Expert: Brenda Martin - 2/12/2005

Question
Firstly Hinduism DOES think of a personal God. They don't think of God as abstract.
I mean how can we Christians be so sure that Jesus is the ONLY way to God. I mean he is only the Son of God. But Krishna IS the almighty (God). So the view that what the God preached is NOT the Truth and the way his Son preached is the truth is ridiculous isn't it whats your view. Is Judaism considered a way to God according to Christians.
What 'gods' did Jesus claim to be false.Which gods did he talk about.  

Answer
"HINDUISM DOES THINK OF A PERSONAL GOD. THEY DON'T THINK OF GOD AS ABSTRACT."

A broad definition of Hinduism given by one history book states  “We might say that Hinduism is adherence to or worship of the GODS Vishnu, or Shiva [Siva], or the GODDESS Shakti, or their incarnations, aspects, spouses, or progeny.” That serves to include the cults of Rama and Krishna (incarnations of Vishnu), Durga, Skanda, and Ganesa (respectively the wife and sons of Siva). It is claimed that Hinduism has 330 million gods"

However Indian writer A. Parthasarathy explains: “The Hindus are not polytheistic. Hinduism speaks of one God . . . The different gods and goddesses of the Hindu pantheon are mere representatives of the powers and functions of the one supreme God in the manifested world.”

Comparing the Hindu concept of God with that of other systems of religion, Dr. Radhakrishnan of India observes: “The God of Hebrews (Christianity) is of a different type. He is personal and active in history and interested in the changes and chances of this developing world. He is a Being who communicates with us.”

"JESUS IS THE ONLY WAY TO GOD, WHY?"

If we believe the bible is the inspired word of God, then it states regarding Jesus—

“I am the way and the truth and the life,No one comes to the Father except through me.”

To gain God's favor, we need to become reconciled to him, and this is possible only on the basis of faith in the loving provision that he has made through the sacrifice of his Son.

God saw fit to make his firstborn Son the central, or key, figure in the outworking of all His purposes (Joh 1:14-18; Col 1:18-20; 2:8, 9), the focal point on which the light of all prophecies would concentrate and from which their light would radiate (1Pe 1:10-12; Re 19:10; Joh 1:3-9), the solution to all the problems that Satan's rebellion had raised (Heb 2:5-9, 14, 15; 1Jo 3:8), and the foundation upon which God would build all future arrangements for the eternal good of His universal family in heaven and earth. (Eph 1:8-10; 2:20; 1Pe 2:4-8) Because of the vital role he thus plays in God's purpose, Jesus could say, rightly and without exaggeration: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”—Joh 14:6.

"KRISHNA IS THE ALMIGHTY (GOD)"

Many gurus promote their personal beliefs, claiming that these are based on reliable scriptures. The Society for Krishna Consciousness, for example, asserts that its beliefs are founded on ‘the Vedic scriptures.' On the other hand, The World of Gurus states: “No attempt is made to establish the authenticity of scriptures . . . If [the devotees] read the scriptures they would know that the stories of Krishna and Radha are not based on authoritative scriptures, much less on facts.”

The bible, God's word, tells us who "Almighty God" is, the bible is the oldest book, written long before Hindu writings.

For instance, the earliest hymns of the four Vedas (Rig-Veda, Yajur-Veda, Sama-Veda, and Atharva-Veda) were composed nearly 3,000 years ago and were transmitted orally from teacher to pupil. “It was only in the fourteenth century A.D. that the Veda was written down.”—A History of India, P. K. Saratkumar, 1978, page 24.

Many Hindus consider the Bible to be a Western book, but this is incorrect, it does not promote colonialism or the superiority of one race over another. God's will is that “all sorts of men should be saved and come to an accurate knowledge of truth.” (1 Tim. 2:4) That includes men and women who profess a non-Christian religion, such as Hinduism.

"WHAT 'GODS' DID JESUS CLAIM TO BE FALSE?"

Jesus said: “This means everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you, (JEHOVAH) the ONLY true God, and of the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ.” (John 17:3)

In contrast to the true God, there are false gods. Some of these have set themselves up as gods; others have been made objects of worship by those who serve them.

Mark 7:6, 7: “He [Jesus] said to them [the Jewish Pharisees and scribes]: ‘Isaiah aptly prophesied about you hypocrites, as it is written, “This people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far removed from me. It is in vain that they keep worshiping me, because they teach as doctrines commands of men.”'”

(Regardless of whom a group profess to worship, if they hold to doctrines of men instead of the inspired Word of God, their worship is in vain.)

I appreciate you have your own beliefs, but I couldn't call myself a Christian if I didn't try to take you off the "broad road" and lead you to the "narrow road" that leads to life.

All religion is not acceptable to God, not even all so called "Christian" religions are acceptable, only those who; "do the will of God" are on the road to life.

All the best
Brenda