The Objection
Hindu and Buddhist traditions teach that karma—the law of moral cause and effect—governs the universe. Every action has consequences that must be experienced. Christianity's teaching of unearned grace and forgiveness seems to violate this cosmic justice.
Key Claims
Actions must have consequences
Unearned forgiveness is unjust
Grace undermines moral responsibility
Karma maintains cosmic balance
Hindu/Buddhist philosophy
Christian Response
How apologists address this objection
Grace does not ignore justice—the cross satisfies justice while extending mercy. Someone paid the karmic debt; it was Christ.
Christianity agrees that sin has consequences—but Christ bore those consequences
Grace is not 'cheap'—it cost God everything at the cross
Karma offers no hope of escape; grace offers transformation and new beginning
Justice and mercy meet at the cross—God is both just and the justifier (Romans 3:26)
Grace doesn't eliminate moral responsibility—it empowers genuine transformation
Timothy Keller, The Reason for God