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

Religious Situation in Palestine During the Time of Jesus

Faith:

• Yavhé-faith: Belief in one true God (Creator of Heaven and Earth).
• Messianic hope: Expectation of a liberator to free the Jews.
• Fidelity to the law: Faithfulness to the commandments given to Moses.

Practices

The most important obligations of the Jews were:

• Complying with the Law of Moses.
• Praying morning, noon, and night.
• Giving alms to the needy and to the Temple.

Events

• Sabbath (Saturday): The holy day of rest. No work was permitted. People went to the synagogue to pray. It began at the first star on Friday and ended at sunset on Saturday.
• Passover (Easter): Commemorated the deliverance from Egypt.
• Pentecost: Celebrated 50 days after Passover, remembering the covenant at Mount Sinai when

Augustine's Dual Cities: Earthly and Heavenly

This text is drawn from The City of God (De Civitate Dei), a foundational work that interprets world history from a Christian standpoint. It is crucial not to interpret these concepts as geographically localizable cities, but rather as allegorical examples illustrating the fundamental difference between those who follow Christ and those who are motivated solely by self-love.

The Nature of Peace on Earth

This specific discussion focuses on temporal peace—peace on earth—as it is appropriate to both the Earthly City and the Heavenly City (the Church) while it resides on earth. Both entities desire this peace to fulfill their respective needs (or bonds).

The Earthly City (Civitas Terrena)

The Earthly... Continue reading "St. Augustine's Doctrine of the Two Cities and Temporal Peace" »

This document explores Jean-Jacques Rousseau's perspectives on the distinction between natural religion and revealed religion, as well as his views on the problem of theodicy.

Natural Religion vs. Revealed Religion

Revelation is understood as a divine manifestation where God reveals and communicates hidden and sacred truths to humanity. All religions founded on some kind of revelation are called **revealed religions**. Rousseau identifies **particularism** as a natural element in any dogmatic expression of revealed religion. Particularism is linked to an intellectualist conception of virtue, requiring knowledge of ritual and fundamental truths. Particularism fosters ethnocentrism, bigotry, and intolerance. Revealed religion is a form of religion... Continue reading "Rousseau's Philosophy of Religion and Theodicy" »

The Sacrament of Forgiveness

Forgiveness means completely giving up your debt and canceling all obligations. It is an attitude and good behavior by which we forget the wrongs done to us and give others another chance. There are two types of wrongs:

• Natural wrongs: These are caused by nature.
• Moral wrongs: These are produced by people due to selfishness, envy, greed, etc.

Confession: This comes from talking and means to recognize, admit, and confess. A penitent Christian confesses their sins.

Reconciliation: This is the behavior of mutual forgiveness between estranged people.

Sprinkling: Sprinkling involves scattering liquid, ash, or dust on a person, object, or place.

Anointing: The anointing is performed on patients in general. Perfumed oil was blessed... Continue reading "Understanding Forgiveness and Anointing Sacraments" »

Understanding Political Power and Legitimacy

Political power is present in all societies, especially those composed of a large number of people. These societies need organization, and an important element of this organization is leadership. This leadership takes the form of a person or group of people who make decisions that must be obeyed. Coercive power is the power of the state to compel by force of law. This power is enforced by law enforcement agencies.

Defining Legitimacy

Legitimacy, in the context of political power, can be understood in three ways:

1. Origin of Power: This refers to the foundation upon which political power rests. It answers the questions: Where does the power to command come from? Why must that command be obeyed? It is equivalent

The Mission of the Disciples

Jesus was surrounded from the beginning of his sermon by a nearby group of people: the disciples. Some were called by Jesus, while others were attracted by his presence. Jesus chose twelve from among the large group of followers, calling them apostles, which means those who are sent.

The Manifestation of the Church at Pentecost

After the death of Jesus, the disciples remained united around the apostles and Mary. During that time, Jesus appeared to them several times. The Book of Acts, written by Luke, narrates how the promise was fulfilled at the feast of Pentecost: the Holy Spirit poured into the hearts of the disciples, giving them the strength to be witnesses of Jesus. The Church was born in this community of disciples.... Continue reading "The Origins and Mission of the Church: A Theological Perspective" »

The Meaning of Lent

Lent consists of 40 days of preparation for Easter and Passover. It begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Palm Sunday. It is a spiritual preparation where we must undergo a conversion.

The Call to Convert

To convert is to change, focus, and transform. We must prepare our hearts so that our entire lives may be like Jesus.

The Entry into Jerusalem: Matthew 21:1-11

Jesus was in Bethphage and sent two disciples, saying, "Walk to the village that is in front and find a donkey and her colt." He asked them to untie them and bring them to Him. At the same time, He told them to tell the daughter of Zion, "Look, your king comes to you with all simplicity, mounted on a donkey, a donkey's load, along with his donkey." Jesus sat on the donkey... Continue reading "Spiritual Significance of Lent and Holy Week Traditions" »

Is Man a Spiritual Being?

Plato believed that man is a spiritual soul and the body is merely a prison for the soul. Man does not belong to this world of things but to the immaterial world of ideas to which he aspires. "While we have the body, and the soul has been intermingled with such evil, we do not possess enough of what we want, i.e., the truth."

"The body, in fact, brings us countless distractions due to the need for sustenance. Diseases attack us and prevent us from real knowledge of what fills us with loves, desires and fears, all kinds of pictures... Also, war, strife, and battles result from the body and its desires. And is death not a liberation of the soul from the body? So those who philosophize truly prepare for death." - Plato.... Continue reading "Human Nature: Spirit, Dignity, and the Search for Truth" »

Characters: Elicia and Areusa

Elicia and Areusa:

• Celestina is protected.
• Social desire for freedom, refusing to surrender to the lords.
• Social resentment.
• Elicia is determined and Areusa is shy. After the death of Celestina they change roles.

6. Time

• Flexible time, used in accordance with the requirements of the project.
• An explicit time can be distinguished for the action shown, and another implied, not shown (one month between Acts XIV and XV).

7. Themes

The author offers a pessimistic view of the world, in constant conflict and confrontation.

Love

Love:

• Courtly love is presented as parodic and demystifying:
• • The idealization of women and the refined language hide the same stark sexuality present in servants and prostitutes.
  • Gone is the ennobling nature

A Personal Connection with Jesus

This connection is real, though not physical. It can be experienced internally and observed in everyday life. The foundation of this relationship is built on getting to know Him and following traditional Christian practices. This relationship has a profound impact, changing people from within. We should model our lives on the example Jesus set for us.

A Christian Way of Life

• Being chosen and loved by Christ, who accepts us as friends.
• An opportunity to live according to Christ's words of love and trust, continually growing in faith.
• Finding strength in Christ, which leads to a life of love and profound happiness.
• Loving and serving others, especially the most vulnerable and those in need.
• Embracing life with all its