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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