JESUS COMPARED TO ALL OTHER RELIGIONS
Whether you are an atheist, agnostic or believer in some form of religion you must first answer the age old question.
"Where did man come from?" At this point you are left with two choices.
(1) All life came into being by pure chance. Then through the chain of evolution man evolved from some sort of organism.
Those that hold to this position actually exercise more faith than those who hold to the belief of Christianity. I say this because
throughout all known history no one has ever seen evolution take place. A tadpole may turn into a frog, but for a frog to turn into
a prince is a fairy tale not science.
In the book "what is Creation Science?" by Henry Morris & Gary Parker we find some interesting quotes and comments
concerning this. (pg.2, 86 & 88)
"However, as the eminent Harvard biologist, Ernst Mayr, one of the nation's top evolutionist has observed:
"Darwin never really did discuss the origin of species in his On the Origin of Species " (Niles Eldredge,1985a).
Not only could Darwin not cite a single example of a new species originating, but neither has anyone else, in all the subsequent
century of evolutionary study"
"Darwin himself was acutely aware of this evidence of creation and the problem it posed for his theory. In a chapter of Origin of
the species called "Difficulties With the Theory," he included traits that depend on separate meaningless parts. Consider the
human eye with the different features required to focus at different distances, to accommodate different amounts of light, and to
correct for the "rainbow effect." Regarding the origin of the eye, Darwin wrote these words:
"To suppose that the eye, (with so many parts all working together)....could have been formed by natural selection, seems,
I freely confess, absurd to the highest degree."
"Absurd to the highest degree." That's Darwin's own opinion of using natural selection to explain the origin of traits that depend
on many parts working together." One could go into much more detail on evolution, but that is not our purpose here. It is
sufficient to say evolution is based upon faith not science.
(2) The second choice is we were created by some sort of God. The fact that everything from the universe and stars down
to the simplest little flower seems to have some sort of design to it brings many people to the logical conclusion then there must
be a designer. As already pointed out even Darwin did not believe that the complexity of the human eye could happen by pure
chance. Even if you believed we were transported to this planet by aliens it still would not answer how mankind originally came
into being. A designer that much more advanced than mankind would naturlly be thought of as a God of some sort by mankind.
This of course leads to the question, does this God communicate with mankind? Most people will logically say yes to this.
Otherwise they are left with the dilemma of, why would a supreme being bother to create at all only to then ignore his creation?
As I stated earlier most people that believe in a God also will believe that he communicates with mankind thus forming what we
call religion. Suppose we are created by God and this God communicates with mankind. We should then be able to look back
into history and find some sort of record of this communication. Certainly mankind would record something of such great
importance and magnitude. Logic should then tell us that if there is a "true religion" this religion should be ancient. In other
words, since, God and mankind have been around a very long time the records of communication between them should date
back to days of antiquity.
There are numerous religions today that cannot be traced back to ancient times. This would include such groups as
Scientology, Christian Science, Jehovah Witnesses and Mormons to name just a few. Scientology stems from L.Ron Hubbard
who was born in 1911. Christian Science is traced back to Mary Baker Eddy in the 1800's. Jehovah Witnesses and the
Watchtower Bible and Tract Society are traced back to Charles Taze Russell in the 1800's. Mormonism which is The Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is traced back to Joseph Smith in the 1800's. What these religions all have in common is that
they are relatively new. Groups such as these may try to claim connection to the New Testament itself. However their doctrines
of who God is and his nature, as well as other important major doctrines, such as what salvation is and how it is obtained can
only be traced back to their founders of their religion. One does not find all of their major doctrines of these religions found in
the numerous writings of the people in the first century. How can their teachings be connected to the New Testament? The fact
is those who lived in that era and personally knew the authors of the New Testament had no concept of their doctrines they are
teaching today! Certainly truth concerning God should be just as true today as it was 200 years ago or even several thousand
years ago. If this same truth was known back then shouldn't we be able to find some record of it? I believe that it is reasonable
to expect to find some such record containing their doctrines of God. So if their doctrines concerning God, salvation etc. cannot
be found in anybody's writings even 1,000 years ago, why should we believe it? Christian doctrine concerning God, salvation
etc. can be found in the first century and following centuries. It can be shown that what Christians believe today are the same
basic beliefs that have been believed that connect directly to the New Testament. This can be found in the writings of the Early
Church Fathers or Ante- Nicene Fathers.
(These volumes can be found in some College libraries or they are also available on CD-ROM by Logos research
systems. (www.logos.com) One may also want to check out "A dictionary of Early Christian Beliefs by David W. Bercot for
further study in this area.)
Some people base their ideas on what they feel is right or because it sounds good.
Is something true simply because it sounds good or it is a profound statement? To accept something as true based only on that
it sounds good or feels good is not rational. Sure people end up accepting Jesus as their Savior and thus exercising faith.
However Christianity is not a blind faith. There is plenty of evidence to show that Jesus is much more than just a great man.
There is also ample evidence to show the Bible is not just a collection of books. Rather the evidence of 100% accuracy in Bible
prophecy points to divine inspiration.
The doctrines concerning God, in Christianity, do not just sound good. The bible is confirmed to be the word of God by fulfilled
prophecy. There is also conformation in its accuracy found in archeology. The doctrines concerning God in Christianity can
also be traced to the reformation period and on through the Catholic Church. From there they can be traced through the
writings of the early church fathers and finally connect to the disciples and the New Testament itself. The New Testament
connects to the Old Testament or Judaism. In other words, before the New Testament, Judaism was looking forward to the
coming of the Messiah. There are numerous prophecies in the Old Testament pertaining to this Messiah. Jesus actually fulfilled
these prophecies. This is our evidence that he is the Messiah or the Christ that was to come. In short, in Christianity, we can
trace the doctrines concerning God and his nature as well as salvation from the present all the way back to the book of
Genesis. Here in the book of Genesis, we go all the way back to where we are told of creation itself.
We are looking for a religion of antiquity because God and man have both been around a long time. Therefore the records of
communication between God and man should go back a long time. There are of course, other religions of antiquity such as the
Islamic religion (Muslims) or the followers of Buddha. Some people would ask, "why not accept these records as well?" "Isn't
there truth in all religions?" There might be some basic truths in all religions, but the foundational belief structures of all
religions cannot all be true. We might agree that it is wrong to steal or lie, yet have drastic different views of who God is.
Different religions make such drastic different claims about God, it is impossible for all religions to be correct. For example,
Christianity says God is knowable John 17:3. On the other hand Islam says God is unknowable. To the Muslim it would be
blasphemous to say that God is spirit. Jesus however informs us that the Father is spirit John 4:24. There are numerous such
contradictions between Christianity and other religions whether ancient or new.
The next logical question is what makes Jesus any more credible than other religious leaders of ancient times, such as
Buddha or Muhammad? The answer to this is in the credentials of Jesus himself. Unlike other religious leaders, Jesus was told
about in great detail before he was even born. There are numerous prophecies that Jesus fulfilled such as the blood line he
would be born through Gen 22:18, Matt 1:1, where he would be born at Micah 5:2, Matt.2:1, how he would be betrayed Ps.41:9,
Zech.11:12-13, Jn.13:21-26, Matt.27:5-7. There are many more prophecies, some of which were in the third chapter of this
booklet. The dead Sea Scrolls confirm the fact that the prophecies were written long before Jesus was born. Jesus also
performed many miracles offering them as evidence as to who he was John 10:36-39. The fact that Jesus performed what the
people considered miracles is confirmed outside of the bible by the Jewish Historian Josephus who lived AD.37-100. No other
religious leader, has performed miracles that are confirmed by other credible historic sources. Jesus predicted his own death
and resurrection and then actually rose from the dead. No other religious leader in history has ever done this. Truly no other
religious leader in history even comes close to these types of credentials. Buddha, Muhammad, Confucius and other ancient
leaders did not do any miracles verified by credible historical sources. They were not told about in detailed prophecies before
they were born. Last of all they did not rise from the dead. When Buddha, Muhammad, Confucius and other ancient leaders
died they remained dead!
This makes what Jesus has to say more credible than what Buddha, Muhammad or Confucius may have said. Let us also no
forget that Jesus claimed to be the only way in which mankind could come to God the Father John 14:6. All evidence shows
that we can either choose Jesus or cling to some other hope that does not have any real substance or credibility in known facts.
Which will you choose?
Keep in mind that the "one true church" is not a denomination but rather a body of believers in which Major doctrines are
consistent. I am referring to Historical Christianity, which includes several denominations and non-denominational churches.
Also remember that what we need is a personal relationship with Jesus not just a church. Jesus said he was the only way. He
did not say that the church was the only way. The church is a place for us to fellowship with other Christians. The job of the
church is to point you to Jesus.
Whether you are an atheist, agnostic or believer in some form of religion you must first answer the age old question.
"Where did man come from?" At this point you are left with two choices.
(1) All life came into being by pure chance. Then through the chain of evolution man evolved from some sort of organism.
Those that hold to this position actually exercise more faith than those who hold to the belief of Christianity. I say this because
throughout all known history no one has ever seen evolution take place. A tadpole may turn into a frog, but for a frog to turn into
a prince is a fairy tale not science.
In the book "what is Creation Science?" by Henry Morris & Gary Parker we find some interesting quotes and comments
concerning this. (pg.2, 86 & 88)
"However, as the eminent Harvard biologist, Ernst Mayr, one of the nation's top evolutionist has observed:
"Darwin never really did discuss the origin of species in his On the Origin of Species " (Niles Eldredge,1985a).
Not only could Darwin not cite a single example of a new species originating, but neither has anyone else, in all the subsequent
century of evolutionary study"
"Darwin himself was acutely aware of this evidence of creation and the problem it posed for his theory. In a chapter of Origin of
the species called "Difficulties With the Theory," he included traits that depend on separate meaningless parts. Consider the
human eye with the different features required to focus at different distances, to accommodate different amounts of light, and to
correct for the "rainbow effect." Regarding the origin of the eye, Darwin wrote these words:
"To suppose that the eye, (with so many parts all working together)....could have been formed by natural selection, seems,
I freely confess, absurd to the highest degree."
"Absurd to the highest degree." That's Darwin's own opinion of using natural selection to explain the origin of traits that depend
on many parts working together." One could go into much more detail on evolution, but that is not our purpose here. It is
sufficient to say evolution is based upon faith not science.
(2) The second choice is we were created by some sort of God. The fact that everything from the universe and stars down
to the simplest little flower seems to have some sort of design to it brings many people to the logical conclusion then there must
be a designer. As already pointed out even Darwin did not believe that the complexity of the human eye could happen by pure
chance. Even if you believed we were transported to this planet by aliens it still would not answer how mankind originally came
into being. A designer that much more advanced than mankind would naturlly be thought of as a God of some sort by mankind.
This of course leads to the question, does this God communicate with mankind? Most people will logically say yes to this.
Otherwise they are left with the dilemma of, why would a supreme being bother to create at all only to then ignore his creation?
As I stated earlier most people that believe in a God also will believe that he communicates with mankind thus forming what we
call religion. Suppose we are created by God and this God communicates with mankind. We should then be able to look back
into history and find some sort of record of this communication. Certainly mankind would record something of such great
importance and magnitude. Logic should then tell us that if there is a "true religion" this religion should be ancient. In other
words, since, God and mankind have been around a very long time the records of communication between them should date
back to days of antiquity.
There are numerous religions today that cannot be traced back to ancient times. This would include such groups as
Scientology, Christian Science, Jehovah Witnesses and Mormons to name just a few. Scientology stems from L.Ron Hubbard
who was born in 1911. Christian Science is traced back to Mary Baker Eddy in the 1800's. Jehovah Witnesses and the
Watchtower Bible and Tract Society are traced back to Charles Taze Russell in the 1800's. Mormonism which is The Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is traced back to Joseph Smith in the 1800's. What these religions all have in common is that
they are relatively new. Groups such as these may try to claim connection to the New Testament itself. However their doctrines
of who God is and his nature, as well as other important major doctrines, such as what salvation is and how it is obtained can
only be traced back to their founders of their religion. One does not find all of their major doctrines of these religions found in
the numerous writings of the people in the first century. How can their teachings be connected to the New Testament? The fact
is those who lived in that era and personally knew the authors of the New Testament had no concept of their doctrines they are
teaching today! Certainly truth concerning God should be just as true today as it was 200 years ago or even several thousand
years ago. If this same truth was known back then shouldn't we be able to find some record of it? I believe that it is reasonable
to expect to find some such record containing their doctrines of God. So if their doctrines concerning God, salvation etc. cannot
be found in anybody's writings even 1,000 years ago, why should we believe it? Christian doctrine concerning God, salvation
etc. can be found in the first century and following centuries. It can be shown that what Christians believe today are the same
basic beliefs that have been believed that connect directly to the New Testament. This can be found in the writings of the Early
Church Fathers or Ante- Nicene Fathers.
(These volumes can be found in some College libraries or they are also available on CD-ROM by Logos research
systems. (www.logos.com) One may also want to check out "A dictionary of Early Christian Beliefs by David W. Bercot for
further study in this area.)
Some people base their ideas on what they feel is right or because it sounds good.
Is something true simply because it sounds good or it is a profound statement? To accept something as true based only on that
it sounds good or feels good is not rational. Sure people end up accepting Jesus as their Savior and thus exercising faith.
However Christianity is not a blind faith. There is plenty of evidence to show that Jesus is much more than just a great man.
There is also ample evidence to show the Bible is not just a collection of books. Rather the evidence of 100% accuracy in Bible
prophecy points to divine inspiration.
The doctrines concerning God, in Christianity, do not just sound good. The bible is confirmed to be the word of God by fulfilled
prophecy. There is also conformation in its accuracy found in archeology. The doctrines concerning God in Christianity can
also be traced to the reformation period and on through the Catholic Church. From there they can be traced through the
writings of the early church fathers and finally connect to the disciples and the New Testament itself. The New Testament
connects to the Old Testament or Judaism. In other words, before the New Testament, Judaism was looking forward to the
coming of the Messiah. There are numerous prophecies in the Old Testament pertaining to this Messiah. Jesus actually fulfilled
these prophecies. This is our evidence that he is the Messiah or the Christ that was to come. In short, in Christianity, we can
trace the doctrines concerning God and his nature as well as salvation from the present all the way back to the book of
Genesis. Here in the book of Genesis, we go all the way back to where we are told of creation itself.
We are looking for a religion of antiquity because God and man have both been around a long time. Therefore the records of
communication between God and man should go back a long time. There are of course, other religions of antiquity such as the
Islamic religion (Muslims) or the followers of Buddha. Some people would ask, "why not accept these records as well?" "Isn't
there truth in all religions?" There might be some basic truths in all religions, but the foundational belief structures of all
religions cannot all be true. We might agree that it is wrong to steal or lie, yet have drastic different views of who God is.
Different religions make such drastic different claims about God, it is impossible for all religions to be correct. For example,
Christianity says God is knowable John 17:3. On the other hand Islam says God is unknowable. To the Muslim it would be
blasphemous to say that God is spirit. Jesus however informs us that the Father is spirit John 4:24. There are numerous such
contradictions between Christianity and other religions whether ancient or new.
The next logical question is what makes Jesus any more credible than other religious leaders of ancient times, such as
Buddha or Muhammad? The answer to this is in the credentials of Jesus himself. Unlike other religious leaders, Jesus was told
about in great detail before he was even born. There are numerous prophecies that Jesus fulfilled such as the blood line he
would be born through Gen 22:18, Matt 1:1, where he would be born at Micah 5:2, Matt.2:1, how he would be betrayed Ps.41:9,
Zech.11:12-13, Jn.13:21-26, Matt.27:5-7. There are many more prophecies, some of which were in the third chapter of this
booklet. The dead Sea Scrolls confirm the fact that the prophecies were written long before Jesus was born. Jesus also
performed many miracles offering them as evidence as to who he was John 10:36-39. The fact that Jesus performed what the
people considered miracles is confirmed outside of the bible by the Jewish Historian Josephus who lived AD.37-100. No other
religious leader, has performed miracles that are confirmed by other credible historic sources. Jesus predicted his own death
and resurrection and then actually rose from the dead. No other religious leader in history has ever done this. Truly no other
religious leader in history even comes close to these types of credentials. Buddha, Muhammad, Confucius and other ancient
leaders did not do any miracles verified by credible historical sources. They were not told about in detailed prophecies before
they were born. Last of all they did not rise from the dead. When Buddha, Muhammad, Confucius and other ancient leaders
died they remained dead!
This makes what Jesus has to say more credible than what Buddha, Muhammad or Confucius may have said. Let us also no
forget that Jesus claimed to be the only way in which mankind could come to God the Father John 14:6. All evidence shows
that we can either choose Jesus or cling to some other hope that does not have any real substance or credibility in known facts.
Which will you choose?
Keep in mind that the "one true church" is not a denomination but rather a body of believers in which Major doctrines are
consistent. I am referring to Historical Christianity, which includes several denominations and non-denominational churches.
Also remember that what we need is a personal relationship with Jesus not just a church. Jesus said he was the only way. He
did not say that the church was the only way. The church is a place for us to fellowship with other Christians. The job of the
church is to point you to Jesus.
Major Christian Doctrines
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