...Joanna Fleming Theo-104 B43 Reflection 1 Prof. Fowler Sept. 17, 2012 Reflection: Faith and Wisdom I. Introduction Faith and wisdom are key elements that are needed as a Christian. The practice of faith is the idea of putting your trust in the Lord, instead of relying on oneself. It is another way that we as Christians humble ourselves before God by this commitment and giving Him the power and authority over our lives. We can grow in faith by seeking wisdom in His Word. When we ask Him for wisdom and knowledge to better understand His Word, we grow as Christians in His mercy and love and are able to share His message with the world. is II. Part One (Faith) a. Theological Definition Faith is the belief that something is true. The Hebrew word for faith is hupostasis. In the article “What is Faith”, Ditzel explains that “hupostasis came to mean, "a steadfastness of mind,""confidence," or "assurance” (Diztel, 2009). Faith may come in various forms; however, its concept can be easily misunderstood. Faith means something different for everyone, but for the Christian, faith is a way of life, a way that we can grow in our relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ. b. Biblical Foundation The Bible tells us that by placing our faith in Christ, all things are possible. Jesus stated “If you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done” and...
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...During the past six months, I’ve confronted two personal giants. The giant of doubt as I’ve doubted my ability to accomplish my goal of becoming a Marriage and Family Therapist. The second giant I’ve dealt with is the giant of the past. Several assignments during my last two semesters called for personal reflection, and this reflection confronted me with baggage and emotions from the past. Thus, provoking doubt about my abilities and whether I was a correct fit for the MFT program. With all of these uncertainties and questions running through my head during these last six months, I had decided the MFT program was not for me. Moreover, I had determined to pursue a different program at the seminary. However, God did not agree with my decision,...
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...Section 1: The Image of God The Bible states that man and woman are created in the image of God. Some may think, if people are as the Bible says, created in the image of God, the state of His image is defiantly marred or damaged as most would say regarding modern Christians, “they do not possess a reflection of God.” God’s image has been questioned throughout history. A generalization is that His image is reflected in man’s character. The image of the first person of the Trinity and creator of everything around us and everyone has left many questions and debate regarding His image. Jesus mentions, “God is Spirit” meaning He is a spiritual being without a body; therefore, the conclusion resides in humanity’s reflection of God in our attributes and character. Historically the image of God has had many views. Akin writes, “Interpretations of the meaning of the image of God in church history have for the most part sought to resolve the riddle posed by biblical teaching that the image is both something all humans and only humans possess and yet is something that has been damaged in the fall and is now being restored or renewed in Christ.” Biblically, we are unable to define the exact meaning that man and woman are made in the image of God. Scripture tells us that Jesus is the image of the invisible God. This is our foundation, God loved the world so much that He sent His son to save it moreover, we are in Christ, and He is in us, that we are one speaks of His image, an image...
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...Jesus Claims to be God/ Character Development Tamar Brown Theology 104 I. Introduction In the following paper I will discuss the various thoughts and ideas that have been presented thus far in Theology 104. During the course of this class a variety of topics were discussed which in turn gave me a clearer understanding of what it means to be a Christian, about Jesus, as well as a better understanding of the bible itself. In the following I will address two topics for which I feel are imperative to any Christian and to the life thereof. In the first portion I be touch on the subject of Jesus’s claims to be God. I understand this to be the topic of many discussions and disputes among those in religious circles and abroad. In the second portion I will discuss character development. II. Did Jesus claim to be God? a) Explanation of the topic/doctrine We will find that Jesus did in fact make claims to not only being the son of God but, to be God in the form of human flesh. I believe that the most compelling evidence or support to this claim is not so much in what Jesus said about his deity or divinity but, rather in what He did as he walked among men. Jesus has made claims to His divinity, but the proof of His divinity was more in His actions and not in His words. I believe that this speaks clearly concerning our own nature as well as God’s desire to relate to mankind, as sinful human beings. b) Scriptural basis There are many people that question if Jesus every really...
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...ideas as well as how sensation and reflection go together all blends in together into what his argument is. Without the background information of the senses and the reflections that we receive from it, then the simple ideas would not be able to transform to complex ideas. For instance, everyone knows that a unicorn is a mythical creature. However, most people seem to have a pretty good visual sense on how it would look or act. This is because this complex idea is made from simple ideas mixed together that one has already...
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...God’s identity refers to God's character and His various characteristics. God is part of the Trinity, meaning that He is three-persons in one being. God's identity not only impacts how we live and how we think of ourselves in the world, but it also shows us what it means to be truly human through Jesus' humanity, leads us deeper into the way of Jesus through the Holy Spirit, and influences the way we view ourselves and others. It is important to remember that we are made in God's image. This belief allows us to see ourselves as the children of Christ and live knowing that we are created perfectly in the eyes of God. Genesis 1:27 in the Bible states that: “...God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them” (Genesis 1:27, NRSV). God's identity is our identity because we are made in his image as a near perfect reflection. He always loves us, and we are supposed to be conscious and aware of God’s love and put our faith in it. The belief that God created me allows me to live my life knowing that God created the world and I this way for a reason and that as long as I have faith in Him everything will work out. We discover our true identity the more closely we are drawn to Him through our understanding of Jesus' humanity...
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...Menlo Park Presbyterian Church in Menlo Park, California. The following book review is concerning his work presented in The Life You’ve Always Wanted. There’s a point in every Christian’s life where you begin to ask questions like; am I doing all that I was created to do? Am I as intimate with God as I ought to be? Is this life I’m living pleasing to God? The list of questions could go on and on. John Ortberg’s book The Life You’ve Always Wanted gives very clear and precise ways for accurate analysis of our lives through a ministerial, biblical and cultural lens. Ortber’s perspectives, life examples and raw truths are vast and practical for pondering and application. This book voices a line of reasoning in the areas of Hope of Transformation, Spiritual Disciplines, a Well-Ordered Heart, and Living a Life of Endurance. Hope of Transformation Ortberg begins this book with the everlasting ache of disappointment many Christians have experienced as they continue in their personal relationships with God. He places great emphasis on the feeling of disappointment. He states “…the feeling of disappointment is not the problem, but a reflection of a deeper problem – my failure to be the person God had in mind when he created me.” (Ortberg, p13) Through the ache of disappointment there is still a hope that rises within the Christian and thus the struggle between hope and their fallen state begins. Ortberg speaks on ones perception of living uniquely as Jesus would. To see what he would...
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...Reflection. The conversion of the sinner THEO 104-B04 Troy Temple September 16, 2013 Introduction Who is Jesus Christ and how does believing in him affect so many people. Many people will tell you that you must believe in God to save your soul for eternity. How do people truly know that God is real, and how was the Bible written over hundreds of years, how can people be so trusting in something he or she has never seen. So how is Christianity so different from the Wiccan religion? These are questions that I started to ask myself once I start this class. Both religions started out the same, giving people something to believe in. Doctrine of Christianity The book of Genesis states that in the beginning God created the heavens and earth. Then God said let there be light: and light was good (Genesis 1:3). It was the old testament of the Bible prophecies that causes mankind to believe in God and the Bible. Versus Prophesied all nations would be blessed through one special descendant or seed of Abraham. Jews and Gentiles alike are blessed when they accept Jesus a descendant of Abraham as their Savior (Matthew 1:1). The holy Bible contains 66 books and was written over a period of 1,600 years (Towns, 2007). Whereas the Bible is spread out all over the world, and in many different languages, but still holds true to the message. However, the Bible was written by mortal men that contained sin inherited from Adam just like everyone else. Therefore when...
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...SHAWN MORRIS’S REFLECTION PAPER INTRODUCTION My topics I will be addressing are Bible Study & Resurrection of Jesus Christ. I chose these topics due to nature of the subjects, what I was reading and learned over the past few weeks in Theology 104. I will give a full analysis of what I have read & implemented in my everyday life as I move forward in this class. TOPIC 1: BIBLE STUDY The Theological Definition of Bible Study: Bible theology is an attempt to articulate the theological aspects that the Bible contains as its writers addressed their particular settings. It is also the study of the Bible that seeks to discover what the biblical writers, under divine guidance, believed, described, and taught in the context of their own times. The Biblical Foundation of Bible Study: are the doctrines & teachings found in the Word of God that Christians cherish the most. These doctrines or teachings are taught very precisely from the word of God. There’s some examples; the virgin birth of Christ, the second coming of Christ, the preservation of the Word of God, & the atonement of our sins. The Practical Application of Bible Study: From the theological definition & the biblical foundation of Bible Study I’m taking in to consideration I am more about the studying habits set forth in learning about the Word of God. I see it along with my fellow classmates in this course how we can all grow closer to God knowing what Christ the Son did for us when he gave his life...
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...Black Raven May 12, 2013 Theo 104 D72 Reflection Paper #2 I. Introduction The two topics I have chosen to write about are the Fall of Man and Teaching/Instruction. During this second part of the course, I have learned some more interesting topics during the final weeks. This paper will cover the ideas I have learned so far in this course. II. Part One a. Theological Definition The beginning of the Fall of Man begins in the passage that took place when Adam and Eve, went from being obedient to God to being defiant of God. Adam and Eve were created with purity and were to obey God their creator. Then Satan came a long and convinced Eve and Adam to disobey God by eating the fruit from the tree of knowledge. This was the beginning of sin, and what I believe, was the period, that became known as, the Fall of Man. b. Biblical Foundation As described in Genesis 1:1-31, God is the creator of all living things, plants, animals and humans. God created Adam from dust and Eve was created from Adam’s rib, both were created in God’s image. God made the Garden of Eden a place where all of Adams and Eves desire for sustaining life could be met. God’s only restriction for Adam and Eve was not to eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. (Genesis 2-17). Eve was approached by a serpent who had persuaded her to eat the fruit from the tree that God told them not to. Then Eve talked Adam into eating the fruit from that same tree. After...
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...Theology Reflection Paper I. Introduction. Throughout the course of this class, my understandings of the bible and its principles have grown to new lengths. I have always been a serious follower of the Christian faith but I have taken the teachings I have received in the realm of acceptance. The ideas that are brought about in the readings have allowed me to digest the concept that my faith is backed by truth, proof and evidence. Taking what I have learned in the past and directing my newly found information, I have learned that it is okay to think critically about my faith. While thinking about the bible and how applicable its relation to the world is, I have found that I trust my faith even more. The ideas that have made me think differently about being a Christian are compound. I have been able to think critically which has allowed me to find new ways to explore my faith and prove its presence. II. Part One: Enlightenment of Faith a. Theological Definition The Theological definition of faith is one that describes an almost certain idea that although one may be entirely confused, if they have faith, guidance will be delivered through many types of faith. Now this concept contains many facets and although there are many ways that faith can be displayed, it is most evident that faith is derived from the teachings in the bible itself. b. Biblical Foundation “The source and foundation of all faith is the Bible,” (Towns, 1). Knowing more...
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...perspective into it. Certain portions of the book take us from our complete inability to take upon in good works, to God’s trust in justifying, sanctifying, and glorifying us by our faith through his grace. The natural world was made by God, yet many will argue and say otherwise. In the New Testament Jesus taught his disciples he is the creator of all things in heaven and on earth. All things that were created through him and for him. Now the Old...
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...way to interpret the life and world around us. Part II - The Christian worldview of origin is that God created all things from nothing. Everything from the heavens and the earth; light and dark; land and water; vegetation and living creatures; and finally man. (Genesis 1:1-25) God decided to make man in his own image to have dominion over all creatures on the earth. Mankind came into existence by God forming him from nothing, too. (Genesis 2:7) Worldview of identity is that all humans are made in the likeness and the image of God. (Genesis 9:6) As for humans being more important than animals; yes, God tells us to reign over all living creatures. (Genesis 1:28) Christians believe that our purpose on this earth is to know God and fear him while keeping his commandments. (Ecclesiastes 12:13) Christians ask at times, why do I exist? We exist to have a true intimate relationship with God. We are to love the Lord our God with everything that we are. (Matthew 22:37) As Christians, we believe the worldview of morality is that knowing the right things to do but not do them is a sin. (James 4:17) Knowing the difference between right and wrong though the scriptures of the bible teaches us how to live our lives. And how should we live our lives? By following the Bible, God's commandments and the beatitudes, which show us how to live a blessed life, given to us from God. (Matthew 5:3-11) Worldview of destiny is that we have eternal life through Jesus Christ. (John 3:16)...
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...Many individuals attempt to define God as an all-knowing being, with omnipotence and omnipresence. While Cusan would agree with this, another version of God dominates his work, The Vision of God. Cusan references and rejects humanity’s efforts to explain and outline God’s existence while simultaneously stressing the unfathomable truth that he deems to be God. Although humanity limits God and his power with its attempts to define him, throughout Cusan’s The Vision of God, God emerges as an utterly infinite and incomprehensible entity. Despite peoples’ endeavors to comprehend and ascribe God with human-like qualities, Cusan emphasizes his inconceivable nature. As the practice of Christian Humanism rose in popularity during the Renaissance,...
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...1. My reflection of Solitude is the state of being alone without being lone, solitude is a positive constructive state of engagement with oneself and is desirable state of being alone where I provide myself wonderful and sufficient company. Solitude is a time that can be used for reflection where one develops inner searching or growth or enjoyment of some kind. Deep reading requires solitude, so does experiencing the beauty of nature, thinking and creativity usually do too. Personally, solitude provides peacefulness stemming from a state of inner riches, it is a meaning of enjoying the quite and whatever it brings that is satisfying and from which we know sustenance, solitude is something I cultivate because it is so refreshing and an opportunity...
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