SD3: What Others Believe Cults and Other Religions

Transcription

1 Course Syllabus SD3: What Others Believe Cults and Other Religions Course Description This course is a survey of the world s major religions and cults. There will be one written assignment (a handout for your classmates) presented as a 5 10 minutes in class presentation on one specific cultic group. There will be one major project which will measure competency for this course. The method of instruction will be Socratic discussion. It will be important for the student to keep up with all reading, prepare for the Socratic discussions and complete the written assignments. The side benefit of this course will be a constant review of biblical theology. Competency Benchmarks of the Course You have two options for competency in this course. Option one is to take your summary statement of a specific religion/cult and ask someone of that religion/cult to evaluate your understanding. Option two is to develop a summary project that provides a simple overview of the history, theology, and practice of the major religions and cults that are covered in the textbook (we will attempt to end each class with summaries of what we studied that class period). This project can be in any form you choose. The facilitator will provide a simple, single sheet chart for these summaries. Both options should include the history (founding of the religion); what the religion believes about the Bible, God, Christ, Holy Spirit, Sin, Salvation, and Eternity; and any unique or unusual beliefs or practices of the system. Every student must do a written chart and oral presentation on a religious group not covered by the text (see chart and list provided by the facilitator). The summary chart will be copied for the other members of the class. The student is required to give a brief (5 10 minute) presentation in class about their religion/cult. Student Expectations Assignments: Students are expected to read the textbook assignments. Students are expected to come prepared for Socratic discussions based upon the questions provided by the facilitator. Students are expected to summarize each religion or cult the week we study them. Attendance: Students will be expected to attend the prayer time each week before the class, and to attend all classes unless prior arrangements have been made with the facilitator.

2 Participation: Students are expected to participate in the Socratic discussion each week. Students are expected to bring their own questions about the material showing they are deeply engaged. Anticipated Student Workload: Reading: 2 hours per week Preparing for Socratic Discussions: 1 hour per week Writing Paper/Class Presentation: 2 3 hours per semester Competency Project: 3 5 hours per semester The Facilitator The facilitator is Rich Ainsworth (rich@wintonbury.org). He is available to meet with any student regarding any matter. Grades/Competency There is no formal grading, only pass/fail. Pass/Fail evaluation will be based on: Socratic Discussion, Papers, and the Final Project. The primary grading objective is competency: Does the student have summary of the world s major religions and cults. Feedback will be given on all assignments. We will give check +, check, and check : Check + Check Check Signifies superior competency shown Signifies solid competency shown Signifies sub standard competency shown (material needs to be reviewed) Required Texts (note: student needs to obtain 2 of these and bring them to the first class, WSOM will provide the third) 1. The BIBLE: whatever translation the student wants to use. 2. The Kingdom of the Cults the revised, updated edition of 2003, edited by Ravi Zacharias, originally written by Walter Martin. 3. Comparing Christianity with the Cults pamphlet provided by WSOM Course Organization The course is divided into 10 units and each class will include these elements: Corporate prayer Socratic Discussion centered on the learning objective for the week Discuss any other questions or issues

3 Weekly Course Assignments Week 1: Preparation for class on September 30 Learning Objective: Define and understand what a cult is and why they appeal to people. o The Kingdom of the Cults (K.C.) Chapters 1 3 (pages 17 47) and Chapter 18 (pages ) (come prepared to discuss) 1. Is cult a derogatory term? What is your definition of a cult? 2. Do you agree/disagree with this statement: The cults have capitalized on the failure of the Christian church to understand their teachings and to develop a workable methodology both to evangelize and to refute cult adherents? Why? 3. Why is it that when I am talking with a cultist he seems to be in full agreement with what I am saying? Be prepared to give examples to support your answer. 4. What are the psychological techniques and characteristics of cults? Why do they work? 5. What do you already know about the cults/religions listed in the table of contents and on the list for class reports/paper? (Don t study for this, what do you already know?) 6. What are the other Jesus and how do they differ from the biblical Jesus? Why is this important? 7. How does Matthew 7:15 23 relate to this course? Note: You will select your cultic group for your class presentation and paper from the list provided. Week 2: Preparation for class on October 7 Learning Objective: Discover and summarize the history and theology of Jehovah s Witnesses and how it differs from Evangelical Christianity. o K.C. chapter 4 (pages , longest chapter of the semeseter!) 1. What is the history and theology of Jehovah s Witnesses? What is similar to evangelical Christianity and what is different? In your opinion what are the most significant differences? 2. What are good summary statements about Jehovah s Witnesses?

4 Week 3: Preparation for class on October 14 Learning Objective: Discover and summarize the history and theology of Christian Science and Spiritism and how they differ from Evangelical Christianity. o K.C. chapter 5 (pages ) & chapter 7 (pages ) 1. What is the history and theology of Christian Science? What is similar to evangelical 2. What is the history and theology of Spiritism? What is similar to evangelical 3. What are good summary statements about Christian Science and Spiritism? 4. One or two student presentations. Week 4: Preparation for class on October 21 Learning Objective: Discover and summarize the history and theology of Mormonism/Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints and how it differs from Evangelical Christianity. o K.C. chapter 6 (pages ) 1. What is the history and theology of Mormonism? What is similar to evangelical 2. Would you vote for a Mormon presidential candidate? Why? 3. What are good summary statements about Mormonism? 4. One or two student presentation. Week 5: Preparation for class on October 28 Learning Objective: Discover and summarize the history and theology of The Theosophical Society, Buddhism, and The Baha i Faith and how it differs from Evangelical Christianity. o K.C. chapters 8, 9, 10 (pages )

5 1. What is the history and theology of The Theosophical Society? What is similar to evangelical Christianity and what is different? In your opinion what are the most significant differences? 2. What is the history and theology of Buddhism? What is similar to evangelical Christianity and what is different? In your opinion what are the most significant differences? 3. What is the history and theology of The Baha i Faith? What is similar to evangelical Christianity and what is different? In your opinion what are the most significant differences? 4. What are good summary statements about The Theosophical Society, Buddhism, and The Baha i Faith? 5. One or two student presentations. Week 6: Preparation for class on November 4 Learning Objective: Discover and summarize the history and theology of Unitarian Universalism, Scientology, and The Unification Church and how they differ from Evangelical Christianity. o K.C. chapters 11, 12, 13 (pages ) 1. What is the history and theology of Unitarian Universalism? What is similar to evangelical 2. What is the history and theology of Scientology? What is similar to evangelical Christianity and what is different? In your opinion what are the most significant differences? 3. What is the history and theology of The Unification Church? What is similar to evangelical 4. What are good summary statements about Unitarian Universalism, Scientology, and The Unification Church? 5. One or two student presentations. Week 7: Preparation for class on November 11 Learning Objective: Discover and summarize the history and theology of Eastern Religions and The New Age Cult and how they differ from Evangelical Christianity. o K.C. chapters14 & 15 (pages )

6 1. What is the history and theology of Eastern Religions? What is similar to evangelical 2. What is the history and theology of The New Age Cult? What is similar to evangelical 3. What are good summary statements about Eastern Religions and The New Age Cult? 4. One or two student presentations. Week 8: Preparation for class on November 18 Learning Objective: Discover and summarize the history and theology of Islam and The World Wide Church of God and how they differ from Evangelical Christianity. o K.C. chapter 16 (pages ) & Appendix A (pages ) 1. What is the history and theology of Islam? What is similar to evangelical Christianity and what is different? In your opinion what are the most significant differences? 2. What is the history and theology of The World Wide Church of God? What is similar to evangelical Christianity and what is different? In your opinion what are the most significant differences? 3. What are good summary statements about Islam and The World Wide Church of God? 4. One or two student presentations. Week 9: Preparation for class on December 2 NO CLASS NOVEMBER 25 Learning Objective: Discover and summarize the history and theology of Seventh day Adventism and how they differ from Evangelical Christianity. o K.C. Appendix B (pages ) 1. What is the history and theology of Seventh day Adventism? What is similar to evangelical 2. What are good summary statements about Seventh day Adventism? 3. One or two student presentations.

7 Summary of: History Date Founder specifics Bible Other books? God Jesus

8 Holy Spirit Sin Salvation Eternity Unique Unusual beliefs List of Cults and Other Religions for class reports/paper * 1. Bible Speaks Greater Grace World Outreach 2. Black Muslim 3. Eastern Orthodox 4. Freemasonry 5. International Church of Christ Boston Church of Christ

9 6. Judaism 7. Oneness Pentecostalism 8. Roman Catholicism 9. The Way International 10. The World s Mission Society of God 11. Transcendental Meditation 11. Unity School of Christianity * Student can select a cult/religion not on this list if preapproved by facilitator.