Theology

The last two papers discussed the image of God in the Old and New Testaments. Genesis 1-3 outlines the creation of the world and humanity, the creation of man woman; and how creation harmony was shattered by the fall. Creation reaches its climatic order with the announcement and creation of humanity. Humanity is created in the “Image and “Likeness” of Yahweh. Humanity, as Imago Dei was created and given dominion of all the earth, to reproduce and oversee the earth through a stewardship mandate. Jesus Christ—Yahweh incarnate—is the perfect Image of God to humanity (Col 1:15). Through the death and resurrection of Christ, those who believe in Him, have transformation power through the Holy Spirit to die to sin and live in Christ. Living in Christ means to function in harmony and morality through His Spirit. What does living in Christ look like for humanity today? This paper will examine different theological perspectives on humanity in terms of unity and race.

Theology simply means thinking about God and expressing those thoughts in some way. In this light, even atheists have a theology. An atheist thinks about God, rejects His existence, and expresses that sometimes in belief and in lifestyle. A follower of a non-Christian religion has their way of seeing the God and humanity. In some cases, the person in the non-Christian religion has substituted their phony deity for the true God and shows off that theology in various ways. The word “theology,” from theos meaning God and logos meaning rational expression, means the rational interpretation of religious faith. Christian theology thus means the rational interpretation of the Christian faith.

It is import to understand that humanity’s purpose or destiny as Imago Dei; is to know, love, and walk with God. God made humanity in His image and enabled us to share His divine attributes. But to know him and respond to him is the fundamental distinguishing characteristic shared by all humanity. All other characteristics of the human race are incidental to one’s humanity. Sin has distorted everything within the creative order of God. Sin distorts humanity and the call to know God in a way that works against humanity as whole. Sin take the legitimate need of unity in God and blows it out of proportion. People that differ in some way are fully human and made in His image, but in theory, society tends to treat people who are different less than others. To understand humanity and race, Millard Erickson, James Evans Jr., Antony Walton, and M. Shawn Copeland are some that offer theological insight on humanity, race, and Christianity.

Millard Erickson holds that the source, purpose, and destiny of all humanity, the characteristics of race, gender, economic status, age, the unborn fetus, and marital status become incidental to one’s created status in Christ. God has regard for all persons. Since God takes that view, it is mandatory for the believer to adopt a comparable view and to practice godly reverence for all humanity. This is especially true for those who may be subject to discrimination. This is a hard but necessary pill the church must swallow. Unity must come from the people of God. “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:18; Col 3:11).”

James Evans Jr. holds that genuine church leadership (in the black church) requires sound theological judgment. Therefore, Black Theology differs from traditional theology in much the same way that African American Christianity differs from the Christianity of Europe and the North Atlantic. As a result, the first Africans set foot on American soil, people of African descent have had unique experience with faith and the New World. Africans held on to their inherent philosophical heritage, a distinguishing religious awareness; encountered the most ruthless form of slavery in human history; and was introduced to Christianity by those that enslaved them. Therefore, African American theological development is best understood as the convergence of an African-derived worldview, the complexities of the slavery experience, oppression, survival, rebellion, and adjustment in the New World, and their encounter with the biblical text. Environment and culture has much in which a person perceives the Gospel message and humanity. Resulting with imposing personal biases on the scripture. During slavery, civil war, and post reconstruction, there were very few Negro Americans that had the ability to read. So much of what was understood about the Gospel was by oral tradition and folklore.

Anthony Walton holds that the American society views humanity and race needs to change. Predominately, we think in terms of racial clichés and untruths, and therefore think in clichés and untruths. He holds that that our country is not becoming post-racial; it is becoming more racial, multiracial, for-the first-time-everybody-is-speaking-up racial. There for the discussion of race is not ending but a new phase is beginning, a phase when race and its place in American life can and will actually be discussed. Walton solution is very radical and interesting in His theology of the Church. He believes Christians must take the same energy used to divide humanity and show Christ’s love to those that are often hated against. Over the last 50 years taking sides and pointing fingers does not work. If social injustice is viewed from the vantage point of a natural disaster, he believes will help to reconcile humanity. When a natural disaster occurs, we recognize the collateral damage and begin working a plan to fix and alleviate the situation. There is no judging, instead we focus on the situation, identify those in need and act. In this manner the church is needed. Instead of causing the hurt, the church needs to mend it by providing a voice of love, assistance, and education.

Mary Shawn Copeland offers insight on Black Theology but moves away to a more inclusive theology of humanity and race. She expresses historically most white Christian theologians have given little attention to slavery or racism, as a result lead to the strengthening of black theology after the assignation of Rev. Dr. Martin L King Jr. Too often, Christians not only failed to defy slavery and condemn tolerance of racism; they supported it and benefited from these evils and ignored the very Gospel they had pledged to preach. She discusses that racism has become subtler in form and practice. Finding its way into housing laws, hiring practices, education, and real estate to name of few. The invisible form of injustice is termed Elegant Racism. To combat it Christian Scholars and the Church, both black and white, work in the service of faith—exposing racism’s sin against the body of Christ, its desecration of the sacraments and celebration of the Eucharist, its disruption of the bonds of charity and love that draw us into union with God and one another.

God’s sovereignty is expressed through his creative order. Human beings are the high point of God’s creation. They alone are created in his image. In God’s creative order, there was one race—the human race. The human race is the pinnacle of God’s creative work and shares the inherent limitations of the corporeal realm. Human beings are nevertheless given responsibility to manage and steward the world. Erickson notes that all races are included in God’s family and are therefore objects of his love. The human race is one entity with a common ancestry in Adam (Acts 17:26; Ge 9:18-19; 10:32-11:1). When God made humanity in His image, He gave humanity the gift of freewill; the freedom to choose (Gen 2:16-17;19). Just as our Creator has perfect will, he gave His image bearers the power of choice. For humanity to be made in God’s image defines who we are. Collectively the human race was designed to represent God in this world by working within the creative order.

The vision of humanity becomes distorted because of the fall. Sin corrupted the way in which the human race related to God and relates to one another. In this light, human race became corrupt and out of fellowship with Yahweh. As a result, humanity was no longer one race. It became a divided and scattered race (Gen 11:1-9). The desire to rule over and exploit one another is a direct result of sin. However, though the Gospel of Grace we are redeemed and as one nation being transformed in the image of Jesus Christ. In Christ there should not be a division of race, gender or socio-economic status. However, this is still prevalent in the church. Research has shown that an estimated 13.7 percent of American Churches are multiracial. Racial segregation is often a characteristic in American Christianity across denominations and congregations. An estimated 91 percent of all mainline Protestants are white as are 86 percent of evangelical Baptists. Almost 80 percent of all African-American Christians are clustered in seven major black denominations, and the remaining 20 percent are mostly in black congregations. While churches are multiracial, segregation in Christianity reinforces inequality throughout society.

This is the concern that I have with James Evens and Black Theology or any other theology based on raced. It still endorses alienation instead of unity in Christ. Paul often encourages the body of Christ to keep unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Eph 4:3). When there is unity the anointing of the Holy Spirit flows from the head to the rest of the body. Paul understood this meaning through practice and scriptures. In Psalm 133, “1Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! 2It is like the precious oil on the head”, the word brethren refer to immediate relatives, but extends to all countrymen and companions. When we become believers in Christ, humanity is born into the family of God. Born not of blood, but of God. The spiritual rebirth of His image bearers. Yes, I understand the need of black theology and why it came about, but I agree with Mary Shawn Copeland. I believe the church needs to be unified and tackle the great sin of racism together.

People that differ in some way are fully human and made in His image. God’s creative order humanity is one race. Through Christ we are redeemed and there is no division because all become one again united in Him. Unity through Christ is established by the work of the Holy Spirit. Believers must obey the counsel of the Holy Spirit and begin walking in service to others. Jesus’ divine status provides an example for believers to emulate as His imagers. Jesus humbled Himself instead of using His divine royalty and power to declare His status. Instead he suffers the brutal humiliation of death by crucifixion. Through His servitude, humbleness, and humiliation, Jesus was highly exalted above all names. Through unity the Church has to begin serving one another no matter the race or gender. 

Jonathan Edwards’s “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” uses some of the est and most interesting metaphors and similes. “Sinners in the hands of an angry God” is a puritan sermon written to bring people back to religion. Although the intent of this sermon is a common one the way in which it is written is not. It is written in such a way that even while it demeans the congregation it frightens them into submission. Edwards loes this by using metaphors and similes to create vivid imagery in people’s minds. Some of the most vital aspects of Edwards’s sermons were metaphors. Edwards used many metaphors to make his sermons more compelling and engrossing. But these metaphors could also be very abhorrent. One of the metaphors is ” We find it easy to tread on and crush a worm that we see crawling on the earth; so it is easy for us to cut or singe a slender thread that ant thing hangs by; thus easy is it for God when he pleases to make his congregation understands cast his enemies down to hell.” He uses this lin that God in omnipotent and can send them to hell whenever he wants. As harsh as this is the congregation took this in their minds as a reason to not sin, as was Edwards’s purpose. Another metaphor used by Edwards to brainwash his congregation is ” The wrath of God burns against them, their damnation does not slumber; the pit is prepared, the fire is made ready, the furnace is now hot, ready to receive them; the flames do now rage and glow.” This second metaphor closely follows the first to illustrate what hell will be like. It compares hell to a furnace, showing the heat and fire. He first tells them that God will cast them into hell on a whim then he makes them realize just how awful this would be. This shows that Edwards is a true literary genius, he understands how to affect people with his speaking. One more metaphor used by Edwards is “

The God that holds you over he pit of hell, much as one holds a spider, or some loathsome insect over the fire…” This metaphor talks about how God could care less about you, you are to him as a spider is to you. He makes it obvious that we are all nothing in the eyes of the almighty. Edwards also uses forceful narration to produce vivid imagery. His imagery forces the listeners to visualize hell and how easily they could end up there. One sentence that provokes vivid images is “It would be dreadful to suffer this fierceness and wrath of almighty God one moment; buy you must suffer it to all eternity”. Edwards conjures images of torture and everlasting pain. He asserts that not only will you go to hell but also you will indefinitely endure torture that would be unbearable for a bare moment. Another extraordinary image producing phrase is ” How awful is it to be left behind at such a day! To see so many others feasting, while you are pining and perishing! To see so many rejoicing and singing for joy of heart, while you have cause to mourn for sorrow of heart, and howl for vexation of spirit! How can you rest one moment in such a condition?” In this Edwards creates an image of everyone celebrating and generally being happy. But while this is going on you endure torture and are left behind in hell while others go to heaven. He shows just how awful those punishments given by God are. In ” Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” Edwards is able to easily convince his congregation of their wrongdoing easily. Edwards does this by using amazing imagery and innovative metaphors. Edwards constantly reminds his people that they are going to hell and how awful it will be. The sermon was extremely effective then and could well be now. For effectiveness now though, it may need to be changed in a number of ways to suit the current times and mindset.

Wednesday, I was appreciative and prayed like I said I would. When I found that I was appreciative I Just said a small thank you to God and I was proud of all the feasting that I had done. However, I found that even though I was appreciative I was still complaining. One of the things we, as Christians, are asked to do during Lent is make a sacrifice that will help us focus on resisting worldly distractions. Although complaining is not what you would normally think of as a worldly distraction such as TV or the computer, it still distracts me from God. During the first two days I realized that I had to balance my appreciation and complaining.

I could not focus wholly on one or else I would forget about the other. On both Thursday and Friday of that week I tried my best to concentrate on both my feasting and fasting and learned by the end how to keep from complaining but also appreciate everything I am given and all the opportunities I have. One of these spoken opportunities was the chance to go on the Mid-night Run. It was very fitting that this was the last day of my five-day fasting/ feasting project because I feel like I was most appreciative during this day. All the people on the Mid-night Run went into NY City and handed out clothes and food to the homeless.

At first I tried to be impartial to the whole matter because I did not want to cry in the middle of a city street. However, as the people started coming more and more I found myself feeling so sorry for them. I said a quick prayer in my head for them and that wherever they would sleep would be warm since it was so cold outside. What really affected me was when a small woman came over and asked If we had any underwear. This In particular blew my mind; I then realized how bad they must have It If a woman has to beg for underwear. Even though the five-day fasting/ feasting project is over I still try not to complain.

When I do, I think of how fortunate I am in comparison to all those people out there who wish for half the life I have. Dying to ourselves, letting go of our own wants and needs, leaves us open to invite God in, to pay attention to something other than ourselves. This experience has made me more aware of all the joy that I deprived myself of. When I stopped myself from complaining, I realized how much better I felt. I felt as if I had made the whole situation better for myself and I did. When I stopped complaining, I subsequently stopped petty arguments and cruel or annoyed moods.

Once I stopped I found yeses in a better mood altogether and I think It also rubbed off on the people around me. Overall, letting go of my own wants and needs, gave everyone an Improved attitude and allowed for more room to let God In. By not complaining I have a whole part of my life that essentially cut of. This part has now been filled with my appreciation and God. By separating myself from complaining I can turn to God and appreciative and happy I bring on that sense of fulfillment to other people. For Catholics, “dying to ourselves, we enter some way or another into Chrism’s dying and we rise to new life with Him as well. ” (TM p. 9) The new life I have been brought is one of acceptance and appreciation. As I moved through the week, I found that as I complained less, I became more and more relax as well. The complaining, when I was unable to stop myself, bothered me more than I think it bothered my parents. I found that I started to enjoy myself more as I accepted events around me. I knew I could not change that fact that it was cold outside so I accepted it for what it was and appreciated that I had clothes to keep me warm. By living this new life that was one of acceptance and appreciation I feel as if I have also opened up a new relationship tit God.

I am closer to my ultimate vocation, union with God, after having been brought this new life through my fasting/feasting project. The overall purpose of Lent is to prepare for Easter and prepare to celebrate new life with the Resurrection. It is also a period of intense preparation for catchments to enter the church. During this preparation, Christians focus on living the Kingdom of God more intensely than they do during the rest of the year. This fasting is not only a literal fast from eating, but also a chance to make a sacrifice that will help us Ochs on resisting worldly distractions.

This is self-discipline and also an opportunity to make more room for God and to move closer to him. When we fast together as a community, it is the whole church community opening themselves up to God together. My experience over the last five days has helped me live out the purpose of Lent by exposing me to the deeper meaning of the fast. Instead of Just giving up candy or chips, I have given up a part of my life that has only brought me down, and opened myself up to happiness, fulfillment, acceptance, appreciation, and a closer relationship with God.

These questions will help us to formulate the objectives and hypothesis of the study: Statement of the Problem The Authors statement of the problem are: How do the Filipinos show their devotion to the Santos Ino? What are the different tittles given to the Santos NIH in the country? What are the traditions of the Filipinos to honor the Santos Infix? How did the devotion spread rapidly n the country?

Objectives Of the Study The Authors objectives are: To know how the Filipinos show their love and devotion to the Santos NIH To develop their thoughts about the devotion of the Filipinos how they show their love to the Santos NIH To know the different traditions to honor the Santos NIH in the country To know the different tittles of the Santos NIH in the country. Scope and Limitations This study was conducted at Lice De Lily in the High School Department only. It started on June 2014. It drew up 80 respondents from the given Department. Importance of the Study

The importance of this study is the Filipinos’ faith to the Child Jesus. It aims to study the traditions, festivals, rituals, different tittles of the Santos NIH and many others. Hypothesis Advantages Know more about the traditions in the Philippines In honor of the Santos NIH Know how much the Filipinos show their love and devotion to the Santos NIH How the Filipinos dress the images of the Child Jesus Disadvantages The wrong dressing of the Santos NIH into other characters.

Writing II-1st Younger Brother Sin vs. Older Brother Sin Luke 15:11-32 is one of the most famous parables in the Bible. It is the parable of the prodigal son. This parable is about a son who runs away with his inheritance, wastes all of it, and then comes back home to his father’s open arms. Tim Keller goes more in depth into this parable with his book The Prodigal God. In this book, Keller compares the two sons’ sins, “two brothers, each of whom represents a different way to be alienated from God, and a different way to seek acceptance into the Kingdom of heaven” (9).

Throughout the book, comparisons can be made between the younger brother’s sin and the older brother’s sin. The younger brother was selfish and wanted his inheritance immediately so that he can go party. The older brother follows all of the rules to get things and doesn’t want his brother to come back. Throughout The Prodigal God, comparison can made between the two brothers’ sin in that both of their intentions are selfish and they both want control. Tim Keller’s book is more than just discussing the parable of the prodigal son.

While the tradition seems to focus more on the younger brother and his sins, Keller goes more depth with the older brother and his faults, “Most readings of this parable have concentrated on the flight and return of the younger brother-the ‘Prodigal Son. ’ That misses the real message of the story, however, because there are two brothers, each of whom represents a different way to be alienated from God, and a different way to seek acceptance into the Kingdom of heaven” (9). The first way that the older brother and the younger brother’s sins are similar is that both of their intentions are selfish.

With the younger brother, he wanted his inheritance early so he could go and party. “The young man humiliates his family and lives a self-indulgent, dissolute life. He is totally out of control. He is alienated from his father. ” (39) This behavior showed he wanted freedom for himself and that he was impatient. Keller goes on to say that the younger brother thought of his relationship with his father as unimportant and he only wanted him for his possessions. He says that once he got tired of the relationship, he basically said that he was tired of it and he wanted out.

Even though the older brother is different, his sins are still of the same context. He obeys all of his father’s rules so that he appears to be a good son, yet he is only doing these things to take advantage of his father so that he can get what he wants. “Elder brothers obey God to get things. They don’t obey God to get God himself- in order to resemble him, love him, know him, and delight in him. So religious and moral people can be avoiding Jesus as Savior and Lord as much as younger brothers say they don’t believe in God and define right and wrong for themselves” (49).

The second way in which the younger brothers and the older brother’s sins are similar is that they both want control. “There are two ways to be your own Savior and Lord. One is by breaking all the moral laws and setting your own course, and one is by keeping all the moral laws and being very, very good. ” (50) Both brothers sought to control the father. The younger brother wants the inheritance to have control over his own life. “He wanted to make his own decisions and have unfettered control of his portion of wealth. (41) The younger brother felt he could handle is life without any help, but he needed earthly treasures so that he could feel powerful. The older brother is keeping all of the rules so that he can get his way with his father. “Elder brothers do good to others, but not out of delight in deeds themselves, or for the love of the people or the pleasure of God” (70). The older brother feels his obedience should keep his father obligated to him. When his father offers the younger brother forgiveness and a feast, the older brother is angry because he has lost control over his father.

The obedience the older brother kept for so many years seems to be futile. “It is impossible to forgive someone if you feel superior to him or her. ”(63) When looked at more closely, the younger brother and older brother show an unexpected similarity in their sins throughout the parable of the prodigal son. Keller states in his book The Prodigal God that the goal of this book is to lay the essentials of the gospel, and to either introduce or reassure the message of both this story and the gospel. This parable is thought of as one of the best readings in the Bible to help someone grasp the understanding of God’s love.

The best way to lose yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others” That is one of the best quotes from Mahatma Ghandi. And that’s what social organizations are aiming for. There is no greater feeling than giving and helping other people in need. It gives your life much more meaning and purpose for we are not only here in this world only for ourselves but also for others.

Throughout the years the social organizations are undeniably increasing in numbers. Of all the myriad list of organizations in this world; the three organizations that our group had chosen are the World Vision organization, Gawad Kalinga Community Development foundation and Jesus is Lord Worldwide Organization. The World Vision Organization one goal focuses on the sponsorship of children, especially the most vulnerable.

They also identity places at risk of disaster, prepare resources and staff in high-risk zones, and build capacity and resilience among communities to help them protect themselves before an emergency and rebuild afterwards. Gawad Kalinga Community Development Foundation focuses on helping the homeless, the vulnerable, and disabled. It is a Philippine poverty alleviation and nation building. Meanwhile, Jesus is Lord Worldwide is a Christian organization which make events and programs for the sole purpose of spreading the word of God and to raise funds for charity.

This organizations works with families, communities and supporters to help ensure everybody; enjoy good health, are educated for life and to experience the love of God and their neighbors. Also they support different range of interventions including projects in education, health, nutrition, child protection, and economic development. They also set certain amount of money that can be made available every quickly launch urgent disasters responses. This three organizations have different origins and philosophy but they only have one goal. To help, serve, and support humanity.

For centuries, Adam has been deemed as the “Individual who doomed the human race” through one simple act—disobedience. Common themes throughout Genesis 3 provide peers with the notion that Eve tempted Adam and thus they created the original sin together; perhaps, the original sin spurred from a different entity altogether.

The first rebellion occurred when Lucifer challenged God’s authority in heaven. Lucifer acted upon his prideful craving of a more God-like status; ultimately leading to Lucifer being cast from the gates of heaven. This singular action is what set the stage for mankind to fail. Lucifer demonstrated not only the original sin, but the most grave of the seven deadly sins—pride.

When Lucifer was cast from the gates of heaven, he was demoted to earth. The same glorious creation that God made for man, and eventually woman. The question remains as to why God, being all-knowing, chose to permit Satan near his handiwork and his creations. Although this question is found to pose an illogical or ethical problem in those who do not credit Christianity with being factual, those who do deem God as definitive, seek the answer as—God grants the human race with free will. God desired for his creations to choose obedience and through submission, they would receive contentment for all of their days.

Lucifer enticed and infected Eve through the same mentality that led to his downfall. Prior to Eve eating the forbidden fruit, she had already displayed infidelity to God among her thoughts. Subsequently, Eve began to exhibit an envious mentality of her creator—insisting that if she too ate the forbidden fruit, she would become sagacious. According to an excerpt from Genesis, her lustful behavior is exhibited by her assertion, “Good for food, pleasing to the eyes, and desirable for gaining wisdom” (3:6).

Rather than asking her creator why this specific tree was forbidden, she became obsessed and greedy with the thought of being a God. This notion of becoming equal with God presented one of the first shortcomings in civilization. Perchance Eve indulged in the forbidden fruit because she harbored resentment toward God being omnipotent, while she was expected to be obedient.

After having tasted the forbidden fruit, through direct disobedience, she gave the fruit to Adam. Adam, whom knew the consequences, chose to eat the fruit anyway. In doing so, both Adam and Eve felt the magnitude of their actions; as they began to come to the realization that they were naked. Nakedness, in perspective to Adam and Eve, symbolizes how far they had truly fallen from grace. They had been stripped of the “good” in the world. They no longer had the protection, convenience, or pleasant conditions of the Garden of Eden due to the nature of the “wisdom” they so longed to possess.

While obedience can be seen as morally acceptable, it does not denote virtue. You can be obedient to something that possesses negative attributes. Historical evidence demonstrates this idea through the actions of Stalin, Pol Pot, and Hitler. It is dependent upon the area under discussion that determines whether it is moral or immoral. For example, when Eve rebelled, she initially felt blameless, but it was then followed with tremendous remorse due to her actions. The internal indication that she felt after committing the sin demonstrated that her rebelliousness was not only bad, but would reap consequences for all of eternity.

Based on Adam and Eve’s knowledge and experience, it is clearly shown throughout text that in order to remain in God’s image, you would have to be obedient. Obedience kept Adam and Eve in concordance with God. Obedience possessed virtue, and by being virtuous—they were good. Once rebelliousness and worldly pleasures were sought out, it created a division between them and their creator. Their actions no longer possessed virtue because their mentality had become riddled with wickedness. In turn, they would spend the rest of eternity seeking redemption for their self-inflicted perversion.