Pastor of Messiah Lutheran Church, Robyn Kistemaker, an ELCA congregation in Vancouver, Washington, recently raised concerns about ways some Christians have frequently used one of Jesus’ well-known statements about salvation.
Her teaching was centers on John 14:6, where Jesus reportedly told His disciples, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.” The verse has traditionally been understood by Christians as a clear declaration about Jesus’ unique role in bringing people to God, his father.
However, Kistemaker thinks this doesn’t sit well as she challenged what she describes as an exclusionary interpretation of the passage. She argued that using Jesus’ words as a way of shutting out or condemning people of other faiths can become what she described as a “harmful rhetoric.” (In Another Way, This Is Understandable).
Her comments have drawn attention because they touch on a longstanding Christian debate, on how believers should understand Jesus’ claim while also engaging respectfully with people who follow different religious traditions and not to end up causing chaos.
The discussion senses on differing approaches within Christianity regarding Scripture, salvation and religious inclusion. While some Christians highlighted the exclusive nature of Jesus’ statement, others focus more heavily on how the teaching should be communicated in a pluralistic society.
Kistemaker currently serves as a pastor at Messiah Lutheran Church alongside Pastor David Hively, who was also installed into the ministry in 2024.
