Select at least one example of a western understanding of religion (discussed on pp. 38-48) and select TWO suras from the selections of the Quran that provide accounts of the Day of Judgement (din).

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In Chapter 2 of Following Muhammad, “Approaching Islam in Terms of Religion,” Carl Ernst makes the argument that western approaches and understandings of the term religion (such as the Latin “religio” or 19thcentury comparative religion) are not always applicable to non- Christian religions like Islam. In that same chapter, he also states that “the Arabic word most often used as an equivalent to religion is din… While it [din] resembles the Latin religio in the sense of obligation and duty, din differs from the concept of religion in that it originates in the will of God rather than being primarily a human allegiance” (Following Muhammad p. 65). For this exercise, please select at least one example of a western understanding of religion (discussed on pp. 38-48) and select TWO suras from the selections of the Quran that provide accounts of the Day of Judgement (din). Make a case for why western understandings can or cannot be applied to this concept of din.

The paper should be approximately 2-3 pages (600-700 words), double-spaced. Please email me your paper by 1:45 p.m. on Thursday Oct 1.

Please use any form of citation (MLA, Chicago, Parenthetical) as long as it’s consistent. The selections from of the Meccan Suras comes from Michael Sells, Approaching the Quran: the Early Revelations (White Cloud Press, 1999)

Explain why or why not specifically related to your work and the positive or negative impact you think it would have.

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This chapter discussed the possible integration of religion and spirituality discusses into practice, especially social work. Do you agree or disagree with this? Explain why or why not specifically related to your work and the positive or negative impact you think it would have.

What do you think about Objectum Sexuality? Is this a new sexual disorder or new sexual orientation?

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Objectum sexuality – In love with buildings and other objects
What do you think about Objectum Sexuality? Is this a new sexual disorder or new sexual orientation? Should they be allowed to marry objects? Should we try to cure them? Why or why not?

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Consider this Hebrew manuscript of the Book of Exodus from 10th century Egypt, now in the collection of the British Library: https://www.bl.uk/collection-items/karaite-book-of-exodus-or-2540. (note: the text is written in Arabic rather than in Hebrew)

How does the illumination of the manuscript compare to the art of Qur’ans that we have studied so far (be specific)? Why do you think the Jewish community commissioned this biblical text in this way? If you had to select from the following headings – Islamic art or Jewish art – how would you classify this object? Why? What other categories or terminology might you use to describe it? Reflect on the task of categorization – what did you think about in trying to determine the most fitting category? What did you struggle with? What does this tell you about the nature of identity in the medieval period?

What role does YOUR religion feel humans play in regards to the planet?

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Watch this vedio, to answer the following questions:

While this story is fabulous, what are your thoughts on creating MORE stories where nature is praised over profit?
Have we turned from stewards for what God has created to “playing God” ourselves?
Do WE decide which species have the right to live or die?
What role does YOUR religion feel humans play in regards to the planet?

How Muhammad became prophet of Islam?

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How Muhammad became prophet of Islam?

Why do fundamentalist and New Age religions want to transform the self and/or society?

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This is a 4-5 paged double spaced essay (Times New Roman, 12pt, 1 inch margins). That means that a minimum of 4 complete pages is required for full credit.

Prompt #1:

Sociologists and anthropologists have identified the second half of the 20th century in America as a time of intensified apocalyptic feeling, a time when fundamentalist and New Age religions articulated new visions of world transformation and salvation. Through a comparative analysis of following two case studies answer the following questions: Why do fundamentalist and New Age religions want to transform the self and/or society? What techniques do they utilize to gain support and achieve this transformation?

Your thesis must clearly provide an answer to both prompt questions (so you will probably need a two part, 2-3 sentence thesis to do this).

Case studies:
-Heaven’s Gate: America’s UFO Religion by Benjamin Zeller
-New Age and Neopagan Religions in America by Sarah Pike

Reminders:
-A specific thesis that very clearly answers the prompt question(s). The thesis should then be reinforced throughout the paper in every body paragraph.

-An organized paper. Ideas should flow logically from one to the next. All paragraphs begin with clear transitions and topic sentences.

-All examples selected from the readings should be clearly and explicitly linked back to the overarching paper thesis. The significance of each example pulled from the reading must be clearly explained to the reader.

-Proper use of in-text citations whenever you are summarizing or directly quoting a text from the syllabus.

-Make sure that you bring clear illustrative examples from the readings to elaborate and support your claims.

-Avoid copying long direct quotes into your essay. Quote only the phrases that are really critical to include to make your point. In general, it is always better to summarize the author’s argument in your own words and use an in-text citation as this demonstrates your clear understanding of the text. If direct quotes are used, they should be integrated into a complete sentence and not “left hanging” in the paragraph. All direct quotes should always be followed up with one sentence of explanation so that their significance to your main argument is clear to the reader.

Do not use wired words, not that formal, use simple words and be clear. Focus on the thesis, need a specific thesis!!

What may have motivated the rise of Protestantism in the early sixteenth century?

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What may have motivated the rise of Protestantism in the early sixteenth century? You may want to take into account the spiritual/emotional issues of individuals, broad political factors, cultural dynamics, economic trends, and even technological developments (like the printing press). You can consider the rise of the Lutherans, the Reformed tradition (Calvinism), and the Anabaptists. Please cite Gonzalez, the lectures, and Hillerbrand.
Check the González vol. 2, chapter 1-8, 12.
Hillerbrand: Page14-65, 73-122, 163-181, 205-154.
(Hans Hillerbrand, ed., The Protestant Reformation: A Documentary History of Western Civilization (Harper Perennial, 2007))

In an essay of 750-1000 words, analyze the thematic development of this first movement of the book of Acts.

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Thematic Analysis Essays Instructions

Thematic Analysis Essay 1, Acts 1:1–7:59

In an essay of 750-1000 words, analyze the thematic development of this first movement of the book of Acts. While this is not an exclusive list, be sure to address the following elements:

  1. Jesus’ words in Acts 1:8 provide the inspired outline Luke follows in writing Acts. (Re-read “Theme and Structure of Acts” in the introduction, “Background of Acts.”) How does this segment develop the theme of the geographical/ethnic advance of the proclamation of the gospel in the first “geographic target” Jesus identifies in Acts 1:8? Trace the development of this theme through this section of Acts.
  2. What other major themes are developed in Acts 1–7 (of the nine themes identified by Fowler in his video presentation “The Key Themes of Acts”)? Trace the development of each of the themes introduced in the first seven chapters. Do not merely list the themes, and do more than give a single example. Trace each theme from its introduction through chapter 7.
  3. Luke records four of Peter’s evangelistic addresses in this section: his sermon on Pentecost (2:14–40), his sermon following the healing of the lame man at the Beautiful Gate (3:12–26), and his testimony in his two appearances before the Sanhedrin (4:8–12; 5:29–32). Read these and compare them in order to identify the core elements that Peter considered non-negotiable in his preaching of the gospel. What does Peter believe his audience must understand to be saved? Present those core truths.
  4. What are the two primary, recurring themes in Stephen’s speech to the Sanhedrin? How are these themes developed by Stephen? How does Stephen’s speech fit thematically into this movement of the book of Acts? ( Fowler’s video on “Unity, Disunity, and Opposition/Death” will help you to identify the “two main things” Stephen drives home in his speech.)

 

Thematic Analysis Essay 2, Acts 8:1–12:25

In an essay of 750-1000 words, analyze the thematic development of this second movement of the book of Acts. While this is not an exclusive list, be sure to address the following elements:

  1. How does this segment develop the theme of the geographical/ethnic advance of the proclamation of the gospel presented in the key verse of the book, Acts 1:8? What is the new “geographic target” in this movement of the book? Trace the development of this theme through this section of Acts. You’ll note a definite transition in the audience of the gospel in these chapters. Trace that transition. (Remember that it is geographical, religious, and ethnic.)
  2. What other major themes are developed in Acts 8–12 (of the nine themes identified by Fowler in his video presentation “The Key Themes of Acts”)? Identify what you believe are the four most important themes in this segment, then trace the development of each of those themes through these chapters.
  3. Luke records the evangelistic encounter of Peter with Cornelius and his household in chapter 10 and Peter’s defense of his fellowship with these Gentiles in chapter 11. Read the account of what Peter said to the household of Cornelius to identify and present the core elements of Peter’s preaching of the gospel to Gentiles. How do these compare to the core elements you identified in Peter’s preaching to the Jews in the first movement of the book of Acts? What changes does Peter make in his approach to the Gentiles, and what is the significance of those changes?

 

Thematic Analysis Essay 3, Acts 13:1–28:31

In an essay of 1000-1500 words, analyze the thematic development of this third movement of the book of Acts. While this is not an exclusive list, be sure to address the following elements:

  1. How does this segment develop the theme of the geographical/ethnic advance of the proclamation of the gospel presented in the key verse of the book, Acts 1:8? What is the “geographic target”? Trace the development of this theme through this section of Acts.
  2. Identify what you believe to be the most important themes developed by Luke in this movement of the book (of Dr. Fowler’s nine themes) and trace those themes through this segment of the book. Fowler states that all of the key themes converge in the final chapter of the book. Describe this convergence.
  3. Luke presents three evangelistic messages by Paul in this movement of the book: his sermon in the synagogue of Pisidian Antioch in chapter 13, his plea to the people of Lystra in chapter 14, and his address to the philosophers of Athens in chapter 17. He also narrates Paul’s defense appearances before Governor Felix, Governor Festus, and King Agrippa 2. The last of these includes a gospel presentation. Read the three evangelistic messages and the defense before Agrippa again. Compare/contrast Paul’s preaching to the Jews with his preaching to pagans.
  4. What pattern/progression do you see in the Jewish response to the witness of Paul in these chapters? (Give attention in your thinking to Paul’s words in 13:46–47, 18:6, and 28:25–28.)

 

The Thematic Analysis Essays are due through SafeAssign by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Monday of the assigned module/week.

What elements of Judaism do followers identify with in calling themselves a Chosen People?

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What elements of Judaism do followers identify with in calling themselves a Chosen People? Why do you think Judaism has such longevity despite centuries of persecution? What challenges do you see the religion facing today? Why?