Church and Religion in the Songs of Innocence and Experience
Throughout “Innocence” and “Experience,” many poems incorporate
religious views and imagery. Blake presents many contradicting views
on the Church and religion, the contrast being particularly clear
between “Innocence” and “Experience.”
Within the “Songs of Innocence” a child-like portrayal of Church and
religion is portrayed. Throughout “Innocence” there are many
references to “The Lamb” representing Jesus Christ who was the
Sacrificial Lamb, as shown in the poem “The Lamb.” Another common
image of religion used by Blake is that of religion as the Shepherd,
the Shepherd is “watchful” and ever watching over his sheep,
protecting them, Blake is showing religion as being ever-present and
constantly present. This is a very child-like and partial view of
Christ. Religion is portrayed in a child like manner, as is Christ in
the poem “On Another’s Sorrow,” Christ is portrayed as “[giving] his
joy to all” as he is embodied both within an “infant small” and “men
of woe.” Also in “On Another’s Sorrow,” religion is seen as immanent,
as God “gives to us his joy.” A simple view is portrayed: one that God
is ever present and is there within everyone. Images of the Church and
religion are juxtaposed to images of joy, fun and laughter, showing
the simple view of religion portrayed. This view is extended in “The
Divine Image” in which the balanced structure continues the child-like
view of religion. The image that God is present within everyone is
also shown in “The Divine Image” is that God is ever-present within
everyone. In “The Chimney Sweeper,” religion is used to help the
chimney sweeps get through their arduous days, and the vision of
Christ helped h...
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...are shown as “walking around in
black gowns” and “binding briars with [his] joys and desires” thorns,
representing the Church and religion, were restricting his life, and
joy was prohibited. Within “The Human Abstract” religion is referred
to as the “dismal shade of mystery,” and the priests are the “ravens”
which have made “[their] nests in the thickest shade.” A negative
image of the Church is explored, as the Church is shading people from
the light.
The theme of religion is one central to both “The Songs of Innocence”
and the “Songs of Experience” as a result of this, Blake could be seen
as “primarily a religious poet.” Although the theme is ongoing, within
“Experience” many other themes are also explored, showing that Blake,
although concentrating primarily on religion, did explore other themes
relevant to everyday and the current state of living.
Joy is in Christian’s story always even if she does not appear so. Joy acts as a silent foundational friend, but in times of need, Joy always presents herself to Christian and guides him. She is expressed differently throughout his journey and his many, ranging feelings. Accompanying Christian during his ordinary moments, Joy is there to let his high spirits soar and to further encourage his excitement. She is present to walk beside him as his friend.
Toni Morrison’s novel, Beloved, explores the physical, emotional, and spiritual suffering that was brought on by slavery. Several critical works recognize that Morrison incorporates aspects of traditional African religions and to Christianity to depict the anguish slavery placed not only on her characters, but other enslaved African Americans. This review of literature will explore three different scholarly articles that exemplifies how Morrison successfully uses African religions and Christianity to depict the story of how slavery affected the characters’ lives in the novel, even after their emancipation from slavery.
There are several aspects to consider when exploring the Christian worldview. There are many facets or denominations and they each have their own distinct beliefs and practices, but they all share the same fundamental beliefs. In this Paper we will explore the character of God, His creation, humanity and its nature, Jesus’ significance to the world, and the restoration of humanity, as well as my beliefs and the way that I interact with Christianity and my personal worldview.
...ld Testament. Lastly, we become the recipients of the greatest joy known on earth, pleasing God by cooperating with his divine will.
In all creation, we human beings alone are the image and likeness of God. We can reflect, love, create, and most importantly, worship the One whose image we bear. God has given us stewardship over creation to develop a rich and godly culture that benefits others and honors God. Art and science, work and play, marriage and family, church and state are our gifts and tasks. God has crowned us with glory and majesty (Psalm 8: 5).
Independently, as one grows in age, their actions should make a daily reflection to God. In “A Theology of Liberation,” Gutierrez avers that, "The present life is considered to be a test: one’s actions are judged and assessed in relation to the transcendent end. The perspective here is moralistic, and the spirituality is one of flight from this world...
...ust be happiness. Furthermore, he asserts that since we must start from our own experience, we must be brought up in fine habits to be more easily capable of fine things. Chapter five elaborates on this point, proposing that people reach their interpretations of happiness according to the kinds of lives they lead. Three kinds of lives are introduced. The first is of the many, who see happiness as pleasure, and this concept is dismissed as vulgar and only suitable for animals. Second is the cultivated, who are active in politics and see happiness as having honour. However, this too is dismissed as superficial, as being honoured depends on others opinions. The cause of honour, virtue, is considered as well, but also dismissed as possessing virtue does not equate to happiness. Third is the life of study, which is postponed, perhaps for another book in this work.
•God shows us the promise of new life in the resurrection and of new society in the Reign of God
...sensible validation in catastrophic suffering, and we must not justify it as part of some divine purpose or for the greater good of humanity in the afterlife; humanity needs justice on earth. Such need to justify cruelty and agony eliminates the incentive for victims and their families to overcome sorrow, grief, and misery, especially if the explanation lies in the after-life. An appropriate response must present solutions to prevent suffering, and an initiative to spread human compassion, thereby overcome suffering. One response is to keep protesting against injustices on human beings, by alleviating poverty, violence, torture, child abuse, and any other sort of injustice. If we are to hold the argument that God suffers with those who suffer, it would be much more justifying to end the suffering rather than to vindicate it, and accept that suffering is God’s will.
Children are loved beyond measure by God, who created them. This is the lesson this book teaches. The author, Max Lucado wrote in the dedication, “God couldn’t love you more than he already does.” This is the lesson of the whole story. The genre of this book is Christian children’s story. I often read stories like this in Sunday school and in my early years attending a private elementary school. In my opinion, this book is appropriate for children aged 4-7, but can be encouraging to children of all ages. The topic of which age group this book fits with will be discussed further on in this paper.
Guest, E. (n.d.). SoFinesJoyfulMoments. Retrieved May 8, 2006, from Mary (Garren) Morand Web site: http://sofinesjoyfulmoments.com/quotes/sermon.htm
creation into existence, and at the very moment God speaks the Son and happiness into
It may seem a little bit strange, but my favorite place in town in none other than this beautiful Evangelic Church. However, it wasn’t always so.
“He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation” (Mark 16:15). As Christians we are given the duty of preaching God’s Word to all and to extend the knowledge of salvation to the expansions of the Earth. We are taught to be pure examples and to avoid and rebuke all forms of evil. Knowing this to be our calling, how to stories fit into this picture? I believe that stories play an important role in our role as Christians in the following ways: to communicate the Gospel, to rebuke evil, and to enjoy God’s creation. However, although stores are an important aspect of the Faith, they come with a warning and a few challenges to overcome. They can be useful if used correctly, but they have the potential to lead to sin.