Sharing The Truth In Love

by Ajith Fernando

As Christians, we have been called by Christ to serve Him in a multi-faith world. But how can we effectively relate to and share the gospel with people of other faiths? This outstanding cross-cultural guide to evangelism in the twenty-first century directs Christians to respond sensitively and wisely to the cultures and beliefs of non-Christians of any nation. Christians, with the love of Christ, must oppose deception with the truth of God's Word. This excellent book will convince readers of the distinctiveness of the Christian faith, and spur them to be effective witnesses for Christ in the world today.

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Evangelism

288 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2001

About the author

Ajith Fernando serves as Teaching Director of Youth for Christ in Sri Lanka after being National Director for 35 years. Ajith is a visiting lecturer and Council President of Colombo Theological Seminary and also serves as Visiting Scholar at Tyndale University College and Seminary in Toronto. He has written 15 books and his books have been published in 19 different languages. The Call to Joy and Pain was awarded the Christianity Today Book of the Year Award for church and pastoral leadership.

Reviews

[Rachel B · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is probably my favorite book on evangelism! Fernando keeps Christ front and center when examining the ways in which we have to contextualize the gospel to reach particular peoples; he also obviously loves people and this love shows throughout the whole book.

I really appreciated that he took the time to define terms like postmodern, pluralism,etc. This makes it very approachable for all readers.

"When we realize that Christ is the only way to salvation and that other ways can keep people from coming to Christ, we see the damage those other ways inflict - even though they seem to be wholesome and helpful. Pluralism has bred an understanding of 'niceness' that is very dangerous. Pluralism keeps people from the truth that sets them free." p 132

"... Some of the most relevant preachers in the Bible were the Old Testament prophets. Part of their relevance was that they diagnosed the problem of the people accurately - it was a problem of sin. They also recommended the ideal solution - repentance and obedience to God, which involved the tough challenge of giving up the life they enjoyed living. When people are living in sin, among the most relevant messages given to them would be those that highlight their sin and its consequences and that call them to repentance." pp 232-233

[Sara Best · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ajith Fernando’s book, Sharing the Truth in Love, is a practical guide to effective evangelism of people of other religions. Fernando is Sri Lankan and has ministered to the youth of that nation for many years. As such, the book is particularly useful to ministry in the Buddhist, Muslim, and Hindu contexts. However the increasing influence of eastern religions and pluralism makes this a valuable tool in western contexts as well.

Throughout the text, Fernando gives solid biblical support for the practices he recommends and the response to specific issues. Among the practices Christians can utilize in relating to those of other religions are dialogue, persuasion, contextualization, and the academic study of world religions. Among the specific issues he address are the contrasting views of pantheism’s, god is everywhere, to the remote god of Islam and Buddhism, and even the non-existent god of atheism. He examines and responds to the diverse ways humanity has developed to seek guidance and help from the divine and different views of spirituality. The uniqueness of Christ is thoroughly explained with biblical response to the pluralist arguments against this truth. The biblical foundation for repentance, baptism, and judgment lays a firm counterpoint to the concepts of karma and reincarnation.

The final chapter boldly asserts the need for evangelism to reach those who have never heard the gospel message. Fernando supports this claim with a biblical rebuttal to the claims of inclusivism. A useful appendix provides brief sketches of atheism and sixteen religions.