Religion

address these points: a)–explain what you understand the ethical will to be (citing the assigned readings) b)–say how you think you will approach writing yours: will you talk through it with someone? will you share drafts with a family member or friend? will you go to a favorite place to write? c)-ask any questions you may have, and begin to try to answer them yourself. Here is the Question: What have you learned in Applied Jewish Ethics that you will take away with you and that you would want to convey to others? Discuss how this learning fits into your life and has changed your perspective. Required Readings for Ethical Will Project: Miriam Schulman, “A testament to ethics (Links to an external site.).” Santa Clara University. https://www.scu.edu/mcae/publications/iie/v7n3/testament.html Jack Riemer, “Writing and reading ethical wills (Links to an external site.).” MyJewishLearning.com. https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/writing-and-reading-ethical-wills/ Constance Gutke, “The ethical will, an ancient concept, is revamped for the  ” New York Times, Oct. 31, 2014. https://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/01/your-money/the-ethical-will-an-ancient-concept-is-revamped-for-the-tech-age.html tech age

Objective: Examine the role of the Pharisees and Sadducees in the Gospel. Jesus encountered many people during His earthly ministry. Many of the multitudes came to Him out of desperation and a sense of hopelessness. While Jesus touched, healed and provided for those in need, many of the Jewish religious leaders of the day felt threatened by our Lord and sought to destroy Him. This assignment will help you to understand the nature of the opposition to Jesus as the Messiah and Mark’s observations during the unfolding of prophecy. -Read the article in “The Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels” titled “Pharisees” on pp. 673-679. Also, read “Sadducees” on pp. 823-825. -In a one page (500 word), response, discuss the role the Pharisees and Sadducees played in the Gospel narratives. -In 250-300 words, discuss the issues that Jesus had with the Pharisees and Sadducees.

Instructions What do you think of the belief that Islam is meant to be a universal religion and that it corrects the mistakes of Judaism and Christianity? Background information: The Quran purports to be the final and most perfect revelation from God. As such, the religion that it expounds, Islam, is meant to be a universal religion, correcting the mistakes and misunderstandings of Judaism and Christianity. Traditionally, the understanding is that while the original teachings of Judaism and Christianity were correct, their adherents misunderstood Allah’s messengers and practiced the intended religion (Islam) incorrectly. So, the messages in the Quran were sent to get everyone back on the correct path. I’m not saying anyone is right or wrong, but Muslim tradition states that the Quran is the perfect and final revelation from Allah (God). It is the continuation and correction of revelations that are recorded in The Hebrew Bible and in the New Testament.

Following in the footsteps of Socrates, Greek philosophers believed all areas of human life, including religion, need to be subject to rational analysis.  Stoic philosophers developed this idea by arguing that human reason comes from a divine and eternal rational force called the Logos, which is the cause of all order throughout the world.  Since order is the basis of goodness in things and in people, the Logos is the cause of all goodness in the world.  Thus, all traditional forms religious thought and practice can be judged according to how well it reflects the work of the Logos.  Cleanthes’ “Hymn to Zeus,” identifies the chief of the Greek gods with the Logos. Jews encountered Stoic philosophy in the Diaspora when Jews settled in Greek cities and practiced their traditional religion without sacrificial rituals.  Such rituals could only be performed at the temple in Jerusalem.  These rituals were an outward sign for the Jews of what separated them from other people and of their privileged connection with God.  The Jewish encounter with the Stoic idea of the Logos helped them develop a new understanding of how their God was the only true God, whose goodness is revealed to rational persons in the order of the world.  They saw the work of Wisdom, a divine spirit present with God in creation (Proverbs 8:22-31), doing the works that Stoics attributed to the Logos.  The Jewish encounter with Stoic philosophy led some Jewish thinkers to view the spirit of Wisdom ordering the inner life of persons (their souls) in the way that Stoics see the Logos doing, as seen in Wisdom of Solomon 6:12-8:8. The Jewish encounter with Stoicism appears to have had two or important effects.  It helped Judaism complete the monotheistic turn that began in the Jews return from captivity in Babylon and resettlement in Jerusalem which included the rebuilding of the temple.  After the temple was rebuilt, Jews continues following their ancient religious law in a manner the emphasized separation from other people.  The encounter with Stoicism also help Jews broaden their understanding of “righteousness,” the central focus of Jewish belief and practice, so that righteousness of individuals before God included the development of well-ordered souls and the exercise of the same moral virtues as God philosophers had argued were essential to a genuinely happy life.  As Jews were seen practicing a philosophically informed religion, they probably were better able to integrate themselves into the life of Greek cities. 1. The Jewish encounter with Greek philosophy occurred during the Hellenistic Period when most of the eastern Mediterranean world was governed by Greeks, the result of Alexander the Great’s conquests.  How did the conditions of life in the Hellenistic world cause Greek philosophers and Diaspora Jews alike to begin thinking about matters of individual happiness and social order in “universal” terms?  Why did traditional religious beliefs and practices have to be adapted to a new reality?  (See chapter 10 in Martin, Ancient Greece, and the reading on Philosophy and Religion in the Hellenistic World.) 2. Note how Cleanthes’ “Hymn to Zeus” describes the universal scope the Logos’ work in ordering nature and providing a basis (possibility) for order and goodness in the lives of humans.  Note how the work of God’s spirit of Wisdom is described similarly in Wisdom of Solomon 6:12-8:8.  Identify particular statements in each writing that make similar points the source of order in the world and source of goodness in human life. 3. Stoics, perhaps intentionally, describe the Logos as an impersonal divine force.  Note how this is not the case with the spirit of Wisdom in the Wisdom of Solomon.  In comparing these two writings, explain how the “Hymn to Zeus” presents a philosophy about God and the divine nature of the world that is not attached to any particular religion (despite the fact that Zeus is addressed), while Wisdom of Solomon presents form of religious practice for Jews in the Diaspora that is informed by philosophical ideas. Integrate your answers to these questions in an essay of the topic, When Jewish Monotheism Meets Greek Rationalism.  Length: 500-650 words.

Read these three very short articles: 1.“5 Ways Being A Good Follower Makes You A Better Leader”  2.“Leadership Skills: Definitions and Examples” (ONLY read “top 6 leadership skills” section) 3.“How to Become a Leader” Watch this 2 minute TedTalk:  “How to Start a Movement.”   Write a “midrash” about one of the following people in the bible: Adam, Eve, Isaac, Joseph, Jacob, Esau, Sarah, Hagar or Abraham. 1. Answer the question: What is involved in their journey of being a good follower. 2. Answer the question: What TWO lessons did the character learn about being a follower? 3. Answer the question: What TWO lessons did the character learn about God? Use quotes from the short articles and TedTalk for the midrash to write the “Backstory” -the story behind the story.  Aside from the articles/TedTalk for the bibliography, if you refer to the Bible, also use the chapters/verses for the bibliography.

As you reflect on what you have learned about Moses this week, consider the promises God made to the Hebrews as a people. How might you apply what you’ve learned about God and God’s promises (covenants) to your own relationship with God? Upon successful completion of the course material, you will be able to: Describe the functions of God’s law as they shape people in covenant relationship with God. Examine the function and importance of God’s covenants in the Biblical texts. Resources Textbook: God with Us: An Introduction to the Old Testament Bible: A standard translation, as noted in the syllabus Website: International Standard Bible Encyclopedia Instructions Review the rubric to make sure you understand the criteria for earning your grade. Review Chapter 9 in your textbook, God with Us: An Introduction to the Old Testament. Review the following in a standard translation of the Bible as noted in the syllabus: Deuteronomy 34:10–13 and Exodus 19:1–25, 23:20–24:12 Read the reflection on Moses from the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Write a paper addressing the following: Moses’ life (500 words) List and briefly describe observations from each of the 5 periods of Moses’ life as talked about in the article from the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Explore Exodus 19:1-25 and explain the preparations that God instructed Moses to have the people engage in before God gives the 10 Commandments. Why do you think that these preparations were so necessary for the people? Do you believe that these preparations have any application for how God’s people prepared to engage God’s presence in worship today? Explain. What do you learn about God from Moses’ life? The Tabernacle (500 words) Explain the significance of the Tabernacle. Why was it placed in the middle of the camp of the Israelites? List the five types of sacrifice required from the Hebrews and discuss what these sacrifices suggest about God’s plan and expectations for Hebrew worship. See Chapter 9, pages 103–104 in your textbook. God’s covenants (1000 words) Summarize the promises God made to the Hebrews as a people through Moses (Exodus 19:1–8; Exodus 23:20 through 24:12). Describe the characteristics and function of ancient covenants as seen in these Exodus passages. Identify and describe the significance of at least three modern day covenants. For example, how is putting an “honesty statement” on your paper a form of covenant? Why is a down payment important in business transactions? As you think about the significance of a covenant, what insight do you gain about God and your relationship with God? Be sure to cite and reference your textbook where you quote or paraphrase the author’s thoughts. Cite scriptures you use in your paper. All citations should be formatted using correct APA format. Copy the questions into the body of your paper and answer the questions in well-written paragraphs. Your responses should demonstrate understanding (synthesis) of the material. Simple lists or sentence fragments are not acceptable. Whenever possible, apply the principles learned to life in the twenty-first century. When you have completed your assignment, save a copy for yourself and submit a copy to your instructor using the Assignment submission page, by the end of the workshop.

1. Is Black theology limited by its context or pertinent to Christians everywhere? 2. Does Cone’s biblical hermeneutics stand up today in light of other liberation theologies—Native American, African, womanist? 3. Is Cone’s critique of American churches, black and white, relevant today?

Compare and contrast the types of covenants that exist between God and humans in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam

Objective: Identify your strengths and limitations in the provision of pastoral care                         Mindset: Understanding your strengths and limitations is critical in the provision of pastoral care                Instructions   The purpose of this assignment is for you to develop a greater self-awareness of your strengths and limitations as a caregiver. Write a 1-2 page journal entry reflecting on your self-perceived strengths and limitations in the provision of pastoral care. Explain how you will adapt, manage, or work through your self-perceived limitations.

write 3 pages about what you have learned about suffering and evil from Job. (Be sure to incorporate references from Zacharias Chapter 1-2, and readings in Keller Chapters 9,10, 12, and 14.    These are the two textbooks.  Keller, T. (2013). Walking with God through pain and suffering.New York, NY: Penguin Group.                  And   Zacharias, R., & Vitale, V. (2014). Why suffering? Finding meaning and comfort when life doesn’t make sense. New York, NY: Faith Words.  Include the following: What does Job learn about God through his suffering and his encounter with God?  Does this encourage and/or challenge your own faith?  How?  Do you think the responses of Job’s friends were wrong or simply misguided in some way? Why?  How might this help you understand the meaning of your own suffering and how to respond to others who are suffering? Overall, what have you learned about suffering and evil from Job?  How might this affect the way you navigate suffering in the future?