Download Hinduism - University Baptist Church

University Baptist Church Why One Way – Sec. 4 Hinduism Overview 4 Aims in Hindu Life: • Kama: Enjoyment of physical pleasure. • Artha: Acquisition of material wealth. • Dharma: Practice of righteous living. • Moksa: Attainment of final liberation from Samsara and karma. Basic Beliefs: • God: Impersonal, ultimate but unknowable spiritual reality. Claim 330 million gods. • Creation: Everything is an illusion. Brahman (creator god) is the only thing that really exists. There is not beginning or ending of creation, only endless cycles of creation and destruction. • Sin: There is no concept of rebellion against a Holy God, but reincarnation includes suffering for bad deeds in former lives. • Soul: The spark of Brahman that is trapped in a physical body, which is an illusion and therefore of little worth. At death, the soul goes to an intermediate state of punishment of reward before rebirth in another body. Rebirths are experienced until karma is removed and the soul can then be reabsorbed into Brahman. • Salvation/Final Judgment: Moksha (freedom from infinite being) is the goal of existence. • Man: Destiny and life are determined by karma (the actions, words, and thoughts from former lives.) • Worship: Varies, but consists of color symbolism, offerings, fasting, and dance. Most Hindus daily worship the image of their chosen deity with chants, flowers, and incense. Types of Hinduism: • Popular Hinduism: Characterized by the worship of gods through offerings, rituals, and prayers. • Philosophical Hinduism: Characterized by a complex belief system practiced by those who study ancient texts, meditate and practice yoga. University Baptist Church Why One Way – Sec. 4 Reaching Hindus with the Gospel 
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Adapted from “Perspectives on the World Christian Movement” – Ch. 92 rd
Hinduism began back in the 3 Century B.C. when the Aryans settled into India. Their search for God led them to write the Vedas. The Hindu religion was and still is built on these writings, including the establishment of community built within the Indian society, dividing the people into a caste system. There is no one set definition of Hinduism, but varies depending upon the region of the world in which you find yourself. Examples of various types of Hinduism include: Philosophic Hinduism, Religious Hinduism, Popular Hinduism, Mystic Hinduism, Tribal Hinduism, and Secular Hinduism. Theological Perspectives:  Being that Hindus are a very religious people, explaining to them the concept of living a holy life (1 Peter 1:16; Rom. 12:2) will have a huge impact in their understanding of Christianity. We must, though, be careful to point to the truth that apart from the saving work of Jesus Christ, our sin separates us from a Holy God.  The inherent worth that is placed upon each of our lives is due to the fact that we are created in the image of God. Once we become Christians, this idea of unity and image bearing is enhanced, as seen through the life of the church. In seeking to reach the Hindu for Christ, they must understand that the Gospel transcends cultural, linguistic, and social barriers, and no matter what social or economic background we come from, the Gospel is available to all. Each of us as Christians is unified together, because of the cross.  Hindus are very syncretistic in their beliefs, believing that there are various ways that lead to God. Therefore, we must point them to the only way to the Father, through His Son Jesus Christ (John 14).  We must articulate what sin is – separation from a Holy God (Ephesians 2, John 3:36), as sin takes on various connotations in the mind of the Hindu.  Salvation looks very different for the Hindu (escape from the cycle of reincarnation), than it does for the Christian (Justification, Sanctification, Glorification). Theological Bridges:  Point them to a monotheistic God revealed in the Triune God, rather than a pantheistic worldview.  Expository preaching/teaching of Scripture goes a long way with the Hindu who has a great respect for sacred writings.  Uphold the incarnation of Christ being 100% God and 100% man.  Only through Christ’s death can we have victory over sin – not through reaching karma. Methodological Issues:  We must develop a truly Christian worldview consistent with the Indian context.  While presenting the Gospel we must be aware that the way the Hindu views sin, salvation, Jesus Christ, and eternal life, is completely different from the Christian perspective.  Communicate so that we listen, as much as we speak. Dialogue with the Hindu about the differences in worldview and beliefs, but present the Gospel in such a way that it answers those questions raised by the Hindu worldview.  Understand the affects that a Hindu coming to salvation through Christ will have on the entire community in which He lives and works.