Journal #2 by patrickJroy

1. What was the major topic of this chapter?
The key idea of this chapter is making a difference. Many things have influenced Christianity. These include political influences, historcial influences, and other religious influences. Some political influences are when Alexander the Great and Herod the Great changed the thoughts and beliefs of Christianity. Historical influences included philosophy. Philosophical ideas such as Epicureans, Cynics, Stoicism, Magic and Astrology all had some type of influence on how Christians go about their everyday lives. There were many cults that helped change Christianity. These included "The Mystery Cults", "Cult of Isis", "Cult of Demeter", Cult of Mithras", and the "Cult of the Emperor". Their beliefs and rituals stuck with people and eventually helped change Christianity.
2. Write about two major ideas you want to remember. Write a short paragraph on each clearly stating the idea and then telling why you want to remember it.
One idea I would like to remember is the influence of the many different cults and the thought of Philosophy that changed part(s) of Christianity. The cults included religious cults from "Cult of the Emperor" to the "Cult of Isis". These cults offered many different answeres to questions about one's life and they also gave people a sense of hope. As said in question #1, the beliefs and the rituals throughout Rome, thus helping change Christianity. Philosophical influences were Epicureans, Cynics, Stoics, Magic and Astrology. These helped people consider how to live their lives and also helped some people feel much more secure in the everyday world.

Another idea I would like to remember is the differences between the Galileans, Judeans and Samarians. The Judeans thought og themselves as superior to all other Jews because they lived in the Judea, which had the city of David. The Samarians were outcasted from other provinces due to the fact that they intermarried with other religions and adopted those religions. The Galileans were the ones who adopted other cultures' customs and were thought of as "un-clean" Jews. Although both the Galileans and the Judeans were both Jews, they both fought about who was the best.
3. One image that captures the chapter for you.

4. One significant question you have from this chapter. It can be intellectual or personal.
Why was there so many influences on the change of Christianity? (Historical, Political and Religious)
5. Do one of the "Living the Gospel" questions at the end of the chapter. Write out the question, reflect upon it and write out your answer.
Describe one social injustice. Include something you could do to right this injustice.

One social injustice that is in the world today is poverty. Poverty plays a huge part in society today. Although it is not big in the United States, poverty is very big in third world countries; almost all of the third world countries are completely poverty-stricken. Poverty can result from problems that include: excessive drinking, loss of a job or forclosure. We, as the United States and Christians, can help these countries by help pass laws in those countries to get better aid for them. We can also help them in the aid of rebuilding and remodeling homes, towns and cities. Another solution is to create projects to aid the population(s). As Mr. Meirrott raises money for Honduras here at SLUH , we could help raise money for those countries who need help rebuilding homes, bulidings, etc. Becuase most people are born into poverty, they cannot help themselves or others. All they can do is work hard and try to get out of their poverty-stricken countries.


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