by Neal Banks

Created on: June 11, 2008

When addressing Christianity there seems to be a difference of opinion on whether or not it is simply just another religion.

Religion is defined by Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary as: (1): the service and worship of God or the supernatural (2): commitment or devotion to religious faith or observance (3): a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices (4) archaic: scrupulous conformity: conscientiousness (5): a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith.

By these definitions I suppose that it is. If we accept Christianity as nothing more or less, than there is no reason whatsoever not to accept other religions. They are just as valid as Christianity is, insomuch as other cultures and beliefs have validity compared to our Western culture and beliefs. Whether the religion is based upon ancient traditions that predate Christ by thousands of years or have more contemporary origins within the last century, they are all valid in their own right. I might even go so far as to say my consumption of coffee every morning is so committed that it could be seen as religious. I could set up an altar in my kitchen strewn with coffee beans and begin by worshipping Java every morning. I am good with my religion, you are good with yours, and we all will get to heaven in a great big tugboat together in our own way.

However.

Christianity is in actuality far more than merely a religion. It is a relationship with Jesus Christ. It is more than just a codified set of rules to live by, or an ideal to ascend to, or something or someone to have faith in. It is a daily walk, a renewing of the mind, a reshaping of the heart, a quickening of the spirit, a salvation from eternal death that awaits us all. It is a restoration to the presence of our Heavenly Father that we would simply not have were it not for the priceless gift of His son, Jesus, who bore the weight of our sins on a cross more than 2000 years ago.

If we, as Christians, believe this to be true than by default we must accept certain immutable, fundamental tenets of truth. The Christian faith has Christ and His life, death and resurrection as the lynchpin, the cornerstone of our belief. As such there is no other path to salvation but Christ Himself: "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (Jhn 14:6) He came to bring us restoration to our Heavenly Creator, who made us and desired fellowship with us. He wants no one and nothing

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