Question 1

What is the definition of the following term:
-hermeneutics:

Accepted Answer

The art of interpretation, often involving explicit theories and methods for deriving meaning from a text.

Question 2

Look at the example in the textbook regarding literature about trees. Then, from your own knowledge, come up with two similar examples and clarify the difference between writing for explanation or instruction and writing a poem. Note why reading for the right "language" is important in your example.

Accepted Answer

In the example from the textbook, the literature about trees may include an explanation of the different types of trees, their characteristics, and their importance in the ecosystem. This type of writing is focused on providing information and understanding, and it aims to educate the reader about the topic.

From my own knowledge, two similar examples could be literature about birds and literature about flowers. In the literature about birds, the writing may explain the different species of birds, their habitats, and their behavior. On the other hand, literature about flowers may provide information about the various types of flowers, their colors, and their significance in different cultures.

The difference between writing for explanation or instruction and writing a poem is that the former is focused on providing factual information and understanding, while the latter is focused on evoking emotions and creating imagery through language. Writing for explanation or instruction aims to inform and educate, while writing a poem aims to express feelings and create a sensory experience for the reader.

Reading for the right "language" is important in these examples because it determines the type of information and experience the reader will gain. When reading literature about birds or flowers for explanation or instruction, the reader expects to learn factual information. On the other hand, when reading a poem about birds or flowers, the reader expects to be moved emotionally and to experience the beauty and significance of these natural elements through the use of language and imagery. Therefore, understanding the purpose and language of the writing is crucial for the reader to gain the intended experience from the literature.

Question 3

Christianity teaches that the Old Testament story of Passover can be read as an historical event but also read as a symbol of how Jesus would be the salvation for all humanity.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False  True

Question 4

The discussion on the American dream is

Accepted Answer

A)  utterly irrelevant to this topic. 
B)  an example of historical narrative. 
C)  an example of myth. 
D)  an example of a parable. 
A)  utterly irrelevant to this topic. 
B)  an example of historical narrative. 
C)  an example of myth. 
D)  an example of a parable.

Question 5

In class, we briefly discussed Zhuangzi, an important Daoist writer, and his literary style. Following this question is a short excerpt from his work (Section 4). Discuss what kind of "language" you think he is writing and how you can tell. Also say how that helps you understand what he means, or at least how it helps you avoid unnecessary questions or possible confusions.
Carpenter Shih saw a gigantic oak tree in the center of a village, but he passed it by without giving it a second look. "It's a worthless tree," he said, because its great branches were so twisted and gnarled and couldn't be made into anything. That night the oak tree appeared to him in a dream and said, "You compare me to more 'useful' trees, but their utility makes life miserable for them. As for me, I've been trying a long time to be of no use. If I had been of some use, would I ever have grown so large?" (Zhuangzi, Chuang Tzu, Basic Writings. Edited by Burton Watson. New York: Columbia University Press, 1964, pp. 60-61)

Accepted Answer

Zhuangzi's writing style can be describe

Question 6

According to the author, history, myth, and parable can all be read as the same kind of "language."

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 7

When reading a religious story as myth, we should

Accepted Answer

A)  understand that the story isn't really true. 
B)  try to see how the story explains who we are in a broad and meaningful way. 
C)  read the story as literally as possible to be honest with the text. 
D)  stop trying to make sense of the story because no one really knows what it means. 
A)  understand that the story isn't really true. 
B)  try to see how the story explains who we are in a broad and meaningful way. 
C)  read the story as literally as possible to be honest with the text. 
D)  stop trying to make sense of the story because no one really knows what it means.

Question 8

According to the author, the focus of this chapter is

Accepted Answer

A)  holy languages within a religion, such as Latin, Sanskrit, or Arabic. 
B)  how to memorize sacred scriptures. 
C)  myth, history, poetry, and parables. 
D)  problematic uses of foul words in scriptures. 
A)  holy languages within a religion, such as Latin, Sanskrit, or Arabic. 
B)  how to memorize sacred scriptures. 
C)  myth, history, poetry, and parables. 
D)  problematic uses of foul words in scriptures.

Question 9

The discussion on the Gospel of Luke (Christianity) is an example of

Accepted Answer

A)  history. 
B)  myth. 
C)  parable. 
D)  poetry. 
A)  history. 
B)  myth. 
C)  parable. 
D)  poetry.

Question 10

Matching: The letter of the correct definition is given in the space provided.
-Psalms of David

Accepted Answer

A)  Instruction 
B)  Myth 
C)  Parable 
D)  Poetry 
E)  Wisdom Literature 
A)  Instruction 
B)  Myth 
C)  Parable 
D)  Poetry 
E)  Wisdom Literature

Question 11

What is the definition of the following term:
-proof texts:

Accepted Answer

Selected pieces of s

Question 12

Give an example from this chapter of a mythic narrative and explain what it means to call it "myth."

Accepted Answer

In this chapter, a mythic narrative can

Question 13

The science of interpretation is known as [hint: it is also the title of a subsection of the chapter]

Accepted Answer

A)  context and application. 
B)  inductive and deductive. 
C)  wisdom literature. 
D)  exegesis and hermeneutics. 
A)  context and application. 
B)  inductive and deductive. 
C)  wisdom literature. 
D)  exegesis and hermeneutics.

Question 14

St. Paul's letters were noted in this chapter as what kind of literature?

Accepted Answer

A)  instruction 
B)  poetry 
C)  history 
D)  wisdom literature 
A)  instruction 
B)  poetry 
C)  history 
D)  wisdom literature

Question 15

According to our text, historical language and parables are different because

Accepted Answer

A)  historical language is narrative or story-like, but parables are a kind of poem. 
B)  historical language tries to place its events and people in time and space, but parables have no real purpose. 
C)  historical language tries to place its evens and people in time and space, but parables use a fictional case for moral or other teaching. 
D)  historical language is true, but parables are false. 
A)  historical language is narrative or story-like, but parables are a kind of poem. 
B)  historical language tries to place its events and people in time and space, but parables have no real purpose. 
C)  historical language tries to place its evens and people in time and space, but parables use a fictional case for moral or other teaching. 
D)  historical language is true, but parables are false.

Question 16

The teachings of Confucius, though wise, do not offer any religious instruction.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 17

Matching: The letter of the correct definition is given in the space provided.
-Story of the Good Samaritan

Accepted Answer

A)  Instruction 
B)  Myth 
C)  Parable 
D)  Poetry 
E)  Wisdom Literature 
A)  Instruction 
B)  Myth 
C)  Parable 
D)  Poetry 
E)  Wisdom Literature

Question 18

Our textbook claims that, given the religious authority of a scriptural text, one can settle disputes about doctrine just by quoting a "proof text."

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 19

Matching: The letter of the correct definition is given in the space provided.
-Epistles of St. Paul

Accepted Answer

A)  Instruction 
B)  Myth 
C)  Parable 
D)  Poetry 
E)  Wisdom Literature 
A)  Instruction 
B)  Myth 
C)  Parable 
D)  Poetry 
E)  Wisdom Literature

Question 20

According to the textbook, it does not make sense to ask who the characters in a parable really were because parables

Accepted Answer

A)  are about lessons, not about history. 
B)  are never used as an important part of religious story-telling. 
C)  are totally clear without having to analyze them much. 
D)  can mean anything you want them to mean. 
A)  are about lessons, not about history. 
B)  are never used as an important part of religious story-telling. 
C)  are totally clear without having to analyze them much. 
D)  can mean anything you want them to mean.

What is the definition of the following term: -hermeneutics:

Look at the example in the textbook regarding literature about trees. Then, from your own knowledge, come up with two similar examples and clarify the difference between writing for explanation or instruction and writing a poem. Note why reading for the right "language" is important in your example.

Christianity teaches that the Old Testament story of Passover can be read as an historical event but also read as a symbol of how Jesus would be the salvation for all humanity.

The discussion on the American dream is

According to the author, history, myth, and parable can all be read as the same kind of "language."

When reading a religious story as myth, we should

According to the author, the focus of this chapter is

The discussion on the Gospel of Luke (Christianity) is an example of

Matching: The letter of the correct definition is given in the space provided. -Psalms of David

What is the definition of the following term: -proof texts:

Give an example from this chapter of a mythic narrative and explain what it means to call it "myth."

The science of interpretation is known as [hint: it is also the title of a subsection of the chapter]

St. Paul's letters were noted in this chapter as what kind of literature?

According to our text, historical language and parables are different because

The teachings of Confucius, though wise, do not offer any religious instruction.

Matching: The letter of the correct definition is given in the space provided. -Story of the Good Samaritan

Our textbook claims that, given the religious authority of a scriptural text, one can settle disputes about doctrine just by quoting a "proof text."

Matching: The letter of the correct definition is given in the space provided. -Epistles of St. Paul

According to the textbook, it does not make sense to ask who the characters in a parable really were because parables

Defining Religion

Concepts of Ultimate Being

Founders and Manifestations

Scripture As Source and Authority

Miscellaneous Doctrines: the Truth of Self, Suffering and Salvation and Epilogue

Ritual

Moral Action

Social Order and Government and the Epilogue

Religious Experience

Religion and Art

Beatitude, or Salvation Reconsidered, the Epilogue

Filters

Exam 5: The Languages of Religion

What is the definition of the following term: -hermeneutics:

Christianity teaches that the Old Testament story of Passover can be read as an historical event but also read as a symbol of how Jesus would be the salvation for all humanity.

The discussion on the American dream is

According to the author, history, myth, and parable can all be read as the same kind of "language."

When reading a religious story as myth, we should

According to the author, the focus of this chapter is

The discussion on the Gospel of Luke (Christianity) is an example of

Matching: The letter of the correct definition is given in the space provided. -Psalms of David

What is the definition of the following term: -proof texts:

Give an example from this chapter of a mythic narrative and explain what it means to call it "myth."

The science of interpretation is known as [hint: it is also the title of a subsection of the chapter]

St. Paul's letters were noted in this chapter as what kind of literature?

According to our text, historical language and parables are different because

The teachings of Confucius, though wise, do not offer any religious instruction.

Matching: The letter of the correct definition is given in the space provided. -Story of the Good Samaritan

Our textbook claims that, given the religious authority of a scriptural text, one can settle disputes about doctrine just by quoting a "proof text."

Matching: The letter of the correct definition is given in the space provided. -Epistles of St. Paul

According to the textbook, it does not make sense to ask who the characters in a parable really were because parables

Defining Religion

Concepts of Ultimate Being

Founders and Manifestations

Scripture As Source and Authority

Miscellaneous Doctrines: the Truth of Self, Suffering and Salvation and Epilogue

Ritual

Moral Action

Social Order and Government and the Epilogue

Religious Experience

Religion and Art

Beatitude, or Salvation Reconsidered, the Epilogue

Filters