Word Of God Research Articles

Various religions view non-faith marriage as a controversial decision and contrary to religious teachings. The reality is that many people, including Christians, enter into marriages outside their faith. This marriage is based on the view that it is an individual right. Furthermore, marriage is seen as a demonstration of love and a pursuit of happiness. This qualitative research uses literature and hermeneutic methods to expose the text of Genesis 6:1-4. The purpose of this research is to examine the meaning of the text of Genesis 6:1-4 through exposition. Then examines the theological implications of this exposition for the autonomy of the Christian individual. The exposition's findings demonstrate that unfaithful marriages contradict God's Word and are based primarily on physical appearance, neglecting spiritual qualities. Unfaithful marriages negatively impact not only the individual Christians themselves but also their families and offspring.

Advancement in digital era technology, particularly in social media and Artificial Intelligence, have made it significantly easier for Generation Alpha to consume various information especially through short clips. However, these advancements heightened the vulnerability to misinformation. Social media and Artificial Intelligence algorithms often amplify of such causing inaccurate information short clips to appear repeatedly on their device screen. Furthermore, the reliance on these technologies has made Generation Alpha highly addictive to social media contents and AI, often leading Gen A indifference toward matters related to spirituality. The method used in this qualitative research is a literature study and hermeneutics with an expository approach to Deuteronomy 6:6-7. The aim is to examine the relationship of Deuteronomy 6:6-7 expository and the role of parents in nurturing the spiritual growth of Generation Alpha. The study shows that God's Word must be taught repeatedly, every time and anywhere possible. Word of God must be carried out faithfully and in obedience. Based on the exposition of Deuteronomy 6:6-7, the role of parents can be understood in three dimensions: as teachers who teach, as disciplinarians who guide, and as role models to their children. Together, these responsibilities play a vital role in shaping the spiritual formation of Generation Alpha.

Abstract This study offers a new translation of the Song of Deborah (Judges 5) along with a Pentecostal hearing of the song through rhetorical analysis. The translation seeks to display the wordplay, verbal repetition, and structural symmetry of the Hebrew text that sometimes have been lost in previous translations. Moving from translation to interpretation, the article examines the rhetoric of the text and how the song affects the hearers, both ancient and contemporary. Inasmuch as Deborah is known as a prophet (Judg. 4.4), the article also explores the connection between prophecy and song. The author suggests that the ancient Hebrews canonized the Song of Deborah because it testified to the saving acts of God and because it functioned as the word of God to them. The author asserts further that contemporary Christians continue to read Judges 5 for the same reasons.

The thesis entitled, "Analysis of the Impact of Worship Based on John 4:23 on the Spiritual Growth of the GBI Patuha Bandung Congregation."John 4:23 can provide the teachings of the Lord Jesus about worship and the extent of its impact on the spiritual growth of the congregation. The research aims to explore how worship in the context of church services affects spiritual growth, including heart transformation, spiritual renewal, and character development in Christ. This study uses a qualitative descriptive approach to analyze the impact of worship based on John 4:23 on the spiritual growth of the congregation at Gereja Bethel Indonesia (GBI) Patuha, Bandung. Data were collected through interviews with leaders, activists, and church workers, as well as direct observations in the field. The results show that worship, as described in John 4:24, is a vital aspect of the spiritual life of the GBI Patuha congregation. The church has undergone significant transformation by shifting its focus from teaching to worship, with the aim of deepening a personal relationship with God. Worship is not only an emotional activity but also a means to strengthen faith, renew the spirit, and shape Christ-like character in the lives of the congregation. Worship grounded in the Word of God and the guidance of the Holy Spirit positively impacts the church community, encouraging active service and devotion to God and others. The congregation experiences heart transformation and spiritual renewal, which strengthens their relationship with God. Furthermore, worship focused on God encourages the congregation to live in humility, love, and obedience, as well as increasing their enthusiasm for serving. Innovations such as providing digital worship platforms also extend the church’s reach and enhance congregational involvement. This study also recommends the development of more structured worship training to deepen theological understanding and correct worship practices according to biblical principles.

Jubilee year and mission have a closely interwind relationship. The very core of mission is God’s salvific plan which is His desires to restore humanity in His likeness. To accomplish this mission, God sent prophets to proclaim His word; the Israelites to bring blessings to all nations, and ultimately, His only son to redeem the world. God has used many ways to save humanity. One of these is noted in Spes non Confundit, the Bull of Indiction by Pope Francis, No. 10 “This is an ancient appeal, one drawn from the word of God, whose wisdom remains ever timely. It calls for acts of clemency and liberation that enable new beginnings: “You shall hallow the fiftieth year, and you shall proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants” (Lev 25:10) This Mosaic law, was later echoed by the Prophet of Isaiah, “The Lord has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and release to the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour” (Is 61:1-2). This passage from Isaiah was then proclaimed by Jesus at the beginning of His ministry. From this exploration, one can say that mission is the restoration of humanity to God’s likeness through the proclamation of freedom for captives, recovery of sight for the blind, and liberation for the oppressed-just as in the jubilee year.

The present study aims to show the main arguments in the criticism of iconoclasm in some dualistic heresies in the works of Orthodox authors from the period 10th – 12th and the beginning of the 13th century. Via the analysis of dogmatic-polemical and anti-heretical works of Orthodox writers from the indicated period, the task of the present study is to prove the failure and lack of foundation of the heretical iconoclastic views of the representatives of the various dualistic heresies, especially in Bulgaria and Eastern Byzantine Empire. The veneration of holy images is based on the dogma of the Incarnation of God, which is fundamental in Orthodox understanding of the icon. The incarnation of the Word of God and the creation of man in the image of God are a prerequisite and basis for the likeness of God, hence for the depiction of the Mother of God, the saints and all the holy disembodied heavenly powers.

Abstract: Era of society 5.0, which is not easy to face and own the challenge for education, especially Christian religious education. In addition to having quite a tough challenge for Christian religious education, era Society 5.0 also presents good opportunities that can help Christian religious education to develop towards a better and more advanced direction. Based on the development of educational technology, Christian religious education is needed to adapt biblical principles to the current state of Christian society. A significant challenge is how to apply Christian theology in Christian religious education using technology without violating the doctrines that are fundamental to the Christian faith. TransformNation is a program that operates in the field of education, specifically supporting Christian schools in rural areas in their efforts to empower marginalized communities. To address this problem, one of the methods researchers employ in this study is the implementation of an application, Kambiumgo, in Christian religious education, particularly in the field of discipleship. Based on these conditions, the following problems are formulated: how does the implementation of the Kambiumgo application form the character of Christ through discipleship in the TransformNation program in the era of society 5.0? The objectives to be achieved in the study are to know the implementation Kambiumgo application, which forms the character-building Christ in the program TransformNation through discipleship in the era of society 5.0. The method used in this study is a qualitative approach with a descriptive case study method. The results of this study found that the Kambiumgo application is very useful for helping students from the TransformNation program to study God's Word and discuss it anywhere and anytime. Due to its flexible, communicative, and easily accessible nature, this helps the formation of Christ's character in the student discipleship TransformNation program conducted through small groups. Based on this research, it is suggested that in addition to using the kambiumgo application, small group is also expected to hold meetings routinely and provide feedback among small group members to find out the spiritual growth of each member so that they have a real relationship with Christ, not just carrying out tasks or routines.

The article addresses Francis’ involvement in ecumenical dialogue with the Orthodox Churches, Oriental Churches and communities arising from the Reformation, including both historical denominations (Anglicanism, Lutheranism, Calvinism and Methodism) and contemporary evangelical movements, particularly Pentecostalism. Francis’ pontificate has been characterised by a strong emphasis on the search for unity among Christians, which is supported by both theological and practical justifications, such as the challenges of modern times and the need for a unified testimony. This article synthesises an analysis of Francis’ individual statements and activities. The research indicates that in his dialogue with Eastern Christians, Francis focused on their spiritual heritage, the relationship between synodality and the Primacy of Peter and the manner in which the papal office is exercised. Additionally, he highlighted the importance of church collaboration in addressing contemporary issues, including peace, ecological concerns and support for those persecuted for their faith. In dialogue with Protestant communities, Francis emphasised the significance of the word of God, spirituality, unity in diversity, a fresh interpretation of the Reformation and its aftermath, the importance of witnessing faith and the role of service in addressing global challenges. Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: A key focus was interaction with Evangelicals, particularly Pentecostals, who are the fastest-growing branch of Christianity. This area emphasises the importance of baptism in the Holy Spirit, evangelisation and the pursuit of unity. Catholic charismatic renewal groups can assist in this mission.

This article explores the conditions required for fostering trustful dialogue between theologians and church members regarding the interpretation of Scripture. The focus is on a study project initiated by the Dutch Reformed Church Western Cape Synod in response to tensions within the denomination surrounding biblical interpretation, particularly after the 2016 General Synod. The study project aimed to describe conditions for bridging the gap between theologians and non-theologically trained church members. Joint conversations between theologians and church members were facilitated, during which collaborative exploration of biblical texts took place. The findings highlight the significance of theological posture, vulnerability and the willingness of both theologians and church members to engage with the text as a living conversation rather than a static academic exercise. The role of a facilitator in guiding discussions, creating an inclusive space and encouraging self-reflection further contributed to meaningful engagement. This approach challenges the dichotomy between expert and lay reader, proposing that biblical interpretation should be a communal and dynamic process. The project emphasised the importance of authentic dialogue within collaborative academic and church settings. It stressed that trust, built on shared vulnerability between theologians and church members, is key to overcoming divisions regarding Bible interpretation and fostering a deeper connection with the living Word of God. Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: The study suggests that teachers in theological education should not position themselves as distant experts but as co-learners, fostering a space where dialogue and shared learning can take place. Hermeneutics should not only focus on intellectual analysis and academic understanding but also involve spiritual openness, vulnerability and communal discernment. In church settings, theologians will do better if they learn how to foster trust and allow their members to participate in conversation about the meaning of the Bible, rather than being authoritative figures.

This study analyzes the methods and benefits of Bible study for Christian believers. Studying the Bible provides many benefits in the life journey of Christian believers. Still, the various challenges and difficulties that believers face in finding meaning in the Bible's text, as well as the unstructured interpretation methods, often become obstacles to obtaining these benefits. This study uses a qualitative descriptive method with a survey approach to eight (8) Emmaus Journey Bible Apostolate group members in Jalan Godean, Yogyakarta. Data were collected through a questionnaire containing several written questions about the interpretation method, benefits, and meanings obtained after studying the Bible. The study results show that studying the text of the Bible not only brings people closer to the Bible but also improves the quality of believers' understanding regarding the Bible and increasingly enables believers to live according to the Word of God in everyday life. In this case, believers need to use the right methods and approaches to interpret the text of the Bible according to its literary form and type. Some methods and approaches that can be used are the interpretation method in Dei Verbum 12, the historical-critical method, the narrative method, the sociological approach, the cultural anthropology approach, the psychological and psychoanalytic approach, and the allegorical approach. This study concludes that the study of the Bible has a great opportunity to help Christian believers explore the spiritual riches in the Bible, as long as the believers can interpret the texts in the Bible with the right methods and approaches and based on the three meanings of the texts in the Bible, namely the literal meaning, the spiritual meaning, and the deeper meaning. Recommendations are given to the Bible’s apostolate group to develop the methods and approaches to interpreting the texts of the Bible.

In the celebration of the Eucharist, silence is an important element in liturgical celebrations. Liturgical silence is a means that sends people into the inner world where God is personally experienced. Silence is a time when people listen and absorb God's Word and bear fruit in their daily lives through words, actions and deeds. The author's purpose in making this scientific paper is to urge the people to maintain silence while participating in the Eucharistic Celebration, so that all people can prepare themselves and mind to follow and carry out the Eucharistic Celebration with a calm heart and mind. The method of writing this thesis is a literature review. This scientific work was compiled based on the author's concern about the lack of appreciation of the people in participating in the Eucharistic Celebration. It is undeniable that there are things that disturb the silence during the Eucharistic Celebration, such as the noise in the sacrament when the officers are preparing themselves, and the sound of mobile phones ringing. Therefore, before the Eucharistic Celebration, it is highly recommended that silence can be created, both in the church and in the area around the church. This paper recalls that silence can be created through prayer. And the most important thing in prayer is not to first seek what we want, but to be aware of the desire and inner movement that is driven by God Himself.

This article aims to explain the theological reasons why humans marry, as set out in the biblical narratives from Genesis to the New Testament. Through a review of literature and a theological interpretive approach, it demonstrates that marriage is an integral part of the divine mandate and a reflection of God's love, rather than merely a social or biological necessity. It highlights that marriage is rooted in creation, love, character development and participation in God's mission on earth. Furthermore, it discusses key principles for building a Christian family, including the roles of husband and wife, effective communication, financial management, and spiritual development. The article concludes that a healthy Christian marriage can only be established on the true principles of God's word.

This study aims to explore students' understanding of the First Friday Mass at Sekolah Tinggi Agama Katolik (STAKat) Negeri Pontianak, its impact on their spirituality as future Catholic Religious Education teachers, and the obstacles they face in participating in the mass. The research was conducted from July 30 to September 9, 2024, at STAKat Negeri Pontianak. Informants in this study consisted of three main groups: students from the 2022, a lecturer, and the Vice Chairman III. The findings showed that students at STAKat Negeri Pontianak had a solid understanding of the First Friday Mass as a form of devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and an essential part of the Catholic faith. This mass has a positive impact on students' spirituality, especially in shaping attitudes of faithfulness to God's word, compassion for others, forgiveness, humility, and a willingness to sacrifice qualities vital for future Catholic Religious Education teachers. However, participation in the mass was hindered by several challenges, such as health issues, conflicting academic or work schedules, and a lack of motivation that causes some students to perceive the mass as less important. Nevertheless, the First Friday Mass continued to play a significant role in supporting students’ spiritual development.

In Jerome's work, Scripture played a huge and undeniable role. It was not only a source of knowledge of God, but also of teaching about Him. When fighting against current or emerging heresies, the Monk of Bethlehem most often resorted to the argument of Scripture. According to him, the rise of heresies is linked to a misinterpretation of Scripture. For the Author of the Vulgate, the Bible was also the main foundation for refuting hostile heresies. We can distinguish three ways according to which Stridonian showed the errors of the heresies described. The first, consisted in a misinterpretation of Scripture. In describing a heresy, Jerome showed its errors by quoting the relevant passage of Scripture. The second way was similar to the first. This time, the author of the Vulgate contrasted a given heresy with several quotations from Scripture, thus highlighting its contradiction. The third and final way was to challenge the biblical interpretation on which the heresy in question was based. This was to demonstrate the misinterpretation of a particular heresy. Combating hostile heresies was one of the main reasons that made Jerome realise the importance that an adequate translation of Scripture has. The Monk of Bethlehem believed that by taking care of the Word of God, there would be fewer heresies, and those that did arise could be effectively combated through appropriate tools, which Stridonian included the unification of translations of Scripture and its proper exegesis.

Revelation and the Word of God, written by Paul Avis

In 1692 nineteen women and men were hanged in Salem, Massachusetts, for the crime of witchcraft. In this paper I interpret the Salem witch trials within the framework of feminist legal geographies. In so doing, I situate legal geographies at the intersection of religion, magic, and jurisprudence. Throughout Christian Europe, between the fifteenth and eighteenth centuries, the study of demons—demonology—both informed and was informed by jurisprudence. Crucially, this fusion of epistemologies provided the foundation upon which legal geographies were produced. Markedly, these geographies existed in both material and spectral form, that is, a cosmic geography that was simultaneously visible and invisible, tangible and intangible, evident and opaque. Drawing on the legal persecution and prosecution of persons accused of diabolic witchcraft in seventeenth-century New England, I highlight how the co-constitution of law and space transcended the natural, material world to encompass both the supernatural and preternatural. More specifically, I detail how, during the Salem witch trials of 1692, God’s law was informed by, and informed, a gendered conception of natural law. Simply put, as the literal word of God, Biblical scripture established “true” knowledge; in turn, for New England Puritans, law aligned with, rather than departed from, these truths as embodied by the figure of the demonic female witch.

Marriage today is highly vulnerable to divorce due to unresolved conflicts. Husbands and wives need to understand the causes of conflict and how to resolve them in order to have a harmonious married life based on the Christian faith perspective. The method used in writing this journal is a literature study, drawing from statistical data, surrounding phenomena, and ways to resolve conflict according to the Bible. Through understanding the causes and solutions to conflict, it is hoped that this can benefit married couples by helping them build a strong marriage and grow in their knowledge and application of God's Word in their marital life.

Abstract T. F. Torrance’s reconstructed ‘natural theology’, inasmuch as it is consistent, is not, ultimately, natural theology at all but an account of human thought reconciled to God through participating in the vicarious humanity of Jesus Christ. The purpose of this essay is to lay out the coordination of Torrance’s reconstructed natural theology as discursive stratum of theology in relation to the double movement in which Jesus Christ both uncovers God to humanity and uncovers human eyes and ears to God. Jesus Christ has vicariously received the Word of God using the same faculties with which we have rebelled against it and actualized the knowledge of God as a human reality.

The article presents an analysis of Francis’ numerous statements on the topic of ecumenism and attempts to synthesise papal thought in the key of directions, foundations and practical guidelines for the search for unity by contemporary Christians. The study of the source texts first helps to demonstrate the main areas of Francis’ ecumenism (including the motivation for a common path and theological dialogue, the focus on spiritual life and service to the world). The theological foundations of this service will then be recognised, above all the gift of grace, the ecclesiology of unity, starting from the source of baptism, the profession of faith and the perspective of holiness. Finally, the third part of the article is an attempt to synthesise Francis’ practical orientations and indications for ecumenism, including openness to the word of God and the Holy Spirit, evangelisation, awareness of imperfect unity, moving from the logic of “what I can teach” to “what I can learn,” response to the challenges of the world.

The project is dedicated to the development of a new concept of the history of science, that would account for the role of theological knowledge in the development of scientific knowledge. The development of natural sciences in the High Middle Ages and in following eras contrasted the metaphorical image of the "Book of Nature" and the Bible as a book of Revelation. Howe­ver, this pair of concepts emerged in late Antiquity; but at that time it was not contradicting, but complementing each other. The 3rd–4th centuries AD deserve special attention, as the notions of “theology” and “physics” in a form close to the modern understanding first occurred. Until this time, the “theological” discourse was mainly limited to the metaphysical model of one or ano­ther philosophical school, and the “physical” one – to the corresponding model of cosmology, whereas now the search begins for the basis for the synthesis of the entire diversity of mythological and natural scientific experience collected over the period of the thousand-year develo­p­ment of Hellenic culture. One of the bases of synthesis is rethinking of the role of matter and material objects in their relationship with the intelligible world, which, in turn, brings out the notion of “symbol”. The article demonstrates how the symbolic method allows to integrate the cumulative natural scientific knowledge into the worldview model of theurgic Neoplatonism and into the Christian philosophy of the Alexandrian school.