Theological Themes Research Articles

Hannah’s Song: A Foreshadowing of the Magnificat

Although women’s words account for a small portion of biblical scripture, the Bible records two related prayerful songs that were sung by female prophets: the song of Hannah, in the Old Testament, and the Magnificat of Mary, in the New Testament. This essay uses typological methodology to explore the songs’ connections, including their shared literary precedents and nearly identical theological themes. Their fundamental similarities suggest Hannah’s song served as a harbinger of the Magnificat. Hannah and Mary’s shared blessing, divinely ordained motherhood, and their shared inspiration, the Holy Spirit, explain the parallels of their prayerful verses and prophetic utterances, which were of great relevance for both covenants of the Judeo-Christian faith.

The Theology of the Holy Eucharist and the Doctrine of Transubstantiation

Holy Communion is one of the seven sacraments in the Catholic Church. With Baptism and Confirmation, they constitute the sacraments of Initiation. Similarly, with the Word of God, they constitute the two indispensable pillars upon which the Church is built. It is the “fount and apex of the whole Christian life” (LG 11). It is named Holy Eucharist because it is an action of thanksgiving to God. It recalls God’s work of creation, redemption, and sanctification. The Eucharistic elements, bread and wine become, by the prayer of consecration and the invocation of the Holy Spirit, Christ's Body and Blood through an act appropriately known as transubstantiation. The term emphasizes the conversion of the total substance of bread and wine into the entire substance of the Body and Blood of Christ. When the bread and wine are consecrated at Mass, they are no longer bread and wine; they have become instead the Most Precious Body and Blood of Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit in accordance with the words of Christ. The empirical appearances and attributes remain the same, but the underlying reality changes. Therefore, the doctrine of transubstantiation teaches without ambiguity that in the Holy Communion, the Body and Blood, together with the soul and divinity, of the Lord Jesus Christ is truly, really, and substantially contained. How is this understood and what is its implication theologically? In an attempt to elucidate this problem, this work seeks first to highlight the theology of the Holy Eucharist within the context of the ecclesiology of Communion, and second, through some theological themes: sacred memorial and sacrificial banquet; eschatological meal. The third and final part treats the theme of real presence under the rubrics of Transubstantiation. Keywords: Transubstantiation, Eschatological Meal, Memorial, Real Presence, Communion, Eucharistic conversion.

Beyond the Church and the Poor: Expanding the Subject of Ethnographic Theology

Abstract The use of ethnography for theological inquiry is no longer novel. Yet, as the introduction to this special issue indicates, the ethnographic turn in Christian theology is animated by distinct postliberal and liberationist trajectories, each with their own theological presumptions and methodological aims. Should the future development of this turn favour one trajectory over another? This paper explores this question in conversation with Todd Whitmore’s Imitating Christ in Magwi: An Anthropological Theology. Through a sustained engagement with Imitating Christ in Magwi, I unearth both postliberal and liberationist inheritances to show that Whitmore’s text exceeds a postliberal-liberationist binary. I then ask what the dual inheritance of his work signifies for the future of the ethnographic turn. Drawing from cultural anthropology’s mode of ‘studying up,’ I suggest that the turn should orient itself more broadly to the care of our common life by expanding attention to subjects with power.

Exploring the Epistemological Tools and Sources of Science and Religion

One of the topics of modern theology in the field of theological studies is to explain the between and religion from the perspective of thinkers and researchers. Researchers in this field have different perspectives to express the between and religion in a way that includes conflict, differentiation, interaction and adaptation. The between and religion can be examined from different angles, so what is more important It examines the relationship between religion and science from an perspective. In this study, exploring factors means the tools and cognitive resources of the products of and religion. This research, which is descriptive-analytical and library method, has analyzed the data after collecting documents. Discussion about the sources and tools of cognition in the two fields of and religion, shows that based on the different that we see in these two approaches, both in the definition of tools and sources of cognition and in the amount of knowledge and realism of sources there is a difference. While the scientific approach is based on the denial of abstract beings. Therefore, on the subject of the between and religion, it is appropriate to extend the discussion of the analysis of tools and resources to the discussion of epistemological foundations While analyzing the ontological of both, the fate of many scientific controversies will be clarified in more depth. In that case, the commonalities and differences between and religion become clear.

Ecumenical Convergences: Romanian Evangelicals Exploring Orthodoxy

Historically, in Romania, the relations between the Romanian Orthodox Church and the evangelical communities have been characterized by tension and mutual distrust. That is why, unfortunately, there has been no official dialogue between the two communities so far. The present article investigates the theoretical possibility for such an ecumenical dialogue to occur by analysing the contributions of several evangelical theologians who published research studies on theological topics specific to Eastern orthodox theology. Their positions were analysed from the perspective of an inclusive theology which allowed us to identify some common themes for both traditions: the authority in interpreting the Scriptures, salvation as a process, and the Church understood through the application of a perichoretic model. All these convergent themes could constitute the basis for a future official ecumenical dialogue between the evangelicals and the orthodox from Romania.

Understanding Community: Engaging Oxford College Students in Loving God’s World

This article addresses town and gown relationships, those complicated interactions between colleges or universities and the communities in which they are situated. In particular, the focus is on the relationship between Oxford College of Emory University where I am the college chaplain and the city of Oxford, Georgia. Research demonstrated a gap between these communities - in the interactions between them as well as in the potential for creating belonging between Oxford College students in particular and the local community of Oxford, Georgia. My doctoral project addressed that gap through a course taught in the fall of 2016, Understanding Community: Oxford Encountering Oxford. In the course, students were required to move their bodies into the local community to see a community once invisible to them and to engage in loving God's world primarily through interviews with local residents. Theological themes of incarnation and revelation played a major role in this project, and are addressed here, especially with regard to implications for the church and its ministry in the world.

신약성서 안에서 ύπόστασιϛ의 의미

ύπόστασιϛ has been employed as a term for a person in the doctrine of the Trinity. Therefore, it is a word that plays a critical role in the history of Christian doctrine. However, in the Bible, this word may be one of the most challenging terms to translate. In the New Testament, this word hasn’t been translated identically, despite its a few examples. Religious reformers have translated this word as trust and confidence, reflecting their theological perspectives.<BR> For an accurate and consistent translation ofύπόστασιϛ, we need to take a look at the conceptual history of ύπόστασιϛ in ancient Greek documents. The fundamental problem in ancient Greek ontology was that the Transcendental Being could not enter the limited individual due to its substantial nature.ύπόστασιϛ resolved the problem in the ontology of this ancient philosophy by enabling a connection between the Transcendental Being and the limited one while keeping the essential nature of the Transcendental Being. In ancient Greek philosophy, the reason why ύπόστασιϛ was able to play a role as a link between the Transcendental Being and the limited one was that the word had the meaning of continuance(Bestand) and existence(Wirklichkeit) at the same time. These two meanings are likely to have been driven initially by different schools. But the two became a unified concept when Poseidonios, one of the main figures of the Middle Stoics, combined the ideas. Thus, the ontological possibility, which means the Transcendental Being keeping its nature could exist in the limited individuals, was made possible through ύπόστασιϛ.<BR> The meaning of ύπόστασιϛ found in conceptual history can be used for the translation of ύπόστασιϛ in the New Testament. In the New Testament, ύπόστασιϛ is employed five times by two authors (2 Corinthians 9:4; 11:17; Hebrews 1:3; 3:14; 11:1). However, ύπόστασιϛ was not translated identically in other foreign language Bibles as well as the KRV. Although sense-for-sense translation benefits the audience’s understanding, the translation’s purpose to carry its original denotation should not be lost. Consequentially, contextually liberal translation poses the threat of misunderstanding of the author’s intention.<BR> Most of all, in the texts of the New Testament, it is important that ύπόστασιϛ was used to bridge opposing points that are difficult to reconcile contextually in the texts of the New Testament. Contrary to the author of Hebrews, Paul used ύπόστασιϛ to personally imply conflicts within the church whilst the author of Hebrews used ύπόστασιϛ within the theological scope. Paul applied ύπόστασιϛ to describe his situation instead of theological perspectives, while the author of Hebrews applied u`po,stasij in the meaning of the theological subjects. The actual aspects of Paul himself in his situation is delicately expressed through ύπόστασιϛ, and Paul prepares lessons and encouragements for the status of the church through this. In Hebrews, the revelation of the existence of God in the present day has been portrayed through ύπόστασιϛ. Hebrews 1:3 has an almost perfect theological agreement with the example used by Trinitarianism, which is the final purpose of studying this word.<BR> Therefore, the fundamental ontological meaning of existence should not be weakened or alienated within all these examples. The translation should be attempted within the range containing the fundamental meaning of existence in line with the context and authors’ intent. The uniform translation of ύπόστασιϛ in the New Testament based on the conceptual history provides the very ground for the interpretation of the text itself and a decisive contribution to the whole history of Christian doctrine.

Three Unique Theological Themes of Oral Roberts’ Preaching

The study examines three unique theological themes of Oral Roberts: “Seed-faith,” healing of the whole being, and the “Fourth Man.” Since his message was a reflection of his theology, I also investigate his theological formation, informed particularly by his experiences such as miraculous healing.

Richard Pace and the Psalms

In the library of Winchester College is a multi-lingual psalter formerly owned by the diplomat and scholar, Richard Pace (c.1483–1536). Pace left extensive notes in this volume, the product of his study of the Hebrew Scriptures in comparison with the Vulgate and Greek Septuagint. They demonstrate his engagement with a variety of Jewish, patristic and humanist learning. A broader set of theological and devotional themes also emerge. For Pace, the Psalms were primarily a prophetic text, foretelling the coming of Christ and the Gospels, but they likewise reflected an interest in devotion, rhetoric and prayer typical of humanists of the period.

Amos, Jonah and Micah

Amos, Jonah and Micah

Die debat oor hermeneutiek: In gesprek met drie Suid-Afrikaanse reformatoriese teoloë

Discourse on hermeneutics: A discussion with three reformational South African theologiansIn this article some introductory remarks are made on hermeneutics and subsequently the author critically investigates – for the sake of discussion – three hermeneutical models set up by three theologians from three Afrikaans reformed sister churches, namely Dirkie Smit, Gert Malan and Gerrie Snyman. In all three instances it is apparent what a big role hermeneutics plays – and should play – in the interpretation of Scripture. Since it is particularly topical and significant, one theme in theology namely Christology, is subjected to a more thorough investigation. Finally, the author proposes some guidelines which in his opinion could contribute to a better understanding of Scripture.

The Relationship between Theology and Law on the Basis of the Encyclical Pacem in terris of John XXIII

The above research permits one to draw legal and theological conclusions. The first sub-point, presenting the legal value and social-political context of the papal teaching, permits the creation of a foundation for the following theological considerations. The second subpoint permits for the separation of the theology of the encyclical and its meaning for the whole document. The last sub-point reveals in what way the legal and theological elements intersect in the encyclical’s text and what consequences this has for ecclesiology and the methodology of research at the intersection of theology and law. This article presented many mutual points of reference for theology and law and emphasized their methodological and substantive autonomy. The encyclical Pacem in terris of John XXIII is a creative proposal for the cooperation between theology and law, in which the Pope follows the principle of efficacy, which is the desire that the catalogue created by him is not only theoretical but also actually used. His teaching focuses on the theme of peace, which seems to assume the meaning that has already placed on justice, and the Pope seems to make it the centre of all international relations. That, in turn, allows to distinguish peace as a clearly legal category and so decisive for the just character of law itself. Because of the connection between peace, God’s order and Christ’s mission, there is a perfect intersection between temporal matters regulated by law and supernatural ones, which are the subject of theology. There exist two alternative models of the unity of humankind: the natural and the ecclesial. They have a complementary character as the two paths leading to a common goal and take the form of attaining the commonly desired peace on earth and the unification of humanity in Christ, who is peace himself. The Pope uses legal language, which has characteristics manifesting the openness of theology to law and vice-versa. Among them are cognitive realism, universal concepts, universal themes, social efficacy, legal naturalism, and mutual inspiration.

Symbolism of the Double as the Source F.M. Dostoevsky Dostoevsky's Artistic Anthropology

The article is devoted to the analysis of the Double symbolism as the source of personality metaphysics in the works of F.M. Dostoevsky. “The Double” novel is considered by the author as the paradigmatic text in which the principles of key images construction in the late novels of F.M. Dostoevsky were formed. The paper uses the ideas of A.A. Ukhtomsky and E.Ya. Golosovker, who proposed philosophical interpretation of the phenomenon of “duality”. “The Double” is viewed as the source of theology of personality in F.M. Dostoevsky’s works, since it was the first time that the figurative model of the struggle of personality and personality in a man, which most directly revealed the duality of his nature as the created image of God, was developed. The hero’s search for his inner “place” (topos of authenticity) and inner support in the confrontation between the “mask” and then the Double as its ultimate expression, is the main theme of the story. The duality of the “nature” of man, who is both the image and likeness of God, and carries the Original sin, is the traditional theological theme and the theme of Christian anthropology. However, no one developed this theme in fiction with such depth and completeness before F.M. Dostoevsky. “Duality” acts as a special mode of negative self-disclosure of personality by means of elimination of his external false identities. The struggle against the Double is the struggle of the true human nature against its damages by the Original sin. The corrupted nature stands out in the form of the masks of the Doubles, and the genuine nature is fighting them, searching in the soul the highest prototype. The masks are defeated only by positively overcoming them in the inner experience of man. The text of “The Double” is for the first time interpreted as “genre of dreams” and as special “initiation” text aimed at the internal transformation of the reader’s personality.

Pedagogical aspect of the formation of critical thinking in students of philosophy and theology

The purpose of the article is to reveal and form pedagogical tools for development of critical thinking of students who study philosophy and theology. Alternative variants existing in pedagogy and philosophy are considered for wider analysis of the subject. Critical thinking is considered from the pedagogical point of view, but is focused and addressed more for teaching students who study philosophical and theological subjects. The article emphasizes not just the ability to receive information but also to critically evaluate it, comprehend and practically apply. Students can get tools to consider information from various points of view, and to draw conclusions about its value and accuracy. For these purposes, the first part of the article contains the analysis of the pedagogical model of the American teacher Robert H. Ennis, in which he suggests some phases of development of critical thinking for learning, namely to care that views and decisions are justified, to be able to introduce your own position and the position of others, and to respect opinions and dignity. The article also introduces and considers a position of the prominent American psychologist Diane Halpern, who is developing a critical thinking program in the USA and is introducing her own model in which she thinks that developing a habit to think critically is no less important than developing a habit to think. The psychologist describes the following qualities of a critically thinking person: readiness for planning, flexibility, persistence, readiness for correcting mistakes, awareness, and search for compromise solutions.This work also presents a technology called “Critical Thinking Development” designed by the International Reading Association of the University of Northern Iowa and the colleges of Hobard and William Smith. The authors of the program are Charles Temple, Ginny Steele, and Kurt Meredith. The peculiarity of this technology is in the presented idea of “three phases of challenge” for critical thinking development for students of philosophy and theology. The last part of this article points out what is not considered to be critical thinking. The author refers to the works on critical thinking by Dr. David J. Klooster.

The maіn stages of development of the lіbrarіes by the relіgіous institutions in the German-speaking area from the 6th to the 20th century

An article has an interdisciplinary character and is written at the junction of the hіstory of the Middle Ages and the New Age, of the hіstory of lіbrarіanship as well of the religious studies, icluding the hіstory of the monasteries as religious buildings struсtures, which were springing up in Europe and in the german-speaking space shortly after disintegration of the Roman empire and had somewhere to the nineteenth century worked, as in the monasteries began a secularization of their property and his passing to the property of unіversities and other higher schools. The main stages on the road to the build a system of the lіbrarіes in the monasteries as the forerunner of university libraries are in outline described. By means of study of the german-speaking sources references on the history of librarianship, which were published over the last 45 years, author comes to a conclusion that the funds of all lіbrarіes in the monasteries of those days were complemented first of all source of the humanіstic and theological subjects, as well the published works about the matters in the fіeld of the natural sciences. It was among their number established keep the lіbrarіes of the monasteries as the hand-wrіtten texts as the printed matters, including the incunabula, the Gutenberg Bіble and the from the Latin translated textbooks. The article sums up of the study of the actіvity of theological librarіes that are in submit to the dioceses, bishoprics, churches and schools of the districts, fіnance direkt from the church as well must contribute to scientific researchs and to development of the specialized educatіon. In spite of numerous studies to this day are matters of further develop­ment of the special libraries in the monasteries as the components of relіgіous institutions for the confessions of all sorts very vital.

Debat oor hermeneutiek

Discourse on hermeneutics: A discussion with three reformational South African theologiansIn this article some introductory remarks are made on hermeneutics and subsequently the author critically investigates – for the sake of discussion – three hermeneutical models set up by three theologians from three Afrikaans reformed sister churches, namely Dirkie Smit, Gert Malan and Gerrie Snyman. In all three instances it is apparent what a big role hermeneutics plays – and should play – in the interpretation of Scripture. Since it is particularly topical and significant, one theme in theology namely Christology, is subjected to a more thorough investigation. Finally, the author proposes some guidelines which in his opinion could contribute to a better understanding of Scripture.

Guide for Authors

International scientific journal Nicholai Studies is published both as a printed and as an online open-access journal. Nicholai Studies primarily publishes original scientific papers on theological subjects. By cultivating an interdisciplinary approach, the journal is open for scientific papers and review articles based on research in other sciences and humanities — like philosophy, philology, literature, history, historiography, archival research, etc. — as long as they correspond with the topic of the journal. Nicholai Studies also publishes relevant archival and documentary material, with accompanying studies and notes as well as bibliographies, shorter notes, reviews, comments, and reviews of new publications. Nicholai Studies primarily publishes articles in English and Serbian language. Every article published in Nicholai Studies is reviewed two times and anonymously before being published. The Editorial Board of the Nicholai Studies holds to very high ethical and academic standards in the publication of scientific papers.

The intercultural theology of Walter J. Hollenweger

ABSTRACT This article reflects on the influence and legacy of Walter Hollenweger at the University of Birmingham in the creation of an academic centre for the study of worldwide Pentecostalism. Probably his most significant legacy is the subject of intercultural theology, which is discussed with reference to various writings and themes. What it meant to Hollenweger as the key concept in understanding all his research on Pentecostalism, and why it remains so important is explored. The article also discusses the relationship of intercultural theology to ‘responsible syncretism’ as a way of doing theology. The last section analyses Hollenweger’s well-known ‘oral structures’ as found in the practices of Pentecostal churches as an expression of intercultural theology, and their implications for Hollenweger’s legacy.

Is Saint Victorinus of Poetovio the author of the homily “On the ten virgins”?

The homily “On the ten virgins” for over 100 years has been a controversial work, since no strong argument has been presented by any scholar in favor of who is its author. The first group of researchers (for example, A.Wilmart, M.Špelič and M.Veronese) believes that its author is St. Victorinus of Poetovio, the first latin interpreter of Holy Scripture. The second group of researchers (for example, M.Dulaey, R.Gryson and N.A.Khandoga) ascribes it to Pseudo-Victorinus of Poetovio, an unknown Latin exegete of the Gospel of Matthew. Proceeding from this, the article makes an attempt at a theological and philological analysis of several quotes from the homily “On the ten virgins” and the original works of St. Victorinus of Poetovio — the treatise “On the creation of the world” and the interpretation of “On Revelation” and the fragment “On the life of Christ” — in order to identify the author of the homily. An important point in answering the question posed in the title of the article is Christology and eschatology as there is not one original writing by Victorinus of Poetovio, in which they would not be given appropriate attention. However, in the homily “On the ten virgins” these theological themes are not adequately addressed.

The Hope of Israel: The Resurrection of Christ in the Acts of the Apostles by Brandon D. Crowe

Reviewed by: The Hope of Israel: The Resurrection of Christ in the Acts of the Apostles by Brandon D. Crowe David M. Miller brandon d. crowe, The Hope of Israel: The Resurrection of Christ in the Acts of the Apostles (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2020). Pp. xvi + 239. Paper $29.99. In The Hope of Israel, Brandon D. Crowe establishes the centrality of the resurrection in Acts and explains how this major theme functions “as a powerful theological adhesive that contributes to the theological unity of Acts” (p. 5). C. acknowledges, and his richly documented footnotes confirm, that the resurrection of Jesus is already widely regarded as central to Acts and a unifying theme. The justification for yet another detailed treatment of the resurrection in Acts (apart from its sheer importance) is, C. contends, that few studies “have provided a sustained and integrated consideration of Luke’s contribution in light of the scope of biblical and systematic theology” (p. 14). The book is divided into two four-chapter sections. Part 1 identifies references to the resurrection, explores how they function within their narrative context, and highlights recurring emphases. After a review of “The State of the Question” that introduces the book as a whole and prepares for the exegesis in the rest of part 1, Peter and Paul receive dedicated chapters of their own; more minor characters are treated in chap. 4. In addition to speeches, C. considers events that may echo the resurrection of Jesus, including Paul’s conversion, Peter’s miraculous escape from prison, and the restoration of Eutychus to life. Because egeirō and anistēmi are frequently employed in connection with the “raising up” of Jesus from the dead, these common Greek verbs become freighted with significance, perhaps unduly so. C. detects references to Jesus’s resurrection not only in the “raising up” of a prophet like Moses (Acts 3:22–26) and in the “raising up” of David as king over Israel (Acts 13:22) but also in the “raising” of lame men from the ground (Acts 3:7; 14:10), in the “arising” of Paul after he was left for dead outside of Lystra (Acts 14:20), in the “raising” of Judas the Galilean, who appears in ironic contrast with Jesus the risen Messiah (Acts 5:37), and in the “arising” of Gamaliel, the resurrection-believing Pharisee, who stood up (anastas) to speak in the Sanhedrin (Acts 5:34). Part 2 takes a more systematic approach, synthesizing and expanding on some of the emphases noted in part 1, and considering the implications of the resurrection for other theological topics in Acts. In chap. 5, “The Resurrection and the Accomplishment of Salvation,” C. asks what changed with this “turning point” in salvation history. In the first place, he argues that the resurrection is presented in Acts as the vindication of Jesus’s perfect obedience and sacrificial death. Here one observes a marked increase in C.’s citations from other biblical texts and from systematic theologians in the Reformed tradition to support the limited evidence he can muster from Acts. Readers who do not share C.’s systematic impulse are unlikely to be persuaded that this is a significant emphasis within Luke-Acts [End Page 334] itself. According to C., the resurrection in Acts also inaugurates the Davidic Messiah’s reign, signals a “new experience” in Jesus’s Lordship, enables the gift of the Spirit, and relativizes traditional Jewish institutions and practices. In chap. 6, C. emphasizes continuity between pre-and postresurrection experiences of “salvation,” understood in terms of forgiveness of sins and justification. According to C., Luke held that believers before the resurrection experienced forgiveness, justification, and the Holy Spirit on the basis of the future death and resurrection of Jesus. (The possibility that salvation, for Luke, was a broader concept than justification and forgiveness of sins is not considered.) In chap. 7, C. proposes that Luke wrote Acts partly as an apologia pro scriptura, confirming the truthfulness of Scripture by insisting that the resurrection fulfills Scripture. This seems backwards. More likely, Luke appealed to Scripture because his audience took its truthfulness for granted. The final chapter turns from the content of Acts to the place...