Religion has been held as a staple of humankind for much of our existence. In most if not all cultures, a belief in some form of a divine being or higher power is seen. These very beliefs have morphed into a great list of similar yet differing religions, from that of Hinduism to Judaism and even Islam. While there are many differences within these religions, there are as well an array of similarities. In attempting to uncover these similarities, one can look at such literature as the Theologia Germanica, The Brhadaranyaka Upanishad, and Divine Love: Perspectives from the World’s Religious Traditions, as each illuminates a multitude of correlations that are held between three differing beliefs.
The first of these three works is Theologia Germanica, …show more content…
While the word sin may spark an array of acts within one's mind, from that of adultery to murder, it holds a much greater meaning as it is stated within Theologia Germanica, “Sin is nought else, but that the creature turneth away from the unchangeable Good and betaketh itself to the changeable; that is to say, that it turneth away from the Perfect to “that which is in part” and imperfect, and most often to itself.”(23) This meaning that sin is the very act that impedes one's self from reaching paradise. It is the act of claiming anything good as one's own and furthermore shunning God's will. In committing sin, one is acting on selfishness and is effectively detaching from the “Eternal Will”. In exemplifying what sin is, the author of the Theologia Germanica used the story of Adam and Eve. As stated in the book, “Had he eaten seven apples, and yet never claimed anything for his own, he would not have fallen: but as soon as he called something his own,he fell, and would have fallen if he had never touched an apple.”. (24) Adam is illustrated as partaking in the true act of sin, not the disobedience of God but rather the acting on his own will instead of the “Eternal Will”. Instead of understanding and accepting that god is everything, Adam chose to disregard such understanding and act upon his own
The first of these three works is Theologia Germanica, …show more content…
While the word sin may spark an array of acts within one's mind, from that of adultery to murder, it holds a much greater meaning as it is stated within Theologia Germanica, “Sin is nought else, but that the creature turneth away from the unchangeable Good and betaketh itself to the changeable; that is to say, that it turneth away from the Perfect to “that which is in part” and imperfect, and most often to itself.”(23) This meaning that sin is the very act that impedes one's self from reaching paradise. It is the act of claiming anything good as one's own and furthermore shunning God's will. In committing sin, one is acting on selfishness and is effectively detaching from the “Eternal Will”. In exemplifying what sin is, the author of the Theologia Germanica used the story of Adam and Eve. As stated in the book, “Had he eaten seven apples, and yet never claimed anything for his own, he would not have fallen: but as soon as he called something his own,he fell, and would have fallen if he had never touched an apple.”. (24) Adam is illustrated as partaking in the true act of sin, not the disobedience of God but rather the acting on his own will instead of the “Eternal Will”. Instead of understanding and accepting that god is everything, Adam chose to disregard such understanding and act upon his own