It has to do with answers for a wide range of questions such as : why we are here, and what is our purpose in life? What should be our goals for life? What should be our values and priorities?

Some worldview questions are about God: Does He exist? Can we know Him? If God exists, can we experience Him? Does He perform miracles as claimed in the Bible? Does He communicate with men?

What is God's role in history? Is there a purpose and meaning in history? Is he in charge of all events occurring in our world? Then, can we know what lies beyond the grave?

Each religion tries to answer these questions and they form the basis of beliefs, rituals and observances. The followers of each religion usually are expected to shape their attitude towards questions of the day based on these beliefs…

A serious Christian should be able to know where he stands in respect of issues cropping up in pluralistic societies like ours. When he deviates from basic tenets and embrace publicly contrary stands, he creates confusion and invites ridicule. It is even possible when Christians turn men pleasers and twist doctrines to conform to the ways of the world, they are of little use in furthering God's kingdom.

In a particular year, a Hindu priest happened to give the opening prayer at the US House of Representatives. Most people who witnessed it perhaps did not attach any significance to the same. But a newsletter by a concerned Christian group observed as follows:

'While it is true that the United States was founded on the sacred principle of religious freedom for all, that liberty was never intended to exalt other religions to the level that Christianity holds in our country's heritage. Our Founders expected that Christianity -- and no other religion -- would receive support from the government as long as that support did not violate peoples' consciences and their right to worship.

They would have found utterly incredible the idea that all religions, including paganism, be treated with equal deference. As for our Hindu priest friend, the United States is a nation that has historically honored the one true God. Woe be to us on that day when we relegate Him to being merely one among countless other deities in the pantheon of theologies.'

Gandhi, with his broad vision, was able to acknowledge the depth of the teachings of Christ, particularly the Sermon on the Mount. Interfaith debates and interfaith prayers are common feature of our culture. Any effort to bring about religious harmony in a pluralistic community and all training imparted to children to respect all religions should be welcomed. But then it would be a great untruth to state that all religions are the same. There are a number of values which are common to most religions but those who are not superficial will have known that religions also differ in fundamental ways.

Just to quote one instance. When the Bible clearly says that 'there is no other name given among men whereby we might be saved' (“And there is salvation in and through no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by and in which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12 ) there is no option left to the Christian but to stand by the Book. It is quite likely that this stand may not find appreciation among followers of other religions and might even make him unpopular. Such a Christian might be open to the charge of being a fundamentalist. Why, he will even be hated because of Christ.('All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.'Mark 13: 13)

At the same time, the Gospel only wants us to speak the truth in love and not impose our religion on unwilling people. We are bound to respect those who disagree with us in the extreme and bear no animosity on this count.

Hinduism has many strands. But one prominent Hindu view is that there are many paths to reach the same God. Such a view should seem very broadminded when compared to the 'one-way' claim. But then those who have chosen to follow Christ can not afford to make a compromise on this chief dictum. There could be many such examples of situations wherein the Christian might be compelled to take a different stand.

The latest book, Biblical World View, by P Abraham, editor of Light of Life, dwells among other things, on the need to walk the talk More than that, he laments that Christians have little influence or role in public policies affecting the lives of the people. They need to get involved as responsible citizens in the betterment of the nation materially and morally with a positive answer to the eternal question, 'Am I my brother's keeper?'

While driving our private cars we are bound to obey the traffic rules laid down by the society. This calls for a knowledge of the traffic laws. Similarly. living the Christian life in a pluralistic society demands an awareness of the problems confronting it. Of late, the Christian has turned very individualistic as if he has nothing to do with the world he lives in and is only accountable to God. The persecution and the communally surcharged atmosphere could have driven some Christians to accept a low profile. But then Christian virtues are meant to be shaped and practiced in the life of the community and in getting involved in its rough and tumble.

And as in his earlier book, Faith at Work he has not spared the church and its leaders in the matter of exposing their un-Biblical ways. To closet believers he has this counsel from Isaiah : “It is time to stand up and be counted. Stop trying to live in two worlds. Go and deliver my message; live by your calling.”

One could keep this book just for very inspirational quotes containing the distilled wisdom in the numerous pithy statements from the warriors of faith. For instance sample this one from T. S. Eliot: “God has put enough into the world to make faith in Him a most reasonable thing, and He has left enough out to make it impossible to live by sheer reason or observation alone.”



Look at all the power games inside and outside the churches and relate them with this one from A. W. Tozer: “The man who is ambitious to lead is disqualified as a leader. A true and safe leader is likely to be one who has no desire to lead, but is forced into a position of leadership by the inward pressure of the Holy Spirit and the press of the external situation.”

The author may face the charge of being repetitive in this book; but this is an inherent possibility arising from the fact that the book is a collection of his editorials in Light of Life. And he is rooting in the same Gospel while commenting on the same contemporary scene.

This is a book that has come out of the pen of one who reads the Bible along with the daily newspaper and keeps telling the world that the word of God is reliable and a good foundation for our lives. He has a passion and his words have an authenticity that strike the reader as flowing from the authority of the Spirit of Truth.

The book will be eminently helpful to those evangelists who are reaching out to the educated and the elite and also to church leaders who need to keep abreast of current issues facing the country and the people. It is a good guide to the goals, attitudes and approaches to issues that confront Christians in our land. It will deepen the average readers' faith and inspire him to launch out deeper.

Publisher:
Light of Life Books,
21,YMCA Road, Mumbai 400008.
Page 182,
Author : P Abraham,
(Editor, Light of Life)