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TOWARD A CHRISTIAN CRITIQUE OF THE MAJOR WORLD RELIGIONS

By Dr. Ron Woodworth

Overview:

As a retired Christian pastor of 26 years and an adjunct Professor of World Religions at a reputable community college, I thought it might be helpful to write this text for many who have never had the opportunity to hear about the major religions of the world from an academic-theological perspective. Such a perspective should afford the reader the occasion to objectively view the religious truth claims of the leading religions of the world without compromising their commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ.

As a result, in this text, I will review the definition and theories of the origin of religion, the various founders of the major religions, their distinctive beliefs, their respective sacred texts and historical developments—in the following order: Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism. As in my college classes, throughout these articles I will make special note of comparisons and contrasts between the world religions in general and to Christianity in particular.

The ultimate objective of this series will be four-fold:

Objectively inform all readers (believers and non-believers) regarding the essential historical background of the major world religions of our era.
Strengthen the personal faith of Christian believers who, perhaps for the first time, will be able to see how favorably Christianity compares with the other major religions of the world.
Provide a rational defense (apologetic) of the Christian faith when engaging others who are either honest in their inquiry or debating with those who may be critical of Christianity itself.
Equip Christians with a genuine love for differing others, which may also be expressed in a desire to share their faith in as winsome a way as possible. (Pr.11:30)

From the theocratic ideals of Islam; to the highly adaptable polytheism of India; to the sacrificial atonement of Jesus Christ; to the Buddhist concept of suffering and enlightenment; to the Jewish historic struggle with persecution, join me as we briefly tour the landscape of religion throughout the various cultures of the world today.

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