It’s not surprising that people are muddled when the world we live in tolerates all kinds of behaviour and thinking. I’ve lost count of the number of times people have said to me, ‘it doesn’t matter what you believe as long as you’re sincere’, or, ‘aren’t all religions much the same?’ While I definitely don’t agree with these statements, I have often struggled to come out with a coherent answer.

Recognising the confusion that exists, Michael Green, Senior Research Fellow at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford, gives answers to some of the common misconceptions. He looks at the areas where people are often misinformed, considering where these ideas come from. There are clear, logical answers to help us correct the ideas that sincerity is what matters or that all religions are the same, leading to the same God. The author points out how the religions are ‘manifestly different in their conception of God, humanity, salvation and the life to come’.

Green points out that Jesus is both special and ‘utterly unique’, but stresses that Christians are as fallible as anyone else. He explains the ‘good reasons why I believe He is the way from God to us and the way for us to God’. He lays out what sets Jesus apart from other ‘great teachers’, pointing out that, while some similarities exist, there are huge differences. For example, which other ‘teacher’ conquered death? The book finishes by answering some hard questions such as ‘how should Christians regard other religions?’ and what it means to become a Christian.

The book is short and easy to read, whilst the author’s arguments are clear and persuasive. It is weighted towards pointing out how Christianity is different to other religions and this is tackled comprehensively. I enjoyed learning to focus the conversation on Jesus, rather than speaking to my friends only in abstract terms.

There are only basic facts about other religions, but I think the book is written to tackle questions from a more secular enquirer who has only a smattering of knowledge about religion. Having read it I feel equipped to answer the questions addressed and what this book does, it does very well. If you are often frustrated by people who like to sit on the fence, or feel that ‘we are being sacrificed on the altar of multi-faith political correctness’, then buy it now!

Reviewed by:
Sarah Teague 
Clinical student at Imperial College, London