Gnostic writings of Jesus portray him as a heavenly redeemer made less of flesh than of spirit. The emphasis of Jesus' importance is not on his physical humanness but rather, on his ability to show people the way to the kingdom. Jesus put on flesh in order to give people gnosis and reveal to the...

The Sermon on the Mount The Sermon on the Mount is one of Jesus' most quoted, and most referenced teachings. The Sermon, a guideline to Christian behavior, worship, and spirituality, is found in the Gospel According to Matthew, chapters 5, 6, and 7. The sermon is broken into a vast array of ideol...

Christianity as a Common Element in Literature The Christian faith is a strong reoccurring element in much of early and contemporary literature. Though other early religions, such as paganism, do come into play, Christianity is most prevalent because the early monks were the scribes of civilizatio...

"The Shroud of Turin is either the most awesome and instructive relic of Jesus Christ in existence.... or it is one of the most ingenious, most unbelievably clever, products of the human mind and hand on record; there is no middle ground." (John Walsh, The Shroud, 1963) The Shro...

Introduction Of all the words and teachings of Jesus Christ in the Gospels, none so accurately reflect his distinctive expression as do the more than forty parables that the evangelists attribute to him. Indeed, for theologians as much as for Christians in general, no other passages seem to so per...

Since prehistoric times, human beings have believed in the existence of a reality greater than themselves that serves as a definer and creator of cultures, and as an antidote to the fragility and apparent finality of human existence (Coogan 1998). Each major religion generally recognizes an individ...

Introduction: The General Concept of Angels in Catholic Doctrine Angels are integral to the Catholic experience, doctrine, and cosmology. Defined most simply as a "pure spirit created by God," Angels were mentioned in the Old Testament as well as the New ("Angel Pages"). However...

The Messiah and the Order of Melchizedek An exegetical look at Psalm 110 Introduction Many times I have wanted to pour my heart out to God and have struggled with finding the adequate words to express my deep emotion. In the back of my mind, I know that God already understands what I&...

Disciples In the dictionary of the New King James Version of the Bible the term disciple is described as a learner. It is also stated as one who follows Jesus Christ. They were also described as being the first Christians. The disciples were from all different settings and conditions, but throu...

The Charismatic Ministry of Peter throughout the Jews, Samaritans and Gentiles is an example for all Christians to apply to their own ministries. Peter sets the bar, and that bar is raised further later by Paul. The definition of a Charismatic movement is: any various groups within existing denomi...

I am attempting to write one coherent essay discussing questions three and two. I propose to first characterize the opposing views of the savior in Gnosticism and in Orthodoxy. Secondly, I will compare the Valentinian and classic Gnostics in how they differ and how the Gospel of Truth exemplifies ...

Many people in history have made a very big impact on their culture, times, and/or religion. One that stands out is John Calvin. He had a really huge influence during his time-the early-to-middle sixteenth century. Calvin devoted almost his whole life to promoting Protestantism, and he made a big ...

"The Contribution of Dietrich Bonhoeffer's Interpretation of the Old Testament"In reviewing the works of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the study of the Old Testament seems to be almost non-existent. It is not until his time in Tegel Prison, nearly one year prior to his execution, that he fully commits himsel...

IntroductionMy great aunt was a fascinating woman. She was raised in Canadian by English parents, married and immigrated to the United States. She understood French and English and was fluent in several different languages. She attended services, in places of worship, all over. She chose to prac...

Culture is a catch-all term that is used to describe the various rites, traditions, and rituals attached to a specific group of people. A people's culture encompasses more than his or her religion; it encompasses everything from political beliefs to family traditions. While culture certainly...

Zerubabbel as a Messianic figure. As my text, I am using the book of Haggai 2:23: "In that day, saith the Lord of hosts, will I take thee, O Zerubbabel,, my servant, the son of Shealtiel, saith the Lord, and will make thee as a signet: for I have c...

Like most morality plays, The Digby Mary Magdalene, uses allegorical exemplum form to relate moral material to the audience. The usual plot of morality plays is an allegorical challenge for the spiritual good of the mankind figure. Susan Haskins, in her book Mary Magdalene, Myth and Metaphor, state...

Bible 301 Our English word Bible comes from the Greek word Biblos, which means "book." In theology a study of the Bible is called bibliology. While the word Bible simply means "book" the words "The Bible" distinguish it as the supreme, unique and incomparable Holy Bib...

IT is not difficult to label the agent of evil in Flannery O'Connor's signature story, "A Good Man is Hard to Find." An escaped convict, self-named the Misfit, dispassionately orders the murder of a Georgia family - everyone from grandmother to baby - after coming upon them when their car ov...

John Calvin created the patterns and thought that would dominate Western culture throughout the modern period. North American culture, in particular, is thoroughly Calvinist in some form or another; at the heart of the way North Americans think and act, you'll find this fierce and imposing reformer...

Discovering the essence of Christianity is too varied and diverse a topic for anyone to pin to solely one definition. How one approaches the topic of Christianity is often in accordance to their personal foundations of religious belief. Sometimes these beliefs are deeply seeded during childhood ...

"The truth about man is not merely that he is, by nature, savage and afraid, but that he refuses deliverance, and murders the messenger of light"(Dick, "Criticism" 197). This view of our nature as human beings is based on the teachings of the Christian doctrine of original sin, a theory that has be...

Introduction Mark 16:16 says, "And He said to them, Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned."1 This is the basis for which Christian's all around the world shares the gosp...

Table of Contents Pg 2. Garden of Eden & Pandora's Box Pg 3. Cain and Abel & Odysseus and the Trojan Horse Pg 4. Noah and the Flood & Pygmalion and Galatea Pg 5. The tower of Babel & Daphne and the Laurel Wreath Pg 6. The Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah & Echo and Narcissus ...

THE SERVANT OF CHRIST"For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if Iyet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ" (Gal. 1:10).Does The Preacher Please Men Or God?With sarcasm Paul asks in Galatians 1:10: "Am I trying to persuade Godto fall in line with my program?"...