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Humble Confidence: A Model for Interfaith Apologetics
Today's cosmopolitan, multicultural, and multifaith environments call for new approaches to apologetics. The world still needs the good news of Jesus Christ, but to relate the transcultural gospel to diverse and ever-changing contexts, we must free Christian apologetics from dominant Western habits of mind ill-suited to interreligious dialogue. We must listen and speak with both humility and confidence. Benno van den Toren and Kang-San Tan provide a global, intercultural introduction to Christian apologetics. They present a model of apologetics as crosscultural dialogue and accountable witness, then explore how it plays out in relation to specific contexts and the major world religions―including primal religions, Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, secularism, and late-modern spiritualities. Building on recent developments in apologetics and missiology, as well as their experience teaching internationally in Europe, Asia, and Africa, Van den Toren and Tan offer an approach that is conversational, patient, holistic, and embodied. Filled with examples from Scripture and real-world experiences, Humble Confidence gives readers a travel guide to help find the most effective avenues for true dialogue in their own settings.
- GenresReligionChristian Living
296 pages, Paperback
Published December 20, 2022
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166 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
February 22, 2024
Brilliant and thought-provoking. One of those books I immediately knew I wanted to hand off to my husband (and others) to read, so I bought a copy. (The one I had on hand was from inter-library loan) Took many pages of notes and I'm also happy to own a copy so I can refer back to the book as needed.
April 23, 2023
Summary: A model of dialogical apologetics for a multi-faith world committed to accountable and embodied witness that is culturally sensitive, holistic, and yet centered in Christ.
The world in which Christian witness and the work of the apologist has changed. Once it could be assumed that both the apologist and the person or people he or she was engaged with shared a common, Western outlook. Today, even in the West, let alone other contexts, that assumption no longer holds. The Christian witness finds oneself in a multi-faith, pluralistic context of Eastern religions, primal religions, Islam, secularism, and cobbled-together spiritualities.
In place of the foundationalist apologetics once assumed, the authors propose a model of apologetic dialogue that takes the multi-faith, multi-cultural realities of mission in today’s world seriously, exercising a posture both of humility as learners understanding the outlook of those with whom they engage and confidence centered around the person and work of Christ and its universal relevance to the human condition.
The co-authors, who have lived and worked in missional contexts in various parts of the world contend that such apologetic witness must be embodied in the witnessing community. Theoretical discussions must reflect the lived realities of the witnessing community. This witness also must reflect awareness that truth is embedded in cultural contexts, both of the witness and the listener, but that we are not imprisoned by those cultural realities.
They grapple with how we ought see other religions, refusing to see them merely as idolatrous falsehoods on the one hand, nor their adherents as simply fellow pilgrims on the other. Rather, they employ multiple perspectives undergirded by seeking to discern the work of the triune God in the particular context. This also leads to an understanding of apologetic dialogue as a witness to the God who came to us in the person of the Son and remains present in the world through his Spirit. Apologetics cannot be separated from our witness to the work of the Triune God.
At the same time, just as this entry of God into the world was culturally embedded in Israel and the Greco-Roman empire, apologetic dialogue respectfully listens and learns about the cultural embeddedness of other beliefs while gesturing to a reality beyond both partners in the dialogue against which we reckon our understanding. This includes both tensions between beliefs and realities and also with the desires and will of our dialogue partners.
Along the way the authors address issues such as the trustworthiness of the biblical witness to Christ, the uniqueness of Christ amid cultural relativism, and the critique against the use of Christianity as a cloak for Western imperialism.
The second half of the book applies this framework to case studies of apologetic dialogue with a variety of faith perspectives: primal religions, Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, secularism, and what they call “late-modern spiritualities.” We explore ways Christ may subvert some forms of the Hindu quest, tensions in Buddhism between the oneness of all things and the significance of persons, and the dismissal of evil and suffering as illusion that inadequately address lived experience. and the integrity of Christian faith, including the idea of the Trinity in dialogue with Islam.
The case studies are helpful in seeing how they apply their ideas of apologetic dialogue. In particular, I appreciate the focus on attentive listening and understanding of cultures, of embodied and accountable witness, centered in scripture’s witness to the work of the Triune God in the person of his Son and the continuing ministry of the Spirit. Rather than a “we’re right/you’re wrong approach” on one hand and a “let’s all just walk in pilgrimage together” approach on the other, this assumes that while we witness to Christ from within our cultural contexts and others similarly live and believe from theirs, there is truth beyond to which we witness yet do not own, but to which we, and all, must give account.
The book also includes a study guide with recommendations for further reading. It answers a significant need for a resource speaking to how we engage in witness and even apologetic persuasion, yet with humility rather than arrogance, with cultural sensitivity and respect rather than imperialistic blindness to the other.
_______________
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher.
The world in which Christian witness and the work of the apologist has changed. Once it could be assumed that both the apologist and the person or people he or she was engaged with shared a common, Western outlook. Today, even in the West, let alone other contexts, that assumption no longer holds. The Christian witness finds oneself in a multi-faith, pluralistic context of Eastern religions, primal religions, Islam, secularism, and cobbled-together spiritualities.
In place of the foundationalist apologetics once assumed, the authors propose a model of apologetic dialogue that takes the multi-faith, multi-cultural realities of mission in today’s world seriously, exercising a posture both of humility as learners understanding the outlook of those with whom they engage and confidence centered around the person and work of Christ and its universal relevance to the human condition.
The co-authors, who have lived and worked in missional contexts in various parts of the world contend that such apologetic witness must be embodied in the witnessing community. Theoretical discussions must reflect the lived realities of the witnessing community. This witness also must reflect awareness that truth is embedded in cultural contexts, both of the witness and the listener, but that we are not imprisoned by those cultural realities.
They grapple with how we ought see other religions, refusing to see them merely as idolatrous falsehoods on the one hand, nor their adherents as simply fellow pilgrims on the other. Rather, they employ multiple perspectives undergirded by seeking to discern the work of the triune God in the particular context. This also leads to an understanding of apologetic dialogue as a witness to the God who came to us in the person of the Son and remains present in the world through his Spirit. Apologetics cannot be separated from our witness to the work of the Triune God.
At the same time, just as this entry of God into the world was culturally embedded in Israel and the Greco-Roman empire, apologetic dialogue respectfully listens and learns about the cultural embeddedness of other beliefs while gesturing to a reality beyond both partners in the dialogue against which we reckon our understanding. This includes both tensions between beliefs and realities and also with the desires and will of our dialogue partners.
Along the way the authors address issues such as the trustworthiness of the biblical witness to Christ, the uniqueness of Christ amid cultural relativism, and the critique against the use of Christianity as a cloak for Western imperialism.
The second half of the book applies this framework to case studies of apologetic dialogue with a variety of faith perspectives: primal religions, Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, secularism, and what they call “late-modern spiritualities.” We explore ways Christ may subvert some forms of the Hindu quest, tensions in Buddhism between the oneness of all things and the significance of persons, and the dismissal of evil and suffering as illusion that inadequately address lived experience. and the integrity of Christian faith, including the idea of the Trinity in dialogue with Islam.
The case studies are helpful in seeing how they apply their ideas of apologetic dialogue. In particular, I appreciate the focus on attentive listening and understanding of cultures, of embodied and accountable witness, centered in scripture’s witness to the work of the Triune God in the person of his Son and the continuing ministry of the Spirit. Rather than a “we’re right/you’re wrong approach” on one hand and a “let’s all just walk in pilgrimage together” approach on the other, this assumes that while we witness to Christ from within our cultural contexts and others similarly live and believe from theirs, there is truth beyond to which we witness yet do not own, but to which we, and all, must give account.
The book also includes a study guide with recommendations for further reading. It answers a significant need for a resource speaking to how we engage in witness and even apologetic persuasion, yet with humility rather than arrogance, with cultural sensitivity and respect rather than imperialistic blindness to the other.
_______________
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher.
May 25, 2023
How can we tell others about Christ and the truth of Christianity, especially in our multicultural and multireligious world? In Humble Confidence, Benno van den Toren and Kang-San Tan present a model for interfaith apologetics.
What immediately stood out to me was the authors’ view that religious pluralism is closely related to cultural pluralism. In other words, religious outlooks deeply shape cultures. This gives Asian Americans much to untangle as we navigate Western and Eastern religious philosophies. The book explains that “particular religious traditions can be expressed in different, cultural forms.” Therefore, a theology of apologetics is needed, still, for a universal relevance of the gospel.
Apologetics is embodied in community and dialogue, and it may play out differently depending on the culture. The authors write that the ability to learn “a second first language” is helpful in overcoming any divides. That means you strive to learn the language so well that it’s as if you grew up speaking it.
Establishing Common Ground
And just like how you can learn a second first language, you can also learn a second first culture. When you do so, different customs and traditions will no longer appear “ridiculous,” and you know you are reaching a better understanding of how a person thinks and behaves.
The central truth of Christianity – the resurrection of Christ – is the heart of this book. The authors make a case that some worldviews might not even see the credibility of witnesses to the resurrection as important. Some might say that it’s “too good to be true,” while others might have hurts that prevents them from believing. The element of trust in the messenger as well as in the message is instrumental for others to come to faith, and it is the Holy Spirit who can help make this happen.
Establishing common ground is crucial, and it is important to have winsome representatives of Christ and Christians in the public sphere. The second half of the book plays to this fact, examining a contextual apologetic witness to particular audiences. The book takes on three religions: Hindu, Buddhism, and Islam.
Win Others Over
In regards to Buddhism, this book shows that there is a radical difference between Christian and Buddhist understandings of reality as well as the human condition. Common ground can be found in that reality exists beyond our own interpretations and projections. When encountered with the dilemma of taking responsibility in rebirths, Paul Williams (a Christian convert from Buddhism) wrestled with this question: “What do I do when I am constantly thrown back on my own responsibility to save myself and, in the process, I am only discovering my inability to do so?” It is here where the reality of God in Christ can find a foothold.
The book ends with chapters on unmasking secular idols, where a cultural hermeneutic is needed to be developed in order to expose idols that hide in the culture. It also includes a chapter that discusses inner tensions in late-modern spiritualities.
Humble Confidence concludes with a chapter that acknowledges that while apologetics can also be seen as a battleground for one intellectual system to win over another, there is another way. Christians can provide a space for dialogue where we can offer a reason for the hope that is within us. This dismantles our use of religion for power and prestige, and allows us to win others over for Christ.
I received a media copy of Humble Confidence, and this is my honest review.
What immediately stood out to me was the authors’ view that religious pluralism is closely related to cultural pluralism. In other words, religious outlooks deeply shape cultures. This gives Asian Americans much to untangle as we navigate Western and Eastern religious philosophies. The book explains that “particular religious traditions can be expressed in different, cultural forms.” Therefore, a theology of apologetics is needed, still, for a universal relevance of the gospel.
Apologetics is embodied in community and dialogue, and it may play out differently depending on the culture. The authors write that the ability to learn “a second first language” is helpful in overcoming any divides. That means you strive to learn the language so well that it’s as if you grew up speaking it.
Establishing Common Ground
And just like how you can learn a second first language, you can also learn a second first culture. When you do so, different customs and traditions will no longer appear “ridiculous,” and you know you are reaching a better understanding of how a person thinks and behaves.
The central truth of Christianity – the resurrection of Christ – is the heart of this book. The authors make a case that some worldviews might not even see the credibility of witnesses to the resurrection as important. Some might say that it’s “too good to be true,” while others might have hurts that prevents them from believing. The element of trust in the messenger as well as in the message is instrumental for others to come to faith, and it is the Holy Spirit who can help make this happen.
Establishing common ground is crucial, and it is important to have winsome representatives of Christ and Christians in the public sphere. The second half of the book plays to this fact, examining a contextual apologetic witness to particular audiences. The book takes on three religions: Hindu, Buddhism, and Islam.
Win Others Over
In regards to Buddhism, this book shows that there is a radical difference between Christian and Buddhist understandings of reality as well as the human condition. Common ground can be found in that reality exists beyond our own interpretations and projections. When encountered with the dilemma of taking responsibility in rebirths, Paul Williams (a Christian convert from Buddhism) wrestled with this question: “What do I do when I am constantly thrown back on my own responsibility to save myself and, in the process, I am only discovering my inability to do so?” It is here where the reality of God in Christ can find a foothold.
The book ends with chapters on unmasking secular idols, where a cultural hermeneutic is needed to be developed in order to expose idols that hide in the culture. It also includes a chapter that discusses inner tensions in late-modern spiritualities.
Humble Confidence concludes with a chapter that acknowledges that while apologetics can also be seen as a battleground for one intellectual system to win over another, there is another way. Christians can provide a space for dialogue where we can offer a reason for the hope that is within us. This dismantles our use of religion for power and prestige, and allows us to win others over for Christ.
I received a media copy of Humble Confidence, and this is my honest review.
March 14, 2024
Humble Confidence is a great discussion and deep-dive into the nature of apologetics. While many (including myself), usually think of apologetics as the intellectual arguments for God and the Christian faith, it is much more.
The book is broken into two parts: The first is discussing a holistic approach to apologetics and the second discusses strategies and difficulties in regards to various religious traditions.
The first part was great, showcasing how true Christian witness is an appeal to the mind, body, soul, and emotions of someone. Everyone is unique and thus one shoe will not fit all. Additionally, some traditional apologetic models won't work for everyone. Yes, you can prove Jesus historically died on the cross, but so what? Why should I leave my family tradition? Why should I give up my lifestyle? Wait, I don't necessarily have to? What do you mean something better? Different approaches work for different people. I also like how they point to the very apologetics you use should be evident in your life. You can tell the gospel truth in all its glory and talk about how wonderful Jesus is, but if you are a butthole, then are you really going to convince your friend you are living a better life? No one likes a "two-face."
The second part was what drew me to this book. I love discussing and comparing religions! Interfaith dialogue is my jam, bread, butter, and peanut butter! Each chapter was broad and didn't go into the specifics of the different religions, but they were quick to point out how each religion is just as diverse as Christianity. Hinduism in India looks very different from Hinduism in Europe. Islam looks very different in Arabia than in Africa or the United States. Still, they got to the core of the differences between each faith and Christianity. Islam directly confronts the truth claims of Christianity, Buddhism grapples with reality (literally), "primal religions" (pre-neopagan pagans) directly address the power held in the spiritual realm and the nature of the hidden world, etc.
My one complaint is the academic tone. While I was fine with this, the language wasn't the most accessible and many of the religions were not fully explained. As someone who has conversed with people from these various faiths and read texts and discussed interreligious beliefs, I knew most of the references they made. But to someone who doesn't know what "dharma" is or who the heck Amida Buddha is or the difference between tawhid and trinity... well, you might want Google on hand while reading this.
In short, a great model for holistic apologetics with a great range of tools to expand your batbelt of faith and dialogue. Now go make friends who are different than you!
The book is broken into two parts: The first is discussing a holistic approach to apologetics and the second discusses strategies and difficulties in regards to various religious traditions.
The first part was great, showcasing how true Christian witness is an appeal to the mind, body, soul, and emotions of someone. Everyone is unique and thus one shoe will not fit all. Additionally, some traditional apologetic models won't work for everyone. Yes, you can prove Jesus historically died on the cross, but so what? Why should I leave my family tradition? Why should I give up my lifestyle? Wait, I don't necessarily have to? What do you mean something better? Different approaches work for different people. I also like how they point to the very apologetics you use should be evident in your life. You can tell the gospel truth in all its glory and talk about how wonderful Jesus is, but if you are a butthole, then are you really going to convince your friend you are living a better life? No one likes a "two-face."
The second part was what drew me to this book. I love discussing and comparing religions! Interfaith dialogue is my jam, bread, butter, and peanut butter! Each chapter was broad and didn't go into the specifics of the different religions, but they were quick to point out how each religion is just as diverse as Christianity. Hinduism in India looks very different from Hinduism in Europe. Islam looks very different in Arabia than in Africa or the United States. Still, they got to the core of the differences between each faith and Christianity. Islam directly confronts the truth claims of Christianity, Buddhism grapples with reality (literally), "primal religions" (pre-neopagan pagans) directly address the power held in the spiritual realm and the nature of the hidden world, etc.
My one complaint is the academic tone. While I was fine with this, the language wasn't the most accessible and many of the religions were not fully explained. As someone who has conversed with people from these various faiths and read texts and discussed interreligious beliefs, I knew most of the references they made. But to someone who doesn't know what "dharma" is or who the heck Amida Buddha is or the difference between tawhid and trinity... well, you might want Google on hand while reading this.
In short, a great model for holistic apologetics with a great range of tools to expand your batbelt of faith and dialogue. Now go make friends who are different than you!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews