Christians believe Jesus is a divine embodiment of God walking on Earth, but they also believe he is the Son of God. In the Bible, it states: “And there are varieties of ministries and the same Lord. And there are varieties of effects but the same God who works all things in all persons.” (1 Cor. 23:4-6) Christians construe this statement from their Holy book, as evidence that there are three distinct Persons- Father, Son and Holy Spirit and yet it is one of the greatest misconceptions that significantly differentiates Islam and Christianity as separate religions.
While virtue ethics has a very similar approach to Kantian duty-based ethics, virtue ethics focuses on more on one’s feelings instead of motives. While one may enjoy the cause he is fighting for, the torture would be for personal gain. From a Christian-principle based perspective, God can use anything, including torture, for His glory and to bring honor to His name, but torture in of itself does not reflect the image of Christ. As believers in Christ, Christians are called to show the love of Jesus to everyone around them, and torturing other people does not reflect that affection. Although the Bible does not speak specifically on the issue of torture, followers of Jesus are called to love one another.
During the premodern period in Europe, it was largely accepted that the Catholic Church had ultimate authority. At that time, there was no real division between church and state. Instead, all matters were heavily intertwined. However, Martin Luther, John Calvin, Nicolaus Copernicus, Galileo Galilei, Francis Bacon, and Rene Descartes questioned the authority of the church and lead many people to consider that the church might not be the only authoritative figure to rely on. These men presented ideas that characterized a shift in authority that also is known as the shift from the premodern period to modernity.
Luther loved to emphasize this and teach that you can’t get to heaven through good works. The Third Sola, Sola Gratia meant: That we are only saved by God's grace not our deeds. Martin Luther couldn’t stress enough that we are loved by God and
Augustine refutes Caelestius’ ideas by using Scripture to show that we are righteous only by the grace of God through Jesus Christ. He showed that Caelestius is unable to explain many texts that speak of the sinfulness of all humans. Caelestius challenges the idea that the fall resulted in our nature being corrupted so that it is unable to do
In the book Heresies and How to Avoid Them by Ben Quash and Michael Ward, several chapters are dedicated to the heresies revolving around who and what Jesus is not. Arianism, docetism, nestorianism, and eutychianism are four heresies explore the divinity and humanity of Jesus Christ. I will argue these four heresies had an overarching theme of causing the church to struggle with the idea of God’s intimacy and how Jesus delivered us from our sin. I will do this by exploring the unique nature of Jesus Christ. Arianism is named after Arius, a man who believed Jesus was created, instead of eternal like God the Father.
Also, this argument can be thought to imply that infants are not cognitive enough to be a believer. The opposing side says that in order to be baptized and to be recognized as being baptized, you must believe in Christ. As stated by Christ in Mark 16:16 “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned” (Jones, 1998). This statement seems to qualify the idea of belief before baptism according to Jones.
Luther traditionally thought Christians tried to do good works and continually had to overcome temptation. St Pauls share the view with Christians of there being one God, but strongly believes there is no need for confessionals as God gives his forgiveness for
When faced with sin, a person should choose repentance with God’s mercy and grace. Jesus’ work on the cross provides hope, restoration, and liberty to those who accept its provisions. Similarly to Chillingworth and Dimmesdale, the individual chooses how God’s work will dictate his
Matthew chose to focus more on trying to understand the relationship between Christianity and Judaism. He focuses on how Jesus is the son of God, is the King, and is the promised Savior. Matthew also leaves out some stories that the other Gospels contain. However, these are not contradictions. They are simply not a part of the perspective of the Gospel of Matthew.
St. Iraneaus debated that Gnostics are those who are spiritual with growing knowledge of God, lack the true faith because Gnostics deny the “Incarnation and bodily Resurrection of Christ,” [p. 182]. Iraneus described in p. 4 of Selections that believers should mirror Christ 's life. The purpose of establishing an uncomplicated simplicity of just believing in one God while understanding that redemption of the entire human race is only through Jesus Christ. [ p. 13].St. Iraneaus debated that Gnostics are those who are spiritual with growing knowledge of God, lack the true faith because Gnostics deny the “Incarnation and bodily Resurrection of Christ,” [p. 182].
In part II of Lewis book he describes several different scenarios of Christians beliefs. He first talked about the difference between Christian Pantheism and the Christian idea of God. (pp.36). I myself as a Christian believe that God is beyond good and evil, that he is good and righteous, he loves love and hates hatred. Whereas, in Pantheism, one believes that God is part of the universe, without the universe God would not exist.
God manifests himself in what Christians regard as true and in our daily actions. C.S Lewis outlines in Book Two of Mere Christianity what we, as Christians, believe and why we have come to these conclusions. He explains opposition to Christianity and how we must quell the outbursts of non-believers. Using succinct and simple language he not only legitimizes God’s existence but His effect on humanity.
To relate this theory to the Bible, Apollinarius’ interpretation could be related to the Bible verse found in Galatians 5:17 which states, “For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.” He relates to this verse, but twists it to say that Jesus could not have had a human mind/spirit because it was corrupt and against the divine nature. What he missed though is that Jesus is not just partly human and partly divine, but He is one hundred percent God and one hundred percent man. The Christian belief of the incarnation of Jesus is quite different from what Apollinarius believed. Christians believe that Jesus in the flesh was not only fully man but also fully God; not half and half, not a mixed nature, not a divine mind with a human mind and soul, but all God and all man!
But how many of us struggle with it and don’t realize it? Sometimes, we go through the bible or we attend service, and pick and choose what exactly we desire. If the apostle Paul wasn’t afraid to proclaim the “whole counsel of God...”(Acts 20:27), then does that mean we are only expected to observe some of it and some of the time? Peter in 2 Peter 1:3 informs us as Christians we have been given by God “All things pertaining to life and godliness.” There’s nothing that God has instructed his Body, his bride, the Church, that is okay to not apply to your life.