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

The Church Community of Believers

• are Christians.
• is the place where Christians gather.
• is an NGO of followers of Jesus.
• is the Pope of Rome, the bishops, and priests.

The word church comes from the Greek ekklesia, which means "meeting or assembly of citizens summoned by a public message."

Thus, in the Church:

• citizens are called Christians.
• the public message that calls is Jesus and his message.

The Church: Mystery of Communion

• Why do we say that the Church is a mystery?
• The Father, from the beginning, thought and wanted the Church.
• The Son was sent to gather the Church by giving his life for her.
• The Holy Spirit animates and continues with its animating force.

The Holy Spirit: Strength of Believers

Pentecost and the Community of Disciples

• Incorporation in

Moral and Religious Literature

1. Crisis: Schism marked the end of the Middle Ages and a spiritual crisis. Cable Religion figures.

2. Francesc Eiximenis: (14th century) Franciscan Order, influential in Europe. Didactic and informational aims. (Exempla) comics (public and secular majority): the Christian, Book of Angels, and women.

3. Saint Vincent Ferrer: Valencia (14th-15th century) Dominican friar, influential. Preached throughout Europe. Intention to reform the moral traditions of society. (Sermons): oral texts designed to preach (280) copied by priests and penitents. Charisma, aldermen, Martin of Aragon, and Jews. Gestures, onomatopoeia.

4. Anselm Turmeda: (14th century) Franciscan friar, converted to Islam (revered), prohibited by the Inquisition.... Continue reading "Medieval Spanish Literature and Humanism" »

Maison Carrée

Located in Nîmes, France, the Maison Carrée (16 BC) is a hexastyle temple, measuring 14 x 28 meters. Elevated on a podium with stairs, it features Corinthian columns embedded within the cell walls, creating a pseudoperipteral design. The temple is constructed of marble.

Pantheon

The Pantheon in Rome, constructed of concrete and brick, boasts a diameter of 43.50 meters at its base. A columned portico leads into the grand, coffered rotunda, capped by a massive dome.

Colosseum (Flavian Amphitheater)

Built between 72-80 AD, the Colosseum in Rome is the world's largest Roman amphitheater, measuring 188 x 156 meters and accommodating up to 50,000 spectators. Constructed from concrete, stone, brick, and marble, it features four tiers.... Continue reading "Iconic Roman Architecture and Sculptures" »

Ramon Llull's Literary Works

Evast & Blanquerna

The protagonist of the novel Evast & Blanquerna, written in Montpellier in 1283, is a hero without stain who has the gift of always choosing the best option. He lives life from the Lullian perspective. At eighteen, he leaves his parents, Evast and Aloma, and the proposed marriage to Natana, in search of the spiritual perfection of the hermit. This, however, is the end of a long journey during which he has been a monk, an abbot, a bishop, and the Pope. Throughout the book, there are abundant small instructive moral stories, known in medieval times as eximplis. These examples, used by preachers to embellish sermons on doctrine, served to provide a picture that was plastic, entertaining, and... Continue reading "Ramon Llull's Literary Works: An In-Depth Analysis" »

San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane: Key Information

• Location: Rome, Italy
• Architect: Francesco Borromini
• Style: Baroque
• Construction Dates: 1638-1667
• Materials: Brick and stucco
• Distinctive Feature: Dynamic use of architectural elements, including a 'flipped' architrave.

The Baroque Period: Context and Characteristics

Historical Context

The 17th century was a period marked by a complex interplay between crisis and progress. Europe faced numerous challenges, including social conflict, economic stagnation in agriculture and industry, widespread pestilence, and devastating wars. Simultaneously, this era saw the emergence of colonial empires, which sought to alleviate these domestic crises through expansion and resource acquisition.

Cultural and Artistic Developments

Rome... Continue reading "San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane: Baroque Masterpiece" »

Christianity Becomes the Official State Religion (380 AD)

In the year 380, Emperor Theodosius issued the Edict of Thessaloniki, making Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire. The Church became protected by law and the Emperor. From that moment, the Church became highly influential in social life and politics.

The New Status of the Church and Societal Impact

Protected by the emperors with economic and legal aid, Christianity became deeply integrated into the structures of society:

• The calendar was Christianized: Sunday became the official day off, and important Christian holidays were celebrated.
• Laws contrary to Christian morality were amended: The banning of gladiator fights and infanticide; the death sentence by crucifixion was

The truth of myths is as follows:

• Myths aim to provide a horizon of meaning for building a valid existence. They may offer scientific or historically verifiable truths. For example, the vocation of Mohammed is not only meaningful but also a verifiable historical narrative.
• In the history of religions, myths express sacred truths. Their value depends on how this truth affects those who proclaim or hear it. From this perspective, myths are not formally different from legends or stories. The differences lie in their structure and influence.

Differences Between Myths, Legends, and Stories

Most Important Rituals

• Spells: Their purpose is to avert dangers.
• Rites of Passage: These ensure the future success of important life moments.
• Sacrifice: Individuals

Religious and Philosophical Theology

Theology (Faith and Reason)

St. Thomas Aquinas established a distinction between religious truths of the Bible's revelation, which are the subject of faith, and philosophical truths that are the subject of reason. Claims like Jesus' death and resurrection cannot be known or proven by reason; they can only be believed and are the object of faith.

Aquinas, following Aristotle, holds that truths like God's existence and other aspects regarding the essence and attributes of God are capable of proof or rational demonstration. Hence, the possibility of a purely rational theology that serves as an introduction to the revealed or religious. The difference between them lies not in the object, which is the same for both... Continue reading "Theology: Faith, Reason, and Existential Perspectives" »

La Celestina de Fernando de Rojas

La Celestina fue escrita a finales del siglo XV por Fernando de Rojas. Es una historia de amor que transcurre en una ciudad cuyo nombre se desconoce.

Argumento de la Obra

• Enamoramiento de Calisto: Tras un rechazo inicial de Melibea, Calisto se enamora perdidamente.
• Intervención de la alcahueta: Aconsejado por su sirviente Sempronio y con la oposición de su otro sirviente, Pármeno, Calisto recurre a la vieja alcahueta Celestina para que medie en la relación.
• Hechizo de Melibea: Celestina consigue entrar en la casa de Melibea y logra dejarle un ovillo empapado con una poción mágica. Cuando menciona a Calisto, Melibea lo rechaza.
• Desenlace trágico: Melibea llama a Celestina para planear el encuentro con Calisto.

Medieval Prose Fiction in Portugal

Prose fiction encompasses two narrative cycles: the Matter of Britain and the Matter of Troy, as well as several hagiographic texts (lives of saints).

Matter of Britain

The Matter of Britain (Breton cycle) consists of texts based on the story of Brittany that circulated throughout Europe from the 12th to the 18th centuries. The stories revolve around King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. Three main parts are preserved:

• Joseph of Arimathea: Tells the story of the Jew who collected the blood of Christ in the chalice used at the Last Supper (the Holy Grail), and God's mandate to take it to Britain.
• Merlin: Presents the prophecies of this magician, announcing the arrival of new times and a knight who will