These are some of the differences between the God of the Bible and the god put forth in Hindu literature.

The second belief common to Hinduism is . . .

2. Man is One with God

Hindus believe that we are extensions of Brahman and that we are one with Brahman. In other words, Hinduism teaches that we are God. And this logically follows from its pantheistic teachings. If all is God (Brahman), then mankind is God.

Deepak Chopra said this in his book The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success:

“We remain unfulfilled unless we nurture the seeds of divinity inside us. In reality, we are divinity in disguise, and the gods and goddesses in embryo that are contained within us seek to be fully materialized” (p. 3, emphasis mine).

Hinduism teaches that just as the air inside an open jar is identical to the air surrounding that jar, so to our essence is identical to that of the essence of Brahman. Hindus say that just like a drop in the ocean is exactly like that which makes the up the whole ocean, so we are a part of Brahman.

Christians disagree with this assessment of man. If there is one thing that the Bible is clear on, it is this: MAN IS NOT GOD.

The Bible condemns the belief that humans are divine. Far from being God, the Bible says quite the opposite. The Bible teaches . . .

A. Man is ungodly.

Romans 5:6 says, “For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.”

In Matthew 19:17, Jesus said, “No one is good but One, that is, God.” We’re not even good, let alone God!

B. The heart is deceitful and desperately wicked.

Jeremiah 17:9 says, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked.”

Jesus said in Mark 7:21–23, “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All these things come from within and defile a man.”

So, for these reasons and others, we reject this Hindu teaching that man is one with God.

SIDE NOTE (NOT IN LECTURE):  The Hindu view that “Man is God” is self-defeating. According to Hinduism Brahman is absolutely changeless. Then Hinduism asserts that we are one with Brahman. Then Hinduism teaches (as we’ll see in a minute) that man must become enlightened to this reality. In other words, Hinduism says that we must go through a process of change. A troubling question for Hindus is: “If humanity must go through a process of change in order to become aware of the fact that we are God, how can we be God when God does not change?”

The third belief common to Hinduism is . . .

3. Humanity’s primary problem is ignorance.

Hinduism teaches that humanity’s main problem is the mistaken belief that we are individuals and not one with the ultimate divine reality, Brahman. Ignorance regarding this oneness, Hindus say, gives rise to our bad actions, which results in bad karma, which in turn traps us in a supposed cycle of life, death, and rebirth (which we’ll talk more about in a second).

What we need Hinduism says, is “enlightenment” or “self-realization.” What must we be enlightened to? What must we have a realization of? That we are one with Brahman.

Christians disagree that man’s biggest problem is ignorance of divinity. What is man’s biggest problem according to the Bible?

So, God’s solution to mankind’s problem is surely not that we become enlightened to the fact that we are God. What is God’s remedy for man’s sin?

Self realization? No. Savior incarnation, crucifixion, and resurrection. That’s God’s solution for mankind’s sins. And now, if you’ll 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 10:9–10, Acts 16:31).

The fourth belief common to Hinduism is . . .

4. We are reaping in this lifetime the consequences of the actions we committed in previous lifetimes.

Hinduism teaches that all of humanity is on an ever-revolving wheel (or cycle) of life, death, and reincarnation or rebirth. This cycle of life, death, and rebirth is called samsara.

Why is man stuck in this wheel, this cycle? Well, according to Hinduism, ignorance of our divinity leads us to bad actions that lead to bad karma.

What is karma?

According to Hinduism, karma refers to the unalterable consequences that are attached to every thought and action. Hinduism teaches that everything a person does results in certain unalterable consequences. If you do good deeds, the law of karma will ensure you reap good. If you do bad deeds, the law of karma will ensure you reap bad.

Well, it is a person’s bad karma that keeps him or her stuck in the cycle of life, death, and rebirth (samsara).  Why? He needs to finish working off (i.e., suffering) the consequences (the bad karma) he earned because of his bad deeds. And since it is impossible that all of one’s karma or consequences be experienced in one lifetime, the Hindu scriptures teach that after death individual souls will be “reborn” or reincarnated into another body – human or otherwise.

For the Hindu, a person’s actions in this life, determine the kind of body into which he or she will be reincarnated in the next lifetime. It could be an insect, animal, or a human. According to Hinduism, every person is wholly responsible for his or her present condition and will have exactly the future he or she is now creating.

This worldview (that says that a person’s present suffering is because of bad karma accumulated in past lives) has led to horrible living conditions in many parts of India (where Hinduism is so prevalent)! Have you ever seen pictures of India? Are you aware of what life is like there? There are thousands of poor, crippled, maimed, homeless, and starving people lining the streets. And no one seems to notice them. Why is it that way? It has to do largely with their belief in karma. Hindus believe that everything that comes one’s way is exactly what a person deserves.

Hindus believe that if they were to help the suffering with a blanket or a meal and thereby ease their suffering, they would only be prolonging the suffering that the person must endure to work off their karma (that put them in that place to begin with). Hindus believe that they would be doing something cruel by helping the suffering! And for being cruel, they would increase their own bad karma.

False religions built around the “doctrines of demons” (1 Tim. 4:1) have tragic and very real consequences in the lives of real people. This belief system is an abominable deception. We need to pray for the Hindu people that they might experience the joy and freedom we enjoy in Christ.

So, according to Hinduism, it is karma that keeps a person on the cycle of life death, and reincarnation. Well . . .

The Bible knows nothing of reincarnation. 

Resurrection? Yes. Reincarnation (coming back as another living creature)? No. Jesus said in John 5:28–29, “Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs shall hear His voice, and shall come forth; those who have done good, to a [Notice that. Just once!] resurrection [a resurrection, not a reincarnation] of life, those who have done evil, to a resurrection of judgment.”

The Bible says in Hebrews 9:27: “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.” The person who has turned their back on God’s revelation and His offer of forgiveness in Christ will go to Hades (Luke 16) to await the resurrection (John 5:29) and the judgment of the wicked at the end of the 1,000-year reign of Christ spoken about in Revelation 20:5–15.

The person who has accepted God’s provision of forgiveness provided in Christ, and who dies today goes immediately into the presence of God. Second Corinthians 5:8 says, “We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present [where?] with the Lord.” Philippians 1:21–23 says, “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart [where to?] and be with Christ, which is far better.” Jesus said to the repentant thief on the cross in Luke 23:43, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”

There is no need to keep coming back when Christ takes away your sins! This is good news we need to share with our Hindu friends!

The fifth belief common to Hinduism is . . .

5. The goal of existence is escaping the cycle of life, death, and rebirth.

The supreme goal in Hinduism is not to know God, or to commune with Him in Heaven throughout eternity. No. The highest goal in Hinduism is to break free from the cycle of life, death and rebirth (samsara). This breaking free is something Hindus call “moksha.” Moksha is a Hindu word that means “liberation.”

To achieve moksha is to finally experience liberation from the karma that has kept one in the cycle of samsara. The person who breaks free from this cycle becomes free from his earthly existence and free from pain and suffering.

According to Hinduism the person who is liberated finally achieves the highest state of existence:

Absorption into Brahman.

(I thought we were already part of Brahman??)

In Hinduism, there is no Heaven. A Hindu’s goal is to lose their identity and be absorbed in the universal oneness (Brahman).

How Does a Hindu Achieve Moksha (Liberation)?

The Bhagavad-Gita tells us that there are 3 ways.

A. The Way of Works

This is a very popular way of achieving moksha (liberation). This way lays emphasis on the idea that moksha may be obtained by fulfilling specific social and religious obligations. Once that happens, the Hindu reaches moksha and will be liberated from samsara upon death.

This is the most popular way to achieve moksha amongst Hindus. It satisfies the longing for a more emotional and personal approach to religion. In the way of devotion the Hindu surrenders to one of the many personal gods or goddesses (avatars) of Hinduism. Such devotion is expressed through acts of worship at the temple, in the home, through participation in the many festivals in honor of such gods, and through pilgrimages to one of the numerous holy sites in India. In the way of devotion, the focus is on obtaining the mercy and help of a god in finding release from samsara.

C. The Way of Knowledge

This way of liberation is open to men only. In this way, the Hindu achieves moksha (liberation) through attaining a state of consciousness in which he finally realizes his identity with Brahman. How is this state of consciousness achieved? Through deep meditation, often as a part of the discipline of yoga.

So, that is the goal of life according to Hinduism: MOKSHA, escaping the cycle of life.

What a pitiful goal, especially in light of the fact, that it is all a phantom! A farce. A cleverly devised Satanic deception that is leading millions of people down a road to destruction.

The goal of life according to the Bible (stated briefly) is to be reconciled to God, to know God, and glorify God as He makes us more like Jesus on our journey to Heaven.

SUGGESTIONS ON SHARING THE TRUTH WITH HINDUS

A. Be Loving.

1 Corinthians 13:1 says, “If I speak with tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.”

Show him your Savior in the way that you treat him and love him. Of course, you will want to be praying for him, and asking God to give you ideas on how you might do this.

B. Find out what he believes and why—ask questions.

His beliefs may be slightly different than what I’ve presented here. Find out if he is longing to one day reach moksha. Ask him why he wants to be liberated. What path are you on? The Way of Devotion? The Way of Works? The Way of knowledge? What will becoming one with Brahman be like? What about all your karma? How sure are you that you will achieve moksha?

Help him to feel the weight of guilt and the conviction of his conscience and the Holy Spirit. This may help him to appreciate the good news of the gospel. Ask him why he believes the things he’s shared with you are true. And then as your relationship with him grows, look for opportunities to . . .

C. Share with him what you believe and why.

Biblical Christianity is totally foreign to most Hindus. Break down your beliefs for him and don’t assume he knows what you’re talking about. 

A convert from Hinduism and Indian evangelist, once said, “I have never yet failed to get a hearing if I talk to [Hindus] about forgiveness of sins and peace and rest in your heart.” 

Most Hindu people have never heard a clear presentation of the gospel, let alone a brief overview of what Christians believe.

D. Tell him how God has changed your life.

What God has done in your life is tangible evidence that what you’ve told him about Jesus is true!

E. Point out to him some of the differences that make following Jesus a superior choice.

You might point out to him that the God of Christianity offers . . .

1. A Better Future: HEAVEN

Tell him about the glorious future you are looking forward to in the presence of Jesus and millions of others whom He has redeemed, the angels, etc. No more pain or death (Rev. 21), fullness of joy (Ps. 16:11).

But Christianity does not only offer a better future, it offers . . .

2. A Better Path: JESUS

Rather than going down one of the paths of works, devotion, knowledge, God has provided a much easier path: Jesus! Jesus said that He was the Path (“the Way”). (Jn. 14:6).

Make it clear that through simple trust in Him, God says that we can have all of our sins forgiven and that we can be with Him in Heaven forever.

Point out to him that Jesus is not only a better path. He is the only path.

Peter said in Acts 4:12, “There is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved.” Why is He the only path to salvation? Well, because He is God, the only God. To have a right relationship with God, we must return to the very one we have sinned against: Jesus. Not Allah, or Vishnu (a Hindu avatar), etc.

Point out that salvation is not something we have to earn by finally living a sinless life (something that is impossible and unobtainable) but it is a “free gift” (Rom. 6:23). Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”

The Bible makes it clear that man cannot “realize” salvation through any works, meditation, or worship of created images.

3. A Better Relationship: Personal

Unlike Brahman, the God of the Bible can be personally known and experienced. He hears prayer. He answers prayer. He knows you. He loves you.

Do you know this God, Jesus? If not, and you want to, click here.