Mennonite Weekly Review

Set among the Tibetan Himalayas, Unmistaken Child documents a Buddhist monk’s search for the toddler he believes is the reincarnation of his mentor and spiritual teacher, who died in 2001.

The film does a better job of offering a non-Western perspective of the Buddhist faith than some films of recent years. Yet it also presents the hopes and fears of the young monk in a way that shows how shared humanity can transcend culture.

Unmistaken Child also reminds viewers how different Buddhism is from other faiths. Many of us as peace church members are among Westerners who admire the peacefulness of Buddhist philosophy and the writings of its spiritual teachers.

Yet we recognize it is a separate belief system at times difficult for us to understand. Still, we can learn from the places where its leaders and traditions offer wisdom. As we encounter other faiths we can strengthen our own, clarifying our beliefs and why we hold them. What is special about following Jesus?

A new resource that can help us and other Christians examine that question is Jesus Matters: Good News for the 21st Century, published several months ago by Herald Press. The book was sent to more than 1,000 Mennonite Church USA pastors (See “Donations Put ‘Jesus Matters’ in the Hands of 1,000 Pastors,” Aug. 17.)

The book helps Christians to look at the Bible and our faith tradition and to consider our beliefs about Jesus. The contributors, older and young adults writing together and commenting on each other’s work, invite readers into their conversations about biblical, historical and theological issues.

For example, David W. Shenk of Eastern Mennonite Missions and Linford Fisher, history professor at Brown University in Providence, R.I., look at how Jesus guides us in considering the many truth claims of different religions. They examine the basic beliefs of the world’s major religions in a way that indicates careful study. They describe the “signs of truth within the religions.” Yet they also show what is distinct about the truth offered by Jesus.

Jesus Matters examines faith issues without chiding readers for having doubts or questions. Too often Christians come across as hypocritical when they suggest to be Christian means always being blameless and always certain of being right.

Choosing to follow Jesus, we not only find that discipleship is costly, but also that we make many mistakes. Yet Jesus forgave his disciples for their shortcomings. We can repent, be forgiven and try again.

We can have integrity in sharing what has been revealed to us through Scripture, our church communities and our relationships with God. We can also listen to and learn from followers of other faiths, trusting that God will use all those experiences to enrich and guide us.