CHRISTIANITY - "A work in progress"
View of time
Role of human action
1.  Historical Religion - founded on concrete events, not abstract principles
                                - based on Jewish belief in a Messiah
                                - the works of Jesus

2.  Understanding of God, Christ:
                Lifts 3 major burdens
                JC as the ideal human being

            - some main figures:
                    Peter
                    Paul
                    Augustine
                    Aquinas
                    Martin Luther
                    John Calvin

3.  Creation

4.  Scriptures:  Old; New Testaments - 27 books, divided into four parts
    1.  Gospels
    2.  Acts
    3.  Epistles
    4.  Revelation

5.  Purpose:  To perfect ourselves
 

6.  Moral Laws:  2 great commandments
 

7.  Religious Practices, Rituals:
    Sacraments
 

8.  Overall Goals:  resurrection & redemption
 

9.  Main Precepts/Distinctive Elements:
    1.  Incarnation
    2.  Atonement/Reconciliation
    3.  Trinity

10. Major Holidays
 

11. Branches:
    Roman Catholicism
    Eastern Orthodox
    Protestantism
 

A.  Roman Catholicism:  The person comes to Christ through the Church.
    Constantine's Edict of toleration
    1054 as a pivotal year
        Role of the Church:  teaching authority and sacramental agent
            Hierarchical

    7 Sacraments
    Church is the divine authority
    Church is on a divine mission
    Good works
        Guided Bible
        hierarchy
        Veneration of Mary and the Saints

    The Inquisition

Counter-Reformation:
    Seminary System
    Defense of Practices
    Creation of Religious Orders

1st Vatican Council - 1869 - Papal infallibility
2nd Vatican Council - 1960s -
            Local languages
            Ecumenical principles
            Condemnation of anti-semitism
 
 

B.  Eastern Orthodox
    Why the split from the Roman Church?
        Disagreement over the Trinity - Filioque

    Main focal points:
        Resurrection, not crucifixion
        Priesthood
        Mysticism
        Councils for religious authoritative decisions

C.  Protestantism:  The person comes to the church through Christ.
        Influenced by travel, printing, development of science, changed world view

        Group autonomy and respect for individual experience

    1.  Justification by Faith - good works are not enough.
 
    2.  The Protestant Principle
 

Dangers of Protestantism that are gladly embraced:
    1.  Misconstruing of God's word
    2.  Derivation of various truths
 

The ecumenical movement
 

D.  Protestant Denominations: