Intro-Judeo-Christians Traditions

Intro-Judeo-Christians Traditions

Quiz 1

1. a) Christology is a part of Christian theology. The doctrine explains the nature, role, and study of Jesus Christ (McEver, Matthew, p.3). Christians tend to learn Christology in churches as early as when they are young. The learning becomes a belief which is tough for Christians to change. Again, Christians may not consider alternatives due to cultural cognition. The teachings in the Gospel Books of the New Testament strengthen Christians. Activities which challenge Christology are not tolerated within the religion. Finally, Christians associate and follow the personalities listed in the Holy Book, the Bible. Teachings obtained from these biblical teachings increases Christians’ faith and reduce the open-mindedness to consider alternatives. This is a Student Sample ORDER YOUR PAPER NOW
2. b) Jesus Christ died on the cross. Christians argue that He died to save them from their sins. That is the theological view. However, from the historical view, it can be said that He was crucified due to blasphemy. The religious leaders, and Pharisees, King Herod the Great and Pilate, accused Jesus of claiming to be the Son of God. According to their laws, the punishment for blasphemy was death through crucifixion on the cross. However, Christians strongly believe that according to the New Testament teachings, Jesus Christ died so that they may be saved from their sins.
3. c) The religion is probably likely to reign in the 21^st century due to some reasons. For example, 32.5 percent of the total global population belongs to Christianity (Maoz, Zeev and Errol Henderson, 274.) Members may find it hard to leave for they rarely consider other alternatives. Secondly, Christians, unlike other religions, sing hymns, songs, and conduct church services often. For example, in most of Christian dominated countries, people attend churches three to four times in a week. This trend makes Christianity religion attractive as well create awareness. For example, non-religious (pagans) may be attracted to join. The religion is one of the best since it is not strict. Unlike the Muslims who don’t eat pork. Hindus still cannot eat beef. In Christianity, members are free to do whatever they want but keep in mind the values and teachings in the Bible. Christians are guided by the teachings to do noble things which will enable them to enter the Gods Kingdom.

Quiz 2

1. a) The story is about the selfish giant who chased the children from playing in his garden(Wilde).The paradise lost its beauty and was covered with frost. After the kids had come to play in the garden, it resumed its beauty. The story shows an individual’s fall in salvation due to selfishness and other vices. Christians are taught to be helpful and assist others with what they do not have.  The bible teachings in the book of 2 Corinthians 9:11, narrates that “God loves a cheerful giver”. This is because if one becomes selfish, whatever he has may be taken back by God since He is the one who gives.

The story teaches on forming friendships, creating peace and being forgiven for mistakes done. The bible says when a sinner realizes the mistakes, repentance can be done to win back salvation. When the giant realized his mistake, he allowed the children and the birds to his garden. The trees sprout again, and it became adorable. The boy who had been helped by the giant took him (giant) to the Garden of Paradise. The ‘angel’ boy rewarded the giant for assisting his climb to the top of a tree.

Quiz 3

1. a) The angels described in the story are normal little children who die and are taken to heaven. Jesus experience was to die for humans to enter the kingdom of God. On the other hand, the angels die due to individual physical challenges. For example, the poor sick boy who walked on crutches (Anderson)
2. b) The death and resurrection of Jesus showed that there is life after death..  The helpless believers will live eternal life. The story explains that when little children die, they are taken to heaven. Theologically, Jesus suffered for sinners to be forgiven. His helplessness comforts true believers that they are clean to enter God’s Kingdom.

Quiz 4

6. a) Ecclesiology refers to the understanding of how the church building should resemble. It comprises of the designs and decorations of the building (Niemandt & Cornelius, 6.) At my point of view, it should be a rectangular hall with dull paintings. Members can be seated in a row seat arrangement. The priest’s platform should be slightly raised, and a cross-resemblance can be used. However, it should not have drawings on the wall or color lights. The congregation which goes to church should have faith, worship God together and believe that Jesus is their savior. The church leaders lead the worship and preaching sessions. Preaching the word reminds Christians what they should do to enter the Kingdom of God. Moreover, the word wins sinners to God who forgives them when they get baptized. The Word also praises God by saying He is eternal, wise, holy, good, and powerful.
7. b) Cultural situations have to be considered. They assist in giving a meaning of whatever is said. At times, the narrators may bias, dislike, manipulate or lack proper information thus giving incorrect reports. For instance, someone may provide information criticizing John Kennedy. As generally known, Kennedy was a Republican leader. Therefore, whoever criticizes must be a democrat. Similarly, the audience should consider the origin of the narrator. A non-American may lack valuable information concerning Kennedy. People who lived before the cold war know much about Kennedy. Such individuals are likely to give true stories about Kennedy unlike the ones born later. Identifying social situations assists the narrators in evaluating their reports.
8. c) In the church history, there exists Gnosticism which is a collection of old believers (Niemandt, 5). The religion believed there are two supreme beings; demiurge and savior figures. The first one is said to be evil while the latter is Jesus Christ. The religion encouraged its members to stay away from world pleasures. It advocated for people to have the inner experience of Christ. The religion was found to be attractive to many people. It ensured equality by eradicating hierarchy in the society (Gillabel). Secondly, they were too tolerant that they never built worship areas, they only gathered. The Gnostics were rich in knowledge giving stories written in the Old Testament and answering real-life questions of day-day activities.
9. d) Apostolic, Holy, One, and Catholic are the four marks of the church (Saunders) they are special since each has a purpose. Oneness is attributed to one body and the Holy Spirit which guide people of God. Oneness is embraced through reading the Apostles Creed as well as the Lord’s Prayer. It is celebrated by use of the sacraments and the Holy Communion. Secondly, the church is said to be holy. God is holy, and His house should also be spiritually clean. Christians believe that churches are sacred grounds. They worship, repent and seek forgiveness for their sins.

Churches are said to be universal. Although they are very many in the world, they worship the same God. The Holy Spirit is believed to be universally present in each church (Wilde, 14). Biblical teachings holds that God is Omnipresent. Therefore, God’s Holy Spirit guides the church leaders as they minister the Word of God irrespective of where they are. Eventually, churches are apostolic. Just like Jesus chose the twelve disciples to spread the Gospel, apostles are allowed to lead the church. They have various titles such as bishops, evangelists, deacons, priests, and pastors. Such people must be theologically taught to minister the word accordingly.

At my point of view, I suggest there should be another mark. That should be Holy Scriptures. The other four explain how the chapels should be but do not explain how the word is spread. The apostles should use the Holy Bible to read and interpret Scriptures. They should neither manipulate nor criticize the scriptures. I suggest all churches’ teachings and spread of gospel to be restricted within the Bible. Nowadays some of the leaders use their personal experiences, own understanding to interpret bible teachings and their perceptions to preach, which should not be the case. This is a Student Sample ORDER YOUR PAPER NOW

Quiz 5

1. a) Erickson& John (141) say there should be only one church. The statement by Erickson and John means that Christian teachings should be similar all over the word. Again, they go further and argue that church is place where people gather with an agenda of worshiping God. Qualified and God chosen elders must lead the groups. Prayers and communions should occasionally be conducted. However, Christians are much diversified into Catholics and Protestant churches. Creating unity between the two groups into one church may loosen the faith of the members. Each church has its procedures, days of worship and restrictions. The respective members believe their churches are the best. Building one church cannot unite the Christians; their faith may be lost. However, provided that both Catholics and Protestants are Christians and they worship same God it is important to uphold to the Christians moral values that binds them together.
2. b) Christians worship for various reasons. They bring the glory of God through praising. Worship assists Christians to participate in the spiritual warfare. Christian unity and holiness are embraced. Purification and motivation to Christ are accomplished. Similarly, an atmosphere for preaching God’s word is created. That wins souls to Christ due to the mood formed during worship. Alternatively, Christians praise as way of expressing how God Mighty and Powerful.

Quiz 6

As a Protestant, I describe the Holy Communion session as the activity used to symbolize the Last Supper. The pastor reads the scriptures from either of the Gospel Books. A small piece of bread (made without yeast) is taken to symbolize the Body of Christ. Only baptized people are allowed to take. Later on, another scripture is read. Then wine or grape juice is sipped to symbolize the blood of Jesus. Members then pray together. Final prayer marks the end of Holy Communion session.

References

Anderson, Hans Christian. The Angel (Short Story) . 2014. 22 February 2017. <http://info.booktrack.com/texts/spiritual/the-angel-short-story>.

Erickson, John H. “The Church in modern Orthodox thought: towards a baptismal ecclesiology. “International journal for the Study of the Christian Church 11.2-3 (2011): 137-151.

Gillabel, Dirk. Gnosticism answers to who we are. 2001. 21 February 2017. <http://www.soul guidance.com/houseofthesun/gnosticism.htm>.

Maoz, Zeev, and Errol A. Henderson. “The world religion dataset, 1945–2010: Logic, estimates,

And trends.” International Interactions 39.3 (2013): 265-291.

McEver, Matthew. “The messianic figure in film: Christology beyond the biblical epic.

“Journal of Religion & Film 2.2 (2016): 3.

Niemandt, Cornelius JP. “Trends in missional ecclesiology: original research.” HTS: Theological  Studies 68.1 (2012): 1-9.

Saunders, Fr. William. The Four Marks of the Church. 2013. 21 February 2017. <http://www.catholiceducation.org/en/culture/catholic-contributions/the-four-marks-of-the-church.html>.

Wilde, Oscar. The Selfish Giant. 2013. 21 February 2017. <http://www.eastoftheweb.com/short-stories/UBooks/SelGia.shtml>.