Understanding And Being, 350. Lonergan

David N. Entwistle (2015) shares a life of experiences beginning with the heartbeat of his father who believed that life held a vocation for anyone willing to be a Christian regardless of their field of employment (Entwistle, 2015, xi). This passion begins with the historical framework as well as the philosophical foundations supported by a variety of models of assimilation that accomplish a resolution of ideas throughout David Entwistle’s textbook titled: Integrative Approaches to Psychology and Christianity: An Introduction to Worldview issues Philosophical Foundations, and Models of Integration; Third Edition (Entwistle, 2015). As a licensed psychologist Entwistle (2015) shares his (and other scholars throughout history) skills, intellectual integrity, teachings, concepts, research, and reflection questions as a tool throughout his 3rd edition to entice the reader to dig deeper into the understanding of integrating theology and psychology (Entwistle, 2015).

     Paul began his argument of Romans by proving that the Gentiles are sinners before God. Although God has revealed His truth to them, they have suppressed it, resulting in the darkness of their inner man and rebellion against God to the point of worshipping animals (1:18-23). As a result God gave them over to do the desires of their heart (1:24, 26): idolatry (1:25) and homosexuality (1:26-27). Seeing that they had no desire to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a depraved mind to do every sort of evil (1:28-31).

Curlin, F. A., Lawrence, R. E., Chin, M. H., & Lantos, J. D. (2007). Religion, Conscience, and

Religion is that which grows out of, and gives expression to, experience of the holy in its various aspects. (Rudolf Otto)

Paul discusses creation in the first chapter of Romans. He mentions it in Romans 1:20 (NASB) “20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.” Basically what he is saying is that God has revealed Himself through His creation, therefore man has no excuse for not knowing Him. However he goes on through verses 21-32 to discuss how man has

Natural theology refers to truths known about God when reflecting on nature, environment and living organisms in the world. William Paley was born in seventeen forty-three, and he got ordained as an Anglican priest in the year seventeen sixty-seven-a year later he became a professor of theology at Cambridge University. He believes that the design of creation in living things stands as a prime indicator of the existence of God in our society. Paley argues that in the perfection or imperfection of nature and machines are attributed to a creator and the capability to reproduce is as a result of a supreme being. In the case study that illustrates his belief he asks the reader to imagine a scenario; when crossing a heath, you come across a watch on the ground. To this effect one observes that all its parts have been designed to achieve the desired purpose of measuring time; an intellect would not think its existence is by chance but the work of a talented artisan.

Paul teaches its readers about Natural World in one of his letters as “For God’s wrath is revealed from heaven against all godlessness and unrighteousness of people who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. Since what can be known about God is evident among them, because God has shown them. The invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, has been clearly seen since the creation of the world, being understood through what he has made” (Romans 1:18-20 NIV). Paul teaches that from a biblical worldview standpoint that God gave us a gift, as he created the natural world from his eternal power and divine nature to remind us that the Lord is present. Also for us to never doubt his presence in our life’s and be thankful for God’s blessing every day for such a wonderful world. As God constantly is looking upon us when faced with tragedies that occurring within the natural world he created.

Sapience, the ability to both know God and live accordingly to God’s standards, was highly regarded as the foundational force of human excellence during the beginning of the early church. However, this form of experiential knowledge began to fade with the rise of modernity as theology began to be framed as a mere intellectual task, losing its ability to have any affect on the way a believer lives out the Christian life. Charry seeks to solve this tension through a close examination of theology over the ages, first beginning with Matthew and Paul as the New Testament apostolate. Next, in the wake of the Christianity’s fourth century rise in popularity and persecution, she turns her attention to the early patristic voices of Athanasius of Alexandria, Basil of Caesarea and Augustine of Hippo. Then, a close examination of the works by Anselm of Canterbury and St. Thomas and Dame Jian, help to provide a framework for theology’s task to promote inward devotional practices during the medieval age.

God is the creator of mankind and all things within the world. There are those that do not believe in God nor do they believe that there is an entity that exist and guide us all. Paul’s letter to the Romans was not only written to the Gentile church in Rome, but an introduction to the word of God for anyone, believers or non-believers in order for them to get a foundation into the world view of who Christ. Paul in the book of Romans 1:3-5 states, “3. Concerning his son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of seed of David according to the flesh; 4. And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: 5. By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name”’ in which shows clearly

Christian Apologetics: A Comprehensive Case for Biblical Faith is a formidable case in favor of Christian theism from the ground-up covering all major evidences along with responses to common objections. In chapter 17: “The Uniqueness of Humanity,” Groothuis develops the challenge that consciousness and cognition constitute for materialism and proposes arguments in favor of biblical substance dualism. The relationship between mind and brain remains a mystery explicable in a theistic worldview. Ironically, scientific descriptions of reality in terms of matter require and presuppose consciousness, given that scientists construct these descriptions! The conundrum for the materialist is that he/she has to be able to explain thoughts and truth via

faith and grace. Both writers successfully achieve their objectives. Both writing can be applicable to the

Experiences, religious or otherwise, possess and exude a subjective nature in and of itself-- it is with this in consideration that one must realize the difficulty of analyzing a personal experience “cognitively,” objectively, or literally. Particularly, religious experiences symbolically bring forth ideals and values commonly seen in theistic beliefs and “moral” values, such as a strong urge to do good deeds unto others, advocating peace and love, and feelings characteristic of humanity. To its fullest extent, a religious experience occurs as a result of letting go of egotistical thoughts in order to truly appreciate the “universe,” or a higher force not necessarily seen in theistic religions such as Christianity and Islam. In abandoning the

Romans 1:21-23 The basis for God’s wrath against the Gentiles is that although they knew God, and claimed to be wise, they neither glorified him nor gave thanks to him, but instead they became futile in their thinking, darkened in their foolish heart, and exchanged the glory of God for idolatry. Romans

His suggestion that conversion does not require a specific shock and that a community’s custom does not immediately conflict with Christianity. Rather, there is no specific ‘shock’ moment in conversion and conflicts develop over time. He suggests the Church is an intermediary space, with its value in a converts willingness to change, Engelke analogizes this process of conversion as a ‘long’ conversation’ and is important because he focuses on individual identity within the wider context of community boundaries and transitions.

Paul uses creation as his foundation to proclaim the gospel. Verse 18 states, “the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against the ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. ” Ever since Adams response when question by God “who told you that thou was naked?”(Gen.3:10-11KJV) man has tried in vain to suppress the truth of God’s word. Therefore, since the suppression of man about God’s truth, man’s thoughts have become futile and unnatural towards God’s plan for humankind. In return, God has darken humanities heart by giving all human kind a reprobated mind. (Romans 1:18-25, 3:23KJV) Because of the reprobated mind, the lust of the flesh leads to death physically and simultaneously a spiritual death. Thus, Paul is saying that man knows about God from creation, therefore nullifying the excuse of not knowing. (Romans 1:18-19 KJV)