IML 202: World Religions
Course Description
Welcome to IML 202: World Religions. This course provides a comparative study of major world religions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, and Islam. It is designed to equip learners for respectful dialogue and faithful Christian witness by exploring the history, core beliefs, and practices of these diverse faith traditions. We will examine each religion’s foundational texts, key figures, and cultural expressions to foster a deeper understanding of our global religious landscape and to articulate the uniqueness of the Christian faith with clarity and compassion.
Course Structure
This course is composed of five chapters, each building upon the last to provide a comprehensive overview of the world’s major religions. Each chapter includes a detailed summary, five in-depth lessons, a chapter test, and an optional “Deep Dive” for further study. The course culminates in a final course test.
- Course: Syllabus + Interactive Syllabus + 5 Chapters + Course Test
- Chapter: Summary + 5 Lessons + Chapter Test + Deep Dive
Course Objectives
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Identify Core Tenets: Articulate the foundational history, core beliefs, key figures, and central practices of Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, and Islam.
- Compare and Contrast: Analyze the primary similarities and differences between these major world religions and the biblical Christian worldview.
- Engage Respectfully: Develop the skills necessary for respectful, informed, and compassionate dialogue with people of other faith traditions.
- Articulate a Christian Witness: Clearly and faithfully communicate the uniqueness of the Gospel message in a pluralistic, multi-religious context.
- Understand Religious Context: Appreciate the cultural and historical contexts from which these religions emerged and their impact on the world today.
Course Outline
Chapter 1: Foundations for Understanding World Religions
- Lesson 1: What is Religion? Defining Worldviews, Primal Faiths, and Key Terms
- Lesson 2: Hinduism: The One and the Many in Ancient India
- Lesson 3: The Bhagavad Gita & The Paths to Liberation (Moksha)
- Lesson 4: Jainism & Sikhism: Offshoots and Developments
- Lesson 5: A Christian Perspective on Dharmic Religions
Chapter 2: The Buddhist Path to Enlightenment
- Lesson 1: The Life of Siddhartha Gautama & The Four Noble Truths
- Lesson 2: The Eightfold Path & The Concept of Nirvana
- Lesson 3: Theravada and Mahayana: Two Major Schools of Buddhist Thought
- Lesson 4: The Spread of Buddhism: From India to the World
- Lesson 5: A Christian Perspective on Buddhism
Chapter 3: Judaism: The Covenant People
- Lesson 1: The Foundation: Abraham, Moses, and the Covenants of God
- Lesson 2: The Torah and Talmud: The Written and Oral Law
- Lesson 3: Jewish Life: Shabbat, Festivals, and Rites of Passage
- Lesson 4: A History of the Jewish People: From Temple to Diaspora
- Lesson 5: A Christian Perspective on Judaism
Chapter 4: Islam: Submission to Allah
- Lesson 1: The Life of Muhammad and the Origins of Islam
- Lesson 2: The Qur’an: The Final Revelation
- Lesson 3: The Five Pillars of Islam: The Framework of Muslim Life
- Lesson 4: Sunni and Shia: The Major Branches of Islam
- Lesson 5: A Christian Perspective on Islam
Chapter 5: New Religious Movements and Engaging a Pluralistic World
- Lesson 1: A Survey of New Religious Movements
- Lesson 2: The Challenge of Religious Pluralism
- Lesson 3: Apologetics and World Religions: Common Questions
- Lesson 4: The Uniqueness of Christ: No Other Name
- Lesson 5: Practical Strategies for Respectful and Effective Witness
Assessments & Grading
- Chapter Quizzes: Short quizzes will follow each lesson to assess comprehension.
- Chapter Tests: A test at the end of each of the five chapters will review the material covered.
- Final Course Test: A comprehensive final exam will cover the key ideas from all five chapters.
- Passing Requirement: To successfully complete this course, you must achieve a score of 80% or higher on each of the five Chapter Tests and the Final Course Test.
