Is Christianity Intolerant?

In a pluralistic age, when Christianity purports to be the only true religion, are Christians intolerant? This is a fundamental question and begs a response.

Some years ago, when I was a missionary in Japan, I was teaching a class of students who were wanting to become better English teachers and needed to learn English pronounciation from a native speaker of English. We were reading the Gospel of John in the Bible. When we came to John 14:6, one of the mature students blurted out angrily, "That's what the problem is. You say Jesus is the one and only Way to Heaven. This offends us as we have other religions in our country, namely Shintoism and Buddhism. They all lead to Heaven, don't they?"

I had Mr. Takamatsu read the verse again, "Jesus said to him,'I am the Way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except by me'". I said, "Who said this?" He replied, "Jesus did!" "Then your problem is with Jesus not me.", I replied. "Who was Jesus?" "The greatest person who ever lived", was his reply" "Then you do have a real problem here, Mr. Takamatsu. Your problem is with Jesus, not me. You don't have to believe that Jesus is the only Way, but remember, this is what Jesus claimed. Either He is a fraud, a liar, and a deluded person, or He is what He claimed to be!"

Herein lies the essence, the watershed of religion. If Jesus and the Bible are right, then Jesus is the only Way to Heaven. Christians are not intolerant. They simply believe the Bible and Jesus Christ! Will you believe, friend? Accept Jesus into your heart and you will get to Heaven through Jesus Christ Who died for your sins and rose again to demonstrate that He is God, the Giver of eternal life (John 11:25) and has every right to demand our loyalty (read Acts 4: 12)and worship.