Interreligous relations?

I read an article the other day in The Salt Lake Tribune about a man by the name of Charles Randall Paul (Alpine-developer-turned-scholar): “At the national level, Paul hopes one day to develop a corps of what he calls “interreligious diplomats,” who would be respected members of one faith who are authorized to become immersed in order to explain religious teachings from one group to another. A Christian who speaks with Buddhists. A Muslim who knows Judaism. A Hindu who understands Sikhs. A Catholic who studies Southern Baptists. Humanists working with Theists.” (The Salt Lake Tribune, Utah Living – Faith, “Foundation fosters dialogue among believers,” by Peggy Fletcher Stack. January 21, 2006)

Can you base what is being said here on truth? The sure way of testing something, in order to reveal its truth, is by comparing it to the solid truth of God’s word, the Bible. Let us test what was said here by comparing it to the Bible:

First, where in the Bible does God lead His children into having “interreligious” relations with unbelievers? Does He ever encourage them to “become immersed” in any way with others of another faith? This cannot be found anywhere in Scripture, as you most likely already knew I was getting at. It’s true though; nowhere in the Bible does He lead His people into having spiritual union with those who are not His. In fact, He tells us quite the opposite.

Here are some passages from the Bible which confirm this:

Jesus makes it clear:

“…I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6)

You either believe or you don’t:

“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” (John 3:36)

There are only two possibilities, the broad way or the narrow way:

“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide [is] the gate, and broad [is] the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait [is] the gate, and narrow [is] the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14)

There are only two types of children in the world:

“Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother." (1 John 3:9-10)

God forbids spiritual unity (“interreligion” or “immersion”) with non-believers:

(Note: I’m not saying that Christians cannot associate with unbelievers in any way, shape, or form. Jesus Himself was accused of being a “friend of sinners” because of how close his association was.)

“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in [them]; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean [thing]; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” (2 Corinthians 6:14-18)

By the truth of God’s word, we must be counted out.

Serving Him,

One Clay Soldier among many