Religion Discussion Questions
Discussion Questions:
1. Does religion have anything to do with political theory?
2. What are the social and political implications of Genesis? For two examples, consider nature, and women. Are any of the cultural values described in this book still with us?
3. How did the Hebrew people define themselves as a people? In what specific sense are they a community? What is the relationship of community to covenant? How does any society define itself as a distinct society?
4. Can you find the three different examples of covenant in the readings? What are they? How are they similar to each other, and how are they different?
Religion was central to early political control of society. By assuming the authority of higher beings, priests and princes …show more content…
"Does not the land have any rights?" they cry. "What about the plants and animals, birds and fish? What gives us the right to mine and burn and kill without care for nature?"
Certainly, God did not give man the authority to degrade and destroy His earth. Environmentalists are correct in saying that mankind should consider and address environmental concerns. They are quite wrong, however, to blame God for the earth's ecological problems; He is not responsible for man's destruction of the natural world.
To think that God gave man carte blanche to plunder and destroy the earth is simply ludicrous. He is its Creator! Why would He immediately command Adam to ruin it? Would any woodworker, upon just finishing a beautifully stained piece of furniture, tell his son to break it up for firewood? No! Just as God desires for His creation, the woodworker would put his handiwork to use and also care for it by keeping it waxed and dusted to prolong its
1. Does religion have anything to do with political theory?
2. What are the social and political implications of Genesis? For two examples, consider nature, and women. Are any of the cultural values described in this book still with us?
3. How did the Hebrew people define themselves as a people? In what specific sense are they a community? What is the relationship of community to covenant? How does any society define itself as a distinct society?
4. Can you find the three different examples of covenant in the readings? What are they? How are they similar to each other, and how are they different?
Religion was central to early political control of society. By assuming the authority of higher beings, priests and princes …show more content…
"Does not the land have any rights?" they cry. "What about the plants and animals, birds and fish? What gives us the right to mine and burn and kill without care for nature?"
Certainly, God did not give man the authority to degrade and destroy His earth. Environmentalists are correct in saying that mankind should consider and address environmental concerns. They are quite wrong, however, to blame God for the earth's ecological problems; He is not responsible for man's destruction of the natural world.
To think that God gave man carte blanche to plunder and destroy the earth is simply ludicrous. He is its Creator! Why would He immediately command Adam to ruin it? Would any woodworker, upon just finishing a beautifully stained piece of furniture, tell his son to break it up for firewood? No! Just as God desires for His creation, the woodworker would put his handiwork to use and also care for it by keeping it waxed and dusted to prolong its