Several years ago, Rick Warren released a book called The Purpose Driven Life. While the premise of the book is a good one, much religious error is propagated throughout its pages. It is not a book that should be read or studied by those who do not have a good grounding in the Scriptures, as they may be misled by the author’s errant views.

Take, for instance, what Mr. Warren says on page 34, concerning the final judgment: “God won’t ask you about your religious background or doctrinal views. The only thing that will matter is, did you accept what Jesus did for you and did you learn to love and trust him?”

Think about this statement for a moment. Does not one’s “religious background and doctrinal views” depend directly upon one’s acceptance, love, and trust of the Savior?

If one truly accepts Jesus, he will follow Him. “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). Do you accept Jesus as the only way into a righteous relationship with the Father?

If one truly loves Jesus, he will follow Him. “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15). Do you obey Jesus, or do you only say you love Him?

If one truly trusts Jesus, he will follow Him. “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:16). Do you trust Jesus, or do you “explain away” this crystal-clear statement?

One who accepts, loves, and trusts Jesus will have the “religious background and doctrinal views” that God expects and desires of His people. “But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine” (Titus 2:1).

Doctrine does matter! We must give heed to those things taught in the New Testament—not only accept them as true, but obey them! If we reject the words of the Lord, if we rebel against Him and refuse to obey, we have no one to blame if we are lost (John 12:48).

I have seen those words on a bumper sticker. Many people who call themselves Christians (regardless what the Bible says) would say something similar to that, though they would probably substitute the word “denomination” for “religion.” Ecumenism is a dangerous concept—“One church is as good as any other,” or, “You believe what you want to believe, and I’ll believe what I want to believe.” God is quite clear that there is but one faith (Ephesians 4:5), and that we are to “earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints” (Jude 3). People may call me intolerant, but I am more concerned with what God thinks than what man thinks (Galatians 1:10).

But this particular bumper sticker—“My God is too big for one religion”—takes the idea of ecumenism even further. If one truly believes this statement, then not only are all “Christian” denominations included, but so are all religions that outright reject the Christ – Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindu, etc.

A Roman Catholic priest once said on Larry King Live, “Jesus rejoices when His Father is glorified. And when a Muslim or Jew glorifies the Father I can’t imagine Jesus coming and saying, ‘Oh, well, when are you going to look at Me?’ The joy of Jesus is the glorification of God.” Yet, Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6).

Melvin Talbert, ecumenical officer of the United Methodist Church, was asked by Larry King if he thought his religion was right. Talbert answered in the affirmative, but denied that all others were necessarily wrong. “I believe my God is large enough to be inclusive of all human beings who were created in God’s image and that includes those religions that are not Christians.”

God’s Word is firm: those who wish to come to the Father must do so by Jesus—not Mohammed, nor Buddha, nor the Pope, nor any other teacher of error. Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life.