Religion and Theology

Topic: You must respond to at least 2 of the following questions in separate threads. Consider these questions with the information in your textbooks in mind, but feel free to use other sources as needed to add to the conversation. In the subject line of each of your threads, acknowledge which question is being answered (e.g., “Special Topic Question 1”), and restate the question within your thread. Post each thread as a new topic. Then offer replies to at least 2 threads from your fellow students. Give a definition of hermeneutics and then offer a discussion of the importance of 1 of the following components in interpretation–the role of the author of the text, the role of the original readers of the text, or the role of the interpreter. What kind of impact does this particular participant provide on an attempt to discover the meaning of a text? How important is this component? Four challenges for Bible interpretation are listed in your text—the distance of time, cultural distance, geographical distance, and distance of language. Offer an argument for which challenge is the easiest to overcome and which is the most difficult. Be sure to define the challenge and to identify clearly the problems inherent in it. Throughout the history of the Bible, allegorical methods have been employed as a means to discover a “hidden meaning” in the text. Outline the use of allegorical approaches and discuss the benefits and pitfalls of utilizing such an approach to interpret Scripture today. Consider the history of biblical interpretation and choose 1 time period and 1 person whose method offers the most promise for attaining a clear interpretation of Scripture today. Be sure to identify the person and the method with special focus on how that method aids a modern interpreter in understanding Scripture

Week 2 question: Scripture and Tradition One of the perennial questions, especially for Protestants, is the relationship between the Scripture and Tradition. Engage your reading and reflect on the following questions. 1] What is the ultimate authority for knowing God, for doctrine or theology? Explain why you answered the way that you did. 2] What is the relationship of Scripture and Tradition, in terms of authority and knowing God? Are both necessary, are they equal, or are they in some other relationship. Explain your answer providing Biblical, textbook, and other support with appropriate citations to them. Sources cited Turabian Style Read Olson, Ch. 2, Sources and Norms; Ch. 3 Revelation; Ch. 4 Christian Scripture. Read Treier, Ch. 13, Scripture.

What theological, ecclesisstical and evangellistic changes need to take place in the Church as a result of a deeper understanding of the develpment of Christian thinking. The answer has to be from a Baptist viewpoint.  Formatting: double space. 1′ margin.. century gothic. number bottom right.

Reflection paper:  After reading the Bhagavad Gita each student will have to address the following five QUESTIONS :  1. Which was the most interesting religious or spiritual teaching in the Gita?  2. Which was the most troubling or confusing religious or spiritual teaching in the Gita?  3. Find out one good example of karma yoga. 4. Find out one good example of jñana yoga.  5. Find out one good example of bhakti yoga. Important Note: Cite a quote from the selected Gita translation (not from an introduction to it but use the Gita text itself) and select one in-text citation for eachquestion (one to five). For instance, “…” (Easwaran 111). Explain each one of your answers in your own words by combining quotes from the Gita and the in-text citations in parentheses for each question. All answers must be in print. Use the new MLA style. Use double spaced. Rubric: You will lose half a point for each mechanical error (check grammar, spelling, and format!!!). I will not take any points off if the mechanical error is repetitive. You will lose 5 pts. for missing a good explanation after quoting from the Gita (for each question you need 1 selected quote and source in parenthesis), 3 pts. for each missing quote, and 1 pt. for each missing source.  I would like the paper to be emailed to me if possible to [email protected]

The weeks argument summary paper will reflect on the student’s own process of writing the history of interpretation paper.  Students should defend the various decisions they made in writing this paper using a critical thinking and values-based model.  Summarize the argument you made in your history of interpretation paper and discuss how you came to decide on the particular verse and the analysis you offered.  will be assessed according to the full UE rubric and data from this assessment will be shared with the UE administrators. Students should reflect on the entire process of writing their papers from choosing the passage to committing to a research plan and then writing and editing the paper. According to the rubric- The summary paper correctly identifies the verse(s) and theologians considered in the History of Interpretation Paper, skillfully narrates the process of selecting this verse, and reflects on the process of writing with careful notes that concern critical thinking and the student’s values.

What theological, ecclesisstical and evangellistic changes need to take place in the Church as a result of a deeper understanding of the develpment of Christian thinking. The answer has to be from a Baptist viewpoint.  Formatting: double space. 1′ margin.. century gothic. number bottom right.

FOUR one page essay Each question will cover an aspect of what we have discussed over the course of this semester and should be answered in a 1 page (double-spaced) essay response. Your final exam should consist of four double spaced pages, in one document, with the question you are answering at the top of each page.  Be sure to specify which question you are answering in each essay at the top of your one-page answer.                                  One Page for EACH QUESTION 4 Questions listed below 1.Excluding the action of doing something, provide 4 examples of how the sin nature has affected us as human beings created in the image of God. 2.Summarize the story of the Bible in terms of humanity’s relationship with God. 3.Knowing that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23),” which of the following descriptions do you feel you most closely fit with: the unbeliever, the sinning believer, or the persistently sinning believer (Ryrie, pp/ 266-267). What are you going to do about it? How has this course helped you to grow in your understanding of God? In your personal faith journey? 4.This is a three-part question. Please answer ALL of the questions (a,b,c) below if you choose to respond to this essay question: a. What is the significance of belief when doing theology? Provide at least 1 example. b. What role does experience play when doing theology. Provide at least 1 example. c. What role does Scripture play when doing theology. Provide at least 1 example.

The project can be on any a topic of your choice. This may include reading a book (scholarly, spiritual, historical or fictional) or viewing a movie with a religious theme and writing a reflection coupled with a modest amount of research or historical/critical reflection. It could be a review of a religious piece of art, a reflection on a visit to a worship space, monastery, shrine, reading room, mosque or temple. This may not be a place you regularly attend, have visited during a previous quarter, or an assignment you have done for some other course. Some suggestions have been provided in the Additional Internet Resources and Links for the Study of Religion/Local Worship Places tab. The project might also involve an account of your visit to a worship service (other than your own faith) coupled with some preliminary research, or an interview with a person of another faith. All projects must move beyond a mere summary of the experience or readings to an integration and dialogue of the material with course-related themes, questions or issues.  Please include some sort of bibliography with your work.

Topic: Toward an Understanding of Administration in Ministry   This course requires that you write a 6–8-page research paper. One might ask, “What is Toward an Understanding of Administration in Ministry?” When a minister is a pastor/teacher and he allows Scripture to control his ministry, he becomes an effective administrator for people to follow. Therefore, this paper should be written in a manner that demonstrates your understanding of how a minister should administer his ministry so that people are able to come to know and love God, and allow Him to be their Master and Redeemer. Furthermore, this paper should follow the guidelines that are listed below. Ask yourself each of the following below questions to ensure you fulfill all requirements.   Introduction 1.         What is the topic you are going to address? 2.         Is there a clear thesis statement? 3.         Does the introduction provide a clear overview of the paper’s contents?   Content 1.         Are the issues raised in the topic properly treated? 2.         Are there differing viewpoints considered, analyzed, and treated within your paper? 3.         Do you analyze the topic thoroughly and logically? 4.         Is your paper written with clear and concise content? 5.         Is your paper written substantively with good development of ideas and concepts? 6.         Do the assertions that you make in your paper have clear support (sources)? 7.         Does your paper flow? 8.         Is your word choice clear and concise without any ambiguity? 9.         Is your paper organization strong and focused? 10.   Did you use proper headings? 11.   Are the transitions between your paragraphs and sections clear? 12.   Are your sentences written with fluency—coherent, unified, and varied? 13.   Are your sentences structured properly—complete, clear, and concise? 14.   Is your punctuation correct? 15.   Did you double space your paper? 16.   Did you use Times New Roman as your font? Did you use 12 point as your font size?   Materials & Style 1.         Did you incorporate 5 scholarly sources? 2.         Are materials properly cited and quoted? Are quotes relevant to the study? Is your paper properly formatted following Turabian guidelines? Are the entries in the bibliography and footnotes properly formatted? Is your paper without spelling and grammatical errors?  Does your paper reflect an appropriate collegiate-level of vocabulary?

Researh paper on Christian Tevangelism as a modern popular religious practice. Talk about its origin, how it is practice, its impact on believers and non believers, the most prominent televangelists , its controversies, and its future in a constantly changing society. This are just some ideas of what to include in the paper, but feel free to add new ones that are pertinent to the topic.