Reason 9 of 10
Jesus is not one teacher among many: he is Lord
Scientology does not teach that Jesus is God the Son who died for our sins and rose bodily, and the Church says people of other faiths can take part. The Jesus of the Gospels makes claims that leave no room for that.
What Scientology says
The Church of Scientology says people do not have to give up other religious beliefs to take part, and Scientologists often speak respectfully of Jesus as a great teacher. But Scientology's path to freedom is the Bridge, not the cross. It does not teach that Jesus is God the Son, that his death pays for sin, or that he rose bodily from the grave.
Who Jesus said he is
Jesus did not leave the option of calling him one teacher among many. He said, before Abraham was born, I AM, using the name God gave Moses. He forgave sins against God. He accepted worship. He said no one comes to the Father except through him.
And he backed it up. He died, was buried and rose on the third day, and appeared to hundreds of witnesses, most of whom were still alive when Paul wrote.
58Jesus said to them, “Most certainly, I tell you, before Abraham came into existence, I AM.”
John 8:58 (WEB) · context
5Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.” 6But there were some of the scribes sitting there and reasoning in their hearts, 7“Why does this man speak blasphemies like that? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
Mark 2:5-7 (WEB) · context
28Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”
John 20:28-29 (WEB) · context
6Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me.
John 14:6 (WEB) · context
3For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6Then he appeared to over five hundred brothers at once, most of whom remain until now, but some have also fallen asleep. 7Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8and last of all, as to the child born at the wrong time, he appeared to me also.
1 Corinthians 15:3-8 (WEB) · context
9For in him all the fullness of the Deity dwells bodily,
Colossians 2:9 (WEB) · context
Why it matters
A great teacher can give you advice. Only a Saviour can give you life. If Jesus rose, he is who he said he is, and every other path has to be measured against him, not the other way round.
25Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will still live, even if he dies. 26Whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
John 11:25-26 (WEB) · context
9that if you will confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Romans 10:9 (WEB) · context
What Scientologists often say
Scientologists often say they respect Jesus and that Scientology does not ask anyone to reject him.
A Christian answer
Respect for Jesus is a good start. But respecting him means taking his own words seriously, and his words claim far more than respect. He claims to be the only way to the Father. You can reject that claim, but you cannot keep it and also keep a path that makes him unnecessary.
Sources
- Scientology source Church of Scientology, statements that Scientology is compatible with other religions (scientology.org).
- The Bible, World English Bible (public domain).