A Level Divinity CAIE

This subject is broken down into 39 topics in 8 modules:

  1. The Old Testament 4 topics
  2. The New Testament 5 topics
  3. The Early Church: Development and Expansion (100-325 AD) 6 topics
  4. The Constantinian Revolution and Its Impact on the Church (312-431 AD) 5 topics
  5. The Medieval Church (500-1500 AD) 5 topics
  6. The Reformation and Counter-Reformation (1500-1600 AD) 4 topics
  7. The Modern Church: Challenges and Responses (1600-2000 AD) 5 topics
  8. Ethics 5 topics
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  • 8
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  • 39
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  • 16,302
    words of revision content
  • 2+
    hours of audio lessons

This page was last modified on 28 September 2024.

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Divinity

The Old Testament

The Pentateuch

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The Pentateuch

Overview of The Pentateuch

  • The Pentateuch is the term used to refer to the first five books of the Old Testament: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.
  • This collection is also known as the Torah or the Five Books of Moses, denoting the tradition of Moses as the author.
  • These books deal with the creation of the world, the origins of humanity, the establishment of the covenant between God and the chosen people (Israelites), and their journey towards the promised land.

Authorship and Composition

  • Classic Judeo-Christian belief attributes the authorship of the Pentateuch to Moses.
  • Modern scholars, however, support the Documentary Hypothesis which suggests that these texts were actually compiled by several authors/sources across different periods of time.
  • The four main sources identified are the Jahwist (J), Elohist (E), Deuteronomist (D), and the Priestly Code (P).

Key Themes of The Pentateuch

  • Covenant: A significant theme in the Pentateuch is God's establishment of a covenant with Abraham and his descendants, the Israelites. This covenant forms the foundation of the relationship between God and his chosen people.
  • Law: The Laws of Moses, particularly in Leviticus and Deuteronomy, form the basis of Jewish moral, social, and ceremonial law.
  • Journey and Transition: From the Genesis creation narrative to the Exodus journey of the Israelites towards the promised land, the Pentateuch presents themes of movement, transition, and evolution of the chosen people.
  • Divine Intervention and Providence: Throughout the narrative, God's active participation in guiding, helping, and testing the Israelites is depicted.

The Books of The Pentateuch

  • Genesis: The book of beginnings, Genesis covers creation, the stories of Adam and Eve, Noah's Ark, and the patriarchal narratives including Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph.
  • Exodus: This book tells of Moses, the plagues of Egypt, the deliverance of the Israelites from slavery, the Sinai Covenant, and the Ten Commandments.
  • Leviticus: Named for the priestly tribe of Levi, this book primarily contains laws governing religious rituals, moral codes, and community life.
  • Numbers: This book documents the wilderness wanderings of the Israelites and their ongoing relationship with God.
  • Deuteronomy: Deuteronomy is essentially a restatement of the law, coupled with a recap of Israelite history. It serves as a renewal of the Sinai Covenant before the Israelites enter the Promised Land.

Importance of The Pentateuch

  • For Jews, the Pentateuch forms the core of their scripture, shaping their identity, faith, and practices.
  • For Christians, it sets the stage for the coming of the Messiah, predicting his life, death, and resurrection.
  • A deep understanding of these books helps to illuminate key theological concepts, the shared roots of Abrahamic religions, and the nuanced transformation of God's relationship with humanity.

Course material for Divinity, module The Old Testament, topic The Pentateuch

Divinity

The Medieval Church (500-1500 AD)

The Papacy and Monasticism

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The Papacy and Monasticism

The Papacy

  • Papal Primacy: The belief in the supremacy of the Pope over all other bishops was established during this period. It was based on the argument that the apostle Peter was the first bishop of Rome, and all popes are his successors.
  • Gregory the Great: He was one of the most significant Popes of the early Middle Ages, reigning from 590-604 AD. He implemented liturgical reforms and promoted educational initiatives.
  • Papal States: The Pope ruled over a large amount of territory in Italy, providing political power that complemented the ecclesiastical authority. It lasted from 754 to 1870.
  • Investiture Controversy: A conflict in the 11th and 12th centuries between the Pope and secular kings about who had the authority to appoint bishops, a process known as investiture.
  • Crusades: Popes called for multiple Crusades to reclaim the Holy Land from Muslim control, the first of these in 1095 under Pope Urban II.
  • Avignon Papacy: From 1309 to 1377, a series of Popes resided in Avignon, France, instead of Rome. This period was characterized by conflicts within the Church and changing political power dynamics.
  • Great Schism: The period between 1378 and 1417 when there were multiple claimants to the Papal throne, leading to divisions within the Church.

Monasticism

  • Benedictine Rule: Established by Saint Benedict in the 6th century, it set guidelines for monks' lives focused on prayer, manual labor and communal life.
  • Cluniac Reform: A series of changes to the practice of monasticism in the 10th and 11th centuries that aimed to free monks from lay control and renew spiritual dedication.
  • Cistercians: This order of monks was founded in 1098 and emphasised austere living and agricultural labor.
  • Mendicant Orders: These were orders, such as the Franciscans and Dominicans, that were founded in the 13th century and emphasised poverty and preaching in urban areas.
  • Hermits and the Eremitic Tradition: Some individuals chose to live alone in solitude, often in remote locations, in pursuit of a deeper spiritual connection. Notable hermits include St. Antony of Egypt and St. Jerome.
  • Canon Law and Monastic Discipline: The Church developed extensive laws to regulate monastic life, including the punishment for violations of the monastic rule.
  • Monastic contributions to society: Monasteries often served as centres of learning, agriculture and hospitality in the Middle Ages.

Remember to study key figures and their contributions alongside these points. Begin to draw connections between the papacy, monasticism, and wider changes in European society during the medieval period to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the era. Good luck!

Course material for Divinity, module The Medieval Church (500-1500 AD), topic The Papacy and Monasticism

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