Course Description
A study of Islam, Buddhism, Confucianism, Christianity, Shintoism, and Animism with an emphasis on students’ ability to understand the basic concepts of each religion.
The overview will include views in these belief systems about origin, morality, meaning, hopes, destiny, and worship practices especially during major life transitions. Teachers are expected to focus most of their time on religions and cults from the student’s context with the aim to build bridges to people who follow these religions.
Course Rational
Christians in an area with a majority non-Christian religion often do not know or understand the practices of the people around them. Few have ever dialogued with their neighbors to discover points of contact. This course should help students discover points of contact and dialogue that will attract people to the person of Christ.
Intended Course Outcomes through Engagements
Students will show growth in the following ways:
- Character Formation: Practice the essence of Christianity in their lives, as a consequence of a deeper appreciation of the Christian distinctive in contrast to other religions.
- Content Processing with Peers: Compare and contrast the Christian faith and practice with the tenets of other faiths, and respond to questions of other faiths to Christianity.
- Ministry Capability Development: Develop ministerial innovations that addresses the questions and needs of people in the church, particular those who came from other religions.
- Application in Mission and Community: Communicate the truth of Christianity in love to adherents of major and minor religions in their local setting.
Resources
- Syllabus
- Asia-Pacific Module Handbook