Abstract
Angels are among the most recognizable Christian iconography. The paper looks at the representation of angels in medieval literature and art including that of Lucifer, the angel who led the rebellion of the angels in heaven.

From the Paper
"Lucifer, the angel who led the rebellion of the angels in heaven, is referred to as the 'Light-Bearer'. Page three of the Junius manuscript shows his descent into the mouth of hell. Lucifer's feet, arms, and neck are chained, which corresponds with St. Peter's description of the fallen angels. The chains are fixed to the teeth of the mouth of hell. The entrance to Hell is typically represented in art as a beast's mouth. This could be a deferral to Classical art and literature, where the beast Cerberus guarded the gates to the Underworld. Cerberus was generally described as a three headed dog with serpent's tail and other beastly features. Whilst Lucifer is chained at the mouth of hell in the Junius depiction, the other rebel angels are pictured still falling towards the beast. They are illustrated in various stages of undress, with their bodies contorted uncomfortably."

Tags:adam, angels, augustine, christian, eve, god, iconography, junius, nike, satan

Abstract
This paper evaluates Gregory A. Boyd's book "God of the Possible: A Biblical Introduction to the Open View of God," which presents open theism as an alternative to classical theism. The writer analyzes Boyd's approach, his biblical interpretation, the core beliefs of which he writes and their practical implications. The writer concludes that Boyd successfully achieves his prescribed purpose for writing and presents a 'much more livable theology'.

Outline:
Abstract
Boyd's Project
Biblical Interpretation
The Beliefs of Open Theism
Practical Advantages of Open Theism
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Boyd contends that there are many problems inherent in the classical view of God's foreknowledge and thus seeks to present a more biblically sound and more practically relevant standpoint on the issue of God's foreknowledge. He desires to present this in a way that is widely accessible to all as he contends that "this issue is too important and too practically significant to be limited to academic circles." Consequently he concedes that particular aspects of the open theism perspective have been deliberately overlooked in order to achieve his overarching goal of informing and motivating the intended audience in the most effective manner possible."

Tags:criticism, Judas, Jesus, non-literal, chance, sovereign, creation, prayer

Abstract
In this article, the writer discusses what defines a miracle. The writer questions if one could ever know that a miracle had occurred and whether miracles prove God's existence. This is an objective discussion (and the writer is not Christian, and not atheist either) in the context of Christianity with reference to readings from Hume and Thornton.

From the Paper
"A woman leaves an end of year Christmas party alone and is driving down the highway when someone cuts in front of her causing her to lose control and flipping the car several times onto the side of the road before landing upside down. The woman leaves the scene with only minor cuts and bruises. Is this a miracle? She may well deem it to be so. How is it possible to prove though that God had actively and supernaturally projected her from harm? Hume narrows the definition of a miracle to exclude these sorts of coincidental events. It could also be seen as a consequence of the alcohol in her blood stream on one hand reducing her reflexes to the point of being unable to avoid the other car, yet at the same time making her body loose and limp enough to withstand being tossed around and not incur serious injuries and concussion."

Tags:miracles, god, religion, believers, witnesses

Abstract
Johnson and Wilentz's book, "The Kingdom of Matthias: A Story of Sex and Salvation in 19th Century America", gives a detailed account of a unique 19th century American episode of religious revivalism, during which time a simple carpenter, Robert Matthews, claimed to be the prophet Matthias. This paper analyzes the core theme of the book and describes how this period, known as the Second Great Awakening, impacted the lives of the men and women of American society during that time.

From the Paper
"Taking advantage of people's religious inclination and their search for prophecy, Matthias succeeded in getting many New York businessmen to join his "kingdom" which he established on one of their estates in Sing Sing. Utilizing the vulnerability of people, the fanatical ravings of Matthias captivated many intelligent people. His kingdom was based on the concept of prosperity, optimism, tolerance and freedom. He advocated claims of abundant food for all, naked bathing, wife swapping and complete obedience. He propagated the concept of the inferiority of women and damned wives who worked."

Tags:Elijah, Pierson, cult, Joseph, Smith

Abstract
More of a collated dictionary than an essay, this document outlines the major forms of criticism used to examine the Bible, mainly the New Testament, in today's commentaries. It outlines Source Criticism, Redaction Criticism, Historical Criticism, Socio-Scientific Criticism, Rhetorical Criticism, Reader-Response Criticism, Literary Criticism, Form Criticism, Structuralism, as well as an examination of the terms 'Canonisation' and 'Inspiration'.

From the Paper
"Source criticism attempts to identify the sources that the authors of the New Testament used to write their texts. Scholars aim at discovering whether the text used a source, what that source said, and how exactly the author incorporated that source in to their text (e.g. accurately, or with a hidden agenda). Source criticism also allows scholars to identify alterations to the text that may have occurred at a time after the initial penning of the text."

Tags:mark, matthew, luke, interpretation, israelites, persuasive, discourse, israelites, transactive

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
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
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
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