Exploring God Through The Hound of Heaven
Francis Thompson lived in London at the end of the nineteenth century. He led a life that was often out of accord with the will of God, but repented near the end of his life and found God. He wrote an autobiographical poem, "The Hound of Heaven", based on his experiences. By analyzing this poem and Thompson's message, we can learn the truth of the statement "God's greatest attribute is His mercy."
Thompson's troubles kicked off in the Soho district of London. The district, notorious for prostitution, was embraced by Thompson in the hope that he could find his life's meaning in sexual pleasure. Because he was afraid that following God might deprive him of other earthly pleasures and pursuits, he turned his back on God. Yet God followed.
Next, Thompson turned to astrology. He sought answers to his questions and solutions to his problems in the stars. He began to live for the night and detested daylight. However, he soon realized that the stars were loyal only to God, so he abandoned his interest in them. Yet still Go...
In his book, An Imperfect God, Henry Wiencek argues in favor of Washington being the first true president to set the precedent for the emancipation of African-American slaves. Wiencek delves into the evil paradox of how a nation conceived on the principles of liberty and dedicated to the statement that all men are created equal was in a state that still preserved slavery for over seven decades following the construction of the nation. Washington’s grandeur estate at Mount Vernon at its peak had the upkeep of over 300 slaves 126 of which were owned by Washington. First, it must be understood that Washington was raised on slavery receiving ownership of 10 slaves at the age of 11 years old and that Washington was a man of his time. However, it must also be understood that Washington’s business with slavery was in the context of a constrained social and political environment. Weincek maintains that this does not exonerate the fact that Washington maintained slavery however; it does help to quantify the moral shortcoming by which Washington carried until his last year of life.
In “God in the Doorway,” Annie Dillard conveys a shift in her perception of God by associating fearful childhood experiences with her current interpersonal relationship with God. Santa Claus appears in Dillard’s doorway on Christmas Eve and as a young girl Dillard reacts in fear of a powerful, omniscient god-like figure and runs away. (M.S. 1) Dillard later realizes Miss White, her elderly neighbor, dressed-up as Santa Claus intending to shape a loving relationship with Dillard. Miss White attempts to form a bond with Dillard again and focuses a ray of sunlight on her hand with a magnifying glass and burns her causing Dillard to run from her again. Dillard associates the actions of Miss White to her perception of God as wrathful
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
The movie Glory is the story of the first African American military unit which fought during the Civil War. This powerful story is told through the eyes of the unit’s leader, Colonel Robert Shaw. The director, Edward Zwick, uses a number of important scenes expressing growth, patriotism and leadership. Whenever there was an obstacle that the 54th regiment needed to overcome faith seemed to be the answer. Faith in their fellow man, faith in their country and faith in God.
The continuous reading of Cornelius Plantinga Jr.’s book Engaging God’s World: A Christian Vision of Faith, Learning, and Living, has left me lingering on a lot of thoughts towards my relationship with God. In the conclusion of his book, Plantinga focuses on the redemptive qualities of God as well the the redemptive possibilities of mankind. Another main subject is the vocation in the Kingdom of God, correspondingly the Bible says in Romans 12:2, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God- what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Plantinga (2002) states clearly, “given Jesus’ summons, his followers have always understood that to be a ‘Christ person’
Campion, N. "Prophecy, Cosmology And The new Age Movement: The Extent and Nature of Contemporary Belief In Astrology".(PhD Thesis, Bath Spa University College 2004)
Augustine finds many ways in which he can find peace in God. He is genuinely sorry for having turned away from God, the source of peace and happiness. Augustine is extremely thankful for having been given the opportunity to live with God. Augustine uses love as his gate to God’s grace. Throughout The Confessions, love and wisdom, the desire to love and be loved, and his love for his concubine, are all driving forces for Augustine’s desire to find peace in God. The death of his friend upsets him deeply, but also allows him to pursue God to become a faithful Christian.
From 1863-1877, the federal government undertook a monumental task to heal a broken nation torn by war. The policy of reconstruction would take a strong leader, determined to maintain the rights of the individual states, and heal the Union. While Lincoln’s original plans outlined his goals and views for reconstruction, following Lincoln’s assassination, his successor Johnson didn’t share the same resolve and was more swayed by radical factions within Congress and the current economic state of the country to forge his own political agenda.
Reconstruction was the time period that followed the Civil War (1865-1877) whereby the U.S. attempted to rebuild the South and reintegrate them into the Union. In addition to rebuilding the country, the U.S. government also sought to aid the former slaves in their transition from servitude to citizenship. These goals had mixed degrees of success due to social and political factors in the U.S. south.
During the debate on whether or not reconstruction was a success or failure, people often repeated that the only success of reconstruction was it attempt at unifying the nation. This was heavily overrode by the explanations as to why Reconstruction was a failed shot at improving the United States. Reconstruction was a success in that it was an attempt to restore the United States as a unified nation given as shown by the drafting of the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amendments as the South unwillingly pledged their loyalty to the United States government. Some black men were able to gain political power while another document, written by a former slave, illustrated the new life for African Americans and the education provided to them.
The reconstruction was a success because it reunited the Union and the Confederate states again as one unified country. Lincoln’s original “10 percent” Reconstruction plan made it as easy as possible for the Confederate states to reunite with the Union (470). Even as Johnson became president, he still kept most of Lincoln’s plan (471). In addition
After a bloody Civil War, the Union arose less enthralled than expected. It was now time to clean up the mess coming forth from 624,000 casualties. Reconstruction, occurring from 1865 to 1877, was a challenge. President Abraham Lincoln, President Andrew Johnson, and Congress had devised plans, but none were able to be agreed upon. The radical views of the Senate were viewed as too harsh for the two mellow Presidents. Attempts were made at industrializing the previously dilapidated South, but the defiance of the South remained. Reconstruction proved to be a failure because racial violence broke out, Laws endangering Africans’ rights were created, and Southern Economy remained hurt.
Reconstruction did have significant improvements including the new infrastructure implemented by the Northerners such as the public schools, orphanages, railroads and the ability for African-Americans to hold political office for a duration of time. These advancements were shadowed by the massive deficiency of Reconstruction. The social opinion was degraded after the federal government
Confessions takes readers through Saint Augustine’s spiritual wandering prior to becoming a virtuous and highly influential bishop in the Catholic Church. The early stages of the book have Augustine reflecting on his childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood – parts of his life where he feels that he is dangerously far away from God. “At one time in adolescence I was burning to find satisfaction from hellish pleasures. I ran wild in the shadowy jungle of erotic adventures. ‘My beauty wasted away and in your sight I became putrid’,” displays how Augustine’s focus on worldly things
St. Ignatius of Loyola was a Jesuit priest during 1500s the that developed the Spiritual Exercises. The Spiritual Exercises is a series of rules that is intended to be a guide or manual for those on a retreat. The manual provides its audience with guidance and encouragement to discover their purpose, their "True Self" and path in which they want to travel in life. St. Ignatius's goal for his set of prayers, Spiritual Exercises, is to freely choose to follow God and to serve Him.