Posted: May 3rd, 2016

What are the advantages of the ecumenical approach? Are there any disadvantages?

1. What are the advantages of the ecumenical approach? Are there any disadvantages? Do you think it might be possible to achieve unity within Christianity?

Can anyone provide other examples of current trends in Christianity? How do you think these recent developments might affect the future of Christianity?

2. What did Paul s writing contribute to Christian theology? How did Paul interpret Jesus s death and resurrection? What did Paul think was the central concern of Christianity?

Can anyone think of other examples of individuals who contributed to the development of Christianity?

3. What conflicts or disagreements led to the split of the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church? What individuals or events had a significant effect on this division?

What are the characteristics that distinguish Protestant denominations from Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches? What individuals or events had a significant effect on this division?

4. Was there ever consensus within Christianity?

During the century after the death of Jesus, many different documents circulated between the early churches including the gospels, epistles, acts, and other writings. It is important to remember that the current form of the New Testament did not take shape until the fourth century. There were considerable disagreements about which books should be accepted as canon, and there are many examples of texts that were not selected to be included in the twenty seven books familiar to many today.

The debate about the canon of the New Testament represents only one example of the disagreements that shaped early Christianity.

Can anyone provide other examples of significant disagreements within early Christianity? How did these debates affect the later development of Christianity?

5. How did Jesus s teachings challenge the traditional interpretations of Judaism? Can anyone provide an example?

Why might Jesus s teachings be considered radical?

6. Can anyone provide examples of important translations of the Bible? What was the impact of these translations on the development of Christianity?

7. Hermeneutics is the field of religious study that is concerned with interpreting scripture. Can anyone briefly describe the major types of biblical hermeneutics?

How have these approaches to understanding the Bible changed over time?

Can anyone give an example of how these different approaches to interpreting scripture have contributed to the division of Christianity into so many denominations?

8. What do we know about Muhammad s life? What is the significance of Muhammad for Muslims?

What events shaped Islam after the death of Muhammad?

In addition to understanding the importance of Muhammad, I think it is helpful to consider the significance of the Qur an. What is the Qur an?

Can anyone provide examples of religious themes and people that are shared by Islam, Christianity and Judaism?

9. What are some of the major causes of the current conflicts between Muslim and Western countries?

Can anyone provide examples of misconceptions about Islam and Muhammad that are common in the West?

I am sure that many of you have strong feelings about the current war. Some of you are currently serving overseas, some of you have friends and family who are in the military, and some of you are veterans.

Regardless of how you feel about the current war, I think this is an important opportunity to discuss the impact of religion on society. I encourage respectful discussion of this topic.

10. What is the traditional concept of jihad? Does terrorism match this traditional concept?

It should be clear that all Muslims do not share the ideas expressed by violent fanatics. Diversity has been an important theme throughout this course. Just as we have done with the other religions we have studied, we should consider the different expressions of Islam.

Can anyone describe the major divisions within Islam? What are the historical origins of each group?

11. What is the political focus of the Nation of Islam? How does this focus compare to the traditional concerns of orthodox Islam?