Standing On The Shoulder Of Giants

Contemporay theology is a study of the men, movements, institutions, and trends found in the current theological world. P.15

In the poem by Joy Harjo called “Eagle Poem,” Harjo talks about prayer and life and how they revolve around mother-nature. She suggests that while being one with nature, we feel we are in a place in which we haven’t imagined and the things in which we would love to do in that magnificent and calming place. After one reads the poem, he/she enjoys the lyrical type of it. This is because “Eagle Poem” sticks to one idea and extends it throughout the entire poem. For instance, it talks about prayer, nature, and animals from start to finish.

The natural world has a rhythm that ebbs and flows; it is this rhythm that all of nature follows. It is the natural order of life. It is where when left to itself, life finds its balance. The beauty of nature is all around us, and yet; we are unaware, too caught up in the rush of day to day living that we forget to look at what is right there in front of us. The pressures of society, friends and family, paying the bills, work, school, news events, the harshness of the world; we fail to see the softness, peace, beauty and the balance of nature. It is in nature where we find our true selves, our inner peace, our inner voice, our balance.

After a complete analysis of “Beauty” by Tony Hoagland, there are multiple ways he succeeds in writing a meaningful poem. Each of the literary devices used played an important role in perfecting his poem. Hoagland did an excellent job at sending a message and his tone played an important role in making the message more sincere. Hoagland's use of imagery, figurative language, and personification made his poem more entertaining to read. Throughout this poem, Tony Hoagland shows that beauty, along with poetry, goes deeper than the

In the poem “To Paint a Water Lily” by Ted Hughes, the speaker conveys his attitude toward nature as perplexing, complex, and deceiving. He also expresses his opinion of the artist and the difficulties brought on by him trying to paint and recreate not only the picture of a water lily and its natural scene, but also capture the intense environment that is both peaceful and full of constant activity. The author achieves this through literary techniques such as: imagery and juxtaposition.

Norbert Rillieux was born on March 17, 1806 in New Orleans and died on October 8, 1894. His father is French and his mother is a African American. This made Norbert life very easy since his father had a sugar farm and was French. His grandfather was a painter whose name was Vincent Rillieux. Norbert also had a brother named Edgar Degas.

Dillard never fully states how or why she has decided to adopt this quality she learned from an animal, but instead discusses the topic more broadly in order for the idea to have more expansive applications. When discussing purity, necessity, and persistency, Dillard states, “I think it would be well, and proper, and obedient, and pure, to grasp your one necessity and not let it go, to dangle from it limp wherever it takes you.” Not defining her necessity in life or the necessity she believes we should grasp tightly to, directly contributes to the intricacy of this essay. This statement could make her audience think, “How could I relate this to my life?” One could relate this idea to relationships in general, spiritual relationships, or relationships with themselves. The possibilities are endless. Dillard has used her personal experiences to communicate a compelling message of “living as we should”. In some ways, David Searcy also uses these methods to indirectly portray these thoughts of “living in the moment” in his essay “The Hudson River School.” Uncovering the title of Searcy’s essay is substantial in order to find meaning. The Hudson River School was a mid-nineteenth century American art movement by landscape painters whose aesthetic views were influenced by romanticism. A story about the death of a bothersome coyote prevails, but the same idea of connection to the world—rather than our

spiritual practice, this piece was meant to offer viewers a means of being closer to their

Wesley believed that sanctification was a process that could be received as an instantaneous experience after conversion, or later on in life. No matter when sanctification was achieved, the moment someone received sanctification was the “climax” of their Christian life. He believed that the “second blessing purified the believer from his inward sin and enabled him to secure perfect love of God and of his fellowmen.” Followers of Wesley had trouble balancing the “crisis and process views” of Wesley, and the crisis view began to take “precedence over the process view.” Soon, sanctification was no longer viewed as the goal of a Christian life, but the beginning of a Christian life.

development of Sunday school and new denominations like Methodism’s, Christian Church, The Salvation Army, and Pentecostalism etc. In addition, there is the contribution of Theologians to the praxis of Christian living.

Along with advocating other forms of asceticism, such as fasting and prayer, the early tradition

Through nature, these colors bring emotions, Death brings emotions of sadness and sympathy, but beauty brings happiness and joy. Firstly, the neighbors notice that in the garden belonging to Rappaccini, on a shrub lay a cornucopia of purple flowers “Enough to illuminate the garden, even if there had been no sunshine”(Rappaccini’s Daughter, 669). The beauty in these flowers attract a flood of sunlight, because the sun (nature) sees them as beautiful. The flowers bring happiness to whomever may view them because the sun directed its own energy on them to make them more beautiful. Similarly, in the garden’s fountain water ”continued to gush and sparkle into sunbeams as cheerfully as ever”(Rappaccini’s Daughter, 669). The sun shines on the free flowing water like how Romantics view nature as free. The waters beauty becomes intensified by the beams of the sun which can bring happiness to those who view them. Thirdly, when Rappaccini’s daughter decides to visit the garden she becomes illuminated by the sun like a flower. A suitor spots her in the sunlight and much like a flower in nature would bring one happiness, she brings him happiness.

While reading through the article monasticism brought interest in me. Not only Christianity practiced monasticism, Hinduism and Buddhism mostly all of the religions include this system. Monastic style of life as Molly says is the life of the angels. These religious people become monks and nuns because they choose to devote themselves for their religious beliefs like Augustine and Benedict.

Lastly, the Romantic Era blended human emotions with nature. The interfacing of emotion and nature was emblematic of Romantic poetry, whether it engrossed the idea of bequeathing human emotions to an innate article like a river or connecting the scenery to the temperament of the writer. (James, 491) This kind of beauty that is

The journey through life is certainly not an easy one. As Madonna brilliantly sang, “Life is a mystery, everyone must stand alone;” I believe we all must experience on our own. Although our family and loved ones may of tried to shelter some of us as children, facing our own obstacles was inevitable. I believe silence provides us with the tranquility we need to adhere to our beliefs; the world is filled with distractions, by eliminating the diversions in our lives, we are able to concentrate more on our spirituality. I feel people's surroundings play a big role on their perception of life, being around people is healthy, we are designed to socialize. Although, being one with nature allows us to divide ourselves from mingling with others, and appreciate the blessings God has offered us, such as the sense of sight and all of its wonders. I believe imagination and faith go hand in hand; Since God can not be physically viewed, we must imagine the Lord's presence. Through the combination of solitude, silence, imagination and nature, we are able to develop a sense of respect for our spirituality, and truly find the sacred within ourselves.