by Stephanus Van Schalkwyk

Created on: August 23, 2008   Last Updated: August 25, 2008

Instead of answering this question for you, let me share with you some thoughts ,and principles from the Word of God regarding Christianity; and then you the reader, can make up your own mind as to whether or not there is room in Christianity for other beliefs.

The Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary defines the word "belief" as:

(1)a state or habit of mind in which trust or confidence is placed in some person or thing (2)something believed; especially: a tenet or body of tenets held by a group (3)conviction of the truth of some statement or the reality of some being or phenomenon especially when based on examination of evidence

When taking into account the above definition of the concept of "belief"; the question is one of whether or not I can profess to believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ and be a disciple of His, yet hold fast to and follow any other beliefs. To put this in context : Can I profess to be a socialist and yet practice the principles of capitalism? Can I be a dictator yet profess to believe in democracy? Can I be a Buddhist and believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that He is the way to salvation?

When you are a born-again believer, having accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, the Bible says that you are a new creation (2Corinthians 5:17) and that you have been translated from the kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of the Son of His love (Colossians 1:13). Once a Christian you are a follower of Jesus and a citizen of God's Kingdom, subscribing to His principles and rule. That is why Jesus instructed us, His followers, to seek His Kingdom. Matthew 6:33 KJV But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

The Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary defines the word "kingdom" as:

(1) archaic:kingship (2)a politically organized community or major territorial unit having a monarchical form of government headed by a king or queen (3) often capitalized a:the eternal kingship of God b:the realm in which God's will is fulfilled (4) a:a realm or region in which something is dominant b:an area or sphere in which one holds a preeminent position.

Jesus Christ is a King, He is the King of kings and the Lord of lords, therefore all things are subject to His Word. As Christians we are to conform to Him , to His Word and in everything believe and accept His Word as truth (Romans 12:2 and Ephesians 4:24). It is with this truth in mind that the Holy Spirit spoke through the Apostle Paul and wrote as follows:

Galatians 3:28 (King James Version) "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus."
Colossians 3:11 (King James Version) "Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all."

To be a Christian means that all your natural preferences, understandings, cultural and ancestral beliefs and other natural knowledge becomes subject to the principles of His Kingdom, as outlined in His Word. You now live in a Kingdom, not a democracy. You are not your own, but bought with a price and belong to Christ; if you are His child and therefore a Christian(1Corinthians 6:19-20).

The question to you is: "Do you believe that there is room in Christianity for any other beliefs?"

Learn more about this author, Stephanus Van Schalkwyk.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.