PH.D.
The purpose of this course is to explore Christian faith and Islam and discover what it means for two communities to be engaged with each other in peacemaking ways and what it means for a Christian church to be faithful to its calling in Christ. David W. Shenk hopes that this course will equip the listeners in ways that will help them have a gentle confidence as they engage with Muslims in conversations about faith. David W. Shenk tries to reflect what he has learned from Muslims about the essence of Islam and does his best to represent it clearly. But he also looks at Islam as a Christian. It is important for Christians around the world to understand what Islam is all about.
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1. Introducing the Course. What Is Religion
The world seems to be very religious. But what is religion? How is this for an answer? A system of beliefs and practices related to the mysterium that seeks to provide answers to the ultimate questions. In this session David Shenk explains why there is no God in that definition and why mysterium is a better word to use. - 2
2. Introducing the Course. East Africa Childhood. Life in the USA
David Shenk was born in Tanzania in East Africa among the people called the Zanaki. His parents were pioneer missionaries. But when he was 15 he had to move to the USA with his brother. In this segment of the lecture David Shenk shares an interesting story about his parents' challenges and joys. You will also learn in what kind of community he lived as a teenager in North America. - 3
3. Introducing the Course. Ministry in Somalia and Kenya
In this segment of the lecture David Shenk continues to talk about different stages of his journey in the world of religion. After his marriage David Shenk and his wife went to Somalia on a church mission assignment. Somalia was a Muslim country and their assignment was to develop modern schools. You will also learn about his teaching experience when he taught a course on comparative religion with his Muslim friend at the University of Nairobi in Kenya. - 4
4. Introducing the Course. Back to the USA. Central Europe
In this final segment of the lecture about David Shenk's journey in the world of religions we will be taken back to the USA and then move to Central Europe. You will learn about David Shenk's extremely exciting ministry among immigrants in the USA, relating to people from different backgrounds and religions and helping them to find their way in pluralistic America. And it is also useful to learn three principles or values that are necessary for a healthy civil society. - 5
5. Introducing the Course. The Gospel – the Great Surprise
In this session David Shenk shares the Gospel narrative in response to the imam's explanation that there is nothing surprising in Islam. He emphasizes the fact that the Gospel is the great surprise within the context of all religions and no philosophy or religion has ever imagined the Gospel. It is so amazing that only the Holy Spirit can reveal the truth of the Gospel to us. Watch this session to learn what is so astonishing about God's gift to people. - 6
6. The Religions and Ultimate Questions. What Are the Ultimate Questions
The German theologian Paul Tilich asserted that there are only three ultimate questions which each person asks. What do you think these three great questions that have no equal might be? People wonder about the meaning of life and death and they want to know how they can find forgiveness for their failures. In this session David Shenk shares the story about the Muslim student who didn't know the answer to the first question. Watch this video to12 learn where you can find the answer to that question. - 7
7. The Religions and Ultimate Questions. Different Answers of Religions
All religions have ideolog12ies and in various ways provide answers to three ultimate questions. In this session David Shenk talks about different understandings of these questions. Watch this segment of the lecture to learn the Hindu answer to the first question, the Muslim answer to the second question and the Buddhist answer to the third question. - 8
8. The Religions and Ultimate Questions. What Difference Does Jesus Make
What does Jesus say about three ultimate questions? In this session David Shenk shares what God says about the meaning of life and death. He also explains that we can find forgiveness in Jesus Christ. Watch this video to12 find out what answers Jesus Christ brings into the conversation with other religions. - 9
9. The Religions and Ultimate Questions. Other Important Questions
Providing ultimate answers to the ultimate questions is not the only function of religions. The religions have other functions as well. One significant contribution is answering important questions that might not be ultimate questions. In this session David Shenk looks at the following questions: 1) How can I acquire power? 2) What is right and wrong? 3) What is my role in the community? Watch this video to12 enjoy interesting stories that illustrate the answers of different religions to these three questions. - 10
10. The World of Religions. Onion Model of Culture.
The religious and cultural systems of a society are organized like an onion. The center of the onion is the worldview which gives the answers to three ultimate questions. In this session David Shenk also talks about other layers of a cultural onion. Watch this video to12 discover the layers cultures are formed of and how one layer leads to another. You will also learn why homesteads in Africa have cactus hedges around them. - 11
11. The World of Religions. God of the Gaps.
There are different approaches to the question of religious pluralism. The first one is referred to as God of the Gaps approach. In this session David Shenk imitates the professor who used to say that science is the truth. Watch this video to12 learn how the teacher explains that God is not just the God of the question mark or gaps. - 12
12. The World of Religions. Relativism.
Another approach to the question of God and religions is called relativism. It says that each culture and society makes its own rules in regard to values and belief systems. How do we respond to this approach? In this session David Shenk tells a story about the tribe where twins were considered to be a bad omen. Watch this video to12 learn how the truth of the Gospel helped that tribe give up the practice of killing twin babies and how the first protestant missionary to India William Carey brought transformation to Hindu custom of burning widows with their husbands. - 13
13. The World of Religions. Universalism and Agnosticism.
Another approach to the challenges of religious pluralism is universalism which says that all religions are basically the same and they all lead in the same direction. In this session David Shenk emphasizes that universalism can't be true, it is just a wishful thinking that has no foundation. Watch this video to12 learn why Hinduism is connected with universalism and why Buddhism is connected with agnosticism. - 14
14. The World of Religions. Tribal – National – Universal.
We can look at religions in terms of size. Some religions are tribal, some are national or universal. In this session David Shenk talks about the characteristics of religions and provides examples for every category. Watch this video to12 understand the main features of different religious movements and the foundation for the universal mission of Islam and Christianity. - 15
15. The world of religions. Ontocratic – Transcendent - Philosophical.
In this session David Shenk explains what it means for a faith system to be ontocratic, transcendent or philosophical. An ontocratic system means a system in which divinity and the material world have oneness. A transcendent system means that God created, but He is other than the creation. A philosophical system doesn't fit either the ontocratic or the transcendent understanding of religion. Watch this video to12 learn more about different ways of thinking about religion and enjoy interesting illustrations about their worldview. - 16
16. The World of Religions. The Gospel and the Culture Onion.
Our societies are organized like a cultural onion which represents our culture with different layers. We take our cultural system and turn it into our god. In this session David Shenk talks about psycho-projection when we project god to be the image of culture. Biblical faith turns all that upside down; we are called to worship the God who created us, not the god whom we have created. Watch this video to12 learn what the Bible has to say about this universal phenomenon of forming god in our own image and the worldview which should occupy the culture core. - 17
17. The World of Religions. Transforming Cultures.
When God makes residence in the center of our culture, transformation and change begin to take place in a life giving way. In this session David Shenk speaks about the charge against missionaries who are often criticized for changing culture. Indeed Jesus and the Gospel transform cultures and people. Watch this video to12 learn what happened to the Chagga people when German missionaries came to work with them and enjoy an interesting story about the Maasai and Lua tribes. - 18
18. The World of Religions. Cultural Diversity.
Repentance does not mean shifting from one religious-cultural system to another. Rather repentance means inviting our Creator into the center of our worldview and cultural system. In this session David Shenk explains that a believer in Christ can remain in his culture without moving into another one and shares examples from his personal experience. Watch this video to12 review the lecture about transforming cultures and to learn more about cultural diversity of Christian churches. - 19
19. The World of Religions. The Role of Meta-narrative.
The worldview is communicated through meta-narrative which forms the answers to important questions. In this session David Shenk talks about the role of meta-narrative and illustrates the way it forms our worldview. Watch this video to12 learn about the ways meta-narrative forms our approaches to peacemaking between civilizations. - 20
20. The World of Religions. Reasons to Consider the Biblical Meta-narrative.
There are three missionary religious movements that are convinced that the truth they have should be shared. In this session David Shenk points out some reasons why people become Christians and consider the Biblical meta-narrative. Watch this video to12 find out why people in Africa and China think that the Gospel is Good news. - 21
21. The World of Religions. Redemptive Signs in All Religions.
Looking at the religions of the world from Christian perspective we find that there are signs of truth within all religions, preparing people to consider the Gospel. In this session David Shenk talks about signs of truth and shares Ahmed Haile’s comments on the reason he became a Christian. Watch this video to12 find out the most notable sign of truth which points people in the right direction. - 22
22. The World of Religions. Strongholds of Deception in Religions.
There is also deception in all religions. Sometimes the deception becomes a stronghold that resists the Gospel in diabolical ways. In this session David Shenk speaks about different theories that can be examples of deception. Watch this video to12 learn how the church can confront such deceptions. - 23
23. The World of Religions. Wakuru’s Story.
In this session David Shenk shares another example of how Christian faith is received in different cultures. It is the story about the family in the Zanaki tribe which can serve as a great testimony of loving care amidst adversity. Watch this video to12 learn about transformations that took place within the culture where Wakuru's story happened. - 24
24. The World of Religions. The Bible. Religion.
The Bible is a historical narrative and the first distinctive of the Christian faith that many people find to be important. The Bible proclaims that God is at work within history in order to redeem people and form them into His covenant people. In this session David Shenk emphasized that the Bible invites people into freedom from enslavement to religion. Watch this video to12 learn about the nature of the Bible and its attitude towards religion. - 25
25. The world of religions. Creation. The Person. Sin.
The formation of everything visible and invisible through the creative Word of God, a creation that is good, real, other than God, and sustained by God is the third distinctive of the Christian faith. In this session David Shenk also talks about the eternal significance of a biological creature that is created in God's image. Watch this video to12 learn how human rights are centered in biblical faith and how sinfulness infected all cultures and people. - 26
26. The World of Religions. Yahweh. Christ. Atonement.
The righteous and just personal creator God who reveals himself to us and encounters us is the sixth distinctive of the Christian faith. Jesus Christ who acts like He is the incarnation of Yahweh and reaches down to save us is the reason for church growth. In this session David Shenk also speaks about the crucifixion which is one of the most significant distinctives of Christianity and about the atonement which is related to the cross. Watch this video to12 find out why so many Buddhists in Korea became believers in Jesus. - 27
27. The World of Religions. Call. Resurrection. The Holy Spirit.
The next distinctive of the Christian faith is the call of God to receive His grace revealed in Christ, to be a disciple of Jesus, and to know Jesus Christ as the One whose yoke is easy and whose burden is light. In this session David Shenk also explains the importance of the bodily resurrection and ascension of Christ. Watch this video to12 enjoy the stories about people who found joy, hope and grace and chose the way of the cross after their conversion. - 28
28. The World of Religions. The Eschaton. The Church. The Gospel.
The promise and hope that history is moving toward a grand future at the end of time when the Kingdom of God will be fulfilled eternally and those who live in rebellion against God and His kingdom will face the justice of the judgment of God is another distinctive of the Christian faith. In this session David Shenk looks at the history in the biblical view and also speaks about the church that proclaims the Gospel, the message of hope and expectation. Watch this video to12 learn more about the mission of the church, the essence of marriage and the purpose of womanhood. - 29
29. Religious Systems. Creator.
The first aspect of dynamistic societies is that they have the awareness of God as Creator. He might not be personal, He might not be known by the society but there is a universal awareness of the Creator God. In this session David Shenk explains that it is important for Bible translators who go to these societies to translate the Bible to find a local name for God and use it in their translation. Watch this video to12 understand why dynamistic societies are so powerfully attracted to Christianity or Islam. - 30
30. Religious Systems. Mana.
The second feature of dynamistic societies is mana. Mana is a life force which is impersonal but powerful. It can be used for evil or constructive purposes. Magic is grounded in mana. In this session David Shenk uses the analogy of electricity to explain the power of mana and talks about two kinds of magic. Watch this video to12 find out how people in tribes use the principle of mana which is expressed in magic. - 31
31. Religious Systems. Spirits. Divinities. Totems.
In this session about the main features of religions of clan or tribe David Shenk explains the notions of spirits, divinities and totems. Watch this video to12 understand why tribal people try to keep the spirits and divinities happy and why they are concerned about having proper relationships with their parents. It is also interesting to learn that tribes in Africa have a totem, which is a natural divine figure from whom they came. - 32
32. Religious Systems. Practices.
In this segment of the lecture David Shenk explains the significance of different practices of African traditional religions. First of all he looks at the phenomenon of life cycle. Then he talks about other characteristics which permeate these traditional societies such as taboos, prayer, sacred places, death rites and sacrifice. Watch this video to12 learn about the way Christians tried to confront some of the traditional practices and how Christ triumphed over the nature gods. - 33
33. Religious Systems. Worldview and Meta-narrative.
The myths of origins in African societies picture a golden age in the past where there was harmony and peace. Something went wrong in the distant past and now there is a break between the past and the present. God used to be with people in the past, but he is gone away. That is the worldview which permeates African culture. In this segment of the lecture David Shenk tells a metanarrative that describes that break with the past. Watch this video to12 understand the meaning of the meta-narrative which makes people believe that they need to marry and have children. - 34
34. Religious Systems. Creating Harmony in Community.
Within African understanding of community and personhood there is no individual independence. The process of change in the life of a child is viewed hierarchically and God, the source of all life, is the apex of the hierarchy. In this segment of the lecture David Shenk continues to look at African traditional religion particularly as it relates to creating harmony and affirmation for a person and a community. Watch this video to12 learn about the fundamental problem that occurs when communities with different hierarchy want to form a nation. - 35
35. Religious Systems. Peace Covenants and the Role of Sacrifice.
There are very powerful peace making themes that are evident in African traditional religion and in the attempt to develop harmonious communities. In this segment of the lecture David Shenk describes one tribe as an example of how it worked at peacemaking and conflict resolution. Watch this video to12 learn how wise men in the tribe of Samburu decide what needs to be done in order to find resolution to a conflict and to restore peace among warriors or between a father and a son. - 36
36. Religious systems. The Dyak Chief. The Zanaki of Tanzania.
In this segment of the lecture David Shenk tells us two stories about tribes that experienced the power of the good news in the world of the occult and spirits. The Dyak chief was afraid of the birds and the nature spirits before he became a Christian. Watch this video to12 learn why it became easier for the Dyak chief to be a chief after his conversion and how a woman brought witchcraft paraphernalia to burn at church after she discovered that Jesus had power over the occult. - 37
37. Religious Systems. The Marabou. The Bangladeshi Girl.
In this segment of the lecture David Shenk shares several testimonies about the power of Christ to break the power of the spirits. Whenever he travels he asks people why they became Christians. In several congregations people said that Christ triumphed over the marabou. Watch this video to12 learn more about these marabou and what kind of advice the teacher gave to Muslims who couldn't help a demon possessed twelve year old Bangladeshi girl. - 38
38. Religious Systems. Core Beliefs and Practices.
There are three basic principles that Hinduism embraces in various ways: caste, karma and Brahman. In this segment of the lecture David Shenk shares the fundamental observation that all Hindus are influenced by caste in various ways, uses the analogy of a tennis racket to explain the meaning of the law of karma. Watch this video to12 learn about core beliefs and practices which are the essence of Hinduism. - 39
39. Religious Systems. Great Cycles of Death and Reincarnation.
Hindu philosophy believes that the whole universe is in great cycles of creation, preservation and destruction (Brahman, Vishnu and Shiva). In this segment of the lecture David Shenk talks about three phases of the Kalpa systems which take the world round and round for no purpose whatsoever. People are on a mini-cycle which is called Samsara. Watch this video to12 learn how this Hindu philosophy came to pass. - 40
40. Religious Systems. Caste Systems.
Caste is the universal experience of all Hindus. Within five centuries of the Aryan invasion, the caste system was well developed. In this segment of the lecture David Shenk talks about four principle castes: Brahman, the priestly caste; Kshatriya, the warrior and ruler caste; Vaisya, the merchant caste and Sudra, the servant caste. The social order as expressed in caste is ontocratic. Watch this video to12 understand why one cannot critique the caste system and why it is important to learn what Mukti and Moksha mean. - 41
41. Religious Systems. The Upanishads.
In this segment of the lecture David Shenk is going to make a few comments on the boolet called 'The Upanishads'. These scriptures portray the student and teacher conversing concerning the meaning of life. David Shenk describes a conversation between Svetaketu and his father Uddalaka about the essence of self. Watch this video to12 understand Uddalaka's view of a person's place in the universe, to learn how the ideal Hindu life stages facilitate mukti which can lead to moksha and find out how one can become sannyasi, a wandering person awaiting the release from existence. - 42
42. Religious Systems. The Bhagavad Gita.
In this segment of the lecture David Shenk wants to introduce you to another scripture which is called 'The Bhagavad Gita'. This little boolet is very popular in western societies. It is a poetic narrative of the conversation between Arjuna and his charioteer Krishna (the incarnation of the god Vishnu) as the battle between two clans, related through kinship ties, is about to commence. Watch this video to12 learn the message of 'The Bhagavad Gita' and to understand why it was Arjuna's duty to slew his kinsfolk. - 43
43. Religious Systems. Three Paths of Salvation.
Within the context of Hinduism there are three paths of salvation. In this segment of the lecture David Shenk explains how Hindus seek salvation through one or all three of these paths: good karma, practice of yoga and devotion to the deity of one's choice (bhakti). The Hindu quest for salvation happens within the three-dimensional worldview which embraces all Hindus: caste, karma and Brahman. Watch this video to12 learn the reason why 'The Bhagavad Gita' finds so much popularity in many cultures. - 44
44. Religious Systems. Hindu Reformers.
With the beginning of interaction with the Christian movement within India and particularly with teaching of Jesus we can find a number of reformed movements which rather significantly transformed Hinduism. In this segment of the lecture David Shenk tells about Ram Mohan Roy, a friend of the first protestant missionary to India who was very concerned with some of the practices in Hinduism related to widow suicide. Watch this video to12 find out what the heart of Radhakrishnan's teaching was and how he explained it in his books. - 45
45. Religious Systems. Mahatma Gandhi.
Mahatma Gandhi was probably the most powerful and influential moral voice of the twentieth century. He always functioned in the worldview of Brahmanism. That worldview enabled him to borrow insights from many sources. In this segment of the lecture David Shenk looks at three sources of influence: ahimsa, Leo Tolstoy and Jesus. Watch this video to12 learn what kind of problems Mahatma Gandhi had with Christian faith and why he was disappointed by the division of the subcontinent into India and Pakistan. - 46
46. Religious Systems. The Debacle at Ayodhya.
In this segment of the lecture David Shenk talks about the town of Ayodhya, where, according to the legend, the warrior god Ram was born. Babar, the first Mogul emperor of India, built a mosque on the spot where Ram had been born. In 1990 hundreds of thousands of Hindus converged to destroy the mosque. Two years later worshipers of Ram destroyed the mosque and began building a temple to Ram. Allah of Islam and the gods of Hinduism were in collision, India exploded with violence. Watch this video to12 learn how Hindus and Muslims strove to bring an end to the violence and where the church was in the midst of this convulsion. - 47
47. Religious Systems. Questions and Answers.
In this segment of the lecture David Shenk answers the questions of the students. He gives an example of how a person converts from one meta-narrative to another because syncretism doesn't work. He also answers the question about communion in different cultures and thinks that a local church needs to decide which form of the ritual to choose. And the last question is about different tribes and finding the local name for their idea of God. - 48
48. Religious Systems. Shintoism: Another Religion of Nation.
Shintoism is the way of the kami. How did the kami come to be? In this segment of the lecture David Shenk tells the story about two divinities Amaterasu and Amatsu who had a huge numbers of progeny kami. The Emperor of Japan was believed to be the descendent of Amaterasu. Watch this video to12 learn what this divinized view of Japan and the emperor meant for Japan's relationship with other nations and its mission in the world. - 49
49. Religious Systems. Siddhartha Gautama Buddha.
The founder of Buddhism is Siddhartha Guatama Buddha. He was a Hindu prince of the Kshatirya caste. For his first twenty-nine years, he enjoyed the opulent lifestyle of a privileged prince. Then he became depressed with the suffering and the transience of life. In this segment of the lecture David Shenk explains how Buddha became enlightened while meditating under a Bodhi tree. Watch this video to12 learn how Guatama tried to find the cause of suffering and how Buddhists refer to the enlightened person. - 50
50. Religious Systems. Four Noble Truths.
There were four noble truths that burst upon Buddha when he was enlightened: the reality of suffering, the cause of suffering, the cessation of suffering and the path which leads to the cessation of suffering. This four-demensional truth is the core of Buddhist enlightenment. In this segment of the lecture David Shenk explains four points of Buddha's Deer Park sermon. Watch this video to12 learn eight basic qualities or principles that people need to follow in order to acquire right desire. - 51
51. Religious Systems. Three Refuges.
Buddhists believe that each person is caught in the tragic cycle of life and death. As long as a person persists in the desire to exist, he or she will go on and on through the cycles of rebirth and will suffer. In this segment of the lecture about basic Buddhist philosophy David Shenk explains the difference between reincarnation in Hinduism and rebirth in Buddhism and talks about the way to get off the cycle. Watch this video to12 learn about the meaning of three refuges which help a person acquire enlightenment and stop the cycle of birth and rebirth. - 52
52. Religious Systems. Five Strands That Make up a Person.
Hinduism believes in reincarnation of the soul while Buddhism believes in rebirth of the human being. In Buddhism a person is comprised of five interwoven strands or skandhas. The personal desire to exist provides the cohesion which holds these impermanent and changing characteristics of the person together. Watch this video to12 learn the names of five strands that make up a person and discover together with David Shenk why the steps in the Buddhist temple of Boro Budur are not the same space from each other. - 53
53. Religious Systems. The Paradox in Buddhism.
In this segment of the lecture about basic Buddhist philosophy David Shenk explores the paradox in Buddhism, the Theravada and Mahayana branches of Buddhism place different emphases on taking refuge in Buddha. The Theravada (Hinayana) emphasize individual salvation while the Mahayana and the bodhisattvas emphasizes helping others find salvation. Watch this video to12 learn about two dimensions of the paradox and the Buddhist approach to compassionate service among people. - 54
54. Religious Systems. The Spread of Buddhism.
As Buddhism began to spread a surprising convergence between Buddhism and political institutions developed in some countries. In this segment of the lecture David Shenk uses the full name for Bangkok as an example of a political cultural system merging with a religious system and coming together in an amazing way. In the Thai language, the full name for the capital, Bangkok, reveals a convergence of nation, ethnic identities, religions, gods, communities and regions within an all-encompassing Buddhist nationalism or ontocracy. Watch this video to12 learn about the significance of Asoka in India and the reasons of the decline of Buddhism in India. - 55
55. Religious Systems. Traditional Chinese Religions.
In this segment of the lecture David Shenk talks about the traditional Chinese religions and begins by looking at the ancient Chinese worldview in which Confucianism was formed. According to the legends, Chinese history goes back to the first archetypal man, Pan Ku. This ancient worldview suggests that China is at the center of the global community. Watch this video to12 understand the yin-yang principle, the wu-wei principle and the way of Tao which pervades traditional culture. - 56
56. Religious Systems. Questions and Answers.
In this segment of the lecture David Shenk lets the participants of the course ask questions. The first question will return you back to the topic of five strands that make up a person and the Buddhist understanding of rebirth. The second question will remind you of the definition of religion. Watch this video to12 understand the difference between Christian and Buddhist teaching about life after death and find the answer to the question: Can a Christian practice Hindu Yoga? - 57
57. Religious Systems. The Forbidden City.
The Forbidden City in Beijing is a key to understanding the significant influence Confucianism has had on Chinese society. In this segment of the lecture David Shenk describes the Forbidden City in order to help you get the picture of values, understandings and philosophies that Confucianism is all about. Watch this video to12 learn about the era of Confucian examinations and the way it was overthrown. - 58
58. Religious Systems. Confucius. Core Values.
Confucius believed that the gods didn't contribute helpfully in providing the foundations for wholesome community. So what are the implications of building community on a philosophical rather than a religious foundation? In this segment of the lecture David Shenk talks about five core concepts and you need to watch this video to12 learn more about these treasured Confucian values. - 59
59. Religious Systems. Mao Tse-Tung.
In 1949 Mao Tse-tung declared the establishment of the immortal People's Republic of China, a revolution that would reach from China to the ends of the earth. The communist revolution sought to reinstate China as the primal nation among nations. In this segment of the lecture David Shenk talks about Confucianism and Mao Tse-tung, democracy and Confucianism. Watch this video to12 learn how Kissinger's visit in 1971 helped open the door for the People's Republic of China. - 60
60. Religious Systems. The Gospel Narrative Meeting Alternative Narratives.
There are three universal questions that people ask. Different religious systems offer various answers to these questions. In this segment of the lecture David Shenk makes comments on what happens when Christian meta-narrative walks across the page of these other meta-narratives. Watch this video to12 learn what happens when the Gospel encounters African traditional religion, Hinduism, Buddhism, Shintoism and Confucianism. - 61
61. Religious Systems. Creation. Fall. The Call of Abraham.
Biblical faith is a watershed in our reflection on global gods. According to Emil Fackenheim, biblical faith is grounded in root events that create an abiding astonishment. And what is God doing in these root events? What does God want to happen? In this segment of the lecture David Shenk speaks about God's intention in creation, fall and the call of Abraham. Watch this video to12 learn how God was at work to redeem people and form them into His covenant nation. - 62
62. Religious Systems. Moses. Mount Sinai. Messiah.
In this segment of the lecture David Shenk continues to look at the root events of biblical faith. Another important event in history is God meeting Moses at the burning bush and commissioning him to go to Egypt to deliver the people of Israel from slavery. Watch this video to12 learn about God meeting Israel at Mount Sinai and His promise of the Messiah to David. - 63
63. Religious Systems. The Crucifixion.
The supreme root event within the Christian experience that creates the astonishment is the ministry and mission of Jesus. In this segment of the lecture David Shenk comments on various ways in which the presence and the work of Jesus is an abiding astonishment. He talks about the events that led to the crucifixion of Jesus. Watch this video to12 learn what the outstretched arm of God means. - 64
64. Religious Systems. The Resurrection and the Ascension.
The abiding astonishment is not finished with crucifixion of Jesus. God raised Him from the dead. In this segment of the lecture David Shenk talks about the resurrection and the ascension of Jesus and the pouring of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples. He also answers some questions. Watch this video to12 learn what a disciple of Jesus needs to receive to serve as Jesus served. - 65
65. Religious Systems. The Expectation of the Fulfillment of the Kingdom.
In this segment of the lecture David Shenk talks about the House of God within the biblical understanding. The last two chapters of the Bible are quite helpful as they contain the description of a Great City coming from heaven. This means that the City is the church that God is creating and redeeming. It is the fullness of the presence of the Kingdom of God on earth that will be fulfilled in the second coming of Jesus. Watch this video to12 learn about the meaning of twelve gates and twelve foundation stones. - 66
66. Religious Systems. Muhammad.
We can't understand Islam without knowing something about Muhammad. In this segment of the lecture David Shenk talks about the way Muhammad became a prophet and received revelations from God. Muhammad condemned the idolatry and he cleansed the Ka'bah from polytheistic worship. Watch this video to12 learn why hijrah is the most significant event for Muslims and what Muhammad's personal struggle was. - 67
67. Religious Systems. The House of Islam.
In this segment of the lecture David Shenk turns to the House of Islam known as Dar Al Islam and looks at its construction. That house has five pillars of duty and five pillars of beliefs. Watch this video to12 learn what all Muslims should believe and practice. - 68
68. Religious Systems. Interpreting the Incarnation for Muslims.
Many Muslims believe that when Christians bear witness that Jesus the Messiah is the Son of God, what they mean is that God had relations with a woman through whom his son was born. That is why David Shenk says that it is important to clarify to Muslims the nature of the incarnation and the name “Son of God.” Watch this video to12 learn how we can build upon the Muslim conviction that Jesus is the Word so as to reveal to them the full meaning of Jesus as the Messiah. - 69
69. Religious Systems. What Can Jesus Offer?
In this segment of the lecture David Shenk invites you to explore a few of the convergences and divergences between Islam and Christianity. In the Bible and the Qur'an Jesus is called the Messiah. But what does it really mean? Watch this video to12 learn what the Christian faith can offer to the House of Islam and find out the difference between two types of jihad, which some Muslims add to the House of Islam as a sixth pillar of duty. - 70
70. Religious Systems. The Context in Which the Muslim Movement Began.
David Shenk thinks that it is helpful to look at the development of the Muslim community as a dynamic interaction with four streams of religious and cultural engagement: Christian, Jewish, the Hanif and the polytheists. So in this segment of the lecture you will look at the context in which the Muslim movement began in the 7th century Arabia. Watch this video to12 learn what it means for the Qur'an to be Tanzil. - 71
71. Religious Systems. The Shari'ah Systems. Dialogue with the Church.
The goal of all faithful Muslims is to conform to the teaching of the Qur'an. Yet they need assistance in defining how these teachings apply in practical life. In this segment of the lecture David Shenk talks about the Shari'ah system which provides that guidance. Watch this video to12 learn about the beliefs of Shi’ah Muslims and the issues that Twelves want to discuss with Christian theologians. - 72
72. Religious Systems. The Sufi Muslims.
The Sufi Muslims yearn to experience God and His blessing even though the Qur’an denies that they can know God. In this segment of the lecture David Shenk talks about the mystical stream and their quest to experience God. Watch this video to12 learn where Sufism finds its inspiration and to understand the significance of the Miraj. - 73
73. Religious Systems. Questions and Answers.
This segment of the lecture is devoted to the questions. The first question is about miracles in different religious systems. The second question has to do with the issue of salvation and the mission of Jesus within Muslim worldview. And the third question deals with eschatology and the idea of paradise. - 74
74. Religious Systems. The Formation of Judaism During the Exile and Return.
The principle characteristics of modern Judaism were significantly formed during the exile in the sixth and fifth century B.C. and then return of some Jewish people to their homeland. The trauma of exile refined and redefined the perception of the covenant and also nurtured a greater interest in Scripture. Watch this video to12 learn why these people remained faithful to God when the cost of obedience to the covenant involved suffering. - 75
75. Religious Systems. The Formation of Judaism After Jesus's Resurrection.
The commitment to being God's covenant people created occasional crises between the Jewish people and the surrounding peoples and nation-states. In this segment of the lecture David Shenk talks about horrible events that occurred in the history of Israel. Watch this video to12 discover what helped this family of faith to nurture and preserve Jewish peoplehood scattered among the nations. - 76
76. Religious Systems. The Basis for a Scientific Worldview.
When you look at the biblical worldview and explore it carefully, you will find out that the biblical worldview creates within a culture the worldview that embraces science. So what is this worldview? In this segment of the lecture David Shenk looks at some basic worldview realities that provide the basis for a scientific worldview. Watch this video to12 discover how the conviction that God is the Creator and that creation is good can be the foundation for modern science. - 77
77. Religious systems. History Has Purpose and Meaning.
Within biblical faith history has purpose and meaning. It starts in the Garden of Eden and moves forward till the great day when God's kingdom will be fulfilled. In this segment of the lecture David Shenk reviews how history is looked at in other religious systems where there is no movement forward. Watch this video to12 learn how science becomes scientism instead of becoming a gift. - 78
78. Religious Systems. The Enlightenment: a Massive Transformation.
Rene Descarte who was a pioneer in Western thought set the tone for one of the most formative and far-reaching eras in human intellectual development, that of the seventeenth and eighteenth-century European Enlightenment. In this segment of the lecture David Shenk explains how deism nudged theism aside. Watch this video to12 learn how the Theory of Evolution provided the meta-narrative for the Enlightenment worldview. - 79
79. Religious Systems. Questions and Answers.
In this segment of the lecture David Shenk answers the questions of the students and uses interesting illustrations from personal experience. He talks about the use of science for constructive purposes and the misuse of science for destructive purposes. David Shenk also talks about being treated well anywhere he travelled and says a few words about the idea of Muslim militancy. - 80
80. Jesus and the Samaritan Woman at the Well
Some meta-narratives are not true. The true meta-narrative is the Biblical meta-narrative. In this final lecture David Shenk uses the biblical narration about the conversation of Jesus with the Samaritan woman at the well to demonstrate how they discussed different meta-narratives. What do we learn from that story? What did Jesus mean when he asserted that “salvation is of the Jews”?"