Theological Dimensions Research Articles

Sergii Sannikov, Signs of Presence. The Lord’s Supper Within the Baptist Sacramentology

The monograph by Serhiy Sannikov, "Signs of Presence: The Lord’s Supper in the Context of Baptist Sacramentology", explores the theology of the Eucharist within the Baptist tradition, examining its spiritual and theological dimensions. This work is part of a trilogy addressing core Baptist practices, with prior volumes covering baptism and future volumes focusing on ordination. The author connects his research to broader global theological trends, addressing the evolving spiritual needs in postmodern and emerging contexts.

THE MADHHABİAN TENDENCY OF AHMAD YASSAWİ

Khoja Ahmad Yassawi (1041-1166), who lived in the region of Turkestan (Central Asia) in the 11th and 12th centuries, was a highly respected and influential scholar among the Turkic peoples, who formed the cornerstones of Turkish national identity, and was also the founder of Turkish Sufism. We see that the Sufi activity caused the Turkic peoples living in the Turkistan region to create a new civilisation of their own. If the jurisprudential dimension of Ahl al-Sunnah in Turkestan was formed by Hanafism and Shafi'ism, and the theological dimension was formed by Asharism and Māturīdism, the mystical dimension of Ahl al-Sunnah in the region was mainly formed by the Sufism understanding shaped around the Yassawiyya, Kubraviyya and Naqshibandiyya views. Therefore, Ahmad Yassawi's madhhabian tendency should be compatible with Hanafiism and his religious views should be compatible Maturidiism views. At the same time, Ahmad Yassawi's political perception should naturally be shaped in the Hanafi-Maturidi line of thought. There are various claims made by various researchers about Yassawi's basic religious orientation. However, in order to present the subject with an accurate opinion, the first thing we need to do is to base ourselves on the own works of the person to be investigated. Because this is the complementary nature of scientific research. For this reason, in this research, his own works, which are considered the first sources regarding Yassawi's teachings, will be taken as basis. The article reaches the conclusion that the fiqh, creedal and political views of Ahmad Yassawi originate from the knowledge of Ahl al-Sunnah wal Jama'at. In our opinion, it is possible to determine Ahmad Yassawi's madhhabian tendencies based on his works that have survived to the present day. İn the article, based on his own works, the fiqh, belief and political aspects of Ahmad Yassawi's madhhabian tendency will be determined by using the descriptive method and textual analysis methods.

O que é religião pura? Uma reflexão em Tiago 1,26-27

This study explores the concept of “pure and undefiled religion” in Jas 1,26-27, a central passage of the epistle that emphasizes the relevance of practical faith, evidenced through concrete actions. It is one of the seven texts referred to as catholic, universal, general, or non-Pauline letters, written by apostles from the group of twelve (James, Peter, John, and Jude). These texts may be small in size but hold immense significance in contributing to the Christian faith. The research begins with a detailed textual and critical analysis, aiming to understand the essential aspects of the definition of religion presented by James. Two fundamental components are investigated: the care for orphans and widows, representing the commitment to the most vulnerable in society, and the act of keeping oneself unstained by the world, reflecting the need for maintaining a morally upright life. The study offers a theological and exegetical reflection on these precepts, analyzing their ethical implications for Christian life and religious practice. This analysis examines the practical and theological dimensions emerging from the text, focusing on the integration of faith and works as defended by the author of the epistle. Additionally, the work seeks to contextualize James' teachings within the reality of the early Christian communities and reflects on their relevance to contemporary Christianity. For this purpose, the text of Jas 1,26-27 is presented in Greek and Portuguese translation, followed by a textual criticism and a biblical-theological-pastoral analysis, drawing conclusions for Christian life in various contemporary communities.

A Systematic Review of Studies on David Almond’s Young Adult Novels

This systematic review examines existing research on David Almond’s young adult novels, aiming to identify scholarly gaps in the field and guide future research. This review demonstrates that critical attention predominantly focused on the following aspects: magical realism, narrative complexity, radical space and landscape, religious and theological dimensions, the construction of age, and educational issues. Emerging interdisciplinary approaches offer promising avenues for future exploration. These include digital humanities methods, and the integration of age studies, life course studies, and literary studies to investigate the construction of age and intergenerational relationships in Almond’s works, particularly evident in research published in 2024. The review concludes with specific gaps in Almond’s scholarship that may guide future research.

Psalmsic Prophecies as Evidence that Jesus is the Messiah

This journal article explores the prophecies found in the Book of Psalms, employing a hermeneutical research method to argue that these prophecies serve as substantial evidence for the claim that Jesus is the Messiah. Through a detailed examination of key Psalms traditionally considered messianic, the article highlights the historical, literary, and theological dimensions of these texts, demonstrating their fulfillment in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Book of Psalms, a central text in the Hebrew Bible, contains numerous passages that have been interpreted as prophetic references to the coming Messiah. This article aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of these Psalms, employing hermeneutics to uncover their messianic significance and to present a compelling case for Jesus of Nazareth as the fulfillment of these ancient prophecies. Using the hermeneutical research method, this study examines the Psalms through multiple lenses: historical context, literary analysis, theological exegesis, canonical context, and reception history. This multifaceted approach ensures a thorough understanding of the text and its implications. Through hermeneutical analysis, this article provides substantial evidence that the messianic prophecies in the Psalms find their fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The convergence of historical, literary, and theological insights underscores the coherence and credibility of the claim that Jesus is the promised Messiah. This study not only enriches our understanding of the Psalms but also strengthens the theological foundation for Christian belief in Jesus as the Messiah.

The theological dimension of selected Polish Easter songs

The theology of Polish Easter hymns focuses on the mystery of Christ’s resurrection and is directed towards the eschatological dimension of human existence. Through the victory of the Son of God over sin, death and Satan, man has an open gate to eternal life. Easter songs are rooted in the biblical account of the Lord’s resurrection and are a form of prayer expressed both during and outside the liturgy, and should therefore bring the faithful closer to God. The oldest hymns, dating back to the 14th century, were composed throughout the centuries of the existence of the Polish nation and state, and often referred to the historical and social situation of Poles, especially during the partitions. However, their content and melody have always expressed the essence of man’s faith in the resurrection of Christ and the hope of eternal life.

Chartism’s Critical Carbon Theology: What Fossil Power’s Nineteenth-Century Demonizers Contribute to the Ethics of Energy Justice Today

Recent scholarship on religion and energy highlights the religious attachments some groups of people form with fossil fuels that have served to facilitate their extraction and use in building socially and economically stratified worlds. This scholarship foregrounds the business owners, managers, scientists, inventors, industrial spokespersons, and other panegyrists of the beneficent, civilizing power of coal and oil. However, little research to date has examined the religious attachments formed with fossil fuels by those who mined them, labored with machines powered by them, and lived in places that were diminished to extract, burn, and waste them. This article builds on the work of Andreas Malm and Terra Schwerin Rowe to examine these “critical carbon theologies”. It focuses in particular on the theological themes in popular literature produced by the nineteenth-century British Chartist movement—the first great social movement led by those who experienced in their bodies, communities, and environments the traumas that accompanied the introduction of fossil fuels as a motive power. These Chartist activist-theologians condemned coal power as a demonic force in history and envisioned a way to exorcize an industrializing society of its demons. This article uncovers and evaluates the largely overlooked theological dimensions of this movement and applies them toward a consideration of the ethics of energy transition today.

The Ecstasy of Desire: Some Notes on Asceticism and the Church of England's Living in Love and Faith

Recently the General Synod of the Church of England agreed to approve liturgical resources— Prayers of Love and Faith—for blessing same-sex couples. This decision was the result of a long process of discernment concerning matters of sexuality and identity called Living in Love and Faith. This article aims to critique some of the background ethical and theological assumptions at work in the Living in Love and Faith resources, specifically the way the role of asceticism is conceived in them. I argue that while there are promising references to formation of desire through discipline and restraint in the LLF resources, their ascetic intuitions remain limited to world-related goods, neglecting the significance of bodily practices for God-related goods and for our final flourishing. Paying attention to the theological dimensions of Christian ascetic practice will also reveal the importance of concrete limitations for ascetic formation of desire. I argue that such limits are required for unravelling the transcendent capacities of human desire. At the end of the article, I make some suggestions as to how the revitalisation of not just ethical but theological ascetic praxis can be helpful in navigating the Church of England's current disagreement with respect to same-sex unions.

KAJIAN TEOLOGI PADA UPACARA KEMATIAN DI BALI

This paper discusses the theological dimensions of the Ngaben death ritual in Bali, focusing on the relationship between Hindu concepts of divinity as outlined in Tattwa texts and the implementation of death rituals. In Hindu theology, the understanding of Brahman, both in its Nirguna (without attributes) and Saguna (with attributes) forms, plays a significant role in shaping the spiritual goals of Balinese Hindus related to eschatology and the attainment of moksha. Through an analysis of texts such as Yama Purana Tattwa and Wrhaspati Tattwa, this article examines the meaning and purpose of Ngaben as a ritual for purifying the soul and releasing material elements. This research finds that, although there is a hope for the unification of the soul with God (moksha), the practice of Ngaben is more focused on Bhakti and Karma Marga, which emphasize the existential duality between atman (individual soul) and Brahman, in accordance with the Dvaita Vedanta approach. This indicates a difference between the theological concept of union with God in moksha and its implementation in death rituals in Bali.about the importance of the results or conclusions brief.

A Theological Framework for Understanding Hope in the Clinic

Abstract Appeals to the miraculous are common in healthcare, and arguments about end-of-life decision-making can quickly become theological. Assessments of hope have been recommended within the biopsychosocialspiritual model of medicine, but these assessments fail to account for the theological dimension of hope. Examples of failed assessments include recent efforts in palliative care and classic works, such as On Death and Dying by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross. To adequately address the patient’s and family members’ hopes without patronizing or harming the patient, assessments must be done by a person trained in theology.

Inkulturasi dalam Pertunjukan Wayang Wahyu: Katekese Iman Melalui Seni

After the Second Vatican Council, the Church showed an open attitude towards local cultural influences as an integral part of its pastoral mission. In Indonesia, the Church responded to this current by adopting various forms of inculturation that went beyond ritual and worship aspects. Br. L. Timotius Wignyosubroto, FIC, responded to this challenge by developing the concept of Wayang Wahyu as an innovative means of faith catechesis through art. Through the establishment of the Ngajab Rahayu group in Surakarta, Wayang Wahyu became a medium that combines elements of traditional Wayang Kulit art with biblical narratives from the Old and New Testaments, as well as religious figures such as the founder of the Order and saints. In every Wayang Wahyu performance, theological dimensions are manifested, such as the Trinity, Christology, Pneumatology, Ecclesiology, and Anthropology. Wayang Wahyu is not just a performing art, but also a creative instrument to instill Christian values and deepen faith catechesis in the local cultural context.

Dimensi Teologi Pendidikan Islam Dalam Al Quran

This research analyzes the theological dimensions of Islamic education in the Koran. The research method uses a qualitative type of literature survey (secondary). The data source in this research is to look for literary sources related to the theological dimensions of Islamic education in the Al-Quran in the form of literature studies of various reliable information related to existing problems such as books, magazines, and written materials discussing the substance of God. from all its aspects and its connection with nature. The research results show that theology always means discourse or talk about God. The educational dimensions of human nature and its unique potential are as follows. There are four dimensions: Individual Dimensions, Social Dimensions, Dimensions of Decency, and Religious Dimensions. Possible educational areas for improvement are complete development and incomplete development. The basis of Islamic education is the Koran. Hadith and Ijma.

Substituting Anthropomorphisms?

Abstract With the theological dimensions of the Septuagint (LXX) gaining interest, this paper focuses on anthropomorphisms—instances attributing human-like traits to God—as a noteworthy element of LXX-theology, where the avoidance of such attributions is considered indicative of a more transcendent conception of God. The article examines the anthropomorphism of God’s “mouth” in the Pentateuch, particularly the unique translation in Num 20:24. Doing so, the study reveals a discrepancy in translating the human and divine “mouth,” employing more literal equivalents for the former and less-literal equivalents for the latter, contributing to the characterization of LXX-Numbers as anti-anthropomorphic. The examination of Num 20:24, where a different Vorlage is posited, underscores the importance of meticulous analysis in understanding the Greek translation of anthropomorphisms, and suggests the need for nuanced assessments.

PLATFORM EKONOMİSİ, SÜRDÜRÜLEBİLİRLİK, SİMBİYOZ, KAYNAK VERİMLİLİĞİ, YENİLENEBİLİR ENERJİ VE DÖNGÜSEL EKONOMİNİN KESİŞİMLERİ

At the center of global change is the rise of platform economy, sustainability, green economy, industrial symbiosis, circular economies, industry 4.0 paradigm, and resource efficiency models, which appear in an interrelated conceptual confusion of innovative paradigms. These emerging platforms and the competitive dynamics in the network society revolve around collecting and analyzing data from their interactions to achieve network effects, attracting users to a platform that can generate socio-economic value with environmental sensitivities. This study argues that the circular economy, platform economy, renewable energy and resource efficiency have intersections and close relations with digitalization. It is tried to identify the points of harmony and intersections in this field's great confusion of concepts. In addition, it is argued that the digitization accelerated by Industry 4.0, supports a more sustainable circular economy, platform economies, and therefore industrial symbiosis, and solutions are suggested for the perfect order by revealing the close linear inter-relationships. This study examines the impact of digitalization, circular economies, and sustainability on the development of more efficient processes. It aims to mimic the wasteless and flawless order found in the universe to reduce waste, transaction costs, and ensure the production of healthier products. Here, it is argued that the environmental and intelligent engineering of Industry 4.0 should be guided by a more sustainable, symbiotic, platform-based, digital, and circular operating way and should include theological dimensions besides the material production dimension.

Laut Dalam Perspektif Teologi Hindu Pada Susastra Jawa Kuno

The ocean is in an increasingly severe ecological crisis, which has an impact on the crisis of the universe at large. The attitude of people who are increasingly moving away from tradition and traditional sources of reference and prioritizing worldliness is thought to be one of the causes of the marine crisis. Therefore, efforts to encourage people to manage the sea more wisely must continue to be encouraged. This article aims to examine the local wisdom of the sea in ancient Javanese literature from the perspective of Hindu theology and to contribute to raising public awareness through a more complete and comprehensive understanding of the sea. The method used in the research is a qualitative method using Old Javanese literary texts as the main data source. The reading method was used in data collection assisted by the techniques of script transfer, language transfer, and recording. Data analysis was carried out by applying the content analysis method based on the working principles of semiotic theory. The result found is that the narrative of the sea in Old Javanese literature has a Hindu theological dimension. The sea is understood in a cross-section of Hindu theology starting with the awareness of the Impersonal God (Nirguna Brahman) by calling God Sang Hyang Adisuksma, towards the awareness of the Personal God (Saguna Brahman) by calling God as Lord Baruna, worshiped as an istadewata whose role is to control the laws of the universe (rta). The sea (segara) is glorified as a pair of mountains (giri) in the conception of segara-giri is a sacred axis in Hindu life, both as a source of life, a source of disaster and disease and a source of liberation. The theological construction of Old Javanese literature is imbued with Hindu theology as mandated by the Vedas.

Political theology from the global south: Enrique Dussel and the poetics of liberation

In recent decades, thinkers like Alain Badiou, Slavoj Žižek, and Giorgio Agamben have argued for a serious political engagement with early Christian thought and its emphasis on collectivity and community. Notwithstanding their important theoretical contributions, these writers often remain within a limited Eurocentric framework, foreclosing the possibility of a truly decolonial political theology. Crucially, their relatively recent reappraisals tend to ignore important precursors of Christian Marxism from the Global South, namely liberation theology and the philosophy of liberation, as elaborated by the Latin American philosopher Enrique Dussel. This essay contextualizes Dussel’s liberational thought in the contexts of political theology and literary representation. It pays particular attention to Dussel’s study of the Theological Metaphors of Marx by synthesizing a model of literary inquiry based on his philosophy and applying it to a reading of counter-hegemonic poetry by the Caribbean poet Pedro Mir, namely his long poem “Countersong to Walt Whitman.” This reading makes explicit the implicit theological dimension of Mir’s poetic text. Finally, the essay conceptualizes this interpretive model as a poetics of liberation: a mode of engagement with mutually determining discourses – politics, poetics, aesthetics – as well as a mode of reading which unravels the transformation of these discourses in lyrical forms. Writing from the periphery of the US empire, Mir therefore constructs a mode of address which arms itself with both political and theological discourses, however implicitly. To the empire’s miraculous state of exception, Mir counterpoises a redemptive state of rebellion.

A Theological Legitimation of Khusain Faizkhanov’s Pedagogical Project

This article deals with Khusain Faizkhanov (1823–1866) as an Islamic theologian. This aspect of his thought was rarely studied in numerous publications about his work — his orientalist or pedagogical heritage invariably came to the fore, in isolation from its religious roots. This is not accidental, since the thinker did not leave behind explicit theological works. Nevertheless, the complexity of the problem does not relieve us of the need to solve it. As will be shown below, without understanding the theological dimension of Faizkhanov’s thought, essential aspects of his educational activities are also missed. The thinker proposed a kind of theological legitimation of secular knowledge, which was important for him both on a personal level and in the context of social pragmatics. The social consequence of this legitimization, refl ected primarily in the project of reform of religious education, was to be the formation of an educated Muslim elite of the modern type.

Terrorism as a Unity of Destructive Ideology and its influence on Theology

This article delves into the intricate interplay between terrorism, its ideological underpinnings, and their intersection with theology within a national context. Employing the principles of activity, historicism, system-structural, and comparative methods, this research scrutinizes the essence of terrorism as a unified entity shaped by its ideological roots and theological influences. The primary findings highlight terrorism as a complex, systematically organized phenomenon, shedding light on its evolution from antecedent forms of destructive activities. Moreover, the study elucidates the constitution of terrorism, emphasizing its distinct ideological and theological dimensions, unravelling their profound impact on the national landscape. The implications of this study are far-reaching. Firstly, it contributes significantly to the theoretical advancements in understanding terrorism, extremism, and radicalism. Secondly, it offers actionable insights for practical interventions aimed at preempting and dismantling terrorist groups and cells. Lastly, it enriches educational curricula across disciplines like social philosophy, sociology, political science, and psychology. The novelty of this study lies in its holistic approach, viewing terrorism as an integrated system, and uncovering the evolutionary trajectory from earlier forms of destructive behavior. By exploring the amalgamation of ideology and theology within terrorism, this research breaks new ground, offering a comprehensive framework for understanding and addressing this complex socio-political phenomenon.

Origen of Alexandria and Human Dignity

Abstract In this paper, I respond to a recent article published in the Journal of Theological Studies, in which Matthijs den Dulk challenged a prevailing idea that Origen of Alexandria was a proponent of human dignity. Den Dulk takes a different approach by drawing attention to the language of race and ethnicity Origen used to contrast Christianity with other racial groups. Den Dulk argues that, rather than being a champion of human dignity, Origen provided a basis from which modern racist discourse emerged. I will count den Dulk’s argument and demonstrate 1.) how den Dulk fails to take into proper account the theological dimensions of Origen’s thought in the passages den Dulk selected to make his argument; and 2.) that Origen’s complementary notions of the human being created in the image of God and human freedom provide a framework from which we can develop a theology of human dignity in response to modern racist discourses.

Ego: An Epistemological Analysis of Self-Centric Consciousness Through Cultural Perspectives and Spiritual/Theological Dimensions in Hinduism and Buddhism

This Article probes into the profound intricacies of ego, a multifaceted paradigm of self-centric consciousness that has garnered significant scholarly interest across various disciplines, with a specific focus on its conceptualization within the cultural contexts of the religions of Hinduism and Buddhism. By drawing on philosophical and psychological theories, this rigorous exploration aims to elucidate the nuanced dimensions of ego, shedding light on its ontological essence and intricate interaction within the human psyche. Additionally, this article explores how the cultural context influences the conceptualization and experience of ego in Eastern philosophies and religions, such as Hinduism and Buddhism, in comparison to Western philosophical and psychological frameworks. The work also deliberates the spiritual and theological dimensions of ego, exploring how self-centric consciousness intersects with spiritual perspectives. Drawing on a range of spiritual traditions and theological perspectives, this comprehensive exploration aims to shed light on the diverse understandings and implications of ego within the realm of spirituality. By undertaking a comparative analysis, this research seeks to uncover the cultural variations in understanding ego, encompassing diverse perspectives on self-identity, interconnectedness, and the role of ego within these distinct traditions. By examining the influence of cultural context, this investigation contributes to a deeper comprehension of the cultural contingency of ego, ultimately enriching our understanding of this fundamental construct in the broader landscape of human consciousness and subjective experience.