...upbringing. II. The Christian worldview is based around our Holy Bible and the belief that Christ is our Savior. We believe that he died for our sins so that one day we can live eternally with him in heaven. Our worldview can sometimes be deemed the conservative view, but each and every individual is different. The bible gives us answers to the big questions of life and as Christians we choose to follow and believe. Examples are as follows, 1. The Question of Origin: How did we (humans) get here and where did we come from? Biblically, it is written in Genesis that we were made from God’s hands to be a direct reflection of Him. Genesis 1:26-27. Also written in the bible is that he is the creator of ALL things. The tallest mountains, the deepest oceans, animals, plants, is it all his creation. Genesis 1:1-25 2. The Question of Identity: What did God create humans to be? Where did I come from? These are questions that come to mind when thinking of this topic. Many people without a biblical view struggle with these questions and have trouble finding their identity. Others find their passion and things they excel at and use that as their identity. Christians believe we were put here to become a body of Christ and to spread the word to all the nations. Colossians 3:1-4, 1 Corinthians 12:27, Jeremiah 1:5 3. The Question of Meaning and Purpose: These are closely connected to the question of identity. The way Christians find purpose is...
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...means understanding and knowing the way another culture lived and lives. It means finding out the way the view things and the way they perceive things versus the way I perceive things. II. When it comes to the question of Origin many people are left wondering where we came from and what kind of support do we have for any answers that may be given? Well, Isaiah 45:18 says “For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is no one else”. Isiah 45:12 even says that God created man. Identity is raised as another question that many have. Where did we get our identity and how was this decided? Although many scientific explanations can tell us why we look how we look, why we are male versus female, and what genes we may carry that lead to shorter lives, ultimately, God created us in his vision. He gave us our identity. Genesis 1:27 says “So God created man in his image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.” Jeremiah 1:5 says “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee”. Meaning and Purpose. I once read a book called “The Purpose Driven Life” by Rick Warren. It was a book about why we are here and it helps us discover who we are inside. So often people ask themselves what the point in life is. Some look to the bible to find answers and they read quotes such as Ephesians 2:10 “For we are his workmanship...
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...It is the influence by which we think and make decisions about every aspect of our life. (Words: 71) What is a Christian Worldview A Christian Worldview is formulated through the teachings of the Bible. There are five important questions that are addressed when identifying our worldview. The questions include our origin, identity, meaning and purpose, morality, and destiny. Christians have a definite and absolute answer for each of these questions that can be supported by the bible. These truths will inspire our perspective and provide us with reliable answers to carry out the purpose for our life. The first question in the Christian worldview concerns origin. How did life begin and how did mankind come into existence? Christians believe that God spoke the world into existence, and creation began from nothing. (Weider & Gutierrez, 2014) In six days, God created everything (including mankind), and He created man in His image. (Genesis 1:27) Creation of man began with Adam. God created him from the dust of the earth. He breathed the breath of life in his nostrils, and Adam became alive. (Genesis 2:7) Mankind is unique and special to God because He created us with abilities that set us apart from all other living things. The second question is regarding identity. What does it mean to be human and are humans more important...
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...framework a person bring to decision-making, and a filter or lens which a person uses to interpret life and the word around them. The Biblical Worldview Origin The usual questions that are asked when finding the question of origin are “How did life begin?” and “How did mankind come into existence?” In biblical worldview, God is the reason that everything exist. The Bible says “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). It is professed by the psalmist, David that God is his creator (Psalms 136: 13 -16). Identity “What does it mean to be human?” and “Are humans more important than animals?” are the questions asked to seek the answer of the question of identity. In biblical worldview, God created mankind above the animal because it says in the bible that men and women were created in Gods image. The bible tells us that we are supposed to take of the animals (Genesis 1:26-27). Psalms 8:5 states that man was created “little lower than angels.” Meaning and Purpose The specific question that is mainly asked to answer the question of meaning and purpose is that “Why does mankind exist?” or “Why do I exist?” In the biblical worldview, it’s about having a relationship with God and knowing God. The bible is how God reaches mankind and tell us in the bible “That they may know you, the only true God.” (John 17:3). We will worship, praise his name, and spread the word of God to fulfill his ultimate plan. One of the verse that I that helps answer the question...
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...The Conditional Impact of Educational Attainment JOSEPH O. BAKER Department of Sociology and Anthropology East Tennessee State University Public acceptance of evolution remains low in the United States relative to other Western countries. Although advocates for the scientific community often highlight the need for improved education to change public opinion, analyses of data from a national sample of American adults indicate that the effects of educational attainment on attitudes toward evolution and creationism are uneven and contingent upon religious identity. Consequently, higher education will only shift public attitudes toward evolution and away from support for teaching creationism in public schools for those who take non-“literalist” interpretive stances on the Bible, or to the extent that it leads to fewer people with literalist religious identities. Keywords: evolution, creationism, religious identity, education, science and religion, public policy. INTRODUCTION Acceptance of evolution and support for creationism has been publicly debated since the initial diffusion of Darwin’s theory about the origin of species, particularly in the United States (Numbers 1998, 2006). From before the infamous Scopes Trial (see Larson 1997) to the present, many Americans have resisted ideas about evolution, leading to a relatively low global ranking on public acceptance of the theory (Miller, Scott, and Okamoto 2006). Although the scientific community and legal decisions...
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...and the world around them” (59). People may claim that they don’t have a worldview but that isn’t true everyone has a worldview whether they know it or not. A person’s worldview helps them deal with everyday issues. 106 Part II. There are three types of worldviews that can help answer the five questions of origin, identity, meaning/purpose, morality, and destiny. The three types of worldviews are naturalism, pantheism, and theism. The question of origin, how did life begin? And how did mankind come into existence? According to theism everything is in existence because of God, that he is the creator of everything in life including human life. The bible supports this belief, as shown in Genesis 1:1 and in Jeremiah 32:17 both referring to how God alone created the heavens and the earth and that nothing was too great for him. I think that most Christians believe the theist approach of answering the questions of origin because the scripture teaches you that everything including the heavens, the earth, and human life was all created by God. Also the apostle’s creed backs up the belief that God was the creator of everything from the beginning. The question of Identity, what does it mean to be human? Are humans more important than animals? According to Naturalism mankind and animals come from the same ancestry so they really are no different and mankind shouldn’t be valued higher than animals. Theism sees...
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...sense of reality. It is a person’s philosophy of life just as colored glasses let you see the world in different colors, Everyone’s worldview lets them see the world in different ways to each person. (Presentation: What is Worldview) Christian Worldview Part II Origin In “Gen 1:1” It says that God created the heavens and the Earth, though there are many views on how life Started this is what Christians believe when asked “How did life begin?” We believe this because as Christians we follow the bible and it’s stated first thing. As stated by Dawson McAllister God created mankind to fulfill his eternal plan, though he did not need us, we are here to teach his word to guide others to eternal life. Identity Galatians 5:22-23 Being human means to be joyful, to be loving, kind, faithful and gentle, but it also means we make mistakes because we are granted free will we are tempted by unholy things, God created humans. When he made Adam and Eve he let them decide to name his creations, animals are not meant to be treated less than humans, God made animals with the same love and creativity that he made Adam and Eve. “Mankind should not be viewed or valued as superior species” Meaning/Purpose Mankind was created to take what God created and make the best of it, we to this day, are still discovering Gods creations...
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...In the film ‘The Shawshank Redemption’ by Frank Darabont, it informs us about the hardships in the prison of Shawshank and hopes to achieve freedom. The characters in Shawshank Redemption present a variety of social issues. Throughout Andy and Red’s sentence in prison, issues of identity, motivation, and anxiety are brought about within the film. Darabont shows us the affects of prison life during and after a prisoner’s sentence in prison. Shawshank Redemption portrays these social issues through the movies’s theme of finding freedom. The idea freedom is presented in the scene earlier in the film, when one of the prisoners ask Andy at the cafeteria ‘are you gonna eat that?’Andy didn’t want the food and handed it over which was fed to the tiny bird in the other mans pocket. The bird symbolizes freedom because when it had fully grown and was able to fly, it was set free by the man who took care of it. Freedom is shown by the production technique, lighting. The event that takes place in a dark jail cell, light shines through the bars of a little window where the bird is set free. We understand the idea freedom when the bird flies out towards the light and freedom and is no longer confined inside the pocket of the man also kept in jail. During the 1940’s, a young banker named Andy Dufresne arrives at Shawshank prison in Portland after being falsely accused of murdering his wife and her lover. In this high security prison Andy experiences isolation and harsh treatment by both inmates...
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...differences, and the fact that people live in fear of revealing their true identities. Waknuk’s religion can be compared to some religions in contemporary society in a few ways. Firstly, it is evident that both societies have their own bible and expectations from their God. In the Waknuk religion, they believe in something called “The Definition of Man,” which outlines certain traits that Waknukians are required to have in order to be regarded as human. If anybody does not measure up to their Definition of Man, they are not considered human and “it is a blasphemy against the true image of God and hateful in the sight of God.” (Wyndham 13) This Definition of Man is drilled into their minds from birth until they are brainwashed. This is demonstrated when David Storm says, “The Definition of Man recited itself in my head: ‘…. And each leg shall be jointed twice and have one foot, and each foot five toes,” (13) In contemporary Christian religion, the Bible sets out certain expectations as well. For example, God expects his people to obey the Ten Commandments, to be good Samaritans, to show kindness to the poor, and to accept and love those who are different. In both societies the bible has been around for thousands of years. “And only the Bible has survived from the time of the Old People themselves.” (39) The Old People were those who lived before Waknuk’s God sent the Tribulation and those are the ones who had the Bible. Secondly, Waknuk’s religion and contemporary Christianity...
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...Running head: ABRAHAM'S PROMISES Abraham's Promises Samantha Langford Fr. Joe Hirsh World Religions May 10, 2009 Regis University Abraham's Promises In this we shall discuss and review some areas of conflict as well as the covenants, circumcision, characteristics, and touch on the roots of Abraham. Abraham gave his life to obeying God and his word and finding favor in God’s eyes. Abraham received plenty from the Lord just for his obedience as well as his descendants. The covenant is a basic agreement between two parties. Some covenants often promise rewards or blessings for people who agree to keep the covenant. In the past covenants were sealed by blood or animal sacrifices. The covenant may have been made between family members, kings, states, or God himself. Those who did not keep a covenant was punished or even cursed. Often times the covenant would display a sign or symbol as a reminder of the covenant, such as: Adam and Eve disobeyed and received death, Jesus covenant was displayed through the cup and the drinking of wine as if it were his blood, the rainbow with Noah, and circumcision with Abraham. It is said Abraham shall be numerous and become a great nation while inheriting the Promised Land Cannon later to become Israel while others become blessed in and through him and their sign of the covenant was through circumcision. Abraham believed in monotheism, he believed in the promise from God of receiving the “Holy Land” and that he was the chosen one...
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...Symbolism, theme, and other literary elements within literature Michelle Deckard ENG125 Instructor Heather Neilson 08/18/2014 Symbolism, theme, and other literary elements within literature Literary works are a way of escaping or comparing to day to day life. Many works can grab you with extensive word usage, language, emotion, and even setting. Symbolism which is used in most literary works such as, The Worn path, by Eudora Welty and Good country people by Flannery O’Connor which also have similar themes. Theme consistent in both works is similar due to the religious nature portrayed in, The Worn path and Good country people. Though each are similar each portray a different aspect of faith, from redemption to triumph. Perception of literary elements based on the characters within each work, are portrayed differently the overall themes are similar. Symbolism can be described as one thing meaning more than its literal meaning. (Clugston, 2014) For instance, Welty’s, The Worn path, is seen instantly like: “Seem like there is chains about my feet, time I get this far, she said, in the voice of argument old people keep to use with themselves. Something always take a hold of me on this hill-pleads I should stay.” (Saunders, 1992) The worn path itself is symbolic of the journey of life that has been traveled many times over. Even the character, Phoenix Jackson, her name alone is a symbol. Phoenix is representative of a mystical bird that rises in the air...
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...and Thumbelina and by Hans Christian Andersen Hans Christian Andersen promotes a resounding meaning of morality throughout his fairy-tales, (1), as eighteenth century author Schiller stated “deeper meaning resides in fairy tales told to me in my childhood than the truth that is taught in life.” (2) He is able to present various morals specifically targeted towards children by using an intricate web of symbols throughout his tales. The underlying roots of Andersen’s tales could be ascribed to Christian ideology and teachings which are depicted in the Bible. The symbols are used individually in order to implant Christian ideas subtly in the mind of the child reader which otherwise may be concepts which are too large for the young reader to grasp. Andersen also uses his tales as allegories for Bible teachings. They stand as “metaphorical representation(s)” (3) of various Christian teachings, mirrored as they are written in the Bible. The symbols and allegories used allow a deeper engagement of the text and explore morality issues in hopes of educating young children in terms of Christian morality. Critic Ruth Eshbaugh remarked upon Andersen’s work that “there is no real evidence he is trying to teach spiritual lessons in any of his works.” (4) However in disagreement with this statement I have explored the symbols and allegories that Andersen uses to indorse Christian morals in two of his popular tales. In the tale ‘Thumbelina’, Andersen utilises a number of symbols in order to...
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...| Rastafarians & Muslims | Critical Analysis | | Jedaila Astwood | 9/18/2013 | There are many things that stand out in the world as we have come to know today. As time changes so do the world, our societies are now modern and complex. These societies have majority and minority groups of people. A minority group can be defining as the physical appearance and cultural practices that are different from those of a dominant group. Very often unequal treatment is bestowed upon the minority groups. There are a number of minority groups for example; racial, ethnic, gender, age, sexuality, people with disabilities and religious minorities. In this essay, I will discuss the similarities and differences between the Rastafarians and Muslims, and their struggle of assimilation and dominance. “Islam is the proper name to use when referring to the religion practiced by Muslims. It is an Arabic word that means two things: to surrender your will to God and to acquire peace in your soul. The legitimacy of using this word comes from the Muslim Holy Book, the Qur’an; and it is the only name Muslims use to refer to their religion” (Emerick, 2002). Research by Emerick (2002) states the five pillars of Islam are; Shahadah declaring allegiance to God, Salat daily prayer, Zakat annual charity, Saum month-long fasting, Hajj the pilgrimage to Mecca. According to Muslims, in order to become a Muslim you must believe and practice the five pillars of Islam. Arguably, the central theme...
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...[Title Here, up to 12 Words, on One to Two Lines]Lisa Hillquist Liberty University Part I: What is a worldview? A worldview is what all of us use to guide us in everything that we do. Our worldview guides us in how we relate to others, make decisions, to how we even buy groceries. The word “worldview” is translated from the German word welt which means “world” and anschanung which means “perception” (Hinson and Cantor, The Popular Encyclopedia of Apologetics, 2008) A worldview is all encompassing thoughts and views that we have about life. How we believe and think whether it be right or wrong is how we view the world. We each have been influenced in our lives from parents, friends, media, to what we have decided on our own (our own personality). Each one of us can look at the same thing and come up with many different answers, it’s how we perceive the world and how we think. If we each were blindfolded and were told to touch a platypus and we had never seen one before we would all come up with different opinions of what the animal was, we might even say that it was some kind of weird duck. As a Christian your worldview needs to be aligned with the Word of God. In 2 Timothy 2:15-16 (ESV) we should be careful in what we say that we should not lead others astray. 218 Part II: 1. The Question of Origin: How did life begin? How did mankind come into existence? There are many secular theories of how life has come into being, but as Christians we believe...
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...• God could not be known through sensory experience or logical argument • Ordinary language cannot do justice to religious experience, because it is an experience beyond normal sense-experience • Religious language is a ‘schema’ – an attempt to find clusters of words which approach the idea of expressing an inexpressible idea • God is ‘wholly other’ – completely different and distinct to humans • Humans are not able to know God unless he chooses to reveal himself • The numinous is where God reveals himself and his revelation is felt on an emotional level Objections • Confusing regarding the issue of whether knowledge of God is gained through experience • He says the theological ideas come after the experience • He implies that numinous experience is a ‘once and for all’ experience – implies there can be no further experience • To suggest that all religious experiences are numinous is limiting as other forms are so well documented Friedrich Schleiermacher (1768-1834) – inspired Otto He agreed that religious experiences are primarily emotional and that every person has a consciousness of the divine. These emotions are deeper than reason and it is ‘self-authenticating;’ not requiring testing to see if it is genuine. Doctrines such as the creed were attempts by individuals to understand their religious experience. He disagreed with this because the experiences should have priority and statements of belief should be formulated to fit them. He contended that the experiences...
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