If Jesus is not the only way to God, then His death was a horrible mistake, says Dr. Robert Jeffress. The truth of John 14:6 is the foundation of the megachurch pastor’s latest book, Not All Roads Lead to Heaven.
Jeffress says American society today confuses absolute truth with relative truth. Many assume a right relationship with God is merely relative truth based on a personal belief system, but if all roads lead to heaven, Jesus suffered brutally for nothing.
“I believe that, with the increasing emphasis on pluralism in our country especially, those who teach the exclusivity of Christ are labeled as hate-mongers and intolerant, and to tell Muslims, Hindus or Buddhists is seen as height of intolerance,” Jeffress says. “But this message—that there is one way to God—is not a message of hate; it’s a message of hope. When Jesus said ‘follow Me’ as the only way to heaven, it wasn’t to keep people out of heaven but to invite them in.”
If Christianity progresses toward relative truth, pluralism and universalism, many of our commandments go out the window—including the Great Commission. If Jesus is not the only way, Jeffress says, what’s the point of evangelizing, of sharing our faith with others, of funding missionaries to spread the Good News?
For pastors who are afraid to speak Christianity’s truth, Jeffress issues a stern warning: “If you are going to waffle on this most foundational issue, get out of the ministry, leave your church. Don’t lead from your pulpit with words that will lead people to hell and not to heaven. There’s no reason to be a pastor or preacher if you aren’t going to say Jesus is the only way.”
