RE exam semester 2

Dagmang

Monasticism

A religious way of life in which one renounces worldly pursuits to devote oneself fully to spiritual work, typically living in a monastery.

Origins of Monasticism

Originated in the deserts of Egypt around the 3rd and 4th centuries AD, starting with hermits (like St Antony) who sought a life of intense prayer and solitude.

St Benedict and the Benedictine Monks

Established in the 6th century AD (around 529 AD) at Monte Cassino in Italy by St Benedict of Nursia.

Benedictine Vows

The three core vows taken by Benedictine monks are poverty, chastity, and obedience (along with stability and conversion of life).

Daily Life of a Medieval Monk

Centered around the "Opus Dei" (Work of God) and manual labor, balanced by a strict schedule of communal prayer, chanting, reading, and working (summarized by "Ora et Labora" - pray and work).

Lectio Divinia

A traditional monastic practice of scriptural reading, meditation, and prayer intended to promote communion with God.

Monastic Diet

Typically simple, vegetarian or low-meat diets (vegetables, bread, beans, cheese, and sometimes fish or eggs), avoiding rich meats to encourage asceticism and discipline.

Monastic Clothing

Usually consisted of a plain tunic (habit) made of coarse wool, tied with a leather belt or cord, and often covered by a scapular and a hood (cowl).

Monastic Inventions and Innovations

Monks made major contributions to agriculture, brewing, winemaking, metallurgy, water management, clocks, and preserving literacy and scientific knowledge.

Monk's Involvement in Innovations

Monks drove innovation through meticulous record-keeping, experiments, and the need for self-sufficiency in isolated monasteries.

Religious Orders (Past and Present)

Historical and modern groups of people who live under a common religious rule (e.g., Benedictines, Franciscans, Dominicans, Jesuits, Carmelites).

Features of a Monastery/Abbey

Key areas included the church, cloister, chapter house, refectory (dining hall), dormitory, scriptorium, and infirmary.

Illuminated Manuscripts

Hand-written books decorated with rich colors, gold or silver, intricate borders, and miniature illustrations.

Purpose of Illuminated Manuscripts

To honor God, beautify sacred texts, aid in worship and study, and visually convey religious stories to people who couldn't read.

Features of an Illuminated Manuscript

Features include gold leaf/pigments, decorative initial capital letters, elaborate borders, margin illustrations, and precise hand-lettering (calligraphy).

How Illuminated Manuscripts Were Made

Made by scraping, stretching, and cutting animal skin (parchment/vellum), drafting text with quill pens, mixing mineral/plant pigments, and applying gold leaf.

Who Made Them

Monks (and later specialized lay craftspeople) working in monastery scriptoriums.

Elements of the Bible

Divided into the Old Testament (Hebrew Scriptures, 46 books in Catholic canon) and the New Testament (Christian Scriptures, 27 books).

Literal Language

Language that means exactly what it says, with no metaphorical interpretation.

Figurative Language

Language that uses symbols, metaphors, similes, and poetic devices to convey deeper truths rather than strict factual accuracy.

Myths in the Bible

Traditional stories using symbolic language to explain sacred truths about God, creation, and human nature (not false stories, but theological truths).

Historical Stories in the Bible

Narratives recounting real historical events and figures from the perspective of faith and God's relationship with His people.

Law (Biblical Form)

Rules, commandments, and legal codes given to guide the religious, moral, and social behavior of the community (e.g., the Ten Commandments).

Poetry/Songs in the Bible

Lyrical expressions of emotion, praise, lament, and worship (e.g., the Book of Psalms, Song of Songs).

Wisdom (Biblical Form)

Practical sayings, proverbs, and philosophical reflections on how to live a good and virtuous life (e.g., Proverbs, Job).

Gospels

Accounts of the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John).

Letters (Epistles)

Formal correspondence written by apostles (like St Paul) to early Christian communities to guide, instruct, and encourage them.

Prayers (Biblical Form)

Direct addresses to God expressing petitions, thanksgiving, or praise found throughout Scripture.

Biblical Fundamentalism

An approach to Scripture that interprets the text strictly according to the literal, face-value meaning, often rejecting modern scientific or historical context.

Biblical Truth vs Literal Truth

Biblical truth refers to the religious, moral, and spiritual truths God intends to communicate, whereas literal truth strictly means physical or scientific factual accuracy.

Historical Context of the Bible

Created over a span of more than a thousand years (roughly from 1000 BC to 100 AD) across the Ancient Near East (Middle East, Mediterranean, Palestine, Greece, Rome).

Sacred vs Biblical Law

Sacred law encompasses divine commands and moral/religious laws overall, while biblical law specifically refers to the written codes recorded within the Bible (like Levitical laws).

Nicene Creed and its Literary Form

A formal statement of Christian faith structured as a solemn communal profession of belief (credal formula/hymn of faith).

History of the Nicene Creed

Formulated and adopted at the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD, and later expanded at the Council of Constantinople in 381 AD to combat heresies and unify Christian doctrine.

Key Catholic Beliefs in the Nicene Creed

Key beliefs include the Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), Jesus as fully God and fully man, the resurrection, the virgin birth, and the "one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church."