Group Questions1. Thinking about the origin of religion, what

do you make of the Evolutionary Model of the development of religions? How does it square up with what the Bible teaches? What alternatives would you suggest?

2. Take the World Religions Quiz

Statistics• World Population –> 7 billion• Professing Christians –> 2.1 billion• Religious Non-Christians –> 3.7 billion

Evolutionary Model

ReligionA system of beliefs and practices that, by means of its cultus, directs a person toward transcendence and, thus, provides meaning and coherence to a person’s life.

CultusExternal features, no matter how small, which have meaning only for the sake of the religious belief and would be unnecessary in other contexts.

Stages in Evolution of Religion

1. Mana2. Animism3. Polytheism4. Henotheism5. Monotheism

Mana Most “primitive” form of religion Very little complexity General awareness of a Spiritual Force in world The Force is not personal

Animism Visualizes spiritual forces in terms of

Personal Spirits Many forces, pictured as personal beings with

distinct identities and names Often organized into: Nature & Ancestor Spirits

Polytheism Not just many “spirits”, but many “gods” These “gods” are vastly superior to “spirits” Pantheon = sum total of gods + goddesses

within a particular religion

Henotheism Recognize many different gods as real, but

worship only one. Visible in “other nations” in the OT

Monotheism Highest step of development (potentially) Only one God, who is:

• The creator of the world• Vastly superior to any creature• Author of moral directives for people• Alone worthy to be worshipped.

Original Monotheism• Locates the origin of religion in God, not man.

Original Monotheism

Folk ReligionThe lived, everyday practices of religion by common laypersons.

(May be very different from the “official” definitions of the religion by professionals)