At a Glance
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Hinduism
Many gods, karma, reincarnation, and union with Brahman
GodBrahman — impersonal ultimate reality; 330 million gods
ScriptureVedas, Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, and others
JesusOne avatar among many — not the unique Son of God
SalvationLiberation (moksha) through karma, yoga, devotion, or knowledge
SinKarma — actions and consequences across lifetimes, not guilt before God
The SoulAtman — the individual soul is ultimately identical with Brahman
AtonementNone — karma must be worked out by the soul itself
EternityReincarnation (samsara) until moksha — union with Brahman
CasteThe caste system flows from one’s karma in previous lives
AssuranceNone — liberation may take thousands of rebirths
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Sovereign Grace
God alone saves, by grace alone, through Christ alone
AuthorityScripture alone — Sola Scriptura
GodThe triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
SalvationGrace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone
JustificationComplete, instantaneous, eternal — Romans 5:1
AtonementFinished once for all at Calvary — John 19:30
JesusGod the Son, crucified, risen, and reigning
EternityHeaven or hell — by God’s sovereign grace
AssuranceThe believer may and ought to know he is saved — 1 John 5:13
The ChurchAll elect believers; no earthly headquarters
PrayerTo God alone through Christ alone — 1 Tim 2:5
Detailed Doctrine-by-Doctrine Comparison
Topic
Hinduism Teaches
Scripture Teaches
God & Ultimate Reality
HinduismBrahman is the ultimate, impersonal, all-pervading reality underlying all existence. The many gods of Hinduism (Vishnu, Shiva, Brahma, and hundreds more) are manifestations or aspects of this one ultimate reality. All paths to the divine are equally valid. The universe itself is divine.
GraceGod is the personal, eternal, self-existent Creator who is distinct from his creation. I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me (Isaiah 45:5). He is not an impersonal force and he is not divided into 330 million manifestations. There is one God in three persons — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Sin & Karma
HinduismHinduism has no doctrine of sin as moral guilt before a holy God. Instead, karma governs existence — every action produces consequences that shape future lives. Suffering is not punishment from God but the natural outworking of past karma. The goal is not forgiveness but liberation from the cycle.
GraceSin is transgression of God’s holy law and incurs guilt before a righteous God who must punish it. The soul that sinneth, it shall die (Ezekiel 18:4). No amount of good karma can atone for sin. Without shedding of blood is no remission (Hebrews 9:22). Man’s problem is not karma but condemnation.
The Self & the Soul
HinduismThe individual soul (atman) is not permanently distinct from ultimate reality (Brahman). The great Hindu formula is Tat tvam asi — Thou art That. The goal of Hindu spirituality is the realisation that the individual self is identical with Brahman. Individuality is ultimately an illusion (maya).
GraceMan is a distinct, individual creature made in the image of God, permanently different from his Creator. Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves (Psalm 100:3). Man never becomes God. The creature and Creator are eternally distinct. Individual identity is not erased in salvation but glorified.
Salvation (Moksha)
HinduismMoksha (liberation) can be achieved through four paths: karma yoga (right action), jnana yoga (knowledge), bhakti yoga (devotion to a deity), or raja yoga (meditation). All paths are valid. Liberation is the soul’s realisation of its unity with Brahman. It may take thousands of rebirths to achieve.
GraceSalvation is not achieved through any path, discipline, or spiritual realisation. It is given freely by God to those whom he regenerates by his Spirit and draws to faith in Christ. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God (Ephesians 2:8). There is no second chance after death.
Reincarnation & Death
HinduismAt death the soul is reborn into a new body — human, animal, or divine — according to its accumulated karma. This cycle (samsara) continues indefinitely until moksha is achieved. The caste one is born into reflects the karma of previous lives.
GraceIt is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment (Hebrews 9:27). There is no reincarnation. Death is followed by judgment, not rebirth. The soul of the believer goes immediately to be with Christ; the soul of the unbeliever goes to hell. There are no second chances and no caste system before God.
Jesus Christ
HinduismMany Hindus are willing to accept Jesus as an avatar (divine incarnation) or a great spiritual teacher on the level of Krishna or Rama. Some include him among the many manifestations of Vishnu. This apparent tolerance actually denies his unique claims entirely.
GraceJesus Christ is the unique, only-begotten Son of God — not one avatar among many but the one and only Saviour. I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me (John 14:6). His claims are exclusive. He cannot be absorbed into any other religious system without being destroyed.