Transcript Apologetics - St Peter`s Maghull

Apologetics
Session 3:
What about other
religions?
Apologetics
“Apologetics”????
“…but
in your hearts sanctify
Christ as Lord. Always be ready
to make your defence to
anyone who demands from you
an accounting for the hope that
is in you;
yet do it with gentleness and
reverence…”
1
Peter 3:15-16a NRSV
Apologetics
What keeps people from believing?
“why should I believe your
religion and not the others?”
They
can’t all be right?
 Or
can they?
 All rivers lead to the same sea?
Christianity
claims that only one
religion is right (as does Islam,
Judaism, but not Hinduism etc.)
Three Views:
1. Exclusivism
Only
Christians will be saved
John 14:16 - the way, truth, life
Acts 4:12  There
is salvation in no one else! God
has given no other name under
heaven by which we must be saved.
Tend
Barth
to be evangelicals e.g. Karl
Three Views:
2. Inclusivism
Salvation
available through Christ
John 1: Universal Christ
Salvation for some others
Tend to be Catholics e.g. Karl Rahner
Three Views:
3. Pluralism
Many
ways to salvation
Through Christ for Christians
Through Islam for Moslems
Tend to be liberals e.g. John Hick
Apologetics
Many religions – why this one?
An
apologetic answer:
 2+2=?
 3?
5? 17? 932? -200,000? 4?
 the existence of many incorrect answers
doesn’t mean there isn’t a correct one.
 Often there’s only one correct answer
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Apologetics
Worldwide Religions
Apologetics
Monotheism, Polytheism,
Syncretism... long words!
Judaism,
Christianity, Islam
 “the
great monotheistic religions”
 “people of the Book”
Hinduism,
Buddhism, Sikhism,
animism
Too much! – so tonight: Islam
10
Some Students said:
Fear,
World domination, Oppression,
Community, Family, Law, Fundamentalism,
Duty, Darkness, Discipline, Seperatist,
Qur’an, Identity, Respect
11
Islam
= “submission” (to God)
Muslim
= someone who submits
12
4 Main Prophets
Moses
– Law
David – Psalms
Jesus – Gospel
Muhammad – Qur’an
13
Muhammad
Mohammed
born 570 A.D.
Met with Gabriel
Received Qur’an
Exiled to Medina
Returned to Mecca
Died 632 A.D.
14
Practices & Pillars
• Statement
•
Oneness of God, finality of the Prophet’s
message
• Daily
•
prayer
5 times daily
• Giving
•
of belief
to the poor
2.5% of your savings
• Fasting
– Ramadan
• Pilgrimage to Mecca
•
at least once
15
word of God vs. Word of God
Islam:
 Muhammad
witnesses
to the Qur’an
Christianity:
 The
Bible witnesses
to Jesus
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Apologetics
video
questions
1. Does the fact that there are
other religions make you less
certain about your own faith?
2. Are you a Christian just because
you’ve been brought up that way?
Do people simply follow the faith of
their fathers?
3. Do you think Christianity is unique
among religions? Why?
questions
4. How do you think Christianity
relates to other religions? Which of
the three options (see over) do you
think works best?
5. What comes to mind when
you think of Islam?
6. Can you describe an Islamic
fundamentalist? What about a
Christian fundamentalist?
questions
Do you personally know any one
who is a Muslim? Are there any
Muslim families who live near you?
8. Have you ever had a conversation
with someone who is a Muslim? Did
you talk about religion?
9. How do you think a devout Muslim in
Afghanistan or Iraq sees our Western
culture?
10. How do you see Islam in relation to
Christianity (see sheet for some
options.)
7.