Abstract
In this paper the author examines the character of Marilyn Mason, who is more commonly known as the "Antichrist Superstar". He looks at how Mason has created uproar in the religious as well as secular community. The controversy behind his messages have caused local legislators and religious leaders to ban him from ever performing in any public edifices in their state. He examines why some parents would rather lock their children in their rooms when he is in town than have them go to one of his concerts. The author gives examples of some of the heinous acts that Mason has performed and looks into the psychological thinking behind them and why teenagers like him so much. In conclusion, the author communicates that when faced with issues that are so controversial, it is difficult for the human community not to let emotions of anger and rage overtake but it is important not to condemn the sinner and condone the sin. The author suggests that in order to help the teenagers of today and people who might turn out to be society's next Marilyn Manson, we must start at an early age to keep our children on a correct path by stimulating children in the right way morally, ethically, psychologically and spiritually.

From the Paper
"Psychologically, this is an understandable theory. Every generation had its role model of rebellion; James Dean, Prince, and Madonna are only a few. But, we are not talking about rebels without a cause, strange clothes, or a person who has the Virgin Mary's name yet does not act anything like her namesake. We are discussing behaviors that most likely stem from psychological problems. Dr. Weidman agrees by adding that, "To today's parents, someone like Manson, with the Satanic content of his music, is much scarier than Elvis' gyrations or the Beatles' long hair were to our parents," (Ransom, pg.2). Mark Gilman, host of On the Mark a Christian radio station says Manson is "cynically preying on depressed, nihilistic teens," (Ransom, pg.2)."

Tags:whipping, identify, inhumane, church, religious, negative, contraversial

Abstract
This paper explains that the violent nature of "The Passion of the Christ" has created a great deal of controversy, but the movie has largely been seen as an accurate portrayal. The author points out that, in terms of New Testament studies, the movie's reach is limited because it contains a relatively restricted look at Jesus' teachings and because the movie has been criticized as anti-Semitic. The paper contends that, perhaps, the movie's greatest impact has been on the culture at large because it has increased interest in Christ's resurrection, and religious groups have taken this opportunity to use the movie for outreach.

Table of Contents
Introduction
Impact on New Testament Studies
Impact on Culture at Large
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Gibson's movie has been criticized as being anti-Semitic in nature, an accusation that has an impact on New Testament studies as well as on larger culture. In the movie, Gibson decides to omit the line from John's gospel that shows Caiaphas' inner torment at sending Jesus to the cross. In omitting this line, it can be argued that Gibson's movie is anti-Semitic, as it clearly shows Pontius Pilate's inner conflict with his actions."

Tags:anti-semitic, violent, studies, resurrection, outreach

Abstract
This paper provides an in-depth analysis of the Book of Mathew and discusses how it was based upon the Gospel of Mark. The paper also explores the issue of anti-semitism in the Book of Mathew, despite its being the work of a Judeo-Christian community. Jesus's role as temporal and spiritual king is discussed as well. Extensive quotes from the Book of Mathew are included in the paper for analysis.

Table of Contents
The Book of Matthew: origins and sources.
Jesus Christ as Temporal King
Jesus Christ as Spiritual King
The Kingdom of Heaven and New Testament Israelis
Conclusion
References

From the Paper
"While this may make Jesus seem very much as a spiritual leader, the evidence from the Gospel of Matthew points in two directions: to Jesus as the heir and successor of previous Kings of Israel, most particularly King David, and Jesus as the 'son of God', who is the King of Heaven. These two aspects of the Christ may seen very different ideals, but they contain within them the Jewish tradition of the Messiah, and that King is both a spiritual leader, and a ruler of the people of Israel here on earth. By looking at both aspects of Jesus as King, it should be possible to bridge the gap between them, and demonstrate how Jesus' Kingdom was perceived at the time of the Gospel of Matthew's writing."

Tags:bible, christianity religion, the gospels, new testament

Abstract
This paper attempts to define whether Johm Milton's poem "Paradise Lost" can be classified as a true epic or as in fact an anti-epic. It looks at the proper definitions of the terms epic and anti-epic and discusses how each of term could be applied to the poem, supported by quotations from the text. It explores the role of the "hero" in an epic by defining who the true "hero" of "Paradise Lost" is. It also attempts to understand Milton's intentions in writing the poem whether he thought he was writing an an epic or whether he was satirizing and subverting the genre by writing something very different.

From the Paper
"Christ, too, is a hero. The contrast between him and Satan, however, could not be more complete. Whereas the bravery of Christ is directed at the protection of man, Satan's aim is destruction. Which, we must ask, is the true hero of Paradise Lost?
The temptation, when faced with the contrast between the two, is to now decide that Christ is ultimately more heroic; he has, after all, more too lose, and he sacrifices himself in the name of goodness. Satan, on the other hand, has nothing left to loose, and merely wishes to reduce mankind to the same condition he has found himself in, due to his own excessive pride."

Tags:christ, hero, odyssey, satan

Abstract
This paper reveals the primary rejection of the legalistic principles of Judaism before the coming of Christ as expounded by Paul through mercy, faith, and a non-authoritarian God. The paper explains that by understanding his new message, the redemption and salvation of the common people outside of the old Judaism forged a new perception of faith in God that all could participate within.

Tags:jewish, paul, christ

Abstract
Thousands of years of anti-Jewish sentiment in Europe became rooted and emboldened in the Christian religion. This paper traces the development of anti-Semitism from the late Greco-Roman era through the life of Christ, the Crusades, and the Protestant Reformation. As Robert Wistrich observes, "Only on a soil watered for centuries by such fearsome demonology could the Holocaust have been conceived, let alone carried out with so little opposition."

From the Paper
"In his 1543 work "Concerning the Jews and Their Lies" Luther presents a case against Jews and calls for retribution for their crimes against Christianity. He makes the familiar comparison between Jews and the satanic when he writes "If they are not God's people, then they are the devil's people" (Rubenstein and Roth, 57). He proposed setting fire to Jewish synagogues and schools because they were the source of the "lying, cursing, and blaspheming" against the Christian religion (Wistrich, 13). Luther further advises the German rulers to revoke the passports and traveling privileges of all Jews and to make them "earn their bread by the sweat of their noses" through hard labor (Wistrich, 13)."

Tags:hitler, judaism, luther, nazi

Abstract
This paper explains that theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer, among the first German Protestants to perceive the diabolical nature of Nazism, was implicated in the plot to assassinate Hitler and destroy his Third Reich for which Bonhoeffer was hanged. The author explains that Bonhoeffer taught that ethical behavior was founded on the unification of the reality of the world, God and Christ and criticized other theories for their failure to confront evil directly. The paper reflects upon a major work by Bonhoeffer "The Cost of Discipleship", published in 1948, in which he discussed "costly grace" as the center of discipleship.

Table of Contents:
Life
Teachings
Reading Reflection

From the Paper
"Grace is cheap if the sin is blotted out but the sinner remains unjustified or remains feeling unjustified. No human being can do the job. God's free grace alone can do and does everything. Despite man's best efforts at living well, the world can only go the same old way and sinners will remain sinners. The sinner must feel forgiven if the forgiveness is real. Otherwise, it is only cheap grace and cheap grace is unreal. True forgiveness releases the sinner from the sin and makes the sin leave the sinner. Cheap grace is also only ministerial or external."

Tags:discipleship unification plot, absolute costliness, personal guilt

Abstract
This paper explains that, following the debacle of the Catholic Church's relationship to the Jewish people during World War II, the main source of the dramatic changes in this relationship was the Second Vatican Council, the twenty-first ecumenical meeting held from 1962 to 1965 called by Pope John XXIII. The author points out that the most pivotal parts of the Vatican Council were (1) the ecumenical movement to find common bonds by remembering spiritually the ties with the people of "the New Covenant to Abraham's stock" and (2) the focusing on the status of the Jewish people in relation to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ in which the Catholic Church redeemed itself of the conflicts associated with the Jewish people. The paper concludes that the achievements of Vatican II brought about great changes in the relationship between the Catholic Church and the Jewish people, all due to efforts of Popes John XXIII and Paul VI. Quotations.

From the Paper
"Of course, Pope John XXIII's call for this ecumenical council was quite unusual, for it was only designated during times of great crisis in the church. The last Vatican Council had occurred in 1869, but this new council, at least in the eyes of many Catholics, was uncalled for, due to most not recognizing the urgent need for reform. But John XXIII clearly knew that such a council was required, for he recognized that the church was facing new problems as a result of World War II. He also understood that the church was no longer an institution wholly based in Europe but a worldwide entity, composed of diverse cultures from all areas of the globe. Thus, by convening this new council, the pope made it possible for discussions between Catholics and non-Catholics and created much-needed unity which, in the end, would help the church and its leaders to better understand and appreciate the vast cultural differences within the global community."

Tags:hitler, john, paul, bonds, crucifixion

Abstract
This paper examines William Faulkner's novel "Light in August." The book mostly revolves around the main character Joe Christmas whose unusual last name is both significant and deliberate. This paper discusses the similarities and differences between Joe Christmas and Jesus Christ as well as how Christmas becomes a dichotomy of Jesus and the Anti-Christ by embodying characteristics of both good and evil in one person.

From the Paper
"The life of Joe Christmas, and certain facts about him, are directly related or connected to the life of Jesus Christ. Since the word "Christ" appears in his name, which he carries proudly through the novel, he becomes the "Christ" bearer. Another similarity is that Joe's initials are J.C., which are also the initials of Jesus. According to the Bible, Jesus was born to the Virgin Mary and was raised by her along with Joseph."

Tags:novel, literature, review, jesus, christmas

Abstract
In this article, the writer looks at the relationship between James I and the Puritans, focusing on the significance of foreign policy. The writer notes that the Puritan's view regarding foreign policy, although the Millenary Petition of 1603 acknowledged James's authority over all such matters, was stringently anti-Spanish. The writer maintains that in the eyes of the Puritans, Spain was something of a Catholic super-power and, along with the traditional hatred of the Spanish, they took the more extreme view that the Pope was the "Anti-Christ" and that all Catholics were irretrievably evil. The writer points out that when compared to James's tolerant attitude, this was potentially dangerous for both parties. The writer notes that before 1618, foreign policy did little to damage James's relationship with England's Puritans, who were largely conformist. The writer concludes that after 1618, however, with the increasingly serious negotiations with Spain over the match, the Puritans became far more concerned about James's tolerant attitude towards Catholicism and, in a Millenarian point of view, the potential danger of James failing to ensure a Protestant victory in the Battle of Armageddon.

From the Paper
"James's 1618 Book of Sports was, by going against extreme Puritan Sabbatarianism, a further attempt to separate the conformist Puritans from the non-conformist individuals, which added to his lengthy list of such efforts. These endeavours, whilst casual, did help James in recognising some extremists, but also helped to further alienate some - such alienated groups would have been particularly adverse to any foreign policy sympathetic to Catholic powers (and more prepared to resort to extreme measures), which was especially dangerous because most such Puritans were by no means poor: Puritanism required, to some extent, literacy, and literacy was largely restricted to richer members of society, who were therefore more likely to be MPs, or MPs' more important constituents (as part of the Gentry). Such Puritans were, fortunately for James, rare (partly owing to their emigration) and so they had little effect. Puritans in Parliament were conformists at least to the extent that they recognised parliament, and so had little effect on foreign policy - the reasons for anti-Spanish sentiment in Parliament were varied, but had little to do with extreme Puritanism. Until 1618, there was little reason for souring the relationship between James and the majority of Puritans (specifically) through domestic policy, finance, the constitution or other areas, as the dissatisfaction that could arise from these problems were not religious issues. After 1618, however, with the increasingly serious negotiations with Spain over the Match (now with Charles, since Henry, James's older son, had died), the Puritans became far more concerned about James's tolerant attitude towards Catholicism and, in a Millenarian point of view, the potential danger of James failing to ensure a Protestant Victory in the Battle of Armageddon."

Tags:Catholicism, Spain, Protestant, Elizabeth, neutral