Chapter 7-1 (1)
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Dec 6, 2023
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Uploaded by madisoncarroll2003
Chapter 7 - 19
th
Century New Religions – Part 1
(60 points)
These questions will best be answered after you have read the textbook pp. 159-175 and viewed the power point presentation on Chapter 7 – Part 1.
1.
What is the definition of a sect according to scholars?
A sect is defined as a subgroup of a specific belief system. These subgroups can be of religious, political, or philosophical belief systems. They are voluntary groups bound by a decisive religious
experience.
2.
What was the Radical Reformation of sixteenth-century Europe? What should the church be according to the radicals?
The radical reformation of the 16
th
century in Europe was when radical people of the time departed from the mainstream protestant reformation led by Martin Luther and John Calvin to form their own version of a religion. According to the radicals they believed the church should be
a free society of people gathered out of the world, they believed being a part of the choice should be a choice and not something they were forced into.
3.
What is the official name of the Mormon Church? What does this church believe about new revelation? What book do they revere along with the Bible?
The official name of the Mormon church is the church of latter day saints or the church of Jesus Christ. Joseph smith, the founder of the Mormon church, claimed that he got his revelation from the heavenly messenger Moroni. Smith claims that Moroni “directed” him to buried golden plates
that formed a written testimony of the spiritual history of early America. The Mormon religion is based on the bible along with the Book of Mormon, the book of Mormon consists of what Smith claims were the golden plates that transcribed his revelation.
4.
What is the Mormon’s view of God?
The Mormons view god as finite rather than infinite, they describe him as an omnipotent creator. This religion believes that God does not have complete control over the world and doesn’t interfere with people’s freedom to make decisions in order to prevent evil, he allows everyone to make their own choices.
5.
The Mormons wanted to be separate from others, even other Christians, but both Joseph Smith and Brigham Young found themselves involved in the political process in order to preserve their separateness. (See page 164.) What did each of these men do in politics to further their religion?
In order for the Mormons to preserve their separateness they needed to obtain the power to form their own societies that were independent of the general government that was surrounding them. For them to have such power Joseph Smith ran for presidency of the United States and Birmingham Young worked for years as the head of Deseret in order for Utah Territory to gain statehood.
6.
The Mormons tried to establish a kind of theocracy. Explain what the law of consecration and stewardship at first required of their members. What is the current practice of giving? The law of consecration and stewardship at first required their members to surrender all goods to a bishop who would only give them back what each Mormon family needed, essentially only allowing them to have necessities rather than things they wanted. Although this is no longer
required of members of the Mormon church they are still required to pay a tithe of 10 percent of their earnings to the church. 7.
Is Mormonism considered a sect today? What is its membership today? Please explain how they are regarded now.
Ever since the 20
th
century Mormons have experienced increasing wealth and respectability, because of this they have moved away from the sectarian ideal in order to become a “broad and inclusive church”. Today they have over 6 million people as members of their church. Despite their large membership with strong commitment levels and gradual changes the sociologist of religion, Joachim Wach, still hesitates to regard them as a church so they have been labeled as an “independent group”.
8.
How did Phineas P. Quimby, a mental healer, help Mary Baker Eddy find her purpose in life? What happened which made her believe in his methods?
Mary Baker Eddy sought out Phineas P. Quimby in 1862 who helped her learn that erroneous thinking was the cause of her diseases. Four years after meeting with him Eddy sustained injuries from a fall on ice, 3 days after the incident she used what Quimby had taught her and had become
fully healed. Because of this healing moment and spiritual truth experience Eddy created Christian science, so essentially Quimby was a cause of the creation of it. 9.
How did Mary Baker Eddy and her followers feel about continuing divine revelation? What did she write which was to be used alongside the Bible
Mary Baker Eddy and her followers expressed continuing divine revelation, she believed that when people rediscovered this revelation they experienced a breakthrough of light and power in their lives. Eddy wrote the book Science and Health for her followers to be used alongside the bible,
10.
What was the “only one true Science,” according to Eddy? How did this promote healing? (See page 167.)
According to Mary Baker Eddy the law of this divine Mind was the only one true science. This thinking promoted healing by dispelling error (sin and sickness) through truth as the redemption of what she called “mortal man”. 11.
What do Christian Science practitioners do to effect healing in their patients?
Christian Science practitioners effect healing in their patients by visiting, counseling, and praying
for them. These practitioners pray not as a plea for God’s help but rather as their meditation on the sick person as thought to be seen by and related to God. 12.
What is the status of Christian Science today, and what challenges has it had?
Christian science has now adopted a position towards politics and the social order similar to that of the 16
th
century radical reformers. The religion has faced many challenges throughout its life and these include “if the material world was illusory, participation in its business, attention to its problems, and adherence to its political or social systems could at best be only secondary”.
13.
Who were the Millerites and what did they believe? How did William Miller come up with his date of the second coming? What happened after the Great Disappointment?
The Millerites were a group of people who listened to the teachings of William Miller who believed that the second coming was going to occur “about the year 1843”. Miller got this date for the second coming from his study of the prophetic books of the bible and specifically the verse Daniel 8:14. As we now know the second coming did not occur on the date stated by William Miller which resulted in the great disappointment, because of this many people left the movement while others moved on to the teachings of the Adventist that declared Christ did not come to earth but did enter the holiest part of the Jewish sanctuary as a preliminary to this earthly advent.
14.
Why did the former Millerites take the name of Seventh day Adventists? Who were the leaders of this movement and how did they feel about continuing divine revelation?
The former Millerites took the name of the seventh day Adventists because while they were still Adventists many of them continued to follow the practice of ancient Jewish sabbath, Saturday as the seventh day for their weekly worship rather than Sunday. They were Adventists who worshipped on the seventh day, therefore, the seventh day Adventists. The leaders of this movement consisted of Joseph Bates, Ellen G. White, and James White who provided new leadership to the former Millerites. 15.
What issues did Ellen White address through her visions and inspired dreams regarding dietary reform and health? How do Adventists feel about involvement with the U.S. Government?
16.
What is the Adventist position on missionary expansion? What is the world membership of this church? How many are in the U.S.? Would you say that this group is still a sect or a mainstream Protestant denomination?
17.
Charles Taze Russell was inspired by a speaker from Seventh Day Adventism. What did Russell learn from this man, and what dates did he set for Jesus’ Second Coming?
18.
Who was the next president and what did he do for the group? What was the slogan he created? What was supposed to happen in 1925?
19.
What did Nathan Knorr, the next president, do for the organization?
20.
In the power point presentation on the beliefs of Jehovah’s Witnesses, name and discuss two of their beliefs that you find interesting, or true, or horrible, or hateful, or possible. All ideas are welcome.
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