Abstract
Pope John XXIII was a supposed to be a transitional pope, but instead he became one of the most influential popes in the history of the Church. He called the important and famous Second Vatican Council with the main emphasis being on 'aggiornamento', which means 'an updating.' This paper discusses the need for an updating within the Church, and also the role that updating played in the Church.

From the Paper
"Pope John XXIII was elected to be a transitional pope; he was seventy-six years old when he was elected to the position. He had succeeded Pope Pius XII, a man whom was considered by some to be a Nazi-sympathizer because of his silence during the Holocaust. John XXIII was seen as a frail, old man, so it was much to everyone's surprise when he called for a Second Vatican Council. John XXIII made the announcement on January 25, 1959, but he remained very vague about his intentions of the council. He made the announcement after a Christian-unity celebration in St. Paul's Basilica. (1) After his announcement, Catholics understood his plans as calling for a council of unity; John XXIII assured them that it wouldn't be a council of unity, but rather a council that would serve the cause of unity. One of the long-term goals would be Christian unity. Another point that was made was the council might represent a new beginning for the Catholic Church."

Tags:catholic, catholicism, church, papistry

Abstract
This paper explains the importance of the exodus as a central and crucial part of world history, Christian theology and the geography of the ancient Near East. It discusses the significance of the exodus with references to the Biblical text, showing the Jewish people's relationship with YHWH, their fulfillment of the covenant. The paper also discusses the partial fulfillment of God's promise of land, progeny and a blessing.

From the Paper
"There are different routes supported by many scholars, but none on their theories can be supported with evidence.21 As previously mentioned the landscape of the Gulf area has been forever altered because of the construction of the Suez Canal. Scholars are left to wonder if this alteration to the land has forever buried or destroyed the evidence needed to solidify which route was the chosen path of the Exodus from Egypt. The geographical significance of the Exodus lies in the vast distances traveled by the Hebrews in their escape from the Egyptian slave masters. The historical, theological and geographical significance of the Exodus is now clear. The sheer magnitude of accomplishment of the Hebrews, led by Moses, is awe inspiring, and it is clearly the central event of the Old Testament."

Tags:Pharaoh, Nile, River, Jebel, Musa

Abstract
This paper examines how Mary Magdalene is a character who often catches the imagination of biblical scholars and how although her role in the "New Testament" is quite limited, recent knowledge uncovered when the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered suggests otherwise. It looks at how the "Gnostic Gospels" suggest that she was a very important figure in early Christianity and that the suppression of her personal religious philosophy was an intentional move by the disciple Peter. This paper tries to reconcile those ideas with the text of the "Gnostic Gospels" and that of the "New Testament". Was she a prophet, an apostle, Jesus' wife or simply the former prostitute who washed his feet?

From the Paper
"There is evidence that Mary was spiritually superior to all the other disciples. She was the first to be charged with the supreme ministry (proclaiming Christ's message) at the site of his resurrection (Haskins 2). Mary Magdalene is referred to as "the woman who knew the All", she who "reveals the greatness of the revealer", the "chief interlocutrix of the Saviour", or the one who brings gnosis to the other disciples, and the "one who is the inheritor of the Light" (Haskins 38). Mary's position as the "apostle who excels the rest" according to Dialogue of the Saviour (Haskins 40), is due in part to her ability to prophecy. After the resurrection of Jesus, Mary tells of a vision in which "Jesus showed her the course of the liberated spirit on its way back to the Aeon" (Price 57)."

Tags:bible, dead, jesus, prostitute, scrolls, sea

From the Paper
"There are very many reasons and explanations as to where and why Christianity has changed so drastically from the time of its creation to the present day; world wars, epidemics, philosophy- those are just some of the explanations offered to explain the situation. Christianity has become most diffused in Canada, the United States, and in Rome. However, it is also still easy to see how it is still present within societies; churches are still recognized as sacred institutions and some laws are still based upon church law. As to why Christianity has changed so drastically, there are many reasons but perhaps the strongest one is philosophy and the Age of Individualism."

Tags:history, jesus, medieval, religion, theology

Abstract
This paper examines sixteenth century theologist and philosopher, Martin Luther's monastical life, his studies, writings and the impact of his "Ninety-Five Theses" on the Protestant Reformation. The paper shows that from his ideas developed four new religious denominations.

From the Paper
"In the year of 1517, the Roman Popes saw the Catholic Church as the strongest institution in Christendom and a significant influence in both public and private life. Even with its many imperfections, the Catholic Church was still seen as a powerful institution. At the time, it was evident that the Catholic Church needed many changes, but it failed to do so from within. Because the Church could not reform itself from the inside, an Augustinian monk named Martin Luther reformed it from the outside."

Tags:catholicism, christianity, lutheran, religion

Abstract
The paper looks at the development of the Church of England from its beginnings as an English version of Roman Catholicism, to its later establishment as Protestant English, the basis of both Church and State in England. The paper asks why the counter-reformation failed under Mary Tudor, and how the Church established its law. It also examines in what respects and to what extent had the Church of England by 1553 became a Protestant Church.

From the Paper
"The church in England by 1553 had passed through a series of phases from the time of Henry VIII's 'Great Matter' to the death of his son Edward. By examining the different actions taken over the years we can begin to see how the church changed from Henry's view of an Anglican Catholic institution, unconnected with the strident, evangelical Protestantism of Germany to a Protestant church in England which would survive the attempted counter-Reformation of Queen Mary. The Church of England was founded on a basis that was both clerical and secular, and was enforced on the people by methods that were in turn both harsh and more circumspect. We will examine both types of methods and look at the role played by the bishops of England, the people of the country and by those who possessed lay power in the Council and magistracies."

Tags:catholic, common, counter, edward, gardiner, lutheran, mary, prayer, reformation, roman, somerset, supremacy, tudor, vi

Abstract
This paper outlines the approach taken by Weber and Durkheim, and compares and contrasts them. The argument that is presented through this paper is that Durkheim chooses to approach the subject of religion in terms of its greater role in the overall society, while Weber seeks to understand the role that religion plays in determining individual action. The paper illustrates the difference in perspective between Weber and Durkheim, as is evident in terms of their approaches, but emphasizes that each view is valid, and together they provide a very complete understanding of the social significance of religion.

From the Paper
"To set the stage, Weber and Durheim are among the most important thinkers to have addressed the subject of religion from a sociological perspective. Each concentrated a great deal of their thinking on the topic, and as such a discussion of the thinking and approaches of each provides an effective demonstration of the overall methodology constructed by each. Although they differ in their approaches, together they provide an accurate understanding of both the individual religious experience (Weber) and the role religion plays as an institution in constructing and maintaining society as a whole (Durkheim)."

Tags:sociologists

Abstract
This paper examines the story of Moses as told in the book of Exodus in the Old Testament. It looks at how Moses was the predominant Israelite in Exodus and the most influential and important of all Israelites at the time. It shows how through God's command, Moses persuaded the Israelites to follow God and in return, God would deliver them from slavery and a life of suffering. It tells the story of Moses from his birth into slavery in Egypt in the Palace of the Pharaoh until he received God's covenant on Mount Sinai.

From the Paper
"Moses used his miracles to convince the influential Israelites that God had indeed sent him, and with the success of making believers out of the elders, Moses attempted to do the same with the Pharaoh; however, when Moses ordered the Pharaoh to let his people go, the Pharaoh responded with ignorance claiming that he knew no such Lord and would not let the people go because they were his servants. Moses became dismayed and asks the Lord why he continues to let the Israelites suffer; God assured Moses that he will drive them out of the Pharaoh's land. Even when Aaron performed a miracle by turning his staff into a snake, the Pharaoh was not convinced."

Tags:commandments, covenant, god, y, israelites, jewish, sinai, yahweh

Abstract
The paper explains why the ritual of baptism is such an important experience in the Christian community, as well as the background of the ritual itself. With baptism, a person is following the instructions of Jesus. Also, the person is immersed in the death and resurrection of Christ. Baptism is the most clear and explicit act that Jesus instructed for his disciples in order for them to follow him.

From the Paper
"Baptism is a pivotal part of the Christian faith and is performed in Christian communities in accordance with Jesus' directions in the New Testament. Being baptized not only means becoming a part of the Christian community, but also being thrust into the death and resurrection of Christ and receiving eternal life in Jesus. While one of the functions of baptism is to absolve a person of his or her sins, Jesus insisted that he be baptized in order to, "Fulfill all righteousness."1 In the New Testament baptism is done in order to immerse a person into the Paschal Mystery, to become a member of the Body of Christ and join the Christian community, and to publicly proclaim a person's repentance."

Tags:bible, christianity, new, rituals, testament

Abstract
This paper deals with Galileo's arguments with church officials, and his attempt to reconcile his scientific findings with teachings from the bible. Emphasis is placed on Galileo's conviction that scientific truth and the biblical message are not contradictory, but can complement each other. Historical and religious figures are discussed with respect to their influence on Galileo.

From the Paper
"Perhaps the most relevant and convincing argument that Galileo posed to clear up the relationship between
scientific truth and the bible was that the bible was often unclear and ambiguous (GAL 214, 206, 199), which could cause the true meaning to be misunderstood by people attempting to translate its meaning. An example of this posed by Galileo was from the commonly known story of God stopping the sun in the sky to allow Joshua to win a battle."

Tags:bible, church, dogma, galileo, religion, renaissance, scientific, truth, -, LO, TOV