Category: Religion and Theology

Watch the attached video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIgmEypQ-0A&t=192s
Offer a reflection essay (in less than 750 words) that
intelligently engages the question, “Do you believe the Old Testament is
dying?”
Please use the attached documents below as the guide to
format the paper and cite the sources.
Please use scholarly sources to develop the paper.

The initial post must be at least 270 words!!!!, the 3 reply posts must be as accurate as possible 
In your own words and with reference to the metaphor of the mountain in
Paracka’s “China’s Three Teachings,” explain how Buddhism, Confucianism
and Daoism differ yet also complement one another in a new environmental
ethic.  
Articles
Paracka Jr, D. J. (2012). China’s three teachings and the relationship of Heaven, Earth and Humanity. Worldviews, 16, 73–98. https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=sso&db=a9h&AN=71833669&custid=s7439054
Video Reference
George Thompson. (2018, December 8). Taoism (Daoism) explained + how it could improve your life – Tea Time Taoism [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kij4kKSGzCE

Research an instance or instances of activism that are led by people of faith. This should be at least 2 pages in length. The paper should analyze and synthesize various credible sources and interpret and reflect on how faith is motivating and working in the groups. This can look like researching news on the interfaith organizing of the student encampment movements, the history and current work of Jewish Voices for Peace to advocate on behalf of the Palestinian people, the role of faith in the BLM movements, Muslim women or faith based activism options that interest you! This could also explore social action motivated by religion that you dislike or simply want to examine further.

Based on what you’ve just learnt about the discipline of Religious Studies, are the following statements a good/ useful/ academically correct way of engaging our subject matter as we undertake the academic study of religion over the next few months? Why or why not?
a – Islam is a peaceful religion.
b – Muslims should pray five times a day. (Roughly comparable to: Christians should go to church every Sunday).
c – Some Hindus are atheists.
Some advice before answering this prompt:
1 – Carefully read how the syllabus describes the reading responses! 
2 – As stated in the syllabus description of the reading responses, make sure that you’ve: a) met the word count; b) listed the word count for the response; c) included the 4 terms/concepts; d) provided page numbers for all the information mentioned in your response, including the terms/concepts.

In your paper, you are welcome to draw from material from the videos or study guides, but make sure to include Scripture.  Look ahead to Chapter 6 in God’s Big Picture and read the section titled “The Cross: Salvation through Substitution”; also note the different images of salvation in this section (e.g., redemption, reconciliation, justification, conquest). 
Requirements: Times New Roman, 12 point font, double-spaced, APA format, TWO COMPLETE PAGES

3. Research Paper
Choose the topic of contemporary theological issues on the books by Olson or Smith with the
articles recently in the library formatted by Turabian. Bible verses and reflections must be
included.
I have included the related chapter from the book; you should read it and write a research paper.

This is a three-part assignment so whoever I choose for this assignment, needs to have good attention to detail for each of the parts.  I attached the instructions and rubrics for each below.
My plan is to have you complete Part 1 then once it is graded and feedback is given we work on Part 2 and 3 following separately to make adjustments. 
Part 1: Attached is the instructions and Template that MUST be used for the completion of this assignment along with the rubric. 
Part 2 & Part 3 are attached as well.

Both the Mahabharata and the Gita emphasize ideas of duty (dharma), especially as related to karma. Discuss some kinds of “duty” you see in those texts (to gender roles, caste roles, family roles, or social roles) and what happens when that dharma is not followed?  Use  quotes to support your discussion (i.e., don’t just tell me, show me!). To cite, just do in text pages (Mhb, 47) or chapter/verse (Gita 2.17) for quotes. 
Use this link for quotes from Gita – https://www2.hawaii.edu/~freeman/courses/phil101/06.%20Bhagavad%20Gita.pdf  (ONLY USE QUOTES FROM 1st and 2nd TEACHINGS, NOTHING FURTHER)
NEED TO USE QUOTES FROM THE MAHABHARATA BY R.K NARAYAN. it is very important that this is the only version you get quotes from. (you might need to get it on kindle or something, Let me know how much it costs and I will add more money on it to cover the extra price.) Also, please do not get quotes from after chapter 7

The
Paul Paper
Instructions.
Read Bruce Longenecker’s “What Did Paul Think Is Wrong in God’s World?” and
Michael Gorman’s “What Did Paul Think God Is Doing about What’s Wrong?” Once
you have finished reading these articles, you will write a substantive paper (9-12
pages double-spaced) in which you answer the questions listed below. You can
think of the paper as a summary, yet there are some reflection questions as
well. You do not have to defend an original thesis in this assignment; your
task is summarize and evaluate, not innovate. The paper is intended to help
you to develop both (a) your understanding of Paul’s thought and the debates
about its interpretation and (b) your critical thinking, reading, and writing
skills.
A few words about structure are in
order. Your assignment should not (with the exception of the reflection
questions – see below) have the structure of a homework assignment like Shively
I and Shively II. In particular, you should not number the questions, create
space between them, and answer them in sequence. Rather, your paper should
consist of integrated paragraphs, as in a traditional argumentative essay. In
other words, your paper should not look like this:
1.     …..
2.     …..
3.     …..
Instead,
it should look like this:
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
If
you have any questions about this, please contact me.
Perhaps
the greatest challenge that you will face in completing this assignment is
deciding how you want to organize your material. I would recommend answering
the questions in order. I would also recommend employing section headings.
To
illustrate what I mean, take a look at p. 171 of Longenecker’s article. At the
bottom of the page, you will see the words “SUPRAHUMAN POWERS THREATEN THE
SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD.” These words function as a section heading. Scholars are
fond of using section headings for several reasons. First, in dividing the text
up into sections, they make it more digestible for the reader. It is easier to
read a text that is divided into sections rather than one that consists of a
large, seamless whole. Second, section divisions help the reader to grasp the
structure that the author wishes to impose on the text. Third, if the section
headings consist of words rather than numbers, they inform the reader of the
subject matter of the section, much like the title of the text itself.
For
all these reasons, section headings help readers to approach and understand the
text. However, students rarely employ section headings themselves, even in long
papers. I would recommend that you employ section headings in your paper. Not
only will it help me to read your paper, but it will help you to write it, as
it will encourage you to think about the structure of your paper and will serve
as a broad outline. (An additional bonus of section headings is that they can
help with the writing process itself.) To clarify, I do not recommend that you
use the same section headings employed by Longenecker and Gorman. Your section
headings will likely need to be broader. In any case, I would like you to
create your own. Two general section headings would be “Longenecker” and
“Gorman.” However, you can be more specific. For instance, for Gorman, you
might want to use two section headings – say, (i) “Means” and (ii) “Mode.” For
Gorman, you could also use the section heading “Gorman” with three or four
sub-headings – say, (i) “Introduction,” (ii) “Means,” (ii) “Mode,” and (iv) “Additional
Points.” I realize that some of these sub-headings are not very poetic, but
they get the job done nonetheless. Perhaps you can think of better ones.
Your
paper should include a formal introductory paragraph. A formal concluding
paragraph is optional.
Please
note the following additional instructions:
· In answering the questions, you should
rely on two sources and two sources alone – i.e., the Longenecker and Gorman
articles. You can also consult the Bible, of course, but that is all. Do not
consult any additional sources beyond these. Students who consult additional
sources will receive a zero for the assignment even if these sources are cited.
If you want to consult external sources to expand your understanding of the
material, wonderful – do it after you have completed the assignment.
· You are permitted to quote the articles,
but you should do so sparingly. Paraphrase – even close paraphrase – is
preferable to quotation. Try to put the answers into your own words as much as
possible. This will facilitate comprehension, and it will help you to develop
your critical thinking, reading, and writing abilities. Nonetheless, there may
be cases where paraphrase seems impossible, and where quotation seems
inevitable. In those cases, you may quote – indeed, you may quote with
boldness.
· Any use of ChatGPT or similar AI programs
will be considered plagiarism and will result in a zero for the assignment.
Please see the sections on academic honesty and ChatGPT in the syllabus.
· You do not have to provide a works cited
page, though you are welcome to do so if you like. However, you should supply
the page numbers from which any quotations are taken.
Some
additional instructions can be found in the syllabus (see under “Written
Assignments.”)
This
assignment should take you several days to complete. You will want to start the
assignment in advance, and you will want to avail yourself of outlines and
drafts. Please give it the time that it deserves. Enjoy it – even savor it!
There is no need to rush! Give yourself the opportunity to wrestle with texts
and ideas. The rewards are great.
As always, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to
contact me.
Questions.
There are three sets of questions –
Longenecker, Gorman, and Reflection. The reflection questions should be
self-explanatory. However, the questions on Longenecker and Gorman deserve some
comment.
Longenecker and Gorman
each organize their articles around one main question concerning Paul’s
understanding of salvation. For Longenecker, the question is how Paul
understands what we are being saved from. (In other words, what is it that
threatens us/oppresses us/divides us from God.) For Gorman, the question is how
Paul understands how we are saved. (For Gorman, this question itself divides
into two further main questions – namely, (i) the question of how Paul
understands what God has done/is doing/will do to save/heal/free us [the means
of salvation] and (ii) the question of how Paul understands how we acquire
this salvation/healing/freedom [the mode of salvation].)
For each of these
articles, I am asking you to summarize how their authors articulate and answer
the main question(s) that they address. Thus, in a sense, I am asking you only
one question about Longenecker and Gorman. At the same time, I am requiring you
to address various details that Longenecker and Gorman address in answering their
question(s). In requiring you to address these details, I am not trying to
micromanage you or stifle your creativity. Instead, I am trying to give you
some direction and guidance. You may note that I am requiring you to address
more details for Gorman’s article than Longenecker’s. This is because Gorman’s
article is longer and denser than Longenecker’s, and its organization is
considerably more complicated than Longenecker’s. There should be plenty of
room for you to exercise both your critical thinking and creative abilities in
completing the assignment.
One
more thing. Longenecker and Gorman frequently cite passages from the Bible in
support of their readings. You should feel free to include their citations as
often as possible. If you know of any additional passages from Scripture that
might support or challenge their interpretations, you are welcome to add these.
But this is not necessary. I do not expect you to be able to do this.
Longenecker
According to Longenecker, what does
Paul think is wrong with God’s world? Make sure that you address the following
points:
· The powers, including (i) Paul’s
general characterization of the powers and their activity;  (ii) the powers of Sin and Death, including
how they work together and how they oppress human beings (you might want to
incorporate some material from Gorman pp. 188-89 here); the distinction between
Sin (uppercase) and sin/sins (lowercase); (iv) whether Paul thinks of the
powers as independent, intentional, cosmic forces or merely as personifications
of bad human decisions.
· How human beings both (i) conspire
with are (ii) corrupted by the powers.
· Paul’s discussions of “covetousness”
in Romans and “conceit” in Galatians.
You do not have to address the
section “Dethroning a Counterfeit Gospel” in your paper, though you may if you
like. It’s up to you.
Gorman
According to Gorman, what does Paul
think that God is doing about what’s wrong with the world? Make sure that you
address the following points:
Framework/Introduction
·
Gorman’s discussion of Paul’s images of salvation (p. 188)
○
Many images or one? Simple or complex?
○
Individual? Communal? Cosmic? All of these?
· Gorman’s general characterization
(summary) of Paul’s understanding of what God is doing (p. 188)
The
means of salvation
· The Christ-event/Christ-story
· Incarnation, Crucifixion, and
Resurrection
· Sin
(singular and capitalized) and sins (plural and lower-cased)
The
mode of salvation
· Faith
· Justification
· Participation
· Transformation
· Baptism
Additional
themes that pertain to the means of salvation, the modes of salvation, or both
· The various role of the Father, the
Son, and the Holy Spirit in salvation according to Paul
·
The role of grace in salvation according to Paul
·
The Old Testament roots of Paul’s understanding of salvation
·
The “vertical” and “horizontal” dimensions of salvation according to Paul
·
The past, present, and future dimensions of salvation according to Paul
You should distinguish, as Gorman
does, between the means and the mode of salvation (see p. 194). You should also
discuss how the means and mode of salvation relate to one another, and why both
are necessary. Why not just the means without the mode? Or the mode without the
means? Your paper should contain an answer to this question.
Reflection
You should answer the questions below
after completing the sections on Longenecker and Gorman. You can incorporate
your answers to these questions into the body of the paper (perhaps in a
separate section before your conclusion), or you can answer them on a separate
page and append them to the end of your paper. For these questions, and these
questions alone, you can number them and answer them separately, as with
homework assignments like Shively I and Shively II (see above).
· What was it like reading the
Longenecker and Gorman articles? Did you find them difficult? Interesting?
Boring? How did they compare to other articles that you have read for this
class?
· Do you feel that you are getting a
sense of contemporary academic writing on the Bible?  If a friend asked you to describe what contemporary
academic articles on the Bible are like, how would you answer the question?
· Do you think that Longenecker and
Gorman defended their interpretations successfully? Were you largely convinced
by their interpretations? Were there any major points on which you remain
unconvinced?
· How did this assignment impact your
understanding of Paul? The New Testament in general?
· What do you personally think of
Paul’s views on salvation? Do you find them interesting? Inspiring? Strange?
Concerning? Some combination of these? Explain.
· Are there any questions about Paul,
the New Testament, the Bible, or Christianity that arose for you while
completing this assignment?
· I am sure that the assignment was
challenging. Did you think that it helped you to develop your critical thinking
skills? Your reading and writing skills?

reduce similarly to 0 and edit if need not required
1. Why do Christians believe that morality is absolute and objective, rather than relative and subjective? If morality is objective, where do Christians get their moral standard? Cite Chapter 7 of The Beginning of Wisdom textbook and/or topic overview
More often than not, Christians assert that morality is objective rather than subjective, rooted in God’s unchanging nature rather than human opinion or cultural norms. The Bible is seen as a way of finding moral guidance because its teachings and commandments reflect God’s will and ethical principles (Holland & Jibben 192). Through Christan’s eyes, God has revealed Himself and His moral standards to humanity through personal experiences and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Understanding morality as something objective, firmly anchored in the very nature of God, shows the importance of aligning our actions with divine principles.
2b. the elements of a worldview (ultimate reality, nature of the universe, humanity, knowledge, ethics, purpose) are presented. In the case you chose, which worldview element is going to be the biggest factor for determining right and wrong in the case you chose? Why? Decisions of Life and DeathJanie is your sister’s best friend, and when Janie was a senior in high school, she fractured her neck in a diving accident. The doctors say that she is a quadriplegic–paralyzed from the shoulders down. All of Janie’s dreams for college, romance, and a meaningful life seem to be over; she cannot even take care of her own basic needs. Janie has even talked to your sister about whether it makes sense to keep on living. Knowing that you are reading the Bible for your Christian worldview class, they want to know if the Bible has anything to say about life and death issues, such as suicide and euthanasia
Ultimate reality is the most relevant reality in this case because it delves into foundational beliefs about existence, the divine, and life’s purpose. Jaines has succeeded in answering the question about what sense it makes to keep living because she feels her purpose is nonexistent, and that question connects to the ultimate reality (Hiles & Smith 43). Therefore, in contemplating Janie’s predicament through the prism of ultimate reality in a Christian context, one delves into the intersection of her circumstances with God’s intentions and the profound value of her existence under divine sovereignty and care.
c. How does the Christian worldview describe the worldview element you identified? Ultimate reality is the foundation of truth because all existence depends on it. It centers on the belief that the divine being is perceived as the source of everything, sustaining the world through divine providence (Hiles & Smith 43). Christians also view God as infinite in wisdom, power, and goodness, possessing attributes like love, justice, and mercy. Thus, the ultimate reality in the Christian worldview shapes beliefs about human identity, morality, and purpose, providing a framework for interpreting the world and guiding ethical decisions.
d. What are Bible passages (cite two or three) that will guide the ethics for the case you choose? How do these Bible passages apply to this case?
Genesis 1:27 emphasizes the profound truth that people are created in God’s image. This passage underscores the meticulous care with which God crafted the universe, imbuing all creation with intrinsic worth and value (Diffey 83). In Janie’s case, Her identity is not defined by her physical condition but by her status as a beloved creation of God, uniquely fashioned in His image. Philippians 2:4 urges believers to prioritize the interests of others over their own. This principle of selfless love is deeply intertwined with faith (Greever 151). In the context of Janie’s situation, this passage challenges Christians to empathize with Janie’s struggles by offering support in all forms.
E. Based on your answers to b and c, explain the Christian response to the case you chose. In other words, how might the Christian worldview resolve the issue?
Genesis 1:27 shows that Jane is uniquely crafted in God’s image. This perspective shifts the focus away from Janie’s physical limitations towards her identity as a cherished child of God. Philippians 2:4, in Jane’s case, encourages believers to empathize with her struggles, providing her with the encouragement and assistance needed to navigate her circumstances with grace. The ultimate reality in Janes’s situation emphasizes the sanctity of human life and the importance of upholding the dignity and worth of every individual, irrespective of physical abilities. By embracing Janie with empathy and support, she and those around her will feel better also. embracing Janie with empathy and support, she and those around her will feel better also.
3. Your previous responses built a Christian ethical stance and provided a Christian resolution for the case. How might this Christian resolution to the issue increase human dignity and human value?
The Christian resolution to Janie’s case significantly enhances human dignity and value because compassionate care within the Christian resolution prioritizes Janie’s well-being and affirms her worth by demonstrating genuine empathy and support. By surrounding her with a network of caring individuals who offer encouragement and assistance, Janie experiences a sense of belonging and inclusion, reinforcing her worth as a valued community member. Thus, it validates her as a person deserving of love. Through these actions, the Christian resolution not only elevates Janie’s dignity and value but also reflects the foundational Christian belief in the inherent worth and significance of every human being, regardless of their circumstances.
4. The Christian position that humans should flourish comes from belief in the goodness of God. How so? What are the connections between God’s goodness and human flourishing
Christians believe that God’s goodness is the cornerstone of their conviction that humans should flourish. This connection comes from God as the creator of the universe. Central to this belief is the acknowledgment that God’s intentions for humanity are inherently benevolent and tied to his love and care, which offers hope for humanity. Jesus Christ offers salvation and restores humanity to a state of wholeness and abundant life. The Christan understanding of God’s goodness underpins the belief that humans should flourish.
5. Considering the Christian resolution you built for the case and everyone involved in the scenario, what might be some benefits or unintended consequences that come from this resolution? What might be challenging for people to accept or do?
The Christian resolution resulted in numerous benefits for all involved, alongside potential unintended consequences and challenges that could occur because of the resolution. For example, focusing on spiritual growth allows people to experience selfness. However, this resolution may inadvertently strain emotions, lead to conflicts or resistance within the community, and raise questions about resource allocation. Upholding healthy boundaries while offering support, navigating differences in belief, and embracing vulnerability are among the challenges individuals may face. Despite these challenges, the Christian resolution is the best option for Janie and the entire community as they journey together toward greater compassion and understanding.
6. What are some ways that Christians should be active in helping to alleviate the suffering related to this issue? Give specific examples that ordinary people can do.
Christians play a vital role by alleviating the suffering related to Janie’s case through practical and compassionate actions. Providing emotional support by being present and listening can help Janie feel less isolated and alone. Christians can also offer financial support by organizing fundraisers or donation drives to help cover Janie’s medical expenses and other financial needs. Furthermore, advocating for disability-friendly infrastructure and promoting inclusion in social gatherings and community events are essential to ensure Janie’s accessibility and integration into the community.