Crusades

Some may say that is a very inappropriate title for this article as it's about my current New Testament Religion class. 


Here is why.... from my perspective. I'm taking a class that is usually 12 weeks in 6 weeks; it's titled New Testament 212 clocking in at 2 credits, but really should be 515 and worth 5 credits. So now it's basically like 10 credits of work in 6 weeks. No pressure or anything....
 
I have this theory that BYU Schools want students to essentially graduate with a religion minor, as I believe that it requires 24+ religion credits to graduate. I have no problem with that as they are a church school and we benefit from amazingly gracious people who donate to the school in many wonderful ways. I just wish it wouldn't murder us in the cause - thus the title the Crusades. 
**Disclaimer - that was suppose to be funny. If it offends you, I'll refer you to the following talk by a modern day apostle: http://lds.org/general-conference/2006/10/and-nothing-shall-offend-them?lang=eng&query=offended


So, moving forward - for the said religion class I do various assignment each week, two of my choosing from a selection of topics given by the instructor, and done in my chosen format. This week I've opted to do two blog posts as I'm home sick from work today. 

What's the balance? Faith? Grace? Works?

Week 3 - Unit 1 - Choice 2: Romans 2–5. Faith, Grace, and Works

**Instructions or teacher prompted questions are in italics - my responses are in type!**

Faith, grace, and good works all play a part in our salvation. As you read Romans 2–5, fill in the following chart with statements from the verses that help you understand these topics; record the verses where you found your responses:

Faith and Grace God is no respecter of persons 2:11 No one can be justified through the law 3:20 We have all fallen short of the glory of God and need Jesus Christ 3:22-26 Faith, and Grace, and the law are needed for salvation to be complete 4:16 JST We access grace through faith 5:2

Good Works We are judged according to our works 2:2,6 Glory, honor, and peace will be with those who do good 2:10 We must act to be justified 2:13 Faith compels us to action 4:21

Why do you think Paul chose Abraham as a model of faith? (see Romans 4:17–25). 

4:18 - Because Abraham hoped against hope. He acted according to things he could not see, principles he could not understand, and idea's he could not comprehend - and he did this because of his Faith in Jesus Christ. His action was one of the greatest actions one could make in this life to express total commitment to God, and as a result of that he was then given total grace. 

How does Romans 4:19–22 apply to your life? 

Even when things seem impossible, God will not let them be impossible. Abraham had total faith that even if he saw his son go up in ashes before him, some how God would be able to keep his promises that were previously made. Like us, we can face impossible tasks with absolute confidence that God will follow through. He promises missionaries that if they study the word, then open their mouths, they will be able to speak with power and with the Spirit. He makes all of us promises, and he holds true to them. All of them. 

Review Romans 5:12–14. In what ways did Adam’s Fall affect each of us? How did Paul answer the question of why a Savior is needed for all mankind?

Adam's fall caused us all to be mortal. Christ's Atonement will cause us all to be immortal. Literally, the actions of one man affected everyone, and the actions of another man reversed that for everyone. It's pretty impressive - the scope of the Atonement. 

Considering what you have studied about faith, grace, and good works, why is 2 Nephi 25:23 so helpful in understanding their relationship? 

I honestly like to think of a health care analogy. Christ has already paid our insurance - he's covered the premium, co-pays, cost of prescriptions, etc. But, that doesn't mean that we need to go out and make ourselves sick with sin. He really can cure anything - but why would we go get AIDS or even the common cold if we don't need to? We should be engaged in keeping ourselves clean (physically and spiritually) so that we can help others understand God's insurance program. When we're clean, we can help others. It doesn't make us any more saved than all the others who are enrolled, but it brings more happiness to more people. 

Christ is the great physician, the healer of our souls. He knows that the Law needed to be fulfilled and so he made himself available to do that. It's a miracle that we have access to Christ, and when properly understood, it will truly motivate us to go about doing good. 

Unit Two:

Choice 3: Colossians 1-4. Becoming New Creatures in Christ

Descriptions of the Savior:
Before all things
Creator of all things
First Born
Head of the Body
Christ

Christ Jesus

Christ Jesus the Lord


What did Paul teach that Jesus Christ has done for us? 
Paul teaches that Christ's perfect life and willing surrender of life granted us salvation. He does not explain it here, but there are two ways to salvation. One, live a totally spotless life - no commandment breaking, no sinful thoughts, no depraved actions, saved is through grace, or someone allowing the consequences of sin to pass from us. But, if God is a just God, sin must be paid for some how. And that is where the Savior comes in. He literally saves us from the debt of sin. He pays our debts for us, God accepts them, and we can return to live with God again.


What do these verses teach about the responsibilities we have to receive the blessings of the Lord?

We need to see that mercy. Going back to my health care analogy, just because we know that the grace is available, doesn't mean that we should go get AIDS, spiritually speaking. Yes, we need to work, we need to take action to be a Christian, but by all means, it is ONLY through the Sacrifice of Jesus Christ that we are able to be saved.

 What does it mean to be “rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith.” (Helaman 5:12 and Colossians 2:7)
When we have total faith on the spiritual ground we stand on, we believe that God will make miracles. Being rooted in Christ means being so involved in our commitment to him that we want what he wants, we love what he loves, and we try like he tried. Christ had absolute faith that because of his death, God would grant us life. We can have absolute faith in that also.

Review Colossians 2:8, 18  “What does Paul Mean by the Worshiping of Angels?” (p. 345). List at least four means of deception Paul warned the Saints about in Colossae. What does 2 Nephi 9:28-29 add to what Paul warned?

Review Colossians 3 and make a list of what we should “put on” and “put off” or “mortify.”
Things We Should Seek After or “Put On”
- Divine things
- New creature, image of Christ

- Mercy, Kindness, humbleness of mind, Meekness, Long suffering - Forgiveness!! - Unity - Charity Things We Should “Mortify” or “Put Off” - Gossiping, lying, back biting - Immorality (Sexual promiscuity) -Ungodliness

Review Colossians 3:15-21 and identify in writing several ideas that would help families live in greater harmony. What specific counsel did Paul give to children, parents, husbands, and wives?

Live the patriarchal order. Men, Love your wives, be tender with your family. Women, support your husbands righteousness. Children, obey your parents.

What did Paul teach about the importance of hymns?
Songs are to lift our spirits, invite peace and reverence and help us feel closer with God and with each other. In a very practical sense, when we sing together, we're working together in a way. And just practicing that is an exercise in unity.