“Major World Religions & Cults”
8 Weeks
Mondays, 6:30p - 8p
Starting Mar 24
*If you missed week 1, it’s not too late to join us starting on week 2 on March 31!
This class is available for anyone who would like to attend.
Registration is needed. There is no fee for this class, but there is a required book that you can purchase online or we will have a supply available for $15.
This course introduces students to the world’s major religions and cults with particular emphasis on those practiced in North America. The origins and development, doctrine, rituals, institutions and cultural expressions of various religions will be explored including Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Shinto, Zoroastrianism,
the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society (Jehovah’s Witness), and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Common themes to be discussed include human experience, sacred texts and locations, evil and suffering, love and compassion, wisdom and justice, death and deliverance.
The required book for this course is Their Rock Is Not Like Our Rock by Daniel Strange (see page numbers below).
Week 1 (March 24) – What is religion?
Why “Comparative Religions” is Anti-Christ (pages 1-52)
Week 2 (March 31) – What does theology have to do with religion?
A Reformed Response to World Religion (pages 53-94)
Week 3 (April 7) – Is there truth in false religion?
Remnantal Revelation (pages 95-120)
Week 4 (April 14) – What is the history of religion?
Bible, Babel, and Babblers (pages 121-154)
Week 5 (April 21) – What about religious pluralism?
The Old Testament Portrayal of World Religion (pages 155-213)
Week 6 (April 28) – What about religious idolatry?
The New Testament Portrayal of World Religion (pages 214-236)
Week 7 (May 5) – What does the gospel have to do with religion?
How the Gospel is the Fulfilment of World Religion (pages 237-273)
Week 8 (May 12) – How can we be on mission with religion?
Evangelism, Missions, and World Religion (pages 274-338)
*There is no childcare for this class