Bryce Crawford Tells Howie Mandel: Jesus Is 'the Only Way' to Heaven
Evangelist Bryce Crawford defended the exclusivity of the gospel during an appearance on Howie Mandel’s podcast this week, saying the doctrine isn’t rooted in personal opinion or religious tradition but in Jesus’ own words.
Crawford, 22, is the wildly popular Christian whose YouTube and social media videos regularly go viral among his Gen Z and Gen Alpha fans – and who has drawn attention from mainstream audiences thanks to his bold faith and respectful approach to those who disagree.
Mandel hosted Crawford on his Howie Mandel Does Stuff podcast, which dropped Aug. 25.
“I'm respecting you, and I'm respecting your belief – and your belief is held by millions of people globally – but there are other paths, or other people have found paths, to the same kind of sinless, giving good life. And they would argue with you that it has nothing to do with what you have found,” Mandel said, challenging Crawford’s views on Jesus being the only way to salvation.
Crawford began his answer by noting he has been to a Hindu festival and encountered “some of the sweetest people I've ever met.”
“And they’re not going to be in heaven?” Mandel asked.
“According to the Christian perspective,” Crawford responded, “if they don't have faith in Jesus Christ, they wouldn't be in heaven.”
Crawford argued that the Christian faith is inherently different from other religions.
“Christianity is the only religion where God comes down and meets humanity where they're at,” Crawford said. “... Every religion has a perspective of Jesus – the Hindu, the Buddhist think He's a good teacher. The Muslim says He's a prophet. The Christian says He's God. Those can't coexist because they're all completely different claims. And if Jesus says, ‘I'm the only way, I'm not a way. I'm the only way.’”
Mandel interjected: “To you.”
Crawford then continued: “In the scriptures – not just to me. He says it in general, right? To people, the same people that were laying palm leaves at His feet one week, and then a week later, they were crucifying Him. So, if that guy says, ‘I am the way, the truth and the life,’ whether you're a Christian or not, you have to look into, ‘Was that guy really who He said He was?’”
Photo Credit: ©ScreenCapture/HowieMandelDoesStuff
Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
Listen to Michael's Podcast! He is the host of Crosswalk Talk, a podcast where he talks with Christian movie stars, musicians, directors, and more. Hear how famous Christian figures keep their faith a priority in Hollywood and discover the best Christian movies, books, television, and other entertainment. You can find Crosswalk Talk on LifeAudio.com, or subscribe on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an interview that will be sure to encourage your faith.
Originally published August 28, 2026.
