Acts and Nursing: Journal Summaries & Reflections on Biblical Text

This assignment comprises a series of journal summaries and reflections on readings from the Book of Acts, analyzed through the lens of the nursing profession. The summaries cover various chapters of Acts and related commentaries, exploring themes such as the role of God in Christian history, the importance of obedience, dealing with doubt, and the relevance of love in Christian living. The reflection paper delves into contextual medicine, personal experiences in nursing (particularly with infants and children), and how biblical interpretations can guide ethical and compassionate care. The assignment also includes a book review discussing the impact of cultural biases on biblical interpretation and emphasizes the need for nurses to rely on faith and spiritual understanding in their practice, ensuring holistic patient care.

Reading Acts BIBLE: Acts 1:1-11:18 Journal Summary #6 (on Powell Ch. Acts 1:1—11:18
Powell 125-145 [Ch. 6] 6) Week 10 Work Due – Sat, April 7.
In Chapter 6, Powel discusses the book of Mark. He first discusses the difference between the
book of Mark and the other gospels, identifying who mark was and a discussion on the major
themes of the book. The author points out that one of the major themes in the book of Mark was
the portrait of Jesus from Marks eyes where Jesus sets himself apart from God in the process.
Mark also discusses the centrality of the cross in Christian faith. He then describes the secrecy of
the Kingdom of God by discussing how Jesus was quite secret in presenting the kingdom of God
and asking others not to tell outsiders what he had revealed to them concerning it. He describes
that it is through the knowledge of Christ that one can inherit the Kingdom of God. Further it is
through the gospel of Mark that we know the failure of the disciples where they disappoint Jesus
at every turn.
The book of Mark documents the role of Christians in the Kingdom of God through obedience.
He highlights some of the factors that will make Christians best candidates for the Kingdom of
God. It is interesting to point out that it is only the gospel of Mark that discusses the failure of
the disciples. This shows that through a people may be special as the disciples were, they might
at times fail. In terms of the nursing profession, this book provides insight in how to deal with
failure in the nursing profession. It shows that failure is more or less common than we imagine
and therefore we should be patient with ourselves. Further it also provides an overview of the
role of obedience in the Kingdom of God. For example, when the disciples were able to obey
Jesus and follow him, their lives became much better.

Journal Summary #7 (on Richards and O’Brien Conclusion, 211- 217)
Acts 11:19-26:32 BIBLE: Acts 11:19-26:32 Journal Summary #8 (on Powell Ch. Powell
103-123 [Ch. 5] 5) Week 11 Work Due – Sat, April 14
In this chapter, the author discusses the book of Matthew. He first presents an overview of the
book of Matthew by discussing how Matthew uses a chronological order of things that happened
during the time of Jesus. He then provides insight into Jesus ministry in terms of his teachings
and how he healed the sick as well as opposition he received from his ministry. The author
provides a historical background on the book of Matthew by showing that it might not have been
the first gospel to be written. It is clear that Matthew shows the abiding presence of God in the
life of man. He also shows how Jesus is the Son of God which makes him a target among his
opponents. Further through the book of Matthew, the teachings of Jesus are highlighted. Further,
it is clear that Matthew speaks about discipleship through providing a description of Christian
living. Matthew also describes the purpose of the law in Christian fail and how it is okay to have
doubt sometimes just as the disciples doubted the resurrection of Jesus.
From this book, it is clear to note that one can learn about dealing with doubt in Christian faith.
The disciples had heard Jesus all along speaking to them about how on the third day he would
rise again but they were quite skeptical about it. It shows that it is quite common to have doubts
about Christian faith in the personal and professional life but that also what God says is true it is
true and therefore we must believe. Further, the discussion on the law on Christian living shows
that at the end o the day it is the spirit of God that leads us and not the laws as they present
themselves to us. Therefore, in the nursing profession, there might be rules which are not
progressive in nature which should not make someone shy off from doing what is right.

Powell (Journal #9 Journal Summary readings) 191-213 [Ch. #9 (on Powell Ch. 9] 9)
Week 12 Work Due – Sat, April 21 Catch up week! Week to catch up or plan ahead!
Forum 12 (Reflections on Acts reading) Acts 27:1-28:30 BIBLE: Acts 27:1-28:30
In this chapter, the book of Acts is discussed in which the book describes the early life of
Christians after the death of Christ. It was authored by Luke who also wrote the book of Luke in
the gospels and he aimed to present a historical view on the lives of the early church. First, one
of the major themes as presented in the book is the role of God in Christian history. He first
shows how God is sovereign and therefore the things that have happened are what he had
ordained that they would have happened. Further, he shows that God offers divine guidance to
those who are willing. Another theme that shows up is that God makes is promises and keeps
them to his people and one way of highlighting this is through discussing the mission of God to
Israelites. He further discusses mission of the Christians to Gentiles. Also, through the book of
Acts we get to see perseverance through persecution that leads to glorious living in the Christian
faith.
From this chapter we get to learn about relying on God. The discussion on that God is faithful
and that he keeps his promises allows one to believe that indeed the promises of God concerning
an individual’s life are true and therefore they should trust in them. Further, the sovereignty of
God provides comfort in the fact that certain issues about our life had been ordained and willed
by God and therefore they should not trouble us. Reading about the persecution of Christians in
the early times shows that none of us ae free from persecution and therefore when it happens one
should take courage. Also seeing God’s mission through the Israelites shows the commitment of
God in making sure salvation happens to all of us in good time.

Journal Summary #10 (on Powell Ch. Powell: 169-189 [Ch. 8] 8) Week 13 Work Due – Sat,
April 28 Article: “A Biblical Reflection Paper Foundation for on Contextual Medicine”
Experience and Praxis Forum 13 (Reflections on Acts reading) ) Catch up week! Catch up
on your Forum 14 (Review assignments of the Course)
In this chapter, the book of John is discussed. First, the author presents an overview of the book
of John which begins with a description of who God is. It then describes the live of Christ around
Jewish festivals at the time and thereafter a description of the death and resurrection of Jesus and
partly a life of the early Christians. It is through the book of John that the revelation of Jesus as
the Son of God is made through the speeches of Jesus. It also describes that Jesus is God since
Jesus reveals to his disciples that he and God are one. Further, it is through the book of John that
we get to see that Jesus s glorified at his death for example when people come to the realization
that he was the son of God. Also, he points out that is it through salvation that Christians obtain
abundant life. Further, it is through the book of John that the message of love is emphasized.
The book of John has significant relevance in the nursing profession. This is because it provides
a discussion on the role of love in Christian living which can be extended in the lives of nurses as
well towards their patients. It also shows that Jesus is God and God is God. This information
should provide comfort to nurses in their work and dealing with patients in terms of having the
assurance that it is God who will provide healing to these patients in due time. Further the book
provides an understanding of salvation and its role as a key to abundant life. I think that this
information is relevant to nurses who will find satisfaction in their work through the knowledge
of God. This is because knowing that God is meant to save humanity should provide nurses with
the comfort that their patients are in safe hands with God.

Book review
This book describes the problem with the North American Church in that they read and interpret
the scripture through cultural blinders. The book provides a discussion of some of these blinders
and offers a discussion into how some of these filters can be removed in order to allows for the
understanding of the Bible the way it was intended. Also, it shows that some of these
misinterpretations of scripture were as a result of the missionaries sent out to speak cross
culturally which ends up in misinterpretation. The book largely identifies 9 areas where the
modern westerners have different views about what is going on a Bible text. The book draws on
experiences in several parts of the world and therefore offer some thought provoking questions
as well as offer suggestions which may improve the understanding of the scripture. In the book,
each chapter contains some reflection questions which may offer a basis for discussion on parts
of the topic with other people. From chapter one to three the illustration of a visible iceberg is
used to show the cultural depths of the interpretation of the scripture. Overall the book is quite
engaging as it has a number of varied stories for which it uses to illustrate its point. It also has
real life examples which people are able to relate to in order to understand the authors’ ideas. It
is interesting to note that the authors do not quite present an attack on the western values, rather
they show how the westerners may have a misconstrued view about the Bible. The emphasis of
the book is that Christians should overcome their cultural biases and assumptions in order to
interpret the scripture fully. This is especially because reading the bible has become important
for Christians and therefore it is important to highlight the relationship between culture and
biblical interpretation to help increase proper usage of the Bible and its teachings.
Reflection Paper on Contextual Experience and Praxis

Nursing is not an easy profession as it involves taking care of individuals until they are back to
good health. Not all individuals make it to good health as some of them die. It therefore requires
some belief in something in order to provide a significant standard of care to the individuals
brought in in hospital. I have discovered a niche in taking care of infants and children as a nurse.
This is because I love children since I feel like the level of innocence they have in them should
be envied by adults. Also, their receptiveness to certain issues of life is quite different than that
of grownups. It is also heartbreaking to see a child with a terminal disease, yet they might have
had a chance of a full life ahead of them. Since some of these issues may bypass the normal logic
of an individual, I think the bible provides some answers that may guide an individual in this
profession.
As a nursing student, my interpretation of the Bible has significantly changed. Initially I had
concerns of what is the role of disease and affliction on the body of Human beings if indeed God
means for good. I have come to understand that there is a difference between the will of God and
what can be termed as being bad willfully. For example, terminal illnesses do not occur because
God wants human beings to suffer, but it is part of life. It is He who gives and takes. In some
instances, I have come to see that death is a way of alleviating an individual suffering. For
example, terminal patients who suffer from diseases that cause much pain live a lower quality of
life and sometimes there are no medicines that can alleviate the type of pain that their in. I think
that in this case death is a way of God taking care of the individual by reducing the amount of
pain they should feel durin that affliction. I have also learnt that my role as a nurse is of
important significance. According to the Bible, people should provide care to one another either
through providing or the poor and assistance to the disadvantaged. As a nurse, my role is to
provide the individuals with the best level of care for God to provide the healing. Sometimes as

nurses we might feel the obligation to make an individual feel better or get cured, yet that might
not be the case. The Bible says that there is one body but it has many interdependent parts. I
think that in the nursing profession it is the same thing, that a nurse is just one part of the picture
to make an individual whole again. This knowledge helps me not feel frustrated when I feel that
a patient is not doing well. It also helps me maintain my faith in the cases where a small child
passes on due to a birth defect which is too complicated to treat.
My nursing experience has increased my faith in God. I have observed that patients who believe
in God experience much more joy in their hospital experience and also to some extent die more
peacefully since they have surrendered everything to God. I believe that belief in God will help
me become a better nurse since I will be less frustrated in my work and I will be motivated to do
the very best that I can to do my part in relation to patient care. Also, the knowledge that
someday I will be called upon to answer on my role in taking care of patients makes me more
conscious of my actions in the nursing profession. For instance it allows me to make appropriate
choices in the matters of euthanasia and deciding when and when it is and when it is not
appropriate. Knowledge of the bible creates a platform for me to make the right choices as a
nurse. Also, the Bible describes a loving relationship between God and his people, I should also
try and demonstrate love to my patients as well whether or not it comes easy. In addition, I
believe that the knowledge of the Bible will provide me with the wisdom I need to cater for some
complicated decisions in the nursing profession. In general, knowledge of the Bible makes me
feel more comfortable in my role as a nurse since I know that I am not working alone but with
God in providing care to the people that He loves.