Matthew P. John Argues How Christ is Hidden Within the Religions of the World in New Book

Author Mathew P. John releases The Unknown God: A Journey with Jesus from East to West March 1, 2020 from David C Cook. The book takes readers on a spiritual journey through six major world religions, unraveling the hidden revelations of Jesus Christ embedded within their sacred scriptures.

In The Unknown God, John gives readers an accessible explanation of all the world religions and shows us how each one offers a glimpse, shadow, or preview of Christ. Exploring the redemptive revelations found outside the boundaries of Christian tradition, readers encounter a variety of symbols that point to the Jesus of the Bible. From Hindu avatars and Buddhist bodhisattvas to Sikh gurus, Muslim prophets and the Jewish messiah, the book considers how different religions attempt to answer the deep longing for a savior ingrained in the collective conscience of humanity.

"We live in the age of religious pluralism where all religions are considered the same and different paths lead to the same spiritual destination," notes John. "It is important for Christians to learn how to affirm Jesus Christ as the only way to God-while also paying due respect to people of other faiths and worldviews."

"Remember Acts, chapter 17 where [Paul] used the unknown god of the Greek as a Christ figure to invite them to the historical Jesus revealed in the Bible?" asks John in the book's promotional video at this link. "Jesus is the historical culmination of the mythical architype hidden in other religions and other cultures. In other words, a myth that became truth."

Ideal for personal reading and small group studies, this book serves both as an introductory course on world religions and an inspirational book for personal spiritual growth. The Unknown God is also complimentary to The Mosaic Course, which is available online at www.themosaiccourse.org and in print, The Mosaic Course: Study Guide.

With a compelling forward to the book written by Philip Yancey, a multiple Gold-Medallion winning author and Editor at Large for Christianity Today, the book is also receiving notable acclaim from pastors, authors, theologians and more:

"How can the world religions be so drastically different and yet also uncannily similar and possibly related? Isn't it incomprehensible that the great faiths are both strikingly contrasting but also remarkably overlapping and even convergent? Might these paradoxical observations be resolved because Jesus is both the unavoidable stumbling block that sets Christianity apart but yet perhaps also the one way that somehow they all point to? The Unknown God invites readers on a journey to consider these questions in light of a gospel that challenges, even as it opens up conversation with, people in other faiths." - Dr. Amos Yong, Dean, School of Theology & School of Intercultural Studies, Fuller Theological Seminary

"Author Eugene Petersen observed that we have two mental operations that work in tandem-explanation and imagination. And hardly anything grips our imagination as a well-written story, inviting us to enter the story and play our part in the unfolding drama. What an exciting way to learn about...world religions." - Rev. Sunder Krishnan, Rexdale Alliance, Toronto. Author: The Conquest of Inner Space

"God is bigger than our boxes!  Firmly planted in Jesus' claims of exclusivity for salvation, Mathew discovers 'God's redemptive grace lurking in the dark and hidden corners of different religions.' The Unknown God will confirm and stretch your beliefs at the same time." - Dr. Craig Sider, President, New York City Leadership

"This book is a generous, thoughtful, nuanced and compelling exploration of six faith traditions and their views of Jesus, written by a scholar who is himself a committed follower of Jesus. This is a book to share with your friends." - Dr. Richard Peace, Professor of Spiritual Formation, Fuller Theological Seminary, Author: Noticing God

"The book, birthed out of personal experience and passion, is an excellent resource for all of us to understand our neighbor's perspective and the gifts we all have to give one another. In a world where more compassion, respect and understanding are so desperately needed, The Unknown God is a timely bridge in a sea of walls." - Christa Hesselink, Author: Life's Great Dare: Risking It All for the Abundant Life.

"The Unknown God offers an incredible resource to people of all religious backgrounds, particularly Christians who are looking to understand world religions and how people can talk together in a respectful and thoughtful way about their beliefs. The author's breadth of knowledge, thoughtful insights and conversational approach are a very rare combination and make it easy for people to grasp the beliefs of world religions, learn from each other and also consider the life and message of Jesus in light of world religions. I highly recommend this book." - Tim Day, The City Movement, Author: God Enters Stage Left

"The author dared to proclaim Christ as the way, the truth and the life in a world culture that is not open to such claim... He describes how other religions picture Christ and anybody - not just Israel - could have access to father God, through Jesus Christ and be His friends and children with all the promises and its benefits that comes with faith in Christ, which is the only true way of Salvation." - Rev. Thomas Kutty, National Leader (Emeritus), The Foursquare Church in India

"This book will lead you to your own personal encounters with Jesus, but in the process, will also help you discover the star that illuminates the path into an inclusive heavenly Jesus!" - Dr. Johnny Ramirez-Johnson, Professor of Anthropology, Fuller Theological

For more information on Mathew P. John, The Unknown God and more, go to www.themosaiccourse.org, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

About Mathew P. John:

Growing up in Piravom, a small city in India that literally means "birth" or "nativity" and traces its history all the way back to the time of the magi, Dr. Mathew P. John now lives in Los Angeles. Originally an electrical engineer who transitioned from technology to theology, he holds a master's degree in theological studies from the University of Toronto (Canada) and a PhD in intercultural studies from Fuller Theological Seminary (USA) where his dissertation won the prestigious Alan Tippet Award for bringing three disciplines, anthropology, world religions and world cinema, into a trialogue. Acquiring over two decades of teaching experience in academic as well as ecclesiastical platforms, John has written extensively in the areas of theology, anthropology and world religions.

The Founder/Director of Focus Infinity, an intercultural outreach organization, and the creator of The Mosaic Course, an online platform for exploring world religions from a Christian perspective, John is also an avid storyteller, an award-winning producer and an alumnus of the Professional Producer's Program at UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television.

About David C Cook:

David C Cook is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the global Church with life-transforming, Christ-centered materials. Headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado-with offices in Illinois, Ohio, Tennessee, and the United Kingdom-David C Cook produces resources that are published in over 150 languages and distributed in more than 170 countries. Originally founded in 1875 as a curriculum publisher, David C Cook now also publishes numerous bestselling books, resources, music (Integrity Music), and media from a variety of award-winning authors and artists. Learn more about David C Cook's mission at DavidCCook.org. 

 

 

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