Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for Religion

Words of Jesus from the Cross

Jesus' Teachings and Final Moments

1. Forgiveness (Luke 23:34)

Even in agony, Jesus' focus remained on others. He prayed, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." This reveals his unconditional, divine love.

2. Promise of Paradise (Luke 23:43)

To a believing criminal crucified beside him, Jesus offered grace and eternal salvation: "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."

3. Care for His Mother (John 19:26-27)

Demonstrating his humanity, Jesus entrusted the care of his mother to John, saying, "Dear woman, here is your son," and to John, "Here is your mother."

4. Cry of Anguish (Matthew 27:46, Mark 15:34)

In his darkest hour, Jesus cried out, "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?" meaning,... Continue reading "Seven Last Words of Jesus on the Cross: Meaning and Significance" »

Cognitive Conditions

The four cognitive activities of the soul. The first two (conjecture and belief) lead to opinion, resulting from the knowledge of sensible beings. The other two (intelligence and discursive thought) lead to science, true knowledge because it is the fruit of the knowledge of intelligible beings.

Soul

That which essentially defines man. Its nature is that of a living body. It has a tripartite nature: rational soul, irascible soul, and concupiscible soul.

Analogy

A relation of similarity among distinct things. Reasoning based on analogy consists of attributing similar attributes to different things.

Arts (Mathematical)

The components that make up the distinct branches of mathematics. Two are cited: Geometry and Arithmetic. A consequence... Continue reading "Key Philosophical Concepts" »

The Crucifixion of Saint Peter (Second Version)

Caravaggio's increasingly realistic style is evident in his rejection of the first version of The Crucifixion of Saint Peter. In the second version, we see a gloomy scene with Peter crucified upside down, as he requested not to be crucified in the same manner as Christ. Caravaggio uses light to emphasize and focus our attention on Peter, whose body forms a diagonal line. A distinctive red detail, in this case, Peter's feet, draws our gaze. Peter looks at his left hand, while the other figures are turned away from the light, creating a diagonal cross composition.

The painting depicts an infinite space, an absence of light, the purest dark, with figures forming a diagonal cross that connects Peter... Continue reading "Caravaggio's Masterpieces: Light, Realism, and Spirituality" »

1. St. Francis of Assisi

Giovanni di Bernardone, born in 1182 in Assisi (Italy), was known as Francesco. Possessing great wealth, he initially sought a life of pleasure. Imprisoned in 1202 for over a year, he fell seriously ill. His conversion began with kissing a leper. In 1208, he believed he heard God's call to rebuild churches and restored several small churches in Assisi. His first follower was Bernard of Quintavalle, who sold his possessions for the poor. Initially denied recognition by the bishop, Francis eventually gained a large following. Pope Innocent III approved his way of life, leading to the Franciscan Order. He died in 1226 and was canonized two years later.

2. Society in the 12th and 13th Centuries

The 12th century witnessed... Continue reading "Medieval Christianity: Key Figures, Movements, and Conflicts" »

The Christian Faith: A Personal Experience

The Christian faith is a personal commitment to Christ. Our trust in His mode of being and behavior with us belongs to the realm of a personal faith relationship.

Stages of the Process:

• Search: Desire to find Jesus.
• Discovery: Listen to His teachings and desire to experience them.
• Accession: Peter responds to Jesus by freely following Him and doing what He says.
• Infidelity/Doubt: Denying God in difficult times for fear of what people might say.
• Commitment: Being committed to follow Jesus to the end.
• Integration: Integration into the community of believers, the Church.

Global Disparities: Current Situation

In a globalized world, the impoverishment of the Global South is closely related to the overabundance of... Continue reading "Faith, Poverty, and Social Justice: A Christian Perspective" »

Why Study Nursing History?

Studying nursing history provides:

• Knowledge of the profession's seniority
• Professional group identity
• Understanding the profession's evolution
• Appreciation of the profession's progress and advances

The nursing profession has undergone profound changes in the last century, evolving from an occupation without formal qualification to a university career.

Knowledge of the profession's history helps understand the developmental stages of nursing awareness and its current state.

In recent years, there has been a considerable increase in studies and publications on nursing history, filling a gap that other disciplines began to address long ago.

Healthcare in Ancient Greece

The ancient Greeks had gods of the earth and underworld,... Continue reading "Nursing History and Ancient Greek Healthcare" »

St. Augustine: Life and Works

Biography

Born in Tagaste, North Africa, in 354 AD, St. Augustine, son of a Christian mother, St. Monica, and a pagan father, Patricius, received a robust literary and philosophical education. He taught grammar and rhetoric in Carthage, Rome, and Milan. Initially adhering to Manichaeism, he later experienced a skeptical crisis before embracing Platonic and Neoplatonic doctrines. In Milan, influenced by his mother, St. Ambrose's sermons, and the New Testament, he converted to Christianity, receiving baptism from St. Ambrose. Returning to Africa in 391 after his mother's death, he was ordained a priest in Hippo Regius, becoming bishop four years later. He died in Hippo during the Vandal siege in 430 AD.

Augustine... Continue reading "St. Augustine: Life, Philosophy, and Theology" »

Comparing Kant and Hume's Ethical Philosophies

Kant and Hume, despite both being Enlightenment thinkers, presented contrasting ethical frameworks. While Hume, influenced by empiricism, argued that morality stems from emotions, Kant grounded ethics in reason.

Hume's Emotivism

Hume believed that reason cannot dictate behavior. Instead, our actions are driven by passions. Morality arises from sentiments; we deem something good or bad based on the feelings it evokes. Reason helps us analyze situations, but emotions ultimately guide our actions.

Kant's Deontology

Kant argued that humans are unique in possessing both reason and emotions. He warned against being solely guided by passions, advocating for rational autonomy. Kant's ethics are rooted in reason,... Continue reading "Kant vs. Hume: Contrasting Ethical Philosophies" »

Hinduism

In Hinduism, the concept of God is very important, not as dogma. It has no specific founder and sees no compulsory religious practices. Hindus consider that one should just live in harmony with the dharma of all things. Its origin goes back over 3,000 years. Hindus are not made, but born. Key characteristics include freedom and tolerance. A teacher, or guru, is needed. Hindus believe in reincarnation for release. There are three paths to release:

• Acts: Perfectly fulfilling the duties associated with one's caste.
• Knowledge: Discovering knowledge to achieve the absolute.
• Devotion: The path of goodness and kindness towards a personal God, one of the yogas, which stops all mental activity to calm the spirit itself.

Hindus are organized into... Continue reading "Major World Religions: Beliefs and Practices" »

Councils Against Heresies

The Church Faithful to the Apostolic Tradition

Heresies are misinterpretations of Christian doctrine. There were many in the early centuries, such as:

• The Council of Nicea: Condemned the doctrine of Arius, stating that Jesus Christ was not equal to the Father but less than Him; therefore, Christ was not God.
• Council of Ephesus: Declared that Nestorius's view of Christ was incorrect, as it denied the divine nature in Christ.
• The Council of Chalcedon: Further defined the nature of Christ.

Early Christian and Byzantine Art

Basilica

With the Edicts of Milan and Thessaloniki, Christians could publicly practice their religion. With the possibility of building spaces for worship, Roman public buildings were taken as a model. Basilicas... Continue reading "Early Church Councils, Art, and Community Structure" »