Christian mysticism

Introduction The most effective approach to counseling anyone, whether that is in a business office or a counselling room, is to reach the entire person holistically. The person’s mind, body and spirit are all interconnected and a problem cannot be resolved until it is approached through all parts. Often, counselors want to “fix” the problem that a person is dealing with, like depression, by giving them medicine and “curing” the actions of being depressed without rooting out the source of the…

“The Almost Christian” – This is one of Wesley’s sermons from 1741 in which he illustrates what nominal or “almost” Christians look like as compared to the real, “altogether” Christians. Firstly, he identifies common traits of the “almost” Christians by saying that they have heathen honesty, sincerity, and that they are very much so focused on possessing the “form of godliness” or rather the outward appearance of a Christian. These people may approach the faith and perform the mechanics of it…

The original argument for infant baptism, and perhaps the one with the most backing is that of original sin. It came about with Augustine, whose whole basis for the practice is built from original sin (Sullivan 3). He stressed that all people are born into the world inheriting the sin of Adam (3). To be baptized is to be cleanse of the original sin that comes with life on earth (3). “Original sin is way of saying we’re born into that web of society that is marked by sin… baptism removes original…

Chapter six of Practicing Christian Doctrine, by Beth Felker Jones, chiefly discusses Christology and the various heresies that have surrounded it over the years. Christology, which is the study of Christ, helps one to learn more about Jesus and his identity and how to live a good Christian life by forming a relationship with the Lord. In order for Christology to work, the person of Jesus must be known and a major idea discussed in this novel is homoousios, Jesus is full and truly God. Two other…

Furthermore, they are guarded from having to engage with the culture around them, secluded to their own ways of living. The church can often do this. When driven by fear, the body of Christ easily becomes constrained to Christianity within four walls. Christians are directly commissioned to break past the walls of the…

From the beginning of creation, it has been Gods desire that we live in his likeness. Referring to the creation of man in Genesis 1:27 the Bible states that man was made in “his own image.” It has always been God intention that we model after him. From the beginning of time, he called us to follow his lead. Just as God walked with Adam and Eve, so did Jesus walk with his disciples. God fellowshipped with Adam and Eve and walked with them daily; Jesus in turn walked and fellowshipped everyday…

Homiletical Idea and Sermon The definition of homiletics in reference to ministry is clearly defined as the “art of preparing sermons and preaching,” the gospel of Jesus Christ. The art of a sermon is showing or practicing a God given talent or gift before believers of God’s word. In the natural, homiletical idea can be viewed as method of brainstorming to convey God’s word to His people. Unfortunately, God is all spiritual, therefore, any method of preaching or teaching should be approached…

to them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.’” (Matt:4:19) In this passage Jesus is talking to some fisherman. He told them to follow him and he will teach them how to spread the word of God. Dale Roach, the writer of Like A Team: A Christian Resource for Leadership and Teamwork Development, writes “it is important for any leader to begin with a group of people who share common traits and values.” Jesus’ first four disciples…

The church is often said to be a hospital for the broken instead of a museum for good people. In the book Becoming a Disciple Making Church by Neil Anderson he is able to hit that point right on the head. Anderson is able to recognize this by addressing the issues of in order for somebody to be able to become a disciple they have to overcome issues in their own lives first. Believers in Christ are all broken and that is why we were need of a Savior. This book does a very good job at breaking…

The Dark Knight There are few films that bring out the inner hero in people or simply the desire to do good, other than those about super heroes. The Dark Knight is no exception to the rule, as Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) also known as Batman is face to face with his greatest enemy the ever the sinister Joker (Heath Ledger). The director Christopher Nolans film adaptation on the Batman has a much darker and moral tone than others before it. From the dark streets of Gotham, the fictitious city…