How Should Christians Think About Other Faiths in the Theology of Religions?
Christian theology faces the challenge of engaging with other faiths in a world marked by religious diversity. In an age of globalization and pluralism, Christians encounter different beliefs not only across the world but also in their own neighborhoods. This raises profound questions: How should Christians understand other religions? What role does Christ play in the salvation of those outside the faith? Can dialogue and respect coexist with conviction about Christ’s exclusivity?
The theology of religions addresses these questions by drawing on biblical revelation, historical theology, and comparative study. It requires Christians to hold together two truths: the universal scope of God’s revelation in creation and conscience, and the particularity of salvation in Christ alone. In this tension lies both the challenge and the hope of engaging faithfully with other faiths.
1. Foundations of Revelation and Particularity
Christian theology begins with revelation. God reveals himself in two ways: general revelation, through creation and conscience (Romans 1:19–20), and special revelation, through Scripture and ultimately through Christ (Hebrews 1:1–2). General revelation means that no one is without knowledge of God, but special revelation shows that salvation comes through Christ alone.
This is often described as the “scandal of particularity.” While many religious traditions emphasize universal principles or mystical experiences, Christianity insists on the uniqueness of Jesus Christ as the only mediator between God and humanity (1 Timothy 2:5). This claim distinguishes Christian theology from other religions and grounds the church’s mission in proclaiming Christ to the nations.
The particularity of Christ does not negate God’s universal concern for the world. Instead, it demonstrates that the God who created all people has acted decisively in history to redeem them through his Son.
2. Approaches to Other Faiths
Theology of religions has often been described in terms of three broad approaches:
Exclusivism – Salvation is found in Christ alone, and explicit faith in him is necessary.
Inclusivism – Salvation is still through Christ, but God’s grace may extend to those outside explicit Christian faith.
Pluralism – All religions are valid paths to God, and Christ is only one among many.
While pluralism appeals to modern sensibilities of tolerance, it cannot be reconciled with Scripture’s witness to the uniqueness of Christ. Inclusivism captures the truth that God’s mercy may extend farther than human boundaries, but it must not weaken the necessity of Christ’s saving work. Exclusivism reflects the clearest biblical teaching but risks being articulated in ways that lack humility or compassion.
A faithful theology of religions recognizes the inadequacies of every human religious system while affirming Christ as the center of God’s saving plan. Other faiths may contain partial glimpses of truth or moral insight, but they cannot provide reconciliation with God apart from Christ.
3. Engagement with Other Religions
Engagement with other religions requires both conviction and charity. Christians must speak the truth of the Gospel without compromise while also showing respect for those who believe differently. This engagement includes several dimensions:
Critical reflection – Evaluating other faiths in light of Scripture while acknowledging their complexity.
Appreciation of human longing – Recognizing that religious practices often reflect humanity’s deep desire for transcendence and wholeness (Acts 17:22–23).
Dialogue and witness – Listening with humility while also bearing faithful testimony to Christ.
Avoiding reductionism – Refusing to equate faith with mere religious experience or to dismiss religion as irrelevant to human flourishing.
Engagement does not mean endorsing all religions as equally true, nor does it mean retreating into isolation. Instead, it calls Christians to participate in thoughtful dialogue while maintaining the lordship of Christ.
4. Centrality of Christ in Salvation
At the heart of the theology of religions is the confession that Christ is Lord. The New Testament repeatedly affirms that salvation is found in him alone: “There is salvation in no one else” (Acts 4:12). Christ is the fulfillment of God’s revelation, the one to whom all Scripture points and in whom all promises are fulfilled.
This centrality of Christ means that all human religious efforts fall short. Other faiths may reveal human searching, but only Christ reveals God’s saving action. As Paul declared in Athens, God “now commands all people everywhere to repent” because he has appointed a day of judgment through the risen Christ (Acts 17:30–31).
Holding firmly to Christ’s centrality does not stifle dialogue but clarifies it. Christians engage not with vague spirituality but with the conviction that Jesus reigns as King and Savior. This conviction is what makes evangelism urgent and mission necessary.
5. Gospel and Last Days Perspective
A theology of religions must also be understood in light of the Gospel and the last days. Scripture anticipates the gathering of a great multitude from every tribe, tongue, and nation before the throne of the Lamb (Revelation 7:9). This vision underscores both the particularity of Christ and the universality of God’s saving plan.
In the present age, Christians live in a pluralistic world, but they do so with confidence that Christ’s kingdom is advancing. The Gospel announces not only personal salvation but the renewal of all creation under Christ’s reign. This hope frames interfaith engagement with humility and urgency.
Christians approach other faiths knowing that history is moving toward the day when every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Philippians 2:10–11). Evangelism, therefore, is not arrogance but love—inviting all people into the joy of God’s kingdom.
Conclusion
Christian theology of religions affirms two truths: God’s universal concern for humanity and Christ’s unique role as Savior and Lord. While other faiths reflect human longing and may contain glimpses of truth, they cannot bring reconciliation with God. Only Christ fulfills that role, and the church is called to proclaim him faithfully.
Engagement with other religions should be marked by conviction, humility, and hope. Conviction, because Christ is the only mediator; humility, because all human efforts fall short without grace; and hope, because the Gospel promises a redeemed people from every nation.
The theology of religions therefore strengthens the church’s witness in a pluralistic age, grounding dialogue in the unshakable reality of Christ’s kingship and the promise of his coming kingdom.
Bible Verses on the Theology of Religions
Romans 1:19–20 – “What can be known about God is plain to them…his eternal power and divine nature have been clearly perceived.”
Hebrews 1:1–2 – “In these last days he has spoken to us by his Son.”
1 Timothy 2:5 – “There is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”
Acts 4:12 – “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
Acts 17:22–23 – “What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you.”
Acts 17:30–31 – “God…now commands all people everywhere to repent.”
John 14:6 – “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Philippians 2:10–11 – “At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.”
Colossians 1:19–20 – “Through him to reconcile to himself all things…making peace by the blood of his cross.”
Revelation 7:9 – “A great multitude…from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne.”
