If Jesus and Martin Luther were time-warped to the present, how do you think they would each respond to each of the major forms of contemporary Christianity (Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodox, and Protestantism)? Why?
I believe that if either Jesus or Martin Luther were around today they would be at surprised how christianity has evolved. I still belive though that both Jesus and Martin Luther would disagree a bit with Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodox. The reason is because of the saints and idols. Being raised prostestant i believe that Jesus and Martin Luther would preach the commadment where "you shall not have other gods besides me. Overall all 3 praise God in their own way and i think both of them would agree that following God is the most important. Do you guys agree or disagree with my statement?
Friday, December 21, 2007
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Interview with Capt (Rabbi) Bruce Bublick (Orthodox Judaism)
As we discussed in class Judaism is one of 3 major religions in the west. This is what Rabbi Bublick had to say about Orthodox Judaism:
Orthodox Judaism or Judaism in general is similar to Christianity and Islam. There is the concept of reward and punishment. The Torah or the Bible contains very detailed description of law. It explains how every Jewish person should lead their lives. There are 3 types of Judaism in the US. Orthodox, Conservative and Reform. The Orthodox Jew believes that if you follow the Torah you will be rewarded. For example you will go to heaven. If you don't follow the Torah you are not a real Orthodox Jew and will not go to the after life. A major difference between Christians and Jews is that Christians believe in the Messiah. The Jewish faith believes the Messiah will come one day and resurrect the dead who followed the Torah.(Reward). Orthodox Jews follow the Torah intensely. We believe it tells us how to conduct ourselves. Conservative Jew takes some of the Bible and changes to accommodate themselves. The Reform Jew believes that the Torah or Bible is not for this generation. The 1st five books of the Torah are called the Pentateuch.
I got this all on the phone with Capt Bublick. He is a Capt with the New York Air National Guard based out of Stewart Air National Guard Base. He was surprised that i knew so much already about the Jewish religion. Please post any comments or questions that you may have. Thank you.
Marcos
Orthodox Judaism or Judaism in general is similar to Christianity and Islam. There is the concept of reward and punishment. The Torah or the Bible contains very detailed description of law. It explains how every Jewish person should lead their lives. There are 3 types of Judaism in the US. Orthodox, Conservative and Reform. The Orthodox Jew believes that if you follow the Torah you will be rewarded. For example you will go to heaven. If you don't follow the Torah you are not a real Orthodox Jew and will not go to the after life. A major difference between Christians and Jews is that Christians believe in the Messiah. The Jewish faith believes the Messiah will come one day and resurrect the dead who followed the Torah.(Reward). Orthodox Jews follow the Torah intensely. We believe it tells us how to conduct ourselves. Conservative Jew takes some of the Bible and changes to accommodate themselves. The Reform Jew believes that the Torah or Bible is not for this generation. The 1st five books of the Torah are called the Pentateuch.
I got this all on the phone with Capt Bublick. He is a Capt with the New York Air National Guard based out of Stewart Air National Guard Base. He was surprised that i knew so much already about the Jewish religion. Please post any comments or questions that you may have. Thank you.
Marcos
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Work to be done by November 27th
Barcelona abortion clinic arrests
Police in Spain have arrested four people suspected of carrying out illegal abortions in Barcelona.
The arrests followed raids on several clinics as part of an investigation following a complaint from a pro-choice group called e-Cristians, police said.
Spanish media reported that up to four clinics were searched, including one suspected of performing abortions on women more than 32 weeks pregnant.
The upper limit for abortions in Spain is 22 weeks.
Spain allows abortions to avoid serious risk to the physical or mental health of the woman, and in cases of rape or fetal deformation.
In case of fetal impairment, two specialists, other than the doctor performing the abortion, must certify that the child would suffer from severe physical or mental defects.
Undercover filming
One of the raided Barcelona clinics is thought to have featured in a documentary broadcast on Danish television last year in which undercover filming showed doctors offering women from across Europe late-term abortions.
The gynaecologist who runs the clinic was filmed apparently offering to perform an abortion on an undercover journalist in her eighth month of pregnancy.
Abortions can be performed in Spain within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy in the case of rape and within 22 weeks in the case of fetal impairment.
Under Spanish law a doctor convicted of performing an illegal abortion faces a prison term of between one and three years and a ban from the medical profession.
A woman found guilty of having an illegal abortion can face between six to 12 months behind bars.
The question always arises about abortion. Is it right or Is it wrong? I believe as the christians believe that abortion is wrong and it is murder. The child deserves a chance to live. In this article 4 clinics in Barcelona were found to have performed abortion after the 22 week law. Personally i believe that the penalty should be stiffer for those that committ these crimes. What do you guys think? Do you agree with abortion or disagree? Please post your comments.
Original Article found: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7113640.stm
Police in Spain have arrested four people suspected of carrying out illegal abortions in Barcelona.
The arrests followed raids on several clinics as part of an investigation following a complaint from a pro-choice group called e-Cristians, police said.
Spanish media reported that up to four clinics were searched, including one suspected of performing abortions on women more than 32 weeks pregnant.
The upper limit for abortions in Spain is 22 weeks.
Spain allows abortions to avoid serious risk to the physical or mental health of the woman, and in cases of rape or fetal deformation.
In case of fetal impairment, two specialists, other than the doctor performing the abortion, must certify that the child would suffer from severe physical or mental defects.
Undercover filming
One of the raided Barcelona clinics is thought to have featured in a documentary broadcast on Danish television last year in which undercover filming showed doctors offering women from across Europe late-term abortions.
The gynaecologist who runs the clinic was filmed apparently offering to perform an abortion on an undercover journalist in her eighth month of pregnancy.
Abortions can be performed in Spain within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy in the case of rape and within 22 weeks in the case of fetal impairment.
Under Spanish law a doctor convicted of performing an illegal abortion faces a prison term of between one and three years and a ban from the medical profession.
A woman found guilty of having an illegal abortion can face between six to 12 months behind bars.
The question always arises about abortion. Is it right or Is it wrong? I believe as the christians believe that abortion is wrong and it is murder. The child deserves a chance to live. In this article 4 clinics in Barcelona were found to have performed abortion after the 22 week law. Personally i believe that the penalty should be stiffer for those that committ these crimes. What do you guys think? Do you agree with abortion or disagree? Please post your comments.
Original Article found: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7113640.stm
Monday, November 12, 2007
Religious Topic for 13 November September
JEWS FOR JESUS
I thought i would share a website about real Jewish people who are still Jewish because of their birth place but have converted to Christianity. This is the statement of faith for Jews for Jesus. Since we are moving into Christianity in class. I thought this would be appropriate.
Statement of Faith
We believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are divinely inspired, verbally and completely inerrant in the original writings and of supreme and final authority in all matters of faith and life.
We recognize the value of traditional Jewish literature, but only where it is supported by or conformable to the Word of God. We regard it as in no way binding upon life or faith.
We believe in one sovereign God, existing in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, perfect in holiness, infinite in wisdom, unbounded in power and measureless in love; that God is the source of all creation and that through the immediate exercise of His power all things came into being.
We believe that God the Father is the author of eternal salvation, having loved the world and given His Son for its redemption.
We believe that Jesus the Messiah was eternally pre-existent and is co-equal with God the Father; that He took on Himself the nature of man through the virgin birth so that He possesses both divine and human natures.
We believe in His sinless life and perfect obedience to the Law; in His atoning death, burial, bodily resurrection, ascension into heaven, high-priestly intercession and His personal return in power and glory.
We believe that the Holy Spirit is co-equal and co-eternal with the Father and the Son; that He was active in the creation of all things and continues to be so in providence; that He convicts the world of sin, righteousness and judgment, and that He regenerates, sanctifies, baptizes, indwells, seals, illumines, guides and bestows His gifts upon all believers.
We believe that God created man in His image; that because of the disobedience of our first parents at the Garden of Eden they lost their innocence and both they and their descendants, separated from God, suffer physical and spiritual death and that all human beings, with the exception of Jesus the Messiah, are sinners by nature and practice.
We believe that Jesus the Messiah died for our sins, according to the Scriptures, as a representative and substitutionary sacrifice; that all who believe in Him are justified, not by any works of righteousness they have done, but by His perfect righteousness and atoning blood and that there is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.
We believe that Israel exists as a covenant people through whom God continues to accomplish His purposes and that the Church is an elect people in accordance with the New Covenant, comprising both Jews and Gentiles who acknowledge Jesus as Messiah and Redeemer.
We believe that Jesus the Messiah will return personally in order to consummate the prophesied purposes concerning His kingdom.
We believe in the bodily resurrection of the just and the unjust, the everlasting blessedness of the saved and the everlasting conscious punishment of the lost.
These are actual Jews who have accepted Christ as their lord and Saviour and have became Christians and are out there preaching the Bible to the Jews.
Jews For Jesus Website: http://www.jewsforjesus.org/
Original article: http://www.jewsforjesus.org/about/statementoffaith
I thought i would share a website about real Jewish people who are still Jewish because of their birth place but have converted to Christianity. This is the statement of faith for Jews for Jesus. Since we are moving into Christianity in class. I thought this would be appropriate.
Statement of Faith
We believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are divinely inspired, verbally and completely inerrant in the original writings and of supreme and final authority in all matters of faith and life.
We recognize the value of traditional Jewish literature, but only where it is supported by or conformable to the Word of God. We regard it as in no way binding upon life or faith.
We believe in one sovereign God, existing in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, perfect in holiness, infinite in wisdom, unbounded in power and measureless in love; that God is the source of all creation and that through the immediate exercise of His power all things came into being.
We believe that God the Father is the author of eternal salvation, having loved the world and given His Son for its redemption.
We believe that Jesus the Messiah was eternally pre-existent and is co-equal with God the Father; that He took on Himself the nature of man through the virgin birth so that He possesses both divine and human natures.
We believe in His sinless life and perfect obedience to the Law; in His atoning death, burial, bodily resurrection, ascension into heaven, high-priestly intercession and His personal return in power and glory.
We believe that the Holy Spirit is co-equal and co-eternal with the Father and the Son; that He was active in the creation of all things and continues to be so in providence; that He convicts the world of sin, righteousness and judgment, and that He regenerates, sanctifies, baptizes, indwells, seals, illumines, guides and bestows His gifts upon all believers.
We believe that God created man in His image; that because of the disobedience of our first parents at the Garden of Eden they lost their innocence and both they and their descendants, separated from God, suffer physical and spiritual death and that all human beings, with the exception of Jesus the Messiah, are sinners by nature and practice.
We believe that Jesus the Messiah died for our sins, according to the Scriptures, as a representative and substitutionary sacrifice; that all who believe in Him are justified, not by any works of righteousness they have done, but by His perfect righteousness and atoning blood and that there is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.
We believe that Israel exists as a covenant people through whom God continues to accomplish His purposes and that the Church is an elect people in accordance with the New Covenant, comprising both Jews and Gentiles who acknowledge Jesus as Messiah and Redeemer.
We believe that Jesus the Messiah will return personally in order to consummate the prophesied purposes concerning His kingdom.
We believe in the bodily resurrection of the just and the unjust, the everlasting blessedness of the saved and the everlasting conscious punishment of the lost.
These are actual Jews who have accepted Christ as their lord and Saviour and have became Christians and are out there preaching the Bible to the Jews.
Jews For Jesus Website: http://www.jewsforjesus.org/
Original article: http://www.jewsforjesus.org/about/statementoffaith
Work to be done by November 13th
To me the Key points of Judaism are: That there is one God. Unlike the Christianity, Judaism believes the Messiah has not yet come to free them. The old testament and the laws are to be followed.
ORTHODOX
In Orthodox Judaism for example they are extremists. They believe that all the laws must be followed to the point. God is the almighty and there is no other God. They await the Messiah. Men sit with men and study the Torah. Women and children have their separate place. Hebrew is the language of the service.
CONSERVATIVE
In Conservative Judaism the beliefs are rooted just like the Orthodox but there is a bit more relaxed in the religious practice aspect. It is more concerned with the scientific study of the Bible. Hebrew and English are used in the service.
REFORM
Reform Judaism can be considered the modern day Judaism. They beliefs are still the same with one God and all but on services men and women may sit together without having their heads covered. Instead of synagogues their worship places are called Temples. Worship are usually on Friday evenings. English is the main language in the service.
ORTHODOX
In Orthodox Judaism for example they are extremists. They believe that all the laws must be followed to the point. God is the almighty and there is no other God. They await the Messiah. Men sit with men and study the Torah. Women and children have their separate place. Hebrew is the language of the service.
CONSERVATIVE
In Conservative Judaism the beliefs are rooted just like the Orthodox but there is a bit more relaxed in the religious practice aspect. It is more concerned with the scientific study of the Bible. Hebrew and English are used in the service.
REFORM
Reform Judaism can be considered the modern day Judaism. They beliefs are still the same with one God and all but on services men and women may sit together without having their heads covered. Instead of synagogues their worship places are called Temples. Worship are usually on Friday evenings. English is the main language in the service.
JUDAISM (Religious Ritual)
Picture on the top is of a Challah. It is made of raised dough and the loaf of the bread has a spiral shape to it. The bread is twisted and braided before it is bake in the oven. The braids represent the memories of the past memories woven into the lives of the Jewish Culture. It is served with honey on holidays to wish for a blessed upcoming year.Picture on the left is a typical jewish meal.
You have the wine, lox, the spread.
Picture on the right is of a Jewish ceremony in a synagogue.
I observed a military Judaic ceremony. Rabbi (Captain) Bruce Bublick led the ceremony. Like we had learned in class he read the Torah. It was weird to me having someone read from back to front. The ceremony featured spirited singing and prayer in both Hebrew and English. Listening to them sing and say their prayers took me back to watching "The Passion of the Christ" where the whole movie was in Aramaic. There was also a chant when the Torah was read. They call it the parsha (section of the Torah read each Shabbat) and haftorah, and an informal Torah study discussion. I thought that i would not be welcomed or looked upon well by attending the service since i was not Jewish. I felt awkward walking to the service. To my surprise i was welcomed regardless of my christian background. I still felt out of place though. The women and men were separated. I asked Captain Bublick after the service what kind of service that was he said it was a mixture of all the Orthodox, Reformed and conservative. He explained to me that because of the limited resources in the Guard they had to get a Jewish service focusing on a point of view for each form of Judaism. I would explain the service more but like i said most of it was in Hebrew. After the service we had some food during which the Jewish people who usually attend these services made me feel at home. I was told since it was during our military duty hours we could have real wine. So instead there was grape juice. They had a big bread called a Challah, bagels. One thing i tried and i did not like was the lox ( a thin sliced salmon). I'm not a big fan o sea food so i was disgusted by the lox. Also available to eat was pita, hummus, fruits, cookies and juice. Kosher was observed since there was really no milk or meat around. I asked Capt Bublick where were the bacon and eggs and he explained to me about Kosher and not mixing meat and dairy together. Overall i had a good experience with going to the Jewish service. I learned a lot about their way of serving God. Please post any questions or comments that you might have for me. Thanks and Shalom!!
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