Aspects of Indigenous Spirituality related to the Spirit world, illustrated from the Philippines. A video including these ideas may be found at: https://vimeo.com/vivgrigg/indigenousspirituality
The document provides an overview of several Old Testament wisdom books including Proverbs, Job, Ecclesiastes, Sirach, Tobit, Judith, Esther, and Jonah. It discusses how these books were influenced by other Near Eastern cultures and focused on themes like leading a virtuous life and dealing with the problem of evil and suffering. The books used different genres like poetry, stories, and satire to convey messages about trusting in God and his mercy extending to all people.
Presentation1 jesus christ as the hero of paradise lostinam gardazi
The document discusses Jesus Christ as the ultimate hero in the story of Paradise Lost and Paradise Regained. It describes how Jesus, as the Son of God, possesses higher qualities than man and defeats Satan by sacrificing himself to save mankind from sin and death. While some see Satan as the hero of Paradise Lost, the document argues that Jesus is revealed as the true hero who defeats evil and brings salvation in both epic poems.
The document discusses reframing religious beliefs for the new millennium by asking new questions rather than making statements. It presents 10 questions that are transforming Christianity, including questions about the biblical narrative, the nature of God, Jesus, the gospel, and how to have hopeful yet inclusive discussions about theology without dividing. The questions are intended to create conversations that lead to new understandings rather than static positions.
This document is a summary of a presentation by Dr. Peter Hammond on how to know there is a God. It argues that there is a God-shaped vacuum in humans that can only be filled by the eternal Creator. It provides examples from science like the complexity of the eye and astronomy that point to intelligent design. It also argues that rejecting God leaves life without meaning and exposes one to darkness of heart. The conclusion is that God reveals himself through creation and in Jesus Christ despite being rejected by some.
The document discusses Jesus (the last Adam) and his role as the life-giving spirit compared to Adam (the first man). It notes that Adam was made a living soul but fell from a spiritual life, while Jesus lived a perfect spiritual life and imparted that life to humanity. Jesus took on human flesh but also possessed a spiritual body, foreshadowed during his earthly life, that could rise from the dead without corruption like a spiritual rather than physical body.
Aspects of Indigenous Spirituality related to the Spirit world, illustrated from the Philippines. A video including these ideas may be found at: https://vimeo.com/vivgrigg/indigenousspirituality
The document provides an overview of several Old Testament wisdom books including Proverbs, Job, Ecclesiastes, Sirach, Tobit, Judith, Esther, and Jonah. It discusses how these books were influenced by other Near Eastern cultures and focused on themes like leading a virtuous life and dealing with the problem of evil and suffering. The books used different genres like poetry, stories, and satire to convey messages about trusting in God and his mercy extending to all people.
Presentation1 jesus christ as the hero of paradise lostinam gardazi
The document discusses Jesus Christ as the ultimate hero in the story of Paradise Lost and Paradise Regained. It describes how Jesus, as the Son of God, possesses higher qualities than man and defeats Satan by sacrificing himself to save mankind from sin and death. While some see Satan as the hero of Paradise Lost, the document argues that Jesus is revealed as the true hero who defeats evil and brings salvation in both epic poems.
The document discusses reframing religious beliefs for the new millennium by asking new questions rather than making statements. It presents 10 questions that are transforming Christianity, including questions about the biblical narrative, the nature of God, Jesus, the gospel, and how to have hopeful yet inclusive discussions about theology without dividing. The questions are intended to create conversations that lead to new understandings rather than static positions.
This document is a summary of a presentation by Dr. Peter Hammond on how to know there is a God. It argues that there is a God-shaped vacuum in humans that can only be filled by the eternal Creator. It provides examples from science like the complexity of the eye and astronomy that point to intelligent design. It also argues that rejecting God leaves life without meaning and exposes one to darkness of heart. The conclusion is that God reveals himself through creation and in Jesus Christ despite being rejected by some.
The document discusses Jesus (the last Adam) and his role as the life-giving spirit compared to Adam (the first man). It notes that Adam was made a living soul but fell from a spiritual life, while Jesus lived a perfect spiritual life and imparted that life to humanity. Jesus took on human flesh but also possessed a spiritual body, foreshadowed during his earthly life, that could rise from the dead without corruption like a spiritual rather than physical body.
This document is an introduction and first chapter from the book "Philosophy and Opinions of Marcus Garvey" edited by Amy Jacques-Garvey. It provides background on why the book was compiled from Garvey's speeches and articles and aims to allow the public to judge Garvey by his own words. The first chapter then shares over 30 brief quotes and philosophies from Garvey on various topics related to race, leadership, ambition, criticism, prohibition and more. The quotes aim to convey Garvey's principles and inspire other members of the Negro race.
1) The document compares conventional and emerging views on Jesus' message and how it relates to global problems.
2) Under the conventional view, humanity is doomed to hell for sins, but Jesus offers salvation for believers. The emerging view sees humanity in desperate trouble, with Jesus offering transformation by following him.
3) The top global problems are described as the general human condition and issues like living under Roman rule and competing religious sects in Jesus' time. Jesus' message offers rejection of what people have been told and a new path of discipleship.
The document discusses 4 major global issues facing humanity: 1) threats to the planet like climate change, 2) poverty, 3) lack of peace due to conflicts, and 4) tensions between different religions. It frames these issues as symptoms of humanity rebelling against God and becoming lost, confused and spiraling downward without divine intervention. The document suggests Jesus came to answer the crisis by inviting people to reject what they've been told and follow a new path of transformation through discipleship, which could begin addressing the mess of the human condition and building a better world.
This document discusses four stages of faith development:
1. Simplicity - A dualistic view where things are right or wrong with no gray area. Identity is in authority figures.
2. Complexity - A pragmatic view where there are many ways to succeed. Identity is in causes and achievements.
3. Perplexity - A relativistic view where everyone has an opinion and nothing is certain. Identity is in solitude.
4. Humility/Harmony - An integrated view seeking truth and fulfillment through service and relationships. Identity is in community. The document observes that leaders often only lead people in their own stage of development.
This is a study of Jesus as the light in the darkness. In the beginning there was light that overcame the darkness and that light was Jesus who was with God in the beginning.
Jesus was prophesied to be the Son of the Most High and called great. The document discusses Jesus' greatness in three aspects: [1] His divine origin as the Son of God, [2] His work of saving people from their sins, and [3] The dignity and power He would attain as king over God's kingdom forever. The kingdom of Christ surpasses earthly kingdoms in characteristics, extent, and duration. Mary's expectations for her son Jesus, though just, paled in comparison to the fulfillment of his role as the Son of God and savior of humanity.
The document discusses how churches can become agents of hope by focusing on discipleship and spiritual formation. It argues that Jesus proclaimed a new story of God's kingdom of service, forgiveness, inclusion and sacrifice rather than domination, revolution, scapegoating or accumulation. Churches should train disciples to embody this story through spiritual practices with the Holy Spirit's power. The key is believing the gospel, accepting disciple-making as the mission, seeing faith as a way of life practiced in community, and starting small spiritual formation.
Jesus demonstrated his power over death through two miracles. When Jairus, a synagogue leader, asked Jesus to heal his daughter who had died, Jesus went with him and raised the girl back to life. On the way, a woman who had suffered from bleeding for 12 years touched Jesus' cloak, believing it would heal her. Jesus turned to her and said her faith had healed her. He then entered Jairus' house where mourners were wailing and raised the girl from the dead, showing his power even over death.
The Wisdom Books were composed after the Babylonian exile and include Proverbs, Job, Ecclesiastes, Sirach, and the Song of Songs. They aim to inspire moral integrity and show how sin can lead to personal collapse. They discuss issues like justice, suffering, and finding meaning in life. A key theme is that wisdom is trusting God even when facing difficulties that cannot be understood.
The document discusses two views of the human situation - a conventional view and an emerging view. It then compares how Jesus may have responded to questions about the crisis under each view. The conventional view is that humanity is doomed to hell due to imperfection, while the emerging view is that humanity has rebelled and filled the world with evil. Jesus' message under the conventional view is about individual salvation, while under the emerging view it is about transforming the human condition and following a new path.
This document provides an introduction and table of contents for a series of lessons on practical Christian living given by Watchman Nee. The series, titled "Basic Lesson Series—Volume 1: A Living Sacrifice", contains 6 books covering topics like baptism, consecration, prayer, and love. The introduction expresses the hope that these foundational lessons will help build up the body of Christ. The document then provides a table of contents for the first book in the series titled "Baptism", which includes subsections on what baptism can do for a person and the real meaning of baptism.
Zacchaeus, a wealthy tax collector, wanted to see Jesus but was too short to see over the crowd. He climbed a sycamore tree to get a view. When Jesus passed by, he looked up and called Zacchaeus by name, telling him to come down as he planned to stay at his house. Zacchaeus joyfully received Jesus. He promised to give half his possessions to the poor and repay anyone he had cheated four times over, showing the salvation that had come to his house through his encounter with Jesus. The story illustrates Jesus' mission to seek and save the lost.
The document discusses two views of the human situation and the questions Jesus sought to answer. The conventional view sees humanity as doomed to hell due to imperfection, while the emerging view sees humanity in desperate trouble due to rebellion and sickness. Jesus responds by saying God loves humanity and invites all to follow a new path of transformation through discipleship.
This document discusses four flawed biblical figures - Gideon, Barak, Samson, and Jephthah - who each defeated Israel's enemies despite their flaws. Gideon was fearful but found faith and courage. Barak was too dependent on women. Samson was empowered by God but lacked self-control. Jephthah came from a troubled background. The document argues that God uses flawed people to demonstrate His grace and get the glory for victories. It notes God honors faith and seeks it, and His grace covers many sins, so flawed people like these four give hope that God can use people today too.
The document discusses how liturgy and Christian faith can help address four crises: planetary crisis (prosperity), poverty crisis (equity), peace-making crisis (security), and religious crisis (spirituality). It argues that conventional views see humanity as sinful and doomed, while an emerging view is that God wants to heal and transform humanity. Public worship through liturgy can bond people to a biblical narrative of hope and transformation from the individual to the global level.
The document provides an overview of the Wisdom Books in the Bible, including Proverbs, Job, Ecclesiastes, Sirach, and the Song of Songs. It discusses key themes and insights from each book. For example, it notes that Proverbs views God as the source of wisdom and aims to teach moral integrity. It also explains that Ecclesiastes explores whether life has meaning and concludes that life is a mystery. The document also briefly summarizes stories from the deuterocanonical books and their messages of faith, goodness, and God's mercy.
Nouns are words that name people, places, things, or ideas. There are several types of nouns including concrete nouns, which name tangible things that can be sensed, and abstract nouns, which name intangible concepts. Nouns can also be compound words made of multiple words or collective nouns that refer to groups. Nouns function in sentences as subjects and objects, answering the questions of who or what. New nouns can be created over time through invention or borrowing from other languages.
The second issue of Rogue Science, from Psionic Comics. It's a fill-in-the-blanks format done as experimental creation to include the readers into the storytelling process.
This document is an introduction and first chapter from the book "Philosophy and Opinions of Marcus Garvey" edited by Amy Jacques-Garvey. It provides background on why the book was compiled from Garvey's speeches and articles and aims to allow the public to judge Garvey by his own words. The first chapter then shares over 30 brief quotes and philosophies from Garvey on various topics related to race, leadership, ambition, criticism, prohibition and more. The quotes aim to convey Garvey's principles and inspire other members of the Negro race.
1) The document compares conventional and emerging views on Jesus' message and how it relates to global problems.
2) Under the conventional view, humanity is doomed to hell for sins, but Jesus offers salvation for believers. The emerging view sees humanity in desperate trouble, with Jesus offering transformation by following him.
3) The top global problems are described as the general human condition and issues like living under Roman rule and competing religious sects in Jesus' time. Jesus' message offers rejection of what people have been told and a new path of discipleship.
The document discusses 4 major global issues facing humanity: 1) threats to the planet like climate change, 2) poverty, 3) lack of peace due to conflicts, and 4) tensions between different religions. It frames these issues as symptoms of humanity rebelling against God and becoming lost, confused and spiraling downward without divine intervention. The document suggests Jesus came to answer the crisis by inviting people to reject what they've been told and follow a new path of transformation through discipleship, which could begin addressing the mess of the human condition and building a better world.
This document discusses four stages of faith development:
1. Simplicity - A dualistic view where things are right or wrong with no gray area. Identity is in authority figures.
2. Complexity - A pragmatic view where there are many ways to succeed. Identity is in causes and achievements.
3. Perplexity - A relativistic view where everyone has an opinion and nothing is certain. Identity is in solitude.
4. Humility/Harmony - An integrated view seeking truth and fulfillment through service and relationships. Identity is in community. The document observes that leaders often only lead people in their own stage of development.
This is a study of Jesus as the light in the darkness. In the beginning there was light that overcame the darkness and that light was Jesus who was with God in the beginning.
Jesus was prophesied to be the Son of the Most High and called great. The document discusses Jesus' greatness in three aspects: [1] His divine origin as the Son of God, [2] His work of saving people from their sins, and [3] The dignity and power He would attain as king over God's kingdom forever. The kingdom of Christ surpasses earthly kingdoms in characteristics, extent, and duration. Mary's expectations for her son Jesus, though just, paled in comparison to the fulfillment of his role as the Son of God and savior of humanity.
The document discusses how churches can become agents of hope by focusing on discipleship and spiritual formation. It argues that Jesus proclaimed a new story of God's kingdom of service, forgiveness, inclusion and sacrifice rather than domination, revolution, scapegoating or accumulation. Churches should train disciples to embody this story through spiritual practices with the Holy Spirit's power. The key is believing the gospel, accepting disciple-making as the mission, seeing faith as a way of life practiced in community, and starting small spiritual formation.
Jesus demonstrated his power over death through two miracles. When Jairus, a synagogue leader, asked Jesus to heal his daughter who had died, Jesus went with him and raised the girl back to life. On the way, a woman who had suffered from bleeding for 12 years touched Jesus' cloak, believing it would heal her. Jesus turned to her and said her faith had healed her. He then entered Jairus' house where mourners were wailing and raised the girl from the dead, showing his power even over death.
The Wisdom Books were composed after the Babylonian exile and include Proverbs, Job, Ecclesiastes, Sirach, and the Song of Songs. They aim to inspire moral integrity and show how sin can lead to personal collapse. They discuss issues like justice, suffering, and finding meaning in life. A key theme is that wisdom is trusting God even when facing difficulties that cannot be understood.
The document discusses two views of the human situation - a conventional view and an emerging view. It then compares how Jesus may have responded to questions about the crisis under each view. The conventional view is that humanity is doomed to hell due to imperfection, while the emerging view is that humanity has rebelled and filled the world with evil. Jesus' message under the conventional view is about individual salvation, while under the emerging view it is about transforming the human condition and following a new path.
This document provides an introduction and table of contents for a series of lessons on practical Christian living given by Watchman Nee. The series, titled "Basic Lesson Series—Volume 1: A Living Sacrifice", contains 6 books covering topics like baptism, consecration, prayer, and love. The introduction expresses the hope that these foundational lessons will help build up the body of Christ. The document then provides a table of contents for the first book in the series titled "Baptism", which includes subsections on what baptism can do for a person and the real meaning of baptism.
Zacchaeus, a wealthy tax collector, wanted to see Jesus but was too short to see over the crowd. He climbed a sycamore tree to get a view. When Jesus passed by, he looked up and called Zacchaeus by name, telling him to come down as he planned to stay at his house. Zacchaeus joyfully received Jesus. He promised to give half his possessions to the poor and repay anyone he had cheated four times over, showing the salvation that had come to his house through his encounter with Jesus. The story illustrates Jesus' mission to seek and save the lost.
The document discusses two views of the human situation and the questions Jesus sought to answer. The conventional view sees humanity as doomed to hell due to imperfection, while the emerging view sees humanity in desperate trouble due to rebellion and sickness. Jesus responds by saying God loves humanity and invites all to follow a new path of transformation through discipleship.
This document discusses four flawed biblical figures - Gideon, Barak, Samson, and Jephthah - who each defeated Israel's enemies despite their flaws. Gideon was fearful but found faith and courage. Barak was too dependent on women. Samson was empowered by God but lacked self-control. Jephthah came from a troubled background. The document argues that God uses flawed people to demonstrate His grace and get the glory for victories. It notes God honors faith and seeks it, and His grace covers many sins, so flawed people like these four give hope that God can use people today too.
The document discusses how liturgy and Christian faith can help address four crises: planetary crisis (prosperity), poverty crisis (equity), peace-making crisis (security), and religious crisis (spirituality). It argues that conventional views see humanity as sinful and doomed, while an emerging view is that God wants to heal and transform humanity. Public worship through liturgy can bond people to a biblical narrative of hope and transformation from the individual to the global level.
The document provides an overview of the Wisdom Books in the Bible, including Proverbs, Job, Ecclesiastes, Sirach, and the Song of Songs. It discusses key themes and insights from each book. For example, it notes that Proverbs views God as the source of wisdom and aims to teach moral integrity. It also explains that Ecclesiastes explores whether life has meaning and concludes that life is a mystery. The document also briefly summarizes stories from the deuterocanonical books and their messages of faith, goodness, and God's mercy.
Nouns are words that name people, places, things, or ideas. There are several types of nouns including concrete nouns, which name tangible things that can be sensed, and abstract nouns, which name intangible concepts. Nouns can also be compound words made of multiple words or collective nouns that refer to groups. Nouns function in sentences as subjects and objects, answering the questions of who or what. New nouns can be created over time through invention or borrowing from other languages.
The second issue of Rogue Science, from Psionic Comics. It's a fill-in-the-blanks format done as experimental creation to include the readers into the storytelling process.
El documento resume una lección bíblica sobre la crisis de Israel durante el período de los jueces según la Biblia. Explica que durante este tiempo, Israel sufría ataques externos debido a que se alejaban de Dios y desobedecían sus mandamientos. Los jueces como Gedeón y Débora ayudaron a guiar al pueblo y liberarlos de sus enemigos cuando volvían a Dios, pero cada juez fallecía y el ciclo de desobediencia y castigo se repetía.
Rajesh Kumar Jha has over 15 years of experience in accounting roles. He currently works as the Accounts Manager for Bigchill Café Pvt Ltd, where he handles invoicing, billing, accounts receivable, accounts payable, taxes, and generating reports. Previously, he was an Accountant for PCS TECHNOLOGY Limited and Assistant Accountant for HCL Infosystems Pvt Ltd, where he managed sales accounting, cash, expenses, and reports. He holds a B.Com in Accounting and is proficient in MS Office, ERP systems, and Tally.
The document provides a profile and resume for Bhagyashree Rathod, outlining her 5 years of experience in finance roles including corporate action analysis, fund administration, financial reporting, and accounting. Her experience includes processing corporate actions, identifying security holdings, preparing regulatory reports, and calculating net asset values for various funds. She is seeking a new role and provides details of her education, skills, and achievements.
This document provides an overview of the Pig tool, which is a scripting language for exploring large datasets within the Apache Hadoop ecosystem. It discusses how Pig allows processing of terabytes of data through just a few lines of code by customizing all parts of the processing path, including storing, filtering, grouping, and joining data. The document then presents a sample problem using a publicly available million song dataset to demonstrate loading and storing the data with Pig, finding the song density, and filtering the results. It analyzes the input and output, showing that the input dataset contained 1 million records which were filtered down to the top 50 songs with the highest sound densities.
Dokumen ini menjelaskan tentang pembuatan tirai otomatis menggunakan Arduino, L293, dan LDR. Tirai akan terbuka dan tertutup secara otomatis berdasarkan deteksi cahaya oleh LDR. Proyek ini dimodifikasi dari ide robotik semula menjadi penggerakan tirai dan ditambahkan display LCD untuk menampilkan keadaan tirai. Proses pembuatannya meliputi perencanaan, pembuatan rangkaian, pengintegrasian program dan rang
This document summarizes key characters from Star Wars including Leia Skywalker, a princess and sister to Luke who can shoot and likes Han Solo. Han Solo is a smuggler who becomes a hero and is brave, a good shot, wants money, and loves Leia. Luke Skywalker is a Jedi Knight who can fight well, is Leia's brother, and wants to win the war. Chewbacca is Han Solo's tall, hairy Wookie friend and pilot/mechanic. C-3PO is a robot translator and R2-D2's friend, and R2-D2 is a mechanic who helps repair spaceships.
The Hope of Salvation - Jude 1:24-25 - MessageCole Hartman
Jude gives us hope at the end of a dark letter. In a dark world like today, we need the light of Christ to shine brighter and brighter. Jude shows us where to fix our focus so we can be filled with God's goodness and glory. Join us to explore this incredible passage.
A375 Example Taste the taste of the Lord, the taste of the Lord The taste of...franktsao4
It seems that current missionary work requires spending a lot of money, preparing a lot of materials, and traveling to far away places, so that it feels like missionary work. But what was the result they brought back? It's just a lot of photos of activities, fun eating, drinking and some playing games. And then we have to do the same thing next year, never ending. The church once mentioned that a certain missionary would go to the field where she used to work before the end of his life. It seemed that if she had not gone, no one would be willing to go. The reason why these missionary work is so difficult is that no one obeys God’s words, and the Bible is not the main content during missionary work, because in the eyes of those who do not obey God’s words, the Bible is just words and cannot be connected with life, so Reading out God's words is boring because it doesn't have any life experience, so it cannot be connected with human life. I will give a few examples in the hope that this situation can be changed. A375
The forces involved in this witchcraft spell will re-establish the loving bond between you and help to build a strong, loving relationship from which to start anew. Despite any previous hardships or problems, the spell work will re-establish the strong bonds of friendship and love upon which the marriage and relationship originated. Have faith, these stop divorce and stop separation spells are extremely powerful and will reconnect you and your partner in a strong and harmonious relationship.
My ritual will not only stop separation and divorce, but rebuild a strong bond between you and your partner that is based on truth, honesty, and unconditional love. For an even stronger effect, you may want to consider using the Eternal Love Bond spell to ensure your relationship and love will last through all tests of time. If you have not yet determined if your partner is considering separation or divorce, but are aware of rifts in the relationship, try the Love Spells to remove problems in a relationship or marriage. Keep in mind that all my love spells are 100% customized and that you'll only need 1 spell to address all problems/wishes.
Save your marriage from divorce & make your relationship stronger using anti divorce spells to make him or her fall back in love with you. End your marriage if you are no longer in love with your husband or wife. Permanently end your marriage using divorce spells that work fast. Protect your marriage from divorce using love spells to boost commitment, love & bind your hearts together for a stronger marriage that will last. Get your ex lover who has remarried using divorce spells to break up a couple & make your ex lost lover come back to you permanently.
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A Free eBook ~ Valuable LIFE Lessons to Learn ( 5 Sets of Presentations)...OH TEIK BIN
A free eBook comprising 5 sets of PowerPoint presentations of meaningful stories /Inspirational pieces that teach important Dhamma/Life lessons. For reflection and practice to develop the mind to grow in love, compassion and wisdom. The texts are in English and Chinese.
My other free eBooks can be obtained from the following Links:
https://www.slideshare.net/ohteikbin/presentations
https://www.slideshare.net/ohteikbin/documents
The Enchantment and Shadows_ Unveiling the Mysteries of Magic and Black Magic...Phoenix O
This manual will guide you through basic skills and tasks to help you get started with various aspects of Magic. Each section is designed to be easy to follow, with step-by-step instructions.
Heartfulness Magazine - June 2024 (Volume 9, Issue 6)heartfulness
Dear readers,
This month we continue with more inspiring talks from the Global Spirituality Mahotsav that was held from March 14 to 17, 2024, at Kanha Shanti Vanam.
We hear from Daaji on lifestyle and yoga in honor of International Day of Yoga, June 21, 2024. We also hear from Professor Bhavani Rao, Dean at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham University, on spirituality in action, the Venerable BhikkuSanghasena on how to be an ambassador for compassion, Dr. Tony Nader on the Maharishi Effect, Swami Mukundananda on the crossroads of modernization, Tejinder Kaur Basra on the purpose of work, the Venerable GesheDorjiDamdul on the psychology of peace, the Rt. Hon. Patricia Scotland, KC, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, on how we are all related, and world-renowned violinist KumareshRajagopalan on the uplifting mysteries of music.
Dr. Prasad Veluthanar shares an Ayurvedic perspective on treating autism, Dr. IchakAdizes helps us navigate disagreements at work, Sravan Banda celebrates World Environment Day by sharing some tips on land restoration, and Sara Bubber tells our children another inspiring story and challenges them with some fun facts and riddles.
Happy reading,
The editors
Trusting God's Providence | Verse: Romans 8: 28-31JL de Belen
Trusting God's Providence.
Providence - God’s active preservation and care over His creation. God is both the Creator and the Sustainer of all things Heb. 1:2-3; Col. 1:17
-God keep His promises.
-God’s general providence is toward all creation
- All things were made through Him
God’s special providence is toward His children.
We may suffer now, but joy can and will come
God can see what we cannot see
Sanatan Vastu | Experience Great Living | Vastu ExpertSanatan Vastu
Santan Vastu Provides Vedic astrology courses & Vastu remedies, If you are searching Vastu for home, Vastu for kitchen, Vastu for house, Vastu for Office & Factory. Best Vastu in Bahadurgarh. Best Vastu in Delhi NCR
The Book of Ruth is included in the third division, or the Writings, of the Hebrew Bible. In most Christian canons it is treated as one of the historical books and placed between Judges and 1 Samuel.
Protector & Destroyer: Agni Dev (The Hindu God of Fire)Exotic India
So let us turn the pages of ancient Indian literature and get to know more about Agni, the mighty purifier of all things, worshipped in Indian culture as a God since the Vedic time.
The Book of Samuel is a book in the Hebrew Bible, found as two books in the Old Testament. The book is part of the Deuteronomistic history, a series of books that constitute a theological history of the Israelites and that aim to explain God's law for Israel under the guidance of the prophets.
3. Paul
Paul, originally known as Saul of Tarsus was an apostle. He
taught and spread the gospel of Christ and is considered one of
the most important figures of Christianity today. He was
originally named Saul and was a prominent persecutor of
Christians. In Acts: 9 of the Bible, While Paul was traveling from
Jerusalem to Damascus during a mission of persecution, Jesus
Christ appeared in a great light that blinded him for three days.
The books of the Bible titled, “Romans, First and Second
Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, First
and Second Thessalonians, Timothy, Titus, Philemon and
debatably Hebrews” are books considered to be written by Paul
that Show him soon after spreading the word of God and the
gospel that Jesus is the Messiah and the Son of God to areas of
the world such as Asia Minor and Europe.
4. Darth Vader
Darth Vader, originally known as Anakin Skywalker was a Sith Lord. He
assassinated his master, Darth Sidious saving the galaxy from a
tyrannical fate under the Galactic Empire and ultimately brought the
balance to the dark and light side of the force. He was originally
named Anakin Skywalker and was a slave on the planet of Tatooine. He
was discovered by Jedi and was predicted by a Jedi master to become
a prominent member of the jedi order. During his rise through the
ranks of the Jedi, he was conflicted with hate and anxiety over loved
ones dying around him and the possibility of stopping any further loss
brought him to the dark side. He then became one of the most
powerful Sith Lords in existence, but saw his folly while witnessing his
master, Darth Sidious electrocuting his son, Luke Skywalker, to death.
He killed his Master, but was fatally wounded in the process. Though
his body died, the force was so strong with him that he remained alive
in spirit only and dwelt in the light side of the force from then on.
5. Similarities
Although Darth Vader had two drastic transformations,
both he and Paul, in the end, transformed from bad to
good. They were also, whether bad or good, both
prominent and important figures in the world around them.
Paul was a well-known prosecutor of Christians and then
became a well-known follower and evangelist of Christian
teachings. Vader was a well-known Jedi, a well known Sith
lord, and then a well-known master of the force in his
afterlife as well. They both also had major impacts on the
world around them. Christianity wouldn’t exist in the west
of the world if it weren’t for Paul’s evangelism. The far away
galaxy long ago would have self destructed under Darth
Sidious’s rule if it weren’t for Darth Vader.
6. So What?
“Using popular culture as a medium for theological reflection can
provide an important means of exploring essential questions
about our existence in ways that connect with the symbols,
concepts, and concerns of contemporary culture” (Lynch, pg. 41).
From the book “understanding theology and popular culture,”
specifically chapter 2, “Why Should Theologians and Scholars of
Religion Study Popular Culture,” Gordon Lynch is saying that we
can use both theology and popular culture in tandem to help
tackle important question as to why we are here. The similarity
between Paul the apostle and Darth Vader allows us to realize
Paul’s true contribution to the world today. We can appreciate
how a person that was a prominent figure in his day, like Darth
Vader in his, can have a complete transformation for good and
save the world from an evil fate.
7. Pivotal moment where Darth Vader is
similar to Paul the Apostle
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZ_j3s5xj8I
8.
9. God
God is a tough figure to describe. In Exodus 33:13,18 God
describes himself to Moses as “The Lord, the Lord God, merciful
and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and
truth,… by no means clearing the guilty” (34:5-7). Every day, God
reveals himself to us, but in an abundance of varying ways. God
is knowable for he created the universe and God is also forgiving
of our sins, though sometimes we can find ourselves being
condemned for it at first. Perhaps the most well known qualities
unique of God are his all knowing and all powerful abilities. Not
one other person or figure will ever possess those qualities,
leaving God to be the most high. In addition, God is a guiding
figure in our lives and He is someone we turn to when we are
suffering, sad, thankful, and more.
10. Yoda
Yoda, a legendary Jedi master and, according to starwars.com, is
“…wise and powerful, he trained Jedi for over 800 years, playing
integral roles in the Clone Wars, the instruction of Luke
Skywalker, and unlocking the immorality”. He is arguably the
most powerful and wisest Jedi Master in the galaxy. Yoda trained
many Jedi’s, including the most notable Obi-Wan Kenobi and
Luke Skywalker. Yoda oversaw many battles and defeated evil,
such as the Dark Jedi. In addition to this, Yoda had a talent for
sensing the future and this added to his profound knowledge of
the Force. Many view Yoda as a grandfather figure for he trains
the Jedi’s to their extremes, yet also possesses a comforting and
caring side. Many Jedi’s have gone to Yoda for advice and have
grown more confident because of this.
11. Similarities
It is without a doubt that both Yoda and God posses similar
attributes. Their all-knowing wisdom that stems from their
experiences since the beginning of time is possibly the best
correlation God and Yoda have with each other. One of Yoda’s
most famous lines from the Star Wars franchise is “Fear leads to
anger, anger leads to hate, hate...leads to suffering." Yoda, being
a guiding figure to the Jedi’s and emphasizing the importance of
good in the world, is similar to that of God’s desire for good to
rule in the world. The Bible states that, “For God gave us a spirit
not of fear but of power and love and self-control” (2 Timothy
1:7 ESV). Both God and Yoda promote peace and oppose hate.
They are full of endless wisdom and guidance that have helped
shape the lives of people and characters.
12. So What?
Though the connections of figures in the Bible to characters in
the Star Wars movies were not directly deliberate, the idea of
leaving the characters up to some interpretation is what makes
theology connect to popular culture in this instance. Gordon
Lynch explains the importance of “writing theology in an
accessible way for a wider audience” (Lynch, 93). Star Wars,
because of its popularity, has the ability to connect to a large
audience because of the varying ways one can interpret the
movie and its characters. In this instance, as a Catholic, I have
interpreted the movie through scenes in the Bible and its
characters. Lynch writes about the importance of theology being
as inclusive as possible, and the connection one can have to the
message in Star Wars no matter their religious affiliation proves
that theology can have a connection to popular culture.
13. Moment where Yoda is similar to
God:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVJyf5yKxuo
14.
15. Satan
In mainstream Christianity, Satan stands for “The opposer” who at
one point in time was an angel that fell from the ranks of Heaven to
become God’s rival. Satan has become the personification of evil and
whenever his name is spoken there are always fears that come with
the name. Many know Satan as the Serpent that tempted Adam and
Eve in The Garden of Eden which brought forth sin in the Book of
Genesis. There are many stories of Satan in many books and about his
demonic possessions of good people and waging war against God.
The Book of Daniel prophesized the tribulational period and states
that Satan will be bound to Earth for a thousand years where in time
Armageddon will begin where Good and Evil will have one final battle
once and for all, where Satan and his followers will be defeated and a
new Earth in addition to a new Heaven will be created where there is
no mortal sin. (Revelation 20 NKJV) Satan is the enemy of God that
constantly is at odds with all that is good and holy.
16. Darth Sidious
Also known as Emperor Palpatine, he is one of the most feared in Star Wars
lore and has had a mission for over a thousand years to overthrow the
Republic and the Jedi Order. At a young age, he killed his father and lead a
double life under his mentor Darth Plagueis who he eventually murdered as
well when he felt he was more than sufficient to be the leader of the Dark
side. Being so powerful and deceitful, he was able to conceal his true
intentions and power to all for years. He orchestrated the Clone Wars and is
also well known to have converted Luke Skywalker, or better known as Darth
Vader, to the Dark Side with the temptation of being able to save his wife if he
harnessed the power of the Dark Side. Palpatine eventually abandoned his
light hearted ways to rule with terror and helped to create the Death Star,
which is what the Star Wars universe is based upon and are always led to
destroy. Eventually, Palpatine meets his demise with the takeover and
destruction of the Death Star and his former adversary Darth Vader killing
him once he realizes the destruction that has been created as a result of his
ways.
17. Similarities
We find that in the Bible Satan is at constant battle with God,
eventually with the prophecies leading to a huge war that God
eventually wins. The story of Star Wars is very similar in the
sense that Palpatine wages war with the Clone Wars that lasts
for countless amounts of years, and eventually good overcomes
evil with the eventual demise of Palpatine and seemingly no
more terror (sin in terms of Armageddon) with this instance.
Also, Palpatine is also well known in the stories of Star Wars as
being the “serpent” that sways Luke into coming over to the dark
side. The other idea that is similar with biblical stories is how
when you think of God you think of Satin and with Satin comes
terror and fear. In the Star Wars universe, you think the exact
same way. With Star Wars comes Luke Skywalker which also
comes Emperor Palpatine and his reign of terror and fear.
18. So What?
If we go to Lynch, in the first chapter he talks about functionalist and
substantive points of view. (23) in this section he states that substantive point
of view for religion is considered having a deity/supernatural force that guides
these “core elements” of a religion to be what it is. That is exactly what Star
Wars is composed of. We have the dark side and the deity/supernatural force
being Darth Sideous and his followers like Darth Vader and then we have the
good side where the deity is known normally as being Yoda and his followers
being Luke and the primary gang. The interesting approach is that this is a
touchy aspect of modern culture as anything could almost be considered a
religion, but if you dive a little deeper into the lore of Star Wars and these
figures, you begin to see that they played with the substantive point of view
by splitting two factions apart and having key figures be the leaders who also
happen to not just have supernatural powers, but be the strongest foes/allies
you could have on your side. The Star Wars lore is all based around a fantasy
religion in this instance being the Jedi. Looking further into the substantive
approach it fits closely with what Star Wars represents and how it was
created with these important figures that many in this universe praise at the
head of it all.
19. Moment where Darth Sidious is
similar to Satan:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dATuq8O3920
20.
21. Samuel
Samuel was a child who was able to find favor with the Lord. (1 Samuel 2:26) He served under Eli - Eli’s
sons were meant to continue Eli’s legacy as the priest, but both were “wicked” and “immoral.” (1
Samuel 2:17) Samuel heard someone calling him in the night and realized it was God, who was giving
him a message to tell Eli: that He would “judge his family forever because…his sons blasphemed God,
and he failed to restrain them.” (1 Samuel 3: 13) From that point, Israel began to recognize Samuel’s
significance, and God continued to reveal His word through Samuel. (1 Samuel 3: 19-21)
While the Israelites were at war with the Philistines, Israel was defeated, and they brought the ark of
the covenant into their camp. (1 Samuel 4: 3) The Philistines became afraid, yet Israel was defeated
once again, losing 30,000 men. (1 Samuel 4: 10) Eli’s sons were killed, the ark of the covenant was
captured - upon this news Eli fell backwards and died. (1 Samuel 4: 17-18)
Samuel became the new leader of Israel upon the death of Eli and remained a leader throughout his
life. (1 Samuel 7: 16) Samuel’s sons, much like Eli’s sons, were disobedient to the ways of the Lord. (1
Samuel 8: 3) Despite Samuel sending a message to the people of Israel that replacing him as King would
result in peril, they continued to refuse Samuel as their leader and asked him for a new leader – the
Lord told Samuel to “Listen to them and give them a king.” (1 Samuel 8: 5-21)
The Lord told Samuel, “I will send you a man…Anoint him ruler over my people Israel; he will deliver
them from the hand of the Philistines.” 1 Samuel 9: 15) That man was Saul. Samuel anointed Saul, and
God “changed Saul’s heart.” (1 Samuel 10)
22. …..
During Samuel’s farewell speech to Israel, he showed the people and helped them realize that he
was their true King all along, the one and only sent by God to rule over them, and regardless of
the fact that he was always on their side, they rejected him and embraced Saul instead. (1 Samuel
12) He warned them that if they “persisted in this evil” there would be consequences, and that
they should continue from this point to listen to the word of God. (1 Samuel 12: 20-24)
Saul went on to rule Israel for over forty years, and went against the Lord’s command – so Samuel
called him out for doing “a foolish thing.” (1 Samuel 13: 11-13) Eventually, the Lord
communicated to Samuel that He regretted making Saul king. (1 Samuel 15: 11) Samuel
confronted Saul and refused to take Saul back since he had rejected the Lord’s word, and Samuel
killed Agag, the Amalekite king. (1 Samuel 15: 33) Finally, it is stated in the bible that “Until the
day Samuel died, he did not go to see Saul again, though Samuel mourned for him.” (1 Samuel
15:35)
The Lord then sent for Samuel to go to Jesse of Bethlehem, for one of his sons would be the next
king, and Samuel was to anoint the son that the Lord would point out to him. (1 Samuel 16: 1-3)
Upon seeing the sons, the Lord had to note to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his
height…the Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at outward appearance,
but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:17) The Lord chose the youngest brother, the one
tending sheep – and his name was David.
Saul heard that the Lord was with David, and that he was a fine young man. (1 Samuel 16: 18)
David went on to be amazingly successful under Saul’s troops, and was well loved by Israel and
Judah. Saul feared David because he knew the Lord was with him, and began to live a life
attempting to take David down. Eventually, Saul is able to use a medium to call to Samuel. (1
Samuel 28: 14) Samuel shared with him that the Lord had given his kingdom to David, who had
favor with the Lord, unlike Saul. (1 Samuel 28: 17) Eventually, out of fear, Saul falls on his sword
and dies.
23. Obi-Wan Kenobi
Originally a student under Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn, Obi-Wan Kenobi’s contribution to the Star Wars saga
really began with his defeat of the Sith Lord, Darth Maul. After this he became a true Jedi, and reversed roles
by becoming a Jedi Master (teacher) to Anakin Skywalker. During this time he goes on great missions and
becomes a war hero, despite the fact that he was nearly defeated in a battle with the new Sith Lord, County
Dooku.
As the saga continues, Obi-Wan is forced to realize the truth about Anakin Skywalker when it is revealed to
Obi-Wan that Anakin led a mass-murder of every Jedi in the Jedi Temple. Anakin is now the Sith apprentice,
Darth Vader, and Obi-Wan confronts him and supposedly defeats him – until Vader is rescued by Sidious and
is re-born.
Years later, now known as Ben Kenobi, he approaches Luke Skywalker, Anakin’s son, to train him as a Jedi.
Even though Kenobi tells Luke that Vader is his fathers murderer, Luke doesn’t agree to follow Obi-Wan until
his aunt and uncle are killed by Vader’s troops. He begins training Luke to use the force, and on a journey to
Alderaan to continue this training, Obi-Wan and Luke (now joined by Han Solo and Chewbacca) in the
Millennium Falcon are attacked by an Imperial ship. Obi-Wan is able to distract Darth Vader enough so that
the rest can escape, but he is struck by Vader and disappears.
Throughout the final installments of the Star Wars saga, Obi-Wan is present as a spirit, helping Luke
throughout the rest of his training and his journey. He eventually reveals to Luke that Darth Vader was his
father all along, and is seen at the end of the final installment of the original trilogy during the celebration of
the Death Star being destroyed with Yoda and Anakin.
Overall, Obi-Wan is known as one of the greatest heroes in the Star Wars story, and is thought of as one of
the ultimate Jedi masters. His impact to this story is always present and he seems to assume the role
(especially in the later films) as the wise, respectable trainer who continues his legacy by bestowing his
knowledge and skill into his training of Luke Skywalker.
24. Similarities
Though there are differences in the lives of Samuel and Obi-Wan Kenobi, their stories are overwhelmingly
similar, and the core of their lives and legacies share a striking resemblance. From living their lives as
“chosen” ones to deliver a special plan, to their partnerships with other important contributors to their
societies that turned evil, so many portions of each of their stories are the same. Both Obi-Wan and Samuel
were such important figures to their significant societies, even though both were questioned by their people
at one point or another, both were ended up being eternally recognized as great and significant leaders.
Upon the death of Eli, Samuel began his life as the new leader of Israel – much like when Obi-Wan proved
himself and was able to surpass his teacher, Qui-Gon Jinn and become the new Jedi Master. During Samuel’s
life, he struggled with Saul, who was once a great King but lost favor with the Lord and turned to a “dark”
side – much like Anakin, Obi-Wan’s student who was once great and good, until he used his power to turn to
the dark side. Ultimately Obi-Wan defeats Darth Sidious and Samuel defeats Agag, leading to the next steps
in each of these leaders’ legacies. The Lord instructed Samuel to seek out the next great ruler, and he found
David – who came from a humble background, and ended up being one of the greatest and most significant
powers in the bible. This is much like Obi-Wan seeking out Luke Skywalker, who lived on a small farm and
eventually became a great Jedi-master who ultimately defeated Darth Vader. It was because of fear of
David’s power that Saul ended up being his own downfall. Eventually Darth Vader meets his end at the hands
of Luke as well.
It is also significant in the Bible that Samuel returns in a vision to Saul, as in the Star Wars saga Obi-Wan
returns in visions after his death as well. Overall, both Samuel and Obi-Wan share similar stories and similar
traits. Both died as respected individuals, who were able to pass their legacy on to some of the most
important characters of their respective “stories,” who would ultimately defeat each of their respective
companions who turned evil.
25. Relations in our Text
In their work, “Raising Cain, Fleeing Egypt, and Fighting the
Philistines”, Mark McEntire and Joel Emerson so adequately
sum up the heart of Samuel’s story when they state, “The
failures of Saul, whether they are his fault or the result of
Samuel’s manipulation, set the stage for Israel’s greatest
King.” (McEntire & Emerson, pg. 50) This is directly related
to the idea that Obi-Wan was able to overcome the turmoil
Anakin led him to when he recognized Luke was the next
great Jedi who would be the new and extremely significant
leader. In the Bible, Samuel is significantly known as one of
the first great rulers – he truly paved the way for David,
possibly one of the most important people in the Bible.
(McEntire & Emerson, pg. 52-53)
26. PIVOTAL MOMENT WHERE OBI-WAN
KENOBI IS SIMILAR TO SAMUEL:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsM-fpkK2aQ
27.
28. Luke Skywalker
Luke skywalker, son of Anakin Skywalker (Darth
Vader), was adopted by a family on Tatooine, the
same planet his father was raised as well. The Star
Wars saga takes him from a teenage boy to a Jedi
saving the Galaxy several times from the Galactic
Empire either by leading a rebel fleet to destroying
the Empire’s super weapon or personally facing the
sith lords (Vader and Sidious). He is the epitome of
good and, besides having brief points of struggle in
his mastering of the force and focus on the bigger
picture of winning the war, he lives for the salvation
of others.
29. Jesus
Born to his earthy parents in a manger. Jesus is
tempted by the devil a lot throughout the Bible but
never gives into Satan. He had a perfectly
compassionate nature and was full of kindness,
selflessness and order. He was put on Earth as part of
the triune God – along with the Father and Holy Spirit –
and his earthly life was dedicated to a mission, which
he fulfilled. By living a sin-less life and dying on the
cross, he was resurrected after three days and
conquered death.
30. Similarities
Luke was raised on a farm by his aunt and uncle while Darth
Vader was his real father, just as Jesus was born to Mary
and Joseph while God was his real father. Luke was tempted
by the dark side just as Jesus was tempted by Satan. Luke
also had followers that believed he
was the foundation of achieving a better tomorrow and
who also had faith in him and the force just like Jesus had
his disciples and still does to this day.The Dark side is our
temptations with belief in Jesus that he'll lead us to a better
tomorrow. Luke is viewed as the same in this universe.
31. So What?
Mathew 26 Verse 52: Then Jesus says to him “Put your sword
back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the
sword.” This verse is a pivotal example of how Jesus’ life is so
similar to Luke’s. In the following scene from Star Wars, Darth
Sidious tempts Luke by saying, “Pick up your lightsaber and
strike me down with it.” Both Jesus and Luke resist temptation,
and are triumphant in what the missions they set out to fulfill.
You can see in the essay “Jesus of the Moon: Nick Cave’s
Christology” how Jesus Christ can become a familiar figure in
our popular culture. Just like Nick Cave relates himself to Jesus,
we can do the same through the character of Luke Skywalker in
Star Wars. As already seen, Luke possesses Jesus Christ-like
traits that we can all learn from and apply to our own lives.
(Colbartson 127-137).
32. Moment where Luke is similar to
Jesus:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqaiKmm8gsY