Compare the strengths and weaknesses of two texts relating to the historical Jesus.
Ehrman, Bart D. Jesus: Apocalyptic Prophet of the New Millenium. New York: Oxford University Press, 1999. Crossan, John Dominic. Jesus: A Revolutionary Biography. 1st ed. New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 1994. The following essay is an attempt to compare the strengths and weaknesses of two texts relating to the historical Jesus. Critical analysis in probing the authors' uncertainties and problems with their arguments will allow this essay to illustrate the degree of their effectiveness. I will examine each of the author's methodological approach, the clarity of their arguments and the validity of the conclusions they reach regarding Jesus as a historical person. It is by no means an effort to probe the meaning of Jesus' sayings or teachings. This essay will endeavour to examine how the authors approach their investigation into finding which words and occurrences can actually be contributed to Jesus. Furthermore, after finding these contributions, I will review how the author arrived at their conclusions. John Dominic Crossan's Jesus: A Revolutionary Biography, commences his study into the life of the historical Jesus with his birth. Crossan explains that the idea of attaching a divine status to a mortal man was not new in the 1st century CE, as with Caesar Augustus or Octavius. The author argues that the infancy stories found in the Gospels of Luke and Matthew
Hafiz: A Drunkard?
Saurabh Shah ARLT 100 - Prof. Reid April 9, 2004 Hafiz: A Drunkard? The debate of alcohol present in Islamic poetry is one of ambiguity due to lack of factual evidence. In regard to specific poets, the information lacks even further, especially in relation to specific actions such as drinking. Secular and religious life of a poet can be inferred from the poetry that has been passed down, although there may be language issues when attempting to interpret translations. Looking at the poetry in a generalized format, a reader can assume that there is an abundant amount of proof that Sufis drink because of their ability to describe the moment of being drunk so perfectly and vibrantly, with everyone drinking from the poets to the dregs. Yet the known background of the poet must be taken into account when comparing his life into the life that is portrayed in poetry. When looking at Hafiz, his background is clearly one of piety, as shown by his name which indicates a person who has memorized the Quran and can recite it perfectly. Hence, knowing that alcohol is illegal in Islam, Hafiz would not have committed hypocritical acts, especially those strictly prohibited in the Quran. The profuse image of wine in his poetry is an image that is both mystical and sensual, with the ambiguity of this image intended so that both levels can be maintained. Items in poetry can be seen as
Jesus appointed only men to succeed him therefore women should be excluded from priesthood'.
a) Using Luke's Gospel, describe Jesus' response to women and why many First Century Jews would have disapproved. Women in first century Palestine were not supposed to participate in public life. It was a husband's right and duty to divorce his wife if she left the house without a headdress and her face hidden, not only this, but the husband was under no obligation to pay the money which the wife had a right to receive in the case of divorce. In public women were not meant to be seen and it went against all policies of etiquette to speak to a woman in the street or exchange greetings and in fact even to look at a married woman was considered scandalous. Jewish women in first century Palestine had very limited legal and economic rights, particularly in the economically related areas. When a girl was in the household of her father, any work she did and wages she earned would go directly to her father. Once she was married a woman's wages and products that she made would go into the possession of her husband. While in her father's house, however, a girl's education consisted of learning domestic arts such as weaving and needlework, she would also carry other responsibilities such as looking after any brothers and sisters. A girl's duty to her father was the same as was that of her brother, but she possessed none of her brother's rights. All inheritance would pass to the son
In What Respect Did Muhammad'S Message In Medina Differ From His MessageIn Mecca
IN WHAT RESPECT DID MUHAMMAD'S MESSAGE IN MEDINA DIFFER FROM HIS MESSAGE IN MECCA? Muhammad is the 'seal of the prophets' in Islam and his message encompassed religious teachings together with a substantial political influence. Muhammad was born in c570 in Mecca. Although Mecca had no hope of agricultural wealth, the city prospered owing to the trade routes passing through it. Mecca was a centre of pilgrimage due to the Ka'ba, a shrine housing the pagan deities then worshipped by the many Arab tribes. As this suggests Arabia was predominantly polytheistic. However, in the surrounding areas there were a number of Jewish communities and Christians that can be seen to influence Muhammad in his early thinking. Polytheism, idolatry and a lack of compassion for unfortunate members of society led Muhammad to a ritual of meditation in a nearby cave on Mount Hira. It was during one of these times of contemplation, in 610, that the angel Gabriel is said to have first appeared to him and instructed him to pass on the message that he had been given. Muhammad, at first, was overcome but disbelief but gradually he accepted his mission from Allah. During his life he experienced many visions through which his message continued to develop. After spending a number of years in Mecca preaching it was clear Muhammad's message was not welcome so he and his followers emigrated to Medina,
Outline Luther's theological principle of sola scriptura (by the Bible alone), and assess its theological importance
OUTLINE LUTHER'S THEOLOGICAL PRINCIPLE OF SOLA SCRIPTURA (BY THE BIBLE ALONE), AND ASSESS ITS THEOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE In the sixteenth century there was a great deal of variety in theology, more than ever before, with the emergence of humanism and fundamentally due to the Reformation. The cause of the Reformation was the prevailing situation in the Roman Catholic Church, which had been developing during the previous centuries and consisted of discontent with the accumulating wealth and abuses of the hierarchy. The peasants, the majority, were inarticulately anti-clerical and anti-papal, whilst the minority of educated were the Christian Humanists who initiated their own reforms. Many scholars believe Luther not to be the cause of the Reformation, agreeing that this would have occurred sooner or later without him, although many regard him as the 'catalyst' of the Reformation. However, Young contradicts this by identifying Luther as "the father of the European Reformation"1. Regardless, Luther's importance is indubitable when studying scholarly writings regarding him and this is due to the great significance of his theology, such as the principle of sola scriptura. Prior to this the Catholic hierarchy believed itself to have exclusive understanding and knowledge of the Bible thus giving it an infallible status as an essential part of one's search for salvation.
Comparison between Christianity and Buddhism
UNIVERSITY OF NEW ENGLAND A Comparison between Christianity and Buddhism RELS181: Assignment 3 Words: 2200 Religion has always played a fundamental role in human society. Throughout the course of history, religion has been a part of human experience. It binds a nation, community or group of individuals together. Through the past some controversies regarding religion and cultural communication among people have emerged. These nowadays results in religious conflicts that show the detrimental influences of cultural globalisation. It is generally acknowledged that Buddhism and Christianity are ancient and world religions; however, whether the belief in Buddhism is credible or not, has sparked spirited debate. Some Christians believe the Buddha is a "shadow", and he is not to be believed. However, there are some similarities in terms of histories, main figures, and beliefs between Buddhism and Christianity and in order to solve sources of conflict, the Buddhists and the Christians should understand the parallels between both religions and respect each other's beliefs. All religions have in one form or another a leader, an organisation that claims to have the monopoly of the truth, but on the other hand, there are always those who do not believe in those truths and "it is these people who become seekers, who form and join new religious movements." (Nelson, 1987:116)
In what ways are Media representations of Islam a continuation of Orientalism
In what ways are Media representations of Islam a continuation of Orientalism? Discuss with reference to one specific Media event. This essay aims to provide an accurate picture of how today's Western media purposely produce negative, culturally constructed views of Islam and the Muslims around the world. Islam is usually presented as being medieval, 'backwards', uncivilised and irrational as well as an obscure group of people who follow a heretical religion. Using the unfortunate events from September 11 2001 as the main context, the essay will try to demonstrate how these misconceptions in the media are not the result of these events alone, but more importantly history has shown it as part of an ancient myth, created culturally dating back to the enlightenment period. To clarify this assertion, we need to refer to Edward Said's discourse on Orientalism. It illustrates how Islam was studied in the past compared to how it is shown today as the significant other. "In short; Orientalism, a Western style for dominating, restructuring over the Orient (Arab/Muslims in the middle east)" (Said: 1995: p3). In order for us to understand and appreciate what Orientalism is, let us briefly cite Dr. Said in regards to this subject: From at least the end of 18th century until our own day, modern Occidental reactions to Islam have been dominated by radical simplified type of thinking
Analysis of Islamic Scripture. Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 260 One of the most fundamental precepts of many religions is belief in the unseen.
Paper 2: Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 260 One of the most fundamental precepts of many religions is belief in the unseen. This is especially true in the religion of Islam where Muslims can only grasp the essence of their religion by having a firm belief over the existence of Allah, the Angels, the Hereafter, the Prophets, and in Allah's power to resurrect all of the mankind on the Day of Judgment. Acting upon the rulings of Islam may be an easy task but developing a sound belief in the aforementioned tenants may be one of the most challenging aspects of Islam. When a person is able to develop a firm belief in these hidden realities, he also develops a high level of appreciation for the religion, and is able to practice the religion much more sincerely. Among those who needed the firmest of beliefs in the hidden realities were the Prophets. The Prophets were people who took the message of Allah to a particular nation, and needed to be convinced to the utmost degree in their beliefs in order to spread the message of Allah. Indeed, if the Prophets did not have true conviction in what they were preaching, there was no way for them to assert their message convincingly to bring people towards the truth. In the Quran, we find several stories where Prophets have asked Allah to show them signs of the unseen realities. One such story is provided in verse 260 of Al-Baqarah, where Prophet
Purgatory in Catholic Theology and Tradition.
Gregory J. D. Light Dr. Robert Kennedy Catholic Studies 200:00 04.05.2004 Purgatory in Catholic Theology and Tradition In the early part of the 16th Century, a Catholic priest, theologian, and professor named Martin Luther began promoting the reform of the Catholic Church. On the cathedral door in Wittenberg, Germany in 1517, he posted his '95 theses', a document he produced of all the reforms he believed were necessary to remedy the current corruption in the Church. This led to a massive revolt against the Church called the Protestant Reformation which eventually resulted in many divisions within the Christian faith. One of the main arguments against the Church at this time was that Church Tradition1 and the Magisterium should have no authority in theological matters. Instead, Luther taught that Christianity should be based solely on Scripture. This is called the doctrine of sola scriptura, or "the Bible alone" and is the pillar of Lutheranism. As a result, many Catholic beliefs and practices that do not coincide with Protestant theology are deemed unbiblical and thus false. Protestants equate biblical authority with Truth and thus eliminate all the authority of Church Tradition and magisterial teaching. Since Purgatory does not seem to have any Biblical backing by many Protestants, they see it as a heretical teaching and it is thus disregarded. Purgatory, in
Discuss the role of the prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) in Islam. Consider in relation to the way the prophet was understood by his contemporaries and in modern society.
RL3028 ISLAM COMPONENT 2 Discuss the role of the prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) in Islam. Consider in relation to the way the prophet was understood by his contemporaries and in modern society. The scope of this question is extremely wide ranging owing to the complexities of including the various views of the prophet both within Islam as well as outside. It is not the case that one view predominates within Islam regarding the prophet and other matters, there are the three main denominations of Sunni, Shia and Sufi who each differ some times significantly between further sub divisions or according to which school of jurisprudence a community follows. Views from outside the faith of Islam are also wide ranging, some understand the prophet in relation to the economical and social context of the time such as Rodinson and Watt. I will be drawing out some of their ideas in this regard as to understand the prophet it is necessary to understand the surrounding factors at that time as well as the various views that have been formed either during the prophets lifetime and after his death. My essay will not endorse one view of the prophet as definitive and neither will it offer an alternative view of the prophet but it will seek to give the reader a sound grasp of the problems faced when trying to understand the irreconcilable differences that have evolved since the prophets lifetime.