Tuesday, November 26, 2019
The Heart of Christianity in a Time of Change
The Heart of Christianity in a Time of Change For many years the question of ââ¬Å"what is the heart of Christianity?â⬠has lingered in the minds of many believers. This has led to new ways of seeing Christianity and what it means to be a Christian to emerge. These new ways of understanding Christianity differ from the dominant way that has been in existence for many years, this means that Christianity is in a time of conflict.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The Heart of Christianity in a Time of Change specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More This has led to the emergence of two paradigms on how Christians see the Bible, God, Jesus, faith, and the Christian life. According to the earlier paradigm, the bible is a divine book; it is the ââ¬Å"Word of Godâ⬠(Borg 7). This paradigm has over the years become less compelling. There is no doubt that it nourished the lives of many a fact that the author believes that it was the spirit of God working through it. Th e emerging paradigm on the other hand sees Christian life as ââ¬Å"a historical, metaphorical, and sacramental way of seeing the bibleâ⬠(Borg 13). It sees Christian life in a different perspective. According to it, Christianity entails a life of relationship and transformation that one does not need to believe in Christianity in order to be a Christian but rather, one should relate with God well in order to change the current circumstances. These two paradigms are usually suspicious of each other. The earlier paradigm sees the emerging paradigm as a reduction of Christianity where as the emerging paradigm sees the earlier paradigm as anti-intellectual and selectively moralistic (Borg 15). They both agree on the common focus of the bible and Jesus, and how Jesus plays a central role in mediating man to God. Many see the earlier paradigm as being static, an obstacle and therefore feel that their relationship with the Supreme can be nourished in a different way. The most importa nt aspect here is functionality, if a paradigm works for you, well and good, it does not mean it is the only right way (Borg 18). Making the Connection among Liberation Theologies around the World We learn from this book that liberation theologies in the world do not share a single perspective; each theology has its own distinctive view point. For instance, the past two decades have seen emergence of views in the Christian cycles. People around the world have risen against the social, economic, political, and religious structures that exist. These groups began new Christian practices and new ways of being the church. They led to the birth of new theologians with the knowledge in the life and practice of their groups. The book tries to show that all theologies are contextual and therefore, have limits, just like Anna Karenina put it, ââ¬Å"each society, like each family, is unhappy in its own wayâ⬠(Engel Brooks 3).Advertising Looking for essay on religion theology? L et's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Theologies cannot be heaped together because they are not interchangeable. They all have their own unique interests, viewpoints, aims as dictated by the society they exist in. This book depicts theologians as voices responding to and accountable to their groups and their context. Contextuality can be understood as oneââ¬â¢s shared location. Each location has its norms. Michel Foucault wrote that ââ¬Å"Each society has a regime of truth, its ââ¬Ëgeneral politicsââ¬â¢ of truthâ⬠(Engel Brooks 6). This means that truth is a function of what a particular society accepts to be true. Liberation theologies do not split faith and life, theology and politics, and do not impose abstract principles upon the life of faith. They aim at social transformation towards greater justice for all people. They also work towards the empowerment of individuals. We also see that these theologies exist i n suspicion of each other. Each sees others as furthering the dominant mode of oppression. They therefore call for the liberation of Christian theology from concepts and structures that are oppressive (Engel Brooks 9). Faith Seeking Understanding: Chapter 1 The author of this book stresses that asking question is the nature of human beings and to be Christian entails asking tough questions in the light of the grace of God in his son Jesus Christ. He asserts that theology is not just the repetition of church doctrines nor ostentatious system building, but it is about faith asking questions and seeking their understanding. Faith and inquiry cannot therefore be separated. The freedom and responsibility of Christians to inquire about their faith in God is the mother of theology. Theology is a continual process because questions are asked over and over (Migliore 12). The author also argues that just like faith, theology is not a bundle of doctrines and symbols from which people can sele ct at will and organize them as they wish. Christian theology has doctrines that form a coherent whole. Theology teaches that every disturbed ear should be listened to. Todayââ¬â¢s needs call for Christians to faithfully serve the gospel instead of endorsing the cultural forms in which it is mediated uncritically. He reiterates that todayââ¬â¢s theology calls for thinking through and living out the faith as it relates to new experiences, problems and possibilities. I agree with Migliore that despite the difficult task of theology, there is no escaping the questions about the wholeness, the truth, the intelligibility, and the concrete practice of the gospel (Migliore 19).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The Heart of Christianity in a Time of Change specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Catholicism: Faith, Theology and Belief The author begins with a brief description of the problem that is brought about by the failu re of many Catholics to understand the differences among faith, theology and belief. These are identified as the elements of the problem. The first element is faith, which is defined as the personal knowledge of God. It is not primarily the belief in revealed truths to humans by God through the bible and the church, but it is how people come to know God as God. The second element is theology which has been defined as the process by which Christians bring their knowledge and understanding of God to the level of expression. The third element is belief. This is something that is accepted to be true without evidence. It is therefore a formulation of the knowledge that Christians have of God through faith. The final element discussed is religious education. Religious education helps individuals understand, respond and be transformed by Godââ¬â¢s presence in their lives and work towards the continued transformation of the world in respect to the understanding of God (McBrien 24). This text shows that teaching religion is not just about the faith as it is done by Catholics, but should also allow for the teaching of modern theologies. We have just seen that the four elements relate to each other and therefore must be incorporated in religious teaching in order to dispel the misunderstandings in the Christian realm. The ââ¬Å"Why and the what of Christians feminist theologyâ⬠Many questions arise from this book in relation to the humanity of women. This brought out by Christine de Pizan who was concerned with womenââ¬â¢s humanity because being male was equated to being human. Women were seen as lesser beings. Using her book, ââ¬Å"the book of the city of ladiesâ⬠, Pizan argues that women are human just like men and therefore do not need guidance and protection from men. She goes on to say that if given a chance, women can perform better just as men. She was so concerned with this issue to the extent that she never used the word feminism in her work un til the 19th century. It was in 1882 by Auclert to depict the struggle for women to get political rights. In the same century, female organizations emerged. They started speaking publicly about this issue in churches. These efforts saw many countries attain rights for women such as New Zealand, Finland, and eventually Russia, Canada and Great Britain in the 20th century (Clifford 1).Advertising Looking for essay on religion theology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More These continued in the 19th century in the US where women were seen as subordinates and dependent on their male counterparts. Men exercised sovereignty in many areas. Women on the other hand were morally superior but seen to delicate to actively participate in public affairs. Feminist movement emerged to fight oppression discrimination and violence against women and for equality and dignity. There also emerged the second wave feminists. These included the liberal feminists, who fought for the civil rights for women, cultural feminists who emphasized the moral superiority of women, radical feminists who sought to eradicate patriarchy, and finally, the socialist feminists who fought to end economic dependence of women upon men. The book ended by looking at the types of feminist theology (Clifford 1). Experience, Knowledge, and Wisdom According to Ford, there is no distinct way of understanding and knowing theology. To experience, understand, and know theology needs wisdom which helps in shaping life and making it sensible despite its diversity, fragmentation, and also the fragility of beauty, truth, and goodness. He shows that theology is all about the world, the self and the language, elements that are in an endless interplay. He has discussed about epistemology, a branch of philosophy dealing with the nature of knowing. Topics discussed here included extreme objectivism, extreme subjectivism, and the view of the world as a construct of languages (Ford 1). Through this book we get to understand why theology fails. The author has shown that oversimplified and inappropriate conceptions make theology to suffer. To truly understand and know God, Christians need unwavering wisdom. Because theology is all about questions, the type of questions will show an individualââ¬â¢s valid interest in the particular subject. To answer these questions requires valid methods of knowing to serve the particular interest. First people have to understand that knowledge is both soc ial and individual. Individually, every person experiences understanding and judging. Socially, individuals have to appreciate other peopleââ¬â¢s experiences, understandings, and judgments. Knowledge can be instantaneous but mostly it takes time. Humans use their knowledge and language to construct reality. This is what theology is all about. And if humans understand that things can go wrong then there is nothing wrong with improvements because knowledge keeps on growing (Ford 1). Genesis 1-3 This text shows God as an interactive being with already existing creatures. This is what theology is all about, interaction, coexistence with others in the understanding of Godââ¬â¢s word. There is also the issue of knowledge, the humans ate from it and committed sin. Knowledge is the ability to discern good and bad. The response from God is not a punishment but consequences that reflect the time and context in which they existed. Adam sees everything to be fine but he has no one of his kind, he is lonely until a woman (Eve) was created. This is how important women are in the society. They should be treated equally and given equal opportunity with men because they are all equal in the eyes of God (Genesis 1). An introduction to the Bible: A journey into three worlds In this text we learn that the bible is a collection of books, which did not attain authority at one time. They were accepted through canonization that happened in three stages as revealed by the tree divisions of the canon. These were the Torah, the Prophets, and the writings. This text agrees that Christianity is centered in the bible and that it is undergoing changes as seen in the two paradigms. It says that the bible is historical, metaphorical and sacramental (Hauer Young 1). Feminist perspectives on the bible For a long time the bible has been a point of contention when it comes to the place of the woman in society. It is such issues that saw the emergence of feminist movement like the one initi ated by Stanton ââ¬Å"The womanââ¬â¢s bible projectâ⬠. Women came up with the idea that if men could revise the bible, why not them? This book talks about women and the bible trying to bring out their perspectives. It tries to find out why the knowledge of biblical women is so scanty. It sees the patriarchal attitudes of men as the cause of the neglect of women in liturgical readings and religious instructions. This is why feminist biblical scholars like Stanton embarked on biblical research to change it. I think these women were justified to fight for their right because scripture teaches that all are equal in the eyes of god (Clifford 66). Comparison of the Various Authors Borg in his book, ââ¬Å"The heart of Christianity in a time of changeâ⬠says that Christianity has gone through changes, which he puts into two paradigms. Engel and Brooks in their book, ââ¬Å"Making the Connection among Liberation Theologies around the worldâ⬠tells us that because Christia nity involves asking endless questions, there has emerged many theologies. These authors agree that there is no single paradigm or theology that is better than the other; they all work for the best of each group that is using it. Migliore, in the book, ââ¬Å"Faith seeking understandingâ⬠agrees with Brook and Engel that theology is about asking questions. He also believes that Christians should be given a chance to inquire about their faith. These sentiments are also echoed but Ford in the book, ââ¬Å"Experience, Knowledge, and Wisdomâ⬠. McBrien in his book, ââ¬Å"Catholicism: Faith, Theology and Beliefâ⬠, argues that Christians should have faith, which is the knowledge of God. Then they should be able to express their knowledge of God to others. He agrees with Migliore up to this point that faith and theology are inseparable, but differs with the others on the issue of belief. Belief entails accepting something without evidence, but others think that Christianity should be a way of life, a continual process of inquiry to gain knowledge and understanding of oneââ¬â¢s faith. Clifford in the ââ¬Å"Why and the What of Christian feminist theologyâ⬠talks about women and Christianity, he shows how women reformation has come about over the years. He argues that women are equal to men in the eyes of God, sentiments that he also brings out in the book, Feminist perspectives on the bible. In think that Christianity should not be about faith, believing the teaching, traditions and systems put in place to be true without question as some Christians do. I agree with some of the authors that Christianity should be a way of life, a continual process of inquiry into oneââ¬â¢s faith to get a better understanding of the Christian teachings. This is because the world is not static, it involves events and situations that keep on changing and their Christians should embrace the changes by accepting the different theologies depending on the situation and context they are in. am also a strong believer in equal opportunity for all and therefore everyone including women should be allowed to participate in the Christian way of life in all spheres. Borg, Marcus. The Heart of Christianity in a Time of Change. Clifford, Anne M. Introducing Feminist Theology. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis, 2001. Print. Clifford, Anne. Feminist Perspectives on the Bible. Engel, Potter and Brooks Susan. Introduction: Making the Connections among Liberation Theologies Around the World. Ford, David. Experiment, knowledge, and wisdom. Genesis. The Creation of the world n.d. Web. https://www.esv.org/Genesis+1/ Hauer, Christian and Young, William. An introduction to the Bible and Journey into three worlds. McBrien, Richard. Catholicism. Migliore, Daniel. Faith seeking understanding: an introduction to Christian theology. New York: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 2004. Print.
Saturday, November 23, 2019
Lord of the Flies Study Guide
Lord of the Flies Study Guide William Goldings 1954 novel Lord of the Flies tells the story of a group of schoolchildren stranded on a deserted island. What initially seems to be a tale of heroic survival and adventure, however, soon takes a horrifying turn as the children descend into violence and chaos. The story, which serves as an allegory for human nature, remains as fresh and startling today as when it was first published. Fast Facts: Lord of the Flies Author: William GoldingPublisher: Faber and FaberYear Published: 1954Genre: AllegoryType of Work: NovelOriginal Language: EnglishThemes: Good vs. evil, reality vs. illusion, order vs. chaosCharacters: Ralph, Piggy, Jack, Simon, Roger, Sam, Eric Plot Summary After a plane crash, a group of British schoolboys find themselves on an abandoned island without any adult supervision. Two of the boys, Ralph and Piggy, meet on the beach and discover a conch shell, which they use to gather the other children. Ralph organizes the boys and is elected chief. Ralphââ¬â¢s election angers Jack, a fellow schoolboy who wants to be in charge. We also meet a third boy, Simon- a dreamy, almost spiritual character. The boys organize into separate tribes, choosing Ralph or Jack as their leader. Jack announces that he will organize a hunting party. He attracts more boys to his tribe as they hunt the wild pigs. A rumor begins of a beast in the forest. Jack and his second-in-command Roger announce they will kill the beast. Terror drives the other boys away from Ralphââ¬â¢s orderly tribe into Jacks group, which becomes increasingly savage. Simon has a vision of the Lord of the Flies, then discovers a pilotââ¬â¢s body in the trees, which he realizes the boys have mistaken for a beast. Simon races to the beach to tell the other boys that the beast was an illusion, but the boys mistake Simon for the beast and kill him. After almost all the boys defect to Jackââ¬â¢s tribe, Ralph and Piggy make one last stand. Piggy is killed by Roger. Ralph flees and arrives on the beach just as a ship has arrived on the island. The captain expresses horror at what the boys have become. The boys suddenly stop and burst into tears. Major Characters Ralph. Ralph is physically attractive, personally charming, and older than most of the other children, which makes him popular. He is a symbol of civilization and order, but as the other boys descend into chaos and brutality, he slowly loses control of the society hes created. Piggy. An overweight, bookish boy, Piggy has been abused and bullied by peers throughout his life. Piggy represents knowledge and science, but he is powerless without Ralphââ¬â¢s protection. Jack. Jack sees himself as a natural leader. He is confident, but unattractive and unpopular. Jack builds a power base with his tribe of hunters: the boys who quickly shed the constraints of civilization. Simon. Simon is a quiet, thoughtful boy who suffers from seizures. Representing religion and spiritual faith, Simon is the only boy to see the truth: the fact that the beast is an illusion. With his death, he becomes a Christ-like figure. Major Themes Good vs. Evil. The storys central question is whether humanity is fundamentally good or evil. The boys are initially inclined to establish an orderly society with rules and an appreciation for fairness, but as they become increasingly fearful and divided, their newly-established civilization descends into violence and chaos. Ultimately, the book suggests that morality is the result of artificial restraints imposed on our behavior by the society in which we live. Illusion vs. Reality. The Beast is imaginary, but the boys belief in it has real-life consequences. As their belief in the illusion grows- and, notably, when the illusion takes on a physical form through the body of the pilot- the boys behavior grows increasingly savage. When Simon tries to shatter this illusion, he is killed. Indeed, much of the boys motivation for their behavior stems from irrational fears and imaginary monsters. When those imaginary elements change or disappear, the structure of their newly-formed society disappears, too. Order vs. Chaos. The tension between order and chaos is ever-present in Lord of the Flies. The characters of Ralph and Jack represent opposing sides of this spectrum, with Ralph establishing orderly authority and Jack encouraging chaotic violence. The boys behave in an orderly fashion at first, but when they lose faith in the possibility of being rescued, they quickly descend into chaos. The story suggests that the morality of the adult world is similarly tenuous: we are governed by a criminal justice system and spiritual codes, but if those factors were removed, our society would quickly collapse into chaos, too. Literary Style Lord of the Flies alternates between a straightforward style, employed when the boys converse with each other, and a lyrical style used to describe the island and surrounding nature. Golding also utilizes allegory: every character represents a concept or idea larger than himself. As a result, the characters actions cannot be viewed as entirely voluntary. Each boy behaves as Golding sees the larger world: Ralph attempts to exercise authority even when he has no clear plan, Piggy insists on rules and rationality, Jack follows his impulses and primitive urges, and Simon loses himself in thought and seeks enlightenment. About the Author William Golding, born in England in 1911, is considered one of the most important writers of the 20th century. In addition to fiction, Golding wrote poetry, plays, and non-fiction essays. He received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1983. His first novel, Lord of the Flies, established him as a major literary voice. Lord of the Flies continues to be adapted and referenced by other writers to this day. His writing frequently raised questions about morality and human nature, of which he had a decidedly cynical view.
Thursday, November 21, 2019
Moet & Chandon - Integrated marketing communications plan Essay
Moet & Chandon - Integrated marketing communications plan - Essay Example Over the years, the company has used brand ambassadors to popularize their champagne, with the current ambassador being the tennis icon, Roger Federer. However, the company has not realized its sales growth potential due to myriad factors including financial crises and growing competition. At times, there have been changes in the market that have presented the company with an opportunity to push its sales further. At the moment, the company hopes to maximize on the findings that ââ¬Å"people are (beginning to become) fed up with austerity and are thus looking for indulgence. Indulgence represents a chance for wine makers and more so champagne makersââ¬â¢ such as Moet & Chandon in the UK. The focus here is to develop an integrated marketing communications plan that would help in capitalizing on the changing market orientation towards indulgence and thus offering a chance for Moet & Chandon to further grow in the UK market. The plan focuses on establishing a name, and placing Moet & Chandon at a competitive position within the next twelve months. Context Analysis-SWOT Analysis Strengths Moet & Chandon though a French company has made it to establish itself as a global company. This is evidenced by the availability of is famous champagne brands all across the globe. This is one of the companyââ¬â¢s strengths and one that has helped in establishing the company as the market leaders in the champagne business, at the moment Moet & Chandon has claim to 25? of the global champagne market. The flagship luxury champagne brands are well established and easily identified. The company also benefits from a firm support. This support comes from independent parties within various retail segments who have over the years sold the companyââ¬â¢s champagne as the ideal and most preferable and even classy champagne. The other strength is adapted product the company has made it to adapt its products to various consumer needs and this has informed its growth and preference b y a huge and frequent number of champagne users all over the globe. Lastly, the companyââ¬â¢s champagne has what can be referred to as a good health of luxury sector. The companyââ¬â¢s champagne is identified as the mark of luxury and is a renowned accompaniment of luxurious events or experiences. This is particularly important as it epitomizes indulgence which has been identified as a trend in the near future. Weaknesses One of the weaknesses and one which is not unique to Moet & Chandon is that the production of champagne is dependent on seasons. There might be times when the market demand is high but the overall production is curtailed by the season dependent vineyards. The other weakness is that there is always a need to have a lot of stock, this is not easy and is in the long run very expensive. Lastly, there are fluctuations in the market demand (market volatility) meaning that there lacks consistency in sales (seasonality of sales). Opportunities Going forward, the comp any identifies a host of opportunities which would guarantee growth if at all the company develops a proper and realizable plan while taking advantage of its strengths. One of the opportunities is close relations with customers. This is a great opportunity as the company is able to fast introduce its products to customers who understand the companyââ¬â¢
Tuesday, November 19, 2019
Discourse Reflection 1 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words
Discourse Reflection 1 - Essay Example The reason for this goes beyond the linguistic consideration, also documented by Subbiondo (2005), to consideration of how a studentââ¬â¢s cultural and educational backgrounds cause passivity among international students in class. Therefore, the article evaluates the perceptions of silence and reticence among NNS students in group discussions and recommending pedagogical solutions. Jones (1999) acknowledges that Asians constitute the majority of international students in Australasia and the US. As such, the researcher carries out a literature survey from various secondary sources to determine the perception of Asians on silence and reticence in group discussions in class. The findings indicate that teachers in the surveyed institutions consider Asian students as polite and inactive in class and hence find it better dealing with European, American and Australian students. It was also observed that majority of the teachers have little knowledge on non-Western culture which deters communication between Asian students and teachers. On their part, the students were found not to be keen to learn the host culture despite its great influence in defining the academic system. The students from southeast and northeast Asia in the US, New Zealand and Australia consider reticence and silence as crucial for oneââ¬â¢s moral disposition and for maintenance of harmony of so cial order. I support this observation because even scholars like Paltridge (2006) document that face and politeness vary among cultures and societies. Therefore, the study recommends the need to provide the NNS students with an understanding of the culture of academic English speaking and equip them with the requisite participatory skills. EFL teachers have to be sensitive in class and attend training for cross-cultural awareness. According to Shemshadsara (2012),
Sunday, November 17, 2019
Definition of Literature Essay Example for Free
Definition of Literature Essay Literature is an outlet of escape from reality. At the end of the day, I open a book and allow the story to take me to a world where my own fades into a distant memory. With every turn of a page, my imagination is free to reinvent a narrative that is better than the reality I live. Literature can be non-fiction and based on facts surrounding real events, people, and places. Examples include history books, memoirs, biographies, newspapers, self-help, devotionals, and textbooks. Literature can also be writings based not on truth, but on the imagination and creativity of the author. This includes fiction novels and children story books. A lot of times authors of fiction will get their idea from a real life event and then they allow their imagination to recreate the characters and plot. Aside from being fiction or non-fiction, literature can also fall into different categories according to the genre, purpose, and style. Some genres include romance, science fiction, Christian, suspense, and western. The authors purpose for writing will likely determine what style and genre they will use. Poetry and drama are forms of literature that are stylistically different from other writings. Every writer wants to engage their audience and capture their attention in order to convey a message. The meaning of the text may hold differing messages within the audience, but it is the goal of the author to captivate the reader and keep them wanting to read more. John Smith wrote historical accounts of life while he was living. His writings brought insight and hope regarding English settlement during the early 1600s. The General History of Virginia is difficult to comprehend in areas because I am unfamiliar with his use and style of language, but nonetheless it is a beautifully written piece of literature. John Smithââ¬â¢s targeted audience was most likely the people of his time, with the goal of informing them of recent events. I appreciate the way he portrays the struggles of daily life realistically and in a way that inspires and intrigues. William Bradford was not formally educauted, yet he was a wise and well-read man. His writings spread throughout the world and have been studied and quoted by many. As with most of the literature from his time period, Bradfordââ¬â¢s style is simple, but he writes with such conviction that demands the attention and respect of the reader. Bradford was a man of faith and often expressed this in his writing. In Of Plymouth Plantation he often refers to Godââ¬â¢s providence and makes continuous references to God. Bradford may refer to God more than any other author in this colonial unit. Anne Bradstreet was a powerful force in literature during the 1960s because she was one of the first recognized women poets. Centuries later she is a revered writer and her poetry remains enchanting. ââ¬Å"Thou ill-formed offspring of my feeble brainâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ is the opening line to her poem The Author of Her Book and illustrates just how feeble her brain is not. She has the unique capacity to use words to express herself so creatively and with so much emotion. To My Dear and Loving Husband is a great romantic poem that I admire. Bradstreetââ¬â¢s style reminds me slightly of my own. However I need more experience and practice to become nearly as talented as she. Upon the Burning of Our House reminds of my own experience of a house fire and has inspired me to attempt to capture my experience through poetry. Through all Anne Bradstreetââ¬â¢s work, she inspires others to recognize the beauty and power in writing. Edward Taylor was a highly educated, well respected, and devout religious man who used poetry as a private expression of his faith. He did not seek fame or recognition for his writing, rather just the pleasure it brought him. Taylor writes of God beautifully and is a master of creating moving and emotional works of art without intending to. As with most poets, Taylor and Bradstreet used metaphors and had a personal style unique from others. There is also an overflowing of emotion from both Taylor and Bradstreet within all their writings. William Byrd was a very accomplished man of his time. He was well educated, respected, and prosperous. His most famous writings are the journals that he wrote to describe day to day life. In The History of the Dividing Line I was able to pick up on the humor that has lead Byrd to be one of the first distinct comedic writers. The humor is not ââ¬Å"pee your pants funnyâ⬠rather it is more light-hearted humor that makes the reader smile. It is evident in his writing that Byrd was indeed well-read. A writer is capable of learning a great deal about language, word usage, and style through reading. Byrdââ¬â¢s style is simple, yet he articulates his message very well and although he wrote for himself, he managed to write in a way that would capture an audienceââ¬â¢s attention. Jonathan Edwards was an intelligent man of God who served as a preacher. As an author, he wrote popular sermons and other serious works on religion, metaphysics, and philosophy. Edwardsââ¬â¢ style of writing is quite different from other authors in this unit because unlike the others he gives the reader an array of possible positions for the topic he is presenting. In the sermon Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God, Edwards develops his view on destruction and punishment from verses in Deuteronomy. Not only does he explain how he interprets the scripture, he also gives other possible views. St. Jean De Crevecoeur wrote about religion but he did not profess or maintain that he believed in God. He was a well-educated humanitarian who served his people and country. I found Letters from an American Farmer difficult to get through because his style of writing is unexciting. I was also turned off by the way he wrote about certain topics particularly African American issues. Crevecoeur was not a racist man, but he lacked some sensitivity in discussing his unique view on negroes and parenting. He believed that negroes should not continue having children because if they did misery would undeniably result for themselves and their offspring. I understand that he is referring to slaves and perhaps even slaves may have wished to not have children in order to save future generations from being forced into slavery. Crevecoeur surprised me with the boldness in his writing. The progression of writing from Smith to Crevecoeur is interesting to track and there are noticeable changes in language and word usage. As defined earlier, literature to me is written art that engages my imagination and takes my mind away from reality. Not every piece of literature will bring me the pleasure of leaving my own world for a moment and that does not mean the author has failed. Genre plays an important role in this element of the definition. For example the writings from the colonies unit are primarily non-fiction history writings that are meant to inform more than entertain. Anne Bradstreet is an exception. As the writer of poetry, her style is most obviously different from the more serious and constructed essays of the other writers. Every writer has a style that is unique, however one similarity in the colonial writings is the purpose of the authorââ¬â¢s writing. Many of the writers were writing for the sake of recording daily life and making historical accounts of slavery, war, and developing colony life. Centuries later, authors such as Smith, Bradford, Bradstreet, Taylor, Edwards, and Crevecoeur are recognized as masters in the field of writing. Writers during the establishment of the colonies wrote simple, yet serious and powerful pieces of art. They have a style of writing and voice that still captures the hearts of readers.
Thursday, November 14, 2019
A Tale of Two Cities Essay: Vengeance and Blood :: Tale Two Cities Essays
Vengeance and Blood in A Tale of Two Cities In A Tale of Two Cities, Charles Dickens depicts how pointless the revolution becomes when the original goal of equality becomes lost when the anger, frustration, and desire for revenge of the third estate is finally discharged. The trial of Charles Darnay, the words and actions of Madame Defarge, and use of symbolism and foreshadowing show how anger drove the revolution to a state of pointlessness. One major reason the revolution became out of hand was due to unscrupulous people running the courts and the imprisonment of innocent people for no reason. Charles Darnay happens to be a character in dire trouble, when he finds himself being imprisoned and tried before an unjust tribunal. Darnay was a wealthy man who left France, but returned to help a former servant and " was accused by the public prosecutor as an emigrant, whose life was forfeit to the Republic, under the decree which banished all emigrants on pain of Death" (413). One way to impose revenge on the higher classes was to sentence them to death for little or no reason, which was the case with Darnay. At his second trial Darnay realized that " before the unjust Tribunal, there was little or no order of procedure, ensuring to any accused person any reasonable hearing. There could have been no such Revolution, if all laws, forms, and ceremonies, had no first been so monstrously abused, that the suicidal vengeance of the Revolution was to scatter them all to the winds" (457). The chaotic and murderous atmosphere within the courts reflected the frenzied state that lay outside of its dreaded doors. Another example of revenge can be seen in the character Madame Defarge. Madame Defarge represents the people in France who gave in to hate to satisfy the hurt and pain that had churned inside of them for so long, and is finally released in murder and acts of revenge. She was a woman without pity and virtue. For " it was nothing to her, that an innocent man was to die for the sins of his forefathers; she saw, not him, but them. It was nothing to her, that his wife was to be made a widow and his daughter an orphan; that was insufficient punishment, because they were her natural enemies and her prey, and as such had no right to live" ( 524). Many people showed this same type of vindictiveness, which created a curtain that blocked the original goal of the third estate. A Tale of Two Cities Essay: Vengeance and Blood :: Tale Two Cities Essays Vengeance and Blood in A Tale of Two Cities In A Tale of Two Cities, Charles Dickens depicts how pointless the revolution becomes when the original goal of equality becomes lost when the anger, frustration, and desire for revenge of the third estate is finally discharged. The trial of Charles Darnay, the words and actions of Madame Defarge, and use of symbolism and foreshadowing show how anger drove the revolution to a state of pointlessness. One major reason the revolution became out of hand was due to unscrupulous people running the courts and the imprisonment of innocent people for no reason. Charles Darnay happens to be a character in dire trouble, when he finds himself being imprisoned and tried before an unjust tribunal. Darnay was a wealthy man who left France, but returned to help a former servant and " was accused by the public prosecutor as an emigrant, whose life was forfeit to the Republic, under the decree which banished all emigrants on pain of Death" (413). One way to impose revenge on the higher classes was to sentence them to death for little or no reason, which was the case with Darnay. At his second trial Darnay realized that " before the unjust Tribunal, there was little or no order of procedure, ensuring to any accused person any reasonable hearing. There could have been no such Revolution, if all laws, forms, and ceremonies, had no first been so monstrously abused, that the suicidal vengeance of the Revolution was to scatter them all to the winds" (457). The chaotic and murderous atmosphere within the courts reflected the frenzied state that lay outside of its dreaded doors. Another example of revenge can be seen in the character Madame Defarge. Madame Defarge represents the people in France who gave in to hate to satisfy the hurt and pain that had churned inside of them for so long, and is finally released in murder and acts of revenge. She was a woman without pity and virtue. For " it was nothing to her, that an innocent man was to die for the sins of his forefathers; she saw, not him, but them. It was nothing to her, that his wife was to be made a widow and his daughter an orphan; that was insufficient punishment, because they were her natural enemies and her prey, and as such had no right to live" ( 524). Many people showed this same type of vindictiveness, which created a curtain that blocked the original goal of the third estate.
Tuesday, November 12, 2019
Art and How It Effects the Geographical
In todayââ¬â¢s world the question of what is art is one that most people would have mixed responses and views on. This may be due to the rise of technology, specifically the dependence of the internet on peopleââ¬â¢s everyday lives. The idea of Art seems to get lost in todayââ¬â¢s world and newer generations have distanced themselves from art. There once was such a heavily reliance and dependence on art in peopleââ¬â¢s everyday lives but with time this has slowly started to fade. In the Merriam-Websterââ¬â¢s Online Dictionary there are sixty eight definitions for ââ¬ËArtââ¬â¢. The definition that many people associate with or people with some knowledge about art tend to use from the Merriam-Websterââ¬â¢s Dictionary is that it is something produced as an artistic effort or for decorative purposes. Another definition for art from the same dictionary is the conscious use of skill and creative imagination especially in the production of aesthetic objects. Many people interpret art in many different ways. This is very evident in todayââ¬â¢s society with regards to people and relating what they are practicing, believing or doing to a form of art. This may be controversial in some cases which, over time have led to there being many conflicts and wars over such issues relating back to art. Famous pieces of art have been created over time, by famous artists who have shaped the world of art of today. Lobbyist groups, culture groups and other parties have formed over time and have used different forms of art to come together to promote awareness to their group or cause. Political involvement in the Artââ¬â¢s sector is something that over time has become an issue for some people who do not agree with how money is being allocated for the arts. In some cases how the government handles situations in relation to the Arts and funding is questioned sometimes because some people feel like they are not being cared for or assisted. As discussed in the article Lobbying for Arts and Culture by Jason Hall, during the 1970s, arts and culture lobbying became a bigger issue at the federal level. It was during this time that the National Endowments for the Arts and Humanities (NEA and NEH) and The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) were created. This creation allowed for lobbying to become intensely focused at a federal level. Along with these creations came annual appropriations, which meant that money was now being set aside for funding of the Arts. This was something that at first many people were not aware of was happening, but once people realized the issue became a bigger one for everyone involved. At one point funding was as high as 175 million a year for the Arts in the United States, specifically Washington D. C. The culture wars of the 1980ââ¬â¢s and 1990 have brought tension between cultures for reasons relating in back to art. With the creation of these boards, services and relations the wars were able to fade in the late 1990ââ¬â¢s as culture and art became more intertwined with peopleââ¬â¢s everyday lives. Around this time is when the electronic boom happened and advancements in technology exploded around the world. With new creations and inventions increasing the way people interact with each other people were now able to collect information in ways they have never been able to do before. This was something that benefitted most parties involved but also left a window for people to be exposed. With this new technology at many institutions and peopleââ¬â¢s disposal more political issues were able to be handled in a quicker manor. What many people fail to realize with Art is since many people see it as such a broad topic people can relate to art in many different ways through beliefs, views, practises and talents. This idea has raised questions for future generations because the decline in people participating in some form of art is raising thanks in part to a variety of reasons. The main argument deals with technology and how people today are more interested in electronics as opposed to the Arts. There are still many people today who rely and believe heavily in the Arts. The sad reality is that number is not what it once was bringing up many questions people do not have answers for. An example would be since funding today is so great for the Arts in many cases across Canada and the United States and other parts of the world will the investments now be used and appreciated in the future. The market for art depends on the people involved wither it is paintings, religions, music or any other form of art. Depending on the audience some forms of art are enjoyed by more people with more funding going in the direction of the places or practises that are less popular to the general public but still attract guests and people associated with that form of art. This is what makes art so interesting the fact that the market depends on the people one speaks to and what he or she believes or has strong feelings for. With being so broad more people can relate in one way or another, but it is something that is not happening due to peopleââ¬â¢s interests elsewhere. This has led to organizations today being created that are either legitimate or scams which is why in some cases people have a hard time trusting certain situations. The idea of tax advantages for certain organizations was mentioned in Halls article leading to these organizations being created over night in some cases to get in on these tax advantages. With these tax advantages that were starting to be given out to certain charity groups, local museums and theatres to name a few advocacy and lobbyist groups began to appear in larger numbers. These groups are created to try and preserve Art and the many great things that it has to offer in such a variety of different ways. Through music, dance or visual displays art allows people to express themselves in ways that they would normally not be able to do. A lot of credit for art being able to survive in todayââ¬â¢s world goes to the generous donors and government tax grants and other incentives received due to a lack of interest in some cases. The operating costs for being involved with Art can get pretty high so having generous donations for people, businesses or governments allows these places to continue to operate. The impact of new technologies has changed how the word of art is interpreted for many people. This is done in many ways, with relation to artists and artwork people can now see their work online in most cases and do not need to fly across the world to see a famous painting. Listening to famous orchestras or musicals can now be done online as well taking away from experiences people can only get when they see the art performance first hand. Although in these cases new technologies seem to have hindered certain ideas that art tries to promote it has given people a chance to hear or see things they would not normally see because they are located in other parts of the world. With these new technologies at peopleââ¬â¢s disposal it gives more people a chance to explore and find out different forms of art. This is because people can take art for what they think it is, explore it with the technologies available and find other people who feel the same way. Regardless of how people feel politics in the end have a big say in how things are run and operated within certain jurisdictions with regards to the Arts. A big issue for politicians and the topic of art is now the security of the general public due to attacks stemming from certain beliefs or practices. Again another problem with politics is actually receiving the funding from the House or the Senate. In most cases a congressmen or senators have to be connected in some way or another to a certain museum or cause to receive a generous donation. Much has changed from the early times that date back to the Greeks with regards to how people saw and interpreted art. The roles it had on everyday life and culture have changed dramatically depending on where one decides to locate. Over time there have been many difficult days, months and years involving art and culture wars with many lives being taken in the end. The federal levels involvement in art is what is keeping it alive, mainly due to money investments and donations from the government, charities or private groups. A great example that was given in Halls article was how Museums generally get about 95ââ¬â97 percent of their public sector funding from local and state government. Art is still important to many peopleââ¬â¢s livelihood because they depend on art to express how they feel or provide a living. The most come perception people get when they just hear the word art is associate it with paintings, drawings or something else one would see in a museum. While many people would agree with this the media in todayââ¬â¢s world along with the technology at peopleââ¬â¢s fingertips has managed to almost hide art and make it not as powerful and meaningful as it once was on everyday life around the world. One can see that over time peopleââ¬â¢s views and desires have begun to steer away from being so involved with art directly. This is something that will ultimately take away from the meaning of great things that have had to deal with art in the past because people will not be informed or aware due to the lack of coverage and dependency on art.
Saturday, November 9, 2019
Christian worldview Essay
Theologians from different ages attempted to answer this question by pointing to the primacy of the Bible and the laws of the Church as the foremost guide to Christian living. Thomas Aquinas, for example, noted that a Christian worldview is Christocentric from the very beginning. that is, the creation was a manifestation of the Word of God. Hence, the Christian is obliged to recognize that the word ââ¬Å"creationâ⬠is a partial manifestation of Christ (partial, since the mystery of the Trinity is yet to be revealed to humanity). Hence, every human being is expected by the Creator to be stewards of His creation. This role of stewardship should be characterized by respect for creation, responsible leadership, and brotherhood. Thus, for Aquinas, the Christian worldview is tantamount to recognition of the Christocentric origin of creation and its manifestations (the role of stewardship) in the actions of men. The Concept of Worldview: A Background In Creation Regained : Biblical Basics for a Reformation Worldview , Albert Wolters answers the question by pointing that ââ¬Å"living consciously to the teachings of the Bible and understanding its meaningâ⬠is grounded on what he calls ââ¬Å"framework. â⬠This framework is equivalent to the term ââ¬Å"worldviewâ⬠(in German, Weltanschauung). Worldview literally means a framework of beliefs which functions as a guide to life. The author sees that the elements of a Christian worldview were first derived from the Bible and expounded by the Protestant Reformation. Hence, Wolters exposition of a Christian worldview had its roots from Protestant theology, although the basic elements of a Christian worldview are almost identical. In the book, Wolters created a framework for understanding the teaching of the scripture by expounding three concepts: creation, fall, and redemption. The author notes that the creation was formed out of Godââ¬â¢s goodness. this goodness flow from the Divine will to the physical world. It can be said that the physical world to which man is located has that share of Divine Essence. Added to that, when God created man, he set forth creation as manââ¬â¢s purpose. God bestowed on man the role of stewards of creation. Creation serves as the means of man to attain his full development. Thus, it can be said that the ââ¬Å"creation was created for man, and man for creation. â⬠This mutual relationship between creation and man can be exhibited in the book of Genesis. The scope of such relationship became, however, limited because of the fall of humanity. However, the incarnation of the Word to this world became the grounding point for the restoration of creation. Hence, Christââ¬â¢s redemption of humanity served as the climax for that restoration. Godââ¬â¢s Grace as Restoration Here we can argue that Godââ¬â¢s grace is not a concept far removed from the physical world. It is neither supra-creational nor anti-creational. Godââ¬â¢s grace is restorative in value. God intended to restore the original goodness and meaning of creation to which sin has severely damaged. Wolters argues that because of the expansive scope of Godââ¬â¢s redeeming work, Christians are invited to participate in his work in all parts of the world. Thus, the author notes that redemption is tantamount to the fulfillment of Godââ¬â¢s will in this world. The afterlife serves as the final test of manââ¬â¢s love for God. The term ââ¬Å"redemptionâ⬠though is only a subset of Godââ¬â¢s grace (since Godââ¬â¢s grace is the totality of Godââ¬â¢s loving actions towards the history of man). Redemption is viewed as the restoration of manââ¬â¢s relationship with God, which had been severely impaired by the fall. This restoration though, cannot be attained if God is viewed by man as a distant entity. God therefore willed that He must be a participant in the redemption of man, because ââ¬Å"He alone is capable of giving grace to man. â⬠This was manifested in the incarnation of the Word. The incarnation serves as Godââ¬â¢s medium to communicate his ââ¬Å"graceâ⬠to man. Wolters notes that the baptism of Jesus Christ was the first act to which God made clear His intention of reaching the humanity. This ââ¬Å"reachingâ⬠though must be viewed as an act of love. undeterred by the dualist distinction of the divine and the physical. Needless to say, it was also a means of God to show that His preeminence is unbounded by time, space, and matter. that although He is distinct from the three dimensions of the physical world, He is Lord. Concepts of Structure and Direction The relationship among the three concepts can be explained using two terms: structure and direction. Structure refers ââ¬Å"to the order of creationâ⬠, that is, it is the unchangeable and objective reality established by God. This establishment of objective reality was basically derived from the Divine Essence, yet distinct from God Himself. This method of ascribing the nature of creation to God is stressed in the work of Catholic and Protestant theologians. According to this method, we assume that Godââ¬â¢s nature is translated into another nature by virtue of creation. However, we can never equalize Godââ¬â¢s nature with that of creation. The reality expressed in God is different from the reality manifested in creation. Thus, Godââ¬â¢s preeminence in terms of nature is recognition of the Divine origin of creation. Thus, the ââ¬Å"order of creationâ⬠is derived from the will of God, and yet distinct from His nature. Direction, on the other hand, is about the evil in the world and its corresponding cure. The evil was first manifested in the fall of humanity. the cure in the salvific actions of the incarnated Word. Thus, the author argues that structure and direction comprised the ââ¬Å"worldview. â⬠This worldview though differs from philosophy and theology by virtue of being pre-theoretical. This pre-theoretical notion of worldview is compounded on the will of God. Thus, the author notes that the order of creation (structure) is something derived from God which can be utilized for or against the kingdom of God (direction). The Idea of Creation The idea of creation is expounded in the book of Wolters. Wolters defines it as ââ¬Å"the correlation of the sovereign activity of the Creator and the created order. â⬠This created order is governed by Godââ¬â¢s acts called ââ¬Å"laws. â⬠Here, Wolters arrives at a definition of law: ââ¬Å"the totality of Godââ¬â¢s ordaining acts toward the cosmos. â⬠Law is a translation of Godââ¬â¢s will into actions comprehensible by the human mind. Translation is necessary in order for men to obey the will of God and participate in Godââ¬â¢s work (stewardship of creation). Added to that, law is also recognition of the subordinate nature of creation to the will of God. This subordination though does not impede the capacity of creation to reach full development. The law serves as the focal point of development of all creatures since the ââ¬Å"history of creationâ⬠is guided by the salvific actions of the Most High. The Conception of Divine Law Nonetheless, the law is foremost the recognition of the sovereignty of the Absolute and Perfect God and of the individuality of the creation. Anything beyond the grasp of Godââ¬â¢s ordaining acts does not exist. Development separate from the hands of God will not mature. Thus, it can be said that the law serves as the driving force for the maintenance of the ââ¬Å"order of creationâ⬠and its corresponding development. Here Wolters makes a distinction between the law ordained by God and the laws established by man. The law ordained by God serves first as a means for humanity to achieve full development. Humanity from the very beginning is special to God. Among the creatures of the earth, God chose man as his representation. When God said, ââ¬Å"Let us create man in our own imageâ⬠, God bestows on man the authority to shape the world. Thus, when God established the ââ¬Å"Lawâ⬠, He intends for obedience to become a point of development. that is, development in accordance to the will of God. As what had been argued earlier, development outside the scope of Godââ¬â¢s authority does not exist. Second, Godââ¬â¢s law functions as a test to humanity. For example, the laws of nature were established in order to test the efficacy of manââ¬â¢s genuine efforts to reach the Almighty. God wants humanity to discover and reach Him through its own efforts. By the laws of nature, man realizes that a Power exists beyond what he perceives. This Power is the manifested in the powers of nature: the capability to create and destroy. Thus, God intended the law to be a salvific force for manââ¬â¢s redemption. Human law, on the other hand, tends to be brutal and blind in scope. For the most, laws in society protect the strong and promote injustice. Rather than catering to the needs of the weak and the poor, these laws maintain the paramount interests of the ruling class. The consequence: the laws established by society become contradictory to the true purpose of the Higher Law. Rather than viewing these ââ¬Å"secular lawsâ⬠as an extension of the Law of God, it is perceived by the oppressed as an instrument of injustice and evil. Wolters then argues that because of the inclination of the laws of society to dispense evil and injustice, it becomes an ââ¬Å"enemy of Godââ¬â¢s ordained purpose. â⬠Secular and Religious Domains of the Law Wolters argues that the world is divided into ââ¬Å"secularâ⬠and ââ¬Å"religiousâ⬠domains (based from the distinction of human and divine law). The religious domain is that which concerns the private approach to scripture removed from the rudiments of ââ¬Å"publicâ⬠or ââ¬Å"secularâ⬠affairs such as politics, science, art, and scholarship. He argues that the ââ¬Å"religiousâ⬠domain focuses on the personal ascription of an individual to the nature of the Divine. that is, the world outside the grasp of the human mind. The ââ¬Å"secularâ⬠domain is the one derived from God and made meaningful by man. ââ¬Å"Meaningfulâ⬠here does not connote the imperfection of God in establishing an ââ¬Å"orderâ⬠, rather God gave man the capability of creating an order to which he may achieve his full potential. Components of Worldview Here, Wolters correlates ââ¬Å"worldviewâ⬠with the cognitive dimension of humanity as the medium to which man may live faithfully in accordance to the Divine Essence. He notes that if man would rearrange his mental structure to embody the teachings of the Bible, then manââ¬â¢s life would reflect the will of the Divine. Needless to say, manââ¬â¢s life would be renewed and somehow ââ¬Å"restoredâ⬠to its true purpose. Thus, Wolters argues that a one-way subordinate relationship exists between beliefs and practices. Practices are derived from beliefs. Beliefs are derived from Godââ¬â¢s revelation to man (which reached its climax in the redemptive act of Jesus Christ). In this dualism, the inner aspect of worldview is equivalent to beliefs. the outer to practices. These two aspects of dualism though are not mutually exclusive. Manââ¬â¢s beliefs influence his actions. His actions, in turn, reinforce those beliefs. Here, Wolters presents a discussion of consecration and sanctification. Sanctification refers `to the renewal from the inside out. â⬠Consecration, on the other hand, refers ââ¬Å"to external and superficial renewal. â⬠The distinction between these two concepts can be grasped from a substantial understanding of the dualist conception of worldview. Before an individual is renewed superficially, there is a need to rearrange his beliefs. The rearrangement should be based from Biblical precepts declared to be essential to manââ¬â¢s future relationship with God. This rearrangement is termed ââ¬Å"internal reorientation. â⬠When beliefs are properly renewed (consequently worldview is changed), this results to a total reorientation of manââ¬â¢s lives and his activities. Because practices constitute manââ¬â¢s life, reforming becomes a way to enrich that life, and to an extent, to give meaning to its true purpose. It should be noted that this ââ¬Å"new lifeâ⬠is Christocentric in orientation. Faith becomes a manifestation of the Divine Will and transforms into actions contributing to its fulfillment. Here, we can assume that an `internal reorientationâ⬠of the inner aspect of worldview is a prerequisite in the total reformation of manââ¬â¢s life. Form of Biblical Worldview The form of Biblical Worldview which Wolters presents in his book can be summarized as follows: The form itself is ordained by God after the fall of man. The fall of humanity destroyed the bridge between God and man, and thus made necessary the proliferation of sin in the world. Because the primary purpose of creation is man, and of man is creation, there was a need to establish a structure and direction that would characterize manââ¬â¢s worldview. Direction though is a manifestation that God gave man freewill. that is, the freedom to choose between good and evil. God though continues to guide humanity throughout history as a Force of salvation and grace. Godââ¬â¢s establishment of the Divine Law serves as a means for man to attain his true purpose. This true purpose can only be found in the realm of the Divine. Hence, the law as what Jesus Christ said ââ¬Å"is made for man, not man for the law. â⬠And, worldview is made up of two components: consecration and sanctification. Sanctification is a prerequisite for consecration. A reorientation of manââ¬â¢s belief is necessary for a total transformation of his life. This transformation though must be Christocentric and derived from freewill. Only when these requirements are fulfilled that man reaches the mind of the Divine. The will of God then becomes manifested in the actions of man. Man then is restored to his true purpose (which was damaged by the fall). Personal Understanding of Christianity: Changes Personally, the redemption of Christ serves only as the restoration of Godââ¬â¢s infinite love to humanity. This is not the case in Woltersââ¬â¢ book. Godââ¬â¢s infinite love had been from the very beginning directed to the nature of man. God intended man to be his close associate, greater than the angels, and receiver of His Divine grace. No point in history that Godââ¬â¢s love for humanity diminished. Godââ¬â¢s love for humanity is perfect and without bound. Even if the physical world ends, Godââ¬â¢s love will flow. This is the ultimate fact of Christianity. Nonetheless, the view (personal) that the restoration of man to his true nature is limited by time and space is also contradictory to the thesis of Wolters. He argues that the restoration or the redemption of humanity through Christ is continuous. that is, the Divine grace moves history towards the full attainment of that restoration. Hence, the righteous is called to participate in this redemptive act so that the ââ¬Å"sinnersâ⬠would be enlightened of the true purpose of Godââ¬â¢s reign. Personally, there are only two events in human history which can be described as salient to Christian faith: fall and redemption. This is though not the case in Woltersââ¬â¢ thesis. From the very beginning (creation), God intended man to live with Himself to attain his potentialities. This was damaged by sin: the element that disrupted (and continues to disrupt) manââ¬â¢s true nature. Man became far from God. Although God tried to reach man, man became (and continues to become) ignorant of himself. Man was blinded by the authority given by God over His creation. He became selfish and ignorant of Godââ¬â¢s will. Thus, God willed that man be restored to himself. that is, God wants man to be reconciled to his true nature: a nature that recognizes its Divine origin. Bibliography Aquinas, Thomas. Whether temporal goods fall under merit? â⬠in Summa Theologica (Calvin College, Christian Classics Ethereal Library, 2005). Retrieved on 28 October 2007 from http://www. ccel. org/ccel/aquinas/summa. FS_Q114_A10. html. Luther, Martin. ââ¬Å"The Necessity of Knowing God and His Powerâ⬠in De Servo Arbitrio (On the Enslaved Will. (Calvin College, Christian Classics Ethereal Library, 2007). Retrieved on 28 October 2007 from http://www. ccel. org/ccel/luther/bondage. viii. html.
Thursday, November 7, 2019
Free Essays on Understanding Globalisation
The concept of global culture is one in which we must look at from a very open minded perspective. From the sprawling metropolis of Los Angeles, to New Delhiââ¬â¢s Yamuna River we see the effects of globalization. Erla Zwingle describes the process of globalization, as a shift from old, locally owned businesses, to new multinational corporations whose product are consumed in every part of the world. Within this shift from local, to multinational business we can also see that English, a single language is emerging as one in which people all over the world are able to communicate through. Along with this new global language we can also see that certain consumer products are now recognizable on the global level. A good example of one of these products is Coca-Cola. Coca-Cola, originally a small company based out of Atlanta, Georgia whose corporate reach was limited to the American South is now a global company whose trademark logo can be recognized by almost anyone all over the world. Another example of a global culture that Zwingle uses is the example of Tom Sloper and Mah-Jongg. Tom Sloper is an American software developer that plays the Chinese game Mah-Jongg with people all over the world through the Internet. Through interactions with people in different parts of the world, such as in Tomââ¬â¢s case, we can see that cultures are spreading to people whom previously would have no way to experience them. The question of if the spread of western culture through the world is a good thing is one in which we can look it from two different perspectives. On one hand we can see it as global advancement into a new era where people are more educated about different cultures. On the other hand we can view it as imposing a single culture on the entire world, destroying peoples cultural history and traditions. However black and white this debate may seem, Zwingle brings up a good point when discussing Chinese resistance to westernizati... Free Essays on Understanding Globalisation Free Essays on Understanding Globalisation The concept of global culture is one in which we must look at from a very open minded perspective. From the sprawling metropolis of Los Angeles, to New Delhiââ¬â¢s Yamuna River we see the effects of globalization. Erla Zwingle describes the process of globalization, as a shift from old, locally owned businesses, to new multinational corporations whose product are consumed in every part of the world. Within this shift from local, to multinational business we can also see that English, a single language is emerging as one in which people all over the world are able to communicate through. Along with this new global language we can also see that certain consumer products are now recognizable on the global level. A good example of one of these products is Coca-Cola. Coca-Cola, originally a small company based out of Atlanta, Georgia whose corporate reach was limited to the American South is now a global company whose trademark logo can be recognized by almost anyone all over the world. Another example of a global culture that Zwingle uses is the example of Tom Sloper and Mah-Jongg. Tom Sloper is an American software developer that plays the Chinese game Mah-Jongg with people all over the world through the Internet. Through interactions with people in different parts of the world, such as in Tomââ¬â¢s case, we can see that cultures are spreading to people whom previously would have no way to experience them. The question of if the spread of western culture through the world is a good thing is one in which we can look it from two different perspectives. On one hand we can see it as global advancement into a new era where people are more educated about different cultures. On the other hand we can view it as imposing a single culture on the entire world, destroying peoples cultural history and traditions. However black and white this debate may seem, Zwingle brings up a good point when discussing Chinese resistance to westernizati...
Tuesday, November 5, 2019
Decorate an Eyeball Cake
Decorate an Eyeball Cake Bake and decorate a creepy eyeball cake for Halloween, birthday or fun science parties. This cake is very simple to make. Although it looks eye-catching, it doesnt require any special pans or cake-decorating materials. Bake the Eyeball Cake Select your favorite cake mix. White cake matches the frosting, but you could add red food coloring to a mix to make a bloody eyeball. Yes, its gross, but that is the point, right? Preheat your oven (350Ã ° F).Spray a glass or metal 2-qt mixing bowl with nonstick cooking spray.Sprinkle the pan with flour. Shake out any excess.Bake the cake. It will take about as long as if you were baking a bundt cake... probably around 35 minutes.Allow the cake to cool completely.Remove the cake from the bowl and set it on a plate. If the cake sticks, you can use a rubber spatula or butter knife to help release it. Decorate the Eyeball Cake Frost the entire cake with white frosting. If you want a perfectly smooth eyeball, use white icing, which is thinner and sets with a glossy finish.Draw an eye using blue or frosting. You can use a glass to imprint a circle shape in the white frosting.Fill in the pupil of the eye with black frosting or use a circle made from construction paper. I used a mini-Reeses wrapper.Use red gel frosting to trace blood vessels in the white of the eye. Bon appetit!
Sunday, November 3, 2019
Depth of hypnotic trance will differ depend on language use Literature review
Depth of hypnotic trance will differ depend on language use - Literature review Example justice system, but generally there is agreement that hypnosis is a valuable technique when carried out responsibly by professionally qualified practitioners. Most of the empirical research that has been carried out to date is concerned with hypnosis in a monolingual context. Both practitioner and client share a common language, the subject matter that arises in the hypnosis sessions is collected in that shared language, and evaluation is also conducted in that language. Theoretical research has taken account of international work which has been conducted in many separate mono-lingual contexts, but there is so far not very much comparative work on the differences which might exist in different linguistic contexts. There is one dominant framework for the measurement of hypnotic sensibility, and that is the Harvard Group Scale, (Shore and Orne, 1962) which was developed in the United States in the 1960s, based, of course, on hypnosis using the English language. Analysis of bi-lingual hypnosis situations, and evaluation of any variation of the effect of different languages on the hypnosis process is very rare. Hypnosis in the twenty first century has not changed very much since the time when the Harvard Group Scale was first proposed. What has changed is the amount of international contact due to forces like the end of the Cold War, the process of globalisation and the advent of new technologies like the internet and fast, affordable international travel. Both permanent and temporary migration of population groups appears to be on the increase, and this means that in all areas of life, including the field of psychology, people are being faced with new challenges. There is an increasing likelihood that professional contact will be made with people who may not share the same ethnic, cultural and linguistic heritage. Diversity is increasingly being built in to business processes and services. In addition to these practical dimensions of globalisation, there are
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