Muhammad and his message

Sorry for the late post.  If at all possible, I'd like you to read the selections from the Qur'an (pp. 282-311) in your Novak anthology for tomorrow's class (Tuesday).   What do you see here that helps explain how Islam becomes a world religion?

If you have time, please read read also whatever sections of the Hadith interest you.  If you need to catch up on blog points, you may comment on additional Qur'an or Hadith passages for extra credit.  Please address each Qur'an or Hadith passage you talk about as a separate comment.

Beyond This Material World III (online session)

Please look again through the Novak selections on Christianity (pp. 225-264).  Cite a passage here that shows particularly well how Christianity thrives as a "world" religion, i.e., a religion that isn't bound to a specific historical niche?  Do you see anything here hat might make it hard for Christianity to expand beyond its original homeland?

I'd very much like to see if we can get a "synchronous" discussion going online today (Friday, July 26).  I'll be monitoring the blog from 10:00 until 11:50 trying to respond to your comments.  I'd appreciate it also if you would comment on each others' posts.

The Narrow Road: Jesus and his Message

For Wednesday's class, please read through some of the selections on Christianity in the Novak anthology (pp. 225-264).  What do you see here that hints at the potential for Christianity to become a "world" religion?  What would have appealed particularly to people within the Roman Empire? What do you see that has a more universal appeal?

Diaspora Judaism (extra readings)

I assume most of you will be working on papers and won't have any time for blog entries today (Friday) or over the weekend.  If you do get a chance, you might read through the various post-Tanakh Jewish writings on pp. 213-225 of the Novak anthology.  What do you see here that helps explain Judaisms ability to hold its own as a "world" religion?

Looking forward to seeing your papers/projects on Monday.  I will hang around MJ 101 (our usual classroom) until noon today (Friday).  Stop by if you would like help or suggestions.

Law, Prophets, Writings: The Hebrew Bible

Please read some of the selections from the Tanakh (Old Testament) in the Novak anthology (pp. 176-212).   In my opinion, Novak has done an excellent job in highlighting some of the most important passages in the three major sections of the Hebrew Bible, the Torah (law), Neviim (prophets), and Kituvim (writings). What do you see in these passages that helps explain why the faith of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob eventually led, not to just one, but to three "world" religions?

The Tao or not the Tao?

Please read the selections from Taoism in your Novak anthology (pp.145-174).  If you have time, you might also read the Zen Buddhist selections (pp. 95-102).

For some, Taoism points to the deepest of all wisdom.  To others, Taoism seems like a put-on: deep-sounding, but really meaningless.  Cite a couple of passages from the readings that support one of these views.

Beyond this Material World II (online session)

Please read through the Confucian material in either the Stephen Prothero book (pp. 101-130) or the Huston Smith book (pp. 154-195).  What do you find particularly attractive in the Confucian tradition?  What seem to be the great strengths of this tradition as a "world" religion, i.e., a religion that isn't bound to a specific historical niche?  What do you see that might make it hard for Confucianism to expand beyond its original homeland?

I am hoping we can generate a good online conversation here.  I'll be waiting for your posts between 10 a.m. and noon.  Thanks for your participation!