I. The Dynamics of Pluralism

Daniel 3:14 ESV – Nebuchadnezzar answered and said to them, “Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the golden image that I have set up?

Daniel 3:1 ESV – King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, whose height was sixty cubits and its breadth six cubits

The False Promise of Pluralism

Definition: Pluralism describes a place where there is diversity & harmony.

Even the most pluralistic society has some predominant set of orthodoxies and heresies.

Pluralism pressures to privatize faith

Jeremiah 29:4ff,…the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon:  “Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce….. Increase in number there; do not decrease. … seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.”

II. The Test of Pluralism

Daniel 3:17-18 ESV – If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king, 18 But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”

True religion is a determined purpose to do right, and not to do wrong, whatever the consequences in either case.  It matters not what follows—wealth or poverty; honor or dishonor; good report or bad report… the mind is firmly fixed… -Alfred Barnes

Principled or Pragmatic?

Galatians 2:20 ESV – I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

III. The Opportunity of Pluralism

Daniel 3:25 ESV – Nebuchadnezzar says, “But I see four men unbound, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods.”

  • Fiery Furnaces Happen—Don’t be surprised

1 Peter 4:12-13 ESV – Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.

  • Some Things Are Only Learned in a Fiery Furnace

There are some things only learned in a fiery furnace. – Oswald Chambers

1 Peter 1:6-7 ESV – In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

  • The Fiery Furnace is Where God Shows Up

Daniel 3:24 ESV – Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished and rose up in haste. He declared to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?” 

Isaiah 43:1b-3,“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;

    I have called you by name, you are mine.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
and the flame shall not consume you.
3 For I am the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.

Romans 8:32 ESV – He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?