...Jesus Reflection Essay The Messianic Prophecies tell us from hundreds of years before Jesus was born God was telling His people about him. “For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us: And the government will rest upon his shoulders and his name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6) God gave us information regarding the Savior and where he would come from in the earliest prophecies. Like “There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace. On the throne of David and over his kingdom,” (Isaiah 9:7a) God also gave us some hints at what the Messiah would have to suffer for His people, ”But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, and by His scourging we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5) There were also many details around the Messiah’s life and death that were included in the early writings of the prophets. These gave details of things that the Messiah would have to fulfill. “His grave was assigned with wicked men, Yet He was with a rich man in his death, because He had done no violence, nor was there any deceit in His Mouth.” (Isaiah 53:9) Since he had nothing He would not have had, a grave like the one he was buried in except a rich man gave them his Grave. The Miracles that Jesus performed as recorded in the gospels were evidence of his claim to be God. The demoniac at Gerasene was such...
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...THEO104: Module Seven Reflection Essay Title Page 1 THEO104: Module Seven Reflection Essay Michelle A. Woycitzky Liberty University THEO104: Module Seven Reflection Essay 2 I. Introduction To define yourself as a Christian is to believe in God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, and the text of the Holy Bible. Many believers think that this is all it takes to be welcomed into Heaven and enjoy the afterlife in peaceful bliss with their maker. Much of what has been learned in this class these past two months has given me the opportunity to explore Christianity beyond face value, as it should be explored. The true model Christian delves into the inner workings of the scripture and promotes the promises made by God when one lives their life as a messenger of that scripture. Education is the only way to make a person aware of what it truly means to be a Christian. In reflecting on the concepts learned in this class, a series of questions were presented, three chosen, then answered on the basis of what I have learned. The first question I chose was, Does the Bible have authority? Through the Doctrine of the Bible and arguments that the Bible is the Word of God, this question will be answered along with the information in Towns book. Secondly, I chose, Why are personal testimonies important in sharing the gospel? This topic was of great interest to me because I am capable of explaining it...
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... Page 1) Introduction 1 2) Definition of Eschatology 1 3) Traditional Belief to Eschatology in Isabel 2 4) Biblical Foundation to Eschatology in the Old Testament 3 5) Biblical Foundation from the New Testament 3 a) Eschatology from Saint Paul b) Eschatology from the Gospels 4 6) Theological Reflection to Eschatology 4 7) Conclusion 5 8) Bibliography 6 1) Introduction In this 21st century people continue to wonder what their destiny will be after death; perhaps people have many definitions and explanation about it. Hence, people are struggling to reconcile to one common understanding. This questions I believe remain their and our question today. Now, having this understanding in mind I believe there is a great need for a clear and coherent explanation of Eschatology to my people. Therefore, in this essay I will begin to explore and try to instil to my people a clear understanding of eschatology by looking into our traditional belief about the last day. Then, later I will align this understanding to the Biblical texts of eschatology and my Theological reflection. Through these, I certainly believe that it will enrich the minds of my people to fully understand; what eschatology mean to them? Definition of Eschatology Perhaps it is appropriate for me to begin by defining; what Eschatology really mean? Well, According to the New Bible Dictionary; “Eschatology comes from the word eschata in Greek...
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...Stilling of the Storm The canonical gospels are a result of the spreading of the news of the death and resurrection of Jesus. Therefore, they must be studied when interested in gathering an account of Jesus’ life and death. The synoptic gospels include the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. It is assumed that the author of the Gospel According to Mark wrote his gospel first and therefore becomes a blueprint for the gospels of Matthew and Luke. Therefore the synoptic gospels have similar events, structure, and timeframes. One major event in all three synoptic gospels is the story of the stilling of the storm. Assuming markan priority, this paper will discuss the Gospel According to Mark’s command that Jesus uses to rebuke the wind and sea: “Peace! Be still!” The stilling of the storm is a triple tradition event, meaning it is found in the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. This event is contained in the passages of Mark 4:35-41, Matt 8:23-27, and Luke 8:22-25. Some similarities throughout this particular event are very evident and can be shown through the main course of events in the pericope. The first similarity is all gospels have Jesus asleep in the boat during a storm. Another similarity is that Jesus rebukes the natural elements and comments on the disciples’ lack of faith. Another important similarity is that the disciples question the authority of Jesus when the wind and water obey him. These three similarities lay out the foundation of this pericope and therefore, the...
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...Nichole Pinson Professor Slattery TH-150 Introduction to Theology 13 December, 2015 Reflection: The Sermon On The Mount Abstract The purpose of this research is to examine the significance of the Sermon of the Mount and how it relates to me personally. It is important to recognize that the principles underpinning Judaism is not a single belief instead a variety of belief systems. Through my research, I have drawn parallels and differences between Judaism and Christianity with respect to their belief system, and worldview. The paper affirms that Judaism has had a profound influence on the overall lifestyle, social interactions, cultural practices, and the religious history for the Jewish community. Introduction What does Judaism mean in the life of a Jewish person? In order to properly analyze “Judaism” one must first understand both the origin and the significance of the term Judaism. The term was first used in the intertestamental period by Greek-speaking Jews to distinguish their religion from Hellenism. According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, Judaism is defined as “a religion developed among the ancient Hebrews and characterized by belief in one transcendent God who has revealed himself to Abraham, Moses, and the Hebrew prophets and by a religious life in accordance with Scriptures and rabbinic traditions.” Simply put, Judaism is the intricate religious and cultural history for the diverse people known as the Jewish community. Judaism plays...
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...Final Reflection Paper Loretta Artis Concordia University The Ethical Educator EDDC 615 Dr. Ken Powers August 20, 2014 Final Reflection Paper When I think of myself and what my leadership style is, I have to choose servant leadership. As a believer when I hear the term servant, I usually usually associated it with the Bible. The term “servant” is defined as “a person working in the service of another.” When Robert Greenleaf first defined the phrase “Servant Leadership,” he pointed out that the difference between servant leadership and a leader was “a servant aspiring to serve and to take up leadership as result” (Greenleaf, n.d.) whereas a leader is defined as a person who rules or guides or inspires others. The servant leader’s main concern is to lead in a way that they are serving others by developing them as well as giving their undivided attention to their colleagues and those they serve (Spears, 1998). First Peter 4:10-11 suggests that everyone has the gift to be a servant and as good stewards it should be used to serve one another. One of the most interesting aspects that Greenleaf brings out is the wish to help others. In the servant leadership, leadership is secondary but the main focus is on the needs of others. This is one way to distinguish servant- leaders from all other leaders. Other servant leadership characteristics are: listening and understanding; acceptance and empathy; foresight; awareness and perception; persuasion; conceptualization; self-healing;...
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...Cheryl Morrison THEO 0201_D20_201320 Final Essay May 10, 2013 FINAL ESSAY The doctrine that I’m studying is the inerrancy word of God; first to understand the doctrine one must know and understand the word of God, His Holy Scriptures that were inspired by God and written by men of God’s inspiration, inerrancy and truth. The bible revelation involves the content of God’s message to us. Also the bible is God’s revelation to aid us as we search for truth and attempt to live for God. (Tim 3:15-17). To identify with God one must know that God is an invisible personal and living spirit, distinguished from all other spirit’s which including His birth, death and resurrection.[ Elwell, Walter A. Evangelical Dictionary of Theology].pg.496 God is self- existence, eternal and unchanging, intellectual God is omniscient, faithful and wise; ethically God is just merciful and loving, emotionally God detests evil, God is long-suffering compassionate, existentially, God is free authentic and omnipotent, God is transcendent in being immanent, universally in providential activity and immanent with his people in redemptive activity these are some of God’s attributes. Therefore man was created into God’s likeness here on earth. [Elwell Walter A. Evangelical Dictionary of Theology] pg.492 The law of God nature with His creations is that everything is God’s offspring of His mind and bears the impression of His determinate nature; He created man as an intelligent being in His own likeness He has God...
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...Leadership and whether it will help or hurt change implementation within a given organization. Prior to any discussion about the qualities, actions, and implications of being a servant leader, we must first take a look at its modern day origin and definition. The phrase “Servant Leadership” was originally coined by Robert K. Greenleaf in The Servant as Leader, an essay that he first published in 1970. In that essay, he said: “The servant-leader is servant first… It begins with the natural feeling that one wants to serve, to serve first. Then conscious choice brings one to aspire to lead. That person is sharply different from one who is leader first; perhaps because of the need to assuage an unusual power drive or to acquire material possessions…The leader-first and the servant-first are two extreme types. Between them there are shadings and blends that are part of the infinite variety of human nature” (Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership, 2012). Though the term servant leadership is a modern phrasing, the concept is derived from a biblical perspective that Jesus exemplified in his life and ministry. Jesus, in Matthew 20:26-28 says it very succinctly, "You have observed how godless rulers throw their weight around, how quickly a little power goes to their heads. It is not going to be that way with you. Whoever wants to be...
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...theological inquiry, theological hermeneutics is critical reflection upon Christian understanding.”93 Thus, in this section we will explore three aspects that nourish our theological understanding of texts: (1) Divine discourse, (2) Intertextuality, and (3) Canonical-linguistic approach: theo-drama. 92Stephen E. Fowl, Engaging Scripture: A Model for Theological Interpretation (Malden: Blackwell, 1998); idem, The Theological Interpretation of Scripture (Cambridge: Blackwell, 1997); John Webster, “Hermeneutics in Modern Theology: Some Doctrinal Reflections,” SJT 51 (1998):...
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...image, in our likeness” This is a belief that I hold close to my heart as a Pastor. I am of the opinion that the“ image of God” is not that God is human. We see that God is a spirit because he can be everywhere at once. But rather believe that Jesus took on human flesh so that we could identify with Him. It is much easier to understand the trial and temptations that He faced as a man. There are many other reasons He took on flesh but for the sake of this essay we will keep it simple. The image of God also shows our soul and conscious. It is my belief that everyone is born with a conscious (knowledge between right and wrong). That knowledge is a likeness of God. Not that God is bad, rather since God is holy and perfect in every way, we carry with us that same nature of God. The bad comes from the world. It is that conscious that allows us to see our errors and a need for a Savior. Since we have a soul it is very important to understand that just like God it will never die. Our soul will spend eternity in either heaven or hell. Matthew 10:28 says, “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” We must have a relationship with Jesus in order to spend eternity with him in heaven. As a Pastor I am faced with people everyday. Nothing brings me more joy than to show them the love of God. I have the opportunity to see God work miracles all the time through his people....
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...SOR ASSESSMENT II: RESEARCH ESSAY SOR ASSESSMENT II: RESEARCH ESSAY “Rites of passage in Christianity allow adherents to obtain deeper knowledge and beliefs about their religion” How does this statement explain the significance of baptism for the Christian community and the individual? Baptism allows adherents of Christianity to acquire a deeper understanding and resonate with the beliefs of their religion. Baptism refers to the religious rite of passage involving the application of water in association with an individual’s admission to the Christian Church. It is a significant rite practiced by a majority of Christian adherents with the exception of Quakers and followers of The Salvation Army. In many denominations, baptism is performed on young children and is accompanied by name-giving, referred to as ‘Infant Baptism’. These denominational families include Catholics, Eastern and Oriental Orthodox, Anglicans, Lutherans, Presbyterians and other Reformed denominations, Methodists and some Nazarenes, as well as the Moravian Church. Another form of baptism involves the initiation of adults and is referred to as ‘Believers Baptism’ practised by a minority of Christians including Protestants and followers of the Pentecostal and Baptists sect. A key concept in believer's baptism is that a credible profession of faith must be given by the recipient before baptism. The American Baptist Church, for example, declares: "We insist that baptism be administered only to those who have...
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...Adrian English 112-Asp4 Prof. Henderson Critical essay- Final Draft The Pressure of Acceptance Throughout the years many have felt the pressure of being accepted by others. This theme of acceptance is shown in many works of literature. Two specific works of literature that this theme is portrayed in is “Salvation” by Langston Hughes and “Shooting an Elephant,” by George Orwell. In “Salvation” Hughes is pressured by the whole church to feel something that he couldn’t; in “Shooting an Elephant” Orwell is pressured by the town natives kill an animal he felt was harmless. In other words they both did something they are not proud of in order to please the majority. In “Shooting an Elephant” Orwell shows the consequences of not being accepted and pressures of being accepted. “All I knew was that I was stuck between my hatred of the empire I served and my rage against the evil-spirited little beast who tried to make my job impossible”. (Orwell pg. 296) Not only does this quote show the unacceptance Orwell received but also that he was indecisive of whose side he was on, whether it was the empire or the town people. The natives hated him because of his position, but he hated his position, too, which shows they had some kind of common ground. Then there came a time when the town people were in need of him: a “sub-inspector at a police station the other end of the town rang me up on the phone and said that an elephant was ravaging the bazaar. Would I please come and do something...
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...suffering, “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” (Phil. 4:4). Paul begins the epistle by giving thanks for the love of the Philippians and by praying for its increase. Even though Paul is in prison, the gospel is not confined; on the contrary, it is increasing. Whether Paul lives or dies, “Christ is preached” and this results in salvation. Following these reflections, Paul introduces a series of exhortations: to remain faithful in suffering; to remain considerate of others, as Jesus Christ was and to avoid evil and live blamelessly. The final chapter of Philippians summarizes several miscellaneous matters. Paul exhorts quarrelsome church members to rise above their differences. He also leaves two important lessons, on substituting thankful prayer for anxiety and on the characteristics of a noble and godly life. He concluded with thanks for the Philippians’ gift and included final greetings. The Book of Hebrews The book of Hebrews is the nineteenth book in the New Testament. It is an epistle letter that was written by an unknown Christian to show how Jesus Christ had replaced Judaism as God’s perfect revelation of himself. Hebrews begins with a marvelous tribute to the person of Christ and...
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...CWV-101 April 28, 2013 Jesus Reflection Essay In the beginning God created the heavens and earth and he also had a son that was one in a million. Jesus was a wonderful counselor, mighty son of God, everlasting father and prince of peace, respectively. He was born to a virgin as we know of today as Mary. “When Jesus was born, the people will see through the darkness. Their burdens will be lifted so they will rejoice and stand strong. But as Jesus grows older his nation will grow but there will be no peace” (Isaiah 9:1-7). Jesus was sent by God to perform blessings that were unimagined by the human eye and to also bring justice to the people with their faith in God. With that said, Jesus had to walk with God and fear nothing! “But to not falter and discourage anyone else along his journey, God called him righteous” (Isaiah 42:1-7). Personally I have taught myself to have a personal relationship with God because I know if I put my faith and trust in him, everything will fall in divine order. I know I still have work to do regarding temptation and partying but I'm confident God will lead me in the right direction. God as I know him is a spirit and it mentioned in the Bible, “God has no appearance.” As Jesus continued his walk with God, he was rejected plethora of times by men. Some of the men would even hide their faces when Jesus came across them. Jesus still took up our sorrows even though he was mistreated. “Jesus was smitten and afflicted upon. His punishment brought...
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...Comparative Religion Reflection Essay Reflection Essay My Religion and Malloy’s Eight Elements I was born and raised in the Lutheran Church with a strong belief system. As of recent years, I have opted to not attend church services, but still feel very strong about the beliefs that I was raised with. There are a few beliefs that I was raised with that I don’t buy into, such as the belief that god created earth and all things on it in 6 days. There is far too much scientific evidence to suggest that evolution has and is constantly taking place. Despite this, I do thing that our belief system plays a very important part in my life. For me, community does not play as big of a role in my belief system. I tend to believe that one does not necessarily need to attend church to worship god. I do that every day in my daily life. I am so thankful for my friends, family, life and everything in it. This has been my dad’s feeling for a very long time and I tend to follow him. We do have several central myths that we believe in. All of these myths are told in the bible and are stories that we learn from the time we are young children. I remember going to bible camp when I was in elementary and junior high school. We would go for a week and always on the last night of camp, the counselors put on what was called the Passion Play. The play was the story of the last few days of Jesus’ life, his crucifixion, and how he rose from the dead. I have such vivid memories of...
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