Category: Bible

Introduction

The Bible as the repository of wisdom and Gods written word is often taken for granted. However, it needs to be examined as the source of essential insights into the nature of human relationships and the use of ethical and moral standards based on which one should build relationships within a community (Counted & Watts, 2017). In its essence, the Bible is a book of instructions that is comprised of sixty-six books and letters written by multiple authors, which defines its importance as a set of crucial moral and ethical standards.

Main body

Moreover, applying a personal perspective, I should mention that reading the Bible gives me great joy and an opportunity to reflect on Gods words, as well as reflect on the transformation of my life in the way that is pleasing to Him. It is written in Joshua 1:8: Keep this book of the law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful (Joshua 1:8, New International Version). Studying the Bible leads to spiritual growth. Which, in turn, allows us to gain a deeper understanding of Gods role in our lives. Moreover, it gives us hope of eternal life in Heaven.

Furthermore, studying the Bible gives an opportunity to engage in a conversation with God. He welcomes us to boldly seek Him wholeheartedly and get to know Him on a more intimate and personal level. God reminds us to Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth (Psalms 46:10, New International Version). The biblical verse above is central to understanding that we must not fear God, but, instead, acknowledge Him in every possible way.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Bible is the most comprehensive book that has ever been composed. It gives readers a spiritual insight by providing Gods wisdom and revealing His grace and mercy toward us. Therefore, we can depend on the word of God for guidance, courage, and discernment, For Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and light unto my path (Psalm 119:105, New International Version). Thus, we will be able to keep ourselves on the path to salvation.

Reference

Counted, V., & Watts, F. (2017). Place attachment in the Bible: The role of attachment to sacred places in religious life. Journal of Psychology and Theology, 45(3), 218-232. 

Notably, I agree with my peers choice of the Bible as a cultural work for the time capsule. Hence, I am interested in seeing the differences in fresh translations of the Bible because it has changed multiple times throughout centuries as well. When considering the legacy of the selected work, the Bible is frequently seen as the fundamental source for determining how Gods people should live. Nevertheless, it is crucial to note that just because the Bible is Gods word does not imply that society can learn what is good and wrong by reading isolated parts (HRC Foundation, n.d.). Instead, most Christians, who are the target group of this cultural work, make decisions by examining what the entire Bible says about a particular issue, as well as the linguistic, chronological, and cultural context in which the verses were written.

Therefore, Christians are influenced the most by the Bible and the scriptures. Important to note that I disagree that the Bible, along with the scriptures, can be used to condemn LGBT Community. According to HRC Foundation (n.d.), new knowledge about people and the world has repeatedly caused Christians to rethink their beliefs. Hence, this statement should not be interpreted as a cause to doubt the scripture but rather an opportunity to grapple with the settings of the biblical writers and individuals lived experiences. In the modern world, millions of faithful Christians worldwide have come to acknowledge Gods activity in and through the partnerships of the LGBT community.

The choice of culture work is impressive because the records from the 2021 United States Capitol attack might serve as a warning and a history lesson to unite against political instability, disinformation, and domestic extremism. Hence, they will assist in saving the American democratic system from deteriorating further. According to Macfarlane and Mcdonald (2022), the year 2021 will be marked by an extraordinary occurrence in US history, namely the attack on the Capitol on January 6, 2021. People realized the events, threats, accusations, and explosions of violence extended nearly twenty-four hours through news reviews of court files and federal police records. Thus, Americans gained a clearer understanding of the mobs brutality, damage, and scale in the Capitol attack when prosecutors and news sources provided additional recordings and photographs.

I completely agree that if the United States has devolved into an authoritarian regime or has ceased to exist, this cultural endeavor might assist in enlightening and teaching society that the United States formerly cherished the values of the American political system. Therefore, this works legacy includes nonviolence, collaboration, and moderation, as well as an explanation of how reactionary and drastic tactics lead to even more confusion, devastation, and instability in society. The events legacy might be seen as a symbol of the fragility and resilience of American democracy. The records from the 2021 United States Capitol influence and reflect Americans because they are the target group of this cultural work. I also believe that the 2021 United States Capital attack exemplifies qualities that Americans should reject, such as rage, mistrust, and anarchism. Because of this conflicting incident, the United States international reputation as a defender of democracy has suffered. The attack on the United States Capitol on January 6 might be perceived as a reminder that Americans should respect democracy, power, solidarity, and stability even in the face of an insurgency.

References

HRC Foundation. (n.d.). What does the bible say about homosexuality? Web.

Macfarlane, S., & Mcdonald, C. (2022). January 6 timeline: Key moments from the attack on the Capitol. Web.

Considering its diversity and rich storyline, the Bible can be converted into billions of classic books of different genres. The foundation of all the stories created is to glorify Gods supreme authority since everything on the earth was created through him. Therefore, the Bible tells the same story based on the existence of the universe, with the protagonist being God (Goheen, 2007). Furthermore, both the Old and New testaments narrate a common story of how Gods people maintain loyalty as they anticipate his fulfillment which is often endangered by the environment of sin. Generally, it is a story depicting the true nature of man and that of God (Schreiner, 2006). Therefore, the Bibles unified storyline is created by its authority, nature, and metanarrative, which enables different stories to correlate in a smooth sequence without contradiction.

The Bible is God in his nature, considering that he inspired everything written in it. As noted by Goheen (2007), the entire story in the Bible is about Gods purpose for his people and all creation. God is the single protagonist in the Bible, and he inspires everything in it by refining and purifying since everything identifies with him. God is truth, and anything that does not align with his rules does not understand truth. Every other story is created through God, like that of creation depicted in various scriptures, which then paves the way for other storylines to unfold, such as laws of truth and rewards for conformity.

Most Christians do not understand the Bibles authority in their lives. According to Goheen (2007), the bible stories narrate universal validity claims and their influence on humanity. This factor indicates that the Bible is a grand story that depicts truth through a universal claim and an affirmation of humankind and its cultural diversity. However, the divergent ways of narration and modern stories of individualism have created the plurality of angels, making some people consider it a conventional novel. The Bibles authority is also influenced by divine powers, which have helped establish the existence of man and his environment (Goheen, 2007).

Therefore, the Bibles truth in justifying the universes existence proves it is a unified story considering that humanity is where the story of sin and redemption comes in. Additionally, the Bibles metanarrative explains how it is a unified story considering the story is about creation, the fall of man, redemption, and restoration (Schreiner, 2006). The books in the Bible all have stories that transcend from creation to restoration.

Reflection

The Bible can be condensed to fit the theme of truth, who is God. The Bibles message is for humanity to find a relation with God by understanding their existence. He is the creator who understands the origin of everything and can restore those who desire to connect with him. All the stories narrated in this holy book encourage the believer that even if they have sinned, they can be redeemed by the renewal of self. Most scriptural verses presented encompass the glory of God through vivid descriptions of the things he has done, such as creation. I have realized that everything presented in the Bible is methodological, beginning with simple and then more complex concepts. For instance, the book of Genesis covers all about creation and how everything and even sin entered the world. Deuteronomy is another book that emphasizes on redemption of the Israelites, which shows a cycle of the same story but in diverse aspects. This inclusive system has enabled the Bible to depict Gods greatness by explaining his restorative actions effectively.

Different Genres in the Bible but Unified Story

The underpinning of the different genres presented in the Bible is God. This holy book encompasses various writing genres, including historical narratives, law books, wisdom literature, prophecy, poem, and songs. All these are connected, considering the fact that they all address the glory of God through the depiction of various situations of life (Schreiner, 2006). These stories were inspired by God, who spoke to the authors through inspiration, the heart, mind, and imagination. For instance, wisdom literature provides a collection of different wise sayings that teach believers to live within the divine light (Goheen, 2007). Such principles are the foundations of truth which is God. The law codes found in the first books of the Old Testament provide the guidelines and duties of people who identify with God (Goheen, 2007). The Ten Commandments are examples of rules created and inspired by God for humankind. Through different genres, God is still the divine character who inspires and supports a unified story.

The Bible is a metanarrative of creation, the fall of man, redemption, and restoration. This story is narrated with the depiction of different scenarios but aligned to the same structure and glorifies only God. The narrations were all inspired by him through different people from diverse cultures, ethnicities, and even religions. Through this inclusive approach, a universal story is created that relates to everyone but maintains its divine power by revealing the true nature of God.

References

Goheen, M. W. (2008). The urgency of reading the Bible as one story. Theology Today, 64(4), 469-483. Web.

Schreiner, T. R. (2006). Preaching and Biblical Theology. The Southern Baptist Journal of Theology, 10, 20-29. Web.

The term safeguarding tendencies implies a range of structured actions of an individual determined to protect himself or herself from public criticism or other threats from other people, including both phycological and physical ones. These behavioral patterns are usually referred to as revealing a neurotic nature and lifestyle. There are multiple forms of safeguarding, and the tendency of excuses is one of them (Gough, 2016). However, the event is judged from the perspective of the Bible. This way, the purpose of this paper is to present the aforementioned tendency, compare it to the Scripture scenes, and demonstrate the ineffectiveness of applying these patterns.

First of all, it is essential to describe the safeguarding tendency of excuses. It is shown when an individual mentions his or her intention to take action, which is satisfactory and acceptable from the perspective of other people. However, then, he or she explains the reason why he or she is not capable of doing it. Such a behavioral model helps a person conceal their particular drawbacks and protect their own self-esteem (Gough, 2016). These people do not have an appropriate sense of responsibility, and, predominantly, their actions prevent them from flourishing (Hood et al., 2016). The excuses lead to their comfort failure and other serious problems.

The Bible proposes another view on this topic and referred to the words of Jesus. The people, who are sticking to safeguarding themselves, are judged. Jesus highlights that the individuals, who are the most vulnerable and worthy to be protected, are children and elderly people. The majority of people are focused only on themselves, though, occasionally, they do not need safeguarding at all. In addition, they are highly likely to forget to support the individuals, who are at risk indeed.

This opinion is expressed and spread by Jesus and traced in some scenes in the Scripture. A significant number of people followed Jesus, and he was appreciated by the population to a large extent for his kindliness. The Bible contains the scene, where all his followers show their respect to him. People showed their children to Jesus, willing him to give blessings to them. At first, the Apostles did not admit the children to approach Jesus, as there were many adults around them. Jesus allowed the children to walk closely to him without their parents and prohibited the Apostles to bother them. He claimed that in case a person did not receive the Kingdom of God in childhood, he or she would never enter it. Consequently, Jesus gently touched all the offsprings and blessed them.

Therefore, the Bible contains an important message that people should pay attention to safeguarding children and elderly people, shifting focus from themselves. These groups of the population are highly likely to need protection, as they find it challenging to resist in situations, which are dangerous for them. Instead, it is a common sight when people are concentrated on their safety, though in most cases, they do not encounter threats. Sticking to such a principle may be beneficial for humanity, as predominantly, all the indecent and criminal actions are committed to protecting or benefiting the one, who is doing it. As for the Bible scenes, a great number of mistakes could be prevented by admitting this approach, including the betrayal of Judas, as this moment referred to safeguarding tendencies too.

References

Gough, M. (2016). An evaluation of adult safeguarding outcomes focused recording in the context of Making Safeguarding Personal. The Journal of Adult Protection, 18(4), 240-248. Web.

Hood, R., Gillespie, J., & Davies, J. (2016). A conceptual review of interprofessional expertise in child safeguarding. Journal of Interprofessional Care, 30(4), 493-498. Web.

Introduction

Leadership advancement is the practice of cultivating governance abilities and proficiencies through various undertakings. During the process, individuals are taught vital management competencies that enable them to lead, encourage and direct their teams to success properly. Training is essential to cultivate a culture of headship throughout an establishment appropriately. The procedure can be done internally within the organization using mentorship programs and externally using conferences and seminars. A governance coaching program is essential because it establishes better results from an organization, especially for better leaders who aim to achieve. The development of bosses also makes them more agile and enables them to solve problems both quickly and effectively. It also improves communication, innovation, teamwork, loyalty, understanding, and commitment. Developed leadership skills can inspire further engagement from their staff, leading to increased result satisfaction.

A leadership development plan helps both the association and the staff. The management design presents the protocol and steps to be followed, the expectations of individuals undertaking the development, and how the outcome would benefit both the organization and the personnel. There are critical aspects of good leadership development involving both relational and model elements essential in equipping leaders. A proper leadership development foundation involves theological understanding that must determine who a leader is from the scriptures. The paper aims to discuss the leadership development plan based on the biblical passages for Leadership. With reference to the biblical passages, analysis is done based on the biblical principles of Leadership, different management styles, and the development of a healthy ministry environment to accomplish an organizations mission.

The Biblical Passages for Leadership

In the biblical scriptures, leaders are described as servants. The Bible states that whoever intends to be a leader should be a servant. Jesus instructed his disciples not to imitate the gentile rulers who employed authority over them. He taught that for us to be good leaders, we needed to know how to serve first. We needed to contradict the status quo, mainly if it included ruling through oppression and unjust actions over our subordinates. Therefore, a good leader humbles himself in the service of others.

A leaders moral obligation is to always be fair in their actions. It is written that if a king judges the poor with truth, his throne will forever be established. A leader can only be as credible as to how much he upholds truth and fairness over the people he rules. Proficient leaders also find strength in those that they lead, no matter how weak they may seem. The Bible expresses that leaders should at all times be humble and think of others as better than themselves. Leaders should not be boastful but rather humble at all times. An encouraging spirit should accompany the humble nature even to those who lack capacity in something. Hence, a competent leader sees good potential in the uniqueness of those he leads.

A great leader is sensitive in their actions, reactions, and talks. A fool expresses all his feelings, but a wise man holds them back. This verse brings out that a good leader knows when to talk and when to listen. These leaders dont argue when they are not supposed to and know who to bring up an argument. Developed leaders are also open to taking advice when the need arises. The scripture states that where there is a lack of guidance, people fall, but with plenty of counselors, victory is always witnessed. When leaders open up to taking advice, they dont run out of ideas. Therefore, considerate leaders still have innovative ideas to improve themselves and their organizations.

Great leaders delegate duties and reward quantitatively based on performances. A faithful servant is one that his master can give a managing responsibility, and when their master returns, they will be rewarded if they would have done a remarkable job. This verse brings out that a good leader can determine whether an individual has the potential to lead others or not. Honesty is a virtue in Leadership that is also rewarded. The Bible illustrates that capable men should be selected for leadership positions, fear God, be honorable, and despise dishonest gains. A developed leader knows the consequences to his character and a reward for doing the right thing. An exemplary leader will always strive to do the right thing at all times.

Leaders take pride in what they do and know the extent of their responsibility. It is written that whatever one does, they should do it with their might, for there is no knowledge or work in the grave. Good leaders, therefore, ensure that quality results are met despite the difficulty of the task at hand. The Bible talks about expectations from those to whom much has been given. Therefore, leaders dont act blindly but rather know how much is expected of them.

The Biblical Principles Related to Leadership

Leadership development entails bringing up individuals who are instruments of hope within the church and community. It is the theological base from which the philosophy of developing leaders is built. Hence, our philosophy should not be the only way to carry out leadership development but is also driven by leadership development theology principles. The biblical principles of Leadership are;

First, universality is one of the biblical principles of Leadership. Universality is the quality of inclusivity that involves the sharing by everyone or everything among a particular group of people. Jesus practiced this principle when he called his disciples together. This principle is evident when the disciples were divided amongst themselves, with two of them wanting to be most important and the rest being mad at them for it. Universality is evident as one of the principles because a leader needs to know how to be inclusive and involve everyone he governs. Hence, a leadership development plan should include ways of equipping managers with skills of universality.

Second, the principle of integrity is vital in Biblical Leadership. In the Bible, almost all things that qualify a person for governance are linked to their character. Integrity is essential among pacesetters because a leaders private life will be made public at some point. Since a managers personal life affects their influence on the public, it is essential to maintain integrity. People also judge God by looking at the lives of those who represent Him. Therefore, leaders lose moral credibility when they betray their ethical commitments.

Third, the Bible elaborates on the principle of utility for better leaders. The utility aspect is brought out when He told His disciples that whoever wanted to become great had to be servants. With this, Jesus signified a desire for something logical and worth yearning. The desire to become great is not rebuked but instead explained that serving others is the correct way of doing it. Thus, developed leaders should always be trying to be hardworking and truly useful to their subordinates.

The fourth principle of biblical Leadership is that of availability. The Bible explains it in the sense that whoever wants to be a leader must be a slave of all. In this sense, a leader who is a slave denies himself the rights and gives himself entirely to others. As leaders lead by example, biblical leaders should, for example, arrive first to serve those who come later. Therefore, developed leaders who are conscientious with the Bible are always available to help others entirely.

The other principle of Leadership that is biblical is that of reproducibility. It is written in the scriptures that even the son of man did not come to be served. Jesus did not take advantage of His Godly nature to exploit others but rather humbled Himself to help others and be productive as a leader. Leadership should be considered in that a leader desires to have better results in his work just as a servant works hard to impress their master. Therefore, Jesus modeled servant Leadership and, in the same manner, should developing leaders perform their duties to get results.

Humility is a critical principle that leaders should work towards having. A leader should be diligent in serving to do practical work in favor of others. In the Bible, the call for discipleship involves submission and standing below in a humble manner. It is difficult for a leader without biblical principles to lower themselves in the service of others. Therefore, developing leaders should be taught that Leadership demands that one considers others as superior to oneself.

The principle of disparity is evident in biblical governance skills. Anyone acting as a superior icon needs to exercise a difference in how they conduct themselves. Remarkable leaders must behave in a way that is better than what other ordinary individuals do. Since the world has a particular perception of leaders, biblical leaders need to act better than worldly ones.

A person in charge should be selfless and generous to his people. Just as Jesus was willing to offer his life for the sins of humankind, a director should show generosity for the good of others. As described in the Bible, the life of Jesus showed that He lived a selfless life helping the sick and feeding the hungry. The Messiah set himself up as a model for all the things He was doing, and the upcoming leaders should emulate this.

Leadership Styles at the Organizational Level

The leadership style is considered a combination of distinctive characteristics, qualities, and mannerisms applied by superiors to relate to their subordinates. Leading others is perceived as a pattern of managerial behavior configured to incorporate personal and organizational interests in achieving a specific goal. The style of Leadership affects the culture of the ministry and therefore impacts its performance. The styles include;

Transformational style

Transformational Leadership is a method of governance that focuses on developing the followers and considering their needs. The leaders who center on the style concentrate on developing their subordinates overall value system, moral improvement, skills advancement, and general motivational level increase. Transformational governance performs as a strong connection between a leader and his acolytes. When developing ministry leaders, consideration should be put into ensuring those that encourage others look beyond their self-interests. Transformational leaders tend to be more effective because they inspire those that they lead, stimulating their performances. Subordinates of such leaders tend to identify themselves with their managers and create a conducive environment. Hence, the performance of the organization is positively associated with the transformational style of Leadership.

Charismatic style

Charismatic Leadership involves vision development by the leader and its execution by the followers. It invites innovation and resourcefulness of the leader, which in turn motivates the followers into production. Charismatic governance, however, negatively impacts when the leader leaves and the followers are left without direction because they depend so much on the leader. Charismatic leaders also tend not to train other leaders, leaving gaps that only they can fill. During leadership development, the ministry needs to consider individual leaders who can motivate others and teach them to be better tomorrows leaders. The charismatic leadership style is not entirely encouraged because it may have negative impacts on the ministry.

Bureaucratic Leadership

Bureaucratic leaders influence the people that they lead to abide by their procedures and policies. The leaders commit firmly to their ideas and strategies, forgetting the needs of their people. In most cases, these leaders appear to be aloof and rarely associate with their subordinates. People who are led by bureaucracy are not developed and motivated to commit to their organizations. Since the system does not inspire its people, it negatively impacts the administrations performance. Biblical ministry leaders need to work with their people; therefore, this system is not the best to be applied in a ministry setup.

Democratic Leadership

The democratic style of governance is decentralized, and the decision-making process is inclusive of all the subordinates. The method motivates its people to perform their duties better because their views and ideas are valued. Democracy assumes that everyone with who the organization associates have equal rights. Representative Leadership has a positive impact on the organization and, therefore, is an excellent model for ministry work. The involved people are given a chance to be creative and implement their ideas, teaching others leadership qualities to secure their future.

Autocratic leadership style

Autocratic leaders are definitive and bossy and always want their followers to work on their terms and demands. Classically, autocracy forces the subordinates to implement ideas given by the governance without having a way out. A dictatorship is a greedy form of power, with its leaders having fewer creative ideas and supporting one-sided opinions. The harsh environment affects the others lowering their satisfaction and negatively affecting their motivation. Absolutism limits socialization in the organization promoting conflicts among members. The autocratic style is not a biblical type of Leadership because the leaders do not have faith in their people.

Pacesetting leadership style

The pacesetting leadership style is utilized by managers who set examples for their subjects to follow. The pacesetters raise the standards and motivate their followers by setting higher bars and pushing their members to achieve the desired goals. This leadership style is quite effective in achieving the desired results, but it is not favorable to the team members. This governance style may end up stressing the members as it exposes them to a lot of pressure. As much as this leadership style is results-oriented, it is not encouraged in a mission setup because it does not embrace Leadership by service rule. The teams heads tend to be so bossy and expect only results but dont mind about the subjects.

Creating a healthy ministry environment to allow mission accomplishment

An effective working environment should be fostered to be positive and conducive to productivity for success to be realized. The setting is the whole aspect, including both physical and social experience that affects an individual. A healthy environment condition allows for safe, comfortable, and ideal working conditions. The following should be considered when one wants to create a better working environment;

The first thing to be considered should be the communication channels present. For people to work in harmony, a healthy communication pattern needs to be established among them. The transmission of information among team members in a relaxed and precise way helps build trust and encourages collaboration. Within a working organization, interaction sets the tone and drives the diverse thinking that leads to innovation. In a ministry, communication is vital because it allows learning to occur and hence plans for future improvements.

They should come up with management styles that are inclusive and friendly to new ideas. The governance of the organization dramatically influences the productivity of the people it governs. Appropriate leadership styles should be considered to get better results and create a healthy work environment, like democratic Leadership. This all-inclusive and transformational style considers the followers needs. With the right leadership styles, people feel free to express new ideas and enhance productivity.

The association needs to appoint the right leaders to uphold the virtues of the organization. The leaders at the establishment would help propel the organizations mission while motivating others to join them. A conducive working environment is mostly influenced by those who are in charge. Transparent leaders, for example, cultivate the value of trust among their members, which in turn increases harmony. When there is the ability of leaders to co-exist with others, bonds are formed, leading to culture establishment.

The establishment ought to set realistic goals for the ministry at a given time. Clear and achievable expectations tend to increase motivation for workers. Individuals will commit to getting results when they are not working under a lot of pressure and are almost certain to achieve the end goal. When expectations are met, it results in pride, which also motivates them for the following purpose being set. Hence, achievable goals attract the best work and result in satisfaction.

Leaders should offer rewards to work well done as well as compensation when needed. People tend to stay where they feel appreciated and wanted. When incentives are given for work well done, people are motivated to work harder to benefit. Returns of good work also encourage competition which in turn leads to innovation. Compensations for accidents and overtime also help boost and increase commitment. An environment with healthy competition and commitment is somewhat the right working environment.

My plan on develop leaders who serve the mission

Firstly, I will make a leadership development plan and involve the people I intend to train. With their help, we will come up with a plan for their development. Including them in planning will make them understand that I value them and entirely regard their abilities. Inclusivity will enable them to realize that they should always practice what they are teaching as they grow to become leaders.

I will set goals for leadership development for my organization. To put my objectives, I will analyze the group present and compare it to that which is in my vision. The analysis will help me develop the groups strengths and weaknesses, which will help me understand the areas they need to build. After identifying the areas of need, I will select achievable objectives to help me tackle the shortcomings.

I will select the methods that are appropriate for cultivating the leaders that the organization needs. Regarding the organizations mission, different approaches can be used in shaping individuals to become leaders. I will apply methods like mentoring, exchange programs, workshops, retreats, orientations, and teaching as I lead to ensure the proper delivery of the intended virtues. The practices may differ among different groups and departments in the organization.

I will recruit new people into leadership positions as part of the growth plan. Since new members are the next generation of managers, it is vital to equip them with the skills. When new people are brought into an establishment, they tend to get with their new ideas. I will uphold transparency to develop loyalty and trust among the people. With trust built, the organization will be working towards community building, leading to purpose fulfillment.

Conclusion

Leadership is one of the main determinants linked to any associations success and failure. The governance of an association is essential in creating the vision and mission of the organization. Authority is vital in planning strategies, laying policies, and designing methods to propel the organization towards attaining its mission. Hence, good management is critical to the survival of the organization.

There are a lot of scriptures in the Bible that supports the development of upright leaders. The Bible states the values that a leader should have, mainly referring to the life of Jesus. The theological understanding of governance reveals that biblical Leadership comes with an obligation to develop others. Biblical leaders are called to lead by humbly serving others. Biblical Leadership is about equipping others for the work of ministry and being instruments of service.

Biblical principles of Leadership are intertwined to bring out one perfect guide. The faultless director is Jesus, who upheld all the principles of Leadership. The biblical principles like universality, availability, and utility are essential for an individual to become a biblical leader fully. The biblical philosophy of governance development is not on independent thinking but on conversing with the scriptures foundation.

There are different styles of governance, and all have an impact on organizational performance. From the discussed techniques, democratic Leadership and transformational Leadership proved to have positive effects on the organizations. The leadership style needs to give the subordinates chances to make decisions and provide a sense of belonging. The type of Leadership also dramatically influences the environment of working. Hence good Leadership is vital to the growth and productivity of an organization.

Bibliography

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Background

The Book of Job in the Bible informs why God allows evil in peoples lives through Jobs experiences. Job was a man who feared the Lord and was prosperous in all ways; he lived a comfortable life, was wealthy, had a big family and possessions. After God boasted to Satan about Jobs virtue, Satan made an excuse that it was Jobs wealth that made him stick to God, and so God permitted Satan to take away the wealth as a way of proving him wrong. The Book of Job has main themes in it with historical and cultural significance to the society.

Significance

The book of Job informs on the presence of wickedness in the world; it lets society understand that the world we live in is wicked irrespective of whether one sin or not. The book helps the community know that good and bad happen to all and that sin is not always why bad happens to people (Seow 357). This is evident from Jobs life; this man lived a righteous life and feared God, yet all of a sudden, evil came to his life. Job was inflicted with diseases in his body, lost all his possessions despite living a righteous life.

The book helps us endure suffering since it proves that God is always in control over everything that happens to our lives. This gives confidence in a better tomorrow and helps conquer discouragements from ourselves and the people around us. The book helps us know that God is always there to ensure that we emerge victorious from every tribulation we face on earth. The book, therefore, allows people from different cultures to handle their sufferings with boldness with the hope of conquering them in the long run.

The book of Job brings a different perspective about suffering in society. It helps people from different cultures and historical backgrounds understand that suffering can turn to the good of those enduring them and that they do not last for a lifetime. Society understands that nothing in our life is a waste and that God can always turn our suffering for His glory. He can restore everything we have lost and make it work for our good. Individuals also understand that sufferings are from the devil and that it is only God who can save us from the hands of the devil as long as we cling to Him and give Him the reverence He deserves.

The book of Job stresses to society the importance of loyalty no matter what people experience in life. The problems endured in life should not make one distant from one who has always been there before the tribulation came. Job chose to trust and respect God amid his trials since he understood that it was God who had given him the riches, health, and the family he lost. He, therefore, chose to remain loyal to his God and could not take the counsel of his wife to curse God (Job 2.9). In the end, his loyalty rewarded him as God finally came to his rescue, restored all that he had lost, and made him wealthier than he was before; this clearly shows that loyalty pays.

Themes

The book of Job addresses the subject of loyalty; when Job lost his family, there is no record of him renouncing God and becoming a nonbeliever. Even though Job got overwhelmed with the pains and started questioning God, he did not abandon his faith. At the end of all the suffering Job still turns out to be a loyal follower of God. Another instance arises where God displayed his loyalty to Job by coming to his rescue and restoring everything he had lost. Even after he had allowed Satan to afflict him, He never left Job alone.

Death is also the primary subject matter in the book of Job. Mass destruction happened in this story with the entire family of Job dying mysteriously except for him and the wife. These deaths caused Job to have a different perception about life; they made him regard human life as delicate and meaningless. This subject depicts that God is not responsible for losing Jobs family and has no role to play in human death (Larrimore 330). It is the devil that causes death, and it does not matter whether the parties involved are good or evil. Death makes Job understand that humans have no control over death and that it can happen at any time with no preparation.

The idea of pain and suffering is discussed in the book of Job; it reveals that pain is an essential part of human life and cannot be avoided. The books main character, Job, is faced with all kinds of pain; spiritual, emotional, and physical pain. He has boils, blisters, and rashes all over his body; he has pain over the death of his loved ones and wonders the reason of God punishing him (Nelson 312). The book answers the reality of pain and shows how one can react to it to retain loyalty to God. This concept poses questions on the reasons why God allows believers to experience sufferings in life. Suffering is mysterious, but believers have the privilege of later understanding why they went through pain as God discloses it to them; all they have to do is trust and wait on God during the confusion.

There is the theme of questioning and doubting God; Jobs experiences did not match what He knew about God, which made him question God. For example, Gods word is expected for the righteous to prosper as the wicked suffers, yet Jobs experiences made him doubt this word. He started questioning God while trying to justify himself as faultless; after receiving counsel from several friends, Elihu comes to his rescue (Job 33.8). He explains to him that suffering is one of the mechanisms God uses to warn and restore men. This made Job come back to his senses, he stopped questioning and doubting God, and at the end of it all, God restored Him.

There is the idea of goodness without reward; this involves doing good and expecting nothing in return. Satan questions God whether Job fears Him for nothing; this denotes that those serving God expect rewards in return and that their loyalty is exchanged with Gods favor (Job 1.9). Satan asserts that Job fears God for the wealth bestowed by God to him and challenges God to withhold the wealth of Job and allow him to cause physical suffering on Jobs body. Satan expects that Job will curse God after this, but he was surprised with how Job reacted; he was proved wrong. Job was wholly devoted to God, and his loyalty to God was backed by a pure motive of loving God for His nature and not what He gives to man. This shows that man serving and loving God for who He is and His character is a possibility.

The most suitable reaction to suffering in life is recognizing Gods authority over everything that concerns life. In the economy of God, worthwhile prosperity begins with fearing the Lord. God is Lord over all, and failure to acknowledge His role in the success equation leads to struggles in life. Everyone wrestles with questions that seem to have no answer in life; the answers we seek are only found in God and His Word.

Works Cited

Holy Bible. New King James Version, Thomas Nelson Inc, 1983.

Larrimore, Mark. The Book of Job. Vol. 17. Princeton University Press, 2020.

Nelson, Alissa Jones. Power and responsibility in biblical interpretation: reading the book of job with edward said. Gorgias Press, 2019.

Seow, Choon Leong. Job 1-21: Interpretation and commentary. Gorgias Press, 2019.

Prophetic ministry at its core is the act of leading and guiding the church based on revelations from God and gift of the prophesy. The Scriptures present multiple examples of prophetic ministry. The Old Testament has a significant number of prophets. There are the central ones who directly communicated with God such as Noah, Abraham and Moses and helped to either fulfill Gods will or establish the Israel people and Judaic religion. Then there are a number of minor prophets such as Nathan, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Micah, Zechariah and others who advised and communicated the Will of the Lord, counseling leaders such as King David. I have spoken to the prophets, and I gave numerous visions, and through the prophets I gave parables (Hosea 12:10). Prophets served as vital messengers throughout the Old Testament. However, those upholding Prophetic Ministry are held to a stricter standard of judgment and bore its responsibilities and challenges. Throughout the Bible, the people often reject, persecute, and sometimes killed prophets. So, even though it was an office of holiness, only the very few got the respect and recognition for their faith and devoutness during their lifetime (Storms).

The New Testament focusing on the life of Jesus and in the years leading up to it, there was an evident absence of prophets. Outside of Jesus who is the Son of God, the only prophet was John the Baptist who predicted Jesus coming. The prophetic ministry changed in nature with the New Testament. Prophets were messengers of God largely through the Holy Spirit. On the Pentecost, Peter declares that the Spirit would be poured out on all people (Acts 2:17). There is some scholarly debate regarding both the importance and nature of prophetic ministry in the Old and New Testament. Prophetic ministry was much more widespread in the Old Testament, sometimes embodying groups of prophets, but the new testament saw prophetic ministry centered around Christ and the aftermaths of his sacrificed, and the transformation of the faith on its way to becoming Christianity (Storms).

In modern day, ministry of the prophets seen in the Bible is not present. Christian scholars consider the prophetic ministry being made final by first apostles and the Early Church. The modern-day Church itself may have prophetic ministry but there have not been prophetic individuals for centuries. The prophetic preaching of the apostles was Jesus Christ and his crucifixion taking away the sins of believers, aimed at affirming accuracy and divinity of the Old Testament, prophesizing the coming of Christ (The Prophetic Ministry of the Church).

Potentially, once the Bible was completed, the ministry of prophets seized to be necessary; thus, why all the prophets exist only during Biblical times. Since the purpose of prophetic ministry is to grow and guide the church, the Bible is sufficient to Christians to faithfully follow the Lord. Prophetic ministry of today is based on clear preaching of the Bible and speaking the word of God. Prophetic ministry represents new revelations from God, but since the Bible is complete, and the Scripture even warns against adding to it  it can be deduced in a way that prophetic ministry is complete (What is Prophetic Ministry?). Anyone who attempts to establish themselves as a prophet in modern day or future should be recognized as a false prophet, a stark warning given in the Book of Revelation.

Works Cited

Storms, Sam. What Does Scripture Teach About the Office of Prophet and Gift of Prophecy? The Gospel Coalition, 2015, Web.

The Bible. Authorized New King James Version, Thomas Nelson, n.d.

The Prophetic Ministry of the Church. Christianity Today, 1960, Web.

What is prophetic ministry? Got Questions, Web.

Introduction

Prophet Yusuf is a character in the Holy Book of the Koran, the Bible, and Jews. He lived, preached, and died in Egypt in the sixteenth century BC, living for nearly one hundred and ten years. His name is mentioned twenty-six times in the Quran, and there is also an entire surah called Yusuf (Bernstein, 2019). This work provides a critical overview of the stories of Joseph and Yusuf in two scriptures: the Bible and the Quran, identifying the differences and similarities between these stories, as well as various sources of their interpretation.

Prophet Josephs Story

Yusufs father was the Prophet Yakub. He is considered the ancestor of the sons of Israel. The tribe of Yakub grew before the Prophet Musa appeared, and when the Prophet Musa led the children of Israel through the desert, this tribe already numbered six hundred thousand five hundred seventy-seven people. The story of the Prophet Yusuf is full of stories about how outwardly he was handsome, that he knew how to interpret dreams, and also his personality is connected with the story of the epiphany of Yakub, nicknamed Israel, who is described in the Holy Book of the Koran as a chosen person who possesses knowledgepossessing power and a sharp mind.

He lived a life full of trials, adventures, and unexpected turns of fate. The Prophet Yakub had twelve sons, but the life story of the Prophet Yakub is closely related to the story of his son, the Prophet Yusuf (Bernstein, 2019). The boy had many virtues from childhood, he had a likable character, was well brought up, treated people respectfully, and was outwardly beautiful. The story of the Prophet Yusuf in the Quran begins with the fact that when he was a child, he had a prophetic dream. Yusuf dreamed of eleven planets, the Moon and the Sun, which perform sujud for him in a dream. Moreover, his father Yakub interpreted it in such a way that Allah Almighty will make Yusuf the chosen person, give perfect mercy, teach to interpret dreams, and also bless the entire family of Yakub, but he asked his son not to tell his brothers about this dream because he feared envy on their part (Quran 12:11). The fathers attitude to his son became even warmer, and the brothers noticed this and thought, began to discuss it among themselves.

The rest of Yakubs sons from another wife became jealous of their father for his brother. Furthermore, gradually their envy and hatred led them to the idea of destroying their brother. They did not have enough determination to take his life, and they took their brother with them out of town and threw him into a well. After that, they took Yusufs shirt, smeared it with blood, and presented these clothes to their father as evidence that wild animals had torn their brother to pieces. They hoped that a caravan would pass by, which would pull the boy out and take him with it, take him further away from home.

Prophet Yakub carefully examined the shirt and noticed that if the child had been torn apart by animals, his shirt would have been torn. The poor child was left in the well all alone, there was a desert around, and now and then the cries of wild animals were heard, but since this well was just on the way of the caravans passing from Syria to Palestine and back, a caravan soon appeared, and when one of the servants approached to the well, he saw a boy there and rejoiced (Quran 12:24). The caravan men dragged Yusuf out, took him with them, and when they arrived in Egypt, they sold him on the market for practically nothing, not suspecting that they had in their hands the offspring of one of the noblest and highly respected families in the world.

Prophet Yusuf was an exciting and multifaceted person, but especially in his stories, they say a lot about his beauty. Yusufs beautiful appearance is also repeatedly mentioned in the hadiths of the Prophet Muhammad. A hadith given in the collection of Muslims tells the story of Anas ibn Malik about the ascent of the Messenger of Allah to heaven, and this hadith mentions that half of the beauty was bestowed on the Prophet Yusuf (Al-Tabari, n.d.). The words of Abu l-Qasim al-Suhayli are also cited that the beauty of Yusuf was equal to half the beauty of Adam, but Adam was created by the hand of Allah Almighty, and the most perfect and most beautiful appearance was given to him. Of all the descendants of Adam, no one could compare with his beauty, and Yusuf was given half of the beauty of Adam. Allah Almighty set a limit for beauty, and from this limit, He endowed those of His creations with the beauty that He wished: either angels or houris (Ibn Juzay, n.d.). It is believed that half of this beauty went to Yusuf as a special gift and responsibility.

So Yusuf got into the family of one of the local wealthy, the second person in Egypt after the king himself. Yusuf grew up in his house since the rich mans wife was a barren woman and happily took the boy for herself. The child grew up learning the customs and culture of the Egyptians. When Yusuf grew up, he became such a beautiful young man that the woman who raised him felt in her heart an inclination towards this beautiful young man (Quran 12:25). A woman once showed her affection for a young man, but she met resistance from Yusuf (Quran 12:25). This womans name was Zuleikha, and in the place the story goes, there were Zuleikhas baths. When Zuleikha brought Yusuf to this place, many women distributed fruits and knives for cutting fruits to the women; she ordered the young man to come out to them. When the young man went out to the women, they cut their hands with knives to cut fruit, looking at his beauty.

When Zuleikha again showed her feelings for Yusuf and again met his refusal, she presented him with a choice, threatening him with prison if he did not respond to her feelings, and the young man chose prison. The confinement in the dungeon became a difficult period in the life of Yusuf: he was imprisoned in a stone sack at a depth of thirty-five meters, and the prison itself was located not far from the royal palace.

Prophet Yusuf began to talk with people in prison, calling them monotheism. Together with him, two people in the dungeon were accused of trying to poison the king: one of the prisoners was a cupbearer under the king, and the other was a baker (Quran 12:33). Once, one of them told Yusuf about his dream: he saw how he was squeezing grapes. Then the second prisoner told his dream: he was holding a basket of food on his head, and birds pecked this food.

The Prophet Yusuf explained these dreams to the prisoners, saying that the one who saw the grapes would leave the dungeon and return to his work as a cupbearer, and the second would be executed, and birds would peck his head. Everything turned out exactly as the Prophet Yusuf said, and the prisoner who escaped and became the cupbearer in the palace spoke about the Prophet Yusuf and his gift of interpreting dreams and predicting the future.

Once Pharaoh saw in a dream how seven thin cows devoured seven well-fed cows, and then he also saw spikelets, seven of which were green, and seven were dry. The dream excited Pharaoh so much that he immediately began to ask the interpreters what this dream could mean, but they all dismissed it, saying that this dream was nonsense. None of the courtiers could interpret his dream, and then the Pharaoh sent for Yusuf, hearing about his gift to interpret dreams.

The Prophet Yusuf said that this dream means the onset of seven fruitful years, during which the Egyptians should sow the fields and reap the harvest, adding it up and spending only a tiny part sparingly. After seven fruitful years, there will be seven years of famine and drought, and then the Egyptians will be able to live those years, spending from the reserves. In interpreting the meaning of sleep, the Prophet Yusuf taught the Egyptian king a helpful lesson in economics (Quran 12: 47-49). When the king decided to release the Prophet Yusuf from prison, Yusuf asked that they bring the woman, through whose fault he was imprisoned unjustly, and that they ask her why he ended up in prison. Then Zuleikha confessed that she had seduced the young man, but he showed himself to be a righteous man.

Yusuf also asked the Pharaoh to appoint him to the manager of all Egyptian warehouses and storerooms since he had sufficient knowledge in economic matters and showed himself to be a righteous and reliable person. Furthermore, Pharaoh appointed him governor; thanks to this decision and interpretation of the future, Egypt was saved from hunger. Yusuf began to take measures to prepare enough supplies for the Egyptians, which would be enough to survive the hunger years. When the famine spread, many began to come to Egypt for provisions. The brothers of Yusuf, who fled from want, became people seeking well-being.

Yusuf recognized the brothers but did not show it, only asked if all the brothers from their family were nowhere. And then his brothers, not recognizing him, said that the youngest brother Benjamin remained with his father. And then Yusuf, who loved Benyamins younger brother very much, said that he would definitely give them food, but only if they bring their younger brother to him (Quran 12: 80-90). The brothers came to their father and said that they would not receive food if their younger brother did not come with them; the Prophet Yakub was afraid at first to let the child go with them because he feared that the brothers would do to him the same way as they did to Yusuf in their time.

When Benjamin arrived with his brothers, Yusuf went for a trick to keep his brother with him, and the brothers had to return to their father. By that time, the Prophet Yakub, his father, was already blind from the tears he shed for his son, and from the grief that another son was taken away from him, he became even worse. The brothers returned to Yusuf and began to beg him to give up their brother, telling him about their fathers blindness. And then Yusuf gave his brothers, whom he sent to his father, a shirt to put on his fathers face, and this was to restore his sight. After the Prophet Yakub received his sight, he, along with all his relatives, arrived in Egypt to Yusuf, and they all together made sajdah as a sign of respect and greeting, which became the fulfillment of the very vision that Yusuf saw in childhood (Aljalalyn, n.d.). In the Sharia of the Messenger of Allah Muhammad, it is forbidden to bow down to a person, even as a greeting (Al Zamakshari, n.d.). After the death of Yakub, Yusuf buried him in Palestine, according to his will, next to his father  their grave was located in the cave of El-Khalil.

Similarities

The stories are similar in many ways, namely in their main narrative of significant events. The beloved son of father Jacob (Genesis 37.3), he was hated for his wit, kindness, prophetic interpretation of dreams, and love for his ten older brothers, who, after one incident, even wanted to kill him. Envious, they were angry with him for telling them that they were born of the slaves of the Canaanite (Genesis 37.1-36). Joseph also had dreams that in the future turned out to be prophetic. For example, in both scriptures, the prophet saw eleven stars, the sun, and the moon, worshiping him (Genesis 37.3). As a consequence, the stories have almost identical beginnings.

The brothers plotted to kill Joseph, as a result of the attempt, he went to Egypt. According to the biblical story, Joseph is also experiencing imprisonment, where he interprets the dreams of prisoners, including Pharaoh. Like Yusuf, the prophet forgave his brothers who made it to Egypt. As a result, we can conclude that both stories tell about the wisdom that Joseph carried throughout his life, despite the trials, the power received, and the gift of interpreting dreams. However, there are some differences between these stories.

Differences

First of all, the Quran emphasizes the beauty of Yusuf, which is only mentioned in passing in the Bible. The prophet received wisdom and knowledge in both sacred texts, but his beauty is often mentioned in the Quran. Yusuf subsequently even began to cover his face to keep women from temptation (Al Zamakshari, n.d.). The biblical prophet did not have such qualities; the emphasis in the scriptures was on the trials themselves, the wisdom that he showed in them.

Moreover, through the story of Yusuf and Zuleikha, adultery is exposed as a sin; the emphasis on this story in the Quran is highly indicative. This story differs from the biblical one in that Joseph also did not want to share the bed with the dissolute wife of his master, but the master imprisoned Joseph in the Bible, while the fate of Yusuf was decided by another sage who checked which side of the tunic was torn (Genesis 39.12). The period of imprisonment in the Bible ends with the confession of the viziers wife when Joseph interprets Pharaohs dream (Genesis 41.17-24). In the future, the narration of the two scriptures continues again in the same way.

Discussion

In fact, the stories are very similar, but there are several significant differences in reality. The Koran emphasizes the beauty of Yusuf much more than it does in the biblical story. When a person is beautiful from the inside, everything is harmonious, in tune, high, youthful, taut, he looks uniquely with a beautiful, dignified look, beauty envelops him entirely, it can be seen in every word of this person, in every gesture, facial expressions (Ferdowsi and Arzani, 2019). At the same time, being able to see and feel it in others, everyone unconsciously joins this spiritual beauty, saturated with it, which means that it becomes better (Kueny, 2020). Therefore, Yusuf is given wisdom and knowledge for adulthood since good should be rewarded.

Yusuf did not use his beauty for his own needs because his beauty gave him vast power over women. However, on the contrary, he tried not to tempt women and did not succumb to temptations. Only in the union of these two hypostases (spiritual and physical) is born a natural, whole-person who can know and reveal himself, which means he has a chance to know more, Him, God (Akbarnezhad and Zolfaghari Far, 2017; Ibn Kathir, n.d.). It is not for nothing that the Prophet Muhammad, that truly Allah has only the beauty that He loves beauty, and it is in His power to give it for virtue.

In the biblical story, the brothers envy was Josephs wit, his wisdom. God also rewarded him with gifts for passing tests and virtuous use of his gift of interpretation of dreams. The very concept of beauty was not found so often in the Holy Scriptures, emphasizing more internal harmony over external grace. Although his natural beauty was mentioned in the Bible, it was not considered a possible advantage or power over others. It is not for nothing that the Bible contains the phrase let it be your adornment not with the external braiding of hair, not with golden headwear or fancy dress, but the innermost man in the imperishable beauty of a meek and silent spirit, which is precious before God, which shows the importance of spirituality and inner beauty over the outer (I Peter. 3.3-4). In the Quran, in turn, beauty is also a divine gift and an opportunity to get closer to God, but at the same time, it is a dangerous temptation to sin.

In this concept, the main differences between the two scriptures in this story are observed. First, the temptations of a dissolute wife are the fall of man because of the outward beauty of the slaves. Secondly, the emphasis on Yusufs external beauty symbolizes humility over the temptation, which he, as a faithful servant of God, hides from others. The prophets in both stories are rewarded for their wisdom by God; truth goes hand in hand with beauty when the soul is humble and pure. Only then can a person receive a blessing. Beauty is a temptation not only for the people around but also for the most beautiful person who has the temptation of power. In this regard, once gifted with the beauty of God, a person receives both a gift and a test for his entire life, having passed which with dignity and honor, the servant of God can be rewarded again (Ab Halim, 2017). The Prophet Joseph was awarded another gift of interpretation of dreams, which he also did not use for his good but shared with everyone on his way, thereby creating virtues.

True love can be built on inner spiritual beauty when a person is ready to give without wanting anything in return. Prophet Yusuf gave away his beauty and was often faced with temptations. Joseph sought the truth through patience, humility, and wisdom in the Bible. Through these trials, Joseph attained love for God, which accompanied him all the way. The Prophet achieves justice and recognition through virtues with genuine wisdom, regardless of his external beauty. The Quran emphasizes this, while the Bible confirms this fact.

Conclusion

The stories and interpretations of these scriptures are highly indicative and, as a result, have more in common than differences. The plot differences are explained by different attitudes and emphasis on the concept of external beauty, internal beauty, and true love, each of which is full of temptation both for the wearer and for those around him. As a result, this story reflects the constant struggle for the truth, for the love of God, devoid of falls and full of wisdom. At the same time, God himself rewards the prophet for passing all these tests with dignity and faithfulness. First of all, this story teaches virtues, while the ulterior motives of beauty, temptation, and envy are only an excuse to show one or another virtue. A divine gift is a responsible mission that, with good service, can lead other gifts on the path.

Reference List

Ab Halim, A. (2017) Quranic stories in introducing messages and values: an analysis on the story of Prophet Yusuf AS, Journal of Al-Tamaddun, 11(1), pp. 59-66.

Akbarnezhad, M., and Zolfaghari Far, A. (2017) Evaluation of Interpretive Traditions on the Fate of the Prophet Yusuf (PBUH), Researches of Quran and Hadith Sciences, 14(2), pp. 1-29. Web.

Al Zamakshari. (n.d.) Tafsir Al Zamakshari. Kalkata: Matb al-Lisi.

Aljalalyn. (n.d.). Tafsir Al Jalalyn kalan. Delhi, India: Kutupkhanah-yi Rashidiyyah.

Al-Tabari. (n.d.). Tafsir al-Tabari. Cairo: Maktabat wa matba»a mustafa al babi al-halabi wa awladuh bi misr.

Bernstein, M. S. (2019). Stories of Joseph: narrative migrations between Judaism and Islam. Detroit, MI: Wayne State University Press.

Ferdowsi, A., and Arzani, H. R. (2019) The pathology of vicious traits in the Quranic story of Prophet Yusuf (AS), Ethics, 9, pp. 33-55.

Genesis: 3745, Holy Bible. New International Edition.

I Peter: 3, Holy Bible. New International Edition.

Ibn Juzay. (n.d.). Tafsir Ibn Juzay. Bayrut: Dar al-Kitab al-»Arabi.

Ibn Kathir. (n.d.) Tafsir Ibn Kathir. Riyadh: Darussalam.

Kueny, K. (2020) Fashioning health as beauty: cosmetic rulings in early Islam, History of Religions, 59(4), pp. 245-271.

Quran 12: 1-102 (2010) Translated by Abdel Haleem, M.A.S. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

The flood stories in the Epic of Gilgamesh and the Bible have many similar details. For example, the scale of the flood, Gods order to build a ship, and other details. However, the differences in the reasons and actions of Noah and Utanapishtim before the flood, which God indicated to them, demonstrate the differences in peoples ideas about pagan gods and a monotheistic God. In the story of Gilgamesh, the gods are presented as supreme beings who cannot forgive rebellion, while in the Bible, God gives a chance to atone for sins.

One of the passages from the Utanapishtim flood story demonstrates the main difference between the gods in pagan faith and monotheism. When Utanapishtim asks Ea how to explain the construction of the ark to other residents of the city, the god orders him to lie that Utanapishtim is leaving the city because he feels the hostility of Enlil and cannot live next to him. However, the rain will bring rich crops and prosperity to the town. Thus, the gods do not give people the opportunity to atone for their sins and become more submissive to their will. This fact portrays them as cruel, controlling, and omnipotent beings who want everything to obey their will. In the biblical story, God tells Noah to convey the message of the flood to people, atone for their sins, and follow Gods will to be forgiven. People do not believe the words of Noah and doom themselves to death. However, this episode shows God as more honest, just, and merciful because he offers forgiveness in exchange for obedience.

Therefore, although many of the details of the stories are the same, their differences will characterize peoples perception of their Gods. These descriptions coincide with the general ideas about pagan Gods, who could have been insidious and had human traits and shortcomings in many ways. At the same time, these differences also characterize the monotheistic God of the main religions as just and merciful but strict towards those who violate his will.

The worlds most selling book, the Bible has been a pertinent resource for the ethical and moral learning of humanity over the years. It is most significant to consider the Bible as humanitys most cherished treasure from time to time. The Bible has been, is, and ever will be the foremost teacher of humanity and its relevance can never be undermined. Its relevance is even more strengthened by the fact that it has literary, historical, and contemporary significance. The literary relevance of the Bible may be found in the Biblical text itself and thus there is a great literary merit to what has been explicated through the several teachings and events of the Bible. Therefore, the Biblical authors can be approached and analyzed as representing the literary worlds most pertinent concepts, ideas, and teachings. These are moral and ethical riches that have relevance all through the centuries and the human beings from time immemorial have been on the search for greater meanings in this moral heritage of humanity. People of all the time and place, in short, have been acquiring great knowledge and teachings that are disseminated through the Biblical narratives. The historical relevance of the Bible can be found in the historical context in which the Bible was originally written. The interpretation of the Bible has been done in this historical context and therefore it becomes relevant to the historical world as well. This is one of the reasons for the historical acceptance of the Bible by men of every region and time. There are examples of great people who, even while they hated the so called followers of Christ, have placed the Bible greatly to the hearts. The historical as well as the literary merit of the Bible can be recognized as the reason for such great acts of approval. More significantly, to the modern world of moral decay and social crumble the Bible has a great message to convey. This contemporary relevance of the Bible in general and its teachings in particular can be evidently seen as the major reason for the wide acceptance that the Bible acquires. The values and ethics that the Bible disseminates in the contemporary world which is noted for its valueless and unethical ways and practices suggest the permanent quality of the great book.

The sacred book of the Bible which has significant impact on the literary, historical, as well as contemporary world has been very much significant in my life as well. In my opinion, there is no other book that can influence the course of history as well as the words and deeds of humanity. The worth of the Bible has been especially experienced by me and most remarkably my life came to be running smoothly only after I began to value the words of the Bible. Ever since I recognized this merit, the values and morals of the book has a permanent mark on my actions. Every time I feel I am away from the ways of morality and ethics, I came to recognize some relevant teachings of the Bible sounding around my ears. This, I think, will be the experience of every human being who is related to the teachings of the Bible. It is in this context that the permanence of the teachings of the Bible that continue to have power over the world even in the contemporary world can be envisaged. The bible and its moral as well as social teachings have influenced even the people of the day who lead a life away from religious philosophies. The sheer merit of the moral lessons of the great literary legacy, i.e. the Bible, is a reason in itself to think highly of the value of human life.

The most pertinent implication of the Bible, in my opinion, can be identified in its relevance for the modern world. It is relevant to the modern world in that it answers the inevitable questions of life. It is the same reason that made great personalities such as Billy Graham to make statements of significant acclaim for the Bible. The Bible is old, yet it is ever new. It is the most modern book in the world today. There is a false notion that a book as ancient as the Bible cannot speak to the needs of modern people. People somehow think that in an age of scientific achievement, when knowledge has increase more in the past twenty five years than in all preceding centuries put together, this ancient book is out of date. But all who read and love the Bible know that it is relevant for our generation. It is in the Holy Scriptures that we find the answers to lifes ultimate questions: Where did I come from? Why am I here? Where am I going? What is the purpose for my existence? (Hohnbaum). Therefore, the implications of the Bible to the literary, historical, and more importantly to the contemporary world suggest the permanence of the Biblical messages.

Works Cited

Hohnbaum, Chuck. The Relevance of the Bible for Living Today. SJ. 2004. Web.