“For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.” Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
(1 John 5:4-5)
Perhaps we should consider what other major religious movements believe concerning Jesus. Because they all make some effort to account for His existence and teaching.
Here is what a few of them believe:
ISLAM
Muslims recognize Him as a significant person within their religious system and describe Jesus in the following ways:
He was born of a virgin and is to be respected as a prophet and apostle of God, but they deny that He is God or the “Son of God.”
He was a miracle worker, who performed many miracles, such as the healing of a blind man and a leper and raising the dead.
He ascended to Heaven and will come again, as a Muslim, returning to revive Islam.
JUDAISM
Judaism pre-existed (and gave birth to) Christianity, but Jews deny that Jesus was the Messiah. Much has been written about Jesus from a Jewish perspective, and most described Jesus in the following ways:
He was Mary’s son, but deny she was a virgin when she conceived Jesus,
He is respected, as a popular teacher who was admired by His followers and respected by His opponents.
He was a miracle worker, but they deny, that His power came from God.
He was crucified on the cross, but they deny He was resurrected.
HINDUISM
Most Hindus evaluate “spirituality” based on behavior and practice. So, most describe Him in the following ways:
He was a holy man and wise teacher.
Jesus is a ‘God.’ They don’t, however, see Jesus as the only way to God. Many Hindus see Jesus as a symbol of what humans can attain, rather than as a true historical person.
BUDDHISM
Buddhism incorporates a variety of religious traditions, beliefs, and practices. So they don’t have a single united view about Jesus, although many of Jesus’ characteristics are described by many Buddhists, such as:
He was an enlightened man and a wise teacher. They respect the teaching of Jesus to a high degree, especially His teaching about loving our neighbors and the need to show kindness and forgiveness. While Jesus is seen as a wise teacher, He is not seen as divine.
It’s interesting that even those religions pre-existing Jesus have come to include Jesus in their description of reality. All the world’s major religions feel compelled to account for Jesus in one way or another. Even if you’re not sure what you believe, it’s important to learn about the man whom everyone feels the need to describe. And the Bible, which includes eyewitness accounts of Jesus’ life, teaching, and ministry, would be a good place to start.