World religions

World Population

The Historical Approach Look for historical sources: personal testimony or stories written records outside accounts or references Correlate historical sources: original documents control personal or eyewitness testimony

Hermeneutics One meaning: Authorial intent Ordinary rules of interpretation apply Many applications

Foundational Issues Rituals and Ceremonies Morality and Life practices Intellectual Beliefs Spiritual Experience

Pangea, et al Tools, Language Faith, Ritual Until about 80,000 BC

North Africa and Mesopotamia About 10,000BC Villages of all over the world- exploration By 5000 add pottery, sculpture, architecture, towns, temples, war By 4000 Writing, Sailboats, Calendars, Mining Money Villages grow to – now civilization

The First Civilizations The first civilizations (developed through life in cities) around 3500 add: Urbanization Government Inter-village trade Armies, war Literature, Libraries Education Social Order Institutionalized Religion

Ancient Wisdom Creation & Hero stories Chinese, Mesopotamian & other animism/gods Egyptian, Hindu & other-world beliefs Hebrew & other monotheism

The Earliest Belief Systems of Civilizations Egyptian – 2400 BC Hebrew – 2100 BC Hindu – 1200 BC Buddhism – 600 BC Confucianism – 500 BC Christianity – 32 AD Islam – 622 AD (Aryan; Formal 900BC) Summer, Akkad 3200 BC Taoism – 1600 BC

The Hebrews Monotheism State & Religion Morality & Religion Philosophy of History Sense of Destiny

Hebrew life today Organizationally: Orthodox, Conservative, Reformed The question of Israel Practically: life in the world; cultural practices

Hinduism Original monotheism (Brahma) which is manifested as three forces: Later seen as three gods: Vishnu, Brahma, Shiva Preserver and protector Creator and encompasser Destroyer and restorer These gods manifest themselves on earth by an avatar (incarnation). There have been hundreds of incarnations as local gods or demi-gods.

Hinduism Today most Hindus see themselves as one people but with many differences, especially the caste system (after 900BC). One’s caste determines one’s duty (dharma) in life. The atman (soul) is linked with brahman (eternal being) but is now caught in rebirth into suffering. The way to escape (msksha) the cycle of suffering is to achieve realization that atman is brahman.

Buddhism Begins with Guatama ( BC) Shares an outlook on life (Hindu, w/o caste Thousands of variations Theravada, Mahayana, Hinayana, Zen

Taoism/ Confusian A way of life for everyone based on the duties of daily rituals Five ethical relations Stages of life  No commitment on the idea of God, but duties and rituals are based on absolute values

Greece Predate Socrates ( B.C.) Rejected myth stories Scientific & philosophical questions Reason & Community

Christianity The person and work of Jesus, the Christ The early church teachers Four churches and the Nicean council The Bible Belief, lifestyle and practices Institutional church/state relations

There is One God in three persons, who is the creator, sustainer, and judge of all life Humans, made in the nature of God, redeemed by Jesus, with eternal destiny, now act as responsible stewards of this life and this world Christian Beliefs Today

Islam Begins with Mohammad in 622 (Hijrah) Make the confession Follow the five pillars The Qu’ran Shi’ites, Sunnis, Sufis, many others Unity of religion and state

Islam Today National identity v religious identity Unity of religion due to Qu’ran Variety of interpretations Growing strength in education & economy Top down authority (political v religious)

Determining major religions and ethnic groups billion Christians 1.0 billion Hindus 1.5 billion Muslims 1.4 billion Chinese 1.1 billion – everyone else

World Population