Theological Thinking Research Articles

Magnum Opus of Mohammed Arkoun; Cultural Resilience Amidst Pluralism

The world faces a multidimensional crisis, with cultural, ethnic, racial, linguistic, and ethnic diversity giving rise to various issues. Wars in different parts of the world continue to result in bloody events and casualties. Preventive efforts are needed to address these problems, including promoting a culture of tolerance. Mohammed Arkoun was a figure and philosopher of pluralism who advocated and conveyed ideas about pluralism. The weaknesses of classical Islamic theological thinking become apparent when confronted with the empirical social reality of human life that continues to evolve with the advancement of science and technology. Mohammed Arkoun, an intellectual fNrom Algeria, attempted to comprehensively reinterpret the framework of Islamic thought, including aspects such as theology (kalam), Sufism, jurisprudence (fiqh), ethics, and exegesis (tafsir). Mohammed Arkoun expressed that Islam can succeed if Muslims adopt an open attitude toward pluralistic thinking, as during the early Islamic period and the Middle Ages. This pluralism can be realized if religious understanding is based on human values, allowing Muslims to interact with anyone. This research uses a qualitative method with a literature review study type, gathering data from various references, books, and articles related to Mohammed Arkoun's magnum opus: the study of cultural tolerance resilience amid pluralism. According to Arkoun, debates based on cultural diversity, thought, and theology in classical Islam lead to profound interpretations of the Quran and laws based on sacred texts.

Pierre Gassendi: Humanism, Science, and the Birth of Modern Philosophy

Pierre Gassendi: Humanism, Science, and the Birth of Modern Philosophy

O regresso do Tribunal da Inquisição

This article addresses the discrimination suffered by women or LGTBIQ+ individuals within Judeo-Christian organizations or churches, whether they are Catholic, Protestant, Evangelical, or Neo-Pentecostal. The article focuses on the Neo-Pentecostal churches because of their prominent role in the public sector over recent years. Initially, the paper explores the subject based on different biblical and theological thoughts where distortions in the translation of the original Book of Genesis have resulted in historical patriarchal, misogynistic, and heteronormative behaviors. The second and final part of the paper adopts a legal perspective. Not only is it necessary to highlight the discriminatory violations in these actions, but it is also essential to provide evidence of such criminal offenses. For this purpose, we propose a series of key proofs of religious discriminatory behaviors, which would be censured within a legislative and judicial framework as 'hate crimes.'

Doing practical theology ‘from the place where it hurts’: the significance of trauma theology in renewing a practical theology of suffering

ABSTRACT Questions of suffering provoke deep challenges to our theological thinking. Despite being an intrinsic part of the human condition, suffering has occupied a problematic space in our theological history. Whilst traditional theologies have leaned on theodicy to account for the presence of suffering, these tend to concentrate the focus on the why of suffering, rather than the who, and the how. Yet questions of suffering are inextricable from the lived experience of suffering bodies. Theologies which neglect the suffering body, I propose, leave it silenced. This article looks to explore how trauma theologies might inform a practical theological response to suffering which takes the suffering body seriously; a response which is necessarily embodied, witnessed, and disruptive.

Salafi Islamic Education: Teaching Methods, Traditions and Ideologies in Lombok Boarding Schools

This research highlights the urgency of investigating teaching methods and curricula in Salafi educational institutions, specifically Ma'had Dar al-Qur'an and al-Hadith al-Majidiyyah al-Syafi'iyyah Nahdlatul Wathan Lombok. Despite the rapid development of modern curriculum and teaching methods, this institution maintains a traditional approach with seated learning and a classical curriculum. This study is a qualitative research focusing on literature and sources related to conventional Salafi education. The findings are as follows: Firstly, the institution's traditions persist, maintaining the study of classical Islamic texts through talaqqy or halaqah, teacher reverence, knowledge transmission, moral behavioral norms, and haflah. Secondly, the fundamental ideology is rooted in Islam, ahl al-Sunnah wa al-jama'ah, influenced by the theological thoughts of Imam Abu al-Hasan al-Asya'ri and Abu Mansur al-Maturidi in Aqeedah and the philosophical thoughts of Imam al-Ghazali and Imam Junaid al-Baghdadi in Sufism. Thirdly, the Institute's vision is to produce knowledgeable Islamic cadres proficient in the Quran, Hadith, and Salafusshalih texts. This research provides valuable insights into Salafi Islamic education in Lombok and its broader implications for education and society, enriching our understanding of the dynamics of Salafi Islamic education in a specific local context.

Imagination as a Decolonial Tool: An Analysis of the Coloniality of Translation, Imagination, and the Theology of Rubem Alves

[Figure: see text] This article analyzes Xiang's coloniality of translation in connection with Alves’ theology and other decolonial scholars in order to recognize the limitations of Eurocentric language and to highlight the urgent need to contextualize and de-absolutize gender concepts. It provides a brief overview of decolonial thinking and then delves into the coloniality of translation, emphasizing the potential dangers of appropriating Indigenous philosophies within European frameworks. Xiang's analysis reveals that translating Nahua gender concepts into English limits their rich complexities and cultural significance, perpetuating Eurocentric understandings. Xiang's work exemplifies how European world views infiltrate decolonial discourses, replicating dominant Eurocentric norms. Alves’ theology comes into play, emphasizing the need to liberate human imagination from limiting colonial logics. By advocating for a renewed imagination beyond colonial constraints, Alves opens up diverse and dynamic possibilities for theological thinking. Finally, I argue for the use of Alves’ concept of imagination as a decolonial tool, challenging the colonial configurations embedded within words and the social imaginary they create. I argue that embracing a continuous process of re-imagining fosters a comprehensive understanding of the complexities and potentialities present in diverse cultures. Simultaneously this article underscores the necessity of decolonial thinking as a never-ending project, urging scholars to engage with alternative knowledges and constantly challenge and subvert colonial logics within theological discourses.

Islam and politics: a comparative analysis of the theological positions of the Egyptian ‘Alī Abd al-Rāziq (d.1966) and the Senegalese Cheikh Moussa Kamara (d.1945)

The mid-20th century saw the fall of the Ottoman Empire, the last Muslim caliphate, and at the same time, European imperialism continued to develop in Muslim-majority societies. The clash between Europe and the Muslim world also led to the emergence of reformist ideas, sparking intense debate on democracy, women’s rights, the relationship between religion and power, and so on. Added to this, colonization also dismantled well-established systems, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, and imposed its hegemony. In this context, the relationship that Muslims had to maintain with colonial power was also the subject of debate. The aim of our contribution is to analyze the theological thinking of one of the first to question the political nature of Islam, namely the Egyptian ‘Alī ‘Abd al-Rāziq, author of the now famous book Al-Islām wa uṣūl al-ḥukm (Islam and the Foundations of Power). His reflections will be analyzed in comparison with those of a sub-Saharan author, Cheikh Moussa Kamara, author of Akṯar al-rāġibīn, a reflection on the use of religion for power purposes in colonial Africa. The aim will be to highlight how both think about the relationship between spiritual authority and temporal power.

Parallax Theology: Reframing Compensation Theodicy

The reality of suffering and the existence of natural and moral evils appear to present significant obstacles to the doctrine of God’s omnipotence, omniscience, and omnibenevolence. Theodicy is an attempt to resolve the problem of evil. One formerly prominent theodicean response can be termed “compensation theodicy” (or “afterlife theodicy”), premised on the notion that, in the words of the philosopher Stephen Maitzen, “Heaven swamps everything,” that is, that God compensates for earthly suffering by way of heavenly reward. This approach has fallen into disrepute. Here, two minor responses and one major response are sketched, drawing on restorative justice, phenomenology, and the concept of parallax. Building on the critical philosophies of Kojin Karatani and Slavoj Žižek, parallax denotes a perspectival shift, or optical cycling, between two irreconcilable positions that nevertheless is in some sense productive. Viewed through the lens of parallax, compensation theodicy appears far less controversial than some theological thinkers have contended.

The Politics of Theology: Deadly Christian Compromises in Bonhoeffer’s Germany

Generally, this essay employs the concept of ‘stance’ to try to understand the theological thoughts and activities of Bonhoeffer and the Christian community at large during the turbulent events which occurred in Nazi Germany. In particular, it attempts a brief exploratory sketch of how various socio-political contextual factors significantly shaped many of his central theological ideas and concepts. The essay suggests that Bonhoeffer’s doctrine of ethics cannot be adequately understood apart from the socio-political context of Hitler’s dictatorship and the actions of the Nazi National Socialist political regime within which it emerged and developed. His active role in the resistance movement to the point of losing his life and that of loved ones was Bonhoeffer’s way of putting his Christian beliefs into concrete practice. Horrified by the blind loyalty and obedience of the bulk of Christians to Nazi state authority, Bonhoeffer responded by formulating a theology to respond to what he viewed as transgressions against God, human life, and society itself. The essay concludes by asserting that all of Bonhoeffer’s discussions about ‘ethics’ regarding conscience, freedom, the Christian faith and church, responsibility, and even his central concept of ‘responsible action’ were formulated in direct response and challenge to Hitler’s political regime.

Theological Thought in the Ibādiyya of North Africa

İbâdiyye, köken itibariyle ilk İslâm mezheplerinden olup günümüze kadar varlığını koruyabilen az sayıdaki İslam mezheplerinden biridir. İbâdiyye mezhebi günümüzde Umman Sultanlığı, Kuzey Afrika ve Tanzanya gibi farklı bölgelerde yaşam alanı bulmaktadır. Ancak İbâdîler ile ilgili yapılan araştırmalar diğer mevcut ve mensubu kalmamış fırkalara nazaran daha az sayıdadır. İbâdiyye, hicri birinci yüzyıla kadar dayanan ve büyük fitne olayları diye bilinen hadiseden sonra ortaya çıkan bir gruptur. Bu grup ilk dönemde Hâricîlerin yanında yer alırken zamanla siyasi ve düşünce yapısı itibariyle onlardan ayrılmıştır. Hâricîler erken dönemden itibaren tarih sahnesinden silinmelerine rağmen İbâdîler bugüne kadar varlıklarını sürdürmeyi başarmışlardır. Fakat birçok araştırmacı, İbâdîlerin hâlâ Hâricîlerin bir kolu olarak varlıklarını sürdürdüklerini düşünmektedir. Bu makalede Kuzey Afrika İbâdîlerinin kelâmi düşünceleri ele alınmıştır. İbâdîler genel olarak Hâricîlerden siyasi ve ideolojik olarak ayrılmışlardır. Özel olarak Kuzey Afrika İbâdîleri, Hâricîlerden ve aynı zamanda genel İbâdîlerden farklılıklarıyla ayırt edilmektedir. Bu farklılıkların özlerini anlayabilmek için arkasında duran ve yol gösteren düşünceyi tespit etmek gerekir.

Theological Reflections on Hans-Georg Gadamer’s Aesthetics

In my thesis, my ambition is to put Gadamer’s philosophical hermeneutics at the service of theological thinking; however, not for the sake of a theological argumentation as an end in itself since Gadamer’s aesthetic conception seems to be extremely suitab

Syakur Yasin’s Perspective on Religious Pluralism in Developing Islamic Education in Indramayu, Indonesia

Background: The issue of pluralism has always been a topic of conversation from time to time, along with scientific developments. Likewise, theological thinkers and Islamic thinkers have highlighted pluralism to date regarding pluralism in Islamic education. Pluralism is an essential issue because it has contributed to developing the world of Islamic education. Purpose: This article examines the understanding of the concept of religious pluralism put forward by one of the Islamic leaders, namely Saykur Yasin or Buya Sakur. Methods: This qualitative research uses content analysis with data sources from books, journals, and YouTube related to Buya Sakur’s thoughts. Results: The concept of religious pluralism of Buya Sakur in developing Islamic education can be seen from the concepts he teaches at Islamic boarding schools, public recitations, and da’wah through Chanel YouTube. The uniqueness of pluralism thinking, according to Buya Sakur, is that the reality of life in this world shows pluralism and various ethnic groups, skin colors, languages, and different religions that receive recognition from God as reality Conclusion: The concept of religious pluralism that he conveyed was very different from that of other figures or scholars. Some claim that he has a concept of understanding, especially regarding religious pluralism which is liberal in orientation and adheres to relativism.

Konsep Keabadian dan Waktu dalam Perspektif Pemikiran Islam

Intellectual pluralism which refers to a variety of views and approaches in understanding Islamic teachings, which allows different interpretations of certain aspects of Islamic beliefs and philosophy which focuses on the concepts of "time" and "eternity" which over time have decreased in the Islamic philosophical tradition includes interpretations of philosophers and theologians from various schools of Islamic thought by identifying differences and similarities in the views of figures such as al- Kindi, al- Farabi, Ibn Sina (Avicenna), and al- Ghazali, who represent interpretations in understanding the relationship between time and eternity in the context of Islamic metaphysics. Pluralism as part of the tradition of Islamic thought links between Islamic metaphysical concepts in a wider cultural, social and historical context. The concepts of "time and eternity" in the understanding of the relationship between finite universes refer to the time dimension of temporality and eternity which posits the existence of matter and divine reality. Time is an aspect related to changes and events in a finite universe, the universe has a beginning and an end in a sense. Time is also related to dimensions where a dimension is not complete if there is no time. The concept of eternity refers to a divine dimension or eternity that exists beyond the finite time frame of the universe. In Islamic thought, God is considered as an eternal entity that is not limited by time. This concept reflects the eternal and infinite nature of God in the Islamic theological tradition. Relationships between dimensions can create a finite temporal dimension of the universe and an eternal dimension of eternity. In this view, the universe is in a time frame while God as the creator of the universe exists outside the time dimension. This relationship can be interpreted as the relationship between the finite and the infinite, between the temporary and the eternal. Through this relationship it provides a basis for explaining how material reality and divine existence interact in different ways. This raises questions about the origin and the purpose of the universe as well as the role of humans in this scheme of relations. Overall, the concept of "time and eternity in the understanding of the relationship between finite universes reflects an attempt to cover up the complexity of the relationship between time, temporality and eternity in the context of Islamic thought. Interpretation and understanding of these concepts can vary, and philosophical and theological thinking plays a role in develop a deeper understanding of the relationship with the universe.

Australian Objects in the Religious Studies Collection at the University of Münster: The “Pater Worms Collection” as a Case of Inter-Religious Contact

The paper discusses the Australian artefacts in the collection of the Institute for the Study of Religion at the University of Münster. The collection was established in the 1950s with the intention to exemplify, for students of Catholic theology, the wide variety of material expressions developed by different religious traditions in the world. The collection also highlights zones of missionary contact and their inclusion in theological thinking about non-Christian traditions. The Australian objects were given to the collection in the second half of the 1950s by the Pallottine missionary Ernest Worms. It is not the goal of this paper to attempt a thorough ethnological analysis of the objects; instead, we discuss how these objects from indigenous Australian cultures were included in a collection of religious artefacts owned by the Faculty of Catholic Theology of the University of Münster and to what extent the founder of the collection, Anton Antweiler, considered these objects expressions of the religions and religious history of Australia. To this end, the correspondence between Worms and Antweiler has been analysed, particularly where Worms discusses these objects extensively from both a missionary perspective and from his point of view as a scholar researching Australian cultures. In addition, his German treatise on the religions of Australia (*Die Religionen der Südsee und Australiens*) was consulted. Based on these sources, Worms’ perception of the religions and cultures of Australia and how it informed his collecting activities can be reconstructed at least partially. At the same time, the paper attempts to direct the focus at the objects themselves as bearers of information. The material artefacts that were collected, described and finally sent to Münster to be exhibited tell their own stories about cultural and religious contact, in Australia as well as in Germany, where they were shown to students of Catholic Theology and are accessible for students and staff members until today.

Sheikh Abdurrauf Al-Singkili's Theological Thought and its Influence on the Understanding of Tawhid in Aceh Society

Theological discourse is a unique and interesting field of Islamic studies that has colored intellectual debates and determined the dynamics of the Islamic world, both in the Middle East and in Nusantara. This study examines Sheikh Abdurrauf al-Singkili's theological thought contained in the book 'Umdat Al-Muhtajin Ila Suluk Maslak Al-Mufridin, which was intentionally written to guide the people of Aceh in their religious understanding during the theological polemic of the time, namely the issue of wujudiyah. This research focuses on the theological thought of the book and its influence on the practice of tawhid in Aceh society. The study found that the theological thought contained in the book is influenced by the Ash'ari theological school, characterized by the mention of Allah's attributes and the rejection of Jabariyya and Qadariyya. At the time, the book had an influence on the understanding of tawhid and the path to Allah, but its influence was lost as it was no longer used as a reference in the development of Islamic knowledge in the dayahs, which are known as the centers of tawhid studies in Aceh. This reality should serve as a reference that Acehnese scholars' theological thought can be re-studied in the development of Islamic studies, both in dayahs and Islamic universities.

Kritik Asghar Ali Engineer Terhadap Teologi Islam Klasik

The purpose of this paper is to find out Asghar Ali Engineer's thoughts on Islamic theology. This research is an analysis of the texts obtained through a qualitative study process, the primary data in this study are the writings of Asghar Ali Engineer and the secondary data in the form of writings that support Islamic theological thinking. The result of this research is Asghar Ali Engineer wants to emphasize the liberation of the oppressed who are not bound by theology and reject the existence of oppression, persecution, and human exploitation by humans. Asghar Ali Engineer wants three practical framework concepts in his liberation theology, namely: First, the concept of monotheism, which not only refers to the oneness of God, but also to the unity of mankind. Second, the concept of faith is not only interpreted as a matter of believing in God, but people who believe must be trustworthy, strive to create peace and order that are serious about creating a just and prosperous society, and believe in values. about the good in life. Third, the concept of jihad which is defined as a dynamic and consistent struggle to eliminate exploitation, corruption, and various forms of injustice

A Critical Analysis of the Role of Herodotus's Histories in Representing the Conflicts between the Persian Empire and the Greek States

Herodotus' Histories is the first truly historical work in Western literature. It describes how and why wars took place from 680 BC to 479 BC. As a historical record, Herodotus used documentary techniques to record the human geography, national customs and political ideas of the society at that time. This information served as the background and causes of the Greek-Persian War so that later generations could better understand the history of that period. This paper takes the first volume as an example to interpret Herodotus' description of the Lydian Empire, the Persian Empire and the core figures of the empire as well as the theological thoughts mixed in the explanation of the war, and to enrich the reasons for the occurrence and results of the war through the description of the national political system and other background information. Therefore, Herodotus' Histories not only records the war but also shows the influence brought by the war, such as the exchange and development of culture. By recording and describing the Greek-Persian War, Herodotus revealed the history of the ancient Greek period and expressed his sense of responsibility and mission as a historian.

Karakteristik dan Corak Pemikiran Teologi Islam Klasik dan Modern

Classical theology is a legacy from past theologies in the span of Islamic history and has apologetic characteristics (long debates on the area of mortal sin, eschatology, heaven and hell and the eternity of the Qur'an) and romantic remembers and longs for the greatness and excellence of past theologians without filling and preparing for global competition to be faced, while the style of modern theological thinking is to prioritize substance rather than form, and function Islamic values to overcome concrete community problems such as ignorance, poverty, unemployment, and social backwardness and develop science and science within the framework of prosperity and the peace of mankind on this earth. The two theological styles that exist in society make the color of the paradigm of Islamic theology must be able to be dialecticized by adherents of more moderate theology, so that abandoning classical theology does not mean leaving totality but changing the construct of thinking towards the substance of ijtihad in accordance with messages of humanist values.

Phenomenology Out of Bounds? Jean-Yves Lacoste’s Phenomenology and the Presence of God

This article articulates Jean-Yves Lacoste’s account of phenomenology. It does so by tracing Lacoste’s relation to Husserl. Although the influence of Heidegger on Lacoste’s thinking has been sufficiently studied, his relation to the father of phenomenology perhaps is not. The aim of this essay is to see whether Lacoste’s practice of phenomenology still qualifies as phenomenology proper or whether, as some might be inclined to think, it is an improper venturing into the terrain of theology. For this, we offer an account both of Lacoste’s conception of “theological thinking” and of the phenomenon he describes so beautifully, the presence of God in liturgical and sacramental presence. This article concludes by, perhaps, putting into parentheses some of Lacoste’s findings by pointing to Jacques Derrida’s take on Husserl’s Origin of Geometry, questioning once more the bounds and boundaries of Lacoste’s phenomenology of faith and opening avenues for further research.

Penerapan Pendidikan Multikultural dalam Pembelajaran Sejarah Islam di Prodi Pendidikan Sejarah UISU

The implementation of multicultural education in the teaching of Islamic history in the History Education Study Program at UISU (Universitas Islam Sumatera Utara) holds significant value and benefits. In this context, multicultural education aims to develop a comprehensive understanding of Islamic history in an inclusive manner, promote appreciation for cultural and religious diversity, and enhance students' cross-cultural communication skills and understanding. Through the implementation of multicultural education, students in the History Education Study Program at UISU can develop broader and deeper perspectives on Islamic history, including its influence on various regions and eras' cultures and societies. They can study and analyze the roles and contributions of different ethnic groups, languages, and traditions in the development of Islam. The multicultural education approach also enables students to understand that Islam has rich internal diversity, encompassing diverse worship practices, intellectual traditions, and theological thoughts. This research adopts a qualitative research method with a phenomenological approach, which involves critically analyzing social phenomena. The phenomenological approach is employed by the researcher to ensure the objectivity and scientific nature of the research. The researcher acts as a key instrument and suspends preconceived assumptions or biases. Meanwhile, qualitative methods can be used to uncover and understand the underlying aspects of phenomena, providing insights into the unknown or little-known aspects for both researchers and lecturers.