Abstract
This paper discusses the concept of divine light. It investigates the origin of the concept and how it is integrated with social values and ideals of various times throughout history. The paper discusses the history of divine light and suggests that in these modern times, the concept of the divine has stretched and evolved to include a variety of principles, religions and lifestyles. The paper gives examples of its use and particularly focuses on the concept of divine light in architecture.

Table of Contents:
Introduction: Divine Light
Divine Light in Architecture
Greek Temples
Early Christian Architecture
Medieval Christian Churches
Baroque churches
Modern Churches
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Instead, Tadao Ando asserts that a universal spirituality is possible through the use of natural forces. This in turn is reminiscent of the enclosures around Greek Temples, where natural elements were used to connect the human spirit to the divine. Ando recognizes that the divine, if architecture is going to be truly universal, is largely undefined by the paradigms of modern society. We live in an integrated world. Ando therefore uses natural elements that appeal universally to the human spirit. This provides for a "divine light" that is flexible: human beings can use its effect to connect to any form of the divine that pleases them. In this integrated approach, Ando emphasizes the creative force, once assumed to be from exterior or supernatural forces, that comes from within the spirit. As such, his work is a true integration of modern social values."

Tags:spirituality, architecture, Christianity

Abstract
This paper explains that Dante uses the essence of art throughout the "Divine Comedy" through his use of symbols, even as he is utilizing the themes of structure and the heroic journey. The author points out that Dante uses light and shadow, which is known as chiaroscuro, to portray a sense of emotional content and to depict sin and redemption or the possibility of redemption. The paper relates that Dante employs the color green to symbolize nourishment, hope, joy, and growth and uses gold as the color of the sun and leadership.

From the Paper
"The common view of Hell is a dark place where sinners are to burn for all eternity. This view is found numerous times in the Bible, with Christ referring to the fires that are never quenched in the New Testament. The first part of the "Divine Comedy" is "The Inferno." It is the story of his journey through the nine levels of Hell. The structure of Hell, as Dante has envisioned it, corresponds to a moral hierarchy, or levels of 'sin.' The physical structure reflects the spiritual beliefs of the time, which is considered the ultimate truth."

Tags:chiaroscuro, nature, sin, green, symbolism

Abstract
This paper investigates the exact type of wisdom that was granted to certain women in the Bible, and how they achieved important things through their wisdom. The writer discusses how Michal, through her wisdom, saves the life of her husband David and how Israel is saved from the Moabites through the wisdom and actions of Deborah and Jael. The writer also relates that the two unnamed wise women in the second book of Samuel who persuade the leaders of enemy armies not to attack Israel by quoting old proverbs may point to the existence of an actual class of wise women in ancient Israelite society. Finally, the writer points out that the fact that wisdom is personified as a woman in the book of Proverbs throws some light on the other references to wisdom and women in the Old Testament, as it shows that women were associated with a high spiritual power, an attribute of God himself.

From the Paper
"Deborah acts here as a divine prophetess who is advised in her actions by God himself, and Jael as the instrument through which these actions are completed. The fact that they both are women is significant in more ways than one: first of all, this points to the complete triumph of the people of Israel, and implicitly of their God and religion over the Moabites and their gods. The morale of the narrative is obviously that the strength of Israel comes from their spirituality, and this is why they are apt to vanquish their enemies without using force or weapons. Women, who are not usually associated with physical strength or with warring skills act here as the perfect instrument for the delivery of Israel: they indicate the spiritual, religious force of Israel that makes it triumph over the other peoples of the Earth."

Tags:authority, political, intermediary, inheritance, Judges, believer, understanding, godly, status

Abstract
This paper reviews and discusses the history of the idea that Jesus is the Son of God and the lasting light. According to the paper, the notion of Jesus as the unique son of the divinity emerged as one of the key, theological divisions between the Christian and the Jewish belief systems of the ancient world. The paper goes on to discuss the various interpretations of the term 'Son of God'.

From the Paper
"But nowhere in the Christian Bible are there more numerous phrases in which Jesus is specifically heralded as the Son of God, than in John's Gospel. Jesus repeatedly draws attention to his relationship with God the Father in such passages as: "My Father worketh until now; and I work.... For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things which he himself doth: and greater works than these will he shew him, that you may wonder. For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and giveth life: so the Son also giveth life to whom he will. For neither doth the Father judge any man, but hath given all judgment to the Son. That all may honour the Son, as they honour the Father." (Cited by Aherene, 2002, v, 17, 20-23). John sets out the unique duties of Father and Son in this passage, and for Trinitarians, this provides evidence for the existence of a multifaceted, multi 'peopled' divinity with a Father and a Son."

Tags:Christianity, Judaism, Catholic, messiah, Jesus, Christ, belief, theology, bible, trinity

Abstract
This essay analyzes how Boethius tackles the concepts of justice and free will in his work "The Consolations of Philosophy." The writer provides a synopsis of the work and explains its central themes, the concept of justice, the omniscience of God, free will and the problem of reconciling free will with the determinism that follows from God's omniscience. The paper concludes that the crux of the problem is reconciling necessity with free will, two concepts which normally contradict each other, and Boethius surmounts this contradiction by arguing that it exists only in temporal and spatial reality and disappears in the light of the higher reason of God.

From the Paper
"The entire question revolves around the concept of justice. Boethius does not believe that he deserves to be stripped of his power, and then thrown into jail and awaiting execution. His own situation leads inexorably to the generalization that evildoers of the world enjoy the privileges of wealth, status and power, while the virtuous natures suffer under their yoke. Lady Philosophy intends to demonstrate to Boethius that this is a false opinion. In the first instance she shows that wealth and power only come to the virtuous, and cannot be appropriated by the evildoers at all. If wealth is determined to be that which enriches one, and cannot be easily taken away, then spiritual wealth is the only one that matters."

Tags:grief healing metaphor judgment, divine prescience, omnipotence happiness reason

Abstract
The following paper explores the dividing factor between these two novels which comes to be seen not as a division between good, natural cultures and bad, unnatural cultures, but rather as a division between societies that rule by technology rather than by divine intervention and human understanding.

From the Paper
The study of Utopia, an ideal no-where place, is the study of what a society must look like to create and maintains happiness for humankind. Many books have been written on the subject, and will continue to be written as long as mankind is barred from paradise. One of the themes that seems to be repeated throughout utopian literature is the process of overcoming natural evil, and the evil of nature.

Tags:delineation, utopian, societies, light, cultural, similarities, portray, distopia, actual, value, innocuous, paradise

Abstract
This paper examines Daniel Defoe's ambivalent attitude towards the supernatural as seen in his novels "Moll Flanders" and "Journal of the Plague Year". The paper asserts that ambivalence is reflected in his realistic characters, who express contradictions in their feelings towards supernatural experiences. The paper points out that Defoe incorporates events that include the supernatural world into both novels, raising questions about his reasons for including such spiritual accounts in novels otherwise prided on their realism. The paper maintains that, most likely, the scenes involving supernatural phenomenon represent the divine world in which Defoe was living. The paper concludes that Defoe's attitude towards the supernatural remains unclear, for although he cannot deny its significance, he does lightly mock it by creating characters that remain themselves in doubt.

From the Paper
"The supernatural plays an important role in Journal of the Plague Year because it sets the tone for most of the novel. Right from the start it is made to be a true account of events and these celestial interferences are prominent factors in portraying the attitude of H.F. In the early parts of the novel, H.F. struggles with the decision of whether he should stay in London or leave to escape the plague that was upon the city. He attributes his decision to stay mostly as "the direction of the Divine power" and "an intimation from heaven." His motivation comes mostly from a superstition common to people of his time and, as he goes on to explain, he felt his staying in London was the will of God and that ultimately God would protect his health and well-being. After explaining all this to his reader, H.F. makes the decision to remain in London, weathering and recording the plague's progress. The contradictions in H.F.'s views arise when, in the beginning of his story, he describes the black magic beginning to be found throughout the town. He calls the belief in astrologers, fortune tellers, and the like as "horrid delusions" and is disgusted by the fact that so many people are allowing themselves to fall into these money making traps."

Tags:doubt, divine, belief, realism, cynicism

Abstract
This paper presents Paul's view of Roman rule in light of his belief in Jesus and the Kingdom of God. The paper focuses on Paul's view of Julius Caesar, Rome rule, and Paul's religious beliefs. The writer explores Paul's letters to support the case that Paul did not agree with the idea of worshipping Caesar and did indeed consider Jesus to be the true messiah.

From the Paper
"With regards to the Roman rule Paul had issues with its foundation. At that time in world history Julius Cesar wanted to be worshipped as a God himself. He demanded complete loyalty and love from his subjects and he would not allow anyone to stray from worshipping him as he believed he should be worshipped. Paul denounced this demand as he believed that Jesus was the messiah and the one who should receive such divine and complete devotional worship from the people; Caesar was on his way to becoming the great divinity as a divine religion with him held as the messiah during the Greco-Roman Times."

Tags:divinity, worship, gospel

Abstract
This paper examines the role that Milton's blindness plays within the composition of "Paradise Lost". It first refutes the common notion that the poet's blindness is a conscious motif and contends that instead, the blindness should be seen as a fortuitous circumstance that allows the poet towards the transcendental vision. The paper paints the historical circumstance that necessitated the grand vision of Milton and outlines the specific nature of Milton's faith, and explains how this faith impels him towards his singular task. At the cusp of a new age Milton feels the necessity to rewrite the Genesis story, and this stupendous task requires divine inspiration. In this context, the paper justifies the frequent invocations to the Muse undertaken by the poet. The key invocations are individually explained in the context of where they occur in the poem. Each one is shown to be necessary as they take the poem to the new level of poetic vision. The strategic use of light and darkness is carefully examined to put this point across. Finally, the poet is defended against the charges of poetic hubris. It is argued that Milton's claims are sincere, and that his vision in indeed grand and divinely inspired.

From the Paper
"The first thing we must be clear about is Milton's religion. He is usually described as a Puritan, but I will argue that he is closer to being a Quaker, and one before Quakerism was first widely preached by George Fox. The entire gist of the poem is to convey the message that truth lies only within, and that one must search within one's soul in order to find the guidance of God. In other words, he is drawing our attention towards the "Inner Light", the same that is revered by the Quakers. The later group believes that it is not possible to describe the Inner Light in concrete terms, and that it is only faith that will lead us to it. This inability is reflected in the absence of any form of ritual or creed in the practice of Quakerism. In Quaker gatherings worship is only through the spontaneous connection with the inner light in otherwise silent communions. "

Tags:Hell, pandemonium, Puritan, Satan, Protestantism, Adam, Eve

Abstract
This paper discusses how the purpose of Plato's "Crito" seems to be to exhibit the character of Socrates in one light only, not as the philosopher, fulfilling a divine mission and trusting in the will of Heaven, but simply as the good citizen, who, having been unjustly condemned is willing to give up his life for three reasons. It looks at how, in revisiting the already established truths with his friend and fellow philosopher Crito; Socrates makes a valid argument for seeking truth, justice and remaining a loyal citizen of Athens in the face of the greatest adversity, his death.

From the Paper
" Addressing public opinion, Socrates boldly asserts that it is more important to follow the advice of the wise, in this case the assembly and accept his fate than to abide by public opinion and attempt to flee Athens. Even when it is the public who may save one from death, their favor need not be sought, for it is better to live justly and to submit to the unjust ruling of the assembly. Socrates believes that one should not care what the majority thinks because those who are reasonable people will understand. However, Crito's counter-argument to this is that the majority can cause great harm; therefore we should care what they think. "

Tags:socrates, citizen, athens