Light is a source of power for all things on earth. Whether it be humans, animals, or plants all need light in order to live and prosper. However, light does not just come in the form of waves and particles, but also comes in the form of the light of the Gospel. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have provided us with light which leads and guides us in our lives. It is through that light that we know what is right, and what Heavenly Father wants us to do. The principle that I will be examining in this paper is that the light of Christ guides people to the gospel, and the more light we gain, the better understanding of the gospel we obtain. God through the revelations of the prophet Joseph Smith made this principle more clearly by explaining …show more content…
Joseph Smith in a revelation from the Lord tells us, “every soul who forsaketh his sins [,] cometh unto me, […] and keepeth my commandments, shall […] know that I am; And that I am the true light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world;” (D&C 93:1-2). The first thing to notice is that the Lord tells us that he is the light of the world, and that his light is in everyman that cometh into the world. Regardless of whether you are LDS, Catholic, Muslim, Buddhist, or Atheist you still have the light of Christ in you. The light fills every man and becomes stronger as we forsake our sins and cometh to Christ in all things. This can be seen as a missionary. I remember when my companion and I was teaching a mother and son named Tanya and Wyatt. They were struggling and asking for God to help them, and then we knocked on their door. We began to teach them the Gospel and as they understood more and more of the Gospel their countenances changed. The home they lived in began to have the spirit constantly, and they began to have a more hopeful look towards life. They started out with light and that is why they were seeking Heavenly Father’s guidance, and this led them to us …show more content…
Joseph Smith explains through revelation, “Light and truth forsake that evil one” (D&C 93:37). The light we obtain from keeping the commandments helps us to keep Satan at bay. Light keeps away darkness, and the same is true of the light of the Gospel. Regardless of what we do as long as we have light in our lives we can forsake Satan. For example, when we are struggling with a temptation all we need to do to fight that temptation is put on some church music. The music invites the spirit or light into our hearts and Satan cannot dwell there so he must leave. Theodore M. Burton makes this clearer when he explains, “The opposite of light is darkness, and the opposite of truth is falsehood” (Theodore M. Burton, 1981, April General Conference). The polar opposite nature of light and dark makes it so they can’t dwell next to each other in the same space, and this is why when we invite the spirit or the light there cannot be Satan or darkness. Light protects us and as we seek for more light then the more protection we
Plantinga’s (2002) book Engaging God’s World consists of five parts: “Longing and Hope,” “Creation,” “The Fall,” “Redemption,” and “Vocation in the Kingdom of God.” Throughout the work, Plantinga references public speakers and activists, lyricists, philosophers, saints, and authors to help his audience connect to his perspective.
Engagement with others is the most fertile ground for spiritual growth. Yet, salvation cannot come through individual questing nor good works in the community of the world alone. Salvation can only come when the journey and the work become
The foundation of a Christian worldview is the belief in a personal God, creator and ruler of the universe. The Christian worldview views the world through God’s word, providing the framework for humanity to live by giving meaning and purpose to life. It defines who Jesus is, human nature, and how salvation is achieved. In essence it is the basis of which Christians behave, interact, interpret life and comprehend reality. A Christian worldview imparts confidence, answers to life’s problems, and hope for the future. In this paper I will discuss the essentials of a Christian worldview and an analysis of the influences, benefits, and difficulties sustaining the Christian faith.
As we have looked in to the Christian worldview of God, our humanity, the Son of God, and the restoration of our lives back into God’s purpose. Now we have a better understanding of what it means to be a member of the Christian community. God wants believers to dwell in union and in community having the same mind that is in Jesus Christ (Phil 2:1-11). This paper showed how God and Jesus Christ are at the fundamental core of all Christian beliefs regardless of the countless differences many Christians may
The Christian Worldview consists of the Creator, His Creation and His son. The story began thousands of years ago and is still relevant today. This paper will give you a glimpse of the three main characters, how they relate to each other, and why I believe this is the only worldview that provides truth and hope for my life.
... of the Christian faith front and center by uniting two camps of believers in one reading; a starting point. As illustrated by the authors, “Though we have not, of course, reached agreement, we are satisfied that we have eliminated misunderstandings, that is, that neither of us has misrepresented the other. We offer the result to the reader as a celebration of shared friendship, faith, and scholarship” (xi).
Whether God exists or not, the importance of God in a human life, the values of religions... have been a controversial and abstract enigma of man’s spiritual life. On the way to find the truth, many people seem to lose their initial purpose as well as their beliefs. Throughout his Christian novel, This Present Darkness, Frank E. Peretti calls attention, mostly from the Christians, to the importance of prayer and faith in God in a Christian’s life.
The doctrine of illumination is based, in part, upon a statement by the Apostle Paul to the Christians at Corinth in which he wrote: “But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one.” (I Cor. 2:14-15) “The illumination of the scriptures by the Holy Spirit” is a doctrine, which teaches that a special illumination from the Holy Spirit is required in order for a person to understand the scriptures; therefore, until one receives a personal or direct operation of the Holy Spirit, he cannot understand the Bible
Altering an audience's opinion is a struggle that many writers face; it is always possible, however, to unite the reader with the speaker's position. In Paradise Lost by John Milton, the author attempted to persuade his readers into thinking that the theme of obedience to God will keep you in a blissful state and disobedience will keep you in a wretched state by the use of light in his books. God is associated with a radiant white light; while on the other hand, Satan is affiliated with a dark shady black. With this use of this contrast of symbolism of light and dark, there is a clear distinction that light is righteousness and more desired than the darkness, which is evilness and bad.
The Christian worldview is centered on the Gospel and places their beliefs in the essential teachings of the Trinity, the deity of Jesus Christ, and Jesus’ resurrection from the dead (DiVincenzo, 2015). This paper will explain who God is and what he created, what our purpose and nature is as humans, who Jesus was and what he did while on earth, how God plans to bring his people back into the right relationship with himself, and as a Christian how one is to live their life with an analysis of the Christian worldview.
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.
Biblical witness centers on the Spirits activity of “binding believers to Christ, incorporation them into the church as the body of Christ and equipping the church for mission.” Despite the best effort of the Church to be the hands and feet of Christ it is reassuring to know that the Spirit is still present and working in the hearts of people outside of the church’s work. Without the work of the Spirit in the hearts of believers and throughout the word, humanity would not know the love of God. The Holy Spirit gives liberates and brings new life it unites, encourages and brings hope to a world pledged by darkness.
Authority of Scripture reconciles the community with God and can transform our lives. To participate in the fuller blessing of understanding, it is important to view Scripture with historical and literary sensitivity, interpret theocentrically, ecclesially, and contextually. I realize each of these can be overwhelming to the average person who is seeking direction for a specific concern in their life. Therefore, Migliore reminds us, interpreting Scripture is practical engagement in the living of Christian faith, love, and hope in a still redeemed world. When we listen carefully to the voices of the past, from a worldwide culture, and guided by the Holy Spirit, we will open ourselves to those transformational opportunities.
Dupré, Louis, and James A. Wiseman, eds. Light from Light: An Anthology of Christian Mysticism. New York: Paulist Press, 1988.
The Bible student, laymen, or pastor will find the principles presented by Fee and Stuart helpful despite the weaknesses presented. The author’s contribution on how to interpret each of the different genres is especially beneficial. The Bible Student will have more knowledge of how to interpret God’s Word when finished with the work. Fee and Stuart achieve their goal helping the reader not only with interpretation, but with application.