In Chapter 6 of The Prince Machiavelli utilizes Moses as one figure of his “greatest examples” (Machiavelli 22) in order to propose that religion serves as a vehicle to form principalities “that are altogether new” (21). Machiavelli suggests that in order for a new prince to settle a new state he must lead out of necessity with virtue and force to maintain the utmost compliance of his “lukewarm defenders” (23), who ultimately becoming believers of the new prince’s new order. Machiavelli’s proposal poses the question if it is possible to forcefully create believers, while remaining virtuous? In a Machiavellian frame, religion, such as the dialogue between the prophet Moses and the Lord in The Exodus, serves as the very vehicle that enables…
Author, Malcolm Gladwell, in chapter 4 of his book titled, David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants, challenges the common definition of the word “disadvantage” by using evidence about people who are dyslexic. He uses logical and emotional appeals and repetition to make the reader question their interpretations of disadvantages, to emphasize we can overcome those difficulties and to suggest that some difficulties may even be desirable. Gladwell opens the chapter expounding upon what dyslexia is and what a disadvantage it can be. He appeals to the logical side of readers with the statement, “What do we mean when we call something a disadvantage? Conventional wisdom holds that a disadvantage is something that ought to be avoided—that it is a setback or a difficulty that leaves you worse off than you would be otherwise.…
This was often seen in the crafting of spears or knives where the handle was…
Introduction In the beginning he mentions that the subject of this book has been in his mind for a long time. This book is meant to explain the ancient manuscripts of the New Testament and the differences as well as the changes it went through. He then discusses his childhood and his experiences with religion. Ehrman discusses how the Bible was not focused on as much as the church was in his childhood.…
The Scripture in Forty-Two Sections is a collection of parables, traditionally considered as the first Buddhist scripture translated into Chinese. However, there are also aspects of the text that suggests that the scripture is actually a Chinese product. The reason why it is hard to distinguish one from the other is because the scripture is both. Physically, the text most likely have been compiled in China. Yet, it consists of Buddhist teachings translated in a way that makes it both appealing and understandable to the Chinese.…
Leonardo da Vinci once said, “Nothing strengthens authority so much as silence.” Namely, a person does not rise in status or become powerful by attempting to gain control over others by force; rather, one achieves a greater level of status or power through individual merit. A powerful person is a person who, not only possess political or social authority but who is also strong or influential in the behavior of others or in the course of events. The pursuit of power is depicted in many literary works, one of them, in particular, being Moses, Man of the Mountain by Zora Neale Hurston. In her novel, Hurston contrasts the novel’s two main characters, Pharaoh and Moses, to make the statement that those who solely and forcefully chase after power and status, as opposed to morals and virtue, do not achieve their goal, but instead, are brought to their downfall.…
Judaism is one of the largest and oldest religion in the world, with 14 million Jews and 3500 years of history. In its history, there have been many individuals who have been important in the Jewish religion. One of the most important is Moses, a Jewish man who was raised as an Egyptian royal, led the Israelites out of Egyptian captivity, and gave the people commandments from God. Moses was born during a time where the Egyptians had decreed that the first borns be of every Jewish family be killed. He laid in a basket and placed in the Nile where later the Pharaoh’s daughter found him.…
In stories of self-actualization there is most often an incident that is written off as unimportant, and in Zora Neale Hurston’s “Their Eyes Were Watching God” this trend continues. Janie’s relationship with Vergible “Tea Cake” Woods is generally regarded as the point where Janie discovers who she is as an individual, while her relationship with Joe Starks (Jody) is often overlooked. What seems to be overlooked is the fact that because of her relationship with Jody, Janie discovers what she doesn’t want out of a relationship and that she should not settle for just anything. This realization that Janie has eventually helps her accept Tea cake later on in the story. Jody’s core values and way of life often clashed with Janie’s…
When it comes to famous authors in literature, Nathaniel Hawthorne is one who’s choice of diction and symbolism can depict lives of one of America’s historical societies, the Puritans. Hawthorne was no stranger to the works of Puritan fiction. One of his more well known, The Scarlett Letter. Based on the article published by the Karabuk University (Uğur Uçum), A Reconsideration of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s “The Scarlett Letter”, this Romantic story based on the Puritan’s thrive to creating a “purely religious society” and how it “disapproves” against Puritan ideology (120). Hawthorne’s work on Puritan fiction can be further analyzed in his story “Young Goodman Brown”.…
People were put on this earth dating back to 1 to 2 million years ago. Since those days we have managed to create civilization, make advancements in language, and in education. One thing that has failed to be accomplished is being able to coexist in total tranquility. It may be unattainable, but strides can be made to get closer to this goal.…
The book I am reading for this module is “Their eyes were watching god.” The book begins where Janie has already grown old. I am currently on the second chapter. Some challenges that I think characters in this story might face are immigration laws, child labor, and freedom. I think that problems with freedom will occur in the story because I think Janie is black and there might be racism and slavery during the time period in the book.…
The Bible tells us in Revelation 3-12 that there will be Two Witnesses that prophesy on the earth. But the question that lingers is, “Who are the Two Witnesses?”. There are many different possibilities as for who could be the Two Witnesses, each is uniquely qualified to be one of the Witnesses. The first possibility is Moses and Elijah, this is an idea that is made popular by the Jewish people. The next idea is Enoch and Elijah, I think that this idea is well supported by the Bible.…
1} Why did Moses kill the Egyptian that was beating on a slave? I would like to know the reasoning behind Moses killing the Egyptian since the majority of people kill somebody for a reason; however occasionally people just like to kill random people. So I would like to know if he killed the Egyptian for a purpose or just for amusement. 2} Why did Moses listen to God? I would ask this question to anybody who has been talked to by God.…
Sermon Notes Ephesians 4:1-6 (part 2) “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” Recap: - Urged to walk in a manner worthy of our calling o Calling is discussed in chapter 1-3 of Eph Then Paul talks about how to walk worthy • Humility (Lowliness) • Gentleness (meekness) • Patience (endurance) • Forbearance…
Three important themes to consider when reading the Hebrew Bible are God’s relationship with humanity, humanity’s attempt to be like God, and humanity’s disobedience of God. These themes are important in any religious text because they are crucial to understanding the human condition and the purpose of human existence. Genesis reveals how God’s relationship changes because of disobedience, as well as how a desire to be equal to God motivates disobedience. This is important in how it explains the ultimate reason humans sin and how it affects God’s relationship with humanity.…