APOL_525___Book_Critique

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LIBERTY UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF DIVINITY Book Critique Christianity & Religious Diversity: Clarifying Christian Commitments in a Globalizing Age By: Harold A. Netland Submitted to Dr. David H. Campbell, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the completion of the course. APOL 525 Pluralism and World Religions by August 8, 2020 This study source was downloaded by 100000820478826 from CourseHero.com on 09-26-2023 09:27:46 GMT -05:00 https://www.coursehero.com/file/67992770/APOL-525-Book-Critiquedocx/

Introduction Globalization can simply be described as the spread of information across national and cultural borders. Since the beginning of time, society has created and accepted many diverse religions. Religious pluralism represents the idea that many religions offer a path to salvation. Religion, in one form or another, is inescapable and the world is often difficult to conceptualize without it. The relationship between globalization and religion is filled with new possibilities and challenges. Through globalization, religion can be more easily accessed and widely more acceptable. Christianity & Religious Diversity explores how religions have changed in a globalized world and how Christianity is one of the most unique among them. This paper will summarize, analyze, and evaluate, Christianity & Religious Diversity , while discussing the strengths and weaknesses of the book. Summary In the Introduction, Netland states, “This book is an attempt to clarify certain basic concepts, to show how religions have been shaped by modernization and in turn adapted to it, and to explore some of the epistemological issues arising from Christian’s new awareness of religious diversity.” 1 According to Netland, the motivation behind this book is to offer a more responsible way of explaining theology that goes further than just a biblical explanation. His book is divided into two parts: Religion(s) in a Modern, Globalizing World and Christian Commitments in a Pluralistic World. Part 1: Religion(s) in a Modern, Globalizing World – Religion as a social construct. Rethinking Religions – Chapter 1 is designed to provide the basic framework for understanding religions. Netland asserts that there is a theological and phenomenological way to understand religion. A theological perspective of religion is that human beings are created by 1 Harold A. Netland, Christianity & Religious Diversity: Clarifying Christian Commitments in a Globalizing Age (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2015), x. 1 This study source was downloaded by 100000820478826 from CourseHero.com on 09-26-2023 09:27:46 GMT -05:00 https://www.coursehero.com/file/67992770/APOL-525-Book-Critiquedocx/

God. There are several themes to a theological perspective including creation, sin, grace, and death. It is noted in this section that no matter your religious affiliation, you are inherently religious. It is also understood that everyone has a basic view of God. 2 This perspective is about specific values and teachings. A phenomenological perspective towards religion is ascertained by careful observation in religious communities. From this perspective, you draw insight into the religion through traditions and investigations. This is distinct from theological perspectives as well as historical perspectives because these phenomena cannot be explained by God. This perspective is favored by Netland over the theological understanding of religion. Secularization, Globalization, and the Religions – Chapter 2 examines ways religion has changed and the effects of modernization and globalization. In this chapter, Netland addresses three fundamental shifts in the world because of modernization and globalization: designed to provide the basic framework for understanding religions. Netland asserts that there is a theological and phenomenological way to understand religion. A theological perspective of religion is that human beings are created by God. There are several themes to a theological perspective including creation, sin, grace, and death. It is noted in this section that no matter your religious affiliation, you are inherently religious. It is also understood that everyone has a basic view of God. 3 This perspective is about specific values and teachings. Buddhism in the Modern World – Chapter 3 gives an overview of Buddhism and how Europeans came to believe it as a religion. This chapter discusses the three main schools of Buddhism, including Theravada Buddhism, Vajrayana Buddhism, and Mahayana Buddhism. It also discusses the three schools of Mahayana Buddhism including Zen Buddhism, Pure Land Buddhism, and Tibetan Buddhism. Noted with coming to America in the 1840s, Buddhism became a philosophically sophisticated and spiritually profound movement that detached from 2 Ibid., 8. 3 Ibid., 8. 2 This study source was downloaded by 100000820478826 from CourseHero.com on 09-26-2023 09:27:46 GMT -05:00 https://www.coursehero.com/file/67992770/APOL-525-Book-Critiquedocx/

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crass and superstitious practices of Christianity. 4 One theme in Buddhism is that it does not aggressively seem to convert people and it does not view other religions as wrong or dogmatic. It also gives a surefire way to ease suffering and fear. Jesus in a Global, Postcolonial World – Chapter 4 discusses the idea that Jesus is one of many great moral and religious leaders. 5 If we are to have religious diversity, this chapter is key to understanding the role of Jesus in other religions. In Islam, Jesus is accepted as a highly revered prophet, not directly connected to God. In the Buddhist faith, the Dalai Lama regards Jesus as a fully enlightened being and in Baha’i, Jesus is viewed as a divine messenger of God. 6 In Christianity, salvation is achieved by following God’s law. In John 14:6, Jesus says “No one comes to the Father except through me.” If non-Christian religions accept Jesus as a prophet or enlightened being, this chapter may be key in the acceptance of other religions as valid and true. Part 2: Christian Commitment in a Pluralistic World – Christian commitments in a pluralistic world. Can All Religions Be True? – Chapter 5 is at the pinnacle of many religious debates. Netland says, “Religion includes teachings or doctrines that are to be accepted as true by a specific religion’s believers.” 7 These teachings are the basis of each religion and propel one's sense of belonging and purpose in that religion. Each religion recognizes religious disagreements. In this chapter, the Dalai Lama addresses these disagreements by saying most religions are theistic and some are not. The differences between the two cannot be ignored and you cannot pretend that each does not exist. But what is most significant in his explanation is that he is the spokesman for religious unity and harmony and that denying other religions has no benefit. He addresses the Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam) and recognizes some similarities and the vast differences within them. 4 Ibid., 92. 5 Ibid., 105. 6 Ibid., 104 7 Ibid., 137. 3 This study source was downloaded by 100000820478826 from CourseHero.com on 09-26-2023 09:27:46 GMT -05:00 https://www.coursehero.com/file/67992770/APOL-525-Book-Critiquedocx/

On the Idea of Christianity as the One True Religion – Chapter 6 is focused on whether or not Christianity is the one true religion. Netland says, “The relation between the Christian faith and other religious traditions is often portrayed in terms of a competition….” He states that most Christians believe Christianity is the one true religion and compare it to Islam and Buddhism who believe the same. This chapter is exceptionally exclusive and makes religious pluralism more difficult to understand. Religious Diversity and Reasons for Belief – Chapter 7 focuses on relativism and skepticism surrounding the Christian religion. This chapter highlights several philosophers who address these concerns including Robert Boyle, Paul Griffiths, and Alvin Plantinga, to name a few. This chapter provides evidence supporting religious diversity and offers many reasons to believe in it. This chapter mentions well-known philosophers John Locke and David Hume, who are known for their varying beliefs about Christianity. Living with Religious Diversity as Jesus’s Disciples – In Netland’s final chapter of Christianity & Religious Diversity , he lists five themes to live within religious diversity as followers of Christ: 8 1. Bear witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ. 2. Bear witness to the gospel in accordance with God’s love. 3. Christian witness must be respectful of others. 4. Christian witness should include appropriate forms of dialogue. 5. Christians are to reject violence and abuse of power in witness. Christian apologetics is an attempt to respond to critiques of Christian claims. As Christians, we are commanded to spread the word of God with these themes in mind. Netland says, “Christians are not only disciples of Jesus Christ.” 9 In order to bear witness to God and Jesus Christ, we must do so with civic virtue or righteous behavior. 8 Ibid., 238-242. 9 Ibid., 248. 4 This study source was downloaded by 100000820478826 from CourseHero.com on 09-26-2023 09:27:46 GMT -05:00 https://www.coursehero.com/file/67992770/APOL-525-Book-Critiquedocx/

Critical Evaluation This book uses many resources to address religious diversity and how to lean towards Christianity in a respectful, apologetic manner. He uses history, theology, and religious studies in his argument against pluralism and focuses on using world leaders and philosophers to support his arguments. The absence of exclusivity is a major strength in Netland’s book. It does not minimize other religions and it does not elevate Christianity as the only religion that matters. Instead, it gives sound arguments for Christianity by addressing major differences between it and other religions. Another strength from this book is that it does not have a narrow focus, rather a broad range of ideas from Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, and Judaism. He addresses multiple worldviews and how they contain major similarities to Christianity. This book stressed the importance of having love and understanding of religious diversity. Growing up Church of Christ, I was taught more about fire and brimstone rather than of love. This book helped ease a lot of angst I have within Christianity. There was only one major weakness in reading this book. If I were considering converting to Christianity, I would not have been persuaded based on the information from this book. Conclusion Harold A. Netland’s theme in Christianity & Religious Diversity is stating informed about faith and Christianity’s ability to traverse in a globalizing age. He gives a new analysis of religion, which is not just doom and gloom. He clarifies many misunderstandings of the concept of religion within Buddhism and Islam while paying special attention to traditions and beliefs. The book concludes by proposing guidelines for Christians to live by when approaching apologetics to a globalized world. It is written as a way to understand the changing world around us and challenges readers to think of religion from many perspectives, not just through the eyes of Christianity. 5 This study source was downloaded by 100000820478826 from CourseHero.com on 09-26-2023 09:27:46 GMT -05:00 https://www.coursehero.com/file/67992770/APOL-525-Book-Critiquedocx/

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Bibliography Netland, Harold A. Christianity and Religious Diversity Clarifying Christian Commitments in a Globalizing Age. 2015. 6 This study source was downloaded by 100000820478826 from CourseHero.com on 09-26-2023 09:27:46 GMT -05:00 https://www.coursehero.com/file/67992770/APOL-525-Book-Critiquedocx/

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