This is a brave book as it provides a philosophical defense for ethical proselytizing. I was surprised that this would be as much needed in America as in the UK - but clearly there are a lot of questions on the other side of the pond towards mission, evangelism, proselytizing and 'persuasion' as there is here. 'Proselytization' and 'persuasion' are negative words in the UK context and even evangelists often avoid using the terms. Here, in a well written book, we have a careful analysis of the issues and a well thought out and articulate presentation of its rightness - if 'ethically' presented. For me a key section of this academic book is in the consideration of 'aggressive' proselytization. This comes up often, e.g. when Jay Newman is quoted saying Newman 'tends to load the dice by talking about fanatical, irrational, or aggressive proselytizers'. "When two groups of aggressive proselytizers meet, the result is inevitable 'holy war". Theissen says proselytizers do not have to be aggressive and so the consequence is not inevitable 'or even most probable’.. and that there is much counter evidence to suggest that 'proselytizing has for many individuals led to a relief from guilt, peace of mind, awareness of being loved, and the ability to love'. Theissen goes on to cite 'empirical studies show that the religiously committed are happier as a result of their conversion'. (p115). Well, this is a big debate in our post modern context where proselytizing and persuading people to become Christian is not popular. Here is a consideration of many facets e.g. abuse of power (p169), converting children (p179) and the place of dialogue (p216) etc. I was interested to see what the author calls 'ethical' and 'unethical', and was pleased to see the answer (p208/9) 'ethical proselytizing operates under the assumption that the other has the right to proselytize as well'. He even says, 'it is immoral to assume or to work towards a monopoly of the proselytizing enterprise' (p209 and repeated p237). Appendix 1 has a list of 15 criteria which the author uses to describe 'ethical' proselytizing - I found it a most helpful and useful checklist. This then is a stimulating read, and I commend it to be read by many who have questions about evangelism.