Answer the following questions on faith and religion
Answer two (2) questions in essay form. Each essay must be a minimum of two (2) pages. The
two essays must be submitted as one submission (not separately). DUE DATE: MONDAY.
APRIL 20, BEFORE 11:30 P.M. NO LATE SUBMISSIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED.
ALSO, IF YOU DON’T SUBMIT TWO ESSAYS YOU WILL NOT GET FULL CREDIT
FOR THE EXAM.
1. In this course Judaism, Christianity and Islam were taught as arising from and grounded in the
religion of Israel. Which concepts, institutions, ideals, or models from the religion of Israel) most
strongly or significantly shaped or influenced Islam? Which elements from the religion of Israel (as well
as from Judaism and Christianity) did Islam challenge and even reject as it sought to restore the purity
of the one religion revealed by God to Jews, Christians, and Muslims? That is, what are the central
aspects, institutions, or concepts of Islam these be traced back to or originate directly or indirectly in the
religion of Israel? By “religion of Israel,” as I have explained in the lectures, I mean the religion
found in the Hebrew Bible—Genesis through Malachi—and it dates from roughly the time of
Abraham (1800 b.c.) to the times of Ezra and Nehemiah (400 b.c.). Judaism proper begins after this
period, and Rabbinic Judaism, more or less as we know it today, dates from the early common era
but closer to 500 c.e. when the (Babylonian) Talmud is completed, next to the Bible the most
important source of authority in Judaism.
2. In this course Luther, Jesus, and Muhammed (pbup) have been discussed in the lectures as
“prophetic” figures. Explain why they should be considered “prophets”? Most people think of a
prophet as someone who “predicts” the future, but the Hebrew/Israelite prophets, who influenced
Jesus, Muhammed, and Luther, were mostly interested in other things (such as justice, mercy for the
poor and the marginalized members of society, challenging the political and religious establishment).
For example, what do each of these “prophets” have in common? Think about what the earliest
prophets, the Hebrew prophets, did when dealing with the institutions (priests, temple,
king/messiah) of their times.
3. Briefly discuss at least five fundamental or important concepts or sources of authority of the
Muslim religion. (The “Five Pillars” of Islam count as one concept only.)
4. Christianity starts out as a Jewish sect, with its leadership based in Jerusalem, led by James, the
brother of Jesus, and expecting Jesus (the Messiah and descendant of King David) to return to
restore the Davidic dynasty. But in continuation with the developments the professor called “Early
Catholicism” in the later writings of the New Testament, Christianity takes a decidedly different
course away from its Jewish roots (as we can glean from the subsequent developments). Why? That
is, how did Christianity become so different from the earliest Jewish interpretation of the mission of
Jesus and his person, with its emphasis on the national restoration of Israel; the concept of the
Davidic messiah who would re-establish the kingdom of David and Solomon, purify the temple; and
the prophetic critique of religion? What do you think might have precipitated the change of
direction that we see in the development of Christianity from the second century (100s) on?
5. Discuss the central concepts and institutions of Judaism in distinction to or contrast with the
dominant concepts and institutions of the religion of Israel (as found in the Hebrew Bible, or the
Old Testament). That is, what are the new elements that characterize Judaism that are absent in the
religion of Israel? And what are those things Judaism still has in common with the religion of
ancient Israel, from which it arose? Another way of approaching this question is to consider what
from the religion of Israel still survive or are present in Judaism today, and which are not at the
present time (but might become present at some future time)?
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Word limit : 1258 words