Question

Which of the following statements reflect the Christian emphasis on the spiritual rather than the material? Check all that apply. "Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Ye cannot serve God and mammon [money]. Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth... "But whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. What advantages did Christianity provide over the other mystery religions? It was more exclusive than many mystery religions and involved several expensive rituals for initiation. It was centered around a human figure, involved a simple initiation rite, and was open to all. It encouraged individual worship, rather than congregational membership, and was open only to upper-class males.

Answer 1

Statements showing Christianity's spiritual focus include those emphasizing mourning, serving God over money, and turning the other cheek. Christianity distinguished itself from other mystery religions through universal acceptance and clear, openly proclaimed messages emphasizing compassion and spiritual equality.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statements that reflect the Christian emphasis on the spiritual rather than the material include "Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted." and "Ye cannot serve God and mammon [money]. Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth..." Additionally, "But whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also." emphasizes forgiveness and spiritual conduct over material reaction.

Christianity provided several advantages over other mystery religions. One advantage was its universalism; it was open to all people regardless of social status, race, or gender. Compared to other mystery religions that required monetary investment and time for initiation, Christianity's simple rite of baptism was accessible to many. Moreover, Christianity was not esoteric but proclaimed its message openly, which was clear to all. Christianity's teachings of spiritual equality and compassionate conduct posed a contrast to the Roman social hierarchy, making it unique among religious options at the time.

Answer 2

Christian emphasis on the spiritual over the material is evident in teachings that prioritize spiritual values over wealth. Christianity differed from other mystery cults by being more inclusive, monotheistic, and universally accessible. Its open message and simple initiation rites were appealing compared to the exclusive and costly practices of some other cults.

Step-by-step explanation:

• The statements from the list that reflect the Christian emphasis on the spiritual rather than the material are: "Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted," "Ye cannot serve God and mammon [money]," and "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth..."
• Every one of these statements underscores the importance of spiritual values and virtues over materialistic concerns and wealth, which is a key element of Christian teachings.
• This spiritual emphasis is intrinsic to Christianity's appeal and differentiation from other mystery religions of the time.