“To lie low before God, as in the dust, that I might be nothing, and that God might be all” (Edwards, 1720). The thought process that comes to mind is the belief in God almighty. Christianity as a religion, has fought the perils and onslaught of many fellow men, in which it has remained grounded on one principle, God almighty is the creator of all things and through his son Jesus Christ salvation can only be granted.
America was founded by individuals seeking freedom from the perils and persecutions of their previous government. Many came seeking fortune and freedom, with the idea of a better life. However, trials and great tribulations ended mankind’s dreams and hopes all in one gasp, death. Survival of the fittest or nature’s way of only the strong will survive, was the lay of the land. To understand a new beginning human beings from all walks of life must find a belief in something, to help cope with daily struggles.
For Christians the belief in God is what keeps them grounded. Imagine the hardships endured during these difficult times in American history, the British and the English, as well as the Spanish, fighting over too whom has control. For Jonathan Edwards as a philosophical theologian, even in these trying times found, “beauty and harmony in these surroundings and played a critical role in shaping the first Great Awakening” (MacDermott, 2009). He identified with others and understood self-peace must be brought to the forefront to offer a solace existence. While others may argue religion is only used to control a mass existence.
In today’s time this quote resonates well as in previous times. Individuals who seek God first and lay down their lives, as in forget the past and give their time and energy to the Lord, will ...
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...o The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, “Choctaw Indian Nation traces its ancestry to Mississippi and some sections of Alabama. Legends tell that the Choctaw people originated from "Nanih Waya", a sacred hill near what is now known as Noxapter, Mississippi” (Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, n.d.). If history is not taught then Indians in the Choctaw Nation may forget their past. Imagine an Indian or individual for that matter whom forgets their roots. Like in the Choctaws identifying with “Nanih Waya” if information like this is lost, then a whole society will be lost.
Looking ahead into the future we must never forget the past. By studying history in all its endeavor’s; the good the bad and the ugly, mankind must forge ahead. Just like Jonathan Edwards, Christians across this vast world have studied history, to be called a Christian one has accepted the Lord as their savior!
...is seems to line up well with the serenity prayer: “Lord, give me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” Our task as humans is to discern these wills in our lives and separate them. We must not become embittered, but rather empowered, clinging to the knowledge that there is an ever-benevolent God constantly working for our good, and that he always has a plan for us amidst trial presented by life on earth. In order to discern this will though, we have to be on the lookout for it with an awareness of its separateness from our own fears and desires. This discernment is also difficult because of our limited perspectives as humans, and thus we need humility in our search. The most important thing, however, is the search itself: we must all continue to search for the will.
The colonists who first arrived in America came to this land because they saw an opportunity to regenerate their religion and to live according to it without subjugation. The immense size of the land sugge...
“Work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose”
The United States of America is a country founded on the idea of freedom and opportunity. Beginning with the first colony founded in 1607, people from all over the world have migrated to the U.S. to escape oppression and persecution. In 1607, people fled from England to escape religious persecution. In 2007, Arlinda Shehu and her family received the golden opportunity to leave an impoverished country to seek better lives in the United States.
“Before a crash a man’s heart is lofty, and before glory there is humility.” (Proverbs 18:12, New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, 2013). With these words I guard my heart and actions. Growing up in a Christian household has taught me to live a humble life as well as to strive for better with God in the forefront of all my decisions.
The United States is a country that offers hope and freedom to all of her citizens. This is because the founding of America was rooted in freedom and fed by hope. America is the source of countless success stories, starting with it’s first...
In the beginning, God created the world and everything in it, making it evident that with creation, there is a creator (Romans 1:20). However, humankind chose to turn away from this, worship false idols, embrace sin, and deserve death (Roman 1:21-32). God then created the Ten Commandments, his law, as the “measuring rod” for humankind to be judged by. It is what reveals sin to man’s heart (Rom. 7:7-25). But, our righteousness is justified through faith in Christ. By Abraham, all nations came into existence and salvation is available to all who believe in Christ and not by living under the Law or by our deeds (Romans 4:18 -17). It is evident that we live in a fallen world. We are constantly surrounded by the repercussions of mankind’s sin. Death, pain, and mourning are just the few consequences caused by the ripple of sin. As a Christian, it is easy to view the world I am currently placed in as not my home, or even not where I belong. Through the “groans” of the spirit, I am constantly reminded of the future Glory (Rom. 8:22-25)
Nash, G. B., Jeffery, J., Howe, J., Winkler, A., Davis, A., Mires, C., et al. (2010). The American people: creating a nation and a society. (7th ed.). Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Pearson Education
In the Americas infancy, immigrants from all continents flocked to the land of promise. The courageous men and women came to the Americas from Europe in the early years of our country where looking to separate from a government ran church. There were three groups to this church; the Puritans, Separatists, and the government; the Separatists were the group of men and women that thought the church had fallen too far from its original purpose, so they set out to reestablish their belief system. The Puritans believed things could be restored, but eventually came to America do to the churches resistance to change. The Puritans and the Separatists were both in search of a better life, a life of free...
It is no wonder that only 53% of the American population is satisfied with organized religion, and the category Spiritual but not Religious has seen tremendous growth in American demographics in the last decade. It seems as though religion is failing to provide something meaningful that people look for in religion. Before I continue, it is important to delineate what exactly I mean by religion, and more importantly, what religion ought to provide. Religion, as defined by psychologist Joseph Gaither Pratt is any system of beliefs and worship that provide a combination of four things: a means of self transcendence through mystical experience, a system of beliefs that explains the nature of reality and our place in that reality, a system of moral beliefs for the individual and community, and a set of traditions and mythologies that provide a cultural context. It is the combination of these four things that lay the foundation for a sense of meaning in peoples lives. The problem is that traditional religions can no longer provide these four things adequately in a modern context. Because of this we see the increasing secularization of modern
This country was founded on very prominent thinking. Before our founding fathers had even conceived the thought of birthing a new country, higher thinking had occurred before hand. The people had stopped, evaluated, and analyzed their own principals in a philosophical manner, thus the Age of Reason had begun. Today, there are many different values in today’s American society in contrast with ones from the Age of Reason.
America was once only a mere dream for people across the world. Many wished for a safe place that they could raise their family the way they pleased and could be free to do as they wanted. Some would live to see their dream come true while others would die seeking that dream. It all started when immigrants, the pilgrims, came over to the
It always makes me appreciate that I have that relationship with God and there are people in my life that inspire me to be a better person. These topics that we have discussed so far in our course are very interesting because they make you think about your personal life. Although I don’t always like to think about death, I hope and pray that my legacy left a positive and lasting impression on others. I want to inspire others to do what they feel is right. The world today has many challenges, and for some it may be difficult to overcome these challenges. Our actions must have good intentions associated with them. I remember a saying that we use in Navy, that we must do the right things even when no one is looking or noticing. I like that this passage explains that all the unseen deeds that we do will not go
“Everyday, I see every sin in everyone just waiting to jump out and do their worst. I know how tempting it is to do what you want when you want but we don’t. I see people slowly wanting more and more to do wrong but they don’t. We are stronger than what we give ourselves credit for. Some of us have done some really dark, cruel, and horrific things but you can come back from that. Some of us can’t change but that doesn't mean you can't. We are capable of the worst things imaginable but in turn that also means we’re capable of the greatest things imaginable. As a whole we all have a long ways to go with the way we treat the environment, each other, and ourselves. No matter what someone will fight for you because everyone is worth fighting for.
Nothing has been capable of fulfilling a man’s heart completely, only God has infinitely. Believing in God encompasses courage and steadfast faith from human beings. Nothing happens to be extremely magical than hoping for the unseen in God. Thinking the best of God forms the truest foundation of devotion. Believing in God has an impact of glorifying him as a supreme ruler and creator of the entire universe. God is powerful and full of wisdom. Believing in him gives an opportunity to Christians to be Christ-like. Christ manifested unimaginable wisdom and ideal attributes that no human being has been capable of fulfilling. Believing in God enriches our souls with wisdom, power ad knowledge to tackle numerous issues in life. The belief in God encourages the implementation of a spiritual dimension in tackling the issues existent in life. Embracing the spiritual dimension in tackling situations ascertains the prevalence of peace, love, unity, humility, and benevolence amongst individuals (Pojman and Vaughn