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By David F. Dawes
CHRISTIANS who value the art of apologetics – defense of the faith – would do well to check out the following books.
God Is Not One (HarperOne, 2010) is a refreshingly challenging tome by Stephen Prothero – author of Religious Literacy, and professor of religion at Boston University.
The premise is outlined on the cover: “The eight rival religions that run the world – and why their differences matter.”
The author throws down the gauntlet right from the start, repudiating the
popular notion that ‘All religions are one’ (promulgated by luminaries ranging from William Blake to Huston Smith). He
writes:
“This naïve theological groupthink – call it Godthink – has made the world more dangerous, by blinding us to the clashes of religions
that threaten us worldwide. It is time we climbed out of the rabbit hole and
back to reality. The world’s religious rivals do converge when it comes to ethics; but they diverge sharply
on doctrine, ritual, mythology, experience and law.”
It is crucial, he argues, to acknowledge these divisions: “After 9/11 and the Holocaust, we need to see the world’s religions as they really are – in all their gore and glory. This includes seeing where they agree and
disagree, and not turning a blind eye to their failings.”
Prothero acknowledges that he has excluded some key faiths, such as Sikhism and
Baha’i: “I have simply tried to include . . . religions that ‘for better or worse’ have been particularly influential over time, and continue to influence us
today.” He puts his ‘top 8’ in the following “order of influence”: Islam, Christ-ianity, Confucianism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Yoruba, Judaism and
Daoism.
Islam, he contends, “is the leader of the pack, in terms of contemporary impact . . . The religious
commitments of Muslims have a huge impact on the world around them.” Islam, he adds, “is the globe’s most-talked-about religion.”
Personally, the thing I found most fascinating was the Yoruba chapter.
Originating in West Africa, “[now] claiming perhaps 100 million adherents and spanning the globe,” this faith exalts “the High God Oludumare, [who] allows us to choose our own destiny.” In this world, “we wander through life veiled from our true purposes.” However, “there is a vast pantheon of superhuman beings, known as orishas . . . willing to
help us live in harmony with our destiny.” Divination, Prothero writes, is the Yoruba key to unlocking the necessary
wisdom.
There is also a cogent section on the newly revived religion of Atheism.
Prothero criticizes some of the ‘New Atheists’ for “demonizing Muslims, denouncing Christians and Jews as dupes, and baptizing their
fellow ‘brights’ into their own communion of smarter-than-thou saints . . . They, too, are dogmatic and uncurious, and every bit as useful to
neoconservative policymakers as right-wing televangelists.”
This book should, ideally, provoke a lot of creative and helpful thought on the
subject.
In Nelson’s Illustrated Guide to Religions (Thomas Nelson, 2009) James A. Beverley draws similar conclusions to Prothero.
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Author of Islamic Faith in America, Beverley is professor of Christian thought and ethics at Toronto’s Tyndale Seminary. In a Faith Today (FT) column about this book, he states:
“I now see more clearly that religions are not all the same. People who say this
are either ignorant or deluded. Of course, there are common patterns that can
be celebrated . . . In the main, however, the various religions offer
alternative understandings of reality.”
The book is very detailed and exhaustive, and obviously based on decades of
skilled research. The author often expresses his personal opinion – which is sometimes intrusive. But the personal touch also works quite well, as
in his account of his time spent with the Dalai Lama.
According to the publisher, the book “is the most complete and up-to-date Christian guide to world religions.” In some respects, this is arguably true.
However, some key faiths, including Jainism and Zoroastrianism, are missing.
Further, while Shinto and Shamanism are not formal religions, I think they
should have been included. Conversely, giving David Koresh’s Branch Davidians their own chapter was a questionable decision.
While the book is copiously illustrated, I found the pictures too small – and a number of them are not very impressive.
But these are minor criticisms. Considering this is the product of a single
author, the sheer scope of this book is extraordinary. It belongs on the shelf
with Norman Geisler’s Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics.
Beverley profiles more than 200 spiritual systems and sects, including a variety
of cults. There are helpful timelines; concise outlines of belief systems;
analyses of pertinent controversies; and detailed criteria for comparing other
faiths to Christianity.
There is good coverage of the Unification Church, Satanism, Scientology and
Wicca; and there is a huge New Age section, profiling a plethora of ideas and
leaders.
While he is critical of some beliefs, Beverley endeavours to be fair. Most
importantly, he zeroes in skillfully on how religions differ in their
understanding of who Christ is.
The project has also helped the author, as he states: “Thirty years of intensive study of religions, including the past 10 on [this
book], has led me to a deeper realization of the uniqueness, greatness and
beauty of Jesus.”
The result is a monumental achievement.
In addition to the above works, any Christian serious about evangelism would do
well to check out the newly released seventh edition of Operation World.
Written by Canadian-born Jason Mandryk, and subtitled ‘The definitive prayer guide to every nation,’ the book’s stated purpose is to “help focus your heart and life towards God’s passion for his glory.”
It features detailed factual information about all countries worldwide, with
special attention paid to the spiritual beliefs and practices of each nation’s population. There is also a calendar, which daily presents a different
country. Accompanying text outlines how previous prayers have been answered,
and exhorts believers to pray for specific needs in each country.
stephenprothero.com
jimbeverley.com
operationworld.org
November 2010
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