In comparison the writers, both of Christian backgrounds,
offered their specific flavor to interpretations of other world religions.
Corduan’s, “So you meet a…” sections at the end of every chapter were of great
value and often times taught much more than one can experience on one’s own.
Additionally Corduan’s premise of Original Monotheism, again, helps to bolster
the whole book and therein provides the reader a more substantial understanding
of the historical nature and progression of all religion while still providing
the facts of specific religions. Dickson’s chapter, “What’s Wrong With Jesus”
furnishes the reader information that they would not normally consider
especially if they were of a Christian upbringing or background. Herein lies
the power of Dickson’s book, attempting to show each of the five religions
regarded in their own specific light and therefore letting the reader get to
know the unadulterated state of a religion as best as a Christian writer can do
given his preconceptions.
If
asked to recommend one of these two books as a resource of another believer to
learn about other religions, Corduan’s work would best suit the believer. While
it offers many more religions to learn about this is not the primary case for
choosing this book (but it does not hurt). The main reason Corduan’s book is more
helpful than Dickson’s is completely based on the Original Monotheism motif,
which runs the course of the book. In so doing it gives the read a deeper and
richer understanding of the historical sense as well as equips them for the,
now seemingly, inevitable conversation they will have with an Atheist about
their faith.
What
remains after this? That Christ is the Savior of his Church and the Church is
the herald of that glorious news. As Christians it is part of their purpose to
know, to the best of their abilities, how to speak the gospel into other
people’s lives. Therefore Christians are the bearer of wonderful news with
cunning minds, able to see the myths of other belief systems (and unbelief systems)
for what they are and, by the grace of God for the glory of God, proclaim,
“O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free Thine own from
Satan's tyranny; from depths of Hell Thy people save, and give them victory
o'er the grave… O come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheer; our spirits by Thine
advent here; Disperse the gloomy clouds of night, and death's dark shadows put
to flight. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.”[1]
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