The Spread of Pentecostalism as a Global Movement

Pentecostalism today is the largest Protestant branch, and it has clearly influenced the other divisions of Christianity. Interestingly, the global path of Pentecostalism is relatively short compared to other Christian movements, only taking up less than two centuries. Historical development makes it especially remarkable to notice the impact this movement...

Buddhism and Hinduism: Differences and Comparisons

Buddhism and Hinduism are two ancient world religions, which have their origins in India. Hinduism formed 3500 years ago and worships Brahman, a supreme lifeforce from which atman (souls) and even gods originate. Buddhism was formed approximately 2800 years ago and is both a stem off from Hinduism but a...

Mishnah and Gemara Interpretation: The True Meaning of the Hand

Interpreting religious texts always represents a substantial degree of complexity due to the multiple approaches to understanding the meaning of a specific message or a certain term. The Talmud is no exception to the observed rule, with its Mishnah and Gemara, or the written text and the perception of its...

Religion and Faith for a Better World

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

Anselm and Aquinas Religious Leaders

Historical Context Both Anselm and Aquinas were significant religious leaders during the times when the church was a powerful institution. There are mentions of Anselm being acquaintances with the Pope and having conflicts with King Henry I, illustrating his importance in the medieval hierarchy (Himma). Moreover, Thomas Aquinas was described...

“The Lost Letters of Pergamum”: Book Review

Introduction The Lost Letters of Pergamum is a collection of letters in which prominent people from the nobility and churches of the first century communicate and discuss various matters. In general, this book shows people writing letters about how Christianity gradually appeared and influenced the world around them. The plot...

Reading Romans in Context: Paul’s Letter to the Romans

Paul’s Letter to the Romans is acknowledged as one of the most important letters from Paul that presents the apostle’s systematic explanation of relationships between the Jewish and Roman Christians. The letter was purposed to explain salvation through faith and bring peace to both house churches. While reading and understanding...

God’s Existence Arguments in the High Middle Ages

To begin with, the works of Ibn Rushd and St. Thomas Aquinas represent their own understanding and approval of the existence of God. Both philosophers prove God’s existence by using logical connections and references from religious sources. Remarkably, while Ibn Rushd uses Quran as his Holy Book, St. Tomas Aquinas...

Buddhism in the Novel “Siddhartha” by Hermann Hesse

In Siddhartha, Hermann Hesse presents the theme of enlightenment as an unrelenting quest for the truth, which he considers essential for achieving a harmonious connection with the world. Nirvana, or a universal understanding of life, is the truth searched for by Siddhartha and Govinda, who both have a basic desire...

The Holocaust Impact on Jewish Theology

Introduction The Holocaust was the most massive extermination of Jews in the nation’s history. It resulted in the extermination of over 6 million Jews, and destroyed or displaced much of the Jewish population in Europe (Heuman et al. 4). Such a major event in a people’s history had a tremendous...

Religious Beliefs: Reasons Behind the Faith

Religious beliefs and the reasons behind them are very personal matters, and different people are likely to offer varying accounts and testimonies of faith. Belief in God is central to many people’s lives and, for them, requires no evidence, only trust in the Divine. Faith in the Deity is intuitive...

Pillar of Classical Religion: Scientific Support

Civilization is the process by which a human society or location attain an efficient form of development and prosperity and structure. While human civilization is vast, fundamentally every society is sustained by the fundamental “foundations” of classical religion, learning, and the family. Classical theology is one of the most significant...

The Rules of St. Columba: Exploring Irish Catholicism

Irish Catholic Church history is filled with notable and authoritative figures that defined the further development of Christianity and contributed to the evolution of the theological discourse, as well as the spreading of Jesus Christ’s philosophy. St. Columba, or St. Columbanus, was one of the people that predetermined the further...

Discussion: Taking Responsibility for the Enemy

Taking responsibility for an enemy is a major phrase that has been mentioned regularly in the secondary source computed by Linahan Jane. The book is entitled “Sermon on the mount and the creation of peace.” Contextually, individuals can use the phrase mentioned above to imply that an individual can regard...

How Biblical Worldview Helps in Everyday Life

Defining Worldview At its core, a worldview can be defined as a set of beliefs, philosophy, and comprehensive conception of the world that is held by each individual. Gray (2011) identifies it as a collection of attitudes, values, and expectations which go on to inform thoughts and actions. Each person’s...

The Church and the Understandings of God

The evolution of the concept of God and God’s nature is an important theological issue. In part II of his book on Christianity’s history, Gonzalez (2010) explains that more modern understandings of God as a caring entity and humanity’s father have been preceded by earlier concepts perceiving the Sun, which...

The Bible: Analysis of 2 Kings Chapters 17-20

Introduction The books partial to the Kings originally were a part of the ancient manuscript that depicted the end of life of king Solomon during the fall of Jerusalem. As part of the Biblical canon, they emphasize the unique place these works occupy as simultaneously works of literature, spiritual texts...

The Role of Religion in Propping-Up Slavery

Frederick Douglas was a slave in America, but at the same time, he became a figure who made a significant impact on the disappearance of slavery. In his book, based on his memoirs, the author described the horrors of slavery and the role of Christianity. The author vividly described the...

A Model of Christian Charity by Winthrop

Winthrop’s “A Model of Christian Charity” described the formation of a new society by Puritan settlers. The work is often used to demonstrate the status of the United States as the leading nation. Winthrop demonstrates that Puritan made a covenant with God to establish a true Christian community, in which...

Daoism Issue, Solution, Techniques, and Exemplars

Daoism, often called Taoism, is a philosophy initiated in Earliest China and propagated by theorists such as Laozi. This viewpoint, which some individuals regard as a religion, instructs persons on living in agreement with the rest of the universe. The word “Dao” refers to “path,” the essence and pattern of...

Buddhism, Islam, and Christianity in Society

Introduction Religions are ancient social institutions, designed to perform several tasks at once. One of the main goals is the formation of the worldview and behavior of people, which determines the belief in the existence of some supernatural force. There are four types of ancient religions that have existed for...

Thirst for Freedom: The Art of Bible Translation

Introduction Exodus is a Greek word that means the exit of a large group and the second book in the Old Testament. The book bases its story on the movement of Israelites out of Egypt. Egypt is considered bondage to Israelites. The exit is documented in accounts, phases, and Exodus...

The Research of Theological History

Abstract There is a hermeneutical problem of Genesis 1: other approaches exist apart from a traditional one. According to one of the alternative approaches, Gen 1 summarizes an entire topical sequence of events that occurred after earth’s creation, which are discussed in volumes 2 to 31. Therefore, one of the...

Christian Apocalyptic Movements

Christian apocalypticism or millenarianism focuses on believing that the day of world destruction will come and take people to a better world of God. The fascinating aspect which encouraged me to explore this movement is that the apocalypse is treated not as dangerous destruction but as the opportunity to get...

“Religion, Meaning in Life During Late Adulthood” by Krause & Hayward

Religious studies attempt to discover the meaning in life through seeking and maintaining a strong relationship with God. Scientific studies confirm this association by illustrating the evidence of meaning in life in wellness and healthcare outcomes. In the article “Religion, Meaning in Life, and Change in Physical Functioning During Late...

Approach to Bible Study in a Survey of the Old Testament

Studying the Old Testament is a fundamental and complicated task. Bible is an integral part of the ancient Near Eastern civilization, into the languages and culture of which Western students need to dive deeply. In the first chapter of their monograph, Hill and Walton argue that the Bible represents God’s...

The Analysis of the New Testament Canon

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

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...

Anselm’s Ontological Argument Analysis

The Proslogion contains the ontological argument that made Anselm famous throughout the ages. In this work, God is not thought of as the sum of positive qualities and the all-powerful possessor of various earthly goods. Anselm’s reasoning no longer proceeds from a conception of what God must be to assert...

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,...

Compendium of Social Doctrine on Economic Life

One of the primary lessons I have learnt from chapter 7 of the Compendium of Social Doctrine on Economic Life is the church’s teaching and perspective towards the management and direction of the economy. These teachings are meant to serve our society in a common good, referred to as liberal...

Scripture as Doctrine of God, Christology, and the Holy Spirit

The doctrine of the sufficiency of Scripture is one of the basic tenets of the Christian faith. The statement that the Bible is sufficient means that it is all we need to prepare ourselves for a life of faith and ministry. It provides a clear understanding of God’s intentions to...

The Problem of Evil and Reasoning Against God

Introduction The debate on the existence of God remains a perpetual one. Philosophy, philosophy of religion, and theology continue to provide arguments both in favor of the Divine existence and the impossibility of such presence. These assertations often vary in nature and address either the metaphysical, historical, or moral improbability...

Mormonism: Religious Denomination or a Sect?

There has been an enormous discussion on whether Mormonism is a religious denomination, a sect, or a non-religious movement. This question lingers in every individual’s mind upon mention of Mormonism. This question is pertinent in American society today, following the recent political happenings that involve members of Mormonism. Recently, Mitt...

Analysis of Article “Religions Resources and Church Growth”

The authors define resource mobilization theory as “the study of aggregation of resources” in the context of money and labor (Iannaccone, Olson, & Stark 1995, p. 706). From a theoretical standpoint, religious resources consist of ‘inputs’ such as time and money, which lead to the ‘output’ of church growth and...

Religion Research: Hinduism and Buddhism

Hinduism Hinduism is a significant religion with rich history, a considerable amount of followers, and the Bhagavad Gita as one of the most important sacred texts. Hinduism originated from Hindu, which is one of the most ancient religions mainly spread among South Asia. Today there are approximately 800 million adherents...

The Future of Religion in Canada

Introduction Canada has many different religions, but none of them is official in the country because of the great significance of religious pluralism in Canadian political culture. Canada does not establish a single national religion, and, on the contrary, its government supports the existing multitude of religious movements. Today, the...

Jawn Bin Huwai: A Martyr for Allah

Introduction Jawn bin Huwai is a significant personality in the history of Islam. Being one of those martyred at Karbala, he had undergone the reality of slavery since he was in servitude to several masters. However, his last master freed him and urged him to abandon his service and his...

Predestination: The Theological Concept

In theology, predestination is the belief that God has predetermined all events, generally concerning the person’s ultimate fate. Predestination interpretations frequently attempt to resolve the “phenomenon of free will,” in which God’s omniscience appears irreconcilable with human free will. Predestination can be seen as a type of religious determinism in...

Jerusalem’s History and Religious Developments

Introduction Jerusalem is a place on the political map of the world known to all the followers of the three Abrahamic religions. Its historical past and political status have been a thorny issue between the peoples and states of the Middle East, Arabs, Jews, Israel, and the Palestinian over the...

Sikhism: History and Practices

There are various religions globally, each with a unique history of origin. However, there are controversies on how some religions came into existence. Sikhism has had so many theories said about how it came to exist. The most common thought about the religion is that it has long been thought...

Religion’s Impact on Mass Media

It seems reasonable to state that religion significantly impacts many spheres of life in today’s world. When it comes to mass media, this phenomenon should be taken into account. In another case, the desired outcome of a particular film, book, or TV series might not be achieved. Hence, the scholarly...

The Evolution of Gilgamesh: Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible

The songs and legends of Gilgamesh were recorded in cuneiform on clay tablets in four ancient languages of the Middle East – Sumerian, Akkadian, Hurrian, and Hittite; in addition, references to him were preserved in the Greek writer Elian and the medieval Syrian writer Theodore Bar-Conai. Already the oldest, so-called...

Approaches to Psychology. Discrimination of the Islamic Religion

There has been growing discrimination of the Islamic religion and its relation to terrorism. According to the behavioral approach, such a stereotype arises due to the interactions people have with their environment through conditioning and observational learning. This discrimination develops from people constantly seeing and hearing individuals from this religion...

The Influence of Catholic Upbringing

The history of the religious education of the person I interviewed confirmed that every believer has their own path to faith. My neighbor and I often meet on the street and in the church that I have attended since childhood, so I have always been interested in the reasons why...

Comparison of Daoism and Confucianism

Wuwei is one of the central concepts in Daoist teachings and describes the proper way of living. Literally translated to “effortless action” or “action without strain,” it refers to doing things without needless over-complication and exertion (Molloy, 2020, p. 209). As such, it is directly related to being in harmony...

The Principle of Social Justice in World Religions

One of the remarkable features of modern society is promoting diversity, not only in views and opinions but also in religious affiliation. Many people worldwide profess particular religious views, and according to the number of adherents of particular faiths, there are several world religions: Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. Interestingly, there...

Christ and the Adulteress by Rocco Marconi and The Marriage of the Virgin by Raphael

Both Raphael’s and Rocco Marconi’s paintings are similar in terms of the subject matter since they both illustrate biblical scenes involving groups of people displayed at the center of the pieces. However, the pieces are different in the mood of the stories depicted. Raphael portrays a joyous occasion of Mary...

Lutheran Theology – Insights for Today’s Church

Thesis statement: Martin Luther’s theology started the reformation in Germany through his famous 95 Theses and, in doing so, helped model the contemporary society and Protestant Church. Introduction The European Reformation, driven by Lutheran Theology, is one of the most ambiguous periods. This phenomenon always remains in the center of...

Concerns in Saint Luke’s Gospel and Their Analysis

Jesus’ disciples were left to emulate the good work that He had begun before ascending to heaven. Perhaps the disciples fearlessly worked out on their purpose as followers of Christ to enlighten the world about God’s intimate plan for all humankind. Thus, after His departure, Jesus’ disciples, who became apostles...

Religion and Europeans’ Attitude to Native Americans

As a matter of fact, Native Americans had highly diverse cultures and religions before and after European colonialists’ arrival. At the same time, in Europe, Christianity was an intrinsic part of people’s lives when the New World was discovered. Thus, it goes without saying that the meeting of people from...

Biblical Assertion of Baptism in the Holy Spirit

The phenomenon of Baptism in The Holy Spirit has always been a complex spiritual endeavor, which obtains its unique significance across various confessions. The Catholic theology regards the process of Baptism with The Holy Spirit as a blessing received by Christians through conversion rites, including water baptism and confirmation. Such...

Theology in the Context of World Christianity

In eastern parts of the world, there are cultures, the main basis of which is placed on shame and honor. So much so that it leads to questionable actions that may be considered crimes or up in people taking their own lives in order to maintain honor. Those cultures are...

Are Hinduism’s Practices Philosophical or Strictly Religious?

Introduction As one of the world’s oldest religions, Hinduism also serves functions of a considerable philosophical direction. On the one hand, millions of individuals throughout the whole world follow the main principles of Hinduism, thereby making this system of thought the third-largest religion after Christianity and Islam. On the other...

Contemporary Trends Criticism by Using Anthropological Approach

To begin with, there is a great number of contemporary trends nowadays. As a result, only general notions might be discussed due to their influence on society. From the anthropological perspective, the vast majority of trends could be criticized by using even the most primitive methods of qualitative analysis. On...

Books IX-XII of Paradise Lost by Milton

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

The Spread of Islam With Trade and Geography

Translated from Arabic, the word “Islam” means “surrender to the One God” or “submission.” Like Judaism and Christianity, Islam is a theistic religion; this means that he proceeds from the understanding of the one God. This is the youngest religion in the history of humanity, which ranks second in the...

Christianity Views on Abortion Concepts, the Big Bang, and the Evolution Theory

Religious Studies The relationship between culture and Christianity is a problem in today’s society. When Christianity is presented as a substitute to the existing culture, the covert chooses to either follow Christ or remain in the world of evil doings or paganism. The Bible and other Christian articles provide information...

Christianity and Society Interrelation

The religions are considered utterly different in their beliefs and values; however, their similarity is that they all shape society and at the same time greatly influence it. It is well known that Christianity has played a pivotal role in shaping the Western community throughout history. The churches have been...

The Fertile Crescent Sumerian Religion

Cosmology and the Pantheon The type of society that will be living in the Sumerian pantheon is the post-human society. Post-human is a concept that mainly refers to the entity that exists in a state beyond normal human understanding. It originates from the science fields of futurology, fiction, philosophy, and...

Buddhism: New Religions and Human Balance

Despite its stance in society, religion will always be somehow reflected in the way people appraise the world and outline their values. Thus, Buddhism, one of the fundamental world religions, has been introduced in a series of new forms over the past years. A prime example of such a modernized...

Cardinal Ratzinger’s “The Reservation of the Blessed Sacrament”

In “The Reservation of the Blessed Sacrament,” Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger analyses how Eucharistic theology led to the emergence of the tabernacle in the second millennium. The chapter reveals how spiritual development in the understanding of the Eucharist manifested through changes in language structure and forms of thought. The chapter, divisible...

Key Christian Beliefs and Practices

Many of the essential teachings of Christian faith come from the parables, or short stories, that Jesus told. The key beliefs included lessons that persuaded individuals to love God and their neighbours as they would themselves (Matthew 22:37-39). Forgiving those that have wronged you is also a notable value and...

Leviticus and Numbers Importance for Understanding the Pentateuch

An approach that works within the contrast between Leviticus, Numbers, and the Pentateuch can be problematic. This is due to the fact that laws and rites used in the two books named first lost their meaning in New Testament times. The revelation made the priestly vestments, the altar, the altar...

Immortality, Personal Identity, Death and God

Introduction According to the traditional perception of immortality, the after-life or eternal life follows the physical death of a body, but the soul stays immortal. In conformity with the religious or philosophic fellowship, the personal identity of a human either stays the same, either disappears. The idea of the hereafter...

“Introducing World Religions” Through Christian Lens

Introducing World Religions, a book authored by Charles E. Farhadian. and published in 2015, is an insightful religious book that addresses the Christian audience of the 21st century on world religions viewed through a Christian lens. Professor Farhadian is a renowned author of Christian texts and a distinguished contributor to...

James Joyce’s “Dubliners”. Personal Thoughts on Araby

James Joyce is a brilliant writer who utilizes homeland politics to criticize the current state of Dublin effectively. He uses one of his short stories, Araby, in his book Dubliners to explain the idea of coming of age. Joyce’s book focuses on the problems a boy undergoes when transforming childhood...

Ways to Ensure Understanding When Delivering the Gospel Message

The question of what the preaching of the Gospel should be in the modern world today concerns not only those called to deliver sermons but also every believer. They are all called to preach the Gospel, bearing witness to it, of course, first and foremost with their lives. They must...

American Society’s Reckoning About Race Issue

For this assignment, I engaged in discourse with a pastor at a local Baptist church located near my home. The Church is large, consisting of several buildings, including its own preschool and sports complex. It is located in a suburban part of town, middle class, and some affluent neighborhoods. The...

Islam: The Different Perspectives

Chapter 5 Summary Islam is a way of life, the basis of family and legal relations, a set of traditions and customs. The main principles and essence of Islam are the following points: among the tenets of Islam is monotheism, the most authoritative source of Islamic belief and practice is the...

Divine Foreknowledge and Rejection of Saul’s Kingship

In the article titled “Divine Foreknowledge, Divine Constancy, and the Rejection of Saul’s Kingship,” Fretheim discusses the implications of God rejecting Saul’s kingship and anointing David. First and foremost, the author aims to clarify the seeming contradiction regarding divine repentance in 1 Samuel 15. According to Fretheim, the passages about...

Christianity and Sports: The Relationship Analysis

In the modern world, the commitment to sports is actively gaining momentum. Now, even religious organizations are interested in sports, and some even promote sports for every person. There was a time in the past when the church was categorically against sports and any sporting events. I agree with my...

Al-Hallaj and His Influence on Islam

Al-Hallaj prophet Al-Hallaj was a wandering prophet, who perceived himself as a part of the Divine Truth, and preached his religious vision in Iran, Iraq, India, and China. The Vizier ordered the execution of Al-Hallaj, accusing him of the sin of proclaiming himself the Truth. According to some experts, before...

Five Principles of Connection Art and Christianity

Christianity plays a significant role in the creativity and talents of the artists, explaining how these skills emerge and how people should engage with religious norms and expectations. Barrs (2013) applies five principles of this connection between art and Christianity to demonstrate how the artworks should serve all humans. The...

Discussion of History of Buddhism

Introduction Buddhism is one of leading faiths that has shaped human worship and behavior for over 2,500 years. Presently, this religion has more than 500 million believers. Historically, Buddhism remained prominent in Southeast Asia and East. This religion continues to promote a number of ideologies and philosophies that overlap with...

Amazing Grace: The New Testament

In my understanding, the New Testament offers countless opportunities for exploring the grace of God. It reaches its highest point in God’s decision to sacrifice his Son’s life in the name of humanity’s moral improvement and salvation. In Peter 3:18, the audience is encouraged to “grow in grace of our...

“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...

The Idea of Government According to the Bible

Religion is a unique system that affects all spheres of human activity, including governing. At the first stages of society’s evolution, religious beliefs were used as the basis for states, and beliefs and rituals were considered laws affecting the communities’ rise. The emergence of Christianity with its set of values...

Christianity vs. Judaism: A Medieval Conflict

The world’s most significant religions existed together for millenniums, and even in the modern world of globalization and science’s domination, they stay valuable worldwide. Indeed, Christianity has more than two billion followers now, and a smaller but older religion, Judaism, is being supported by at least fourteen million (Hicks-Keeton, 2018)....

The “Other-Worldliness” of Christianity

It goes without saying that as the majority of existing religions, Christianity includes the elements of both “this-worldliness” and “other-worldliness.” However, from a personal perspective, the statement that Christianity is a predominantly other-worldly religion reflects its core to the fullest extent. First of all, despite the existence of differences between...

The Missional Church and Its Impact on Ecclesiology

Missional church is a community of Word, Sacrament, and Prayer, which involves certain religious activities to convert non-believers or apologists of other religions to their faith. Mission in a religious context and similar activities, especially in Christianity, are prevalent. The missionary church represents the various movements and denominations that shape...

Life With ALS in the Context of the Christian Worldview

Introduction Like every religion, Christianity has a specific attitude to such existential questions as illness and death. One of the most difficult choices in this area is between living with an incurable disease and euthanasia. It is essential to study the principles and ideas of Christianity to make a decision...

“Shelter in a Time of Storm” Book by Paul David Tripp

In writing the book Shelter in a Time of Storm, Paul David Tripp delves into Psalm 27 in the fifty-two meditations. In it, the author pairs concern with adoration, difficulty with magnificence, and wicked people with the mercy of God. Paul David acknowledges how Psalm 27 fills people’s hearts with...

Prabhavananda on the Sermon on the Mount

The Sermon on the Mount found its response not only in Christian culture but also in Hinduism. In the text, Swami Prabhavananda presents his vision of the eight beatitudes, presenting them as stages of a person’s path to God and not as a classification (Clooney & Francis, 2018, p. 120)....

The Connection of The Lament Genre with The Book of Psalms

Main types of psalms are praising, teaching, and lamentation psalms. There are quite a lot of Psalms of Lamentation in the Psalter. Its specific concerns and interests are people who are not afraid to talk about their failures and weaknesses, problems and doubts before God and before people. Even in...

The Babylonian Exile of the Israelites as Calvin’s Metaphor

Babylonian exile of the ancient Israelites would be an important metaphor for Calvin to use in describing the Christian’s life on earth because Christians are held captive by sins thus getting punished. The Babylonian captivity is depicted as a punishment for idolatry as well as disobedience to God. The suffering...

Confucianism vs. Daoism: Finding Four Differences

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

Christian Business Operation in Capitalism

In the world of capitalism, companies strive to be profitable as they can while providing their products or services. However, this ideology does not always align with the Christian beliefs and principles that do not place profitability as their primary interest. Although some Christians agree with the fundamentals of capitalism,...

The Bible and Economy: Sin Stock Aversion and Virtue Stock Affinity

Many Christians consider the Bible to be a book that tells about the non-material world and almost nothing about the material one. Therefore, they are often surprised when they hear the phrase ‘Christian economy’. There are many passages in the Bible about economics, especially economic freedom. The Bible draws parallels...

Christian Approaches to Hinduism

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

The Attitude of Individuals Towards Other Religions

In the everyday world, while communicating, people use nonverbal language to help express themselves better. However, intercultural differences might lead to disagreements and misinterpretations as various traditions form special beliefs and explanations of nonverbal language. People from different countries can struggle to comprehend a foreigner. Gestures, as one of the...

Abrahamic Covenant. Chapters 12-50 of The Book of Genesis

The book of Genesis from chapters 12 to 50 talks about the covenant and promises that were made by God to Abraham. These promises are commonly referred to as Abrahamic covenant which generally is composed of three things: a land, a blessing, and a seed. The word covenant has extensively...

The Role of Spirituality in Medical Education

Healing and Autonomy Spirituality practice in healthcare has been a controversial topic over the last decade. Spirituality and health are increasingly becoming a topic of discussion in healthcare and medical schools and provide more insight into combining them. More healthcare facilities offer spiritual support to patients as an extension of...

Evangelicalism Definition and Overview

Introduction Evangelicalism is a progressive form of Christianity, which emerged in the Age of Atonement and is characterized by the belief in the Bible’s literal truth. The movement’s members identify with the need to be ‘born again’, live a holy life, and have a personal relationship with Christ. From the...

Personal Reflection on Christian Ethics and Spirituality

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

The Politicization of Muslim Identity

Primarily, Mamdani shares a concern about the violence of the modern age and how it is rooted in the political agenda. 9/11 was an essential event in the history of the United States that led to the juxtaposition of “bad Muslims” with “good Muslims” in society (Mamdani 2005, 15). The...

The Book of Revelation and Second Coming of Christ

In Revelation 20, a major event is described known as The Millennium. It is a highly controversial passage and there is much debate on whether the Second Coming of Christ will occur prior and lead to this prolonged period of holiness and salvation on Earth, or will the Second Coming...

Paul David Tripp’s Book “A Shelter in the Time of Storm”

Paul David Tripp’s book “A Shelter in the Time of Storm” explains the various hardships and troubles in life and how to get past them. Tripp introduces the main topics covered in the book by explaining that we live in a broken world that subjects us to lots of suffering,...

Religious Pluralism as a Mark of a Healthy Community

The issue of religious beliefs has always been a rather contentious subject due to the often-conflicting interpretations of different religious principles. The absence of tolerance and readiness for a nuanced and respectful discussion of religious differences has provided the breeding grounds for conflicts throughout history. For example, the Thirty Years...

Spinoza and Lessing Confronting Religious Intolerance

Introduction The complications related to religious dogmatism are often portrayed in the literature written in the 18th century. The lack of acceptance of other beliefs and the confrontations between the representatives of different religions were commonly discussed by writers of that time. The author’s Benedict Spinoza and Gotthold Ephraim Lessing...

Christianity as an Other Worldly Religion First and Foremost

It should primarily be stated that responding to an argument that Christianity is an other-worldly religion first and foremost is hard. This is due to the fact that it definitely includes both other-worldliness and this-worldliness and they usually interrelate and produce a cause effect relationship. For instance, Christianity sates that...

Jehovah’s Witnesses Sect and Its Danger to Society

Jehovah’s Witnesses is a religious doctrine based on the Bible but unique in that it is radically different from all Christian religions. They are also known for their interpretation of the Bible, according to which they deny the doctrine of the Trinity. The sect was primarily organized according to the...

Christian Worldview. How God Allows Suffering

A good, loving, and all-powerful God allows people to suffer, especially Christians, so that they can grow to love Christ more and establish their faith in him. In effect, God allows people to suffer so that they can understand his providence when he comes through for them. Notably, one tends...

What the Bible Actually Teaches on Women by Giles

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

The Gospel of Matthew: The Temptation of Jesus

One’s personal growth is accompanied by various distractions of the present-day world, which prevent them from achieving important goals and having meaningful lives in general. They differ depending on the source and manifestation of such events, and revealing them should be a primary task for everyone who strives for a...

History of Protestantism in North America

Protestantism in North America begins with its early European roots and a German friar and lecturer, Martin Luther. His first step of the protestant reformation started when he led a charge against indulgences that benefitted the pope. His critiques gained popularity in Germany and with passing decades the protestant ideologies...

The Bible: Images and Portrayals of God

The Bible presents various images of God, in which he is portrayed from the perspective of the multiple roles he performs and the numerous character descriptions he is attributed. Across the Scripture, the readers might find a wide spectrum of vivid and metaphorical portrayals of God, which implies his power...

The Rhetoric of Condemnation in the Book of Job

The Book of Job belongs to the Ketuvim (“Writings”) section of the Hebrew Bible and the Old Testament part of the Christian Bible. The main character, Job, is introduced in the prologue, where he is depicted as a godly man generously gifted with material and non-material gifts alike. The narration...

Christian Gospel Essential Beliefs

Introduction Religion dictates the way people worship and pursue their religious goals. Christianity is one of the leading religions today that has clear guidelines, doctrines, and modes of worship. Followers of Christianity focus on the foundational commandments and pillars that make the religion what it is today. Those who follow...

Teresa de Jesús in “Book of Life”

Biographers and contemporaries describe Teresa as a very sociable, open, and intelligent person who was energetic and passionate in her actions. Following extreme mysticism in her religious works, she always had a good idea of the practical side of life (Weber 171). Perhaps, that is why she thought that in...

The Positioning of Systematic Theology

In a detailed discussion of the differences in existing approaches to the study of the Bible, it is worth emphasizing the nature of the object understudy in the first place. Strictly speaking, theology itself involves studying the nature of God and the religious beliefs that enable followers to believe in...

The Development of Western Religious Thought

The development of Western religious thought enjoyed its blossom in three historical periods: Late Middle Ages, when the fundamental elements of the rational comprehension of the Supreme Being were formulated; the Enlightenment, marked with the reconciliation of science and religion, and the beginning of the 20th century, with the spread...

The Relations Between God and Contemporary Culture

Outline The aspect of religion where God is the superior Being has continued to diminish in contemporary culture. This modern culture is characterized by many technological developments in which man is the main innovator. The ability of a human being to influence creation has made him feel superior to the...

Moral Questions of the Bible

The Unforgiving Servant The first parable appears in Matthew and can be characterized by its two-stage double indirect narrative. According to Snodgrass (2008), the plot of The Unforgiving Servant has a well-balanced three-part structure followed by an explanation. The parable tells the story of a servant who, at first, has...

Aspects of Imprecatory Psalms

The Psalter contains many examples of imprecatory psalms, among which verses #35, #109, and #137 are suggested for this discussion. Regardless of the specific part, however, we should first outline the significance and role of such poetic forms. In general, imprecatory psalms represent an appeal to God or a prayer...

Economic Approach to Religion

A grade “A” is an economic good because it is desired by many students, but it is not attained by many thus creating an opportunity cost. Exams are meant to evaluate how the examinee is faring on in a specific area of study. It is the dream of every student...

The Figure of Jesus in Islam and the Quran

Introduction The figure of Jesus stands prominently in Islam based on the various Islamic traditions and the many accounts of Him in the Quran. In one of the narratives, it is alleged that after Prophet Mohammed had his dream in the mountains, he ordered the cleansing of the different idols...

The Sources and Causes of Suffering in Judaism

Different religions have a distinct way of perceiving the sources and causes of suffering. In Judaism, the view of sorrow is that it is merely a characteristic of physical existence (Fitzpatrick et al., 2016). This means that misery does not necessarily have to be a result of punishment for misdeeds....

Seventh Day Adventists Fight Crime in Jamaica

Introduction Violent crime is a serious challenge in Jamaica. Robberies, rapes, murders, and assaults do not just lead to economic costs but may result in the loss of lives and severe emotional distress among victims. Crime also exerts a high toll on communities as the value of property increases and...

Socrates’ Understanding of God

Socrates is accused of impiety, or “not believing in the gods in whom the city believes (West & Plato, 1979, 24b).” At first glance, it appears as if Socrates is charged with atheism, but the philosopher is, in fact, ostracized for believing in “other new spiritual things (West & Plato,...

Teaching About Religion vs. Teaching Religion

Introduction Ever since 1963, when U. S. Supreme Court allowed sectarian teaching of the Bible in public schools’ classrooms, the issue of this decision’s appropriateness has been discussed from a variety of sociological and legal perspectives, with many critics rightly pointing out to the fact that there is nothing sectarian...

Personal Worldview Analysis and Personal Inventory

Introduction The views on such important questions as the purpose of life vary from one person to another and are formed according to one’s individual beliefs. Christianity explains all issues associated with ethics and morality in the context of the Bible and through the idea of God. This essay will...

Reaction to the Council of Trent Statement

The Council of Trent was a definitive document written in response to doctrinal challenges posed by the protestant reformation. The decrees revitalized and consolidated the Roman Catholic Church in the face of protestant expansion. The council issued critical statements on sacraments, scripture, biblical canon, sin, justification, salvation, mass, and saints’...

Religion and Science: Darwin’s Theory of Evolution

Introduction From epistemological point of view, science and religion are two distinct ways of knowing; the first one relies on logic and empirical findings whereas the other is based on faith which does not require substantiation (Griffin, 2000, p 7). The theory of evolution, introduced by Charles Darwin only emphasized...

An Argument for God as an Initial Cause for Everything

Introduction Philosophical discussion of arguments for God’s existence appeared to become reduced significantly in the environment in which logical positivism prevails. However, the resurgence of the interest toward the ontological and cosmological arguments since the 1960s prompted new ideas and perceptions. The ontological side of the discussion has been mainly...

Faith-Based Healthcare Organizations

Religion has traditionally played a significant role in the development of healthcare institutions, but their current relationships are a subject of many controversies. With three-quarters of adults in the United States being religious, the scientific community has been struggling to incorporate the population’s religious preferences into the traditionally scientific medical...

Researching Religion in America

Religion in the United States of America is misplaced. Its position in the public realm is among the many prickly issues analyzed in religion, in America, including in government programs. Contributors and researchers find diversified conclusions about the private, religious lives of Americans and their personal attitudes on the social...

Two Arguments Against Christianity and the Christian Worldview

Christianity has shaped the worldview of its followers for thousands of years. Naturally, the more progressive humans become, the more they start to question the legitimacy of religion and go deeper into its roots to find out the truth. Therefore, it created a lot of arguments used by atheists against...

Christian Identity, Nationalism, and Patriotism

Christian Identity Since the institutionalization of Christianity, the Church has always competed with monarchs for control over the states. Only after the beginning of the Reformation did Christianity begin to cooperate with local authorities. It can be said that such a symbiosis of unique cultures and local Christian practice norms...

St. Benedict’s Guidelines of a Monastic Way of Life

St. Benedict is a Christian saint who is responsible for the creation of the Rule of Benedict, which is a set of rules and guidelines for Christian monks to follow. It is regarded as one of the most influential texts that helped establish the basic rules of monasticism in medieval...

Humans in the Universe: The Beginning of “Genesis”

In “Genesis 1-11,” two theories discuss the place of humans in the universe, including God’s intention to create an image of himself on Earth and the desire to undermine people’s mortality. The domination of the second theory of human mortality is evident. The Lord created humans last in his image,...

Women Martyrs Inspiring Christianity

Introduction Modern society knows a few stories presenting women’s role in early Christianity due to the dominance of patriarchal church hierarchies, established by the Apostle Peter. He believed that it is shameful for a woman to preach in the church. He also thought that women should entirely rely on their...

Christianity and the COVID-19 Pandemic

Introduction The first part of the year 2020 was especially challenging due to the spreading COVID-19 epidemic and the consequent problems in different spheres of life. As one of the most important realms, religion was also influenced by the pandemic; moreover, some of its values and ideas were shattered at...

Religion and Its Role Among African Americans

Religion is subjective and plays different roles for varying groups of people. Some individuals practice religion because of family traditions and others because of their strong belief in the afterlife. The difference in such factors leads to variations in how worshiping affects people’s lives. For African Americans, religion has had...

Saint John of the Cross, a Christian Mystic

Juan de Yepes, who later adopted the name “de la Cruz” (John of the Cross), is a Christian mystic, Catholic saint, writer, poet, reformer of the Carmelite order, and teacher of the Church. It may seem that this person lived in a different world: he found himself in everyday life,...

A Nonreligious Cult “Free People”

A nonreligious cult called Free People becomes more popular among youth. It focuses on working with individuals aged 18-21 years, all genders, and belonging mainly to poor or low-income communities with problems in families. The cult promotes the idea of freedom, which can be achieved by refusing all burdens of...

Sociocultural Influence of Catholicism

Introduction The rapidly growing world population presupposes the increase in the number of religious and social communities that inevitably have a tremendous influence on global development. However, there exists a relatively small number of world religions that now have been shaping the overall behavioral patterns of the community for centuries....

The Description of the Religious Service

Getting familiar with other religions is an exciting experience which helps to understand other cultures and nations better. It is generally recognized that different religions are varying not only in traditions but also in the way a religious service is conducted. For this field trip report, I have visited Temple...

The Abortion Dilemma: Islam vs. Christianity

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

Pursuit and Experiences of God in Texas

Religion plays a crucial role in the development of each nation, and the Southwest of the United States is defined as one of the most religious regions in the country. Therefore, its pursuit of God and an understanding of religion in general always deserve attention and recognition. The region of...

Relationship Among the Religions

Introduction When analyzing the dominant faiths, one can identify three religions with similar features and concepts: Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. These theological doctrines have common features because, according to existing data, they have the same source of formation and a single-core – an emphasis on the Holy Scriptures as the...

Megachurches Research: Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church

Megachurches might be considered a relatively new but substantial religious phenomenon in terms of size and attendance. According to Hartford Seminary Institute for Religion Research, megachurches are “Protestant churches where more than 2000 people attend for the purpose of worship per week” (as cited in Cartledge et al., 2019, p....

God Exists: Reasoning and Proof

One of the topics that can be discussed indefinitely is the existence or unreality of God. Neither this discussion nor any other can ever answer that question. Moreover, the debate about God or Deities has been going on since the human mind (Feuerbach, 2018). It is crucial to understand this...

Christianity: Culture-Maker Beyond Specific Timeframes

Introduction The notion of a successful state or historical period is always revolving around a variety of related factors that somehow contribute to their development and establishment whatsoever. One of the central concepts considered as inseparable with the emergence of a nation or era is the phenomenon of culture and...

Franciscan Approach to Monasticism

Saint Francis of Assisi is one of the most significant and authoritative friars in Christianity. He was the founder of a new Catholic order, which emphasized the uselessness of material possessions in the clergy and attempted to emulate the lifestyle of Jesus Christ. This essay aims at examining the personality...

Buddhism in China and Japan

Buddhism is one of the major religions in the world, and it is now practiced in various countries including China and Japan. This religion spread in China during the first centuries B.C.E. and became widely practiced in the sixth century (Heine xii). It entered China through trade relations with people...

Hinduism History and Links to Other Religions

Introduction Religion is the connection of man with the Divine and the ultimate goal of faith is the realization of Truth. Correspondingly, one of the religions is Hinduism, which took place over a long time and underwent several stages of development. The paper aims to provide a detailed description and...

Christianity and Shintoism: Death and Dying

Every religion has its peculiarities and customs that determine what life the followers of this religion lead. A person’s belief may have a significant influence on the decisions they make and their worldview. Some of the things that are influenced by beliefs are views on diseases, death, dying, and human...

“The Ministry of Health and Healing” by Ellen White

The Ministry of Health and Healing by Ellen White teaches its readers universal truths and wisdoms which should be born in mind by everyone. According to White, only the purity of soul can help a person get cured with sins which dwell in every person being primary causes of all...

The Advancement by L. Russ Bush: Book Review

Introduction The Advancement is a work of Christian apologetics by the professor of philosophy of religion L. Russ Bush. Its author seeks to promote the philosophical positions of authentic historical Christianity over those of the seemingly dominant modern naturalistic worldview. He argues that naturalism suffers from debilitating internal contradictions, upholding...