Religion2-Modules 1-3 1st Year 2nd Sem PDF

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Module 1 - Meaning of LifeDesired Learning Outcomes : At the end of the module the students would have:1. identified the purpose and meaning of their life and relate the same to their chosen vocation.I. Ecclesiastes Chapter 1 – speaks about the vanity of life (Setting: Solomon was looking back on hi...

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Module 1.1 - Meaning of Life Desired Learning Outcomes: At the end of the module the students would have: 1. identified the purpose and meaning of their life and relate the same to their chosen vocation. I. Ecclesiastes Chapter 1 – speaks about the vanity of life (Setting: Solomon was looking back on his life much of which was lived apart from God) What is vanity? Vanity means “breath”, “vapor” or light wind.” It denotes transitory, futile, useless, meaningless or vain. All is vanity - means that the totality of existence is in vain, activities of earthly life are useless. Important points: Verses 1-7: Solomon defines life based on nature: 1. Life is a vapor, or wind that it only passes away. 2. Life is transit - it leaves no result, it does not satisfy the mind. 3. There is no advantage to struggle in terms of earthly pleasure. 4. Life in general is an endless repetition, aimless and monotonous. Verses 8 -11: Solomon defines life based on human experience. 1. Life is laborious, wearisome, tiresome - no satisfaction to one’s eye. 2. Life has no remembrance, nothing new. 3. Human activity is nothing. Verses 12-18: Solomon speaks about the futility (uselessness) of wisdom. 1. Human wisdom does not contain all the answers. 2. Knowledge and education have their limits. Final Conclusion of Solomon about Life: 1. We should enjoy life by enjoying God’s commands. 2. The purpose and meaning of life cannot be found in human endeavors but in positive attitude and strong faith in God. 3. Human effort apart from God is useless. 4. Put God first - now! 5. Receive everything good as a gift from God. 6. Realize that God will never judge every person’s life whether good or evil. 7. Pleasures and material things when sought for their own sake bring nothing. The Birth of Meaningful Life Solomon says: (2 antidotes) 1. To fear and 2. To obey GOD - is everyone’s duty. Reflect: What is life based on your own experience?

II. Psalm Chapter 139:13-17 – speaks about the foreknowledge of God both in creation and pro-creation. Important points: 1. God has laid the foundation of our being in the mother’s womb - dark place beyond the reach of light and life-giving protection. The mother’s womb where the fetus is formed symbolizes the lowest part of the earth. (v. 13). 2. Human being is fearfully and wonderfully made - separated from ungodly men. The texture of our human body is the most complicated, nice and delicate. Even the slightest accident can destroy or impair any part of it necessary to the continuance of life. There is a need of the care and providence of God. (v.14) 3. Bone or skeleton is the foundation of our human body with external parts such as muscular flesh (tendons, veins, arteries, nerves, skin) and web of fibers. God has embroidered (needle work) our human bodies and put together in the lowest part of the earth - mother’s womb. (v. 15) 4. Our human bodies are open before God’s eyes and were fashioned after him. God is the potter of our human bodies. We are under God’s plan. (vs. 16-17). Conclusion: Human being is wondrously created and God knew all that was going on in the process of creation and procreation. III. Psalm 8 – pictures of man’s dignity and God’s glory. God’s glory and majesty is realized by finite man. Important Points: 1. The Lord is the director, supporter, ruler and judge of all creations. The excellent name of God represents God in all his accounts such as incarnation, birth, humble life, death and resurrection as celebrated to the whole world. God is infinite. Jesus is the only person who perfectly reflects God’s image. (v.1) 2. Children are able to trust and praise God without doubts and reservations. There is a need to have a childlike faith removing any barriers to having a closer walk with God. (v. 2). 3. Man is in contrast with His Creator. God created human being a little lower than himself and the angels. But God considers human being highly valuable. We have a great worth because we bear the stamp of the Creator. (vv. 3-5). 4. God gives human being authority - to be in charge of the whole earth. But with great authority comes great responsibility. Three things designate man’s position: a) his relationship to God; b) his dignity and honor; c) his dominion over other created beings. (vv. 6-8). 5. (Doxology) It always calls man back to the mystery of God. (v. 9). IV. Jeremiah 29: 11 – speaks about God’s plan for human being (to be memorized by students) Together we say: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV).

Important points: 1. God, our healer has encouraged us to move ahead. 2. God has trusted us to do the task that has given. 3. God will be with us all the way. 4. God knows our future his plans for us are good and full of hope. 5. God provides our agenda and goes with us as we fulfill His mission. 6. God will always see us through glorious despite pain, sufferings and hardships.

Student’s Reflections A. Something to Ponder: “I Am Special” Imagine yourself as a Creator. You have already made everything else: foliage, fowls, fish, heavenly bodies, beasts of the field, etc. You have decided to create a human being. Then, a snake asks you: “God, why do you have to do that? Of what use will a man be to your world?” How will you answer the snake?

Module 1.2 - The Purpose of Life Desired Learning Outcomes: At the end of the module the students would have: 1. identified the purpose and meaning of their life and relate the same to their chosen vocation. I. DEFINITION OF TERMS: A. MISSION - a task or job that someone is given to do. - a ministry commissioned by a religious organization to propagate its faith or carry on humanitarian work. - a specific task with which a person or a group is charged. B. VISION - something that you imagine: a picture that you see in your mind. - something that your see or dream especially as part of a religious or supernatural experience. - it pertains something about the future.

II. OUR MISSION BASIS: A. GREAT COMMANDMENT "Jesus replied, 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as you love yourself.'" - Matthew 22:37-39 B. GREAT COMMISSION "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age. - Matthew 28:19-20

III. OUR FIVE PURPOSES: A. Worship: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart." Worship is celebrating God's presence and honoring Him with our lifestyle. Romans 12:1 "Offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God... B. Ministry: "Love your neighbor as you love yourself." Ministry can be defined as "meeting needs with love." 2 Corinthians 4:1 "Therefore, since through God's mercy, we have this ministry, we do not lose heart.

C. Evangelism: "Go and make disciples." Evangelism is sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with those who don't yet have a personal relationship with him. Romans 15:20-21 - It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known...

D. Fellowship: "Baptizing them..." True fellowship happens when people are known, cared for, held accountable and encouraged in their spiritual journey. Ephesians 2:19 - "You are no longers foreigners and aliens but fellow citizens with other believers..."

E. Discipleship: "Teaching them to obey..." Discipleship is building up or strengthening believers in their quest to be like Christ. Hebrews 6:1 -

"Let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity."

IV. VISION COMPONENTS: S - PECIFIC: What do you want to happen in your life in the next 10-15 years? M - EASURABLE: How will you know when you have reached it? A - TTAINABLE: Can you attain it given your resources and capabilities? R - EALISTIC/RELEVANT: What is its impact to you and your community? T - IME BOUND/TIME -BASED: When exactly do you want to accomplish it?

Module 2.1. Definition, Importance, Nature, and Scope of Ethics A. Definitions of Ethics Ethics can be defined from three aspects: it’s etymological, traditional and modern definitions: 1. Etymologically, ethics comes from the Greek word ethos which means custom, usage or character. The equivalent word in Roman is mores and in Latin mos where the words morality, moral or morals derived from. From this etymological meaning, ethics can be understood as the study of human customs or ways of doing things. 2. Traditionally, ethics is a practical science of the morality of human acts. It is a practical science because: 1) it guides people to find a good and happy life; 2) it gives direction how people should live. Morality is defined as the quality of human acts by which they are constituted as good (moral), bad (immoral), or indifferent (amoral). For example: to follow the rules & regulations of CPU is moral to violate them is immoral to choose what course to take is indifferent Human Acts in a sense are actions done by a person knowingly, freely, and voluntarily. In other words, human acts constitute knowledge, freedom and voluntariness. For example: a. A CPU student is aware of the rules in the university which prohibits cheating (knowledge). b. He/she is however free to make kodigo and use it during the examination or to disregard this in obedience to the rule (freedom). c. This student cheats during the exam, and consequently violates ( voluntariness). In this example, the act is considered human act because it is coupled with knowledge and deliberation. As such, the student is accountable for the consequences of the act. 3. From the modern perspective, ethics is defined as a philosophical reflection on “creative responsibility”. According to Johann, “creative responsibility has important consequences: a. Action becomes primary. Being human means to grip creatively with the concrete situation to which you find yourself. b. Thought is viewed as practical. It means that if someone is to respond, he/she must have an accurate grasp of what he/she is dealing with. The role of thought is to provide an interpretative grasp. c. Personal freedom is considered. If creative responsibility means anything, it means determining before God the appropriate response to a situation and acting accordingly. Now we can see the difference on both approaches: the traditional focuses its attention on the act while the modern is on the person. The traditional is preoccupied with human nature, natural law, duty and justice while the modern consists with the truth and its communal dimension, freedom and love. (RE 2 Textbook, 1995) B. Importance of Ethics Ethics is important because of the following reasons:

1. Improves decision making. One’s future is the result of all the decisions that one takes in the course of life. Decisions are driven by values. Ethics could help people in making right decisions and guide them in arriving at correct decisions ( Dais, 1983). 2. Assists in dealings. The right sense of thinking can encourage people to have a right and positive manner in their daily journey of life. The absence of the right approach and wrong sense can only influence negative feelings and it affects relationship with other people. Ethics which is founded on trust, assists in treating individuals as the children of God and in loving everyone. Hence, ethics that we pass unto others reveals the correct way of living. 3. Evaluates different ethical systems. The six major ethical systems serve as a guide in our daily living. However, there is one ethical system that would meet the Christian standard of living. Unqualified absolutism is adopted by Christians to determine what is right and wrong according to the Bible. The major ethical systems will be discussed in the next lesson. C. The Nature and Scope of Ethics The definitions of ethics imply its significant nature and scope. The main concern of ethics is to determine what is right and wrong based on the standard or parameter of behavior. Ethics by nature is a normative science because it is particularly interested in the norms and standards of human conduct. Science comes from the Latin word scientia which means knowledge. It is a systematized knowledge derived from facts, tested principles and methods. The main concern of science is the discovery of truth (RE 2 Manual, 2004). As a normative science, it seeks to define the moral ideal in which our conduct should conform. Moral standards are norms, therefore they help identify what kind of actions we believe are morally right and wrong (http://malamghubpages.com/hub/Genera/Natureof Ethics). Ethics covers the morality and the whole experience of a person such as feelings, thoughts, beliefs, and judgment concerning what “ought to be done” (RE 2 Manual, 2004).

Module 2.2. Major Ethical Systems A. Major Ethical Systems There are six major ethical systems in determining what is right and wrong. 1. Antinomianism. This term is derived from the Greek words anti meaning against and homos meaning law. Antinomianism affirms that there are no moral or general laws. For example, stealing is not right or wrong. In as much as there are no objective moral laws in this system, deciding what is right and wrong is subjective and personal.

2. Generalism. Generalism teaches that there are no absolute laws, only some general ones. Therefore, stealing is generally wrong; but there may be times when it is permissible. In this scheme, the end justifies the means. If the consequence is good, stealing is not wrong.

3. Situationism. Situationism maintains that there is one absolutelaw: love. So, stealing maybe right if a person does it as an act of love to keep someone from starving to death. Everything, except love, is relative.

4. Conflicting Absolutism. Conflicting Absolutism believes that there are many absolute laws that do conflict, and we should choose the lesser evil. Therefore, stealing is forgivable. When we face moral dilemmas, we must decide which absolute laws to keep and then ask for forgiveness for the one we break.

5. Graded Absolutism. Graded Absolutism affirms that there aremany absolute laws that are conflicting but we should obey the higher law. So, stealing is sometimes right. When we face moral problems, we must decide which absolute law is more important than the others and then follow it, making it permissible to break the others.

6. Unqualified Absolutism. Unqualified Absolutism asserts that there are many absolute laws, but they are not in conflict with each other. Therefore, stealing is always immoral. In reality, no absolute law, such as truth or love or the sanctity of life, maybe broken without consequences. The end never justifies the end. This is the biblical view (Anthony, 2001). Review: Ethical System

Principle

Antinomianism

opposes laws

Generalism

agrees that there are some general laws only claims that there is one absolute law only - love prefers lesser evil

Situationism Conflicting Absolutism Graded Absolutism Unqualified Absolutism

chooses higher law follows absolute laws (Christian Model)

Module 2.3. Relationship of Ethics to Other Sciences Ethics as a discipline and practice does not deny other sciences. However, there are disagreements in their point of intention and significance. The following are the relationships of ethics with other sciences: 1. Logic is the science of correct thinking, while Ethics is the science of correct living. 2. Psychology deals with human behavior, while Ethics deals with the morality of human behavior. 3. Sociology is concerned with the relationship of humans to their fellow individuals and society, while Ethics is concerned with the moral and social order of humans and society. 4. Economics deals with labor, wages, production, as well as distribution of wealth, while Ethics deals with the business processes based on justice, charity as well as moral principles (Ayatullah al UzmaNaserMakaremShirazi, 2013). 5. Education develops the whole man – his moral, physical and intellectual life, while Ethics develops man’s humane, moral and spiritual character. 6. Religion is about belief or faith in God, while Ethics is about obedience and right relationship with God and man. 7. Politics stresses the temporal benefits of the people, while Ethics stresses eternal benefits of people (R.E 2 Manual, revised, 2005). Review: Sciences Logic Psychology Sociology Economics Education Religion Politics

Focus Ethics correct thinking human behavior man’s relationship to others & society labor, wages, production & distribution of wealth develops the whole man belief or faith in God temporal benefits

E T H I C S

Focus correct living morality of human behavior moral & social order of man & society justice charity & moral principles develops man’s character. right relationship with God and man. eternal benefits

Ethical Side of Science The ethical aspect of other sciences asks moral questions, for example: The Philosopher asks: Do I live morally? The Psychologist asks: Is my behavior morally right? The Sociologist asks: Is my relationship with other people morally right? The Economist asks: Am I a good steward of God’s created world? The Educator asks: Am I developing moral and spiritual character? The Politician asks: Do I make decisions for the spiritual benefit of the people? The Christian asks: Do I believe and obey God?

Module 3 - Christian Ethics Desired Learning Outcomes: At the end of the module, the students would have:

1. 2. 3. 4.

explained the meaning, significance & Biblical basis of Christian ethics; compared Christian ethics in relationship with the two Testaments; summarized the criteria, standards, and methods of Christian ethics; applied the most important Christian principles in their life;

Module 3.1.

Definition and Significance of Christian Ethics

A. Definition

What is Christian ethics?

1. Christian ethics is a method of determining right and wrong based on the understanding and interpretation of the Christian message. The life and teachings of Jesus Christ is the heart of the Christian message. Right and wrong in this aspect is determined by the life and teachings of Christ. To understand what we should do or avoid in life, as well as to know what we should believe, we must consult the life and teachings of Christ (Rudnick, 1979).

2. Christian ethics is a set of principles derived from the Christian faith by which we act. The Bible gives us a detailed instruction on how we should live. While God’s word may not cover every situation in our lives, its principles give us the standards by which we must conduct ourselves. For example, the Bible does not explicitly say about the use of illegal drugs, yet based on the principles we learn in the Bible, we can know that it is wrong. For one, the Bible tells us that the body is the temple of the Holy Spirit and that we should honor God with it. (1 Cor. 6:19-20). So, by using the principles in the Scripture, Christians can already determine what is proper for them to do in a given situation (Geisler, 2010).

3. Christian ethics is a systematic study of the way of life exemplified and taught by Jesus, applied to problems and decisions of human existence. The way of life is expressed in what we say, live and practice. It is also synonymous with our lifestyle or day to day living. The Gospels reflect Jesus’ way of life. It tells not only what He does and says but also what early Christians believe of Him. The way of life exemplified by Jesus is an adequate, dependable and indispensable guide of Christians in their actions as well as in their decisions in life (Harkness, 1957).

B.

Significance of Christian Ethics

Why do we need to study Christian ethics...