Master of Religion

Master of Religion

Universal Life Church Seminary - Rev. Amy

Master of Religion Completion Essay

In the first few lessons I was reminded easily of how the Bible came about and how, even though, it may have gone through several interpretations by many individuals and having so many contributors, it still can be believed in as “God’s” word.  I was reminded of the many sections I had long since read and needed to touch again to re-enforce the strong Faith I already have, making it stronger.  I had known of several of the sections being missing and was reminded of those and still know in my heart they are the true word.  I can remind those that still doubt the words from other religious factions that one faith has taken the bible and reworded or paraphrased sections to meet their needs and cannot be taken seriously, many religions have done this and all are still accurate and true to their belief systems.  

As I progressed through the lesson I was given some good tips on ways to study the bible, many I had not even considered, since the readings in the many versions is at times very intense with the translations, paraphrasing and lengthy wording.  I now have a confidence that I can review and renew my faith at any time and assist others in doing son also.  I now have many sections I had not referred people to reminding them “God” does exist.  I can now take these sections to further my educational efforts and use them to teach others and ask various questions to help in establishing or re-establishing their faith.  The true meaning of the :”Trinity” has been elaborated in a fashion very meaning full and truthful.       

The middle chapters remind me of the true and ongoing duties of the Priesthood, Missionary duties and why I was called on to help spread his word and depend on “God” to lead me in the right direction to help those who need the help and not condemn those who may not believe completely, but help to become believers and still lead them to a path as Jesus would have done.  The many titles religions of the world have for their leadership, with one intention.  The Sacraments and Baptism section reinforced my understanding and teachings of what I had been told as a young man.  I am now more confident in being able to properly teach about the Sacraments and it’s many portions it encompasses, from Baptism, the Eucharist, Anointing of the sick and the Holy Orders. 

The section on Marriage and Tithing reminded me of my true and binding relationship with my beloved wife for whom I truly love and cherish in the true meaning of “Marriage” with the understanding we are equals and our children are gifts of this marriage and we have taught them the words and the meaning of “God” hoping they will carry it with them through life and learn from us.  It is not necessarily the church that confirms your marriage and the meaning of it, but it is the words in themselves and the thoughts that go beyond them. 

In the later sections of this course I have been given a plethora of information to re-enforce my stances on Homosexuality, Abortion, Drug and Alcohol Abuse, Prostitution and Divorce.  I received a lot of good information about Counseling with good information I can use to help people who turn to me for my assistance no matter what the issue may be.  I can them have re-assurance I have done the right thing and said the right thing to get them back on track and focus on their goodness and faith to lead them further into life and with the understanding coming to me for help is part of my duties as a Minister and Hopefully a Chaplain. 

The last sections of the course reinforced my understandings of the Church with its’ vast history, the many Denominations and directions they take and concluding with further education on the governance of the Church.  I would recommend this course for everyone, no matter what level of Christianity you wish to take.  It was very educational and gave me a better understanding of the faith that has been instilled in me since birth to the meaning of my calling and the reasons I need to continue to help my fellow man.  I would also like to Thank Rev. Amy for all her hard work at putting this and the many programs of the Seminary together for us and sending them so timely and helping us to accomplish our goals as Graduates of the Seminary and Chaplains.  I would lastly and not leastly like to Thank Bishop Pat and the many other contributors to this course for the opportunity to indulge in their readings. 

Rev. Charles (Chuck) Callahan, DD

 . 

*******************************

The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more. I have been a proud member of the ULC for many years and the Seminary since its inception.

The Universal Life Church offers handfasting ceremonies, funeral ceremonies and free minister training. 
 

As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge selection of Universal Life Church  minister supplies. Since being ordained with the Universal Life Church for so many years and it's Seminary since the beginning, I've watch the huge change and growth that has continued to happen.

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

St. Paul

"Master of St. Paul". The subject and title seems a bit ironic because of St. Paul's service and dedication to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Non the less I found this course to be informative and I enjoyed the weekly assignments. The teaching techniques used are effective in that they make the student research the course material. I do find however that Lesson 16 "Admitting that you are a Sinner", to be more of a sermon and less of a lesson. It seems to be a bit more personal to the instructor than to the student. The lesson would be better served in my opinion if the focus on sin was from various perspectives using more study on actual transgression as in the Old Testament on the transgression of law.

However when studying the life of arguably the greatest missionary, theologian and writer of the early church this course does a good job of covering Paul as one of the most important figures in the New Testament. Paul's gospel indicted all of humanity for the crime of rejecting God and His rightful authority. Under the influence of Adam's sin, mankind plunged into the depths of depravity so that they were utterly unable to the righteous demands of God and deserved only the wrath of God. Consequently, the sinners only hope was the gospel which embodied God's power to save those who had faith in Christ which was the focus of Paul's gospel. Paul affirmed Jesus' humanity and His deity and the fact the Jesus was a physical descendant from the from the line of David.

In his years as a Pharisee, Paul's initial and adamant rejection of Jesus as the Messiah may largely have been motivated by Jesus' ignorable death. Death by crucifixion was indicative of divine curse. Certainly the Messiah could not have died under the curse of God. But when Paul wrote his first epistle, this death curse was recognized as the grounds for substitutionary atonement. (Gal.3:10-14) Paul explained that the idea of a crucified Messiah was a stumbling block to the Jews. This gospel would later lead to plotting his death and several attempts on his life. Yet through all of his life's challenges after his conversion he never spoke in anger or arrogance but always in love and patience. But he knew that he would suffer after his vision from God, "This man is My chosen instrument to carry My name before Gentiles, kings and the sons of Israel. I will certainly show him how much he must suffer for MY name !".

Paul's missions were initially met with suspicion from Church leaders but Barnabas intervened in is behalf and when meeting with Peter and James, the Lord's brother, and he is on his way to teach for several years. The pillars of the Church Peter, John, and James approved the no-Law gospel preached by Paul and his focus on Gentile evangelism. "No-law" of course referring to Paul and Branabas' journey to Jerusalem to settle the circumcision matter. Still as a result of this matter, the Law-free gospel does not encourage unrighteous behavior in believers.

History tells us that Paul was probably a man of above intelligence considering his years of Rabbinic training and by his own words in Gal.1:14, "I advanced in Judaism beyond many contemporaries among my people, because I was extremely zealous for the traditions of my ancestors". Though zealous, his knowledge would have taken a great deal of reading, work and study. Yet after Christ appeared to him as the resurrected and glorified Christ in blinding radiance on his way to Damascus, Saul immediately surrendered to His authority and went into the city to await further orders. There his blindness was healed and he received the Holy Spirit and accepted believers baptism.

I take great solace and comfort in the example set by Paul. His amazing display of courage and faith to endure the prison's, the death threats, ship wrecks and other situations that may have never been recorded in the annals of history are truly are a testament of his never ending faith and belief in God's work. His gospel of salvation that is so freely given to humankind through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and our union with Jesus through faith is our liberation from sin, death, and allows us to help one another mature, to serve Christ, and glorify Him, which is the highest purpose.

I thank you once again for offering this course.

Gods blessings upon you all.

Rev. Dennis Zerull

*******************************

The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more. I have been a proud member of the ULC for many years and the Seminary since its inception.

Christian Religion

Wow, this course really challenged me. I am not a Christian and there were many times throughout this course where I threw down my printouts in disgust over the ludicrous things that were being presented to me “holy.” Having said that, I learned a great deal about Christianity, both as it is practiced, and the sometimes convoluted path that it follows to connect its tenets to that practice. I can also say that I have a much greater understanding of the Christian Bible and found much within it to make it a ‘good book.’

Although I doubt whether I will ever agree with many of the beliefs that Christianity holds, the fundamental principles of fellowship, charity and community are very positive. To be provided the opportunity observe the early roots of the Christian religion and its formative text was an enlightening experience. I discovered that, like any religion, there are great moments and terrible moments and it is the combination of these that has allowed Christianity to become the largest religion currently in existence.

I must say that I was quite disappointed with the manner in which this course was presented. The instructor is obviously a strong proponent for Christianity and peppers all of their discussions with arguments for the conversion to the Christian faith. In an academic environment, this is abhorrent to me. I feel that this course should be considered for revision, I feel that this course comes dangerously close to being propaganda for a religion. Although I have not taken any courses specific to other religions, I would hope that I either 1. do not find the same bias there or 2. find the exact same bias universally presented. Anything less than one of these items would be to allow one religion to seek supremacy over another.

Be very careful if you take this course, it might change your mind.

Rev. Douglas Grant

*******************************

The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more. I have been a proud member of the ULC for many years and the Seminary since its inception.

Christian Studies

Luke 7 

By Rev. Tabatha St. Louis

Jesus did many great works as he traveled. I was comforted by the attitude of the Roman captain because when he saw that Jesus was coming and he sent his servants to him to tell him that he was not worthy enough to have Jesus in his house. I could only imagine that it had to be a very humbling experience to have Jesus himself coming to your house. If, Jesus were to literally come over to someone’s house would you be ready for him to enter. I would think that it would take a lot of preparation to get ready to receive him because most of us would want our houses to be perfect. I know that I would want to make sure that I had the perfect meal prepared and of course everything in its place.

I have often used this analogy with my children stating that everyday is a day that we should be ready for Jesus to come into our house and it is not because we are so deserving but, because his grace and mercy is sufficient enough. I am often comforted just knowing that Jesus can heal any manner of disease; he can make the blind see, the lame walk only if we believe. Jesus is awesome because he looks at the heart of a person and not at the actions a person did in the past. If, people today really had the heart of Jesus this world would be so much different because there would be a lot more love shown towards others and people would be a lot more willing to help each other.

The woman in this chapter that had washed Jesus feet with her hair and anointed his feet with perfume really set a good example of how we are to serve others. We are to give of ourselves because that’s what Jesus did on a regular basis. The people that witnessed what she was doing thought it was wrong because she was not a clean woman but because Jesus looked at the heart of this woman her sins were forgiven. I am comforted even the more knowing that when you repent and show love to Jesus he will receive you and forgive your sins.

I enjoy reading about the many acts of kindness Jesus performed on everyone not just the rich but more importantly on the poor as well. We all must take on the attitude and disposition of helps praying for those in need and giving to those less fortunate.

Tabatha St. Louis

********************************************

To ordain yourself with the Universal Life Church, for free, for life, right now, click on the Free Online Ordination link.

Rev. Long created the ULC seminary site to help ministers learn and grow their ministries. The Seminary offers a huge catalog of materials for ministers of the Universal Life Church, as well as an online seminary program and a chaplaincy program.

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Four Gospels

Dear Rev. Amy Long,

I had to find the old paper I wrote for the class, Four Gospels, on a backup. After reading it I decided to write a new paper as the old scripture is replaced with a new very special one. As I told you in the letter I wrote you I had to have some extensive surgery done. If you want to clip the paper here to use for others, go ahead. This is the purpose of this paper anyway.

After deteriorating muscles and nerves finally quit working, I had a tracheotomy and now am on a volume ventilator. I had polio when I was two years old and was “cured” from it. Forty years later it has come back with a vengeance.

When we give our lives to Christ all bets are off on what ‘we want’ and it becomes what God wants. I have multiple disabilities and have a wheelchair to scoot around in and a machine to breath for me, a real blessing in the disguise of a real tragedy. Ever hear of a preacher that couldn’t talk anymore? We never know where the blessings are coming from. I work with adults and children with challenges not disabilities. God put me in the condition I need to be in to witness to others with conditions that they feel are insurmountable.

We pray for healing and miracles everyday for our family and friends. Did you ever think that maybe this challenge is God’s will. Our lives are an example for Christ’s power and also the power of prayer. If it was not for the wheelchair and the ventilator I would not be able to reach both emotionally and spiritually the children I work with and the adults I preach to. God works in such mysterious ways. We are placed it God’s hands and we need to be moldable and able to accept the path God wants us to live.

Matthew 4 : 23

23 And Jesus went about in all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every sickness among the people.

What is happening is Jesus is healing people by giving them everlasting live. The spiritual healing that is necessary to give a person everlasting live is to believe in Jesus.

John 3: 16

16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that every one who believes into Him would not perish, but would have eternal life.

This is my favorite scripture. John 3: 16 You say this is a scripture that is just to use for conversion of non-believers, I say it is the scripture we should all have as a favorite. Remember what the demons said as they were being cast out.

Mark 1 : 24

24 What have we to do with You, Jesus, Nazarene? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are -- the Holy One of God.

When we believe in Jesus the evil spirits flee. This evil spirit is here around us in great numbers at this time. All we have to do is look around us and see the results of this spirit. To cast out this demon, all it takes it to believe in God’s son. They will no longer perish, but would have eternal life.

Let us pray, “God help us all to believe in Jesus, to have him the focus point in our lives. Keep this evil spirit away from us, away from our children, and away from our churches. Amen”

Rev. Dr. William Stilwater, Ph.D. D.D.

So much suffering

So little time

********************************************

To ordain yourself with the Universal Life Church, for free, for life, right now, click on the Free Online Ordination link.

Rev. Long created the ULC seminary site to help ministers learn and grow their ministries. The Seminary offers a huge catalog of materials for ministers of the Universal Life Church, as well as an online seminary program and a chaplaincy program.

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar