For centuries now human civilization has been trying to figure out the terrible question, why were they put on earth? The Hebrew civilization in 2000 BCE, Jerusalem believed that they were put on earth to follow Yahweh’s law. The Hebrews were monotheism, meaning they believed in one god and this god was known as Yahweh. They also did not believe in life after death, so they did everything they could do to live a good life while they were still alive. The Torah is a guidebook that was given to Moses by Yahweh, so that he and his people would have instructions on how to live a good life.…
In the beginning of time, in a paradisal world of sustained perpetual bliss, man was unflawed, an “infallible” construct, created and contrived by and in the image of an omnipotent being. However, a malevolent serpent—an embodiment of mankind’s insatiable gravitation to depravity—tempted man into partaking the forbidden fruit, considered to be a manifestation of corruption’s scarlet allure. As soon as the first man and woman of creation partook in the fruit, the souls of humanity were mauled, defaced by new evil desires: avarice, lust, and self-servitude, for humanity was now plagued with “original sin”, a brand to mankind that doomed man to perish by the inexorable evils of corruption and sin. However, God made a covenant with man,…
Yahweh did not create another mighty figure like himself because he felt that would diminish his own holiness. On the other hand, the Iroquois myth explains that humans become Earth dwellers when the demanding Iroquois woman falls through the hole where the sacred tree once grew. Afterwards, the Iroquois woman gives birth to a daughter who also becomes impregnated when the West Wind appears and lays two arrows, one sharp and one blunt, across her body. When she gives birth to the two sons, the grandmother realizes, “There could be no peace between them” (2). The two sons represent the crooked and the straight in all people.…
The stories of Pandora in Hesiod and “fall” in Genesis exhibit the divine-human relationship between the God(s) and its creation’s effect of sinfulness and immorality toward their annihilation. However, Genesis perspective of monotheistic as the one and only divine power, compare to a polytheistic representation in Hesiod - where balance is spread between each of the gods. Genesis is able to explicitly present each side’s choices. Although, both Hesiod and Genesis display immortal sin, the monotheistic structure in Genesis is more compelling at explaining the emergence of the evils of the world because it demonstrates both divine and mortal choices, while Hesiod’s account is less compelling because the polytheistic world shows the immorality…
Why did I survive, Allister? How come I didn’t die when I took those three rounds? One in the shoulder, one in the arm, one in the thigh and then the impossible. In another engagement I took an armor-piercing round right through my armor vest, why did I live to suffer?”…
Man has created fire, man has created the wheel, and now man is daring to play god. Most of us just go with the flow. We don’t stop to question why. When a man gets injured and the doctors can't do anything to save him, we close our eyes and let nature take its course. Some people, however, think differently.…
Works of literature are a reflection of the time period they were written in; they explore the inner workings of the society and examine the most prominent issues of the time. Therefore, as time passes and humanity changes, the issues addressed evolve accordingly, with the exception of one issue, which endured the tests of time and remained one the most recurring themes in literature, the battle between good and evil. The theme made its first appearance in creation stories and while the stories differ between one culture and another, the theme of good and evil remained intact. To illustrate, in the Abrahamic religions’ version, Adam and Eve’s fall from heaven is caused by Satan, the very root of all evil. Centuries later, the battle between good and evil continues to be tirelessly fought whether in literature or other creative mediums.…
In humanity’s endless search for truth, we often turn to religion in order to answer the questions we cannot answer ourselves. Every religion across the world has a stance on a vast range of ultimate questions, including “What happens after we die?” The Jewish view of death and belief in the afterlife has been significantly influenced by Israelite history as it clarifies the value of life ingrained in the covenantal relationship with G_d. Despite this shared history, a diverse range of contemporary interpretations are manifest as priority is placed on action over belief. Since biblical times, the Jewish concept of an afterlife has evolved due to the persecution present in Israelite history in order to offer hope to the Jewish community.…
For many people, death is one of the scariest things they will have to face. Why? Because they do not know what will happen after they die; will they go to Heaven, or will they be reincarnated? No one is, or can be, certain of what happens and arguably, this could be the main basis of religion. The question of what happens after death is a common theme expressed through many works of literature, such as Obasan by Joy Kogawa, Hamlet by William Shakespeare, “The Open Boat” by Stephen Crane, and the poem “At the River Clarion” by Mary Oliver.…
For centuries, countless men and women have turned to the Bible to encounter the Lord God, and to understand better the reality of life on earth and in heaven. From the book of Genesis to the book of Revelation, people have searched for God's truth, counsel, and words of comfort and strength. Each of the biblical books contained in Sacred Scripture speak to us in various ways. In particular, the prophetic books in the Old Testament echo God's word in a uniquely powerful and vivid manner. Among them, the book of the prophet Isaiah holds a preeminent position in Sacred Scripture, and in the hearts of many biblical scholars and lovers of Scripture.…
Brief Paper Senior Seminar in Interdisciplinary Studies Dr. Packer Eric G. Shuping March 23, 2015 Brief Paper The Hebrew Bible shows us the creation of Heaven and Earth created by God. Human nature proves to us the Hebrew Bible does not allow human beings to act independently or having the freedom to do so without answering to the Creator of heaven and earth.…
Despite all their efforts to search it out, no one can discover its meaning. Even the wise claim they know, they cannot really comprehend it. (8.17) Many questions and problems that seem unsolvable to life, make people feel doubtful towards God; however, the author teaches that God’s truth, wisdom, and lessons will make individuals take comfort in God’s plan for their…
A Baptist church is concerned with theological truths. This is particularly true with absolute adherence to biblical authority. Not only is scripture infallible in it’s interpretation of written revelation, but it is also it’s own best interpreter. As Baptists, our theological identity is derived from the New Testament.…
The Hebrew Bible is the sacred book of the Hebrew people, and the book of Genesis is the original book of the Old Testament. The Hebrew Bible is the world’s oldest text that appears from the eleventh and twelfth centuries BCE. The book tells a story of God’s creation of the universe in seven days and the establishment of human civilization. In this short persuasive essay, I am going to discuss Genesis I, and want to talk about the Hebrew people and their significant belief in God and creation. The Hebrew society believes that their God is omnipotent, omniscient and loving.…
Three important themes to consider when reading the Hebrew Bible are God’s relationship with humanity, humanity’s attempt to be like God, and humanity’s disobedience of God. These themes are important in any religious text because they are crucial to understanding the human condition and the purpose of human existence. Genesis reveals how God’s relationship changes because of disobedience, as well as how a desire to be equal to God motivates disobedience. This is important in how it explains the ultimate reason humans sin and how it affects God’s relationship with humanity.…