Theological Issues Research Articles

Once Saved, Always Saved?

This theological paper explores the soteriology of ‘Once Save, Always Saved’ (OSAS) as it applies to the institutional and doctrinal teaching of Bible scripture. Scripture and its meaning are reliant on how readers, scholars, and teachers interpret words, phrases, and their intended meaning in the Bible. Moral conclusions of what scriptures are thought to mean must be carefully approached with contextual analysis of wording, taken from a comprehensive biblical analysis of all scripture, and not just one topical mention of a theological issue. This critical thinking analysis assiduously explores the requisite biblical scriptures which show that salvation is conditional, and that salvation comes with requirements. This paper offers an exegetical 10-point scriptural analysis with argument of how eternal salvation can be lost when the conditional requirements are not met or intentionally disregarded, and a person’s name is then blotted out of the Book of Life when all humankind is judged.

Analysis of Patristic Interpretation of the “Shema” in Deuteronomy 6:4-5

The Patristic period stands as a pivotal era in the development of Christian doctrine, marked by profound theological and philosophical debates. Amidst these discussions, the Shema in Deuteronomy 6:4-5 retains its central importance for both Jewish and Christian faith traditions, offering insights into the nature of God. This paper explored the Patristic interpretation of the Shema, highlighting the perspectives of the Alexandrian and Antiochene Schools of thought. Key theological issues addressed include the monotheistic concept of God, the symbolic significance of Israel, the unity of God, and the Trinitarian debate. A historical approach was used where the views of selected theologians were explored within their socio-cultural and political settings. Drawing from African perspectives, the study reflected on the enduring relevance of these theological inquiries for contemporary society. Ultimately, the theological insights garnered from Patristic interpretations continue to inform and enrich modern theological discourse, bridging the gap between ancient wisdom and contemporary understanding. Keywords: God, Patristic Era, Shema, Trinity

Theology as a factor of sociocultural development of society in the works of ‘Ata’ Allah Bayazitov

The article attempts to determine the role and historical significance of the innovative views of ‘Ata’ Allah Bayazitov (1846–1911) in the development of the cultural potential of the Tatar people. The author draws attention to the time and essence of innovations in traditional Russian Muslim society. A number of Tatar intellectuals laid down approaches and methods that met scientific requirements, tools suitable for discussing a new understanding and interaction of theological and philosophical knowledge. Innovators proposed new concepts of the theory of knowledge, aimed at revealing religious thought in its modern understanding: such as confidence in the human mind, the primacy of man, the immanence of God. Through understanding a number of conceptual issues of Islamic Theology, Tatar educational theologians developed methods for overcoming the ideological problems of the Muslim community. This, in turn, made it possible to lay the foundations for building a state-confessional dialogue. The author concludes that the paradigm of thinking built by the innovators was the need to implement divine instructions in social and production activities, and not just in the spiritual sphere. This is the key to the development of the cognitive function and the decisive criterion in the search for truth. Thus, we can observe the process of transformation of Theology from the medieval science of God into the modern science of faith.

Translational Neuroscience Contributes to Understanding Neurodevelopmental Outcomes of Dostoyevsky's "Brothers Karamazov" With Treatment Implications.

Dostoyevsky's novels raise profound ethical, moral, philosophical and theological issues and, as a result, both he and his novels serve as fertile subjects of scholarly inquiry across a variety of academic disciplines. In particular, major characters in "The Brothers Karamazov" lend themselves to classical psychodynamic formulations, such as the influence of adverse childhood experiences on adult social and occupational outcomes, which in the case of Dmitry, the eldest son of Fyodor Pavlovich Karamazov, are considered in exquisitely fine detail. Prosecutor and defense attorney provide differing interpretations of how early traumas, largely due to paternal neglect and abuse, affected Dmitry's adult outcome in the climactic trial over his alleged patricide. The novel also captures an extreme, and perhaps fanciful, description of an Oedipal rivalry between Dmitry and his father for the affection of a love interest leading to tragic and unpredictable consequences for both. The novel has been dissected by scholars across a variety of diverse and seemingly unrelated disciplines and continues to serve as a springboard for collaborative discussion. Re-reading the novel led the authors to wonder if translational developments in clinical neuroscience could further understanding of poor developmental trajectories of the novel's characters, as well as offer therapeutic recommendations for promoting more favorable occupational and social outcomes. Advances in basic neuroscience have been translated into actionable individualized, interdisciplinary, multimodal treatment plans leading to improved functional outcomes for children like Dmitry, Ivan, and Smerdyakov. Translational neuroscience enriches understanding of neurodevelopmental outcomes of characters in Dostoyevsky's novel "The Brothers Karamazov," especially in the context of genetic risk and in utero environmental insults.

Relations of Moturidi and Samarkandi

This article highlights the relationship between Moturidi and Samarkandi, with a focus on the work “Kitab as-savod al-azam” and its significant theological elements. The study explores the connection between the two scholars, investigating whether Hakim Samarkandi was a disciple of Moturidi or merely a contemporary. The article also examines the impact of “Kitab as-savod al-azam” on Moturidi theology and its relevance to traditional Hanafi doctrine. The research delves into the theological discourse between the two scholars, addressing conflicting views on various theological issues.

Медиатизированный дискурс православного студенчества об РПЦ

The article is devoted to the analysis of the modern Orthodox conservative mediatized discourse among student bloggers on the Telegram messenger platform. The relevance of the study lies in the lack of development of both the topic of mediatization of Orthodoxy and the topic of studying Orthodox conservatism in modern sociology. The study of this phenomenon in the work took place through the prism of a conceptual approach, which received the name "mediatization of religion" in scientific sociological literature. The scientific problem is that studies of the mediatization of Orthodoxy are no longer a new field, but their number is still small. A large number of religious groups that are currently forming and functioning are outside the field of view of researchers. The figurative approach, which took shape in the German school of studying mediatization, was chosen as the research method. The figurative approach re-actualizes the concept of “figuration” by Norbert Elias and considers modern communicative figuration in media through four components: communicative practices, media ensemble, frame of relevance and constellation of actors. The communicative figuration of modern Orthodox conservatism in the Telegram messenger was taken as the basis of our study, since this platform provides opportunities for discussion on social and theological issues. The purpose of the article is to describe this communicative figuration through its four components. In this regard, the objectives of the study were: a description of the context of formation and features of the modern stage of studying the mediatization of Orthodoxy; a characteristic of the 4 components of the communicative figuration of modern Orthodox conservatism among young people. The empirical part of the study was based on a series of expert, semi-structured interviews with the authors of Telegram channels included in the youth category and who are students of higher educational institutions. In total, 30 interviews were collected from March to August 2024, of which 5 were selected for the article. The results of the study demonstrated that at the moment there is a constellation of actors of modern Orthodox conservatism, in the youth pole of which a group of students can be distinguished. Orthodox conservative students build their own identity, based on the Orthodox tradition, but only in the form of moral prescriptions. They are practically not integrated into the existing structures of the Russian Orthodox Church. The frame of relevance of the communicative figuration of Orthodox conservatism considers Orthodoxy as an integral part of modern Russian culture and humanitarian science. But in the frame, there is also an opposition to liberalism, including church liberalism, which occurs on issues of the foundations of society.

Nicaea at 1700: Roots and Branches in African Christianity

Call for papers for a themed issue of African Christian Theology (September 2025).

Neo-Hasidism: The Questions are Theological

Abstract The article opens with a brief definitional and historical summary of the phenomenon called Neo-Hasidism, referring to the adoption of Hasidic modes of thought, devotion, and praxis by Jews outside the traditional Hasidic communities. This is to be distinguished from Neo-Hasidism as a literary-artistic movement of the early twentieth century. The article then turns to what the author considers to be Hasidism’s most basic religious innovation, the popularization of a panentheistic notion of a God-infused universe and its implications for Hasidic Judaism. From here, he turns to some key theological issues as presented in early Hasidic sources, extensively quoted and referenced. These include concepts of God, revelation, mitzvot, and claims of religious exclusivism. In each case, he asks how this Hasidic view might be adapted for use in a contemporary neo-Hasidic context.

Decoloniality in Theology Today: The Quest to Liberate United Theological College’s Curriculum from Foreign God Talk

United Theological College is one of the oldest and largest ecumenical institutions in Southern Africa. The institution brings together six Protestant churches in Zimbabwe. For years, the institution produced competent theologians. Unfortunately, these theologians drunk from some foreign theological calabashes whose contents are divorced from the Zimbabwean realities. The College had been clinging to the Western, far distant, and neighbouring African theologies and theologians for its curriculum forgetting to scratch where Zimbabweans are itching. This collection of different theologies into one combination was an attempt by the College to equip students with diversified theologies from different sociopolitical, economic, and religious environments, ignoring that the context is divorced from Zimbabwe’s milieu. This paper sought to invoke the institution’s continual addressing of contextual theological issues using borrowed theological epistemologies. Using a decolonial framework and qualitative research methodology, the paper challenged the institution to decolonise its curriculum by liberating it from armchair theories of foreign God talk. Structurally, the paper discussed the theoretical framework, methodology, and identity of the College and proceeded to present the curriculum of the institution and the findings from the interviews with special reference to four modules. The paper stressed that the perpetual pontification of foreign theological themes by the institution will continue to create theologians whose heads and the body are separated. The conclusion challenged the College to decolonise its curriculum and advocate for a theology that speaks with the language and idioms of the Zimbabwean milieu regardless of the challenges associated with the move. This paper contributes significantly to scholarship as it challenges United Theological College to use relevant resources to do theology. Keywords: Decoloniality, Theology, Liberate, United Theological College, Curriculum, God Talk

Confirmation of the Spiritual Nature of Individual and Society in Yevhen Spektorskyi’s Works of the Emigrant Period

The article presents the main issues of the works by the famous philosopher, jurist and educator Yevhen Vasyliovych Spektorskyi (1875‒1951) written during the period of forced emigration (1920‒1951) and professional activity at the universities of Belgrade, Prague, Ljubljana and the St. Volodymyr Orthodox Theological Seminary in New-York. In the intellectual biography of the thinker, these prolific years are marked by the development of issues in social science, philosophy, moral theology, and Christian ethics. In numerous works in various foreign languages, some of which have been analyzed in this article for the first time, Spektorskyi substantiated the importance of moral — as opposed to physical and mental — dimension of the existence of both individuals and society, for which he regarded the Christian religion to be a reference point. The latter, in his opinion, can truly explore the essence of the individual and social with the help of Christian sociology. The history of social philosophy is essential for social science as well as philosophy itself. Positioned between science and religion, philosophy has the capacity for free thinking, which is crucial for achieving a genuine understanding of society. As it is revealed in the article, the philosopher developed ethical guidelines within the framework of moral theology, criticizing naturalistic and mechanistic approaches to understanding society and the individual. Spektorskyi regarded freedom, dignity, and a righteous life according to the Christian ideal, as well as cultural activity, as fundamental values. The author argues that Spektorskyi’s affirmation of absolute values and the study of the relationship between the individual and society on the basis of the Christian religion provide grounds for evaluating Spektorskyi as an exceptionally religious philosopher.

Adolescent theology trauma: exploring the relationship between traumatic experiences and juvenile delinquency in ‘the troublemaker: raise your gang’ game

ABSTRACT The gameplay of ‘The Troublemaker: Raise Your Gang’ portrays the stereotypical behavior of Indonesian adolescents, characterized by the use of profanity, violent activities, and participation in gang-related activities. The Theology of Trauma from the perspectives of Karen O'Donnell, Jennifer Baldwin, and Yohanes Krismantyo Susanta used to analyze this reality so that Christianity can view it as a theological issue that needs to be resolved. The author argues that analyzing the theology of trauma in the game Trouble Maker: Raise Your Gang will provide an unexposed perspective on the correlation of trauma experience as a trigger for juvenile delinquency. This analysis aims to assist the Church in effectively ministering to adolescents stigmatized as troublemakers.

Gods and people in literature and philosophy. God by the picture of human or human by the picture of god? Homeric vision of reality versus Heraclitus’ vision of reality

The article deals with the theological issues of Homer and Heraclitus. The analysis of the works of Homer and the philosophical thought of Heraclitus serves to compare and contrast them extracting significant differences regarding the image of god and man. The author develops both literary and philosophical understanding of gods. She compares the man-god relationship in early Greek literature and philosophy. There is an interesting intrinsic tension in the literary tropes that can only be understood if the religious function of this literature is taken into account. The author tries to describe the vision of the world and the place of human beings in it in both sources: literature and philosophy. In philosophical writings, there can be seen a movement in the vision of the world structure: the gods become more inaccessible to humans, but humans gain the opportunity to become godlier if they follow a proper set of thoughts and actions proposed by philosophy. Religious poets were speaking of the past when the gods were approachable to people. Their fantasies were often mixed with old beliefs so that the divine-human world has as much wonder and eccentricity as dread. Philosophy conquers not only minds but also hearts, to convey them towards the ideal, bearing in mind the unattainable model of a virtuous man. While religion describes gods similar to humans, philosophy forges a new god-resemblant human figure.

Dynamics of Islamic Theological Thought Development in the Classical Period

The discourse surrounding the issue of classical Islamic theology that has developed so far is: First, that the emergence of schools in Islamic theology was predominantly due to political factors, even though if explored more deeply it turns out that differences in methods of thinking were the main factor; Second, there is an assumption that mutaqaddimin scholars understand theological verses in the Koran textually and do not understand them rationally, even though in reality many Muslim theologians interpret these theological verses rationally and freely. Based on these two issues, this article will reveal the dynamics of Islamic theological thinking of Islamic scholars in the classical period. The aim is to find the significance of the influence of the thinking activities of Muslim theologians during the classical period on the growth and development of Islamic theological thought and the birth of firqahs in Islamic theology during that period.

Vincent van Gogh’s Theological Chromatology: A Critical Reader of the Bible from His Option for the Poor Avant la Lettre

The aim of this article is to show how Vincent van Gogh developed a theological reflection that is mainly present in his paintings with religious motifs. This reflection is the fruit of his religious experience, which combines his spirituality with a social commitment to the miners in Borinage, Belgium, which can be seen as an option for the poor avant la lettre in the 19th century. This experience, far from strengthening his institutional relationship, rather provoked a critical attitude towards the theological discourse of the ecclesial context in which he lived and led the aspiring pastor to become a genius in painting. His theological interpretation as a critical reader of the Bible can be translated into what will be called here a theological chromatology, to be identified through the intersection of letters and paintings of Vincent van Gogh. Given the influence of the Dutch painter genius on contemporary culture, the process through which his reflection on the religious and theological issue emerges can be seen as a significant element in understanding the present in post-secular societies.

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.

Menjelajahi Fenomena Sosial Dalam Pendididkan dan Teologi: Tantangan dan Peluang

Social phenomena and contextual issues in education and theology will discuss various contemporary social phenomena that influence the education and theology system, giving rise to contextual issues that arise in current educational and theological practices, the impact of social phenomena and contextual issues in education and theology on the development of society and religion. As well as things that can respond effectively to existing social challenges and contextual issues. In compiling this article, the author used descriptive qualitative methods. The descriptive qualitative method is a research method that creates systematic, factual and accurate descriptions (words) and images regarding the facts being investigated. The author looks for supporting facts through previous research from journals or books in accordance with the problems raised based on the findings. findings, facts and literature that support finding solutions to existing problems. This concerns cultural and religious diversity, issues of morality in the digital era. And not only that, the impact of social phenomena and contextual issues will be discussed, including the contextual meaning and purpose of education and theology, the context that shapes educational and theological theories, how do we do education and theology in a context like this? That is, being a witness to society , building dialogue between religious communities, creating harmony. The social phenomena and contextual issues in education and theology are such that the challenges in these two fields are often interrelated. Education must be responsive to social change and consider contextual issues, while theology also needs to understand social dynamics to provide views that are relevant in the context of life. The synergy between education and theology can help shape a more inclusive society and a deeper understanding of human values.

Anthropological Terms in Chinese Biblical Translations: The Interplay between Catholic and Protestant Versions in Response to Chinese Traditional Cultures

Notwithstanding the considerable attention that Chinese Bible translations have attracted, some important theological issues have been ignored for a long time, one of which is anthropology. The present article focuses on the Chinese rendering of terms in this category. From the attempts in the first three Catholic versions, the Western theory of soul introduced by Matteo Ricci began to influence the connotation of ling 靈 in Chinese biblical texts, though anima and spiritus had not been distinguished or the translations were still obscure in these renditions. Robert Morrison’s version, though heavily dependent on Jean Basset’s translation, was also indebted to Emmanuel Diaz and Louis A. de Poirot in its dichotomous anthropology, developing a ling–rou 靈–肉 (lit. spirit–flesh) dichotomous discourse with his conceptualization of ling 靈. Initiated by the “second generation” of Protestant Bible translators, the renderings of pneuma/ruach and sarx/basar took the indigenized approach that culminated in the Delegates’ Version of the Bible. With the assistance of some Chinese scholars in completing this version, Medhurst launched a dialogue between Christian anthropology and Chinese traditional outlooks of human beings by emphasizing the concepts of shen 身 and xin 心, which had long-lasting popularity in later versions of the Chinese Bible.

Theological Issues in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: Towards “AI Theology” for Mission

Theological Issues in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: Towards “AI Theology” for Mission

Loser Takes All: Graham Greene’s Theological Puzzle Box

Abstract Graham Greene’s novella Loser Takes All has been unfairly ignored in the critical literature. Rather than the mere frivolity it is taken to be, it is a humorous examination of some serious theological issues. By means of an inversion of Pascal’s Great Wager, Greene makes the case that attempts to rationalize the mystery that is the object of our faith will cheapen and diminish that faith. In the course of so doing, he alludes to and has fun with his earlier works, particularly Brighton Rock, and critiques the inversion of the Wager by Albert Camus. He shows the influence of Miguel de Unamuno, who years later would influence Greene’s Monsignor Quixote. Greene also invokes a poem by Charles Baudelaire, which Greene has quoted in many works, that the possibility of damnation adds meaning to life, though it may drift into what von Balthasar called Greene’s indulgence of the mystique of sin.

Reincarnation Christology in African Christian Theology

The subject of reincarnation has been considered a reserve of primal (esoteric) religions or cultures. Therefore, it has not been thoroughly studied to decipher the philosophical and theological issues thereof. Notwithstanding, what seems to be the total neglect and lack of interest, the significance of christological parallelism that exists between reincarnation and resurrection as Christological parallels in both African Traditional Religion and African Christianity cannot be disregarded. Reincarnation Christology provides a paradigmatic christological framework that conceptualises Africa’s notion of life as a cycle of death, birth, and rebirth (reincarnation) similar to incarnation, death, and resurrection Christologies of the missionary (Western) Christianity and provides a competitive context that defines the identity, and significance of Jesus in African Christianity and Theology. Even though reincarnation provides a good context for the Christology of Jesus in African traditional religion, Christianity, and Biblical Theology, theologians and biblical scholars such as Mbiti, Bediako, Nyamiti, Wiredu, and Gyekye failed to give it any attention. Nevertheless, the article argued that, like incarnation, death, and resurrection Christologies, reincarnation Christology provides very powerful and strong philosophical constructs for the inculturation of the Christology of Jesus in African Traditional Religion, African Christianity and African Christian Biblical scholarship. The article further argued that, there also exists a strong parallelism between resurrection and reincarnation Christologies which can provide complementing philosophical paradigmatic framework for the christological nomenclatures in Christianity and African traditional religions. Keywords: Christianity, Theology, Reincarnation, Christology, Resurrection, Inculturation, Ancestor, Decolonisation.