"The Way, the Truth, and the Life"

For some time now I have been thinking about the subject of salvation as it pertains to humanity, now and  through history.  For a long time I have accepted the orthodox Christian position that the only way to receive eternal salvation was through the person and work of Jesus Christ.  But to be honest I have always wondered about God's justice concerning those through history who have never heard the name Jesus, or those even now in modern times who haven't heard his name, or have, but are authentically fulfilled in some other religion which does not subscribe to the orthodox Christian view of salvation when understood as through Jesus only.  Are they all destined for an eternal torturous hell?       

I certainly do not have all of this worked out in my own mind and soul to my satisfaction but I no longer accept the idea that to ask questions and consider other views concerning such things makes one a heretic.  Although I know of some who think I have crossed the line and am on the brink of apostasy - if not already there.  Nonetheless....   


Jesus is quoted by John in his gospel (John 14:6), "I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one can come to the Father except through me."  This is an important proof text that Christians have uttered down through the centuries to defend the teaching that Jesus is the only way to eternal life. Okay, fair enough.

As many of you know I love to read theology and recently I came across another view of Jesus' words in John 14:6 that I found intriguing and I offer a brief overview of it here for your consideration and comment.

In verse five of this chapter Thomas asks Jesus to show him the way.  Now "a way" is a path, or a road, or  a journey.  Jesus had been making his way to Jerusalem and to his death and resurrection.  Jesus responds to Thomas as quoted above.

I think it interesting that throughout the Gospels from the beginning, Jesus' way leads to his death followed by his resurrection.  Is this not instructing followers of Jesus that the way to life in the presence of God is through a kind of death followed by newness of life?  Could it be that John's meaning in this passage, using the example of Jesus, is a metaphor for the authentic holy life?  In other words, the "way" - the path of dying to the old way of being and being born into a new way of being - is indeed the only "way" to God?  And this "way" - of dying to the old way of being and being born into this new way of being - is actually known in many of the world's religions through the Spirit of God?  That this way of Jesus is a universal way, known to millions of humans throughout history up to the present time who may have never heard the name of Jesus, or who know this way apart from the name Jesus?  Think about the wonderful implications of this!

Incarnation means a kind of embodiment.  Jesus is not only the way, he is what the way embodied in a person looks like.  He is not only truth, Jesus is what the truth embodied in a person looks like.  And Jesus is not only life, he is what real life embodied in a person looks like!

So there it is.  A brief view of John 14:6 from a different perspective.  Thanks for reading.

Peace for real,
Dennis