Spring 1995

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Resources to understand today's five major belief systems. Here are books that introduce the people and ideas principally involved in five respective worldviews.

Here the danger is to subsume all Eastern religions under one concept. This is a serious mistake. Buddhism, for example, is nontheistic, while Hinduism can incorporate atheism, polytheism, theism, and much else.

"A Reasoned Look at Asian Religions" by David Johnson (Bethany, 1985). Johnson's insights and analysis go beyond a mere catalogue of beliefs. I consider this a must-read in a pastor's library.

"Christ in the Ancient Vedas by Joseph Padinjarekara" (Toronto: Welch Publishing, 1991). Some fine clues for finding common ground with Hindus.

"Apologetics in the New Age" by David K. Clark and Norman L. Geisler (Baker, 1990).

This is the most difficult worldview counter to Christianity because it is galvanized with a geopolitical theory and is absolutist in doctrine.

There is ample material that deals with the doctrinal and cultural differences a Christian encounters. I see a greater need to come to this study from a different slant. There are actually some very serious flaws, as I see them, in the starting points of Islam, which if not settled, make meaningful dialogue with a Muslim wrong-headed from the start.

"Islam and Christianity: The Points of Tension" by Ravi Zacharias (call 1-800-448-6766). In this lecture, I highlighted the three encumbering flaws in Islam.

"The Christian Witness to the Muslim and Muhammad and the Religion of Islam" by John Gilchrist (Republic of South Africa: Roodepoort Mission Press, 1988; contact: Jesus to the Muslims, P.O. Box 1804, Benoni, R.S.A.). An outstanding two-volume set.

"Not a Chance" by R.C. Sproul ...

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