Thesis1_Faith_and_Revelation_Study_Notes-2

COMPREHENSIVE 2025 · Thesis 1: Faith and Revelation Page 1 of 43 COMPREHENSIVE 2025 THESIS 1 — FAITH AND REVELATION Study Notes · Glossary · Section-by-Section Explanation · Mnemonics · 10-Minute Presentation TABLE OF CONTENTS Glossary — difficult and technical words explained................................................................................ 2 Level 1 — one-page skeleton (learn this first)........................................................................................... 7 Thesis at a glance — the word-for-word thesis and the RELIGION map............................................. 8 1 · R — Humans are religious beings, animated by a divine dynamism................................................ 9 2 · E — The dynamism is twofold: within us and in the world............................................................. 11 3 · L — The path: world of concerns → faith → meaning.....................................................................12 4 · I — God accompanies history: Blessings, Noah, Israel.....................................................................14 5 · G — In his Word and Spirit (Vatican II texts).................................................................................. 15 6 · I — Theologies of religious experience (cosmic and historical)........................................................17 7 · O — Anthropo-theistic perspective (Judaism, Christianity, Islam)................................................ 19 8 · O — Cosmo-theistic perspective (Hinduism)..................................................................................... 21 9 · O — A-theistic perspective (Buddhism)............................................................................................. 23 10 · O — Secular view................................................................................................................................25 11 · N — Conclusion: commitment and dialogue....................................................................................26 Revision sheet — master table, all mnemonics, exam tips..................................................................... 27 Mind map and memory story....................................................................................................................29 Self-test — recall questions (notes closed)................................................................................................30 Blank skeleton — rebuild it from memory.............................................................................................. 33 Answer key.................................................................................................................................................. 34 Revision calendar and study method........................................................................................................36 10-minute presentation script....................................................................................................................37 EXAM TIP Every section starts on a new page and opens with a green "In plain words" box. Click any line above to jump to it. The colour key is on the first page of the Glossary. After reading, close the notes and use the Self-test, then check with the Answer key and follow the Revision calendar.COMPREHENSIVE 2025 · Thesis 1: Faith and Revelation Page 2 of 43 GLOSSARY — Difficult and Technical Words Explained Read this once before the notes. Each word is explained in simple language; the last column shows the section where it is used. Colour key (how to read these notes) Colour / style What it marks Red bold Core concepts, definitions, key theological terms Blue bold Bible references and biblical themes Green bold Church documents (Vatican II, encyclicals) Orange bold Thinkers, saints, persons Purple bold Terms from other religions (Sanskrit, Arabic, Pali, Hebrew) Teal bold Religions, traditions, perspectives, lists Magenta bold Mnemonic keys and memory hooks Yellow highlight Must-memorise phrase (learn it word for word) Underlined italics Technical term to be defined or explained in the exam A. Core theological words Term Meaning in plain words Sec. Revelation God's self-disclosure — God "unveils" himself and his will. God always takes the first step. 7 Faith The human answer to Revelation: a free, trusting self-surrender to God. It is a gift, not something proved by evidence. 7 Religion From Latin religio: what binds people to the Divine and to one another in harmony. 1 Religious experience A person's encounter with the Divine/Ultimate — felt through the senses, lived in practice, deeply personal. 6 Divine dynamism God's active, energising presence built into humans and the world, drawing everything toward God. 1 Ontological Having to do with being itself — "at the level of what we are", not just what we think or feel. 1 Homo religiosus Latin: "religious human" — being religious belongs to human nature. 1 Innate Born with; built in from the start, not learned later. 1 Finitude / Infinite Finitude: our limited, mortal, dependent condition. Infinite: without limit — God. 1 Transcendence / selftranscendence Going beyond oneself and the ordinary toward the Ultimate. "Transcendent" = beyond the world. 1, 6 Immanence God present within the world and within us (the "abiding Presence"). 2, 8 Mystic / Contemplative Mystic: seeks direct, silent experience of God. Contemplative: a person given to deep, quiet prayer. 2COMPREHENSIVE 2025 · Thesis 1: Faith and Revelation Page 3 of 43 Term Meaning in plain words Sec. Mediated experience Reached through a go-between — a prophet, a scripture, a ritual, creation — not directly. 6, 7 Covenant A binding, loving agreement that God initiates with a people (Noah, Abraham, Israel). 4 Cosmic revelation God known through creation, nature and conscience — open to all peoples. 4, 6 Historical revelation God known through events and persons in history — Exodus, the prophets, Christ. 4, 6 Objectification Treating something as an object to be measured, defined or controlled. Mystery resists it. 10 Absolutizing Treating a created thing (an idea, person, image) as if it were the Absolute — a kind of idolatry. 9 Paschal Mystery Christ's passion, death, resurrection and ascension — the source of salvation. 5 Plurality / pluralism The fact that there are many religions, each with its own way of expressing the experience of God. 11 Secular Not tied to an institutional religion; relying on reason, science and shared human values. 10 Institutionalised religion Religion organised in official structures — creeds, clergy, rituals, buildings. 10 B. Latin, Greek, Hebrew and technical words Term Meaning in plain words Sec. Religare / relegere religare = "to bind back" (Lactantius, Augustine); relegere = "to re-read, to observe carefully" (Cicero). Two possible roots of "religion". 1 Imago Dei Latin: "image of God" — humans are created in God's image (Gen 1:26). 1 Anthropos / Theos Greek: human / God. 7 Cosmos Greek: the ordered universe. 8 Numinous Rudolf Otto's word for the Holy as an awe-inspiring, "wholly other" presence. 1 Mysterium tremendum et fascinans Latin: "a mystery that makes us tremble and yet attracts us" — Otto's description of the Holy. 1, 6, 10 Supernatural existential Karl Rahner: a permanent God-given openness in every human to receive God's self-gift. 1 Logos spermatikos Greek/Latin: "seed-bearing Word" — Justin Martyr's idea that seeds of the divine Word are found in all cultures. 5 Semina Verbi Latin: "seeds of the Word" — Vatican II's phrase (AG 11) for the same idea. 5 Praeparatio evangelica Latin: "preparation for the Gospel" — the good in other religions seen as a preparation (LG 16). 5 Segula Hebrew: "treasured possession" — Israel in Ex 19:5. 4 Praxis Practice; action that flows from belief (ritual, prayer, right living). 6COMPREHENSIVE 2025 · Thesis 1: Faith and Revelation Page 4 of 43 Term Meaning in plain words Sec. Ineffable Too great to be put into words. 6 Noetic quality The sense that a mystical experience gives real knowledge (William James). 6 Seva / Shraddha Sanskrit: service / faith-trust — the two steps of the path (world of concerns → world of faith). 3 C. Abbreviations of Church documents Term Meaning in plain words Sec. NA Nostra Aetate — Declaration on the Church's Relation to Non-Christian Religions (Vatican II, 1965). 3, 5, 11 LF Lumen Fidei — "The Light of Faith", encyclical of Pope Francis (2013). 3 AG Ad Gentes — Decree on the Church's Missionary Activity (Vatican II, 1965). 5 GS Gaudium et Spes — Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World (Vatican II, 1965). 5 LG Lumen Gentium — Dogmatic Constitution on the Church (Vatican II, 1964). 5 RM Redemptoris Missio — encyclical on the Church's mission, John Paul II (1990). 5 DV Dei Verbum — Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation (Vatican II, 1965). 7 FR Fides et Ratio — "Faith and Reason", encyclical of John Paul II (1998). 1 DP Dialogue and Proclamation — Vatican document on interreligious dialogue (1991). 11 D. Semitic traditions: Judaism, Christianity, Islam Term Meaning in plain words Sec. Torah The Law of Moses — the first five books; God's word and presence for the Jews. 7 Exodus God's liberation of Israel from slavery in Egypt — the founding event of Judaism. 4, 7 Shema "Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one" (Dt 6:4) — Judaism's central prayer. 7 Sacred Humanity of Christ Teresa of Avila: Christ's human nature as the gate to the mystery of the Trinity. 7 Trinity One God in three Persons: Father, Son, Holy Spirit. 7 Islam / Muslim Islam = "submission"; a Muslim is "one who submits" to Allah. 7 Tawhid Arabic: the absolute oneness of God. 7 Qur'an The sacred book of Islam, believed to be God's final and complete 7COMPREHENSIVE 2025 · Thesis 1: Faith and Revelation Page 5 of 43 Term Meaning in plain words Sec. revelation through Muhammad. Shahada Profession of faith: no god but Allah; Muhammad is his prophet. (Pillar 1) 7 Salat (Namaaz) Ritual prayer five times a day. (Pillar 2) 7 Zakat Almsgiving — a fixed share of wealth given to the poor. (Pillar 3) 7 Sawm (Roza) Fasting, especially in the month of Ramadan. (Pillar 4) 7 Hajj Pilgrimage to Mecca, once in a lifetime if able. (Pillar 5) 7 E. Hindu terms Term Meaning in plain words Sec. Sat-Cit-Ananda Reality (being), consciousness, bliss — Hinduism's description of the Ultimate. 8 Isha vasyam idam sarvam "All this is pervaded by the Lord" (Isha Upanishad 1). 8 Antaryamin The "inner controller" — God dwelling in the human heart. 8 Avatar A "descent" of God in human or other form to protect the righteous and destroy evil. 8 Trimurti The three divine functions: Brahma creates, Vishnu sustains, Shiva destroys/transforms. 8 Rta (Rit) The cosmic order that keeps the universe in rhythm. 8 Yajna Sacrifice/ritual offering that maintains the cosmic order. 8 Dharma Right order and duty; what upholds the cosmos and society. 1, 8 Moksha Liberation from bondage and the cycle of rebirth — salvation. 8 Marga A "way" or path to salvation. 8 Jnana / Karma / Bhakti The ways of knowledge, selfless action, and loving devotion. 8 Vasudhaiva kutumbakam "The whole world is one family." 8 Satori Zen word for sudden enlightenment — a moment of mystical union. 6 F. Buddhist terms Term Meaning in plain words Sec. Dhamma (Dharma) The teaching of the Buddha. 9 Nirvana The ultimate state of happiness: the "blowing out" of craving and suffering. 9 Dukkha Suffering, dissatisfaction — the first Noble Truth. 9 Neti neti Sanskrit: "not this, not that" — the Ultimate cannot be captured in any category. 9 Anicca / Anatta Impermanence / no fixed, permanent self. 9 Sangha The Buddhist community (monks, nuns and lay followers). 9COMPREHENSIVE 2025 · Thesis 1: Faith and Revelation Page 6 of 43 Term Meaning in plain words Sec. A-theistic Literally "without theos": no Creator-God at the centre. It does not mean hostile to God. 9COMPREHENSIVE 2025 · Thesis 1: Faith and Revelation Page 7 of 43 LEVEL 1 — ONE-PAGE SKELETON (learn this first) THE THESIS IN THREE LINES (1) Humans are religious beings, because God's dynamism is built into them and into the world. (2) God accompanies them in history (blessings, Noah, Israel) and in his Word and Spirit, so religious experience is mediated through cosmic and historical revelations. (3) It is understood in four ways — response (Semitic), Presence (Hindu), silence (Buddhist), mystery (secular) — and every authentic religion leads to commitment. Point Must-know content Hook R Religious beings Gen 1:26 (image) · Gen 2:7 (breath) · Ezek 36:27 · Fides et Ratio · Otto · Augustine · Teilhard · Rahner FEELS · YEARNS · TRANSCENDS · DEPEND S E Everywhere : twofold Within: Ps 46:10, mystics · In the world: Rom 1:19-20, Mt 25:35-40 Two Teresas L Life's concerns NA 1 six questions → LF 57 hope → meaning · Seva → Shraddha C → F → M I In history Blessing Gen 1:26-30 · Noah Gen 9:11-17 (cosmic) · Israel Ex 19:3-8 (historical, segula) B-N-I G God's Word & Spirit Jn 1:9 · Jn 3:8 · AG 9 · GS 41 · LG 9,16 · NA 2 · RM 28 · logos spermatikos A Good Lord Never Rejects I Inner experience Sensible · Practical · Subjective; Awareness · Encounter · Relationship · Context ; cosmic vs historical SPS · A-E-R-C O Four outlooks Semitic: Torah, Christ, Qur'an, 5 pillars · Hindu: Sat-Cit-Ananda, 3 margas · Buddhist: silence, 4 Truths, 8-fold path · Secular: Baba Amte, Medha Patkar SPEAKS · SURROUNDS · SILENT · SERVICE N Need: commitment Test of authentic religion = commitment; NA 2; dialogue R-P-P · L-A-T-E MNEMONIC Say it in one breath: "Religious beings, Everywhere, Life's concerns, In history, God's Word and Spirit, Inner experience, Outlooks, Need for commitment — God speaks, surrounds, is silent, and calls to service."COMPREHENSIVE 2025 · Thesis 1: Faith and Revelation Page 8 of 43 THESIS AT A GLANCE — the word-for-word thesis and the RELIGION map The Thesis (original wording, colour-coded) THESIS 1 — WORD FOR WORD Humans are religious beings animated by a divine dynamism that is inbuilt in them and their world. They follow the path of religion, namely, through the world of concerns to the world of faith in order to discover a world of meaning there (NA 1; LF 57; Rom 1:19-20a). They are accompanied in history through God's blessings (Gen 1:26-30), through the covenant with Noah (Gen 9:11-17), Israel (Ex 19:3-8) and in his Word and Spirit (Jn 1:9, Jn 3:8; AG 9, GS 41, LG 9, 16, NA 2, RM 28). The theologies of religious experience, mediated through cosmic and historical revelations, are articulated as follows: in an anthropo-theistic perspective it is a response (faith) to the divine initiative (Revelation) [Semitic traditions: Jewish, Christian, Islamic]. In a cosmo-theistic tradition it is the abiding but non-manipulable Presence in all things [Hinduism]. In an a-theistic world it is the outcome of the "silence of God" that prevents absolutizing of any being [Buddhism]. In a secular view it is the sense of mystery that fascinates and inspires commitment, but escapes all attempts at objectification. Thesis 1 at a glance — the mnemonic R · E · L · I · G · I · O · N Memory phrase What it covers Key references R Religious beings Humans are religious; divine dynamism is inbuilt in them and the world Gen 1:26; Ezek 36:27; Fides et Ratio E Everywhere: twofold Dynamism is within us and present in the world Ps 46:10; Rom 1:19-20; Mt 25:35- 40 L Life's concerns lead the path Concerns (Seva) → Faith (Shraddha) → Meaning NA 1; LF 57 I In history God accompanies Blessing → Noah (cosmic) → Israel (historical) Gen 1:26-30; 9:11-17; Ex 19:3-8 G God's Word and Spirit Light of the Word, wind of the Spirit, seeds of the Word Jn 1:9; 3:8; AG 9; GS 41; LG 9,16; NA 2; RM 28 I Inner experience Theologies of religious experience (cosmic + historical) Sensible · Practical · Subjective; A- E-R-C O Outlooks: four perspectives Speaks · Surrounds · Silent · Service Semitic · Hindu · Buddhist · Secular N Need for commitment Authentic religion inspires commitment and dialogue NA 1; NA 2COMPREHENSIVE 2025 · Thesis 1: Faith and Revelation Page 9 of 43 NOTE The class PDF has a few numbering slips (two sections numbered "9", no 8 and no 11, conclusion numbered "12"). In these notes the sections are renumbered 1–11 in the right order; the content is unchanged. Also corrected: "Megha Patkar" → Medha Patkar; "Haz" → Hajj; "Logo spermatikos" → Logos spermatikos.COMPREHENSIVE 2025 · Thesis 1: Faith and Revelation Page 10 of 43 1 R Humans are Religious Beings animated by a Divine Dynamism, inbuilt in them and their world THIS SECTION IN PLAIN WORDS Thesis words: "Humans are religious beings animated by a divine dynamism that is inbuilt in them and their world." People everywhere pray, wonder and look for the sacred. This is not an accident. God made us with a built-in pull toward himself, and put the same divine energy into the world around us. This section proves it from Scripture, a papal encyclical and four thinkers. Link: Next: where do we find this pull — inside us, or outside us? 1.1 Key terms • Religion — from Latin religio; the notes link it to religare ("to bind back") and to Sanskrit dharma ("to hold together in harmony"). Purpose of religion = to foster communion, unity and relationship. • Divine dynamism — God's creative, energising presence (Spirit) at work inside each person and inside the world, drawing them toward God. It works at the ontological level (the level of being itself, not just feelings). • Religious being (homo religiosus) — a person who is always oriented towards the Divine, because created in God's image. EXTRA DETAIL (ADDED) Etymology is debated: Cicero derived religio from relegere ("to re-read, to observe carefully" — careful attention to the sacred); Lactantius and Augustine derived it from religare ("to bind back" to God). Good to mention both in a 30-mark answer. Sanskrit dharma comes from the root dhr = "to hold, to sustain" — what upholds the cosmos and society. Hence the notes' phrase "holds together in harmony". 1.2 Why are humans religious? — Scripture and Church • Gen 1:26 — created in the image and likeness of God → we are made for God. • Gen 2:7 — God breathed his spirit into the human (the creation story of Gen 1–2: God creates all that is). • Ezek 36:27 — "I will put my spirit within you" → God has planted an innate capacity and desire to know, love and serve God. • Fides et Ratio (St John Paul II, 1998): God has placed in the human heart a desire to know the truth — in a word, to know himself, so that by knowing and loving God we reach the fullness of truth about ourselves. 1.3 Four voices — who said what Thinker Core idea Keyword Rudolf Otto There is a sense of sacredness in everyone — the "numinous": FEELS