MR546 Major World Religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, and Christianity (4 units)

Daniel Jeyaraj, Visiting Professor of Mission History and World Religions

Summer 2007 Pasadena

DESCRIPTION:

Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism are the largest living faiths. Consequences of European and other colonialisms, modern international trade, transport, education, job market, communication, and migration have intensified global human interaction and interdependence. Christians are no exceptions! They invariably come in contact with the Hindus, Buddhists, and Muslims. Therefore it is important that they understand how these religious adherents view and live their faiths and follow their traditions. They need to gain at least an overview and working knowledge of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam. Therefore this course will introduce the students to a selection of Hindu, Buddhist and Muslim religious texts, beliefs, and customary practices. It will also encourage them to getting to know Hindu, Buddhist, and Muslim neighbors in such a way that in the midst of ongoing mutual learning and reciprocal enrichment they will be able to bear witness to Jesus Christ, the Lord and Savior.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

1. Students will learn to empathetically understand the religious and spiritual attitudes, thoughts, beliefs, oral and written traditions, decisions, and practices of the Hindus, Buddhists, and Muslims in their own contexts.

2. Students will learn to deal not only with glaring similarities, but also with obvious differences of religious beliefs and identities, various interreligious approaches and proposals.

COURSE FORMAT:

This 2-week intensive course will meet daily for 4 hours, and will include lectures, student presentations and discussions, audio and video aids, and written assignments.

REQUIRED READING: If you have previously read any of the required texts, please select an alternative text from the recommended reading list or a book approved by the instructor.

1. Riddell, Peter G. and Cotterell, Peter. Islam in Context: Past, Present, and Future. Michigan: Baker Academic, 2003.
2. Robinson, Richard H., et al. The Buddhist Religion: A Historical Introduction. 4^th ed., Belmont/CA: Wadsworth Publishing Company, 1997.
3. Sharma, Arvind. Classical Hindu Thought: An Introduction. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2000.

RECOMMENDED READING:
1. Chaudhuri, Nirad C. Hinduism: a religion to live by, Delhi: Oxford University Press. 1979.
2. Doniger O’Flaherty, Wendy. Textual Sources for the Study of Hinduism. Chicago: Chicago University Press, 1988.
3. Kärkkäinen, V.-M. An Introduction to the Theology of Religions. Downers Grove/IL, InterVarsity Press, 2003.
4. Leirvik, Oddbjørn. Images of Jesus Christ in Islam: Introduction, Survey of Research, Issues of Dialogue. Uppsala: Swedish Institute of Missionary Research, 1999.
5. Madan, G.R. Buddhism: Its Various Manifestations. New Delhi: Mittal Publications, 1999.
6. Mwakabana, A.O. and Ludwig, Theodore M. eds. Explorations in Love and Wisdom: Christian and Buddhists in Conversation. Geneva: Lutheran World Federation, 2002.
7. Nazir Ali: Michael. Frontiers in Muslim-Christian Encounter. 1^st rpt., Oxford: Regnum Books, 1991.
8. Ramachandra, V. Faiths in Conflict: Christian Integrity in a Multicultural World. Downers Grove/IL, InterVarsity Press, 1999.

ASSIGNMENTS:

1. Class attendance, reading of about 1500 pages, and informed class participation: 10% of the grade
2. A 750-word book review: 20% of the grade
3. 1250–1500 word academic paper on the similarities and differences between two chosen religions: 20% of the grade
4. A 3750-word final research paper: 50% of the total grade.

FINAL EXAM: None.

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATION TO CURRICULUM: Fulfills MIN8 requirement for MDiv and GLBL requirement for MAT programs.
FOR SOT:  meets ethnicity requirement in cultural literacy set

Last Date Edited: July 25, 2007