Theology Final Exam PDF

The exam is all essay, including one longer essay. material for short essays 5 pillars of Islam Faith: The declaration that there is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is His messenger. Prayer: Performing ritual prayers five times a day to maintain a connection with Allah. Charity: Giving a portion of...

The exam is all essay, including one longer essay. material for short essays 5 pillars of Islam Faith: The declaration that there is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is His messenger. Prayer: Performing ritual prayers five times a day to maintain a connection with Allah. Charity: Giving a portion of wealth (2.5%) to help those in need and purify one’s wealth. Fasting: Fasting during the month of Ramadan from dawn to sunset to foster self-discipline and empathy. Pilgrimage: A once-in-a-lifetime journey to Mecca for those who are able, to perform specific rituals and deepen their faith. jihad (both meanings) - The “Greater Jihad” is the struggle against the lower self – the struggle to purify one's heart, do good, avoid evil and make oneself a better person. The “Lesser Jihad” is an outward struggle and defending oneself against war. Sharia - Religious regulations governing the lives of Muslims. It is derived from the Quran and Hadith which provides guidelines for all aspects of a Muslim’s life. This includes worship, personal matter, family, and laws. the Crusades (what and why) The Crusades were a series of religious wars fought between the 11th and 15th centuries, primarily between Christians and Muslims. The primary goal was to reclaim Jerusalem and the Holy Land from Muslim control. The Crusades were also motivated by religious zeal, political power, economic gain, and the desire to spread Christianity. Describe what CS Lewis meant by the term “mere” Christianity; you should be able to give a few examples of what he didn’t want to discuss in the book by that title, and explain why (you In Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis focused on the core beliefs of Christianity shared by all denominations, such as the existence of a moral law, belief in God and Jesus Christ, and Christian virtues like love and forgiveness. He avoided controversial topics like denominational differences (e.g., Catholicism vs. Protestantism), complex theological doctrines (e.g., the Eucharist or predestination), and church structure to unite Christians and present a simple, accessible message for a broad audience. three main branches of Christianity - Roman Catholicism: The largest branch, centered on the authority of the Pope and tradition. It emphasizes seven sacraments and the veneration of saints and Mary.  - Eastern Orthodoxy: Composed of independent churches, it values tradition and scripture, rejects papal authority, and uses icons and elaborate liturgies in worship. - Protestantism: Originating from the Reformation, it stresses the Bible as the sole authority, salvation by faith alone, and generally recognizes only two sacraments: Baptism and the Eucharist. explain the beginning of the Protestant Reformation by discussing Martin Luther’s criticism of the sale of indulgences and the conclusions he reached after the Catholic Church rejected his criticisms The Protestant Reformation began when Martin Luther criticized the Catholic Church’s sale of indulgences, which were believed to reduce punishment for sins. Luther argued that indulgences couldn’t forgive sins and that salvation came through faith alone, not through buying indulgences. After the Church rejected his criticisms, Luther concluded that the Bible, not the Pope, should be the authority (Sola Scriptura) and that salvation was by faith alone (justification by faith), leading to his break from the Church and the start of the Reformation. what Christianity teaches about heaven, both what it is and what it is not; be sure to discuss the resurrection of the body and the new heaven and new earth (carefully review the reading “What Heaven Is Not”) Heaven isn't our ultimate "home" or our final hope. Instead, our true hope is in the complete restoration of the world, made possible by Jesus' resurrection and the beginning of God's New Creation. This New Creation is a promise that one day, heaven will come down to earth, and everything will be renewed. This means we’ll be able to enjoy perfect, lasting friendship with God forever, just as He intended from the beginning. The renewal of creation is already starting through Jesus, but it will be fully realized in the future, when all things are made right. LONGER ESSAY This is the essay question that will appear on the final: What was so significant about the Second Vatican Council in terms of the Catholic Church’s teaching about the relationship between Christianity and other religious traditions? In your answer discuss the document Nostra Aetate and what it says about the Church’s view of truth and its commitment to preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Second Vatican Council (1962–1965) marked a significant shift in the Catholic Church's approach to other religious traditions. The document Nostra Aetate emphasized a more respectful and open stance toward other faiths. It recognized that while Jesus Christ is the fullest revelation of God and the ultimate source of truth, elements of truth can also be found in other religions. At the same time, the Church reaffirmed its commitment to preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ, believing that salvation is ultimately found in Him. While respecting other religions, the Church maintained its mission to share the Christian faith with all people.