Christian Perspective Research Articles

Deconstructing Theology or Prophetic Theology? A Comparative Protestant and Eastern Orthodox Christian Perspective

The purpose of this paper is twofold: first, to depict, in its main elements, the conception of a Protestant “deconstructive theology”, and, secondly, to present the prophetic aspect of Eastern Christian Orthodox theology in comparison with it. According to the method of “deconstructive theology” as a method, the Scripture must be dismantled in order to be fresh and new. In the Orthodox understanding, the work of theology is understood to be, in the first place, a personal relationship with and experience of God, both from a mystical and sacramental perspective, and, through this, an actualisation of the work and message of God’s Revelation, making it present in the context of each historical and cultural circumstance. As will be presented below, this achievement could be completed only within the Church. Thus, Orthodox theology must deliver the eternal word and life of Jesus Christ, addressed to the contemporary context, in order to guide the Church and the Faithful toward the Kingdom of God. It is hoped that this comparative endeavour may be beneficial for general understanding between Christians, through placing in conversation two different perspectives regarding theology, which seldom encounter one another.

“Giving the best of yourself“ – a sport from a Christian perspective

For many, it may seem strange to speak about sport from a Christian perspective. The question we may ask should be: Are you a Christian who plays sport, or are you a Christian in sport? In 2018, the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life published a new document, entitled “Giving the Best of Yourself“. This document gives a panoramic Christian vision of sport and the human person. As the same document says: “Giving one’s very best is a fundamental theme in sports, as athletes both individually and collectively strive to achieve their goals in the game. When a person gives his very best, he experiences satisfaction and the joy of accomplishment. The same is true in human life in general and in living out the Christian faith“ (Giving the best of yourself, Motives and purpose). This document attempts to better understand the relationship between giving our very best in sports and living the Christian faith in every aspect of our lives. The author explains here the various sections of the Document to show how sport and Christian life can be related.

A Problem of Perspective: Religions in Africa or African Traditional Religion

This study critiques study of African religions as a singular phenomenon under the umbrella term "African Traditional Religion" and rejects this reductionist approach, suggesting that a more detailed approach that recognises the diversity and plurality of religions on the African continent would allow for more insightful results in the study of religion in Africa. Along with Islam and Christianity, many religions indigenous to African peoples are still practised in Africa. Information about African religions was first provided in the works written mostly by Westerners. The works written by Christian missionaries, anthropologists, soldiers and researchers on religious life in Africa, both before and after the colonial period, have been the trendsetters of the "religion in Africa" literature. In such studies, Africa was analysed as a totality and the term " African Traditional Religion" was created. Besides, these studies were mostly biased, they often looked at religious phenomena from the perspective of Christianity and tried to Christianise them, and even more importantly, they made generalisations and presented all religions as a single religion. Later works by Africans were mostly written by Africans who converted to Christianity. This has led to the continuation of the reductionist and generalising approach in the relevant literature. Studies conducted from this perspective have typically situated African religions within frameworks that emphasize concepts such as the Supreme Being, spirits, ancestor veneration, magic, and sorcery. By highlighting these shared phenomena and oral traditions, this reductionist and orientalist perspective has contributed to the perception of African religions as a singular, cohesive entity. Even today, this effect can be seen in many works. Just as it is an erroneous approach to consider the peoples of Africa as a single race or nation, it is equally problematic to consider the religions of Africa as a single religion. This approach, which places the understanding that there is a single religion in the whole continent based on some similarities observed among the religions in Africa, has prevented the understanding of religious diversity in Africa and African religions. Although it may seem like a practical and problem-free approach, it is obvious that this perspective hinders the understanding of African religions and hence the understanding of Africa. The articles and books analysed in the context of this study have been instrumental in identifying a number of problems associated with this perspective. Many researchers have used the singular term 'Traditional African Religion' and failed to acknowledge the differences between religions. Others have used the term “African Traditional Religion” in the singular, but have stated that religions in Africa should be considered in the plural. Some other researchers have sometimes used a singular and sometimes a plural expression and stated that these can change according to the context, and that both expressions are correct. A small number of researchers also acknowledged that the appropriate term is “religions in Africa” or “African Traditional Religions” in the plural form, in accordance with the points raised in this study. Therefore, this study argues that the individual characteristics of African religions should not be generalised and represented as a single phenomenon, but that a more accurate understanding of these still living religions, with particular emphasis on their differences, will contribute to the understanding of Africa.

CRAFTSWOMEN IN MEDIEVAL SERBIA: A COMPARATIVE VIEW

As a research topic, women in medieval Serbian lands who were engaged professionally in skilled crafts is practically unexplored territory. In addition to a chronic lack of sources—which is clearly evident in the case of women’s work in producing commodities—exploration of the role of women’s work, even in medieval society, did not begin until the emergence of historiography of sex and gender, in particular at the end of the twentieth century. In addition to women from the ruling and aristocratic classes, who were noticeably preserved in the surviving sources in accordance with their status, the documents, primarily from the interior, mostly record widows due to their specific position in society, with the exception of a few legal provisions regulating women’s earnings. Narrative sources predominantly created within the Church view women through a Christian perspective and omit women’s work. However, information preserved in coastal cities such as Kotor or Dubrovnik, cities in the interior in neighboring states of what was previously Serbia and throughout medieval Europe, allow for parallels to be drawn and for issues related to the work of skilled craftswomen to be better understood. Through the comparative method based on currently established methodology, this paper will present women’s activities as professional craftswomen, their work as assistants in workshops, and their activities related to the infrastructure of a particular craft so that what is already known can be interpreted using source material and literature of both local and foreign origin in order to determine at least an approximate framework and role for women within the skilled crafts in medieval Serbia.

Immigration from a Christian Perspective: The Challenge and Imperative of Racial Justice

ABSTRACT This Essay seeks to encourage Christians – especially those working communities who identify with or are perceived as evangelical – who speak and advocate for greater humanity in immigration to engage more deeply with the interconnectedness of racial justice and immigration law and policy today. Framing a self-consciously Christian approach to immigration to include concerns about racial justice raises challenges related to the fraught nature of both immigration and racial discourse during an era of deep politicization and polarization. But positive practical effects might also follow from such engagement, such as enhancing Christian communities’ ability to ameliorate the harms imposed by contemporary immigration enforcement on people of color, bringing Christians into greater proximity with the concerns animating movements for immigrant and racial justice, and theological enrichment around faith-based discourse regarding immigration.

Economic Structure Formation and the Role of Dependence: A Christian Viewpoint

This article examines the relationship between economic structure formation and its dependence from the sociocultural context, taking a Christian perspective, focusing on decision-making motives and the impact of socioeconomic structures. It discusses the interplay between human actions and socioeconomic institutions, emphasizing the role of moral and philosophical foundations. The analysis highlights the importance of ethical norms, arguing that socioeconomic processes cannot be solely attributed to biological characteristics. By incorporating philosophical insights, the study proposes a framework where interpersonal relationships and value systems shape economic structures, advocating for a more humane and ethically grounded approach to economics.

Considering Transformative Leadership from a Christian Vantage Point

Theological writing in an advocatory modality seeks to advance a given position through reasoned argumentation designed to persuade a reader of its veracity. This paper exploits a conceptual analysis technique to interrogate the notion of transformative leadership from a Christian perspective considering three key denominations, namely Orthodoxy and Pentecostalism. A literature review methodology was used and we applied an interpretivistic paradigm to arrive at conclusions relating to the important notion of Christian transformative leadership. Using Christian teachings as a hermeneutic key we argue that they have a vital role to play in contributing to the responses made by Churches of all denominations relating to issues of transformational leadership and challenges posed in modern society. The Christian churches irrespective of denomination, are facing mega challenges requiring critical thinking based on Holy Scripture to employ in their operational spaces and also in their activities, and policy formulation relating to the issue of especially leadership. Inventive approaches are required for leaders in organisations to be truly transformational in their approaches. Transformative Church leaders need to be able to guide their congregations to feel free to explore new ideas and prospects that can promote a truly Christian ethos. They should also seek to engender an ethos of value in the Church in which there is a strong sense of purpose in what believers undertake. This paper contends that a transformational Church leader needs to be a true servant of God first and then the Ecclesia. The Transformative Church leader requires a firm mentorship style to assist believers to arrive at the point where they can make a valuable contribution to the House of the Lord and to society at large. Christian Transformational Leadership is today, as was the case millennia ago, one of the main leadership theories through which a Christian leader, strives to transform and influence their followers by expounding on their expected Christian vision and character.

THE CHRISTIAN MEANING OF THE PHENOMENON OF DEATH: A study based on the work “Eschatology: death and eternal life” by Joseph Ratzinger

In order to explain the finitude of life within the horizon of Christian religious experience, theology has developed a treatise called eschatology. This article aims to contribute to the eschatological reflection on death from a Christian perspective, with the help of the thought of Joseph Ratzinger, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. It is divided into three sections: 1- The problem of death in contemporary society: between denial and naturalization; 2- Indications of the view of death in Sacred Scripture; 3- The Christian meaning of death. Currently, according to Ratzinger, the idea remains among all sections of society, from believers to non-believers, that “death must come suddenly, without giving us time to think or suffer”, because naturalization has not had its intended effect: the end of fear in the face of the finitude of life. As a result, the idea emerged that this phenomenon of dying, not yet assumed and experienced as a necessary and uncontrollable fact, should be controlled with the help of scientific techniques, through methods such as euthanasia or assisted suicide. Thus, for modern Western man, death has become synonymous with failure, impotence and shame. They try to overcome it at any cost and, when this is not achieved, it is hidden and denied. Therefore, this article relays the essence of the Christian faith, the idea that human life is greater and more comprehensive than its biology, and that, after death, a new life is contemplated, one that is more perfect because it is eternal and imperishable.

Attention to Oneself in an Apologetic Perspective: The Reception of Ancient Philosophical Practices in St. Basil the Great

The purpose of this article is to present Saint Basil’s utilization of the philosophical heritage along with the ancient Greek literature for the benefit of Christianity. Saint Basil’s approach was influenced by a lineage of Christian philosophers, including the St. Justin the Philosopher, Origen, St. Gregory Thaumaturgus and his grandmother St. Macrina the Elder. Initially, early Christians like St. Justin the Philosopher and Clement of Alexandria portrayed Christianity as the true philosophy and the culmination of knowledge in antiquity. Then Origen employed more philosophical methods and practices in his Christian educational program. St. Basil followed this tradition, but infused his teaching with a holistic Christian interpretation. For instance, he emphasized attention to oneself in a Christian perspective. Additionally, his Address to the Young: On how they might derive benefit from Greek literature demonstrates Christianity’s capacity to assimilate and embrace other traditions while interpreting them in a manner that promotes virtue, the moral development of human being and devotion to Christ.

ANALOGY AND HARMONY: AN ANALYSIS OF THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF ADOPTED CHILDREN IN THE DISTRIBUTION OF INHERITANCE FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF ISLAM AND CHRISTIANITY

This study examines an important comparative legal and religious issue regarding the rights of adopted children in inheritance distribution from Islamic and Christian perspectives. While the abstract summarises key findings, there is a risk of oversimplifying the complexities of religious doctrines and national legal systems governing inheritance laws. Although adopted children's rights are limited in Islamic law, the possibility of making a will can mitigate these restrictions; however, additional nuances arise from various schools of thought and interpretations that influence the scope of inheritance. Conversely, the Christian perspective is often generalised as uniformly granting equal rights to adopted children, which may only hold across some Christian denominations or legal systems influenced by Christian principles. The abstract would benefit from a more detailed analysis of internal variations within each religion and consideration of how different national laws operationalise religious principles. Furthermore, the notion of "harmony" between these two religious traditions in addressing justice for adopted children may be overstated, as the theological foundations guiding inheritance distribution differ fundamentally. A more critical engagement with potential conflicts or limitations in achieving harmonious legal frameworks would add depth to the analysis.

Technology and Humanity in Chinese Christian Perspective

Abstract The ideas of transhumanism and Anthropocene supported by contemporary technological developments seem to contradict the Christian understanding of humanity. Based on a review of the relationship between the interpretations of the doctrine of imago Dei and the developments of technology in the Western world, this essay reinterprets the concept of imago Dei in connection with the concept of the “garment of skin” by making references to the Orthodox tradition represented by Maximus the Confessor (579–662). After spelling out its implications for the understanding of the relationship between humanity and technology, this essay explains further how the Confucian understanding of humanity and technology is compatible with and can enrich the Christian understanding. The resultant Chinese Christian understanding of humanity, integrating the traditions of Christian theology and Chinese culture, supports an affirmative and yet critical view of technology and challenges transhumanism and Anthropocene by offering a more adequate and balanced view of technology and humanity.

Intellectual humility and Christian faith

Abstract Christians talk a lot about humility. They also talk a lot about the kinds of radical faith that seem to fly in the face of intellectual humility. I explore how best to resolve this tension, from a Christian perspective. I argue that rather than prohibiting radical, ‘all-in’ faith or giving up on an intellectual humility requirement, Christians should conceive of intellectual humility as rooted in (non-)concern for one’s intellectual ego. This kind of intellectual humility is compatible with radical faith, but it also suggests a critique of some actual, ego-driven faith commitments.

The Concept of Physical Death from a Christian Perspective: Belief, Hope, and Meaning

This study aims to explore the concept of physical death from a Christian perspective, focusing on the beliefs, hopes, and meanings associated with it. Using a literature review method, data was gathered from books and articles addressing death within Christian thought. The analysis reveals three significant insights. First, Christian beliefs about physical death include varied understandings of life after death, the relationship between soul and body, and the role of Jesus Christ in death and eternal life. Second, Christian hope regarding physical death encompasses aspects such as the anticipation of heaven, reunion with God, and the immortality of the soul. This hope provides peace and support as Christians approach death, inspiring them to live with purpose and meaning. Third, the meaning of physical death from a Christian perspective includes the understanding of life’s purpose, spiritual preparation, and humanity's role within God’s plan. For Christians, physical death is not viewed as an end but as a transition to a better life. The findings of this study offer deeper insights into how Christian beliefs shape perceptions, hopes, and meanings surrounding physical death. Practical implications of this research can support and guide Christians in confronting mortality.

The role of Ondofolo to maintain religious harmony: A study in a Christian perspective

Local wisdom refers to the cultural heritage of a community, which is derived from its cultural origins and includes a wide range of values, rituals and traditions. Ondofolo is the current paramount chief of the Sentani community in Papua province, a position that remains in effect at the moment. The local community holds Ondofolo’s leadership in high esteem and places substantial trust in it. The research aims to investigate the function of Ondofolo within religious congregations using a qualitative phenomenological design approach. Data were gathered via participatory observations, interviews with Ondofolo, leaders of prayer rooms and Islamic boarding schools and a review of literature and research conducted in the indigenous area of Sentani. The local knowledge of Sentani ‘Ondofolo’ plays a crucial role in fostering the religious community by embodying the fundamental qualities of leadership, peace, love and brotherhood found in the Bible. The preservation of wisdom in all its manifestations is imperative, as it represents an irreplaceable cultural legacy.Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: This study applies the interdisciplinary characteristics of contextual theology to Ondofolo’s leadership of the religious congregation in Papua, drawing on Christian wisdom. The findings positively impact the formation of religious communities in Sentani, Papua. They also present a viable leadership model specific to the local context and can be used as an option for guiding the faithful community in Indonesia.

Judíos e identidades locales en el mundo visigodo

ABSTRACT Visigothic councils repeatedly raised the concern of the religious and political elites about the alleged continuity of Jewish populations (or those with a Jewish past) within the kingdom of Toledo. The ‘plague', the ‘error', and the ‘sect' seemed to threaten with their blasphemy and infidelity every corner, every community, of 7th century Christian Hispania. However, neither the conciliar acts nor the theological literature of the period recognized a specific geographical location for this group. The Jew was – and had to be – everywhere, but was nowhere. What role did geography and space play in defining a Jewish identity from a Christian perspective? What part did Jewishness have in local identity? Why, beyond traditional topics and labels, do most sources of the period not speak of a situated Jew? Based on these questions, this paper aims to review the written and archaeological documentation of the 7th century, to analyze the presence, absence – or deprivation? – of geography for the Jews and to observe in which specific contexts and circumstances this issue becomes relevant. We, therefore, aim to understand Jewishness as a constituent part of local identities and not as an anomaly.

What Is the Afterlife Like for Robots? An Experimental Eschatological Sneak Peek

People have always pondered their afterlife. Now, as AI and robotics continue to advance and proliferate, a new question emerges: Is there also some kind of “afterlife” for robots—and how can we envision it? This article seeks to explore these very queries from a Christian perspective. To tackle the initial question, I argue that, following the thoughts of St. Paul and St. Augustine, the whole of creation is sinful and seeks completion, it would be inconsistent to nurture such an all-encompassing hope yet exclude robots from it. From a Christian perspective, we should therefore assume the existence of an afterlife for robots. To decipher how we can envision it, I examine two pop-cultural depictions from the television episode “Zima Blue” and the television series Futurama, questioning whether they provide a fitting image of eschatological completion for robots. This methodological approach allows me to present a spectrum of conceptions of robotic afterlife that, when examined through the lens of systematic theology, appear plausible, offering fresh impetus for eschatological and robophilosophical reflections.

Reconciliation Pedagogy as Peacebuilding through Education in the Context of Cameroon

Purpose: The aim of the study was to examine Reconciliation Pedagogy as Peacebuilding through Education in the Context of Cameroon Methodology: Being a literature-based paper, there was introduction of the paper in which some concepts were defined, a review of relevant literature on Cameroonian scholarship about the ongoing crisis, review of global literature on reconciliation pedagogy, a description of the role of a Christian teacher as a reconciliation pedagogue, and a proposed reconciliation pedagogical framework from a Christian perspective. Findings: The Christian Teacher can positively provide good influence to help address the current Anglophone crisis in Cameroon through pedagogy for contextual reconciliation. This would be seen in actual ethical paradigms like forgiveness, compassionate care, honesty, love, justice and equity as Christian virtues of being and doing, which is a potential gap in teachers’ practice in a crisis situation. Hence, the paper seeks to provide a new paradigmatic shift in ethical discernment in teaching pupils/students who are the immediate beneficiaries of reconciliation pedagogy and the society at large. The focus is not on inculcating ideas but in shaping life through teaching and modeling of Christian virtues that would be constructive to the development of students and the society in general. This would be an integrative approach of historical, ethical, spiritual and practical principles and Christian thinking and doing. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The paper suggests a contextual pedagogy for the Christian Teacher’s practice which is a form of summary of the roles they can play as reflective pedagogues. Hence, this paper sought to suggest reconciliation pedagogy from a Christian perspective for the Cameroonian context which is a characterized with human abuse and which both teachers and learners are victims. It is hoped that the suggested framework guides the Christian Teacher’s practice towards the reconstruction of the society as a step in the process of reconciliation in view of the current Anglophone crisis in Cameroon.

Christian perspectives on music education: A framework for teaching to reach heads, hearts, and hands

The purpose of this article is to present a Christian perspective on teaching music. Throughout history, Christianity has pervaded the field of music education, impacting the way and the reasons music is taught. This article presents a brief review of historical and theological concepts relating to the philosophy of music education, with specific attention given to orthodoxy, orthopathos, and orthopraxis (or in simpler terms, head, heart, and hands). A preliminary philosophical framework is presented for incorporating the concept of teaching music to educate heads, hearts, and hands.

Health as ᴆagbε in the Ghana-Eυe Context: Lessons from the New Testament

How does the Church in Ghana address the growing concerns of health care delivery especially among the Ghana-Eυe from the perspective of Christianity? This is the question that this study sought to answer. Using literature research, this paper argued that holistic Christian health care is nothing short of ᶑagbε in the Eυe context. ᶑagbε is holistic well-being. Holistic well-being can hardly be separated from the salvation that Jesus offers. At his incarnation, Jesus brought the gospel of the kingdom of God/kingdom of heaven as holistic well-being for human benefit. While preaching his holistic gospel, Jesus also healed and taught people. His spectacular healing ministry and other deeds did not prove his divine sonship or messiahship but attested to the fact that in his life and ministry, the kingdom of God/heaven had come in power and glory. In Jesus then, one finds the full realisation of God’s ᶑagbε to heal the human body, soul and spirit. The study contributes to scholarship in helping to indigenize the meaning of salvation in the Eυe context. This wades into the debate on inculturation theology in Africa. Keywords: ᶑagbε, health, Ghana

EASSESSING ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING’S DIALOGUE WITH FRIEDRICH SCHILLER IN “THE DEAD PAN”

Widely interpreted as Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s justification for incorporating Christian themes within poetic discourse, “The Dead Pan” offers a Christian perspective in response to Friedrich Schiller’s favourable portrayal of Ancient Greek paganism in “Gods of Greece.” The poem epitomises Victorian pietism, exemplifying the period’s religious fervour and advocating for the synthesis of Christian content in poetry to enrich the literary canon. This advocacy originates from Browning’s belief that Christianity offers superior truths and values compared to Greek paganism. However, this study proposes a reassessment of Barrett Browning’s interpretation of Schiller’s work, suggesting that she may have misconstrued his allusions to Greek mythology as a straightforward endorsement of paganism. It is crucial to recognise that Schiller’s critique of Christianity primarily condemns the exploitation of the faith by religious and secular authorities to oppress and control the populace, rather than an outright denunciation of the religion itself. By examining the genesis of “The Dead Pan” through Barrett Browning’s personal correspondence, this study illuminates her specific objectives and her responses to Schiller’s perspectives. Additionally, by contextualising “Gods of Greece” within its socio-political and theological framework, this paper demonstrates that while Browning and Schiller have divergent approaches to Ancient Greek culture and Christianity, Barrett Browning overlooks Schiller’s nuanced criticism of the misuse of religion by religious and secular authorities.