Theological Relevance Research Articles

자연의 신학과 자연의 과학

This study explores how a theology of nature relates to the issues of theology and science in the 21SUPst/SUP century. The relation between theology and science has been a topic for discussions and researches related to theological themes like the relation between Nature and God for a long time. Especially, this topic contains and pursues to illumine significant perspectives on Evolution and Creation. Historically, protestant theology has been involved in new theological debates and reflections on the Nature and God. This study examines how theological heritage of Reformation formulates and reflects on revelation and nature, creation and eschatology, destiny and future of humanbeings. In particular, the relevance of a natural theology (theologia naturalis) to a theology of nature (theologia naturae) is discussed in this study. This study attempts to find out how the a nuanced theology of nature can contribute to the dialogue between theology and science in the 21st century.

A Proposal for an Inclusive Scientific Theory

There are three main ways in which Christian theology enriches a broader scientific narrative. First, it provides us with a reassurance of the coherence of reality; second, it offers answers to the scientifically unanswerable ultimate questions; and third, it is able to enrich a scientific narrative by preventing it from collapsing into a technocratic catalogue of common things. In this regard, the paper explores some aspects of the relevance of theology for the understanding of the world, as a means of opening up a discussion of how could be developed an inclusive scientific theory.

Theodicies as Failures of Recognition

This paper examines the ethical failure of theodicies by integrating the perspectives of philosophical argumentation and literary reading and analysis. The paper consists of two main parts. In the first part, we propose an ethical critique of metaphysical realism by analyzing its inability to recognize the perspectival plurality and diversity of suffering. As theodicies seek to explain how an omnipotent, omniscient, and absolutely benevolent God could allow the world to contain evil and suffering, it can be argued that metaphysical realism—i.e., the thesis that the world possesses its own fundamental structure independently of human perspectives of conceptualization and inquiry—is a problematic starting point of theodicism. We examine the failure of recognition of others’ suffering inherent in theodicies as a failure based on the search for an overall reductive and objectifying picture (a “God’s-Eye View”) that is constitutive of metaphysical realism. The second part of the paper shows why we should include insights from imaginative literature in our attempts to understand the recognition failures of theodicies. Emphasizing the literary, philosophical, and theological relevance of various modern rewritings of the Book of Job, which has been a crucially important sub-text for many later literary works in which the protagonists render a particular kind of human experience—unmerited suffering—we turn more closely to some literary examples, such as Joseph Roth’s novels Hiob and Die Rebellion. The tensions that are created around the moral controversy of the experiences of injustice and suffering and the human and religious reasoning and justification of violence are examined. The ambiguous ending of Hiob that adds an apparently hopeful and almost fairytale-like redemption to the story plays a crucial role in the interpretation provided in the paper. By analyzing some literary examples and their relation to the literary Job tradition, the recognition-failures of theodicist attempts to provide meaning into suffering—attempts based on metaphysical realism, as argued in the first part of the paper—are highlighted. Finally, we also critically consider the charge that theodicism could only be theoretically formulated and argue that a sharp distinction between theory and practice in this area is itself an act of non-recognition, or a failure to recognize suffering.

Voicing God: Theological Injunction to economic issues

Taking a socio-historical approach, this chapter traces history from World War II (WWII) and illustrates the various instances in which economics and politics intersect with theological themes. After WWII the dominant paradigm in theology tilted towards a moral economy by focusing on issues of fairness, justice and peace. This chapter argues that, in view of the triumph of global capitalism since 1989, the future and relevance of theology is located within spaces that provide ethical and moral influence towards fairness and justice, thus agreeing with the central message of Jesus of Nazareth.

Religiöse Gefühle auf dem Prüfstand

No AccessReligiöse Gefühle auf dem PrüfstandPastoralpsychologische Erkundungen mit Jonathan Edwards zur Spiritualität der EmotionenPfarrer Dr. theol. Thomas BeelitzPfarrer Dr. theol. Thomas BeelitzAuthors email:[email protected]Search for more papers by this authorPublished Online:Jul 2017https://doi.org/10.13109/weme.2017.69.4.366SectionsPDF/EPUB ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack Citations ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail AboutAbstract271 years ago Jonathan Edwards’ famous A Treatise on the Religious Affections was published in New England to orient in the challenging religious situation of the early Enlightenment period. It is presented here as a guideline on religious feeling at a time, as today, when clinical pastoral judgment has become the challenge of the day in pastoral counseling and beyond. The relevance of theology for interdisciplinary research is advanced by discussing the nature of spirituality, the spirituality of emotions, and other topics of pastoral care. Previous article Next article FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Download book coverVolume 69Issue 4July 2017 ISSN: 0043-2040eISSN: 2196-8284HistoryPublished online:July 2017 PDF download

Hugo Chávez’s Appropriation of the Liberationist Legacy in Latin America

Hugo Chávez (1954–2013), the former president of Venezuela (1999–2013), brought Latin American populism to a global audience through his rhetorical remarks and controversial appearance in the global media. Theological and biblical metaphors were part of this rhetoric. The article argues that Chávez’s appropriation of theological metaphors in his populist political discourse could be considered as a symptom of the continuing influence and relevance of liberation theology in Latin America during the two last decades of victorious leftism on the continent. On one hand, liberation theology as a social movement had been weakened, especially within the Catholic Church. On the other, the bureaucratic language from the neoliberal era, tied to the Washington consensus, was to a high degree exhausted and replaced by a populist language that paved the way for the inflow of religious and Christian metaphors into politics. Chávez’s use of these metaphors in a way that was consistent with liberation theology points to Christian and Latin American liberationist discourse as a crucial factor in the resurgence of the political left within a religiously vibrant region

Aesthetics of Text: Creative and Transfigurative Langue (in Theory)

Theory remains a dirty word in Biblical Studies; deconstruction often is received with glazed glances of irrelevance or outright rejection. I propose to offer a philosophically relevant and theologically potent reading of Genesis 1:1 based on the trivium disciplines of grammar, logic, and rhetoric. This reading will echo the Transfiguration of Jesus in the synoptic Gospels. The weight of interpretation will focus on the use of the Hebrew direct object marker (אֵת) as a visual symbol of langue (roughly, language); אֵת is composed of the first (aleph) and last (tav) consonants, allowing for it to be a merism for the alphabet and a symbol of language. The rhetorical disarticulation of grammar allows for a transformative reading of a biblical description of creation: “At the beginning [of time] God created langue, the heavens and the earth with langue.” The combination of time and langue establishes parole (speech), which becomes instantiated in the speech-act of the Divine through the breath/spirit of God: “Let there be light,” etc. The text, and indeed its very letters, becomes the locus for an aesthetic reflection that offers theological relevance to all linguistic arts. The “ever excelling” bubbling of language transforms human creativity into a divine imitation and transfigures the world in its wake. We can insist that the grammatical reading of the Genesis text remains, as does the logical presentation of creatio ex nihilo. But, informed by Roman Jakobson and Paul de Man, rhetoric offers the opportunity to break open the text, revealing potential meaning in both the visualization of symbolic form and in the openness of the text to transcendence. The rhetorical wounding allows the text to become an open mouth (Derrida), ever speaking and evading the enclosure of grammar and logic.

From liberation to salvation: Revolutionary critical pedagogy meets liberation theology

This conversation between Peter McLaren and Petar Jandrić brings about some of the most recent and deepest of McLaren’s insights into the relationship between revolutionary critical pedagogy and liberation theology, and outlines the main directions of development of McLaren’s thought during and after Pedagogy of Insurrection. In the conversation, McLaren reveals his personal and theoretical path to liberation theology. He argues for the relevance of liberation theology for contemporary social struggles, links it with social sciences, and addresses some recent critiques of Pedagogy of Insurrection. McLaren identifies the idolatry of money as the central point of convergence between liberation theology and Marxism. Developing this thought further, he asserts that Jesus was a communist. McLaren analyses the revolutionary praxis of liberation theology in Latin America, and concludes that the struggle needs to avoid violence and endure without losing tenderness. He analyzes the international politics of liberation theology and shows that liberation theology was demonized by the US administration because it works for the poor. McLaren then expands experiences from Latin America towards a global ethics of solidarity, criticizes Church positions on various matters, and insists on a critical approach to Church dogmas. He explores theoretical and practical dissonances between Marxism and Christianity, and expands them towards a more general dichotomy between the material and the spiritual. He explores the Christian eschaton – the arrival of the Kingdom of God – and links it to Marx’s prophecy of the future socialist society. Finally, he explores ecumenical opportunities of liberation theology and firmly links it with the arrival of the socialist society.

The Black Atlantic as reversal: A reappraisal of African and black theology

In this article, I will try to do three things. Firstly, pay attention to the notion of Black Atlantic as coined by Paul Gilroy, which in effect could signify a reversal of colonialism and slavery. Secondly, revisit the 1970s and the debate about the relevance of Black theology vis-à-vis African theology, using John Mbiti’s article ‘An African Views American Black Theology’ as entry point. Here, I will discuss contributions also made by Desmond Tutu and James Cone. Thirdly, starting with the premise that both theologies are relevant and soul mates today, which would (probably) be confirmed by all the above mentioned at this point in time, an assessment of current voices will be made, that is, Tinyiko Maluleke and Vuyani Vellem on black and African ecclesiologies from a South African perspective, and Lawrence Burnley on the fate of the Black Church in the United States.

Feeling and Its Theological Relevance in the Formation of the Human Person According to Edith Stein

Feeling and Its Theological Relevance in the Formation of the Human Person According to Edith Stein

Sola Scriptura: Strengths and Challenges

AbstractWhen Luther's notion of sola Scriptura is nuanced and properly understood, it is engaging and true in its assertions. However, in today's world, the use of the expression sola Scriptura may be more problematic than helpful. This point is argued for three reasons: Lutheran relationships with Catholics; the rise of American fundamentalism; and the parallel rise of “nones,” that largely young group of agnostics (sometimes atheists) not affiliated with any organized religion. By considering these issues, we can see how the notion still has relevance for theology and for the broader church, and how this notion helps us to preach, teach, and live the gospel in this time and place.

Book Review: The Gospel according to Heretics: Discovering Orthodoxy through Early Christological Conflicts

The Gospel according to Heretics: Discovering Orthodoxy through Early Christological Conflicts. By David E. Wilhite. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Academic, 2015. xii + 290 pp. $22.99 (paper).Sabellianism, Nestorianism, Eutychianism, Pneumatomachianism, Apollinarianism. The names of these ancient heresies may be familiar to average seminarian or student of theology, but it is far less likely that this same student could identify their distinctive doctrines or theological relevance. Furthermore, those who are aware of convoluted history and political struggles involved in orthodox triumph over these heresies might be inclined to concur with Edward Gibbons famous critique of debates between various parties in Nicene controversy as furious contests waged over the difference of a single diphthong. Yet early Christian heresies do indeed have something to teach us, and in this book David Wilhite seeks to show just what that is.The book has two principal goals. First, it seeks to provide a historically balanced introduction to a variety of ancient Christological heresies spanning second to eighth centuries, and it must be said that Wilhite has achieved this goal with great success. The study of heretics is a notoriously difficult task, because so much of evidence for their teaching must be gleaned from biased and frequently unsympathetic writings of their opponents. Wilhite acknowledges this and prioritizes as much as possible extant writings of heretics he studies. At same time, while he reads orthodox accounts of heretics through a critical hermeneutic of suspicion (p. 6), he does not allow this critical stance to undermine usefulness of orthodox critiques in reconstructing beliefs of their opponents. Also, while book is clearly intended for non-specialists, Wilhites footnotes show that he has kept abreast of most recent scholarship and that he has synthesized insights of this scholarship in his presentation of heresies. Finally, those looking to use book in a class setting will be delighted with its user-friendly formatting. It is divided into ten chapters, each devoted to a single heresy, and each chapter includes helpful summaries and suggestions for further reading.The second goal, observable in title, is to offer a greater understanding of orthodox theology by way of investigating its alternative: gospel according to heretics. …

Ecumenical Chronicle

Ecumenical Chronicle

Albert Schweitzer se etiese gesigseinder: Eerbied vir en dankbaarheid teenoor die lewe

Albert Schweitzer’s ethical horizon: reverence and gratitude for life In the search for relevant theology, especially in the context of the ethical and moral challenges facing contemporary South Africa, the theology/philosophy of religion of Albert Schweitzer can play an important role. Aspects of Schweitzer’s deliberations are briefly discussed under three topics: ethical mysticism, the centrality of life and the responsibility associated with living. The famous statement, “reverence for life” as summary for Schweitzer’s thinking is embedded in profound and comprehensive reflection, and properly understood can provide meaningful support to contemporary theologies struggling with the faith-action divide.

The Contemporary Relevance of Schillebeeckx's Political Theology: On Ecclesial Participation in the Saving Work of Christ

In this article I explore the relation between God's absolute governance of the world and ecclesial dominion over other communities in a shared political forum that seeks the greatest good of all. On this question I compare the positions of Colin Gunton, Robert Jenson, and Edward Schillebeeckx as representatives of three distinct political theologies. Whereas Gunton's reservation regarding the participation of the church's politics in divine governance shows excessive deference to human sinfulness, Jenson on the contrary tends to absorb God's Rule into ecclesial politics. Drawing upon Schillebeeckx's Christology, I argue that God's absolute Rule is compatible with ecclesial sovereignty; however, this does not allow for unilateral ecclesial dominion over others, inasmuch as God's Rule is disclosed as forgiveness.

AN EVALUATION OF THE CANONICAL APPROACH: IS IT ADEQUATE FOR THE TASK OF OLD TESTAMENT THEOLOGY IN CHRISTIAN HERMENEUTIC ENDEAVOUR?

The overarching question is: How do we make the biblical text relevant for our present context? The answer ultimately resides in reading the text theologically. Therefore, the question must be: How do we read the Old Testament theologi-cally? This article shows that the canonical approach to Scripture brings out the theological significance of the text because it allows a number of windows to illuminate the exegetical task. In the article’s consideration of literary form, it acknowledges that narrative is a sizeable window into both the historical and theological. Another window to Scriptural intentionality is found in the given shape of the Canon. The unity and, therefore, continuity of the text provide a large window to theological relevance. This article also intimates a smaller, but significant, window in aspects of biblical tradition, through programmatic themes. The Canon, however, with its varied literary forms, its tentative historical facts, and its veiled traditions, must stand out as the only constant in the theological task. Therefore the canonical approach to reading the text is indispensable to Old Testament exegesis and to Christian hermeneutics.

Bringing the crucified down from the cross: Preferential option for the poor in the South African context of poverty

This article makes an argument for the need and relevance of liberation theology and particularly its preferential option for the poor in the context of poverty. Post colonial and post-apartheid Southern African (and most if not all African) countries are still impoverished, with millions of the their citizens still living in dehumanising poverty despite the political liberation in the hands of the African rulers who replaced colonial and apartheid masters. Despite liberation and the dawn of democratic governments in Southern Africa millions of people are still suffering as a result of poverty. While the former colonies have been bequeathed some negative legacies that refuse to disappear, the main concern is that African leaders have failed to use the political powers at their disposal to bring about economic liberation and to transform the socio-economic and political structures that are responsible for the continuation of poverty. In the midst of these conditions that ensure the perpetuation of poverty and associated suffering theologians and pastors are disturbingly quiet and also failing to facilitate theological reflections in the context of poverty, to the extent that one is forced to ask some hard questions: On whose side are the pastors and theologians? On whose side is God? If as liberation theologians correctly argue that God is on the side of the poor, can theologians afford to be on a different side? Can they afford to be on a different side as they do theology, particularly as they do theology of missions? They are challenged to appropriate Jon Sobrino's theology of the peoples and therefore make efforts to contribute to bringing the crucified down from the cross as they minister and as they reflect theologically.

Deliberative public sphere: The rereading of Habermas’s theory in Brazil and its significance for a public theology

With the democratization process in Brazil, legal guarantees were obtained for political mobilizations and organizations. At the societal level, the emergence of new social actors helped expand the boundaries of the political and consolidate a politically influential public sphere. Although communication between the public sphere and the political system occurs under many limitations, new experiences at the local level such as the Participatory Budget enable a clearer link between society and state. In theoretical terms, this means a complement to a discursive conception of the public sphere as developed by Jurgen Habermas, as a deliberative function is assigned to it. In this paper, after considering the social and theoretical context of reception and rereading of the concept of public sphere in sociological studies in Brazil, we engage the question about a public theology that can be developed in a dialogue with Habermas’s theory. Resorting to the criticism of South African theologians James Cochrane and Tinyiko Maluleke against public theologies that based on Habermas reject the democratic potential of liberation theologies, we affirm that criticism and resistance are constitutive elements of democratic dialogue. This affirmation is not inconsistent with the political theory of Habermas; rather, his theory allows to identify the relevance of a public theology precisely in its connection with spheres of life in which the suffering caused by the social problems to be denounced and discussed in the public sphere are more directly perceived. Besides the link between lifeworld and public sphere, as well as between public sphere and political system, other themes of Habermas’s political theory regarded in this article as relevant to be considered in discussions of public theology are the creative potential of language and the presence of religion in the public sphere.

A atualidade da Teologia da Libertação: um debate com direitos humanos

This article intends to discuss with the option of Liberation Theology (LT), to look from the Latin American people and their context of suffering, constitutes an important element approach to contribute to the discussion on human rights. With a look focused on contextual challenges, is necessary to propose address specific human rights that promotes transformation of reality victims of exclusion processes. The study presented here will make some initial scores on the theme, taking the first point reflections on the interpretation of the crucified Christ from a look of Latin American reality; the second topic is intended to prejudge the relevance of liberation theology and the relevance of its theological discourse for social change; Finally, the third topic tries to weave approaches to human rights in an attempt to dialogue with reality and some final highlights plausible.

Figurenanalyse im Johannesevangelium

Abstract: The many individuals appearing in the Fourth Gospel can only be traced back to historical figures to a limited extent, if at all. This is lamentable only to those who unilaterally link the truth of the gospel to history. The following contribution reveals how narratological methods allow characters to be analyzed and interpreted with contemporary theological relevance. The first section offers an overview of recent scholarship on character ana lysis, and the second section presents the characters of the Fourth Gospel along the heuristic lines of major, minor, and walk-on-characters. In the third section, select examples provide opportunities for considering: character traits and direct/indirect presentation with the characterization of Jesus in John 4; the constellation of characters through the presentation of the siblings Mary, Martha, and Lazarus; and finally, a summary of the character conception of John (the Baptist) in the Fourth Gospel.