richard reflection paper 2
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Uploaded by ChiefSardinePerson165
Richard Dayanayev
11/22/23
“The Mystery of God” by Bishop Barron
“Bishop Barron on Original Sin” by Bishop Barron
“The Mystery of God” by bishop Barron
The mystery of God is one very broad topic that everyone has a different viewpoint on.
The video is a talk by bishop Barron trying to explain the idea of God in the Christian way of
thinking.
He goes on to say that the true God is not a competitive being and explores the concept
that God is not merely one being among many but is the source of finite existence itself. The
Incarnation is highlighted as a key aspect, illustrating that God becomes human without
compromising the integrity of either divinity or humanity. The speaker critiques atheistic
perspectives that view God as a projection of human ideals, asserting that the true God allows the
world to exist without being in competition with creation.
There are many theological ideas presented in the video. One being that god is not
competitive. The text asserts that the true God is not in competition with creation, challenging
the idea of God as a being among many. The Incarnation is presented as evidence that God can
become a creature without undermining the integrity of creation. Another key concept was the
uniqueness of the Christian doctrine of the Incarnation, where God becomes human without
ceasing to be God. This challenges the idea of God as a distant or threatening force and
highlights a God who intimately engages with humanity. Bishop Barron also highlights the
atheistic viewpoint. He critiques atheistic views that depict God as a projection of human ideals,
arguing that the true God does not limit human flourishing but is the very ground for it. The
relationship between God and humanity is presented as non-competitive and mutually enriching.
My reaction to the video was that the theological views expressed in the video offer a
compelling perspective on the nature of God, challenging common misconceptions and
emphasizing the non-competitive, non-intrusive relationship between God and creation. The
focus on the Incarnation as a symbol of God's engagement with humanity is particularly
noteworthy. It highlights a God who enhances human existence rather than diminishing it,
aligning with a theological perspective that promotes the flourishing of both divine and human
elements. The critique of atheistic views adds depth to the argument, asserting that the true God
does not hinder human progress but, instead, facilitates it. Overall, the theological views
presented in the text provide a thought-provoking perspective on the nature of God and the
relationship between divinity and humanity.
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“Bishop Barron on Original Sin” by Bishop Barron
In this video, Bishop Barron compares the beginning of Lent to spiritual spring training.
Drawing an analogy from sports, he emphasizes the importance of revisiting fundamentals. The
focus is on the biblical story of the creation of human beings and their fall from grace. The
speaker highlights key theological points, such as humans being made from the clay of the earth
and infused with the breath of divine life. The Garden of Eden is presented as a place where God
permits human flourishing, and the prohibition to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and
evil is discussed as the fundamental human error of arrogating to themselves the prerogative of
determining good and evil.
One key theological point that was brought up is that humans are made from the clay of
the earth, emphasizing the goodness of physicality, and rejecting dualistic views that see the
body as a problem. This shows that the body or the physical is not all sin. The body is a vessel
that holds the soul. They both rely on the other to accomplish good deeds in the world. Another
idea that is seen in the video is the idea that God has breathed the breath of life into humans
highlighting the aspiration towards God and the divine within human beings. This idea shows
that every human has a piece of God inside of them. This makes every person more divine. God's
Desire for Human Flourishing is another idea we can see talked about through the Garden of
Eden. It is portrayed as a place where God desires human flourishing, allowing freedom and
enjoyment of all that makes life wonderful. Bishop Barron also talks about The original Sin and
emphasis is placed on the sin of arrogating to ourselves the prerogative of determining good and
evil, with a critique of secularism reducing life to mere matter.
The theological views expressed resonate with a positive understanding of the embodied
nature of humanity, the divine aspiration within humans, and God's desire for flourishing. The
critique of secularism and the discussion of original sin provide depth to the reflection,
connecting theological concepts to contemporary issues. Bishop Barron’s emphasis on the
fundamentals and the Lenten season as a time for self-reflection aligns with the idea of spiritual
growth through a return to foundational principles. The analogies drawn from sports and the
practical application of theological concepts make the reflection accessible and relatable.
Overall, the theological views presented offer a rich perspective on human nature, sin, and the
divine, encouraging a deeper Lenten introspection.