On The Exclusivity of Christ

I briefly mentioned in my last post that Christ is the only means by which one can attain salvation and holy living.  One might argue, "Surely all the other religions of the world are not wrong.  They are simply different perspectives of the same spiritual realm with the same end while pursuing different means to that same end."  While I can respect the argument presented, I can't convince myself of its truth.

There are two possible routes one can take concerning scripture.  The canon is either authoritative or it isn't.  The Bible cannot be valid in some areas and false in others.  It is either all truth or just another guide to a good life.  Now, I understand that there are scriptural references that can be proven inaccurate or false.  By "all truth" I mean inspired by the Holy Ghost in such a way that it cannot steer a person wrong if the Holy Spirit is granting the reader the grace to understand.

That being said, scripture seems to stress the exclusivity of the Christian way.  If YHVH was the God of other religions as well, and if He were the same end with different means, why then would He advocate the destruction of other gods and idols?  Why, then, would He choose one nation?  The New Testament clearly states that one cannot gain access to the Father apart from recognizing Christ as the only means to that end.

So either Christianity stands alone as a false religion while the others that don't stress exclusivity are means to the same salvation, or Christ is truly the only way.  Although I am an optimist.  Scripture can be interpreted in such a way that Christ will come back after all peoples believe in Him.  I don't believe in this view, but I certainly hope with all my heart that this is the case.  I don't believe that God will withhold judgment from those who pursue other religions, but I certainly hope He does.  I hope that His love will be so unrelenting that it will pursue all souls in life and in death to the point of their salvation.  I have friends who actively pursue religions other than Christianity, and I love them.  I believe they are great people with good hearts.  Don't get me wrong.

But I cannot deny the apparent exclusivity of Christ.  And I'm putting all my eggs in this basket.