Buddhism: Biblical Problems
Personality of God
Buddhism views God as an impersonal force that permeates all things (pantheism).
The Bible teaches that God is a personal being who is distinct from His creation
God remembers (Is 43:25), speaks (Gen 1:26), hears (Ex 2:24), sees (Gen 6:5), creates (Gen 1:1), knows (2 Tim 2:19), and has a will (1 Jn 2:17)
God is separate from His creation
“because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.” (Rom 1:25)
Atonement of Christ
Buddhism claims that people must go through several cycles of birth and rebirth in order to pay for their sins.
The Bible teaches that death is the only way to pay for sins
“without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.” (Heb 9:22b)
Jesus Christ’s death paid the penalty for sin and now offers forgiveness through His blood
“He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.” (Heb 1:3).
“For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Co 5:21).
“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.” (1 Jn 1:7).
Physical Resurrection
Buddhism teaches a semi-immortal soul that continues to be reborn in new physical entities
The Bible teaches an eternal soul that will die once and then live (or die) forever in a eternal body. The resurrection of Jesus is the evidence for this
“if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied” (1 Co 15:17-19).
“As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!” 37 But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. 38 And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” 40 And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. 41 And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate before them.” (Lk 24:36-43)
“So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. 43 It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. 44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.” (1 Co 15:42-44)
“Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice 29 and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.” (Jn 5:28-29)
The Eternal State
Buddhists teach an ever ending cycle of birth and rebirth until a person reaches Nirvana and ceases to exist.
The Bible teaches all people will live once, then either spend an eternity with God in heaven or an eternity apart from Him in hell.
“Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’” (Mt 22:13)
“And the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.” (Re 20:10)
“Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire.” (Rev 20:14)
“And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” (Matthew 25:46)
Salvation by Grace
The Buddhist teaches that man must look to himself for the answer. It is a self-centered religion, striving only for one’s own happiness, and looking only at himself for help.
The Bible teaches that man must look to God for answers. It is an outside focused religion, in which one’s happiness is found in serving God and others.
“Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”(Mt 10:39)
“For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. 4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” (Tit 3:3-7)