Posts and articles for Wednesday

Click here. Please read and annotate this. A printout with annotations is the best idea.

Reading for Friday

Image via WikipediaHere is the link to the assignment for Friday. I decided to go with a secondary source- a 1990 article by a well-known, if controversial, Western scholar of Islam, Bernard Lewis. Click here for the article.

Your assignment is to read the document and critically examine its argument. In particular you should answer the following questions:

1. What is Lewis' thesis or theses? What claims does he make to explain Muslim anger at the west as it existed in 1990?

2. Do you think Lewis' argument stands up in the face of events over the past two decades? Why or why not?

To answer these questions you should either print and annotate the article, or read it online and copy to another document significant quotations, along with your analysis of them (annotations). Print these and bring them to class.

Senior Test Study Guide

Image by jackhynes via Flickr100% complete:

Click here.

Review for Islam test/Islam section of final exam (seniors)

Terms for Islam test:

Theology-Ethics-Liturgy	Early/Modern History	Contemporary history
Allah Abraham Hagar Ishmael Kaaba Qur'an Suras Muhammad Kadija Mecca Medina/Yathrib Hijrah Hadith/Sunnah Imam 5 pillars: -Shahada -Salat -Zakat -Sawm     -Ramadan     -Eid Mubarak -Hajj	Jihad "peoples of the book" Bagdad Dome of the Rock ibn Sina Ottoman Empire Modernization Colonization Mustafa Kemal (Ataturk) Madrasah Gamal Abdul Nasser The Shah of Iran Ayatollah Khomeni Hassan al-Banna Sayyid Qutb	Fundamentalism Sharia(h) Animosity towards the West State of Israel US hypocrisy (double standard) Islamic modernism Tunisian education

There will be four relationships or short answer questions, one from each of the above sections, and one question or relationship that cuts across the chart.

You will be able to choose some items, others will be required.

Study Guide for Thursday's Test

Concepts and terms:

Ethical Monotheism

God as immanent vs. God as transcendent

Covenant/election: Exodus story

Revelation

Abram/Abraham, Moses

Meaning of the 10 commandments

Prophets' role in Israel's history: two stages or genre's of prophecy

Nathan, Elijah; Amos, Isaiah

"Wisdom" literature: Proverbs, Ecclesiastes

Kosher, Kabbalah; Orthodox, Reform, Conservative Judaism

Talmud

Judaism of Jesus' day: Pharisees, Sadducees, Scribes, Essenes, Zealots

Jesus' ethics and apocalyptic ideas

Paul - travels, ideas (theo-anthropology), life

Early church - split between Jewish and Gentile Christians

Luther and the Reformation: lasting significance, key ideas

Indulgences and 95 theses

Luther's life story

Sola fide, Sola Scriptura, "Protestant spirit"

Apostles' Creed: know the theological ideas of each part

Texts:

Old Testament texts in Genesis, Exodus, 2 Samuel, Amos, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes

Recognize and comment on a Talmud text

New Testament texts: Matthew (Jesus' ethics), 1 Corinthians

Homework for Wednesday, April 20th

Image via WikipediaFollow this link.

Look tomorrow (Tuesday) for a study guide for Thursday's test. Remember the format: 3 relationships, you choose 2. 2 Texts, you choose 1.

Remember also that this will cover both Christianity and Judaism.

Incidentally, the wikipedia page on the Apostles' Creed has some interesting stuff on it.

Study guide for Hillerbrand on the protestant reformation

Image via Wikipedia

Study Questions for Hillerbrand, The Protestant Reformation, sections II-VI

Use this as a guide for your reading of the annotated article on the Reformation. Expect a quiz on Monday, based on these questions and terms.

II. The religious tenor of Europe at the time of the Reformation.

Peoples’ interests?

State of the church?

Abuses?

III. Luther and other reformers

95 Theses, indulgences

Early developments of Luther’s thought:

Church’s response?

Problem of break from the church?

Zwingli:


Anabaptists:


England:


Calvin:


V: Religion and politics

European phenomenon?


Religious phenomenon?


Political role?


VI: Protestant ideals and lasting significance

What doctrines of catholicism were kept?

What was the reformers’ real change?

Sola fide?

Sola scriptura?

“Protestant spirit” - protestant ideas about religion in general?

Max Weber- his theory, pros and cons

Homework for Tuesday, 4.5.11

First, read Burke, pages 234-241. Write about a half a page of notes. Then read the info at this link and take about another half a page of notes. I will check your notes to begin class. Remember to include not only information but also questions in your notes- what do you want to know more about or spend time discussing?

HW over break

First read this introduction to Wisdom literature in the Hebrew Bible: click here.

From this reading you will see that there are two "traditions" of wisdom represented in the Jewish scriptures. Here is a sampling from the first tradition, selections from the book of Proverbs:
http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=167383574
As you read these, consider what images are prevalent, and what is the predominant point of view of the author (presumed in antiquity to be the Israelite king Solomon).

Second, read these selections from the "alternative" tradition of Ecclesiastes. This book was also attributed to Solomon (and without that tradition it would probably not have been accepted by the Jews as scripture), but it presents a radically different view of the world from that of Proverbs. As you read, make note of the ways in which it differs.
http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=167383097

If you have trouble with any of these links, please email jeason@usmk12.org

Homework for Thursday, 3.17

Image via Wikipedia

After reading Smith, 293-296, read this account of Jerusalem's defeat by the Babylonians. Notice that the account is concerned to explain theologically the reasons for their defeat.
http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=167243749

Next, read a poetic lament for the fallen city. What metaphor/imagery does the poet evoke?
http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=167244068

Finally, read this prophetic voice from the point of Israel's return to the land. What hopes does the author point to? What does he affirm about the nature of God?
http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=167244204

HW for Wednesday, 3.16

Image via WikipediaIn addition to Smith, 286-293, read the following two texts:

First, the story of King David (ancient Israel's greatest king) and Bathsheba,
http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=167199059
What does the story tell us about the character of God in Judaism? What are God's expectations for humans, especially their leaders?

Second, read this well-known passage from the OT prophet Amos:
http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=167199315
What striking images does the prophet use to communicate God's expectations? What are those expectations? What kind of religious practice does God not favor?

Upcoming unit on Judaism

Image via WikipediaThe basic schedule is posted on the calendar for the next unit, through April 7th. Notice that after the first reading I will be interspersing shorter sections of Smith (you're welcome) with texts from the Hebrew bible. You will see here shortly links to those texts in some format. As my comment below also indicates, we will be using texts more often in class.

Short Reflection Paper for Friday, 3.11

Image via WikipediaPlease write a one page reflection on one of the verses from the Tao Te Ching that you read for Wednesday. Remember that you cannot use #10 or #11, on the bottom of 175 and top of 176, which we discussed in class. I strongly suggest you take only a few lines, or even a single image as the source of your reflection-- just be sure to identify it's location in Burke.

Quick Quiz on Confucianism

For Monday, March 7th, review your notes and Smith for a quick quiz on Confucianism. After the quiz, we will hear from a guest speaker.

Quiz items (study guide):

Realist and Mohist theories of gov't, vs. those of Confucius- how did he critique them?

Confucius' background and the basic problems of his day.

Concepts of Jen, Chun tzu, Li, Te, and Wen

The Five Constant Relationships, Confucian ideas of the family and age.

Homework for 2.28

Image via WikipediaStudy Questions for Smith, pages 183-193

I. Ethics or Religion?
1. In what sense would some say Confucianism is not a religion?


2.  How did the earlier humans view Heaven?


3. How did communication occur between (i.e. both ways) those on Earth and those in the Heavens?


4. How did Confucius’ attitude towards the Heavens fit into that world view, while also challenging it?



II. Impact on China
1. What are some examples of the effects of Confucius’ teachings on China and Chinese history given by Smith?


2. How did/does Confucius effect or shape Chinese social attitudes?


3. Religious attitudes?


4. Family consciousness?


5. Attitude towards elders?


6. How did/does the Doctrine of the Mean affect Chinese ideals?


7. Wen?


8. How do these ideals extend beyond China in today’s world?

You can click here for an online copy of the questions.

Homework for 2.25

Image via WikipediaStudy Questions for Smith, pages 163-183

Use these questions to help you move more quickly through the reading but still to grasp and understand the most important ideas. Always answer in your own words, using only a few words from the text itself.

1. Who were the “Realists?” Explain how they sought to maintain social order in China.



2. How did the realists have “a low estimate of human nature?”




3. Who was Mo Tzu, and how did he propose to solve China’s social problems? What did he think was “missing?”




4. How did Confucius see that both the Realists and the Mohists were mistaken?




5. Why did Confucius value tradition so heavily?



6. Skip from the end of the first full paragraph on p. 170 to the top of page 172. Begin reading again at the heading.

7. Give a one sentence summary in your own words of the five key concept of Confucianism that Smith gives on pages 172-180. (Hint- if you have trouble squeezing it into one sentence, use a semi-colon... correctly!)
Jen-


Chun tzu-



Li-




Te-




Wen-

Monday's Homework

Image via WikipediaFor Monday, you should read Smith, pages 128-139 and answer the following journal question:

What is Zen Buddhism? How does it differ from Theravada and other Mahayana traditions?

You should have this prepared to hand in on Monday. During class, Mr. Bruemmer will be talking about images of the Buddha.

Study Guide for Hinduism Test

Image via WikipediaClick here to download the study guide for Wednesday's test.

Puja Video

This is a really well-done but short piece showing a "typical," if dramatic, puja.


Puja from Quinn Ryan Mattingly on Vimeo.

Calendar Issues, Homework

It sounds like there are some problems accessing the calendar link above. I will check it out and come up with a solution. For Friday, read Smith, pages 26-41 and outline as you did for today.

Questions for Burke, pp. 17-32

Image via WikipediaQuestions are at this link. They are recommended, not required, but will help you move more quickly through the text, while getting the most important points.

For those of you who use GoogleDocs, this link should give you a document you can type directly into.  Please let me know if this link works.

**STUDY GUIDE FOR TEST 1**

Click this link to download the study guide in Word.

You will be give four short answer questions. You will choose three to answer in short paragraph form.

Presentation on History of Religion

Above is the Power Point from class. Be sure to use it in conjunction with your notes.

Important story about life in the Middle East

Image via WikipediaMuslim and Christian solidarity in Egypt. Take a minute to read this.

Related articles

• Pope's call for Middle East to protect Christians sparks Egypt fury (guardian.co.uk)
• Who are Egypt's Copts, and the Middle East's other Christian populations? (csmonitor.com)

Homework

Remember to see the above Course Calendar link for assignments: Thursday's is the introduction in Burke- read and answer his questions at the end (thoughtfully!).

No Questions for tomorrow

No questions for tomorrow's homework. Please read and annotate the article, come prepared to discuss.

Additional (brief) reading

Add this to your reading for tomorrow: a recent statement by the pope that demonstrates the relationship between science and religion:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110106/lf_nm_life/us_pope_bigbang

World Religions Homework, Week 1

Date Due	Assignment
Wed, C, 1.05	1. Read http://studyreligion.org/why/index.html , all info under tabs: Why Study, What is, Misconceptions, and Pressing Issues 2. Fill out first two boxes on this link
Thu, D, 1.06	Homework: a selection by Brian Hoffert: http://brian.hoffert.faculty.noctrl.edu/REL100/01.StudyOfReligion.html Answer the four questions under the last two sections in complete sentences.
Fri, E, 1.07	Homework: Hoffert again. Answer ten (10) of the seventeen (17) questions  in complete sentences.
Note:	All of these links have been tested and they work. If one of the links does not work for you when you begin to do your homework, it is your responsibility to email jeason@usmk12.org or to figure it out with one of your classmates. Technology related excuses will not be accepted.