MIDTERM – 1ST YEAR - Human can have a relationship with

God
LESSON 1: JUDAISM

- 4000 years old 3. THE WORLD TO COME

- Judaism, Christianity and Islam are - Heaven is just kind of a place where
called Abrahamic religions (they God lives.
accept the tradition of the God that - The soul lives on after you die
revealed himself to Abraham) - Our life here on earth determines our
- Abraham – the father of the Jewish life after.
people - TZEDAKAH – the act of Justice of
- One of the oldest monotheistic charity. It comes from the Torah. Jews
religions (followed by Christianity, donate 10% of their income to the
then Islam) needy.
- Developed in the eastern
Mediterranean 4. MESSIAH – prophesied in the Tanakh
- Has no dogma, no formal set of - Messiah – a Jewish leader that will
beliefs that one must hold to be a Jew. bring about the Messianic Era
- Actions are far more important than - When Messiah comes, every Jew who
beliefs. ever lived will be literally resurrected.
- That is why, Jews must be buried with
Beliefs: any amputated limbs lost in life and
1. TANAKH – Jewish Bible forbids cremation.
- A trilogy (Torah, Nevi’im, Ketuvim) - Messiah has not yet arrived since
a. TORAH (Teachings) – the most sacred Jews are still suffering in the world.
book of Jewish people. - The Nature of Messiah:
- Consists of the 5 books of moses – a. Born of human parents
the Backbone of Judaism (Genesis, b. A descendant of Kind David
exodus, Leviticus, numbers and c. Fully understand and observe the
Deuteronomy) Mitzvot
- Circumcision is discussed and d. Charismatic leader
covenant of God between Abraham e. Sent by God
(cut into the flesh) f. A judge
- Contains 613 Mitzvah
(commandments) including here the 5. TALMUD – a collection of different
10 commandments. books (10 million words, 38 volumes)
b. Nevi’im (Prophets) – contains stories - Massive collection of the commentary
and narratives on the plight, of Torah and how the Torah or its
sufferings, and exploitation, and other commandments should be
encounters of the Jews under the interpreted (debates, legal
hands of their conquerors. interpretations, history, ethics,
c. Ketuvim (Writings) – storehouse of philosophy and legends)
literary genres (poetry and metaphors) - Foundation for Jewish Law and a
consists of the three poetic books guidebook for Jewish life
(Psalms, Proverbs, Job)
6. THE JEWISH PEOPLE – there are
2. GOD black, Asian, and white Jews.
- Abraham believed in one God - People born Jewish and convert to
(eternal, all-powerful, all-knowing, Judaism.
creator of the universe, source of all - According to Jewish Law, a Jew is a
morality) child born of a Jewish Mother or a
- Monotheism (origin of Christianity and person who converts to Judaism
Islam) - Medieval period, there are two major
- Elohim and Tetragrammaton(YHWH) groups of Jewish people:
(Other names of God used in Tanakh) a. ASHKENAZI – developed in
- Hashem “the name”, Adonai “My Central and Eastern Europe.
Lord” – Orthodox Jews - Speak Yiddish (combination of
- Orthodox Jews write the word God as Hebrew and languages of Central
“G-D” as a sign of respect. Europe)
- Called Saturday as “SHABBOS”
 b. SEPHARDI – descendants of the - Demolished the Holy Temple, into
Jews of Spain and those who fled exile and slavery in Babylon
from Spain to other Mediterranean
In 539 BCE, came Cyrus the Lad (Persian)
countries and North Africa.
with his big army.
- Ladino (combination of Hebrew and
Old Spanish) - He conquered the Babylonians, frees
- Called Saturday as “SHABBAT” the Jews and rebuilds the Holy Temple
Other kinds of Jews: In 70 CE, the Romans destroyed the Holy
Temple again
- Orthodox Jews – they believed that
Torah is the direct word of God. - Sent the Jews into another exile.
Hasidic Jews, best known orthodox - 2000-year exile is considered to have
Jews. They are recognizable because lasted up until 1947
of their distinct fashion
- Reform Jews – Liberal or progressive 13 PRINCIPLES OF FAITH: (Rambam)
(largest affiliation of Jewish people in 1. G-D exists
America) 2. G-D is one and unique
- Conservative Jews – arose as a 3. G-D is incorporeal
reaction to the Reform stream. Laws 4. G-D is eternal
from God that change and evolve over 5. Prayer is to be directed to G-D alone
time. and to no other
- Reconstructionist – views Judaism as 6. The words of the prophets are true
an ever-changing process of people, 7. Moses’ prophecies are true, and
culture, laws and rituals. Moses was the greatest of the
prophets
7. SHABBAT – a day of physical and 8. The Written Torah and Oral Torah were
spiritual rejuvenation given to Moses
- Prohibits any work 9. There will be no other Torah
10. G-D knows the thoughts and deeds of
8. KOSHER – regulate the Jewish Diet men
- All vegetables, fruits, grains, and nuts 11. G-D will reward the good and punish
are kosher. the wicked
- Meat – animal that both chews its cud 12. The Messiah will come
and has a cloven hoof (cattle, sheep) 13. The dead will be resurrected
- Kosher animals must be killed using
“shechita” SPECIAL CEREMONIES AND CELEBRATIONS

1. Shabbat (the sabbath) – day of rest.

9. The Synagogue – center of Jewish life Sunset on Friday to sunset on
and worship Saturday.
- Rabbi – trained Jewish scholar and 2. Rosh Chodesh – celebrated on the
interpreter of Jewish Law first day of new month of the Hebrew
(circumcision, weddings, and calendar
funerals) 3. Rosh Hashanah – the Jewish New
- Kippah/Yarmulka – a Jewish hat used year. Day of remembrance about the
to cover one’s head as a sign of creation of the world and recalls their
respect to God’s presence. responsibilities as God’s chosen
- Payot – long curly hair on the sides of people
their head 4. Tzom Gedaliah – Fast of Gedalia.
HISTORY: Commemorate of the murder of
Gedaliah the son of Achikam.
In 722 BCE, the Assyrians conquered the Observed on the 3rd day of Tishrei
Kingdom of Israel. after rosh Hashanah.
- Judah (son of Jacob) gave the religion 5. Yom Kippur – Day of atonement.
Judaism and Jews their name. Jewish people reflect on their sins and
ask for forgiveness from God.
IN 586 BCE, the Babylonians conquered 6. Sukkot – feast of booths (or
Judah tabernacles). Third great annual
pilgrimage festival when jewish
people gather in Jerusalem to
 remember God’s provision in the • Joseph - of the twelve siblings
wilderness and to look ahead to that he was the most hated. His
promised messianic age. brothers sold him and he was
7. Shemini Atzeret (independent holiday) brought to Egypt. It was there
and Simchat Torah (second day) that he became part of the
8. Hanukkah – festival of Lights. Means Pharaoh's court after using his
dedication in Hebrew, gift of interpreting dreams -
especially the coming famine.
RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS AND LEADER
In fact, his siblings went to
- Rabbi – Interpreter of the Jewish Law Egypt to ask for food and they
- Chazzan – Cantor, who leads reunited. He forgave them and
congregation in prayer the whole tribe migrated to
- Gabbai – volunteer who assist with Egypt leaving the Promised
Torah readings Land. And the tribes grew in
- Kohein – descendant of Aaron, the number that the Egyptians
original High Priest slaughtered all their male
- Levi – Descendant of the biblical children and enslaved them
Levites for many years.
- Rebbe – the leader of a Chasidic
• Moses - he was saved by his
community
mother from the slaughter and
- Tzaddik – righteous person with
was adopted by an Egyptian
spiritual power
woman after he was found in a
river. God called him to lead
His people out of Egypt back
Main characters are: to their Land of Promised.
• Abraham - God revealed to Through Moses, God gave to
him "FIRST" and established a His people the torah (THE 10
COVENANT. The first sign of COMMANDMENTS). For forty
the covenant? Circumcision. years, he led God's people in
His reward will be a land the dessert.
promised to be overflowing • Joshua - succeeded Moses
with milk and honey. and lead the Israelites in
• Isaac - Son of Abraham. God taking back the Promised
tested Abraham by asking him Land.
to sacrifice his only son to • Judges - As they return to the
God. He obeyed but God did Promised Land. They divided
not allowed it yet God the lands between the tribes.
commended Abraham's faith. They are lead by a Judge.
• Jacob - Jacob wrestled with an There are many but the most
angel whole night and was known are - Gideon, Jepthah,
given a new name ISRAEL and Samson. Judges are
which means "one who Warrior leaders who God
struggle with God". From him called to protect God's people
the 12 Tribes from their neighbors (or
springs.Deuteronomy 27:12– enemies?) who also occupy
13 lists the twelve their land who is different from
tribes: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, J them.
udah, Issachar, Zebulun, Dan, • Samuel - Son of Hannah.
Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Benjami Prophet and Judge who
n, Joseph- later split into two anoints Saul as Israel's King by
"half-tribes": Ephraim the will of God and by the
AND Manasseh. request of the people.
• Judah - is the biggest among • Saul - The first king of Israel
the 12 tribes. This is where the
word Jews or Judaism comes. • David - defeated Goliath and
later succeeded Saul as King.
 He established Jerusalem as
the Capital to unite the Jews.

• The Promised Messiah - God

promised of an eternal
kingdom and will be governed
by an Eternal King from the
line of David. (Christians says
it's Jesus! Jews says
Nah! Until now they are
waiting)

• Solomon - the son of David

who succeeded him as King.
He asked God to give him
nothing but WISDOM. He
builds the Temple that holds
the "ARK of the Covenant" (it is
where they put the two tablets
of the 10 commandments).

• Rehoboam - Solomon's son

that succeeded him as king
but still corrupt.

• Jeroboam - lead the uprising in

the North causing a split in the
kingdom naming it Israel and
Samaria as it's Capital.
Rehoboam leads the south
kingdom of Judah with
Jerusalem as its capital.

• Prophets - they are the king's

evaluator.They spoke in behalf
of God. They remind leaders of
their duty towards God and
God's covenant to the people.

o Elijah - defeated the

prophets and priests
of Baal to show God's
power.

o Elisha - brings back to

life a dead child.
LESSON 2: CHRISTIANITY Geographic spread

- originated in the 1st Century CE during - Jerusalem – birthplace of Christianity

the early Roman empire - Mediterranean Basin – spread via
- in the eastern mediterranean Paul’s missionary journeys
- - Rome – center of the early church
after the 1st century
HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT
CORE BELIEFS AND TEACHINGS:
Origins and early history:
1. The bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ
- Judaism influence – Christianity
2. Jesus is the only way to Heaven
emerged from Jewish traditions
3. The deity and Humanity of Jesus
- Jesus of Nazareth – central figure and
Christ – both fully God and fully man
believed to be the Messiah and Son of
4. The authority and inerrancy of the
God
bible – the bible is the final authority
- Apostolic Age – the period after Jesus’
in all matters of faith and morality
crucifixion where apostles spread his
5. Monotheism and the Holy Trinity
teachings
- Paul the Apostle – key figure in THE SACRED TEXTS AND THEIR
spreading Christianity beyond Jews to SIGNIFICANCE
Gentiles
- The Bible – collection of songs,
- Core teachings: love, forgiveness and
stories, poetry, letters, history as well
salvation through faith in God.
as literature. Two sections:
Key events: a.The Old testament – old Hebrew
(between 1200 and 165 BCE).
- Crucifixion – Jesus was crucified by
Focuses on God’s covenant with the
the romans as a sacrifice for
Israelites
humanity’s sins.
b.The new testament – written around
- Resurrection – Jesus rose from the
100 CE. Emphasizes the significance
dead, validating his divine nature and
of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection
promise of eternal life
27 books attributed to 8 different
- Paul’s mission – to spread Christianity
authors where 6 are among the
across the mediterranean
apostles and 2 are the immediate
- Council of Nicaea – 325 AD, defined
disciples.
key Christian beliefs
- It provides moral guidance, historical
- Edict of Milan – 313 AD, legalized
record, liturgical use
Christianity in the Roman Empire
OTHER CONCEPTS AND PHILOSOPHIES
Early followers:
1. Atonement through Christ’s sacrifice
- Disciples – close followers of Jesus
2. Virgin birth
who witnessed his teachings and
3. Second coming
miracles
4. Love and compassion
- Apostles – Peter and Paul who were
5. Evangelism and mission
crucial in spreading Christianity
6. Sacraments – like baptism and
across roman empire
eucharist (communion)
Period of development: - Other sacraments (confirmation,
confession, matrimony, holy orders,
- Early Church (1st-3rd centuries AD) – anointing of the sick)
persecution under roman emperors
- Post-Constantine Era (4th-5th RELIGIOUS PRACTICES AND RITUALS
centuries) – Christianity becomes the
- Sign of the cross
state religion of the roman empire
- Daily prayers
- Middle Ages – continued growth,
- Palm Sunday
influence across Europe, rise of
- Good Friday
monasticism and scholasticism
- Easter Sunday
- Reformation (16TH Century) – split
between roman Catholicism and SPECIAL CEREMONIES AND CELEBRATIONS
Protestantism
- Christmas
- All saint’s day
 • Church is central to the called GREAT SCHISM OF THE CATHOLIC
Christian faith, and it is where CHURCH and splits the Christian Church
the community comes into Roman Catholic Church in the West
together to worship and praise who speaks Latin and the Greek Orthodox
God Church in the East who speaks obviously
Greek. More so politically, the Roman
RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS AND LEADERS
Empire both in the East (Constantinople)
- CLERGY – priests, ministers, imams and West (Rome) are also battling outside
or rabbis who perform religious rites forces like the Barbarians and the
- LAITY – non-clerical members of the Ottoman (Muslim Conquest). Rome fell to
congregation who participate in the barbarians but later converted to
worship and community life but do Christianity but Constantinople fell to the
not hold formal authority Ottoman including Jerusalem. Rome
- GOVERNING BODIES – councils or responded by sending soldiers to
synods that oversee doctrine, recapture the East and thus the
practices CRUSADES. Consequently, most of the
- CONGREGATIONS – Local unites crusades failed and is itself a very
where worship occur shameful campaign.

Fast forward to the early modernity,

Europe is experiencing Renaissance or
rebirth while the Roman Catholic Church
experiences corruption among its leaders
and even abuses due to its status and
Dear students, power. The east fell to the Ottoman
The little Jewish sect spread with the Empire. More so, Europe is still recovering
preaching of the zealous Apostles and from that horrendous BLACK DEATH.
even reaches the Gentiles through Saint More so, the church became secularized
Paul. But under the Roman Empire, they in the time of Pope Leo X and the Borgias.
refused to worship others gods other than Without denying, history will tell us that
follow Jesus, thus suffered persecution. there are abuses from the leaders of the
However, these early Christians showed Roman Catholic Church. This leads to the
great courage and resilience that they PROTESTANT REFORMATION
were able to rise to the test because of spearheaded by the Augustinian Monk
their FAITH in the Risen Lord. They even Martin Luther. Part of the contribution of
grew in number with so many converts. these reformation is the translation of the
As time went on, Rome was converted to BIBLE to the language of the people - not
Christianity when Constantine the Great just Latin. With great timing, the printing
legalized Christianity and later Roman press was already developed. This means
Empire declared Christianity as its official printed materials are now accessible -
religion. The Christians with their leaders thus knowledge is also becomes
rises to power and the little Jewish sect of available to all (imagine having a book
Jesus became powerful. Along with this that time? It is like having a tv or a
also is the tension of power between computer now!). People can now read
Church leaders and The Emperor. Who is and can now interpret their own
powerful now? The Leaders of the understanding about anything - including
church? Or the Emperor? Ironically, the the bible. Thus, after Luther - a number of
Pope installs the Emperor but the denominations sprouted (you can now
Emperor has also the power to choose a enumerate because according to the
Pope. This tensions created conflicts studies there are now around 40
among leaders in now what we called thousand and counting Christians sects
Europe - Italy, France, Germany, Spain and denominations around the world).
and the eastern part of the empire known One of the most known reformer other
as Constantinople. In the Church alone, that Luther is John Calvin.
leaders in Eastern Church does not In England religion is now under the state.
consider the Pope as the sole leader of The Anglican Church was established as
the Christian Churches. This is because in approved by the State. When King Henry
their churches they have a VIII wanted to divorce her wife to marry
Patriarchs. This tension leads to the so His concubine the Roman Catholic
Church refused. He then cut ties with the the heaven goes". Indeed, the Roman
Roman Catholic Church and established Catholic Church later recognizes that
the Church of England. More so, it is not there is indeed truth in science when
just England. With a political motivation in Pope John Paul II now a saint apologizes
mind, many kings around Europe wanted for the wrong decisions of the church
also to cut ties with Rome to stand on leaders of the past who condemns
their own thus also supporting those who Galileo. Interestingly, many early
are against the church. In fact, in some scientists are priests and monks. This
countries people wanted to eradicate leads the church to address the problem
religion and even the monarchy - like squarely. Thus the Council of Trent was
France. established and the so called Catholic
Counter Reformation was pushed - a
In Spain, the Inquisition - an infamous
renewal within the Catholic Church. This
move to hunt Protestants or those against
is the time where the Society of Jesus was
the catholic faith and regarded as heretic
established spearheaded by Saint
was regarded as a great crime committed
Ignatius of Loyola their founder. They are
by the Roman Catholics. More so, the
fondly called as Jesuits. Their aim is to
Protestant Reformation also shows
spread the Christian message around the
violence. The movement called
world but at the same time to help the
ICONOCLASM - that hate towards any
church live out its teachings through
sacred images regarding it as idols - made
Christian education (Fr.Urios is a Jesuit!)
Protestants attacks Catholic Churches,
and even beyond like scientific education
vandalized Monasteries and convents,
ALL FOR THE GLORY OF GOD AS THE
and destroys all images and sacred things
Jesuits exclaimed. In addition, the
in the churches and even the looted
seminaries (the school for those who
Churches.
want to be a church leader - a priest) was
Consequently, the Protestant established so that future priests are to
Reformation caused murders and be trained well. This is founded by Saint
massacres far beyond our imagining Charles Borromeo. More so, we see in the
between Protestants and Catholics. THIS Roman Catholic Church a great number
IS THE ROOT OF OUR ENMITIES even of religious (Men and women) and lay
maybe until now between the Roman organizations (Charismatic Organizations)
Catholic Church and other Christian being founded to continue the mission to
Denominations and Sects. Until now spread the gospel.
many Protestants of various kinds regard
Catholics as evil and not Christians, and
even call the Pope - the anti-Christ, and To cut short, the reformation was also
even more hate priests. In fact, most historic that the Roman Catholic Church
Protestants tried to be everything that is called an ECUMENICAL COUNCIL - the
not Catholic because to be Catholic is the VATICAN II Council to address the many
greatest sin of all. On the other side, challenges all Christians faced in this
some Catholics too may also regard world. This is the attempt of the Roman
Protestants as enemies. THIS IS VERY Catholic Church to continue reforming or
SAD. This "fighting stance" I believe is still transforming herself to become the
present until now and I do not know if we church that Christ wants her to be - to live
are okay with it. For me, it is not okay at the GOSPEL OF CHRIST and to reach out
all. INDEED, the Protestant Reformation to other Christians to work as one despite
was a big blow to the authority of the of our difference, eventually to heal the
Roman Catholic Church but also a wake wounds in the past, and the call for
up call to go back to its Christian ideals. dialogue to address future challenge of
the Christian faith - like Inter-religious
But another blow happened - the
dialogue (with Muslims and other faiths
Scientific Revolution. The discovery of
and even those who have no faith),
Galileo and other scientists opened up a
CLIMATE CHANGE, INJUSTICES AND
new world. In this case, the church was
POVERTY AROUND THE WORLD, PEACE
reluctant to recognize and even try to
AND DEVELOPMENT, AND MANY MORE.
silence Galileo. But there is truth in the
bible and of course as well as SCIENCE. Without prejudice, I know other Christian
Galileo said "The bible teaches us how to Churches like your own church if you are
go to heaven but it does not teach us how not catholic have your history too - of how
your church also develops in time and
what are your concerns too about the
world and how we live. We can see how
Pastors are also working hard to spread
the good news or the gospel as
missionaries.

Mga estudyante, this is A ROUGH

personal summary of the story of
CHRISTIANITY. Like our elders the Jews,
we are also evolving. I do not know but
hopefully we can appreciate how we can
work together as Christians. Because all
of us no matter what church we are or
how different we are, WHAT BINDS US
TOGETHER IS THE BELIEF IN JESUS
CHRIST AND OUR ADHERENCE TO HIS
GOSPEL - the Gospel of Love - love even
our enemies. Kinsay tinuod nga
Simbahan? This question invites a great
debate and division. But maybe our task
in the present moment is not to answer
that question "Kinsay tinuod nga
Simbahan" but to ask "how can we be a
church" - unsaon nato nga mahimo tang
Simbahan meaning how can we be more
"INCLUSIVE" (KITA) rather than
"EXCLUSIVE" (KAMI LANG). Some
sociologist may even called it GLOBAL
CHRISTIANITY - AND THIS INCLUDES ALL
BELIEVERS OF JESUS NO MATTER WHAT
GROUP OR WHERE YOU CAME FROM.

Ingon pa ni Kristo "I ask on their behalf; I

do not ask on behalf of the world, but of
those whom You have given Me; for they
are Yours; and all things that are Mine are
Yours, and Yours are Mine; and I have
been glorified in them.“I am no longer in
the world; and yet they themselves are in
the world, and I come to You. Holy Father,
keep them in Your name, the name which
You have given Me, that they may be one
even as We are." (John 17:9-11)

-Fr. Joseph A.Y Garrido - Instructor