Abstract This paper explores the meaning and use of mysticism in the religious faiths of Christianity and Islam. The author shows the reader how mysticism impacts the faiths and allows the reader to explore the truth of the existence within the faith.
From the Paper "Around the world the religious faiths of people can be a powerful motivator for living a life free from anger and sin. Many people live their life according to a doctrine that they take to be truth based on little more than their own personal faith that the religion exists as does the higher power that the faith has been build upon. Mysticism in both faiths plays an important role. It guides the followers many times when the only thing they have is their faith. However, even though mysticism is woven into each faith it is used, viewed and believed in different ways."
Abstract This paper presents a research proposal. It begins with the thesis statement: if spiritual maturity comes only from a dynamic faith, then Christian education must be anchored in principles of free will and dynamic intercourse. It then describes proposed research methods and contexts and lists the problem. It briefly summarizes a literature review and discusses research methods and assumptions, as well as proposed research results and arguments.
From the Paper "Spiritual maturity only comes from a dynamic Christian faith capable of adaptation and change within the orthodox boundaries of so-called "mere" Christianity. Yet many Christians today are loosing their essential faith, turning to agnosticism and athiesm out of disillunsionment or misguided moral obligation. Christian education is failing the majority of its students -- in order to succeed, it must adapt its methods to become a support for, rather than impediment to, the dynamic God-directed path of the individual believer."
Abstract This paper explores contemporary issues and traditions in the three monotheistic faiths: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. For Judaism, the paper discusses the Holocaust and its effect on modern Jewish identity, the land of Israel, and the Passover Seder meal. For Christianity, the paper examines the singleness of the Bible as revelation, and observances of Christmas and Easter. For Islam, the paper studies radical Islamic terrorist attacks, daily prayer, and women's dress.
From the Paper "The memory of the Holocaust is a major issue among Jews who are of age today. Those who actually lived through it or through that time are passing out of this world. For many of the Jews of that generation..."
Tags: Traditions Judaism, Christianity, Islam, passover, Israel Christmas Easter Israel prayer islamic dress
Abstract This paper explores the concept of God within the Jewish and Christian religions. The paper begins with a general explanation of belief in a monotheistic God, followed by the Jewish dogma and then the Christian one. The paper includes a large number of textual references, from the Bible as well as religious commentators through the ages.
Contents:
General Concepts
The General Concept of God
Historic Evolvement of God
Some of the Changes That Have Been Witnessed
How God is Used in Worldwide Faiths The Jewish Faith How God is Perceived in the Jewish Faith?
What Are Some of the Abstract Beliefs Regarding God?
What Are Some of the Tangible Beliefs Regarding God?
What Are Some of the Practices About God?
The ChristianFaith How is God Perceived in the ChristianFaith?
What Are Some of the Abstract Beliefs Regarding God?
What Are Some of the Tangible Beliefs Regarding God?
What Are Some of the Practices Regarding God?
Conclusion
From the Paper "The general concept of a monolithic God involves the belief in one deity who was the creator of all living things. This God is believed to have power, and to have the ability to cause things to happen both good and bad. God in this sense is believed to be all loving and all powerful and the faiths that believe in a single God believe the God is to be worshipped and that He is to be first and foremost in all that one does."
Abstract The paper discusses Christianity and qualifies the various states of adherence of peoples calling themselves Christian. The paper states that each sincere Christian, in order to develop in his faith, should remain a disciple of the faith and should also engage in education and focus on children in various age groups, or on adults in an effort to further their discipleship.
Outline:
A Biblical Obligation
The Nature, Purpose and Goals of Christian Education
How Persons Learn and Grow in ChristianFaith Methods of Learning and Growth within the Church Context
Methods of Learning within the Context of the World
Leading and Teaching the Christian
From the Paper "Christianity is one of the major world religions today. This may however be deceptive, as many call themselves Christians simply because they grew up in a Christian home, or go to church simply out of habit. There are however those who sincerely attempt to follow the precedents of Christianity, and others who sincerely seek respite from the difficulties of the world by means of prayer and worship. These sincere few take issues such as education and discipleship seriously. Each sincere Christian, in order to grow and develop in their faith, should remain disciples of the faith. In addition, Christians should also engage in education. Christian education might take a variety of forms. Mainly, education can focus on children in various age groups, or on adults in an effort to further their discipleship."
Abstract In this article, the writer notes that Christianity developed, around the 1st century AD as a sect of Judaism, a faith that set women apart through the development of strict laws about gender roles. The writer maintains that these gender roles determined a subset of standards that were in many ways exclusionary of women. Though the faith spoke of the equality of men and women the woman's vocation as the mother limited in many ways her involvement in the faith and separated her from her male partner to some degree as women have inextricable different religious duties and life roles. The writer concludes that history gives proof to the idea that Christianity and the exclusion of women was an act of man, not of true doctrine or even the nature of the faith.
From the Paper "The value of this stand is eternal, as it is clear that in a patriarchal society, and in a patriarchal faith, such as Christianity the foundations could still be solid but must be weeded out from the traditional values that deem women inferior and even moronic through the lack of her voice at their inception.
"Christianity, today has answered this call to varying degrees in different schools of the faith and in at least some areas has asked that women be allowed to give to the faith a perception that is more reflective of the modern role of women. Though there are still many "Christian" faiths that exclude women from the most revered roles of the tradition, such as the priesthood there are many more that have challenged this stricture either through allowance of women into the priesthood or by the establishment of an "equal" role through practical rather than dogmatic demonstrations. Rodgers points out that the allowance of women into the priesthood is still an exception rather than a rule, and the that the Roman Catholic faith has been particularly resistant to the move to allow women into their priesthood, change is still occurring and in meaningful ways in large mainline Christian faiths."
Abstract The paper discusses the Gospel of Christ to Hinduism. The paper explores the differences between the two faiths and relays the basic tenets of the Christianfaith to the reader to convert someone to Christ from the Hindu faith.
Outline:
Introduction
Christianity Hindu
Bringing a Hindu to Christ
Response to Hinduism
From the Paper "For one to understand the wonder and awe of the Christian faith, one should have a basic understanding of the doctrine surrounding the faith itself. The Christian beliefs include knowing that any person, who believes that Jesus Christ is the Lord and Savior of all mankind and accepts Jesus as his or her personal savior, will be accepted into the kingdom of God. Jesus is believed by Christians to be the son of God and God as well as part of the Holy Trinity, which includes the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit(Study of Basic Christian. "
Abstract This paper compares Islam and Christianity in areas of law, faith and love. The author points out that some similar tenets of faith such as the importance of charity and generosity to those in need.
From the Paper "It should not surprise us that there are deep connections between Islam and Christianity. Islam arise in the same part of the world as did Christianity and incorporates some of the same religious texts. Moreover, there are general similarities among all of the..."
Abstract A comprehensive analysis of the legality of parents denying their children access to health care on the basis of their involvement in a "faith healing" religion such as Christian Science or Faith Tabernacle. The paper explains that for some residents of the United States, traditional medicine is not religiously acceptable in the face of sickness. On the contrary, these residents are so strongly against medicine that they will not even allow their children to see a doctor if they suffer from life threatening illnesses. It discusses how many followers of these religions are denying the use of traditional medicine and joining a movement that shies from what society considers the norm for treating sickness by putting their belief in God's ability to heal their family's illnesses. The paper argues however, that parents' religious convictions about the disuse of any type of medicine for their children should not be allowed as a legal means of denying their children this medicine because these convictions often cause the needless deaths and suffering of many children whom medical care would have helped.
From the Paper "For centuries America has debated to what extent church and state should be separated. More recently the argument about the disuse of medical treatment for religious reasons and the resulting deaths of the children of certain religious organization's followers has arisen. Since the seventeenth century when settlers came to America to escape religious persecution and seek religious freedom, the issue of separation of church and state has been in debate (Council 1). However, not all religions were given equal rights before the Bill of Rights was created: in Boston anyone preaching outside the established church could be fined or banned from the settlement (Weiss 11). Also, in areas that practiced South Anglicanism, those who spoke out against the Christian faith were sentenced to death (Weiss 11). However, the first amendment to the American Bill of Rights, which was passed in September of 1789, changed these discriminatory practices on a federal level and caused less religious discrimination to occur (Weiss 31). This amendment states: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof" (Bartlett 3). This amendment did not, however, guarantee the protection of United States citizens from state religious discrimination; but the fourteenth amendment, which was passed at a later date, did (Weiss 32). Opponents for and against parents' rights to deny their child medical care based on religious convictions are eager to solve the question of the relationship of church and state and the necessity of parents to obtain medical care as required by state governments. This issue has thus become a pressing argument that must be solved quickly because many children's lives are at stake."
Abstract This paper discusses the difficulties that a Christian may encounter if trying to convert a Muslim. The paper first discusses the fundamentals of Muslim faith and then focuses on the difficult teachings of Christianity, including that Jesus Christ was not just a prophet but the Son of God and that sin is not just a matter of having made bad decisions, but in fact sin is a moral rejection of God, which cries out for acceptance of Christ's dying on the Cross as a path to forgiveness.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Islam
How Do Muslims View Jesus Christ?
How should a Christian Approach a Muslim?
Conclusion
From the Paper "The devout Christian trying to convert a devout Muslim has a Herculean task, a very steep mountain to climb. Among the two most difficult teachings of the Christian faith to put across to the Islamic believer are: one, that Jesus Christ was not just a prophet but the Son of God; and two, that sin is not just a matter of having made bad decisions, but in fact sin is a moral rejection of God, which cries out for acceptance of Christ's dying on the Cross as a path to forgiveness. If those two Christian principles can be conveyed (and accepted by the Muslim) through respectful, honest dialogue, the Christian believer will have completed a task only a very few accomplish."
Abstract This paper is a personal examination of the author's faith in God as a Christian, a mother, and a nurse. It discusses how, in order to cope with the immense responsibility on her shoulders, the author requires some form of divine help in order to make things work. It focuses on her career as a nurse and looks at how the field of nursing has certainly benefited a great deal from better communication, as there is a far greater emphasis than there ever was on the building up of relationships between nurses and patients. It shows how this kind of relationship, from a Christian perspective, means that there is greater spiritual interaction between the nurses and their clients.
From the Paper "In modern society people should act according to the need of the hour, taking into consideration the wishes of the individuals involved in particular issues. There are several issues today in the field of medicine that bother the religious people who believe in preserving life no matter what the situation is. There are many complex questions that emerge as a result, and develop into unbelievably debatable issues that have gone on for years, perhaps even decades. These debates do not only cease here, they go on to encompass other related issues, and the ball of twine keeps on getting more and more knotted."
Tags: nursing, christianity, spirituality, relationship, patients, communication
Abstract This essay looks at Kierkegaard's ideas on becoming a Christian looking at his ideas of subjectivity, inwardness, objectivity, faith, God, paradox and despair. Keirkegaard contrasts what he terms 'religiousness A' and 'religiousness B' and attempts to show what genuine faith is.
From the Paper "Kierkegaard's thought about the twin themes of becoming a Christian and living as a Christian. It is a process that will lead to real personhood, a journey to becoming a genuine self. Believing that there is an absolute qualitative distinction between God and Humankind, God's answer, the incarnation becomes an absolute paradox. This paradox engenders the possibility of offence within a person at the paradox and this cannot be overcome by the marshalling of evidence but only by a leap of faith. This state of faith or existence is called Religiousness B. In Kierkegaard's thought there are three stages of existence: the aesthetic (which in simple terms is living for pleasure), the ethical (a moral lifestyle) and the religious. The Religious can be subdivided into Religiousness A and Religiousness B. In this essay the emphasis will be on the latter stages by looking at certain key Kierkegaardian motifs, examining the themes of subjectivity or inwardness, Religiousness A in contrast to Religiousness B, faith and offence, paradox and despair. Religiousness B will not be dwelt on as this more pertains to existence as a Christian rather than the journey toward being one."
Abstract In this essay, the writer notes that the long and eventful history of Christianity demonstrates that a number of significant developments can be identified which have had profound implications for the Church, Christian tradition, and the world community of Christians. The writer points out that while there have been many developments worthy of thorough analysis, some have had more historical and doctrinal impact and implications than others and deserve more emphasis and evaluation. Further, the writer maintains that the major developments that qualify for this emphasis are important because they served to identify or clarify theological principles that hold true throughout eternity and thus redeem Christian tradition.
From the Paper "This site contains a significant amount of information pertaining to the time period surrounding the topic and explains how the jeremiad views evolved since the beginning of the nation. The site begins with the landing of the pilgrims at Plymouth Rock and discusses how these individuals had been accustomed to a world in which every element of their lives was predetermined by rules. In the new world the opinions of many were waiting to be expressed and through new literary forms this became possible. The site is important to the research because it offers a background to the paper topic, and allows insight into the world of the people that embraced the American jeremiad."
Abstract The paper looks specifically at two poems by T.S. Eliot, "Murder in the Cathedral" and "The Cocktail Party", in which the characters are instruments in conveying his recurring theme of man's need-- a return of faith in God to combat the desolate state of society. The writer argues that the themes that Eliot was facing in his day are the same concepts with which we struggle today.
From the Paper "Most people move on the rim of the wheel, on the level of time. They are born, marry, grow old, and die without ever achieving a consciousness of life as anything greater than the flow of time But some.. .seek to move beyond the level of time to the still point at the center of the wheel where time and timelessness intersect and they experience the eternal presence of God. (McCormick 774-75)
Thomas Becket in Murder in the Cathedral and Celia Coplestone in The Cocktail Party are two characters who tragically attempt to transcend worldly restraints of emptiness; they are the noble ones amidst societies of intolerant chaos and shallow meaninglessness. (An in-depth discussion of their fateful characters and lives is provided later in the paper.) A stark contrast to Thomas and Celia are the people surrounding them, those who live within the superficial realm of the wheel's outer rim."
Abstract This paper discusses contemporary Christian art. The paper looks at how the variation in works of Christian art corresponds to the variation in Christianfaith. It explains that some Christian art reflects a traditional Catholic perspective and draws on centuries of traditions of Catholic art, while other Christian art reflects the doctrinal practices and emphases of a range of sects, from Quakerism to Pentecostal.
From the Paper "Contemporary Christian art is much like contemporary Christianity in general. There is as much variation in works of Christian art as there is variation in Christian faith. Some Christian art reflects a traditional Catholic perspective and draws on centuries of traditions of Catholic art. Other Christian art reflects the doctrinal practices and emphases of a range of sects from Quakerism to Pentecostal. And much of what artists might call Christian art because it reflects their own beliefs as Christians might not generally be classified as Christian art by..."
