15 Frequently asked questions

When I was young I used to do jigsaw puzzles.

I would start by looking for the four corner pieces.

Once these were in place I would then find the edges and piece them together to form the outer frame.

I would then focus on the easiest bits of the puzzle and piece them together. Then I would work my way to the hardest bits.

After all the pieces were in place I would reflect on its picturesque beauty.

Life is like a jigsaw puzzle.

Sometimes we don’t know how to fit together the pieces of our life puzzle.

Sometimes we try to fit the wrong pieces together and they simply don’t fit properly.

Sometimes we haven’t yet discovered all the pieces which fit our life puzzle.

Christians believe that the purpose of life is peace with God and peace with each other.

We realise that there are questions, issues and sometimes misconceptions about the Christian faith, particularly from Asians. In this booklet we try to answer some of them.

We invite you to journey through this booklet, to think and reflect and to find pieces which may fit your life puzzle!

Manoj’s story

In 2007 I was living the high life. I was a successful businessman, buying and selling blocks of apartments throughout the UK. However, as I entered into the New Year, my good fortunes took a downturn. As the credit crunch set in, my property business began to wobble. But this paled into insignificance as my two-year-old son was suddenly taken severely ill with breathing difficulties. Though I was a born and bred Hindu, I had never really practised my faith. At school I had learnt about the Christian faith and it had most certainly resonated with me. However, as I grew up, I quickly forgot about God. Yet, how remarkable that when I was up against it and faced with the prospect of losing my son, there was an innate sense in me that God truly exists and He alone can help in our hour of need. All the while a Christian couple we had only

recently befriended was praying for my boy. On the fifth day in intensive care, the consultant came to brief us, preparing us for the worst case scenario. An hour later, to everyone’s utter disbelief my son suddenly bolted upright in bed. We had witnessed what could only be described as a miracle. Immediately, I pledged to my wife that we would visit our local church to say thank you to our friends for their prayers. Within weeks I found myself walking to the front of the hall to commit my life to Jesus Christ. I began a journey on which my previous perceptions and beliefs were utterly challenged. I felt called to re-evaluate my life and new values and priorities began to take shape. My business is no longer what it was. But what does that matter? When you have found Jesus, you have found a new purpose in life.

“If you are English, you must be a Christian, right? And if you are Pakistani, you can only be a Muslim? If you are Indian, you must be…?” It’scommontolinkcertainreligiousbeliefsandpracticeswithcertainpartsoftheworld.Soapersonbornintoafamilyofaparticularculturemayacceptthosereligiousbeliefsandpracticesaspartoftheiridentity–somethingtheydidnotchoose,butwhichwashandeddowntothem. Inthesameway,manypeopleautomaticallylinkChristianitywithEuropeandNorthAmerica.Theyassumethatallwhitepeopleare‘Christian’.It’seasytoseewhy.Forexample,71.8percentofpeopleinEnglandandWalesidentifiedthemselvesas‘Christian’inthe2001census. Butthesituationisactuallymorecomplex.Ontheonehand,theChristianfaithhasbeensofirmlyrootedinthecultureofEuropefornearly2,000yearsthatithasinfluencedeveryaspectoflife–social,political,economic,scientific,theartsandmusic.TheBiblehasfundamentallyshapedthethinkingandvaluesoftheWest,untilrecently.Thispartlyexplainsthelargenumberofthosewhoidentifythemselvesculturallyas‘Christian’thoughtheymaynothavealivingfaith. Butthetruemeaningof‘Christian’isafolloweroftheLordJesus.AndfollowingJesusisnottiedtoanyparticularplaceorculture.Itisnotlinkedtoanypoliticalsystemorformofgovernment.Jesus’followersarefoundallaroundtheworldandthemajoritynowliveoutsideEuropeandNorthAmerica. JesuswasnotEuropeanbutMiddleEastern.HisearlyfollowerswereJewish,butveryquicklypeoplefromotherculturalandsocialbackgroundsbegantofollowHimtoo.ThemessageoftheLordJesusactuallycametoIndiabeforeitcametoBritain.InKerala,south-westIndia,youcanseeabeautifulbeachwhere,accordingtotradition,theApostleThomas,oneofJesus’12disciples,isbelievedtohavelanded.ThomasfollowedthetraderoutestoIndia.HeisbelievedtohavepreachedinbothnorthandsouthIndiaanddiedthere,nearChennai. FollowersoftheLordJesusintheWestarestrugglingtodaytodisentanglethoseelementsofWesternculturewhichhavetrulybeeninfluencedbytheBible’svalues,fromthosewhichhavenoconnectionorareevenopposedtothem.Theystrugglewiththematerialismandgreedwhichpervadesociety.Theyaredistressedbythesexualchaosandbreakdownoffamilylife.TheyrealisethattheWesternemphasisonindividualfreedom,whichcanbesoliberating,isdestructiveunlesslinkedtocommunityandconcernforothers.BehindmanyofthesetendenciesistherejectionofallauthorityandultimatelytherejectionofGod. SoisChristianityaWesternreligion?It’struethatWesternculturehasbeenprofoundlyinfluencedbyChristianity,butfollowingtheLordJesusisnotaboutcultureorlanguageoroutwardappearances.Itisaboutarelationship.TheLordJesuscametoopenthewaytoGodforallpeople,fromeverybackground.Hismessagewasaboutinnerchange,withGodatthecentre.Thatisourdeepestneed.

01Is Christianity a Western religion?

“Veryrarelywillanyonedieforarighteousman,thoughforagoodmansomeonemightpossiblydaretodie.ButGoddemonstratesHisownloveforusinthis:Whilewewerestillsinners,Christdiedforus.” Bible,Romans5:7-8

02“Changing your religion is the greatest sin on earth. It is like changing your mother.” Religiousconversion–inanydirection–provokesstrongreactions.Someseeitasarejectionofone’scultureandthereforeofone’sfamilyandcommunity.Thisisbecausereligion,cultureandcommunityarecloselylinked.Manybelievethatyouarebornintoyourcommunityandthereforeyourreligion.“Youcanchangeyourpassport,”theysay,“butreligion–that’sunchangeable.” Whensomebodytellstheirfamilythattheyhavebeguntofollowadifferentfaith,theyassumeallkindsofmotives:-‘They’rejustdoingittogainmaterialbenefits.’-‘It’semotionalhysteria;theywillsoongetoverit.’-‘It’sbrainwashing–somekindofcult.’ Theyoftenassumethatthosewhoareteachinganotherfaithhaveahiddenagenda-forexampleprovidinghealthoreducationinordertoexploitormanipulatethepoor. Whyaretheresuchstrongfeelings?Shouldn’tpeoplehavetherighttochangetheirpersonalbeliefsandconvictions?Arethosewhoseektopersuadethemdoingsomethingwrong? Changingone’sfaith,inanydirection,canbeunsettlinganddisruptive,bothforthosemakingthedecisionandforthecommunityaroundthem. Wearenottalkinghereaboutconversionbyforceorfraud.Noresponsiblereligiousleader,fromanybackground,supportsthat. Faithmustbeamatterofinnerbelief.Therighttoreligiousfreedomshouldnotinfringeothers’rightsnorharmsociety.Nobodyshouldbepressurisedinanyway. Butachangeoffaith,evenwhenittakesplacefreely,canbecomplex.Itcanhaveoutwardeffectstoo,forthecommunity.Itcanbringtension,whenpeoplerejectoldtraditionsorchallengethestatusquo.Theycansometimesappearrudeandover-enthusiasticfortheirnewfaith. Weneedtoacknowledgethis.Thosewhoseektosharetheirfaithmustmakesurethattheirmethodsdonotcreateunnecessarydisruption.Respectforothers’faithandcultureisfundamental. However,thebasicquestiontoaskisnot“Shouldapersonchangetheirfaith?”but“HowdoIfindGod?” Whateverourreligiousbackground,fewofushavebeencompletelysincereinoureffortstoseekGod.Westruggletodowhatisright,becausewelackthespiritualandmoralstrengthtodoit.WeneedsomeonetoleadustoarelationshipwiththelivingGod. TheBibletellsusthatGodintervenedinourworldatacertainpointinhistory.TheLordJesuscameintotheworldtoshowusthetruthaboutGod’sloveandforgiveness,andtoremovethebarrierbetweenusandGod.ThroughHimGodbecomesaccessible. Thisisnotaboutreligionorcultureorcommunity.ItisaboutGodseekingusandourresponsetoHisseeking.Thisisnota‘changeofreligion’.Itisa‘changeofheartandmind’.

Isn’t it better to follow the religion of my family?

“OLord,youhavesearchedmeandyouknowme.” Bible,Psalm139:1

Ahostofinformationpassesthroughtheairaroundusdailyviamobilephones,radioandtelevisionbroadcastsandtheinternet.Thesearechannelsofcommunicationwithus,butareweawareofthem?Oftenwearenot,becausewearenot‘tunedin’. Similarly,wemaymissGod’scommunicationwithusbecausewearenot‘tunedin’. Asiahasbeenthecradleofmanyoftheworld’sreligions.PeoplehavesearchedforGod,desiringtosubmittoGod’swill,desiringtomovefromfalsehoodtotruth,desiringtoescapethebondsofattachment. ButneitherSouthAsiansnorothershavealwaystunedintoGod.Perhapssomeofusmaynotwishto‘tunein’toGod.Afterall,ifGodissodistant,whymaketheeffort?Orwedonotfindthetime,withthestressandrushoflife. Butwhatifwechooseto‘tunein’?Wouldamagicdooropen,muchlikeAladdinsaying“opensesame”beforethecave,tounlockthehiddentreasure?WouldourliveschangeifGodcamein?Isanybodyreallythere? TheBibleteachesthatwecanrelatetoGod,becauseHeistheCreatorGodwhomadeusandknowsusintimately.Hemadeus‘inHisimage’;sothatwereflectsomethingofHischaracterandcanenterintorelationshipwithGod. HowdoweknowGod?WeseethegreatnessofHiswisdomandpoweraswelookattheworldaroundusandasweconsidertheachievementsofhumanbeings,madeinHisimage. TheBibleteachesthatweseeGodmostofallthroughtheLordJesus,whocommunicatesGod’sfulllovetowardsus.JesusiscalledGod’s‘Word’becauseHeshowsuswhatGodislike,justasweknoweachotherthroughourwords.(Bible,Hebrews1:1-3). Jesuswasbornonearth,experiencedlife,sufferedandovercametemptationandunderstandsus.HedemonstratedthecharacterofGod,thelovingFather,throughHiscarefortheweakandsuffering.HeshowedGod’sdemandsastheGodofjustice,whorequiresusalsotobejustandholy.BecauseofHisloveforus,JesusdiedontheCrosstoremovethebarrierofourshameandfailurebetweenusandGod.Hebecameourmediator,thewaytoGod.ThroughJesus,wecanrelatetoGodclosely.TheLordJesussaid:“Iamthewayandthetruthandthelife.No-onecomestotheFatherexceptthroughme.”(Bible,John14:6). SowhatisourfirststeptorelatetoGod?AChristiananswerwouldbe:approachGodinhumility,recognisethatHeisgreatandthatweneedHismercy.ThenacceptJesus’sacrificeandinviteHimtotakecontrolofourlives.HepromisestoenterinandtransformusbyHisSpiritlivinginus. Whatwillbetheresult?Anewpeace,strengthinourinnerbeing,deeperbondswithothersandapersonalrelationshipwithGod.

How can I relate to God when He seems so distant? 03

I was seven years old when I first saw a statue of Jesus upon the cross in my school chapel. I recall several questions flooding my mind. Who was He, and what did He do to deserve such a death? I saw the thorns in His crown and the blood on His face, which showed the enormity of His pain. And yet He looked so serene, and I was captivated by His beauty. I said to Him: “Lord, I just love you. And you are not alone, because I will come to see you every day.” And I did. I gave my heart to the Lord. I was a lonely child but I felt good in His presence. My decision did not sit well with my family. My devout Muslim father took me to the holy shrine of Syed Moinuddin Chishti in Ajmer to discuss

my change of faith with a holy seer. After some time, the seer said: “I cannot explain what has happened to your child. All I can say is, do not look at her age or her size but one thing is certain, you will never be able to change her heart.” My father was an understanding and spiritual man and a descendant of Hashmi Syed. He took those words seriously and did not question me about my faith but was intrigued by the knowledge of Scripture I had without ever having studied it. Sixty-three years on and I am still deeply in love with Jesus and overwhelmed by the abundance of love He showed by dying on the cross for me.

Farida’s story

04Inaworldfullofevilandpain,thisisoneofthemostfrequentlyaskedquestions.DailyonourTVscreensweseetheevilsofgreedandoppressionthatdominatetheworld.Someofushavefacedpersonaltragedies. TheBiblesaysthatGod’soriginalplanforhumanitydidnotincludepain,diseaseordeath.Hecreatedagoodworldandhumanbeingstocareforitasstewards.ButourfirstancestorsusedtheirfreewilltochoosetodisobeyGodandliveindependently,ratherthanlivinginGod’slove.TheydidnotliveinsubmissiontoGod.Theydidnotfulfiltheirdharma(duty).TheyweremasteredbytheirowndesiresinsteadofwantingtodoGod’swill.Thisselfishness,prideanddisobedienceiswhattheBiblecalls‘sin’.Itaffectedeverything–theirrelationshipwithGod,witheachotherandwiththeenvironment.Theresultsweredevastating–death,disease,decayandnaturaldisasters.Theworld,wearetold,is‘groaning’.Itisaplaceofdukkha,disquietudeandsuffering.ItisnotasGodwanted. Itisevidentthatmostofthesufferingthatgoesonintheworldisduetohumanity’sgreedandpride.Thereisenoughfoodintheworldforeveryonebutonehalfoftheworldisperpetuallytryingtoloseweightwhiletheotherhalfsuffersmalnutrition.Around40,000childrendieeverydayneedlesslyfrompreventablecauses(oftendirtywater),whichtheworld’sgovernmentspersistentlyfailtotackle.Theseproblemscouldberesolvedifthemoneytheworldspendsonweaponswasusedinsteadondevelopmentprojects. However,itisnotjustthefaultofgovernments;wouldyouvoteforagovernmentthatpromisedtoloweryourstandardoflivinginordertohelptheneedyabroad?Spoiltrelationshipsbetweenfamily,friendsandneighboursaswellaswarsbetweennationsandreligiousandethnicgroupscontributemassivelytohumansuffering. WedonotfullyunderstandsufferingbutweknowthatGoddoesnotstandapartfromourpain.TheBiblesaysthatGodisgrievedbyhumansuffering:“Hedoesnotwillinglybringafflictionorgrieftothechildrenofmen”(Bible,Lamentations3:33).Aboveall,GodtookourpainuponHimselfintheLordJesusdyingforoursinsonthecross.HeshoulderedalloursufferinganddespairinordertosetusfreeandgiveusanewlifeifwewillentrustourlivesintoHishands.“Jesus…suffereddeath,sothatbythegraceofGodHemighttastedeathforeveryone”(Bible,Hebrews2:9). PeopleaskwhereGodisduringoursuffering.ManyChristianswillsaythatHewalkswiththemthroughtheirsufferingandpain. OnedayGodwillbringthisworldtoanend,judgeevil,andcreateanewuniversewithoutevilandsuffering.TheBibleteachesthatwecanshareinthatnewuniversebyfindingGod’sforgivenessandnewlifethroughtheLordJesus.

How can a good God allow evil and suffering?

Jesus told this story...“Twomenwentuptothetempletopray,oneaPhariseeandtheotherataxcollector.ThePhariseestoodupandprayedabouthimself:‘God,IthankyouthatIamnotlikeothermen—robbers,evildoers,adulterers—orevenlikethistaxcollector.IfasttwiceaweekandgiveatenthofallIget.’Butthetaxcollectorstoodatadistance.Hewouldnotevenlookuptoheaven,butbeathisbreastandsaid,‘God,havemercyonme,asinner.’Itellyouthatthisman,ratherthantheother,wenthomejustifiedbeforeGod.Foreveryonewhoexaltshimselfwillbehumbled,andhewhohumbleshimselfwillbeexalted.”Bible,Luke18:10-14

Thinkofyourtwoclosestfriends.Doyouknowwhichoneismoreorlessgoodthantheother?Whatisthebasisforyourjudgement?Somebelievethateveryaspectoflifeleadstoanaccumulationofeithergoodkarma,whichwecanenjoy,orbadkarmaforwhichwemustsuffer.Similarly,othersbelievethatGodwillweighonthescaleseveryaspectofourlifeandifthegoodexceedsthebadwewillberewarded. Manyalsobelievethatcertainactions,suchasgoingonpilgrimageorgivingtothepoor,willearnextramerit. TheBibleconsistentlyteachestheneedtodogoodtoeveryone.OnlybydoinggoodtoothersdoweshowwelovethemandsoprovethatweloveGod.OneofJesus’followersasked:“Whatgoodisit,mybrothers,ifamanclaimstohavefaithbuthasnodeeds?”(Bible,James2:14).Thereforeitisveryimportanttobeagoodpersonwhodoesgoodtoothers. However,whenwillweknowthatwe’vedoneenoughgood?Ifapersonmugssomeoneordoesn’tpaytheirtaxes,howmuchgoodwilltheyneedtodotoovercometheshameanddishonourtheyhavebroughtonthemselvesandGod?Whileitisextremelyimportanttobeagoodperson,cananyofusclaimtohaveobeyedJesus’instruction:“Beperfect,therefore,asyourheavenlyFatherisperfect.”(Bible,Matthew5:48)? Thoughitisimportanttobegood,thisisnottheplacewhereweallhaveacommonstartingpoint.Instead,thecommonstartingpointisthateveryoneofusfailstomatchuptoGod’sabsolute,totalandperfectgoodness.WhenwecompareourselveswithGod,wediscoverthatevenourgooddeedsarelessthan100percentgoodbecausetheyarespoiltbyungodlyandunholymotives. SoourcommonstartingpointisnotourgoodnessbutGod’sgoodnessandholiness.OurlivesfailtoreflectGod’sperfectstandard.Bycontrast,theBibleteachesthattheLordJesuslivedbyGod’sperfectstandard.ThroughHisdeathHefacedtheconsequenceofourbadkarmaorungodlylife. WhenweputourfaithinwhattheLordJesushasdoneforus,wecanreceiveGod’sforgivenessandfavourandstartoutonanewlife.Thenwecanseek,withGod’shelp,tobeagoodperson,nottogainGod’sfavourortocompetewithanyoneelse,butoutofgratitudeforwhatGodhasdoneforus.

Isn’t being a good person the most important thing? 05

“No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is Himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made Him known.” Bible,John1:18

What do Christians mean by calling Jesus the Son of God? 06Thetitle‘SonofGod’appliedtoJesusintheBibleandusedbyChristiansthroughtheageshasledtomuchmisunderstandingandsomeoffence,especiallyamongthosefromaJewishorMuslimbackground.ManytakeittobedemeaningtosuggestthatahumanprophetcouldbeequaltoGodorthatGodtookawifeinMaryandhadason.ThisisequallyoffensivetoChristians.Anditisnotwhatismeantby‘SonofGod’intheBible. ChristianshavealwaysbelievedinonlyoneGod.WhenJesuswasaskedwhatwasthemostimportantcommandment,Hequoted:“Hear,OIsrael,theLordourGod,theLordisone.LovetheLordyourGodwithallyourheartandwithallyoursoulandwithallyourmindandwithallyourstrength”(Bible,Mark12:29-30).ItwouldbeblasphemyintheChristianfaithtobelieveinmorethanoneGodortobelievethatGodtookawifeandhadason. IntheBible,GodisseenastheFatherofusallandsoinsomeway,weareall‘sonsanddaughtersofGod’,butJesusissingledoutastheunique‘SonofGod’whohascometomakeGodknown.ThereisonlyoneGod,thealmightyCreator.HehasmadeHimselfknowntousthroughJesus.JesusrevealsGod’scharacterbecauseHeisGod.ChristiansbelievethatGodisaboveandbeyondus(theFather),andalsowithus(theSon)andinus(theHolySpirit). Jesusisalsocalledthe‘WordofGod’intheBible.Wordstelluswhatapersonisthinkingandrevealtheirinnermostattitudesandcharacter.ChristiansbelievethatJesusisGod’sfinalwordtohumanity.HeistheeternalandtrueteacherandwaytoGod.Heisalsocalled“theimageoftheinvisibleGod”whoshowsuswhatGodislike(Bible,Colossians1:15). Anotherwaytounderstandthephrase‘SonofGod’istocompareitwiththetitle‘SonofMan’whichJesusactuallycalledHimselfonmanyoccasions.AsJesushadnohumanfather(havingbeenbornwhileMarywasstillavirgin),whatdidHemeanby‘SonofMan’?Weoftenusethephrase‘sonofsomething’tomeanthatthepersoniscompletelylikethatthing.Forexample,a‘sonofevil’wouldbesomeonewhoiscompletelyevilanda‘sonofadonkey’wouldbeaveryfoolishperson. So‘SonofMan’meansthatJesusistherepresentativeofmankind,showinguswhatitmeanstobetrulyandproperlyhuman,asHeperfectlyobeyedGod.Inthesameway,‘SonofGod’meansthatHeistherepresentativeofGod,revealingwhatGodislike. ButJesus’relationshipwithGodwasunique.Hecommunicatedtheheart,willandcharacterofGod.

I was taught that suffering is caused by bad karma from a previous birth. When I came across any difficulties in life such as illness, financial hardship and family issues, I then went after horoscopes, performed religious rituals and prayed to Buddha. I thought that this was part of life and something that I had to put up with. I debated with Christian friends when they said that God created all mankind. I asked myself, ‘Can God really exist?’ Then one day, I met a few friends for dinner. One of the ladies

who joined the meal prayed for those who were present. During that prayer session, I had a vision of Jesus. During the prayer, I felt a love that I had never felt before. He picked me up and carried me to a sea of love. I put my right hand on my heart, as I did not know where the love was pouring from and I have not turned back from the presence of Jesus. I now have a far greater sense of peace in my life knowing that Jesus is walking the journey with me.

Ruwini’s story

“HeistheimageoftheinvisibleGod,thefirstbornoverallcreation…allthingswerecreatedbyHimandforHim.Heisbeforeallthings,andinHimallthingsholdtogether.” Bible,Colossians1:15-17

TheheartoftheChristianfaithisthatJesusisnotjustanordinarymanorprophetbutthatHeisGodHimselftakinghumanformtosaveusfromoursins. Ifthisishardtounderstand,weshouldnotbesurprised.TherearemanythingsthatwecannotunderstandaboutGod,suchashowHecreatedtheuniverse.Godissomuchgreaterthanallourthoughts.WeshouldbecarefulnottolimitwhatGodcanandcannotdo. ThisclaimtobeGodwastherootofmuchoftheJewishoppositiontoJesusandwasfinallythechargeunderwhichthedeathsentencewaspassedonHim. WhenJesusforgavethesinsofaparalysedman,theJewishleadersimmediatelyquestionedintheirheartshowHecouldsaythat,asonlyGodcanforgivesins.Jesuschallengedthemnotonlybyforgivingthemanbutalsohealinghim,whichwasclearevidenceofGod’spower.ThemanwenthomepraisingGod(Bible,Luke5:17-26). Jesus’claimsweresupportedbynumerousprophecies,writtenhundredsofyearsbeforeintheJewishholybooks.SomespeakoftheMessiahrulingtheearthasmorethanjustaman:“ThegovernmentwillbeonHisshoulders.AndHewillbecalledWonderfulCounsellor,MightyGod,EverlastingFather,PrinceofPeace.”(Bible,Isaiah9:6-7). ThiswasnotamanclaimingtobeGod,butGodtakinghumanform.Andinsteadofbecomingdefiled,HemadeholyeverythingHetouched.WearetoldthatJesus,“beinginverynatureGod,didnotconsiderequalitywithGodsomethingtobegrasped,butmadeHimselfnothing,takingtheverynatureofaservant”(Bible,Philippians2:6-7).AlmightyGod,theCreator,camedowntoourlevel.Godisbothfarbeyondusandalsocompletelywithus.AndtodaywecanexperienceHispresenceinus.ThisiswhattheBibleteachesaboutGod’snature. TheBiblemakesclearthattheLordJesuswasfullyhumanandfullyGod.Thishelpstoanswerquestionslikethese:

•CananyoneseeGod?TheBiblesaysthatno-onehaseverseenGod,buttheycouldseeJesusinphysicalformandHischaracterrevealingGod(Bible,John1:18).

•CanGodbekilled?No,buttheycoulddestroyHishumanbody,whichJesuscalledHistemple(Bible,John2.19-21).

•IfJesusisGod,howcouldHepraytoGod?IntakinghumanformJesuslimitedHimself.HeprayedinordertobeinconstantconversationandrelationshipwithGod,theFather. ClearlythebeliefthatGodcamedowntohumanlevelisshocking.WhywouldGodhumblytakehumanform?ShoulditnotbehumanbeingshumblingthemselvesbeforeGod?God’sactionshowsusthegreatnessofHisloveandourdireneed.ThiswasthewayGodchosetosaveusfromthejudgementdueforoursins.

Is Jesus really God? 07

08FailuretosubmittoGod’sways,tofulfilour dharma(‘duty’)andselfishbehaviourispartofourhumannature.TheBibleusestheword‘sin’todescribesuchbehaviourandeveryhumanbeingisguilty.“ForallhavesinnedandfallshortofthegloryofGod”(Bible,Romans3.23).Humansarebornwithasinfulnatureorinwardbiastowardsevil:“SurelyIwassinfulatbirth,sinfulfromthetimemymotherconceivedme”(Bible,Psalm51:5). TheLordJesus,whocametoearthinhumanflesh,livedalifeofperfectobediencetoGodtheFather.Todothis,HespenttimewithGodtheFather,prayingandreceivingstrengthfromHim.Jesus’followersarecalledtofollowhisexampleofprayerfullylisteningandobeyingGodsothattheybecomemoreandmorelikeJesusdaybyday.TheBibleteachesthatthegoalforeveryChristianistobecomemorelikeJesus. Butthisisneithereasynorinstantaneous.It’salifelongprocessinwhichwefirstneedtoreceiveGod’sforgiveness.ThenGodbeginstotransformusbyHisSpirit,tobecomemorelikeJesus. Clearly,noteveryonewhoclaimstobeaChristianhasalivingfaithinJesusChrist.TherearemanynominalChristianswhoonlygotochurchformarriagesandfunerals,neverreadtheBibleandneverpray.SuchpeoplehavenorealdesiretobeliketheLordJesus.IncontrasttherearemanywhoseektofollowJesusandlivebytheprinciplesHetaught.MotherTeresaisaclassicexampleofacommittedfolloweroftheLordJesus.TherealityofJesussufferingforhermadesuchanimpactonherthatshecommittedherlifetoservingthepoorintheslumsofKolkata.Indeed,therearemanyotherChristiansinvariouspartsoftheworldwhoareimprisonedandtorturedfortheirfaith,anddonotrenouncetheLordJesusbutholdontoHim. SinceChristiansbelievethateveryoneismadeinGod’simageandisprecioustoHim,theyhavebeeninstrumentalinpioneeringeducation,healthcareandhousingforthepoorandmarginalised.Christiansalsopioneeredthehospicemovementtoprovidedignityandcareforthedying.ChristianscampaignedagainsttheinjusticeoftheTransatlanticSlaveTrade,segregationinAmericaandapartheidinSouthAfrica.ChristiansalsoorganisedtheJubilee2000campaigntocancelthedebtsofthepoorestnationsatthestartofthemillennium. Evidently,itwouldbeunfairtojudgethosewhotrulybelieveintheLordJesusbythosewhodon’ttrulybelieve.WhileitistruethateveryChristianstillhasalottodotoobeyJesusandseektobemorelikeHim,wemustn’tforgetthosewhohavedonejustthat,andsomewhohavelosttheirlivestryingtobemorelikeJesus.

Why are so many Christians not like the Lord Jesus?

As a young man I was an alcoholic and drug addict. My wife described me as ‘a serial gambler and adulterer, who was often violent’. By the time I was in my early twenties, my life was a total mess. I wanted to change but couldn’t. In desperation I turned to God by observing rituals, respecting tradition and going on pilgrimages. However, my personal situation did not improve. My family gave up on me. At one point my mother-in-law told me about Jesus, but I got angry with her. During my second time in rehab I was in despair and fell to my knees. I prayed to all the gods I knew of. I thought maybe my mother-in-law was right, so I added Jesus to my prayers. I said to Him: “My mother-in-law says you are the living God. If that’s true I don’t want to go on fighting, living on drugs and alcohol any

more. I want to be good.” A few days after I came out from rehab I visited a church where I heard about Jesus and wanted to respond to the invitation to accept Him in my life. As I walked forward something happened inside. I felt that I was loved. All my shame and guilt disappeared. I felt a peace I had never known before. I have been sober for the last three and a half years. I feel complete inside and do not need anything more to be happy. I have met my Creator God. He talks to me all the time. It’s no more a matter of rules and regulations but a relationship. As I follow Jesus from my heart I find He is changing me from the inside. He is taking away my pride and other wrong characteristics. He is helping me to grow the fruit of His Spirit – love, joy, patience, self-control, and humility.

Inderjit’s story

09Ashumanswearerelationalbeings:werelatetoGodandoneanother.Butwehaveseenthatourliveshavebeenspoiledbysin.ThisischaracterisedbyafailuretosubmittoGodortofulfilourdutybecauseofouregoandselfishdesires.AsaresultwebreakourrelationshiptoGodandoneanother.ThroughsuchbehaviourwebringshameanddishonourtoGod,ourselves,ourfamilyandcommunity. Whenourbadactionsanddeedsshameanddishonouranother,thatpersonwouldtypicallyexpectstepstobetakentorestoretheirizzat(honour).Similarlywhensomeoneoffendsanddishonoursus,wewantthemtotakestepstorestoreourhonour.Asaminimum,anapologyisexpected,butoftensomethingmoresubstantialwillberequired.Allofushaveadesireforjusticetobedone.Andjusticeisalwayscostly.Thehurtandangerthattheoffendedpartyfeelsisonlydealtwithwhentheoffendertakescostlystepstorestorethehonouroftheoffendedparty.Withinthecriminaljusticesystemtheoffendermayberequiredtopayafineorlosetheirfreedombygoingtoprison.Insomepartsoftheworldtheoffenderpaysfortheircrimebyhavingtheirlifetakenaway.Often,whenonlyalenientsentenceispassedtheinjuredpartyfeelsthatjusticehasnotbeendone. WhenweshameanddishonourGod,whatcanwedotorestoreHishonour?Somebelievewecandonothingbutwepaybysufferingforourmisdeedsinthisandfuturelives.OthershopethatourgooddeedswilloutweighourbaddeedsandthatGodwilllookfavourablyonus.ButthisstilldoesnotexplaineitherhowGod’shonourisrestoredorhowourrelationshiptoGodisrestored. Youmayask:“Whycan’tGodjustforgive?SurelyHisloveisabovepettydemands?”God’sloveiscertainlyinfinite.ButHeisalsoinfinitelyjustandpure.AndGodisresponsibletoupholdthejusticeoftheuniverse. TheBibleteachesthatwhenwebreakGod’sperfectlawsinthought,wordanddeed,orwefailtodowhatisright,weneedtopayapenaltyfordoingso.ThisistoupholdGod’sjustice,placateHisangerandrestoreHishonour.TheserequirementscanonlybemetbyourseparationfromGod,unlessoursinsaredealtwith. ThroughHisdeathonthecrosstheLordJesussufferstheultimatepenaltyforoursin.ByHissacrificeHecoversourshameandrestoreshonourtoGodtheFather.Hetransformsusfromsicknesstohealth,fromuncleantoclean,fromshametohonour. Godgoestosuchgreatlengthsforonepurpose,whichistodealwithhumanity’ssinsothatourrelationshipwithGodandfellowhumanbeingscanberestored.ItisademonstrationofHisinfiniteloveandjusticeworkingtogether.

Why does God need a sacrifice to forgive sins?

“WearenevertoobadortoolateforGod’sforgiveness.WhenJesuswenttothecrossHeforgaveoneofthethievesdyingnexttoHim.WhenthethiefputhistrustinJesus,Heassuredhimofforgiveness,saying‘todayyouwillbewithmeinparadise’.” Bible,Luke23:43

Whatdoyouimagineheaventobelike?Mostpeoplebelieveittobeaplaceofperfectgoodness,withoutanyevilatall.TheBiblesays:“Nothingimpurewilleverenterit”(Bible,Revelation21:27). Whileitisverydifficulttolocateheaven,theBiblealsodescribesitinthesewords:“NowthedwellingofGodiswithhumanbeings,andHewilllivewiththem.TheywillbeHispeople,andGodHimselfwillbewiththemandbetheirGod.Hewillwipeeverytearfromtheireyes.Therewillbenomoredeathormourningorcryingorpain,fortheoldorderofthingshaspassedaway”(Bible,Revelation21:3-4). The‘oldorder’(theworldwelivein)ischaracterisedbydukkha(sorrow)anddeath.ThisistheresultofourwrongdoingthatdishonoursGod,ourselvesandothers.TheheartacheandpainthatweseeinthisworldareaproductofhumanfailuretoliveinsubmissiontoGodanddutifullylivebyGod’sholylaws. HowissuchaworldacceptabletoapureandholyGodandhowcouldsuchindividuallivesbefitforheaven?Ifhumanitywastobeallowedtogothereunchanged,wewouldimportallthesameproblemsthatwefacehereonearth.WedesperatelyneedGod’sforgivenessandaninnertransformation. ThisiswhatGodhasmadepossiblethroughJesus’sacrificefortheforgivenessofsin.Whenweacceptthis,webeginanewlifeandGod’sSpirittransformsus.WebegintoseethequalitiesofheavenlivedoutamongHispeopleonearthbeforetheyreachthefinalpicturedescribedabove(Bible,Revelation21:3-4).Ofcourseonearthwewillnevercompletelyexperiencethisvision,butthroughGod’sforgivenesswebegintotakestepsthatmakethismoreofarealityhereonearthasitisinheaven. WearenevertoobadortoolateforGod’sforgiveness.WhentheLordJesuswenttothecrossHeforgaveoneofthethievesdyingnexttoHim.WhenthethiefputhistrustintheLordJesus,Heassuredhimofforgiveness,saying“todayyouwillbewithmeinparadise”(Bible,Luke23:43).

Why do we need forgiveness to reach heaven? 10

I am a Pushtun from the north-west frontier of Pakistan and whilst working as a waiter, I met with a Christian man every week for about two years to discuss religion. I was hoping for him to become a Muslim. Though I was about 24 years old, sometimes my way of thinking was immature and I would only hear what appealed to my own biased opinion where Christianity was concerned. As I read the Bible, Jesus came across as someone more than a prophet when it came to miracles. He told the lame to get up and walk, He made the blind see, He raised the dead to life, fed 5,000 people with a few loaves and

fish and spoke with authority about the forgiveness of sins. Jesus was always said to be Al Masih, the Messiah, in the Qur’an but it did not explain what that meant and neither did the commentaries. Gradually, a change began to take place within my heart and I began to look more seriously into what the Bible said someone must do to get right with God. When I learnt about the need for a personal relationship with God, I finally decided to trust my life in Jesus for His forgiveness and new life through the power of God’s Holy Spirit.

Hilal’s story

11TheBibleisbyfarthemostwidelydistributedandreadbookinhumanhistory.ItwasinspiredbyGodandwrittenoveraperiodofabout1,400yearsbypeopleseparatedbyhundredsofyearsandfromwidelydifferingbackgroundsandcultures–fromancientEgypttotheRomanEmpire.Theywroteintheirownwords,asGodguidedandinspiredtheirthoughts.AsitisGod-breathed,itsstoryandmessagefittogetherlikethepiecesofajigsawtoproduceanoverallconsistentpicture.Howwasithandeddown?ThereisunprecedentedevidencefortheBible’smanuscriptsastheywerecopied.TheDeadSeaScrolls,writtenoveraperiodofabout200yearsbefore68AD,containmostofeverybookoftheOldTestamentexceptEsther.Therearemorethan5,000earlymanuscriptsoftheNewTestamentdatingfromasearlyas150AD.Thisismuchmorethanforanyotherliteratureofthatperiod.Althoughtherearecopyingerrorstobefoundwithinthesemanuscripts,thesheerabundanceofcopiesmakesiteasytodeterminetheoriginal.Sucherrorsalmostalwaysconcernminormatters,forexamplevariationsinnamesofpeopleandplaces.NoissueofChristiandoctrinalbeliefisbroughtintoquestionbythehandfuloferrorsthataffectthemeaningofthetext.HistoricaldetailsintheBiblehaveagainandagainbeenconfirmedbyarchaeology.Forexample,figureslikeHerodtheGreat,kingofJudeaandSamaria,PontiusPilate,theRomanprocuratorandCaiaphas,thehighpriest,haveallbeenfoundtoberealpeople,aliveandinofficeatthetimerecordedintheBible.ThereisalsoastonishingevidencefromtheinscriptionsoftheAssyriankingsinthediggingsineighthcenturyBCNineveh.TheyconfirmingreatdetailattacksonvariousIsraelitekings(namingthekingsandevenamountsofgoldandsilverexactedfromtheIsraelites)whichwerepreviouslyonlyknownfromtherecordsintheOldTestament.Allthenamesanddetailsmatchthebiblicalaccount!Thereisnothingelsecomparableinthewholefieldofarchaeology.HundredsofpropheciesintheOldTestamentcametrueinthelifeofJesusChrist.Someofthemwerefirstwrittenupto1,400yearsbeforeHewasborn.TheyincludewhereHewouldbebornandinwhattimeperiod,whereHewouldbeginHispreaching,Hishealingofthesick,howmuchmoneywouldbepaidtobetrayHim,andthesoldierscastinglotsforHisclothesatthefootofthecross.TheyforetoldthatnotaboneofHisbodywouldbebroken,Hewouldbeburiedinarichman’stombandthatHewouldrisefromthedead.SotheBible’srecordistrustworthy.Butevenmorethanthat:theBibleisthestoryofGod’sextravagantloveforhumanity.ItshowsustheextenttowhichGodwantstobeinrelationshipwithus.

Can we trust the Bible?

TheBiblerecordsthatJesushimselfsaidthatHeistheonlywaytoreachGod.TheBiblealsoteachesthatonlythroughthenameofJesuscanpeoplereachGod.ThesearetwokeyreasonswhyChristiansclaimthatJesusistheonlywaytoGod.However,whyshouldtheBiblebebelievedanymorethanothersacredbooksthatclaimsomethingdifferent? EveryreligionteachesthatGodhasgivenhumanbeingscertainlawstoliveby.ToobeyGod’slawsperfectly,ourthinking,ourspeakingandouractionsneedtobeholyandperfect.Moreover,themotivesbehindwhatwethink,sayanddo,mustalsobeholyandperfect.TheBibleclearlystatesthatthereareconsequencesforbreakinganyofGod’slaws.SinceGodisabsolutelyperfect,Hecan’thaveanyonewhoisimperfectcomenearHim,andthereforeaccordingtotheBiblethepunishmentforsin,orbreakingGod’slaw,isseparationfromGod. SincenohumanbeingcaneverobeyGod’slawsperfectly,whatdoestheBiblehavetosayaboutthissituationinwhichweallfindourselves? Whenachildbehavesbadlyatschool,wouldafriendvolunteertobepunishedfortheirbadbehaviour?Orifyoureceiveaparkingfine,wouldyourneighbourvolunteertopaythefine?Theanswertobothquestionsisalmostcertainly‘no’.Clearly,intheworldwelive,weareindividuallyresponsibleforourbadbehaviourorbreakingofthelawandpersonallyfacetheconsequencesofouractions. However,duetotheimmensityofGod’sloveforhumanity,theBibleteachesthatGodinJesusChristcametoliveasahumanbeing.Hecameasthe‘sanatan(eternal)satguru(trueandlivingway)’,theeternalandtrueteacherandwaytoGod.HelivedaperfectlifeandfacedthepunishmentforoursinandshamebydyinginourplaceonthecrossandbeingseparatedfromGodtheFather.GodwillinglypaidthecostlypriceofthecrosssothatweHischildrenneednolongerliveinseparationfromourHeavenlyFatherbutmayenjoyapersonalandintimaterelationshipwithHim. Everyreligiontriestoanswerthecriticalquestion:“HowcansinfulhumansdrawclosetoGodandenjoyapersonalrelationshipwithaholyandperfectGod?”TheBibleteachesthattheLordJesushasprovidedthewaytoGod. TheBiblehighlightsthepointthatnoamountofgoodworkscanevercoverourshame.Humanscandonothingtoearntheirownsalvation,butbyputtingourfaithandtrustinwhattheLordJesushasdone,wecannowfreelycomeintothepresenceofthelivingGod.TheBiblestoryshowsthatGoddoesnotwantustoliveindependentlybutindependenceonHim.Afterall,HeisourperfectFatherandweareHisbelovedchildren.

Why do Christians say Jesus is the only way to reach God? 12

WhatdoesGodlooklike?HowcanweobtainHispowerandprotection?No-onehaseverseenGod–butmanyhaveattemptedtodepictHim,throughpictures,imagesandstatues.Somepeoplethenworshipthem. TheBibleforbidsanyimagewhichpeoplecanserveorbowdownto.Ifthishappens,thereisadangerthatpeopleareputtingtheirtrustinanobjectoraritualtoprotectthem,insteadofthelivingGod,whomadeusallandcaresandprovidesforus.ThereisnoplaceforanyimageofGodtowhichwegiveourworshipordevotion. However,somesymbolscanhavevalueiftheyhelpustofocusourthoughtandprayer.ThereareexamplesintheBible,suchastheangelsabovethearkinthetemple.TheBibleshowsthatimagesareallowedaslongastheyarenotworshipped,sinceGodistheonlyOnewhoshouldbeworshipped.AslongasimagesorstatuesdonotreplaceGodinourmindsorheartsorlivestheycanhaveaplace.InearlycenturiesChrist’sfollowersusedmanypicturesandsymbolstoteachandremindeachotherofthetruthsoftheirfaith.ManyhavebeenmovedbypicturesoftheLordJesus’sufferingorHiscareforpeople. Butweshouldnevermistakethesymbolsforthereality.GodismuchgreaterandwearetoworshipHimalone. No-onehaseverseenGod.TheBibletellsusthatJesus,supremely,isthe‘imageoftheinvisibleGod’.WhenwelookatJesus’character,weseewhatGodisreallylike.AndthroughHimwehaveaccesstoGod,whoanswersourprayers.

Why do some Christians have images and statues? 13

“IntheimageofGodHecreatedthem;maleandfemaleHecreatedthem.”Bible,Genesis1:27

TheUnitedNations’MillenniumDevelopmentGoalsstatethatbothwomenandmenrequireaccesstohealth,education,socialcommunity,food,cleanwaterandsanitationaswellasresourcesandinfrastructure.Yetwomeninmanypartsoftheworldstruggletoeatwellandbehealthy,befreeofsexualabuseandslavery,beheardandhaveinfluence,haveaccesstoresourcesandfreedomtobuildtheirlives.Inaworldinwhichmanywomenstrugglefordignityoflife,whatdoestheBiblehavetosayaboutequality? TheBiblesaysagreatdealaboutthespiritual,material,emotionalandsocialwell-beingofwomenaswellasmen,andtheirfamilies. AtthebeginningoftheBible,Godsaid:“Itisnotgoodforthemantobealone”(Bible,Genesis2:18)andEvewascreatedasthefirstwoman,afterAdam,thefirstman,withdifferentrolesbutasahelp-matetoAdam.Evidently,bothmenandwomenarecalledtoserveGodandreflectHisimagetogether.Theyaregivenjointresponsibilityforthestewardshipofallcreation. WiththecomingoftheLordJesus,God’sperspectiveonwomenisclarifiedoncemore.Inmarkedcontrasttothetimes,Jesusaffirmedtheabilitiesofwomenandreceivedtheirworship.IntheBible,weseeafemaledevoteeofJesuspourperfumeonHisheadtoexpressheradoration.ShecouldenterHispresencewithoutfearorshyness.Indeed,theLordJesuslookedatherheartandcommendedherforthissacrificialgesture. AnotherdevotedfolloweroftheLordJesuswasMaryMagdalene.ShewasthefirsttoseeJesuswhenHerosefromthedead.Atthattime,thetestimonyofwomenwasnotvalidincourt,buttheBiblerecordsherwitnessasshediscoveredthatthetombwasopen(Bible,Mark16:9). JesusshowedthatGod’scommandsaremoreimportantthanblindlyfollowinghumantraditions.WhenexpertsinthelawbroughtawomancaughtinadulterybeforeJesusandannouncedthatbythelawsofMoses,sheshouldbestonedtodeath,Jesuschallengedthemen,saying:“Letanyoneofyouwhoiswithoutsinbethefirsttothrowastoneather.”Theyallleft,onebyone,andJesustoldthewomanHewouldnotcondemnher,buttoldhernottosinagain(Bible,John8:1-11). TheBibleclearlyillustratesthatbothmenandwomenaresinful,andbothhavefallenshortofthegloryofGod.Nonetheless,Godisfullofgraceandlove,aGodofcompassionandrespect,andthisisclearlyevidentinthewayGodequallyforgivesbothmenandwomenwhohavebeenmadeintheimageofGod. BothsocietyandtheChurchhaveoftenfailedtoliveuptothestandardswhichtheLordJesussetconcerningthetreatmentofwomen.ButthroughthecharacterandexampleofJesus,weareremindedthatGod’sloveisanextravagantloveforall,andthatincludesbothwomenandmen.

Does God favour men over women? 14

I was born in an ordinary Sikh family in Punjab, India. During my childhood I spent a lot of my time with Sadhus (Saints). I was taught that our chief spiritual need is salvation from our sins, and we can earn this by meditating, doing good and following a guru. As I grew, I began to read scripture and do some good deeds and even got myself a guru. But deep inside me I had a strong sense that all this was not enough to gain salvation. Here in the UK I established a successful business and even though I had everything a man could wish for, I did not have peace in my heart. Then one day, one of my staff gave me a Bible in Punjabi as a Christmas present. I took to reading it and after three years of

studying and asking questions, I learned that salvation is the free gift of God through faith in Jesus Christ to everyone, regardless of one’s religious background or culture. Yet, I had been taught to do the opposite: Do, do do and hope for the best. I was hugely torn between what I had learned from the Bible and my religious upbringing and prayed to God for guidance. Some time later, I saw a vision: a light came from above and touched my forehead. God began to show me the way to Him. Now it became clear to me that only Jesus can save me because God had sent Him to be the saviour of the world. Many years on and I am a passionate believer in Jesus and have the peace I had always craved for.

Onkar’s story

Would I have to leave my family and culture to follow Jesus? 15Thetruthfulanswertothisquestionis:“Yesandno!”IfyouchoosetofollowJesus,therewillbesomechangesthatyourfamilywillwelcomeandothersthattheymaynot.Somethingsdon’tneedtochangeatall.Thereisabsolutelynoneedtochangeyourdiet,yourdresssenseoryourfriendstofollowJesus.WithGod’sguidanceandhelp,youwillstopdoingthingsthatarewrongandtrytodogoodthings.Yourattitudestoothersmaychangeforthebetter.Much,ifnotall,ofthiswillbewelcome. Butifyouusedtotakepartintheprayersathomeorinthetempleormosqueandyousayyoudon’twanttodosoanymore,yourfamilymayfindthathardtoaccept.TheymaynotbehappyifyougotochurchorassociatewithotherswhofollowJesus.Orifyouindicatethatyoufeelseparatefromthemorareinsomewaysuperior. Ideallyitwouldbebestifyoucouldstaywithyourfamily,showthemthedifferencethattheLordJesushaspersonallymadetoyourlife,andhelpthemtounderstandwhatitistobeadiscipleoftheLordJesus.Butitdoesn’talwaysworkoutthatway.Insomefamiliesandcommunities,changingyourfaithcanberegardedastheworstthingtodo.Theymayeitheraskyoutoleaveorthecommunityeldersmayforceyourfamilytodisownyou,eveniftheydon’twantto.Thiscanbeadeeplypainfulexperience. However,evenifyouareforcedtoleaveyourfamily,youdon’thavetoleaveeveryaspectofyourculture.InfactmanyaspectsofSouthAsianculture,suchassacrificialhospitality,respectandcareforelderlyparentsandtheprincipleofextendedfamiliesareverybiblical. WithineveryculturethereareaspectsthathonourGod,aspectsthatdishonourGodandaspectsinwhichyouneedtoexercisecommonsense.InconversationwitholderandwiserSouthAsianfollowersofJesusyoucanprayerfullydecidehowyoushouldrespondtodifferentaspectsofyourculture.Sometimes,howyourespondtoanaspectofyourculturewhenyoufirstbecomeafollowerofJesusmaynotbehowyourespondfiveortenyearslater.YoudonothavetoembraceanyaspectofwhitewesternculturetofollowJesus.RatheryoucanembraceaspectsofanyculturethathonourandglorifyGod.

We hope you have enjoyed journeying through parts or all of this booklet and that it has been helpful to you in some way.

More importantly, we hope that you may have found new pieces that fit your life puzzle!

If you have any thoughts or questions on the booklet or want to explore further we would be delighted to hear from you!

Please do contact us at South Asian Forum:

saf@eauk.org www.eauk.org/saf

It is our hope and prayer that you continue your journey towards God, and that your life puzzle will be complete.

is like a jigsaw puzzle.

Christians believe that the purpose of life is peace with God and peace with each other.

We realise that there are questions, issues and sometimes misconceptions about the Christian faith, particularly from Asians. In this booklet we try to answer some of them.

We invite you to journey through this booklet, to think and reflect and to find pieces which may fit your life puzzle!

Photo credits:Q.01/NishiSharma,Qs.02/03/04/05/07/08/10/12/14/15/StockXchng,Q.06/PaulBates,Q.09/MichaelBaranovsky,Q.11/LindisfarneGospelQ.13/AllSoulsChurch.Coverimage/GlowImages(ThepeoplepicturedaremodelsandtheContentisusedforillustrativepurposesonly.)

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