Homework for Sept 18

Now that your head is full of good learnin', here are your assignments. The aim is to get you to review and further understand the six worldviews. 

1A. Spend a few minutes looking at the worldview chart at summit.org. It's the same one I printed you, just interactive. Pay special attention to the summaries of the theology category for each worldview. 

1B. Review your notes. Make additions to them with the notes posted on this blog. Use a different colored pen to write down thoughts or questions you have for class. (This is a good practice to develop). 

1C. Define these ten terms (write or type):

• Theism
• Trinitarian Monotheism
• Atheism
• Pantheism
• Religious pluralism
• Marxism
• Postmodernism
• Cosmic Humanism
• Secular Humanism
• Islam

2A. Read the Groothuis article “Are All Religions One?’ on pages 39-46 of the manual.

2B. Answer these questions:

• What lesson is the story of the elephant trying to communicate?
• Why does that author say that all religions can't lead to the same God?
• How would you respond to someone who used the story of the elephant as explaining that he or she believes all religions lead to the same God? Remember to be winsome.

3A. Of the worldviews we covered, four do not believe in a literal God. So you will face people, especially humanistic professors, who do not believe in God. Throughout history, philosophers have come up with logical arguments to prove that God exists.  Read this article. 

3B. Write or type an answer to these questions:

• In a sentence or two, summarize each of the four arguments for the existence of God.
• Which argument makes the most sense to you? Why?
• Is it possible to prove the existence of God with logic, science or anything else? Why or why not? 
• Do you believe these arguments are helpful to answer an atheist's questions? Why or why not? 

4. Complete the Dear Doug assignment on page 58. Once again, write him a letter like he’s a real dude. Be helpful and careful with your words. 


Thanks for all your work.