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

Unit 3: Religious Reform and Spanish Hegemony

Corrupt Practices in the Church

• Indulgences were bought and sold.
• Clergy did not live humbly.
• Clergy did not honor their religious vows (for example: living with women, drinking, going to taverns) and they were not able to give proper spiritual guidance to their parishioners.
• They engaged in corrupt practices.

Impact of Indulgences on the Church's Spiritual Authority

Sins could be pardoned in exchange for money given to the Church. For Catholics, this was a way of becoming more spiritually and morally relaxed, as they no longer feared going to Hell.

The Protestant Reformation

Martin Luther then developed his own doctrine based on individual Christianity:

• Salvation through faith: In order to save your soul,

The Medieval Synthesis and Its Cracks

Ralph Waldo Emerson: Biographical Influences and Philosophy

Ralph Waldo Emerson (The Transcendentalist)

• Born May 25, 1803, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.—died April 27, 1882, Concord, Massachusetts.
• On May 12, 1811, Emerson’s father died, leaving the son largely to the intellectual care of Mary Moody Emerson, his aunt, who took her duties seriously.
• In 1817 he entered Harvard College, where he began his journals.
• He graduated in 1821 and taught school while preparing for part-time study in the Harvard Divinity School. Though Emerson was licensed to preach in the Unitarian community in 1826, illness slowed the progress of his career, and he was not ordained to the Unitarian ministry at the Second Church, Boston, until 1829.
• In 1829 he also married

First, the definition of a human person as the Church sees it is that they see men and women as the living image of God Himself, the image of His plan. They have received a part of God's dignity. The Church invites all people to recognize in everyone a brother or sister "for whom Christ died". A human individual possesses the dignity of a person, who is not just something but someone. He is capable of self-knowledge, self-possession, and of freely communicating with other persons. He is called by grace to offer his Creator a response of faith and love.

Human faculties: The Catholic social doctrine of the Church is based on the concept of society, which has been created according to a specific cultural model.

Man is a rational being, and this

Visitations of Angels

In both Matthew's and Luke's Gospels, angels play a crucial role in announcing the birth of Jesus. In Matthew's Gospel, the magi visit the Christ child, symbolizing his status as a king and the true Messiah for the Jewish audience. In Luke's Gospel, shepherds visit the Christ child, representing the marginalized Greek gentiles.

Parable of the Weeds

The parable of the weeds among the wheat, found in Matthew's Gospel, illustrates the coexistence of good and evil in the world. The weeds represent sinners, while the wheat represents the righteous. God, as the farmer, allows both to grow until the harvest, which symbolizes judgment day.

Genealogy of Jesus

The genealogies of Jesus in Matthew's and Luke's Gospels serve different purposes.... Continue reading "The Significance of Visitations and Parables in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke" »

Church

The Catholic Church soon realized that it needed to occupy a significant role in the feudal world.
Thus, clergymen came up with the Theory of the Three Estates (or the Three Orders), which divided the feudal society into:

• Bellatores (warriors): privileged noblemen and knights who defended the society by means of war.
• Oratores (prayers): privileged churchmen and churchwomen who prayed for the spiritual salvation of the world. They were the Pope, his bishops and millions of priests, monks and nuns.
• Laboratores (labouring people): non-privileged peasants who provided material sustenance to all three groups.

Pyramid

• King: top nobleman.
• High Nobility: dukes, marquises, counts.
• High Clergy: the Pope, his cardinals and bishops.
• Low Nobility: barons,

Chapter 21: The Hermit's Solitude

They finally reached the hermit's cell. The hermit tells them that he had lived for fifteen years in solitude to avoid all evil. After a conversation about his experience, the hermit decides to return to Cairo with them.

Chapter 22: The Assembly of Learned Men

Sometimes Rasselas joined an assembly of learned men, where they shared their opinions and thoughts. There, Rasselas exposes his meeting with the hermit. One of them suggests that happiness can be found in life according to nature. Rasselas is interested in his explanation and asks him to explain what he has quoted; however, he cannot explain to Rasselas how to live in accordance with nature.

Chapter 23: Dividing the Search

Rasselas and his sister, Nekayah,... Continue reading "Rasselas's Pursuit of Happiness: A Journey Through Chapters 21-27" »

44. In this chapter they talk about the power of imagination and everyone talk about their dreams. Pekuah imagines herself as the queen of Abyssinia, the princess wants to be shepherdess  and the prince dreams of a perfect government. They decide to stop thinking about it because Imlac warns of the danger that some day those dreams may prevail over reality and reason.

45. They decide to return home and they meet an old man who shows his sadness at being alone because all his loved persons have died. The princess tries to cheer him up but responds that no praise can animate his soul because he cannot share that pride with their loved ones. Finally the old man abandons them and they are thinking about old age. On the other hand the princess and... Continue reading "Exploring Happiness: A Journey Through Rasselas" »

Hester Prynne: The Scarlet Letter and Public Shame

Hester Prynne, an adulteress, is released from prison. She is led to the gallows, where she must endure public shame for having committed adultery. Hester is required to wear the letter 'A' on her dress at all times. She has sewn a large scarlet 'A', giving the letter an air of elegance and defiance. Hester takes Pearl, her daughter, with her. On the scaffolding, she is asked to reveal the name of Pearl's father, but she steadfastly refuses.

Roger Chillingworth's Vow of Revenge

In the crowd, Hester recognizes her long-lost Amsterdam husband, Roger Chillingworth. Despite the public humiliation, Hester protects Pearl's father from punishment by refusing to renounce his name. The arrival of Hester... Continue reading "The Scarlet Letter Plot Summary and Character Fates" »

Early Christian Beliefs and Art

The Life and Miracles of Jesus

According to tradition, Jesus of Nazareth lived 33 years, with his supposed birth considered year 0. Christian tradition holds that Jesus, the Son of God, came to Earth to save humanity from their sins. Many miracles are attributed to Jesus during his lifetime, including turning water into wine, walking on water, healing the sick, and rising from the dead. Even his birth is considered a miracle, as he was born from a virgin.

Early Christian Art and Symbols

The style in early Christian paintings was very similar to Roman art, but infused with Christian ideas. Christians used specific symbols to identify themselves and escape Roman persecutions. One prominent symbol was the fish, known... Continue reading "Early Christian Faith and Renaissance Artistic Revolutions" »