FIVE MAJOR WORLD RELIGIONS by Stan Griffin

Religion has played an important part in the history of our world. Religious teachings have shaped the lives of people since prehistoric times. Judaism, Islam, and Christianity have been major influences in the formation of Western culture. They have also played an important role in the development of Middle Eastern life. Asian civilizations have been affected by Buddhist teachings.

Buddhism ( Part 2)

Salvation and the Afterlife

Buddhism sees ignorance rather than sin as the roadblock to salvation. That is, the belief that the world and self truly exist, keeps the illusory wheel of existence rolling--only destruction of that belief will stop the mad course of the world.
Its doctrine is summed up in the Four Noble Truths: (1) life is basically suffering, or dissatisfaction; (2) the origin of that suffering lies in craving or grasping; (3) the cessation of suffering is possible through the cessation of craving; and (4) the way to cease craving and so attain escape from continual rebirth is by following Buddhist practice, known as the Noble Eightfold Path.

Buddhism ( Part 1)

Introduction

Buddhism arose out of atheistic strands of Hinduism current in India in the sixth century B.C. Gautama, called the Buddha ("Enlightened One"), is said to have discovered that both the life of luxury and the life of extreme asceticism were of no use in gaining spiritual freedom; thus he propounded the "Middle Way." His teaching, however, was to undergo many transformations.

Salvation in Buddhism

Buddhism accepts the principles of samsara and karma (Pali: kamma), but it differs in one important respect from the Hindu conception of man. Instead of believing that an atman, or soul, passes through endless series of incarnations, Buddhism teaches that there is no such preexistent immortal soul that migrates from body to body

The True or the False ( Part 2)

“W hat shall we say then? Is the law sin? ...[Yahuwah] forbid." The apostle decidedly denies the assertion: "Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead."the law sin was dead."
What is sin?--It is the result of Satan's administration. It is his work to make of no effect the law of …[Yahuwah]. He is determined that man shall do what…[Yahuwah] has forbidden him to do. By his deceptive, artful temptations, he strives to make men disobey. This he did with Adam and Even in Eden, and this he will continue to do till the close of time.
"For I was alive without the law once," Paul continues; "but when the commandment came, sin revived, and [the law died?--No] I died. And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death. For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me." But because of this does Paul say, I am opposed to the commandment?

The True or the False ( Part1)

“Satan has invented thousands of errors to counterfeit …[Yahuwah's] truth. And the false paths that he has made have been followed as if they were paths of right. ” “ …[Yahuwah] has specified the seventh day as the day that is to be kept holy. ” “ This law is the transcript of his character; and throughout the eternal ages it will remain Yea and Amen, perfect and unalterable, without variableness or shadow of turning. ”

[Yahuwah's] Standard of Character

The law of . . . [Yahuwah] is binding on all human intelligences. "Think not," said . . . [YAHUSHUA], "that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:17-20).
. . . [Yahuwah] requires obedience to his law. But Satan, ever since his fall, has been working against this law. He created disaffection in heaven by his ambition to be higher than . . . [Yahushua], the Commander of the heavenly host; and then he attacked the law of . . . [Yahuwah]. He held a position next to . . . [Yahushua], and in his rebellion he carried the angels with him. With their leader, these were expelled from heaven; and when . . . [Yahushua] came to this earth to live the law that Satan had declared could not be kept, Satan followed him from the manger to the cross, doing all in his power to render his work a failure.
Many mistakes were made by the Jewish teachers in regard to the true character and far-reaching principles of the law.

[Yahuwah's] Purpose in the Gift of His Son

". . . [Yahushua] cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me. And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me. I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness. And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak." John 12:44-50. In carrying out his plan for the salvation of man, . . . [Yahushua] represented his Father in all things. The history of his life is an exact record of the purposes of . . . [Yahuwah] toward man, and the instruction he desires man to have in the manifestation of perfection in humanity. . . . [Yahushua] took upon him the nature of man, that he might carry man with him, and place him in the domains of mercy, in the arms of the infinite . . . [Yahuwah]. Through disobedience, man had divorced himself from . . . [Yahuwah], and had become an apostate against his government. But it was . . . [Yahuwah's] design that man should be restored, and again have access to the tree of life. TheIt is only by a clear discernment of spiritual things that the original apostasy can be understood. The controversy in heaven began with selfish strife for position, a desire on the part of Lucifer to be equal with . . . [Yahuwah]. The disaffection of Satan in entertaining the thought that he should stand as head of the heavenly order at first seemed a small thing, but by dwelling upon this thought, it was strengthened. Step by step he miscalculated the position that had been assigned him by . . . [Yahuwah], to be maintained only in . . . [Yahuwah], until he finally came to look with enmity upon everything coming from . . . [Yahushua]. Satan rebelled against the laws governing the heavenly intelligences; and by representing these in a deceptive light, by his unbelief and complaints, he drew others with him into rebellion. . . . [Yahushua], as commander of heaven, was appointed to put down the rebellion. Satan and all his sympathizers were cast out of heaven. Then was begun the work which, before the foundations of the world were laid, . . . [Yahushua] had engaged to do. At the appointed time he came to our world in human flesh, that he might become man's substitute and surety. . . . [Yahushua] came to prove that ". . . [Yahuwah] is love." This was disputed by him who was once a covering cherub in heaven, and who, in consequence of his ambitious project, developed a character that made him at war with . . . [Yahuwah]. This world became the scene of the great conflict between . . . [Yahushua] and Satan. . . . [Yahushau] joined himself with the nature of man, that through him man might again become one with . . . [Yahuwah], preserving the closest union with his fellow men,-- the same that exists between the Father and the Son. . . . [Yahushua] lived not to please or glorify himself. He came to live and work in behalf of fallen man. Every moment of his life, every deed that he performed, was an expression of his unselfish love. That the Son of the infinite . . . [Yahuwah] should bind himself so closely with man was condescension and mercy so wonderful that its mysteries could scarcely be understood. . . . [Yahushua] sought to teach the grand truth so needful for us to learn, that . . . [Yahuwah] is always with us, an inmate of every dwelling, that he is acquainted with every action performed on earth. He knows the thoughts that are framed in the mind and indorsed by the soul. He hears every word that falls from the lips of human beings. He is walking and working in the midst of all our transactions in life. He knows every plan, he measures every method. And yet by many his hand is not recognized, his wonderful footsteps are not discerned. It is through the machinations of the enemy that men become disloyal to . . . [Yahuwah], and are identified with Satan. They are deceived; and when temptation comes, they do not discern that it is temptation. Their mistake lies in failing to enter fully into sympathy with . . . [Yahuwah's] appointed agencies, in the accomplishment of the work assigned them by . . . [Yahuwah]. Did they strive to meet his royal standard of righteousness, this would elevate their minds to a divine level, and bring them into healthful sympathy with . . . [Yahushua]. All heaven is looking upon . . . [Yahuwah's] commandment-keeping people of this age. Its inhabitants view the dissension and strife among the nations of the earth, who are controlled by the power of the prince of darkness. Strife, strife, is on every hand. Men are striving for place and position in the world, and will use every means possible in their efforts to gain the end they seek. But shall they see this spirit permeating the church? Shall strife and dissension hold sway among the people who have seen great light? Shall corruption leaven the people whom . . . [Yahuwah] has set to be the light of the world? Shall not, rather, the pure, holy truth of . . . [Yahuwah] be cherished, and be kept burning upon the altar of every heart, and be diffused to the world? In every place where large interests are centered, Satan will work with all his deceiving power upon every mind that he can use to hinder the work that . . . [Yahuwah] designs shall be accomplished. Thus it has been in the past, and thus it will continue to be. The spirit of the world, the ambitious strife for the supremacy, will eventually bring every soul who cherishes this spirit to discord and disunion. Deception will come to human minds, paralyzing spiritual discernment, and the deceiver will succeed in mingling the common fire with the sacred, until sacred things are brought down to a level with common, earthly imaginations, and conducted after the manner of worldly maxims, meeting the world's standard, but having not the superscription of heaven. . . . [Yahushua] was appointed to be the light of the world: and if those who are in darkness will receive that light, will permit themselves to be enlightened; if they will no longer walk in the sparks of the fire of their own kindling, but in the light of him who is to lighten every man that cometh into the world, they will shine amid the darkness of the world. Observe the Christian who is walking in that light, and you will see . . . [Yahushua] manifested in his every act. Looking unto . . . [Yahushua], the author and finisher of his faith, he becomes divested of self-serving and self-glorification. He does not flash about him the sparks of human inventions, but the light kindled from the altar of sacred sacrifice. John declares: "As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." John 1:12-13. The disciples of . . . [Yahushua] are bound by their character to reveal him to the world. Their obligation to . . . [Yahuwah] in this respect is imperative. . . . [Yahuwah] has given his Son to the world as an entire offering, and the object of this sacrifice was that his disciples might be one with him, as he is one with the Father. We are not to fix our eyes upon man, and take our position with him in his defective character and movements. We are to stand with . . . [Yahushua] in . . . [Yahuwah], keeping our minds clear, our actions holy. It is the design of . . . [Yahuwah] that through man his glory shall be revealed to the world; but it is only those who connect themselves with . . . [Yahuwah] in . . . [Yahushua], who can reveal that goodness and that fidelity which . . . [Yahushua] manifested in his life. As the branches of the vine are united in the parent stock, so will the children of . . . [Yahuwah] be united as one in . . . [Yahushua]. They are to reveal to the world the character of . . . [Yahuwah]. They must study the Scriptures with the purpose in view of living the unselfish life of . . . [Yahushua]. The true Christian will not become self-centered or conservative in his plans. "Of his fullness have all we received, and grace for grace." John 1:16. As . . . [Yahuwah's] grace is given us freely, so it must be imparted to others. Through the apostle we are admonished,"As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him."Colossians 2:16.

By: Ellen White May 30, 1899 Review & Herald

[Yahushua's] Denunciation of the Pharisees

When[Yahushua] …[Yahushua] came to the world, moral power was at a low ebb. The Jews as a people were not spiritually minded. Their hearts went out after their idols,--supremacy, wealth, and worldly honor. The teachers of the nation interpreted the Scriptures according to their cherished ideas. They taught that the Messiah was to come as an earthly prince, who would reign on David's throne, and crush the heathen under him. They led the people to believe that …[Yahuwah] would stretch out his arm in their behalf according to his promise, while they did not comply with the conditions of that promise. So far had they separated themselves from [Yahuwah] by their wicked works, by their pride and self-righteousness, their oppression of the poor and needy, their hatred and jealousy, that spiritual things were not discerned.
The angels did not announce the birth of …[Yahushua] to those who claimed to have great light and knowledge. The rabbis who explained the law in the synagogue--those who above all others should have been intelligent in regard to the coming of the Messiah and the manner of his appearing--knew nothing of the Babe cradled in the manger. Had the angels appeared to them with the good tidings of great joy, telling them the wonderful story of the Babe of Bethlehem, they would have rejected the message with contempt. Such humble birth was not according to their lofty ideas. Therefore the Lord of glory passed by the self-exalted, the men intoxicated with self-love and worldly honor, and came to the men who were humble, who would receive the heavenly messengers and the tidings that were to echo to earth's remotest bounds.
It was to the humble shepherds that the birth of …[Yahushua] was first made known. While they were watching their flocks on the hills of Bethlehem, "lo, the angel of …[Yahuwah] came upon them, and the glory of …[Yahuwah] shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, …[the Anointed Sovereign]. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising …[Yahuwah], and saying, Glory to …[Yahuwah] in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." Luke 2:9-14.
The manner of …[Yahushua's] first advent, and the condition of those to whom the joyful tidings came, is a lesson we shall do well to study. …[Yahuwah] does not honor those who honor themselves. He does not give his precious light to those who will not make a right use of it,--who use it to honor themselves, in the place of exalting the …[Master] of Israel. Those whom …[Yahuwah] has blessed with great privileges are to be pure and humble and undefiled. The humility of the world's Redeemer is solemn and instructive. He was the Majesty of heaven, yet while on earth, he was unhonored and almost unknown. The light of the world, the heir of glory, he was despised and rejected of men.
As we trace the course pursued by the scribes and Pharisees, and see the light and privileges granted them, we are led to inquire, How could those teachers read the word of …[Yahuwah] without perceiving the truths which it teaches? Upon these men was placed the responsibility of explaining the law in the synagogue; but …[Yahushua] declared,"Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of …[Yahuwah]." Matthew 22:29. Ye teach for doctrine the commandments of men. The sayings of men, coming down through the rabbis from age to age, had molded their religious worship. Traditions were constantly increasing, which kept the mind in a state of questioning and controversy over the most trivial matters. New laws were constantly being enacted, and the people were taught to regard them as the requirements of …[Yahuwah], until a mechanical service became the sum of their religion and their worship. Many of these laws were not committed to writing, and exaction after exaction was added until a most unreasonable mass of maxims and fables was brought together. He who attempted to bring forward scriptures that conflicted with these laws and traditions, was condemned as if he had refused to accept a "Thus saith …[Yahuwah]." This education of the rabbis was well-pleasing to Satan; for through them he was preparing the way so that when …[Yahushua] should come to the world, he would be rejected by his own nation.
…[Yahushua] designed that his disciples should have an education altogether different from that which they had received from the scribes and Pharisees. He accused these men of teaching many things contrary to the law. "The scribes and Pharisees sit in Moses seat," he said; "all therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, and love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even …[Yahushua]; and all ye are brethren. . . . He that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted." Matthew 23:2-12.
When the question was asked, "Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread," …[Yahushua] answered them, "Why do ye also transgress the commandment of …[Yahuwah] by your tradition? For …[Yahuwah] commanded, saying, Honor thy father and thy mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death. But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; and honor not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of …[Yahuwah] of none effect by your tradition. Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoreth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." Matthew 15:2-9. Thus …[Yahushua] showed the comparative value of the law of …[Yahuwah] and their traditions.
"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites," …[Yahushua] continued; "for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in." Matthew 23:12. Do we not find just such teachers in our day, men who will not obey the plainest statement of the Word, and who, after they have turned from the light of …[Yahuwah] themselves, do their utmost to lead others into the same path? They manifest the same spirit toward those who keep …[Yahuwah's] commandments that the scribes and Pharisees manifested toward …[Yahushua]. How earnest are these transgressor's of …[Yahuwah's] law to hedge up the way of those who would accept …[Yahushua]. They will not enter in themselves, and those who would enter in they hinder.
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretense make long prayers: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation." Matthew 23:14. There are many who claim to be sanctified, but who are not. Shall we receive their testimony? If they are holy, their testimony will be in accordance with the divine will; their prayer will be the prayer of …[Yahushua], "Sanctify them through thy truth; thy word is truth." John 17:17.
What shall be the detector of character in these last days?--"Ye shall know them by their fruits." Matthew 7:16. "To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." Isaiah 8:20. If men come to us, making void the law of …[Yahuwah], we may know that their sanctification is worth just as much, when weighed in the balances of heaven, as were the long, pretentious prayers of the Pharisees.
"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves. . . . Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchers, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity." Matthew 23:15, 27, 28.
These fearful denunciations were made upon the Jews, because, while teaching the law of …[Yahuwah] to the people, they were not doers of the Word. Had they kept the law of …[Yahuwah], they would have discerned …[Yahuashua] and his mission. So it is in our day. There are those who walk in darkness when light shines from every page of the written Word. They study the Scriptures that they may interpret them to suit themselves. They sink the Scriptures to their own perverted ideas. They are not honest. They doubt that which they have every reason to believe. They become reasoners in doubt, experts in finding fault. …[Yahuwah's] word is misinterpreted, misstated, misapplied, and has no power upon the life and character.
If professed …[followers of Yahuhusa] really believe in …[Yahuwah], they will not disregard his commandments. …[Yahushua] says: "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever, therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:17-20.
By: Ellen White
August 29, 1899
Review & Herald

Sanctification

:"And the very Eloah of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray Yahuwah your whole spirit, and soul, and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Master Yahushua the Anointed." 1 Thessalonians 5:23 There is in the religious world a theory of sanctification which is false in itself, and dangerous in its influence. We have met many who claim to be sanctified; but in many cases those who profess sanctification do not possess the genuine article. Their sanctification consists in talk and will-worship. Those who are really seeking to perfect Christian character will never indulge in the thought that they are sinless.

Yahuwah's Commands Require Perfect Obedience

When the Master of glory left his station of high command to become a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief, accepting ignominy and death in order to deliver man from the consequence of his disobedience, he did not consult his own convenience or pleasure. Yahushua died, not to save man in his sins, but from his sins. He is to leave the error of his ways, to follow the example of Yahushua, take up his cross and follow him, denying self, and obeying Yahuwah at any cost.

Religious scriptures of Abrahamic Religions

All these religions rely on a body of scriptures, some of which are considered to be the word of God—hence sacred and unquestionable—and some the work of religious men, revered mainly by tradition and to the extent that they are considered to have been divinely inspired, if not dictated, by the divine being.

God in Islam

There is only one God in Islam. Allah is the Arabic word for God, used by all Arabs of all faiths. Islamic tradition also describes the 99 names of God. These 99 names describe attributes of God, including Most Merciful, The Just, The Peace and Blessing, and the Guardian. Islamic belief in God is distinct from Christianity in that God has no progeny.

God in Christianity

Christians believe that the God worshiped by the faithful Hebrew people of the pre-Christian era has always revealed himself as he did through Jesus; but that this was never obvious until the Word of God (the divine Logos) became flesh and dwelt among us (see John 1).

God in Judaism

Jewish theology is based on the Hebrew Bible, where the nature and commandments of God are revealed through the writings of Moses, the Torah, the writings of the prophets, psalmists and other ancient canonized scriptures, together with the Torah known as the Tanakh. Additionally, it usually has a basis in its Oral Law, as recorded in the Mishnah and Gemora that form the Talmud.

Abrahamic religions

Abrahamic religions are the monotheistic faiths emphasizing and tracing their common origin to Abraham^[1] or recognizing a spiritual tradition identified with Abraham.^[2][3][4] They are one of the three major divisions in comparative religion, along with Indian religions (Dharmic) and East Asian religions (Taoic).

Salvation in Islam

"Salvation" in Islam refers to the eventual entrance to heaven. The word does not cover the possible entry to hellfire, or the different levels of hellfire and heaven. The Quran teaches that the only thing guaranteeing no salvation is a disbelief in the “One God”; associating others with God,

Churches of Christ

Western Churches of Christ are strongly anti-Calvinist in their understanding of salvation, and generally present conversion as "obedience to the proclaimed facts of the gospel rather than as the result of an emotional, Spirit-initiated conversion."^[59]

Churches of Christ hold the view that humans of accountable age are

Eastern Christianity

Eastern Christianity was much less influenced by Augustine, and even less so by either Calvin or Arminius. Consequently, it doesn't just have different answers, but asks different questions; it generally views salvation in less legalistic terms (grace, punishment, and so on) and in more medical terms (sickness, healing etc.), and with less exacting precision.

Protestantism

The Protestant Christian perspective on salvation is that no one can merit the grace of God by performing rituals, good works, asceticism or meditation, because grace is the result of one's initiative without any regard whatsoever to any merit in the one towards whom the good is being initiated. To be forgiven and brought back into a personal relationship with God, it is not enough that the grace of God exists as potential solution. It must be claimed personally by the sinful person by their own initiative.

Catholicism

A crucial difference between the Catholic and Protestant understanding of salvation is that, unlike Protestantism, Catholicism believes that, after the Fall humanity did not become totally corrupt but was “wounded by sin” (rather than destroyed) and “stands in need of salvation from God. Divine help comes in Christ through the law that guides and the grace that sustains” ^[30]

Salvation in Christianity ( Part 2)

Paradigms of salvation

Different theories of atonement have been proposed for how Christian salvation can be understood. Over the centuries, Christians have held different ideas about how Jesus saved people, and different views still exist within different Christian denominations. The main paradigms of salvation that have been proposed are:^[14]

Salvation In Christianity (Part 1)

In Christianity, salvation is the belief that, as part of divine providence, God saves people from some or all of the following:

1. from biological death, by providing for them an eternal life or long-lasting afterlife (cf. afterlife).^[1]
2. from spiritual death, by providing divine law, illumination, and judgment.^[1]
3. from divine punishment, particularly from Hell, by granting them acceptance into Heaven.^{[citation needed]}
4. from having sinful character and conduct, through a process of positive moral change.^[2]