Recommended Book Review: Major Religions of the World- Are they all same?

 

Why should a Christian study world religion? Is it unethical or sin to study other sacred scriptures? Is it unethical to visit religious places? Is it unethical to learn about religious figures? We are taught often to protest or mock other religions in a conservative church.

Have you ever thought of these?

1. Why cannot we preach a crucified Jesus instantly to a Muslim?

2. Why cannot we ask a Hindu whether Rama, Krishna, or other deities ever died for their sins?

3. Why cannot we preach about redeemer to a Buddhist?

These approaches are foreign and troublesome to their ears unless we gain a basic knowledge of these religions. It enhances the harmonic approach to sharing the gospel. The gospel is the same yet the way we share it differs contextually.

Rev. Dr. Balkrishna Sharma has a Master of Theology in Hinduism at Serampore University, West Bengal. His book ‘Major Religions of the World’ has been written academically to teach basic knowledge of the world's major religions. The book is not Christian-oriented but a basic overview of the major 11 religions of this world. Studying these major religions helps us to effectively communicate the gospel.

The contents are divided into four sections:

1. The definition of Religion, its characteristics, its elements, its relationship with God, its universality, its commencement, methods of studying religion, and animism.

2. Religions that originated in Southern Asia: Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, and Sikhism. Their history, beliefs, characteristics, sacred texts, practices, and conclusions from an academic perspective.

3. Religions that originated in Northern and Eastern Asia: Taoism, Confucianism, and Shinto.

4. Religions from Middle East Asia: Judaism, Zoroastrianism, Christianity, and Islam. 

The author has drawn a sound conclusion at the end. He presents analytical insight after the end of every religion. It is also necessary to remember that the author is a Christian and currently serves as a Principal at Nepal Theological College. It is therefore natural to think he presents a positive aspect on behalf of Christianity. He has discussed a brief history of Christianity in Nepal at the end.

The main theme of the whole book is to put those religions might seem identical in their superficial forms but they all differ in their fundamental seed. None religions are the same fundamentally. He presents the case of religion and politics as an analogy to back up his theme.

The book is well-written and beneficial for all Christian students. The book is better than books written by foreign authors in the case of Eastern religions. It is true that they also use foreign resources for information but the analysis and insight are from their background, understanding, and observation. It makes us unable to communicate the gospel with others. By knowing the similarity and differences, one can effectively present the gospel in a way that people can understand.

This book should be included in the curriculum in theological colleges in Nepal rather than merely promoting the books of foreign authors especially in case of Eastern religions. Students should be encouraged to learn and explore rather than teaching them to offend other religions. We need to learn from Paul himself the effective way of contextual evangelism.  

Thank you