Comparative Religion Overview

Transcription

1 Comparative Religion Overview Introduction to comparative religion from a Biblical perspective The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 2 Corinthians 4:4 Prepared by Ross Wakeley

2 COMPARATIVE RELIGION Introduction Over the past few decades, Australian society has been reinventing itself: 1. Gender revolution 2. Information technology revolution 3. Economic revolution 4. Personal social identity revolution a multicultural and pluralistic culture 5. Alternative religious groups to Christianity Globally, there is massive growth in alternative religious groups as shown in this table: We live a culture that affirms: Relativism Your view is as valid as my view. Objective standards are rejected. Syncretism I ll just take a bit of astrology, mix in a bit of Hinduism, add a dash of Christianity and stir it all together. All roads lead to God. Tolerance You can t state that Jesus is the ONLY way to salvation. We should accept everyone s point of view. We shouldn t make judgements on people s religious views that is their opinion. As Christians we need to: Religious Group Global Numbers Global % Christian 2.2 billion 31.5 Islam 1.6 billion 23.2 Secular/Non-religious 1.1 billion 15.4 Hinduism 1.0 billion 13.9 Chinese traditional 394 million 5.5 Buddhist 376 million 5.3 Ethnic religions 300 million 4.2 African traditional 100 million 1.4 Sikhism 30 million 0.3 Judaism 14 million 0.2 Source: September 2012 Be aware of the changes in the spiritual landscape occurring in our society. Recognise the reality of the frog-in-the-kettle syndrome: slow infiltration by other religious groups into Australian culture that goes unnoticed by Christians until the point where those groups strongly influence public opinion and policy. Have a clear understanding of the history and teaching of alternative religious groups in Australia. Possess an effective knowledge of the Christian faith that we are able to share positively and also utilise our faith story to encourage people from other religious groups to know the freedom and salvation only found in Jesus. This eight week overview of alternative religious groups seeks to be informative about the major religious groups and cults in Australia from a positive perspective. In addition, this course will compare the teaching of each groups with evangelical Christianity and resource people to effectively defend and share their faith with people from alternative religious perspectives.

3 Comparative Religion: page 2 Overview of Comparative Religions course 1. What is the Christian's responsibility towards alternative religions and cults? In your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. 1 Peter 3:15 We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. 2 Corinthians 5:20 I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints. Jude 3 2. What do the following verses say concerning the last days? Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Christ, ' and will deceive many if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or, 'There he is!' do not believe it. For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect--if that were possible. Matthew 23:4, 5, 23, 24 The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. 1 Timothy 4:1 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 2 Timothy 4: What will the false prophets be like? Jesus said, "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them... Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Matthew 7:15-21 there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them--bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. 2 Peter 2:1,2 Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. 1 John 4:1-3 see also 2 John 7 4. What are the four categories of non-christian religions and cults? Pseudo-Christian groups eg: Jehovah s Witnesses, Mormons, Christian Science, The Way International, Unification Church, Herbert Armstrong, etc. Asian Religions and Cults eg: Hindus, Buddhists, Confucianism, Shinto, Sikhism, Taoism, Hare Krishna, Divine Light Mission, Yoga, Transcendental Meditation, Zen, Krishna Consciousness, Baha i, etc.

4 4. What are the four categories of non-christian religions and cults? Comparative Religion: page 3 Middle Eastern religions eg: Islam, Judaism Occult-Spiritistic groups eg: Spiritism, Astrology, Freemasonry, Wicca, Witchcraft, Satanism, etc 5. What are the chief characteristics of these religious groups and cults? Pseudo-Christian cults: Counterfeit Christianity by using Biblical terminology, with the meaning changed to fit man-made ideas. Claim to be in harmony with the Bible, but they add some new teaching they say is over the Bible and they use their revelation to interpret the Bible. Deny the central doctrines of Christianity such as Trinity or Godhead; divinity of Jesus Christ; atonement through Christ's sacrifice and salvation by grace through faith. Cult groups will use these terms BUT change their meaning. Teach a salvation of faith plus works in their manmade system or organization for salvation. There is no assurance of salvation. Asian Religions and Cults: Teach a pantheistic philosophy that God is the impersonal universe and man is a part of the impersonal universe. Teach that "enlightenment" comes through becoming one with or part of the impersonal universe through their particular system of thought and practice. Deny the reality of a personal creation by a personal creator and the personal relationship possible between the two by the person of Jesus Christ. Combine eastern philosophy with western humanistic psychology. Deny a personal God and teach that man is a product of impersonal evolution. Teach people must find salvation by themself by evolving mentally and spiritually to become God themselves. Romans 1:22-25 gives the lie to all these beliefs. Middle-Eastern religions: Monotheistic faiths that believe God is reached by self effort and fulfilling all written laws and regulations. Faith is life. A person is born into these religions and religion provides the context for every part of a person s life. Advances of the religion are made by the conquest of land. Occult-Spiritistic cults: Seek wisdom, knowledge, power from spirit force, apart from God in the realm of fallen angels or demonic spirits. They worship and follow the creation rather than the Creator eg: following planets and stars in astrology (see Romans 1:18-25 ) See what 1 Timothy 4:1 teaches about demons and deceitful spirits.

5 Two approaches to an understanding of global religions and cults Comparative Religion: page 4 There is an important distinction to note. The world s religions divide into two differing groups: the Western prophetic tradition and the Eastern salvation or mystical tradition. The Western tradition Arises from a parent Semitic group. Includes Judaism, Christianity, Islam and their offshoots. Prophetic, emphasising the revelation of God to man from outside the human spirit. World-affirming and accepting the essential goodness of the material and seeking the redemption or transformation of this sinful world. The Eastern tradition Springs from a parent Indian root. Includes Hinduism, Buddhism and their offshoots. Mystical, emphasising the finding of God to man from within the human spirit. World-denying and accepting the essentially spiritual nature of reality and seeking release for the soul from the endless round of rebirth or reincarnation to which it is subjected in this world. 5. What are the keys to test and deal with other religions and cults? Recognise that God does not change. > Malachi 3:6 The LORD Almighty says, "I the LORD do not change. > Hebrews 6:17,18 Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged. > Psalms 90:2 Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. You turn men back to dust, saying, "Return to dust, O sons of men." For a thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night. Psalms 90:1-4 God s Word is consistent and true. God's Word, the Bible, must be the objective basis of authority by which we test all things otherwise we are lost in a sea of relativity where people say, I'm right based on my views. God s Word is affirmed as reliable > 2 Timothy 3:16,17 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. > 2 Peter 1:20,21 You must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. Since God is unchanging and consistent in truth, we must test all "new revelation" or "teaching" by God's objective standard of truth, the Bible and allow the Holy Spirit to direct us in how we approach people who hold another viewpoint. > Hebrews 4:12,13 The word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. > 1 Thessalonians 5:21 Test everything. Hold on to the good.

6 Comparative Religion: page 5 7. Who is the "Jesus" of the other religions and cults? Jehovah's Witness Michael the Archangel, first creation of God, came as a man, died and rose as an invisible spirit, came back invisibly in 1914 to Brooklyn to head the Watchtower organisation. Mormons a man who evolved into a god, one god in a group of gods, brother of Satan, polygamous, blood is ineffective to forgive sin. Islam Jesus is a great prophet, born of a virgin, announced by the angel Gabriel as a word from God, but he was no more than a prophet. He is not divine and did not die on a cross or bear the sins of other people (see Qur an 4: , 17:15). Bahai one of nine great world manifestations. Spiritists advanced medium in sixth sphere of astral projection. T.M. an enlightened guru who never suffered for anyone. 8. Who is the REAL Jesus Christ? Jesus was God in human form In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life and that life was the light of men The Word became flesh and lived among us for a while. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father full of grace and truth. John 1:1-4, 14 Other religions and cult groups all deny that Jesus Christ is the eternal God come in human form Thomas said to Jesus, My Lord and my God! Then Jesus told him, Because you have seen me, you have believed. John 20:28,29 In Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form. Colossians 2:9 > see also 2 John 7; 2 Peter 1:1; Titus 2: What is the basis of salvation of other religions and cult groups? Salvation in the cults is basically a salvation by man s actions and works through the specific religious system or cult group approach. This is in stark contrast to the teaching of God s Word in which salvation and assurance of eternal life is a free gift of God s grace and love, given to all who trust Jesus Christ through His sacrifice for sin. We are saved through faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus said, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6 Salvation is found in no one else (than Jesus), for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved. Acts 4:12 For it is by grace that you have been saved, through faith and this is not from yourselves, it is a gift of God not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:8-10 God has given us eternal life and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life, he who does not have the Son, does not have life. I write these things to you who believe so that you may know that you have eternal life. 1 John 5:11-13

7 A Christians authority in Jesus Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'" (Matthew 4:10) The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. (Romans 16:20) Paul said, I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes. (2 Corinthians 2:10,11) Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. (2 Corinthians 11:14) the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. (2 Thessalonians 2: 9,10) Satan leads the whole world astray. (Revelation 12:9) "Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. (Matthew 25:41) The Lord said to Paul I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me. (Acts 26:17,18) Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power... went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him. (Acts 10:38) If you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. (James 3:14-16) Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. (James 4:7,8) The devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work. (1 John 3:1) This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother. (1 John 3:10) Satan... leads the whole world astray. (Revelation 12:9) Jesus answered, "The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, and the enemy who sows them is the devil. (Matthew 13:37-39) Jesus said, I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. (Luke 10:19) The full course (all free) is at