held. (I can sincerely believe the world is flat but that only makes me sincerely wrong.)

34. The Truth About Truth
3. Beliefs can not change a fact, no matter how sincerely they are held. (I can sincerely believe the world is flat but that only makes me sincerely wrong.)
4. Truth is trans-cultural (2+2=4 here, there, and everywhere).

35. The Truth About Truth
5. Being raised in a given culture doesn’t make their beliefs true.

36. The Truth About Truth
5. Being raised in a given culture doesn’t make their beliefs true.
a) Being raised a Nazi doesn’t make Nazism true.

37. The Truth About Truth
5. Being raised in a given culture doesn’t make their beliefs true.
a) Being raised a Nazi doesn’t make Nazism true.
b) Being raised a racist does make racism true.

38. The Truth About Truth
5. Being raised in a given culture doesn’t make their beliefs true.
a) Being raised a Nazi doesn’t make Nazism true.
b) Being raised a racist does make racism true.
c) Being raised a bigot does not make bigotry true.

39. The Truth About Truth 6. One’s Attitude Doesn’t Change the Truth
a) A bad attitude about truth does not make it an error.
b) A good attitude about error does not make it true.

40. The Truth About Truth 7. Objective Truth Can’t be Denied
The denial of objective truth makes a claim to be an objective truth.
The claim that “There is no objective truth” is an objective truth claim.

41. Summary The Truth About Truth
1. Contrary beliefs are possible, but contrary truths are not possible.
2. You can believe everything is true, but everything can’t be true.
3. Objective truth can’t be denied without being affirmed.

42. In Banking Truth is Absolute
“It doesn’t matter what the Bank says is in my account, but it is how much I feel should be there that counts.”

43. Medicine Demands Absolute Truth
“It doesn’t matter whether the Doctor gives you poison or not as long as you feel good about it”!

44. Legal Oath Demands Absolute Truth
“I swear to tell the expedient, the whole expedient, and nothing but the expedient, so help me future experience”!

45. Truth is Absolute in Religion
The claim that “Religious truth is subjective” is not a subjective truth claim about religion.
The claim that “Religious truth is not objective” claims to be an objective truth about religion.

46. Outline
What is truth?
Can all religions be true?

47. The Six Blind Hindus & The Elephant
1 - ear = big leaf
2- tusk = spear
3-side = wall
4-tail = rope
5-leg = tree trunk
6-snout = snake
Same Reality Different Interpretations

48. JUDAISM HINDUISM ISLAM TAOISM MORMONISM BUDDHISM
ARE ALL RELIGIONS TRUE?
JUDAISM
HINDUISM
ISLAM
TAOISM
MORMONISM
BUDDHISM

49. Except the one with his eyes open to the truth!
No! They are All Wrong
Except the one with his eyes open to the truth!
The truth is absolute: This is an elephant!

50. Outline
I. What is truth?
II. Can all religions be true?

51. All Religions Can’t Be True: Because They Teach Opposites
Islam with Christianity
Let’s contrast:

52. ISLAM CHRISTIANITY GOD: Only one person GOD: 3 persons in one God
HUMANITY: Good by nature
HUMANITY: Sinful by nature
JESUS: Merely a man, not God.
JESUS: More than a man; He was also God.
DEATH OF CHRIST: He didn’t die or rise again
DEATH OF CHRIST: He died and rose again in same body
BIBLE: Corrupted
BIBLE: Not corrupted
SALVATION: By faith plus works when good deeds outweigh bad ones
SALVATION: Not by works but is a free gift of God for all who believe

53. But Don’t They Have Things in Common?
Yes. So Do a Counterfeit and a Genuine $20 Bill.

54. But Don’t They Have Things in Common?
Yes. So Do a Counterfeit and a Genuine $20 Bill.
1) Both are paper.

55. But Don’t They Have Things in Common?
Yes. So Do a Counterfeit and a Genuine $20 Bill.
1) Both are paper.
2) Both are rectangular.

56. But Don’t They Have Things in Common?
Yes. So Do a Counterfeit and a Genuine $20 Bill.
1) Both are paper.
2) Both are rectangular.
3) Both have a “20” on them.

57. But Don’t They Have Things in Common?
Yes. So Do a Counterfeit and a Genuine $20 Bill.
1) Both are paper.
2) Both are rectangular.
3) Both have a “20” on them.
But one is a counterfeit!

58. How to Tell a Counterfeit. Not by superficial similarities
How to Tell a Counterfeit Not by superficial similarities But by crucial differences

59. Can All Religions Be True?
Summary
Can All Religions Be True?
Can all religions be true: No, they teach opposites! And opposites can’t both be true.
Can one religion be true: Yes, if we take off our blinders and see which religion corresponds to reality.
Do other religions have some truth? Yes, but since the opposite of true is false, if one religion’s claims are true, then all opposing claims in other religions are false.

60. Outline I. What is truth? II. Can all religions be true?
III. Is there only one way?

61. Is There Really Only ?

62. Is There Only One Way? Christianity says “yes” because:
Jesus Claimed It
Jesus Proved It

63. Jesus Claimed It
John 14:6 “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 10:1,9 “I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber…. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.”

64. His Disciples Affirmed It
Acts 4:12 “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”
1Tim 2:5 “For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus….”

65. Jesus Proved It By: No other religious leader did this!
His Fulfillment of Prophecies
His Sinless and Miraculous Life
His Death and Resurrection
No other religious leader did this!

66. Comparing Leaders: According to Islam and the Qur’an
MUHAMMAD
Not Virgin Born
JESUS
Virgin Born
Not Sinless
Sinless
Not Messiah
Called Messiah
No Miracles
Did Miracles
Not Word of God
Called Word of God
Body in Grave
Body in Heaven

67. Comparing Great Religious Leaders
Characteristic Jesus Muhammed Buddha Confucius
Virgin Born Yes No No No
Sinless Yes No No No
Prophecy Yes No No No
Did Miracles Yes No No No
Resurrection Yes No No No
Ethic Highest Not Not Not
Following Greatest Not Not Not

68. Jesus Proved It By:
His Fulfilling Prophecies

69. Human Race Ethnic Group Tribe Dynasty How Where When Woman, Gen 3:15
Abraham, Gen 12:1
Tribe
Judah, Gen 49:10
Dynasty
David, 2 Sam 7:12
How
Virgin, Isa 7:14
Where
Bethlehem, Mic 5:2
When
33 A.D., Dan 9:24

70. Joseph Smith’s False Prophecies
1832--Temple to be built in Missouri before the living will die.
1835--Coming of the Lord within 56 years (by 1891).
1887--Copyright of Book of Mormon would be sold in Canada by Smith’s reps.

71. False Prophecies of the Jehovah’s Witnesses
End of the Age will be:
1799
1874
1914
1925
1975
All were wrong!

72. What About Psychic Predictions?
They are often vague
They are usually wrong
When right, they are:
Reading trends
Employing trickery
Reading personalities
Using inside information
Using power of suggestion

73. THE PSYCHICS SCORE CARD
1976--THE PEOPLE'S ALMANAC: 66 OF 72 WRONG (92%)
1993--THEY MISSED EVERY MAJOR UNEXPECTED STORY:
MICHAEL JORDAN'S RETIREMENT
MIDWEST FLOOD
ISRAEL-PLO PEACE TREATY
WHAT ABOUT THE PREDICTIONS OF NOSTRADAMUS?
HE NEVER PREDICTED HITLER (A PERSON) BUT “HISTER” (A PLACE)
HE NEVER PREDICTED A SPECIFIC CALIFORNIA EARTHQUAKE
HE NEVER MENTIONED CALIFORNIA BY NAME
HE NEVER GAVE A YEAR FOR IT
IT WAS ONLY A BIG QUAKE FAR AWAY ON SOME MAY 10th
HE WAS OFTEN WRONG IN HIS ALMANAC PREDICTIONS
MOST OF HIS PREDCTIONS WERE VAGUE

74. 1994: FAILED PSYCHIC PREDICTIONS
QUEEN OF ENGLAND WOULD ABDICATE
KATHIE LEE GIFFORD WOULD REPLACE JAY LENO
CINDY CRAWFORD WOULD HAVE TRIPLETS
HILLARY CLINTON WOULD PLEAD GUILTY OF SHOPLIFTING
CHARLES MANSON WOULD GET A SEX-CHANGE OPERATION
WHITNEY HOUSTON WOULD MARRY MIKE TYSON
AN AFRICAN PLANT WOULD CURE AIDS
VOLCANIC ACTION WOULD MAKE A LAND BRIDGE TO CUBA
MADONNA WOULD MARRY BOY GEORGE
SEARS TOWER WOULD LEAN LIKE TOWER OF PISA
NATIONAL LOTTERY WOULD CUT TAXES IN HALF
TEEN WOULD BUILD AND DETONATE NUCLEAR BOMB IN SC
MADONNA WILL MARRY A SHEIK AND BECOME A HOUSE WIFE

75. Jesus Proved It By: His Fulfillment of Prophecies
His Sinless and Miraculous Life

76. Jesus was Sinless

77. A. Jesus said: “Which of you convicts me of sin?” (Jn. 8:46).
B. Those Who Knew Him Best Said:
“For we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin” (Heb. 4:15).
“Christ [is] a lamb without blemish or defect” (1 Peter 1:19).
“He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth” (1 Peter 2:22).
“For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous…” (1 Peter 3:18).
“He is righteous” (1 Jn. 2:29).
“He is pure” (1 Jn. 3:3).
“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us….” (2 Cor. 5:21).

78. C. His Enemies and Others Said:
Judas: “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood” (Mt. 27:4).
Pilate: “I am innocent of the blood of this just person” (Mt. 27:24).
Pilate’s Wife: “Have nothing to do with that just man…” (Mat. 27:19).
A Centurion: “Certainly this was a righteous man” (Lk. 23:47).
A Centurion: “Truly this was the Son of God!” (Mt. 27:54).
The Thief on the Cross: “This man has done nothing wrong” (Lk. 23:41).
The Herodians: “Teacher, we know that you are true, and teach the way of God in truth: nor do you care about anyone, for you do not regard the person of men” (Mt. 22:16).

79. Jesus Proved It By Miracles:
Nicodemus: “Rabbi, we know you are teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him” (John. 3:2).
Peter: “Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs, which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves know…” (Acts 2:22).

80. Jesus Proved It By Miracles:
Hebrews 2:3: “God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His will..”

81. Jesus Proved It By: Walking on Water Multiplying Loaves
Healing One Born Blind
Turning Water into Wine
Healing a Man Born Lame
Raising a Dead & Decaying Man
Raising Himself from the Grave!

82. Jesus Proved It By: His Fulfillment of Prophecies
His Sinless and Miraculous Life
His Death and Resurrection

83. Evidence Jesus Really Died
Nature of his wounds (whipping, crucifixion, and spear in side) ensured death.
His mother, friends and closest disciple witnessed his death.
Romans, who were professional executioners, pronounced him dead.

84. Evidence Jesus Really Died
Pilate double-checked to make sure Jesus was dead.
The Jews never denied the account of Jesus being buried in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea (a member of the Sanhedrin).

85. Evidence Jesus Really Died
Non-Christian writers from the first and second centuries recorded the death of Jesus (e.g. Josephus, Tacitus, Thallus, Lucian, Phelgon, The Jewish Talmud.)
In light of the historical evidence, modern medical authorities have verified his death.

86. Journal of American Medical Ass’n
“Clearly, the weight of historical and medical evidence indicates that Jesus was dead before the wound to his side was inflicted and supports the traditional view that the spear, thrust between his right rib, probably perforated not only the right lung but also the pericardium and heart and thereby ensured his death. Accordingly, interpretations based on the assumption that Jesus did not die on the cross appear to be at odds with modern medical knowledge.” (March 21,1986, p. 1463).

87. Evidence Jesus Actually Rose

88. Evidence Jesus Actually Rose
The Jews admitted the tomb was empty and no one could produce the body.
Jesus made 12 different physical appearances over 40 days to over 500 people.
Many Jewish priests were converted (Acts 6:7, cf. Acts 15:5) and thousands of unbelievers were converted (Acts 2:41).

89. Evidence Jesus Actually Rose
Jesus’ unbelieving brother James, and Saul, an ardent opponent of Christianity, were converted.
Scared, scattered, skeptical disciples were transformed into the world’s greatest missionary martyrs overnight.

90. The Twelve Appearances of Christ
Persons Saw Heard Touched Other Evidence
1. Mary X X X Empty tomb
(Jn. 20:10-18)
2. Mary & Women X X X Empty tomb
(Mt. 28:1-10)
3. Peter X X Empty tomb/clothes
(1Cor. 15:5)
4. Two Disciples X X Ate with Him
(Lk. 24:13-35)
5. Ten Apostles X X X** Saw wounds, ate food
(Lk. 24:36-49;
Jn. 20:19-23)
6. Eleven Apostles X X X** Saw wounds
(Jn. 20:24-31)
**Offered Himself to be touched

91. The Twelve Appearances of Christ
Persons Saw Heard Touched Other Evidence
7. Seven Apostles X X Ate food
(Jn. 21)
8. All Apostles X X
(Mt. 28:16-20;
Mk 16:14-18)
Brethren X X*
(1Cor. 15:6)
10. James X X*
(1Cor. 15:7)
11. All Apostles X X Ate with Him
(Acts 1:4-8)
12. Paul X X
(Acts 9:1-9;
1Cor. 15:8)
*Implied

92. Conclusion Is There Only One Way?
Yes! Because Jesus claimed to be the only way, and He proved it in three miraculous ways. So, He is the only way to God.

93. Why is Jesus the Only Way?
God
Man
Because only the God-Man
can bridge between God and Man