52% of those belonging to churches and denominations that teach that Jesus is the only way of salvation reject that teaching.

Stunning. Sobering. Disturbing.

Mohler comments today on a a USA Today report that will quantify for you what you already know: even the pews of "conservative" evangelical churches are filled with those who believe Jesus didn't really mean it when He said "No man comes to the Father but by Me." In Mohler's words,

We are in an age when we want to tell everyone they are doing just fine. It's extremely uncomfortable to turn to someone and say, 'You will go to hell unless you come to a saving knowledge of Jesus.'

On a related note, I was thrilled to hear Rick Warren have the courage to speak the uncomfortable truth to Alan Colmes on a recent appearance on FOX News. I sometimes get a little irritated with Warren and I don't agree with all of his theology, but on the thing that matters most he seems to have more backbone than some of the folks who, on paper, say all the things I believe:

COLMES: All right. Let me ask you: you talk about, OK, so you think everybody needs a savior.

WARREN: I do.

COLMES: Well, what about those people who don't — you know, I happen to be Jewish. Not everybody — and Jesus, by the way, I have a lot in common with. Same religion.

WARREN: Absolutely.

COLMES: So not everybody necessarily goes that route.

WARREN: The thing is, Alan, I believe Jesus Christ came for everybody. I don't think he came for Christians. The Bible says take this good news to the whole world.

I don't care whether you're Baptist, Buddhist, Mormon, Methodist, Jewish, Muslim, or no religion at all. Jesus Christ still loves you. You still matter to God.

COLMES: True, and I think that's a wonderful message. But if you don't accept Jesus, if you're not something who goes that route religiously...

WARREN: Yes.

COLMES: ... can you find your way to heaven? Can you still be — go to the same place when it's all said and done?

WARREN: I'm not the authority on that, but I believe Jesus is. And everybody's betting their life on something. Jesus said, "I am the way." I'm betting that he's not a liar. I'm betting that he told the truth.

Labels: News, Social Observation