Concept Of God Research Articles

Decolonising Translated Bibles: The Tragic Erasure of the Vhavenḓa’s Concepts of God through the 1936 and 1998 Tshivenḓa Bible Translations

The Bible translated into South Africa’s indigenous languages has a colonial history. For the Vhavenḓa people, the 1936 and 1998 Bible translations are revered as icons that hold a privileged position. However, this paper argues that these two translations should be seen as colonial language tools that do not serve the culture of the Vhavenḓa people. Instead, they can be viewed as weapons against them. These translations distorted the Tshivenḓa language by imposing distorted and foreign concepts of God, thereby rendering the Vhavenḓa people to have been without knowledge of God.

An Inquiry into the “Maleness” of God in African Traditional Religions: The Igbo and Yorùbá as Illustrations

Abstract In recent times, religious cultures across sub-Saharan Africa have shown a penchant for a masculine conception of God. However, in traditional African religions it is a general and cardinal belief that the sex of God has not been observed or revealed. Nevertheless, rendering God as masculine has evolved into a norm. This article explores the linguistics of the Igbo and Yorùbá to challenge this “masculine given.” Through philosophical analysis, this article discloses that pronouns in these African cultures are both gender neutral and contextual. Since it is generally understood that no African can see God, the dominant outlook that God is masculine is therefore incorrect.

From God’s Image and Homo Sapiens to Homo Dei: Struggling with People with Intellectual Disabilities

This paper aims to examine the position of people with intellectual disabilities in two areas of study: the theological discourse of the image of God and the scientific study on the evolutionary theory of human origin, exclusively in social Darwinism and Homo sapiens. In Christian interpretations of God’s image, this paper succinctly presents and revisits two parts: ancient Christian (Augustine and Irenaeus) interpretations of God’s image and several different directions (substantial, relational, functional, and ethical approaches), providing the understanding of the image of God in the modern era. In evolutionary theory, this paper focuses on two parts: the idea of social Darwinism and Homo sapiens. In addition, this paper revisits both ideas in constructing an inclusive paradigm of God’s image. The main argument of this paper is that the image of God liberates people with intellectual disabilities from the confines of the exclusive ideas of God’s image and Homo sapiens to a concept of Homo Dei. In conclusion, this paper proposes the idea of Homo Dei to portray an abstract concept of God’s image vis-à-vis the evolutionary theory.

What Is the Most Influential Authenticity of Beliefs, Places, or Actions on the Pilgrimage Tourism Destination Attachment?

Religious tourism attracts many pilgrims and tourists to travel to a sacred space, and the issue of its authenticity has become increasingly important. Convenience sampling was used to conduct a survey at Dajia Jenn Lann Temple, Taichung City, Taiwan, and 487 valid questionnaires were obtained. The linear structural equation model constructs the analysis results as follows: (1) The “authenticity of place” and “action authenticity” have a positive relationship on the “place attachment” and act as a mediator variable for the effects of “authenticity of belief” on “authenticity of action”. (2) Tourists who have visited twice or more have a higher impact on “authenticity of belief” than those who have visited once. (3) Among the factors of the “authenticity of belief”, “concept of life” and “concept of God” are the most important; among the factors of the “authenticity of the place”, “spiritual sustenance” is the most important; and among the factors of “authenticity of action”, “experiential action” and “consequential actions” are the most important. The “place identity” is the essential aspect of the “place attachment” factor. This study developed a scale of the authenticity of belief, place, and action. Research results can provide a reference for religious tourism development.

The Warfare Ideology of Ordeal: Another Form of Just War Thinking? Theory and Practice from the Early Middle Ages

ABSTRACT Studying the military thinking and military history of the Middle Ages, one can observe several forms of warfare ideologies. Three of these ideologies are the holy war ideology, the ideology of ordeal (or iudicium Dei), and the traditional just war theory. Every such ideology has the common characteristic of a stronger or weaker link to concepts of a Christian God, religion, or church. Beyond this common characteristic, the ideologies differ from each other in some key respects. The holy war ideology applies first and foremost the concept of God, traditional just war theory applies the concept of justice, and the ideology of ordeal relies on both the concepts of God and justice. This article presents the ideology of ordeal as a form of just war thinking, and describes its features through historical examples, through its essence, and in contrast to other ideologies.

Revised Insights: Modern Interpretations of Luther's Teachings on Faith and God (Reformation Sects. Luther's Teachings -Faith, Concept of God)

Revised Insights: Modern Interpretations of Luther's Teachings on Faith and God (Reformation Sects. Luther's Teachings -Faith, Concept of God)

Amar a Deus, amar a natureza? Valores intrínsecos, stewardship e reverência pela natureza

Abstract Most approaches in environmental ethics that contemplate the normativity of intrinsic values rely on the idea of love or reverence for nature. This paper challenges the need to love nature in order to respect it as a value in itself (i.e., as an intrinsic value). In this regard, the main questions to answer are: is there a need to regard nature as sacred in order to respect it (i.e., to ascribe intrinsic value to it)? What kind of coincidence is there between God and the natural world? The response to these questions calls for a deep inquiry into the cosmological or metaphysical ideas (or conceptions of divinity) underlying them. This paper analyses, thus, three theological, cosmological, or metaphysical ideas (i.e., pantheism, theism, and teleological conception of nature) concerning intrinsic values: some of these (e.g., pantheism) contemplate the idea of the sacredness of nature, which has a clear religious inspiration. These cosmological paradigms also imply different human behaviors towards life: 1. Pantheism implies reverence for Life since nature is sacred (God mainly coincides with nature). Thus, the human being is part of the extended more-than-human community. 2. Theism reaffirms that every form of life is good since it has been created by God. This implies that human beings are the steward of creation. 3. The finalistic idea of nature sustains that life is an end in itself (i.e., has intrinsic value) and that our responsibility emerges from both the value of life and our impact on the environment.

The Mediterranean at the Dawn of the Third Millennium

The Mediterranean, after the end of the Cold War and the massacres of 11.9.2001 in New York and 7.10.2023 in Israel, is at the center of new conflicts and international imbalances. The crisis of Western hegemony is confirmed and intertwined with growing migratory flows, desertification and poverty produced by new financial selfishness and climate change, genocides and wars involving old and new forms of colonialism. Also, the Mediterranean is confronted with the new protagonism of the South of the world. “Our Sea” is a symbolic place for new conceptions of Identity, Race and God, and of the desire for freedom from old and new fears.

Between pantheism and panentheism: ecofeminist theology in search of an optimal concept of God

Between pantheism and panentheism: ecofeminist theology in search of an optimal concept of God

Constructing Moral Concepts of God in a Global Age, by Myriam Renaud

Constructing Moral Concepts of God in a Global Age, by Myriam Renaud

İbn Sînâ’nın Tanrısı: Değişmez ama Karşılık Verir

The term “God of the philosophers” refers to the concept of God as understood and discussed in philosophical discourse. It is a philosophical concept of God that is often considered distinct from the concept of God found in religious traditions. Throughout history, various philosophers and theologians have used the term to refer to God whose existence and attributes have been the subject of philosophical reasoning and reflection. In this study, I explore Ibn Sīnā’s way of reconciling two concepts of God. I argue that Ibn Sînâ, a philosopher with an Aristotelian and Neoplatonic heritage, sees no contradiction between the God of the philosophers and the God of the scriptures. Ibn Sina’s way is interesting because it is an attempt to bridge the gap between two concepts of God without compromising the classical theistic understanding of divine attributes. First, I will briefly present the Aristotelian and Neoplatonic contexts of Ibn Sīnā’s philosophy to show his way of reconciliation. Second, I will give an account of Ibn Sīnā’s concept of God as it is revealed in his understanding of the divine attribute of immutability. Finally, I will examine his views in which he most explicitly offers the concept of a God who is responsive, who is present, and who is engaged with human beings. His ideas about God’s agency, petitionary prayer, and divine providence provide ample evidence that the God of Ibn Sīnā is the God of the religious traditions known to and worshipped by human beings.

Dynamic Divinity in Flux: Tracing Nikos Kazantzakis's Convergence of Greek Theology and Evolutionary Philosophy

This study embarks on an analytical journey through the theological perspectives of Nikos Kazantzakis, underpinned by the concept of God's mutability and its roots in ancient and Byzantine Greek theology. Focusing on Kazantzakis's pivotal works such as "The Last Temptation of Christ" and "Report to Greco," the research employs a literary and historical approach to unravel the synthesis of Christian Orthodoxy, neo-Platonic philosophy, and modern evolutionary thought. The influence of Alfred North Whitehead's process theology and Henri Bergson's evolutionary vitalism on Kazantzakis's conception of a dynamic, evolving God is explored, challenging traditional doctrines of divine immutability. The study also delves into Platonic thought's impact on Kazantzakis, examining the dialectic of being and becoming, and the reinterpretation of classical concepts like stasis and kinesis in a Christian theological context. Additionally, it scrutinizes the compatibility of Kazantzakis’s views with Orthodox Christian theology, particularly in the light of contributions from figures such as Origen and the Cappadocian Fathers. The findings reveal a complex interplay between Greek philosophical heritage and Christian theology in Kazantzakis's work, offering a unique perspective on the nature of God and the compatibility of faith with evolving scientific understanding. This research contributes to the ongoing dialogue between religion and philosophy, highlighting the relevance of ancient wisdom in contemporary theological discourse and underscoring the transformative potential of theological thought in the modern era.

Cultural Beliefs of Kejawen as Life Form of the Javanese in Islamic Theology Perspective

Kejawen is the belief of a multi-ethnic people on the Indonesian island of Java. Kejawen philosophy is based on Javanese thinkers' religious beliefs. This study aims to analyze the cultural beliefs of Kejawen from an Islamic Theology perspective with the objectives of this study are to determine the ritual of Kejawen in daily life from Islamic perspective and the materials used such as flowers and offerings in Kejawen which will be studied in Islamic perspective. This is an ethnographic study with the location of this study being in the Special Region of Yogyakarta and Solo. Documentation and observation are the instruments which are used for this study. The result found that Kejawen is an example of this fusion, with many Islamic elements. In Kejawen, God is known as Sang Hyang Taya, which is connected to the Islamic idea of Allah. Muslims believe that Allah is the one God and that no other gods exist. From an Islamic theological stance, Kejawen emphasizes the importance of inner spirituality, human experience, and the interconnection of all things in the cosmos. There are many connections between it and Islamic ideas, including as the concept of God and the power of prayer.

The Correlation of Islam with Relativity and Cosmology.

This research explores the correlation between Islamic principles and the theory of relativity and cosmology. Through detailed analysis, this article identifies points of convergence between Islamic concepts, such as the concept of divinity, continuity of the universe, and order in creation, with Einstein's principles of relativity and modern understanding of cosmology. By discussing in depth the perspectives of religion and science, this research not only explains the similarities in concepts, but also explores the potential for synergy between religious wisdom and scientific thinking. It is hoped that the results of this research can contribute to interdisciplinary discussions regarding the role of religion in detailing the secrets of the universe and provide a basis for dialogue between Islam, relativity and cosmology.

Analisa Perumusan Konsep Ketuhanan Menurut Perspektif Thomas Beighton (1790-1844) Dalam Karya Inilah Kunci Pengempar (1841) Analysis of the Formulation of the Concept of Divinity from Thomas Beighton’s (1790-1844) Perspective in the Work Inilah Kunci Pengempar (1841)

Writing and printing are among the fields pioneered by the London Missionary Society (LMS) missionaries since their arrival in the Straits Settlements at the beginning of the 19th century AD. Thomas Beighton (1790-1844) was involved in this role, particularly within the Malay Muslim community of Penang. This required from Beighton, a mastery of the Malay language and Jawi script, which enabled him to produce a large number of works in that language. Therefore, this study which uses textual content analysis will concentrate on one of Beighton’s works dealing with the concept of divinity entitled, Inilah Kunci Pengempar (This is the Centrifugal’s Key), published in Penang in 1841. Through this work, Beighton has used a metaphysical approach in his writing to spread Christianity in the country. As a result, Beighton was discovered attempting to apply the concept of divinity based on the concept of trinity, which refers to God: the Father (Allah), Son of God (Jesus), and the Holy Spirit in all descriptions. This shows the efforts of the Christian missionaries at that time, who were enthusiastic about spreading the religion, including learning Arabic and comprehending certain concepts in both divine matters and Islamic law (the Shari‘ah).

Konsep Fitrah Manusia Persperktif Al-Qur’an dan Hadits serta Implikasinya dalam Pendidikan Islam

The concept of fitrah developed by experts today refers more to the purity of a person's soul when born, meaning that it has not been impacted by the ideologies that develop in this life. However, this concept is apparently not in line with the Islamic education concept that fitrah is actually a universal concept of divinity within a person, namely recognizing the monotheism of Allah SWT. Even since the baby was in the womb, every individual has testified to this Unity, regardless of Muslim or non-Muslim families. The concept of fitrah based on the Qur'an was later developed in Islamic education. This research aims to describe the concept of human nature from the perspective of the Al-Qur'an and Hadith and its implications for Islamic education. The research method used is library research. The research results obtained are that the definition of fitrah according to the Qur'an illustrates that humans were actually created by Allah with religious instincts, namely the religion of monotheism. Therefore, humans who do not have monotheistic religion are a form of deviation from their nature. The implication of nature in Islamic education means educating people to deepen their understanding of the Islamic religion, to know Allah, and to know themselves. Thus, fitrah in Islamic education can be interpreted as the command to study the Islamic religion, the command to know Allah, and the command to know oneself, which humans undertake through the process of Islamic education.

Sistematika dan Pemetaan Konsep Ketuhanan Agama-Agama Lokal di Indonesia: Studi Kasus Agama Sunda Wiwitan, Agama Kaharingan, dan Agama Towani Tolotang

<p>Abstract: Indonesia has an invaluable cultural heritage, one of which is the existence of various indigenous religions that are widespread throughout the country. Despite their significant number, their presence is often<br />disregarded by the majority of society who have adopted formal religions that are recognized by the state. Followers of indigenous religions are often deemed misguided by formal religion practitioners because they<br />perceive these ancestral religions as worshiping entities other than God, as recognized by their own religious tradition. This is exacerbated by the government's attempt to integrate indigenous religions into one of the<br />recognized formal religions, which poses a threat to the preservation of the teachings and religious practices of indigenous religion followers as their religious practices will inevitably be influenced by the standardizations of the formal religions, which are essentially religions of foreign origin. All forms of discrimination arise, among others, from the weakness or inability of indigenous religion followers to explain their theological systems and concepts of divinity. Therefore, this study attempts to explain the concept of divinity in indigenous religions by using three case<br />studies: Sunda Wiwitan, Kaharingan, and Towani Tolotang. The results of this study show that there are authentic characteristics of divinity in each of the studied indigenous religion systems, which are specifically categorized as henotheism and Animism-Dynamism.</p><p><br />Keyword: Indigenious Religions, Concept of Divinity, Henotheism, Animism-Dynamism</p>

APOPHATIC THEOLOGY: PSEUDO-DIONYSIUS AND THOMAS AQUINAS

Dionysius’s apophatic theology developed the basic tenets necessary for a deeper focus on God in Christian theology. The confusion it caused in Christian theology was powerfully presented through the investigations presented by the Neo-platonic philosophers. Furthermore, despite various interpretations of these teachings since the time of the Church Fathers, Pseudo Dionysius correctly presented the need to establish a correct foundation for it. His teachings were the foundation for later theological interpretations. This study examines the apophatic theology presented by Pseudo- Dionysius and Saint Thomas Aquinas. It is expected to investigate the facts presented using the analytical research method. Apophatic theology can be used to approach God by denying that any theological concept of God can be properly established by rejecting all the ideas and images of the theology laid by Dionysius and by entering into the divine darkness beyond understanding. A central theme of Aquinas’s apophatic philosophy is that we can know God more by what he is not than by what he is. Apophatic theology is also seen as an affirmation of the inadequacy of human understanding of divine matters. It is seen as affirming God’s essence through ignorance, even though man is aware through God’s energies.

A Constructive Trinitarian Theology of the First Article for the Religiously Pluralistic and Secular World

Abstract Even laypersons, such as systematic theologians, who are not trained in law enforcement are familiar enough with crime investigation to know that the detective works circles around a few simple questions such as: Who committed the crime? What happened? How was the crime executed? Why did the criminal do what he or she did? In the first part of my essay, as a way of introducing the nature, “method,” and distinctive features as well as the motifs behind the five-volume constructive theology, I will follow that simple template. The second major part will zoom in on the given task of this essay, namely, the theology of the first article of the creed, the doctrine of God. As the distinctive Christian conception of God is trinitarian by its very nature, that discussion in its form and content is thoroughly triune. Consequently, my main argument comes in two successive steps. First, the first-article theology—similarly to the second- and third-article theologies, respectively—is trinitarian. Second, its distinctive feature in comparison to the second- and third-article theologies is that the works of the triune God are considered and investigated from the perspective of what the Father, alongside Son and Spirit, is doing in the world.

“Mirrors Reflecting Truth”- Concept of Truth and Reliability in the Malay Muslim Manuscripts from the 13th to 19th centuries

One of the most important genres of Malay Muslim writings is the writing of history. Among its main characteristics are: it is scientific (based on proper data and methodology of research); it is humanistic (the main subjects are human and human society); it is rational (based on logic and proper systems of reasoning); it is reflective and didactic (contains elements of didactic, moral guidance and instructions). The textual analysis shows that Malays indeed have their own distinctive concept of history, which is based on the Islamic tradition and contains various philosophical elements such as the concept of God and tauhid, the concept of man and the universe, concepts of time, space and motion, concepts of adab and education, etc. This concept also defines the basic parameters of the periodization of history, the main criteria used for the data selection, the common methods for the assessment of the reliability of the sources and references, as well as the didactic elements of the text. The analysis of Malay historical texts helps to identify the criteria of reliability, which the author uses to verify the information and to convince the reader of the veracity of the reports included therein. Among them: (1) Definitions and terms of historical source research. (2) Criticisms regarding historical sources mentioned in the text. (3) The author’s guidance on the aims and methods of historical writing etc. Several textual elements are utilized (a) as a sign of truthfulness (of the information given in the text), and (b) to strengthen (the text’s) own scholarly standing (in the eyes of its readers). This is achieved by the author’s deliberate inclusion of certain information from older texts, using them as a source of history, and then utilizing terms and descriptions that show his own opinions on its veracity. These special elements demonstrate the characteristics of objectivity, intellectuality, and historical integrity of Malay Muslim chronicles, and from the viewpoint of the masses, these are signs and proofs of truth.