Religion and Theology

Students will write an essay in which they assume the figure of an ancient writer and respond to a controversial topic. Students may choose from two debates either the “Proto-Orthodox” vs. the “Heretic” (module 2) or the “Christian Apologist” versus the “Pagan Critic” (module 3). Students may choose whatever debate and whatever side they desire to represent (i.e. you can decide to be a Pagan critic, a Christian apologist, a heretic, or a proto-Orthodox writer)—but remember that for your final paper you cannot choose the same module that you chose for this assignment. Students will write a three page (800 word) essay defending their beliefs and attacking their opponents. Students must remain “in character” throughout the essay and must use primary source readings as inspiration for their arguments. Students therefore must cite which arguments from the primary source readings they are drawing upon, but students are free to create their own arguments as long as they are relevant and not anachronistic. Please consult the optional readings for more ideas. Be creative with this assignment!

Make a single point about women’s spiritual development or phase of development. • Support that point throughout the paper by using examples and quotes from other essays. • Consider Carol Christ’s and Judith Plaskow’s theory of the Revolutionaries (Outies) and Reformers (Innies), those women who chose to leave the Patriarchal structures and begin anew and those women who stay within them in an attempt to make them more female friendly. The way to do this, is to begin with a broad, open ended question that is important to you, and then to do your research to answer that question.  The answer to the question is your thesis, and your quotes and examples should support that point. During the process, you will need to tweak the question and later, tweak the answer. Starting from your own experience is fine, but keep in mind that the emphasis is on the topic, not on the writer.  In that light, you may be an example in the paper, but the paper is not based on you, the writer.

Your Response: Begin your response as follows: If I had to choose between following early Confucian principles or early Daoist principles as a path in life, I think I would choose … The format of this assignment should be the same as last time: 3-pages in length (= ~ 900-1000 words), and written as clearly, concisely, systematically and comprehensively as you can in the allotted 3 pages. Resources and Referencing: For the purposes of this short writing assignment, you are restricted to the material in our Course Reader and lecture notes. All direct quotations OR specific facts taken from the Course Reader or Lecture Notes must be duly referenced. For the purposes of this writing assignment, just insert the reference directly into the text, e.g. (Teachings of Confucius, p. 5), or (Lecture Notes, Nov. 10, 2020). No bibliography is needed.

Please write a post (250-300 words) in which you discuss this week’s reading. Here are some prompts to guide you: What are the ‘gods’ for Eliade’s religious man?  In what ways is nature fraught with religious value?  What is the religious presumption about the nature of the world?  How is this presumption expressed through ‘homologies’?  In what basic ways does the world-view of religious man differ from that of non-religious man? All the answers to the questions are on chapter 4 of the book i sent on the pdf

I can provide login for the Regent Univ Library if needed. INTERNET resources are not allowed. This is the assignenment.. Organizing Principle and Sources A proper paper includes an “organizing principle” and an outline (Turabian style requires an outline following the title page). In this assignment you must also submit the full bibliographic data for 4 sources that you will use.   An “organizing principle” is like a tour through your paper. It tells your reader how you will go about proving your point (claim). It should follow the proposed outline of your paper.  For example, this next statement gives the organizing principle and then states the claim of the thesis. “We will first describe the Platonic view of the true God. Second, we will examine the Scriptural description of the true God. Third, we will compare the correspondence between the Platonic view of God and the Scriptural description of God. This will demonstrate that the sovereign, predestinating God is the only true God.” The outline includes the main points (and possibly sub-points) of your argument (as reflected in your section headings), the conclusion, and (for this paper) the application. Note that this encourages you to organize your paper with section headings. See the Turabian style manual, 9th edition, for the proper way to style section headings. Your sources should be scholarly books and articles. Web-based information is forbidden for this assignment. However, articles etc. downloaded from the Regent Library databases are acceptable.

How do you define “connection”? When do you feel connected in a holistic and healthy way? How could you be more intentional with each connection? For example, could your self-care plan include daily connection through prayer and meditation or a walk in nature?

Develop a Creative Presentation that explores the relationship between faith and science and how science might be utilized to develop pointers to God’s existence and action. The Creative Presentation is designed to be done in a format suitable to a presentation to a group,( it is to be prepared in such a way that it could be presented to a group in about 10-15 minutes). The use of media in your assignment to illustrate and communicate the message more effectively is strongly encouraged (for example, media such as video, images, Keynote/Powerpoint etc).  Explain ways of integrating science and faith and utilise the sciences as pointers to God; Assess alternate ways of conceiving of divine intervention (miracles, resurrection etc).

These Questions need to be answered including biblical references and in a spiritual and community sensitive and involved manner. I will talk the writer through my thought process and he/she can put it to paper  Where is God and why would the God of love allow this global suffering? b.      How has this pandemic change the entire face of the church? c.       How has this present pandemic reconnected us to the beginnings of the early church? d.      How great have the losses been and what will never be replaced? e.       What will ministry look like post pandemic? f.        How has your understanding of faith and fear evolved as a result of the pandemic? How does the main character’s journey aid you in cultivating your community beyond the church walls?

Construct a plan for the development and implementation of a team culture in a Christian organization. 1. Constructed a plan 2. That would develop and implement team culture  3. In a Christian organization (implications of the organization being Christian rather than secular) 4. Reference and other writing conventions at Masters level (note need for preponderantly recent academic articles, total numbering at least 8)

Reflect on either your own religious beliefs or that of a friend. Have modern times influenced the time you, or they, spend practicing religion? Do you believe that technology is getting in the way of spirituality? Why, or why not? must be at least 200 words. No references or citations are necessary.