Theological Dialogue Research Articles

Prospettive dell’ecumenismo nel XXI secolo

After providing an overview of the achievements of twentieth-century ecumenical dialogue, the article outlines a number of problematic issues currently on the agenda: the state of theological dialogues; ‘intercultural’ ecumenism; Christian ecumenism in the face of so-called global challenges (in particular, justice, peace, and the safeguarding of creation); and short- and medium-term prospects, as envisaged from the most recent developments.

Kemerdekaan Berfikir dan Berteologi Kristen

This research discusses freedom of thought as an important element in the development of Christian theology and how the church responds to modern social challenges. Freedom of thought, although it often faces obstacles from church authority and attachment to tradition, provides opportunities for a more inclusive and progressive theological dialogue. This research uses a qualitative approach with a descriptive method, which involves in-depth interviews with church leaders and document analysis. The results show that freedom of thought contributes to enriching Christian theology and strengthens its relevance in responding to social issues, such as gender equality and social justice. This study concludes that freedom of thought plays an important role in maintaining the relevance of Christian theology in the midst of changing times without ignoring the teachings of the core faith.

A Spiritual Theology of Dialogue: Levinas, Burggraeve, and Catholic Theology

A Spiritual Theology of Dialogue: Levinas, Burggraeve, and Catholic Theology

Interpretation and Application of Criminal Law Regarding Blasphemy Under Article 156a of the Criminal Code

The offense of blasphemy is complex and confusing due to its three distinct definitions: offense according to religion, offense against religion, and offense related to religion. This lack of clarity results in no clear boundaries for defining what constitutes blasphemy. This article explores the legal interpretation of blasphemy through an analysis of various court decisions and the opinions of religious leaders. Utilizing normative research methods complemented by field data from interviews with religious leaders, the study reveals that Article 156a of the Criminal Code lacks a precise definition of blasphemy, leading to broad and varied interpretations. The subjectivity of determining blasphemy is evident, as it often depends on the identity of the offended party. Additionally, resolving blasphemy cases, such as those involving deviant sects, necessitates theological dialogue rather than immediate recourse to punitive measures. The article notes that judicial decisions in blasphemy cases frequently rely on the testimony of religious experts, sometimes without sufficient consideration of the expert’s qualifications or the quality of their explanation of blasphemy.

The dialogue of theology and law in russian science and education

Theology in Russian education is increasingly strengthening its position, claiming interdisciplinary status. Such areas as theological anthropology, theological psychology, legal and political theology, etc. are being developed. The spread of theology in secular universities of the country faces a number of difficulties related to the specifics of integrating secular and religious education and science. A special point of intersection is the dialogue of law and theology on the basis of secular universities. The author of the article analyzes the possibility and relevance at the present stage of the transition from the historical dialogue of these two main regulators of public life and types of knowledge to the development and implementation of specific educational programs for training lawyers and jurists based not only on legal but also theological knowledge, taking into account the current political and legal situation in Russia and the world. It is especially important to take into account the specifics of the Russian Orthodox culture with its rich experience of spiritual and educational practice and positive foreign experience of integrating theology and law in the educational system.

A Plea to Thomists: Will the Real Darwinian Please Stand Up? On Some Recent Defenses of the Fifth Way

In this paper, we discuss with some contemporary Thomists the possibility of re-actualizing Thomas’s fifth way to God in the science–theology dialogue. We start with a reference to Spinoza’s critique of teleology in light of some recent Spinoza studies, and after summarizing several Thomistic defenses of Aquinas’s teleological argument, we interpret that critique as targeting the fifth way as well. We then focus on Darwin’s impact on biological design arguments. We argue that his naturalistic explanation of biological teleology also affects the fifth way. The distinction between internal-Aristotelian and external-Platonic conceptions of teleology does not seem to be able to protect the teleological argument from a Darwinian critique. We conclude by stressing the importance and fruitfulness of Thomas’s thought for contemporary interdisciplinary dialogue, provided that Darwin’s impact on the biological version of the fifth way is taken into due account.

The politics of Thomas More's A Dialogue of Comfort against Tribulation

Thomas More's early writings provide both a defense of his vocation in politics and a political theory for a Christian polity, attempting to harmonize Christendom with the best practicable political order. But More's A Dialogue of Comfort against Tribulation reflects upon this vocation in light of the anti-Christian political order. He uses the specter of Turkish tyranny sweeping into Hungary to reflect on the open persecution of Christians. Where other scholars have focused on the pedagogy, history, and theology of More's Dialogue, this paper focuses on its political teachings. More shows his readers the essence of political tribulation, the necessity of supplementing pagan philosophy and virtue with a distinctly Christian courage, and how the Christian citizen should behave in the face of death. The Christian's virtue is the source of his comfort and the bulwark for Christendom's final victory.

Theological Intersections: Newman’s ‘Primacy of God’ in Modern Church Discourse

This article critically examines the Catholic–Anglican theological dialogue, centering on John Henry Newman’s ‘Primacy of God’, Catholic synodality, and Anglican comprehensiveness. It illuminates the interconnectedness of these elements, revealing their potential to enhance ecumenical conversations. Newman’s concept of communal faith and divine primacy resonates across both traditions, advocating a transformative, experiential spiritual journey. This study juxtaposes Newman’s stance on ecclesiastical authority and doctrinal development with contemporary synodal movements in the Catholic Church, paralleled by Anglican practices like the Lambeth Conferences. This comparison underscores a mutual commitment to participatory governance and theological inclusivity. Ultimately, the study envisions a unified Christian theology, fostering dialogue enriched by diverse traditions and promoting a harmonious convergence within the Christian theological spectrum.

Mother Tongue Biblical Hermeneutics within the Context of African Biblical Hermeneutics: It’s Origin, Trends and Challenges

This study delves into the intricate landscape of Mother Tongue Biblical Hermeneutics within the context of African Biblical Hermeneutics, aiming to unravel its origins, discern trends, and confront challenges. Employing a qualitative research methodology grounded in extensive literature review and critical analysis, this investigation explores the evolution and current state of Mother Tongue Biblical Hermeneutics in the African context.Findings underscore the significance of linguistic and cultural nuances in biblical interpretation, emphasizing the role of indigenous languages in shaping contextual understanding and relevance. Moreover, the study identifies persistent challenges including colonial legacies, linguistic imperialism, and theological biases that impede the full realization of Mother Tongue Biblical Hermeneutics.In light of these findings, recommendations are proposed to foster the integration of indigenous languages into biblical scholarship, advocate for linguistic diversity, and promote inclusivity in theological discourse. Ultimately, this study contributes to scholarship by illuminating the vital intersection of language, culture, and interpretation in African Biblical Hermeneutics, thereby enriching theological dialogue and advancing decolonial approaches to biblical studies. Keywords: Biblical Hermeneutics, African Biblical Hermeneutics, Mother-tongue Biblical studies, Origin, Trends and Challenges.

Grounding Intelligibility, Safeguarding Mystery: A Neoclassical Reading of Ernan McMullin’s Legacy

This paper suggests a “neoclassical” reading of Ernan McMullin’s thought on science and theology. McMullin’s Augustinian convictions on God and the God–world relation coincide with those of some prominent scholars from two renowned schools of neo-scholastic philosophy of the twentieth century in Louvain and Milan. The school of Milan, thanks to the work of some disciples of its leading figure, Amato Masnovo, developed a neoclassical version of neo-scholasticism, articulating a fundamental theory of knowledge, as well as an essential, rigorous path to God. We recall the main tenets of a neoclassical path to God, and we interpret this path as a possible contribution to the science–theology dialogue, in line with McMullin’s Augustinism. A neoclassical approach to science and theology, with its rediscovery and reactualization of some ideas of classic philosophy in an interdisciplinary context, grounds the intelligibility of the universe and safeguards its mystery.

Theology and Ecology in Dialogue. The Wisdom of Laudato Si’ by Dermot A. Lane, Messenger Publications, Dublin, 2020, p. 176, €19.95, pbk

Theology and Ecology in Dialogue. The Wisdom of <i>Laudato Si’</i> by Dermot A. Lane, Messenger Publications, Dublin, 2020, p. 176, €19.95, pbk

The Filioque Controversy: Analysing Theological Differences between the Western and Eastern Churches

The Filioque is a theological issue that has caused a divide in the Christian Churches, with the Western Churches (Latin Church) and Eastern Churches having different understandings of the procession of the Holy Spirit. The Western Churches believe that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son, while the Eastern Churches believe that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father alone. The Western Churches have a strong emphasis on the one divine nature, while the Eastern Churches have a strong focus on the monarchy of the Father. This difference in theological perspective has created complications in the theological dialogue between the two regions. Despite these differences, the two theological traditions share the same faith perspective and can bear valuable fruit in theological thinking. The Filioque debate has been a longstanding issue in the Christian Churches, and despite efforts to regain unity, the problem remains unresolved.

Nilai Dialog Antaragama dalam Dialogue With Trypho Karya Yustinus Martir

Going back to the time of the Church Fathers to find a comparative perspective in interpreting interreligious dialogue is an option that cannot be ignored. Contextually, we need more historical-academic approaches to building interreligious dialogues, both internally among Christians, among adherents of Abrahamic religions, as well as more broadly among people who have interests in religion. One of the important figures in the prototype of interreligious dialogue is Justin Martyr. He was a philosopher and theologian of the second century who had intellectual and actual experience in encounters with other religions. In his Dialogue with Trypho in its Sitz im Leben, Justin Martyr emphasized the importance of philosophy in the joint search for truth and eliminating groundless stories in religion. Dialogue does not ignore orthodoxy in the faith of each believer. Dialogue invites people to be able to affirm the authenticity of the teachings of their faith and confirm them. The affirmation of the teachings of faith is conveyed with scientific background and arguments so that it can avoid ad hominem discussions. This is how Justin Martyr's writing is interpreted so that theology for dialogue and theology of dialogue are simultaneously interpreted in value.

Gender Based Violence in the Commercialisation of Religion in Neo-Pentecostal Churches

The focus is women suffering due to commercialisation of religion in Neo-Pentecostal Churches. Most of the religion commercialists are men with women as victims of Gender Based Violence (GBV). The CRL Commission discovered that women participation in religious commercial practices is quite alarming in terms of the ratio between men and women. There is a very serious gender bias in these churches in terms of abuse and outrageous practices. This paper focuses on vulnerability of women caused by marriage expectations, barrenness, divorce, and lack of leadership. The methods and techniques of religious commercialists will be used as demonstrations that women are indeed the victims of these malpractices. The area of finances will be highlighted to capture the truth that indeed women are victims of commercialisation of religion. Literature and social media will be engaged to validate facts. Theology of dialogue (God-talk) contributes towards the solution to these practices that have tainted the Pentecostal faith with negative outlook. Appeal is made to male perpetrators to reevaluate their patriarchal egos at the expense of women and that their theology should take a new turn of embracing feminist theology, which helps to understand the women’s value as God’s image carriers.

Mutual Misunderstandings: Herman Bavinck and Dumitru Staniloae in Dialogue

Abstract This paper examines the criticisms of Protestantism articulated by Romanian Eastern Orthodox theologian Dumitru Staniloae, highlighting over-generalizations in his assessments. Staniloae contends that Protestantism embodies dualism, anthropological pessimism, denigration of the sacraments, and indifference to sin, among other issues. This paper argues that some of these assertions reveal a lack of serious engagement and perhaps comprehension of the diverse range of the Protestant tradition. By scrutinizing Staniloae’s contentions through conversing with neo-Calvinist theologian Herman Bavinck, this paper attempts to demonstrate possible misinterpretations in Staniloae’s evaluations related to Protestant soteriology. In the reverse, the paper also evaluates some of Bavinck’s claims related to Palamist thought. Ultimately, this examination confirms that many of Staniloae’s criticisms of Protestantism are misinformed, just as Bavinck’s criticisms of Palamist thought lack both nuance and depth. By engaging in theological dialogue between these two theologians, this paper hopes to promote a greater appreciation for both traditions and the potential for further dialogue.

Missiology as encounterology: Pentecostal considerations

Encounterology is a missiological approach to the theology of religions that was developed by J.N.J. Kritzinger – a South African missiologist. The approach recognises the encounter between people of different faiths or religions such as Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism and others. Encounterology is a theology of a particular interfaith encounter that is relevant to the theology of religions. Encounterology is discussed here as a theology relevant to addressing the differences that exist between Christian denominations and their theological approaches. This article engages encounterology from a Pentecostal theological perspective to develop an authentic and transformative Pentecostal theology of encounters. This article builds from the Pentecostal theology of encounters with the Holy Spirit and fellow human beings into the development of the theology of interreligious encounters. In addition, encounterology is relevant in Pentecostalism in the encounters between the movement and other Christian traditions. Therefore, the theology of religions should consider not only exclusivist, inclusivist and pluralist approaches, but also encounterology as an authentic and transformative approach for both interreligious and ecumenical dialogue.Contribution: This article used encounterology as an important framework for a Pentecostal theology of interreligious and ecumenical dialogue. This article has made a new contribution to the theology of religions in the methodological and theoretical field in proposing encounterology to existing approaches such as exclusivist, inclusivist and pluralist approaches.

Ecclesiological Insights into the Orthodox–Catholic Dialogue

The paper’s aim is to provide a synthetic and at the same time critical reading of the official theological dialogue, known as the “dialogue of truth”, between the Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church. The paper will cover the period from the dialogue’s preparation, also known as the “dialogue of charity”, to the present day. It will analyse the ecclesiological aspects of this dialogue, focusing on sacraments, church ministries, primacy, synodality, and other related issues such as “Uniatism”. The essay will provide an overall evaluation of the dialogue, examining its reception and the need for concrete criteria of unity. Also, the paper will highlight the synodal and sacramental roots of episcopacy and their significance for the unity of the Church. The article will present insights from leading theologians, such as Joseph Ratzinger and John Zizioulas, to better understand the meaning and functions of primacy in the universal Church.

Upaya Gereja Mewujudkan Dialog Antar Umat Beragama dalam Konteks Kemajemukan Agama

On the one hand, religious pluralism is something that can enrich the life of the Indonesian nation, but on the other hand it can become fertile ground for disputes, divisions, even bloodshed between one religion and another as well as acts of conflict and terrorism in the name of religion. Therefore, to avoid the outbreak of conflict between religious communities which could lead to violence, every religious follower needs to make efforts for dialogue between religious communities. The aim of the research is to describe and analyze the form and process of dialogue between religious communities carried out by the church, namely the Kalimantan Evangelical Church (GKE) Sion Basarang, Kapuas Regency, Central Kalimantan Province (hereinafter referred to as GKE Sion Basarang) which is one of the churches that lives in a pluralistic society both in terms of religion and ethnicity. The method used is qualitative with a descriptive-analytic research approach. The research results show that the form of dialogue between religious communities at GKE Sion Basarang is work dialogue and theological dialogue, meanwhile there are two stages in the dialogue process between religious communities, namely the first stage takes place spontaneously because church members live side by side in a pluralistic society and the The second is systematic because it is carried out through meetings between religious leaders, namely priests and other religious leaders.

Christopher C. Knight: “Eastern Orthodoxy and the Science–Theology Dialogue”

Book review of Christopher C. Knight: “Eastern Orthodoxy and the Science–Theology Dialogue” by Doru Costache

Exploring the Concept of “Kalimāt” in the Quran and Hadith: A Preliminary Survey of Relevant Issues and Literature

The term “kalimah,” as found in both the Quran and hadith, has engendered significant scholarly discourse due to its multifaceted definitions and theological implications. The extant body of literature scrutinises various aspects of kalimah, encompassing its linguistic explications, its attribution to Allah, its juxtaposition with human utterance, and its correlation with cosmic order and the broader universe. Furthermore, the surveyed materials underscore the paramount importance of comprehending the myriad forms and applications of kalimah within the Quran and hadith. Scholars have delved into its grammatical intricacies, didactic significance, and diverse connotations. Additionally, the interplay between kalimah and the divine ordinances governing the universe, often referred to as al-sunan al-ilāhiyyah, has been a subject of contemplation and interpretation. In a broader context, the literature on kalimah serves as an exemplar of the expansive domain of Islamic scholarship and the unceasing pursuit to fathom the profound concepts embedded in Islamic scripture. The study demonstrates a profound awareness of the intricate nature inherent in the concept of kalimah, transcending not only the religious context but also within the domain of linguistic scholarship. The concept of kalimah is deeply intertwined with several other pertinent debates within the academic sphere. These encompass discussions concerning the nature and discipline of kalām in Islamic theology, the exploration of divine attributes, and the examination of the concept of jawāmiʿ al-kalim (compact speech) attributed to the Prophet Muḥammad. This literature review lays the foundational groundwork for forthcoming systematic inquiries and theological dialogues pertaining to kalimah, thereby augmenting the comprehension of devout Muslims, and fostering a deeper connection to their religious heritage.