RELS 108 1nd Edition Lecture 6 Outline of Last Lecture II. 3 Ways to Talk or Not-Talk about the SacredIII. Other Ways to Talk about the SacredIV. Allegory Outline of Current Lecture V. Language of the Sacred Continued a. What is Parable?b. Oral Spiritual Traditionsc. Scriptural Spiritual Traditionsd. What is the function of written scripture?e. Language of Theologyf. The Tools of Theologyg. Visual Language SpiritualityCurrent LectureWhat is Parable?- Meaning "illustration or analogy" o Fictiono Difference between parable & allegory is that parables illustrate moral and ethical truth. Said that Jesus used parable to illustrate good ways to live. - Parables are "Normative," meaning this is how you ought to live or something like that. - Most famous are the Parables of Jesus in the New Testament Oral Spiritual Traditions- No form of writing. Tradition is passed on through stories told orally (myths). Scriptural Spiritual Traditions- Spiritual traditions that have survived throughout the ages (Islam, Buddhism, Christianity, etc.) through the use of written word.- All the Great World Religions- Privileged or normative scriptures are considered "Canonical" o Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John (4 Gospels)o Matthew, Mark, Luke are "Synoptic"These notes represent a detailed interpretation of the professor’s lecture. GradeBuddy is best used as a supplement to your own notes, not as a substitute.- Canon of Buddhism: Tripitika o Vinaya (Monastic Codes)o Sutras (Discourses of the Buddha)o Abhidharma (Higher Dharma/Buddhist Psychology)2. Other Canons: o Tao Te Ching "The Way and its Power"- Taoismo Koran- Islamo The Vedas- Hinduism 4 Vedas: Rig Veda, Sama Veda, Yajur Veda, Atharva VedaWhat is the Function of Written Scripture?- The Yardstick Function o To provide a framework for which certain ideas or the rightness of certain practices can be measured and judged. - Evoking the presence of the Sacred/Divine/God- Define a Community o EX: the Passover Story in Judaism- Means of PreservationLanguage of Theology- Language requires a Faith-Commitment - St. Anslem says "Theology is faith seeking understanding."The Tools of Theology- Exegesis: to indicate the range of meanings that a text may have. - History: understanding the meaning of faith through its historical development. - Systematic thought: how can the disparate elements of a faith be brought together to form a coherent unity?- Apologetics: answer questions and critiques directed towards the faith by outsiders. - Critical thought: assessment of the faith in its current state- Ethics: religious behavior over and against religious belief. Visual Language of Spirituality- Sacred can be conveyed through painting, sculpture, architecture,
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