As the only way to salvation, Jesus is worthy of our love, trust, and worship. He is also worthy of our gospel witness. May our recognition of Jesus’s uniqueness burden our hearts for the lost and stir our feet to take the good news about him to our universities and through them to the nations.

The Particularity of Scripture Calls Us: Christ Is the Only Way

I recently encountered again a common bumper sticker: “Co-exist.” Twenty-first-century philosophical pluralism meets the American bumper sticker. Drivers with this bumper sticker may simply be urging people from all ethnicities, cultures, nations, and religions to relate to one another with civility, kindness, and love. If so, as Christians we heartily agree. After all, we follow a Lord who taught and demonstrated love for the outsider, even enemies. But my suspicion is that many affix the “co-exist” bumper sticker on their cars to preach the gospel of philosophical pluralism (which rejects any notion that a particular ideological or religious claim is intrinsically superior to another).

In such a context, it is hard for many to hear the words of Jesus when he boldly asserts: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Many are appalled at Jesus’s declaration that he is the only way. But those who accept biblical authority find his assertion to stand firmly in the broader biblical story and worldview. In several overarching ways, the particularity of Scripture underlines the particularity of Christ.¹

First, Christ as the only way is grounded on the biblical teaching that there is only one God, the triune God of the Old and New Testaments, who is Creator, Lord, and Judge. If there were more than one God, there would likely be more than one way to the gods. But the particularity of God points to the particularity of how God is known, followed, or embraced.

Written by scholars from various Christian universities, these essays explore evangelism, discipleship, and apologetics to help educators and students understand the importance of sharing the gospel in every generation.

Second, Christ as the only way is grounded on the biblical teaching that the one true and living God has communicated with humanity. He has communicated truly, even if not exhaustively; and humans can understand, even if partially, who he is and how to relate to him. If truth were merely subjective and not rooted in God or eternal realities, then claims to exclusivity would be a stretch. But if the one true God graciously reveals himself to us, then seeking to understand and follow that revelation is not arrogance but humility and faithfulness.

Read More