Abstract
This paper discusses David N. Entwistle's book, "An Integrative Approach to Psychology and Christianity" and explains Entwistle's contention that pastoral counselors are placed in a bind because psychology is an analytic discipline that sprang from science and is thus seen as incompatible with faith and Christianity. The writer then offers a personal and critical reflection of Entwistle's contention as well as a personal action plan for bridging the divide between science and religion.


Table of Contents:
Abstract
Personal Reflection
Critical Reflection
Action

From the Paper
"I believe it is because religion has been constructed by our culture as intolerant, or as hostile to thought, that people in my age group tend to reject the concept of faith. The ideas and concepts of both religion and psychology can be used for negative purposes, but that does not mean that the disciplines themselves are bad. Psychology and science must stop trying to shut religion and faith out, especially as people articulate the need for a more meaningful life than current cultural circumstances offer them."

Tags:culture intolerant spirituality, therapeutic process, counseling

Abstract
This paper explores the meaning and use of mysticism in the religious faiths of Christianity and Islam. The author shows the reader how mysticism impacts the faiths and allows the reader to explore the truth of the existence within the faith.

From the Paper
"Around the world the religious faiths of people can be a powerful motivator for living a life free from anger and sin. Many people live their life according to a doctrine that they take to be truth based on little more than their own personal faith that the religion exists as does the higher power that the faith has been build upon. Mysticism in both faiths plays an important role. It guides the followers many times when the only thing they have is their faith. However, even though mysticism is woven into each faith it is used, viewed and believed in different ways."

Tags:faith, christianity, islam, belief, mystic, mysticism, proof, tradition

Abstract
This paper presents a research proposal. It begins with the thesis statement: if spiritual maturity comes only from a dynamic faith, then Christian education must be anchored in principles of free will and dynamic intercourse. It then describes proposed research methods and contexts and lists the problem. It briefly summarizes a literature review and discusses research methods and assumptions, as well as proposed research results and arguments.

From the Paper
"Spiritual maturity only comes from a dynamic Christian faith capable of adaptation and change within the orthodox boundaries of so-called "mere" Christianity. Yet many Christians today are loosing their essential faith, turning to agnosticism and athiesm out of disillunsionment or misguided moral obligation. Christian education is failing the majority of its students -- in order to succeed, it must adapt its methods to become a support for, rather than impediment to, the dynamic God-directed path of the individual believer."

Tags:believer, god, study, christianity

Abstract
This paper explores the concept of God within the Jewish and Christian religions. The paper begins with a general explanation of belief in a monotheistic God, followed by the Jewish dogma and then the Christian one. The paper includes a large number of textual references, from the Bible as well as religious commentators through the ages.

Contents:
General Concepts
The General Concept of God
Historic Evolvement of God
Some of the Changes That Have Been Witnessed
How God is Used in Worldwide Faiths
The Jewish Faith
How God is Perceived in the Jewish Faith?
What Are Some of the Abstract Beliefs Regarding God?
What Are Some of the Tangible Beliefs Regarding God?
What Are Some of the Practices About God?
The Christian Faith
How is God Perceived in the Christian Faith?
What Are Some of the Abstract Beliefs Regarding God?
What Are Some of the Tangible Beliefs Regarding God?
What Are Some of the Practices Regarding God?
Conclusion

From the Paper
"The general concept of a monolithic God involves the belief in one deity who was the creator of all living things. This God is believed to have power, and to have the ability to cause things to happen both good and bad. God in this sense is believed to be all loving and all powerful and the faiths that believe in a single God believe the God is to be worshiped and that He is to be first and foremost in all that one does."

Tags:worship, catholic, jew, christ, religion, faith, doctrine

Abstract
This comparison essay looks at both Christianity and Judaism and how they have close ties to one another through their common history and theology. This paper describes the origin of Judaism and the major beliefs of this religion. Judaism's beliefs regarding overcoming the presence of evil, and the manner in which individuals are set free from evil, are specifically addressed. A detail list of steps Judaism uses to enlist new converts is presented, as well as the worldview regarding this religion. The known objections that Judaism has towards Christianity and Islam are overviewed. Lastly, how I would share Christianity with members of the Jewish faith so that they may accept Christianity will be explored.

Outline:
History and Background of Judaism
Conversion Process
Known Objections Judaism has towards Christian and Muslim Faiths
How I Would Share Christianity with a Member of the Jewish Faith
Conclusion

From the Paper
"The two sects that most closely follow traditional and biblical understanding of Judaism are the Orthodox and Ultraorthodox sects. Demanding a conversion and a belief in the covenant with the God of Israel (b'rit), Orthodox Judaism is a very academic sect, as Ergun (2005) notes. These followers explicitly follow the Torah, observe shabbat weekly, and study the teachings intensely. Ultraorthodox Jews, the Hasidic sect, are often the most easily recognized, with their black or grey suits and yarmulke. However, the Hasidim are more mystical than those in the Orthodox sect, often studying Kabbalah. Yet, despite this element of mysticism, they are devoutly committed to the traditional doctrines of Judaism.
"In general, according to Ergun (2005) the Jewish faith believes that people are inherently good, due to the fact that they bear God's image. Despite not having a sinful nature, humans do have the ability to choose sinful and evil acts. Sin is thought of in terms of nearly criminal behavior. Typically, Jewish people do not consider themselves sinners, as they don't believe they have a sinful nature. They do not realize the need for the restoration of humanity, and as they "don't believe that people are separated from God, they don't see the need for the good news"."

Tags:christianity, judaism, theology, religion

Abstract
This paper compares Islam and Christianity in areas of law, faith and love. The author points out that some similar tenets of faith such as the importance of charity and generosity to those in need.

From the Paper
"It should not surprise us that there are deep connections between Islam and Christianity. Islam arise in the same part of the world as did Christianity and incorporates some of the same religious texts. Moreover, there are general similarities among all of the..."

Tags:islam, christianity, faith, salvation, happiness

Abstract
This paper focuses on the historical context in framing the relationship between man and religions, which were spread out of their homelands due to contact with other societies. The paper explains that this spreading phenomenon also caused several religions to no longer be fringe cults but instead widely accepted global institutions, three examples of which are Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam. Each of these three religions, the paper notes, had very dedicated followers who considered it their responsibility to spread the holy word, and teach the values of the faith to those who had not yet been enlightened by the religion itself. The paper explores the circumstances unique to the spread of Buddhism and Christianity, respectively, including human movements, political systems, and social parameters that invoked the magnification of their influence. Finally, the paper concludes that this is meaningful to us as a demonstration of the crucial role played by the historical context in framing the relationship between man and faith.

From the Paper
"Consistent with this recurrent idea that Christianity would undergo a gradual evolution to help produce the identity that we know today, a consideration of the traditions of worship in Christianity shows us that this religion only resembles that of the previous 2000 years in its claim to the origins of Jesus Christ. The manner in which churches and individuals have sought to engage this claim through praise and extolment has varied considerably over this duration. Today, a casual sweep of a local community on a Sunday morning is likely to reveal that each service promotes its own denominational emphases on imagery, whether such concerns the crucifixion, historical figures of the New Testament or some hybridization of the scriptures and the specific ethnic demographic's relationship claimed thereto."

Tags:Veda, Vedanta, Jesus, Christ, Islam, Mohammed, crucifixion, faith

Abstract
"This essay, which bears the title, ""JAINISM AND CHRISTIANITY: SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES,"" is a Comparative Religions essay discussing the difference and similarities between the east Indian faith of Jainism and Christianity, the largest religion in the world. It focuses on the similar stress on the renunciation of worldly possessions which is central to Jainism and has been imortant in Christianity. "

From the Paper
JAINISM AND CHRISTIANITY: SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES Every religion is regarded as a response to a basic human need. Reflecting this, comparative studies note commonalities among religions, while also noting radical differences. Jainism and Christianity reflect these feature. Among their similarities are: advocating the renunciation of earthly possessions in pursuit of a religious ideal; believing that wrongful acts can stain the soul; and an adherence to monogamous relationships. Notable among their differences are that Jains do not believe in a distinct divine being or God; Jains believe in reincarnation; and Jains believe that humans can cleanse their souls of the effects of

Tags:christianity, jainism, renunciation

Abstract
This paper explores how Confucianism differs from Christianity, maybe the greatest contribution of the western world to global philosophy. Specifically, the paper looks at what Confucianism aspires to do and how Confucianism seems to take a more humanistic approach vis-a-vis human mastery over the self whereas Christianity seems to eschew humanism and rationalism in favor of "faith" - especially faith in an anthropomorphic God in Heaven. In a related vein, this paper notes how "Heaven" in Confucianism potentially means several different things while, in Christianity, it really means only one thing. The paper concludes by pointing out how Confucianism falters as a guarantor that its practitioners will behave themselves. Ultimately, the paper shows how Confucianism is not so much a self-consciously religious philosophy (like Christianity) as it is a self-consciously rationalistic and humanistic philosophy that, in its striving after ethereal forms, bears something in common with Platonism while simultaneously acting as a sort of prototype for what we now know as humanism.

From the Paper
"Confucianism is, possibly, the greatest contribution of the East to world philosophy; certainly, it is in the first rank. With that in mind, the following paper will look at how Confucianism differs from (and is similar to) Christianity, maybe the greatest contribution of the western world to global philosophy. Specifically, the paper will begin by looking at what Confucianism - in the main - aspires to do; from there, the paper will look at how Confucianism seems to take a more humanistic approach vis-a-vis human mastery over the self whereas Christianity seems to eschew humanism and rationalism in favor of "faith" - especially faith in..."

Tags:confucianism, christianity, differences

Abstract
In this article, the writer looks at the spreading of Buddhism and Christianity. The writer notes that each had very dedicated followers that considered it their responsibility to spread the holy word, and teach the values of the faith who had not yet been enlightened by the religion itself. The writer points out that some followers went to great measures in order to further strengthen their religion, connection with the converted, and the lands in which they inhabited. The writer first discusses the spreading and path of evolution of Buddhism. The writer then looks at the evolution of the Christian faith.

From the Paper
"This promoted a sense of cultural enlightenment in India which sought to contend with issues of human equality, socialistic community support systems and equanimity in affairs of state. From here, its spread was inevitable and rapid, leaving India and taking firm root throughout Asia, such that even as it faded to the return influence of Hindu in India, it would become a dominant force in China, Japan and elsewhere. With China's ascendance to Tang authority roughly around the time of 600CE, the social and political value of Buddhism would become assured.
"In this regard, its path of evolution was not unlike Christianity from the time of its inception to the politically empowering moments of the reformation. Today, Christianity is the world's most dominant religion, with its institutions and its belief system levying an impact as great as any of history's philosophical or ideological phenomena. Its entrenchment in seats of world power and in the lives of nearly one-third of the world's population has seen it to a status which tends to obscure quite a tumultuous history."

Tags:faith, belief, community, roots