Ch 4 This special stress laid upon on, not just the Word, but deep contemplation on the Word. This contemplation is of critical significance in the theology of Calvinism. Alternatively, it is insufficient for Christians to merely just read the Word or simply hear the Word, the process of spiritual hydration must be accompanied with a deep determination to contemplate the Word, in tandem with both being read or heard. A negligent Christian in this area ensures the potential of many critical doctrinal errors to creep in. Our thoughts begin to rust with disuse. The Word must not be studied superficially, we must bathe in the living water, both constantly and deeply, to influence the soul of the Christian in order to stave off the effects of spiritual …show more content…
Only by such that the Word can be securely imprinted and deeply affixed within our soul, situated within the innermost recess of the human heart, so that Christians alike may be truly equipped and fully established by the Word. It is important us to establish ourselves with the Word in any and every situation life has to offer. It ought to be to every evidence we can employ the very goodness of God. Contemplation is more so important for when the Christian is amidst adversity. Contemplation as far as Christian is concerned is a subjective variable, though, within the framework of Word and Prayer. Our primary focus ought to be to exercise our faith and hone our focus on the love of Christ, although, frequently Calvin urges meditation upon the meaning of the passion and death of Christ. Contemplation is not to be confined solely to the cross, because, contemplation that begins on the cross is bound to resolve itself on the beatific image of the risen Christ. Ultimately, on whatever subject, contemplation of the Word is a washing of the Living Water, to enable the Christian to overcome difficulties and temptations, to endure persecution and to be given courage and strength when tempted to fall away. The Lord is faithful, He will never fall away from …show more content…
Although, our understanding of the German term humanism from which the English word humanism is derived does not appear to have been coined common vernacular before 1808. The term directly derives from the Latin humanist - derived in a specific sense during the Renaissance period. The Latin humanista, conjoined with vernacular is equivalent in other languages, and had, by the sixteenth century come to be used to signify a professor, teacher or student of the humanities as these disciplines were understood during this period as the revival of cultural ideals. The studies of humanities were held to lead to the civilized culture of the schooled and well educated according to the Roman ideal found especially in the works of Cicero and Aulus Gellius, a Latin writer of the second century
The dictionary defines Humanism as “the revival of classical letters, individualistic and critical spirit, and emphasis on secular concerns characteristic of the Renaissance”. Consider Martin Luther’s Ninety-five Theses against the contemporary practice of the church with respect to indulgences. To paraphrase Luther’s idea, he suggested that “indulgences are part of the economy of salvation.”
In I.17.1 of John Calvin’s work, Calvin argues that people do not need to worry about anything they do not understand because God takes care of everything. It is important to understand that this is not the beginning of Calvin’s Institutes of Christian Religion, because his points in chapter sixteen set the basis for his argument in this next section. Chapter sixteen on providence gives the foundation of
The subject of The School of Athens is humanistic in and of itself. The Textbook Defines humanism in the glossary as “A philosophy emphasizing the worth of the individual, the rational abilities of humankind, and the human potential for good. During the Italian Renaissance, humanism was part of a movement that encouraged study of the classical cultures of Greece and Rome.” In this fresco, Raphael represents the worth and achievements of individuals, as well as the greatness of classical culture. The School of Athen...
Calvin’s devout interest in theology was practical. He regarded theology as a practical science. The original purpose of his Institutes was to provide a handbook which would be an aid to piety. The true task of theology was not to give answers to speculative questions, but to contribute to the edification of Christians. So, in his book John Calvin’s Doctrine of the Christian Life, author John H. Leith writes, “The conduct of the Christian, not verbal assent to doctrine and ceremony, is the decisive test of religious convictions” (26). Heith continues, “The Geneva Catechism opened with the question, What is the chief end of human life? The answer to this question was the burning mission of Calvin’s whole theology.
...our concern on the eternal, not the temporal” (Geisler 680) Paul knew that a believer can simply not always set their minds on the things above, but as a believer in Christ it is an obligation to do so.
The book of Psalms is one of the most useful books all throughout the Biblical text. It is not just a book of stories or law but personal praises, laments, and the deepest cries of the soul to the one true King: Yahweh. The Psalter is “the most reliable theological, pastoral, and liturgical resource given us in the biblical tradition” (pp. 1). These psalms pave a path for practical faith in the world today. Author, theologian, and teacher, Walter Brueggemann, goes into depth on the psalms of orientation, disorientation, and new orientation to discuss that through the unexpected high and low seasons of life one can turn to the Psalms for authentic conversation with God.
...ognizing wrong perceptions; experiencing something that changes opinions permanently; and last, but not least, developing new convictions, opinions, and perceptions. These are phases that we go through as Christ Followers as well. We are called to be dynamic so that people can see Christ alive in us. In order to do that, we must allow God and Christ to change our perception to match the reality to which He has called us. He accomplishes this through His Own ways, and we must remain malleable like clay in His hands. He is the potter, and we are called to trust Him. He always makes beautiful pots that abundantly hold the Spirit! The Author has created the grandest plot in the most mind-blowing tale of all time. The study question thus arises; are we willing to accept change and be the character He has designed for us to be? The answer is written clearly in our lives.
Calvin believed that predestination is an essential doctrine that we should all understand. But he also believed we need to be careful what we say about predestination. It ...
During the renaissance, there was a renewed interest in the arts, and the traditional views of society came into question. People began to explore the power of the human mind. A term often used to describe the increasing interest in the powers of the human mind is humanism. Generally, humanism stresses the individual's creative, reasoning, and aesthetic powers. However, during the Renaissance, individual ideas about humanism differed.
During the Hellenic Age which is sometimes known as the classical period for the Greeks and is dated c.500-300 B.C. In this time period the Greek culture flourish philosophy developed, sculpturing became more sophisticated, and the greatest of them all was the birth of humanism. Humanism is described as being “any system or mode of thought or action in which human interests, values, and dignity predominate” (“Humanism n.pag.). Humanism meant making men superior over all things and that men were supreme even over the Gods. Humanism is greatly influenced the Greek culture. Greeks were the first humanist. Humanism can be found in and influenced countless things that are Greek from their art, literature, philosophy, music and a numerous of other things.
During the 18th Century, John Wesley gives rise to the Methodist movement. As a priest, Wesley is a perplexing figure whose conduct often diverges from the common practices of the Church of England during this time. After a marvellous and transformative divine experience, Wesley delivers a sermon at Oxford University titled, “Salvation by Faith”. His spiritual revelation changed Wesley and his perspective of God and key theological concepts. Throughout the sermon, Wesley develops the concept of God’s grace as it serves as a gateway to achieving salvation, which is the ultimate purpose of Christianity.
The Wesleyan quadrilateral is still relevant today as it provides a method for discovering the things of God, ourselves, and lets us know who God really is. For the purposes of this reflection paper, I would like to summarize the four components of the Wesleyan Quadrilateral and then reflect personally upon each term as how it relates to the Christian theologian. The first component of the Wesleyan Quadrilateral is scripture. The term scripture used in the Wesleyan Quadrilateral refers to God’s word. God’s word is found in the Bible.
Humanism is a literary and linguistic movement cultivated during the Renaissance that was founded on revising classical Latin and Greek texts, styles, and values. Humanists encouraged looking to the past to discover what is good and how people should act including leaders. Many humanist wrote about how they believe a prince should act and what he should do to be successful in his rule. Most humanists believed that princes should be virtuous in order to be successful rulers as many ancient leaders were. However, Machiavelli in his work The Prince uses history as a part of his argument to undermine some humanist ideals such as being purely virtuous and morality being the key to good government but also uses it to promote humanist ideals such as looking to the past to discover how a leader should behave.
As mentioned earlier, Humanism is the exploration and the expansion of knowledge in order to achieve a level of excellence. The humanists believed that the Ancient Greek and Roman classics contained 1.) All the lessons one needed to lead a moral and effective life and 2.) The best models for the essential Latin style. In The Trinity, Masaccio utilizes this ideology along with elements of perspective (he was influenced by the studies of Brunellechi) to depict a 3-d space and one which elevates the religious themes and imagery of the
“Most Christians would rather die than think; in fact they do” (White, 17). This quote from Bertrand Russel is thought provoking and a most appropriate way to start a book on using your mind for God. A Mind for God by James Emery White is a fantastic piece of literature that delves deep into what it means to truly follow God with your mind. In just under one hundred pages White explains why, how, and what we need to follow God with all of our mind. “And he answered, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself” (Luke 10:27, ESV).