Master of Religion

Master of Religion Lesson 2 Homework

The second lesson's homework was two-part. The first part of it was to memorize the names and order of the books of the Old Testament of the bible. For me, and I'm sure many others, this is an almost impossible task. I have been trying to do that for many years, with no success. So to solve the problem I have tabs placed in my bible for quick reference to the book I desire to read.

 

The second and more in depth part of the homework was to select and defend a version of the Ten Commandments.

 

When I was reading through this lesson I was becoming more and more confused. It kept referencing the 'catholic' commandments, and they were not the same as what was in my catholic edition bible, what I had learned through school (I went to a catholic high school), nor the same as what I had learned in the recent Catechism class I just completed.

Through school, and the catechism course we referred to the various commandments using the shorter definitions that were listed. ("Remember the Sabbath day." rather than "Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. Six days….") However it was the full commandment that we were taught. I have to look into it more as to whether the 'full commandment' was that from the protestant, or Hebrew list.

 

However that is really beside the point. I have always used the list directly from Exodus.

Exodus 20:2-17

New International Version (NIV)

² "I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.

³ "You shall have no other gods before me.

⁴ "You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. ⁵ You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, ⁶ but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.

⁷ "You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.

⁸ "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. ⁹ Six days you shall labor and do all your work, ¹⁰ but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. ¹¹ For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.

¹² "Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.

¹³ "You shall not murder.

¹⁴ "You shall not commit adultery.

¹⁵ "You shall not steal.

¹⁶ "You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.

¹⁷ "You shall not covet your neighbor's house. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor."

 

I have used this version because it is the first set of the Ten Commandments. The ones listed in Deuteronomy could have been written differently because of the cultural differences. However the version in Exodus seems to better apply to any and all cultures. It is also the version that most people know and use.

Ultimately though I use the Exodus version of the Decalogue because it sits best with me; it rings true. And this is the case no matter what version of the bible I read them in.

For me religion is a very personal matter, and this is no different. 

Rev. Jonathon Roulston
www.ulcsouthwestministry.org  

Comments on Matthew and Mark - Universal Life Church Seminary

 Matthew
I found the third test that Satan tempted Jesus with while he was in the wilderness very interesting and thought provoking, theologically.   Satan offered Jesus all the Kingdoms of the world and their glory if Jesus would fall down and do an act of worship to Satan.  What Jesus did not say here, I found just as interesting as what he did say.  In that, Jesus never once denied that Satan possess all these kingdoms that was offered.  Jesus did not say, "What are you talking about Satan, these kingdoms are not yours to offer."   However, Jesus not replying in such a manner implies that he concurred that the "kingdoms of the world and their glory" was Satan's to offer.  The point I'm trying to make is that 6,000 years or so, of recorded human history seems to bear out that Satan has a great influence in the kingdoms of the world and their governments especially, in considering the events of the 20th century. 

Pg. 26 - concerning when Jesus was speaking about who were his brothers, sisters and mother. 
It seems to me that Jesus was speaking of those who were and are now his brothers, sisters and mother, spiritually.  These would be any who does the "will of God" as Jesus explained in at Matt. 12:50, "For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother."- [ESV].  Not everyone is doing God's will and therefore, would not be a spiritual brother, sister or mother to Jesus or to any of his followers, then or now.  John 6:40 helps to explain what the "will of God" is but I'll save that for a later lesson.

Pg. 42 – here at Matt. 19:21, "Jesus said to him, "If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me."- [ESV].

Jesus was not condemning the man because he had many possession and great wealth.  For possessions and wealth are not bad things in themselves however, it is how the man felt about his possessions and wealth in his heart.  Jesus could see that his wealth was an idol to him, his "Golden Calf".  That is way Jesus told him to sell his possessions and give it to the poor.  I think, it falls under the metaphor of, "if your eye offends you, puck it our…"

Pg. 45 – tells of Jesus' triumphal entrance into Jerusalem with all its exultation, hosannas and palm branches being laid in his path.  This is how a king is treated.

I think this entrance symbolically depicted Christ the King entering into the Kingdom of God, in heaven, after his earthly ministry was done.  What also is interesting is that, the same people who were cheering Jesus' entrance like a king was shouting for his crucifixion less than a week later.  The fickleness of people is astounding. 

Pg. 46 – Concerning the story of the fig tree and why Jesus would strike a tree that produced no fruit.

It would not have been unusual for Jesus to expect to find figs on the tree at that time of the year.  In Judea, the first fruits appear as early as Passover, than the main crop of fruits ripen.  When Jesus came to that particular tree, it was barren of the first fruits and therefore, an unproductive tree.   Anyone who has orchards knows that an unproductive fruit tree is simply eliminated just as this particular tree would have been eliminated.  However, Jesus used this particular tree to make a point with his followers, which was, any followers of his that did not produce spiritual fruits, proclaiming the good news of God's Kingdom and making disciples would like that tree, dry up. Only in their case, the drying up would have been spiritual and not literal. 

Pg. 63 – Here at Matt. 27:20, the Jewish religious leaders, chief priest and elders, incited the crowds to scream for the release of Barabbas and for the crucifixion of Jesus.  In spite of Pilate's plea at verse 23, "And he said, `Why, what evil has he done?' But they shouted all the more, `Let him be crucified!'"- [ESV].  In another Gospel, the chief priests tell Pilate that, "We have no king but Caesar."- [ESV].

Here the Jewish religious leaders were making a public declaration to the denunciation of God's plan of salvation for not only themselves and for the Gentiles as well.  That is why Jesus told them that their house has been forsaken to them and they would no longer be God's chosen people.  From then on, all people would be blessed to God as long as they accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.  Jesus told them that,"…I tell you, you will not see me until you say,' Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!'" 

Book of Mark
Pg. 74 – tells of Jesus forgiving a sinner of sin.  The religious leaders could not understand, thinking that it was blasphemy for him to say what he had said.

This is a sure indication that the religious leaders did not understand who Jesus really was, who had sent him and why.  The prophets of old foretold of the coming of the Messiah and they certainly were in expectation of the Messiah's coming, but when he stood before them, they refused to believe in him.  They dismissed the many signs Jesus had performed as the work of the Devil; saying he receives his power from Beelzebub. 

I don't believe many of the religious leaders, who call themselves Christian, today would act much differently than the religious leaders of Jesus' day.  

Pg. 75 – concerning the laws not making sense or perhaps being out of touch.
My take on this is it's not the law itself that doesn't make sense it is how the religious leaders were applying the laws.  The sanitation laws given to the Jewish people in the Mosaic Law were given for the people's protection.  The religious leaders were not really concerned about whether Jesus and his disciples were in violation of any part of the law, they only wanted to find fault with Jesus and his disciples so they could condemn them.   Jesus told them that they were invalidating God's word through their traditions. [See Mark 7:13].

Chapter 7 – tells about eating without washing ones hands or washing foods. 
This ties in with the above comment, Jesus did observe the sanitation laws found in the Mosaic Law.  If he had not, it would have been a sin for him and the Bible, at Heb. 4:15, tells us that he was "without sin."  Washing the hands up to the elbows is not specifically proscribed by the Mosaic Law.  Jesus point was that having unclean hands does not make one unclean before God, but having an unclean or impure heart does.  The religious leaders had unclean hearts. Their hearts was full of corruption and greed.  Jesus called them on it many times and they resented that.  [See Matt. 23:27].

 
 

Lesson 4 ~ Masters of Religion

Lesson 4 ~ Masters of Religion ~ The Lost Scriptures of The Bible ~ Essay

By:  Rev. Trent Murman

 

Divide the worlds churches in three categories and establish the number of books removed by each of them.

 

There are Three Main divisions in Christianity:

                                  Catholic Western: Protestant Eastern: and Orthodox

 

The Catholic Church has many different divisions (e.g. Maronite Rite, Eastern Rite, Oriental), but they are all unified under the authority of the Church in Rome. None, as there was NO Bible before it was put together - The ones that didn't make it were called the Old Testament Apocrypha: These documents are the only Bible-like record of the Inter-testament Period. The Bible record ends with Malachi, there is a 400 year period, then the birth of Christ and the beginning of the New Testament record. Some of these books are historical in nature. Old Testament Apocrypha: "Profitable and good to read." Martin Luther "If not inspired, inspiring." "The Old Testament Apocrypha have been variously included and omitted from bibles over the course of the centuries.  The Catholic Church compiled the Bible. It was Martin Luther that removed certain texts from the Cannon.

 

The Protestant branch of Christianity includes a practically innumerable amount of denominations (thanks to the ever-fracturing sects in the United States). Some are distinctly more orthodox in practice--following long-standing Christian tradition-- resembling the Catholic Church, such as the Anglican/Episcopalian Church and Lutheran Church. Others have been founded since the Protestant Reformation that are "unorthodox" and have created their own traditions and put a larger emphasis on evangelizing: Baptist, Pentecostal, Presbyterian, and Methodist (although Methodists have varying ranges of orthodoxy depending on the congregation, making some appear more like Episcopalians).  Seven books were removed: Tobit, Judith, Baruch, Wisdom, Sirach, 1 and 2 Maccabees, and parts of Esther and Daniel.  Martin Luther, without any authority whatsoever, removed those seven books and placed them in an appendix during the reformation. They remained in the appendix of Protestant Bibles until about 1826, and then they were removed altogether.

 

The Eastern Orthodox Church prefers to group the Western Churches together, but they should be separate. Many of the practices and beliefs of the Orthodox Church are almost identical to those of the Catholic Church. Like the Catholic Church, there are many different divisions within the Orthodox Church, but there is still a unity that ties them together. Unlike the Catholic Church, however, the Eastern Orthodox Church has a number of Patriarchs that have their own domains (e.g. Greece, Russia, etc.). I Esra, Tobit, Judith, Wisdom of Solomon, Ecclesiastical by Sirach, Baruch, the Epistle of Jeremy, the First, Second and Third Books of Maccabees, and parts of Esther and Daniel.

 

Find reasoning for the removal of these missing books.

These books were not consider to be inspired scriptures before the Catholic Church added them in 1546, they were later removed because they are considered to be the uninspired writings of men and not God. These books did not meet the criteria for being included in scriptural canon. While we can perhaps view them as historical works, they are not actually parts of the Bible.

For example 1 & 2 Maccabees were written after Malachi the last recognized prophet.

The main reason for this is because most protestant Christians do not hold the Septuagint as the inspired Hebrew bible in the NT there are 4 criteria derived from the Bible
1. Apostolic Origin written by an apostle [one who was with Christ in person, Paul counts because he saw Christ on the road to Damascus]
2. Universal Acceptance in the early church [throughout the church not just in one area]
3. Liturgical Use Used by the early church in services
4. Consistent Message a message that does not contradict other established canonal books, and the teachings of Christ.

Go In Peace

Universal Life Church - Master of Religion Course Lesson Answers

Lesson 15 - History of the Church I

The origin of Christianity was referenced in the Old Testament. Christ then came to fulfil this promise of God. Jesus, His Apostles, disciples, and followers, then presented God's doctrine and established the early Christian churches. The early Christians suffered many persecutions under the various emperors and leaders during these formative times of the Church. Under Constantine, which became the emperor of Rome in about 306AD, the Christian Church was able to become officially recognized and sanctioned. It was because of this situation that Otto I was able to form the Church State Alliance about 955AD. Most of the church doctrine directions were established during the reformation period and have not been drastically changed since that area of time.

 

Lesson  16 - History of the Church II

The Church had already been established by the time Paul had arrived upon the scene. Even with his background of persecutions of Christians, he was selected as "a chosen vessel" (Acts 10) and as an Apostle by Jesus (Acts 9:15). He was then presented to the apostles by Barnabas in Acts 9:27. Barnabas was very instrumental in the instruction and training of the Apostle Paul. It is well noted that Paul was a small man, with physical handicaps and spiritual weakness, as well as his sordid past. However, once chosen and anointed to deliver God's Word, he was forgiven of his past and given the strength necessary to carry out his tasks. In doing this, his writings compose most of the books in the New Testament of the Bible. This is a prime example of what God can do for anyone chosen to serve Him.

There are Godly people who come into our lives that help us see God's purpose in our own lives. For Paul, first known as Saul of Tarsus, that person was Ananias of Damascus. Ananias was an unsung hero. God spoke to Ananias in a vision. In that vision, he wanted Ananias to find Saul and to heal him. Because of this healing two people were converted, Saul and the Roman Proconsul of Damascus. Being a man of God, Ananias heard God and answered, "Here I am".

This is the first time I've heard of Ananias of Damascus. I'm thankful that Ananias took on this task even though he was afraid of Saul because of Saul's reputation and he was willing to heal him because God asked him to. It shows me that going forward on my path that God does have a purpose for my life and that purpose may be to be more like Ananias. To not be the one who is well known by others, but the one who is quiet and unconsuming, who helps God by bringing others closer to God through healing.

Most people are looking for a distinct communication with God like Ananias had with God. The problem may be that most people aren't listening for the right answers. They are listening for the answers to their prayers, what they want in their lives, not what God wants them to be, do, have, or say. Most of us will never actually hear God's voice in our ears but through prayer, The Scripture, and events God puts forth in our lives, we are a little closer to hearing his voice.

 

 

 

Lesson  17 - History of the Church III

Why did John Mark leave Barnabas and Paul at Perga?

Maybe it was because Paul became the leader. John Mark had joined the party under Barnabas' leadership but then Paul took control of the mission. Perhaps it was because the mission's location changed. John Mark wanted to go to Cyprus. He had relatives there and may have visited the island before. It was somewhat familiar territory to him. The untamed mountains of Asia Minor were a different story. Maybe it was just because there was a personality clash between John Mark and Paul. John Mark may not have liked Paul's tactics and didn't feel safe. Paul took risks and upset people.

John Mark was wrong to give up so soon. He didn't witness the blessings of the Holy Spirit that occurred in Asia Minor. I'm sure this conflict hampered their ability to spread the word of God and Jesus.

Chapters 13 and 14 in the book of Acts give the early travels of the Apostle Paul. They also reflect the determination of Paul to carry out the responsibilities which were given to him by God. It shows the great communications gifts given him to preach to both Jews and Gentiles. Even in adversity and persecutions, he continued his ministry as God had directed him. God chose Paul and therefore gave him the strength and abilities to perform this ministry.

 

Lesson 18 -- History of the Church IV

When the crowd witnessed the healing of the lame man, they thought Paul and Barnabas were gods. They shouted in their own language, "The gods have come down in human form". They did not realize that God was the One who healed the man, that Paul and Barnabas were only the tools of God's healing.

It is understandable that the crowd who witnessed the event would believe that Paul and Barnabas were gods. They witnessed a miracle; something that only a god would have the power to perform. Being ignorant of Paul and Barnabas association with Jesus Christ, they praised the only Gods they knew. At least the crowd recognized that the man was healed and didn't automatically view the feat as a rouse, a form of manipulation, or a scam to acquire money. They only mistrusted and doubted Paul and Barnabas' abilities and motives after being manipulated by the Jews from Antioch and Iconium. There have been many times in history when we have seen this happen. Miracles from God occur only to be downplayed as coincidence or deception by those who would have the proof of God's love kept silent.

James Blampied

Lesson 2 ~ Master of Religion ~ The Old Testament Essay

Lesson 2 ~ Masters of Religion ~ The Old Testament ~ Essay

By:  Rev. Trent Murman

 

Establish and argumentation for a specific version of the Ten Commandments ~ use the version you decide to make yours.  I think, as most people, one would tend to accept the version he/she was brought up with and taught to from early years of their childhood.  In my case that would be the Protestant version.  I believe we also need to remember before making any arguments for a particular version that if you ask ten different people the same question, you may get ten different answers of points of view.  This could be the same with particular portions of the Bible, especially when written in different languages.  The Bible may be interpreted in different ways not only via the different languages, but even the different dialects within the different languages.  Hence, the different regions of the world would probably have interpreted the Ten Commandments differently.  The variances, however to some people may be small and inconsequential, but if they actually read the passages they would see the power of the word placement in each of the passages.  This brings up the premise that the Bible is infallible.  Some words have been used to make certain parts of the Bible appear as lies, I believe, as in everything in life, it is all open to interpretation.  I believe "man" has the ability to question and analyze things in life…however, to question these works….tread lightly.  GO IN PEACE

Master of Religion Course - Rev. James Lesson 14

Lesson 14

 

   The idea of counseling is to enable the individual to address their needs in life in an appropriate and constructive manner.  A sound personality should be found in every capable minister, the goal must be for the bettering of ones Christian faith.  This would include addressing their feelings and behaviors in a proper manner; as well as solving their spiritual needs.

A minister, without some specialized training in psychology, can only address the individual's spiritual aspects. Other problems of the individual client should be left to the professional behavioral analyst, mental health counselor, psychologist, or psychiatrist.

 

 

Rev. James

Master of Religion ~ Rev. Trent ~ Lesson 1

Lesson 1 ~ Master of Religion ~ Bible Basics ~ Essay

By:  Rev. Trent Murman, OSM, OSF

 

Create a list of arguments why the Bible reflects the true word of God the Almighty.

This List is From: The River Church by Pastor Randal K. Young

1.       The Bible claims it's true

2.      Jesus claims it's true

3.      The Bible is a morally and ethically superior piece of literature

4.      The Bible has the power to affect us

5.      The Bible has extraordinary unity

6.      The Bible is historically accurate

7.      Bible prophecies are fulfilled

8.      The Bible has been extraordinarily preserved

9.      The Bible writers endured great persecution for what they saw

10.   The Bible changes lives

 

Debunking Christian Circular Arguments and Assumptions via internet goggle internet search:

[www.debunkingskeptics.com/DebunkingChristians]

 

This is the first and most fundamental claim that Christians make when Evangelizing. It is just taken for granted that it is true, but if you analyze the weight of the evidence for this doctrine, you find that it is in actuality both weak and nearly non-existent. First of all, the first sentence of this argument, that the "Bible is the word of God" implies that the text in the Bible books are God's words verbatim. However, we all know, including the Christians, that humans wrote those books. The only difference is that Christians believe that the humans (the identity of many of them are unknown) who wrote the Bible were guided by God the Holy Spirit, and therefore, they are God's words verbatim and without flaw. The question then becomes, were they? Furthermore, they argue that since we would assume that God would protect his own word, that the Bible has remain unchanged.

 

In general, the issue is not questioned or analyzed in the church as to whether the Bible is God's word or not. It is simply ASSUMED to be so. It's a GIVEN. And it rests on a very shaky foundation, much more so than they could imagine. What most Christians don't realize and never think about is that God himself never actually told them directly that the Bible was his word. Fallible imperfect human beings did!

 

NOWHERE in the Bible does it claim that all 66 books are God's word or infallible. The doctrine of Biblical inspiration and infallibility was made up by Christian fundamentalists to create an artificial foundation for their faith. Fundamentalists love to cite 2 Timothy 3:16; however, the "Scriptures" referred to in that verse refer to the Old Testament, and the term "inspiration" does not mean "word of God" either. (i.e. if a tree inspires me to write a poem about it, are they my words or the tree's words?)

 

There are two vague verses though, that Christians use to attempt to prove that the Bible is God's word. These two verses though, pose problems and raise more questions that preachers don't address, cause they can't. Let's look at them now. Here's the first one.

 

2 Timothy 3:16

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness."

 

Now, here's the other verse they use to claim divine inspiration of the Bible.

 

2 Peter 1: 20-21

"Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost."

 

There are THREE verses in the New Testament that claim that the Bible is NOT the exact word of God!

1 Corinthians 7:12

"But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away."

 

 

1 Corinthians 7:25

"Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: yet I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful."

 

2 Corinthians 11:17

"That which I speak, I speak it not after the Lord, but as it were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting."

 

The doctrine of Biblical infallibility was not a central tenet of Christianity until early in the 20^th century when the theory of evolution began to be taught as fact in classrooms. It was then that the Christians countered with this doctrine. Not only did it protect Christian tenets from the danger of Darwinist teachings, but it served other purposes as well. You see, without the doctrine that the Bible is infallible and that every word of it is of God, it would put question marks on every verse. Anyone could then pick and choose which parts of it they wanted to be God's word and which they didn't, and that would greatly undermine the authority of it. So this doctrine is necessary to keep the religion intact. Otherwise, Christians themselves would not be able to feel secure and confident that every verse in the Bible could be trusted.

 

Explain the differences between Translations and Paraphrases.

               Translations: the three meanings of a word, the end, purpose, or significance of

               Paraphrases: A paraphrase is a restatement of the meaning of a text or passage using other words.

Go In Peace

Spiritual Leadership ~ Lesson 1 ~ Rev. Trent

Lesson 1 ~ Spiritual Leadership ~ Essay

By:  Rev. Trent Murman, OSM, OSF

 

Right View and Right Intention mean to you?   Having the right view to me is what many ministers may struggle with within themselves.  The right view encompasses you steadfast beliefs and unwavering convictions.  Having the right intentions is grossly another point.  Many people have the right intentions, however these intentions may be somewhat misguided and executed in the wrong way.  When this occurs people of the cloth are looked upon as radical or extremists. 

 

So why do morals and ethics as words hold so much fear?  I believe the fear comes from within one's self.  You know, that little voice inside your mind that tries to fight you against right and wrong.  I believe we are so trumped up on what others looking inward at you may feel about you that sometimes it is impossible to hold onto your basic morals.  Ethics is another path which should be walked down, it is believable that one acquires ethics from being like a product of his/her environment such as work ethics:  if you see your parents going to work every day consistently it is most likely you will develop good work ethics and also go to work every day when you get older.  If you see your parents or other family members consistently going to church services: it is most likely you also will continue to go to church services when you leave home.  I believe most ethics are learned.  It is your sole commitment to develop ethics…good or bad.  Remember, these morals and/or ethics are yours and you must live with your decisions.  They are yours to own. 

 

I believe I follow my non-negotiable moral ethical conduct.

Because I believe I have strengthened my core convictions and own them totally.

I will continue to stand by my convictions when dealing with all persons of all faiths or even those who do not believe. 

 

I constantly strive to accept all persons as they are and to help only when asked.  I believe all persons are blessed to be in His company.  GO IN PEACE