1. + Ratio Christi at Texas A&M

2. Christianity among other Religions Ratio Christi April 16, 2015

3. Why is this discussion important? Modern cultures tends towards religious relativism – Desire for everyone to be equally correct – Feelings favored over truth Undermines the purpose of religion

4. Does Christianity support pluralism? Exodus 20:3 Isaiah 45:5 John 14:6

5. Christianity Number of gods: 1 Who is Jesus?: The incarnation of the Son, savior of mankind Salvation: Confess that Jesus is Lord and believe that God raised him from the dead Holy texts: Christian Bible

6. Judaism Number of Gods: 1 Who is Jesus?: A false messiah Salvation: Lead a virtuous life Holy texts: Old Testament (Tanakh), Talmud

7. Islam Number of gods: 1 Who is Jesus?: A prophet of Allah, one of many (Arabic Isa) Salvation: Confess that there is one God (Allah) and that Muhammad is His prophet, lead a virtuous life Holy texts: Qur’an, Hadith

8. Mormonism Number of gods: Many, but humans should worship the Godhead (Elohim, Jehovah, and the Holy Spirit) Who is Jesus?: A spirit child of Elohim, savior of mankind Salvation: Be a member of the Mormon church, lead a virtuous life Holy texts: Christian Bible (KJV), Book of Mormon, Doctrines and Covenants, Pearl of Great Price

9. Jehovah’s Witnesses Number of gods: 1 Who is Jesus?: The only direct creation of Jehovah Salvation: Repent of sins, believe in Jehovah and Jesus’s ransom, preach to the unbelievers Holy texts: New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures

10. Bahá'í Number of gods: 1 Who is Jesus?: A divine messenger (manifestation) who established a religion that met the needs of his time and place. Salvation: Learn and apply virtues and guidance from God Holy texts: Writings of the Báb, Bahá'u'lláh, `Abdu'l-Bahá, Shoghi Effendi, and the Universal House of Justice

11. So where does that leave us? Be humble! – Don’t try to tell people what they believe – Learning about other worldviews is key to communicating with nonbelievers Love your neighbor ≠ accept their beliefs – Be firm yet gentle in communicating Christianity to others