The Unknown God: A Journey with Jesus from East to West

by Mathew P. John, Philip Yancey (Foreword)

We live in the age of religious pluralism where all religions are considered the same and different paths lead to the same spiritual destination. It is important for Christians to learn how to affirm Jesus Christ as the only way to God—while also paying due respect to people of other faiths and worldviews. In The Unknown A Journey with Jesus from East to West, Mathew P. John explores the redemptive revelations lurking in the darkness outside the boundaries of Christian tradition. In this spiritual journey through six major world religions, readers encounter a variety of symbols that point to the Jesus of the Bible. From Hindu avatars and Buddhist bodhisattvas, to Sikh gurus and Muslim prophets, and the Jewish messiah, consider how different religions attempt to answer the deep longing for a savior ingrained in the collective conscience of humanity.  

Genres: Spirituality

210 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 1, 2020

Reviews

[Allison Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

A comparison of the major world religions to Christianity and a demonstration of how each is answered in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Really insightful and practical in seeking to share the gospel with those of other major religions.

[Rod Zinkel · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author, Matthew John, writes of a spiritual journey starting in India, his native country, and ending in the West in Rome. The landmarks are religious. He writes of Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Islamism, Judaism, and Christianity. John is a Christian, and adopts C. S. Lewis’s definition of Christianity as the true myth. He then looks at how the true myth, and the figure of Jesus, fulfill the other religions. He does as Paul did on Mars Hill, relating how the religions of other gods point to the Christian God.
There are some statements in the book that may read like syncretism, but John does not advocate all gods are the same. He writes with respect for the other religions. His book serves Christians well to understand other worldviews, and serves others well to understand Christianity.

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read a small section of this book most mornings until I finished it. That was a good way to absorb this well-informed author's perspective on world religions and how they relate to the Christian revelation in Jesus. John is open-minded and generous about what we all can learn from other faiths, and he believe that the one and only true God had made Godself known in other belief-systems. There is good in these other traditions. John is a Christian with first-hand experience of Hinduism and Buddhism, and well-informed about Judaism and Christianity. I found the book thoughtful and hopeful about inter-religious dialogue and understanding without compromising his Christian commitments. I would have given it five stars if the book had included more about the ways in which Christianity and the other religions have failed to show God's compassion and mercy.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting tie in. Author orginally electrical engineer from india, who got doctorate in theological studies from Fuller. His journey through all the religions and way he tied them all together, was a journey in longing of all mankind for a savior. Just enough on every other religion to see the linkage.

[Kendra Vreeland · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book was fantastically written and I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in how Jesus Christ is received and revealed in major religions other than Christianity. I appreciated the last chapter that summarized the author’s thoughts on the topic and also gave me some insights that I hadn’t thought about despite being a Christian all my life.

[Jacqueline Burdios · Rating 5 out of 5]

Informative and exciting

Matthew John shares historic, eye-opening revelations that are mind boggling and exciting. I like the personal stories as well. A very good read. Highly recommended.

[Ann Suk Wang · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Pastor Mathew John’s journey, we see that the Unknown God, woven throughout the world, points to a knowable personable God. What a refreshing and insightful way to see how God prepares and loves us ALL!