ipl-logo

Analysis Of Chapter 11: The Huston Smith Reader

1808 Words8 Pages

Dr. Chan
Final Essay

Within chapter 11 of The Huston Smith Reader, Smith brings up a lot of intriguing ideas on Christianity being the most materialistic religion. On the other hand, throughout Huston Smith’s interview with Bill Moyer, he places a large emphasis on the fact that he believes Buddhism is the most psychological religion. After reviewing these statements as well as Smith’s explanation on them, I agree with the statement that Christianity is the most materialistic religion, while Buddhism is the most psychological.
Before reading excerpts from The Huston Smith Reader, I had not thought too much in depth on the topic of Christianity being related with materialism. After reading chapter 11, I gained a wider understanding of what …show more content…

For the Kingdom of Heaven to come down to Earth, it means humans will be able to see the physical aspects of Heaven. Thus in a sense, making heaven or the after life materialistic at a future time. As explained in this quote, the body is also part of the physical world, and therefore materialistic. Not only does the west place a large emphasis on the physical aspect of the body, but Christianity does also. They teach that each human being was made in God’s image. Therefore, when you are looking at another physical human body you see God's creation. This aspect of Christianity is very materialistic in a philosophical sense. Also, as expressed within The Huston Smith Reader, the book of genesis reflects Christianity being very materialistic. When explaining the creation of the world within genesis Huston Smith explains the bible states: “God created the heavens and the earth”, and before the chapter concludes it has God surveying all that he created He created, earth included, “and behold it was very good.”(Smith, 114). According to these readings within Genesis as well as Huston Smith explanations, the bible depicts everything God created, that being the physical world, to be good. As followers of Christ, Christians are taught to look at the environment and what meets the eye to be both be created in God’s image and good. For that reason, Christianity can be described as a very materialistic …show more content…

Tawney explains the rise of capitalism and shift in Christianity as a two-way street. The change in Christian views on social and economic life as well as the rise of capitalism can a be associated with the change in the societal setting and its view on

Show More
Related

  • Analysis Of Chapter Eleven Of Frederick Douglass

    246 Words  | 1 Pages

    In chapter eleven of Frederick Douglass, Douglass attempts to escape slavery, by fleeing to the North. This transition to freedom leads Douglass to feel anxious, and lonely; Douglass continuously fears for his safety, and is unable to trust anyone. Douglass states, “The motto which I adopted when I started from slavery was this- 'Trust no man!'" (Douglass 111). During this quote, Douglass reaches New York where he is far from home, and unable to depend on anyone.

    Read More

  • What Is The Tone Of Sam Harris Letter To A Christian Nation

    1356 Words  | 6 Pages

    In the non-fiction philosophical book, Sam Harris, publisher of Letter to a Christian Nation, demonstrates his views of the flaws of Christianity. He contends the many contradictions he finds with the beliefs Christians hold to with their own lives and interactions with others. His goal in the book is to expose these errors to Christians themselves and present the question to them in a challenging tone. Harris does this by painting a vivid picture of the controversies surrounding Christians opposed to non Christians. He goes into great detail about his beliefs against Christianity and covers a broad scope, along with many topics.

    Read More

  • William Bradford Vs John Smith Essay

    653 Words  | 3 Pages

    “ Had we been as free from all sins as gluttony and drunkenness we might have been canonized as saints” (James 72) . At one point in time there was two colonists leader’s named John Smith and William Bradford. John smith a man who settled off with a crew of men to find land for business, on the other hand the man named William Bradford was on the search for land and settle for a hometown. Both men came for opportunity to the new world, same but different, and they are different because of character, leadership and reason, the reason for John smith and the reason for William Bradford to arriving to the new world. John smith was a selfish and bragged a lot about himself and his success.

    Read More

  • Review Of Perry Smith's Essay 'In Cold Blood'

    741 Words  | 3 Pages

    “You are the district attorney. Write the speech you will deliver asking for the death penalty. Cite specifically despicable aspects of the crime that warrant the punishment you chose”. Essay “In Cold Blood” Perry Smith, and Dick(Richard)

    Read More

  • Summary Of William T Cavanaugh's Being Consumed

    1404 Words  | 6 Pages

    William T Cavanaugh (2008), wrote Being Consumed: Economics and Christian Desire which is a philosophical book, which focus on four (4) economic life matters that addresses the consumer culture within society. These four economic life matters are free market, consumerism, globalization and economic scarcity. In order for this topic to be discussed on a theological point of view, the author draws the reader’s attention to human life, the ends of life in God. The key question in every process is whether or not the transaction contributes to the flourishing of each person involved. In order to address these questions the author points to concrete examples of alternative economic practices in which Christians participate-: business, co-operatives, credit union, practices of consumption which marks the vision for Christian economic life.

    Read More

  • Multiple Creation Stories In Genesis

    958 Words  | 4 Pages

    The main focus on Genesis one and why it was created this way was because humans are supposed to be accepting the creation on the

    Read More

  • Address To John Smith Analysis

    835 Words  | 4 Pages

    Most likely, one has heard about the story of Pocahontas and John Smith. However, John Smith was not as loving and kind as he was portrayed. In the letter Address to Captain Smith, the speaker, Chief Powhatan, Pocahontas’ father, takes a condescending tone and addresses to the English settlers, especially John Smith, how the chief’s generous hospitality has not been appreciated. Literary devices such as rhetorical questions, antithesis, and repetition, diction, and pathos and ethos are exercised by Chief Powhatan to address his purpose and produce it as impactful as fully possible.

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Jonathan Smith's A Modest Proposal

    584 Words  | 3 Pages

    In the essay “A Modest Proposal” Jonathan Smith challenges the status quo of the time and place in which it was written by the subject of his story. In this time period, 1729, Ireland was very plagued. Even though Ireland and England were joined together they still disagreed on a lot. There were a lot of struggles in the time period, such as, political, economical and religious. Most of the population was Roman Catholic, because of this they didn't agree on a lot of things.

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Chapter VII From Narrative Of The Life Of Frederick Douglass

    1305 Words  | 6 Pages

    Since its introduction by the ancient peoples of Mesopotamia, writing has become a means of communication that has changed the way ideas are shared. Writing opened the door for people to go from hunters and gatherers to civilizations. It allowed for communication to be shared not only mouth to mouth, but from letter to letter. In our history, certain documents have allowed certain individuals to change the course of history. There are certain historical documents that have changed the world and tell us very much about history.

    Read More

  • The Man Who Couldn T Read Gary Smith Summary

    725 Words  | 3 Pages

    I really enjoyed the article, The Man Who Couldn’t Read by Gary Smith, as it showcased how a man deceived many people and for many years, without saying anything until he could no longer hold the secret. “’There’s something wrong with him.’ Yes, there is, there is! He wanted to scream” (7). At the same time, I was astonished that John Corcoran could deceive everyone, and he could do this by constantly checking and trying considerably to keep the façade.

    Read More

  • The Other Wes Moore: Chapter Analysis

    107 Words  | 1 Pages

    The book “The Other Wes Moore” talks about two young kids that has same name, lives in the same neighborhood, but has different destinies. The author Wes mother Joy was a single mother, as the other Wes mother Mary by different circumstances. Also, an important play roll at the book is that both mothers wants to give them education and be successful for the author and the other Wes. Both Wes are going in the same path of getting into trouble and being rebels. They are acting unreasonably by taking the wrong decisions they might.

    Read More

  • The Allies Model

    1766 Words  | 8 Pages

    Abstract Within Integrative Approaches to Psychology and Christianity, Entwistle inquires if psychology and theology can be unified. Entwistle suggest a sufficient technique of integration albeit the Allies model, and this paper will outline the strengths and restraints of this model as well as how Methods of Knowing and the Two Book Concept further discover the effectiveness of the model. The justification of this paper is to instruct its reader on different subjects of the Allies model concerning the integration of theology and psychology. In line with this, the advantages and drawbacks are shown as well as how this model deals with diverse concepts, and how it considers the relationship between Christianity and psychology.

    Read More

  • Max Weber Influence On Christianity

    744 Words  | 3 Pages

    Christianity has been subject to manipulation or misinterpretation so as to justify the good or bad intentions of people. These misinterpretations can still be seen today with the acts of false pastors and prophets who use Biblical scriptures to rob Gods people their money. History proves that in the west Christianity has been a main source of ideas for many social, political, economic and ecological acts. Slaves were enslaved from Africa to America in the name of the bible. Christianity, economics and environmental domination have a relationship.

    Read More

  • Judaism Vs Buddhism Essay

    467 Words  | 2 Pages

    Have you ever heard of the religions Buddhism and Judaism. These are two very unique religions and have very different beliefs but then they also have a few things in common so they aren 't totally different. They are both very old religions. So first i will tell you about them

    Read More

  • Jainism And Christianity: Comparing Jainism Vs. Christianity

    1766 Words  | 8 Pages

    This essay will be comparing Jainism and Christianity. Jainism is a religion located almost solely in western and central India, founded by Vardhamana Mahavira in 580 BCE. Christianity is based on the teachings of Jesus Christ in 30 AD and has spread all throughout the world, especially in Europe, the United States, and South America. There are currently more than two billion Christians in the world, while Jains number close to four million. There are approximately 200 million Christians in the US, while Jain numbers are too marginal to count at less than 1% of the population.

    Read More

More about Analysis Of Chapter 11: The Huston Smith Reader

Open Document