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 the Iconoclastic Controversy. The author talks about John of Damascus' defense of icons at a time when there was debate about whether icons should be used in worship or if they were idolatrous. The essay lists several of John's points and looks at both the positive and negative aspects of each point.

From the Paper
"It seems that art is such a natural part of everyday life. It would be difficult to picture a world where art was not involved. From the flower pots outside on the window sill to the mounted picture in the living room, art pervades every aspect of our lives. It is difficult to imagine that there was a controversy over whether such type pf media should be allowed in a Church setting. The word icon usually describes "those religious pictures-mainly portable wood panel paintings-which have a prominent place in the life and worship of the Eastern Orthodox Churches" (Baggley, 1). The Iconoclasm controversy dealt with the debate over whether painted images of the Divine Christ were valid or idolatrous. Popular culture felt that the icon was a necessary part of their worship because it gave them a sense of understanding. It gave the worshipper a visual image of what he/she was praying to and so, made the person feel that his/her prayers were not futile and wasted. However, it was these exact beliefs that sparked the controversy, but also led to the writings in defence of the images. John of Damascus was one of the greatest Christian defenders of the iconodule position (Sch?nobon, 192)."

Tags:christianity, eastern, icons, john, worship

Abstract
The paper researches the origin and meaning of the seven gates of Jerusalem that are still in use, namely, the Damascus Gate, the Dung Gate, Zion Gate, Lion's Gate, Jaffa Gate, Gate of Flowers and the New Gate. The paper focuses on when the various gates were built and the historical significance of the gates and thus demonstrates that the history of the seven gates of Jerusalem is meaningful to the ancient city.

Outline:
Introduction
History of the seven gates
Damascus Gate
Dung Gate
Zion Gate
Lion's Gate (St. Stephen's Gate/Gate of the Pillar)
Jaffa Gate (Hebron Gate)
Herod's Gate (Gate of Flowers)
New Gate

From the Paper
"There were originally 11 gates of Jerusalem at the current time only seven of these gates are in use. The gates were built. The names of the seven gates that are still in use are the Damascus Gate, the dung Gate, Zion Gate, Lion's gate, Jaffa Gate, Gate of Flowers and the New Gate. The remaining four gates that are closed includes the Golden gate, the single gate, the double gate and the Huldah gate. For the purposes of the discussion we will focus on the seven gates that are still open.
"To better understand the location of the gates it is essential to know that Jerusalem is divided into four main quarters the Armenian quarter, the Jewish quarter, the Muslim quarter and the Christian quarter."

Tags:Damascus, Dung, Zion, Lion, Jaffa, Flowers, New, Gate

Abstract
This essay discusses the iconoclastic Controversy in the Eastern Orthodox Church and its defense by John of Damascus. It follows John's separations of the topic and explores what each argument entailed and the resistance which it faced. It outlines both the strong and weak points of the argument and how each issue was solved.

From the Paper
"It seems that art is such a natural part of everyday life. It would be difficult to picture a world where art was not involved. From the flower pots outside on the window sill to the mounted picture in the living room, art pervades every aspect of our lives. It is difficult to imagine that there was a controversy over whether such type pf media should be allowed in a Church setting. The word icon usually describes those religious pictures-mainly portable wood panel paintings-which have a prominent place in the life and worship of the Eastern Orthodox Churches (Baggley, 1). The Iconoclasm controversy dealt with the debate over whether painted images of the Divine Christ were valid or idolatrous. Popular culture felt that the icon was a necessary part of their worship because it gave them a sense of understanding. It gave the worshiper a visual image of what he/she was praying to and so, made the person feel that his/her prayers were not futile and wasted. However, it was these exact beliefs that sparked the controversy, but also led to the writings in defense of the images. John of Damascus was one of the greatest Christian defenders of the iconodule position (Sch nobon, 192)."

Tags:damascus, john

Abstract
This paper examines what is known about the life of Saint Paul the Apostle. It further traces his conversion and subsequent travels. Also discussed is Paul's ministry and how he preached to the Gentiles about Jesus' teachings. The paper concludes by stating that historical references to Paul's early life, from his birth and prior to his conversion on the road to Damascus, are woefully lacking.

From the Paper
"The Bible's Acts of the Apostles tell us that Paul, the Gentile, was converted from Judaism on the road to Damascus; he remained for a time in Damascus following his Baptism before leaving for Arabia. It is believed that Paul remained in Arabia for some time, "possibly for a year or two to prepare himself for his future missionary activity." When Paul returned to Damascus, he again stayed for a time, preaching in the synagogues and telling all who would listen that "Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God." Historical references to Paul's early life--from his birth and prior to his conversion on the road to Damascus--are woefully lacking."

Tags:saint paul, christianity, martyr

Abstract
This paper examines who the apostle Paul was, from his beginnings as the Jewish Pharisee, Saul of Tarsus, to his dramatic Damascus road conversion experience, to his profound spiritual insight as a man who walked in the spirit realm. Paul's mysticism is discussed.

From the Paper
"The apostle Paul was a man who embodied the Christian experience before Christ had even been crucified. Starting out life as Saul the Pharisee, a self-confessed enemy of Christians, Paul had a life-changing experience on the road to Damascus and converted to Christianity, becoming the very picture of how even the most contrary sinner can be changed through an encounter with the Lord. Once converted, Paul became one of the most committed Christians in Jesus' time, preaching the Gospel and enduring imprisonment at Rome..."

Tags:mysticism, Paul, Jesus, Christian, Christianity, Saul, Judaism, Jew, Jewish, Pharisee, Gamaliel, conversion

Abstract
This paper illustrates Paul's life from the first time he was mentioned in the Bible, at the stoning of Stephen, until his death in Rome. It also tells of his life as a Pharisee and his conversion to Christianity while on the road to Damascus. The paper shows in detail Paul's many travels and tells about the 17 Epistles that he wrote that later became books of the New Testament and explains why he wrote them and to whom they were written. Finally, the paper gives many examples of Paul's devotion to Jesus Christ and details the many times that he was imprisoned for his refusal to stop preaching the Gospel.

From the Paper
"If I had to rate all of the Apostles of the Bible on a scale from one to ten, I would give the Apostle Paul a fifteen. He was an Apostle among Apostles, a Christian among Christian, a powerful and influential man of God whose witness and message pierced the hearts of people everywhere to the core. When I think of the Apostle Paul and hear about his Holy Spirit filled power, I see in my mind a tall, handsome, and strong man, but interestingly enough, Paul was not much to look at. Paul was said to be a small and feeble man, near sighted, partially bald, eyes set close together, and his nose was somewhat crooked (All the Apostles 204). His unappealing looks aside, he mesmerized the hearers of his message with his fire of faith and zeal that flashed and flared in his eyes, this is why he is known as the greatest of Christians and profoundest of teachers (All the Apostles 205).

Tags:conversion, saul, of, tarsus, pharisee, jew, eighth, chapter, of, acts, gamaliel, messiah

Abstract
This paper explains that the history of the modern Middle East is peppered with revolts and revolutions against European dominance and against self-serving individuals within the culture who attempted to rule the area. The author points out that European colonial imperialism had a capacity of forcing divergent groups to integrate or to marginalize or peripheralize those who are not willing to work within its economic policies. The paper relates that the leaders who fought for their country's freedom had to modernize defensively their military, which also led to modernizing the internal political structure of their nations.

Table of Contents
Introduction
Imperialism
Integration and Peripheralism
Five Biographies
Journeymen
Textile Weavers
The Revolutionaries
Mohand N'Hamoucha, Middle Atlas Berber
Ramadan al-Suwayhli Hero of the Libyan Resistance
Abu Ali al-Kilawi A Damascus Qabaday
Muhammed El Merid - The Man Who Became Qaid
Conclusion

From the Paper
"When Abd al-Krim proclaimed himself the head of a Rifian republic in 1923, it appeared he might be able to take control of northeastern Morocco from Spain. El Merid's efforts to assist the Spanish during this period were noted by Spanish authorities and the made him Quaid of the qabila of Ulad Stut. Muhammed El Merid was the most powerful and influential of the indigenous Spanish protectorate officials in Zaio. He was responsible for day to day law and order, general administration and justice in the tribe. In this position, El Merid was able to acquire and control the lands of the Sebra. Although the other Moroccan groups legally challenged El Merid's claim to this ill gotten land, even when Morocco became an independent state his progeny continued to be the most influential and wealthy members of the notability of Zaio to this day."

Tags:morocco, britain, guild, libya, syria

Abstract
This paper explains that one of the most unique and forthright features of the Greek Church, the iconostasis, a screen running from wall-to-wall and decorated with icons, is the prime causal factor to differentiate the architecture of a Greek Orthodox church from Roman and Latin churches. The author points out that the most frequently used icon in the sketch of the Greek Byzantine iconostasis is "The Crucifix with Mary and John", whereas, the most frequent icon in the sketch of the Russian Orthodox iconostasis is a simple cross at the top.

Table of Contents
Introduction
The Emergence of the Iconostasis as a Consistent Theme in Byzantine Orthodox Churches
Influences that Impacted the Emergence of the Iconostasis in the East Orthodox Churches
Salient Features of the Greek Orthodox Churches and How Their Iconostasis Spread to Russia
Listing [by Frequency] of Icons in the Sketch of the Greek Byzantine Iconostasis
Russian Iconostasis of the Orthodox Church Established during the 17th-19th Centuries
Listing [by Frequency] of Icons in the Sketch of the Russian Orthodox Iconostasis
The Relevance of Iconoclasts as Perceived by St. John of Damascus and Pavel Florensky
Conclusion (s)

From the Paper
"It would also be noteworthy to here acknowledge that even before being influenced by oriental trends in concern to the iconostasis early Greek Churches had a minor fence about waist high or lower, that divided the altar from the people. Naught more than an essential barrier or columns, it was common for this fence to be adorned with pictures of the saints at the top. This barrier, invariably comprised of columns at the top of which the pictures were affixed, can be idealized as the first instance of the iconoclast within the interior of the church. Gradually and eventually, the iconostasis evolved from a rather unexceptional separating fence into a "a great screen or partition running from side to side of the apse or across the entire end of the church". The iconostasis eventually came to completely obscure the altar as well as the sanctuary from the portion of the church where the worshipers are located. Solid materials, such as stone, wood and metal began to be employed in the construction of iconostasis and the final version, which is still seen today, had three doors within it. The center door, known as the royal door, leads directly to the altar while the doors to the right and left are respectively the deacon's door and the door leading to the area of the preparation of liturgy."

Tags:florensky, fence, icon, influence, differenciate

Abstract
This paper briefly describes Mark Twain's book about his trip to Europe and the Middle East, "Innocents Abroad". The paper highlights the main themes found in the book and describes how Twain would combine these themes in order to paint vivid and revealing portraits of the places he visited.

From the Paper
"In Mark Twain's early years as a popular writer, he created a personality and a voice that comes through loud and clear in his collection of reminiscences from his first trip abroad, published as The Innocents Abroad. That voice is the curmudgeon, because he has nothing good to say about much of anything, except if it is ancient, and even then, he does not always admire the sight. His personality appears bigger than life, perhaps, because of the uneven writing in "The Innocents Abroad" as well as in Roughing It and Life on the Mississippi. (Emerson 1984) But in The Innocents Abroad, Twain seems to come into his own toward the end of the book and the trip, in the section involving Palestine."

Tags:trip, excursion, quaker, city, luxury, ship, europe, holy, lands, pilgrim, group, damascus