Answers for Master of Chaplaincy Studies, Lesson 2

ANSWERS FOR MASTER OF CHAPLAINCY STUDIES - LESSON 2
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I've known a man who has this mark bestowed on him. I have known him for many years. This mark is made evident in many ways. He certainly walks with God and prays at EVERY event and happening. He prays as if he is speaking on a personal level with God himself. He talks to Him about what he wants and needs and about the needs and comfort of those he serves. He pastors a church now. But, years ago he was the head chaplain for the Texas MHMR system. He taught me many things in my youth and one of the most riveting and profound of his teachings was that of how to pray and study scripture. He is one of the most unique people I have ever met in my life. He has come in and out of my life for more than 15 years, and always in a ministerial position of services and care.

Quite a few people has noticed something different about me. They make comments about my level of intelligence being over their own, which I
strongly stand against and tell them truthfully that I in fact have very little education (formally) and a low IQ rating. They have said that I understand extremely complex problems beyond a doctorate level, although I have difficulty much of the time in expressing the these, and their solutions, in simple enough terms to be understood.

The gifts and abilities of my calling are those of understanding, memory, grasping technologies, kindness and the ability to completely forgive, usually before the offense has been dealt. I have an uncanny ability to speak with gentle persuasion, manipulation and diplomacy in a way which creates peace, harmony, understanding and solutions(usually temporary). I am able to say things, or ask things which create motivation in people, and have of late used this ability
to get people all over the world to ask the all-important question, "Why do I believe whatever I believe?" My question invoke feelings and stir emotions and present a curious series of information and understanding that contradicts what is taught in the world at large, most of it focused on scriptural truths. One of the many delightful and positive side-effects of this kind and gentle prodding is that people are eager to understand and research their beliefs to validate the things that they hold true, and to share what they themselves will learn by studying with those around them. One of my goals is to use ALL of these abilities to help people understand that we are one and we need to be united AS HUMAN BEINGS.


Sincerely,
    Dr.Rev. Ronald "Aaron" Norris

Master of Religion Course from Universal Life Church

Lesson12

How was the convening of ecumenical councils to settle theological rows beneficial to both church and state?

 

The Nicene Council is considered by all as the first Ecumenical Council of the Church (Roman Catholic Church). It was occasioned by the Arian heresy which in effect denied the divinity of Jesus Christ. The major product of this council was the Creed, the "Nicene Creed"; but it also addressed the date of Easter, and the place of the Patriarch of Alexandria

Many changes to the religion of Christianity were about to take place at that council, including:

Formulation for wording concerning the Trinity .

 

·        Changing Verses of Bible

·        Eliminating certain verses and books from the Bible

·        Declaring Arian's "unitarian" (belief in the Unity of God) as heresy

·        Changing the day of worship from Saturday to Sunday

·        Changing the date of Jesus' birthday to December 25th

·        Introduction of Easter (pagan worship called "Feast of Ishtar")

·        Church of Roman "officially" became the "Universal Church of the Holy Roman Empire" (the word 'Catholic' means 'universal'

By bringing changes the church would be united and could get on with the tasks fitting its work.

 

2. What were the rows over the Trinity and the natures of Christ and how were they settled?

 

The disputes over the Trinity were almost at a crescendo pitying east and west against each other by emperor Constantine exercising his authority and calling a meeting of the bishops in 325 at Nicea .By doing this and overseeing the meeting Constantine was setting the tone this debate continued. The debate was again tackled in 681 with a conclusion Jesus was both divine and human.

 

The council of Nicea dealt primarily with the issue of the deity of Christ. Over a century earlier the use of the term "Trinity" could be found in the writings of Origen (185-254) and Tertullian (160-220), and a general notion of a "divine three", in some sense, was expressed in the second century writings of Polycarp, Ignatius, and Justin Martyr. But the doctrine in a more full-fledged form was not formulated until the Council of Constantinople in 360 AD

 

3. How did the theological row between Augustine and Pelagius illustrate the practical approach of the Western church thinkers as opposed to the Eastern church thinkers? What impact do the views of Pelagius and Augustine still have on the Christian church today?

 

Pelagius (ca. AD 354 – ca. AD 420/440) was an ascetic who denied the need for divine aid in performing good works. Pelagius was declared a heretic by the Council of CarthageRecent analysis of his thinking suggests that it was, in fact, highly orthodox, following in the tradition established by the early fathers and in keeping with the teaching of the church in both the East and the West. ... From what we are able to piece together from the few sources available... it seems that the Celtic monk held to an orthodox view of the prevenience of God's grace, and did not assert that individuals could achieve salvation purely by their own efforts.

. Augustine wrote four letters specifically on Pelagianism, "De peccatorum meritis et remissione libri III" (Three Books on the Merits and Forgiveness of Sins) in 412, "De spiritu et litera" (On the Spirit and the Letter) and "Definitiones Caelestii" (Caelestius's Definitions) in 414, and "De natura et gratia" (On Nature and Grace) in 415. In these he strongly affirmed the existence of original sin, the need for infant baptism, the impossibility of a sinless life without Christ, and the necessity of Christ's grace. Augustine's works are intended in part for the common people and thus do not address Pelagius or his disciple Caelestius.

               The views of both Pelagius and Augustine still resound throughout the churches today with many denominations being based upon different interpretations of the issue of justification.

Christianity course Lesson 11

Lesson 11

How was Christianity's favorable relationship with the state from the time of Constantine both a blessing and a curse?

               The time of Constantine could have been seen as a blessing in that the emperor had a vision and converted to Christianity a short time later  it was after this conversion that the christian faith had another turn in which it was to meet in churches and not in secret in the catacombs as such a branch of Christianity was formed for those who did not wish these large sermons  this was  monasticism .The over all advantage was protection as it was know with the state with this protection came power and wealth .Constantine returned properties to the church and created the day of sun as a day of worship "Sunday"

Where the barbarians the foundation for subsequent Western European civilization only because of their Christianity?
Why, or why not?

The so called barbarians entered a world that had lost its might as the empire collapsed ,the Romans had developed hygiene and education amongst other things such as roads as the barbarians entered the remnants of the roman empire they made settlements in Spain, France and England taking the christian influence with them once they had been converted due to the size of the population the influence soon spread.This then became a defense against the huns and further attacks from other religions around 6^th century.

 

After Christianity came to Ireland, how did they maintain the light of culture during the Dark Ages?

 

 

When st patrick was captured in england h was taken to Ireland where he remained for six years until his escape .Ireland was not as an enlightened country like the rest of Europe in that they lacked the knowledge and infrastructure that had happened elsewhere in the roman empire .While in France, patrick joined a monastery until he was at least 43 he then went back to ireland where the masses were slowly converted from paganism to christianity. On ireland they had created Celtic monasteries due to the successful conversions and did not feel the influences of medieval Europe as much.

Universal Life Church

Historical Jesus Course from ULC

Historical Jesus

By

Rev. Ronald L. Catherson

 

 

What surprised me most about these lessons is that there is little that we know of Jesus other than what is written in the Gospels.  But after some thought, I realized why would there be a detailed history of the man Jesus?  After all, He was not born in the palace of a King or in any sector of the ruling class.  He was not even born into a family of a leader in the Jewish community.  He was the son of a carpenter and of a peasant girl from the northern outer portion of Israel.  Why would anyone think of Him any differently as any other Jewish male in a Roman controlled country?  So all we really have are the Gospels to tell us who Jesus was.  And that they do.

 

Jesus started and ended life here on earth at the "bottom" of society.  His birth was in a stable, not even a good Inn.  His death was as a common criminal on the cross of execution by the Roman officials.  Even His own Jewish comrades were against Him.  This was surly not a person that books would be written about the details of His life.  But a few books were written and they changed the world, the Four Gospels.

 

The reason these four books changed the world is because, as the Gospel of John clearly tells us, Jesus was God and God was Jesus.  They were one and the same.  If you saw Jesus you saw the Father and if you saw the Father you saw Jesus.  God does not need, and thus Jesus does not need, a lot of written historical documentation to change the world.  What Jesus needed was a few good men and women.  And He chose them very well.

 

These men and women told the stories of their lives with Jesus and the events they saw with their own eyes that the man of Jesus accomplished.  He was truly a man of love and compassion for all human kind to include children and women and the outcasts of the society of that time.  He was a healer of not only illness and of being possessed, but He healed the souls of many that His life touched. His teachings touched many for years after His death and they continue to touch others to this very day and will continue to touch lives forever. 

 

Jesus did not only teach by parables and miracles; He taught by His own behavior and actions.  He did not just say to love one another, but He did love one another.  He loved all humankind to the point of death.  Also, not only did He love all humankind but He loved God, His Father.  Jesus, being fully human while being God (what a mystery this is!), felt all of the hardships of human life.  He knew what it was like to be rejected by the people He grew up with because a prophet is not accepted by his own kin.  Also, He was rejected by the people, the Disciples, who knew Him the best.  They saw and heard everything that He did and said.  Yet, when the time came, they ran!  They ran and locked themselves in the upper room.  They left Him alone to face the rulers of the time, Roman officials.   John was the only Disciple at the foot of His execution.  But even during this time, Jesus continued teaching.  What a great teacher He was and is.  His lessons were also about forgiveness as well as love. 

 

Jesus' message to the world was one of love with forgiveness.  There is nothing greater than this degree of love and nothing else needs to be written about Him. Any details of His life would be useless words compared to what we do have about Him, the Son of God.

Master of Religion

I am enjoying doing the Master of Religion Course as I find it very interesting. In Lesson 11, we are dealing with the problem of abortion, which is a very thorny question to which there is no definitive or immediate answer. I am sure most people will agree that we do not have the right to terminate life, even though that life is still in the mother's womb. I think that every child has the right to be born - whether disabled or not - and make its contribution to the world. Many children have been born disabled but yet have produced  a high standard of life. In my opinion, medical necessity should really be the only criterion for abortion - to save the mother's life. If a women does not want children, then surely in these days she can find a way of not becoming pregnant. Young people in particular should be encouraged to ensure safety in their sexual adventures which would prevent the need for possible abortions In every responsible home, the parents should encourage their children to act safely in these matters, although there is never a 100% guarantee. But should the unforeseen happen, in a responsible home the matter can be solved in a proper way. Ultimately, if a woman does not want to have the baby for herself then I am sure arrangements can be made for adoption quickly after birth.  Many childless couples would love the chance to adopt.  I have known this to happen on a number of occasions with very satisfactory results. Rev. Derek Kemp ******************************* The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have many classes in different aspects of  Christianity, two in  Wicca, several in Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more. I have been a proud member of the ULC for many years and the Seminary since its inception. Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free,  and lasts for life, so become an ordained minister today! As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and have enjoyed the new spiritual article directory. Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar The  ULC, run by Rev. Long, has created a chaplaincy program to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and have loved watching the continual growth of the seminary.

Sermon on the Mountain

Grace be unto you,and peace from God our Father,and from the Lord Jesus Christ. The Sermon on the Mount indicate that the message deals with the inner state of mind and heart that is the indispensensable of true Christian discipleship.It delineates the outward manifestation of character and conduct of true believers and genuine disciples. Thus, the life of the believer, described by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount, is a life of grace and glory, which comes from God alone. Jesus states the spiritual character and quality of the kingdom He would establish,and the basic qualities of this kingdom are fulfilled in the church He would establish.

 

Yours In Christ,

Andrew Blackman

 

 

Master of Religion Course Lesson 1 Bible Basics

Good Evening,  Where do I find the forum under Bible Courses?  How do I enter to place my comments?  Please, explain clearly.  Thanks.   Kindly, Rev. Michael