“Can Churches Save America” Essay, Research Paper
Can Churches Save America?
When reading Joseph Shapiro and Andrea Wright’s article, Can Churches Save America, I couldn’t help but to feel compelled to write about this. The article touched on how the government is an institution that is impersonal to those who are seeking help to reestablish themselves in society, yet the most churches are caring and plant their programs in a strong-grounded religious foundation. The same goes for programs that are in our prison systems. Although churches may not be able to totally replace the aides that the government supplies for its citizens, it plays an important part in placing needed morals back into our society.
For some time, I have watched the media address social and moral issues. For some time, I have been bothered by what I see. The issues themselves are troubling, but that is not what distresses me. We must address the current problems of society if the church is to fulfill its role, so it doesn’t trouble me that the media addresses these issues. What they say about social issues doesn’t bother me, either. It is usually excellent. It’s what they don’t say that disturbs me.
For example, a couple of months ago I checked a dozen or so articles and editorials on social and moral problems in four issues of Christianity Today. Most of the articles described a social or moral problem, analyzed it from the perspective of Christian values and ethics, and presented several specific things we can do to address the problem. The perspectives were very good. The ideas for action were excellent, ranging from ways of effectively pressuring politicians to ways of demonstrating to people that their position is wrong without arguing.
From the emphasis of these articles (and broadcasts), however, I subtly reach a larger conclusion: “That’s all there is to it; if enough of us look at these issues correctly and do these things in response, we can eliminate these problems.” I am not claiming that the authors intended for me to reach this conclusion, or that they believe it. Nevertheless, it is what I usually sense from these articles. Through repeated emphasis, my focus drifts (perhaps unconsciously) to the battlefields of moral persuasion and political action.
A Porsche without an engine may look impressive, but it won’t go anywhere. A farmer who doesn’t plant seed is going to have a very poor harvest, no matter how well he plows and waters his fields. So it is with our lists of actions to take in response to these social problems. The part that’s missing is so fundamental that without it the other parts, though good in themselves are wasted.
Since society’s problems are spiritually rooted, our primary responses must also be spiritually rooted. Out of that spiritual root will grow the secondary responses of political action, legal action, social action, and everything else. But unless our responses are spiritually based, they cannot change society (or even individuals) in any way that really matters.
Political action is inadequate because legislating morality can only state publicly a moral standard. It cannot create in people’s hearts either the desire or the ability to fulfill that standard. This nation will never be morally sound until the people in it are spiritually sound – something that mere politics is helpless to bring about. If we change the spirituality of our nation, that spirituality will in turn transform the country’s morals and politics. However, if we only change the morals and politics, the spiritual problems remain, and the moral and political changes cannot last.
Другие работы по теме:
Пизано, Андреа
Андреа Пизано настоящее имя Андреа де Понтедера (ит. Andrea Pisano, Andrea da Pontedera около 1290, Понтедера—1348/49, Орвьето) — итальянский архитектор, скульптор, ювелир.
Briar Rose Essay Research Paper In a
Briar Rose Essay, Research Paper In a nutshell: Briar Rose is the story of the Holocaust intertwined with the fairy tale of Sleeping Beauty. The story begins with the death of the “Gemma,” the grandmother of Becca. Through out Becca?s life
King Henry IV And Joseph Strorm
: Archtypical Fathers Essay, Research Paper King Henry IV and Joseph Strorm: Archtypical Fathers An ideal father is one who is both caring and understanding. To fit this
Joseph Essay Research Paper Joseph was seventeen
Joseph Essay, Research Paper Joseph was seventeen , he was loved in Israel . His father loved Joseph and his brothers were jealous . Brothers were thinking of killing Joseph . They threw him into the well . Then they got him out and sold it to Midianie for twenty
Genesis Essay Research Paper Analysis PaperGenesis 39
Genesis Essay, Research Paper Analysis Paper Genesis 39: 1-23 In this passage, there are many spiritual factors in this chapter. God uses many phrases to translate into spiritual factors that were used back then and today also.
Count Of Monte Cristo Essay Research Paper
There are many subplots involving The Count of Monte Cristo’s adversaries. The first one started out in Rome where the count met two young men, Albert de Morcerf and Franz d’Epinay.
Joseph Stalin And Adolph Hitler Essay Research
Paper 3-2-98 Joseph Stalin and Adolph Hitler Once lived the two most horrible people on earth. Both of those people were leaders of a country and both of them killed millions and millions of people just to rise to power. Their names are Adolph Hitler and Joseph Stalin.
Casino Gambling Approaching Rural America Essay Research
Paper Since the dawn of casinos, casino gambling was located mainly in Reno and Las Vegas, Nevada, and in Atlantic City, New Jersey. But now newer casinos are spread out across the United States, from Connecticut to California. Most are located on Indian reservations and the rest in rural areas of the United States.
Joseph Priestley Essay Research Paper Joseph Priestley
Joseph Priestley Essay, Research Paper Joseph Priestley was born in England on March 13, 1733, and showed a great talent for science and languages from an early age. Priestley performed many important scientific experiments, among them the discovery that the gas produced by the fermentation of grain (later identified as carbon dioxide) could be dissolved in water to produce the pleasant drink called seltzer.
The Empty Bowl On
“Janus” Essay, Research Paper The Empty Bowl on “Janus” In “Janus” Ann Beattie starts out by describing a certain bowl. The entire essay describes this bowl in many different situations and from different points of view. After reading the story one might think the bowl symbolizes herself or changes in her life or even the way she looks at herself.
Stalin His Life Essay Research Paper No
Stalin His Life Essay, Research Paper No man more fully epitomized this era than Joseph Stalin did. As political, economic, and social leader, Joseph Stalin has emotionally, physically, psychologically, politically, economically, and socially affected Russia even to this day.
Joseph Patrick Kennedy Essay Research Paper Joseph
Joseph Patrick Kennedy Essay, Research Paper Joseph Patrick Kennedy was born on September 6, 1888, in Boston Massachusetts. He was born the son of Patrick Joseph Kennedy, a local politician and successful businessman, and his wife Mary Augusta Hickey Kennedy. His parents wanted only the best for young Joe.
Jesus 2
Jesus & Joseph Essay, Research Paper Joseph and Jesus Throughout the Bible, there are many stories that are corresponding to those of the life of Jesus, from Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt s captivity and Abraham almost sacrificing his son in the Old Testament, to the apostle Paul s spreading of Christianity in the New Testament.
Oxygen And Carbon Dioxide Essay Research Paper
OXYGEN (O)Oxygen was discovered by a British chemist, Joseph Priestly in 1774, and independantly by Carl Wilhelm Scheele, a Sweedish chemist. Oxygen has many uses – it is used in welding torches, to assist in hospital patient’s breathing and in metal fabrication industries. Oxygen is also used for defense purposes as a propellant for guided misiles and rocketsCARBON DIOXIDE (CO2).Carbon dioxide was named ‘fixed air’ by a Scottish chemist, Joseph Black.
The Wright Brothers Essay Research Paper The
The Wright Brothers Essay, Research Paper The Wright Brothers Wilbur and Orville Wright were born to Bishop Milton Wright and his wife Susan. Wilbur, their third son, was born on a small farm near Millville, Indiana on April 16, 1867. Orville was born at 7 Hawthorn Street in Dayton, Ohio. The five Wright children grew up in a happy environment where they were always encouraged to pursue intellectual interests.
Orville And Wilbur Wright Essay Research Paper
Although the 1902 flyer was the first truly-effective heavier-than-air craft, it didn’t have a propulsion system, and so counts only as a glider, not as an airplane. The problem for the Wrights in 1903 was to develop a powered machine.
Joseph As A Christ Figure Essay Research
Paper The story of Joseph is a two-fold demonstration of the Christian idea of an omniscient and omnipotent God with a master plan for the life of each human being and for the universe as a whole. Every circumstance in Joseph?s life is turned around to lead to his ultimate position as an Egyptian ruler, which allows him to save his family.
Zues Essay Research Paper A Stranger in
Zues Essay, Research Paper A Stranger in the Valley of the Kings by: Ahmed Osman The book “Stranger in the Valley of the Kings” was an account of the pharaohs of Egypt in the Hyksos’ rain over Egypt.
Joseph Stalin The Most Infamous Leader Essay
, Research Paper In 1879 on Dec 21 Joseph Stalin was born he ended up dying in 1953 on March 5th. That was only the begging. He grew up and had become one of the undisputed leaders of the USSR from 1929 till his death.
Joseph Stalin Essay Research Paper Joseph StalinJoseph
Joseph Stalin Essay, Research Paper Joseph Stalin Joseph Stalin is credited as being one of the most powerful leaders of all time. He helped his country, the Soviet Union, become a dominating world power. Born on December 21, 1879 under his original name Iosif Vissarionovich Dzhugashvili, he renamed himself Stalin meaning “man of steel.” Stalin was the unchallenged leader of the USSR from 1929 until his death in 1953.
Amy Foster Essay Research Paper
“Amy Foster” and “The Mythology of Love”In “Amy Foster”, Joseph Conrad has written a great story that shows the different types of love felt between Amy and Yanko as described by Joseph Campbell in his essay on “The Mythology of Love”. The relationship of Yanko and Amy is dynamic and changes as the story progresses.
Contrasting Poets Lawrence And Shapiro In Their
Views Of Nature Essay, Research Paper Contrasting Poets Lawrence and Shapiro in Their Views of Nature Julie Gibson Throughout the history of literature, poetic views of nature has evolved
Wright Brothers Essay Research Paper Wright BrothersPart
Wright Brothers Essay, Research Paper Wright Brothers Part 1 The Wright Brothers invention of the airplane greatly assisted in the growth of our country due to the fact that it opened many doors for the improvement of transportation.
Mxpx
–Andrea Essay, Research Paper Andrea Meeting you was just so unexpected I guess I was scared of being rejected Since you were so nice I wouldn’t think twice
Andrea Yates Essay Research Paper Charged with
Andrea Yates Essay, Research Paper Charged with five horrific murders, Andrea Yates faced the death penalty. Believed Satan controlled her, Mrs. Yates was convinced her children were not developing correctly and they needed to die to be saved. Andrea Yates admitted to drowning her children one by one after two years of contemplating this psychotic act.
Auto Reck Essay Research Paper Auto Wreck
Auto Reck Essay, Research Paper Auto Wreck By Karl Shapiro In today?s congested society, automobile accidents are an often sight that most people don?t even blink an eye at. During the time of World War II, I am almost positive that even the slightest accident would turn heads considering the level of technological advancement in the automotive and medical fields were nowhere near where they are today.
Community Service Essay Research Paper Andrea OldhamCommunity
Community Service Essay, Research Paper Andrea Oldham Community Service Up to this date I haven’t participated in much community service, but once I get settled in a new home with my degree in environmental sciences, I plan to volunteer for a non-profit environmental organization, and this will be my job or career.
Joseph And Forgiveness Essay Research Paper Joseph
Joseph And Forgiveness Essay, Research Paper Joseph and Forgiveness The story of Joseph has several important themes, but the one I thought was the most significant was the unbelievable forgiveness of Joseph toward his brothers.
Jospeh In The Koran Essay Research Paper
Stylistic differences point out an obvious distinction between the Koran and the Genesis. The essence of the Koran is admonition and guidance. No narrative thread runs through it, nor is it embedded in the history of a single person. The Koran s coherence is a product of the themes that are repeated throughout its many Suras.
An Excerpt From Joseph Freeman
’s AN AMERICAN TESTAMENT Essay, Research Paper from An American Testament by novelist and apparatchik Joseph Freeman (1936) Reconciliation to the city is only a prelude to our transformation. The conflict of
Auto Wreck Essay Research Paper Auto WreckPhilosophers
Auto Wreck Essay, Research Paper Auto Wreck Philosophers have pondered the meaning of life and death since the beginning of time. There are many hypotheses. From reincarnation to Valhalla then on to heaven. There have been many proposed solutions. Yet no one fully understands dea th. In Shapiro s poem “Auto Wreck,” he illustrates the irrationality of life for it can be taken away at any given time for no rational reason.