recent rise in secularism, specifically within the social frameworks of Western culture, religious and spiritual practices have repeatedly been pushed aside and neglected. Although followers’ adherence to religion has seen a significant decline (Altemeyer, 2014), the notions and practices usually attached to religion or spirituality remain relevant in contemporary culture. The relevance of these religious notions and practices are seen explicitly through examining mental health, observing…
Pneuma and Logos: The Role of the Holy Spirit in Biblical Hermeneutics, was the PhD dissertation of Dr. John W Wyckoff in the year 1990. In this dissertation, he displays a scholarly approach in portraying the integral part and as well as analyze other doctrinal perspectives that discount the need of the Holy Spirit in the interpretation of the Holy Bible. The book has been distributed over five distinct chapters where each chapter takes a related and structured projection of the theological…
that are occur in the brain. In this book these changes are explained in detail and the different processes that are involved with growing and maintaining a faith. The concept of faith and religious practice having a strong effect on the brain has often been the topic of debate and conflict within the religious community and secular scientists, and this book does a great job of answering this age old question of faith versus science. The major scientific and theological breakthrough is…
similarity with most of the discussed religions: the idea of an afterlife. For Judaism, there are plenty of laws stated in their scripture that should be followed in order for “access” into heaven. One of these procedures is a cleanliness ritual where “it is forbidden to eat the flesh of impure animals, the most prominent of which is the swine” (110). Jews firmly believe that “the cleanliness laws of the Torah are also an essential part of Jewish ritual” (110). However, the interesting aspect on…
John 17:14; “I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.” This scripture has impressed my mind when the stresses of the world apply their chokeholds and temptations. Never has it filled my mind as often, or sent more solace and strengthened reassurance than since I have been feasting on the teachings and examples of Christ in these four New Testament Gospels. My sister is an atheist. She is in "satan 's power" and…
In viewing many online debates between Christians and non-believers concerning the matter of God, often times it is the non-believer who obtains the upper hand in the argument. When confronted with difficult questions concerning God’s revelation, many Christians are unable to properly defend the questions of objectors or even the Christian faith. For many Christians, God’s revelation is through the lens of a less than Christian worldview where knowledge of God is imperfect and clarified…
Kate Chopin’s “The Story of an Hour” has brought great debate on what actually happened to Mrs. Mallard. Mrs. Louise Mallard is married to Mr. Brently Mallard. Louise thinks of Brently as a loving and kind man, only being married to him points to her having a hardship towards him. Mrs. Mallard seems confused and unsettled and struggles with loving her husband. As readers, we will gain understanding that will change the way Mrs. Mallard thinks about her husband; her thoughts and feeling are not…
Then, there is the sola scriptura non-application to this problem. This would consist of one going to the Bible as all sufficient. In this case, there is no way to determine when a woman is exercising “authority over a man.” The second issue is defining when and where “in the churches” occurs. The words used in this text can be defined and redefined, but the end result is that the Word is not sufficient to answer these questions that are in addition to the scripture. There is a different…
Robert Alter’s translation of Genesis is rhythmically stunning and evoking of a deeper understanding of God’s power. Type scenes, or rather a repetitive event, that occur throughout Genesis allude to specific themes and morals that can be transcended into reality. While some literary texts use one character through a series of events to touch upon one concurrent theme, Genesis employs the use of different characters to ensure that a singular narrative is upheld. The narrative is that of men,…
is evident that sin was brought unto man, and thus one could form a theorem around the same scripture to provide a scapegoat for their action. However, the first couple was at liberty to carry out the endeavors although they had to heed to the first law (Bible…