Gnostic Gospels

Like Paul is telling the Ephesians that this gospel will give them ‘readiness’. It will spur them on and build them up, making them feel ready, like they are fighting for a just cause in this spiritual battle. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, v.16 The word here being used for shield…

God is revealing through His word. When reading and interpreting the Gospels, one “must respect the means God used to inspire them in the the first place.” (Duvall and Hays, 108) Sometimes, Jesus told a series of small stories or parables and linked them to a same message. A method to interpret the meaning of these stories is to ask oneself two questions: “What does this small story tell us about Jesus?” and “What is the Gospel writer trying to say to his readers by the way that he puts the…

Sevaun Mason October 18, 2015 Social Justice Period 1 The Kingdom of God As far as the Kingdom of God goes, I know that there are five main principles that all followers of God should follow if they want to be allowed into Heaven after death. These five principles are the principles of promise, patience, praise, provision, and promotion. The principle of promise is the fundamental principle in the Kingdom of God. This principle tells us that we should not attempt anything in our own strength…

The reading Gospel of Luke, is a powerful reading that no matter your belief its worth reading. Someone who wasn’t raised in a church background I still find myself believing in God. When reading the gospel, I realized the power one holds when believing in God and his powers. One main thing in the story that I really enjoyed is when Simeon told Mary that Jesus will cause many people to fall and others to stand. This quote stood with me because I believe it to be true to the date. Throughout…

Philippians 2:21 Paul speaks upon the ones who only look out for the interest of themselves, but not of Christ first. While on the other hand Timothy as Paul states, “But you know his proven character, that as a son with his father he served with me in the gospel.” (Philippians 2:22). Timothy is loyal and faithful, as well as proved who he truly is to Paul and honors him. Epaphroditus a faithful brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier according to Paul (Philippians 2:25) was to be sent out…

welcome them into discipleship by allowing them to take up their daily cross and give it to God instead of trying to conquer it themselves because He already has conquered sin (Constitution 8, Section 118). As servant's, we must exude the joy of the Gospel and express to those we serve that the Lord is merciful and giving; furthermore, those that accept his mercy will undergo resurrection daily as I have witnessed at Our Lady of the Road (Constitution 8, Sections 118-119). I am able to witness…

The last words of Jesus Christ instructed His people to spread the Gospel to the world. Known as “The Great Commission,” ¬every Christian is commanded to tell others about Christ. However, in the generation of 2016, millions of people have never even heard the name of Jesus Christ. How is it possible Christ’s last words may appear to have gone unheeded? No one has told these millions that there is a loving God Who died for them and longs for their trust to be put in Him. In the words of Paul,…

the impending arrest, betrayal, and crucifixion of Jesus Christ. However, even with this reality, in this passage this evening, we find a Jesus, the mover and shaker that he is, flip that script one last time of what it means to serve God. In the Gospel reading, Jesus starts to wash the feet of his followers, and the man who will come to betray him. Let’s for a second digest this, Jesus, the Son of God, is washing and drying the feet of his followers. This action of humility was unheard of…

The prologue of John differentiates itself from the synoptic gospels. It does not start with the story of Mary and Joseph and the birth of a baby in Bethlehem. Instead it starts with a story of creation. A story readers have heard a similar version of. This unique poetic opening gives us the readers the idea of the limitless power this word has. Scholars refer to this as the Logos theology, which is a fancy way of saying the Word theology. This theology establishes the importance of the divinity…

Anything titled ‘new’ in regards to views on the Bible should be dealt with cautiously. Of course, throughout history it was necessary that some doctrines be revised (e.g. the Earth as center of the universe***) and in such cases, ‘new perspectives’ were quite beneficial. While the New Perspective on Paul is certainly thought provoking and even brings up some good points in regards to Judaism, the Church should treat it with caution and not regard it as a replacement for the traditional views of…