In Praying in the Shadow of Gethsemane, an article by John C. Peckham, the author dives into the theological complexity of Jesus Christ's petitions, notably during his time in the garden of Gethsemane. Peckham starts by considering the confusion surrounding prayers, asking for God's will, particularly when faced with hardship and misfortune (Peckham, 2024). The author draws attention to the uncertainty and anxiety these kinds of prayers can bring, especially when they seem unheard or when God seems far away at crucial times. He explores several Christian positions, from divine determinism to an optimistic picture of human collaboration with God. The author examines the connection between God's dominion and human unrestrained tenacity. A climactic segment of Peckham's assertion is a deconstruction of the New Testament accounts of Christ's prayers. …show more content…
In it, he begs God to spare him from his upcoming pain out of sadness, but ultimately, he submits to God's plan (Peckham, 2024). The conflict between what an almighty God can accomplish and the constraints placed on Him by His nature and ultimate will is brought to light in this episode. Peckham explores the theological significance of Christ's deeds, contending that while Jesus might have avoided the cross, doing so would have gone against God's character as a just and loving God. It is believed that this act of sacrifice is necessary to triumph against evil and realize God's promise of salvation. The piece emphasizes the ongoing cosmic struggle between good and evil, God's kingdom, and Satan's temporary authority while drawing a connection between Jesus' pleas and the Lord's
Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving is a novel in which religion is of great importance. One of the main themes in this novel is faith in God and oneself, and even more, the conflict between belief and doubt. Irving writes in such a way, that this is very evident throughout the book. John Wheelwright, at the start of the novel, is a young boy who does not seem to know much about how strong his faith really is. Part of the reason for this, is that the choice between believing in and doubting God is that there isn’t any complete evidence that He even exists.
INTRODUCTION The medieval theologian Julian of Norwich was a mystic, writer, anchoress and spiritual director for her time. She is gaining in popularity for our time as she provides a spiritual template for contemplative prayer and practice in her compilation of writings found in Revelations of Divine Love. The insightful meditations provide the backdrop and basis for her Trinitarian theology’s embrace of God’s
As I continued to chat with my pastor that day, I really sensed the hurt in his eyes – the anger that comes from an unsolvable injustice, the tiredness of a problem. “What’s wrong?” I finally asked, “Having a bad day?” Sensing that I was truly concerned, he let the truth be told. “I talked with a woman today whose baby died suddenly of unknown causes. As we worked through her grief, she talked about how numerous friends and family, even a religious leader had patted her on the back, shook their heads and said, ‘It was God’s will.’ I find few things worse to say to a grieving parent. Saying nothing at all would be of more help.” It was obvious from our conversation that he had an understanding greater than I about God’s will, and his insight created in me a curiosity and desire to learn more.
James Arlington Wright is widely recognized as one of America's finest contemporary poets. He was born in December 13, 1927 in Martins Ferry, Ohio. He was the second of three sons; Ted, James and Jack. His Father, Dudley, was a die-cutter at Hazel-Atlas Glass in Wheeling a neighboring town in Virginia where his mother, Jessie, worked at the White Swan Laundry. Both had to quit school in early teens to work.
The discussion of the role of providence in one’s life permeates the works of Phillis Wheatley and Olaudah Equiano, as they both attempt to convey how God interacts with humans. This relationship brings up questions of salvation both in the immediate and the eternal. In Equiano’s narrative and Wheatley’s “Thoughts on the Works of Providence,” providence is a saving presence, but it is viewed from different theological perspectives, specifically that of humanity’s weakness and the unchanging realities of the natural world respectively. These perspectives are determined by the authors’ lives and how they differ.
Moshe the Beadle asks Elie Wiesel why he prays; after pondering the thought, Wiesel replies, “‘I don’t know why,’ I answered, greatly disturbed” (2). Wiesel does not know why he prays to God, his religious faith based on his studies instead of a relationship with God. On the day, before the Jewish New Year, Elie Wiesel had to watch the other Jews pray before eating their soup. The fact that he doesn’t join in shows how much faith Wiesel has already lost in the idea that God might save them.
When it comes to life, there are so many questions about life that everyone longs to get an answer to. Sometimes our best friends, our family, or even strangers can give us the best answer and advice to a question. Sometimes it is impossible to get answers to certain questions, and we just have to live life not knowing what will happen. There are also times when there is nowhere to turn, but to look to a higher power to get the answer. In, “When I Consider How My Life Is Spent,” by John Milton, and, “Easter Wings,” by George Herbert, they both must look to God to find answers to their questions in the midst of their despair.
The Web. 10 May 2015) is the story of Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice. While from a biblical standpoint this was the right thing for Jesus to do, from a purely objective view, Jesus’ selflessness ultimately led to his death. Jesus was a giving man who did good deeds for complete strangers, because he felt it was his duty. In the painting, he is shown in his final moments, totally ready to accept his death.
Lord Jesus beseeches us to make the ultimate sacrifice in the parable of the Good Samaritan. It is an admirable example of love. During Christ’s times, the Samaritans and the Jews were in opposition in that the Samaritans had pagan ancestry. There was an increased tension towards Jew traveling through Samaria. Also, the Jews felt that they would be contaminated or polluted traveling though Samaria. In the face of their mutual dislike for one another, the parable of the Good Samaritan relates the greatest sacrifice. The Samaritan dismissed or diminished his feelings, and responded to an act of will, by putting the welfare of the man found on the Jericho road above his own. He picked him up, cared for him and provided for future care for
...ificed for all the sins of mankind. Feeling ashamed and sad, he questions his own faith by saying that his son was too young to have scaped world s and flesh s rage (Lines8, 9). Finally, he uses a tender word like peace to signal that he has accepted his son s death, forgiven himself and God, and realizes that everything will be all right.
Just as there is a variety of identities involving race, gender, and class, so too are there a range of religious identities. Byzantine Catholics, Hindus, born-again Evangelicals, atheists, agnostics, and Buddhists are only a few religious identities I have encountered in America. This environment, at best, allows religious variety to be understood and embraced—and at worst, divides us. In Acts of Faith, author Eboo Patel discusses his belief that the “faith line” will define conflict and concord in the 21st century.
One of the greatest debates that continues to rage on amongst theologians, as well as others, is in regards to the balance between the humanity and the divinity of the person of Jesus Christ (also known as Christology). This debate can be especially challenging in the Scripture passage of Matthew 26:36-46 where the reader finds Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane. Many of the ancient and medieval theologians worked to explain away apparent humanistic characteristics seen in this section of the text, while more modern theologians seem to be more open to embracing these characteristics. While the ancient and medieval theologians may not have embraced the humanity of Jesus, the translations and backgrounds of the words “cup”, “grieved”, and “agitated”, along with the translation of the passage itself, the humanity of Jesus is not only present in the passage but also a necessity to the salvation of humanity through the sacrifice of Jesus. Simply put, for the salvation through death to be relatable for humanity, Jesus had to also be, at least in part, fully human as well as being fully divine.
However, I feel that the Lord's prayer is essentially a Jewish prayer, exhibiting the form and function of contemporary Jewish prayers. As with many other studies of any writings in the Gospels, it is important to discuss how these traditions have been brought to us, and what, if any modifications were made to the original text. Therefore it would be prudent, for the purpose of this paper to first look at the literary elements of the Lord's Prayer. To illustrate why the Lord's Prayer is essentially a Jewish prayer, we must first define and explore what Jewish prayers were like during the time of Jesus.
Gandhi once said that “Prayer is not asking”. It is a longing for the soul. It is daily admission of one's weakness.” Despite the fact that Gandhi was not a Christian, he understood the significance of prayer and the futility of man. But long before Gandhi’s time, lived a humble man of God named Daniel.
All welcoming, all loving, all knowing God, for me my Church is like a an close up of heaven will look . All colors, all ages, all backgrounds invited, souls are saved weekly. Faith is increased every Sunday and the Bible is even reflected on heavier Wednesday. Word Church is more then just a big grey, white, and red building, on the corner of Britain Road, with a big W symbol on the side. My church is a hospital, in the middle of a slowly dieng area. Previously dispositioned as an old furniture store, I am currently a member of, the newly remodeled Word church Akron. This was not my first church I attended, however it is the building block of my faith in Christianity . During the foundation of my childhood, I had my first experience with religion, at catholic and Pentecostal churches