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Unseen Warfare
Sermon on the Mount
Truth about Islam
Unseen/Sermon
Islam/Sermon
100
Why is it wrong to consider excessive grief after a fall a virtue?
It is caused by pride and a high opinion of oneself. One hopes to deal with an issue alone. The experience of the downfall shows the extent of one’s weakness and he/she is astounded. This is not humbling as with one who trusts God alone. (p. 88)
100
In chapter 1, HH describes the different characteristics of being “poor in spirit.” The measures of poverty in spirit include being poor within himself, poor before God and poor before the people. Also, the poor in spirit can be: “Poor before Devils.” What are examples of how St. Antony and St. Macarius defeated the devils, and the characteristic that enabled them to do so.
St. Anthony told the devils that he was too weak to fight against many of them. The saint cried to the Lord for help. His humility led to the devils fleeing from him. St. Macarius was told by the devils that his humility was the only thing he did that they could not do.
100
What is one example of evidence for the historical authenticity and origin of the Bible? A brand new way to learn about our products and ask for help.
No other ancient manuscript or ancient literature has gone through the scrutiny and verification that the Bible has gone through. Also, searching the scriptures was common amongst early believers (the Bereans, St. Paul,...etc.) Acts 17:11 The OT foreshadows. The NT fulfills the OT.
100
Why is silence and guarding of the tongue so important in spiritual warfare? Give two examples. (Unseen)
Good feelings are silent. The feelings which seek expression are mostly prideful. We imagine our opinion to be the highest of all and the most satisfactory. Empty talk is the door to criticism and slander; it is the spreader of false rumors and the sower of discord and strife ( p. 1443-44)
100
How many beatitudes are there, and what does the word beatitude mean?
Nine beatitudes. The word beatitude means both happiness and blessing together, not separately
200
How should a warrior of Christ prepare himself in the morning for battle? Briefly summarize.
A warrior should arise in prayer, first thing-asking for God’s mercy. Next, remember that the passionate urge is there ready to attack. Gather strength to stand firm against the attack, compel yourself not to submit. Constantly fight, trusting not in yourself but in God and prayer. Never give up. (p. 113)
200
HH differentiates between the true joy of the Holy Spirit, and the false joy of the world. He says that this false joy is only temporary, but that tears can produce eternal joy in heaven. Please explain how our tears on earth lead to joy in heaven. What is the verse and the reference that explains this?
The person who spends his life in pleasures and laughter, paying no attention to eternal life and is negligent of his sins, will not benefit from false and temporary joys when he stands in front of God. We need to weep for our earthly sins. “For godly sorrow produces repentance to salvation not to be regretted.” (2 Cor. 7:10)
200
HH differentiates between the true joy of the Holy Spirit, and the false joy of the world. He says that this false joy is only temporary, but that tears can produce eternal joy in heaven. Please explain how our tears on earth lead to joy in heaven. What is the verse and the reference that explains this?
The person who spends his life in pleasures and laughter, paying no attention to eternal life and is negligent of his sins, will not benefit from false and temporary joys when he stands in front of God. We need to weep for our earthly sins. “For godly sorrow produces repentance to salvation not to be regretted.” (2 Cor. 7:10)
200
What are the 3 parts of the soul and what is the role of each one? (Unseen p. 105)
Thinking- gives birth to thoughts of ingratitude/complaints Desirable-pleasure-loving thoughts, love of money/glory Excitable-thoughts of anger, hatred, envy
200
Provide 3 examples in which people believe they attain Christine perfection. Are they correct? Why or why not?
Examples : include fasting, prayer, mental prayer, solitude, seclusion, or a moderation of all these virtues. These virtues do not by themselves constitute christian perfection but are a means of attaining it!
300
What are the two wills existing in us, fighting against one another. Which should we follow and why?
The dumb sensory will and the higher intelligent will. The lower will is desiring nothing but evil. The higher desiring nothing but good. When a good desire comes, an evil desire follows immediately after. This is what our spiritual warfare consists of. Follow the higher will because it is the will of God. Pleasing God in actions is of doubtful value if we indulge the sensory will. (p. 100)
300
HH states that having a poor soul means one is modest and repentant, not asking people to revere or magnify him because of his rank. Give the two biblical examples of two people who were modest and poor in spirit even though they had a high “rank” among the people. Explain the circumstance.
David the king and prophet, says “I am poor and needy.” The crown, throne, and leadership of the army never changed him. (Ps. 6:2) Abraham was the greatest leader of the fathers. He defeated 4 kings and rehabilitated Sodom’s captivity. Yet, he was poor in spirit. Joseph was the second in command in Egypt. God gave him triumph over all because he was poor in spirit. “For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now I will arise...” (Ps. 11)
300
What are the beliefs of Christianity and Islam in regards to each religion’s idea of the knowledge of God and The Deity’s relationship with man? Explain the Christian point of view with an example from the Bible?
David the king and prophet, says “I am poor and needy.” The crown, throne, and leadership of the army never changed him. (Ps. 6:2) Abraham was the greatest leader of the fathers. He defeated 4 kings and rehabilitated Sodom’s captivity. Yet, he was poor in spirit. Joseph was the second in command in Egypt. God gave him triumph over all because he was poor in spirit. “For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now I will arise...” (Ps. 11)
300
What kind of earth is God speaking of when He says that the meek will “inherit the earth”? (Sermon)
1. The land of the Living (Ps. 27:13) Or, it could be the “new land” which St. John saw in Revelation , in which the saints live 2. The same earth in which we live- in addition to heavenly inheritance, he is loved by all on this earth b/c of his meekness 3. It means he will win both earth and heaven together-the blessings of those on this earth and the fellowship with those in the land of the Living (p. 84)
300
Are Arabs a homogenous people that come from a certain ethnic background? If they did have an ethnic background what was it? If they do not have an ethnic background where did they come from and was their common denominator.
The Arabs are not homogenous. They are an intermixed group of people who lived in the desert. their common denominator was a yearning for the divine.
400
What are the 4 steps in fighting against the sensory will?
Resist the impulses as soon as they come to you, Avert- aversion means to kindle a disgust toward that sin in your heart, intense effort, crush them Appeal- immediately cry to the Lord for help Oppose- If possible, do something that is the opposite of the sin, or replace with a positive thought (p. 103-04)
400
In Chapter 4, HH discusses the fourth beatitude, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” HH discusses how this “hungering for righteousness” includes longing for God. And part of our longing with God, also includes hungering for prayer with Him. (a) Name two great examples of men of prayer that HH mentions.
St. Arsanius and St. Macarius the Alexandrian. St. Arsanius used to spend the whole night praying from sunset until sunrise. St. Macarius trained his mind not to keep any other thoughts except those concerning God and divine things.
400
How do Christians explain the unity of God? Explain the misunderstanding Muslims have regarding the Trinity from two erroneous statements.
1. God is not 3 entities, or 3 essences. He is one essence. His divine nature is unique, even when encompassing 3 equally divine persons. 3-leaved shamrock man can be husband, son, father. He’s the same man. The full self is present and applied to each role. No role is greater or less than the other (p. 105)
400
The sermon on the mount is said to be the statues and regulations of christianity. So everything jesus mentioned must have significant importance. According to Pope Shenouda, other then the beatitudes, what else did jesus mention or did not mention in the sermon on the mount? Provide at least 4 points mentioned by the Pope Shenouda.
1. The sermon gives a comprehensive answer to the Protestant concept of faith alone. 2. The lord spoke about practical life. He mentioned nothing about rituals or practices of the jews. 3. He spoke about perfection and coversed with all persons equally. 4. On delivering the sermon on the mount, jesus presented God as a heavenly father. 5. Many times, he also repeated the words " the Kingdom" and " the heavens" - this is how he was able to change their passion for having earthly possessions, into that for a heavenly kingdom. 6. He did not address the subject of peoples emotions or their paranoia.
400
What are 4 characteristics of Allah that make him very different than the Christian God? (Truth)
1. The Quranic Allah is not wholly good. He is the producer of good and manipulator of evil He is not a father, nor does he have a son. Fellowship with man is then impossible Allah does not forgive all sins, even after repeated appeals Allah has no desires-not even that man should believe in him (p. 114)
500
Name 4 general lessons in the uses of the senses. Give examples.
Keep a firm hold on your eyes- not allowing curious looks at women or men, whether they are beautiful or not, also with food-Eve Guard your ears-do not listen to shameful speech or songs b/c they fill the soul with desire, do not listen to gossip or criticisms Guard your smell from luxurious perfumes- may provoke carnal thoughts/impulses Guard your stomach-from acquiring all you desire b/c this can lead to enslaving passions (p. 139-40)
500
Spiritual Poverty WHY it is a blessing to be spiritually poor? Support with verses. Who are 3 characters that were poor in spirit and how were they “loved by God” ?
It is a blessing because Adam and Eve lost their blessing through pride of the devil. “I wish to be like the most high.” (Is. 14:14) Jesus came to rectify this, as he said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit.” (Mt. 5:3) God Himself took the nature of a servant 1. St. Mary- God considered her, the “lowly” 2. David- God gave him victory over his enemies, like Absalom 3. Joseph-God raised his name very high
500
What does the theological term 'Antinomianism‘ mean? According to the authors, both are necessary for a proper Christian life, Explain 'Justification' and 'Sanctification' and their differences.
Antinomianism is a term that means “against the law”. It is a belief that Christians are no longer under any obligation to fulfill the moral law. This is a heresy. It is the effect of the confusion between “justification” and “sanctification”. sanctification-the process that begins the moment we become Christians, ONGOING PROCESS Justification- singular event, accomplished by the atoning death of Christ, applied in repentance and faith (p. 138)
500
Who were the 2 saints that were perfect examples of much weeping? Give details of how they shed tears. (Sermon)
Saint Isizoros, the priest of the monks’ cells. When he prayed, he would cry with a loud voice so his neighbors would hear him. He said that if his sins were revealed to others, then they would weep for him. Saint Pephnotius, disciple of Saint Macarius the Great, would weep over sins he remembered committing. (p. 58-59)
500
Explain the evolution of the meaning of the word Messiah throughout history. Also, Muslims say that jesus is the messiah. Does that mean that they believe he is the savior? Of course not!! so why do they call him the Messiah? Explain?
First Messiah meant the 'The anointed one' it was synonymous with the offices of a priest, prophet or a king. Then after the Roman occupation of palestine the term was foretelling the advent of a certain individual in light of old testament prophecies who would assume all three offices: priest, prophet or a king simultaneously. The Muslims have a different meaning of the word Messiah. Muslim define Messiah as to wander or go on a pilgrimage. Hence, they do not believe he is the savior. pgs 64:66