#1 Q&A: Is It Okay To Study Other Religions?

Q&A – Is it okay to learn about other religions that contradict Christianity? Introduction - Many schools require study of other religions. Some young people investigate other religions in curiosity of “what else is out there?” when they are out from under their parents’ authority. Is it okay to learn about other religions? Reasons To Study Other Religions 1. Evangelistic Value: Understanding others’ beliefs can help us share the gospel with them (Mt 28:19-20). • If we know nothing about what someone believes, sharing the gospel with them can be difficult. Preparation in advance to understand key tenets of another’s beliefs can aid us in knowing what aspects of truth to highlight in our conversations. • Additionally, resistance to understanding someone’s beliefs can offend them as if we thought their heritage were unimportant or negligible. Genuine love seeks to understand someone else before it seeks to change them. • ILL – If Buddhism teaches reincarnation after death, they think they will have a second chance after death. Understanding Hebrews 9:27 that man dies once and then faces judgment would prove essential in sharing the gospel. • ILL – If Mormonism teaches that Jesus is physically a son of God and that we are physically his brothers and sisters, emphasis on the genuine Deity of Jesus Christ would be important to our gospel witness to Mormons. 2. Apologetic Value: Understanding others’ beliefs can help us defend Christianity against attacks (1 Pet 3:5). • If we have never pondered alternative perspectives to Scripture, they may land on us as a surprise for which we are unprepared. • ILL – How do you know that the Bible is truly God’s Word? What if someone says that it has been corrupted through too many copies? Do you have an answer for that? 3. Personal Confidence Value: Understanding others’ beliefs can help us appreciate the truth of Scripture. • We don’t want to be unaware of Satan’s tactics, lest we be outwitted by him (2 Cor 2:11). • Developing a basic understanding of other religions can help us understand tactics Satan employs to blind the eyes of the lost from the truth and the light of the gospel of Christ (2 Cor 4:4). • Additionally, it can strengthen our faith in Scripture as we see Jesus is the only Way to the Father (John 14:6). Reasons Not To Study Other Religions 1. Danger of Arguing: Our job is to share the gospel (Romans 1:16-17) that has the power to change lives. • Christ did not call us to be great arguers (Titus 3:9) or to engage in “ignorant controversies” that lead to arguments (2 Tim 2:23, ESV). Instead, our job is to hold forth the light of the gospel (2 Cor 4:2) and let the Spirit persuade people’s hearts as the Father draws them (John 6:44). • Love for the lost is not argumentative or angry (1 Cor 13:4-7) because the “Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome” (2 Timothy 2:24, ESV). 2. Danger of Desertion: We must beware of growing infatuated with darkness lest we become deceived. • When Israel prepared to enter the Promised Land of Canaan, God commanded them neither to practice nor even to investigate the abominable and idolatrous practices of the nations that lived there before them. God was destroying them for their wickedness, and He did not want Israel to be attracted to their false worship (Deuteronomy 12:29-31; 18:9). • Walking with fools leads down a dangerous path (Proverbs 13:20). Spiritually mature Christians may engage in study of other religions with the whole armor of God as defense (Ephesians 6:10-18). We must pay close attention to what we “sow” because we will reap what we sow (Gal 6:7-8), whether to the flesh or Spirit. • The only cure for darkness is light. We are called to walk in the light (1 John 1:7) and to marvel at the light of Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18). Conclusion - Too much of a good thing can be bad. E.G. Exercise, antibiotics, honey (Proverbs 25:16), etc. We must engage in study of other religions with a strong scriptural foundation, wise maturity, and trusted Christian friends.