RL 299SA, The Faith(s) of Abraham:
Judaism, Christianity and Islam
Review for Christianity Examation
last update: 4 March 1999
This examination will be designed to
test the student's achievement of the following course objectives:
1. identify founders and give dates
of origin for Christianity
2. give dates for the significant
events in the development of Christianity
3. define the key terms relating
to Christianity
4. summarize and sympathetically
discuss the key religious themes/doctrines and characteristics of the NT
Gospels
5. discuss the relationship of
Christianity to its "mother faith," Judaism
6. delineate the ethnic, geographic
and cultural contexts of Christianity
7. discuss the key political and
ethical positions of Christianity
8. name the most significant U.S.
versions of Christianity
9. demonstrate knowledge of the
comparative religions approach to religious studies
With that in mind, the following
are some specifics about what you might expect to find on the examination.
1. Be able to match definitions with the following terms:
2. Be able to identify the following persons & events (give
dates for extra credit):
3. Be able to locate the following cities on a map:
| Alexandria |
Constantinople |
Ephesus |
Nicea |
| Antioch |
Corinth |
Jerusalem |
Rome |
4. Be able to put the following events in chronological order:
5. Recognize the names for the central rituals of Christianity,
both rites of passage and calendar rituals,
and know what these observances involve
e.g., Advent, Christ the King, Christmas, Easter, Epiphany, Lent,
Pentecost, the Triduum
baptism, eucharist, confirmation, matrimony, holy orders, reconciliation,
anointing of the sick
6. Be able to outline the following dogmas and make a case for their coherence:
-
the "two natures" of Christ
-
the "Real Presence" of Christ in the Eucharist
-
the Trinity
7. Be able to answer pertinent discussion questions in the text.
8. Essay (worth HALF the test points)
Using the terms basileia,
gospel, messiah,
and soteria, and Trinity,
describe the central features of Christianity (i.e., creed, code, cult, and
community) and how they fit together. Use whatever examples you can find
from Christian scriptures, traditions, and rituals to show why your assessment
of the "essence of Christianity" is correct. Be sure to define your terms,
and cite your sources from the Bible or the readings book
NB: This unit exam will be open Bible and readings book but
closed
notes. Students who wish may have a one-page (8½"x11"), one-sided
outline (or notes) for the essay question. This outline/notes page will
be submitted for review at the outset of the examination period. If approved,
it will be initialed and returned to the student after she/he has completed
the objective portion of the examination. The outline/notes page will
be submitted with the examination essay for grading.