People Flashcards
Rudolf Otto
Introduced “the numinous” concept in “The Idea of the Holy”
Described religious experience as both terrifying and fascinating
Argued the holy is a unique, non-rational experience
Jacob
Acquired his brother’s birthright through deception
Renamed “Israel” after wrestling with a divine being
Father of the 12 tribes of Israel
Moses
Led Israelites from Egyptian slavery
Received Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai
Died before entering the Promised Land
Noah
Built ark to save family and animals from global flood
Received rainbow covenant from God
Represents righteousness amidst corruption
Abram/Abraham
Left homeland for Canaan by divine command
Covenant marked by circumcision and name change
Father of Isaac and Ishmael; patriarch in three religions
El Shaddai
Divine name meaning “God Almighty”
God’s self-identification to patriarchs before YHWH
Associated with divine power and covenant promises
Hagar
Sarah’s servant who bore Abraham’s son Ishmael
Encountered God in wilderness after fleeing mistreatment
Important ancestral figure in Islamic tradition
Mary
Virgin mother of Jesus in Christian tradition
Model of faith and obedience to divine calling
Theological significance varies across denominations
Job
Righteous man tested through extreme suffering
Questioned God while maintaining integrity
Restored after direct divine encounter
“The Satan” (in Book of Job)
Functioned as heavenly “accuser,” not later concept of devil
Challenged Job’s motives for righteousness
Limited by God’s permission in testing Job
Eliphaz
Oldest of Job’s three friends
Argued suffering results from sin
Rebuked by God for false counsel
Bildad
Appealed to traditional wisdom about divine justice
Insisted on sin-punishment connection
Emphasized God’s perfect judgment
Zophar
Harshest and most dogmatic of Job’s friends
Claimed Job deserved worse punishment
Stressed human inability to comprehend God
Mithras
Central deity in Roman mystery religion
Depicted slaying sacred bull
Popular among soldiers; involved secret initiations
El
Chief deity in Canaanite pantheon
Depicted as wise, elderly creator-judge
Name means “god”; aspects absorbed into Yahweh
Asherah
Canaanite fertility goddess, El’s consort
Worshipped by some Israelites alongside Yahweh
Represented by sacred poles/trees
Baal
Canaanite storm and fertility god
Major rival to Yahweh worship in ancient Israel
Associated with seasonal death-resurrection cycle
