We invite you to join us as we embark on a journey through history to retrace humanity’s search for meaning and discover where this pursuit has led us today. Perhaps during this expedition, we may each discover something new about ourselves and our fellow travelers on this quest. . . . more
1 – Synopsis
We begin our course of inquiry by evaluating various preliminary concepts needed to put the people, events and ideas that we will study into a broader picture to provide increased understanding. First, we will begin by reviewing the human quest for meaning, the origin of religion and the role of fear in religion. Then, we’ll consider how the human factor interplays with religion and how Christians have determined truth over the ages. . . . more
- Polytheism
- Greek Philosophy
- Jesus and His Jewish Roots
- Early Christian Controversies
- Augustine
- Medieval Developments
- The Protestant Reformation
- Early Modern Philosophers
- The Turn to Emotions
- Immanuel Kant and the 19th Century
- Masters of Suspicion
- 20th Century Theologians
2 – The Human Quest for Meaning
We universally recognize that our capacity to reason is a distinguishing characteristic of the human race, yet we often fail to appreciate the magnitude and force of the human need for purpose. The innate human need for meaning and purpose in life is an even greater defining attribute of humanity than reason alone. In a very broad perspective, to be human is to be religious, whether one acknowledges it or not. . . . more
Is Religion innate with the human species or is it a legacy of our primeval stupidity that we need to jettison? A review of the various theories regarding the origin of religion may help us answer this question. . . . more
- Archeological Evidence
- HADD & Theory of the Mind
- Language and Social Theories
- An Historical Evaluation of the Development of Religion
- Nature-Myth Theory
- Darwin and Progressive Evolution
- Fetishism
- Animism
- Ghost-Worship and Totemism
- Pre-Animism and Magic
- Historical Ethnological Method
- The Primitive Monotheistic Supreme God
- Christian Perspective
Fear often plays a role in human social interaction and in religious beliefs and practices. Among these fears are: . . . more
- Theological Based Fears
- Historical Perspective
- Fear, Fath and Love
- Freud’s Three Physical/Temporal Based Fears
- Moral Relativism
- Societal Ills
- Religion is the cure to Our Communal Disease
5 – The Human Factor
We enhance our study of Christian religious history by considering how the following six human influences have continually impacted religious thought and actions throughout history:. . . more
- People from all Cultures Participate in Religious Activity
- People often try to influence deity in an attempt to control their future
- Tension between human free will and God’s sovereignty
- The pendulum effect – beliefs often gravitate to extremes
- Religion is often used to justify improper behavior
- People generally project their own values and beliefs onto others, which often distorts historical perspectives due to shifting values over time and between cultures
6 – What is True?
Throughout history Christians have used combinations and variations of the following seven approaches to evaluate the veracity of religious doctrines: . . . more
7 – What is True? continued . . . more
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Period I – The Early and Medieval Church
