...insight on many issues facing Jews who were desperate to know God. Idolatry, social injustice and religious ritualism are three areas that are emphasized in their teachings and instilled in the minds and hearts of believers today. The prophets were great teachers who had much to say about God and the way man lived, social issues they faced, religious rituals they took part in, and their teachings are just as important today as they were in the past. Idolatry was a prominent issue among the Jews. God confronted this problem early in the Bible in Exodus 20:4-6. It is clear that following God requires complete and total attention on Him. The prophets considered this issue very important. Consider Hosea who was commanded to marry an unfaithful wife to represent Israel’s covenant unfaithfulness towards God[1]. During this time, Israel was unwilling to worship God and sought to find their own idols to worship and bestow glory upon. Hosea taught through his marriage the extent of unfaithfulness the Jews had in their relationship with God. Hosea compared Israel to spoiled grapes, a wild vine, a trained heifer, and a rebellious son and led into God to lay ruin to a large portion of His people causing the remnants to seek repentance before Him[2]. Hosea, through using a marriage metaphor, showed the Jews how deep God’s love for them truly was and still is[3]. Hosea’s example has modern implications. Because man can see how deeply God cares for them, there should be no reason to place importance...
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...relationship between God and Human In many myths, God create the world and human beings. In Bible, God is described as the creator of the universe, rulers of the world, judge of evil and saver of human. In Genesis Chapter 1, God created the heavens and the earth. God created water, light, plants, different species and human beings in six days. God created human. People shall fear God, worship the power of God. In the relationship between God and Human, faith is the important part which tells people how to do. In the Christian faith, the solution to “how to do” is “believe in the God, and all shalt be saved”. Christians believe that the soul of human life is controlled by sin. They cannot save themselves. Only way to save is to believe God. For Christians, God is the center of faith that believers can gain confidence, strength to obtain power against the darkness and evil. Divine Obedience to God is the center of the relationship between God and human in Bible. In order to find the relationship between God and human, I choose a fairly representative example – the text from Genesis 22. The text I choose is about the relationship between Abraham and God. Abraham plays a vital role in Bible. He had a special covenant relationship between the Jewish people and God. Also, he fully believes in God. So I believe this text can help me explain the relationship between God and human -- Human’s obedience to God. In this text, Abraham was asked to sacrifice his only son to God to show his...
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...interesting and inspiring. His resolve to glorify one master, God, was remarkable. The new order rules of St. Francis were concise and strict. His rules seem to be dependent on one another. Obedience to God was carried out in his daily work, consisting of prayer and worship, which are two more new order rules. Prayer was so important that St. Francis and his followers would bind themselves with rope while they slept so not to disturb others in prayer. I can’t imagine doing this or taking a vow of poverty. The rule of poverty is extreme to me. He wore rags and owned nothing. He underwent a severe change from that of a party person to one that follows such strict and extreme rules. He had a love for only God, which is shown in his chastity rule. He would not let himself or his followers be tempted by the opposite sex. All the rules put forth by St. Francis seem unimaginable to me. However, the sacrifices made by him caused others to take notice and listen. A positive aspect of the new order rules is no responsibility of possessions. Owning items itself is a responsibility. The rule of poverty would remove this responsibility allowing focus on worship and prayer. Today, we put too much value on material things. The new order rules value only God. Simplicity of daily life would be another positive aspect. No other obligations or thoughts except obedience, prayer, and worship would be allowed. In a society where we...
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...two natures, also both valid. While the Gospel according to St. Luke presents Jesus in His humanity as the Son of Man, the Gospel of John showcases Christ in His divinity as the Son of God. The writer John, who along with Peter and James formed the inner circle disciple of Jesus, never refers to himself by name, but always calls himself “the disciple whom Jesus loved,” as the writer of this Gospel. (John 13:23, 19: 26; 20:2; 21:7, 20,24). The theme and purpose of the book is “ That you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name” (20:31). Highlight of some of the terms that will feature in the study as it relates to the text John 2 Obedience: Obedience according to Holman Christian standard Bible means to hear God’s word and act accordingly. The word translated “Obey” in the Old Testament also means “To hear” and is often so translated. In the New Testament, several words describe obedience. One word means, “To hear or listen in a state of submission.” Another word means “to trust.” By implication, when someone responds obediently to God’s word is a responds of faith and trust. To his end, to hear God’s word is to obey God’s word. (Ex.19:5, Jr. 7:23, Act. 5:21, Phm 21, e.t.c). Faith: It simply means trust or dependence on someone (God), or something. From Heb. 11:1, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Trust: is define as faith you have on someone or something Wine: is...
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...The Midterm Exam will consist of multiple choice and T/F questions. The questions will cover all the lectures before this exam. Testimony Lecture: • What is a testimony? Your story about your personal journey with God. It is powerful when it is real. • Why is telling my story important? It reveals where I’ve been and where I am going in my relationship with God. • How do I tell my story effectively? Prayer and by being real and having confidence and being unashamed. • What if they don’t listen to my testimony/story? Share anyway, out of obedience. • Telling your story is… Relevant, unique, and it opens __??__ Truths from Psalm 139: • According to Psalm 139, God has a ___true knowledge__ about me. • Verses 1-6 – God ___knows____ me. • Verses 7-12 – A part of belonging to God means God is _______always with me______. • Verses 13-16 – God ___made__ me. • God made me ______fearfully_______. • God made me to _____reflect_____ His Image Misconceptions: • Relationships – Who I am with, will determine who I am. Truth – Matthew 10:37-39 • Body Image – Who and what I portray will determine who I am. Truth – Peter 3-3-4 • Education – How much I know will determine who I am and who I become. Truth – 1 Cor. 2:9-13 • Future Plans/Profession – What I become/do will determine who I am. Truth – Phil. 3:1-10 • Possessions – How much I have will determine who I am. Truth – Matthew 6:24 • Religion – What I do and how much I do for...
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...Stelzer 15 September 18 Learnings from the Great Wanderings, Book 10: Circe Instinct, united with courage, obedience and wisdom, rooted in a reverence for the supernatural gods (polytheistic or The Greek Pantheon) or God (monotheistic), is an assured formula for victory and triumph when faced with destitution and crisis in life. This ideology rings true for ancient Greeks as well as modern day Christians and humans alike. Throughout the exploit on the Aeaean Island, the home of Circe, hero, Odysseus and his men were forced to utilize both innate and acquired tactics to advance to the next episode in their journey home. The reader is inescapably presented with examples of the king and his crew displaying the powerful characteristics of instinct, courage, obedience and wisdom as god-fearing men. Odysseus shows his fear of the gods most consistently through trust, though it is many times accompanied with disturbing obstacles. HEROIC CHARACTERISTICS AND LESSONS LEARNED After two days and two nights of a restless breather in their journey, upon sunrise, Odysseus immediately and instinctively sought a sign of human industry. (Odyssey 10.161) The irrefutable necessity of food and rest presented itself, though coupled with uncertainty of who or what may be encountered, brave Odysseus presses onward. The noble warrior and his countrymen are obligated to exude faith in the gods and themselves while diving into the unknown, yet again. Strategic Odysseus organized a plot to first feed...
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...exercise disobedience. While discussing the positions of disobedience being considered a vice, and obedience being a virtue, Fromm reflects upon the history of Adam and Eve believing that “eating the forbidden fruit” was man’s first act of disobedience. This is the point that broke the bond between man and nature requiring man to be dependant upon his own powers, while rewarding him with his “complete” humanity, freedom, and independence. Another example Fromm discusses is the Greek myth of Prometheus’ defiance of the gods. Prometheus proclaimed that he “would rather be chained to this rock than be the obedient servant of the gods.” These are just a couple acts of defiance throughout the course history that have contributed to man’s evolution. Through acts of disobedience, man has continued to evolve spiritually, as well as intellectually. In addition, Fromm goes on to explain that just as disobedience has been the construct for humankind, blind obedience has the power to wipe it out it altogether. Fromm believes that the driving force catapulting man into the position of ultimately destroying all civilization is that, while currently living in the Atomic Age, he is emotionally anchored to the Stone Age. Although Fromm is steadfast in his belief that disobedience is essential for humanity’s progression, he is not arguing that disobedience is always a virtue, or that all obedience is considered a vice, but acknowledges the dialectical relationship between the two. DISOBEDIENCE...
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...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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...as well. II. 1. The Question of Origin: According to the Christian worldview on the origin of life, the inception of everything that exists to include humans and animals was as a result of God, our Creator. Instead of life coming from non-living matter, as the Naturalist theory presumes, life came from life in the form of our eternally living God (Genesis 1:1). Man is not a result of an evolutionary process; man is unlike animals in that he is created in the “image of God” as thus stated in Genesis 1:27. We did not evolve from animals, but we share God’s nature. 2. The Question of Identity: The Bible answers the question “what does it mean to be human” by stating that men were created in God’s image and likeness, to replenish and subdue the earth and have power over every living thing on Earth (Genesis 26-28). We are unlike animals in that man has a spirit along with bodies whereas animals do not. Animals lack that special intrinsic value that comes from being created “in the image of God.” 3. The Question of Meaning/Purpose: In accordance to the evolutionary theory, life is organic and there is no higher purpose other than to live each day as if it were your last. The Christian worldview on life’s purposefulness is quite simple and different; to serve God and have a relationship with him. As Christians our main concern in life is to work in...
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...Note: May want to talk about Sir Gawain’s shield (illustrates his faith) Lines Part 2 640ish Truth “After putting this question, brethren, let us listen to our Lord showing us in answer the way to that same tabernacle by saying: “He who lives blamelessly and does justice; he who speaks truth from his heart; he who has kept his tongue from guile” (Rule of St Benedict, Prologue -------). Sir Gawain: conceals information (the gift green girdle), but ultimately confesses/repents his sin and proves to be an honorable man; we all have imperfections (maybe lines 357 – 365) Sir Gawain “But your girdle," quoth Gawain, "God reward you for it That will I keep with good will; not for the precious...
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...veneer of tolerance. It means, mainly, first and central, to worship him — with joy at the heart. Making disciples of Jesus means gathering his worshipers. Discipleship starts with the heart, it is to have Christ at the center, to have His love, His Holy Spirit fill you, and guide you. To have Christ as the centrality of Christian Discipleship is the most important thing. The Apostle Paul describes it best in Colossians 3:1-11. “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.” When you are a disciple of...
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...and protection of something considered worth caring or and preserving (www.webster.com). The bible has many examples of stewardship and how it relates to society today. God gave generosity as part of the law. As his people, we have special roles that were assigned to dominate creation. In this paper I will critique the articles “The Oxford Declaration on Christian Faith and Economics, Caring for Creation: Vision, Hope, and Justice, and “A statement on Biblical Justice”. I will address how the bible addresses stewardship and the benefits of fulfilling the responsibility? Why is stewardship rewarding? How does stewardship affect the decision making process in God’s vision for all of his people? Stewardship provides the opportunity to express their creativity and talents in the service to others. Stewardship is about supporting the community, working together and helps develop each other’s gifts and abilities. Stewardship is our serve to God, to be faithful servants and help someone else. God gives Adam dominion over the creatures and the land (Genesis 1:30). God made us in his own image. (Genesis 1:28) states they are to exercise dominion in a way that is responsible to the needs of the human family, including future generations (Hawtrey, K. (1990). After commanding Adam and Eve to work and exercise dominion, God immediately supplies them with everything they need to flourish in their new responsibilities. . Genesis chapter 2 displayed the labor of stewardship of the...
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...The early Church’s zeal for worship and their love for one another was contagious and helped the Church to grow in numbers. They broke bread together sharing all they had so all could benefit from God’s gifts. The Wesley’s gave the example making and maintaining a healthy community that attracts people to Christ. Wesleyan’s evangelism requires more than just knowledge of God, it requires proclaiming the good news of the gospel. Being a evangelist by word and deed means more than just believing in God, it means a willingness to sometimes rick an openness to others that is often uncomfortable and even scary. John Wesley took this risk sharing his Aldersgate experience with others in writing about it in his journal in May 24, 1738. Taking risks,...
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...priests, and nuns have no business talking about justice and that the, along with activists and theologians are turning the church into something like the Communist Party. The host does not agree with any relationship between faith and justice. He contends that faith is about trusting in God and God’s mercy and does not require promoting justice. Also, he insists that justice is a socialist idea, not a Christian one. Overall, making a bold observation that faith has nothing to do with justice. Although, this host has strong opinions, he needs consider more factors before making such bold points. Everyone has their own opinion and not all Christians understand faith in the same manner. According to one of Avery Dulles’s writings, The Assurance of Things Hoped For, faith has multiple understandings throughout both Testaments of the Bible. Faith can be defined as an acceptance of God’s promises and demands. “In the Old Testament faith is depicted as the appropriate response to God’s faithfulness to his covenant promises” (Dulles 17). Overall, faith is tested by obedience and fidelity. In the New Testament, it refers to faith as Pistic which is a Greek word that means faith and further, a truth in God. Moreover, faith means personal trust in Jesus as the bearer of the kingdom (Dulles 17). According to Dulles, faith can be clustered into small identifiable groups which represent the different types of approaches. Dulles discusses seven different models that describe how Christians...
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...the opportunity to live as his children. As God’s children, often times we have very different perspectives. In many ways, these different views create debates. The controversy over the issue of God’s grace and gift of salvation, along with our response is one that should not be taken lightly. When looking at what the Apostle Paul says when he stated, “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son,” it is obvious that this comment leaves individuals with unanswered questions. [1].What does Paul mean by the expression of “God foreknew?” How do we fathom the election of the “predestined” individuals who are saved and sanctified? And, how are we to understand God and his “foreknowledge” of our eternal security without knowing what it means to be righteous or “conformed to the likeness of his Son?” (Romans 8:29). It is my desire that as I proceed in the explanation of sanctification, that anyone who reads my excerpt will be able to understand the importance of what it means to be “conformed” to Christ. In knowing the role of the Spirit and our sonship as children of God, there will be no questions as to how this is obtained. [2]. In addition, eternal security and the establishment of faith will be one that...
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