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

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" »

Biblical Divisions

The Pentateuch (The Law)

• Genesis
• Exodus
• Leviticus
• Numbers
• Deuteronomy

Wisdom Literature

• Job
• Psalms
• Proverbs
• Ecclesiastes
• Song of Songs (or Song of Solomon)

Major Prophets

• Isaiah
• Jeremiah
• Lamentations
• Ezekiel
• Daniel

Key Biblical Concepts

Prophecy

Foretelling the future through words.

Typology

Foretelling the future through things or events.

The Six C's of Biblical History

1. Creation
2. Covenant
3. Comeback
4. Christ
5. Church
6. Consummation

The Book of Genesis

Creation

The six days of creation:

1. Light
2. Sea & Sky
3. Dry Land & Plants
4. Sun, Stars, & Moon
5. Birds & Sea Creatures
6. Land Animals & Man

Image of God: Holiness

The Flood Narrative

• Duration: 40 days and 40 nights (rain) / 1 year and 1 day (total duration in the ark).
• Reason: God saw the great evil that existed on

... Continue reading "Essential Biblical History and Literature Summary" »

The Christian View: Forgiveness and Eternal Life

Christians assert that Jesus had to die so that humans could receive forgiveness for their sins and attain endless life. This is supported by scripture:

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16).

This indicates that by sacrificing himself on the cross, Jesus took the punishment for all our sins at once, offering us the chance for salvation. Only an all-loving God would make such a sacrifice for humanity.

Challenge: God's Omnipotence and Alternative Paths

However, some question this necessity, arguing that if God is omnipotent (all-powerful), He could have devised another method for providing salvation... Continue reading "Necessity of Jesus' Death in Christian Theology" »

They Live in You

Chorus

Ingonyama nengw' enamabala

Shenzi & Banzai

Night
And the spirit of life calling
Mamela
And a voice
With the fear of a child asking
Mamela

Wait
There's no mountain too great
Hear these words and have faith
Have faith

They live in you
They live in me
They're watching over
Everything we see

In every creature
In every star
In your reflection
They live in you

They live in you
They live in me
They're watching over
Everything we see

In every creature
In every star
In your reflection
They live in you

Chorus

Ingonyama nengw' enamabala

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

... Continue reading "Defining Social Justice: Key Ethical Principles and Global Issues" »

1. The Written and Oral Torah

Which part of the Torah was always in a written form?

The Written Torah, תורה שבכתב

Which part of the Torah was not committed for public broadcast?

תורה שבעל פה - The Oral Torah

2. Pre-Mishnaic Transmission

What would the leading Torah authority write during each generation prior to the Mishna being organized?

He would make personal notes of the teachings he received from his master, which he then would teach orally to people.

3. Rebi and the Mishna

Who was “Rebi”?

רבי יהודה הנשיא - Rabbi Judah the Prince

What did “Rebi” collect and compose?

All the decisions, laws, interpretations, and explanations that had been heard from Moshe, or that the Sanhedrin innovated. From this material,... Continue reading "The Oral and Written Torah: A Comprehensive Guide" »

The definition of נזיקין, is

-Damages

Which following tractate is NOT included in סדר זרעים?

-Tahara -Shabbat

Which following tractate is NOT included in סדר מועד?

-Demai -Maasrot

Seder קדשים included the following three tractates?

-Zavachim, Menachot, Chullin.

The words משנה למלך mean

-Deputy to a King

Why are these tractates referred to as משנה?

-It is similar to the words משנה למלך, since the written Torah is the king and the Mishnah is subordinate to it.

The sages of the Gemara are called

-אמוראים

1. בית שמאי lived during the time of the- תנאים
   
2. בית הלל lived during the times of the -תנאים
   
3. חנניה was an -תנא

The meaning of תנא is

-Teacher

The definition of an אמורא is

-

... Continue reading "Introduction to the Mishnah and Talmud" »

End of the War of the Roses (1485) - Battle of Bosworth

Houses of Lancaster and York

The War of the Roses was a 30-year war between the Houses of Lancaster and York. Richard III fought against Henry Tudor.

Henry Tudor's Reign

Henry Tudor married Elizabeth of York, daughter of Edward IV, in 1486. They had several children, including Arthur in 1486 and Henry in 1491.

Martin Luther's Ninety-Five Theses

Martin Luther's Ninety-Five Theses, published in 1517, marked the beginning of the Reformation. This movement spread rapidly thanks to two main factors: the printing press and the translation of the Bible into vernacular languages.

The Printing Press

William Caxton's introduction of the printing press to England in 1476 was a significant development. It... Continue reading "The Reformation in England: From War of the Roses to Henry VIII" »

Hello class, my name is Felix, and today I'm presenting: Uruguay's vision of death.

Death is a topic of immense concern for humankind because it will sooner or later affect everyone. Often it comes very suddenly and unexpectedly and can therefore be very tragic; in other cases, it may simply be a relief. Every culture has a different way to approach and deal with death. What are the different funerary rituals, burial practices, and strategies for body disposal? Do all people belonging to a certain culture deal the same way with death and the funeral? How does religion influence a culture with death? These are questions that pique my interest, and for this investigation, I will mainly concentrate on the Uruguayan culture's view of death.

Firstly,... Continue reading "Uruguay's Cultural Approach to Death: Funerary Rituals and Religious Influence" »

Causes of the Protestant Reformation

The 16th century witnessed significant religious conflicts, primarily driven by the Reformation and subsequent Counter-Reformation. Several factors contributed to the widespread desire for change within the Roman Catholic Church.

Disdain for the Papacy and Clergy

The Roman Catholic Church held immense power across Europe. However, many perceived that popes were primarily concerned with their own interests, bishops lived lives of luxury without fulfilling their pastoral duties, and many religious orders failed to adhere to their established rules. This led to a growing disillusionment among the populace.

Abuses Within the Church

Widespread abuses further fueled discontent. These included:

• Nepotism: High-ranking

... Continue reading "Religious Upheaval: The Reformation and Counter-Reformation Era" »