Join us Wednesday Nights as we survey and study several of the world’s key religions. In addition to learning the “facts” about these other religions, our goal is to walk away with a better understanding of these faiths, as well as insights into reaching their followers.
Religions around the world have practices and beliefs that help people understand the meaning of life and give people answers to the important questions that they have about life, death and the existence of God. Specific questions include: What is ultimate reality? What is the nature of the world? What is the nature of humanity? What is humanity’s primary problem? How is that problem solved? What happens after death? We will look at each of these questions through the lens of each of the studied world religions.
We’ll be meeting Wednesdays, July and August, from 7-9pm at Grace Community Church (in the Lobby Atrium). If you have any questions please contact Ramon.
Return here often as we post information and questions for your pre-study review and for your comments.
July 1st – Introduction; July 8th – Hinduism; July 15th – Buddhism; July 22nd – Judaism;
July 29th – Christianity; Aug 5th – Islam; Aug 12th – Atheism; Aug 19th – Wrap Up, Final Thoughts
Buddhism – You yourself must make the effort
SUMMARY OF MAJOR DIFFERENCES BETWEEN BUDDHISM AND CHRISTIANITY
Regarding God and Jesus. Buddhists deny the existence of a personal God, or say that God’s existence is irrelevant; Christians say that God is personal, omniscient, and omnipotent (see Job 42:1-6; Ps 115:3; Matt 19:26). Buddhists identify Jesus as a good teacher, but less important than Buddha; Christians believe that Jesus is the unique Son of God, is God incarnate, who died for mankind’s sin, and who provides a path to a restored relationship with God, the Father (see Matt 14:33; John 1:34; John 3:16; Rom 5:6-8).
Regarding Sin and Salvation. Buddhists believe that sin is the lust that arises in one’s life, and they seek to rid themselves of lustful desires by self-effort, or by calling on Bodhisattvas for help; Christians believe that sin is any thought, deed, or desire that is contrary to God’s will, and that salvation comes only through faith in what Jesus has done for us (see Acts 4:12; Rom 3:10, 23; Eph 2:8-10). Through faith and the gracious working of the Holy Spirit, God transforms our desires to be more and more in conformity with God’s desires (see Rom 12:1, 2).
Hey Folks,
As a side topic, I thought you might think it interesting to look at the most recent “American Religious Identification Survey”, also known as “ARIS”, in which researchers at Trinity College conducted a survey asking Americans what religious affiliation they identified themselves. It has a ton of interesting and detailed information, and shows some compelling trends that you might find interesting. For instance:
• 86% of American adults identified themselves as Christians in 1990 while only 76% did in 2008.
• The historic Mainline churches and denominations have experienced the steepest declines while the non-denominational Christian identity has been trending upward particularly since 2001.
Here is the site with the survey results if you get a chance to peruse it: http://www.americanreligionsurvey-aris.org/reports/ARIS_Report_2008.pdf
Judaism – Foundation of the Christian Faith, but still looking for the Messiah
SUMMARY OF MAJOR DIFFERENCES BETWEEN JUDAISM (EXCLUDING MESSIANIC JEWS) AND CHRISTIANITY
Regarding God. Jews believe that the Lord God is One (see Deut 6:4). Christians believe there is One essence of the Godhead in which reside three Persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, coequally and coeternally God (see Matt 3:13-17; 28:19; 2 Cor 13:14).
Regarding Jesus. Some Jews accept Jesus as a good teacher or even a prophet, but they reject Him as Messiah, because He claimed to be divine and failed to deliver Israel from oppression. Christians respond that Jesus is fully God and fully man, and that He died to redeem all men from sin (see Mark 10:45; John 1:13-14; John 3:16; 1 Pet 2:24).
Regarding sin. Jews believe that man is not born good or evil; he is born free to choose between the two. Christians teach that everyone is born in sin and falls short of God’s standards (see Rom 3:10, 23; Rom 5:12).
Regarding salvation. Jews believe that anyone, Jew or Gentile, may gain salvation through commitment to the One true God and through moral living. Christians counter that man is saved by grace through faith in the atoning death of Jesus on the cross (see Rom 3:24; Eph 2:8-9).