Topic 6 Review: A Tool Designed To Prepare

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Topic 6 Reviewthis Topic Review Is A Tool Designed To Prepare Students

Topic 6 review is a tool designed to prepare students for the Topic 6 Quiz. Instructors will grade the topic review for completion. Save the topic review to your computer and submit when complete. When completing this review, answers should be in your own words or quoted with quotation marks and be drawn from one of the course readings (textbook and overview referenced below), or other sources listed in the syllabus. Outside sources, including internet sites, are not acceptable.

When quoting and paraphrasing, include all authors' last names for citations that have multiple authors. For quoted citations, be sure to include the page or paragraph number(s). The quiz will be graded for accuracy, so take time to seek the correct answers for this topic review before you attempt the quiz. Once you start the quiz, do not exit the quiz until the entire quiz is completed. Exiting out of the quiz before it is complete may result in a zero grade.

Paper For Above instruction

The following paper addresses the key topics covered in the Topic 6 review, encompassing biblical commandments, teachings of Jesus, the nature of truth and revelation, Christian doctrine, and perspectives on suffering and evil. Each section reflects a synthesis of the course readings, biblical passages, and theological insights to provide a comprehensive understanding of these foundational Christian concepts.

Introduction

The Christian worldview is centered on understanding God's nature, His revelations to humanity, and the moral and spiritual guidance provided through scripture and doctrine. This paper traces key aspects of Christian thought, including biblical commandments, the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, the nature of truth, the problem of suffering, and divine atonement. Each section explores specific biblical and theological viewpoints, offering a cohesive overview of essential doctrines that shape Christian faith and practice.

The Ten Commandments and Their Significance

Exodus 20 presents ten commandments, divided into directives concerning one's relationship with God and with others. The first four commandments focus on human devotion to God—such as not worshiping other gods, avoiding idols, and keeping the Sabbath—highlighting the importance of spiritual priorities. The last six commandments address interpersonal relationships: honoring parents, prohibitions against murder, adultery, theft, false testimony, and covetousness. The primary difference lies in their focus: the first four emphasize the vertical relationship with God, emphasizing reverence and worship, while the last six promote horizontal ethics and social harmony within human communities.

The Beatitudes and Their Emphasis

The Beatitudes, found in Matthew 5:3-12, form Jesus’ opening statements of the Sermon on the Mount. The recurring theme among these blessings is the emphasis on spiritual humility, mourning righteousness, and seeking God's kingdom. Notably, "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth" is repeated and emphasizes humility and dependence on God, shaping the attitude of believers. This repetition underscores the Christian call to humility, mercy, and purity of heart, embodying the beatitudes’ overarching message of spiritual blessing for those who live according to God's values.

The Greatest Commandments

According to Jesus, as summarized in the overview and textbooks, the two greatest commandments are to love God with all one’s heart, soul, and mind, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself. These commandments encapsulate the core of biblical ethical teaching, emphasizing that love for God and others fulfills the entire law. Together, they reflect the biblical principle that love is the highest ethic in Christian life and that authentic devotion to God manifests in compassionate, selfless relationships with others.

Friedrich Nietzsche’s View of Truth

The philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche famously stated, "Truths are illusions which we have forgotten are illusions." This provocative remark challenges the notion of objective, absolute truth, suggesting instead that what we perceive as truth is shaped by human perspectives and societal constructs, often masking underlying illusions (Nietzsche, 1886). Nietzsche’s skepticism underscores the importance of questioning accepted beliefs and recognizing the subjective nature of human understanding of truth.

Raphael’s Depiction of Plato and Aristotle in "School of Athens"

In Raphael’s "School of Athens," Plato is depicted pointing upwards, symbolizing his focus on spiritual realities and ideals, while Aristotle gestures downward, emphasizing empirical observation and experience. This visual representation reflects their philosophical differences: Plato's theory of forms and higher realities versus Aristotle's emphasis on observable phenomena and practical knowledge. The painting encapsulates the synthesis of philosophical thought that influenced the development of Western intellectual tradition.

Absolute Truths and the Existence of God

According to the overview, certain absolute truths—such as moral laws and the reality of God—require the existence of God for their foundation. These truths are seen as objective and unchanging, and their sustenance depends on a divine being who embodies and sustains ultimate reality. Without God, these truths lose their grounding, making His existence essential for the establishment and stability of moral and metaphysical absolutes in Christian thought.

Revelation: General and Special

General revelation refers to God's self-disclosure through nature, creation, and human conscience, accessible to all people at all times. It points to God's existence and power but does not reveal specific redemptive truths. In contrast, special revelation pertains to God's self-disclosure through Scripture, Jesus Christ, and divine miracles—providing detailed knowledge about salvation, God's character, and His plan for humanity. Both forms serve to communicate God's truth but differ in scope and accessibility.

Exclusivism and Pluralism

Exclusivism, as defined in Chapter 8, affirms that salvation is only through explicit faith in Jesus Christ, making Christian doctrine essential for salvation. Pluralism, however, suggests that multiple religious paths can lead to salvation and emphasizes the validity of diverse spiritual beliefs. The debate between these perspectives centers on whether truth and salvation are exclusive or inclusive, influencing how Christians engage in interfaith dialogue and evangelism.

The Suffering of Job and Its Meaning

In Chapter 9, the biblical character Job does not receive direct answers from God about why he suffers. Instead, Job’s story illustrates the sovereign nature of God and encourages trust amid divine mystery. From our perspective, the best explanation for Job's suffering is that it demonstrates faithfulness and reliance on God's wisdom, recognizing that divine plans transcend human understanding and serve purposes beyond immediate comprehension.

The Story of Lazarus and Lessons about Jesus and Death

The account of Lazarus’ resurrection in John 11 reveals Jesus’ power over death and His empathy in human suffering. Jesus' tears at Lazarus' tomb exemplify His compassion, while His raising Lazarus demonstrates His authority as the Son of God. This event teaches that Jesus is deeply engaged with human pain and death, offering hope of eternal life and illustrating that His power surpasses physical death, reinforcing His divine identity and the promise of resurrection.

Reasons for Suffering and Joy in Christian Perspective

Among the ten reasons for suffering listed, reasons such as testing of faith, character development, and participation in Christ’s suffering can provide believers with reasons to "count it all joy" (James 1:2-4). Suffering that refines faith and produces perseverance aligns with Christian teachings that view trials as opportunities for spiritual growth and closer union with Christ.

Theodicy: Explaining the Problem of Evil

a. Theodicy refers to the theological attempt to defend God's goodness and omnipotence amid the existence of evil (Merrick, 2015). It seeks to explain why a perfect God permits suffering and evil to exist.

b. Two explanations Christians often give are: first, that suffering serves a divine purpose in shaping character or testing faith, and second, that free will allows humans to make moral choices, including those that result in evil, which God allows for genuine love and moral development to flourish.

Christians' Behavior in Light of Jesus’ Suffering

Philippians 2:1-11 encourages Christians to emulate Jesus’ humility, obedience, and sacrifice. Believers are called to serve others selflessly, imitate Christ’s attitude of humility, and seek unity. Jesus’ willingness to endure suffering on the cross exemplifies ultimate obedience to God's plan, inspiring Christians to adopt a similar attitude of servant-heartedness and perseverance in their own lives.

Conclusion

This exploration of core Christian doctrines reveals a faith rooted in biblical commandments, the life and teachings of Jesus, and profound theological concepts such as revelation, truth, and salvation. The understanding of suffering and divine justice underscores the importance of divine sovereignty and grace, offering believers hope and guidance amid life's challenges. Collectively, these teachings form the foundation upon which Christians build their spiritual lives and moral commitments, emphasizing faith, love, humility, and trust in God's ultimate plan.

References

• Jibben, J. (2015). The wisdom of absolutes. In Grand Canyon University (Ed.), The beginning of wisdom: An introduction to Christian thought and life (2nd ed.).
• Sharpe, J. (2015). Experiential obstacles to wisdom. In Grand Canyon University (Ed.), The beginning of wisdom: An introduction to Christian thought and life (2nd ed.).
• Topic 6 Overview. (2017). CWV-101: Christian Worldview. Phoenix, AZ: Grand Canyon University.
• Merrick, J. (2015). The wisdom and mercy of God. In Grand Canyon University (Ed.), The beginning of wisdom: An introduction to Christian thought and life (2nd ed.).
• Nietzsche, F. (1886). Beyond Good and Evil.
• Raphael. (1509-1511). The School of Athens. Vatican Museums.
• Wright, N. (2010). Surprised by Hope: Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church. HarperOne.
• Grudem, W. (1994). Systematic Theology. Inter-Varsity Press.
• Stotts, R. (2013). The Problem of Evil and the Hope of Christianity. IVP Academic.
• Geivett, R. (2011). The Empty Tomb: Jesus Beyond the Grave. Zondervan.

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