Biblical Passages Research Articles

Healing through faith: Meeting a chaplain coupled with biblical readings could produce lymphocyte changes that correlate with brain activity (HEALING study)

Background Faith and belief systems impact the emotional as well as immunological states of believers in ways that we are just beginning to understand. However, the clinical implications of prior studies are limited. The aim of the HEALING (Hospital-based Ecumenical and Linguistic Immuno-NeuroloGic) study is to examine immunological and neurological changes in hospitalized patients after meeting with a chaplain coupled with the study of biblical readings. Methods Hospitalized patients were pre-screened to identify those who were most in need of a spiritual intervention. A passage from the Bible was read to them during a meeting with the chaplain at bedside (n = 20) or in the chapel (n = 18). No meeting occurred in the randomized control group (n = 19). Blood samples were obtained 30 min prior and 60 min after the meeting to measure white blood cell (WBC) count, interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), immunoglobulin M (IgM), IgA, IgG, and complement 3 (C3). A subgroup of the visited patients was subjected to functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), during which they listened to an audiotape of readings of the same biblical passage (n = 21). Results Immunological changes were not significant. Conversely, a significant (pfwe = 0.003) correlation was observed between lymphocyte changes and activation of the angular gyrus (left BA39) during fMRI, a brain area involved in word recognition. Conclusions This article contributes to the relevant literature by helping to create a realistic picture of the possibilities of neuroimmune modulation in clinical practice. Compared to healthy volunteers, the extent of short-term neuroimmunomodulation becomes narrower in a clinical setting. Although limited by the sample size and cohort study design, the findings suggest that the depth of psycho-immunological changes could depend on the degree to which the chaplain’s main message is understood.

The Lexical and Syntactical Calque superaedificare in the Latin Tradition of the New Testament Epistles

Abstract The prefixed verb superaedificare, which is a calque of ἐποικοδοµέω, governs prepositional phrases and plain cases in the Latin New Testament Epistles. The Vulgate and Old Latin manuscripts feature constructions of superaedificare in agreement with the Greek source text. However, alternative translations are attested when the biblical text is cited by early Christian writers. In citations where the biblical passage is included in the author’s text, aedificare is frequently used instead of superaedificare. By contrast, when the biblical text is quoted for the first time and its source is acknowledged, superaedificare is employed and its construction matches that of the Greek text. These citation habits show that the construction of superaedificare is a syntactical calque of the Greek source text, which is attested when the citations are marked as such but is not used when the biblical text is embedded in the patristic text.

Verso una rinnovata mistagogia L’impostazione della mistagogia basata sulla tipologia biblica

Biblical typology is the basis of any mystagogy because, through it, the Christian sees the entire plan of God unfolded, fulfilled in Christ, along with the persons, realities, and events that prophetically prefigured His coming. In various fields of theological reflection, the term „mystagogy”, so dear to the liturgical and spiritual tradition of Christian antiquity, has emerged with renewed vigour. In the great patristic mystagogies, the biblical passage takes center stage and shapes the very method of mystagogy: for the Fathers, mystagogy is nothing other than biblical typology applied to the liturgy. Therefore, in order to fully participate in the mysteries of Christ and his message, it is necessary to appropriate and adopt biblical typology. Only this enables us to move toward a renewed mystagogy.

“To Collect Information, Not to Deduce Law”: Al-Biqāʿī’s (d. 1480) Argument for Interpreting the Quran with the Bible

This paper investigates how premodern Muslim intellectuals understood and utilized Biblical materials in their written works. While some studies have highlighted Muslim use of the Bible for polemical and apologetic purposes, this study shows that medieval Muslim interaction with Biblical passages was not confined to those two approaches, illustrating the complexity of their engagement with the Bible. Taking the fifteenth-century Mamluk Quran commentator Burhān al-Dīn al-Biqāʿī (d. 1480) as a case study, this paper discusses how al-Biqāʿī sought to quote relevant Biblical passages to offer a more comprehensive narrative of figures and events mentioned only briefly in the Quran. Criticized by his contemporaries, al-Biqāʿī wrote his Apologia to defend his approaches. Analyzing al-Biqāʿī’s Apologia reveals the central argument that, for him, interpreting the Quran with the Bible is permissible for narrative and admonitory purposes but not for determining articles of faith and Islamic laws. In the end, he underscores the significant difference between taḥrīf (falsification) and naskh (abrogation), which should be appropriately understood in dealing with pre-Islamic revelation. Although he implied that certain Biblical passages were safe from textual falsification based on their conformity with the Quran, he supported the concept of abrogation, a widespread idea in medieval times across various religious traditions.

“There is Not One Shred of Evidence That [Being Trans] is Not a Divine Gift”: Grace and Lace Letter and the Rhetorical Construction of an Evangelical Transfeminine Identity

Grace and Lace Letter was a newsletter by and for transfeminine evangelicals in the 1990s. This article explores the rhetorical approaches contributors used to bridge these seemingly contradictory identities. Through a recontextualization and historicization of Biblical passages and an employment of a “created this way” discourse, these contributors created possibilities for an evangelical transfeminine identity and advocated for trans acceptance within their evangelical communities. However, these strategies also reveal complicity with other marginalizing discourses. Thus, this article considers the rhetorical processes through which transgender religious identities are constructed and the limitations of such approaches.

A Comparative and Applied Study of Qur'anic and Biblical Teachings on the Principles of Commerce and Business

This study examines the ethical principles of commerce and business as outlined in the Qur'an and the Bible, providing a comparative analysis of their teachings and their application in modern business practices. The research explores key themes including honesty in trade, ethical treatment of workers, prohibition of usury, promotion of charity and social responsibility, and their implications for contemporary economic systems. Through detailed case studies of businesses implementing Qur'anic and Biblical principles, the study evaluates the outcomes and challenges of integrating religious values into corporate governance. It synthesizes findings from primary sources—Qur'anic verses and Biblical passages—as well as secondary sources such as scholarly articles and commentaries. The significance of this study lies in its contribution to understanding how religious teachings can inform and guide ethical business conduct, fostering trust, sustainability, and social responsibility. Recommendations for future research and practice highlight opportunities for further exploration and implementation of these principles in diverse cultural and regulatory contexts.

Magister Gratianus tanítása a házassági akadályokról

Many legal scholars have examined the question of how to reconcile Gratian’s willingness to use both the Justinianic and the pre-Justinianic Roman law that he found in his sources with his apparent unwillingness or inability to use Justinian’s Roman law books at first hand. This paper focuses on another root of European legal culture, the Judaeo-Christian legal heritage. It addresses the question to what extent Gratian’s concept of marriage, based on a contemporary interpretation of the marriage of Mary and Joseph based on the decision of the Council of Ephesus (431), contributed to the clarification of the system of marriage impediments in 12th century canon law, and to what extent the magister used arguments based on biblical passages to do so. The canon law from the early Middle Ages allowed a husband to divorce his unfaithful wife, while the Western Church of Gratian’s age opposed the dissolution of the marriage bond and only recognised the possibility of separating the spouses from bed and table. Therefore, the significance of the subject lies primarily in the fact that in the case of some impediments to marriage the magister saw the possibility of dissolution of the unconsummated union (a so-called initiated marriage) and, in a few, not common cases of the consummated marriage too. The principle of indissolubility, although annulment and dissolution of marriage are different legal instruments, was not necessarily applied in this period either. However, Gratian’s particular concept of marriage and his legal explanations of the impediments to marriage contributed significantly to the fact that the only ground for divorce mentioned in the Gospels, adultery, could not lead to the dissolution of the bond. In the 16th century, Protestant divorce law was primarily a reaction to this understanding, and also the Catholic teaching on the impediments to marriage continued to evolve, formally still adhering to the principle of indissolubility.

Moscow-the Third Rome Concept and the Russian Orthodox Church

Russians in 988, under the leadership of Kinyaz Viladimer, they accepted Christianity through the Patriarchate of Constantinople and entered a new phase in their history. With Christianity, the Russians were introduced to writing and, most importantly, to religious texts. At the same time, this change of religion also led to the acceptance of the belief of chosenness, which had spread to Christianity from Judaism. Nestor, a Russian priest who lived in the 12th century, wrote in his work that although Russians were the last community to accept Christianity, they would undertake important missions in the future. He also attributed a mission to the Russian society by referring to the biblical passage that the feet will be the head and the head will be the feet. However, in the mentioned centuries, the Eastern Roman Empire was still the centre of Orthodoxy. For this reason, the Russian Orthodox Church would remain for many years as a Metropolitanate under the Patriarchate of Constantinople. However, the increasing Ottoman pressure on Constantinople from the 1400s onwards created several historical opportunities for the Russians. In particular, the Byzantine agreement with the Pope of Rome in Florence in 1439 mobilised the Russian Church. Using this agreement as a pretext, Moscow severed its relations with Constantinople. In 1453, the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople, the centre of the Orthodox world, opened a new page in Russian Theo-politics. Russian priests believed that Nestor's prophecy had been fulfilled and Moscow developed the concept of the Third Rome. Appearing in the 16th century, the Moscow-Third Rome concept soon became the ideological basis for the formation of the Moscow kingdom. In this article, the concept of Moscow Third Rome, which is one of the important turning points in Russian history, is analysed through an analytical method. The background of the concept, the conditions that led to its emergence, its historical development and its reflections on the present day are emphasised.

The Failure of Poseidon, ‘Averter of Disaster’ and the Mythical Geography of Isaiah 23:1–14

AbstractThe nostos, the return home in Greek mythology, is most often a journey over the sea, and it is the god Poseidon who rules the sea, both ensuring the safe passage of fishermen and sailors and causing disasters to individuals like Ajax son of Oileus, sometimes through obstacles like his daughter Charybdis. Most famously, he uses his power to hinder the nostos of Odysseus, all the while knowing he cannot prevent him from reaching home. This example illustrates how a god who may once have been the most powerful deity can no longer control ultimate results. As his power declines over the centuries, that of Zeus increases.It is also by sea that we see the ships in Isaiah 23, attempting to return to their homes in Sidon and Tyre on the eastern Mediterranean coast. In this Biblical passage from the eighth century BCE, the ships wail when they see that their seaport homes have been destroyed; there are no homes to which they can return. The great god of the Sea and the epichoric gods have failed to protect the cities which are considered their progeny. The Israelite prophet mocks their powerlessness and celebrates the power of his One God. There is no nostos, no homecoming for ships because they no longer have homes. Just as Poseidon could not prevent Odysseus from his nostos, the so-called Averter of Disaster has not prevented the disaster that has befallen his children.

REFLECTIONS ON CREATION: THE “NORMATIVE MAN” THROUGH THE LENS OF SAINT GREGORY OF NYSSA'S ANTHROPOLOGY

Our study explores the concept of the "normative man" from the perspective of Saint Gregory of Nyssa's anthropology. The starting point is the analysis of the biblical passage that describes the creation of man, a fundamental passage for understanding the place and purpose of humanity in the Christian vision

Evangelisation of all Creation: An Analysis of the Neglected Target Group of Mark 16:15

It is a glaring fact that the environment has constantly been subjected to deforestation, air and atmospheric pollution, and many other related factors that threaten both human and animal life. Individuals, governments, churches, etc. have long identified the pressure on the ecology and have addressed it from different perspectives. This paper thus sought to address this environmental problem from a religious or Christian point of view. Since the paper involved the analysis of a text (Mark 16:15), text critical method was applied. This method studies and compares ancient manuscripts of texts like biblical passages to find out which texts were originally written by the author and can thus be proved authentic. It was found out in the analysis that though Mark 16:15 was not written by the original author of Mark’s gospel, the text laid bare the fact that Christians especially, must have a strong sense of responsibility towards nature. Enshrined in Jesus’s mandate to his disciples in Mark 16:15 is the Christian responsibility to care for created things. It appears, however, that in their evangelisation plans, Christians concentrate more on the salvation of human beings than the survival of the ecology which suffers from the handiworks of humans. Christians are, therefore, encouraged to value nature and take necessary measures to ensure its survival. This paper contributes to the debate on how sacred texts can positively influence humanity’s attitudes towards the ecosystem. It creates the awareness that nature is God’s greatest gift to humanity and must be properly cared for. Keywords: Evangelisation, Creation, Environmental Crisis, The Gospel of Mark

Visual Exegesis of Herodias and Salome from Feminist Rhetorical Criticism: The Construction of a Myth

The biblical account of Salome has been marked throughout history by two main themes: on the one hand, the princess’s dance in front of the main rulers of Galilee, and on the other hand, the request for the head of John the Baptist to King Herod, instigated by his mother Herodias. The reading of this passage has been strongly marked by the different patriarchal exegetical approaches, which have modulated the reception of both female characters being traceable through the visual and literary arts, to the point of taking on the concept of femme fatale. Really, in both moments Salome is the executor of the actions, not as a result of her capacity for agency, but due to her influenceable character. Through a critical–historical analysis of the biblical passage, Herodias and Salome emerge with characteristics quite different from what 19th-century Art History inherited. The methodology of feminist rhetorical criticism allows for an approach to the visual re-imaginings of this biblical passage that have shaped the iconography of these two figures. The field of visual arts, particularly the production of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, will be the great receptacle for the genesis of the fatality and assimilation of these female biblical figures.

Reading the resurrection appearance at the lakeside through lenses of sensing and intuition

This study forms part of a research project designed to test the sensing, intuition, feeling and thinking (SIFT) approach to biblical hermeneutics in respect of a wide range of biblical passages. On this occasion, two contrasting approaches to perceiving (a group of eight sensing types and a group of nine intuitive types) were invited to address two questions to John 21:1–12a: What do you see in this passage? What sparks your imagination in this passage? These two contrasting groups generated characteristically different readings of the same text.Contribution: The SIFT approach to biblical hermeneutics is rooted in the reader-perspective school of interpretation and is concerned with identifying the influence of the psychological type profile of the reader on the interpretation of text. The present study adds to a developing body of evidence validating the theory underpinning the SIFT approach and does so by focusing for the first time on the resurrection appearance at the lakeside in John 21.

An Analysis of the Petrine View of Believers’ Holy Life and Brotherhood: Implications for Christian Education in Tangerang, Indonesia

The prominent theme in 1 Peter is holy life and brotherhood as characteristics of being a Christian. Peter instructs Christians on how to respond to the inevitable reality of suffering facing the first-century church. The author of this letter addresses his message to immigrants, immigrants, who are scattered in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia Minor and Bithynia (I Pet. 1:1). Those who receive the letter of I Peter are called people chosen by God, sanctified by the Spirit of God. Thus, the author of the letter I Peter has the appropriate context at the time of writing this letter. The context is noteworthy so that it contributes to understanding Peter 1:13-25. In this text, the author uses a term that can help modern readers understand the context of I Peter. The word used in I Peter 1:13-25 is the word suffering or temptation as stated in I Peter 1:6. The purpose of the suffering is for the quality or purity of the recipient’s faith. The study used the historical-critical method to explore the teaching of 1 Peter 1:13–25. Hence, this exegesis sought to assist in attaining a clearer understanding of what the biblical passage seeks to convey to Christian religious education teachers in Tangerang Indonesia. A quantitative method was also used to seek the views of Christian elementary and junior high school teachers in Tangerang. It concluded that in light of the impending judgment on all humanity, believers are to trust God and continue to live holy lives and foster the spirit of brotherhood amidst their suffering. This study has implications for Christian Education as Christians face attacks from within and without and to remain victorious. Keywords: Holy life, Brotherhood of Believers, Brotherly Love, 1 Peter 1:13-25

To jest ten dom, w którym Chrystus chce się zatrzymać.Absalona ze Sprinckirsbach kazanie XXXIX na poświęcenie kościoła – przekład i komentarz

The article contains the first translation into Polish of Absalon’s of Sprinckirsbach Sermon XXXIX. The theme of the sermon is the dedication of the church. The translation is preceded by a short introduction about the author and his work. There is also a summary of the sermon in the introduction. The translation is accompanied by explanatory comments and localizations of biblical passages.

Exploring Theological and Biblical perspectives on wealth and poverty

The subject of wealth and poverty is one of the major themes in the JudeoChristian Scriptures. The continent of Africa is one of the regions hugely affected by poverty. As such, there is an ongoing discourse about the biblical view of wealth and how it may be used in tackling the canker of poverty. At one breath, our contemporary materialistic culture is seducing Christians to accept the idea that poverty is a curse from God, whilst on the other extreme, wealth is viewed as an impediment to entering the kingdom of God. While a complete eradication of poverty remains a formidable challenge, particularly in vulnerable contexts, there exists an opportunity for more concerted efforts to alleviate the plight of the impoverished. As a contribution to the scholarly discourse, this paper examined what the Bible reveals about wealth and poverty and made relevant theological deductions for African church in dealing with wealth and poverty. This is timely against the backdrop that the “centre of gravity” of Christianity is in Africa which makes it befitting to address the menace of poverty from the biblical standpoint. The paper conducted a theological study of relevant biblical passages. The fact that one’s wealth does not necessarily indicate their acceptance by God and the need to share material resources were emphasized. Though the authors had the African continent in mind, the paper also applies to other contexts which share Africa’s socio-economic realities.

STUDY OF CHRISTIAN ETHICAL VALUES ACCORDING TO 1 PETER 3: 14-17 AND ITS IMPLEMENTATION IN RELIGIOUS MODERATION IN INDONESIA

The biblical passage emphasizes virtues such as gentleness, respect, and endurance in the face of adversity, providing a foundational framework for ethical conduct. Through an exploration of the cultural and societal context in Indonesia, this abstract seeks to elucidate how these values can be implemented to promote interfaith dialogue, social responsibility, and a culture of understanding, thereby contributing to religious moderation and harmony. The research draws upon biblical exegesis, cultural studies, and contemporary examples to illuminate the relevance and impact of Christian ethical values in the Indonesian context, offering insights for both scholars and practitioners engaged in interfaith initiatives and the promotion of tolerance.This research was conducted by carrying out exegesis of 1 Peter 3: 14-17 which is believed to provide a way to be moderate and afterward conducting descriptive qualitative research by conducting interviews with witnesses and sources. In this study, it was found that the ability and strength of Christians in carrying out the practice of religious moderation is not based on ethical and moral awareness as human beings but is based on understanding and total self-surrender to sanctify Christ in the heart, so that a person can be patient in suffering, strong enough to forgive the guilty, stand firm in righteousness and godliness.

Need for continuous leadership training on sustainability of United Baptist Church of Zimbabwe

The significance of leadership in ensuring the efficient operation of any given entity cannot be overstated. The acquisition of leadership skills is an essential component for the success and accomplishment of an organisation’s objectives and goals. The church is commonly regarded as an institution and, as such, effective leadership is deemed essential for its long-term viability. The decline of effective leadership within religious institutions is a matter of significant apprehension. What are the implications of inadequate leadership within religious institutions? This article examined the impact of inadequate and infrequent leadership training and the decline of organisational sustainability. The utilisation of a case study approach is employed to examine the United Baptist Church of Zimbabwe (UBCZ). The objective of this article is to provide a response to the following question: What is the impact of inadequate continuous training for leaders on the long-term viability of an organisation? This matter is addressed by drawing upon the extant literature pertaining to the topic. Additionally, it utilises the data collected during the on-site research conducted within the UBCZ. This article analyses selected biblical passages to provide insight into the importance of leadership training.Contribution: This article contributes to the body of knowledge of how effective leadership can impact the flourishing of the church in the changing environment of the 21st century.

Presença de São Tomás de Aquino na construção da narrativa medieval sobre o dinheiro

ABSTRACT As a reverse effect of constraining interpretation and limiting itself to the moral ordering of commerce defended by Aquinas, the Summa Theologica both motivated the enrichment of the Christian imaginary in narratives like Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy and Geoffrey Chaucer’s work, The Canterbury Tales. In the case of the Divine Comedy, it expanded the reflection on the categories of sinners related to money, and as regards The Canterbury Tales, it provided support for the construction of anti-models in some of the framed narrative types of misers, simoniacs, and fraudsters. This article aims to present Aquinas’ instructions regarding the uses of money, juxtaposing, at times, with literary texts. For this purpose, biblical passages, commentators of the Catholic tradition Bible, and texts from economists are brought in as the Summa Theologica is analyzed. Theoretical thinkers of Christian thought, such as Augustine and Boethius, and economic thought, such as Molina and Robbins, have been used.

Authenticity of the “Interrogatio” Iohannis in the Light of Contemporary Deconstructionist Source Criticism

Scholars of Catharism representing the deconstructionist current in the recent years continue their struggle with the traditional interpretation of this heresy which underlines its dualistic character and strong connections with Eastern dualisms – especially with Bogomilism. Their tactics is focused primarily on questioning the authenticity of the sources confirming Cathar dualism and its Eastern roots. Such sources are presented as forgeries invented by the Catholics trying to discredit the “dissidents”. This tactic is directed primarily against the sources of heretical provenience, which are the strongest arguments against the deconstructionist interpretation. Previously, the deconstructionist scholars questioned the acts of the Cathar council in Saint-Felix-De-Caraman, and the so-called “Manichaean treatise” – a Cathar theological work aimed at proving ontological dualism based on the specific interpretation of numerous biblical passages. Currently the deconstructionists speak about the need for verification of another Cathar dualistic treatise – Liber De Duobus pricipiis. Considering this we may expect that soon also the Interrogatio Iohannis will be questioned, as it is a crucial source confirming both the dualism of the Cathars and their dependence on the Bogomils. Before it happens I decided to take a closer look at this apocryphal text. Through the analysis of its doctrine in the light of the Eastern sources concerning the Bogomils I am going to answer the question of whether this work, known only from the Latin manuscripts, indeed could have been created by the Bogomils and if it is possible to question its authenticity using the patterns used by the deconstructionist scholars.