Write a research paper, not including footnotes and bibliography, focusing on the Doctrine of Predestination
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 Doctrine of Predestination: A Divine Plan or Human Destiny?
Introduction
The Doctrine of Predestination has been a topic of theological debate and discussion for centuries. It proposes the idea that God has predetermined the eternal destiny of every individual, whether it be salvation or damnation. This doctrine has sparked intense controversy among various religious traditions and has profound implications for one’s understanding of free will, divine sovereignty, and the nature of God. In this paper, we will explore the origins of the Doctrine of Predestination, its interpretations within different religious contexts, and the implications it has for believers.
Origins of the Doctrine of Predestination
The Doctrine of Predestination can be traced back to early Christian theologians such as Augustine of Hippo and John Calvin. Augustine, a prominent figure in the development of Christian theology, believed that God’s foreknowledge and predestination were central to understanding the nature of salvation. He argued that God, in His infinite wisdom, had already chosen those who would be saved and those who would be damned before the beginning of time.
John Calvin, a 16th-century Protestant reformer, further developed the Doctrine of Predestination in his teachings. Calvin asserted that God’s sovereign will determined the eternal fate of every individual, emphasizing the concept of unconditional election and irresistible grace. According to Calvin, those who are predestined for salvation will inevitably be saved, while those who are not will face damnation.
Interpretations within Different Religious Contexts
The Doctrine of Predestination has been interpreted and understood differently within various religious traditions. In Christianity, different denominations hold distinct views on predestination. For example, while Calvinists adhere to a strict interpretation of predestination, emphasizing God’s sovereignty in salvation, Arminians argue for a more inclusive view that incorporates human free will in the process of salvation.
In Islam, the concept of predestination, known as Qadar, is an essential tenet of faith. Muslims believe that everything, including human actions, is predetermined by the will of Allah. However, this belief in predestination does not negate the importance of human agency and responsibility in Islam.
In Hinduism, the idea of karma governs the cycle of birth and rebirth. While karma determines one’s future experiences based on past actions, individuals still have the free will to make choices that can influence their karma in subsequent lives.
Implications for Believers
The Doctrine of Predestination raises profound questions about the nature of God’s justice, human agency, and the problem of evil. For believers, grappling with the concept of predestination can be both comforting and challenging. On one hand, the idea that God has a divine plan for each individual’s life can provide a sense of security and purpose. On the other hand, the notion that one’s fate is predetermined may lead to feelings of fatalism or helplessness.
Moreover, the Doctrine of Predestination has ethical implications for how believers understand their role in the world. Some may argue that predestination promotes a passive acceptance of one’s circumstances, while others may see it as a call to live out one’s faith with conviction and obedience.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Doctrine of Predestination remains a complex and contentious theological concept that continues to provoke debate and reflection among scholars and believers alike. While its origins can be traced back to early Christian thinkers like Augustine and Calvin, its interpretations vary across different religious traditions. Ultimately, the implications of predestination for believers raise profound questions about free will, divine sovereignty, and human responsibility. As individuals grapple with the implications of predestination in their own lives, they are confronted with fundamental questions about the nature of God and the purpose of human existence.
