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I am the way,
and the truth, and the life.
No one comes to Father except through me.--John 14:6.
I. PURPOSE OF THE
COURSE:
We live in an increasingly pluralistic world in which it is becoming
almost unthinkable for many people to believe that there is only one way
to God. The Christian claim of the finality and supremacy of Christ is one
that must be defended strenuously in our day.
This class will acquaint students with several world religions and
develop a logically sound, factually legitimate, and biblically faithful
approach to the challenge of modern religious pluralism. This will involve
developing an understanding of the present condition of religious
pluralism, the New Age movement, the nature of religious truth claims, the
relationship between conflicting religious truth claims, the uniqueness
and exclusivity of Jesus Christ, and the imperative of Christian mission
in a religiously plural world.
II. DENVER SEMINARY CORE COMPETENCIES DIRECTLY ADDRESSED IN THIS
CLASS:
Biblical World View: By understanding Christian truth claims in
relation to those of other religions, this class will seek to develop a
Christian world view that integrates biblical, theological, and historical
truth.
Character is shown by responsibly attending class on time, correctly
documenting material (avoiding plagiarism), and turning materials in on
time that indicate seriousness of study and intellectual
integrity.
Sensitivity to Human Diversity: In studying diverse religious
traditions, we will endeavor to respect those with whom we disagree on
crucial matters.
Critical Thinking: By comparing and contrasting other religions
with Christian truth, we will labor to show the intellectual superiority
of the Christian message.
Passion for Ministry: By analyzing world religions, we will try
to learn how to reach those in other religions for Christ.
III. TEXTBOOKS
1. Winfried Corduan, Neighboring Faiths (InterVarsity, 1998).
An introduction to the study of world religion from a Christian
perspective. More descriptive than philosophical.
2. Harold Netland, Dissonant Voices (Regent Press, 1998; orig.
pub. 1991). Probably the best and most thorough evangelical treatment of
the subject of religious pluralism. Moderately difficult but well-written.
The original Eerdmans edition can be used.
3. Ian Markham, A World Religion Reader, second ed. (Blackwell,
1996). A reader of primary sources. You need the second edition.
4. Bart Gruzalski, On the Buddha Wadsworth, 2000).
5. Ajith Fernando, Sharing the Truth in Love (Discovery House,
2001). Update of his earlier book, The Christian Attitude Towards
World Religions (Tyndale, 1987).
Recommended reference works:
Mircea Eliade, The Encyclopedia of Religion. Multi-volume
reference work in our library.
Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Some entries on
comparative religious themes. In our library
IV. CLASS SCHEDULE:
Week 1: Introduction to religious pluralism and the study of
religion.
Reading: Netland, Dissonant, chapter 1; Corduan,
Neighboring, introduction, chapter 1; Markham, World,
chapter 1; Fernando, Sharing, chapter 1
Week 2: Approaching other religions
Reading: Fernando, Sharing, chapters 2-4, 6
First take-home assignment given
Week 3: Truth in Religion
Reading; Netland, Dissonant, chapter 4.
Recommended Reading: D. Groothuis, Truth Decay,
chapters 3-4; Mortimer Adler, Truth in Religion
Week 4: Secular Humanism
Reading, Markham, chapter 2; Fernando, Sharing, chapter 9
(section on atheism)
Recommended reading: James Sire, The Universe Next
Door, 3rd ed., chapters 3-4; Os Guinness, The Dust of Death,
revised ed., chapter 1.
Week 5: Conflicting truth claims: Judaism and Christianity
Reading: Markham, World, chapters 7-8; Corduan,
Neighboring, chapter 2; Fernando, Sharing, chapters 7,
12
Week 6: Islam
Reading: Netland, chapter. 3; Corduan, chapter 3; Markham, chapter
9; Fernando, Sharing, chapter 9 (section on Islam)
Recommended Reading: Norman Geisler, Abdul Saleeb
Answering Islam (Baker, 1993); essays related to Islam in Norman
Geisler, Baker's Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics
Week 7: Hinduism
Reading: Netland, Dissonant, chapter 2; Markham,
World, chapter 3; Corduan, chapter 7; Fernando,
Sharing, chapters 8, 13
Week 8: Buddhism (1)
Reading: Netland, Dissonant, chapter 2; Markham,
World, chapter 4; Gruzalski, On the Buddha.
Week 9: Buddhiam (2)
Reading: Same as above.
Week 10: Chinese Religion
Reading: Markham, chapter 5; Corduan
Week 11: No class
I will be attending the Evangelical Theological Society Meetings in
Colorado Springs. Students are encouraged to attend as much of this as
possible. Students may write a report on their experiences at ETS for
extra credit. See below.
Week 12: Tribal and Native American Religion
Reading: Corduan, chapters 5-6
Week 13: Evaluating religious traditions
Reading: Netland, chapter 5; Fernando, Sharing, chapter 5
Week 14: Evaluating religious pluralism
Reading: Netland, chapter 6;
Week 15: Salvation and other religions
Reading: Netland, chapters 7-8; Fernando, chapter 14.
Week 16: Catch up and questions and answers
VI. COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
A. Two short take-home papers: It should be at least five pages
long; no longer than seven pages. Papers can be rewritten for a higher
grade if turned in two weeks after receiving them back. This is not a
research paper, but a commentary on the reading and classroom material. It
should be properly documented with footnotes. 20 points.
B. One in-class presentation of about 25 minutes. This should
introduce the students to a section of the reading and stimulate
discussion. Assigned the week before in class. 10 points.
C. Religious Dialog Report/globalization experience: This
should be about 6 pages long; no longer than 8 pages. All Denver Seminary
students are required to have a globalization experience in order to
graduate. The purpose of this is to acquaint students with other cultures
in order to broaden our experience for ministry.
This involves a discussion of at least 45 minutes with a member of any
non-Christian religion or movement. At least two topics should be covered:
(1) What does the adherent believe about God, humanity, and salvation? (2)
Why does he or she believe this? You should then ask other related
questions. Half of the paper should report what transpired during the
discussion. The second half should evaluate the discussion according
to things learned in class. So, you should integrate material from
your reading in the paper. Due at the beginning of class of week 12.
Included in this project should be attendance at a religious service of
the religion in question. If the person is a Muslim, attend a Muslim
service first-hand. The same goes for a Buddhist, etc. Students are not
required to attend a service if this would compromise their faith.
However, if you cannot attend a service, please see me. Students should
write a three to four page paper on their response to the religious
service. Due the beginning of class week 13. 20 points.
Please consult me if you have difficulty with this assignment.
C. Research paper. At least 10 pages in length; no longer than
12 pages. Should use at least eight sources, which can include an
interview. Due at the beginning of class on week 15. Topics should be
discussed and approved by week 8. This may be an expansion of an
earlier, shorter paper. The proposal involves a summary statement of the
paper, an outline, and a bibliography to be turned in to the professor.
Writing a paper on the religion held by the person you interview is ideal,
but not necessary. All papers should be double-spaced and typed. They will
be graded as a cognitive and literary unity. Therefore, grammar, spelling,
style, proper documentation, and intellectual substance will determine the
overall grading. 25 points.
Possible topics:
1. Evangelizing Jews, Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims, Shintoists, New Agers,
etc.
2. A Critique of John Hick's Religious Pluralism
3. Mysticism: Christian and Monistic
4. A Case for Biblical Exclusivism
5. A Critique of the Buddhist View of the Self
6. A Theology for Religious Dialogue
7. Jesus and Buddha: Comparisons and Contrasts
8. Jesus and Islam
9. Nirvana: A Theological and Philosophical Critique
10. Avatar and Incarnation
11. Christian theology and Native American Religion
12. Assessing the Tribal World View
13. A Logical and Theological Critique of Reincarnation
D. Final Examination: This will be a 5-6 page take-home essay
examination given on the last day of class and due the day of the final
examination by 4:30PM in my office box. 15 points
E. Weekly quizzes at the beginning of class of 10 minutes over
material assigned that week. Starting on week 2. 10 points
total.
F. Attendance: You will be given no positive credit for
attendance, since it is required. Attendance will be taken in each class.
For the first unexcused absence, one point will be taken off your final
grade; for the second unexcused absence one point will be taken off your
final grade; for the third unexcused absence you will fail the class.
Whether absences are excused or not will be determined by the professor.
Unexcused lateness will drop the final grade by .5.
Students must complete every part of every assignment to pass the
class. One quiz may be missed for an excused absence.
Recommended Reading:
1. Mortimer Adler, Truth In Religion (MacMillan, 1990).
2. Norman Anderson, Christianity and World Religions: The Challenge
of Pluralism (InterVarsity, 1985).
3. Winfried Corduan, Mysticism: An Evangelical Option?
(Zondervan, 1991).
4. William Crockett and James Sigountos, editors, Through No Fault
of Their Own: The Fate of Those Who Have Never Heard (Baker,
1991).
5. Ajith Fernando, The Christian Attitude to World Religions
(Tyndale, 1987).
6. Ajith Fernando, The Supremacy of Christ (Crossway,
1995).
7. Paul Griffiths, ed., Christianity Through Non-Christian Eyes
(Orbis, 1990).
8. Paul Griffiths, An Apology for Apologetics (Orbis, 1991)
9. Douglas Groothuis, Unmasking the New Age (InterVarsity
Press, 1986).
10. Douglas Groothuis, Are All Religions One? (InterVarsity
Press, 1996). Booklet comparing Christianity, Islam, and nondualistic
Hinduism.
11. Douglas Groothuis, Confronting the New Age (InterVarsity
Press, 1988).
12. Douglas Groothuis, Truth Decay: Defending Christianity Against
the Challenges of Postmodernism (InterVarsity, 2000).
13. Stuart Hackett, Oriental Philosophy: A Westerner�s Guide to
Eastern Thought (Univ. of Wisconsin Press, 1979). Excellent
philosophical treatment.
14. David L. Johnson, A Reasoned Look at Asian Religions
(Bethany House, 1985). Good expository and apologetic material.
15. Vishal Mangalwadi, The World of Gurus (Cornerstone Press,
1992).
16. Ronald Nash, Is Jesus the Only Savior? (Zondervan, 1994).
Good critique of John Hick and a defense of exclusivism.
17. Dennis L. Okholm and Timothy Phillips, editors, Salvation: Four
Views (Zondervan, 1995). Four authors debate the proper approach to
nonChristian religions.
18. John Sanders, editor,What About Those Who Have Never Heard?
(InterVarsity, 1995).
19. Keith Yandell, The Epistemology of Religious Experience
(Cambridge, 1993). Philosophical assessment of religious experience
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