But Don't All Religions Lead to God?
Posted: Thu Feb 13, 2014 2:01 pm
Today, I received an email from a customer asking about a book in our World Geography curriculum entitled "But Don't All Religions Lead to God?" After answering the email, I thought that all of you might benefit from the chance to read my reply too. 
The customer's main question was a concern that in "But Don't All Religions Lead to God?" the author "strays from the orthodox view of the necessity of salvation towards the end of the book by advocating the position that those who do not hear the Gospel will be saved."
Here is my response to the email:
I am aware that the book "But Don't All Religions Lead to God?" has some interesting phrasing and thoughts shared within its pages (that I don't completely agree with). In our initial sneak peek about the book in 2013, I shared the following:
On Unit 3 - Day 1 of our plans after students have read the passage to which you are referring, the plans say...
"
It's interesting that the book that students will be reading shortly after completing the book "But Don't All Religions Lead to God?" shares the life of Mimosa, a Hindu woman who as a child had a very brief time with missionaries at Amy Charmichael's orphanage. Mimosa only had time to learn that there was one living God who loved her as a Father and ruled over all before being taken back home by her father. Yet, armed with that little bit of knowledge, Mimosa's life was changed. She prayed to the one, true God. She could feel what He wanted her to do, and what He did not want her to do. She rejected the Hindu god Shiva and went against her culture, since she felt it would displease the one true God.
She lived her life in this manner until she was one day reunited with her sister at Amy Charmichael's orphanage. Mimosa was a grown woman then who had endured much in her quest to worship the one true God who loved her. She had lived a changed life based on her faith, and God worked within her life. She did eventually learn about Jesus and was baptized, but her story does bring to mind the questions, "What if Mimosa had died without knowing Jesus' name? What would God have done with Mimosa?" I share this not because I have any doubts that belief in Jesus is the only way to heaven and that there is no way unto the Father but through the Son (and it is obvious that God designed Mimosa's life so she would know Jesus before she died); but I also share Mimosa's story to remind us that we cannot understand all of the complexities of God or presume to sit in judgement as God will one day do. We know that God's Word is true, and it is this type of discussion that needs to be had with our children.
I am so glad that I had this discussion with my own sons, and I am so thankful that the guide gave me the opportunity to talk about important topics like these with my boys! I believe that the home is a safe environment in which to discuss topics like these with our children in preparation to face these same questions again one day, whether it be with an atheist on a college campus, with a nonbeliever in the work place, or with a fellow believer at a church gathering. Our children can never be too prepared to defend their faith and to articulate their beliefs.
Blessings,
Carrie
The customer's main question was a concern that in "But Don't All Religions Lead to God?" the author "strays from the orthodox view of the necessity of salvation towards the end of the book by advocating the position that those who do not hear the Gospel will be saved."
Here is my response to the email:
I am aware that the book "But Don't All Religions Lead to God?" has some interesting phrasing and thoughts shared within its pages (that I don't completely agree with). In our initial sneak peek about the book in 2013, I shared the following:
It is also important to note that this book is not used alone, but rather plays one role among the many books that are used to comprise the World Religion & Culture's study. To address your question in particular, I will share that within the World Geography guide, we definitely address the areas in the book "But Don't All Religions Lead to God? to watch for."Keep in mind that not all of these resources are perfect, as the only perfect book is God's Word, and there will be some notes in the guide of a few places to discuss possible differences with your children. Yet, overall each resource is truly excellent for the role it will play in this course. "
On Unit 3 - Day 1 of our plans after students have read the passage to which you are referring, the plans say...
"
For your reference, the 6 questions in the World Religion & Culture's Notebook are as follows:After reading, open your World Religion and Culture's Notebook to Unit 3. Box 1 contains 6 questions from Chapter 9. These are excellent questions to discuss, and it's good to know that you may not agree with everything the author said in response to these questions. This is why it is important to go to God's Word for answers. in preparation for your discussion, answer each question in Box 1. Then, meet with a parent to discuss the questions. During the discussion, take special note of questions 4-5 and the confusing nature of the text on p. 80-82 in answering these questions. As part of question 4, refer to Luke 16:19-31. (The reason for this being that the author mentions some views that hell may not be unending toment) As part of question 5, refer to Hebrews 11:1-12:3, Romans 1:20-21, and John 8:56-58."
As you see above, the topics you mentioned are fully addressed in the World Geography Guide's plans, both through assigned discussion with the parent (with the resource and page numbers noted in hand) and by going to the only perfect source, God's Holy Word. Students are also directed where to look at specific passages within God's Word to help them know what God's reply is to questions like these. It is also important to remember that this guide is directed at high school age students, who definitely need to grapple with these difficult types of questions about faith and eternity and for them to know that God's Word holds the answers.1. Is there any sense in which all religions have a common core? (p. 76)
2. How should Christians behave toward those of other faiths? (p. 76-77)
3. How should Christians regard other religions? (p 77-79)
4. What is the situation of people who do not respond to the Gospel? (p. 79-80)
5. What about those who have never heard about Jesus? (p. 81-82)
6. Should Christians try to convert members of other faiths? (p. 82-83)
It's interesting that the book that students will be reading shortly after completing the book "But Don't All Religions Lead to God?" shares the life of Mimosa, a Hindu woman who as a child had a very brief time with missionaries at Amy Charmichael's orphanage. Mimosa only had time to learn that there was one living God who loved her as a Father and ruled over all before being taken back home by her father. Yet, armed with that little bit of knowledge, Mimosa's life was changed. She prayed to the one, true God. She could feel what He wanted her to do, and what He did not want her to do. She rejected the Hindu god Shiva and went against her culture, since she felt it would displease the one true God.
She lived her life in this manner until she was one day reunited with her sister at Amy Charmichael's orphanage. Mimosa was a grown woman then who had endured much in her quest to worship the one true God who loved her. She had lived a changed life based on her faith, and God worked within her life. She did eventually learn about Jesus and was baptized, but her story does bring to mind the questions, "What if Mimosa had died without knowing Jesus' name? What would God have done with Mimosa?" I share this not because I have any doubts that belief in Jesus is the only way to heaven and that there is no way unto the Father but through the Son (and it is obvious that God designed Mimosa's life so she would know Jesus before she died); but I also share Mimosa's story to remind us that we cannot understand all of the complexities of God or presume to sit in judgement as God will one day do. We know that God's Word is true, and it is this type of discussion that needs to be had with our children.
I am so glad that I had this discussion with my own sons, and I am so thankful that the guide gave me the opportunity to talk about important topics like these with my boys! I believe that the home is a safe environment in which to discuss topics like these with our children in preparation to face these same questions again one day, whether it be with an atheist on a college campus, with a nonbeliever in the work place, or with a fellow believer at a church gathering. Our children can never be too prepared to defend their faith and to articulate their beliefs.
Blessings,
Carrie
my son came to me and said, "Mom, I'm pretty sure we don't agree with this guy. I don't want to read this book anymore!!" (he is very black and white.) I read the passage and the directions from Carrie, and it really sprung a great discussion about what we believe and why we believe it.