Category: Religion and theology

Notes should be formatted to follow the modified Cornell Notetaking Method presented by Dr. Walsh. Notes should summarize the reading(s) or videos, make connections to other aspects of the course, raise questions, and analyze the new material. Include a reflection paragraph of at least 300 words. Use these notes to demonstrate that you have completed ALL of the readings or videos. In other words, do not select one small detail to address for the full length of the notes. If I cannot read the note set, it will not be awarded full credit. These notes must be submitted on Canvas by 12:30pm on the assigned day and will be graded on a full-, partial-, or no-credit basis. No late submissions accepted. If Canvas cannot open the file or if the incorrect file is uploaded, no credit will be awarded. No Pages files and no HEIC photo files accepted.

Required Textbook: Bowker, John.

World Religion

s: The Great Faiths Explored and Explained.

2021.

ISBN

–

10: 0744034752

The Four Noble Truths speak to the reality of suffering and its source in the endless craving and desire we experience. For this assignment, I am asking you to observe your own patterns of craving for two days. In a 900-1200 word reflective essay, please address the following questions: What do you crave? How does it feel when you are craving? What draws you to this craving? Is it something you deem to be good or worthwhile?Is there anything that crosses over from desire to addiction for you? The internet? Your phone? Texting? Coffee? Exercise? TV? Movies? Gambling? Going out? Gaming? The news? Food? Busyness? Being with other people? Being around a particular person? Once you observe your pattern of craving, try stepping back from that craving for short periods of time to observe your reaction to that experience. Are you able to withdraw from the craving? Do you experience agitation or dissatisfaction when you do so? When you return to it, does the experience of satisfying the craving result in contentment or more craving? How did it feel to observe yourself doing things you always do unconsciously? Consider also discretely observing another person briefly for the same patterns and noticing how desire functions in their life. As you observe yourself, do so in a non-judgmental way. Remember, Buddhism critiques how we desire, not what is desired. The goal of the exercise is to become cognizant of the innumerable little and big things we are always wanting, desiring, grasping after, and to observe the ways in which we do or do not suffer as a result. It is essentially putting the first two Noble Truths to the test. Be sure that you are making connections to the class readings (no outside sources) as your describe and reflect on your experience. Submit your paper electronically via Canvas under the Critical Reflection #1 assignment. Papers must be uploaded as a .doc, .docx, or .pdf file (not just typed in the Text Submission box, or as a Pages or .rtf file). Each paper should be 900-1200 words, typed, single-spaced, 12-point font, and 1-inch margins. It should be written in polished, academic style. Do not skip lines. In the upper left corner of the paper, give the following information in this format: Name Spring 2026 TH4480 Critical Reflection #1 Failing to meet any of these expectations will result in a loss of points on the assignment. The papers will be graded primarily on depth of reflection (were the questions at hand genuinely engaged and considered, or did the reflection paper show just a passing interaction with it?). **Remember the Honor Code you signed at the start of this semester. All papers will be run through Canvas anti-plagiarism system, which crosschecks submissions against other student papers and websites. The use of generative AI at any stage of the writing process is not permitted. *This assignment is an adaptation of a project described by Fran Grace in her article Learning as a Path, Not a Goal: Contemplative PedagogyIts Principles and Practices, Teaching Theology and Religion 14/2 (April 2011).

I have attached a pdf of my ai generated email, please go through and make it not ai detectable through turn it in. I will attach the promt of the email in case you need to change anything and will attach the reading if you want to change or add any quotes.

PROFESSORS INSTRUCTIONS BELOW

Read the excerpt from the chapter about Divine Violence in

by Tremper Longman III (on Canvas). A friend tells you that he or she cant believe in a God that kills so many people and even calls what God did to the Caanites as a genocide. Write a 3 page email to the friend responding to their claim. Be sure to use material from the chapter but use a conversational, loving tone throughout.

This is a master’s degree-level course and should be handled as such. This project is due by 11:59 p.m. (CT) on Sunday, February 15. This customer requests it to be done at least by Saturday, February 14th. Luther Profile: Submit a 1,1001,250-word profile of Luther the interpreter based on your reading of the selection on Luther in The Blackwell Companion to Hermeneutics. Include in your analysis of Luther: A brief biographical reflection, His two meanings in Scripture (not the four-fold), His understanding of the Word of God and the Bible (they are not the same), and His views on law and grace. You may consult additional resources. The New Catholic Encyclopedia (available online through sites like Christian Classics Ethereal Library (CCEL) and others), The Companion to Hermeneutics, and various books and journal articles available via Moody Library will serve as excellent references. This can be documented informally by citing abbreviated titles and page numbers in parentheses.

For your initial thread, you will compose a thread of at least 300-350 words. Your initial thread must have at least two references, with one reference being one of the course textbooks. You will then compose 3 replies of 150-200 words each. Two of your replies should be to other classmates, while the third reply should be to your initial thread. (If there is no comment on your thread, then your third post can be on someone elses.) Each reply must have at least one reference. Professional writing is expected in all posts and current Turabian formatting should be followed.

Initial Thread Prompt: This assignment has three parts:

1. In one or two sentences, state the main thesis of this week’s reading.
2. Do you agree or disagree with the claims the author is making? Provide evidence to support your assessment of the claims.
3. At the end of your initial thread, indicate one way that this week’s reading has clarified for you what it means to be a disciple of Jesus.

A superb answer will not merely summarize the argument but will engage with the ideas. Your reasons for agreeing or disagreeing with him should be stated clearly and be relevant to what the author is doing in this particular chapter.

Replies Prompt: Critically assess your classmates explanation of the reading. For example, what are the strengths of their explanation? What are the weaknesses? What support can be added to their case?

The aim of these replies is to help each other better understand the assigned reading. By engaging with each others statements, we can encourage each other to a better practice that is grounded more firmly in the theological tradition.

Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth

• Chapters 10-13

The purpose of the Discussion Board forums is to help you better understand the classical disciplines of the Christian Faith.

Parameters: For your initial thread, you will compose a thread of at least 300-350 words. Your initial thread must have at least two references, with one reference being one of the course textbooks. You will then compose 3 replies of 150-200 words each. Two of your replies should be to other classmates, while the third reply should be to your initial thread. (If there is no comment on your thread, then your third post can be on someone elses.) Each reply must have at least two references. Professional writing is expected in all posts and current Turabian formatting should be followed.

Initial Thread Prompt: There are three parts to your initial thread:

• Summarize two of the four disciplines from this weeks reading (Confession, Worship, Guidance, and Celebration) in 1-2 sentences for each discipline.
• Explain the biblical and theological rationale for one of the practices that you summarized.
• Identify one way that you can implement this discipline into your life.

Replies Prompt: Critically assess your classmates explanation of the biblical and theological rationale. For example, what are the strengths of their explanation? What are the weaknesses? What support can be added to their case?

The aim of these replies is to help each other better understand the classical disciplines and the biblical and theological rationale for each one. By engaging with each others statements, we can encourage each other to better practice that is grounded more firmly in the theological tradition.

Your initial thread is due by 11:59 p.m. (CT) on Thursday of Module/Week 3. Your 3 replies are due by 11:59 p.m. (CT) on Sunday of Module/Week 3.

Religious Interview Research-Based Essay

For this assignment, you will conduct a personal interview with a religious leader, who can be from your local community, town, or city, OR someone with whom you make a contact online representative of a certain religion. NOTE: If you are a part of religious community, interview somebody from OUTSIDE of your own organization. Possible interviewees could be a pastor, rabbi, priest, or imam. The idea is to speak with someone who has a leadership role in a religious community, whether that is a church, synagogue/temple, mosque, gurdwara, etc.

Step One: Schedule an appointment with the person if the person agrees to an interview. Explain this is for a college assignment in a religion class. For the persons convenience (and yours), you could have a Zoom meeting with the person online. Of course, you could meet with the person face-to-face. Assure the person that this is only being used for a class assignment (or paper).

Step Two: Ask the person if it is OK for you to record so you can take notes. Always ask for permission. Of course, you can take notes, but you want to keep eye contact to let the person know you are interested.

IMPORTANT: You are required to submit a picture of you and your interviewee. If you are on the computer, make a screenshot of the two of you. The picture MUST be submitted along with your paper. (Tell the person that the professor is the only one who needs the picture for the assignment.)

Step Three: Here are the recommended questions.

1. Get your interviewees preferred name, title, how long the person has been in that role, a basic leadership description, and a little bit about your interviewees background (work history, etc.) Then ask…

2. What do you think is/are the most important part(s) or characteristic(s) of your religion?

3. What do you want others to know about your religion?

4. What do you think is the most unique aspect/part of your religion?

5. What makes you a strong believer in your faith?

6. What is the average weekly attendance for your religious community? What age ranges participate in your religious communitys activities and services?

7. Is your religious community growing? If not, why?

6. What are some of your religious traditions, rituals? Which do you favor most?

7. How does observing or performing these rituals affect your daily life?

8. Does your religion provide a guide for your future path?

9. Does your community of faith always stand behind you in a time of need? How?

10. What are some of the greatest challenges you face as a leader within your religious community? What do you see for the future of your religious community?

Step Four: Review your notes. Now, go back to Chapter 1 in our textbook. Write down FIVE (5) points/facts mentioned in Chapter 1 that in some way tie/connect to something your interviewee said. Write those as direct quotes from the chapter. Be sure to put quotation marks around those, and make an internal citation for each one. Example: Religions have cognitive (thinking) dimensions that teach their followers what is necessary to know (Van Voorst 10). Be sure to use APA formatting.

Step Five: Go to the Religion and Philosophy Collection database within Columbia College’s Edens Library. Access the database using the Library and Edens Learning Commons link on our Canvas course site.

Step Six: With this Religion and Philosophy database, find three (3) articles that tie in/relate to something your interviewee said. For example, if your interviewee said that their churchs attendance is declining because fewer young people who are going to church, find a recent article about church attendance in America. Another example would be that if you were interested in how your interviewee shared how their religion/faith values baptism, find an article dealing with baptism in that particular religion.

Step Seven: Using APA-formatting for your paper, write a 3-4 page summary (double-space) (Times New Roman 12) of what you discovered from what your interviewee. Give your paper an interesting title—Example: Reflections from a Southern Baptist Pastor: What It Means to Be a Preacher. Provide an introduction telling who your interviewee is, a little bit about your interviewees role and background; then go through and maybe pick three major insights your interviewee shared and elaborate on those. Include actual quotes from your interviewee as you relate your report. Somewhere in your paper, pull the quotes you identified from Chapter 1 in the textbook and the quotes from your three articles from the Central Carolina Library. Make sure you blend these quotes into your paper. In other words, dont just throw them in. Move into them smoothly in your paper, using transitions, etc.

Step Eight: Proof your paper carefully. Read it out loud to correct any errors. Be sure to include page numbers in your internal citations that correspond with the textbook. Include a References page at the end for your paper. Use APA formatting, NOT MLA.

Step Nine: Submit your paper to the designated assignment folder. Be sure you have also included the picture of you and your interviewee, as required.

Religious Interview Research-Based Essay

For this assignment, you will conduct a personal interview with a religious leader, who can be from your local community, town, or city, OR someone with whom you make a contact online representative of a certain religion. NOTE: If you are a part of religious community, interview somebody from OUTSIDE of your own organization. Possible interviewees could be a pastor, rabbi, priest, or imam. The idea is to speak with someone who has a leadership role in a religious community, whether that is a church, synagogue/temple, mosque, gurdwara, etc.

Step One: Schedule an appointment with the person if the person agrees to an interview. Explain this is for a college assignment in a religion class. For the persons convenience (and yours), you could have a Zoom meeting with the person online. Of course, you could meet with the person face-to-face. Assure the person that this is only being used for a class assignment (or paper).

Step Two: Ask the person if it is OK for you to record so you can take notes. Always ask for permission. Of course, you can take notes, but you want to keep eye contact to let the person know you are interested.

IMPORTANT: You are required to submit a picture of you and your interviewee. If you are on the computer, make a screenshot of the two of you. The picture MUST be submitted along with your paper. (Tell the person that the professor is the only one who needs the picture for the assignment.)

Step Three: Here are the recommended questions.

1. Get your interviewees preferred name, title, how long the person has been in that role, a basic leadership description, and a little bit about your interviewees background (work history, etc.) Then ask…

2. What do you think is/are the most important part(s) or characteristic(s) of your religion?

3. What do you want others to know about your religion?

4. What do you think is the most unique aspect/part of your religion?

5. What makes you a strong believer in your faith?

6. What is the average weekly attendance for your religious community? What age ranges participate in your religious communitys activities and services?

7. Is your religious community growing? If not, why?

6. What are some of your religious traditions, rituals? Which do you favor most?

7. How does observing or performing these rituals affect your daily life?

8. Does your religion provide a guide for your future path?

9. Does your community of faith always stand behind you in a time of need? How?

10. What are some of the greatest challenges you face as a leader within your religious community? What do you see for the future of your religious community?

Step Four: Review your notes. Now, go back to Chapter 1 in our textbook. Write down FIVE (5) points/facts mentioned in Chapter 1 that in some way tie/connect to something your interviewee said. Write those as direct quotes from the chapter. Be sure to put quotation marks around those, and make an internal citation for each one. Example: Religions have cognitive (thinking) dimensions that teach their followers what is necessary to know (Van Voorst 10). Be sure to use APA formatting.

Step Five: Go to the Religion and Philosophy Collection database within Columbia College’s Edens Library. Access the database using the Library and Edens Learning Commons link on our Canvas course site.

Step Six: With this Religion and Philosophy database, find three (3) articles that tie in/relate to something your interviewee said. For example, if your interviewee said that their churchs attendance is declining because fewer young people who are going to church, find a recent article about church attendance in America. Another example would be that if you were interested in how your interviewee shared how their religion/faith values baptism, find an article dealing with baptism in that particular religion.

Step Seven: Using APA-formatting for your paper, write a 3-4 page summary (double-space) (Times New Roman 12) of what you discovered from what your interviewee. Give your paper an interesting title—Example: Reflections from a Southern Baptist Pastor: What It Means to Be a Preacher. Provide an introduction telling who your interviewee is, a little bit about your interviewees role and background; then go through and maybe pick three major insights your interviewee shared and elaborate on those. Include actual quotes from your interviewee as you relate your report. Somewhere in your paper, pull the quotes you identified from Chapter 1 in the textbook and the quotes from your three articles from the Central Carolina Library. Make sure you blend these quotes into your paper. In other words, dont just throw them in. Move into them smoothly in your paper, using transitions, etc.

Step Eight: Proof your paper carefully. Read it out loud to correct any errors. Be sure to include page numbers in your internal citations that correspond with the textbook. Include a References page at the end for your paper. Use APA formatting, NOT MLA.

Step Nine: Submit your paper to the designated assignment folder. Be sure you have also included the picture of you and your interviewee, as required.

Please respond to this discussion post in 150 words

Pastoral Counselors and Care

Pastoral counselors have the unique position, opportunity, and responsibility to provide care to care-seekers. Regardless of if these counselors are operating within or outside a church or para-church setting, the care offered by these individuals is significant. This care can take different forms but is aptly described as being pastoral. Hislop (2022) explains that this word, while painting the image of the kind of care shepherds have for their flock, encompasses different caring actions like mentoring, listening, coaching, praying, offering spiritual guidance, and of course biblical counseling. Furthermore, there is an assumption that such care is successfully accomplished through an ongoing and positive relationship (Hislop, 2022).

Limitations: Pastoral Counselors and Licensed Clinicians

When it comes to discerning limitations for pastoral counselors as well as licensed clinicians, it is helpful to reflect on Hawkins and Clintons (2015) core elements of ethical excellence (pp. 64-66). This brief list can be viewed as the essential safety rails for all counselors to understand where their strengths lie and when they should refer. There are five Cs, one each for every core element, and they are as follows: competence (self-awareness of ones knowledge, skill, and relatability), consent (the counselee maintains a level of self-determination throughout the counseling process), consultation (ensuring ones competency remains and goes beyond the tasks through community support), confidentiality (assurance to the care-seeker that their disclosed information will not be shared unless certain circumstances unfold), and contract (a formalized agreement for expectations for the counselor-counselee relationship) (Hawkins and Clinton, 2015, pp. 64-66).

Perhaps the most relevant core element pertaining to pastoral counselors and licensed clinicians and which should provide care is competency. What the counselor has been specifically trained for is critical in this decision. While pastoral counselors will be more familiar with issues of spirituality, the problem of good and evil, salvation, and other biblical topics, licensed clinicians may often have a more robust training in the field of psychology, mental disorders, and other similar subjects.

Referrals and Ongoing Care

As previously discussed, knowing when a required level of care exceeds the ability of pastoral counselors is a necessary skill. This skill can be developed by noting what to look for during either the intake process or throughout the counseling process. Hislop (2020) notes that pastoral counselors should be quick to recognize any new and sudden behavioral changes, severe and significant mental/emotional issues, and noticeable differences/markers in physicality in their clients. Again, the practical consideration presented by Hawkins and Clinton (2015) is for counselors to recognize the limits in their competency in these areas while also being able to identify figures within the community who are qualified in those areas of expertise.

In the case a referral is made, pastoral counselors do not necessarily need to cease being a caregiver for the client. They can still offer their services while once again keeping in mind the core elements of ethical excellence (Hawkins and Clinton, 2015). If the client still desires to meet with the pastoral counselor and understands what the pastoral counselors expertise is and how the relationship will look, then there is no need to terminate the counseling relationship. It is important, however, for the counselor to set clear boundaries in what they will be discussing so that it does not go beyond their capabilities.

Encouragement and Spiritual Development

For female care-seekers, pastoral counselors have the amazing opportunity to encourage them in their spiritual development and self-actualization. A female client may be struggling with establishing a sense of identity as it relates to her walk with the Lord, so pastoral counselors can direct them to a healthy sense of self. One of the key concepts that the counselor should emphasize throughout the counseling process is that the clients identity is not wrapped up in her roles but her relationship with the Lord. Too often women can be led to believe that their value is contingent upon their various roles and how they perform them. This can apply unnecessary pressure for them to aim to be perceived in a certain way. Instead of this sad reality, pastoral counselors can remind them that while roles can be a good thing, they only serve the purpose of being an outlet of sharing their identity in Christ (Bellevue Baptist Church, 2021). This greatly impacts how she may view her spiritual development as it informs what she should prioritize.