Religion and Theology

Describe the religious nature of Japan prior to the arrival of Buddhism.

.Name several instances of racism and/or discrimination among the Jews throughout history. Why do you think that Jews have experienced such harsh treatment, racism, and physical and verbal abuse throughout history? Do Jews still experience discrimination, racism, and/or abuse today? Explain Christianity has over 1.87 billion people in the world today. Discuss from your point of view the factors that have caused this religion to become the most widespread and largest religion in the present world. In the book, Jesus and the Rise of Christianity, describe the economic world in which Jesus was born. How does this world compare with the economic world we live in today? How did Jesus try to bring change among the different classes of people during his day? 

St. Augustine in the 5th Century held that we are free to make choices in life. This is the idea of free will. It may seem at first glance odd for a religious thinker to say that we have free will. After all, if God exists, then God created all things. God knows already what we will do. God can cause anything to occur. If we cause things to occur, that seems to be a limitation on the power of God and not make God all-powerful. There are also religious traditions that say that we have no free will. There are some theologians in Islam who seem to suggest that is true. In order for this line of reasoning to hold true, one would need to believe free will is an illusion and that we have no control over how we live our lives, but rather that we are puppets moving and acting due to God’s will and the powers of destiny and fate. And if this then in the case, how can we possibly be responsible for our actions? The considerations above show us to what degree our religious beliefs can shape us. For instance, someone who believes in free will may experience way more guilt than someone who believes we don’t have free will and thus isn’t responsible for the choices (and consequences) of the actions we take. Personal struggles with religion and ethics occur in many places, including in the healthcare arena. Consider the following: You are a nurse in a hospital. A 12-year-old was brought to the hospital by an ambulance. The parents have just arrived at the hospital. This 12-year-old has lost a large amount of blood and requires a transfusion. The parents happen to be members of a religion that believes that blood transfusions are immoral. They want to remove the child from the hospital and prevent the transfusion even if it means the death of the child. You have to decide whether or not you will participate in an action that violates the will of the parents and aid in providing blood for the child. If you choose to participate, and even if you are able to legally justify it, you have to think about the distress you are creating for the parents. If you refuse to aid here, you may be subject to retaliation from the hospital. What is the moral thing for the nurse to do here? Initial Post Instructions For the initial post, address the following questions: What would a divine command ethicist say is the moral thing to do here? Why would they say that? Do you agree with the divine command ethics? Why or why not? Evaluate what a natural law ethicist would say is right to do. Do you agree with them? Why or why not? Given what you said are the right things to do, what would an emotivist say about your positions and judgments? What role does subjectivity play here in determining what is ethical?

Evangelism Vision Paper Instructions After thoroughly working through the first seven weeks of EVAN 525, you will develop a paper centered on the vision and challenge of what God is doing in your life in the area of evangelism. Based upon the various stories and principles provided in the reading assignments, and in light of class discussions and presentations, consider how you might utilize all that you have learned. In your paper, address the following: What have you learned this semester about evangelism as it relates to your Christian walk that has changed your perception and challenged your thinking? As we know from Scripture, where there is not a vision, the people will perish.With this in mind, what is your personal vision as it relates to integrating evangelism into every part of your life in the days to come? What are some specific changes you will need to make in order to fulfill your vision? How might this eventually affect your family in the future? How will you relate in your community (Jerusalem) — that is, where you live, work, and play? How will adopting the role of a servant impact your future ministry in evangelism? How will you also become more verbal and bold in your witness?  Most important, regardless of fears and reservations, how will evangelism become an intentional daily lifestyle? Finally, how do you envision your future ministry and calling as it relates to evangelism and multiplication, involvement in church planting as a pastor or support role, developing true disciples who passionately desire to multiply their witness? In other words, where does true biblical evangelism fit into your future ministry as a pastor, youth minister, church planter, counselor, chaplain, church member, etc.? Please include specific and immediate plans for implementation into your daily lifestyle.  

1. Identify and describe several episodes of Malcolm X’s life story, with special attention to his religious experience. Use examples from the Autobiography of Malcolm X to illustrate your answer. 2.  Which book did you find most striking, interesting, and important or useful in this course generally? why? What did you learn from them about the study of religious experience generally?   These are two different questions. i need a 2-page essay for each question. Different files please.

A guideline as well as the essay proposal with comments is provided. Please try to follow the proposal to the best of your ability and use the references given there and others if you find appropriate – it must be an academic journal source! Please let me know if there are any questions. Thank you!

Write 1,000-1,250 words in which you address practical leadership strategies applicable to the planting of a new church. This section should flow naturally from the revised paper. (I’ll attach a copy of the revised paper).  Introduction and thesis statement ideas should connect. Include the following in your paper: A research-based discussion of discipleship strategies leaders can employ in the new church. (Benchmarks C10.1: Conceptualize disciple-making in the leadership context of spiritual direction and ministry.) A research-based discussion of strategies for Christian leadership development. A research-based discussion of methods to create ethical accountability within the new church. (Benchmarks C10.3: Evaluate ethics within ecclesiology.) A research-based discussion of strategies church leaders can employ to develop cultural awareness through effective social media communication with church attenders and the community. (Benchmarks C10.4: Explore the intersection of Church and culture.) TAKE NOTE: For guidance in completing the course assignments, please consult Assignment Writing Guidelines (found under QTI). It helps you “exegete” the Assignment Guidelines and Directions. Readings Bucata, G., & Rizescu, A. M. (2017). The role of communication in enhancing work effectiveness or an organization. Revista Academiei Fortelor Terestre, 22(1), 49-57. Dunaetz, D. R. (2019). Evangelism, social media, and the mum effect. Evangelical Review of Theology, 43(2), 138-151. Lee, Y. (2018). Is your church “liked” on Facebook? Social media use of Christian congregations in the United States. Nonprofit Management & Leadership, 28(3), 383-398 Lim, A. (2017). Effective ways of using social media: An investigation of Christian churches in South Australia. Christian Education Journal, 14(1), 23-41. Reimann, R. P. (2017). “Uncharted territories”: The challenges of digitalization and social media for church and society. The Ecumenical Review, 69(1), 67-79.

INSTRUCTION 1: Introduction to Practical Theology and Ethics (CTU403)   Part 1: Discuss the differences between Christian ethics and ministerial ethics and describe how accountability for you and others is exercised in your ministry context (1000 words)     Part 2: Analyse how the safeguarding policy of your church/ministry organization is reflected in both (a) Your church ministries organization’s current practice (b) Wider recognized good practice (1000 words)    Part 3: Theologically reflect upon a significant and/or challenging church/ministry situation from your own experience. Using the pastoral cycle and drawing upon your biblical and theological understanding, discuss how you might act differently if a similar situation were to occur in the future (1000 words)   INSTRUCTION 2. CTU404: Ministerial Leadership: Theory and Skills: Assignment 1: Portfolio (3,000 words) Part 1: Discuss the core leadership approaches and skills that are required for effective church leadership in the 21st century (1,500 words). Part 2: From both theological and practical perspectives, discuss potential approaches to managing change and conflict in a church context (1,000 words). Part 3: Reflect theologically on effective ways in which you could handle power and authority arising from a specific leadership role in your own ministry context (500 words) INSTRUCTION 3: CTU406 MEDIA CULTURE: Theory and Skills. ESSAY (1500 WORDS,) Much has been said “Fake News” by contemporary media outlets, How might an audience identify fake news if used by Television broadcaster? INSTRUCTION 4: CTU401 (STUDY SKILL) When studying theology what tools are considered necessary in order to achieve maximum benefit from the research experience? Why are these tools important? (500 words)

Write an essay of 1,000-1,250 words that analyzes the Five Pillars of Islam. Describe each of the five pillars and reflect on why they are referred to as Pillars of Islam. Make a detailed analysis of how one of the pillars would function in the daily life of a particular Muslim individual. Identify one ancient Christian community living or serving in an Islamic majority context, such as Coptic, Marionite, Chaldean, Armenian, etc. Compare and contrast how this ancient community practices similar rituals as the Five Pillars of Islam. Utilize the course textbook and a minimum of three academic resources, one of which can be your interview and should include topic materials and external resources.

The purpose of the Myth & Culture Project is to develop a multi-media presentation using scholarly research choosing one of the following topics: Interpret a literary work of fiction or an artistic creation, emphasizing its mythic content and symbolic meaning. Analyze how modern society (in various media) uses mythic images and ideas to influence viewers and listeners.   Content should include the following: The presentation should be a total of 20 slides, including a title slide and a Works Cited slide. The use of at least five scholarly sources. Good grammar, spelling and writing. MLA citation in the body of the text and in a reference section.