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The focus of this study Is the contribution of significant people, Ideas, practices and ethical teachings to an understanding of Christianity as a living religious tradition. The study of Christianity is to be of the WHOLE tradition where applicable.
Outcomes A student: HI explains aspects of religion and belief systems H2O describes and analyses the influence of religion and belief systems on individuals and society HA describes and analyses how aspects of religious traditions are expressed by their adherents HA evaluates the influence of religious traditions in the life of adherents HA organizes, analyses and synthesis relevant information about religion from a variety of sources, considering usefulness, validity and bias HA conducts effective research about religion and evaluates the findings from the research HA applies appropriate terminology and concepts related to religion and belief systems HA coherently and effectively communicates complex Information, ideas and Issues using appropriate written, oral and graphic forms.
Significant Person or School of Thought Criteria ; explain the contribution to the development and expression of Christianity of ONE significant errors OR school of thought, other than Jesus, drawn from: – Paul of Tarsus – Hildebrand of Binge – Martin Luther – Catherine Booth – Pope John XIII – Billy Graham – Dennis Bennett – Sarah Maintain – Liberation Theology – Feminist Theology – another person or school of thought significant to Christianity Content Paul of Tarsus Practices, traditions, non-Jewish inclusion into the Church are all a result of Paul Pall’s teachings are at the heart of Christian The church “we” worship may be described as a ‘Pauline Church’. He has a contemporary influence on Christianity today, and he spoke to the wider Christian community, not Just the Catholics. Pre-conversion: Saul (Hebrew? ) Post-conversion: Paul (Greek? ; analyses the impact of this person OR school of thought on Ethics Wee-An Tan describe and explain Christian ethical teachings on bioethics OR environmental ethics OR sexual ethics Bioethics (Textbook Summary) Bioethics: Science which establishes a system of medical and environmental priorities for survival. It is a branch of ethics concerned with health care and biological sciences – the morality issues of abortion, euthanasia, IV and organ transplants. Some Christians believe in using natural law to determine their response. For most Churches, the principles of sanctity of life, stewardship and respect for unity and procreation of sexual intercourse are the basis of their ideas on bioethics. Seventh World Congress on Bioethics held in Sydney 2004.
Significant Practices in the lives of believers: ; describe ONE significant practice within Christianity drawn from: – Baptism – Saturday/Sunday worship Saturday/Sunday Worship ; demonstrate how the chosen practice expresses the beliefs of ; analyses the significance of this practice for both the individual and the Christian community Notes: explain the contribution to the development and expression of Christianity of ONE significant person OR school of thought, other than Jesus, drawn from: – Paul of Tarsus ; analyses the impact of this person OR school of thought on Christianity About PAUL: First Christian theologian, interpreter, writer. Practices, traditions, non-Jewish inclusion into the Church are all a result of Paul Teachings are at the heart of Christian bioethics Church “we” worship may be described as a ‘Pauline Church’. He spoke to the wider Primary sources for Paul are his letters, esp.. Galatians and 1 & 2 Corinthians. 2 Secondary sources: The book of the Acts of the Apostles, but it is a secondary view (he did not write it). Later sources: Vatican Codex, CA CE (Paul lived in CLC CE). From Tarsus, Paul was a Hellenic Jew. He was a Roman Citizen and a Pharisee.
From Acts, it is shown that he had a Pharisaic education (highest social standing among Jews). Although he was a Jew, he was a Roman Citizen (a major impact later), which meant that his parents were distinguished in some way. Paul was born quite wealthy. The letters which he wrote demonstrate his training in Greek literature, philosophy (Aristotle, Plato) and rhetoric. Paul, in his youth, was a devout Jew. He believed that the preachers of the Messiah would fracture the Jewish community, and was an enemy of the Church. During a raid on Christians, Journeying to/from Damascus (? ), he suddenly fell down, was blinded and heard a heavenly voice.
He comes to realize that he has been misguided – he was healed in a similar process to Jesus’ healing. He first listened, and then in three days (3 = religious significance), his sight was restored. This was the moment of his conversion. Paul never met Jesus, merely the risen Christ. The focus of contemporary Christianity s the risen Christ, as well as the call to conversion that everyone can have (like Paul, they do not need to have ‘met’ Christ). Christ had not persecuted him, but shown him love. Paul preached a message of love: levels of love – a Greek concept… Eros, Filial, Agape. The risen Christ, and became known as the Apostle to the Gentiles.
He was a Christian missionary in Syria, Asia Minor and Greece on a number of Journeys. At the time, Greek was the major language of commerce and trade – Paul preached in Greek to educated people. To non-educated people, he might have spoken Latin. He old have spoken in Airmail to Jews, or Hebrew (in a religious context). He preached both in synagogues and to gentiles, and established the practice of house churches – meeting at houses, especially for Gentiles, separated to the Jewish practice. They were the first churches – people who were clean and unclean (according to Jewish ritual) could meet together. Post-conversion, Paul traveled constantly, more than any other apostles did.
He was frequently opposed by both local Jewish and gentile leaders. He used letters to communicate to churches. He established both men and women in charge of a church group (e. . Lydia). Explain the contribution to the development and expression of Christianity of Paul of The GENERAL contribution of Paul to the development and expression of Christianity Established Christian communities throughout the Mediterranean area Wrote 14 letters and takes up over 50% of the New Testament Opened Christianity to Gentiles Fashioned foundational Christian beliefs Went on missions to spread Christianity 3 Contribution of Paul to the understanding of theology and principal beliefs Teachings about God 1.
The ethical God: Romans 2:4: “Do you not realize God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? + Paul taught that God’s ethics were Just, merciful and kind, and an ethical God allowed for redemption. + Knowing God through love, good work and learning about God would, according to Pall’s Overindulgence’s ideas of imperfect humanity, allow for redemption in God (repentance and reconciliation lead to salvation). 2. God is merciful: Romans 9:1 5: “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion” + Ethics and mercy go hand-in-hand – a believer who has faith and is sincere in wanting mercy will receive mercy.
Teachings about Jesus 1 . Jesus is the Son of God: lorry of God the father” + Paul taught that Jesus was, in his nature, inseparable from God. Jesus was a fully divine risen Christ. 2. Jesus’ Humanity: Philippians 2: 6-11 “… Took the nature of a human being”. + Paul emphasizes the two natures of Jesus Christ, divine and human – Jesus was the incarnation of God. He was born and lived a human, yet was the Son of God. Teachings about theology 1. The Trinity: Galatians 4:6 “God sent the spirit of his son” 1 Corinthians 12:3 “No one can confess that Jesus is Lord, without being guided by the Holy Spirit” + Tied into humanity of God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Salvation: 1 Corinthians 15:2 “you are saved by the gospel, if you hold it firmly unless it is for nothing you believed” + Paul teaches theology of atonement, ideas of baptism and salvation. Offers believers assurance that God is a savior. + According to Paul, humans are saved in God through good works and faith in Jesus Christ. Example of the biblical patriarch Abraham, who received God’s blessing and passed it on through “the righteousness of faith” (Romans 4:13) 4 Contribution of Paul to the understanding of Ethics (as opposed to Jewish traditional ethics) Teachings about love, the Law of God Romans 12:8 “Love is the fulfilling of the law’ Paul taught that love was the summation and fulfillment of the law. The basic premise of Pall’s ethical teachings was love – love, and the love of others, was an ethic. Cord 13 is a poetic essay on agape love (pure, unconditional love) He also taught that love was a call to action, and guided the lives of believers. Teachings about Behavior Cool 3:5 “Put to death, therefore, whatever in you is earthly: Fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire and greed. ” Cool 3:8 “But now you must get rid of all such things – anger, wrath, malice, slander and abusive language… O not lie. ” Teachings on virtues and vice… Models of behavior (Galatians 5:22-23, Philippians 4:8) and behaviors to avoid. According to Paul, faith in Christ is manifest through the words and actions of believers, and Christian love should be exemplified in all relationships.
Teachings about the Law Galatians 2:21 “For if Justification comes through the law then Christ died for nothing” comes from the promise (to Abraham)” The ‘Law’ (motive) as it has been handed down through the Jewish tradition since the time of Abraham & Moses has been superseded and set aside by faith in Jesus Christ ND the laws of Christ (I. E. Love). Christian adherents need not submit to Mosaic Law to follow Jesus. A new covenant means a new understanding of faith in Christ. 5 Contribution of Paul to the understanding of Rituals, Roles and Prayer Teachings on Sat/Sun Worship Outline: Saturday or Sunday worship is the focus of Christian public worship, and during this act of worship, the Eucharist, Lord’s Supper or Holy Communion is celebrated. The main rite through which Christians worship God. Acts 13:13-14 [Paul visits the synagogue on the Sabbath] Various Epistles of Paul [affirm seventh-day rest, freedom from legalistic acquirement to observe Sat/ Sun].
Teachings on the Eucharist Outline: The practice of a ritual meal in which the life, death and resurrection of Christ was recalled has its origins in the earliest Christian churches known as the Eucharist (Greek for thanksgiving) Corinthians 11 [Paul gave his authority to the way in which the Eucharist should be conducted; usually referred to as the Institution Narrative, in which Paul prescribes the wording of the ritual action of the Eucharist] Paul quotes a very early Christian source of Chrism’s words: “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me. In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me. ” + explanation of the meaning of the Eucharist and stipulations about its practice + Established the ritual meal of Eucharist then influenced the ongoing Christian tradition – even though great differences still exist between denominations as to the nature of the presence of Christ in the liturgical event.
Teachings on Baptism Outline: Baptism is an initiation and ritual that a person must go through to become part of the church. Christians have been baptizing since the time of Jesus, because it was a direct command to the Apostles Romans 1 “dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus” + The importance of baptism, Paul explains, is that baptism initiates a new life of grace and purity. + The sinner symbolically dies, baptized into the death of Jesus, and the person who emerges is alive to God. Analyses the impact of this person OR school of thought on Christianity The GENERAL Immediate impact Established many churches very quickly because of his belief that the end of the world was imminent.
This energies and consolidated the churches Relied on his knowledge of the Hebrew Scriptures to answer any questions that people had at the time He laid down foundational beliefs of Christianity such as: Gods grace is for all, the church is the body of Christ and Justification of faith (salvation of faith) Long term impact Letters attributed to him are included in the bible Teachings influenced future generations on how to behave and live Teachings have infused every aspect of Christian teachings Letters are used in catholic liturgies and other prayer services 6 Paul continued Jesus’ view that women are important and are to be respected cause they are part of God’s kingdom.
Analyses the impact of this person OR school of thought on Christianity Overall impact of Paul: Cultural background, Roman citizen, knowledge of Greek was vital in the expansion of early Christian communities throughout the Mediterranean. He communicated the message of Christ outside of Jerusalem. His message of the Justification of faith (Room 3:28) was instrumental in the Protestant Reformation (schism) in the 16th Century. Paul clarified the major teachings of the church, particularly those on Christ (1 Timothy 3:16 – ‘he appeared in human form, was shown to be right by the spirit’) and Salvation (Room 10:4 – ‘everyone who believes is put right with God’). Missionary Journeys: Three major missionary Journeys in 44, 48, ACE, established the church throughout the Roman empire.
Paul preached to Gentiles and Jews – the communities he founded evolved into contemporary Christian churches. After establishing a group of followers, he would gather them in a house church for prayer, teaching and Eucharist. Over time he would appoint elders to lead the church. His missionary Journeys increased the resilience of the Church. Council of Jerusalem ACE Conflict about the status of Gentile believers, Council of Jerusalem centralized preferences within communities. Paul opened the church to Gentiles – they did not have to circumcised or follow Jewish dietary laws (Room 3:21-30). Pall’s Gentile Christianity survived as the Jewish-Christian movement died out, and Pall’s followers wrote much of the New Testament.
Significance for adherents today Letters of SST. Paul are significant in the lives of adherents, as they are used in Christian services (Sat/Sun worship). The letters are used in private devotion, and Paul is a source of inspiration and guidance because of the example of his devout environmental ethics OR sexual ethics Describe and explain Christian ethical teachings on bioethics OR environmental ethics OR sexual ethics Bioethics BIOETHICS: 1 . Branch of ethics concerned with health care and biological sciences – issues of morality and implications of new biological discoveries and biomedical advances. 2. Ethics concerned with issues surrounding health care and the biological sciences.
These issues include the morality of IV, new research in genetic engineering including cloning and stem cell research. CHRISTIAN ETHICAL ISSUES – Honoring God’s image – [Genesis 1:26-17]; one must consider God’s wisdom and rower in the creation of mankind. 7 Prevention of Suffering – [Acts 10:38, Luke 9:2]; embryonic stem cell harvesting: the embryo is in fact destroyed in the process. Stewardship of Creation – [Genesis 1]; prohibits exploitations and manipulations that would destroy natural balance or degrade God’s created world. Human Dignity – [Genesis 1:27, Acts 17:28] – People (despite their life stage) should be treated with respect for their individual qualities, not Just used for scientific investigation.
Seventh World Congress on Bioethics held in Sydney in 2004. Some Christian insemination believe in using natural law. For most Churches, the principles of sanctity of life, stewardship and respect for the unity and procreation of sexual intercourse are the basis of their ideas on bioethics. STEM CELLS Every organ, tissue and cell has stem cells. They are able to divide and self renew; could regenerate the entire organ from a few cells. May be used to repair or replace damaged tissues – reversing diseases and injuries such as cancers, heart disease and blood disease. STEM CELL RESEARCH – Human life begins at fertilization: conception – Catholic/Orthodox concept of natural law.
The sperm from a human male and the ovum from a human female – living human being – a human embryo.