How rare is this book? In the 75-year history of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, and during my 16 years of ministry in my beloved Pakistan, and in Afghanistan and UAE, I have never read the phrase, "evangelism through peace not by pressure." Being a 5th generation Christian, and having observed many Christian apologists and scholars trying to defend Christianity, I simply ask, how much good has that approach done? As recent as March 2023, I read a challenge on social media by a Christian debater, who is willing to defend Jesus Christ and Christianity by answering any Islamic scholar's challenge of the deity of Christ. Frankly, in my opinion, we are just wasting our time with this approach. We are winning few souls this way, and, in fact, are creating an environment of hatred though we are called to be the children of love.
What has so dramatically changed my perspective about the future of Christianity in Pakistan? Dr. Edward N. Gross' book, Are you a Christian or a Disciple?, came into my hands and, when I read the title, I thought it would be worthwhile to read. Well, I ended up reading it three times, and becoming convinced that this focus on following Jesus as disciples with peace is the dire need of Pakistan today. Its message will help produce a paradigm shift here, as we were on the wrong path of debating, defending and evangelizing with pressure. And due to this, lots of people have lost their lives by severe persecutions and hatred.
I requested and was accepted by Dr. Gross to let us translate and print this book into our Urdu Language. He did not just accept our request, but also helped find funding for the whole project. Then I thought it would be more fruitful if he could come in person and introduce the subject to our nation's ordained and youth leadership. What was the result of his coming to Pakistan and teaching different denominational leaders, seminary students, theologians, and Bishop Councils? They all were shocked as they listened to his teachings. It was an eye-opening moment for all of us. We discovered that we were making church members not disciples. We were doing evangelism with pressure not with peace. Now, the majority of our national leaders have agreed and become committed to using the biblical approach of "evangelism by peace not by pressure" going forward.
