The Ambition in Nursing: Individual Growth and Development towards Providing Quality

The nursing health care system is as an integral part of the society as any other sectors promoting human development. The nursing profession has attended to the health care needs of the people for many years already. It is a profession which has endured many challenges, and progressed into an institutionalized sector in the health care system dedicated to commit and serve the society’s need. It is a profession embedded in the principles of dedication, care, and professionalism. However, as challenges persist in the nursing work force around the world, this has posed a serious challenge in the role of the nursing profession.Fagerberg (2002) stated in his study that the metaphor of nursing care is entailed in a woven fabric. The goal of nursing professionals is to create a role which is for the people’s health, rather than the entire health system. Nursing care entails the ambition of nursing to promote a need for consistent and clear statement of concern for patients. O ne of the pressing problems in the health care sector is the volatile supply and increasing demands for professional nurses as mentioned by Grene and Puetzer (2002).Different strategies have aimed to entice new nurses in the profession, and retain and support them in the delivery of high patient-care. As Grene and Puetzer (2002) mentioned, their lies a difficulty in the health care system to promote nursing as a future profession. The current nursing crisis has also developed a dilemma by which led some nurses towards another career because of disillusionment, and because they do not feel valued for their hard work. The crisis in the nursing profession must work on developing a new paradigm wherein opportunities and presented, and need of the nurses are met. Ambition in NursingCurtin (2001) describes ambition and integrity with significant influence of with and wisdom. For nursing professionals wanting to develop in the field, ambition governs their passion and desire to succeed and achieve. The motivation to attain an ambition can constitute various reasons depending on the subjective views of a nurse. However, in this paper, we briefly describe how the idea of succeeding one’s ambition must be attuned with attaining a character with integrity. Nurses who are essentially in the profession to succeed must realize the essence of the process, rather than the ultimate gain at the end.Having ambition in nursing must not be disillusioned with the current and persisting challenges of the profession. Some nurses have become discouraged over the fact that in real-life context, their idea of nursing while they were still studying becomes suddenly buried when they realize the problems they dealing. Some simply has become disillusioned and starts to find a new career path, others simply gets dismayed and lose the encouragement of growing as part of the health care system. Ambition is for personal gain.Nurses are faced with the difficulty to maintain as promoters o f moral leadership because of problem inherent in the system within they work. Hamric (1991) argues that repeated exposure of nurses in the insensitive and sometimes even immoral behaviors may influence a nurse’s personal conscience. Psychological pressures can greatly influence a nurse’s motivation to pursue his or her own ambition. Nash (1990) adds that existing problems in the health care system can also subvert good intentions and goals of an individual.Rognstad, Aasland, and Granum (2004) concluded in their recent study about the future career option of nursing students that 80% of their respondents regard getting their bachelors degree as a basis for building on a further education. Motives of the respondents were also measured through the variables human contact, helping others, and job security was significantly considered. Among the respondents who emphasized this ambition in graduating with a degree is shown to be less interested in giving care and help to ot hers. In the study, the authors were able to analyze and confirm this attitude through in-depth interviews.In another study, authors Ingersoll et al. (2002) determined the characteristics of New York nursing work force to assess their level of job satisfaction and commitment in their setting. Brought by the demands of the challenges surrounding the nursing profession, investigations have suggested the high dissatisfaction of nurses in the health care environment and their likelihood of leaving their profession. In the study, respondents of the study indicate that personal, organizational characteristics and commitment have contributed to their intent of pursuing their nursing ambition in a span of 1 to five years more.Also shown in this study is the intent of satisfied and committed nurses to leave within the next five years. Findings of this investigation suggest the organizational environment, educational preparation, and personal characteristics of currently employed registered n urses affect their current job satisfaction, organizational commitment, and plans for continuing as a nurse Ingersoll et al. (2002). The impeding challenges in the nursing health care system is bringing more nurses into a dilemma to stay committed and dedicated in pursuing their individual career ambitions.As nursing shortage and retention has lead to several nurses option to leave the profession, the system must encourage the new blood of younger generation nurses to pursue their options in the field. Several factors contributing to their commitment and dedication in the field is due to the inability of the system to promote individual development. Lack of opportunity and options or nurses also makes them vulnerable and makes them rethink of their options. Nursing must address the need of the system to uphold individual development and growth, along with providing quality health care and meeting the increasing demand.Changes have progressively developed strategies, and hopefully so on it will motivate nurses to pursue their ambition in the field. References: Curtin L. (2001). Preserving your integrity while building your career. Nursing Administration Quarterly, 25 (2), pp. 1-4. Fagerberg, A. M. (2002). The woven fabric – a metaphor of nursing care: the major subject in nursing education. Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences, 16 (2), pp. 115-21. Grene, Maureen T. ; Puetzer, Mary (2002). The Value of Mentoring: A Strategic Approach to Retention and Recruitment. Journal of Nursing Care Quality, 17 (1), p67-75. Hamric, Ann (1999).The Nurse as Moral Agent in Modern Health Care. Nursing Outlook, 47 (3), p. 106. Ingersoll G. L. , Olsan T, Drew-Cates, J. , DeVinney, B. C. , and Davies, J. (2002). Nurses' job satisfaction, organizational commitment, and career intent. The Journal of Nursing Administration, 32 (5), pp. 250-63. Nash, Lauren (1990). Good Intentions Aside: A Manager’s Guide to Resolving Ethical Problems. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press. Rognstad, M. K. , Aasland, O. , and Granum, V. (2004). How do nursing students regard their future career? Career preferences in the post-modern society. Nurse Education Today 24 (7), pp. 493-500.

Model Law on International Contracting Essay

Introduction E-commerce in commodity goods has existed for decades. Electronic contracts provided a new mechanism to form a relationship via Internet and now we see many commodity products being exchanged daily on the Web. The contract can respond not only to the parties but to changing conditions of some kind and then inform the parties of these new events or conditions. The electronic contract, in other words, connects the parties to each other and, if desired, to other people and to other sources of information in ways that are difficult to imagine with paper. Time, like space, seems to be out of place or even absent in the internet environment. Consequently, different jurisdictions and different laws have challenged some contract issues. Therefore, with the advent of the Web as the new commercial medium, traders and buyers alike should be aware of some basic principles of contract formation and how they apply to Web transactions. Mostly, the approved rules of paper contract continue to hold up in a purely internet exchange between parties to an agreement. The law does, however, draw the line at certain kinds of transactions which must be fulfilled. It is important before considering the particularities of the online world, to take a step back and examine contractual formation via Internet which is the background against which the relevant rules to the online world were established. Today all developed countries try to create a ‘uniform commercial code’ for business over the Internet. The purpose of this is to design a uniform legal structure for electronic commercial bargains world-wide. Steps in this direction have been taken by the UNCITRAL Model Law on International Contracting, English Law, and the CISG Convention, which has developed a â€Å"model law on electronic commerce† for international contracts in electronic commerce. This work will consider rules and standards for electronic contract performance, define what constitutes valid electronic writing and the acceptability of electronic signatures for legal and commercial purposes under abovementioned laws. It will also discuss the main forms of contracts via Internet and define problems that appeared in the formation of electronic contract today. 3. Formation of contract over Internet 3. 1 The offer 3. 1. 1 Under English Law In English law an internet contract via a website is formed after an offer – a determinate indication of the terms on which the offeror is prepared to be legally bound – is accepted by the offeree – the person to whom the offer has been made . If the email of acceptance does not vary the terms fixed in the email of offer, a contract will be formed by the second email. An offer may be to the world in general – in which case anyone may accept it – or to a particular person – in which case only they can accept it . At English law, a contract is concluded when an offer is accepted. Although this rule appears simple, there have been many conflicts over how to distinguish and identify invitations to treat, offers and acceptances. English common law traditionally classifies an offer as a statement by one party of his or her willingness to enter into a contract on stated terms, provided that these terms are accepted by the party to whom the offer is addressed; whereas an invitation to treat is simply an expression of willingness to enter into discussion which, it is hoped, will lead to the conclusion of a contract at a later date . Therefore advertisement of goods on the website will come only to an invitation to treat. Only when a buyer notifies about his intention to buy something from the site, the offer will only be formed. After this the seller can accept or refuse that offer. Under English Law an offer must be clear and complete and afford a distinct indication of the offeror’s intents . The offer must contemplate acceptance and a consequent obligation or obligations. An advertisement is considered as a mere invitation to do business and it is not an offer. An offeror is legally bound by the terms of the contract once his offer is accepted; while one who makes an invitation to treat is clearly free to accept (and thus form a contract) or to reject any offers that result from it, without any legal consequences.

Internal Revenue Service Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Internal Revenue Service - Essay Example Special rules apply for traders in securities who are in the business of buying and selling securities for their own account tax (Internal Revenue Service, n.d. b). According to the Internal Revenue Service (n.d. b), to be engaged in business as a trader in securities, all of the following conditions must be met: The objective of profiting from daily market movements in the prices of securities and not from dividends, interest, or capital appreciation. The activity must be substantial, and Continuity and regularity of trading activity. Furthermore, according to the Internal Revenue Service (n.d. b), the following facts and circumstances should be considered in determining if the activity is a securities trading business. Typical holding periods for securities bought and sold. The frequency and dollar amount of trades during the year. The extent to which the activity contributes to the generation of income for a livelihood, and The amount of time devoted to the activity. Further, a taxpayer may be a trader in some securities and hold other securities for investment. The special rules for traders do not apply to the securities held for investment. A trader must keep detailed records to distinguish the securities held for investment from the securities in the trading business. The securities held for investment must be identified as such in the trader's records on the day he or she acquires them (Internal Revenue Service, n.d. b). Both the limitations on capital losses and the wash sale rules continue to apply. However, if the mark-to-market election was timely made, then the gains and losses from sales of securities are treated as ordinary gains and losses. Further, neither the limitations on capital losses nor the wash sale rules apply to traders using the mark-to-market method of accounting (Internal Revenue Service, n.d. b).

Rationale Essay with DP Plannning Grid - Written Assignment

Rationale with DP Plannning Grid - Written Assignment - Essay Example Bachelor of Science in nursing helps individuals to provide more logical patient care, hence enabling them to take more leadership obligation in an array of health-care settings. The central goals why I am interested in pursuing the BSN is to satisfy my life-long desire to be a nurse. Interestingly, since my childhood and when I was a fifth-grade student, I have been volunteering to help the elderly people at home and this motivate me to become a qualified nurse in the forthcoming future. In 2007, I graduated at Borough Community College and indeed I was proud and saw the day as magnificent. I am presently practicing at a hospital, in the medical care unit, as a registered nurse of day staff. Working as a nurse demands a high degree of devotion and I must acknowledge that nursing is an inspiring job that suits my personality impeccably. Therefore, I wish to return to school, thus achieving my lifelong dream of obtaining a bachelor degree in nursing for this will help me reach my full potential both as a nurse and as a person. I also want to be a well efficient nurse and since education makes a significant impact on the competency of nursing professionals, I find it essential to advance my level of edification by pursuing a BSN. In present-day world nurses must learn new knowledge, skills, and experiences which will enable them to transform healthcare practices in medical centers. During my studies, I would like to learn new knowledge such as being able to recognize diseases process, patient surveillances, and preventing mistakes. I will also like to learn skills such as caring toward my patients as it is an indispensable trait for nurses to eliminate worries in patients by offering effective guidance and psychotherapy. Caring was noted as factor that increases competence of nurses by certifying that nurses will

Looking at the Four Way Relationship among Jackson, Clay, Calhoun, and Essay

Looking at the Four Way Relationship among Jackson, Clay, Calhoun, and Webster, which Man do you Find more Admirable and Why - Essay Example First is the one concerning the â€Å"nullification crisis†. Prior to this period, under the American System a lot of subsidies were being granted through tariffs imposed on imports and otherwise aiding the domestic industry because it was thought to boost the economy. When Jackson came into power, he curbed these trade protection measures which resulted in an outcry and retaliation from the Congress. The crisis that developed with strong stances from both sides was dimmed when the Congress announced it would lower taxes in 1833. The second episode was concerning the â€Å"Bank War†. The Bank of the United States was a corporation controlled by the Congress with basically two major functions, one was to print paper money and the second was to manage the government’s finances, however Jackson thought that such an institution was dangerous and wrongful and later vetoed a charter asking to expand the Bank’s role. Jackson became the advocate for the people aga inst the elite who had set to exploit them. By doing this he introduced a new but permanent theme into American Politics. Further, Jackson strengthened and extended the role and responsibilities of an American President. He inaugurated the â€Å"spoils system† which was in effect a patronage system whereby once a party wins the elections, the government gives employment to its voters as an incentive to stay loyal to the party. During his time in power, Andrew Jackson displayed a lot of strength and patriotism and with his precise aim and steel will was able to greatly impact the face of American politics for generations to come. (Miller Center, University of Virginia). Daniel Webster (1782-1852) was an American statesman, lawyer and orator and a strong supporter of nationalism. Following his quick success, Webster was elected for the House of Representatives in 1812. Later, Webster left the congress and moved to Boston, where he proceeded to establish himself as one of the na tion’s greatest lawyers. He returned back to Congress in 1823 and was elected for senator four years later. Webster allied with President Andrew Jackson over the issue of nullifying tariff in South Carolina but apart from that they were not really on the same side. Webster ran for presidency but was never elected. (Sydney Nathan). Henry Clay (1777-1852) was an American statesman, congressman and senator. Clay was a supporter of balancing the rights of Free states as well as slave states and fought for federal funding for the national bank, the industry and for much needed investment in infrastructure. Clay also ran twice for the Presidency, both times unsuccessfully. (Bio.Truestory) John Calhoun (1782-1850) was an influential American politician, senator and political theorist. He was Vice President of the United States from 1825 to 1832 during the presidency of John Quincy Adams and also during the initial time period under Andrew Jackson. Calhoun resigned from Vice Presiden cy in 1832 and was then elected for the United States Senate. He had been a supporter of President Jackson initially, but with the passage of time and events their alliance deteriorated and Calhoun withdrew his support from Jackson after he turned against him. He subsequently became a strong voice against Jackson’s policies especially, the â€Å"spoils system†. From the time beginning from1832 and leading up to this death, Calhoun dedicated his

The Transition Process in Hospital Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

The Transition Process in Hospital - Essay Example Another main strategy is assisting the patients in managing and preventing their health decline. The nurse should assure the patient of extended home follow-ups to the appropriate time. The care given should be consistent and continuous in order to gain confidence from an individual. As a result, proper guidance is facilitated by the nurses in charge (Silvestri, 2010). In addition, nurses should ensure that the medical records are reconciled and well managed. All information regarding the patient’s health progress while at the hospital should be put into durable and easily accessed records. The administration of medication should be conducted at the indicated time and in the right doses. Therefore, the nurse facilitates the availability of medicine at home to avoid situations where improper treatment occurs. Importantly, points of accountability should be established where care is well offered to the patient. Nurses should use professional care and case management coordination for a fulfilling transitional process that effective. The importance of this process cannot be overlooked as it is key to full recovery. Therefore, prioritizing the steps is a vital factor as they all create a safe and clean transition. Many hospitals use the evidence-based model for efficient patient delivery (Silvestri, 2010).

Please set up the topic for me 234 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Please set up the topic for me 234 - Essay Example It mainly lays emphasis on the people in an organisation. It is defined as a series of incorporated decisions which form the employment connection; their quality adds to the capability of the company as well as the employees to attain their objective. Human resource management is also referred as a collection of programmes, activities and functions designed as well as carried out to maximise the organisational as well as employee effectiveness (Aswathappa, 2005). Organisational behaviour explains people’s behaviour in an organisation. Organisations are the social systems encompassing different types of interconnected sub-systems such as social/human sub-system and another sub-system involves decision-making, production, administrative and technological sub-systems. The fundamental nature of social/human sub-system lays emphasis on the presentation of the employees of the company and the leadership and management required (Fox, 2006). Organisational behaviour drew its major inspiration from Hawthorn Studies, which was expressed by Elton Mayo in the late 1920s. These studies initially highlighted the complication of human nature in the organizational setting. This led to the identification of the significance of social context inside which work happens; as well as the means in which the groups’ turns into a considerable influence on the individual behaviour (Martin, 2005). Human Resource Management focuses on the people and human being’s behaviour. It is defined as an organizational tool that assists in efficient thinking and rationalization (Alvesson and Berg, 1992). It goes further than physical contributions in order to include cognitive, emotional, and creative aspects of workers. Employees communicate opinions, suggestions, feelings and complaints in order to boost production and satisfaction (Robbins and Judge, 2009). It is apprehensive with the workers both

Account standardization, IFRS and US GAAP Essay

Account standardization, IFRS and US GAAP - Essay Example The general purpose of the financial statement is to be prepared in accordance with the international accounting standards. The need of the accounting standards emerges because auditors and financial analyst are generally confronted with problems of accounting like biasedness, misinterpretation, inaccuracy and ambiguity. To minimize these kinds of errors a set of accounting standards was developed which was universally accepted and recognized. Without these accounting standards each and every business entity had to develop their own business standards which would make it impossible to compare the financial information with other business organizations. International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) are accounting principles and standards formulated by the International Accounting Standard Board (IASB) which is situated in London. These established accounting standards are ideally applicable equally to all the organizations worldwide. During 1973- 2000, the international accountin g standards were formulated by the predecessor organization of the IASB formerly known as International Accounting Committee (IAC) (Beke, 2011). Since April 2001, the accounting standards set by IASB are taken into consideration. ... A financial report of high and genuine quality improves their understanding and makes them better informed and also reduces their risk of trading (Beke, 2011) 3) IFRS helps in eliminating most of the financial adjustments that the financial analyst have made historically in order to make the company financial statements comparable internationally (Beke, 2011) 4) IFRS provides reduced information costs and information risk to potential investors (Beke, 2011). Before March, 2008 the US listed foreign issuers of securities were required to prepare financial statements with respect to the US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (US GAAP) or include reconciliation to US GAAP as a part of the financial statement reporting (Liu, 2011). This step became a prerequisite in the United States of America (USA) because of lack of widely accepted high quality accounting standards. Most of the foreign institutional investors file their annual reports on form 20-F which incorporates reconciliatio n. This reconciliation is often viewed as an unnecessary and expensive step by the foreign issuers of security (Liu, 2011). The European Union, New York Stock Exchange and the American Stock Exchange have allowed the Securities Exchange Commission of USA to allow foreign companies to use the IFRS to list on the US stock markets without the reconciliation or compliance with the US GAAP accounting principles. This was done as IFRS is considered a high quality accounting standards although there are some significant differences between the IFRS and US GAAP accounting standards. However, the investors need to be informed the differences between the IFRS and US GAAP accounting standards for

Qualitative research Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

Qualitative research - Coursework Example Basically, it enables people to comprehend social structures and how certain complexities can be overcome. Another paradigm applied in interpretivism is assumptions; the concept of assumptions in interpretivism entails a scenario where issues have to be examined holistically to facilitate individuals to understand their structures and functionality (Walsham, 1993). There is also the paradigm of positivism, which is basically a scientific approach. Positivism entails utilization of mathematical data as a means to gain greater insights of social dynamics. The corpus of solipsism entails a scenario whereby one believes in the existence of his own mind as the valid and reliable source of information (Teensma, 1974). Philosophers have also argued that it is a theory that believes in one’s own existence. Heshusius, L., & Ballard, K. (1996). From positivism to interpretivism and beyond: tales of transformation in educational and social research (the mind-body connection). New York: Teachers College

Animals and Myriad Ways they can Kill or Heal Us Essay - 2

Animals and Myriad Ways they can Kill or Heal Us - Essay Example Though, the defence mechanism can differ, but it still causes serious injury to the victim (prey) or survivor (attacker). Some animals use their claws, sharp teeth or horns and other strong body parts (tail or legs) to shield and defend from the potential danger; others, intimate their opponent with stings, bites or even with a single lethal touch. The term poisonous or venomous animal is generally used to refer the category of animals, which use their poisonous toxins or venom for attack or defence. However, there is a significant difference in the meaning of poison and venom. The former is absorbed by a touch and the later is injected through a bite, sting or stab. Thus, venom containing animals purposely inject their injurious toxins and poisonous animals contain poison in their skin, which is absorbed upon a single touch. The effect of the venom differs, as it is mainly dependent upon the amount of venom injected and the physical health of the victim. Therefore, venomous animal are active slayer and poisonous animal are passive slayer. Majority of the venoms are highly complex proteins that instantly or slowly deficit nervous system of humans or animals and adversely affect the blood circulation of the victim. Marbled cone snail or conus marmoreus is categorized as the most lethal animal in the world due to its potency of venom, but specific neurotoxins or conotoxins of its unique venom are utilized by the pharmacists to produce drugs, which have the potential to cure terminal pains. These beautiful tropical and sub tropical species have approximately 700 carnivorous predator kinds and almost eighteen of them cause human envenomation. Biologically known as Conus marmoreus, are generally termed as marbled cone snail, they nourish and breed on the reef of the oceans and are known as marine snails. These species belong to family of Conidae and fall into the phylum Mollusca. Their

Bible as Literature Essay Example for Free

Bible as Literature Essay One of the central arguments of the Old Testament book Genesis is its credibility as a historical account. Nobody may never really know if the events written in this book actually happened or not, especially parts (or chapters) where hints of culture and detailed places can be read. Except maybe chapters 1 and 2 which is the beginning of existence itself. Then again, details may have been passed through oral tradition, but considering the eternity of years between the time of creation and the time words were even put on to the most primitive of ways, details may be greatly distorted. After the creation story (Chapters 1 and 2) virtually all introductions of all chapters start out with the father siring a son, and that’s son’s son. A family tree in other words. An elaborate one at that, because the writer can trace back up to Adam. The Chapter starts out as, again, that familiar family tree starting from the children of Abraham and Keturah, Abraham’s other wife, up to the twins Esau and Jacob. By this, Genesis chapter 25 provides evidence that it should be taken as part of history and not as fiction. Then again Abraham took a wife, and her name was Keturah. And she bare him Zimran, and Jokshan, and Medan, and Midian, and Ishbak, and Shuah. And Jokshan begat Sheba, and Dedan. And the sons of Dedan were Asshirim, and Letushim, and Leummim. And the sons of Midian; Ephah, and Epherm and Hanochm and Abidahm and Eldaah . All of these were the children of Keturah. (Genesis 25: 1- 4) It is not clear whether Abraham married Keturah when he was still with Sarah or after her death. At any rate, Keturah seemed to be more fruitful, which just helped Abraham seal his place as the Father of All Nations. Patriarchal Theme Indeed Abraham is the father of all nations, heck, we even have a nursery rhyme to prove it, but what about the mother of all nations? Or in this case the mothers of all nations? The patriarchs are always one of the great figures in history and literature, which what the Bible actually is, a piece of (very old) history and literature. Patriarchy is the accepted system in most societies since people evolved into social creatures. Social groups are based in this system, governments, religion, and the family alike. Perhaps the most controversial of all, would be in religion, God is branded as â€Å"He† even though no one can ever really tell. But if Jesus and God are one in the same, logic tells us that the Supreme Being is also male. There’s a popular saying that in order to be of worth in this world; one must either write a book, plant a tree, or sire a son. Sons were always cherished by families, especially fathers since they would be able to inherit the family’s wealth and continue the blood line. In fact, during biblical times, and in some countries, even today, people are addressed by their names following who their father is: I am (name) son of (name of father), or I am from the house of (name of father) They only recognize who the father is. The theme of Patriarchy is a sensitive topic today, especially when women now are becoming more and more involved in the society, and sometimes more successful than most men. It has long been argued what the role of women are in the world. If they are fit in every position the world has to offer. Tradition (and our patriarchal society) tells us that men are supposed to be the leaders, but things has changed since Abraham’s time. There’s no doubt that men should hold high positions in the church, that’s just the way it is. Feminists can’t argue with that, but with everything else, men and women should have fair chances in finding their place in society. Covenant Theme Now the Lord said to Abram, ‘Go forth from your country, and from your your relatives And from your father’s house, To the land which I will show you; And I will make you a great nation, And I will bless you, And make your name great; And so, you shall be a blessing; And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. (Genesis 12:1-3) This is the covenant that God made with Abraham, it’s more like a promise of God to Abraham than a mutual agreement since Abraham benefited a lot from this covenant regardless of his future actions. As long as he leaves his country, his relatives, and his father’s house, all of God’s promises to him would be fulfilled This covenant making business isn’t new to God, e has done this in a couple of occasions. First was his covenant with Adam and Eve after they ate the forbidden fruit and was expelled from Paradise, God cut them some slack so they could still live and procreate. Another was during Noah’s time after God destroyed the rest of Mankind, except Noah’s family, He promised Noah that he would no longer destroy man by the use of flood. Then came Abraham. (Genesis 6-9) Abraham lived a comfortable life before God called upon him. What God was asking Abraham wasn’t easy. Nomads were considered inferior during that time plus the fact that God didn’t specify where exactly He wanted Abraham to be. Regardless of this uncertainty, he followed God’s will, and left the city, with all its comforts, to live the life of a nomad in the desert plains. (Genesis 12:1-3,7; 13: 14-18; 15: 4, 5, 13-18; 17-19; 22: 15-18) The covenant that God made Abraham is known as an Unconditional Covenant, for the promises that God made to Abraham would not be revoked even if he does not continue to comply on his side of the bargain. As long as Abraham leaves the city, all the conditions would be fulfilled by God. There’s more to it than God blessing Abraham’s descendants and making them more numerous than the stars. Let’s see what are some of the things that Abraham got from this deal: 1. Abraham will become the father of all nations (technically just Israel) 2. Abraham would inherit Canaan 3. He would be blessed 4. His name would be great 5. He would be a blessing to others 6. He and Sarah would have a son despite their old age Brewer, David, God’s Covenant with Abraham These promises however aren’t instantaneous, some are in the distant future ranging from Isaac’s birth, about 20 years later, and the Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt, which is a good 400 years later after the covenant. Critical Analysis of the literary, cultural, and religious issues The first issue that may be noticed in this chapter is from the first verse. Abraham taking a new wife, Keturah. The author does not say if Keturah was concubine of Abraham or if she was â€Å"taken† by Abraham after his wife’s death. One thing’s for sure, God is fulfilling His promise that Abraham would have descendants more numerous than the stars. It might sound a bit odd for a Christian to read about a Christian figure having concubines, but apparently, Abraham have had lots of concubines, and have had many sons with them. Another issue is Abraham’s death. Genesis tells us that he died one hundred and seventy five years old probably three times, on average, of today’s life expectancy. Sure, people back then lived a lot longer than today, but 175 is way too old. The calendar year then may have been different from today. Abraham gave gifts to his sons and sent them away towards the country to the east, while everything else he gave to Isaac. There’s Hebrew story that Abraham sent the other sons away fearing that they might begin conflicts. He might be right, because Islam can be traced back from the other sons of Abraham. On the family level, favouritisms were already a part of the family during that time. Isaac preferred Esau while Rebecca likes Jacob. Isaac probably liked Esau more, because he was a hunter, he provided the family with his game. Esau would make any typical dad proud. Esau liked the outdoors and was very masculine . Jacob on the other hand stayed at home, tending to the tents or in modern day terms, doing household chores. Of course mothers would have loved this. (Genesis 25: 27-28) Divine election is the power of God to choose whoever He desires, to do something or receive his blessing. God had already chosen Isaac and Jacob to be the recipients of Abraham’s blessings way before they were born. However this doesn’t mean that God chose them because he already knew that they would be more pious than the others. In Jacob’s case, Esau might have been more worthy of God’s blessing since Jacob took advantage of his brother’s weakness. Esau sold his birth right to Jacob for food, saying that he doesn’t need it since he is dying. God had chosen them simply because it is his will. He is God after all. (Deffinbaugh, Th. M, Divine Election) Arguably the most controversial issue is Jacob, as mentioned, Jacob schemed to buy his brother’s birth right so he can have most out of the inheritance he would get from his father. He need not do this because he was already chosen by God. Which Rebecca probably revealed to him already since he is her favorite. (Genesis 25: 31-33) Genesis’ Author The author of Genesis was probably a nomad just like Abraham, who raised livestock like cattle, and sheep on the plains of their land. The author may have written the book out of the urge to tell a story to trace their roots, or if it’s true, really trace his family tree up to Abraham. The author must have felt that he had to write into account his family’s heritage. What Genesis is, is really just an extensive family tree from Adam, to his last descendant in the book. The author might have written the chapters of the book, sitting under a shade of tree after tending to his flock. To pass time, he might have decided that he might as well do something productive during his break. It’s possible that these stories were later told at his household and soon became popular that it was told to every tent in the community. There’s also a chance that the author was a scholar, born several hundreds of maybe a thousand years after the estimated date of its last chapter. He (assuming he was a man) maybe the very first ethnographer of the world. If in deed, he was, he was very successful. He gathered a large number of information; from traditions/cultures: what the ancient people actually do during those times and how they lived, what they wore†¦etc. , history; detailed accounts of what happened, including probable conversations that might have happened between the people and God, and among themselves. What the author has done is simply astonishing, generations upon generations of ancient history, written in just one book, and its not even as thick as today’s novels. which may hypothesize that the book wasn’t just made by a single author but by the family historian in each generation. Works Cited Deffinbaugh, Th. M. â€Å"The Principle of Divine Election† bible. org. September 1, 2008 http://www. bible. org/page. php? page_id=104 New American Bible. United States Conference of Catholic Bishops 3211 4th Street, N. E. , Washington, DC 20017-1194 (202) 541-3000