Religious studies

Reliability of the Bible One of the most important, and most common question that non-Christians ask as they look at Christianity is if the Bible is reliable. The reliability of the Bible has been challenged throughout the course of history. Even though there are numerous amounts of evidences in the Bible of it being reliable, many people still choose to deny it. This essay will look into three reasons why the Bible is reliable and show evidences that correlate with the reasons. The…

that following a dogma is outdated, and that while religion and spirituality are connected, religion does not inherently contain the spiritual experience that it should. He states that religion is a starting point, and those who are born into a religious family have an advantage as they inevitably move away from creed and towards discovery (Tacey, 2004, pp. 4, 5, 8, 112, 193). A boy of seventeen wrote, “sometimes I go to Church, I sit down, join in the service, and before I go out I feel as if…

religion and the authority of the Bible.” Even though his teachings were not accepted by the general public, there were a few religious figures that backed up his statements. For example, in his letter, Galileo mentions St. Augustine when discussing the physical connections of the Heavenly bodies. Not only does he do so to “name-drop”, for St. Augustine was a highly revered religious figure at that time, but it also showed that he was not trying to take down the church, but provide better…

The identity of Christians is embedded in the etymology of the word “Christian.” This means that not only history, but church history plays a part in the development of how and why we came to be called Christians. This brings forth a question if one who comes to know and accept Christ has the resource or freedom to receive baptism and be received into the Body of Christ. The paper will revolve around the biblical stories and course readings to explore the contribution of Scripture toward…

Signor Galileo, My brother in Christ, I am writing to you as Regent of the Holy mother church, but also as a flawed common man. I am in possession of a copy of the letter you wrote to Duchess Christina, and after reading it I was left confounded by your imaginative creativity, and simultaneously stupefied by not only your sheer arrogance, but your disdain and utmost disregard for the Church and its authority. Not only do your words border on heresy, but also it is apparent that your soul is…

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…

process. With that said, there was also a very conspicuous lack of studies dealing with the Holy Spirit that would have established a systematic approach for hermeneutics . Even as the need for a methodology is evident, there is not a particular methodology that can be ascertained to be the way Holy Spirit interacts with the reader. Nevertheless the intent to state the message behind the Scriptural verse through exhaustive study (Exegesis) is certainly plausible in deriving a meaning within…

It is an old age question that seems utterly inexplicable: what is religion? Although this question infinitely varies depending on the person, one often feels very strongly on this subject. Whether an Atheist, Buddhist, Jew, Hindu, Mormon, or Christian, there is much to be said on beliefs and how one goes about living life strictly based on those vary beliefs. My beliefs, however, do not urge me to answer the question regarding what a religion in itself is, but rather what justifies religion.…

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…