5) The second core concept is the notion of free grace as opposed to a doctrine of works for the salvation of man, or in other words the earning of salvation. (Puritanism par. 2) The core beliefs of Puritans are illustrated well in the sermon of Jonathan Edwards’s, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.” In Jonathan Edwards sermon, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” the reader is bombarded with the concepts and beliefs of the Puritans. The first instance of this has to do with
Professor Barbara C. Sproul REL 205 Section 001 5 February 2013 Being or Not-Being Paul Tillich’s “Religion as a Dimension in Man’s Spiritual Life” is his argument against two groups of people, the Literal Theologians and Social Scientist. The Literal Theologians believe that Religion is given by God and he does exist as a being. While the Social Scientist argues that Religion is a man made and God is a being who does not exist. Tillich in the middle of this has a side that he supports and that side is neither. Paul Tillich argues against the literal theologians and the social scientists as well.
Though Romans says that human nature is that we are sinners. Human beings are slaves to sin and seem to be powerless against it. We understand that we are not righteous at all, and that we need a relationship with God, so that we can be empowered by His righteous. His righteous comes through our faith in Jesus Christ. Only he can redeem, justify, and sanctify us, and we need all three for our salvation.
He strongly believed that evil is solely a result of human rebellion. He also argued God knew this would happen, as it is God who is omniscient. Just as he had previously seen the dispute between the angels which had lead to Satan being removed from the Heaven. Hence, Augustine
In the early pages of Cat’s Cradle, Vonnegut submits his contention that "a useful religion can be founded on lies” (Cradle 16), meaning that, fundamentally, religion is about people, not about faith or God. Vonnegut’s words seem reminiscent of Karl Marx’s description of religion as the “opiate of the masses,” and all religions in general as mere collections of “harmless untruths” that help people cope with their lives. The Book of Bokonon, which deals with the religion of Bokononism, in Cat's Cradle represents this portrait of religion at both its dreariest and its most uplifting moments. Bokononism is contradictory, paradoxical, and founded on lies; its followers are aware of this, yet they continue to believe because it gives them something on which to anchor their lives. Similarly, in Slaughterhouse-Five, Vonnegut uses the writings of Kilgore Trout to comment on religion, stating that it serves only to help people understand that which they
Another underlying cause to the reformation would be the abusive Church authority. Document 2 says " Fortunate pope, who can cheat Christ with his laws! Quite true, the remedy in such case is not a council" Document 5 says" But by their own invented service of God, holiness, external spiritual exhibition, founded upon human custom s and laws, they have gone astray.." and Document 11 states," Indeed, we declare, announce and define, that it is altogether necessary to salvation for every human being to be subject to the Roman pontiff." These documents show the concern of the abusive Church authority and use different examples to prove it. The third underlying causes of the reformation is the straying from the Bible and or altering the scriptures.
He developed a theory he reasoned that deities are simply projection objectifications of human qualities such as power, wisdom, and love onto an imagined cosmic deity outside ourselves. Then we worship it as Supreme and do not recognize that those same qualities lie within ourselves, instead we see ourselves as weak and sinful. He provided this theory in particular reference to Christianity as he had seen it (Fisher, 2014). Reference Fisher, M. P. (2014). Living religions (9th ed.)
It is obvious from the excerpt that the connection between kingship and the divine power is significant; in fact, the divine power grants kingship and without it's approval, kingship is lost. It is stated that whether or not King Shou would win the war and maintain his position as king relied solely on “the gracious decision of Heaven”. It is only “Heaven” that bestows power upon a king and it is only “heaven” that can revoke these same powers. In the case of king Shou, heaven revoked his powers by determining his fate in the war. As described by zhou, “the king of Shang, is without principle, cruel and destructive to the creatures of Heaven...”.
The sociology of religion endeavours to ascertain the explanations of social life in regards to religion and the diverse roles it plays within society. However, its goal is not to concern itself with the competing complex belief systems with in society. (Davie, 2007 p. 6) Karl Marx was throughout his life a steadfast atheist. As a socialist he was against the socialism of Christianity. (Aldridge, 2005, p.60) Marx found what he believed to be a full explanation of religion in Ludwig Feuerbach’s work entitled ‘The Essences of Christianity’.
Basically this life is all you have so do what you want. Even those these religions have very different beliefs they do have some similarities. This paper will compare and contrast various aspects of both of these belief systems. “The gods are not to be feared; death cannot be felt; the good can be won; all that we dread can be conquered.” -- Epicurus. (webspace.ship.edu/) An Epicurean mindset is that this life will be over and there is nothing else.With Epicurus's one constant problem with God was evil.