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Theology and spirituality
Experiences in a church
Theology and spirituality
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Satan Greatest Battlefield and God’s Greatest Glory
The other day while sitting in church with my wife and kids, listening to the preacher talk about church people and how they attack and hurt their own; my daughter looked at us with amazement on her face not understanding the boisterous laughter coming from the audience. She asked, “Dad why do they laugh when everything the preacher stated is true?” At that moment I comprehended the significant consequences of the encounters my daughter endured from church people who had shown aggression towards her father and mother as pastors. From that point until now my thoughts linger back to the moment when my daughter’s face look totally confused at what she witnessed from the church audience on that day. I responded with a vague answer with very little depth to satisfy her curiosity and confusion about the blatant act of human nature that collided with Christian spirituality, morality and integrity. This sermon attempts to explain to us why humanity turns inward against itself when faced with our own human nature.
Let us first start with a generic definition of human nature.
Merriam/Webster dictionary describes as human nature;
A ways of thinking, feeling, and acting that are common to most people: the nature of humans; especially: the fundamental dispositions and traits of humans.
Wikipedia describe Human nature as
…distinguishing characteristics, including ways of thinking, feeling and acting, that humans tend to have naturally, independently of the influence of culture….Human nature particularly important implications are found within ethics, politics, and theology. This is partly because human nature can be regarded as both a source of norms of conduct or ways of life, as well...
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...ore for others. When our spiritual nature overcomes our human nature we are able to lay down our lives more often for others. As a result, God receive our greatest glory.
Works Cited
Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_nature 12/13/2013
Aristotle Metaphysics, 1078b http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0052%3Abook%3D13%3Asection%3D1078b ,12/13/2013
Capparell. Open Mind; Spiritual Nature versus Human nature. http://capparell1love.blogspot.com/2011/05/spiritual-nature-vs-human-nature.html 12/18/13
C.S.Lewis, A case for Christianity,B&H Publishing Group 1942 online Quote; http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/437424-god-created-things-which-had-free-will-that-means-creatures
Ibid iii. pg1
Rev. C. H. SPURGEON, Natural or Spiritual (No. 407), September the 1st, 1861. http://www.spurgeon.org/sermons/0407.htm, 12/18/13
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.
...an inspire us to overcome in every situation; to pursue our callings relentlessly, knowing that he that hath begun a good work in us will perform it until the day of our Lord Christ Jesus!
across all of our written history have discovered the importance of knowing human nature. Human nature is responsible for our definitions of abstract concepts that are surprisingly universal across the western world like justice, equity, and law. Human nature must also be carefully studied in an effort to understand, obtain, or maintain power within society. Finally, human nature must also be carefully understood so as to protect it from being manipulated and to understand its place in society.
... is that he comes to each and every person in need. When we start sinking in the storms of life, we need to cry out to the Lord and he will reach out and will bring you out of the water that has begun to drown you.
Will, George F. "The Nature Of Human Nature." Newsweek (Pacific Edition) 140.8 (2002): 9. MasterFILE Premier. Web. 7 Dec. 2011.
nature of man is any and all of the instincts and desires of a person or animal.
Theories of human nature, as the term would ever so subtly suggest, are at best only individual assertions of the fundamental and intrinsic compositions of mankind, and should be taken as such. Indeed it can be said that these assertions are both many and widespread, and yet too it can be said that there are a select few assertions of the nature of man that rise above others when measured by historical persistence, renown, and overall applicability. These eclectic discourses on the true nature of man have often figured largely in theories of political science, typically functioning as foundational structures to broader claims and arguments. The diversification of these ideological assertions, then, would explain the existence of varying theories
Throughout history there have been a variety of theories on human nature proposed by intellectuals from different time periods. A general idea of human nature is defined as the characteristics, emotions and behavioral traits shared by all humans. During the different time periods of each philosopher, human nature varied due to its involvement in politics. Political theories and morals derive from historical imprints and observations. The precise ways to rule or govern a constitution have been questioned and emphasized through many philosophers and theorists. It is history that indicates what a long-term, obligating government may need to prosper. In order to understand a theory particular to a specific time, one must look at the author’s history and society. For example, Machiavelli, Aristotle and Frederick Douglass each come from different time periods where the structure of society differ. Societies reflect the morals and ideals that are correlated to its generation and highlight the structure and nature of the people. Thus, when looking closely at political theories, one must first observe the author’s society and history. A particular theory may influence many governments and political organizations, whether because of its validity or its rejection, both play a part in structuring a society. Human nature within each society also played a role the desire for justice. For example, during the era of the Jim Crow laws there was a clash between the beliefs of those who opposed discrimination and segregation and those who supported the laws in society. Overall, human nature plays a key role in political theories from a variety of time periods.
Human nature is a concept that has interested scholars throughout history. Many have debated over what human nature is – that is, the distinguishing characteristics that are unique to humans by nature – while others have mulled over the fact that the answer to the question “what is human nature?” may be unattainable or simply not worth pursuing. Shakespeare explores the issue of human nature in his tragedy King Lear. In his play, he attempts to portray that human nature is either entirely good or entirely evil.
Human nature is one of the most core concerns of every Chinese philosopher we have studied this semester. Each one holds a particular stance when they address human’s natural state, and this very much contributes to their philosophy overall. For example, Confucius, Mencius and Han Fei Tzu all differ in their ideas of human nature, and this shaped each one’s particular philosophy.
The understanding of human nature is the concept that there is a set of inherent distinguishing characteristics, including ways of thinking, feeling, and acting that all humans tend to possess (Winkler, 1996). My basic view of human nature correlates with Charles Darwin’s nature vs. nurture theory. Human nature is influenced by both nature and nurture. Nature is all that a man brings with himself into the world, and nurture is every influence that affects him after his birth. An individual’s morals, values, and beliefs are developed from the nurturing aspect of their life. The environment that an individual is raised in creates their human nature. Then they go through life developing more upon their own morals, values, and beliefs. The nature vs. nurture theory is an every changing concept, and I believe that human nature changes for each individual based on their life experiences.
How are the perceptions of human nature conveyed by individuals subject to the influence of
Nature by its very definition is the genetic makeup of that person, the nature of someone may refer to their attitude or behavioral
Class notes. Man’s Desperate Need of Righteousness and God’s Glorious Provision of Righteousness. Faith Christian University. Orlando, Florida. August 2011.
Nature means the physical and or personality traits that are already coded in your DNA. They are the biological traits that are past to you from you parents. When talking about nature in the physical manner think of it as whether or not you are left handed, are you ear lobes attached or not attached. The way your nose is shaped or the fact that you have blue eyes. Those are physical traits that are pasted down to you. If you are fearless like your father or quick tempered like your mother. You are adventurous or you are mal...