group questions 1.thinking about the origin of religion, what do you make of the evolutionary model...
Post on 25-Dec-2015
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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
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.
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.
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