Christianity and World Religions

(3 Credit Hours) · Undergraduate

The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the basic teachings and practices of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam, and teach them how to think theologically about these religious traditions. We will begin with an overview of contemporary Christian theological approaches to religious pluralism, focusing on 1) the theology of religions, 2) interreligious dialogue, and 3) comparative theology. Following this introductory unit, the remainder of the course is designed to teach students how to do comparative theology, by which we mean the practice of entering deeply into the world of another religion, in order to be both challenged and enriched by their religiosity. This undertaking will involve introducing the foundational texts, traditions, beliefs, practices, etc., of each of these religions; considering how various Christian thinkers have, historically, approached these religions; and finally, responding theologically to both the challenges and the opportunities posed by these traditions. The course will be structured around a major research paper, due by semester's end.