A Diverse World of Faith 

EMQ » Oct – Dec 2024 » Volume 60 Issue 4

Reviewed by Dennis J. Horton, PhD, associate professor of religion and director of ministry guidance, Baylor University, Waco, Texas.  

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How can anyone cover “world religions in seven sentences?” This book is one of several in the series, “Introductions in Seven Sentences,” which offer insightful overviews of philosophy, Christian history, the Old and New Testaments, and world religions. Douglas Groothuis approaches this daunting task by selecting a pivotal statement from six major world religions in addition to a key declaration of atheism. The seven sentences function as “entry point[s] of intellectual exploration” and “windows into their worldviews and ways of life” (2). 

• Atheism: “God is dead.” 

• Judaism: “I am who I am.” 

• Hinduism: “You are that.” 

• Buddhism: “Life is suffering.” 

• Daoism: “The Dao that can be spoken is not the eternal Dao.” 

• Christianity: “Before Abraham was born, I am.” 

• Islam: “There is one God, and Muhammad is his prophet.” 

This exploratory journey begins surprisingly, but appropriately, with atheism. While not a world religion, it is still a faith position and, if true, renders the rest of the journey meaningless. After summarizing Friedrich Nietzsche’s philosophical position, Groothuis uses logic and reasoning to demonstrate that Nietzsche’s arguments fail to prove that God does not exist. Moreover, a world without God produces a relativistic environment in which individuals and societies are tasked with creating their own set of ethics, typically resulting in a deadly assertion of power.  

The author then uses the focal statements of each religion to explore its key components. Through this process, the readers learn about the founders, their central teachings, and essential terms for understanding each religion. 

When exploring Islam, for example, Groothuis uses their confession of faith (the Shahadah) as his launching sentence to highlight Islam’s two core beliefs of strict monotheism and Muhammad as Allah’s final prophet. The author describes the life of Muhammad, the Qur’an, and the Hadith. He also explains the six tenets and five pillars of Islam with the associated key terminology, resulting in a concise and helpful summary of Islam.  

Groothuis follows his description of each religion with a Christian apologetic response. His comparisons with Christianity and identification of its strengths will undoubtedly help Christian readers be able to grow in knowledge of their own faith and provide a defense of their beliefs.  

Does Groothuis accomplish his monumental task? Yes. At times, however, the author may rely too heavily on logic and reasoning in his apologetics. Metaphysical beliefs can move beyond the realm of reason. The concept of the Trinity, for example, defies strict logic. Groothuis may also be too cautious at times about other religious practices such as “mindfulness” (76). Focused attention and awareness certainly find kinship with Christian meditation.  

For those looking for a concise introduction to six of the major religions of the world as well as the growing movement of those adhering to atheism, this book will be particularly instructive. Groothuis will guide them through each one, reassuring them that the Christian faith stands on a solid foundation while providing his readers with a pathway to conversation with those of other faiths.   

For Further Reading

Neighboring Faiths: A Christian Introduction to World Religions, revised 3rd edition, by Winfried Corduan (IVP Academic, 2024) 

Between One Faith and Another by Peter Kreeft (IVP Academic, 2017) 

World Religions: A Guide to the Essentials, 3rd edition, by Thomas A. Robinson and Hillary P. Rodrigues (Baker Academic, 2022)     

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EMQ, Volume 60, Issue 4. Copyright © 2024 by Missio Nexus. All rights reserved. Not to be reproduced or copied in any form without written permission from Missio Nexus. Email: EMQ@MissioNexus.org.