Contact: Audra Jennings, The B&B Media Group, 800-927-0517 ext. 104, ajennings@tbbmedia.com
DALLAS, June 12 /Christian Newswire/ -- Hinduism is the world's third-largest religion, behind Christianity and Islam. Depending on whose statistics you believe, there are anywhere from 837 million to 1.2 billion people in the world who practice this faith. Though Hindus currently make up only 0.5% of the U.S. population, their number and influence on Western society are growing, as notions of Karma and reincarnation have been co-opted by popular culture. In recent years, much has been made of a supposed Krishna-Christ connection, leading many to wonder if these faiths are, in essence, preaching the same message.
World-renowned speaker and author Ravi Zacharias is a recognized authority on Christian apologetics, comparative religions, and philosophy. In his new book, New Birth or Rebirth? Jesus Talks with Krishna (Multnomah, 2008), Zacharias weaves an intricate and philosophically rich narrative that guides readers through the basic tenets of both Christianity and Hinduism. Drawing on the sacred texts of both religions, he has crafted an imagined conversation between Jesus, Krishna, and Subramaniam, a twentieth-century Hindu who has closely examined both faiths. The book highlights what he believes to be the greatest differences between Jesus and Krishna.
"Krishna is revered by millions of people worldwide, and writing on any figure honored that greatly is difficult. But I am doing so because the one notion to which all religions subscribe (either explicitly or implicitly) is the notion of exclusive truth," Zacharias states. "Populists like to deny that premise, but all religions either make this claim or try to covertly smuggle it in."
The character of Subramaniam is based on a real person. A Hindu who challenged the religion of his birth, he faced immense persecution for his actions and was eventually forced to flee his home or face certain death. Zacharias believes that this kind of revenge exacted against dissidents and those who convert to another religion serves as a compelling contradiction to any religion's surface-level claims of universalism.
Zacharias' creative approach to the topic is far more user-friendly than any textbook. A gifted writer, he peppers the philosophical intricacies of the discussion with moments of wit and humor. New Birth or Rebirth? is a great resource for students of Christianity who would like to connect with Hindus and communicate intelligently about spiritual things.
www.mpbooks.com
