Explain the difference between Evangelicalism and Fundamentalism in Christianity .
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Evangelicalism Versus Fundamentalism: Understanding the Differences in Christianity
In the realm of Christianity, two prominent movements have emerged over the years with distinct beliefs and practices – Evangelicalism and Fundamentalism. While both groups share certain core beliefs, they also exhibit significant differences in their approaches to faith and engagement with the world.
Thesis Statement:
Evangelicalism and Fundamentalism in Christianity may share certain foundational beliefs, but they diverge in their attitudes towards engaging with modern culture, interpreting the Bible, and cooperating with other Christian denominations.
Understanding Evangelicalism:
Evangelicalism is a Christian movement that emphasizes personal conversion, the authority of the Bible, and spreading the teachings of Jesus Christ to others. Evangelicals believe in the importance of sharing the Gospel and actively engaging with society to promote their faith. They are known for their emphasis on personal piety, missions work, and social activism.
Evangelicals tend to be more open to engaging with contemporary culture and may adapt their methods of worship and outreach to reach a wider audience. They often seek to find common ground with individuals from diverse backgrounds and denominations, focusing on unity among believers rather than strict adherence to specific doctrines.
Understanding Fundamentalism:
Fundamentalism, on the other hand, is a more conservative branch of Christianity that emerged in response to theological modernism in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Fundamentalists adhere strictly to a set of core beliefs, known as the “fundamentals,” which include doctrines such as the inerrancy of the Bible, the virgin birth of Jesus, and the substitutionary atonement.
Fundamentalists are often wary of engaging with secular culture and may view it as inherently opposed to Christian values. They prioritize doctrinal purity and may be more exclusive in their interactions with other Christian groups, particularly those that do not align closely with their beliefs.
Contrasting Views:
One of the key differences between Evangelicalism and Fundamentalism lies in their approach to engaging with modern culture. While Evangelicals are more open to adapting their methods to reach a wider audience, Fundamentalists tend to maintain a more separatist stance, seeking to preserve traditional beliefs and practices in the face of societal change.
Furthermore, Evangelicals may be more willing to cooperate with other Christian denominations and participate in interfaith dialogue, whereas Fundamentalists may be more inclined to focus on doctrinal differences and separate themselves from those who do not share their precise beliefs.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, Evangelicalism and Fundamentalism represent two distinct expressions of Christianity, each with its own emphases and priorities. While both groups share a commitment to core Christian beliefs, they diverge in their approaches to engaging with contemporary culture, interpreting scripture, and cooperating with other denominations. By understanding these differences, we can better appreciate the rich diversity within the Christian faith and foster greater dialogue and understanding among believers.
