Religion

12pt Times New Roman Double Spaced Overview The 4-MAT review system is a way of responding to readings, lectures, and life experiences that requires the learner to interact with new ideas on several levels.  In this course, you will complete two book reviews that will aid in your understanding of the patterns of worship found within the Bible.  These reviews will provide an opportunity for you to summarize the key points of the books while also making personal application to your present-day experiences.   Instructions Use the following format in preparing 4-MAT Book Reviews:   1. Abstract. Summarize what you have read. Prove you comprehend the readings by writing aconcise summary. The abstract is not a commentary or listing of topics, but rather an objective summary from your point of view. Abstract means narrowed down.  2. Concrete Response. Be vulnerable. Relate a personal life experience that this book triggered in your memory. Relate your story in first person, describing action and quoting exact words you remember hearing or saying. In the teaching style of Jesus, this is a do-it-yourself parable, case study, and confession. You will remember almost nothing you have read unless you make this critical, personal connection. What memory began to surface? This is your chance to tell your story and make new ideas your own. 3. Reflection. This is the critical thinking part of the review. Describe what questions were raised for you in response to what you have read. Keep a rough-note sheet at hand as you read. Interact with the author by asking better questions than he or she raised in the book. Describe how the author could have made the book better or more appealing to those in your field of service. One way to begin this section is by stating what bothered you most about the book. This is not a place to provide an endorsement or affirmation of the book. 4. Action. So, what are you going to do about it? Provide actions that describe what changes you are going to make in your life, ministry, and/or work as a result of your reading. Actionsmust be measurable and reveal a commitment to a specific time, specific people, and identified steps.   Your book review should be 5-6 pages in length and utilize current Turabian format.  2. Book Review: Worship in the New Testament: Divine Mystery and Human Response.  By: Gerald L. Borchert   Note: Your assignment will be checked for originality via the SafeAssign plagiarism tool. EBOOK  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/kindle-redemption/B001P80I58?_encoding=UTF8&ie=UTF8&kinRedeem=GIFT&kinRedeemToken=GS5NKJSST3YUSP6&ref=pe_kinw_eml_rdm&ref_=pe_2549720_191942230

Also, read/review the following: Message of the Prophets p. 70 Hays, The Message of the Prophets Deuteronomy 5:6-21 and 10:12-22 James 2:14-26 2. In a Microsoft Word document, write a reflection of at least 1,000 words (minimum) on the issue of social justice. Include answers to the following questions: According to Micah, what were the specific sins (vertical and horizontal) for which God rebuked His people? What is the relationship between these actions and God’s covenant (cf. Deut. 5:6-21, 10:12-22)? What is the relationship between one’s (vertical) relationship with God and one’s (horizontal) relationships with others (cf. Micah 6:6-8, James 2:14-26)? What is one ‘underclassed’ group for which God has burdened you? In what tangible ways can you demonstrate the love of Christ to this group?

Write a paper summarizing and analyzing the 5 stages and 4 spheres of discipleship. Identify what stage of discipleship you are currently in, giving evidence from your life and correlating biblical support. Also, identify what spheres you need to submit to the centrality of Christ by referring to Bonhoeffer’s steps in following Jesus. Conclude with at least 1 page discussing what it means to be in submission to Christ, using Scripture and other scholarly sources.

1.Write a research essay  that incorporates the macro-level ecosystem  ( big picture) concerns  in education: 1. Faith 2. Cultural 3. Politics 4. Technology 5. Society related to the faith, cultural, politics, technology, and society.  This can include information from courses you have taken or from articles or texts you have read. All five of this concerns must have a  minimum of two reliable resources each.  Using APA format, including title page and reference page, use 12-point font, Times New Roman, a minimum of 4 pages double-spaced. Plus Title page and Reference page.

Who are you? What do you believe? What cognitive biases do you have? These are big questions to answer, but necessary to consider before moving forward in your personal and professional life. In a one- to two-page paper, consider the people and experiences that have shaped how you see yourself, how you see life, and, most importantly, how they have shaped your biases. Describe a minimum of three things you believe to be true, such as the existence of God, right vs. wrong, morality, and what it means to be a “good” person. Explain, in detail, where, when, and how you acquired these beliefs (including the other people or experiences that have influenced you most), how these beliefs have made you who you are today, and why these beliefs are important. Do not simply say something like, “I believe in doing the right thing because it is the right thing.” You must really dig deep into your psyche and analyze your own perspective of the world; make your brain hurt!  Most importantly, discuss at least two cognitive biases discussed in Chapter 1 that you might be most subject to and why. Integrate these into your three beliefs and analyze the ways in which they shape you. There is no right or wrong answer to these questions, but your in-depth insight is important. Your paper must be in APA Style, typed, and proofread. You do not need an abstract or outside references for this paper.

What are the accusations against Socrates? Why do you think the citizens of Athens were so angry with him? How does Socrates understand what it means to be wise? How does he challenge our common understandings of wisdom? Do you think that Socrates defended himself well? Why did he defend himself the way that he did? Would you have done the same? What is “god” according to Socrates? (Remember that he lived several centuries before Christ and was not Christian or Jewish.) Why would his understanding of god upset people? Why does Socrates accept his death sentence? Why does he not seem to fear death?

In this assignment, you will analyze the implications of an ethical issue according to the Christian worldview. You will be challenged to think about Christian worldview core beliefs and apply what you have learned over this course. This will be a thorough analysis of a case study you will choose from the options provided. Write a 1,000-1,500-word essay in which you analyze ethical thinking and use values-based decision-making to address a case study from the perspective of the Christian worldview. Choose one case study from the five options listed in the attached “Ethical Dilemmas” document. After an appropriate introductory paragraph with a thesis statement in which you name the scenario you are choosing, address each of the following six sections with at least one paragraph each. Write at least one paragraph for each component using the underlined titles for a subheading. Ethical Dilemma: Briefly describe the ethical dilemma in your own words, including (a) what in the scenario makes it difficult to make an ethical decision and (b) at least two options for resolving the scenario, providing a brief overview of what sort of ethical decisions each option might make. Core Beliefs: What beliefs about God and humanity from the Christian worldview are relevant to the scenario? How might these core worldview commitments of Christians influence one’s decision-making with regard to this scenario? Resolution: Describe the Christian worldview’s proposal for resolving the ethical dilemma. How should the person in the scenario act according to the Christian worldview? What is the best course of action for a Christian? (Note: The resolution should be consistent with Christian worldview commitments.) Evaluation: What might be the unintended consequences and perceived benefits of the resolution proposed by the Christian worldview? Comparison: How does the Christian worldview resolution compare to how another worldview might resolve the dilemma? Choose a specific contrasting worldview, such as atheism, pantheism, or scientism. Conclusion: Synthesize the main points, pulling the ideas of the paper together. References Use and cite two course resources (textbook, overviews, and the Bible), and at least two scholarly sources from the GCU Library that address the issue from opposing sides. Refer to the directions on “Navigating the GCU Library for CWV Benchmark Research” and the “Example Ethical Dilemma Essay.”  Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the GCU Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. Review the GCU Template for formatting and utilize the attached “Ethical Dilemmas Essay Template” to complete the benchmark assignment. This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion. You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. Refer to the LopesWrite Technical Support articles for assistance. Reading: Read Chapters 11, 12, and the Conclusion in The Beginning of Wisdom: An Introduction to Christian Thought and Life. Read the following: The Story of Joseph: Genesis 37-50 (14 chapters) The Sermon on the Mount: Matthew 5-7 Romans 8:28-39 1 Corinthians 10:31 Ephesians 1-6 Navigating the GCU Library for CWV Benchmark Research Below are directions on how to navigate the Opposing Viewpoints database in the GCU Library to access articles for your benchmark assignment. In LoudCloud, Navigate to the Library. Click on “Find Journal Articles.” Scroll down to “Browse Databases by Title” and click on “O.” Click on “Opposing Viewpoints.” If necessary, login for access to this GCU Library database. In the Opposing Viewpoints database, Scroll to the “Health and Medicine” or “Society and Culture” category, and then click “View All.” Click on a subcategory (e.g., Abortion, Addiction, Medical Ethics, or Religious Issues) to find articles pertaining to the ethical dilemma you will write about. Click on (or scroll down to) the resource type (e.g., Viewpoints, Academic Journals). Click on the resource type heading you want to use (e.g., Academic Journals). This will take you to the page for all articles in the category’s resource type. Scroll to the “Limit Search By” section to see the Subjects list. To see all subjects and the corresponding number of articles, click “View More.” To narrow your results, click one of the subjects from the expanded list. Click on the article’s title to read it. Click “Citation Tools” under the Tools section. Under “Choose Citation Format,” select APA 6th Edition. You will need this information for your citation and references page; it will include the permalink Textbook: https://lc.gcumedia.com/cwv101/the-beginning-of-wisdom-an-introduction-to-christian-thought-and-life/v2.1/#/chapter/Introduction Bible: https://www.biblegateway.com/versions/New-American-Standard-Bible-NASB/#booklist GCU Library: https://library.gcu.edu/Database Username: RAguillon PW: Choxie87

Maccabean Revolt: Between Tradition and History Response (10%) Read the article on the Maccabean Revolt: Between History and Tradition. Complete Part 1 of the Assignment. Instructions written in the attached handout. The video from the lesson on Political Backgrounds, within the Maccabean Revolt, highlights the connections between Hanukkah and the Maccabean revolt. This video could be helpful to review for this assignment.  Another video that might help with untangling tradition from history. Play Video This video might help you capture an appreciation for the complexity of historiography, or the writing of history, especially in the ancient world. It was posted in the course’s introductory materials.  Play Video Another video that can help your thinking in this is: Play Video Read the story of the Martyrdom of the Seven Brothers Complete Part 2 of the assignment. Instructions written in the attached handout.  Due on: Friday, August 28th, by 11:59 PM PST.    Maccabean revolt assignment Kyle FINAL.pdf

Go through the below doctrinal statement. What do you think Christian heritage makes the academic experience different than at a non-faith-based university? What value will this difference add to your educational experience? Doctrinal Statement WE BELIEVE the Bible, in the Old and New Testament Scriptures to be inspired, the only infallible, true and authoritative Word of God. WE BELIEVE that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We believe in God the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. WE BELIEVE in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, the only Son of God. For us and for our salvation He came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became truly human. Being fully God and perfect man He performed miracles and lived a sinless life. WE BELIEVE Jesus Christ suffered a vicarious and atoning death through the shedding of His blood. He was buried and on the third day was resurrected in His body; after which He ascended to be seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. WE BELIEVE that mankind was originally created in the image and likeness of God, and free from sin. Through the temptation of Satan, they transgressed the command of God and fell from their original righteousness, whereby all people have inherited a sinful nature that is opposed to God, and are thus under condemnation. As soon as they are capable of moral action, they become actual transgressors. WE BELIEVE that for salvation of lost and sinful people, the regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential. We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a godly life. We believe that the Holy Spirit is fully God and is worshipped and glorified with the Father and Son. He divinely inspired the scriptures, convicts the world of sin, righteousness and judgment, leads Christ’s Church in truth and is the Teacher and Comforter sent by Jesus Christ. WE BELIEVE that salvation comes through Jesus Christ alone; that salvation involves the redemption of the whole person and is offered freely to all who exercise faith in Jesus Christ. We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost; those who are saved unto the resurrection of the living and those who are lost unto the resurrection of damnation. WE BELIEVE in the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ as one holy catholic and apostolic Church, Christ’s Body and Bride ministering reconciliation to a lost world. As ambassadors for the Kingdom of God and the Church, we affirm that evangelism and engagement in societal issues are both part of our Christian duty; both are necessary expressions of our doctrines of God and humanity, our love for our neighbor and our obedience to Jesus Christ. WE BELIEVE the message of salvation proclaimed by Christ’s Church is an indictment upon every form of alienation, oppression and discrimination, denouncing evil and injustice wherever it exists by lovingly ushering in the good news that Christ reconciled the world to Himself.

This exercise is intended to help you synthesize the course content, in particular with an eye to explaining to non-Christians what Christians hold as the core of their belief, in common with others in the Christian tradition. You will summarize the essential aspects of Christian doctrine in common language so as to communicate this truth to someone unfamiliar with Christianity. Your goal is to explain what Christians believe rather than to convince someone else to become a believer. The format is up to you, but must be legible. There are 3 examples provided to you in the course website, but remember, the following examples do not reflect every required element of this assignment. Therefore, these are meant to assist you in understanding single elements. For instance, Example #1 demonstrates the creative aspect. Examples #2 and #3 demonstrate the descriptive theological requirement (Using the examples too closely [in either format or content] will give you a low grade!)  Faith Communication Example  OR Christianity Example OR Gods Story Example. NOTE: Using the examples at all closely [in either format or content] will give you a low grade! Points are awarded for innovation, quality, and theological completeness. This project is much more difficult than it seems, and this is reflected in the grades. Length:  excluding the cover page and reference pages, formatted in MLA style Cover Page containing: Title of Paper, Your Name, Course Number and Name, Instructor’s, Name, and Date. Introductory Paragraph: setting forth a clear statement of your thesis. Conclusion: a concise statement that reaffirms your thesis. References: At least 6 quoted references to scholarly articles, including at least two from the Northwest Library.