For Elprofessorl

Religion review

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Chapter 1

The bible refers to the writings that Christians believe are holy and inspired by God. Through revelation God reveals himself. People believe that God reveals himself through the bible. This is through reading the bible and trying to understand its dippiest meaning. Tradition refers to the collection of writings, practices, artifacts and wisdoms that have been handed down by Christians from one era to the next since the time of the bible. Reason refers to the rational thought, inquiry, and intellect that human beings use to investigate the surrounding world. It is also considered a source of understanding God on account of the belief that God created humanity with rational creator. Experience on the other hand is the source for Christian thought and practice. Having this in mind, it is true that even the most abstract ideas need human beings to think them.

Theology method on the other hand has many theological methods that include; biblical criticism, systematic theology, historical theology, moral theology, pastoral theology, liberation theology, natural theology, liturgical studies and sacramental theology and mystical theology.

It is important for me to study theology since it serves as an interpreter and mediator between the traditions and the living communities of Christian people. It also shapes up the method one uses for practicing theology and the foundations a theologian prioritizes.

Chapter 4

Patristic Era refers to the era between 100 and 700. In this era, Christianity spread from its origins in Palestine throughout much of the Roman Empire. The spread of Christianity included both geographical and ideological expression. With this Jewish movement become thoroughly entrenched in and informed by elements of broader Greco-Roman culture. In this period Christians were always marginalized and at risk population from the start of the movement and the beginning of the fourth century. There was a drastic change when Emperor Constantine was converted to Christianity. Constantine later issued an edict of Milan that required toleration of Christianity. Later the Roman Empire under Emperor Theodosius made Christianity the official religion. The council of Nicaea concluded that Jesus was of the same substance as the father and produced the first form of Nicene Creed. The first council of Chalcedon concluded that in Christ there are two unconfused and undivided natures in one divine person , dispelling the monophysite which argued that Christ had a single nature that was either wholly divine or a mixture of human and divine.

In the Middle Ages several key developments shaped the landscape of Christian thought. First the Islam religion began to spread through North Africa and into Europe. Two, regular fighting among feudal lords resulted in political instability throughout Western Europe. Lastly, to facilitate stability, garner protection and gain political power several bishops crowned Kings one notable example is Pope Leo III who crowned Charlemagne as Holy Roman Emperor on Christmas Day in 800. Charlemagne’s job was to spread and protect the Christian worship throughout Europe. It is important to note that Monastic orders became important social institutions and leading centers for the preservation and development of Christian Theology.

The Protestant Reformation began as an attempt to reform the Roman Catholic Church. Monastic orders were also important centers for moral reform. The Great Schism resulted from the conflict over doctrine and authority, exacerbated by the violent behavior in Eastern Europe of the western crusaders. This resulted to the split of the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church.

The Modern Era is characterized by advancement in scientific, cultural and technological developments. The 20th and 21st century saw unprecedented advance in travel and communication, which included the invention of computers and biological warfare. There have also been philosophical movements such as rationalism, empiricism and the Enlightenment thought Western Europe and colonial North America. Some of the contemporary movements have been marked with the advancement in medical technologies, social revolutions e.g. feminism, and the gay right movement.

Chapter 5

Sections of God and definition of terms

Analogies try to explain the possibility of three in one i.e. the father, the son and the Holy Spirit. The Nicene Creed is the most common creed used in Christianity and it is used as a profession of faith. Nicene states thee believe in one holy catholic and the apostolic Church.

Attributes of God

God is the Father, the Son and The Holy Spirit and this is the doctrine of the Trinity, the Holy Trinity. When we speak of God's attributes, we are talking about those characteristics that helps us to understand who He truly is. That which follows is a thorough, yet incomplete list and summary of His attributes.

Attributes of Jesus Christ

Faithful

Prayerful

Son of God

Compassionate servant

Loving

Forgiving

One that there should be unity among Christians, Holy spirit that the church should be filled with Gods spirit, catholic that the church is universal, apostolic that the church is consistent with or continuation of the church established by the first follower of Jesus. Trinity includes any approach in which the distinctions between father, son and spirit are diminished to suggest that there is really only one person who acts in three distinct ways.

Definitions

Sacrament is where Christians confesses sins and through the act of contrition or initiation, is restored to a proper relationship with God and the Church. We have the sacrament of Baptism, which is a religious rite of sprinkling water onto a person's forehead or of immersion in water, symbolizing purification or regeneration and admission to the Christian Church.

Eucharist is another common sacrament by which Christians partake of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ and participate in his one sacrifice.

There are disagreements in the protestant churches. This has led to the formation of many protestant churches as a result of offshoots from the main protestant churches. After all, just because people are Christians does not mean they always agree. Moreover, Christians still struggle with pride, selfishness, and stubbornness, and this means they sometimes respond to relational conflict poorly. This has often led to debates and divisions within churches and denominations, which in turn leads to the creation of new protestant churches and denominations.

Spirituality refers to a sense of connection to something bigger than us and it typically involves the search for a meaning in life. Worship refers to the feeling or expression of reference and adoration for a deity. Prayer refers to a solemn request for help or expression of thanks addressed to God or an object of worship. Mysticism refers to the belief characterized by self-delusion or dreamy confusion of thought, especially when based on the assumption of occult qualities or mysterious agencies. Liturgy refers to a form or formulary according to which public religious worship, especially Christian worship is conducted.

SALVATION is the saving of the soul from sin and its consequences. The Bible says we are saved by grace through faith and the sins forgiven

GRACE (in Christian belief) the free and unmerited favor of God, as manifested in the salvation of sinners and the bestowal of blessings.

SIN an immoral act considered to be a transgression against divine law.

It is through salvation and God’s grace that the sins are forgiven, this is the interrelation between the three terms

Essay

Inclusive interreligious dialogue involves all different religious affiliations. Despite their religious believes they come together and agree through mutual understanding that allow them to live and cooperate in coming up with a solution. With these every denomination is welcomed to air their own views which will ultimately shape what will be concluded and agreed upon.

In Exclusive interreligious dialogue there is a restriction or even an exclusion of certain religious affiliations from participating in dialogue. This gives the power to the chosen religious affiliations to participate in the dialogue and come up with solution irrespective of the views held by the other religious affiliations that have been barred from participating in the dialogue.

Pluralistic approach to interreligious dialogue gives room for the religious affiliations to thrive in their own way. With this any decision made by a religious affiliation is welcomed hence bringing diversity in decision making. This makes every religious affiliation to be comfortable since their own believes/doctrines are not infringed at any given time.

Baring all these in mind I will choose Inclusive interreligious dialogue since every party participates in the dialogue and also it gives room for one to air their own views and at the same time allowing for a Unisom agreement to the final decision. When different religions meet and talk they promote togetherness and show unity among the people of God. The humble presence of living together in similar conditions would inspire fellowship, dialogue and mutual service, more over a good relationship.

One religious tradition that I think should be developed by Christians is the Presbyterian theology. This will promote peace and dialogue since they base their respect for humanity on the authority of the bible and the word of God. This is because it emphasizes on the sovereignty of God, the authority of the scriptures and the necessity of Grace in Christ. Additionally, it also uses the people as a reference when making the dialogue. It also emphasizes on the use of scriptures in making a dialogue and also on the emphasis of God’s power in everything. In addition, it emphasizes on God’s Grace towards us in everything we deal with or even do.