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What do Hindus believe? How do they see the world? What do Christians and Hindus have in common, and what are the major differences?
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World Religions
The Gospel and Friendship in a Pluralistic Suburb
What Do You Know?
How long have you been at Beavercreek Nazarene?
Do you have any personal experience with Hinduism?
What do you know about Hinduism?
What questions do you have about Hinduism?
1.
2.
3.
4.
Our “Mars Hill” Methodology
1. •A basic introduction to the faith’s worldview
2. •Areas of agreement between that faith and Orthodox Christian theology and practice
3. •Areas of disagreement between that faith and Orthodox Christian theology and practice
GOAL: To equip you to build a truth-seeking relationship with someone of another faith.
Hinduism
Beyond Karma and Cows
A Brief History of Hinduism
Really a history of India
• No founder• Many influences• Difficult to identify
The Vedas – Pre-1500 BC
- Aryan migration into the Indus Valley- Proto-Greek pantheon- Vedas are sacred rituals & chants
- Rig Veda is most important.
The Upanishads - 500 BC
- Collection of about 100 works with 12 key texts- Movement toward a sort of monotheism
- Spiritual disciplines connect worshipers to God
The Bhagavad Gita – 200 BC-AD 200
- Modern Hinduism in 2 ½ hours- Part of an epic poem- Features Krishna, an avatar of Vishnu
- Duty in life is the path to enlightenment.
A Brief History of Hinduism
Brahman
Maya
Samsara
Atman
Karma
Re-incarnati
on
The Hindu Worldview
Brahman
Maya
Samsara
AtmanKarma
Re-incarnatio
n
The Hindu Worldview: Brahman and Maya
Brahman• The Ocean of Divine
RealityMaya• Reality is
Impermanence
Brahman
Maya
Samsara
Atman
Karma
Re-incarnati
on
The Hindu Worldview: Samsara
Brahman
Maya
Samsara
AtmanKarma
Re-incarnatio
n
The Hindu Worldview: Atman
Atman•Our true “self”•Eternally changing
Brahman
Maya
Samsara
AtmanKarma
Re-incarnatio
n
The Hindu Worldview: Karma & Reincarnation
Karma• Moral consequence of
action• Determines direction of
rebirthReincarnation• Our Atman is constantly
reborn
Brahman
Maya
Samsara
AtmanKarma
Re-incarnatio
n
The Hindu Worldview: Moksha
• Escape from Samsara and reunification with Brahman
Moksha
Dharma: The Path to Enlightenment
Student
Householder
RetireeRenunciation
Yoga: The Paths to Enlightenment
Study KarmaMeditati
onYoga
Devotion/
Bhakti
Brahman
Bhakti: The Gods of HinduismBrahma
•Creator•Not very popular
Vishnu•Preserver/Sustainer•Most popular•Visits earth as an Avatar
Shiva•Destroyer/Recreator•A natural part of Samsara
Building Bridges to Hinduism
Devotion to God
God’s Immanence
The Danger of the Material World
Spiritual Practices are a path to God
Grace: Only God can release us from suffering
Hindus and Christians Both Value
A relationship with God
Peacemaking as a spiritual practice
Taking care of the natural world
Spiritual practices
Where Hinduism and Christianity Disagree
Trinity• God is three persons in one
being• God is distinct from creation• God is always unified
Brahman• All gods are one essence• Gods’ essence is identical to
creation• The “Big 3” are Modalism
Where Hinduism and Christianity Disagree
Creation• Good gifts from God• Point back to God• Creation is God’s final plan
Maya• Creation is fundamentally
impermanent• Gets in the way of God• Will ultimately be reabsorbed
Where Hinduism and Christianity Disagree
Grace• XXX• XXX
Karma• XXX• XXX
Where Hinduism and Christianity Disagree
In Hindui
sm
Time
Is Cyclic
al
Every-
thing
Just repea
ts Christians
Believe
The World
Is Going
Some-
where
How to be a Perfect Stranger
Not all Indians are Hindu!
You may refuse food at a puja.
Shoes off in the home.
Meals will be vegetarian.
Use your right hand. Always.
