RELG 402 - World's Living Religions
Module 4 - Christianity
Module Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this module, you will be able to :
- Identify the people and main events associated with Christianity.
- Discuss the literature associated with Christianity.
- Describe the teachings and ethical standards of Christianity.
- Describe the world-view associated with Christianity.
- Describe the varieties of worship associated with Christianity.
Readings
- Textbook - Chapter 12, Christianity
- Notes on Christian Denominations
- Notes on Christian Leaders
- Notes on Christianity
- Go here for student essays on Christianity
- Eusebius' account of the Conversion of Constantine
Optional InterNet Resources
- Go here for Links to optional extra resources for people for this week
- Go here for Links to optional extra resources for Denominations for this week
- Useful articles can be found by using the Topics as search words in GoodSearch
- Remember - always cite your sources
Study Questions
Before taking the Test, prepare an answer sheet for yourself by answering the following questions. Then you may use it, along with the textbook and the course notes, to answer the questions on the Test and to formulate a thread for the Discussion Board.
You may have to go beyond the textbook for more information on some of the questions
- Describe the three great traditions within Christianity and discuss the beliefs that unite them.
- What are our main sources of information for the life and ministry of Jesus? Give a summary of the events of Jesus' life
- Discuss what the gospels mean by the term "Messiah". What convinced Jesus' disciples that Jesus is the Messiah?
- Discuss the central theme of Jesus' teaching.
- What did Jesus identify as the two greatest commandments, and what lies at the heart of Jesus' teaching? How did He express this?
- Who was the most famous of the Jewish Christians who took the gospel to the Gentile (non-Jewish) lands, and what was the heart of his teaching about salvation, sin, and Jesus' death on the cross?
- When was the Nicene Creed formulated, and what does it tell us about the relationships within the Trinity?
- What does Christianity see as the fundamental problem of human existence, and how is it possible to be rescued from this problem? What human response is required?
- Write an account of the life of the Emperor Constantine I. You will have to go beyond the textbook for this.
- Write an account of the life and teaching of Augustine of Hippo.
- Discuss the factors which led to the Great Schism between the Western and the Eastern churches. When did the Great Schism come to a head?
- Discuss the rise of monasticism. Who formulated "rules" for monks and nuns, and what did they require?
- Discuss the life and work of John Wycliff. (you may have to go beyond the textbook)
- Discuss the life and ministry of Martin Luther
- Describe (not just list) the seven sacraments recognized by the Roman Catholic and the Eastern Orthodox Churches
- Discuss the practices of Christian prayer (public and private)
- Discuss the liturgical year and the significance of the various seasons. NOTE - the diagram in the textbook is inaccurate
- Discuss some of the ways that Christians take part in social service today.
- Discuss the questions raised by the "Seeking Answers" section on pages 462-463 of the textbook.
- What is a labyrinth, an icon, a rosary, and how may they be used as spiritual aids?
For some of your answers you may have to go beyond the textbook
Prepare a set of answers for yourself, then use it to help you answer the Test and post your thread to the Discussion Board.
Discussion Board 4
Thread :
If you are a member of a Christian denomination or Church, discuss what you would most like others to know about that denomination or Church.
If you are not a Christian, discuss some question you may have about Christianity or a particular Christian denomination.
If you are not comfortable identifying yourself either as Christian or non-Christian, discuss how Christianity has influenced the history of the USA.
Try to prepare a rational and kind discussion. Bear in mind that your classmates belong to several different religions or denominations.
Replies to 2 of your classmates' Threads :
If possible, choose Threads which deal with different topics.
Do you have any particular insights and/or experiences which might be helpful to the poster or to your classmates as a whole?
Test 4
Go to the Test Section of the course, and take the test at least once before 12 noon of the Monday following the Module.
You will have 1 hour to complete the test.
You may take the test three times before the cut-off time.
Questions will vary each time you take the test.
Your highest score will count towards your course grade.
Copyright © 1999 Shirley J. Rollinson, all Rights Reserved
