Test 1 Notes - World Religions

Worldview

Worldview

beliefs, way of living, understanding the universe, communities, etc. that affect behaviors and speech, which ultimately affect life outcome

Dimensions of Worldview

Cognitive, Affective, Evaluative

Cognitive Dimension

Based on logic

Affective Dimension

Based on emotion

Evaluative Dimension

Determine decisions that lead to action

Main Function of Worldviews

Lead a person or group into a way of life (shape/determine values, views, etc.)

Four Ultimate Questions

Origins, morality, purpose, destiny

Things that affect Worldview

Experiences (most important), relationships, power/society, prejudice, and education

Three Central Worldview Beliefs

Metaphysics, epistemology, and ethics

Metaphysics

Deals with the nature of reality and existence

Epistemology

Deals with the theory and nature of knowledge

Ethics

Deals with axiology (morals, beliefs, judgement)

Theology

Questions the nature of God and purpose of humanity and religion

Anthropology

Questions the origins, nature, purpose, etc. of humans

Biblical Worldview Definitions

Living under Genesis 1:1, living in harmony with Biblical teachings, Christ-centered living, thinking like Jesus

Central features of Biblical Worldview

Supreme being, human nature, great controversy, second coming

Common Worldviews

Deism, naturalism, nihilism, existentialism, atheism, post-modernism, pantheism, panentheism, new age, polytheism

Deism

World created by God, ruled by natural law (theism minus miracles)

Naturalism

Reality based, natural laws explain everything, no space for supernatural

Nihilism

Denial of existence, life is pointless

Existentialism

Life is pointless, but the individual creates meaning

Atheism

There is no God (where agnostic believes there is no evidence of God)

Post-Modernism

No absolute truth (good/evil, purpose, etc.)

Pantheism

Everything is god, universe and divine are one (related to monism)

Panentheism

The world is an extension of god

New Age

Religious syncretism (all religions are one), very spiritual

Polytheism

Many gods with finite/specific attributes

Religare

Word that “religion” comes from, defines set of beliefs

The Fall of Man

Determined why there are so many religions

Spiritual Schizophrenia

Humans want to both run away and be drawn to God

Religious Urge

Rejection, realization, and seeking transcendental

Danger of Religious Urge

It is easy to fall into pagan religion’s common denominator: Justification by Works

Justification by Works

Belief present in pagan religions

Islam

Fastest growing religion, but will still be less in number than Christianity by 2050-2060

Nones

Unaffiliated (secular, agnostic, etc.) growing fast in the West and America

Three Reasons the World Religions are Shifting

Fertility rates, youth population size, switching faith

Center of Gravity for Christianity

Shifting southward toward Africa, Asia, and Latin America

Learn from Islam

Appreciation for greatness of God

Learn from Judaism

Reverence of sacred writings

Learn from Hinduism

Respect for life

Learn from Buddhism

Emphasis in meditation, compassion, living in the moment

Learn from Animism

Helps to understand great controversy

Learn from Atheism

Seek solutions through rational thought

Size of Hinduism

3rd largest religion (15% or about 1/7), most in India

Origin of Hinduism

Not founded by a single person, comes form belief and practice of Indus valley and Aryan people

Number of Deities in Hinduism

Estimated 300 million gods

Organization of Hinduism

No governing system or authority, but technically Dharma is their beliefs

Religions that came from Hinduism

Jainism, Buddhism, and Sikhism

Worldviews of Hinduism

Pantheistic and Polytheistic

Brahman

Main Hindu deity which rules the universe and is impersonal

Brahma

Usually associated with creator narratives

Vishnu

Brings stability to life

Shiva

Destroyer and death, endings

Atman

Soul of humans which is divine (extension of brahman)

Ultimate goal of Hinduism

Rid the soul of the body and escape cycle of death and reincarnation to merge with the brahman

Humans are victims of (Hindu)

Ignorance of being divine, illusion, and pleasure

Avatars

Reincarnations of major deities (ex. lord Rama/Krishna = Vishnu)

Karma

Equivalent to cause/effect, universal law, humans subject themselves to Karma with ego, determines future life outcome

Samsara

Endless cycle of birth, death, and reincarnation (determined by darma and karma)

Moksha

Liberation from reincarnation cycles and merging with the brahman

Darma

Order and balance of the universe (duty, morality, etc.)

Hindu scriptures

Vedas (main, knowledge), Upanishads (theory), and Bhagavad Gita (folklore)

Caste System

A Hindu is born into a certain class and must embrace it rather than trying to escape it, four major castes

Castes of Hinduism

Brahmins (teachers, priests, intellectuals), warriors/rulers/politicians, businessmen/traders, menial workers, and below the caste system are the untouchables (poverty)

Know this Chart:

(essay question)	Hinduism	Christianity
God	Impersonal	Personal
Humanity	Extension of god	Separated from God, but made in His image
Problem with Humanity	Ignorance	Moral rebellion
The Solution	Liberation from illusion and ignorance	Forgiveness of sin and reconciliation with God
The Means	Detach from ego and being aware of unity with the divine	Repenting of sin and trusting in Jesus Christ sacrifice
The Outcome	Merge into the Oneness	Eternal fellowship with God

Thomas (Bible)

First Christian missionary to India, impaled by spear

William Carey

First protestant missionary to India, translated the Bible into 35 dialects, established missionary training schools

William Ambrose Spicer

First Adventist missionary to India, school named after him

Hindrances to Witnessing to Hindus

Cultural barriers (history, family, loyalty), communal family system (honor), “many paths to God” belief, and Jesus as substitute instead of Karmic debt

Suggestions for Evangelism to Hindus

Offer Jesus forgiveness, show Jesus personal character, listen, be humble, emphasize Jesus (book of John), consider terms and definitions

Long term witnessing Strategies to Hindus

Friendship evangelism and three steps strategy

Three steps strategy

Christian Acharya (study at school to return home), develop non-religious contacts (witness at home), introduce Bible doctrines and SDA church