labyrinth

Originally posted on May 21, 2009 – by Andre Piet

This week I received the following email from a woman.

Hello,

Because I am always searching for information, I ended up on your site. Strangely enough I have many questions that remain unanswered and so far no answer has come. My search for the true Creator is a labyrinth in which there is no clear sight of which path is the right one. Because I have no religion, yet do believe in our Creator, it seems like a prayer without end. Why is there so much indoctrination by which everything has become clouded, and can a simple soul like me not find the right way in a faith. The fact is that every religion, Christianity, Islam and Judaism all interpret the stories according to their own view. All believe in their own way, but which one is the right one? Is there a possibility to come closer to God apart from one of these three religious convictions?

Kind regards,

N.

I wrote back to her the following:

Dear N.,

Your question is clear. Your understanding tells you that there is one GOD, the Creator. But the doctrines of Christianity, Islam and Judaism cause you to end up in a labyrinth. Since they contradict one another, they cannot all three be right. Which raises the pressing question: which of the three? My advice is: approach it fundamentally. Go back to the source(s). Back to what originally “is written.” The Qur’an is ruled out beforehand in this approach, because this book demonstrably altered the source text centuries later. Consider among other things the exchange of the names Isaac and Ishmael, but also the denial of death and thus also the resurrection of Jesus.

I cannot (and do not wish to) tell you what you must think and believe. That is not my place. I can only tell you what I have found. One of the things I have discovered is that the Bible opens itself to the one who approaches it honestly and allows it to explain itself. The Bible is a library of very diverse books, written by many persons and in numerous places, and that over thousands of years. But the wonder is: like puzzle pieces they form one living whole.

Indeed, one ends up in a labyrinth when orienting oneself within the religious world regarding how the Bible ought to be explained. That leads nowhere, and therefore you should also enter through the other door. Let the Bible explain itself and assess the religious world in that light! Choose your fixed point in the Bible and allow yourself to be taught in the Bible by the man who was appointed by God as an “apostle and teacher of the nations” (read: the apostle Paul). You will discover that with this approach you truly have solid rock beneath your feet.

Your question was whether it is possible, apart from the three major religious directions, to come closer to God. My answer is: only apart from religious directions will you, in the light of God’s own Word, discover that it is not we who can come closer to God, but that He comes to us. Not our activities bring God nearer. On the contrary, humanity put the Son of God to death, and that characterizes our ultimate estrangement from Him. What God in turn did, however, was raise His Son from the tomb, thereby guaranteeing LIFE to EVERY mortal! The Bible says: “the living God is a Saviour of all mankind”! Nearly all religious directions deny and oppose it, but this truly is Evangel, that is, good news! No estrangement or enmity is so great, but His love is always greater and bridges every chasm.

N., I pray that your eyes may be opened to this Love of GOD. Do not be afraid to think ‘outside the box’ and, apart from religion (which seeks to come closer to God), to discover that GOD Himself guarantees the reaching of every human being loved by Him.

Kind regards,
-André Piet-

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