The Concept of God Across Major Religions
Course Overview:
This course explores the varying understandings of God or the divine across some of the world’s major religions, including Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism. We will compare how each religion conceptualizes God, whether monotheistic, polytheistic, or non-theistic. By the end of this course, learners will have a clear understanding of the foundational beliefs about God in these religions.
Course Modules:
Module 1: Introduction to Religious Concepts of God
- Overview: Begin with an introduction to the idea of God in different religions.
- Key Topics:
- Monotheism vs. Polytheism
- Theism vs. Non-Theism
- How culture influences the concept of God
Module 2: The Christian Concept of God
- Overview: Explore the central Christian understanding of God as one being in three persons (the Trinity).
- Key Topics:
- God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit
- Biblical references for the nature of God (e.g., John 1:1, Genesis 1:26)
- The attributes of God: omnipotence, omniscience, and omnipresence
Module 3: The Islamic Concept of God (Allah)
- Overview: Examine the Islamic view of God, focusing on monotheism.
- Key Topics:
- The oneness of Allah (Tawhid)
- The 99 names of Allah and what they represent
- Quranic verses on the nature of God (e.g., Surah Al-Ikhlas)
Module 4: Hinduism’s Understanding of the Divine
- Overview: Delve into Hinduism’s polytheistic beliefs, including the concept of Brahman.
- Key Topics:
- Brahman: The supreme universal spirit
- The Trimurti: Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva
- The importance of personal gods (deities) like Krishna, Lakshmi, and Durga
Module 5: Buddhism and the Non-Theistic View
- Overview: Discuss Buddhism’s non-theistic approach to the divine.
- Key Topics:
- The role of the Buddha: Is the Buddha considered a god?
- The concept of Nirvana and enlightenment as a spiritual goal
- Differences between Theravada and Mahayana perspectives on deities
Module 6: Comparative Analysis
- Overview: Compare and contrast the views presented in the previous modules.
- Key Topics:
- The similarities and differences in monotheistic religions (Christianity and Islam)
- How polytheistic views differ from monotheism
- How non-theistic views fit into the overall understanding of divinity
Module 7: Cultural Impact on the Concept of God
- Overview: Investigate how various cultural contexts have shaped religious concepts of God.
- Key Topics:
- The role of culture and historical events in shaping the divine image
- God’s representation in art, literature, and worship practices across religions
Module 8: Final Assessment and Reflection
- Overview: Summarize the key lessons and provide learners with an assessment.
- Key Topics:
- Multiple-choice and short-answer questions to test knowledge
- Reflection: How does the understanding of God impact religious practice?
Learning Objectives:
- Gain insight into the Christian, Islamic, Hindu, and Buddhist views of God.
- Compare and contrast the similarities and differences in these religious concepts.
- Understand how culture influences the concept of God across these religions.
Suggested Reading and Resources:
- Bible (for Christian views of God)
- Quran (for Islamic views of God)
- Bhagavad Gita (for Hindu views of the divine)
- Dhammapada (for Buddhist teachings on the nature of the divine)