True Faith Research Articles

Sinran’s Hymns Dedicated to T’an-luan. Translation, foreword and notes

This publication presents the texts of laudatory versified hymns by Shinran 親鸞 (1173–1262), a Japanese monk, thinker and the founder of the “True Faith of the Pure Land” school (Jap. jōdo shinshū), in which he addresses one of the five founders (“Patriarchs”) of the “Pure Land” school (Chin. jingtu-zong), the Chinese monk T’an-luan 曇鸞 (476–542). In his praises, Shinran refers to T’an-luan as the “Primordial Mentor”, the “First Teacher”, as well as a bodhisattva, the “master” and the “Great Master”. The texts are given in Japanese, complete with transcription, translation into Russian and annotations.

KRITIK TERHADAP PENGAJARAN VISUALIASI DAN AFIRMASI TEOLOGI KEMAKMURAN BERDASARKAN EKSPOSISI KEJADIAN 15:5-6

What faith is and how to express it are two essential questions that seem easy but are complicated to answer. According to the prosperity gospel adherents, faith must be expressed through imagining (visualization) and saying (affirmation), as written in Genesis 15:5-6. However, for some groups, this teaching deviates from the truth according to the Bible and is more similar to the law of attraction. This article intends to criticize the visualization concept and to explore what is faith according to Genesis 15:5-6 by using the library research method combined with text exposition. The conclusion is that according to Genesis 15:5-6, true faith focuses on God's will entirely without the help of the power of human thoughts and words. Thus, visualization teaching, apart from being unbiblical, is also humanistic and tends to lead to syncretism.

Свобода совести в философии раннего Нового времени: генезис концепта

The paper presents the analysis of the historical development of ideas of tolerance, freedom of conscience and speech in Early Modern times. These concepts were introduced to the ideological & philosophical discourse by Reformation and Counterreformation movements. An initial point of their development was linked to the strife of competing parties and thus got a strong instrumentalist bias. Mainstream theorists of the Reformation (e.g. T. Beza, Peter Martyr Vermigli, T. Goodwin) regarded tolerance & freedom of conscience as a means for propagation of a true faith (i.e. Protestantism) and a guarantee against its suppression by the powerful governments of the unfaithful. Mainstream theorists of the Counterreformation (e.g. F. Suarez, M. Becanus) followed this pattern as well. While mainstream theorists stressed a collectivist and clerically-conservative perspective of the freedom of conscience, their adversaries proposed an individualist and politically radical vision. S. Castellion, R. Brown and R. Williams argued that freedom of conscience was a universal right of a person of any confessional identity; a true Reformation, ought to be a “Reformation Without Tarying for Anie”, not just a reformed papal tyranny. Disputations between the proponents of the conservative and the radical perspective culminated in the writings of J. Milton and T. Hobbes. Despite the sharp confl ict of parties they belonged to Milton and Hobbes stood on a common ground of a secular & individualist vision of the freedom of conscience. Their analysis of the practices of freedom of thought & speech and of the tensions between the citizen and the state set an initial point of the religious thought in the Enlightenment epoch.

EDUCATIONAL VALUES IN THE QUR'AN SURAH AT-TAHRIM

In the Qur'an, Allah SWT not only commands us to protect ourselves from the torment of hellfire, but Allah SWT also commands us to protect our families from the torment of hellfire This research is a qualitative research with the type of library study (library reseach) the author tries to examine the value of education in the Qur'an letter at-tahrim. The method used in this research is descriptive method with the aim to describe systematically and precisely about the educational values contained in the Qur'an. The research technique used is literature study, namely reading, understanding, analyzing supporting books. This research is a qualitative research with the type of library study (library reseach) the author tries to examine the value of education in the Qur'an letter at-tahrim. The method used in this research is descriptive method with the aim to describe systematically and precisely about the educational values contained in the Qur'an.. The results of this study indicate that the values contained in the Qur'an letter at tahrim are: a). Believe in allah swt with true faith. b). Believe in the existence of the Day of Judgment. c). Protect yourself and your family from the torment of hellfire. d). Worship. e). Example of a good wife

The Church as a Divine Instrument in Advancing God's Mission through the Implementation of Pastoral Counseling

This research uses a qualitative content analysis approach. The data collection technique is done by looking at books and journal articles related to the topic discussed. The data analysis technique was carried out with qualitative content analysis as the main method for discussing the central role of the church as an instrument for carrying out God’s mission, with a particular focus on the effective implementation of pastoral counseling. This research aims to find out what is meant by the church as an instrument of God’s mission. Furthermore, the research aims to determine the implementation of pastoral counseling in the mission of the church and through the church as an instrument of God’s mission. As a result, the church is sent to proclaim the message in and through Jesus Christ, which must be responded to with true faith and repentance. The pastoral function is an operational goal of God’s mission that can be achieved through pastoral services provided to others. Pastors and counselors should learn counseling approaches and techniques to provide more inclusive and relational ministry by exploring forms of collaboration that can be developed through the use of existing resources within the community or through partnerships with mental health professionals and outreach services. Finally, this integrative collaboration enables the church to do mission service through pastoral care with a holistic approach as a dynamic expression of the church’s commitment to fulfill God’s mission on earth. Keywords: empowering, the church, instrument, God’s mission, implementation, pastoral counseling

HAMKA's Thoughts on the Integration of Islamic Values and Indonesian Nationalism

The article focuses on the integration of Islamic values and Indonesian nationalism as interpreted by Hamka. In contemporary Indonesian society, there is a recurring tension between religious values and national identity, often resulting in societal discord and fragmented national unity. The purpose of this study is to analyze and elucidate Hamka’s perspectives on the harmonization of Islamic teachings and Indonesian nationalism. By examining Hamka’s works and thoughts, the study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of how Islamic values can coexist and support the principles of Indonesian nationalism. The method used in this research is a descriptive-analytical method with an integration and interconnection approach. The primary data used in this research are Hamka's works. At the same time, the secondary data in this research are books, journal articles, and other websites that discuss Hamka's thoughts. The results showed that in applying and integrating Islamic values in the frame of nationality and Indonesianness, Hamka divided it into three main thoughts. First, Islam and the vision of humanity. The vision of Islam is a religion for all mankind and humanity and religion for the next generation, so that religious da'wah is sustainable, renewed, and emphasized to oneself the family, and society; Second, nationality and freedom. The spirit of nationality arises from true faith and does not break away from the roots of "tawhid"; Third, Indonesianness and welfare.

L’immagine del Turco nelle cronache moldave in lingua slava

The Moldavian chronicles in the Slavic languages of the 15th–16th centuries expose the events of the country in a time of grave difficulties for the survival of the Christian states of Europe, threatened by the expansionary policy of the Ottoman Empire. The authors closely follow the progressive expansion of the Sublime Porte and the fall of boroughs, citadels, and cities (Gallipoli, Sofia, Veliko Tărnovo, Thessaloniki), as well as Chilia, Cetatea Albă, fortified Moldavian citadels. Naturally, the chroniclers rejoice for the rarest victories on the battlefield of the European sovereigns and the princes of Moldavia; they are saddened by the defeats suffered by Moldavian and, more generally, Christian arms. Above all, they fear that the new ‘paganism’ coming from the now subjugated Constantinople can suffocate the ancestral religion, although they do not neglect the dangerousness of other beliefs, such as the Lutheran, professed even by a prince. In the final analysis, the chronicler considers himself a scriba Dei who must educate the reader and strengthen him in the true faith, orthodoxy.

The Relationship between the Level of Religiousness of the Christian Orthodox Female Students of Teachers’ Education Faculties in Serbia and Their Attitudes towards Orthodox-Moral Issues

Religion is a complex construct that defines not only the historical and social identity of a nation, but also the personal identity of an individual. The attitude towards religion can be conditioned by tradition, political ideology, true faith, education, etc. In our research, we have tried to establish the level of religiousness of the female students of teacher education faculties in Serbia, belonging to the Orthodox Christianity as the dominant confession in Serbia. We examined their attitudes towards some of the moral challenges encountered by believers, including abortion, prostitution, same-sex marriages, the use of cannabis, and euthanasia. Using a snowball non-discriminative online sample of 336 female Orthodox students, we found that the students assessed themselves as above-average religious and that out of three dimensions of religiousness measured in the questionnaire, the lowest scores were recorded for the dimension of the effect of faith on their behavior. The study showed that the level of religiousness is a good predictor of attitudes towards abortion, prostitution, and same-sex marriages, but not towards the use of cannabis. Moreover, religiousness and attitudes towards prostitution are positively correlated, which is directly opposite to religious teachings. This is why a question arises as to whether we can speak about a return to faith or merely a return to the traditional model of manifesting the religious as an antipode to the secular organization in force until 1989. The results of our research point to the latter conclusion.

The Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6:9–13: Reconstructing based on Byzantine text

Prayer holds a profound significance in a believer’s life, with Lord Jesus teaching specific teachings to his disciples on the subject. It serves as a communication tool bridging the connection between God and humanity, constituting a dialogue rather than solely a platform for pleas or requests. This research delved into the specific text of prayer, focusing on Matthew 6:9–13, commonly known as ‘The Lord’s Prayer’. While many Christians interpret it as a ‘prayer of supplication’, the study questioned whether it truly falls into that category and explored potential contradictions.Utilising a qualitative approach with a pure exegesis study, the author employed hermeneutics based on John D. Grassmick’s steps of exegesis analysis. The examination was centred on the Byzantine Greek Bible text in the Gospel of Matthew 6:14–15. The aim was to grasp the essence of the message within the studied texts, emphasising Lord Jesus’ teachings. Results highlighted the significance of understanding the Lord’s Prayer as taught by Jesus in Matthew 6:9–13. The author emphasised the importance for Christians in Indonesia to comprehend the meaning of this prayer.Contribution: This reconstruction of Matthew’s understanding of the Lord’s Prayer using the Byzantine text anticipated contributions to HTS Theological Studies. The Our Father’s Prayer, a blessing to churches and Christians for over 2000 years, was explored for its proper grammatical translation and the profound contents taught by Jesus. This study aimed to assist Christians in understanding and applying the prayer in their lives, aligning with the true faith and fostering spiritual growth as intended by Lord Jesus.

True Faith and its Forms

This study, titled "True Faith and False Faith," discusses what true faith is and other related topics, including how work can be done in the name of faith and how faith can grow and decline. Then, it addresses several forms of erroneous faith and the grounds for their invalidity. These forms are split into what represents life and death through witnessing persecution, devastation, gurgling, or the sun rising from the West. I ended my research by discussing the causes of falling into the various types of false faith and strategies to prevent it. We pray to God for success and sincerity in everything we say and do.

When the one true faith trumps all: Low religious diversity, religious intolerance, and science denial.

Past theories have linked science denial to religiosity but have not explained its geographic variability. We hypothesize that it springs not only from religious intensity but also from religious intolerance, which depends greatly on the experience of religious diversity and hence on geography. The belief that one's religion trumps other faiths precipitates the stance that it trumps science too. This psychological process is most likely to operate in regions or countries with low religious heterogeneity. We measure the rejection of science not only in people's refusal to follow specific health recommendations, such as taking COVID-19 vaccines, but also in general measures of scientific engagement and attainment. We rule out alternative explanations, including reverse causality and spurious correlations, by conducting controlled experiments and running robustness checks on our statistical models.

Honesty in succession and contemporary challenges

God Almighty honored Adam's descendants by bestowing upon them the task of reconstructing the land they inherited. Islam, in general, presents us with a magnificent portrayal of the architecture of the land and humanity under the umbrella of monotheism and the truth of faith. Stewardship of the land is a great responsibility that humans bear. It is man's duty to worship God faithfully, to build the earth with goodness and righteousness, to revive it, promote life and growth, and refrain from oppression or tyranny, encroaching on wealth, honor, and lives. God will inherit the earth and all that is on it. This is the reality of stewardship that every Muslim must be aware of its conditions and objectives. This is one of the essential aspects, especially in the contemporary age when humanity is experiencing challenges worldwide. KEYWORDS: succession, honestly, human being, regards, contemporary.

Kontroversi Yuridis dalam Mi 6: 1-8

This article will discuss the juridical controversy in Mi 6:1-8. This theme is in the theological exegesis method, where the text is examined from linguistic, social context and theological angles. In this article it is found that the leaders displayed arbitrary and unjust behaviour, the priests failed in their sacred duties, and the prophets did not convey the truth. Within this context, the reader encounters two significant theological principles: first, human leaders should submit to God's authority, embodying true kingship, and second, the role of human leaders is to guide people towards a closer communion with God. These are the expectations placed upon them. This critique of the prophets is particularly evident in the opening section of chapter 6, where God expresses His grievances, expectations, and impending judgments against His people, the Israelites. To sum up, micah 6:1-8 contains God's moral and religious requirements directed at Israel. The dispute outlined in Micah 6:1-8, a recurring theme in Old Testament prophetic literature, is known as a "rîb." In this passage, Micah conveys God's conditions for reestablishing justice in their relationship with Him. The conclusion of this passage highlights a few essential religious and civil actions necessary for restoring their connection with God. It serves as a reminder to Israel of the genuine religious tradition embodied in the Torah. Through the prophet Micah, God called upon Israel to seek reconciliation and return to their true faith

Գրիգոր Սկևռացու աղոթքները

Grigor Archimandrite Skevratsi, a follower of the famous clergyman and theologian Nerses of Lambron, was one of the outstanding public, political and cultural figures of medieval Armenia, who in his literary, cultural, religious, social and pedagogical activities was a worthy disciple of his teacher and carried on the traditions establishedby him. Grigor Skevratsi is a multi-genre author. He wrote in practically every genre of spiritual literature and left a legacy of odes and Church Hymns (sharakan), orations and sermons, exhortations and prayers, interpretations and translations. The current paper presents the prayers of Grigor Skevatsi. His theory of prayer is directly derived from the teaching of the school of Narek Monastery which is evidence of a continuity of tradition. Grigor Skevratsi expressed his views on prayer as the highest moment of spiritual life in a number of works, in the theologicalpoem “Instruction on the true Faith and the Virtuous and Pure Life” (“Khrat” (exhortation) «Բան խրատու վասն ուղիղ հաւատոյ և մաքուր վարուց առաքի-նութեան» («Խրատ»)), sermons, several small and large prayers. Skevratsi's prayers testify to his deep faith and high spiritual level.

Islamic Teachings on Love of Homeland According to the Qur'an

Love of the homeland is a very subtle and deep feeling in the human heart with which love of the homeland arises from true faith so as to cause the feeling to sacrifice for the glory of the motherland. The study of the concept of this discussion aims to foster a deep feeling of love for the homeland for a Muslim because it has been taught in the Qur'an. This research uses literature method with qualitative approach. The results showed that Islam has taught its adherents to love their homeland with the sources of evidence contained in the Qur'an. It can be said that Islam is a teaching that cares for the homeland so that its adherents must sacrifice and care for their homeland.

Сборник духовных стихов начала XX века: штрихи к портрету составителя

The article examines the content and decoration of the Old Believer eschatological Miscellany from the early 20th century, preserved in a private collection (Yurgamysh, Kurgan region). The compiler and designer of the Miscellany, as well as the author of small textual inserts, is one person, a member of the Pomor Old Believer community Amply Zakharovich Polynskikh, who lived in the village of Kamagan (Chelyabinsk region) in the first half of the 20th century. The compiler of the Miscellany tried to set out the Christian doctrine’s main positions on the Last Judgment and to show the way to the salvation of believers. For this purpose, he selected spiritual verses thematically and outlined his own understanding of the truth of faith, accompanying the texts by expressive graphic additions in the form of headpieces, endings, initials, two-color author's miniatures, as well as a set of colorful miniatures, probably taken from another Miscellany. This talentedly designed and well-compiled Miscellany is a variant of combining explanations of the “true faith’s” provisions, moralizing texts with a demonstration of a person’s moral choice and responsibility for everything that happens in life. In addition, the Miscellany is a historical source, which, thanks to the author’s notes, reflects the biography of a particular person, an Old Believer with his own interesting outlook on life, faith, the topic of salvation, etc. Numerous economic and memorial records provide an opportunity to see the private fate of a person of a certain occupation, with creative potential and artistic aspirations. The value of the Miscellany lies in the fact that it is both a talentedly constructed text with pictorial elements of decorative design, and an expressive historical source. It provides a window into a picture of life, occupations, and spiritual aspirations of the Old Believer community of the Ural region of the first half of the 20th century.

De damnabili ritu Graecorum: Osualdus de Lasko’s Sermons Regarding Orthodox Christians in Late Medieval Hungary

ABSTRACT Among the various inhabitants of the Hungarian Kingdom during the Middle Ages, there were also Orthodox Christians, frequently designated as schismatici. Secular and ecclesiastic authorities often sought their conversion and the mission of the Order of Friars Minor in this area targeted them as well. A change of attitude was imposed, at least for a time, in 1439 by the decree of union agreed at the Council of Florence (1438–39). A half a century later, Osualdus de Lasko (c. 1450–1511), a Hungarian Observant Franciscan, wrote a Lenten homiletic cycle exhorting a profound commitment to the true faith by addressing the question of the Byzantine rite in three of his sermons. This article offers an analysis of the sermon collection entitled Quadragesimale Gemma fidei, focusing mainly on the three sermons de damnabili ritu Graecorum. I will argue that, on a spiritual level, Osualdus intended to strengthen the faith of the Catholic inhabitants of Hungary, to resist and correct deviances, in order to regain God’s mercy. On a temporal level, he promoted the return of the ‘Greeks’ to communion with the Roman Church, through conversion, probably in the interest of a stronger front against the Ottomans.

True Faith and Philosophy as a Way to Overcome Religious Prejudices according to 1st and 2nd Century Christian Sources

The authors explore religious prejudices in early Christianity, Judaism, and paganism using 1st and 2nd-century sources. During that era, ethnic and religious biases affected various societal levels. The first section examines biases among Gentiles and Christians toward Jews, followed by biases between Gentiles and Jews toward Christians, and the prejudices of Christians and Jews toward Gentiles. The second section delves into prejudices between Christians and Jews, focusing on how society reacted to Christians’ distinctiveness from Jews, hindering their integration due to pagan religiosity. In response, Christians presented their faith as a bridge, emphasizing its universality for all people, not solely for the Jewish community. They offered a pathway for communion and reconciliation, asserting the superiority and broader interpretative nature of Christian faith over Judaism. Jesus Christ’s life, St. Paul’s teachings, and events from the Acts of the Apostles affirmed the faith’s universal significance. The third section centers on ‘barbarian philosophy’ as an attempt to unify Christians and pagans amid growing societal tensions in the 2nd century. Christian apologists, once pagan philosophers, aimed to alleviate prejudices by aligning their received faith with their society, employing ‘barbarian philosophy.’ This approach viewed Christianity through rationality, rooted in the universal divine Logos, appealing to all people as the creator and advocate.

Antinomianism as Iconism: The Living Images of the Frankists

Emerging in the context of messianic Sabbateanism in Eastern Europe, Frankism’s main characteristics are its stern opposition towards rabbinic Judaism and its rigid antinomism. Frankist doctrine and Frankist practice straightforwardly reversed the Law to its opposite. Frankist leaders, and in particular Jacob Frank (1726-1791) himself, employed strategies that took advantage of the multiform contact situations of religious traditions within the Polish-Lithuanian commonwealth by metaschematic subversion of religious forms. Frank refused to hide what he claimed to be the true faith, and openly and publicly presented himself as an opponent of the established rabbinic tradition. The open, visible, and public presentation was intended to be an affront by ostensibly/iconically opposing its aniconic stance. Anti-aniconism performed iconically was a deliberate and virtuously employed strategy in the struggle about messianic and eschatological issues. The emphasis on visibility and the deliberate establishment of iconic scenes within Frankist practice also breaks with the Sabbatian conduct of occurring in the environs of the traditional community and not being sharply distinguished from the ‘correct’ faith. In my article, I will argue that Frank deliberately employed hyper-iconism and living images (tableaux vivantes) to fulfill his messianic role.

Penegasan Superioritas Kristus Dalam Surat Ibrani 1:1-4 Guna Membungkam Adopsionism

For centuries, Christianity has experienced very serious problems regarding the doctrine of Christology. Until now, this problem is still a matter of polemic and debate, both among theologians, the Church, and even ordinary congregations. Often the errors regarding Christological doctrine stem from the understanding of Adoptionism. Where they assume that Jesus was appointed as the Son of God and has no equality in the relationship of teh Trinity. Of course, this wrong assumption affects the people and destroys true faith. So it is important for God’s people to have a foundation of faith that holds firmly to God’s infallible revelation. So that every believer has a shield of faith that is strong and can stand the test. In this way God’s people can silence misleading teachings such as Adoptionism.