Beyond Buddha

“When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:25, 26

The ancient Indian philosopher, spiritual advisor and mediator, Guatama BUDDHA, boldly taught his followers, and any who would listen, “Work out your own salvation. Do not depend on others.” This sentiment has been, and presently is, the mentality of untold millions of people. There seems to be a universal agreement regarding the concept for a needed salvation. Yet, crux to the acceptance of such a requirement is answering the fundamental question of “what.” The very idea of salvation presumes a situation from which the individual needs rescued. What then is it that mankind needs rescued from? Is the problem social, educational, psychological, physical, spiritual or something altogether different?

The Bible is both unique, and unmistakably clear, when offering its suggestion to the need of the human race for salvation. It indicates that all people have committed a violation against God that is called “sin” (Romans 3:23). Evidently, committing the act of sin, or being a sinner by the reality of such behavior, is indicative of a moral impurity that ultimately produces a corrupt being (Isaiah 64:6). This moral contamination results in both spiritual death (Romans 6:23) and physical (Romans 5:12). It obviously answers the primary question of why it is mankind needs salvation. The death described in the Holy Bible describes spiritual death as being far worse than a bodily demise.

The Bible introduces a solitary answer for the quandary and consequence of sin. Jesus Christ is presented as an exclusive Savior. Acts 4:12 unashamedly declares this selectness in the words, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name in heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” This inimitable teaching about salvation stands in stark contrast to other religious notions, and opposes contemporary culture that promotes pluralistic avenues to spiritual enlightenment. Making the claim of Christ even more grand is the idea that this salvation is unlimited in the scope to whom it may reach. Salvation in Jesus Christ is presented as both universal and individual. Universal in the sense that the offer of Christ is extended to the entire human population (John 3:16), and individual in that the proposal is narrowed to the person (John 3:3). Irrefutable evidence proves that this salvation by another beyond “others” (Guatama) has introduced a global movement of transformed lives and changed nations.