BACKGROUND FOR THE BIBLE PASSAGE SESSION !: GOD IN CULTURE

Life Question: How can I use culture to express my who, no doubt, lifted him up mightily in prayer would be an faith? encouragement to him as he faced an entirely new experience Biblical Truth: We can start where people are in their in Athens. cultures to explain to them the message Certainly Paul had heard much about Athens previously, but of Christ. we can only imagine that he was ill-prepared for what he found Focal Passage: Acts 17:16-34 as he entered the city through one of its massive gates. The wall surrounding Athens had a circumference of 5 to 6 miles. Most likely Paul was awed by architecture that greeted him, with the Ben Feldman moved to Central City High School when he was grandeur of this center of Greek culture. If Paul had entered the a junior. His father, a prominent neurosurgeon, had joined the city through one of the northeast gates, he probably saw first medical faculty at Central City’s large teaching hospital. The the Hephaesteum, a beautiful Doric temple built between 449- family had moved from upstate New York to the deep South, 444 B.C. and dedicated to the god Hephaestus and the goddess and more specifically to the Bible Belt. Ben’s family came from Athena. Across from the Hephaesteum was the Stoa of Attalus, an entirely different culture in which “religion” was little more a two-storied, colonnaded building which was given to Athens than a traditional heritage. Ben was a brilliant student who around A.D. 150 by Attalus, king of Pergamum. Most impressive excelled in science. Another student in the high school, Jack of all would have been the Parthenon, another Doric temple Rayson, was also an outstanding science student. The two boys dedicated to Athena Polias (447-438 B.C.). The Parthenon rested became close friends, and worked together on special science on top of the Acropolis, like a regal crown. This magnificent projects. Jack was a committed Christian. He began to cultivate temple, still today a tourist’s delight, covered 23,000 square his friendship with Ben, whose moral and ethical standards feet surrounded by Doric columns supporting a roof made of were admirable. In time, Jack introduced Ben to Christianity, elaborately ornamented slabs of marble that depict a variety and showed him how the teachings of Christ had roots in the of scenes. The columns are 34 feet high and rest on a base with basic beliefs of Ben’s faith. Ben sensed Jack’s spiritual depth. a diameter of 6 feet. A 39-foot-high statue of Athena stood Jack had begun where Ben was in his own limited knowledge of inside the temple. The Acropolis on which the Parthenon rested God and eventually led him to accept Christ as his Messiah and was a limestone platform 1,050 feet by 512 feet positioned at Savior. the center of the city. These, and many other sights may have overwhelmed Paul, but that which struck him hardest was the 1. Regardless of the culture, we can present the claims fact “the city was full of idols” (v. 16). Practically every building of Christ. (Acts 17:16-21) in Athens bore a representation of some god or goddess. God has many sometimes surprising ways to prepare us to Idolatry, as such, was not new to Paul. He grew up in Tarsus, share a testimony or do a work for Him. Paul had ministered and saw it on the streets of that Cilician city. It was prominent effectively in Thessalonica, but the unbelieving Jews there were in Damascus and in Antioch, where he had ministered with determined to eject him. Fellow believers in Thessalonica sent Barnabas. Idol worship was present in all of the cities where he him and Silas off to Beroea. Though Luke did not give specifics had established churches. Yet the smothering spiritual darkness about how long Paul and Silas remained in Beroea, judging that filled the city of Athens caused Paul to grieve deeply. from the chronology of their traveling at this point, it would As he always did, Paul sought out the synagogue of the appear that they were in Beroea no more than a month or two. Jews, for there he could worship the one God and from their During that brief stay, Paul preached in the Jews’ synagogue in Old Testament Scriptures he could preach to them the gospel that city to an eager and open-minded audience. Many believed of Jesus Christ. It was a credit to the Jews in Athens that they and became followers of Christ, including a large number of maintained their faith in the one, true God, and kept their prominent Greek women and men (17:12). We have no record synagogue alive and functioning. Can you think of Paul as a of a letter Paul may have written back to this city, but we do “street preacher” in Athens? He was, for daily he went to the know that from the sizeable number of converts in Beroea, Paul marketplace and preached Christ. There he found Gentiles who gained a valuable coworker named Sopater (see 20:4). had forsaken their idol worship and were worshiping the true We can be sure that Paul’s spirits were high as he left Beroea, God. even though his stay there was cut short because of Jews from Paul probably preached in the Roman marketplace, which Thessalonica who had come to stir up trouble for Paul. Silas was crowded with people buying and selling. Though the and Timothy, who had worked with Paul in Beroea, remained atmosphere was no doubt noisy with the typical bartering, behind there while Paul was escorted as far as Athens. As his Paul had a ready audience. The people of Athens, as well as friends were leaving him there, he gave them instructions for foreigners who came there, were always anxious to hear some Silas and Timothy to meet him in Athens as soon as possible. new philosophy or religion. Two major philosophical groups, Paul’s awareness of the new converts left behind in Beroea the Epicureans and Stoics, were curious about Paul’s preaching, © 2010 LifeWay Press®. Fuel Ignited: Living Your Faith, Volume 4. Permission granted to reproduce this item for church use only. Published in the United States of America. and insisted that he come to the Areopagus to tell them more Paul’s message to these people gathered before him on the about this Jesus he was preaching. Paul would have been Areopagus is a masterful example of how to present the gospel much more comfortable preaching Christ in a synagogue, or to those of other cultures and different worldviews. He was surrounded by fellow believers. Nonetheless, he was always not dealing with Jews, to whom he could appeal on the basis of ready to preach Christ, regardless of the culture. the Old Testament Scriptures. His audience was composed of Greek philosophers and people who worshiped an array of other 2. Opportunities to share Christ can arise out of other gods. No one could have been better qualified to speak to this cultures and worldviews. (Acts 17:22-29) crowd than Paul. He grew up in Tarsus, a center of education. In your imagination, try to see Paul standing in the middle of No doubt he was schooled in oratory and rhetoric, as well as the Areopagus (v. 22). He was surrounded by the splendor and in the wisdom of the ancient philosophers. Exposed to this architectural magnificence of all of these temples to pagan training and knowledge, Paul was able to present his message gods. The Parthenon itself would likely take one’s breath at persuasively and effectively. As a Jewish rabbi, Paul was taught first sight. The average person, seeing Athens for the first by one of the finest Hebrew scholars of his day, Gamaliel. time, would probably feel nothing but utter astonishment and During those early years of his adult life in Jerusalem, he amazement at the handiwork of the ancient artisans who had sharpened his skills of reason and his ability to debate. produced such architectural wonders. Would even a Christian Paul used excellent psychology in his introductory statement. tourist think seriously about the hopelessness of such spiritual He commended the people for being “extremely religious in darkness that rose like an invisible, fetid vapor from that pagan every respect” (v. 22). He disarmed his audience, and he had stronghold? Suddenly Paul felt a surge within him as God’s their ear. He told them of a somewhat surprising discovery Spirit began to move him to speak. he made as he passed through the city and observed all of At this point the people who had heard Paul in the synagogue the “objects of your worship” (v. 23). He found an altar “to an and in the marketplace were certain that he knew something unknown god.” An Epicurean writer from the 3rd century about another god or gods, and a new religion. The news spread A.D. reported that nameless altars could be found throughout among the crowd, and soon the hue and cry was, “Let’s invite Athens in honor of gods whose names had been forgotten or him to speak at the Areopagus!” They moved as one body were unknown. The altars were to appease these gods lest a toward that once august place which means “the hill of Ares,” plague or some calamity fall upon Athens. Individuals would who was the Greek god of war. The Romans identified Ares honor these unknown deities for fear a tragedy would strike with their god of war, who was Mars. The result was that the their family. Areopagus came to have an alternative name, “Mar’s Hill.” Very wisely, Paul used his reference to the unknown god altar Only a ravine separated the Areopagus from the Acropolis. as a point of entry for his presentation of the one true God. He The Areopagus was a rocky hill that stood 378 feet high, and then pointed out what they agreed on about God (vv. 24-29). was once the foundation for the supreme court of Athens. Here Thus, with this introduction, Paul caught the people’s interest Paul stood, informally, in the midst of a rather diverse group of by giving them knowledge they and their ancestors had sought people. for centuries. The main emphasis of Paul’s eloquent speech Among them were the Stoics, who believed that the world was to establish the one God as the Creator of all things, a God was created out of the foundational element of fire. Air, they who did not live “in shrines made by hands” (v. 24). God did not believed, came out of the fire and from the air came water. need anything from mortal beings. This statement undercut Earth then emerged from water. The Stoics were pantheistic, the Greek notion that the gods needed human services, but believing that God is in everything. They compared the soul to it would appeal to the Epicureans who believed that the gods the warm breath of a human being. They held no concept of sin, were above human activities. Paul thoroughly understood and everyone lives in the relentless grip of fate with no control the philosophical point of view of his audience. He began his over his or her destiny. As for ethics, the primary good was the dialogue with them in their frame of reference, and then led pursuit of virtue, or to live in harmony with reason and to be at them to face the gospel truth he proclaimed. The thrilling one with nature. Concerning the afterlife, Stoics believed that discovery Paul hoped to lead them to was that the “unknown the human soul ultimately will be changed into the former god” was not only knowable, but more important, he is not far elements. They believed in no place of torture after this life. from anyone. The Epicureans, the other major philosophical group, did not believe in a divine creation. In their thinking, gods exist 3. The uniqueness of Christ must also be presented. in interstellar spaces outside the world. Because they have no (Acts 17:30-34) interest in being involved in human affairs, there is no need for In his address, Paul had begun where the people were. His prayer. These gods are superior beings, and should be honored. clear knowledge of their philosophical background captured They are worthy of worship, though the Epicureans paid little their respect, and thus their attention. Paul also was preparing attention to them. The soul, like the body, is composed of atoms. them to understand that, though God had overlooked their When it separates from the body, it no longer exists. They, ignorance in erecting altars to unknown gods, the time had like the Stoics, have no concept of sin. The chief goal of the come for them to face the inescapable truth that God holds Epicureans, and their ultimate pleasure, is to live in accord with all people responsible for their sins. When Paul said that God nature. They do not believe in life after death. Body and soul had “overlooked” their ignorance, he did not mean that God both disintegrate at death; thus there is no place of punishment condoned it, but in His mercy and grace, He had delayed His for those who die. judgment upon it, giving them time to repent. Paul clarified

© 2010 LifeWay Press®. Fuel Ignited: Living Your Faith, Volume 4. Permission granted to reproduce this item for church use only. Published in the United States of America. this when he wrote to the Christians in Rome: “God presented concept of the resurrection was not only unbelievable, it was Him [Christ Jesus] as a propitiation through faith in His blood, offensive. Yet Paul had no alternative but to proclaim it, for the to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His restraint God whole gospel of Christ rested on that truth (1 Cor. 15:13-14). Paul passed over the sins previously committed” (Rom. 3:25). This had changed his approach in preaching to these people, but was a crucial moment in the lives of those who were listening never would he change his basic message of a crucified, buried, seriously. The Holy Spirit had driven home Paul’s message and resurrected Christ. As Paul expected, some of the Greek concerning the one, true God. That truth had entered their intellectuals laughed at what they considered the absurdity hearts, and now they must act on it. of the resurrection. Some, however, were intrigued by Paul’s Paul wanted to be certain that the issue would not be a vague message, and told him they would hear more from him later. one. He emphasized that God had “set a day” for the judging As Paul left the Areopagus, some of the people walked of the world, and He had selected the officiating Judge, the with him, and some believed his message. Among those who Lord Jesus Christ, whom He had raised from the dead (v. 31). believed was Dionysius the Areopagite (a member of the The whole world will stand before God’s appointed Judge. God Council of Ares, which was the court of Athens that met on made this clear in one of the visions He gave to His prophet Mar’s Hill), a woman named Damaris (about whom we know Daniel: “I continued watching in the night visions, and I saw nothing), and Luke mentioned that there were “others” who One like a son of man coming with the clouds of heaven. He believed. approached the Ancient of Days and was escorted before Him. Even in the midst of a culture as far removed from He was given authority to rule, and glory, and a kingdom; Christianity as one could imagine, Paul presented clearly the so that those of every people, nation, and language should uniqueness of Jesus Christ, and the uncompromising demands serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that of the gospel for repentance of sin and faith in the Son of the will not pass away, and His kingdom is one that will not be only true God. In the same way, students today can stand destroyed” (Dan. 7:13-14). Actually, Paul had been preaching the unashamedly for Christ and be bold enough not to compromise resurrected Christ from the time he first arrived in Athens. (See their faith. 17:18.) The problem Paul faced was obvious. To the Greeks, the

© 2010 LifeWay Press®. Fuel Ignited: Living Your Faith, Volume 4. Permission granted to reproduce this item for church use only. Published in the United States of America. How can I use culture to express my faith?

© 2010 LifeWay Press®. Fuel Ignited: Living Your Faith, Volume 4. Permission granted to reproduce this item for church use only. Published in the United States of America SCRIPTURE PASSAGE CONFRONTING CULTURE SESSION !: GOD IN CULTURE

Acts 17:16-34 Therefore, what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to 16While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, his spirit was you. 24The God who made the world and everything in it—He troubled within him when he saw that the city was full of is Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in shrines made idols. 17So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with by hands. 25Neither is He served by human hands, as though those who worshiped God, and in the marketplace every day He needed anything, since He Himself gives everyone life with those who happened to be there. 18Then also, some of the and breath and all things. 26From one man He has made every Epicurean and Stoic philosophers argued with him. Some said, nation of men to live all over the earth and has determined “What is this pseudo-intellectual trying to say?” their appointed times and the boundaries of where they live, Others replied, “He seems to be a preacher of foreign 27so that they might seek God, and perhaps they might reach deities”—because he was telling the good news about Jesus and out and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us. 28For the resurrection. in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own 19They took him and brought him to the Areopagus, and poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’ 29Being God’s said, “May we learn about this new teaching you’re speaking offspring, then, we shouldn’t think that the divine nature is like of? 20For what you say sounds strange to us, and we want to gold or silver or stone, an image fashioned by human art and know what these ideas mean.” 21Now all the Athenians and the imagination. foreigners residing there spent their time on nothing else but 30“Therefore, having overlooked the times of ignorance, God telling or hearing something new. now commands all people everywhere to repent, 31because 22Then Paul stood in the middle of the Areopagus and said: He has set a day on which He is going to judge the world in “Men of Athens! I see that you are extremely religious in every righteousness by the Man He has appointed. He has provided respect. 23For as I was passing through and observing the objects proof of this to everyone by raising Him from the dead.” of your worship, I even found an altar on which was inscribed: 32When they heard about resurrection of the dead, some began to ridicule him. But others said, “We will hear you about TO AN UNKNOWN GOD this again.” 33So Paul went out from their presence. 34However, some men joined him and believed, among whom were Dionysius the Areopagite, a woman named Damaris, and others with them.

© 2010 LifeWay Press®. Fuel Ignited: Living Your Faith, Volume 4. Permission granted to reproduce this item for church use only. Published in the United States of America. MY TIME WITH GOD CONFRONTING CULTURE—SESSION !: HOW CAN I USE CULTURE TO EXPRESS MY FAITH?

Regardless of the culture, we can present the claims of Jesus defied the social rule of His day: no talking to Samaritans. Christ. The Jews hated the Samaritans because they were only half- Jewish. However, Jesus did not care about those social lines. Day 1: Read Acts 17:16-21. He saw a woman who needed His love; a woman who needed the wellspring of life that only He could give. Ask God to help • What did Paul do as he waited for Silas and Timothy to get to you love the people in your life who are overlooked, cast out, or Athens? hated by others so that you may share Christ with them. •What was Paul preaching to those in Athens?

Paul, while waiting for Silas and Timothy, obeyed the leading of the Spirit and began to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to those The uniqueness of Christ must also be presented. who happened to be there. Often our greatest opportunity to share the gospel is with people around us, whether at school, at Day 5: Read Acts 17:30-34. work, or anywhere else. We often miss doors that God opens up • What about the gospel caused some of the people listening to for us to share the gospel because they look too “everyday.” Ask Paul to mock him? God to show you those daily opportunities to share Christ and • Are there aspects or areas of Jesus’ life that you find difficult to to give you the courage to be obedient to the Spirit’s leading. talk to people about?

Day 2: Read 1 Corinthians 9:19-23. Paul presented the gospel, no more, no less. There are some •What was Paul’s goal in becoming a “slave to all”? preachers today who don’t want to talk about sin or about Jesus •How could you become a “slave to all” as Paul did? shedding His blood. Whatever their reasons, they present a false gospel. Jesus did shed His blood for our sin. He died. He rose Often we see people who are different from us as problems or again, and lives just like you and I are alive right now. And He is annoyances. However, we are sent into the world to be salt coming again. We must be faithful to present the whole gospel. and light, to share with those around us. The only way we can Ask God to help you understand and share the whole gospel of selflessly share in the lives of those around us is to consider Jesus Christ when you talk to people about Him. them as more important than ourselves. Ask God to show you how to step outside of your comfort zone, step into the lives of Day 6: Read Acts 4:5-12. those around you, and to share Christ with the people in your •Where did Peter’s power to speak come from? daily life. • Do you think Peter cared what the high priests thought about him, the gospel, or Jesus?

Opportunities to share Christ can arise out of other Notice that Peter spoke boldly by the power of the Holy cultures and worldviews. Spirit. He did not shy away from any detail of the gospel. He proclaimed Jesus Christ. He proclaimed His death at the hand Day 3: Read Acts 17:22-29. of the Jews and His resurrection from the dead by the power of •How did Paul step into the world of the people of Athens? God. He proclaimed the nature of Jesus’ glory as “no other name •How did Paul introduce God to the people at the Areopagus? under heaven given to people by which we must be saved.” Ask God to help you trust the power of His Spirit to help you share Paul gave us a great example of how to enter the lives of the gospel boldly as Peter did. people around us. He saw their idols, their shrines, their acts of worship, and he met them where they were. Sometimes we get Day 7: Read 1 Peter 3:15-16. too busy to share in the lives of those around us, even for the •How can we regard Christ as holy in our hearts? sake of the gospel. If Jesus had time to visit with sinners and tax • Why do you think Peter tells us to give our answers to people collectors, we need to make time for people and love them as “with gentleness and respect”? Jesus does. Ask God to help you enter the lives of those around you, and to give you alert eyes to see their needs and how best When we present Jesus Christ to people, we must always to serve them. remember this important thing: people hear our words but they also see our actions, attitudes, and behaviors. How can we share Day 4: Read John 4:1-13. the love of Christ hatefully? We cannot do it, because Jesus was • Why did the fact that Jesus talked to this woman at the well never hateful. He was gentle and respectful, even when He had to shock her so much? rebuke people. Ask God to give you a compassionate heart for the •Are there people in your life that you deliberately avoid? people with whom you share the gospel of Jesus Christ. © 2010 LifeWay Press®. Fuel Ignited: Living Your Faith, Volume 4. Permission granted to reproduce this item for church use only. Published in the United States of America. IGNITION Confronting Culture SESSION !: GOD IN CULTURE

© ISTOCKPHOTO This week, pick one of your favorite movies or songs and find five ways to share Christ using that movie or song.

(1) Share Christ by . . .

(2) Share Christ by . . .

(3) Share Christ by . . .

(4) Share Christ by . . .

(5) Share Christ by . . .

Also, visit www.crosswalk.com/movies to read some Christian movie reviews of current movies.

© 2010 LifeWay Press®. Fuel Ignited: Living Your Faith, Volume 4. Permission granted to reproduce this item for church use only. Published in the United States of America. WORLD RELIGIONS Confronting Culture SESSION !: GOD IN CULTURE World Religions/Beliefs Elements of Faith Islam Judaism Hinduism Buddhism The New Age Protestantism* Movement

Supreme Being Strict monotheism Monotheistic, Personal, Polytheism; Major Triad: Southern: irrelevant No personal God One God, revealed and Allah Deliverer Brahma, Shiva, Vishnu Northern: Buddhahood All is one (monism) experienced as Trinity: Everything is God Father, Son, Holy Spirit (pantheism)

Key Figure in History Muhammad Abraham, Moses None Gautama No single person, many Jesus, the Christ gurus, teachers, prophets

Teachings on Christ A major prophet; not divine Most: rabbi, not Messiah Incarnation of God (avatar) A teacher who may possess A great teacher; a prophet; One divine person, eternal, the Person but taught humans Golden Some: Redeemer of Gentiles One among many; not Buddahood; one among an avatar of the divine with two natures, divine and Rule unique many human; supreme example of God’s love for humankind and His intended pattern of living

Christ’s Work Did not die on cross but was Most consider him itinerant Jesus was a great religious Achieved and showed God was in Christ reconciling taken into heaven Jewish teacher teacher the way to ultimate the world to Himself consciousness

Holy Spirit Another name for God Eternal member of Trinity, guide of churches and Christians

Quran (Koran) Hebrew Bible (tanach), Torah, Vedas, Upanishads epids, Sutras Extremely numerous Bible (Old and New nited States of America.

Holy Writings U Prophets, writings Puranas Testaments); authoritative, unique, inspired Word of God; norm of faith and practice

Doctrine of Humanity Made by God with ability to Created in image of God; Divine, eternal soul part of All in !ux. One lifetime for All are God with a potential Created in God’s image; follow will of Allah free, self-determining God; physical body has little each person, composed of to discover the ultimate since Adam’s fall, sin is worth skandra (parts); but many within inherent, all relationships lives for the parts are damaged beyond human ability to repair

Doctrine of Sin Non-submissiveness to will Rebellion; unfaithfulness Ignorance of oneness with Desire that results in No real concept of sin, only Willful rebellion against God of Allah to God God; violations of caste suffering ignoring the God/ultimate (class) rules within

Doctrine of Salvation Works of repentance Repentance, trust in God, Liberation of soul from cycles Perceive truth in four “Noble Change your consciousness God’s gift through Christ’s and submission to Allah obedience of reincarnation in physical Truths,” follow Eight-Fold to discover the ultimate atonement, received by grace as shown through #ve body through knowledge, Path the middle way within through yoga, through personal faith in pillars: perfect faith, prayer, works, or love and devotion Northern: includes faith in trance channeling, past-life Christ almsgiving, the fast, of chosen deity (yoga) the Buddha regressions, harnessing pilgrimage psychic energy, etc. Fuel Ignited: Living Faith, Your Volume 4. Meeting Site Mosque; masjid Synagogue Temple/home altars Temple/home altars Various; retreat centers are Church popular

Life After Death Paradise, Hell Range of views: Cycles of reincarnation until Southern: Dissolution at Cycles of reincarnation until Eternal communion with 1. Reward or punishment in union with, or re-absorption death, no continuing life. union with, or reabsorption God (heaven); eternal

heaven or hell of soul into, God Northern: Pure Land of soul into, the divine separation from God (hell) ifeWay Press®. 2. Vagueness L 3. Afterlife denied © 2010 © 2010 Permission granted to reproduce this item for church use only. Published in the Elements of Faith Humanism Scientology Mormonism Jehovah’s Witnesses Christian Science Protestantism*

Supreme Being God is a myth Supreme being affirmed but God the Father, an exalted Jehovah, Unitarian view Impersonal: Life, Truth, Love, One God, revealed and exact nature determined by man with physical body Omnipotence, and goodness experienced as Trinity: each person of God stressed Father, Son, Holy Spirit

Key Figure in History No single person L. Ron Hubbard Joseph Smith Jr. Charles Taze Russell Mary Baker Eddy Jesus, the Christ

Teachings on Christ Just a man, if He existed Great teacher who fully realized Jesus is the spiritual and Stages of Existence: Jesus, separate from Christ, One divine person, eternal, the Person at all his personal divinity physical offspring of God 1. Archangel Michael a human being who, more with two natures, divine and by procreation. Jesus’ death 2. Jesus, perfect man, became than any other, shows human; supreme example guarantees immortality Messiah at baptism “Christ-ideal” of God’s love for humankind to all regardless of faith, 3. After spiritual resurrection, and His intended pattern but atonement must be became Michael again of living completed by works

Christ’s Work Supernatural elements of One savior among many who Spiritual body in human Christ’s ransom sacri#ce made Jesus is “Way-shower,” God was in Christ reconciling Jesus’ life are myths and teach how to be “clear” form; not omnipresent salvation possible Healer the world to Himself legends

Holy Spirit Non-existent God’s impersonal force Christian Science church Eternal member of Trinity, guide of churches and Christians

Holy Writings Reason and science are Selected writings of L. Ron Bible (except errors); Book Bible (New World translation Bible, as interpreted by Bible (Old and New sources of authority Hubbard of Mormon; Doctrine and of Holy Scriptures) as Mary Baker Eddy in Science Testaments); authoritative, Covenants; Pearl of Great interpreted by Watch Tower and Health with Key to the unique, inspired Word of Price; also revelations of Society Scriptures God; norm of faith and prophets practice

Doctrine of Humanity Humankind is a highly Immortal divine soul, basically Pre-existent spiritual Created in God’s image; a In God’s image and likeness, Created in God’s image; evolved animal good in three parts: soul offspring of God, basically soul, not immortal; capable of therefore divine; spirit as since Adam’s fall, sin is (thetan), mind, body (physical) good, gods in embryo responding to God opposed to matter, which inherent, all relationships is unreal are damaged beyond human ability to repair

Doctrine of Sin Humanity’s basic problem Engrams (learned behavior or Disobedience to God’s laws. Willful rebellion against Illusion of the reality of Willful rebellion against God is superstition or ignorance; con$icts from past) prevent Adam’s fall, in God’s plan, Jehovah matter, evil, and death moral standards are relative individuals from realizing own caused loss of immortality; divinity each is responsible for own sin

Doctrine of Salvation Education, science, and Dianetic counseling (auditing) Exaltation or godhood Faith in Jehovah plus Casting out illusions of God’s gift through Christ’s technology can solve leads individual to become through obedience to works (baptism, moral life, reality of matter, sin, evil, atonement, received by humanity’s problems “clear” of engrams, attain full Mormon teachings; faithfulness in Kingdom Hall and death in favor of the grace through personal faith human potential, become fully repentance, faith, baptism, activities); those ignorant “all-reality” of spirit in Christ aware of personal divinity priesthood, endowments, of Jehovah given chance to celestial marriage, faithful believe during millennial tithing. Baptism for dead period saves some non-Mormons

Meeting Site None Church or mission Ward Kingdom Hall Church Church Life After Death None; this life is all there is Reincarnation of soul (thetan) One of three kingdoms: 144,000 elect reign with Since there is no death, Eternal communion with until it attains state of spiritual 1. Celestial—(renewed Christ in Kingdom of God move onto another plane God (heaven); eternal awareness and liberation from earth) where men become (heaven); other JWs on toward ful#llment in Love, separation from God (hell) matter, energy, space, and time gods or angels glori#ed paradise earth; Light, Truth 2. Terrestrial—planet for annihilation for all who reject righteous non-Mormons Jehovah 3. Telestial—planet for wicked; second death for Satan and those who commit unpardonable sins

*Protestantism refers to the traditional Reformation churches (Lutheran, Presbyterian, etc.) as well as to Methodists and others from the “Free church” heritage; Baptists, who differ only in polity and emphases, not in basic tenets, are included in this group. Used with permission and adapted from the North American Mission Board, SBC. “Interfaith Evangelism Comparative Belief Chart.” © 2010 LifeWay Press®. Fuel Ignited: Living Your Faith, Volume 4. Permission granted to reproduce this item for church use only. Published in the United States of America.