Sino-Christian Theology, Bible, and Christian Tradition 161

2016 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Christian Theology ◽  
Christian Tradition

On Two Reasons Christian Theologians Should Reject The Intermediate State

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 121-139 ◽  
Author(s):  
James T. Turner
Keyword(s):  
Intermediate State ◽  
The Other ◽  
Christian Theology ◽  
Christian Tradition ◽  
Second Stage ◽  
Bodily Resurrection ◽  
Two Stages

Typically, Christian theology includes an understanding of human afterlife consisting of two stages. The first is a disembodied existence as an immaterial being in the time between death and resurrection. Normally, it’s affirmed that some disembodied humans go to Heaven/Paradise between one’s death and resurrection; this is a state I call The Intermediate State. The second stage is the bodily resurrection. In this paper, I focus on The Intermediate State. Though the majority of the Christian tradition affirms it, I think it’s mistaken. To show two reasons why, I argue that a traditional metaphysics of human persons deployed to explicate The Intermediate State brings with it one or the other of at least two untoward consequences for Christian theology.

scholarly journals African theology and African Christology: Difficulty and complexity in contemporary definitions and methodological frameworks

2018 ◽  
Vol 74 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Magezi ◽  
Jacob T. Igba
Keyword(s):  
Reference Point ◽  
Christian Theology ◽  
Christian Tradition ◽  
African Continent ◽  
African Theology ◽  
Theological Discourse ◽  
Methodological Approaches

There is an ongoing challenge in defining African theology because of two important reasons: (1) the quest for a definitive African theology is a fairly recent pursuit and (2) the vastness and diversity of the African continent. Given this, this article presents the complexity of defining African theology and its methodological approaches through a background sketch of the development of African theology. Regardless of many definitions of African theology and its purposes, the article acknowledges African Christian theology as theology that should be derived from the interplay between Scripture, Christian tradition and African cosmology. In deriving theology from the aforementioned aspects, African theology should also seek to develop contextual African theologies with global relevance. In this way, African theology can claim its space in the universal church. Although we are conscious of the values and challenges associated with the task of doing African theology, we argue for its necessity. We further argue that if the centrality of Scripture is maintained in the African theological endeavour, it will cause African theologies to have some shared reference point with other Christian theologies and hence engaging globally, while contributing unique African perspectives to global theological discourse.

Syncretism and Christian Tradition

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ross Kane
Keyword(s):  
Intellectual History ◽  
Holy Spirit ◽  
Religious Studies ◽  
Christian Theology ◽  
Cultural Continuity ◽  
Divine Revelation ◽  
Christian Tradition ◽  
The Holy Spirit ◽  
History Of ◽  
Material History

Studying the history of syncretism’s use indicates wider interpretative problems in religious studies and theology regarding race and revelation. It also indicates the importance of seeing “tradition” as adaptive and amalgamating rather than static. In theology and religious studies alike, discourses of syncretism are positioned within racialized perceptions which construct a center and periphery based upon white European knowledge. In Christian theology more specifically, syncretism’s use also shows ways that theologians try to protect the category of divine revelation from human interference, leading to interpretative problems that sidestep material history. The book makes this case through an intellectual history of the word syncretism, tracking its changing associations and especially its pejorative turn in Christianity in the early twentieth century. After diagnosing challenges related to syncretism, the book makes two constructive arguments. First, it defends the concept of “tradition”—for religious studies and theology alike—as a means of understanding cultural continuity amid the perpetual flux of syncretism. Second, in Christian theology specifically, it offers a constructive response to syncretism drawing from theologians Jean-Marc Éla and Rowan Williams. The Holy Spirit, through tradition, builds knowledge of the divine Logos across history often by way of contested religious mixtures with culture. The book concludes by examining positive examples of syncretism in Christianity like the incorporation of ancestor reverencing.

Christian Theologies of Salvation

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justin S. Holcomb
Keyword(s):  
Jesus Christ ◽  
Church History ◽  
Christian Theology ◽  
Christian Tradition ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The One ◽  
The Trinity ◽  
Historical Periods

This book introduces the reader to the great variety of distinctive interpretations within the Christian tradition regarding theologies of salvation, distinctive interpretations expressed by a wide range of Christian theologians. Christian theology is reflection on the one whom Christians confess as Lord and Savior. This reflection has been informed by the interest in salvation. The role of soteriology is to show why and how Jesus is significant. All Christian theologians would agree that Jesus Christ is the one through whom salvation comes, but to explain what that means has been debated throughout the tradition. Various contributors from a wide variety of Christian traditions address theologies of salvation, each bringing his or her own expertise to bear on theologies of the salvation as expressed in the work of specific theologians and in historical periods of church history, as well as cultural and sociological perspectives of the present. The theologies of the salvation are addressed from several angles—theological, historical, pastoral, and others. While there are many different perspectives regarding theologies of salvation, the recurring unifying theme is the role of the Trinity and the focus on the person and work of Jesus Christ.

Teologi Ekologi dan Mistik-Kosmik St. Fransiskus Asisi

2016 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 188
Author(s):  
Peter C. Aman
Keyword(s):  
Scientific Data ◽  
Imago Dei ◽  
Christian Theology ◽  
Christian Faith ◽  
Special Role ◽  
Christian Tradition ◽  
The World ◽  
Ecological Spirituality ◽  
Points Of View ◽  
The Given

Abstrak: Untuk mengembangkan suatu teologi ekologi, yang dikenal sebagai ekoteologi, mesti didasarkan pada fakta mengenai keterhubungan semua ciptaan sebagai suatu ekosistem. Metodologinya adalah induktif dan interdisipliner. Kosmologi dan antropologi amat membantu memberikan data ilmiah. Data-data tersebut merupakan titik awal untuk melakukan teologi ekologi, selain sumber-sumber yang diperoleh dari Wahyu, seperti Kitab Suci, Tradisi dan Magisterium. Artikel ini merupakan suatu upaya mengembangkan teologi ekologi berdasarkan tradisi teologi Kristiani yang menggaris bawahi sejumlah titik pandang teologis, seperti penciptaan sebagai suatu proses melalui itu Allah menciptakan dunia; peran khas manusia sebagai partner Allah Pencipta, selaku gambar dan rupa Allah, merawat dan memelihara ciptaan atas nama Allah; antroposentrisme tidak memiliki akar dalam teologi ekologi Kristiani. Mistisisme kosmik St. Fransiskus sebagaimana diajukan Paus Fransiskus dalam ensiklik Laudato Si’ akan menjadi bagian kedua dari artikel ini, agar dapat memahami spiritualitas ekologis yang meresap dalam seluruh ensiklik. Bagi orang-orang Kristen memelihara ciptaan merupakan suatu kewajiban yang berakar dalam iman Kristiani. Kata-kata Kunci: Teologi ekologi, ekosistem, penciptaan sebagai proses, Teosentrisme, antroposentrisme, gambar dan rupa Allah, mistisisme, penyair ontologis. Abstract: A theology on ecology, known as eco-theology, should be based on the reality of the interconnection of all creations as an ecosystem. The methodology should be both inductive and inter-disciplinary. Cosmology, biology and anthropology are helpful in contributing scientific data. The given data could be the starting points in doing a theology of ecology, besides the resources from Revelation, such as Scriptures, Tradition and Magisterium. This article is an effort to elaborate a theology of ecology based on Christian Tradition of Theology which underlines several theological points of view such as: creation as a process through which God creates the world; a special role as co-partner of the Creator for human being as “imago Dei” has to conserve and to take care of creation as God’s representative; anthropocentrism has no root on Christian theology of ecology. The Cosmic mysticism of St. Francis, promoted by Pope Francis in his encyclical letter Laudato Si’, occupies the second part of this article in order to understand ecological spirituality which emerges throughout the encyclical letter. For Christians, taking care of creation is also an imperative rooted in their Christian faith. Keywords: Theology of ecology, ecosystem, creation as a process, Theocentrism, anthropocentrism, imago Dei, cosmic mysticism, ontological poet.

Zionism and Post-Holocaust Christian Theology: A Jewish Perspective

2009 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-54
Author(s):  
Mark Braverman
Keyword(s):  
Political Process ◽  
Christian Theology ◽  
The Political ◽  
Christian Tradition ◽  
Holy Land ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Anti Semitism ◽  
Contemporary Christian ◽  
Christian Thought ◽  
State Of Israel

Analysis of the Israel–Palestine conflict tends to focus on politics and history. But other forces are at work, related to beliefs and feelings deeply embedded in Judeo-Christian tradition. The revisionist Christian theology that emerged following the Nazi Holocaust attempted to correct the legacy of Christian anti-Semitism. In the process it has fostered an unquestioning support of the State of Israel that undermines efforts to achieve peace in the region. The conflict in Christian thought between a commitment to universal justice and the granting to Jews a superior right to historic Palestine permeates the current discourse and is evidenced in the work of even the most politically progressive thinkers. The article reviews the work of four contemporary Christian theologians and discusses the implications of this issue for interfaith dialogue, the political process, and the achievement of peace in the Holy Land.

Analytical Psychology and the Dynamics of Human Evil: A Problematic Case in the Integration of Psychology and Theology

1986 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 269-277 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. A. Elmer Griffin
Keyword(s):  
Central Element ◽  
Analytical Psychology ◽  
Christian Theology ◽  
Christian Tradition ◽  
Personal Factors ◽  
Spiritual Psychology ◽  
Problematic Case ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
The Problem Of Evil ◽  
Functional Equivalent

The work of C.G. Jung is addressed as a problematic basis for the integration of psychology and Christian theology. By using some of the generally neglected sources which examine the contextual and personal factors influencing Jung's thought, such as those published by P. Homans, P. Rieff and W. Kaufmann, the Analytical understanding of human evil as demonstrated in the construct of the Shadow is considered. The problem of evil is seen as a central element in Jung's attempt to provide a functional equivalent to the Christian tradition which he finds inadequate for the “modern” individual This proposed alternative is shown to be theoretically inadequate. The continued popularity of the construct of the Shadow, along with other Jungian concepts, is found in the utility of a quasi-spiritual psychology in an age when traditional spirituality has lost its taken-for-granted status.

scholarly journals Holiness without the holy One(s): Towards an ‘evental’ account of holiness

2016 ◽  
Vol 72 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jakub Urbaniak
Keyword(s):  
Process Theology ◽  
Christian Theology ◽  
Christian Tradition ◽  
Popular Imagination ◽  
Creative Transformation ◽  
Dynamic View ◽  
Mode Of Being ◽  
Modern Era ◽  
Moral Relation

Should holiness be conceived as a predicate (an attribute), a state (a mode of being) or an event (a process)? It can certainly be understood as God‘s primary attribute. This is how much of classical Christian theology sees it. It can also be thought of as a particular modus of existence shared by God and the holy ones (the saints and the angels), as attested by much of Christian tradition and popular imagination. A more dynamic view of holiness can be found in Scripture and throughout Christian theological tradition; and yet, in the modern era, it has been overshadowed by the first two tendencies. This article offers a tentative enquiry into an ‘evental’ account of holiness by drawing from (1) Niels Gregersen’s and Elizabeth Johnson’s reflection on ‘deep incarnation’ and ‘deep resurrection’ as well as (2) John B. Cobb’s and Marjorie Suchocki’s process theology of the Spirit. Firstly, the ‘from above’ approach to holiness, prevailing in modern Christian theology, is briefly discussed based on John Webster’s understanding of holiness as God’s personal moral relation to humanity. Secondly, I suggest an alternative ‘from below’ approach to holiness based on Gregersen’s and Johnson’s deep Christology. Thirdly, Cobb’s and Suchocki’s take on ‘creative transformation’ and Suchocki’s original appropriation of Cobb’s insights on process pneumatology are used as a hermeneutic key to reinterpret holiness as an ‘evental’ category. Finally, the notion of the holiness of life is reconsidered in light of my proposal.

Moral Status and Care of Impaired Newborns

2019 ◽  
pp. 184-212
Author(s):  
Patrick T. Smith
Keyword(s):  
African American ◽  
Moral Status ◽  
Christian Theology ◽  
Christian Tradition ◽  
Race And Racism ◽  
Limited Life Expectancy ◽  
Limited Life ◽  
End Of Life Decision ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Life Decision

This chapter addresses the question of moral status and care of impaired African American newborns from the perspective of African American Protestant Christian theology and spirituality. It argues that healthcare professionals must take seriously the impact of race and racism on the disparate health outcomes of African American newborns and maternal reproductive health. Moreover, it suggests how resources from the black Christian tradition inform the understanding of a high moral status of severely impaired newborns with a limited life expectancy in a way that does not require a vitalist approach in end-of-life decision making for these precious little ones.

Methodology, Problems, and Desiderata

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eleonore Stump
Keyword(s):  
Christian Theology ◽  
Philosophical Theology ◽  
Christian Tradition ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Short Presentation

The doctrine that Christ has saved human beings from their sins, with all that that salvation entails, is the distinctive doctrine of Christianity. This book is an examination of that doctrine. The first chapter begins with a consideration of the nature of the project of this book. It is an exercise in philosophical theology, whose nature is briefly summarized. The data of Christian theology that this exercise in philosophical theology presupposes are then set out and discussed. Next, the chapter outlines the elements of the problem that the atonement is meant to solve, namely, the problems of guilt and shame and of the human liability to moral wrongdoing. Then the chapter sketches the main kinds of interpretation of the doctrine of the atonement that can be found in the Christian tradition and briefly summarizes their strengths and weaknesses. The chapter finishes with a short presentation of the desiderata for any acceptable interpretation of the doctrine of the atonement.

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