Essential elements of Calvinism Essays

Essential elements of Calvinism Essays Essential elements of Calvinism Essay Essential elements of Calvinism Essay Essay Topic: Religion John Calvin published his first edition of Institutes of the Christian Religion in 1536 as he arrived in Geneva, having being expelled from his native France. Two years later, Calvin left Geneva due mainly to opposition from the council, which was increasingly dominated by Articulants who were strongly opposed Calvin and all that he stood for. From Geneva, Calvin travelled to Strasbourg where he learnt much from Strasbourgs reformer, Martin Bucer. During his time in Strasbourg Calvin worked on his institutes that expressed Calvins key beliefs and was an important element to Calvinism. Calvins theology also gave an all important representation of the reformers plans and ideas, and gave the people a clear portrayal of what was seen to be right and wrong, undoubtedly an important essence to Calvinism. The Ecclesiastical ordinances organised the reformation and were a great success to the movement. The consistory was also a key element in the success of Calvinism in the years of 1536-1564 with a strong ability to keep the population in order. Lastly, the use of French missionaries was a major element in Calvinism especially the spread of the movement across Europe. According to John Lotherington, the Institutes was the single most important book written by any of the Protestant reformers. The Institutes experienced prolific development from just six chapters in 1536 to a restructured published edition in 1539 of nearly three times the length; this continued to flourish and reached eighty chapters by 1559. The fact that they developed so extensively in length shows that Calvins views, and therefore the key ideas in his theology developed over time, according to Keith Randell; his ideas changed and developed in the light of his experiences and further study. Calvin possessed great intelligence and was very familiar with the Bible and writings of the early Church Fathers so was able to effectively express his ideas in a way which would make his ideas inarguable. Calvin had the advantage of being a second generation reformer and this is clearly revealed in his Institutes and many of the ideas expressed are in line with those of Luther but not Zwingli whom Calvin clearly regarded as being second rate, (Randell). Sola fide, (Faith Alone), was taken as the key principle, only faith was able to compensate for mankinds weakness when it came to obeying the law of God, the priesthood of all believers was accepted as a logical consequence of that. Sola scriptura, stated that the Bible alone should be the source of authority for Christians rather than the traditions of the Church or the Popes statements. Calvin was also in agreement with Zwingli and Luther in the view that there were only two sacraments, baptism and the Eucharist. However, the Institutes provided a logical statement of Protestant ideas and teachings and were far superior and important to Luthers, as Luther merely wrote pamphlets. The Institutes enabled Calvin to develop the traditional doctrine of predestination into a doctrine came to be known as double predestination, according to Randell it is the most widely known aspect of Calvins religious thinking. The original theology of predestination from St Augustine stated that God had predestined those who will go to heaven while the rest will have their fate determined by their sin, this was an idea supported by Luther. However Calvins double predestination stated that God had already decided who would go to heaven and who would go to hell, but a persons outcome could only be known after death. This could be interpreted by people as meaning that whatever they did in life did not matter, so sinning would have no effect to whether they go to heaven or hell. However, Calvin was quick to suggest that those who considered themselves damned (to hell) should not use this as an excuse to continue their evil ways, (Randell). Dont know what to do with this or if do include it at all. The Institutes of the Christian Religion outlined Calvins protestant reformation ideas and therefore were key elements in Calvinism. They played a major role in defining Calvins plans for Geneva and the spread of his ideas across the state. Calvin disregarded Zwinglis early teachings which ostensibly reduced the Eucharist to a mere tribute and symbolisation of the Last supper, Calvin stressed that the believer is fed with the substance of Christ. However, this statement is not to say that Calvin was in agreement with Luther who regarded the believer was fed with the physical substance of Christ transubstantiation, Calvin saw the bread and wine as a real but spiritual substance (Lotherington), that the believer consumed at the Eucharist. According to Woodward, Calvin attached less significance to the Eucharist than either Luther or Zwingli, perhaps he was well aware of the theological disputes generated by this subject, showing that perhaps Calvin wished to keep people on his side. As well as disagreeing with transubstantiation, Calvin also denounced indulgences, celibacy and pilgrimages and the most important doctrine to him was the justification by faith. Calvins theology was outlined in the Institutes of the Christian Religion and in four books that explained and expanded on Calvins religious beliefs, and was an invaluable aspect in developing the essential elements of Calvinism. According to Imperato the theology of Calvin was more daring than Luthers moderate beliefs and says that it offers a major alternative to the Lutheran vision of Protestantism. The four books were The Knowledge of God and the Creator, The Knowledge of God the Redeemer in Christ, on the manner of receiving the grace of Christ and on the outward means by which god invites us into the fellowship of Christ. In his first book Calvin outlined his ideas about God, such as the ideas that God is omnipotent and omniscient. In his second Calvin explored sin, an important factor as Calvin perceived much of the Genevan population as particularly unspiritual, (Randall). This book also gave the Genevans security as made clear that if they knew the real truth (Calvinism) they would go to heaven. This book therefore gave to the Genevans in Calvinism and in turn support to Calvin. The third book outlined Calvins ideas about the holy spirit belonging only to believers hearts and that God chooses who will have eternal life and who will be condemned, these ideas would have an important role in keeping control over the people and affecting their actions. The book would encourage citizens to behave if it makes clear that god has a decision over who goes to heaven and who goes to hell, it would also encourage people to embrace Calvinism if they wished to possess the Holy Spirit. The Fourth and final book described the organisation of the Church which was expanded on in his Ecclesiastical Ordinances and was a critical element of Calvinism and the imminent success of it. Calvins theology expressed the importance of congregational singing, which would have brought the church and the citizens together more, helping the population feel more at one with the church. Calvins theology gave a clear portrayal of the ideas behind the movement and played a major part in helping the population understand what they were meant to do and how they were meant to act. During his time in Strasbourg Calvin learned a lot from the citys leading reformer, Martin Bucer, and on his arrival back in Geneva in 1541 Calvin presented his plans for the reorganisation of the Church to the council, this was known as his Ecclesiastical Ordinances. He made it clear on his return that he would only remain in the city if these Ordinances were ratified with the Council and Calvin based his whole institutional Church reform around these ordinances so they were undoubtedly an essential element of Calvinism. The Ecclesiastical Ordinances created a civil and religious structure around which Calvin could foster and guide a community of believers (Armstrong). The Ordinances were partly set up in union with the Little Council which implicated that the Church and State had their own independence but also needed to work together, which ensured that Calvin could work within the system. Calvin proposed four types of church officer, which he had the likes of in Strasbourg, Pasto rs, Doctors, Deacons and Elders. Pastors would preach, teach, administer the sacraments and generally guide citizens in a Christian way of life by proclaiming the word of God (Woodward) They would meet weekly to discuss the Bible, they formed the Company of Pastors. The Doctors were to instruct the faithful in sound doctrine (Woodward), they took some of the load off the pastors in explaining the scriptures and teaching the community the true doctrine. The Deacons task was to look after the sick and needy (Lotherington) An aim was to keep vagrants off the street through offering support and by acting as an early version of the welfare state (Lotherington). This was particularly necessary in Geneva at the time given the fact that Calvinism meant an end to Catholicism and therefore an end to Catholic alms giving. Elders were appointed by the Government and met once a week to oversee the consistory; they were to supervise every persons conduct and so were spread out throughout the city to keep an eye on all of it. Calvin was not setting up a Church in rivalry to the authorities of the state; he was incorporating those authorities into the Church (Lotherington). This shows that the Ecclesiastical Ordinances gave a great sense of structure and organisation to the reformation and Calvinism itself. The fact that the Church and the authorities were working in conjunction with each other was an essential element to the overall success of Calvinism. Calvin made extensive use of French missionaries and without them Calvins word would never have spread as far as it did. The use of French missionaries is significant as it shows that Calvin only really trusted his fellow countrymen, and there was a regular influx of French immigrants to the city particularly in the 1550s. Some of the immigrants had come to the city to train as missionaries but Calvin was aware that training was inadequate, (Lotherington). Lotherington says this because the training was given by the Company of Pastors, but they were very hard pressed as it was. In 1559, the Genevan academy opened to train clergymen in the ideas of Calvinism and encourage missionary activities abroad (Imperato). The missionaries were not only used to spread the word but also to train other missionaries, this ensured that the cycle would continue and that many more people, not just in Geneva, but throughout Europe would hear Calvins ideas. The Institutes of the Christian Religion clarified the key elements of the Calvinist Reformation clear. Without the Institutes Calvins ideas and plans may not have been so evident and therefore the spread of Calvinism would not have been so wide. The Institutes outlined the theology of Calvinism which gave a clear insight into Protestantism and the ideas behind it. Calvins theology enabled the Genevan people to understand what they should believe in terms of religion and morality, i. e. what is right and what is wrong. The fact that Genevans were clear on what they should believe in terms of religion, i. e. the Eucharist meant that the ideas could successfully spread. The Ecclesiastical Ordinances helped to give a strong sense of structure and organisation to the reformation and Calvinism itself. They also led the way for the Church and authorities to work together which would prove to be a crucial element in the success of Calvinism. The Consistory was also an essential element in Calvinism as it imposed strict moral and social regulation s on the Genevan population to keep order and maximise control. The Consistory also ensured that the citizens kept to the religion as they should, the people of Geneva could do little to resist the Consistory and could in turn do little to resist the spread of Calvinism. Finally the use of French missionaries was a strong element in the dispersal of Calvins ideas across Geneva as well as the rest of Europe, without the missionaries spreading Calvins words it is very doubtful that Calvinism would have grown as successfully as it did.

Business - Leadership and Change Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Business - Leadership and Change - Essay Example Hence, a viable leadership in a contemporary scenario comprises of a talent for fluidity and adaptability aimed at recognising the need for change and then the potential to lead change (Mullins 2004). Therefore, the capability to create, manage and lead change is of immense importance in the contemporary leaders. Such a versatile mode of leadership rests on a plethora of apt abilities like a viable vision, the power to inspire, effective communication, emotional intelligence and appropriate conflict resolution skills (Kotter et al. 2006). Effective leadership most of the times rests on a sound and solid vision (Zaccaro 2001, p. 106). However, the term ‘vision’ here does not mean a chunk of imaginary green cheese, which is conceptualised by a leader, sans any concern for the aspirations and opinions of one’s followers. In contrast, ‘vision’ comprises of a set of reasons, which could lead to a better future in an individual and organisational context an d which could be easily grasped and adhered to by personnel placed at all levels within a set up (Zaccaro 2001, p. 106). The hall mark of an effective leader is that one is capable of coming out with a vision with which each and every follower could identify with and commit to. It is only when individual followers see a personal stake in the collective vision that they go beyond their capabilities and stamina to make it a reality (Zaccaro 2001, p. 106). For instance, John F Kennedy came out with a vision to place a man on the moon (Barnes 2005, p. 154). The eventual success of this vision could be attributed to the fact that it extended something to aspire for and be proud about to every individual American (Barnes 2005, p. 154). Inspiration lies at the foundation of an effective leadership approach (Adair 2002, p. 110). Great leaders do always have the ability to inspire others to follow them. Yet, the biggest asset of an inspiring leader is that one is always willing to live the c hange that one intends to bring about (Adair 2002, p. 110). It is one’s passion to engage oneself in all the aspects of a change that one desires to bring about that makes the other followers reach the heights of performance (Storey 2004, p. 113). The leadership style of Gandhi was best known for his ability to inspire others through personal example (Adair 2002, p. 322). The one big thing about Gandhi was that he was always the first to adopt the change that he aspired to bring about in the society (Gandhi 2006). Such an approach most of the times succeeded in inspiring his followers to engage with his vision of change in a sincere and selfless manner (Gandhi 2006). A successful leader by necessity needs to be really good at communicating his vision (Kirkpatrick 2001, p. 47). However, as usually understood, communication is not merely about a drab exchange of prosaic ideas and information between a sender and the recipient. Communication is something much more than that. It is about the ability to exchange ideas and information with all the essential passion and emotions hovering around those ideas (Kirkpatrick 2001, p. 48). In leadership, communication is not merely about informing but also about moving, inspiring, motivating, energising, pacifying, and a range of other abilities, as and when required by a particular situation or challenge. Communication is about bringing in that essential human element in the exchange of information and ideas, which has the ability to wrest

Hypothetical Working Agreement Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Hypothetical Working Agreement Paper - Essay Example After reading through the work, you are free to contact me through the message board for any clarifications and amendments and I shall be glad to assist you. Thank you. Hypothetical Working Agreement between Clinician and Sheila who wants her children back Introduction The use of illegal drugs such as cocaine, marijuana and heroine continue to be a critical issue in our contemporary world. The menace has no proved advantage but day in and out, people get themselves in it. According to the Schaffer Library of Drug Policy (2006), â€Å"The effects of marijuana and THC on several intellectual and cognitive abilities with drug doses commonly used in North America today.440 Short-term serial position memory was significantly impaired with the higher THC and marijuana doses, but not with lesser quantities.† The same is true for cocaine and other hard drugs. The cause of illegal drug usage results from false ideas peddled about them. In some circles, it is believed that the use of dr ugs can improve intellectual performance but people who follow these ‘doctrines’ only end up retarding their intellectual capabilities instead of improving it. It is a situation of this nature that Sheila currently find herself in; resulting in the adoption of her two children by the Child Protective Unit. But of course, there is hope for Sheila as long as she is willing to be helped. Assessment Sheila, who lives in Austin, Texas No.1 Westend Street, is a 27-year-old mother with two kids. The woman, a White American by descent is currently separated with her husband and lives with her cousin in Austin, Texas. The 27 year old lady is a Catholic and works with a local restaurant as waitress though she is a first degree holder in Education. Sheila has had four years previous working experience as a teacher; at which time she received as much as $1800 a month compared to the $900 she takes currently as a waitress. The lady, who justifiably deserves more than her current soc ial status has a problem of drug addiction. She has been using crack cocaine for four years. Meanwhile, â€Å"Existing law provides for services to abused and neglected children and their families† (Department of Social Service, 2007). Consequently, Sheila’s two children, ages 7 and 9 were removed from her care by Child Protective Services when her addiction because noticeably clear and she started losing control in bringing the kids up. Though Sheila admits the stand of the Child Protective Services is legal, she seriously feels that she needs her children back under her care. This is because the situation makes Sheila feel even more irresponsible, disrespected and guilty. Apart from drug addiction and the separation of her children from her, Sheila has also separated with her husband and this situation also causes her a lot of worry. Because of the separation of both husband and children, Sheila sees herself as an outcast and this demoralize her a lot. She feels reje cted and even cheated for losing her children. Sheila addiction has taken from her some degree of social recognition and respect. What worsens her situation are her biopsychosocial stressors which includes, peer pressure, poverty, depression, low self-esteem and lost of dignity. However, despite all her problems, Sheila possesses some excellent qualities. This is a confirmation of the saying that â€Å"nothing is all wrong: even a stopped clock is right twice a day†. Among other things, Sheila is courageous, loving,

From Africa to the Americans Essay Example for Free

From Africa to the Americans Essay The first pages of Kelly and Lewis’ To Make Our World Anew: Volume I: A History of African Americans to 1880 had opened the eyes of its readers about the real nature of the African race. While discussing the slave history of Black in the Western Hemisphere, he redirect the focus in discussing the great history of the Black people in its homeland in Africa. Prior to the slave trade and during the peak and climax of the numerous Black civilizations that existed, the Black people had managed to construct and established huge empires that were characterized with civilized systems like language and systems of writing. In many cases, the achievements of the Black people during their stay in their homeland can be compared to the successes of some of the greatest empire and civilizations that had existed in the East and in the West. It is just disappointing that the heritages of the Black people in Africa are undermined when compared to the heritage of the Asians or Americans for example. Rather, what is plotted in the mind of many people is the Blacks history as a slave. As the modern world had managed to reverse its perception on Black in relation to slavery period, it is important to note what happened in the past and the real history. Lewis and Kelly with their objective approach of the situation and history had provided us a new way of perceiving the Black people. With their reminders that great civilizations like Egypt that impacted other great civilizations like Greece and Rome, we are now starting to appreciate the beauty and wonders of the Black culture and descent. Today more than ever, we now see them not as ‘other people’ but rather a person that is equal to us that just happened to be created with a different color. Indeed, this is an improvement in the way of life in the modern world. Works Cited Kelly, Robin Lewis, Earl. To Make Our World Anew: Volume I: A History of African Americans to 1880. 2000. Oxford UP. Oxford. pp. 3-52. Print.

Climate Change: Global Emissions of Green House Gases Essay -- Environ

There are growing concerns about climate change and the effect of ‘greenhouse gases’ (GHG) on the gradual increase in world temperatures over time, now commonly known as global warming. The ‘greenhouse effect’ means that ‘greenhouse gases’ such as water vapour (H2O), carbon dioxide (CO2), methane, nitrous oxide, and fluorocarbons insulate the Earth by absorbing heat from the Earth’s surface and reflecting it back into the atmosphere, acting in a similar way to a thermal blanket (Houghton, 2005). Although associated in recent times with pollution and climate change, the ‘greenhouse effect’ is essential for the continuity of the Earth’s climate (Karl and Trenberth, 2003). However, since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution (from the 18th to the 19th Century), the burning of fossil fuel meant that the greenhouse effect went from simply protecting the Earth’s climate to causing an actual increase in world temperatures (Martinez, 2005; Houghton, 2005). The gaseous culprit is the seemingly innocuous CO2, although harmless in the right atmospheric proportions, it is nevertheless a very powerful insulator and heat reflector (Houghton, 2005). Since 1750, the concentration of CO2 has increased by over 30% and is now at a higher level than it has been for thousands of years (Martinez, 2005; EPA, 2007). In fact, it is argued that if no action is taken to curb these emissions, then the concentration of CO2 will rise throughout the remainder of this century to two or three times its preindustrial level (Houghton, 2005). The Scientific evidence on global warming dates as far back as the second half of the 19th Century and the work of physicist John Tyndall and chemist Svente Arrhenius. It was particularly accelerated in the past 20... ...add around 7 meters to the world’s sea level (Gregory et al., 2004), with extremely damaging results for mankind and the ecosystem (Houghton, 2005). Global emissions of CO2 to the atmosphere from fossil fuel burning are approaching 7 billion tonnes of CO2 per annum and are rising rapidly (Houghton, 2005; Stern, 2006). In fact, energy related emissions are forecasted to grow by over 2% per year over the next 30 years, if the world community continue with ‘business as usual’ (Stern, 2006). However, emissions during the 21st century must be reduced to a fraction of their present levels before the century’s end in order to stabilize CO2 concentrations (Houghton, 2005; Stern, 2006). Effective responses require collective action (Stern, 2006) and global efforts are needed to develop global solutions to overcome these global problems (Houghton, 2005, Stern, 2006).

Dehumanization in All Quiet on the Western Front Essay

In All Quiet on the Western Front by Enrique Maria Remarque, the reader follows Paul Baumer as he fights through World War I and discovers the trials of being a soldier. As they survive through the war with each other, Paul and the other soldiers began to understand certain realities of life. Going into the battlefield teenagers, the soldiers come out as old men, burdened with their experiences. The war, meant to glorify Germany and turn its men into heroes, deadens and dehumanizes Paul and the other soldiers until they can’t recognize themselves. As soldiers, Paul and his friends are treated with little care. Their superiors act as if they are animals, replaceable and expendable because there are so many of them, and they hold so little power by themselves. Although only teenagers, these soldiers have had to grow up quickly in order to fight for their apparently insignificant lives. It is said that â€Å"[they] are the Iron Youth† (21). By describing the soldiers as â€Å"Iron,† Paul expresses how much the war has changed them. Iron, which can be interpreted both literally and figuratively, is a strong metal that covers a lot of the Earth as well as residing in its core. Therefore, with the soldiers described as â€Å"iron†, they are referred to as replaceable, expendable, and abundant in numbers. Also, â€Å"iron† can be used to describe someone who is determined, tough, and strong, showing how much these 19 year old soldiers have had to grow up in order to stay alive in the war. They lost their childhood, aging into old men because of the devastation and experiences they’ve encountered. And slowly, as their childhood goes, their humanity and liveliness leaves as well. The more the soldiers are treated like cattle, disposable and soulless, the faster they regress. Remarque often uses beast imagery to describe the soldiers at war, showing their relapse into animals while on the battlefield. We have become wild beasts. We do not fight, we defend ourselves against annihilation. It is not against men that we fling our bombs, what we do know of men in this moment in which death is hunting us down†¦ we can destroy and kill, to save ourselves, to save ourselves and be revenged (73). By using beast imagery, Remarque shows how the emotions of he soldiers are stripped away until they are only left with the instinct to do anything to stay alive. They fight not against other men, but other beasts as well, for deep down, all soldiers are the same, fighting for their comrades and for themselves instead of for their country. Just as men do beasts, Death â€Å"hunts† the soldiers on the battlefield, chasing after them as they become animals: replaceable, expendable, and superfluous. While the individual soldier is extraneous, many men make up the armies that fight wars. Most often, Remarque describes how these many soldiers change mentally because of the war; by describing how these men physically come together to form a fighting company, Remarque shows just how much the war has changed them. Farther on, the mist ends. Here the heads become figures; coats, trousers, and boots appear out of mist as from a milky pool. They become a column†¦. individuals are no longer recognizable†¦. a column – not men at all (57). The â€Å"column† that Remarque uses to describe the soldiers shows how they are the support that holds the military up. Without the columns of soldiers, the lieutenants, generals, and other leaders in the army would be insignificant because they would have no inferiors and not enough men to fight a war. The â€Å"individual† soldier is irrelevant, too. He has no power on his own, because men do not fight wars. Armies do. When one soldier falls, another takes his place without second thought, as if an automaton or a well-trained dog. They follow orders without questions, and eventually the soldier can no longer comprehend the man he used to be before the war, because they have lost all personality and individuality. They have become blank, same, and dehumanized, more beastly with every day at the front. By the end of the war, the soldiers that returned to Germany are unrecognizable. They have fought like animals, run from Death, and seen so many horrors. While they went to war to be heroes, to fight for their country, the soldiers came back broken and empty, only shells of their former selves. They have regressed slowly, losing the will to live, and changing until they can’t recognize themselves.

Sudan Social Inequality, the Fight for NaturalResources,...

Sudan: Social Inequality, the Fight for NaturalResources, Civil War Ethics of Development in a Global Environment: War Peace Fighting between the Muslim government in Khartoumand Christian rebel forces located in southern Sudan has long been ignored.This struggle has caused nothing but devastation and depravation for in theregion. More than two millionpeople have died as a result of the conflict, including many innocent civilians. In addition, extremely valuableresources that would surely benefit the entire global economy, are beingneglected and the with the minimized benefits only helping a few . As is the case in most if not all civilwars power is what each side is struggling over. .The north and south werejoined for no good†¦show more content†¦It is obvious that the money associated with oil as a natural resource located in Sudan hasbeen fueling the struggle much longer than necessary. In addition, this oil present in Sudan has contributed tothe war becoming a much more delicate matter. Since oil is such a valuable international resource, manynations share apprehensions about getting inv olved. In fact, accusations havebeen made saying that Oil Companies with interests in Sudan have been directlyfunding certain factions, and are thus perpetuating the conflict. Sudan, the largest country in Africa, was ruled jointly byBritain and Egypt from 1899. Thisended once Sudan gained independence as a parliamentary republic in 1956[1].Since their independence, Sudan has been governed by a succession of volatilecivilian and military governments. The war in Sudan was engaged by alongstanding conflict between the Arab Muslims from the north of Sudan, whogenerally controlled the governmental institutions, and the black Africans ofthe south of Sudan, who follow mainly Christian beliefs. This conflict wasintensified following the imposition of strict Muslim Sharia law in 1983 underthe the en President Nimeri. Two years later President Nimeri was removed througha peaceful coup and the new government decided that it was in the best interestof Sudan to relax of the usage of Sharia law pertaining to non-Muslims[2]. The civil war in Sudan has claimed millionsof lives and forced millions more from their