02.+Humanity

UNDERSTANDING OF HUMANITY

//To be fully ‘Christ-like’ is to refuse to give in to pragmatism and utilitarian views of life. As Christians we’re called to create great art, and live lives which bring God’s beauty and glory to the world.// **What is humanity?**

1.all human beings collectively; the human race; humankind.

2.the quality or condition of being human; human nature.

3.the quality of being humane;kindness;benevolence

**What does Christianity say about humanity?** Christian beliefs about the human person are based on the Jewish beliefs: God created the first human beings as part of the world, and they were created in the likeliness of God. This means that they do not have the physical appearances as God but they had the special function to represent God and act as caretakers of the world for him. As Christians, we believe that everyone is a steward of creation. Stewardship is the Christian belief that humanity is made in God's image and that its therefore humanities responsibility to look after this creation. media type="custom" key="7216983"media type="custom" key="7216999" **What is 'common humanity' based on?** Christianity is an universal religion, they believe that all human beings deserves respect and dignity. //The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. A man found it and covered it up. He goes off joyfulyl and sells all that he has and buys the field. (Matthew 13:44)//  **The Parable of the Prodigal Son – The Text** Jesus continued: "There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them.

"Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.

"When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.' So he got up and went to his father.

"But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

“The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'

"But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate.

"Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 'Your brother has come,' he replied, 'and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.'

"The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. But he answered his father, 'Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!'

"'My son,' the father said, 'you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found'" ( Luke 15:11-32 ).  **The Parable of the Prodigal Son – The Meaning** The parable of the prodigal son is one of the most well-known stories of Jesus. It is more commonly referred to as the story of the prodigal son, though the word //prodigal// is not found in Scripture. To characterize the son as “lost” emphasizes that sinners are alienated from God; to characterize the son as “prodigal” casts an emphasis on a wayward lifestyle. In truth, this particular parable has many points to bring out concerning the nature of man and God.

The word //prodigal// may be defined as “rashly or wastefully extravagant”; the son in the story exhibited this behavior with his handling of his share of his father’s estate. Having prematurely gotten hold of his inheritance from the father he “squandered his wealth in wild living” then, “began to be in need.” The natural state of unregenerate mankind is always toward lust and greed and extravagance of all kinds; without God we squander our resources and energies until we are void and empty. When the younger son found himself in this state, he remained in the far country working in a contemptible job and willing to eat the food he was feeding to the pigs which were under his care. When we remain in a place of alienation from God, we descend into futility, darkness, and humiliation.

The parable of the prodigal son indicates, however, that we do have the opportunity to make a change; we do not have to stay in our hopeless state; we can come to ourselves. The lost son realized that in his father’s house there was sustenance for him; he humbled himself, willing, if necessary, to be his father’s servant, and started back home. This turning in our lives is the first indication of God’s love for us. Even recognizing our sinful, hopeless state is initiated in us by God, Himself. “Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance?” ( Romans 2:4 ).

The parable of the prodigal son makes it obvious that God was at work. That he was able to see the younger son when he was still a long way off means that the father was watching for his son, waiting for him, longing for him. The father runs to him, embraces him, loves him and gives him gifts; he seems totally oblivious to the fact that his son has disrespected him, acted outrageously, and lost everything. The father lavishes upon him, celebrates over him. This is a wonderful picture of the great love of God towards us. He seeks after us, reaches out to us. When we come to Him, He washes away all our evil deeds of the past, not holding them against us. “You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea” ( Micah 7:19 ).

The parable of the prodigal son also shows the attitude of the self-righteous sinner, pictured by the older son. He quarreled with his father that the younger son had messed up and yet the father had prepared for him the “fatted calf.” Because he considered himself better than the younger son, he could not share in the father’s joy. “My son,” the father said, “you are always with me, and everything I have is yours.” The older son’s hardness of heart made him unaware of the riches available to him in his father’s house. This son complained that he had “slaved all these years.” He had no more love for the father than the younger son; nor did he avail himself of all the good things the father freely provided for him at all times. Both sin and self-righteousness separate us from God. We all require God’s grace, His unearned, unmerited love for us. The father went out to the disgruntled older son. God is He who always continues to seek after us, regardless of the state we are in. []  <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">A myth is a traditional tale usually about supernatural beings or events, sometimes used as an explanation or natural events. <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">There are many myths for not just Christianity but also for all the other religions. <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">These are some examples of Christianity myths: <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">There is no evidence for Christ's Resurrection <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">There is no worldly advantage in becoming a Christian <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Christianity hasn't done anything particularly good for the world <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">No one can know how to get to Heaven <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Hell is a place of physical torture. <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Heaven is a place to relax. <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Saints are "super-Christians". <span style="display: block; font-family: Georgia,serif;">//**Parables**// <span style="display: block; font-family: Georgia,serif;">media type="custom" key="7216941"media type="custom" key="7216945"media type="custom" key="7216953"media type="custom" key="7216957" <span style="display: block; font-family: Georgia,serif;">**Sacred Texts** <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">This aspect has a wide meaning and includes written material like ancient handwritten manuscripts or modern printed books (Bible), as well as oral traditions and artistic representations. The Bible is the beholder of all sacred texts in Christianity. The messages in which are being taught are told to Christians through the stories and texts. These messages are said to be life lessons in which are meant to be demonstrated in day to day lives by everybody.
 * Are all members of this religion called to make a contribution to peace and goodwill in the world, and if so, how, who by, where, when?** <span style="display: block; font-family: Georgia,serif;">Yes, all members of this religion are called to make a contribution to peace and goodwill as they are called to the world to be stewards of creation. <span style="display: block; font-family: Georgia,serif;">How: Respecting and acting as caretakers of the world <span style="display: block; font-family: Georgia,serif;">Who by:God <span style="display: block; font-family: Georgia,serif;">Where: All around the world <span style="display: block; font-family: Georgia,serif;">When: It started from Adam and Eve and have been passed down from generations to generations <span style="display: block; font-family: Georgia,serif;">**Sacred Stories** <span style="display: block; font-family: Georgia,serif;">**[]** <span style="display: block; font-family: Georgia,serif;">//**Myths﻿**//

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is seen and unseen.
 * THE NICENE CREED**

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, one in Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he was born of the Virgin Mary, and became man.

For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered, died, and was buried. On the third day he rose again in fulfillment of the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Beliefs are ideas that are considered true and express the self-understanding of the tradition. These beliefs are what the religion of Christianity is based on and are seen as the way Christians are said to act towards life.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Beliefs **

1.**God created all that is seen and unseen** Christians believe that God is the creator of all people, the world, the universe, and everything seen and unseen. This is based on various Bible passages, including the first chapter of the Bible's book of Genesis.

2. **Jesus is the Son of God and is one with God** Christians believe that Jesus is the Son of God, that he is one with God, and that he was sent here for our salvation. In John 10:30 (NIV translation), John the Apostle quotes Jesus as saying, "I and the Father are one."

3. **Jesus was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary** Christians believe that Jesus was conceived of the Holy Spirit of God and born through the Virgin Mary. As explained in Matthew 1:18 (NIV), "This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit."

4. **Jesus suffered and was crucified** Jesus suffered and died for our sins. Jesus was falsely accused of being an anti-government rebel and, as explained in Matthew 27:23-56, he was brought to Pontius Pilate to be executed through crucifixion. He was mocked, beaten, taunted and crucified by the Romans.

5. **Jesus died and was buried** Jesus died after being crucified. He was buried in a tomb that was owned by a man named Joseph of Arimathea, who was a follower of Jesus. In Matthew 27:57-60 (NIV), the Bible says, "As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus' body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away."

6. **Jesus rose again (the Resurrection)** Jesus was resurrected, which means that he died and was brought back to life again. The resurrection of Jesus is described in various places throughout the Bible's New Testament, including in the New Testament book of John, chapter 20. As explained in the Bible, all people who die before Judgment Day will be resurrected. The people who believe in Jesus will be resurrected to eternal life in Heaven. Those who do not believe in Jesus will be condemned, eternally, by their own sins, as explained in John 3:18, and elsewhere.

7. **Jesus ascended into Heaven** Jesus ascended into Heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father. This happened after Jesus was resurrected. We too can go to Heaven, through faith in Jesus Christ. As explained in Mark 16:19-20 (NIV): "After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it."

8. **Jesus will return to judge the living and the dead** Jesus will return to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. In Matthew 24:30 (NIV), Jesus is quoted as saying that he will return: "At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory." Additional details are provided elsewhere, such as in the New Testament passages of John 5:28,29 and 2 Timothy 4:1-3. You can learn more about Jesus at the www.About-Jesus.org web site.

9. **Anyone can have salvation** All people may receive salvation in the name of Jesus Christ. In Romans 10:12 (NIV), for example, it says: "For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile - the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him".

10. **People who repent of their sins will be forgiven** People are forgiven and saved if they confess their sins and confess their belief in the resurrection of Jesus. As explained in Romans 10:9-10 (NIV), "That if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved."


 * John 3:16 (NIV):**
 * "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."**



<span style="display: block; font-family: Georgia,serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">This aspect is about ideas about worthy human conduct. Religious traditions spell out the consequences of beliefs of offering guidance in how one should live. Even though there are many morals and ethics being taught in the Bible, they all come down to one message- //Love God and Love others. // <span style="display: block; font-family: Georgia,serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">(Matthew 7:12) "Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets." <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">(Jesus) "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." (John 13:35). <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Gospel of Luke <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">//Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.// <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">//And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.// <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">//For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.// <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">//And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.// <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">//And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.// <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">//But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.// <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">//Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.// <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">(Matthew 22:37) //Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.// //38This is the first and great commandment.// //39And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.// //40On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.// <span style="display: block; font-family: Georgia,serif;"> <span style="display: block; font-family: Georgia,serif;"> <span style="display: block; font-family: Georgia,serif;">
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Ethics **