The Imitation of Christ – This piece is authored by Augustinian monk, Thomas a Kempis, which appears to be a devotional work that is directed to young monks. Kempis addresses a variety of topics which one would assume to be important enough to be pillars of the Christian faith such as: the imitation of Christ, the contrition of the heart, solitude and silence, human misery, judgement and reward, and death. In regards to imitating and following Christ’s example for His elect, Kempis adamantly states that one cannot go about this half-heartedly. A Christian must give everything (whether physical or mental strength, material resources, etc.) as well as have an indwelling of the Holy Spirit in order to even begin to imitate Christ. It is not enough to simply …show more content…
By Church, he means the one, true, universal, and apostolic Church who is the Bride of Christ. Firstly, Hus states that the Church is defined by its trait of unity. All true members of the Church are unified in Christ by the same Spirit, the same faith, and the same love. However, in order to be considered a true member of the Church, one must be predestined to the Church, meaning that one must be predestined to eternal life after death. This distinction must be made because Hus posits that there are different kinds of grace that determine whether or not one is predestined to eternal life or to righteousness. He clarifies that it is possible to be predetermined to righteousness, but not to eternal life and that it is always the case that if one is predetermined to eternal life, then he or she is also predetermined to righteousness. Both kinds of people can consider themselves members of the Church, but Hus concludes that only those who are predetermined to eternal life are the true members of the Church (even if they live sinful lives without repentance until late in their
In the book Simply Jesus, N.T. Wright makes three different claims throughout. N.T. Wright's first claim is about the “perfect storm”. The “perfect storm” takes up a large section of the first few chapters, and in those chapters N.T. Wright writes about that to enter the “perfect storm” you must step out of your own storm that is happening in your life, you must jump back into the “perfect storm” just as Jesus did in his own life. N.T. Wright fails to fully support the idea of the “perfect storm” throughout the book. Wright writes about the two myths that create the “storms”, the first is “… the high-pressure system of conservative Christianity” and the second is “... the new classic modernist myth…”. N.T. Wright loses his credibility to his claims by never giving evidence that disproves they myths. N.T. Wright states that the stories in the bible “...’really did happen’. And there the matter ends…. Facts or no facts”. N.T. Wrights claims are never fully
“Finding One’s Self in Times of Trouble”: An explication of the Helena Maria Viramontes’ novel
Mere Christianity, by C. S. Lewis, is written as set of guidelines of Christian belief. Lewis does not say there is any particular way to believe but he does make a point that the topic of religion itself is serious. As you consider whether you want to believe or not, you have to recognize how much thought it requires, and how thought provoking a process this decision is. Lewis covers Christianity in four different books within his book. In book one, Lewis discusses the Law of Nature and makes note of a tendency in humans of appealing to a standard of absolute truth in quarrels and arguments. He calls this standard the Law of Nature or the Moral Law. The Law isn't the same as the law of gravity
This passage shows how Christ set the example for all to follow by giving his life for us and that if these people coming to the world would follow Christ’s pattern, they in turn could be an example to others one day.
The results of one’s involvement in society’s conflicts can be devastating. The short story “Gregory” by Panos Ioannides creates a setting where the characters are involved in the 1925 revolutionary conflict between Britain and Cyprus. Consequently, the plot focuses around an executioner who has the order to kill a British captive named Gregory, who became his friend. To make matters worse, fellow soldiers inform the executioner that he must to kill Gregory or else the Headquarters will execute him for failure to obey orders. Therefore, he struggles with the decision to either please his society or stay true to his friendship with Gregory. The author emphasizes this difficulty with use of mood, stream of consciousness, foreshadowing and visual imagery. Thus, Panos Ioannides short story “Gregory” develops the idea that society’s expectations and relationships can influence one’s moral decisions and create consequences.
Some scholars argue that evidence of Jesus of Nazareth 's existence can only be found within the writings of the New Testament. They believe that the New Testament is a biased and unreliable source for the existence of Jesus. They therefore claim that Jesus did not exist. The historical existence of Jesus is necessary to demonstrate the truth of Christianity. While Christian scholars do not discount the reliability of the New Testament as a historical document, they are also able to point to other historical documents and consider non-Christian writings which support the existence of Jesus. In this paper I will argue that Jesus the Nazarene was an actual, historical person and that this can be demonstrated through extra-Biblical resources.
Lake gives us three simple ways that will transform us into the likeness of Christ; Firstly, time and communion with him. Secondly, reading and feeding on his Word. Thirdly, continual public confession of who Jesus is to you and the fullness and completeness of His redemption power in your life. I have and will continue to apply those three truths in my life. Just doing those simple things has brought so much life and encouragement to me. It is ridiculously difficult to be distraught, depressed or discouraged about life when you are constantly sharing and speaking about all the good things Jesus has and is doing in your life! It must be how we are intended to go from glory to glory.
• Writes about James, brother of Jesus, who was called the Christ. Stoned to death in A.D. 62. Pg.78
The Christ figure is a recurring symbol in American literature. Throughout Ken Kesey’s novel, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, various interactions and events portray McMurphy as a Christ figure. There are frequent visual and concrete references to Christ throughout the novel. Also, the reader discovers that the other patients view McMurphy as an inspiration and someone they wish to emulate. This cooperation enables him to oppose Nurse Ratched and do what he thinks is best for the patients.
We have now come to the fourth and final book of Mere Christianity. In this book, the author takes us to the place in our Christian growth where we begin to rely more heavily on the power of God and less on ourselves to become the being that God originally intended for us to be — a son of God. He begins with an explanation of the difference between “making” and “begetting”.
Parallel Lives of Jesus: A Guide to the Four Gospels by Edward Adams is a book that is focused on the unity of all four narratives Jesus’s life. This book is a very good example of an introduction to the four Gospels and a method to study the Gospels.
Yancey starts out with the image of Jesus. When he was young he had envisioned Jesus to have angelic features such as, young, handsome, and a compassionate face. It wasn’t until he entered into a Christian college, that he was introduced to the real image of Jesus. I had an immediate connection with Yancey. I too had an image of Christ in my head, which consisted of Hollywood portrayals and those in classical paintings. It wasn’t till I engaged myself at a Christian college, that I have now received a new and more accurate picture of Christ. His book, The Jesus I Never Knew, questions the reader with the thought, “How many Christians today are in the same position, not fully understanding
The Imitation of Christ is composed of four books. In the first book, Thoughts Helpful in the Life of the Soul, Kempis sets the stage for the need to follow Christ. Although he respects education – Radewyns was a learned man – he asserts that it is Jesus Christ who gives the more excellent knowledge when he states, “it is not
The book Steps to Christ discusses our relationship with God. The author Ellen White describes thirteen steps we must take to enable us to have a loving and committed relationship with our Heavenly Father. In this essay I discuss each of the thirteen steps.
When discussing and proving the person of Christ, there are two basic laws that must be addressed and proven. First you must prove that Christ is one hundred percent human (humanity), then you must prove that at the same time Christ is one hundred percent God (deity).