Survey of major religions, from ancient foundations through current practices. Using films to illustrate lifestyle, culture and context, students explore Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Islam and Christianity, as well as some less widespread historic and newer religions. Addresses divisions within a religion, how new religions emerge, tribal practices and atheism.
Students are aware of the many religious differences around them which shape a person's values and lives. What are the roots of these belief systems and how did the denominations arise? Many points of theology and history are explored as well as the cultural and anthropological side.
To be equipped for the international, inter-connected settings where we live and serve requires knowledge of belief systems different from our own, especially the major world religions.
When people are searching for ultimate Truth, something and Someone higher than human existence, they have arrived at various conclusions and suppositions. How do we navigate this maze? In Job 11:4, Job says, "You claim, ‘My beliefs are pure,’ and ‘I am clean in the sight of God.’" What does that mean? What was Paul doing on Mars Hill when he spoke about the Tomb of the Unknown God? It is important to understand the beliefs of the people in our lives, to be better understood as we understand.
Knowledge of world relgions can equip people serving in the multi-cultural environments to be change agents in the larger contexts where we serve.
We will look at how people express and live out their faith in various contexts and how context shapes beliefs and practices.
The world's religions come from cultures and, in their diversity, they are quite intercultural. This course will examine the cultures that birthed particular belief systems.
To learn about belief systems different from our own has many practical applications.
As students view films of people practicing their beliefs and living lifestyles that reflect their values, they will see what the experience looks like and be better equipped to share in those experiences as they go out.
