An introduction to what Hindus believe and how Christians can reach out to them with the gospel
Part of the Engaging with series.
Hindus represent the third largest faith in the world, and yet many Christians know very little about their beliefs and lifestyle.
This short book is designed to help both Christians and whole churches to understand more about the beliefs, mindset and motivations of Hindus, and to reach out to them with the good news of the gospel.
Written at a level that everyone can understand, this book emphasises the importance of forming loving, honest and open relationships as part of the way we engage with our Hindu friends and neighbours.
A. Understanding Hindus
1. A global faith
2. What do Hindus think of Christians and Christianity?
3. Our approach
4. Who is a Hindu?
5. What do Hindus believe and practise?
B. Engaging with Hindus
6. Love
7. Listen and learn
8. Present Christ positively
9. Pray
10. Preparing for discussion
11. Understanding Hindu questions
12. How should a church engage with Hindus?
| Contributors | Robin Thomson |
|---|---|
| ISBN | 9781909919143 |
| Format | eBook |
| First published | October 2014 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | The Good Book Company |
It is clear that Thomson has grasped the Hindu mind-set, culture and religion. His years of experience living and working as a Bible teacher in India have given him valuable insights which he uses to provide practical and yet sensitive advice on reaching Hindus with the gospel.... continue reading
Anyone wanting to share their faith with Hindus … will find Thomson’s advice hugely helpful.... continue reading
I didn't have a clue about general, basic Hindu teachings I told I read this book. If you're in the same place, or what to sing refresh your memory, this book is a great choice. It covers a lot of key issues on their basic, fundamentals levels yet this book will give you good facts and information that you need to help share the good news of our God and saviour Jesus Christ to Hindus and perhaps other alike but this is of course best designed for our Hindu friends. I'd highly recommend this and the author has done a great job with this book. God bless 🙏💪
When we first arrived in Fiji my wife was trying to enrol my son in Scouts. The local Scout-master asked what we were doing in Fiji – and my wife explained we were missionaries sent from Australia at the invitation of the local university student ministry – to help students reach students for Christ. The Scout-master responded “But, why bother, everyone here is a Christian!”
My wife thought to herself – "Not everyone here is a Christian - I passed both a Hindu temple and a Muslim mosque on my way here!"
Sometimes we cannot see the very things in front of our faces, but when it comes to people, and their eternal destiny, Christians cannot afford to be so blind.
That’s why the book Engaging with Hindus is so very helpful. In a clear, simple and warm way Robin Thomson helps Christians see the need and opportunity that exists to engage with the many Hindus who we live, study, work and play alongside. The first half of the book focusses on understanding Hindus – and while it is no means exhaustive (that would be the work of a far weighty tome than this) – it gives a great outline for those who know very little about Hindu beliefs and practices. The effect is that the reader's confidence should be boosted as they seek to speak with Hindus they know about what they actually believe and practice (just like with Christians - there can be a wide variety!). The second half is a practical guide to engaging with Hindus – that is speaking and befriending those of a very different world-view to that of Christians.
In terms of Thompson’s approach and encouragement to the reader he lists four basic principles:
(i) Love
(ii) Listen and learn
(iii) Present Christ positively
(iv) Pray
I think there can be no better endorsement of this book than Thomson’s own words when he writes of the first principle: love is the start and finish of everything that we do. Love means being friends – genuine, unjudging friends – with Hindus. This is not a strategy or a means to an end. Love is the end.
Our blindness to those around us is really a lack of love. Why not read this book and follow its encouragement to love, not simply Hindus in general, but a Hindu that you know
