The Gospel of John, and writer a three- to four-pg interaction paper reflecting on the film’s depiction of Jesus’ ministry, teaching, way of life, death, and resurrection. In what ways does the film inform or shape your approach to your spiritual life? What lessons might you apply?
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
Reflection on the Depiction of Jesus in “The Gospel of John”
“The Gospel of John” is a powerful cinematic portrayal of the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The film offers a unique perspective on the ministry of Jesus and provides viewers with an opportunity to reflect on their spiritual beliefs. In this interaction paper, I will delve into the film’s depiction of Jesus’ ministry, teaching, way of life, death, and resurrection, and explore how it has informed and shaped my approach to my spiritual life.
Depiction of Jesus’ Ministry and Teaching:
The film beautifully captures the essence of Jesus’ ministry, portraying Him as a compassionate and loving teacher who spreads messages of hope, forgiveness, and redemption. His interactions with the disciples and the people around Him are depicted with authenticity and depth, allowing viewers to feel a sense of connection to His teachings. The film’s portrayal of Jesus’ miracles and parables serves as a powerful reminder of His divine nature and the transformative power of His words.
Depiction of Jesus’ Way of Life:
Throughout the film, Jesus’ way of life is portrayed with humility, grace, and unwavering faith in God. His selfless acts of kindness, compassion towards the marginalized, and willingness to forgive even in the face of betrayal exemplify a life lived in accordance with God’s will. The film’s depiction of Jesus’ unwavering commitment to His mission despite facing opposition and persecution serves as a poignant example of faithfulness and perseverance in the face of adversity.
Depiction of Jesus’ Death and Resurrection:
The film’s portrayal of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection is both heart-wrenching and awe-inspiring. The scenes depicting His suffering on the cross are emotionally charged, evoking a profound sense of sorrow and gratitude for His sacrifice. The resurrection sequence is portrayed with a sense of triumph and victory over death, underscoring the central tenet of the Christian faith that through Christ’s resurrection, believers are offered eternal life.
Impact on Spiritual Life:
Watching “The Gospel of John” has profoundly impacted my spiritual life by deepening my understanding of Jesus’ teachings and His sacrificial love for humanity. The film has inspired me to reflect on my own faith journey and consider how I can embody the values of compassion, forgiveness, and selflessness in my daily life. The depiction of Jesus’ unwavering faith in God has encouraged me to trust in divine providence and seek strength in times of trial.
Lessons to Apply:
One crucial lesson that I have gleaned from the film is the importance of showing love and compassion towards others, even in the face of adversity. Jesus’ example of forgiveness and reconciliation serves as a guiding light for navigating relationships and conflicts with humility and grace. Additionally, the film has reminded me of the power of faith in overcoming challenges and staying steadfast in one’s beliefs, no matter the circumstances.
In conclusion, “The Gospel of John” offers a poignant portrayal of Jesus’ ministry, teachings, way of life, death, and resurrection, inviting viewers to reflect on their own spiritual beliefs and values. The film has profoundly influenced my approach to my spiritual life, prompting me to embody the lessons of love, compassion, forgiveness, and faith that Jesus exemplified. Through His example, I am inspired to lead a life rooted in faith and guided by the principles of Christ’s teachings.
