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

Dr. Cover's Rationales for the Four Gospels

Humanistic Rationale

It's impossible to capture the fullness of a person in a single portrayal. Each Gospel offers a unique perspective on Jesus, highlighting different aspects of his life, teachings, and personality.

Historical Rationale

Memories and interpretations of events vary within different communities. The Gospels reflect the diverse experiences and understandings of early Christian groups.

Theological Rationale

The number four holds symbolic significance. Just as there are four living creatures in Revelation 4:6-8, the four Gospels offer four distinct testimonies to Jesus's existence and significance.

The Apostle Paul

Uniqueness of Romans

Unlike other letters written to existing congregations, Paul...

Deconstructionism in Ethnography

Deconstructionism focuses on the power relations through which the 'other' is constructed, particularly in writing about other cultures—the language of ethnography. It questions the authority claimed by anthropologists over other cultures.

Historical Context and Critique

• Throughout history, anthropologists have claimed to be authorities on other cultures.
• This claim fortified the mystique of fieldwork and the explanation of other cultures to their audiences through written descriptions.
• The deconstructionist critique led many anthropologists to question the relationship between ethnographic texts and the fieldwork experience upon which those texts are based.

Result of the Critique

The filtering of exotic otherness...

What They Mean by Original Sin

The concept of original sin suggests that everyone is born with a predisposition towards wrongdoing, a desire for temporary pleasure or fulfillment. This inclination, while often diminishing with maturity, leaves a lasting impact on the human psyche. Consequently, our actions, purpose, and intentions become central to our moral compass.

St. Augustine's Perspective on Desire and Evil

St. Augustine, reflecting on his own youthful temptations, recognized a connection between desire and moral evil. Inspired by the simple life and virtuous intentions of St. Antony, he underwent a personal transformation, aspiring to become a better person.

Four Sources of Theology

Christian theology draws upon four key sources:

Scripture

This...

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'. 'Human society is therefore the object of the social teaching of church since this is neither outside or nor over and above socially united men, but exists exclusively in them and for them.' The 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 giving himself and entering into communication with other persons. He is called by grace to offer his creator...

Justice

The cardinal moral virtue that compels us to render to God and our neighbors what is rightfully theirs.

Common Good

The sum total of social conditions that enable individuals and groups to flourish and reach their full potential.

Social Sin

The impact of individual sins on society, creating structures that perpetuate injustice.

Social Teaching

The branch of Catholic theology that applies the Gospel message to social, political, and economic issues.

Natural Law

Inherent moral principles accessible to human reason, reflecting our God-given nature.

Solidarity

The virtue of social charity, friendship, and responsibility, recognizing our interdependence.

Stewardship

The responsible use of God's gifts, including the care for creation.

Subsidiarity

The principle...

Prison Epistles: Letters Written While in Prison

• Philippians
• Ephesians
• Colossians
• Philemon

Two Types of Local Church Leaders

• Deacons
• Elders

High Christology of Philippians 2:5-11

Jesus is Lord; God created Jesus; every knee shall bow. Jesus is the supreme model and chose not to use all powers given.

Basic Pauline Letter Structure

• Opening: Salutation, wealth wish, prayer/thanksgiving
• Body: Ethical institutions, requests, commands
• Closing: Health wish, greetings

Discontinuity View of Paul in Relation to Jesus

Secular views often believe Paul created Christianity, positing that Jesus was just a really good rabbi, not the Son of God (SOG), and that Paul came along and turned him into the SOG.

Most Debated Group of Pauline Letters

• Colossians
• Ephesians
• 2 Thessalonians
• 1

Plymouth Street Directory

This directory lists the streets of Plymouth, grouped by area and organised alphabetically. Use it to find road names across the city, from Stonehouse and Hoe to Plympton, Plymstock and Derriford.

Streets A to C

• Abbotsbury Way, Lower Ham
• Admirals Hard, Stonehouse
• Agaton Road, Higher St Budeaux
• Anstis Street, Stonehouse
• Athenaeum Street, Hoe
• Bampton Road, Leigham
• Bartholomew Road, Milehouse
• Beacon Park Road, Beacon Park
• Beaumont Road, St Judes
• Biggin Hill, Ernesettle
• Blanford Road, Efford
• Bowden Park Road, Crownhill
• Bretonside, Central
• Browning Road, Milehouse
• Carradale Road, Austin Farm
• Central Park Avenue, Pennycross
• Cliff Road, Hoe
• Coombe Park Lane, West Park
• Cot Hill, Plympton
• Culver Way, Eggbuckland
• Dale Road, Mutley
• Devonport Hill, Stonehouse
• Dryburgh

Take Me to Heaven

Announcer

[Here she is, folks! The Queen of the Scene! The Diva with the Fee-vah! Lady Fabulous, 1978! Voulez-vous couchez avec...]

Deloris

[... me! Deloris Van Cartier - yaaaaay!]

KT/LaRosa

D-e-l-o-r-i-s!

Deloris

Let's light it up, Philadelphia!

• I've been thinking aboutcha since receiving your call.
• Can't see living withoutcha, you've got me mind, soul, body and all.

Deloris/KT/LaRosa

• Pray and I pray every night and each day...

Deloris

...hoping that you'll drop a line.

Deloris/KT/LaRosa

• Pray and I pray 'till you sweep me away straight to cloud number nine.
• You are simply too divine!
• Take me to heaven (heaven)!
• Take me to ecstasy (ecstasy)!
• I'll give you all I've got, 'cause nothing's as hot as when you groove with me.

KT/LaRosa

No, no, no, no!...

St. Augustine: Historical and Cultural Context

Framing the thought of St. Augustine of Hippo in the historical, cultural and philosophical context of his time.

The historical context that shaped Augustine's thought is rooted in late antiquity and the rise of Christianity against the background of the Roman Empire's transformation. Christianity, during the first three centuries of our era, experienced significant growth, especially in the eastern provinces of the Empire. With the Edict of Milan in 313, Constantine legalized Christianity, and under Emperor Theodosius I in the late fourth century (380) Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire.

Augustine interprets these developments as a symbol of the end of the corrupt earthly...