Abstract
Whereas there has been a dramatic increase in publications regarding the Christian interface with Muslims, there has been far less written about Christian witness among other religious communities, particularly Hindus. Of these, few focus specifically on Hindu communities in the West. In Disciple Making among Hindus, Shultz seeks to fill this void with a practical guide born out of many years of living among Hindus in and around New Jersey.
This book is a highly accessible introduction for persons with little background in Hinduism or missiology, and as such has several strengths. The first is Shultz’s refreshing humility. Though he shares example stories of “success,” he also narrates disappointments and mistakes from which he learned valuable lessons. Because of this Shultz does not offer a programmatic “how-to” guide on evangelizing Hindus. Readers who are tired or wary of triumphalist stories and step-by-step evangelistic guides will appreciate Shultz’s approach.
At the same time, Shultz is clearly motivated by a desire for Hindus to follow Jesus and, as such, offers practical ideas and advice to those with similar interests. In chapter 2 Shultz provides a helpful overview of obstacles and approaches in presenting Christ to Hindus, and in chapter 3 he advocates for authentic relationships that are not manipulative or coercive. In a particularly helpful section (chapter 4: Experiencing Jesus Christ) Shultz discusses the importance Hindus place on experiencing a deity (which can include Jesus), which can then lead to devotion. With this, he calls into question the typical Western emphasis on conversion to Christianity and suggests replacing this with a focus on devotion to Christ. Shultz also offers helpful discussions on the importance of discipling Hindus in ways that strengthen their covenant with their family rather than weaken it (chapter 6).
Perhaps less satisfying and helpful, particularly to missiologists and scholars of religion, are Shultz’s brief descriptions of concepts such as Hindu society, community, religion, and history (chapter 1), as well as the theological discussions of kingdom and church (chapter 6). Readers who are interested in these topics may want to look to other sources. Otherwise, Disciple Making among Hindus provides a culturally sensitive introduction for Christians interested in helping Hindus become followers of Christ.