On Friday, all I have scheduled is the Islam Multiple Choice exam. You all can decide whether you want us to review today or Friday or both.
THE BAHA'I FAITH
This is an appropriate topic for two reasons. First, the faith had its historical roots in the Islamic world of the early 19th-century. Second, the religion aims to be inclusive of aspects of many faiths and traditions. Baha'i labels itself the world's second-most widespread religion (after Christianity) and the fastest growing (a claim many argue belongs instead to Islam). There are probably somewhere around ten million Baha'i worldwide today.
You should check out the following resources:
Welcome to the Baha'i Faith is a nice introduction to the Baha'i faith, particularly as it is practiced in the United States.
What We Believe is a good place to start. You might want to remember that this is a site developed by the Baha'i community.
History of the Baha'i Faith provides a very efficient introduction to the basics of the faith's origins.
Baha'i Symbols shows you a couple interesting symbols and their interpretations.
Baha'i House of Worship for the North American Continent - Check out this building located just north of Chicago near Northwestern University. It's one of the coolest buildings that I have seen in the US.
Rainn Wilson (Dwight on "The Office") interview - Wilson is a Baha'i
Multimedia - You can find a ton of podcasts, interviews, videos, etc. here
Defining terms: The Bab, Baha'u'llah
Islam and the Baha'i Faith looks at the relationship between Islam and the Baha'i faith. Browse through this and be sure you understand how each faith views the other.
Here. Send someone a Baha'i greeting card...
Homework for Islam - Day #7
A reminder that all seven of your Independent Assignments are now due. (You are also welcome to complete that 8th extra credit IA from your final category if you would like. I should get those by the end of Friday.)
The Islam Blog Entry should be posted today.
The Islam Short Essays are due on Friday, January 9th. That is also the day that we will take the Islam Multiple Choice exam.
"The rise of Islam offers perhaps the most impressive example in world history of the power of words to alter human behavior in sudden, surprising ways." - William McNeill
Welcome back. I've posted the blog page with the Islam short essay questions. Let's have them due on Friday, January 9th. That will be the day of the multiple choice exam as well. The Islam blog entry should be up by Wednesday.
We'll do a little bit together today, but then we'll give you a good deal of time to work. On Wednesday, we'll take a look at the Baha'i faith, which emerges in Islamic Persia in the 19th century.
I read American Islam: The Struggle for the Soul of a Religion a year or two back. Some of you might find it pretty interesting. (I'm not
getting a kickback or anything from Amazon for directing you there...) Here's a
transcript of an appearance the author made at the Carnegie
Council.
PBS' Muslims - This is the web site designed to accompany the special which aired several years back. As usual with PBS internet resoursces, this one is exceptional. You might check out these specific features:
When you get a chance,
browse the site. I think you will definitely find it worthwhile.
Muslim Americans - As I was teaching this class the last time, The Pew Research Center had just released what is being called the largest and most comprehensive survey of American Muslims. Here is the online version of the report. If you are interested, you can download the entire report in PDF format, but it is over 100 pages long.
IslamForToday.com is a web site dedicated to "promoting the theology of Islam" for Westerners interested in learning more. Browsing this might of interest to you.
HOMEWORK for Islam - Day #6
A reminder that Independent Assignment #6 is now past due. (You'll have IA #7 due Wednesday, and you are also welcome to complete an extra credit IA from your final category if you would like.)
I should have your Christianity - Short Essay questions from you by now.
I posted the Islam Blog Entry, and I'd like that posted by Wednesday, January 7th.
The Islam Short Essay choices are posted, and they are due by Friday, January 9th. That's also the day when you'll take the Islam Multiple Choice quiz.
We can use the blog to hold "conversations" about reading in Huston Smith's The World's Religions. We'll certainly talk about some of the readings in class, but this gives you another chance to share your ideas. You may respond to one or more of the questions, and you can also react to comments posted by others. I'll expect a comment of one good paragraph or more. (To me, that means 5-6 sentences at a minimum.) You do not need to worry about perfect grammar, spelling and punctuation, but they should be understandable. Remember that this is a public site, and you are responsible for the content of your postings.
Assume that each comment is worth 5 points. (5 points for solid or better comments, 4 for comments somewhat short of expectations, 3 or fewer for last-minute, little to no effort postings, and no points for those who have not posted.)
All posts should be made to this blog entry NO LATER than the beginning of class time on Wednesday, January 7th to be considered on time.
1. What did you personally find most appealing or intriguing about Islam, based on your reading? What was most difficult to accept or understand?
2. Huston Smith suggests that Islam is the most misunderstood of all the world's faith, at least for Westerners (p. 221). Why would this be so?
3. "Islam joins faith to politics, religion to society, inseparably," says Smith (p. 249). Can society be wholly secular or maintain itself without some common faith or religious reference point?
4. The Quran does not teach turning the other cheek, or pacifism, but sanctions the use of force for defense and correcting injustice (p. 254). Is Islam more realistic in this respect than some other religions?
5. Smith attempts to defend the status of women in Islamic society. Does he make his case? What are your feelings about polygamy (or polyandry)?
6. In what ways is Sufism different from, and similar to, other forms of mysticism we have encountered in Hinduism, Buddhism and Judaism? Are all mystics describing a common experience?
These questions are excerpted from Understanding the World's Religions: A Study Guide to Huston Smith's The World's Religions by Gary Kowalski.
I've posted the blog page with the Islam short essay questions. Let's have them due on Friday, January 9th.
Today, we'll tackle some controversial issues related to Islam...
Jihad in Islam: This is perhaps the most misunderstood concept in Islam. The word itself comes from an Arabic root meaning "struggling" or "striving". In the West, it has frequently come to be associated with militarism, anti-Western views, and terrorism. These resources might help you better understand the concept.
What is Jihad?: Daniel Pipes is the author of the book Militant Islam Reaches America. This article expresses his very strong opiinion of "jihad," which others have criticized as distorted.
Jihad: Here's a contrasting definition of the term from the Islamic Glossary at the USC site.
DO THIS: Consider this information and make up your own mind. Is jihad a threat to non-Muslims? Has the West overreacted and misinterpreted the concept?
Women and Islam: Outside of the Islamic world (and within it, for that matter), the status of women has been a topic of much controversy. Traditonally, the issues which are at the core of the debate have been the customs of veiling and polygamy that have been a part of Islam's history.
Resources to consult:
* About "Women in Islam"- A Resource Page- There are dozens of links to resources here. They come from a wide variety of perspectives.
* Women in Islam- This is a pro-Islamic source with a large number of links to issues related to the status of women in Islam.
DO THIS: We will approach the topic in this way:
Muslim Americans - As I was teaching this class the last time, The Pew Research Center had just released what is being called the largest and most comprehensive survey of American Muslims. Here is the online version of the report. If you are interested, you can download the entire report in PDF format, but it is over 100 pages long.
This report is worth us taking a look at for a while. I've printed out a copy and divided it by chapters. We'll ask you to take a look at one chapter and report back to us some of what you find most interesting.
IslamForToday.com is a web site dedicated to "promoting the theology of Islam" for Westerners interested in learning more. Browsing this might of interest to you.
HOMEWORK for Islam - Day #5 A reminder that Independent Assignment #6 is now past due. (You'll have IA #7 due after break, and you are also welcome to complete an extra credit IA from your final category if you would like.) I should have your Christianity - Short Essay questions from you before break begins. They are technically due today. Obviously, the break would be a good time to finish up reading the Islam chapter in Huston Smith's The World's Religions. I posted the Islam Blog Entry, and I'd like that posted by Wednesday, January 7th.
DAY #3- CENTRAL BELIEFS and THE DIVISIONS WITHIN ISLAM
Need a warm-up? Try this on-line quiz. This is the Level 1: Test 1 (easiest) quiz from islam101.com. There are 11 questions, and it will be graded on-line.
The Five Pillars of Islam
shahadah
salat
zakat
sawm
hajj
Sacred Literature of Islam
The Qur'an (sometimes seen as Koran): The Holy Book of Islam
Additional sources of wisdom: Sunnah and Hadith The Hadith is the collection of sayings, teachings, and traditions of the Prophet Muhammad. They were recorded by his followers.
The Sunnah is the example of leadership, belief, and guidance provided by the life and actions of the Prophet Muhammad. For Muslims, it transforms belief in God into a culture and a civilization, allowing a way of life.
Central beliefs of Islam: We have certainly considered much of this topic already, but I thought we'd take a more systematic look at some of the central beliefs of Islam.
Six Basic Beliefs
Belief in the Oneness of God
Belief in messengers (prophets) of God
Belief in angels
Belief in revealed books of Allah
Belief in fate
Belief in a Day of Judgement and Resurrection
"Life after Death"- Those of you interested in Islam's view on this topic might want to consult this article.
Here are the 99 names of God (Allah) that we mentioned last time.
The Division in Islam: Sunni and Shi'ite (and Sufi)
Defining terms: caliph, Shariah, Husayn, Ali, Sunni, Shi'ite
Although this page has perhaps the most irritating design ever, there is a good introduction to the "split" here.
If you're interested in accessing resources on Sufism - Here's a link to "Sufism, Sufis, and Sufi Orders." There's a lot here.
The Muslim World today
Here's what Wikipedia has regarding populations of Islam by country.
HOMEWORK for Islam - Day #4
A reminder that Independent Assignment #6 is now past due. (You'll have IA #7 due after break, and you are also welcome to complete an extra credit IA from your final category if you would like.)
I should have your Christianity - Short Essay questions from you before break begins. They are technically due on December 18th.
I should be up-to-date on grading by class time. If you have anything missing, you should take care of that. You can still get credit for missing work.
DAY #2 - INTRODUCTION: MUHAMMAD, THE QUR'AN AND THE FIVE PILLARS
Ideally, you should begin reading the Islam chapter in Huston Smith's The World's Religions. Please try to make some progress there by the time we next meet.
Islam- Introduction: As with Judaism and Christianity, we will try to avoid recovering ground with which you are already familiar. The assumption is that you have studied the subject in Regional Studies/ Western Civilization and that you have acquired at least some understanding of the religion. Any topics that we "revisit" will either be covered in additional depth or from a different perspective.
You can take a few minutes to discuss "first impressions" here. We'll definitely come back to these...
* What are the ideas, descriptions, or images that immediately come to mind when the terms "Muslim" or "Islam" are used?
* Are the majority of stereotypes regarding Islam positive or negative? Why do you believe that is the case?
* If you are asked to name Muslims (either contemporary or historical), who comes to mind?
* Is the Western media fair in its coverage of Islam? Explain your position.
Defining terms: Muhammad, (pbuh), Muhammadanism (sic), Islam, Muslim, Allah
Muhammad:
These are the terms I had linked with Wednesday's video excerpt: bedouin, jinn, Mecca, Khadijah, Ka'aba, Yathrib (Medina), Qur'an (Koran), Five Pillars, muezzin
"My choice of Muhammad to lead the list of the world's most influential persons may surprise some readers and may be questioned by others, but he was the only man in history who was supremely successful on both the religious and secular level. It is probable that the relative influence of Muhammad on Islam has been larger than the combined influence of Jesus Christ and St. Paul on Christianity. . . . It is this unparalleled combination of secular and religious influence which I feel entitles Muhammad to be considered the most influential single figure in human history."Michael H. Hart, THE 100: A RANKING OF THE MOST INFLUENTIAL PERSONS IN HISTORY, New York: Hart Publishing Company, Inc., 1978, p. 33.
FYI: Here's the complete and updated list of "The 100" from Hart's most recent edition of the book.
Just because it's interesting, here's a different list from a recent book. The
101 Most Influential People Who Never Lived: How Characters of Fiction,
Myth, Legends, Television, and Movies Have Shaped Our Society, Changed
Our Behavior, and Set the Course of History
Sacred Literature of Islam
The Qur'an (sometimes seen as Koran): The Holy Book of Islam
Additional sources of wisdom: Sunnah and Hadith The Hadith is the collection of sayings, teachings, and traditions of the Prophet Muhammad. They were recorded by his followers.
The Sunnah is the example of leadership, belief, and guidance provided by the life and actions of the Prophet Muhammad. For Muslims, it transforms belief in God into a culture and a civilization, allowing a way of life.
The Five Pillars of Islam:
Defining terms: shahadah, salat, zakat, sawm, hajj
Beliefnet: The Five Pillars- This is an easy introduction to the Five Pillars and their meanings in Islam.
A Brief Illustrated Guide to Understanding Islam: This site also provides an introduction to the Five Pillars.
DO THIS: Choose either of the two sources and introduce yourself to the Five Pillars. You and a partner will be responsible for selecting one of the pillars to present in class. Look for Internet resources, check the books I have, etc.
HOMEWORK for Islam - Day #3
Your sixth Independent Assignment is scheduled to be due today, Friday. Get that to me over the weekend if you are running a little behind. We'll start considering them late as of Tuesday's class time.
Your Christianity Short Essays are due to me on Thursday, December 18th.
Please begin reading the Islam chapter in Huston Smith's The World's Religions.
"I became more than ever convinced that it was not the sword that won a place for Islam in those days in the scheme of life. It was the rigid simplicity, the utter self-effacement of the Prophet the scrupulous regard for pledges, his intense devotion to his friends and followers, his intrepidity, his fearlessness, his absolute trust in God and in his own mission. These and not the sword carried everything before them and surmounted every obstacle. " - Mahatma Gandhi
Muhammad and the Origins of Islam
Ideally, you should begin reading the Islam chapter in Huston Smith's The World's Religions. Please try to make some progress there by the time we next meet.
Your Christianity short answer exams are due Thursday, December 19th.
Islam: Empire of Faith Sometimes, things just work out. Six years ago, PBS debuted this series and the accompanying web site just as we began our study of Islam. Today, you will watch the first fifty-five minutes of the series that introduce Islam and the events in the life of Muhammad.
Defining terms: bedouin, jinn, Mecca, Khadijah, Ka'aba, Yathrib (Medina), Qur'an (Koran), Five Pillars, muezzin
Islam: Empire of Faith- This is the web site produced by PBS to accompany the video. It's really good.
HOMEWORK for Islam - Day #2
Your next (sixth) Independent Assignment is due on Friday, December 12th.
Your Christianity short answer exams are due Thursday, December 19th.
REMINDERS: We'll plan on taking the multiple choice portion of the Christianity exam today. (You can still bring the 75 words of notes in with you if you would like.) Your Blog Entry - Christianity is due today as well.
The Christianity Short Essay questions will be due by Thursday, December 18th. (That's the last class scheduled before winter break.)
After everyone has a chance to ask their review questions, we'll have you take the multiple choice portion of the Christianity exam.
HOMEWORK for Judaism - Day #1
The Christianity Short Essay questions will be due by Thursday, December 18th. They are posted.
Your next (sixth) Independent Assignment is due on Friday, December 25th as well. (Your seventh and final required assignment will be due on Wednesday, January 7th.)
Remember that you can do an eighth Independent Assignment (from your "final" category) for extra credit if you would like. That would also be due on Wednesday, January 7th.
Denominations influenced by Christianity: This is a tricky area. Generally speaking, members of these faiths label themselves as Christians. Many "mainstream" Christians consider these faiths to be on the "fringe," if they recognize them as Christian at all. The issue of the "label" is probably of secondary concern to an understanding of the beliefs themselves.
DO THIS: You will look at one on these three groups. In addition to the web resources, be sure to get the corresponding handout from me. (You can write on these or highlight them if you want.) Note that these articles were written by adherents (believers) of the faith, and be aware of the influence that might have upon their positions.
You and you group members need to prepare evidence for both sides of this question: Should the (insert group) be considered Christians? In other words, make the case for the faith being considered Christian. In addition, show us the reasons why others may dispute that claim. You should introduce us to the basics of the faith's history and founders, key beliefs, and unique features during your discussions.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints:
Although they are working to remove this label, these are the people commonly referred to as Mormons.
Official Website: This is the official webpage of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
lds-mormon.com: This site
claims to objectively discuss "the good, the bad, and the ugly"
regarding The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. There are a
number of resources linked here.
Jehovah's Witnesses:
Watchtower: Official Web
Site of Jehovah's Witnesses: As the title implies, this official site
is maintained by those who are Jehovah's Witnesses.
Watchers of the Watch Tower World: An organization calling itself Free Minds, Inc. maintains this web site, claiming to "keep an eye" on the Watchtower. The disclaimer at the bottom reveals more about their mission.
Christian Scientists:
Note: This group is in NO way affiliated with the Church of Scientology. Do not confuse the two. In addition, this organization publishes The Christian Science Monitor, a highly regarded daily newspaper. Its coverage of domestic and international affairs is excellent, and the vast majority of it is not in any way directed by a religious agenda.
The Church of Christ, Scientist: This is the official web site of the organization whose members are commonly referred to as Christian Scientists.
The Testimony of Carolyn Poole: This is an article written by a woman who explains her reasons for leaving the church.
Distinctive Christian Tenets:
Defining terms: Trinity, atonement, incarnation
Huston Smith describes these three unique tenets of Christianity in some detail.
Think Again: The Catholic Church - Foreign Policy magazine does a feature each issue where they challenge the "conventional wisdom" on a particular topic. This issue it is the Catholic Church. We'll take a quick look at these.
Trends Within Modern Christianity: This is by no means a complete listing. Notice that we are largely avoiding denominational differences here.
DISCLAIMER: I suppose this probably isn't necessary, but I want to make it clear that these links are here to provide a variety of perspectives, and none of them carry any sort of endorsement by me or the class or the school or whatever... Consider them "primary" sources, and interpret them as you see fit.
Ecumenism: Ecumenical movements within Christianity strive to recognize the diversity among Christian groups and work toward reconciliation. (In its most idealistic format, an ecumenical movement may seek to do the same among different religious traditions.)
Evangelicalism: Broadly speaking, this refers to the teaching of Christian gospel in an attempt to convert others to Christianity. This tends to be associated with Protestant denominations. One modern manifestation of this movement has been the spread of "televangelists" with which many of you are familiar. Some of the most prominent (and controversial) have included Jimmy Swaggert, Jim Bakker, and Jerry Falwell.
Fundamentalism: Within any religion, a fundamentalist is one who interprets scripture and belief at a literal level. Again, this would be more commonly heard in reference to certain Protestant groups.
This contains a number of resources, both from within and outside of the fundamentalist viewpoint.
Liberation Theology: "What must be done? as opposed to "What must I believe?" This movement grew out of the Catholic Church in the 1960s. It attempts to address and redress inequalities and oppression through a Christian perspective. Most of the early focus of the movement was in Latin America, but it has certainly spread to other areas. Later, other groups adopted the principles of the movement to seek similar reforms.
HOMEWORK for Christianity - Day #6
You should be finishing the Christianity chapter in Huston Smith's The World's Religions.
Your Christianity Blog Entry should be posted by Monday's class.
We'll take the Christianity Multiple Choice quiz during the latter part of the hour on Monday.
We can use the blog to hold "conversations" about reading in Huston Smith's The World's Religions. We'll certainly talk about some of the readings in class, but this gives you another chance to share your ideas. You may respond to one or more of the questions, and you can also react to comments posted by others. I'll expect a comment of one good paragraph or more. (To me, that means 5-6 sentences at a minimum.) You do not need to worry about perfect grammar, spelling and punctuation, but they should be understandable. Remember that this is a public site, and you are responsible for the content of your postings.
Assume that each comment is worth 5 points. (5 points for solid or better comments, 4 for comments somewhat short of expectations, 3 or fewer for last-minute, little to no effort postings, and no points for those who have not posted.)
All posts should be made to this blog entry NO LATER than the beginning of class time on Monday, December 8th to be considered on time.
1. What elements of Christianity did you find most intriguing or appealing, based on your reading? What was most difficult to accept or understand?
2. What is your understanding of the "Kingdom of God" that Jesus proclaimed? A place of psychic serenity? A human community of justice and equality? An otherworldly afterlife?
3. "We are given too few details to know exactly what happened after the crucifixion," says Smith (p. 329). What do you think might have happened?
4. What is the essential message of the "Good News" proclaimed by Christians? How does the "Christ of Faith" differ from the "historical Jesus"?
5. Central theological doctrines of Christianity include the Incarnation, the Atonement, and the Trinity (p. 339f). Which of these concepts, if any, is of particular interest to you? Why?
These questions are excerpted from Understanding the World's Religions: A Study Guide to Huston Smith's The World's Religions by Gary Kowalski.
BRANCHES OF CHRISTIANITY and DENOMINATIONS INFLUENCED BY CHRISTIANITY
Ideally, you are well into the Christianity chapter in Huston Smith's The World's Religions. We'll shoot for having the multiple choice section of the Christianity exam on Monday, December 8th during the latter half of the block.
Branches of Christianity
Although there are literally thousands of denominations within the Christian family, there are generally considered to be three major branches: Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant. We will look at the major differences among the three.
Relevant pages from The World's Religions:
Roman Catholicism- pp. 346-352
Eastern Orthodoxy- pp. 352-356
Protestantism- pp. 356-362
Download the Branches of Christianity matrix to guide your work if you haven't already done so.
Denominations influenced by Christianity: This is a tricky area. Generally speaking, members of these faiths label themselves as Christians. Many "mainstream" Christians consider these faiths to be on the "fringe," if they recognize them as Christian at all. The issue of the "label" is probably of secondary concern to an understanding of the beliefs themselves.
DO THIS: You will look at one on these three groups. In addition to the web resources, be sure to get the corresponding handout from me. (You can write on these or highlight them if you want.) Note that these articles were written by adherents (believers) of the faith, and be aware of the influence that might have upon their positions.
You and you group members need to prepare evidence for both sides of this question: Should the (insert group) be considered Christians? In other words, make the case for the faith being considered Christian. In addition, show us the reasons why others may dispute that claim. You should introduce us to the basics of the faith's history and founders, key beliefs, and unique features during your discussions.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints:
Although they are working to remove this label, these are the people commonly referred to as Mormons.
Official Website: This is the official webpage of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
lds-mormon.com: This site claims to objectively discuss "the good, the bad, and the ugly" regarding The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. There are a number of resources linked here.
Jehovah's Witnesses:
Watchtower: Official Web Site of Jehovah's Witnesses: As the title implies, this official site is maintained by those who are Jehovah's Witnesses.
Watchers of the Watch Tower World: An organization calling itself Free Minds, Inc. maintains this web site, claiming to "keep an eye" on the Watchtower. The disclaimer at the bottom reveals more about their mission.
Christian Scientists:
Note: This group is in NO way affiliated with the Church of Scientology. Do not confuse the two. In addition, this organization publishes The Christian Science Monitor, a highly regarded daily newspaper. Its converage of domestic and international affairs is excellent, and the vast majority of it is not in any way directed by a religious agenda.
The Church of Christ, Scientist: This is the official web site of the organization whose members are commonly referred to as Christian Scientists.
The Testimony of Carolyn Poole: This is an article written by a woman who explains her reasons for leaving the church.
Distinctive Christian Tenets:
Defining terms: Trinity, atonement, incarnation, Nicean Creed
Huston Smith describes these three unique tenets of Christianity in some detail.
DO THIS: Each of you will choose one of the three tenets and read what Smith has to say about it. We will discuss those ideas together as a group next time.
HOMEWORK for Christianity - Day #5
You should be reading the Christianity chapter in Huston Smith's The World's Religions. I've updated the reading schedule.
]]>Let's take a few minutes and backtrack over anything we missed from Day #2 due to the choir concert many of you attended.
"VATICAN" CONFERENCE and BRANCHES OF CHRISTIANITY
MPA's "Vatican" Conference You will be asked to read two sections of the cover story from the an issue of Newsweek that appeared several years ago. I haven't exactly decided on a format, but let's do this:
I'd like to hear summaries of the issues raised by each of the four "readings".
I. The Gay Dilemma
II. Celibacy and Marriage
III. Factoring in Females
IV. The Next Mission
Next, we'll open the floor to discussion of these issues. I encourage you to think about this from three perspectives: a Catholic Church official, a lay person, and as yourself. Feel free to share any or all of those perspectives with the group.
Branches of Christianity
Although there are literally thousands of denominations within the Christian family, there are generally considered to be three major branches: Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant. We will look at the major differences among the three.
DO THIS: Use available resources and the Internet to complete as much of this chart as you are able. We will discuss your findings as a group when we next meet.
Relevant pages from The World's Religions:
Roman Catholicism- pp. 346-352
Eastern Orthodoxy- pp. 352-356
Protestantism- pp. 356-362
Download the Branches of Christianity matrix to guide your work.
Homework for Christianity - Day #4
Your short essays on Judaism are due today - Tuesday, November 25th. Your fifth Independent Assignment is due by the end of Thanksgiving weekend. You should begin reading the Christianity chapter in Huston Smith's The World's Religions. I've updated the reading schedule.
"A true Christian should have but one fear -- lest he or she should not hope enough." - Walter Elliot
Some of you might be
interested in this History
of Religion map from a website
called "Maps of War."
Others of you might want to check out the St. John's Bible site.
Sacred Literature
The Bible - We will focus more of our attention on the New Testament given the obvious overlap of the material from the Old Testament with what we already discussed during Judaism.
Defining terms: Old Testament, New Testament, gospels, synoptic
Things to consider:
Comparing Gospel accounts: There are four gospel accounts which are generally considered to be the "canon". They are Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. There are differences in the styles, emphases, and dates of compilation for the four.
DO THIS: You can find a handy on-line version of the gospels here. Choose several sections or particular events from the life of Jesus and compare them. I'd suggest looking at the beginnings, the discussion of (or lack of discussion of) miracle stories, and the events leading up to and including the resurrection account. See what conclusions you can draw from these comparisons.
Comparing versions of the Bible: The Christian Bible is the most widely translated book in the world. Many different versions have been compiled over the centuries. Two of the most widely known are the King James Version and the Revised Standard Version.
DO THIS: Compare these two versions. (You can also go here for the RSV version.) Select a particular section and look at the differences and similarities. You might consider the account of Genesis, the Gospels, or the letters of Paul.
"Bible Basics" describes various interpretations of the Bible. You can read around the origins of each and a description of their "intended" audience. Check out the five (I count four) versions of Corinthians 1:13 in the "quote box" on the right.
Here is a tongue-in-cheek quiz which attempts to "match" you with the Biblical character you are most similar to in your interests and preferences.
Nicean Creed: The Roman Emperor Constantine, who legalized Christianity in the Empire, called together the Council of Nicea to decide issues of Christinaity. The Creed that emerged forms the basis of the interpretation of Christian belief. A modern wording is reprinted below.
We
believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.
We
believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one being with the Father.
Through
him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven:
by the power of the Holy Spirit
he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary,
and was made man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory
to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.
We
believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father [and the Son].
With the Father and the Son
he is worshipped and glorified.
He has spoken through the Prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. AMEN.
Distinctive Christian Tenets:
Defining terms: Trinity, atonement, incarnation, Nicean Creed
Huston Smith describes these three unique tenets of Christianity in some detail.
DO THIS: Each of you will choose one of the three tenets and read what Smith has to say about it. We will discuss those ideas together as a group next time.
HOMEWORK for Christianity - Day #3
Your short essays on Judaism are due on Tuesday, November 25th.
Your fifth Independent Assignment is due by the end of Thanksgiving weekend.
You should begin reading the Christianity chapter in Huston Smith's The World's Religions. I've updated the reading schedule.
"I find
the name of Jesus Christ written on the top of every page of modern
history." - George Bancroft, historian
Reminders: We'll take a look at the Judaism multiple choice quiz. Your short essays on Judaism are due on Tuesday, November 25th, and your fifth Independent Assignment is due by the end of Thanksgiving weekend.
Ideally, you will soon begin reading the Christianity chapter in Huston Smith's The World's Religions. Please try to make some progress there by the time we next meet. I've updated the reading schedule.
Bulletin Bloopers - This is not a current event, but rather something I find amusing each year at this time. This is a collection of typos and mistakes which have supposedly been printed in church bulletins. Enjoy. DON'T READ AHEAD ON THESE. IT SPOILS THE MOMENT...
Introduction to
Christianity: Discussion
As with Judaism, we will try to avoid recovering ground with which you are already familiar. The assumption is that you have studied the subject in Regional Studies/ Western Civilization and that you have acquired at least some understanding of the religion and its role by living in a country where it is the predominant religion. We'll take a few minutes to consider some of our conceptions/ preconceptions of Christianity. These questions are intentionally worded vaguely. I want to see from where we are coming.
Differences with Judaism: We will spend a good deal of time looking at the historical ways and reasons why Judaism and Christianity split. Too often, many mistakenly assume that Judaism is simply "Christianity minus Jesus." Theologian Leo Trepp has compiled a list of eleven major differences between the faiths. Here is Trepp's list of Judaic principles. For each, provide the Christian "side" of the distinction.
Defining terms: original sin, sacrament, Messiah
Jesus of Nazareth: It is clear that Jesus is the pivotal figure in the history and development of Christianity. However, historians and religious scholars still differ markedly as to the "true" Jesus. Recent years have seen a wealth of new, and often conflicting, scholarship on this issue. We will begin with an examination of that controversy and the role that Jesus played in the development of the Christian religion.
From
Jesus to Christ: The First Christians - PBS Frontline
Here you can find a number of references and links related to the early years of Christianity.
At the turn of the
millenium, a group of artists met to consider a "newer" face for
Jesus that they believed would be more historically accurate. You can see the
image they produced here.
HOMEWORK for Christianity - Day #2
Your short essays on Judaism are due on Tuesday, November 25th.
Your fifth Independent Assignment is due by the end of Thanksgiving weekend.
You should begin reading the Christianity chapter in Huston Smith's The World's Religions. I've updated the reading schedule.
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