1. Main tenets
1) Christianity
· Christianity began with Jesus, the Son of God. It is also believed that God’s power was restored in Jesus through teaching, forgiveness of sins, and healing, and that Jesus is both God and man.
· Incarnation (God is present in every aspect of Jesus’ life, but still did not destroy human life)
· Christology (In Jesus, the two natures of the human and the divine are always consistently present)
· Trinity (God is revealed through Christ- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit)
· Atonement (Jesus’ restoration and healings, no matter how great the sin, was done for everyone who had faith)
2) The early Church
· In the early Church, the Body of Christ was a metaphor for many equal parts under one head. But, by the second century, the Body of Christ then symbolized one of the Roman army, with a pop, cardinals, bishops, priests, monks, nuns, and the laity. Christianity started as a small religion, relying on their beliefs in the Holy Spirit and its trust in the Resurrection. It was the religion of the Roman Empire.
3) Divisions
· Because of differing beliefs on faith and practice, there are many denominations of Christianity. The biggest division was between Western and Eastern or Orthodox Christianity. The split was over the belief of the Bishop of Rome is infallible when defining faith and morals. Orthodox Christianity is made up of Greek and Russian Churches, while Western Christianity was divided in the Reformation (further dividing over doctrine and practice).
4) Christian Life
· The Church gives monastic and religious order, and the ability to concentrate on prayer, and took vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. Schools and universities were set up to preserve ancient learning.
· Many Christians follow the liturgical year (celebrates Jesus’ life, death, Resurrection, and Ascension, and also the lives of saints and martyrs).
· Pilgrimages to shrines and relics are popular so Christians can be in touch with holy things and the quest for holiness.
· It is an important Christian belief to be committed to the poor. They believe that by total generosity of self and substance, Christians will inherit eternal life.
2. The Incarnation
1) Comment on the importance/significance of the idea of Incarnation in Christianity
· Incarnation is important in Judaism because it signifies that God is present in every aspect of Jesus’ life, but God still did not destroy human life. The Incarnation is the belief that God came to Earth as man (Jesus) and was truly man and truly God (where the power to heal, restore, forgive, and judge came from).
2) Using one of the Biblical quotes on the page, deduce / define the meaning of the quote in relation to the idea of incarnation.
· “The angel answered, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will cover you with its shadow. And so the child will be holy and will be called Son of God.’”
This quote ties to the Incarnation because it talks about the Holy Spirit coming upon people (God’s descent to Earth) and it also talks about the Son of God, meaning Jesus. It says that He will be called Son of God, not that He actually is.
3) Describe some of the significant roles women play in Christianity
· God gives his grace through Mary to women. Women play an important role in Christianity because many women cared for Jesus. At the crucifixion of Jesus, the women stayed whilst the men ran away. Women saw when the risen Lord first appeared. Since Christianity greatly appreciates women, women are allowed in some denominations to become priests or ministers. More appreciation of women is shown by devoting one prayer to Mary.
4) Looking at the specific comments related to the different images on the page comment on two particular points you found interesting.
· I chose the comment ‘Holy Spirit’ because I think it gives a great example of the Incarnation. It talks about the symbolism of the dove, and how it embodies the Holy Spirit. The dove is the third person of the Trinity, appears at the baptism of Jesus, sign of peace between humanity and God, returns to Noah’s Ark after the flood, and it appoints Jesus as the new declaration of peace.
· I also chose the comment ‘The Virgin Mary’. It talks about how Mary conceived Jesus through the Holy Spirit. It shows that God is restoring the lives of all people to the state in which sin and death are overcome, through Mary. The first Adam brought sin and death, but the second Adam (Jesus) brings new life.
3. The Life of Christ
1) What do you think was the most important aspect, action or belief of Jesus' life? Explain.
· I think that the most important aspect of Jesus’ life was his need to help people. He did it because he could, not because he was obligated to. He did not focus on healing just the Chosen People, but healing humanity as a whole. He gave much needed love to the outcasts, the gentiles. He did not do it because he wanted people to know that he was superhuman.
2) Using the image / painting (and the associated text) in the middle of the two pages, explain the importance of two of scenes from Jesus' life portrayed in the painting and how they exemplified the role of Jesus.
· The first scene I chose was ‘Power over the Elements’. I chose it because it exemplified how Jesus was superhuman, as he was God as well, but only used it when needed. He did not use it whilst in the desert and being tempted by the devil, for personal uses. He used it for saving his companions on the boat. He uses his power to save other people, not for personal and selfish uses.
· I also chose the scene ‘Foxes Have Holes…’. I chose it because it talks about how animals, or humans, have a place to rest. He, as Son of God, has no place to rest. He always travels, healing, and spreading the word of God. It is a selfless act to not rest.
3) Comment on one of the following: The Gospels, Jesus and Jairus' daughter or caring for outcasts.
· I chose caring for outcasts because I think it plays a huge role in the reason Christianity split from Judaism. Jesus focused on all of humanity, not just the Chosen People, and focused especially on the outcasts. A large part of the outcasts were those afflicted with leprosy, Jesus laid his hands on them to cure them. He could have been potentially harming himself, but he wanted to cure them of leprosy and give them admittance into the Temple.
4. The Last Supper
1) Analyze the significance of the last supper in Christianity.
· The Last Supper was the last meal Jesus ate with his disciples before his death. Jesus went to Jerusalem, awaiting his death. He told his disciples that even after Jesus died, God would remain with them. He gave them bread to symbolize his body, and wine to symbolize his blood of the covenant. It is believed that Jesus’ death opens the way to eternal life for all.
2) Using the image of the sculpture in the middle of the page, comment on two aspects of the imagery. (use the text sections surrounding the image)
· The first part of the sculpture I chose was ‘Passover Meal’. I thought it was interesting that the Last Supper was a celebration of Passover largely because I did not know that, and because it is surprising. I think that it is surprising because Jesus really is not known as a Jew. Even though he had differing beliefs that the Jews, and had started to separate, he still was a Jew. Christians do not emphasize the fact that the Last Supper was Passover.
· I also chose the ‘St. Peter’ part of the sculpture because St. Peter was like Jesus’ second hand man. Before Jesus’ death, he passed the job of teaching onto St. Peter. I think it would be interesting to find out more about St. Peter and what Jesus’ followers reactions were to the new ‘leader’.
3) Describe one of the following: The changing role of the Eucharist or the section titled "This is my body".
· In the 16th century, changes were taking place in the Church. With these changes came the change in the Eucharist. The emphasis of the Eucharist moved from sacrifice to remembrance. Bread and wine (from the Last Supper) was taken more figuratively, rather than literally, and it is a matter of faith to believe that Jesus can be present in both the bread and wine. The Eucharist was a memorial meal that was celebrated once a month, rather than every Sunday.
5. The Crucifixion
1) Outline and describe how this source explains the reason for Jesus' crucifixion.
· Jesus was crucified because of his conflict with Temple authorities. The Temple authorities believed that the laws given to Moses by God must be kept before the Messiah could come to bring God’s kingdom on earth. Jesus believed that a covenant, or true relationship with God, only depends on faith. Jesus refused to submit to the High Priest, which was the cause of his crucifixion. He was then handed over to the Roman authorities because Jesus was considered a threat to the state, and was therefore executed.
2) Choose one of the Biblical quotes to analyze in relation to the importance of meaning in the death of Jesus.
· I chose the verse “This is the proof of love, that he laid down his life for us, and we too ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.” (1 John 3:16). I think this shows the significance of the death of Jesus because Jesus’ death and crucifixion was proof of love. Jesus laid down his life for the Christians, and as a true Christian, one should lie down for the lives of their brothers. I like the verse because it shows the significance of not only Jesus’ death, but that every death is important and should be recognized.
3) Using the column, text and images on the right page: briefly describe the events surrounding the crucifixion of Jesus
· After the Last Supper, Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, so that he would be spared from his suffering. Jesus’ disciples fell asleep, and an angel appeared. This angel came to give Jesus strength. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus was arrested after Judas told the High Priest’s guards where Jesus was. After his arrest, Jesus was taken before the Roman governor Pontius Pilate. No case was found against Jesus, but he agreed to crucifixion. At the crucifixion, Jesus’ mother, St. John, other women, and soldiers stood at the base of the cross. Jesus was crucified along with two thieves. Jesus asked John, his cousin, to look after his mother, and to treat her like his own. After Jesus died, his body was put under guard, in fear of it being stolen. The end of Jesus is summed up in the Apostles’ Creed.
6. The Resurrection
1) Using the main paragraph as the foundation of your answer, analyze the importance of the Resurrection in Christianity.
· After Jesus’ death, most of his disciples left him, but the women stayed by the cross until he died. It was to these women that Jesus first appeared, alive beyond the annihilation of death. He was clearly the same Jesus they had known, but the women were so surprised, they failed to recognize him at first. In Christianity, it is believed that the Resurrection is a path-finding demonstration of what happens after death. Jesus lived with his disciples, but at his Ascension, he left the disciples. It is believed in Christianity that God, who sustained Jesus through his own life and teaching, 50 days after Jesus’ Resurrection, entered the Church in the form of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit remains in the Church, making evident of the gifts of the Spirit.
2) Using the primary painting by Mantegna in the middle of the page describe three significant components / symbols of the painting.
· I first chose ‘Recognizing Jesus’ because when Mary Magdalene recognized Jesus for the first time after the Resurrection, Jesus was not truly Jesus again. He would not allow Mary to touch him because he had not yet ascended to God. Jesus then asked Mary to tell his disciples that Jesus was going to his Father.
· I also chose ‘The Third Day’ because after Jesus was buried, it was roughly 36 hours before his Resurrection. He was buried on a Friday morning, and rose on Sunday. There is a common theme of three in the bible, and Jesus rose after three days.
· I also chose ‘The Site of Burial’. It is not clear where Jesus was buried. It is known that Jesus was born in a garden, and most likely outside the city of Jerusalem, but the exact location is not known. I think it is interesting because the Resurrection is such an important even in the New Testament, yet so little is actually known about it. I think it also shows that something can be important without specifics, because the meaning and value is still there.
7. Saints and Martyrs
1) What is a saint and how do the different denominations view the role of saints?
· All Christians are called to be saints. Saints show exceptional marks of love, loyalty, and devotion to Jesus, to his teaching, and to his Church. Saints take care of certain things. People also chose personal saints. Martyrs are saints who died for their faith. The remains of a saint can attract veneration, and the location of their remains may become a site of pilgrimage. Many saints are venerated on certain dates.
· Saints are set apart in the Roman Catholic Church by a formal process called canonization. Saints are also asked for their prayers.
· Protestants ask all believers to live in the communion of saints on earth
2) Using the painting in the middle of the page, give two reasons Francis of Assisi was quickly canonized as a saint.
· The first reason I chose was ‘Signs of Jesus’ Passion’. Francis went into the mountains to pray, and the Bible opened on the story of Jesus’ Passion. Francis prayed to imitate Jesus in all that he did. A seraph appeared, and he received the stigmata. I chose this because Francis prayed to be like Jesus, and he was given the marks of the nails of the Crucifixion and a seraph appeared.
· The second reason I chose was ‘The Life of St. Francis’. Francis tried to follow Jesus as close and radically as possible. Francis inspired many religious lives and has been seen as a model of sanctity. Francis was declared a saint only two years after his death, because he had followed Jesus’ life so closely.
8. The Church
1) Define the concept of the Church (using the broad term) in Christianity.
· The Church consists of the people who have responded to Jesus’ invitation to continue his work on earth. These people are called the Body of Christ. They believe that they are his living presence in the world. They follow Jesus’ example by teaching, preaching, and serving others (especially those in need). They are Christ’s hands, feet, and body on earth. They are sustained by prayer and sacraments. Two sacraments, Baptism and Eucharist, come from the command of Christ. Eucharist (Mass and the Last Supper) is when believers receive the bread and wine of the Last Supper, and they are assured of Jesus’ promise to be with them always. Baptism is the act by which people are accepted into the Church and receive the grace or power to do Christ’s work. Even though they must die, the enter a new life, which transcends death.
2) Using the painting (The Altarpiece of the Sacraments) and paragraph descriptions surrounding the image describe the role of three of the seven sacraments. (realize the focus of these sacraments changed after the Reformation).
· Penance- In confession, sins are acknowledged, in which the ways they have failed God’s commandments. They promise to try to be better in the future. Priests are given power from Christ to declare God’s forgiveness. Those who are forgiven also may be asked to undertake reparation or some act of thanksgiving to show their penitence.
· Confirmation- At confirmation, believers reaffirm their vow. Their vow was first promised at their baptism, to remain in the Church and follow its teaching. A bishop lays hands on them, like the apostles did to early Christians. It is an outward sign of the gifts of the holy spirit.
· Marriage- Those who wish to get married may seek the blessing of the Church. It is a blessing on the promises they make to each other. In receiving the blessing from the Church, they become committed to a lifelong relationship. This commitment is only able to be broken and remade with someone else under particular conditions.
9. The Religious Life
1) Analyze three different ways the source describes how Christians can live "religiously"
· Christians who live religiously all have a common desire to follow Christ in his poverty, his obedience to his Father, and his single-minded commitment to all people which is believed to have been effected by remaining sexually chaste.
· Although there is a common desire, the way in which believers express this desire changes. Some live it in the desert or as hermits, others live in a closely knit community governed by a rule, some are contemplatives (those who have devoted themselves to prayer), some chose a more active involvement by showing Christ’s care for the world by serving the poor and the sick and by devoting themselves to missionary and educational work.
· There is also a difference in lifestyle. The Little Brothers of Jesus wear normal clothes, but they do the most menial work available. They combine the work with a life lived with others, interspersed with period spent alone. The Trappists live in larger communities, and do not leave their houses so that they can devote all their time to prayer and to work that can be done within their own home. They preserve perpetual silence and live a life of extreme austerity.
10. Orthodox Church
1) Explain three important aspects that distinguish the Orthodox Church from other forms Christian belief.
· The Orthodox Church is a group of churches that are self-governing. They can trace their history back to the apostles and to the earliest missionary journeys in the Mediterranean world. The oldest are the Greek Orthodox Church and the Orthodox Church under the patriarchs of Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem.
· The Orthodox Church is separate from other Christian churches, but they have major common beliefs. Similar to the Protestant churches, the Orthodox Church doesn’t recognize the Roman papacy.
· What differs the Orthodox Church from other Christian churches is the emphasis and the style and practice of Christian life.
· Another differentiation is Orthodox priests. Orthodox priests perform the Holy Thursday service, a commemoration of the Last Supper and the washing of the disciples’ feet. There are many rules for the priests as well. Priests may be married, but they cannot be married after they are ordained. Priests have beards, in faithfulness to the Bible. Bishops are always celibate and are therefore appointed from among monks.
11. The Reformation
1) According to the source what were the main reasons for the split within the church during the reformation.
· Because the Church is always trying to live closer to Christ’s teaching, it is always in a process of reformation. There is a lot of disagreement, and movements break away. With the advent of the printing press in the 1450’s, the Bible became readily available. There was also a group of Christians that wanted to introduce a closer following of Scripture. There were protests against Church practices and a move toward reforming the religious life. From these reform movements came the Protestant Churches. The Protestant Churches put importance on each individual’s relationship with Christ, without a priest or pope acting as intermediary, and the primacy of Scripture as the foundation of preaching, teaching, and salvation. The Protestant Churches differed from the Catholic Church because the Catholic Church put importance on papacy, sacraments, and the controlled use of Scripture.
12. The Last Judgment
1) Describe what the last judgment is and give several ways in which you are "judged".
· The Day of Judgment would happen when the Son of man comes in his glory, and all the people would be judged. People will be judged on whether they have made plain the goodness and mercy of God, whether they have fed the hungry, given the thirsty something to drink, and clothed the naked. Those who had done these things would be separated from those who had not. Jesus knew that all people need the help and mercy of God. Jesus is a judge, but also a merciful redeemer. Through the death of Christ, God freely forgives and cancels the charge at the tribunal.
2) According to the text what is the "way to heaven" and what is the "way to hell"?
· The Way to Heaven: Jesus said that those who followed him would be known by their treatment of others. In the Church, these acts (whether they have fed the hungry, given the thirsty something to drink, and clothed the naked, visiting the sick, visiting those in prison), as well as burying the dead, became known as the works of mercy. The seven works of mercy are seen as treating all people as though they are Jesus.
· The Way to Hell: Jesus said that the way to go to hell was to neglect the needs of others. Jesus also said to ignore the Ten Commandments was a way to hell. The deadly sins, or evils, that deserve eternal punishment are pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, anger, and sloth. It is similar to the Ten Commandments, but they have a more definitive form.
3) Looking at Michelangelo's painting / text associated with it describe three of the specific aspects of the judgment?
· I first chose ‘The Saved’. Those who had seen God in Jesus, or followed God’s commandments were saved. Those saved merge into groups of patriarchs, prophets, and disciples on either side of Christ. The symbol of the saved embracing each other shows that they found heaven.
· I also chose ‘The Damned’. Those who had been greedy and use all that is in the world as their own, the proud who think they are God, and all who use others for their own gain have all denied God. Any who had chosen to live their life in a way that denies God go to hell.
· Lastly, I chose ‘Love, the Great Virtue’. The saved, the ones ascending into heaven, grasp and hug each other. They symbolize the greatest Christian virtue, love. What remains is faith, hope, and love, love being the greatest.
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