By: Deanna Huff, Ph.D. | June 27, 2026
Several years ago, I took a mission trip to Haiti and learned an unexpected lesson. As a sponsor, I prepared the students by teaching about the Haitian people’s worldview, including varieties of Catholicism and Voodoo, alongside teachings about language and culture. Little did I know that the lesson I learned would bring focus to sharing the truth in America. Christians do not have to venture to Haiti to share the gospel with various religions, because the diversity of religions has come to America.
News and social media have increased our awareness of religious diversity and contrary worldviews. Today, a person can walk out their door or hop on social media and encounter a Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim, or various other religious persons. But just like the preparation for any mission trip, as Christians we have the responsibility to prepare strategies to share the Christian faith with our neighbors. One preparation strategy is to share the truth in love, but what does that mean? Sharing the truth in love starts with listening to others and asking open-ended questions while upholding our duty to exemplify a Christ-like attitude in conversations.
Listening
“He who gives an answer before he hears, it is folly and shame unto him.” Proverbs 18:13
Religious books can be incredibly insightful regarding religious structures. However, books do not always tell the whole story. Unfortunately, books have the potential to limit our understanding when they overgeneralize what people believe. Often, people hold different nuances of a religious belief system but do not adhere to all of its general beliefs. When we have the opportunity to speak with people, we can understand what exactly they believe. Winfried Corduan wrote:
So you meet a religious person…
"What can you expect? Who knows? The possibilities are endless. There are many religions, and religions themselves go through changes. Many religions have developed a distinctive folk version over the years, and any particular believer can have his or her own slant on the religion. So, when meeting a person who claims a particular religion, expect the unexpected. Many evangelical Christians try to understand other religions on the basis of quick formulas, but it is a serious mistake to impose simple schemes on the basis of what the person is supposed to believe. For example, many Hindus are not pantheists, many Buddhists do not want to escape into Nirvana and many Jews are not looking for a messiah. Sadly, many people who claim the title of “Christians” do not believe that they are saved by grace through faith in Christ!"[1]
Recently I was moved by a story about a missionary. He described a time when he met four Muslim men in the country where he was living. They invited him to dinner, and the Holy Spirit impressed on him to listen to their stories and remain silent. He said they spoke for four hours about their faith and families. It was at that time that one of the men turned to him and said, “What do you believe?” The missionary had the opportunity to share his beliefs and to present the full gospel of Jesus Christ to them. His ability to listen to the men showed respect and paved the way for a gospel-sharing conversation.
Questioning
Questions are a great way to hear what someone actually believes. Jesus provides over 300 examples of asking people questions. Luke 2:46 provides an early account of Jesus asking questions in the temple at age 12. It says, “He was sitting among the teachers, listening to them, and asking them questions. His understanding and his answers stunned everyone who heard him.” Notice that he started by listening and then asked questions. The passage also identifies Jesus as understanding and answering. In other places Jesus asked:
- “You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again?” Matthew 5:13
- “Can anyone of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” Matthew 6:27
- “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” Mark 3:4
- “But who do you say that I am?” Luke 9:20
- “Why are you trying to trap me?” Mark 12:15
These are two-way conversations. Questions activate the brain and invite people into the conversation.
When having conversations with people, you will want to learn their worldview. A worldview is a framework of particular beliefs that help people make sense of the world. When we meet people of different religious backgrounds, we can better understand their worldviews by discussing the beliefs that shape them. There are a few questions that can help recognize someone’s worldview.
- How did everything begin?
- What does it mean to be human?
- What is the purpose of humanity?
- What is right and what is wrong?
- What happens after death?
These questions can help uncover what a person believes. These conversations can provide openings to compare and contrast beliefs. By discussing these important matters, you can begin to make a case for Christianity. Winfried Corduan puts it well when he states, "Christianity is not true because it has a better message of salvation, but it has a better message of salvation because it is true."[2]
It is worth keeping in mind that in our post-Christian society, some worldviews and belief systems hold that all religions are equally valid and equally true, a view known as pluralism. Yet, the cost of upholding that all religions are true attempts to erase truth itself. Harold Netland brings to light the distinction of Jesus when he stated, “Christianity, which is where the eternal Creator God becomes part of the created order in the incarnation, God the Son becomes a human being and does this in order to redeem and make possible reconciliation between a sinful humanity and a righteous and holy God, you simply do not find that in other religions.”[3]
Exemplifying Christ
While seeking to learn about religious diversity, it is important to remain respectful and compassionate. One way to nurture compassion is to remember that we all need God’s grace. Secondly, remember that humanity is made in the image of God. Seeing people made in the image of God will remind us to treat people with dignity and respect. Recall the words of Paul, “Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person (Col 4:5-6).”
It is the heart of Jesus that gives us compassion for people to share the truth in love. We were once lost and walked apart from God, but someone was moved by the Holy Spirit to share the love of Christ with us. We can pray that God would give us eyes to see as He sees. The Scriptures identify Jesus' compassion. Matthew 14:14 says, “When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.”
It is good to remember that the goal is to plant seeds, testify to the truth, and trust God to produce the growth. Mark 4:26 states, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how.” So we can engage with people, scatter seeds of the gospel, and go to sleep, while God causes the growth.
Conclusion
As you have read, sharing the truth in love involves listening, asking questions, and exemplifying a Christ-like attitude. It starts with listening to others so we can learn their beliefs and understand their worldview. Then we should follow Christ's example by asking questions and bringing understanding about the one true God, Jesus Christ. These conversations should be led with respect and compassion for others, so that they might come to know Christ. May you be encouraged to ask God to open up doors that you may share the truth in love. Remember Jesus' words, "When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” May you be sent out to share the truth in love.
About the Author
Deanna Huff is an online adjunct professor of Apologetics and Theology at Liberty University in the John Rawlings School of Divinity. She is passionate about teaching others to share and defend their faith. Her publications include Stewarding AI: Faithfully Using Creation Resources, The Prophets’ Use of the Shepherd Motif and Its Contribution to Their Presentation of the Character of God, and she has contributed chapters to Why Creationism Still Matters and Strong Faith.
She is also a speaker who has led seminars for the Oklahoma Baptists, the Oklahoma Ladies Retreat, and the State Evangelism Conference. In addition, she taught high school students for ten years at Christian Heritage Academy, covering subjects such as Bible, Universal History, Apologetics, and Philosophy.
Deanna earned a Ph.D. in Theology and Apologetics at Liberty University. She holds a Master of Theology in Apologetics and Worldview from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, a Master of Divinity with Biblical Languages from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Oklahoma.
Deanna is an active member of Capitol Hill Baptist Church, where she co-hosted a podcast called The Analysis with Pastor Mark DeMoss. She also co-hosted a podcast with her daughter, Ellie Huff, called but why should i care. She now hosts the Encouraging and Equipping podcast. She and her husband teach at their church, discipling others in the faith.
Notes
[1] Winfried Corduan, Neighboring Faiths, Third (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, n.d.), 39.
[2] Corduan, Neighboring Faiths, 6.
[3] Harold Netland, How Should Christians View Religious Diversity, 2022, https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?q=harold+netland+christianity+and+religious+diversity&mid=379349EA07B9A2010B35379349EA07B9A2010B35&churl=https%3a%2f%2fwww.youtube.com%2fchannel%2fUC_SwxsguwfbCZYK_m8FMvCQ&FORM=VIRE.
