2 weeks...

...from now I will be on a plane heading for India (with a small stop in London). I am excited beyond words about what God is going to do over the next couple of months. As a build up I thought about posting every day until I leave in regards to some aspect of my trip. At this point, I have no idea if I have enough material to do this. But you can't ever know unless you try, so here goes nothing.

To prepare for this trip I was given a document filled with various bits of information about the country, its culture, and its people. One section briefly discussed Gandhi given his prophet-like status in the country. A Christian missionary once asked Gandhi how the gospel of Jesus Christ could spread into a country so heavily dominated by Hinduism. His response was as followed,

"...I would suggest you study the non Christian religions and cultures more sympathetically in order to find the good that is in them, so that you might have a more sympathetic approach to the people."

While this response has flaws in it, the principle behind it is one for any Christian seeking to reach people with the gospel. More often than not our witnessing attempts lack sympathy. We think people are crazy for believing the things they do. Sometimes we judge or look down on them because our minds can't wrap themselves around why anyone would believe a particular thing. Atheists, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, agnostics, Mormons (the list goes on) are not nut-jobs in need of medication. They are sinners in need of God's saving grace. Sympathizing with them doesn't mean agreeing with people or accepting their belief as "working" for them. What it does entail is listening and responding with compassion. We try to understand where they are coming from, what they are looking for, and then shed light on how the gospel applies. Basically, we need to use our ears and minds before we use our mouths.

I am not an expert, but I have spent time researching Hinduism. It is a very complex religion with heavy emphasis on family and works. These things are not bad in and of themselves. Christians also place high value on family (both physical and spiritual) and works (as evidence, not the basis, for our salvation. It is aspects such as these which provide a window into which the gospel can be woven. We can take what is noteworthy and explain how the gospel can redeem it for God's glory and our good. Our approach will seem less bombarding and more compassionate. Our listeners will see our love and desire for people and not proving ourselves correct.