the west but to the east as well. Wright has also effectively addressed the issue of church missions being about only saving souls has been influenced by Plato’s ridiculous ideas. One aspect that I really like that Wright explored was the Idea of Gnosticism pervading the church. Many Christians, I included, have bought into the idea that the world is going to end and that the soul is the most important. This view gives a complete disregard to our bodies and creation. Wright has effectively…
According to Latourette conditions in the Greco-Roman empire favored the spread of faith ,they did not necessarily mean that Christianity would be the religion to triumph (Latouret1953;19) this implies that the competitors existed besides Judaism to which several of the competitors existed with an upper hand ,there existed religions ,cults which were maintained by the state these include gods of Rome and these cities of the empire (www.reaingacts .com)this phenomenon existed inform of Emperor…
The book is named “Heresies and How to Avoid Them”. A total of 12 writers contributed writings for the book; however, Ben Quash and Michael Ward are the editors. Ben Quash received an undergraduate and doctorate in theology from Cambridge University. He currently is an Anglican priest and Professor of Christianity and Arts at King College. Michael Ward is a writer, Anglican priest, and a Chaplain at Peterhouse. He received a doctorate from the University of St Andrews and has several…
Many people enjoy reading books that are in their favorite genre. This seems to be the case, because they can just enjoy the story line and not really think of deep meanings that could be hidden within the pages. However, many people find it hard to read a difficult text and dwell over the words until they truly understand the text. Reading 1 john does exactly that. 1 John seems to be a short book of the Bible, but it is filled with so many lessons that one must take time to analyze each chapter…
Gnosticism- (70 CE-present) A vast and amorphous movement that existed both within and outside of Christianity. Gnosticism derives from the Greek word gnosis meaning knowledge believed that Gnostics possessed a special mystical knowledge of the secret key to salvation. Gnosticism was a serious threat to Christianity throughout the second century and Gnostic faith continues to resurface in…
The first person to find the Druze was Benjamin of Tudela who was one of the first Europeans to go to Lebanon and was the first to refer to them by name and was first to have a record of them but he also referred to them as “mountain dwelling, Monotheistic” people who believe in “Soul Eternity” The Druze Religion/faith was founded in small communities in Lebanon, Syria, Israel and Jordan, and is rooted in Ismailism, another branch of Shia Islam. The name of the religion/faith came from the…
During the 3rd and 4th centuries controversy arose among the leaders and population due to the rising questioning of the humanity and divinity of Jesus Christ. At the beginning of the fourth century, the First Council of Nicaea was convened to come against the heretical teachings of Arius. Arius, a presbyter from Alexandria, along with his followers, believed that “before [the Son] was begotten or created or defined or established, he was not for he was not unbegotten and that the Son had a…
The movie Donnie Darko, directed by Richard Kelly and released to audiences nationwide in 2001, portrays the story of a troubled teenager, Donnie Darko, who is plagued by visions of a giant bunny rabbit, Frank, that persuades Darko to carry out a series of crimes and in the process unearth the perplexing physical and metaphysical laws that govern his life and the world around him. The opening credits of the movie, with white words on a black background and an audio bridge of…
Assyria, a major Mesopotamian East Semitic kingdom and empire of the Ancient Near East, existed as an independent state for a period of approximately nineteen centuries, from the 25th century BC to 605 BC, spanning the mid to Early Bronze Age through to the late Iron Age. For a further thirteen centuries, from the end of the 7th century BC to the mid-7th century AD, it survived as a geo-political entity, for the most part ruled by foreign powers, although a number of small Neo-Assyrian states…
“The Origins of Anti-Semitism” was an interesting read and will be useful towards my paper, which focuses on the topic of the origins of anti-Semitism and blood libels. One of the first things I noticed is John Gager relies on many others’ observations rather than his own, however, that did not stop me from enjoying his book. Gager’s main thesis, evident throughout the whole book, is primarily on the legacy and the ideas behind both pagan and Christian ideals behind anti-Semitism. This includes…