Research Proposal: Designating English as the official language of the United States

Preface: This was written for my English Composition I class and submitted August 23, 2010.

Research Proposal: Designating English as the official language of the United States

The subject matter of this research will be the varying perspectives surrounding designating English as the official language of the United States.  Information will be presented as a result of research within this topic and the alternatives regarding the same.  This topic is extremely controversial among many groups; both political and non-political.  The underlying ramifications of a decision; or lack thereof, many may not realize, but will be presented thoroughly. The mere implications of a decision finally being made on the topic on a nationwide basis, as well as a statewide level, will be weighed against each other.

Currently, and surprisingly, there is no official language designated for the United States of America.  Should English be that official language for our nation? The voting public is very divided; with some stating that the United States should remain language-less, others claim it should be Spanish, while another viewpoint is to choose multilingualism, and even some claim an unrecognized language of “American” should become the new official language.  There are many views on this topic, heated debates, and political upheavals by both citizens and illegal immigrants of various backgrounds, not only the English and non-English speaking.

This research effort shall present several aspects concerning English as the official language of the United States including, but not limited to; language choices aside from English that are being presented as the official language, the financial ramifications between having and not having an official language, a brief history on the nature of English as the official language of the nation, a brief overview of the legal actions related to the same; and any incidental information that is deemed relevant pursuant to the nature of the research intentions.

The entirety of the data collection for this research project will be done online through the utilization of various web-based resources.  There are many websites that have adequate information, both biased and unbiased, to sort through during the research process.  The researcher intends on making use of online search databases for the primary source of information such as Google Scholar, ProQuest, Education Resources Information Center (ERIC), the World Book Online, Bing, and additional resources not yet determined that are available by means of the Ashford Library; all of which will serve as resources in locating secondary topic specific articles.  The researcher intends to employ sites such as www.USConstitution.net, www.EnglishFirst.org, www.StrictlySpanish.com, and U.S. English, Inc for information available representing varied viewpoints, historical data, legal actions, and more; which will provide the necessary resources specific to this topic, however with some bias to filter through.

Preliminary findings show that complacency is not the answer and the people need to answer a call for action by deciding on an official language for the nation.  The researcher has initially concluded that by a popular vote of the people determining an official language of the United States, the financial strain alone that is caused by lack thereof could dramatically affect the economic status of the nation, for the better.  The ensuing government employee wages and tangible costs incurred (associated with printing, translation services, and more) as a result of complying with a multilingualist nation, by default not choice, forces on the taxpayers and economy a far worse state than a decision on the same could ever invoke.

Declaration of the English language as the official language of the United States has an enormous fiscal impact on the economy resulting from the financial drain that failing to decide on the same forces through the necessity of multilingual communication accommodations within all levels of government both locally and nationwide.  Aside from financial implications, the resulting solidarity that would be established by the determination of such an official language is pivotal in the unification of the people as a nation, which is an important national temperament that is beneficial to all interested parties.

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2010 Copyright by Shannon Peace

It’s Never too Late to go Back to School! (Essay)

Preface: This was written for my English Composition I class and submitted August 23, 2010.

It’s Never too Late to go Back to School!

After high school graduation I delayed my college plans to raise my child and continue working knowing that I would return to school one day. Sixteen years later, life has changed dramatically enough to necessitate a change as well as provide the opportunity for me to start working towards that dream. Over the years, I have always told my children (and promised to myself) that I would go to college no matter how old I was since I loved and excelled in school, wanted my children to learn that the importance of an education and to work towards goals.

I was a very driven student, especially in high school, by belonging to almost every campus group that existed, including being Vice President of the Writer’s Club and President of the Art Club, along with the academic groups I earned the right to be in. I maintained 8 classes a day, AP classes, and any involvement that I could for the enjoyment and the “college resume” it would create when the time came. Beginning in my freshman year, I was published in national anthologies for poetry and during my junior year I was nominated and inducted into the “Who’s Who of American High School Students.” I was on the path to make my goal a reality but my plan was interrupted when I found out I was pregnant when I was 15 years old, which was November of my Junior year.

I found out a few weeks before turning 16 that I was pregnant, planned to have an abortion but it was determined that I was 8 months along! At that point, delivery was my only choice and at the same time adoption was not since I am not prone to giving in or giving up when faced with a challenge. So, 3 weeks after turning 16 years old I delivered a healthy baby girl, even with almost no prenatal care. Early in my senior year I was accepted in to the University of Redlands, with scholarships, into their Medical degree program with the plans of becoming a General Practitioner. However, with the realization of the logistics of the college location, costs I would still have to cover and having a child to provide for, I declined to attend. That was the first decision to delay my college career that I made. It was then that a personal motto of “It’s never too late to go back to school” began carrying me through my life decisions that included marriages, more children, and focusing on furthering the stability of my employment as it presented itself. I am now on my 3rd marriage, have 4 biological children, and 1 step-daughter who have all heard me recite my motto many times over the years.

I ended up working in Real Estate, specifically Title and Escrow, for the last 12 years making a decent amount of money considering there is no degree for the area I work in. In 2009 I was diagnosed with Osteo Arthritis, Spinal Stenosis and 2 bulged disks in my lumbar spine. The demands of my work had exacerbated my back issues due to the recent booming Real Estate market. After the birth of my last child, I returned to work and my back pain became so debilitating that I was calling into work “immobile” all too often and was put on disability for the 3rd time. Following months of physical therapy and a back procedure that had minimal impact on my pain, my Doctor suggested that I look into changing careers to better accommodate the demands of my medical issues, which have no cure and will only get progressively worse. That’s when Doctor’s orders triggered my looking into school.

Finally, I am showing my children, by example, how driven I am academically and how study habits reap the results that I have spent years encouraging them to achieve. My grades and eagerness to do homework are also being evidenced by my grades, which they are both shocked and proud of. With 3 of my 5 children in high school now, the family “joke” is that I still started college before they did, if only by a year! I can proudly proclaim that I am finally living up to that I have always said, “It’s never too late to go back to school”.

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2010 Copyright by Shannon Peace

Personal Progression (Essay)

Preface: This was written for my Adult Development and Life Assessment class and submitted July 18, 2010.

Personal Progression

Our childhood and genetic predispositions usually determine how most of us will end up as an adult and the direction each of our lives will take. Most would also agree that we are a product of the culmination of both influences with a victim mentality and a result of the effects of the same. Similarly, Bob Cave, an Eclectic Theorist, takes on the idea that “if a child knows that they are loved and accepted unconditionally by the parents, they will be able to endure almost any difficult circumstance.” (Cave, n.d.) However, I have always embraced the mentality that we are survivors and can consciously change many things in our life, both internally and externally, through personal intention or indirect modeling of behaviors and mindsets that can be learned. My personal progression through life against familial challenges and modeled behaviors in addition to desires and future goals all start with where I came from.

On December 17, 1976, I was born into the world as the child of an unwed single mother who was barely 21 years old with no education past high school and who had no desire for a child. I was a “love child”, as they say, the result of an affair by my father who had already had a wife and eventually 4 daughters by his wife, with his oldest less than 6 months older than me. I am an only child and my mother never married during all these years. I never had a father figure growing up and my biological father never outwardly claimed me or supported us over the years, either. Little to no family direction and even less resources available combined with the personal desire for attention and a sense of self-worth lead me to be creative with ways to occupy my time which resulted in shaping my behavior to the desired end result of accolades and acceptance, as suggested in Burrhus Frederic Skinner’s theory of operant conditioning. (WGBH Educational Foundation, 1998)

Growing up I was very involved in social activities where achievements and the ability to excel individually were easier, accepted and expected to a degree. Aside from academic merit, extra-curricular activities with the school and community became a staple in my childhood. Expertise in baton twirling and rhythmic ribbons along with the parades and competitions they led to were a commonplace activity for me during the elementary school years. I also started with the Daisies, quickly progressing into the Brownies and Girl Scouts as I got into Junior High School. In numerous areas I excelled with awards, trophies and recognition of all kinds. Junior high school started my school choir career as a Soprano Section leader with regular solos and an operatic voice to carry me through 11th grade. In high school, I became certified as a Peer P.A.L.S. counselor and was regularly counseling students in need during my time in high school, with my primary client being a suicidal freshman. When considering how I succeeded academically and in extra-curricular activities, you can safely conclude that this was an active defense mechanism called “compensation” as Freud referred to in his Psychoanalytic theory. (Witt and Mossler, 2010)

The feelings that I experienced growing up whenever I excelled have definitely flowed over into my adulthood and I have made many conscious choices to continue on the path of positive distinction. In junior high I decided I wanted to become a Doctor, more specifically a General Practitioner. Once I reached Biology class in high school I changed over to Entomology. This was not surprising since I always collected bugs, studied animals and nature and loved dissecting bugs throughout childhood. More recently, as the Forensics area has developed through technology advancement has my desire to add Forensics to my Entomology career grown. Not to long ago I realized that my dream of the combination of the two fields is an actual area of study and work, which is when I made the final determination of what I wanted to be “when I grew up”, a Forensic Entomologist. As I fine tuned my career direction over time, I engaged a process of “formal operational thought” as suggested in Piaget’s cognitive development theory. (Witt and Mossler, 2010)

In 1993, when I was a junior in high school and had been 16 for only 3 weeks, I gave birth to my first child. I was not married to her father and saw the path my mother took repeating itself. I made a point to try and stop the cycle, so to speak, so I stayed in school and graduated high school in 1994 with honors and a 4.3 GPA. I was accepted into the University of Redlands with a scholarship into their Medicine program, but chose not to attend due to logistics and I told myself that I could always go back to school, but I could not raise my child again. As researched in Héfer Bembenutty’s Expectancy-Value theory, the competing intentions of a family and academic achievement led to the delay of my academic gratification because the alternatives to my academic goals were more important, which were my children. (Bembenutty, 2007) I had my second child in 1995 and married his father in 1996, but separated in 1998 and was divorced in 1999. In 2002 I married my second husband, had my third child in 2005, became separated in 2006 and legally divorced in 2008. I married my third husband in 2008 and became a step-mother to his child that he had from a previous spouse and had my fourth child in 2009. Now, I have a huge extended family including parents, brothers and sisters-in-law with my husbands’ family. An immediate and extended family such as this is something I have wanted all these years, but is unchartered territory for me, not to mention the acceptable dynamic between siblings that I am unfamiliar with as an only child.

Everyone has personal, professional and academic goals to some measure, whether far-reaching or none, they are all goals. Family balance is an important personal goal for me. The different ages, genders, parental dynamics with different parent sets and the desired cohesiveness of everyone and each individual situation is a lot of work, but very important to create a happy family. Professionally, I would like to be able to work but cannot do so without my back issues resolved. Whether that is a strict regimen of medication and physical therapy or surgery, something tangible has to happen to allow me to re-enter the workforce. I would absolutely love to work within the field I am going to school for, however at this point my prior field would suffice. Completion of my 4 year degree in Social and Criminal Justice is my short term academic goal. I would eventually like a Doctorate and to specialize in Forensic Entomology, or Medicocriminal Entomology, which is the science of using insect evidence to uncover circumstances of interest to the law, often related to a crime. (Merritt, n.d.)

 

References

Bembenutty, Héfer. (2007). Retrieved from http://www.heferbembenutty.com/index.html

Cave, Bob. (n.d.). The eclectic theory of personality. Retrieved from www.family-university.org/archive/eclectic_personality_theory.html

 

Merritt, Richard. (n.d.). American Board of Forensic Entomology. Retrieved from http://www.forensicentomologist.org/index.html

WGBH Educational Foundation. (1998). People and discoveries .Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aso/databank/entries/bhskin.html

Witt, G.A., & Mossler, R.A. (2010). Adult development and life assessment. Retrieved from https://content.ashford.edu/AUPSY202.10.1 

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2010 Copyright by Shannon Peace

Can you plagiarize yourself?

Background: This topic was a result of my English Composition I class. A peer, Jeffrey O'Connell, posted the following on 08/31/2010:

"Plagiarism is using someone else's ideas and material that isn't common knowledge, without giving credit to that person and citing them. Changing words around and paraphrasing in your own words is also considered plagiarism. The most important concept that I learned about plagiarism was that you can actually be found guilty of plagiarizing yourself. This was something I was completely unaware of. However, I don't agree with it. Think about it. Plagiarism, according to the tutorial, is theft. Well if it's considered theft you have to ask yourself, "how does one steal from oneself?" You can't be found guilty of stealing your own car, you can't be found guilty of stealing your own money, so how can you possibly steal your own ideas. I understand that if you wrote a paper last semester on a specific topic and used that very same paper, word-for-word, for a class this semester, to be considered plagiarism. That I get, but if you changed the words around but kept on the same topic, it should not be considered plagiarism, because once again, how can you be guilty of stealing from yourself. It was your ideas to begin with. My post may sound a little confusing, I admit, but hopefully someone out there understands what I'm getting at and agrees with me. Let me know everybody."


Here was my response, posted on 09/01/2010:

"Plagiarism of yourself is an interesting concept, I agree. I think a primary point of citing sources, aside from the simple idea of using someone else's ideas, is to give credit to something not "new" that you are referring to. Think of the definition again and consider these questions: 

• Is it common knowledge that you did a paper on the same topic last semester?
• Is paraphrasing of someone else plagiarism? Why not yourself, if you are the source?
• Is "re-wording" still not an indirect form of paraphrasing?
• Why would you discount yourself to not consider yourself worthy of citation?

Take this as another explanation:

 

"6. Never plagiarize yourself. You can refer to papers you have previously written or published. You can even quote yourself. But never copy/paste previous writing and present it as if it’s new. To do so is to deceive your instructors." (2009 Cengage Learning, Inc.) They have a whole section on plagiarism, that is quite interesting, by the way that you can check out.

 

Dr. Lance River's perspective from Lake Superior State University is, "...Plagiarism is the use of someone else’s words or ideas as your own without giving appropriate credit or without the person’s consent to use his or her words or ideas without acknowledgment. This can be somewhat confusing, because at its core, plagiarism isn’t just about stealing someone else’s words or ideas, but also about claiming to have done work you actually haven’t. Thus, many professors, me included, would see using a paper or research you have done for one course in fulfillment of an assignment in another as plagiarism, even though you are the paper’s author. You can plagiarize yourself!" (Adapted from Lunsford and Connors, The St. Martin's Handbook (3d ed. NY: St. Martin's, 1995); the SIUC Department of Computer Science Policy on Cheating and Plagiarism; the SIUC Department of English Policy on Plagiarism; Homewood-Flossmoor (IL) High School Policy; Fowler, The Little, Brown Handbook (2d ed. Boston: Little, Brown, 1983); and the SIUC Student Conduct Code)

 

I think for all intensive purposes you can plagiarize yourself, however obscure the idea may seem, when you consider the technical definition of the term. Stating simply that is it "theft", is too washed down, in my opinion. When working with papers and citations, by default we are dealing with technicalities (i.e. APA formatting), so the definitions and the requirements they demand must me considered with the same respect. Just food for thought.

 

Keep in mind, there are MANY sites that teachers probably use to verify originality these days to verify originality. You don't want to "fail" because of improper citation, right?"


My instructor respond to my posting, on 09/06/2010, with the following:

"You are amazing, Shannon, thank you for this. Mrs. Smith"

Needlss to say, I think my instructor agreed with my position. What do you think?

The ‘Modern’ Christian (Essay)

Preface: This was written for my Christians and Culture class when I was a student of Bible & Ministry and submitted May 13, 2000.

The ‘Modern’ Christian

The word “Christian” these days in many ways is very stereotypical. So many people rally for us to understand them better; more Women’s rights (or should I say Womyn’s rights?), African American’s rights, Disabled person’s rights all just and in some ways deserving and necessary. I, as a Christian, want to be understood better! The stereotype that generally creates a mental image in one’s mind is so detailed that it makes it almost impossible for anyone to be Christian and needs to be broken. Using age, skin color, ethnicity, physical appearance, hobbies, music preferences, that persons’ life before being a believer, and even down to education for some people, to, in a sense, discriminate against the Body of Christ. There is also tradition, and cultural comforts that impress expectations that “Christians” should and should not do. Sadly, almost all of the above-mentioned items merely turn people away from joining, understanding, and growing in the Body of Christ! This is not to say that all things are acceptable, but I think that this way of thinking usually hurts rather than helps evangelism and all its’ possible positive results.

First, what does the term Christian or Christianity mean and encompass? The word Christian does not refer to an object, rather it is “a person who believes in Jesus Christ; an adherent of Christianity.” This definition alone should destroy half the battle in society, as you can only refer to a person as Christian not a movie, or a book, or a song. Take into account a tattoo. Is a tattoo wrong? Is it more “Christian” if it is of a cross? A tattoo is a choice you make, irrelevant of what it is, the tattoo is not Christian…the question should be whether the person bearing it is. Then again, you cannot fairly say that someone is any less Christian than the next because of a tattoo. This is where tradition and society come into play and create stereotypes and make determinations as to what is and is not accepted as being Christian. Remember, however, the only thing that is Christian is a Christ believing person.

So, with that in mind, why is it so hard for some people to believe? There are too many preconceived ideas and non-biblically based requirements from a lot of churches when it comes to salvation and beliefs. This also applies to those who are already believers; just on a path of faith grounded in tradition and cultural bias rather than biblically supported ideas. Our focus, generally, is to the non-believer and “as the non-Christian contemplates the vast puzzle of Christianity, he visualizes a lot more pieces in it than Christ on the Cross.” Some of these ideas, as Joseph C. Aldrich states, are profound yet essential in eliminating for the breaking down boundaries, created by the world, in order to more effectively reach the surrounding community. One being, “to become a Christian, I must give up everything I enjoy.” This could be true depending on what you enjoy; but the Bible says, most strongly in Ephesians 4:22-24, “That ye put off concerning that former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on a new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” So, with a newfound belief system of Christianity comes a new man, created in the image and likeness of God; and a new definition of what ‘fun’ is to some extent of the word. As a new believer, studying the Bible and learning to grow in, with, and by it is necessary. With that, “proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.” (Eph 5:10-11) It must be understood that sacrifices are made with all changes in life, but that life does not get worse once you are a Christian. Another idea presented is that “to become a Christian, I must go to church and get involved in lots of meetings.” This idea is still perpetuated and taken in a negative manner. The bible says in Eph 2:8-9 that “for by grace you are saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” So faith is the key here. How do we get faith? Romans 10:8,17 says, “…The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach…So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” By being able to clarify these ideas to a non-believer one should be able to reach a lot of people.

Having these ideas understood by the community and those currently in the church is a key to having a more ‘community correct’ church. Breaking down preconceived ideas about Christians, their beliefs, and what is necessary to be a believer is the hardest thing to do. Another issue in getting out to the community is the physical aspect. Literally, the world is very fast paced, busy, and, for the most part, lacking the morals and values that would normally drive people towards a more positive environment such as church. So, a church must know what avenue to use to effectively reach the community in order to discuss the aforementioned preconceptions. Some may have more frequent services, or evening services. Others might invite the local high school choir to perform one Sunday, drawing in families of the performers, sending out mailers about the church, or physically walking through town with the church’s information. There are also group meetings aimed towards certain people, such as Youth groups, Men and Woman’s bible study, and many more. Ways of attracting the community are endless with one of the most vital being word of mouth. On that note, it is important to know that a church cannot solely focus on bringing people into church, but also keeping them there, and happily, and a biblically based faith, rather than a traditional or culturally biased church and belief system. “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh…Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exaltheth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” (II Cor. 10:3,5)

So many things can affect how much diversity a church has in its local body. Personally I agree with, as the old saying goes, “Quality over quantity.” I would rather be part of a numerically smaller yet biblically based and spiritually stronger church any day. The overwhelming fulfillment by the Spirit will allow one “to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints that is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Jesus Christ throughout all ages, world without end.” (Eph 3:16-21) So, with that in mind, go as it says in Ephesians 4:17,29 and “testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, …Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” The Lord does not discriminate, does not take into consideration the cultural differences, or location. So, why as a believer would we? Or why would we allow for people to use such traditions and culture comforts to negatively affect out walk in faith and spreading the word? Let’s not allow it; let’s make a new cultural comfort out of Christianity. It is cool to be Christian!

1 - The Random House® College Dictionary, Revised Edition Most current Copyright ©  1984 by Random House, Inc. Based on The Random House® Dictionary of the English Language, The Unabridged Edition.

2 - Joseph C. Aldrich, Life-Style Evangelism Copyright © 1981 by Multnomah Press, p.215

3 - All Bible verse references from: The Scofield® Study Bible Most current Copyright © 1945 by Oxford University Press, Inc., previously published as The Scofield Reference Bible.

4 - Refer to footnote 3, Emphasis his.

5 - Refer to footnote 3, Emphasis his.

6 - Refer to footnote 3, Emphasis his.

7 - Refer to footnote 3, Emphasis his.

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© 2001 Shannon Yáñez

The Fall of Man (Essay)

Preface: This was written for my Theology Essentials I class when I was a student of Bible & Ministry and submitted March 19, 2001.

The Fall of Man

The fall of man is the descent from innocence to guilt after Eve, then Adam ate of the fruit in Genesis 3: 6, “And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.”

There are different views concerning the validity of the fall that can be classified into three categories. First being that it is a legend and none of the facts are true. Second are those that believe it as truth, without accepting its historical worth. Thirdly, and more rationally, are those that take it to be a factual and historical truth. Being that the latter is what I agree with, I will use this to discuss the consequences of the fall. There are temporal and spiritual consequences in addition to two specific penalties resulting from the fall, and the reason that we needed Jesus to die on the cross.

There are two ramifications in addition to specific penalties to man . One being that all sin affects others. Eve’s sin to Adam and Adam’s sin to the entire race, even to us now, as without a doubt we are all born into sin as a result of the original sin. No one can sin privately, without having an effect on any single person as all that we do, or fail to do, will have some bearing with another person’s heart. The second penalty is that once committed, sin can never be undone. Forgiveness can occur, along with healing and fellowship to restore a person to who they were before, but the sin will always have happened. For example, the kingdom being taken away form Saul and his descendants in 1 Samuel 13:13-14, “Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the Lord thy God, which he commanded thee: …But now thy kingdom shall not continue.” Also, Esau in Hebrews 12:16, “ Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance.”

There are more specific penalties incurred due to the fall in the temporal sense, or relating to time in the sense of being the opposite of eternity; plainly meaning our lack of an eternal and easy life. It starts when man is driven from paradise in Genesis 3:23, “Therefore the Lord God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the Garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.” There were also penalties that were gender specific. Direct punishment for the man, was “…because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;

Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.” Punishment for the woman, “… he said, I [he] will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.” (Gen 3:16-19) The worst of all, though, being death, “For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive”(1 Cor 15:21-22) and “… we have been planted together in the likeness of his death.” (Romans 6:5) None of these are pleasures in life, but would you rather have a physical penalty, or a spiritual one?

There are numerous spiritual consequences as a result of the original sin. Separation from God and “having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But ye have not so learned Christ;” (Eph 4:18-20) Being born in sin, or receiving the inherited sin, as “… in sin did my mother conceive me,” (Psa 51:5)

and thoughts of the heart that are evil, “for out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.” (Matt 15:19). We are in bondage to sin as Romans 6:17 says, “… that ye were the servants of sin,” and to Satan, “…that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” (Heb 2:14b-15) Also, “being dead in your [our] sins” (Col 2:13), having “blindness of [in] their [our] heart” (Eph 4:18b) and depraved of all purity, as “…unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.” (Titus 1:15). Lastly, we must know that the biggest penalty was the issue of our salvation being lost, but not to worry “for God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

So, with all this punishment and loss as a result of the fall, where does that leave us, The Body of Christ? Simply, there was a promise of redemption. Genesis 3:15 says, “I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel” This is a ‘protevangelium’, or the first announcement of gospel in Scripture. Christ would render Satan powerless, enabling man to be forever restored to fellowship with God, making possible man’s ultimate rule. (Heb 2:14, Col 2:4-15) Although, Adam and Eve sinned, God moved to resolve man’s

dilemma by pointing to a future Savior who would eliminate death, restore man to fellowship with God, and consummate history with Messiah’s reign on earth to restore all that Adam has lost. In addition, a few things should be noted during this time about God himself. God revealed himself as omnipotent and sovereign in the creation on the universe and the world. God is holy, demanding obedience for fellowship with himself, yet also a God of grace, with an example of through the promise of a Savior. Man is a responsible creature and a constituted sinner through the inherited sin, the sin of Adam.

What more would be necessary from a God, graciousness and one who will deliver us who are “in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (Heb 4:15b-16)

Knowing and believing that the “Fall of Man” was an actual occurrence that cost us our salvation, is something that one must understand before, I believe, you can minutely grasp the enormity of what Jesus did for all of us on the cross. We were all lost and dead to the world, literally. Then, came Jesus to save the world that wanted to be saved. Why would you not want to tell the rest of the people about the only one that can give everlasting life by calling on his name? “That whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered” (Joel 2:32) and “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God” (Eph 2:8) Have you accepted your undeserved gift yet?

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© 2001 Shannon Yáñez

God’s Attributes: Actual or Condescending? (Essay)

Preface: This was written for my Advanced Theology class when I was a student of Bible & Ministry and submitted October 3, 2001.

God’s Attributes: Actual or Condescending?

There are certain things in the Bible that trigger huge debates, such as the topic of the literal (as opposed to figurative) application of humanlike attributes to God, in the cases as they are actually stated in the Bible. Many believe that repentance by God, in addition to many other similar emotions, is ‘our’ (fallible, small-minded humans) attributing to God human feelings and actions to the Deity. This ‘application’ is also known by the more commonly used term, anthropomorphisms. This topic has puzzled me, depending on whom I am discussing it with. Some think that God is ‘talking down’ to us in order for us to understand his point. I have heard that the word was mistranslated and, “We do not really know what He was trying to say.” Others assert that, “Yes, in fact God did experience that feeling.” I personally can accept the fact that these attributes (material and immaterial) applied to God were written the way He wanted them to be. There was nothing lost in translation and we can take them as literal. This however, is not an exhaustive explanation for me, as there are still verses to discuss with respect to different attributes in order to come to a complete conclusion.

Can God repent? Genesis 6:6-7 says, “And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. And the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.” This seems to clearly mean that He can repent, and this is only one verse of many that are considered anthropomorphisms. So where is the problem? First off, the word ‘repent’ means “to feel regret…change one’s mind” So, the question becomes: Can God change His mind? Since, God is moving in time with us now and does not know what will happen tomorrow, then He can. Change His mind. If he does and did not predestine me to do anything as an individual, then He logically could not have predestined His own thoughts and feelings, right? Therefore, it is only logical to think that God in his infinite power can literally do whatever He wants, whether or not He would choose to, including changing His mind. However, Scofield says, “When applied to God the word is used phenomenally according to the O.T. custom. God seems to change His mind. The phenomena are such as, in the case of a man, would indicate a change of man.”” Scofield is in a roundabout way saying that God in fact does not change His mind; we just think He does because He seems to. This logic is illogic to me to be honest. The thoughts behind most who sway this way started with the foundation that Plato created. Plato once said, “The perfect does not change. God is perfect. God does not change.” On the other hand, this sounds completely logical also, does it not? God is in fact perfect, which I believe we would all agree on. However, God is not imperfect for changing His mind. That, to me, makes Him an even more awesome and more powerful God since He is actually dealing with us on an interactive and immediate level. Wouldn’t it be much easier to predestinate everything and then sit back and watch it all happen? We, as humans, can barely handle our own finite lives with the amount of people we deal with. Imagine having to deal with all the people from all time and at all times. This is a definite demonstration of what my God can do. As humans, we cannot fathom that idea, so some choose to say it isn’t so by following the seemingly logical thoughts of Plato, which in the long run I feel minimizes God’s overall abilities with our (Him and us) interactions.

Depending on what you feel is the more rational way to view God and his interactions with man that will determine how you view the necessity and purpose of any verses containing anthropomorphisms. I believe that the verses are not used in a condescending manner as E.W. Bullinger says, nor an exaggeration of the truth to make a point to the readers as I have heard others say. The Holy Spirit will work in us to make the point; we do not need for God to exaggerate one word in a verse. In the cases of the use of the parables, that is an obviously more clear purpose of getting a point across to the readers, but what would the use of the word “repent” in a verse do? I do not see any other purpose but to take those instances literally and to try to understand the complexity that our God works in to the point that He can repent because he is able to when we, as free will agents, have not done what we are supposed to have done. With that in mind look to Exodus 32:14, “And the Lord repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people.” This is when Moses changed God’s mind to not “wax hot against them [Israel].” (Ex. 32:10) In this instance, God did literally change His mind (repent), as he did not put His wrath upon the people. Another example of God’s ability to repent is in 1Samuel 15:11 and 35, “It repenteth me [God] that I have set Saul to be king…” and “…the Lord repented that He had made Saul king over Israel.” An interesting verse is 1Samuel 15:29, ”And also the Strength of Israel [God] will not lie nor repent for he is not a man, that he should repent.” Here, most Calvinists have argued that this plainly states that God cannot repent, so the other verses must be exaggerations or ones of condescension. I urge you, however, to re-read the passage. It does say that God ‘should’ not repent; it does not say that he cannot, will not or does not. I feel this verse is saying that God should not have to repent, the same way that I should not have to tell my children more than once to clean their room, because they know what they need to and should be doing it. This does not mean that I will not tell them more than once, and that God will not repent.

Our understanding of God can be hindered by the use of these anthropomorphisms, if our foundation for understanding is not on stable ground to begin with. If one does not understand that God has not predestined the world and its events before time, then the idea of God is as preposterous to them as it would be to me to say the God could not change His mind. The topic of anthropomorphisms is so translucently clear if the foundation is the right one. God is not seeing yesterday and tomorrow right now as he watches me type. He only can see what I have done once I do it and my heart. He does not know if I will ever turn in this writing to fulfill my assignment. He does however; conclude based on my past actions and my oh-so-obvious human predictability as to whether or not I will. With that in mind, it is not the anthropomorphism that will hinder my understanding of God, but rather my understanding of God that may hinder the purpose or meaning of the anthropomorphism.

Many times I have come to notice that people read the Bible and put culture or presuppositions into it. We need to pull from the text and apply it to our lives, not add into it to make it fit our lifestyle. People often do this with God. They want to put our limited understanding onto what He can do. It should be the opposite. God can do all things, and we cannot. So, for God to be able to rejoice (Isa. 62:5), have sorrow and grief (Judges. 10:16), to love (Prov. 3:12), to repent (2Sam. 24:16), have anger and vengeance (Nah. 1:2), be comforted (Ezek. 5:13), have jealousy (Ex. 20:5) and many more immaterial feelings are very seemingly possible. We have them, so why can’t God? Has He put limits on Himself? What about the idea that we are made in His image? What if we have our feelings because we got them from His image, just like everything else? We must sway away from putting our limitations onto God. He has no limitations of this sort.

With those that say an anthropomorphism is just a word that was mistranslated and, “We do not really know what He was trying to say” take away from the whole point of inspiration in the Bible, which is a huge and vital part of it. There are many random thoughts on this topic, but I do not believe (nor understand) such random theology. I believe only in grounded, logical and biblically correct concepts. For that reason, the anthropomorphism is not a ‘problem’ for me as it would be to others. On the contrary, it is the epitome of the awesomeness of what my God can do. If I were to discount the verses in question, what would that do to the quality and validity of the rest of the Bible?

1 - Merriam Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, Tenth Edition, pg. 992, ©1994 by Merriam-Webster, Inc.

2 - The Scofield® Reference Bible, Zechariah 8:14 note on pg. 972 © 1909, 1917; copyright renewed 1937, 1945 by Oxford University Press, Inc. Emphasis his.__________________________________________

© 2001 Shannon Yáñez

The Practical Application to Christians (Essay)

Preface: This was written for my Titus: Digging Deeper class when I was a student of Bible & Ministry and submitted October 17, 2001.

The Practical Application to Christians

I have a book that I usually reference when attempting to argue a point, which is called the “Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties.” To my surprise, it actually covers seemingly difficult things, an “FAQ” of sorts, throughout 52 books of the Bible. Titus is not one of them that is discussed! Not only did this make my study harder to promote, it made me think in a simpler manner. Titus is not as ‘difficult’ as I am trying to make it.

I feel a strong thread throughout the whole book of Titus is the, or our, actions as Christians. (Quote Titus Commentary book: pg. 69) Paul makes it even easier for Titus, and now us as readers, with what do to if we have a certain role in the church, also. As soon as Paul finishes with his “credentials”, he immediately focuses on Elders. Why? I believe elders are the “human foundation” for the church when they have their roots in Christ. Paul wants to make sure Titus understands that the elders, older women and men (aka- the people who are looked up upon as wiser) show themselves good before the younger more impressionable ones in the hopes to have them follow their lead. No matter what our current role now, we will or have been considered a ‘wise one’ to someone. The mention of the slaves also seems to stir up conversation, which I will offer a light on this towards the end.

First, Paul breaks it down into groups of people and also addresses people as a whole. I found the condensing of a lot of information into a few verses interesting also.

• In only 3 verses, 15 items are mentioned for Elders

a) 1&2 Timothy and Titus book-pg 280

• In only 2 verses, 5 items are mentioned for Older Men

• In only 2 verses, 5 items are mentioned for Older Women

• In only 2 verses, 7 items are mentioned for Younger Women

• In only 2 verses, 4 items are mentioned for Slaves

a) 1&2 Timothy and Titus book-pg 281

• In only 3 verses, 12 items are mentioned for All People

The way we live and what is projected from us is a huge factor in our lives’ as Christians. With that in mind… (Quote: Titus Commentary book: pg. 71).

Now, most of us live by our faith. The faith that we live in is also what we walk in. (Quote 1&2 Timothy and Titus book: pg.278, 282, 284, Pg 286)

Closing: pg. 287-288

1 - Gleason L. Archer, © 1982 by The Zondervan Corporation

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© 2001 Shannon Yáñez

Titus Outline - The book of “Do’s and Don’ts”

Preface: This was written for my Titus: Digging Deeper class when I was a student of Bible & Ministry and submitted September 23, 2001.

Titus Outline - The book of “Do’s and Don’ts”

(This outline is not exhaustive)

I. Rules for Titus

a. Do’s

i. Complete work and appoint elders as instructed (1:5)

ii. Rebuke [those who rebel against right teaching] (1:13)

iii. Promote living that reflects right teaching (2:1)

iv. Teach older men (2:2)

v. Teach older women (2:3)

vi. Encourage young men (2:6)

vii. Be an example to the young men (2:7)

viii. Reflect integrity and seriousness of his teaching (2:7)

ix. Correct teaching so as to not be able to be criticized (2:8)

x. Remind the people to submit to the government (3:1)

xi. Give a 1st and 2nd warning to those causing divisions (3:10)

xii. Meet Paul at Nicopolus as soon as possible (3:12)

xiii. Help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos (3:13)

b. Don’ts

i. Let anyone ignore or disregard what he [Titus] says (2:15)

ii. Get involved in foolish discussions (3:9)

iii. Get into fights about obedience to Jewish laws (3:9)

iv. Have anything to do with persons after the 2nd warning if they are causing divisions (3:10)

II. Rules for Others

a. Elders

i. Do’s

1. Well thought of (1:6)

2. Faithful to his wife (1:6)

3. Have well mannered, obedient children (1:6)

4. Live a blameless life (1:7)

5. Enjoy having guests in his house (1:8)
6. Love all that is good (1:8)

7. Live wisely (1:8)

8. Be fair (1:8)

9. Live a devout and disciplined life (1:8)

10. Have a strong and steadfast belief in the message he was taught (1:9)

ii. Don’ts

1. Not arrogant (1:7)

2. Not quick-tempered (1:7)

3. Not a heavy drinker (1:7)

4. Not violent (1:7)

5. Not greedy for money (1:7)

b. Older Men

i. Do’s

1. Exercise self-control (2:2)

2. Be worthy of respect (2:2)

3. Live wisely (2:2)

4. Have a strong faith (2:3)

5. Be filled with love and patience (2:3)

ii. Don’ts

1. None mentioned

c. Older Women

i. Do’s
1. Live in an appropriate way (2:3)

2. Teach others what is good (2:3)

3. Train younger women (2:4)

ii. Don’ts

1. Go and speak evil of others (2:3)

2. Be heavy drinkers (2:3)

d. Young Men

i. Do’s

1. Live wisely in all they do (2:6)

ii. Don’ts

1. None mentioned

e. Younger Women

i. Do’s

1. Love their husbands and children (2:4)

2. Live wisely (2:5)

3. Be pure (2:5)

4. Take care of their homes (2:5)

5. Do good (2:5)

6. Be submissive to their husband (2:5)

ii. Don’ts

1. Bring shame on the Word of God (2:5)

f. Slaves

i. Do’s

1. Obey their masters (2:9)

2. Show themselves trustworthy and good (2:10)

ii. Don’ts

1. Talk back (2:9)

2. Steal (2:10)

III. Rules for all People

a. Do’s

i. Turn from godless living (2:12)

ii. Turn from sinful pleasures (2:12)

iii. Live with self-control (2:12)

iv. Live with right conduct (2:12)

v. Live with devotion to God (2:12)

vi. Submit to the government and it’s officers (3:1)

vii. Be obedient (3:1)

viii. Always be ready to do what is good (3:1)

ix. Be gentle (3:2)

x. Show true humility (3:2)

b. Don’ts

i. Speak of evil (3:1)

ii. Quarrel (3:1)

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Question:

Why did Paul write this letter?

Answer:

I believe that a main purpose of this epistle was to ‘check in’ with Titus. Paul says Titus is his “true child in the faith” (1:4) that he “left on the island of Crete.” (1:5) Wouldn’t a father want to check in with his son that he left all alone? Also, it is to follow up with him on what he needs to do (what he was sent there for) and to remind him that he has to instill the “Do’s and Don’ts” in the people. Thirdly, it serves as both a motivation and a warning (i.e., 1:13 and 3:9). Lastly, it is simply informational as Paul tells Titus where to meet him next and why at that location and who to help. (3:12-14) In addition it is the constant reminding of what God has done for us and what we were before we accepted Christ. To me, all of these factors give the impression of a parent or friend checking up on someone they love who is away and in charge of a large task.

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© 2001 Shannon Yáñez

Thirteenth Apostle? (Essay)

Preface: This was written for my Theology Essentials class when I was a student of Bible & Ministry and submitted February 1, 2000.

Thirteenth Apostle?

 

All of us would agree that Paul was an apostle. However, we would not all agree on whether he was the 13th apostle or one who stood on his own to deliver a separate message. When reading the Bible, we must decide how we, as members of the Body of Christ, choose to interpret it. There are two hermeneutical (Greek for interpretation) options. The first one is the more literal of the two interpretations, eliminating any symbolic meanings, and is actually the more commonly chosen view. The second one has a much more symbolic, or nonliteral, definition to it. This latter is also the view that creates the majority doubt in the Word, I believe, as all objectivity is removed adding a further discussion as to who decides what the “correct” symbolic meaning really is. This directly affects my aforementioned question: “Is Paul the 13th apostle or an apostle with a separate message?” The first view, a literal hermeneutic, also results in a person who recognizes and agrees with the dispensationalist view of the Bible. By holding to dispensationalism, you will also find it very clear that Paul was definitely an apostle for a separate message, and program. The separate message refers to our current dispensation; the program is either the Prophetic or the Mystery, the latter being our current program.

“Our God is a God of division.” (Paul M. Sadler, ‘Exploring the Unsearchable riches of Christ’) He divided the waters (Gen1: 7), the oceans and land (Gen1: 9,10), the day from the night (Gen1: 14), and the Heavens and the Earth (Gen1: 1). The Heavens and the Earth also help us relate to the two programs he created. The Earthly program is also known as the Prophecy and the Heavenly program is defined as the Mystery. A few of the differences are that the Prophecy requires the fulfillment of the Old Testament through the law, faith and works, and also has time frame used with regards to it. The Mystery does not require the fulfillment of the Old Testament, as it is not prophesied (Eph3: 5), the law or works (Gal3: 11-12), and it is also free from any mention of time, as it is the Mystery and unknown. The Prophecy is very clearly the program for the 12 Apostles; which are also clearly named one by one in Matthew 10:2-5; in which Paul is not named. The Prophetic program gives a different message and also is directed to Israel solely, different than the people in the Mystery Program, the Gentiles. Therefore, if Paul is not included in Matthew 10:2-5 as one of the twelve to speaks to the Jews, then who is he for? His purpose was to provide the Word to the Gentiles during the Mystery, our current program. Thus, so far proving that he was indeed not a 13th apostle, but rather an Apostle to the Gentiles for the Mystery Program, juxtapositional with the Dispensation of Grace.

A dispensation simply defined is: “a period of time during which man is tested in respect of obedience to some specific revelation of the will of God.” There are many dispensations in the Bible; the actual amount is also a disputed point. However, it is seemingly agreed that there is only one dispensation that coincides directly and exclusively with the Mystery Program, which is the Dispensation of Grace, our current dispensation. Each dispensation, also known as administration or oikonomia (Greek), changes whenever there is change in the way God deals with us. For example, the first administration was “The dispensation of Innocence” which ended when God had to change the way he was dealing with Adam and Eve when they ate the forbidden fruit; thus, changing to the next dispensation. Remember though that all of the dispensations, excluding the current one, fall under the Prophetic Program. Meaning that each oikonomia had a set of rules and/or works to live with, other than the Ten Commandments, which will always apply, under that program; but as we are under the Mystery, or Musterion (Greek), program the only rule we have is to believe that Jesus died for all of us and rose again. So how do we know that Paul is the Apostle to this program? As said in Eph 3:2 by Paul, “ If you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward,” and it is obvious that Paul has the message that we as the members of the Body of Christ need to listen to.

There are many differences when comparing the 12 Apostles and Paul. Looking at the Twelve Apostles first we should note that there was a necessary participation in the fulfillment of the Prophecy (Acts2: 14-20), that the justification was only through faith and works (James2: 14,20), and the hope was that of an Earthly one (Mat5: 5). Also, baptism was through water (Acts22: 16) and spirit (1Peter3: 21), salvation was conditional (2Peter1: 4-10), the eschatology (Greek word is eschatos for last or farthest; in relation to the final events of the world within the various Christian Doctrines) was the second coming, and since their hope was earthly, their final place would be on Earth-a ‘new’ Earth (Isa65: 17, Rev22: 2) for those of Israel. Israel was the only focus of the 12 Apostles (Mat10: 5-6), as it was given the name “the Bride of Christ.”(Rev22: 17). In contrast to that, Paul delivers the message of Grace, under the Mystery (Eph3: 3), which does not require participation or fulfillment of any prophecy. Justification is solely through faith, irrelevant of works (Eph2: 8-9); there is a heavenly hope (Phil3: 20), baptism is acquired through spirit only (Eph4: 5), and salvation is unconditional (Eph1: 13). The eschatological view is also that of the Rapture, which is heavenly (1Thes4: 16-17) for all. The focus for Paul and his message of God’s grace is for the Jews and the Gentiles and all those in between equally (Gal3: 28) as we are the Church (Eph1: 22-23) which is “The Body of Christ” (1Cor12: 27) rather than the “Bride of Christ.” Another point to mention is that there seems to be a numerical similarity between the Twelve Apostles and Paul. The Prophesy mentions 12 in many areas, the number of the governmental authority stamped on the house of Israel, 12 sons of Israel, 12 tribes, 12 portions of land, 12 princes, 12 thrones, 12 foundations in the New Jerusalem (Rev21: 14) and 12 Apostles. The Mystery is consistent with the number one. One Body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one Faith, one baptism, one Father, and one Apostle (Eph4: 4-6).

Paul’s message began when the Prophetic program was put on hold when Jesus died for our sins and allowed for us to be saved purely by faith through the grace of God. The abolition of the law occurred the day that Christ died (Col2: 14), with exception to the 10 Commandments. No longer being under the law, not needing works to be saved there is only faith left, which is included Paul’s message of grace. Grace is not easily understood nor easily definable, as we will never fully comprehend it until we are Heaven. What God says through Paul in the Bible about grace should be enough of a motivation to live with faith in him. I believe that once you believe that we are indeed under the Dispensation of Grace, whether or not the concept is fully grasped, it should be obvious that it will all come down to your relationship with God. We as humans will never repay what God has done for us as stated in Heb2: 9 “that he (Jesus) by the grace of God should taste death for every man.” All Paul wants to do is help us understand that this immeasurable gift from God is not hindered by sins, nor attained by works, and is paired with truth. Do we as members of the Body of Christ need all of the writings Paul has given us to see how easy it is to life and enjoy this gift? Maybe so, but don’t let this gift of grace go dusty on your shelves at home. Use it, feed it, share it and it will grow and become a cyclical part of your life, as the more you use it and feed it-the more you can share it and allow it to grow. Colossians 1:3-6 says “We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus…whereof you heard of the truth of the gospel; Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; …since the day you heard of it, and knew of the grace of God in truth.” We know of the grace which God through which Paul tells us about in his messages and it is all we needed to compliment our faith in the Trinity. Are we being active or passive Christians? I challenge you to follow Christ’s message to Paul. Or as a final thought, of William A. Ward from James1: 22; “It is not enough to own a Bible; we must read it. It is not enough to read it; we must let it speak to us. It is not enough to let it speak to us; we must believe it. It is not enough to believe it; we must live it.”

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© 2001 Shannon Yáñez