Notes: Monday, September 23 Rel of Mid East

I. Syllabus:
a. 3 tests break down by topic: first test is on Judaism, second is Christianity, third is on Islam.
b. amendment to webboard section; each student must type up notes for one class rather than three.
c. the reading/question section for the first week is duplicated on the schedule. these questions are only for discussion, and don't need to be handed in.
d. approach to class is historical, cultural, anthropological, and philosophical.

II. Definitions:
a. tetragrammaton: Literally "the 4 letters". Scholarly name of God.
b. Yahweh: God's personal name. lit. YHWH
c. liturgical: has a liturgy, or order of worship.
d. hermeutical: interpretive
e. pentateuch: 5 scrolls (Torah)
f. adonai: Lord

III. Main differences between western and eastern religions:
a. Western: Judaism, Christianity, Islam
linier history (beginning and end)
God is personified; has mind, will, and emotions. "HE"
Heaven/Hell
talk to God through prayer
God is explained through scripture

b. Eastern: Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism
has a cyclical history
God is impersonal; pantheism...all is God
"IT" rather than "HE"
belief in reincarnation
meditation rather than prayer
God is ineffable; must be experienced, cannot be explained

IV. Hebrew Bible
a. Torah: Cornerstone of Judaism. literally means "law". 1st 5 books of Bible.
b. Prophets: 5 major, 12 minor
c. Writings: history, poetry, philosophy