The Mosaic Course

Understanding World Religions from a Christian Perspective

Mathew P. John

• Publisher: David C Cook
• Year: 2020
• Print ISBN: 9780830780754
• eBook ISBN: 9780830781003
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Christian Theology

How do we affirm the biblical notion that Jesus is the only way to God while respecting people of other religious traditions and worldviews? The Mosaic Course: Understanding World Religions from a Christian Perspective answers this complex question by taking readers on an exciting journey exploring hidden revelations of Jesus Christ in world religions. Used in conjunction with the Mosaic Video Series available at themosaiccourse.org, Christians are equipped to engage in open and respectful dialogue with people of differing worldviews. Without compromising the fundamental faith conviction that Jesus is the only way to God, this study guide empowers readers to share their faith with people of other religious traditions in a culturally sensitive fashion.

Module 1

The Only Way to God

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this module is to examine the claims of exclusivity in major world religions through the lens of ideological frameworks such as pluralism, universalism, and exclusivism. We will also compare and contrast the foundational worldviews of six major living religions and explore the traces of general revelation available in their sacred narratives.

SCRIPTURE

Acts 17:22–31

WATCH

The Only Way to God

(Module 1: The Mosaic Course)

KEY POINTS

• Human beings are “religious animals.” We are wired to worship something bigger than ourselves. When we stop worshipping God, we will start worshipping ourselves.
• Pluralism (analogy: the blind men and the elephant): This view says that different religions perceive different aspects of the Truth. We need to listen to and learn from one another because no one gets it right.
• Universalism (analogy: how to climb a mountain through different trails): All religions reach the same destination irrespective of the paths they have chosen. We should not interfere with others’ religious beliefs, because everyone gets it right in the end.
• Exclusivism (analogy: the only way through a maze): Truth, by definition, is exclusive. There is only one way that leads to the absolute Truth and only one religion gets it right.
• Most religions are exclusivistic at their theological center.
• There are only six religions that can be classified as major “living” world religions. Hinduism, Buddhism, and Sikhism are categorized as Eastern religions, and Judaism, Christianity, and Islam as Abrahamic religions.
• Theological frameworks of Eastern religions range all the way from animism to non-theism, while Abrahamic religions follow a strict monotheistic code.
• Eastern religions operate on a mythical timeline, but in Abrahamic religions, God interrupts human history.
• Abrahamic religions conceptualize the cosmos in such a way that God and humans are distinct entities separated from each other by the “sins” of humanity. The ultimate goal of Eastern religion is to bridge the gap between God and humans.
• In Eastern religions, the divine and the human are not considered separate beings. Any apparent distinction between them is caused by a phenomenon called maya (illusion). The realization of this truth is what leads us to “enlightenment.”
• World religions possess a respectful, if not reverential, understanding of Jesus Christ. The Jews consider Him a rabbi who claimed to be their Messiah; the Muslims, a prophet; the Sikhs, a guru or sant; the Buddhists, a bodhisattva; the Hindus, an avatar.
• Paul’s Mars Hill sermon (Acts 17:22–31) suggests that there are “Christ figures” in other religions that may function as missiological bridges to invite people to move from “the Jesus they know” to “the Jesus we know.”
• The theory of general revelation suggests that God has not left Himself without witness (Acts 14:17) and continues to reveal Himself through nature, conscience, and even through world religions. But the particular revelation comes only through the providential grace of God in Jesus Christ.
• The Bible affirms that there is only one way to God and that way is Jesus, but it is plausible that there is more than one way to Jesus. There are Christ figures in other religions that have the potential to lead people to the Jesus of the Bible, even through unconventional ways.
• It is therefore possible for Christians to appreciate the genuine spiritual experiences of people of other religions, while also affirming the uniqueness of the gospel and the singular and distinct perfection of the Christian faith.

READ

“Following the Star”

Chapter 1, The Unknown God

“The True Myth”

Chapter 8, The Unknown God

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

1. How would you respond to the statement, “All religions are exclusivistic at their theological center”?

2. How is the nature of divinity and humanity distinguished in Eastern and Abrahamic religions?

3. What are some of the redemptive roles played by “outsiders” in the biblical narrative?

4. How does Paul’s Mars Hill sermon differ from his other missionary discourses?

5. What is general revelation? How is it different from particular revelation?

EXERCISE

Ask people of different ethnic, cultural, and religious backgrounds what they think about Jesus Christ. How do their perceptions of Jesus differ from yours?

What are some examples of general revelation you observe in your everyday life?

Module 2

Understanding Hinduism

OBJECTIVE

This module outlines the theological and cosmological frameworks of Hinduism from a Christian perspective. It also examines how Jesus appears in the religious imagination of the Hindus as a yogi, as an avatar, and as a cosmic sacrifice.

SCRIPTURE

Philippians 2:5–8

WATCH

Understanding Hinduism

(Module 2: The Mosaic Course)

KEY POINTS

• Hinduism is a religion with no known founder. People south of the Hind River in India were first classified as Hindus by Persian invaders.
• Hinduism, therefore, is not one religion—it is an amalgamation of various belief systems and religious practices that existed in the geographical region south of the Hind River.
• The Hindu scriptures are classified into Sruthi (what is heard or revealed) and Smrithi (what is remembere...

Table of contents

• Introduction
• Rediscovering Religion in a Multicultural Mosaic
• Module 1: The Only Way to God
• Module 2: Understanding Hinduism
• Module 3: Understanding Buddhism
• Module 4: Understanding Sikhism
• Module 5: Understanding Islam
• Module 6: Understanding Judaism
• Module 7: What’s So Good about the Good News?
• Bonus Module: Jesus According to Atheism
• Appendix: Jesus According to Other Religions
• Q&A: Is Jesus the Only Way?
• Notes