What are 3 ways that one’s Christian faith motivates him or her toward excellence in writing? Within your thread, incorporate how this idea applies to writing, citing, plagiarizing, and paying attention to detail.
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
The Influence of Christian Faith on Writing Excellence
Christian faith can serve as a powerful motivator for individuals striving for excellence in various fields, including writing. The principles and values derived from faith can enhance the quality of one’s work, foster integrity, and inspire a commitment to detail. Here are three key ways in which Christian faith motivates individuals toward excellence in writing:
1. Commitment to Truthfulness
Motivation for Honesty and Integrity: Central to Christian teachings is the call to truthfulness. Writers motivated by their faith are encouraged to pursue honesty not only in their content but also in how they present their ideas. This commitment to truth can significantly influence their approach to writing, ensuring that their work reflects genuine understanding and thoughtful engagement with the subject matter.
Application to Writing and Citing
– Citing Sources: A Christian writer recognizes the importance of giving credit where it is due. This commitment to honesty extends to proper citation practices, ensuring that ideas borrowed from others are acknowledged. By citing sources accurately, writers uphold the integrity of their work and respect the contributions of fellow scholars.
– Avoiding Plagiarism: The faith-based commitment to truthfulness discourages any form of plagiarism. A writer who values honesty will strive to produce original content, understanding that misrepresenting someone else’s work undermines both their credibility and moral standing.
2. Pursuit of Excellence
Motivation for Continuous Improvement: Many Christians believe that their work is a reflection of their values and gifts bestowed by God. This understanding can instill a desire to pursue excellence in all endeavors, including writing. The biblical principle of “doing everything as if working for the Lord” (Colossians 3:23 NIV) encourages individuals to invest time and effort into perfecting their craft.
Application to Detail Orientation
– Attention to Detail: Writers motivated by their faith are likely to pay close attention to detail in their work. This includes careful editing, proofreading, and ensuring that language is clear and impactful. By striving for excellence in every aspect of writing, they honor their calling and demonstrate respect for their readers.
– Quality Over Quantity: Faith can inspire writers to focus on the quality of their work rather than merely meeting word counts or deadlines. This focus on excellence encourages thoughtful reflection and thoroughness, leading to more meaningful and engaging writing.
3. Service to Others
Motivation for Impactful Communication: Christian faith emphasizes the importance of serving others and using one’s gifts for the benefit of the community. Writers can view their work as a means of contributing positively to society, sharing insights, and fostering understanding.
Application to Meaningful Writing
– Purposeful Content: A writer motivated by faith seeks to create content that uplifts, informs, or inspires others. This perspective encourages them to think critically about the impact of their words, leading to more thoughtful and purposeful writing.
– Engaging with Readers: Recognizing that writing is a form of communication, a Christian writer is likely to focus on connecting with readers on a deeper level. This includes being mindful of how language affects others and striving to engage audiences in meaningful dialogue.
Conclusion
In summary, Christian faith provides a robust framework for writers aiming for excellence. Through a commitment to truthfulness, a pursuit of quality, and a focus on serving others, faith-based principles can enhance the writing process and lead to more impactful communication. By adhering to these values—whether through proper citation practices, avoiding plagiarism, or paying attention to detail—writers can create work that not only reflects their beliefs but also resonates with their audience. Ultimately, this commitment enhances not just the writer’s output but also contributes positively to the wider community.
