Contextualization and Concept of Tentmaking

Every phenomenon emerges and exists in a specific context, which may alter its perception and understanding. The mission is not an exception, as its development has been under a strong influence of the overarching historical and social processes. Tentmaking has been an integral component of the mission since the dawn...

Mercy and Compassion in Old and New Testaments

The Old Testament lays the foundation for the teachings and events outlined in the New Testament. The New Testament can only be fully understood when seen as a continuation of the description of events, heroes, laws, the system of sacrifices, covenants, and promises written in the Old Testament. If we...

Description of Love Defined in 1 Corinthians 13

As defined in 1 Corinthians 13, love is a style of life lived in imitation of Jesus Christ that is centered on the “other” and their sound rather than on oneself. There are various ways in which love is described in each of the tests found in 1 Corinthians 13:...

Islamic Effect on the Cultural Exchange

Economic activities are often misconstrued as rooted solely in financial interactions and devoid of any cultural components. However, the assumption that culture does not factor into economic interactions could not be any further away from the truth. As the history of the Silk Road and interactions within it have shown,...

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...

Christ’s Relationships with Wealth and Poverty

The questions of wealth and poverty are some of the key ones in the narratives of early Christianity. The characters of the Biblical scriptures attempt to measure each other’s worth through indirect assessments of wealth and material possessions, manifested in their ability to worship notably. As the majority of religions,...

A Religious System for a Future Dystopia

Introduction Civilization has been linked to religious history for a long time. The sheer fact of historical studies is heretical for many religions; historical thought for other religions is an essential part of religious practice. Religious identities were an issue of decision and an instrument of control. In every part...

Acts 17 in the Book of Acts

Acts 17 in the Book of Acts describes Paul the Apostle’s second missionary journey. This chapter calls people to study the word of God to avoid being deceived by the rulers who proclaim their power by misrepresentation of the Bible. For example, citizens became terrified when Paul started to spread...

My Testimony of Faith: Dialogue with an Atheist

The controversy about God’s existence between atheists and those who believe in the reasonability of religion lasts for hundreds of years. People, who do not question the presence of divine power, usually have had an event or have noticed a phenomenon they consider as proof of God’s existence. This essay...

The Dukkha Concept in Buddhism

Dukkha is a traditional element of the religious philosophy of Buddhism, aimed at describing the prevailing situation in the surrounding material world. According to Buddhists, the earthly human reality is primarily the world of suffering – traditionally, the word “dukkha” is translated by religious scholars from Sanskrit as a designation...

Ministry of the Prophets, Bible Prophets and Their Prophecies

Prophetic ministry at its core is the act of leading and guiding the church based on revelations from God and gift of the prophesy. The Scriptures present multiple examples of prophetic ministry. The Old Testament has a significant number of prophets. There are the central ones who directly communicated with...

The Bible Book of Revelation

The Seven Bowls of God’s Wrath Summary In this chapter, John continues to observe the events on earth from multiple angles in Heaven. He primarily God’s wrath against the unfaithful, which was spilled upon people of the earth since they chose to pursue false religions and prophets and worship the...

Philosophers’ Arguments for the Existence of God: Pascal and Descartes

Introduction Throughout history, many philosophers have raised the topic of the existence of God. Each of them has his own special approach and argumentation. Due to this, many theories and philosophical statements have been created, which are further discussed, revised, and interpreted. Arguments for or against the idea of the...

Consideration of Creativity: Perfection, Diversity, Profusion, and Inventiveness

Although society attributes art to secularity, there is immense evidence that God and humanity are the primary sources of creativity. In “Echoes of Eden,” Jerram Barrs explores this notion and encourages evangelicals to embrace art instead of shunning it. Barrs bases his arguments on Daniel Loizeaux’s four key ideas –...

The Bible as a Cultural Object

All people have a cultural object that shapes their behavior and social norms. The Bible is one of the world’s most influential cultural objects that posit fundamental roles in modeling individuals’ spiritual health. Ideally, it is a typical collection of historical events in ancient times held sacredly to the people...

God’s Names in Abrahamic Religions

Three Abrahamic Religions have existed for centuries and have been deeply explored in their meaning. Islam, Judaism, and Christianity are considered the three Abrahamic Religions, and their history traced back to the Prophet Abraham. The beliefs of the religions are common; moreover, they worship the same God. However, the name...

Creator Spirit in the Evolving World by Johnson

The author of Creator Spirit in the Evolving World marvels at the beauty of the earth as she calls readers to relate God’s presence in their daily engagements with nature. She beautifully describes the planet as seen in photographs taken from space with descriptions that awaken the audience’s curiosity to...

Religion Study: Analysis of Exodus 32:7-14

Introduction In the Book of Exodus, one of the most daring confrontations with God is the Golden Calf event. The story revolves around the people of Israel who doubted the divinity of the Lord and describes how God and Moses reacted to this treachery. The narrative reveals how arrogant and...

Christian Apologetics of the Second Century

Christian apologetics refers to the defense of faith against spreading of spiritual falsehood. These individuals guard religious values and morals, as evidenced during the second century (101-200AD). Everett Ferguson identifies Adam as a representative and guard of God’s practices in the Garden of Eden (Ferguson and George 2016). The serpent...

Intersectionality of Religion with Gender, Race, and Class

Religion is an act of devotion towards the existence of a true God. There are some aspects of faith, which make it susceptible to being a potential source of discrimination. As stated by Adams et al. (2013), every religion has its accepted dogma, which followers must accept without question. In...

Spirituality and Its Influence on Human Behavior

The Impact of Spirituality on Interactions with Clients Spiritual beliefs can influence a person’s cognitive assessment of negative life events. Religion and spirituality are critical aspects of all cultures, and social workers must incorporate spiritual diversity in practice (Zastrow & Kirst-Ashman, 2015, p. 354). Believing in a transcendent force often...

Discussion of Spirituality: Description of Spirituality

Introduction There are various standpoints on spirituality across a variety of disciplines and discourses, including culture, sociology, philosophy, and religious beliefs. The meaning of spirituality has advanced over the years, with each generation attempting to evaluate the existing belief systems. It may refer to a religious process where believers hope...

Religious Prejudice in “Defender of the Faith” by Roth

The task of retaining one’s faith and staying true to one’s religious convictions becomes particularly hard during times of social unrest, and nearly impossible when sociopolitical issues result in war. In his short story “Defender of the Faith,” Philip Roth explores the difficulty of reconciling one’s responsibilities as a soldier...

Women’s Role and Leadership in the Church

Most Christians think that women are oppressed, and their rights denied when limits are put on their roles in the church. This has led to the cropping of great challenges between complementarians and egalitarians on the limitation of women’s leadership roles. For instance, many women in the current churches fight...

The Uniqueness of Christianity in Comparison With Islam

Introduction Few religions are as interconnected socially, historically, and culturally as Christianity and Islam. Both faiths have similar origins, historical roots, with Islam recognizing some Christian elements and figures. Both Islam and Christianity represent monotheistic religions with one supreme entity. Each religion incorporates the divine message and prophets who spread...

“Basic Christianity” Book by John Stott

Throughout centuries, the infinite world stands upon the rules, regulations created by humans, and, most importantly, religion. The latter offered the medieval man an opportunity to reconsider life and its purpose. At its core, faith illuminates being with light and hope. Among diverse directions of faith, Christianity constitutes one of...

The Role of Religion in One Amazing Thing

One Amazing Thing was written by an Indian-American poet and novelist Chitra Divakaruni, who used the ancient storytelling form of Panchatantra to write her own sapiential story in the post-9/11 United States setting. The novel emphasizes the notion of multiculturalism and tells the story of nine protagonists who are captured...

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...

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...

Wicca Religion: Dimensions Overview

Introduction Religion refers to the belief in a god or gods and worship of such god or gods. There are many aspects of Religion such as beliefs and practices that shape the life experiences of those who practice them. One’s religion is identifiable by the type of prayers conducted by...

“Sharing Jesus Without Fear” by William Fay

Introduction William Fay has done remarkable work as an evangelist, seeking out to reach the masses to invite and arouse their interest in the words of the Gospel. “Share Jesus without Fear” is a very practical book, in which the principles are presented in the manner that it can be...

Native American and African Religions

Religion has existed since antiquity. While different communities practiced different religions, they nonetheless have a common ground when it comes to the unity of the material and spiritual world. According to Toropov and Buckles, within the Native American spirituality, all processes whether human or non human (spiritual), are linked. Native...

Christian Philosophy. “The Christian Philosophy of St. Thomas Aquinas” by Etienne Gilson

“The Christian philosophy of St. Thomas Aquinas” by Etienne Gilson, the author devoted the book to the analysis of the teachings of Aquinas presenting the formulation of the Christian philosophy. This paper presents a summary of a chapter titled “The Creator” from the aforementioned book, addressing the analysis of the...

Christian Spirituality in History and Today

The question of spirituality and relationship of a man and God should be topical today taking into consideration the present cultural and ethical situation in contemporary society. Nowadays mankind is lead by and inspired by material values, the main characteristic of our life and lifestyle is their being mercenary. The...

Christianity in South Korea and Japan

South Korea embraces Christianity more than Japan. When visiting South Korea today, one is bound to be struck by the many churches every where, ranging from splendid cathedrals in big cities to small and humble churches built in villages. These churches can be easily seen when traveling either by train...

A Baptist Church Visit in Beverly Hills City

Introduction This report is based on a visit to a Baptist church that I attended. The report focuses on the events that took place in the church during that visit and the observations regarding the nature of the surrounding environment. It explains in details the external features that surround the...

The Significance of the Ethical Pillars of Jainism

The non-Vedic native Jainism religion has an origination in India and Mahavira is the most prominent tutor of the doctrine of this religion. The main belief of the religion is that Universe is forever it is not affected by time, there is no commencement or an end and it is...

Old and New Testaments. Septuagint in the Epistle to the Hebrews

Introduction Evidence abounds to testify to the surmised and indeed existent relationship between the Old Testament and the New Testament. The author of Hebrews manipulates allusions to the Old Testament scripture to reinforce his message and authorial persuasions. In Hebrews the author makes constant reference to the new covenant. The...

The Indwelling of the Holy Spirit

Introduction Holly Spirit is part of what the Bible calls the Holy trinity. It comprises of the Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ the Son of God and God himself. The Bible says that the Holly trinity is one but they act in different forms because of the different activities they perform....

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...

Suffering in The Book of Job and The Old Testament

Job’s story is difficult to understand since it raises many questions, answers to which a person can only find in his or her own faith in the Lord. However, many lines of this book can be instructive and useful for people in distress as it explains the causes, paths, and...

A Statement and Defense of Faith in Literature

Everyone has faith – from the irrational religious zealot to the fervent philosopher and the meticulous scientist. We all believe in something and thus we behave in line with these beliefs. Therefore, the underlying question, in this case, is not whether we have faith, but the truth behind the things...

The Concept of Death and Dying in Religions

Religions teach people to perceive the world around them by certain canons and laws prescribed by higher powers. In different faiths, approaches to the interpretation of human existence during life on earth and after it may differ. The case of George who learns about the terrible diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral...

God and Humans Relate

Introduction In the well-known passage in Genesis, “God said, ‘Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness…’” (New King James Version Bible Genesis 1.26). It is a powerful and fundamental statement that came define humanity for millennia, that humans are a likeness of the Divine. However, we are...

The Historical Rise of Christianity

Introduction It goes without saying that the appearance of a new religious group by the followers of Jesus Christ, who has been recently crucified, is a highly disturbing issue for the whole Roman Empire. This new formation definitely should not be taken for granted as it presumably has its own...

God Existence: Deductive and Inductive Arguments

The question of whether God exists has been the focus of discussions since the times immemorial. Numerous arguments have been provided by both sides of the discussion, each being rather impressive and logically coherent. In the text under analysis, both deductive and inductive reasoning is used to prove that God...

“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...

St. Augustin’s Teachings on Grace

The Christian Church has many outstanding figures and saints that contributed to its development in various periods by creating the theological basis for its existence and further evolution. However, St. Augustine of Hippo can be considered one of the most prominent persons whose works, sermons, and writings contributed to the...

Human Nature in Luther’s and Wesley’s Views

John Wesley’s (1703-1791) understanding of the relationship between the nature of a man and God directly relates to the concept of salvation. He can be responsible for the ‘revolution’ in the Christian faith. According to him, every human was born with a piece of Christ in himself rather than with...

The Gospel of John: Analysis

Cite two reasons that Jesus left Judea. 4:1-3 (cf. Mark 1:14). Bruce, p. 100. Jesus left Judea for Galilee for two reasons. First, the province was a foothold of the Pharisees who Christ often condemned for their hypocrisy, and therefore, they were filled with malice against him. Although he was...

Does God Know the Future?

I would say yes, God knows the future. The reason why God knows the lot is that he is beyond the issue of time. Before the world began, He was, and that is why he created the world. Before the creation, He saw the future as a present reality, including...

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...

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...

Religions of the World and Their Analysis

Introduction Religious beliefs are an intrinsic part of a vast number of cultures and therefore need to be recognized as crucial phenomena that deserve close attention. Religions shape societal standards, morals, ethics, and behaviors worldwide, often affecting not only individual development but also the evolution of an entire nation. Therefore,...

Hebrew Slaves in Deuteronomy 15:12-18 Passage

The selected passage, Deuteronomy 15: 12-18, focuses on how Hebrew masters should handle Hebrew slaves. In this paper, I intend to show that God wants His people to care for slaves with care and love. In this verse, God instructs Hebrew slave owners to release them after six years. In...

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...

Religious Studies: Israel in Canaan

The book of Joshua is one of the most important scriptures that describe the final journey of the children of Israel into the Promised Land from Egypt. After the death of Moses who had led the Israelites out of Egypt, Joshua took over the leadership. He was given the mandate...

The Qumran-Essene Theory: Insights from the Dead Sea Scrolls

Background information and the impact on religious communities The discovery of strange manuscripts by a Bedouin near the Dead Sea in 1947 led to archeological excavations in the area that resulted in the discovery of large volumes of antiquity materials. From 1947-1956, large volumes of Hebrew manuscripts, hidden in clay...

The Fall of Humanity: Sin, Consequences, and Dehumanization

Introduction The fall of humanity can be considered one of the major, and, by far, the most complicated topics addressed in the Christian religion. Incorporating a range of concepts such as sin, the Exile, the Divine Promise, death, etc., the fall of humanity can be viewed as an integral part...

Early Christianity in Asia

A critical review of early Christianity reveals that it has its roots in the Middle East. The historical fact is undeniable in spite of the fact that the region is currently dominated by the Islamic faith. From Palestine, where it originated, Christianity spread into the Roman Empire, from where most...

Religious Parable of “The Three Rings” by Gotthold Lessing

G.E. Lessing created a powerful poem that talks about a father’s love for his sons. The father’s love for his three sons was illustrated through the importance of the ring of power. He will bequeath the ring to his favorite child (Lessing 1). However, he realized that he equally loved...

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...

Christianity and Its Effects on Western Civilization

Introduction Christianity became one of the main factors that influenced the formation of Western civilization. Throughout the long history of human existence, this religion has influenced social norms in society, political institutions, and the cultural customs of man. Christianity gave mankind the basis to understand how the world and man...

Abrahamic Religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam

The videos ‘Mysteries of the Church: Judaism Christianity and Islam’ and ‘Islam Christianity Judaism, ONE GOD’ provide a comprehensive overview of the origins and similarities of the three Abrahamic religions. These religions originated in the Middle East but adhered to different tenets and customs. The films explain that the belief...

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 Aspects of the Spiritual Growth

Introduction The given analysis will mainly focus on Bill Fleming’s presentation video and the Scripture to identify, describe, and assess key elements of various phases of spiritual growth. Discussion The key point is that a Christian undergoes different stages of spiritual growth throughout his or her life. The author notes...

The Ten Commandments for Christians

Introduction The Ten Commandments were given to humanity by God as a teaching on duties to God and guidelines on the relationship with each other. The law teaches Christians to honor God, live with respect for each other, observe the Sabbath day, obey their parents and live an honest and...

The Relationship of the Holy Spirit to the Father and the Son

Introduction A Christian Creed is a collection of defining assertions that summarize Christians’ fundamental beliefs. All Christians hold them to be the unchanging realities. In the past, newly converted Christians would research their new faith and write their ideology based on what they had discovered. However, several particular creeds gained...

The Great Awakening in Christian History

The Great Awakening was a liberal movement that spread through Britain’s thirteen colonies. The Great Awakening altered the idea and framework of religion in colonies. It was a religious awakening at a time when secular rationalism was emphasized. Instead of a commercial society, there was an emphasis on salvation and...

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...

Pharisees and Sadducees in Judaism

The variant was essential as it preserved and conveyed Judaism based on the flexibility of how the Jewish scriptural interpretation creates change in the face of changing historical circumstances. Most of these accusers were devoted to different spiritual levels leading towards subsequent change in Jewish history. Pharisees and Sadducees believed...

Promise: The Primary Response to Evil

Though I personally find all responses to evil through the perspective of religion to be largely incomplete and irrational, the concept of promise is likely one that has the largest contradictions and falsehoods. Promise as the primary response to evil can be seen in large religions such as Christianity, Judaism,...

“Introduction to Christianity” by Joseph Ratzinger

In Chapter 1: Introduction to Christianity as a world religion: An introduction by Sebastian Kim and Kirsteen Kim, the authors characterize the main aspects of Christianity, including topographical, theological, geographical, sociological, historical, and structural. Taken together, the characteristic features of these aspects, including the missionary nature of this religion, the...

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,...

Art and Religion in the Middle Ages and Renaissance

Introduction The medieval period is very difficult and conservative in the history of world art. It was dominated by rigid religious tendencies over innovative ideas, making the works of artists, sculptors, and writers very much tied to the Church’s theme. When this influence began to wane, the Renaissance was born...

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...

Chapter 4 of “Christianity as a World Religion” by Kim & Kim

In chapter 4 of Christianity as a World Religion, the author writes about the history of the development of Christianity in Europe. At the beginning of the chapter, the author references history, talking about Christianity’s birth and the Roman Empire’s period. In the chapter, the author also describes the history...

Change and Conflict Management in Church

Over the last few decades, the Christian church has been rocked with major sex scandals, which hints at the necessity to rethink modern leadership and place a greater emphasis on teaching morality. It can be argued that the cases that have made headlines have done so due to the type...

Catholic Church and Sexual Abuse in “Doubt” Film

Society has developed different perspectives on the sexuality and morality. The issue of sexuality has stirred divided opinions amongst people of different beliefs and faiths in society, making the topic a challenge to tackle. The issue requires attention, and the younger generations need to be taught about it to avoid...

Religion: Locating Sodom

Introduction Sodom and Gomorrah were two of five cities referred to as the Cities of the Plain in the Bible. The two places are infamous for God’s judgment upon the cities’ wicked inhabitants in the three Abrahamic religions, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Biblical scholars, including Steven Collins and Bryant Wood,...

The Role of a Christian Chaplain as a Counselor

Introduction The military chaplain is vital in the armed forces, providing army personnel with guidance and counseling, performing rites, and attending to their spirituality. Furthermore, a military chaplain is obliged to support anyone seeking it, disregarding a person’s denomination. While Christian chaplains do not minister outside their faith tradition in...

Old Testament, New Testament, and Modern Times

Introduction The actual topic under research is The Inspiration of Scripture. Timothy 3:16 states that “All scripture is inspired by God.” However, throughout biblical history, there has been controversy about the inspiration of scripture. The Holy Scriptures, both the Old and New Testaments, were written by the hand of God...

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...

Sharing Christ with Children: Reading Reflection

The First Lesson Based on the book Sharing Christ with Children, I learned a lot of things. First, I learned that Jesus loved children and emphasized that let all children go to him. Secondly, I learned that children are undergoing numerous challenges, such as sexual abuse and being raised by...

Religious Instructions at Home and Their Importance

Introduction Raising a child is a complex process that requires theory and supporting factors. Proper upbringing determines the kind of person a child grows up to be, one’s attitude to life, and one’s place in society. It also determines how the child will relate to parents and whether one will...

Catheism: Cat-God and Cats as Sacred Animals

It is known that cats helped rid the island of Cyprus of a huge number of poisonous snakes. And they did it not with the help of magical power but thanks to their hunting skills and instincts. Cats help restore female energy and transmit grace, seductiveness, and sexuality to their...

The Amos 8:1-8 Passage from the Old Testament

Introduction The Amos 8:1-8 passage is found in the book of Amos. This passage, in particular, discusses the theme of greed as the Israeli merchants have begun to treat their customers unlawfully, and the businessmen took advantage of the poor. For these actions, God has punished the Israel people. This...

World Christianity: Historical Traditions

The history of Christianity is quite a complicated theme since the religion belongs to the most widespread ones. Throughout the course of history, Christianity united people from different countries and societies, portraying the versatility of the ideology. Since the religion is currently spread around all continents, historians introduced the term...

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...

The Day-Age Theory as Applied to Genesis

Abstract In the Christian tradition, the dominant perspective on creation follows a commonly shared position that the world was created by God in seven days. However, this dogma remains a matter of heated debate, as conditioned by the alternative, non-traditional view. There are many different theories that surround the creation...

God’s Wrath Against Sinful Humanity

Introduction The 1: 18-32 section forms much of the material at 1:18-3:20 (see the study outline at the beginning of the book). The function of this research is to affirm that, as mentioned in 1:18, faith alone is the only means of achieving the righteousness outlined in Gospel 1:17. All...

Bannister’s “The Word and Power Church”

Although the realm of the Christian community and, particularly, the Christian Church, might seem as entirely unclouded, several underlying conflicts have developed over years of interpreting the Word of God and implementing theological research. In his book The Word and Power Church, Dough Bannister (2009) expresses the concern that 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...

The Christian Church and Its Organization

Introduction Christian church developed a government system by the fourth century, based on a territorial plan borrowed from the Roman administration. A bishop was the head of the Christian community in each city, and the area of jurisdiction was known as diocese or bishopric. The diocese of every Roman province...

Snake Handling in Churches Myth Spread by Activists

The practice of snake handling in churches is not a new tradition, and its emergence was underpinned by the spread of interpretations of the Bible. They were quite literal as the words “They shall cast out devils, they shall speak with new tongues, they shall take up serpents” were considered...

Christian Perspective on Poverty

Poverty is one of the biggest problems in modern society, which is addressed by economists, international organizations, and politicians. Several Christian interpretations have different ideas about poverty and wealth. In the extreme example of the spectrum, wealth and materialism are portrayed as an evil that must be avoided and even...

Women’s Rights from Islamic and Judaism Perspectives

Introduction According to the United Nations, women’s rights are fundamental human rights that require all women to be treated equally and fairly in society. Yet most women are still denied equal opportunities as men due to their femininity. For decades, rights groups have made significant efforts in the fight against...

Missional Praxis: The Fruit of Theological Reflection

Theological reflection is a set of thought processes and actions directed deep into a person’s consciousness. Human resolves his experiences, awareness of actions, thoughts, and feelings through critical thinking. That is one of the essential and special abilities that force one to relive past feelings and analyze them. In addition,...

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...

Christianity’s Directions and Branches

Christianity Christianity is one of the largest world religions regarding the number of believers. To date, the total number of Christians has exceeded two billion. Protestantism is the most fragmented and divided in many directions among all the branches. It has more than a dozen main branches, which, in turn,...

Religious Beliefs and Ecology Relationship

In my initial proposal, I have stated that religion and environmental justice could correlate on different levels to provide a better insight into the issues presented by the latter. The highlight of my idea was the fact that addressing this challenge as a community would be an effective way to...

In Defense of the Classical Doctrine of the Trinity

The doctrine of the Trinity is one of the most misinterpreted and controversial aspects of Christianity. Historically, there have been debates surrounding this foundational concept of Christian faith. People often make mistakes trying to understand the nature of God, which stems primarily from their denial they cannot fully grasp the...

Biblical Congregation Is Healing Community

Introduction One of the fundamental problems, both theological and social, is understanding what the church is. In theology, the comprehension of this problem is called ecclesiology. It is aimed primarily at the mystical, mysterious side of the church’s life and, therefore, is not familiar to the outside view of secular...

The Story About Joseph: God Always Has a Plan

Joseph was one of Jacob’s twelve sons and the most loved ones, so his father gave him a beautiful colorful coat. Joseph’s brothers became jealous of him and decided to sell him as a slave. He was taken to Egypt and started to serve the Potiphar, who was a Pharaoh’s...

The Good Samaritan: Origin and Meaning of the Expression

The Good Samaritan currently refers to doing good deeds towards strangers exclusively out of kindness and compassion. This idiom is rooted in a biblical parable told by Jesus. The story is usually interpreted as Jesus’ call to love both neighbors and enemies. However, the meaning of the parable could be...

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...

Discussion of Communication as Path of God Understanding

The post of Kendra addresses the essential topic regarding the role of communication in human life. The author of the post elaborates on the rewarding system in education and emphasizes the role of communication in learning. The most astonishing about my classmates’ work is the real-life examples and Biblical connotations....

A Personal Code of Ethics

Preamble While pastoral work is both challenging and joyous, it calls upon me to strike a balance between my needs and obstacles as a human being while focusing on the best ways to succeed in my ministerial work. My ultimate duty is to devote myself to the teachings of Christ,...

Basic Beliefs of Hinduism and Buddhism

Buddhism and Hinduism are two of the most commonly practiced religions in the world today. It is believed that both religions originated in northern India around 500 BCE. The two religions later on expanded to other regions, especially in Asia, where Buddhism continues to have a major spiritual and religious...

Relationship Between Sports and Religion

There is an interdependent relationship between sports and religion cause of the proficient impact on society and the attribution of the coherence. One of the important questions that influence the sociological perspectives is ministering to other individuals within the diverse setting. On the one hand, delivering the believers’ message renders...

The Relationship Between Human Sinfulness and the Doctrine of Salvation

Introduction According to the principles of the Christian faith, every person born into this world has been sinful since childhood. The limits of this sinfulness lie not in the guilt of the individual for actions committed or imperfectly performed, but in the fact that he or she is the ancestor...

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...

Nostra Aetate Overview and Importance

There are various religious movements in the world, and it is pertinent to note that their number is only increasing over time. In conjunction with very young movements (such as Pastafarianism), there are fundamental and ancient religious teachings commonly referred to as world religions. World religions include Christianity, Islam, Buddhism,...

The Nature of God and Humanity

Traditionally, the nature of God is perceived in Christianity through the lens of the Triune. Namely, God is seen as the omnipotent amalgamation of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. The specified interpretation also implies that God holds absolute power over every human being, as well as every...

Divorce from the Biblical Laws’ Point of View

Divorce is one of the main contemporary social problems, and there are debates in religious circles about whether separation is allowed in the Bible. Accordingly, the church does not recognize divorce and considers it not biblical, except in cases of betrayal and desertion of marriage. The Bible consistently asserts that...

Basic Biblical Christianity Summary

During its stay on Earth, humanity found various gods, and accordingly, books were written that talked about these gods, how to live with them, and worship them. Christianity is one of many religions and also has a book called the Bible. It contains the truth necessary for the salvation and...

Reading Lewis’ Works in the Faith Journey

Introduction C. S. Lewis was born in 1898 in Belfast in Ireland and died in 1963. He wrote many books, and several ones encompass Christian apologetics. His literary works contribute to religion and theology studies. Some of his works include Mere Christianity, Screwtape, and The Chronicles of Narnia, which is...

“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...

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...

Religion and Cult Relations

People have always needed a system of specific beliefs to explain events unknown to them. Since the emergence of the first organized groups of people and civilized societies, mythologies, religions, and cults became integral elements of the human world. Moreover, some worship systems transformed into dominant paradigms or religions peculiar...

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...

Christianity, Its Origin and Significance

Introduction Christianity developed in the mid-first century in Judea following the teachings of Jesus. Later, the missionary work and writings of Paul of Taurus also made an impact in its spread. Initially, this religion was viewed as a small and disorganized sect that, among other things, pledged personal salvation after...

Ethics and Morals in Quran

Quran has been criticized for its teachings, beliefs, and principles which are attributed to Islamic values. Since Islam existed, theorists have debated in different ways that other religions disapprove because of the contradictions between the teachings. Since the 21st century, westernization has led to changes in religious perceptions, especially on...

Ethical Standards in the Westboro Baptist Church Case

Ethics and religion are interrelated concepts, but this synergy remains inadequately explained. Moreover, this issue’s final point cannot be reached since both concepts are relative and not measured by standard methods. The Westboro Baptist Church case reveals a controversial decision allowing religious activists to express their perspective at a funeral....

Bible Classes, Blessings for Public Schools

Religion plays a central role in the overall development of society and an individual’s morality. The Christian religion, in particular, can be considered as a source of many essential human values. It forms a social and civilizational basis of the Judeo-Christian value system, which promoted the correct societal structure. The...

Eid ul-Fitr as Significant Religious Occasions

Introduction Islam is the second-largest religion globally, and Eid is one of the significant religious occasions which Muslims faithfully celebrate worldwide. The occasion signals the end of a period of fasting from dawn to sunset, spiritual meditation and prayer. Usually, the day begins with prayers, and a big meal is...

Euthanasia from Religious Perspectives

The ethicality of euthanasia is a controversial issue in the philosophy of medicine, ethics, law, and other disciplines connected to the notions of death and the right to it. Euthanasia has divided people into two main camps – those who see it as a crime against God or some higher...

Contemporary Religious Art: Visual Art

Art has always been an integral part of religion, and visual art is especially effective in conveying religious values. The paintings by the Australian artist O’Brien are displayed in modern art galleries, as they are characterized by a bright palette and dedication to religious subjects. The artist had an eye...

The Ancient Readings of Genesis 1-3

Genesis 1-3 tells of creating the heavens and the earth in all its vast array and all living things. God created humanity: a man and a woman from his rib blessed them and told them to fill the earth and conquer it. He gave them as well as all living...

“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...

Comparison of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam

Introduction Christianity, Judaism, and Islam are the main monotheistic religions of the world with millions of followers. Although tolerance has become more widespread in society, conflicts and disputes still erupt between representatives of these religions, since they consider their faith to be more right. However, one may note that Christianity,...

Death and Dying: the George’s Story

Abstract Euthanasia is considered as opposed to God’s guidance and Christian tradition. The inherent human dignity and medical occupation should always consider opposing perspectives and find a coherent decision through long-standing care, communication, and consideration of patient values and life choices. The analysis of George’s story through the prism of...

Social Trinity: Interpreting Christian Doctrine

Social Trinity is an interpretation with regard to the Christian doctrine on trinity. The main and central idea lies in the fact that this concept of trinity comprises of three persons whose relationship constitutes its very nature. Over the last three decades, there have been increased outpouring of the writings...

Catholic and Scientific View of Evolution

Introduction There has been a debate between scientists and theologians about evolution. Many individuals believe that accepting the scientific theory of evolution, which is based on the notion of natural selection, is equal to holding atheistic views. They interpret the story of Adam and Eve literally and use it to...

Patient Spiritual Needs: Case Analysis

The principle of autonomy respects the patient’s rights to make an informed medical decision. However, this case falls under the Confucian society, where the head of the family decides for people under his care (Tai & Tsai, 2003). The physician should inform the parents about all possible measures and leave...

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....

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...

Al-Qushayri’s Epistle on Sufism Analysis

The book under consideration is called al-Qushayri’s Epistle on Sufism. It can be considered as an original textbook that served as a guide for generations of Sufi beginners (Al-Qushayri 10). It introduces readers to the everyday lives of Sufism proponents as well as to ethical and moral dilemmas they are...

Impacts of Censoring Religious Criticism

Introduction The religious censoring criticism has greatly influenced people’s behaviors. People consistently avoid talking about certain things since their religion views them as obscene and contrary to their teachings. Therefore, different religions have different censorship behaviors since they apply different scriptural teachings. Although the religious censoring intends to control and...

Paul and Philemon. Conversion of People to Christianity

Introduction During the period when the first church had just been established, Paul, then Saul, was a force to reckon, both before and after his conversion to Christianity. He exhibited strong leadership skills whichever side of the divide he was on. He believed so much in the ideals he followed,...

Judaism and Christianity Comparison

Introduction There are a lot of religions in modern world and a question which religion was the first, the primary remains the main in modern society. Every religion wants to gain the status of superiority. One of the longest and widest contest continues between Christianity and Judaism. Christian people are...

Western Civilization: Christian Heresies

Introduction Establishment of the orthodox Christianity was a result of the emergency of the danger of new converts following teachings that differed from those widely accepted by Christianity. Christian statements like the Apostles Creed and the Nicene Creed resulted from the churches’ efforts to make statements of faith lined with...

Job’s God from the Bible and Greek Gods from Iliad

Introduction Divine intervention or dues ex machina is common in mythical stories and at most favors the lead character. It is often a story of the triumph of the good and the evil. In the Bible’s Old Testament, in the book and story of Job, intervention from God was done...

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...

“Martin Luther: A Late Medieval Life” by V. Leppin

Introduction Martin Luther, known as the father of the Reformation, had a remarkable life that is discussed by several authors. In his Martin Luther: A Late Medieval Life book, Volker Leppin offers his vision on the key biographic points of this theologian. By reading and analyzing the lives of prominent...

Buddha’s Four Noble Truths and Jesus’ Teachings

In Buddhism, the Noble Eightfold Path is the last of the Four Noble Truths. It describes the principles of thought and behavior that help on one’s path to enlightenment. According to Ratnasekera (n.d.), following the Eightfold Path makes the person “fully self-possessed, in command of his faculties and well-equipped to...

Christian Counseling for Marriage and Family

If a couple comes to you considering divorce, what strategies might you use to help them find hope? What boundary issues need to be taken into consideration? If I were to consult a couple, considering divorce, I would have employed several strategies. First of all, I would have asked each...

The Old and New Testament Books

Summary of the books of the Old Testament Books Exodus The book of Exodus is a narrative. Exodus means “departure”. The book revolves around the deliverance of the people of Israel after 400 years of slavery under the then Pharaoh of Egypt. It begins with the cry of the Israelites...

Theravada and Mahayana Buddhist Teachings

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,...