Abstract This paper discusses the Seventh Day Adventists Church, its history and its basic tenants. The paper compares the beliefs and practices of Seventh Day Adventists to members of other Christian denominations and particularly Protestant groups from which the Seventh Day Adventists originated. The author also points to similarities to other Christian sects that also believe in the literal interpretation of the bible.
From the Paper "Furthermore, Seventh-Day Adventists observe the Sabbath on Saturday and not Sunday with most other Protestants. Their ascription to the traditional Jewish Sabbath also stems from the Adventists' firm belief in a literal interpretation of the Old and New Testaments. A significant feature of the Seventh - day Adventist religion is the promotion of an almost ascetic lifestyle. Abstinence from alcohol and tobacco is a core tenet. Moreover, the Adventists promote Biblical dietary guidelines similar to kosher practices. Finally, Adventists uphold Ellen White as a prophet."
Tags: church protestants prophet religon christ, seventh day adventists, baptistspresbyteriansmethodistsgod
Abstract This paper examines how Baptists are still at the forefront of missions work and how faith missions, small missionary outposts without affiliation to a larger missions group, are often staffed by Baptist missionaries. These faith missions have an enduring quality and steady growth. They also are among the first to employ creative new ways of spreading the Gospel. It looks at how the history of Baptist missions is littered with the names of brave men and women following the call of God into areas of the world far from home, devoid of all creature comforts.
Outline:
Introduction
William Carey
American Missions
The Judsons
Back in America
Pioneer African American Missionaries
Women and Missions
Conclusion
From the Paper "After forming the Baptist Missionary Society, Carey and his family became foreign missionaries themselves. They set sail for India on June 13, 1793. When he and his family arrived, they found a rather hostile reception from the country that was controlled by the East India Company. The East India Company did not look kindly on missionaries. After seven years of faithful service, Carey baptized his first Hindu convert, Krishna Pal. William Carey dealt with all sorts of hurdles, one of the largest being his wife. Initially she was opposed to the idea of even going to India. At the last moment, she changed her mind. Never fond of the mission field to begin with, she went insane when her five-year-old son died. She raved like a lunatic during her last years on earth, complicating her husband's job immensely. Mrs. Carey, in her state of delusion, was convinced that her husband was cheating on her and would tell anyone who would listen. "
Abstract This paper examines the reason the prophets John the Baptist and Elijah were sent by God to proselytize and is key in discovering the prophetic connection between the two devout men. The author states that they are stalwart examples of unwavering faith in the face of persecution.
From the Paper "The New Testament writers often refer to John the Baptist as the "New Elijah". The similarities between the ancient Israelite prophet from the Hebrew scriptures and the forerunner of Jesus Christ are striking. Both men were steadfast in their dedication to the true God, unwavering in the face of persecution, and similar in their demeanor. The only significant disparity in the congruity of their religious service occurred at the end of their lives."
Abstract In this article, the writer maintains that a majority of the traditional, organized religions serve to propagate the subjugation of women through several different venues. The writer focuses on the Southern Baptist Convention, an organization which has been in existence since 1845 and began in Augusta, Georgia. The Southern Baptist Convention's history of promoting sexism through the reinforcement of sexist ideals as reported by their own policies is specifically examined. The writer discusses that while claiming that women are equal in value to men, they clearly deny women the right to serve in pastoral leadership. The writer personal experiences with the consequences of the literal translation of the scriptures that relegate the woman's Biblical duty to submit to her husband are also discussed. The writer concludes that everyone should seek personal integrity to know and understand for themselves else will there be no change, no progress; only more of the same hate and intolerance and abuse that has masked itself as religion for century upon century.
From the Paper "This is hypocrisy and duplicity in its absolute purest form and little more than sexism wrapped up in niceties, lip service, and given the authority of a Divine mandate. We are expected to believe then that God, as the Southern Baptist conceive of him, is in the business of assigning positions based on what sex you happen to be. How wonderful if you happen to be a man and are interested in keeping the power and the privilege that comes with that particular declaration. How clearly tragic should you happen to be a woman who believes herself to be called to serve in every capacity and in every position in the ministry to find that your calling does not have merit or worth because you had the unfortunate happenstance of being born without male genitalia. How devastating to ones sense of purpose and of value and of inherent ability and worth it would be to be a young woman growing up in this world. To be cognizant of the fact that others see you as being limited in not only what you can do, but what "God", or your creator if that is what you believe, says that you are allowed to do based on the fact that you are a female lends the voice of infinite power and finality to man's suppositions."
Abstract This paper discusses the the Methodist Church's views on social issues during the Progressive Era (1890-1920). The author considers the topics of prohibition, race relations and child labor and the Church's strong stand on these issues.
From the Paper "At the turn of the twentieth century, American politics and culture underwent significant changes brought about by major increases in immigration, urbanization and industrialization These developments led to new questions about the character of the nation and ..."
Abstract This paper looks at contemporary Baptist theology in the US, specifically the Southern Baptist Convention's doctrines and ideology. The paper focuses on several major elements of Baptist theology: belief in the Bible as absolute truth and the foundation of the religion, the autonomy of the individual and the congregation, the grace and salvation of the elect and evangelism.
From the Paper "Christian theology is a complex study of the relationship between humans and God and Jesus, as well as the nature of God. Each individual branch of Christianity has variations in the details of their theological structures, and some of those might in turn vary from one church community to another or one individual to another ("Theology"). Generally, however, a Christian tradition will have at its core a set of beliefs and understandings that unite them under one denomination. This paper will look at the theology of the Baptist communities, and their unifying elements. Baptist theology is scripturally based, recognizes locally and autonomously organized communities of baptized believers, and states that the saved will be raised to heaven at the end of time, and that it is imperative to evangelize to the fallen. "
Abstract This paper discusses the American Baptist church ministries and how they are an integral part of the American Baptist church experience. The paper explains that the function of these ministries, which exist on both a local basis and a nationwide basis, is to not only assist individuals in need, but also to spread the Word. The paper also looks at how certain ministries are central to the organization. One such ministry is the youth ministry, which prepares children and youth to take leadership in the future of the church. Additionally, the paper explains that Baptists do not limit application of their ministries to people of their own faith. Rather, they believe that all people should be called as one under Christ and, therefore, their mission to minister covers everyone.
From the Paper "All Christian denominations perform some kind of ministry. For some denominations, ministry is given only to members of their own faith. In others, the ministries that are performed may have a limited scope or focus. These things, however, can not be said of the Baptist faith. It is a basic precept of the Baptist faith that all Christians should act to work as part of the social order, to improve the quality of people's lives through good works (Southern Baptist Convention 9). For this reason, ministering to others is a fundamental part of the Baptist mission. Not only do American Baptists minister to other Baptists, but they are expected to extend their ministries to those of other faiths as well. Many ministries exist under the umbrella of the Baptist church."
Abstract This paper compares and contrasts two Baptist confessions. The paper discusses the Anabaptist confessions and the American Baptist confessions. This comparison examines the doctrinal differences, the construction and ordinance of these confessions. It then goes on to discuss how the confessions impacted the religious movement.
From the Paper "Comparing and Contrasting Two Baptist Confessions Introduction This paper shall compare and contrast two Baptist confessions. The two Baptist confessions selected for this purpose are the Anabaptist confessions and the American Baptist confessions. Confessions tended to be used to establish protocol, dispel grounds for dispute, and promote correct actions when assessing the faith. This comparison will examine the doctrinal differences, the construction and ordinance of these confessions, and how the confessions impacted the religious movement. The Anabaptist Confessions The Anabaptists dated from the Prereformist and the Reformist periods and strongly resembled the dissenting movement that preceded it; dissenters and Anabaptists alike identified the structure of faith as one that needed to be affirmed and continuously reaffirmed throughout the course of the practitioner's life."
This is a personal essay examining and analyzing arguments about both the good and bad of today's morality, a value-system that is generally without God's influence.
Abstract This is an essay which discusses God and morality. It looks at how God is viewed by different people. The author disagrees that a lack in faith in God has contributed to the country's current moral fibre, and argues that while moral standards and looser values are in existance today, but they are a result of the influence of the mass media and dissolution of the nuclear family, and not because of absence of a God-based society.
From the Paper "The negative effects of the loss of God are just as crucial to understand in discussing God and morality. These have often been overlooked by those who welcome all things new and better at whatever cost. The fact that society has lost the perception of harmony and unity created by divine guidance means that it can be argued that there are no universal morals left in the world. The acceptability of certain acts that were considered immoral before bothers many of us, and the term "liberalization" is often used in society when we really mean that we are without common norms of behavior or values."
Abstract This paper analyzes the creation of humans by gods and how they are portrayed in religions and myths. It studies 'Genesis' and 'Popul Vuh' and analyzes excerpts from them discussing the forming of the Mayans by the gods. It concludes that truth is dangerous to the gods according the the examples of the Jewish people and the Mayans and the way the gods treated them.
From the Paper "Why should truth be so dangerous to the gods? Why should knowledge of the truth be so threatening to those who inhabit the heavens? We do not know this, and yet it must be true, for one of the similarities in many creation myths ? drawn from cultures very distant from one another ? is the idea that while the gods initially make humans who are wise and even omniscient, afterwards they change their creations so that humans are limited in their knowledge, in their ability to divine the truth. The gods create us in their own image, at least to the extent that we are wise like they are, and then they punish us for bearing the same attributes that they themselves carry."
Abstract This paper explains that the Greek god Apollo represents archery, music and the sun. The author points out that, by being raised on the island of Delos, he was trained by Themis to develop god-like skills away from other Olympian gods and the lower mortals of Earth. The paper relates that, by being the son of Zeus and Leto, Apollo had the powers of both a Titan and Olympian, making him unusually powerful within the pantheon of Greek Gods.
Abstract This paper supports Mackie's position that the traditional Judeo/Christian/Muslim God cannot possibly exist given the evidence of the existence of evil, since God is omnipotent, omniscient and most importantly, Good. The writer maintains that if God did exist and was as described, then evil could not possibly exist because God would do everything - could, in fact - to prevent it, yet evil abounds.
From the Paper "The question of whether or not God, in the Judeo-Christian and Islamic tradition, exists is as old as the religions themselves, and has been answered many times in many different ways. God is said to be omniscient and omnipotent, yet Evil still exists in the world. According to J.L. Mackie and other philosophers, this trilemma is irreconcilable, and therefore God must not exist. It is the writer's argument that Evil does exist, therefore God cannot exist if the statements regarding the power and knowledge of God are true. It is important to establish meanings of the words God and Evil for the purposes of this discussion. The definition of God given by the American Heritage Dictionary will suffice: "a. A being conceived as the perfect, omnipotent, omniscient originator and ruler of the universe, the principal object of faith and worship in monotheistic religions"."
Abstract This paper analyzes the main theme found in "The Aeneid", that is that the gods will have their way even when some of them differ in opinion from other gods. The paper describes the writings by Virgil that the Italian gods and goddesses are connected closely to the humans in the story and how the gods in The Aeneid play a vital role in directing humans to do their will even when there are negative consequences from their actions.
From the Paper " The Gods in "The Aeneid" "The God of Love obeys, and sets aside his bow and quiver, and his plumy pride; he walks Iulus in his mother's sight, and in the sweet resemblance takes delight. The goddess then to your Ascanius flies..." (Virgil, Aeneid.1.i). Cupid, the god of love, takes the form of Aeneas's son so that the queen will fall passionately in love with Aeneas. This is only part one and the gods are active in the story:"The Aeneid" by Virgil. The main theme found in "The Aeneid" is the gods will have their way even when some of them differ in opinion from other gods. "
Abstract This is a teleological argument for God's existence. Cleanthes' argument for the existence of God is based on the assumption that the universe has an ordered arrangement. This is why Cleanthes attempts to present a case for order in the universe. In doing so, he argues for the existence of God. In his view, there is a design in the creation, and he believes that a certain amount of scientific thought was needed to create the universe.
Abstract This paper argues that the proposition set up by J.L. Mackie whereby he claims to prove that an all-mighty, all-good God and the existence of evil are logically contradictory is itself in error. The paper uses the concept of a "process-relational" God, first proposed by Alfred North Whitehead, to disprove Mackie's argument. The paper also shows that this does not damage God's omnipotence any more than neo-Thomist arguments do.
