English Bible translations

Within 17th century Puritan communities, individualism was a concept that few dared to espouse. The idea that a person could think for themselves and diverge from the rest of society was harshly suppressed. Puritans instead had a resolute belief in simplicity, conformity, and enforcing deadly punishment for anyone who strayed from the path of God. An unwavering loyalty to this way of life and a fear of individualism caused those who opposed or dishonored the community to face a deadly fate,…

This essay will discuss Malachi 3:1-7 and the Indictment against Israel. I will further discuss how it’s the last book before four hundred years of silence and how no prophetic word was spoken to the prophets again until John the Baptist. I will further discuss how the prophets before him looked forward to God’s emergence. I will elaborate on how the transitional nature of Malachi makes the book interesting to any individual concerned with the relationship between Judaism and Christianity as…

Benjamin Forman’s The Blood of Ahab: Reevaluating Ahab’s Death and Elijah’s Prophecy, analyzes the circumstances surrounding Ahab’s death and whether or not these circumstances negate the fact that Elijah's prophecy was fulfilled. In this article, Forman examines the six top possibilities as to why Elijah’s prophecy was not fulfilled and gives evidence to suppose each possibility. Theses possibilities include the fact that the prophecy was not location specific because it did not specify…

C.S. Lewis, in Mere Christianity, discusses love throughout but particularly in chapters six, seven, and nine. Lewis talks about how Christians are to practice love through marriage, through forgiving, and through charity. By discussing how Christians are to practice love in these three sense, he also gives a picture of what love/Christ-like love is in his view. His view is different in many ways from other popular secular and religious depictions of love. His love is different than just being…

A Letter Concerning Toleration Analysis and its Relevance Today John Locke’s “A Letter Concerning Toleration” lays out an argument explaining the need for the separation of church and state with religious tolerance as the foundation of society. Locke defines religious toleration as the acknowledgement of an individual’s right to believe, and practice the faith of their own choosing. Toleration does not imply acceptance, but simply allowance; it is the ability to allow individuals around you to…

Let The Nations Be Glad Review Midterm John Piper’s “Let the Nations Be Glad”, explains how Piper guides the reader through the fundamental issues of missions within seven chapters. However, they are divided between three parts. For example, part one discusses missions as means of worshipping God which is found in chapter one. Thus, followed by the power of prayer and the price of suffering in missions in chapters two and three. Part two is devoted to answering two important questions of…

C.S.Lewis once said in the book Mere Christianity that,“A proud man is always looking down on things and people; and, of course, as long as you are looking down, you cannot see something that is above you.” This means that if you are always looking down on others you never get a chance to see who is above you so you often that assume it is you. This is dangerous because, once the people who are above you realize this, you will be put back in your place. In Sophocles's Greek tragedy, Antigone,…

Jeopardy ®® Why games? Nothing can get my students going like a game or contest. A good Bible game can even reinforce the lesson plan and provide an interactive way to reinforce your message. Teaching preteens can be a challenge--not quite as impressionable as younger students, but not the maturity of teenagers either. If you are a preteen Sunday School teacher, it is important to include fun into your lessons to engage your students. Plan games that will help middle school youth loosen up and…

Thessa G. Smith 103 Stratford Road-Greenwood, SC 29649 864.377.0400 tgsmith@umcsc.org Thessa G. Smith 103 Stratford Road – Greenwood, SC 29649 Cell phone: 864.377.0400 tgsmith@umcsc.org Disciplinary Questions – Part I Describe your personal experience of God and the understanding of God you derive from biblical, theological and historical sources. I have a personal relationship with God the Father through the redemptive power of Jesus Christ and the keeping power of…

“Be Ye Therefore Perfect-Eventually” given by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland The bi-annual meeting of general conference has many purposes. For example, our course text teaches us that a few reasons for this worldwide meeting is for edifying the saints, sustaining leaders, conducting church business, and carrying the missionary message to the world. However, my personal favorite purpose for general conference is to help bring us closer to our Heavenly Father and our Savior. While addresses in general…