Christianity Flashcards
Who came up with the concept of 7 dimensions of religion?
Ninian Smart
What are the 7 dimensions of religion (list them)?
Ritual, experimental, mythological, doctrinal, ethical, institutional, material.
What is the ritual dimension?
This covers all aspects of performed religion.
What is an example of the ritual dimension?
Christian Baptism
What is the experimental dimension?
Also known as the emotional dimension. Relates to personal experiences felt by an individual.
What is an example of the experimental dimension?
The feeling of going on a pilgrimage.
What is the mythological dimension?
This describes the storytelling of a religionw where they are believe to be true, fictitious, historical or mythological.
What is an example of the mythological dimension?
The story ‘the feeding of the 5000’
What is the doctrinal dimension?
The way that religions tend to formalise ideas about the world, And create logical systems of meaning.
Give an example of the doctrinal dimension?
The Catechism of the Catholic Church.
What is the ethical dimension?
Describes the way that religion tends to provide guidance on how to live one’s life, generally to achieve happiness in this life or the next.
What is the institutional dimension?
The way that religious adherents, as they group together, they will tend to form organised bodies that behave collectively.
What is the material dimension?
How religions lead to the creation of material artefacts.
What is an example of the institutional dimension?
Developing a hierarchy
What is an example of the material dimension?
Sculptures, artwork, building
Who is Matthew writing for?
The Jewish community
What does Matthew want to show about Jesus?
He is the Jewish messiah and that he is the fulfilment of the Old Testiment prophecy.
Why doesn’t Matthew need to explain Jewish customs?
Because he is writing to Jews.
Who was Luke writing for?
Gentiles
What is a gentile?
A non Jew.
What did Luke want to show about Jesus?
That Jesus came for everyone.
Why does Luke have to explain Jewish customs and laws?
Because he is writing for gentiles
From what perspective is Matthew’s birth narrative written from?
Joseph’s
Which birth narrative mentions old testament prophets?
Matthew’s
Which prophets are mentioned in Matthew’s birth narrative?
Isaiah, Micah, Jeremiah and Hosea.
Why does Matthew mention old testament prophets in his birth narrative?
Linking Jesus to the old testament is seen as evidence that he is the messiah.
In which birth narrative is there emphasis on Matthew’s role?
Matthew’s
In which birth narrative did Mary and Joseph get married?
Matthews gospel.
In which birth narrative is there a visit from the wise men?
Matthews
In which birth narrative are there spiritual prophecies?
Matthew’s
Which birth narrative implies that Jesus was born in a house?
Matthew’s
Which birth narrative includes the flight to Egypt and the massacre of the innocents?
Matthew’s
Which birth narrative has emphasis on Mary’s role?
Lukes
Which birth narrative has the birth of John the baptist, and the census?
Lukes
In which birth narrative does the shepherds visit?
Lukes
In which birth narrative is there hymns/songs and appeals to history?
Lukes
In which birth narrative is Jesus born and placed in a manger?
Lukes
Which birth narrative shows Jesus circumcision and presentation in the temple?
Lukes
In which birth narrative was mary a virgin and engaged to Joseph?
Both
In which birth narative was Jesus conceived by the holy spirit?
Both
In which birth narrative was Jesus born in bethlehem and a residence in Nazareth?
Both
What happened in Matthew’s birth narrative?
What happened in Lukes birth narrative?
What is immanuel?
God with us
What is Magi?
The wise men. Visitors, ‘from the east’, who may have been astrologers.
What is magnificat?
The song/ hymn of Mary.
latin for my soul magnifies by the lord
What is Benedictus?
The song/hymn of Zachariah.
latin for blessed be the Lord God of Israel
What is Nunc Dimitus?
The song/hymn of simeon.
latin for now to dismiss
What is redaction criticism?
The authors of biblical text are seen as editors.
What is harmonisation?
When writers of biblical stories write the stories ‘in harmony’ with other accounts. The theological message is clear.
How are Matthew and Lukes birth narratives in harmonisation?
Although they have differences they don’t contradict each other. The have the same main point.
What is historicity?
The question whether the accounts in the bible are historical events.
What is midrash?
Finding the meaning or interpreting the words of the Torah.
Why do supernatural events make people question the historicity of the birth narratives?
Things like angels are not accepted in the modern world.
What Latin word does the word incarnation come from?
what does it mean
Carnis (flesh).
What does in + carnis mean?
Becoming flesh
What is the incarnation?
Jesus’ human nature was added to Gods divinity and became man.
Which 3 different councils defined the incarnation?
-the council of Nicaea / 326
-Ephesus
-Chalcedon
What did the councils write about Christian belief?
Creeds
What is hypostatic union?
Jesus is not half human and half divine, he is fully human and fully divine.
What is the kenotic model?
Jesus set aside his divine nature in order to fully experience being human.
Which Greek word does the word kenotic model come from?
what does it mean?
Keno -to make empty
What is substantial presence?
Real presence. The whole and entire presence of both the divine and human aspects of Jesus must be maintained.
Whose was the last gospel to be written?
John’s
Who is Cephas?
Peter
What was the earliest text on the resurrection?
Pauls letter to the Corinthians.
Does Paul accept the resurrection as a fact?
Yes
In Paul’s letter to the corinthians about the resurrection, who did Jesus appear to?
-cephas
-the 12
-500 brothers and sisters
-James
-all the apostles
-Paul
Where did Jesus appear to Paul?
On the rode to Damascus.
What did Paul suggest Jesus’ raised body will be different to
His earthly body.
What is the raised body?
nature
Imperishable and immortal
When will the dead be raised?
When the trumpet sounds / at the end of the world.
When will the trumpets sound according to St Paul?
At the end of the world.
Is St Paul’s letter to the Corinthians of resurrection account highly structured?
Yes
How is St Paul’s letter to the Corinthians of the resurrection structured?
5 sections.
What are the 5 sections of johns account of the resurrection?
- The empty tomb: the empty tomb is discovered by Mary magdeline, peter and the beloved desciple. The discover strips of cloth. Jesus then appears to ‘the beloved disciple’.
- When Jesus appears to Mary magdeline there are angels. Mary saw Jesus but didn’t recognise him. He tells her that he will ascend to the father.
- Jesus appears to the disciples in a locked room. He shows them his hand and his side. He gave them the Holy Spirit and the power to forgive sins.
- Thomas wants proof. Jesus returns to show his wounds.
- The disciples are fishing. They don’t recognise Jesus until after he tells them to go out again and they catch lots of fish. Jesus gave them instructions.
