James. Emmanuel E, Asian concept of Salvation, Bangalore, Theological Book Trust (TBT),
2009,
Paperback
Pages: 214,
ISBN- 81-7475-061-4.
The word salvation has very much authority in all
religions, every religion is hoping for a better future, Bible speaks very
clearly in Acts 4:12 “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is
none Other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved”.
In Asia there is more influence of growing
religious, as there is various religion interact. Those religions present a
multidimensional challenge with one another at multiple levels. Every religion
claim to have salvation in its own way of understanding. They claim that they
can achieve eternal life through their own available way. In this context of
pluralism understanding Emmanuel E. James (served as the first director of
Asian Institute of Theology, Bangalore. He is currently the chief editor of TBT
and visiting professor at the ACTS) has brought some of new insights on this
book.”
This book is a collection of different articles
which speaks mainly the concept of salvation in every religion in the
pluralistic world view. It contains twelve chapters each chapter deals with
different religion doctrinal view especially of the their view of salvation.
This book is starting with inclusive and exclusive claim of the gospel of Jesus
Christ. The concept of salvation differs, in short as the author mentioned
here, from religions in which the Christian doctrine of salvation focuses on
how Jesus Christ saves people from their sins, reconciling them with the triune
God whereas Hinduism teaches that humans are caught in a cycle of death and
rebirth. It is devoted to the attainment of moksha,
meaning liberation which is a state of oneness with Brahma. Jainism
emphasizes penance and asceticism meant to lead to liberation and ascendance of
the soul, while Buddhism is devoted primarily liberation from suffering,
ignorance, rebirth and attaining a state of Nirvana.
Sikhism advocates the pursuit of salvation through disciplined, personal
meditation on the name the Sat naam. Islamic
doctrine of salvation focuses on how humans can repent of and atone for their
sins so that they not end up in hell. The author also has brought the concept
of the salvation of the Chinese religions such as Taoism and Confucianism.
When I go throughout this book it gives one of the
main points that of world views and attitudes of the people to the world. Every
religions and every people has an expectation of the good life, yet to be come
in the next world. They all look for something better somewhere in the future.
It is really a matter of overcoming this existence in anticipation of that
future that drives one to strive for salvation. The author’s main purpose of
writing this book is to show that the differences between Christianity and all
other religions is that in Christianity salvation is a free gift of God. The
uniqueness is Jesus who is always available to all who believe. In all other
religions salvation is through human efforts.
This book is a product of good effort, but it would have been better if the
author could provide little more notions on how to build bridge between
Christian and other faith. However this book is relevant to the Christian
minister especially in India and the entire theological student. I recommend
this book to all of the Christian especially in the India.
Further Reading
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