The Christian literature marketplace is expanding to include an ever-wider array of genres and techniques. Authors are mixing it up, applying techniques and styles often found in genres other than their own, claiming them for their own work. In his Great Conversations series Zacharias joins the ranks of these authors seeking fresh, innovative writing. Each title features a fictional conversation between Jesus and an influential faith figure, philosopher, or contributor to human thought on the nature of life, God, and salvation.
Distinct even in appearance, New Birth or Rebirth - Jesus Talks with Krishna is a tiny hardcover (90 pages, and will fit into the smallest purse) and appears more akin to a gift book — minus the satin ribbon bookmark — than it does to the large, paperback tomes of questions and answers that sit in the apologetic section of my bookcase. The differences go far beyond appearance and length however, affecting the form and content of this title, if not the function.
Written in the field of comparative religion, Zacharias contrasts the Hinduism of his native India with his own Christian faith using a fictional conversation between Jesus and Krishna. Subramanian, a Hindu who lived and converted to Christianity in the 20th century, is transplanted into this fictional setting to eavesdrop and contribute to the fictional dialogue. He provides a listening ear, recording mind and probing questions for Jesus and Krishna to wrangle with. This story is his retelling of the conversation he witnessed to his fictional friend Richard.
The aim of New Birth or Rebirth is to educate and inform Christians about the Hindu faith (and vice versa, though written primarily for a Christian audience), and to contrast the major figure of each. In attempts to establish evidence of an archetypal theme of the sacrificial God, comparisons pointing out the similarities between Krishna and Christ have become somewhat commonplace. Zacharias points out the differences between the two, correcting any misunderstanding that Krishna and Jesus play the same role in their respective faiths.
The prose is very simple, arranged like a play, or Pilgrim’s Progress, with each character’s name preceding their spoken words. Very few external descriptions are provided, though a few do pop in, similar to stage directions. The reader is confronted with pure dialogue, no fripperies. The fictional conversation ranges through a wide variety of topics relating to the differences between Hinduism and Christianity including the most popular questions we have in the West -- "Why do Hindus revere cows?" -- to the more obscure: “Did Krishna literally have 16,000+ wives?” Some conversational topics are straightforward explanations, while others veer into the wildly philosophical realms.
Article comments
1 - Jordan Richardson
Each title features a fictional conversation between Jesus and an influential faith figure, philosopher, or contributor to human thought on the nature of life, God, and salvation.
With the exception of Jesus Talks With Hitler, I'm assuming...
2 - Jennifer @ Quiverfull Family
Well, I think that Hitler was a contributor to human thought on the nature of life and God. He has certainly profoundly influenced many with his beliefs. Think Neo-Nazi's here.
The conversations are all fictional - not necessarily the characters Jesus engages.
3 - Eternal Truth
I hope he is not trying to prove superiority of christianity over hinduism as lot of missionaries do.
4 - Jennifer @ Quiverfull Family
I don't think it's a matter of trying to prove the superiority of Christianity. Zacharias is a Christian who believes and knows that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life, and that no man comes to God unless it is through Him.
Zacharias does not come across as trying to put Hinduism down. He illustrates this vital truth through a comparison to the Hindu faith by using a fictional conversation with Krishna.
5 - David Hughes
Jesus went to India between ages 13 and 30 to learn Krishna-neeti (Christianity) from sages. Click on my site URL to learn more about the truth. My other website is innercircleofchrist.com. HTH~!
6 - Jennifer @ Quiverfull Family
Hi David,
Thanks for taking the time to comment here. Did you realize that Jesus didn't use the term Christianity, nor did Christian themselves develop the label? It was applied to them by others who met them and observed their walk in faith with Christ. The word Christ isn't a derivative of Krishna it comes from the Greek Χριστός (Khristós) meaning "the anointed", this word is equivalent to the Hebrew term, Messiah, referring to God's chosen one.
Ultimately, Christianity is not a religious system that can be taught. It does not consist of rules and regulations that can be followed in order to be a member. Rather it is founded upon a real relationship with the living God through His son Jesus/Yeshua. I realize that this is difficult to understand, because I was lost and without Jesus in my life until only a couple of years ago. I firmly believed that Christianity was a set of beliefs that people chose to follow - a religion. Only after personally experiencing Jesus for myself have I even started to understand the majesty of what God has done for us through His only begotten Son.
Take care, and keep seeking. You'll be in my prayers.