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

The Historical and Intellectual World of St. Augustine

Historical Context: The Decline of Rome

St. Augustine, born around 354 CE, lived during an age of profound upheaval. The Roman Empire began its marked decline during this period, spanning the reigns of emperors like Julian and Theodosius I. It was Theodosius I who, in 380 CE, declared Nicene Christianity the official religion of the empire (via the Edict of Thessalonica), effectively neutralizing polytheism and forcing all imperial structures to adapt to a new way of thinking.

This shift led to complex relations between philosophy and religion:

• Philosophy: Seeks to explain human dilemmas rationally and through common sense.
• Religion: Bases solutions to human dilemmas in faith and belief statements

Poetic Work and Literary Excellence

St. John of the Cross's poetic work constitutes a lyrical landmark in Western literature, noted for its loving intensity and literary excellence. The former prisoner sought union with the divinity through a language that, due to its insufficiency, required him to incorporate various poetic traditions:

• The traditional lyric
• The classical
• The Italianate
• The biblical

These influences are especially evident in the Spiritual Canticle.

Major Mystical Poems and Symbolic Language

The ineffable nature of mystical experience means that in the major works of St. John of the Cross, the poet has recourse to a symbolic language based on human love. The three major poems are:

• Dark Night of the Soul
• Spiritual Canticle
• Living Flame

The Fathers of the Church

Certain influential people who exercised great influence in the Church are identified by the name "Fathers of the Church." Their thought was born from the reflection on and study of the Sacred Scriptures and the philosophical thought of the Greek period. There are two groups of Church Fathers: Eastern and Western.

Eastern Fathers

Notable figures include those from Alexandria, John Chrysostom, and Gregory of Nazianzus. They used Greek as their literary vehicle, and their writings are more open to the philosophy of Plato and Aristotle.

Western Fathers

Notable figures include Saint Ambrose, Bishop of Milan; Saint Jerome; Saint Augustine of Hippo; and Pope Gregory the Great. They used Latin, and their writings often had an... Continue reading "The Church Fathers and Early Christianity in Hispania" »

Unit III: English Language Fundamentals

Family Vocabulary: English-Spanish Terms

• Widower / Widow: Viudo / Viuda
• Brother-in-law: Cuñado
• Mother: Madre
• Daughter: Hija
• Grandparent: Abuelo / Abuela
• Daughter-in-law: Nuera
• Grandson: Nieto
• Uncle: Tío
• Father-in-law: Suegro
• Godson: Ahijado
• Great-Grandfather: Bisabuelo

Possessive Adjectives and Pronouns in Sentences

• a) I long to love your brothers.
• b) I know his sister.
• c) My son has a rare disease.
• d) Our car was damaged.
• e) I cannot stand your hobbies.
• f) I want you to give me his address.
• g) What is your problem?
• h) Our advice is simple.
• i) I am happy that I found your friends.
• j) My main obstacle is laziness.

Common Phrases with Possessive Forms

• a) My life.
• b) His mother.
• c) His father.
• d) Your sister.
• e) Your father.
• f) My

The Apostles

An apostle is one who is sent forth. Jesus chose 12 men among his disciples. They are responsible for the animation of the communities after Jesus' Resurrection.

Disciples

Disciples are a smaller group that Jesus called to go with Him throughout Palestine. Jesus has a high-level communication with them. They listen to Jesus' teachings and make them a way of life. Their mission is to announce this message worldwide.

Crowds

The crowds simply listen to Jesus. They want something from Jesus.

Pentecost

For the Jews: God gave the commandments to Moses at Sinai, and it is the offering of the first fruits of the harvest.

For Christians: The disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit, the Church is born, and the message is not just for the Jews.... Continue reading "Christianity: Core Beliefs and Practices" »

The central theme of the play is the confrontation between an authoritarian morality (represented by Bernarda) and the desire for freedom (embodied by María Josefa and Adela).

Confrontation: Authority vs. Freedom

Bernarda attempts to impose her oppressive rules while both Adela and María Josefa try to resist and cope with her domain. The other daughters accept their fate with resignation, although Martirio seems to challenge her mother on occasion.

Sensual Love and the Pursuit of Men

The plight of these locked-up women consists of the absence of love in their lives and the fear of remaining unmarried. The emergence of Pepe el Romano ignites the passions of these women, who wish to marry to escape Bernarda's tyranny.

Adela's passion is particularly... Continue reading "Key Themes in Lorca's The House of Bernarda Alba" »

Understanding Existence, Identity, and Affectivity

The Meaning of Existence: Three Perspectives

• No inherent meaning: Our lives and the world are absurd, implying that there is no inherent reason to act. Example: Existentialists of the 20th century.
• Meaning within this life: There is meaning, but only as it pertains to this life. Beyond death, meaning cannot be found. Example: Atheists and Agnostics.
• Transcendent meaning: There is a meaning that extends beyond death, leading to another life. This view is defended by the philosophy of various religions and transcendent beliefs. They represent a promise of salvation, justice, and happiness in an afterlife.

Religion and Personal Identity

Definition: Religions are a major source of personal identity.... Continue reading "Unraveling Life's Meaning, Identity, and Human Emotions" »

Core Principles of Christian Faith

1 - The Light: The light guides us throughout our lives, showing the path to be good Christians.

2 - Relationship with Jesus: The personal relationship between the believer and Jesus Christ is central. Believing in Jesus means embracing his ideas, values, and ideals. Faith is necessary to establish a friendship with him.

3 - Living the Faith:

• BE WITH HIM: Maintain a friendship with him, acting and fighting for what he lived and fought, putting his message into practice and having his same attitudes.
• FEEL sent on mission: Proclaim Jesus as our way of life and work for the kingdom of God, building a more just and humane world.

4 - The Trinity: The set of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

5 - The Bible: For Christians,... Continue reading "Christian Faith: Core Beliefs and Principles" »

The Renaissance: A New Worldview

Core Characteristics

• A revival of Greco-Latin classical ideals.
• Anthropocentrism: Man is placed at the center of the universe.
• A unified scientific vision of the universe, thought, and art, based on the belief that everything can be explained through reason.
• A shift from a geocentric (Earth-centered) to a heliocentric (sun-centered) worldview.
• The rise of patrons as the primary driving forces behind art and culture.
• The anonymous artist disappears, replaced by the celebrated genius with a name and reputation.
• A growing secular character that coexisted with and was integrated into the Christian worldview.
• The invention of the printing press, which encouraged the use and publication of works in vernacular languages, not

Human Rights Violations and Social Injustice

Several factors contribute to social injustice and the violation of human rights:

1. Illiteracy, difficulty, or impossibility of accessing higher education, and the inability to participate in building one's nation. These are compounded by various forms of exploitation and social oppression, impacting economic, political, and religious identity, and discrimination based on racial differences.
2. The denial or limitation of human rights, such as the right to religious freedom, participation in building society, freedom of association, forming unions, or taking economic initiatives.

The Moral Dimension of Development

The real nature of the evil we face concerning the development of nations is a moral evil—the... Continue reading "Human Rights, Social Justice, and Peacebuilding" »