9 minute read
Sharing the Gospel in a Multicultural and Religiously Diverse World
by Javed Khan
It was late. After dinner, most of our guests had left. A young college student, as well as a couple and their two children lingered on, the younger child sleeping on the sofa while the elder one played on a cellphone. More tea, more efforts to make conversation had failed. It was then that we realized that the friends had something they wanted to talk about. As soon as the last guest had left, the dam broke and a deluge of questions about Christianity began: “Why do you give so much of your time and effort to help us and others in so many ways?”
This was the icebreaker which my wife and I had been seeking for the last year and a half. This was the first time in our friendship that this family asked questions about Christianity, Jesus Christ, the church—all of them prefixed with a “why”. Needless to say, these questions had been brewing in their minds for quite some time.
This one conversation led to individual Bible study with them. As they spread the word to others, it soon became a group Bible study.
Background
In 1971, Canada was the first country in the world to adopt multiculturalism as an official policy. By so doing, Canada affirmed the value and dignity of all Canadian citizens regardless of their racial or ethnic origins, their language, or their religious affiliation. Canadians today practise many faiths including Sikhism, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, Taoism, Hinduism, Jainism, Baha’i, and Confucianism.
Globalization has divorced faiths from locations and cultures. As access to various religions has become more universal, there are fewer barriers preventing people from joining faiths that differ from their tradition. In Canada it is difficult to separate religious groups on the basis of ethnicity. Ethnic groups share the same language, physical features, customs, and traditions. Religious groups share common belief systems but are not necessarily a single ethnic group.
The question is, how do we reach out to the vast mass of humanity which is so visible around us in the form of coworkers, immigrants, refugees, students, and business-people?
Barriers
The cultural, social, and religious barriers that can hinder acceptance of a biblical understanding of Jesus Christ grow from one’s experiences, circumstances, and reasoning. These become filters through which a person processes, evaluates, and accepts or rejects information. Some of these barriers can include:
• Cultural and linguistic difficulties arising from poor translation, imperfect accents, differences in body language, and cultural differences as to what constitutes appropriate behaviour (for example, punctuality and gift giving), among other misunderstandings.
• A failure to understand due to hearing the Gospel in a second language.
• Insensitivity on the part of the person sharing the Gospel as a result of prejudice or a lack of cultural respect.
These barriers and others can be overcome through prayer and by building meaningful relationships.
Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman (John 4:4-42) gives us an example of how cultural barriers like these can be overcome. First, we see a Jew (Jesus) talking to a Samaritan, breaching the socio-ethnic barrier. Second, a man is talking to a woman, breaching the gender barrier. Third, a pious person is talking to a sinful person, breaching the moral or religious barrier. Jesus Christ sets the example Himself.
It is helpful when reaching out to others to learn more about their culture and religion, seeking points of connection that believers can use to bridge barriers (see Paul’s example in Acts 17:22-23). Other attitudes important in intercultural Gospel outreach include opening yourself to cross-cultural contacts; being willing to engage in conversation; building relationships through an awareness of the other person’s needs; and demonstrating respect for others’ cultures (for example, by learning a few words or key phrases in their language).
Building Relationships
Relationship building is a key part of intercultural ministry; we cannot lay enough emphasis on this aspect of evangelism. It is imperative to build strong relationships with people—to make friends with them. Trust grows slowly; it may take years to develop a reputation for being trustworthy. But if you gain that trust—if you build strong relationships with your friends of another culture—you will save many an adverse situation.
Intercultural ministry is at times messy. There are mistakes on all sides. The Lord’s servant must “always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have,” as Peter encourages. But we must do so “with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15).
After all, as Martin Luther says, “It is the duty of every Christian to be Christ to his neighbour.” We must follow Paul’s example: “To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do this all for the sake of the Gospel, that I may share in its blessings” (1 Corinthians 9:22-23).
A wise and loving Christian will seek to be discerning in how, when, where, and why they share the story of Jesus. That means you need to practise patience. You need to be hospitable—one of the backbones of intercultural ministry. Inviting others to your home is a way of telling them how much you respect and care for them. But we must remember Luther’s advice: “We do not serve others with an eye toward making them obligated to us. Nor do we distinguish between friends and enemies or anticipate their thankfulness or ingratitude.”
You also need to be people conscious rather than system conscious. Treat people as individuals, not as “objects” or “targets.” Be ready for deep friendship, not casual friendship.
And be well prepared before you get into religious dialogue with your friends. You will be surprised how many are already well-versed in your religion.
Do’s and Don’ts
Do respect the faith of others. Respecting a person means respecting who they are. All people hold beliefs by which they live their lives and which influence their encounters with other belief systems. To enter into dialogue with people of other faiths, we need to be firmly grounded in our own faith. But do not get defensive or argumentative. Admire everything good about what your friends believe in order to help them open up. Don’t affirm their heresy, but admire their honesty. Find areas of common ground you can compliment them on.
Ask them questions about what they believe—not to trap them but to understand them, and to break down relational barriers keeping them from considering Jesus. Admit that the reason you are a Christian is that you know you’ve fallen short and need someone to rescue you as you cannot do it on your own. That “someone” is Jesus.
Finding Common Ground
Sometimes people from a western background feel awkward when meeting or conversing with people from another country—sometimes even with people from another congregation. Step out of your comfort zone. Take a personal interest in the visitors to your church or Christmas party. Ask them about their customs, culture, food, dress, children, and needs. Many eastern societies are fond of talking especially about their food and clothing.
As you mature in friendship, some leading questions can help in sharing the Gospel. For example:
What are some joys you are experiencing? Many people love to talk about the good things in their lives but are afraid others won’t care. Just by asking and listening, you open the door for great interaction. Sometimes the blessings people are experiencing can open the door for deeper conversation.
What challenges are you facing? People generally only share their hurts with someone who they believe truly cares about them. Talking about challenges can create space for you to pray with or for your friends.
Once you have established a friendship, you may be able to bring up harder questions:
What is your personal history when it comes to faith and God? Some people might say, “I have no history when it comes to religion,” or “I grew up going to Mass every week and my parents are quite devout,” or “I have always been very spiritual and I still read my horoscope daily and do a lot of meditation.” This question can start an ongoing conversation about religion.
What do you believe about God? With this question, we move into more personal convictions and beliefs. Some Christians feel pressured to correct “wrong thinking” or “errant theology” in their conversations with nonbelievers. Try not to do this. What is your perception of Christianity? It takes courage to ask this question, listen, and not get defensive.
Sharing the Gospel can be a long process. Never give up on a friendship; you may never know what the Holy Spirit is doing through you.
Even when it seems the proclamation of the Gospel has not been received, I must not, as a witness to the story of Jesus, abandon the relationship. The friendship must endure; this very act is a testament to the resurrective, restorative, and recreative Kingdom of Jesus—to bring unity and fellowship when once there was disharmony and division.
Sharing the Gospel with Non-Christian Friends
Potential Conversation Starters!
Talking to Muslims?
• Have you ever been to Mecca or do you plan to go?
• What parts of Islam do you wish people understood better?
• Do you believe you need to live by the Five Pillars of Islam in order to go to heaven?
• What do you believe about Jesus Christ?
• How would your friends and family react if you converted to Christianity? How does that make you feel?
Talking to Hindus?
• What’s your spiritual background?
• Would you tell me what you love most about Hinduism?
• What parts of Hinduism are the most difficult for you to accept or practise?
• What do you base your view of God on?
• What purpose do good and evil serve in Hinduism?
Remember!
Other religions teach that salvation is based on what you DO; Christianity teaches that salvation is based on what Jesus has DONE.
• Muslims believe man’s good works have to outweigh his bad works. (DO)
• Hinduism teaches that if one does enough good, you can pay off karmic debt and escape the cycle of regeneration. (DO)
• Sikhs believe that salvation is earned through good works. (DO)
• Jesus says it has already been done; salvation comes as a free gift through His death and resurrection. (DONE)
Javed Khan is a lay missionary with Windsor Essex County Lutheran Outreach (WECLO). For more on WECLO’s work during the pandemic, see page 27.
