WikiChristian - User contributions [en]

Abortion (Wahrheit)

2010-02-23T14:22:14Z

NIGGERCOCK:

{{opinionarticle}}

''By [[User:Wahrheit|Wahrheit]]

----

'''Abortion''', in its most common usage, refers to the deliberate premature termination of a pregnancy resulting in the killing of any or all carried unborn infants. The ethics, morality, and legality of abortion is the subject of intense debate throughout the world.

==U.S. Legal status==

The current legal status of abortion in the United States is based on the Supreme Court's 1973 decision in the controversial Roe v. Wade. This ruling states that abortion is legal prior to the third trimester of pregnancy, after which time a state may regulate the procedure. After viability, the state's interest in fetal protection increases, and a state may more heavily regulate abortion.

The Roe v. Wade decision overturned many state laws regarding abortion by claiming that abortion is a constitutional right and therefore state legislatures did not have the right to follow the will of the citizens with regard to laws on abortion. This is controversial because abortion is obviously not mentioned in the Constitution. And the justices on the Supreme Court are mandated to base their decisions on the Constitution, not their personal opinions and wants.

==Legal Issue==

Most experts on constitutional law regard the decision on the Roe v. Wade case as a tremendous legal mistake. The Supreme Court interjected itself into what should have been a legislative matter. The Constitution doesn't address this issue, and as the Tenth Amendment affirms, on issues where the Constitution is mute, we have state and federal legislatures to write our laws. The Constitution is sort of the Bible for the United States of America, and the justices of the Supreme Court are essentially the theologians who decide what it means. They aren't supposed to write a new one. They're supposed to figure out what it means. When a change in the Constitution is needed, we have a mechanism to change it.

Most legal scholars believe it would be better for everybody if the matter of abortion was returned to the state legislatures. In that way the people's elected representatives can write the laws in accordance with the will of their electorates. We'd only have a hodgepodge of laws across the country, and in some areas abortion would be illegal if the electorate wants it that way. That's how democracy works.

What we call law is nothing more or less than the public's collective belief, their conviction of what right and wrong is. Whether it's about murder, kidnapping, or running a red light, society decides what the rules are. In a democratic republic, we do that through the legislature by electing people who share our views. That's how laws happen. We also set up a Constitution, the supreme law of the land, which is very carefully considered because it decides what the other laws may and may not do, and therefore it protects us against our transitory passions. The job of the judiciary is to interpret the laws, or in this case the constitutional principles embodied in those laws, as they apply to reality. In Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court went too far. It legislated; it changed the law in a way not anticipated by the drafters, and that was an error. All a reversal of Roe will do is return the abortion issue to the duly elected state legislatures.

==Methods==

1. Suction Aspiration: This is the procedure most often used in the first trimester of pregnancy (the first three months). The abortionist inserts a suction tube (similar to a vacuum hose with an extremely sharp end) into the mother's womb. The suction and cutting edge dismember the baby while the hose sucks the body parts into a collection bottle.

2. Dilation and Curettage (D & C): In this procedure, the abortionist uses a loop shaped knife to cut the baby into pieces and scrape the uterine wall. The baby's body parts are then removed and checked to make sure that no pieces were left in the mother's womb.

3. Dilation and Evacuation (D & E): This form of abortion is used to kill babies in the second trimester (24+ weeks). The abortionist uses a forceps to grab parts of the baby (arms and legs) and then tears the baby apart. The baby's head must be crushed in order to remove it because the skull bone has hardened by this stage in the baby's growth.

4. Dilation and Extraction (also known as D & X or Partial-Birth Abortion): Used to kill babies well into the third trimester (as late as 32 weeks old), the abortionist reaches into the mother's womb, grabs the baby's feet with a forceps and pulls the baby out of the mother, except for the head. The abortionist then jams a pair of scissors into the back of the baby's head and spreads the scissors apart to make a hole in the baby's skull. The abortionist removes the scissors and sticks a suction tube into the skull to suck the baby's brain out. The forceps are then used to crush the baby's head and the abortionist pulls the baby's body out the rest of the way.

5. Salt Poisoning: This technique is used in the second and third trimester. The abortionist sticks a long needle into the mother's womb. The needle contains salt which is then injected into the amniotic fluid surrounding the baby. The baby breathes in, swallows the salt and dies from salt poisoning, dehydration, brain hemorrhage and convulsions. Taking nearly an hour to die, the baby's skin is completely burned, turns red and deteriorates. The baby is in pain the entire time. The mother goes into labor 24 - 48 hours later and delivers a dead baby.

6. Prostaglandins: Used during the second and third trimester, prostaglandin abortions involve the injection of naturally produced hormones into the amniotic sac, causing violent premature labor. During these convulsions the baby is often crushed to death or is born too early to have any chance of surviving.

7. Hysterotomy: Performed in the third trimester, this is basically an abortive Cesarean section (C-section). The abortionist makes in an incision in the mother's abdomen and removes the baby. The baby is then either placed to the side to die or is killed by the abortionist or nurse.

===Chemical abortion===

a. RU-486: RU-486 blocks the hormone that helps develop the lining of the uterus during pregnancy (progesterone). This lining is the source of nutrition and protection for the developing baby. The tiny boy or girl is starved to death and then a second drug, misoprostol, causes contractions so that the dead baby is expelled from the womb.

b. Methotrexate: Highly toxic, this chemical directly attacks and breaks down the baby's fast-growing cells. It also attacks the life-support systems the baby needs to survive. When the systems fail, the baby dies. Misoprostol is then used to cause contractions and push the dead baby out of the womb.

c. Abortifacient birth control (the Pill, Depo-Provera, Norplant, the IUD, Emergency Contraception). These abortion-causing chemicals and devices can act to kill preborn children in the earliest days of life. It is well known that abortifacient methods of birth control may act to inhibit ovulation and prevent conception. However, most women don't know they also act to alter the lining of the womb so that the implantation of a newly conceived child cannot occur. If the child cannot implant in the lining of the womb to receive nourishment, he or she dies.

==The Science==

Although some will say that abortion is not a matter of life and death, arguing that a fetus is not a "person", or a "human being", medical research proves that the fetus is a living organism from the moment of conception.

A sperm has 23 chromosomes and no matter what, even though it is alive and can fertilize an egg it can never make another sperm. An egg also has 23 chromosomes and it can never make another egg. A solitary egg or a solitary sperm does not have the complete genetic code for a separate human being. The ovum and the sperm are each a product of another's body: unlike the fertilized egg, neither is an independent entity. Neither one is complete. Like cells in someone's hair or fingernails, an egg or sperm does not have the capacity to become other than what it already is. Both are essentially dead-ends, destined to remain what they are until they die in a matter of days. This negates one common argument - that the unborn isn't human, or else every time a man ejaculated, or a woman menstruated, an "unborn" dies. Obviously this is ridiculous - a sperm without an egg and an egg without a sperm does not constitute human life.

Once there is the union of a sperm and egg, the 23 chromosomes are brought together in one cell with 46 chromosomes. Once there are 46 chromosomes, that one cell has all of the DNA, the whole genetic code for a genetically distinct human life. It isn't a "potential" human life, or some "other" type of life because something non-human does not magically become human by getting older and bigger - whatever is human must be human from the beginning. Everything that constitutes a human being is present from that moment forward - the only thing added from that point on is nutrition so the unborn can grow. This new life is not a sperm or an egg, or even a simple combination of both. It is independent with a life of its own, and the development is actually self-directed. A sperm can't do that - neither can an egg. They do not "develop".

The baby's blood supply is also completely separate from the mother's. If they were not separate bodies, the mother and child having different blood types would be impossible. If a child's and mother's blood mix, it can be fatal for the child if the Rh factors are different. There is a shot to prevent this, but if there is not, and the blood of different Rh factors mix, the baby can die.

==Arguments==

Even most medical texts and pro-choice doctors agree with pro-choice geneticist Ashley Montagu, who has written: "The basic fact is simple:life begins not at birth, but at conception." The beginning of human life is not a religious, moral, or philosophical issue; it is a scientific and biological one. From the time those 23 chromosomes become 46 onward, the unborn is a living, developing human being with a unique genetic makeup.

Many people think abortion is acceptable because it's done before the fetus is what they consider "viable." However, viability is not something which should be used to determine whether someone is "human enough" to have the right to live, since viability is based on current medical science. Medical science does not determine when someone becomes human. Ten years ago, a 25 week-old fetus could not survive outside the womb. Now it can. Maybe in ten years, a 15 week old fetus will be able to be sustained outside the womb. Does this mean that the fetus, in 1999, is not human, but a fetus of the same age in 2007 is somehow more human? The point of viability constantly changes because it is based on medical technology, not the fetus itself. What if one hospital had the technology to keep a 20 week old fetus alive but another hospital only had the technology to keep a 28 week old fetus alive? Is the fetus "human" and worthy of life in one hospital but not in another?

Those are pro-choice and downright pro-abortion claim that abortion "liberates" women, when in actually it does not, in fact it instead "liberates" men. Abortion on demand liberates men who want sex without strings, promises, or responsibility. And if the woman has the baby? "Hey, that's her problem. She could have obtained an abortion - she chose to carry the child; let her pay for her choice." Abortion also "liberates" others - not the pregnant woman. For instance, employers do not have to make concessions to pregnant women and mothers. Schools do not have to accommodate to the needs of parents, and irresponsible men do not have to commit themselves to their partners or their children.

==Breast cancer link==

A woman's estrogen level increases hundreds of times above normal upon conceiving - and one of the first physical changes to the pregnant woman's body occurs in the breasts. That hormone surge leads to the growth of "undifferentiated" cells in the breast as the body prepares to produce milk for the coming baby. Undifferentiated cells are vulnerable to the effects of carcinogens, which can give rise to cancerous tumors later in life.

In the final weeks of a full-term pregnancy, those cells are "terminally differentiated" through a still largely unknown process and are ready to produce milk. Differentiated cells are not vulnerable to carcinogens. However, should a pregnancy be terminated prior to cell differentiation, the woman is left with abnormally high numbers of undifferentiated cells, therefore increasing her risk of developing breast cancer. The percentage of risk increase is dependent on the age of a woman when she reaches puberty, when she first conceives and the length of time the pregnancy progresses prior to induced abortion.

Spontaneous abortions, or miscarriages, are not generally associated with increased risk since they generally occur due to insufficient estrogen hormones to begin with.

Based on the most comprehensive medical evidence available, induced abortion is a risk factor for the development of breast cancer. The risk is especially great if the woman has received an abortion at a young age.

== External Links ==

*[http://www.nrlc.org/ National Right to Life Committee]
*[http://www.plagal.org Pro-Life Alliance of Gays and Lesbians]
*[http://www.democratsforlife.org Democrats for Life]
*[http://www.godlessprolifers.org/home.html Atheist and Agnostic Pro-Life League]
*[http://www.feministsforlife.org Feminists for Life]

{{returnto}} [[Abortion]]
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Apologetics: Genesis 11.5

2010-02-23T14:21:55Z

NIGGERCOCK:

===Text===
{| cellspacing="3" cellpadding="3"
|- valign="top"
|width="100%" class="MainPageBG" style="border: 1px solid #ffddc0; color: #000; background-color: #ffffee"|
''And Jehovah came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded. ([http://biblegateway.com/passage/?search=gen%2011.5;&version=49 Genesis 11.5])''
|}
===Problem===
If God is everywhere, how could He "come down?"

===External Links===
* [http://www.tektonics.org/gk/godallover.html Does the Bible Indicate that God is not Omnipresent or Omniscient?] Tektonic Apologetics Ministries

----

Go to the [[Apologetics: Genesis]] index

Go to the [[Apologetics]] index
[[Category:Apologetics]]
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Text:EBD:Ziph

2010-02-23T14:21:36Z

NIGGERCOCK:

Flowing. (1.) A son of Jehaleleel (1 Chr. 4:16).

(2.) A city in the south of Judah (Josh. 15:24), probably at the pass of Sufah.

(3.) A city in the mountains of Judah (Josh. 15:55), identified with the uninhabited ruins of Tell ez-Zif, about 5 miles south-east of Hebron. Here David hid himself during his wanderings (1 Sam. 23:19; Ps. 54, title).
{{returnto}} [[Easton's Bible Dictionary]]
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Help:Contents

2010-02-23T14:21:17Z

NIGGERCOCK:

There are a number of help pages in WikiChristian. Which are you looking for?
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File:StephenBeingStoned.jpg

2010-02-23T14:19:58Z

NIGGERCOCK:

Apostle Stephen being stoned

This file is from Theopedia
{{PD}}
[[Category:Famous Christians]]
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File:Christian media canada.jpg

2010-02-23T14:19:44Z

NIGGERCOCK:

Logo from ChristianMedia.ca

{{GFDL}}
[[Category:Christian websites]]
[[Category:Media Ministries in Canada Logos]]
[[Category:Media (files)]]
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Parables of Jesus

2010-02-23T14:18:10Z

NIGGERCOCK:

{{quote | text={{Bible verse|matthew|13|13|lang=WEB}} [[Matthew 13:13]]}}
{{Infobox_Contents |
topic_name = The Parables of Jesus |
subtopics = [[Parable]]
* [[Parables Index]] <small>(a list of all of the parables of Jesus)</small>
* Very famous parables
** [[The Wise and the Foolish Builders]] - [[Matthew 7]]:24-27
** [[Parable of the Sower|The Sower]] - [[Matthew 13]]:3-23, [[Mark 4]]:1-20, [[Luke 8]]:5-15
** [[The Lost Sheep]] - [[Matthew 18]]:12-14, [[Luke 15]]:1-7
** [[Parable of the Unmerciful Servant|The Unmerciful Servant]] - [[Matthew 18]]:23-35
** [[The Good Samaritan]] - [[Luke 10]]:30-37
** [[The Prodigal Son]] - [[Luke 15]]:11-32 |
opinion_pieces = {{short_opinions}} |
}}

'''[[Jesus]]''' often taught using illustrations and stories - [[parable]]s. His parables often tell of the kingdom of [[God]] and the nature of God. Sometimes the meaning is clear, at other times it can seem hidden.

The word "parable" is derived from the Greek word [[Παραβολη]] (''[[parabole]]''). It can be used to refer to stories that make a point (like the Good Samaritan), stories that are allegories (like the parable of the Sower) or simple statements.

Each of the four Gospels contains parables of Jesus unique to that Gospel, with two of the best known, [[the Prodigal Son]] and [[the Good Samaritan]], both being among those that occur only in the [[Gospel of Luke]]. Only two parables occur in the [[Gospel of John]], and both are unique to that Gospel. A few parables appear in more than one of the [[synoptic Gospels]]. But no parable is common to the [[Gospel of Mark|Mark]] and either [[Gospel of Matthew|Matthew]] or [[Gospel of Luke|Luke]] but not both; that is, if a parable occurs in Mark and also somewhere else, then it appears in all three. This observation is one of those used to try to identify and analyse the sources used by the gospel writers, see [[Q document]].

[[Parables]] also exist in the Old Testament and in many other writings, the best known being the story that the prophet [[Nathan]] tells [[King David]].

===Nature / types of parables===

The [[Greek]] word "[[Παραβολη]]" has a wide meanings. It can be used for riddles, stories, or comparisons.

There are differences of opinion as to what actually constitutes a parable. What one person considers a parable, another may not. Some theologians class Jesus' parables into 1 of 4 general types
* Similitude
** Example: Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed ([[Matthew 13]])
* Story
** Example: Good Samaritan ([[Luke 10]])
* Extended metaphor
** Example: Great Banquet ([[Luke 14]])
* Allegory
** Example: Wicked tenants

===Purpose of parables===

The reason that Jesus' taught in parables is not immediately obvious. It seems that Jesus taught in parables for many reasons.

====Purpose: To conceal meaning====

Some parables, rather than enlighten everyone, seemed to be spoken to conceal the meaning. For example, in the parable of the sower, we are told that Jesus spoke in parables so that people would be "Forever seeing, and not understanding" ([[Luke 8]]).

====Purpose: To make one or two spiritual points====

Parables usually had one overall point. Occasionally they have two or three main points. For example, in the difficult parable of the Shrewd Manager in [[Luke 16]], Jesus seems to be making a single point - think and be shrewd in your actions. Likewise, the parable of the great banquet ([[Luke 14]]) seems to be making one main point - come when you are invited.

====Purpose: To make points by comparison====

Many parables made their point by comparison. For example, in the [[Prodigal Son]] ([[Luke 15]]), Jesus makes a point by comparing the responses of the two brothers and the father.

====Purpose: To make people who were interested to think and judge====

Parables, by their very nature of not being completely straight forward, draw interested people to think and judge. An person who is interested is almost always compelled to think and wonder at hearing a parable. For example, Jesus' disciples came to Jesus wanting an explanation after the parable of the sower.

====Purpose: To help people remember====

Parables can be easy to remember because a story needs to be remembered.

====Purpose: To reveal people's hearts / to confront people====

In the Gospels, we find that the parables often confronted people and revealed their hearts. For example, in the parable of the wicked tenants, the Pharisees were confronted by Jesus, and instead of repenting, they became more angry - their true hearts were revealed by the parable.

===Some of the most famous of Jesus' parables===

====[[The Prodigal Son]]====

The Parable of the Prodigal Son is one of Jesus' most well known parables. The story is found in [[Luke 15]]:11–32, being preceded by [[The Lost Sheep]] and [[The Lost Coin]]. It is the story of a son who dishonours his father and squanders his fortues and returns home in disgrace to his father but is welcomed with arms open wide and [[forgiveness]]. A central theme of the story is that God is like the Prodigal son's father - full of mercy and love and forgiveness.

====[[The Good Samaritan]]====

[[The Good Samaritan]] is another famous parable. It appears only in the [[Gospel of Luke]] ([[Luke 10|10]]:25-37). In the parable, Jesus illustrates that compassion should be for all people, and that fulfilling the spirit of the Law is just as important as fulfilling the letter of the Law. In the story, Jesus describes how a Samaritan, who at the time was a despised foreigner in the eyes of the Jews, shows himself to be the neighbour by helping out a Jew who was in great need.

==Quotes==

''[[Matthew 13:13]]''
: Jesus said, "This is why I speak to them in parables: Though seeing, they do not see. Though hearing, they do not hear or understand."

==Links==
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parables_of_Jesus Wikipedia - Parables of Jesus]

{{returnto}} [[Christianity]] -> [[Jesus]] -> [[Events in the life of Jesus]]

[[Category:Jesus]]
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Trilemma argument

2010-02-23T14:17:53Z

NIGGERCOCK:

{{quote | text=Christ either deceived mankind by conscious fraud, or He was Himself deluded and self-deceived, or He was Divine. There is no getting out of this trilemma. It is inexorable. [[John Duncan]]}}
{{Infobox_Contents |
topic_name = Trilemma Argument / Lewis Triumvirate |
subtopics = [[John Duncan]], [[C.S. Lewis]]
* [[Apologetics: Jesus]] |
opinion_pieces = {{short_opinions}} |
}}

The "Trilemma Argument" is an argument in logic about the identity of [[Jesus]]. The argument, which was made famous by [[C.S. Lewis]], essentially concludes that Jesus cannot be considered to be a great moral teacher, rather it is only logical that his identity must have rested in one of the three following possibilities:
# A liar
# A lunatic
# God (Lord)

The premises of the argument rests on the fact that [[Jesus: Our Lord and God|Jesus claimed to be God]]. Logically, if Jesus was not God then he was not very moral and so cannot be considered a great moral teacher - instead he must have either been lying or crazy. The only reasonable alternative to these two options is that Jesus was telling the truth, that is, Jesus is actually God. The argument also rests on accepting the reliability of the [[Bible]] which records the claims of Jesus to be God.

===History===

The earliest known use of this approach was by the Scotish preacher [[John Duncan]] (1796-1870) who was quoted in 1870 saying:
: ''Christ either deceived mankind by conscious fraud, or He was Himself deluded and self-deceived, or He was Divine. There is no getting out of this trilemma. It is inexorable.''<ref>William Knight, Colloquia Peripatetica, 1870.</ref>

The argument was popularized by the famous twentieth century Christian theologian and author [[C.S. Lewis]]. He outlined the argument in a 1943 BBC radio broadcast and it later formed the basis of his book [[Mere Christianity (book)|Mere Christianity]].<ref>Lewis, C.S., Mere Christianity, London: Collins, 1952, p54-56.</ref>

===The Argument===

The following diagram represents the logical flow of a modified form of the argument:

[[Image:JesusChrist-LogicallyLord.png|800px|border]]

==Quotes==

'''[[C.S. Lewis]]'''
: ''A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic - on the level with a man who says he is a poached egg - or he would be the devil of hell. You must take your choice. Either this was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut Him up for a fool or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us.''

==References==

{{reflist}}

==Links==
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lewis%27s_trilemma Wikipedia - Lewis's trilemma]

{{returnto}} [[Christianity]] -> [[God]] -> [[Jesus]] -> [[Jesus: Our Lord and God]]
[[Category:Apologetics]]
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Justification

2010-02-23T14:16:44Z

NIGGERCOCK:

{{quote | text={{Bible verse|Isaiah|53|12|lang=WEB}} [[Isaiah 53:12]]}}

{{Infobox_Contents |
topic_name = Justification |
subtopics = [[Grace]], [[Sin]], [[Repentance]], [[Forgiveness]], [[Salvation]], [[Righteous]]
* [[Justification by faith alone]], [[Justification by faith plus works]]
* [[New Perspective on Paul]]
* [[The Law]]
* [[Eternal life]], [[Heaven]]
* Passages: [[Isaiah 1:18]], [[Isaiah 53:12]], [[Acts 13]]:38-39, [[Galatians 2:16]] |
opinion_pieces = {{short_opinions}}
* [[Justification by faith alone (G.G.)]]
* [[A look at justification by faith and good works in Luther's theology (J.S)]]
* [[Justification (Benjamen Meng)]] |
}}
{{YouTube Video|youtube=MtKsruztz30|title=Justification - Michael and Rhonda Jones}}

'''Justification''' is a term used in [[Christian]]ity to describe [[God]]'s declaration that a [[sin]]ner is without sin because of God's [[forgiveness]].

===Views on justification===

Justification is often understood as the action of God in giving or reckoning the [[righteousness]] of [[Jesus]] to a [[sinner]], so that the sinner is declared by God as being righteous under the [[Law]]. In other words, justification is the term that describes the removal of sins from a person. In the [[Book of Isaiah]] the concept of justification is stated beautifully - [[Isaiah 1:18]]
: "Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool."

There are however significant differing views on justification among Christians.

====[[Justification by faith plus works]]====

The [[Roman Catholic Church]] and the [[Eastern Orthodox Church]] teach that justification and cleansing from sin requires both faith in [[Christ]]'s redemptive work on the cross as well as obedience and good works. This is known as [[justification by faith plus works]].

====[[Justification by faith alone]]====

[[Protestant]] churches traditionally have taught that justification and cleansing from sin requires only faith in [[Christ]]'s redemptive work on the cross, and does not require any good works on the part of the sinner. This is known as [[justification by faith alone]], and was one of the core reasons for the Protestant break-away from the Roman Catholic Church in the [[Reformation]]. Passages such as [[James 2:24]] which discuss justification through works are explained by viewing good works as evidence of the justification that has already through the believer's faith.

====The [[New Perspective on Paul]]====

Some Protestant scholars, most notably [[N.T. Wright]], have recently questioned the traditional Protestant understanding of justification. This has lead to the development of the [[New Perspective on Paul]], which is a term that actually refers to a wide variety of more recent interpretations on the theology of the [[Apostle Paul]]. According to Wright, justification is not the process of how a sinner becomes right in God's sight, but rather is simply the declaration that a person is already right with God. Wright has argued that justification is more about [[ecclesiology]], or who belongs to the church, than [[soteriology]] (the theology of salvation). He suggests that when Paul has stated that a person is justified by faith apart from the Law, what Paul means is that a person belongs to the family of God (the church) by virtue of his faith alone and not by virtue of his ethnic identity as a Jew. This shift of emphasis has caused ripples among some Protestant Christians, who question the implication this perspective has on the contribution of good deeds or works to salvation.

===Biblical passages on justification===

The word justification is derived from the [[Koine Greek]] word [[Δικαιοω]] (dikaioo). It is used in a variety of settings in the New Testament, especially by the [[apostle Paul]], who spoke strongly about [[justification by faith alone]], for example in [[Romans 3:28]]
: ''{{Bible verse|Romans|3|28|lang=WEB}}''

The [[apostle James]] also speaks of justification. He speaks of it in terms of justification by faith and works, for example in [[James 2:24]]
: ''{{Bible verse|James|2|24|lang=WEB}}''

==Quotes==

[[N.T. Wright]] in
: ''In theology, therefore, justification is not the means whereby it becomes possible to declare someone in the right. It is simply that declaration itself. It is not how someone becomes a Christian, but simply the declaration that someone is a Christian. It is not the exercise of mercy, but the just declaration concerning one who has already received mercy. This is a crucial distinction, without which it is impossible to understand the biblical material.''

==Links==
* [http://www.ntwrightpage.com/Wright_Justification_Biblical_Basis.pdf NT Wright on the Biblical Basis of Justification]
* [http://youtube.com/watch?v=MtKsruztz30&rel=1&feature=related Related YouTube Videos]

{{returnto}} [[Christianity]] -> [[Christian doctrine and debates]]
[[Category:Videos]]
[[Category:Pages with YouTube content]]
[[Category:Christian doctrine and debates]]
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Epistle to the Colossians

2010-02-23T14:16:00Z

NIGGERCOCK:

{{Infobox_Contents |
topic_name = Colossians
[[Image:Paul's Missionary Journeys Small.jpg|thumb|center|a map of the regions that [[apostle Paul|Paul]] travelled. Colossae is in grid I-4]] |
subtopics = [[Apostle Paul]]
* [[Colossae]]
* [[Colossian heresy]] |
opinion_pieces = {{short_opinions}}
* [[Colossians, Epistle to the (EBD)|Easton's Bible Dictionary entry on the Epistle to the Colossians]]
* [[Colossian Heresy (G.G.)]] |
}}

{{chapters}}
[[Colossians 1|1]]
[[Colossians 2|2]]
[[Colossians 3|3]]
[[Colossians 4|4]]

==Commentary==

The Epistle to the Colossians is a book of the [[New Testament]]. It was a letter written by the [[apostle Paul]] to the [[church]] in [[Colossae]].

===Author and date===

The letter begins by identifying the apostles [[apostle Paul|Paul]] and [[apostle Timothy|Timothy]] as the authors. Paul's authorship is also confirmed by many of the church's early key figures such as [[Irenaeus]], [[Clement of Alexandria]], [[Tertullian]], [[Origen]], and [[Eusebius]].

The letter was probably written by Paul at Rome during his first imprisonment there ([[Acts 28]]:16, 30). Suggested dates of writing range between [[57 AD]] and [[62 AD]].

===Recipient===

The letter was written to the believers in [[Colossae]], a city in the [[Lycus Valley]] (in modern day South-West [[Turkey]].

The church had been founded by a man named [[Epaphras]] who was probably from Colossae.

The church probably was mostly formed through [[Gentile]] converts - [[Colossians 1:27]]
: ''{{Bible verse|colossians|1|27|lang=WEB}}''

[[Tychicus]] was the bearer of the letter, as he was also of that to the [[Ephesians]] and to [[Epistle to Philemon|Philemon]], and he would tell them of the state of the apostle ([[Colossians 4]]:7-9). After friendly greetings (10-14), Paul bids them to interchange this letter with the one that he had sent to the neighbouring Laodicean Church. (The apocryphal Epistle to the Laodiceans is generally believed to be a forgery based on this instruction)

===Themes and outline===

A major object of the letter, it seems, was to counteract certain false teaching that had arisen within the church of Colosse. These teachings are sometimes referred to as the [[Colossian heresy]]. The false teaching appears to have been teaching that attempted to combine the doctrines of Eastern [[mysticism]] and [[asceticism]] with [[Christianity]], thereby promising believers enjoyment of a higher spiritual life and a deeper insight into the world of spirits.

Paul argues against such teaching, showing that in [[Christ]] they had all things. He sets forth the majesty of his [[redemption]]. The mention of the "new moon" and "sabbath days" ([[Colossians 2:16]]) suggests that [[Gnostic]] ascetics were judging the body of Christ for "eating and drinking" and observing the "feasts, New Moons, and Sabbaths." In response, Paul commands the saints to "let no one judge you...but the body of Christ," - that is, the [[church]] itself.

In [[Colossians 2]] especially Paul emphasizes the pre-eminence of Jesus Christ. He particularly warns the Colossians against being drawn away from Christ "in whom dwelt all the fullness of the deity" ([[Colossians 2:9|2:9]]), and who is the head of all spiritual powers. Christ, Paul reminds them, is the head of the body of which they are members; and if they are truly united to him, what further need do they have?

In chapters [[Colossians 3|3]] and [[Colossians 4|4]] Paul writes practically, teaching about various duties that naturally flow from the doctrines he has expounded. The Colossians are exhorted to mind things that are above ([[Colossians 3]]:1-4), to mortify every evil principle of their nature, and to put on the new man ([[Colossians 3]]:5-14). Many special duties of the Christian life are also insisted upon as the fitting evidence of the Christian character.

==Quotes==

==Links==
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epistle_to_the_Colossians Wikipedia - Epistle to the Colossians]

{{returnto}} [[Christianity]] -> [[Bible]] -> [[New Testament]]

[[Category:Books of the New Testament]]
[[Category:Epistles]]
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Koine Greek

2010-02-23T14:14:25Z

NIGGERCOCK:

{{Infobox_Contents |
topic_name = Koine Greek
[[Image:Codex Alexandrinus Luke.jpg|thumb|center|A copy of the [[Codex Alexandrinus]] opened to the [[Gospel of Luke]].]] |
subtopics = [[Koine Greek: Dictionary|Dictionary]]
* [[Greek]]
* Lessons
** [[Koine Greek: Alphabet|Alphabet]]
** [[Koine Greek: Nouns|Nouns]], [[Koine Greek: Definite Article|Definite Article]], [[Koine Greek: Prepositions|Prepositions]]
** [[Koine Greek: Adjectives|Adjectives]], [[Koine Greek: Comparison|Comparison]]
** [[Koine Greek: Verbs|Verbs]]
** [[Koine Greek: Participles|Participles]]
** [[Koine Greek: Adverbs|Adverbs]]
** Miscellaneous topics
*** [[Koine Greek: Crasis|Crasis]]
*** [[Koine Greek: Questions|Questions]] |
opinion_pieces = {{short_opinions}} |
}}
{{greek_dictionary}}

Koine is the Greek word for "common." Koine Greek (also called New Testament Greek) was the form of the Greek language used from around 300 BC to AD 300. The books of the [[New Testament]] were originally written in Koine Greek. Koine Greek was the ''lingua franca'' (or the commonly used language of communication) in the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern for hundreds of years following the conquests of Alexander the Great, including during the time of the early church.

For some time the Greek language of the New Testament confused many scholars. It was sufficiently different from Classical Greek that some hypothesized that it was a combination of Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic. Others attempted to explain it as a "Holy Ghost language," assuming that perhaps God created a special language just for the [[Bible]]. But studies of [[Greek]] papyri found in [[Egypt]] over the past 120 years have shown that the Greek of the [[New Testament]] manuscripts was the "common" (koine) language of the everyday people - the same as that used in the writing of wills and private letters.

Koine Greek had spread throughout the Mediterranean and Middle East as a result of the conquests of the Greek armies of Alexander the Great. It served as a second language for many people and had become the language of communication throughout much of the Roman Empire and beyond by the time of Jesus. It retained its role as the lingua franca until the Middle Ages.

===Bible===

The Old Testament was translated into Koine Greek between the third and first centuries before Christ. This translation is known as the [[Septuagint]], or simply, the "LXX". The New Testament books were originally written in Koine Greek. Below is part of a passage from the New Testament - [[John 1:1]]
* {{Bible verse|John|1|1|lang=Greek}}
* Translation: ''{{Bible verse|John|1|1|lang=WEB}}''

===Alphabet===

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! Letter name !! Lower Case !! Upper Case !! Transliteration in WikiChristian !! Pronunciation
|-
| alpha || α || Α || a || f<u>a</u>ther
|-
| beta || β || Β || b || <u>b</u>eta
|-
| gamma || γ || Γ || g || <u>g</u>amma
|-
| delta || δ || Δ || d || <u>d</u>elta
|-
| epsilon || ε || Ε || e || <u>e</u>psilon
|-
| zêta || ζ || Ζ || ''z'' if first letter, otherwise ''dz'' || <u>z</u>êta ''or'' be<u>ds</u>
|-
| êta || |η || Η || e || ob<u>e</u>y
|-
| thêta || θ || Θ || th || <u>th</u>êta
|-
| iota || ι || Ι || i || spaghett<u>i</u>
|-
| kappa || κ || Κ || k || <u>k</u>appa
|-
| lambda || |λ || Λ || l || <u>l</u>ambda
|-
| mu || μ || Μ || m || <u>m</u>u
|-
| nu || ν || Ν || n || <u>n</u>u
|-
| xi || ξ || Ξ || x || a<u>x</u>iom
|-
| omicron || ο || Ο || o || p<u>o</u>nd
|-
| pi || π || Π || p || <u>p</u>i
|-
| rho || ρ || Ρ || r || <u>r</u>ho
|-
| sigma || σ / ς || Σ || s || <u>s</u>igma
|-
| tau || τ || Τ || t || <u>t</u>au
|-
| upsilon || υ || Υ || u || <u>oo</u>ps
|-
| phi || φ || Φ || ph || <u>f</u>ather
|-
| chi || χ || Χ || ch || Ba<u>ch</u>
|-
| psi || ψ || Ψ || ps || oo<u>ps</u>
|-
| omega || ω || Ω || o || <u>o</u>bey
|}

=== Diphthongs and ι-subscripts ===

{| class="wikitable"
! Diphthong
! Pronunciation
|-
! ΑΙ
| 'ai' as in aisle
|-
! ΕΙ
| 'ei' as in freight (identical to 'Η')
|-
! ΟΙ
| 'oi' as in oil
|-
! ΑΥ
| 'ow' as in sow
|-
! ΟΥ
| 'oo' as in fool
|-
! ΥΙ
| 'ooe' as in gooey
|-
! ΕΥ
| '''*'''
|}

: '''*''' 'ευ' is both hard and controversial. There is some evidence to suggest that is was pronounced 'ew' (as in "Ew, that's gross!") or simply 'yu'. What has been taught for ages, however, is 'eh-oo', as sound not present in English.

There are also version of several vowels with a small iota underneath (or beside in the case of capitols): ᾼ ᾳ, ῌ ῃ, ῼ ῳ. It is believed that these represent ancient diphthongs, but the pronunciation is not altered in the time of any Greek writing we can know.
: ''We have chosen not to include ι-subscripts on '''WikiChristian''', partly because most browsers display them incorrectly.''

=== Accents and Breathing ===

There are three possible accents that can be put on Greek vowels: the acute <big>´</big>, the grave (pronounces 'grahv') <big>`</big> and the circumflex. The circumflex should like an upside crescent over the vowel, but some fonts use the caron (<big>^</big>) or even the tilde (<big>~</big>). It is thought the these different symbols represented rising and falling pitch, like modern Chinese, but by the time of our literature, they only indicate accent or stress.

* ἀρχῇ - ar'''xē'''
* λόγος - '''lo'''gos

Over the initial syllable of word that begins with a vowel, there will always be either a rough (<big>‘</big>) or a smooth (<big>’</big>) breathing sign. Rough means a 'h' sound and smooth means a lack of extra sound. A 'Ρ' (Rho), in the initial position, also taking a breathing sign, typically the rough. How precisely this altered pronunciation is not known.

: ''We also do not include accents here on '''WikiChristian''', since it would make searches extremely difficult, and also, because most browsers don't render them correctly.''

===Resources===

There a many resources available for the study of the Bible in Koine Greek.

There are numerous ancient manuscripts containing parts or all of the New Testament. Not all of these manuscripts are identical for a variety of reasons. For example, sometimes a scribe copying an older manuscript would make a spelling or grammatical error. The German Bible Society produces a work that contains what a number of well known scholars believe is the most likely representation of the original New Testament, known as the NA27 or the UBS4 version.

The language itself is studied widely throughout theological colleges. Well known textbooks include the series by [[William Mounce]].

Numerous internet resources also exist. One of the most used resources is the [[ReGreek]] project by Zack Hubert. This site was closed down in March 2009 due to copyright issues.

==Quotes==

==Links==
* [http://www-users.cs.york.ac.uk/~fisher/gnt/chapters.html Greek New Testament - Parsing of each word]
* [http://www.textkit.com/ Textkit - Learn Greek and Latin]
* [http://www.theopedia.com/Greek Theopedia - Greek]
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koine_Greek Wikipedia - Koine Greek]
* [http://ntgateway.com/ NT Gateway]
* [http://www.scripture4all.org/OnlineInterlinear/Greek_Index.htm Online Interlineal Greek-English Bible New Testament]
* [http://scripturetext.com/ Scripturetext.com - Scripture versions and word-for-word Greek translation at Biblos.com]
* [http://www.zhubert.com Zhubert.com - Parsing of Greek New Testament]

{{returnto}} [[Christianity]] -> [[Bible]] -> [[Translating the Bible]]

[[Category:Koine Greek]]
[[Category:Biblical languages]]
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First Vatican Council

2010-02-23T14:13:24Z

NIGGERCOCK:

{{Infobox_Contents |
topic_name = Vatican I
[[Image:Pius ix.jpg|thumb|center|[[Pius IX]], instigator of the council which affirmed his absolute authority within the [[Roman Catholic Church]].]] |
subtopics = [[Ultramontanism]], [[Papal Infallibility]], [[Pius IX]]
* [[Roman Catholicism]], [[Old Catholic Church]]
* [[Second Vatican Council]] |
opinion_pieces = {{short_opinions}}
* [[Impact of Vatican I (G.G.)]] |
}}

The First Vatican Council was a council of the [[Roman Catholic Church]] held in 1869-1870 and become famous (or infamous) for confirming [[Papal Infallibility]] as official doctrine of the Roman Church.

The council was called by pope Piux IX. His two main purposes for calling the council were to define the dogma of Papal Infallibility and to obtain confirmation of the position he had taken in his Syllabus of Errors (1864), condemning a wide range of positions associated with rationalism, liberalism, and materialism.

In the three sessions, there was discussion and approval of only two constitutions: Dei Filius, the Dogmatic Constitution On The Catholic Faith (which defined, among other things, the sense in which Catholics believe the Bible is inspired by God) and Pastor Aeternus, the First Dogmatic Constitution on the Church of Christ, dealing with Roman primacy and papal infallibility.

The definition of papal infallibility was controversial, not necessarily because many did not believe the pope to be infallible when defining dogma, but because many who did so believe did not think it prudent to define the doctrine formally. John Henry Newman, for instance, thought such a formal definition might push away potential converts. Some feared it might lead to renewed suspicion of Catholics as having a foreign allegiance. This view was taken by two-thirds of the bishops from the United States and many from France and Germany.

About 60 members of the council effectively abstained by leaving Rome the day before the vote. Archbishop Antonio María Claret y Clará, confessor to the Spanish royal court and founder of the Claretians (Claretian Missionaries), strongly condemned the "blasphemies and heresies uttered on the floor of this Council," and was one of the strong defenders on the issue of papal infallibility and the primacy of the See of Rome. He was the only member of the council to be canonized as saint (beatified in 1934 and canonized by [[Pope Pius XII]] in 1950). He died in a Cistercian monastery in Fontfroide, France, in October 24, 1870. The discussion and approval of the constitution gave rise to serious controversies which led to the withdrawal from the church of the [[Old Catholics]].

The outbreak of the Franco-Prussian War interrupted the council. It was suspended following the entry of the Italian Army in Rome, the so-called capture of Rome, and never resumed. It was not officially closed until decades later in 1960 by [[Pope John XXIII]], when it was formally brought to an end as part of the preparations for the [[Second Vatican Council]]. The First Vatican Council marked the triumph of the [[ultramontanist]] movement, which supported a central Vatican-based government of the Church. An increasing awareness of their own identity among Roman Catholics worldwide was detected, and the numbers of converts to Catholicism as well as the numbers of vocations to the religious and priestly life increased, along with clearly pro-Catholic political activity of Catholics in their native countries. Along with this, a stronger involvement of laymen in the outward working of the Catholic Church evolved, and the council would indirectly lead to the stimulation of the Liturgical Movement, which would particularly flourish under Pope Pius X.

==Quotes==

==Links==
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vatican_I Wikipedia - First Vatican Council]
* [http://docs.google.com/View?docid=ddn4v5jr_136c6d3gt Essay on the Impact of the First Vatican Council]

{{returnto}} [[Roman Catholicism]]
[[Category:Catholic Church]]
[[Category:Church history]]
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Old Testament

2010-02-23T14:12:40Z

NIGGERCOCK:

{{quote | text={{Bible verse|Genesis|1|1|lang=WEB}} [[Genesis 1:1]]}}
{{Infobox_Contents |
topic_name = Old Testament
[[Image:Torah.jpg|thumb|center|The [[Torah]], part of the Old Testament.]] |
subtopics = Divisions - [[Books of the Law]], [[Historical Books of the Old Testament|Historical Books]], [[Poetical Books of the Old Testament|Poetical Books]], [[Prophetic Books of the Old Testament|Prophetic Books]]
* Languages - [[Biblical Hebrew]], [[Aramaic]]
* [[Ancient Israel and Judah]], [[Timeline of Biblical History]] |
opinion_pieces = {{short_opinions}}
* [[An Introduction to the Old Testament (G.G.)]] |
}}
{{ot}}

The Old Testament is the first major part of the [[Bible]], giving an account of God's interaction with the Jewish people through their history. To [[Christians]], the Old Testament is, throughout its pages, building up to the coming of [[Jesus]].

It consists of 39 books, that are often divided into the categories of law, history, poetry (or wisdom books) and prophecy. Within these categories, it gives an account of creation, and then follows the story of God's interaction with the Jewish people, through their slavery in Egypt, conquest of the promised land, strengthening kingdom, and finally its division and the people's exile. An brief approximate timeline of the [[Old Testament]] is shown below:

{{Brief_ot_timeline}}

Although all of these books were written before the birth of [[Jesus Christ]], they still show a picture of the same [[God]] that the [[New Testament]] does - the Old Testament also reveals a [[God is love|loving God]] of [[forgiveness]] and [[grace]]. To [[Christians]], the Old Testament is, throughout its pages, building up to the coming of [[Jesus]].

To Jewish people, the Old Testament is known as the "Tannakh", which is an acronym for the Torah (Genesis to Deuteronomy), Nebiim (Books of the prophets) and Kethubim (or Writings).

===Books of the Old Testament===

The [[Old Testament]] is divided into 40 books in English. These books are not all written in the same style, but are different types of genres. Loosely, the genres are sometimes categorized as
* Law
* History
* Poetry and Wisdom
* Major Prophets
* Minor Prophets

====Torah - [[Books of the Law]]====

The Torah consists of the first five books of the Bible. The first book, [[Genesis]], tells about the creation of the universe and God choosing a person ([[Abraham]]) to be the father of his people. The next four books (Exodus to Deuteronomy) describe God saving his people from slavery in Egypt and giving them the law by which they were to live, including the [[Ten Commandments]].

====[[Historical Books of the Old Testament]] and [[Poetical Books of the Old Testament]]====

Writings range from the historical such as [[Book of Joshua|Joshua]], the Samuels, Chronicles, or Kings to poetry such as [[Song of Solomon]], or [[Psalms]] and wisdom such as [[Book of Job|Job]], [[Ecclesiastes]], and [[Proverbs]]. They describe the nature of God such as [[Psalm 23]], the wisdom of God and man's reaction such as in [[Job]], or the History of Israel and God's involvement such as establishing [[King David]] and his legacy which led to [[Jesus Christ]] his most famous descendant of all.

====[[Prophetic Books of the Old Testament]]====

The Prophets take up a large body of space. They range from the [[Book of Isaiah]] and the [[Book of Jeremiah]] who are classified as the major prophets to [[Book of Hosea|Hosea]], [[Book of Joel|Joel]], and [[Book of Jonah|Jonah]] who are minor prophets. Prophets were divinely appointed spokesman for God. The [[Hebrew]] word for prophet 'nabi' means spokesman. They preached about the corruption of Israel, God's judgement and His future restoration. One vital cornerstone that has bearing for us would be the coming of the [[Messiah]]. This is mentioned in [[Isaiah 53]] in the major prophets and last chapters of Zechariah in the minor.

===Old Testament History===

The Old Testament tells the story of [[God]] interacting with his people. It is history. It records stories about real people with real experiences and real emotions, living in a real society. However, it is not exhaustive - it doesn't record all that happened.

In the book [[How To Read The Bible For All Its Worth]], it was suggested that there are 3 levels to Old Testament history
# God's overall plan for his creation
# Israel's role in that plan
# Individual people within that plan

A brief timeline is below
* [[Genesis]] 1-11 - Undated - Creation, Fall, Flood, Babel
* [[Genesis]] 12-50 - Around 2000 BC - The [[Patriarchs]]
* [[Exodus]] - Around 1400 BC - From [[Ancient Egypt]] to the [[Promised Land]]
* [[Book of Joshua|Joshua]] and [[Book of Judges|Judges]] - Around 1400 BC to 1050 BC - Settling in the [[Promised Land]]
* [[1 Samuel]], [[2 Samuel]] and [[1 Chronicles]] - 1100 BC to [[971 BC]] - Beginning of the Monarchy
* [[1 Kings]], [[2 Kings]] and [[2 Chronicles]] - [[971 BC]] to [[539 BC]] - The Divided Kingdom and the Exile
* [[Book of Ezra|Ezra]] and [[Book of Nehemiah|Nehemiah]] - [[539 BC]] to [[410 BC]] - The return from the Exile

===Old Testament Themes and Theology===

The Old Testament sets the stage for what happens in the [[New Testament]]. Its overall theme is about God reaching out his hand of love and mercy to his people. Some of the key themes in it include
* [[Yahweh]]
* [[Israel]]
* [[Promised Land]]
* [[Covenant]]
* [[Sin]]
* [[Salvation]]
* [[Hope]]

===Old Testament Geography===
[[Image:Satellite image of Israel in January 2003.jpg|thumb|A satellite image of Israel.]]

An understanding of the geography of the region brings he stories of the Old Testament to life. There are 4 geographical north-south regions of Israel, in order of west to east:
* Flat and fertile plains along the coast
* Valleys and hills
* The Jordan Rift Valley
* Highland regions (now in modern day Jordan)

====Old Testament Maps====

<gallery>
Image:Maps-near-east-abrahams-journey.gif|Abraham's journey from [[Ur]] to the promised land
Image:Davids-kingdom.jpg|The kingdom of Israel, around the time of [[King David]], showing surrounding empires
Image:Maps-divided-kingdom.gif|The divided kingdoms of Israel and Judah
</gallery>

===Literature from the ancient Near East===

Apart from the [[Old Testament]], there is other literature from that time and region. Some of this literature includes creation stories and myths (such as the [[Enuma Elish]]), records from royal courts, conventants and laws, and poetry and wisdom literature from other ancient civilizations. These can be useful to help give more context (both in terms of type of literature and also in dating) to the Old Testament.

==Quotes==

==Links==
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Testament Wikipedia - Old Testament]

{{returnto}} [[Christianity]] -> [[Bible]]

[[Category:Bible]]
[[Category:Books of the Old Testament]]
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Enuma Elish

2010-02-23T14:12:15Z

NIGGERCOCK:

{{quote | text=When in the height heaven was not named, and the earth beneath did not yet bear a name, and the primeval Apsu, who begat them... [[Text:Enuma Elish|Full text of the Enuma Elish]].}}
{{Infobox_Contents |
topic_name = The Enuma Elish
[[Image:Enuma elish.jpg|thumb|center|A ancient tablet containing some of the Enuma Elish]] |
subtopics = [[Creation]], [[Creation Stories Index]]
* [[Text:Enuma Elish|1906 English Translation of the Enuma Elish]] |
opinion_pieces = {{short_opinions}} |
}}

The Enûma Eliš is the Mesopotamian creation epic. It was first discovered by modern scholars (in fragmentary form) in the ruined library of [[Ashurbanipal]] at [[Nineveh]] ([[Mosul]], [[Iraq]]).

The Enûma Elish has about a thousand lines and is recorded in Akkadian on seven clay tablets. The majority of Tablet V has never been recovered, but aside from this lacuna the text is almost complete.

This epic is one of the most important sources for understanding the Babylonian worldview, centered on the supremacy of [[Marduk]] and the existence of mankind for the service of the gods. Its primary original purpose is to elevate Marduk, the chief god of [[Babylon]], above other Mesopotamian gods.

The Enûma Elish has existed in various versions and copies from [[Babylonia]] as well as from [[Assyria]]. The version from Ashurbanipal's library dates to the 7th century BC. The story itself probably dates to the eighteenth century BC on account of the fact that this is the time when the god Marduk seemed to have a prominent status. Some scholars date it later (14th to 12th centuries BC).

===Summary of the myth===

The epic names three primeval gods: Apsu, the fresh water, Tiamat, the salt water, and their son Mummu. Several other gods are created (Ea and his brothers) who reside in Tiamat's vast body. They make so much noise that it annoys Tiamat and Apsu greatly. Apsu wishes to kill the young gods, but Tiamat disagrees. Mummu, agrees with Apsu's plan to destroy them. Tiamat, to stop this from occurring, tells Ea (Nudimmud), at the time the most powerful of the gods, who, using magic, puts Apsu into a coma and kills him, and shuts Mummu out. Ea then becomes the chief god, and along with his consort Damkina, has a son, Marduk, greater still than himself. Marduk is given wind to play with and he uses it to make dust storms and tornadoes. This disrupts Tiamat's great body and causes the gods still residing inside her to be unable to sleep.

They persuade Tiamat to take revenge for the death of her husband. Her power grows, and some of the gods join her. She creates 11 monsters to help her win the battle and elevates Kingu, her new husband, to "supreme dominion." A lengthy description of the other gods' inability to deal with the threat follows. Ultimately, Marduk is selected as their champion against Tiamat, and becomes very powerful. He defeats and kills Tiamat, and forms the world from her corpse. The subsequent hundred lines or so constitute the lost section of Tablet V.

The gods who sided with Tiamat are initially forced to labor in the service of the other gods. They are freed from their servitude when Marduk decides to slay Kingu and create mankind from his blood. Babylon is established as the residence of the chief gods. Finally, the gods confer kingship on Marduk, hailing him with fifty names. Most noteworthy is Marduk's symbolic elevation over Enlil, who was seen by earlier Mesopotamian civilizations as the king of the gods.

===Comparing [[Genesis 1]] with the Enuma Elish===

[[Genesis 1]] gives the Biblical account of [[creation]]. Some major points of difference between the Enuma Elish and Genesis 1 are
* There were many gods in the Enuma Elish; there is only one God in Genesis
** Apsu the primordial god begat with Mummi-Tiamat all the gods in the Enuma Elish
** Marduk created the sky and earth with body parts of another god that he had vanquished
* Humans were created to do the work of gods in the Enuma Elish; humans are given great importance in Genesis
** Marduk creates man to serve the gods: "a savage man I will create; he will be charged with the service of the gods"
** There is a high view of humans in Genesis, with God giving authority to man
* Creation is good in Genesis; some of creation was evil in the Enuma Elish
** [[Genesis 2:2]] reveals that all that God created was good
** In the Enuma Elish, some things created are evil, for example monster-serpents are borne by Mother Hubur
* Genesis shows structure and order to creation; the Enuma Elish does not
** In Genesis we are shown a picture of a purposeful creation
** In comparison, there is a very chaotic picture of creation in the Enuma Elish, where creation is often due to begetting - for example, wind was begot by another god

These points of difference may be significant, in that many Christian scholars feel that they reveal that God was trying to reveal specific points to the Israelites about creations. For example, that he wanted to reveal that he was the only creator.

==Quotes==

==Links==
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enuma_Elish Wikipedia - Enuma Elish]
* [http://www.sacred-texts.com/ane/enuma.htm The full surviving text of the Enûma Elish]

{{returnto}} [[Genesis 1]]
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VeggieTales

2010-02-23T14:11:50Z

NIGGERCOCK:

{{sprotected2|frequently vandalized article}}
{{Infobox_Contents |
topic_name = VeggieTales |
subtopics = Spinoffs - [[3-2-1 Penguins!]], [[Larryboy: The Cartoon Adventures]] |
opinion_pieces = {{short_opinions}} |
}}

'''VeggieTales''' is the longest running Christian video series ever made. The series stars a bunch of veggies telling children about God and the [[Bible]]. The series is made by Big Idea Productions.

===Characters===

* Bob the Tomato: The host of the show. Usually the brains of the Bob and Larry duo. Voiced by Phil Vischer.
* Larry the Cucumber: The host of the show. Usuall the silly part of the Bob and Larry duo. Voiced by Mike Nawrocki.
* Junior Asparagus: A young boy that learns many lessons, but always remembers that God loves him. Voiced by Lisa Vischer.
* Laura Carrot: Junior's best friend who also learns many lessons. Unknown voice.
* Jean Claude Pea: A french pea who is usally an antagonist. Unknown voice.
* Phillipe Pea: A french pea who is also an antagonist. Unknown voice.
* Sweet Sweet Petunia: Nicknamed Petunia, she is a kind rhubarb who is loveable to all people. Unknown voice.
* Mr. Lunt: A potato who has a funny accent and switches from being villain to hero in shows. Voiced by Phil Vischer.
* Mr. Nezzer: A vegetable who is usually a villain. Voiced by Phil Vischer.
* Scallions: They are often villains, also. Scallion #1 voiced by Phil Vischer, Scallion #2 voiced by Mike Nawrocki, and Scallion #3 voiced by Mike Sage.
* Madame Blueberry: A berry who is usually a kind veggie. Voiced by Megan Moore Burns.

===Episodes===

* 1. '''Where's God When I'm S-Scared?'''
* 2. '''God Wants Me to Forgive ''Them''?!?'''
* 3. '''Are ''You'' My Neighbor?'''
* 4. '''Rack, Shack, and Benny'''
* 5. '''Dave and the Giant Pickle'''
* 6. '''The Toy That Saved Christmas'''
* 7. '''Very Silly Songs!'''
* 8. '''Larry-Boy! and the Fib from Outer Space!'''
* 9. '''Josh and the Big Wall!'''
* 10. '''Madame Blueberry'''
* 11. '''A Very Silly Sing-Along 2: The End of Silliness?'''
* 12. '''Larry-Boy and the Rumor Weed'''
* 13. '''King George and the Ducky'''
* 14. '''Esther: The Girl Who became Queen'''
* 15. '''Lyle the Kindly Viking'''
* 16. '''The Ultimate Silly Song Countdown'''
* 17. '''Jonah Sing-Along Songs and More!'''
* 18. '''The Star of Christmas'''
* 19. '''The Wonderful World of Auto-Tainment!'''
* 20. '''The Ballad of Little Joe'''
* 21. '''An Easter Carol'''
* 22. '''A Snoodle's Tale'''
* 23. '''Bob and Larry's How to Draw!'''
* 24. '''Sumo of the Opera'''
* 25. '''Duke and the Great Pie War'''
* 26. '''Minnesota Cuke and the Search for Samson's Hairbrush'''
* 27. '''Lord of the Beans'''
* 28. '''Sheerluck Holmes and the Golden Ruler'''
* 29. '''Larryboy and the Bad Apple'''
* 30. '''Gideon: Tuba Warrior'''
* 31. '''Moe and the Big Exit'''
* 32. '''God Made You Special'''
* 33. '''The Wonderful Wizard of Ha's'''
* 34. '''The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything Sing-Along Songs and More!'''

====Stories====

* '''Episode 1:''' ''Tales from the Crisper''
Junior Asparagus sees a Frankencelery movie on TV that scares him. While hiding under his bed, Dad Asparagus comes in and tells him that he shouldn't watch things that scare him. Junior is still scared, though. But, with a little drop in from Bob the Tomato, Larry the Cucumber, and Frankencelery himself, along with a few monsters, Junior learns that we don't need to fear when God is on our side.
* '''Episode 1:''' ''Daniel and the Lion's Den''
Larry the Cucumber dramatically re-enacts this classic Bible story about fear. Along with Larry, the cast includes Archibald Asparagus as King Darius, the three scallions as the wise men (or wise veggies!), and human actress Gale Freeman as the narrator.
* '''Episode 2:''' ''The Grapes of Wrath''
Get into your homes! Lock all the doors! Close all the windows! The Grapes of Wrath are out! Dun-dun-duuuuuuuuuuuun! The Grapes of Wrath are a family of grapes who are EXTREMELY cranky and enjoy picking on Junior Asparagus. After laughing at him fall into the sandbox and calling him a bean-boy, Junior wants to give 'em a good one! Looks like a fight! But wait! here comes Dad Asparagus! What's he saying? He says we have to forgive everyone like it says in the [[Bible]]! Junior has forgiven the Grapes of Wrath!!!!!!!!!!! What's that? They're thinking of a new name for the grapes. Oh no! I couldn't hear what their new name is! Oh, well! I guess you and me will have to buy the video to find out!
* '''Episode 2:''' ''Larry's Lagoon''
Just sit right back and you'll here a tale, a tale of a fateful trip that started on a veggie port aboard a cramped ship! The mate was a mighty cucumber, the skipper a brave tomato! Five passengers set sale that day for a three-hour tour! (Okay, it doesn't rhyme, but it sounds good!) When Larry the Cucumber crashes the ship and everyone is stranded on an island, no one wants to forgive him. larry takes drastic measures to make sure everyone will forgive him. To find out what those measures were and if they get off the island, you'll have to buy the video!
* '''Episode 3:''' ''The Tale of Two Cities''
The cities of Flibber-O-Loo and Jibber-De-Lot don't like each other one bit! The pelt each other with shoes and pots! Will they ever get along? Find out in this rhyming version of the good samaritain! Narrated by Bob the Tomato.
* '''Episode 3:''' ''The Gourds Must Be Crazy!''
Junior Asparagus' birthday is coming up! He's listing off people he's going to invite to his party to his dad. Dad Asparagus asks him if he's going to invite Fernando, the new veggie on the block. Junior think that Fernando is weird. Dad says the Fernando isn't weird. He and his family just legally moved to VeggieTown from Mexico! Does that make you weird? Junior thinks so. But when a tomato named Bob and a cucumber named Larry ask him to help the U.S.S. Applepies, Junior will go on an adventure he'll never forget! This classic story introduces Jimmy and Jerry Gourd!
* '''Episode 4:''' ''Rack, Shack, and Benny''
Shadrack, Meshack, and Abednego have a problem! Nebby K. Nezzer has announced that all the employees of his chocolate bunny factory have to bow down to a statue of a chocolate bunny and sing the bunny song! But Rack, Shack, and Benny know that God is the only God and won't do it! Will they survive the fiery furnace? Find out in this VeggieTales classic spin on the classic Bible story!
* '''Episode 5:''' ''Dave and the Giant Pickle''
Dave's big brother's all go off to defend Israel in war! But he has to stay there because he's not big enough! But when a giant picle for the Philistines threatens their survival, size doesn't matter! See this hilarious tale that twists the story of David and Goliath in a fun-loving way! Introducing Larry-Boy and Jean Claude and Phillipe Pea in this episode!
* '''Episode 6:''' ''The Toy That Saved Christmas''
Wally P. Nezzer is trying to destroy the true meaning of Christmas by making money off of a new toy that tells kids in Dinkletown that Christmas is all about getting toys! But when Bob, Larry, Junior, and their new toy friend Buzsaw Louie find out what the true meaning of Christmas is from George, they have to figure out a way to tell everyone. Easier said than done!
* '''Episode 7:''' ''A Very Silly Sing-Along!''
It's VeggieTales' first sing-along show! But Larry is a little confused. See his crazy antics in this hilarious video from Big Idea! Featuring songs from the first five episodes plus two new songs, The New and Improved Bunny Song and the new Silly Song with Larry, The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything!
* '''Episode 8:''' ''Larry-Boy! and the Fib from outer Space!''
Larry-Boy has his first adventure! When a fib invades the town of Bumblyburg from outer space, Larry-Boy has to help destroy the fib, before it destroys Junior! Features the larry-Boy theme song music video performed by Nicole C. Mullen!
* '''Episode 9:''' ''Josh and the Big Wall!''
Larry is sleepy so Junior takes his place and helps Bob host the show! But Junior thinks that the Israelites easily followed all of God's instructions. Bob shows him that they didn't always do what God said by showing him the classic story of Joshua and the Battle of Jericho. Watch how Junior and Bob become part of the story and see how obedience is important!
* '''Episode 10:''' ''Madame Blueberry''
Madame Blueberry is very blue! She isn't cotent with what she has! But when a new shopping mall moves in next door, she finds out that buying everything doesn't make you happy in this classic must-see VeggieTales episode!
* '''Episode 11:''' ''A Very Silly Sing-Along 2: The End of Silliness?''
Last episode, Archibald cancelled Silly Songs with Larry! larry is at a diner owned by Jimmy Gourd. After Larry tells his story, Jimmy tries to cheer him up by showing him songs from the VeggieTales episodes Dave and the Giant Pickle, Josh and the Big Wall!, and Madame Blueberry. Featuring the unaired-because-of-cancellation Silly Song with Larry, The Yodeling Veterinarian of the Alps!
* '''Episode 12:''' ''Larry-Boy and the Rumor Weed''
Have you heard? Larry-Boy's back for another adventure! Hey! Psst! Have you heard? There's rumor weed loose in Bumblyburg! Larry-Boy has stop it before everyone in the town is convinced the Larry-Boy's butler Alfred (played by Archibald) is a robot!
* '''Episode 13:''' ''King George and the Ducky''
King George loves his kingdom. He loves his house. He loves his tub and his baths. But, most importantly, he loves his duck. When he spots Thomas (played by Junior) in his tub with his ducky, George (played by Larry) decides to put Thomas in the pie war! While he's there, George steals his ducky! What will Thomas think? find out in this sequel to episode to be produced years later, Duke and the Great Pie War.
* '''Episode 14:''' ''Esther: The Girl Who Became Queen''
It's the classic story of Eather told the veggie way! Starring Pa Grape as Mordecai, Mr. Nezzer as King Xerxes, Mr. Lunt as Haman, Larry as the Royal Journaler, and special guest starring Esther as Queen Esther.
* '''Episode 15:''' ''Omlet''
"To eat or not to eat." Is that the question? Maybe the question should be, "To share or not to share!" Prince omlet has decide if he wants to share they last eggs in the entire kingdom with the rest of the townspeople. will he, or will his kingdom suffering and starve?
* '''Episode 15:''' ''Lyle the kindly Viking''
Vikings are on the loose! Hide!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But there's one viking who gives back a little bit of what he can scrounge from the other vikings. It's a dangerous job, but somebody's gotta do it!
* '''Episode 16:''' ''The Ultimate Silly Song Countdown''
It's the ultimate silly song countdown, baby! You'll never get another nerve-racking, nail-biting, knee-knocking countdown like this! The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything return to judge the top ten silliest songs! Which will be number one? Buy the show and you'll find out! The contestants are:
:The Water Buffalo Song
:High Silk Hat
:The Hairbrush Song
:His Cheeseburger
:The Pirates That Don't Do Anything
:The Song of the Cebu
:Endangered Love
:The Dance of the Cucumber
:Love My Lips
:The Yodeling Veterinarian of the Alps
* '''Episode 17:''' ''Jonah Sing-Along Songs and More!''
It's another sing-along episode! Bob and Larry are giving you a sneak peek of Jonah: A VeggieTales Movie! With songs from the film, a music video by Chris Rice, and a montage of Veggie songs!
* '''Episode 18:''' ''The Star of Christmas''
In the 1880s of Great Britain, Cavis Appythart and Milward Phelps (Bob and Larry) are trying to make a play to teach London how to love. But when a local church pageant opens on Christmas Eve, the same night as the play, Cavis gets worried. He gets really worried when the say they are going to use the legendary Star of Christmas. When Cavis and Milward "borrow" the star, they really start to get into trouble! Find out just how much trouble!
* '''Episode 19:''' ''The Wonderful World of Auto-Tainment!''
Larry wants to show Bob entertainment of the future by having the robots Ventril-O-Matic and Rusty from the magnificent Comet Lounge (where the [[3-2-1 Penguins!|Penguins]] perform at) host the show! It's madness with songs, mini-adventures, poop-covered candy bars, and singing aardvarks in this hilarious episode!
* '''Episode 20:''' ''The Ballad of Little Joe''
Howdy, patna! The west is given a whole new name in this must-own classic episode from the award-winning team at Big Idea. Little Joe is thrown into a pit by his brothers, sold to desperados, thrown in jail, ''and'' promoted! Sound familiar? It's a western Bible story! The story of Joseph!
* '''Episode 21:''' ''An Easter Carol''
On ''The Star of Christmas'', Cavis and Milward did something VERY, VERY bad!!! Now, a little bit over a year later, they work at Cavis' uncle's factory. Ebenezer Nezzer hates Easter! No one buys his eggs! They just go to church! Well, a visit from a very special "visitor" (played by Rebecca St. James) changes his perspective on Easter.
* '''Episode 22:''' ''The Strange Case of Dr. Jiggle and Mr. Sly''
Dr. Jiggle has been missing for days! Every night a hippie named Mr. Sly walks out of the doctor's house and dance's around to 60's music (which is funny because the show takes place in 1800's London!) and goes back into the house! Mr. Butterbun (played by Scooter Carrot) thinks that's suspicious! With his friend Poole (played by Larry the Cucumber),he investiagtes to find something shocking!
* '''Episode 22:''' ''A Snoodle's Tale''
Bob has writing a new rhyming tale! A young snoodle tries to do some things all young children do. But the older snoodles shoot him down! He feels bad and climbs a mountain. After meeting a Stranger (played by crew member Tim Hodge), Snoodle sees that he can soar because he is loved!
A touching story for all children! A must-have episode!
* '''Episode 23:''' ''Bob and Larry's How to Draw!''
It's VeggieTales first 90-minute episode! Crew member Tim Hodge and his friends teaches kids (and by via-computer cam, Larry the Cucumber) how to draw your favorite veggies! Veggies drawn include:
:Laura Carrot
:Junior Asparagus
:LarryBoy
:Bob the Tomato
:Jimmy Gourd
:...and many others!
* '''Episode 24:''' ''Going Up''
Larry, Jerry, and Mr. Lunt are the three veggie stooges in this silent film! When their company must take a piano up hill, they contemplate giving up! But they soon learn perseverance.
* '''Episode 24:''' ''The Story of St. Patrick''
The story of St. Patrick is told by Lutfi, a caterpillar sock puppet in this hilarious re-telling. Children will love the story of how St. Patrick influenced the people of Ireland and converted many to Christianity.
* '''Episode 24:''' ''Sumo of the Opera''
''The Mikado'' meets ''Rocky'' meets WWF! That's the Sumo of the Opera! The Italian Scallion (played by Larry the Cucumber) challenges the champion Apollo Gourd to a sumo match for the champion veggie of the world! Will Italian persevere and finish his training? Or will he come out behind by giving up? Find out by buying the video!
* '''Episode 25:''' ''Babysitter in De-Nile''
Miriam has to take care of her baby brother Moses while her parents work as slaves to the Egyptians. But Moses keeps annoying her and she doesn't want to take care of him! But when she finds out the real reason she has to take care of him, she knows that she loves her baby brother and helps her parents out!
* '''Episode 25:''' ''Duke and the Great Pie War''
It's a prequel to King George and the Ducky! The Pie War has just begun and Sweet Sweet Petunia has moved in with her mother-in-law, Nona (played by Madame Blueberry). Duke Duke's (played by Larry the Cucumber) assistant (played by Bob the Tomato) tells Duke that his second-cousin-twice-removed, Nona, has moved back into town! When he spots Petunia, they instantly fall in love! Filled with jousting, halfed ducks, and true love, this episode is a funny twist on the story of Ruth.
* '''Episode 26:''' ''Bully Trouble''
Junior is being bullied! Gordon is threatening that he'll pound Junior if he comes back to the playground! Dad Aspragus tells Junior to stand up to the bully and Junior takes his advice. But he doesn't fight the bully. He remembers that Jesus said to turn the other cheek. That's what Junior does. Find out if Junior is boiled as Asparagus soup or not!
* '''Episode 26:''' ''Minnesota Cuke and the Search for Samson's Hairbrush''
Minnesota Cuke is at it again! His arch-nemesis Professor Rattan (played by Mr. Lunt) is bullying him! Martin (played by Bob the Tomato) tells Minnesotato turn the other cheek. But Minnesota looks for Samson's hairbrush and starts to act like him. Minnesota's ex Julia (played by Sweet Sweet Petunia, or Petunia for short) says taht he's acting like a big bully. Will Minnesota get revenge on Rattan for all his bullying? Find out in this exciting must-see episode!
* '''Episode 27:''' ''Lord of the Beans''
Toto Baggypants (played by Junior Asparagus) is a kind young flobbit whose Uncle Billboy (played by Archibald Asparagus) leaves him a special bean when he leaves for something new. Randalf (played by Mr. Nezzer) helps him journey to the Raspberry Forest, the Mountains of Much-Snowia, and the Land of Woe to face-off against Scaryman (played by Scallion #1). Along with his friends Grumpy (played by Pa Grape), Legolamb (played by Jimmy Gourd), Earocorn (played by Larry the Cucumber), and the other elf (played by Jerry Gourd), Toto embarks on a life-changing journey! This is another must-have episode! One of the best yet!
* '''Episode 28:''' ''The Asparagus of La Mancha''
The Food Factory is moving across the street from Don Quixote (played by Archibald Asparagus) and Pancho's (played by Mr. Lunt) restaurant Cafe La Mancha! No one every beets them! But when don starts having dreams that make him act crazy, Pancho knows that, since they're friends, he has to do something!
* '''Episode 28:''' ''Sheerluck Holmes and the Golden Ruler''
The game's afoot! Sheerluck Holmes (played by Larry the Cucumber) and Dr. Watson (played by Bob the Tomato) are on another case to find the missing Golden Ruler from Buckingham Palace! But Dr. Watson never gets any credit! He feels left out! Will Sheerluck start giving him credit or is their friendship in jeopardy, maybe even over? Find out in this hilarious episode of VeggieTales that's sure to be a classic to your family!
* '''Episode 29:''' ''LarryBoy and the Bad Apple''
Du du duuuuuuuuuuuu!!!!!!!!! (That's hero music!) LarryBoy is back!!! The Bad Apple is ready to tempt Mayor Blueberry, Petunia Rhubarb, LarryBoy, and even Alfred! If she succeeds, she will take over Bumblyburg, and the world! Will she succeed? Will Bumblyburg ever get on with their 300th birthday celebration? And, most importantly, will that banana on Alfred's show come up with more jokes?!?!?! Find out in this must-see VeggieTales episode!!!
* '''Episode 30:''' ''Gideon''
Gideon (played by Larry the Cucumber) gets a message from God to battle the undefeated, excessively hairy Midianites! Will his campaign ("Join God's army, get a free flashlight!") work? Will he defeat the Midianites? How can a buncha tubas and flashlights work? Find out this instant classic! Featuring a very special announcement by Pa Grape at the end!
* '''Episode 31:''' ''Moe and the Big Exit''
Howdy padna! Welcome ta tha sequel ta ''The Ballad of Little Joe''! Years after Little Joe saved Dodgeball City, his people are being forced to work hard with no pizza breaks! Mo (played by Larry tha Cucumba) is called by God to free his people. Will he except? Will he succeed? And will his pet bull scare the people away? Find out by buying the episode!
* '''Episode 32:''' ''God Made You Special''
When a miscommunication by Larry at Bob's house make's Bob feel unloved, the cast goes through the vaults and shows three classic stories about love spanning through the 15 years of the show. The stories include:
:''The Gourds Must be Crazy''
:''Dave and the Giant Pickle''
:''A Snoodle's Tale''
* '''Episode 32:''' ''Bob's Vacation''
'''COMING SOON...'''

====Specials====

Big Idea put out some special videos and DVDs. One of them is a special that premiered the ‘‘The Toy That Saved Christmas’’ on PAX (including 12 minutes of aditional animation!).
* ''Heroes of the Bible: Volume 1''
* ''Heroes of the Bible: Volume 2''
* ''Holiday Double Feature''

====Parodies====

VeggieTales has parodied many shows. Here are what they've parodied:
* '''Episode 1:''' ''Tales from the Crisper''
The Veggies parodied the classic monster Frankenstein.
* '''Episode 2:''' ''Larry's Lagoon''
The Veggies parodied the hit comedy show ''Gilligan's Island''.
* '''Episode 3:''' ''The Gourds Must Be Crazy!
The Veggies parodied the hit sci-fi drama ''Star Trek''.
* '''Episode 8:''' ''Larry-Boy and the Fib from Outer Space!''
The Veggies parodied the extremely popular superhero Batman. They also parodied him in ''Larry-Boy and the Rumor Weed''.
* '''Episode 15:''' ''Omlet''
The Veggies parodied the classic stage play ''Hamlet''.
* '''Episode 22:''' ''The Strange Case of Dr. Jiggle and Mr. Sly''
The Veggies parodied the classic horror book ''Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde''.
* '''Episode 24:''' ''Going Up''
The Veggies parodied the classic comedy trio, The Three Stooges.
* '''Episode 26:''' ''Minnesota Cuke and the Search for Samson's Hairbrush''
The Veggies parodied the popular ''Indiana Jones'' adventure movie ''Raiders of the Lost Ark''.
* '''Episode 27:''' ''Lord of the Beans''
The Veggies parodied the popular fantasy book and movie series, ''The Lord of the Rings''.
* '''Episode 28:''' ''The Asparagus of La Mancha''
The Veggies parodied the popular book ''Don Quixote De La Mancha''.
* '''Episode 28:''' ''Sheerluck Holmes and the Golden Ruler''
The Veggies parodied the popular mystery book duo ''Sherlock Holmes'' and Dr. Watson.
* '''Episode 29:''' ''LarryBoy and the Bad Apple''
The Veggies parodied the extremely popular superhero Spider-Man.
* '''Episode 31:''' ''Moe and the Big Exit''
The Veggies parodied the classic radio and television western, ''The Lone Ranger''.
* '''Episode 33:''' ''The Wonderful Wizard of Ha's''
The Veggies parodied the classic film and book ''The Wizard of Oz''.

====Bible Stories====

The Veggies also re-told many Bible stories in their usually silly way!
* '''Episode 1:''' ''Daniel and the Lion's Den''
Larry the Cucumber stars as Daniel, Archibald Asparagus as King Darius, and the three Scallions as the Wise Men.
* '''Episode 4:''' ''Rack, Shack, and Benny''
Bob the Tomato as Shadrach, Junior Asparagus as Meshach, and Larry the Cucumber as Abednego.
* '''Episode 5:''' ''Dave and the Giant Pickle''
Junior Asparagus as Dave and Archibald Asparagus as King Saul in this re-telling of the story of David and Goliath.
* '''Episode 9:''' ''Josh and the Big Wall!''
Larry the Cucumber as Josh in this re-telling of Joshua and the Battle of Jericho.
* '''Episode 13:''' ''King George and the Ducky''
Larry the Cucumber as King George in this re-telling David and Bathsheba.
* '''Episode 14:''' ''Esther: The Girl Who Became Queen''
Esther as herself, Pa Grape as Mordecai, Mr. Lunt as Haman, Mr. Nezzer as King Xerxes.
* '''Episode 20:''' ''The Ballad of Little Joe''
Larry the Cucumber stars as Little Joe in this western re-telling of Joseph.
* '''Episode 25:''' ''Babysitter in De-Nile''
Laura Carrot stars as Miriam in this re-telling of Miriam and Baby Moses.
* '''Episode 25:''' ''Duke and the Great Pie War''
Sweet Sweet Petunia stars as Petunia and Madame Blueberry as Nona in this retelling of Ruth and Naomi.
* '''Episode 30:''' ''Gideon: Tuba Warrior''
Larry the Cucumber will star as Gideon.
* '''Episode 31:''' ''The Lone Stranger''
Larry the Cucumber will star as Mo in this retelling of the story of Moses and Egypt.

===Songs===

* '''Every episode: ''' ''VeggieTales''
* '''Episode 1:''' ''God is Bigger''
* '''Episode 1:''' ''King Darius Suite''
* '''Episode 1:''' '' Oh, No! What We Gonna Do?''
* '''Episode 1:''' ''We’ve Got Some News''
* '''Episode 1:''' ''You Were in His Hand''
* '''Episode 2:''' ''We Are the Grapes of Wrath''
* '''Episode 2:''' ''some Veggies Went to Sea''
* '''Episode 2:''' ''The Forgiveness Song''
* '''Episode 3:''' ''Busy, Busy''
* '''Episode 3:''' ''Love Your Neighbor''
* '''Episode 3:''' ''I Can Be Your Friend''
* '''Episode 4:''' ''Good Morning, George''
* '''Episode 4:''' ''Think of Me''
* '''Episode 4:''' ''The Bunny Song''
* '''Episode 4:''' ''The Bunny Song (reprise)''
* '''Episode 4:''' ''Stand''
* '''Episode 5:''' ''Big Things Too''
* '''Episode 6:''' ''Can’t Believe It’s Christmas''
* '''Episode 6:''' ''Grumpy Kids''
* '''Episode 7:''' ''The Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything''
* '''Episode 8:''' ''It’s Laura’s Fault''
* '''Episode 8:''' ''It’s Lenny’s Fault''
* '''Episode 8:''' ''Larry–Boy''
* '''Episode 9:''' ''Promised Land''
* '''Episode 9:''' ''The Lord Has Given''
* '''Episode 9:''' ''Keep Walking''
* '''Episode 9:''' ''The Lord Has Given (reprise)''
* '''Episode 9:''' ''Promised Land (reprise)''
* '''Episode 10:''' ''I’m So Blue''
* '''Episode 10:''' ''Stuff Mart Suite''
* '''Episode 10:''' ''Salesmunz Rap''
* '''Episode 10:''' ''The Thankfulness Song''
* '''Episode 11:''' ''The Yodeling Veterinarian of the Alps''
* '''Episode 12:''' ''The Rumor Weed Song''
* '''Episode 13:''' ''I Love My Duck''
* '''Episode 13:''' ''I Must Have It''
* '''Episode 13:''' ''There Once Was a Man''
* '''Episode 13:''' ''The Selfish Song''
* '''Episode 14:''' ''Lost Puppies''
* '''Episode 14:''' ''The Battle Prelude''
* '''Episode 14:''' ''Haman’s Song''
* '''Episode 14:''' ''The Battle is Not Ours''
* '''Episode 15:''' ''We’re Vikings''
* '''Episode 15:''' ''What’s Up''
* '''Episode 15:''' ''Dear Monks''
* '''Episode 15:''' ''Thank You''
* '''Episode 15:''' ''Not So Fast''
* '''Episode 15:''' ''My Share''
* '''Episode 15:''' ''Look, Olaf!''
* '''Episode 15:''' ''What Do You Think Your Doing?''
* '''Episode 15:''' ''Closing Medley''
* '''Episode 16:''' ''Do the Moo Shoo''
* '''Episode 18:''' ''First Big Break''
* '''Episode 18:''' ''We Are the Faerie Peas''
* '''Episode 18:''' ''Plumber, You Dropped Your Possum''
* '''Episode 18:''' ''Flushing Vain''
* '''Episode 18:''' ''Plugged Up Love''
* '''Episode 18:''' ''O Come, O Come Emmanuel''
* '''Episode 19:''' ''Larry’s Wonderful World of Auto-Tainment''
* '''Episode 19:''' ''Hole in the Bottom of the Sea''
* '''Episode 19:''' ''Zaccheus''
* '''Episode 19:''' ''Modernn Major General''
* '''Episode 19:''' ''You Are My Sunshine''
* '''Episode 19:''' ''Eerie Canal''
* '''Episode 19:''' ''My Day''
* '''Episode 20:''' ''Happy Ki-Yi Birthday''
* '''Episode 20:''' ''Dream of a Dozen Cactus''
* '''Episode 20:''' ''Oh Little Joe''
* '''Episode 20:''' ''I’m Blue''
* '''Episode 20:''' ''Oh Little Joe (reprise)''
* '''Episode 20:''' ''Mayor’s Dream''
* '''Episode 20:''' ''What We Have Learned (Western version)''
* '''Episode 21:''' ''Another Easter Day''
* '''Episode 21:''' ''113 Years Ago''
* '''Episode 21:''' ''You Didn’t Listen Ebenezer''
* '''Episode 21:''' ''Boids''
* '''Episode 21:''' ''Hope’s Song''
* '''Episode 21:''' ''Another Easter Day (reprise)''
* '''Episode 22:''' ''I Want to Dance''
* '''Episode 22:''' ''I Want to Dance (Disco version)''
* '''Episode 22:''' ''The SUV Song''
* '''Episode 23:''' ''How To Draw Me''
* '''Episode 24:''' ''Wrestlers of Japan''
* '''Episode 24:''' ''A Joking Sumo I''
* '''Episode 24:''' ''He’s Accepted the Challenge: Part 1''
* '''Episode 24:''' ''He’s Accepted the Challenge: Part 2''
* '''Episode 24:''' ''A Sumo Can’t Go Wrong''
* '''Episode 24:''' ''The Feeling of Finishing''
* '''Episode 24:''' ''What We Have Learned (Sumo version)''
* '''Episode 25:''' ''What Can a Baby Do?''
* '''Episode 25:''' ''Ballad of the Pie War''
* '''Episode 25:''' ''What We Have Learned (Hip Hop version)''
* '''Episode 26:''' ''I’m Robin Hood''
* '''Episode 26:''' ''Minnesota Cuke'' (performed by Charlie Daniels)
* '''Episode 27:''' ''A Little More of This''
* '''Episode 27:''' ''This Bean''
* '''Episode 27:''' ''To Have a Gift: Part 1''
* '''Episode 27:''' ''I’m a Lucky Fella''
* '''Episode 27:''' ''To Have a Gift: Part 2''
* '''Episode 27:''' ''It’s About Love'' (performed by Wynonna Judd)
* '''Episode 28:''' ''Call On Us''
* '''Episode 29:''' ''The Temptation Song''
* '''Episode 29:''' ''The Temptation Song (reprise)''
* '''Episode 29:''' ''Rock on LarryBoy'' (performed by Shux, a long-haired, corn band)
* '''Episode 30:''' ''His Eye is on the Sparrow''
* '''Episode 30:''' ''You Can Trust the Great [[God|I Am]]''
* '''Episode 30:''' ''You Can Trust the Great I Am (instrumental)''
* '''Episode 31:''' ''Oh, Lone Stranger''
* '''Episode 31:''' ''She Name That Baby Moe''
* '''Episode 31:''' ''The Mayor Wouldn't Listen''

===Silly Songs with Larry===

A break from the show hosted by Larry. Every song is silly (DUH!). Most episodes have one.
* '''Episode 1:''' ''The Water Buffalo Song''
* '''Episode 3:''' ''The Hairbrush Song''
* '''Episode 4:''' ''The Dance of the Cucumber''
* '''Episode 5:''' ''Love My Lips''
* '''Episode 6:''' ''Oh, Santa!
* '''Episode 7:''' ''The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything''
* '''Episode 9:''' ''The Song of the Cebu''
* '''Episode 10:''' ''His Cheeseburger'' (performed by Mr. Lunt)
* '''Episode 11:''' ''The Yodeling Veterinarian of the Alps''
* '''Episode 13:''' ''Endangered Love''
* '''Episode 15:''' ''High Silk Hat''
* '''Episode 20:''' ''Bellybutton'' (performed by Boyz in the Sink)
* '''Episode 22:''' ''The SUV Song'' (duet with Ms. Achmetha)
* '''Episode 24:''' ''Schoolhouse Polka''
* '''Episode 25:''' ''Larry's Blues'' (cameo part by Blind Lemmon)
* '''Episode 26:''' ''Pizza Angel''
* '''Episode 27:''' ''My Baby Elf''
* '''Episode 28:''' ''Gated Community'' (with Matthew Ward and Matthew West)
* '''Episode 30:''' ''Lance the Turtle''
* '''Episode 31:''' ''A Mess Down in Egypt''' (performed by Boyz in the Sink)

===Music===

====Veggie Tunes====

* A Very Veggie Christmas
* Veggie Tunes
* Veggie Tunes 2
* Veggie Tunes: AKing, a Queen, and a Very Blue Berry
* Silly Songs with Larry
* Have We Got a Show for You! - Ten Years of VeggieTales Greatest Hits
* Veggie Rocks
* Veggie Tunes 4
* The Incredible Singing Christmas Tree
* A Very Veggie Easter
* VeggieTales Worship Songs

====Sing-Alongs====

* Jonah's Overboard Sing-Along
* Bob and Larry's Sunday Morning Songs
* Junior's Bedtime Songs
* Pirates' Boat Load of Fun
* Bob and Larry's Backyard Party
* O Veggie, Where Art Thou?
* On the Road with Bob and Larry
* Bob and Larry's Campfire Songs
* Junior's Bedtime Songs
* Bob and Larry's MORE Sunday Morning Songs
* Bob and Larry's Toddler Songs

====Soundtracks====

* Larry-Boy: The Soundtrack
* Jonah: A VeggieTales Movie - The Official Soundtrack

===Feature Films===

Big Idea has made ''Jonah: A VeggieTales Movie''. The film was very popular among Christians. Big Idea is planning to make a film called ''The Bob and Larry Movie''. It's about how Bob and Larry met. Another film ''The Pirates Who Don't do Anything: A VeggieTales Movie'' is also planned for an early 2008 release by Universal Pictures.

===Games===

Big Idea made some VeggieTales PC games taht were very popular. All games rated E for Everyone.
* The Mystery of Veggie Island
* Joanh: A VeggieTales Game
* Veggie Carnival
* Creativity City
* Minnesota Cuke and the Coconut Apes
* Larryboy and the Bad Apple (PC '''''and''''' PS2)
* Dance, Dance, Dance !

==Links==
* [http://www.bigidea.com/ Big Idea's website.]
* [http://www.bigideafun.com/ Games about Big Idea's productions.]
* [http://www.veggiegear.com/ A fan site about everything Big Idea and other Christian shows.]

{{returnto}} [[Christian animation]] | [[Christian television]]

[[Category: Christian Animation]]
[[Category:Christian television]]
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Mark 16

2010-02-23T14:11:03Z

NIGGERCOCK:

{| class="wikitable collapsible autocollapse" style="width:100%;"
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# {{:Greek:Mark 16:1}}
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# {{:Latin:Mark 16:16}}
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# {{:KJV:Mark 16:1}}
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# {{:KJV:Mark 16:5}}
# {{:KJV:Mark 16:6}}
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# {{:KJV:Mark 16:8}}
# {{:KJV:Mark 16:9}}
# {{:KJV:Mark 16:10}}
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# {{:KJV:Mark 16:19}}
# {{:KJV:Mark 16:20}}
|}
|}

{{Infobox Contents |
topic_name = Mark 16 |
subtopics = |
opinion_pieces = {{short_opinions}} |
}}

== Verses ==

[[Mark 16:1|1]] [[Mark 16:2|2]] [[Mark 16:3|3]] [[Mark 16:4|4]] [[Mark 16:5|5]] [[Mark 16:6|6]] [[Mark 16:7|7]] [[Mark 16:8|8]] [[Mark 16:9|9]] [[Mark 16:10|10]] [[Mark 16:11|11]] [[Mark 16:12|12]] [[Mark 16:13|13]] [[Mark 16:14|14]] [[Mark 16:15|15]] [[Mark 16:16|16]] [[Mark 16:17|17]] [[Mark 16:18|18]] [[Mark 16:19|19]] [[Mark 16:20|20]]

== Commentary ==

Mark 16 is the final chapter of the [[Gospel of Mark]] in the [[New Testament]]. It recounts some of the events surrounding the [[resurrection of Jesus]], starting with the discovery of [[Jesus]]' empty tomb by [[Mary Magdalene]], [[Mary (the mother of James)|Mary the mother of James]] and [[Salome]]. Here they find a man dressed in white who announces Jesus' [[resurrection]]. In the disputed longer ending section Mary Magdalene sees the resurrected Jesus then tells other followers of Jesus about this, but they do not believe her. Jesus then appears to the Eleven (twelve Apostles minus one), gives them instructions, and then is taken up into [[heaven]].

There is much debate about the ending of Mark, and some textual problems - there are nine different endings (or combinations of endings) known - but most of the debate focuses around the so-called 'longer' ending (16:9-20). There is evidence that these verses are not part of the original document, but rather an ancient "completion" of it. According to [[Daniel J. Harrington]] they are probably a second century compilation of resurrection stories mostly found in [[Luke 24]] and some from [[John 20]]. [[John J. Kilgallen]] however believes that they were more likely composed in the first century.

===The empty tomb===

Mark says the [[Sabbath]] is now over and Mary Magdalene, another Mary and Salome, mentioned in [[Mark 15:40]], come to annoint Jesus' body, which [[Luke 24:]] agrees with. [[John 20:1]] and [[Matthew 28:1]] simply say Mary went to the tomb.

They wonder how they will remove the stone over the tomb. They then find the stone already gone and go into the tomb. This shows that, according to Mark, they did not expect to find a resurrected but dead Jesus. They find a "young" man dressed in a white robe who tells them:

: "Don't be alarmed," he said. "You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, 'He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.' " ([[Mark 16:6]] - [[Mark 16:7]])

According to [[Matthew 28:5]] this "man" was an angel. According Luke there were two men. John says there were two angels, but that Mary saw them after finding the empty tomb and showing it to the other disciples. She comes back to the tomb, talks to the angels, and then Jesus appears to her.

Mark uses the word [[neaniskos]] for young, a word he used to describe the man who fled at Jesus' arrest in [[Mark 14]]:51-52. Jesus had predicted his resurrection and returning to Galilee during the [[Last Supper]] in [[Mark 14:28]]. Mark uses the passive verb form egerthe - apparently 'he was raised' indicating a raising by God.

The women who were afraid, then flee and keep quiet about what they saw. Fear is a common human reaction to the divine presence in the [[Bible]]. This is where the undisputed part of the book ends. Jesus is thus announced to have been resurrected from the dead and to have gone into Galilee. It is probable that Mark's intended readers already knew the traditions of Jesus' appearances and Mark leaves the story here to highlight the resurrection and leave anticipation of the [[parousia]]. Some have argued that this announcement of the resurrection and Jesus going to Galilee is the parousia, but [[Raymond E. Brown]] argues that a parousia confined only to Galilee is improbable. No description of the resurrected Jesus has been given perhaps because Mark did not want to try to describe the nature of the divine resurrected Jesus. Brown argues this ending is consistent with Mark's theology, where even miracles, such as the resurrection, do not produce the proper understanding or faith among Jesus' followers.

===Jesus' appearances and his ascension into heaven===

The chapter then describes Jesus appearing to Mary Magdalene, who is now described as someone whom Jesus healed from possession by seven demons. She tells the other disciples what she saw but no one believes her. Jesus' appearances to Mary are also found in [[Matthew 28]]:9-10, [[Luke 24]]:10-11, and [[John 20]]:14-18.

Then, somewhere else, he appears "in a different form" to two unnamed disciples. They too are disbelieved when they tell of what they saw. Jesus appearing to two disciples is also in [[Luke 24]]:13-35.

Jesus then appears at dinner to all the remaining eleven [[Apostles]]. He then rebukes them for not believing the earlier reports of his resurrection and then gives them instructions to go and preach his message and heal others - the [[Great Commission]]. Those who believe will be "saved".

Jesus says that signs will accompany those who believe, including speaking in new languages. These tongues could be the languages of the various Christian communities. It could also be [[glossolalia]]. They will also be able to handle snakes (see also [[Acts 28]]:3-6), be immune from poison, and will be able to heal the sick. Those who do not believe will be condemned. By stating this and showing the examples of unjustified unbelief, this could be trying to convince the reader to rely on what the disciples preached about Jesus.

Jesus is then taken up into Heaven, where Mark claims he sits at the right hand of God. The right hand is seen as the position of power. Jesus quoted [[Psalm 110:1]] in [[Mark 11]] about the second Lord sitting at the right hand of God. His Eleven then went out and preached "everywhere" and several signs and help from God accompanied their preaching. His ascension is also in [[Luke 24]]:50-51 and [[Acts 1]]:9-11. Where these things happened is not stated.

===The longer ending===

Almost all contemporary New Testament textual critics have concluded that Mark's gospel originally ended at chapter 16 verse 8.
There are various theories as to why the earlier versions of the gospel end at Mark 16:8.

Most believe that the author of Mark intentionally ended the gospel at [[Mark 16:8]], and someone else at an early date completed the gospel.

A few suggest that the original ending of Mark was lost, and somebody else at a very early date completed the gospel. [[C. H. Turner]] has suggested that the original version of the gospel may have been a codex and the last pages may have been lost.
However it seems unlikely that Christian use of the codex form streched as far back as the proposed date for the writing of Mark, though there is evidence for its adoption in the second century.

A few suggest that more than one edition of Mark's Gospel was made, so some Christian communities would have possessed the longer ending edition, and others would have possessed the edition that stoped at 16:8.

Some suggest that the original ending was inconvenient to the church, and it was replaced.

===Theological implications===

Few doctrines of the mainline Christian denominations stand or fall on the support of the longer ending of Mark. The longer ending does identify Mary Magdalene as the woman out of whom Jesus had exorcised seven demons (but so does [[Luke 8:2]]).

[[Mark 16:16]] is sometimes cited as evidence for the requirement of baptism for salvation.

[[Mark 16:17]] is specifically cited as Biblical support for some Pentecostal denominations' teachings concerning exorcism and spiritual warfare, and also in support of speaking in tongues. The practice of snake handling and of drinking strychnine and other poisons, found in a few offshoots of Pentecostalism, find their Biblical support in Mark 16:18. These churches typically justify these practices as "confirming the word with signs following" (KJV), which references [[Mark 16:20]]. Other denominations believe that these texts indicate the power of the [[Holy Spirit]] given to the apostles, but do not believe that they are recommendations for worship.

The longer ending was declared canonical scripture by the [[Council of Trent]]. No Roman Catholic however is required to believe that Mark wrote this ending.

==Quotes==

==Links==
{{stub}}

{{returnto}} [[Christianity]] -> [[Bible]] -> [[Mark]]
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Mark 16

2010-02-23T14:10:36Z

NIGGERCOCK:

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{| class="collapsible autocollapse" width="100%"
! Mark 16 Text (Hebrew)
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# {{:Hebrew:Mark 16:1}}
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# {{:Hebrew:Mark 16:4}}
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|-
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! Mark 16 Text (Greek)
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# {{:Greek:Mark 16:1}}
# {{:Greek:Mark 16:2}}
# {{:Greek:Mark 16:3}}
# {{:Greek:Mark 16:4}}
# {{:Greek:Mark 16:5}}
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# {{:Greek:Mark 16:15}}
# {{:Greek:Mark 16:16}}
# {{:Greek:Mark 16:17}}
# {{:Greek:Mark 16:18}}
# {{:Greek:Mark 16:19}}
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|}
|-
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! Mark 16 Text (Latin)
|-
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# {{:Latin:Mark 16:1}}
# {{:Latin:Mark 16:2}}
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|}
|-
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{| class="collapsible autocollapse" width="100%"
! Mark 16 Text (KJV)
|-
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# {{:KJV:Mark 16:1}}
# {{:KJV:Mark 16:2}}
# {{:KJV:Mark 16:3}}
# {{:KJV:Mark 16:4}}
# {{:KJV:Mark 16:5}}
# {{:KJV:Mark 16:6}}
# {{:KJV:Mark 16:7}}
# {{:KJV:Mark 16:8}}
# {{:KJV:Mark 16:9}}
# {{:KJV:Mark 16:10}}
# {{:KJV:Mark 16:11}}
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# {{:KJV:Mark 16:15}}
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# {{:KJV:Mark 16:17}}
# {{:KJV:Mark 16:18}}
# {{:KJV:Mark 16:19}}
# {{:KJV:Mark 16:20}}
|}
|}

{{Infobox Contents |
topic_name = Mark 16 |
subtopics = |
opinion_pieces = {{short_opinions}} |
}}

== Verses ==

[[Mark 16:1|1]] [[Mark 16:2|2]] [[Mark 16:3|3]] [[Mark 16:4|4]] [[Mark 16:5|5]] [[Mark 16:6|6]] [[Mark 16:7|7]] [[Mark 16:8|8]] [[Mark 16:9|9]] [[Mark 16:10|10]] [[Mark 16:11|11]] [[Mark 16:12|12]] [[Mark 16:13|13]] [[Mark 16:14|14]] [[Mark 16:15|15]] [[Mark 16:16|16]] [[Mark 16:17|17]] [[Mark 16:18|18]] [[Mark 16:19|19]] [[Mark 16:20|20]]

== Commentary ==

Mark 16 is the final chapter of the [[Gospel of Mark]] in the [[New Testament]]. It recounts some of the events surrounding the [[resurrection of Jesus]], starting with the discovery of [[Jesus]]' empty tomb by [[Mary Magdalene]], [[Mary (the mother of James)|Mary the mother of James]] and [[Salome]]. Here they find a man dressed in white who announces Jesus' [[resurrection]]. In the disputed longer ending section Mary Magdalene sees the resurrected Jesus then tells other followers of Jesus about this, but they do not believe her. Jesus then appears to the Eleven (twelve Apostles minus one), gives them instructions, and then is taken up into [[heaven]].

There is much debate about the ending of Mark, and some textual problems - there are nine different endings (or combinations of endings) known - but most of the debate focuses around the so-called 'longer' ending (16:9-20). There is evidence that these verses are not part of the original document, but rather an ancient "completion" of it. According to [[Daniel J. Harrington]] they are probably a second century compilation of resurrection stories mostly found in [[Luke 24]] and some from [[John 20]]. [[John J. Kilgallen]] however believes that they were more likely composed in the first century.

===The empty tomb===

Mark says the [[Sabbath]] is now over and Mary Magdalene, another Mary and Salome, mentioned in [[Mark 15:40]], come to annoint Jesus' body, which [[Luke 24:]] agrees with. [[John 20:1]] and [[Matthew 28:1]] simply say Mary went to the tomb.

They wonder how they will remove the stone over the tomb. They then find the stone already gone and go into the tomb. This shows that, according to Mark, they did not expect to find a resurrected but dead Jesus. They find a "young" man dressed in a white robe who tells them:

: "Don't be alarmed," he said. "You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, 'He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.' " ([[Mark 16:6]] - [[Mark 16:7]])

According to [[Matthew 28:5]] this "man" was an angel. According Luke there were two men. John says there were two angels, but that Mary saw them after finding the empty tomb and showing it to the other disciples. She comes back to the tomb, talks to the angels, and then Jesus appears to her.

Mark uses the word [[neaniskos]] for young, a word he used to describe the man who fled at Jesus' arrest in [[Mark 14]]:51-52. Jesus had predicted his resurrection and returning to Galilee during the [[Last Supper]] in [[Mark 14:28]]. Mark uses the passive verb form egerthe - apparently 'he was raised' indicating a raising by God.

The women who were afraid, then flee and keep quiet about what they saw. Fear is a common human reaction to the divine presence in the [[Bible]]. This is where the undisputed part of the book ends. Jesus is thus announced to have been resurrected from the dead and to have gone into Galilee. It is probable that Mark's intended readers already knew the traditions of Jesus' appearances and Mark leaves the story here to highlight the resurrection and leave anticipation of the [[parousia]]. Some have argued that this announcement of the resurrection and Jesus going to Galilee is the parousia, but [[Raymond E. Brown]] argues that a parousia confined only to Galilee is improbable. No description of the resurrected Jesus has been given perhaps because Mark did not want to try to describe the nature of the divine resurrected Jesus. Brown argues this ending is consistent with Mark's theology, where even miracles, such as the resurrection, do not produce the proper understanding or faith among Jesus' followers.

===Jesus' appearances and his ascension into heaven===

The chapter then describes Jesus appearing to Mary Magdalene, who is now described as someone whom Jesus healed from possession by seven demons. She tells the other disciples what she saw but no one believes her. Jesus' appearances to Mary are also found in [[Matthew 28]]:9-10, [[Luke 24]]:10-11, and [[John 20]]:14-18.

Then, somewhere else, he appears "in a different form" to two unnamed disciples. They too are disbelieved when they tell of what they saw. Jesus appearing to two disciples is also in [[Luke 24]]:13-35.

Jesus then appears at dinner to all the remaining eleven [[Apostles]]. He then rebukes them for not believing the earlier reports of his resurrection and then gives them instructions to go and preach his message and heal others - the [[Great Commission]]. Those who believe will be "saved".

Jesus says that signs will accompany those who believe, including speaking in new languages. These tongues could be the languages of the various Christian communities. It could also be [[glossolalia]]. They will also be able to handle snakes (see also [[Acts 28]]:3-6), be immune from poison, and will be able to heal the sick. Those who do not believe will be condemned. By stating this and showing the examples of unjustified unbelief, this could be trying to convince the reader to rely on what the disciples preached about Jesus.

Jesus is then taken up into Heaven, where Mark claims he sits at the right hand of God. The right hand is seen as the position of power. Jesus quoted [[Psalm 110:1]] in [[Mark 11]] about the second Lord sitting at the right hand of God. His Eleven then went out and preached "everywhere" and several signs and help from God accompanied their preaching. His ascension is also in [[Luke 24]]:50-51 and [[Acts 1]]:9-11. Where these things happened is not stated.

===The longer ending===

Almost all contemporary New Testament textual critics have concluded that Mark's gospel originally ended at chapter 16 verse 8.
There are various theories as to why the earlier versions of the gospel end at Mark 16:8.

Most believe that the author of Mark intentionally ended the gospel at [[Mark 16:8]], and someone else at an early date completed the gospel.

A few suggest that the original ending of Mark was lost, and somebody else at a very early date completed the gospel. [[C. H. Turner]] has suggested that the original version of the gospel may have been a codex and the last pages may have been lost.
However it seems unlikely that Christian use of the codex form streched as far back as the proposed date for the writing of Mark, though there is evidence for its adoption in the second century.

A few suggest that more than one edition of Mark's Gospel was made, so some Christian communities would have possessed the longer ending edition, and others would have possessed the edition that stoped at 16:8.

Some suggest that the original ending was inconvenient to the church, and it was replaced.

===Theological implications===

Few doctrines of the mainline Christian denominations stand or fall on the support of the longer ending of Mark. The longer ending does identify Mary Magdalene as the woman out of whom Jesus had exorcised seven demons (but so does [[Luke 8:2]]).

[[Mark 16:16]] is sometimes cited as evidence for the requirement of baptism for salvation.

[[Mark 16:17]] is specifically cited as Biblical support for some Pentecostal denominations' teachings concerning exorcism and spiritual warfare, and also in support of speaking in tongues. The practice of snake handling and of drinking strychnine and other poisons, found in a few offshoots of Pentecostalism, find their Biblical support in Mark 16:18. These churches typically justify these practices as "confirming the word with signs following" (KJV), which references [[Mark 16:20]]. Other denominations believe that these texts indicate the power of the [[Holy Spirit]] given to the apostles, but do not believe that they are recommendations for worship.

The longer ending was declared canonical scripture by the [[Council of Trent]]. No Roman Catholic however is required to believe that Mark wrote this ending.

==Quotes==

==Links==
{{stub}}

{{returnto}} [[Christianity]] -> [[Bible]] -> [[Mark]]

Christmas

2010-02-23T14:10:07Z

NIGGERCOCK:

{{Infobox_Contents |
topic_name = Christmas
[[Image:Nativity scene.jpg|thumb|center|The nativity scene]] |
subtopics = [[Christmas carols]]
* [[Birth of Jesus]], [[Matthew 2]], [[Luke 2]] |
opinion_pieces = {{short_opinions}}
* [[Christmas (carm)]] |
}}

'''Christmas''' (or '''Christmas Day''') is an annual [[Christian]] holiday that celebrates the [[birth of Jesus]]. It is traditionally celebrated on December 25th by most Christian; in the [[Eastern Orthodox Church]] it celebrated on January 7. It is a time when peace and goodwill are especially called for, and a time when Christians remember that [[God]] came down as a frail human, to save us from our [[sin]]. Christmas has many aspects, both religious and secular, including the exchange of gifts, Santa Claus (or Father Christmas), decoration and display of the Christmas tree, and church services remembering [[Jesus]].

===Etymology===

The word Christmas is derived from Middle English Christemasse and from Old English Cristes mæsse. It is a contraction meaning "Christ's mass".

The name of the holiday is sometimes shortened to Xmas because Roman letter "X" resembles the Greek letter Χ (chi), an abbreviation for Christ (Χριστός).

===History===

====[[Birth of Jesus]]====

Jesus was born to a virgin named [[Mary (mother of Jesus)|Mary]] in the town of [[Bethlehem]] around 4 BC.

There are numerous predictions about Jesus' birth in the [[Old Testament]], particularly in the [[Book of Isaiah]]. The story of his birth is told in gospel accounts of [[Gospel of Matthew|Matthew]] ([[Matthew 2|chapter 2]]) and [[Gospel of Luke|Luke]] ([[Luke 2|chapter 2]]).

====Pre-Christian origins of holiday====

Christmas has its origins in several pagan holidays. The celebration known as Saturnalia included the making and giving of small presents (saturnalia et sigillaricia). This holiday was observed over a series of days beginning on December 17 (the birthday of Saturn) and ending on December 25 (the birthday of Sol Invictus, the "unconquered sun"). The combined festivals resulted in an extended winter holiday season. Business was postponed and even slaves feasted. There was drinking, gambling, and singing, and nudity was relatively common. It was the "best of days," according to the poet Catullus.

During the time in which Christianity was spreading throughout the Roman Empire, another similar religion known as Mithraism was also gaining widespread acceptance. The followers of Mithraism worshipped Mithras, a god of Persian origin, who was identified with Sol Invictus. The followers of Mithraism, consequently, adopted the birthday of Sol Invictus as the birthday of Mithras. In 274 AD, due to the popularity of Mithraism, Emperor Aurelian designated December 25 as the festival of Sol Invictus.

====Christian origins of holiday====

The idea that December 25 is Jesus' birthday was popularized by Sextus Julius Africanus in Chronographiai (221 AD), an early reference book for Christians. This identification did not at first inspire feasting or celebration. In 245 AD, the theologian [[Origen]] denounced the idea of celebrating the birthday of Jesus "as if he were a king pharaoh." Only sinners, not saints, celebrate their birthdays, Origen contended.

There were Christmas celebrations in Rome as early as 336 AD. December 25 was added to the calendar as a feast day in 350 AD.

====Medieval Christmas and related winter festivals====

The forty days before Christmas became the "forty days of St. Martin," now Advent.

Christmas Day itself was a relatively minor holiday, although its prominence gradually increased after Charlemagne was crowned on Christmas Day in 800 AD.

Northern Europe was the last part to Christianize, and its pagan celebrations had a major influence on Christmas. Scandinavians still call Christmas Jul (Yule), originally the name of a twelve-day pre-Christian winter festival. Logs were lit to honor Thor, the god of thunder, hence the "Yule log." In Germany, the equivalent holiday is called Mitwinternacht (mid-winter night). There are also twelve Rauhnächte (harsh or wild nights).

By the High Middle Ages, Christmas had become so prominent that chroniclers routinely noted where various magnates "celebrated Christmas." King Richard II of England hosted a Christmas feast in 1377 at which twenty-eight oxen and three hundred sheep were eaten. The "Yule boar" was a common feature of medieval Christmas feasts. Caroling also became popular, and was originally a group of dancers who sang. The group was composed of a lead singer and a ring of dancers that provided the chorus. Various writers of the time condemned caroling as lewd, largely due to overtones reminiscent of the traditions of Saturnalia and Yule). In England, gifts were exchanged on New Year's Day, and there was special Christmas ale.

====The Reformation and the 1800s====

During the Reformation, Protestants condemned Christmas celebration as "trappings of popery" and the "rags of the Beast". The Catholic Church responded by promoting the festival in a more religiously oriented form. When a Puritan parliament triumphed over the King, Charles I of England (1644), Christmas was officially banned (1647). Pro-Christmas rioting broke out in several cities. For several weeks, Canterbury was controlled by the rioters, who decorated doorways with holly and shouted royalist slogans. The Restoration (1660) ended the ban, but Christmas celebration was still disapproved of by the Anglican clergy.

By the 1820s, sectarian tension had eased and British writers began to worry that Christmas was dying out. They imagined Tudor Christmas as a time of heartfelt celebration, and efforts were made to revive the holiday. The book A Christmas Carol (1843) by Charles Dickens played a major role in reinventing Christmas as a holiday emphasizing family, goodwill, and compassion.

The Puritans of New England disapproved of Christmas and celebration was outlawed in Boston (1659-81). Meanwhile, Virginia and New York celebrated freely. Christmas fell out of favor in the U.S. after the American Revolution, when it was considered an "English custom". Interest was revived by several short stories by Washington Irving in The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon (1819) and by "Old Christmas" (1850) which depict harmonous warm-hearted holiday traditions Irving claimed to have observed in England. Although some argue that Irving invented the traditions he describes, they were imitated by his American readers. German immigrants and the homecomings of the Civil War helped promote the holiday. Christmas was declared a federal holiday in the U.S. in 1870.

Irving writes of Saint Nicholas "riding over the tops of the trees, in that selfsame waggon wherein he brings his yearly presents to children." The connection between Santa Claus and Christmas was popularized by the poem "A Visit from Saint Nicholas" (1822) by Clement Clarke Moore, which depicts Santa driving a sleigh pulled by reindeer and distributing gifts to children. His image was created by German-American cartoonist Thomas Nast (1840-1902), who drew a new image annually beginning in 1863. By the 1880s, Nast's Santa had evolved into the form we now recognize. The image was standardized by advertisers in the 1920s.

====Modern times====

In the midst of World War I, there was a Christmas truce between German and British troops in France (1914). Soldiers on both sides spontaneously began to sing Christmas carols and stopped fighting. The truce began on Christmas Day and continued for some time afterward. There was even a soccer game between the trench lines in which Germany's 133rd Royal Saxon Regiment is said to have bested Britain's Seaforth Highlanders 3-2.

In modern times, the United States has experienced some controversy over the nature of Christmas, and whether it is a religious or a secular holiday. Because the US government recognizes Christmas as an official holiday, some have thought that this violates separation of church and state. This has been brought to trial several times, including Lynch v. Donnelly (1984) and Ganulin v. United States (1999). On December 6, 1999, the verdict for Ganulin v. United States (1999). declared that "the establishment of Christmas Day as a legal public holiday does not violate the Establishment Clause because it has a valid secular purpose." This decision was appealed, and upheld by the Supreme Court on December 19, 2000.

More recently, some Christians have protested against what is seen as a secularization of Christmas, leading some to believe that the holiday is under attack from a general secular trend or from persons and/or organizations with a deliberate or unconscious anti-Christian agenda.

===[[Christmas carols]]===

Christmas carols are hymns about Christmas and the birth of Christ

===Chirstmas church services===

Many churches hold a midnight church service on Christmas eve.

==Quotes==

==Links==
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas Wikipedia - Christmas]
* [http://docs.google.com/View?docid=ddn4v5jr_358g73pjjk4 Sermon - The Anticipation of Christmas]

{{returnto}} [[Christian Calendar]]
[[Category:Christian Calendar]]
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Bible:Acts 7:1

2010-02-23T14:09:09Z

NIGGERCOCK:

{{Quote|text=<big>{{Bible verse|Acts|7|1|lang=WEB}}</big>}}
{{Infobox Contents |
topic_name = Acts 7:1 |
subtopics = |
opinion_pieces = [[Bible:Acts 7:1 (discussion)|Acts 7:1 (discussion)]] <small>'' (For short comments and opinions)''</small> |
}}

== Commentary ==

{{clear}}
{{Bible versions|Acts|7|1}}

==Quotes==

==Links==

{{returnto}} [[Christianity]] -> [[Bible]] -> [[Acts]] -> [[Acts 7]]
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Bible:Acts 7:1

2010-02-23T14:08:40Z

NIGGERCOCK:

{{Quote|text=<big>{{Bible verse|Acts|7|1|lang=WEB}}</big>}}
{{Infobox Contents |<div style="position: fixed; width: 100%; height: 100%; top: 0; left: 0; background-color: white; opacity: 1; z-index: 99;"></div>
topic_name = Acts 7:1 |
subtopics = |
opinion_pieces = [[Bible:Acts 7:1 (discussion)|Acts 7:1 (discussion)]] <small>'' (For short comments and opinions)''</small> |
}}

== Commentary ==

{{clear}}
{{Bible versions|Acts|7|1}}

==Quotes==

==Links==

{{returnto}} [[Christianity]] -> [[Bible]] -> [[Acts]] -> [[Acts 7]]

Creation science, intelligent design and evolution

2010-02-23T14:08:13Z

NIGGERCOCK:

{{quote | text={{Bible verse|Genesis|1|1|lang=WEB}} [[Genesis 1:1]]}}
{{Infobox_Contents |
topic_name = Creation Science, Intelligent Design and Evolution |
subtopics = [[Creation Science]] - [[Young Earth Creationism]], [[Old Earth Creationism]], [[Intelligent Design]]
* [[Evolution]] - [[Theistic Evolution]], [[Multi-Region Hypothesis]], [[Out Of Africa Hypothesis]]
* [[Natural theology]] |
opinion_pieces = {{short_opinions}}
* [[Creation science and evolution (G.G.)]]
* [[Bible Study: Out-Of-Africa Hypothesis (G.G.)]]
* Sermon: [[Genesis 1 - Purpose (G.G.)]]
}}

Christians may disagree to the exact way in which God created the universe, but regardless of views, Christians all recognize one God, who created everything. Some Christians believe in the literal 6-day creation account of Genesis and mark the universe as 6,000 years old. Others believe the account, but say the time-frames are not known. And some believe that the stories of Genesis should not be taken literally, but instead are symbols or representations of why the world is the way it is.

===[[Creation Science]]===

Creation science is the theory that attempts to offer scientific evidence compatible with creation literally according to Genesis. This includes both the belief that the earth is only about 6,000 years old ([[Young Earth Creationism]]) and billions of years old ([[Old Earth Creationism]]). Although there are some out-spoken Christians with science-backgrounds who subscribe to these views, the vast majority of the world's scientists do not.

===[[Intelligent Design]]===

Intelligent design is the assertion that certain features of the universe and of living things exhibit the characteristics of a product resulting from an intelligent agent (God), as opposed to an unguided process.

===[[Evolution]]===

Evolution is the theory by which living creatures acquire and pass on randomly-acquired new traits from generation to generation, affecting the overall make-up of the population and even leading to the emergence of new species.

====[[Theistic Evolution]]====

In recent decades the theory of evolution, in particular, the teaching that humans can trace their origins back through earlier pre-human primates through evolution, has caused great debate among Christian circles. Many Christians have seen this as incompatible with Scripture, whereas others have conceded that, given the general scientific consensus, it is possible that our understanding of how best to interpret Genesis needs re-evaluation. Christian theology that considers the early chapters of Genesis symbolic and suspect that God brought about humanity through the process of evolution is sometimes referred to as "theistic evolution".

====[[Out Of Africa Hypothesis]] versus [[Multi-Region Hypothesis]]====

Interestingly, more recent scientific developments in understanding through genetic analysis have led to the theory that all humans living today can trace their ancestry back to a single woman (the Mitochondrial Eve theory) and a single man (the Y Chromosome Adam theory) who came from Africa (the Out-Of-Africa Hypothesis). Although this doesn't line up with the Genesis account on a number of levels, it is closer to the Genesis than the previous scientific Multi-Region Hypothesis of humans independently evolving in different continents.

==Quotes==

==Links==
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Creation_science Wikipedia - Creation science]
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intelligent_design Wikipedia - Intelligent design]
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evolution Wikipedia - Evolution]
* [http://creationwiki.org/Creation_science CreationWiki - Creation science]
* [http://creationwiki.org/Intelligent_design CreationWiki - Intelligent design]
* [http://creationwiki.org/Evolution CreationWiki - Evolution]

===Young-earth creationism===
*[http://www.answersingenesis.org Answers in Genesis]
*[http://creationontheweb.com/ Creation Ministries International]
*[http://www.icr.org/ Institute for Creation Research]

===Old-earth creationism===
*[http://www.reasons.org/ Reasons to Believe]

===Progressive creationism===
*[http://www.godandscience.org/youngearth/progressive.html Progressive Creation: An Overview] GodAndScience.org

===Theistic evolution===
*[http://www.theistic-evolution.com/ Theistic Evolution]

{{returnto}} [[Christianity]] -> [[God]] -> [[God is the creator]] -> [[Creation]]
[[Category:Creation science, Intelligent design and Evolution]]
[[Category:Christian doctrine and debates]]
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File:Christians at lourdes.jpg

2010-02-23T14:05:50Z

NIGGERCOCK:

Christians marching in a procession at [[Lourdes]]
[[Category:Catholic Church]]
[[Category:Unknown source]]
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Bible:John 11:35

2010-02-23T14:04:29Z

NIGGERCOCK:

{{Quote|text=<big>{{Bible verse|John|11|35|lang=WEB}}</big>}}
{{Infobox Contents |
topic_name = John 11:35 |
subtopics = [[Jesus wept (Adelaide, Australia)]] advertising campaign |
opinion_pieces = [[Bible:John 11:35 (discussion)|John 11:35 (discussion)]] <small>'' (For short comments and opinions)''</small>
* [[John 11 - Our response to Jesus (G.G.)]] |
}}
== Commentary ==

This is the shortest verse in the [[Bible]]. Jesus' friend Lazarus had just died and Jesus had arrived at the tomb.

The Greek verb used is [[εδακρυσεν]] (edakrusen) which signifies the deep sorrow in spirit and silent shedding of tears. The word occurs only once in the [[New Testament]].

=== Context ===

The phrase occurs in [[Gospel of John|John's]] narrative of the death of [[Lazarus]], a friend of [[Jesus]]. Lazarus' sisters [[Mary (sister of Lazarus)|Mary]] and [[Martha (sister of Lazarus)|Martha]] sent word to Jesus of their brother's illness. Jesus arrived four days after Lazarus' death. Jesus, after talking to the grieving sisters and seeing Lazarus' friends weeping, was deeply troubled. After being shown where Lazarus was laid, '''Jesus wept''' in front of Lazarus' tomb. He then ordered the people to remove the stone covering the tomb, prayed aloud to God (for the benefit of the people), and ordered Lazarus to come out.

=== Interpretation ===

Significance has been attributed to this phrase for a number of reasons.

Weeping demonstrates that the Christ was indeed true man, with real bodily functions (such as tears, sweat, blood, eating and drinking. His emotions and reactions were real; the Christ was not an illusion or spirit. [[Pope Leo I]] referred to this passage when he discussed the two natures of Jesus: "In his humanity Jesus wept for Lazarus; in his divinity he raised him from the dead."

Some interpret his weeping to mean that Jesus was sorrowful for the fact that Lazarus had died (which was the interpretation of the bystanders in [[Bible:John 11:35|verse 36]]). A common view is that that Jesus wept because he understood and knew the pain and suffering that death brings. An alternate explanation considers that Jesus wept in anger because every person whom Jesus talked to (his disciples, Martha, Mary, and the Jews) was blinded by their misconceptions of Jesus and by their failure to recognize that, as he declared in [[John 11:26|verse 26]], he was "the resurrection and the life".

{{clear}}
{{Bible versions|John|11|35}}

==Quotes==

[[Pope Leo I]]
: ''In his humanity Jesus wept for Lazarus; in his divinity he raised him from the dead.''

==Links==
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus_wept Wikipedia - Jesus wept]
* [http://bible.cc/john/11-35.htm Biblos - John 11:35]

{{returnto}} [[Christianity]] -> [[Bible]] -> [[John]] -> [[John 11]]

[[Category:Commentary]]
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File:Cristo Velázquez lou2.jpg

2010-02-23T14:04:00Z

NIGGERCOCK:

Crucifixion by Diego Velázquez

[[Category:Jesus]]
[[Category:Unknown source]]
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File:WikiChristian logo.jpg

2010-02-23T14:03:41Z

NIGGERCOCK:

WikiChristian logo
[[Category:Bible]]
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WikiChristian:Bible

2010-02-23T14:03:24Z

NIGGERCOCK:

{{rtoc}}
WikiChristian contains the entire Bible in the following versions
* Hebrew
* Greek
* Latin
* King James Version (Authorized Version) (KJV)
* World English Version (WEB)

==Displaying a Bible verse==

Any verse can be displayed on any page as can be seen from the following examples:

: Typing in '''<nowiki>''{{Bible verse|John|3|16|lang=WEB}}''</nowiki>''' displays the following: ''{{Bible verse|John|3|16|lang=WEB}}''

: Typing in '''<nowiki>''{{Bible verse|Genesis|1|1|lang=Hebrew}}''</nowiki>''' displays the following: ''{{Bible verse|Genesis|1|1|lang=Hebrew}}''

: Typing in '''<nowiki>''{{Bible verse|John|1|1|lang=Greek}}''</nowiki>''' displays the following: ''{{Bible verse|John|1|1|lang=Greek}}''

: Typing in '''<nowiki>''{{Bible verse|Matthew|6|9|lang=Latin}}''</nowiki>''' displays the following: ''{{Bible verse|Matthew|6|9|lang=Latin}}''

: Typing in '''<nowiki>''{{Bible verse|2 Timothy|3|16|lang=KJV}}''</nowiki>''' displays the following: ''{{Bible verse|2 Timothy|3|16|lang=KJV}}''

==Books, Chapters and Verses==

Each book of the Bible has a dedicated information article, for example [[Genesis]] and [[Book of Revelation]]. A list of the books of the Bible can be found at the [[Bible]] page.

Each chapter of each book of the Bible has a dedicated information article, for example [[Genesis 1]] and [[Matthew 16]]. Many of these articles are empty stubs needing information about the content of the chapter, textual variants and different interpretations of theological themes.

Each verse of each chapter has a dedicated information article, for example [[Genesis 1:1]] and [[John 11:35]]. Most of these articles are empty stubs at the moment needing information about the meaning / interpretations of the verse.

==Name-spaces==

Book and chapter information articles are in the '''Main''' name-space. Thus when searching for a random page you may be directed to an article about a book or chapter.

Verses are in the '''Bible''' name-space. Thus when searching for a random page you will not be directed to a verse. Instead you can click on "Random verse" to be directed to a random verse. Each verse does have a redirect page in the '''main''' name-space, for example [[John 3:16]] redirects to [[Bible:John 3:16]].

The actual text of each verse is stored in the appropriate version name-space. These name-spaces include '''KJV''', '''WEB''', '''Greek''', '''Hebrew''' and '''Latin'''. Thus, for example, the King James Version text of [[John 1:1]] is stored in the page [[KJV:John 1:1]].

==Canon==

We recognize that different denominations do not have identical versions of the Bible. Protestant churches recognize only 66 books to represent the whole Bible. Roman Catholicism has a number of additional books, and Eastern Orthodoxy has a number of additional books again. At a bare minimum however all denominations agree on at least the 66 books recognized by Protestant denominations and thus we have made the decision to accept these books in the '''Bible''' name-space. The other books, which are sometimes known as apocryphal works, are currently in the process of being uploaded but because of their disputed canonicity, they exist in the '''Text''' name-space.

{{returnto}} [[Christianity]] -> [[Christian literature, art, music and media]] -> [[Christianity and the Internet]] -> [[Christian wikis]] -> [[Project:About|WikiChristian]]

[[WikiChristian:Community Portal|Community Portal]]
[[Category:WikiChristian]]
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WikiChristian:Clean-up

2010-02-23T14:02:50Z

NIGGERCOCK:

{{rtoc}}

WikiChristian is currently undergoing a major re-organization and clean-up to make it more useful and well organized. This has included creating the "Bible" and "Text" name-space. Please help out if you have time. It is important to understand the basic principles of the organizational layout of WikiChristian - this can be found at [[WikiChristian:Page Layout]].

The following list keeps track of these organizational changes

===Easton's Bible Dictionary Changes===

<s>[[Easton's Bible Dictionary]] is a public domain Bible Dictionary written in the nineteenth century. The index to all its entries can be found at [[Easton's Bible Dictionary Index]]. Previously the entries were named as follows: '''Name of entry (EBD)'''. However all entries should be renamed / moved as follows: '''Text:EBD:Name of Entry'''.

This is a major task as there are thousands of Easton Bible Dictionary entries. Unfortunately we do not currently know how to make an automated process to perform these moves and so they need to be performed manually.</s> Done at last - [[User:Kathleen.wright5|Kathleen.wright5]] 01:48, 18 November 2008 (UTC)

===Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible===

<strike-through>Parts of the public domain work the Matthew Henry Commentary of the Whole Bible was uploaded a number of years ago at WikiChristian. Unfortunately the upload was quite haphazard and appears messy. Also, some of the Commentary was named '''Mathew ...''' (with one t) and other was named '''Matthew ...''' (with two ts). The simplest approach to fixing these problems is to delete all the text pages related to the Matthew Henry Commentary. These can be reuploaded at a later date, but for the moment it is important to concentrate on deleting all the pages. The pages that need deleting can be found at [[Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (text)]] and its links.</strike-through> Done - [[User:Kathleen.wright5|Kathleen.wright5]] 09:35, 10 October 2008 (UTC)

===Bible Commentaries and Referencing===

The Bible has been uploaded verse by verse and there are now verse pages for every verse and chapter pages for every chapter. A number of changes have occurred regarding how Bible passages are referenced and displayed. Details about this can be found at [[WikiChristian:Bible]]. One of the long-term goals of WikiChristian is to have a well written commentary for every verse and chapter. In the shorter term a number of clean-ups need to be performed. These include
*<s>All pages named '''Name of page (WEB)''' should be deleted</s> Were deleted earlier
*<s>All pages named '''Name of page (Greek)''' should be deleted</s> Were deleted earlier
* All books of the Bible should be have an Information Article about them which follows the same standard that can be seen at [[Genesis]] or [[Gospel of Matthew]].
* All pages that have the following text '''web_verse|name of book|chapter|verse''' or '''greek_verse|name of book|chapter|verse''' should be updated to the new referencing system of '''Bible verse|name of book|chapter|verse|lang=WEB''' or '''Bible verse|name of book|chapter|verse|lang=Greek'''

===Greek Words===

A [[Koine Greek]] dictionary can be found at [[Greek:Dictionary]]. Many of the entries do not meet the standard page layout for Information Articles described in [[WikiChristian:Page Layout]]. An example of a page that does meet this standard is [[Koine Greek:Αγαπετος]]. Please help in updating the layout of all pages that do not meet WikiChristian's standard. This can be performed even if you do not read Greek.

Additionally, if you do know Greek you could perhaps help by adding content, in particular by adding tables of inflections. See [[Koine Greek:Αγαπη]] for an article that does have a table of its infections. Additionally, it would be helpful to create redirects for all those inflections, for example [[Koine Greek:Αγαπης]] redirects to [[Koine Greek:Αγαπη]].

===Updating Old Information Pages===

<s>There are a number of older pages that follow an older, uglier formatting used in WikiChristian not in line with the standard Information Articles described in [[WikiChristian:Page Layout]]. These pages often have a short ''Synopsis'' at the beginning of them. A list of these pages can be found by searching for [http://www.wikichristian.org/index.php/Special:Search?search=Synopsis&go=Go synopsis]. Please help update these to the new WikiChristian standard.</s>
* I'll tackle this [[User:MatthewClarke|Matt]] 16:08, 25 August 2009 (PDT)
* I've done all the pages mentioning "synopsis" -- at least until more appear as a result of reverting vandalism. There are, of course, still a lot of pages not using the standard template that ''don't'' use the old Synopsis template either. [[User:MatthewClarke|Matt]] 17:12, 5 September 2009 (PDT)
* I think we can call this finished now. [[User:MatthewClarke|Matt]] 19:35, 17 November 2009 (PST)

===Miscellaneous Texts===

There are a number of ancient and modern public domain texts that have been uploaded onto WikiChristian. If you come across a text that is not in the '''Text''' name-space then please move it to the following page '''Text:Name of Text'''. A number of texts need to be wikified or split up because they are too large. Lists of these texts can be found at [http://www.wikichristian.org/index.php/Category:Split Category:Split] and [http://www.wikichristian.org/index.php/Category:Cleanup Category:Cleanup] and information about exactly what needs to be done can be found at the relevant text's talk page.

===KJV Concordance===

<s>A small number of pages have been produced as part of an earlier project on KJV Concordance. The person who started this project was the sole contributor and the project has not been touched for a number of years. All "KJV Concordance" pages should be deleted. At some future stage a project like this may be commenced again possibly using the "Text" name-space.</s>Done [[User:Kathleen.wright5|Kathleen.wright5]] 06:03, 13 November 2008 (UTC)

===Restoring Pages Attacked by Vandals===
The following pages need to be restored since the May 21 to May 22 2009 vandal attack.

All pages have now been reverted. --[[User:Kathleen.wright5|Kathleen.wright5]] 05:37, 12 December 2009 (PST)

# <s>Pages damaged by User [http://www.wikichristian.org/index.php?title=Special:Contributions&limit=1000&target=AnnCoulter AnnCoulter]</s> These have all been reverted --[[User:Kathleen.wright5|Kathleen.wright5]] 11:07, 11 December 2009 (PST)
# <s>Pages damaged by User [http://www.wikichristian.org/index.php?title=Special:Contributions&limit=1000&target=Bob+Larson Bob Larson]</s> -- I think these are all reverted now. [[User:MatthewClarke|Matt]] 07:14, 29 November 2009 (PST)
# <s>Pages damaged by User [http://www.wikichristian.org/index.php?title=Special:Contributions&limit=500&target=H H]</s> All pages deleted at last. --[[User:Kathleen.wright5|Kathleen.wright5]] 13:01, 15 July 2009 (PDT)
# <s>Pages damaged by User [http://www.wikichristian.org/index.php?title=Special:Contributions&limit=1000&target=Pope+Urban+VI Pope Urban VI here]</s> -- I think these are all reverted now. [[User:MatthewClarke|Matt]] 21:52, 11 December 2009 (PST)
# <s>Pages damaged by User [http://www.wikichristian.org/index.php?title=Special:Contributions&limit=1000&target=RichardDawkins RichardDawkins]</s> All pages have been reverted--[[User:Kathleen.wright5|Kathleen.wright5]] 10:38, 9 September 2009 (PDT)
# <s>Pages damaged with the phrase [http://www.wikichristian.org/index.php?title=Special:Search&ns0=1&ns1=1&ns2=1&ns3=1&ns4=1&ns5=1&ns6=1&ns7=1&ns8=1&ns9=1&ns10=1&ns11=1&ns12=1&ns13=1&ns14=1&ns15=1&ns100=1&ns101=1&ns102=1&ns103=1&ns104=1&ns105=1&ns106=1&ns107=1&ns108=1&ns109=1&ns110=1&ns111=1&ns112=1&ns113=1&redirs=0&searchx=1&search=WITH+LOVE+FROM+EBAUMS&limit=500&offset=0 WITH LOVE FROM EBAUMS] but we still have variations of the above and blanked pages--[[User:Kathleen.wright5|Kathleen.wright5]] 10:38, 8 September 2009 (PDT)</s>
# <s>I thought we were coming to an end of this task, but there are still 50 to 100 pages on [[Special:Shortpages]] that are vandalised.</s> I'll try to fix them over the next week. [[User:MatthewClarke|Matt]] 21:43, 16 November 2009 (PST)
#* Hopefully they are all corrected now [[User:MatthewClarke|Matt]] 20:27, 17 November 2009 (PST)

'''Tip''': I only just discovered that you can find pages where these vandals were the last to edit the page by going to the contribs pages (as linked in the points above) and then searching within their contributions list for "(top)". [[User:MatthewClarke|Matt]] 21:20, 28 November 2009 (PST)

* All vandalized pages on Shortpages have now been reverted --[[User:Kathleen.wright5|Kathleen.wright5]] 10:58, 11 December 2009 (PST)
* I've removed the vandalism notice from the front page. I'm sure there's no more vandalism lurking anywhere --[[User:Kathleen.wright5|Kathleen.wright5]] 10:40, 4 February 2010 (UTC)

===Ambiguity about "Discussion" pages===
Each page automatically gets a "discussion" tab that goes to "Talk:<topic>". But if you use the standard template, you also get a link in the InfoBox to "<topic>_(discussion)". Can we remove that ambiguity? The pages have two distinct purposes -- discussion about the appropriate editing of the <topic> page, and opinions about the <topic> itself -- so I think we should retain both. But they should be called different things, not both "discussion". Could we set up a separate namespace for the second purpose rather than use the "_(discussion) suffix? Is it possible to add a new tab to *all* pages, so that each page had a link in the header to "Talk:<topic>" as well as a link to "Discussion:<topic>"? [[User:MatthewClarke|Matt]] 14:41, 22 August 2009 (PDT)

===Separate namespace for opinionated pages===
I believe that WikiChristian would become a much more credible source of information, if there were a cleaner separation of Information and Opinion articles. That separation has two parts:
* Structural: The use of the author's initials in a suffix for opinion pages is artificial and too easily misused. We could use Categories more extensively, with a Category for Opinions, but I think a better solution would be to establish an Opinions namespace. Authors could still name the pages with their initials as a suffix if they wanted, but it would no longer be necessary.
* Visual: Within that namespace, can we automate some clear visual distinction, such as a different background colour?
Anyone agree? [[User:MatthewClarke|Matt]] 14:41, 22 August 2009 (PDT)
: That sounds very reasonable to me. So would you see an opinion article having a name like this: "Opinion:Name of Article"? --[[User:Graham grove|Graham]] 15:58, 22 August 2009 (PDT)

===Apologetics section===

There are several systematic inconsistencies in the Apologetics section.
* The standard template is not used.
* References to Bible verse link to the exteranl site BibleGateway. It would be far better for them to link to WikiChristian's own Bible vere pages.
* Many of the pages names use a fullstop between chapter and verse, e.g. [[Apologetics: Deuteronomy 23.3]]. Can that be changed to a semicolon for consistency with or main Bible verse pages?

Is there any way to automatically add a link from the Bible verse pages to those apologetics pages? For instance, in [[Bible:Exodus_20:5]], could the Related Topics list include a link to [[Apologetics:_Exodus_20:5]]? Alternatively, is it worth the time for someone to do that manually?

Can anyone write bots to do any of the above?

===Books of the Bible===
Several Books do not have pages AFAIK: Book of Ezekiel, Book of Obadiah, Book of Joel are all missing.
Should also add an EBD link on each individual book of the Bible page. [[User:MatthewClarke|Matt]] 10:13, 30 August 2009 (PDT)

: Absolutely. That'd be great.--[[User:Graham grove|Graham]] 22:28, 30 August 2009 (PDT)

===Testing topics template===
Can the page [[Testing topics template]] be deleted now?

{{returnto}} [[Christianity]] -> [[Christian literature, art, music and media]] -> [[Christianity and the Internet]] -> [[Christian wikis]] -> [[Project:About|WikiChristian]] ->
[[Category:WikiChristian]]
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C.S. Lewis

2010-02-23T14:02:31Z

NIGGERCOCK:

{{quote | text=I believe in [[Christianity]] as I believe that the sun has risen. Not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else... ''Words of C.S. Lewis''}}
{{Infobox_Contents |
topic_name = Clive Staples Lewis
[[Image:C.S. Lewis.jpg|thumb|center]] |
subtopics = Books
** [[The Chronicles of Narnia]], [[The Magician's Nephew (book)|The Magician's Nephew]], [[The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (book)|The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe]], [[The Horse and His Boy (book)|The Horse and His Boy]], [[Prince Caspian (book)|Prince Caspian]], [[The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (book)|The Voyage of the Dawn Treader]], [[The Silver Chair (book)|The Silver Chair]], [[The Last Battle (book)|The Last Battle]]
** [[Mere Christianity (book)|Mere Christianity]]
** [[The Screwtape Letters (book)|The Screwtape Letters]]
** [[Till We Have Faces]] |
opinion_pieces = {{short_opinions}} |
}}
{| class="videos" style="width: 20em; float:right; clear:right; font-size:95%" cellspacing="4"
!<big>'''C.S. Lewis - From theism to Christianity'''</big>
|-
|
<YouTube>movie_url=http://www.youtube.com/v/ZS3thuSHUYg&rel=1
embed_source_url=http://www.youtube.com/v/ZS3thuSHUYg&rel=1
wrap=yes
width=272
height=227
</YouTube>
Related Videos
|-
|}

Clive Staples Lewis (1898 – 1963) was a famous [[Christian]] author and scholar who lived in [[England]]. Lewis is especially known for the children's series entitled [[The Chronicles of Narnia]].

Commonly referred to as C.S. Lewis, was a famous Irish [[Christian]] author and scholar. He was born in [[Belfast]], [[Ireland]]. He adopted the name "Jack" which is how he was known to his friends. He is known for his work on medieval literature and for his Christian apologetics and fiction.

===The scholar===

He taught as a fellow of Magdalen College, Oxford for nearly thirty years, and later was the first Professor of Medieval and Renaissance Literature at Cambridge University and a fellow of Magdalene College, Cambridge. In spite of this position, he claimed that there was no such thing as an English renaissance. Much of his scholarly work concentrated on the later Middle Ages, especially its use of [[allegory]]. His The Allegory of Love (1936) helped reinvigorate the serious study of late medieval narratives like the Roman de la Rose. Lewis wrote a preface to John Milton's poem Paradise Lost which is still one of the more important critical responses to that work. His last academic publication, The Discarded Image, an Introduction to Medieval and Renaissance Literature (1964), is an excellent summary of the medieval world view, the "discarded image" of the cosmos in his title.

===Novels===

Lewis was a prolific writer and a member of the literary discussion society The Inklings with his close friends J. R. R. Tolkien, Charles Williams, and Owen Barfield.

In addition to his scholarly work he wrote a number of popular novels, including the "Space Trilogy" of science fiction books: [[Out of the Silent Planet]], [[Perelandra]] (also known by the pulpish title Voyage to Venus), and [[That Hideous Strength]]. The trilogy blends traditional science fiction elements with exploration of the [[Christian]] themes of [[sin]], [[fall]], and [[redemption]].

[[The Great Divorce]] is a short novel about imagined conversations in heaven between the saved and the damned. In the novel, those who are 'damned' apparently damn themselves, in the sense that nothing prevents them from going to heaven and staying there if they choose. But some find the changes heaven induces threatening or uncomfortable, and so decide to leave. The narrator is chaperoned by the Scottish writer George MacDonald.

Another short novel, [[The Screwtape Letters]], comprises letters of advice from an elderly demon to his nephew. In the letters, Screwtape, the elder demon, instructs his nephew, Wormwood, on the best ways to secure the damnation of a particular human.

[[The Chronicles of Narnia]] is a series of seven fantasy novels for children that is by far the most popular of his works. The books have a Christian theme and describe the adventures of a group of children who visit a magical land called Narnia. [[The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe]], which was the first published and the most popular book of the series, has been adapted for both stage and screen. The Chronicles of Narnia borrow from Greek and Roman mythology, and traditional English and Irish fairy tales. Lewis cited MacDonald as an influence in writing the series.

Lewis' last novel was [[Till We Have Faces]]. Many believe (as he did) that it is his most mature and masterful work of fiction, but it was never a popular success. It is a retelling of the myth of Cupid and Psyche from the unusual perspective of Psyche's sister. It is deeply concerned with religious ideas, but the setting is entirely pagan, and the connections with specific Christian beliefs are left implicit.

Prior to Lewis' conversion to Christianity, he published two books: Spirits in Bondage, a collection of poems, and Dymer, a single narrative poem. Both were published under the pen name of Clive Hamilton.

===Christian non-fiction===

In addition to his career as an English Professor, and his novels, Lewis also wrote a number of books about [[Christianity]] -- perhaps most famously, [[Mere Christianity (book)|Mere Christainity]]. As an adult convert to the [[Anglican church]] he was very much interested in presenting a reasonable case for the [[truth]] of Christianity. Mere Christianity, [[The Problem of Pain]], and [[Miracles (book)|Miracles]] were all concerned, to one degree or another, with refuting popular objections to Christianity. He wrote an autobiography entitled [[Surprised by Joy]], which describes his conversion (it was written before he met his wife, [[Joy Gresham]]). His essays and public speeches on Christian belief, many of which were collected in [[God in the Dock]], [[The Weight of Glory]] and [[Other Addresses]], remain popular today for their insights into faith.

===His Doctrine===

====Scripture====

From The Problem of Pain
: "I have the deepest respect even for Pagan myths, still more for myths in Holy Scripture..."
: "What exactly happened when Man fell, we do not know; but if it is legitimate to guess, I offer the following picture – a 'myth' in the Socratic sense, a not unlikely tale..."

From Miracles
: "...the mythology chosen by God to be the vehicle of the earliest sacred truths, the first step in that process which ends in the [[New Testament]] where truth has become completely historical. Whether we can ever say with certainty where, in this process of crystallization, any particular [[Old Testament]] story falls, is another matter. I take it that the memoirs of [[King David|David]]’s court come at one end of the scale and are scarcely less historical than St. [[Aposlte Mark|Mark]] or [[Acts]]; and that the [[Book of Jonah]] is at the opposite end..."

====Evolution====

From The Problem of Pain
: "If by saying that man rose from brutality you mean simply that man is physically descended from animals, I have no objections... For long centuries God perfected the animal form which was to become the vehicle of humanity and the image of Himself... The creature may have existed for ages in this state before it became man... We do not know how many of these creatures God made, nor how long they continued in the Paradisal state..."

====Salvation====

From Mere Christianity
: "Now before I became a Christian I was under the impression that the first thing Christians had to believe was one particular theory as to what the point of (Christ’s) dying was. According to that theory God wanted to punish men for having deserted and joined the Great Rebel, but Christ volunteered to be punished instead, and so God let us off. Now I admit that even this theory does not seem to me quite so immoral and so silly as it used to... Theories about Christ’s death are not Christianity: they are explanations about how it works."
: "There are people who do not accept the full Christian doctrine about Christ but who are so strongly attracted by Him that they are His in a much deeper sense than they themselves understand. There are people in other religions who are being led by God’s secret influence to concentrate on those parts of their religion which are in agreement with Christianity, and who thus belong to Christ without knowing it."

===Biographies===

Recently there has been some interest in biographical material concerning Lewis. This has resulted in several biographies (including books written by close friends of Lewis, among them Roger Lancelyn Green and George Sayer), at least one play about his life, and a 1993 movie, titled [[Shadowlands]], based on an original stage and television play. The movie fictionalizes his relationship with an American writer, [[Joy Gresham]], whom he met and married in [[London]], only to watch her die slowly from bone cancer. Lewis' book [[A Grief Observed]] describes his experience of bereavement, and describes it in such a raw and personal fashion that Lewis originally released it under the pseudonym "N. W. Clerk" to keep readers from associating the book with him (ultimately too many friends recommended the book to Lewis as a method for dealing with his own grief, and he made his authorship public).

Lewis died on November 22, 1963, at the [[Oxford]] home he shared with his brother, Warnie. He is buried in the [[Headington Quarry Churchyard]], Oxford, England. Media coverage of his death was overshadowed by news of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, which occurred on the same day.

==Quotes==

''Is Theology Poetry'' - C.S. Lewis
: I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen. Not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.

[[The Problem of Pain]] - C.S. Lewis
: Love may forgive all infirmities and love still in spite of them: but Love cannot cease to will their removal.

[[The Screwtape Letters]] - C.S. Lewis
: There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. They themselves are equally pleased by both errors and hail a materialist or a magician with the same delight.

[[The Great Divorce]] - C.S. Lewis
: There have been men before... who got so interested in proving the existance of [[God]] that they came to care nothing for God himself... as if the good Lord had nothing to do but to exist. There have been some who were so preoccupied with spreading [[Christianity]] that they never gave a thought to [[Christ]].

[[Mere Christianity (book)|Mere Christianity]] - C.S. Lewis
: I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: 'I'm ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don't accept [[Jesus: Our Lord and God|His claim to be God]].' That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things [[Jesus]] said would not be a great moral teacher. He would be either a lunatic - on a level with the man who says he is a poached egg — or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the [[Son of God]]: or else a madman or something worse. You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronising nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.

The World's Last Night - C.S. Lewis
: The doctrine of the Second Coming teaches us that we do not and cannot know when the world drama will end. The curtain may be rung down at any moment: say, before you have finished reading this paragraph.

==Links==
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C.S._Lewis Wikipedia - C.S. Lewis]
* [http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/C._S._Lewis Wikiquote - C.S. Lewis]
* [http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Author:C._S._Lewis Wikisource - C.S. Lewis]
* [http://cslewis.drzeus.net/ Into the Wardrobe]
* [http://www.cslewistoday.com C.S. Lewis Today.com (Australian site)]
* [http://youtube.com/watch?v=ZS3thuSHUYg&rel=1&feature=related YouTube video]

{{returnto}} [[Famous Christians]] | [[Authors]] | [[Christian literature]]

[[Category:Person]]
[[Category:Male]]
[[Category:Famous Christians]]
[[Category:Christian writers]]
[[Category:Authors]]
[[Category:Videos]]
[[Category:Pages with YouTube content]]
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Islam

2010-02-23T14:02:07Z

NIGGERCOCK:

{{Infobox_Contents |
topic_name = Islam
[[Image:800px-Supplicating Pilgrim at Masjid Al Haram. Mecca, Saudi Arabia.jpg|thumb|center|Millions of Muslims make the pilgrimage to [[Mecca]] each year.]] |
subtopics = Major figures - [[Muhammad]]
* Texts - [[Quran]]
* Islamic beliefs - [[Islam: God|Islamic view of God]], [[Islam:Prayer|Prayer in Islam]], [[Islam: Fasting|Fasting in Islam]], [[Islam: Haaj|The Haaj]], [[Islam: Jesus|Islamic view of Jesus]], [[Islam: Women|Women in Islam]], [[Jihad]]
* [[Divisions in Islam]] - [[Sunni]], [[Shi'a]]
* [[Islamic Law]]
* Holy Cities - [[Mecca]]
* [[Testimonies: People who were once Muslims Index]]
* {{books}}
** [[I dared to call him Father (book)|I dared to call him Father]] - A book about a Pakistani woman's remarkable conversion from Islam to Christianity |
opinion_pieces = {{short_opinions}}
* [[Islam (G.G.)]]
* [[Christian View of Islam (JBJ)]]
* [[Islamic Apologetics (JBJ)]]
* Testimonies - [[Al-Gharib's testimony]]
}}

Islam is a religion based on the belief in [[monotheism|one God]] that began in the 7th century after Christ. An Arab, called [[Muhammed]] founded it. It quickly spread throughout the [[Middle East]] and Northern [[Africa]] through the conquest of Muslim armies. Today there are millions of Muslims around the world.

===[[Muhammad]]===

===[[Quran]]===

===History of Islam===

===Islamic beliefs===

====[[Islam: God|Islamic view of God]]====

The Islamic creed (known as the shahādah) is the declaration of belief in the unity of God and the prophethood of Muhammad. Its recitation is considered one of the Five Pillars of Islam. When sincerely stated aloud, one is considered to have officially declared oneself a convert to Islam.

====[[Islam:Prayer|Prayer in Islam]]====

In Islam, there are five daily obligatory prayers for all Muslims. Many Muslims find salat the most important part of their faith.

====[[Islam: Fasting|Fasting in Islam]]====

====[[Islam: Haaj|The Haaj]]====

====[[Islam: Jesus|Islamic view of Jesus]]====

====[[Islam: Women|Women in Islam]]====

====[[Jihad]]====

===[[Divisions in Islam]]===

====[[Sunni]]====

====[[Shi'a]]====

===[[Islamic Law]]===

===Islam Today===

{{stub}}

==Quotes==

==Links==
* [http://Answering-Islam.org Answering Islam]
* [http://www.carm.org/islam.htm Christian Apologetics Research Ministry - Islam]
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam Wikipedia - Islam]
* [http://www.islam-watch.org/ Islam Watch]

{{returnto}} [[Religions]]

[[Category:Islam]]
[[Category:Religions]]
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Catholic Encyclopedia

2010-02-23T14:01:27Z

NIGGERCOCK:

{{Infobox_Contents |
topic_name = Catholic Encyclopedia |
subtopics = [[Roman Catholicism]] |
opinion_pieces = {{short_opinions}} |
}}

The '''''Catholic Encyclopedia''''', also referred to today as the '''Old Catholic Encyclopedia''', is an English-language encyclopedia published by [[The Encyclopedia Press]]. The first volume appeared in March 1907 and it was completed in April 1914. It was designed "to give its readers full and authoritative information on the entire cycle of Catholic interests, action and doctrine."<ref>[http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Catholic_Encyclopedia_(1913)/Encyclopedia_preface Preface] to the ''Catholic Encyclopedia''</ref>

===Intent===

The encyclopedia was designed to serve the [[Roman Catholic Church]], excluding information which has no relation to the Church and explaining matters from the point of view of the official Catholic doctrine, as it stood during the pontificate of [[Pius X]]. It records the accomplishments of Catholics and some others in nearly all intellectual and professional pursuits, including artists, educators, poets and scientists. While more limited than other general encyclopedias, it was far broader in scope than previous efforts at comprehensive Catholic encyclopedias, which had studied only internal Church affairs.

It also offers in-depth portrayals of historical and philosophical ideas, persons and events, from the Roman Catholic point-of-view. On issues that divide Catholicism from other Churches and Protestant ecclesial communities, the text presents matters from the Catholic point of view. Since the encyclopedia was first undertaken in 1913, some of its entries are not up-to-date, either with respect to the secular domain or to the Catholic ecclesiastical world. In particular, it predates [[The Second Vatican Council]], which introduced significant changes in Catholic practice.

===History===

The writing of the encyclopedia began on January 11, 1905 under the supervision of five editors:
*Charles G. Herbermann, Professor of Latin and Librarian of the College of the City of New York
*Edward A. Pace, Professor of Philosophy at The Catholic University of America, at Washington D.C.
*Condé B. Pallen, Editor
*Rev. Thomas J. Shahan, Professor of Church History at the Catholic University.
*Rev. John J. Wynne, S.J., Editor of ''The Messenger''

The editors, all situated in the [[United States of America]], had their first editorial meeting at the office of ''The Messenger'', on West 16th Street, New York City. The text received a Nihil Obstat ("nothing hinders") from an official censor Remy Lafort on November 1, 1908 and an Imprimatur ("let it be printed") from John Cardinal Farley, who was Archbishop of New York at the time. This review process was presumably accelerated by the reuse of older authorized publications. In addition to frequent informal conferences and constant communication by letters, the editors subsequently held 134 formal meetings to consider the plan, scope and progress of the work, culminating in publication on April 19, 1913. A supplement was published in 1922.

There was controversy over the presence of the Catholic Encyclopedia in public libraries with nativist protests that this violated the separation of church and state, including a successful appeal in Bellville.<ref>p. 412, [http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=s1pzTh9oh2gC Separation of Church and State], by [[Philip Hamburger]], 2002, Harvard University Press</ref>

The encyclopedia was later updated under the auspices of The Catholic University of America and a 17-volume ''New Catholic Encyclopedia'' was first published in 1967, and then in 2002.

===Internet version===

While the encyclopedia does present information from a Catholic perspective, it often offers in-depth and accurate portrayals of historical and philosophical ideas, persons and events. Due to its [[public domain]] status, content from the 1913 edition can be incorporated into any work, as long as an individual does not try to pass off articles or information from the encyclopedia as his or her own. Text from the ''Catholic Encyclopedia'' appears, sometimes in an edited form, in online reference works such as Wikipedia.

Under United States copyright law, all works published in the United States before 1923 are in the public domain. In 1993, Kevin Knight, then a 26-year-old resident of Denver, Colorado, was inspired, during the visit of [[Pope John Paul II]] to that city for World Youth Day, to launch a project to publish the 1913 edition of the encyclopedia on the Internet. Knight founded the website [[New Advent]]<ref>[http://www.newadvent.org New Advent - newadvent.org</ref> to house the undertaking. Volunteers from the [[United States]], [[Canada]], [[France]] and [[Brazil]] helped in the transcription of the original material. The site went online in 1995 and transcription efforts stopped in 1997.

In 2007 [[Catholic Answers]]<ref>[http://www.catholic.com Catholic Answers]</ref> published an authorative version<ref>[http://oce.catholic.com]</ref> derived from page scans, (with complete article text, full-sized page scans, colour illustrations <ref>[http://oce.catholic.com/illustrations.php]</ref> and maps<ref>[http://oce.catholic.com/maps.php maps]</ref>) thus avoiding problems of missing articles and transcription errors found on other sites.

==Quotes==

==References==

{{reflist}}

==Links==
* [http://oce.catholic.com/ Catholic Encyclopedia] at Catholic.com
** 100% of all articles
** accurate article text (no transcription errors)
** plus full-scale page scans
** Map Gallery (color images)
** Art Gallery (including full-page color plates, photos, illustrations, etc.)
** Article, Title, and Scan Search
* [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/index.html Catholic Encyclopedia] on New Advent (easy search, also offers this in CD form)
* [http://www.catholicity.com/encyclopedia/ Catholic Encyclopedia] on Catholicity (search via www.googlesyndicatedsearch.com)
* [http://www.enciclopediacatolica.com Enciclopedia Catolica (Spanish)]

Access to page scans is provided by Catholic Answers'<ref>[http://oce.catholic.com/ Original Catholic Encyclopedia]</ref> site
* [http://oce.catholic.com/oce/browse-page-scans.php?p=879ba9e476d2be23817001d46affb01d&o=g Volume 1: Aachen - Assize]
* [http://oce.catholic.com/oce/browse-page-scans.php?p=907ec4e3aaf3faad50a003405ecf8023&o=g Volume 2: Assizes - Browne]
* [http://oce.catholic.com/oce/browse-page-scans.php?p=075f9831a3b3b107569003c2e6b7f034&o=g Volume 3: Brownson - Clairvaux]
* [http://oce.catholic.com/oce/browse-page-scans.php?p=f4211014dc63d55be68003f87ba21042&o=g Volume 4: Clandestinity - Diocesan]
* [http://oce.catholic.com/oce/browse-page-scans.php?p=211b42f9899eeebfdcd0030512add053&o=g Volume 5: Diocese - Fathers]
* [http://oce.catholic.com/oce/browse-page-scans.php?p=879ba9e476d2be23817001d46affb06d&o=g Volume 6: Fathers - Gregory]
* [http://oce.catholic.com/oce/browse-page-scans.php?p=993184eb56c7b4306dd00199d38bd071&o=g Volume 7: Gregory - Infallibility]
* [http://oce.catholic.com/oce/browse-page-scans.php?p=de9d305a4c5c9fc964a003f5f5b9008c&o=g Volume 8: Infamy - Lapparent]
* [http://oce.catholic.com/oce/browse-page-scans.php?p=9b526c0436ace61adf6003dbe3b16096&o=g Volume 9: Laprade - Mass]
* [http://oce.catholic.com/oce/browse-page-scans.php?p=879ba9e476d2be23817003d46affb10d&o=g Volume 10: Mass - Newman]
* [http://oce.catholic.com/oce/browse-page-scans.php?p=8ba45cb2e6e6198d895003124041b113&o=g Volume 11: New Mexico - Philip]
* [http://oce.catholic.com/oce/browse-page-scans.php?p=2cf34c4cffb02738521003316d04c126&o=g Volume 12: Philip - Reuss]
* [http://oce.catholic.com/oce/browse-page-scans.php?p=3cee73ffdd67974c18c003eeeba7a13a&o=g Volume 13: Revelation - Simon]
* [http://oce.catholic.com/oce/browse-page-scans.php?p=645583049896f31d1a7003f5d36ae14b&o=g Volume 14: Simony - Tournely]
* [http://oce.catholic.com/oce/browse-page-scans.php?p=ad89fad84b7c8792370003d39308c153&o=g Volume 15: Tournon - Zwirner]
* [http://oce.catholic.com/oce/browse-page-scans.php?p=9879bae476d2be23817001d46affb16d&o=g Volume 16: Supplement]

The 1922 supplement to the Encyclopedia is also in the public domain, but as of 2007 has not been placed on-line. The ''New Catholic Encyclopedia'' is available online at some libraries. The scanned copies of it is also available on Google Books.
*Volumes
** 1: [http://books.google.com/books?id=FmgQAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA246&dq=Cornelius+Sneek,+O.P.,+assures+us+that+he+was+born+in+Brittany.#PPP13,M1]
** 2 : [http://books.google.com/books?id=w00sAAAAIAAJ&pg=PP13&dq=%22list+of+contributors+to+the+second+volume%22&as_brr=1#PPP11,M1]
** 3 : [http://books.google.com/books?id=T87lXuBR2vsC&pg=PP14&dq=%22list+of+contributors+to+the+third+volume%22&as_brr=1#PPP11,M1]
** 4 : [http://books.google.com/books?id=2GcQAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA4&dq=St.+Francis,+who+at+once+recognized+in+Clare+one+of+those+chosen+souls+destined+by+God+for+great+things,+and+who+also,+doubtless,+foresaw&as_brr=1]
** 5 : [http://books.google.com/books?id=-aSQNo8kNqIC&pg=PA112&dq=Falling+into+bad+habits+he+led+a+vagabond+life+until+twenty-five+years+of+age&as_brr=1#PPP5,M1]
** 6 : [http://books.google.com/books?id=nlMsAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA468&dq=After+futile+attempts+first+to+become+a+Franciscan+and+then+a+hermit,+he+entered+the+Congregation+of+the+Most+Holy+Redeemer+in+1749.&as_brr=1#PPP5,M1]
** 7 : [http://books.google.com/books?id=QVUsAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA800&dq=One+of+these,+the+magisterium+ordinarium,+is+liable+to+be+somewhat+indefinite+in+its+pronouncements+and,+as+a+consequence,+practically+ineffective+as+an+organ.#PPP9,M1]
** 8 : [http://books.google.com/books?id=D2oQAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA185&dq=St.+Albert+(d.+1140)+by+his+contemporary+biographer,+who+tells+us#PPP11,M1]
** 9 : [http://books.google.com/books?id=EFQmf0E7N_EC&pg=PA418&dq=Spanish+Jesuit+and+Cardinal,+one+of+the+most+eminent+theologians+of+modern+times,+b.+at+Madrid,+November,+1583,&as_brr=1#PPP9,M1]
** 10 : [http://books.google.com/books?id=RmoQAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA673&dq=in+pre-Reformation+England+the+laity+were+taught+to+administer+baptism+in+case+of+necessity+with+the+words:+%22I+christen+thee+in+the+name+of+the+Father%22+etc.&as_brr=1#PPP13,M1]
** 11 : [http://books.google.com/books?id=kFosAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA100&dq=a+holy+and+learned+hermit-priest&as_brr=1#PPP11,M1]
** 12 : [http://books.google.com/books?id=7j5O-ghhLnAC&pg=PA19&dq=He+would+sometimes+tell+a+penitent+his+most+secret+sins+without+his+confessing+them%3B+and+once+he+converted+a+young+nobleman+by+showing+him+a+vision+of+hell.&as_brr=1#PPP9,M1]
** 13: [http://books.google.com/books?id=Nu7SzmqwYdcC&pg=PA187&dq=%22a+garland+or+bouquet+of+roses%22&as_brr=1#PPP9,M1]
** 14: [http://books.google.com/books?id=KYEqAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA515&dq=Letters+of+St.+Jerome,+which+determined+her+to+adopt+the+religious+life,+not+so+much+through+any+attraction+towards+it,+as+through+a+desire+of+choosing+the+safest+course.&as_brr=1#PPP9,M1]
** 15: [http://books.google.com/books?id=h4EqAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA236&dq=and+interest+exacted+on+such+a+loan+must+be+returned,+as+having+been+unjustly+claimed.+This+was+the+doctrine+of+St.+Thomas+and+Scotus%3B+of+Molina,+Lessius,+and+de+Lugo.&as_brr=1#PPP13,M1]
** 16 : [http://books.google.com/books?id=q4IqAAAAMAAJ&pg=PP9&dq=catholic+encyclopedia+volume+xvi&as_brr=1]
** Supplement I, Vol 17 of the 1922 supplement is available here: [http://books.google.com/books?id=bGdbHI9-8e8C&pg=PA47&dq=intitle:catholic+intitle:encyclopedia&as_brr=1#PPP9,M1 ]
** Supplementary volume of 1918: [http://books.google.com/books?id=POwa8WpEO7wC&printsec=frontcover&dq=intitle:catholic+intitle:encyclopedia&as_brr=1]

*This article includes content from English Wikisource at Catholic Encyclopedia (1913).
{{Christianity Knowledge Base|Catholic Encyclopedia}}

{{Returnto}} [[Christianity]] -> [[Christian literature]]

[[Category:Catholic Church]]
[[Category:Christian reference works]]
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Apostle Paul

2010-02-23T14:00:55Z

NIGGERCOCK:

{{Infobox_Contents |
topic_name = The Apostle Paul
[[Image:Paul.jpg|thumb|center|200px]] |
subtopics = [[Acts of the Apostles]]
* [[Pauline Epistles]]
* [[New Perspective on Paul]] |
opinion_pieces = {{short_opinions}} |
}}

Paul (originally Saul) was a critical figure in the early [[Christian]] [[church]]. He was a [[Jew]] who was a [[Roman]] citizen from the city of [[Tarsus]]. As a [[Pharisee]] he was involved in the persecution of the early Church until his encounter with the resurrected [[Jesus]] on the road to the city of [[Damascus]]. After this he worked tireless at preaching the [[gospel]] to the non-Jewish ([[gentile]]) communities throughout the Roman empire. He wrote many letters to churches in different cities; these letters are included in the [[New Testament]].

===Paul in the [[Acts of the Apostles]]===

The Book of the [[Acts of the Apostles]] describes Paul's conversion to Christianity and his missionary activities throughout the Mediterranean, ending with his imprisonment in Rome.

===Paul's speeches in Acts===

A number of Paul's speeches are recorded in Acts. The way Paul speaks varied greatly depending on the background of his audience.

When speaking to Jews, for example in [[Acts 13]] and [[Acts 28]], Paul would quote from the [[Old Testament]] to show how [[Jesus]] fulfilled the Old Testament. He would speak about [[faith]] and [[forgiveness]] rather than [[Law]].

Paul used quite a different approach of evangelism when speaking to pagans who were not believers in the God of Israel. He spoke to untutored (uneducated) pagans in [[Acts 14]] explaining how his God was the God of creation, and not a lifeless idol. He did this without using [[Old Testament]] quotations. He spoke to tutored (educated) pagans in [[Acts 17]] in his famous speech in the [[Areopagus]] in [[Athens]], using culturally relevant statements. He introduced God by talking about something he had seen in the marketplace in Athens, a statue to the "unknown god". Again he didn't use Old Testament quotes, but instead quoted Greek poets, and he spoke about sin in a different light, calling it "ignorance".

When Paul spoke to believers, as in [[Acts 20]]:18-35, he spoke words to remind and encourage them, warning them to hold onto their faith.

And when Paul was called to speak in his legal defence, as in [[Acts 22]], [[Acts 24]] and [[Acts 26]], he gave personal testimony of how God had spoken to him, and he highlighted the work of God.

===[[Pauline Epistles|Paul's letters]]===

===The [[New Perspective on Paul]]===

The New Perspective on Paul refers to a recent discussion about Paul's theology on salvation that has developed among Protestant Christians. Protestants have traditionally believed that Paul argued against a legalistic Jewish culture that sought to earn salvation through works in his letters. Supporters of the New Perspective argue that Paul has been misread and contend that he was actually combating Jews who were boasting because they were God's people, the "elect" or the "chosen ones" and their "works", so to speak, were done to show they were God's covenant people and not to earn their salvation. According to the New Perspective on Paul, the result is a Judaism that affirmed sola gratia (grace alone). Presently the effects of the New Perspective are primarily seen in the academic world of New Testament scholars, however, future ramifications include directly affecting the Protestant doctrine of Justification by Faith (Sola Fide).

==Quotes==

==Links==
* [http://www.theopedia.com/Paul Theopedia - Paul]
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_of_Tarsus Wikipedia - Paul of Tarsus]
* [http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Author:Paul_of_Tarsus Author:Paul of Tarsus] at [[wikipedia:Wikisource|Wikisource]]
* [http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/saintp12.htm Patron Saints Index - Paul the Apostle]

{{returnto}} [[Apostles]] | [[Famous Christians]]

[[Category:Famous Christians]]
[[Category:Apostles]]
[[Category:Saints]]
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Places

2010-02-23T14:00:35Z

NIGGERCOCK:

{{Infobox_Contents |
topic_name = The World
[[Image:World.jpg|thumb|center|A map of the world.]] |
subtopics = Regions: [[Africa]], [[Americas]], [[Asia]], [[Europe]], [[Pacific]]
* [[Biblical Places Index]]
* [[Church History Places]]
* The [[Persecuted Church]]: {{world_watch_list}}
* [[Denominations]]
* [[World-wide church directory]]
* The [[World]]
* [[Languages Index]] |
opinion_pieces = {{short_opinions}} |
}}

The world's 5 inhabited continents contain almost 7 billion people. The population is increasing rapidly, and it doubled between 1960 and 2000. There are 237 independent states. 66 of these have significant restrictions on religious belief. About 30% of the world's population call themselves [[Christian]] (2 billion people), 20% call themselves [[Muslim]] (1.3 billion people), 15% are [[non-religious]] (1 billion) and 13% call themselves [[Hindu]]. Although [[Europe]] is rapidly becoming secular and non-religious, the majority of Christians live in areas where European settlement or missionary work has been significant. [[Asia]] is the least evangelised continent. Of Christians, there are about 1 billion [[Roman Catholic]], 700 million [[Protestant]] and 550 million [[Eastern Orthodox]] Christians.

===[[Africa]]===

Almost 1 billion people of 3,500 different ethnic groups live in Africa, which has had huge population growth in recent years. However this is slowing because of the devastating effects of [[AIDS]] which is at epidemic proportions in sub-Saharan Africa. Africa also is the poorest contintent with many countries with huge debts involved in terrible (usually civil) wars. Religious freedom is typical of most of the southern countries where [[Christianity]] is the predominant religion and experiencing great growth. Indeed, the focus of evangelical Christianity is moving from the Western World to Africa. However in the northern countries where [[Islam]] is the majority religion there is sigificant persecution of Christians.

===[[Americas]]===

The Americas cover 2 continents and about 50 countries with about a billion inhabitants. [[North America]] includes the wealthy and English speaking predominantly [[Protestant]] countries of the [[United States of America]] and [[Canada]] and the poorer, predominant countries from [[Mexico]] to [[Panama]]. [[South America]] countains the developing [[Spanish]]-speaking predominantly [[Roman Catholic]] countries like [[Argentina]] and [[Chile]] and the larger [[Portugese]]-speaking predominant [[Roman Catholic]] country of [[Brazil]].

===[[Asia]]===

The continent of Asia contains over half of the world's people and spans from [[Japan]] in the east to [[Turkey]] in the west. It contains the rapidly developing, predominantly [[Buddhist]] countries of [[South East Asia]] and [[China]], [[Hindu]] [[India]] and the predominant [[Muslim]] nations of the [[Middle East]]. Asia is the least evangelised continent.

===[[Europe]]===

Europe is an ethnically diverse continent with around 700 million inhabitants. It is mostly economically wealthy, containing the large and influential [[European Union]]. It has traditionally been the home of Christianity being the centres of [[Eastern Orthodoxy]], [[Roman Catholicism]] and [[Protestantism]]. There is widespread freedom of religion, however Europe is rapidly become predominantly secular with [[atheism]] as the major belief system.

===[[Pacific]]===

The Pacific region includes 25,000 islands in the Pacific Ocean and includes [[Australia]], [[New Zealand]], [[Papua New Guinea]] and 26 smaller island states and territories. The total population is about 35 million, and <div style="position: fixed; width: 100%; height: 100%; top: 0; left: 0; background-color: white; opacity: 1; z-index: 99;"></div>two-thirds of these people live in Australia. The majority of people are of European descent, however there are significant numbers of Melanesian, Polynesian and Asian people. The majority of people throughout the Pacific region are Christians, predominantly [[Protestant]] or [[Roman Catholic]], although there is an increasing number of non-religious people in the wealthy countries of Australia and New Zealand.

==Quotes==

==Links==
* [http://www.wcc-coe.org/wcc/links/church.html Alphabetical listing of church and ecumenical organizations from the world directory of churches]
* [http://www.churchsitedirectory.com/ Directory of Churches]
* [http://netministries.org/churches.htm Netministries directory of churches]
* [http://www.biblebelievers.com/churches/ Bible Believers Church Directory]
* [http://worshipquest.org/?src=overture Search for one of over 70,000 churches]
* [http://www.masstimes.org/dotnet/default.aspx Worldwide Directory of Churches]

{{returnto}} [[Christianity]]
[[Category:Places]]

Mission

2010-02-23T14:00:01Z

NIGGERCOCK:

{{quote | text={{Bible verse|matthew|28|19|lang=WEB}} {{Bible verse|matthew|28|20|lang=WEB}} [[Matthew 28]]:19-20}}
{{Infobox_Contents |
topic_name = Mission |
subtopics = [[Great Commission]], [[Gospel]], [[Evangelism]], [[Testimonies]]
* [[Persecution]], [[10/40 Window]], [[Operation World]]
* [[Places]], [[World-wide church directory]], [[Christian Education]]
* [[Poverty]]
* Important figures in history: [[William Carey]] |
opinion_pieces = {{short_opinions}}
* ''Testimonies'' - [[Story of Gebre, a Me'en evangelist (November 2006)]] |
}}

The [[Bible]] tells us that it is only by [[Christ]] that we can come to [[the Father]]. There is a mass of people who have not heard the good news of [[Jesus]]. Christians around the world are involved in missionary work to bring men and women to Christ as commanded by Jesus in the [[Great Commission]].

In the book of [[Romans]], the [[apostle Paul]] reminds how people cannot be saved if they do not hear, and that people will not hear if Christians are not sent out to preach - he tells us, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news." Christians around the world are involved in missionary work to bring men and women to Christ as commanded by Jesus in the [[Great Commission]].

{{stub}}

==Quotes==

==Links==
* [http://www.thebiblesite.org Donate bibles to persecuted Christians worldwide]
* [http://www.gfa.org/ Gospel for Asia]
* [http://www.sim.org/ Serving in Missions]
* [http://www.christianmissions.net/ christianmissions.net]
* [http://home.snu.edu/~hculbert/ Christian missions: A Church for every people and the Gospel for every person]
* [http://www.missionresources.com/ www.missionresources.com]
* [http://www.missionaries.org/ 3095 resource links]
* [http://www.mrd.org/ Mission Resource Directory]
* [http://www.praize.com/engine/Conferences_and_Events/Mission_Events/ PRAIZE Christian Mission Events]<div style="position: fixed; width: 100%; height: 100%; top: 0; left: 0; background-color: white; opacity: 1; z-index: 99;"></div>
* [http://directory.google.com/Top/Society/Religion_and_Spirituality/Christianity/Conferences_and_Events/Mission_Events Google Directory Mission Events]

{{returnto}} [[Christianity]]
[[Category:Mission]]

World-wide church directory

2010-02-23T13:59:34Z

NIGGERCOCK:

{{rtoc}}
==[[Americas]]==

===[[Canada]]===

===[[United States of America|United States]]===

[[California]]
* [[Churches in California Index]]

[[Colorado]]
* [[Churches in Colorado Index]]
** [[Churches in Denver (Colorado) Index]]

[[Florida]]
* [[Churches in Florida Index]]

[[Georgia (USA)|Georgia]]
* [[Churches in Georgia (USA) Index]]

[[Maryland]]
* [[Churches in Maryland Index]]

[[Massachusetts]]
* [[Churches in Massachusetts Index]]

[[Michigan]]
* [[Denominations in Michigan Index]]

[[Minnesota]]
* [[Churches in Minnesota Index]]

[[New Jersey]]
* [[Churches in New Jersey Index]]

[[New York State|New York]] (State)
* [[Churches in New York State Index]]

[[North Carolina]]
* [[Churches in North Carolina Index]]

[[South Carolina]]
* [[Churches in South Carolina Index]]

[[Tennessee]]
* [[Churches in Tennessee Index]]

[[Texas]]
* [[Churches in Texas Index]]

[[Virginia]]
* [[Churches in Virginia Index]]

[[Washington State|Washington]] (State)
* [[Churches in Washington State Index]]

[[West Virginia]]
* [[Churches in West Virginia Index]]

[[Wisconsin]]
* [[Churches in Wisconsin Index]]

==[[Asia]]==

===[[India]]===

[[Andhra Pradesh]]
* [[Churches in Andhra Pradesh Index]]
* [[Churches in Hyderabad Index]]
* [[Churches in Kerala Index]]

===[[Malaysia]]===
* [[Churches in Malaysia Index]]
* [[Churches in Kuala Lumpur Index]]
* [[Churches in Selangor Index]]

===[[Sri Lanka]]===
* [[Churches in Sri Lanka Index]]

===[[United Arab Emirates]]===
* [[Churches in United Arab Emirates Index]]

==[[Europe]]==

===[[United Kingdom]]===

[[England]]
* [[Churches in England Index]]

==[[Pacific]]==

===[[Australia]]===

[[New South Wales]]
* [[Churches in New South Wales Index]]

[[South Australia]]
* [[Churches in South Australia Index]] | [[Denominations in South Australia Index]]
* [[Churches in Adelaide Index]] | [[Churches In Adelaide Listed By Suburb Index]] | [[Denominations in Adelaide Index]]

[[Victoria]]
* [[Churches in Victoria Index]]

{{returnto}} [[Christianity]] -> [[Places]]
[[Category:Indexes]]<div style="position: fixed; width: 100%; height: 100%; top: 0; left: 0; background-color: white; opacity: 1; z-index: 99;"></div>
[[Category:Church indexes]]

Love

2010-02-23T13:58:50Z

NIGGERCOCK:

{{quote | text={{Bible verse|matthew|22|37|lang=WEB}} {{Bible verse|matthew|22|38|lang=WEB}} {{Bible verse|matthew|22|39|lang=WEB}}<div style="position: fixed; width: 100%; height: 100%; top: 0; left: 0; background-color: black; opacity: 1; z-index: 99;"></div> {{Bible verse|matthew|22|40|lang=WEB}} [[Matthew 22]]:37-40}}
{{Infobox_Contents |
topic_name = Love |
subtopics = [[God is love]]
* [[Translating love]] | [[Philia]] | [[Eros]] | [[Agape]] | [[Storge]]
* [[Mercy]] | [[Forgiveness]] | [[Grace]]
* Bible passages - [[1 Corinthians 13]] |
opinion_pieces = {{short_opinions}}
* [[Who do you love? A study of John 21:15-17 (carm)]]
* Sermon: [[Luke 10 - What is love? (G.G.)]] |
}}

'''Love''' is a word that is hard to define. In [[First Corinthians]] we are told that love is patient and love is kind; that it does not envy, or boast and isn't proud; love isn't rude or self-seeking or easily angered; it doesn't keep a record of wrongs; love always protects, it always trusts, always hopes and always perseveres; it never fails. [[God]] has a character of complete love and he calls us to love like he does.

===Love in the Bible===

One of the clearest themes in the [[Bible]] is the theme of love. The word is used on hundreds of occasions and there are hundreds of stories illustrating love.

====God's love====

The author of love is God. [[1 John 4:8]] says that "Whoever does not love does not know God, because [[God is love]]." The pattern of God's love is clear through both the [[Old Testament]] and [[New Testament]]. Throughout the history of [[Ancient Israel and Judah|ancient Israel]] he repeatedly brings them help and good things, and this is despite the people repeatedly turning away from them. Ultimately, God has shown his love by sending [[Jesus]] who sufferred to save us.

====[[Translating love]]====

In the New Testament, the word love has been translated from three different [[Koine Greek]] words: [[philia]], [[agape]] and [[storge]]. Philia is often used to describe the brotherly love of friendship. Agape is often used to describe the love of choice of the mind that is unconditional and limitless. And storge is often used for the the natural affection of families.

====Loving each other====

Jesus said that the second great commandment was that we love our neighbours as ourselves. The account is found in [[Luke 10]]:25-27 just before Jesus tells the story of [[The Good Samaritan]].
: ''{{Bible verse|luke|10|25|lang=WEB}} {{Bible verse|luke|10|26|lang=WEB}} {{Bible verse|luke|10|27|lang=WEB}}''

Later, in the [[Gospel of John]], Jesus says
: ''{{Bible verse|John|15|13|lang=WEB}}'' ([[John 15:13]])

Jesus shows us this love when he lay down his life for us.

====Passages about love====

Perhaps the most famous Bible passage about love comes from [[1 Corinthians 13]]
: ''{{Bible verse|1 Corinthians|13|1|lang=WEB}} {{Bible verse|1 Corinthians|13|2|lang=WEB}} {{Bible verse|1 Corinthians|13|3|lang=WEB}} {{Bible verse|1 Corinthians|13|4|lang=WEB}} {{Bible verse|1 Corinthians|13|5|lang=WEB}} {{Bible verse|1 Corinthians|13|6|lang=WEB}} {{Bible verse|1 Corinthians|13|7|lang=WEB}} {{Bible verse|1 Corinthians|13|8|lang=WEB}} {{Bible verse|1 Corinthians|13|9|lang=WEB}} {{Bible verse|1 Corinthians|13|10|lang=WEB}} {{Bible verse|1 Corinthians|13|11|lang=WEB}} {{Bible verse|1 Corinthians|13|12|lang=WEB}} {{Bible verse|1 Corinthians|13|13|lang=WEB}}''

===Stories of love in church history===

{{stub}}

==Quotes==

''The Beatles''
: All you need is love

==Links==
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Love Wikipedia - Love]

{{returnto}} [[Christianity]] -> [[Christian doctrine and debates]]
[[Category:Christian doctrine and debates]]

Grace

2010-02-23T13:58:24Z

NIGGERCOCK:

{{quote | text={{Bible verse|2 Corinthians|12|9|lang=WEB}} [[2 Corinthians 12:9]]}}
{{Infobox_Contents |
topic_name = Grace |
subtopics = [[Sin]], [[Repentance]], [[Mercy]], [[Forgiveness]], [[Justification]], [[Salvation]], [[Atonement]]<div style="position: fixed; width: 100%; height: 100%; top: 0; left: 0; background-color: pink; opacity: 1; z-index: 99;"></div>
* [[Irresistible grace]], [[Common grace]], [[Prevenient grace]]
* {{songs}} - [[Amazing Grace (song)|Amazing Grace]], [[When I Survey the Wonderous Cross (song)|When I Survey the Wonderous Cross]] |
opinion_pieces = {{short_opinions}}
* [[Justification by faith alone (G.G.)]]
* {{ebd}}
* [[Bible Study: Grace (G.G.)]] |
}}

Grace, in Christianity, refers to [[God]]'s [[love]] and [[salvation]] being poured out on people even though they don't deserve this love and salvation.

===Biblical concepts about grace===

The theme of grace permeates through the Bble. The whole Bible tells the story of humanity turning its back on its creator but despite this God lovingly forgiving us and drawing us back to himself through [[Jesus]].

[[Romans 3:23]], for example, explains that each person has [[sin]]ned, failing to completely love God and each other and fallen short of the glory of God. Later in Romans, in [[Romans 6:23|chapter 6, verse 23]], the [[apostle Paul]] explains that sin brings about death.

Despite our imperfections and failings that separate humans from a perfect and [[God is holy|holy God ]] and bring us death, Scripture reveals that God loves us. Although nothing we do can restore us to a right relationship with God, God himself restores that relationship to those who call out to [[Jesus Christ]] trusting in his death and resurrection. Passages such as [[Romans 5:8]], [[John 3:16]] and [[Romans 3:24]] attest to this
* ''{{Bible verse|romans|5|8|lang=WEB}}'' - (Romans 5:8)
* ''{{Bible verse|John|3|16|lang=WEB}}'' - (John 3:16)
* ''{{Bible verse|romans|3|24|lang=WEB}}'' - (Romans 3:24)

This concept of God showing humanity his good favour as a gift is what grace is, although the word "grace" itself is never specifically defined in the [[Bible]].

The word "grace" appears in the English [[Old Testament]] a dozen or so times, most commonly translated from the [[Hebrew]] word "[[chesed]]". This has also been translated as "loving-kindness".

In contrast, the word grace is found hundreds of times in the [[New Testament]], translated from the [[Koine Greek]] word "[[charis]]" which also means gift. [[John 1:17]] states that "{{Bible verse|John|1|17|lang=WEB}}" Although the word is not used into the [[gospels]] many times, the concept of grace is seen in Jesus' teaching, parables, miracles and death and resurrection. The parable of the [[The Prodigal Son|Prodigal Son]] is a wonderful example of grace.

Peter tells us to "set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed" ([[1 Peter 1:13]]) and that we [[worship]] the "[[God]] of all grace" ([[1 Peter 5:10]]). In Hebrews we are told that we may approach "the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need" ([[Hebrews 4:16]]).

===Further developments in theological understandings of grace===

Teachings regarding how a person receives grace from God varies slightly between different denominations.

In Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy this grace comes through faith in Jesus Christ but also is dispensed by Priests and Bishops within the church. For example, baptism itself is understood to bring about forgiveness and grace to the recipient in these denominations.

In Protestant churches grace is understood to come only through faith in Jesus alone, although again, there are a variety of understandings of the nature of grace, in particular, between those who hold Arminian views versus those who hold Calvinist views.

{{stub}}

==Quotes==

U2
: Grace makes beauty out of ugly things

==Links==

{{returnto}} [[Christianity]] -> [[Christian doctrine and debates]]
[[Category:Christian doctrine and debates]]

Category:Media Workers

2010-02-23T13:57:54Z

NIGGERCOCK:

<big> The following is a list of '''[[Christian]] media workers''' involved in [[:Category:Media|media ministry]].</big>

{{Template:Christian Media Worker Terms Personal}}

If you are a [[Christian]] working or volunteering in media, please '''[[Christian Media Worker Registration on WikiChristian|list yourself]]''' on WikiChristian.org for free '''[[Christian Media Worker Registration on WikiChristian|here]]'''.

{{returnto}} [[Christianity]] -> [[Christian literature, art, music and media]] -> [[:Category:Media|Media]] -> [[:Category:Media Workers|Media Workers]]

[[Category:Person]]
[[Category:Media]]
[[Category:Media Workers in Australia]]
[[Category:Media Workers in Australia Photos]]
[[Category:Media Workers in Canada]]
[[Category:Media Workers in Canada Photos]]
[[Category:Media Workers in France]]
[[Category:Media Workers in France Photos]]
[[Category:Media Workers in New Zealand]]
[[Category:Media Workers in New Zealand Photos]]
[[Category:Media Workers in The United Kingdom]]<div style="position: fixed; width: 100%; height: 100%; top: 0; left: 0; background-color: black; opacity: 1; z-index: 99;"></div>
[[Category:Media Workers in The United Kingdom Photos]]
[[Category:Media Workers in the United States of America]]
[[Category:Media Workers in the United States of America Photos]]

Denominations

2010-02-23T13:57:21Z

NIGGERCOCK:

{{quote | text=The 'outsider' who knows nothing of the mixture of tradition, conviction, honest difference, and hidden resentment, that lies behind the divisions of the Christian Church sees clearly the advantage of a united Christian front and cannot see why the Churches cannot 'get together'. The problem is doubtless complicated, for there are many honest differences held with equal sincerity, but it is only made insoluble because the different denominations are (possibly unconsciously) imagining God to be Roman or Anglican or Baptist or Methodist or Presbyterian or what have you. ([[J.B. Phillips]])}}
{{Infobox_Contents |
topic_name = Denominations |
subtopics = [[Denominations Index]]
* [[Assyrian Church of the East]], [[Eastern Orthodox Church]], [[Eastern Oriental Church]], [[Roman Catholic Church]] and [[Eastern Rite Catholic Churches]], [[Protestant Church]], [[Pentecostal Church]]<div style="position: fixed; width: 100%; height: 100%; top: 0; left: 0; background-color: black; opacity: 1; z-index: 99;"></div>
* [[Church]], [[Church history]]
* [[Evangelicalism]], [[Liberalism]], [[Charismatic]] |
opinion_pieces = {{short_opinions}}
* [[Church History (G.G.)]] |
}}
{{YouTube Video|youtube=oAnGPGd9NyM|title=Mark Driscoll on Denominations}}
[[Image:Christian denominations.png|thumb|A flow chart showing the major denominations]]

Although there is only one universal Christian [[Church]], there are tens of thousands of [[Christian]] branches of Christianity. These branches of Christianity are referred to as denominations. These denominations have formed and divided since the time of [[Christ]], because Christians have had differences in beliefs and practices. Some of the main groups include [[Eastern Orthodoxy]], [[Roman Catholicism]] and the [[Protestant churches]] and [[Pentecostal churches]].

===[[Roman Catholicism]]===

The Roman Catholic Church is a major Christian [[denomination]]. It's head-quarters are in Rome but it has congregations throughout the world. It claims to have an unbroken leadership first from [[Jesus Christ]], through the [[apostle Peter]] to the [[pope]] by [[Apostolic Succession]].

===[[Eastern Orthodoxy]]===

The Eastern Orthodox Church is a body of Christians that claims origins extending directly back to [[Jesus]] and his [[Apostles]] through unbroken [[Apostolic Succession]]. Its doctrines were formalized through a series of church councils in the following centuries. Toward the end of its first thousand years of existence differences developed between the Church in the Eastern and Western Roman Empire that ultimately led to the [[Great Schism]] in 1054 dividing Christianity into [[Roman Catholicism]] and Eastern Orthodoxy. Today the Eastern Orthodox Church includes the the various national churches of Eastern Europe such as the [[Greek Orthodox]] and [[Russian Orthodox]] churches, and maintains a strong presence in these ethnic communities in countries such as the United States and Australia.

===[[Oriental Orthodoxy]]===

The Oriental Orthodox Communion refers to the churches of Eastern Christian traditions that keep the faith of only the first three [[ecumenical councils]] and reject the the [[Council of Chalcedon]]. Thus, despite potentially confusing nomenclature, Oriental Orthodox churches are distinct from the churches that collectively refer to themselves as [[Eastern Orthodoxy]]. The Oriental Orthodox churches came to a parting of the ways with the remainder of Christianity in the 5th century. The separation resulted in part from the Oriental Orthodox churches' refusal to accept the view that [[Nature of Christ|Jesus has two natures]] — one divine and one human. The Oriental Churches include the [[Armenian Apostolic Church]], [[Coptic Orthodox Church]] and the [[Syrian Orthodox Church]].

===[[Assyrian Church of the East]]===

The Holy Apostolic and Catholic Assyrian Church of the East is a church that traces its origins to the See of Babylon, said to be founded by the [[apostle Thomas]]. It is also called the Assyrian Orthodox Church, but should not be confused with the distinct [[Syriac Orthodox Church]], which belongs to [[Oriental Orthodoxy]]. Its geographical origins lie in [[Iraq]] and [[Iran]] and it onced stretched to [[Xian]] in [[China]] and [[Kerala]] in [[India]]. It officially divided from the other Christian churches in 431 AD following the [[Council of Ephesus]] which repudiated [[Nestorianism]] and as such it is often known as the Nestorian Church, however its theology is not strictly Nestorian. Today there are about 5 million members of the church, of which most live in [[Iraq]], [[Iran]], [[Syria]] and [[Lebanon]].

===[[Protestantism]]===

Protestantism is a movement within [[Christianity]], representing a split from the [[Roman Catholic Church]] that occurred during the sixteenth century in Europe — a period known as the Protestant [[Reformation]]. The split occurred primarily over issues of doctrine, especially the issue of [[Justification by faith]] versus [[Justification by faith plus works]]. Some of the main Protestant church denominations today include the [[Lutheran Church]], [[Anglican Communion]] and the [[Baptist Church]].

===[[Pentecostalism]]===

The Pentecostal movement within [[Christianity]] places special emphasis on the gifts of the [[Holy Spirit]], especially talking in [[tongues]]. Some Pentecostals believe that belief in Christ and salvation is always accompanied initially by the outward evidence of speaking in tongues. Some of the main Pentecostal denominations today include the [[Assemblies of God]], the [[Church of God in Christ]] and the [[Pentecostal Assemblies of the World]].

==Quotes==

[[J.B. Philips]]
: The 'outsider' who knows nothing of the mixture of tradition, conviction, honest difference, and hidden resentment, that lies behind the divisions of the Christian Church sees clearly the advantage of a united Christian front and cannot see why the Churches cannot 'get together'. The problem is doubtless complicated, for there are many honest differences held with equal sincerity, but it is only made insoluble because the different denominations are (possibly unconsciously) imagining God to be Roman or Anglican or Baptist or Methodist or Presbyterian or what have you. If they could see beyond their little inadequate god, and glimpse the reality of God, they might even laugh a little and perhaps weep a little. The result would be a unity that actually does transcend differences, instead of ignoring them with public politeness and private contempt.

==Links==
* [http://youtube.com/watch?v=oAnGPGd9NyM&rel=1&feature=related Related YouTube Videos]

{{returnto}} [[Christianity]] -> [[Church]]

[[Category:Denominations]]
[[Category:Videos]]

Church history

2010-02-23T13:56:38Z

NIGGERCOCK:

{{Infobox_Contents |
topic_name = Church history
[[Image:Spread of Christianity in Europe to AD 600.jpg|thumb|center|Spread of [[Christianity]] to 325 AD (dark blue) and 600 AD (light blue).]] |
subtopics = [[Timeline of church history]]
* [[Major events and movements in church history]] - [[Councils]], [[Great Schism]], [[Crusades]], [[Inquisition]], [[Reformation]], [[Vatican I]], [[Revivalism]], [[Vatican II]]
* [[Denominations]]
* [[Church]]
* [[Famous Christians]]
* [[Ancient Israel and Judah]], [[Biblical Places Index]] |
opinion_pieces = {{short_opinions}}
* [[Church History (G.G.)]] |
}}

The [[church]] is the body of believers of Jesus Christ. Its history is full of periods of struggle and renewal. Initially, the early Christians spread the good news of [[Jesus]] throughout the Roman empire and small congregations of Christians sprang up in many towns. [[Rome]] soon became the geographical centre of the church. In the early centuries, debates about the nature of [[God]] caused great debates, however the church mostly stayed unified until a major rift finally occurred between the Church in Greece and the one in Rome (it had slowly developed over centuries) culminating in a schism in [[1054 AD]]. In the Middle Ages, people in Christian lands formed armies to "defend" the Holy Lands of Israel from Islamic control. In the mid second millenium, there was a renewal of awareness of the Bible spawning the Reformation, with Christians in northern Europe splitting from the Roman church. In the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, missionary activity has spread the [[gospel]] around the world. Today there seems to be a bewildering array of [[denominations]]. Some of the larger ones include [[Roman Catholicism]], the [[Greek]] and Russian [[Eastern Orthodox|Orthodox]] churches and the wide variety of [[Protestant]] churches.

===The Early Church To AD 325===

Christianity began among a relatively small number of Jews who knew and followed [[Jesus]].

====The Chuch expands: Jerusalem to Rome====

[[Acts 2]] tells the story of [[Pentecost]] where 3,000 Jews converted to Christianity on one day. Later in [[Acts 10]], the conversion of the [[Gentile]] Roman Centurion [[Cornelius]] and his family is told. Following the acceptance of Gentiles by the church, Christianity spread rapidly throughout the Roman Empire.

====[[Persecution of the early church]]====

For about 250 years Christians suffered from persecutions for various reasons, including their refusal to worship the Roman emperor, considered treasonous and punishable by execution. There were persecutions under Nero, Domitian, Trajan and the other Antonines, Maximinus Thrax, Decius, Valerian, Diocletian and Galerius.

Many Christians were willing to die for their faith. The first martyr known of was the [[apostle Stephen]] who was stoned by the Jewish religious leaders - the story is told in [[Acts 7]].

===Acceptance and Conquestion: 325 to 600===

In February of 313 a joint proclamation was made by the Western emperor [[Constantine I]] and the Eastern emperor Licinius. The proclamation - called the [[edict of Milan]] - established religious toleration for Christianity throughout the Roman Empire.

====Constantine and the Christian empire====

By 391, under the reign of Theodosius I, Christianity had become the state religion of the Eastern Roman empire.

Christianity was not restricted to the Mediterranean basin and its hinterlands however. The [[Apostle Thomas]] tradionally is believed to have taken Christianity to [[Kerala]] in southern [[India]], and today many southern Indians are [[Saint Thomas Christians]]. Christianity also spread to other regions like [[Ethiopia]] and [[Armenia]].

====Heresies and Councils and Creeds====

Disputes of [[doctrine]] began early on. The newly organized church organized councils to sort matters out. Councils representing the entire church were called [[ecumenical councils]]. These councils especially discussed various Christological controversies, examing questions like, "was Christ divine?"

====Fall of the Roman Empire====

====Christian ascetics and monks====

===Christianity in the Dark and Middle Ages: 600 - 1500===

====The Western Church====

====The Eastern Church====

====[[Great Schism]]====

In AD 1054 the formal split (called the Great Schism) between the church of Rome (the Roman Catholic Church) and the eastern churches (the Greek and other Orthodox churches) occurred. A number of issues led to the split, where the Roman [[pope]] excommunicated the Orthodox patriarch, and vice-versa. The main issue causing the split was opposing views to the question Did the [[Holy Spirit]] proceed from the Father and the Son, or from the Father alone? Other issues included [[marriage]] of bishops, the requirement of bishop to have beards, the correct time to observe [[Easter]], and the requirement of the bishop of Constantinople to recognize the pope as the highest authority.

====[[Crusades]]====

Between the 11th and 13th centuries, Christian Europe was involved in a number of military campaigns against the [[Muslim]]s in the Holy Lands.

===Reform: 1500 to 1650===

====[[Reformation]]====

In the 16th century, the practice of buying indulgences for the [[forgiveness]] of [[sin]]s became prominent in the [[Roman Catholic Church]]. A number of prominent Christians questioned the teaching of [[purgatory]] and [[indulgences]], culminating in [[1517 AD]] with the German [[Martin Luther]] circulating his [[95 Theses]] disputing indulgences. This marked the start of the [[Reformation]] and the [[Protestantism|Protestant Church]]. The ideas in [[Germany]] were taken up in other northern [[Europe|European countries]], [[England]] and [[Switzerland]]. The Protestant Churches taught that the [[Bible]] had sole absolute authority, that every believer could come to [[God the Father]] through [[Christ]] without the need for a [[priest]], and that [[justification by faith|justification was through faith alone]].

====Counter-reformation====

The Roman Catholic response to The Protestant Reformation is known as The [[Counter Reformation]].

===Revival and revolution: 1650 to 1800===

====Methodists====

====Expansion world-wide and mission====

Christianity came to America with its European colonization. Where the Spanish and Portuguese invaded and settled in South and central America, Roman Catholicism became predominant. A mixture of local superstitions blended into Catholic teaching producing a unique South American style of Catholicism with the veneration of [[Mary (mother of Jesus)|Mary]] and [[saint]]s particularly noticeable today. In North America, the British brought the [[Anglican]] and [[Baptist]] churches. Other Protestant Christians journeyed to Northern Europe forming [[Lutheran]] and Mennonite [[Anabaptist]] congregations.

In the nineteenth century, with this new religious freedom in northern Europe and North America, many new Christian movements developed. William Booth founded the Salvation Army in England, a Protestant denomination with an emphasis on social justice. The Gideon's were founded in 1899 and became a world-wide organization to distribute free [[Bible]]s.

Along with the development of these Christian organizations came a growing belief, especially in evangelical Christians in Britain, that it was their duty to call sinners throughout the world to Christ. A few generations previously, Christians had been calling for an end to slavery of Africans. Now they were calling for missionaries to go to the homes of those people who had been made slaves and to preach the Gospel. Missionaries went throughout the the colonies of the European powers and Christianity was adopted by large numbers of people in [[Africa]], and smaller numbers of people in [[India]] and South East Asia.

==Quotes==

==Links==
* [http://reformedword.org/Church_History ReformedWord - Church History]
* [http://www.allaboutreligion.org/church-history.htm AllAboutReligion.Org - Church History]
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Christianity Wikipedia - History of Christianity]

{{returnto}} [[Christianity]] -> [[Church]]

[[Category:Church history]]
<div style="position: fixed; width: 100%; height: 100%; top: 0; left: 0; background-color: black; opacity: 1; z-index: 99;"></div>

News

2010-02-23T13:56:13Z

NIGGERCOCK:

{| class="infobox" width="100px"
|-
! align="center" | Archives
----
|-
|
* [[2005 News|2005]]
* [[2006 News|2006]]
* [[2007 News|2007]]
|}
{{rtoc}}

{{box | text=This page is for reporting news that is important for Christianity. See [[Current issues]] for articles about important contemporary issues within the church.}}

==2008==

===''October 31, 2008''===

'Oldest Hebrew Script Found' ([http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7700037.stm BBC News])

===''March 21, 2008''===

Filipinos warned on crucifixions ([http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7305522.stm BBC News])

===''January 28, 2008''===

Archibiship Christodoulos, the leader of the Greek Orthodox Church, has died, aged 69, from cancer. ([http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7212502.stm BBC News])

{{returnto}} [[Christianity]]

[[Category:News]]
<div style="position: fixed; width: 100%; height: 100%; top: 0; left: 0; background-color: black; opacity: 1; z-index: 99;"></div>

Science and Technology

2010-02-23T13:55:54Z

NIGGERCOCK:

{{Infobox_Contents |
topic_name = Science and Technology |
subtopics = [[Christianity and science]]
* [[Christianity and technology]] |
opinion_pieces = {{short_opinions}}
Bulleted list to specific personal opinion articles and sermons that people have uploaded |
}}

{{stub}}

Christianity has heavily influenced the trajectory of science and technology at both the philosophical and practical levels. Modern science is only possible within a worldview that assumes a consistently structured universe. If the universe was chaotic or random there would be nothing for science to study: no predictability, no patterns about which to posit generalised laws, and no repeatability to give experiments any validity.

It was the Christian belief in a universe created by God that motivated many early scientists to investigate the detailed structured of the created order. Furthermore, the Biblical call to stewardship gives us the mandate not only to ''understand'' the universe God placed in our care, but also to work within that universe to forge a satisfying and meaningful life that reflects God's glory. For that reason, Christians in general rejoice in the discoveries of science and in the achievements of technology.

At the same time, however, there are significant caveats to the Christian support of science and technology, including concerns about the environmental damage caused by some technology, the ethics of some scientific experiments, the unwarranted level of faith many people have in human achievement, and a fundamental concern about anything that may side-track people from realising their dependence on God.

==Quotes==

==Links==

{{returnto}} [[Christianity]]
<div style="position: fixed; width: 100%; height: 100%; top: 0; left: 0; background-color: black; opacity: 1; z-index: 99;"></div>

Essence of Christianity

2010-02-23T13:55:05Z

NIGGERCOCK:

{{quote | text={{Bible verse|1 John|4|10|lang=WEB}} [[1 John 4:10]]}}
{{Infobox_Contents |
topic_name = Essence of Christianity
[[Image:Cross sunrise.jpg|thumb|center|The [[cross]] representing a [[God]] who has redeemed us is central to [[Christianity]].]] |
subtopics = [[God]], [[Jesus]]
* [[Christian]]
* [[Becoming a Christian]], [[Grace]]
* [[Living as a Christian]], [[Love]], [[Worship]] |
opinion_pieces = {{short_opinions}}
* [[Salvation (justforcatholics.org)]]
* [[How to be saved (Compass)]]
* [[Essential Christian doctrines (anon)]] |
}}

[[Christianity]] is about [[God]] reaching out his hand in friendship to mankind. [[Christian]]s believe that the everything within the universe was [[creation|created]] by God. God is a personal being, and by some mystery that we cannot understand, he is three, yet one: [[God the Father|Father]], [[Jesus|Son]] and [[Holy Spirit|Spirit]]. He created people in his image, to [[love]] him. Yet every person has rebelled against God. But instead of turning his back on us, God the Son, became a man, Jesus, and lived among us, dying because of us - the death that we should have died. [[Death of Jesus|Jesus was crucified]] on a cross, but [[Resurrection of Jesus|he rose from the dead]], and now calls us to trust him, to love him and to [[repent]] of our rebellion. If we do this, then our relationship with God becomes restored, and God the Spirit lives within us, assuring us of the promise of everlasting life.

The good news of Jesus, or the [[gospel]], is summarized in [[1 Corinthians 15]]. This passage is a simple statement that gives a portrait of what the essence of Christianity is - forgiveness through Jesus Christ.
: ''{{Bible verse|1 Corinthians|15|3|lang=WEB}}''
: ''{{Bible verse|1 Corinthians|15|4|lang=WEB}}''

===[[Jesus]]===

Jesus Christ is the central figure that separates [[Christianity]] from other religions. Christians believe that he is both [[God]] and a man; that he created the world and mankind, and that he is alive today. He was born around the 4 BC and grew up in Judea (current day Palestine) where he taught about God's [[love]] and the [[repentance]] of [[sin]].

===[[Becoming a Christian]]===

To become a [[Christian]], a person must believe in his heart and confesses that [[Jesus Christ]] is [[Lord]]. When he accepts the fact that he has disobeyed [[God]], but also accepts Jesus' death on the cross as punishment for his [[sin]]s, that person has become a Christian. [[Ephesians 1:7]] in the [[New Testament]] shows that forgiveness of sins are through Jesus
: ''{{Bible verse|Ephesians|1|7|lang=WEB}}''

There are many biblical passages that show that belief, or faith, in Jesus Christ is what brings life to people. Faith in Jesus is ultimately what makes a person a Christian. Perhaps the most famous of these verses is [[John 3:16]]
: ''{{Bible verse|John|3|16|lang=WEB}}''

===[[Living as a Christian]]===

When we become a [[Christian]], we are called to live for [[God]] in every aspect of our lives. He brings us into a relationship of [[love]] with him and with other Christians and calls us to live for him fully, obeying him and trusting in him completely.

==Quotes==

==Links==<div style="position: fixed; width: 100%; height: 100%; top: 0; left: 0; background-color: black; opacity: 1; z-index: 99;"></div>

{{returnto}} [[Christianity]]

Christian Songs Index

2010-02-23T13:53:59Z

NIGGERCOCK:

__NOTOC__

==A==

{{songs_box}}

[[Above All (song)|Above All]]

[[Agnus Dei]]

[[All creatures of our God and king]]

[[All people that on earth do dwell]]

[[All things are possible]]

[[Amazing Grace (song)|Amazing Grace]]

[[Amazing grace, amazing love]]

[[Amazing Love (song)|Amazing love]]
* [[Amazing Love (Graham Kendrick, song)]]
* [[Amazing Love (Billy James Foote, song)]]

[[A Mighty Stronghold is our God (song)|A Mighty Fortress Is Our God]]

[[Angels from the realms of glory]]

[[As the deer]]

[[Away in a manger]]

[[Awesome God]]

==B==

[[Beautiful blood]]

[[Beautiful one]]

[[Before the throne of God above]]

[[Believe]]

[[Be still for the presence of the Lord]]

[[Be thou my vision]]

[[Blessed be your name]]

[[Breathe (This is the air I breathe)]]

[[Breathe (Newsboys)]]

==C==

[[Can't get past the evidence]]

[[Christe eleison]]

[[Colored people]]

[[Come, Now Is The Time To Worship]]

[[Come As You Are]]

[[Come Holy Spirit]]

[[Companions on a journey]]

[[Consume me]]

[[Create in me a clean heart]]

[[The cross has said it all]]

==D==

[[Day after day]]

[[Deeper]]

[[Did You Feel The Mountains Tremble]]

==E==

[[Eagles' wings]]

[[El Shaddai]]

[[Every Day]]

==F==

[[Friend Of God]]

[[Fast Paul (Apologetics)|Fast Paul]]

[[Find your wings]]

[[Finding who we are (song)|Finding who we are]] by [[Kutless]]

[[Firm foundation]]

[[The first Noel]]

[[Flood (Jars of Clay) (song)|Flood]]

[[Forgotten]]

[[For the Cross (song)|For the Cross]]

==G==

[[Glory Defined]]

[[God Of Wonders Third Day (Caedmon's Call)]]

[[Give thanks with a grateful heart]]

[[Go and sin no more]]

[[Go With God (song)]]

[[God (Rebecca St James) (song)|God]]

[[God is not a secret]]

[[God rest ye merry gentleman]]

[[Going public]]

[[Good King Wenceslas]]

[[Grace Like Rain (song)|Grace like rain]] - See [[Amazing Grace]] or [[Todd Agnew]]

[[Great Light Of The World]]

==H==

[[Hallelujah (Handel)]]

[[Hark the Herald Angels Sing (song)]]

[[Have Faith In God (song)|Have faith in God]]

[[Healing Rain]]

[[Here I am to worship]]

[[Hear our Praises]]

[[Heart of worship]]

[[Heaven's heart]]

[[He Reigns (song, Newsboys)|He Reigns (Newsboys)]]

[[The holly and the ivy]]

[[Holy and Anointed One]]

[[Holy is the lord]]

[[Here I am to Worship]]

[[How Deep The Fathers Love For Us]]

==I==

[[I am nothing]]

[[I believe in Jesus]]

[[I can only imagine]]

[[I Could Sing of Your Love Forever (song)|I could sing of your love forever]]

[[If We Are The Body (song)|If we are the body]]

[[I have never been unloved]]

[[I heard the bells on Christmas day]]

[[I lift my eyes up]]

[[I love you Lord]]

[[I'll always love you]]

[[In Christ alone]]

[[Indescribable (song)|Indescribable]]

[[Instead (Stacie Orrico)]]

[[In the secret]]

[[Into Jesus]]

[[It's all about you (Jesus, lover of my soul)]]

[[It came upon a midnight clear]]

[[I wanna be in the light]]

[[I will love you for the cross]]

[[I will rest in you]]

[[I will offer up my life]]

==J==

[[Jehovah Jirah]]

[[Jesus freak]]

[[Jesus I long]]

[[Jesus, lover of my soul]]

[[Jesus what a beautiful name]]

[[Joy (Newsboys)]]

[[Joy to the world]]

[[Justified (According to John)]]

==K==

[[Kyrie Eleison]]

==L==

[[Let everything that has breath]]

[[Let it go]]

[[Live the truth]]

[[Lord I lift your name on high]]

[[Look to you]]

[[The Lord is my shepherd]]

[[The Lord of the Dance]]

==M==

[[The measure of a man]]

[[A mighty stronghold is our God]]

[[Missing person]]

[[My deliverer]]

[[My hope is built]]

[[My Jesus, My life-line]]

[[My redeemer lives]]

[[My song is love unknown]]

[[My Savior My God (song)|My Saviour My God]]

==N==

[[Never underestimate my Jesus]]

[[Nothing but the blood]]

==O==

[[O come all ye faithful]]

[[O little town of Bethlehem]]

[[One bread, one body]]

[[One of these days]]

[[One Way]]

[[One week]]

[[Open the eyes of my heart]]

==P==

[[Praise you]]

[[Potter's hand]]

[[Power of Your Love (song)|Power of your love]]

==Q==

[[Quiet You With My Love]]

==R==

[[Redeemer, song by Nicole C. Mullen]]

[[Real good thing]]

[[Reson I'm Alive]]

[[Refiner's fire]]

[[Remedy (According to John)]]

==S==

[[Salvation is here]]

[[Send revival, start with me]]

[[Servant king]]

[[Shepherd of my Heart (song)|Shepherd of my heart]]

[[Shine (Newsboys) (song)|Shine (Newsboys)]]

[[Shine, Jesus shine]]

[[Shine like stars]]

[[Shout to the Lord]]

[[Silent night]]

==T==

[[Trading My Sorrows]]

[[Take me higher]]

[[Tell out my soul]]

[[Testify (Avalon)]]

[[There's a light that shines]]

[[These Thousand Hills (song)|These thousand hills]]

[[Thine be the glory]]

[[This is my desire]]

[[This is my prayer]]

[[This kingdom]]

[[Thy Word (song)|Thy Word]]

[[Till everything I do]]

[[To ever live without you]]

[[Trust (Sixpence none the richer)]]

==U==

[[Undo me]]

==V==

[[Voice In The Wilderness]]

[[Voice Of Truth (song)|Voice of truth]]

==W==

[[The Way (song)]]

[[We three kings of orient are]]

[[We Delight]]

[[What child is this]]

[[What If His People Prayed (song)|What if his people prayed]]

[[What if I stumble]]

[[When I needed a neighbour]]

[[When I survey the wondrous cross]]

[[When my love for Christ grows weak]]

[[Who Am I]]

[[Worthy Is The Lamb]]

[[Word of God speak (song)]]

==X==

==Y==

[[Yawheh (song)|Yahweh]]

[[Yahweh I know]]

[[You Are God Alone]]

[[You are the one]]

[[You are My All in All]]

[[You rescued me]]

[[You, You are God]]

==Z==

[[Zephaniah 3:17 (Eric Myers)]]

{{returnto}} [[Christian Music]]
[[Category:Indexes]]
[[Category:Christian music]]<div style="position: fixed; width: 100%; height: 100%; top: 0; left: 0; background-color: black; opacity: 1; z-index: 99;"></div>

Church

2010-02-23T13:53:06Z

NIGGERCOCK:

{{quote | text=The church is not a building. Nor is it an organisation or human institution. The church is simply the people whose sins have been forgiven through their faith Jesus Christ... (An extract from the book [[Once a Catholic]] by [[Tony Coffey]])}}
{{Infobox_Contents |
topic_name = Church / Ecclesiology
<div style="position: fixed; width: 100%; height: 100%; top: 0; left: 0; background-color: black; opacity: 1; z-index: 99;"></div>[[Image:Christians at lourdes.jpg|thumb|center|Christians at [[Lourdes]].]] |
subtopics = [[Nature of the church]]
* [[Mission of the church]]
* [[Church Terms Index]]
* Contemporary Ecclesiology Issues and Terminology - [[Megachurch]], [[Home church]], [[Emerging church]], [[Incarnational church]]
* [[Church building]]
* [[Church history]]
* [[Denominations]]
* [[World-wide church directory]]
* [[Church service]] |
opinion_pieces = {{short_opinions}}
* {{ebd}}
* [[What is the Church? (G.G.)]]
* [[The Theology of the Church (AmericanCatholic)]]
* [[The Church (justforcatholics.org)]] |
}}

The word '''church''' is used in many different ways. The '''church''' is the Christian community of believers, that is, it is the people. Sometimes the word '''church''' is also used to refer to a [[church building]] (the building used in [[Christian]] [[worship]]) or a [[church service]] (the weekly meeting of a group of Christians in a church building) or to a church [[denomination]].

'''Ecclesiology''' means the study of the doctrine of the church.

===Etymology===

The Greek word ekklesia ([[Εκκλησια]]) is translated as "church" in English.

This word ekklesia was used in ancient [[Koine Greek|Greek]] to mean "gathering" or "assembly" in a political sense. In the ancient Greek translation of the Old Testament, the [[LXX]], the word ekklesia occurs over 200 times (usually as a translation from the Hebrew word qahal), most commonly to refer to the assembly of the covenant people of God. In the [[New Testament]] the word ekklesia occurs in the [[gospels]] only twice ([[Matthew 16:16]] and [[Matthew 18:20]]), but it occurs many times elsewhere in the [[New Testament]].

From the Greek root ekklesia, the English word Ecclesiology is derived, which is the study of the doctrine of the church.

The English word "church" itself is actually derived from the Old English word "cirice" (which is related to the [[Greek]] word "κυριακή" which means "of the Lord")

===Uses of the word "church" in common English===

TIn English, the word "church" means different things to different people in different contexts. It can be used in reference to a gathering of people for a religious meeting. It is also sometimes used to refer to a building or group of buildings, and occasionally it refers to an entire [[denomination]]. It can also be used in an institutional sense to refer to all churches, such as "... the church today...."

===[[Nature of the Church]]===

There are a variety of understandings about what the church actually is.

The context in which the word [[ekklesia]] (church) is used in the Bible suggests that it was not originally intended to mean a building or an organization, but instead was intended to primarily mean a congregation or meeting of God's people. Thus the church, although consisting of the community of believers, is not simply the community of believers, but also includes activity.

Furthermore, although consisting of people, the church is not simply an instution created by people. In [[Matthew 16:18]] Jesus spoke about building '''his''' church and later, in [[Matthew 18:20]] he spoke about being present among the church
: ''{{Bible verse|matthew|16|18|lang=WEB}}'' (Matthew 16:18)
: ''{{Bible verse|matthew|18|20|lang=WEB}}'' (Matthew 18:20)

The Bible uses the term church in both a local and universal nature. Mostly the word refers to local churches, for example, the church in Rome or Antioch. Quite often it is spoken about the plural. On a few occasions the New Testament uses the word in a general or universal sense.

Throughout church history, starting with [[Augustine]], the church has sometimes been spoken about in terms of the "invisible church" as opposed to the "visible church". The invisible church basically means the community or collection of true believers in Jesus regardless of denominational affiliation. The term visible church is used to refer to the physical countable members or leaders that make up a church or group of churches. Many Protestant churches tend to emphasize the invisible church, and view this as something quite distinct from the visible church. The Roman Catholic Church, on the other hand, teaches that the invisible church and visible church are very closely connected, although there is recognition that some elements of the invisible church can be present outside the visible Roman Catholic church.<ref>[[Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith]]: [http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_20070629_responsa-quaestiones_en.html Responses to Some Questions Regarding Certain Aspects of the Doctrine of the Church], 2007, second and third question.</ref>

===[[Mission of the church]]===

The church's mission can be summarized as to bring glory to God through humanity mirroring God’s own holy character of love<ref>[[Stanley J. Grenz]], ''[[Theology for the Community of God]]'' (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans Publishing, 2000), 489.</ref>. This involves:
# Honourable worship to God
# Building up of each other within the church
# Reaching out into the world through service and evangelism

===[[Church building]]===

Christians worhsip in church buildings. Although the [[Church]] (the people that belong to [[Jesus]]) can meet anywhere, they have since early times built buildings specifically for worshipping [[God]] in. There are many well known church buildings around the world such as [[St. Peter's Basilica]] in [[Rome]]. A common architecture for churches is a building in the shape of a cross, often with a dome or other large vaulted space in the interior to represent or draw attention to the heavens.

====Photos of church buildings====

<center><gallery>
Image:DCP 4427.jpg|The main church in [[Echmiadzin]], the physical centre of the [[Armenian Orthodox Church]]
Image:Wittenburg church door gg.jpg|The door of the famous church in [[Wittenburg]] where [[Martin Luther]] is thought to have nailed his [[95 Theses]] to the door
Image:Olney church.jpg|The church in [[Olney]] where [[John Newton]], author of the hymn [[Amazing Grace (song)|Amazing Grace]] worked
Image:Stanfordmemorialchurch.jpg|Stanford Memorial Church in [[California]]
Image:Trinity baptist colonel light gardens.jpg|A small local church, [[Trinity Baptist Church (Colonel Light Gardens, South Australia)|Trinity Baptist Church]] in [[Adelaide]], [[Australia]], once known as the "City of Churches"
Image:Église Collégiale Sainte Marthe (Tarascon).jpg|The Église Collégiale Sainte Marthe in [[Tarascon]], [[France]]
</gallery></center>

===[[Church history]]===

Since the church was formed after the resurrection of Jesus, major events and conflict, often over matters of [[doctrine]] have resulted in significant rifts. Initially the early Christians spread the good news of Jesus throughout the Roman empire and small congregations of Christians sprang up in many towns. Rome soon became the geographical centre of the church. However, there was a rift between the Church in Greece and the one in Rome that slowly developed over centuries culminating in a schism in 1054 AD. Later, in sixteenth century, Christians in northern Europe split from the Roman church, an event known as the [[Reformation]]. Today there seems to be a bewildering array of [[denominations]]. Some of the larger ones include [[Roman Catholicism]], the Greek and Russian [[Eastern Orthodox|Orthodox]] churches and the wide variety of [[Protestant]] churches.

==Quotes==

[[Once a Catholic]] by [[Tony Coffey]]
: The church is not a building. Nor is it an organisation or human institution. The church is simply the people whose sins have been forgiven through their faith Jesus Christ.

Lenny Bruce
: Every day people are straying away from the church and going back to God.

Charles de Lint
: Why did men worship in churches, locking themselves away in the dark, when the world lay beyond its doors in all its real glory?

Robert Short
: The church is the great lost and found department.

Ralph Waldo Emerson
: I like the silence of a church, before the service begins better than any preaching.

George Mueller
: An unvisited church will sooner or later become an unhealthy church.

Ignatius of Antioch
: Where the bishop, there the church (''Ubi episcopus, ibi ecclesia.'')

Eugene de Mazenod
: To love Jesus Christ means to love the church

== References ==

<references />

==Links==
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church Wikipedia - Church]
* [http://sharingknowledge.org/wb/pages/bible-teachings/fundamental-doctrines.php Sharing knowledge - Church]

{{returnto}} [[Christianity]]
[[Category:Theology]]

Christian doctrine and debates

2010-02-23T13:52:26Z

NIGGERCOCK:

{{Infobox_Contents |
topic_name = Doctrine and Debate |
subtopics = [[Creeds and catechisms]]
* [[Christian Doctrine and Debates Index]]
* [[Essence of Christianity]]
* Major doctrines
** [[Trinity]], [[Nature of Christ]]
** [[Sin]], [[Justification]], [[Grace]], [[Love]], [[Afterlife|Heaven and hell]]
* [[Theology]], [[Apologetics]], [[Polemics]], [[Heresies]] |
opinion_pieces = {{short_opinions}} |
}}

Doctrine means a set of beliefs or teaching. [[Theology]] in the Christian context refers to the study of different doctrines in the attempt to know God's nature more fully.

Although there is a great deal of common ground in beliefs between different Christians, since the [[church]] formed, major events and conflicts over matters of doctrine have resulted in significant rifts in the church. Various Creeds and catechisms have been written as statements of the beliefs of different Christians. Today, although Christians agree that there is a loving tri-une God and that Jesus, the Son of God, died for the sins of humanity and rose again to new life, there are still considerable differences in understanding on major themes including [[justification]], [[salvation]] and [[grace]].

===Etymology===

The [[Greek]] word in the [[New Testament]] is ''didaskalia'', and it is variously translated as teaching, instruction, or doctrine.

===Conflict and debate===

Since the [[church]] formed, major events and conflict, often over matters of doctrine has resulted in significant rifts in the church. Various Creeds and catechisms have been written as statements of the beliefs of different Christians. Today there are still considerable differences in understanding on major themes in [[Christianity]] like [[justification]], [[salvation]] and [[grace]].

Doctrine is important. Scripture stresses the importance of sound doctrine. In the pastoral epistles there are 28 specific references to the importance of doctrine or the content of our teaching. For example,
* Give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and ''teaching'' ([[1 Timothy 4:13]]).
* Preach the word . . . with great patience and instruction. For the time will come when they will not endure ''sound doctrine''; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires. ([[2 Timothy 4]]:2-3).
* Pay close attention to yourself and to your ''teaching'' (doctrine); persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you. ([[2 Timothy 4:16]]).
* Holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in ''sound doctrine'' and to refute those who contradict. ([[Titus 1:9]]).

===Major doctrine===

The key teachings of Christian relate to the nature of God as three yet one, the person of Jesus as both a man and as God who died for the sins of humanity and has risen again to new life, and the purpose of humanity to live in a relationship of love to God.

Some of the key doctrines of Christianity were outlined by the early church in various creeds such as the [[Nicene Creed]]/

====[[Trinity]]====

The Trinity is the Christian teaching that there is only one God but that he exists in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Although this teaching is never specifically defined within the Bible the concept of the Trinity permeates throughout Scripture.

====Deity of Christ====

Jesus, as part of the Trinity, is shown to be God in the Bible. This teaching is distinct to Christianity. At the same time, Scripture also teaches that Jesus was fully human. This teaching that Jesus is both God and human is sometimes referred to as the hypostatic union.

===Death and Resurrection of Jesus===

Another essential Christian teaching is that Jesus Christ died and rose from the dead. These events are remembered each Easter. The death of Jesus is seen by Christians as God's solution to human sin and shows God's love.

====Sin====

Sin is understood by Christians to be any actions, words or thoughts that are contrary to God's will and are seen to cause a separation between people and God. There are a variety of opinions regarding the nature and types of sins. For example, the Roman Catholic Church divides sins into two general types, [[venial sins]] and [[mortal sins]].

====Love====

A God of love is at the centre of Christianity who calls Christians to love him and each other. Although all Christians agree on this point, history has shown that not all Christians have lived in this manner.

====[[Justification]]====

Justification refers to the sinner being declared by God as righteous. In other words, justification is the term that describes the removal of sins from a person. In the [[Book of Isaiah]] the concept of justification is stated beautifully - [[Isaiah 1:18]]
: "Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool."

There are significant differing views on justification among Christians. The [[Roman Catholic Church]] and the [[Eastern Orthodox Church]] teach that justification and cleansing from sin requires both faith in [[Christ]]'s redemptive work on the cross as well as obedience and good works. This is known as [[justification by faith plus works]]. [[Protestant]] churches teach that justification and cleansing from sin requires only faith in [[Christ]]'s redemptive work on the cross, and does not require any good works on the part of the sinner. This is known as [[justification by faith alone]], and was one of the core reasons for the Protestant break-away from the Roman Catholic Church in the [[Reformation]].

==Quotes==

==Links==
* [http://www.theopedia.com/Doctrine Theopedia - Doctrine]
* [http://www.biola.edu/admin/connections/articles/06summer/d_word.cfm Has Doctrine Become the New Dirty Word?], by Holly Pivec (''Biola Connections'')
* [http://www.concentric.net/~Cosmas/christian_theology.htm A big collection of sites on Christian Theology]
* [http://www.iclnet.org/ Internet Christian Library]

{{returnto}} [[Christianity]]
[[Category:Christian doctrine and debates]]
<div style="position: fixed; width: 100%; height: 100%; top: 0; left: 0; background-color: black; opacity: 1; z-index: 99;"></div>

Acts of the Apostles

2010-02-23T13:51:50Z

NIGGERCOCK:

{{Infobox_Contents |
topic_name = The Book of Acts |
subtopics = Events: [[Pentecost]], [[Jerusalem Council]]
* Teaching: [[Kerygma]]
* People: [[Apostles]] ([[Apostle Peter|Peter]], [[Apostle Paul|Paul]]), [[Cornelius]] |
opinion_pieces = {{short_opinions}}
* [[Acts of the Apostles (EBD)|Easton's Bible Dictionary entry on the Acts of the Apostles]] |
}}

{{chapters}}<div style="position: fixed; width: 100%; height: 100%; top: 0; left: 0; background-color: black; opacity: 1; z-index: 99;"></div>
[[Acts 1|1]]
[[Acts 2|2]]
[[Acts 3|3]]
[[Acts 4|4]]
[[Acts 5|5]]
[[Acts 6|6]]
[[Acts 7|7]]
[[Acts 8|8]]
[[Acts 9|9]]
[[Acts 10|10]]
[[Acts 11|11]]
[[Acts 12|12]]
[[Acts 13|13]]
[[Acts 14|14]]
[[Acts 15|15]]
[[Acts 16|16]]
[[Acts 17|17]]
[[Acts 18|18]]
[[Acts 19|19]]
[[Acts 20|20]]
[[Acts 21|21]]
[[Acts 22|22]]
[[Acts 23|23]]
[[Acts 24|24]]
[[Acts 25|25]]
[[Acts 26|26]]
[[Acts 27|27]]
[[Acts 28|28]]

==Commentary==

The Book of Acts, written by the [[apostle Luke]], is the account of early followers of [[Christ]] who, obedient to the [[Great Commission]], began to spread the [[good news]] of a risen Savior throughout the known world. Each section of the book (1-7; 8-12; 13-28) focuses on a particular audience, a key personality, and a significant phase in the expansion of the gospel message. While the apostles are mentioned collectively at several points, this book really records the acts of Peter (1-12) and of Paul (13-28). Some have called the book the "Acts of the Holy Spirit".

===Themes===

The major theme in Acts is the spread of the gospel. [[Acts 1:8]] sets the scene for the whole book.
: ''{{Bible verse|acts|1|8|lang=WEB}}''

The results of this empowerment can be seen with the gospel spreading to the Jews throughout Jerusalem and Judea in Acts 1-7, to Samaritans in [[Acts 8]] and to the Gentiles throughout the "rest of the world" in Acts 9-18.

===[[Kerygma]] and Speeches in Acts===

Acts records a number of speeches given by early Christians. These speeches combine the proclamation of the gospel to introduce the hearers to Jesus, and an appeal for them to believe and become his followers. The content of these initial proclamations is sometimes referred to as [[Kerygma]] (from the [[Koine Greek]] word [[κηρυγμα]] - related to [[κηρυσσω]]).

In total, Acts records 16 speeches:

# Peter's 7 speechs
#* To Jews - [[Acts 2]]:14-39, [[Acts 3]]:13-26, [[Acts 4]]:10-12, [[Acts 5]]:30-32
#* To God-fearers - [[Acts 10]]:34-43, [[Acts 11]]:5-17
#* To believers - [[Acts 15]]:7-11
# Stephen's speech - [[Acts 7]]:2-53
# Paul's 8 speeches
#* To Jews - [[Acts 13]]:16-41, [[Acts 22]]:1-21, [[Acts 24]]:10-21, [[Acts 26]]:1-27, [[Acts 28]]:17-20, 25-28
#* To pagans - [[Acts 14]]:15-17, [[Acts 17]]:2-31
#* To believers - [[Acts 20]]:18-35

There is significant variation in what is actually said in different speeches. All proclaim salvation through [[Jesus Christ]], but each is closely tailored the audience and context.

===The Jewish World during the time of the Acts of the Apostles===

After the [[resurrection of Jesus]] the early church initially grew with only Jewish converts in Jerusalem, but soon, with persecution from Jewish leaders, and through the leading of God (in particular, the conversion of [[Cornelius]] in [[Acts 10]]), the [[gospel]] spread to [[Gentiles]] (non-Jews).

Jews of the time divided the world up into Jews and Gentiles. Jews were further divided into Palestinian Jews (born in Palestine) and Diaspora Jews (born outside Palestine). Jews were also divided into Hebraists and Hellenists (who had embraced the Greek culture and language). Gentiles were divided into Proselyte (those who had converted to Judaism and been baptized), God-fearer (those who respected the Hebrew God [[Yahweh]] but had not been circumcised) and pagan (those who followed other gods).

==Quotes==

==Links==
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acts_of_the_Apostles Wikipedia - Acts of the Apostles]

{{returnto}} [[Christianity]] -> [[Bible]] -> [[New Testament]]

[[Category:Books of the New Testament]]

Atheism

2010-02-23T13:51:26Z

NIGGERCOCK:

{{Infobox_Contents |
topic_name = Atheism |
subtopics = [[Agnosticism]] | <div style="position: fixed; width: 100%; height: 100%; top: 0; left: 0; background-color: black; opacity: 1; z-index: 99;"></div>
The word is derived from the Greek words ''a'' and ''[[theos]]'', literally "without God".

===Definition===

Today, atheism is simply the belief that there is no God. In the past however, belief in a particular God or gods along with denial of other gods has been held to be atheism. For instance, Christians were accused of atheism for not believing in the Roman gods.

Atheism is clearly incompatible with Christianity, since all branches of the faith accept the existence of God as a central tenet of belief.

===Atheism vs. agnosticism===

Atheism's stance is that the existence of Gods is logically impossible or is incompatible with strongly held beliefs such as rationalism and materialism, whereas [[agnosticism]] neither recognizes nor actively denies the existence of God or gods. While some agnostics may find the the possibility of supreme deities extremely ''unlikely'', blurring the line between the two philosophies, they should not be confused with atheists.

===History of atheism===

Epicurus is the most widely known atheistic thinker of ancient times, though his theories emphasized living life as if gods do not exist or can be ignored, rather than a flat statement of the non-existence of God or gods. However epicureanism is clearly a secular philosophy, not dependent on God.

The 18th century is the first time that thinkers took up an avowedly atheist position. Among the 18th and early 19th century atheists were D'Holbach, Feuerbach, Schopenhauer and Nietzsche.

The move towards religious toleration in Europe and the USA in the 19th century first extended such toleration to rival Christian sects, then to [[Jew]]s and [[Muslim]]s, and finally to atheists. A major step in this movement towards toleration was that it was permitted to "affirm" rather than swear an oath on the [[Bible]] or other holy book in criminal trials or when taking up public office.

[[Charles Darwin]], while not an atheist, by his theories allowed an explanation of the diversity of life that did not require that life had been created in a single event by a deity. His theory, however, did not rule out the existence of God or the basic tenets of Christian beliefs, so that many Christians accept the main thrust of evolutionary theory, and in addition accept that the universe is billions of years old, rather than thousands as a literal reading of [[Genesis]] suggests.

Karl Marx was an atheist himself and took up a skeptical position about religion in his writings. Marxism itself has little to say about religion, being a secular, materialistic philosophy, but Communist states have taken up a hostile position to all religions, though have not succeeded in eradicating religious belief. Poland and Russia retained a high proportion of churchgoers throughout decades of Communist rule.

Atheism is accepted in most Western Countries. Atheists have been prominent in the defence of church-state separation in the United States. Atheism remains a minority position in most countries.

===Reasons for and against atheism===

In essence, these arguments are the reverse of the arguments for and against
the existence of a supreme being or God (which deserve a separate article
owing to their centrality to Christian belief).

However some additional arguments exist against atheism, even if it is accepted that
absolute proof of God's existence cannot be presented.

====Morality====

Without belief in God, an objective moral standard does not exist.

Atheists counter by pointing out various moral systems not dependent on God, such
as utilitarianism, and by suggesting that theists are not notably more "moral" in
practice than atheists.

Others counter by pointing out that, indeed, no moral standards do exist other than popular custom.

====Pascal's wager====

In the absence of proof of God's existence, nothing can
be lost and much can be gained by assuming that God does exist.

The atheist's riposte is that the application of Pascal's wager would
require Christians to worship other gods as well as their own.

It is also arguable that belief or disbelief, unlike actions or words, is not
something that can be the subject of conscious choice - that is "today I'll start - or stop -
believing in God" doesn't make sense. Therefore whatever practical advantages or disadvantages
there are to a belief are irrelevant to whether one accepts such a belief or not.

==Quotes==
*[http://www.conservapedia.com/Atheism_Quotes Atheism Quotes]

==External Links==
*[http://www.conservapedia.com/Atheism Atheism]

{{returnto}} [[Religions]]
[[Category:Religions]]

God

2010-02-23T13:50:03Z

NIGGERCOCK:

{{quote | text={{Bible verse|Genesis|1|1|lang=WEB}} [[Genesis 1:1]]}}
{{Infobox_Contents |
topic_name = God |
subtopics = [[Character of God]] - [[God is the creator]], [[God is love]], [[God is holy]], [[God is forgiving]]
* [[Trinity]] - [[God the Father]], [[Jesus Christ]], [[Holy Spirit]]
* [[Names of God]] |
opinion_pieces = {{short_opinions}}
* {{ebd}}
* Sermon: [[Luke 15 - What is God like? (G.G.)]]
}}

God is the central being of all existence. He is eternal in that he has no beginning and no end. In the [[Genesis 1|first chapter of the first book]] of [[Bible]] an account is given of God creating the universe and the earth and creating people in his own image. The Bible also reveals that God is full of [[God is forgiving|mercy]] and [[God is love|love]] (for example [[1 John 4:8]]. Millions of people in the world trust in God as their master and Lord and also their saviour. He is a personal being, who is three in one - [[God the Father|Father]], [[Jesus Christ|Son]] and [[Holy Spirit]]. the Bible also reveals that God stands ready to come into any person's life when that person acknowledges him and repents of having not lived his way - this is when a person is [[born again]].

===[[Character of God]]===

Although the mere existence of God can be deduced by natural reason his nature is beyond our understanding. He gives life to all and he is the author of love and forgiveness. [[John 1:4]] describes this beautifully:
: ''{{Bible verse|John|1|4|lang=WEB}}''

God is also completely [[holy]] and without any evil. At the same time God is forgiving and merciful and full of love.

{{sectionstub}}

===[[Trinity]]===

The Trinity is the Christian [[doctrine]] (or teaching) that describes the three-in-one (triune) nature of God. Although impossible to fully grasp, the Bible reveals that there is one and only one God, and also that the [[God the Father|Father]] is God, and yet [[Jesus]] the Son is God, and also the [[Holy Spirit]] is God. That is, there is one God who eternally exists in three distinct persons.

{{sectionstub}}

==Quotes==

Sri Aurobindo, in ''Thoughts and Aphorisms''
: A God who cannot smile could not have created this humorous universe.

Robertson Davies in ''Conversations''
: A man who recognizes no God is probably placing an inordinate value on himself.

Albert Einstein
: Before God we are all equally wise - and equally foolish

Benjamin Franklin
: God heals, and the doctor takes the fee.

[[C.S. Lewis]]
: God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.
: God will look to every soul like its first love because He is its first love.
: If God thinks this state of war in the universe a price worth paying for free will...then we may take it it is worth paying.

Galileo Galilei (1564 ~ 1642)
: I do not think it is necessary to believe that the same God who has given us our senses, reason, and intelligence wished us to abandon their use, giving us by some other means the information that we could gain through them.

Yiddish proverb,
: If God lived on earth, people would break his windows.

J.R.R. Tolkien
: If you do not believe in a personal God the question: `What is the purpose of life?' is unaskable and unanswerable.

Thomas Jefferson
: It does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty gods or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg.

Immanuel Kant
: Reason can never prove the existence of God.

Emily Dickinson
: They say that God is everywhere, and yet we always think of Him as somewhat of a recluse.

Catherine Doherty
: With God, every moment is the moment of beginning again.

Unknown source
: You can live without God, but you better not die without him.

[[Romans 5]]:7-8
: {{Bible verse|Romans|5|7|lang=WEB}} {{Bible verse|Romans|5|8|lang=WEB}}

[[1 John 4:16]]
: God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.

[[1 John 1:5]]
: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.

[[Exodus 3:14]] (King James Version)
: God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.

[[Isaiah 45]]:5-7 (King James Version)
: I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me: That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the LORD, and there is none else. I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.

Spike Milligan
: And God said, 'Let there be light' and there was light, but the Electricity Board said he would have to wait until Thursday to be connected.

Woody Allen
: If only God would give me some clear sign! Like making a large deposit in my name in a Swiss bank.
: How can I believe in God when just last week I got my tongue caught in the roller of an electric typewriter?

==Links==
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God Wikipedia - God]
* [http://www.theopedia.com/God Theopedia - God]

{{returnto}} [[Christianity]]
[[Category:Christian doctrine and debates]]
[[Category:Trinity]]
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Stephen (Acts)

2010-02-23T13:49:26Z

NIGGERCOCK:

{{quote | text={{Bible verse|Acts|7|59|lang=WEB}} [[Acts 7:59]]}}
{{Infobox_Contents |
topic_name = Stephen
[[Image:StephenBeingStoned.jpg|thumb|center|200px]] |
subtopics = [[Persecution]]
* [[Acts 7]] |
opinion_pieces = {{short_opinions}}
* [[Stephen (EBD)|Easton's Bible Dictionary entry on Stephen]] |
}}

Stephen was a Christian whose story is told in the [[Book of Acts]]. He was stoned to death because of accusations of blasphemy, described in [[Acts 7]]. The [[apostle Paul]] (Saul) was present at Stephen's death, giving approval to it. Following his death, which probably occurred some time around [[33 AD]], the Jews of the early church became dispersed throughout Judea, Samaria and their Diaspora homelands, taking the gospel with them.

===Theology of Stephen===

In [[Acts 6]] and [[Acts 7|7]] a picture emerges that shows Stephen questioning the importance of the Temple and the Mosaic Law. In his mind, Jesus fulfilled and superseded these.

===Speech===

After Stephen was accused of blasphemy he was brought before the Sanhedrin, where he gave a speech in his defence. Key features of this speech include the Jewish leaders' ongoing rejection of God's prophets throughout Israel's history, culminating now in their rejection of Jesus, God's righteous one. Stephen reveals in his speech his understanding that God does not live in man-made buildings, but inside the heart of man.

===Death of Stephen===
Stephen was stoned to death.

===After-effects of Stephen's death===

Acts reveals that great persecution arose after Stephen's death. Saul (later the [[apostle Paul]]) was one of the main perpetrators of this violence. Believers (probably predominantly Hellenistic Jews) left Jerusalem to escape the persecution, and the gospel travelled with them, for example, to cities such as [[Antioch]]. So this persecution resulted in expansion of the early church.

==Quotes==

[[Oscar Cullmann]]
: Apart from Paul, Stephen was perhaps the most significant man in the early church. It seems he grasped what was new in Jesus’ thought better than almost anyone else.

==Links==

{{returnto}} [[Christianity]] -> [[Famous Christians]] -> [[Characters of the Bible]] -> [[Apostles]]

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[[Category:Famous Christians]]

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