Religion
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Christianity and Buddhism in Comparative Perspective (Contents)
Part 1. Origins and Foundational Visions Part 2. The Making of the Scriptures: The Bible and the Tripiṭaka Part 3. The Nature of Ultimate Reality Part 4. The Human Condition Part 5. Suffering, Evil, and Moral Order Part 6. The Path to Liberation or Salvation Part 7. Ethics, Love, and…
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Part 1. Origins and Foundational Visions
1. Introduction Christianity and Buddhism rank among the most influential spiritual traditions in human history. Though both respond to the universal experience of suffering and the longing for liberation, they arise from markedly different historical settings and metaphysical assumptions. Christianity proclaims divine revelation through the person of Jesus of Nazareth,…
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Part 2. The Making of the Scriptures: The Bible and the Tripiṭaka
1. Introduction Sacred scripture is the heart of both Christianity and Buddhism, serving as the enduring witness to each tradition’s origin, teaching, and spiritual path. Yet the way these texts emerged, were transmitted, and became authoritative “canons” differs significantly. In Christianity, the Bible is understood as divine revelation recorded through…
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Part 3. The Nature of Ultimate Reality
1. Introduction Every religious and philosophical system begins with a fundamental question: What is ultimately real?In Christianity, ultimate reality is a personal, living God—Creator, Sustainer, and Redeemer—who exists beyond and within creation. In Buddhism, ultimate reality is not a divine being but the true nature of existence itself, described as…
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Part 4. The Human Condition
1. Introduction Every religion begins with an implicit anthropology — an understanding of what it means to be human and why human existence is marked by both beauty and brokenness. Christianity and Buddhism, though profoundly different in metaphysics, share a penetrating diagnosis of the human predicament: humanity lives in alienation…
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Part 5. Suffering, Evil, and Moral Order
1. Introduction No question is more universal than the problem of suffering. Every culture asks: Why do we suffer, and what does suffering mean? Christianity and Buddhism, though distinct in cosmology and theology, both confront the reality of pain, injustice, and moral disorder with remarkable depth. For Christianity, suffering is…
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Part 6. The Path to Liberation or Salvation
1. Introduction Having examined the origins of suffering and moral disorder, we now turn to the paths of transformation. Both Christianity and Buddhism affirm that the human condition is not hopeless: liberation or salvation is possible. Yet they differ profoundly in how this goal is reached. Christianity centres on divine…
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Part 7. Ethics, Love, and Compassion
1. Introduction In both Christianity and Buddhism, ethical life represents the visible expression of spiritual truth. Belief or enlightenment, if genuine, must manifest as compassionate conduct. Yet while the moral teachings of the two traditions share striking similarities in practice, they arise from profoundly different metaphysical and theological foundations. Christian…
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Part 8. Prayer, Meditation, and Spiritual Practice
1. Introduction Every religion seeks not merely to explain the world but to transform the heart. Both Christianity and Buddhism provide structured means of cultivating spiritual awareness and moral discipline. Christianity emphasises prayer, worship, and sacramental life as direct communion with God; Buddhism emphasises meditation, mindfulness, and mental cultivation as…
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Part 9. The Afterlife and the Nature of Eternity
1. Introduction Death has always stood as one of humanity’s greatest mysteries. Every religion seeks to explain what, if anything, lies beyond it. Christianity and Buddhism both affirm that death is not the end, yet they understand continuity of existence in profoundly different ways. Christianity teaches that human life is…
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Part 10. The Person of Christ and the Figure of the Buddha
1. Introduction Every religion is shaped by its founding personality. In Christianity and Buddhism, the life and teaching of the founder embody the path to truth. Both figures exemplify moral purity, compassion, and spiritual authority. Yet they differ radically in nature and self-understanding: one is divine Saviour, the other enlightened…
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Part 11. Truth, Knowledge, and Enlightenment
1. Introduction Every religion offers not only a path to salvation or liberation but also a theory of knowledge — how truth is known, verified, and lived. Christianity and Buddhism approach this question from two fundamentally different epistemological directions: Despite this divergence, both traditions affirm that true knowledge transforms the…
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Part 12. Community, Worship, and the Path of Discipleship
1. Introduction Religion is not lived in isolation. Both Christianity and Buddhism affirm that spiritual growth unfolds within a community of practice. For Christians, this is the Church — the body of Christ, united in worship, sacraments, and service. For Buddhists, it is the Sangha — the community of monks,…
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Part 13. Convergence, Dialogue, and the Search for Universal Wisdom
1. Introduction The encounter between Christianity and Buddhism represents one of the most profound dialogues in religious and philosophical history. Though emerging from vastly different cultures — Judaeo-Hellenic and Indo-Asian — both traditions seek liberation from suffering, transformation of the self, and realisation of ultimate truth. This final study draws…
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Explaining Christianity to Buddhists (Contents)
Part 1: Understanding the Buddhist Mindset Part 2: The Language Barrier – From Revelation to Realisation Part 3: Speaking of God – Explaining a Personal Creator to a Non-Theistic Listener Part 4: Explaining the Soul and the Self Part 5: Grace, Karma, and Moral Cause Part 6: Sin and Suffering…
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Part 1: Understanding the Buddhist Mindset
Bridging the Light: Explaining Christianity to Buddhists with Clarity and Compassion 1. Introduction Before Christians can explain their faith to Buddhists, they must first learn to think as listeners, not lecturers. Buddhism is not merely another religion with different rituals — it is a distinct worldview, a way of seeing…
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Part 2: The Language Barrier – From Revelation to Realisation
Bridging the Light: Explaining Christianity to Buddhists with Clarity and Compassion 1. Introduction When Christians speak about God, sin, faith, and salvation, they are using a vocabulary born from revelation — truths given by a personal God who speaks and acts in history.Buddhists, however, understand truth as something realised through…
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Part 3: Speaking of God – Explaining a Personal Creator to a Non-Theistic Listener
Bridging the Light: Explaining Christianity to Buddhists with Clarity and Compassion 1. Introduction For Christians, speaking about God is natural — the entire faith begins and ends in Him.But for most Buddhists, the word “God” (Deva, Īśvara) refers not to the supreme source of being but to finite celestial beings…
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Part 4: Explaining the Soul and the Self
Bridging the Light: Explaining Christianity to Buddhists with Clarity and Compassion 1. Introduction Among all differences between Christianity and Buddhism, the idea of the “self” or “soul” is one of the most profound.For Christians, the soul is the immortal centre of personal identity — the seat of consciousness, moral choice,…
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Part 5: Grace, Karma, and Moral Cause
Bridging the Light: Explaining Christianity to Buddhists with Clarity and Compassion 1. Introduction For Christians, the word grace (charis) lies at the very heart of faith.For Buddhists, the word karma (kamma) defines the moral structure of reality. Grace means unmerited love — God giving goodness not because it is earned,…
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Part 6: Sin and Suffering — The Christian Meaning of Deliverance
Bridging the Light: Explaining Christianity to Buddhists with Clarity and Compassion 1. Introduction Every religion wrestles with the same universal question: Why do we suffer? For Buddhism, the answer is found in ignorance and craving (avijjā and taṇhā).For Christianity, the answer is found in sin — the breaking of relationship…
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Part 7: Jesus Christ – Saviour, Teacher, and the Living Word
Bridging the Light: Explaining Christianity to Buddhists with Clarity and Compassion 1. Introduction For Christians, Jesus Christ is the centre of all truth — the Son of God, the Saviour, the Word made flesh.For Buddhists, the idea of a divine incarnation or a personal saviour is unfamiliar.They revere the Buddha…
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Part 8: Faith and Practice — The Path of Transformation
Bridging the Light: Explaining Christianity to Buddhists with Clarity and Compassion 1. Introduction To a Buddhist, spiritual progress depends on practice, not belief.Wisdom (prajñā) and compassion (karuṇā) arise through discipline, mindfulness, and meditation, not through accepting doctrines.Therefore, when Christians say “salvation by faith,” many Buddhists hear “passive belief without effort.”…
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Part 9: The Church and the Sangha — Community as Spiritual Support
Bridging the Light: Explaining Christianity to Buddhists with Clarity and Compassion 1. Introduction Both Christianity and Buddhism recognise that spiritual growth is not a solitary journey.Faith and practice flourish within a community of encouragement, learning, and compassion. In Buddhism, this community is the Sangha — monks, nuns, and lay followers…
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Part 10: Dialogue and Witness — Building Bridges without Barriers
Bridging the Light: Explaining Christianity to Buddhists with Clarity and Compassion 1. Introduction Interfaith dialogue is not about winning arguments but about sharing light.When Christians speak to Buddhists, the goal is not conversion through debate, but understanding through compassion.Truth does not compete; it illuminates. Both Christianity and Buddhism are paths…
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Explaining Buddhism to Christians (Contents)
Part 1: Understanding the Buddhist Worldview Part 2: The Life of the Buddha – History and Meaning Part 3: The Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path Part 4: Karma, Rebirth, and the Law of Cause and Effect Part 5: The Concept of No-Self (Anattā) and Impermanence Part 6: Nirvāṇa…
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Part 1: Understanding the Buddhist Worldview
Explaining Buddhism to Christians with Clarity and Compassion 1. Introduction Before one can explain Buddhism to Christians, it is vital to begin with understanding — not judgment, not debate, but clarity rooted in compassion.Many Christians hear of Buddhism only through fragments: meditation, karma, peace, or reincarnation. Yet beneath these surface…
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Part 2: The Life of the Buddha – History and Meaning
Explaining Buddhism to Christians with Clarity and Compassion 1. Introduction To understand Buddhism, one must begin with its founder: Siddhartha Gautama, known as the Buddha — meaning “the Awakened One.”His life story functions for Buddhists much as the life of Jesus does for Christians: it provides the model, the meaning,…
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Part 3: The Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path
Explaining Buddhism to Christians with Clarity and Compassion 1. Introduction At the heart of Buddhism lies a simple but profound framework known as the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path.These form the foundation of all Buddhist teaching, comparable to the Sermon on the Mount in Christianity — concise,…
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Part 4: Karma, Rebirth, and the Law of Cause and Effect
Explaining Buddhism to Christians with Clarity and Compassion 1. Introduction Few Buddhist ideas are as famous — or as often misunderstood — as karma and rebirth.In popular culture, karma is reduced to “what goes around comes around,” but in Buddhist philosophy, it is a complex moral law governing existence across…
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Part 5: The Concept of No-Self (Anattā) and Impermanence
Explaining Buddhism to Christians with Clarity and Compassion 1. Introduction At the very core of Buddhist philosophy lies a teaching that most challenges Western and Christian thought: the doctrine of no-self (anattā) and impermanence (anicca). To many Christians, the idea that there is no enduring self sounds nihilistic or hopeless.…
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Part 6: Nirvāṇa — The Buddhist Goal of Liberation
Explaining Buddhism to Christians with Clarity and Compassion 1. Introduction At the heart of Buddhism lies a single ultimate goal — Nirvāṇa (Nibbāna in Pāli), often translated as “enlightenment,” “liberation,” or “awakening.”For Buddhists, Nirvāṇa represents the end of suffering, craving, and rebirth, the final peace that transcends all dualities of…
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Part 7: Meditation, Mindfulness, and Inner Discipline
Explaining Buddhism to Christians with Clarity and Compassion 1. Introduction If one word captures modern interest in Buddhism, it is meditation.Across the world, Buddhist practices such as mindfulness, Zen, and Vipassanā are used in healthcare, education, and even Christian spirituality. Yet the purpose and foundation of Buddhist meditation are often…
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Part 8: Compassion, Wisdom, and the Bodhisattva Ideal
Explaining Buddhism to Christians with Clarity and Compassion 1. Introduction Buddhism, often described as a philosophy of wisdom, is equally a religion of compassion.The Buddha’s enlightenment was not an escape from the world but an awakening to universal empathy — the understanding that all beings suffer and deserve liberation. This…
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Part 9: Buddhism’s View of God, Creation, and Salvation
Explaining Buddhism to Christians with Clarity and Compassion 1. Introduction One of the most profound differences between Buddhism and Christianity lies in how they understand God, creation, and salvation. While Christianity begins with the declaration, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1),Buddhism begins with no…
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Part 10: Dialogue and Witness — Building Bridges Without Barriers
Explaining Buddhism to Christians with Clarity and Compassion 1. Introduction This final part concludes the series by turning understanding into relationship.Knowledge without compassion divides; wisdom expressed through love unites. Buddhists and Christians share many virtues — peace, compassion, discipline, mindfulness, and moral integrity — yet differ profoundly in worldview and…
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Understanding One God (Contents)
Part 1 – God the Father: Source, Creator and Eternal One Part 2 – The Son: The Word Made Flesh (Yahshua / Jesus Christ) Part 3 – The Holy Spirit: The Living Breath of God Part 4 – The Trinity: One God in Three Persons Part 5 – Worship and…
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Part 1 – God the Father: Source, Creator and Eternal One
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”— Genesis 1:1 (NRSV) 1. Introduction Among the world’s faith traditions, the Bible presents God the Father as the eternal source and sovereign origin of all existence. He is not one deity among many but the self-existent One who simply is.…
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Part 2 – The Son: The Word Made Flesh (Yahshua / Jesus Christ)
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”— John 1:1 (NRSV) 1. Introduction If the Father is the eternal Source, the Son is the Word (Logos) through whom that Source is expressed and revealed. Christian theology calls the Son the second…
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Part 3 – The Holy Spirit: The Living Breath of God
“And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.”— Genesis 1:2 (NRSV) 1. Introduction The Holy Spirit is the divine Presence and Power through whom God acts, speaks, and gives life.In Christian theology the Spirit is the third Person of the Trinity, fully God yet personally…
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Part 4 – The Trinity: One God in Three Persons
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”— Matthew 28:19 (NRSV) 1 Introduction Christian Scripture proclaims a single divine reality expressed through three personal relationships: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This doctrine, known…
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Part 5 – Worship and Praise: The Trinitarian Order
“For through Him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.”— Ephesians 2:18 (NRSV) 1 Introduction Christian worship is not random affection toward a distant deity; it is a divinely revealed pattern of relationship. The Bible presents worship as directed to the Father, made possible through the Son,…
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Part 6 – Roles in Creation, Salvation, and Restoration
“From Him and through Him and to Him are all things.To Him be the glory for ever. Amen.”— Romans 11 : 36 (NRSV) 1 Introduction Every divine action described in Scripture reveals a Trinitarian pattern.God never works in isolation: the Father initiates, the Son accomplishes, and the Spirit completes.This harmony—sometimes…
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Part 7 – Analogies and Understanding: Sun, Light and Heat
“For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes—His eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made.”— Romans 1 : 20 (NRSV) 1 Introduction Because God is infinite and human language is finite, theology often employs analogies to describe divine truths. Analogies…
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Part 8 – The Language of the Spirit: Breath, Wind, Fire and Life
“The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”— John 3 : 8 (NRSV) 1 Introduction Every language struggles to express divine mystery. The…
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Part 9 – Common Misunderstandings about the Trinity
“For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace.”— 1 Corinthians 14 : 33 (KJV) 1 Introduction The doctrine of the Trinity—one God in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—is the heart of Christian faith yet also one of its most misinterpreted truths.Misunderstandings arise when human logic…
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Part 10 – Knowing God Personally: Living in Divine Fellowship
“Indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.”— 1 John 1 : 3 (NRSV) 1 Introduction The doctrine of the Trinity is not an abstract equation but a living invitation.God reveals Himself not only so that we may understand but so that we may enter…
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From Eternity to Eternity (Contents)
Part 1 – Before Time Began: The Eternal God Part 2 – The Heavenly Order: Angels and the First Rebellion Part 3 – The Creation of the Universe and the Earth Part 4 – The Corruption of Creation: The Entrance of Evil and the Fall of Humanity Part 5 –…
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Part 1 – Before Time Began: The Eternal God
🔹 Introduction Before the world existed, before time or matter, God already was.No stars, no angels, no physical creation yet—only the eternal reality of the One who is and has always been. The Bible begins: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” — Genesis 1:1 That statement…
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Part 2 – The Heavenly Order: Angels and the First Rebellion
🔹 Introduction After the eternal God willed creation to begin (Part 1), the first reality to appear was not physical but spiritual.Before the visible universe was shaped, God established an invisible order—heavenly beings created to serve, worship, and administer His purposes. Scripture calls these beings angels, literally messengers. They exist…
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Part 3 – The Creation of the Universe and the Earth
🔹 Introduction Following the establishment of the heavenly realm, the divine will moved outward again.The same Word that existed before time now spoke creation into being.The universe began — not by chance, but by intention, as the outworking of divine order and love. “In the beginning God created the heavens…
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Part 4 – The Corruption of Creation: The Entrance of Evil and the Fall of Humanity
🔹 Introduction The universe God made was “very good” (Genesis 1 : 31).Order, beauty, and peace defined both heaven and earth. Yet within that perfection lay the possibility of choice — for love and obedience must be freely given, not forced. The rebellion that began among the heavenly beings (Part…
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Part 5 – The Rise of Humanity: From Cain to Noah
🔹 Introduction After humanity’s expulsion from Eden, the world entered a new era — one shaped by both divine mercy and human corruption.The first family became the seed of all nations, carrying within it both the memory of fellowship with God and the reality of separation from Him. This part…
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Part 6 – The Covenant and the Nations: From Noah to Abraham
🔹 Introduction After the great flood, the earth was silent once more — cleansed but fragile.God had judged corruption yet preserved life through Noah. What follows is the beginning of a new world: humanity’s second beginning, the formation of nations, and the first divine covenants that would shape redemptive history.…
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Part 7 – The Promise and the Redemption: From Abraham to Christ
🔹 Introduction From the covenant with Abraham onward, God’s redemptive plan took visible shape in history.The promise first given in Eden (Genesis 3 : 15)—that evil would be overcome through the seed of the woman—now narrowed through one man, one family, one nation, until it was fulfilled in one person:…
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Part 8 – The Spirit and the Church: From Pentecost to the Apostolic Age
🔹 Introduction With Christ’s resurrection and ascension, redemption was accomplished — but God’s work within creation was not yet complete.The risen Christ promised His followers a new Helper, the Holy Spirit, who would empower them to carry His message “to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1 : 8). The…
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Part 9 – The Final Restoration: From the Last Days to the New Creation
🔹 Introduction History began with creation and will end with restoration.The Bible does not close with despair but with hope — the renewal of all things.Just as rebellion disrupted divine order in the beginning, redemption will restore it completely at the end. From the prophetic visions of Daniel and Revelation…
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Asking for Faith (Contents)
Part 1 – The Father Who Cried, “Help My Unbelief” (Mark 9:14–29) Part 2 – The Apostles Who Prayed, “Lord, Increase Our Faith” (Luke 17:5–6) Part 3 – The Disciples Who Cried, “Lord, Save Us! We Perish!” (Matthew 8:23–27) Part 4 – Gideon: “If You Will Save Israel by My…
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Part 1 – The Father Who Cried, “Help My Unbelief” (Mark 9:14–29)
1. Name & Context A desperate father brought his demon-possessed son to Jesus’ disciples, but they could not heal him. When Jesus arrived, the man turned to Him as the last hope. His heart was torn between belief in Jesus’ power and fear from long disappointment. 📖 Mark 9:17–18 (ESV)“Teacher,…
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Part 2 – The Apostles Who Prayed, “Lord, Increase Our Faith” (Luke 17:5–6)
1. Name & Context The apostles, Jesus’ closest followers, had already witnessed countless miracles — healing the sick, walking on water, feeding thousands.Yet when Jesus taught them about forgiving others repeatedly, they felt the task was beyond their strength. 📖 Luke 17:3–4 (NKJV)“If your brother sins against you, rebuke him;…
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Part 3 – The Disciples Who Cried, “Lord, Save Us! We Perish!” (Matthew 8:23–27)
1. Name & Context The disciples of Jesus were travelling with Him across the Sea of Galilee after a long day of ministry. Many of them were fishermen familiar with the sea, yet when a sudden storm arose, they were overwhelmed by fear.This incident took place early in their discipleship,…
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Part 4 – Gideon: “If You Will Save Israel by My Hand, Show Me a Sign” (Judges 6:36–40)
1. Name & Context Gideon, son of Joash, lived during a time when Israel was oppressed by the Midianites because of national disobedience. He was hiding in fear, threshing wheat in a winepress to avoid detection (Judges 6:11). When the Angel of the LORD appeared, calling him a “mighty man…
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Part 5 – Moses: “If Your Presence Does Not Go with Us, Do Not Send Us Up from Here” (Exodus 33:12–15)
1. Name & Context Moses, called by God to lead Israel out of Egypt, had already witnessed extraordinary miracles — the plagues, the Red Sea crossing, and God’s voice at Sinai. Yet, after Israel’s grievous sin of the golden calf (Exodus 32), Moses faced a crisis of faith and leadership.…
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Part 6 – David: “Create in Me a Clean Heart, O God; and Renew a Right Spirit Within Me” (Psalm 51:10–12)
1. Name & Context David, Israel’s greatest king and “a man after God’s own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14), reached one of his lowest points after his grievous sin with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband, Uriah (2 Samuel 11).When confronted by the prophet Nathan (2 Samuel 12:7–9), David was…
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Part 7 – The Centurion: “Lord, I Am Not Worthy … Only Say the Word” (Matthew 8:5–10)
1. Name & Context The Roman Centurion was a Gentile officer in charge of roughly one hundred soldiers — a man of rank, discipline, and authority.Despite being an outsider to Israel’s covenant, he had heard about Jesus and believed in His divine power to heal. His servant was gravely ill…
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Part 8 – Abraham: “He Believed the LORD, and It Was Counted to Him for Righteousness” (Genesis 15:1–6; 22:1–18)
1. Name & Context Abraham, originally Abram, is known as the “father of faith” (Romans 4:11–12).He was called by God to leave his homeland, his family, and his security to journey toward an unknown land and promise (Genesis 12:1–4). Though he obeyed, the promise of a child — through whom…
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Part 9 – Job: “Though He Slay Me, Yet Will I Trust Him” (Job 1–2; 13:15; 42:1–10)
1. Name & Context Job was a man from Uz, described as “blameless and upright, one who feared God and shunned evil” (Job 1:1).He was wealthy, respected, and deeply devoted to God, offering sacrifices continually on behalf of his family. Unknown to Job, a heavenly dialogue permitted Satan to test…
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Part 10 – Hannah: “In Bitterness of Soul She Prayed to the LORD and Wept in Anguish” (1 Samuel 1:9–20)
1. Name & Context Hannah, the beloved wife of Elkanah, lived in the hill country of Ephraim during Israel’s pre-monarchic period.Though deeply loved, she was barren, while her husband’s other wife, Peninnah, mocked her repeatedly (1 Samuel 1:6–7).Childlessness was a social reproach in that culture, and Hannah’s grief was profound.…
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Part 11 – Mary: “Let It Be to Me According to Your Word” (Luke 1:26–38)
1. Name & Context Mary, a young virgin from Nazareth, was engaged to Joseph when she received the most astounding message ever given to humanity: she would conceive and bear the Son of God. She was probably a teenager of humble background, living under Roman occupation and Jewish law —…
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Part 12 – Peter: “Lord, If It’s You, Tell Me to Come to You on the Water” (Matthew 14:22–33)
1. Name & Context Peter, originally a fisherman from Galilee, was one of Jesus’ closest disciples — bold, impulsive, and passionate.This incident occurred shortly after the feeding of the five thousand, when Jesus sent His disciples across the Sea of Galilee while He went to pray. A violent storm arose,…
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Part 13 – Thomas: “Unless I See the Mark of the Nails, I Will Not Believe” (John 20:24–29)
1. Name & Context Thomas, also called Didymus (“the Twin”), was one of Jesus’ twelve disciples.He is often labelled “Doubting Thomas,” but his story actually reveals how faith grows through honesty and encounter. After Jesus’ crucifixion, the disciples were hiding in fear.When Jesus first appeared to them on resurrection evening,…
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Part 14 – Paul (Saul): “Lord, What Do You Want Me to Do?” (Acts 9:1–22)
1. Name & Context Saul of Tarsus, later known as Paul, was a zealous Pharisee, a scholar of the Law, and a fierce persecutor of Christians.He believed he was serving God by destroying the early Church (Acts 8:1–3).On his way to Damascus to arrest believers, Saul’s confident religiosity was shattered…
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The Cross-Shaped Life (Contents)
Part 1: Why Faith Has Two Directions Part 2: The Vertical Relationship – Loving and Knowing God Part 3: The Horizontal Relationship – Loving and Serving Others Part 4: The Connection – How Faith Fuels Love Part 5: The Sabbath Principle – Rest and Renewal in Both Directions Part 6:…
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Part 1: Why Faith Has Two Directions
1 Introduction Christian faith is not one-dimensional. It moves upward toward God in worship and outward toward others in love. The Cross itself symbolises this twofold movement: its vertical beam points to communion with God; its horizontal beam stretches toward humanity. Jesus joined both dimensions when He declared: “Thou shalt…
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Part 2: The Vertical Relationship – Loving and Knowing God
1 Introduction The vertical relationship is the axis of worship, trust, and obedience that joins humanity to God.It defines the source of all spiritual vitality; every moral and social act draws power from this connection.Jesus named it the first and greatest commandment: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with…
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Part 3: The Horizontal Relationship – Loving and Serving Others
1 Introduction The horizontal relationship represents the believer’s outward expression of divine love.Having been reconciled to God, Christians are called to reflect that reconciliation in their relationships with others.Jesus declared: “This is My commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.” — John 15:12 Love for others…
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Part 4: The Connection – How Faith Fuels Love
1 Introduction Faith and love are not separate virtues but two movements of one spiritual life.Faith looks upward to receive; love reaches outward to give.The vitality of the Christian life depends on their connection: without faith, love lacks source; without love, faith lacks substance. “Faith worketh by love.” — Galatians…
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Part 5: The Sabbath Principle – Rest and Renewal in Both Directions
1 Introduction The Sabbath is one of Scripture’s most profound symbols of balance.It unites worship and mercy, faith and compassion, heaven and earth.It is not merely a day of inactivity but a divine rhythm of trust and restoration: ceasing from self-reliance vertically, and allowing others to share that rest horizontally.…
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Part 6: The Disruption – Sin and the Breakdown of Relationship
1 Introduction The story of humanity is the story of broken relationships.Sin did not merely introduce moral error; it disrupted the whole order of creation.It fractured the vertical bond of faith and worship and the horizontal fabric of love and justice. “All have sinned, and come short of the glory…
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Part 7: The Restoration – Christ as the Bridge Between Heaven and Humanity
1 Introduction Where sin tore creation apart, Christ unites it again.The Cross stands at the centre of history as the meeting point of divine mercy and human need.Through it, the broken lines of faith and love are redrawn; the vertical and horizontal axes are reconciled. “Having made peace through the…
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Part 8: The Fulfilment – Eternal Harmony in the New Creation
1 Introduction Every divine purpose moves toward fulfilment.Creation began in harmony, was broken by sin, and is now being restored through Christ.The final chapter of redemption is eternal alignment: perfect communion with God and perfect fellowship among all who share His life. “And I saw a new heaven and a…
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Divine Name, Many Tongues (Contents)
Part I – The Divine Name in Hebrew Revelation Part II – The Name through Translation and Pentecost Part III – The Name Misunderstood: Pagan Parallels and Theological Clarity Final Synthesis – One Divine Name Confessed by Every Tongue Appendix I – The Personhood of the Holy Spirit: One Name,…
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Part I – The Divine Name in Hebrew Revelation
Abstract This study examines the origin, meaning, and theological significance of the Divine Name in Hebrew Scripture. From the earliest self-disclosure of God in the Old Testament, the Name YHWH (יהוה) stands as the most sacred expression of divine identity. Through linguistic, textual, and historical analysis, this paper explores how…
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Part II – The Name through Translation and Pentecost
Abstract This paper traces how the Divine Name, first revealed in Hebrew as YHWH, entered the multilingual world of the Bible through translation and culminated in the Pentecost event. It examines the linguistic transmission from Hebrew to Greek, Latin, and modern languages, demonstrating that God Himself authorised the multilingual proclamation…
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Part III – The Name Misunderstood: Pagan Parallels and Theological Clarity
Abstract This study examines the widespread claim that Christian vocabulary—particularly Christ, Trinity, and Lord—was borrowed from pre-Christian religions. Through historical, linguistic, and theological analysis, it demonstrates that such similarities are superficial. While the early Church used the common languages of its world (Greek and Latin), it radically re-defined their terminology…
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Final Synthesis – One Divine Name Confessed by Every Tongue
1 Introduction: The Journey of the Name From the revelation of YHWH at the burning bush to the confession “Jesus Christ is Lord” upon every tongue, Scripture unfolds a single narrative of divine self-disclosure. The Name is not a human invention but a revelation of God’s eternal being—first uttered to…
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Appendix I – The Personhood of the Holy Spirit: One Name, One Presence
Abstract This appendix investigates whether the Holy Spirit should be understood as a personal being or merely as an impersonal power of God. Drawing upon Scripture, linguistic analysis, and early Christian doctrine, it argues that the Spirit is fully divine and personally distinct, sharing the one divine Name of the…
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Appendix II – The Co-Agency of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit
Abstract This appendix explores how the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit act together in every divine operation. Classical Christian theology maintains that all external works of God (opera ad extra) are indivisible: the three persons act with one will and purpose. Yet within this unity each person performs a distinct…
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Appendix Table: The Divine Names and Titles Across Languages
Name / Title Language of Origin Translational Equivalents Key Biblical References Meaning / Theological Emphasis YHWH (יהוה) Hebrew Kyrios (Greek), Dominus (Latin), LORD (English) Exod. 3:14; Isa. 42:8 “I AM WHO I AM”; God’s self-existent, covenantal Name; denotes eternal being and faithfulness. Elohim (אֱלֹהִים) Hebrew Theos (Greek), Deus (Latin), God…
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Law, Sin, and Grace (Contents)
Part I – Introduction and Definition Part II – The Nature of Sin Part III – The Classification of Sin Part IV – Sin in Relation to Realms and Beings Part V – The Consequences of Sin Part VI – The Revelation and Recognition of Sin Part VII – Deliverance…
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Part I – Introduction and Definition
1. Etymology and Terminology of Sin 1.1 Hebrew and Greek Roots The biblical terms for sin convey the notion of deviation from a divinely defined standard.In the Hebrew Bible, the principal word is ḥaṭṭā’th (חַטָּאָה), derived from the verb ḥāṭā’—“to miss the mark” (Strong, 1990). It implies failing to meet…
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Part II – The Nature of Sin
3. Philosophical and Theological Nature 3.1 Sin as Rebellion, Corruption and Privation The essence of sin lies in the rejection of divine authority. Scripture defines it as lawlessness (anomia)—a deliberate refusal to submit to God’s rule (1 John 3:4). Sin is therefore not an external defect but an inward revolt…
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Part III – The Classification of Sin
5. Individual and Personal Sin 5.1 Sins of Commission and Omission Personal sin refers to deliberate human acts that violate God’s revealed will.Theologians commonly distinguish between sins of commission—the conscious doing of what is forbidden—and sins of omission—the failure to do what is commanded (James 4:17). Both forms express moral…
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Part IV – Sin in Relation to Realms and Beings
8. Sin against God (Vertical Dimension) 8.1 Violation of Divine Holiness All sin is first and foremost theological—a rupture in relationship with the Holy God. King David confessed, “Against You, You alone, have I sinned” (Psalm 51:4 NRSV). Though his transgression harmed others, he recognised that every offence ultimately violates…
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Part V – The Consequences of Sin
11. Spiritual Consequences 11.1 Separation from God The primary consequence of sin is alienation from God. Isaiah declares, “Your iniquities have separated you from your God” (Isaiah 59:2 NRSV). This separation is not geographical but relational—loss of communion between Creator and creature. Augustine (1998) defined this state as aversio Dei…
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Part VI – The Revelation and Recognition of Sin
14. The Law as Mirror 14.1 Purpose of the Ten Commandments The moral law—epitomised in the Decalogue (Exodus 20:1–17)—reveals God’s holiness and humanity’s deviation from it. The Law was never intended primarily as a means of salvation but as a disclosure of divine righteousness. Paul declares, “The law is holy,…
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Part VII – Deliverance and Restoration
16. The Role of the Mediator (Christ) 16.1 Fulfilment of the Law Jesus Christ stands at the centre of redemption because He fulfilled what the Law demanded but humanity could not accomplish. He declared, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have…
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Part VIII – Conclusion
18. Summary of the Doctrine of Sin 18.1 Sin as Universal Condition The biblical and theological witness affirms the universality of sin: “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23 NRSV). Sin is both a condition inherited from Adam and a continuing reality expressed through…
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Repent, Regret, and Grieve (Contents)
Part 1 – The Language of Sorrow in Scripture Part 2 – True Repentance: The Change of Heart Part 3 – False Repentance and Worldly Regret Part 4 – When God “Regrets”: Understanding Divine Sorrow Part 5 – The Grief of God’s Spirit Part 6 – The Prophet’s and Apostle’s…
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Part 1 – The Language of Sorrow in Scripture
1. Introduction Throughout the Bible, words translated as repent, regret, and grieve describe both divine and human responses to sin, failure, and suffering. Understanding the precise meaning of these terms is essential for interpreting God’s moral emotions and humanity’s call to conversion. English versions often use the same word for…