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

Common Good

The sum total of all social conditions which allow people, either as groups or individuals, to reach their fulfillment more fully and easily.

Social Sin

The effect that every personal sin has on others; the collectivity of such sins which create “structures of sins.”

Social Teaching

The subset of moral theology which is articulated when the Church interprets events in the course of history with the help of the Holy Spirit & Revelation.

Natural Law

Moral knowledge that is written in every human heart and is “co-natural” with human nature.

Solidarity

Virtue of social charity, friendship, and responsibility whereby interdependence among all people is recognized.

Stewardship

The proper use of God’s gift; the care for recreation that...

Key Concepts in Social Justice and Ethics

Foundational Terms

Hunger

Lacking access to the basic nutrition needed to live and work.

Sabbatical Year

In the Law of Israel, every seventh year was a year of rest during which no agricultural labor was done.

Jubilee Year

In the Law of Israel, every fiftieth year was a time of liberation from servitude and debt.

Prophets

From the Greek "one who speaks for others," these were God's messengers who rebuked Israel's idolatry and greed.

Understanding World Hunger

Four Contributing Factors to Global Hunger:

• Corruption: Government officials redirect resources meant for the populace.
• Foreign Loans: First World investors loan money at high interest rates, burdening developing nations.
• Land Degradation: Inefficient farming

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Celestina: The Evocative Procuress

Celestina is the most evocative character of the work, eventually giving the text its title. She is colorful, vivid, hedonistic, greedy, and vital. She gains insight into the psychology of other characters, making even the most reticent individuals yield to her plans.

Motives and Role

• Motives: Greed, sexual appetite (which she satisfies by facilitating and even witnessing encounters), and a love for psychological power.
• Social Role: She represents a subversive element in society, committed to spreading and facilitating sexual pleasure.
• Magic: She is also associated with the use of magic.

Calisto: The Selfish Antihero

Calisto is a young man of high society concerned only with satisfying his desires, willing to run...

The Expectation of the Messiah

1. For some, the Messiah was to restore the strict observance of the law. For others, he would be a warlord who liberated them from the Romans. Still, others were waiting for a manifestation of divine power.

Jesus' Actions and Teachings

2. After curing the sick at the pool of Bethesda, and facing reproach from the Jews, Jesus explains that he continues to act as his Father does. As he hears, he judges and acts, seeking the will of God the Father, who sent him.

Paul's Transformation

3. Paul was involved in persecuting the Church of God and was a fanatical supporter of the traditions of his ancestors. However, his life changed when he was called and chosen by God, who revealed his son Jesus to him. Paul now lives in...

Canto X: The Proud

Entering the first terrace of Purgatory, the proud begin their slow ascent, burdened by the weight of their sin. Sculptures carved into the rock depict scenes of humility, a stark contrast to their prideful nature. The penitents, bent low like worms, bear the physical manifestation of their spiritual condition.

Canto XI: Prayers for the Proud

The journey through the first terrace continues, as the proud souls inch along their path. Prayers are offered for their purification, a testament to the hope of redemption that permeates even this realm of suffering.

Canto XII: An Angelic Encounter

A radiant being appears, guiding the way and revealing the steps that lead to the next level. With a touch of its wings, Dante feels lighter,...

The Fatal Destiny in Chronicle of a Death Foretold

The narrative structure of the novel is incredible, altering the timeline to reveal the truth and leaving the atmosphere thick with doubt, ultimately destroying the protagonists of the drama. The characters become victims of a fatal destiny, reminiscent of classical tragedies, unable to master the passions that divert them from their own fate.

The most obvious example is that of the Vicario brothers, who unintentionally have to kill to save their family's honor. The town itself acts as a collective character and witness, contributing its knowledge to the chronicled events.

Key Figures and Roles

Below is a brief analysis of the main characters:

• Santiago Nasar

  The protagonist is a 21-year-old male

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Institutions and Governance in Castile

• Inquisition: An institution introduced in Castile in 1478 by the Catholic Monarchs to monitor Catholic orthodoxy among converts, serving as the primary tool for achieving religious unity.
• Aldermen: Royal officials who presided over the council to exercise direct control over cities.
• Holy Brotherhood: A body established in 1476 responsible for prosecuting criminals and ensuring order in the Kingdom of Castile.
• Tips (Advisers): A system consisting of royal advisers, typically lawyers, chosen by the king.
• Real Hearing: A court charged with ensuring control over justice and increasing its effectiveness.
• Guadalupe Arbitration Case: A 1486 decision by King Ferdinand of Aragon to stop peasant unrest in Catalonia by

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Key Aspects of Feudalism

Characteristics of the Feudal System

Evident from the characteristics of the feudal system:

d) The institution of vassalage and its links.

Main Function in Defense

Its main function in defense was the feudal system.

d) The nobility.

The Investiture Controversy

Pope and the Investiture Dispute

b) Gregory VIII

Linguistically Homogeneous Groups

e) Germans

The Carolingian Empire and Border Marks

b) A border territory which was defended.

Relationship with the Church: Seeking New Realms

d) The evangelization of Germans.

Under Vassalage Relations

a) The feudal lord committed to giving protection.

Elements and Characteristics of Feudal Villages

b) Portion of the land given to their subjects by the lord.

First Germanic Kingdom to Convert to Christianity

c)

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The Romanesque Era: Context and Foundations

Romanesque art developed between the 11th and 12th centuries. During this period, Europe lacked political unity, being primarily based on feudalism and the feudal-vassal system. A unified religious discourse emerged, shaping the Romanesque era.

New states, organized under the feudal system, emerged as patrons, funding artistic endeavors. The Catholic Church underwent internal reform, leading to the rise of two significant monastic orders: Cluny and the Cistercians. This was also a period marked by widespread pilgrimages.

Fundamentals of Romanesque Art

Romanesque art drew its origins from Roman and Byzantine influences, evolving into a unified European style. It was primarily a sacred art, deeply rooted...

Romanesque Sculpture Masterpieces in Spain

The Oldest Home of Santiago Cathedral

At the Puerta de las Platerías, the tympanum depicts scenes from the New Testament. These include the temptations of man, the image of the adulteress on the left, the flogging, and the crowning with thorns. On the spandrels of the arches are angels with trumpets and sculptures of Christ and Santiago. Several masters worked on this, including Maestro Esteban.

The Tympanum of the Cathedral of Jaca

This features Roman symbols: a circle inscribed with a Chi Rho, the Greek letters Alpha and Omega. Two lions flank the scene, representing Christ. Another animal figure leads a man holding a snake, symbolizing overcoming sin through God's grace.

Romanesque Sculpture: The Cover

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