Theology Reflection Paper Essay Example for Free

Theology Reflection Paper Essay Introduction For my two topics I choose The Nature of God and Sin Nature (the nature of man). The two topics are obviously complete opposites but as a child most of what I knew about God came from the sinful nature of family that I looked up to and later how I learned to recognize and pray for my current sinful nature was from learning the actual Nature of God. In this paper I will explain how the two topics connected with my life and how this study has help me understand both topics even more. Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to those that by nature are not gods. But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God (Galatians 4:8). The Nature of God The Nature of God is truly understood with the Holy Spirit and the study of God’s Word. Supremacy, Omniscience, Omnipotence, Omnipresence are just a few words that describe the Nature of God. To truly know God is to fear him and be in awe of him. To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen (1Timothy 1:17). I was raised in a Gypsy culture which led to many terrible understandings in the outside world. One huge misunderstanding is that I had of the nature of God. As a gypsy child we would listen to many stories from â€Å"successful†Ã‚  elders in hopes of learning some great secret to help us. Many of these stories involved superstitions and the justification of doing bad things to get a head. One story that helped justify such acts was that as Jesus Christ was being crucified a gypsy boy stole one of the nails intended to be used to nail Jesus to the cross. We were told because of this Jesus forgives us for like sins that we commit to live our life in the gypsy culture. This story and mentality really affected the view I had of the Nature of God and the life I should live. The Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you (John 14:26). It is pretty clear to me now that the understanding we all had back then was not due to the Holy Spirit. After being adopted by a Baptist preacher and actually being saved I started my journey to understand the Nature of God. The current understanding I have of the Nature of God has taken 15 years to create. Every day God reveals his nature to me with current issues, reviewing my past and with studying God’s Word. Sin Nature The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants (Galatians 5:17). Sin Nature is something mankind cannot combat without the Spirit. For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out (Romans 7:18). Sinful Nature has been passed down all the way back to Adam. But one’s personal Sin Nature can find its roots much closer to present time. I have found that I share most of my sinful struggles with my father, Tommy. Tommy, has been married over 12 times is an alcoholic and addicted to drugs and violence. But all of these sinful destructive traits are easy to avoid for a son that has a clear picture of what happens to a man with such habits. But the issue that wasn’t as known is Tommy’s addiction to porn. My journey with porn started at an early age and is rooted deep within me. This sin nature has defeated over 20 relationships with distorted visions of sex. I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do (Romans 7:15). As my father before me I could fall into the same traps of multiple marriages and violence, but because of the knowledge I have of God’s Nature and the Holy Spirit inside of me I can combat said sin with knowledge. Those who  live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires (Romans 8:5). Conclusion In the 11th chapter of Core Christianity, Elmer Towns says â€Å"Whenever Christianity touches a culture in a significant way; there is always a change in a positive way.† Being raised in one culture that was not truly touched by Christianity and then adopted into a completely different culture that was truly touched by Christ I have personally felt and seen the positive effects Christianity has when it touches a life or culture. In chapter 5 of Core Christianity, Elmer Towns speaks to One Door—Two Sides. In most of his book but especially in this section E. Towns, highlights my now Reformed Perspective God has revealed to me. I now have a better understanding of The Nature of God and how truly blessed I am, The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him {Psalm 28:7)