Category: God

Stewardship is a critical spiritual principle that has always been a part of faith in God. It is a complex principle, that many in the modern world do not wish to fulfill or interpret. As noted in the reading by Walborn and Chan (2015), stewardship as a concept has been lost in the modern church despite being a vital foundation. Most members of the church, are willing to contribute as long as the demands do not impose on their otherworldly allegiances or desires. People are taking up the cross only if it does not overbear them, fit in their schedules, and does not oppose their lifestyle needs. All this represents humanitys fallenness which opposes the very nature of Christianity and its call for repentance, faithfulness, and dedication.

Stewardship has been in place since the times of the Old Testament. There, the teachings of stewardship are based on the principles that everything is in Gods ownership, Gods covenant people are responsible for their management of resources that belong to God, and giving is an appropriate action to Gods ownership of everything (Walborn and Chan 2015). Therefore, in these principles, it is vital to understand that God created the Earth and all that is in it and inhabits it.

People tend to forget this in the context that humankind is essentially stewards of the planet. Everything that we ever owned or owned belongs to God. In turn, by giving generously as part of the act of stewardship, one is not giving away personal possessions but Gods gifts. The act of being able to part with the material to support the faith is essential in stewardship and an individuals salvation. This was true in the times of David and Israel and remains true to this day.

Stewardship continues to be emphasized in the New Testament as well. Jesus continues the theology of Gods ownership with the parable of the servants. It once again makes the reference to the origin of the concept of stewardship, which is defined as a caretaker of the property, a servant overseeing the domestic property (Walborn and Chan 2015). New Testament gives more agency to the faithful, by making the people responsible and accountable stewards. Nevertheless, the coming of the Master is at hand, which may provide heavenly rewards or punishment in hell. However, the mysteries and wisdom of God call upon practicing proper stewardship already on earth, with experiencing these rewards on a smaller scale.

Going back to the modern-day, Walborn and Chan (2015) note that stewardship seems more palatable as a theological principle than just a practical one. Many experience strong emotions and difficult questions when attempting to give in to stewardship. Stewardship, even in the modern-day should be approached as if God already owns all material goods, thus not being a slave to them but living a faithful and dedicated life similar to that anecdote with the shoemaker.

As stewards, mankind just oversees the goods of this world until the return of the master. Stewardship is not difficult, requiring discipleship on how possessions are handled; mission with the giving of time, money, and talents; generosity, a key Christian value; and a lifestyle, of living humbly and giving from the heart, not just from what is leftover. As a result, the faithful who act in stewardship is able to proclaim Christ and advance the mission of the church while also accepting personal responsibility of being good stewards of Gods creation.

Reference

Walborn, Ronald, and Frank Chan. 2001. Stewardship and the Kingdom of God. Colorado Springs, CO: The Christian and Missionary Alliance.

Introduction

Diverse religious opinions arise whenever individuals hold different views about a certain spiritual issue. Most people respect the opinion of others about a certain topic. People appreciate that rational individuals can in differ in opinion. However, these sensible and tolerant attitudes lead to the formulation of two distinct lines of thought where people align with groups that share similar opinions.

For instance, Christians and Muslims believe in the existence of Jesus and they exalt, respect, and love him. However, they differ over the issue of his divinity. In a bid to solve this question, Christians refer to the Bible, while Muslims refer to the Quran. Despite referring to the major doctrines, believers do not agree with the claim that Jesus is God. Some will argue that both the Bible and the Quran explain that Jesus is not God. The antagonists claim that many people do not understand the teachings of the Bible, and claim that it is the mindset of many that the belief in Jesus as God is so widespread to qualify it to have its origin in the Bible (Adoni 14). This paper will show that Jesus is God and biblical teachings manifest that Jesus possessed the characteristics and abilities of God.

Critical evaluation

Understanding the most religious discussions to a point of taking sides requires extensive and critical evaluation of the issue. Applying some epistemological concepts is necessary before one can dispute other peoples beliefs regarding religious debates. One must first differentiate rationality from mere persuasiveness and the critical concepts driven by logic. The idea that individuals taking divergent opinions are opponents drives the debate towards the wrong direction. Religious discussions should target achieving the truth, and thus seeing others as opponents simply cut them off and beliefs that are perceived by some as true end up losing basis. Claiming Jesus is not God should not be seen as a denial of the truth, but as a way of searching the truth since every side is given the challenge to prove the credibility of its assertions.

Disagreement with peers about a religious belief in many cases makes one doubt about his/her beliefs. This essay will take a critical evaluation of this topic by referring to works of three authors who support the claim that Jesus is God and it will evaluate works by two authors who offer counter arguments about this topic.

Arguments for

Most non-Christians rightly know much about this topic and most importantly the contents of the Bible. However, they do not seem to consider the divine nature of the Bible; hence, they do not seek to abide by its doctrines. The message conveyed in the Bible declares that Jesus is indeed God and this message should not be taken as a mere construction among the Christian believers. Jesus was all-powerful just as God, but he took human nature to make people understand what God expected of human beings. According to Rice, Jesus is God and every Christian believer can find in the Bible adequate evidence of that fact (21).

Rice claims that lack of belief in Jesus as God is not based on the search for the truth or learning, but the desire to dispute what is conventional in Christology (37). Rice refers to the teachings of John to show that antagonists fail to believe in Christ not because they are stupid, but because they are stubborn and evil (40). The Bible quotes that Jesus possessed traits and capabilities of God within himself and this argument is sufficient to argue that Jesus is God (Rice 41). Jesus came to the world in human form, and thus the biblical explanation and his own clarification were necessary. Therefore, to search verses in the Bible and suggest that they teach Jesus as not God is a misinterpretation of the teachings. However, antagonists fail to understand that Jesus represented the only God taught in the Bible.

In his book, How God Became Jesus, Bird responds to Ehrmans book, How Jesus Became God, by pointing out that Jesus divinity was independent of the ideas given by Ehrman about intermediary figures. Jesus was unique and different from intermediary figures because he was part of Gods identity (Bird 79). Furthermore, angels and other exalted beings did not share Gods power and God did not praise them, but Jesus received Gods praise. Bird states that Jesus was God as it was taught in the gospel of John (81). Contrary, Ehrman argues that Johns gospel emerged later as constructions of the church and it lacked historical basis (111).

This assertion is inadequate since the gospels were written by men under the inspiration of God and they elaborated the activities of the early church. According to St. Paul, Jesus performed many miracles and said great things about himself, which no other exalted being possessed. God manifested himself through Jesus and Jesus was conveyed in human form to convince people to repent, but it did not mean that Jesus was different from God.

Apparently, Christianity is experiencing controversies about faith and belief in Jesus divinity. Antagonists develop a self-proclaimed knowledge about the Bible of which they use to counter those who have faith in Bible teachings. Copan claims that such intolerant thinkers should not stop Christians from discussing what they believe in (41). Prayer, patience, and practice can help one understand the Bible and learn how to respond in a manner that leads into a meaningful discussion with those who refute others faith. Copan shows that it is hard to share the belief that Jesus is God with those with the intention of showing the opposite (93).

In the early centuries, the Jews adhered strictly to monotheism, which formed the basic principle of the Old Testament that is advanced in the New Testament. This aspect shows that the doctrine of Trinity presented one God who manifested himself in three forms, viz. the father, the son, and the Holy Spirit (Copan 36). Jesus was the son meaning the he was God in the human form. Antagonists fail to understand this aspect, and thus they claim that the same Bible teaches of only one God and Jesus himself failed to declare himself God.

Arguments against

Both Christians and Muslims acknowledge that God is all- knowing and mighty. According to Ehrman, Jesus was not all-powerful because Marks gospel indicated that he failed to heal a blind man until a second attempt (74). Jesus did not claim himself to be God nor did his disciples believe so (Ehrman 74). Ehrman also argues that Jesus had shortcomings in his knowledge because he declared not to be aware when the last day would be as such knowledge belonged to God alone. These assumptions were some of the poorly interpreted statements that Jesus made. He was aware of the human nature and being the same as God, he could not reveal to humanity about what was supposed to remain unknown to man. The gospel of Luke shows that Jesus increased in knowledge and learned to obey (Ehrman 32).

Claiming that Jesus did not know everything since he learned new things is insufficient because Jesus was God, but he took human form and went through normal life for humankind to accept and understand his teachings. Ehrman also shows that only God is immortal since Jesus failed to defeat death on the cross (118). Contrary, no death had hold of him, but only his human form died and resurrected to an immortal being. His human attributes passed away, but not his godlike dimensions that defined him as God from the beginning to eternity. Claiming that exalted men like Moses were gods and so was Jesus is fallacious. Moses was used to convey Gods message to the people, but he was not worth of Gods praise unlike Jesus who represented Gods will and did not emphasize on self-proclamation about his divinity.

While most Christians will dispute claims that the New Testament is controversial, antagonists show that its teachings lacked historical basis. However, according to Adoni, Jesus is a mere prophet, but not God since he failed to proclaim that (40).

Jesus was a humble representation of God and self-proclamation about his divinity was evident in the way he performed miracles. Adoni claims that Jesus was an exalted son of man and the Old Testament teaches humankind not to trust the son of man (53).

From this perspective, Jesus is seen as not God, hence incapable of saving humanity. Adoni shows that the son of man cannot help fellow humankind since Jesus was given power, which he did not own. This aspect shows that God was acting through Jesus to reach humanity. If Jesus acted on his own, it would mean that there existed another God. In many occasions, Jesus worshiped, this fact caused problems to the Christians since it implied Jesus had a God to exalt. Antagonists question Christians why they should worship Jesus since he did not believe to be worth the honor. This aspect does not suggest that Christians want Jesus to be their God since indeed he is God (Bird 85). Jesus worshiped God to teach humanity of what was expected of them by the Father. The essence of taking human form was primarily to serve as example to humankind.

Conclusion

Disagreements between believers and non-believers are necessary to achieve the grounds upon which individuals can base their beliefs. However, what matters is not identifying which belief has a rationalized argument and the one that lacks the same, but delving further to have substantial evidence to support ones claims. To know Jesus is to know the true righteousness of God. With the presence of Jesus, people gain knowledge about God. The Bible clearly indicates that Jesus was perfectly God, but he manifested in human nature. Through the teachings of the Bible, one can learn that Jesus is God and other opinions outside that framework are inventions that portray him in different identities.

Works Cited

Adoni, Sollog. Jesus Is Not God The Biblical Truth by Sollog, Florida: Adoni Publishing, 2013. Print.

Bird, Michael. How God Became Jesus: The Real Origins of Belief in Jesus Divine Nature-a Response to Bart Ehrman, Michigan: Zondervan, 2014. Print.

Copan, Paul. True for You but Not for Me: Overcoming Objections to Christian Faith, Minneapolis: Bethany House Publishers, 2009. Print.

Ehrman, Bart. How Jesus Became God: The Exaltation of a Jewish Preacher from Galilee, New York: Harper One, 2014. Print.

Rice, John. Is Jesus God? An Answer to Infidels in the Church and Out, Wheaton: Solid Christian Books, 2014. Print.

Introduction

In the well-known passage in Genesis, God said, Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness& (New King James Version Bible Genesis 1.26). It is a powerful and fundamental statement that came define humanity for millennia, that humans are a likeness of the Divine. However, we are not divine or perfect, but rather full of errors  biological, psychological, and moral among others. Furthermore, humans are often self-destructive, selfish, and lack awareness, both personal and global on the impact of taken actions.

It poses an important question on how humans and God relate in the context of this juxtaposition that we are an image of God but also so imperfect. Humanity is created in the divine image of the Lord which enables to understand to some extent His complex design and serve as the agents of Gods work on Earth by having faith and loving God while helping fulfill His plan for all creation.

Agents of the Lord

From the early stages of the OT, humans are described as agents of the Lord. As mentioned, humans are created in the likeness of God, and for a specific purpose to let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth (Genesis 1.26). This can be interpreted as humans being made as safekeepers of the Earth. Creation is a complex phenomenon that is recognized as everything ranging from a miracle to salvation. However, theological scholars agree that a harmonious world order was built in the very infrastructure of creation.

Therefore, human existence and practices of righteousness foster the integration of social and cosmic orders. If such Gods will and human righteousness are not followed, there are concrete consequences felt across created spheres. In the OT, aspects of nature, justice, and politics are part of the comprehensive order of creation. However, Yahweh is not the God of Creation not because He is the God of humans, but rather He is the God of human history, because he is the God of Creation (Fretheim 4-5).

The power of Creation plays the key role in forming the moral identity of communities of faith from the early history of the OT. Humanity relates to God in that the beings are both his servants and the most important agents of His faith on Earth. Certain events and persons have an absolutely close relationship with God, serving as His messengers. One common example in the Pentateuch books of the OT is Moses.

The story of the Exodus tells the sage of how the Israelites were oppressed by the Egyptians. God hears the cries of the oppressed and notices, intimately being involved in the suffering. Moses is selected by God to be a messenger and agent of Gods will to actively liberate the oppressed, And God said to Moses, I AM WHO I AM. And He said, Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, I AM has sent me to you (Exodus 3.14).

God offers protection, companionship, and support to those who believe in Him and worship. This represents a general tendency throughout both Old Testament and Christian history, God rarely intervenes in Earthly affairs through some divine events, but commonly through human action. Moses was one of these individuals that moved the historical process forward, a decisive agent (Herzog 259). As humans are made in the image of God and his highest creation, humanity despite all its flaws and weaknesses, is empowered and called upon by God to be the agents of His will.

Gods Involvement

The Historical books of the OT are commonly less popular and drier than the canonically crucial Pentateuch books. However, they are important as they relay the history of what happened to the Israel nation and people after independence. In the book of Kings several narratives are told, but a crucial one is Israels search for its religious identity. The first chapters of Kings discuss the life of King David, and the latter talk about the reign of King Judah and others.

It is important to note that the kings are evaluated not by their socio-political accomplishments but from a theological perspective. A substantial part of Kings focuses on Ephraim, which has to make the decision of whether Yahweh is their God, or will it worship other deities such as the Baals. It challenges the question of who God is and how is he related to human beings. The narrative describes the stories of how Yahweh is the all-powerful God, but people are not willing to accept that point. Elijah and Elisha are shown to be representatives of God, practically His embodiment and exercising his power and judgment, and therefore the attitude of the people toward them is their attitude towards God (Goldingay 194).

Kings demonstrates a certain relationship between humans and God where both the free determination of human beings is explored in juxtaposition of Gods involvement in socio-political life. God brings judgement on politics and can get things done despite deliberate human acts. Eventually, when Jerusalem falls, it was largely due to the issue that the people failed to worship Yahweh or did in the wrong way, brought disaster upon the nation (Goldingay 195).

It creates a complex precedent that humans are expected to live in the manner that God wants and not stray into territory of denial or worship of other deities. It is also symbolical of the relationship which forms when there is no direct messenger like Moses, but rather there are leaders who are either with God or choose to turn away from Him through their actions, but God gets things done, nevertheless. This is an interesting theme to explore since religion in modern politics is not as prevalent but remains a common mention in speeches and actions of American leaders. The judgements relayed in historical Scriptures are made to commit humans to proper attitudes in politics and the right worship of God in word and action.

Talking to God

In the context of humanity being agents of God and expected to act based on His will, it poses the challenging question, of how humans connect with God and begin to know what the right path might be. In the Old Testament, the Psalms were written as the collection of prayers that is meant to teach worship and prayer. The Psalter has its own nature and purpose, teaching any faithful on how to intuitively pray and connect with the Spirit (Goldingay 291).

He will respond to the prayer of the destitute; he will not despise their plea (Psalm 102.17). It is universally considered by theologists that God seeks to build a relationship with every human, and similar to any Earthly relationship, one can only establish one with God through conversation otherwise known as prayer. It is at the same time the greatest privilege but also a failure for many faithful. It is important to note that throughout both the Old and New Testament, the prophets, saints, and disciples relied on prayer consistently for guidance and deliverance.

The Psalms hold many wisdoms in them by retelling some of the greatest stories from church history, offering some guidance, and announcing some of the most important proclamations such as the humans are agents of God on Earth. Psalm 8 goes deeply into the relation between human and God, by mentioning that humanity is valued highly by their creator, especially those suffering at the hands of evil. God is established as a sovereign, but human exercise legitimate rule within the authority and realm of God.

Humans are exalted as the marvel in the magnificence of creation and God would intervene to protect the faithful and overcome all forces that go against Gods will (Guthrie and Quinn 237). Humans are fallible, but even as far as the OT, the relationship between God and humanity is one of love, almost like parent and child. While the symbolism of Father and Son was not developed until Jesus and the New Testament, the foundation was built beforehand for centuries.

Free Will as the Sovereign of God

The relationship built between humans and God is inherently complex, and paradoxical to an extent. There is a compatibility between Gods sovereignty and human free will and they are not mutually exclusive. Despite Gods sovereign control over His domain and creation, human responsibility is not absolved, even if Evil was part of His plan and sin is used for His purposes in His infinite wisdom.

In Isaiah 10.5 it is written, Woe to Assyria, the rod of My anger/ And the staff in whose hand is My indignation. At close analysis, Assyria is an instrument of Gods judgment that is also being condemned. Assyria is a pagan idolatrous nation that is used to instill divine judgment against the Israelites that are held responsible for their disbelief in Him and idolatry. Despite being used as a tool of divine wrath, the Assyrians are also held responsible for their arrogance and violence in the acts of evil.

This situation from Isaiah accurately describes the relationship that God has with the human world. Although God controls through a divine power and all actions, individual and global go on according to His purpose, it does not remove the culpability of responsibility from evildoers. Gods perception of justice and fairness differs from human ethical guidelines. Humans are judged on both motive in their hearts and action.

It establishes the final block in this complex relationship of duty, love, and worship  and that is obedience and responsibility. Humans are expected to be good and act in goodness, whether they are aware and knowledgeable of God and faith or not. Free will is given to all but the burden of responsibility still stands, and righteousness is expected (Geisler 14-16). Just as humans are made in the image of God, it is expected that humanity will attempt to follow his example of true righteousness and justice despite obvious fallibilities.

Discussion and Summary

In Biblical terms, it can be said that God has developed a stewardship of His creation in humans, and in turn, humans are placed in the position of being stewards of the Earth and ourselves. Steward is a word that is encountered several times in the Bible, taking on the meaning of treating something with care and respect while managing it wisely. Despite being created to dominate all living beings, it is rather reminiscent of the Hebrew word for dominion which indicates to take responsibility for the well-being of those in the realm of power. Humans are in the dominion of God just as other living beings are in the dominion of man. God created everything, and it was good.

Humans are good and are blessed by the Lord, and it is the responsibility of humans to practice stewardship, righteousness, and faith in Gods will. Sometimes creation is violated, there is injustice among humans, and often all creation and order suffer. However, it is part of Gods plan, and despite free will, God will enable his order, compassion, or wrath if His will so dictates.

Conclusion

As humans were created in the image of God, so has the relationship between God and human has grown to be overwhelmingly complex. Humanity is both an agent of Gods will as well as a society that is given the free will to live according to His rules and divine providence. God has demonstrated interventionist acts as well as forgiveness and compassion. Humanity is called upon to show obedience but also build a loving connection with God. The Old Testament is inherently darker and more brutal than the New Testament which emphasizes the forgiveness and compassion aspects of the relationship with God. Nevertheless, an exploration of the various elements of the OT have demonstrated that many of the theological foundations to modern Christianity were set in the early years of human existence and civilization.

Works Cited

Fretheim, Terence E. God and World in the Old Testament: A Relational Theology of Creation. Abingdon Press, 2005.

Geisler, Norman L. Chosen but Free: A Balanced View of Gods Sovereignty and Free Will. Bethany House, 2010.

Goldingay, John. An Introduction to the Old Testament: Exploring Text, Approaches & Issues. InterVarsity Press, 2015.

Guthrie, George H., and Russel D. Quinn. A Discourse Analysis of The Use of Psalm 8:4-6 In Hebrews 2:5-9(1). Journal of Evangelical Theological Society, vol. 49, no. 2, 2006, pp. 235-246. Web.

Herzog, Frederick. Moses in Contemporary Theology. Union Seminary Review, vol. 44, no. 3, 1990, pp. 253-264. Web.

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

Joseph was one of Jacobs twelve sons and the most loved ones, so his father gave him a beautiful colorful coat. Josephs brothers became jealous of him and decided to sell him as a slave. He was taken to Egypt and started to serve the Potiphar, who was a Pharaohs official.

In Egypt, he interpreted the dreams of two prisoners and then of the Pharaohs. He said that he would have seven years of plenty and the same amount of famine. When Pharaohs understood that Joseph had an ability from God, he made him the governor of Egypt. One day Joseph met his brothers again because they were starving, and their father sent them to Egypt to buy grain. The Brothers did not recognize him, and Joseph decided to keep it a secret and test their characters.

He invited them all for dinner and put a silver cup to the sack of one of the brothers to see if he changed. Then he realizes that they are different now and forgives them. He says to his brother But now do not be sad, and let it not trouble you that you sold me here, for it was to preserve life that God sent me before you. You did not send me here, but God (English Standard Version Bible, 2001, Genesis 45:5, 8). Joseph showed his wisdom and realization that his brothers did what they had to do.

Joseph understood that everything that had happened to him was Gods plan. He knows that God leads him even if he cannot see it at the moment. Joseph accepted the faith because it eventually showed him his purpose. He could save his family from the hunger that he predicted. That is why he trusts God and knows that he guides him.

Joseph is an example of a person who lived faithfully and had Gods mercy for his excellent behavior. This story shows how God always has a plan that people might not see at the beginning. Therefore, it is important to be righteous and have faith so God will always show the way.

Reference

English Standard Version Bible. (2001). ESV Online. Web.

The bible as a religious book was written many years ago. Its a religious book for Christians. Christians believe in God, the son and the Holy Spirit. Christianity acknowledges that Jesus Christ was the Son of God. The bible teaches about the history of the world in a religious perspective. Genesis records that, God created heaven and earth. All the order was restored for human and other creatures to fit and survive.

The bible teaches of the first and second creation according to Genesis chapter 1 and 2. Biblical scholars contend that Genesis began with two accounts of the creation. The first account or story gives a view of eight commands executed for a six days period, the seventh day God rested.

In (Genesis 1:1-2:3) in the beginning of Gods preparing the heavens and the earths, the earth hath existed waste and void& All the creations were executed within six days.

The second creation story narrates about the creation of the first man and woman. God plants a garden in Eden. He sets man to dwell in it; He causes pleasant trees to sprout from the ground. Trees were necessary for food, life, as well as for knowledge of good and evil.

Yahweh the bible contends, God caused a man to sleep He took his rib, and formed a woman. The man called her woman (Hebrew). Man and woman lives together and marriage follows. Man (Adam) and woman (Eve) had commited sin and realized they were naked in the garden.

Genesis 1 and 2 explain chronological events and a section about the origins of man in the world.

The bible histories narrates and mentions many themes that are continued from book of Genesis to Gods intention to mankind His forgiveness of mans rebellious nature, the plan to bring salvation to man through Jesus Christ.

The sinful nature of mankind continues from the time of Adam and Eve. God intended to forgive man, Christian believe that Jesus Christ came to set mankind free from sin, granting them eternal life to those who believe in His Son.

The birth and life story of Jesus in the bible are contained in the New Testament books. The gospel books give an account of the birth of Jesus Christ, His life in the world. His teachings, miracles, the disciples, the way of life up to the time of His death and resurrection.

What does the word Gospel mean? (Calmet A p. 287) explains that Gospel as the subject of the apostolic message. This is the good message or glad tiding. It is also called the gospel of peace (Romans 5) as it proclaims peace with God to sinful rebels through Jesus Christ.

Gospel isThe word of reconciliation (2 Corinthians; 19) it shows how God is reconciled to sinners and His great motive to reconcile their minds to Him.

The terms Gospel of salvation (Ephesians 1, 13) because it bolds salvation to the lost or miserable in the world filled with sin. It is the gospel of the kingdom as it proclaims powers of the savior, lusture and privileges of His kingdom.

Thats a more general idea of what the gospel entails, from this summaries given of the parts of the New Testament. Jesus sums up the gospel; He told Nicodemus as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the son of man be lifted up&

Paul an apostle of Jesus also gives a brief about the meaning of the gospel. Moreover my brethren, I declare un to you the gospel which I preached unto you- by the which ye are also saved  how the Christ died for our sins& (1 Corinthians 1-5)

The writings, which contain the life of Jesus Christ, miracles, death, resurrection, teachings and doctrines, are called Gospels. They contain the good news.

They are basically four canonical gospels those of Mathew, Mark, Luke and John. They were received earlier as the standards of evangelical history according to doctrines deeds of Jesus. They are appealed under Jesus both by friends and enemies. No one has ever acknowledged a fifth gospel as an equal authority to the four.

Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem in Judea. The two accounts surrounding the birth of Jesus are highlighted in the new testament of the bible. One is accounted in the gospel of Mathew and gospel of Luke. The other accounts of birth of Christ are not found in the Christian canon of the bible. The gospel of Mark remains silent on the issue of nativity. The gospel according to John gives no account of the birth of Jesus.

The birth of Jesus Christ has led to argument among the scholars due to event surrounding it.

According to the bible Jesus Christ was to redeem man from his sinful nature. When God created man in the book of Genesis, Man was sinless, Adam and Eve the first human to be created had disobeyed God hence, falling from the favor of God. They had lost the chance to live forever. Satan had influenced them to act against the will of God.

It is for this reason that Jesus Christ was to be born by a Virgin Mary to cancel sin. Destroy all the kingdoms and dominions of Satan.

Jesus Christ was the Son of God. Indeed Jesus was God. In the beginning was Jesus, and Jesus was with God, and Jesus was with God in the beginning (John 1:1-2)

There are three who were present in the beginning: the Father, Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit all These Three are one God (1 John 5:7)

Jesus had started his mission to deliver the world from sin through his teachings and mission. The teachings that were brought to the earth from God-the Father by Jesus Christ came to the people in the form of Jesus talking with his disciples as well as his message to the people. His appealing to heavenly Father, his deeds, miracles as was recorded in the Gospel.

The disciples of Jesus had accounts of information they had learned from him. Prophecies of the Holy spirit and God-the-father talked of Jesus Christ the Messiah.

No complete structure that described Jesus teachings in an orderly manner about his work, they discuss ideological issues. This had led to some disagreements between Jesus follower and perverts (Antonov V p.67)

Jesus teachings advocated for mutual relationship. To love and care. in everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets (Mathew 7:12)

Jesus Christ had the good news for the world, thats why He had other names like Jesus Christ the messiah. The world was full of sins and was caught in a battle between the forces of the good and evil. God occupies the position of good.

He is our creator (Yahweh or Jehovah His Son, Jesus Christ and the angels that remained loyal) were on His side.

Satan had rebelled in heaven with some of the angels hence they occupies the side of evil. Human beings in their weak nature have either to side or align with one side or the other after man had sinned in the garden of Eden after disobeying God.

Satan had intended to have as many people as possible under his control. He wants many to deny Gods kingdom, His right to be worshipped, and the rights as the creator who set guidelines for peoples life on earth and after death.

The bible about man as sinners for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23) And there is none righteous. No! Not one. It was Gods intention to save the world; He did this by sending His beloved son Jesus Christ to redeem man from sin. As sinners we have lost the right to an eternal life of happiness, love and peace, and are doomed to be destroyed at the judgment& for wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23)

Jesus Christ has been sent to the world by His Father for the sake of sinners. It was Gods plan, a plan for salvation to redeem the world from the consequences of sins. It was not Gods intentions for any one to perish at the judgment. God must make a distinction among humans, a distinction among those to receive eternal life and those who must be condemned and perish at the judgment day. Man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment: (Hebrew 9:27).

To save the world and free humans from sins God sent his son, Jesus Christ to become a man, like other humans he was born with all the hereditary problems. And yet to live without sin Jesus had to live in according with the will of God. To obey Gods commands, to show that man can life a sinless life. Jesus had to conquer sins. He came to the world to save man from their sins.

In the Old Testament the bible gives accounts on how God had given details to prophets. About coming of jesus Christ God had wasted a clear identification of jesus when he comes (Raymond B. p.167) the bible accounts over four hundred prophecies that talked about the coming of a messiah in the old testament.

People had looked forward for many years of the coming of the messiah. To free and save them from sins and effects of sins. Jesus Christ was to fulfill these prophesies. He was the messiah who was to come.

Jesus Christ related with the sinner to demonstrate to the world that he had mercy and power to change their life. Jesus came in to the world so that thou shalt call name jesus; for he shall save his people from their sins Jesus had to pay a fee by his death, so that the world would be set free from bonding of Satan and sin. As (Mathew: 20:25; 1 peter 1:18-19) teaches.

In fulfilling Gods plan to save the world, Jesus Christ reconciled God and His people. Bringing God and man together strengthened the relationship between God and man. (Roman 5: 8-10, Ephesians 2: 13, 16-17)

Jesus at the time of his death had accomplished the will of the Father. Nothing was left undone in Gods plan to bring about redemption to man. Christ had offered him- self as a sacrifice for the sake of mans sins.

God had made solution available to all the people who could repent. As (Mathew: 7: 13-4) says that not all will be saved, man was given the power to determine whether he will be saved or not, it was on conditions Man was capable of being tempted by Satan to sin, even Jesus was tempted (Hebrew 4:15) like men in the world but he did not sin, he chose always to do the right.

The new testaments give account on how Jesus had interacted with sinners. The Jews were critical to him. But Jesus teachings proofed that he came to dine and eat with sinners. He was preaching by the seaside with multitudes following and listening to him. In one instance He saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting and collecting tax. He said unto him follow me and he rose and followed him, Jesus met and sat with sinners together with his disciples. The Pharisees the scribes were amazed. They asked his disciples how is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners? Jesus said to them they that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick.I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance (Mathew 9:9-13, Luke 5:27-32)

Satan had attempted to destroy Jesus to get him worship Satan. But Satans plans failed. Satan tried to use the Jews to try Jesus. The Jewish leaders condemned Jesus and even tried him publicly. They mocked and condemned him to death.

Jesus had to be crucified shed blood to bring about forgiveness for without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness (Hebrews 9:22) God loved the world God demonstrates his love for us in this while were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8)

Salvation is a gift given freely. What God does ask after forgiving sins, is to stop sinning (john 5:14)

I John 2:4-6 if any man says, I know him but do not do what he commands is a liar&

1 John 2 4- 6 if any man says, I know him but does not do what he commands is a liar.

Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did (Kohler A. p 234)

God had given man ten commandments regarding our relationship to God. All this commandments are summed in to one love according to teaching of Jesus

Love your neighbor as yourself (Galatians 5:14)

Jesus took the commandment further and he teaches that sin is not just breaking the law by actions but it can be broken through attitudes and thoughts. (Matthew 5:17)

No sinner could be able pay the price of redemption by himself or others. (Bird J. p. 168). All were condemned under the wrath and nothing could be offered to God to pay for sin. The price to pay was very costly. The Lamb of God was to be offered, (Psalms 47:7-8) He gave His Son, His only Son, the Son of his love, that sinners would be redeemed.

Every sinner was to be purchased with the blood of Jesus Christ I have redeemed thee& thou art mine (Isaiah. 43:1)

Jesus had power to forgive sin thy sins be forgiver thee (Mark 2:5) Jesus said un to the paralyzed man. God had given Jesus the power to forgive sins, as his son, Jesus paid the price of sin, scribes had made accusations at Jesus of blasphemy (mark 2:7)

Scribes would not recognize that Jesus was the Son of God. Jesus had to perform miracles to proof to them that surely he was the Son of God.

Everlasting forgiveness through Jesus Christ (Roman 5:10 = For if when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his son much more being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life

Its man sinful nature, however sin cannot make its way to the presence of God. Jesus Christ cannot allow when Christians sin Jesus Christ intervenes (Galatians 6:1) They confess their sins and through the blood of Jesus Christ their sins are cleansed.

Jesus Christ had his manifestation on earth in the past and in the present in heaven for sanctification (Calmet A.p. 350). The Son of God freely offered himself to Gods plan of salvation. Christ advocacy kept the sinner clean his blood washed away sin.

Gods intention to save the world from sin was fulfilled by his son Jesus. He was crucified and died on the cross. After his death, Jesus rises again from the tomb. He overcame death.

God had given the believers of Christ eternal life, to life with him forever eternally in heaven.

Eternal life was given through Christ Jesus. Before his crucifixation Jesus had said, I destroy this temple (his body) and in three days I will raise it up&

(John 2:19 21)

Christ had resurrected after three days and manifested himself in the flesh. This meant that the original sin of man was forgiven and if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins (1 Cor; 15:17).

The New Testaments account the life and the work of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. It was God plan to bring about salvation to the world, as Man had sinned, God was merciful. Jesus fulfilled Gods plan and all the prophesies in the Old Testaments.

The Bible in the New Testaments predicts that, one-day Jesus the Son of God will come back. Rapture will occur all persons living and death that have accepted Gods plan for salvation will be removed from sin by means of holy sacrifices.

The Gospel of Jesus called for sinners to accepts that, they are sinners and be born again or to be saved by the Blood of Jesus. Jesus said I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the spirit to Nicodemus. (Act 4: 12) acknowledges, Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved

It is only through repentance through Jesus Christ that man could be saved from his sins. Jesus in his ministry called for repentance repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand

The same message is found with john Baptist the apostle, and the gospel message is full of the word. (Bird J.p.57)

There could be no salvation without repentance. A person is only saved his sins, after repenting. (Mark 10:17-27) Jesus had an encounter with the rich young ruler and a message of repentance.

To save the world the Gospel says that the only solution of sin is Jesus Christ (Roman; 6:23, John 3:16) one must choose and make a decision to trust in God and accept his Son Jesus Christ so as to receive salvation. (John 1:12)

In all his miracles Jesus had demonstrated that he had power to forgive sin, and heal the sick (Mathew 4: 13-15) Jesus healed a demon-possessed man at the Sea of Galilee. Jesus healed all kinds of demons and diseases.

In conclusion, Jesus Christ was to be used by his Father to bring about salvation; the world was full of sin. God had to redeem man. God had no intentions for man to perish because of sin. He wanted man to have eternal life. Jesus Christ had a role to play so as to fulfill Gods plan to save the world from sin.

Bibliography

Antonov Vladimir, The Original Teachings Of Jesus Christ, 2002.

The Bible, Kings James Version. Bird Jonathan, Jesus Knocking Sinners Opening 1943.

Calmet Augustin, Dictionary Of The Holy Bible, Harvard, 1832.

Edeshein Alfred, Life And Times Of Jesus The Messiah, 1930.

Gray Chapman, The Birth Of The Messiah, London, 1977.

Relt Portterm, Jesus Christ, The Jesus Of History, The Christ Of Faith, Oxford University Press, 1999.

Coming across the line They also serve who only stand and waited in the well-known sonnet, a reader might wonder whether the modern tramps of Becketts Waiting for Godot would have been in Miltons view the supreme servants of God. Intelligence, to prevent that murmur, would then remind the reader of Miltons phenomenal etymological scholarship and gently suggest that one undertake keener research into the etymology of Miltons vocabulary if one really wished to comprehend his meaning. Such research should reveal the absurdity of the waiting undertaken by Becketts Vladimir and Estragon, and the kind of active waiting Milton would want any true Christian to engage in.

Turning as one tends to do in times of such dire need to the volumes of the Oxford English Dictionary or, if one is not a keen weight-lifter and weight-watcher, to the online version, one comes across more senses of the word than one would have ever imagined. The first few recorded have been marked with the qualification obsolete and one has towaitfor the sense marked 14 h before one sees exactly what it is blind Milton saw in his minds eye:

h. In Bible phrase, to place ones hope in (God). Cf. WAITER 4b.

Very common in the Bible of 1611; rendering several Heb. verbs of identical meaning.

1535 COVERDALE Ps. lxi[i]. 1 My souled waited only upon God, for of him comet my helped. 1611 BIBLE Ps. xxv. 3 Let none that wait on the be ashamed. 1840 GEO. ELIOT Let. 20 July (1954) I. 58 That constant waiting on God for instruction and comfort which [the Quietists]..make the sum total of religion. 1931 J. BUCHAN Blanket of Dark xvi. 307 Be still and wait on God. 1979 R. BLYTHE View in Winter ix. 300 One of the best things which all these new changes have brought about is this notion of waiting upon God.

The line, the word, the sense, the meaning immediately become clear as crystal, and one wonders why the editors of the Oxford English Dictionary did not think of including the line from Miltons sonnet as one of the quotations of the word used in this particular sense.

The two tramps of Becketts Godot would be well-advised to Be still and wait on God as Buchan advocated in 1931, instead of constantly physically and mentally fidgeting around as they do. One should be grateful to the Oxford English Dictionary for enabling this insight into John Miltons sonnet, and equally grateful to Milton for providing this insight into the nothing that regularly happens while the two tramps wait (without being still and watchful) for their promised Godot. Small wonder, then, that the tramps have to keep reminding themselves every day Well hang ourselves tomorrow&Unless Godot comes (124); while Milton understands that who best/ Bear his mild yak, they serve him best. Miltons blind state is kingly, the tramps who can see what is without do not have the insight to look within and learn.

Works Cited

Beckett, Samuel. Waiting for Godot. London: Oxford UP, 1990.

Milton, John. On His Blindness. Online Resource. 2008. Web.

Wait, v 1. Oxford English Dictionary. Online Resource. 2008. Web.

The cosmological argument is the viewpoint that proves the Gods existence using empirical facts. In essence, everything in the universe is moved or created by another motion, cause, or existence (Jononymous Personymous, 2021a). If a certain phenomenon can be observed, then it has to originate from another phenomenon, thus forming infinite regress. However, presuming that there is always a preceding cause is irrational; therefore, there has to be an exception, which is presumed to be God.

One of the counterarguments is that infinite regress is not irrational. The common understanding of causes is that they can always be numbered. If an archer does not shoot an arrow, it will not hit the target. However, the distance between the archer and the target can always be divided by half, which implies that the arrow should never reach the target or that it should never have a beginning (Jononymous Personymous, 2021b). However, the arrow does reach the target, which frames the numerical explanation obsolete.

This counter argument undermines the cosmological argument because there seems to be a process that always has a motion preceding it, yet it is finite. The subsequent implication is that infinite regress is rational, which implies that there is no necessity for exceptions. As the cosmological argument frames God as an exception, the absence of exceptions means the absence of God.

The consideration of the counter argument shows that two seemingly contradictory principles may coexist  the arrow simultaneously hits the target while making an infinite number of distance divisions. Therefore, there is no necessity to frame the existence of God as an exception. It is possible to argue that God exists and creates motion, while being a case of mathematical infinity at the same time.

References

Jononymous Personymous. (2021a). GOD DEBATE the cosmological argument for Gods existence [Video]. YouTube. Web.

Jononymous Personymous. (2021b). GOD DEBATE Counterarguments against the cosmological argument for Gods existence [Video]. YouTube. Web.

Introduction

The Cosmological Argument for the existence of God, as propounded by Thomas Aquinas, hinged on the five general principles. This, in Aquinas masterpiece was entitled The Summa (The Five Ways). In what follows, we would be critically discussing the first, second, fourth and the fifth pillars of his argument while reserving a more elaborate discussion on the third premise as it contains the composite argument of the entire thesis and because it was practically, reinforced and embodied the very paradigm of his cosmological arguments. This paper would explain the Cosmological Argument and present the opposing view to the argument with an evaluation of the argument in conclusion.

Exegesis

The first one, derived from the argument of motion, stipulates that for bodies to be in motion, they have to be moved by other bodies. Since it is contended that the two states of being potential and actual are mutually exclusive, it is not possible for a mover and the moved to be the same, i.e. automated movement is axiomatically ruled out. The second postulate is in terms of the nature of efficient causes. This posits that, it is not possible for a thing to become an efficient cause for itself. For an efficient cause, there has to be a first cause, proceeding an intermediate cause. Hence, if there were no first cause, there would be no intermediate or ultimate causes. (Aquinas, 100-101) The fourth principle hinges on the gradation of different things in the world from less good to good, noble etal. Just as there are gradational conditionality in different physical properties of things, (from being in the states of hot, hotter and hottest), Aquinas, held God to be ultimate something, which was the cause of other beings down the causal order, as the primordial embodiment of goodness and other means of perfection. The fifth principle was based on the idea of governance in that, Aquinas argued, just as natural bodies, bereft of knowledge, acted in terms of an underlying objective. This actually is the design, to achieve a best end, there existed some intelligent being, as the repository of all the superior knowledge and perception, referred to as God, who directed natural things, down the physical order, to move towards their respective ends.

The third postulate is ideated in terms of the twin pillars of necessity and possibility. Aquinas premised that in nature, things are possible to be or not to be, i.e. they are contingent viz., they are generated, mutated/corrupted and may or may not necessarily exist. Following this principle of contingency, it may be argued that if all things can go out of existence and do not necessarily exist, and then there must be a time when all things would go out of existence. Here, Aquinas appealed to the Principle of Plentitude. This principal stated that if something was a real possibility, then allowing the passage of an infinite amount of time, it was eminently possible as per the logical conclusion.

Opposing view

In his refutation of the Cosmological Proof of the Existence of God, Kant had, in effect, contended that extraction of a commensurate object from a purely arbitrary idea was an unnatural procedure and an exercise in scholastic subtlety. The fulcrum of the cosmological proof of Gods existence rested, according to Kant, on two essential components. The first one is the advocate of the argument initially sought to establish the existence of a necessary being viz., If something exists, then an absolutely necessary being must also exist. (Kant, 507) The rational cosmologist then sought to infer that this necessary being is the ens realissimum (the idea of supremely real being). According to Kant, the above automatic identification, somewhat surreptitiously introduced the (dialectical) ontological argument.

Evaluation

The chain of command of essential continuation itself would need a rationalization for its continuation. This conclusion states that everything could go out of existence at once, such as now, if the same was taken as a snapshot splice in the eternal flow of time. However, such a thought was empirically incongruous since we have the confirmation of existent elements which could be sensually professed. Even if someone argued that it could be because everything vanished out of existence, only to come back into existence, Aquinas contended this from the principle of ex nihilo, nihil fit. In other words, if something vanished out of existence; it could not pop back into existence. Therefore, not all things could be contingent. (Craig, 201)

Conclusion

The Cosmological Arguments Third Way of Aquinas argued logically for the existence of a God, but did not emphasize on the customary benevolent perception of a Judeao-Christian God. Aquinas tried to even out this imbalance by contending that by dint of being self-explaining, necessary existence would by nature embody the attributes of nobility suggested to epitomize the very point of perfection (Fourth Point) and chart everything lower down the order according to a grand system of design (the teleological principle of the Fifth Point).

Works Cited

Aquinas, Thomas. The Cosmological Argument. NY: Pocket, 1995.

Craig, William Lane; The Kalam Cosmological Argument. LA: Wipf and Stock Publishers, 2000.

Kant, Emmanuel. The Impossibility of a Cosmological proof of Existence of Good. Chapter III. Kants Reason of Pure Reason. Westport: IBL, 1989, pp 507-519.

Introduction

To begin with, when we think about Hinduism, we think about the holy scriptures like The Bhagavad Gita, The Ramayana, Mahabharata, when we read this we get lots of confusion, so many superficials things which do not make any sense and then most of us lose interest. The sole reason for this is because we are reading a book of Shakespeare without knowing the basic English language or Alphabets. So due to our own ignorance of the basics we blame the books and claim it has no clarity. Vedas are the basics of Hinduism, if we don’t learn or get a glimpse of it, we are never going to understand Hinduism which is actually Sanathana Dharma( Moral Way of Life) and Vedas means The Eternal Knowledge or Truth which is forever existing from the very beginning until now.

What are The Vedas?

To understand Rig Veda, you just have to rewire your brain and get rid of all social conditionings, Imagine you are born alone and there is no one to guide you in this world, no humans, no books, no religion, no schools, you are like Mowgly or Tarzan just living alone and exploring the Earth. So what all do you see? You see the Sun, Stars, Moon, Sky, Fire etc and these things are helping you live now and then, so the ancient people, our very own ancestors personified these nature and principles as deities as they wanted to show their gratitude, love, oneness with these things they saw in nature which is helping them live on Earth. Most Hindus have forgotten these deities especially the Deity INDRA DEV (The Thunder, The Storm, The lightning etc. was personified into INDRA, who is seen as the main deity cause of the power it creates on Earth) Then comes Deity AGNI DEV ( The Fire, which was used for many things and also as a portal to talk to nature and spirits). Varuna ( The Sky, The rains, The clouds, Sea etc) Deity SURYA DEV (The Sun, which is sustaining all beings on Earth) Deity Prithvi Devi ( Mother Earth herself ) there are other deities but the most prominent Visible Nature Deities were INDRA, AGNI, SURYA, VARUNA and PRITHVI MATA(Mother Earth).

So RIG VEDA basically tells us about these deities, Yajur Veda basically talks to us about how to salute, show gratitude, worship, love these nature deities Sama Veda is basically the poetic/singing version of Rig Veda and Yajur Veda Then we have the Atharva Veda which is basically about how as humans we have to coexist, love, share and how to live in a community in unity without causing harms to others including nature, animals and humans.

Who are the Trimurthis

( BRAHMA, VISHNU, RUDRA )

Our very own ancestors like how they personified nature they personified the phenomenas of nature and universe as deities. Brahma ( The Creation, creator) Vishnu ( The maintainer, preserver) Rudra (The Destroyer, The Destruction) and all these phenomenas are within us, to make you understand the closest thing we have is our body so there is creation (BRAHMA) happening within our body, new cells, bloods etc) Our body is being maintained (VISHNU) , blood circulations and other things which sustains our body. There is many things being destroyed(RUDRA) within our body, cells, tissues etc. Now if you consider these three prominent phenomenas, its happening not just within our body, its happening all around the earth, the universe, the cosmos and whatever exists. There are other phenomenas personified as Deities too but these three are the main. So our ancestors thought why not be grateful/show salutation, worship them as well as long as we are alive. How grateful they were with everything that was sustaining their lives that they saw divinity in everything.

Who is SHIVA & SHAKTI?

This is the most interesting, because we are all a part and descendants of Shiva and Shakti and we can live like them entirely , wondering how?

When all these so called deities of nature/principles/phenomenas be it (INDRA,AGNI,VARUNA,PRITHVI,SURYA, BRAHMA VISHNU, RUDRA etc) joined together the first Sacred Human formed our very first ANCESTOR, SHIVA, THE ADIYOGI, THE FIRST GURU who gave all the human beings knowledge of MEDITATION, YOGA, HOW TO LOVE & MAKE LOVE(TANTRA),MEDICINES AND HERBS (AYURVEDA) WHAT TO EAT, ARCHERY(Use of weapons for protecting ourselves and people around us)HOW TO PROTECT NATURE, BREATHING TECHNIQUES, HOW TO TALK, SING & DANCE, HOW TO LOVE ANIMALS AND OTHER LIVINGS BEINGS, HOW TO COEXIST IN A COMMUNITY IN UNITY by his own way of living along with his consort SHAKTI ( THE SACRED FEMININE HUMAN Who was also formed the same way and is equal and same as SHIVA, thats how the term ShivaShakti is derived, it means the synthesis of masculine and feminine energies of the Universe symbolizing that both cannot be without the other, one is incomplete in the absence of the other and how sacred making love is as once SHIVASHAKTI was making love the whole universe trembled , it signifies how powerful and sacred sexual energy is which is seen as a taboo now and people suppress or misuse it. I would recommend all married couple embrace and learn tantra/kamasutra to reach their full potential as ONE. Meditation – All the inventions and discoveries were brought into this world by great minds in deep meditative state, concentration and focus is a very powerful tool we have, we have to sharpen it. Yoga- taking care of ones Body, any activities related to fitness was formed through this very knowledge of Yoga. Treat your body like a sacred temple. So basically ShivaShakti through their life and by their teachings taught how powerful and infinite our mind, thoughts and body is and SHIVASHAKTI teachings are infinite, Now what is wrong in showing respect, devotion, gratitude to such a LEGENDARY CONSORTIUM. We all have mastered of art of distraction and have been self centered that most of us don’t even remember our grand parents names, and the way of life

is not just to worship or thank them, we are all born to live that way, once we start living their way, we don’t need to die to go to heaven, we can turn this Mother Earth into the Heaven which it was.

Did Shiva smoke Marijuana?

There is another common notion that depicts Shiva as smoking Cannabis/Marijuana. In his Ayurvedic teachings he has named many herbal medicines and a drink named soma was made using many herbs including Shilajit, Marijuana, Ephedra and few other plants, the ingredients are not fully known to most mankind now but like everything else people justify smoking marijuana sayin Shiva smoked, not in any teachings they embrace or suggest smoke inside our lungs, consuming it moderately mixed with a drink(Soma) it could be known as Ayahuasca now, cause both have similar way of preparation and helps to enhance spiritual realm.

What are Upanishads, Ramayana, Mahabharata, Bhagavad Gita

So once Shiva disappears to Mount Kailash ( The mountain which no man ever conquered) he is known to be Omnipotent, Omniscient, Omnipresent. During ancient days the knowledge were called Shrutis as they were all passed directly to the ears of disciples (Saptharishis). There was no need to write it down as they had very powerful intellect, memory and minds those days, when ages passed on some rishis( One being Ved Vyasa) foresaw the future generations won’t be able to memorize long and broad information and they started to write it down and thus formed the Upanishads(Meaning read it and be free from the illusion and delusion of reality) which is derived from the Atharvaveda (How to live in this world, ethics, principles) They wrote it as poems and stories, to make it more interesting for their disciples/students, they created marvelous and superficial characters and stories in a beautiful way that made people believe they were real or they praised people who lived closest to Shiva’s Way of life or to the Sanathana Dharma. We as humans can learn from good and bad things people do, so when we see someone doing wrong we have the conscience to know its wrong and stay way from it. Why I emphasize on this is most people ask me why should I worship Lord Ram, he left his wife after questioning her virtuousness or virginity ( This is a lesson for all Men, that we should’t disrespect a woman or question her virtuousness, we shall lose everything if we do) at the same time (It’s a lesson for woman as well that they should maintain their chastity, dignity and be virtuous to their husband) Basically I recommend people not to give importance to these characters and give more importance to the morals and principles they convey through the story. It is like people are worshipping/idolizing Einstein but has no idea what E=mc2 is. If you read these books as moral science without judgements, you would actually get the fruit of it. These characters represented how powerful( Hanuman) , wise(Krishna) , righteous(Sita), Truthful( Harishchandra) we can be in our lives. I would recommend all of us to focus on their way of life, and try to live by these principles. There is no major advantage for anything and any of us in this world by merely worshipping them but living the opposite versions of theirs.

What is caste system why does it exist?

Caste system is a social norm which still exists in modern days in different names and concepts. Ancient society created it and categorized Priests and Academics as Brahmins, Warriors and Kings as Kshatriyas, Merchants and Landowners as Vaishya, Commoners,Peasants, Servants as Sudras and Sweepers, Latrin cleaners, Laborers as Dalits. Even in the modern days people are categorized in different professions ranging from CEO, DIRECTORS, MANAGERS, SUPERVISORS, FOREMAN, WORKERS/LABOURERS also Doctors, Engineers, Entrepreneurs are given special status. Even in modern days when asked to treat people in all professions with due respect people still discrimination is there in any country, hardly we would find any CEO having lunch with a Janitor. And also its clearly mentioned that a Brahmin is a brahmin not by birth but his way of living and his deeds. Intercaste marriages were a issue because if you look at current situation as well it would be a challenge for a CEO of company to marry and live with a janitor as their lifestyles and thinking would be different. It is never mentioned it is not allowed, if two people are willing to sacrifice everything for their love and need to be together it is the way to go and through many Puranas they have showed how beautiful relations were when wealth and social status didn’t matter in marriage as there were many Rishis who lived happily though they married from different caste/social category. Some people transformed and altered the teachings and beliefs for their own self interest and to maintain their social status. In the very ancient times there were only three categories which were Brahmins, Kshatriyas and Vaishyas later on people added just like how even in modern days new job roles and positions are added.

Why so many religions and beliefs?

I respect all religions and their teachings, all of them is giving knowledge to humans and has their own way of life, I don’t want to comment further about it or about all religions because I haven’t deeply studied all of them but according to my perception, some learnt few aspects of Hinduism , if we take the instance of Buddha, as Buddhism is derived from Hinduism itself, Buddha was more attracted to the meditation aspects in Shiva’s Teaching, Buddha did’t want to have a family, so left his wife and kid and passed on his teachings incorporating his self-interest in it. Buddhism is a beautiful religion or teaching if you are only interested in meditating and living. Question is is that all you want in this life? On the other hand OSHO created his own culture just using the Tantric aspects in Shiva’s Teaching again he was more inclined to sex and love making aspect and he formed a culture or belief. Now you can use your own rational thinking and conscience and find the answers to the question. Shiva is still worshipped by other religions in different names, forms and systems , just like how its mentioned in the Rig Veda 3000BC, Truth is One: Sages call it by various names, Systems of faiths maybe different, But God is One!

I would like to remind all of us Shiva never asked us to follow any religion, books or writing, live life the way he lived and you shall find all the answers, all the truth is within us, use our own consciousness and explore it and the world shall be a better place for all livings beings, nature and for humans. Nature has proved us already that we don’t need to protect nature, she knows to protect herself. Now our duty is to protect ourselves by living like how our ancestors lived seeing God in whole of nature and causing no harm to Mother Earth. When organized religions ask me to join them, I respect them and their beliefs but when I have access to infinite knowledge without any restrictions, when Shiva guided me with all aspects of life emphasizing on universe is within you, God, truth and knowledge is within you and see God in everyone why should I limit myself? I believe Shiva is OMNIPOTENT (Having Unlimited power) OMNISCIENT (All Knowing) OMNIPRESENT (PRESENT EVERYWHERE) AND ARUPA, RUPA-ARUPA and SWARUPA ( Which means he is formless, He forms emerging from the formless and also with a form)

Declaration

I hereby humbly declare that the above thesis consists only the very basics of ancient Vedas, the knowledge and information is infinite and covers many other aspects of life, science, universe and chemistry etc. I’ve discussed just the ABCD of Vedas and Sanathana Dharma.

I’m ready for an argumentation through peaceful exchange of views with any world renowned spiritual leaders or religious scholars including SadhGuru, Zakir Naik, Dalai Lama(14th) or anyone who has a contradiction with my thesis/revelation. I’m eligible in my own ways, and I can also prove how some of the world scholars or spiritual leaders are ineligible as they still haven’t conquered their anger, aggression and agitation when asked adverse questions. I’ve learned psychology as well and just to give everyone an insight, if you observe most of the spiritual/religious scholars they use Truman’s law of ”If you cant convince them, confuse them through manipulative and irrelavant phrases or sentences. I don’t have to be a spiritual leader or change my name to propagate my philosophy I shall always be known by my birth name Abhiram which means: Lord Shiva, the most handsome and pleasing and giver of pleasure. I shall answer all of your questions with a genuine smiling face.

Judaism, as a living religion has grown and developed over time and influences the lives of its adherents through aspects of their principal beliefs and core ethical teachings. This is due to significant people such as Moses Maimonides and core ethical teachings such as sexual ethics, which heavily contribute greatly to making Judaism a living religion as it allows adherents of Judaism to deeply interact with these characteristics of the Jewish religious tradition

Moses Maimonides (1135-1204) significantly contributed to the development of Judaism as a living tradition. His written literary works including the Commentary on the Mishnah Torah, Mishneh Torah and the Guide for the Perplexed, which guided Jewish adherents by giving them a deeper insight into how they should act and worship God in their daily lives. The commentary on the Mishnah torah provided a summary of each parts of the Mishnah. This had a major impact to the development and expression of Judaism as the commentary on the Mishnah also made Jewish law easily accessible without large amounts of Talmud study. It was also written in Arabic, which made it accessible to Jewish adherent living in Arabic areas. The commentary of the Mishnah also remains relevant today as it included the “Thirteen articles of faith” which is still used as a foundation to Jewish faith and is based on the Migdal prayer, which is often he closing prayer of Friday evening service at Sephardic gatherings and is significant for Jewish adherents as it reminds them of God’s power.

Furthermore, the Mishnah torah contained another 13 books detailing Jewish civil and ritual laws on practices. Maimonides summarised the Talmud and re-organised the discussion of mitzvot into 14 logical sections. This significantly impacted the development and expression of Judaism as it enabled Jewish adherents to know how to act in a given situation without reference to the Talmud and all people could relate to his code of Jewish law as it was clear and logical. As past writings were randomly arranged and were difficult to follow, the Mishnah Torah was set out in a more logical way, making it easier for adherents to understand. As a result, a full range of Jewish law was made more accessible and relevant. For example, the 8 Degrees of Tzedakah, states how Jews can live out the Torah through charity. The highest degree is to “to strengthen the hand of a Jew who is poor” so that “the person will not need to ask for assistance from others. The Mishnah torah has also impacted Judaism’s development and expression, as they are still relevant and influential today as it set the foundations of the 16th century code of Jewish law by Joseph Karo and modern rabbis base their legal decisions on the code of the 16th century law that was influenced by Maimonides and the Mishnah torah has become a part of the orthodox liturgy. Moreover, the “Guide for the Perplexed” addressed the relationship between religion and philosophy to demonstrate that Jewish beliefs had a sound basis in rational thought. Therefore, helping to enhance Jewish thought and helped the validity of Judaism from the threats of classical philosophy. The guide for the perplexed significantly impacted the development and expression of Judaism as showed that faith were compatible and encouraged Jewish adherents to base their faith on reason. It also enabled Judaism to withstand the threat from philosophy by showing that it could be open to intellectual debate and inspection. The book also makes the religion applicable to modern society as Jewish and non-Jewish philosophers continue to study it and it is considered one of the great philosopher’s works. Thus, the literary writings by Moses Maimonides have inevitably impacted Judaism’s development and expression, as they are still relevant and influential today.

Ethics can be defined as principles of morality which distinguish right from wrong in the context of human life. Religious traditions maintain significance in their ability to lay foundational ethical teachings for adherents. Sexual ethics in Judaism provides guidance for sexual behaviour and seek to establish correct codes for sexual behaviour. Sexual ethics including the general attitude towards sex, premarital and extramarital sex, contraception and homosexuality evoke a variety of responses from different Jewish variants due to different understandings and create varying issues based off core Jewish teachings. In regards to the general attitude of sex, Jewish adherents believe that sexual relationships should be reserved for and expressed within the significant practice of marriage. Jewish adherents also believe that the mutual satisfaction of sexual desire between a husband and wife is a mitzvah, as it is seen to reinforce the bonds of love and attachment. Jewish adherents also believe that husband and wife are companions in a relationship designed to create a family and mutual comfort. Marriage is Kiddushin (holiness) and a celibate or unmarried life is considered wrong as it is reneging on the ideal expressed within the creation story. Divorce is permitted in Judaism and is called a ‘get’. Attitudes towards divorce differ among Jewish variants, but it is generally not ideal, for “it is not good that a man should be alone” (Genesis 2:18.) Progressive teachings express a more liberal approach.

Furthermore, Jewish adherents firmly believe that the covenant of marriage is to be devoted and faithful to your partner and sexual relations should be expressed within the covenant of marriage “Thou shall not commit adultery” (7th commandment) and adherents believe that committing the act of adultery denigrates the sacredness of marriage. Furthermore, many Jewish adherents believe extramarital sex takes sex outside of the loving, caring and committed relationship as the word for ‘sex’ in Judaism literally translates to ‘to know’ ais taught that the ideal unit for this concept to be expressed is marriage, meaning that sexual intercourse has immense spiritual significance and should thus only occur in a relationship where loyalty and fidelity is present.

Furthermore, contraception is the use of a physical (condom) or chemical device to interfere with the normal process of conception so that pregnancy does not develop. In Judaism, one main purposes of marriage is procreation and commandment to marry and have children. “be fruitful and multiply” (Genesis 1:28). As such, contraception is not encouraged especially among Orthodox Jews and is forbidden to waste ‘the seed’. The methods of contraception allowed under Jewish law are those that do not damage the sperm or stop it from reaching its intended destination. Female birth control pill is favoured as male contraceptive methods such as condoms ‘waste the seed’. The use of condoms are seen to block the passage of semen and reduce the pleasure husband and wife get from sex and so interfere with the marital purposes of intercourse. Condoms are also rejected because they interfere with becoming ‘one flesh’ “And he shall cleave to his wife and they shall become one flesh” (Genesis 2:24). This ethical teaching differs among the variants due to their interpretation of the Torah. Progressive take a more liberal view as they take into account modern context. The modern orthodox position permits the use of contraception in cases when pregnancy or childbirth may harm the mother and if limiting the number of children is for the benefit of the existing family and to delay or space out having children. However, a married couple should not use contraception for the selfish reason of avoidance. In recent times such as with the outbreak of sexually transmitted infections (STI’S) and AIDS, the progressive and conservative variants have been willing to adapt their teachings to suit modern concepts. The sexual issue of homosexuality differs in Judaism. Due to the firm belief in Judaism that one of main purposes of marriage is to procreate, homosexuality is forbidden and is considered ‘wasting the seed’ and many believe homosexual acts refutes the commandment to marry and have children. This view differs among the variants due to their interpretation of the Torah. The torah forbids male homosexuality, although there is nothing said about female acts. In the book of Leviticus, there are two verses that relate directly to male homosexuality. ‘Do not lie with a male as one lies with a woman; it is an abhorrence’ and ‘If a man lies with a male as one lies with a woman, the two of them have done an abhorrent thing, they shall be put to death. Some believe that the use of such strong language in the Torah is because the homosexual lifestyle is one in which conception is not possible, and thus is not considered to be the ‘natural’ process for sexual intercourse. Some also believe homosexuality undermines the Jewish ideal of family that is articulated in the Torah. Progressive and conservative Jewish adherents are more likely to accept homosexuality, though even strictly Orthodox adherents distinguish between homosexual orientation and homosexual acts. In contemporary Judaism, homosexually oriented individuals are discouraged from the physical expression. The progressive Jewish community for the most part, understand the reality of sexual orientation as something that is beyond simple personal preference. Thus, these issues challenge Jewish ethical teachings which are based on respect for God’s creation, marriage, procreation and faithfulness. These ethical teachings provide adherents with clarification and guidance on how to live a moral and faithful Jewish life.

In conclusion, it is clear that significant people such as Moses Maimonides and core ethical teachings such as sexual ethic heavily contribute greatly to making Judaism a living religion as it allows adherents of Judaism to deeply interact with these characteristics of the Jewish religious tradition.