Abstract
This paper presents a detailed commentary exploring the first five verses of the Gospel of John. The paper considers literary criticisms that focus on the possibility of insertions into the text of John's prologue, the belief that the Prologue may have been a preexisting hymn, which John redacted and incorporated into his gospel, and other literary controversies surrounding the Gospel of John.

From the Paper
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (Jn. 1:1). John establishes Christ's authority from the outset by demonstrating that he is both with God, and that he is God's "Word", the thing through which God will send his message; God's self-revelation. Thus the opening verse of John's gospel not only places Christ with God but with the words "in the beginning," also in pre-creation times, giving him precedence over all creation. The similarities between John's prologue and Genesis are not only established by the words "in the beginning" but also through the mention of "light" (v.4) and "darkness" (v.5)."

Tags:rhythmic, style, poetic, johannine, hymn, biblical, texts, genesis, old, testament

Abstract
A discussion of the reasons for the decline of the mainline denominations from the 1960s to the 1980s in Australia. The paper explores how the churches have responded to this phenomenon. The major religions discussed include Chrisianity's streams of Anglican and Catholic, as well as Methodist and Protestant.

From the Paper
"After experiencing a period of steady growth and an ongoing important place in the Australian community during the 1950s and the 'remembered 60s' the mainline denominations found themselves losing numbers and influence from this point on, beginning a decline that would last throughout the eighties. According to Hilliard The 'remembered sixties' are from1964 or 1965 to 1972 in Australia (p.210). In 1961 Protestants including Anglicans accounted for 65 per cent of the population, by 1986 this was 40 per cent (Breward p.226) and by 1996 had dropped a further 2%. In the state of Victoria from 1961 to 1986 the percentage of Anglicans in the total population fell from 6.11 per cent to 4.40. Likewise Methodists and Presbyterians combined dropped from 5.28 per cent to 3.70 in the same period. (Australians: Historical Statistics, Wray Vamplew (ed.), Sydney 1987, cited in Hilliard, 1997). As for the Roman Catholic Church, Australian Sunday Mass attendance figures fell from 55 per cent to 37 per cent in the period 1966 to 1981. (Campion p.248)."

Tags:church, deline, denominations, growth, mainline

Abstract
The first mention of God in Ecclesiastes is in 1:13 and sets up the idea that God has given humans something that is "an unhappy business". Qoheleth (the author) knows in his heart that God is ultimately in control of everything but the world as it is cannot be understood by anyone, including the wise. Qoheleth doesn't solve any of the problems regarding what he saw and what this means in regard to the character of God. Yet this very ability to see and make some certain judgements and yet not be able to escape concluding that all is vanity, reflects his view of God, who is at the same time reliable and yet seemingly unpredictable. In summary four propositions are present in Job: 1. God is the cause of Job's suffering. 2. A just God does not cause the innocent like Job to suffer like Job. 3. God is a just God. 4. Job is not guilty of anything that would cause God to punish him in the way God is punishing him. Neither the book of Ecclesiastes or Job gives the answers that the main characters seek.

From the Paper
"From my own personal experience, out of all the books of the Christian Bible, the books of Ecclesiastes and Job have been among the most difficult for christians to come to grips with. This is due largely to the way they present God, and as a reflection of God; God given reality. This makes it all the more vital that the Church and individual believers do understand these books and the view of life and God found in them. These books assist in giving the reader of the Bible a balanced view of God and a balanced view of the way the people of the Old Testament saw God across the centuries. Both serve as a critique of a strict retribution principle and a correction to the other Wisdom Literature."

Tags:purpose, qoheleth, satan, suffering, vanity

Abstract
This paper explains Williams three styles of theology --celebratory, communicative and critical. Williams attempts to address theology in conversation with as many people as possible. The paper suggests that the quest for certainty and an easier way to talk about God are attempts to transcend the messy stage of people and history and it leads to a spirituality that is directed from the powers that be and/or the individuals' own private psyche. The writer believes that the theology of Rowan Williams could be called the theology of the question mark. Williams is at odds with authoritarianism and any misuse of power or authority and the desire for order that goes with it.

From the Paper
"Rowan Williams was born on 14 June 1950 in Swansea, Wales. He was educated at Dynevor Secondary School, then at Christ's College, Cambridge, where he read Theology. After research in Oxford (on Christianity in Russia), he spent two years as a lecturer at Mirfield Theological College. From 1977, he spent nine years in academic and parochial work in Cambridge. From 1986-1992, Williams was Professor of Theology at Oxford. He became the Bishop of Monmouth in 1992 and Archbishop of Wales, eight years later. Recently he became the head of the Anglican Church; being appointed as Archbishop of Canterbury. Williams has written a number of books on the history of theology and spirituality and published collections of articles and sermons " as well as two books of poetry. On Christian Theology was published in 2000 and though been a collection of Williams" articles, addresses the basic Christian themes that are common to most theologies. I will attempt to look at the constant threads that run through this book, particularly in relation to what forms the basis of Williams' theology and his ideas of God and God acting in history. To do this I look at what I perceive to be his method, his core, Christ, the Spirit, God, power and history."

Tags:anglican, archbishop, christ, church, god, holy, spirit, theology

Abstract
This paper examines the teachings of some Christian leaders who believe that the guidelines of sinfulness and sinlessness have already been dictated by God. It shows that an interesting fact which has arisen from these teachings is that sin is equated with flesh and differentiated from the Spirit. Sins are mainly man succumbing to the demands of the flesh. The Spirit is above all these and therefore far removed from sin. This essay explores flesh as it relates to sin from several sources, including the Old Testament, Psalms and the Book of John.

From the Paper
"Flesh is not always synonymous with sin. Other references also show God referring to flesh as the physical body (and perhaps, an emotional union) or a "brotherhood of the flesh." For instance, God created woman so that man and woman might be one in the flesh. Alternately, flesh was also used in reference to victual, that the flesh of the sacrificed goat was eaten at the Passover before the Exodus into Israel. In fact, after God had destroyed all humans save the ones that occupied Noah's ark, he replenished the earth with "flesh." The sin of the flesh or original sin was meant to be part of us humans for ever. Even the Psalms weigh in. Any emotional or spiritual aspect is removed from the flesh. In the following case, it is the heart (or the origins of emotions): "My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God." (Psalm 84:2) In all of his prophecies, Isaiah also refers to the flesh for the whole human body. One might consider from the above that God who imagined creating man out of his own likeness now relegated man to be flesh completely devoid of the Spirit."

Tags:Catholic, Mass, Galatian, Trinity, Jesus, Christ

Abstract
The paper shows that in the matter of faith and morals the Catholic church has a right to teach. However, no moral issue can be seen without reference to the values and conscience of the individual. It discusses how feminists emphasize the need for balance in considering the dignity and worth of the woman and the official teachings of the Catholic Church. This paper looks at the morality of sterilization today and examines some history of approaches to the biological fecundity of women and the attitudes of society and the Catholic church.

From the Paper
"While there is not a plethora of material available on church teaching on vasectomies and laparoscopic sterilizations, there are numerous guidelines on related matters such as the sexual relationship in marriage and the issue of contraception. These in themselves are closely related to the question of sterilization within marriage. The points of contention center on the very heart of Christian Morality and conscience today and are as contentious as usury was to the church of the Middle Ages. Just as the latter issue reflected the changing society of that time, it is hypothesized that sterilization undertaken by married couples at the completion of their family is a reflection of society of the 1990s, and poses some searching questions on morality for today's church."

Tags:contraception, culture, marriage, morality, procreation, theology, Christian, Pope, Pius

Abstract
This paper explores how different religions approach matters of sexuality in what are often radically different directions. The paper begins by comparing eastern and western, Christian and other religions. Early in its history, Christian doctrine adopted a position where sex was intrinsically linked with sin. However, in India, traditions of religious tolerance ensured the links between sexuality and religion were kept alive. The end result of Eastern and Western traditional attitudes towards sexuality and spiritualism are expressed in the attitudes and tolerances of the people living in those societies. While the Hindu tradition ensures a dynamic religious experience, accepting, indeed demanding input and change, the Christian Church continues to cling onto ancient ideals put in place at a time when social control was sought and social cohesion required.

From the Paper
"Attitudes towards sexuality vary widely across different religious traditions, these variations in attitude being particularly evident when comparing Western Christianity with Eastern religious traditions embodied in Hinduism. There is a fundamental connection between religion and sexuality, however this connection is often hidden under layers of doctrine and is therefore not always clear. Different religions approach matters of sexuality in what are often radically different directions. In this essay, I will outline the similarities and differences in attitudes towards sexuality in these two religious traditions, Christianity and Hinduism, the history behind and reasons for these attitudes, and lastly, I will look at the effects these attitudes have on people who live under and adhere to those religious traditions."

Tags:catholic, hindu, paedophile, priests, sin, tantric

Abstract
This essay details the personal journey C.S. Lewis embarked on with the Christian church. There are many references taken from his published works regarding his belief on faith and prayer and the need for personal development both within a congregation and outside the church. The main examination of this essay, however, focuses on Lewis's opinion of the church as an institution and whether such an institution is conducive to the development of a personal relationship with God.

From the Paper
"Clive Staples Lewis has become known as one of contemporary society's most distinguished Christian authors. Lewis emphasized the continuing Christian experience in almost all of his books, whether they be fictitious in nature, such as The Screwtape Letters, or autobiographical, such as Surprised By Joy. Despite an early intolerance for the Church because of its institutionalized nature, Lewis stressed in his later works the importance of attending Church as a part of the Christian experience. Therefore, although he believed the Church had problems as an institution, he believed that it was still an important vehicle for experiencing the mystical side of religion and coming into contact with God."

Tags:institution, spirituality, theism, lifestyle, converted, mystical, community, congregational, life

Abstract
This essay examines the way in which a five-hundred-year-old tradition, established by Ignatius Loyola, can still remain relevant to modern day spirituality, despite age, religious affiliation, or culture. It outlines Loyola's biography and how he came to be the Jesuit founder and to develop the "Spiritual Exercises", which have become a core aspect of Jesuit spirituality worldwide. Included, necessarily, in an explanation of the "Spiritual Exercises"are Loyola's own views on God, religion, and spirituality, and his understanding of how to know and follow the Will of God. The crux of the essay is the argument that Loyola's spirituality is still relevant in today's times due to its far-reaching and practical essence.

From the Paper
"Although having lived and died over five hundred years ago, the spiritual writings of Ignatius of Loyola have come to both directly and indirectly influence the way Christians live and view their religion today. The direct influence of Ignatius is demonstrated by the sustained existence of the Jesuit order, founded by Ignatius, who continue to maintain his Spiritual Exercises as an integral part of their spirituality. However, it is not necessary to be a member of the Jesuit order to practice Ignatian Spirituality as the Spiritual Exercises, which focus on the discovery of God's Will in relation to our lives as Christians, transcend culture and time, providing a practical contribution to Christians everywhere today."

Tags:christian, exercises, god, meditation, spiritual

Abstract
This paper provides an in-depth look at the witch-hunt hysteria that overtook the village of Salem, Massachusetts in the late 17th century. The author discusses the rigid Puritan lifestyle, class systems, possible motivations behind the witch hunting, and the well-known story that started the anarchy, that of the Reverend Parris' household, plagued by suspicion of the occult.

From the Paper
"In the late 17th century, the lion quietly walked among the inhabitants of Salem , Massachusetts . Zealously obedient to this admonishment from the apostle Peter, the pious folk of New England searched their souls " and those of their neighbors " for even the slightest stain. These Puritan's believed it was their objective to stare down that lion, until Judgment Day saw him vanquished. In the spring and summer of 1692, that great lion roared, and brought with it devastation that tore Salem apart. Nineteen men and women, all having been tried, and convicted of witchcraft, were carted to Gallows Hill, a barren slope on the outskirts of Salem Village , for hanging. Hundreds of others were arrested and imprisoned on witchcraft charges. Dozens languished in jail for months without trials. Then, almost as soon as it had begun, the hysteria that swept through Puritan Massachusetts ended."

Tags:gallow, hill, witch, parris, tituba, puritan, nurse, good, putnam, bishop, massachusetts, satan, abigail