Jesus and Confucius Comparison

Christianity and Confucianism are well-known systems of belief, based on the number of adherents and their significance. There are three more than 2 billion Christians today, whereas there are approximately 7 million Confucianists only. While Christianity is expected to remain the world’s largest religion in the nearest 50 years, competing...

Genesis 28:10-22: Jacob’s Dream and Divine Messages

The passage of the Bible titled Genesis 28:22-10 narrates about Jacob who was traveling to Haran. When the sun sets, he takes the stone, puts his head on it, and falls asleep. Jacob sees a dream about the stairway and the Lord who talks to him about descendants. Waking up,...

The Catholic Church and Western Classical Music

The middle ages were characterized by the dominance of the Roman Catholic Church in many religious and social aspects of the community and society. Therefore, many secular elements of culture like the creation and composition of music had their origins in the Roman Catholic Church or were at least influenced...

The Meaning of Human Existence

Meaning of Spirituality Spirituality refers to the sense of connection to a higher being or purpose that goes beyond normal human understanding. In that regard, it is the connection that humans have to the divine. Spirituality can also be defined as the connection humans have to concepts that are hard...

Revival as the Impetus for Church Growth

Summary A long time ago, a famous novelist wrote the immortal lines: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of time, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity.” Charles Dickens’...

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 Theme of Justice in the Old and the New Testament

Introduction: Tracing the Discrepancies between the Testaments God’s decisions differ. This statement is often used to describe the content of two Testaments. The scholars of all times have been investigating the sources and the logical explanations of some discrepancies that put a strong line of demarcation between the Old and...

Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes: Cultural Relativism in Biblical Interpretation

Introduction Religion is an intricate subject that defines human civilizations as a component that guides their daily lives. Notably, the case of Christianity is premised on the context of biblical scriptures that are considered a guide for those that prescribe to the beliefs. However, history indicates that the interpretation of...

The Possibility of Religion to Unite and Divide Simultaneously

Religion is an ambiguous phenomenon, simultaneously created by society and participating in the regulation of that society at the same time. A similar duality is observed in the social processes associated with religion: the unity and division of humanity can occur even within the boundaries of one belief. The influence...

The Conciliar Model in Acts 15: Development of Christianity

Introduction The conciliar model as described in Acts 15 contributed much to the successful spread and development of Christianity. Before Emperor Constantine declared freedom of religion in the Roman Empire, the number of Christians remained small, with groups often being separated one from the other in order to avoid persecution....

Judah’s Life from a Biblical Perspective

Judah is one of the 12 sons of Joseph who founded the Israelite tribe of Judah. He was the fourth son of Leah, Jacob’s first wife whom Jacob loved least. The Bible portrays Judah as the son who proposed to sell Joseph to the Egyptians so that Joseph’s blood could...

The “Patron Saints of Nothing” Novel by Randy Ribay

Introduction Religion and a church influence many aspects of human life and are integral to it. Faith helps people cope with social and psychological stress, calms them, and brings relief. The definition of spirituality is a controversial and complex issue that cannot be answered precisely. Religion ensures the fellowship of...

Religion: Contexts and Characteristics

Religion has been studied for many years because it significantly influences people and history. In modern world various types of faith are presented to people. Some are very popular and massive, while others are only small formed local groups. Many religions today have different ideas so that modern people can...

Critical Evaluation of Talal Asad’s Critique of Geertz’s Model

Introduction Religion is an integral part of the life of society, performing a number of important functions, one of which is cultural. Despite the fact that this area is ancient, there are still disputes among researchers about the significance of this institution for the individual and the state. Clifford Geertz...

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...

Race and Caste: Religion-Based Caste System

Introduction Race and caste have increasingly formed a divergence in human perceptions. How both race and caste have been reiterated, have effectively supported this. For instance, several researchers have reiterated the basic commonalities and differences between the two. Caste is a setup comprised of individuals belonging to a specific social...

Christian Doctrines of Humanity

The Christian doctrine of humanity teaches that a human was created in the image of God. The monistic view is that all humans are a unit of body and soul. There are three substances created by God according to the doctrine, which is the human body, mind, and soul. Monist...

Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela

Christianity has a vast history that begins in the Middle East and the religion is currently popular in European countries and some African regions, which the Europeans took under control. There are more than one billion Christians in the world, and this religion usually includes Orthodoxy, Protestantism, and Catholicism. Orthodoxy...

A Short History of Christianity by Tompkins

Stephen Tompkins, in his book, tries to tell the history of Christianity in an accessible language, avoiding specific church vocabulary and moral teachings. The author suggests listening to the story and thinking about how humanity came to today’s realities with positive and negative consequences. In the first chapter, Tompkins describes...

Atonement: Theories and Interpretations

Introduction About two thousand years ago, Jesus Christ died for all humanity’s sins. It is called the crucifixion of Jesus, by which he produces the atonement for the whole of humankind. Despite the fact of this event and the clarity of its consequences, there are many theories and interpretations of...

Making Friends With People of Different Religions

Being educated and respectful of other religions Education of other religions is undoubtedly one of the most crucial parts of a dialogue with a representative of a different faith. Ignorance in such a matter might lead to misunderstanding and unwanted conflict. Besides, respecting other beliefs should prove to be very...

The Bible. Living by the Book by Hendricks & Hendricks

Introduction The book Living by the Book: The Art and Science of Reading the Bible is a recognized work not only in the global theological community but also among ordinary readers. The research that Professor Hendricks conducts with his son makes it possible to better understand the truths spelled out...

Selflessness in Islamic Belief and Practice

The Five Pillars of Islam are faith, prayer, alms, fasting, and pilgrimage. The selected pillar for exemplifying the selflessness of the given religion is alms or zakat. All Muslims are obliged to allocate some of their wealth to charity to improve the community and support the people in need. It...

Rapture of the Church of God

Rapture of God’s church is one of the most contentious elements in Christian eschatology, specifically its timing with relation to other events, such as Christ’s return and the great tribulations. It is a significant eschatological event that has a considerable impact on an individual’s viewpoint about life and subsequent hope...

Gregory the Great Life and Teachings

Introduction Pope Gregory the Great became a pope when the Italian province was in crisis, and the state appeared lawless, crumbling, and semi-abandoned by visitors to Rome. A statement by the future pope had indicated that barbarians had full control of the religion. The city’s state had made the Romans...

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....

The Gospels of Mark and Luke

The Gospels of Mark and Luke contain many of the same stories, often in similar sequences and comparable wording when describing the events. However, distinct similarities in the way the events are expressed can be seen when comparing Mark 14:3-9 with Luke 7:36-50 and Mark 3:31-35 with Luke 8:19-21. This...

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...

The Role of Women in Judaism

Judaism is thought to be founded almost 3,000 years ago. This religious idea is based on the Jewish ways of life. A lot of reverence is annotated from the account of Abraham and Moses in the Biblical writings. That is the covenant affiliation between the patriarchs and matriarchs and God...

Al-Ghazali’s Sufism in Contrast to Classical Sufism

Introduction Sufism has often been cited as a representation of Islamic faith and practice. Through it, knowledge and divine love’s truth is sought in God and Godly life. Sufism operates on the concept of mystical paths. The path is focused on enhancing the existence of wisdom knowledge and divine love...

Catechism of the Catholic Church on Jesus Christ

Introduction The one lord Jesus Christ is such a description of a being with distinction. As much as religion is concerned many people have different beliefs and faiths that they hold unto. For the Christians the great faith speaks of the trinity with the figure Jesus being God the son...

Religion Freedom and Its Limitation

Introduction Freedom is one of the major values of people living in western democracies that have evolved for centuries. However, the very notion of freedom can be rather blurred, especially when it comes to certain aspects of human life. Religion has been a sensitive matter associated with diverse perspectives, conflicting...

“The Cost of Discipleship” by Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Introduction Christians should pursue specific values, notions, and ideas in order to fulfill God’s purpose on earth. Since the ultimate goal is for believers to become part of His kingdom, it is necessary to understand the meaning and role of discipleship. The inference analysis paper presented below begins by giving...

Intellect and Will in Religion

Religious Studies and Theology Intellect and will go hand in hand. One can do nothing with intellect if he or she has no will. On the other hand, if there is someone who is willing but does not have an intellect that is considered to be dangerous. Intellect is to...

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...

Genesis 28:10-22 and Its Different Meanings

Introduction Genesis 28. 10-22 depicts Jacob’s one-on-one interaction with God in an event that happens during the night in a lonely place. To get the message, which God wants to convey to His people through Moses, who is the writer, and Jacob, the vessel used for proving that He is...

Creole Religions: Diversity & Myths in Caribbean Beliefs

Introduction The book under consideration, written by Margarite Fernandez Olmos and Lizabeth Parvisini-Gebert, represents a comprehensive investigation of the diversity of religious practices, beliefs, and traditions that originated in the Caribbean region as well as the current state of these religions. The introduction to the book begins with the description...

Christian Leadership Skills and Knowledge Audit

Introduction The analysis of personal skills and knowledge is an important tool that is frequently used by several leaders. Various leadership audits help to focus on certain qualities and clarify if a person can properly develop them. In this project, the attention will be paid to seven different leadership audits...

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 Role in the Society

Introduction God is the originator of religion. He created the world and the people in it and established some general principles and laws which they were instructed to follow. God spoke through selected prophets who heard him speak and recorded his words (Johnstone 21). He revealed to the people through...

Greek Mythology’s and Christianity’s Influence on Our World Perception

Introduction Greek mythology and Christianity, two influential belief systems, have significantly impacted human understanding of the world. Despite their distinct origins and differences, the two systems share common themes and underlying values that allow for intriguing comparative analysis. This research paper aims to explore the historical-cultural relationships and aspects of...

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...

Spurgeon’s Perspective on the Great Commission and Ministry

Scriptural Foundations of Spurgeon’s Beliefs Spurgeon’s understanding of the Great Commission came from his conviction of one’s purpose in entering the ministry. Spurgeon was convinced that the only reason for entering the ministry was to bring glory to God. He believed that through training, one could grasp the meaning of...

Hinduism, Buddhism, and Christianity

Religion is one of the driving forces of civilizations, which has inspired and guided people’s lives for thousands of years. Religions that people practice nowadays are not very different from the ones that were practiced millennia ago. For instance, the most well-recognized and ancient faiths of people in the Ancient...

Book Review of “Paul the Jewish Theologian” by Young

Introduction Paul the Jewish Theologian: A Pharisee among Christians, Jews, and Gentiles is written by Brad H. Young. The author is an emeritus professor at Oral Roberts University, where he has served as a Tenured Professor of Judaic-Christian Studies for 31 years. Young holds a B.A. from Oral Roberts University,...

Review of Saint Bonaventure Interpretation of the Soul

Introduction Saint Bonaventure was a member of the Franciscan order and a philosopher in the 13th century. The philosophy of Bonaventure can be considered Augustinian because it was heavily influenced by Augustine (Sutanto, 2021). One of the most significant issues that Bonaventure advanced was the nature and status of the...

The Incarnation of Christ: Theological Survey

The theory of the Incarnation of Christ is the central teaching of the Christian church. It says that God took a fleshly appearance and a human nature, incarnate in Jesus Christ. Christ personifies the divine nature, merged into one with human nature, and this fusion makes Jesus both a true...

Role of Gospel Essentials in Shaping Christians’ Beliefs

Introduction Benchmark—Gospel Essentials is a term used in Christianity to describe the core beliefs of the faith. These include the belief in one God, the need for salvation, and the importance of Jesus Christ. Gospel Essentials are often used as a benchmark against other beliefs. For example, when evaluating new...

The Theology of Christ Through the Ancient Ecumenical Councils

Introduction The Savior who entered the world granted humanity many great benefits, one of which is that human beings rediscovered their true purpose and dignity. Christ, who became a person, demonstrated to humans how valuable they are in the eyes of God. However, the perception of this revelation can only...

“And Muhammad Is His Messenger”: The Role Played by Prophet Muhammad

The significant role played by Prophet Muhammad in the daily lives of Muslims is mainly ignored by Western scholars. Through artistic expressions, texts, and examination of the Muslim religious execution, Schimmel shows the soft side of Islamic religious traditions as practiced and experienced in the Islamic world. She views the...

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...

Judaism, Christianity, and Islam

The Abrahamic religions are the most popular in the world. Judaism, Christianity and Islam are the three most famous of them. The word “Abrahamic” comes from the name of the biblical prophet Abraham, who lived about 4 thousand years ago. According to the Abrahamic tradition, Abraham was the first person...

A Fresh Look at Christianity in the Therapy Room

Everyone who subscribes to Christianity is expected to be a missionary wherever they are. However, there is a challenge in applying related beliefs while counseling clients as a psychologist. Consequently, the paper thoroughly analyzes chapters four through six of the book Embodying integration: A fresh look at Christianity in the...

Jesus and Expectations of Messiah

In order to determine whether Jesus fulfilled or subverted the expectations for the Messiah, one should start with identifying and describing the three types of Messiahs that many Jews expected during the first century. The main expectation that the Jews laid upon the future Messiah was that he would return...

Islam and Christianity: Comparison

Introduction Islam and Christianity are the world’s two main religions. Many people in the universe belong to either of the two religions, mainly by birth. Christianity is a religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth in the 1st century CE, who the believers hold dear as...

Religion: “Making Peace” Book by Jim Van Yperen

After reading Jim Van Yperen’s book “Making Peace: A Guide to Overcoming Church Conflict,” I am convinced that the church is not always a place of reassurance and comfort. Sometimes, this community of believers is a battleground of evil – both literally and figuratively. While most people know that conflicts...

The Protestant Reformation and Its Impact on the English New World

The Protestant Reformation that took place in Europe in the sixteenth century shattered to the core the basis of Christianity, dividing Christians into two groups and leading to the creation of many religious sects. Christianity’s political and religious power was challenged as The Protestant Reformation eventually brought about the design...

Proofs of the Existence of God Based on Moral Conscience

The deontological argument for the existence of God attempts to answer the question of whether the moral order and grounding ethics are possible without assuming that God exists. One of its formulations is Kant’s argument, which states that a superior order is required to guide people in their actions. God...

Matthew’s and Mark’s Gospels: The Main Differences

Introduction The Bible is a sacred book filled with numerous contradictions since many people have influenced its content. Reading several Gospels, Matthew and Mark can prove the inconsistencies because every individual account describes the same events but pays attention to diverse details. It means that they perceived the teaching of...

The Biography of Maramoas, Priest of Zeus

Maramoas was the priest of Zeus in Lystra, a city in the Roman Empire, which was situated on the territory of modern Turkey. He was mentioned in the New Testament in verses describing the idolatry in Lystra: “Then the priest of Zeus, whose temple was in front of their city,...

Life of Pi by Yann Martel: Religious Traditions and Faiths

Life of Pi, written by Yann Martel in 2001, focuses on the unique attitude of the main character Pi Patel towards religions. He is Hindu; however, he has also embraced the following faiths: Christianity and Islam. Pi acknowledges every faith and absurdity that it might project on believers, and moreover,...

Global Challenges of The Muslims in the Modern Society

The presented research outlined and examined some of the issues facing Muslims in modern society, taking into account knowledge acquisition and global Muslim representation as the core aims in the study. One of the significant problems identified in the research faced by Muslims was the mass media misrepresentation and Western...

Megachurches: History, Business and Values Aligned

Introduction In the second half of the twentieth century, various new forms of religiosity and types of religious identity appeared in many countries of the world. They, in particular, caused the formation of different, sometimes mutually exclusive concepts describing the state of religion in the modern world. These are secularization...

The Role of Gothic Cathedrals in the Popularization of the Catholic Church

When Gothic architecture first emerged in the 12th century, it made an immense impact on the popularization of faith and the attraction of new followers. Derived from the religious buildings of the Romanesque era, Gothic cathedrals were constructed specifically to represent the divine nature of God (Zhekova p. 18). For...

African Christianity vs. Western Rationalism

Introduction Christianity has spread to all parts of the world since its early days, and the cultural differences of those who adopted this religion shaped their religious beliefs, practices, as well as spirituality. African Christianity is characterized by spiritual and holistic nature, which encompasses the acceptance of the empirical and...

The Biblical Creation Story

The Biblical account of the creation story portrays God as the creator of all matter who exists beyond time. The Christian understanding of the creation is that God as the master architect whose power is unfathomable. The Middle Eastern texts, however, propose the versions of the creation which appeal to...

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...

Exegesis of Jeremiah 1:4-10

Biblical Text The Call of Jeremiah The word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew[a] you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” “Alas, Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not...

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...

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...

Baha’i Faith as a Global Religion

Introduction Although the Baha’i faith is one of the youngest world religions, it involves millions of followers in the exceptional geographically diverse community. Originating in the middle of the 19th century in Persia, now Iran, it spread to different continents, and now it is present in many countries. The unique...

A Belief in Helping Strangers

The collision of the two vehicles startled me. I swerved to the side of the road to ensure that I did not become a victim. My husband jumped out of the car before it had even stopped and rushed towards one of the cars that had been involved in the...

Major Religions of the Modern World: Islam

Abstract This paper discusses Islam as one of the major religions of the world today. The work done include the origin of Islam and the authors of the Koran, the religious book used among the Muslim faithful. It also gives an account of the major characters, where and when was...

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...

Ibn Khaldun’s Understanding of Civilizations and the Dilemmas of Islam and the West Today

Introduction In recent years, there have been many attempts, on the part of representatives of world’s intellectual elite, too weaken irreconcilable antagonisms between Western and Islamic mentalities, as the ultimate mean of making this world a better place to live. Akbar S. Ahmed’s article “Ibn Khaldun’s Understanding of Civilizations and...

“Four Views on Hell” by William Crockett

Introduction Life after death has always been of great interest to people. The only question most living human beings are preoccupied with is whether this life exists and if it does, whether there exists a separation between hell and heaven. Hell is traditionally regarded as a place where human souls...

Ruth Barton’s “Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership” Book Review

Thesis of the Book It is quite a pervasive occurrence in today’s hectic environment for oneself to lose the connection with the soul. From the religious point of view, the soul is a very private space where God’s Spirit dwells to be united with the soul and to lead from...

Global Mission Theology of Samuel Escobar

Introduction In his thesis on Global Missions, Samuel Escobar, a Latin American theologian, argues that Christian theology is contextual. Escobar sees mission as a legitimate and fundamental perspective of the church, and all other functions of the church are given focus and direction based on that mission (Escobar, 2003). His...

In His Steps: What Would Jesus Do? by Charles Sheldon

It is not commonly known that popular W.W.J.D. bracelets and other products originated from the question phrased by the protagonist of Charles Sheldon’s book (Smallwood par. 2). However, this novel is remarkable not only for its commercial success and readers’ passionate interest in 1896. In His Steps is not a...

Is Jesus God? Critical Evaluation, Arguments for and Against

Introduction Diverse religious opinions arise whenever individuals hold different views about a certain spiritual issue. Most people respect the opinion of others about a certain topic. People appreciate that rational individuals can in differ in opinion. However, these sensible and tolerant attitudes lead to the formulation of two distinct lines...

Spiritual Growth Plan: Evaluation and Strategies

Personal and Ministry Spiritual Health at the Start of the Course of Religious Studies and Theology The importance of personal and ministry spiritual health is rather high because it determines a multitude of aspects of the further spiritual development of an individual and a group. Some of the aspects that...

“The Young Atheist’s Handbook” by Alom Shaha

Introduction The Young Atheist’s Handbook is an exciting story of one man who decided to stop following the religious path that was dictated by society. The book is a deeply personal account of the author’s journey from religious to non-religious, which includes life experiences and thoughts that question the very...

Collective Effervescence and Liminality in Religious Experiences

Collective Effervescence According to Emile Durkheim, collective effervescence is the key element of various religious experiences. This concept is used to describe the feeling of exaltation that a person may have at the time when he/she participates in religious rituals as a member of the community. Under such circumstance, an...

The Epistle of Paul to Philemon: Interpretation

Introduction The Epistle of Paul to Philemon (otherwise known as Philemon) is a book included in the Christian New Testament. The most common interpretation of the book was that Paul wrote a letter to Philemon on behalf of Onesimus, who was a runaway slave that had wronged his owner. Throughout...

Catholic, Church of Christ and Jewish Religions Comparison

Catholics, Protestants, and Jews are three major denominations of Christianity among many others. While the pope is the head of the Catholic Church, Protestantism and Judaism refer to Christianity that is not a subject to Papal authority (Neusner, 2001). The Catholic Church and the Church of Christ are the two...

Mecca and Meccan Society Before Islam

Introduction Mecca has been a significant social, economic, and political hub in the Middle East since the ancient period. Before the rise of Islam, Mecca mainly served as a commercial and religious center in the Middle East. Mecca was strategically located along major trade routes that linked the Middles East,...

The Holy Spirit in Christian Theology: Role, Trinity, and Biblical References

Introduction The Holy Spirit is essential to Christian theology; it provides supernatural powers that underlie all main ideas of credo. The essence of this paper lies in explaining how the Holy Spirit was described in the Old Testament, where it was symbolized not only as a breath of God but...

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...

How Jesus Would Fit in Today’s Society

Introduction Religion constantly confronts contemporary culture and phenomena, either positively interacting with them or conversely coming into conflict with them. This relationship is based on the principles that faith erects around itself, so the potential relationship of Jesus as the One God with modernity is of interest. His relationship with...

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...

Existence of God: The Five Ways of Thomas Aquinas

Introduction When studying philosophy, one will inevitably come across Thomas Aquinas and his five arguments for the existence of a higher being, such as God. His justifications for the existence of a higher being were developed to offer a firm basis for the conviction that a God does, in fact,...

A First-Person Narrative on Moses’ Life

Childhood When a young man from the ancient Israelite family of Levi married a beautiful girl from his own people, no one yet knew what fate was in store for me, their son. I was born strong, handsome and healthy. Mom loved me and did not want me to become...

Modernism Impact on Religion Role in Person Life

Modernism has reshaped many societal values, and no faith has escaped its influence. The place that religions take in society has been shifting over the past century as globalization disrupted the traditional way of living in most communities (Gauthier, 2019). I think that there are people who are still drawn...

The Life of Jacobs Son Joseph in the Bible

Joseph is the son of Jacob and Rachel, who gave birth to him after seven years of infertility, the father of Menashe and Ephraim, the ancestors of the two tribes of Israel. The image of Joseph and his life have inspired Jewish, Christian, and Muslim art from time immemorial. Many...

“Grace Without Nature”: Theological Understanding of the Imago Dei

Introduction Having created heaven and earth, the world of flora and fauna, God formed humankind thousands of years ago from the dust. Therefore, in every person, there is an eternal principle and the image of God. The formula imago Dei, borrowed from Latin, is one of the central theological concepts...

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...

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...

“Animism” or “Holistic” Concepts in Indigenous Religions

Indigenous religions involve ancestral faiths of peoples who are local to certain regions. Their faiths assist people in attaining the objective of living well in such regions. Thus, indigenous faiths differ, just as the locations their practitioners reside vary (Van Voorst 31). Most indigenous religions and other monotheist religions like...

Youth Ministry: Goals, Methods, and Standards

Reasons for Youth Ministry Youth ministry is the practice of working with younger people that promotes Christian faith and church attendance. Children have a different way of connecting with God’s word compared to adults, and a unique approach is needed to work with them. Generally, they are more curious and...

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 Decline of Christianity in Europe Since 1675

The European Christianity have a long and varied history of decline. A powerful tendency for secularization appeared in Western Europe spreading to the entire European continent. The age of Enlightenment is the epoch of the decline of faith under the onslaught of scientific worldview and rationalism. The sunset of the...

Bass Fishing: The Role in Christianity

Fish symbols and images have a special sacral meaning in Christianity. The mentioning of the fish is correlated with the ancient rituals and can be found in the Bible. Some Christians associate Jesus Christ with the image of fish as a symbol of holy ablution. Today, there are different fishing...

The Five Pillars of Islam in the Muslim Culture

The pillars of the Islamic religion are crucial for its general practice and shared ideas. To be more exact, they constitute the basic norms of religious custom and are widely accepted by Muslim people. In addition, fulfilling the five pillars is compulsory for those who consider themselves the followers of...

Old Testament and Middle East Scriptures’ Similarities

The Hebrew Bible is similar to and unlike other ancient Near Eastern writings. Scribes compiled the manuscripts that constituted the Hebrew Bible. They have educated members of society, and many of them worked in the big institutions of society, such as palaces and temples. More essential subjects, like cosmology, rituals,...

“Christianity and the Creed of Postmodernism” by Diogenes Allen

The article by Diogenes Allen, “Christianity and the Creed of Postmodernism”, examines the intellectual positions on the end of the world. According to Allen (1993), there are grouped views referred to as postmodern that claim the modern universe’s end. The end of the world is considered important since it was...

Anti-Theistic Arguments on Existence of God

Usually, people perceive religion and belief as aspects of personal choice that are difficult or impossible to dispute. Most often, belief is based on unjustified facts or events; however, this feature does not prevent people from holding on to their positions. On the other hand, anti-theistic arguments are most often...

Premarital Sex and Religious Perception

Over the years, the notions of sex education, sexuality, and culture have been closely interrelated, with the latter aspect obtaining a major influence on the human perception of sex as a process. According to the researchers, the socio-cultural background of a community plays one of the most significant roles in...

“Misreading Scripture With Western Eyes” by Richards and O’Brien

Introduction Misreading Scripture With Western Eyes by Randolph E. Richards and Brandon J. O’Brien highlights cultural blinders that distort biblical interpretations. The authors note that the East and West differ in beliefs and practices related to dating, dying, and marital relationships. Owing to these fundamental differences, the Western and Eastern...

“Becoming Good: Building Moral Character” by David W. Gill

“Becoming good: building moral character” is a book that has received a warm welcome among the Christians. Written by David W. Gill, the book lays fundamental principles on how a Christian can find satisfaction in the ways of GOD as opposed to the current love for money which has become...

The Concept of God in Christian, Islamic and Hindu Religions

Muslim concept of God Muslims are monotheistic, they believe in one God whom they refer to as Allah. Allah is an Arabic name for God; he is One and unique in everything he had created. Allah has no gender. He is self-sufficient as His existence is not determined by anything....

Exegesis of Job 23: 1-17, The Book of Job

Introduction The Book of Job can be considered as one of the most philosophical works of the Old Testament. The uniqueness of the Book of Job is in its “depth and thoroughness in dealing with the relationship of human suffering to divine justice” (Gaebelein, 1979-1992, 843). The commonly accepted notion...

Anonymous Christian According to Karl Rahner

Introduction The position of people of other faiths in other religions can be seen as an issue of controversy. Taking the example of Islam, the relationship between the religion and the adherents of Abrahamic religions, as well as the relation with non believers is vulnerable to many interpretations varying from...

Womanist and Feminist on Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit refers to God’s activity within followers. That is, if the Incarnation of God the Son in Jesus Christ can be spoken of as objective, then our appropriation of it is subjective. While God on the one hand does something for us, on the other hand, He does...

Issues and Traditions in Western Religion

Abstract Western Religion is composed of Abrahamic Religions with origin in the ancient Middle East including Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. Even though the Western Religion constitutes more than Abrahamic religions, mostly used is Christianity as the religion which the Westerners like to identify themselves with. Since their foundations, all the...

Religious Faith During the Era of Francois Voltaire

Introduction Voltaire was born in the final years of the seventeenth century and died a decade before the beginning of the French Revolution. Christened François Marie Arouet, he subsequently assumed his name to Voltaire. In fact, Voltaire was a central and quintessential figure of the eighteenth century, so much so...

Cherubim Angels: Attributes and Meaning

Introduction It is common knowledge that angelic beings play a significant role in mythology and religion across the world. They are particularly renowned in the Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam) as the creatures who serve God and execute His will. However, researchers note that there is a tradition of...

Doctrinal Statements in Christianity

Introduction In the contemporary world, there is a great variety of different Christian groups. Many of these groups make doctrinal statements in an attempt to convey their specific interpretation of certain Biblical concepts, as well as values and viewpoints. Doctrinal statements are a significant part of Christianity, and they serve...

Christian Life in the “Everyman” Moral Play

Everyman represents all humanity and critical issues related to all the people, including Fellowship, Material Goods, and Knowledge. In the play, Everyman strives to answer an eternal question of what a person should do to achieve Christian salvation (Lester 107). Comparing my own life with time when Goods lays the...

Comparing Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism: Evolution and Differences

Theravada and Mahayana are both schools of Buddhism that arose out of the basic teachings of Buddha. Both of the teachings are complementary but they are made up of different expressions of Buddhist teachings. The primary differences that exist between the two came into existence after Buddha’s death. Theravada Theravada,...

Christianity and Rastafarianism Comparison

Introduction Many religions are observed to manifest and follow eight unique elements. These elements include community, worldview, myths or general stories, ethics, rituals, emotional experiences, sacredness, and material expression (Guyette, 2014). These elements play a critical role towards bringing followers of the religion together. This discussion describes how Rastafarianism and...

Exploring Scientology: Religious Beliefs, Rituals, and Ethical Considerations

Introduction Scientology manifests the eight elements of religion in varying degrees. For example, the most conspicuous elements include a belief system, an ethical system, rituals, community, and material expressions of religion. Sacredness, central myths, and emotional experiences are almost non-existent. Their beliefs are based on the ability to use reason...

Four Views on the Apostle Paul

Summary of the Book Apostle Paul was an outstanding follower of Jesus Christ. The book “Four Views on the Apostle Paul” is a religious masterpiece. The book describes the achievements of Apostle Paul. Many theologians strongly believe that apostle Paul was a major force in the development and establishment of...

Apologetics as a Theological Discipline

Introduction Apologetics is a discipline of theology that involves the defense of ones’ religious position by systematically reasoning out disputed issues. This has been there since the time of early Christian writers such as Paul, the apostle. Apologists try to explain that their preferred religion is rational, and it promotes...

“Planting Missional Churches” by Ed Stetzer: Summary and Critique

Summary The book under analysis was written by Ed Stetzer and entitled Planting Missional Churches. The author provides valuable insights into the process of planting evangelist churches. Stetzer sheds light on various aspects of the project including finances, location, preaching, worship, spirituality, congregational formation, and so on. The book contains...

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...

Canonization of the Bible

One of the questions which remains unanswered among Christians concerns how the Bible came into being. How were the writings collected and organized into what is presently used as the holy Christian Book? Who exactly collected the writings composed in the New Testament? These and other questions address the entire...

Classical Christianity: Faith, Beliefs, and Practices

No one can deny the role of history in our day to day lives. We are and will remain to be products and by-products of past events. What the world experiences today in the name of postmodernity is simply a complex transformation of what was practiced in the early days....

Buddhism and the Life Teaching of Siddhartha

Buddhism Essay Introduction Buddhism is believed to have been in existence, way before Siddhartha existed (United Press International, 2007, p. 1). Most scholars observe that the roots of Buddhism are very deep, and though Siddhartha contributed a lot to the development of the religion, many Buddhists believe that he was...

Forgiveness in Revelation: Enduring the Apocalypse with Mercy and Love

Forgiveness as the Central Message of the Apocalypse The Apocalypse, which precedes the return of Jesus Christ to earth, will begin, according to Revelation. The author of the book of Revelation, John, had several visions of how this would occur and provides the main answer to the question of how...

Matthew 6:19-20 and Economic Policy: The Case Against Tax Reform for Savings

Introduction This analysis delves into the correlation between Matthew 6:19-20 and the economic policy debate presented in Chapter 23. The focus centers on whether tax laws should be reformed to encourage saving. This examination will emphasize the correlation between the selected biblical verses and the case against advocating savings through...

Ibn Battuta’s Journey to Jerusalem and Its Religious Significance

Introduction The primary source chosen for the discussion is focused on the Holy Sites of Jerusalem, written by Ibn Battuta. At the beginning of the 14th century, Ibn Battuta, a Muslim researcher from North Africa, traveled by water and land over a significant portion of the region (Gomez 145). Ibn...

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...

Holistic Mission: Paradigm Shifts in Theology

Introduction Bible is the primary book or account through which humanity can understand their maker’s purpose for them. The book of Genesis provides information about the creation and humans’ existence but significantly little about why God created humans. According to Genesis, the only clear role for people is that humans...

The Plagues of Egypt: References and Interpretations

The plagues of Egypt are a significant part of the Old Testament story of the Exodus and the Israelites’ deliverance by God from Pharaoh’s tyranny. After Pharaoh refused to free the Israelites from slavery, God sent a series of plagues to Egypt, which culminated in the death of the firstborn...

Bullying From Religious Perspective

I want to talk about the rising problem of bullying in the American educational system, how harmful these behaviors may be, and how to stop it in a way that pleases God. I want to bring up the social issue of bullying and persuade that solving the issue will contribute...

The Nature and Status of the Soul

The soul is the primary element of human nature that governs people’s actions, attitudes, and beliefs. Saint Bonaventure emphasized the innate abilities of the soul to advance the reader on their path of mystic reflection (Löwe, 2021, p.11). The saint from the 13th century held that humanity’s three best qualities...

Christianity in Frederick Douglass’ Narrative Story

Among slave owners, Frederick Douglass claimed that religious ones were the worst kind (Douglass, Narrative 67). The book Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, written by Douglass himself, presents a vivid account of hypocrisy and cruelty that mars the ways of Christianity. This work was written at times when...

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...

Religious History of the God-Fearers

Theology is a complex field of study mainly because of its divine subject. The Holy Bible and different historical teachings describe people that were called God-fearers. Cornelius is the person demonstrated in the tenth chapter of the Apostles’ Acts in the New Testament and is named the God-fearer. This example...

The Tony Evans Bible Commentary

Introduction Tony Evans is one of the most powerful church leaders in present times, having studied and preached the gospel for more than fifty years. The Tony Evans Bible Commentary includes an introduction to each book of the Bible, as well as introductory resources and a passage-by-passage exegesis of the...

Life Stages: Old Age, Dying, and Death

Death is perceived as natural and an inevitable part of life. We may not be sure about the outcomes of our lives, but one thing we are confident of is that we are all going to die. Although funerals help the living by giving them a chance to understand the...

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...

The Fertile Crescent in Egyptian and Hebrew Culture

Originally, the Fertile Crescent was the territory that used to be called the Middle East. Geographically, this area occupies the region of Saudi Arabia along the northern edge of the Syrian Desert. The western edge is washed by the Mediterranean Sea, while the eastern one ends at the Zagros Mountains....

Jesus’s Parables in Modern Settings

Introduction In the Bible, Jesus tells his followers a number of parables. These parables were aimed at explaining God’s plan to the common folk based on examples they could understand. How did these stories teach valuable lessons to the listeners of God’s word? After telling a short and simple story,...

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...

Analysis of Michael Mullet’s Writing on Martin Luther

In ancient times, Martin Luther was known for being a missionary who brought a Christian understanding of salvation and righteousness. Being an extremist Christian, Luther set the basis for Christians to understand how to be closer to God by being righteous in their deeds and having strong faith in the...

Quran and Peace Interpretations

Introduction The primary goal of a Qur’an exegesis is to serve the book by explaining its meanings, clearing its ambiguities, and making it accessible to individuals of different backgrounds, ages, and races. Above all, Muslim commentators intended that their writings would benefit their readers spiritually and intellectually. They thought their...

Confucianism as the Main Religion of Indonesia

Confucianism is one of the world’s major philosophic and spiritual teachings, primarily practiced in Asian countries and China in particular. It is based on the various ideas of Confucius, comprising the moral and spiritual backbone of a number of nations. For its country of origin, China, Confucianism remains a source...

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...