Christian Life Research Articles

The Historiolae in Belarusian Incantations

The article deals with one of the most popular techniques in Belarusian magical medicine — the so-called historiolae, the essence of which is to recall precedent situations. This implies that the “disequilibrium of being, which has arisen in human life at the present moment (e.g. a disease), is restored according to a sacred pattern that took place in the past”. The texts declare connections between different levels of the worlds, past and present, but to the same extent between the microcosm and the macrocosm, erasing all distinctions between the real and the supernatural worlds. The present time of these charms prevents the transfer of the patient and the healer to ancient times of the myths. Instead, it is the sacred world that spreads around the requester. The most common form of such charms includes a narrative that relates certain events in Christian history, primarily describing the life of Christ or of one of the saints. A particular place among the narrative manifestations of historiolae is occupied by references to the Passion of Christ. These narratives, in turn, possess powerful life-affirming and healing potential. It is not the logical correspondence of a specific comparison in an incantation that is central, but the very desire to place the situation of treatment in an appropriate context. A number of texts from the author’s field records and archival materials are introduced here into scholarly circulation.

Armenian Amulets from the Collection of Armenian Orthodox Diocese in Baghdad

This study is dedicated to the Armenian manuscript and printed Amulet1 of the Armenian Diocese of Baghdad (DAOB). In this collection of early printings, there are two printed Amulets in scroll (Pr. n. 14, second half of the 19th century and Pr. n. 15, A.D. 1716). The third Amulet is a manuscript written in 1736 in the city of Erzrum (Karin) for a certain Ohan (Ms. n. 13). The scanned copies of these amulets are currently available through the website of Hill Museum and Manuscript Library (HMML).2 Since this paper is the first study of these amulets, it presents them in terms of codicology and bibliographical study and discusses their decoration. The study of some iconographic details will help to reveal the practice of using amulets and their meaning, considering them as a representation of Armenian “folklore-art”, since scribes and miniaturists were partly free to choose texts and decorate them, even they were mostly works of the priesthood.3 It should be noted that as artifacts of the same genre, having a purpose of protection of their owners using incantations and prayers, very often the content and decoration of these three Amulets have similarities. From this point of view, Ms. n. 13 (A.D. 1736) and Pr. n. 15 (A.D. 1716) are more relevant to each other both in content and, accordingly, in decoration. A selection of prayers and illustrations to them show almost the same structure, and for the printed Amulet, we can certainly argue that such structure was typical (but not limited) for the printed Amulets in the Armenian tradition from the 18th to 19th centuries. Despite some similarities with two previous Amulets, the Pr. n. 14 (19th century) represent another structure of content and its decoration. It is enriched with prayers and illustrations which does not exist in mentioned above two examples of the 18th century. E.g. engravings depicting the life of Christ (Annunciation, Birth of Jesus Christ, Baptism, Resurrection, etc.), or portraits of the evangelists, accompanied by the passages from their Gospels. Our research shows that the publishers of this Amulet had an eighteenth-century prototype and took an innovative approach using Western art engravings.

Matthias Joseph Scheeben a Kristův učitelský úřad v jeho hlavních spisech

The aims of the article Matthias Joseph Scheeben and Christ’s Magisterial Office in His Major Writings are to present briefly the great German theologian of the nineteenth century M. J. Scheeben, to introduce the Christological titles treated in his main writings and especially to deal with Christ’s prophetic and magisterial office in light of the today’s Christological and Soteriological reflections. When considering the strengths and shortcomings of Scheeben’s work, we bear in mind the historical context of systematic theology of the nineteenth century. We appreciate that the author finds mutual connections between the three offices of Christ and their continuity with the Old­-Testament messianic offices. Scheeben is exceptionally creative in finding new connections within the Old­-Testament texts. With regard to the prophetic­-magisterial office as described by the German theologian, we find an interesting, original name for Christ – Christ the Apostle, the Sent­-One. We consider his tendency to integrate the mystery of the Trinity into Christology and Soteriology and to make it relevant to Christian life as his greatest contribution. Revelation is not merely a theoretical doctrine, it offers us a sharing in the inner life of the Trinity. The shortcomings of Scheeben’s theology are connected with the theology of his time. In general, the author treated the question of Jesus in more of an a­-historic and distinctively ontological way. He emphasized Christ’s divine dignity and identity more than his human existence, his growth, his learning and the evolving story.

Responsive Becoming: Moral Formation in Theological, Evolutionary, and Developmental Perspective

Responsive Becoming: Moral Formation in Theological, Evolutionary, and Developmental Perspective

The Criteriological Meaning of the Lutheran Doctrine of Justification and its Ontological Underpinnings

Lutheran authors throughout the XX century have attempted to apply the Pauline doctrine of “justification by faith alone” to the whole of Christian theology, life and spirituality, as a unique determinative, criteriological or hermeneutical principle. Justification would point to the action of God who in Christ saves sinful humans, thus going to the very core of Christian life and identity. However, the fundamental principle needs to go beyond a purely existential reading of the human situation which considers man primordially as a sinner, and God only as his Saviour. It needs to be ontologically founded, on the basis of God’s good creation. It needs to take into account the fact that man, alongside the experience of sinfulness and pardon, truly encounters the goodness of God both through the reality of creation and on account of ­personal filiation in Christ’s Spirit.

Calvin’s exposition of the sixth commandment as a trajectory in his catechetical works

In this article is explored the key theological and pedagogical trajectories which shaped Calvin’s teaching of the sixth commandment (‘You shall not kill’) in his catechetical publications. These include the Instruction of 1537/1538, l’Institution Puerile de la Doctrine Chrestienne (1538–1541), the 1542 and 1545 Catechismus, and La Maniere d’Interroguer les Enfans (1551). The overall objective is not only to depict the theological line of argumentation as a development, but also to map out Calvin’s pedagogy and teaching strategies. In Calvin research, this aspect of his teaching is undervalued. This was in particular illustrated by studying the relevant source texts in chronological order. The method employed in which the original texts were read, explicated and compared to contemporary texts (Luther, Jud and Bucer), confirmed that Calvin’s basic argument should indeed by explicated contextually, based on the original language of publication. This approach also provided the opportunity to identify patterns in Calvin’s exposition that normally remain beyond the interests of investigators. One of these was the underpinning pedagogy. The results indicated that Calvin’s teaching of the commandment was ingrained in the understanding and enduring meaning of the Law for the Christian church given in the words of Christ in Matthew 5:21, 22 and 22:39. The practical implications of the Command should not be attributed to the particular use of the Law as a rule of life in the born-again. Calvin’s underpinning pedagogy allowed not only for an envisioned transfer of knowledge, but also for the unpacking of that knowledge content in terms of practical competencies and skills to live a spontaneous Christian life. In this sense, a dynamic educational strategy guided the learner by challenging questions to consider and think, and then to respond independently.Contribution: This article employed a significant historical-chronological method for studying pre-1551 Calvin texts. An appraisal of the contextual development of his thinking on ‘You shall not kill’ was argued within the framework of teaching and learning. It also created the opportunity to ask new questions to the texts such as the pedagogy that underpinned the catechetical work of Calvin.

Man - "Debtor of the God"

The main objecvtive of Davit Guramishvili's poetic work is getting to know one’s self. Thus, the author’s lyrical "I" is clearly visible in the poem. In order to get to know one’s self, meaning of the human existence needs to be explored. The image of God as well as the sinful nature has been inherited in the humankind.Christ has redeemed the humankind from the captivity of original sin, paying the "old debt". "Davitiani” is based on such Christian ideology. On the one hand, the poet notes that God undertook the obligation to save his creatures in the first place. At the same time, Davit Guramishvili believes that he is indebted to God as he is born as his image, in his likeness. The second reason behind man's duty to God is the redemption of sins and the restoration of damaged image. The New Testament has imposed a "new debt" on mankind.The main purpose of the "new man", which is deification, begins with the discovery of the likeness of God in himself, then - with repentance of the sins. At the end, the person on the path of personal perfection meets God.Davit Guramishvili's lyrical character also starts to strive for "deification". He regrets that he has been robbed of the light of the Lord. Like a sinful Adam he is dressed in leather, and deprived of the sun of paradise, is buried in the abyss of hell.Remembering the passion of the Savior on the cross is the duty of the Christian. He should sympathize with and mourn the martyrdom of Jesus with his own sins. The most ardent co-sufferer of the sufferings of Christ is the Mother of God. The poet's lyrical protagonist recalls the tragedy of Golgotha ​​and seems to feel the pain inflicted by the Lord’s wounds, expressing the communion of the sufferings of the Virgin. David Guramishvili, as a Christian author, thus becomes an accomplice of the Lord's passion.Such a principle of liturgical thinking in the work of David Guramishvili, first of all, relies on the idea of St. Paul the Apostle, according to which the man would gain life in Christ through crucifixion. Such a concept is also revealed in the old Georgian theological poetry. It is noteworthy that the poet's lyrical protagonist will also replace Adam and by considering his mourning as his own tragedy, he tries to establish a personal "I".The poet sympathizes with the Adam's sin. However, he rejoices by the fact that he is freed from the "old debt" and this time he feels a new duty towards the Savior, Christ. For Davit Guramishvili, the poetic path has become an arena of spiritual victory in order to get to know one’s self. Therefore he establishes a personal lyric based on liturgical consciousness. The poet, through his work, aims to glorify the Savior, express gratitude and love towards him and thus pay the "new debt“.

Truth and Christian Ethics: A Narratival Perspective

In this article, I consider some of the forms that truthfulness can take in the Christian life. Drawing on the notion of storied identity, I address the following questions. In general terms, what does it take to live truthfully with respect to some narrative? More exactly, how might that truthfulness be realized in bodily terms? And, finally, how might living truthfully with respect to a narrative contribute to the further elaboration of the narrative? I examine these questions with reference to the concerns of Christian ethics in particular, by taking as my focus the kind of storied truthfulness that is embodied in the practice of neighbour love, and the question of how that truthfulness may be extended through participation in the eucharist.

Theology and the Anthropology of Christian Life. By Joel Robbins

Theology and the Anthropology of Christian Life. By Joel Robbins

The Eucharist as a Source of Political Action: Dorothy Day as a living example of Johann Baptist Metz’s “Dangerous Memory”

Attending Mass and helping the suffering are not two separate things. In Christian life, the former should directly lead to the latter. In order to clarify this deep connection, first I will turn to Johann Baptist Metz, especially the centrality of the concept of anamnesis in his theology and hence how his political theology is deeply linked with or actually grounded in the Eucharist and liturgy, for which anamnesis is an essential concept. Metz points out the centrality of the “dangerous” memory of the crucified Lord for the Christian faith and suggests that when we remember the suffering of Christ we also remember all of the victims of history. Further, this memory of accumulated suffering should prepare us for socially emancipatory action. Thus, through the concept of anamnesis, we can see how participating in Mass should directly lead to political action on behalf of the suffering. As a concrete example of this connection realized, I will look at Dorothy Day in the second half of the paper. The Eucharist was central to her conversion, her spirituality, and her Catholic Worker Movement. In her, we can see a concrete example of the living memory of the suffering constantly nourished by the Eucharist and realized as a socially emancipatory action. Thus, by looking at Day through the lens provided by Metz with a focus on the living memory of suffering, I will stress that the Eucharist, “the source and summit of the Christian life,” is the key to bring theology into action.

The entangled pandemic: Deep incarnation in creation.

The metaphorical appropriation of quantum entanglement (non‐local relational holism) helps to conceptualize the physical relationship of God to creation in a way that can support the understanding of deep incarnation. The relational holism of Divine entanglement helps clarify how deep incarnation is possible. The pandemic is then approached as an example of evolutionary theodicy that can be addressed through such entangled deep incarnation. This in turn provides the basis for deep resurrection, which, while acknowledging suffering and death in the natural world, also affirms hope and life in Christ.

Grace Presupposes Nature: The Structure of the Summa and an Illustration by the Virtue of Patience in Light of Christ

Abstract The first part of this essay argues that the very structure and ordering of Thomas Aquinas’ Summa Theologiae manifests a departure from the typical theological position of his time regarding natural acquired virtues. Resting on a conviction that grace presupposes nature, Aquinas uniquely holds that natural virtues perfective of human nature can be acquired prior to grace, which can be elevated and incorporated by grace into the properly Christian life. The second part of this essay offers a case study of the virtue of patience that illustrates the argument of the first part of the paper.

نقد جون هيك (‏John Hick‏) في تجسد ألوهية يسوع

This article discusses John Hick's critique of the concept of the incarnation of God Jesus and proves the deconstruction that occurs in the concept of Christian divinity. The author uses descriptive and analytical methods to describe and analyze John Hick's thoughts. According to a study of the Bible and history conducted by John Hick, Jesus never claimed to be God or the incarnate Son of God. In Christianity, the incarnation is not the teaching of Jesus Christ but comes from Paganism which originated in Rome. The incarnation was deliberately introduced by the church to invite the enthusiasm of Christians who were not convinced by the teachings of the church at that time. Jesus who is known in the life of Christians is more appropriate to be called a prophet or a nobleman than to think of him as God. John Hick's opinion is very correct because the Bible as the basis of Christianity never says the divinity of Jesus.

Cruciform Scripture: Cross, Participation, and Mission.

Cruciform Scripture: Cross, Participation, and Mission.

Being ‘in Christ’ in the Letters of Paul.

Being ‘in Christ’ in the Letters of Paul.

Kuyper’s Spirituality in Its Calvin-Context

Abstract This article explores Abraham Kuyper’s spirituality by comparing it to that of John Calvin. Calvin’s Institutes exhibits three dimensions of his spirituality in the context of the mystical union with Christ, namely, the affective character of this union, its effects and its significance for a correct estimation of the world. By comparison, Kuyper put a greater emphasis on the importance of the affections in mystical union because he gives more weight to the regenerated life. This focus also coheres with Kuyper’s more optimistic approach to the Christian life, which contrasts with Calvin’s emphasis on the need for daily justification. In Kuyper’s approach the indwelling of the Spirit represents the union between heaven and earth, while Calvin stresses that God’s future kingdom is beyond the here and now.

Job as a Steadfast Wrestler: Athletic Exemplarity in John Chrysostom and Severian of Gabala

Abstract In Greek Late Antiquity, the Biblical character of Job was portrayed in two different ways: as Job the impatient complainer and as Job the patient sufferer. The latter image has often been enriched by means of agonistic metaphors describing Job as the perfect athlete wrestling with the devil. Despite its pervasiveness, however, this image has only been studied in a sporadic and incomplete way. The article intends to bridge this gap by researching how Christian authors strategically used the image of Job as an athlete in order to increase his impact as a role model. First, it briefly explores this image in Biblical traditions and in the works of Origen, Basil of Caesarea, and Gregory of Nyssa. The main part of the article then focuses on the works of John Chrysostom and Severian of Gabala. It is necessary to ascertain which image(s) of Job each author presents and how this image is presented as well as to lay bare the function and relevance of the agonistic metaphors that are used to portray Job. To achieve this aim, the article offers a philological analysis of some crucial primary sources in their socio-cultural context. The agonistic metaphors have also been analysed according to the principles of cognitive-linguistic metaphor theory. In the end, the article shows how Chrysostom and Severian used Job as a model-athlete to incite their audience to strive for a perfect Christian life. It demonstrates that the agonistic metaphors are deeply significant for the portrayal of Job, since they incite the audience to view Job’s life, and consequently also their own life, from a new angle. By turning Job the passive sufferer into an active athlete who is the ultimate example of resilience, the metaphors shed a new light on Job’s suffering and thereby on the problem of theodicy.

The Effect of Patriarkat Ideology and the Relationship of Women's Flores Towards Local Culture Preservation

Research taken location in the region of Flores were in the paint with the culture of patriarchy is written under the theme "Influence of Ideology Patriarchate and the Women's Keberperanana Flores on the Local Cultural Preservation". The life of the people of Flores has been well-established and strict in patriarchal culture since the time of the World War. In the course of time it cannot be denied that the way of viewing women and their involvement has certainly undergone some changes. Nevertheless, still needed an affirmation by deepening and cultural interpretation from time to time. The writer as a nun Congregation Imitationis Jesus (CIJ) has recorded the growth and development of women's place in the Church and in Flores society. CIJ since inception and ala s an establishment atantion against women and its role. The role of the CIJ sisters for and with women struggles so that women have a place and opportunity to play a role in building lives according to their capacities. So in this writing used the method of library research with historical- theological approach. From the results of this study concluded that changing in gender equality discope patriarchal culture growing along with the climate of Christian life baby too new languages that were previously not commonly used, or which appear in a new way.

Discipleship and Stewardship: The Essential Combination that Can Enhance Financial Stability of the Church in Africa

While discipleship and stewardship are essential aspects in Christian life, combination of the two terms can provide financial stability and spiritual growth in the church. This study employed the literary method through the collection of journal articles from America, Europe Asia and Africa with topics which have addressed the two aspects. The findings show that it is important that every church member should surrender his/her life to Jesus before surrendering all that he/she has to Christ. The study recommends that church members must be led to be faithful stewards and faithful disciples by precepts and example. Church leaders and pastors need to call church members to surrender their lives to Christ before calling them to surrender their wealth for supporting the work of God. They should also make calls that church members should not only give tithe and offerings for sustaining the gospel work, but they should also engage themselves in making disciples for Christ.

新冠疫情下基督宗教醫治觀念及實踐的倫理糾結

LANGUAGE NOTE | Document text in Chinese; abstract also in English.
 基督宗教自創教以來，其信息和實踐都與醫治息息相關。人類犯罪墮落的肉身和靈魂，雖然有「因信稱義」之拯救，但更需要教會的聖禮及群體生活來使之潔淨與得醫治。它們都是信徒需要親身參與的活動，被視為不能隨意缺席的集體活動。
 另外，教會一直在瘟疫流行時贈醫施藥、照顧病者。基督徒無私的醫治服務，雖然在歷史上為大眾所尊崇，但這些舉動也令他們冒上受感染的風險。在前現代的社會裡，教會的「醫治」仍能對民眾的健康作出貢獻，但現代社會已不需教會扮演公共保健和醫療的角色。尤有進者，基督宗教的醫治觀念和實踐，在今次的新冠病毒疫情裡，被描述為危害公共健康的行徑。本文旨在探討這種變化背後的倫理糾結，並分析教會的回應策略，如何重新詮釋基督宗教的醫治觀念，及應對現今的倫理挑戰。
 From its very beginning, the message and practice of the Christian faith have been inextricably related to healing. Although the eternal salvation of sinful human beings' body and soul is provided by justification through faith, the Church teaches that our soul and body should be purified and healed by sacraments and communal Christian life. These in-person activities are essential to Christian practice. Moreover, historically, the Church has dispensed medicine and taken care of the sick during pandemics. Christianity's caring service has been well respected by the public throughout its history, and in pre-modern society, Christian healthcare services often contributed substantially to the psychological and physical wellbeing of many people. In modern society, however, the role of the Church has been replaced by the public healthcare and medical systems. Particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic, the Christian understanding and practice of healing has sometimes been accused of endangering public health. This paper therefore investigates the ethical landscapes behind the change of public opinion and the strategies used by Christian churches to meet this challenge.