I recently asked AI to review my book, Gospel-Centered Christianity and Other Religions, now available as an audiobook on Amazon. Here’s the review it generated, both its strengths and weaknesses:
By Dr. Tim Orr
Out of curiosity, I recently asked AI to review my book, Gospel-Centered Christianity and Other Religions, now available as an audiobook on Amazon. I wanted to see how it would interact with the ideas I poured into these pages, especially the heart behind comparing Christianity with other faiths through the lens of the gospel. What came back surprised me. The review was thoughtful, affirming in many ways, and even offered a few constructive critiques. Here’s what it had to say: the encouraging takeaways and the honest suggestions.
Tim Orr’s Gospel-Centered Christianity and Other Religions manages to do both—and does so without losing sight of the heart behind interfaith engagement. This isn’t just a book of theological reflections or a survey of world religions. It’s a personal, pastoral, and practical invitation to see Jesus as the only answer to the longings found in every human heart, including those shaped by Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Mormonism.
What makes the book stand out immediately is its starting point: the gospel. Tim doesn’t begin with what others believe—he begins with what Christ has done. Each chapter flows out of this conviction. Whether he’s addressing the works-based structure of Islam or the karmic loop of Hinduism, his aim isn’t to win arguments—it’s to showcase how the gospel answers life’s deepest questions in a way no other system can. He doesn’t just tell you what’s wrong with other religions; he shows you why the gospel is so right, beautiful, and necessary.
One of my favorite parts of the book is the tone. It’s not hostile, arrogant, or even just academic. It’s written with the heart of someone who has spent countless hours conversing with people of other faiths—someone who knows their stories and sorrows. When Tim talks about his interactions with Muslims, for instance, you sense his theological depth and care. He doesn’t flatten Islam into a caricature. Instead, he highlights the human longing for assurance, forgiveness, and nearness to God—and then gently but firmly points to the cross as the only place where those longings are ultimately fulfilled.
This approach continues through the chapters on Buddhism, Hinduism, and Mormonism. Rather than generalizing, Tim unpacks specific worldview assumptions and shows how the biblical narrative—Creation, Fall, Redemption, and Restoration—uniquely responds to those assumptions. I especially appreciated how he contrasted the impersonal emptiness of Nirvana in Buddhism with the personal, loving embrace of the Father through Christ. It reminded me that Christianity is not just “better news” but categorically different news. The gospel doesn’t just offer a new set of rules or a clearer path—it offers a person: Jesus.
Every good book deserves an honest critique, and this one is no exception. One area I wish Tim had gone deeper into is the growing influence of secularism and postmodern spirituality in the West. While the book shines when addressing formal religious systems, many people today don’t identify with them. Instead, they believe in DIY spirituality—something cobbled together from social media influencers, yoga retreats, and a vague belief in “the universe.” Addressing this “spiritual but not religious” mindset with the same gospel-centered framework would have expanded the book's reach even further.
I also think the book could benefit from a broader set of voices. While Tim’s insights are rooted in years of cross-cultural ministry, there’s something powerful about hearing how the global church, particularly believers in South Asia or the Middle East, is navigating these same conversations. Including stories or quotes from those voices would’ve added an even richer texture to the narrative. It’s not a flaw, just an opportunity for future editions.
For the practical-minded reader, it would be helpful to see more tools in hand. The theology is excellent, and the tone is spot-on, but a few more conversation starters, role-play scenarios, or tips for disciplining someone from another faith background could make it even more usable for churches, small groups, or evangelism teams.
Still, despite these few areas for growth, the book is an incredible resource. It’s honest without being harsh, hopeful without being naïve, and thoroughly Christ-centered. Tim Orr has given the church something we desperately need right now: a vision for interfaith witness that is neither compromising nor combative. He reminds us that we can hold fast to Christ's uniqueness while reaching out our hands in love to our neighbors.
If you’re a pastor, a missionary, a campus minister, or simply someone who has Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, or Mormon friends—and you want to talk about Jesus in a bold and beautiful way—this book is for you. It’s not just about understanding other religions. It’s about treasuring the gospel more deeply so you can share it more effectively.
Tim serves full-time with Crescent Project as the assistant director of the internship program and area coordinator, where he is also deeply involved in outreach across the UK. A scholar of Islam, Evangelical minister, conference speaker, and interfaith consultant, Tim brings over 30 years of experience in cross-cultural ministry. He holds six academic degrees, including a Doctor of Ministry from Liberty University and a Master’s in Islamic Studies from the Islamic College in London.
In addition to his ministry work, Tim is a research associate with the Congregations and Polarization Project at the Center for the Study of Religion and American Culture at Indiana University Indianapolis. His research interests include Islamic antisemitism, American Evangelicalism, and Islamic feminism. He has spoken at leading universities and mosques throughout the UK—including Oxford University, Imperial College London, and the University of Tehran—and has published widely in peer-reviewed Islamic academic journals. Tim is also the author of four books.