WORLD RELIGIONS
COURSE SYLLABUS
Zion Bible College
MI 4231-01 - 2 Credits
Spring 2011
Mondays 1:45-3:35 p.m., Classroom Bldg, Room 109
Dr. Ernie Henson, DMIN, Chairman, Missions Dept
Office: 111 Academy Center Left
Office Hours: Mon –Fri 8:00 -5:00. by appointment
Email: ehenson@zbc.edu or ernie.henson@agmd.org
The mission of Zion Bible College is to teach and train students for Pentecostal ministry, in
fulfillment of the Great Commission
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course examines the belief systems, practices and philosophical worldviews of the eleven
primary existing religions of the world. Particular attention is given to the six most prominent
religions of the non-Christian world: Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Sikhism, Judaism, and
Islam.
COURSE OBJECTIV ES
At the completion of the course, the student should be able to:
1 Analyze the evolution of religion;
2 Describe ancient/primal religions and beliefs;
3 Explain the founding and/or development of the eleven major religions studied in this
courses;
4 Outline the basic beliefs of those religions;
5 Compare those basic beliefs with Christian beliefs;
6 Develop a non-judgmental approach of communicating the gospel to adherents of other
religions.
TEXTBOOKS
McDowell, Josh, and Don Stewart, Handbook of Today’s Religions. San Bernardino, CA:
Here’s Life Publishers, Inc., 1989.
Required Reading: Part III – Understanding Non-Christian Religions
Pages 283-405
Part V – A Christian Approach to Comparative Religions
Pages 511-519
Ridenour, Fritz. So What’s the Difference: A Look at 20 Worldviews, Faiths, and Religions and
How They Compare to Christianity. Ventura, CA: Regal, 2001.
Required Reading: Introduction, Part One, Two, and Three, pages 5-107.
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Reading on World Religions from additional sources (267 pages) complete source to be
cited on Reading Report
COURSE CONTENT:
The course is designed to enhance the ability of the student to compare the fundamental beliefs
of Christianity with the major world religions, treating issues relevant to theories, theology, and
practices, such as:
1 Key person or founder
2 Key writings
3 Who God is
4 Relevance of Jesus Christ
5 Relevance of the Holy Spirit
6 Myths/Symbols/Worship/Festivities
7 Sin and Soteriology
8 Death and eternity
9 Miscellaneous beliefs and practices
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
1. Reading: In addition to the textbook reading noted above, the student is required to:
Read 250 pages of collateral reading per credit hour at ZBC. For this course: 250x = 500
pages. Reading must be related to the material studied in this course.
All reading must be done specifically for this course. It may not be counted as required
reading for another course. Reading report Due with Final Exam.
2. Group Project on the Ridenour text, So What's the Difference. This will be done in class on
Mon Feb 14, 2011. Read text prior to class.
3. Mid-term – Mon Mar 28, 2011
4. Research Paper
A five page paper (in proper Turabian format) on one of the World’s Religions covered in
this course. A minimum of five sources should be consulted (only two of these sources from
the internet). Further details to be discussed in class. Submit paper topic by Mon Feb 7,
2011. Paper due Mar 14, 2011.
No email copies accepted. (No exceptions to due date)
5. Final Exam
Grading Scale
Reading
Group Project
Mid Term
Paper
Final Exam
TOTAL
10%
15%
25%
25%
25%
100%
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METHODOLOGY
Instruction methods will include but are not necessarily limited to: Lectures, Class Discussion,
Audio Visuals, Group Projects presentations.
POLICIES
1.
Attendance: Students are expected to attend all class periods. Three absences are
granted for illness, personal matters, or for emergencies. Since this class meets for two
consecutive hours, the student will receive an absence for each hour missed. Please refer
to the Student Handbook for information on excessive absences (pages 111-112).
2.
Extension/Late Paper Policy: All papers are due at the beginning of class with no
exceptions. Extensions will only be granted for the following four reasons: 1)
hospitalization for illness. A doctor’s note confirming such is required; 2) extended
serious illness that prevents a student from attending class. This requires a doctor’s note
and signature of verification from the student’s Resident Director; 3) funerals or family
emergencies granted as an approved absence by the Academic Dean and Dean of
Students; 4) school-approved activities. If the student meets one of these exceptions, a
“Request for Extension Form” must be filled out. The form can be obtained from the
Office of Admissions or the Office of the Academic Dean. If your paper is turned in after
attendance is taken, you will receive an automatic point deduction of five (5) points.
Each twenty-four hour period (this includes Saturday’s, Sunday’s and school breaks) the
paper is not turned in; there will be a forfeiture of another five (5) points from the total
points. If the paper is not turned in within five twenty-four hour periods after the due
date and time, an automatic score of zero (0) will be entered for the grade with no chance
of making up the paper/grade.
3.
Plagiarism Policy
Any material, whether published or unpublished, copied from another writer, must be
identified by use of quotation marks, block quotations, and documentation with specific
citation of the source. Paraphrased material must likewise be attributed to the original
author. As a school, intent on training men and women of integrity for the ministry Zion
takes plagiarism seriously. Plagiarism consists of the following categories:
1. Use of another’s ideas without giving credit;
2. Quoting material from published or unpublished works, or oral presentation, without
giving proper citation;
3. Paraphrasing material, whether published or unpublished, written or oral, without
proper citation;
4. Copying another student’s paper, without that student’s permission.
1 Any Student found guilty of plagiarism will be subject to, but not necessarily
limited to, the following discipline:
1. Faculty discipline on first offense;
 Reduction of grade
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 Failure of assignment
 Letter of reprimand
2. Academic Affairs Committee discipline on successive offense(s). Student will
be subject to, but not necessarily limited to, the following discipline:
(a) Receiving an “F” for the course
(b) Removal from any extracurricular activities (second offense)
(b) Dismissal for one year (three or more offenses)
Faculty is to report all cases of plagiarism to the Dean of Academics in the form of a
“Plagiarism Report.”
4.
Cheating
Cheating consists of but is not necessarily limited to the following:
1. Using unauthorized notes or material when taking an examination;
2. Copying answers to examination questions, obtaining, or helping others to obtain,
unauthorized copies of examination questions;
3. Copying another person’s class work/assignments and/or homework and submitting it
as one’s own;
4. Having another student do one’s paper, or any other assignment, in whole or in part
and submitting the assignment as one’s own work;
5. Allowing another student to copy one’s paper;
6. Copying another student’s paper with that student’s permission;
Students found guilty of cheating will therefore be subject to, but not necessarily limited
to, the following discipline:
1. Receive an “F” for the assignment/course;
2. Dorming/Campusing
2. Suspension
3. Dismissal
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BIBLIOGRAPHY
Alexander, Pat, ed. Eerdman’s Handbook to the World’s Religions. Grand Rapids: William B.
Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1994.
Anderson, Sir Norman. Christianity and World Religions: The Challenge of Pluralism. Downers
Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1984.
Boa, Kenneth. Cults, World Religions and the Occult. Colorado Springs, Colorado: Cook
Communications Ministries, 1990.
Burk, T. Patrick. The Major Religions. Malden, Maine: Blackwell Publishing, 2004.
Caner, Emir Fethi and Ergun Mehmet Caner. More Than a Prophet: An Insider’s Response to
Muslim Beliefs About Jesus & Christianity. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Kregal Publications,
2003.
Caner, Emir Fethi and Ergun Mehmet Caner. Unveiling Islam. An Insider’s Look at Muslim Life
and Beliefs. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Kregal Publications, 2002.
Clements, R. D. God and the Gurus, 2nd. Ed. Downers Grove, IL: Intervarsity Press, 1975.
Fry, C. George, Eugene R. Swanger, and Herbert C. Wolf. Great Asian Religions. Grand Rapids:
Baker Book House, 1984.
Gaer, Joseph. What the Great Religions Believe. New York: Signet Books, 1963.
Gray, James M. Spiritism and the Fallen Angels: In Light of the Old and New Testaments.
Chicago, IL: The Bible Institute Colpertage Association, 1920.
Grunlan, Stephen S., and Marvin K. Mayers. Religion, Cultural Anthropology: A Christian
Perspective. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1988.
Hamilton, Adam. Christianity and World Religions. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2005.
Halverson, Dean C., General Editor. The Illustrated Guide to World Religions. Bloomington,
Minnesota: Bethany House Publishers, 2003.
Hinnels, John R., and Eric J. Sharpe, eds. Hinduism. Lancaster, England: Oriel Press, 1972.
House, H. Wayne. Charts of World Religions. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 2006.
Hume, Robert E. The World’s Living Religions. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1959.
Jessup, Gordon. No Strange God: An Outline of Jewish Life and Faith. London: Olive Press,
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1976.
Kraemer, Hendrik. World Cultures and World Religions. Philadelphia, PA: Westminster, 1960.
Loew, Cornelius. Myth, Sacred History, and Philosophy: The pre-Christian Religious Heritage
of
the West. New York: Harcourt, Brace & World, 1967.
Malek, Sobhi. Islam: Introduction and Approach. Irving, TX: International Correspondence
Menzies, Allan. History of Religion: A Sketch of Primitive Religious Beliefs and Practices, and
of
the Origin and Character of the Great Systems. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1897.
Monroe, Charles R., Ph. D. World Religions: An Introduction. Amherst, New York:
Prometheus
Books, 1995.
Moore, George F. History of Religions. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1947.
Rommen, Edward and Harold Netland, Editors. Christianity and the Religions: A Biblical
Theology of World Religions. Pasadena, California: William Carey Library, 1995.
Severy, Merle, ed. Great Religions of the World. Washington, D.C.: National Geographic
Society, 1974.
Soper, Edmund Davison. The Religions of Mankind. New York: Abingdon Press, 1951.
Starkes, M. Thomas. Today’s World Religions. Chattanooga, TN: A.F. Whitehead, Jr., 1986.
Zacharias, Ravi. Jesus Among Other Gods. W. Publishing Group, A Division of Thomas
Nelson,
Inc., 2000.
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STUDENT READING REPORT
To be submitted with the completed final exam. NOTE: Without the reading report, the student
will receive a grade of “0” for the reading requirements. The textbooks must be completely
read before credit will be given for other reading.
Required for this course: 500 pages
McDowell, Josh, and Don Stewart, Handbook of Today’s Religions.
San Bernardino, CA: Here’s Life Publishers, Inc., 1989.
Required Reading:
1 Part III – Understanding Non-Christian Religions
Pages 283-405 (122 pages) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Pages read____________
2 Part V – A Christian Approach to Comparative Religions
Pages 511-519 (9 pages) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Pages read____________
Ridenour, Fritz. So What’s the Difference: A Look at 20 Worldviews,
Faiths, and Religions and How They Compare to Christianity.
Ventura, CA: Regal, 2001.
Required Reading:
3 Introduction, Part One, Two, and Three
Pages 5-107 (102 pages) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Pages read
267 PAGES must be read from other sources. List source, title, author.
1.
Pages read
2.
Pages read
3.
Pages read
Total Pages Read
____________
I affirm the above report to be true and correct.
Signed
Box
Print name
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