Throughout time there have been many different creation stories and myths, but why are some so different? The answer may be found in the culture of the author or the time period of the creation story. Genesis is believed to be composed between 2000-1500 B.C. "Paradise Lost" by John Mi...

Change is inevitable; nothing is immutable. While most things change for the better, some things have evidently gotten worse. One case is the role of women in society. Once seen as equals with men, today, there clearly exists great disparity between the two genders. For instance, the word mistress u...

The Dead Sea Scrolls have certainly been one of the most, if not the most, important discoveries of ancient documents in the last 100 years. Certainly, it has been the most contentious of all discoveries and an entire flood of criticism, whether scholarly, evangelical, skeptical, or conspiratorial, ...

The neophyte stood in front of the altar with a large divine imagine facing her. On the alter was a folded white robe with a sword upon it. A initiated member of the inner circle lit white candles and incense while another switched on a powerful twin light to illuminate the divinely image. The...

Saint Jude St. Jude Thaddeus, or Labbaeus, is the patron saint of the hopeless with his feast day falling on October 28th. Many know him as the forgotten saint, as his name was almost forgotten in history, however, the Epistle of Jude is attributed to him, although many would disagree. Not to...

The Cathedral of St. John the Divine is the Episcopalian answer to St. Patrick's Cathedral. St. John the Divine's is the world's largest cathedral and observation alone of its beautiful external artwork is a rewarding experience. The west facade of St. John the Divine's is c...

The term scapegoat originates from Biblical times. More specifically, chapter 16 in the book of Leviticus presents the story of Yom Kippur, more commonly and modernly known as the "Day of Atonement." This was a day when man's sins were to be forgiven through strict ritualistic practic...

My paper will discuss the views about women in the church presented by Nolan and Johnson. Both see how Jesus empowered women, and I will discuss the points they bring up to support that. These authors share in the idea that women are important in Catholic history. In her book, Johnson discusses...

Since the dawn of time, a small number of men and women have found themselves to be attracted to members of their own sex. This has come to be known as homosexuality. In every age, this minority has struggled with the prejudices and hatred of others unfamiliar with the homosexual struggle. Even t...

In the Greek language of Jesus' day, the word baptizo meant to dip or immerse an object in water. In its Christian use baptizo came to mean the act of Baptism, or the washing and cleansing of something to renew it. Jesus' Baptism took place in the Jordan River. (Gospel According to Mark)...

This chapter contains one of the most well known--and one of my favorite--Bible stories, including the famous question, "Am I my brother's keeper?" Like all Bible narratives, it is very succinct, offering only the facts and not even all of those--such as exactly how Cain killed Abel...

The Bible, To Kill a Mockingbird, and The Catcher in the Rye. All books. Old books that are still enjoyed by old and young readers alike. But what makes these books different from other books? Why are these classics and yet other books aren't? Aren't ALL old books "classics?"...

Character Analysis In the novel, Friday Night Lights by H.G. Bissinger, there are several prominent characters who display vivid and unique characteristics. However, one character remains dominant as a person with ethics as he battles with himself over the eternal question of right or wrong. Thi...

Marriage is a three-ring circus: engagement ring, wedding ring, and suffering. -- Anonymous It is important that we realize that religion is just like people, they are different, in that we must realize that it is not "normal" for us however it is life to others. In this paper I will discu...

What does St. Augustine have to say to post-modern culture? I think that the most vital aspect in Augustine's Confessions, more specifically his books "Student at Carthage" and "The birth-pangs of Conversion", is the concept of True Love. Augustine tells us that love is paradoxically balanced be...

"The Parable of the Prodigal Son" as recorded by Luke in Luke 12:11-32 of the Bible, is one that is known worldwide. The central theme of this story is one that can be applied many ways. Because of this, many religions have some form of this story in their religious text. This story ...

I recently read an article about how God can be a loving God, yet send people to hell. The article has changed my life dramatically as well as my former views on hell. Being raised Baptist as a child (no slander intended toward Baptists!), I was sort of scared into Heaven. That might be better p...

Biblical Relationships in Wangerin's The Book of the Dun Cow The relationship between good and evil in Wangerin's novel, The Book of the Dun Cow, is conveyed by farm animals that portray characteristics of religious characters and events from the Holy Bible. Wangerin, being a preach...

Caravaggio is considered to be one of the most acclaimed painters of all time, and his painting "The Calling of St. Matthew" is my favorite of all his work. He was born in 1573 in Italy. He is the son of an architect and a steward. We don't know much of his childhood, but we do know that he wa...

Peter and Paul Peter was an apostle of Jesus Christ and was one of the twelve disciples. He was formally known as Simon but Jesus changed his name after he became a disciple. Paul was a blasphemous christian hater. He was a leader of the atheists until he became an apostle of Christ, but before...

This essay will talk about two very powerful and influential men. Although they lived centuries ago they have remained in the hearts and minds of people throughout the world. Jesus and Socrates lived in different times but both men were similar in that they firmly stood for what they believed to be ...

The Institution of the Eucharist is seen in all the gospel as well as Paul's first letter to the Corinthians. Although all the testimonies seem to be about the same there are subtle differences that hold different meanings. The first letter to the Corinthians was written during Paul's st...

During the Romanesque period, art often portrayed biblical events or depicted saints and other religious imagery. There were also several different styles of Romanesque art. The development of these styles can be credited to the geographic area in which the art was made, the audience that the art ...

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE FAT LADY ON A PERSONAL AND SYMBOLIC LEVEL In the story Franny and Zooey there is a symbolic figure known as the fat lady, who was first mentioned to Franny and Zooey by their brother Seymour who commit suicide. Automatically, whatever Seymour had said to them would more than li...

Ephesians In Ephesians the disciple Paul speaks to the church at Ephesus. This book is key to Christianity, and setting up a personal faith. Before the creation of the world, we were intended to be holy and blameless; Paul opens the book by reminding us of the free forgiveness God offers. Paul s...