EVANGELIZING HINDUS AND BUDDHISTS

Edited by Ian E. Benson

INTRODUCTION AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Hinduism and Buddhism are very different. However, they are treated together in this study because Buddhism arose within the context of Hinduism and shares some of its beliefs – notably “karma” (the total effect of one’s actions – for good or bad – in this life and in the future).

The aim of this introductory guide is to give practical help in making disciples of people from Hindu and Buddhist  backgrounds especially in Asia. We gratefully acknowledge help given by Dr. John Davis of Moorlands Bibles College in preparing this booklet.

May the one true God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, illumine us and make us effective witnesses to Hindus and Buddhists.

HINDUS

The Hindu religion began in India, which today has almost 900,000,000 inhabitants (more than live in both North and South America together). Many also live in other countries. The great majority (more than 700,000,000 people) are Hindus. Christians, Buddhists and Muslism are a minority in India. Others are animists who worship the supposed spirits of plants, rivers, animals and clouds.

Thousands of Hindus have been converted to Christ, especially in some tribes. However, 3,000 tribes and linguistic groups are still without a Christian church. Many have never even heard the Name of Jesus. Hinduism is so varied and vast that we can present only a small part in this study. See further reading on page 44 for more information. Hindus call their religion “the eternal teaching”.

PHILOSOPHICAL ARGUMENTS ARE OF LIFE WORTH

Let us show Hindus the love and power of the Lord Jesus Christ rather than concentrating on philosophical arguments.

• You believe in thousands of gods. Only the Christian faith is the true religion.
• You Christians are so dogmatic! Civilized people should be tolerant. With all respect for your beliefs, I can’t argue with people who haven’t got any culture.
• Wait! We can only find happiness in Jesus. Aren’t you interested in spiritual things?
• Of course I am. We’re more religious than you are! You don’t fast every week. And you don’t deny the desires of the body like my caste does. That’s what is most important for me.

Hindus try to make themselves  perfect through good works (karma), devotion to a god or goddess (bhakti), meditation (yoga) and developing spiritual knowledge (jnana).

For the Hindus, it is more important to:

• Argue about religious doctrines ( )
• Deny the desires of the body ( )

Religious Hindus are more interested in denying their material and fleshly desires. Most of them are not interested in discussing doctrines. Their aim is to free themselves from the control of material things. Usually, Hindus do not become Christians through arguments. Faith is awakened in them only through a personal encounter with the Lord Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit. Our transparent life full of peace and joy can sometimes speak louder than words.

The words of an intellectual argument do not normally penetrate their hearts. Argument is against their culture and ethics. When we evangelize them, it is good to remember that our Lord Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, is the only source of Life. Only He can change a Hindu’s heart. There is no other way of saving them from Satan’s clutch.

Hindus think that only a shameless person would say that someone else’s religion was false. So as not to offend them, we do not flatly contradict what they say. Rather, we help them understand that Jesus Christ has opened a way of peace, purity and joy to God, and explain that we have experienced  this  ourselves.

• I can convince them only with the power and love of the Holy Spirit. They will see the power, purity and healing in Jesus Christ. Only He can free us from demons. They can’t receive this from their gods. I’ll stop forcing them to believe in Jesus by my arguments. They will respect the Word of God when they see it in action in my life.

To convert Hindus, God uses more frequently:

• The love and power of Christ to transform lives and heal. ( )
• Arguments about religion and the errors of Hinduism. ( )

The Holy Spirit convicts Hindus when we show the love and transforming power of Jesus, and when the Gospel is confirmed by healing and liberation from demons in His Name.