An Ancient Prayer
One of Hinduism's oldest scriptures holds a short prayer that Hindus still say today: “Lead me from the unreal to the real! Lead me from darkness to light! Lead me from death to immortality!” (Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 1.3.28). Anyone who has stood beside a grave knows why that prayer has lasted.
About 1.2 billion people are Hindus, and most of them live in India. Your Hindu neighbor may be a doctor, a coworker, or a classmate. Many more people know Hindu ideas without knowing where they came from: karma, reincarnation, yoga, and meditation. This study sets out what Hindus believe from their own scriptures, answers from the Bible, and helps you share the Gospel with a Hindu friend.
Notice what that old prayer asks for: reality, light, and life beyond death. Jesus claimed to be the answer to it.
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”
Hinduism is less a single religion than a large family of traditions (see Engaging Other Religions). Two Hindus may disagree about nearly everything concerning God. These are broad lines. Ask your friend what he believes.
Loading the rest of this article
For Deeper Study
- Death of a GuruAmazon Rabindranath R. Maharaj with Dave HuntThe true story of a young Hindu from a Brahmin family in Trinidad who came to trust Christ. Evangelical.
- Neighboring Faiths: A Christian Introduction to World ReligionsAmazon Winfried CorduanFair, careful descriptions of the major world religions as their adherents practice them, with a Christian assessment.
- Christianity at the Religious RoundtableAmazon Timothy C. TennentA missionary scholar shows how evangelical conversations with Hindus, Buddhists, and Muslims actually go. Evangelical and more demanding.
- An Introduction to HinduismAmazon Gavin FloodA standard academic survey, not written from a Christian point of view.
- The Song CelestialAmazon Edwin Arnold, trans.The primary source: the Bhagavad Gita in the English verse translation quoted in this study (1885). Read what your friend may treasure.
- Foxe's Book of MartyrsAmazon John FoxeThe classic Protestant record of those who died for the faith, from the early church to the English Reformation.
As an Amazon Associate, Theologica earns from qualifying purchases.
Engaging Other Religions
Sincerity is not the same as truth: every religion makes exclusive claims, and Jesus Christ is the only way to the Father.
Open Doctrine