Life First

Holistic Happiness

As the founders of the US republic make clear in the Declaration of Independence, human beings have an unassailable right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. While the meaning of these "unalienable rights" is debated, it is clear that these rights are interrelated. Concerned with these "rights," Holistic Happiness focuses on happiness, defining the purpose of life as achieving and maintaining happiness "conducive to the equitable flourishing of all." To this end, happiness should not be confused with pleasure, which is momentary and transitory, for happiness is not so much a feeling as an attitude, associated with what we call achieving meaning and purpose in life. Properly understood, happiness can be achieved, but only by inner discipline, requiring a transformation of one's outlook, attitude, and approach to life. As this book emphasizes, good health is an important foundation for happiness. However, to experience and maintain good health requires good genes, a balanced lifestyle, supportive companions, wholesome eating and drinking, regular exercise, a positive mindset, an active disposition, and good fortune. While happiness and good health are frequently disrupted by accidents, disease, stress, chemical and emotional imbalance, and numerous other factors, wellness is achievable and sustainable, but it needs balanced input from an individual's four constituent dimensions: physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. In this regard, this volume is a resource for individuals seeking holistic happiness. While benefitting from recent scholarly research, Holistic Happiness is unique in content and conception and is useful for individual or group study. Each chapter concludes with questions suitable for discussion or reflection.

Metánoia (Repentance)

Matthew describes the beginning of Jesus's ministry with the summary words, ""μετανοεῖτε (repent/turn), for the kingdom of heaven is at hand"" (3:2; 4:17). Why does Matthew use this command, μετανοεῖτε, at the beginning of his ministry, and how does it relate to the rest of the Gospel? What do μετανοέω and μετάνοια mean? Scholars have stated that μετανοέω in 4:17 has critical value for understanding Matthew because the verse functions as a summary statement (or key phrase) of Jesus's public ministry and teaching. This book argues the thematic significance of μετάνοια (turning/repentance) in the Gospel of Matthew. The lexical idea of μετανοέω and μετάνοια involves a turning of mind (or heart, will, thinking) and behavior, and so in turn of one's whole being and life. This opening commandment of turning (μετανοέω), especially the concept, the essence, and the contents is fully revealed throughout the body of Matthew in various ways. Discipleship, the language of righteousness, doing the will of God, changing one's heart and mind, the Great Commission, and Matthean soteriological theme convey the essence of μετάνοια and the contents of the fruit worthy of μετάνοια(3:2, 8; 4:17). The five major teaching blocks (5-7; 10; 13; 18; 23-25) teach the theme and the content of μετάνοια.

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