Midterm review Flashcards
What is the definition of religion?
It is the response of men and women to the eternity that has been placed in the human heart (Eccl. 3:11) along with general revelation in creation (Rom 1:19-20).
What is the blind man and the elephant a representation of?
A third person perspective that sees the blind men describing the elephant through their own perception. Represents how each people group are trying to answer similar worldview questions, but giving their own answers.
What is the typical progression of religion?
Animism—>Polytheistic—>Monotheism—>Materialism
How do indigenous tribal religions operate?
Their history, ritual and theology is passed down orally, by tradition rather than being written down.
What are the sources of authority for indigenous religions?
Stories, ceremonies, taboos/traditions
what are indigenous religions sources of intercession?
role of the shaman and charms
What are the sources of purpose for indigenous religions?
visions and dreams
what are indigenous sources of identity?
in totems, and lands
Indigenous faiths response to who are we?
We are product of divine reality, tasked to worship and serve the gods and divine spirits, appeasing the gods through charms, incantations, spells
Indigenous faiths response to where are we?
Physical realm–animals, humans, plants and various other gods, spirits, and beings reside
Earth created through divine activity–realm where they are tasked with worshipping and serving gods.
What is wrong (indigenous)?
The gods are whimsical, they demand satisfaction & service–but not bound by human attempts to please them, their activity is determined by their mood rather than consistency
What is solution (indigenous)?
rehearse traditions, charms and rituals–act as way to appease gods to act favorably
What time is it? (indigenous)
Two types: chronological and sacred time
Chronological–with seasons
Sacred—cyclical reminds worshippers of history and where they come from
Why (indigenous)
humans exist to serve gods and spirits
doing so will result in favorable treatment in this life and the next
What does hinduism refer to?
To the religious traditions practiced in the India during the British colonisation
How did hinduism first start out teaching?
Began as oral set of traditions and mythology
multiple creation stories, gods play different roles–have multiple names in literature
How is hinduism often practiced?
Individual homes often choose a variety of gods/celebrations to worship
Home based worship often surpasses communal worship
What are the different periods of Hinduism?
- Vedic Period (~2000-500 B.C. )
- Intermediate period (500-200 B.C.)
- Classical Period (200 B.C.-1200 A.D)
- Early modern period (1200-1850 A.D)
- Modern Period (1850-today)
What is considered the golden age of Hinduism?
200 B.C.–650 A.D
What does the symbol of Hinduism represent?
the “Aum”–one truest thing about the universe, and is the most primal statement or saying
What is involved with the vedic period?
Oral traditions
- composed of Indo-Aryan religions and traditions
- links to Greek and Roman deities/languages
- northwestern India
- pastoralist culture moved southeast toward Ganges plain
- early written vedic composition
- began to form exegetical schools & brahmana schools formed
What is the hindu trinity and what does each represent?
Brahma: creator
Vishnu: Preserver
Shiva: Destroyer
What are the female consorts of the hindu trinity?
Saraswati: knowledge
Lakshmi: Love
Kali/Parvati: Power
What do Hindus believe as the Atman?
Internal experience of divine reality
