Freshmen: Study Guide / Judaism

- 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; Who is Joseph? What's so important about him?


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

- 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

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- 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


- What is the Sabbath? When does it take place?

JEWISH CELEBRATIONS & FESTIVALS:

- Autumn Celebrations
o Rosh Hashanah
o Yom Kippur
o Sukkot

- Winter Celebrations
o Hannukkah
o Purim

- Spring Celebrations
o Pasah / Passover. What is the Sedar meal?
o Shavu’ot

- Types of Jewish Belief/Practice:
o Conservative
o Orthodox
o Reformed
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- 3 Editors of Jewish Scripture:
o Yahwist
o Elohist
o Priestly
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Be able to offer an explanation for different descriptions regarding the 10 Plagues found in the Book of Exodus.

SOPHOMORES: Study Guide

**Friday's Test: Periods 5 & 8
**Tuesday's Test: Period 6
_____________________________

1. Know the following themes: II, III, IV, V

a. Pay special attention to Matthew 13 (provided). This is the basis for Theme III

b. Pay special attention to Matthew 18 (provided). This is the basis for Theme IV

2. Know the following structural elements of Matthew's Gospel:

a. What is a chiastic structure? Example?

b. What are the following: Major Discourse, Minor Discourse, Narrative. Be able to identify how the Gospel structure should be appropriately set up (see the previous quiz).

3. Know the topics discussed at the end of Matthew's Gospel. These were presented in class on Monday, Dec. 3, and Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2007.

a. Chapters: 23:1-36; 23:37-39; 24:1-8

b. The Parable of the Talents (25:14-30). What is Jesus making an analogy of?

c. The Betrayal of Jesus (26:13-16); motive, purpose, reason behind.

d. The Burial of Jesus (27:57-61), the guards at the tomb (27:62-66), the Resurrection of Jesus (28:1-10).

e. The Report of the Guard (28:11-15). What was the implication or reason behind Matthew's inclusion of this story?

f. Jesus' final "order" to the disciples: Matt. 28:18-20. **What is the similarity between this and Matthew 3? [Remember, this is an inclusion].

4. Know the introductory material and readings from Luke's Gospel covered in class on Wednesday and Thursday (Dec. 5-6).

Calendar Updates

Freshmen & Sophomores:

Please check the homework calendar for assignments this weekend. It was updated yesterday.

Thanks,
Mr. McGravey

SOPHOMORES: Matthew's Gospel Study Guide

Intro. to Matthew
• Jesus’ Identity:
– Matthew 1:1-25
• Genealogy of Jesus (1:1-17)
– 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?

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Historical Background to 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 80's...Why?
– Jesus's Family into Egypt...Similarities to the O.T.? Why and who is important in these two texts?

Audience -- Who is Matthew's audience? How do we know this? Examples of Hebrew terms used by Matthew?

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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 God's Creation in relation to Angels (Angels: Day 5, Humans: Day 6)

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

Functions of Angels - What are the functions? What is their primary function?

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

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
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5 Themes in Matthew [Discourses]
- You have read about the five discourses in your reading.
- Make sure you are familiar with the general concepts your textbook presents.
- KNOW IN DETAIL: Theme [Discourse] 1 -- we spend a good deal of time going over the different parts of this theme, including the passages provided in the notes.

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Know, espeically, the notes from Matthew 1-2
- The Genealogy
- The angel to Joseph in the dreams
- Know the birth story
- Herod's involvement
- Why do they go to Egypt? Significance? Gnostic gospels in Egypt?

Be familiar with the MAIN THEMES from chapters 1-6 in MATTHEW'S GOSPEL! You should be able to give articulate where Jesus is, who he is with, and what he primarily preaches about.

KNOW:
-From chapter 5-6: Matthew discusses THEME [Discourse] ONE [1].

** KNOW THE MATERIAL COVERED IN THE TEXTBOOK

Freshmen: Islam Study Guide

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

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?

History
• 622 C.E. (A.D.) - brought to life in Saudi Arabia
• People were struggling with a variety of different cultural things -- what are those 4 things?

• 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

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Differences & Similarities Bwtn Islam/Christianity/Judaism

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


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
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Muhammad: Messenger of Allah

7 Acheivements of Muhammad

The Dome of the Rock

The Quran
• Islam: cannot be understood without the Quran

• The Hadith

4 Major Themes of the Quran:


Marriage
• There is no ritual, just a signing of a piece of paper and traditionally, a recitation from the Quran
• Men: allowed to have 4 wives in traditional countries
• Men & Women can divorce



Supplemental Information Provided in Class on Friday, November 9, 2006.
- Information regarding Jihad / Qital

FRESHMEN: Quiz 5

Gentlemen,

PLEASE FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS BEFORE ANSWERING THE QUESTIONS!!
- You are to submit this IN AN E-MAIL to me before 1:00PM on Sunday, October 28, 2007.
- COPY & PASTE the questions into the e-mail before answering them.
- MAKE SURE YOUR NAME is included at the end or beginning of the e-mail ALONG WITH YOUR CLASS PERIOD.

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Answer the following in complete sentences:

1. Explain one new thing you learned about Hinduism that was not covered in class, but was covered in the presentation.

2. Explain one similarity and one difference presented in the Hinduism and Buddhism presentations.

3. Explain what you learned about the Baha'i Faith (give at least three main points with your explanation for full credit).

4. Compare and contrast a religion of your choice -- one of those presented in class -- against your own faith.

5. Which group, other than your own, gave the best presentation? Why do you think this (support your responses)?

6. Speaking objectively, how would you grade your group's presentation? Why do you think you group should receive this grade?

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**Your responses will be used when calculating your final project grade.**

STICK TO THE DEADLINE. ANYHTHING RECEIVED AFTER WILL BE CONSIDERED A ZERO (0).

FRESHMEN: Study Guide for Buddhism

Freshmen:

Below is the link for the study guide for the unit on Buddhism. Remember that the test is on Tuesday.

FRESHMEN: Buddhism Study Guide

Best of luck studying,
Mr. McGravey

Freshmen: Article about the Dalai Lama

The following is an article regarding the Dalai Lama's upcoming visit to Cornell University in Ithaca, NY:

The Dalai Lama in New York

THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE was from CNN.com on Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2007:

Tibetan Protestors in China

It discusses Tibetan protestors in India, where they attacked the Chinese Embassy. There is also a video link on here as well.

SOPHOMORES: Study Guide; Mark's Gospel

Gentlemen:

Here is the study guide for Mark's Gospel:

Mark's Study Guide

The test is on Monday, October 15.

FRESHMEN: Test Thursday, Oct. 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.

10. Know the map provided in the packet of notes (India & surrounding countries)

Situation in Burma / Myanmar

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7015751.stm

BBC News Article discussing the situation in Burma.

If you click on the picture link, you're able to see the satellite images of two of the important Pagodas in the former capital city. Since the conflict, the military dicatorship has changed locations of the country's capital.

SOPHOMORES: Test - Wednesday, Sept. 26,2007

** REFER TO PAGE 2 of the provided packet of notes ("Introduction to the New Testament"). This is the study guide for the test. In class on Wednesday, we crossed out some things that will not be covered on the test. The following study guide will also HELP in your preparations:


- Difference between Disciple & Apostle
- "Jesus' Public Life Terminates with:"
- Apostles leave Jerusalem and scatter throughout Mediterranean world

- Christian Writings & Their Acceptance:
* Geographical Proximity
* Chronological Proximity
* An early return of Christ
[Be able to explain what these mean and give an example]

- Criteria / Standards for Accepting Christian Writings as Sacred Scripture:
* First, apostolic authorship/origin
* Second, addressed to a particular community
* Third, conformity with beliefs of the faith
* Fourth, continuous use of a writing in worship services

DATES in relationship to scripture:
- 200 AD
- 400 AD
- 1546 [Council of Trent]; Jesuits important here

KNOW the following Non-Christian Historians/Writers:
- Flavius Josephus
- Suetonius
- Tacitus
- Pliny the Younger
(This info. is in your notes, accept for Suetonius - please find further information on pages 31-32 of your textbook).

** Be able to identify a passage from one of the historians/writers mentioned above.
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Hellenism
- Be able to define Hellenism (according to the provided photo-copied chapter)
- Be able to explain Hellenization
- Be able to explain Religious Pluralism in light of Hellenism & the Christian expansion throughout the Mediterranean World

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The Following Excerpts in Mark & their importance (One can expect a short-answer / essay for these):

1. Mark 1:16 - 20

2. Mark 1:29 - 31

3. Mark 2:18 - 20

4. Mark 3:13 - 19

WORLD RELIGIONS: Interesting Articles

Here are two interesting articles from 9/24/07. The first is about Iran's potential nuclear program and it's confrontation against the U.S. The second article is about Buddhist monks in Mayamar who are protesting the arrest of the democratically elected president and the mistreatment by the military of the poor within the country.

1.
http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/09/23/iran.us/index.html

2.
http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/asiapcf/09/24/myanmar.protest.ap/index.html?iref=topnews

[There are some pictures of Buddhist monks within this article that might be helpful in understanding what they wear]

Interesting: Environmental Care?

A country completely powered by clean energy? Look no further than...Iceland?

http://www.cnn.com/2007/TECH/science/09/18/driving.iceland/index.html

Interesting article explaining how Iceland plans to turn to clean energy by 2050. The first "fossile free" country.

FRESHMEN: Study Guide

http://stjoesreligion.wordpress.com/2007/09/17/freshmen-study-guide-i/

Study Guide is available at the link above.

My apologies for the delay. There was a problem with the website.

Thanks,
Mr. McGravey

FRESHMEN: Test - Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Freshmen:

Test will be on Tuesday, September, 18 (E - Day). Please review over the weekend. Friday night, please check this website again for a study guide. Come prepared with questions on Monday.

Thanks,
Mr. McGravey
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FRESHMEN & SOPHOMORES: Quiz Friday

Gentlemen:

Please be prepared for a quiz on Friday during class. The quiz will primarily cover reading assignments completed so far as well as material covered in class.

PLEASE bring a #2 pencil!

Thank you.

Mr. McGravey

Sophomore's Periods 5 & 8: Quiz will be Monday at the start of class.

Freshmen & Sophomores: Calendars

Gentlemen:

Please find that I have added additional buttons for accessing the homework calendars.

It was brought to my attention that the official Google buttons did not work, or required an extrememly long time to load. So, if the Google Buttons do not work accordingly, please use the buttons directly below ("Sophomores" or "Freshmen") to access the homework calendars. These have been confirmed to work on both Macs and PCs, so there should not be a problem.

If you have any other questions or concerns, please let me know ASAP.

Thanks,
Mr. McGravey

mmcgravey@sjprep.org

Welcome Freshmen & Sophomores!

This website is here to assist you in your studies for Mr. McGravey's religion class at St. Joe's Prep.

Please feel free to use any of the links and information available on this site.

SOPHOMORES: Final Exam Study Guide

Please find the document available at the following link:

http://stjoesreligion.wordpress.com/2007/05/25/sophomores-final-exam-study-guide/

I will provide a copy for you in class on May 25, 2007 in class. Please note that Tuesday's quiz will cover the first 4 pages of the study guide. This will be the final quiz for the quarter.

Good luck preparing.

Freshmen: Final Exam Study Guide

Freshmen:

Please find the link for the study guide available below:

http://stjoesreligion.wordpress.com/2007/05/23/freshmen-study-guide-2/

You are to completely fill in the blank spaces & questions for Tuesday, May 29, 2007. The quiz on TUESDAY will cover the first 2 pages of the packet.

A copy of this will be distributed on Thursday, May 24 or Friday, May 25.

Good luck in your preparations for the exam.

SOPHOMORES: Study Guide / Notes

You may find the information here:




http://www.slideshare.net/mcgroovey05/marriage-ppt/

FRESHMEN: O.T. III; Study Guide

- Know who Ruth is in relationship to David.
- Who is Jonathon? What does he do for David? Why?

BOOK OF JOSHUA:
- Dates (textbook information & notes)
- Characteristics of the Book
- Subject matter of Joshua:
- Info. about Joshua after Moses...
- Where is Jericho? What happens biblically there? What happens, we believe, geologically?

- Who is Achan? What happens to him? Why?
- Meaning of Jerico. Meaning of the loss at "Ai."
- Historical / Geographical Background of the Stories in Joshua
- Length of time the book covers...From when to when?

BOOK OF JUDGES:
- Background of the book
- Supposed dates which the book covers
- Supposed date of the book's edition

- "Themes" within the book
- Characters: Deborah, Delilah, & Samson
- What does Deborah do?
- What does Delilah do?
- What are some of the stories attributed to Samson? What happens with Samson & Delilah?
- Who does Samson represent? Why?

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** Please keep in mind all reading assigments from this particular section are fair game for this particular test.

KNOW THIS MAP:

http://avemariapress.com/assets/Miscellaneous/Judah%20and%20Israel%20pg.%20145.pdf

SUPPLEMENTAL NOTES ON THE READING CAN BE FOUND AT:



http://www.slideshare.net/mcgroovey05/ot-chapter-five-5/

SOPHOMORES - Presentation Dates

Guys:

Please find below the link for the dates you are asked to present.

http://stjoesreligion.wordpress.com/2007/05/16/sophomores-dates-for-presenations/

SEVENTH PERIOD -- Please pay special attention to the note included on the link.

Thanks,

Mr. McGravey

Freshmen - Presentation Dates

Guys:

Here is the link for the Presenation Dates:

http://stjoesreligion.wordpress.com/2007/05/16/freshmen-dates-for-presentations/

Any questions, please let me know.

Thanks,

Mr. McGravey

Freshmen & Sophomores: Calendars Updated

Calendars were updated at 8:25 AM on Thursday, May 10, 2007.

Thanks.

Mr. McGravey

FRESHMEN: Study Guide

Joseph:
- Who was he?
- Why did he end up in Egypt?
- What happened to him in Egypt? Why did his brothers come to Egypt?
- What happens at the end of Genesis between Joseph and his brothers?
- What is the theory behind Joseph & the Pharaoh / Monotheism? Akenaton? Ramses II?

Exodus:
- Who is Moses?
- What happens to him at birth? Who actually raises him?
- KNOW his family members
- KNOW his wife and sons (Gershom & Joshua)
- Where does Moses flee to? Why?
- What does he encounter in the desert?

- ALSO: Know the infomration regarding the Plagues...
- What are the scientific reasons? Can you explain 3-5 details about each one of the reasons?

Leviticus:
- ESSAY!
- Background information
- Purpose

Numbers:
- Background Information

PLEASE KNOW THE INFORMATION REGARDING THE SPECIFIC CHAPTERS AS OUTLINED IN THE PROVIDED DOCUMENT
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A copy of the document passed out today can be found below:

http://stjoesreligion.wordpress.com/2007/05/08/freshmen-notes-on-ot-chapters-test/

Eucharist Notes

Please find notes / study guide available here:

http://stjoesreligion.wordpress.com/2007/05/07/sophomores-eucharist-ppt/

This is a link for the notes on Eucharist. The test is this WEDNESDAY.

Thanks,

Mr. McGravey

7th PERIOD: SOPHOMORES - Test Info.

April 24, 2007 -

Gentlemen:

As stated today, the test has been postponed so that we may review the information again in class tomorrow. Thursday is not a test day, and Friday students are not in school.

Therefore, the test for this class period will take place on Monday, April 30, 2007 during class.

Since all the notes were provided, there is no study guide for this particular text.

Sincerely,

Mr. McGravey

SOPHOMORE / FRESHMEN CALENDARS:

Please note that the calendars have been updated as of 12:00PM on Tuesday, 17 April 2007.

Freshmen Review: Quest on Intro. to O.T.

1. You should know the general overview of the Pentateuch (Torah / First 5 Books). It was the general history which we reviewed in class beginning after spring break.

- Patriarchs / Matriarchs
- Joseph - to - Moses
- The Israelites & the Pharoah of the Egypt
- Escape from Egypt with Moses
- 10 Commandments, experience in the Desert
- The laws received in the desert (Mosaic Law)
- Conquerors -- Babylonians (what scriptural 'thing' came from here) & Assyrians
- Greece with Alexander the Great & Rome
- Herod the Great at the time of Jesus

2. Know the story of Cain Killing Abel

3. Know the story of Noah's Ark -- particularly, the chart reviewed in class reviewing the two stories (Priestly & Yahwist).

4. Know the story of the Tower of Babel. What was it? Importance? Why does it teach the Israelite peoples?

Sophomore HW Calendar: Updated

Updated at 8:36 PM on Tuesday, March 27, 2007.

Freshmen: Test Study Guide

1. Please make sure you have completed all the reading through Thursday night. Questions will be based on the reading, but primarily from the notes.

2. Know the geography of Israel. Where Judea, Samaria, and Galilee are located. The Dead Sea, Jordan River, and Sea of Galilee, know where they are located. Know the information regarding the geography.

3. Know the information on contextual criticism.

4. Be able to identify where the most likely places for archeological sites are located. Where is it that we are more than likely to find an ancient city, town, civilization? Why?

5. Know the details presenting in both the First story of Genesis, and the Second story of Genesis. You should be able to identify which 'editor' wrote which story and how we are able to tell that (their traits). You should also be able to identify major characteristics of the story.

6. Know the traditional arguments as to why women are regarded as inferior to man, based upon Genesis 1 and Genesis 2. Know then, the counter arguments.

7. Know why Eve should not be considered completely culpable for the act of eating the fruit from the tree.

UPDATED INFORMATION: Both Freshmen & Sophomores

Gentlemen:

Because of the change in schedule tomorrow, please pay attention to the following updates:

FRESHMEN:

Periods 1, 2, & 6: Test will take place on Thursday during class. Please bring your service project essays to class with you.

Period 8: Test will take place on Friday during class. Please bring your service project essays to class with you.

*****************

SOPHOMORES:

Both Periods 3 & 7: Test will take place on Thursday during class. Period 7: please bring your extra credit with you to class Thursday.

SERVICE ESSAYS: Due Monday, March 12, 2007. Thank you.
******************

Thank you.

Mr. McGravey

FRESHMEN / SOPHOMORES: Service Project - 3rd Qtr.

Gentlemen:

Please find a copy of the time sheet as well as the essay available for your download at the following link:

http://stjoesreligion.wordpress.com/2007/02/22/sophomores-freshmen-service-project-documents/

** FRESHMEN: Please note that the second question has been updated.

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DUE DATES: <-- This has been updated as of 3/2/07. Please note the changes. The date on the question itself is incorrect. Please refer to the following changes:

1. [All] FRESHMEN: Thursday, February 8, 2007.

2. SOPHOMORES: Monday, February 12, 2007.

STUDY GUIDE: Freshmen / NO Sophomore

Different Kinds of Sin: According to St. Paul -- Vocabulary

Morality’s Development in Church History
- 2000+ year history: developed an evolved and complex moral code that originated w/its meditation on on the Scriptures & application of
- Legal
- Philosophical and
- Social norms
- Morality develops from questioning such things as the 10 Commandments & the message of the Prophets.

“Sterile moralism and sterilization of the sense of sin.”

– As adults, we begin to see morality on a different scale…
– We begin to see it as a way of life…

• All people live by some code - articulated by their culture or implicit in their lifestyle…they try to live by this in their community
• There is a basic framework for which people live
– The absence of a framework: brings not freedom, but chaos and anarchy.

• “Sins can be distinguished according to their objects, as can every human act…”
• “They can also be classed according to whether they concern God, neighbor, or oneself; they can be divided into spiritual and carnal, or again as sins in thought, word, deed, or omission…”

Mortal Sin:
• Destroys charity in the heart of man by a grave violation of God’s law

What is grave matter?
• It’s specified by the 10 Commandments:
• The gravity of sins is more or less great: murder is graver than theft.
• One must also take into account who is wronged: violence against parents is in itself graver than violence against a stranger.

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Christian Moral Life…
• Understand that Christianity is an “angle” as to how to view life…

• It’s a basic attitude & basic way of being in the world

• Not doing simply “what is right,” but living in the way Christ did/would
– Through weakness, disposition, distraction, immaturity, or malice, we may choose patterns of behavior that are not oriented toward the Gospel

Christian Realism
• - Demands that we recognize that we never fully live the Gospel; we only incline toward it through the process of conversion
– Ongoing conversion

• Look at the whole history of the Church: we realize that it hasn’t always lived up to the message of the Gospels
Historically:
• It took the long time for the Church to condemn slavery
• To reject racial injustice
• And to acknowledge injustices done to women in the Church…

The Church as Moral Teacher
• Declaration on Religious Freedom [Vatican II]:
• The Church states it has the right to
– “Give utterance to, and authoritatively teach, that truth which is Christ himself, and also to declare and confirm by her authority those principles of the moral order which have their origin in human nature itself.”

Understand the “Car Analogy” of the Church

• Take into account your own experiences:
– We have no reason to argue with the Church for insisting that the 10 Commandments be observed, even it, at times we don’t observe them.
– Nor should we have problems with the Church proposing a way of acting to which we find a kind of natural resistance.

• It’s difficult for a person to take up the idea of loving one’s enemy…but, we know it’s the voice of the gospel - so we try our best.
• History: There have been times when people have carried an act out b/c they didn’t see the evil within it.
– [Example:] Lending money (151)
Parallel to today…
• Catholic Church: only Christian denomination to forbid contraception at any and all times
• Ban on contraception: reaffirmed by Pope Paul VI, 1967 - then strongly reaffirmed by Pope JP II

Continued: Sexual Morality
• Approximately 85% of Catholics in N. America = do not agree with Church’s stance & a good majority of clergy disagree as well…
• Andrew Greeley, a social-theologian, states that this type of disagreement compromises the “moral authority of the Church”

FIRST
• Morality, cannot be determined by opinion polls
– The 85% of N. Americans who think it is moral, does not make it moral!
• We need to listen to the minority to make sure all sides of the story are heard in order to make a more rational decision

SECOND
• What the Church teaches - needs to be accepted with seriousness…

The Conscience
• After the individual person listens to the Church, and other moral sources, then one can make his/her own conscience
– Conscience is not the “little voice within your head”
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* Please reveiw the packet, especially paragraphs and definition dealing with the "Common Good" & Paragraph #2240.
* Please know the vocab. (as mentioned above).

SOPHOMORES (only): Extra Credit

Gentlemen:

As promised, here is your extra credit opportunity for this quarter. You are to watch the Discovery Channel on Sunday, March 4, 2007 at 9:00 PM
[more information is at the following website: http://dsc.discovery.com/convergence/tomb/tomb.html?clik=www_wh_1]

Following that, you are to answer the following question in essay format:

QUESTION:
Based on your knowledge of the Old and New Testament, specifically that in relationship to Jesus Christ, what validity does the producer and director of this show offer a student of Jesus -- or any Christian, for that matter?

DUE DATE: TUESDAY, March 6, 2007 in class. No extra credit will be accepted after that.

Mr. McGravey

Freshmen Homework: Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2007

Gentlemen:

Please write down the 10 Commandments found in the Grey Text Boxes on the following website:

http://www.bibletexts.com/terms/10commandments-texts.htm

You are responsible for knowing these 10 in this order. I will go over the order tomorrow.

Mr. McGravey

Sophomore Study Guide: John's Gospel

Please download the study guide from the following website. KNOW, in detail, the 'sign' of the feeding of the 5000.

http://stjoesreligion.wordpress.com/2007/02/02/sophomores-johns-test-study-guide/

** TEST IS WEDNESDAY; Feb. 7, 2007

FRESHMEN: Catholicism II Review

The study guide is available for review at the following link:

http://stjoesreligion.wordpress.com/2007/02/02/freshmen-review-catholicism-ii-liturgy-scripture/

Good Luck!

FRESHMEN: Review Questions for Quiz 2/2/07

Gentlemen:

The following are review questions which you may want to review when studying for the quiz tomorrow:

1. What is the use of / purpose of the scripture in the Catholic Church?

2. What is the relevance of the O.T. in the Church?

3. What is the relevance of the N.T. in the Church?

4. What are 3 of the heresies against Jesus?

5. Give 3 of the generalizations of Jesus and the New Testament.

6. What is the purpose of Tradition (we will go over Tradition before the quiz tomorrow)?

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These are good sample questions to focus your studying on. Please take the time to review tonight.

Thank you,

Mr. McGravey

Sophomores: John 1:1-18

Those of you who are Greek scholars, may want to check this out:

http://www.zhubert.com/bible?source=greek&verseref=John+1%3A1-18

If you're not familiar with Greek, just take a look and see if you can recognize the word "Logos."