“Baptized in the Blood of Their President”

2021 ◽  
pp. 261-284
Author(s):  
James P. Byrd
Keyword(s):  
God's Will ◽  
Good Friday ◽  
The Bible

Five days separated General Robert E. Lee’s surrender at Appomattox and Lincoln’s assassination at Ford’s Theatre. For Christians, it was Holy Week: Lee surrendered on Palm Sunday; Booth shot Lincoln on Good Friday. Did God send—or at least allow—this hated bullet to kill Lincoln? Was it providential? For most Americans, the best guide to providence was the Bible. Although many agreed that God was mysterious, they also agreed that scripture was the best guide to God’s will. The circumstances of the assassination made the Bible especially visible for Christians. Again, it was Holy Week: Booth shot Lincoln on Good Friday; he died on Saturday, so many preachers addressed the assassination on Easter Sunday. As news of Lincoln’s death shook the nation, preachers scrapped their Easter sermons and took on the task of addressing the crisis. This chapter examines how Americans cited scripture in response to Lincoln’s assassination.

Autobiographies of Three Surviving Branch Davidians

2005 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 165-197
Author(s):  
Catherine Wessinger
Keyword(s):  
Law Enforcement ◽  
Human Dimensions ◽  
Oral Histories ◽  
Initial Report ◽  
God's Will ◽  
Branch Davidians ◽  
The Bible ◽  
American Law ◽  
The Media ◽  
Federal Agents

This article provides an initial report on oral histories being collected from three surviving Branch Davidians: Bonnie Haldeman, the mother of David Koresh, Clive Doyle, and Sheila Martin. Their accounts are being made into autobiographies. Interviews with a fourth survivor, Catherine Matteson, are being prepared for deposit in an archive and inform the material gathered from Bonnie Haldeman, Clive Doyle, and Sheila Martin. Oral histories provided by these survivors humanize the Branch Davidians, who were dehumanized and erased in 1993 by the application of the pejorative ‘cult’ stereotype by the media and American law enforcement agents. These Branch Davidian accounts provide alternate narratives of what happened in 1993 at Mount Carmel Center outside Waco, Texas, to those provided by American federal agents, and flesh out the human dimensions of the community and the tragedy. Branch Davidians are differentiated from many other people primarily by their strong commitment to doing God's will as they understand it from the Bible. Otherwise they are ordinary, intelligent people with the same emotions, loves, and foibles as others.

scholarly journals Potestas nocendi w świetle komentarzy św. Augustyna do Księgi Hioba 1-2

Vox Patrum ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 65 ◽  
pp. 653-681
Author(s):  
Mariusz Terka
Keyword(s):  
Human Heart ◽  
God's Will ◽  
Relationship Analysis ◽  
The Bible ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Power Of God

St. Augustine interprets the tragedy of Job presented in the Bible by two co­incidental and connected with each other scenes: the first describes the history of man depressed with suffering, who lost his property, family and health, where the second one shows the dialog on the spiritual level between God and Satan, in con­sequence of which Satan receives the power of doing damage (potestas nocendi) to Job. The matter of this power, its range and goal are examined by The Bishop of Hippo by means of the relationship analysis between God, deviland Job. The power of harming comes from God and He is definitely responsible for Job’s suffering. He gives this power for devil but only for making man more pre­fect and revealing His justice. Where the action of devil is the charge of insincere devotion, jealousy, suspecting of hidden sin and temptation of Job in order to make him turn around from God. But for Job the experience of suffering is the trial which is given from God and by it God demands from Job taking a decision. His reply to God is described by St. Augustine as trust and agreement his will with God’s will. The power of harming is limited first by God’s will and permission given by Him, next by devil’s nature as a creature which has to ask for harm­ing permission and hasn’t got any access to human heart, and later by Job’s will and a choice made by him. So potestas nocendi is not license of devil, but first of all the power of God and devil’s desire of harming.

scholarly journals Is ‘divine healing’ in the ‘Faith Movement’ founded on the principles of healing in the Bible or based on the power of the mind?

2009 ◽  
Vol 65 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephan P. Pretorius
Keyword(s):  
Medical Treatment ◽  
Positive Thinking ◽  
Healing Ministry ◽  
Divine Healing ◽  
God's Will ◽  
The Bible ◽  
The Will ◽  
The Mind ◽  
Faith Movement ◽  
The Devil

Many people plagued with incurable diseases or diseases that seem to be resistant to medical treatment, in desperation turn to preachers who claim to administer divine healing. These divine healers make certain claims, based on their interpretation of the Scriptures and a so-called revelation of God’s will. They furthermore preach that healing and health are included in atonement and that nobody should be sick. Illness is an indication of a lack of faith on the part of the believer. It could also be attributed to an attack from the devil. In order to obtain healing, a process of ignoring the symptoms, followed by an unyielding and repeated confession of the healing needed, based on selected verses from the Scriptures, is proposed.This article is based on the contention that the healing practised by these divine healers is nothing more than a ‘mind-over-matter’ approach, leading people into confessing over and over that they have been healed. These practices are reminiscent of the utilisation of affirmations that lead to positive thinking, which will evidently result in a change of behaviour on the part of the confessor. No indication of Godly intervention seems to be evident in this healing ministry, and neither is any submission to the will and purpose of God.

Exodus

2019 ◽  
pp. 40-49
Author(s):  
Ellen F. Davis
Keyword(s):  
Theological Reflection ◽  
Slave Labor ◽  
Master Narratives ◽  
Divine Sovereignty ◽  
God's Will ◽  
The Bible ◽  
Initial Resistance ◽  
Food Economy

Together the two parts of Exodus—Israel in Egypt and in Sinai—form one of the master narratives of the Bible. The first part pits against each other two opposite responses to YHWH’s self-revelation: while Moses yields to God’s will, Pharaoh consistently resists manifestations of God’s presence and power. The second part introduces three elements of Israel’s formation as a people. The gift of manna establishes a godly food economy. The treatment of covenant provides theological reflection on divine sovereignty, divine dangerousness, the goodness of creation, and the problem of slavery. Finally, the instructions for the building of the tabernacle and its completion show Israel’s initial resistance to God’s commands and their eventual obedience; it also provides a humanizing counterpoint to Israel’s slave labor in Egypt.

scholarly journals Kristologi Biblika Menurut Kaum Reformed Sebagai Salah Satu Dasar Apologetika Dalam Menghadapi Pengajaran Gnostik Di Era Postmodern

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 116-128
Author(s):  
Marlon Butarbutar
Keyword(s):  
Jesus Christ ◽  
Holy Spirit ◽  
Christian Theology ◽  
God's Will ◽  
Historical Reality ◽  
The Bible ◽  
The Holy Spirit ◽  
Correct Understanding ◽  
Eternal Salvation ◽  
The Church

Kristologi adalah merupakan pokok terpenting dalam ajaran iman Kristen. Kristologi juga bisa disebut sebagai pusat kekristenan itu sendiri, dengan itu kristologi adalah pusat dari ilmu theologia. Karenanya mempelajari Pribadi dan karya Kristus, berarti sedang berada pada pusat theologi Kristen. Yesus Kristuslah yang memberikan identitas kepada kekristenan, yang sekaligus membedakannya dari agama atau kepercayaan yang lain. Keistimewaan doktrin ini terletak dalam pribadi dan karya Yesus Kristus sebagai Tuhan yang menjadi finalitas jalan menuju kepada keselamatan yang kekal. Pemahaman yang benar terhadap doktrin kristologi tidak lepas dari pengetahuan yang sehat terhadap Alkitab, sebab Alkitablah satu-satunya sumber utama yang dengan jujur dan terbuka memberikan kesaksian mengenai pribadi Yesus sebagai juruselamat dunia. Memang realita historis tulisan-tulisan di dalam Alkitab itu ditulis oleh manusia, akan tetapi proses penulisannya diilhami oleh Allah melalui pimpinan Roh Kudus sehingga apa yang diucapkan atau ditulis sesuai dengan kehendak Tuhan (bnd. 2Tim 3:16). Alkitab secara keseluruhan dipercaya dengan akurat dalam mengambarkan Yesus Kristus. Akan tetapi dalam prosesnya banyak ditemukan bahwa kristologi yang dihasilkan bertentangan dengan Alkitab. Sejarah membuktikan bahwa gereja selalu berhadapan dengan pengajaran-pengajaran sesat yang menyerang gereja dari dalam. Dalam hal ini berbentuk ajaran-ajaran (doktrin) yang menyesatkan atau bidat-bidat yang menyelewengkan ajaran murni Alkitab. Bahaya ajaran-ajaran sesat ini tidak saja timbul pada abad-abad belakangan ini, melainkan sudah ada sejak gereja didirikan. Karenanya penulis hendak menguraikan kristologi yang akan menjadi dasar apologetika di era postmodern sekarang ini.   Christology is the most important point in the teachings of the Christian faith. Christology can also be called the center of Christianity itself, so that Christology is the center of theological science. Therefore studying the Person and work of Christ, means being at the center of Christian theology. It is Jesus Christ who gives identity to Christianity, which also distinguishes it from other religions or beliefs. The specialty of this doctrine lies in the person and work of Jesus Christ as Lord who becomes the finality of the path to eternal salvation. A correct understanding of the doctrine of Christology is inseparable from a healthy knowledge of the Bible, because the Bible is the only major source that honestly and openly testifies about the person of Jesus as the savior of the world. Indeed the historical reality of the writings in the Bible was written by humans, but the process of writing was inspired by God through the leadership of the Holy Spirit so that what was said or written was according to God's will (cf. 2Tim 3:16). The Bible as a whole is believed to be accurate in describing Jesus Christ. However, in the process it was found that the resulting christology was in conflict with the Bible. History proves that the church is always dealing with false teachings that attack the church from within. In this case the form of teachings (doctrines) are misleading or heretics who distort the pure teachings of the Bible. The danger of these heresies has not only arisen in recent centuries, but has existed since the church was founded. Therefore the author wants to elaborate on the Christology that will be the basis of apologetics in the current postmodern era.

Transformative Christian Religious Education Teachers

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
rita evimalinda
Keyword(s):  
Christian Education ◽  
Teacher Knowledge ◽  
Religious Education ◽  
Holy Spirit ◽  
Main Idea ◽  
God's Will ◽  
The Bible ◽  
The Holy Spirit ◽  
Human Quality

Education is a basic effort to transform individuals. Teachers are the vanguard people who transform society and the nation through education. Christian religious education seeks change, renewal and reform of individuals and groups through the power of the Holy Spirit, so that students live according to God's will, as stated by the Bible and by the Lord Jesus Himself. In order for the purpose of this Christian Education to be achieved, transformative teachers are needed, namely teachers who are committed to the perspective of learning from a whole human perspective, in providing affective, cognitive, behavioral, and spiritual changes. This paper aims to formulate transformative Christian teacher criteria. Through literature review, observation, the main idea of the author is that a transformative teacher has the following characteristics: having spiritual competence, creating constructivist experiences in learning, having theological and teacher knowledge, being active in the community or fellowship of Believers, having a strong personal identity and integrity, having a commitment (determination) and Becoming an Example. Studying the six criteria above will help the willingness of educators to build human quality in the midst of today's moral morality. It is God who helps foster commitment and quality of life in educators to carry out their duties and calling as teachers

scholarly journals Bencana dan Tindakan Kepedulian Sosial dalam Keberagamaan: Studi Komparasi Kitab Suci al-Qur’an dan Alkitab

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 105-116
Author(s):  
Abdul Qadri
Keyword(s):  
Common Ground ◽  
Analysis Method ◽  
Social Concern ◽  
God's Will ◽  
Disaster Victims ◽  
The Past ◽  
The Bible ◽  
Islam And Christianity ◽  
Disaster Event ◽  
National Disaster

Indonesia is a country with a high potential for disaster threat, from BNPB (National Disaster Management Agency) data until September 3, 2020, nearly 4 million people died and 637 religious facilities were damaged. However, the enthusiasm of caring for its people, including disaster victims, Indonesia is included in the top 10 categories of the most generous countries in the world. On the other hand, the disaster in the two holy books of the majority of religions; Islam and Christianity tell a lot about the catastrophic events of the past people that were befallen those who disobeyed God. However, all the disastrous events that occurred were also experienced by those who obey God. For this reason, this article focuses on disasters as a phenomenon in the perspective of the Koran and the Bible, as well as how both of them respond to continuous and recent disaster events that seek to find a foundation and a common ground for both in responding to disaster phenomena in religious reality. This study uses a descriptive-comparative analysis method of the Qur'an and the Bible. This paper finds that (1) al-Qur'an and the Bible at least agree with the concept of disaster as God's will which is also related to human activity. (2) The response to disasters in the two books is similar in several ways, it's just that in the Bible disaster is sometimes interpreted as a sign of God's "presence" in the presence of humans. And finally (3), the two books explicitly provide messages of social concern from disaster events, on the basis of humanitarian brotherhood (ukhuwah insaniyah) or love for all mankind, without differences in race, culture, ethnicity, religion to the nations. So that a disaster event is a momentum for cooperation in a mission of mutual social concern, as well as to create and strengthen peace and harmony together.

“Trust in Providence and Keep Your Powder Dry”

2021 ◽  
pp. 95-110
Author(s):  
James P. Byrd
Keyword(s):  
The South ◽  
God's Will ◽  
The Bible ◽  
The North ◽  
Biblical Texts ◽  
The Relationship

Both sides finally got what they wanted in July at the First Battle of Bull Run—here was a real battle, giving both sides the chance to face off against the enemy. Here also was the first providential test of the war, the first indication of which side God would take once the fighting started. For many southerners, Bull Run (or Manassas, as southerners called the battle) confirmed their reading of God’s will; for many northerners, Bull Run stirred disillusionment and a call for of the nation to rededicate itself to God. The battle also provoked revaluations of several key biblical texts, including Exodus in the South and Romans 13 in the North, with both sides trying to tease out the relationship between the Bible and Bull Run.

“We Cannot Escape History”

2021 ◽  
pp. 175-186
Author(s):  
James P. Byrd
Keyword(s):  
God's Will ◽  
The Bible ◽  
The North ◽  
Emancipation Proclamation

After the victory at Antietam, Lincoln issued the Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation and hoped it would raise the intensity of the war. It did that, but in some ways that Lincoln had not intended. He wanted a righteous cause that would inspire the North—which it did—but it also inflamed the Confederacy. The proclamation directed many Americans to their Bibles—some looking for ammunition to assail it, others looking for barricades to defend it. Did the proclamation align the nation with the Bible, or did it further separate it from God’s will? Lincoln hoped, with some confidence, that the proclamation would give the war the cause it needed to inspire more than it repulsed. Only time, and more battles, would tell.

Joshua in Reception History

2020 ◽  
pp. 435-451
Author(s):  
Zev I. Farber
Keyword(s):  
African American ◽  
Reception History ◽  
Religious Leader ◽  
The Sun ◽  
God's Will ◽  
Modern Times ◽  
The Bible ◽  
American President

In the Bible, Joshua fulfills many roles. He is Moses’s understudy and successor, conqueror of the land, a miracle worker who stops the sun, and a prophet who knows God’s will and the Torah of Moses. But his character did not cease to evolve with the closing of the biblical canon. Instead, Joshua’s image was adapted and recast depending on who was writing about him and what that author or community needed him to represent. Thus, we see some traditions emphasizing Joshua the warrior, and others Joshua the religious leader. Some emphasize his prophetic abilities, and others his mastery of Torah. In some texts he is the consummate rabbi, in others a typological forerunner of Jesus. The use of Joshua continues into modern times, where he has been used as an archetype for the Israeli soldier and even for the first African-American president.

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