This is such a huge issue that I couldn't possibly cover everything. I have included a list of resources and suggestions for further reading at the bottom so that you can investigate the issues more for yourself. My purpose here is to treat the issue of other faiths as it might arise in an evangelistic context and give some suggested answers to common questions regarding other beliefs. I will also try to give some practical advice on witnessing to people of a different religion.
Common misconceptions and objections
(1) It's arrogant and wrong to force what you believe on others.
Firstly I would make it clear that yes, it is wrong to force your beliefs onto others. God has given us free will and the grace to choose to either accept or reject him, and we must honour non-believers with that same choice. However, it is very important to give people every opportunity to hear the truth and respond to it. It would actually be selfish not to share the good news with others (in the same way that it would be selfish and morally unacceptable to keep the cure for cancer secret from others).
Christians certainly shouldn't be claiming to be better than others, just sharing the exciting faith that God has revealed to them. I remember hearing a quote which expressed this well: 'Evangelism is merely one beggar telling another beggar where to find bread.'
(2) It's not fair to expect people from other cultures and backgrounds to convert to Christianity.
I would not advocate cultural suppression and the church does have a lot to answer for in that department. It is wrong to try and suppress indigenous culture under the banner of evangelism. Indeed, God is creative and wants us to be creative in our expression for worship to him. However, there is a big difference between culture and belief, and where people groups are unclear about the truth or riddled with confusion and superstition, it is right that we seek to present the truth about Jesus clearly and relevantly. It is also important to strengthen and support indigenous Christian leaders.
(3) There is no objective truth - it's different for different people. You can't take a 'one-size-fits-all' approach.
This is a very postmodern assumption - that truth is relative (ie. what is right and wrong for me now isn't necessarily right or wrong for you, or for me later.) This is a false assumption because the notion of truth carries with it the idea of narrowness and exclusivity. If something is true, then something that stands in opposition to it is false. In our postmodern age, it has become very unfashionable to talk about 'absolute' or 'objective' truth, but it is crucial to have an understanding of the nature of truth if we are to understand the claims Jesus made about himself. Jesus stated, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No-one comes to the Father except through me." (14: 6) Many people these days find it offensive that Christians claim that Jesus is the only way to God and therefore all religions are not equally true and valid, but Jesus himself was very clear that there was one way to the one God and that is through his one and only Son. Jesus was unique. What he did and said must be tested and verified on its own terms and is not up for interpretation in any way we choose. We must deal with the facts and adapt our world views in accordance with the evidence we discover, rather than trying to manipulate the facts to fit our pet theories. Trying to ignore the truth makes about as much sense as trying to ignore gravity - it won't ignore you! If you're told you have cancer, that is an objective truth, whether you decide to believe it or not. God's truth applies to everyone, whether or not they decide to embrace that.
(4) It doesn't matter what you believe as long as you're sincere.
This statement is false because you can be sincerely wrong. As we saw above, truth is essentially narrow. 2 + 2 = 4. The answer to the sum can't be anything else. If I wholeheartedly believe that 2 + 2 = 57, I'm wrong, no matter how sincere I am in that belief. If you get on a train to Manchester sincerely believeing that it's going to Blackpool, you're still going to end up in the wrong place as a result of your error. Your sincerity isn't enough to make the train go where you want. People argue that it is enough to be a moral person and try your best to live a good life, but it clearly says in God's word that none of us are good enough to get into heaven on our own merit (Rom 3: 23). Simply being sincere in our efforts is not good enough to meet God's standard of holiness. The only way to have our relationship with God restored is to humbly accept this fact and trust in Jesus' death and resurrection for salvation.
(5) All religions say the same thing. Christianity isn't unique.
Below I have included a chart sketching the main differences between Christianity and other religions to show that all religions are not fundamentally saying the same thing. It is true that there is often considerable overlap between teachings of different religions, and I would argue that we can learn valuable lessons from people of other faiths (after all, all truth is God's truth). However, there are major differences between Christianity and other religions and it is simply false that all religions lead to God. What sets Christianity apart is that the believer can have full assurance of going to heaven simply by trusting in Jesus' promise that he is the way to eternal life. We do not have to hope that our own efforts will be enough to earn our salvation because, as we've already seen, salvation is by faith alone and not good works. The gospel is one of love and grace bringing us into a personal relationship with God, and not about empty religion and ritual. All other religions are about humans striving to work their way up to God, but Christianity is about God coming down to rescue us. A simple analogy will illustrate this:
Imagine that each of us is in a pit that is too deep to climb out of. All the religious leaders are standing round the top shouting down instructions of how to get out and maybe throwing down equipment to try and facilitate the escape. However, no effort on our part will enable us to climb out of the pit. Jesus is the only one who climbs into the pit with us and lifts us to safety.
Christianity is unique because it centres on the person of Christ who said very clearly that there is no other way to have a relationship with God and gain eternal life: Jesus said "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
Practical advice on witnessing to people of other faiths
Always be polite, loving and patient, praying for God to help you be sensitive to the other person and help you to understand them and love them.
Be sure of your faith, the central truths of the gospel. Memorise a gospel outline.
If necessary, familiarise yourself with the main points of their religion so that you can understand their issues with Christianity more clearly.
Centre your witness on Jesus. Introduce the person of Jesus and ask them directly who they think he is. You may have heard of the 'Liar, lunatic or lord' trilemma: Jesus was either deliberately tricking mankind (not consistent with his teachings and behaviour); or he was deluded (again, not plausible given what he did and said); or he was God.
Explain the nature and purpose of Jesus' death and resurrection and his claims to be God.
Get people to clearly define spiritual terms like 'sin', 'salvation', 'grace' etc. This is especially important when witnessing to JWs, Mormans, Unitarians etc. They may sound like Christians until you explore what they mean when they use such words.
Use illustrations and stories to help you explain the gospel.
Give personal testimony of how you came to faith and how having a personal relationship with God affects your life.
Be respectful of their culture and aware of cultural differences. For example, putting our holy book (the Bible) on the floor would cause offence to Muslims. (Some of the books listed will give you more guidelines on these, see below)
Have appropriate resources available (Tracts, booklets, testimonies etc. Again, see below)
If English is not their first language, try and get a Bible in an appropriate translation and / or gospel tracts in their language.
Introduce the person to Christians friends, take them to events and let them see faith in action.
© Anne Witton, 2002
FURTHER READING AND RESOURCES
Apologetics Books
Christianity is Ridiculous Allan, John and Eyre, Gus 1-85078-136-2
Brief, sound-bite answers to the most common objections to Christianity.
Letters from a Skeptic Boyd, Gregory and Edward 0-85476-889-0
A useful, general apologetics book containing correspondence between an non-Christian father and his Christian son.
What About Other Faiths? Goldsmith, Martin 0-340-74543-6
A thorough approach to the questions posed by other faiths. Good explanations of what other religions believe, the ideology of witnessing to those of other religions and practical advice on how to do it.
You Must be Joking Green, Michael 0-340-21126-1
Chapter 4 deals with the objection that 'all religions lead to God' and chapter 6 discusses the objection that 'it doesn't matter what you believe as long as you're sincere'.
Searching Issues Gumbel, Nicky 0-85476-739-8
Chapter 2 is a brief but helpful summary of the issues with other religions.
Open the Door Harris, Doug 0-85476-518-2
How to share you faith with the cults. Tackles questions such as 'What is a cult?' and 'How can I answer the arguments of cult members?' as well as summarising the beliefs of Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons, Christian Scientists, Moonies and others.
The Handbook of Christian Apologetics Kreeft, P and Tacelli, R N/A
Issues Facing Christians Today Stott, John 0-551-01158-0
Tackles a wealth of social and moral issues affecting Christians. Chapters 3 and 4 are the most helpful in furthering understanding other faiths and how to witness effectively to them.
Why we can't Believe Weston, Paul 0-85111-134-3
Chapter 6 briefly tackles the objection that 'Christianity can't be the only way to God'.
The Best of Josh McDowell: Wilson, Bill 0-8407-4419-6
A Ready Defense
A comprehensive and highly recommended apologetics book. Section 3 (chapters 24 - 39) has a very comprehensive discussion of mainstream religions, secular religions, cults and the occult.
The Case Against Christ Young, John 0-340-39371-8
My personal favourite apologetics book for concise, sound answers to common objections (it is also humorous - always a winner in my book!). Chapter 15 tackles other religions.
Testimonies
I Dared to Call Him Father Sheikh, Bilquis 0-86065-049-9
A high-born Muslim woman's journey to faith.
From Witchcraft to Christ Irvine, Doreen 0-85476-507-7
The amazing testimony of a former prostitute, drug addict and black witch.
Articles and leaflets
How to Turn Stumbling Blocks into Agapé 0 948860 09 X
Stepping Stones
Examines the false assumptions behind peoples objections to Christianity and suggests ways to understand peoples misconceptions and help them come to understand the truth. Chapters 1 and 2 are most useful when dealing with issues of other religions.
How to Share the Good News with ISCS N/A
your Muslim Friend
A handy booklet equipping you with information about Islam and lots of practical suggestions for ways to share your faith with Muslims. Has some very useful information on cross-cultural considerations.
What about Other Religions? Gumbel, Nicky 0-85476-863-7
Booklet containing chapter 2 of 'Searching Issues' (See above)
Jehovah's Witnesses: Prophets, Promises American Tract Society N/A
and Problems...
A short leaflet giving lots of useful information on JWs and how their doctrines compare to the Bible
The Mormon Mystique American Tract Society N/A
A short leaflet giving lots of useful information on Mormonism and how their doctrines compare to the Bible
I Am a Witness American Tract Society N/A
A short leaflet containing the testimony of a former JW who became a Christian
