Native American Movement

To most experts, the 1950’s was a defining period for the Americans; one which saw the emergence of the United States as a global superpower, whose clout and influence extended to the far reaches of the globe. America’s glorious victory in World War II has paved the way for a leadership role that the United States took to with effortless skill. This newfound sense of economic and political power changed the lay of America’s land. While World War II ended successfully for the United States, its end meant the beginning of a new struggle for the Americans, or to be more accurate, the continuation of a struggle that started when the Pioneers first settled in America. The Native Americans, as first settlers of the United States before it was called as such, have always been reluctant to welcome the Pioneers. This has led to several violent battles, but eventually to an uneasy compromise. This tenuous peace was threatened once again after the war, as renewed prosperity encouraged the United States government to attempt the re-assimilation of the Native Americans into mainstream society. This brought about an upheaval among Native Americans as they considered this move a threat to their culture and way of living which they have furiously fought for. Most of the uprooted Native Americans were unable to adapt to urban life, and ended up worse than where they started. Clearly while the United State government meant well, the move to urbanize Native Americans failed miserably. The 1960’s brought with it a legacy of â€Å"assimilation and cultural legitimization† (Benham, 2002, 3), and it left on its heels a nation of Native Americans who are more aware of their rights and became more assertive in pushing for those rights. The 1960’s saw the Native American Movement taking off led by a new generation of well-educated leaders fighting to restore Native Americans lands that have been taken away from them. All across the United States, these Native American leaders disputed violations and successfully negotiated for expanded rights for the American Indians. This movement culminated in the establishment of the American Indian Movement (AIM) in 1968 which was founded with the initial purpose of placing state-mandated subsidies in the hands of locally-controlled American Indian organizations, and then channel these funds to Native Indians who needed them the most. However, in the 1970’s the American Indian Movement evolved into a secessionist group which aggressively promoted â€Å"self-governance and return to tribal ways† (Patterson et al, 2005, 77) This fervor spread like wildfire across the United States. American Indians took their cause to the streets, to the courts, to the media, and to all other possible venues where they can express their indignation and press for their rights. In an effort to recover ancestral land, they sued the states that have forcibly taken American Indian territories. They have also been able to protect their land against development. Needless to say, all of these militant protests paid off, with the government granting them concessions. In the 1970’s, there was a succession of legislation passed ensuring better treatment for the Native Americans. In 1972, the Indian Education Act gave Native American greater options over the schools that they can choose to send their children. In 1976, the Indian Health Care Act was passed to provide better health care for American Indians. In 1978, in acknowledgement of Native Indian ways, the Indian Child Welfare Act was enacted which gave Indian tribes the authority to deliberate and decide custody issues involving Indian children. (Mintz, 2007) Indeed the late 1960s and early 1970s was a period of political enlightenment and activism, not just among Native Americans, but among disenfranchised groups such as the African Americans and women’s rights groups. In the case of the Native Americans, the activism was spurred by poverty and lack of support from the government. By the 1960s, while most of the United States was experiencing prosperity, American Indians have remained among the poorest of the country’s minority groups, and the government has remained largely indifferent to their plight. This resurgence in Native American Nationalism resulted in armed confrontations and death, but it managed to bring desired results as well. Sometimes it does take militant action to compel a government to pay attention and take action. Other Americans, who did not know any better, became more aware of Native Americans and their plights, and some became active supporters to their cause. Elected officials such as senators and congressmen were compelled to support legislation that protected the rights of the American Indians and ensured their equal protection. Indeed it might be said that the Native American movement was a movement that has been a long time in the making. But when it did take place, it did so at the best possible time. The movement came at a time when Americans were becoming aware of the rights of others, and thus American society was only too willing to heed the call of a people who have been in the land long before anyone else did. References: Benham, K.P. (2002). The Renaissance of American Indian Higher Education: Capturing the Dream. Edited by Wayne J. Stein. NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. P. 3. Mintz, S. (2007). America in Ferment: The Tumultuous 1960s. The Native American Power Movement. Digital History. Retrieved October 10, 2007 from http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/database/article_display.cfm?HHID=387 Patterson, J. T., et al. (2005). The Oxford history of the United States. Oxford University Press. p. 77.   

Legal Process Essay

The scenario for this paper states that John is an employee in a private sector organization and he wants to file a discrimination complaint against his employer. The purpose of this paper is to analyze and explain in detail what the legal process is for filing such complaint. The paper will also explain the part that the courts play in these types of complaints. Every case is different so the paper will explain how these laws potentially apply to John. John has decided to file a discrimination complaint against his employer. However, John is not sure how or what needs to be done in order to do this so he must first do some research. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) was created to protect employees like John from discrimination violations. The laws against discrimination at work include race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, and disability (Bennett &Anderson, 2007). All these laws are enforced by the EEOC. The law states that if a person believes that they are a victim of discrimination they must first file a complaint through the EEOC before filing a lawsuit against the employer (EEOC, 2013). John has several ways that he can initiate the process of filing his complaint he can choose to file in person at a nearest location or he can file through mail. He will need to disclose some information in writing like his name, phone number, employer’s name, address, and a brief but detailed summary of the violation/s with dates and locations. All these things are very important because the EEOC can determine whether or not an investigation is needed. According to the EEOC John has 180 days to file a complaint but if in his state there are any laws against discrimination it can extended to 300 days to file a complaint. Also it is important to know that in some cases there are state and local laws that prohibit discrimination in the work place so the EEOC will automatically file the charge with the Fair Employment Practices Agencies (FEPA) which protect the victim under both federal and state law (EEOC, 2013). Now that John is ready to file his complaint with the EEOC he know just needs to wait for them to handle the charge. The EEOC must notify the employer within 10 days of receiving the complaint. Depending on the case that John may have the EEOC may offer that both parties participate in mediation as a way to resolve the issue. However if the case is more severe and or if this doesn’t resolve the issue the case will be given to an investigator for the case to be looked into with more detailed (EEOC, 2013). The EEOC will establish the priority level of the claim and if any laws have been broken. Of course at any point during the process a settlement may be pursued; however if it is not workable, the investigation will carry on and once the investigation is complete the EEOC will make a decision on the case. If the investigation determines that there was no breach of the law the discrimination charges will be dismissed. Notification is then provided to John as a right to sue and he may then file a lawsuit against his employer. In some cases there may not be an investigation because the EEOC finds that John has very little evidence and that there really was no discrimination violation they may choose to close the complaint. If that is the case John would also be notified by mail and he has the option of filing a civil lawsuit against his employer. Once John decides to proceed with the civil lawsuit the courts would now get involve. At this point it would be a good idea for John to hire an attorney who specializes in employment law. In this type of lawsuit the employer can request to have a jury present, if that is the case the jury would listen to both sides of the story, their evidence and their witnesses. A judge will make the final decision in instances such as this. If however, the losing side feels the verdict is unjust they are still able to request an appeal of the verdict. The Appeals Court renders the final judgment except in cases in which a petition is filed with the US Supreme Court. Discrimination has become difficult to distinguish in the global workplace, for the protection of the employee and the employer; businesses must be mindful of relevant state and federal employment laws and the procedure for tackling discrimination. Companies must communicate the â€Å"no tolerance policy† for discrimination to all employees because employee rights are esteemed. Discriminatory acts can be found in varied workplace environments, the employment hiring process, the office setting, and even during the termination of an employee. When a discrimination suit is filed against an employer, the process can be long and extensive. These discrimination laws have been made available to employees to use when individuals believe that a violation of employee rights has occurred in the workplace.

How the Ritz Carlton is a successful company Essay

This work attempts to answer what management objectives and goals help enable the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company achieve a high level of overall success despite having to operate hotels in diverse locations across the globe. Two management objectives will be analyzed to include the establishment of company Gold Standards and the objective to enhance company online systems. The Ritz-Carlton hotel company has been and continues to be, one of the most successful hotel chains globally, since according to the company website, it has â€Å"received all the major awards the hospitality industry and leading consumer organizations can bestow† (â€Å"Awards,† 2013). The Ritz-Carlton company has also earned the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award issued from the U. S. Department of Commerce twice (â€Å"Awards,† 2013). Along with achieving these awards, Ritz-Carlton has grown from managing a single hotel in Boston to managing over 81 hotels worldwide with plans for further expansion (â€Å"Fact Sheet,† 2013). Clearly, Ritz-Carlton is doing something right to have achieved so many high honors for its hotel service. One reason Ritz-Carlton has achieved world renowned success is because of its established â€Å"Gold Standards† which encompass senior management’s vision and goals (â€Å"Gold Standards,† 2013). The Ritz-Carlton Gold Standards essentially outline what the company expects all employees to keep in mind as they service their customers. There are multiple portions to the Gold Standards including the Credo, Motto, Twelve Service Values, and the Three Steps of Service (â€Å"Gold Standards,† 2013). All together, the Gold Standards reinforce the Ritz-Carlton motto, â€Å"We are Ladies and Gentlemen serving Ladies and Gentlemen† (â€Å"Gold Standards,† 2013). As part of the hiring process, each new recruit for Ritz-Carlton is introduced to the Gold Standards and is given a printed copy (â€Å"Delighted,† 2004). Seven of the twelve Gold Standard Service Values deal with employee interaction with guests (â€Å"Gold Standards,† 2013). For example, Gold Standard service value number six establishes the goal to â€Å"own and immediately resolve guest problems† (â€Å"Gold Standards,† 2013). Regardless of the culture of the guest population, guests would certainly enjoy rapid versus slow problem resolution. Service value number two speaks to being responsive to the needs of all guests (â€Å"Gold Standards,† 2013). Whatever the needs of a guest, regardless of the guests’ cultural background, being responsive to that need and being accommodating can really give a favorable impression to Ritz-Carlton guests. It is easy to see why positive guest interaction is so vital in the hotel industry since the very first contact with a company’s employee will undoubtedly create an impression of the entire company, whether deserved or not (â€Å"Delighted,† 2004). The senior management objectives outlined in their Gold Standards help explain why Ritz-Carlton is able to be successful in all countries. Another goal established by Ritz-Carlton contributing to its global success was the goal to upgrade its technology systems in 2005 (Durett, 2006). For instance, Ritz-Carlton introduced the system â€Å"myHR† which serves as a 24 hour system to enable employees to access important HR related information and to enable all employee management to be done electronically at any time of the day (Durett, 2006). The myHR system also enables employee training to be accomplished at any time of the day in any time zone (Durett, 2006). This would greatly enhance employee morale by making it easy to train oneself and strive for promotion which in turn enhances overall customer service. Another online system recently developed by Ritz-Carlton is the â€Å"Mystique† online system (Durett, 2006). Guests can volunteer any and all information to help make their visits to Ritz-Carlton hotels more comfortable, such as preferences to rooms without feathers if a guest was allergic to feathers as an example (Durett, 2006). With this information, regardless of which Ritz-Carlton hotel in the world a guest stays at, his or her preferences would be saved in the system (Durett, 2006). This is an obvious advantage for a global company where guest needs and desires can vary greatly in different parts of the world. In conclusion, Ritz-Carlton has achieved monumental success in the hotel industry by emphasizing the best possible customer service through the formal establishment of its Gold Standards and through technological innovations to enhance employee morale and customer service. Ritz-Carlton has always been a company that will do everything it can to please its customers regardless of location throughout the world. For example, at the Ritz-Carlton in Istanbul, Turkey, several Arabic accommodations can be made with advance request to include prayer carpets, copies of the Koran in the room, etc. (â€Å"Ritz-Carlton,† 2013). Other hotel companies would greatly benefit from studying how the Ritz-Carlton conducts its business. References Awards. (2013). Retrieved from http://corporate. ritzcarlton. com/en/About/Awards. htm. Delighted, returning customers: Service the Ritz-Carlton Way. (2004). Strategic Direction, 20(11), 7-9. Retrieved from http://search. proquest. com/docview/218608871? accountid=8289 Durett, J. (2006). Plug in and perform: Technology opens the door to success at Ritz-Carlton. Training, 43(3), 30-32,34. Retrieved from http://search. proquest. com/docview/203404192? accountid=8289 Fact Sheet. (2013). Retrieved from http://corporate. ritzcarlton. com/en/Press/FactSheet. htm. Gold Standards. (2013). Retrieved from http://corporate. ritzcarlton. com/en/About/GoldStandards. htm. Ritz-carlton renowned for unrivalled Arabic hospitality (2013). Manama: Al Bawaba (Middle East) Ltd. Retrieved from http://search. proquest. com/docview/1357408850? accountid=8289

The Current and Futuristic Position of Etisalat Assignment

The Current and Futuristic Position of Etisalat - Assignment Example Furthermore, the report looks into the factors that limit the company’s efficiency and effectiveness on a global and national front. According to research carried out, it is notable that entering a foreign market can pose unique sets of problems that a company had not previously in the country of origin (Womack and Jones, p. 12). Emirates Telecommunications Corporation, which operates under the brand name Etisalat is a service provider in the telecommunication sector. The company is incorporated in the UAE and is operational in at least eighteen nations especially in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. Mobile Network Code (MNC), a global regulator of the telecommunication industry asserts that, at present, Etisalat is ranked as the fifth biggest operator in the mobile telecommunication sector, having a massive consumer base of close to one hundred and twenty million people globally. MNC, which offers a list of mobile national codes under ISO 3166-1 country codes, asserts that Etisalat is a key player in the global telecommunication sector, having been founded in the year 1976. As at February 2011, Etisalat gives an account of a net income of AED 31.9 billion ($8.4 billion), with profit margins reaching AED 7.63 billion or $ 2.07 billion. The company is a joint-stock corporation held by local affiliates and int ernationally reputed companies such as International Aeradio Limited and another company based in Britain. The ownership structure of the company shifted significantly in 1983 when the government of the United Arab Emirates acquired up to 60% of the company’s shares, before trading the remaining 40% in the public market.

Sociology Research methods Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Sociology Research methods - Essay Example According to Article 26 of the ICCPR, all persons are entitled to equal protection under the law with regards to rights in general, whether or not they are set out in the Covenant on the grounds described in that provision†. A workplace consisting of more than at least 3000 employees provide a wider spectrum of people for survey and research. The technological developments during the past decade in information technology, innovative software applications, inventions in computer hardware and advanced networking technology gave rise to the growth of BPO, software companies and investments and trading in international level necessitated movement of talents from place to place, and in this backdrop the current study has become important. The Research Questions The survey is designed to collect data from the participants for a study with reference to the following pertinent research questions in relation to the research. Whether the cultural interaction in the confluence of various ethnic groups in a country could be construed as strength instead of weakness by the society? Can unity in diversity be achieved? Hypothesis The analysis of the survey results would be useful in evaluating the hypothesis or the problems involved in the integration or racial issues in the society and the key hypothesis is: When the world is moving toward liberalization, and the countries pursue a policy of globalization, rich and diversified cultural background of the country would lead to economic growth and peaceful co-existence on account of international implications in the growing fields of telecommunications, social networks, internet and media due to its hold on international communities. Sampling Identification of target population and sampling frame needs to be done carefully. Simple random sampling method is proposed to be employed with probability sampling scheme to ensure that every group in the population has been covered, as it would be appropriate and representative of the population. The scope and organization of Survey Saris & Gallhofer (2007, p.4) state â€Å"Survey research is often used for descriptive research. †¦ studies can also be done to determine the reasons †¦ such research is called explanatory research†. The important aspects involved in the process of research include sample size, source of data, experience and communication skills of the data collector depend on the type of research. The active support of the management of the organization where the survey is planned to be conducted and hence preliminary discussions and continuous interaction throughout the survey process with them is essential. Inadequacies in resources and facilities would affect the quality of research and vitiate the results. For the survey under consideration, the important variable is ‘discrimination’ on account of racism. Vogt (2005, p. 377) states that a variable is â€Å"loosely, anything studied by a researcher†. Ther e are other independent variables or factors such as age, gender, income level and country of origin which are relevant for the study and properly considered. These variable factors could be broadly categorized under Cultural differences, perceived competition, loss of national identity, threat to traditional values and its impact on younger generations caused may be due to unknown fear for lending

Competitive Advantage Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Competitive Advantage - Case Study Example In such a scenario the firm will be able to sustain its competitive advantage. This becomes a great advantage to the company since it enjoys a long - term advantage free from imitations. No matter the magnitude of competition a good sustainable competitive advantage prevails. (Collis and Hussey, 2003) 1) The market positions - Under this we have the company's structural assets, financial, reputation assets, and lastly technological assets. All these assets can greatly determine the performance of a given company. followed. These guidelines help in the development of the firm and highly determine the competitive advantage of the firm compared to other firms. If a company takes the right path of the development track then it is likely to have a sustainable competitive advantage over the other companies and vice versa. Rolls Royce has various sources of competitive advantage some of which are similar to those practiced by Tesco while others are different. The company has introduced a reliable business approach that has assured consistency and wealthy business. (Gilbert, 1999) The company is applying merging and acquisition as a strategy for example the acquisitions of Cooper Energy Services, Allison Engine Company Vickers among others have helped the firm in creating new business opportunities for its marine, civil energy and defence industries. This has also widened its range of products thus creating new markets for the products. The company has a management team that takes care of all the customers requirements, attends to them and ensures that all customers are satisfied. All the company's planned goals are well delivered on the line of recruitment, the company has filled the senior management positions with new human force thus injecting fresh ideas in the company, two third of these senior management team are selected from within the company, they therefore know how the company runs while a third are recruited outside the company who bring new notions and suggestions on improving the company's business activities. (Gilbert, 1999) The company has got strategy of increasing the sales volume. New and modern engines have been delivered with boosted ripeness in the bass of installation. Overhaul and repair activities have also received a tremendous growth following the company's increased technological levels attached to the production of quality products. The company has realized increased assortments on its services. This had made its customer base to increase a thing that gives it competitive advantage over the other firms. Investing in new civil engines and the capability of powering a broader range of aircrafts has given it some competitive advan

Google Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Google - Essay Example In this key segment of its business operations, Google garners nearly 60% of the market share. Its closest competitor Yahoo can only manage a 28% share of the market. At a distant third is MSN, with 6%. Google’s domination of the search engine market is comprehensive. So much so that â€Å"google† finds entry in the latest edition of Oxford dictionary. It is used in contemporary English as both a noun and a verb (Tischler, p.52). Google Inc.’s revenues have risen from half a million dollars in 2002 to more than 10 million dollars in 2006. During the same period, the net income rose from 99,656 dollars to 1,002,162 dollars, a whopping 90% increase. This growth outclasses its competitors in volume as well as proportion. The internet search engine industry is expected to scale $13 billion mark by 2010, which places Google is in a good position industry-wise. Nevertheless it has to confront new competition from InterActiveCorp, which, by virtue of acquiring Ask Jeeves Inc. recently, had transformed into a formidable player and in the industry (www.marketresearch.com). Google’s competitive advantage also lies in its simple, uncluttered and intuitive user interface. The home page offers only a few essential services to its users. In comparison, Yahoo’s homepage is a collage of 60 services competing for the attention of the user. The MSN’s homepage is not too dissimilar to that of Yahoo’s. However, attributing Google’s leadership to its interface alone would be unjust. After all, every search deals with a database of astronomical number of web pages, to pick and order the results on the basis of relevance. To be able to do this in a fraction of a second and with no errors requires a sophisticated coordination across different technologies. And no business enterprise has mastered this art better than Google. Its Adsense program is a classic example of

Development of Points Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Development of Points - Essay Example Based on the above description, the paper intends to discuss the educational setting of a school as well as the role of Principal in maintaining the effectiveness of the school. Moreover, the discussion will be focused on comprehending the critical perspectives and links with leadership of the educational setting based on an understanding of the role played by teachers, other staff members along with the involvement of parents as well as the community. Situational Analysis of Education Setting- Development of Points The considered situation in educational setting of a school can be described based on the critical issues that have been illuminated. The issue stated in educational setting illustrates that with the inadequacy of Principal, who is the official head of a school, effective functioning of a school has been hampered as the activities performed by the Principal have let down the work process of school. This has resulted in creating enormous effects on maintaining different ac tivities performed by teachers, staffs as well as other non-teaching staffs in school premises. The Principal was appointed in the school for maintaining the quality functions in the school premises. However, after a certain point of time, the activities performed by the Principal became a bane for the entire administration as it disappointed all the teachers, students, parents and other staffs simultaneously (New England Complex Systems Institute, 2013). The effects entailed significant malfunctioning of the curriculum in school. In this context, it can be stated that the staff members, teachers and students demanded for changing the Principal in order to maintain the proper functioning of activities of schools along with... From the above observations, it can be comprehended that education is very much important in the modern day context. The system of education comprises classroom, layout of the school as well as various curriculum organised by the administration of the school. It can also be stated that leadership in education plays a significant role in maintaining the effective functioning of schools along with providing quality education to students. The leadership qualities in educational sector are utilised in order to attract talented teachers and make formulation of programs in education. This report makes a conclusion that through the assessment of an educational setting it has been recognised that the Principal plays a crucial role in directing the activities of the school in the right path. However, certain misdemeanour of the Principal can hamper the entire collaborative activates of the school. Therefore, such critical scenarios need to be tactfully addressed by the new Principal through the incorporation of collaboration, cooperation and teamwork amid every member in the school authority. The Principal needs to take the responsibility of the activities performed in school and provide quality education to students through effective teaching and learning process. Moreover, with authentic education it is possible to develop the system of education along with maintaining innovative teaching dimensions helping in sustaining in the environment. Effective participation and collaboration from every member would enhance the morale of the staffs as well as students and wo uld help in building greater cooperation for maintaining sustainable development of the school.

Fine Arts Lesson 2 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words

Fine Arts Lesson 2 - Essay Example This is because meaning to symbols has to be given otherwise the other person would not be able to understand the context of the message. In the above pictogram, the reader would have the context of the English language in mind so he would not have to depend on any key. Pictograms in today’s world are used as symbols and icons. They are employed in sign language, as icons in our computers and also as road signs. The use of pictogram in such areas goes away with the need for words that would occupy more space and would require more time to read. In case of road signs such as U-turn and Danger signs, the viewer reads these signs quickly and thus response is fast. Part 2: Art as a Window into Culture The Seated Gudea is a sculpture of Mesopotamian King Gudea of Lagash, belonging to the Neo-Sumerian period. The sculpture was commissioned by the King himself but the sculptor is unknown. In this sculpture, the king is depicted as a pious person who remains seated with hands clasped in a prayer-like position. Inscriptions are seen on the robe of the King, telling the story of the King who built the temple. The Akkadian relief sculpture of King Naram-Sin of Akkad depicts the victory of King Naram-Sin over the Lullubi. This relief sculpture was probably intended to become a monument. Both the sculptures are praise to their Kings. In the ancient times, the Kings used art to express their greatness. However, the subject of both the paintings is different in a manner of their emotions. King Gudea is shown as a humble person whose contribution to his people is the building of the temple. Gudea is depicted in this sculpture as a humble and peaceful person. In the case of King Naram-Sin of Akkad, the King is the opposite of humble as he basks in the light of his victory over the Lullubi. The King here is proud of his accomplishments and believes in his own might. This shows how the cultures differed as Gudea had strong religious beliefs while King Naram-Sin was sure of his own capabilities. 3. Reflection Assignment: The Evolution of Pyramid Design Pyramids were built in Ancient Egypt primarily for the purpose of serving as tombs for the Pharaohs, their queens and their entire ruling family. However, these Pyramids represent the architectural geniuses of the people who built these structures. Pyramids are great collectors of energy. Another seemingly interesting fact about the shape of the pyramids is the method of decomposition that occurs to the bodies inside the tomb. Rather than stinking or smelling, these pyramid structures lead to the mummification of the body. The Pyramids of Giza are the most functional and elaborate of the Pyramid Design. The Pyramids of Khufu and Cheops in Giza are built based on the Earth’s basic geophysical data linked with the Pyramid’s dimensions. Also being the largest pyramid, The Pyramid of Khufu also acts as radar. Thus these Pyramids not just serve the purpose of being tombs but in the greater cont ext are architectural relics. 4. Writing Assignment: Lasting Monuments One monument that I believe would be a lasting monument in this age would be the Sydney Opera House located in Sydney, Australia. There are two reasons behind this choice. The first is apparently the architectural beauty of the building. The building has become an icon for Sydney in the same way that people remember India by its Taj Mahal,

A New Realism-Crafting a US Foreign Policy for a New Century Essay Example for Free

A New Realism-Crafting a US Foreign Policy for a New Century Essay The political turmoil that the United States had yet to face in the 21st century was manifested in one brutal fell swoop on September 11, 2001, when thousands of innocent Americans were slaughtered on their native soil at the hands of vicious and brutal foreign operatives whose goal was to strike terror into the heart of the United States. Moreover, a clear message was sent- the rules of the international game of power were changed forever. Threats, it was clearly seen on that horrible day, could just as easily come from a group of motivated individuals as it could from an organized and recognized international government. With this in mind, foreign policy that heeds the changes in the international political landscape is a matter of life or death for not only the US, but every other nation on the face of the earth as well. In this research, a discussion of the construction of US foreign policy in the midst of sweeping changes in international affairs will be discussed from many points of view in an effort to ultimately better understand not only what has happened to effect change, but also what must occur for a brighter tomorrow to result. Jihad and International Politics As this research began, the point was made that 9/11 served as an abrupt wakeup call to not only America, but the entire world that there were forces afoot that could, seemingly at will, bring even the most powerful of nations to their collective knees through the use of terrorist actions that could be inflicted by a dozen people as bad as any army could possibly inflict. For all of this harsh reality, however, there is another stark reality in the years after 9/11- there has not been a sufficient level of improvement in the coordination of international intelligence levels and the law enforcement needed to effectively battle terrorism on a unified front (Richardson, 2007). Moreover, almost no effort has been made to understand why Jihadism exists, even though radical groups such as Al Qaeda have been shown to be making efforts to acquire nuclear weapons. With all of this happening, the obvious assumption would be that the US, as a superpower, would certainly lead the charge and do everything possible to understand the nature of the new enemy, what the enemy can inflict, and prevent access to nuclear materials that terrorist groups need in order to fabricate weapons of mass destruction. However, the reality is, from a President who has seemingly waged war against an innocent state in Iraq to intelligence organizations that have leaks of classified information on a regular basis, the US is setting a poor example in terms of antiterrorism. Illegal Weapons-Foreign and Domestic It has been said that guns do not kill people, but people do kill other people. In a world where thousands of people can be slaughtered without so much as a single shot fired, one still needs to realize that the traffic in illegal weapons- both in the US and globally, poses a national and international threat (Richardson, 2007). Weapons are readily available in towns large and small, for very little money. Legislation aimed at gun control does very little to prevent the problem to any measurable extent, and lawmakers are hard pressed for valid solutions to the dilemma in the US (Richardson, 2007). Of course, on an international scale, terrorists and other fringe groups are stockpiling huge amounts of weapons that are ready to be used at any time to inflict death without restriction. Beyond the issue of guns, the use of nuclear materials for the construction of weapons is a huge problem given the efforts of nations such as India, Pakistan and others now having the capability of manufacturing nuclear material and very little regulation in terms of how and where that material would in fact be distributed and used. The US has in fact been quite lacking in the securing of nuclear materials, and the required bans on the testing of nuclear weapons by other nations are either not in place or are not enforced adequately in the cases where they do exist (Richardson, 2007). This is yet another problem for the US to contend with- something bust be done to hold back the nuclear tidal wave before it is too late for everyone. Asia Rising Beginning with the recovery from the death and destruction of World War II, up to and through the Vietnam War and beyond, the nations of Asia have quite literally gone from hell and back many times. Rather than grinding those nations into a helpless submission, these challenges have seemingly motivated the billions of people of Asia to a new level of economic, military and educational ambition. In generations past, the goods of Asia were merely dismissed as useless and tawdry trinkets. However, with the increase in the level of education, implementation of technology, and old fashioned determination of Asians, the other nations of the world have been left with little choice but to take seriously the multi-faceted threats that Asia poses to the US and others (Richardson, 2007). To begin, one must come to terms with the highly dangerous economic threat of Asia; because of the huge influx of capital from American and European firms foremost, the business and industry of Asia has grown extremely strong. The resulting profits from these operations have given Asia the monetary muscle to conversely invest in businesses, real estate and industry, ironically enough, in the US and Europe. Therefore, what is seen in this instance is the full circle fulfillment of a sad destiny- Asia is slowly owning ever-increasing pieces of the rest of the world- a world that not too long ago dismissed Asia as a laughable excuse for a continent. Economic gains for Asia have likewise enabled the nations of Asia to be able to flex a bit of economic and military muscle. Take, for instance, China, a long-time Communist stronghold and now a stockpile for cash and weapons. In this case, the classic idea of â€Å"guns and butter† is seen in horrific reality. China not only holds a huge amount of the debt of the US and other nations, but also has been very likely putting together a massive army, complete with the latest weapons, including those of the nuclear variety. This, combined with the fact that China holds a radically different political mindset than many of the other nations of the world, makes for a potentially explosive situation. If, in fact, China chooses to recall the foreign debts that it holds, decides to invade other nations, or pose a more serious and tangible nuclear threat, there will be epic problems with which to contend, which brings back the recurrent theme of the US foreign policy in such situations. How can the US develop a realistic and effective foreign policy when dealing with a giant continent like Asia, populated with radical nations like China? Surely, a match of aggression with additional aggression is far from acceptable. Therefore, the challenge that lies ahead for the US is to maintain a strong position in the world and still avoid additional conflict. Russia Reborn A deadly myth exists in the world today- that which holds that Russia is all but dead and buried in the political landscape. In reality, Russia is coming back to life in a political and economic sense. While, admittedly, the economy of Russia has never been as economically viable as it could be in a freer economy, the military muscle which Russia is currently in the midst of rebuilding can once again pose a massive threat to the US. This, combined with the other enemies in the present day, can spell disaster. What Russia means for US foreign policy going forward is significant- if the US makes the fatal mistake of discounting the possibility of Russian aggression becoming a lethal situation, yet another bit of fuel will have been thrown on the political fire that has the potential to consume the US from abroad. Economic Imbalances Poverty is one of the evils which has been cited as a key culprit in the proliferation of global terror, bloodshed, and dispute (Richardson, 2007). Classically, the view of the human condition has always been that people who are hungry, sick, and lack the basic necessities of life are typically much more hostile and harder to negotiate with than one would find in the person of those who had a suitable standard of living. Another possibility is that nations which hate the US may hate in large part because of the resentment for the excesses which exist in the US and the apparent overindulgence of Americans in all forms of enjoyments and material goods. Meanwhile, religious extremists in the Middle East and elsewhere are watching the people of the US in the midst of excessive revelry and have come to the conclusion that people in America, who take so much for granted and do not seem to care very much about the plight of others in the world. As such, the prevailing viewpoint seems to be that Americans need to be shown that all is not well in all parts of the world and in a sense; the party is over in the US. Global Problems-American Solutions In the article which was utilized as the basis for this research, the author ultimately came to an interesting conclusion. Simply put, the author’s thesis is that the US first must stop using the granting of diplomatic relations with rogue nations as a reward for good behavior (Richardson, 2007). The reason for this is quite simple- these nations, which of course most likely have at their heart the goal of overcoming and defeating the US, will conduct themselves in an acceptable way only when they are being evaluated for the granting of diplomatic relations and once that is complete, and the US has let down its guard, the nations will once again resort to evil behavior, and the consequences could be drastic. The answer to this problem, as the author asserts, is the resurrection of a sort of Marshall Plan, especially in the case of Middle Eastern nation and North Africa as well. With this plan as the cornerstone, it is possible for the US to use its massive resources to provide educational, economic, and political aid to these hostile areas, with the hope of deflating the widespread efforts of Jihad and ultimately change the minds of those who hate the US- not with bullets, but with food and books and other help. Overall, the other enemy that the US should be seeking to eradicate, per the author, is poverty. The seemingly underlying cause of most of the violence that is taking place in the world is motivated by the lack of a suitable standard of living for some groups, and indeed, entire nations of people (Richardson, 2007). Therefore, if the element of deprivation were in fact taken away from the argument, what one would see would be a clearer way to look at the other fundamental differences between the West and other parts of the globe, and perhaps, some progress could be made to bring about a stronger, more reliable peace. Overall, what the US needs to do it would seem, is to look at problems on a global scale and consider the viewpoint of the enemy, and take steps in order to be able to be more of a friend and less of a foe. Conclusion In a world where the rules are constantly changing, the environment is becoming more deadly day by day, and the threat of terrorism and rogue nations spreads like a plague, the US stands as a stronghold of liberty and virtue in a sea of death and lawlessness. However, as has been seen, the US is seriously lacking in many areas where responsibility and action are desperately needed. Foreign policy is a key part of this action plan- without an aggressively enforced program of protecting American interests, maintaining a global peace, and fighting terrorism where it resides, it is very likely that chaos, evil and disaster will become the norm in the world instead of freedom, peace and safety. The writing is quite clearly on the wall- for America, action has to happen soon and continue to happen if the world is to be saved for those who wish to live in harmony and safety. The evil that turned the world upside down on a sunny morning in September, 2001 must not be allowed to prevail, and indeed, hollow policy without enforcement will be just as bad as no policy at all. Therefore, in closing, the issue is clear- foreign policy must change and grow with the times if the future is to exist at all. Bibliography Richardson, B. (2007). A New Realism: Crafting a US Foreign Policy for a New Century. Harvard International Review, Summer 2007, 26+.

The Incarnation Of Jesus Christ

The Incarnation Of Jesus Christ Introduction The incarnation of Jesus Christ has been a subject of attention from the earliest decades of the formation of the Christian Church. It has not been without its subsequent controversies. Several early councils were convened to address the various issues regarding the Godhead and in particular, the person and nature of Christ. Of these, the fourth great council of Chalcedon established the parameters of the person and nature of Christ in the orthodox view.  [1]  In an attempt to articulate the person and nature of Christ, the German theologian Gottfried Thomasius published a work between 1853 and 1861 entitled: Christi Person und Werk (Christs Person and Work).  [2]  In this essay, Thomasius called attention to the Greek word kenosis found in Philippians 2:7 in demonstrating his theory of the emptying of Christ during the incarnation. Thomasius view of kenosis contributed considerably to the interest in the incarnation principles of Christology. His work became the basis for fu rther studies into what is more commonly called Kenotic theology. This paper will attempt to show that Thomasius view of kenosis is not completely consistent with the formula of Chalcedon and did not adequately comply with the orthodox principles of the incarnation. Development of Systematic Theology As the early church began to grow so did varying opinions as men began to think about the doctrines of scripture in a systematic way. Was Jesus God? First-century Christians saw that the answer was not simple. Nature is not simple, so why then should we expect the Creator of nature be simple?  [3]   Within the first four hundred years of Christianity there arose six major heresies and they all involved an aspect of the person of Christ.  [4]  Then, as now, there are doctrines, which men wrestle with and that still divide themselves over. Even today there are those who would say that some things are too complex to fully understand such as Robertson McQuilkin who said, As we approach the Bible intent on discovering all the truth God intends for us to understand, we should examine our expectations and attitudes, as there are limitations on what is possible.  [5]   Not withstanding, it is the obligation of every Christian to search out the truths of Gods word and to faithfully study it in order to build a competent system of beliefs. With regard to the person and nature of Christ, the words of Millard Erickson ring all the more true when he said, All departures from the orthodox doctrine of the person of Christ are simply variations of one of these [six] heresies. While we may have difficulty specifying exactly the content of this doctrine, full fidelity to teaching of Scripture will carefully avoid each of these distortions.  [6]   The Council of Chalcedon The early councils of the Christian church were ecumenical gatherings of church leaders and scholars who were brought together in order to address the issues that divided the church and sought to set forth declarations that defined the proper understanding of these controversial theological issues that had an impact on the church. Each of the great councils formulated certain dogma about these issues of controversy, which then became the orthodox view of the Christian church. Concerning the first great council of Nicea, Norman Geisler states, The Nicene Creed (A.D. 325) states the uniform belief of all orthodox Christianity that Christ was fully God and fully Man. All heresies regarding Christ deny one or the other of these.  [7]  One of the utmost important issues to the Church was, and rightfully should have been, a proper understanding of the person and nature of Christ. In regard to the council of Chalcedon, which was convened in 451, J. H. Hall wrote: The work of Chalcedon can be understood only in the light of a series of Christological declarations beginning with the Council of Nicea (325). The Nicene Creed declared that Christ is of the same divine substance with the Father, against Arius, who taught that Christ had a beginning and was only of similar substance. The Council of Constantinople (381) both ratified and refined the Nicene Creed, in opposition to continuing Arianism, and declared against Apollinarianism, which stated that Christs human soul had been replaced by the divine Logos. Moreover, Constantinople declared that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son.  [8]   As questions continued to grow about the nature of Christ in the incarnation, so did controversy. The preceding councils established the churches opinion with regard to the deity of Christ that He is indeed of the same substance as the father. Later questions arose with respect to the human side and divine side of the nature of Christ. The Nestorian view held to a separation of the two natures of Christ as opposed to the Eutychian view, which theorized that Christ had only one nature.  [9]  The Nestorian view was rejected at the council of Ephesus but Eutychianism was later embraced. Seeing the continued discord, Pope Leo I instigated Emperor Marcion to call a new council and it was decided that it would be held in the city of Chalcedon. The Council of Chalcedon achieved three important things. J.H. Hall states, First, it reaffirmed the Nicene tradition; second, it accepted as orthodox the letters of Cyril and Leo; and third, it provided a definition of the faith.  [10]  Hall continues, There existed two overarching concerns- maintenance of the unity of Christs person and establishment of the two natures of Christ.  [11]   The Catechetical Lectures of S. Cyril of Jerusalem attribute a section of Epiphanius, Ancoratus, 118, c. AD 374, as being that which contained the Nicene creed which was read and approved at Chalcedon.  [12]  What Chalcedon effectively achieved was setting forth certain parameters about the nature of Christ. That which is formulated to the understanding of these two natures must therefore fall within these parameters in order to remain orthodox. In setting these parameters of orthodoxy, certain attributes must be maintained. One of the most important issues involves immutability. The Definition of Chalcedon sustained the continued immutability of Christ. The council declaration was as follows: Therefore, following the holy Fathers, we all with one accord teach men to acknowledge one and the same Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, at once complete in Godhead and complete in manhood, truly God and truly man, consisting also of a reasonable soul and body; of one substance with the Father as regards his Godhead, and at the same time of one substance with us as regards his manhood; like us in all respects, apart from sin; as regards his Godhead, begotten of the Father before the ages, but yet as regards his manhood begotten, for us men and for our salvation, of Mary the Virgin, the God-bearer; one and the same Christ, Son, Lord, Only-begotten, recognized in two natures, without confusion, without change, without division, without separation; the distinction of natures being in no way annulled by the union, but rather the characteristics of each nature being preserved and coming together to form one person and subsistence, not as parted or separated into two persons, but one and the sa me son and Only-begotten God the Word, Lord Jesus Christ; even as the prophets from earliest times spoke of him, and our Lord Jesus Christ himself taught us, and the creed of the Fathers has handed down to us.  [13]   The Chalcedonian Creed provided the church with a statement that Christ indeed possessed two distinct natures, both a human side and divine side and that he existed in one person in an unchangeable way.  [14]   Gottfried Thomasiuss view of kenosis In the first part of the 19th century, when Ferdinand Baur became professor of theology at Germanys Tubingen University, he [following in the footsteps of G.W.F. Hegel] began in earnest to attack the historical credibility of the New Testament and in particular the Gospel of John.  [15]  But after a series of textual and archeological finds, Adolf von Harnack, who himself once sympathized with Baur, rejected his assumptions stating in 1897 that, The assumptions of Baurs school, one can almost say, are now wholly abandoned.  [16]  This confrontation sparked by the rise of modern criticism produced many such debates and it serves to illustrate the theological climate within which Gottfried Thomasius and other German theologians wrote. Gottfried Thomasius was a Lutheran theologian who in the mid-eighteen hundreds, attempted to develop an acceptable Christology that could withstand the criticism of his day.  [17]  In an attempt to do so, he published his Christi Person und Werk. David Law states, The first edition of Christi Person und Werk appeared between 1853 and 1861. Because of the criticism leveled at the early volumes of the first edition, Thomasius began revisions for the second edition before all three volumes of the first edition had appeared. The second edition was published between 1856 and 1863. A third and abridged edition, edited after Thomasiuss death by F.J. Winter, was published between 1886 and 1888, but it is the second edition that is regarded as the mature and authoritative statement of Thomasisus kenotic Christology.  [18]   Subsequent publications showed Thomasiuss efforts to expound on his notion of kenosis. David Law states, In Beitrag Thomasius argued that the tensions within Lutheran Christology could be resolved only by reformulating the doctrine of the person of Christ in terms of a self-limitation of the Logos.  [19]  In essence this self-limitation is the idea behind Thomasiuss view of kenosis. Law gives a more defined description of this idea stating, It was above all Thomasiuss contribution to kenotic Christology that established him as a major theologian. The noun kenosis and the adjective kenotic are derived from the use of the term ekenosen in Phil. 2:7, where we read of Christ Jesus who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself [heauton ekenosen], taking the form of a servant, being born in human likeness. On the basis of the use of the term ekenosen in this text, kenosis has come to be used as shorthand for a series of issues arising from the claim that Christ is both truly divine and truly human. How can divinity and humanity coexist in the one, united person of Christ without undermining the integrity of either nature? Kenotic christologies are those christologies which attempt to address this problem by arguing that Christ emptied himself of some aspect of his divine nature in order to become a human being.  [20]   The notion of Christ emptying himself of some aspect of the divine nature in an act of self-limitation has serious significance and questions the immutability of God the Son. This comes into direct contradiction with the statement of Chalcedon in several key areas. First, Chalcedon established that the incarnation of Christ did not change, effect or diminish any attributes of deity Christ had before the incarnation. He is without changeà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ã‚  [21]  . Secondly, Chalcedon affirmed the distinction of natures, being no way annulled by the union, but rather the characteristics of each nature, being preserved and coming together to form one person and subsistenceà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦.  [22]  The orthodox view is that the incarnation of Christ did not constitute a loss of any aspect of his divine nature, through the act of kenosis or any other such theory. Kenotic Theology Although Thomasiuss influence and that of kenotic Christology in general gave way in Germany in the 1880s to Ritschlianism, kenotic Christology enjoyed a second flowering in Britain.  [23]  In the years following, interest would subside but then unexpectedly grow again as theologians once again reexamine the kenotic theory. In recent years there has been a renewed interest in kenotic Christology (see, for example, Evans, 2006). Any current attempt to formulate a coherent and viable kenotic Christology will need to return to Thomasiuss work, above all to his Christi Person und Werk.  [24]  . In Christian Theology Millard Erickson gives his definition of kenoticism stating, The second Person of the Trinity laid aside his distinctly divine attributes (omnipotence, omnipresence, etc.), and took on human qualities instead.  [25]  In this view, Jesus is not God and man simultaneously, but successively. Kenoticism implies that Jesus is both God and man, just not at the same time.  [26]   Others have thought to develop the position of kenoticism in not such an abrogated way. Instead they incorporate the idea into a more mild form of kenotic theology. In a review of Michael J. Gormans Inhabiting the Cruciform God: Kenosis, Justification, and Theosis in Pauls Narrative Soteriology, Timothy G. Gombis of Cedarville University states, In chapter 1, Gorman develops Pauls master story that demonstrates the kenotic character of Jesus Christ and reveals the very identity of God as kenotic. He focuses on Phil 2:5-11 and argues, based on a thorough exegetical treatment of the passage, that the pattern although [x] not [y] but [z] reveals the narrative trajectory of the kenosis of Jesus. By this, Gorman means although [status] not [selfishness] but [selflessness] (p.16). Jesus Christ had status as God himself but did not exploit this, using it for his own comfort of personal gain. Rather, he pursued several progressively degrading positions on a movement of downward mobility, going eventually to the publicly shameful death on a cross (pp. 16-17). For Gorman, this passage is not properly understood to mean that Christ did this despite the fact that he was in the form of God. Rather, Christ pursued this path because he was in the form of God. In other words, and this is a crucial point for Gorman, Christs being in the form of God is most clearly seen in his self-emptying and self-expenditure (p. 25). In this sense, the very character of God is kenotic (self-emptying) and cruciform (cross-shaped).  [27]   In this passage, the reviewer (Gombis) notes that the author (Gorman) thinks the kenotic passages are not clearly understood. Noting this misrepresentation, he suggests a proper view of kenotic theology. Whether or not Gorman is true in his assumptions remains speculative however it does illustrate the contemporary effort to redefine the implications inherent in kenotic theology. Classical Theology The more classical view of the person and nature of Christ are theologies based more on the Chalcedonian formula and are replete in the theological community. Some theologians have attempted to address the problem of formulating an acceptable understanding of the human and divine nature of Christ always keeping a wary eye upon the parameters of the orthodox or Chalcedonian understanding of the incarnation. From the abstract of Robin Le Poidevins Identity and the composite Christ: an Incarnational delemma, the author states, One way of understanding the reduplicative formula Christ is, qua God, omniscient, but qua man, limited in knowledge is to take the occurrences of the qua locution as picking out different parts of Christ: a divine part and a human part. But this view of Christ as a composite being runs into paradox when combined with the orthodox understanding, adopting a philosophically and theologically contentious perdurantist account of persistence through time, or rejecting altogether the idea of the composite Christ.  [28]   Here the author points out a formula of Christology of the human and divine natures but at the same time, recognizes that it conflicts paradoxically with the Chalcedonian parameters of the incarnation. In this respect, many theologians still show deference to and recognize the importance of the Chalcedonian councils definitive statement. The Chalcedonian parameters have been a staple in guiding theological thought for centuries. George P. Pardington, who was a well-esteemed professor of theology among the Christian Alliance, makes this clear. In his theology primer Outline Studies in Christian Doctrine, He deals with passages in Philippians 2:6,7 and other verses that show the nature of the preexistence of Christ and the incarnations, stating, These and other phrases express ineffable relationships within the Godhead, which we cannot comprehend. On Phil. 2:6 Thayers Greek Lexicon says: Form (Greek, morphe) is that by which a person or thing strikes the vision, the external appearance. There is nothing in this passage, which teaches that the Eternal Word (John 1:1) emptied Himself of either His divine nature of His attributes, but only of the outward visible manifestation of the Godhead. He emptied, stripped Himself, of the insignia of Majesty (Lightfoot). When occasion demanded, He exercised His divine attributes (Moorehead).  [29]   Pardingtons view of the kenotic passages in no way contradicts the Chalcedonian parameters since Christ did not give up any of his divine nature or attributes. Contemporary Debate Roger Olsen has noted that the differing opinions among evangelicals. He states, Kenotic Christology-emphasizing the need to take with utmost seriousness Jesus true humanity, including limited consciousness- has made significant inroads among evangelicals, while other evangelical theologians have resisted and criticized it.  [30]  Olsen continues to describe what he characterizes as a very heated debate among more progressive and conservative Evangelicals stating, As recently as the mid-1990s heresy charges were thrown by conservative evangelicals at more moderate and progressive ones who dared to use the kenotic motif in writing about the incarnation.  [31]   Theologians who reaffirm the Chalcedon formula would be Bernard Ramm and Carl Henry.  [32]  Examples of some who are more outspoken against kenoticism would be Thomas V, Morris, Donald Bloesch, Millard Erickson and Stanley Grenz.  [33]  While Grenz is somewhat critical of kenotic theology, he nevertheless does not espouse the traditional Chalcedon formula either.  [34]  Olsen states, Two evangelical theologians who have attempted to push the frontiers of Christology are Clark Pinnock and Stanley Grenz. Both affirm that Jesus Christ is truly God and truly human, but they are dissatisfied with the classical expression of that belief in Chalcedonian Christology (hypostatic union). They are not so much interested in rejecting it as in supplementing it with new and more helpful thought forms. People today, they argue, are not as tuned as ancient people were to the substance ontologies of Greek metaphysics, and the times call for a new expression of the doctrine of Jesus Christs humanity and divinity.  [35]   While the purpose of this paper is not to critique the various forms of Christology espoused by many theologians among the ranks of evangelicals (and they are many), it is however concerned with the classical Chalcedonian formula of the incarnation, and whether or not kenotic theology adheres to it and why this is important. While there are those who strongly support the Chalcedonian formula, there are others who feel that it is flawed. Roger Olsen notes that both Clark Pinnock and Stanley Grenz are dissatisfied with the classical expression of that belief in Chalcedonian Christology (hypostatic union).  [36]  He once again points to the work of Stanley Grenz to illustrate this stating, Grenz argues in Theology for the Community of God (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2000) that classical Incarnational Christology falls short biblically and logically and revises it using the eschatological ontology (the future as the locus of being) of German theologian Wolfhart Pannenberg. According to Grenz, Jesus Christ is the Logos, who is not to be thought of as preexisting and then descending into human history but as revealing God and therefore belonging to the eternity of God by virtue of his resurrection.  [37]  [Emphasis is Olsens]. Olsen continues with his critique of Grenz showing how it is at variance with classical Christology. This is where the debate becomes relevant to this research with respect to the Chalcedonian formula. Olsen states, The main difference between this Christology and classical Christology [Chalcedonian] lies in its denial of a logos asarkos discarnate or preincarnate Logos or Son of God. For Grenz, Jesus Christ is the Logos, the second person of the Trinity. Whatever tensions or problems may exist in Pinnocks and Grenzs Christology, they are not so much revisions of the hypostatic union as restatements of the basic Christological vision in new terms.  [38]   The abandoning of the basic tenants of the Chalcedonian formula present some extreme difficulties, particularly in light of the doctrine of the Preexistence of Christ which was affirmed at Chalcedon. One of the issues in regard to the nature of Christ concerns his Consciousness. When did Christ come to the realization of who he was? Theologians like Myer Pearlman were more content to leave this question open stating, Just exactly when and how this self-consciousness came must remain a mystery to us. When we think of God coming to us in the form of a man we must reverently exclaim, Great is the mystery of godliness!  [39]  Erickson would say, There were within his person dimensions of experience, knowledge and love not found in human beings. We must recognize that in dealing with Christ, he was more than just a man. He had and maintained all the qualities of a divine nature and a sinless human nature as well.  [40]   Another important issue that must be addressed is that the hypostatic union is permanent and everlasting. What Christ became in the incarnation is what he shall remain eternally (Heb 2:17, 7:24).  [41]  This is a problem for the kenotic view of Christ since that in the kenotic view, according to Erickson.  [42]  Jesus is both God and man, just not at the same time. This would imply a doing away with what Jesus became in the incarnation after his ascension and glorification. Conclusion The question that this research is concerned with may be answered by saying that Gottfried Thomasiuss original view of kenosis is not completely consistent with the formula of Chalcedon and did not adequately comply with the orthodox principles of the incarnation. SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY Bettenson, Henry. Documents of the Christian Church ed. Henry Bettenson and Chris Maunder Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1999. Byfield, Ted. ed., The Christians: Their First Two Thousand Years Edmonton: Christian Millennial History Project, 2002. Erickson, Millard J., Christian Theology Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 1998. Geisler, Norman L. When Skeptics Ask: a handbook on Christian Evidences Grand Rapids: Baker Publishing, 2008. Gombis, Timothy G. in review of Inhabiting the Cruciform God: Kenosis, Justification, and Theosis in Pauls Narrative Soteriology, Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society Vol. 52, Is. 4 2009, p. 866. Gonzalez, Justo L. The Story of Christianity vol.1, The Early Church to the Dawn of the Reformation New York: Harper Collins, 1984. Hall, J.H., Chalcedon, Council of (451), in Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, ed. Walter A. Elwell Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2009. Law, David R. Gottfried Thomasius (1802-1875) in The Blackwell Companion to the Theologians Volume 2, ed. Ian S. Markham Malden: Blackwell Publishing, 2009. Le Poidevin, Robin. Identity and the composite Christ: an Incarnational dilemma, in Religious Studies, Cambridge: Vol. 45, Is. 2 2009, p. 167. McQuilkin, Robertson. Understanding and Applying the Bible Chicago: Moody Press, 1992. Mitchell, Daniel R. The Unity of the Person of Christ, Class lecture, Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary, April 15, 2010. Olsen, Roger E. The Westminster handbook to Evangelical Theology Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2004. Pardington, George P. Outline Studies in Christian Doctrine Harrisburg: Christian Publications, 1926. Pearlman, Myer. Knowing the Doctrines of the Bible Springfield: Gospel Publishing, 1981.