Abstract
The paper maintains that Stott's book, "The Cross of Christ," is an important book. For those Christians who want to further explore the meaning behind the Cross and behind Christ's death, it is a thought-provoking resource. The paper explains how Stott makes a very good case for the Cross being more than simply important, but rather that it is a vital part of Christianity. Without the Cross, Stott argues that Christianity as we know it would not exist. The paper is of the opinion that after reading this book, it is difficult to argue with this perspective.

From the Paper
"John R. W. Stott takes the position that the Cross is essential to Christianity. He makes his convincing argument by dividing the discussion into four parts, discussing the Cross as a symbol, the need for forgiveness, the spiritual benefits that the Cross has provided to believers and finally, on the practical and earthly teachings that the Cross can offer. Stott does not have all the answers on the subject of Christ's Cross. However, the book is a thoughtful and complex study offering suggestions on the subject of the Cross upon which Christ died. The Cross is important, Stott states, because it performs more than the single function of being the method of execution favored by the Romans."

Tags:christ, cross, theology

Abstract
This book review strongly recommends Thomas Kempis' "The Imitation of Christ" and claims that it is a life-changing book for Christian readers. The paper summarizes the book and discusses some of the issues it addresses, such as self-assessment, resisting temptation and the willingness to change. The author concludes by stating that the book helped him to become more self-reflective and aware of the changes that need to be made in his life.

Table of Contents:
The Benefits of Reading "The Imitation of Christ"
The Importance of Self-Assessment
Resisting Temptation and the Willingness to Change
Personal Relationship to Christ
Putting God First and the Willingness to Change

From the Paper
"Throughout Kempis's meditations, the focus is on self-reflection and being willing to make changes when needed. The third book of Kempis's writings is different in that the disciple speaks and then the voice of Christ. One of the stories in the Old Testament is about Samuel hearing the voice of God. He is told to ask the Lord to speak to him. The second chapter in the III Book says, "Speak, therefore, Lord, for your servant listens. 'Thou hast the words of eternal life. Speak to me for the comfort of my soul and for the amendment of my life" (Kempis IIIii para. 7). When I read this, I asked myself if I was willing to listen. Am I willing to hear his voice? Sometimes we are so busy that we fail to hear his voice."

Tags:Christ, Christianity, devotions, meditations, self-assessment, humility, temptation, change, self-reflection

Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to take an in-depth look at Mel Gibson's movie, "The Passion of Christ," about the crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth. The paper focuses on the debate that has accompanied the movie. This debate involves whether Gibson's movie was a work of art that made the spiritual message of the crucifixion of Christ come alive for viewers or whether it was an overly violent movie that promoted antisemitism. The debate is examined from several angles. These include examining reviews of the movie as well as discussing it in relation to religious studies, history, philosophy, art and violence in film.

From the Paper
"The purpose of this paper is to take an in-depth look at Mel Gibson's movie "The Passion of Christ" about the crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth. The paper focuses on the debate that has accompanied the movie. This debate involves whether Gibson's movie was a work of art that made the spiritual message of the crucifixion of Christ come alive for viewers, or whether it was an overly violent movie that promoted anti-Semitism. The debate..."

Tags:crucifixion, of, Christ, Movie, Mel, Gibson, The Passion of Christ.

Abstract
This essay looks at two works that attempt to deal with the problem of consciousness. These works are "Minds, Brains, and Programs" by John R. Searle and "Facing up to the Problem of Consciousness" by David J. Chalmers. The writer points out that there are many similarities between these works. However, there are also a wide range of differences. It is argued in this essay that Chalmers provides the better explanation for consciousness. The writer maintains that this is because he uses a non-reductive method to try and explain the nature of consciousness based on the idea that experience is a fundamental.

From the Paper
"Consciousness is one of the most problematic concepts in philosophy, psychology, neurobiology and a wide range of other disciplines."

Tags:the, problem, consciousness

Abstract
This paper focuses on Starhawk's philosophy that language shapes consciousness and consciousness shapes reality. Within the paper it is shown that Starhawk's belief is that language can have a deciding factor on a person's perception of themselves, and through this perception they develop concepts of reality in their consciousness. Therefore, this perception then shapes their reality.

From the Paper
"Reality, according to Starhawks, is a state in which we must find definition. It is how we define reality within our consciousness that ultimately determines the type of power that will control our lives. As individuals, what we perceive to be real will be. What we believe to be true will happen. The key to discovering a harmony in life is to come to the realization that people do have a final say in how their lives will be lived, and through the consciousness every individual can make that choice. To understand how this is possible the individual must first comprehend that there are powers in the world. Starhawks contends that there is the "power-over" which is any power that comes from outside of the individual that is controlling."

Tags:starhawk, reality, consciousness

Abstract
This paper is an in-depth exploration of the role of the Apostles after Christ's resurrection. The author details 'The Acts' and its teachings, which marked the beginning of Christianity. The Apostles' goals in the aftermath of Christ's death and resurrection and the roles they played in shaping the development of Christianity is examined in detail. Some of the topics discussed include the sins of the people, the life of Saul, who became Paul, and many of the issues surrounding Baptism and the occurrence of miracles.

From the Paper
"As well the apostles are required to help the world understand the teachings of Christ and to encourage them to carry forward the word of the Lord themselves, that is, in order to be converted and Saved. To that end, Peter performs a miracle, and both he and John preach the word of God to the people; as a result, the people begin to sell their possessions and give their lives over to Christ. An enraged Jewish authority then arrest the apostles for their heresies about resurrection and their apparent threat to what the authorities would have felt was their own just and rightful leadership. The apostles proclaimed Christ to be the one true power, and though the authorities were swayed by their "notable miracle" (4:16), they chose to contain their voices by commanding them not to speak, nor teach, the Word of the Lord. Of course, the apostles would return to their teachings in the temple, performing miracles, and would again face conflict with the authorities."

Tags:christ, crucifiction, resurrection, god, testament, teachings, baptism, miracles, apostles, paul, saul, spiritual

Abstract
This paper identifies Catholic authority in the late antique period as initially interested in the control of society's spiritual consciousness by assimilating the individual into a wider fraternity. The paper explains that a marginal, oppressed, and radical sect operating within pagan power structures, the evangelical Christians, grew to become Roman-Catholic orthodoxy, the social force in religious and secular spheres. Catholicism, in turn, became a target of radical biblical interpretation and dissent that had once characterised this group. The paper focuses on the body, the crucible in which theology, the material, and ideal was fought over, and where religious conviction grew from. This paper discusses the rejection of the human body and its urges, claiming that this was often used as a means of rejecting the social order.

From the Paper
"Before doctrine had become formally established in an ecclesiastical structure the mantle of authority did not conventionally apply to the Christian faith outside of its own religious interests. Theological differences over the body were played out internally, with disagreement rather than dissent leading to groups becoming ostracised from the mainstream by those who viewed themselves as orthodox, but were not as entrenched in power as would become the case in later medieval times. A belief of oneness in Christianity is not born out by the evidence of late antiquity. As Elaine Pagels wrote in her book Gnostic Gospels "Nearly all Christians share three basic premises. First, they accept the canon of the New Testament; second, they confess the apostolic creed; and third, they affirm specific forms of church institution. Every one of these emerged in its present form only towards the end of the second century." Prior to the second century the structure of the church and its authority was not set, but open to interpretation. Divergent Christian viewpoints were still fighting over the manifesto that would deliver the faith into the social order."

Tags:gnosticism, gospels, christ

Abstract
This paper is a literature review using the Old and New Testaments of the Bible to examine several research questions relating to leadership in revival. The author points out that the literature reviewed in this study states that the necessary components for true spiritual revival are conviction, repentance and rejoicing among God's children, that revival must be an ongoing process in the lives of God's children and that this should be exampled by those in ministerial and leadership roles.

Outline:
Various Definitions of Revival
JI Packer
Stephen Olford
Charles Finney
Characteristics of Revival
Raises Esteem of Jesus
Satan Suffers Losses Due to Genuine Repentance
Greater Responses to the World of God
Clearer Vision of Spiritual Truths
Revivals in the Old Testament
Genesis 4:26
Genesis 6:
Genesis 35:1-15
The Exodus (Exodus 3:9)
The Wilderness (Exodus 19:20)
Joshua 3:6-10
I Kings 18
Josiah II Chronicles 34-35
Ezra
3:13-13
6:13-22
Nehemiah 8 and 9
Jonah
Hezekiah II Chronicles 29-31
Revivals in the New Testament
John the Baptist
Christ's Ministry Upon Earth
Pentecost (Acts 2)
Samaria (Acts 8)
Caesarea (Acts 10)
Antioch (Acts 11)
The Missionary Journeys (Acts 13)
Famous Revivals
The Camp Meeting Revival 1800-1835
The Revival 1857-58
Azusa Street Revival (1906)
Asbury College (1970)
Biblical Description of Revival
Human Need for God's Touch (Isaiah 6:1-8)
God as He Actually is (Isaiah vs. 1b-4)
(Isaiah 6:5)
The Grace of God (Isaiah 6:6-7)
The Mission (Isaiah 6:8a)
(Isaiah: 6:8b)
Revivals Occur at Time of Moral Darkness
Revivals in the Bible were Preceded by Prayers
Revivals in the Bible Rested upon God's Word
Human Vessels were Used by God
Conviction of Sin in Revival
Emphasis on the Blood of Christ
Great Joy
Effects of Revival upon the Church
The Presence of God is Sensed
A Sharp Conviction of Sin is Experienced
Declaration of Eternal Punishment becomes the Doctrine of the Church
The Death of Christ as Necessary for Atonement is Centric to the Message
Infilling of the Holy Spirit on a Conscious and Group Level
Compulsion to Witness Arising from Revival
Large Numbers of Conversions Resulting from Revival
The Nature of Worship in the Church becomes Transformed
People are Hungering for the Word of God
Prayer Meetings Grow
Believers having a Desire to Serve
Unity among Believers of God
Leadership Responsibilities
Biblical Responsibilities of Leadership in Revival
As the Leaders, so the Congregation will Follow

Table of Contents:
Statement of Thesis
Purpose of Research
Significance of Research
Methodology
Research Questions
Literature Review
Summary of Literature Reviewed
Recommendations for Research

From the Paper
"It is important to understand states Morrison that "revivals were very much influenced by those leading them". Morrison states that it was acknowledged, as an important principle among godly ministers is that "the presence of these phenomena and the progress that they took and the degree to which they happened was very much dependent on the way that the leaders conducted services and meetings." Even the "extent to which they flourished was directed associated with the way they were handled.""

Tags:witness ministry historical nehemiah, upward spiral

Abstract
This paper will discuss the play "To Damascus I" by August Strindberg, and seek to understand the Scandinavian folklore and fairy tale elements that exist within the text. By understanding the motifs for the book in the realms of fate, the concept of good and evil in the Christian mythology of Christ, and feminine relationships with the women in the play, we can see some of the Biblical connections that also make themselves apparent in the work of Strindberg. By clearly making the connection between these two belief systems, the story of the 'stranger' can be brought into a conscious mode of thought.

Abstract
This paper looks at evidence that would suggest that the Christian church and its missionary activities have had a more positive effect on South Africa than has typically been believed. The paper looks at the history of the church there and how it has been able to help South Africa in its efforts dealing with the AIDS epidemic, poverty, and social and racial injustices.

The Christian Institute
The Programme to Combat Racism
Educational Mission
Ecumenism
Out Migration of South African Ideas

From the Paper
"Apartheid may be a thing of the past in South Africa, but some of its effects linger on, and repairing those societal, theological problems has created some new ones as well. Fortunately, it appears that the Church-by which is meant all Christian churches-seem to be seeing things in a slightly more Christ-like manner than they often have elsewhere, at least of a number of recent commentators on those issues can be believed. In fact, the relatively smooth transition to an integrated society may reasonably be laid at the feet of the Church and its conduct during the colonial era. A number of conferences, leading up to and at the time of the end of apartheid, shed light on what the Church has done, both good and less positive, to bring about the changes in South African society. Also revealed, through the conferences and the actions of individual churches, including the Methodist church, are insights into what theological, social and moral problems might still remain."

Tags:christ-consciousness, jesus, peace, justice, organizations, cottesloe, consultation