...In James Weldon Johnson’s publication of God’s Trombone, he includes several sermons, as well as illustrations provided by Aaron Douglas, a leading artist during the Harlem Renaissance. Johnson and Douglas revamp the way readers, specifically African Americans of the South, viewed God. One particular sermon, “The Creation,” tells the story of creation from a different viewpoint. Throughout this sermon, Johnson provides his readers with humanistic qualities of God. In lines 1-4, Johnson uses words, like “lonely,” to represent God as a personal being who is near and close, unlike the Old Testament version, which depicts God as distant and ominous. In lines 5-13, Johnson tells how God separated the light on one side, and darkness on another. Douglas incorporates this into his illustration by using different colors and hues. Douglas shows the darkness of the world gradually growing lighter by the moon. He also chose the color purple for God’s hand, which represents royalty. Johnson goes on to say that “God rolled the light around in his hands until He made the sun” (lines 15-16). This shows that God carefully molded and formed everything, exactly like He wanted it to be. Johnson also states in lines 18-21 that “God gathered it up in a shining ball and...
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...The sermon at the mount is a collection of teachings and sayings that Jesus preaches to people at Galilee. It takes place after Jesus had been baptized by John the Baptist. This is the longest teaching by Jesus in a single preaching. It is found in the New Testament in the book of Matthew. It transverses chapter five to seven of the Gospel of Matthew. The main theme of sermon of the mountain is how people should relate with other people and God. The sermon is preached at a mountain when Jesus saw the crowd and his disciples’ were following him, he sat at a level ground on the mountain and started to preach. The Preaching’s can be divided it four major parts; The Beatitudes, Lord’s Prayer and parables. Beatitudes The word beatitude comes from a Latin phrase “beatitudo” which means blessedness. The beatitudes are eight in number and all have similar characteristics in that they all begin with the word blessed. The beatitudes come from doing eight different things in a certain manner. Six of the beatitudes are futuristic in nature in that they say what will happen, while two of them have a present tense. The beatitudes are from Mathew chapter five from verse three to ten. The first beatitude is found in the book of Matthew chapter five verses three and it states; blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. The beatitude is futuristic since it promises a future reward. The beatitude tries to explain that the kingdom of heaven belongs to those people who...
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...Jonathan Edwards was born on Oct. 5, 1703, in East Windsor, Connecticut. In Johnathan Edwards "Personal Narrative", he reflects on his experience with religion during his childhood. Hes long appeared to me perfectly ineffable, and swallowing up all thought and imagination; like an infinite deluge, or mountains over my head. I know not how to express better what my sins appear to me to be, than by heaping infinite upon infinite, and multiplying infinite by infinite”(276). Edward realized through continuous struggles and sins that true religious experience originates from God and can be reached beyond emotions, actions, thoughts, and etc. Edwards gave this sermon "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" to his congregation in Enfield, CT, in 1741....
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...the life, ministry and teaching of Jesus, and he places this message soon after Jesus' baptism and calling of the disciples. The Beatitudes are the opening section of the Sermon on the Mount, the longest recorded teaching during Christ's lifetime. We will begin by looking at this section as it lays within the book of Matthew and then go to a more in-depth exegetical study. Literary Context The most popular approach to Matthew's structure is the presentation of five major discourses, each ending with a formula statement that is foreign to other Biblical discourses, placed in a framework of narrative[1] (Talbert 15). In fact, "the five discourses are so clearly marked, from a literary point of view, that it is well-nigh impossible to believe that Matthew did not plan them" (Carson 63). Each of these discourses brings forth a topic of central importance for both the gospel rendition of the historical Jesus and the later experience of the church (Batdorf 26). The narrative section leading to the first discourse, from Matthew 3:1 to 4:25, chronicles not simply the biography of a man preparing for ministry, but the establishment of Messianic history and authority. We come to an understanding of Matthew's first and foremost discourse, the Sermon on the Mount, only on the basis of chapters 1-4 (Batdorf 24). This sermon, which immediately follows the choosing of the twelve, marks the beginning of Jesus' training of His disciples and a change in His method of teaching. It is His first systematic...
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...the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16 (English Standard Version Study Bible) The Lamp on a Stand is a short two verse parable in the Gospel of Matthew, part of Jesus’ famous Sermon on the Mount. The Sermon on the Mount is the first of five major discourses in the Gospel of Matthew (English Standard Version Study Bible). During this Sermon, Jesus is talking to His disciples (5:1) about the Kingdom of Life and how it applies to their everyday world. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus expounds on how a Christian, who believes in Christ as their Lord and Savior, ought to live in this life. These teachings are challenging, but they are also practical and ethical; providing a framework for His followers. In the beginning of the Sermon, Jesus provides His disciples with the beatitudes, following with a commission, which includes the Lamp on a Stand parable. Before the Lamp parable is the comparison with salt (5:13); Jesus says that his disciples are the salt of the earth. He uses salt because salt is beneficial for many different things, which is how the disciples are going to influence the world. Jesus says that salt that becomes dull is useless except to be thrown out and trampled down by the...
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...Nichole Pinson Professor Slattery TH-150 Introduction to Theology 13 December, 2015 Reflection: The Sermon On The Mount Abstract The purpose of this research is to examine the significance of the Sermon of the Mount and how it relates to me personally. It is important to recognize that the principles underpinning Judaism is not a single belief instead a variety of belief systems. Through my research, I have drawn parallels and differences between Judaism and Christianity with respect to their belief system, and worldview. The paper affirms that Judaism has had a profound influence on the overall lifestyle, social interactions, cultural practices, and the religious history for the Jewish community. Introduction What does Judaism mean in the life of a Jewish person? In order to properly analyze “Judaism” one must first understand both the origin and the significance of the term Judaism. The term was first used in the intertestamental period by Greek-speaking Jews to distinguish their religion from Hellenism. According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, Judaism is defined as “a religion developed among the ancient Hebrews and characterized by belief in one transcendent God who has revealed himself to Abraham, Moses, and the Hebrew prophets and by a religious life in accordance with Scriptures and rabbinic traditions.” Simply put, Judaism is the intricate religious and cultural history for the diverse people known as the Jewish community. Judaism plays...
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...acclaimed civil rights leader -- is possibly the best remembered for his effective speech, “I Have A Dream,” in which he expressed his ambition for peace and racial equality. The 17-minute speech was given to thousands of people at the Lincoln Memorial and televised live to millions on August 28, 1963. King urged America to acknowledge people of all races to be united and free. He used his knowledge as a preacher and used anaphora, parallelism, and historical references to grab the attention of his audience. King’s experience as a preacher and as a civil rights activist was evident in the artistry of the speech. With King’s experience as a preacher, he has given numerous sermons in his lifetime. He has formed a technique that he continuously practices in his sermons, so his audience can relate to him and make the sermon more effective. His technique includes rhetorical devices such as anaphora and parallelism. An essential element of a preacher is being charismatic. This is a part of his technique because that charm is so compelling that it inspires devotion in others. King’s charisma also affects his...
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...Fatherly Figures It is a privilege to have an earthly father figure because everyone is not fortunate to have one. Although, we must not forget that we always have a heavenly father figure. James Baldwin’s Go Tell It On The Mountain thoroughly educates both black and white communities on the significance of fatherly figures in the black community. Gabriel Grimes served as John and Roy’s earthly fatherly figure. He also aimed to show John and his siblings that their heavenly father figure can do much more than their earthly father. There are many forms of symbolism and figurative language throughout this novel that measures the roles God and Gabriel portrayed. As we identify Gabriel’s style of character, associate his character with Baldwin’s other works, and discuss conflicts he encountered with John we will better uncover Gabriel’s character. Gabriel Grimes was the head deacon and a preacher at Temple of the Fire Baptized. The name of the church presents an image to the readers that Gabriel, who was a troubled child, was “made new” when he began his leadership in the church. The “fire” represents Gabriel’s wild and sinful youth and “baptized” portrays him being born again to later purse preaching. Another form of analogy found in Baldwin’s The Fire Next Time also uses fire as unmoral behavior. “Everything inflamed me, and that was bad enough, but I myself had also become a source of fire and temptation.” (25) After reading this text, I...
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...final book of the Law, Deuteronomy completes the Torah scrolls written around “1405 BC at the end of the wilderness wanderings.” Hindson & Towns, supra 83 Within Deuteronomy there are some “narrative material” as well as “legal material,” but it is primarily of a “sermonic” writing of the law. Deuteronomy is divided into three divisions of past, preset and future where the beginning tells Israel’s history proceeding to the present where Israel’s laws are recorded into principles, priorities and practice. In the end the writings conclude with Israel’s destiny where their covenant was ratified and community was prepared. “Moses begins with his first sermon as a covenant renewal for the second generation who were born of the wilderness.” Hindson & Towns, supra 85 Through the recording of Israel’s laws, Moses’ second sermon “articulates the covenant law and its application.” Hindson & Towns, supra 85 The principles speak of loving God, which emphasizes a “matter of the heart.” Loving God was not just a ritual nor was it required, but it was and still is of “spiritual devotion” that would ultimately result in giving the “Israelites the land of Canaan as a gift of His grace.” Hindson & Towns, supra 86 The priorities of Israel’s covenant contained the laws as explained by Moses that the second generation would most likely encounter. Moses then strongly encourages the practice of the Covenant by the Israelites in remembering how God has blessed them. In Israel’s...
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...often musical compositions known as “Chants”. Religion also includes emotional experisnces such as gulit, dread, devotion, liberation, bliss, “rebirth”, and inner peace. Any form of religious teaching is a way to teach someone to live or suggest that they follow these rules and live by the words spoken to them. Forms of religious teachings could be through books, music, or even art. It is just a way to teach the people of that religion right from wrong. Within most religions there is a sacred text. Hindus follow a scripture that divides into two parts which are the revealed and the remembered. Hindus put the Vedas and the Upanishads on a pedestal and believes the scriptures hold all authority. Buddhism follows the sermon by Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha. The sermon was about the Four Noble Truths and these truths are suffering, anxiety, stress, and...
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...Supernatural: The Life of William Branham Book 6: The Prophet and His Revelation 1960 – 1965 by Owen Jorgensen 1 Acknowledgments: In a project of this magnitude, it is understandable that I should owe many people a debt of gratitude for their help. First of all I want to thank Pearry Green for his vision, his encouragement and his efforts in publishing and distributing these books. I also want to thank Saundra Miles, David Buckley, Jay Weber, and the other people who spent many hours editing and proof reading the six manuscripts in this series. Their suggestions helped to make this a better book and a more accurate account of William Branham‘s life. Also, I want to thank Steven and Kathy Strooh, who put these books into audio format for all those people who would rather listen than read. I must certainly thank those people who have translated these books into their native languages: Spanish, Portuguese, French, German, Russian, Norwegian, Hindi, and many other languages. Supernatural: the Life of William Branham took me 17 years to complete. I was 34 when I started and 51 when I finished. To put that into perspective, my four children were in grade school when I began writing this biography. By the time I finished, three of my children were married and I had nine grandchildren. During the 17 years I worked on this project, my life had its ups and downs. I want to thank everyone who prayed for me during those 17 years. Finally I want to thank my four children—Benaiah...
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...Jesus and Muhammad Anthony Ebron 3/1/2009 Trace the lives of Jesus and Muhammad historically. Compare what impact the death of each person had on his respective religion. Describe the ways each individual was/is worshipped. Explain how their messages are being carried out in the world today. Jesus and Muhammad Paper Life of Jesus: There is very little historical proof of the life of Jesus outside of the Bible. What Christians believe about Jesus’ life and teachings is based largely on biblical texts, particularly the first four books of the New Testament, which are called the gospels. These books seem to have been written around forty to sixty years after Jesus’ death. They are based on the oral transmission of the stories and discourses, which may have been influenced by the growing split between Christians and Jews. The gospels were first written down in Greek and perhaps Aramaic, the everyday language that Jesus spoke, and then copied and translated in many different ways over the centuries. Jesus was probably born a few years before the first year of what is now called the Common Era. Traditionally, Christians have believed that Jesus was born in Bethlehem. Jesus’ mother was Mary, who was a virgin when she conceived him by Holy Spirit; her husband was Joseph, a carpenter from Bethlehem. No other stories are told about Jesus’ childhood in Nazareth until he was twelve years old. He accompanied his parents on their yearly trip to Jerusalem for Passover. Left behind...
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...makes and looking into what they mean. He uses an emphatic “I Am” to bring out important teachings about his person. Most of these statements are known by Christians. The first of these eight sayings, and the one in which this paper will focus on, is taken from John 6:35 when Jesus says “I am the bread of life, the one who comes to me shall not hunger, the one who believes in me shall never thirst.” This is probably one of the most well known of the “I Am” statements, partially because of the events that came just before it. It is important to include that one of the sign miracles precedes this ‘I Am” statement. It is the people’s desire for more food that sets up the sermon given by Jesus the day after this sign is given. The fourth sign is the feeding of the 5,000. Jesus and His disciples are on a mountain when a group of people begins walking toward them because they had seen the signs he performed. Jesus asked Philip where they could get food for the people to eat, although Jesus knew what was going to happen. Andrew found the small boy who had the five barley loaves and two small fish and Jesus told the disciples to have the crowd sit. After giving thanks for the food, Jesus began distributing it and after everyone had their fill, there was enough left over to fill twelve baskets After Jesus fed the people with the two fish and five loaves of bread, He left without the people...
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...“Yes,” Betty said, acknowledging Jennifer. “What is the Mayor’s plan take care of the haunted mountain? I wish someone would do something,” Jennifer said. The others agreed and Betty looked surprised. “What do you think is going on up there?” She asked. “No one around here can explain the screams and lights up there. They just call them, the haunted mountains. It is so frightening that most of us will not go near them,” Nancy said and waited for someone else to respond. “James and I have discussed the issue several times, he is not sure the mountain poses a threat to the town. We are aware of the activities up there. He thinks someone is playing a sick joke, and his office is taking care of it. Whoever heard of a haunted mountain?” Betty declared...
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...slightest available chance. He starts at the synagogue where Jews and gentiles worshipped and then goes to the market place. He then encounters the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers who bring him to Areopagus to preach. Authorship The author of the book of Acts is not mentioned in the book itself. However, at the beginning of Acts 1:1, the book is addressed to Theophilus as in Luke 1:1-4. The author may have seen some of the happenings of the early church but was not an original witness to the workings of Jesus. In addition, the author distinguishes himself from other gospel writers in that he distinctly addresses the intended audience at the beginning of his book. This study explores the sermon which led people to Christ. In this case, Apostle Paul makes an extraordinary address, a sermon that was proclaimed to a pluralistic society. His audience is largely comprised of idol worshipers (Acts 17:16), stoic and Epicureans philosophers, and those who had converted and practice Judaism. It is therefore evident that not all these people are Christians; neither do they have a common worldview. In...
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