Product Description
With the world at America's doorstep, today's Christians need to understand the beliefs of their neighbors, who represent many ethnic groups and religions. This book presents the evangelistic challenges and opportunities of the world's leading religions in a colorful graphic format. It prepares Christians to answer the questions "Is Jesus the only way to God?" and "How can we know the Bible is the Word of God?" Ideal for teachers, pastors, and lay Christians who want to witness to their friends and colleagues.

CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 3.5 based on 10 reviews)

Good Overview...For Christians

I borrowed this book from the library because I wanted to read a good, objective overview of the religions of the world. While this book does provide good, generic, simple overview explanations of most of the known (non-tribal) religions of the world, it is heavily bent toward Christianity. I have to agree with what reviewer "kiddmugg" said below: it is very snarky. Within each chapter about other religions, the book compares that religion to Christianty. There is even a chart in each chapter, with one column for that chapter's religion and one column for Christianity. Then it goes on to make lengthy, descriptive comparisons to passages in the Bible.

I would not go so far as to say this book is trying to convert people who have other religious beliefs to believe in Christianity (although I would not put it past the author if he happens to be a Christian), but it is obvious that this book is written FOR Christians and, at the very least, is trying to get Christians to understand what the other religions of the world are about.

The title of the book is inappropriate. It should be "A Christian Guide to World Religions".
June 05, 2008

What Would Jesus Say About a Deceptive Book Cover?

I picked this book up on an impulse at the library last night. The book's title and front cover gave me the impression that I had in my lucky little hands an objective, unbiased overview of major world religions. You know what I mean: "Just the facts, ma'am." That sort of thing.

Imagine my surprise, then, when I began flipping through the pages and discovered that Christianity was conspicuously missing from the alphabetical list. I blinked. I checked again. Sure enough, the book jumped straight from Buddhism to Confucianism, giving Jesus the ol' snub. Oh, my goodness! Whatever could be wrong? Could it be that the authors hold Christianity in such low esteem that they decided it wasn't even worth a mention? Could it be that the authors are in fact evil, crazed, Mr. Burns-like fiends who are plotting to destroy Christianity by systematically ignoring it in all of their books?

No--just the opposite, in fact. It turns out that this is a book written by Christians for other Christians. The reason Christianity is not included is that the writers assume you are already a believer and only want to read their book so you can debate with and convert people of other faiths. The book should have been titled, Religions of the World: A Guide for Proselytizing Christians. Instead of going for the "multicultural" look by putting images of a Hindu woman, a Buddha statue, some praying Muslims, and the Ten Commandments tablets on the front cover, they should have showed a Christian trying to convert someone. It's obvious that *somebody* in the production process wanted to be a sneaky little weasel and rope non-Christians into reading the book, too.

I know the Bible is a bit fuzzy on the "honest book marketing" issue, but I have a feeling a certain weasel--or party of weasels--is in serious need of redemption.

I give the book four stars because it's well-organized, visually appealing, and it describes the basic tenets of each religion very clearly. But if you're looking for "objective and unbiased," give it a big fat miss.
January 15, 2007

World Religions

I had read a friend's copy in preparation for a Sunday school class.
I ordered a new copy to give as a Christmas gift.

January 11, 2007

a christian perspective

This book covers some of the more well known religions and some I have never even heard of. It has good tables that contrasts every religion to christianity. It seems written from a christian point of view since each chapter ends with how to relate and find similarities to the other religion to help with your witnessing efforts.

January 10, 2007

Insightful and Easy to Read Overview

I believe the negative reviews below are unfair. As the author states in the Intro: "This book was written primary with the Christian in mind, but not exclusively.. I invite you to consider the arguments.." The book is easy to read, very broad, and clear but very insightful.
It frames the primary issues all religions deal with and shows how Christianity contrasts with other religions. In each case it describes how Christians should present their beliefs to those with other beliefs. The tone is respectful of other religions, but, of course, since the issues are goodness, meaningful lives, just societies, and eternal bliss, it does not paper over the profound differences. I'm so sorry to hear those who preceive differences and the belief that one way is correct as equal to hate. Could science or any other field have advanced with this as the governing assumption?
June 22, 2006

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