Theology Study Guide

Part I: Catholicism in dialogue with other religions o Vatican II document which describes the Churchs relationship to non -Christian religions (Paul VI encyclical): Nostra Aetate o Cardinal Georges Letter: Churchs self-understanding of who guides the Church: Jesus Visible gifts: Sacraments, Apostolic governance, and Apostolic faith (faith going back to Apostles) Invisible gifts: grace, faith, hope, love, and salvation o Three basic positions in interreligious dialogue: Exclusivist position- only people of that religion can be saved Catholic Churchs position before discovery of the New World Pluralist position- the many great religious traditions all provide different ways to achieve salvation Inclusivist position- my religion is true (the truest religion) but people of other religions (or even no religion) can be saved if they live good lives Catholic Churchs position after the discovery of the New World (current); Paradigm Shift Part II: Stephen Protheros Model for Comparison/Contrast of Religions o Hinduism Problem: Samsara (the wheel of re-birth) Goal: Moksha (to not be re-born again) Technique: Yoga Exemplar: Gurus, Sadhus, and Sannyasin o Buddhism Problem: Suffering Goal: Nirvana (means to extinguish/blow out) Technique: Eightfold Path Exemplar: Lama (Tibetan), Arhat (Theravada), Bodhisttuas (Mahayana) o Judaism ??? o Christianity Problem: sin Goal: heaven Technique: faith Exemplars: Saints (Catholic and Orthodox) and ordinary believers (Protestant) o Islam

Problem: Pride Goal: Submission/surrender Technique: 5 Pillars Exemplars: Imam and Shaykh (Sufism- mystical tradition in Islam) Part III: The Sacred Literature of the Worlds Religious Traditions o Hinduism 2 main categories of Hindu Scripture: shruti and smriti Shruti Vedas- hymns, prayers, mantras, and spells of sacred knowledge; there are 4 Vedas; oldest and most sacred is Rig Veda Upanishads- writings concerned with the cycle of rebirth as it is contingent on a persons actions, liberation from the cycle of rebirth, and the mystical relationship between Brahman (Ultimate Reality) and atman (soul); mystical and philosophical commentaries on the Vedas Smriti Mahabharata (Hindu epic poem of story of the war between two families over inheritance) o Contains Baghavad Gita, the most popular of the Hindu scriptures; it is the story of Arjuna, one of the brothers in the righteous family who is caught between his duty to fight as a member of the warrior caste and his dedication to nonviolence o Also contains Ramayana; about Prince Rama, who is forced into exile with his wife and brother o Finally, contains Puranas; collection of stories about the three great gods of Hinduism- Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva; also contain stories and myths about creation and history of the world o Buddhism Scriptures of Theravada Buddhism Tripitaka- Three Baskets; passed down orally in Sanskrit before written down; also called Pali Canon; contains the words of the historical Buddha Scriptures of Mahayana Buddhism They also use the Tripitaka (their own version of it)

Lotus Sutra- most important; final teachings of Buddha; message is that Enlightenment is available not only to monastics, but to all because of the great compassion of bodhisattvas Scriptures of Vajrayana Buddhism Use Mahayana scriptures as well, but add their own tantric texts (concerned with ritual acts of body, speech, and mind). Kanjur or Teachings contains the Theravada and Mahayana Scriptures, along with the tantric texts Tanjur or Translation of the Treatises are commentaries on the Kanjur o Judaism Hebrew Bible: Tanak Torah- law or instruction; first 5 books comprising Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy o Most important; believe Moses was the author o 613 laws (mitzvot) that they must follow to be good Jews; 2 types: 248 positive laws, 365 negative laws Neviim- Prophets; 3 Major Prophets: Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel; 12 Minor Prophets Ketuvim- writings; Job, Psalms, Proverbs Mishnah is a commentary on the Torah The Talmud is a commentary on the Mishnah o Christianity The Bible (sacred Christian writings or Scriptures) Old Testament (also used by Jews) New Testament (27 books) o 4 Gospels- stories of the life of Jesus; Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John o 1 Acts of the Apostles- history of the early Church o 21 Epistles- letters of the early Christian communities o 1 Revelation- Apocalyptic All Christians agree on the 27 books of the New Testament There are differences on the accepted Old Testament books between the Catholic and Protestant Bibles o Catholics include 7 more books written during the Second Temple period, making OT books=46 o Some Eatern Orthodox Churches have more than 46 OT books

o Protestants only have 39 accepted OT books; they say the others are apocryphal (dubious or fake) Interpretation of the Bible among Christian groups also differs o Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, Anglican, and some Protestants believe that there are errors concerning history and science in Bible o Most Protestants take Bible literally and say it is without error because it comes from God Apologetics- writing intended for Christians to help them explain and defend their faith

o Islam Quran Most sacred book for Muslims Means recitation Collection of revelations Muhammad received directly from God in Arabic over a 22 year period Instruction for religious and moral life Made up of 114 surahs (chapters) Not chronological or arranged by theme Separation of verses: o In Mecca= more universal o In Yathrib= more about day to day realities of leading a group of people Sunnah 2nd most authentic source of authority Muhammads way of life Hadith Means Story; the sayings and stories of Muhammad that are meant to form guidance for living out religion 6 volumes Muslims also acknowledge revealed writings of Judaism and Christianity (Torah, Psalms, and the Gospels), but are corrupted by humans Part IV thru Part VIII: The Five Religions Studied 1. Hinduism Caste System o Also called Varna (rooted in traditions of Aryan people) o Born into it o System:

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Brahmins-priests Kshatriyas- warriors and rulers Vaisyas- merchants and craftsmen Shudras- unskilled laborers Harijans- untouchables (Gandhi said they are Gods children)

Goals of Life 1. Kama- pleasure 2. Artha- gain, wealth, fame, and power 3. Dharma- ethical duty and righteousness 4. Moksha- spiritual liberation or release Stages of Life o Called Ashramas; for males only 1. Student- learning 2. Householder- when a man gets married and has a family; he also becomes involved in and serves community 3. Hermit/forest dweller- doesnt go out; when a man has gray hair or grandkids 4. Sannyasin/Sadhu- wandering holy man; renounces earthly materials (ascetic) Conception of Time o Cyclical, NOT linear o There are cycles and over the ages, there is a decline in level of morality virtue in society o One cycle is called a Mahayuga; 1,000 cycles is called a kalpa Types of Yoga o Yoga- spiritual path designed to unite a person with God or their true self, technique for moksha (salvation) o Different types of yoga, because there are different types of people 1. Karma Yoga- path of selfless service; emphasis on selflessness; The Path of Action 2. Jnana Yoga- the path of knowledge/intuition; The Path of Knowledge; Three steps: learning, thinking, and viewing oneself in 3rd person; meditation is most common instrument for Jnana Yoga 3. Bhakti Yoga- the path of love and devotion to ones chosen form of the divinity; Hindu Trinity: 1) Brahma

(Generator), 2) Vishnu (Organizer), 3) Shiva (Destroyer); most popular form of yoga; The Path of Devotion No founding figure Demographics: o 3rd largest religion o 1 billion followers in the world o 1 million followers in the U.S. 2. Buddhism The Three Jewels 1. I take refuge in the Buddha 2. I take refuge in the Dharma (teachings) 3. I take refuge in the Sangha (Buddhist monks) Four Sights o Siddhartha Gautama sees these: 1. Old Age 2. Sickness 3. Death 4. Wandering Holy Man The Four Noble Truths 1. Life is suffering 2. Suffering is caused by desire 3. There can be an end to suffering 4. The way is the Eightfold Path The Five Precepts 1. Dont kill 2. Dont use false speech 3. Dont take what is not given 4. Dont be unchaste 5. Dont use intoxicants The Eightfold Path o Mindfulness o Understanding o Speech o Conduct o Livelihood o Effort o Thought

o Meditation Three Marks of Existence o Anicca- impermanence, everything is changing o Dukkha- suffering o Anatta (anatman)- no self/soul Founding figure: Siddhartha Gautama Demographics: o 350 million Buddhists in the world o - 6 million in U.S. Divisions: o Theravada Buddhists: Path of the Elders; most important virtue: wisdom; ideal type: Arhat (fully enlightened human being); role of Buddha: being a Buddha is unique o Mahayana Buddhists: Greater Vehicle; most important virtue: compassion; ideal type: bodhisattva (continued rebirth to help others with their spiritual growth and progress); role of Buddha: we are all potential Buddhas o Vajrayana Buddhists 3. Judaism Important Biblical Figures o Patriarchs (forefathers of Judaism) Abraham- the first Jew, founder of Judaism; God told him to move to Canaan Isaac-son and spiritual heir of Abraham; father of Jacob Jacob- also called Ishmael; Isaacs son; father of 12 sons o Moses Greatest of all the prophets Sees a burning bush, in it he sees God. God tells him to go back to Egypt to free his people. Because of Moses speech impediment, God sends his brother Aaron as well. Freed Hebrew people from Egyptian bondage; went to Canaan (Promised Land) o David Second King of the united kingdom of Isreal Descendent of Jesus Holy Days o Rosh Hashanah Jewish New Year

Day God judges each individual for his or her actions of the previous year Ritual of blowing shofar (Rams horn) o Yom Kippur Day of Atonement Holiest day of the year Day of prayer, fasting, and repentance Ritual of blowing shofar (Rams horn) o Feast of Tabernacles Known as Sukkot Five days after Yom Kippur, lasts for 8 days Commemorates the time when the Jews were in the desert for 40 years and when in Israel, they had to protect themselves from the elements during harvest o Passover Retells the story of the Exodus Celebrates Jews freedom from Egyptian slavery o Pentecost Commemorates the giving of the Torah o Hanukkah Festival of Lights Celebrates victory of the Jews over the Syrian Greeks and recapturing of the Temple 8 days long; lighting of the menorah (there was only enough oil for 1 day, but it lasted 8 days) o Purim Feast of Lots Victory of Jews in Persia over Haman, prime minister of Persia o Shabbat Jewish Sabbath Weekly, from sunset Friday to sunset Saturday Rest from work, attend synagogue services, and study Torah o Birth Circumcision for males- remembers when God made covenant with Abraham o Coming of Age

Bar/Bat Mitzvah- 13 for boys and 12 for girls; they are responsible for keeping the Torah o Marriage Founding Figure: Abraham ?? Demographics: ??? Divisions: o Orthodox- in response to reform, ALL traditional practices of Judaism reflect the will of God and cannot be changed in any way o Conservative- responded to Orthodoxy by saying that there has always been a way to change Jewish law and tradition, but the basic system of mitzvoth cannot be changed, treat traditions more liberally than Orthodox Jews, example: women have an equal role in synagogue ritual and more flexibility to change the traditional prayers to reflect modern concerns o Reform- more compatible with changing world, In U.S. the language was changed from Hebrew to English, believe that mitzvoth and Torah are only meaningful if they add to relationship with God, no traditional restrictions on Shabbat and Kashrut. 4. Christianity Differences in the Three Main Branches: 1. Roman Catholic (1.2 billion- largest) Use Scripture, tradition, and Magisterium (priests, bishops, etc.) 2. Protestant Split between Catholic and Protestant came with Martin Luthers 95 Thesis Differ in how many books in Old Testament and they believe in Scripture only and that it is word from God, no Pope 3. Eastern Orthodox Split between Catholic and Eastern Orthodox is called Great Schism Cause: Filioque; Eastern Orthodox believes that Roman Catholics added and to the Son in the Nicene Creed Vatican II Document which Describes how Catholics View Bible: o Dei Verbum Founding figure: Jesus

Demographics: o 2.3 billion Christians in the world (largest religion) o 75 million Christians in U.S. o Brazil has most Catholics

5. Islam The Five Pillars 1. Shahadah (Witnessing) First and most important Reciting Arabic words of belief 2. Salah (prayer) Five times a day Must cleanse themselves (wudu) Face in the direction of the Kabah in Mecca Friday is most special day of prayer, because the second prayer time is in a mosque and it is called Jumah or Assembly Imam (prayer leader) leads a sermon 3. Zakah (almsgiving) 4. Sawm (Fasting) Month-long fast for all able-bodies During the 9th Islamic lunar month, called Ramadan (Muhammad received first revelation from God) Ramadan ends with Eid al-Fitr, Festival of Breaking of the Fast 5. Hajj (Pilgrimage) Pilgrimage to Mecca (Saudi Arabia), where Abraham submitted to the will of Allah 12th month of Islamic calendar Once in ones lifetime How Muslims view the world: o Muslims await the day of judgment and the reward of God following the resurrection of the dead o Difference in the nature of God: Catholics believe in one God who is in three persons; Muslims believe in one God o God created world and humans (good) o Day of Reckoning (Last Judgment) Muslims View on Jesus: o Muslims believe Jesus was a prophet, and his mother is honored as well; Jesus is 2nd to Muhammad; he had a Virgin Birth and had miracles o Muhammad is greatest and last prophet; restored Islam o Jesus was not human and divine; did not suffer death by crucifixion; God raised Jesus to heaven; not Son of God

The Quran o (see Part III) Founding Figure: Muhammad; but Muslims say that he restored the religion, he wasnt the founder of it Demographics: o Originated in 7th century o 1.6 billion Muslims in the world o 2nd biggest, but fastest growing o Indonesia has most (200 million) o Between 2-7 million Muslims in U.S. Divisions: o Sunni (85%) Middle in Iraq Believed that anyone in Muslim community could succeed Muhammad Successor: Abu Bakr (friend) o Shia (15%) South in Iraq Believed successor had to be relative of M Successor: Ali (Ms cousin), 4th caliph Husayn (son of Ali) o Kurds North in Iraq