The 2017 Before We Call Them Strangers: What Adventists Ought to Know about Muslims, Buddhists, and Hindus, by Paul Dybdahl, Walla Walla University professor of mission and New Testament, will be offered as three separate books, one on each religion highlighted in the original book.

Each of the three new books has a co-author who worked with Dybdahl on additional content for the books.

“My portion of each book introduces the beliefs and practices of each religion, records interviews with two followers of each religion, and then lists some of what I appreciate about each religion,” said Dybdahl. “My co-authors are all practitioners — they are actively engaged in ongoing work among people of that religion. Their addition is a section that deals with practical, how-to ideas for engagement and sharing.”

The first of the series, Islam: Facts, Fictions, and Familiarities, was written with Gabriela Phillips, coordinator for Adventist-Muslim relations for the North American Division of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, and is currently available for purchase. The second book, which Dybdahl is writing alongside Scott Griswold, director of Reach the World Next Door, titled Buddhism: Stumbling Blocks and Stepping Stones was released this summer. The final book on Hinduism will be released within the year.

Dybdahl hopes these books will improve the religious experiences of the readers. “These individual books are intended as a resource and practical guide for Christians who want to learn about those of other faiths and also engage in meaningful relationships with them,” he said.

Books are available at AdventSource.org.

— Makena Horton is a University Relations student writer at Walla Walla University.