SOPHOMORES: Study Guide - Luke II

- Jesus’ Ministry:
- Challenges Jesus faces
o Pharisees
o Towns people

- Jesus’ response:
o What was it in regards to his ministry?
o What two prophets does Luke match up against?

- Luke 4:31-44 & Events @ Capernaum

- Luke 5:1-11 & miraculous catch of fish

- Healing of a leper 5:12-16

- 5 Controversies with the Pharisees

- The Paralytic

- Call of Levi
o Mark 2:16

- Who are the Herodians?

- Role of the Holy Spirit
o 3 stages in Jesus’ life

- Where is the H.S. within Luke’s Gospel – examples of verses

- H.S. directs/guides Jesus in his ministry
o H.S. begins his public ministry

- Prayer & Jesus’ ministry

- Parables
o Commonalities/common activities
o News of God’s reign

- Joy & Peace
o Lost sheep
o Lost coin
o Lost son (prodigal son)

- Parable of the Father’s Love

- Jesus as Compassionate Messiah

- Lazarus & the Rich Man

- Zacchaeus: tax collector

- Jesus as Universal Savor

- The ‘Gospel of Women’

FRESHMEN: Extra Credit

To My Freshmen:

As promised, here is your extra credit opportunity for this quarter. It is due no later than Dec. 29 via e-mail to:

mmcgravey@sjprep.org

You are to read and answer the following, in the standard typed essay form.

READ the 2 articles [COPY & PASTE]:

1. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16217095/

- Both pages of the 2 page article.


2. http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/gnostics.html

- You are only REQUIRED to read the first page of this article.

THEN ANSWER:

"The Bible as we know it today only has four (4) Gospels, which we refer to as the 'Canonical Gospels.' Why do you think it is we only have these four (4) gospels,and do not include the others (such as the Gospel or Mary, Philip, Judas, etc.)? Further, do you think that the Churches will allow the other Gospels to join Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John?"

Enjoy the holidays!

~Mr. McGravey

SOPHOMORE E.C.

Gentlemen:

Please find the the extra credit assignment at:

http://stjoesreligion.wordpress.com

The attachment was also handed out in class on Dec. 13, 2006.

Thanks,

Mr. McGravey

FRESH / SOPH: 4 Service Ops. at the Prep

Gentlemen:

As promised, I am posting 4 service opportunities for you that are available at the Prep this week and this coming weekend.

1. Thursday, Dec. 14, 2006. 2:35 PM - 5:00 PM -- sorting and wrapping gifts for Operation Santa Claus at the wrapping center. Sign the Blue Book in the Main Office.

2. Saturday, Dec. 16, 2006. 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM -- bringing toys for Operation Santa Claus. Sign the blue book in the main office.

3. Saturday, Dec. 16, 2006. 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM -- Operation Swim. Teach the neighborhood kids from the Gesu to be comfortable swimming and being around the pool. See Mr. Skowronski to participate.

4. Sunday, Dec. 24, 2006. Christmas Eve -- Deliver toys with Operation Santa Claus. See. Ms. Brown for more details and to sign up.

----------------

These are all sufficient. Remember, you need at least one (1) hour in order to write the paper due on January 3, 2007.

Thank you,

Mr. McGravey

SOPHOMORES: Luke's Gospel Study Guide

- Identification of Luke
o Ethnicity
o Author of
o Occupation
o Hobby

- Luke & St. Paul – Relationship

- Eusebius

- Antioch, Greece

- Three Schools of Christian Thought:
o Jerusalem
o Rome
o Alexandria, Egypt
** What is the importance of these three cities?

- Who did Luke write for?

- What different titles does Luke use for words?

- 35% of Mark: In Luke

- Dating of Luke
o Raymond Brown’s dating of Luke (85)

- KNOW: The Prologue
o What’s the message?
o What does it show concern for?
o Who is it written to? What does the name mean?
o Where else is this name found?

- Luke: Concern for historical detail
- Jerusalem: focus as a symbolic center
- Luke & Salvation History – 3 Periods
- Luke: “Historian of the Church”

- The story and significance of Simeon and Anna

- Luke 1:5 – 45, 56:
o Recollection of Abraham and Sara: through Zechariah and Elizabeth
o Gabriel
o Annunciation
** What structure does Luke use that is very similar here? It has a particular name...

- Jesus’ birth – 2 fold
o Israel
o ‘unique Son of God’
ß Mary as a virgin

- John the Baptist’s conception – relationship to which O.T. prophet?

- The Magnificat
o Luke 1:46-55
**Be able to identify it…
o As prayer
o As Jewish hymn
o Christological significance
o Who speaks it?
**When this character speaks it, what Christological statement is she making? What historical reference/statement is she making? Why is this significant? What role does this play in relationship to Luke's audience?
o Significance to liberation theology

- John the Baptist’s birth & naming

- Jesus birth:
o What was “taking place” according to Luke?
o Bethlehem
o Presence of shepherds: parallel to Matthew’s magi – both depart (why significant?)
o Mary – Jesus: birth to death
o Simeon and Anna
o Jesus is not contradictory to that of the Messianic Expectation

- Boy Jesus in the Temple
o Luke’s placing between infancy narrative & public life
o Christological Sequence
o 3 things mentioned…

Be able to answer the following questions:
1. Identify the presence of God (in true form, the son, and the H.S.) from Luke 1 to the end of Jesus as a 12-year-old boy. Identify three instances with chapter and verse and name the significance of one.
2. Identify Mary and her relationship with Jesus. Who or what convinces her to accept God as the father of her child? What happens to her? What happens to Joseph?
3. Explain the significance of Luke’s census. Is it historically accurate? Why or why not? What is Luke employing when illustrating this census? What significance did it have for his community?

FRESHMEN: Judaism Study Guide

- Habiru Clan & Hebrew

- Polytheism to Monotheism

- Bible Information
o The Torah
o The Prophets
o The Writings

- The Torah/Pentateuch:
o Genesis
o Exodus
o Leviticus
o Numbers Deuteronomy

- Genesis:
o Abraham & Sara
o Isaac and Rebekah
o Jacob and Rachel/Leah
o 12 Sons of Jacob
ß Joseph

- Exodus:
o The Moses Story
o Slavery in Egypt
o The Plagues (know the last one and significance) and know one explanation (scientific/from God)
o 10 Commandments / Mt. Sinai

- Leviticus:
o What does it have within it?

- Numbers:
o What is written here?

- Deuteronomy:
o 2nd Set of 10 Commandments

- Idea of Clan god(s)
o Which god/God comes to Abraham and Sara?
o Moses?

- History & Judaism
o How is it all tied together?

- God Almighty / El Shaddai

- Learning to Believe in One God (Practical to Ideological Monotheism):
o God is the God – development
o God brings about idea in slow process
o Divinely inspired: move from many gods to one God

-------------------------

- Looking back: Abraham called by 1 God, but may not have recognized
- 5 Points of Jewish Faith & Description
- 4 Points of “The Place of People in Jewish Faith” & Description


- Sabbath

- Autumn Celebrations
o Rosh Hashanah
o Yom Kippur
o Sukkot

- Winter Celebrations
o Hannukkah
o Purim

- Spring Celebrations
o Pasah / Passover
ß Sedar
o Shavu’ot

- 3 Editors of Jewish Scripture:
o Yahwist
o Elohist
o Priestly

- 500 B.C.E – Why is it significant in relation to Abraham and Sarah's story?

- Types of Jewish Belief/Practice:
o Conservative
o Orthodox
o Reformed

FRESHMEN BOOKS

Gentlemen:

Below are the books you will need for the remainder of this year. If you have not done so already, ORDER THESE ASAP.

If you could please order these through Varsitybooks, Amazon, or another distributer, it would be greatly appreciated.

1. The Old Testament, Our call to Faith and Justice / Ave Maria Press / ISBN#: 0-87793-721-4



2. The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth / St. Mary's Press / ISBN#: 0-88489-759-1

--------------

The ISBN# can be used to identify additional distributers other than Varsitybooks.

Thank you.

FRESH/SOPH: Service Essay

Gentlemen:

A copy of the service essay, due Jan. 3, 2006, is available for download on the following website:

www.stjoesreligion.wordpress.com

I will be providing a copy of the document in class on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2006.

Thank you,

Mr. McGravey

SOPHOMORES: Matthew's Gospel

Matthew’s Gospel

Intro. to Matthew
• Jesus’ Identity:
– Matthew 1:1-25
• Genealogy of Jesus (1:1-17)
• Not clear how this is formed,
– What is the point of the Genealogy?
• Importance of the women; relationship to the O.T.; Are they Israelites?; Connection between Mary/Joseph?

• Joseph: What is his response to Mary's pregnancy?
--------------------------------------------
Angels & Demons: [This is NOT in your text]
-Birth of Jesus
• Matthew 1:18ff:
• “…an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, and said, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.’ All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet:”

• Order of Creation in relation to Angels

Functions of Angels

Messengers:
• Gabriel:
– First seen in Daniel
– What does Gabriel also announce?

Hierarchical Organization
• St. Thomas Aquinas & St. Denis:
• Divide angels up into three hierarchies each of which contains three orders

“Evil Angels / Demons”

New Testament Demons:
• During the N.T. Era: the idea of 2 spiritual kingdoms has been clearly established.

• Jesus: References to Satan as “the Prince of this world” [John 12:31]; Other mentions?

Angels in Babylonian Literature

Angels in the New Testament
------------------------------------
Historical Background to Matthew:

Authorship, Date, Audience, and Outline of Matthew

• When does he write? What does he rely on?; What three places are suggested as locations for his authorship?

Historical Context II:
• Christian Jews were driven out of synagogues in the 80s
– Jesus's Family Map into Egypt

Audience:

5 Themes in Matthew
[Discourses]

Structure of the Gospel
[structural elements]
Discourse & Narrative: How the two are connected?

Chiastic Structure
• Matthew - doesn’t write in a linear fashion

• Chiasms = name for the literary pattern in which elements are related to each other in a certain way…

• One large example of a Chiasm can be seen in Matthew 28:18-20
--------------------------------------------------------

- O.T. Necessity:
1. Pelagius
2. Faustus (the Manichean) -- what does he say? What does this have to do with Matthew & the Christian community?

- 7 Responsibilities for the Church which Matthew outlines within his text...

- Parable of the Sower: What is the importance of this? What does the parable tell us?

- Jesus' Mission and Minstry: What is the main point of Jesus' lectures/discourses throughout the text of Matthew's Gospel?

--------------------------------------------------------
You'll also have to answer questions based on 2 of the following 5 passages:

1. Mt. 10:5-23
2. Mt. 7:1-5
3. Mt. 13:54-58
4. Mt. 21:1-7

FRESHMEN: Study Guide: Islam

Islam:
• Foundations
– Faith in Allah
– Faith in his prophet, Muhammad (the last and greatest of prophets)
– Observance of the 5 Pillars

Foundational Belief
• “There is no God by Allah, and Muhammad is his prophet”
• No other god stands besides Allah

History
• 622 C.E. (A.D.) - brought to life in Saudi Arabia
• People were struggling:
– 1. People began believing that their lives were subjects to the jinn
– 2. With the desert marauders (the Bedouins)
– 3. With the ruling class
– 4. Exploitation by the merchants

• Contact with Judaism and Christianity, had occurred for centuries before (even to the point of war)
– Christians for Near East, Egypt, and N. Africa

• Muhammad’s message in the beginning: not monotheism --> Practical Monotheism vs. Idiological Monotheism

Differences & Similarities Bwtn Islam/Christianity/Judaism

Koran -- What is its importance? Who provides it? Who shares it with the people of the Arabian Penninsula?

Ancestry:
• Direct line of Abraham (Ibrihim) and Islam through the Patriarch, Ishmael
• Who is Isaac?
• Who is Sarah?
• Who is Hagar?
• What was the promise given to Hagar? Who is the fulfillment of this promise?
• What city becomes important to both Judaism and Islam? What city is considered the center for Islam today?

Muhammad
• “The Seal of the Prophets” & 3 Other titles given in class lecture
• Born 571 C.E. in Makkah (Mecca)

• Parents: were members of the Quraish, a leading tribe in the city


• Age 9

• Age 25: Hired by wealthy woman to manage business

Muhammad: Messenger of Allah

7 Acheivements of Muhammad:

The Dome of the Rock

The Quran
• Islam: cannot be understood without the Quran

• The Hadith: a collection of Muhammad’s words, sayings, explanations, and examples for one to follow the Quran (accurately)

4 Major Themes of the Quran:
• 1. Allah is the all-powerful one who created the world
• 2. Allah, who created people for Himself, will do with them as He wishes.
• 3. People, therefore, must perform the tasks Allah has assigned to them.
• 4. The day of judgment will find people deserving of reward in heaven or punishment in hell.

Theology Today

Marriage
• There is no ritual, just a signing of a piece of paper and traditionally, a recitation from the Quran
• Following this - there is a celebration which really marks the wedding
• Men: allowed to have 4 wives in traditional countries
• Men & Women can divorce
– However, it is easier for men to do so.

Jihad
• Islamic ‘holy war’ to spread Muslim rule…
• Read page 109…
• Darrell Cole’s chapter eight from When God Says War is Right

Supplemental Information Provided in Class on Tuesday, November 14, 2006.

TEST INFO: Freshmen / HOMEWORK UPDATED

Gentlemen:

FRESHMEN: The test will remain on the date on the calendar (next Thursday / Friday [8th prd. only]. Please keep up with the homework accordingly.

Both classes, please note that I have updated the homework assignment for this month.



Thank you,

Mr. McGravey

SOPHOMORES

Please, DO NOT forget to complete the bottom portion (paragraph) on your project outline sheet. This is necessary for the complete grade.

Thank you.

FRESH: Study Guide 10/23

Gentlemen: This is a brief overview of what we covered in class. Please review your notes for the information.
-----------------------------------------------------

- Five Stages of Buddha’s Life as outlined in class (not in text book)
o Siddhartha Gautama
• Son of a Chief
ß The “Enlightened one” – at what point in his life?
ß Passes through 1st two stages of life
ß Recognizes what of Gautama

o Age 29: What happens to Buddha? What does he do?
ß Abandons Yoga and extreme asceticism (Stage II)
ß Leaves wife and child (Stage III)
ß Where does he then go?

- 313 Million Buddhists in today’s world; 558,000 in North America

- Creation of Buddhism:
o When does this happen?
o How does this happen?
o Reaction in world of India/China?

- What is the text’s way to describe Buddhism?

- What is the primary concern of Buddhism?

- 4 Noble Truths
o All things in the world entail sorrow or suffering
o The cause of suffering is desire, the craving of the pleasures of life
o The end of suffering will come only when the craving for pleasure is ended; one must let go of one’s desires
o The end of craving will come if a person follows the Eightfold Path
ß What are all the elements of the Eightfold Path?

- Way of Buddha?
o What are the differences of Hinduism and Buddhism?
o Rejection of Hinduism – What are the elements?

- Views Points on Eightfold Path
o Theravada
o Mahayana

- Buddhist Monks
o How were they created?
o Why were they created?
o What was Buddha regarded as? (ie: his persona)
o Where are the majority of the monks today?
o What is their primary focus or duties?

- Kinds of Buddhism
o Many different offshoots
o Theravada
o Mahayana
o Tantric
o Zen

- Buddhist Scriptures (Short section found in text book)

SOPHOMORE: Study guide for 10/23

New Testament: Mark’s Gospel
- Identity of Author
o Hypotheses of who or what Mark is/was
o Idea of Mark as author (the idea is clear, what is it)

- How was Mark written? What are the components? What is the geography?

- Key Themes:
o Prelude

- Jesus’ Baptism & Testing (in the dessert)

- Mark 1:14 – 8:30
o Who is Jesus?

- Healing Miracles
o Know some of the following examples:
ß Leper (1:40)
ß Man with a withered hand (3:1)
ß The bleeding woman
ß Deaf man
ß Blind man
ß Peter’s mother-in-law

- Exorcisms
o Man in the Synagogue (1:21)
o Raging possessed man in the Gentile territory of Gedara (5:1)

- Nature Miracles
o Calming the storm (4:35)
o Walking on water (6:45)
o Feeding of the 4,000 (8:1) and the 5,000

- Raising people from the dead?
o Jairus’ Daughter

- What is the miracle form found within Mark’s gospel?

- What do each of the above ‘types’ of miracles represent? (Jesus vs. life)
o What is Mark trying to teach us by way of the explaining the miracle stories?

- Son of Man
o What is meant by this term?
o Who is Jesus? How does Jesus fit into this role? Who is the Son of Man?
o Where do you and I sit in relation to this term?

- Scriptural background of the Son of Man (2 quotes named in the text & in my notes)
o Mark 13:26
o Daniel 7:13

- Transfiguration

- The Human Jesus
o Mark: vivid portrait of the man of Jesus
o Mark 10:21

- Jesus: The Messiah
o Not accepted in the original “thought of what the Messiah was supposed to be”
o What was the ideal Messiah? Who did he/she share the same bloodline with?
o Mark 8:27-30: Jesus’ asks disciples who he is…

- The Paschal Mystery
o Passion, Death, & Resurrection of Jesus
o Mark 1-13: What is this considered by some scholars?

- The Final Hours of Jesus
o Different elements

FRESH / SOPH: Extra Credit

Gentlemen,

As promised, below is an extra credit opportunity. You are to do only ONE of the options below:

1. Attend mass this week. Create your own homily based on the readings from the Sunday Mass. In addition, you are to also critique the homily of your pastor (priest). The summary should be no more than ONE page long! Please double space the paper (if you need to shrink the size, do so - to keep it under one page).
- Indicate the day you attend (Saturday or Sunday) and the parish you attended.

2. Attend the BLCC's (Black and Latino Culture Club) showing of the move "Romero" on Friday afternoon. In a one page submission, write your observation of the movie. Constructively critique the film and the character (this does not mean that your critique is to be negative).

3. Watch the Discovery Channel special: "Discovery: Atlas - Australia" which airs on Sunday, 10/22/06, at 9:00 PM. In a one page submission, write your observation of the show. Focus, primarily, on the religious elements that are mentioned within the show (the Aborigines and other religions, etc.).
- http://dsc.discovery.com/convergence/atlas/atlas.html?clik=netmain_feat1

------------

- ALL SUBMISSIONS ARE DUE IN CLASS ON MONDAY. I WILL NOT ACCEPT EXTRA CREDIT AFTER THIS TIME!!

- NO MORE THAN ONE PAGE SUBMISSIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED!

- The extra credit will be 5% points added to the test on Monday, 10/23/06.

SOPHOMORES: Limbo

Gentlemen:

As we went over in class, the issue of Limbo in the Roman Catholic Church has been officially 'dealt with' this week. If you're interested in reading about Limbo and the Church's opinion, you may look at the following Inquirer article from Thursday.

http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/living/religion/15680906.htm

Enjoy the long weekend,

Mr. McGravey

SOPHOMORE: Study Guide 10/4

** Please note the test will cover pages 74-82 AND pages 89-97 AND 102-111. The parable information on pgs. 100-101 was covered on the previous test. **

1. Recognize the Infancy Narratives of Jesus: Differences between Matthew and Luke

2. Recogize those who act in opposition / difference from Jesus: Pharisees, Saducees, Zealots, & Essenses

3. Know the miracle "types" - and examples from Mark's Gospel so far.

4. Know Jesus' teaching regarding the Kingdom of God / Reign of God.

5. Know Jesus' obedience to his father's will: Transfiguration

6. What is the Epiphany?

7. Know the questions that we went over in class yesterday.
- Responses can be found at the following address for download: www.stjoesreligion.wordpress.com

8. Know Mark Chapters 1-7

9. Know the information regarding Herod from the in-class video.

FRESHMEN: Study Guide for 10/4

**Please note that the test will cover pages 123-133.

1. Know the vocabulary indicated on the pages above.

2. Know what the "Hindu Concept of Self" is -- Atman, how it relates to Brahman?
- What is it?
- How is it defined?
- Describe its elements.
- Is it re-incarnated? Is the personality of a person re-incarnated?

3. Moksha

4. Law of Karma: Be able to explain this to me. What is it? How does it work? How does it affect your Atman?

5. The Hindu Ways to union with the Ultimate Reality: The 4 Different Types of Yoga.
- Through Thought

- Through Love
** What are the 4 types of relationship with the Brahman in this Yoga?

- Through Work

- Through Psychological Experiment / Examination

- Be able to describe the different types listed above.

6. The 4 Life Stages: Be able to explain them to me. Give me as much detail as you can about the four different stages.

7. Be able to recognize what the "life-cycle" rituals are.

8. Be able to talk about Sacred Cows, Morality, & Scripture (Smirti, Shruti) -- also Vedas, Brahmanas, & Bhagavad Gita. --> Be able to define those.

9. Also, recognize the information from the video (about Veranasi -- Ganges, Sheeva, Ganga, Holy City/City of Light, etc.

SOPHOMORE: Study Guide

** Please make sure you've read the readings up to yesterday, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2006. Material will be on the test from all of the reading thus far. The questions at the end of each section will help you as well. **

- Theological Anthropology (Consitution on the Church)
- Moral Principles

- Big Mystery
- Oral Tradition --> Scripture / Revealed Text

- Importance of Oral Tradition for the first century Christians
- Notion of Jewish-Christians and Gentile-Christians. What is the major debate between Paul and Peter?
- Where does the Church begin? Where does it expand to?

- You do NOT need to know the historians.
- You do need to know about the different Jewish religious sects within Judaism. What are the prime characteristics, what do they do within Judaism?

- Know the different regions of Jesus' ministry. (See the map given in class. Know important cities mentioned on the map and from the reading from these areas).

- Identify the Jewish understanding of Messiah.

- Recognize the dates behind the publication of the New Testament (particularly the Gospels). Know the order they were written in.

- Know the introductions to each of the Gospels (as I asked you to read them for homework one night).

- Know the role of Herod the Great, the Maccabean Revolt, Pilate, the Sanhedrin.
- Know the role of Herod the Great in relation to Rome.

- Know information about the Temple. The parts within it. The significance. The three different constructions.

- Understand the idea of Jesus being different from the Messianic expectations of God.

- Know about Paul's preaching vs. teaching (kerygma vs. didache).

- MAKE SURE YOU'VE DONE THE READINGS! Questions will come directly from the reading as well as class notes.

TEST Info: Freshmen

Freshmen:

Addition: PLEASE KNOW THE HIMALAYAN MTNS. There is a question on the test that asks about this mountain range. Thanks.

YOU MAY DOWNLOAD THE STUDY GUIDE AT THE SITE BELOW:

http://stjoesreligion.wordpress.com

Thanks,

Mr. McGravey

FRESHMEN: Test: Intro. to Religion & Hinduism

** Make sure you've read all the reading for this test! Questions will be taken from the reading! The calendar is to the right of this post... Make sure you know the vocabulary.**

- The Theological Anthropology of a Human Being
- The Moral Principles of a Human Being
- Marxist view of Religion vs. Truth

- Sam Huntington (Political Theorist) -- Relation of religion in society, politics, etc. Separation of Church and State.
- Identify the different types of governments in relation to religion (Democracy/Republic, Communism/Dicator, & Theocracy)
- Religion in the United States.

- What is religion?
* People experience religion all around them
* People grow up in certain religions
* People wonder about religion b/c of how it influences certain aspects of life.
* People ask: "what is the meaning of life?"

----------
- What is the "big mystery"?
- Oral traditions & Myths --> Revealed Texts & Scripture

- The role of science in relation to religion.
- 14th - 15th Century disagreement with the Christian Church: Significance (eg: Galileo)

----------
Theology:
- St. Anselm's definition
- Mr. McGravey's definition

- Creed, Code, Cult (& definitions)

----------
12 "Elements of Prehistoric Religions"
- Be able to identify them and explain them.

--------------------------------------
HINDUISM / INDIA:

- Be able to identify countries on the map.
- Be able to give background regarding India: language, 'caste system,' geography advantages/disadvantages (eg: Greek invaders & Chinese)
- Background info: British colony, dispute with Pakistan, Growing economy, spread of people through education

- Be able to describe Hinduism in relation to nature and its "internal application"
- Be able to explain how other religions act in the same way - as they all point to the same reality

- Brahman = Ultimate Reality
- Three gods:
* Brahma (creator)
* Vishnu (preserver)
* Shiva (destroyer)

- What is Hinduism a combination of?
- Define Pantheism, Monotheism, and Polytheism

- Can the ultimate reality be known by the human, "rational mind"?
- What about insight?

- Brahman = Unknowable
* Can be sought by other means (ie: Christianity, Judaism, Islam, etc.)

- Can we define Hinduism accurately?
- Insights? -- What are they? How do they define Hinduism?

---------------------------------
Know the map of India and the surrounding countries - be able to identify them on a test. Further, be able to explain the importance of the geography in the development of Hinduism.

- Ayran Conquerers
- Macedonian Conquerers (ie: Alexander the Great)
- Vasco de Gama 1498 [Know this date]
- British colonalism

First Test: Friday, Sept. 22, 2006

Freshmen:

The Study Guide is located for download at the following address:

http://stjoesreligion.wordpress.com

Thanks,

Mr. McG


Periods: 1, 2, 6: Test on Friday, September 22, 2006. (Review guide posted next week).

Period 8: Test on Monday, September 25, 2006.

**The test will cover the introduction to religion as well as the introduction to Hinduism. Please make sure you are up to date on the reading and questions assigned thus far.

----------------
Sophomores:

Periods: 3 & 7: Test on Friday September 22, 2006. (Review guide posted next week)

**The test will cover the introduction to religion as well as the introduction to the New Testament and Paul. Please make sure you are up to date on the reading found posted on the calendar.

Additional Freshmen Textbooks

Gentlemen:

Below is the needed textbooks for the second and third part of this years course. If you could please order these through Varsitybooks, Amazon, or another distributer, it would be greatly appreciated.

1. The Old Testament, Our call to Faith and Justice / Ave Maria Press / ISBN#: 0-87793-721-4



2. The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth / St. Mary's Press / ISBN#: 0-88489-759-1

--------------

The ISBN# can be used to identify additional distributers other than Varsitybooks.

Thank you.

Freshmen: Quest

Read pages 115 - 117.

The quest will be 20 questions, multiple choice, all on King Solomon...

His rise
His fall
Who takes over after him.

Freshmen Test: O.T. III

* Monday, May 15, 2006: Test Date *

- CHAPTER 5 FROM YOUR TEXT BOOK!

___________

- God's relationship to his people when they arrive at the Holy Land & then when they enter
- Defends against enemies, corrects the Israelites against sin, and (eventually) gives them strong leaders/king(s)

- Some Stories: Naomi & Ruth (Intro. Material Only) AND David/Johnathon (details)

- Generalities of Joshua & Judges:
- What time periods do they cover?
- What are some of the major stories?
- Theological Themes - where are they also found?
- Who was their main adversary?
- Josh. & Jud.: Give different accounts as to how they enter/conquer the H.L.
- Be able to list the characteristics of the two texts (combined)

Specifics: Joshua -->

- Joshua's name/meaning
- Where does the story pick up at?
- What does the book specifically discuss?
- How is Joshua like Moses? What does he use? What characteristics/abilities does Joshua have that Moses had as well?
- Is he real? No support for massive destruction @ Jericho. The book is one of "religious history".
- Expectation: To continue the covenant...
- Who does Joshua pray to when entering a battle? Why? Joshua 1:5.

- Look at Joshua 2 specifically. What happens in the story? Who are the major characters? What happens at the end of Chapter 2? How does it conclude? What is the sign in the window of the home? What does it represent (think Passover)?

- They enter Jericho, by crossing over what body of water? What or who stops the waters of the Jordan River? What is this person/'thing' held within? Is it a miracle? Earthquake? Legend/Myth?

- Jericho: the oldest city. How are the walls taken down (2 theories)?
- The city of "Ai" - what happens? Who is the military leader? What happens to him? Why? What's the underlying theme?
- Destruction/Looting -- Why? What is the Hebrew word? Aramaic word? People put their trust in God.
- Seems immoral today -- but a modern theory can be applied, what is this theory called? Remember, there are 7 Criteria.
- The end of Joshua: Two Chapters: what are the two speeches about? Why is this done? What city do they meet in? Why is this significant?

------------------

THE BOOK OF JUDGES:

- 1200 - 1030 BC: From death of whom to when?
- Where do these Judges come from?
- Function (x3)?

- Cycle of Apostasy...what is it? Where is it found? Who are the key figures? Does it repeat?

- "More Debauchery" --> Baals and Astares - what is the human relationship with these gods and the people? What about the Israelites?
- Is it an Abandonment of God? Why or why not?
- Similarities between Canaanite religion and Judaism?
- Can humans manipulate the gods? Yahweh?

- Deborah
- What happens with her? The Midianites?

- Gideon - His story.
- "EVEN the Judges can do wrong"

- Samson
- Most famous; not sure if real or folklore
- He's a "Nazirite"
- Source of strength? What did he think it was? What was God's role in his strength?
- Examples of his strength (Joshua 14-16).
- Historical-Fiction -- What happens at the end of the book of Judges?
- Judges 21:25

_________

** The remainder of the information for the test will cover the section on 'King David' -- pages 106 - 109 in your textbook.

Freshmen Religion Guide: O.T. II

A Promised: The review guide...

[Espo, you can now commence studying...]


- Genesis account of Abram/Sarai
- Genesis covenant agreement
- Genesis Abraham/Sarah - Hagar/Ishmael - followed by Isaac with Sarah
* What does Isaac's name mean?
* What happens to Hagar & Ishmael?
* What does Ishmael begin? Where do we see this tribe again?
- Genesis 12 & 20: The expression of brother/sister relationship in the texts of Genesis
* What type of contextual criticism is employed in these two stories?
* In Gen. 20, what is the similarity to the plagues in Gen. 12?
- Abraham's test of faith is found in what story? What happens? Give as much detail as possible (essay)?
* Read over page 60 for this material especially...
- How are the promises of the covenant fulfilled in Abraham's life?
- What happens to Sarah? How does she die? Where is she buried?

- Isaac & Rebekah: Two sons?
- What does Esau's name mean? What does Jacob's name mean?
- Who is the favored son to Rebekah? What happens to him? What is he garaunteed?

- Jacob & God (Yahweh)
- Bethel
- Jacob's Ladder
- ? Jacob's committment?
- Jacob / Laban
* Rachel
* Leah
* Rachel
* The 12 Son's -- What two are born to Rachel?

- Esau's army
- Jacob's return to Canaan
- Jacob is renamed Israel - what does that mean?
- Esau is actually happy to meet up with his brother...Where are they going? Who died?

- Joseph & his brothers
- Joseph is the favored son
* Jacket...What is it made of? What does it represent
* Jacob's first dream
* Brother's reaction to him
* Brother's kill/slavery of Joseph
- Potiphar's Wife (Genesis 39 - a definite good read)
- Joseph in jail --> Gen. 41:1 - 57
* Dreams

- Egyptian background
- Slavery in Egypt
* 'apiru
* recorded travels into/out of Egypt of the 'apiru?
- Akenaton (most of this is in your textbook - I will provide a guide for all sections during the test...)
- New Pharaoh: Ramses II
* Known as what?

- Moses' early years
- Similar story to that of the Akkadians
- Leaving Egypt: for the first time...
* Encounter with God: first time; " I AM WHO AM"
* What is he told to do?
* What does God identify himslef as?
* Where does he go? Who is is 'helper'?
* -- REMEMBER: We did the in-class assignment on Wednesday; Pages 75-78...please look over this section/notes you
took on this day

- Book of Leviticus:
* P-Source (Priestly Source) -- Elohist Source
* 247 Laws
* God is holy; people are holy; creation is holy
* Teaches about different aspects of life -- stresses the rituals of sacrifice
* Sex teachings: Leviticus 18 (this was read in class)
* Pgs. 83-84: Outline of "The Day of Atonement" and "Sabbatical/Jubilee Years"

- Book of Numbers:
* Listing/Naming of the tribes who came into the Holy Land
* What is the book's original Hebrew meaning?
* 2 Themes Evident: 1) YHWH's care for the community; (2) The Israelites' murmuring in the desert: God's reaction

- Book of Deuteronomy:
* **THIS WAS NOT COVERED IN CLASS**
* Please refer to your textbook for this information

________________

Good luck to you all!

Sophomore Religion Guide: Eucharist

- What is Eucharist? How is identified as part of the Christian community?

- Explain how it is a recommitment into the Paschal mystery?
- Renewal covenant with God & his people
- Explain how Eucharist is a blessing.
- Explain how " " is a human act.
- Eucharist comes from what Greek word? What does it mean in English?
- How does this parallel to the Passover meal?
- What does the Catechism say about the Eucharist & the Passover meal? Explanation given in class.
- Eucharist: Celebration of the great events of salvation.

- What does the Eucharist call to mind?
- Define: Covenant, Transubstantiation, Consubstantiation, Accident & Substance.
- How does the Eucharist relate to Christ's dying on the cross?
- Eucharist: God within & among us...Jews: recognize that God is within/among their community - in history, etc. Explain this.

- Eucharist = New Covenant. What is this new covenant?
- How is God present in the Eucharist?
- Transubstantiation: Accident and Substance / Aristotle
- Sacrifice - Latin meaning
- Eucharist: Instituted at Last Supper; sign of creation
- Eucharist: Thanks God for what He's accomplished in creation/redemption/sanctification.
- Sacrifice of the Church...Who is the sacrifice for?

- Statistics presented in class re: # of Catholics (Specifically, focus on the numbers of the Americas).
- What are some ideas of how the Church can combat such a "crisis?"

- Christian Church as a whole and the divisions within it. Why are they different? Which Churches support bishops, and those who do not? What is the underlying issue in the separation of the Christian divisions?

- Early Church: Historical development of Eucharist (J. Martyr, Hippolytus, present day, etc.).

- Dulles: Elchinger's 4 "rare circumstances" ideology in regards to the Eucharist/Lord's Supper in another denomination.

- Historical development

- The Eucharist: Sends us into the world...(Please read this section in your textbook).

Freshmen Religion Guide: O.T. 1

- Contextal Criticism

- Genesis 1 - 4
- Focus on Genesis 1 & 2

- 4 Arguments for Man superior to woman & the counterarguments to each one
**(you should be able to answer an adequate essay for this one)**

- Different Sources for the Biblical Texts (Priestly / Yahwist)

- What do each one of the sources best represent? What are the characteristics of each? (found in textbook)

- What are the different names of God and what do they mean?

- Identify the story of Original Sin...Who's present? What do we already know?

- Identify the story of Cain and Abel...Who kills who? Why? What happens between God and the murderer? Where does that man go? Does he have children?

- What's the original meaning of Adam, in the Hebrew? Why does it mean this?

- Be able to recall the creation accounts...what happens in what order in Genesis 1? What about Genesis 2? Which is more orderly, which is less orderly?

- Describe the idea of myth...Is it historical? Why or why not?

- Describe the notion that the Israelites, in Babylon chose elements from their own experience to compile the stories. What are some mentioned examples within the text (ie: Tigris and Euphrates)?