World religions

0 1000 2000

6

5

4

3

2

1.5

World Population

The Historical Approach

Look for historical sources:

personal testimony or stories

written records

outside accounts or references

Correlate historical sources:

original documents control

personal or eyewitness testimony

Hermeneutics

One meaning: Authorial intent

Ordinary rules of interpretation apply

Many applications

Foundational Issues

Rituals and Ceremonies

Morality and Life practices

Intellectual Beliefs

Spiritual Experience

Pangea, et alTools, Language

Faith, Ritual

Until about 80,000 BC

North Africa and Mesopotamia

About 10,000BC

Villages of 30-300 all over the world- exploration

By 5000 add pottery, sculpture, architecture, towns, temples, war

By 4000Writing,Sailboats,Calendars,MiningMoney

Villages grow to 2000-5000 – now civilization

The First CivilizationsThe first civilizations (developed through life in cities) around 3500 add:

Urbanization

Government

Inter-village trade

Armies, war

Literature, Libraries

Education

Social Order

Institutionalized Religion

Ancient Wisdom

Creation & Hero storiesChinese, Mesopotamian & other animism/godsEgyptian, Hindu & other-world beliefsHebrew & other monotheism

The Earliest Belief Systems of Civilizations

Egyptian – 2400 BC Hebrew – 2100 BC

Hindu – 1200 BCBuddhism – 600 BC

Confucianism – 500 BC

Christianity – 32 AD

Islam – 622 AD

(Aryan;

Formal 900BC)

Summer, Akkad 3200 BC

Taoism – 1600 BC

The Hebrews

Monotheism

State & Religion

Morality & Religion

Philosophy of History

Sense of Destiny

Hebrew life today

Organizationally:

Orthodox, Conservative, ReformedThe question of Israel

Practically: life in the world; cultural practices

Hinduism

Original monotheism (Brahma) which is manifested as three forces:

Later seen as three gods: Vishnu, Brahma, Shiva

Preserver and protectorCreator and

encompasserDestroyer and restorer

These gods manifest themselves on earth by an avatar (incarnation). There have been hundreds of incarnations as local gods or demi-gods.

Hinduism

Today most Hindus see themselves as one people but with many differences, especially the caste system (after 900BC). One’s caste determines one’s duty (dharma) in life. The atman (soul) is linked with brahman (eternal being) but is now caught in rebirth into suffering. The way to escape (msksha) the cycle of suffering is to achieve realization that atman is brahman.

Buddhism Begins with Guatama (563-483BC) Shares an outlook on life (Hindu, w/o

caste Thousands of variations Theravada, Mahayana, Hinayana, Zen

Taoism/Confusian

A way of life for everyone based on the duties of daily rituals

Five ethical relations Stages of life No commitment on the idea of God, but duties and rituals are based on absolute values

Greece

Predate Socrates (469-399 B.C.)  Rejected myth stories Scientific & philosophical questions

Reason & Community

Christianity

The person and work of Jesus, the Christ

The early church teachers 32-313

Four churches and the Nicean council

The Bible

Belief, lifestyle and practices

Institutional church/state relations

There is One God in three persons, who is the creator, sustainer, and judge of all life

Humans, made in the nature of God, redeemed by Jesus, with eternal destiny, now act as responsible stewards of this life and this world

Christian Beliefs Today

Islam Begins with Mohammad in 622

(Hijrah) Make the confession Follow the five pillars The Qu’ran Shi’ites, Sunnis, Sufis, many others Unity of religion and state

Islam Today National identity v religious identity Unity of religion due to Qu’ran Variety of interpretations Growing strength in education &

economy Top down authority (political v religious)

Determining major religions and ethnic groups - 2006

2.3 billion Christians

1.0 billion Hindus

1.5 billion Muslims

1.4 billion Chinese

1.1 billion – everyone else

0 1000 2050

12

11

10

9

8

7

6

5

4

3

2

1

World Population