Jesus Among Other Gods: The Absolute Claims of the Christian Message | Ravi Zacharias

Jesus Among Other Gods: The Absolute Claims of the Christian Message | Ravi Zacharias | A truly insightful comparison of Christianity with other religions--not exhaustive, but very lucid

books:

Jesus Among Other ...

	Jesus Among Other Gods: The Absolute Claims of the Christian Message Ravi Zacharias W Publishing Group, 2002 - 195 pages average customer review:based on 70 reviews view larger image
	for more information click here

Please evaluate this book in context!

I've read many previous reviews that object to the fact that this is "not a true comparative study" or that it is "not objective and biased". Please remember that the title is "Jesus Among Other Gods" not "A bunch of Other Gods"--it was Ravi's intention to place Jesus as the centerpoint of the conversation, and this fact was even disclosed in the opening chapter. There are many great books out there that are created to objectively contrast the world religions, but this is not one of those books. I would especially recommend this book to an analytical Christian who may have been brought up as a Christian and who is searching for answers to the question "Why do I believe what I believe?". In America, this is a widely prolific problem, from my perspective. Again, if this book is read and evaluated in its proper context, it is a wonderful work that will offer insight after insight.

for more information click here

A truly insightful comparison of Christianity with other religions--not exhaustive, but very lucid

Zacharias' goal is not an exhaustive, thorough comparison (which could easily take volumes) but rather a lucid comparison of the core beliefs of the religions discussed. Herein lies its inestimable value. The style is more devotional than a writer like Francis Schaeffer, but the book still provides an effective apologetic.

Nor is his goal a cheery "conversation between religions"--which usually implies an agreement to accept all belief systems as tentative--but the application of his conviction in the uniuqueness of the Bible as God's only authoritative self-revelation and how that works out in contrast with the claims of other religions and their limited ability to live up to their own claims.

The most poignant insight I found was how Zacharias focuses on the DIFFERENCES between Christ and Buddhism, et. al., and demonstrates how the differences are more profound and important than the IMAGINED similarities. A good follow up is his shorter book, "The Lotus and the Cross," which works out that dynamic in a fictitious conversation between Jesus and Buddha.

I have found this book to be as much of an eye-opener in helping me understand "comparative religions" from a distinctly Christian perspective as Francis Schaeffer's work has been regarding a Christian response to both Secular Existentialism (Postmodernism, etc.) and Religious Existentialism (Neo-Orthodoxy).

This is a must-read for Christians eager to challenge the prevailing relativism toward religion in our culture, as well a for non-Christians who seem mystified by the exclusive-truth claims of Christians they know.

for more information click here

Lacks Polish...

The title of the book does provide some context for Ravi Zacharias' work. I found however there was not as much comparing and contrasting with other religious world views as expected. I suppose there are more comprehensive volumes of this nature. What I did discover was a text walking along with the author in his own wrestling with claims of Jesus, compared to the insufficient claims of other world views.

This book has some truly enlightening moments (most centered around quotes and relating of others stories). I found myself wanting to jot down, underline and remember certain points in many places. Mr. Zacharias has a remarkable ability to draw on the experiences and writings of others to illustrate his thoughts and arguments for Christianity. One wishes they had the re tension and ability that he maintains in choosing just the right tact to cause arguments to crumble. I found my self encouraged to press further in my study and understanding of Christianity.

I did find some difficulty at times in reading as I seemed to have to push through the valleys to reach the author's next mountaintop of enlightenment. Certainly one must at times perhaps endure while the background and ground work is laid for the next gripping point. It is in this point that I felt the work lacked an element of polish as I found myself easily distracted in these valleys. Perhaps the author's own admission in the introduction lends some insight to this, 'The difficulty has really not been in knowing what to say, but in knowing what not to say.' Though not 200 pages in length, it did seem at times lengthy. Maybe it is I the reader who is to used to consuming what I read far too easily!

As I final note I have found Ravi Zacharias a gifted and challenging speaker. This is perhaps his greater strength. The book is definitely worth a read, I give it 3 out of 5 stars as it would not be at the top of my 'must read' list and I believe the work could still use further polish.

for more information click here

Many will disagree it doesn't help those who are searching..

I'm not a theologist or a docturine of religion. I'm a person who has many questions. I had a strict up bringing in the non denomination faith of christianity. As an adult I felt that I was programmed to be a certain way because of what I was taught when I was younger. In my search I read many books in the matter of religion to find answers for my questions. In this book Zacharias had some valid points that I agreed with and some that I didn't. In the introduction of the book I felt the author felt so convicted that his message must be heard. He challenges Deepak Chopra who I feel had a great impact in my life through his books and cds. In a way I felt a little threatened but he made some valid points. I did questioned some of Chopra teachings. He makes excellent and valid points about Jesus Christ which I feel that there is no arguement there. What I truely focused on was when he pointed out that the physical and spiritual hungers must be satisfied without violation of each other to be true fulfilled. How can one be fulfilled if one were raised up to believe what one was taught is to be absolute truth. Then sometime in your life someone else come tells you something different. Do you question it or ignore it. I felt I was lucky enough to question it? Many people have thier own understanding to their own spirituality. Many may come to question? I feel that there is no defenitive line. In this book,I know many will truely disagree with me. I almost felt that in his own sutle way he is excalating his point as a hardcore fanatic. In other words if you're not a born again christian. You will never reach the gates of heaven.

for more information click here