Many people employ the New Testament in seeking guidance, confirmation, and inspiration; similarly, Khiok-Khng Yeo uses the New Testament passage 1 Corinthians 8 to formulate a solution to the current religious climate of ancestor worship in Chinese culture. In the engaging article “The Rhetorical Hermeneutic of 1 Corinthians 8 and Chinese Ancestor Worship,” Khiok-Khng Yeo chooses a passage in the New Testament because it is sacred literature that is known and respected around the world and also because Paul addresses in his letter to the church of Corinth the issue of idol worship troubling the Corinthians. Specifically, the writer chooses 1 Corinthians 8 because the people of China are currently facing similar hardship that ancient Corinthians …show more content…
In 1 Corinthians 8 Paul addresses the question of whether people should feel free to eat meat previously offered to idols. One side of the argument has the knowledge to understand that all idols are false gods because there is only one god, so eating or not eating the meat cannot bring a person closer to God. Alternatively, those who are known as the ‘weak’ believe that eating meat that has once been sacrificed to a false idol is idolatrous, and thus sinning against God. Nevertheless, Paul writes to the Corinthians that both side of the argument hold some degree of validity. Paul agrees that people are free to the meat previously offered to idols because those idols do not exist; however, he states that the people who are fighting for the eating of the meat do not love God enough to understand their wrongdoings. Those who are weak and believe that eating idol meat is defilement do not yet understand the gospel. Paul concludes that in this particular quarrel, “knowledge puffs up, but love builds up,” meaning both knowledge and love are needed in this situation. It is the duty of the stronger brothers to love the weaker brothers while teaching them the correct ways of the gospel (1 Corinthians 8:1). After Khiok-Khng Yeo analyzes the meaning of the 1 Corinthians 8 passage he concludes that if it means the stronger brothers not eating meat to help the weak from abandoning
This East Asian study will define the historical and literary elements of Chinese xenophobia, the regionalism of Chinese Taoism, and the importance of The Great Anti-Buddhist Persecution in the writings of Han Yu. Han Yu (768-824) defines the religious xenophobia that is attributed to Chinese culture during the Tang Dynasty, which reflects the policies of the Great Anti-Buddhist Persecution under Emperor Wuzong. These values were generated through regional prominence of Anti-Buddhist propaganda that was defined through a predominantly Taoist and Confucian religious culture in China. Han Yu defines the overarching anti-Buddhist propaganda that diminishes the power of leaders, which perceived Buddhism as a “tribal” religion that had corrupted Chinese officials and Emperors. The Great Anti-Buddhist Persecution was a major part of religious xenophobia during the late 8th and 9th centuries that reflected an intolerance for religious diversity. In essence, an analysis of Chinese xenophobia, the regionalism of Chinese Taoism and Confucianism, and the importance of The
With possibly fourteen of the twenty-seven books in the New Testament, and no less than seven attributed to him, the Apostle Paul of Tarsus undoubtedly altered and continues to alter the course of Christianity. Through his extensive mission work, preaching, and letter writing, Paul has left behind an immense legacy that few people in history can compare to. To this day, some two thousand years later, Paul and his writings are extensively researched, discussed, and debated across all of Christianity and much of the non-Christian world. For most practicing Christians, Paul’s teachings from his letters hold extreme weight and significance in their attempt to follow the teachings and life of Jesus in conjunction with the Bible. One such writing of Paul’s that was canonized into the Bible is his letter to the church at Philippi. This work will serve as an introduction to the Pauline epistle of Philippians.
John 13: After all of the waiting for Jesus' hour, it finally arrives in John 13. This chapter, which proffers such a commonly shared story, certainly one of the most popular in modern teaching, is very powerful. In it, Jesus gives an example of direction for the students he is about to leave behind: that of service. We witness one of our closest students confirm his decision to betray Jesus. Another one of Jesus' disciples will give voice to a misunderstanding of Jesus' lessons, not once, but twice (13:8-10, 36-38).
China has seen many changes throughout the course of their development, yet one aspect about their culture has tended to see continuity over the centuries. The practice of ancestor veneration has been present for thousands of years in Chinese culture. Looking at this single theme from China in 1600 compared to earlier periods, it is not hard to see that China has seen great continuity when it comes to honoring their ancestors. Religion, politics, and the economics of China may have changed over the years, but ancestor veneration has persisted and has even been shaped by these aspects.
American Born Chinese reveals an idea that is subliminal throughout the book. In America, whether it is implicit or explicit, individuals are segregated by their religious or cultural perspectives. Individuals, or in this case, Jin Wang, had the ultimatum of choosing the side of American or Chinese. However what this book reveals is that there is the ever present third option of picking both and having both aspects of ideologies together. In this paper, I will use the appearance of Tze-Yo-Tzuh in place of Buddha, instances where Christian and Hebrew references are made in the Monkey King’s story, and finally Jin Wang’s and Wei-Chen Sun’s relationship; significant evidence found in American Born Chinese and other sources
DR. Duane Litfin’s work “Paul’s Theology of Proclamation” was the work of his doctoral Dissertation. Through this book, the Dr. exposes the differences between Paul’s method of teaching and the Rhetoricians’ of the first century Greco-Roman by taking into consideration 1 Corinthians 1-4.
The present year, by the Gregorian calendar, is ??? A.D. The book of Revelations in the Bible came to pass, and Jesus has established the Thousand-Year Kingdom. A mere 77 years after its founding, a small forest-covered town is preparing to celebrate Easter. A young pastor, Peter Ore, is searching for inspiration regarding the sermon he must compose. Peter seems about 20 years old, has clean brown hair, and has a quite impressive mustache. The facial hair covers his mouth entirely, yet he has gotten the hang of speaking through it. He practices the sermon, day in and day out. At some point, he spills hot coffee on his shirt.
This discussion post will give a homiletical idea and introduction to the scripture Philippians 4:1-2. The idea taken from this scripture is, Turn Your Conflicts into Kind-heartedness.
In this article, the author begins by stating the growth of Protestantism is now booming everywhere in China, from cities to the most rural of areas. Gardam gives us a brief look at China’s past with religious regulations. He mentions the regulations that churches in China had starting in the mid 1950’s, when the Communist came to power. A decade later, Christianity would have another set back. In the 1960’s and 70’s, Mao Zedong started the Cultural...
Upon reviewing the film series of the “Mandate of Heaven” by Michael Wood and reading the views of Will Durant in his book Heroes of History, I am rather indifferent to either opinion as a whole. Although I do agree on certain things more than the other, overall I align with Durant’s view. The way Durant approached his views on Chinese traditions corresponds to the seeking of knowledge as the ultimate way to better oneself and to advance their society forward for a “better life.”
For my essay I have chosen to focus on Paul’s concerns of christian freedoms in his letter to Corinth. Paul seemed to be very concerned with this issue and he used two different chapters to discuss it. To examine these issues i will use the New International Version, King James Version, and New Living Translation. Throughout my essay I hope Paul answers the following three questions; 1. Was idol worship a major concern in the church? 2. How did Paul suggest the people deal with this issue? 3. How can these texts be applied in christian life today?
As with most other Pauline attributed documents, 1 Corinthians is believed to be a single document that addresses salient topics and rationalizes Paul’s view of faithfulness to Christ with Corinth citizens. The newly founded church of Corinth was in correspondence with Paul requesting his answers to questions they posed on topics ranging from marriage to the resurrection of the dead; the latter being one of the most highlighted in 1 Corinthians. Paul’s assurance of resurrection illustrates a concern for Corinth as he admonishes their disbelief in resurrection of the dead with a series of explanations as to why such doubt would render the faith of Christ “in vain”. Given the context of the time, Paul’s correspondence with Corinth clearly had an original intent of educating and admonishing Corinth on their views on resurrection. However, modern Christianity in its many forms has established an interpretation that slightly strays from its original inscription. Regardless, Paul’s letters not only shaped the ideals of Corinthians believers but influenced the Christian ideals of post mortem resurrection or eternal life as well.
The cross in the principal symbol of the Christian faith. In 305 A.D., the cross began to gain a large popularity around Christianity and is still seen today. The cross is used worldwide because of the crucifixion of Jesus and what the symbol means to people. In 1 Corinthians 1:18, the cross is resembled as a sign of foolishness to people who are dying by to those who are being saved it is the power of God. This means that those who stray from God see the cross as a symbol of irrationality while those who are being saved see the glory and honor of God. Represented in Hebrews 12:2, Christ endured the cross, disregarding its shame. This means that he took all of our sins upon himself so that we did not have to suffer. Also, in John 19:18, Jesus
Varughese, Alex, and Roger Hahn. Discovering the New Testament: community and faith. Kansas City, Mo.: Beacon Hill Press of Kansas City, 2005. Print.
Holy Bible: Contemporary English Version. New York: American Bible Society, 1995. Print. (BS195 .C66 1995)