Spiritual or religious values and traditions

Spiritual or religious values and traditions
Spiritual or religious values and traditions

Want help to write your Essay or Assignments? Click here

Spiritual or religious values and traditions

Instructions

What spiritual or religious values and traditions underscore concern for environmental health? Discuss the role of spiritual or faith-based institutions in environmental stewardship. How have these spiritual or ministerial efforts supported local public health initiatives? What collaborative efforts have been made in environmental health, both locally and globally, with regard to spiritual or faith-based collaboration?

Well-functioning healthcare systems are fundamental for maintaining healthy populations. Good health is essential for a country’s economic productivity and social development.

Community public health initiatives focus on identifying specific geographic areas with high levels of need and helping those communities overcome barriers to living healthier lives. Community members’ average lifespans can differ by 20 to 30 years based on inequities that restrict access to healthy food, affordable health care, and mental health support, according to the American Public Health Association.

We can write this or a similar paper for you! Simply fill the order form!

Chaplaincy Biblical Foundations

Chaplaincy Biblical Foundations
Chaplaincy Biblical Foundations

Want help to write your Essay or Assignments? Click here

Chaplaincy Biblical Foundations

Order Instructions:

RESEARCH PAPER: PART 1 INSTRUCTIONS

The incarnation of Jesus Christ sets the stage for chaplain ministry. Just as Jesus entered into a secular world to accomplish his ministry (John 3:16), so chaplains are called into secular and pluralistic environments to minister.

Note, Jesus relied on His words and actions to fulfill his mission to redeem and make an eternal relationship possible for all believers. Romans 10:17 reminds one that actions alone are not enough. “Faith comes by hearing the word of God.” Jesus died for our sins, but without him telling us who he was and why he came we would remain ignorant of salvation. John 1:14 reveals that “The Word became flesh.” It is not enough for chaplains to bear the presence of Christ, they are also called to bear his Word, words of salvation, words of hope, words of comfort, words of peace, etc.

Want help to write your Essay or Assignments? Click here

Assignment: Write a 5 page paper drawing parallels between Jesus Christ’s incarnational ministry of presence (actions) and His ministry in word, and the chaplains ministry of presence (actions) and his/her ministry in word. When making various parallels, start with the scripture passage that reveals a certain truth about Jesus’ ministry of presence and ministry in word and then reflect on how the chaplain should model that behavior.

We can write this or a similar paper for you! Simply fill the order form!

On Being an Atheist Essay Paper

On Being an Atheist
On Being an Atheist

Want help to write your Essay or Assignments? Click here

On Being an Atheist

Introduction

Topics in regard to Gods existence have resulted in ongoing battles that have lasted for quite a while. These topics have sparked several debates with some people agreeing with the existence of God while other refuting such claims (Boehme, 2014). However, the debates that pertain to the existence of God have intrigued several philosophical ideas with many people alleging that they being that God cannot be seen, his existence is debatable.

Other schools of thought also allege that if God exists and claims to be all powerful, then evil should not exist in this world. It is essential to note that there are several pieces of evidence that support the existence of God (Boehme, 2014). This paper, therefore, attempts to critic McCloskeys views in regards to the atheist objections and also describes several arguments that establish his illusions of the existence of God including the opposing arguments against his existence.

Proofs Can’t Establish the Case of Gods Existence

To begin with, McCloskeys view implies that there are no proofs that can establish Gods existence and those allegations should be abandoned.  In my view, McCloskey makes no effort to determine what evil is nor does he explain its existence. In other words, he attempts to discredit people’s belief in God by making allegations against the origin of their beliefs. However, McCloskey fails to address why the faith of a people may not be valid and whether they take the time to discover such evidence before they ascent to Christian theism (H.J. McCloskey, 1974).

McCloskey views God as jaded, unforgiving, uncaring, and punitive and believes that the best proofs on the nonexistence of God can be depicted in the evil acts of his creation since morality has strongly subdued the proof of an intelligent creator designing the universe. For Christian, the expressions of truth are only found in Christ’s words in John 14:6 that He is the way, the truth and the Life.

Want help to write your Essay or Assignments? Click here

The Cosmological Argument

The author of the article, “On Being Atheist”, opens by giving a description on the reasons theist believe in God.  He purports that the grounds of such beliefs are inadequate and gives the reasons as to why the atheist do not believe in Gods existence. McCloskey in his article tells of a Christian friend who believed that philosophers place so much of importance on the proofs that regard to the existence of God as the foundation to their religious beliefs (H.J. McCloskey, 1974). In my view, in order for the universe to exists, there was its origin or something that created its existence. Nothing has the capacity to create itself and there is the need of an independent creator that existed before the universe.

In the book: Reasonable Faith, William Lane Craig, alludes to the fact that there must be a creator responsible for all the creation activities and the creator needs not a cause to do the things that have an origin. This, therefore, means that everything that exists needs a cause and saying that something has no beginning denies the existence of a predecessor. McCloskey also alleges that the Cosmological Argument does not give us the right to postulate an all-powerful case that he considers uncaused (H.J. McCloskey, 1974). 

In as much as this argument provides no proof of the existence of God , it supports the idea of a necessary being as the only responsible cause that erases the need for an infinite regressive cause. In my view, there is only one possible view that is compatible with other views on Gods existence, a factor that makes it an individual’s choice to desire learning about the existence of God.

Want help to write your Essay or Assignments? Click here

The Teleological Argument

This argument is an argument from the design point of view that alludes to the existence of a maker of all the contingent objects. This argument in some way has some connections with the cosmological argument that implies that all the designs employ a greater designer, there is a designer in the world, and that the designer is the greatest (H.J. McCloskey, 1974).  McCloskey as other philosophers claims that to believe that nature was designed; there is a need for indisputable examples.

In other words, this author claims that the evidence and examples on this must never be refuted and also contends that indisputable claims are essential and unreasonable in defining God. In my own view, a given example or evidence on the existence of God such as nature shows the indisputable possibility of a creator and there is nothing that can be disputed in this claim (H.J. McCloskey, 1974).

In regard to McCloskey’s claim on the presence of imperfection and evil is an argument that is incompatible with the perfection of the Divine Creator since the creator set a perfection standard for goodness, but man as a sinful being made the imperfect evil possible.

On the other hand, McCloskey suggests that evolution should take the place of a Divine Designer. In my view, this would imply that everything that exists in nature is primarily motivated by chance, which would hardly be the case since everything in nature requires some guidance (Feser, 2013).

This is a process since everything has a specific construction and certain functions. If there is not a Divine Designer then this would mean that everything in nature may function by chance, a factor that could see things happen in any manner. For example, the snows would come during summer since everything functions in no order.

Want help to write your Essay or Assignments? Click here

On the Problem of Evil

McCloskey also stresses in his articles on his objections on the problem of evil by alluding that no being that is perfect and claims of goodness could create the world in which there is suffering of the creatures. According to Feser (2013), the element of evil remains one of the conversant objections that have widely been presented by the atheists. The atheists tend to view why people should not believe in God as described. These objections are mainly posed by the frequent occurrences of suffering and evil that is presently seen.

This remains the reason why many philosophers, as well as McCloskey, dismiss the claims on Gods existence basing their claims on the presence of evil. The theist approach of Gods view is in relation to His attributes that depict Him as omnipotent, omniscient and benevolent. On the other hand, the atheist believe that if all this attributes point towards God and He truly exists as  He claims then he had the capacity to stop suffering and evil.

Other theists also take a stance on the concept to the of evil by leaning on the free-will defense, which alludes that God was the creator of human beings and was the same giver of the free will to choose what is right and wrong. This according to them is considered better since humanity has the freedom of choice than to haven none. According to this view, the evil that is prevalent in the world today exists since man chose the way of evil (Feser, 2013).

Considering the fact that we have been granted the free will to choose what we opt right or wrong, humanity therefore needs to choose to believe in God, who needs to be worshiped, and praised. God has the capacity to mitigate the element of evil, but this means we may lack the free-will to choose. The coming of Christ to offer salvation to Humanity would not have made any sense if God chose to eliminate evil offer salvation.

Want help to write your Essay or Assignments? Click here

Some theists respond to the problem of evil through a free-will defense in which God is stated as the creator of human beings with a free will since it is better to have the freedom to choose that to lack the freedom of choice (LeDrew, 2013). In other words, the evil that exist in the world is a result of the choice of a man to do evil. As free will beings, we need to believe in God, worship and praise Him. If God would have eliminated evil, then Christ should not have come to offer salvation and he would not have died for our iniquities.

On Atheism as Comforting

At the end of his article, McCloskey concludes by asserting that atheism is more comforting than theism. In his argument on this point, he uses the existence of evil and the sufferings that occur of the innocent to support his atheistic perceptions that a perfect being may not necessarily exist and allow evil things to occur (LeDrew, 2013). He also contends that people who follow theism are more likely to find cold comfort in believing religiously and that people need to find comfort and strength wherever they can find it inclusively.

Thinking about this, it is essential to note that people in many instances may need comfort, a factor that makes them seek for spiritual authorities to assist them in understanding things, both the bad and the good (LeDrew, 2013). A Biblical understanding of the element of comfort is encouragement which can be done through the use of words or the presence of an individual to help in the times of need. Comfort in this case as viewed by Christians remains in the ability of Christians o choose whether to believe in God or not, thus giving them the chance to know God more, understand him and commit to him truthfully.

Want help to write your Essay or Assignments? Click here

Conclusion

McCloskeys view implies that there are no proofs that can establish Gods existence and those allegations should be abandoned.  In my view, McCloskey makes no effort to determine what evil is nor does he explain its existence. McCloskey also alleges that the Cosmological Argument does not give us the right to postulate an all-powerful case that he considers uncaused (Boehme, 2014).  In as much as this argument provides no proof of the existence of God, it supports the idea of a necessary being as the only responsible cause that erases the need for an infinite regressive cause.

On the Teleological Argument McCloskey as well as other philosophers claims that to believe that nature was designed; there is a need for indisputable examples, views that find to substantial backings. McCloskey also stresses in his articles on his objections on the problem of evil by alluding that no being that is perfect and claims of goodness could create the world in which there is suffering of the creatures and concludes by asserting that atheism is more comforting than theism (Boehme, 2014).

In a nutshell, I believe that McCloskey provides minimal pieces of evidence on his claims that are aimed at supporting atheism and instead attempts to point out to the faults of Christians as a claim to refute the existence of God. The arguments of this theist, therefore, point out to the existence of God.

References List

Boehme, A. J. (2014). The Atheist’s Primer. Reviews in Religion & Theology, 21(1), 114-116. doi:10.1111/rirt.12286

Feser, E. (2013). The New Atheists and the Cosmological Argument. Midwest Studies In Philosophy, 37(1), 154-177. doi:10.1111/misp.12000

H.J. McCloskey (1974). “On Being an Atheist, “The Southern Journal of Philosophy – Vol. 15 – Issue 1 – pp. 101-111

LeDrew, S. (2013). Discovering Atheism: Heterogeneity in Trajectories to Atheist Identity and Activism. Sociology of Religion, 74(4), 431-453.

Thiessen, J. (2014). There Is No God: Atheists In America. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 53(2), 453-455. doi:10.1111/jssr.12099

Want help to write your Essay or Assignments? Click here

Contemporary Metaphors for the Kingdom of God

Contemporary Metaphors for the Kingdom of God
Contemporary Metaphors for the Kingdom of God

Want help to write your Essay or Assignments? Click here

Contemporary metaphors for the kingdom of God

God’s Kingdom is described metaphorically in most parts of the New Testament. As Tame (2005) pointed out, the metaphors used in the New Testament actually do not relate to the contemporary society. This essay is focused on contemporary metaphors for the Kingdom of God. One particular metaphor or parable is used in describing the Kingdom of God.

The essay discusses how the selected metaphor or parable would have made sense to Jesus’ audience during the first century. The impact and meaning of this message to the original audience of Christ is described exhaustively. Lastly, this essay describes the way in which that same message and impact may actually be communicated in the modern context.

Want help to write your Essay or Assignments? Click here

One particular metaphor that has been utilized in describing the Kingdom of God is the Parable of the Mustard Seed. This parable was taught by Jesus Christ in rhetorical hyperbole. Here, Christ makes use of a tree or shrub growing up from a seed to represent the growth of God’s Kingdom (Daniel 4: 11-21; Ezekiel 17: 23; John 12: 24). The growth of the seed attracts the presence of evil – portrayed as birds (Revelation 18: 2; Matthew 13: 4, 19) – to dilute the church whilst exploiting its benefits.

According to Christ, the heavenly kingdom is analogous to a mustard seed that a person takes and sows. Although the mustard seed is in fact the tiniest of all seeds, when this seed grows, it becomes the biggest of plants in the garden and tree where birds come and rest on in its many branches (Morrison, 2011).

Therefore, the picture that Jesus Christ paints in this parable is that of the lowly initial stages of the church undergoing an explosive growth rate. The church grows very big and later on it becomes a source of shelter, rest, and food not just for believers, but also for false professing persons who want to take advantage of or consume its benefits whilst mixing or residing amongst what the seed produced (Galatians 1: 7; Corinthians 11:13; and 1st Corinthians 6,7; 5:1).

Put simply, Christ was predicting that despite the fact that the church would grow to become very large from merely a small beginning, it would not remain unadulterated. Even though this is not a disapproval of the big size of modern Christianity, it actually shows the audience the biggest burden which comes with it. This parable serves not just as a prediction, but also as a warning (Morrison, 2011). 

Want help to write your Essay or Assignments? Click here

Given that the metaphors used to describe the Kingdom of God in the Bible are out of date, it is not easy for people in today’s society to comprehend what Christ is saying. Nowadays, Bible readers struggle to find the meaning of God’s Kingdom (Tame, 2005). The same meaning and impact of the Parable of the Mustard Seed may be communicated in the contemporary context by using the metaphor of financial investments; that is buying growth stocks.

A growth stock is essentially a share in an organization whose earnings grow at a rate that is above average in relation to the market. Growth stocks generate sustainable and considerable positive cash flow and whose earnings and revenues are projected to increase much quicker in relation to the average company in the same industry (Fuscaldo, 2014).

An investor who invests in growth stocks may start off by purchasing a very small amount of stocks in a growth company and as the company continues to grow over time, so does the investor’s assets in that company. Growth stocks are generally attractive to a lot of investors since they are growing (Fuscaldo, 2014). The revenues and earnings of the investor in growth stocks would increase much quicker than investments in other companies in that industry.

Therefore, after a period of time such as 10 years, the earnings of the investor who initially invested $2,000 would be about $150,000 (Fuscaldo, 2014). However, there are challenges for instance the company’s stock price may decline later on and the investor’s earnings reduce. These challenges or risks are comparable to how the church would not remain pure.

Want help to write your Essay or Assignments? Click here

The changed metaphor from the Parable of the Mustard Seed to the metaphor of investing in growth stocks is faithful to the teaching of Christ on God’s Kingdom whilst changing the metaphor for the audience in that my contemporary audience members will easily understand how the Kingdom of God grows. It starts small like a little financial investment in growth stocks of a company that grows slowly but steadily and after some years, the investment will increase into a substantial amount of money for the investor.

Put simply, just like financial investments in growth stocks, God’s kingdom has small beginnings; however, its growth is gradual but certain. This updated metaphor is especially suited to today’s audience members since many people nowadays tend to buy stocks in companies as a better way of investing their money rather than just saving them in banks and earning annual interest on their savings.

The metaphor conveys to my audience members the traits of the Messianic Kingdom of God as modelled and taught by Christ since it illustrates how God’s kingdom is comparable to buying growth stocks; has humble beginnings but eventually grows into a big thing.        

 Want help to write your Essay or Assignments? Click here

Conclusion

 To sum up, Christ using the mustard seed parable to his audiences was describing the kingdom not simply as a seed, but as the tiniest seed. He was not explaining to the audience members a kingdom which comes in a conflagration of glory – Jesus basically described a kingdom which starts really small. This is not what was expected by the Jewish people at the time, but it was the kingdom of God which Christ stated was forthcoming.

On the whole, the kingdom of God is a narrative regarding slow growth. The meaning and impact of the mustard seed parable could be conveyed in contemporary context using the metaphor of investing in growth stocks; humble start but steady increase. Companies with growth stocks grow at a comparatively faster rate than other companies.    

References

Fuscaldo, D. (2014). 5 characteristics of good growth stocks. Chartered Institute of Management Accountants.

Longenecker, R. N. (2012). The challenge of Jesus’ parables. Boston, MA: Eardmans

Morrison, M. (2011). The Present and Future Kingdom. Grace Communion International.

Tame , K. (2005). And finally…the kingdom of God is like this… Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications.

Want help to write your Essay or Assignments? Click here

Healing Hospital: A Daring Paradigm

Healing Hospital: A Daring Paradigm
Healing Hospital: A Daring Paradigm

Want help to write your Essay or Assignments? Click here

Healing Hospital: A Daring Paradigm

            Healing hospitals are composed of three key components including a culture concerning radical loving care, the integration of technology and work design and a healing physical milieu. Spirituality, on the other hand, is a person’s identified experience or religion in relation to their realism. The philosophy of the healing hospital, therefore, integrates the physical body with the spirit of the person and the spiritual mind in order to provide the best health care possible.

            A physical healing environment provides health care to the spirit, body and mind. This starts with an appropriate culture where the related professionals need to contain a servant’s attitude, action, recognition and the key beliefs of empathy for the patient in meeting the patient’s spiritual and emotional needs (Chapman, 2010). Technology plays an important role in the provision of care as it facilitates better access to tutelage to the patients and increased time availability in order to address the spiritual and mutual needs of the patients as well as better interventional treatments and diagnostic to treat both the body and the mind (Chapman, 2010). 

Furthermore, the design of the facility takes into consideration the three core components of an individual. The design needs to allow protection and privacy, promote the complete wellness of a person and to offer easier access for the patients. These components are significant in facilitating the treatment of the body, mind and the spirit.

Want help to write your Essay or Assignments? Click here

            The key challenge affecting healing environments is to bring the entire medical unit under the thorough concept of healing within hospitals. Healing environments within hospitals are also challenged by spirituality and cynicism, leadership, bureaucracy, business and economics. The notion of incorporating spiritual causes a form of conflict from what health care professionals think and reason. Cynicism affects the healing environments since some people do not believe in the significance of improving the conditions of health care systems or that they do not assist in promoting quality health care services (Chapman, 2010).

In the past, the society was made to believe and taught that spirituality, which is also defined under religion, was to be separated entirely from the workplace. Furthermore, the health care system has transformed within the American economy by occupying a rather large portion of the national gross domestic product. The government and health care businesses need to focus on the profitability and cost to keep the shareholders contented as well as the access to health care viable.

The effectiveness of this perspective is that it would lead to quicker discharges, improved patient to nurse ratio and tight hospital budgets (Chapman, 2010). Patients end up spending huge amounts of cash in accessing care, which influences the healing process of patients. Therefore, health care facilities and hospitals are sometimes faced with huge budget constraints that may lead them to choose between equipment and treatment that offer emotional care and spiritual care (Chapman, 2010).

The Biblical perspective also supports the philosophy of healing hospitals. Such can be identified in the book of Jeremiah chapter 33 verses 6. This specific passage involves the health and healing of individuals by enabling them to be happy and enjoy abundant security and peace in their lives (American Bible Society, 2010).

Therefore, it is evident that the healing hospital concept is supported by this passage. Care givers are responsible for facilitating the healing process through the patient’s spiritual, emotional and physical aspects, which provides them with a sense of peace and security (American Bible Society, 2010).

In conclusion, the success of a healing hospital can only be actualized through the incorporation of the three components and by overcoming the plausible challenges and barriers. Healing hospitals focus on the needs of the patient and the provision of environments that promote the healing process.

This philosopher not only centers on the healing process of the patient and the related holistic aspects but also the general well-being of their family. Henceforth, all hospitals need to put the integration of the healing hospital philosophy into consideration since it promotes excellent provision of services and compassionate care to patients.

References

American Bible Society. (2010). The Holy Bible: Containing the Old and New Testaments, translated out of the original tongues and with the former translations diligently compared & revised, King James Version.

Chapman, E. (2010). Radical loving care: Building the healing hospital in America. Nashville, Tenn: Erie Chapman Foundation

Want help to write your Essay or Assignments? Click here

Global North and South Essay Paper

Global North and South
Global North and South

Global North and South

Introduction

The element of the Global North and South are currently in a phase of change that is considered to be growing further from the loving and real relationship with God. This has seen the North and South turn out to be a religion closer to what Christ had initially intended for the Church.  In the North, there is a rise in individualism, an ideology that is has consequently forgotten the element of sin in religion, thus substituting the grace of God for self-knowledge (Johnson & Sun Young, 2014).

As a result of this, Christ’s mission of global salvation has turned into self-help, thus contrary to the mission of Christ who was to be a Christ of faith and who commended the concretization of cultures in order to transform their destructive tendencies. This clearly denotes that the objective of evangelization was directed towards seeking life-giving aspects in these cultures with the aim of giving flesh to the vision of the gospel of peace, reconciliation, compassion, love and justice.

North and South Growing Together: The Differences It Makes

The establishment of a Christian life and message in relation to the context of cultural living is not considered as clear, thus making its manifestation inappropriate within different cultural contexts. Christian traditions are structured on the traditions of Jesus; however, this is jeopardized by the errors of man in effectively carrying these traditions and teachings without the interference of personal characteristics that soil the word of God (Johnson & Sun Young, 2014). This depicts the fact that man is not in a position to carry out the will of God without the guidance of His Spirit, with this explaining the fact that the global south has failed in recapturing the themes and trends of early Christianity.

The primary themes that the church in the global north and south need to learn are deeply rooted in Pedro Arrupe’s statements that necessitated the need to ensure that faith in Christ is only achieved through concretizing the gospel within the existing cultures in order to transform the destructive tendencies of these cultures (Johnson & Sun Young, 2014).

This requires an exploration of the changing religious aspects, faith identities and cultural aspects of the north and south. This is attributed to the fact that the incarnation of Christian life and the message within different cultural contexts finds a principle that animates, unifies, directs, and transforms cultures with the aim of recapturing the themes and trends from the early history of Christianity.

Want help to write your Essay or Assignments? Click here

The primary themes and trends which the churches of the global South have recovered and that the churches of the north can learn from include the changes experienced in incorporating the Gospel of relationships and love in their ways of life. This is considerably essential in achieving the missionary work that Christ begun, that was significantly centered on the prospects of love and relationships in restoring the relationship between man and God (Johnson & Sun Young, 2014).

Traditionally, the Southern religious aspect depicted as Liberation theology was considered as normative in the manner in which the exercised their religious beliefs. However, the advent of Pentecostalism has seen the southern religious sects resorting to the reading of the Gospel with an application that determines how to live it. As a result of this, a reformation to the lost themes and trends of Christianity are being restored, an aspect that is turning to be a religious trend in the northern Churches.

Conclusion

In consideration of this, it is important to ascertain that the Global North and South are currently experiencing changes that are considered to be growing towards recapturing the themes and trends from the early history of Christianity. This is embedded in the global southern Churches efforts in the body of Christ that is currently being spurred by the Spirit in ensuring that the modern cultures adapt to the Christian ways as established in the history of Christianity. 

References

Johnson, T. M., & Sun Young, C. (2014). Tracking Global Christianity’s Statistical Centre of Gravity, AD 33-AD 2100. International Review Of Mission, 93(369), 166-181. Retrived From: http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=13991642&site=ehost-live

Want help to write your Essay or Assignments? Click here

The spiritual assessment tool

The spiritual assessment tool
The spiritual assessment tool

Want help to write your Essay or Assignments? Click here

The spiritual assessment tool

Spiritual Needs Assessment

The spiritual assessment tool is part of a holistic approach to addressing the needs of the patients. Ideally, the personal beliefs of a patient can play a vital role in incorporating coping strategies and limiting the negative implications of depression. Currently, healthcare plans implement psychosocial resources in addressing the needs of patients. Mainly, oncology patients tend to spend an extended time with the nurses and doctors; therefore, there is a need to ensure that their accommodation is as comfortable as possible (McSherry & Ross, 2010).

The spiritual assessment tool can be customized depending on attributes such as age, gender, and ethnicity. Analyzing the implications of the instrument will ultimately enable doctors and nurses to improve care management. The following questions were developed and the conversation between the interviewer and the patient documented. Furthermore, the patient was an adult male cancer patient in the late twenties, of African American ethnicity.

Part I: The Interview

Interviewer: Are there any spiritual beliefs that help you to interpret the role and meaning of life?

Patient: Yes there are. I believe that every man has a part to play in balancing earth’s ecosystem. Some people have minor roles, and others have major ones; however, each is equally important. God’s will is that people share the gifts they have with each other and with their environment.

Interviewer: Does your family have a religious background?

Patient: My father is of the Catholic faith. My mother is a Christian, a Protestant. I never really understood what she is protesting about

Interviewer: Do you have any personal religious convictions?

Patient: Yes I do. I believe the blood of Jesus can save lives and souls. Of course, I don’t mean a literal approach, but I am convinced that my life is spent well if I live reflecting on the teaching of the Bible.

Interviewer: Do you believe that aspects of your spiritual life have physical manifestations on your health?

Patient: Yes. The devil came to steal, kill and destroy. Naturally, that implies harm on my physical body. However, I can face adversity because I know I am not alone. Jesus hears my prayers and will deliver me from this affliction one way or another.

Interviewer: Are there any specific attributes about spirituality that provide an anchor in times of distress?

Patient: Christianity is about submitting to a higher purpose. God has good plans for me, therefore, if harm comes my way it is all part of God’s plan. Maybe the Lord wants to display his strength, and I just have to trust him, or my pain is somehow supposed to be a testimony for someone else who is suffering. The Lord works in mysterious ways.

Interviewer: Are there any resources from your spiritual history that you would prefer to be incorporated in your treatment plan?

Patient: Yes. Kindly notify my family to bring my Bible and study book. Also, I would prefer to connect with my local church ministry through social media, television, or radio. There is a prayer and fasting revival that is to begin next week, and I would not want to miss it despite the pain.

Interviewer: Are you concerned about any medical procedures that may assist or interfere with your spiritual convictions regarding your treatment?

Patient: Please do not give me any medicinal marijuana. I am not supposed to consume any hallucinogenic substance. Also, I would have to skip lunch starting from next week since that is when the prayer and fasting revival begins.

Part II: Analysis

The spiritual assessment tool provided crucial insight on the patient’s current mental state. Mainly, the patient’s spirituality seemed to offer effective coping strategies since there were minimal signs of depression. The patient was very cooperative and open about his spiritual preferences and how they manifest in medical perspectives. However, in future, some of the questions will be modified to prevent introducing aspects that interfere with the treatment process.

Especially, the question reflecting on the spiritual resources that can be implemented in the treatment plan tends to invoke a controversial response; therefore, it will be modified as a suggestion as opposed to the indication that the resources can indeed be incorporated despite their negative influence on health dynamics.

Want help to write your Essay or Assignments? Click here

 The patient answered all the questions asked. However, he appeared to have a limited attention span which may be affected by pain associated with his condition. As such, his response was very slow. Interactive communication strategies that sustain active engagement can be used in future in anticipation of challenges when the patients are required to respond (Katz, 2015). Additionally, a more open approach should be applied on a general basis since some patients may not have any spiritual affiliations. For instance, the first question can suggest to the patient that he or she has the right to refuse involvement in the conversation by incorporating terms like ‘May I ask about your religious orientation?’

The spiritual exercise facilitated a healthy interaction between the interviewer and the patient, enabling documentation of attitudes towards the current condition. Therefore, physicians and nurses can anticipate certain reactions from the patient during the treatment program. For instance, suggestions of medicinal marijuana to minimize pain and strain due to chemotherapy should not be made to ensure that the patient does not lose confidence in the treatment.

The illness had a consistent implication on the patient’s spiritual needs. The interviewee believed that Jesus would aid him in his times of need; therefore, more pain or distress required additional religious influence as an anchor. The spiritual assessment tool identifies holistic resources that should improve the patient’s experience. In scenarios whereby the interviewee does not have any religious or spiritual convictions, the physician can focus on whether the patient believes he or she has some purpose in life.

In conclusion, the spiritual assessment tool enables patients, nurses, and doctors to develop effective communication strategies. The nurses can monitor changes in behavior and offer timely intervention to prevent cases of depression (Christ, Messner & Behar, 2015). Ultimately, a patient’s psychological and social orientation should provide a support system that should be applied in the treatment strategy. Additionally, since the placebo effect proves the physiological benefits of belief, the benefits of the spiritual assessment tool should be prioritized.

References

Christ, G. H., Messner, C., & Behar, L. C. (2015). Handbook of oncology social work: Psychosocial care for people with cancer.

Katz, A. (2015). Meeting the need for psychosocial care in young adults with cancer.

McSherry, W., & Ross, L. (2010). Spiritual assessment in healthcare practice. Keswick, England: M & K.

Want help to write your Essay or Assignments? Click here

Spiritual Disciplines

Spiritual Disciplines

Spiritual disciplines

            Spiritual disciplines form a natural component of the Christian life. In fact, nearly nothing of any importance in Christian lives can be achieved without it. Spiritual disciplines can be illustrated as deeds that enhance spiritual growth and allow people to grow to spiritual maturity. Moreover, the course of spiritual growth and development commence the moment an individual meets the risen Christ and draw closer to Him for salvation.

Spiritual disciplines play a significant role in the growth of an individual inner being, which has been altered by Christ at salvation. In addition, redeemed believers have experienced the full regeneration of their entire person from within, concerning variation in notion, feeling, and disposition that might be unhurried to manifest in their external deeds (Daniel, 2015).

            There are several spiritual disciplines that individuals apply and have shown immense capability in changing their lives. The common spiritual disciplines applied by individuals include prayer, fasting, scripture reading, worship, and service. Since I received salvation and decided to devote my life to Christ, I have been applying various spiritual disciplines in my daily life to assist in my personal development.

The first spiritual discipline that I employ involves the Word of God and comprises the reading, study, memorization, and meditation of scripture. These spiritual disciplines have played a noteworthy role in my personal development, and as Daniel notes if these spiritual disciplines are ignored, there is no other effort to control ourselves that will be successful because we merely do not possess the power to prevail over the opposition of the sin nature in which our new natures dwell.

In addition, we do not have the power to triumph over the resistance of demonic pressures whose plan is constantly to disconnect us from the single source of spiritual growth, the Word of God. Scripture memorization has also been an essential component in my spiritual life. I usually do scripture memorization twice a week, especially during the evening before I go to sleep. Daniel argues that individuals have been offered the free will to select what they want to put in their minds, thereby making scripture memorization important in human lives.

Moreover, since Christians believe that the Bible is the Word of God they are called upon to memorize it as it facilitates Christians to keep it always in the front of their minds, which makes it possible for them to react to all life situations according to its teachings (Daniel, 2015).    

            The other spiritual disciplines that I have applied in my life include prayer and fasting. Daniel proposes that prayer has the ability to transform people’s viewpoint and further adjust what they look from others. Moreover, prayer changes how people react to predicaments. Prayer is a great source of spiritual growth for me and I usually pray in the morning when I wake up and in the evening before I sleep. Conversely, whenever I want to attain a larger spiritual objective I fast. Since it is possible to fast from pleasures, such as social media or any other activities that convey fulfillment and happiness, I desire to focus my fasting from food, and I fast mostly two or three days (Daniel, 2015).

Common temptations

            The major challenge of being a Christian is the temptations we face each day, but resisting temptation is the essential component of every Christian’s life. Christian temptations differ in various aspects, however they can be tempted, and stand firm. Personally as a Christian, I often face temptations on a regular basis, but refusing to accept the temptation is what allows me to succeed and grow spiritually. In spite of standing firm, I often face temptations that tend to have an influence on my spiritual life.

The temptations that I commonly face include overuse of electronic and social media, such as Facebook, Twitter, video games, and television. This is the temptation I face on regular basis and find it not easy to oppose, but since Christians posses the internal strength to counter temptations if they turn to God, this always constitute part of my appeal when I am praying to God (Presbyterian Mission Agency, 2012).      

Blind spots and weaknesses    

            Everyone has blind spots in their discernment that keep them from seeing the certainty about others and themselves. Since people are at times blinded to truth, they are powerless and crippled by blame and disgrace, rage and bitterness, and fear and worry. Several people live unnecessarily in defeat, powerless to their own faults or the faults of others. Moreover, they stagger around in life with blind spots blocking the work God wants to do in them.

Nevertheless, it should not be this way since regardless of how broken or upset, each person can find out the way to healing, optimism, and a pleasant new way of living. On the other hand, people always feel they have a weakness that affects their capacity to do bigger things. In fact, in the Bible, Paul felt similar way; however, he utilized his weakness to have great impacts on other people (Arterburn, 2015).

            As a devoted Christian I try very hard to live a life that is in line with the Christ teachings, however I have identified some blind spots and weakness that drags me back. The stubborn resistance is the blind spots that have an influence on my spiritual life. Arterburn argues that stubborn resistance is when people develop practices and inhibitions that they do not consider of letting go.

People often hurt themselves and those around them, thus allowing things to worsen in almost every area of their lives. Furthermore, rather than searching for ways to get rid of these blind spots, people refute that they have a problem. Nevertheless, in my case I have discovered that willingness is essential in overcoming stubborn resistance, although it is not very easy to overcome the blind spot in a moment or a day, but the realization that I have a problem is a greater step towards conquering the blind spot.

Conversely, I have recognized that there are weaknesses that have an immense effect on my Christian life. Blame shifting tends to have an influence on how I react when things do not occur as I have anticipated, especially things done in a group. Morally, everyone has a weakness, but it is when we accept where the weaknesses are that we are more likely to prevail over them. Therefore, in my case since I have understood in which circumstances that I am more likely to shift the blame, then I will be more watchful and ask for God’s assistance, when I find myself in that situation (Arterburn, 2015). 


References

Arterburn, S. (2015, January 28). 5 blind spots blocking god’s work in you. Retrieved January      31, 2017, from http://www.crosswalk.com/faith/spiritual-life/5-blind-spots-blocking-god-s-work-in-you.html

Daniel, D. (2015, January 9). 5 Spiritual Disciplines that Will Change Your Life. Retrieved January 31, 2017, from http://www.crosswalk.com/faith/spiritual-life/5-spiritual-disciplines-that-will-change-your-life.html

Presbyterian Mission Agency. (2012, March 18). Spiritual practices and disciplines — spiritual formation — mission and ministry — Presbyterian mission agency. Retrieved January 31, 2017, from https://pma.pcusa.org/ministries/spiritualformation/disciplines/

Want help to write your Essay or Assignments? Click here

Spurgeon, C. H. Lectures to My Students: Book Critique

Spurgeon, C. H. Lectures to My Students
Spurgeon, C. H. Lectures to My Students

Spurgeon, C. H. Lectures to My Students

Book Critique

Bibliographical Entry:

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Spurgeon, C. H. Lectures to My Students. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Pub, 2010.

Summary

Spurgeon’s book “Lectures to my Students” is a journal that pastors, ministers, and those pursuing training for ministerial positions use as a reference. Charles Spurgeon has authored several books on the principles that people in ministry should adhere into a bid to be better ministers of the gospel. This book was written to establish the principles that spiritual leaders need to avoid that include unhallowed and the use of endearing words in ministry, thus showing the elements that pastors need to incorporate into their lives to remain consistent in their prayer lives.

Additionally, Spurgeon reiterates on the essence of developing a relationship with Christ, the necessity of prayer, the genuineness of having a call to serve, and a thirst to reach the lost. Speaking to his students on the element of Christian life Spurgeon ululates that, “For a herald of the Gospel of Christ to be spiritually out of context in an individual’s proper person is, both to himself and to the work he is called to do, a most serious catastrophe[1].

Ministers in this care are required to be vigilant in prayer, faithful in their private devotions, and understanding the fact that their souls must be taken care of before they consider taking pastoral ministries on others.

Spurgeon delves into greater detail on the reasons why the call for ministry needs to be authentic, with origins from God. Ministers are therefore advised to have the desire to serve, an aspect that details the need for gentleness even under difficult circumstances, and the inclusion of good judgments in ministry. In his book, Spurgeon provides examples of unfortunate cases of individuals who go into ministry without authentic calls from God. 

In regards to the calamity, Spurgeon alleges that hundreds of ministers have lost their course and stumbled against the pulpit, sorrowful evidence that depicts the fruitlessness of their ministries and decaying churches which currently surround the world[2]. It is prudent to consider that Spurgeon points to the need to understand that God only opens doors for ministers who are faithful[3].

The call to ministry as evidenced by Spurgeon is a call to holiness and godly characters. Individuals striving to minister must be people who are looked up to by the society. They must be examples of what it means to be true followers of Christ. The ministers therefore need to pious and develop high moral standards that are consistent with the principles of the bible.

Spurgeon shows his eloquence in regard to a godly living by alleging that the world finds it challenging to trust people who are two faced, nor will the world believe in those whose practical and verbal testimonies are contradictory[4]. The inclusion of these godly characters resonates from an individual’s faith in the person of Christ. In his teachings about sermons, Spurgeon advices his student’s to preach Christ always[5].

Critique

Surgeon on his book Lectures to my Students is an important edition that offers ministers practical lessons and guidelines that prepare them for ministry especially on what they may encounter and approaches of staying on the right course. One of the greatest strengths of Surgeons works remains in the practical application presented to the ministers in the book. The practical application documented in the book is seen in the author’s presentation of what ministers need to do within their ministerial lives both in public and privately.

On the other hand, Spurgeon speaks more on sermons, hence insisting that sermons need to give teachings that can be applied in everyday life. Additionally, he insists that the truth should never be held back no matter how complex or unpopular it may sound[6]. The author also reminds ministers on the importance of humility, hence denoting the need for ministers to understand that they are called by their creator to serve the Universe. This intrigues the practicality and application of our place within God’s scheme, an approach that gives reverence to God’s priorities.

However, it is imperative to note that there are weaknesses to Spurgeon’s book to the 21st century readers. Spurgeon is considered to have served in England in the 1800’s and ministry has revolutioned since then. One aspect relates to language that has immensely changed over the last 200 years. Additionally, changes are notable in doctrinal beliefs among different Baptist groups in England compared to those that existed during Surgeons time.

Evaluation

Within the larger academic context, Spurgeon’s book Lectures to My Students is viewed as remarkable in standing the test of time by establishing approaches that ministers can enhance their relationship with Christ. Through this, the ministers of the Gospel are in a position to establishing the authenticity of their calling, and the need to fulfill the Great Commission.

The book therefore reminds spiritual leaders that things such as quit time, solitude, prayers and fasting are essential tools required in prospering the ministry of the Lord. In as much as these elements are viewed as popular, they remain essential in supporting the course of ministry. Spurgeon through his work exemplifies the ingredients required by pastors and servants of God in serving the world.


[1] . Spurgeon, C. H. Lectures to My Students. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Pub, 2010.

[2] . Ibid. 1pp. 13

[3]. The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

[4]. Ibid. 2, pp. 17

[5]. Ibid. 3, pp.79

[6]. Ibid. 4, pp.75