Demonstrate your understanding of the Christian worldview, including the main topics you have covered up to this point. You will summarize and analyze the essential elements of the gospel (nature of God, nature of humanity, nature of Jesus, and restoration) and reflect on implications for the Christian worldview.
Write a 1,500-2,000-word essay using at least four resources. The four resources need to include at least two course resources (textbook, topic overviews, the Bible) and at least two other sources from the GCU Library to support your points. Remember, the Bible counts as one resource regardless of how many times you use it or how many verses you cite.
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
Title: The Christian Worldview: Understanding the Gospel and Its Implications
Introduction
The Christian worldview is founded on the essential elements of the gospel, which encompasses the nature of God, humanity, Jesus, and restoration. These core beliefs shape the understanding of reality, morality, purpose, and ultimate destiny for those who adhere to the Christian faith. This essay will summarize and analyze these essential elements of the gospel and explore their implications for the Christian worldview.
Nature of God
The Christian worldview recognizes God as the creator and sustainer of the universe. He is revealed as a triune God—Father, Son (Jesus Christ), and Holy Spirit. The Bible affirms that God is eternal, all-powerful, all-knowing, and perfectly good. His attributes of love, justice, and holiness shape human understanding of morality and guide ethical decision-making.
Nature of Humanity
According to the Christian worldview, humanity is created in the image of God. This inherent value gives each individual dignity and worth. However, humanity is also marred by sin—a separation from God and a fallen nature inherited from Adam and Eve’s disobedience. Sin affects every aspect of human existence, leading to brokenness, suffering, and a moral inclination towards disobedience.
Nature of Jesus
Central to the Christian worldview is the belief in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and the Savior of humanity. Jesus, fully God and fully human, came to earth through the incarnation to reconcile humanity with God. Through his life, death on the cross, and resurrection, Jesus offers forgiveness of sins and eternal life to all who believe in him. His sacrifice provides redemption and restoration for humanity’s broken relationship with God.
Restoration
The Christian worldview holds that through faith in Jesus Christ, individuals can experience restoration in their relationship with God. This restoration includes forgiveness of sins, reconciliation with God, and the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit empowers believers to live transformed lives in accordance with God’s will and to participate in God’s work of bringing about spiritual and societal transformation.
Implications for the Christian Worldview
The understanding of the gospel and its essential elements has profound implications for the Christian worldview:
Morality and Ethics: The belief in a holy and just God establishes an objective moral framework for Christians. It provides a foundation for discerning right from wrong and guides ethical decision-making based on God’s revealed will.
Meaning and Purpose: The Christian worldview imbues life with purpose by affirming that humanity is created by God for a specific purpose. This purpose includes glorifying God, loving others, and participating in his redemptive work in the world.
Hope and Redemption: The gospel offers hope amidst brokenness and suffering. Believers find comfort in the assurance of forgiveness, eternal life, and the promise of a restored creation where there will be no more pain or sorrow.
Worldview Integration: The Christian worldview provides a comprehensive framework for understanding reality, integrating faith with various aspects of life such as science, philosophy, education, and social issues. It encourages critical thinking while seeking harmony between faith and reason.
In conclusion, the Christian worldview finds its foundation in the essential elements of the gospel: the nature of God, humanity, Jesus Christ, and restoration. These beliefs shape a Christian’s understanding of reality, morality, purpose, and ultimate destiny. By recognizing God as creator, understanding humanity’s fallen nature, placing faith in Jesus’ redemptive work, and embracing restoration through the Holy Spirit, Christians find meaning, hope, ethical guidance, and integration across various aspects of life. The implications of the gospel are profound and resonate throughout every dimension of the Christian worldview.
