...involvement, wealth and power overshadowing spirituality, and complicated doctrines incomprehensible by laypeople, many reform movements sprouted across Europe that escalated a new way of thinking about religion. The Mendicant movement, which stressed spirituality of simplicity in response to church wealth, power, and corruption, and Mysticism, which stressed individual spiritual experience instead of dogmatic doctrines, were monumental steps in the direction towards religious freedom. These movements, along with the Renaissance’s emphasis on human experience and capability and the recovery of classical and early Christian sources produced a serious challenge to the Roman Catholic concept of Christendom and introduced a spirit of fresh inquiry and independent thought. These movements created a snowball effect for intellectual emancipation, eventually leading to the 30 years war, religious splits, and territorial splits. What is most interesting is that institutionalized Christianity, the crux of society for more than three centuries, was no longer the same glue or “religio” in the Early Modern Era; ironically, the development of religious freedom was this “religio” for society. It is important to look deeper into the time of the Renaissance because it was in those pivotal years that people’s perspective on religion was visibly changing drastically. Beginning in 14th century Italy and spreading throughout Europe into the 17th century, Europeans rediscovered literature of Homer...
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...driving slow and painstakingly towards a radical crescendo at the close of the fourth article. Upon first glance, the Appeal seems to exhibit one the earliest written examples of the classical Negro sermon invoking the tools of emotional petition, scriptural analogy and historical scrutiny in outlining the core narrative. Through further revisions to the text, Walker was able to expand upon the original thesis to form the ideological framework of Black liberation theology, social theory and nationalist discourse with consideration towards both freedmen and enslaved Blacks. The Preamble of Walker's Appeal provides an intriguing context for the rise and influence of Black liberation theology where the theological construct exists as the last bastion of "free" intellectual inquiry available to those held in slavery. Walker mines the potentiality of biblical scripture in order to establish his case for the abolition of slavery through moral suasion, Pan-African struggle and armed resistance when necessary. For sewing these seeds of discord, Walker would find himself revered amongst enslaved Blacks and radical abolitionists, reviled amongst whites and slaveowners, held afar by moderate whites and Blacks alike who considered his approach too extreme and later murdered near his shop only a year from the publication of the manuscript. Walker divided his appeal into four distinct areas of discourse following the Preamble which considered the effects of Slavery, Ignorance, Religion...
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...Divine Foreknowledge: Four Views By James K. Beilby and Paul R. Eddy Eds. Student Name: Kevin M. Polito Student Number: 1516105 Essential Christian Doctrine 1 Spring 2013 – Lewis Word Count: 3,054 Introduction: A necessary and timely book “Throughout the history of the church, Christians have discussed the nature and content of God’s divine foreknowledge” So, rather innocuously, begins the introduction to the text under review. Recently, these “discussions” have become more frequent and heated due, in part, to a robust Calvinist resurgence seen throughout Christendom, especially within the United States. The places and individuals who are engaged in such debates are as varied as the ivory tower and the theologians who inhabit them all the way to the local, faithful Sunday school teacher presenting material to her students who attend her small, rural church. The debate is robust within evangelicalism because of the implications that one’s adopted view has on important questions such as: 1. The Nature of and mode of God’s foreknowledge 2. The Nature of Divine Sovereignty 3. The Nature of Human Freedom Divine Foreknowledge: Four Views is a necessary and timely book. Although, church history bears witness to a diversity of opinions regarding the nature and content of God’s divine foreknowledge, the need for careful and scholarly examination remains as relevant and important as any point in church history. An encroaching, imperious secularism...
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...Professor John Simson was one of the theological giants during this time. As Glasgow’s Professor of Divinity, he wanted his students to, "use their powers of reasoning in deciding how best to defend the truths of religion" and he encouraged them to have a, "spirit of inquiry and the desire to use what can be learned empirically" (Cameron, 2003, 119). This practice raised the anxiety of the General Assembly, and they ordered a thorough examination of his teaching. Although Simson had the exact same unalterable truths in his faith as the Assembly, his approach was entirely different. He strongly taught that the way the truth was to be, "expounded and defended should, in an academic setting, be continuously brought under review in the light of increase in knowledge" (Cameron, 2003, 119). For a year the General Assembly was tolerant of Simson with the condition that he ceased exploration of topics concerning his trial. However, by May of 1717 the Assembly fell back into their no tolerance mindset. Simons was condemned on the grounds that he attributed "too much to natural reason and the power of corrupt nature", they thought he was making, "'undue' appeal to 'reason and nature', and this was always to the 'disparagement of revelation and efficacious free grace" (Cameron, 2003, 120). The Church chose to keep its peace of mind at the expense of others suffering from the lack of rationality...
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...behaviors and how we each relate with among each other. The late centuries socio-logistical thinkers like Auguste Comte (1798-1857), who was a French philosopher came up with theories that explained our societal structures as a whole and why we do what we do, how it affects us personally or as a society through scientific facts other than religious beliefs. (Murray, Linden, and Kendall, 2014, p. 9). Comte’s theory (Murray, Linden, and Kendall, 2014, p. 9) “stressed that the methods of the natural sciences should be applied to the objective study of society, which brought about Positivism” (p. 9). The word “positivism” does not mean to be positive or have positive thoughts. Rather it is a theological word that Comte came up with, meaning “a belief the world can be also understood through scientific inquiry”. (Murray, Linden, and Kendall, 2014, p. 9)....
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...Competition as the foundation of behavior b. Law of the Jungle B. Creationism 1. God created the universe and all creatures 2. Each species was created separate and distinct 3. God created man special in God’s own image IV. Human Nature A. Evolution 1. Survival of the fittest a. Social behavior b. Mating c. Reproduction 2. Behaviorism a. Behavior is a combination of social learning and genetic influencces b. Effect on antisocial behavior on reproduction 3. Biological determinism a. No real basis for free will B. Creationism 1. Humans were made in God’s image a. God is love, justice, kindness, and joyful 2. The Fall of Man separated humans from God a. ‘War’ between good and evil b. Man’s nature is now sinful 3. Jesus the Son of God redeemed human beings a. Death and resurrection of Jesus b. Through God’s grace and his son’s sacrifice, man has the opportunity to accept a higher nature 3. Humans are free to choose between good and evil V. Humans’ Life Purpose A. Evolution 1. Reproduce/Survive 2. Personal purpose is what people make it to be 3. People can find satisfaction if they follow their own desires and mitigate...
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...FAITH AND REASON ARE TWO COMPATIBLE REALITIES Introduction In the first stem of discussing the truth validity of this statement, we need to understand the meaning of Faith and Reason. Faith in my own opinion would be the entrusting or bowing oneself to others while Reason would be the use of our intellectual capacities to arrive and certain truths. In about to find the truth validity of faith and Reason being compatible realities, we are going to base on what some Philosophers and Religious people have send about the two to give its validity. As a human being may be defined as the one who seeks the truth, life cannot be grounded upon doubt, uncertainty or deceit. It would constantly be threatened by sear and anxiety. A search so deeply rooted in human nature cannot be completely vain and useless. One does not ask question about something one knows absolutely nothing about scientists who try to explain something will not give up until they find an answer. The same is true for ultimate questions; “the thirst for truthful answers to them is so deeply rooted in the human heart that ignoring them would cast our existence in leopard.” There are different kinds of truths “most depend on immediate evidence confirmed by experimentation, philosophical truth obtained by the speculative power of the human intellectual finally the religious truths of the different religions traditions to some degree grounded in philosophy.” Philosophical truths are not the domain women direct...
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...THE VOICE OF THE VOICELESS: EVALUATING THE CONTEMPORARY STANCE ON ABORTION ABSTRACT The willful taking of another man’s life has been termed immoral not only in the religious parlance. In the political realm, fundamental human rights and humanitarian principles hold the protection and preservation of human life as the most important exigency to be unflinchingly promoted among nations. While the principle of “right to life” has been promoted by many UN nations, the phenomenon of abortion has become a reality not frowned at among these nations but one that is encouraged as an expression of human freedom and an instrument of population control. In this article, we shall provoke, and not just provide, theological cum sociological reflections on the act of abortion so as to lay bared the often taken for granted assumptions of its right and left wing proponents. INTRODUCTION The term “Abortion” is etymologically rooted in the Latin word “Aboriri” meaning “miscarry”. Going by this etymology, one may literarily define abortion as either a mechanized or unintended termination or miscarriage of a pregnancy. Technically speaking, abortion is the deliberate act or a medical operation purported to end a pregnancy at an early stage. It is the ending of the life of a fetus before it is able to survive on its own. Most of the arguments that have ensued on abortion recently are based mainly on whether the fetus is a human or a tissue. They all in like fashion gear toward showcasing...
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...THEOLOGICAL ESSAY: THE MAGNITUDE OF SIN THEO 202-001 Statement of Topic The analysis of biblical data provides the best understanding of the nature, source and consequences of sin. Sin is any evil action or motive that is in opposition to God. Sin has very serious consequences when it comes to relationships between the sinner and God. Sin also has severe consequences that affect the individual sinner, causing the individual to have social implications. It is evident from both the Old Testament and the New Testament descriptions of sin, that sin is universal. Both testaments describe the extent and intensiveness of sin. Obtaining a contemporary view of the magnitude of sin incorporates a biblical perspective and the best elements of traditional view. Philosophical Foundation or Presupposition When studying the doctrine of sin, one should examine the material through a biblical view. If someone does not believe in the bible, explaining sin may sound like nonsense. Holding a certain philosophical viewpoint can cause tension when theologically analyzing in this area. Specifically, secular psychology clashes with the idea of sin. Psychology often teaches individuals to blame others for their failures in life. They teach that pressure from society, spouses, parents, and environments are the reason for life difficulties. Sure, other people can contribute to our errors and tempt us, or mistreat up, but they are not the cause of the issue itself. No matter how other people...
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...Pre-Socratic Period Thales of Miletus Background: Thales of Miletus (fl. c. 585 BC) is regarded as the father of philosophy. Thales of Miletus was considered one of the Seven Wise Men of ancient Greece. Thales was the first of the Greek natural philosophers and founder of the Ionian school of ancient Greek thinkers. Works/Writings/Philosophy: His is said to have measured the Egyptian pyramids and to have calculated the distance from shore of ships at sea using his knowledge of geometry. He also predicted an eclipse of the sun. In geometry Thales has been credited with the discovery of five theorems like the one that a triangle inscribed in a semicircle has a right angle. He tried to discover the substance from which everything in nature is made off and suggested water. Thales is important in bridging the worlds of myth and reason. He initiated the revolutionary notion that to understand the world one needed to know its nature and that there was an explanation for all phenomena in natural terms. That was a giant step from the assumptions of the old world that supernatural forces determined almost everything. While considering the effects of magnetism and static electricity, he concluded that the power to move other things without the mover itself changing was a characteristic of "life", so that a magnet and amber must therefore be alive in some way (in that they have animation or the power to act). If so, he argued, there is no difference between the living and the dead...
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...1.Well,in the fist paragraph simply elaborates what is human being,then tells the readers a particular causal history and the way people persist in are the conditions of existed people.Then,the writer defines what is personal identity and says that the causal chain would terminate a person.That means causally relevant spatial-temporal continuity is the decisive factor of personal identity.After that,the second paragraph presents a contrary point of view,that is,god can preserve and re-form a person, which leads the real issue of the article,the possibility of immortality. 2.Well,according to my understanding,the most important key terms are immortality,continuer and spatial-temporal continuity. Immortality is something can be existed after people's physical body died.With the help of god,something like soul or spirit can be preserved and exist forever is immortality. Continuer is not the same person as the original deceased person , it is just a fissioned one,which lives in another space,is the continue existence of the deceased. Spatial-temporal continuity is the necessary condition of personal identity. Also,it provides the possibility for the immortality. 3.(1)From wikipedia,Peter van Inwagen (born September 21, 1942, United States) is an American analytic philosopher and the John Cardinal O'Hara Professor of Philosophy at the University of Notre Dame. He previously taught at Syracuse University and earned his PhD from the University of Rochester under the direction...
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...the late 17th century. Sociology then was very much the product of a rapidly changing world, from the violent revolutions in France to the subtle urbanization of Europe over a period of hundred years. Each philosopher, depending on the time period he was born in, and his background, contributed to sociology in his own unique way.The term "sociologie" was first coined by a French essayist named Emmanuel in the 17th century. However, little is known about his other contributions towards the field. Among most notable of early sociologists was Auguste Compte. He largey thought of sociology as a positivist science. In fact he himself coined the term positive philosophy . In his works, he established three stages of attainment of knowledge, theological, metaphysical and positive. Many historians belief that his conclusions on positivism and sociology were a direct result of the bloody French Revolution. It was his attempt to remedy the social malaise that came with the endless cycle of violence which followed the initial uprising. His conflicts with the church at the time also pushed his works towards creating a religion for all humanity. Even though that religion failed in its time, it laid the framework for developing a secular Europe. French Revolution Two of the traditions which...
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...For centuries, philosophers and theologians have debated the existence, definition, and extent of human free will. While this debate may superficially appear inconsequential to the average person, our individual belief in (or denial of) free will, produces dramatic ramifications in every facet of the human experience. Your opinion on the topic significantly alters your worldview—directly influencing your individual perspectives on justice, punishment, equality, interpersonal relationships, etc. For Christians, our view of free will affects our understanding of God, generating a multitude of theological ramifications relating to righteous living, sin, salvation, etc. This paper will briefly examine the philosophy of determinism—the...
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...Running Head:PROBLEM OF EVIL Problem of Evil and God's Existence Ammar Ather Roll#:14-10556, Sec:B Forman Christian College (A Chartered University) Problem of Evil and God's Existence The existence of God and questions pertinent to it, has been discussed for centuries predating Biblical documentation and golden Greek philosophical era of Aristotle and Plato. Thus a supernatural identity has always been the centre of attention among people, Empire, states, ever since man has been derived by intuition of knowing certain things. God has been called by people at times of distress and reassurance. The ancient Egyptians and civilizations called gods when shaken by ordeal. Christians remember God as the embodiment of salvation. People offered god with festivals, coronation ceremonies and even blood sacrifices. The identity of God is perceived differently by people of different beliefs, times and areas. The image of God ranges from Pantheism in the Vedic references to strict Monotheism in Islamic scriptures. This idea is imperative for proceeding and constructing research based on pure rational and Philosophical grounds. The objectivity demands reviewing God and existence within the context of a specific frame of thought and then appropriate approach is utilized to construct an argument. Thesis statement:The belief in God is a cardinal question in dealing with the soteriological and moral implication of mankind which is better contemplated by reviewing theodicy...
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...Exchange 37 (2008) 124-155 www.brill.nl/exch Ethiopian Traditional Values versus the Social Teaching of the Church Solomon Dejene Research Student, Nijmegen Institute for Mission Studies, Nijmegen, The Netherlands Email: S.Dejene@nim.ru.nl Abstract Even if the Roman Catholic Church does not have a very long history in Ethiopia and constitutes a small minority of the society, her social significance is great in part due to the structural development programs she runs through out the country. The main aim of this paper is to identify how much the Church1 has made use of traditional systems and values in reflecting and communicating pastorally particularly in regard the Social of the Church (henceforth CST). By analyzing four selected pastoral letters, this article tries to spell out the strengths and shortcomings of the Church in employing traditional systems and values in giving form to the CST. Keywords Catholic social teaching, human dignity, common good, solidarity, reconciliation and peace, contextualization, Ethiopian traditional values Introduction Most of the current national boundaries of Africa were drawn during the colonial period and do not reflect the socio-cultural, ethno-linguistic and religious compositions of the colonies. Although Ethiopia has successfully overcome European colonial power and survived as an independent state with the exception of a five year Italian occupation (1936-41), its contemporary national boarder is a result of the scramble for Africa....
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