Religion and Theology

Book for this class: Patten, M. L. & Newhart, M. (2018). Understanding Research Methods: An Overview of the Essentials (10th ed.). Routledge. ISBN: 978-0-415-79052-9 Focus: Focus: Biblical Counseling View Summary Weekly Paper: 2-page (minimum; only include a one-line title; double-spaced) reflection on the readings

write an article on god’s existence and essence philosophical theory Paper must be at least 1250 words. Please, no plagiarized work! It was during this time that Aristotle’s teachings were common. He used these teachings in his own theological work although Aristotle’s teachings were really at the neck of the Christians during his reign. The intent of this paper is to discuss issues that reveal through Thomas Aquinas’ way of thinking on the existence of God. Ideas According to Thomas Aquinas came up with five ways that prove the existence of God. Then, in his first away he observed that some of the things found on earth are in constant motion. It is from his point of view that anything that is moving is likely to get started by another item, which was also in motion (Aquinas, 2006). The other item in motion was also exposed to motion by another moving item then the process continues in the same manner. The series of moving objects cannot go back to infinity to indentifying the first mover. It is true that there was a first mover of the objects that are in motion though the mover is unknown. This gives an impression that there is a mover who does not move. In this context, the unmoved mover is God. In the second way, he states that everything has a cause and nothing can cause be a cause of itself. In this context, the causes go back to infinity since all causes depend on the past cause and the eventual cause depended on the previous cause leading to an infinitive cause. This means that the first cause is unidentified (Aquinas, 2006). The absentee of the first cause cannot end with our scrutiny. Therefore, there must be a first cause of all these events, in which all people refer to as God. The third way to identify that there are things in nature that we observe to be possible and others are impossible as they come to exist and pass away from existence. In this context, nothing that could not exist at one point can exist. It requires that, first something exists before it can find itself existing at another moment (Aquinas, 2006). Form this statement, if there was nothing that existed in the first place, then there could be nothing existing at this time in the world. Since an effect has its cause and the subsequent cause goes to infinitive without indentifying the cause it is possible that something existed first to cause the other to exist. The unidentified cause of events in this context is the Almighty God. It is true that God existed first then caused other things on earth to exist. The fourth states that the world has characteristics that vary in degree. Some of the characteristics are more or less true, good, noble and many more examples. The grading of these characteristics is done in relation to maximum. This indicates that there should be something truest, noblest and best. According to Aristotle, there are some things, which are supreme in truth. In his view, something causes supreme truth in these characteristics and any perfection that we get in every beings of the world. He refers to this supreme cause as God. Aquinas observes nonintelligent and inanimate objects in nature that act in the direction of achieving the best probable purpose although the objects themselves would lack awareness of doing so (Aquinas, 2006). It is possible that the objects achieve their purpose though an organized a plan.

In this assignment, you will assess your understanding of the Christian worldview, including the main topics you have covered up to this point. You will summarize and analyze the essential elements of the Christian worldview and reflect on implications for your own worldview. Write a 1,250-1,500-word essay using at least two-course resources (textbook, topic overviews, the Bible) and at least two other sources from the GCU Library to support your points. Remember, the Bible counts as one reference regardless of how many times you use it or how many verses you cite. Begin your paper with an appropriate introduction, including a thesis statement to introduce the purpose of the paper. Organize your paper with the following sections, using the seven underlined titles for subheadings. Write at least one paragraph for each component using the underlined titles for a subheading. God: What is God like? What are God’s characteristics? What is his creation? Humanity: What is human nature? What is the human purpose? What is the root cause of human problems? Jesus: What is Jesus’ true identity? What did Jesus do? Why are Jesus’ identity and work significant for the Christian worldview? Restoration: What is the solution to human problems according to the Christian worldview? What role do grace and faith play in Christian salvation? How do Christians think that the transformation of self and society happen? Analysis: Analyze the Christian worldview by addressing each of the following questions: What are the benefits or strengths of Christian belief? What is troublesome or confusing about Christianity? How does Christianity influence a person’s thinking and behaviour? Reflection: Reflect on your worldview by answering one of the following questions: If you are not a Christian, what similarities and differences are there between your worldview and the Christian worldview? If you are a Christian, how specifically do you live out the beliefs of the Christian worldview? Conclusion: Synthesize the main points, pulling the ideas of the paper together. References Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the GCU Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. Review the GCU Template for formatting and utilize the attached “Gospel Essentials Template” to complete the benchmark assignment. Benchmark – Gospel Essentials In at least 150 words, complete your introductory paragraph with a thesis statement in which you will address each of the following six sections with at least one paragraph each. God: In at least 150 words, respond thoroughly to the questions in the assignment. Be sure to include citations Humanity: In at least 150 words, respond thoroughly to the questions in the assignment. Be sure to include citations. Jesus: In at least 150 words, respond thoroughly to the questions in the assignment. Be sure to include citations. Restoration: In at least 150 words, respond thoroughly to the questions in the assignment. Be sure to include citations. Analysis: In at least 150 words, respond thoroughly to the questions in the assignment. Be sure to include citations. Reflection: In at least 150 words, respond thoroughly to the questions in the assignment. Be sure to include citations. Conclusion: In at least 150 words, synthesize the main points, pulling the ideas of the paper together. Be sure to include citations References: Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (Year). Title of the article. Journal Title, Volume(Issue), Page numbers. Retrieved from URL/permalink with hyperlink removed

The current PAOC bylaws state that a credential holder can be disciplined if they consume “mood-altering substances.” The 2014 PAOC General Conference in Saskatoon included a discussion regarding a motion to specify “alcohol” as a mood-altering substance in the bylaws. The motion was defeated. You have your views on what the Bible requires, but you wonder how Pentecostals in Canada have typically thought about drinking alcohol. Were they always against it? Why or why not? Were there cultural factors that influenced decisions or were there only biblical arguments? What has the official PAOC stance been on this issue? What is the official PAOC stance on this today? You have many questions that keep coming to your mind. What other historical questions might help you address this issue? Note: This is not a paper for a theology course. Therefore, you should not engage in debates about how to interpret key scriptures regarding alcohol. Rather, your only aim should be to interpret and analyze this issue with historical awareness. *Rubric guideline to help with the paper: *Please follow these guidelines* Topic: relates an issue in pentecostal history to issues in the contemporary church. Introduction and Conclusion: at an appropriate length (about 100-150 words each) Citations: appears to include citations in footnotes when paraphrasing, summarizing or quoting from other sources. Includes a bibliography. Research: Includes both primary and secondary sources (a total of 7 or more). Includes relevant scholarly sources, including at least one journal article (dictionary definitions do not count as sources). Most pages integrate research from various sources. In addition to historical primary sources (like archive material), you should consider secondary sources ( textbooks or journal articles) that comment on the history of the topic you are researching. introduction: clearly informs the reader regarding the specific topic of the paper. Includes a thesis statement. GUIDELINE TO FOOTNOTE: Citing archival resources: For the most part, archival sources require the same information as other sources. It all depends on what you have. NOTE: USE ONLY theological sources. FOR THE PAPER IS FOR A BIBLE COLLEGE. IN THE 7 SOURCE PLEASE HAVE 3 SOURCES SET AS YOUR PRIMARY SOURCES. If there are an author and title (periodical article, extract from a book): Author, Title of article, Title of Publication, date (issue), page(s). If it is a letter: who from, who to, the date and PAOC Archives, Mississauga, ON. If it is untitled, like a personal note or account, make up a descriptive title, for example, Gordon Atter, (if the author is known, or, “Author Unknown”) “Handwritten account of early days in Canada” plus the date if you have it and PAOC Archives, Mississauga, ON. If there is no date, put “n.d.” at the end. Use the same format for a diary entry and so forth. Structure: most related points are grouped together; the outline supports the thesis statement. Includes appropriate transitions to bring cohesion to the structure. Substance: describes numerous historical issues relevant to the topic of the paper with accuracy, clarity, and sufficient detail (uses historical evidence to support most points and incorporates some factual information). Does not discuss issues that do not relate to the paper’s thesis. Application: explains the significance of the historical observations for understanding some issues in the contemporary church. Conclusion: summarizes the key points from the paper and reaffirms the thesis statement; does not introduce new information.

What is your definition of spiritual care? How does it differ or accord with the description given in the topic readings? Explain.This is the topic readingChristian Spiritual CareAs discussed earlier in this book, worldview questions (e.g., “Where did I come from?”) correspond to the basic Christian narrative acts of creation, the fall, redemption, and restoration, as people make sense of God, their relationship with God, and their role and actions in this world according to the Bible. This understanding also guides how important decisions are made. With the context that human beings are inherently spiritual beings, then they have a need for spiritual care in whatever stage of life. For nurses and other health care providers, understanding a patient’s internal worldview is at the core of how providers approach their administration of health care, their ability to respect that worldview, and the belief system of the patient. Being intentional and attentive to a patient and his or her family’s spiritual needs leads to positive holistic health care outcomes.Nursing has long been associated with spirituality and how it helps to inform and make meaning of life situations to patients. Nursing educators Timmins and Caldeira (2017) state that for religious people, “spirituality refers to the soul and its protection and nurturing during life … ‘protected’ through correct moral thought and by living as directed through sacred texts” (p. 50). Research continues to demonstrate that there is a positive relationship between spirituality, health, and well-being (Hall, Hughes, & Handzo, 2016). Spirituality affects every aspect of a person’s life, so offering emotional and spiritual care support should be an important focus for all health care providers.Even though The Joint Commission (TJC) requires all patients be asked about how their spiritual and religious preferences may impact their health care, only 54-63% of hospitals fulfill these requirements through employing professional health care chaplains (Hall et al., 2016). Nurses who understand the importance of spirituality and faith can effectively fill in the gap and administer effective soul care to those in need. By understanding and providing interventions that help relieve spiritual distress, nurses can help reduce the patient’s worries and concerns, which allows for more complete physical, emotional, and social well-being. Often a nurse can promote this by asking simple questions such as, “What has helped you cope well in the past?” or “What gives meaning to your life?” and “Do you have any spiritual or faith preferences?” If a nurse is truly attentive, he or she can easily see what may bring comfort or angst as a patient provides answers to these questions.A patient’s spiritual needs, even if unspoken, should always be a primary focus for treatment in this area, not the spiritual ideals or specific religion of the nurse. Nurses should not assume they must be religious or steeped in a specific faith tradition to give quality spiritual care, attending to the whole person inwardly. Although many patients will follow formal religious and theological doctrines, and often express those beliefs through traditional religious rites and practices, many others will seek to express their spiritual beliefs, morals, and life values in other diverse ways. These can sometimes be determined by looking at a patient’s overall demeanor. Similar to a hospital chart that identifies levels of pain through simple facial expressions, with some practice, a health care professional can also look for expressions of sadness, gloom, depression, concern, and fear, among others.Because of the complexity of spirituality, “nurses feel underequipped to provide spiritual care” and often “struggle to articulate a functional or ‘actionable’ definition of spirituality, and are ‘uncertain about what constitutes spiritual care’” (Hughes et al., 2017, p. 3). Most patients and their families “do not anticipate in-depth, specialized spiritual care from their nurses, but they do have a strong expectation for some basic spiritual care connections including interventions such as active and empathic listening, proactively communicating, and expressing compassion” (Hughes et al., 2017, p. 8). Another way to view this is to consider what the person is experiencing internally even as nursing care primarily focuses on physical care.As reviewed, a person’s spiritual beliefs and values will guide day-to-day decisions as well as critical health and end-of-life-treatment choices. Within that context, this chapter will discuss the topics of advance care planning, end-of-life care options and decisions, a foundation for Christian theology and holistic spiritual care, and how to use a spiritual needs assessment tool to discover any spiritual needs of the patient or their family. On the surface, one might not see how each of these connect, but underlying all these topics and decisions are the individual’s worldview that really does inform how individuals view life and death. As previously introduced, this understanding of one’s worldview both determines and distinguishes each patient’s unique personal values, experiences, and spiritual beliefs.Role of Spirituality in Clinical Care and End-of-Life Decision-MakingA person’s spirituality and faith values impact his or her understanding of illness as well as health care decisions. Several critical decisions informed and influenced by one’s spirituality are advance care planning, self-autonomy preferences around treatment, and understanding of illness and medication or treatment compliance (Puchalski et al., 2014). For example, does the individual view his or her current diagnosis and illness as a blessing, a curse, or another form of punishment from God? Understanding the person’s perception of the illness can aid the clinician’s development of appropriate treatment plans. If someone thinks the illness is a punishment, he or she may not be amenable to treatment. The nurse should consider: What is the patient’s life story, and how does the illness and treatment choices fit into that story?Spirituality, beliefs, and faith values will, in turn, impact a patient’s compliance to medical treatment recommendations. For example, religious beliefs may impact choices about blood transfusions and use of certain medical treatments. For example, a member of the Christian Science faith tradition is highly discouraged against taking vaccinations, a Muslim patient may want to be alert at the time of death and decline a palliative treatment of morphine, or a Jehovah’s Witness is unlikely to consent to blood products because of religious views, even if the choice leads to death.Grand Canyon University (Ed.). (2020). Practicing dignity: An introduction to Christian

write two pages addressing some of the issues related to: -The history Christianity in Africa -The history Islam in Africa  -Some of the problems  and conflicts between Traditional Religious  Islam and Christianity in PreColonial  Civilization.  Important: Please use only sources provided. also, use this video as a source https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAJeo6kybMk

1. Introduction – the general subject matter of the paper 2. What is the author’s main point (Summary of the paper) 3. The author’s addition/contribution to the subject matter 4. Our own critique of the paper and  5. Conclusion and recommendations

In what ways does Jesus teaching challenge or contradict the conventional outlook of his time? Explain your position in detail

What are the differences between the Theravada and Mahayana expressions of Buddhism? Be sure to address all of them

Describe the religious nature of Japan prior to the arrival of Buddhism.