Sunday, January 26, 2020

Business For the Glory of God | Book Review

Business For the Glory of God | Book Review For this assignment we are to read the book by W. Grudem, Business for the Glory of God: The Bibles Teaching on the Moral Goodness of Business. Mr. Grudem explores the Christian side of business which gives an elaborative explanation of what one might encounter. He clearly shows that in all the various aspects of business, which includes profit, ownership, money, lending, borrowing, and competition. Overall, the author clearly illustrates that people who work in the business world are generally made to feel guilty, because few people think instinctively of business as morally good in itself. (11). The main purpose of the book was to demonstrate that the various aspects of business activities are good and these good things will also bring glory to God. Book Review Business people are an imitation of Gods character by representing Him on earth through the approach of various business activities. Grudem reflects on each of the chapters categories, and clearly illustrates how each of the activities fall into these categories which represent a unique opportunity to bring Gods glory to the forefront: private ownership, productivity, employment, commercial transactions (selling and buying), profit, using money as means of exchange, producing inequalities in possessions, competition, borrowing and lending, and the reduction in the worlds poverty. In private ownership, this is where a person would imitate Gods sovereignty through the exercise of mankinds sovereignty over the creation. When a person cares for worldly possessions, Mr. Grudem makes an argument about people having the chance to imitate certain characteristics of God such as wisdom, knowledge, beauty, creativity, love for others, kindness, fairness, independence, freedom, exercise of will, blessedness (or joy), and so forth (20). When people have the desire to have their own things is not necessarily bad, but it is a representation of our overall desire to be ruler over things. The topic of private ownership also gives people the opportunity to do great things with their resources by sharing them with those who are in need so that others can see God in different ways. The word subdue in the book of Genesis implies to the greater good of human productivity. The main point to remember is that God expect for people to work hard at developing the world for Gods glory and for the sake of mankind. In reference to manufactured products, Mr. Grudem states, give us opportunity to praise God for anything we look at in the world around us (26). Typically, any item that is manufactured allows people to discover the wonders of Gods creation in the things that we have been able to make from the earth (27). When a person does productive work, this takes on the meaning of subduing the earth and it makes the resources of the earth useful for everyone. In reference to the rejections of Marxism, Mr. Grudem states, the Bible does not view it as evil for one person to hire another person and gain profit from that persons work (31). The Bible teaches us that employee to employer relationships are generally good and they are equally beneficial (Luke 3:14; 10:7; 1 Tim. 6:2). A relationship at the employment level can provide a context for mutual appreciation for the callings and pride of other people. The good of an employer can be easily seen by employees through hard work, and the opposite can be achieved from an employers perspective by issuing fair pay for a hard days work. Mr. Grudem made some observations about commercial transactions and he realized they has been a normal part of society since the very beginning (Lev. 25:14). The Bible teaches us that selling and buying are ethically right, because they both provided an opportunity for people to do great things for other people by providing the thing they need. People often imitat e God in places where they practice honesty, faithfulness to our commitments, fairness, and freedom of choice. (37). The use of money and profit are great, because they both entail that one has produced something beneficial to others who desire exchange. Not only is profit a clear indication that one is making efficient and great use of resources from God, but it also is encouraged in the teachings of Jesus Christ (Matt. 25:14-30). Money ultimately sets us apart from any animal kingdom, but in such a way as a tool, which makes voluntary exchanges more fair, less wasteful, and far more extensive (49). Money and profit can provide opportunities to glorify God by meeting our needs and those of others, providing charity, expanding our stewardship, and promoting the mission of the church throughout the world. Even though reading this book may seem as an unfamiliar language to most, Mr. Grudem illustrates how the inequality of possessions is fundamentally good and also pleasing to God. Passages in the Bible such as Luke 19:17, 19; 2 Corinthians 5:10 establish the fact of designed inequality, and many other passages from both the Old and the New Testaments. The author explains that inequalities are necessary in a world that requires a great variety of tasks to be done (52). In chapter 7, the author rejects arguments from a biblical perspective in favor of Christian communitarians, redistribution policies, and health and wealth teachings. The chapters about competition, borrowing and lending are basically a summary of the wealth producing topics. These chapters give an in-depth explanation about the good of competition, because it guides society in assigning jobs to those who are best suited for those jobs (62). In common business practices, competition can also decrease the prices of items over time, while in turn increasing the living standard for everyone. The author also notes that the Bible has no absolute prohibition on loans, but he also assumes them as a way of life. There have been many biblical discussions around loans, which focuses on the abuse and misuses of the process, not the actual establishment of the loan. There is a good rationale behind why charging interest is not only necessary for institutions jeopardizing the use of their money with others, but also how it can be reversed to help other people. Lastly, the goes on to discuss the necessity of moral goodness among the business people in an economy in order for things to operate more smoothly. This type of moral formation of a person would often lead to an overall greater respect for the dignity of mankind, and the increasing desire for their activities to bring not harm, but good to others while at the same time bringing glory to God. Mr. Grudem then goes on with an explanation at the very end of each chapter about how most business activities have great potential for misuse and wrongdoing because we live in a time occupied by entrepreneurs with a sinful nature. The sins of some people in business, however, should not make us assume all business activities are morally wrong. In my honest opinion, Mr. Grudem made great points about the abuses of business, and the ways in which we idolize success and money and become cordial by losing sight of the truth that everything belongs to God. The author continued to make comments throughout the course of the book on the concerns to balance the view, but the real wealth changing information comes from the fact that business practices can be glorifying to God. He also mentions in the text that we should not feel guilty about business, but we can take this as a stepping stone towards our common goals. The author explored the various topics that most business professionals have to deal with on a daily basis at work. He does an excellent explanation of the most common misconceptions about work and business, and then offers a way to look at everything from a different perspective. Mr. Grudem goes on to show how business is good and how it can be used to glorify God. Although this book was enjoyable and easy to read, this book was also very thought provoking and even life changing so to speak. I really could not find a bad point about the book and it was packed with plenty of insight about the moral nature of business. The thing I did not like was with his arguments, while most were very well written, are poorly supported with only a few bible verses and almost no logic whatsoever. In one section, he states that since Jesus gave laws on how employers should treat their employees, and God approves of hiring people and being an employer is good. On the other hand, he does not mention anything at all about the Sabbath, and this could cause someone to believe God also approves slavery. I honestly support keeping people gainfully employed, but some of the arguments in the book were lacking supporting facts. In conclusion, I truly enjoy reading this book and I would highly recommend it to any Christian who is working in the business world. I think the long term solution that the author proposes involves starting and maintaining a productive business organization. I think as these businesses are pursued to Gods glory, the positive effect of creating commerce and employment should also have a domino effect where the ability and the economic status of people should continue to prosper in ever-widening circles. Lastly, I feel this book does a great job of illustrating how everyday Christians can have a calling to business and in the midst of pursuing it; they can continue to glorify God, bless others and reflect His attributes. When it comes to money, work, finances and business, Ephesians 6:5-9 makes a great point when it states, Slaves, obey your earthly masters with deep respect and fear. Serve them sincerely as you would serve Christ. Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. As slaves of Christ, do the will of God with all your heart. ; Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do, whether we are slaves or free. Masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Dont threaten them; remember, you both have the same Master in heaven, and he has no favorites.

Saturday, January 18, 2020

Summer And Winter

The first paragraph of any essay is the introduction of that essay. Refer to the chapter in your textbook about what belongs or does not belong inside an introduction. This chapter has been assigned or will be assigned soon. I recommend not writing an introduction until you have a thesis and all of your body paragraphs finalized. After a clear main idea and support for that main idea are established, you can decide how you’d like to introduce it. Beginning an essay about torture with a joke may not be wise, but until you have your essay written, there is no way of knowing whether a joke is appropriate.The final one or two (please spell all numbers under 100) sentences of the introduction is/are the thesis, and it must be followed immediately by paragraphs of support. Every body paragraph must begin with a topic sentence, which contains the main idea of the paragraph, and the following is the topic sentence of this paragraph: There are a few common grammar errors that every stu dent in this class should be aware of, so he or she can earn the grade desired. First, never use 2nd person (you, your) in an essay. There are easy ways around it, and it tends to create problems with clarity of language.For example, â€Å"I never fail to do my assigned reading because you never know† vs. â€Å"I never fail to do my assigned reading because I want to be prepared for class†. The second sentence is more professional, academic, which is what this course is obligated to teach. It may be necessary to use 2nd person if it is within a quotation. For example, â€Å"You know you want to go,† my brother said. When a student rewrites his or her paper, he or she will have the opportunity to improve the quality of a sentence by eliminating 2nd person, and in doing so becoming a better writer, because there are various punctuation marks youwill have to use. (That was a joke) Every student will learn to use a comma in five distinct ways, but each student will also learn one way to use a semicolon. A semicolon is only used between two complete sentences, and though there are other ways to use a semicolon, they are not required for this course. If two sentences are closely related or completely opposite, a writer can use a semicolon to show emphasis. For example, my mother is a Democrat; my father is a Republican. This implies that this difference is significant.The other method to connect two complete sentences is to use a comma and a coordinating conjunction, and this sentence is an example. Students must also learn to separate items or phrases in a series. Grapes, oranges, pears and bananas are four of my favorite fruits; the previous sentence is an example. After a grammar handout is given to each student, I will discuss beginning sentences with subordinating conjunctions because when a sentence begins with a subordinating conjunction, that sentence begins with a dependent clause and must be separated from the independent clause.One of my favorite professors once said, â€Å"Perseverance and effort trump talent†. The previous sentence has another example of how to use commas in dialogue. The studious, patient person achieves more in time. In the previous sentence, there is an example of two adjectives modifying the same noun. These two adjectives must be separated with a comma. When a student begins to write essays he or she can be proud of, it is an important, empowering moment. Students in an English 015 course must also learn to write academic and not conversational English.The sharp difference between writing and speaking is the opportunity to clarify what is being communicated. If I accidentally say something rude, I can apologize in person. If I accidentally write something rude, I am not going to be there to correct the mistake. This means anything written must be more precise. Because it often confuses rather than clarifies, slang cannot be used in this course. For example, â€Å"On the real, thin gs were not going well† is slang and may be misunderstood by some. Instead, a better sentence can read, â€Å"In reality, the outlook was very bleak.† It is okay to use profanity, but it must be in proper context and not profanity for its own sake. For example, I was so mad at my brother damaging my car I said, â€Å"I’m gonna kick your ass. † Because the words are inside of quotes, it is okay to use profanity and/or slang, but this is the only time a student may use either. ‘Would’ and ‘Could’ are not past tense verbs and must only be used conditionally. Many students are accustomed to using would as a past tense verb. For instance, â€Å"When I was young, I would ride my back all day. † This is incorrect.As I read that sentence, a question comes to mind; you would ride your bike if what? What the writer of that sentence means is â€Å"When I was young, I rode my bike all day. † This is a better sentence. The word c ould is used in the same way at times. â€Å"I could run two miles without breaking a sweat in high school. † A reader may understand what is being said in the previous sentence, but â€Å"I ran two miles without breaking a sweat in high school on a daily basis,† is a better sentence. Every student in every class begins with an ‘A’ grade, and that grade drops depending on how much work he or she does.This is the conclusion of this essay and a good student will see that there should be a comma in this sentence. Nevertheless, every student must restate his or her thesis somewhere in the conclusion, but there are also other elements that belong in a conclusion. These elements are listed in the textbook for this course. I’ll end this essay with a quote from one of my favorite writers while in college. Henry David Thoreau once said, â€Å"For it matters not how small the beginning may seem to be, what is once done well is done forever! †

Thursday, January 9, 2020

What Everybody Else Does When It Comes to Good Persuasive Essay Topics for College and What You Should Do Different

What Everybody Else Does When It Comes to Good Persuasive Essay Topics for College and What You Should Do Different Details of Good Persuasive Essay Topics for College Not all folks are suicidal that manner. An excessive amount of money isn't a good thing. There are those who do not support such decisions. Many people wind up covering the exact tired topics they see in the media every day, just because they can't produce a better idea. Since you can see, lots of the topics listed are new and handle the present issues happening in the World today. Deciding on a persuasive essay topic may take a great deal of time without ending up with the excellent solution. Selecting the most suitable topic for a persuasive speech can be not such an easy issue to do as it might appear. The 30-Second Trick for Good Persuasive Essay Topics for College Year round school isn't a good idea. There are varying views on if a college education is necessary in order to have a prosperous life. Though people believe education is a correct and will make society, generally, a better place for everybody, others feel there's no legitimate method to provide a free college education as colleges would still have to be funded (likely through tax dollars). On the flip side, some argue that the expense of college leaves students with crippling debt they'll never have the ability to repay. Type of Good Persuasive Essay Topics for College Just st ick to the guidelines stated above, and you will be well on your way to writing an excellent persuasive essay. Having selected a very good topic to argue about, at this point you will need to make an argumentative essay outline. Additionally, a thesis doesn't need to be one sentence. Feel free to choose a topic which you will delight in writing about and not just one which you think will please your professor. When it has to do with writing an argumentative essay, the most crucial issue to do is to select a topic and an argument you may really get behind. There are several intriguing topics that could be become a persuasive essay if you take the opportunity to consider about doing it. Another good idea is to receive some absolutely free essay examples of different sorts and on various subjects to find a general idea of the way in which a thriving debatable paper looks. At exactly the same time, it's a wonderful persuasive essay idea. Doing this, you'll certainly find your ideal essay title easily and faster. Weave in your perspective to earn your essay unique. If you're thinking about how to compose a persuasive essay, you must know that writing an essay is a complicated procedure. Persuasive essays share a good deal of resemblance with argumentative essays. If it's a college essay, it's important to consider what aspects of it is going to be evaluated. You are a genuine expert in regards to persuasive essay topics. Possessing no notion of the persuasive essay topics, you just do not understand what to write about. It will be simpler that you compose a great persuasive essay if it's a subject in which you have knowledge. Good Persuasive Essay Topics for College Fundamentals Explained To begin with, if you're arranging a persuasive speech, you ought to think about a topic that could create mental pictures in the minds of your audience. Evidently, you shouldn't purposely select a topic that will bore your audience. The objective of brainstorming is to assist you in getting ideas. You're an actual topic enthusiast! An argumentative paper is part of the persuasion. Persuasive papers (also called argumentative essays) are possibly the most important academic projects you'll learn how to write. Every American should learn how to sp eak Spanish. Still, you need to make your topic more specific. Qualities of a great persuasive essay topic The topic needs to be specific. Take notes concerning all prospective topics you're able to consider. Selecting a great topic for your essay is among the most essential and frequently tricky parts for many students. Whatever the case, it's always a better idea to work with a topic that is very close to you and that you get a genuine interest in, rather than just picking a random topic. Therefore, you've got to locate enough substantial evidence for the specific topic. Anyway, below, it is possible to find topic that are fantastic for both scenarios. To the contrary, you might not have been extended a particular topic in any way.

Wednesday, January 1, 2020

Kill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee - 1910 Words

To Kill a Mockingbird is a novel by Harper Lee published in 1960. It was immediately successful, winning the Pulitzer Prize, and has become a classic of modern American literature. The plot and characters are loosely based on the author s observations of her family and neighbors, as well as on an event that occurred near her hometown in 1936, when she was 10 years old. The novel is renowned for its warmth and humor, despite dealing with the serious issues of rape and racial inequality. The narrator s father, Atticus Finch, has served as a moral hero for many readers and as a model of integrity for lawyers. One critic explains the novel s impact by writing, In the twentieth century, To Kill a Mockingbird is probably the most widely read book dealing with race in America, and its protagonist, Atticus Finch, the most enduring fictional image of racial heroism. As a Southern Gothic novel and a Bildungsroman, the primary themes of To Kill a Mockingbird involve racial injustice and the destruction of innocence. Scholars have noted that Lee also addresses issues of class, courage, compassion, and gender roles in the American Deep South. The book is widely taught in schools in the United States with lessons that emphasize tolerance and decry prejudice. Despite its themes, To Kill a Mockingbird has been subject to campaigns for removal from public classrooms, often challenged for its use of racial epithets. Reaction to the novel varied widely upon publication. Literary analysisShow MoreRelatedKill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee1049 Words   |  5 PagesTo Kill a Mockingbird: How a Story could be based on True Events in Everyday LifeDaisy GaskinsCoastal Pines Technical Collegeâ€Æ'Harper Lee was born in Monroeville, Alabama. Her father was a former newspaper editor and proprietor, who had served as a state senator and practiced as a lawyer in Monroeville. Also Finch was known as the maiden name of Lee’s mother. With that being said Harper Lee became a writer like her father, but she became a American writer, famous for her race relations novel â€Å"ToRead MoreTo Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee1000 Words   |  4 Pagesworld-wide recognition to the many faces of prejudice is an accomplishment of its own. Author Harper Lee has had the honor to accomplish just that through her novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, a moving and inspirational story about a young girl learning the differen ce between the good and the bad of the world. In the small town of Monroeville, Alabama, Nelle Harper Lee was born on April 28, 1926. Growing up, Harper Lee had three siblings: two sisters and an older brother. She and her siblings grew up modestlyRead MoreKill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee1290 Words   |  6 PagesHarper Lee published To Kill a Mockingbird during a rough period in American history, also known as the Civil Rights Movement. This plot dives into the social issues faced by African-Americans in the south, like Tom Robinson. Lee felt that the unfair treatment towards blacks were persistent, not coming to an end any time in the foreseeable future. This dark movement drove her to publish this novel hopeful that it would encourage the society to realize that the harsh racism must stop. Lee effectivelyRead MoreKill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee873 Words   |  4 PagesIn the book, To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee illustrates that â€Å"it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird † throughout the novel by writing innocent characters that have been harmed by evil. Tom Robinson’s persecution is a symbol for the death of a mockingbird. The hunters shooting the bird would in this case be the Maycomb County folk. Lee sets the time in the story in the early 1950s, when the Great Depression was going on and there was poverty everywhere. The mindset of people back then was that blackRead MoreKill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee963 Words   |  4 Pagesgrowing up, when older characters give advice to children or siblings.Growing up is used frequently in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Harper Lee uses the theme growing up in To Kill a Mockingbird to change characters opinion, develop characters through their world, and utilizes prejudice to reveal growing up. One major cause growing up is used in To Kill a Mockingbird is to represent a change of opinion. One part growing up was shown in is through the trial in part two of the novelRead MoreKill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee1052 Words   |  5 PagesTo Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee takes place in Maycomb County, Alabama in the late 30s early 40s , after the great depression when poverty and unemployment were widespread throughout the United States. Why is the preconception of racism, discrimination, and antagonism so highly related to some of the characters in this book? People often have a preconceived idea or are biased about one’s decision to live, dress, or talk. Throughout To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee examines the preconceptionRead MoreHarper Lee and to Kill a Mockingbird931 Words   |  4 PagesHarper Lee and her Works Harper Lee knew first hand about the life in the south in the 1930s. She was born in Monroeville, Alabama in 1926 (Castleman 2). Harper Lee was described by one of her friends as Queen of the Tomboys (Castleman 3). Scout Finch, the main character of Lees Novel, To Kill a Mockinbird, was also a tomboy. Many aspects of To Kill a Mockingbird are autobiographical (Castleman 3). Harper Lees parents were Amasa Coleman Lee and Frances Finch Lee. She was the youngestRead MoreKill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee1695 Words   |  7 PagesIn To Kill a Mockingbird Harper Lee presents as a ‘tired old town’ where the inhabitants have ‘nowhere to go’ it is set in the 1930s when prejudices and racism were at a peak. Lee uses Maycomb town to highlight prejudices, racism, poverty and social inequality. In chapter 2 Lee presents the town of Maycomb to be poverty stricken, emphasised through the characterisation of Walter Cunningham. When it is discovered he has no lunch on the first day of school, Scout tries to explain the situation to MissRead MoreKill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee1876 Words   |  8 PagesThough Harper Lee only published two novels, her accomplishments are abundant. Throughout her career Lee claimed: the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, Goodreads Choice Awards Best Fiction, and Quill Award for Audio Book. Lee was also inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Letters. This honor society is a huge accomplishment and is considered the highest recognition for artistic talent and accomplishment in the United States. Along with these accomplishments, herRead MoreKill A Mockingbird, By Harper Lee1197 Words   |  5 Pagessuch as crops, houses, and land, and money was awfully limited. These conflicts construct Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill a Mocking Bird. In To Kill a Mocking Bird, Lee establishes the concurrence of good and evil, meaning whether people are naturally good or naturally evil. Lee uses symbolism, characterization, and plot to portray the instinctive of good and evil. To Kill a Mocking Bird, a novel by Harper Lee takes place during the 1930s in the Southern United States. The protagonist, Scout Finch,