ANTH 314 Exam 3 Christianity and Islam

What 3 themes are present in Christianity and emphasized so strongly that one might describe them as "radical?"

1. Redemption

2. Forgiveness

3. Humility

What is the greatest commandment of Christianity?

Love

How does Jesus call Simon/Peter to follow him?

He performs a miracle that fills their net up with fish, he says "Come follow me, I will make you fishers of men"

When and how does this event repeat later in their relationship?

After Jesus rises from the dead, he again finds Simon Peter and says to follow him.

What does Jesus say about "An eye for an eye?"

But I say if anyone should slap you on your right cheek, turn and give them the other one also.

"If someone takes your tunic..."

Offer them your cloak as well.

"Love your neighbors and hate your enemy"

Love your enemy and pray for those who persecute you

Which Beatitude do you think is the hardest to live out today, and why might it still be important?

Blessed are the poor in sprit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

According to the canonical gospels, after Jesus dies, Peter obtains the ability to perform miracles

True, in ACTS.

What was the name of the Jewish leader who became the Apostle Paul?

Saul

Who wrote most letters in the New Testament?

Paul

What was the importance of Peter's vision of unclean animals

Lead the Gentiles to convert, creation of various languages.

Describe the following in the Gnostic Worldview: True God, Demiurge, Serpent

True God: Supreme being, beyond material universe.

Demiurge: False God, creator of the material world

Serpent: Encourages humans to attain knowledge forbidden by Demiurge

The Gospel of Mary is in the New Testament

False

How did the church organization of Gnostics differ from that of the emerging orthodox church?

Gnostic = fluid, constantly changes / Orthodox= Rigid, strong, unchanging

What Roman Emperor issued the Edict of Milan in 313 AD, granting Christians legal freedom to worship?

Constantine

What term describes the unlearned gift of God's love and help in Catholic theology?

Grace?

According to Catholics, what happens after death to a faithful soul that is not completely pure?

Purgatory

Give an example of a mortal sin that is commonly committed:

Thou shalt not lie

What is the term for the process of becoming more like God through grace and virtue?

Sancitification

Catholics worship Saints

False

What tradition honors the idea: "God became human so that we might become God?"

Orthodox theosis

"Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner"... What is this OR how is it used?

Continual repetition, for awareness of God's mercy

What is the biggest difference in feel or core goal between Catholics and Orthodox?

Catholics = moral growth, sacraments / Orthodox = mystical union with God, ontological transformation

Orthodox Christians say they are not "becoming the essence of God" but participating in...

union

Who challenged the authority of the Catholic Church in the 1300s and translated the Bible into vernacular?

John Wycliffe

What was Martin Luther's main objection to the Catholic Church when he posted his 95 Theses?

Sale of indulgences (paying money to "cleanse" of sins)

What invention helped spread Luther's ideas quickly?

The printing press

What was the central tension in the Puritan colony?

Religious tension around non-puritan beliefs??

Who was outcasted from the colony and why?

Williams

Who preached "rebirth" across America so eloquently and won large crowds in the 1700s?

George Whitefield

What case came up that ultimately led to the seperation of Church and State in the USA?

Ratification of Bill of Rights

What was the impact of Protestant Christianity on the growth of Capitalism?

Economic growth + individualism + education

What happened to the number of denominations during the Second Great Awakening?

They multiplied/more were created

When was the Second Great Awakening?

1790s-1840s

Was the bible used to defend or criticize slavery?

Both

What 1862 hymn linked religious purpose with fighting for freedom?

The Battle Hymn of the Republic

What were the original words about (prior to the 1862 re-write?)

John Brown's body lies mouldering in the grave??

When and why did the USA start saying "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance?

Added because of the Cold War/fight against Communism (1954)

What did Fundamentalists do in USA politics after the 1925 Scopes Trial?

Retreated from public life

When and why did that change again (referring to what the Fundamentalists did to USA politics after the 1925 Scopes Trial)

Conservative movements, late 60s/early 70s

What are 3 of the most "dangerous ideas" Muhammad spreads?

1. Women have rights

2. The rich should not oppress the poor

3. The strong should not oppress the weak

Most Muslims view Jihad as Jihad against...

The self

Why can't conservative Muslims take out a loan or buy insurance?

constitutes Riba, is a haram

Jihad is one of the 5 pillars of Islam

False

Muslims trace their history back to Abrham

True

List 3 rights that the Quran granted women that were remarkable for 600 AD

1. Divorce

2. Finances

3. Education

The word Islam means...

Surrender to the will of God

The central miracle of Islam is...

the Quran as the divine word of God

What does the word ayah mean?

Sign of God

What are the two books that Allah revealed?

Quran and Torah?

What do Muslims believe about Jesus?

The believe he was a prophet, born of a virgin, who was able to perform miracles. They do not believe that he was the direct son of God.

The first revelation to Muhammad began with the command...

Read

What is jihad and how has it been misinterpreted in modern contexts?

Doing one's utmost, it has been construed as an outlet to violence.

The city where Muhammad first established a multi-faith community and mosque is...

Medina

List the five pillars of Islam and briefly describe what each one means

1. Shahada - profession of faith

2. Salat - prayer

3. Zakat - charity

4. Saum - fasting

5. Haji - pilgrimage

The hijra marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar and refers to Muhammad's migration to...

From Mecca to Medina

Ihsan is the pursuit of spiritual excellence through ... and ...

sincerity and excellence

Dhikr means ... and involves what kind of practices?

Remembrance, repeatedly reciting prayers

In the Quran, how are rules of war limited and guided by ethical concerns?

establishes ethical boundaries for warfare, primarily restricting violence

What does the Quran say about forgiveness, both from God and towards others?

emphasizes both divine forgiveness from God and the importance of forgiving others

The term nafs refers to the ...

self

How did Islam spread so widely in its early centuries? Name two or more factors.

1. Compelling radical liberation

2. Trade

What is one major reason the Quran is considered untranslatable?

It is believed that translating the direct word of God would alter it

What is the Quran's stance on compulsion in religion?

There is no compulsion in religion

How does Hebah Ahmed describe her choice to wear the niqab?

She says that it is liberating, and that it makes it so people see her for her brain/personality

What is Wahhabism?

A very conservative reform movement in Islam

When did it start (Wahhabism)?

1700s

Where is it practiced (Wahhabism)?

Saudi Arabia

In what country have women been protesting to be allowed to not wear the hijab?

Iran

What what country did women recently (2017) win the right to wear the hijab?

Turkey

Describe the Conference of the Birds by listing 5 key plot-points and one lesson or key idea for each plot point.

1. The birds all plea to find a leader/purpose.

2. They all journey through the seven valleys

3. The birds all face unique trials. Have to let go of ego and worldly desires

4. The birds realize their own divine nature is within after seeing reflection in the lake

5. Spiritual awakening. The end of the journey represents our interconnectedness and unity

How might the wisdom of these traditions (such as the surrender of God's will in Islam, the radical love and grace of Jesus in Christianity, or the ego-annihilating love in Sufism) help you approach a challenge in your own life (ex. relationship, fear, personal failure, etc.)