- Daniel and other Israelites were taken captive to Babylon after Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem in 586 BC. Nebuchadnezzar selected some Israelites, including Daniel, to serve in his court based on their qualifications including skills, knowledge, and ability to learn.
- Daniel and the other Israelites underwent education in the language and culture of Babylon but maintained their Jewish faith while immersed in this foreign culture. They were to be indoctrinated into the Babylonian worldview but Daniel remained committed to his own beliefs.
3. [In 586 BC] Nebuchadnezzar the king of
Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it.
And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into
his hand, with some of the vessels of the house
of God. And he brought them back to Babylon,
to the house of his god, and placed the vessels
in the treasury of his god.
(Dan 1:1–2 ESV)
4. Then Nebuchadnezzar commanded Ashpenaz,
to bring some of the people of Israel, both of the
royal family and of the nobility, youths without
blemish, of good appearance and skillful in all
w i s d o m , e n d o w e d w i t h k n o w l e d g e ,
understanding learning, and competent to stand
in the king’s palace, and to teach them the
literature and language of the Chaldeans.
(Dan 1:3–4 ESV)
15. Identity Diffusion Identity Moratorium
Identity Foreclosure Identity Achievement
Low High
Low
High
Crisis
Commitment
Can’t decide
Doesn’t care
Can’t decide
Does care
Been decided
Didn’t care
Did decide
Did care
😐 🤔
☹ 😋
25. Definition of Worldview
Worldview is a foundational set of assumptions to which
one commits that serves as a framework for understanding
and interpreting reality and deeply shapes one’s behavior.
(Waddel & Jibben, 2021, “What in the World is Worldview?”)
31. Metanarrative
An overarching account or interpretation of
events and circumstances that provides a
pattern or structure for people’s beliefs and
gives meaning to their experiences.
https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/us/de
fi
nition/english/metanarrative
40. A religion is a system of beliefs and practices that by
means of its cultus directs a person toward
transcendence and, thus, provides meaning and
coherence to a person’s life.
(Winfried, 2014, p. 28)
51. 1. Evolution of Religion
• Mana: spiritual forces
• Animism: spirits in things
52. 1. Evolution of Religion
• Mana: spiritual forces
• Animism: spirits in things
• Polytheism: many gods
53. 1. Evolution of Religion
• Mana: spiritual forces
• Animism: spirits in things
• Polytheism: many gods
• Henotheism: favorite god
54. 1. Evolution of Religion
• Mana: spiritual forces
• Animism: spirits in things
• Polytheism: many gods
• Henotheism: favorite god
• Monotheism: Only 1 God
55. What might be some problems with
The Theory of Evolution of Religion?
56. 1. Evolution of Religion
• Mana: spiritual forces
• Animism: spirits in things
• Polytheism: many gods
• Henotheism: favorite god
• Monotheism: Only 1 God
• Secularism: No God
68. Argument for Primitive Monotheism
1. Ubiquitous story of a Creator God, Creation, and Fall of Humans
2. Tied together parallel stories in most global cultures
3. Evolution of Monotheism has not been observed & documented
4. Devolution of religion is readily observed & documented
