The Influence of the Inquisition on the Reformation

Introduction In general, it is widely agreed that inquisition and reformation are the major events that have greatly defined the history of Christianity. Even though the inquisition had started in late 12th century, its peak came during the reformation as the Roman Catholic instituted it to counter reformation by protestants...

Discipleship Stages and Spheres

Introduction Stages of Discipleship A disciple undergoes a spiritual transformation to match Christ’s image. Through this process, a believer experiences an in-depth growth of spiritual knowledge. Christians consume the “spiritual milk” in the discipleship stages and go through the “Christian walk.” Learning how to become Christ’s disciple is crucial for...

Psychology and Theology: Worldview Issues, and Models of Integration

Psychology and theology are often viewed as two opposing forces with no common ground and the proponents of which deny the merits of each other’s disciplines. Nevertheless, the two fields of studies have a long-standing history, although the relationship between the two can be described as problematic. Many people who...

The Protestant Reformation: Impact on Christianity

The Protestant Reformation transformed Christianity from a single, omnipotent religion (the catholic church) to one that brings together new views that differ from the universal church. The religious groups within Christendom began to arise in opposition to the Catholic Church’s corruption, resulting in protests for reforms. Martin Luther initiated the...

The Reflection of Shinto in Spirited Away by Hayao Miyazaki

The animated film Spirited away, produced by Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki, contains many sacred Shinto motives and folklore reflections. The film’s plot follows the story of a 10-year-old girl named Chihiro Ogino, who finds herself in a world inhabited by ghosts and spirits. Although Hayao Miyazaki, being a big admirer...

The Islamic Rule in India

Across the world, the Islamic religion is the second largest after Christianity. In India, the religion has a high number of followers after Buddhism. According to the 2011 census in India, 14.2% of Indians are Muslims (Auer, 2014). Islam ruled India from as early as the 7th century. The trade...

The Ten Commandments and the Pillars of Islam

Introduction The Ten Commandments and the Pillars of Islam serve as the foundations of the Islamic and Christian religions. In general, they consist of predetermined norms that lay the groundwork for how Muslims and Christians should conduct themselves in their interactions with the Almighty and those with whom they interact....

Islam as the World’s Most Misunderstood Religion: The Problem of Stereotyping

The word “Islam” is imbued with a plethora of complex and quite frequently misguided perceptions, most of which are based on the stereotypical idea of the Muslim religion and culture. Unfortunately, due to the tremendous misrepresentation of Islam and Muslim culture in the media, a significant number of harmful stereotypes...

“Changed Into His Image” by Jim Berg

The Main Concepts and Ideas of the Book The book Changed into His Image, by Jim Berg, discusses sanctification. Sanctification is a process through which people are made holy according to the Biblical teachings. Therefore, Berg endeavors to illustrate how Biblical teachings contribute to the sanctification of believers. Berg reminds...

Religion and its Role in the Society

What is Religion? It is not an easy task to directly explain or define religion and come up with a definition that will satisfy everyone. The technicality of the definition is that when we talk of religion everyone believes that he holds the true beliefs i.e. when you go to...

The Healing Ministry of Jesus

Introduction This paper looks at the healing ministry of Jesus. This ministry is one of the most acknowledged yet controversial parts of His work on earth. However, He is the most recognized healer because of His expertise and compassion, as the paper will illustrate. This research is based on historical...

Harriet Jacobs’ “Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl”

Jacobs makes numerous references to “true Christianity” and Christian hypocrisy, to “churchgoers” and “true believers.” Using specific examples from the text (with page citations) define and explain Jacobs’ views on this issue. After you have defined and explained, imagine that Jacobs lived into the 20th century. Again, using specific examples...

The Concept of Death in Islam

Introduction The perception of death largely depends on the religious characteristics of a particular nation and is determined by people’s inner beliefs. Cultural characteristics of different countries predetermine how people relate to the afterlife and what is considered to be dead in any religion, that is, the total absence of...

Ancient Near Eastern Thought and the Old Testament

Introduction A comparative study of the ancient Near Eastern cultures reveals that most of the traditions that the Israelites adhered to were similar to those of their neighbors. John Walton’s book is dedicated to an in-depth analysis of some of the important traditions, rituals, and beliefs that were held by...

Decline of the Church in the Late Middle Ages and Its Societal Impact

Introduction The Church played an important role in Europe’s social and religious life in the late Middle Ages. However, this period saw a decline and a crisis within the Church, significantly impacting its authority and societal role. This essay will consider the factors that led to the downfall of the...

Understanding Reincarnation in Hinduism, Jainism, and Sikhism

Introduction Reincarnation is a fascinating concept due to its widespread nature and impact on multiple religions. Chandel (2015) defines reincarnation as the belief that souls continuously get reborn in different bodies, times, and places. The concept of reincarnation primarily argues that an individual’s soul is continuously reborn into a different...

The Kingdom of God: Impact on Global Politics and Economic Justice

Introduction: The Kingdom of God in the Context of Global Politics and the High Cost of Living Christians need to understand that the Kingdom of God is of the utmost power and directly affects the worldwide political situation and the expensive cost of living. The Bible teaches that God’s Kingdom...

Overview of the Methodist Church: History, Theology, and Differences from Other Christian Denominations

Introduction Christianity as a religion has developed into a variety of denominations. Hence, different subgroups of believers have slightly contrasting beliefs established due to historical, political, social, and religious changes. Methodism comprises multiple denominations correlating with Protestantism. The religious connotations derive from the teaching of Charles Wesley, and despite its...

The Practice of Spiritual Direction: Exploring Christian Mentorship and the Path to God

Introduction This paper reviews Barry, William A., and Connolly, William J. (2009), The Practice of Spiritual Direction. The book is part of the Christian literature that explores the Christian’s spiritual journey as he or she moves toward and develops a relationship with God. Barry and Connolly (2009, 17) offer a...

Steward Versus Servant Leadership in Christianity

Introduction Leadership style is the method or approach employed by a person while managing or heading a team. The leadership style is determined by factors such as an individual’s personal characteristics or traits, behaviors, and goals. Christian leadership styles have been in existence for a long time, and different people...

Jesus’s Teaching Methods and Messages

Introduction Jesus Christ is the most prominent figure in Christianity. The New Testament fully portrays his life, actions, teachings, and the legacy that remained. The teachings, specifically, have become a pillar of religious studies and illustrate the moral and ethical values Christians have nowadays in regard to having a righteous...

The Two Conceptions of Brahman in Hinduism

Introduction Hinduism is one of the world’s oldest and largest religions. Its teachings are based on the premise that the human mind is incapable of fully conceiving the being that is Brahman, who is the representation of absolute reality. The religious doctrines provide two conceptions of the deity. The first...

Chapter 2 of “Introducing Christian Mission Today” by Goheen

The current report summarizes the “Scripture as a Narrative Record of God’s Mission” chapter from the book Introducing Christian Mission Today by Michael W. Goheen. The focus of this part is the description of how Scripture conveys the message of God’s mission to the readers. In other words, the author...

Christianity in Malaysia: The Spread and Development

The spread of Christianity began in the first century. It continued steadily as different missionaries traversed various continents globally. Activities such as crusades and campaigns significantly influenced the success of the spread of the religion which started in Northern Europe before proceeding to other continents. Among the earliest regions to...

Review of “Little Buddha” by Bernardo Bertolucci

Little Buddha is a 1993 film by Bernardo Bertolucci that tells the story of choosing the rebirth of Lama Dorje, a great Buddhist teacher. Lama Norbu and a group of monks from Butane go to the US to find an American boy Jesse Conrad. The monks announce that the child...

“God, Freedom and Human Dignity” by Highfield

The following paper summarizes the book titled “God, Freedom and Human Dignity,” written by Ron Highfield and published by IVP Academic. The author’s main objective in this book is to shed light on how human beings can embrace a God-centered identity in a culture where people are self-absorbed and self-regarding....

The Book “Introducing World Religions: A Christian Engagement”

The following report is based on Chapter 10: New Religious Movements in the 2015 textbook Introducing world religions: A Christian engagement by Charles E. Farhadian. In this chapter, Farhadian provides a comprehensive overview of major new religious movements (NRM) and identifies popular NRMs, particularly their historical beginnings, important individuals, fundamental...

Islamic Law and Its Legal System

Introduction Islamic law entails the various legal systems that have been implemented to be in accord with the Islamic faith. Islamic law has been significant for decades as it has represented an essential part of Muslims. It has also been reinterpreted and adapted to the changing issues in society. Moreover,...

God’s and Elijah’s Formal and Informal Leadership

Introduction This paper will discuss formal and informal leadership represented by God and Elijah the Prophet, respectively. It will focus on Elijah’s going through illness and hopelessness and God’s assisting him in finding the path to salvation. According to Merida (2015), “We have read of Elijah’s mountaintop experience at Mount...

Leadership Development Plan Based on the Bible Principles

Introduction Leadership advancement is the practice of cultivating governance abilities and proficiencies through various undertakings. During the process, individuals are taught vital management competencies that enable them to lead, encourage and direct their teams to success properly. Training is essential to cultivate a culture of headship throughout an establishment appropriately....

Comparing of Judaism and Taoism

The purpose of this essay is to compare the two religions, their main characteristics, beliefs, and conceptual and ethical attitudes. Judaism and Taoism are chosen as examples for comparison. Judaism is one of the oldest Western monotheistic religions, distinguished by belief in the one true God. Judaism is based on...

The Analysis of the New Testament Canon

The Christian Bible’s New Testament includes twenty-seven books such as canonical Gospels, Revelation, acts as well as letters, the majority of which were authored by the apostles. The canon was developed according to specific criteria, such as the prophetic authorship of the writings, the Witness of the Spirit, the acceptance...

Biblical Allusions in Of Plymouth Plantation

The Puritans have played an enormous role in American literature, and their ideas still influence moral judgment and some religious beliefs in the United States. Puritan writing has been used to glorify God and to relate God more directly to people’s world. Puritan literature was straightforward and focused on teaching...

Christianity, Buddhism, and Hinduism: The Afterlife Concepts

Introduction Religion provides purpose and meaning, allowing its followers to navigate in a world full of uncertainty. This idea explains the seminal status of the world’s leading beliefs, as they possess well-established and documented descriptions of all key spheres of life. Among these aspects, the afterlife occupies a unique position...

Importance of Having Faith for People

Faith, the concept of having confidence in something regardless of whether it is grounded in facts, is often the only thing that offers consolation to people. However, it is beneficial during hard times and can inspire people to be and do better when they are already living well. This concept...

Books IX-XII of Paradise Lost by Milton

Book IX Milton reveals gender-related biases present in the seventeenth century – Eve is to blame for the couple being exiled from Eden. “To whom soon mov’d with a touch of blame thus Eve” states the poem and also emphasizes the author’s opinion by describing Adam’s disappointment in the woman’s...

Comparison of Utilitarianism and Christian Ethics

Introduction Human beings encounter diverse challenges and obstacles that could affect their goals and force them to change their philosophies of life. Metaethics has emerged as a powerful field that presents evidence-based concepts for examining moral issues and addressing them from an informed perspective. Depending on the existing situation and...

“How to Read the Bible for What It’s Worth” by D. Stewart and G. Fee

Summary “How to read the Bible for what it’s worth” written by Gordon Fee and Douglas Stewart is a modern-day revolutionary text that goes into depth describing various aspects of the Holy Bible including the text, its meaning and application in the modern age. The book covers the different chapters...

Is the Great White Throne the Same Judgment of Matthew 25

Introduction Many scriptures in the bible have predicted the coming of judgment which will be executed by God on all people on earth. For instance, the book of Psalms 98:13 in the Good News Bible (p. 514) clearly describes the period when those on earth will be judged, “for he...

The Protestant Reformation in Europe

The protestant reformation contributed greatly to social, political, and religious revolutions in Europe. Protestant reformation was initiated by the European Christian Reform Movement. The movement aimed at reforming the doctrine of the Catholic Church which was at that moment dominant in Europe. However, the reformation did not come easy, a...

The Worship Styles and Elements of the Baptist Church

Outline This paper traces the history and development of the worship styles and elements of the Baptist church from its early beginnings up to date and finally, it concludes. It is therefore divided into the following sections: Introduction, History and development of worship styles and elements, and Conclusion. Introduction According...

Neo-Orthodoxy Theology: Barth, Brunner et al.

Introduction Neo-orthodoxy is a concept used in advanced contemporary theology, also called liberal theology. The views of neo-theologians are different from those of the orthodoxy on the basis of their approaches to the word of God. Neo-theology is a deviant view of the doctrine of the word and is in...

The Role of Religion in African Societies: A Literature Review

Introduction There are approximately 4200 religions in the world today. Most of these groupings are characterised by organised behaviours, membership rules, and adherence criteria. The main aim of this essay is to take an in-depth look into the issue of how literature helps to illustrate the theme of religion in...

Richard Taylor’s Argument for God’s Existence

Introduction Richard Taylor’s cosmological argument for God’s existence is commonly listed among the most convincing justifications of the creationist outlook on the essence/origins of the surrounding physical reality. One of the reasons for this is that the argument’s initial assessment will reveal it being thoroughly exhaustive, in the logical sense...

Origin of the Universe and Life on the Earth

Introduction There exist diverse theories of the origin of the universe and life. This has been argued through scientific theory, creation theory, and myths theory. With these theories, people have different ideologies and views in accordance with what one believes in. This paper summarizes beliefs about the origin of the...

Religion and Beliefs About Illness: A Comparative Study of Cultural Perspectives

Introduction The world has a diversity of religions with each having its own beliefs regarding illness. Healthcare professionals are obliged to consider religious beliefs when taking care of patients coming from different backgrounds. Religion plays a major role in healthcare and nurses ought to consider the patients’ religious backgrounds before...

The Old Testament’ Importance for the Modern Believer

Introduction Today, many Christians neglect the Old Testament, considering that it only contains bedtime stories and is not relevant for the modern believers. However, this approach is not correct. Studying the Old Testament gives a modern believer knowledge on the relationship between God and people, explains certain universal principles, helps...

Phenomenological and Experiential Approaches to Religious Education

Introduction Religion is an integral part of most societies. In the history of humanity, religions have influenced major parts of the way of life of most societies. In many societies, passing religious beliefs to the other members of the society is taken as major duty for existence. In accordance with...

Buddhism and Hinduism: Origins, Beliefs, and Cultural Impact

Background The paper focuses on the story of two common religions, Buddhism and Hinduism. The cultures of these religions are of great importance, as many people worldwide identify with them. The centuries-old histories of Buddhism and Hinduism provide a basis for examining the formation and development of these two distinct...

Joseph’s Journey and the Biblical Principle of Delayed but Not Denied

The Foundations of Joseph’s Journey in Jacob’s Story A wealth of knowledge and understanding may be found in the enormous variety of stories that make up the Bible. They also serve as timely reminders of God’s unwavering promises. The tale of Joseph, a shepherd kid who grows up to become...

Holy Communion: Origins, Significance, and Purpose in Christian Worship

Introduction Holy Communion, also known as the Eucharist or the Lord’s Supper, is a sacred ritual in Christianity acknowledged by almost every denomination. It involves sharing bread and wine to remember Christ’s sacrifice and mercy to all people. Holy communion is arguably the most significant Christian ritual, dating back to...

Comparative Analysis of Theistic Beliefs in Islam and Christianity

Introduction Theistic ideas in Islam and Christianity diverge in their interpretations of the purpose of human life and the core beliefs that shape individuals’ lives. Islamic Theism prioritizes the concepts of purpose and direction by advocating for obedience to Allah’s will, following the teachings of the Qur’an, and imitating the...

Christian Evidences of Jesus in the Bible

Many people believe that Jesus did not exist, but for my friend, I will use the Bible verses to prove that he existed. I will explain to him how the Bible provides us with numerous verses that support the existence of Jesus Christ. For example, in Matthew 1:1-17, we read...

The Great Schism in History of Christianity

Summary Throughout the history of the existence of religious traditions, there have been conflicts between different churches due to views on spirituality and religious practices. The largest schism, which is called the Great Schism, occurred in 1054 and marked the separation of the Western and Eastern Christian churches. The center...

Hinduism vs. Buddhism: Similarities & Differences

Today, it is normal to see people choosing different religions and following specific beliefs as an integral part of their lives. There are usually no restrictions related to the decision on what religion to practice, but understanding the historical backgrounds, morals, and metaphysical views remains critical. This essay compares Hinduism...

Value of Religious Literacy in Society

Introduction Choice of religion is a deeply personal matter, and individuals’ religious beliefs should always be treated with respect and understanding. However, religious literacy is not a skill that many people possess due to a lack of formal education on the religions of the world and a lack of interest...

Religion, a Coping Mechanism for the Human Experience

Introduction Attention-Getter Religion is one of the most important phenomena of human existence that psychiatry faces. It significantly affects the emotional sphere, thinking, and behavior of a person. Thesis Although psychiatry was formed as a natural science discipline, yet many years ago, psychiatric care was provided in religious institutions. The...

Jesus Christ’s Ministries and Chaplain Behaviors

Introduction Parallels can be drawn between Jesus Christ and military chaplains, as both were sent to minister to secular and religiously diverse communities. As such, His example should serve as the inspiration for members of the profession, with His words and actions deserving emulation in the course of one’s work....

Why Is It Important to Study Bible?

Introduction The Bible as the repository of wisdom and God’s written word is often taken for granted. However, it needs to be examined as the source of essential insights into the nature of human relationships and the use of ethical and moral standards based on which one should build relationships...

Analysis of “Surah al-Ikhlas” in Qur’an

This paper targets to analyze Surah 112 of the Qur’an, which consists of 4 verses. It is relatively short, yet considered to be one of the most significant. It goes under the name “Surah al-Ikhlas,” which in translation from Arabic means “The Purification” or “The Unity”. It contains many fundamental...

The Power of Meditation

In most cases, it happens that we may not realize who we are. This results from the over-involvement with too much activity in work or studies, which denies us the time to reflect on whom we are or discover our inner self. As Holecek explained, the experience whenever we over-utilize...

Western and Eastern Religions and Their History

Introduction Religion has played an important responsibility in the traditional world as well as in the modern world. In order to complement religion, a number of societies for example Chinese, Romans and Greeks emulated rationalism. Modern world is the historic period when the European countries began to expand spreading imperialism...

Cosmic Christianity: Eliade’s “Myth and Reality”

Introduction Mythology is a very abstract and historic concept which many do not realize has been a vital part of human civilization for centuries before the arrival of the primary world religions. As societies developed with more concrete ideologies and structured religious institutions, mythological concepts were integrated into mainstream religions...

“On the Soul and the Resurrection: St. Gregory of Nyssa” by Roth

Doctrine of Resurrection The text that is summarized is part of the book On the Soul and the Resurrection: St. Gregory of Nyssa by Roth (1993). The story is about the doctrine of St. Gregory of Nyssa, who considers human resurrection as one of the main divine gifts that allow...

Religious Manipulation: “The Female American” Analysis

Introduction The religious memoir, The Female American, was first published in 1767 and it gives an account of Unca Winkfield, who is the main character/narrator. She comes from a bi-racial marriage living in 18th century America. Unca’s bi-racialism generates tension within the novel, as she appears to advance Christian views...

The Holocaust’s Impact on Jewish Life, Identity, and the Creation of Israel

Introduction The tragedy of the Holocaust, which occurred more than half a century ago, continues to be the topic of political and religious discussions. Even though the Nazi regime of Germany sought to destroy all European Jews, some still managed to survive. However, after the end of the war, the...

Nick Cave on the Gospel of Mark: Jesus’ Isolation and Misunderstood Mission

Introduction The article “Nick Cave Introduces the Gospel of Mark” emphasizes Jesus’s aloofness. Christ’s nature placed a tremendous burden of suffering in his life. According to Cave, “Christ spoke to me through His isolation, through the burden of His death, through His rage at the mundane, through His sorrow” (Zahl,...

Differences Between European and English Reformations and Their Historical Impact

Scientific Discoveries and the Rise of the Reformation In the 16th century, numerous significant scientific discoveries were made, often contradicting church dogmas. This led to the persecution of scientists, which in turn caused discontent among many people. The Catholic Church’s persecution of science has become one of the most important...

Paul’s Message to the Philippians: Joy, Unity, and Faith in Adversity

Introduction Penned by the imprisoned apostle Paul, the Book of Philippians exemplifies the resilience of joy in adversity. Written to the Christian community in Philippi, it transcends Paul’s physical constraints. Known as the “Epistle of Joy,” it reveals Paul’s purpose, emphasizing themes of unity, humility, and contentment. Delving into its...

Christian Life Coaching: Overcoming Obstacles and Spiritual Growth

Life Coaching Definitions of Life Coaching, Mentorship, Discipleship, and Counseling Life coaching is an intentional partnership between a coach and a coachee, primarily fostering successful outcomes in the coachee’s personal and professional life (Collins, 2009). While life coaching, mentoring, discipleship, and counseling all play a part in helping people improve...

Lesslie Newbigin’s Proper Confidence and Its Impact on Missionary Thought

Introduction Lesslie Newbigin’s contribution is considered among the brightest minds behind the missionary thought of the twentieth century, even though his reflection on Evangelism has not been widely studied. In the age of rising pragmatism and consumerism, through his writing, Newbigin aimed to comment on the disappearance of hope in...

Christian History and Thinkers: From Early Church to Modern Period

Early Church period: 0 – 300 CE The Early Church period covers the birth of Jesus in 0 C.E. until the Edict of Milan in 313 CE, which allowed religious toleration of Christianity in the Roman Empire. This time was defined by the expansion of Christianity, the propagation of the...

The Italian Jesuits’ Mission to China: Role of Matteo Ricci

Introduction The Jesuit missions to China in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries represent a short but remarkable page in the history of China and an exciting phenomenon in the life of the Society of Jesus itself. It was the first significant dialogue between European and Chinese cultures; it included both...

Gonzalez’s Story of Christianity Book Review

In Gonzalez’s book Story of Christianity: Volume 1: The Early Church to the Reformation, chapter 17 discusses The Arian Controversy. This issue sparked the so-called Arian conflict, named after the Alexandrian priest Arius. He promoted strict monotheism and believed that Christ was God but was subject to God the Father...

Doctrine of the Trinity about the Nature of the Church

Introduction The Christian doctrine of the Trinity is important in understanding the nature of God as well the human-God relationship. However, based on the nature of the church, the doctrine is marked by some ambiguities. For instance, many Christians and Bible scholars tend to be confused on the subject of...

Comparison of Christianity and Hinduism

Religious affiliation is one of the valuable components of the human personality. Adhering to particular religious worldviews in this way becomes an essential topic for research. This implies comparing aspects such as historical and geographical origins, core beliefs and practices, and important texts. Therefore, this essay will compare Hinduism and...

Cross-Cultural Evangelism Strategies

Cross-cultural evangelism is the sharing of the gospel with people from other cultures. It involves getting to know people from other cultures, learning about their customs and beliefs, and then sharing the gospel with them in a culturally relevant way. An example of cross-cultural evangelism would be a missionary who...

Narrative Theology: Biblical Metanarrative

Introduction The essence of narrative theology lies in the idea that the use of the Bible in Christian theology should focus on the narrative presentation of faith. This is an approach that opposes developing a set of teachings derived from Scripture itself – what is commonly referred to as “systematic...

The Ashari Theology in Sunni Islam

The Islam religion is primarily known for their belief in the Quran as their primary material of reference as it guides them in their daily conduct. The religion further believes in their first prophet Muhammad who creates an understandable link between God and His people. The Quran, the Islamic holiest...

International Church of the Foursquare Gospel

Background The Foursquare Gospel is an evangelical Pentecostal denomination the name of which is closely related to the emblem, represented by four squares. The four squares symbolically show Jesus Christ the Savior, Baptizer, Healer, Coming King. It refers to the revelation of Aimee Semple McPherson, the founder of the church,...

The Acts 9:36-43 Passage Analysis

Correlation How the passage fits within the metanarrative of the Bible The story of Dorcas of Joppa is affiliated with the new creation multinarrative of the Bible. The description is about a woman who helped the poor, widows and was of an admirable heart. At one time, she died, and...

Sunni and Shia’ Branches of Islam: The History of the Split

Introduction There have been growing tensions between the Sunni and Shia Islamic group for over fourteen centuries. The two sects have co-existed peacefully for many years and have similar beliefs regarding the Qur’an and Prophet Muhammad. However, there are sharp divisions regarding their doctrines, theology, law, rituals, and particularly the...

The Purpose of Missions in the Church

The nature and the purpose of the mission may change depending on the historical circumstances. The Christian mission underwent the path from eradication and imposition to acculturation. Nowadays, the Protestant mission and Church follow the ‘acculturation’ approach; thereby, the institution actively adapts to the changing cultural landscape. For instance, the...

The Image of Christ in Mark’s Gospel

The Gospel The Gospel is an irrefutable witness to the divine humanity of Christ. As a God-inspired book, however, it was written by living people, each describing events as he saw and perceived them or as he heard about them from eyewitnesses. The inspiration of the sacred books refers to...

Leadership in Church and Its Theological Aspects

Introduction Leadership in church, as well as change, are two things that require individuals who are committed to serving others. The two depend on one another in the sense that in order for change to happen, good leaders need to be present. A good leader is characterized by the ability...

The Foundation of Christianity: Greek, Jews, Roman, and Heathen Traits

Christianity has always been a cross-cultural and diverse religion with no single dominant expression. Historically, Christians lived in diverse cultural contexts enabling Christianity to gain a multicultural and polytonal context globally. The Greek, Roman, Jewish, and Heathen ancient cultural traits influenced the development and spread of Christianity. Christianity started with...

Rites of Passage: From Childhood to Adulthood

The Rites of Passage have long been a subject of discussion since, in many ways, they are not in line with the modern perception of adolescence as a continuous process that lasts well into a person’s twenties. However, the Rights of Passage, established long before the modern system of education...

God Speaks to Humanity by Ingrid Mattson Review

The author of the book God Speaks to Humanity Ingrid Mattson is an activist in the field of theology and religious studies. She raises important issues in the religion of Islam, is engaged in educational activities that help people treat Muslims with an open mind. This book describes the history...

The Old Testament and Ancient Near East

Introduction The expansion of our knowledge of the culture of the Ancient Near East, which became possible as a result of archaeological discoveries, has opened up new perspectives for the study of the Old Testament. In these discoveries, humanity was able to touch the already lost literary heritage of the...

The Limits of Language in Theology

The Christian apophatic mysticism, also known as “via negative,” teaches to approach the divine using a negation, indicating what God is believed not to be. This form of religious practice and thinking contrasts with the cataphatic approach that requires affirmations when referring to or describing God (Lane, 1998). There is...

Secularism in the Current World

Introduction Secularism sometimes referred to as secularity entails the idea that something is not related to a church or religion. It is usually applied to explain an independent government that does not rely on a religious organization. The Secularism principle attempts to influence human affairs depending on the naturalistic or...

Godly Leadership Principles in Testaments

Introduction While the world and society have undergone significant transformations over the past two thousand years, the fundamental aspects of society have remained unchanged. Across all sectors of human activity, people can be categorized as either leaders or followers. This idea serves as the very basis of personal and professional...

What the Bible Actually Teaches on Women by Giles

The book What the Bible Actually Teaches on Women is a comprehensive critique of the “complementarian” assertion that women are meant to be subordinates of men both at the household and in church. The author, Kevin Giles, is an accomplished scholar and backer of female leadership and he has written...

Jehovah’s Witness – Beliefs

Jehovah’s witnesses are unique believers who base their religion on Christianity; however, they hold many unique features and traditions. The main peculiarity of Jehovah’s witnesses is that their God is Jehovah, and Jesus Christ is his agent, through whom people may reconcile to God (“Jehovah’s Witness – Beliefs,” 2019). The...

Difference Between 3 Abrahamic Religion

Introduction The term “Abrahamic Religions” refers to Judaism, Islam, and Christianity, which derive their spiritual source from common ancestry. According to Lovat and Crotty (2015), the cultural, geographical, ethnic, and historical backgrounds of these belief systems emanates from the Near East. The three are monotheistic and rely on some discrete...

Narrow Road to the Interior. Analysis

“Narrow Road to the Interior,” written by Matsuo Basho is a set of haiku and prose depicting Basho’s journeys across Japan. In this work, Basho describes how he traveled, describing the places and references to other poems. Additionally, the topic of spirituality, mainly on the basis of the religious tradition...

Analysis of Exegesis of Numbers 21: 4-9

“If it does not kill you, it will make you well” (Barlett and Brown Thaylor, 2008, 101). This well-known statement that is used now as a saying is given in the presentation of the exegetical perspective of the analyzed pericope. It has its roots in the Scripture, mainly in the...

Christology: Development of Christology

Introduction In no doubt, one will never understand Theology, the idea about God, without mentioning the character of Jesus. Christology then comes in, as among the many branches of Christian theology that purely addresses the mystery behind Jesus Christ: his nature, actions, and person, as it appears in the New...

Faith, Doubt, and Religious Vision in the ‘Uphill’ Poem

Introduction According to Christina Rossetti’s poem titled “uphill”, it is evident that she doubts if one time the faithfulness will have everlasting rest. Her way of thought in the first stanza shows the readers an indication of hope for the faithful, but a tough and long journey. In the end,...

How Diverse Traditional Beliefs Affect the Spheres of Life in Ghana

Ghana is a post colonial country situated in Africa that embraces diverse ethnic group, religious concepts, beliefs, and languages, greatly affected by European influence. As in most African countries “religion is inseparable from virtually every aspect of Ghanaian life and is important in the determination of worldview” (Salm and Falola...

The Role of Sexuality in Jewish Humor

Introduction According to (Harap 1987), humor was used as a mechanism for coping with hard situations in Israel by the Jews. Among the areas that humor was applied is sexuality, where Jews were made to divert their thoughts from depressions and were made to laugh or smile, as laughter is...

Religious Denominations Analysis: Christianity, Catholicism, and Lutheranism

Introduction: A brief historical background of Christian Denominations Considering the first stages of Christianity development, humanity knew no ‘denominations’ within the church; in 1504 there was first Christendom division between the Eastern and Western Churches with ‘Great Schism’. It is necessary to underline the fact that this stage appeared to...

St. Paul’s Letter to the Corinthians

Historical Background of the text of 1 Corinthians The First Epistle to the Corinthians, or 1 Corinthians was written in Greek by St. Paul of Tarsus to the fledgling Christian Community of Corinth. In the Bible, It is the seventh book of the New Testament and the second of the...

Bhagavad-Gita: The Consequences and Proofs of Alterations on the Hindu Society

Although Bhagavad-Gita has always acquired the titles such as “The divine Song of God” or “The word of God” etc, but still a common man cannot visualize the changes and the influences of such changes which has been occurred and preached since the origin of Gita throughout the decades. History...

Early Church History: Persecution of Christianity

The early Christians endured persecution not only from non-believers but also from believers who sought to change their faith. The reasons for these persecutions were mainly due to the fear of Christianity by the Romans, as they dubbed it a mere superstition rather than a belief. It is imperative to...

“In His Steps” by Charles Sheldon

Since its publication in 1896, “In His Steps” by Charles Sheldon became widely popular in Christian circles. Part of the success of this religious fiction novel lies in its focus on timeless concepts of love and compassion and the responsibility we share to care for those in need. In his...

The Christian Worldview: Gospel Essentials Essay

Introduction Gospel Essentials and the Christian Worldview Gospel essentials are the subject matter of the gospel books, whose theme is forgiveness of sin and redemption, qualified by Jesus’ atonement (1 Cor. 15: 1-4 New International Version). On the other hand, Valk describes the Christian worldview as the underlying philosophical structure...

Islamic Culture, Politics and Religion

In the Arab world, the word ‘Islam’ means submission and peace. As a term, it refers to the messages revealed to Muhammad by Allah. Cultural practices and beliefs associated with the people who practice this religion give rise to Islamic culture. In the recent past, the religion has spread into...

Dutch Settlers and Native Americans: Trade and Freedom in New Netherland

Introduction The Dutch settlers came to America with the sole objective of making money. They did migrate from their original land due to political or religious persecution. A majority of the settlers were single men who were out to make money. The Dutch West Indian company facilitated the movement of...

Religion: Jain Belief and Practice in South Asia

Introduction Jainism is a religion in South Asia, India in particular, which is founded on the doctrine of non-violence to all creatures. Despite the faith sharing some concepts with Buddhism and Hinduism, it is imperative to note that Jainism is an independent religion. It is an essential component of South...

How Jews, Christians, and Muslims Interpret Isaiah 26:3–4 and Other Biblical Texts

Different Interpretations of Isaiah 26:3–4 Jews, Muslims, and Christians understand Biblical scriptures in different ways. Isaiah is not an exception, for instance. Isaiah 26:3–4 is interpreted differently by Christians, Jews, and Muslims, and each faith has created its traditions and beliefs based on these verses. Christians often view these passages...

The Development and Teachings of the Early Christian Church: Origins, Heresies, and Growth

Introduction Every religion has a beginning and story that has been passed on to the following generations and written in manuscripts. Similarly, the early church in Christianity began with the death of Jesus Christ and gradually spread to various regions. Therefore, the early church began with the apostles spreading the...

Understanding Christian Ministry: Service for All Believers

Introduction Throughout much of its history, the church has been divided into two groups, namely those tasked with ministry and followers. Ministry has been characterized as the duties of a pastor rather than as the actions that servants of God undertake in the context of routine daily activities. Traditional conceptualizations...

The Christian Leadership, Stewardship, and Ethics

Introduction In understanding what leadership is, there are often severe problems. The world has leadership principles; worldly leadership tries to control and establish order. Unfortunately, the church is often influenced by these patterns of secular government. However, the Bible says that Christian leadership is based on principles that are opposite...

The Decline of Christianity in Europe

Introduction The decline of Christianity in Europe starting from the second half of the 17th century is characterized by several factors that determined this process. These factors include examples directly related to religion and some aspects indirectly affecting the decline of the faithful population. The number of reasons for the...

Impact of Religion on Individuals, Society, and the World

Religion plays an essential role in the growth of an individual, society, and the whole world. Religion acts as a guidebook on how people should live, driven by their faith and principles of life (Primal Religions, n.d.). Moreover, religious leaders are expected to teach people the virtue of love and...

“Nick Cave Introduces the Gospel of Mark” Article by Zahl

After examining the article, Nick Cave introduces the gospel of Mark, Nick Cave seems to be a person fond of Jesus and religion, and surprisingly, he incorporates violence and death concepts into his art. His performance as a spokesperson is what made him most famous. Founder and frontman of the...

Christianity: History, Traditions, and Cultural Practices

Introduction Cultural diversity in society is an unavoidable and unique phenomenon that is central to human development. Unfortunately, several multicultural issues arise when individuals from different backgrounds interact because many people strongly hold onto their beliefs. Thus, it is critical to understand the backgrounds, history, and practices of different cultures...

Eternal Life in John’s Gospel: Theological Perspective

Every human, at least once in their life, thought about receiving the gift of eternal life. Such a desire is quite reasonable because any person is afraid of the unknown; they have no idea about what will happen when they die. This is a part of human nature; being scared...

Table Fellowship: Dismantling Social Barriers

Reflection This reflection is dedicated to Chapter 3 in Mission in Acts written by Santos Yao, titled “Dismantling Social Barriers through Table Fellowship.” I found this chapter exceptionally relevant to my faith journey and life experience because of the presence of rigid social and cultural divisions within the present-day community....

The Issue of Religious Intolerance

Human beings have their perspective shaped by the peculiarities of their physiological and mental perception, interests, and dreams, and an internal drive to fulfill them. These things are called personality, inner will, and motivation, and they are present in all types of human activities and inevitably influence and manifest themselves...

Buddha, Nirvana and the Four Pillars of Truth

The Four Noble Truths symbolize the foundation of Buddhism because they carry the real meaning of Buddha’s teachings. Before understanding the essence of the four pillars of truth, nirvana, one needs to understand who the Buddha is. Siddhartha Gautama, “the Buddha,” was born into a wealthy family as a prince...

Holy Spirit Baptism: Filling With God’s Holy Spirit

Introduction Holy Spirit baptism means being filled with God’s Holy Spirit, the third person in the Trinity. When in possession of it, one becomes empowered to perform tasks called upon by God. It makes one saturated with the Holy Spirit and covers each part of the person. Moreover, baptism by...

Pope Urban II: Calling for Crusade

The analyzed source presents the speech of Pope Urban II, in which he calls those present at the Council of Clermont to oppose Seljuks. His call is a response to a request for help from the Byzantine emperor Alexios I Komnenos, worried about the invasion of the Anatolian plateau by...

The Veil in the Modern Muslim Community

Introduction The purpose of this essay is to consider the most relevant theoretical and methodological approaches to the interpretation of the meaning of the veil and covering the face and body in women professing the Muslim confession. From the perspective of an outside observer who does not interpret Islamic culture...

Religion and Faith for a Better World

Religion and faith make a very pivotal aspect within the social setting because of the significant influence it has on the wellbeing and existence of individuals within the community. Society consists of very diverse individuals who practice different forms of culture. Religion is one of the different forms of cultural...

Peace in Islam and International Relations

Introduction It is important to note that Islam is one of the three Abrahamic religions, which builds its system of beliefs on the faith of monotheism. The Holy Quran is the sacred text from which the majority of teachings and core concepts are derived. The key figure is the Prophet...

Traditional and Non-Literal Interpretations of Genesis

Introduction Within the framework of this essay, it is required to critically interpret the unconventional criticism of the passages about the creation of the world from the Book of Genesis. The literal interpretation of this text implies that man inhabits the Earth for only a few thousand years – as...

“Propositional Faith: What it is and What it is Not” Article Review

Daniel Howard-Snyder dedicates his article to the topic of faith. His main claim is that the common understanding of propositional faith is false and thus damages human thought processes regarding their attitude towards future events. Snyder argues that there is a substantial difference between conventional religious faith and propositional faith...

Confucianism vs. Daoism: Finding Four Differences

Confucianism and Daoism appeared in the 6th–5th century BCE in China as philosophical ways of life and worldviews created by Confucius and Laozi, respectively. Though they are from the same period of time and country, these two religions or philosophies are rather different as they are based on various concepts...

Christian Approaches to Hinduism

Hinduism is an integral part of the world’s religions, and there is no doubt that Christianity has succeeded in building its attitude toward this denomination. According to Light (2017), “Christian approaches to Hinduism are diverse but tend to study sacred texts, ways of life, or philosophy. Consequently, it is appropriate...

Personal Reflection on Christian Ethics and Spirituality

Christian ethics, or the moral teaching of Christianity, determines the ethical guidelines of human behavior. Christianity’s ethics is expressed in a Christian ethos, a certain style of life, diverse in its manifestations and inherent in both individuals and large social groups. People who follow Christian ethics have a high level...

Why Is It Important for a Christian to Study Church History?

The church’s history began with Jesus Christ and apostles, who, after the Resurrection, carried his word to all parts of the world, particularly to Greece and then to Italy. The Apostle Peter, who was to become a cornerstone of the new Christian church according to Jesus’ parting words, successfully fulfilled...

Death and Dying: A Case Study

The questions about death and terminal conditions are difficult subjects to discuss. For many people, faith explains such happenings, providing solace or guiding their decisions for healthcare. In the case of George, the diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) means that he has a limited time to live and that...

The Abortion Dilemma: Islam vs. Christianity

Introduction Human beings encounter diverse problems that affect their experiences, decisions, and relationships in their respective communities. Religion and ethics are two key areas that offer timely insights for dictating the way people pursue social dilemmas to meet the demands of the greatest majority. One of the primary concerns many...

Christian Worldview: Ultimate Reality

Introduction Ultimate reality is an existing actuality that surpasses the physical and non-physical dimensions of the world. It is absolute power, a central connecting point, and the source of everything that prevails in the universe. In the Christian denomination, this phrase refers to a transcendent presence, a supreme being, or...

The Different World Religion Summary

Judaism Judaism is considered to be the world’s most ancient monotheistic religion, which constitutes millions of worshippers worldwide. The core values of Judaism are outlined in the numerous sacred writings that bear a sense similar to the one of Christianity, being represented from a different perspective. Just like other western...

Religion: The Seven Storey Mountain

The Seven Storey Mountain is a twentieth-century spiritual autobiography written by a Catholic priest and a Trappist monk Thomas Merton. This book has many similarities with St. Augustine’s Confessions since it tells a personal story of seeking God and finding a vocation. The sincerity of the story and Merton’s writing...

The Development of Personal Worldview

Human beings live in trying times due to the presence of diverse views, concepts, and ideas that might affect the decisions they make and the way they pursue their personal goals in life. The development of a personal worldview is an evidence-based practice that can empower and guide more people...

The Gospel of Matthew vs. the Gospel of Mark

How and why would Matthew have edited Mark 6:45-52 contrasted with Matthew 14:25-27, 32-33? First and foremost, the Gospel of Matthew refers to the study of the life and preaching of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. The features of the Gospel stem from its intended purpose for the Jewish...

Ritual in Religion: Their Role and Meaning

A ritual is an activity performed by a person or persons with a belief in supernatural effects. This activity symbolizes faith in supernatural strength. The activity becomes symbolic when the spirit and physicality are abstract. The object of belief may be terrestrial or physical. Terrestrial objects are invisible but exist....

Why a Christian Environment Appeals to Me

Introduction The world today is full of different types of faiths. Christianity happens to be one of them. Others include Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Judaism. Debating on which of these is better than the other is a continuing issue with each side determined to win. I have however taken a...

Islam: Sacred Text (The Quran)

Outline Islam is a universal religion of Millions of Muslims around the world. I chose this religion because of my curiosity to know more about it and its sacred text, The Quran. The holy book of Muslims is unique and it is in its original form since its revelation on...

Bible History and the Interpretation

Introduction The interpretation of the bible began a long time ago and up to date, different people interpret it in different ways. The teachings of the different churches about the bible also differ depending on the church that is doing the teaching. The bible has been criticized for some of...

Social Theory. Religion as a Tool for Social Oppression

Introduction There can be no doubt as to the fact that religion played an important role in shaping up socio-political realities, ever since the dawn of history. In its turn, this allows the proponents of religious worldview on culture and science to suggest that people’s tendency to indulge in theological...

Buddhist Culture in Thailand

In Thailand, Buddhism is the official religion of the state based on century-old traditions and principles. Thailand adopts so-called Theravada Buddhism which transformed Thai culture and society. Consequently, the Thai today differ in language, literature, music, drama, religion, family organization, and in the values and activities relating to these aspects...

“The Crisis of Islam: Holy War and Unholy Terror” by Lewis

Introduction The book “The Crisis of Islam: Holy War and Unholy Terror” narrates the complex history of Islam and how most of its followers continue to reject modernism in favor of conservative ideas that oppose most of the changes experienced in the Middle East and other parts of Asia. The...

Islam and Politics’ Relations

Introduction The topic of interrelations between Islam and politics has been subjected to extensive research in the past few decades due to the complications in the processes of external relationships between Western institutions and those following the Islamic rule. In the very beginning, it is crucial to mention that the...

Christian Disciple, Obedience, and Teaching

Introduction According to Christianity, being a disciple of Jesus Christ puts a follower in privileges and blessings that the world in its entirety cannot offer. It is worth noting that the Christian faith is based on the transformation of the world through the spreading of the truth and preaching about God’s...