Creation Narratives
A biblical or related writing not forming part of the accepted canon of Scripture
What is an "apocrypha"?
This obstacle is removed from the entrance in every single one of the resurrection narratives.
What is the stone?
In Luke 4, what surprises the Jewish people about how Jesus speaks, and what is significant about this?
They are surprised by how Jesus speaks with authority and wisdom without any formal training. The significance of this comes from the challenge of their belief that only certain people can speak this way about religion and spirituality.
How did 19th century Christians use scripture to justify slavery? (1500-present)
For many white Christians, a straightforward reading of the Bible, specifically the New Testament, was interpreted as saying that slavery was a normal part of any human society; the institution never condemned. Furthermore, while the pope forbade the defense, publishing, or teaching of anything supporting the slave trade, nothing was said against slavery as an institution. And despite this denouncing, in the US, Southern bishops and priests held that slavery, as an institution, was morally and legally legitimate.
How did gender from 0-500 CE account for the rapid growth of Christianity?
Women's work for taking care of the home and the underprivileged was appreciated and emphasized, which drew this large demographic to the religion.
This portion of the Bible tells the earliest history of the Israelites
What is Genesis?
Which witness is included by name in all five resurrection narratives?
Who is Mary Magdalene?
Who are the Pharisees? How do they react to Jesus’s teachings, and why?
The Pharisees are a prominent religious group of the time who question Jesus’s teachings. They do this because of a feeling of threat towards their own authority and traditions. They often answer with criticism, challenging him, and testing him.
According to tradition, how did Christianity arrive in India? (0-500)
One of the original 12 disciples of Jesus, Thomas, was the first person to introduce Christianity along the southwest coast of India, in the area that is now the state of Kerala.
How does historical context create differences between Eastern Orthodox and Western (catholic and protestant) theologies of salvation?
In the East, life was getting better through the ages. It was as if God was returning to them. In the West, what had once been a peaceful life started to see more and more conflict (the Dark Ages). This idea of Divine Abandonment, where God had “turned his back” on the people.
What are the two English titles for God used in the two creation narratives
What is God and The Lord God?
According to the majority of scholars, who wrote the Bible?
The Bible is not a singular book written by a singular author. It is a collection of books (the number and inclusion of which depending on religion and denomination) written by roughly 40 authors, most anonymously, but some are attributed to named writers.
In Luke 11, What surprises the Pharisee and why? What does Jesus reply?
The Pharisee is surprised that Luke doesn’t wash before dinner. Jesus replies by saying he has misplaced priorities and should be generous to the poor and practice the justice and love of God.
What was a positive effect of the dhimmi system for Christians under Muslim rule in the period from 500-1000 C.E.?
Being classified as a "dhimmi" meant that the religious and cultural rights of Christians were protected and that they were free to practice their faith inside of their millets. For many denominations of Christianity under Muslim rule, this was an improvement from more oppressive rulers of the past, and in this improved quality of life, Churches and communities could thrive.
How did Black Catholics respond to Roman Catholic indifference to slavery?
They continued attending church and being faithful. They would worship in ways that were defiant, imaginative, creative, and independent. The Black Catholics created a resistance: to live their own truth even with pushback from the outside and never lost sight of Christ.
Which portion of the Bible tells the story of Jesus’s life teachings and what does it include?
What are the Gospels — first 4 books in the New Testament (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John)
This author's resurrection narrative was written first.
What is Mark’s Gospel?
What do you call the Gentile writer in the Bible when he's not too hot or too cold?
Lukewarm.
What “volatile mix” does Jacobsen cite as the impetus for the Protestant Reformation? (1500-present)
- New nationalism and monarchal self-confidence (undermining the pope's political strength and authority)
- Desire for church leaders to lead more modest lives (luxury in Rome was the new norm, seeing themselves as religious royalty, going against the asceticism of Christian spirituality)
- Regional differences of spirituality (In Italy during the height of the Renaissance, God was seen as playful, not fearsome. In Spain, Catholicism was strict and militant. etc.)
Martin Luther was not trying to create a new denomination, or even attempting to be radical. His writing the "95 Theses" was an invitation for discussion on reform within Catholicism.
What did the cross represent to African-Americans in the lynching era, according to Cone? Why was the cross a comforting image to them?
The cross represented a form of lynching. No one who lynches can understand the cross. This comforted them because of the idea of resurrection and hope — death doesn’t have the last word.
Which portion of the Bible tells the story of Jesus’s life and teachings?
The New Testament, which contains the four Gospels written by Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John which detail the life of Jesus Christ.
How did the author's interests shape their writings in Luke, Matthew, and James regarding Jesus's Birth?
- Matthew was a Jew who wrote to encourage the idea Jesus was the anointed new messiah and establish his Jewish and Kingly credibility.
- Luke was a Gentile and physician who had concern for the common person. He wrote to include Gentiles in God’s salvation.
- James wrote in a time of controversies and sought to demonstrate Mary as a worthy human to give birth to Jesus (a worthy mother for God)
Who does Jesus say is a “neighbor” in Luke 10?
Jesus describes a neighbor as not just someone who lives nearby or shares similar beliefs, but someone who can show compassion and mercy to those in need, regardless of their social status, ethnicity, or background. A neighbor is a good Samaritan.
How did Orthodox Christianity arrive in Russia? (500-1000)
In the East, Christianization was almost always political, and in the 900s, usually came about with some sort of political alliance with the Byzantine Empire. Due to strong trading with the Empire already, some Russian leaders had already converted to Christianity by the mid-900's. However, when many of Russia's main trading partners in Eastern Europe started becoming Christian as well, it became clear that following suit would be beneficial to remain in good standing. In 977, Vladimir came to power, and seemingly converted to Eastern Orthodox Christianity in genuine faith, although it remained political in nature. Although he tried to spread Christianity (often by force), he was largely unsuccessful until his son, Jaroslav the Wise, made it the dominant faith through persuasion rather than coercion.
What do the Amish consider their duty to the government?
The Amish believe that they are not to be involved with how the government is run, but also work to follow laws, unless they do not honor God's will.