Category: Religious studies

DIRECTIONS: Write a short essay of 400–600 words that responds to this question: How do religions both unite and divide humanity?
As you develop your response, you should choose two of the following areas of religious influence from Unit 3 to analyze:
Religion & the Individual
Religions & Society
Morality & Ethics
Ritual & Material Culture
Religion in Government
Religion in Global Affairs
Your short essay should include four parts:
Briefly introduce your topic and develop a clear and succinct response to the question: How do religions both unite and divide humanity?
Support your response by analyzing the first area of religious influence that you have selected from Unit 3. Use at least two specific examples from the lessons in any unit in your analysis.
Support your response by analyzing the second area of religious influence that you have selected from Unit 3. Use at least two specific examples from the lessons in any unit in your analysis.
Briefly summarize and conclude your short essay.
You will use information from the Sophia tutorials to support your response. When citing material from a tutorial, please include the name of the tutorial and use the following format (using Sophia’s Primal Religions tutorial as an example):
In-text citation: (Religion and Food, n.d.)
Reference: Sophia Learning (n.d.). Religion and Food [MOOC]. In Approaches to Studying Religions. https://app.sophia.org/course_preview/approaches-to-studying-religions-3/challenge-1-1/9/8235/religion-and-food-2

basically arguing a side of this question for 3 pages. In “The Comet,” the world changes drastically—for a moment. Do we need a comet—which is to say, do we need an act of God—to
change the world for the better? They should be between 3-4 pages, double-spaced, 12-pt. font, 1-inch margins: by “3-4 pages,” we mean 3 full pages. The papers should have a clear response to the prompt. We typically call these “thesis sentences,” but you can call it whatever you like. It doesn’t matter how you respond to the question—you can come at the question however you like—but we need to know your answer. In other words, these papers need to clearly cite from the sources in class. For this class, a proper citation happens at the end of the sentence in which you cite someone, and it looks like this: (Du Bois, 4) we want you to think with the ideas in the class, not simply regurgitate them. Tell us what you think; argue with the sources. Argue with us!

After studying Module 3: Lecture Materials & Resources, as well as reviewing the Judaism Resources page, discuss the following:
In your reading of Chapter 10 – Encountering Judaism: The Way of God’s People as well as the other readings for the week, you have gained a better understanding of central themes of Judaism. As you learned more about the religion, you may have noticed the many similarities that Judaism shares with Christianity as the relationship between the two religions rather unique. Christianity is rooted in Judaism historically, scripturally, liturgically, and even theologically. No two major world religions have so much in common. Below are a handful of the common elements shared by these two religions, however it is important to note that even though these religions share several common elements, they articulate them differently. Last week, we expounded upon how some of these themes are understood in the context of Catholicism and now you will describe how they are understood in Judaism.
Select two themes from the list below and present the Jewish teaching on the chosen theme.
Jewish Understanding of God
Salvation
Creation
Eschatology
Pain and Suffering
Freedom and Free Will
Virtues
Sin
Each selected theme must:
Be explained in at least one paragraph
Incorporate at least 2 direct quotations with accompanying in-text citations from either the required weekly readings or a resource found on the “Judaism Resources” page linked below.

Chicago style

After studying Module 3: Lecture Materials & Resources, as well as reviewing the Judaism Resources page, discuss the following:
In your reading of Chapter 10 – Encountering Judaism: The Way of God’s People as well as the other readings for the week, you have gained a better understanding of central themes of Judaism. As you learned more about the religion, you may have noticed the many similarities that Judaism shares with Christianity as the relationship between the two religions rather unique. Christianity is rooted in Judaism historically, scripturally, liturgically, and even theologically. No two major world religions have so much in common. Below are a handful of the common elements shared by these two religions, however it is important to note that even though these religions share several common elements, they articulate them differently. Last week, we expounded upon how some of these themes are understood in the context of Catholicism and now you will describe how they are understood in Judaism.
Select two themes from the list below and present the Jewish teaching on the chosen theme.
Jewish Understanding of God
Salvation
Creation
Eschatology
Pain and Suffering
Freedom and Free Will
Virtues
Sin
Each selected theme must:
Be explained in at least one paragraph
Incorporate at least 2 direct quotations with accompanying in-text citations from either the required weekly readings or a resource found on the “Judaism Resources” page linked below.

Chicago style

Read Acts 19:11-22 in both a formal translation (NASB, NRSV, ESV, or CSB)
and a functional translation (NIV, NLT, or NCV). Then answer the questions in the attachment named ‘Bible Study Project Observation Template’

After reading, Discovering the Bible, pages 80-99, and “The Concept of Covenant” in The Epic of Eden, Chapter 3, pages 69-91, write a 750-word essay in APA format that details what it means to be in covenant with God. Discuss how being in covenant impacts your thinking about what it means to love God. Provide at least 1 citation from the textbook and 1 from The Epic of Eden.
Varughese. (2006). Discovering the Bible.
“Israel Becomes a Covenant Community: Exodus” pp. 80-86
“Road to the Promised Land: Deuteronomy” pp. 95-99
https://viewer-ebscohost-com.macu.idm.oclc.org/EbscoViewerService/ebook?an＝577682&callbackUrl＝https%3a%2f%2fresearch.ebsco.com&db＝nlebk&format＝EK&profId＝eds&lpid＝&ppid＝&lang＝en&location＝https%3a%2f%2fresearch-ebsco-com.macu.idm.oclc.org%2fc%2fmnobgp%2fsearch%2fdetails%2f4gvv55vz5j%3fdb%3dnlebk&isPLink＝False&requestContext＝&profileIdentifier＝mnobgp&recordId＝4gvv55vz5j

I am doing a class in Introduction to Christian Counseling I have to do a Counseling Review presentation assignment. The title of the book is Caring for People Gods Way by (Tim Clinton, Archibald Hart, and George Ohlschlager)

I’ve uploaded the paper instruction please read that. We’ve studied following parts about Buddhism so far: Enlightenment/Awakening (bodhi), Buddha (“An Awakened One”),
Siddhartha Gautama, Shakyamuni, Dependent Origination, Four Noble
Truths, Dharma (P: Dhamma), Mara, Bodhgaya, Sarnath, Wheel of Life, Three Vehicles, bodhisattva (an aspirant Buddha), The Four Sights;
ascetic/asceticism, yoga (spiritual discipline), self-mortification, Monk: P: Bhikkhu/S: Bhikshu, Nun: P: Bhikkhuni/S: Bhikshuni,
Monasticism, Monastery, Nunnery, Theravada (“Way of the Elders”), P:
Arahant/S: Arhat (“Worthy One”), Meditation (S: Dhyana/P: Jhana; S:
Samadhi), Tranquility Meditation (P: Samatha), Insight Meditation (P:
Vipassana), 4 Divine Abodes, Buddhaghosha’s Teachings (5 Pur./4 Paths) Pratimoksha vows (Pali:
Lineage of Nuns
(Bhikkunis)
Patimokkha vows); Nuns’ “Heavy Vows” (P: Garudhammas); Four-fold
Sangha, Bodhisattva, Mahayana (the Great Vehicle), Bodhisattva
Maitreya (the future Buddha), Avalokiteshvara (Bodhisattva of
Compassion), Buddha Fields/Pure Lands, Prajna (Wisdom of
Enlightenment), The Six Perfection (Paramitas), Bodhisattva Levels
(bhumis), Emptiness (Shunyata), The Triple Body of enlightened beings
(Dharma Body, Enjoyment/Heavenly Body, Manifestation Body,

BI 171-VT: Instructions for Midterm Exegetical Assignment, Fall 2024
Due October 22, 2024, 11:59pm EDT, on Blackboard
Defining Terms
What is exegesis? Exegesis is a term that means “close reading.” The goal of exegesis is to read a text
closely and be able to articulate an interpretation of that text based on a variety of contextual
considerations (the reader, the language, the historical, literary, and canonical contexts, other readers).
This exegetical assignment will help you read closely by learning some of the skills required to do so.
General Instructions
This assignment is not a thesis or argument driven paper. It should be completed and written in the
order in which it is listed here (don’t jump around and do step 3 before step 1, in other words). The
focus of your paper is on understanding the biblical passage better. The content of your paper is
demonstrating these different skills that enable you to understand the biblical passage better. The
format of your paper should follow the format of these instructions, with “Step 1” marked as such. You
can answer the questions either in paragraphs, bullet points, or a chart, depending on your preference
and the content of your answers.
In developing an interpretation of the assigned biblical text, your assignment should also be focused on
the resources assigned for class. Citations rules apply here like homework, but even more so. If you use
information that is not public knowledge (meaning you learned it this semester!), then it MUST be cited.
You can use MLA citation styles (AuthorLastName Page Number), like (Powell 78). Or you can use
footnote Chicago/Turabian/SBL style.1 If you are in the MTS program, I would recommend the latter.
Online resources, as well as Wesley’s Writing Center, can point you to appropriate resources.
If you do not cite material that you use, you will receive a zero for this assignment. Citations are
expected for paraphrases, not just direct quotes. I almost always have at least one student fail an
assignment because they do not cite the material that they use. Break the trend; cite your resources!
Before you begin this assignment, I am expecting you to have read Tiffany and Ringe, Biblical
Interpretation: A Roadmap, pages 1-125. There are also videos on Blackboard demonstrating how to do
each of the skills. The assessment for this paper is based on whether or not you show competence for
the goal listed in each section. You will not be doing everything listed in pp. 1-125 for the midterm; the
final steps will be covered in the complete roadmap assignment, due in November.
Choose one of the following texts for your passage. For Step 4: Gospel Comparison, you will consider
only the parallel in Matthew or Mark, even if there are other parallels in Luke and John. The passage in
parentheses is the passage you should consider for your parallel. The passage outside parentheses, in
bold, is your assigned text, which I also call your “home” passage.
– John the Baptist’s ministry and Jesus’ baptism: Matthew 3:1-17 (Mark 1:2-11)
– John the Baptist’s death: Mark 6:14-29 (Matthew 14:1-12)
– Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem: Matthew 21:1-11 (Mark 11:1-11)
– Jesus and a rich man: Mark 10:17-31 (Matthew 19:16-30)
1 If you do, please use the actual footnote function in Microsoft Word, Google docs, or other word
processing software. Do not simply use superscriipt numbers. If you don’t know how to use the footnote function, a
quick google search can help. In Word on a PC, control-alt-F produces a footnote, or clicking the References tab
and then clicking “Insert Footnote.”
Rubrics
Step 1
10 possible points (10%)
Step 2
10 possible points (10%)
3: Translation Comparison
20 possible points (20%)
3: Outline/Summary
10 possible points (10%)
3: Key Words and Concordance
20 possible points (20%)
4: Gospel Comparison
25 possible points (25%)
Midterm Conclusion
5 possible points (5%)
A Study Bible, preferably NRSV.
– I will use the HarperCollins Study Bible, NRSV. If you are new to seminary, perhaps consider a new
Study Bible to start your journey. If you aren’t, or you really like your current Study Bible, then you
may use it. However, please make sure that it is a study Bible (if it is, it will be titled as such).
Mark Allen Powell, Introducing the New Testament: An Historical, Literary, and Theological Survey (2nd ed.;
Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2018). Listed as “Powell” on the syllabus chart. Available via Wesley library
as an ebook (be sure you are logged into Wesley to access this link).
Frederick C. Tiffany and Sharon Ringe, Biblical Interpretation: A Roadmap (Nashville: Abingdon, 1996).
Other readings will be available via PDF scans on Blackboard. The most important reading for this course is
the Bible.
Required: EITHER of these TWO:
Brian Blount, et. al, True to Our Native Land: An African American Biblical Commentary (Minneapolis:
Fortress, 2007). Listed as TONL on the syllabus chart.
Daniel Platte, et.al., eds. Global Bible Commentary (Nashville: Abingdon, 2004). Listed as GBC on the syllabus
chart.
Highly Recommended:
Kurt Aland, A Synopsis of the Four Gospels
Technical Requirements

Report Instructions:
In your readings from the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church you gleaned a better understanding of the what the Catholic Church’s teachings are on specific theological topics.
You will now use the information gleaned in the text to delineate the teachings listed below in a concise manner:
1- Catholic Understanding of God as Trinity
2- Salvation is Achieved through the Paschal Mystery of Jesus Christ
3- Eschatology – Death and the Afterlife
4- Freedom
5- Virtues
6- Sin
Submission Instructions:
When completing this written report, the following guidelines must be followed. Failure to do so will result in points being deducted from your grade:
This report must be typed in 12 pt. Times New Roman font & double-spaced.
Each section of the report must include a section title on a separate line (ex: Freedom, Virtues, Sin, etc.).
Incorporate at least 2 direct quotations with appropriate footnotes.
First quotation must come from the specific section of the Catechism of the Catholic Church in the required readings.
Second quotation with accompanying footnote must come from the specific section of the Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church in the required readings.
The report should be formatted per current CMOS and at least 3 pages in length (at least .5 pages per section). A Works Cited page is not required.