I have a lot of “interfaith” conversations. I really enjoy them. I seem to be drawn to them, not as a apologist, or even evangelist per se, but as a disciple of Christ living in a very, very pluralistic world. Religious pluralism holds to the idea that varying religions, or worldviews are equally valid and acceptable. Further, some specific religions are polytheistic, meaning they worship and serve many deities, that they see as equal in many regards.

Polytheism is common in Taoism and Hinduism. Some of these societies tend to be more pluralistic and therefore tolerant of other religions, after all their religion is built on plurality and to be otherwise would be self destructive. Whereas many monothestic traditions have been called intolerant and responsible for war and violence because they deny pluralism.

Let’s look at 4 of the major world religions, according to the site exploreGod.Com

Hinduism
According to Hinduism there is great evil in the world due to our attachment to worldly illusions and our ignorance of our true selves. But if we achieve liberation from worldly attachments, we can become reabsorbed into Brahman.

Buddhism
The great evil and suffering that we encounter in our lives comes from the impermanence of all things and from our own cravings and desires. The world, in other words, is such that our cravings and desires will never be fully satisfied. Through this perpetual lack, we experience suffering. But there is a way out. If we follow the Noble Eightfold Path of morality, meditation, and wisdom, we allay our cravings and embark on the path toward Nirvana.

Judaism
We see in Judaism, the pristine state of the garden paradise in which God placed the first human beings. We also see the fall of these human beings through rebellion and sin—thus the subsequent need for law and atonement. Yet there will come a time of covenantal culmination where the Jewish Messiah will usher in a new paradise. For now, Jews are to commit acts of atonement for their sins.

Islam Summarized
Within Islam, evil comes from not submitting to Allah by going against his revealed will. As a means of salvation, one may submit to Allah’s will through Islam’s five doctrines and five practices and through Allah’s moral laws. Through this submission, one may not be condemned on the Final Judgment to the fires of hell but instead enjoy the paradise Allah has created for those who submit to his will.

Where as Hinduism is very diverse and polytheistic, Buddhism focuses on transcending polytheism. Islam and Judaism are both monotheistic, and like Christianity claim to worship one god.

Apart from religion, a lot of so called atheists or humanists would like to think this way of thinking is far removed from their own worldview. I would argue it’s not. Of course, it all depends on how we define what a god is, and beyond that what idol they have made to worship.

Often Christian’s do not like the idea of “other gods”, but when God spoke to Moses to inscribe the Ten Commandments, he made it clear:

I am Yahweh your God … You shall have no other gods before me.

Exodus 20:2a & 3

This word for god, is the hebrew word elohim which in plural means “rulers, judges, either as divine representatives at sacred places or as reflecting divine majesty and power. b. divine ones, superhuman beings including God and angels. c. angels” (a.BDB).

I am Yahweh your elohim… You shall have no other elohim before me.

At first this idea of lesser gods seams contrary to the Christian monotheistic faith. After all, we are taught there is only one God. This is partly because we have come to think upper case “G” God is in fact the god of the bibles name. Further, that taking His name in vain involves using a certain few English phrases. So lets get that straight first: Yahweh is His name.

Sometimes Yahweh is translated LORD in English bibles, and sometimes its symbolized through the tetragrammaton YHWH using the Hebrew letters Yodh, Heh, Waw, and Heh. (check out this study for more)

Throughout scripture we get a different picture involving gods, Elohim or other spiritual beings, and there is actually quite a bit of importance wrapped up in our biblical undertstanding of these elohim. Most will turn to Psalm 82 where readers take a glimpse behind the curtain and see Yahweh rendering judgement on the other Elohim for their actions. According to theologian Michael Heiser, these elohim were each given “nations” to rule over at the fall of Babel. He directs our attention to Deuteronomy 32:8-9, where it reads:

When the Most High gave to the nations their inheritance, when he divided mankind, he fixed the borders of the peoples according to the number of the sons of God. But the LORD’s portion is his people, Jacob his allotted heritage.

ESV

This is the importance of Yahweh’s message to Moses, especially as he was to battle the plurality of Egyptian gods and rulers to deliver his people. He said “I Am who I Am“. The ever present, never failing, pre-existent, uncreated, One and Only God was going to rescue His people.

They, and now We who are in Christ, are His portion. We are his because he has made us his. Because He choose us. Because He called us.

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

1 Peter 2:9 ESV

We aren’t made His through works or religious rites, or by keeping sacraments. It isn’t by any measure of obedience, but through Christ alone in Faith alone.

For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.

Galatians 3:26

And those apart from Christ? Well the bible makes it very clear, those that are apart from Him are indeed in the power of the evil one.

We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.

1 John 5:19

Don’t get this wrong, there are two kingdoms, and they are in conflict. Like Israel, we needed a spiritual exodus from our own slavery, not from under Egypt but from under Sin and it’s master. We needed a savior, and our God delivered. As Jude writes in his doxology:

To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.

So who is the only God? He is our savior. He is the only God worth all worship! The gods of this world, behind all other world religions, powers, philosophies, and worldviews will be judged and pay their price! All idols, or images of these false rulers will be crushed in finality of Christs radiance. All other elohim will be exposed, and their schemes revealed, as God pours out his wrath and judgement in the final days.

Dear christian brother and sister, know that today, you declare Gods worth in every conversation and mundane activity. Every second of your life is indeed “interfaith”. Many people around you “worship” and “sacrifice” their entire lives to these lesser gods, and most without ever knowing it! They meander through darkness, spiritually blind and in bondage to sin. They need a savior, like you did.

I firmly believe all of our human interactions, including counseling, are deeply rooted in spiritual warfare. That there is an ever present cosmic war for the souls of humans. That Satan and the rulers of his Kingdom, like Pharoah, refuse to let their people go. Will you be like Moses? Will you confidently go before them, knowing Yahweh is the deliverer? Will you lead them from slavery to the promised land?

Up, go out from among my people, both you and the people of Israel; and go, serve the Lord, as you have said.

Pharoah, to Moses, in great mourning following the first passover. Exodus 12:31

Peace be with you.