Since by nature we not only have a disposition to sin but sin in our nature, he asks whether or not human beings possess freedom of choice. ... This is not to say sin is defined as lawlessness in Scripture, though 'sin is lawlessness' (1 John 3:4) reads like a definition.... " It would probably be worthy to note that Culver's rejection of 1 John 3:4 as a definition of sin probably stems from his own presupposition of what sin actually is. ... Man will is not affected by any outside force; however, man's will "is under necessity based on the immutability of God&#x...

• Word Count: 3531
• Approx Pages: 14
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

The first salvo is a statement of the terms of reference: You then . . . have acknowledged that the chief or sole argument for a divine existence (which I have never questioned) is derived from the order of nature, where there appear such marks of intelligence and design that you think it extravagant to assign for its cause either chance or the blind and unguided force of matter. ... "Why torture your brain to justify the course of nature upon suppositions, which, for aught you know, may be entirely imaginary, and of which there are to be found no traces in the course of nature?" ... Our infer...

• Word Count: 4391
• Approx Pages: 18
• Has Bibliography

Evil, however, is much more complicated than that definition suggests. ... The countless atrocities of the twentieth century have stirred a renewed interest in the concept of evil along with a belief that evil is an inherent part of human nature and even the cosmos -- we all realize that evil things do not only happen to us but are universally present. ... In the end I will attempt to integrate ancient daemonology with the concept of the Devil, found only in four major religions (Zoroastrianism, ancient Hebrew religion, Christianity, and Islam), in order to weigh the benefits of personifying e...

• Word Count: 2828
• Approx Pages: 11
• Grade Level: High School

One of the many possible definitions Heschel gives us is that "religion is the answer to man's ultimate questions." ... Now that we know the nature of religion, perhaps we should examine the Bible to discover its nature and how it is useful to us. ... Mankind's relationship with God must be a mutually desired exchange, just as God cannot force us to believe, we cannot force God into dialogue with us. ...

• Word Count: 3573
• Approx Pages: 14
• Grade Level: High School

What is the American family? This question was answered by John de Crevecoeur, in "what is the American?" (1782), when he said: "I could point out to you a family whose grandfather was an Englishman, whose wife was Dutch, whose son married a French woman, and whose present four sons have four wives ...

• Word Count: 9352
• Approx Pages: 37
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School