On August 15, 1971, then president Richard Nixon ended trading of gold at a fixed rate, effectively eliminating the Bretton Woods system. At that point, our monetary system was no longer tied to a real commodity. Barring a discussion on economic theories and principals, basically, our currency was then only worth whatever we decided it was worth.

In similar fashion, but more gradually, we have moved away from what I like to call “The Christ Standard.”

According to the Pew Forum, only 59% of Evangelicals believe that the Bible is the literal and true word of God. Furthermore, 57% of Evangelicals believe that many religions lead to eternal life. While I do not know in what context “religion” was presented to respondents, regardless, those are some very sobering figures.

Here in America, the idea that there are many ways to reach heaven is quickly gaining mainstream traction. As the above figures indicate, it has even taken root in our churches.

With powerful and prominent individuals such as Oprah, who promote and peddle the teachings of Eckhart Tolle; believe that there is no one way to heaven; that by your good works, you will receive the gift of eternity. Going so far as to call herself a god, all the while professing her faith in Jesus Christ and claiming to be a Christian. It seems (in the spirit and context of this articles theme) that Oprah is trying to get her hands on a little bit of each currency, unsure which one will actually take her where she hopes to go.

Several simple questions come to mind when trying to understand the logic of such teachings. By what standard are these things measured? If we only reach heaven by our good works, then how many good works must we perform? Must each good work pass a threshold of self-sacrifice? Is there a standards bearer? If so, who is it? What is it? Are we each individually responsible for determining how many good works we must perform to reach eternity, or full-enlightenment, or whatever the heck they call it?

When methodically exterminating God’s chosen, did Hitler not believe he was doing good, if even in his own mind? What about Mao? Stalin? Napoleon? Based on the above teachings, we have to logically conclude that these individuals did reached heaven. That is exciting news isn’t it? If these evil men made it, then we’re all in great shape. Hooray!

If only Oprah, Eckhart Tolle, or our president had told Christ that there were numerous ways to heaven, He could have spared Himself from the Cross. Please don’t take that sarcasm jokingly. These people are wrong and blaspheme the words and actions of Christ Himself. They deny Him with the same breath used to claim to know Him.

However…

As shocking as this news may come to you, and regardless of opinion polls and current popular belief, salvation and eternal life can be found in no one, or thing, other than the resurrected Christ (Acts 4:12; Romans 10:9; John 3:16). But Oprah says she believes in Christ, as does Barack Obama. Right?

But wait a minute…

To believe requires more than a simple acknowledgment that He was a great teacher. C’mon! My High School Physics teacher was a great teacher. To truly confess Christ as Savior is to also confess His Deity, His Crucifixion, His Resurrection, His teachings, and His prophecies.

If Christ is not the Son of God; God manifest in the flesh; what power does He have over us? If He was not crucified, then by what power are we cleansed? If He did not resurrect Himself, then what power does He posses over death? If His prophecies are allegorical and not literal, how then, is He omniscient and sovereign?

Look at it another way. Simply denying the existence of hell is to call Christ a liar, as he spoke on the subject numerous times (Matthew 18:9; Luke 12:5). How foolish is it to claim to believe in someone you consider to be a liar? If such beliefs did not have such far reaching and eternal consequence, it would quite frankly, be laughable.

These are incredible and scary times in which we live and many are giving into these false satanic doctrines (1 Tim 4:1). Please ask yourself, in whom are you purchasing your eternal stock?