THEE WORD FOR THE WEEK

What do Hindus believe? Joshua 24:19; 1 Samuel 2:2; John 3:13-18; Hebrews 9:23-28 October 1-5, 2012
Monday: Hinduism is one of the oldest known organized religionsits sacred writings date as far back as 1400 to 1500 B.C. It is also one of the most diverse and complex, having millions of gods. Hindus have a wide variety of core beliefs and exist in many different sects. Although it is the third largest religion in the world, Hinduism exists primarily in India and Nepal. Read: (1 Samuel 2:2) What do you think about the idea of millions of God? What does this verse say about the God of the Bible? What does polytheistic mean? What does monotheistic mean? When you pray, who do you pray to? Is it one God or many? Tuesday: Though Hinduism is often understood as being polytheistic, supposedly recognizing as many as 330 million gods, it also has one god that is supremeBrahma. Brahma is an entity believed to inhabit every portion of reality and existence throughout the entire universe. Brahma is both impersonal and unknowable and is often believed to exist in three separate forms: BrahmaCreator; VishnuPreserver; and ShivaDestroyer. These facets of Brahma are also known through the many other incarnations of each. It is difficult to summarize Hindu theology since the various Hindu schools contain elements of almost every theological system. Brahma, the supreme Hindu God, is described as impersonal and unknowable. How is Jesus personal? How is Jesus knowable? Wednesday: The spiritual goal of a Hindu is to become one with Brahma, thus ceasing to exist in its illusory form of individual self. This freedom is referred to as moksha. Until moksha is achieved, a Hindu believes that he/she will be repeatedly reincarnated in order that he/she may work towards self-realization of the truth (the truth being that only Brahman exists, nothing else). What is the spiritual goal of Christianity? What does the Bible say that gives us clear indication that there is no reincarnation? Read: (Hebrews 9:27) Thursday: Four major barriers exist between the teachings of Hinduism and Christianity. First, Hindus are syncretistic, believing that all religions lead to God. Second, Hindus vary in their perception of sin, believing either that sin does not exist, or that it is just bad karma. Third, Hindus believe in the doctrine of karma which means that past behavior determines present fate and that present fate determines the future. Lastly, Hindus believe that salvation is liberation from rebirth based upon the belief in karma. Read: (Romans 6:23) What does Romans tell us about sin? If sin did not exist or was bad karma, would there have been a need for Jesus? What do you feel about the term syncretistic-all religions lead to Heaven? Friday: Hinduism does not believe in Judgment Day. According to Hinduism man is a victim of his own karma and the laws of dharma judge him continuously. Christianity believes in a final judgment day. Read: (Hebrews 9:27) How can we point a Hindu person toward understanding the person of Jesus Christ? Why do Christians believe in a final judgment day? How would you explain away karma?