Defeating Buddhism

Soul Harvest Ministries of Minnesota

Soul Harvest : Other religions : Buddhists : Defeating Buddhism

The Buddhists do not like this phrase, “defeating Buddhism.” It makes it sound

like we are at war. We are at “spiritual war” with Satan (Ephesians 6:10-17; 2 Timothy 2:3,4; 1 John 3:8). If these religions did not come from God, they came from Satan. We are not interested in “killing” those in these religions, but instead trying to free them from the captivity of the devil (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15,16).

The key to succeeding in this effort is to first establish the truth of the Bible. If the Bible is true, then anything that contradicts the Bible must be false. We can prove the truth of the Bible.

What is so special about the Bible that makes us realize it is the greatest book ever written? The Bible claims to be from God (2 Peter 1:20,21; 2 Timothy 3:16,17). Jesus said, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32). He then says, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth” (John 17:17). The Word of God is our source of truth (2 Tim. 3:16,17). We have proof Jesus is who He said He Is.

Many people do not believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. If He is not the Christ, then our faith is of no value. If He is the Son of God, we must obey Him to go to heaven (Matthew 7:21-23). Jesus is a real person. He lived on this earth about 2,000 years ago. Not everybody believes He is the Son of God. Some say, “He was a good man, and a great Teacher, but He was not the Son of God.” This is impossible. Either He is the Son of God, or He was the biggest liar in the world. He said He was the Son of God. Why do we believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God? To believe something we must have good reasons. We must be able to prove why we believe Jesus is the Christ (1 Peter 3:15). People must believe that Jesus is the Christ to be saved (John 8:24; John 14:6). We can give many reasons for believing Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God (John 1:1-18; 5:17,18; 8:58; Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-25; 1 Peter 2:21,22; Hebrews 4:14-16; John 3:1,2; 20:30,31; Matthew 3:16,17; 2 Peter 1:16-18; 1 John 1:1-3; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4; Romans 1:4).

There are no contradictions in the Bible. The Bible was written by about forty different writers over a period of about 1600 years. The writers of the Bible were men who lived in different periods of time, having different occupations, living in different places. In many cases, the writers did not know each other. In spite of this, there are no contradictions in the Bible. This could not have happened by accident. Buddhism does not even try to claim there are no contradictions in their sacred writings.

We can also consider the scientific facts found in the Bible. The Bible is not a science book, but it has scientific facts in it. Columbus and Magellan proved the earth is round. That was just about five hundred years ago. The Bible told us the earth was round thousands of years before anybody ever heard of Columbus or Magellan (Isaiah 40:22; Proverbs 8:27).

The Bible also tells us we are not able to number the stars. In 1940, astronomers finally came to this conclusion. Almost 2,500 years ago, Jeremiah recorded: "As the host of heaven cannot be numbered, neither the sand of the sea measured: so will I multiply the seed of David my servant, and the Levites that minister unto me" (Jeremiah 33:22). Almighty God cannot only count the stars, He can call them by name (Psalm 147:4).

There are more than one thousand prophecies in the Bible. The fact that every prophecy is fulfilled is further proof that the Bible is true. More than three hundred of these prophecies are concerning the Messiah. Jesus fulfilled every one.

The Bible teaches there is only one right way (John 14:6). We will be judged by the words of Christ (John 12:48). There are only two choices in life - the narrow way or the broad way (Matthew 7:13,14). If we want to go to heaven, we have to obey the will of God (Matthew 7:21-23; Romans 6:17,18; Hebrews 5:8,9). The Bible is the proven guide for the lives of all people.

The Bible teaches there is only one true God (Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 44:6; 1 Corinthians 8:6). The Bible also emphasizes the existence of God (Genesis 1:1; Daniel 2:28; Acts 17:23-29). Buddhism teaches there is either no God or many gods, your choice. The Bible is right! Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism contradict the Bible. Therefore they cannot be right!

The Bible teaches it is our guide in life and it reveals all truth (Psalm 119:105; John 14:26; John 16:13; 2 Peter 1:3). Buddhism teaches the writings of Gautama and one's own feelings are the guide in this life (Proverbs 14:12; Jeremiah 10:23).

The Bible proclaims Jesus to be the Christ, the Son of God (Romans 1:4; John 20:30,31). The Bible teaches that Jesus rose from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:3,4). Buddhism denies Jesus rose from the dead and denies Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. Since Buddhism contradicts these plain passages, Buddhism cannot be true!

The Bible reveals God's eternal plan to save mankind through the church (Ephesians 3:8-11; Matthew 16:18; Acts 20:28; Ephesians 1:22,23; Ephesians 5:23). Buddhism denies this is the path of salvation. According to Buddhism, a person is to follow the Eightfold Path that will lead to Nirvana. Since this contradicts the Bible, it cannot be right!

The Bible teaches that our soul is eternal and we will be judged according to our works, by the word of God (Matthew 10:28; 1 Corinthians 15:45; Romans 2:16; 2 Corinthians 5:10). The difference between humans and animals is humans have an eternal soul, animals do not. Yet Buddhism teaches all life, human and animal, is of the same value. Buddhism also teaches reincarnation, which is a continual rebirth. These views are in conflict with the Bible. The Bible is true. Therefore these doctrines of Buddhism are false.

Conclusion

Buddhism stresses self-dependence and self-salvation. It cannot be true because it is a religion from man (Matthew 15:8,9,13-15). Christianity is far superior to any other religion in the world. It offers forgiveness of sins through our obedience to Christ (Hebrews 5:8,9). The only hope this world has is through Christ (Ephesians 2:12; John 14:6; 1 Thessalonians 1:9). Those who established these Eastern religions have died and are still dead. Jesus died and rose from the dead never to die again (Romans 1:4).

May God help each of us to use every opportunity to preach the gospel of Christ to those who practice and follow Buddhism, and give those who have good and honest hearts the opportunity to believe and obey the gospel (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9; Romans 1:16).