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Apologetics Session 3: What about other religions? Apologetics “Apologetics”???? “…but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defence to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and reverence…” 1 Peter 3:15-16a NRSV Apologetics What keeps people from believing? “why should I believe your religion and not the others?” They can’t all be right? Or can they? All rivers lead to the same sea? Christianity claims that only one religion is right (as does Islam, Judaism, but not Hinduism etc.) Three Views: 1. Exclusivism Only Christians will be saved John 14:16 - the way, truth, life Acts 4:12 There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved. Tend Barth to be evangelicals e.g. Karl Three Views: 2. Inclusivism Salvation available through Christ John 1: Universal Christ Salvation for some others Tend to be Catholics e.g. Karl Rahner Three Views: 3. Pluralism Many ways to salvation Through Christ for Christians Through Islam for Moslems Tend to be liberals e.g. John Hick Apologetics Many religions – why this one? An apologetic answer: 2+2=? 3? 5? 17? 932? -200,000? 4? the existence of many incorrect answers doesn’t mean there isn’t a correct one. Often there’s only one correct answer 8 Apologetics Worldwide Religions Apologetics Monotheism, Polytheism, Syncretism... long words! Judaism, Christianity, Islam “the great monotheistic religions” “people of the Book” Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, animism Too much! – so tonight: Islam 10 Some Students said: Fear, World domination, Oppression, Community, Family, Law, Fundamentalism, Duty, Darkness, Discipline, Seperatist, Qur’an, Identity, Respect 11 Islam = “submission” (to God) Muslim = someone who submits 12 4 Main Prophets Moses – Law David – Psalms Jesus – Gospel Muhammad – Qur’an 13 Muhammad Mohammed born 570 A.D. Met with Gabriel Received Qur’an Exiled to Medina Returned to Mecca Died 632 A.D. 14 Practices & Pillars • Statement • Oneness of God, finality of the Prophet’s message • Daily • prayer 5 times daily • Giving • of belief to the poor 2.5% of your savings • Fasting – Ramadan • Pilgrimage to Mecca • at least once 15 word of God vs. Word of God Islam: Muhammad witnesses to the Qur’an Christianity: The Bible witnesses to Jesus 16 Apologetics video questions 1. Does the fact that there are other religions make you less certain about your own faith? 2. Are you a Christian just because you’ve been brought up that way? Do people simply follow the faith of their fathers? 3. Do you think Christianity is unique among religions? Why? questions 4. How do you think Christianity relates to other religions? Which of the three options (see over) do you think works best? 5. What comes to mind when you think of Islam? 6. Can you describe an Islamic fundamentalist? What about a Christian fundamentalist? questions Do you personally know any one who is a Muslim? Are there any Muslim families who live near you? 8. Have you ever had a conversation with someone who is a Muslim? Did you talk about religion? 9. How do you think a devout Muslim in Afghanistan or Iraq sees our Western culture? 10. How do you see Islam in relation to Christianity (see sheet for some options.) 7.