What Is Good, True And Beautiful

Course Purpose and Introduction

Attached Files:

 

Welcome to GENE 100 The Making of the Christian Mind.

 

This course is basically about one thing: becoming a better person. This is a goal that we hope everyone can agree is worthwhile, but it brings up so many other questions: How do I become a better person? What is a good person? Who sets the standard for goodness? How will all of this help me live a better life? What does a good life look like?

 

A phrase that captures the gist of all of these questions is human flourishing. The ancient Greek and Romans sometimes referred to this simply as happiness but they did not mean mere emotion. They meant a life well-lived or a life lived to its fullest potential. The Christian philosopher and bishop, Augustine, speaks of it when he discusses the pleasure found by human beings when they do what they were created to do—glorify God. In this course, you will be shown that a flourishing person is one who “Cherishes Character,” “Challenges Culture,” and “Serves the World.”

 

GENE 100 promotes a Christian understanding of human flourishing and through that understanding, we hope to help you on a journey to live a better life, and become a better person – the person God wants you to be.

 

For many of you, this is one of the first classes you will take at Regent University. GENE 100 serves as one of the cornerstones for our General Education curriculum here in the College of Arts and Sciences. This means that GENE 100 introduces you to our core curriculum—our General Education—here at Regent University.

 

At Regent, our General Education is built around what are known as the Enduring Questions of humanity. These questions include:

 

Who is God?

What is a human being?

What is good, true and beautiful?

 

Make sure you watch the linked video above for the course introduction by Dr. Josh McMullen.

 

Week 1 Study: Human Purpose & Human Flourishing

Attached Files:

The Greek philosopher, Aristotle, argued that all humans share one goal–to flourish. Throughout the centuries, societies and individuals have wrestled with how to promote flourishing.

That is the focus of this course. How do I flourish in my friendships? In my family? In my workplace?

Questions about flourishing are not just theoretical, but practical. Who doesn’t want to have better friendships? A happier home life? A more purposeful work place?

God’s Word, revealed to us in the Holy Bible, speaks to these issues. While the Bible may not use the term “human flourishing,” the story of the Bible shows humans how to live a good, true, beautiful, and purposeful life…how to flourish. However, Christianity’s answer to the problem of human flourishing is different from all other philosophies or religions. The Bible tells us that we cannot flourish in our own strength. Why? Because we are corrupted by sin. We were created for relationship with God, but humans have attempted to flourish apart from God.

So, for Christians, human flourishing centers on a person–Jesus Christ. When we place our trust in Christ and his work, we are transformed. We are  not only saved from our sin but we begin a process of becoming like Christ.

Central to trusting God and being transformed is to believe and understand his Word. Romans 12:2 tell us: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2, ESV). Check out the attached slide to see a visual representation of the overall theme of the course.

So we need to be transformed in our mind. Central to human flourishing is the making of the Christian mind. And central to that is understanding and following God’s Word. The Holy Bible will be our foundation throughout this class. To that end, it is important to understand what the Bible is, how to read it, and how to apply it in your own life. Check out these three short videos on those subjects.

Video 1: What is the Bible?

Video 2: How do you read the Bible?

Video 3: How do you apply the Bible?

 

  • Week 2 Study: The Arc of God’s Story

Attached Files:

 

We spoke last week about God’s story—about His truth and character revealed to us in the Holy Bible. We began this class asking—how do I become a better person? What is human flourishing? How do I become a better person in all areas of my life? We spoke about the need for transformation. We pointed to the importance of God’s Word in this process. So, if you ask—well how do I become a better parent? How do I become a better employee? A better husband or wife…better friend. To help us answer these questions, we can turn to the Bible.

But before we jump in and start asking about these specific questions—we have to step back and understand the overall story—the arc of the Bible.

People often divide the story of the world into four parts: Creation, Fall, Redemption, and Restoration.

This image by Jeff Seevers helps capture those four stages.

Week 2 Video: The Arc of God’s Story

Click on the video linked above to explore these four stages of God’s story for humans. Attached you will find a video transcript in PDF format.

Week 2 Study: The Kingdom of God

Attached Files:

 

 

While we are able to look at the Big Story of the Bible in these four stages—Creation, Fall, Redemption, and Restoration—one theme emerges in all stages—the Kingdom of God. From the very beginning of the Bible in Genesis where we see God as Creator to the very end of the Bible in Revelation when we see Jesus as Cosmic King, the Kingdom of God is the theme of the biblical story.

Week 2 Video: The Kingdom of God

Click on the video link above to hear more about God’s Kingdom. The video transcript is attached in PDF format.

Week 2 Study: The Creation

Attached Files:

 

Genesis 1-3 speaks about the creation of the world and human beings’ special place in it. In these first three chapters of the Holy Bible, we learn a great deal about God and about human beings. Keep in mind that part of a Christian understanding of human flourishing is the ability to answer the enduring questions of humanity: Who is God? What is a human being? 

As you read Genesis 1-3, keep in mind what you have already learned about the arch of God’s story and the Kingdom of God. Can you identify those themes in Genesis? For your convenience, we have attached Genesis 1-3 above. The attached is the NIV translation.

Week 2 Study: The Fall

Attached Files:

 

Genesis 3 ends on a sour note. Human beings, created to glorify God and enjoy his kingdom blessings, have turned away from God and become rebels. This is what Christians call “The Fall”.

Week 2 Video: The Fall

Click on the video link above to learn more about the Fall and God’s promise for restoration of His people. Attached you will find a video transcript in PDF format.

 

 

  • Week 3 Introduction: Cherish Character

 

 

This week, we will examine God’s unfolding plan of salvation and restoration of human beings. We see this plan unfold in the lives of Abraham, Moses, David and the nation of Israel; however, the plan was always pointing to and moving towards the work of Jesus Christ.

After this week you will be able to:

  • Identifycharacteristics of Jesus in the Gospel of John, chapters 1-3.

Week 3 Assignment: John 1-3 Dialogue

 

GENE 100 Discussion Board Rubric.pdf

 

This week, we have examined God’s unfolding plan of salvation through Israel. God made covenants with humans. We see this in the life of Abraham, Moses, David and the people of Israel. Ultimately, the Old Testament points towards a New Covenant under Christ Jesus. After several thousand years of God’s unfolding plan, Jesus breaks on to the scene, declaring that the Kingdom of God had come. You have read about the start of Jesus’ ministry in the Gospel of John 1-3.

In 300-350 words, identify two aspects/identities/roles of Christ in John 1-3 and discuss this role in light of a theme or themes we have learned in Weeks 1-3.

For example, you might note in John 1 that Jesus is identified as the “Word” who was present at creation. How does this relate to our study of the creation narrative in Genesis 1?

Another example might be to highlight the fact that John the Baptist calls Jesus the “Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” How might that connect to the story of the Passover?

Week 3 Study: God’s unfolding plan of salvation

Attached Files:

Last week, we examined the four-part story of history: Creation, Fall, Redemption, and Restoration. We examined the Kingdom of God: God’s people, in God’s place, under God’s rule and God’s Blessing. We saw Adam and Eve living in God’s Kingdom, enjoying God’s Blessing. They were made to be priests and vice-regents in God’s kingdom.

Sadly, humans turned from God, believing they could flourish under their own rule. They committed cosmic treason against an eternal, holy God. Humans became sinners.

In his loving, compassion, God promises to restore his people. God’s plan to restore his kingdom unfolds over time. God makes covenants with Abraham, the Israelites, David, and so forth. All this culminates in Christ, who brings a new covenant.

Video 1: Divine Covenants

Video 2: Abraham

Video 3: Moses

Video 4: The Davidic Kingdom and the Babylonian Captivity

Click on the videos above to learn of God’s unfolding plan of salvation. Attached you will find the video transcripts in PDF format. Once you have watched these videos, read the scripture readings for this week to prepare for your discussion assignment.

Did you know that effective analysis of concepts requires professionalism in handling academic research Papers? Do no compromise on your grade choose professional Research writers at elitetutorslab.com

 

error: Content is protected !!