Protestant Churches Research Articles

Still sticking to the Big Brother. History, German Protestantism and the Ukrainian War

This article examines statements on church policy by leading representatives of the Protestant Church in Germany and the World Council of Churches in the first year of the Ukraine war (2022/23) and places them in a church-historical perspective. A historical appropriations and peculiarities become clear, such as an anachronistic use of Ostpolitik, a Russia-friendly assessment and a largely secular evaluation of the situation in Ukraine.

THE ROLE OF PROTESTANTISM IN THE DEMOCRATIC TRANSFORMATION OF THE COUNTRIES OF THE VISEGRAD FOUR

The article examines the influence of Protestant churches on the process of democratic transformation of Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic & Slovakia after the fall of the communist regime. The author analyzes the specifics of the Protestant understanding of economic, social & political political spheres of life in the context of building a free market, civil society & democracy in post-Soviet countries. The reasons for their victories & failures in Eastern Europe, their potential, evolution and place in society are revealed. Conclusions are drawn about the problem of the development of Protestantism due to the influence of traditional record churches, xenophobia, secularization and violation of principles of religious freedom. Also their role in instilling society with Western models of behavior and the correlation between religious consciousness and crisis are conditioned.

The Resistance of Palembang’s Local Religious Elites to Dutch East Indies Islamic Politics in the 20th Century

The 19th century was the peak of the mission era and the beginning of the 20th century was the period of independence of the Protestant Church by inviting various missionary organizations from Europe to carry out their missions in the Dutch East Indies. This was a major threat to Muslims, including Palembang Malay Muslims. This article seeks to complement existing research with the aim of knowing the resistance factors of local elites in the Palembang Malay community. This study uses a socio-historical approach by making use of James C. Scoot’s resistance theory. Scoot’s theory of resistance. This study concludes that the resistance of local elites in Palembang Malay society is caused by the central role of local religious elites in preaching and teaching the Muslim community in Palembang to remote areas. The elites a r e in the category of free ulama. Figures such as Abdullah Munsyi and the Samaniyah tarekat teachers who made various efforts to save Muslims from Islamic politics run by the Dutch East Indies. Efforts were made such as the construction of various places that served as centers of Islamic studies such as langgar, mosques, and madrasas.

Słownictwo religijne a reformacja. Głos w dyskusji nad konfesyjnym zróżnicowaniem polskiej leksyki w XVI w.

RELIGIOUS VOCABULARY AND THE REFORMATION: A CONTRIBUTION TO THE DISCUSSION ON THE CONFESSIONAL DIVERSITY OF THE SIXTEENTH-CENTURY POLISH LEXICON The article addresses the problem of the confessional diversity of sixteenth-century Polish religious vocabulary. It revises the arguments put forward by other academics and formulates new research recommendations. Focusing on the lexicon of Polish Lutheranism, which has so far received little scholarly attention, the article examines the vocabulary used in the polemical texts by one of the main representatives of the Polish Reformation: the Lutheran Erazm Gliczner. Based on the analysis of two groups of confessional terms: 1. repentance [pokajanie] – reflection [upamiętanie], 2. the Catholic church [Kościół] – the Protestant church [Zbór], we claim that the author does not avoid words that belong to the Catholic lexicon, but distances himself from the terminology used by representatives of radical, anti-Trinitarian denominations. Our findings help to revise certain popular ideas, conclusions drawn from the analysis of Polish translations of the Bible, as well as linguistic commentaries of the translators. It is thus essential that the research in the field of the sixteenth-century Polish religious vocabulary should be continued and should include texts other than Bible translations, i.e., texts whose authors’ word choice was determined by different factors.

The Part of the Protestant Church in the Processes of Exiting Electoral Crises in Francophone Black Africa

The analysis presented in this paper starts from an observation that generally shows pluralist electoral competitions in Francophone (French-speaking) black Africa not as frameworks for the expression of political adversity, but rather as real moments of enmity, disorder and multifaceted conflicts. Indeed, the democratic processes initiated by most African States at the beginning of the 1990s did not allow the desired liberalization of the political field. They were confronted with the ruse of political leaders wishing to stay in power for a long time by developing strategies for circumventing real political pluralism, neutralizing and assimilating the opposition. The “passive democracy” that has finally been achieved is characterized by the continuation of monopolistic practices and habits in a context that is supposed to be politically liberal and plural. The resolution of the crisis which strewn the electoral processes in black Africa generally requires a strong implication of various actors and on various scales, in particular the religious actors. The part of the Protestant Church in the process of getting out of the electoral crisis is thus understood as the process of involving the Protestant clergy in the management of socio-political mores before, during and after electoral competitions. Undeniably, the function of the Protestant Church in French-speaking black Africa is not limited only to the mission of evangelization and prayers for peace in the nation, it extends to the management of these socio-political crises. This study is methodologically and theoretically based on documentary research and neo-institutionalism, taking into account the fact that the outcomes of electoral crises are above all political processes and action frameworks where institutional linkages mutually influence each other.

Religion and Subjective Social Class in the United States

Abstract Subjective social class identities—lower, working, middle, and upper—are conditioned by culture and social interactions. I argue that conservative Christianity influences subjective class identification because conservative Christian social networks are highly insular, and its culture prioritizes lower- and working-class ideologies. Using nationally representative data, I find that conservative Christians—operationalized with views of the Bible and religious tradition—are relatively likely to identify as lower and working class, and unlikely to identify as middle and upper class; that these associations are partially but not wholly mediated by higher education and family income; and that there are robust associations between religion and subjective class among those with a bachelor’s degree and above-average family incomes, but not among less-educated and lower-income Americans. These results indicate that conservative Christianity promotes a specific class culture, and that this class culture more closely aligns with biblical literalism than with affiliation with evangelical Protestant churches.

Legacy of the Crown for the NHS?

The sixth of May 2023 marked the first Coronation in the United Kingdom after seventy years since Queen Elizabeth was coronated on 2 June 1953. King Charles III took oath for service and perfect justice. During his crowning ceremony, the Coronation Oath Act of 1688 required the King to declare that he would maintain the established Anglican Protestant Church, rule according to laws agreed upon in Parliament, and case law, with justice and mercy to be executed in his judgment. However, for the first time, a preface was added to the coronation oath in which the Archbishop said the Church of England “will seek to foster an environment where people of all faiths and beliefs may live freely”. King Charles III has enormous responsibilities as Head of State for the United Kingdom of 19 countries and the Commonwealth of Nations. What does his legacy mean for the diversity of people of the UK and the Commonwealth? What can the National Health Service expect from his legacy and vision?

Ethnic Reconciliation from the Margins

Abstract The Kenyan post-election violence of 2007 deepened the ethnic differences that have been growing for the past decades after independence. While the August 2022 elections revealed political maturity, the October 2017 re-elections indicated that the hostility was not a settled issue. Kenyan churches in the post-democratic space have courted with political alliances along ethnic blocs. Additionally, some of the protestant churches in Kenya such as Presbyterian, Methodist and Friends, are largely monoethnic despite their long history. To what extent can these churches follow the biblical vision of a multi-cultural and multi-ethnic church? This topic has generated theological interest yet few have assessed the role of the youth in ethnic reconciliation. This article will 1) survey the issue of ethnicity and the church; 2) offer a biblical-theological reflection on ethnicity, and 3) suggest how an inclusive-congregational youth ministry model can revitalize ethnic reconciliation in the church and by extension, society.

Kirchensteuereinnahmen sinken kaufkraftbereinigt

Abstract The church tax revenue in 2022 was estimated at 13 billion euros. This is an increase of around 300 million euros compared to 2021. The Catholic Church accounted for around 6.8 billion euros in 2022, and the Protestant Church around 6.2 billion euros. However, further increases are likely to be rather small. This is mainly due to the shrinking number of taxpayers. In 2022, the number of people leaving churches has increased to a record level. In real terms, the two churches must therefore reckon with a drop in income. Adjusted for purchasing power, tax revenues are unlikely to reach the pre-crisis level of 2019 (around -10 %) or the level of 2022 (almost -4 %) by 2027.

Sounds and Silence

The article explores the changes that Protestant theologians and church officials introduced to bell ringing in the Reformation. They concentrated bell ringing on the announcing of all types of services. They abolished all sorts of bell ringing that they suspected to be magical or Papal. Yet, they couldn’t push through all their reforms because the believers in the parishes resisted, especially in the case of weather ringing (Wetterläuten) and ringing against the Turks (Türkenläuten). In some cases, the Reformation theologians gave new interpretations to established forms of ringing, especially in the case of the Angelus ringing (Angelusläuten). At last, it is considered how these changes in the Reformation era still apply to bell ringing in present Protestant churches.

The Church as an Alternative Polis

This article explores three different views of Wang Mingdao’s ecclesial stance and his approach to the Three-Self Patriotic Movement (TSPM): his refusal to join the TSPM as a political rather than theological approach to resisting the Chinese Communist Party; his refusal to accept the TSPM’s authority as the Protestant church’s resistance to Chinese hegemony; and his ecclesial stance as a sectarian withdrawal from the world. Considering these diverse scholarly perspectives, I interpret Wang’s response to the TSPM as part of a necessary proclamatory action and propose that Wang’s model of radical action models the politics of Jesus. His church is political only as defined by the gospel, and it represents a new polis—a kind of community established in and through Jesus of Nazareth to stand as a political alternative to the dominant politics of the world and contribute to an alternative identity of a citizen. I, therefore, approach Wang’s faith practice from an ecclesiological standpoint and situate him and his ecclesial activities into the historical and theological context to explore his biblical-theological foundation for this new polis and its public witness. I argue that Wang’s rejection of the TSPM and his alternative way of engaging with political issues such as imperialism, nationalism, and church-state relations show that his ecclesial stance is novel and distinct from other forms of politics.

William T. Cavanaugh’s Eucharistic “Reimagination” of Space and Time

Asian churches, indebted to fervent and faithful missionaries, have long understood that the church is called to challenge the culture around us, including the world’s concept of the sacred-secular divide. Still, we, as part of the Protestant Church, have unknowingly adopted this worldly imagination in subtle ways, especially with regard to the church’s understanding of space and time. Using the works of William Cavanaugh, this article seeks an understanding of space and time that primarily grounds itself in the Eucharist and, therefore, in the church’s identity as the Body of Christ, radically different from how the world defines it. It then explores some practical implications in discipleship and missions.

The anti-eternal functional subordination versus the eternal functional subordination

This article is a follow-up of an article that describes the proponents of the eternal functional subordination (EFS). This evangelical movement was introduced by George Knight in 1977. The EFS refers to the relationship between God the Father and God the Son as an eternal authoritative position held by the Father, while the Son occupies an eternal subordinated position. This is not the position held by the mainline Protestant churches. The proponents of the EFS find the origin of their premise in the Bible as well as the tradition of the early church. Just like the Protestants, they refer to the Creeds and the Councils, as well as the Church Fathers to verify their arguments. Although the differences between the mainline Protestants and the EFS are seemingly insignificant, it can lead to interpretations that are detrimental for the growth of the church. In this article, the main opponents of the EFS are critically discussed in order to lay bare the shortcomings of the EFS and, to a lesser degree, the shortcomings of the anti-EFS proponents. Naturally, the scholars who are opposing the EFS, do not always speak from the same mouth, as each proponent has their own point of view. This emphasises the fact that a constant debate on the holy Trinity is imperative.Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: The EFS movement proposes the eternal submission of Jesus to the Father – contra the Christian Creeds. Anti-EFS proponents are opposing this movement, indicating the equality between the three Persons of the Trinity on both the ontological and/or immanent and the economic and/or functional side. Practical Theology, Church History and New Testament (NT) disciplines are utilised.

“Except You Be Born of Water and the Spirit, You Cannot Enter into the Kingdom”

Abstract The role of rituals as forces for social change in Christian mission history can be over looked particularly where the rituals are adopted from a Protestant church. Through the examination of the performance – setting, characters, script and sounds – of an early Anglican baptism in Toro, Western Uganda, this article illustrates how this ritual was used to enact and affect the values and objectives of a new society in its immediate context and in transnational frame of reference. The article argues for renewed historical attention to rituals as embodiments of change.

The Significance of the Ascension of Christ and Its Implications for Worship

The observance of the Ascension of Christ is not really a prime celebration in most Protestant churches. Even examples of congregational practices related to the celebration of Ascension Day throughout Christian worship history are scarce. Most Christians go through this celebration without much consideration on how the ascended Christ influences life in the here and now. Most would probably view Christ as the heavenly king and unconsciously ignore the fact that Christ ascended as the high priest who can empathize with his people. Although Indonesia treats this Christological event as a public holiday, the preparation leading to the celebration is not as significant as other commemorations like Good Friday, Easter, and Christmas. The consequence is that Christians do not have a meaningful worship experience that may inspire them to endure the life of daily discipleship. Thus, the focus of this article is on understanding the significance of Christ’s ascension and how the church can celebrate Ascension Day in ways that help Christians live according to Christ’s teaching and hope for the future. This article will reconsider the biblical and theological foundations of the ascension to develop worship that strengthens the identity of Christians for daily discipleship.

De classispredikant: pastor pastorum?

In 2018 the minister of the so-called ‘classis’ (Dutch: classispredikant) was introduced in the Protestant Church of the Netherlands. In the long process that preceded this new function the question was (and still is) regularly posed: is the classispredikant a pastor pastorum? We use the theory of communicative action of Jürgen Habermas to analyze in what way the more administrative authority of the classispredikant may have an impact on the confidentiality between him and the pastors during his regular and specific visits. In this article we conclude that the classispredikant is a pastor, but not specifically a pastor pastorum. This is a consequence of his broader task - also being a pastor for elders, deacons etc. of the congregation - and of his administrative authority.

‘Het ambt zal zijn verpersoonlijking van de gemeente’

Daniël Chantepie de la Saussaye (1818-1874) was an important theologian in the first decades after the new constitution of the Netherlands in 1848. Representing the ‘Vermittlungstheologie’ but with strong ties with calvinism and influenced by revivalism, he was vividly involved in debates about positioning and restructuring the Dutch Reformed Church. This article investigates his thoughts on church ministry. Important elements are the common priesthood of all believers (including their suffrage) and church ministry as ‘personification’ of the life of the Holy Spirit in the congregation. Comparing these thoughts with the most recent statement of the Protestant Church in the Netherlands on church ministry, a shift turns out towards a stronger ranking of it as apostolic, sharing the same vocation by Christ, and towards a privatization of church ministry as a means of the Holy Spirit besides the church communities. The typical reformed concept of ministry as ‘ministry of the Word’ is weakened.

Перетворення життя: християнський підхід до наркотичної залежності в сучасному В’єтнамі

Narcotic drug addiction is one of the social problems faced by the Vietnamese since Renovation (Đổi mới) which is understood as the Party-state’s economic reform accompanied by changes in politico-social policies. Drug addiction is reported to be associated with crimes such as family and community violence, robbery, murder, social disorder, and human trafficking. Many drug addicts die at a young age due to abuse of narcotic substances. Despite the state authorities’ intensifying legal actions, anti-narcotic social campaigns and NGOs’ initiatives, the number of narcotic addicts increases annually. Compulsory medical treatments applied at state-funded rehabilitation centers only achieve limited outcomes and the percentage of patients’ relapse is always high. Meanwhile, in recent two decades, alternative methods to treat narcotic addiction have been provided by a number of Buddhist or Christian-based communities. Prominently, Protestant churches through what is called “Restoration ministry” have actively helped people to recover from addiction without using medicine. Despite being under controversial debate, their method has yielded undeniable results. This article examines how narcotic addicts have been enabled to rehabilitate, recover their health and remake their life at a community-based, voluntary rehabilitation center known as the Vietnam Full Gospel Church’s Aquila Rescue Center. Based on analysis of gathered data, the authors illustrate that drug addiction treatment based on religious faith can provide long-lasting effects on the narcotic addicts.

The Growth of Italian Protestant Churches in Ontario and Quebec

The Growth of Italian Protestant Churches in Ontario and Quebec

Monetized Religion in the Public Church

Abstract The quantitative study undertakes a systematic investigation of the church-related donation practice in the context of the Protestant Church in Germany. The characteristic logics of membership and participation in this publicly regulated institutionalized church are considered as well as the multidimensionality of donation practice. Religious donations are located at the interface of the individual and the church institution. Key explanatory factors for financial giving emerge: objective and subjective costs, opportunities and occasions, institutional identification and reputation, social context, prayer practice, competition, and mediatized publics. Rational choice, generalized reciprocity, and risk and trust calculations act as guiding theories. The empirical findings are connected to a general theory of religious behavior. Implications for church fundraising, church financing, and church membership are discussed.