Theological Sense Research Articles

When God Doesn't Heal: Receiving God's Formative Grace Through Bodily Pain

In this article, I attempt to make theological sense of the following attitude towards Divine healing: although followers of Jesus should hope for, pray for, contend for, and seek Divine healing with the expectation that in all things God is enacting his good purposes, they should not be surprised when Divinely caused healing does not come about. To “not be surprised” is not, in this case, a lack of faith in God’s desire or power to heal. We can have complete faith in God’s power and his intention to do good while recognizing God has other purposes that make Divinely caused healing the exception rather than the rule. To not be surprised that healing hasn’t yet come is to hold steady in our minds that God is powerfully active in salvation history in ways that do not always include immediate elimination of pain and suffering.

Beyond Conversational Dialogue: Constructing a Catholic Dialogical Ethical Model for Multi-Religious Nigeria

This article argues that the Catholic Church in Nigeria needs to move beyond interreligious dialogue that dwells more on Councils’ interactions and discourses to develop a dialogical ethical framework that engages religious multiplicity in a more active capacity. Although Nigeria’s religious diversity necessitates interreligious dialogue, that alone is insufficient for constructing concrete ethics of dialogue. The article thus argued for an ethical framework tagged one family, many flavours. The theological sense of the proposal is rooted in Catholic social teachings but open to engagement with other religious traditions for mutual respect and social justice. The religious scope of the article is on Roman Catholicism and the Nigeria Muslim Ummah. The article addressed related ethical challenges confronting Nigeria’s interreligious landscape as a diverse religious community. Primary and secondary sources were used in gathering information for the article; thus, scriptural texts and traditions in Islam, as well as sources in Roman Catholicism, were theologically engaged. The suggested model acknowledges the importance of retaining one’s religious identity while also recognising the importance of interreligious dialogue and the right of the religious other in ethical matters. The article is envisioned to promote conversations about translating dialogical frameworks into practice.

We are Building Gods: AI as the Anthropomorphised Authority of the Past

This article argues that large language models (LLMs) should be interpreted as a form of gods. In a theological sense, a god is an immortal being that exists beyond time and space. This is clearly nothing like LLMs. In an anthropological sense, however, a god is rather defined as the personified authority of a group through time—a conceptual tool that molds a collective of ancestors into a unified agent or voice. This is exactly what LLMs are. They are products of vast volumes of data, literally traces of past human (speech) acts, synthesized into a single agency that is (falsely) experienced by users as extra-human. This reconceptualization, I argue, opens up new avenues of critique of LLMs by allowing the mobilization of theoretical resources from centuries of religious critique. For illustration, I draw on the Marxian religious philosophy of Martin Hägglund. From this perspective, the danger of LLMs emerge not only as bias or unpredictability, but as a temptation to abdicate our spiritual and ultimately democratic freedom in favor of what I call a tyranny of the past.

Gesture as the Expresion of the Pascal Mystery in the Central European Medieval Art

The Paschal Mystery is the central reality of the Christianity. This is a series of historical events, presented in the canonical Gospels, in which Jesus from Nazaret was submit to the suffering, death, but was revived and bas ascend 10 the glory. These events was Ml of meanings and significations. This significations of paschal event has been meditated and analyzed in the Christian text, - in Gospels, in Paul’s Letters, but in the sermon of Fathers of the Church. Meliton of Sardes, Orygenes, Pseudo-Hypolite, and others are known as the interpreters of paschal events. The liturgical texts - Exultet and Victimae Paschali explain the profound sense of the Death and the resurrection of Christ All these works inspired the iconography. This presentation has to review the some works of art in Central Europeand interpretations their theological sense. The gestures will be the key to discovery of meaning.

‘Living the liturgical action’: some principles for Christian liturgical formation in Desiderio desideravi

This article introduces the key principles of Desiderio desideravi, Pope Francis’s 2022 Apostolic Letter on liturgical formation. The Letter is read in the context of the liturgical renewal associated with the Second Vatican Council and the more recent rise and suppression of the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite and the aesthetic and theological discourse surrounding it. I argue that the themes of this discourse are not unique to the Catholic Church, and the Pope’s call to imagine afresh the realms of the theological sense of the liturgy, the need for ‘serious and vital’ liturgical formation, and the refinement and development of the ars celebrandi are important appeals to the whole Body of Christ, especially in the context of the celebration of the Eucharist.

Thomas Aquinas and Contemplation

<i>Thomas Aquinas and Contemplation</i>

Toward Accessible Worship: The Experiences and Insights of Christians with Disabilities

The call on churches to be places of inclusion and full participation for people with disabilities is clear. Yet many congregations still struggle to design worship services in ways that are accessible to everyone in their faith community. This qualitative study identified salient aspects of Christian worship services that require consideration within churches that are striving to ensure broad accessibility. Though interviews with 37 people with varied disabilities (e.g., autism, hearing impairments, intellectual disability, physical disabilities, visual impairment), we identified 15 dimensions of worship services that warrant careful attention: postures, communication, sense of community, architecture, contributions, attitudes, expectations, technology, supports, interactions, sensory factors, liturgy, understanding, theology, and transportation. We discuss the implications of these findings for worship leaders and suggest avenues for future research aimed at promoting accessible worship services.

‘And suddenly, two men. . .’: Moses and Elijah in Lukan Perspective

This article argues that in the three instances in Luke-Acts where the phrase ‘And suddenly, two men. . .’ occurs, Luke 9, Luke 24 and Acts 1, the author expects us to understand that these men are Moses and Elijah, who are named in the first occurrence at the Transfiguration. This interpretation makes literary, audience expectation, and theological sense, creating a deeper understanding of the significance of the two prophets for the proclamation of the resurrection and the mission of the Church. It is argued that the interpretation that the ‘two men’ are ‘angels,’ like Gabriel, does not pay sufficient attention to the details of the text and reads across an understanding that the ‘men’ are ‘angels’ from Luke 24 to Acts 1 without warrant.

Severus of Antioch’s idea of transforming the theological language from Triadology to Christology and its critique in Leontius of Byzantium’s treatise “Refutation of syllogisms of Severus”. Part two

The given study is the second part of the article, which scrutinizes the idea of Severus of Antioch concerning which way, in the event of Christ’s incarnation, the meanings of the concepts of essence, nature, hypostasis, and person, which are the most important for representation of the theological sense of this event, are mystically transformed. Along with that, the polemics between the Chalcedonites and Severian Monophysites deployed on this idea, which is immediately represented in the third chapter of Leontius’ of Byzantium treatise “Refutation of syllogisms of Severus”, is taken into consideration. By its content, this chapter is split into two parts, each consisting of an argument of a Severian adversary of the Chalcedonite confession and a detailed refutation of this argument proposed by Leontius. While the content of the first half of the text is focused on the philosophical analysis of the problem of methodological adequacy of the very formulation of Severus’ idea both from the viewpoint of external philosophical wisdom and of theology, the second half is dedicated to the problem of the grammatical and philosophical status of the exegesis of ambiguous expressions of the Fathers. In this section of the study, a detailed interpretation is proposed of the first part of the third chapter of Leontius’ treatise, and, on the grounds of addressing the models of philosophical and theological argumentation authentic for the first half of the 6th century, an analysis is performed of the logico-philosophical and theological sense of the polemical arguments applied by the opponents.

Severus of Antioch’s idea of transforming the theological language from Triadology to Christology and its critique in Leontius of Byzantium’s treatise “Refutation of syllogisms of Severus”. Part three

The given study is the third part of the article, which scrutinizes the idea of Severus of Antioch concerning which way, in the event of Christ’s incarnation, the meanings of the concepts of essence, nature, hypostasis, and person, which are the most important for representation of the theological sense of this event, are mystically transformed. Along with that, the polemics between the Chalcedonites and Severian Monophysites deployed on this idea, which is immediately represented in the third chapter of Leontius’ of Byzantium treatise “Refutation of syllogisms of Severus”, is taken into consideration. By its content, this chapter is split into two parts, each consisting of an argument of a Severian adversary of the Chalcedonite confession and a detailed refutation of this argument proposed by Leontius. While the content of the first half of the text is focused on the philosophical analysis of the problem of methodological adequacy of the very formulation of Severus’ idea both from the viewpoint of external philosophical wisdom and of theology. In the final, third part of the study, a detailed interpretation of the second part of the third chapter of Leontius’ treatise is proposed, where the argumentation of the Severians and Chalcedonites intended to solve the problem of the grammatical, philosophical and theological status of exegesis of Saint Fathers’ ambiguous expressions is represented together with the formulation of the method which would allow to exclude the homonymy present in these expressions.

Gestykulacja jako sposób wyrażenia treści Misterium Paschalnego w sztuce średniowiecznej Europy Środkowej

The Paschal Mystery is the central reality of the Christianity. This is a series of historical events, presented in the canonical Gospels, in which Jesus from Nazaret was submit to the suffering, death, but was revived and bas ascend 10 the glory. These events was full of meanings and significations. This significations of paschal event has been meditated and analyzed in the Christian text, - in Gospels, in Paul’s Letters, but in the sermon of Fathers of the Church. Meliton of Sardes, Orygenes, Pseudo-Hypolite, and others are known as the interpreters of paschal events. The liturgical texts - Exultet and Victimae Paschali explain the profound sense of the Death and the resurrection of Christ All these works inspired the iconography. This presentation has to review the some works of art in Central Europeand interpretations their theological sense. The gestures will be the key to discovery of meaning.

Nathan J. Chambers. Reconsidering Creation Ex Nihilo in Genesis 1

Nathan J. Chambers. <i>Reconsidering Creation Ex Nihilo in Genesis 1</i>

Nizarî İsmâilîlerinde Takiyye, Meşruiyet ve Tasavvuf İlişkisi Üzerine Değerlendirme

Nizārī Ismāʿīlīs, who established an autonomous structure centered in Alamūt by organizing in the geographies of Rudbar, Quhistan, Daylam, and Syria between 1090 and 1257, have been one of the movements practicing the method of taqiyya most strictly. This method they practiced against all Sunni or non-Sunni authorities was utilized as a way of protecting their lives, property, doctrine, and traditions both within themselves and against the outside. It was also seen as a suitable way for their achievement of political legitimacy, association, and gaining power. Taqiyya in the history of Nizārī Ismāʿīlīs started first in the form of hiding the imam who would come from the lineage of Nizār, the son of the Fāṭimid Caliph al-Mustansir Billāh, with the separation that started through conflicts about the Imāmate following the death of the Caliph (1036-1096). Ḥasan-i Ṣabbāḥ, who took on the authority of the imam until the expected imam arrived, aimed to get his legitimacy recognized when he made invitations in the name of Nizār with the doctrine of Ta‘līm (teaching). When the hiding of the imam during the periods of Ḥasan-i Ṣabbāḥ and his first two successors put the Alamūt government in a bind in the political and theological sense, in the period of Hasan II in 1162, Qiyāmāt was proclaimed. In the context of custody-mentorship linked from Ḥujjat (proof) to the lineage of the Imāmate, the Nizārī Ismāʿīlī community continued their association. At the same time, with the arrival of the imam, legitimacy was reinforced, and defence was launched against Sunni authorities. The proclamation of Qiyāmāt that attracted objections and pressure from the world of Islam created a new source of oppression on the Nizārī community, while it also led them to shut themselves from the outer world politically and doctrinally. To change this practice that had not gained general acceptance, this time, an outward and reconciliatory policy was chosen, and the Satr period started, that is, a new taqiyya process started with a Sunnification policy. While the reconciliatory policy was being maintained, between 1221 and 1258, Sunni practices started to be gradually abandoned, and a return to the community’s fundamental identity took place.

Tradition And Its Significance Within Islam And The Abrahamic Faiths

The present article looks into the position and significance of tradition within Islam and the Abrahamic Faiths. Tradition in its very theological sense is generally believed to have divine authority albeit not as part of the sacred scripture. The main interest here is to shed light on how different tradition in Islam in comparison to Judaism and Christianity is. Drawn upon examples and evidence, this article thus, studies the idea of tradition and underlines its notional and applied similarities and differences within the said three world religions. Further, this article also investigates and discusses the intricacies of the Islamic tradition.

Reconciled Community

Abstract Recent experience suggests that there is insufficient reflection on the ‘why’ of mission among missionary pioneers, that is, on the soteriology that underpins missional practices in the West. This article argues, first, that a social view of salvation is the best way to make theological sense of missional community formation (mcf). Second, this implied soteriology is further developed as an integrative lens on various dimensions of salvation in Christianity. Third, it is argued that this relocation of mcf in this social view of salvation offers rich opportunities for witness, and thus a potential remedy against soteriological embarrassment.

Die Bahnhofsmission als Ander-Ort

Abstract In the field of Practical Theology, the article locates the issue of ›Bahnhofsmission‹ both in terms of diaconia theory as well as poimenics and ecclesiology. The central question is if and to what extent ›Bahnhofsmission‹ can also be regarded as a local church in a theological sense, even if the staff and the clientele do not see themselves as church members. For this purpose, Michel Foucault's concept of heterotopias is referred to and railway stations are described as socially functionalised places that are transformed by church presence.

Thomas Aquinas and William E. Carroll on Creatio ex Nihilo: A Response to Joseph Hannon’s “Theological Objections to a Metaphysicalist Interpretation of Creation”

ABSTRACT Joseph Hannon has expressed a most surprising objection to Aquinas scholar Prof William E. Carroll in his latest paper “Theological Objections to a Metaphysicalist Interpretation of Creation.” The main claim is that Prof. Carroll misunderstands Aquinas' doctrine of creatio ex nihilo by reducing it to a metaphysical notion, rather than considering it in its full theological sense. In this paper I show Hannon's misinterpretation of Carroll's and Thomas Aquinas' thought, particularly by stressing the dependence that the doctrine of providence through secondary causes has on the doctrine of creatio ex nihilo.

The Theological Sense of the Polish Antiphons: The Song and the Hymn from the Mass of the Lord’s Supper

The Eucharist, a gift of God’s fatherly love, is the heart of the Church life. It constitutes the most important reality, but also a sacrament of everyday life. Awareness of that great gift leads to a deep need for gaining an insight into the beginnings of the Eucharist—the Mass of the Lord’s Supper. The aim of the present article is to investigate the theological content of the antiphons, the song, and the hymn included in the contemporary Polish Roman Missal. The Author will present a theological analysis of the Polish antiphons, the song, and the hymn from the Mass of the Lord’s Supper in the chronological order of their appearance in the contemporary liturgy. The texts will be subject to historical and linguistic analysis. The texts of the antiphons are rooted in the Bible. For that reason they will be first analyzed from the historical point of view, and then juxtaposed with the version from the Millennium Bible and with the original Greek text, in order to identify differences and analogies between them. Next, the texts will be analyzed from the linguistic and pragmatic perspective. The consideration will end with a short summary of the sources and theological motifs identified in the course of the analysis.

The optimistic utopia: sacrifice and expectations of political transformation in the Angolan Revolutionary Movement

The optimistic utopia: sacrifice and expectations of political transformation in the Angolan Revolutionary Movement

The Possessive Passions of Hitchcock’s Villains

The Possessive Passions of Hitchcock’s Villains Lesley Brill (bio) Thinking about love in Hitchcock’s films, why might one focus on antagonists? Because, as it happens, we can learn almost as much about love from Hitchcock’s villains as from his heroines and heroes. Light is defined by darkness, heat by cold, wealth by poverty, and love by such opposites as greed, lust, egotism, and—for Hitchcock, anyway—what he saw as amorous deviations. Almost all opposition to true love in Hitchcock’s films involves a desire to possess and control someone and, usually, something as well: money, social status, forbidden knowledge, political power, and so on. Avarice as an accompanying vice is especially common among the people attempting to thwart Hitchcock’s lovers. The theme of possession takes multiple forms and has various admixtures. For all that variety, however, possessiveness recurs as a crucial feature of the antagonists in most of Hitchcock’s movies. To a considerable degree, moreover, Hitchcock’s villains are themselves so fully focused on their desire for what they wish to possess or to maintain possession of, that they become its victims. They are not exactly possessed in a theological sense, but they can be seen as in thrall to their own evil. The heroes and heroines of Hitchcock’s films frequently share some characteristics of what makes the villains villainous, the overcoming or ridding of which becomes part of their achieving true love. This comprises an especially important function of Hitchcock’s antagonists: besides serving as impediments to true love, they also underscore obstacles to fulfillment within protagonists themselves. [End Page 121] Click for larger view View full resolution Figure 1. Levitt attempts to embrace Patsy in The Pleasure Garden. I address some of the specific forms these possessive passions take and the issues they are associated with, using examples from films across the full range of Hitchcock’s career. They illustrate various aspects of opposites or opponents to love, but this essay does not offer a comprehensive survey. Often a character fits into several categories which are not exclusive, and which flow into one another. The last section of the essay, on The Trouble with Harry, inverts the arguments of the other sections. As the possessive opponents of love show what love is not, so The Trouble with Harry shows what corrupted love is not. Destructive Possession “Murder is a kind of making love, a kind of possessing.” —Patricia Highsmith, diary entry 7/1/501 In the first of Hitchcock’s completed surviving films, The Pleasure Garden (1926), the villain’s urge to possess the heroine is straightforward and ultimately murderous. Largely ignored by [End Page 122] Hitchcock scholars, The Pleasure Garden, as Marc Strauss has shown, has a visual sophistication and a thematic focus on love that anticipates much of the rest of its director’s career.2 Click for larger view View full resolution Figure 2. Daisy handcuffed by Joe in The Lodger. The healthy erotic energy of true love finds its opposite in greedy lust. As a “motto” in Young and Innocent (1937) puts it, “love calls but once, though passion oft.” The principal antagonist of The Pleasure Garden, Levitt (Miles Mander), desires to sexually possess Patsy (Virginia Valli) (fig. 1). He attempts at first to realize his goal outside of marriage, then succeeds with a bad-faith union that leaves him free to desert Patsy and return to his mistress abroad. When his wife unexpectedly arrives, he drowns his now inconvenient native paramour; then, during a guilty hallucination, he attempts to kill Patsy as well. Jill (Carmelita Geraghty), the faithless fiancée of the hero (John Stewart), embodies another form of possessiveness, the desire for fame and worldly goods, which she procures by trading on the lusts of those who can provide such things. In The Lodger (1927), Detective Joe (Malcolm Keen), a foil to the eponymous hero (Ivor Novello), handcuffs Daisy (June Tripp) (fig. 2), and declares that he will take full possession of her later: “After I put a rope round The Avenger’s neck, I’ll put [End Page 123] a ring round Daisy’s finger.” This is an act of possession that does...