Contemporary Theology Research Articles

Niektóre wyzwania pod adresem metody teologii

This study focuses on two issues, namely: the issue of the contemplative character of theology (it deals with the nature of theology), and the question of how other academic disciplines – especially anthropological ones – may contribute to theology. The latter is an attempt to point out certain possible interdisciplinary applications of theology, and to open to the subject of its study and to the formulated proposals concerning particularly understanding of man and his life on earth. The issue of a contemplative character of theology, deeply rooted in its own history, has to struggle today with two phenomena: anthropological reductionism and the preference given to action. The question then arises: why cannot such tendencies be accepted uncritically? Contemporary theology faces a serious challenge because it has to include in its study a positive contribution made by humanities for understanding of man. However, a question may be asked: how to take advantage of the achievements of these disciplines so that the theological reflection may preserve its specific character and serve a deeper understanding of faith and its essence.

Jerome Yehuda Gellman. This Was from God: A Contemporary Theology of Torah and History

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Faith, Freedom and the Spirit: The Economic Trinity in Barth, Torrance and Contemporary Theology, by Paul D. Molnar

Faith, Freedom and the Spirit: The Economic Trinity in Barth, Torrance and Contemporary Theology, by Paul D. Molnar

Commemorating C. E. Rolt (1881–1918)

C. E. Rolt (1881–1918) is generally known for his translation of Pseudo-Dionysius. He was, however, a theologian in his own right, whose writing continues to be influential today. Marking the centenary of his death, this article outlines his life and thought, and identifies the particular way in which his work holds promise for contemporary theology.

Contributions and Issues of Jacques Dupuis’ Trinitarian Christology in the Context of Religious Pluralism

Pneumatological Christology is one of several currents in contemporary theology which have emerged since the Second Vatican Council. Another notable trend is the increasing attempt to develop Christology in the context of interreligious dialogue and religious pluralism. These two movements occasionally intersect, raising questions about Jesus Christ’s uniqueness and universality which became paramount issues in today’s theological discourse. Accordingly, this paper looks to examine how the Christology of Jacques Dupuis attempts to address this issue in question. At the center of Dupuis’ Christological inquiry is the following question: “How are we to preserve and confess our faith in Jesus Christ as the unique savior of humanity, while acknowledging the universal presence of the Holy Spirit who operates in other religions and cultures?” In addressing this complex issue, Dupuis was able to propound a theological vision relevant to the contemporary contexts of interreligious dialogue and religious pluralism. But in addition to such contribution, his attempts also incited much controversy and hence gave rise to new issues in theology. In this context, the task of presenting an ideal model that harmoniously integrates Logos Christology and pneumatological Christology poses a significant challenge. The key lies in acknowledging the theological tension that may exist between the two while maintaining balance and harmony. Hence, the two models of Christology should not be mutually exclusive, but rather mutually complementary. But, it is not easy to maintain this reciprocal balance when developing pneumatological Christology in the context of interreligious dialogue and religious pluralism. This is because the task of preserving such harmony is ultimately tied to the mystery of Jesus Christ’s uniqueness and universality. Jacques Dupuis’ Christology can be seen as a tentative attempt to interpret this issue in a novel way without overstepping the boundaries of traditional theology.제2차 바티칸 공의회 이후의 현대 신학에서는 그리스도론의 새로운 흐름들이 전개되고 있는데, ‘성령론적 그리스도론’은 이러 한 새로운 흐름들 중의 하나이다. 그리고 ‘종교 간 대화’ 및 ‘종교다원주의’ 맥락에서의 그리스도론 역시 최근 새로이 전개되고 있는 흐름들 중 하나이다. 이 두 가지 흐름은 때로는 상호 교차되어 전개되기도 하는데, 이러한 상황 속에서 예수 그리스도의 ‘유일성’과 ‘보편성’에 관련한 문제가 최고의 신학적 쟁점으로 부상하게 되었다. 본 논문에서는 이 주제와 관련하여, 자크 뒤피 신부의 그리스도론을 살펴본다. 뒤피의 그리스도론적 질문의 핵심 은 바로 다음과 같은 것이었다. “어떻게 우리는 예수 그리스도를 모든 인류의 구원자로 고백하고 선포하는 신앙을 간직하면서도, 동시에 다른 세계 종교들과 여러 문화 안에서 활동하시는 성령의 보편적 현존을 인정할 것인가?” 이처럼 복잡하고도 어려운 주제를 다룸에 있어, 뒤피는 현대의 종교 간 대화 및 종교다원주의 맥락에서 볼 때 매우 의미 있는 신학적 전망을 제시하게 되었다. 하지만 뒤피의 이러한 시도는 동시에 많은 찬반논쟁을 불러일으켰으며, 여러 신학적 쟁점들을 새로이 부상시키게 되었다. 바로 이러한 맥락에서, ‘말씀 그리스도론’과 ‘성령론적 그리스도론’을 조화롭게 통합시키는 과제는 매우 중요한 과제로 부상하게 되었다. 이 두 가지 그리스도론 흐름들 사이에 존재할 수도 있는 그 어떤 긴장을 인식하면서도, 동시에 어떻게 전체적인 균형과 조화를 유지하는가에 그 해결의 열쇠가 있다고 할 수 있다. 그러므로 이 두 가지의 그리스도론적 모델들은 상호 배타적이지 않고 상호 보완적이어야만 한다. 하지만 종교 간 대화 및 종교다원주의 맥락에 마주하여 성령론적 그리스도론을 개진해 나가는 상황에서, 그러한 상호 균형을 유지하는 것은 쉽지 않은 일이다. 이러한 작 업은 결국 예수 그리스도의 유일성과 보편성이란 핵심 주제와 연결되기 때문이다. 자크 뒤피 신부의 그리스도론은, 전통적인 그리스도론의 범위를 벗어나지 않으면서도 이러한 주제를 참신하게 해석하고자 한 시도라고 평가할 수 있을 것이다.

Bradford E. Hinze and Peter C. Phan (eds), Learning from All the Faithful: A Contemporary Theology of the Sensus Fidei

Bradford E. Hinze and Peter C. Phan (eds), <i>Learning from All the Faithful: A Contemporary Theology of the</i> Sensus Fidei

Al-Faruqi’s Views on Selected Topics of Ilm al-Kalam

The study of Ilm al-kalam is still relevant and meaningful in the modern period of time. It is not outdated rather it has gone through various developments throughout the history in order to cope up with the needs of the age. This paper studies a contemporary approach to ilm al-kalam by a contemporary theologian, Ismail Raji al-Faruqi. It examines al-Faruqi’s distinct approach in comparison to a classical position of ilm al-kalam. In doing so, the study focuses on selected theological issues, namely, the relationship between reason and revelation, the principle of causality, and freewill of choice. After examining those theological issues, the study found that al-Faruqi revitalized the classical position of ilm al-kalam in some respects, thus, presented it in a new dimension. It is observed that al-Faruqi’s approach to Ilm al-Kalam is very intelligible to the modern mind and to a modern age. Therefore, this study acknowledged his vital contributions in the development of ilm al-kalam.

The Possibilities and Limits of Queer Strategies of Denaturalizing and Resignifying Gendered Symbolics

In this article, I take up Marcella Althaus-Reid’s queer strategy that pairs disaffiliation with intimate identification in order to draw out the possibilities and limits of queer strategies of resignification and denaturalization. I will use David M. Halperin’s work on gay femininity, abjection, and camp as the primary site to investigate these queer strategies. This article’s considerations have implications for recent directions taken in contemporary queer theology by challenging projects that presume a certain limitless capacity for queering or that seek to appropriate almost anything – marriage, celibacy, or orthodoxy – as queer. Rather than seeking to mitigate complicity in misogyny or trying to recuperate misogynist theological positions by highlighting their subversive queerness, Althaus-Reid’s demands from queer theologians a prophetic, denunciatory posture that turns away from the imperial theological highways towards the queer ways of knowing and relating to the God at the margins of T-theology.

Contextualization as a Critical Transformative Agent in Christianity

Abstract There is an increasing acceptance that every theology is contextual. There is an equally commensurate rising concerns whether contextualization in theology is not undermining Christianity and devaluing the concept of ‘the Truth’. Among the reasons for this problem are the consequence of a blemished Christian history, the eternal truth of God in an ephemeral world, and the upsurge of pluralistic theologies with the ‘de-westernization’ of Christian theology. These have thematized contextualization in contemporary theology as important and at the same time, problematic. This work rather argues that contextualization has been part of Christianity in the interpretation and propagation of Christ’s message, and that as far as it is an indispensable aspect of Christian theologies, it must neither devalue Christian religiosity nor suggest that the eternal God who happened in history can be subjected to historicity. Through the exposé of the social-territorial, political, religious and economic contexts, and the analysis of the doctrinal, exegetical and missiological historicity of Christianity, this work reflects contextualization in different phases of Christian developments, and its relevance in the present time. It tries to establish that Christianity happened in context, and that it continues to happen in context to every person, group or culture it meets. Contextualization is a strength of Christianity.

Theology Under Siege: Reflections of a Troubled Philosopher and a Believer

The transposition of the theological expression into the framework of epistemology suggested by the contemporary philosophy of science is a long-desired project. The presented article offers an overview of the different epistemological and methodological issues that arise when this expression is carried out in the common sense paradigm. It turns that once the necessary change into the mode of knowledge acquisition of contemporary science is made, one can significantly improve theology’s both methodological and conceptual foundations. In particular, this concerns the use of abstract concepts to better penetrate the intricacies of the Divine nature as well as the non-classical logics to improve theology’s inferential basis. The resulting question of the contextuality of theology, namely, its dependence on the conceptual framework and the picture of the world, is also surveyed. Consequently, theology can be perceived as a lexically open project. In conclusion it is argued that while the contemporary theology should retain its common sense exposition for the pastoral and catechetical purposes that allows for the efficient transmission of faith through intuitive knowledge, the state-of-the-art theological research must reach out to to abstract conceptual frameworks to assure the depth of its penetrative insight.

We have never been theologians: postsecularism and practical theology

ABSTRACTThis article makes a clear challenge to portrayals of secularism and secularity that have become hugely influential within contemporary theology. It demonstrates how the theological concepts of immanence and transcendence have been mobilised as ciphers in cultural debate and argues that this has perpetuated unhelpful binary thinking about faith and culture. Drawing upon the work of Bruno Latour it constructs a case for an alternative mode of theological engagement with the way we live now. This will present a radical agenda for practical theology which has yet to make its own distinctive response to the challenges of postsecular enchantment. Practical theologians are urged to draw upon the traditional strengths of their discipline and combine creative new thinking with a recovery of insights from the arts of ministry.

New Perspective on the Establishing of Confession in Early Modern Transylvania. Context and Theological Profile of the Formula Pii Consensus 1572 as Heterodox Reception of the Wittenberg Theology

Abstract This paper presents a mainly theological analysis of the Formula Pii Consensus of 1572 (furthermore FPC) and – in the light of its historical context – aims to investigate the way in which Wittenberg theology was modified in Transylvania. The reception of the Confessio Augustana (CA) was imposed by Prince István Báthory. In regard to the larger historical context in Transylvania and the development of the Holy Roman Empire, a reconsideration of the FPC arises. Despite largely accepting the contents of the CA 1530 (invariata), superintendent Lukas Unglerus (1526–1600) left the door open for all options of contemporary protestant Eucharistic theology. Because of the Melanchthonian background of his ministers the superintendent chose a wording to allow for tendencies orientated towards Calvinism and for keeping the yet prevalent confessional indetermination. Thus, he covered up what – according to contemporary standards in the Holy Roman Empire – would have been called heterodox.

From Access to Communion: Beyond the Social Model

ABSTRACTThe author discusses the public policy implications of current models of disability, arguing that the Americans with Disabilities Act represents the shift from medical to social models and that this shift has resulted in significant progress toward social and economic inclusion for those with disabilities. Yet this vision of society remains incomplete, as the current emphasis on individual accommodation has not led to fundamental social transformation. Drawing on resources in contemporary theologies of disability, the witness of L'Arche, and the author's experience as the parent of a child with significant intellectual and physical disabilities and complex medical needs, the essay calls those with and without disabilities to a life of communion and mutual giving and receiving.

Revisiting the Agenda of the Orthodox Neo-Patristic Movement

The Neo-Patristic movement’s program to liberate Orthodox theology from the influences of Western scholasticism is one of the many reasons that explain the consolidation of anti-Western feelings in some Orthodox circles today. Although the basic principles of the Neo-Patristic movement could represent, if misunderstood, a source of inspiration for the fundamentalist groups, this article argues that the position of the Neo-Patristic direction vis-à-vis the West cannot be reduced to its efforts to free theology from scholastic influences. To support this argument, the article turns to Dumitru Stăniloae, a leading Neo-Patristic figure, and shows that his theological program has been guided by two main axes: on the one hand, the quest for an authentic restauratio patristica in Orthodoxy, which frees theology from Western scholastic influences and restores the ethos of Eastern Christianity; one the other hand, a genuine interest to engage himself in a constructive dialogue with contemporary Western theology.

Book Review: On Earth as it is in Heaven: Cultivating a Contemporary Theology of Creation

Book Review: On Earth as it is in Heaven: Cultivating a Contemporary Theology of Creation

La Mariología en San Gregorio de Nisa

When analyzing the Mariology of St. Gregory of Nyssa, one theme stands out: the reality of the hypostatic union and as a direct consequence the divine motherhood. So the more frecuent statements about Mary are those contained in Adversus Apollinarem. The reader can see for himself that, years before Nestor, the question which this gave rise to was even then clearly formulated, extensively dealt with and clearly resolved. Continuing on from this point, St. Gregory comments on the Blessed Virgin in a throrough and loving manner. He quietly defends the Marian privileges with firm conviction, and above all, her virginity, placing in relief her role in the salvation of men. St. Gregory in short finds himself immersed in the environment of his contemporary theologians, and he knows how to incorporate into his theological thinking as well as in his spiritual life all of those mariological questions which come down to him through the secular Christian tradition. Our study is divided into two parts. In the first, we consider four sections which are especially long and significant: the Sermo de Annuntiatione, the Sermo in diem natalem Domini, the De Tridui Spatio and the homilies ln Canticum Canticorum. In the second part, we go on to study the most important Marian themes, from a systematic point of view: the divine maternity, her perpetual virginity, the role of Mary in the economy of Salvation. There are three fundamental texts of Sacred Scripture which St. Gregory cites to speak of Mary. These texts are always understood in the identical sense: Lk 1, 26 ss.; Is 7, 17, and Prov 9, 1. All of these are cited for the purpose of discussing the virginal motherhood. St. Gregory's understanding of Is 7, 14 is always consistent and serene, because he found himself in close contact with the way in which the prior tradition had understood this text. The term parthenos is understood not as maiden, but as virgin in the strictest sense of the word. The prophecy not only announces that a maiden will conceive a child, but announces a great mystery: that a maiden will conceive as a virgin and that her virginity will remain intact in giving birth. Prov 1, 9 refers to the virginal motherhood: it is Wisdom itself which builds its own house; God, without the intervention of man, forms in the womb of Mary the body of the Lord. The terms theotokos is employed by St. Gregory in its fullest sense, especially directed at Apolinar and his theory that Christ was less than fully human. St. Gregory stresses that the union of the Word with his human nature took place at the very instant of conception, and points out that the title of theotokos is incompatible with the term anthropotokos. St. Gregory considers the virgin motherhood as a reflection or the eternal and incorruptible generation of the Word. Finally, St. Gregory fully developes the parallelism between Eve and Mary, and lovingly describes the Virgin at the foot of the cross, intimately united to her Son in the act of Redemption. He also calls Mary lmmaculate Virgin. The term evidently does not posses the defined limits which it would have in later theology. But what can be said is that with this term, with all of its underlying theology, the Saint from Nyssa is saying exactly that which is confirmed in the Doctrine of the Faith concerning the Inmaculate Conception of Mary.

La raíz sacerdotal de la colegialidad de los Obispos

La raíz sacerdotal de la colegialidad de los Obispos

W poszukiwaniu nowego paradygmatu: teologia spotkania jako nowy sposób uprawiania refleksji nad Objawieniem

This paper argues that today the current question – one of the most important in theology – is: which theological paradigm should be applied today? We have to remember that this question is not groundless. According to the International Theological Commission, the sheer fulness and richness of Revelation is too great to be grasped by any one theology. In fact gives rise to multiple theologies as it is received in diverse ways by human beings. The author argues that in contemporary theology should appear paradigm of encounter. Theology of the encounter should exa mine the religious experience of human being. In this experience, happens the encounter between God and man. God initiates the dialogue.

Azijske kršćanske teologije

During the last decades the Christian churches in Asia have been making efforts to discover an appropriate a mode of transforming man and his world. They are doing this through specific alternative theologies that in part rely on the ideas of the theology of liberation and the theological thought of Third World countries. Asian Christian theologies reflect the distinct living conditions of this continent and are thusly also known as »rice roots theologies«.On the examples of India and South Korea the author analyses the diversity of the Christian traditions and the different examples of the use of the gospel in the local Asian context. He concludes that the alternative theological thought in these countries develops amongst their believers a critical consciousness about the social reality.The author ascertains that Asian theological thought is seeking »The Asian face of Christ«, affiliating itself with the transformation of society as well as with the alteration of church structures and institutions. For this purpose these contemporary theologies at times and in places embrace Marxist methods, and there is no doubt that they pay special heed to class analysis and to the class struggle. It is also of significance, the author concludes, that all the Asian Christian theologies are decidely ecumenically orientated which is not only due to the fact they are in a minority position on this continent.223

Lucifer, Save My Soul! Medieval Female Interpretations of Divine Judgement, Compassion and the Doctrine of Purgatory

ABSTRACTCan souls be saved out of purgatory? This question became a very important one during the thirteenth century when the female experience heavily influenced the spiritual landscape. At the root of this question, lies a dynamic tension between divine compassion and justice. Debates about this tension are of great interest to contemporary theology because it strikes at the core of Christianity – it is a story about sin and grace. Using the female practice of saving souls from purgatory, I explore two different positions in the debate. To begin, I focus on the position of the Holy Women, more specifically, on how they were believed to save souls. Secondly, I contrast their position with the mystical theology of Hadewijch, who takes a new turn in the female history of spiritually. I demonstrate that the praxis of saving souls explores relevant theological themes, such as judgement and compassion, pain and unconditional Love.