Looks at the question from a Christian (and somewhat Evangelical) perspective. The results are two completely plausible answers: "Yes, but..." and "No, but...". Some implications are drawn as it pertains to Inter-religious dialogue.
Paul in Athens and Interreligious CommunicationRobert Munson
Looks at Acts 17 and the story of Paul speaking at the Areopagus, The focus is on contetualization of the Gospel message, and effective interreligious communication.
Biblical Theology--- Between the TestamentsRobert Munson
This was the final presentation I gave for a short-course I gave on Biblical Theology (OT). The presentation is less focused on the historical changes going on the help makes sense of the differences between OT and NT Biblical Theologies.
This was the introductory presentation for a short-course I taught on Biblical Theology (OT). While not my specialty, I do love Biblical Theology. This presentation relates Biblical Theology to other theological categories.
Biblical Theology in Relation to Other Categories of TheologyRobert Munson
Introductory Presentation for courses on NT Biblical Theology. Draws from a perspective ,more in line with G. E. Ladd, especially since that was the textbook for the course..
In order to understand the story of Scripture and read the world from the Bible’s perspective, we must “play the game” on the Bible’s field and follow the Bible’s
rules.
Instead of a pagan view of time and eternity (primarily based on Plato and Greek philosophy), the Bible presents time linearly. A simple timeline can be used to describe redemptive history in a two-age manner (“this age” and “the age to come”), separated by a climactic day called the Day of the LORD.
Dialogue, Other Religions and EvangelismRobert Munson
Some see interreligious dialogue as inconsistent with evangelism. Some see dialogue as pointless unless it is for evangelism. However, there is a middle position where dialogue for its own sake, but also respects the call to share the one's faith in an understandable way.
Paul in Athens and Interreligious CommunicationRobert Munson
Looks at Acts 17 and the story of Paul speaking at the Areopagus, The focus is on contetualization of the Gospel message, and effective interreligious communication.
Biblical Theology--- Between the TestamentsRobert Munson
This was the final presentation I gave for a short-course I gave on Biblical Theology (OT). The presentation is less focused on the historical changes going on the help makes sense of the differences between OT and NT Biblical Theologies.
This was the introductory presentation for a short-course I taught on Biblical Theology (OT). While not my specialty, I do love Biblical Theology. This presentation relates Biblical Theology to other theological categories.
Biblical Theology in Relation to Other Categories of TheologyRobert Munson
Introductory Presentation for courses on NT Biblical Theology. Draws from a perspective ,more in line with G. E. Ladd, especially since that was the textbook for the course..
In order to understand the story of Scripture and read the world from the Bible’s perspective, we must “play the game” on the Bible’s field and follow the Bible’s
rules.
Instead of a pagan view of time and eternity (primarily based on Plato and Greek philosophy), the Bible presents time linearly. A simple timeline can be used to describe redemptive history in a two-age manner (“this age” and “the age to come”), separated by a climactic day called the Day of the LORD.
Dialogue, Other Religions and EvangelismRobert Munson
Some see interreligious dialogue as inconsistent with evangelism. Some see dialogue as pointless unless it is for evangelism. However, there is a middle position where dialogue for its own sake, but also respects the call to share the one's faith in an understandable way.
Lesson 5 of a multipart series. Are faith and reason opposite ends of the spectrum or do they complement each other and work together? Are Science and Religion at odds? The “Galileo Affair” The emergence of anti-intellectualism. Reclaiming Faith and Reason
One of the first PowerPoints that I made when teaching theology. It is crazy. It has animations, links to further slides, and terrible graphics. But it is fun share and does give an accurate view of the history of Christianity. (Although the animations and links don't work in this slideshare.)
Apologetics Presentation for First Trinity, Part 1Kaitlyn Nowak
These are the slides for the first of a two-part talk given by Kaitlyn Nowak at First Trinity Lutheran Church in Pittsburgh, PA on her experience and what she learned at the International Academy of Apologetics, Evangelism, and Human Rights in Strasbourg, France. It gives background on the Academy, what apologetics is, and why it's necessary. In doing so it lays the foundation for part two's focus on the historicity of Christianity and the reliability of the Gospels.
Does the bible command us to share our faith? Is there basis for doing Apologetics in the bible? That is the questions we will be looking at during this presentation.
iWitness: is the God of the Bible God?Stephen Palm
This is the third sermon in the iWitness series. The first four topics are lumped together as "pre-evangelism." Before gaining agreement on the Bible's reliability and authority, quoting Bible verses may not prove persuasive. This sermon is a more logical and philosophical argument seeking to answer the question, is it logical to conclude that the God who exists is the God revealed in the Bible?
One fact is sure, what you believe will greatly influence who you are and what you become. Your belief, or lack of it, will create your limitations for success, happiness, love and your very destiny.
What is God?
Evil, the lack of good
Does God exist?
What is Spirituality?
The difference between energy and spiritism
Healing with Medicine vs. Faith
Does God want you sick?
Who is responsible for your health?
Did God create evil?
Is God love, or judgment?
Does diet -health of the physical body- affect our spirituality?
Man’s Intended Diet
Blood type discrepancies and earth catastrophes change physiology
Self-test for Spirituality
What is your potential?
Lesson 5 of a multipart series. Are faith and reason opposite ends of the spectrum or do they complement each other and work together? Are Science and Religion at odds? The “Galileo Affair” The emergence of anti-intellectualism. Reclaiming Faith and Reason
One of the first PowerPoints that I made when teaching theology. It is crazy. It has animations, links to further slides, and terrible graphics. But it is fun share and does give an accurate view of the history of Christianity. (Although the animations and links don't work in this slideshare.)
Apologetics Presentation for First Trinity, Part 1Kaitlyn Nowak
These are the slides for the first of a two-part talk given by Kaitlyn Nowak at First Trinity Lutheran Church in Pittsburgh, PA on her experience and what she learned at the International Academy of Apologetics, Evangelism, and Human Rights in Strasbourg, France. It gives background on the Academy, what apologetics is, and why it's necessary. In doing so it lays the foundation for part two's focus on the historicity of Christianity and the reliability of the Gospels.
Does the bible command us to share our faith? Is there basis for doing Apologetics in the bible? That is the questions we will be looking at during this presentation.
iWitness: is the God of the Bible God?Stephen Palm
This is the third sermon in the iWitness series. The first four topics are lumped together as "pre-evangelism." Before gaining agreement on the Bible's reliability and authority, quoting Bible verses may not prove persuasive. This sermon is a more logical and philosophical argument seeking to answer the question, is it logical to conclude that the God who exists is the God revealed in the Bible?
One fact is sure, what you believe will greatly influence who you are and what you become. Your belief, or lack of it, will create your limitations for success, happiness, love and your very destiny.
What is God?
Evil, the lack of good
Does God exist?
What is Spirituality?
The difference between energy and spiritism
Healing with Medicine vs. Faith
Does God want you sick?
Who is responsible for your health?
Did God create evil?
Is God love, or judgment?
Does diet -health of the physical body- affect our spirituality?
Man’s Intended Diet
Blood type discrepancies and earth catastrophes change physiology
Self-test for Spirituality
What is your potential?
Does God Exist?
Does God Exist
Does God Really Exists? Essay
Does God Really Exist
Does God Exist? Essay
Does God Exist?
Does God Exist
Does God Exist? Essay
Does God Exist? Essay
Does God Exist? Essay
Does God Exist Essay
Does God Exist? Essay
Does God Exist?
Does God Exist?
Looks at some doubtful beliefs that people (focusing on Evangelical Christians in this case) often believe when it comes to conversations with people of other religions. Emphasis is on how to influence effectively and positively.
Does God Exist?
Why God Does Not Exist
Does God Exist
Does God Exist? Essay
Does God Exist
Does God Exist Essay
Does God Really Exists? Essay
Does God Exist? Essay
Does God Exist? Essay
Does God Exist?
Does God Exist? Essay
If we were obliged to classify Paul as either
a supernaturalist or a pantheist, we should no
doubt put him in the former category. But
he does not use the word supernatural; he
uses the word Spirit ; and if we set out to learn
of him where and how God is to be seen and
felt by us, we shall soon discover how much
better for the purposes of religion the word
Spirit is.
Similar to Do We Worship the Same God? A Challenge of Dialogue (12)
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Slide 1: Title: Exploring the Mindfulness: Understanding Its Benefits
Slide 2: Introduction to Mindfulness
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Do We Worship the Same God? A Challenge of Dialogue
1. “Don't We Worship the Same God
Anyway?”
A Challenge of Dialogue
Robert Munson
Philippine Baptist Theological Seminary
2. One of the Arguments for a
Pluralistic View of Salvation or
Relativization of Faith is the
Presumption that Everyone Really
Worships the Same God... But Is
This True?
3. Superficial Argument in Favor of
the Idea of Sharing Faith in a
Common God:
I believe there is only one God, Yahweh.
You believe there is only one God, Allah
If, in fact, there is only one God, then
logically, Yahweh and Allah are the same.
4. Problem with the Logic
Suppose Juan believes the tallest mountain in the
Philippines is Mt. Apo.
Suppose Paulo believes the tallest mountain in
the Philippines is Mt. Pulag.
Since they both believe in the tallest mountain
and there can only be one tallest mountain, does
that mean that Mt. Apo is the same as Mt. Pulag?
No... one can believe something fervently, but still
be wrong.
5. Superficial Argument Against the
Idea of Sharing Faith in a Common
God:
I believe in the God of the Bible.
You believe in the God of the Quran.
The Bible is different from the Quran, so we
must believe in different Gods.
6. Problem with the Logic
I believe in the God of Special Revelation,
revealed in the Bible.
You believe in the God of General
Revelation, as revealed in the Natural
Order.
Although the Bible and Nature are very
different, it is possible that they do indeed
point to the same God.
7. The Truth is Somewhere Between
These Two Extremes...
Consider a different example... Juan, Belle,
and Paulo believe in the “Largest Animal
on Earth.” On a superficial level it could be
said that they believe in the same thing.
But then each describes what he or she
pictures as fitting the title “Largest Animal
on Earth.”
8. Juan:
I see a giant fishlike creature that lives in
the oceans, but breathes air.
12. Dialogue Thought #1
Language can disquise differences. When
discussing an idea with someone, make
sure you get beyond the common terms.
For example... If a Mormon tells you that
he believes that Jesus is the Son of God,
born of a virgin, and that he believes in the
Trinity, it is best to ensure that he is using
the terms the same way that you are.
13. Consider a Different Scenario
Imagine three different Christians, and
imagine that one could read their minds.
Would their images of God be identical?
Almost certainly not. In fact, it is probable
that no two images of God would be
exactly identical.
One might see Him as a judgmental
disciplinarian. One might see Him as a
doting grandfather. One might see Him as
a Her.
14.
This is because, as Gordon Kaufmann has
noted before... there is a big difference
between:
− The God Who Is,
and
− The God We imagine.
So while it is true that Christians, Muslims,
and Jews do not, technically, worship the
same God, in a sense, none of us do.
15. Dialogue Thought #2
Language can also appear to show
differences that are not really there.
A Christian and a Pagan may share more
in common as to who God is, than two
Christians.
It takes thoughtful dialogue to discover the
similarities and differences.
17. Case #1. Christians, Jews, and
Muslims
We all believe in the God who revealed
Himself to Abraham. So it is inappropriate
to say that we believe in different gods.
However, the characteristics of that God
are in some ways strikingly different. So it
is inappropriate to say we believe in the
same god.
It is probably best to say that we SEEK
to worship the same God.
18. Or we can look to what Jesus said.
To the Samaritan woman, He stated
regarding the Samaritans, “You worship
what you do not know.” (John 4)
That seems to accept that both Jews and
Samaritans worship the same God (based
on the Torah) but the Samaritans do it with
inadequate knowledge of who God truly is.
19. What about religions that believe in
many gods, or a god not revealed in the
Bible?
This is where some exploration comes in
handy.
Some religions that accept many gods
really only worship one God (henotheism).
Many religions believe in one ultimate God
who is distant... unapproachable (like
Bhagavan or El). In these religions, people
often choose to worship a smaller god who
is more approachable .
20. What about religions that believe in
many gods, or a god not revealed in the
Bible?
Some may believe in only one God, but not
one who is revealed from the Hebrew Bible
(such as Deus, or The One, from Platonic
Greek thought).
Many “Tribal Religions” believe that there is
one single creator god, or a god who is god
of the heavens.
21. What about religions that believe in
many gods, or a god not revealed in the
Bible?
In these cases, there may be a god that
points towards the God of the Bible.
Simply identifying God with one of these
gods is potentially syncretistic.
However, there may be value in identifying
similarities and even using some of the
language within that religion to point to the
God of the Bible.
22. What About Religions that Lack a
Being that Has Similarities to God?
Some are pantheistic... not so much seeing
God as being of personality but rather a
divine or cosmic “force” that makes up the
universe (or in panentheism, everything is
in God).
Some are atheistic... denying a
transcendent god.
God as an entry point to these religions is
difficult.
23. How has the complexity of
understanding God been used in
the past with regards to other
faiths?
24. 1. Sometimes the terminology for
“god” is taken and redefined.
“El” and “Theos” from the Bible have roots
outside of the Judeo-Christian faith.
25. 2. Sometimes uses aspects of the
religion to point to God
The “Unknown God” from Athenian
religious legend.
Jesus with the woman at the well.
26. 3. Sometimes utilizes their beliefs
while still challenging and
comparing God to the “other gods”
Daniel describing the God in heaven who
reveals mysteries, and the Most High God.
Paul and Barnabas in Derbe
27. Summing up the Original Question:
Do We Worship the Same God?
There are Two Viable Answers:
1. YES, but... one side may not know the
God they worship.
Or
2. NO, but... we seek to worship the same
God.