Augustine Confessions Analysis

Again, we have a choice to respond positively or make it personal. The Lord knows that this criticism is for our own good, and when we realize that, our relationship with Him will deep- en. We need to remember that most people who offer constructive criticism truly are trying to help us. Words of encouragement should prod us on to a greater life in Christ, not lead to the bitterness of spirit that brings glory to Satan and his troops.

Thoreau has to utilize material items as a way to evoke a spiritual outcome, meanwhile Franklin is materialistic so that he does not have to have debt to his creditors. Thoreau believes that everyone should live according to their true passions, because by finding ones passions will allow one to have freedom. Another way to acquire freedom is by minimizing ones need, rather than what one wants. Thoreau argues that luxuries not only acquire excess labor, but also oppress humans spiritually because they are infiltrated with worry and constraint. Since people believe that they need excess possessions to be happy, this forces people to work more and lose their inner freedom along the way to social and economic mobility.

Anaya creates an initial one of anxiety and shifts it toward a tone of relief. This emphasises Antonio does not like the idea of punishment and is really looking for peace, which he can find in the golden carp. He needs a safe place because Christianity is giving him too much anxiety and pressure. Antonio’s finds a little excitement of hope when he finds out there might be a god that is kind and does not give punish. Antonio is excited to find out, “'The golden carp," I said to myself, "a new god?

Therefore by using a christ figure it helps expound to the audience even the holiest of people have fights with

As opposed to the Grandmothers constant change of morals to favor certain situations, the Misfit has morals that are set in stone and adhere to his past, present and future. As the two characters converse, religion sparks an interest in the Misfit because it is something he is interested in understanding but knowing it must not be true. He believes that he must see it with his own eyes to prove the existence. His concept of reality also relates himself to Jesus, so much so as to believe he is a realistic representation of Him. He goes on to tell that the only difference is between the crimes committed and the proof held against him.

The fear of death makes people irrational and cling to things that don 't make sense, like in John 11:25: "he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. " This shows that people are drawn to religion because they want to live forever and if they can be promised that then they can find consolation. Dr. Ronnegard points out that this is not needed for knowing that death is coming for all of us makes us look at life subjectively and makes this life even more important. We must come to terms of our demise and learn to embrace this life because looking at life objectively through a religious lens is a waste of emotion capital. The best way to look at life is with a subjective lens, making friendships, love, and life in

This, he says is more important than knowing the facts about God or performing rituals. This is one reason Kierkegaard supports the knight of infinite resignation over that of faith. The knight of faith is also seen as something comfortable but Kierkegaard doesn’t think we should feel so comfortable. The knight of faith seems to jump into the infinite and come back and seems to have no faith, which Kierkegaard is uneasy with. The knight of faith wants the material world to be the way he wants it and remains focused on the fact that he believes in God but is getting it all back.

(1-2). This shows how the speaker thinks he is being robbed of the sight of reality. He is blinded by his love, and does not know how to see the truth. He uses a desperate and somewhat regretful tone; he says that his love does not correspond with “true sight”, and that all he sees are lies. Love often highlights the better attributes of a person, and hides their flaws, which is exactly what happens to the speaker.

One of the main ideas in this novel was the journey Kumalo took in order to overcome the challenges he had faced. The obstacles he was presented with included finding his daughter and his son. When he had found his son, Absalom, he was in a time of hardships and looked to God for answers. Therefore, Kumalo and Absalom were two characters who were strongly impacted by faith and their relationships with God, which allowed them both to forgive and ask for forgiveness. Being in a relationship with God and devoting one’s life to faith was what allowed Kumalo to forgive his children and strive to get his family back together.

“There are two kinds of pride, both good and bad. ‘Good pride’ represents our dignity and self-respect. ‘Bad pride’ is the deadly sin of superiority that reeks of conceit and arrogance.” John C. Maxwell, enlightens the reader about the faces of pride. One is beautiful and the other is ugly.

Yes, it takes a great amount of faith to accept something intangible at someones word, but to devote your life to finding out is an honorable quest that resulted in his unending faith. Knowledge brought him to salvation and through that he has helped countless others find their faith. Lee Strobel, along with the other examples given, is an inspiration