Choose just one of the themes from the list below. Note developments of that theme in the Old Testament to the New Testament (N.T.), and show how N.T. writers reinterpreted it

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Mercy and Compassion

Choose just one of the themes from the list below. Note developments of that theme in the Old Testament to the New Testament (N.T.), and show how N.T. writers reinterpreted it. Discuss similarities, differences, and changes to the meaning. You must provide a separate outline to your paper. Use only the following resource that’s available as an e-Book: The Oxford Encyclopedia of the Bible and Theology. Be sure to distinguish between paraphrase and direct quotes. Type a 350-750 word paper using MLA formatting.

To what other contemporary practices was zazen supposed to be the superior alternative? What are its practical details, and in what way does it aid the practitioner in the attainment of realization? What, for Dōgen, secures its utmost spiritual efficacy?

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What is zazen?

Based on our readings in Dōgen’s Shōbōgenzō, what is zazen? You may want to address the following questions in your discussion: to what other contemporary practices was zazen supposed to be the superior alternative? What are its practical details, and in what way does it aid the practitioner in the attainment of realization? What, for Dōgen, secures its utmost spiritual efficacy?

Do you agree or disagree with his argument, where in Scripture could someone argue that “humility be the first, the all-including grace of the life of Jesus”?

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Humility Book Review

After reading the book Humility, post an initial thread to include the follow (use separate bolded section titles or paragraphs to break up the post showing where each point is addressed):

Approximately, what percentage of the book was read in preparation for this discussion?
What is Murray’s central thesis in the book? Defend your answer.
In chapter 2, Murray writes, “If humility be the first, the all-including grace of the life of Jesus, if humility be the secret of His atonement, then the health and strength of our spiritual life will entirely depend upon our putting this grace first too, and making humility the chief thing we admire in him, the chief thing we ask of him, the one thing for which we sacrifice all else.”
Do you agree or disagree with this statement and how is his argument here developed through the rest of the book?
Whether you agree or not with his argument, where in Scripture could someone argue that “humility be the first, the all-including grace of the life of Jesus”?
Which chapter did you find most convicting and why?
Which chapter did you find most encouraging and why?

What can we know about this figure? and how can we know it?

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Queen Maha Māyā of sakya — mother of the Buddha Gautama.

The essay is on queen maha Māyā of sakya — mother of the Buddha Gautama. The final product will be investigating the evidence in relation to a female figure from early Buddhism. The goal of the paper is to ask both “what can we know about this figure?” and “how can we know it?” You therefore will be attempting to locate materials about the figure, sorting out what kinds of materials they are, and thinking through what they can tell us. The essay needs to include an annotated bibliography and use at least one primary source(like Lalitavistara Sūtra or something else too) and 2-3 other secondary sources like (Garling, Wendy. 2016. Stars at Dawn: Forgotten Stories of Women in the Buddha’s Life Download Stars at Dawn: Forgotten Stories of Women in the Buddha’s Life. Boulder: Shambhala Publications. [A retelling of women’s stories drawing from primary sources in Pali and Sanskrit. Includes materials on Mahāmāyā, Yasodharā, Sujātā, Mahāpajāpatī, and Kisagotamī.])

Explain how those religions rites and believes engaged in meditative practices, and how meditation health benefits are important for body, mental and spiritual well-being.

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MEDITATION AND HEALTH BENEFITS IN CHRISTIANITY, JUDAISM, ISLAM, HINDUISM, AND BUDDHISM

How those religions rites and believes engaged in meditative practices, and how meditation health benefits are important for body, mental and spiritual well-being.

Write approximately 200 words that explain the meaning that your selected verses had for the original author and audience. Describe the contents of the passage and any points that clarify what it would have meant in its original setting.

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Interpreting the Sermon on the Plain Web Page

Read Luke Chapter 6 in a standard translation of the Bible as noted in the syllabus. Then focus on a short passage of approximately 2–4 verses somewhere in Luke 6:17–49 and read it several times.
Read Chapters 2 and 19 in Jesus is Lord. Chapter 2 provides an overview of the issues we face in interpreting and applying scripture. Even if you are not a Christian, you can learn from the model of starting with the original meaning of scripture and then moving to what wisdom the Bible has to offer in our contemporary context
You can use the You Version app or Bible Study Tools (biblestudytools.com) to help you study any aspects of the passage. (See Activity 1.1 for a reminder on how to use these.)
Write a 400- to 500-word essay that explains and applies a short passage from Chapter 6 of Luke’s Gospel:
Start with a brief introductory paragraph that identifies the passage you chose for step #1 and explain why you selected it.
Study the passage closely and see how it fits into that chapter of scripture. Write approximately 200 words that explain the meaning that your selected verses had for the original author and audience. You should describe the contents of the passage and any points that clarify what it would have meant in its original setting. In the course of your explanation, you must make at least one citation from the textbook -Jesus is Lord.
Then, apply the passage to a contemporary personal or social situation. Write approximately 200 words that make clear links between the original meaning of the passage and the contemporary issue. You may apply the passage to your own spiritual life, family, or job. You can also apply it to larger cultural and societal issues. To complete the application, state clearly what action or stance you would take on your chosen situation or issue based on the contents of the biblical passage.

How can the teaching in question be found in or derived from the deposit of faith? Where is it in Scripture? Where is it in the fathers? Is the teaching implied by another teaching?

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What the Church holds

What the Church holds . . .
The topic of the paper (what the prospectus is laying out) should be able to be formulated in the form, “The Church teaches that . . .”; So it should be a specific proposition that the Church holds, (e.g., “Mary is mother of God” or “Mary was conceived without original sin”) rather than a general topic (e.g., Mary). You should be careful, as you write your paper, to be sure it stays on topic.

As part of showing what the Church teaches, the paper should explain any difficult or easily misunderstood phrases in the teaching. (e.g., if one is explaining that “Mary was conceived without original sin” it would be helpful to explain briefly the Church’s understanding of original sin).

Here is a good place to bring up Magisterial statements that actually show, in the Church’s own words, what the Church teaches.

Also, the Church’s teaching is often most clear when it is rejecting or condemning theories that it holds are incompatible with the faith. The Church is often happy to let theologians hold their theories and tends to only offer definitive teaching when someone advances a theory that the Church holds is error. So, in clarifying what the Church holds, it is often just as important to look carefully at what the Church doesn’t hold. So consider any related condemned positions.

Why the Church holds it . . .
Whatever the Church teaches, she teaches because she holds that it is somehow connected to the deposit of faith. So how can the teaching in question be found in or derived from the deposit of faith? Where is it in Scripture? Where is it in the fathers? Is the teaching implied by another teaching?

As you write your paper, be sure to stick to the purpose of the paper: Explaining clearly what the Church teaches, and why it teaches what it teaches. I have found that students sometimes treat these papers as opportunities to explore their personal musing on life, the universe, and everything. Such musing may or may not have much value, but in either case sharing them isn’t the purpose of the paper.

Also be especially careful to be precise and accurate in describing the Church’s teaching. This is not the place for sloppy paraphrases that kinda-sorta give the general idea. This the place for precision of language.

As to sources,

In order to complete the assignment, the paper must actually make use of five sorts of sources:
(1) at least one relevant patristic source
(2) at lease one relevant passage of scripture
(3) at least one relevant magisterial source
(4) any relevant passages from either the Catechism of the Catholic Church or the Roman Catechism (I expect that you will find at least one)(5) at least one relevant and approved systematic work of theology.

‘Relevant’ should be taken to mean that the specific passage being used directly relates to the topic of the paper.

Compare and contrast the portrayal of Jesus in Mark and Matthew? What are the similarities and differences that matter most?

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Portrayal of Jesus in Mark and Matthew.

This short paper is an exercise in analysis, synthesis, explanation, and exposition. Students are arguing a thesis and then providing evidence from the text to support it. Key terms and ideas should be thoughtfully considered since not everything in Powell or other sources can be addressed or treated. Content for the paper is to be based on course texts and class lectures, course videos, the Bible, and Powell’s text. Outside sources, textual or the Internet are not required. It is also expected that proper citation in Chicago style is used. Please select one of the questions below and answer:

 

  1. Compare and contrast the portrayal of Jesus in Mark and Matthew? What are the similarities and differences that matter most?
  2. Do Mark and Matthew understand faith or discipleship the same way? Explain

 

 

  1. USM Learning Outcomes particular to TH 260 for assessment:

 

  1. Demonstrate the ability to investigate and assess information to develop knowledge.
  2. Demonstrate the ability to use, integrate, analyze, and interpret complex information and connect theory and practice to draw new and perceptive conclusions.
  • Demonstrate the ability to evaluate information from disparate sources, to transform information into meaningful knowledge to solve or accept complex issues.
  1. Demonstrate the ability to use English language conventions accurately to construct coherent written and oral arguments.

 

How is the kingdom of God described in these first chapters of Acts? Have you seen anything like this in your own experience?

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How is the kingdom of God described in these first chapters of Acts? Have you seen anything like this in your own experience?
What is the significance of Acts 2:17, “I will pour out my Spirit on all people,” for how the story will spread?

References
Perrin, N., Brown, J. K., & Green, J. B. (2013). Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels. IVP Academic.

What practical steps would you take to build a friendship with a follower of this worldview who might be a co-worker, neighbor, etc.? What do’s and don’ts would you apply when preparing to share the gospel with them?

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Discussion Board

You can share the gospel with anyone. But if you build an authentic friendship first, it can be easier to share your faith with them. Through those relationships, you may be asked about your faith. That is when 1 Peter 3:15 should be applied to your conversation. If you love them and believe there is a heaven and a hell, you will want to share the gospel with them. Based on the content of the course, choose 1 of the following worldviews (i.e., Secular Humanism, Hinduism, Buddhism, or Islam) and answer the following questions. These questions must be answered in separate paragraphs.

What practical steps would you take to build a friendship with a follower of this worldview who might be a co-worker, neighbor, etc.?
What do’s and don’ts would you apply when preparing to share the gospel with them?
What are some beliefs/reasons a person from this worldview might have that would hinder them from accepting Christ as their Savior?
What personal challenges might you have with presenting the gospel?

Make sure to include Biblical sources from the Bible as well as another scholarly source. Please include links in the references page to those sources.