Good and Evil, Free Will and Original Sin in Scripture
Defining Good and Evil
Good is that which reflects love, truth, justice, and compassion, aligning with God’s will and bringing harmony to creation.
Physical/Natural Evil refers to suffering caused by natural events like earthquakes, disease, or death—these are not caused by human choice.
Moral Evil / Sin is wrongdoing that results from human free will, such as lying, stealing, or violence.
Examples:
Good: acts of kindness, healing, forgiveness, and generosity.
Evil: war, pollution, abuse, and betrayal.
Book of Kells Illuminations, Hands, and Insular Art
Book of Kells: Illuminations, Hands, and Insular Art
Portrait of each evangelist (appears with human influence) and not a sign above the text. Above the image is the lion who represents Saint Mark.
Book of Kells, c. 800.
Provenance and History
Written by monks from Iona Abbey, founded by Saint Columbanus in the 6th century. It was initially begun by the monks of this abbey. With the Viking invasion (807) they were forced to emigrate to Ireland, to the monastery of Kells, where they continued the work
Read MoreFoundational Christian Theology Concepts Explained
Foundational Christian Theology Concepts
Core Definitions
- Apologetics: The reasoned defense and commendation of the faith (1 Peter 3:15).
- Theology: Divinity; the science of God and divine things, teaching the character of God.
- Christian: A real disciple of Christ; one who believes the truth and leads by example; piety.
- Worldview: A commitment or orientation of the heart that can be expressed in a story (relating to common people/you) or a set of propositions (a list of truths: making what you believe
Islamic Law and Civilization in Al-Andalus
Section 1: Islamic Law in Al-Andalus
Spain was largely dominated by Muslims following their conquest starting in 711. This territory operated under Islamic law, which is deeply intertwined with the religion and the fundamental pillars of Muslim civilization.
Pillars of Islamic Civilization
These pillars form the core of the Islamic faith and practice:
- Faith (Shahada): This is the primary and most crucial Muslim dogma. It is a monotheistic belief centered on Allah as the one God, and Muhammad as His
Understanding the Edo and Meiji Periods in Japanese Buddhism
Edo & Meiji Periods
1. What challenges does the Danka system pose for non-Buddhists, particularly Christians?
The Danka system (檀家制度), introduced during the Edo period (1600–1868) by the Tokugawa Shogunate, enforced compulsory affiliation of every household with a local Buddhist temple.
Its original purpose was to suppress Christianity (キリスト教), which the government viewed as a colonial and ideological threat from Europe.
Challenges faced by non-Buddhists, especially Christians:
Read MoreUnderstanding the Core Concepts of Buddhism
Three Rafts of Buddhism
- Theravada
- Mahayana
- Vajrayana
Four Noble Truths
- Life is suffering.
- The cause of suffering is desire.
- To overcome suffering, we must overcome desire.
- The path to salvation is the Noble Eightfold Path.
Four Signs Siddhartha Saw
- Old age – everything is going to change.
- Sick person – everyone suffers, and nothing can change that.
- Corpse – nothing is permanent.
- Ascetic – renounces material possessions, learns that there is hope and a chance to break suffering.
Anatma
The Buddhist doctrine of