world religions week 2 - hinduism

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.

Got Questions?

• jrforasteros@gmail.com• @jrforasteros• facebook.com/jrforasteros

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