The Features of the Christian Faith - Essay Example

The Features of the Christian Faith The readings and discussions so far have developed a general viewof God from a Christian perspective. Discuss, using class materials, how this view of God can be used to help understand how or why Christians would see the environment as important to preserve. Christianity pays special attention to the relationship between man and the environment. Careful reading of the Bible gives one the opportunity to understand the Christian attitude to this question. The first book of the Bible, namely, Genesis tells us that God created the first humans Adam and Eve in His own image and likeness. He gave them the ability to control nature, which was created in order to allow people to have everything necessary for their lives. Many modern scholars believe that Christianity is responsible for the deterioration of the environment and the emergence of serious problems such as global warming, pollution of the planet, etc. However, if one reads the Bible attentively, he/she will see that the Bible urges people to respect nature and the environment based on a rational and careful use of natural resources. God created nature and gave the man the ability to control it: Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground (Gen. 1.26, 28). The Bible focuses particular attention on the responsible attitude of people to nature. In particular, in the Old Testament, Jewish people had been instructed to give the land an opportunity to rest for 50 years, so it could be used after (Lev. 25. 8-11). In addition, God forbade the Jews to destroy the trees growing in the cities that they wanted to capture (Deut. 20.19). Thus, Christianity justifies the need to take care of nature, because nature gives people all that they need for their harmonious life. 2. Violence is a key problem for our current society. Choose one example of violence, describe it and relate this issue to some aspect of a religious perspective. Unfortunately, violence continues to be one of the most common forms of misunderstanding between people. Throughout the world, one can observe various forms of violence that often lead to casualties. As an example of violence, one can consider the type of violence caused by racial hatred. Many countries have faced this serious problem. United States is no exception. In the US, racial hatred led to the death of many people. Many people who have been victims of such violence believed that they had the right to use violence in response. Nevertheless, Christianity represented by the Bible and especially the New Testament opposes any form of violence, in particular caused as a result of racial hatred. Jesus Christ has marked a completely new approach to the problem of violence. He urged people to eradicate violence in the community and learn to love each other, regardless of their skin color or language they speak. The philosophy of Jesus Christ can be expressed in the following statement: You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also (Matt. 5. 38-39). Christ calls people to consider the relationship between each other as fraternal, based on love and forgiveness, because no one is sinless: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself” (Luke 10.27). 3. Christians believe that God is both creator and redeemer. Choose one of these ideas and show how this view influences how Christians think about reality and other people. Christianity sees God as the absolute being that can save people. God created the world and he can destroy it. On the other hand, God is the Savior for all mankind: “As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, And at the last He will take His stand on the earth” (Job 19.25). This salvation involves primarily spiritual salvation, which can be given to people by God. Salvation implies that people are able to avoid the judgment of God who pursues the punishment of sinners. However, in order to be saved by God people need to change their attitude towards reality and other people around them. Personal salvation involves personal efforts aimed to purify their mind and soul. People need to consider the reality and relationships with other people as an opportunity for their spiritual purification. In this regard, a person must learn to live in the earthly reality through the development of such qualities as kindness, compassion, sincerity, honesty, and willingness to forgive other people and have a sincere belief in their savior that is, God. Faith in God is of particular importance. It can be regarded as the spiritual evolution of a man that passes through a series of stages. First, people need to hear the Gospel - The Good News about the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Eph. 1.13). Then, people should believe in Jesus Christ (Rom. 1.16). This involves repentance and a change in the understanding of sin and Christ (Acts 3.19). 4. Christians have a distinctive perspective of reality based on their connection to Jesus and the belief that Jesus is the Christ. What does this belief mean and how does it make Christian belief distinct? Salvation is a key issue for every Christian. In fact, salvation is the meaning and the purpose of the Christian life. Christianity considers salvation as receiving the eternal life filled with bliss and joy. In this regard, Jesus Christ is of particular importance because He is the path to salvation. The Gospel says that people should repent, that is, to see that they are not what they should be. By seeing his/her complete inability to be a “normal person,” a person is able to turn to God for His help. The moment a man addressed to God leads to his/her rebirth. The human heart can see the sin and start the fight against human passions. Only in this state, a person is able to accept the divine grace that comes from God. Asking for God’s help in the image of Jesus Christ, a man receives the divine grace, a life-giving force that animates his/her soul. The main rule is to accept Jesus Christ as a spiritual savior. The belief in this idea allows a person to radically change his/her life and make it connected with the reality of Jesus Christ. Several thousand years ago, Christ sacrificed his own life to give people salvation from their sins. However, Christ did not die, He continues to live among people who are willing to accept faith in Christ and make him their savior. Thus, the distinguishing feature of the Christian faith involves the belief in Jesus Christ as a spiritual savior able to save people from suffering. Work Cited Bible. n.d. Web. 24 Feb. 2015. Read More