Assignments for this course take the form of written summaries, research, and analysis. They are designed to help us work through the course
objectives, while keeping a focus on our spiritual growth through conceptual learning.For each assignment, please develop a document and submit it to me in either Microsoft Word or HTML format (your word processing
software should permit you to do a "save as" and choose either of those formats).
Assignment #1
Readings:
The World's Religions: Our Great Wisdom Traditions
II. Hinduism
III. Buddhism
The Universe Next
Door
Chapter 1: A World of Difference
Chapter 2: A Universe Charged with
the Grandeur of God
Length 4-5 pages
Consider the following
Scripture passages:
Ø
Colossians
2:6-8
Ø
1 Corinthians 1:18-21
Ø
Galatians 5:1
Ø
Ephesians 1:17-18
As a Christian, why is
it important to understand other worldviews? And how can
this understanding better equip you for ministry?
Assignment #2
Readings:
The World's Religions: Our Great Wisdom Traditions
IV. Confucianism
V. Taoism
The Universe Next
Door
Chapter 3: The Clockwork Universe
Chapter 4: The Silence of Finite Space
Length 4-5 pages
How do other
worldviews compare with the Christian worldview? What
are the similarities and differences? Do you believe
that other non-Christian worldviews have elements of
truth within them? Why or why not?
Assignment #3
Readings:
The World's Religions: Our Great Wisdom Traditions
VI. Islam
The Universe Next
Door
Chapter 5: Zero Point
Chapter 6: Beyond Nihilism
Length 4-5 pages
What role do you think the religion of Islam is taking
in the current state of world events? Is this role
dominantly influential or passively influential? Why or
why not?
Assignment #4
Readings:
The World's Religions: Our Great Wisdom Traditions
VII. Judaism
The Universe Next
Door
Chapter 7: Eastern Pantheistic
Monism
Length 4-5 pages
Judaism is considered one of the three monotheistic
(one-God) religions. How does it compare with other
worldviews that are polytheistic (many gods) or
pantheistic (a combination of all worldviews)? Do you
believe that those who currently practice
Judaism have adopted the polytheistic or pantheistic
worldviews of other religions? Why or why not?
Assignment #5
Readings:
The World's Religions: Our Great Wisdom Traditions
VIII. Christianity
The Universe Next
Door
Chapter 8: A Separate Universe
Length 4-5 pages
What are the similarities and differences between
Christianity and the New Age? Do you think Christianity
has adopted any elements of the New Age worldview? Why
or why not?
Assignment #6
Readings:
The World's Religions: Our Great Wisdom Traditions
IX. The Primal Religions
X. A Final Examination
The Universe Next
Door
Chapter 9: The
Vanished Horizon
Chapter 10: The Examined Life
Length 4-5 pages
Has your understanding of other worldviews given you a
greater perspective on what it means to be a Christian?
What has the Lord revealed to you with regard to your
understanding of these worldviews? Has it widen your
experience as a Christian? Why or why not?
Assignment #7
Final Research Paper
Length 12-15 pages
What has the Lord revealed to you in this course? Write
a final paper summing up the knowledge, ideas and
conclusions you reached during the course. Focus your
paper and make sure it reflects, through references and
comments, the work you have done and what you judge from
what you have learned.
Select one of the following topics:
-
Compare and contrast 2 or more world religions. For
example, The Doctrine of God (or Afterlife) in
Judaism, Christianity (Islam); Feastdays, and
Sacraments in Islam, Hinduism, Christianity; Right
conduct (or ascetic practices) in Buddhism,
Judeo-Christianity, Islam. Use your texts, previous
assignments and other sources (see bibliographies in
your texts).
-
Select a person, or select a belief or practice (no
matter how specific), and write on your experience.
For example, such persons as: Zoroaster, Gautama
(Buddha), Moses, Mohammed, Christ, Lao-Tzu, Joseph
Smith; or such beliefs as: Fundamentalism or
Non-Fundamentalist Belief, Secular Humanism, the
Eucharist in Christianity, Karma, Reincarnation. Use
your texts, previous assignments and other sources
(see bibliographies in your texts).
Assignments that
MUST BE SUBMITTED to Your Instructor for Grading
YOU WILL NOT
RECEIVE A GRADE FOR THE COURSE OR BE CREDITED AS
COMPLETING THE COURSE UNTIL ALL OF THESE ASSIGNMENTS
HAVE BEEN RECEIVED AND GRADED BY YOUR INSTRUCTOR:
Assignment #1
Assignment #2
Assignment #3
Assignment #4
Assignment #5
Assignment #6
Assignment #7: Final
Research Paper
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