Theological Schools Research Articles

Critical Analysis of Sunni Theological Schools' Views on Divine Justice from the Perspective of Shahid Motahhari

One of the topics that "Ash'areh, Mu'tazila, and Imamiyyah" have put at the forefront of their discussions for specific religious and historical reasons is divine justice, which means that God acts righteously in the system of creation and legislation. In this article, by using the library method and data analysis, while expressing Shahid Motahhari's point of view on the semantics of the word justice, the point of view of Sunni theological schools in this regard has been analyzed, and the conclusion has been reached that Shahid Motahhari has given four meanings for this word: balance, equality, respect for rights, and respect for entitlements. He, after criticizing the views of the Ash'areh - which favors determinism and necessity and the incompatibility of justice with intrinsic monotheism - and the Mu'tazila - who favors justice and free will - puts forward the Imamiyyah view, which is the principle of justice without damage to verbal and intrinsic monotheism by affirming the free will of man, and considers it a superior view.

Martin Luther King Jr. and Liberation Theology: James Cone, J. Deotis Roberts, and a Methodology of the Oppressed

AbstractAbstract: Martin Luther King's legacy as a Black, Baptist preacher and activist is widely known, but his influence in the public sphere has eclipsed his influence in Black Theology. Additionally, since the Black Power movement succeeded the Civil Rights movement, and thereby the Liberationist movement succeeded the Black Social Gospel movement, the foundations King laid became seamlessly integrated into the theology of James Cone and J. Deotis Roberts. Taking King's social analysis, his concern for crucified peoples, and grassroots activism, Cone and Roberts craft the school of Black Theology. Frederick Ware's book, Methodologies of Black Theology outlined the schools of Black Methodology, including the Black Hermeneutical School, which incorporates indigenous sources to inform theology. Walter Strickland II, building upon Ware, argues the Black Hermeneutical School has three schools of interpretive emphasis: Courthouse, Schoolhouse, and Church House. Cone's theology utilises the methodology of the Courthouse while Roberts utilises the methodology of the Church House. This paper argues that Martin Luther King Jr's activism and theology helped develop Cone and Roberts's Black Theological Method. Roberts carries King's legacy as a pastor‐theologian, and Cone carries King's legacy as a social activist.

The Rise of the Phoenix: The Re-emergence of the Oral Roberts University Graduate School of Theology in 1975

The Rise of the Phoenix: The Re-emergence of the Oral Roberts University Graduate School of Theology in 1975

Changing Stages of Priestly Formation in Seminaries

The sixth edition of The Program for Priestly Formation (PPF6) is the governing document for Catholic seminary formation. This edition, based on the Ratio Fundamentalis (2016), is a major shift in how seminary formation is being conceived. Besides the PPF6 and the Ratio, Pope John Paul II’s influential post-synodal exhortation Pastores Dabo Vobis (I Will Give You Shepherds) is also examined. Focusing on the human aspects of formation, the PPF6 lays out a 7–10 year program of studies. While not downgrading the academic aspects of seminary education, the emphasis on forming a holistic, well-rounded priest configured to Christ is causing some upheaval in Catholic seminaries. This session examines the context of Catholic seminary formation, explores the foundational documents governing seminary formation, and presents two case examples of the real-world application of that discernment. The seminaries highlighted are St. John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver and Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology in the Milwaukee area.

The Reading Range of Students of Theological Schools in the First Half of the 19th Century

The Reading Range of Students of Theological Schools in the First Half of the 19th Century

MUSIC EDUCATION
 IN MEN'S THEOLOGICAL EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS OF VITEBSK
 (XIX – BEGINNING OF XX CENTURY)

The article provides a historical and pedagogical analysis of the practice of music education in male religious
 educational institutions of Vitebsk in the 19th – early 20th centuries using the example of a theological school and
 seminary. It was revealed that the leading form of music education was compulsory church singing lessons, which were
 conducted throughout the entire period of study. Currently, some elements of the identified historical experience may be
 relevant for use in theological seminaries and schools: the creation of a choir and training in playing musical instruments,
 holding musical evenings, collective performance of patriotic songs at ceremonial meetings.

Exploring the Meaning of Faith and Kufr: Perspectives of Islamic Theological Schools

This article discusses the meaning of faith and kufr from the perspective of Islamic theological schools. Faith and kufr in particular in the four main schools, namely Mu'tazilite, Murjiah, Ash'arite and Maturidiyah. Some of the important themes focused on in this article are amal (action), sahadat (confession of testimony), tasdiq (convincing belief), and ma'rifah (sincerely believed knowledge). Despite differences in views, all traditions recognize the importance of the concepts of faith and kufr as foundational in religious practice. Tolerance and mutual respect within this diversity of views are key to maintaining ukhuwah islamiyah in Muslim religious life. This article reviews the views of four schools of Islamic theology on faith and kufr. Mu'tazilites emphasize that faith is not only related to belief, but is also influenced by good deeds as a reflection of sincere faith. Meanwhile, the Murjiah consider faith to be in the heart and not bound by deeds, but rather by beliefs believed in the heart. Ash'arites attribute faith to belief in the heart and recognize the importance of deeds in strengthening faith and earning God's pleasure. On the other hand, the Maturidis emphasize the importance of a sincere understanding of faith and kufr, which will affect the way one practices faith on a daily basis. The formulation of the problem in the article is how can the spirit of ukhuwah islamiyah be maintained in the diversity of views on faith and kufr among Muslims?

The Dynamics of Conflict Resolution and the Potential for Disintegration in West Papua in the Context of the Unity of the Republic of Indonesia: An Analysis of Conflict and Disintegration in the Papua Region

This research is the result of a summary and analysis of social media, interviews, and public discussions on conflict resolution and the issue of Papua's separation from the unitary state of the Republic of Indonesia. The study employs a method that includes social media description, such as Google and YouTube, interviews with the Papuan community in Bandung, and an analysis of public discussions related to the issue of West Papua. The results of this research include a discussion of the root causes of the conflicts in the Papua region, which have claimed many victims from both the Indonesian National Army (TNI), the Indonesian National Police (POLRI), and other civilians. The government has made several offers, such as Special Autonomy (Otsus), providing significant budget allocations from the national budget for Papua, road construction, housing, market relocations, and more. However, up to this point, there hasn't been a clear solution to the issues.
 This research fills a gap in the understanding of the Papua conflict, which often focuses on issues of violence, human rights violations, and so on. For example, the thesis titled "The 1998 Bloody Tragedy in Biak Numfor Regency, Papua (Resilience of Women as Victims of Military Violence)" in the Conflict and Peace Studies Program, Graduate School of Theology at Duta Wacana Christian University, Yogyakarta, 2021, written by Anike Mirino. In conclusion, the reasons behind the desire for Papuan disintegration from Indonesia are primarily economic disparities, social disparities, the integration process, violence, the existence of Papuan citizens, and the lack of respect for the indigenous people's culture and customs in Papua by the Indonesian government. Thus, the only path to peace in Papua is through a dialogic process. It involves understanding Papua from the perspective of the Papuan people, expanding employment opportunities, and wisely preserving the culture of the indigenous Papuan communities

Ways of enhancing unity among churches in Tigania East Sub-county, Meru County, Kenya

The aim of this study was to investigate the ways of enhancing unity among churches in Tigania East Sub-county, Meru County, Kenya. In Tigania East Sub-county, Meru County, lack of unity among different churches has emerged as a major challenge to the church's mission. Churches have struggled to come together and establish a shared stance on certain outdated traditional beliefs and practices that no longer contribute positively to the lives of people. The study used descriptive design in collection, analysis, comparison and interpretation of data. The research used questionnaires, interview schedules and focus group discussions to collect the required data. Data collected was presented using tables and pie charts for easier comparison and making of conclusions after the study. The study found that Churches in Tigania East need to invest towards the unity of the church. The Church in Tigania East Sub-county needs to invest more in its unity for effective evangelisation. Theological schools are supposed to aim at producing people who understand the dynamics of society and its needs so that the church can produce Christians who embrace and cope with the challenges that are facing human life. The church must remain united in order to defend the poor and the oppressed from all forms of political exploitation because it is the voice of the voiceless.

Causes of disunity among the churches in Tigania east Sub-county, Meru County, Kenya

The aim of this study was to determine the causes of disunity among Churches in the Tigania east sub-county, Meru County, Kenya. The Churches have struggled to come together and establish a shared stance on certain outdated traditional beliefs and practices that no longer contribute positively to people's lives. Disagreements on these issues raise questions about whether they are truly serving the same Christ, the founder of the church. It is widely recognised that when the church is united, it can accomplish more in terms of fulfilling its mission. Compounding the issue of disunity is the rapid proliferation of splinter Churches, further dividing an already fragmented religious landscape. Some Churches have undergone multiple schisms, leading to the emergence of numerous new denominations. The study employed systematic random sampling to select the churches included in the study. A proportional sampling technique was adopted to determine the sample for Church members. Purposive sampling was used to select the Bishops/Reverends/Pastors, Pastors' Fellowship Chairpersons and the Secretaries, and Church Chairpersons as key informants due to their direct knowledge of Church matters. The research used questionnaires, interview schedules and focus group discussions to collect the required data. Data collected was presented using tables and pie charts. The study found that Churches in Tigania East need to invest towards the unity of the church. The following recommendations were suggested: Theological schools should aim to produce people who understand society's dynamics.

Some Reflections on the Hartford Institute at Forty

The presentation was prepared for a celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Hartford Institute for Religion Research. It asks why a traditional theological school would include social science research as a centerpiece of “reinvention” in 1972. I argue that the former Hartford Seminary Foundation mission was grounded in its inclusive ecumenical theological vision and its operative style in partnership with local, national, and international partner movements (international mission, religious education, theological education, and social service or activism). In retrospect, the Hartford Institute embodies major Hartford emphases of the previous century.

The Moral State of the Students of Theological Schools in the Beginning of the XX Century in the Diaries of Archbishop Nikon (Rozhdestvensky) Authors

The Moral State of the Students of Theological Schools in the Beginning of the XX Century in the Diaries of Archbishop Nikon (Rozhdestvensky) Authors

Toward Peaceful Dialogues; Sunni, Shi’a and Ahmadiya

The violence due to theological issues, especially as experienced by Shi’a and Ahmadiya in Indonesia suggests that religious sensitivity in a modern and democratic society is still a latent danger for the emergence of theological conflict in Muslim society. Even though they are in the same house (Islam) and referring to the same holy book, however, the reality shows that horizontal conflicts due to theological interest still occur and even pose a threat to religious life. Theological reasons are used as arguments to terrorize, attack, and eliminate other groups who are regarded differently. This research intends to reveal the common ground of the three theological schools, the impact of theological conflict, and to describe the role of the Indonesian government and society to create a conducive atmosphere in religious life.

History of the development of theological schools in Russia at the beginning of the XVIII century (projects of theological schools and the influence of scholasticism)

The article analyzes the history of the development of spiritual education in Russia at the beginning of the XVIII century. The opening of theological schools belonged to the era of Peter the Great and was important for the training of personnel for church positions. And if Ancient Russia had only elementary schooling, consisting in reading and writing, then in the second half of the XVII century Kievan scientists appeared in Moscow, who had a scholastic influence on the training of future priests. The opening of theological schools in Russia is traditionally associated with the name of Peter I, his ideas of planting European enlightenment and the influence of Kiev scientists who Latinized the learning process. Peter I's attempt to rebuild the system of spiritual education did not succeed immediately, but by the 30s of the XVIII century, a full Latin course was introduced in theological schools on the model of the Kiev Academy. Under the patronage of Peter I, a common goal was formed – to raise the level of religious and moral development of the clergy. It was from the time of Peter the Great in the second half of the XVII century that scientists from Kiev appeared. The era of Peter I assumed steep reforms and innovations, which were directly followed by the spirit of the Kiev Collegium, and its students brought a completely new, modern ideal of education.

The God of Chance and Purpose: Divine Involvement in a Secular Evolutionary World

The God of Chance and Purpose: Divine Involvement in a Secular Evolutionary World

Nûreddin es-Sâbûnî’nin Peygamberlerin İsmeti Konusuna Yaklaşımı

The region of Maverānannehir is a geography inhabited by scholars who made significant contributions to shaping the Islamic thought system. Māturīdīism originated in this region, one of the two theological schools accepted among Muslims today. One of the essential representatives of the Hanafī-Māturīdī understanding of theology in the area in the 6th century Hijri was Nūr al-dīn al-Sābūnī, who was a respected scholar in his time. Al-Sābūnī was a well-equipped theologian whose views were respected by the people of the region on matters of theology and who debated with Fakhr al-Dīn al-Rāzī, one of the most influential theologians of the period. He endeavored to solve the theological problems of his time, wrote works to facilitate the public understanding of the principles of Islamic belief, and especially emphasized the issue of the infallibility of Prophets (ismat al-anbiya). This study investigated the reasons for al-Sabūnī's emphasis on the view of the Infallibility (ismat) and his opinion on the infallibility of Prophets. How al-Sābūnī understood the issue of infallibility of Prophets provided essential data on the constants and changes (if any) in the understanding of ismat in the Māturīdī theological system. On the other hand, it provided us with reference sources for the historical origins of the belief that prophets are sinless. By revealing al-Sabūnī's opinions on the prophets' ismat, the point of view in ismat in the Hanafī-Māturīdī theological system as of the 6th century has been revealed, and some clues about the historical background of the current situation have been obtained. In the study, the sources were accessed through literature review, one of the leading social sciences research methods; a critical perspective was maintained while evaluating his views, and descriptive language was used while composing the text. At the end of the study, it was seen that al-Sābūnī was a respected Hanafī-Māturīdī theologian of his time and took Māturīdī's views as his primary reference. It was observed that al-Māturīdī's meticulousness in referencing the theological sources and his mastery of rational deductions were sometimes lost in al-Sābūnī due to the Sufi sources he was fed by. Although he had the same opinion as the Hanafī-Māturīdī school on issues such as belief in prophets, the necessity of prophethood, and the attributes of prophets, he differed from the tradition he belonged to in terms of his understanding of ismat and accepted that some prophets committed "mistakes". * This study is based on our ongoing doctoral dissertation titled "The Comparison of Abū Mansūr al-Māturīdī and Nūr al-Dīn al-Sābūnī's Understanding of Prophethood" (Ph.D. Dissertation, Sivas Cumhuriyet University, 2023).

THE PRACTICE OF «ORGANIZING THE CHURCH NETWORK» BY PARTY-STATE STRUCTURES OF THE UKRAINIAN SSR IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE 1960S

The rethinking of the events of the Soviet past largely concerns the sphere of church-state relations. The significant losses of cultural and architectural heritage during the Soviet period make it expedient to study the mechanisms of liquidation of church buildings in the second half of the 1960s. The purpose and objectives of the article. To determine the principles of state policy in the field of religion and methods of its implementation by party-state structures concerning the church network of the Russian Orthodox Church in the Ukrainian SSR. The research methodology. The research methodology is based on a set of philosophical, general scientific, and historical methods and principles. To solve the specific tasks of the study, the principles of objectivity, historicism, systematicity, and comprehensiveness were also used. Research results. The period of the second half of the 1960s was marked by the liberalization of official views on the religious sphere, the abandonment of repressive methods of fighting religion and the Church, the beginning of the latent destruction of sacred buildings, and the dominance of the Soviet state’s nihilistic attitude toward cultural heritage. The Russian Orthodox Church remained entirely subordinate to the Soviet state, which disregarded its legitimate rights and interests. Discussion. The repressions of the “Thaw“ period and the failure of building a communist society led to a loss of public confidence in the possibility of a just welfare state. It became clear that by practicing persecution, restricting the rights of priests, and banning them from studying in theological schools, the Soviet government was undermining its authority. Therefore, in the 1970s, ideologues of the CPSU Central Committee proposed a new model of churchstate relations — the adaptation to communism. There were no fundamental changes in party policy, as it was based on the Marxist doctrine of religion as the opium of the people. The anti-church orientation of state policy remained, only its forms and methods were transformed. The period of massive closure of Orthodox churches was replaced by a new long-term period, called the period of “streamlining the religious network”. Conclusions. One of the directions of the state’s policy towards religion in the mid-1960s was the targeted liquidation of religious buildings of the Russian Orthodox Church. The main reasons for it were the ideological and political priorities of the state leadership. The closure and destruction of religious buildings were systematic actions of the party-state structures in the process of implementing their policy in the field of religion in the Ukrainian SSR.

Биография схииеромонаха Феодосия (Харитонова): детство, обучение в духовных школах

A recently published article in the Proceedings of the Saratov OrthodoX Theological Seminary is devoted to clarifying the circumstances of the Saratov period in the life of the remarkable Athos ascetic Schieeromonk Theodosius (Kharitonov; 1869–1937) . In this publication, we conduct a more detailed study of the childhood years and the time of study in the theological schools of the future confessor of the inhabitants of Karuli, paying great attention to the circumstances and people who surrounded Vasily Kharitonov from the first years of his life. The study of the life context in which the future ascetic was formed makes his image more voluminous and understandable, even if the direct influence of the revealed relationships on the formation of Vasily's personality cannot be established explicitly.

Academic Formation in Theological Education and Its Implications for Competent Ministry

The Research paper titled “Academic formation in the theological education and its implication for competent ministry” was devoted to explore implications of academic formation on ministerial competency. The Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary, Ogbomoso and Catholic Theological College in United State of America were used as case study for the paper. The purpose this paper seeks to achieve were to examine nature of academic formation in theological education; to consider curriculum development of the selected theological institutions; to investigate major formations that takes place in theological schools; and to examine the implications of academic formation on ministerial competency. A descriptive research design method was adopted. Information was sourced through primary documents (internet books and library printed books and journals). Curriculum development style of the Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary, Ogbomoso and Catholic Theological College were used. The findings confirmed that basically, there are 3 major formations that occur in a standard theological school. The findings further reveal that academic formations help students to meet the demand of the challenging ministerial tasks.

Finding a new starting point for Taiwanese practical theology: rethinking the concept of logos (Dao) for Taiwanese theological education

ABSTRACT This paper aims to suggest a new Taiwanese perspective on truth which integrates content and practice to rethink the current theological education. I argue that an appropriate approach to do theological education requires a holistic viewpoint on truth; in this viewpoint, the content and practice of theology are interdependent. The article seeks to do three things. First, it claims that one problematic aspect of Taiwanese Christianity is a long-standing unmoved understanding of 道 (Dao, logos), which causes a disconnection between churches and theological schools. Next, the article argues that the concept of 道 (Dao, logos) in the Bible is not unmoved and irrelevant to surrounding context, but is instead an embodied truth. Finally, the article shows that the Taiwanese have already had Taiji (太極) and Taijiquan (太極拳) as an important part of their cultural heritage, both of which view opposite things as integrative, which provides great help to the discussion. In the light of these insights, I propose a new holistic approach towards 道 (Dao, logos) when Taiwanese Christians are imagining the future of theological education.