Reflection Paper 1
I. Introduction
I am choosing hope and the fall of man for my reflection topics in this first of two reflection papers. I believe hope is the basis for how we live our lives each day. Temptation is that thing that we fight against that began with the Fall of Man.
II. Part One: Hope
a. Theological Definition
“one of the three main elements of Christian character (1 Cor. 13:13). It is joined to faith and love, and is opposed to seeing or possessing (Rom. 8:24; 1 John 3:2). "Hope is an essential and fundamental element of Christian life, so essential indeed, that, like faith and love, it can itself designate the essence of Christianity (1 Pet. 3:15; Heb. 10:23).”(hope, n.d.)
b. Biblical Foundation
Hope is many things in the Bible. Hope is faith in a higher power. “For from him and through him and for him are all things.”(Romans 11:36, NIV) Hope means change. It opens us to change. Gives us the power to change. “Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.”(Psalm 25:5) Hope is an expectation of change. “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”(Hebrews 11:1)
c. Practical Application
It is hard to imagine waking up on any given day and not having hope in my heart. Hope that today will be another day I can share God with another. Hope is a feeling and an action. The challenge becomes how to share this great feeling with others. I can pay for someone’s meal at a drive-thru, hoping that this small act will brighten their day and give them hope that kindness and caring can be found anywhere. I can sit and listen to a patient tell me about the loss of their spouse and give them hope that they will be united again in the kingdom of heaven. It is hard to know what to do to instill hope in another. I feel it starts with any small gesture.
III. Part Two: The Fall of Man
a. Theological Definition
“The disobedience of Adam and Eve...