Theological Method Research Articles

The Task of Dogmatics: Explorations in Theological Method, by Oliver D. Crisp and Fred Sanders (eds)

The Task of Dogmatics: Explorations in Theological Method, by Oliver D. Crisp and Fred Sanders (eds)

Analyzing the Morality of Owning and Suspending Patent Rights for COVID-19 Vaccines in the Light of Catholic Social Teaching.

Using the Roman Catholic Church’s set of moral principles on social concerns called Catholic social teaching (CST) and utilizing some secondary data and scientific research literature, this article examines the morality of India and South Africa’s request to the World Trade Organization (WTO) to temporarily suspend the property rights and patents of top pharmaceutical companies to their vaccines to allow low-income countries to locally manufacture them to save the lives of the poor during this COVID-19 pandemic. Applying the theological method of “See-Judge-and-Act,” this article argues that the suspension of patents for COVID vaccines is morally justifiable in the light of CST’s principles on the universal destination of earth’s goods, the common good, and preferential option for the poor. The top pharmaceutical companies cannot claim absolute ownership to their vaccines as they do not totally own and fund the entire development and production process. Furthermore, the right to private ownership and patents has a social dimension and must serve the common good and welfare of the poor, especially in times of global emergency such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Patent holders have a moral obligation to promote the common good and save the lives of the poor which must prevail over their capitalist quest for profit. This article recommends that Catholics and Christians must join this crusade for the suspension of patents as part of their spirituality of social transformation.Summary: Applying the Roman Catholic Church’s set of moral principles on social concerns called CST and utilizing some secondary data and scientific research literature, this article examines the morality of India and South Africa’s request to the World Trade Organization to temporarily suspend the property rights and patents of top pharmaceutical companies to their vaccines to allow low-income countries to locally manufacture them to save the lives of the poor during the current pandemic. Applying the theological method of “See-Judge-and-Act,” this article argues that the suspension of patents for COVID vaccines is morally justifiable in the light of CST’s principles on the universal destination of earth goods, the common good, and preferential option for the poor. It recommends that Catholics and Christians must join this crusade for the suspension of patents as part of their spirituality of social transformation.Short Summary: This article argues that patents of the top pharmaceutical companies to their COVID-19 vaccines must be suspended as requested by India and South Africa in the WTO in the light of CST’s moral principles on the universal destination of earth’s goods, the common good, and preferential option for the poor.

التمدد الشِّيعي في كينيا: تاريخه، أسبابه، ووسائله العَقَدِيَّة

This research sheds light on the Shiite expansion in Kenya; History, Causes and its theological methods to preach Shiism. Its statement of problem and importance comes from lack of academic studies which address the threats of Shiite expansion in Kenya and its sectarian and social impacts on the Sunni Muslims in Kenya, which necessitated such research and the likes of academic studies. The research consists of an abstract and four sections. The first section defines Shiism and its most important beliefs, while the second addresses the history of Shiites arrival to Kenya, whereas the third displays the causes of the Shiite expansion in Kenya. The fourth concludes with the theological methods of Shiite expansion in Kenya. A descriptive analytical method based on analyzing events, organizing them, and linking each other is used. The research materials were documented and linked it to their original sources. The study ends with a conclusion that includes some recommendations related to the research topic, in addition to the index of references.

Leven na de dood: het Nieuwe Testament als toetssteen voor enkele contemporaine opvattingen

This article considers the question of the difference between NT documents and their contemporary religious and philosophical thought world on ‘life after death’. Consideration of only a few themes discloses that the NT differs widely from Hellenistic views, and that it is closely connected to some views in early Judaism as far as these stand in continuity with the OT. The NT view on ‘life after death’ stands far more on its own than the History of Religions School suggests. Modern thought on the ‘afterlife’ reveals that the NT is still relevant; theological methods should not blur its original message, nor biblical authority (OT and NT) be minimized.

Dialog Profetis

The focus of this study is prophetic dialogue of the church’s mission for domestic migrants in the Diocese of Tanjung Selor, North Kalimantan. The socalled prophetic dialogue is very relevant to be applied in the Diocese. The local church is an example of the multi-cultural face of the Church. The Diocese of Tanjung Selor has greatly been influenced by the presence of migrants who come in from the various tribes and cultures throughout the country. The theological method used in this study is that of Stephen B. Bevans’ theological endeavors. Based also on the theology of Second Vatican Council, such as the Decree of Ad Gentes and referring to the thoughts of today’s theologians, the article promotes the prophetic dialogue to be taken into consideration within the Diocese. This research will specifically discuss how the prophetic dialogue is applied to migrant workers.

EVANGELICAL THEOLOGICAL METHOD: FIVE VIEWS. Edited by Stanley E.Porter and Steven M.Studebaker. Downers Grove: IVP Academic, 2018. Pp. viii + 224. Paper, $28.00.

Religious Studies ReviewVolume 47, Issue 4 p. 518-518 Short Reviews of Recent Publications: Theology EVANGELICAL THEOLOGICAL METHOD: FIVE VIEWS. Edited by Stanley E. Porter and Steven M. Studebaker. Downers Grove: IVP Academic, 2018. Pp. viii + 224. Paper, $28.00. First published: 19 January 2022 https://doi.org/10.1111/rsr.15514Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article. Volume47, Issue4New Religious Movements and Documentary FilmsDecember 2021Pages 518-518 RelatedInformation

The devil, 666 and the COVID-19 vaccine

This article aims to engage the statement of the South African Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng where he made a direct link between the Covid-19 vaccine, the devil and triple-six. The article will try to locate his argument; but above that to engage the statement in relationship to the biblical text of Revelation 13:11–18, which is where the original statement is. There will be an attempt to understand the context of the Book of Revelation and the context of Revelation 13:11–18. Some Christian and churches have been claiming that the vaccine contains foetal tissues or microchips or are construing associations between vaccines ingredients and the devil. Others talk about how coronavirus vaccines and masks contain or herald the ‘mark of the beast’, a reference to an apocalyptic and or a passage from the Book of Revelation that suggests that the Antichrist will test Christians by asking them to put a mark on their bodies. The article will further engage the relationship between science and religion and or reason and faith. Contribution: The article contributes to the theological discourses of interpretation, translation and understanding of the biblical texts in their contexts. The article engages the method of theology of reading the text from behind.

Doctrine of methods of interpretation of legal norms formed in the case law of the Court of Justice

The doctrinal approaches to the definition of methods and principles of interpretation of legal norms applied by the Court of Justice of the EU are analyzed. The traditional and special methods of interpretation inherent in integration justice are singled out. The dynamics of changes in the approaches to the interpretation of legal norms in the decisions of the Court of Justice of the EU after the signing of the Lisbon Treaty is described. Scientific approaches to defining the concept of interpretation of legal norms contained in domestic sources are analyzed. Foreign sources on the methods of interpretation of the law by the Court of Justice of the EU have been studied. The article analyzes several European publications written at different times before the signing of the Lisbon Treaty and established, which primarily draws attention to authors who have subjected the theological method of interpretation, and very few sources that influence the justification of methods or principles of their application by the Court. It can be concluded that the tendency of European scholars to emphasize the importance of the theological method of interpretation was related to their views on the constitutional nature of the Treaties and legal considerations about the need to adopt the EU Constitution. Such conclusions correlate with the limited jurisdiction of the Court of Justice, as before the signing of the Lisbon Treaty not all provisions of secondary legislation were interpretable (in particular, visas, asylum, immigration and other policies related to the movement of persons). on the constitutionality of the Treaties, although their form and content have become even more similar to constitutional acts, without losing a clear functional statement of provisions. Since then, the case law of the Court of Justice has been characterized by a variety of methods of interpretation, and European doctrine by publications that have re-substantiated the system of methods and paid more attention to their detailed analysis, making each of these methods autonomous and collectively interchangeable.

Divine Action is Constitutive of Theology: William Abraham, John Webster, and Theological Theology

This article puts forward the view that divine action is constitutive of Christian theology. More precisely, it claims that what makes a theologian’s work theological is her commitment to a narrative composed by God’s actions to create, redeem, sustain and perfect creatures. It begins with a systematic summary of William Abraham’s four-volume Divine Agency and Divine Action. Two objections are then put to it, one regarding the breadth of the concept ‘action’ and another regarding its ability to facilitate a complete theological method. It then argues that these objections can be overcome when partnered with John Webster’s ‘theological theology’ approach, as it supplies the crucial concept of an ‘economy’ of divine action. A final section presents a ‘Websterian/Abrahamic’ approach, with the result that divine action is no longer relegated to discussions of special divine providence but is the defining feature of all theological work.

Meaning and Method in Comparative Theology by CatherineCornille (Oxford: Wiley Blackwell, 2020), ix + 214 pp.

Meaning and Method in Comparative Theology by CatherineCornille (Oxford: Wiley Blackwell, 2020), ix + 214 pp.

포스트모던 감수성에 맞는 선교 이해: 샐리 맥페이그(Sallie McFague)의 은유신학(Metaphorical Theology)을 중심으로

Metaphorical theology saw the cause of the problem of ecosystems as the dualistic understanding and recognition of God in Western traditional theology. In other words, the Western traditional Christian-centered idea of ‘God-human-world’ gave rise to a ‘human-centered worldview,’ and it was seen that today’s ecosystem is being destroyed. Therefore, in order to overcome the ecological crisis and enable the Christian church and missions in the postmodern era, we need to use the metaphor of ‘Mother, Lover, Friend’ rather than the metaphor of ‘God the Father’ representing Western traditionalism to understand and recognize a new God. It is to seek a new theological method for missions in an ecological crisis.

Katekese Virtual kepada Korban Bencana Alam di Masa Pandemi Menurut Model Berteologi Kosuke Koyama

Currently, Indonesia is entering difficult phases because the Indonesian nation is not only dealing with the storm of the Covid-19 pandemic but also natural disasters. This disaster brought a traumatic experience for the victims. Healing for victims can indeed be done with a psychological approach, but strengthening faith is no less important. Based on this, the focus of research studies is on the role of religious institutions, particularly the Church, in handling victims of natural disasters. The role of the Church is seen in catechesis. In catechesis, the Church teaches the values of the gospel and confirms the faith of the people that the suffering experienced is not a curse from God. During a pandemic, catechetical work can be done by utilizing virtual spaces such as social media content. Social media is a means of proclaiming the faith that is easily accessible by the people. This kind of catechetical and theological method was initiated by Kosuke Koyama. According to Koyama, the right catechesis model must start from the concrete problems of the people. Based on this, this research study uses the literature study method. Literary sources were researched and analyzed so that a catechetical model was found that was appropriate to the social context of the Indonesian people who were being hit by natural disasters.

Роль проклятий в библейской коммуникации

The article studies curses, which are actively used in interpersonal biblical communication. The study shows that statements have a spiritual component and stem from ethical considerations, they act as an integrating and regulatory mechanism aimed at stabilizing the situation, and are of a dialogical nature. Linguistic, theological, and discursive methods, functional and pragmatic analysis, and comparative methods are used.

Matteo Ricci’s Legacy for Comparative Theology

AbstractMatteo Ricci is widely recognized as the pioneering figure in East‐West dialogue, but his theology is rarely discussed in its own right. This article offers a first reading of Ricci as a serious theologian who brings Thomas Aquinas into conversation with classical Confucian texts. I demonstrate how the Riccian legacy presents a potential alternative to the two dominant methods in comparative theology: the Lockean language of toleration (which tends to devalue distinctiveness) and the multiculturalist emphasis on difference (which tends to downplay commonality). By attending to how Ricci rewrites Stoic ethics on contingency and fortune, and invents “intellect” and “will” as moral categories in China, this article locates his achievement at the theological juncture of a Thomist‐Ignatian synthesis. What results is a generous account of “pagan” virtue, an overcoming of the dichotomy between infused and acquired virtue predominant in post‐Reformation Europe, and a new conception of chief theological and cardinal virtues. Cut short by the Chinese Rites Controversy, Ricci’s legacy is yet to be recognized as a vital contribution to perennial debates in Christian theology.

Historicism, Religionsgeschichte, and the Rhetoric of Eschatology

AbstractThe article discusses the central role of the history of religion in the debate on the so-called “crisis of historicism” during the first half of the twentieth century. I argue that the seemingly marginal question of how to write the history of religion informs major debates about the writing of history and history's place in culture. Focusing on Ernst Troeltsch's On Historical and Dogmatical Method in Theology (1900) and Rudolf Bultmann's History and Eschatology (1955), I analyze how theological and historical arguments and concepts interact in their respective histories of religion. According to Troeltsch, the methods of contemporary Religionsgeschichte (history of religion) undermine not only theological dogma but also such common historicist categories as “reason,” “teleology,” or “essence.” Bultmann, using similar methods, develops a similar critique based on the idea of “historicity,” i.e. an anthropological fundament of understanding oneself historically. Here too, the simple and linear understanding of history is called into question by a decidedly religious element, namely eschatology understood as a radically different temporality. Both cases thus show how tightly religious problems, theological arguments, and historical methods are interwoven, and how much our understanding of history, religion, and their mutual relations is informed by this entanglement.

Inculturation Methodology as the Medium towards the Formulation and Establishment of an African Ecclesiology of Ubuntu.

The emergence of ecclesiology scholarship in recent theological discourse has exposed the various approaches that ecclesiology has been studied as a distinctive discipline. The traditional ecclesiological approach has prioritized the scholarship of ecclesiology from the perspective of specific denominational orders. There has also been an approach of ecclesiology that revolves around the perspective of some renowned theologians on the basis of their affiliation to their respective church organizations. The most recent approach has been the global ecclesiology that prioritizes the concept of contextualization while looking at ecclesiological discourse from distinct sociocultural-geographical contexts. Three geographical regions hold a wealth of significance by virtue of the global trajectory of Christianity towards the global South: Asia, Africa and Latin America. African ecclesiology plays a critical role in this arrangement and is a major contributor to global ecclesiology. In this understanding, it is imperative for the pursuit of an African ecclesiology to appreciate the concept of Ubuntu as a definitive expression of the African identity. The problem is the methodology of ecclesiological scholarship in Africa that ignores the significance Ubuntu has and resultantly births a foreign ecclesiology to the indigenous African population. It is important to acknowledge that the approach of ecclesiology that will thrive in Africa is nothing less than an Ubuntu ecclesiology that prioritizes community and relationships reminiscent of our traditional African portrait as foundational pillars for her establishment. The formulation and establishment of an African friendly ecclesiology of Ubuntu can only be facilitated by the usage of the inculturation method of theology. This methodology accords due consideration to the African heritage with regard to their culture, spirituality and religious background emphasizing the values from traditional Africa that are helpful to Christian life and condemning those practices that are non-Christian in nature.

Sabbath, Nyepi, and Pandemic: The Relevance of Religious Traditions of Self-Restraint for Living with the ‘New Normal’

This article focuses on the relevance of religious traditions of self-restraint, particularly Sabbath and Nyepi, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. From an economic perspective, the pandemic interrupts a lifestyle marked by an unceasing process of production and consumption that affects almost all aspects of life. Such a lifestyle, known as ‘productivism’, has been confronted with ‘anti-productivism’ promoted by groups of Marxism-inspired intellectuals and activists. Employing the method of public theology, this study reveals that religious traditions of self-restraint prepare humanity to anticipate interruptions of regularity, such as a pandemic, in a way that is critical of productivism yet distinct from anti-productivism. From a spiritual perspective, the pandemic and religious traditions of self-restraint should be perceived as synergistic appeals to a balanced lifestyle that is socially, economically, and ecologically harmonious.

God of the Small: Engaging Public Theology in Small Business

Abstract Mainstream theological discourses on economic issues tend to concentrate on the disparity between the poor and the powerful. The focus of this writing is on a segment of society often overlooked in such a contrasting approach, namely those who can be identified neither as the poor nor the powerful. Picking up on small business to represent the ‘in-between,’ this article suggests a theological reflection concerning the works of God with those who should be called ‘the small’. It starts with describing the contemporary situation faced by small business, particularly in Asia. The situation is analyzed using the business ethics’ stakeholder approach. The theological response follows the method of a public theology by interacting Christian resources with the situation of small business in relation to their stakeholders. The result is a new construction of public theology starting with the notion of God’s preference for the small.

HAPPINESS AS A DOUBLE GESTURE OF A TRIGGER: BREAKING AND CONCEPTING

The background of the study is an existential psychological analysis of the phenomenon of happiness as a state of radical break with the dominant signifiers of symbolic hegemony and, at the same time, voluntary value filling of the formed vacuum in the symbolic structure of a split subject with new meanings corresponding to his self. Research methods: structural psychoanalysis, poststructuralism, semiotics of culture, hermeneutics, philosophical comparative studies, deconstruction and universal ethics, theological methods of correlation between secular and religious models of thinking. Research results: comparison of the positive ontology of happiness in the Eastern Slavic Christian classical thought and the negative ontology of happiness in the Western post-Lacanian postmodernity; the implementation of the synthesis of images of happiness in the ways of thought of the postmodern West and the modern East on the basis of the dialogue of universalism and particularism, traditionalism and neo-modernism, personalism and collectivism. Conclusions: confirmation of the hypothesis of the double nature of happiness as a unity of metaphysical rupture and dialectical synthesis, manifested through the chronotopes of secular and religious cultures, traditions and innovations.

Free Will versus Belief in Qadr? The Response of Sa‘id Nursi and its Modern Relevance

The need of modern man requires more practical answer from religious perspective to support them in facing rapid changes and high demands of life. The issue of human will which is the most important and fundamental foundation to the concept of responsibility and morality is still open to discussion and debate. This paper aims at exploring the view of a reformer of Islam, Badiuzzaman Sa‘id Nursi in his 26th Word of his Risale-I Nur. Rather than having the discourse in a purely theological method, Nursi demonstrates it in a synthesis manner and suitable with modern man. The issue which is normally brought as juxtaposed with the concept of absolute will of God is dealt with in a harmonious way and suitable to all readers. Other than the phenomenological approach to the ontology of solving the relationship between God’s power and human will, Nursi also brought in very remarkable explanation about good and bad and how human should deal with them. Through-out his explanation, Nursi came with interesting illustrations and therefore successful in explaining the issue effectively. This suits his status as a reformer of Islam who came to shed lights on crucial issues with modern approach.