...discovery of his religion. In the course of the story Langston explained that when he was only thirteen he went to church, because he was told that he needed to be saved by Jesus. At this point he was convinced that he needed to go the church, so he decided to attend the ceremony. The meaning of the autobiographical work “Salvation” refers to how the pressure of a family member in a young boy could destroy his faith in Jesus Christ. In the story “Salvation”, Langston Hughes describes the way he was introduced to church by his aunt at the age of thirteen, in which Langston said “My aunt spoke of it for days ahead. That night I was escorted to the front row and placed on the mourner’s bench with all the other kids, who had not yet been brought to Jesus”. However when the majority of kids went up, he observed how a kid called Westley remained seated just like he did, minutes later Westley said in a whisper “ God damn I am tired of sitting here. Let’s get up and be saved”. Once Langston was finally there, Jesus failed to appear, since he remembers that his aunt told him” You could see, hear and feel Jesus in your soul”, but Langston was expecting Jesus to showed up physically so he decided to lie in the church. During the night, Langston understood that he made a terrible mistake by saying that he saw Jesus. Taking in consideration the title “Salvation”, means that something is ironic, because as a reader the title is something that will be contradicting later...
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...Historical Jesus INTRODUCTION Over the centuries scholars from around the world have written a lot about religion, its meaning, relevance and contribution to humanity. There have been many speculations upon the nature and historical background of Jesus Christ. Many scholars have tried to dig into the few clues as to His identity and come up with a human side to which we can all relate. The study of Christianity and how it relates to Jesus Christ is very important to the whole world. Concerning the issue of Christianity, for example, the majority of people are taught in most schools and churches that Jesus Christ was an actual historical figure and that the only controversy regarding him is that some people accept him as the Son of God and the Messiah, while others do not. While the historicity of Jesus is the most debated subject in the field of religion today, the most enduring and profound controversy in this subject is whether or not Jesus Christ really existed. This paper will discuss who Jesus is, the controversy and biblical sources based on the views of scholars surrounding the historicity of Jesus. Finally, this paper will give Biblical evidence that Jesus existed. WHO IS JESUS? It is generally accepted that Jesus was truly a man who walked the earth 2000 years ago. Almost every religion teaches that Jesus was a prophet, excellent teacher or a Godly man. The Bible tells us, “I and the Father are one.” This indicates that Jesus was...
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...The reliability and authenticity of the Bible The Bible claims to be the inspired word of God (2 Tim. 3:16, TEV). Yet much controversy and criticism exists over this book. If we are to accept and base our lives on the Bible as the word of God, then we need to have confidence in the reliability and the authenticity of the Bible. That is, we need to have confidence that the Bible is dependable and trustworthy and that what was written did happen. This essay outlines some convincing evidence to prove that this is the case. I will summarize and discuss bibliographical, external and internal evidence which confirms the reliability and authenticity of the bible. One of the first pieces of evidence lies in the uniformity of the message of the Bible. It is a collection of sixty-six books written over a period of approximately fifteen hundred years in three languages on three continents by forty authors. Kings, peasants, educated men, a doctor, a prime minister, a tax collector a rabbi, a fisherman are among the authors (McDowell, 1973). While it discusses numerous issues, and each book has different purposes, the overall themes of creation, the fall of man and redemption are clear throughout (Williams, 2002). Military historian Chauncy Sanders mentions three criteria scholars use in historiography (Williams, 2002). When applied to test whether the scriptures we have are the same as the original documents, that is to test their accuracy, these are manuscript evidence (textual)...
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...The Historicity of Adam A hotly debated topic among evolutionists, creation scientists, and evangelicals is the historicity of Adam. These people’s views can be summarized into four basic positions [1]. The most liberal view, evolutionary creationism, holds that there was no historical Adam. This view has been expounded upon by Denis Lamoureux, a well-known professor who has lectured widely on the topic of evolutionary creationism. Evolutionary creationism posits that God used evolution to create man and used ancient views of science to impart specific inerrant truths [2]. This idea of using ancient science to give truth is called the “Message-Incident Principle” [3]. The second position is the archetypal view. Those who hold this view, such as John Walton, an influential scholar who has written several books on the topic, believe that Adam was a real man, but was used biblically as an archetype, or a representation of humanity as a whole. According to this view, Adam may or may not have been the father of mankind, and that the Bible should not be used as an argument against scientific evidence about human origins [4]. The third position, old-earth creationism, suggests that Adam was the real “[headwater] of humankind” but argues that the Bible does not limit the timeline of history to a young-earth perspective. This view has been vocally promoted by a seminary professor named C. John Collins, who has also written a famous book on the subject entitled Did Adam and Eve Really...
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...according to Carson and Moo (p. 298). Some scholars put their estimation at about 80-95 A.D. because they believe the Acts shows signs of having been written some years after the first volume of Luke’s Gospel. However, if one took into comparing this assumption to historical evidence the time frame of 80-95 A.D. falls short of accuracy as one could see in Acts 18 under the leadership of a certain Claudius a Roman leader Christian Jews were expelled out of Rome; and prominent among these Christians were Aquila and his wife Priscilla; a time of about C. 49 which history has well before A.D. 60. Finally most scholars settled for dating Acts before A.D. 70 settling on A.D. 62 with Paul been in Rome for two years. Going away from Biblical historicity of dating Acts it is also fair to state that Luke writing of Acts was absolutely before or at about the time of Emperor Nero’s (A.D. 64) persecution of Christians, as one could see Acts positive and hopeful style in regards to Rome’s attitude toward Christians. What role...
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...LIBERTY UNIVERSITY THE SYNOPTIC PROBLEM A RESEARCH PAPER SUBMITTED TO DR. CAROL A. THOMAS IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE COURST NBST 525 LIBERTY BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY BY LYNCHBURG, VIRGINIA , 2013 CONTENTS INTRODUCTION 1 EXPLORATION OF THE SYNOPTIC GOSPELS........................................................................1 ORAL THEORY.............................................................................................................................2 THE TWO-SOURCE HYPOTHESIS.............................................................................................3 THE GREISBACH HYPOSTHESIS..............................................................................................4 THE FARRER-GOULDER HYPOTHESIS...................................................................................5 THE AUGUSTINE HYPOSTHESIS..............................................................................................6 DEFENSE OF THE SYNOPTIC PROBLEM................................................................................6 CONCLUSION...............................................................................................................................7 BIBLIOGRAPHY...........................................................................................................................9 INTRODUCTION At first, one reads the words “Synoptic Problem” and assumes the worst. The expression...
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...THE THEOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF RUDOLF BULTMANN one briefly explain the theological of a man whose diversified writings first book How the present decade? Is it extend fromahissignificance review ina 1908 to possible for short essay to disclose fundamental unity in topics which range from source criticism, the history of religion, literary criticism, classical philology, technical exegesis, Gnostic studies, existential philosophy, and hermeneutics to the Gifford Lectures, the theological essay, popular and literate dialogue about the Church, demythologizing, and the relation of the New Testament to daily life?3 If the theological significance is judged in terms of intellectual climate, moral force, and scholarly style or by the more tangible but subtle influence on several generations of scholars, then the theological significance seems almost as elusive as it is palpable. Fortunately, diversity of form and subject is more apparent than real. The theological atmosphere and problematic shaped by Bultmann may be traced to concepts and procedures available to any critical reader. While it is quite correct to note, as did Hans Jonas on the Feiertag celebrated in honor of Bultmann in Marburg, November 16,1976, that it is impossible to separate the man from his writings, for he lived as he wrote,4 we are not here primarily concerned with Bultmann's personal psychological integrity, striking as it is. It may, however, be accurate to say that this escalating unity of life and work...
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...Newport News, VA www.parkview-umc.org One day, Jesus took Peter and James and John with Him up onto a high mountain, and “There he was transfigured before them.” The Greek word metamorphothe is translated as ‘transfigured’. But our understanding of the English word—metamorphosis—as a change or transformation, can be misleading. In all actuality, the transfiguration of Jesus’ face and clothing was not a change into something new, but rather an uncovering of Who Jesus really is! Peter, James and John witnessed, if only for a moment, the glory of God revealed in the Son. This was the true Jesus. There is a lot of talk these days in theological circles as to—“Who is the Real Jesus?” Few, if any, folks will dispute the fact that a man named Jesus did indeed walk this earth 2,000 years ago, and through the work of ‘outside sources’, that is, unbiased sources outside of the Bible—like Jewish historians from that time--we know it to be fact that Jesus was indeed crucified under the watch of Pontius Pilate. And much of the historicity of the Book of Acts is also backed up by other reliable sources as well. So there can be little doubt that there was a Real Jesus… …the question that many are asking is Who that Real Jesus is. This is probably the same thing that the folks who were living during Jesus’ time on earth were asking as well—including the disciples. In the chapter before this morning’s Lesson Jesus asked His disciples: “Who do people say the Son...
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...Well this is really killing my first hypothesis. Not only is there no evidence that God can’t be in the presence of sin, now there’s physical evidence that God never left Jesus and was actually close by the whole time. Don said it’s possible that the human aspect of Jesus just felt distant from God and isolated. Is it possible that God didn’t change at all, but maybe the application of the world’s sin changed Jesus, or caused him to lose his ability to commune with God so it appeared to Jesus that God had turned away? I started to pray heavily to better understand what Jesus experienced when sin was placed on him. Was there something about his God-man nature that fundamentally changed? I developed a new hypothesis and potential closing: Jesus...
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...the New Testament would be totally adequate to prove Jesus was a real person in history. The evidence presented in the New Testament was written by contemporaries of Jesus, four were eyewitnesses, three accompanied Jesus, and all the writings are in remarkable agreement. They stand the tests of genuineness and historicity. Consider this: One may present a case for Jesus by presenting just one of the Gospels, let’s say the book written by Luke to Theophilus. Luke states, 1Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, 2just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. 3Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus.” That, in itself, is evidence. Then when adding the other gospels our case becomes stronger because we have ‘corroborating evidence.’ ***Corroborating Evidence is evidence that supports, confirms, strengthens or adds to already existing evidence.*** Then, take the NT letters that were written by Paul, Peter, James, & John and you have even more compelling, corroborating evidence. The NT alone is sufficient proof of Jesus’ historical existence. We all know that Christianity is not the worship of the man Jesus. Our faith is in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. If Jesus never existed then it is safe to say, Christianity would...
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...Running Head Biblical World View 1 Biblical World View THEO-104 D34 Paul Dioguardi LIBERTY UNIVERISTY Biblical World View 2 I want you to know as a new Christian I have learned more in Theology, Apologetics and Bible than the 30 years of going to my catalytic church and listening to the word of God. I feel the word of God coming in to my hart and I have no problem being vigilant about sinning. The Biblical world view I am going to talk to you about is Gods image from two sides. Frist I will share with you the view of the Old Testament and second I will share the view of the New Testament. The Theological world view on the Old Testament and the New Testament on Gods image there is no big contradictions if you understand how to read the narratives and understand the Bible. I will say that in the Old Testament narratives do talk more about man made from God image from flesh narratives then flesh and bone narratives except one passage. The characteristics of...
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...Excerpted from Critical Companion to the Bible a Literary Reference Reading the Bible as Literature The Bible was written by many human authors, some of whom are known with certainty and some of whom are disputed. What is more, if you were to ask believing Jews or Christians, they would name a different author of the Bible: God is said to have “inspired” the writing of the Scriptures. The Bible is a religious book, not just for one community of faith, but for several: Jews and Christians of different denominations, including both Catholic and Protestant traditions. These groups disagree as to which books actually belong in the Bible. In addition, over time, several different approaches to interpreting the Bible have been developed by these groups. In this volume, the Bible is examined mainly from a literary point of view. A literary approach to this unique book, however, will only be successful if we are conscious of the fact that it is not to be judged according to the rules of modern literature but rather as a document of the ancient Near Eastern and Jewish-Hellenistic cultures. One Book, Many Books: Which Texts Belong to the Bible The Bible is not a single, unified work but a compilation of individual texts commonly called books. Which books belong to the Bible? This question is answered differently by different religious communities. The Hebrew Bible is the Holy Scripture of the Jews. It contains books originally written in the ancient Hebrew and partly in...
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...nuggets are wisdom. The book of proverbs consistently presents the sluggard as a folly and the diligent person as wise. In following the lifestyle of a diligent wise man or one of a lazy fool is presented throughout the readings of Proverbs. “All wisdom, even things related to everyday practical matters, begins with the fear of the Lord (1:7). Therefore, Hebrew wisdom literature taught people not only how to make good choices in life but also how to make godly choices.”(The essence of the Old Testament) Solomon, wrote most of the Proverbs, is well known for the wisdom gifted him by God upon requesting it. According to the Bible Solomon’s wisdom was divinely granted and surpassed that of all other sages (1kgs 4:29-34). Even Jesus accepted the historicity of the biblical account of Solomon’s wisdom (matt12:41), and thus, there is little reason from scripture to question Solomon as the author/originator of the proverbs attributed to him.( The essence of the Old Testament). The contrast between wisdom and folly is often a Sharp contrast between righteousness and wickedness for example; the diligent person is wise while the sluggard is a fool or the one who holds his tongue is wise while the fool hastens to speak. (The essence of the Old Testament).I have often heard the definition of wisdom being knowledge applied. We can memorize scripture, teach classes, even preach from the pulpit; however, until we apply in our hearts what we know to be truth, wisdom will never be accounted...
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...1 Samuel 007:012 Samuel then took a stone and placed it between Mizpah and Jeshanah and named it Ebenezer (meaning, "the Stone of Help"), for he said, "The Lord has certainly helped us!" 1 Samuel 7:12 The church has many markers to show God''s goodness Have you ever received an award? Was the award a special plaque or a trophy? Perhaps it was a certificate or some other token of recognition. The purpose of an award is to recognize and to praise persons or groups that have made noteworthy accomplishments and contributions. They generally contain the name of the honoree, a description of the deed accomplished, a date, and the name of the presenters. Recognition of some accomplishments may get bigger than a mere plaque or certificate. Statues, busts and memorials are erected around the world to note the lifetime contributions of those who distinguished themselves in the course of time or to note the site of an historic event. Whether a small certificate or a towering obelisk, awards have a way of recognizing and marking important moments in time. Tributes usually follow a significant accomplishment. Often those receiving the tribute feel undeserving and are puzzled at the praise they receive from others. We know how to recognize people for their accomplishments, but how do we recognize God when he has helped us? That was the question that puzzled David in Psalm 116:12 when he asked "What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me?" David concluded that...
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...New Testament? The process of reading a passage is more than just simply opening the Bible, this is history this is our guide for life. It helps us to live our lives in the way God would want us too. I believe the knowledge of the historical and cultural background of the Greco Roman world influenced the interpretation of the New Testament because of the history context, the way they lived and the heinous and pleasant things they did I think all things in that frame played a part in the interpretation of the New Testament. I believe a measure of trust faith and belief is involved when interpreting a passage. Week Two The four Gospels give us four unique portraits of Jesus. Does this diverse witness to Jesus enrich our understanding of Jesus or do the four Gospels cause confusion? What aspect of Jesus’ life has been your biggest surprise in your readings in this course? In a way it does cause confusion but with them telling everything that happened back then it guides you to better understand everything that took place. Fir me the biggest surprise is still when they crucify him even though I know it happened it bring tears to my eyes every time of how they scourged and mocked him and then places the crown of thorns on his head. I would say another one being the temptations that was experienced in the wilderness....
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