15 Frequently asked questions
When I was young I used to do jigsaw puzzles. I would start by looking for the four corner pieces. Once these were in place I would then find the edges and piece them together to form the outer frame. I would then focus on the easiest bits of the puzzle and piece them together. Then I would work my way to the hardest bits. After all the pieces were in place I would reflect on its picturesque beauty. Life is like a jigsaw puzzle. Sometimes we don’t know how to fit together the pieces of our life puzzle. Sometimes we try to fit the wrong pieces together and they simply don’t fit properly. Sometimes we haven’t yet discovered all the pieces which fit our life puzzle. Christians believe that the purpose of life is peace with God and peace with each other. We realise that there are questions, issues and sometimes misconceptions about the Christian faith, particularly from Asians. In this booklet we try to answer some of them. We invite you to journey through this booklet, to think and reflect and to find pieces which may fit your life puzzle!
Manoj’s story
In 2007 I was living the high life. I was a successful businessman, buying and selling blocks of apartments throughout the UK. However, as I entered into the New Year, my good fortunes took a downturn. As the credit crunch set in, my property business began to wobble. But this paled into insignificance as my two-year-old son was suddenly taken severely ill with breathing difficulties. Though I was a born and bred Hindu, I had never really practised my faith. At school I had learnt about the Christian faith and it had most certainly resonated with me. However, as I grew up, I quickly forgot about God. Yet, how remarkable that when I was up against it and faced with the prospect of losing my son, there was an innate sense in me that God truly exists and He alone can help in our hour of need. All the while a Christian couple we had only
recently befriended was praying for my boy. On the fifth day in intensive care, the consultant came to brief us, preparing us for the worst case scenario. An hour later, to everyone’s utter disbelief my son suddenly bolted upright in bed. We had witnessed what could only be described as a miracle. Immediately, I pledged to my wife that we would visit our local church to say thank you to our friends for their prayers. Within weeks I found myself walking to the front of the hall to commit my life to Jesus Christ. I began a journey on which my previous perceptions and beliefs were utterly challenged. I felt called to re-evaluate my life and new values and priorities began to take shape. My business is no longer what it was. But what does that matter? When you have found Jesus, you have found a new purpose in life.
Is Christianity a Western religion?
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“If you are English, you must be a Christian, right? And if you are Pakistani, you can only be a Muslim? If you are Indian, you must be…?” It’s common to link certain religious beliefs and practices with certain parts of the world. So a person born into a family of a particular culture may accept those religious beliefs and practices as part of their identity – something they did not choose, but which was handed down to them. In the same way, many people automatically link Christianity with Europe and North America. They assume that all white people are ‘Christian’. It’s easy to see why. For example, 71.8 per cent of people in England and Wales identified themselves as ‘Christian’ in the 2001 census. But the situation is actually more complex. On the one hand, the Christian faith has been so firmly rooted in the culture of Europe for nearly 2,000 years that it has influenced every aspect of life – social, political, economic, scientific, the arts and music. The Bible has fundamentally shaped the thinking and values of the West, until recently. This partly explains the large number of those who identify themselves culturally as ‘Christian’ though they may not have a living faith. But the true meaning of ‘Christian’ is a follower of the Lord Jesus. And following Jesus is not tied to any particular place or culture. It is not linked to any political system or form of government. Jesus’ followers are found all around the world and the majority now live outside Europe and North America. Jesus was not European but Middle Eastern. His early followers were Jewish, but very quickly people from other cultural and social backgrounds began to follow Him too. The message of the Lord Jesus actually came to India before it came to Britain. In Kerala, south-west India, you can see a beautiful beach where, according to tradition, the Apostle Thomas, one of Jesus’ 12 disciples, is believed to have landed. Thomas followed the trade routes to India. He is believed to have preached in both north and south India and died there, near Chennai. Followers of the Lord Jesus in the West are struggling today to disentangle those elements of Western culture which have truly been influenced by the Bible’s values, from those which have no connection or are even opposed to them. They struggle with the materialism and greed which pervade society. They are distressed by the sexual chaos and breakdown of family life. They realise that the Western emphasis on individual freedom, which can be so liberating, is destructive unless linked to community and concern for others. Behind many of these tendencies is the rejection of all authority and ultimately the rejection of God. So is Christianity a Western religion? It’s true that Western culture has been profoundly influenced by Christianity, but following the Lord Jesus is not about culture or language or outward appearances. It is about a relationship. The Lord Jesus came to open the way to God for all people, from every background. His message was about inner change, with God at the centre. That is our deepest need.
“Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.� Bible, Romans 5:7-8
Isn’t it better to follow the religion of my family?
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“Changing your religion is the greatest sin on earth. It is like changing your mother.” Religious conversion – in any direction – provokes strong reactions. Some see it as a rejection of one’s culture and therefore of one’s family and community. This is because religion, culture and community are closely linked. Many believe that you are born into your community and therefore your religion. “You can change your passport,” they say, “but religion – that’s unchangeable.” When somebody tells their family that they have begun to follow a different faith, they assume all kinds of motives: - ‘They’re just doing it to gain material benefits.’ - ‘It’s emotional hysteria; they will soon get over it.’ - ‘It’s brainwashing – some kind of cult.’ They often assume that those who are teaching another faith have a hidden agenda - for example providing health or education in order to exploit or manipulate the poor. Why are there such strong feelings? Shouldn’t people have the right to change their personal beliefs and convictions? Are those who seek to persuade them doing something wrong? Changing one’s faith, in any direction, can be unsettling and disruptive, both for those making the decision and for the community around them. We are not talking here about conversion by force or fraud. No responsible religious leader, from any background, supports that. Faith must be a matter of inner belief. The right to religious freedom should not infringe others’ rights nor harm society. Nobody should be pressurised in any way. But a change of faith, even when it takes place freely, can be complex. It can have outward effects too, for the community. It can bring tension, when people reject old traditions or challenge the status quo. They can sometimes appear rude and overenthusiastic for their new faith. We need to acknowledge this. Those who seek to share their faith must make sure that their methods do not create unnecessary disruption. Respect for others’ faith and culture is fundamental. However, the basic question to ask is not “Should a person change their faith?” but “How do I find God?” Whatever our religious background, few of us have been completely sincere in our efforts to seek God. We struggle to do what is right, because we lack the spiritual and moral strength to do it. We need someone to lead us to a relationship with the living God. The Bible tells us that God intervened in our world at a certain point in history. The Lord Jesus came into the world to show us the truth about God’s love and forgiveness, and to remove the barrier between us and God. Through Him God becomes accessible. This is not about religion or culture or community. It is about God seeking us and our response to His seeking. This is not a ‘change of religion’. It is a ‘change of heart and mind’.
“O Lord, you have searched me and you know me.”
Bible, Psalm 139:1
How can I relate to God when He seems so distant? A host of information passes through the air around us daily via mobile phones, radio and television broadcasts and the internet. These are channels of communication with us, but are we aware of them? Often we are not, because we are not ‘tuned in’. Similarly, we may miss God’s communication with us because we are not ‘tuned in’. Asia has been the cradle of many of the world’s religions. People have searched for God, desiring to submit to God’s will, desiring to move from falsehood to truth, desiring to escape the bonds of attachment. But neither South Asians nor others have always tuned in to God. Perhaps some of us may not wish to ‘tune in’ to God. After all, if God is so distant, why make the effort? Or we do not find the time, with the stress and rush of life. But what if we choose to ‘tune in’? Would a magic door open, much like Aladdin saying “open sesame” before the cave, to unlock the hidden treasure? Would our lives change if God came in? Is anybody really there? The Bible teaches that we can relate to God, because He is the Creator God who made us and knows us intimately. He made us ‘in His image’; so that we reflect something of His character and can enter into relationship with God. How do we know God? We see the greatness of His wisdom and power as we look at the world around us and as we consider the achievements of human beings, made in His image. The Bible teaches that we see God most of all through the Lord Jesus, who communicates God’s full love towards us. Jesus is called God’s ‘Word’ because He shows us what God is like, just as we know each other through our words. (Bible, Hebrews 1:1-3). Jesus was born on earth, experienced life, suffered and overcame temptation and understands us. He demonstrated the character of God, the loving Father, through His care for the weak and suffering. He showed God’s demands as the God of justice, who requires us also to be just and holy. Because of His love for us, Jesus died on the Cross to remove the barrier of our shame and failure between us and God. He became our mediator, the way to God. Through Jesus, we can relate to God closely. The Lord Jesus said: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No-one comes to the Father except through me.” (Bible, John 14:6). So what is our first step to relate to God? A Christian answer would be: approach God in humility, recognise that He is great and that we need His mercy. Then accept Jesus’ sacrifice and invite Him to take control of our lives. He promises to enter in and transform us by His Spirit living in us. What will be the result? A new peace, strength in our inner being, deeper bonds with others and a personal relationship with God.
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Farida’s story
I was seven years old when I first saw a statue of Jesus upon the cross in my school chapel. I recall several questions flooding my mind. Who was He, and what did He do to deserve such a death? I saw the thorns in His crown and the blood on His face, which showed the enormity of His pain. And yet He looked so serene, and I was captivated by His beauty. I said to Him: “Lord, I just love you. And you are not alone, because I will come to see you every day.” And I did. I gave my heart to the Lord. I was a lonely child but I felt good in His presence. My decision did not sit well with my family. My devout Muslim father took me to the holy shrine of Syed Moinuddin Chishti in Ajmer to discuss
my change of faith with a holy seer. After some time, the seer said: “I cannot explain what has happened to your child. All I can say is, do not look at her age or her size but one thing is certain, you will never be able to change her heart.” My father was an understanding and spiritual man and a descendant of Hashmi Syed. He took those words seriously and did not question me about my faith but was intrigued by the knowledge of Scripture I had without ever having studied it. Sixty-three years on and I am still deeply in love with Jesus and overwhelmed by the abundance of love He showed by dying on the cross for me.
How can a good God allow evil and suffering? In a world full of evil and pain, this is one of the most frequently asked questions. Daily on our TV screens we see the evils of greed and oppression that dominate the world. Some of us have faced personal tragedies. The Bible says that God’s original plan for humanity did not include pain, disease or death. He created a good world and human beings to care for it as stewards. But our first ancestors used their free will to choose to disobey God and live independently, rather than living in God’s love. They did not live in submission to God. They did not fulfil their dharma (duty). They were mastered by their own desires instead of wanting to do God’s will. This selfishness, pride and disobedience is what the Bible calls ‘sin’. It affected everything – their relationship with God, with each other and with the environment. The results were devastating – death, disease, decay and natural disasters. The world, we are told, is ‘groaning’. It is a place of dukkha, disquietude and suffering. It is not as God wanted. It is evident that most of the suffering that goes on in the world is due to humanity’s greed and pride. There is enough food in the world for everyone but one half of the world is perpetually trying to lose weight while the other half suffers malnutrition. Around 40,000 children die every day needlessly from preventable causes (often dirty water), which the world’s governments persistently fail to tackle. These problems could be resolved if the money the world spends on weapons was used instead on development projects. However, it is not just the fault of governments; would you vote for a government that promised to lower your standard of living in order to help the needy abroad? Spoilt relationships between family, friends and neighbours as well as wars between nations and religious and ethnic groups contribute massively to human suffering. We do not fully understand suffering but we know that God does not stand apart from our pain. The Bible says that God is grieved by human suffering: “He does not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men” (Bible, Lamentations 3:33). Above all, God took our pain upon Himself in the Lord Jesus dying for our sins on the cross. He shouldered all our suffering and despair in order to set us free and give us a new life if we will entrust our lives into His hands. “Jesus… suffered death, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone” (Bible, Hebrews 2:9). People ask where God is during our suffering. Many Christians will say that He walks with them through their suffering and pain. One day God will bring this world to an end, judge evil, and create a new universe without evil and suffering. The Bible teaches that we can share in that new universe by finding God’s forgiveness and new life through the Lord Jesus.
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Jesus told this story...
“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men— robbers, evildoers, adulterers— or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Bible, Luke 18:10-14
Isn’t being a good person the most important thing? Think of your two closest friends. Do you know which one is more or less good than the other? What is the basis for your judgement? Some believe that every aspect of life leads to an accumulation of either good karma, which we can enjoy, or bad karma for which we must suffer. Similarly, others believe that God will weigh on the scales every aspect of our life and if the good exceeds the bad we will be rewarded. Many also believe that certain actions, such as going on pilgrimage or giving to the poor, will earn extra merit. The Bible consistently teaches the need to do good to everyone. Only by doing good to others do we show we love them and so prove that we love God. One of Jesus’ followers asked: “What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds?” (Bible, James 2:14). Therefore it is very important to be a good person who does good to others. However, when will we know that we’ve done enough good? If a person mugs someone or doesn’t pay their taxes, how much good will they need to do to overcome the shame and dishonour they have brought on themselves and God? While it is extremely important to be a good person, can any of us claim to have obeyed Jesus’ instruction: “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Bible, Matthew 5:48)? Though it is important to be good, this is not the place where we all have a common starting point. Instead, the common starting point is that every one of us fails to match up to God’s absolute, total and perfect goodness. When we compare ourselves with God, we discover that even our good deeds are less than 100 per cent good because they are spoilt by ungodly and unholy motives. So our common starting point is not our goodness but God’s goodness and holiness. Our lives fail to reflect God’s perfect standard. By contrast, the Bible teaches that the Lord Jesus lived by God’s perfect standard. Through His death He faced the consequence of our bad karma or ungodly life. When we put our faith in what the Lord Jesus has done for us, we can receive God’s forgiveness and favour and start out on a new life. Then we can seek, with God’s help, to be a good person, not to gain God’s favour or to compete with anyone else, but out of gratitude for what God has done for us.
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“No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is Himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made Him known.� Bible, John 1:18
What do Christians mean by calling Jesus the Son of God? The title ‘Son of God’ applied to Jesus in the Bible and used by Christians through the ages has led to much misunderstanding and some offence, especially among those from a Jewish or Muslim background. Many take it to be demeaning to suggest that a human prophet could be equal to God or that God took a wife in Mary and had a son. This is equally offensive to Christians. And it is not what is meant by ‘Son of God’ in the Bible. Christians have always believed in only one God. When Jesus was asked what was the most important commandment, He quoted: “Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength” (Bible, Mark 12:29-30). It would be blasphemy in the Christian faith to believe in more than one God or to believe that God took a wife and had a son. In the Bible, God is seen as the Father of us all and so in some way, we are all ‘sons and daughters of God’, but Jesus is singled out as the unique ‘Son of God’ who has come to make God known. There is only one God, the almighty Creator. He has made Himself known to us through Jesus. Jesus reveals God’s character because He is God. Christians believe that God is above and beyond us (the Father), and also with us (the Son) and in us (the Holy Spirit). Jesus is also called the ‘Word of God’ in the Bible. Words tell us what a person is thinking and reveal their innermost attitudes and character. Christians believe that Jesus is God’s final word to humanity. He is the eternal and true teacher and way to God. He is also called “the image of the invisible God” who shows us what God is like (Bible, Colossians 1:15). Another way to understand the phrase ‘Son of God’ is to compare it with the title ‘Son of Man’ which Jesus actually called Himself on many occasions. As Jesus had no human father (having been born while Mary was still a virgin), what did He mean by ‘Son of Man’? We often use the phrase ‘son of something’ to mean that the person is completely like that thing. For example, a ‘son of evil’ would be someone who is completely evil and a ‘son of a donkey’ would be a very foolish person. So ‘Son of Man’ means that Jesus is the representative of mankind, showing us what it means to be truly and properly human, as He perfectly obeyed God. In the same way, ‘Son of God’ means that He is the representative of God, revealing what God is like. But Jesus’ relationship with God was unique. He communicated the heart, will and character of God.
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“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation…all things were created by Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” Bible, Colossians 1:15-17
Ruwini’s story
I was taught that suffering is caused by bad karma from a previous birth. When I came across any difficulties in life such as illness, financial hardship and family issues, I then went after horoscopes, performed religious rituals and prayed to Buddha. I thought that this was part of life and something that I had to put up with. I debated with Christian friends when they said that God created all mankind. I asked myself, ‘Can God really exist?’ Then one day, I met a few friends for dinner. One of the ladies
who joined the meal prayed for those who were present. During that prayer session, I had a vision of Jesus. During the prayer, I felt a love that I had never felt before. He picked me up and carried me to a sea of love. I put my right hand on my heart, as I did not know where the love was pouring from and I have not turned back from the presence of Jesus. I now have a far greater sense of peace in my life knowing that Jesus is walking the journey with me.
Is Jesus really God?
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The heart of the Christian faith is that Jesus is not just an ordinary man or prophet but that He is God Himself taking human form to save us from our sins. If this is hard to understand, we should not be surprised. There are many things that we cannot understand about God, such as how He created the universe. God is so much greater than all our thoughts. We should be careful not to limit what God can and cannot do. This claim to be God was the root of much of the Jewish opposition to Jesus and was finally the charge under which the death sentence was passed on Him. When Jesus forgave the sins of a paralysed man, the Jewish leaders immediately questioned in their hearts how He could say that, as only God can forgive sins. Jesus challenged them not only by forgiving the man but also healing him, which was clear evidence of God’s power. The man went home praising God (Bible, Luke 5:17-26). Jesus’ claims were supported by numerous prophecies, written hundreds of years before in the Jewish holy books. Some speak of the Messiah ruling the earth as more than just a man: “The government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Bible, Isaiah 9:6-7). This was not a man claiming to be God, but God taking human form. And instead of becoming defiled, He made holy everything He touched. We are told that Jesus, “being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant” (Bible, Philippians 2:6-7). Almighty God, the Creator, came down to our level. God is both far beyond us and also completely with us. And today we can experience His presence in us. This is what the Bible teaches about God’s nature. The Bible makes clear that the Lord Jesus was fully human and fully God. This helps to answer questions like these: Can anyone see God? The Bible says that no-one has ever seen God, but they could see Jesus in physical form and His character revealing God (Bible, John 1:18). Can God be killed? No, but they could destroy His human body, which Jesus called His temple (Bible, John 2.19-21). If Jesus is God, how could He pray to God? In taking human form Jesus limited Himself. He prayed in order to be in constant conversation and relationship with God, the Father. Clearly the belief that God came down to human level is shocking. Why would God humbly take human form? Should it not be human beings humbling themselves before God? God’s action shows us the greatness of His love and our dire need. This was the way God chose to save us from the judgement due for our sins.
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Why are so many Christians not like the Lord Jesus? Failure to submit to God’s ways, to fulfil our dharma (‘duty’) and selfish behaviour is part of our human nature. The Bible uses the word ‘sin’ to describe such behaviour and every human being is guilty. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Bible, Romans 3.23). Humans are born with a sinful nature or inward bias towards evil: “Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me” (Bible, Psalm 51:5). The Lord Jesus, who came to earth in human flesh, lived a life of perfect obedience to God the Father. To do this, He spent time with God the Father, praying and receiving strength from Him. Jesus’ followers are called to follow his example of prayerfully listening and obeying God so that they become more and more like Jesus day by day. The Bible teaches that the goal for every Christian is to become more like Jesus. But this is neither easy nor instantaneous. It’s a lifelong process in which we first need to receive God’s forgiveness. Then God begins to transform us by His Spirit, to become more like Jesus. Clearly, not everyone who claims to be a Christian has a living faith in Jesus Christ. There are many nominal Christians who only go to church for marriages and funerals, never read the Bible and never pray. Such people have no real desire to be like the Lord Jesus. In contrast there are many who seek to follow Jesus and live by the principles He taught. Mother Teresa is a classic example of a committed follower of the Lord Jesus. The reality of Jesus suffering for her made such an impact on her that she committed her life to serving the poor in the slums of Kolkata. Indeed, there are many other Christians in various parts of the world who are imprisoned and tortured for their faith, and do not renounce the Lord Jesus but hold on to Him. Since Christians believe that everyone is made in God’s image and is precious to Him, they have been instrumental in pioneering education, healthcare and housing for the poor and marginalised. Christians also pioneered the hospice movement to provide dignity and care for the dying. Christians campaigned against the injustice of the Transatlantic Slave Trade, segregation in America and apartheid in South Africa. Christians also organised the Jubilee 2000 campaign to cancel the debts of the poorest nations at the start of the millennium. Evidently, it would be unfair to judge those who truly believe in the Lord Jesus by those who don’t truly believe. While it is true that every Christian still has a lot to do to obey Jesus and seek to be more like Him, we mustn’t forget those who have done just that, and some who have lost their lives trying to be more like Jesus.
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Inderjit’s story
As a young man I was an alcoholic and drug addict. My wife described me as ‘a serial gambler and adulterer, who was often violent’. By the time I was in my early twenties, my life was a total mess. I wanted to change but couldn’t. In desperation I turned to God by observing rituals, respecting tradition and going on pilgrimages. However, my personal situation did not improve. My family gave up on me. At one point my mother-in-law told me about Jesus, but I got angry with her. During my second time in rehab I was in despair and fell to my knees. I prayed to all the gods I knew of. I thought maybe my mother-inlaw was right, so I added Jesus to my prayers. I said to Him: “My mother-in-law says you are the living God. If that’s true I don’t want to go on fighting, living on drugs and alcohol any
more. I want to be good.” A few days after I came out from rehab I visited a church where I heard about Jesus and wanted to respond to the invitation to accept Him in my life. As I walked forward something happened inside. I felt that I was loved. All my shame and guilt disappeared. I felt a peace I had never known before. I have been sober for the last three and a half years. I feel complete inside and do not need anything more to be happy. I have met my Creator God. He talks to me all the time. It’s no more a matter of rules and regulations but a relationship. As I follow Jesus from my heart I find He is changing me from the inside. He is taking away my pride and other wrong characteristics. He is helping me to grow the fruit of His Spirit – love, joy, patience, selfcontrol, and humility.
Why does God need a sacrifice to forgive sins? As humans we are relational beings: we relate to God and one another. But we have seen that our lives have been spoiled by sin. This is characterised by a failure to submit to God or to fulfil our duty because of our ego and selfish desires. As a result we break our relationship to God and one another. Through such behaviour we bring shame and dishonour to God, ourselves, our family and community. When our bad actions and deeds shame and dishonour another, that person would typically expect steps to be taken to restore their izzat (honour). Similarly when someone offends and dishonours us, we want them to take steps to restore our honour. As a minimum, an apology is expected, but often something more substantial will be required. All of us have a desire for justice to be done. And justice is always costly. The hurt and anger that the offended party feels is only dealt with when the offender takes costly steps to restore the honour of the offended party. Within the criminal justice system the offender may be required to pay a fine or lose their freedom by going to prison. In some parts of the world the offender pays for their crime by having their life taken away. Often, when only a lenient sentence is passed the injured party feels that justice has not been done. When we shame and dishonour God, what can we do to restore His honour? Some believe we can do nothing but we pay by suffering for our misdeeds in this and future lives. Others hope that our good deeds will outweigh our bad deeds and that God will look favourably on us. But this still does not explain either how God’s honour is restored or how our relationship to God is restored. You may ask: “Why can’t God just forgive? Surely His love is above petty demands?” God’s love is certainly infinite. But He is also infinitely just and pure. And God is responsible to uphold the justice of the universe. The Bible teaches that when we break God’s perfect laws in thought, word and deed, or we fail to do what is right, we need to pay a penalty for doing so. This is to uphold God’s justice, placate His anger and restore His honour. These requirements can only be met by our separation from God, unless our sins are dealt with. Through His death on the cross the Lord Jesus suffers the ultimate penalty for our sin. By His sacrifice He covers our shame and restores honour to God the Father. He transforms us from sickness to health, from unclean to clean, from shame to honour. God goes to such great lengths for one purpose, which is to deal with humanity’s sin so that our relationship with God and fellow human beings can be restored. It is a demonstration of His infinite love and justice working together.
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“We are never too bad or too late for God’s forgiveness. When Jesus went to the cross He forgave one of the thieves dying next to Him. When the thief put his trust in Jesus, He assured him of forgiveness, saying ‘today you will be with me in paradise’.” Bible, Luke 23:43
Why do we need forgiveness to reach heaven?
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What do you imagine heaven to be like? Most people believe it to be a place of perfect goodness, without any evil at all. The Bible says: “Nothing impure will ever enter it” (Bible, Revelation 21:27). While it is very difficult to locate heaven, the Bible also describes it in these words: “Now the dwelling of God is with human beings, and He will live with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (Bible, Revelation 21:3-4). The ‘old order’ (the world we live in) is characterised by dukkha (sorrow) and death. This is the result of our wrongdoing that dishonours God, ourselves and others. The heartache and pain that we see in this world are a product of human failure to live in submission to God and dutifully live by God’s holy laws. How is such a world acceptable to a pure and holy God and how could such individual lives be fit for heaven? If humanity was to be allowed to go there unchanged, we would import all the same problems that we face here on earth. We desperately need God’s forgiveness and an inner transformation. This is what God has made possible through Jesus’ sacrifice for the forgiveness of sin. When we accept this, we begin a new life and God’s Spirit transforms us. We begin to see the qualities of heaven lived out among His people on earth before they reach the final picture described above (Bible, Revelation 21:3-4). Of course on earth we will never completely experience this vision, but through God’s forgiveness we begin to take steps that make this more of a reality here on earth as it is in heaven. We are never too bad or too late for God’s forgiveness. When the Lord Jesus went to the cross He forgave one of the thieves dying next to Him. When the thief put his trust in the Lord Jesus, He assured him of forgiveness, saying “today you will be with me in paradise” (Bible, Luke 23:43).
Hilal’s story
I am a Pushtun from the north-west frontier of Pakistan and whilst working as a waiter, I met with a Christian man every week for about two years to discuss religion. I was hoping for him to become a Muslim. Though I was about 24 years old, sometimes my way of thinking was immature and I would only hear what appealed to my own biased opinion where Christianity was concerned. As I read the Bible, Jesus came across as someone more than a prophet when it came to miracles. He told the lame to get up and walk, He made the blind see, He raised the dead to life, fed 5,000 people with a few loaves and
fish and spoke with authority about the forgiveness of sins. Jesus was always said to be Al Masih, the Messiah, in the Qur’an but it did not explain what that meant and neither did the commentaries. Gradually, a change began to take place within my heart and I began to look more seriously into what the Bible said someone must do to get right with God. When I learnt about the need for a personal relationship with God, I finally decided to trust my life in Jesus for His forgiveness and new life through the power of God’s Holy Spirit.
Can we trust the Bible?
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The Bible is by far the most widely distributed and read book in human history. It was inspired by God and written over a period of about 1,400 years by people separated by hundreds of years and from widely differing backgrounds and cultures – from ancient Egypt to the Roman Empire. They wrote in their own words, as God guided and inspired their thoughts. As it is God-breathed, its story and message fit together like the pieces of a jigsaw to produce an overall consistent picture. How was it handed down? There is unprecedented evidence for the Bible’s manuscripts as they were copied. The Dead Sea Scrolls, written over a period of about 200 years before 68 AD, contain most of every book of the Old Testament except Esther. There are more than 5,000 early manuscripts of the New Testament dating from as early as 150 AD. This is much more than for any other literature of that period. Although there are copying errors to be found within these manuscripts, the sheer abundance of copies makes it easy to determine the original. Such errors almost always concern minor matters, for example variations in names of people and places. No issue of Christian doctrinal belief is brought into question by the handful of errors that affect the meaning of the text. Historical details in the Bible have again and again been confirmed by archaeology. For example, figures like Herod the Great, king of Judea and Samaria, Pontius Pilate, the Roman procurator and Caiaphas, the high priest, have all been found to be real people, alive and in office at the time recorded in the Bible. There is also astonishing evidence from the inscriptions of the Assyrian kings in the diggings in eighth century BC Nineveh. They confirm in great detail attacks on various Israelite kings (naming the kings and even amounts of gold and silver exacted from the Israelites) which were previously only known from the records in the Old Testament. All the names and details match the biblical account! There is nothing else comparable in the whole field of archaeology. Hundreds of prophecies in the Old Testament came true in the life of Jesus Christ. Some of them were first written up to 1,400 years before He was born. They include where He would be born and in what time period, where He would begin His preaching, His healing of the sick, how much money would be paid to betray Him, and the soldiers casting lots for His clothes at the foot of the cross. They foretold that not a bone of His body would be broken, He would be buried in a rich man’s tomb and that He would rise from the dead. So the Bible’s record is trustworthy. But even more than that: the Bible is the story of God’s extravagant love for humanity. It shows us the extent to which God wants to be in relationship with us.
Why do Christians say Jesus is the only way to reach God? The Bible records that Jesus himself said that He is the only way to reach God. The Bible also teaches that only through the name of Jesus can people reach God. These are two key reasons why Christians claim that Jesus is the only way to God. However, why should the Bible be believed any more than other sacred books that claim something different? Every religion teaches that God has given human beings certain laws to live by. To obey God’s laws perfectly, our thinking, our speaking and our actions need to be holy and perfect. Moreover, the motives behind what we think, say and do, must also be holy and perfect. The Bible clearly states that there are consequences for breaking any of God’s laws. Since God is absolutely perfect, He can’t have anyone who is imperfect come near Him, and therefore according to the Bible the punishment for sin, or breaking God’s law, is separation from God. Since no human being can ever obey God’s laws perfectly, what does the Bible have to say about this situation in which we all find ourselves? When a child behaves badly at school, would a friend volunteer to be punished for their bad behaviour? Or if you receive a parking fine, would your neighbour volunteer to pay the fine? The answer to both questions is almost certainly ‘no’. Clearly, in the world we live, we are individually responsible for our bad behaviour or breaking of the law and personally face the consequences of our actions. However, due to the immensity of God’s love for humanity, the Bible teaches that God in Jesus Christ came to live as a human being. He came as the ‘sanatan (eternal) satguru (true and living way)’, the eternal and true teacher and way to God. He lived a perfect life and faced the punishment for our sin and shame by dying in our place on the cross and being separated from God the Father. God willingly paid the costly price of the cross so that we His children need no longer live in separation from our Heavenly Father but may enjoy a personal and intimate relationship with Him. Every religion tries to answer the critical question: “How can sinful humans draw close to God and enjoy a personal relationship with a holy and perfect God?” The Bible teaches that the Lord Jesus has provided the way to God. The Bible highlights the point that no amount of good works can ever cover our shame. Humans can do nothing to earn their own salvation, but by putting our faith and trust in what the Lord Jesus has done, we can now freely come into the presence of the living God. The Bible story shows that God does not want us to live independently but in dependence on Him. After all, He is our perfect Father and we are His beloved children.
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Why do some Christians have images and statues? What does God look like? How can we obtain His power and protection? No-one has ever seen God – but many have attempted to depict Him, through pictures, images and statues. Some people then worship them. The Bible forbids any image which people can serve or bow down to. If this happens, there is a danger that people are putting their trust in an object or a ritual to protect them, instead of the living God, who made us all and cares and provides for us. There is no place for any image of God to which we give our worship or devotion. However, some symbols can have value if they help us to focus our thought and prayer. There are examples in the Bible, such as the angels above the ark in the temple. The Bible shows that images are allowed as long as they are not worshipped, since God is the only One who should be worshipped. As long as images or statues do not replace God in our minds or hearts or lives they can have a place. In early centuries Christ’s followers used many pictures and symbols to teach and remind each other of the truths of their faith. Many have been moved by pictures of the Lord Jesus’ suffering or His care for people. But we should never mistake the symbols for the reality. God is much greater and we are to worship Him alone. No-one has ever seen God. The Bible tells us that Jesus, supremely, is the ‘image of the invisible God’. When we look at Jesus’ character, we see what God is really like. And through Him we have access to God, who answers our prayers.
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“In the image of God He created them; male and female He created them.” Bible, Genesis 1:27
Does God favour men over women?
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The United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals state that both women and men require access to health, education, social community, food, clean water and sanitation as well as resources and infrastructure. Yet women in many parts of the world struggle to eat well and be healthy, be free of sexual abuse and slavery, be heard and have influence, have access to resources and freedom to build their lives. In a world in which many women struggle for dignity of life, what does the Bible have to say about equality? The Bible says a great deal about the spiritual, material, emotional and social well-being of women as well as men, and their families. At the beginning of the Bible, God said: “It is not good for the man to be alone” (Bible, Genesis 2:18) and Eve was created as the first woman, after Adam, the first man, with different roles but as a help-mate to Adam. Evidently, both men and women are called to serve God and reflect His image together. They are given joint responsibility for the stewardship of all creation. With the coming of the Lord Jesus, God’s perspective on women is clarified once more. In marked contrast to the times, Jesus affirmed the abilities of women and received their worship. In the Bible, we see a female devotee of Jesus pour perfume on His head to express her adoration. She could enter His presence without fear or shyness. Indeed, the Lord Jesus looked at her heart and commended her for this sacrificial gesture. Another devoted follower of the Lord Jesus was Mary Magdalene. She was the first to see Jesus when He rose from the dead. At that time, the testimony of women was not valid in court, but the Bible records her witness as she discovered that the tomb was open (Bible, Mark 16:9). Jesus showed that God’s commands are more important than blindly following human traditions. When experts in the law brought a woman caught in adultery before Jesus and announced that by the laws of Moses, she should be stoned to death, Jesus challenged the men, saying: “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” They all left, one by one, and Jesus told the woman He would not condemn her, but told her not to sin again (Bible, John 8:1-11). The Bible clearly illustrates that both men and women are sinful, and both have fallen short of the glory of God. Nonetheless, God is full of grace and love, a God of compassion and respect, and this is clearly evident in the way God equally forgives both men and women who have been made in the image of God. Both society and the Church have often failed to live up to the standards which the Lord Jesus set concerning the treatment of women. But through the character and example of Jesus, we are reminded that God’s love is an extravagant love for all, and that includes both women and men.
Onkar’s story
I was born in an ordinary Sikh family in Punjab, India. During my childhood I spent a lot of my time with Sadhus (Saints). I was taught that our chief spiritual need is salvation from our sins, and we can earn this by meditating, doing good and following a guru. As I grew, I began to read scripture and do some good deeds and even got myself a guru. But deep inside me I had a strong sense that all this was not enough to gain salvation. Here in the UK I established a successful business and even though I had everything a man could wish for, I did not have peace in my heart. Then one day, one of my staff gave me a Bible in Punjabi as a Christmas present. I took to reading it and after three years of
studying and asking questions, I learned that salvation is the free gift of God through faith in Jesus Christ to everyone, regardless of one’s religious background or culture. Yet, I had been taught to do the opposite: Do, do do and hope for the best. I was hugely torn between what I had learned from the Bible and my religious upbringing and prayed to God for guidance. Some time later, I saw a vision: a light came from above and touched my forehead. God began to show me the way to Him. Now it became clear to me that only Jesus can save me because God had sent Him to be the saviour of the world. Many years on and I am a passionate believer in Jesus and have the peace I had always craved for.
Would I have to leave my family and culture to follow Jesus?
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The truthful answer to this question is: “Yes and no!” If you choose to follow Jesus, there will be some changes that your family will welcome and others that they may not. Some things don’t need to change at all. There is absolutely no need to change your diet, your dress sense or your friends to follow Jesus. With God’s guidance and help, you will stop doing things that are wrong and try to do good things. Your attitudes to others may change for the better. Much, if not all, of this will be welcome. But if you used to take part in the prayers at home or in the temple or mosque and you say you don’t want to do so any more, your family may find that hard to accept. They may not be happy if you go to church or associate with others who follow Jesus. Or if you indicate that you feel separate from them or are in some way superior. Ideally it would be best if you could stay with your family, show them the difference that the Lord Jesus has personally made to your life, and help them to understand what it is to be a disciple of the Lord Jesus. But it doesn’t always work out that way. In some families and communities, changing your faith can be regarded as the worst thing to do. They may either ask you to leave or the community elders may force your family to disown you, even if they don’t want to. This can be a deeply painful experience. However, even if you are forced to leave your family, you don’t have to leave every aspect of your culture. In fact many aspects of South Asian culture, such as sacrificial hospitality, respect and care for elderly parents and the principle of extended families are very biblical. Within every culture there are aspects that honour God, aspects that dishonour God and aspects in which you need to exercise common sense. In conversation with older and wiser South Asian followers of Jesus you can prayerfully decide how you should respond to different aspects of your culture. Sometimes, how you respond to an aspect of your culture when you first become a follower of Jesus may not be how you respond five or ten years later. You do not have to embrace any aspect of white western culture to follow Jesus. Rather you can embrace aspects of any culture that honour and glorify God.
We hope you have enjoyed journeying through parts or all of this booklet and that it has been helpful to you in some way. More importantly, we hope that you may have found new pieces that fit your life puzzle! If you have any thoughts or questions on the booklet or want to explore further we would be delighted to hear from you! Please do contact us at South Asian Forum:
saf@eauk.org www.eauk.org/saf It is our hope and prayer that you continue your journey towards God, and that your life puzzle will be complete.
is like a jigsaw puzzle. Christians believe that the purpose of life is peace with God and peace with each other. We realise that there are questions, issues and sometimes misconceptions about the Christian faith, particularly from Asians. In this booklet we try to answer some of them. We invite you to journey through this booklet, to think and reflect and to find pieces which may fit your life puzzle! Photo credits: Q.01/Nishi Sharma, Qs.02/03/04/05/07/08/10/12/14/15/ Stock Xchng, Q.06/Paul Bates, Q. 09/Michael Baranovsky, Q.11/Lindisfarne Gospel Q.13/All Souls Church. Cover image/Glow Images (The people pictured are models and the Content is used for illustrative purposes only.)
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Copyright Š Evangelical Alliance 2011 The Evangelical Alliance A company limited by guarantee Registered in England & Wales No. 123448. Registered Charity No England and Wales: 212325 , Scotland: SC040576. Registered Office: Whitefield House, 186 Kennington Park Road, London, SE11 4BT All quotes are from New International Version - UK (NIVUK) or the New International Version