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Hinduism
One of the oldest and most complex
belief systems
Sanatana dharma
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In USA introduced by
Swami Vivekananda in The Parliament of the world
Religions in Sep 1893
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http://www.wikiwand.com/en/Vivekananda_at
_the_Parliament_of_the_World%27s_Religion
s_(1893)
hinduism
Concept of God
• Different views of God
Dualism
Monism
Hinduism, called Sanatana Dharma (eternal
religion) by its adherents, is a large, complex
mixture of many sects, scriptures & practices.
This diversity admits a wide variety of
interpretations concerning God. The different
views are best understood as different points
on a spectrum from monism to polytheism.
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Concept of God
Monism
•Highest view of God
•Conviction that God alone exists
•God, an impersonal force referred to as Brahman alone is
real
•All is one-nameless, formless, ecstatic, perfect
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Concept of God
Dualism
•Polytheism
•Permanent separation between gods and humans
•Many Hindu deities
• Male - Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva (Mahesh), Rama the avatar,
Krishna avatar
• Female - Many
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Monism is the highest view of God known to
Hindus. Monism is the conviction that God
alone exists. This view is called Advaita
Vedanta in Hinduism. According to Vedantins,
God, an impersonal force referred to as
Brahman (Sat-Chit-Ananda, or Beingconsciousness-bliss) alone is real. All the
differences perceived by humans between
objects and ideas are the result of
misperception due to spiritual ignorance. In
reality, all is one-nameless, formless, ecstatic,
perfect.
On the other end of the spectrum are the
dualists. This view of God is called Dvaita.
Dualists confess many gods, and a permanent
separation between gods and humans.
Dualists are polytheists. Popular Hindu deitiesanthropomorphic representations of natural
forces & ideas-are Brahma the creator, Vishnu
the preserver, Shiva the destroyer, Rama the
avatar of Vishnu from ayodhya, Krishna the
avatar of Vishnu from Vrindaban, Hanuman
the monkey god, Garuda the mount of Vishnu
and the many expressions of female divinity
Ambika, Annapurna, Durga, Kali, Lalita,
Meenakshi, Parvati. Male deities represent the
being aspect of divinity. Female deities (Shakti)
represent the active, creative aspect of divinity.
This is well represented in art featuring Kali
On the other end of the spectrum are the
dualists. This view of God is called Dvaita.
Dualists confess many gods, and a permanent
separation between gods and humans.
Dualists are polytheists. Popular Hindu deitiesanthropomorphic representations of natural
forces & ideas-are Brahma the creator, Vishnu
the preserver, Shiva the destroyer, Rama the
avatar of Vishnu from ayodhya, Krishna the
avatar of Vishnu from Vrindaban, Hanuman
the monkey god, Garuda the mount of Vishnu
and the many expressions of female divinity
Ambika, Annapurna, Durga, Kali, Lalita,
Meenakshi, Parvati. Male deities represent the
being aspect of divinity. Female deities (Shakti)
represent the active, creative aspect of divinity.
This is well represented in art featuring Kali
Note on the trimurti, Hindu trinity of deities:
and Shiva. Kali is depicted dancing on the
The trimurti-Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva- is NOT
supine, inert form of Shiva. This signifies that
the Hindu equivalent of the Holy Trinity. The
Shiva is the foundation of reality, Kali his
deities of the trimurti are the
power to act. This gets more complicated.
anthropomorphic representations of the
Let’s stop here ;)
cosmic forces of creation, preservation &
destruction. They are the creation of human
ingenuity, perhaps with a bit of infernal help.
The persons of the Holy Trinity-Father, Son,
Holy Spirit- are each completely God. This is
not an arbitrary fancy. The Trinity has revealed
itself in history, in scripture, in the lives of
prophets, finally in the Incarnation of the Son.
The Trinity has no equal, no equivalent. It is as
unique a concept in World religion as saving
grace.
Concept of God
330 million gods
“According to the Hindu scriptures, living beings are not
apart from God, since He lives in each and every one of
them in the form of atman (BG 10.39). Thus each living
being is a unique manifestation of God.” http://www.koausa.org/Gods/
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Concept of God
The Trimurti (Tri – three)
•Brahma - creator
•Vishnu - preserver
•Shiva (or Mahesh) – destroyer.
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Concept of God
christianity
• In the beginning GOD… Gen 1:1“
• Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the
earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you
are God." Psalm 90:2 '
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Christianity affirms the existence of an
omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, triune
Creator God. The Christian God sovereignly
holds the fate of all people and things in His
hand; having ordained the end from the
beginning. He directs the unfolding drama of
life according to His perfect will.
Concept of God
christianity
• "Can anyone hide in secret places so that I cannot see
him?" declares the Lord. "Do not I fill heaven and earth?"
declares the Lord.' Jer 23:24
• "For I am God and there is none else; I am God, and there
is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning,
and from ancient times the things that are not yet done,
Saying, my counsel shall stand, and I will do all my
pleasure:" Isaiah 46:9,10
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Concept of Man
• No difference between God and man
• Man is God in disguise
• Ignorance …obscures the true nature of the
individual
• One can purify the mind through spiritual
disciplines
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Concept of Man
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“Before the mountains were born or you
brought forth the earth and the world, from
everlasting to everlasting you are God." Psalm
90:2 ' "Can anyone hide in secret places so that
I cannot see him?" declares the Lord. "Do not I
fill heaven and earth?" declares the Lord.' Jer
23:24 "For I am God and there is none else; I
am God, and there is none like me, Declaring
the end from the beginning, and from ancient
times the things that are not yet done, Saying,
my counsel shall stand, and I will do all my
pleasure:" Isaiah 46:9,10
The most popular view in Hinduism,that of
monism or Advaita Vedanta, declares the nondifference between man and God. Humans are
merely “God in disguise”. Ignorance, the result
of karmic accretion, obscures the true nature
of the individual. Through spiritual disciplines,
one may purify the mind of all dross, revealing
the pure gold of unalloyed divinity. This means
that humankind actually does not exist. If we
are each simply the supreme in disguise, all
known categories are false. This is a truly
idolatrous assertion—man is the very glorious
one sought after by men. This truly satanic
concept is found in the West in Gnostic
thought, ancient & modern.
“I am not the perishable body, but the Eternal
Self.” – Ramana Maharshi
The most popular view in Hinduism,that of
“A salt doll went to measure the depth of the
monism or Advaita Vedanta, declares the nonocean…” – Ramakrishna Paramahansa
difference between man and God. Humans are
merely “God in disguise”. Ignorance, the result
of karmic accretion, obscures the true nature
of the individual. Through spiritual disciplines,
one may purify the mind of all dross, revealing
the pure gold of unalloyed divinity. This means
that humankind actually does not exist. If we
are each simply the supreme in disguise, all
known categories are false. This is a truly
idolatrous assertion—man is the very glorious
one sought after by men. This truly satanic
concept is found in the West in Gnostic
thought, ancient & modern.
“I am not the perishable body, but the Eternal
Self.” – Ramana Maharshi
Concept of Man
• So God created man in his own image, In the image of God he
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created him; male and female he created them. Gen 1:27
• For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son
that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have
eternal life. John 3:16.
• "What is man, that thou art mindful of him? And the son of man,
that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than
the angels, And hast crowned him with glory and honour. Thou
madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; Thou
hast put all things under his feet:" Psalm 8: 4-6
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In Hinduism, there is no sin against the creator.
Sin is against oneself. In Hinduism, the
individual collects karma through the actions
of body, speech and mind. Karma literally
means work or action. The law of karma, not
the will of a sovereign God, seals the fate of
humans. This concept is intimately linked to
salvation, the next slide.
Concept of Sin
• No sin against the creator
• Sin is against oneself
• The individual collects karma through the actions of body,
speech and mind
• Karma (pronounced like ”firm”) means work or action- क र
्
म
• Law of karma, not the will of a sovereign God, seals the
fate of humans
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Concept of Sin
• Sin is the transgression of God's righteous law.
christianity
• Original sin, the disobedience of Adam and
Eve, corrupted the perfect, harmonious
universe and every creature in it.
• Humans, reprobate since then, always take
pleasure in disobedience to God, a foolish
idolatry .
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Christianity: Man is created in the image &
likeness of God. No other creature has the
privilege of being made in God's image.The
Lord has made man the masterpiece of His
creation. Man is entrusted with stewardship
over all creation.
"What is man, that thou art mindful of him?
And the son of man, that thou visitest him? For
thou hast made him a little lower than the
angels, And hast crowned him with glory and
honour. Thou madest him to have dominion
over the works of thy hands; Thou hast put all
things under his feet:" Psalm 8: 4-6
Christianity: Sin is the transgression of God's
righteous law. Original sin, the disobedience of
Adam and Eve, corrupted the perfect,
harmonious universe and every creature in it.
Humans, reprobate since then, always take
pleasure in disobedience to God, a foolish
idolatry .
Concept of Sin
• “Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my
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mother conceived me." Psalm 51:5
• For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Rom 3:23
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Concept of Sin
• And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God
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gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do these things which are
not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication,
wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder,
debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God,
despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to
parents, Without understanding, covenant-breakers, without
natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the
judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy
of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do
them. Romans 1:28-32
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Concept of Salvation
• The only true reality is the Brahman
• Maya (illusion) – all names and forms are illusory
• Negative thoughts, words and deeds accrue negative
karma, the opposite accrues positive karma
• All karma obscures the truth, therefore…
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"Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the
time my mother conceived me." Psalm
51:5 "And even as they did not like to retain
God in their knowledge, God gave them over
to a reprobate mind, to do these things which
are not convenient; Being filled with all
unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness,
covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy,
murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud,
boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient
to parents, Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection,
implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the
judgment of God, that they which commit
such things are worthy of death, not only do
the same, but have pleasure in them that do
"Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the
them." Romans 1:28-32
time my mother conceived me." Psalm
51:5 "And even as they did not like to retain
God in their knowledge, God gave them over
to a reprobate mind, to do these things which
are not convenient; Being filled with all
unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness,
covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy,
murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud,
boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient
to parents, Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection,
implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the
judgment of God, that they which commit
such things are worthy of death, not only do
the same, but have pleasure in them that do
In Hinduism, the illimitable Brahman has
them." Romans 1:28-32
somehow become benighted and limited
through the action of Maya Shakti. The result
is the supreme reality believing itself to be so
many limited names & forms, from humans to
mosquitoes to trees to rocks. Since the only
true reality is Brahman, all names and forms
are illusory. Acting in a negative way in
thought, word or deed accrues negative karma,
the opposite accrues positive karma. Any
karma acts to obscure the truth. Therefore, all
karma, both good & bad, must be burned
away in the fires of spiritual discipline, called
tapas or yoga. In so doing, the individual
achieves enlightenment, called mukti or
kaivalya. So to remain in the world of name &
form is a curse for the Hindu. Salvation is
Concept of Salvation
• All karma must be burned away through spiritual
disciplines of tapas(ya) and yoga
• Depending on the net karma, a person must be born
countless number of times until enlightenment occurs .
• Then a person will achieve mukti (liberation) or kaivalya
• This salvation is realization – self-centered, works related
salvation and is the way to escape from the cycle of birth
and death, samsara
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Concept of Salvation
Means to save oneself - Yoga
•From the Sanskrit yuj, which is to yoke or unite
•Refers to the individual’s realization of it’s reality
as the supreme soul, in traditional terms, the union
of
• Jivatma – the soul of the living being
• Paramatma – the eternal soul, referring to God
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Concept of Salvation
Means to save oneself – Yoga, contd…
•Four types
• Karma – selfless service
• Bhakti – devotion
• Raja – mental discipline
• Jnana (gyana) - knowledge
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In Hinduism, the illimitable Brahman has
somehow become benighted and limited
through the action of Maya Shakti. The result
is the supreme reality believing itself to be so
many limited names & forms, from humans to
mosquitoes to trees to rocks. Since the only
true reality is Brahman, all names and forms
are illusory. Acting in a negative way in
thought, word or deed accrues negative karma,
the opposite accrues positive karma. Any
karma acts to obscure the truth. Therefore, all
karma, both good & bad, must be burned
away in the fires of spiritual discipline, called
tapas or yoga. In so doing, the individual
achieves enlightenment, called mukti or
kaivalya. So to remain in the world of name &
form is a curse for the Hindu. Salvation is
At this point a brief examination of the means
realization- self-centered, works-related
to save oneself is necessary. The means are
salvation. The concept of reincarnation must
collectively known as Yoga. There are many
be mentioned. The Hindu must, subject to the
varieties and techniques of Yoga. The word
vagaries of his karma, be reborn in countless
derives from the Sanskrit Yuj, to yoke or unite.
realms countless times until enlightenment
This refers to the individual souls realization of
occurs. That is why enlightenment is also
it’s reality as the supreme soul, in traditional
called liberation, escape from the cycle of birth
terms the union of jivatma & paramatma.
and death, samsara.
The popular classification used by Swami
Vivekananda classes Yoga into four varieties:
Karma, Bhakti, Raja, Jnana (gyana). Karma is
transcendence through selfless service, Bhakti
through devotion, Raja through mental
discipline, Jnana through transcendent
knowledge. There are thousands of methods.
The reasoning behind each amounts to worksrelated salvation.
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Christianity: Salvation is deliverance from
bondage to the reprobate nature. One is freed
from the fetters of original sin through the
washing of regeneration by the Holy Spirit.
Justification comes by grace through faith in
the Lord Jesus Christ. The slave to sin becomes
the slave of the Lord. The victim of the first
Adam's iniquity is renewed by the second
Adam's saving sacrifice.
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"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is
no other name under heaven given to men by
which we must be saved." Acts 4:12
"From the beginning God chose you to be
saved through the sanctifying work of the
Spirit and through belief in the truth. He called
you to this through our gospel, that you might
share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ." 2
Thess 2:13,14
Concept of Salvation
• Salvation is deliverance from bondage to the reprobate
nature.
• One is freed from the fetters of original sin through the
washing of regeneration by the Holy Spirit.
• Justification comes by grace through faith in the Lord
Jesus Christ. The slave to sin becomes the slave of the Lord.
The victim of the first Adam's iniquity is renewed by the
second Adam's saving sacrifice.
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Concept of Salvation
• And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that
comes judgment, Heb 9:27
• but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners,
Christ died for us. Rom 5:8
• "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under
heaven given to men by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12
• "From the beginning God chose you to be saved through the
sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. He
called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the
glory of our Lord Jesus Christ." 2 Thess 2:13,14
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Concept of Afterlife
Monistic view –
•Reality is with God alone.
•Therefore heavens and hells are unreal, just like man
•They appear to be real to the unenlightened
•To the jivanmukti (freedom or freed from life), all is God
•Accrued karma for those who cannot attain moksha
(salvation) places them in heaven or hell
•Since they are unreal, the delights and terrors of these are
alluring or repugnant to the unenlightened only
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As previously stated, the most popular
Advaita Vedanta school of monistic thought
equates reality with God alone. Therefore, all
the heavens and hells of Hinduism are
inherently unreal, just like man. These things
appear very real, solid and distinct to the
unenlightened. To the jivanmukti, all is God.
The karma accrued by those failing to achieve
moksha places them in a heaven or hell realm
after death. These realms, as with all
conditioned existence, are ultimately unreal
and impermanent. The delights and
punishments experienced therein are alluring
or repugnant to the unenlightened only.
To the Dvaita, or dualist school, heaven is real
and permanent, hell transitory. Eventually one
may earn their way to heaven through
discipline, usually through the practices of
Bhakti yoga, including idol worship,chanting
of the ishta’s name, kirtan. The most
prominent Hindu dualists are the members of
the Vaishnava sect ISKCON, the International
Society for Krishna Consciousness.
Concept of Afterlife
Dualist (dvaita) view –
•Heaven is real and permanent, hell transitory
•Eventually one may earn their way to heaven through
discipline, usually theough
• Practicing bhakti yoga – devotion
• Idol worship
• chanting of the ishta’s (the god you follow) name
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Concept of Afterlife
christianity
• The afterlife is a delight for the Christian.
• God's people anticipate eternity in His majestic
presence.
• For those not in Christ, the afterlife is fraught with
terror. Hell awaits.
The afterlife is a delight for the Christian.
God's people anticipate eternity in His
majestic presence. For those not in Christ, the
afterlife is fraught with terror. Hell awaits.
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Concept of Afterlife
•"Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was
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thrown into the lake of fire." Rev 20:15
•“ if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and
to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment” 2 Peter
2:9
•“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed
by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since
the creation of the world.” – Mat 25:34
•“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’” Mat
25:41
We will all live eternally. The question is, where?
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"And whosoever was not found written in the
book of Life was cast into the lake of fire." Rev
20:15
"The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly
out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust
unto the day of judgment to be punished." 2
Pet 2:9
"Then shall the King say unto them on His
right hand,Come, ye blessed of my Father,
Inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the
foundation of the world." Matt 25:34
"Then shall He say also unto them on the left
hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into
everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his
angels." Matt 25:41
Concept of the world
• The world, though illusory is composed of chitta shakti
(the power of consciousness), maya shakti of the
Brahman
• Hence the earth is still a manifestation of divinity
• So the earth is revered in common pagan fashion as any
living organism teems with divine life.
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The world, though illusory, is nonetheless
composed of god-power-stuff, or chit Shakti,
maya Shakti-the power of consciousness, of
Brahman’s divine obscuring power. The
enlightened perceive the world and all in it
differently than you or I. Though illusory, it is
still a manifestation of divinity. Therefore, the
earth is to be revered in common pagan
fashion, as a living organism teeming with
divine life.
The pantheistic view, of the sum total of all
forces in the universe being God, is expressed
here. The universe is the body of God.
Concept of the world
Pantheistic view
•God is within the universe. The universe is God.
Panentheistic view
•Panentheism – God is both within and beyond the universe, both
Panentheism, that God is the universe and a
little inscrutable extra, is also expressed here.
immanent and transcendent.
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Concept of the world
Animistic view
•Each thing – human, animal, tree, rock – has it’s own spirit. (This
explains such worship in Hinduism)
•Yogic term for the divine energy is prana (in Hindi, it means the very
essence of your life, like your spirit)
•A Hindu purohit / pujari (priest) performs a ritual called prana pratishtha
i.e. summon the divine energy into an idol
•Hindus think of worshipping the most high through the medium of
idols, and not worshipping the idols themselves
So, the universe is sacred, being ultimately one with the supreme
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Animism, that each thinghuman,animal,tree,rock-has it’s own spirit, is
expressed here. The Yogic term for the divine
energy pervading the universe is prana. In a
Hindu temple, the pujari or priest, performs a
ritual on the idols called prana pratishtha. This
ritual supposedly summons the divine energy
into the idol to enliven it. The Hindu, then,
feels insulted at the mention of idolatry. The
devout Hindu believes himself to be
worshipping the most high through the
medium of idols, a subtle distinction. In
summary, the universe is sacred, being
ultimately one with the supreme.
The subject of time must be mentioned, as it
relates to salvation, sin and the world. The
rishis, Hindu wise men of old, looked upon the
natural world and saw the circular cycles of
time-the procession of the seasons, the moons,
the menstrual periods of women. From this,
they extrapolated the principle of circular time
cycles, not linear time. For the Hindu, a time
comes for the pralaya, the destruction and
reabsorption of the universe into Brahman,
only for the universe itself to be reborn. Hindu
time has no beginning, middle or end. It is
endless, unless moksha obliterates time for an
individual.
Concept of the world
The concept of time
•The rishis – Hindu sages, wise men of the old saw the cycles of
time in nature
•They extrapolated the principle of circular time cycles, not linear
time
•For a Hindu, a time comes for the pralaya – the violent end, the
destruction and reabsorption of the universe into Brahman, after
which the universe gets reborn
• Hence time has no beginning, middle or end. It is endless unless
moksha obliterates time for an individual
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Concept of the World
christianity
• The world is the creation of our sovereign God, from nothing
• It was made good, not inherently divine
• God does not pervade nature
• The only local dwelling place of God in nature is the tabernacle of
the regenerate soul’s heart (this does not make the person God or
one with God)
For the Christian, the world is the creation of
our sovereign God, ex nihilo. It was made good,
not inherently divine. God does not pervade
nature in a monistic Hindu fashion. The only
local dwelling place of God in nature is the
tabernacle of the regenerate soul’s heart.
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Concept of the World
• The world was corrupted after the fall, but the Lord expects us to
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be faithful stewards, taking care of our endowment in accordance
with His wishes, His sovereign will
• Time is linear with a beginning, middle and end. This is cause for
joy. God entered this linear time in flesh to save His elect
• There is no reincarnation, only resurrection
• The Lord has glorification in store for us. The faithful will be in
eternity with God, not in union with God.
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Though corrupted after the fall, the Lord
expects Christians to be faithful stewards of
our endowment, caring for it in accordance
with His wishes, His sovereign will.
Christians know that time is linear with a
beginning, a middle and an end. This is a cause
for joy. The one true God entered the linear
stream of history enrobed in flesh to save His
elect. There is resurrection, not reincarnation.
The Lord who fashioned the end from the
beginning, who first loved us, has glorification
in store for us. The end of the faithful will be
an eternity with God, not a unity obliterating
all distinction.
Concept of the World
• “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the
judgment.” (Heb 9:27)
•
•
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• But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart
of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Cor
2:9)
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the
Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were
made by Him; and without Him was not anything made that was made.”
John 1:1-3
“Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word
of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do
appear.” Heb 11:3:
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Concept of Scripture
Huge number of scriptures
Two classes of Scripture
•Sruti – that which is heard. Inspired scriptures
• Vedas (Rig, Sama, Yajur, Atharva)–oldest, most revered texts
• Samhitas - hymns)
• Brahmanas - priest’s commentaries
• Aranyakas - secret rites for the initiates
• Upanishads – (means ‘to sit near’). Philosophical teachings
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Concept of Scripture
•Smriti – that which is remembered. These are commentaries
• Puranas (literally ancient) – elaborate tales of the gods’
exploits
• Epics – e.g. Ramayana & Mahabharata and the Bhagvad Gita
• Tantras or Agamas
• Laws of Manu and Shad darshanas
Diversity demonstrates the Hindu dictum that “Truth is
one, the paths are many”.
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Heb 9:27 “And as it is appointed unto men
once to die, but after this the judgment.”
1 Cor 2:9 “But as it is written, eye hath not
seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into
the heart of man, the things which God hath
prepared for them that love Him.”
Jer 10:10-12 : “But the Lord is the true God, he
is the living God, and an everlasting king : at
His wrath the earth shall tremble, and the
nations shall not be able to abide His
indignation. Thus shall ye say unto them, The
gods that have not made the heavens and the
earth, even they shall perish from the earth,
and from under these heavens. He hath made
the earth by His power, He hath established
the world by His wisdom, and hath stretched
out the heavens by His discretion.”
There are a huge number of Hindu scriptures
John 1:1-3: “In the beginning was the Word,
in 2 classes: sruti (that which is heard) or smriti
and the Word was with God, and the Word was
(that which is remembered). Sruti is inspired,
God. The same was in the beginning with God.
smriti a commentary. The Vedas are sruti, and
All things were made by Him; and without Him
the oldest, most revered texts. The Vedas (Rik,
was not anything made that was made.”
Sama, Yajur, Atharva) are uniform in structure.
Heb 11:3: “Through faith we understand that
Each is composed of four parts: samhitas
the worlds were framed by the word of God, so
(hymns), brahmanas (priest’s commentaries),
that things which are seen were not made of
aranyakas (secret rites for initiates),
things which do appear.”
Upanishads (literally “to sit near”,
philosophical teachings).
Smriti sacred texts include Puranas (elaborate
tales of the Gods’ exploits), Epics such as
Ramayana and Mahabharata, Bhagavad Gita,
sectarian Tantras or Agamas and the Law of
manu and Shad darshanas. These books
contain a wide variety of philosophical, Yogic,
ethical, legal and others instructions. The
diversity demonstrates the basic Hindu dictum
that truth is one, paths are many…..Which is
another way to say everything is relative.
Gotta love those self-refuting statements
Concept of Scripture
christianity
• The written Word is God’s truth
• It is inspired by God
• It directs sinners to the incarnate Word, Jesus
• It is the Sword of the Spirit
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Concept of Scripture
• 2 Tim 3:16-17 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is
christianity
profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in
righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly
furnished unto all good works.”
• 2 Tim 3:14-15 “But continue thou in the things which thou hast
learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast
learned them; and that from a child thou hast known the holy
scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation
through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”
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Concept of Scripture
• Romans 16:25-26 “Now to him that is of power to stablish you
christianity
according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ,
according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret
since the world began, But now is made manifest, and by the
scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the
everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of
faith.”?
• John 17:17 “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”
• John 20:31 “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus
is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life
through His name.”
39
Christianity
It is a delight to close with this subject. What is
more wonderful than pondering the truth of
God’s inspired written word, which directs
sinners to the incarnate Word? This is no mere
book, but the sword of the Spirit Eph 6:17. Best
to let the sole written record inspired of God to
speak for itself.
2 Tim 3:16-17 “All scripture is given by
inspiration of God, and is profitable for
doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for
instruction in righteousness: That the man of
God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished
unto all good works.”
2 Tim 3:14-15 “But continue thou in the things
which thou hast learned and hast been assured
of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
and that from a child thou hast known the holy
scriptures, which are able to make thee wise
unto salvation through faith which is in Christ
Jesus.”
Romans 16:25-26 “Now to him that is of power
to stablish you according to my gospel, and
the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the
revelation of the mystery, which was kept
secret since the world began, But now is made
manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets,
according to the commandment of the
everlasting God, made known to all nations for
the obedience of faith.”?
John 17:17 “Sanctify them through thy truth:
thy word is truth.”
John 20:31 “But these are written, that ye
might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son
of God; and that believing ye might have life
through His name.”
•
•
•
•
Glossary of terms
Brahman – the ineffable, monistic absolute. All phenomena are manifestations of
Brahman's power of illusion, Maya Shakti. This includes all Hindu deities, the most
popular being the trimurti:
•
•
•
Brahma – the creator
Vishnu – the sustainer
Shiv (or Mahesh) – the destroyer
Fate (bhagya) – firm belief since man is not outside but part of the Brahman
Caste System – determined by laws of Manu. Brahmin-priestly, educated, aristocratic
caste; Ksatriya- warrior caste; Vaisya-merchant caste; Sudra-untouchable caste.
Law of Karma – A mechanical law at work in the universe, Karma- both good and badis generated automatically by one's thoughts, words & deeds. Karma acts as dirt
staining the spotless mirror of the mind. The Hindu must polish the mental mirror;
removing all karmic spots through Yoga for liberation to occur. from good comes
good and from evil comes evil.
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Glossary of terms
• Reincarnation – The movement of the human soul through lifetime after
lifetime of birth and death. One may be born as a human, yet reborn as an
animal due to bad karma. King Janaka is an example. Due to his fascination
with a deer, he was a deer in his next life. Reincarnation ends only with
moksha.
• Moksha – The ultimate attainment of yogic practice, the final stage reached
when the soul is set free from the chain of rebirths.
• Samsara- The illusory phenomenal world and all in it.
• Yoga – discipline which enables the individual to control body and emotions,
finally to attain moksha. Yoga is the cessation of the modifications of the mindstuff (chitta).
• Dharma – law of moral order that each individual must follow to reach moksha
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Romans 16:25-26 “Now to him that is of power
to stablish you according to my gospel, and
the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the
revelation of the mystery, which was kept
secret since the world began, But now is made
manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets,
according to the commandment of the
everlasting God, made known to all nations for
the obedience of faith.”?
John 17:17 “Sanctify them through thy truth:
thy word is truth.”
John 20:31 “But these are written, that ye
might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son
of God; and that believing ye might have life
through His name.”
Romans 16:25-26 “Now to him that is of power
to stablish you according to my gospel, and
the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the
revelation of the mystery, which was kept
secret since the world began, But now is made
manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets,
according to the commandment of the
everlasting God, made known to all nations for
the obedience of faith.”?
John 17:17 “Sanctify them through thy truth:
thy word is truth.”
John 20:31 “But these are written, that ye
might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son
of God; and that believing ye might have life
through His name.”