Christian Context Research Articles

Theological Science in the Thought of Thomas F. Torrance: The Integration of Natural and Revealed Theology and Its Implications for Kataphysical Knowledge

In this article, the notion of “theological science” is examined in the thinking of Thomas F. Torrance (1913–2007), with particular attention paid to his synthesis of revealed and natural theology and its consequences for kataphysical knowledge—the comprehension of God via divine self-disclosure. Torrance redefines natural theology as the logical intra-structure that is crucial to theological reasoning, not as a separate field of study. Natural theology creates a full framework for comprehending divine revelation when combined with revealed theology. This research shows how Torrance’s technique reconciles human reason with God’s self-revelation, resulting in a coherent theological methodology. It analyses his reconstruction of natural theology within its proper intellectual and philosophical settings. The paper also discusses Torrance’s theological model’s applicability to Indian Christian contexts, contending that his integrated method provides an essential means of fostering a more profound theological comprehension in modern Indian churches. It becomes clear that pursuing kataphysical knowledge in the way that Torrance does is essential to promoting theological discourse and participation, especially in contexts that are pluralistic and diversified. As a result, this essay presents Torrance’s ideas as a vital addition to the current theological conversation and as a template for addressing the difficulties of faith and knowledge in a multicultural environment.

Heutagogy as a framework for Christian discipleship: the triadic role of biblical wisdom literature, the teachings of Jesus Christ, and the work of the Holy Spirit

AbstractHeutagogy—also known as self-determined learning—empowers individuals to take charge of their personal growth by fostering proactive approaches to self-development. In a Christian context, self-enacted spiritual growth can operate within a range of personal, denominational, and/or hermeneutical understandings of discipleship. Moreover, self-determined learning transcends diverse Christian traditions, mirroring different expressions of the role and work of the Holy Spirit in capacitating Christian discipleship. This conceptual paper contributes to the literature by expounding and advocating heutagogy as an under-appreciated framework for facilitating spiritual growth. To construct its argument, the paper draws on three sources: biblical wisdom literature, the teachings of Jesus Christ, and selected expressions of the continuing work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of Christian believers.

Rhetorical use of Sobolo (Hibiscus drink) as Yesu Mogya (Blood of Jesus) for Holistic Healing in Contemporary Ghanaian Christianity: A Critical Analysis from the Perspective of Biblical Theology and Christian Ethics

This article sought to survey the rhetorical use of Sobolo (hibiscus drink) as Yesu Mogya (the blood of Jesus) for holistic healing in contemporary Ghanaian Christianity. From the perspective of Biblical Theology and Christian Ethics, it argued that the phenomenon of using plant products and symbolic objects for miraculous healing is both explicitly and implicitly rooted in the Bible. Contrary to the dispensationalist perspective with its emphasis on the cessation of miraculous healing in some Western contexts and within scholarship, the continuous relevance of miraculous healing in Ghanaian Christianity is not much debated in the ecclesial context. It is, therefore, maintained that the use of symbols such as Sobolo for healing creates opportunities for the wholistic needs of the members of the church to be met. These needs are claimed to be fulfilled by spiritual means. From a Christian ethical perspective, this paper, however, cautions that sobolo as a miraculous drink in the Ghanaian Christian context should not be used as an exclusive means of physical well-being and development of society. It is further argued that the cyclical use of sobolo as a healing juice for all and diverse kinds of miraculous healings needs to be questioned in the light of biblical theology. Keywords: Wholistic Healing, Worldview, Biblical theology, Christian Ethics, Sobolo

Exploring Christian Lutheran theological framings that shape men’s perpetration of domestic violence through pastor perspectives

ABSTRACT The inclusion of theological beliefs and practices in the analysis of domestic violence is needed, hence this paper explores how Christian theological framings shape men’s perpetration of domestic violence. Through engagement with the Lutheran Church of Australia, interviews and a survey with Pastors found that gender was dominant in the themes and provided a framework for how Pastors understood domestic violence and how they articulated their explanations for why they perceived a denial of domestic violence in their religious contexts. The interviews in this study brought out the capacity of gendered theological discourse and the truth valency of scripture to both inform domestic violence and potentially be part of the solution, while at the same time the narratives express the inherent tensions and the resistance to change in the religious culture. The paper argues for the coming together of sociological, feminist, theological and spiritual understandings of gender identity to shape responses to domestic violence in Christian contexts.

How Long, O Lord? Fairbairn’s Object Relations Theory and the Practice of Lament

The biblical practice of lament has been largely neglected in many modern evangelical Christian contexts in the United States, despite increasing calls to reclaim this spiritual practice. This loss of lament is not without cost, and various negative impacts on individuals and communities have been suggested in the literature. The present article argues that lament cannot be reclaimed by commending its practice only, but psychological obstacles to lament must also be identified and addressed. Toward this end, a view is advanced that lament may be understood as an emotionally dynamic relational act, and that Fairbairn’s object relations theory—including his notion of the moral defense—illuminates dynamics that make lament difficult for some people to engage in fully and authentically, if at all. Practical implications for navigating these dynamics and facilitating greater engagement with lament are discussed to aid the work of those involved in mental health and soul care.

Polygamy on Trial: Analyzing Anti-Polygamy Legislation in Nineteenth-Century United States

This study examines nineteenth-century United States anti-polygamy legislation, focusing on its intersections with multiculturalism and minority rights. By analyzing the historical and legal aspects of these laws, we identify their impact on Mormon communities and immigrant groups, aimed at enforcing cultural assimilation. Our findings reveal tensions between religious freedom and societal concerns over polygamy, particularly in Christian contexts. The research highlights a paradox in liberal democracies, where safeguarding minority rights often clashes with societal values, leading to legislation against practices seen as disruptive. It emphasizes the delicate balance between cultural pluralism, multiculturalism, minority rights, and societal cohesion in nineteenth-century America, shedding light on the ongoing relevance of these debates today. This study calls for further exploration of arguments against culturally or religiously inspired practices in Western democracies.

The messy art of conversation in practical theology: explorations and reflections

ABSTRACT Using autoethnography, the authors (a Muslim woman and a Christian man) reflect on their co-creation of a podcast series, ‘Conversations in Practical Theology’, which they commenced in 2017. Locating the precipitating factors in their experiences of the British and Irish Association for Practical Theology (BIAPT) conference that year, and their respective faith contexts of Islam and Christianity, they test Stephen Pattison’s 2020 proposal that practical theology is fundamentally a practice of conversation. They argue that through encountering one another (and themselves) in podcasting, it is the eclecticism and haphazardness of their intellectual engagement, crucially as representatives of no-one but themselves, that Pattison’s contention of the messiness of good practical theological conversation is upheld.

Franz Rosenzweig on Divine Love and on the Love of Enemies: Complications of Agape in the Secularized World

Love is a keystone in Franz Rosenzweig’s philosophy, which reaffirmed Judaism’s emphasis on vital, relational love. What “love” exactly means, however, is controversial. In the Christian context, love is often denoted by Agape—which implies (1) that “God is Love”, (2) that love is universal, impartial, and rather endorses the sinner; and (3) that humans should practice and emulate such love. The ultimate expression of Agape is the commandment to love one’s enemy, which is rooted in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:44). This essay considers Rosenzweig’s understanding of Agape, at the implicit level (since the coining by Anders Nygren of Christian love as “Agape” became widespread only after Rosenzweig’s death). This essay opens by contextualizing Rosenzweig within political theology, in particular vis-à-vis Schmitt. Secondly, it considers Rosenzweig’s approach to Agape in the sense of divine love, and in the sense of the love of enemy. Concerning divine love, Rosenzweig criticized theological Agapism (‘God is love’) which equates God with love, and hence makes love into a dogma or noun, rather than an action or verb, thus depriving divinity’s personal loving agency. Concerning the agapic love of enemy, Rosenzweig discredits its Christian version (for being imperialistic), and advocates its Jewish version of accepting divine judgement. His surprising advocacy of the love of enemies may result from Rosenzweig’s opposition to Gnosticism, which excludes the ‘good God’ from involvement in the physical world. The essay’s conclusion reflects on the role of Agape and its pragmatist versions in the post-secular world of the 21st century and conveys Rosenzweig’s pragmatist contribution in this regard, of recognizing the significance of worldliness and togetherness.

Mythological Aspects of Supreme Power Concept by Eusebius Pamphilus

The article deals with one of the earliest Christian interpretations of the supreme secular power created by Eusebius Pamphilus, Bishop of Caesarea, during the life of the first Christian emperor Constantine the Great. It is proved that the concept by Eusebius contains mythological ideas transformed in a Christian context. In particular, the main focus of the interpretation of the Lord is the recognition of Him as Pantocrator [Παντοκράτωρ – the Lord of all] endowed with infinite power and authority over the Universe. Such an interpretation reconstructs archaic ideas about the deity as the centre of power and says nothing about his mercy and justice. This concept became the basis for the argumentation of the absolute nature of the Christian emperor’s supreme power – Basileus. The Lord, communicating with Basileus through His Son, Christ the Logos, gives him the sacred right to reign and thus makes him godlike [Friend of God – Θεóς, divinely favoured] – an icon of the Lord of all. Another mythological feature of Eusebius’ interpretation of supreme power is the solution to the problematic relationship between the reign and the priesthood. Eusebius believed that the Lord’s endowment of Basileus with the right to reign obliges him to perform priestly functions at the same time. The purpose of Basileus’ priesthood was to enlighten his flock about the essence of the Word of God, and not to observe religious rituals. In this way, the role of the basileus-priest differed from the Patriarch. Thus, the mythological nature of the concept by Eusebius of Caesarea is the fact that he unconsciously replaced various semantic connections. This happened because he could not explain the essence of supreme power and its value to society in a different way. The foundation of Eusebius’ mythological thinking is the beginning of the synthesized rationality (historical understanding of the real past) and myth (substitution of history by religious tradition) of the history of the Byzantine Empire.

A Contrastive Rhetorical Analysis of Hypocrisy in Christian and Islamic Moral Religious Contexts

Being hypocrite is to act in opposition to one's inner status. The goodness that he conveys is in contrast to the evilness that he has in his heart and intention. It is simply to be a double-faced human or a deceptive one. This study sheds light on hypocrisy as a vice. It investigates the Christian and Islamic tackle of such issue regarding its types, the rhetorical construction throughout the pragmatic strategies and the rhetorical devices that are applied. The results reveal that there is divergence between Christianity and Islam in the thematic and formal representation of hypocrisy in their moral religious contexts. Christian contexts adopts persuasion and instruction as pragmatic strategies whereas Islamic ones resort to persuasion and hinting. The results also show that the types of hypocrisy that are highlighted vary in their type and number of occurrence.

LGBTQ+ Christians in Australia

This article argues that the focus on the harm and stigma experienced by LGBTQ+ Christians misrepresents the complexity of the experience of many LGBTQ+ Christians, many of whom report affirmation and self-acceptance. A national representative survey indicates 5.5% of all Australians, 2.9% of Christians, and 8.4% of those with no religion identify their sexuality as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or ‘other’. LGB+ Christians appear to be distributed through all large Christian denominations. A second non-random national online survey indicates that many LGBTQ+ Christians report both self-acceptance and acceptance in their Christian community. While many LGBTQ+ Christians experience significant discrimination in Christian contexts, the often reported incompatibility of Christianity with LGBTQ+ sexual and gender identities is only one part of the story. There are significant sectors of Australian Christianity that are welcoming of LGBTQ+ people. Furthermore, LGBTQ+ people who remain Christians are often deeply committed to their faith.

Kebangkitan Orang Mati (Daniel 12:1-4)

In the Christian context, the resurrection of the dead is based on the resurrection of Jesus Christ after the crucifixion, which forms the basis of the Christian faith that all people will experience resurrection at the end of time to face the final judgment. In the Old Testament, death is understood as the separation between body and spirit. After we die, our bodies will decompose and become soil again while the spirit will leave our bodies for the afterlife, also known as Sheol. There is also a belief in the resurrection of the dead, which is the physical return of the body from the dead. This belief is reflected in books such as Daniel and Isaiah, which state that at the end of time, God will raise the dead to eternal life or eternal punishment. This concept of resurrection affirms the belief in divine justice and restoration, where each person will receive reward or punishment according to their deeds. In Christian theology, the resurrection of the dead provides hope for eternal life as well as complete redemption, and simultaneously reminds the faithful of the importance of living righteously and faithfully to God's teachings.

The case for tattoos as religious practices. From footnote to survey indicator

Most studies in the sociology of religion in the West ignored religious tattoos or understood them as marginal practices. However, people have been getting religious tattoos since the beginning of the common era. I investigate the lack of sociological studies on religious tattoos and explain the marginal location of tattoos for the discipline. I propose a lived religion approach to understand tattoos as a legitimate religious practice and explore the historical and contemporary record of religious tattooing in the West. Finally, I make the case for studying tattoos as religious practices in Western, Christian contexts, and as a way to assess contemporary religiousness.

Makna Kebahagiaan Menurut Filsafat Kristen : Meraih Kebahagiaan Abadi Dalam Tuhan

In Christian philosophy, the concept of happiness is often associated with the close relationship between humans and God. Eternal happiness is seen as the highest goal that can be achieved by being loyal to God, experiencing spiritual healing and living according to the principles of the Christian religion. This article explains that happiness in a Christian context includes inner peace, gratitude and the hope of eternal life with God. This analysis emphasizes the importance of faith, prayer and devotion to others to achieve eternal happiness. In addition, this article also emphasizes that true happiness is not only based on material achievements or physical pleasures, but rather on a spiritual connection with God and the fulfillment of a spiritual calling. Thus, the meaning of happiness in Christian philosophy refers to seeking and experiencing eternal happiness in the presence and love of God.

Legal Analysis of the Decision on the Request for Guardianship by the State for Christianity

General Background: Marriage in the Christian religion fundamentally differs from other traditions, notably in the absence of a legal requirement for a marriage guardian. Specific Background: Instead, the presence of a priest to officiate the ceremony is deemed sufficient. This distinction is often misunderstood, leading to legal ambiguities and misapplications. Knowledge Gap: Despite clear doctrinal guidelines, there persists a lack of awareness regarding the role of state-appointed guardians in Christian marriages, as evidenced by legal cases requesting such appointments. Aims: This study aims to analyze the necessity and implications of appointing a state guardian in Christian marriages through the examination of relevant legal cases in the Jombang District Court. Results: The study highlights two pivotal cases: Request Number 20/Pdt.P/1994/PN Jmb, which was granted, and Request Number 119/Pdt.P/2023/PN Jbg, which was withdrawn. Novelty: By juxtaposing these cases, the research underscores the inconsistencies and the resultant need for greater legal and doctrinal clarity. Implications: The findings advocate for enhanced educational efforts within both the Christian community and the broader public to mitigate legal misunderstandings and to streamline the judicial approach to marriage guardianship in Christian contexts. This research contributes to the discourse by elucidating the legal boundaries and ecclesiastical stipulations of Christian marriages, promoting informed judicial decisions and societal understanding. Highlights: Legal Ambiguity: Inconsistent court decisions on state guardians in Christian marriages. Educational Need: Urgent need for educating communities on marriage guardianship in Christianity. Judicial Clarity: Importance of clear legal guidelines to prevent misapplications. Keywords: State Guardian, Decision on Request, Christian Marriage, Legal Analysis, Religious Doctrine

Deuteronomy and Contextual Teaching and Learning in Christian-Jewish religious education

This research explores the contextual approach within Christian-Jewish religious education, addressing a notable gap in existing literature and offering fresh insights into the application of the Contextual Teaching and Learning (CTL) model within Christian contexts. Through a qualitative literature study employing a three-step methodology, including an in-depth analysis of Deuteronomy 11:19–20, this study reveals that this biblical text provides both educational guidance and theological significance, serving as a foundational support for the CTL model in Christian-Jewish religious education. The integration of digital media into biblical sources holds promise for future research, while the central challenge lies in harmonising life experiences and empirical phenomena with biblical reflections to seamlessly integrate inquiry processes and pedagogical phases, with potential avenues for further exploration in scripture models endorsing CTL. This research provides valuable insights for educators, parents and policymakers in Indonesia and beyond, advancing educational research in contextualised teaching models within religious education.Contribution: This article demonstrates that the CTL model in the digital era has the potential to revolutionise religious education and profoundly impact learners, making it a significant scientific contribution in the context of Christian-Jewish religious education.

인간 행위에서 정념의 위상과 기능: 중세 그리스도교적 맥락

This article is a study to explore the theory of passion in Thomas Aquinas’s Moral Theology from a pedagogical perspective. Aquinas’s discussion on the passions is an advantageous position in examining how the philosophical discussion on the passions that started in ancient times developed in the medieval Christian context. As a matter of fact, on the one hand, his discussion can be seen as representing the tradition of medieval Christianity as it is based on the Bible and the thoughts of the Church Fathers, and on the other hand, it can be seen as reflecting discussion of ancient philosophy as it is based on Aristotle’s discussions of metaphysics and ethics. 
 To this end, first, the view on human nature was confirmed through the doctrine of original sin regarding the origin of sins as the context in which passion was dealt with in medieval Christianity. Next, the study attempted to examine the practical impact of the theoretical discussion on passion through the doctrine of capital sins regarding the aspects of sins on the moral life of medieval people, especially through the ascetic life of the monastic system. According to Aquinas, original sin corresponds to the sin of human nature, and it is not simply due to the disorderly action of a single element called passion. The privation of original justice, whereby the will was made subject to God, is the formal element in original sin; while every other disorder of the soul’s powers, is a kind of material element in respect of original sin. On the other hand, cardinal sins correspond to the sin of an individual personality, and it can be defined as a disorder that appears in relation to the good pursued by certain areas of human nature. These doctrines can be seen not only as an understanding and explanation of human existence, but also as directing educational practice regarding moral life, and rather, they can be seen as being justified by educational practice. Passion can become materials for sin and vice but at the same time, it can also become materials for ethical virtues through its interaction with reason. We are given educational tasks to continuously ethically explore the meaning of goodness and to form habits of virtue.

Grammatical thomism and how (not) to speak about God

ABSTRACT I argue that grammatical thomism helps to clarify certain problems in philosophical theology by focusing attention on the parameters of coherent God-talk. By drawing on figures like David Burrell, Brian Davies, Kathryn Tanner, and Denys Turner, I show that the first rule of theological grammar is to avoid talking about God as if God were some sort of thing existing alongside the world. In fact, Aquinas concedes that we cannot really know what God is at all. Nevertheless, Wittgenstein’s later emphasis on meaning as use helps us to see why we can still talk intelligibly about God by focusing on the use of the word more than its referent. I connect this with the work of Stephen Mulhall and Cora Diamond on the nature of riddles, and suggest that this genre is one way of illuminating the peculiar grammar of certain Christian doctrines: in particular, the doctrine of the incarnation and of creation out of nothing. Finally, I look outside Christian contexts to the Hindu tradition of Advaita Vedānta, and argue that the language and imageries of non-dualism can provoke us into reconsidering the essence of Christian grammar and alert us to some of the therapeutic possibilities of grammatical thomism.

The Bible and Music in African Christianity

This bibliographic study explores the interplay between the Bible and music within the context of African Christianity. Underpinned by the theory of syncretism, the paper employs a contextual thematic analysis to unravel the nexus between African indigenous music and Christian worship and draws implications for both scholarship and practice. Findings indicate that early European missionaries incited a satanic impression against the use of African indigenous music among Christian worshippers. It was contrarily revealed that Bible-informed use of African music in Christian worship is imperative for evangelisation, deeper spirituality, and faster church growth in Africa. In conclusion, the paper emphasises that the Bible and (indigenous) music are inseparable. It also maintains that music has the transformative power of fostering community cohesion, religious identity, and spiritual devotion among African Christians. Finally, the paper recommends greater collaboration among scholars, theologians, music educators, and gospel music practitioners in the African context in accomplishing the goal of the gospel.

The Church in the Pluriverse: Open Orthodoxy for Worldwide Communion

precis: This essay explores the post- and decolonial concept of the pluriverse as it relates to the perennial tension between unity and diversity in the Christian faith. At root, the pluriverse is a vision of "a world in which many worlds fit" that entails respect and dignity across radical and incommensurable difference. Yet, the pluriverse also has space for common commitments and projects shared between radically different worlds. When applied to the Christian faith, the church itself can be understood as a pluriverse, and orthodoxy is reconfigured as a plural enterprise that takes shape differently in different settings, thereby assuming and celebrating particularity and difference even as a commitment to right belief is maintained across Christian contexts. Moreover, common ground in Christ and a common commitment to faithfulness opens space for interaction and mutual edification across difference. I deem this situated and connected practice "open orthodoxy." The structure of this proposal will unfold in two movements. First, I will present insights from the pluriversal discussion, which includes voices from postcolonial and decolonial thought, anthropology, sociology, ethics, and political theory. This section will be ordered around four aspects of pluriversal difference: radical difference, related difference, dignified difference, and aligned difference. Second, I will situate the church in a pluriversal setting to glean lessons from what has come before, beginning with a biblical argument for the church as a pluriverse and exploring the theological themes of confession, commonality, and orthodoxy as they relate to the pluriversal aspects of difference listed above. Ultimately, open orthodoxy will be presented as a viable practice for the church in a world that continues to recognize and reckon with its plurality.