RELI 448N Week 6 Assignment: Comparative Religion Grid

Category or Question Catholicism Eastern orthodox Protestant Three central teachings The Bible is the revealed word of God Jesus died to redeem humanity’s sins One can attain salvation with faith, charity, and righteousness.   “Almighty God created man after His own image and likeness (cf. Genesis 1:26), and bestowed upon him endowments to fulfill his destiny” (Mastrantonis, 2015) “Almighty God in His compassion and love prepared for this regeneration of man by sending His Son, Jesus Christ the Savior” (Mastrantonis, 2015) Jesus Christ is “the only Redeemer by Whom and in Whom man’s personal salvation is wrought” (Mastrantonis, 2015) The Holy Scriptures are the only foundation for faith and practice. Individual are justified by faith alone Salvation comes by grace alone (Montgomery, 2019)   Nature of the divine There is only one God who is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent, and in his unity, there are three persons: The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Jesus has two natures: human and divine. There is only one God who is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent, and in his unity, there are three persons: The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Jesus has two natures: human and divine. There is only one God who is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent, and in his unity, there are three persons: The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Jesus has two natures: human and divine. Is there a central sacred story that is the most important one? The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Creation story God created Heaven and Earth in 7 days, as told in the book of Genesis. God created Heaven and Earth in 7 days, as told in the book of Genesis. God created Heaven and Earth in 7 days, as told in the book of Genesis. Belief in afterlife Life after death for everyone after the Final Judgement, with “good” people going to Heaven and “bad” people going to Hell. Catholics also believe in Purgatory. Life after death for everyone after the Final Judgement, with “good” people going to Heaven and “bad” people going to Hell. There is no Purgatory. Life after death for everyone after the Final Judgement, with “good” people going to Heaven and “bad” people going to Hell. There is no Purgatory Problem of evil “Sin is an abuse of the freedom that God gives to created persons so that they are capable of loving him and loving one another” (John Paul II, 1992) “God did not create anything evil: both Angels and humans, as well as the material world, are good and beautiful by nature. However, rational creatures, possessing free will, can direct their freedom against God and thereby engender evil” (Father George, 2017) According to John Calvin, “God regulates and directs the actions of each individual to the specific and proper end by his will, so that each person’s every action is disposed by God’s deliberate will, ultimately to achieve the divine purpose (…) We sin under the necessity imposed by the evil and perverse nature which we have inherited from Adam”. (Reichenbach, 1988) Violence and non-violence Emphasis on nonviolence: “But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also” (Matthew 5:39) Emphasis on nonviolence: “But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also” (Matthew 5:39) Emphasis on nonviolence: “But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also” (Matthew 5:39) Belief in Martyrs? Provide an example. Yes, Justin Martyr, the early Christian apologist Yes, St. George who was sentenced to death for refusing to recant his Christian faith Yes: Thomas Hitton, considered to be the first English Protestant martyr of the Reformation Is there a messiah figure? Explain. Jesus Christ is considered the Messiah, the Saviour of Humanity Jesus Christ is considered the Messiah, the Saviour of Humanity Jesus Christ is considered the Messiah, the Saviour of Humanity Is it a universal or local religion? Explain. “Catholic” means “universal”. It is called that way due to its worldwide extension. It is universal because it has members all over the world who share the same faith regardless of their nationality or local customs. It is universal because it has members all over the world who share the same faith regardless of their nationality or local customs. A theological issue of debate currently Can Catholic women become Deacons? The formation of the new Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) Should homosexuals be allowed to get married? Belief in Apostolic succession Catholicism poses that the ministry of the apostles continues in the Church, and they have been transmitted through ages “It is through Apostolic succession that the Orthodox Christian Church is the spiritual successor to the original body of believers in Christ that was composed of the Holy Apostles. This succession manifests itself through the unbroken succession of its bishops back to the Holy Apostles” (Father George, 2014). Protestants do not believe in Apostolic succession. Presence of Christ in Eucharist and who may receive it They believe in the transubstantiation, in which the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Jesus. Only members of the Church may receive it. They believe in the transubstantiation, in which the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Jesus. Only members of the Church may receive it. The wine and bread act as symbols. There is no transubstantiation. They are offered to any Christian. Role of Mary Mother of God and Mother of the Church Mary is venerated as Theotokos (Greek: ‘God-bearer’). A holy woman who was chosen to bear the son of God. Authority of Pope The Pope is the supreme authority, considered the ‘vicar of Christ’ and successor of Saint Peter. Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople is considered the spiritual leader of the Church but he has no direct jurisdiction outside the Patriarchate of Constantinople There is no centralized figure of authority.