Theological Issues Research Articles

Islamic Theology in the Context of Attack and Defense Debates

Many of the details of the issues of Islamic theology were not present in the prophetic era, so when they appeared in the later ages, the school of hadiths stood against them. They saw that studying these issues would harm the Muslim's Islamic belief. In addition to this, these issues are considered heresy that was not reported from the Prophet. The School of the Salaf has many books in warning against heresies and Ahl Kalam. These books were characterized by textuality; Meaning it is full of verses from the Qur'an and hadiths from the Sunnah. There is another group that saw theology as a necessary science in Islam, which every Muslim must learn. Because the Qur’an condemns imitation and the belief of the imitator is a belief that is not based on scientific foundations, but is inherited from parents and grandparents. As for theology, it helps the believer to strengthen his faith by building this faith on clear and strong foundations, and thus the Muslim's faith becomes strong thanks to this knowledge. In addition, the verses of the Qur’an have commanded the Muslim to exercise his intellect, think and consider the universe. As for the fact that theological issues were not mentioned in the Prophet’s era, that is because they were not in the era of the prophet, and if they were in the era of the prophet, he would have talked about them. The same logic applies to detailed jurisprudence issues, as many jurisprudence issues did not appear in the Prophet’s era. But when the need arose to deal with such issues in detail, scholars studied them and wrote many books on them. There are some scholars, such as Al-Ghazali and Ibn Arabi, who have said that the ruling on theology differs according to the person. For example, a simple, ordinary man should not study issues of theology; Because it would be harmful to him in his faith. While Al-Ghazali considered that the study of theology is obligatory for the specialist and the seeker of knowledge in Islam. Ibn Taymiyyah is considered one of the most knowledgeable scholars of hadith who saw the prohibition of studying theology. But despite this, Ibn Taymiyyah studied theology and philosophical sciences in-depth and produced different opinions from the school of hadith. After Ibn Taymiyya came scholars who were nothing more than imitators and summaries of his books. Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab was at the head of these scholars, so he was interested in summarizing Ibn Taymiyyah's books and publishing them among the people.

Marlowe and Prayer

This article argues that Marlowe's persuasive dramatic poetry, the admired but also ridiculed “mighty line,” is closely related to Marlowe's theological training in general and to prayer in particular. The conventions of sincere prayer alluded to in the Good Angel’s line to Faustus in II.i.16 seem deliberately to be pitted against the friars’ traditional or “Catholic,” prayer-like incantation to expell him. Why there has been little focus on this aspect of Marlowe’s grounding in biblical style is hard to tell, especially when there has been such interest in contemporary theological issues in general. This may be so because of Marlowe’s preference for daring topics and because of his reputation as a “reckless” young man about town and a figure associated more readily with the spectacular accusations launched by Robert Greene or John Baines, than with his years of study in theology and related subjects at Corpus Christi in Cambridge.

NASLAR VE İNSAN FITRATI BAKIMINDAN TEKLİF-İ MÂLÂ-YUTÂK’IN KONUMU

Whether it is permissible for Allah to impose responsibilities beyond his power and possibilities is one of the most controversial theological issues. The Mu'tazila, who gave full freedom and right of choice to people in their actions, described the proposal divine offer that could not be achieved as cruelty in line with this understanding. Since Allah's doing evil/bad and ugly things like cruelty is incompatible with His attribute of justice, he did not consider the proposal divine offer that could not be achieved permissible. In the Ash'arī view, which states that Allah can do whatever He wishes by acting out of His infinite will and power, and that to say otherwise would limit Him, it is argued that the divine offer that could not be achieved, is permissible. The first of these views seems to be compatible with the scriptures and the characteristics of human nature such as mind, will, power and conscience. For, it is permissible for Allah to use his infinite knowledge, will and power against the human being whom He has created with helpless, weak and limited means -even if it remains in theory- without considering any principles such as wisdom, justice and fairness, and to impose things that he cannot overcome, according to the scriptures, divine justice, wisdom, compassion is incompatible with scriptures, and it is also incompatible with the verses of taysīr, which state that Islām is a religion of ease. Mu'tazila, who does not consider it permissible for Allah to impose obligations on His servants that exceed their power and possibilities, has easily justified this view in terms of reason, and has succeeded in making this justification consistently with the verses that he has given evidence for. This understanding, which draws attention to the fact that Allah not only imposes responsibilities on people that they cannot do, but also facilitates them in what they can do, has been able to present the verses about the ease aspect of Islam as evidence supporting the view of divine offer. In fact, considering the non-supporting structures of the taysīr verses and the divine offer, which cannot be achieved, it is understood that those who accept one should reject the other, and what Mu'tazila did is valuable and meaningful in this respect. On the one hand, the same cannot be said for Ash'arīyya, who emphasizes that Allah facilitates His servants in religious matters in the interpretation of the taysīr verses, and on the other hand, insisting on the validity of the divine offer, which could not be realized in practice, but based some other verses on it. Ash'arīyyah, who has a transmission-centered understanding of theology, considers it necessary to act according to some principles such as wisdom and justice while disposing of the universe and the beings in it, which is His property, based on Allah's infinite power and will. thought it would hurt. Therefore, in this understanding, which states that there is no mention of oppression for Allah and that it is justice for Him to do whatever He wishes, it has been deemed valid that Allah makes proposals beyond his power, even if they do not occur in reality but remain in theory. Although this view, based on divine power and will, may seem correct on the surface, it casts a shadow over Allah's attributes such as wisdom, justice, compassion and mercy; It harms the imagination of Allah, who is al-Rahmān, al-Rahīm and al-Hakim, who observes wisdom in what they do, treats his servants with compassion and mercy. In addition to the fact that the Ash'arītes say that the power that requires action is based on the will and choice of human beings, the fact that they see property, possibility and havātir as the determining factors in the interpretation of the verses related to the subject, shows that they do not consider the divine offer that cannot be held to be absolutely valid. When this situation is evaluated together with their insistence on defending the divine offer that cannot be held, it is understood that anti-Mu'tazilism was effective in their views and comments on this subject, as in some of their other views. Although they associate the taysīr verses, which state that Islam is the religion of convenience, with the aspect of ease of Islam, their permissiveness to the divine offer, which cannot be achieved, is an indication of this. The same is the case when they cannot put the issue on a ground of legitimacy at the level of confidence. Because one of the factors that ensure that an opinion or interpretation is accurate is to be able to look at the issue from an objective perspective. It becomes difficult to justify the opinions expressed by sacrificing objectivity.

Theological Issues of Pandemic Covid 19 in Malaysia: The Views of The Muslims Theologians

The outbreak of the pandemic COVID-19 in Malaysia started in March 2020. has not only affected Muslims well-being in terms of socio-economic, emotional, and mental health, but it has also challenged their theological understandings, specifically relating to the issue of Qada' and Qadar and Human Freedom of Will. Consequently, some Muslims refused to observe the government order to contain the spread of COVID-19 and accused the observant of the order of committing polytheism. To clarify the issue, this study aims to identify the theological perspectives of the Muslim theologians on COVID-19 and the methods to prevent it. This study employed a qualitative descriptive method. Data was collected through Youtube videos that contain views and responses of the well-known Muslim theologians from the school of Ahl Sunnah wal Jamaah on the theological issues related to the pandemic. The study found that the view of the Muslim theologians on COVID-19 shows that they uphold the Asha'rites understanding and teachings of the concept of Qada' and Qadar and human freedom of will. Therefore, they regarded the observant of the SOP or Islamic guidelines in preventing the spread of pandemic Covid 19 as a form of ikhtiyar and not as a form of polytheism.

Hassan bin Suleiman Al-Hilli A muhaddith speaker in the extension of the Qom al-Hadithiya school and across from the speakers

Sheikh Hasan bin Suleiman Al-Hilli belongs to the direction of the hadiths speaking in the school of al-Hilla, and he narrated hadiths in his books in a special and targeted way to present the verbal opinions, and he disagreed with the rationality of the speakers in issues of theology and their deviation from the apparent narratives of the imams ^. That God Almighty entrusted his servants with his knowledge and the knowledge of his guardians in the world of adhur.He also responded in his book, “The Imams’ Preference over the Prophets and the Angels, ”the viewpoint of Sheikh Al-Tusi, and saw that the Imams are better than all the prophets, even the most determined, except for the last of them .In the study of the will, he acknowledged that the will of God is one of the precursors to his action, while the speakers saw that his will is the exact occurrence of his action, and he traced the traces of the hadiths transmitted from the sheikhs of Qom, so he indicated that the delegation took the meaning of permeability and its denial of the mandate is in the realm of formation. Legislative matters among the speakers, and he opposed some of the narrations of Sheikh Al-Mufid that we mentioned in the research.

Reflection of Significant Theological Issues in the Lavra School Paintings of the First Third of the Eighteenth Century

The article discusses the most significant monumental paintings of the Dormition Cathedral and Trinity Gate Church of Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra created in the first third of the 18th century. They are сonsidered in the context of the most important trends of spiritual and cultural life of the Hetmanate. The author concentrates attention on the important details that characterize the system of painting in those temples and underlines the close connection between fresco images marked by the inscriptions with the church literature of that time. Besides, among the results of the research there is the point that the Holy Liturgy is the most significant theme in the theological program of paintings of both Lavra temples.It is noted that the topic of the Holy Liturgy became one of the central themes in Ukrainian theology of the second half of the 17th century. Sharp disputes between Kyiv and Moscow theological circles were concentrated on the very moment of the Holy Liturgy associated with Eucharistic Transubstantiation. The author mentions publications of the Ukrainian Orthodox printing houses of that time, which covered that issue, and underlines a number of discrepancies in other dogmatic moments found in Kyiv and Moscow publications.Lavra school monumental ensembles of the first third of the 18th century are presented as a reflection of this topic. We believe that the idea of a figurative display of the liturgical ceremony on the walls of the altar first appeared in the paintings of the Dormition Cathedral of Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. Thus, the way was paved for the topic that has become traditional and lasted like that over the century. The analysis of the preserved project of baroque paintings of the Great Church, available images of the Trinity Gate Church, and inscriptions makes it possible to say that the ideological and artistic content of Lavra school monumental paintings of the first third of the 18th century reflected the most relevant ideas of that time. Among them one could mention sharp theological disputes over the moment of Eucharistic Transubstantiation that typified the second half of the 17th century.

Religion's Role in a Martian War of Independence

AbstractAstrotheologians and Astroethicists must be futurists at the same time that they articulate theological issues and moral quandaries in future settlement programs. One methodology used to recommend solutions is the construction of a scenario, a story that extrapolates from what is known to what is yet unknown, following models in international planning and operations research. In anticipation of the roles of religion and the clergy in an off‐Earth settlement on Mars, we offer this dramatic story, which takes place during a long, 10‐year Martian War of Independence. Issues framed on Earth (as in the 1962 UN Principles) take on new importance in a multi‐national, multi‐ethic, Martian society, where political and religious leadership based essentially on future versions of ancient Judeo‐Christian principles is key to survival.

The Impact of the Great War on Scottish Christianity

This paper explores the impact of the Great War (1914–1918) on Christianity in Scotland. This includes the attitudes of various denominations to the war, the rise and fall of religious attendance, and the impact of the war on Sabbatarianism, Sunday schools, church attendance, theology, and social and moral issues in Scottish society.

REKONSTRUKSI TEOLOGI SOSIAL BERDASARKAN TORAH TERKAIT KEHADIRAN KRISTIANI DALAM ISU PELANGGARAN HAM

This article offers a reconstruction of social theology in Christianity as a theological response to human rights violations in Indonesia. Human rights are universal and fundamental in humanity issues that can be a locus for Christians to do theology. For this reason, any forms of human rights violation are not just a violation of law and social orders but also theological issues that require an earnest response from religious people, including Christians. Therefore, the reconstruction of social theology in this writing will be using the biblical study method of the Torah and its role in the ancient Israelites’ context and a critical analysis of the concept of Christian presence. In these two interrelated methods, the author wants to define the Christianity values, which indicate theological positions towards human rights violations in Indonesia, and point out the Christians’ characteristics that present faith works and the integrity of life. This writing then consists of three parts. The first part explains the concept of human rights and a portrait of human rights violations in Indonesia. Second is the Torah’s proper hermeneutics and role in the ancient Israelites. Third, at last, a critical analysis of the concept of Christian presence as the embodiment of faith concerning human rights violations. The Christian presence in the human rights issues, especially in human rights violations, is not only a social responsibility as Christians before God but also a tangible manifestation of faith in the context of Indonesia. Therefore, the author argues that it is essential for Christians to develop their sensitivity and actively respond to human rights violations.

2 Timothy 2:15 and the ordained and self-styled Nigerian ministers of God who twist the gospel

In Nigeria, it is a theological issue when ministers of God do not give diligence and utmost care to the study, interpretation and application of the word of truth. Some ordained and self-styled Nigerian ministers of God twist the gospel for a gamut of reasons by not being apt in studying, interpreting and applying the word of God, which have negative implications to the mission mandate of the Church in Nigeria. Consequently, this study exegetically examines the theological implications of some Nigerian ministers of God twisting the gospel for an array of reasons and the need for them to be very apt and meticulous in studying, interpreting and applying the word of truth in the light of 2 Timothy 2:15. Employing redaction method of doing biblical exegesis, this study argues that the experiential issue of some ordained and self-styled Nigerian ministers of God who fail in being apt in studying, interpreting, applying and practising the word of truth is hindering the gospel from being fully known in Nigeria.Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: This study addressed the theological issue of some ordained and self-styled Nigerian ministers of God who are not diligently committed to the ministry of the word of truth. The study recommends that Nigerian ministers of God should study the ministry of the word of truth with diligence and utmost care as Paul instructed Timothy. Disciplines implicated include New Testament and Theological Studies.

On the creative history of the book “The Spiritual Life and How to Be Attuned to It? Letters” by St. Theophan, recluse of Vysha

The article reproduces the creative history of the famous book “The Spiritual Life and How to Be Attuned to It. Letters” by St. Theophan (1877). Based on the materials of the letters of the bishop to various persons, the chronology of its creation and the author's principles for preparing the text are established. It is shown that the epistolary form, often used St. Theophan in his works, most fully met the goals and objectives of the author to give the general reader an accessible interpretation of complex theological issues. The results of the beneficial effects of the spiritual recommendations of St. Theophan to his correspondents.

Early American Women, the Novel, and God

Early American Women, the Novel, and God

Convergences: Canon and Catholicity

Convergences: Canon and Catholicity

Psychedelic Mystical Experience: A New Agenda for Theology

When the link between psychedelic drugs and mystical states of experience was first discovered in the 1960s, Huston Smith challenged scholars in religion and philosophy to consider the implications. Very few took up his challenge. Beginning in 2006, hundreds of studies have linked psychedelics not just to mystical states of experience but to potential treatments for many mental health disorders. Regulatory approval for therapies is on the horizon, and hundreds of millions of people worldwide could be treated. Research findings challenge the underlying rationale of the War on Drugs, leading to decriminalization of specific psychedelic drugs or to authorization of their use in mental health contexts. Religious institutions are slowly adapting, with some referring to psychedelics as sacraments or as pathways to deeper spirituality. Religious leaders are also beginning to speak out publicly in support of careful use of these drugs, and some are training to become “psychedelic chaplains” to work alongside mental health professionals administering these drugs. Scholars in theology and religion are encouraged to engage these trends, to explore challenging philosophical and theological issues surrounding mystical states of experience in general, and to consider the long-term cultural impact of the most recent psychedelic research.

A Theological Appraisal of the Recapitulation and Ransom Theories of Atonement

The patristic era represents the formative period of Christian theology. As such, this period witnessed remarkable theological immaturity and complexity. One theological issue that attracted much attention in this period was atonement. Patristic scholars, in an attempt to build on the apostolic tradition, expressed varied interpretations of Christ’s death on the cross. Among the different patristic interpretations, Iranaeus’ recapitulation and Origen’s ransom theories of atonement became the most outstanding. The recapitulation theory emphasizes the restoration of the human race to their divine-given status. The ransom theory, on the other hand, stresses the transactional dimension of the atonement which resulted in the defeat of Satan. This paper critically examines these two theories using data gathered from books, journal articles, and dissertations, among other sources. The paper concluded that, though the recapitulation and ransom interpretations of the atonement are ancient theories, they are still relevant to the overall contemporary understanding of Christian soteriology. The findings from the paper will not only contribute to modern soteriological discourses but will also help readers to avoid some pitfalls that characterize the two interpretations discussed. Keywords: Atonement, Christ, Christians, Patristic, Ransom, Recapitulation

The Gospel According to Bolo

For the most part, the scholarship on T.S. Eliot's faith and Bolo writings fail to explain the significance of his Bolovian Christianity. Eliot's Bolo writings played an important role in his conversion to Anglo-Catholicism, as evidenced by his frequent references to the debate between Christian modernists and fundamentalists in 1927. Eliot was neither a fundamentalist nor a modernist (theologically speaking), and his Bolo writing suggests that he was pursuing the Anglican via media as he considered these theological issues. Bolo thus played an integral role in the early moments of his Anglo-Catholicism by helping him to pursue the via media within a complex Christian debate.

The place of polemical and pedagogical phenomena in the field of canon law

The scientific article reflects the possibility of using various transcendental and existential issues of dogmatic theology in canon law. The modern world is intellectually saturated with various polemical phenomena in the field of supernatural knowledge. This knowledge needs to be annoyed by preschoolers, pupils and students, but the presence of different opinions creates

Expanding Ecotheology to Embrace the Earth-Moon System

ABSTRACT An enlarged purview for amplification of religious doctrine can become necessary for a spacefaring species. Settlement of distant planetary bodies involves both technological and theological issues. The authors apply this notion to environmental preservation of the Earth, Earth's Moon, and cislunar space between Earth and Moon, as a unit. In expanding environmental protection beyond Earth to the new cislunar unit, humans take an important step in settling the Moon responsibly. The relationships of immanence and transcendence to the new environmental unit provide examples of the conceptual tasks ahead. Profiles in Ecotheology round out the analysis and point toward future roles.

Is Online Theological Education Suitable for Spiritual/Ministerial Formation?: A Response from an African Perspective

The advancement in information and communication technologies in the last few decades has led to various innovations in the world of education. The application of technology makes information more accessible and knowledge more widely distributed, giving rise to various opportunities for instruction and learning. One such example of technological innovations in the education sector is the emergence of online academic institutions across the globe. Rising interests in the theological and pedagogical issues associated with the use of online teaching and learning platforms for spiritual/ministerial formation have prompted this study. Using a literature-based research approach, this paper analyzes data collected from books, journal articles and dissertations to ascertain the appropriateness or otherwise of online theological education for spiritual/ministerial formation from an African Christian perspective. It also discusses some pedagogical issues in online education. The paper argues that there is nothing inherently wrong with the use of online theological education for spiritual/ministerial formation; yet, the lack of access to electricity and internet facilities in some communities and unethical practices in the virtual space are major setbacks in this mode of education. In view of this, spiritual/ministerial formation through online education is encouraged only if the student is committed to ensuring ethical practices in the online learning environment, has the appropriate logistics to access the technologically-mediated teaching and learning process and is enrolled in an institution which has the pedagogical, scholarly, technological requirements for ensuring effective teaching and learning in a virtual space. Keywords: Africa, Online Education, Theological Education, Spiritual Formation

Dogmatical Identification in the Contemporary Romanian Society

In this paper I show how an identification dogma influences the image of society. The identification dogma is a doctrine that is not intended to clarify a theological issue but to influence political views on society by influencing the religious sentiment of believers. I call this process dogmatical identification. Here, in connection with the Filioque doctrine, I examine how this process is realized in contemporary Romanian theology and public discourse.