Study Guide
Themes
1. Schism- Ritual practices and Law
During the reform movements of the Abrahamic traditions, we see the same argument over and over again in each religion. As the Abrahamic traditions develop, this pattern of splitting between the ritual practices and law is continuously evident. In Judaism we see this split in the form of Temple Judaism and Rabbinical Judaism. Temple Judaism starts off as a sacrifice religions revolving around the temple which was the center location where religious practices would be performed. In addition, during this time, sacrifices were being done at the top of the hill and then shifted to being done in the temple. After the temple was destroyed for the second time, they did not rebuild it and they were left to figure out what to do with Judaism which is still a temple religion, with no temple. After that Rabbinical Judaism created a shift in the time period. Rabbinical Judaism focused on the development of law and text. During this time period, the Torah was being studied very carefully, interpretations and commentaries eventually became the norm (Mishnah and Talmud). They developed Synagogues to study the text and laws of the Torah.
Similarly we see this division in Christianity with Peter and Paul. During the Last supper, Jesus mentions that Peter will be the next person in charge. Peter gets the transmission of authority and becomes the head Apostle in rituals. During his time he develops the structure of the Hierarchy allowing Christianity to spread and survive because the rituals could be performed by many people. On the other hand, Paul was known for the lineage of legalism and thought. He is the character that separates Jesus’ message from Judaism and develops the early understanding of law in Christianity. Lastly, we see a very similar split in Islam as well. As soon as Mohammed moves him community from Mecca to Medina we start to see several ritual practices become apart of the Muslim religion. The community starts
1. Schism- Ritual practices and Law
During the reform movements of the Abrahamic traditions, we see the same argument over and over again in each religion. As the Abrahamic traditions develop, this pattern of splitting between the ritual practices and law is continuously evident. In Judaism we see this split in the form of Temple Judaism and Rabbinical Judaism. Temple Judaism starts off as a sacrifice religions revolving around the temple which was the center location where religious practices would be performed. In addition, during this time, sacrifices were being done at the top of the hill and then shifted to being done in the temple. After the temple was destroyed for the second time, they did not rebuild it and they were left to figure out what to do with Judaism which is still a temple religion, with no temple. After that Rabbinical Judaism created a shift in the time period. Rabbinical Judaism focused on the development of law and text. During this time period, the Torah was being studied very carefully, interpretations and commentaries eventually became the norm (Mishnah and Talmud). They developed Synagogues to study the text and laws of the Torah.
Similarly we see this division in Christianity with Peter and Paul. During the Last supper, Jesus mentions that Peter will be the next person in charge. Peter gets the transmission of authority and becomes the head Apostle in rituals. During his time he develops the structure of the Hierarchy allowing Christianity to spread and survive because the rituals could be performed by many people. On the other hand, Paul was known for the lineage of legalism and thought. He is the character that separates Jesus’ message from Judaism and develops the early understanding of law in Christianity. Lastly, we see a very similar split in Islam as well. As soon as Mohammed moves him community from Mecca to Medina we start to see several ritual practices become apart of the Muslim religion. The community starts