Christian Quiz 1 PDF

11. Explain the “existential questions” and their connection to religious belief and doubt. How are they universal and perennial? According to Alister McGrath, what are the two characteristics of beliefs that are “really important” in life? According to Fr. T, why are these characteristics si...

11. Explain the “existential questions” and their connection to religious belief and doubt. How are they universal and perennial? According to Alister McGrath, what are the two characteristics of beliefs that are “really important” in life? According to Fr. T, why are these characteristics significant? ○ Existential questions: Why do righteous people suffer? Is death the end? Why are we here? ○ It is universal and perennial because such questions are what make us human; as long as humanity exists so will these questions. Perennial: lasts an infinite amount of time ○ According to Alister [hazbin hotel] McGrath, beliefs are relevant to life in a way that affects people's behaviors, thoughts, emotions, etc; beliefs are also claims that cannot be proven/disproven with certainty. ○ According to our professor,-- 12. In light of today’s class discussion, how is it possible to study “faith perspectives and commitments” academically? Aren’t they merely subjective? Explain. ○ They are not merely subjective because these beliefs are held with universal intent and because it's offered as public truth, not private opinion (think Jehovah's Witnesses TS). 13. Explain the following terms: Vatican II and Nostra Aetate. ○ Vatican II: 2,500 Catholic cardinals, patriarchs and bishops from all over the world, assisted by 460 theological experts. ○ Nostra Aetate: Translates to “In our time”; It's the title of a document written by the Vatican II during a meeting in 1965 with various non-Christian religions; Declaration on the Relation of the Church with Non-Christian Religions, 14. What does the word “theology” literally mean? In a similar vein, what are the literal meanings of the following words: cardiology, biology, ecclesiology, and Christology? ○ Theology Theo: God Logos: logic, “the study of” ○ Ecclesiology Ecclesia: Book/Bible Logy: “the study of,” ○ Christology Christ: Religious Messiah Logy: “the study of”  ○ Cardiology Cardio: heart Logy/Logos: “the study of” 15. Examine St. Anselm’s classic definition of theology (fides quaerens intellectum). ○ Theology according to St.Anslem: Fides Quaerens Intellectum Fides: faith Quaerens: seeking Intellectum: understanding 16. How is theology different from religious studies? ○ Theology: A person of religion beginning to ask questions about their own faith to seek a greater understanding. ○ Religious Studies: Someone who can bracket themselves out of religion and ask questions about a religion they are not in. 17. Discuss in detail the four problems raised by the assertion that all religions are basically the same. Within this topic, please describe the basic facts outlined by Fr. T concerning Pastor Steven Anderson and Jim Jones. ○ Uniqueness of Jesus You cannot be neutral on Jesus, he is either the son of God or he isn’t. “He compels a choice” whatever tf that means There is no figure like him apparently (false but the professor said it so whatever) ○ Incompatibilities Ex: Christianity says Jesus is the son of God while religions like Islam or Judaism say otherwise Ex: Religions like Hinduism and Buddhism assert the existence of more than one god while Abrahamic religions claim that there’s only one god. ○ Hatred and Violence 9/11 Jones Town Hate Pastor that encouraged violence at a pride parade The crusades ○ If they’re incomplete or not All religions deal with topics of an ultimate reality (maruki reference), the absolute, and/or god. All religions refuse the possibility of their beliefs being wrong because: The dedication required to the life style The public image of the religion  Each religion only has a liminal view of said topics above and are unaware/ unwilling to accept that fact Tues 9/10 18. Regarding the existence of so many different world religions, discuss the two legitimate interests that are in tension (from a Christian perspective). ○ Appreciation of All Religions All religions have good teachings to offer (ick) ○ Truth of Christianity Christianity, though not certifiable, is probably the most true religion out of all other religions (according to Christians) 19. Explain in detail the story about the blind scholars who attempt to describe an elephant. Be careful to discuss exactly what this story illustrates. What are the pros and cons of the claim this story is meant to illustrate? ○ A group of blind scholars who have never encountered an elephant before are asked to describe what an elephant is by touch alone. Each blind man feels a different part of the animal's body, but only one part. They then describe the animal based on their limited experience and their descriptions of the elephant are different from each other. They come to suspect that the other person is dishonest and they come to argue. ○ This story illustrates that humans have a tendency to claim absolute truth based on their limited, subjective experience as they ignore other people's limited, subjective experiences which may be equally true. ○ Pros: An opening to collaborate with one another to gain a deeper understanding. ○ Cons: The refusal to believe certain views are wrong due to (an individual's) reputation. Each religion only has a limited/partial view and are ultimately unaware of it. Limited views lead to conflict. 20. Discuss the following models, including how they deal with the two legitimate interests referenced in #11: Exclusive Model, Mutuality Model, Inclusive Model, and Coexistence Model. ○ Exclusive model: All other religions are false and Chirianity is the religion w/ the most truth  ○ Mutuality Model: All religions are equally uncertain; they're all incomplete ○ Inclusive Model: All religions are a good thing with good teachings, however, Christianity is the most likely to be true 🤮 ○ Coexistence model: Not to choose between or be hostile towards other religions but acknowledge that the truth lies fully in Christianity (EWWW ) 21. Regarding the 1975 Hartford Statement (1975 HS), examine its signers and thesis. ○ The Hartford Statement was signed by 18 christian thinkers, each were from a separate denomination. ○ Thesis: Today's apparent loss of a sense of transcendence is manifested in these thirteen themes that are false and that also debilitate the church's life and work. (Sense of Transcendence - the ability to see in the world something that goes beyond the world (like the presence of god.) 22. Discuss Theme 5 and how the 1975 HS addresses it. ○ Theme 5: All religions are equally valid. However, what you believe is a matter of personal preference. ○ The HS rejects it because it flattens diversity and ignores contradictions. (Ex: How can Jesus be the one true son of god when there are several gods in other religions.) 23. Discuss Theme 2 and its connection to “Matters of Truth or Fact,” “Matters of Taste,” and the Latin phrase, “de gustibus non est disputandum.” ○ Matter of Truth of Fact: Objective, public, and subject to the criteria Strong Agreement: Ex: Mathematics, Biology, Physics, Etc. Weak Agreement: Philosophy, Religious claims ○ Matter of Taste: Subjective, Private, and not a subject to the criteria Ex: Food, Social Manners, Dress, Religious Claims. ○ “De Gustibus non est Disputandum”: There's no debating about taste 24. Discuss Theme 3 and how the 1975 HS addresses it. ○ Theme 3: Religious language refers to human experience and nothing else, God being humanity’s noblest creations. (We created god to feel safer) ○ The HS Rejects it because we don’t believe it's nothing but that. (Ex. We believe god is made up/a concept and nothing else)