Religious Studies - Key Concepts

Religious Studies - Key Concepts

• Beatitude: A state of blessed happiness, linked to Jesus' teachings on virtues.
• Conscience: Inner sense of right and wrong.
• Intimacy: Close, personal relationship.
• Prophet: Person speaking for God.
• Laudato Si: Pope Francis' environmental encyclical.
• Covenant: Sacred agreement or promise.
• Sacrament: Religious ceremony conveying grace.
• Commandment: Divine rule or directive.
• Prayer: Communicating with a deity.
• Sin: Wrongdoing or disobedience to God.
• Myth: Traditional story explaining beliefs or natural events.
• Law: Set of rules governing behavior.
• Psalm: Sacred song or prayer (especially in the Bible).
• Parable: Short story teaching a moral lesson.
• Proverb: Wise, short saying offering advice.
• Love: Deep affection and care for others.
• Prudence: Cautious and wise decision-making.
• Justice: Fairness and giving each their due.
• Temperance: Moderation or self-control.
• Fortitude: Courage and strength in facing challenges.
• Lent: 40-day period of fasting and prayer before Easter.
• Advent: Season of preparation before Christmas.
• Genesis: First book of the Bible, on creation.
• Exodus: Bible book about Israelites escaping Egypt.
• Pentecost: Celebration of the Holy Spirit's descent.
• Virtue: Positive habit or quality.
• Incarnation: God becoming human in Jesus.
• Passions: Strong emotions or feelings.

Bible Versions & Structures

• New Revised Standard Version (NRSV): Similar structure to Protestant Bibles, but includes Deuterocanonical books (Apocrypha).
• Old Testament (NRSV): 39 books plus Deuterocanonical books (46 total in Catholic tradition). Includes history, law, prophecy, and wisdom literature.
• New Testament (NRSV): 27 books (same as Protestant). Includes Gospels, Acts, Epistles, and Revelation, focusing on Jesus and early Church.
• Bible Divisions: Organized into Testaments, Books, Chapters, and Verses (e.g., John 5:16-17).

Bible Reading Approaches

• Literal Reading: Taking scripture as it's written, word-for-word, often without deeper analysis. (e.g., viewing Genesis creation as purely literal).
• Contextual Reading: Understanding the Bible based on time, culture, and writing style; considering symbolic or metaphorical elements. (e.g., viewing Genesis creation as conveying a message of God's role in creation, not as literal scientific fact).
• Catholic Approach: Reading with context and Church teachings; recognizing the Bible's inspired nature requires interpretation beyond a literal reading.

Biblical Genres

• Myth: Traditional story about gods or heroes, often explaining cultural beliefs.
• List: Series of names, events, or words arranged in a specific order.
• Poetry: Expression of personal feelings, often on love.
• Prophecy: Prediction of future events, often divinely inspired.
• Law: Rules for behavior.
• History: Account of past events.
• Letter: Written message.
• Parable: Story illustrating a lesson or insight.
• Sermon: Serious or solemn speech based on scripture.
• Drama: Story with dialogue and interactions between characters.

Creation Stories

• 7-Day Story (Genesis 1): Detailed account of God's creation over 7 days.
• Adam & Eve (Genesis 2 & 3): Creation of humankind and the story of the fall from grace, representing mankind's disobedience.

Major Biblical Stories

• Cain & Abel: Cain's jealousy and murder of Abel (Genesis 4).
• Noah: God's flood and Noah's ark (Genesis 6-9).
• Abraham: God's covenant with Abraham and near-sacrifice of Isaac (Genesis 12-22).
• Ishmael: Abraham's son with Hagar, also promised a great nation.
• Isaac: Abraham's son, almost sacrificed, father to Esau and Jacob.
• Esau: Isaac's firstborn, losing his birthright to Jacob.
• Jacob: Tricks Esau for birthright; father of the 12 Israelite tribes.
• Joseph: Sold into slavery and rises to power in Egypt; forgives his brothers and reunites his family.
• Moses: Leads Israelites out of Egyptian slavery; receives the Ten Commandments.
• David: Shepherd who becomes king, uniting Israel.
• Jesus: Life, teachings, miracles, crucifixion, and resurrection (Gospels).

Sin & Virtues

• Four Main Types of Sin: Original, Mortal, Venial, Social Sin
• Theological Virtues (Christian): Faith, Hope, Charity (Love)
• Cardinal Virtues (Western Philosophy): Prudence, Justice, Fortitude, Temperance.

The Ten Commandments

• A set of divine rules for moral behavior.

Sacraments

• Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist
• Sacraments of Healing: Reconciliation (Confession), Anointing of the Sick
• Sacraments of Vocation: Marriage, Holy Orders

Religious Themes & Obligations

• Catholic Social Teaching: Dignity of the human person, preferential option for the poor.
• Sunday Mass Attendance: Crucial for worship and community.
• Holy Days of Obligation: Required Mass attendance on specific feast days.
• Exceptions to requirements: Excuses for missing Mass include serious illness and caregiving.

Films (Based on Biblical Stories)

• Joseph: King of Dreams: Animated film about Joseph's life and rise to power.
• The Prince of Egypt: Film about Moses and the exodus from Egypt, focusing on freedom and faith.

Types of Prayer

• Adoration (worship)
• Blessing (Divine favour)
• Thanksgiving (gratitude)
• Petition (requesting)
• Intercession (requesting on behalf of others)
• Praise (glorifying)

Greek Types of Love

• Storge: Empathy bond.
• Philia: Friendship bond.
• Eros: Erotic bond.
• Agape: Unconditional "God" love.

Moral Decision-Making

• See, Judge, Act, Evaluate: Method of reflecting on and making moral decisions.