The world is a pluralistic place, with thousands of religions and other belief systems (secular humanism, socialism, communism, “woke”) competing for the hearts and minds of each person. This class compares the fundamental tenets, history, and impact of the major religions in the world today.

As with all courses at MDHI, the online version of World Religions can be a stand-alone class or can augment the in-person version. Most in-person classes are given from 1830-1930 (6:30 to 7:30 PM) on Wednesday nights at Memorial Baptist Church (MBC) in Beckley, WV. Dozens of students have taken the in-person version of many classes at MDHI.

Mission

1. To investigate the definition of religion, the relationship between religious history and comparative religion, and the theories behind the origin of religion.
2. To compare Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, smaller faiths (Sikh, Jain, Jewish), and major secular belief systems with each other and with Christianity.
3. To interest participants in other cultures.
4. To help participants share the story of Christ with people in other cultures.

Duration – 16 weeks

Instructor – Mark D. Harris, PhD in World Religions, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (SBTS)

Approach in this class

1. Rather than looking at how each individual practices his or her faith, we will characterize each faith as it is taught in its original, authoritative documents.
2. Buddhism – Tipitaka (Sutta Pitaka, Angutara Pitaka, Nikaya Pitaka), a mention of some key sutras
3. Hindu – Vedas, Ten Principal Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita
4. Islam – Quran, Sahih al Bukhari
5. Other (Sikh, Jain, and Jew) – Scriptures, Talmud

Hermeneutic

1. Authorial intent – The meaning of a text is what the author meant to say. The reader’s task is to decipher it.
2. Reader response – The meaning of a text is whatever the reading community believes it to say. The author’s intent has no relevance.
3. This class uses a hermeneutic of authorial intent.
4. Some think that “authorial intent” means “literal.” This is false. In Revelation 1:13-16, the author clearly intends the reader to understand his description of Jesus figuratively. That is how we should interpret it.

Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking with me. And after turning I saw seven golden lampstands; and in the middle of the lampstands I saw one like a son of man, clothed in a robe reaching to the feet, and wrapped around the chest with a golden sash. His head and His hair were white like white wool, like snow; and His eyes were like a flame of fire. His feet were like burnished bronze when it has been heated to a glow in a furnace, and His voice was like the sound of many waters. In His right hand He held seven stars, and out of His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword; and His face was like the sun shining in its strength.  

Course goals

1. The student will master the relevant subject matter.
2. The student will consider his or her world view in light of the new information and make whatever changes are needed for consistency.
3. The student will change his or her lifestyle to align with the truth that he or she has discovered.
4. The student will effectively glorify God and enjoy Him forever.

Course reading

1. Religion and Art, Shaping the World for Christ
2. Echoes of War: Religious Militancy in Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, and Christianity, Online – Print
3. Charts of World Religions, H Wayne House, Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan, 2006.
4. The Religions of Mankind: Their Origin and Development, Hans-Joachim Schoeps, (New York: Doubleday Anchor, 1966).
5. A History of Magic, Witchcraft and the Occult – August 6, 2020, DK (Dorling Kindersley), 2020. 
6. Bible Translation – NASB

For the best educational experience, course readings should be paired with lesson readings. As with all courses at MDHI, the online version of World Religions can be a stand-alone class or can augment the in-person version. Most in-person classes are given from 1830-1930 (6:30 to 7:30 PM) on Wednesday nights at Memorial Baptist Church (MBC) in Beckley, WV. Dozens of students have taken the in-person version of many classes at MDHI.