BIOM 121 1nd EditionExam # 1 Study Guide Lectures: 1 – 2 .5Lecture 1 (January 21)Distortions of Faith and more-The matter of knowledge. The intellectual distortion of faith is when belief or knowledge is elevated. It considers faith “an act of knowledge that has a low degree of evidence” You see this especially in creation vs. evolution debates where science is pitted against faith. The creationist portrays Christian faith as nothing more than belief lacking evidence, as if belief in evolution is no different from belief in God.Apostle’s Creed. Is religion beliefs? There are so many differing opinions on faith.-Volunturistic Distortion of Faith. The voluntaristic distortion is an elevation of the will above all else. “This, first of all, presupposes that faith is understood as an act of knowledge with limited evidence and that the lack of evidence is made up by an act of will” Using the above example, the creationist would call on the unbeliever to simply believe without “evidence”. The intellect is bypassed with an act of the will.Pascal’s Wager. You either believe in God or you don’t. Agnostics are counted as disbelieving. You are better off if you believe in God because no matter what you are good. If you don’t believe however, then if God is real you are screwed. Tillich doesn’t like this this because he believes that faith is NOT a choice. “Can you believe something (faith) is a matter of choice?” Or does evidence force you on what to believe? Can you ever really choose?You cannot choose to believe something. Your choice cannot determine belief you believe what is evident. -Emotionalistic Distortion of Faith. The emotional distortion of faith. This has been used both by believers and non-believers. The former use it as the final safe haven when the battle of knowledge has been lost, and the latter use it to relegate Christianity as nothing more than anemotion so it can be ignored. “If religion is mere feeling it is innocuous” The bad part about this is the wall of ignorance that these people have. Religions have to do with the person as a whole.To define religion you have to have a definition that applies to your religion.When the Romans crucified people they left them to rot. Animals would eat them; this is why we do not have many crucifixion archeological finds. Lecture 2 (January 23)Total fulfillment and Total defeatHinduism – reincarnate based on good behavior “karma”, bad behavior bad next life.- Buddhism- 5 realms that humans can achieve by “karma”- good karma better next life,you can achieve nirvana- complete bliss.- Buddhism- 8 hot hells and 8 cold hells and 4 medium hells- Religion, ones behavior to (faith) ones ultimate concern. - Idolatry (Tillich) the elevation of something that is finite to the status of the ultimate.- You can make other things your faith such as success. - They have the idea that the other things such as financial success and give you total fulfillment. - Total fulfillment and Total defeat.- Total defeat- losing the best thing that did or could happen- Ultimate goal – the best thing, Ultimate fulfillment- enjoying God’s grace forever/serveGod and enjoy him forever. Lecture 3 (Jan 28th)Religious experience – understand each other through understanding that experience. Awefulness- overpowering and urgencySeraphim- burning angelExperience expressed through SYMBOLS1-Symbols are a unique language of the religions experienced. 1- Symbols point beyond themselves- signs are not the same as symbols, 2 )the difference between a symbol and a sign is that a symbol closely entwines with the thing it represents. - Symbols are important in all religions3) -Symbols open up realities otherwise inaccessible.-Lame Deer “red like the blood of my people”4) -Symbols open up aspects of yourself that are other wise inaccessible.5)- Symbols cannot be produced intentionally6)- Symbols are organic they grow and die…- A symbol can be born and can become strong/old/decrepit/ and die. Ex. The natzi swastika. So many negative connotations but oncewas a religious symbol that meant prosperity. Extras:The test will be Short answer.-What are the characteristics that Tillich distinguishes faith by? Total defeat, total commitment and total fulfillment. - List the 3 distortions of faith-Symbols explain them.-Define Religion-5 feautures of the holy experience- Devotion, awe, extreme generosity, community and fruitfulness. - What is wrong with the distortions of faith? They only deal with one aspect of the person. They do not deal with the person as a whole. Religion are faith are not a