Briefly List the Commandments

1. Read the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20. a. Briefly list the commandments. 1 – No other god’s other than God himself. 2 – Obey my commandments. 3 – Do not use the name of God in vain. 4 – Do not work on the Sabbath, keep it holy. 5 – Honor your father and mother, 6 – Do not murder anyone. 7 – Do not commit adultery. 8 – Do not steal. 9 – Do not lie to your neighbors. 10 – Do not desirous your neighbor’s things. b. How do the first four commandments differ from the last six? The first four commandments are about God. I think because God is the first commandments to worry about keeping. 2. Read the Beatitudes, the blessings of Jesus in the opening verses of the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew chapter 5:1-12. Which one is repeated and emphasized? Those who suffer and are meek will inherit the earth. 3. From the lecture, what two commandments did Jesus say are the greatest? Love your neighbor as you love yourself. Love your God with all your heart and with all your soul. 4. From the lecture and textbook, write out the short quote that philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche made famous about truth. “There is no truth, only interpretations.” 5. From the textbook, describe how Raphael, in his great painting School of Athens, depicted Plato and Aristotle. Plato and Aristotle are in the front. Plato’s ultimate truth can be applied to mankind regardless of the context relating to understanding of God. Aristotle is perceptive to the truth though observing interaction. 6. According to the lecture, what kind of absolute truths require the existence of God? Without God there would be no moral or spiritual truths. 7. Briefly define general and special revelation. General Revelation – How God reveals himself through his creation. Throughout history and natural laws that are proved through science. Special Revelation – How God reveals himself to humanity so they can share what he made known to others. Ways of sharing include scripture and a personal relationship with Jesus. 8. From Chapter 8 of the textbook, define Exclusivism and pluralism. Exclusivism – the concept that there is only one way to God through Jesus. Pluralism – the concept that all religions hold a piece of the puzzle. 9. According to Chapter 9 in the textbook, does Job ever find out why he suffered? What is the best explanation from our perspective? Job did not ever find out why he suffered. Job stayed faithful to God, and kept believing in God and his plan for his life. Job shows us that life is not always good, but if we keep our faith in God then everything will turn out right in the end. 10. Read the story of the raising of Lazarus in John 11. What can we learn about Jesus and death from this account of the event? If we have faith Jesus can get us through anything. We will ultimately be raised from the dead when we get to heaven. 11. Read the 11 reasons for suffering listed in the lecture. Which reason(s) might provide good cause for a Christian to “count it all joy” as James says to do in James 1:2-4? Suffering strengths your character. Suffering reminds us that we need God, and brings us closer to God. Suffering increases our ability to show compassion for others. 12. Read the section on theodicy in Chapter 9 of the textbook. a. Define theodicy – “The Christian defense of God’s infinite goodness and power despite the presence of evil and suffering.” b. What are two explanations Christians might give to explain the problem of evil—how a good and powerful God would allow suffering? If we do not experience suffering then we will never truly understand the unconditional love of God. Without us suffering we would not understand the suffering that Jesus went through for us. 13. According to Philippians 2:1-11, how are Christians to behave in light of what Jesus endured? Christians should put others before themselves, and be humble and obedient just like Jesus. We are to worship and give glory to God.