Roman Catholic and Lutheran View in the Bible

By: Nia Hope

             The Bible is the sacred writings composed of Hebrew Scriptures to form the Old Testament and early Christian works to from the New Testament; the views on the interpretation of the Bible differ for various Christian denominations. Southern Baptists believe that it is through the individual interpretation of the Bible that they can come to understand the truth about God. Southern Baptists make the Bible accessible and available for all of its believers, including the average layperson (“Sola Scriptura”). This is based on the Protestant belief, which is accepted by Southern Baptists, of sola scriptura. Sola scriptura translates to “scripture alone” and explains that the Bible is the only authority for doctrine. It is a “sufficient basis for faith and practice” (“Baptist vs Roman Catholic Beliefs” ). As Reformed Protestants, the Southern Baptist emphasis on the Bible stems from one of the key components of the Protestant Reformation, the belief that the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church “wandered from the teachings of the Bible” (“Protestantism and the Bible”). As a result Martin Luther, the founder of Lutheranism, discredited the authority of the pope for interpreting the Bible and placed the Bible as the only authority; this belief is reflected in the doctrine of Southern Baptists. Southern Baptists believe that the sacraments are “’contrary to the teachings of the Bible and that grace is received directly from God”’ (Weeks). In the Helvetic Confession written by Henry Bullinger, Bullinger explains that Southern Baptists do not believe the Bible contains any error: “We believe and confess the canonical Scriptures of the holy prophets and apostles of both Testaments to be the true Word of God, and to have sufficient authority of themselves, not of men. For God himself spoke to the fathers, prophets, apostles, and still speaks to us through the Holy Scriptures” (Brown).

Roman Catholics have various views on the inerrancy of the Bible. Some Roman Catholic theologians claim that the original version the Bible is without error (“Biblical Inerrancy as Viewed by Roman Catholics”). Some Roman Catholic churches teach that the Bible has limited inerrancy in certain matters: “faith, morals and the criteria for salvation” (“Biblical Inerrancy as Viewed by Roman Catholics.”). 

The Roman Catholic Church contains the Apocrypha within the Old Testament, which is not included in the scripture of Southern Baptists (Dow and Mercatante). The Roman Catholic doctrines are based on the Bible, church traditions (Brown), and teachings of the Pope (“Baptist vs Roman Catholic Beliefs”); the Pope’s interpretation of the Bible holds “authority for doctrine” (Matthews 300). The authority of the Roman Catholic Church stems from several beliefs: Jesus founded the church to continue His ministry and teachings, and the Holy Spirit was given to the church to guide it (Bransfield). Monsignor Bransfield further explains, “The Revelation of Jesus is thus extended to the Apostles and handed on through two means: Sacred Scripture and Tradition” (Bransfield). Roman Catholics believe that the Bible, when interpreted by the church, contains the truth about God.

Word Count: 500

Works Cited:

“Baptist vs Roman Catholic Beliefs.” Baptist vs Roman Catholic Beliefs, http://www.baptistcatholic.com/. Accessed 7 Dec. 2017.

“Biblical Inerrancy as Viewed by Roman Catholics.” Religious Tolerance , http://www.religioustolerance.org/inerran1.htm.

Bransfield, J Brian. “Bible at Core of Catholic Beliefs.” Bible at Core of Catholic Beliefs, http://www.usccb.org/bible/understanding-the-bible/study-materials/articles/bible-at-core-of-catholic-beliefs.cfm. Accessed 7 Dec. 2017.

Brown, Stephen F. “Branches of Protestantism and Their Basic Beliefs.” Protestantism, Third Edition, Chelsea House, 2009. World Religions, online.infobase.com/HRC/Search/Details/417310?q=sacred text lutherans . Accessed 7 Dec. 2017.

Dow, James R., and Anthony S. Mercatante. “Bible.” The Facts On File Encyclopedia of World Mythology and Legend, Third Edition, Facts On File, 2004. World Religions, online.infobase.com/HRC/Search/Details/425626?q=roman catholic view on bible. Accessed 7 Dec. 2017.

Matthews, Warren. “Christianity.” World Religions. 6th ed. Belmont, CA: Thomson/Wadsworth, 2008. 289-290. Print.

Melton, J. Gordon. “Protestantism and the Bible.” Encyclopedia of Protestantism, Second Edition, Facts On File, 2016. World Religions, online.infobase.com/HRC/Search/Details/259495?q=roman catholic view on bible. Accessed 7 Dec. 2017.

Melton, J. Gordon. “Sola Scriptura.” Encyclopedia of Protestantism, Second Edition, Facts On File, 2016. World Religions, online.infobase.com/HRC/Search/Details/259154?q=sola scriptura. Accessed 8 Dec. 2017.

Weeks, Lee. “How Do Catholics & Baptists Differ?” Baptist Press, 18 Apr. 2005, http://www.bpnews.net/20599/how-do-catholics-and-baptists-differ. Accessed 7 Dec. 2017.

Baptism: Roman Catholic and Southern Baptists

Nia Hope

        Baptism is Greek and translates “to plunge into” and “wash in water” (Flinn). In Christianity Baptism is a sacrament or “a sign Christ instituted so that believers might receive God’s grace for their salvation” (Matthews 314). During the ritual of Baptism, a person is washed of sin, becomes purified, and begins a new spiritual relationship as a child of God” (Flinn). One of the main figures in Christianity is Jesus, and as a result of His baptism, the church institutionalized the sacrament of Baptism. Roman Catholics believe Jesus began His “messianic mission” after He was baptized by John the Baptist, which occurs in the synoptic gospels: Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Paul explains that Baptism “unites the believer to the death and resurrection of Jesus […] through it the Sprit incorporates a person into the Body of Christ beyond social categories of being a Jew or a Greek, a slave or a free person” (Flinn). In accordance with Paul’s explanation, Roman Catholics believe that Baptism is the rite of entry into the church that removes original sin.
The didache is a teaching of the Twelve Apostles that explains the rules for Baptism, which Roman Catholics follow. It explains that during Baptism the names of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit must be used to emphasize the belief of the Trinity or God in three persons. There is also a preference for “flowing water and fasting prior to the rite” (Flinn). The ritual of Baptism is performed by bishops, priests, and deacons; however, in emergency situations anyone can “administer the rite both lawfully and validly” if the administrator “intends to fulfill the intentions” of the recipient (Flinn). Roman Catholics also believe that Baptism produces a mark on the “soul of the recipient,” making Baptism “essential to obtain grace for salvation (Flinn). In contrast to Roman Catholics, Southern Baptists believe Baptism is not essential to obtain grace.
Southern Baptists have a strict focus on the sacred texts of Christianity, the Bible, which they use to supply their evidence for the distinctive beliefs on the ritual of Baptism. Southern Baptists believe that the ritual of Baptism is a symbol of salvation (“Baptists: Believer’s Baptism”); therefore, they use the term “ordinance” instead of “sacrament” (“Baptists’ Two Ordinances: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper”). In the New Testament Baptism followed conversion, so Southern Baptists do not believe it is a requirement of salvation (“Baptists: Believer’s Baptism”). Also in contrast to Roman Catholics, Southern Baptists believe that Baptism is “not a means of channeling saving grace but rather is a way of testifying that saving grace has been experience” (“Baptists: Believer’s Baptism”). In the New Testament faith in Jesus as God is voluntary, since the ritual of Baptism marks this faith, Southern Baptists believe that Baptism should be voluntary. As a result, Southern Baptists do not believe infants should be baptized. Also in contrast to Roman Catholics, Southern Baptists believe the recipient of the ritual of baptism should be immersed. This belief originates from the Baptism of Jesus, in which Jesus’ entire body was immersed in the water.

Word Count: 509

Works Cited
“Baptists: Believer’s Baptism.” Baptist Distinctive, 3 Jan. 2016, . Accessed 19 Nov. 2017.
“Baptists’ Two Ordinances: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.” Baptist Distinctive. Accessed 19 Nov. 2017.
Flinn, Frank K. “Baptism.” Encyclopedia of Catholicism, Second Edition, Facts On File, 2016. World Religions,e online.infobase.com/HRC/Search/Details/235677?q=Baptism. Accessed 14 Nov. 2017.
Matthews, Warren. “Christianity.” World Religions. 6th ed. Belmont, CA: Thomson/Wadsworth, 2008. 314. Print.

 

Ethics in Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism

Nia Hope

Ethics in Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism

One of the Three Practices of Buddhism, sila, or ethical conduct, is reflected inthe Eightfold Path: right conduct, which is acting morally and without violence; right speech, which is speaking truthfully and fairly; and right livelihood, which means participating in a moral vocation (“Eightfold Path”). Theravadins adhere to and mediate on the teachings of Buddha, which means they practice sila by strictly following the Eightfold Path. Sila involves avoiding violent actions such as killing, stealing, raping, and lying (“Sila”). Theravada Buddhists believe they can get rid of desires by not giving into them. For example, they destroy the desire of greed by following the right conduct of not stealing. Richard H. Jones further explains, “only by renouncing what appears to be to our advantage is our real welfare advanced” (374). Other ways Theravadins can get rid of their desires is by following these precepts of Buddhism: “to abstain from taking food at inappropriate times; to abstain from dancing, singing, music and entertainments as well as refraining from the use of perfumes, ornaments and other items used to adorn or beautify the person; to undertake the training to abstain from using high or luxurious beds” (“Buddhist Ethics”). Theravadins focus on personal salvation and hope to find prajna or wisdom by following the precepts (Matthews 120).

Since Theravada Buddhists believe that only bhikkus or monks can achieve Enlightenment, the laity must serve the monks to collect good kharma. Karma means action and the consequence of action. As a law, that a person’s thoughts and deeds are followed eventually by deserved pleasure or pain, it guides ethical conduct (Duval and Turkel). In Buddhism karma is mainly psychological, but Theravadins attempt to make good karma.

Mahayana Buddhists have a different view of ethics and emphasize that humans are responsible for each other. Mahayanists have an “altruistic ethic”, which is a demonstrated in their model, the Bodhisattva (“Buddhist Ethics”). These are people known as “good buddhas” because they hold off on receiving the rewards of Nirvana and stay to help others achieve Nirvana. Mahayana Buddhists give Bodhisattva’s a “special elevated moral status” (Duval and Terkel, “Buddhist Ethics”). Bodhisattvas reflect the Mahayanan concept of universal salvation, everyone has the ability to achieve Nirvana. Mahayana Buddhism teaches that “salvation is not simply a matter of escape through working off karma at the end of this life” (Matthews 118). Mahayanists believe that to act ethically they need to help others.

In Mahayana Buddhism ethics extends from a code of behavior to various steps toward Nirvana. Mahayana Buddhists use the Ten Perfections to help others: “generosity, moral virtue, patience, vigor, meditation and wisdom, […] skillful means of helping others, commitment to achieving enlightenment, the power to effect change, and knowledge of the mysteries of human existence” (Duval and Terkel, “Buddhist Ethics”). Bodhisattvas are “believed to be empowered by a special wisdom and compassion that enable them to aid others altruistically” (Duval and Terkel, “Buddhist Ethics”). Mahayanists embody the concept of karuna or compassion, one of the steps to Enlightenment. They are ethically guided by this concept and believe that the more aware they are about the pain and suffering that exists in the world, the more compassionate they will become.

Word Count: 539

Works Cited

“Buddhist Ethics.” Buddhanet, http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/budethics.htm/. Accessed 5 Oct. 2017.

Duval, R. Shannon, and Susan Terkel. “Eightfold Path.” Encyclopedia of Ethics, Facts On File, 1999. World Religions, online.infobase.com/HRC/Search/Details/428744?q=Eightfold Path. Accessed 5 Oct. 2017.

Duval, R. Shannon, and Susan Terkel. “Buddhist Ethics.” Encyclopedia of Ethics, Facts On File, 1999. World Religions, online.infobase.com/HRC/Search/Details/429164?q=Ethics mahayana. Accessed 4 Oct. 2017.

Irons, Edward A. “Bhumi.” Encyclopedia of Buddhism, Second Edition, Facts On File, 2016. World Religions, online.infobase.com/HRC/Search/Details/241888?q=Moral mahayana. Accessed 4 Oct. 2017

Jones, Richard H. “Theravāda Buddhism and Morality.” Journal of the American Academy of Religion, vol. 47, no. 3, 1979, pp. 371–387. JSTOR, JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/1463867. Accessed 4 Oct. 2017

Matthews, Warren. “Buddhism.” World Religions. 6th ed. Belmont, CA: Thomson/Wadsworth, 2008. 118,120. Print. Accessed 5 Oct. 2017.

 

Paper 1: Meditation in Buddhism

Nia Hope

Paper 1: Meditation in Buddhism

          Theravada Buddhism is known as the “lesser vehicle” because it states that there is one way to achieve Nirvana or the loss of all desires: focusing on an adherence to and meditation on the teachings of Buddha or the “awakened one”. Theravada Buddhism accepts all the teachings of Buddha’s first discourse, the Deer Park Sermon. In the Sermon, Buddha explains the Four Noble Truths, which includes Marga or the Eightfold Path. Three of the steps of the Eightfold Path are right effort, mindfulness, and concentration; these steps encompass one of the Three Practices, Samadhi or “concentration that unifies” (Matthews 114). Theravada Buddhist practice Samadhi by meditating on the three steps of the Eightfold Path in order to achieve Nirvana.

Theravada Buddhism emphasizes the role of Bhikkus or monks and the Monastic Order. Through meditation a monk strives to become an Arhat or a “liberated being”; this can happen after “many lifetimes” (“Theravada Buddhism”). Bhikkus also practice Vipassana meditation, which is “the meditation of analysis” (“Theravada Buddhism”). This form of meditation exists to help the meditator realize the Three Marks of Existence: Dukkha or all life is suffering, Anicca or all things are constantly changing, and Anatta or there is no individual self (“Theravada Buddhism”). Theravada Buddhism teaches that through meditation the meditator will achieve Nirvana.

Theravada Buddhists directly follow the practices of Buddha. Siddhartha Gautama became Enlightened and discovered the Middle Way, which is the balance between the overindulgence he received as a prince and the deprivation he gave himself through fasting. Theravada Buddhists mediate following the middle way; they find a balance between overindulgence and deprivation. They practice meditation for 17 to 18 hours a day and they “do not anything eat after lunch” (“Meditation in the Theravada and Mahayana Traditions”). Since Buddha taught Samsara or that one is trapped in a reel of suffering, Theravada Buddhists use meditation to escape from Samsara and eventually achieve Nirvana.

Zen Buddhism is a form of Mahayana Buddhism that teaches that through practicing meditation “one learns to know the truth about one’s own nature” (Irons), by understanding one’s nature a “person becomes a Buddha” (Matthews 123). During meditation Zen Buddhist use Koans or problems “designed to destroy ordinary logical ways of thinking” (Matthews 126) to allow them to experience Satori or Enlightenment. Here are some examples of Koans: “What is the sound on one hand clapping? Who were you before your mother and father were?” (Duval and Terkel).

Zen Buddhism gives various methods of meditation that lead to Nirvana. One method of Zen meditation is Zazen or “seated meditation” in which the mediator sits with both “legs crossed, the soles of the feet pointed up, the hands resting one on top of the other in the lap, the tips of the thumbs gently touching” (“Zen Buddhism”). Zen Buddhist “sit and walk in meditation” or Kinhi, and “at times experience moments of Satori” (“Buddhism”). Twice a year Zen Buddhist communities “hold intense period of meditation” about a week long, known Sesshin (“Zen Buddhism”). Similar to Theravada Buddhism, Zen Buddhism focuses on achieving Nirvana, the goal of Buddhism.

Word Count: 519

Works Cited

Alles, Gregory D., and Robert S. Ellwood. “Buddhism.” The Encyclopedia of World Religions, Revised Edition, Facts On File, 2006. World Religions, online.infobase.com/HRC/Search/Details/248642?q=buddhism meditation. Accessed 24 Sept. 2017.

Alles, Gregory D., and Robert S. Ellwood. “Theravada Buddhism.” The Encyclopedia of World Religions, Revised Edition, Facts On File, 2006. World Religions, online.infobase.com/HRC/Search/Details/249066?q= meditation theravada. Accessed 24 Sept. 2017.

Alles, Gregory D., and Robert S. Ellwood. “Zen Buddhism.” The Encyclopedia of World Religions, Revised Edition, Facts On File, 2006. World Religions, online.infobase.com/HRC/Search/Details/249112?q=practices of zen meditation. Accessed 24 Sept. 2017.

Duval, R. Shannon, and Susan Terkel. “Zen.” Encyclopedia of Ethics, Facts On File. 1999. World Religions, online.infobase.com/HRC/Search/Details/429038?q= zen meditation koan . Accessed 24 Sept. 2017.

Irons, Edward A. “Zen Buddhism.” Encyclopedia of Buddhism, Second Edition, Facts On

File, 2016. World Religions, online.infobase.com/HRC/Search/Details/241705?q=zen buddhism. Accessed 24 Sept. 2017.

Matthews, Warren. “Buddhism.” World Religions. 6th ed. Belmont, CA: Thomson/Wadsworth, 2008. 103-142. Print.

“Meditation in the Theravada and Mahayana Traditions.” The Shamarpa, shamarpa.org/meditation-in-the-theravada-and-mahayana-traditions/.