Category: Religion and theology

Purpose: The students will focus on trust. They will use examples from the Israelites in the desert to help them see times in their own lives when they do not trust the Lord.

Initial Post: In 300 words address the following in your post this week:

• Why do you think it was so hard for the Israelites to trust the Lord in the wilderness? Reference a required reading from the week, like God Behaving Badly or Pembertons section on Ex. 14-18.
• Tapping into https://youtu.be/5QLeGR4JPRs?si=FcX2BAlrb9m1O0by (Dr. Taylor’s video on the Exodus), in what ways do you feel trapped or cornered in your life? Do you have people that play the role of Moses in your life? How do they fill this role?
• Why is it difficult to trust God at times and to find a place for faith when you are struggling or suffering? What from the required material could assist with this? (Reference a reading not previously referenced in this post, like the Dahlman article or The Character of God.)

Be sure to cite quotes and reference both scripture and your textbook(s) in your posts, use page numbers or timestamps.

Bible: Coogan, M. D. (2010). The New Oxford Annotated Bible: New Revised Standard Version with the Apocrypha (4th ed). Oxford University Press. ISBN: 9780199370504

BOOK: Pemberton, G. (2015). The God who saves. Leafwood Publishers Press. ISBN: 9780891124825

BOOK: Lamb, D. T. (2022). God behaving badly: Is the God of the Old Testament angry, sexist and racist? InterVarsity Press. ISBN: 9781514003503

Video: https://youtu.be/5QLeGR4JPRs?si=FcX2BAlrb9m1O0by

Rubric: Quality of Post: Student referenced the readings and resources for the week in an integrated, thoughtful response.

Purpose: The students will demonstrate their understanding of the blessings that God provided to Hebrew patriarchs.

Instructions: Use Pembertons book The God Who Saves (pp. 48-62). Create 2 slides that summarize the promises offered to each character he addresses from the early chapters of Genesis.

You will create a slide with two divided sections title and a summary for each portion of the material in Pembertons book. Additionally, you will provide one sentence explaining how this information provides a better understanding about Who God Is for each, Abraham, Isaac and Rebekah, Jacob and Joseph.

The slides should be as follows:

• Slide 1: One side includes Promises to Abraham. List all the promises offered to Abraham. Other side includes the Promise made to Isaac and Rebekah.
• Slides 2: Three promises made to Jacob and a Summary of the houses of Joseph.
• Ensure that each slide includes a title and summary section of the material along with a one-sentence explanation for each character of how this information provides a better understanding of Who God Is.

Make sure that your final submission is aesthetically pleasing and free of typographical and grammatical errors. All information from the class readings should be identified using in-text citations/quotes with page numbers. It should be able to be understood without the need for external explanation.

Rubric: Sections contain elements required for each of the scenes from Pemberton’s book.

Each slide contains Two Titles, a brief summary and at least one sentence explaining the connection of the information to a better understanding of God. Contains in-text citations/quotes with page numbers.

(Only use this book but if you need addtional resource let me know)BOOK: Pemberton, G. (2015). The God who saves. Leafwood Publishers Press. ISBN: 9780891124825

In 10 double spaced pages, pick a topic of dispute and present the problem and who to address it. Choose from one of the following:

a. Did Orthodoxy exist in the first century?

b. When and how was the canon determined?

c. Does James 2:14-26 differ from Paul on salvation?

d. Does the Christology of the Synoptics differ from the Christology of John?

e. What is the evidence for an early, high Christology?

f. Did early Christianity accept pseudepigraphic writings? Why or why not? Pick one book some claim to be a pseudepigraphic work and discuss its authorship.

g. Evaluate the New Perspective on Paul.

Please write a talk for Sacrament. It needs to be about 5 mins. It needs to include references from The Book Of Mormon, or the bible. It needs to be about being baptized and what helps influence the decision to join the church. I also want a part about watching my dad take all the classes and see the change it brought to him and brining our family closer together. How it made us have more family time and brought peace to me. I also attended my first FSY and seen all the devotionals from members and non members and that also helped my testimony to grow.

The student will submit an annotated bibliography of 15

print and online resources to help an average church member grow in their

understanding of and involvement in missions. This bibliography will be distinct

from the one submitted for the term paper. You may use only five resources from

the term paper bibliography to complete this assignment. Each annotation should

be at least three sentences long. The topics covered by the bibliography include

(but are not limited to): prayer for missions, the call to missions, the theology of

missions, support for missions, and missions biographies, with at least one item

for each section

Submit Note Set 13 Excerpt from Shantideva, The Way of the Bodhisattva Chodron, Loving-Kindness, The Places That Scare You (Boston: Shambala, 2002), 41-47 Chodron, Bodhisattva Activity, The Places That Scare You (Boston: Shambala, 2002), 93-98 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.

Using St. Pauls letter to 2 Colossians consider how he views spiritual formation as a process

Using Thich Nhat Hanhs chapter Exercises in Mindfulness as your guide, choose at least one mindfulness activity to do each day for a week. You can select one practice that you do every day for seven days, or choose a different practice each day for seven days. I do not have a specific number of times or amount of time I expect you to devote to this because it will vary depending on which exercise you choose. The point is that I want you dedicating some portion of everyday to an activity that helps cultivate mindfulness. In your reflection paper, first give a detailed explanation of what you did for your mindfulness practice(s), including the day, time, location, etc., and why you chose that particular practice (or those practices). Second, analyze how your mind worked while you practiced and how you felt afterwards. Make connections to the readings and discussions we have had in class when appropriate. Did you find the practice beneficial? Can you see why Buddhist teachers like Thich Nhat Hahn advocate for developing more mindfulness? Did you find that your efforts to cultivating mindfulness spilled over into other parts of your day? By the deadline, submit your paper electronically via Canvas under the Critical Reflection #2 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 Semester Year TH4480 Critical Reflection #2 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?). The rubric distributed for Critical Reflection #1 will be used for this assignment as well. *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.

In this final course assignment, you will review and reflect on all that you have learned and

applied in this course to support the thesis statement: Christian Theology Speaks to a Different

Worldview as a Christian Leader. My hope is that the things you have gleaned from this course

will better equip you to be a Christian leader, both within the church and in the community.

Please include Thesis statement in introduction

One page per each reference given in accompanying documents

• Choose an interviewee who is actively practicing their religion. They are not required to be a scholar but must provide insights into their personal experiences and practices.
• The interviewees religion must differ from your own. For Christians, this includes distinguishing between major branches such as Roman Catholic, Protestant, and Eastern Orthodox.
• Interviews with individuals from similar religious traditions (e.g., a Christian interviewing another Christian) will incur significant grade penalties.
• Avoid interviewing individuals whose religious identity blends multiple traditions (e.g., Messianic Jews) unless otherwise approved.
• Secular or non-practicing individuals are not suitable interview subjects.

II. Preparing for the Interview

1. Background Research

• Read at least two credible sources about the religion of your interviewee, such as textbooks or library databases. Wikipedia and subjective sources do not fulfill this requirement.
• Suggested resources include textbooks by Sorajjakool et al. (2017) and Realin & Preston (2017) or the AHU R.A. Williams Library’s World Religions Online Infobase.
• Using ChatGPT:
• ChatGPT can help summarize key aspects of the religion or clarify concepts before your interview.
• Do not rely solely on ChatGPT as your research source. Cross-check information with reliable academic texts and databases.
• Example: Ask ChatGPT to generate potential interview questions or provide an overview of practices for comparison purposes.

1. Scheduling and Etiquette

• Schedule the interview in advance and provide the interviewee with an outline of topics to be discussed.
• If meeting at a religious site, clarify any visitor guidelines, including dress code, note-taking permissions, and appropriate behavior.

1. Respectful Engagement

• Approach the interview as a learning experience. Avoid criticism, debate, or proselytization.
• Secure permission if you plan to record the conversation.

III. Conducting the Interview

• The interview must be conducted in person or through video conferencing platforms (e.g., Zoom, Google Meet). Telephone or email interviews are not acceptable and will incur penalties.
• Ensure a distraction-free setting to maintain focus and privacy.
• Use open-ended questions to encourage the interviewee to share personal insights and experiences.
• Follow up on interesting points to demonstrate genuine interest.

IV. Core Topics to Cover in the Interview

Include but are not limited to:

1. Religious Affiliation: The branch, denomination, or sect of the interviewees religion.
2. Conversion or Retention: Reasons for adopting or maintaining their faith.
3. Religious Practices: Daily, weekly, and annual rituals, worship, and community activities.
4. Beliefs: Views on God, lifes purpose, and key theological tenets.
5. Generational Practices: Differences in religious practices between generations within their family.
6. Challenges: Experiences of prejudice, barriers to worship, or navigating societal norms.
7. Healthcare Considerations: Religious practices impacting healthcare, including dietary restrictions, preferences for caregivers, and end-of-life care.
8. Civic Life: How faith influences their role as a citizen and professional.

V. Writing the Report

The final report must be at least 1,200 words and adhere to APA format. It should include:

1. Title Page

• Include the title of your report, your name, and course details.

1. Summary of Beliefs and Practices

• Provide a 300400 word summary of the interviewee’s religion. Use at least two credible sources and cite them in APA format.
• Write this section before the interview to demonstrate your preparation.
• Using ChatGPT:
• ChatGPT can assist in drafting this summary by synthesizing key points based on your research.
• Ensure accuracy by validating the information with your approved academic sources.

1. Introduction

• Describe the interviewee (occupation, education, religious background) and the interview setting. Do not include personal contact details.

1. Transcript/Summary of the Interview

• Present the content of the interview in either Q&A or narrative format.
• Follow the order of core topics discussed.

1. Personal Reflection (30% of the grade)

• Minimum 300 words. Reflect on what you learned and how it impacted your understanding of the religion. Compare their beliefs and practices with your own.
• Using ChatGPT:
• Use ChatGPT to brainstorm reflective points or articulate connections between interview insights and your own beliefs.
• Do not copy ChatGPT-generated text directly but use it as inspiration to deepen your reflection.

1. References

• List all sources used for preparation and additional insights in APA format.

1. Appendix (Optional)

• Include any supplementary materials, such as pamphlets or photos (if permitted).

VI. After the Interview

• Summarize your notes promptly while details are fresh.
• Send a thank-you note to your interviewee to express appreciation for their time and insights.