...Evil, Christianity, and Saint Augustine Sammy Hoag Philosophy 202 Dr. Ryan Murphy December 2015 What is evil? This ‘problem of evil’ and the existence of evil have plagued the minds of people throughout the centuries. It has been one on the most sought after inquiries and one of the most vexing challenges to Christianity, in explaining the existence of God. Many philosophers and thinkers, both secular and Christian, have endeavored to solve this problem. One of the most notable of whom is Saint Augustine of Hippo (354-430). He is perhaps one of the most influential philosophers in the history of the Christian Church. Augustine spent much of his life trying to solve this ‘problem of evil’ and it proved to be quite an undertaking. This paper will explore the problem of evil and argue how Saint Augustine solidified the ways in which philosophy and religion, specifically Christianity, coincide through his work on the concepts of the problem of and the origin of evil. Understanding the problem of evil is essential to everyone because it affects the manner in which life is lived. Whether defending a belief in God or trying to share those beliefs with others everyone will encounter the problem of evil at some point. According to Ed Miller and Jon Jensen, authors of Questions that Matter:...
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...factors when discussing the diversity of faith expressions and belief systems of patients as a health care provider. For this assignment, I decided to research Christianity and one other diverse faith group; interviewing said friend about her faith, Naturalism. In the health care industry, health care providers whose spiritual beliefs differ from their own personal beliefs are a common issue. Learning how to appropriately and respectfully handle each individual’s diversity and faith or belief system is of the upmost importance within the health care industry. Interview Assessment Analysis When conducting my interview with my close friend, Asyia Aanandi, asking a wide range of questions on her faith was required for further assessment; furthermore, the best way to incorporate Asyia’s beliefs of a Naturalist toward her philosophy of providing care from the perspective of her faith. Asyia Aanandi’sAanandi spiritual beliefs are that of a Naturalist, believing in only one single notion; Homo-sapiens feel, think, and act on, due to “chemical reactions” inside ones brain and body. Naturalism is the belief that as humans, acting on ones desires is not only validated, but acceptable; to live the way one was created to be. All phenomenon’sphenomenons are explained through science, voiding out the very existence of everything supernatural. Beginning with my interview with Asyia, I started with the most important question, “Do you believe in continued health if you happen...
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...of God's existence. McClosky attempts to answer a different question. So he does not believe. How we face the world and create meaning for ourselves is the crutch of a divine benefactor. In the literature of disbelief by setting aside argumentation "On Being An Atheist", the article written by McClosky does little more to this reader than confirm a faith in God and the existence His role has in one's life. Granted it is well to know opposing arguments to understand one's own view of a subject. Scores of enlightened men have written declarations of how organized religion is the enemy of humanity. Karl Marx proclaimed religion to be the "opiate of the masses." Battles raged and wars fought, human lives lost over the question of the existence of God. From around 1200BC, after which Judaism, Christianity, Buddhism and Islam emerged the notion of a God who is both good and powerful, a recent idea in the in human events. Prior to that time we only had Greco-Roman pantheon, whose members interfered in human events only when their egos are challenged. Yet, in a world without God, our desire for love and compassion is almost nonexistent. We tend to overwhelm ourselves by the very question we seek to answer. Using logic is thoughtful and even profound at times, however, most Atheist tend to explain away the impossible. Having a great reverence for the things we do not understand is accepting our own powerlessness in the world. Are we not then acknowledging the existence of something...
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...wide-scale use above the rest. These two religions are Christianity and Buddhism. In an idyllic situation, there are definite similarities in the lives of the monks and nuns who dedicate themselves to the monasteries* of both religions. History shows us that the reality of what was practiced in the respective institutions of these two religions was often very different. There are, however, many differences in daily monastic life for Christians and Buddhists, but the greatest differences became manifest in what the ultimate goals of those monks and nuns who practiced monastic life in the name of Christianity and Buddhism. In both Christian and Buddhist tradition monastic life is defined as having a cloistered existence, forsaking normal life and taking religious vows. In both traditions, the vows that are taken are meant to be binding for life. In the case of some types of Buddhism most of these vows are to be kept even if one leaves monastic life, and in Christianity monastic vows are only a more specific reaffirmation of the vows taken by all Christians when they are baptized.[1] More specifically, Christians vow to reject Satan and to accept Christ, and monks do this for a second time when they receive the rite of tonsure, which is why this rite is often called the second baptism. The rite of tonsure is the cutting of hair and shaving of scalp, which has had many reasons over the ages, but is always a sign of submission to God. Buddhists also shave their heads when entering...
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...According to Mohler “Evangelical Christians will either stand upon the authority and total truthfulness of the Bible, or we will inevitably capitulate to the secular worldview.” Mohler further states. In their opinion essay, Karl W. Giberson and Randall J. Stephens accuse evangelicals of “simplistic theology, cultural isolationism, and stubborn anti-intellectualism,” among other things. They point specifically to the rejection of evolution, which they call “the rejection of science,” and then refer to this as “textbook evidence of an unyielding ignorance on the part of the religious.” (Mohler, Albert “Total Capitulation: The Evangelical Surrender of Truth)1 The absolute truth of God’s Word is the bedrock of the Christian faith. Without the...
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...Paulo Freire, a Christian-Marxist In this paper, I will be addressing the topic of how Christianity and Marxism cannot be yoked together. Let me first state that the kind of Christianity Paulo Freire says he believes in, is Catholicism. The Catholic Church tends to have beliefs that are not completely true to the Word of God because they take some scripture out of context. I do not claim to be of any certain doctrine of Christianity; however, I do claim that I am a Bible believing Christian. Everything I believe comes directly from the Bible and without distorting its words; I believe exactly what it says. For this reason, I have a problem with Freire’s belief system. I believe Freire must pick either Christianity or Marxism. I think he is “riding the fence” on his choice of beliefs. If he continues to say he practices both, then he will always be questioning himself in more areas than one. When someone hears the combination of a Christian-Marxist, their first reaction will usually be “that’s an oxymoron,” or “that’s impossible.” How can they actually say they are Christian-Marxists, knowing that all they believe in is constantly contradicting itself? Freire will always, in my opinion, be questioning himself if, unless he looks into either one of the beliefs. Perhaps he will change his mind completely. After doing some research on Marxism, I do not believe Freire understands the full extent of it, which is why he believes himself to be Christian as well. In the article...
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...Religion 134 Dr. Johnny Boudreaux July 30, 2010 Elements of Religious Traditions Paper All regions are different some have certain things in common while others are completely different, but there are numerous religious, some of these religion are: Buddhism – this is a means of existing based on the experience of Siddhartha Gautama, Christianity – earth’s largest belief, foundation of Jesus Christ teachings, Hinduism – collection of faiths, embedded in the religious thoughts of India. Islam – discovered by the Prophet Muhammad. These are just some of the many religions that this world consist of, but overall all religions serve a higher purpose. Having a connection with the divine is very important in all religions, without a relationship with God, life as we know it will not be the same. http://www.hqfights.com/media/895/chicks_go_at_it tribulations and experiences encountered daily becomes difficult to handle because the testing of his or her faith and being disobedient to the word of God. The relationship as well as the fellowship with the divine helps him or her to walk in the light and to live in total honesty toward God as well as with each other, without the consistent relationship and fellowship it causes he or she to be out of character and have broken fellowship with the divine. Sacred time is the “time of eternity” (Molloy, 2010, p. 43). The schedule or activities that he or she encounters daily is determine by the effective use of the clock throughout...
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...paraphrase information from any source other than our textbook, you will receive a grade of zero for the entire exam. Section I: Definitions (5 points each, 30 points total) Define these pairs of words immanent and transcendent - Immanent is believing that a sacred being(s) exist within the world and are present among us. Transcendent is the belief that a sacred being(s) exist outside of our world. sacred and profane - Sacred is a connection with God or a religious purpose that deserves veneration. Profane refers to the mundane things that exist in the world. cult and sect - A cult represents a distinct break from other traditions. A sect is a splinter group or a subgroup associated with a larger tradition. theistic and nontheistic - Theistic is a religion that is based on a person’s relationship with a sacred being. Nontheistic is belief in a way that does not include a Divine Being. atheism and agnosticism - Atheism believes that there is no existence of a Divine Being. Agnosticism is not denying God exists; rather it is a belief that if it cannot be seen it must not be true. yin and yang - Yin is the self-generating energy force that...
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...University of Basle. He was the author of many works that talked about religion, morality, culture, philosophy, science using a unique style and radical questioning of the value and objectivity of truth. In his writings, Nietzsche called for revision of all values; he rejected organized religion attacking Christianity and other religious institutions as contributors to what he called “slave morality”. He was, also, equally critical of democratic institutions whose singular vision and courage, according to him, produce a “master morality” and he called the rule by mass mediocrity. Nietzsche also believed that European materialism have led to decadence and decline. He died on August 25, 1900. In his works, he voiced the sentiments of radical moralists. He was deeply critical of his own times and he called for a revision of all values. The major enemy for him was the church and he attacked Christianity and all religions because he believed that they formed a slave mentality. He wrote his books with such force that he said he writes with his own blood. He was reflecting the cynicism of the 19th century. His famous question was: “Is man a mistake of God or vice versa?” He also claimed that man is not developing into something...
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...the concept, that God is simultaneously both omnipotent and Omni-benevolent. They all also argue that God is the single and only cause of the existence of the Universe, and all of its constituents. One of the constituents is the existence of evil. The problem that theists face is, an argument that both atheists and anti-theists use to criticise religion, and question against God; How come Omni-potent God and Omni-Benevolent God, can exist alongside the existence of both Natural and Moral Evil, or at least tolerate it’s occurrence. This comes in the form of the ‘inconsistent triad’ in which , if one were take out either one of the 2 tributes of God, could solve the existence of Evil. To elaborate, if God was omnipotent, though not Omni-benevolent, it would explain, that this God is either Tyrannical, or in a way at the least Sadistic, resembling the God of the Old Testament. On the other hand, if God is Omni-benevolent, he would love humanity, yet does not have the power, to directly prevent it from happening to humanity. Many scholars and theologians, have attempted at solving the problem of evil using theodicies (Justifying the existence of God in the face of evil), two of which were concocted by Irenaean and Leibniz, but include theodicies by St. Augustine and Alfred Whiteheads’ Process theodicy. Irenaeus’ theodicy, argued (like St. Augustine) that moral evil, is the doing of man, by being deviant in their belief in God and faith. However, he argued that God is at least partly...
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...drawn to one sentence: “Jesus was a man and as such could not also be God.” Seeing the puzzled look on my face, one of the men asked me what I thought about the claim. The Biblical basis for Jesus humanity can be illustrated in scripture. John 1:14 states: “So the Word became human and lived here on earth among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory of the only Son of the Father.” When Jesus was born, God became a man. He was not part man and part God, he was completely human and completely divine. Jesus Christ is the perfect expression of God in human form. Another important doctrine of Christianity is that of Jesus deity. In John 10:30 it reads: “The Father and I are one.” This is the clearest statement of Jesus divinity he ever made. Jesus and his father is not the same person but are triune in the nature of the Godhead. On page 158, Towns explains that, “The Biblical basis for Jesus deity is His pre-existence and eternity. Jesus has always existed as stated, John 8:58: “Jesus answered, “The truth is, I existed before Abraham was even born!” This is one of the most powerful statements uttered by Jesus. When he said that he existed before Abraham was born he undeniably proclaimed his divinity. In addition, the Bible teaches that Jesus is both God and man at the same time, (Hypostatic Union). The Bible supports that Jesus is God by showing all the attributes of God. Matthew 18:20 reveals Jesus is everywhere. “For where two or three gather...
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...only one God and Muhammad, his messenger. Hindus on the other hand, is a religion that was not founded by a certain individual. Even most writers of the sacred texts of Hinduism, remain unknown. The Islamic belief system includes 6 articles of faith which are fundamental beliefs that there is only one God (Allah), angels of God, prophets of God, revealed books of God, the day of judgment and the divine decree (sometimes shortened to 5 articles of faith leaving out the belief in the supremacy of God's will). Typically when people think of Hinduism, the first thing that comes to mind is multiple gods. I was told by my step grandfather, who had practiced Hinduism most of his life, that Hinduism can vary and not to think Hindus follow a set religion. He explained to me that it depends on the person and whether or not they think there is only one God or millions. Hinduism can actually span over many different belief systems including pantheism (God and the universe are the same) or henotheism (belief in one god but not denying the existence of others). Despite all of the talk about Hinduism being polytheistic, there is one universal "God" called Brahman (although simultaneously a triad of deities). This is up to the follower on whether they think Brahman is considered their one God worshipped among a million of others. If so, I would believe Hinduism might be recognized as henotheistic. Conversely in Islamic religion, Muslims simply believe in one God only, called Allah (God in Arabic)...
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...influential scientists of all time. However what made Newton really unique among the Scientific Revolution’s pantheon of figureheads is his contributions to theology. He stood out as a thorn in the side of the local orthodox Churches of the time by having unorthodox, heretical beliefs in regards to Christianity. Yet at the same time occasionally he would use religious thought to support his work. He was also a rarity in the sense that the scientist-philosopher also dove into the art of biblical interpretation, something only the Church was really allowed to do. The topic of Newton and his heretical ideologies is very popular amongst modern day historians because he flawlessly intertwines his religious beliefs in with his writings. Although born into an Anglican family, Newton held beliefs that, had it been made public, would not have been considered orthodox by mainstream Christianity; in recent times he has been described as a heretic . The main root of his unorthodoxy lay...
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...Romero Grand Canyon University Christian Worldview and Contextualization HTH 655 Professor Robert Prescott-Ezickson October 09, 2013 Kingdoms and Cultures Oscillatory has exercised vast inspiration by what method we abstract the link among Christianity and philosophy. The situation has converted several societies’ circumstances to vision their culture of resistance to foremost characteristics of the common philosophies as rather of which to be humiliated, as well as rather that desires to remain rejected with the intention to convert traditionally liable. Niebuhr debates that Yoder’s forceful analysis of his book has not been offered the extensive revelation it justifies, particularly his reason that Niebuhr's situation is vitiated with a fragile Christology plus an abuse of the policy of the Triad. Niebuhr has initiated vast misperception into the argument by considering the Christ against Culture method as principle imperfect, while the subject remains his personal situation that advances from “Nicene orthodoxy” (Carter, 2003). Culture comprises of the traditions, knowledge, ability, conducts and community relationships that a culture develops. Culture is the contextual in which all individual predictably their daily existence (Atkinson, 1995). The delinquent of “Oscillatory” is generally engaged to define the connection concerning Christians and the fundamental culture in which we reside (GCU, lecture). On the other hand, this disguises a significant opinion: similar...
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...Part I Buddhism The Question of Origin Buddhism teaches that the beginning of this world and of life is inconceivable since they have neither beginning nor end. Buddhism never claimed that the world, sun, moon, stars, wind, water, days and nights were created by a powerful god or by a Buddha. Buddhists believe that the world was not created once upon a time, but that the world has been created millions of times every second and will continue to do so by itself and will break away by itself. According to Buddhism, world systems always appear and disappear in the universe. The Question of Identity Buddhism see’s the question of identity within the context of enlightenment. They teach that we do not exist as separate beings but that one must see pass the human tendency to identify with a limited sense of existence. If one does this they will discover that the belief in an individual small self is a root illusion that causes suffering and removes us from the freedom and mystery of life. The Question of Meaning/Purpose Buddhist texts do not outright say there is a meaning of life, but rather talk about the capacity for humans to end suffering, which is one of the things Buddhists should strive for. Buddhist believes in enlightenment through study, meditation as a way to ending suffering. In his first sermon after attaining enlightenment, the Buddha taught the "Four Noble Truths," which form the foundation of belief for all branches of Buddhism. All of life is marked...
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