Chinese Religion Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Chinese Religion - Essay Example Islam is another religion that combines beliefs from various religions. With this characteristic, there would be no question that Islam could easily be syncreticized with Confucianism. Christianity might be difficult to syncretize because like Islam, it is also a monotheistic religion but unlike the other, Christianity evolved from only one major religion, Judaism. However, probably, when placed in juxtaposition with Confucianism, Christianity would be questioned as to the belief in Jesus, who was like Confucius, was a man considered to have a higher level of understanding than the common people. This places both men to the same level as to the question of their deity. Considering syncretizing Christianity with Confucianism, such argument might crack some space in the former for the latter to penetrate it and might just allow a small possibility. One religion that might have remained unadulterated by other religions is Judaism. So far, even Christianity which came from Judaism is greatly sneered and questioned by Judaism because they cannot comprehend how one man, Jesus, would be considered equal to God. Judaism started from the Hebrew patriarch Abraham, being chosen by God to become the father of a people He would call his own and live in accordance to His commandments. The Jews do not just trace their lineage to Abraham but also trace the model of faith to his life especially when it comes to the sacrifice of his son to God as a test of his faith. His life became a testimony of what God could do for the Israelites, providing for their needs as He provided for Abraham, making him rich during his time; protecting them from their enemies as He did to their forefather who won wars and was spared of diseases. However, in exchange for the favors, God asks the Jews to obey His commandments like not worshipping other gods, making images of

The Baptism Debate Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

The Baptism Debate - Research Paper Example It is, in effect, an initiation into the Christian religion. This discussion examines the history of Baptism as referenced in the Bible, the various ways the ritual is practiced by differing sects of the Christian Church and provides an explanation of its significance in contemporary times. In addition, the paper analyses the differing nuances of its meaning within the Christian religion. The Old Testament does not specifically reference Baptism. The ritual is explicitly of New Testament origin. However, there are mentions of water being used in purification of soul ceremonies which became inserted in the Christian Baptism ceremony. â€Å"I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean† Ezekiel 36:25. 1 Baptism in the New Testament was introduced by John the Baptist who was an undetermined relative of Jesus. John practiced Baptism for people who wished to repent their sins and receive forgiveness by fully immersing them in the Jordan River. This practice of absolving sin by water would become the founding concept for the baptismal ritual and a significant, though not only, component of modern baptism. John baptized his relative Jesus in the Jordan River as he had many others even though, according to the Bible, Jesus was without sin. This act would become a principal aspect of Jesus’ ministry therefore a principal part of the Christian religion. This occurrence also marks the emergence of another aspect of the Christian religion, the Holy Trinity. The son, Christ, heard the Father’s (God’s) voice while the Holy Spirit â€Å"descend[ed] on him like a dove† Mark 1:10. 2 There does not exist specific instructions on how Christians should practice baptism in The New Testament, but within its pages are insights regarding how Jesus and his disciples perceived the act. Christians may only utilise conjecture regarding the suitable method of procedure and connotation of the baptism ritual by examining the numerous Biblical ve rses which refer to this sacrament. Nicodemus said to Him, â€Å"How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born, can he?† â€Å"Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.† John 3:5 â€Å"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.† Matthew 28:19 3 The interpretation of the verses related to baptism, as do all other verses of the Bible, vary widely, person to person, and sect to sect and are subject to modification throughout the years and continue to be disputed. An early interpretation of the baptism ritual was penned by the Apostle Barnabas in the First century. â€Å"We indeed descend into the water