This week’s class begins a new section in our Case for the Old Testament class called “The History Continues.” It is basically a continuation of our study through the Old Testament with a focus on God’s “Big Picture” as we see so many people and events that foreshadow God’s ultimate fulfillment of His Promise in Jesus. We are also beginning an Apologetics look at the problem of Religious Pluralism. Studying the Old Testament as Christians gives us the first half of our story, and application from this ancient culture still provides vital lessons for us today! Each week’s class includes prayer, a review of the Bible study, an “apologetics” presentation and a homework assignment.

Watch this week’s class presentation on this topic:

2023 A Case for the Old Testament, The History Continues…

Session 5: Religious Pluralism

Prayer and Reflection

1. Write out your prayer cards and exchange them at the end of the class.

2. What have you enjoyed learning so far in your Bible study, and what are you hoping to learn in this new class?

3. Recite to practice the memory verse below:

Memory Verse

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect

1 Peter 3:15 (NIV)

Bible Practice: Memorizing helpful facts

What are the five categories of the Old Testament books in the Christian Bible?
What are the 39 books of the Old Testament in each of those five categories? (Hint 5-12-5-5-12)
What are the “Major Historical Events” – the “Major Players” involved in those events – and the “Major Covenants” found in Genesis?

Click here to check or review answers for Genesis chapters 22-23 given in the presentation

Religious Pluralism

“I remember when I was 10 years old, I asked my mother, ‘If there’s only one God, why are there so many religions?’ I’ve been pondering that question ever since, and the conclusion I’ve come to is that all religions are true.”

-George Lucas

Don’t all religions have a path to God?

Cyanide vs. salt: The differences matter more than the similarities!

Different religions and worldviews do not agree on the most important questions

The world’s religions are fundamentally different, and these differences are logically irreconcilable on vital questions such as:

What is my origin?
Who is God?
Who is Jesus?
What is sin?
What is my purpose?
What constitutes salvation?
Where do we go after we die?

The world’s religions are foundationally different:

Each has a different historical beginning.
Each has a different, or many different holy books.
Each one looks to a founder or leader who taught very different concepts about this life and the afterlife, none of whom claimed to be the Son of God, except one.
Each leader or founder’s essential views are in opposition and contradictory at best.

The world’s religions are salvationally different, teaching very different pathways about very different eternal destinations:

Heaven/hell (Christianity and Judaism)
Paradise/eternal damnation (Islam)
Brahman (Hinduism)
Nirvana (Buddhism)
The Bridge (Zoroastrianism)
Jiva/Ajiva (Jainism)
Utopian afterlife (New Ageism)
Nothingness (Secular Naturalism/Atheism)

Religious Pluralism …

promotes tolerance of all religious beliefs as if they are equally true
lays claim to being “politically correct” because we don’t want to offend anyone (even with the truth)
denies objective truth and promotes a type of relativism
rejects the exclusive claims made by Jesus
rejects the exclusive teachings of the Bible
falls under the banner of the religious institution known as “Universalism”
opens up a ‘smorgasbord’ approach to faith: “I like some of Christianity, but not all, I’ll take a little from Islam, and a whole lot from Hinduism, and if I am a good person God can’t possibly turn me away from Heaven”

Join us as we continue this topic next week…

Bible Study

Each week we will have Bible study following the presentation. There will be questions presented here on the weekend, and basic answers will be part of the next presentation or posted mid-week for your review, depending on the topic. This can also be used to make a leader’s guide for your own small group and future studies!

Always remember to pray before you study and ask the Holy Spirit to teach you and lead you into the truth found in God’s Word – pray for protection from the evil one who will try to discourage, distract and deceive us when we commit to growing closer to the LORD.

Note: Questions are taken directly from the chapters, and answers should be found and cited from the Scripture text in order to be Biblically accurate (unless asked to summarize in your own words). Study Bibles, commentaries and your own thoughts can be used for Discussion or Going Deeper questions. If you use these kinds of sources share them with your group.

1. Review of Class Topic: Before getting into the Bible study questions, discuss today’s class presentation by summarizing what you learned, commenting or asking any questions.

Read Genesis Chapters 24-26, then answer the following questions:

2. (Genesis 24:1-67) In this chapter Isaac and Rebekah are married. What are some things that happened in this story that show God was intervening to make Abraham’s servant successful? Why do you think it was important for Isaac to get a wife from Abraham’s relatives and not from the local Canaanites? Going Deeper: Are there any parts of this story that might be a foreshadow of something greater?

3. (Genesis 25:1-6) Abraham remarried after the death of Sarah. Who was Abraham’s new wife, what do we know about the children they had, and why did Abraham differentiate between them and Isaac concerning the inheritance?

4. (Genesis 25:7-18) How old was Abraham when he died; where was he buried and who was present at his burial? How old was Ismael when he died, and how many sons did he have? Going deeper: What are some things we know historically about the descendants of Ishmael and their relationship to Israel?

5. (Genesis 25:19-34) In the second half of this chapter, after 20 years, Isaac and Rebekah finally have children, twins in fact. What happened between the children while they were still in the womb, and what did God tell Rebekah about the children before they were born? What were the boys’ names and what do they mean? Discuss: What happened between the boys when they were older, and what is the significance for the future.

6. (Genesis 26:1-17) In this chapter we get a repeat of what Abraham and Sarah had previously done (Note: this is not the same Abimelech as before; it may have been a title/family name). How is Isaac and Rebekah’s story different in this case? Going Deeper: What did God say to Isaac in verses 2-5, and again in verses 23-24, and why is this important?

7. (Genesis 26:18-35) What happened between Isaac’s men and the men of Gerar? At the end of the chapter, what did Esau do that made his parents unhappy, and why? Discuss: How might Esau’s decision-making ability reflect on his character and family future?

Please join us each week as we continue our case for the Old Testament!

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You will not find this material in the public school curriculum even though it is based on solid evidence and grounded in research. It is ironic that following the evidence to where it leads stops at the door of our public schools as they will not let a “Divine footprint” in! Join us as we examine evidence for Christianity and learn how to become a thoughtful defender and ambassador of your faith.

Click into the resource page of this website to view many of the top Christian thinkers and apologists along with some of their work; connecting to these types of resources is essential in your Christian growth.

Please let me know what you think: Give feedback, ask questions or send concerns in the comment section of the blog.

Teri Dugan

TeriDugan@truthfaithandreason.com

1 Peter 3:15