Final Exam Review

Name two of the four positions Christians hold about science?

· “One position sees it as good that science corrects the erroneous worldview of earlier believers.” (236)

· “A second position holds that scientific discoveries actually strengthen Christian faith by showing believers more about God. This position is an intensely religious one. Seeing the universe as one of God’s primary modes of revelation, these believers welcome any fact about the universe as demonstrating more of God’s power and mercy.” (236)

· “A third position holds that because of the serious challenges that science poses to Christian doctrine, even basic Christian doctrines must be recast.” (237)

· “A fourth position is held by those Christians who reject science. This reaction against the scientific discoveries of the last four hundred years can be seen in the Old Order Amish, who refuse to study science and who live without much that modern technology provides.” (239)

According to Augustine, what happens when an interpretation of the Bible conflicts with scientific knowledge?

According to Augustine, the biblical interpretation was wrong, this is because he believed that the Bible and science went together hand in hand. He believed that God was constantly trying to show his believers how things work through science. (235)

Which churches arose during the Protestant Reformation?

·Lutheran and Anglican churches

·Presbyterian and the Reformed churches

·Baptist and plain churches (102-105)

Which longer creed was developed to add more philosophical language to the statement about Jesus?

The Nicene Creed (39)

What does incarnation mean?

Incarnation means that God became human in Jesus. (36)

How did Paul influence the development of the Christian church?

Paul influenced the development of the Christian church most prominently in the 50s, traveling all over Eurasia to preach, establish churches, write letters, teach theology, and discuss controversies. Jesus delivered his ministry in Aramaic, but Paul hellenized the Jewish Jesus, articulating the gospel into a Greek lens. (145)

What is the meaning of hermeneutics?

Hermeneutics is a method of interpretation of the Bible (26)

How did Jewish poets describe the wisdom of God?

They described God’s wisdom in creating the world and administering justice as a mighty woman named Sophia (Greek for wisdom). Many cultures share this poetic tradition. Even the United States Supreme Court Building displays a statue if such a Wise Woman. There are also Christian hymns and prayers that speak of Christ as Sophia. (63)

What are the stigmata?

The stigmata are the wounds in the palms, feet, and side on a statue of Jesus to replicate the wounds of Christ on the cross. Francis of Assissi is famous for identifying with Christ that he inflicted himself with wounds on his body. (149)

What are some current controversial issues with science and Christianity?

Some of the current controversial issues with science and Christianity include the following topics: cosmology, geology, ecology, anthropology, biology, medical advances, and public policy. The questions concerning cosmology generally quarrel over the ideas of the creation of the universe, The Big Bang Theory, and whether God is still actively creating. The questions concerning geology regard the age of the earth and the things that the earth contains, primarily how that conflicts with passages in the Bible. The questions concerning ecology regard how Christians should participate (if at all) in preserving the environment and whether God is present in all parts of our environment. The questions concerning anthropology regard the origin of life (both humans and not), what the “image of God” implies, what “soul” is and if other animals have “soul”. The questions concerning biology regard current debates of sexual intercourse, what is considered ethical and unethical, and what Christians can and cannot take part in. The questions concerning medical advances regard gene editing, stem research, and vaccines. The questions concerning public policy regard government involvement, medical care, and what should be included in education. (243-245)

Why, by the second millennium, could Christianity no longer present itself as a peaceful religion?

Because the Crusades, which were failed attempts to push back Muslim populations, were supported by the Popes and prominent theologians (Page 160)

How has the pluralist point of view affected our world today?

Pluralists are those who believe that there can be truth in many different religions, not just their own. This does not mean that they see every religion as perfect or purely correct, it just means that there can be pieces of truth in different religions. This point of view has helped those who use it become less judgmental of other people because they find more respect in other people’s worldviews and religions. This has also resulted in more inter-faith marriages, especially in modern America. (258-260)

What were the earliest extant Christian writings indicating the understanding of sainthood?

Paul recounts in his letters to assemblies as “holy ones” which meant people of godly living for being set apart from others under God. This also comes from the Greek word hagios which translates to the word “saint

Who challenged the authority and set the rules for sexual ethics and marriage as understood in the traditional sense of the Christian church today?

Augustine (219)

What are the synoptics?

The synoptics are the gospel of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. They are similar in content and order. (18)

What does it mean when the bible says that we were made in God’s image?

When the bible says that God made us in His image, it means that God made us able to maintain loving relationships and create a more diverse and complex world. God made us in His image by giving us power, reason, love, creativity, and immortality. (55)

Give the dates of significant councils that shaped Christianity in new ways.

· The first council was held in 325 at Nicea after which the Nicene Creed is named.

· Another important council was held in 451 at Chalcedon, when the bishops voted to affirm the two natures of Christ, Christ as fully divine and fully human.

· In 1962, the pope convened the Second Vatican Council that brought reform in the Catholic church by allowing for conversations with Protestants, Orthodox, and non-Christian religions. (152)

What is the difference between pluralism and syncretism?

Christians who take a pluralist position recognize that many of the major world religions offer valid paths to salvation, and that Christ is only one way to reach the truth. They believe that many religions contain truths that can help people live good and fulfilling lives. Each religion is unique, and it is beneficial to have interfaith dialogue with other religions. They reject the idea that religions are in competition with one another. Christians who take a syncretist position believe that different beliefs, symbols, and rituals from different religions should blend with Christianity in an attempt to end religious competition. While most syncretists combine rituals and beliefs either because of interfaith marriages or as a result of colonization, the core syncretist belief is that the hybridity of religious proposals strengthens the search for truth. (258–62)

Which composer said not all Christian music was meant to be composed in a Christian setting and we can see that in what genre of music?

George Frederick Handel’s Messiah was composed to be a concert piece. Today, Christian rock is popular around the world in secular settings. (85)

What is apocalypticism?

Apocalypticism is the belief that God will destroy the evil world with cosmic catastrophes in order to establish a new world. (61)

How did the arts and literature influence Christianity? 

Perhaps the most famous example of art is the painting of the Sistine chapel by Michelangelo. The images present, especially the creation of Adam, are a staple of many imaginations and continue to amaze. Buildings such as the Notre Dame also stand out as monumental creations that many travel to visit. Other examples that have partaken in the development of Christianity include poetry, children’s books, novels, and music. Pieces such as “The Messiah” by Handel and “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” provide many with spiritual enrichment and/or a sense of individuality and belonging (164-66)