Exploring the Religions of Our World: Chapter 3

Name the Great commandment that is the foundation of Christian living.

"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul and with all your mind." This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like this:" You shall love your neighbor as yourself".

Fundamentalism

A form of Protestant Christianity that upholds belief in the strict, literal interpretation of scripture.

Pentecostalism

A renewal movement within Protestant Christianity that places special emphasis on a direct personal experience of God through the baptism with the Holy Spirit.

What are the special events in the Christmas cycle?

Advent and Christmas Day

Sin

An offense against God.

Church

Assembly of people who believe that Jesus was the son of God.

What doctrines were defined at the council of Nicaea and council of Ephesus?

At the council of Nicaea, the doctrine of the Trinity was defined. at the council of Ephesus, the doctrine that Mary was the mother of God and the mother of the human Jesus was defined

What are the 2 Sacraments that most Christians celebrate?

Baptism and Eucharist

What two sacraments are accepted by most Christians?

Baptism and Eucharist

Why did the early Christians change their Sabbath from Saturday to Sunday?

Because early Christians associated Sunday with the Resurrection of the Lord.

Why was religion in the modern period diminished?

Because of the increased emphasis in the belief that people could determine their own destiny and had little need for God.

Why are protestant churches often less formally decorated than Catholic, Orthodox, or Anglican churches?

Because they believe in the simplified version of Christianity.

What are several sacred places in the Holy Land?

Bethlehem, Nazareth, Jerusalem, and Galilee.

What are some of the ways Christians use the bible?

Both public and private settings. individuals may read the Bible as part of their prayer life. The Bible is often used as part of family devotions or study groups. All Christians use the Bible in their worship services.

How did the council of Trent respond to the reformation?

By reiterating Catholic doctrine and countering protestant doctrine. The council reiterated papal as well as biblical authority, the need for works as well as faith, and said there were seven sacraments, not just two.

What do Christians believe about Jesus of Nazareth?

Christians believe that Jesus was the Messiah.

How was the christian life different after the Edict of Milan?

Christians were no longer persecuted. Rather, Christianity was legalized and became the official religion of the Roman Empire.

What is the difference between describing the relationship between the church and the bible as "the book of the church" versus "the Church of the book"?

Christians who see the bible as "inerrant," or without error, look to the Bible as the only legitimate moral guide. this group could be described as the "the church of the book". Catholics and the other Christians who do not yet rely on the Bible for moral guidance see the Scripture as the "Book of the Church".

Church Fathers

Church teachers and writers of the early centuries whose teachings are a witness to the Tradition of the Catholic Church

What are epistles?

Epistles are letters from some of the apostles or first disciples of Jesus to Christians communities that are found in the New Testament.

Who is Jesus?

For Christians, Jesus was the long-awaited Jewish Messiah as prophesied in the Hebrew Scripture, and he was the Son of God. He was a storyteller and healer who did most of his ministry in the region of Galilee. He was brought before trial and crucified on a roman cross. he rose from the dad on the third day and was seen by many of his followers before his ascension to heaven.

Who was St. Benedict?

Founder of Monte Cassino, a monastery in Italy, and came up with the idea that life should be a balance of prayer, work, and study.

What was the significance of the Emperor Constantine in the history of Christianity?

He proclaimed official toleration of all religions in his edict of Milan (AD 313).

What was the role of Paul in the spread of Christianity?

He wrote letters called epistles to encourage the spread of Christianity.

How did Anglicanism begin?

Henry VIII received a dispensation from the Pope to marry his dead brother's widow, Catherine of Aragon. Catherine did not bear a son who lived to maturity so Henry petitioned Pope Clement VII to rescind his dispensation so Henry could marry the young Anne Boleyn. The pope would not grant the king his wish so Henry countered by declaring himself head of the Catholic Church in England.

What are the special events in the Easter cycle?

Holy Saturday and Easter

What are some of the Characteristics of prayer?

Individual or a group, formal or informal, long or short, verbal or non-verbal, singing or not singing, different postures, and various gestures.

Why is Pentecost significant to Christians?

It is 50 days after the resurrection of Jesus

How is the Christian calendar different from the civil calendar?

It is based off of the life, ministry, death, and Resurrection of Jesus.

What were some of the beliefs stated by Martin Luther in his 95 theses?

Martin Luther believed that the church authority should come from the Bible, not church tradition or leaders. he believed salvation was by a persons faith. he also believed in the priesthood of all believers, not just a few.

What is the difference among the various Christian branches with regard to the understanding of the Word of God?

Most believe that the Bible is inspired by the word of God, but Protestants believe that God is the author of the Bible.

What is the ecumenical movement?

Movement to restore unity among Christians.

Explain how christian conversation of Germanic tribes often occurred.

Often when the head of the tribe converted, the whole tribe converted as well.

Jesus

Part of the Trinity; Incarnation of God.

What are the 2 ways Christians use the Bible in their lives?

Publicly and Privately

What is Sola Scriptura?

Scripture alone; limits the authority of the Catholic Church to what was in the Bible.

What are the two understandings of inerrancy described in this section?

Some Protestant groups interpret "inerrancy" to mean that the Bible is free of errors of all kinds--- even in statements made about history, geography, and science. other Christians groups see "inerrancy" as related only to truths necessary for salvation.

Evangelicalism

Style of Christian ministry that includes much zeal and enthusiasm. Emphasizes personal conversion and faith rather than religious ritual.

According to the Apostles Creed, what do Christians believe about God?

That Christians believe in God, Jesus ,the Holy Spirit, and the Church.

What do all Christians agree about the Bible?

The Bible is the inspired Word of God and the fundamental sacred text to guide their spiritual lives.

What were two important Christian doctrines that were defined at the Church councils between the 4th and 5th centuries?

The Church announced the Nicene Creed and that Jesus was half divine half human.

Why do Catholic Churches say both Scripture and Tradition are sources of authority for Catholics?

The catholic church believes that, in addition to the teaching authority of Scripture, God continues to guide the successors of the Apostles-- the Pope and the Bishops-- in every generations. This ongoing teachings is known as Traditions.

How did the eastern patriarchs regard the bishop of Rome?

The eastern patriarchs regarded the bishop of Rome as one to be respected because Rome is the place where peter is buried.

What is the ecumenical movement? How is it manifested today?

The ecumenical movement attempts to bring about understanding among various Christian groups. Today it is manifested through the World Council of Churches that presently has over 300 members from orthodox, Anglican, and protestant denominations. Also, the second Vatican council made major strides in recognizing the validity of the existence religions in the world.

What are the 4 literary genres represented in the New Testament?

The gospels, history, letters, and apocalyptic.

How can the interior design of a church indicate which denomination worships there?

The interior design of a church is more telling then the exterior. A church with an altar in the middle and a pulpit on the side would tend to be a Catholic, Anglican, Orthodox, or perhaps Lutheran. If, in addition, there are statues of Jesus, Mary, and the Saints, the the church is most likely Catholic. If, instead of statues they have icons, it is most likely orthodox. Protestant churches tend to be simpler in ornamentation, some with just a pulpit in the center of the sanctuary.

What did the monastic rule of Benedict emphasize?

The monastic rule of Benedict emphasized prayer, study, and work.

Ecumenism

The movement, inspired and led by the Holy Spirit, that seeks the union of all Christian religions and eventually the unity of all peoples throughout the world within the Catholic Church.

What events led to the division between the Church in the East and the Church in the West?

The moving of the capital of the Roman Empire and the differences of language, culture, art, music, architecture, government, and ritual.

What is the role of the Magisteruim in the Catholic Church?

The official teaching authority of the church made up of the Pope and the college of bishops. The Magisterium interprets matter of faith and morals in the light of the long apostolic tradition of the church, the teachings of the church fathers an ecumenical councils. the Magisterium does not base its teachings on the Bible.

What was the stated purpose of the crusades?

The stated purpose of the crusades was to get back the holy land from the Muslims.

Trinity

The truth that God, although one, is three Divine Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Ecumenism

The visible unity of all those of the Christian faith.

What is the derivation of the word lent?

The word lent comes from an old English word meaning "springtime".

What are the 2 understandings of inerrancy?

There is no error in the Bible except the Truths, or that there are no errors at all.

What major doctrines and beliefs do most Protestants share?

They only believe in Baptism and Communion and they hold that salvation is by faith alone.

How did rationalism and empiricism affect Christianity during the modern family?

They stressed the power of human reason and that reality is perceived by five senses.

What does it mean to say that the Catholic Church possesses the "fullness of the means of salvation"?

To have a correct and complete profession of faith.

What were the intentions of apologetic writings?

To help Christians defend their faith in a world that they feel does not always understand them.

What are 2 different ways that Christians have interpreted the Great Commandment?

To love God, enemies of God must be destroyed or to love all of Gods creation,even imperfect human beings.

Gentile

a person who is not of Jewish origin

apocalyptic

a prophetic or symbolic revelation of the end of the world

sect

a religious group that separates from the larger religious denomination

denominations

a religious organization whose congregations are united in their adherence to its beliefs and practices

Crusades

a series of military expeditions by the Western Christians in the 11th-13th centuries designed to take the Holy Land back from the Muslims

martyr

a witness to the truth of faith in which the person endures even death to be faithful to his or her beliefs

patriarchates

any of the bishops of the ancient or Eastern Orthodox sees of Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem or the ancient and Western see of Rome with authority over other bishops

blasphemy

any word or deed that defames that which is considered sacred by a group of people

canon

for Catholics, the 27 New Testament books and 46 Old Testament books that are accepted as inspired books by the Church

heresy

for Christians, an obstinate denial after baptism to believe a truth that must be believed with divine and Catholic faith, or an obstinate doubt about such truth

pope

from the latin word for "papa," the ____ is the Bishop of Rome and has primacy over the other bishops in the Catholic Church

Incarnation

meaning "enfleshed," for Christians it is the taking on of human nature by God's Son

Apostles

meaning "one who has been sent," originally it referred to the Twelve whom Jesus chose to help him in his earthly ministry

Magisterium

official teaching authority of the Church

Sacraments

outward and effective sign of the Church given by Christ to give grace

doctrines

principles, beliefs, and teachings of a religion

icons

religious images or paintings that are traditional among many Eastern Christians

transubstantiation

term used to express how the reality(substance) of bread and wine changes into the reality of Jesus' risen and glorified body and blood in the Eucharist

Original Sin

the condition of sinfulness that all humans share, resulting from Adam's first sin of disobedience

council

the gathering of all bishops of the world in their exercise of authority over the universal Church; usually called by the pope