Life Of Faith Research Articles

Pengembangan Media Berbasis Google Sites Pada Materi Dampak Dari Hidup Beriman Dan Berpengharapan Untuk Perserta Didik Kelas VIII SMP Negeri 3 Pakkat Tahun Pelajaran 2023/2024

The use of learning media is very important to develop efforts to increase students' knowledge, in line with current technological advances, where the learning process cannot be separated from developments in science and technology. This research aims to develop Google sites-based media on the impact of a life of faith and hope for class VIII students at SMP Negeri 3 Pakkat for the 2023/2024 academic year. This type of research is R&D, with a 4-D model modified into 3D, namely define, design and develop, with a quasi-experimental approach, namely in the form of a nonequevalent control group design. Data collection using questionnaires and pretest-posttest. Data analysis uses the Paired sample t-test formula. The results were obtained by comparing the pretest and posttest results between class VIII-A which used Google sites-based media and class VIII-B which used the lecture method. The results of data analysis show that Google Sites-based media learning can increase students' knowledge on the impact of a life of faith and hope. This can be seen from the initial average score for classes using Google Sites-based media of 67.85, increasing to 82.73 with a difference of 14.88. while the control class used the lecture method with an average score of 70.69 to 79.08 with a difference of 8.39. Based on the results, the final average score for the two classes has a difference of 3.65. It can be concluded that learning using Google sites-based media is more effective than the lecture method in increasing students' knowledge on the impact of a life of faith and hope in class VIII SMP Nwgeri 3 Pakkat for the 2023/2024 academic year.

“In Communion with God”: The Inculturation of the Christian Liturgical Theology of Giulio Aleni in His Explication of the Mass (Misa Jiyi)

Liturgical practice and its theological interpretation are not only very important to the Chinese inculturation of Catholicism in particular and Christianity in general but also of great significance in the establishment of an indigenized Christian faith and system of life. This paper will analyze the methodological approaches and historical inspirations for the inculturation of Christian liturgical theology through Giulio Aleni’s (1582–1649) Explication of the Mass (Misa Jiyi, 弥撒祭义), the first book to utilize Chinese cultural resources to systematically interpret the Mass (Eucharist). Continuing the general Jesuit accommodation initiated by Matteo Ricci, Aleni established an indigenized liturgical system of theology through intercultural learning, borrowing, and creative construction. Three of his contributions especially stand out. First, Aleni explained the significance of the Mass in terms of the Chinese philosophical–ethical concepts of “repaying the roots” (baoben, 报本) and “giving thanks” (gan’en, 感恩). Second, he elaborated on communion with the Trinitarian God in the Mass through Jesus Christ by drawing on the ancient Chinese teachings of repaying (chou, 酬), commemoration (shi, 示), and hope (wang, 望), which Aleni related to “giving thanks to the Father,” “commemorating Jesus,” and “invoking the Holy Spirit.” Finally, he provided a deep spiritual explanation of the Mass, using the traditional Confucian concepts of “self-restraint” (keji, 克己), “self-reflection” (fanji, 反己), and “spiritual meditation” (chouyi, 抽绎) to help believers understand the activities of repentance, commemoration, and prayer in the Mass. Overall, Aleni emphasized that the essence of the Mass was to achieve “communion with the heart of heavenly Lord” (xihe tianzhuzhixin, 翕合天主之心), which, as a pivot of faith, could be extended into daily life through its spiritual practice. Aleni, therefore, established a comprehensive system of “liturgy-spirituality-life” for Chinese Christians by indigenizing Christian liturgical theology through intercultural learning. His creative synthesis yielded a dynamic balance between Christian and Chinese traditions, absorbing Confucian resources to imaginatively enrich and expand the Christian tradition, while encouraging the creative transformation of the Christian tradition into the Chinese cultural community.

Pembentukan Akhlak Berlandaskan Keimanan : Landasan Filosofis-Teologis Dalam Kurikulum PAI Pada Mata Pelajaran Aqidah Akhlak di Madrasah Ibtidaiyah

The dynamic development of the curriculum is essential to addressing the demands of contemporary times and Islamic education. However, the implementation of an independent curriculum, as an effort to simplify the previous one and strengthen the profile of Pancasila students, has not been fully realized in educational institutions, presenting challenges in adapting to current needs. This study aims to innovate the philosophical and theological foundations of aqidah and moral education in Madrasah Ibtidaiyah based on faith. The methodology used is a literature review, collecting data from journals, books, and conferences. The findings reveal that philosophical and theological foundations greatly influence the goals of Islamic education in nurturing individuals with noble character. The formation of tauhid within the family serves as the primary basis for establishing faith, which is a crucial asset in formal education. Teachers play a vital role in delivering materials related to Islamic values using various strategies and methods to integrate knowledge and moral development. By practicing faith in daily life through worship, students can cultivate sincerity in their actions. Therefore, a PAI curriculum grounded in strong philosophical and theological principles can help build morally upright and strong individuals.

“Somebody Touched Me”: Disidentification, Conversion, and the Promise of Queer Transformation in James Baldwin’s Fiction

ABSTRACT Through an examination of The Amen Corner and Just Above My Head, this essay explores James Baldwin’s disidentification with Christian conversion. According to queer theorist José Esteban Muñoz, to disidentify with an object is not to embrace (identify) or reject (counteridentify) a phenomenon, but it is a “working on, with, and against a cultural form.” In The Amen Corner Baldwin, to borrow the language of Muñoz, “transfigures” conversion from signifying the entry of a new convert into a life of faith, to reimagining conversion/salvation as the abandonment of Christian belief and the leaving of ecclesiastical community for the higher call of love. While in Just Above My Head, conversion is reinterpreted through the medium of queer sexual expression, which simultaneously sanctifies queer sexuality, while also utilizing the sex act as a fecund space for reimagining the sacred and salvation.

Coinfections with Hepatitis B virus and Hepatitis C virus among tuberculosis patients in Jos, Nigeria

Objectives: This study investigated the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) among tuberculosis (TB) patients in Jos, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: Seventy-one (71) TB-positive individuals visiting anti-retroviral clinics (male and female between the ages of 15–55 years) were enrolled in the study. Questionnaires and consent forms were issued to these patients after obtaining ethical clearance for the study. Two milliliters of blood samples were obtained from each TB-positive individual by venipuncture and were analyzed using a hepatitis B and C rapid kit (Solid rapid test kit manufactured by Hangzhou Deangel Biological Engineering Co., Ltd. China). Analysis of data was performed with version 26 of SPSS software. Results: Out of the seventy-one (71) TB patients recruited in the research, 4 (5.6%) and 2 (2.8%) patients had hepatitis B and C virus, respectively. In this study, HBV seroprevalence, 3 (13.1%) and 1 (11.1%) were recorded among two age groups: 26–30 and 36–40 years, respectively. HCV seroprevalence, 2 (9.1%) was reported within the age group 26–30 years only. The age group and the prevalence of HBV and HCV among the study subjects had no statistically significant relationship (P > 0.05). Of the 37 females examined, 2 (5.4%) were positive for HBV or HCV, respectively, while of the 34 males, 2 (5.9%) had only HBV. The variables which showed no significant relationship with hepatitis B and C virus were age (P = 0.423; P = 0.436), sex (P = 0.660; P = 0.268), newly diagnosed TB patients and those on treatment (P = 0.416; P = 0.111), blood transfusion (P = 0.433; P = 0.330), illegitimate sex (P = 0.668; P = 0.239), tattoo (P = 0.298; P = 0.298), human immunodeficiency virus status (P = 0.542; P = 0.654), use of sharp objects (P = 0.409; P = 0.686), and knowledge of the virus (P = 0.702; P = 0.614) as P > 0.05. In addition, variables that showed a significant relationship with HCV infection are those that have not been vaccinated with hepatitis B (P = 0.015) as P < 0.05. Conclusion: TB patients attending the Faith Alive Foundation Hospital and Plateau Specialist State Hospital, Jos have a low seroprevalence of HBV and HCV and it is recommended that more sensitive and reliable diagnostic options such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and polymerase chain reaction are employed in further studies. TB patients seropositive for HBV or HCV were referred to physicians for appropriate management to prevent complications and the likelihood of damage to the liver as a result of treatment with drugs against TB.

Positive Psychology in Christian Perspective: Foundations, Concepts, and Application

Positive Psychology in Christian Perspective: Foundations, Concepts, and Application

A Pilgrimage to See the Holy Father: Or, the Modern Papacy Through the Stereoscope

Abstract: In 1907, the American company Underwood & Underwood published a deck of thirty-six photo cards with an accompanying book entitled A Pilgrimage to See the Holy Father, Through the Stereoscope . Used with a special device called a stereoscope, the cards enabled viewers to immerse themselves in a 3-D experience of the Vatican and to come face to face with Pope Pius X. This article analyzes how the deck was arranged and the text was written to promote an experience of both awe and intimacy. It establishes the set as part of a late-Victorian middle-class world of travel, education, and culture that incorporated both Protestants and Catholics, a world that both made its existence possible and that it helped to create. Finally, it argues that A Pilgrimage to See the Holy Father is less significant in itself than as part of a constellation of mass-produced modern artifacts that collectively created a feeling of personal attachment to individual popes and therefore made possible their central place in the emotional and faith lives of the modern Catholic laity.

The Trinity and Christology in The Perspective of Pauline and General Epistles

A true and biblical understanding of the Trinity and Christology must be possessed by every believer. A correct understanding of these two doctrines will certainly affect the life of the personal faith. This study aims to provide a brief understanding of the Trinity and Christology which is specifically highlighted from the perspective of the Apostle Paul's Epistle, General Epistle, and Book of Revelation. This research was carried out because it looked at various theological arguments that emerged and developed, but were very far from the truth of the Bible. This study proceeds from the question of how to understand the Trinity and Christology in Paul's Epistle, General Epistle, and the Book of Revelation. The method used in this study is the descriptive-Bibliological method where researchers make descriptions or descriptions of each point or idea about the Trinity and Christology built from the letters above. The results of this research are expected to contribute to improving the understanding and teaching of the Trinity and Christology, as well as helping believers to deepen their faith. A correct and biblical understanding of the Trinity and Christology will enrich personal faith life and strengthen the foundation of the Christian faith.

Theological Matricide in the Ancient Israelite Religion and Commentary on the Book of Lamentations

The essay considers the possibility that the Book of Lamentations contains passages lamenting the theological matricide that the ancient religion of Israel and the life of faith and worship have undergone. Despite the fact that archaeological findings, and biblical descriptions, point to the presence of a divine mother figure at the core of the religion and worship of the ancient people of Israel, the violent expulsion of this mother from the people’s life of faith and worship from the outset, as described in the Bible itself, has not been thoroughly investigated in terms of its spiritual-existential implications. This essay argues that what is described in Lamentations 1 may not only originate from the nation’s grief, the sense of chaos, and the destruction of the temple and the city, but also from the existential emotional violent separation from the Mother-Goddess, from the nation’s life of faith and worship, and the disaster that followed this disconnect and separation.

‘No One Was As Great As Abraham’: Exemplarity and the Failure of Hermeneutical Refiguration in Fear and Trembling

Abstract In this paper I put forward a new interpretation of the “Exordium” and “Eulogy for Abraham” sections in Fear and Trembling. It reads them in tension, as mutually incompatible approaches to the biblical narrative of Abraham. I argue this tension is productive insofar as it reveals and critiques the failure of each section to respond to Abraham as a religious exemplar of faith. Drawing on the work of Paul Ricœur, I argue that this failure consists in the absence of the hermeneutical moment of refiguration, which takes up what is understood in the narrative in the lived experience of the reader. By enacting this irreconcilable contrast within his text, Silentio poses a hermeneutical critique of faith by highlighting the importance of narrative refiguration in the life of faith, that is, the lived experience of those who understand Abraham to be a religious exemplar.

Environmental Stewardship Crisis in Eco-Pastoral Studies

The aim of this research is to examine ecology from a pastoral perspective. The methodology used in this research is the phenomenological method. Using this method, researchers examine natural damage from a pastoral perspective. Saving the environment will turn the center of human life upside down. The life of faith is moving from being centered on humans, centered on religious institutions, and now ecology is the center of attention. Ecological theology coupled with ecofeminism is a blessing for the environment. This theology brings enlightenment, liberation, and healing. Enlightening, liberating and healing in a pastoral perspective.

Prevention of Damages & Accidents in PSC I-Girders during Stressing & Erection Works

Abstract: As the infrastructure boom in India is in continuous rising trend from last 2 decades, the works of Bridges, structures, viaducts, and elevated corridors for Highways, Railways & Metro are running throughout the country. In these last 2 decades there is very much development in the Construction Materials, Machineries, and Accelerated Bridge Construction Methods to improve the quality & to reduce the construction time. But even by using such advancement, there are frequent failures and accidents of PSC Girders are happening every year across the country, which causes loss of life, property, time and loss of faith on Engineer community from the society. Even though material, machinery, methods are became advance and modern, But Human efficiency, work knowledge, preciseness, effective supervision & quality control not improves to that extent

Dreaming of God and the Role of Faith in Everyday Life: An Empirical Study

AbstractIn Christian faith, dreams – at least some – have been seen as messages from God; very powerful examples can be found in the Bible. However, empirical research regarding dreams of God is relatively scarce. Four hundred and fifty-two persons participated in the present survey, including a group from theology-related professions (theology students, priests, etc.). The findings indicate that the belief that dreams can be messages from God is related to the importance of faith in the everyday life of the dreamer and a positive attitude towards dreams. About 20% of the participants reported having dreams about encountering God, which was related to their waking life religiosity. On the one hand, the findings support the continuity hypothesis of dreaming, that is, that dreaming reflects waking life, while, on the other hand, these special dreams might help the dreamer to deepen their faith. Longitudinal studies are necessary to study this bidirectional relationship between waking life faith and religious dreams.

Clinical Outcomes of Surgery for Age-related Cataract with Intraocular Lens Implantation in Two Hospitals in North-Central Nigeria

Aims: The study aimed to assess the post-operative presenting visual acuity (PVA) and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) from six weeks and above post-surgery, of patients operated for age-related cataract with biometry-calculated IOL power and available IOL power implantation, in two hospitals in Jos, Nigeria.
 Study Design: Retrospective cross-sectional survey.
 Place and Duration of Study: Eye units of two mission Hospitals in Jos namely; Bingham University Teaching Hospital and the Faith Alive foundation Hospital, between June and August 2021.
 Methodology: Patients aged 40 years and above, who had undergone surgery for age-related cataract in the preceding 18 months in two hospitals in Jos and were six weeks or more post-surgery were consecutively enrolled into the study, after obtaining informed consent. Socio-demographic data and surgical history were obtained from patients and their surgical records. The PVA and BCVA were assessed and categorized based on World Health Organization guidelines. 
 Results: A total of 87 patients were examined within the study period. Post-operative PVA was good (≥6/18) in 32 (36.8%), borderline (<6/18-6/60) in 41 (47.1%) and poor (<6/60) in 14 (16.1%) participants. After refraction, the proportion of good outcomes increased to 78.2% with only 8.1% of outcomes remaining poor. Biometry-calculated IOL power and available IOL power use did not significantly influence visual outcome (P=.645 and P=.146 for PVA and BCVA respectively).
 Conclusion: Majority of participants had post-operative PVA in the borderline category with residual uncorrected refractive error as the principal cause. Regardless of the IOL power implanted, surgery for age-related cataract enhanced patients’ vision. This study has shown that the presence of biometry is a guarantee of refractive success. Hence, refractive outcome audits are essential.

Panggilan Gereja dalam Realitas Ketidakadilan di Indonesia

The issue of injustice (corruption, buying and selling legal cases, welfare for the poor, etc.) that causes people to suffer still frequently occurs in Indonesia. In a life of faith, faith must be revealed through actions that bring justice and love to those who are suffering. The purpose of this research is to answer questions about how Christians live out their faith and how the Church manifests the presence of God in the reality of injustice. The method used in this research is qualitative, employing literature studies. Church documents and the thoughts of theologians discussing the Church's calling in the midst of the reality of injustice are examined using critical discourse analysis. The results of this research show that in the midst of the reality of injustice, the Church must present itself as a sacrament of God’s presence that desires human beings to live. It must restore the dignity of both the victims and perpetrators of injustice. It also needs to engage in dialogue and collaboration with people of other religions to address the issue of injustice.

The story that shapes us: biblical theology as a lens on practical theology

ABSTRACT The role of the Bible within practical theology and Christian formation more generally continues to be a topic of debate. In this article, I explore the use of the Bible in practical theology through the lens of biblical theology, a sibling discipline that is also concerned for the role of Scripture in the life of faith. As well as describing differences between the disciplines, I seek to show how biblical theology offers some distinct challenges to the way in which many practical theologians use the Bible. I also trace key themes within biblical theology in the work of three British practical theologians, all of whom attend closely to the breadth of the story that Scripture tells.

Bullying, spirituality, anxiety and depression

A recently developed Cognitive Behavioral Theory (CBT)-based process has been used to understand and explore the nature of spirituality and spiritual experience and its healing characteristics. Experiences of self-worth and dignity (both are operationalized) as the core of spirituality are directly injured by bullying with resultant depression and anxiety. Bullying experiences with progression to actively bullying are devastating to our spiritual core and undermine fundamental faith in self, others and life. This level of injury is often not recognized by many bullying programs. This preliminary communication is presented for researchers in these areas to consider how this process may be used for further research and prevention and intervention efforts.

Al-Qusyairi Perspektive Education in Reduction of Moral Decline

Moral education is very much needed in Indonesian education, given the still high moral crisis facing this Muslim-majority country. Today, human life is far from the values of the Al-Quran and Hadith. Human life has become more materialistic, individualistic, and spiritually deficient. This study aimed to study the moral education concept explained by Imam Qusyairi in the Book Risalah Al-Qusyariyah and its implementation in reducing moral decline. This research is a Library Research with a qualitative descriptive approach by collecting library materials related to the research focus. The Risalah Al-Qusyairi book has some applications of the values of education, learning, and guiding students to have increased faith, obedience, and justice in life. Imam al-Qusyairi's concept of moral education must be applied to all aspects of learning and daily life, especially in the present, which is slowly destroying the human soul. By embodying the concept of AL-Qusyairi moral education, a person will respect and appreciate teachers for providing learning materials and making friends with their peers, practicing good morals, doing charity, and trying their best to leave bad morals.

Belief, Doubt, and Faith in Life After Death

This essay distinguishes between propositional belief and faith and considers the relationship between these two forms of belief, arguing that faith is not an entirely separate form of belief from propositional assent and that it does require a minimal cognitive content. The essay then goes on to consider beliefs about, and faith in, life after death and develops a metaphorical account of this faith using an Aristotelian concept of the soul as a form of life together with a theological understanding of the death of Jesus in the New Testament. It is argued that the truth claims of assertions about life after death are beyond evidential support, but there are strong reasons for doubting the literal truth of such assertions. Faith in life after death however can be considered rational and truth-seeking. The essay concludes that semantic agnosticism is the proper attitude towards belief in life after death and justifies this position against two possible objections.

Friendship and Spiritual Learning: Seedbed for Synodality

In the literature about learning in general and also with regard to faith learning, the experience and practice of friendship has been neglected. In the early years of the church, and at various other times, social networks of Christians preserved and handed on the life of faith without the benefit of formal educational institutions or strong ecclesial structures. This article explores the potential of friendship to contribute to the kind of spiritual learning that underpins synodality. The experience of friendship plays an important role in how people access, interpret, welcome and embrace truth and in their paths towards transformation. Friendship is considered here as a form of peer ministry. There can be no social friendship, along the lines advocated by Pope Francis in Fratelli tutti, without the laboratory and engine room of everyday personal friendships. Key features of friendship are related to the implications of synodality and to the conditions that support spiritual learning.