CHALLENGING cultural icons from “Oprah to Chopra,” Dr. Ravi Zacharias clears the spiritual fog to reveal underlying truth in his latest book, Why Jesus? (FaithWords/Hachette Book Group, January 2012). On the heels of a new Baylor Religion Survey, which confirms a growing pantheism among other national trends, Zacharias charges leading personalities of the “New Spirituality” movement with leading people astray.
“This book is about the deep, irrepressible spiritual hungers we all have,” writes Zacharias. “We long both for an escape from the world around us and for solace within us. Our world extracts too much from us. Where does one find replenishment and ultimate meaning, especially in a world that mass markets numerous paths to truth?” (page xii).
Zacharias knows more than most about false truth offered by other religions and the mass marketing of philosophy. Born in India into the highest caste of Hinduism, Zacharias converted to Christianity after a suicide attempt as a teen. Now one of the most learned and renowned Christian apologists to come out of the Third World, Zacharias’ expertise on comparative religions has earned him audiences from Capitol Hill to Harvard and in more than 50 countries around the world.
In ‘Why Jesus?’, Zacharias asserts that through the past 40 years, movements like New Age spirituality and America’s obsession with human potential have redefined what has been for centuries the classic biblical definition of the person, work and teaching of Jesus Christ. “Who, deep in his or her heart, doesn’t want to know God, if he really exists?” asks Zacharias. “So the wellness industry and the spiritual centers are thriving, each offering their own version of bliss.”
Zacharias examines the impact of cultural figures such as Shirley Maclaine, authors James Redfield (The Celestine Prophecy), Rhonda Byrne (The Secret), Dan Brown (The Da Vinci Code), books by Eckart Tolle, Deepak Chopra, the Dali Lama and Marianne Williamson, among others. Paying particular attention to the influence of Oprah Winfrey, Why Jesus? equips readers with facts dispelling New Age teachings and instead outlines why Christianity is the only true path.
“I have no doubt that many might well be offended by the challenges I have made to other beliefs in this book,” writes Zacharias. “Some might even consider the tone of this book too strong or harsh. That is not my intent. But it is hard not to get passionate when you read the bizarre twists of truth offered by proponents of the New Spirituality” (page 230).
Challenging readers to embrace a relationship with Jesus, Zacharias writes, “G. K. Chesterton was right: the problem with Christianity is not that it has been tried and found wanting, but that it has been found difficult and left untried. The message of Jesus is beautiful and magnificent and life‐changing. If you have not already discovered that for yourself, may you discover it now. Spirituality is not good enough” (page 269).
About the Author:
Head of Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM), Zacharias leads a global team of itinerant speakers with offices throughout the world. Zacharias has spoken in more than 50 countries and at Harvard, Princeton and Oxford universities and at diverse locales such as the South African peace accord, a Russian military academy, the first annual African prayer breakfast, the White House and the Pentagon. Zacharias was the honorary chairman of the 2008 U.S. National Day of Prayer.
