Living World Religions Exam 1

Preliminary questions?

A. 1. What is religion?

2. Is any religion really “true”?

3. Where did religion come from?

4. How should Christians respond to non-Christian religions?

5. How are we going to organize the study of all these religions?

What are some possible responses to religious pluralism?

"One religion is true and the rest are false" (exclusivism)

"One religion is true and the others are partially true." (inclusivism)

"All religions are true." (pluralism)

"All religions are false." (atheism)

What is exclusivism?

One religion is true and the rest are false.

What is inclusivism?

One religion is true and the others are partially true.

What is pluralism?

All religions are true.

What is atheism?

All religions are false.

Listing: Paul was respectful, informed, and persuasive.

List the four reasons.

1. He was comfortable re-purposing non-Christian philosophy to point to one true Creator.

2. He did not insult the "gods" to make the case of Christ.

3. He knew the religious backgrounds of his audience.

4. He believed faith in Christ was a matter of eternal life and death.

What are the three types of pluralism?

1. empirical

2. cherished

3. philosophical

What is empirical pluralism?

the fact of diversity

What is cherished pluralism?

the good things about diversity

What is philosophical pluralism?

the idea that all belief systems are equally valid

Nigosian's definition of pluralism

A. “Social construction of reality”

Like Plato’s “noble lie”: a worldview created to unite the masses

What is theology?

the study of religion, based on one's own religious commitment, in order to promote it.

Robinson and Rodrigues call theology what?

confessional perspective

What is the definition of religious studies?

academics study of religion that aims to understand all religious traditions objectively, in a religiously neutral way

How could this course help us?

1. understand the religious convictions of our newest neighbors

2. appreciate the appeal of these religious alternatives among the "spiritual and not religious"

3. learn how to speak truth-in word and deed- in a pluralistic society

What are the five views of where religion came from?

1. Psychological

2. Sociological/Anthropological

3. Critical Theory

4. Biological

5. "Original monotheism"

What is the psychological view?

people invented religion to fulfill their emotional needs.

What is the sociological/anthropological view?

people invented religion to fulfill their perceived social needs

What is the critical theory view?

post-colonial study of religion that recognizes inherent biases in Western approaches, especially with regard to cultural imperialism

What is the biological view?

the evolution of religion

assume moving from low to high religion, tribal to national to universal religion, magic to philosophy (magic concerned with power, philosophy with explanations)

Listing: evolution of religion

mana, animism, polytheism, henotheism, monotheism

Listing: The typical story line...

1. Humans sensed mana (a spiritual force in the world) and designed the magic needed to manipulate it.

2. Then, they personified those spiritual forces as ancestors (animism)

3. Then, elevated departed spirits to god-like status and personified abstract principles like "justice" or "love". Thus, magic changed to "worship" (polytheism)

4. Believed in may gods, but groups of them were worshiping only one as supreme, "one and the many" (henotheism)

5. The one won out: monotheism

Critique of evolution?

1. No evidence to support this view “that religion has evolved” (mana->animism->polytheism->henotheism->monotheism). a. In fact, different “stages” co-exist in same belief systems. E.g. animists who believe in Creator God

b. Much evidence of monotheism even in “primitive” cultures

c. Evidence also suggests that the tendency is to move in the opposite direction: when people abandon monotheism, go toward animism and magic

What is "original monotheism"?

belief that the inclination toward religion is God Himself who revealed Himself in the beginning as the one true God and has "not left himself without testimony" in the religious traditions of the world. in fact, he has "set eternity in the hearts of men"

-(God instilled in us a homing device for religion, we are religious because we are made in the image of God, religion comes from God who put eternity in our hearts)

Listing: How should Christians respond to non-Christian religions? What are four common views? (be able to put a short phrase with each)

1. exclusivism

2. inclusivism

3. pluralism

4. universalism

What is the exclusivism view?

Jesus is the unique incarnation of God, fully human and fully divine. Salvation is found only in Him. Bible is true, unique, authoritative revelation. Claims incompatible with the Bible must be rejected as false.

What is the inclusivism view?

The basic claims of Christian faith are true, and Jesus is unique, but God reveals Himself and, through Christ, saves people through other religions as well.

What is the pluralism view?

Rejects the idea that Jesus is unique and suggests that God reveals himself in all religions and saves all pious people.

What is the universalism view?

All people will be saved regardless of what they know of how they live.

Short answer: What is an anonymous Christian?

Catholic label for people who are saved, but don't claim to be Christians

Thorny questions regarding common views?

A. 1. What about those who have never heard?

2. What about hell?

What's the difference between general revelation and special revelation?

General revelation is learning about God by observing the world around us (looking up and looking in), but special revelation is learning about God through a spiritual encounter (reading the Bible and focusing on Jesus)

What is general revelation sometimes referred to as?

common grace

What is general revelation?

What we learn about God by observing the universe around us.

What is special revelation?

God's self-revelation through history as recorded in scripture and embodied in Jesus of Nazareth. The word made flesh.

Listing: Why does Dr. Cox not like the term "exclusivist"?

1. "exclusive" doesn't do justice to Jesus' inclusive demeanor.

2. "exclusive" position too often based on proof texts, but the whole mission of Jesus was to seek and save the lost—along with his own dire warnings about the consequences of unbelief, are hard to understand if inclusivists, pluralists, or universalists are correct.

3. "exclusivists" are stereotypically not known for being well-informed or respectful toward those with whom they disagree.

What does Dr. Cox believe to be a better label for "exclusivist"?

messenger mentality

Listing: Is "messenger mentality" a better label than "exclusivist"? Messenger mentality means:

*memorize 4 of them

1. We pass on the message we believe has been passed on to us, focusing on truth not just experience minus the judgement calls we are not authorized to make

2. We reject "works salvation" accepted by those who believe people may be saved by their piety outside of Christ

3. We reject the "exclusivists" tone (combative, hateful)

4. We engage in dialogue to find mutual understanding and build friendships. The most meaningful begin with listening.

5. We are not surprised to find truths in other religions and not afraid to affirm those truths when we find them.

6. We stress the uniqueness of Christ without ridiculing other religious figures.

7. We pray fervently that God will put us in the path of seekers.

8. We embrace the combination of humility and confidence because: "We know in part", We are messengers, We follow Jesus

What is the evolutionary approach?

from most "primitive" to most recent

What is the philosophy of religion approach?

comparing philosophical categories such as the nature of man, the problem of evil, etc.

What is the sociological/anthropological approach?

emphasize how religion functions in societies, especially from the perspective of practitioners

What is the geographical approach?

based solely on regions of the world where certain religions predominate

What is the historical approach?

limited to the historical development of each one

What is the comparative approach?

based on themes and emphases common to all

What is the "original monotheism" approach?

from most monotheistic to the least

What is the "phenomenological" approach?

understanding a religion from the perspective of those who practice it.

What are the 7 Nigosian's headings?

1. background setting

2. founder

3. sects or institutions

4. sacred texts

5. main concepts

6. most important practices and rituals

7. historical development

What are Ninian Smart's list of nine dimensions?

1. Ritual

2. Mythological: history or legend

3. Doctrinal: what are you supposed to believe?

4. Ethical

5. Social

6. Experiental

7. Aesthetic

8. Psychological

9. Biological

first five books of the OT

"Torah"

prophets - Neri'im

writings - kheturim

*The meaning of “Torah” has expanded to mean “instruction” or “teaching” and includes Talmud as well. “All God’s instruction.”

3760 BCE

traditional year of Creation (year 0 on Jewish calendar)

What is current year (2020)

5780 A.M. ("anno mundi" i.e. year of the world)

Jewish holidays begin and ends at sundown on specific days at 5780-5781 A.M. (2020 CE)

Tanahk

an acronym for the three parts of the Hebrew Bible (torah, prophets, writings)

Listing: Points of Contrast (Listing)

1. Different expectations about the nature and mission of the Messiah

2. Christ invites us into a new kind of covenant

3. Prophets' promise of the indwelling Holy Spirit is fulfilled in Christ

What are the Points of Contact? (Listing)

1. Commitment to Scripture and covenant-keeping

2. Synagogue services and Christian assemblies

3. Goal of "repairing the world"

586 BCE

Babylonian Exile (destruction of the first temple)

1) development of synagogue (Greek meaning “gathering place”), focus on Torah, and role of rabbis

2) development of “Rabbinic Judaism”; i.e. faith and practice not centered on Temple, but Torah and oral interpretations (base more on tradition handed down by Rabbis)

167-164 BCE

Maccabean Revolt ( invasion by Antiochus IV “Epiphanes” of Syria) lasted 3 years, reason to celebrate Hanukkah (rededicate temple and independence)

- revolted against Selucid greek empire during second temple period

- 332: Conquest by Alexander the Great: Hellenizing influence

August 30 70 AD or...

9th of Av - destroy second temple

66-73 CE

Jewish revolt against Roman occupation; Christians flee Jerusalem

70 CE

Destruction of Second Temple, final conquest in September (depicted on Arch of Titus) on the 9th of Av

what happened under Herod the Great?

renovated the temple, called the Second Temple. NOTE: Herod began reconstruction in 20 BCE; it was completed in 64 CE. (See John 2:19-20 has 26 A.D. written)

610 CE

"Night of Power"; first revelations from Allah

135 CE

Simon Bar Kochba

executed; whole city destroyed, rebuilt with a Roman name. (changed name to Barkozeba which means disappointment)

gheta

foundry; word evolved into ghetto

Hillel

- A famous Jewish religious leader that developed the Mishnah and the Talmud. He also is know the expression of the Golden Rule; That which is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow. This is the foundation of the Torah

- grandson: Gamaliel

Shammai

Opposing views to Hillel, belived the Heavens were created first. One of the core figures whose ideas are relected in the Mishnah.

- more conservative

Josephus

- captured by romans

- became translator for Roman army

final conquest of Jewish revolt against Roman occupation

September 70 CE

Simon Bar Kochba

- Jewish military leader

- name means "star"

- whole city destroyed, rebuilt with a Roman name

# jews slaughtered in final conquest?

Last holdout of rebels?

1) 1.3 million Jews slaughtered

2) Temple completely leveled, never rebuilt again; only part remaining is the Western Wall, part of the temple mount. (Called “Wailing Wall” by Gentiles.)

3) last holdout of rebels? Masada, 960 commit mass suicide

Mishna

- written rabbinic law

- means "repetition"

(“repetition”) oral interpretations of the rabbis, finally written down

Gemara

- rabbinic commentaries on the Mishna added over time

- means "study"

Mishna + Gemara =

Talmud (commentary of rabbis)

Building a fence around the Torah

traditional safeguards against breaking the law

Ashkenazi Jews

Muslims dominating Mesopotamia, but tolerant.

1) Many Jews immigrate to Europe

2) Growing number of European Jews, not Sephardic, called Ashkenazim

a) named after Noah’s great-grandson in Gen. 10:3, Ashkenaz

b) Spoke German-Heb. mix, written in Heb. characters, called Yiddish (jüdisch in German = “Jewish”)

***Most Jews in world today are this***

Sephardic Jews

Jews whose traditions originated in Spain and Portugal

1) slaves taken to Rome, some to Spain and Portugal (beginning of Sephardic Jews who speak “Ladino” (Spanish in Heb. letters; term Sephardim mistakenly associated “Sepharad” in Obadiah 20 with Spain.)

August 15 1096

takeover Jerusalem

***official start date of the crusades

Crusades encourage persecution of Jews, Crusaders train by killing European Jews. Pope Urban II called for First Crusade in speech on November 27, 1095. Official start date was . . .1095-1290

63 BCE

- Judea taken over by Romans under Pompey

- called them "atheists"; many were martyrs for this

- temple destroyed again (not completely)

- slaves taken to Rome, Spain, and Portugal

- Obadiah 20

Prominent sects of Jews at the time

1. Pharisees

2. Sadducees

3. Essenes

4. Zealots

Pharisees

tradition of formal rabbis just as important as command of God

Saducees

political/economy, pay bribes to be part of priesthood

essenes

very religious; celibacy; desert, dead sea scrolls

Zealots

wanted to fight the Romans for their freedom; take up arms, no peace

Hasidic Jews

- known for dancing

- very large number in NYC

- Hared..."pharisees of the time"

Moses Mendelssohn (1776)

- secular teacher in Berlin

- advocated Jewish participation in wider culture and for what we would call "separation of church and state"

Moses Maimonides (1138-1204)

- nicknamed “Rambam,” published commentary on the Mishnah including his “thirteen articles of faith”

Spanish inquisition finally ended in...

1400-1500: jealousy and expulsion in Europe; Spanish Inquisition began in 1478, “Expulsion Decree” (also called “Alhambra Decree”) in 1492; officially ended in . . .1834

Day's journey according to rabbinic Jews

3/4 mile

immigrants from east Europe were...

more conservative (1880)

Rabbi Yisrael ben Eliezer

1) Emergence of Chasidim (from word hassidus or “piety”) in Ukraine, founded by Rabbi Yisrael ben Eliezer (1698-1760), better known as Baal Shem Tov (“Master of the Good Name”), who led a spiritual revival that emphasized the emotional side of faith—fervent prayer, song and dance—

as well as the practical dimension, the recognition of God’s presence in daily living.

Most of the Hasidic Jews lived where in the US?

NYC

Present Day Jewish Groups in the USA

1. Reform

2. Conservative

3. Orthodox

4. Reconstructionists

Reform Jews

largest group given up on coming messiah (35%)

a) considered theologically liberal by other Jewish groups. Interpret the Bible loosely, but work to preserve Jewish heritage and history. Call meeting places Temples because they’ve given up on rebuilding temple or coming Messiah.

Conservative Judaism

18% - interpret bible more seriously than reform

- meet in synagogues

- largest until 2006

a) interpret the Bible more seriously (than Reform movement). Meet in synagogues, some believe in coming Messiah. Known as "Masorti" ("traditional") in Europe.

Orthodox Judaism

- most strict form of Judaism

- 10%

- "Haredi": ultra-orthodox

a) Live near synagogues so they can observe Sabbath. Includes

"Haredi" or "Charedim" ("ultra- Orthodox") who maintain strict separation from "secular" culture.

Reconstructionist Judaism

- preserve Jewish ethnicity without the typical Jewish religious obligations

- 6%

- more than 100 reconstructionists synagogues in the U.S.

a) founded by Mordecai Kaplan in 1920's as a way to preserve Jewish ethnicity without the typical Jewish religious obligations. More than 100 Reconstructionists synagogues in U.S.

at least ______% of American Jews who self-identify as "secular"

31%

Tikkum Olam (Judaism)

"repairing the world"

Theodor Herzl

- "father of zionism"

- argues for establishment of Jewish homeland in Palestine

- most zionists were secular

a) publishes The Jewish State, and argues for establishment of Jewish homeland in Palestine. “Father of Zionism.” NOTE: Most “Zionists” were secular socialists (including Herzl)

Many Jews immigrating to _____, under Ottoman Turkish) control until 1917.

Palestine