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FINAL Check Your Memory Notecards
FINAL Check Your Memory Notecards
66
Religious Studies
Undergraduate 2
04/30/2014

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Term
What does the correspondence between Pliny and Trajan reveal about the status of Christianity in the Roman Empire?
Definition
Christianity wasn't exactly legal. Pliny wrote a letter to Trajan consulting him on the punishment of Christians and Trajan wrote back that they aren't to seek Christians out, but if the Christians denounce their gods that they will be punished. If the 'Christians' show that they worship Roman gods, they can be pardoned, and anonymous tips aren't to be acted upon.
Term
Explain how Timothy 1 is an example of Christians' accommodating themselves to the Roman Empire's standards.
Definition
It advises people to appear acceptable in the face of persecution and live as a good Roman citizen--pray for everyone so they can lead a quiet and peaceful life with their God. 1 Timothy is a pastoral letter claimed to be written by Paul, that emphasizes sound teaching, apostolic tradition and church order.
Term
How does 1 Timothy compare to 1 Corinthians on the issue of marriage and celibacy?
Definition
1 Timothy suggests marriage for leaders--women will be saved through childrearing while 1 Corinthians say that celibacy is the best option and that even when married you should occasionally abstain. Earlier on they thought Jesus was coming soon--later on they realized he wasn't, and started to make provision for future generations.
Term
How does the Acts of Paul and Thecla differ from 1 Timothy?
Definition
The Acts of Paul and Thecla claim celibacy is necessary. It is a narrative text that claims to be in the tradition of Paul, but says that you have to be celibate.
Term
Explain how the Martyrdom of Perpetua and Felicitas is an example of Christians' resisting the Roman Empires' standards.
Definition
Perpetua was newly married, had a good family and upbringing and an infant son and she rejected Roman conversation (and everything else she had) to die as a martyr.
Term
Why was Perpetua willing to die as a martyr?
Definition
She refuses to be called anything other than a Christian. She also sees a vision of her own victory--sees herself defeating the devil/Satan.
Term
What is the Diaspora?
Definition
Spread of the Jews after Babylon took over Israel.
Term
What events led to the destruction of the temple in 70 CE?
Definition
There was a continuing desire for Jewish independence from the Roman Empire, so in 66 CE there was a revolt and in 70 CE the Romans crushed the revolt and destroyed the temple.
Term
What effect did the destruction of the temple have on Jewish life?
Definition
Ritual at temple could no longer be the center of Jewish life--move focus of Judaism from temple-based ritual to texts and interpretation--and the diversity of Second Temple Judaism gradually becomes replaced by Rabbinic Judaism under leadership of rabbis.
Term
What is the relationship between the revolts in 70 and 135 CE and the Mishnah?
Definition
The Mishnah was written after the two revolts to restore Jewish life in the Roman Empire.
Term
Where was the center of Jewish life in the Persian Empire?
Definition
Medina (?)
Term
What are the Mishnah and the Talmud?
Definition
Two central texts of Rabbinic Judaism. The Mishnah ("repetition") is a philosophical discussion of biblical laws and their application. The Talmud ("instruction") contains commentary on the Mishnah, and there are two of them.
Term
How did the Early Christian Church define its relationship to Judaism?
Definition
They chose not to observe the Law of Moses and to keep the Old Testament but reinterpret it through Jesus. The Early Christian Period was when Christianity really becomes distinct from Judaism.
Term
What did Marcion teach, and why was he excommunicated?
Definition
He claimed there had to be two Gods: one who gives grace and a creator god/god of justice who created humans and humans owe him something. He was excommunicated for denying there is only one God--both justice and mercy are in Hebrew Scriptures and New Testament.
Term
Why were some Christians persecuted?
Definition
The Emperor in 64 CE blamed Christians for starting a fire that burnt much of Rome--started condemning Christians just for being Christians, persecutions were sporadic and of varying intensity.
Term
How did the legal status of Christianity before Constantine compare to the legal status of Christianity after Constantine?
Definition
Christian worship was legalized in 313 with the conversion of Constantine. By 380, it became the state religion of the Roman Empire.
Term
What does "orthodoxy" mean?
Definition
"Right opinion/judgment."
Term
What distinguished Western Christianity from Eastern Christianity?
Definition
Western Christianity: used Latin, focused on precision in theology, claimed Rome as central authority (church had more power than state), and the basic human problem was sin.

Eastern Christianity: Greek, more philosophical, had no central authority (state had more power than church) and the basic human problem was lost divinity, which would be restore by resurrection.
Term
What is a religious order?
Definition
A group of men or women that live in a community with specific rules, take a vow of celibacy, and often run schools or hospitals. They are not like monks because they aren't separated from society.
Term
Why is the Diary of Egeria important?
Definition
It is an important source of liturgy (rules of worship) and church calendar in 4th c. Jerusalem. It was a letter written home from someone on a pilgrimage.
Term
What led to the restriction of pilgrimage in the 7th c.?
Definition
Jerusalem fell to Arab invasion; this leads to the Crusades.
Term
How did Pope Urban II encourage Christians to go on a crusade?
Definition
He said the the soldiers' sins would be forgiven, says that Christ commands it. He spoke of cruel acts by Muslims against Christians in the East.
Term
What place did Jews and Muslims have in 15th c. Spain?
Definition
They were forced to convert or leave because of the Inquisition (inquiring into personal religious beliefs--sought out people who kept own religions privately).
Term
Why does St. Stephen's cathedral have two different towers?
Definition
(?) It was a partially constructed Roman church. A fire destroyed much of the original building and a large replacement structure (reusing two towers?) was constructed over ruins of old church.
Term
Who was the most famous scholastic theologian who wrote the Summa Theologica?
Definition
Thomas Aquinas. It is a synthesis of Greek philosophy and Christian doctrine
Term
What is the primary difference between the Magisterial Reformers and the Radical Reformers?
Definition
Magisterial reformers worked with secular governments, while radical reformers opposed government involvement in reform efforts (Anabaptists).
Term
What spiritual experiences led Luther to his Protestant beliefs?
Definition
He was nearly struck by lightning and vowed to leave law school and join the Augustinian order, overwhelmed by own sinfulness and dedicated himself to excessive penance (prayer, fasting, pilgrimage, confession).
Term
In his 95 Theses, what was Luther's main point of disagreement with the Roman Catholic Church?
Definition
Indulgences: money contributions to the building of St. Peters in Rome in return for less time in purgatory--said salvation is a free gift through faith, not purchased. Marks the beginning of the Protestant Reformation.
Term
Reading what text led Zwingli and Calvin to their Protestant beliefs?
Definition
The New Testament in Greek.
Term
On what issue were Zwingli and Luther unable to reconcile?
Definition
Luther said that at the Lord's Supper the body and blood of Christ were present in bread and wine--Zwingli said that the Lord's Supper was completely symbolic.
Term
What teaching is summarized in the TULIP acrostic?
Definition
(1) All humans are sinful (depravity), (2) Unconditional election (predestined to salvation or damnation), (3) Limited atonement of Christ, (4) Irresistable grace to elect, (5) Perseverence in faith of the select. Written by Calvin
Term
How was the English Reformation different from the German and Swiss Reformations?
Definition
The English Reformation was politically motivated with religious consequences. The German and Swiss Reformations were religiously motivated with political consequences.
Term
Where did the Anabaptists get their name?
Definition
'Re-baptizers': they believe in being baptized a second time (after infant baptism) as a mark of personal commitment.
Term
What changes did the Catholic Church make at the Council of Trent?
Definition
They (1) determined the correct interpretation of the Bible (vs. Protestants), (2) stated that Bible and Tradition have equal authority, (3) maintained authority of Pope, (4) founded seminaries for priests' instruction, (4) affirm justification by faith, but good works have to accompany it.
Term
What is the central belief of Christianity?
Definition
Jesus is the Messiah sent for the salvation of the world.
Term
What are some areas of disagreement among Christians?
Definition
How to weigh Scripture, tradition, and reason--and how to interpret Scripture.
Term
Why do Christians worship on Sunday?
Definition
Because early Christians worshipped on Sunday after Christ's resurrection.
Term
What is the liturgy?
Definition
Arrangement of public worship, with common elements and order.
Term
How many sacraments are there in the Roman Catholic Church?
Definition
There are 7 sacraments in the Roman Catholic Church. A sacrament is a visible rite that makes present the grace of God.
Term
How do contemporary communion practices differ from those of the earliest followers of Jesus?
Definition
Baptism: sprinkling of water instead of full immersion, infant baptism and believers baptism.

Eucharist: not a full meal, words of institution used to make bread and wine holy, differing beliefs concerning bread and wine
Term
What is Advent?
Definition
The 4 weeks leading up to Christmas, celebrate the first coming of Jesus and expect the second coming.
Term
What is Lent?
Definition
A 40-day season of fast and prayer in preparation for Easter.
Term
List 4 differences between Catholicism and Protestantism.
Definition
Catholicism: have a Pope, are more hierarchical, more unified, priests are celibate and all male. Number of sacraments: 7.

Protestantism: no Pope, less hierarchical, more diverse, ministers marry, some denominations have female ministers. Number of sacraments: 2.
Term
What is Vatican 2?
Definition
The Second Vatican Council, held in the 1960s. Changes: (1) liturgy in vernacular (what most people speak), (2) encouraged work of biblical scholars, (3) encouraged ecumenism (promoting unity among world's Christian churches).
Term
What did Nostro Aetate encourage?
Definition
Ecumenism: focus on the commonality among people
Term
How did the Enlightenment affect Jewish life in Europe?
Definition
Enlightenment --> Jewish Enlightenment (engagement with and participation in larger society) --> Jewish Emancipation (Jews more integrated into European civil society)
Term
What is the central idea of Reform Judaism?
Definition
Judaism can adapt to dominant Christian culture--can work on Sabbath, worship on Sundays, change texts of prayers and compose new more modern prayers.
Term
Orthodox Judaism is a reaction against what two things?
Definition
Modernity and Reform Judaism.
Term
How does Conservative Judaism differ from Reform Judaism and Orthodox Judaism?
Definition
It is a completely American compromise-- uphold tradition, Torah as principle of life but the process of applying the Torah to life can apply to modern times.
Term
Why do some people prefer the term "Shoa" to "Holocaust" to refer to the extermination of Jews by the Nazis?
Definition
'Shoa' = extermination
'Holocaust' = whole burnt offering
Term
When was the State of Israel established?
Definition
May 14th, 1948
Term
Is Judaism more concerned with correct belief or correct practice?
Definition
Correct practice.
Term
What are the major Jewish holidays, and what is the purpose of each?
Definition
Sabbath: holy day, Friday sunset to Saturday sunset, distinguish between holy and profane.

Rosh Hashanah: Jewish New Year

Yom Kippur: day of atonement, over 24 hours of fasting, time of reflection and repentance.

Passover: celebrate God's deliverance of Israelites from slavery in Egypt.

Hanukkah: celebrates rededication of Temple under Maccabees
Term
What are the differences in practice between Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform Jews?
Definition
Orthodox: males and females seated separately at synagogue, services in Hebrew, only male rabbis, only bar mitzvah, strict diet and Sabbath observance

Conservative: males and females seated together in synagogue, males and females ordained as rabbis, bar mitzvah and bat mitzvah

Reform Jews: males and females sit together in synagogue, services in vernacular
Term
What are the three parts of the US Constitution that ensure the separation of church and state?
Definition
Article 6, 1st Amendment and 14th Amendment. A6- no religious test as qualification. 1st Am.- no law respecting establishment of religion or prohibition of religion. 14th Am.- cannot enforce law to abridge privileges (religious freedom) of US citizens.
Term
What is the establishment clause?
Definition
Congress cannot make one religion the official religion.
Term
Give two examples of Supreme Court cases related to the free exercise clause.
Definition
Reynolds vs. US: marriage to more than 1 person--action cannot be permitted in name of religious freedom, only beliefs.

Church of Lukumi Bablu Aye vs. City of Hialeah: church practicing Santeria was going to move to Hialeah, Hialeah law prohibiting sacrifice of animals for any reason other than for eating. Overturned by Supreme Court: merits 1st Am. protection
Term
Give an example of a way that church and state are not separate in the US.
Definition
'In God We Trust' on coins and bills, presidential speeches ending with sayings about God, Christmas is a federal holiday.
Term
Give an example of a possible relationship between church and state other than what is currently present in the US.
Definition
(1) Roman Empire; Christianity not exactly legal. (2) 15th c. Spain: ruled by Christians, Jews and Muslims forced to convert or leave, (3) France: separation of church and state, public religious expression is limited.
Term
How did the Jews stay Jewish after 70 CE?
Definition
Setting down rules for living that would allow Jews to keep identity in tact.
Term
What book contains the oral tradition of Judaism?
Definition
The Mishnah, oral interpretations of the Torah, cover every aspect of Jewish life.
Term
Why was is often easier for Jews to live under Islam than under Christianity?
Definition
Christians wanted to separate themselves from Jews so they blamed Jews for Jesus' death--Jews did not have to face this accusation/demonization from Muslims.
Term
What ended the height of Jewish-Arabic culture in Spain?
Definition
Reconquest of Spain by Christians from the North.
Term
Why were the cathedrals in England funded by Jewish rather than Christian moneylenders?
Definition
Christian law forbade usury (lending money at interest). Jews were willing to give loans with interest, take sins on themselves.
Term
At the Barcelona Dispute, how did the Christians aim to convert the Jews?
Definition
By saying that they predicted the coming of the Messiah all along and that Messiah was Jesus, used passages about coming of Messiah in Torah and Talmud
Term
Where was the world's first ghetto?
Definition
Venice.
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