definitions and concepts christian..pptx

It's a Christian book

1. VLSS 204 THE CHRISTIAN IN SOCIETY: THE CHURCH, WORK & STATE (2 CREDITS) Definition of concepts Lecturer: c ontact Information: CENTRAL UNIVERSITY VISION AND LIFE UNIT

2. Introduction As a major world religion, Christianity has had a profound impact on the world, and studying its role in shaping society can help us better understand the historical and cultural context in which we live. This can be particularly important for understanding issues related to the church, work, the state and the society as a whole.

3. Objectives At the end of the lecture, the student will be able to explain the following terminologies: Christian Church State/Society Work

4. Definition Who is a Christian? Wide inaccurate usage of the term A person born to church going parents, A person who identifies him/herself with the church- goes to church regularly Tries to live by the principles of the Bible. I don’t do this, I don’t do that, I do what is right, I am even better than people who go to church

5. Definition cont. The Bible teaching on a Christian: S omeone who has heard the good news of salvation which is in Christ (John 3:16); Who believes that Jesus is the Son of God; W ho repents of his/her sins; has a change of mind to never live wrong again Invites Jesus to take over his life Confesses Christ as his Saviour and Lord Baptized into the body of Christ.

6. Bible Usage of the term Christian Used in the Bible for people that are “Christlike”. Acts 11 : 26b - and the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch Acts 26 - 28  Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?” 1Peter 4:16). - 16  However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name In each instance the Greek word “ Christianos ” is used, which is defined Biblically as a follower of Christ.

7. Definition cont. The word “Christ”, which is the root of the word Christian, is defined as the Messiah or anointed One , referring to Jesus Christ The word Christian can be summed up Biblically as someone who is a follower of Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, many people who claim to be Christians do not seem to exhibit the characteristics and lifestyles which demonstrate that they follow Jesus Christ.

8. Understanding who a Christian Is Jesus’ conversation with Nichodemus Nichodemus was a leader at that time – a Pharisee John 3:1 (KJV) There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. John 3:2 (KJV) The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest , except God be with him.

9. Defining a Christian. John 3:3 (KJV) Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. John 3:4 (KJV) Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? John 3:6 (KJV) That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

10. Characteristics of a Christian . The term Christian is not just a physical relationship or activity, it is a spiritual one. A Christian is someone who is saved John 3:16 (KJV) : 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 3:5 (KJV) : Jesus answered, verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

11. Characteristics of a Christian cont. . John 1:12 (KJV) : But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

12. The Church The Concept of Church What comes in mind when you hear the word “church” ? A building/structure A place where religious people gather A group of people with religious beliefs

13. The Church cont. Weber (1963) and Troeltsch (1960) Definition a specific kind of religious organization which enforces its decisions by means of psychic coercion realized through managing religious benefits. A church has a more hierarchical and more bureaucratic organizational structure, is larger, offers a way of belonging which is generally universal and therefore exploits territorial boundaries,

14. The Church cont. Emile Durkheim (one of the founding fathers of sociology. a single moral community that adheres to a unified religious system of beliefs and practices relative to sacred things (things set apart) Durkheim (1965) - A community whose fellows are connected to each other through shared representations of the sacred and of its relationships and distinctions with the profane, and resulting in identical practices expressing these shared representations.

15. Biblical Definition of The Church Jesus was the first to talk about the Church. Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. (Matthew 16:16–18,  ESV) After the day of Pentecost - Acts 2:47 (KJV) Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

16. The Church cont. Today, the term “church” is also referred to as: the Christian religious community as a whole, or a body or organization of Christian believers. The Greek word ekklēsia , which came to mean church, was originally applied in the Classical period to an official assembly of citizen

17. The State The term society is often used interchangeably with the term nation-state, but the two do not always mean the same thing. A nation-state is a political entity centering on a government. The state binds together into a nation many ethnic groups. These ethnic groups may constitute societies in their own right.

18. The State cont. Many African nation-states, for example, contain multiple ethnic groups: (Hughes & Kroehler 2005:62). The Ghanaian nation-state comprises several Akan groups, Dagombas , a number of Ewe groups, Frafras , Gas, a variety of Guan groups, etc. Some of these groups could be classified as societies. In this course, state and society will be used interchangeably.

19. The concept society . As an individual you are not isolated, you live together with others, we interact and talk to others and develop social relationships. Thus, as human beings we live together . We live together in society. What does society mean?

20. The Concept Society cont. . Etymology of the term “Society” The term society came from the Latin word societas , which in turn was derived from the noun socius that means comrade friend, or ally. The adjectival form is socialis used to describe a bond or interaction among parties that are friendly, or at least civil. The term can refer to the entirety of humanity and society in general or society at large

21. The concept society cont. . Society can be defined as a group of people who define themselves as one; live within a clearly defined territory and share a common culture. The members cooperate to carry out the major functions of life and they perpetuate themselves primarily through reproduction. Society is also a more or less self-sufficient social unit in that it possesses all the social institutions necessary for satisfying the needs of its members.

22. The concept society cont. . Because of common culture, members of a particular society usually possess similar values, norms and common language. Society refers to the community of people living in a particular country or region who have shared customs, laws, and organizations. A society can be as small as some of the ethnic groups we have in Ghana which total several dozen people, or as large as modern nations with millions of people

23. The concept of work . According to the American Sociologist ,Arne L. Kalleberg (2022,2011) Work refers to any activity that produces a good or service for consumption or exchange, or that contributes to the maintenance or improvement of the human condition. It involves the application of physical or mental effort, skills, knowledge, and creativity, and it is embedded in social and cultural contexts that shape its meaning, organization, and distribution.

24. The concept of work . Work is a fundamental social institution that structures individuals' lives, provides them with social identity and status, and shapes their relationships with others, with nature, and with themselves .

25. The Concept of Work . In his classic work "The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism(1905) ," Weber argued that work played a central role in shaping modern Western societies. He defined work from a sociological perspective, work is not simply a means of earning a living, but it also plays a vital role in shaping individuals' identities, social relationships, and cultural practices. Work is a significant aspect of social stratification, as it affects an individual's social standing, income, and access to resources .

26. The Christian and the Concept of Work . Work is part of God's design for humanity: In the Biblical account of creation, God puts Adam and Eve in the garden to "work it and take care of it" (Genesis 2:15). This suggests that work is not a punishment, but rather a natural part of human life. Work should be done as if for God: Colossians 3:23-24 says, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward."

27. The Christian and the Concept of Work . Work is a necessary means of supporting and providing for oneself and others: In 2 Thessalonians 3:10, the Apostle Paul writes, "The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat”. Overall, Christianity sees work as an important and valuable part of human life. This suggests that Work should be done with integrity, diligence, and a sense of purpose, as an act of worship to God and a means of supporting oneself and others.

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