...Explain the role of reason within theology as it seeks to deepen its understanding of the mysteries of faith. By: Carolyn Curry Rel: 123 Christian Spiritual Vision Jesus Christ – is the embodied Lord. However there are people who do not believe that he exist. Some people will say he is not even real. This must be found through context of the Bible and the understandings of theology, Scripture, God, Christ, man, sin and the Holy Spirit. This we know “Theology without experience is empty Experience without theology is blind.”(Kant’s) Let’s say theology would have had specific theological methods of demonstrations of scientific developments of growth in one’s Faith. Aristotle saw, many fields he inquired using a similar method for it. However it would be foolish to use other methods to try and disapprove the existence of God, for God must not be used for an experiment, however he is considered the first cause of all things. When demonstrating God’s existence there are two things there are needed in Philosophical and empirical methods. Having those two methods and combining faith and philosophical reason one can penetrate everything into the Revelation of God. Theology, is a simple science which is based on the Revelation of God, which uses reason to know what exactly God’s revealed. Empirical science and philosophy are both a different method of theology. In today’s society there are Christians and non-Christians that think theology is only used for rigorous or demonstrative...
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...`#16 HABOC, Bea IC-PH Reflection in theology Devotion and Devotions Devotion and devotions: Pre-title Before, I begin to write my reflection, I would like to take this reflection as a journal. A journal of my journey today, Jan. 16, Thursday. Thursday is my most hate day. Know why? I’ve always been doomed by problems every Thursday. Whatever it may be, quarrel among friends, misunderstanding between me and my subjects or just plain not-myself day, Thursday will always come across to me as an evil witch, bewitching my supposedly happy-ending day. Well now, I’m sitting in one of wooden chairs in civil law section of library and I hear the ringing of my alarm to start reviewing and reading my lessons. I’ve decided to start with doing my reflection for devotion and devotions. Devotion and devotions: The Real Deal It begins with “In death, life is not ended, but changed” I like the word changed for the most part since I think it is the absolute, perfect word to describe the article in the essence that it sums up our faith and devotion to God. We want to change our ways, our evil ways, be change by God’s love or our boyfriend’s love, change for the future, change, change, change! It is absolutely nonsense to think that we would just wait for change to happen. Would it be today? Next Friday? I don’t think so. Change comes from us and change would not be possible without believing or putting one’s faith. And faith comes with understanding like actions should be accompanied...
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...Experience with Theology Essay Kyle Winter Professor Colombo Introduction to Theology THEO-104 Liberty University 7/1/2015 1. When you hear the word theology, what comes to your mind? (125–150 words) 2. Besides a passing grade, what do you hope to get out of this course over the next eight modules/weeks? (125–150 words) Prompt 1. Theology is the study of God. What is His nature and character are the main things I think of. When I think of theology I think of one of my favorite theologians, Brother Lawrence. “Practicing the presence of God” has immensely satisfied my search for God. I love that when we look at nature we can come to infinite conclusions about Gods nature and Character. I also think about a lot of negative things that have come from bad theology. Christians have been their own worst enemy for centuries because of bad theology. I have worked for a Christian non-profit (Youth With A Mission) for the last 5 ½ years. The main values are to know God, and to make Him know. This is probably what I think about most when I think about Theology. These are values that I consider to be above all else. Prompt 2. It has been over 10 years since I’ve taken an actual academic course on theology. I see every opportunity/class as a chance to know God just a little bit more. I believe that in times like these where seemingly the majority of our Nation is so confused and unable to express their emotions/feelings we need to have a strong foundation...
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...Review notes on Religion and Theology. Name Course Instructor Date Abstract The debate on religion and religious beliefs, doctrines and practices, has preoccupied man’s mind for as long as creation itself. There is an inward urge in to try and penetrate into this topic, gathering as much information as possible. In doing so endless arguments, that sometimes seem to weigh beliefs of one religion against another, often arise. There is also a tendency to look at the similarities in teachings from different religions, their practicability and what they endeavor to achieve in the long run. Religious studies also often find their arguments leaning toward relationship between the whole idea of creation and God’s participation in it. However, in religious circles there is often no doubt of belief in the supreme as far as creation and the existence of the universe is concerned. In view of this, we will seek to understand whether creation is testimony to God’s existence. Introduction Religion is no doubt a subject that has formed and greatly influenced the existence of various theories, cultural behaviors and as well raised a considerable sense of controversy. All religions draw their very own existence from some natural being and this element is well supported by references recorded mostly in books that are used to teach the doctrines of these specific religions...
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...Liberty University Theological Seminary A THEOLOGICAL BOOK CRITIQUE: GOD IN THE WASTELAND A Theological Book Critique Submitted in Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Course Systematic Theology I - THEO 525 By Chad Stafford ID# 22235852 28 September 2008 TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction Brief Summary Capitulation Keys to reformation Critical Interaction Jesus and McGuire Modernization Displacement of God Loss of God’s transcendence and holiness Loss of God’s authority Moral Irrelevance Regaining our voice Conclusion 1 1 2 2 3 3 3 5 6 7 9 9 10 ii. Introduction God in the Wasteland: The Reality of Truth in a World of Fading Dreams is authored by David F. Wells, a distinguished seminary professor and theologian at Gordon-Conwell Seminary in South Hamilton, Massachusetts. No Place for Truth was his first significant treatise on the subject of evangelicalism’s theological corruption which grabbed the attention of the evangelical community. God in the Wasteland is a continuation and his second treatment of the subject, in a four-volume series, where the author seeks to further define the origins and problems of evangelicalism’s theological compromise while proposing solutions like radical resistance to modernity and restoration of God-centeredness as central to regaining ground that has been lost to modernity within the church. In this critique I will seek to primarily interact with Wells assessment of evangelicalism’s compromised condition, and secondarily...
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...JonNecia Kane Intro to Theology December 4, 2008 Paper #4 When I signed up for your class I was anticipating learning some things that would be quite challenging and eye opening. I never thought I would be faced with so many different issues concerning the way I currently live my life. I had always heard that we were all sinners but I never really understood to what extinct. Psalms chapter 1 verses 1 through 6 it states: 1 Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. 2 But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. 3 They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do. 4 But not the wicked! They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind. 5 They will be condemned at the time of judgment. Sinners will have no place among the godly. 6 For the Lord watches over the path of the godly, but the path of the wicked leads to destruction. This is a very touching chapter however it concerns me more, at times I myself am among what is considered the wicked, although I am extremely God fearing I do sin. I have learned in this class and from my readings that I shall be forgiving for my sins; however I must begin the process of limited how often my sins occur. I’m not referring to breaking the...
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...wrong more often than not. We must recognize how much God loves us and be appreciative of everything that he created. His love is unconditional and great, and we should strive to love him and others in the same manner. Putting God first will allow us to learn how to love entirely and we will make decisions that will make him proud. The Ten Commandments help us stay on the right path. The very first commandment is “You shall have no other gods before me.” This is a very important commandment to me because so many religions either believe in more than one God or put more emphasis on saints or idols. God wants us to know that he is a jealous one, he wants us to love him and praise him and no one else. 2) Eschatology in Christian theology has to do with their belief about death, the end of the world, the second coming of Jesus Christ, purgatory, heaven and Judgment day. God give us free will to make our life choices. If we live a good life and repent of our sins we will go to heaven and we will live as angels forever with God. If we do not repent of our sins we will go to hell. Christians understand that dealing with death is difficult and painful, this is something that we must all experience because of the original sin. But it is not too late to repent, when we die we go through a process of purification this is what they call purgatory. It is necessary before we are in the presence of God. We will all need to face God and account for our sins during judgment...
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...“Ang Lumang Paintbrush” is a well-known short film by artist Joey Velasco. “Ang Lumang Paintbrush” talks about how he, with a very old paintbrush, maximized his talents for the Lord. The artist is in search for the perfect man to paint for his painting, a remake of the famous painting “The Return of the Prodigal Son”. In the short story, the man, Mang Crispin, whom Joey Velasco has chosen was a bit cold towards him and Joey indeed had a very hard time putting up with Mang Crispin. One day, the Mang Crispin suddenly got sick, so Joey had to rush him to the hospital wherein several revelations surfaced. The doctor who took care of the Mang Crispin turned out to be his own grandson. To cut things short, it was a short mini reunion for both Mang Crispin and his grandson. What struck me the most about it is the fact that yes, the things God have provided for us may be old and useless already, but it is honestly up to us whether or not we maximize them. Here, the old paintbrush may be old and may seem useless already, but it yielded into something amazing, the painting. That old paintbrush made me realize that we all have a purpose in this world. God called us all for a purpose. We should never think that we do not have a purpose in this world, because indeed, we all have. I believe that God causes all things to happen for a reason. We may not know yet now what or why, but in His due time indeed, we are bound to know more about what He has in store for all of us. My life is a tough...
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...Central to this section of the book is the issue of theological considerations in science. More specifically, the question is raised: “Is there a place for the supernatural in the field of science?” Considering this question has considerable implications for your worldview. It may in fact, be determinative of or determined by your worldview. The reason this central issue is a worldview issue is that, when we consider the place of theology in science, we are really considering the place of God in our world. If you were to adopt a methodological naturalism worldview, you might say that there is a God, but that he does not interact with the world he created (deism). This view explicitly denies the validity of Biblical miracles such as Christ’s virgin birth and His resurrection—both of which constitute the foundation of a Biblical theistic worldview. Denying the historicity of these events affects every other aspect of your worldview, including questions of our origin, identity, meaning, morality, and destiny. I have chosen to take a cautious but assertive approach to this issue. I am wary of ever defaulting to the “God-of-the-gaps” mentality—assuming supernatural causation in the case a natural explanation is not immediately available. To do so would be to think very little of not only the world around me, but also of the God who created it. That being said, I believe the occurrence of phenomena such as irreducible complexity and specified complexity make it only...
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...The woman is "in all things inferior to the man," said first century Jewish historian Flavius Josephus.[1] Rabbi Judah, a contemporary of Josephus, said "a man must pronounce three blessings each day: 'Blessed be the Lord who did not make me a heathen; blessed be he who did not make me a woman; blessed be he who did not make me an uneducated person.'"[2] Jewish Rabbis in the first century were encouraged not to teach or even to speak with women. Jewish wisdom literature tells us that "he that talks much with womankind brings evil upon himself and neglects the study of the Law and at the last will inherit Gehenna [hell]."[3] One reason for the avoidance of women was the belief that they could lead men astray: "From garments cometh a moth and from a woman the iniquities of a man" (Ecclus. 42:13). Indeed, men were often viewed as intrinsically better than women, for "better is the iniquity of a man than a woman doing a good turn" (Ecclus. 42:14).[4] In view of this low status of women, it is not surprising that they enjoyed few legal rights in Jewish society. Women were not even allowed to give evidence in a court of law. Moreover, according to the rabbinic school that followed Rabbi Hillel, a man could legally divorce his wife if she burned his dinner. It was in this oppressive context that Christianity was born. Many people - both men and women - have hailed Jesus as a feminist because of His elevation of women in a male-chauvinist society. Moreover, Paul's statement...
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...Theology Revision Plato Plato lived in Athens in the 5th and 4th Centuries BC He was the student of Socrates and teacher of Aristotle He was a dualist- believed in the body and the soul He believed the soul was more perfect than the body He believed that societies should be run by philosophers He believed the physical world is a pale imitation of the world of the forms The allegory of the cave The prisoners- normal people of society The prisoner who escapes- philosophers, people that thirst to know the real truth The people casting the shadows- the leaders of society- shaping the world without knowing the truth The shadows/statues- what people believe is reality, what they are told to believe, things people deem to be important The cave- a world without knowledge, the physical world/the body The fire- controlled, dim light- limited knowledge. An imitation of the form of the good The journey outside- a difficult journey, acquisition of knowledge The sun- illuminates the true world- form of the good The journey back into the cave- the desire to educate and inform others of the truth The world of the Forms Forms Plato uses the word ‘form’ to describe the true essence of material objects in the world This idea of the ‘form’ exists in a non physical (yet more real) realm that can only be understood by the mind. This is called the world of the forms Plato believed that the forms were interrelated and hierarchical The highest form The ultimate principle...
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...Apologetics in Christian Theology Part One: A world view is a fundamental cognitive orientation of a society or an individual that encompasses the entire breadth of the society or individual's knowledge and point-of-view. This can include natural philosophy, theories of fundamental, existential or normative philosophy or an elaboration of the themes, emotions, values and ethics of that person or society (" Secularism," 2004). Part Two: Articulate the biblical/Christian Worldview (what is believed) First of all, we must define which Christian world view we have. Christianity is a combination of different sects. However, the particular evangelical world view of this author is best represented by the tradition that we have received through the aegis of Martin Luther who advocated a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and an emphasis upon salvation history to elaborate upon this (MacKenzie). In the personal experience of this author, this evangelical viewpoint was chosen due to its connection with Jesus as a man and his place in history. This history is our salvation history, which stretches back in the eons into our sister faith of Judaism back to Genesis. Due to the failure of the Roman Catholic Church and the scholastic movement under Thomas Aquinas and other Christian greats of the Middle Ages, more was needed than simply an argument from the beauty and order of the cosmos for a first cause or God ("Scholasticism," 2009) . Rather, faith had to be based upon reason...
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...advocacy of the integration of the two views, along with the current integration research and application, is presented with the help of multiple psychological researchers. Entwistle’s view is that integration is possible if the proper cautions are taken; that “human nature can be mapped from two directions” (p. 198), if the disciplines participate in a productive interchange of complimentary findings. He seeks to treat the total patient - mind and spirit through integration, noting that ethical teachings of Christian faith are integral to psychology, not merely parallel to it. Entwistle takes the position that if we keep the books of God in mind, all theories, knowledge, and research that is not in harmony with the books, God’s Word [theology] and God’s Works...
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...Dietrich Bonhoeffer is an exquisite man, whose theology was extremely influential. His theology shed a whole new light on the true meaning of Christ. By taking a look at Bonhoeffer's life in Germany, you can truly see how his life has greatly influenced his views and works. Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a German Lutheran Pastor, a theologian, and a martyr. Bonhoeffer was brought up in Berlin, Germany in the upper-middle-class family of a leading neurologist. He studied Theology at the University of Berlin, where he eventually received his doctorate. As a student Adolf von Harnack, Bonhoeffer was highly influenced by the work of Karl Barth, who was a theologian and considered to be one of the most important Christian thinkers of the 20th century. Bonhoeffer studied with Reinhold Niebuhr, from 1930 to 1931 at the Union Theological Seminary in New York. Later, he returned back to Germany where he began teaching technology. Upon returning to Germany, Bonhoeffer became a student chaplain and youth secretary in the ecumenical movement. Bonhoeffer struggled with the Nazification of churches and the persecution against the Jews, which began in 1933. He was one of the founders of the Confessing Church, which consisted of Christians who resisted the Nazi domination. His involvement resulted in him being forbidden to teach at the University of Berlin. Bonhoeffer's resistance against Hitler, along with his Hitler assassination attempt, led to his imprisonment and eventually this all led to his...
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...Introduction In this essay, I am going to explain one definition of theology together with a definition from a few great theologians. Everyone has their own thoughts on what theology means. We all do theology; we don’t learn it or find it in a book or on television or at Church on a Sunday. Theology is something we all can do. What is Theology? Some people would define theology as the study of God but they are wrong. God is a spiritual being who knows all about us, what we are doing and what we are thinking. In my opinion, it is very difficult to study something that you can’t see. The wind blows but you can’t see it but you can see the trees swaying and the sea crashing against the rocks. This is the action of the wind even though it is invisible. God is like this. Even though God cannot be seen, God is portrayed in the beauty of God’s creation. Theology means to talk about God. It comes from the Greek Theos meaning God and Logos meaning word or talk. It doesn’t just mean theologians talking about God or ministers and priests talking about God or God talking about God; it means that every individual can talk about God. Indirectly, everyone has their own experience of God. Everyone has an understanding about theology and their different experiences of God and may have something to offer within their communities. Doing one’s own theology is far better than learning it. Many questions are asked when talking about...
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