defining the good (part 2)

revelation

describes how the key beliefs regarding the existence of God and human life have been given by God

inspiration

refers to God being involved in the journey of searching, learning and living; allows others to express their faith in a unique style

fundamentalist

the viewpoint that the bible should be taken literally

textual criticism

when textual variations exist, examining the text using reason to understand what happened

linguistics

compare every word of text, examine the use and context of each word and consider possible language changes through translations

study of oral traditions

stories that were originally told through word of mouth and have been preserved through constant retellings

source criticism

examining the traditional standards of scripture and how it has evolved, studying possible changes made after the authors death

form criticism

studying the characteristics of various literary genres in scriptures

redaction criticism

looking beyond the author as an individual and consider who influenced them throughout time

methods of biblical interpretation

linguistics, study of oral traditions, source criticism, form criticism, redaction criticism

polytheism

the belief in many gods.

polytheism...

did not adhere to a single standard

polytheistic gods...

lived forever and had supernatural powers but otherwise lived like mortals

monotheism

the belief in one God who is the creator of the universe

monotheism is...

the most revolutionary idea that Jewish people brought into the world

the 6 values were taken from...

monotheism

each person has a soul

"a divine spark of God" in everyone

value of life

"saving a life, saving a universe" -Talmud

justice and equality

we are created in God's image , therefore have responsibilty to each other

remembering the jews are the chosen people

jews have responsibility to be a "light unto the nations" to create a world that is just

social responsibility

since everyone has a soul there's a responsibility ro emulate the Almighty to look after God's creation

monotheism as a solid idea

monotheism is a gift from the jewish people (inspired christianity and islam)

priestly tradition (1st story)

more philosophical approach

elhohist version (2nd story)

more of a story

in the first story...

god spoke objects into existence ("let there be light")

in the seconds story...

god physically made Adam from clay and Eve from Adam's rib

The Lex Talionis (Law of Talion)

the principle that if one hurts someone they will also be injured in retribution (an eye for an eye)

the law of Moses

acted as a blueprint for building a new society and a radically new way of life based on love of God and neighbour

for christians and jews many ideas from the law of Moses were said to be ...

revolved by God

in the law of Moses there is

a greater concern for poor, widows, orphans, and foreigners than in the Code of Hammurabi

the law of Moses is concerned with

both punishment and restitution.

some examples of the law of Moses include

cancelling of debts after a certain number of years, re-distributing land and goods, requiring the rich to give up some of their goods to the poor on a regular basis.

Code of Hammurabi

probably the earliest law code in human history and it comes from Ancient Babylon

in the code of Hammurabi...

crimes committed against the upper classes were considered worse than those committed against the lower classes.

which law had a lower view on human life?

the code of Hammurabi

which law used superstition to to determine one's guilt?

the code of Hammurabi

the majority of the code of Hammurabi concerns...

money, property, and business transactions.

prophet

a link between god and the people

a prophet's responsibility is to

announce God's will immediately in a way that normal people can comprehend

a prophet's job is to

bring back obedience to the Torah and failing that, specify the punishment for their disobedience

prophetic themes

Religious Formalism, Materialism and Indifference to Others, Greed and Economic Injustice, Ignorance, Dishonesty, Arrogance and Corruption, poor Leadership, False Prophets and Hypocrites, Encouraging Positive Change

religious formalism

the practice of acting religious on the outside but not truly responding to God’s call on the inside

materialism and indifference to others

-materialism is caring more about physical objects more than anything
-indifference is not caring and turning a blind eye to the suffering of others

greed and economic justice

Amos is criticizing businessmen who cheat and exploit the poor by charging unfair prices and paying unfair wages

Ignorance

-Isaiah is referring to individuals who close their eyes to their own faults and to problems in society (the Israelites do not want to hear God's truth because they don't want to change their ways)

Dishonesty, Arrogance and Corruption

Isaiah is speaking out against those who spread lies, those who are full of themselves, and those who are willing to do the wrong thing for money or profit

Poor Leadership

Isaiah is criticizing political and religious leaders who are not acting in the best interests of the less fortunate in society

False Prophets and Hypocrite

Jeremiah is criticizing self-proclaimed prophets who claim to be speaking for God but who are leading sinful lives

Encouraging Positive Change

Jeremiah is telling us to care for the less fortunate, welcome the foreigners, act justly, speak the truth and follow God’s teachings

what was Amos the prophet of

justice

Amos was originally from Judah but called to preach in

Isreal

why was Amos called the "lion of God"

because his message was blunt and harsh

Amos says that the Lord

does not like sacrifices, and hymn singing that do not come from sincere hearts.

Hosea

God as a betrayed husband

Hosea is from the North and preaches

in the North: Israel

Why is Hosea married to

Gomer

parable of Hosea

Gomer deserted Hosea for other lovers as Israel has deserted God for the Canaanite god Baal

Jezreel (Hosea and Gomer child)

shameful butchery

Loruhamah (Hosea and Gomer child)

not pitied

Loammi (Hosea and Gomer child)

not my people

the Beatitudes focus...

more on adopting a certain mindset and vision rather than just simply following the rules.

what do the Beatitudes push us to do?

to become people of virtue, and act as a blueprint for living out the Chrsitian lifestyle.

what is the sermon on the mount

a group of Jesus’ most famous teachings.

if we followed the sermon on the mount what would happen?

society could be free of evil, sin, suffering and violence.