What’s The Difference Between
Christianity & Eastern Religions?
by Len Evans
I am the WAY, the TRUTH and the LIFE.
No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6
There are many Eastern Religions but we are going focus on the Big 2
A form of Hinduism that you may be familiar with is “Hare Krishna”
A form of Buddhism that you may be familiar with is “ZEN”
H = Hinduism B = Buddhism C = Christianity
H: Their “God” Brahman is not personal and can’t be defined.
B: There is no “God” there is only the Buddha. (The enlightened One)
C: God is personal and can be known. (Psm. 50:15 & John 1:12)
H: Belief in reincarnation.
B: Belief in reincarnation.
C: There is no reincarnation but there is resurrection.
Heb 9:27 & 1 Thes. 4:13-16
H: Desires to be free from human weakness.
B: Desires to be free from human weakness.
C: Offers forgiveness from sin and freedom from sins.
1 Jn 1:9 & Rom. 6:11-14
H: Devotion, good works, and knowledge are important
to achieve salvation.
B: Devotion, good works, and self-control are important
to reach Nirvana.
C: Devotion, good works, and self-control are important
to grow spiritually but is not required for salvation.
Titus 3:5
H: Jesus is a great teacher but not the Son of God
B: Jesus is a great teacher but not the Son of God
C: Jesus is a great teacher because he is the Son of God
Matt. 7:28-29 & 26:62-65
Ice Breaker Option
In this movie “Pleasantville” a brother and a sister enter an old TV show as the two starring characters. So, say your name and the TV character that you would want to be for a week .
Questions
What 3-5 words would you use to describe your own faith?
Afraid Angry Apathetic Confused Strong Empty
Excited Joyful Hypocrite Learning Weak Unsure
Mature Childish Growing Active Lazy Comfortable
Searching Solid biblical I Independent Sundays Everyday
Spiritual Worldly Doubtful Normal Prayerful Non-existent
Are the differences between Christianity and the Eastern Religions big or small? If you think they are big, please explain. If you think they are small, please explain also.
Can you name any famous people who are Buddhist? (Richard Gere - Movie Star. Phil Jackson - Chicago Bulls Coach. Scottie Pippen - Basket ball star.)
Name a Brad Pitt movie about Buddhism: “7 Years in Tibet”
“Zen” is a pretty popular way of thinking in America today. Explain what “Zen” means to you.
Do you think it would be hard to talk with a Hindu or Buddhist about your faith? It might seem hard because you feel like you don’t know or live your faith well enough.
Why do you think the idea of “doing the right things” appeals to people? Do you ever wish that Christianity required you to do certain things to prove your salvation? (Our salvation is not based on what we do but upon who we know. We do good things because we love God not to make God love us.)
How would you respond someone who said, “I don’t need to believe in your God. It doesn’t matter what God I believe in because the important thing is that you have faith, not which God you believe in. God reveals himself to different people in different ways. You believe your way and I’ll believe my way and we’ll see each other in heaven.”