UE KEY ASSIGNMENT INTEGRATION PAPER REL 115
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Apr 3, 2024
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UE KEY ASSIGNMENT INTEGRATION PAPER
Jessica Hodges
Saint Leo University
REL 115: Is God Silent?
Dr. Daniel Llyod
3/3/24
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UE KEY ASSIGNMENT INTEGRATION PAPER
Part I: Articulating the Christian perception of the place of love within the Scriptures. In this section, you will be presenting, to the best of your ability, how Christianity would attempt to articulate ideas based on your Scripture selections. Identify and explain how one passage from the Old Testament and one from the New Testament (which were read as part of the course) are interrelated and conducive to discussing the Christian understanding of love. Note that the passages do not necessarily need to be talking about love overtly. They may be passages, for example, which themselves
support the understanding of God’s love and loving activities.
Moses commands the Israelites to "love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength." (Deuteronomy 6:4-5) This is known as the Shema, and it is the central prayer of Judaism. The Shema emphasizes that love for God is the most important commandment. In John 3:16, Jesus says, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." This verse is one of the most famous verses in the Bible, and it summarizes the Christian understanding of God's love for humanity. Both passages call on humanity to love God and one another. Moses commands the Israelites to "teach them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away on a journey, when you go to bed and when you get up." (Deuteronomy 6:5) This verse emphasizes that the love for God is to be passed down from generation to generation. In the Gospel of John, Jesus commands his disciples to "love one another as I have loved you." (John 13:34) This commandment emphasizes that the love for God is to be expressed through love for others.
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Identify a second, underlying, or related theme within your selected passages that are theologically connected to the theme of love found in the passages you selected for step 1. Explain how this theme is related to and supports the topic of love in the passages selected.
In the Old Testament, God makes a covenant with the Israelites. In this covenant, God promises to be their God and they promise to be his people. The covenant is based on love, a relationship of mutual love and commitment. In the New Testament, Jesus makes a new covenant with his people. In this new covenant, Jesus promises to forgive sins and give eternal life to those who believe in him. The new covenant is also based on love, a relationship of mutual love and commitment.
Identify and explain how Verbum Domini or Dei verbum contains elements that help to make sense of your presentation of the scripture passages. This section will require at least the use of two quotations with effort spent thoroughly explaining your choices.
Verbum Domini is a post-synodal apostolic exhortation of Pope Benedict XVI issued on September 30, 2010, following the XII Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, held from October 7 to October 28, 2008, on the theme of "The Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church." Dei verbum is the Second Vatican Council's dogmatic constitution on divine revelation, promulgated by Pope Paul VI on November 18, 1965. Verbum Domini and Dei verbum both contain elements that help to make sense of the presentation of the scripture passages on the Christian understanding of love. Verbum Domini states that "the word of God is a word of love." (VD 1) This statement emphasizes that love is central to the Christian message Verbum Domini also states that "the word of God is a word of encounter." (VD 10) This statement means that the word of God is not just a collection of information or teachings, but rather a living word that speaks to us personally and invites us into a relationship with God.
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Part II
Formulate your response to the integration you articulated in part one of the paper. You may agree with it and add arguments or disagree with it and consider critical arguments. This second section of the paper will begin with a thesis statement in the form of either: “I agree…” or “I disagree…” In this second part of the paper, you will integrate your understanding of God, yourself, and the world with the material in the course and specifically your selected passages. In this section, you will need to consider and explain at least one counterargument to your rationale. You must respond to the counterargument and explain your response.
I agree because we should mirror the love that Jesus has shown. Deuteronomy and John emphasize the importance of love for God and one another. The Shema, as stated in Deuteronomy, is a central prayer in Judaism that commands love for God with all one's heart, soul, and strength. It also instructs that these teachings should be passed down to future generations. John 3:16 is a cornerstone of Christian belief, summarizing God's love for humanity
through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ. It promises eternal life to those who believe in Him. Furthermore, in John 13:34, Jesus commands his disciples to love one another as He has loved them, emphasizing the importance of mutual love and respect among people. The two passages underscore the significance of love in religious teachings, both towards God and towards fellow human beings. They also highlight the importance of passing these teachings down to future generations, ensuring the continuity of these values. In the Old Testament, specifically in the book of Exodus, God indeed makes a covenant with the Israelites. This covenant is often referred to as the Mosaic Covenant because it was given through Moses. God promises to make the Israelites His special people if they obey His commandments (Exodus
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19:5-6). In the New Testament, during the Last Supper, Jesus speaks of a new covenant, which is
often interpreted as the New Covenant in His blood. This is seen in the books of Matthew (26:28), Mark (14:24), and Luke (22:20). This new covenant is understood to be one where sins are forgiven, and eternal life is promised to those who believe in Jesus Christ. Both covenants are
indeed based on a relationship of mutual love and commitment.
This love is not just a feeling, but an action that requires sacrifice and commitment.
The argument is that love is subjective and can be interpreted differently by different people. Some may argue that love for God and others may lead to fanaticism or extremism, causing more
harm than good. In response to this counterargument, I would say that the love emphasized in Deuteronomy and John is not about blind faith or extremism. It is about understanding, respect, and compassion. It is about loving God and others in a way that promotes peace, unity, and understanding. It is about making sacrifices for the betterment of others, just as Jesus did. This kind of love does not lead to harm but to healing and unity. I agree with the integration of the understanding of God, self, and the world with the material in the course and the selected passages. The love emphasized in these passages is a guiding principle that can lead to a better world. It is a love that requires understanding, respect, and sacrifice, qualities that are essential for a peaceful and united world.
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