Functions of the Bible in Christianity

The Holy Texts contained in the Bible form the foundation of Christianity's Origins, History, Beliefs and Practices. Remember - The Bible is a library, not a singular book, that encompasses a great variety of different genres and types of Holy Text.

Below is a diagram that represents this:

1) Print or copy out this image - making sure you have a full and reliable copy in your exercise book.

2) For each sub-heading, eg. "Old Testament - Law", explain in 60-80 words the function of this type of book to the religion of Christianity. For each sub-heading you must be SPECIFIC, for example the Pentateuch (specifically Exodus/Deuteronomy) contains the Ten Commandments. Also, you must refer to the aspects of a Religion - Origis, History, Beliefs and Practices - and explain how they contribute to the overall nature of the living and dynamic religion of Christianity.

Portraits of Jesus

Post your DISCUSSION on the different Portraits of Jesus presented in the Gospels according to Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Ensure that each of your body paragraphs contains at least one supporting Biblical quotation.

Portraits:
Luke: Parabler
Matthew: Teacher
Mark: Leader/Ruler (King of Kings)
John: The Word made flesh/A Gift to humanity

The Hannukkah Song

Click on the following link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vrd9p47MPHg

Revision of Terms and Practices

1. Explain the significence of the Ark in a Synagogue? What is placed inside of it? Who is permitted to access it? What is it a symbol of (refer to the Biblical passage - hint. use http://www.biblegateway.com/)?
2. What is the Shema? What par of it is left showing once it is placed in the Mezuzah?
3. What is the Mezuzah? Does it have to be placed on an angle? If so, why? What is written on the outside of the case?
4. What is Kashrut? Explain how it relates to Kosher.

Watch the following two videos on Kosher: [WARNING: These videos are graphic in nature]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LC3saqc9gD0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2A28XofQ8vE

Once you have watched the videos:

• Summarise the process of Kosher killing
• Explain why this is done. What is the benefit?
• Do you think that this ritualistic slaughter accords with what we have learnt about Jewish ethics on the Ethical Treatment of Animals - http://www.myjewishlearning.com/ask_the_expert/at/Ask_the_Expertanimal_experiments.shtml

Judaism - Study Notes

Print out each of the following and paste a copy into your exercise books.

Each document is an effective summary of a particular aspect of Judaism, and will be invaluable in the preparations for your Mid-Course examinations.

It is advisable to print the Powerpoints as several (4-6) slides per page.

Judaism - Overview:
http://www.paddymazz.net/religionfiles/JudaismOverview.ppt

Introduction to the Torah:
http://www.paddymazz.net/religionfiles/TorahIntro.ppt

Principle Beliefs and Sacred Texts:
http://www.paddymazz.net/religionfiles/PrincipleBeliefsAndSacredTexts.doc

Some more on the ETHICS of Judaism

Now that we have explored the major governing beliefs of Judaism - the belief in One God, the Moral Laws prescribed by God and The Covenant (initiated by Abraham and continued by Moses in his leadership of the Jewish people during and after the Babylonian Exile and in delivering the Ten Commandments) - let us now look at some of the other Jewish beliefs.

Read the information contained on the following links and then briefly summarise each in your own words, under separate sub-headings, in "Comments":

EXPERIMENTATION ON ANIMALS:
http://www.myjewishlearning.com/ask_the_expert/at/Ask_the_Expertanimal_experiments.shtml

REVELATION:
http://www.myjewishlearning.com/holidays/Jewish_Holidays/Purim/Themes_and_Theology/Hidden_God/A_New_Revelation.shtml

SEXUAL ETHICS:
http://www.myjewishlearning.com/life/Sex_and_Sexuality/Jewish_Approaches.shtml

Religulous- Section Two

1.     1. Did Jesus condemn homosexuality? What is the Biblical justification for the Christian dogmatic condemnation of homosexuality?

2.What arguments does Maher put forward for why Christianity's condemnation of homosexuality is flawed?

3.Read the story of Jonah fleeing from the Lord:

  http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=39&chapter=1&version=31

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=39&chapter=2&version=31http://ww

 

There are many different types of Truth contained in the Bible. Some of these truths are intended to be taken literally; some are intended to be interpreted symbolically. This story you have just read contains a Symbolic Truth. Explain what you think the Symbolic Truth (the moral message) is of the story of Jonah and The Whale.                                                                                                                                                

4.Explain what Nationalism is. How is the message of Jesus incompatible with Nationalism?

5.The Biblical texts were primarily composed during The Bronze Age. Identify three (3) other beliefs from The Bronze Age.

6.What do Christian Fundamentalists believe about Evolution?

7.Father Reginald Foster - a senior Vatican priest - has many criticisms of Catholic dogma. Discuss two (2) criticisms he has of Catholic dogma and its changes.

8.Why do you think that most people - both in the documentary and in real life - become so aggressive when you question their religious beliefs? Why are they so unwilling to have their beliefs challenged when they are perfectly okay with accepting that facts can be interpreted (such as in science or in a Court of Law) in a variety of different ways?

9.Why do you think the holy texts were edited to incorporate so many pre-existing religious beliefs?

10. Do you think that we are all born with "a God-sized" hole? Discuss how people that claim to not be religious or to not believe in God often supplement their lack of Faith with other things? Why do they do this? Why is existence simply not enough for people?