Showing papers by "Protestant Theological University published in 2022"
01 Jan 2022
1 citations
TL;DR: The New Testament epistles and Acts are critical about gentile religion, although Rom. 2:14-15 introduces gentiles who do by nature what the law requires and Col. 1:27 might mean that Christ is mysteriously present among them as mentioned in this paper .
Abstract: The appreciation of gentile religion according to the New Testament in relation to the Christianization of the Northern Netherlands. The New Testament epistles and Acts are critical about gentile religion, although Rom. 2:14-15 introduces gentiles who do by nature what the law requires and Col. 1:27 might mean that Christ is mysteriously present among them. Ambrose’s and Augustine’s reception of these nuances is briefly assessed. In a few testimonies to the missionary work in the Northern Netherlands gentile virtuousness is acknowledged. Attention is paid to the Frankish imperialism that backed the missionaries and to the absence of such support in Ireland, where missionaries were more inclined to acknowledge natural goodness among gentiles.
22 Aug 2022
22 Aug 2022
10 Aug 2022
TL;DR: In this paper , the authors explore the role of moral vision in the capacity to discern moral reality and the right course of action in the particular situations we find ourselves in and develop a critique of Murdoch's view on this subject.
Abstract: We regularly face the question what we should do in the particular situations we find ourselves in. One response is to attend carefully to the situation, attempt to discern what is at stake and see what should be done. This response is advocated by Iris Murdoch and is expressive of her account of moral vision. In this chapter, Murdoch’s account of moral vision – a capacity to discern moral reality and the right course of action – is explored. The chapter’s aims are twofold. First, to provide a thorough analysis of how she understood our capacity for moral vision. This will require an explanation of the background to her account of moral vision (Section 2.2), an elaboration of the very concepts of ‘vision’ and ‘moral vision’ (Section 2.3), and a clarification both of her descriptive understanding of moral vision as mere subjective perception (Section 2.4) and of her normative understanding of moral vision as attention (Section 2.5). Second, to develop a critique of Murdoch’s thoughts on this subject. It will be argued that, for all the virtues of her account of moral vision, it neglects the importance of deliberation for ethical life (Section 2.6).
01 Jan 2022
01 Apr 2022
TL;DR: The Nederlandse Casestudy's Project Geestelijke Verzorging (CSP) as mentioned in this paper is intussen afgesloten, dat wil zeggen dat de verzameling van casestudys is beëindigd (maart 2021).
Abstract: Het artikel ‘Geestelijke verzorging in beeld – Onder het vergrootglas van de casestudy’ weerspiegelt de situatie halverwege de looptijd van het Nederlandse Casestudy’s Project Geestelijke Verzorging (CSP). Het project is intussen afgesloten, dat wil zeggen dat de verzameling van casestudy’s is beëindigd (maart 2021). Inmiddels zijn de beide auteurs, in samenwerking met de andere betrokken onderzoekers, bezig met de eindrapportage die voor de zomer van 2022 gereed moet zijn. In de loop van het project zijn circa honderd casestudy’s beschreven en besproken, waarvan er een aantal zijn gepubliceerd. Deze en andere publicaties over het project zijn te vinden op de website van het UCGV (https://ucgv. nl/). Naar aanleiding van het in het begin van het artikel genoemde congres is een publicatie verschenen, met de bewerkte inleidingen plus enkele andere bijdragen (Kruizinga et al. 2020).
19 Dec 2022
TL;DR: In this paper , the authors discuss the need to address the question of agency critically throughout the research process, starting with the person of the researcher, in order to discover the manifold God-perceptions (theoria-theologia) enclosed in research, which in turn question any single-ideologically-minded form of missiological praxis and provide space for new theoretical and methodical insights.
Abstract: Abstract The present chapter addresses questions related to theory and method within missiological research. Acknowledging institutionalization, constellation, and contingency as formative dynamics for mission studies, the article elaborates on the notions of relationality, interculturality, and contextuality as possible epistemological entries for deepening conversations on methodology. Choosing this path, the study underlines the need to address the question of agency critically throughout the research process, starting with the person of the researcher. Studying agency implies the discovery of the manifold God-perceptions (theoria-theologia) enclosed in research, which in their turn question any single-ideologically-minded form of missiological praxis and provide space for new theoretical and methodical insights. The chapter initiates conversation on the spatial turn and spiritual turn as two such insights, and it calls for intercultural relationality, which underscores the normative nature of any missiological research. Normativity is always situational, actual, and empirical; it is always partial and becoming in intercultural relationality.
TL;DR: The Art of Contextual Theology as discussed by the authors is a noteworthy African contribution that seeks to move from an explanatory genre to a constitutive genre of contextual theology, arguing that theology should be an art of formulating responses to the theological needs of a community with theological materials harvested and harnessed in Scripture, church traditions, and changing human contexts.
Abstract: The Art of Contextual Theology is a noteworthy African contribution that seeks to move from an explanatory genre to a constitutive genre of contextual theology. This volume builds on Ezigbo’s earlier work, ‘Contextual Theology: God in Human Context’, in Stanley E. Porter and Steven M. Studebacker (eds.), Evangelical Theological Method: Five Views (Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 2018), pp. 93–115, offering a more extensive theoretical discussion and a variety of case studies. In short, Ezigbo argues for ‘the necessity of recognizing and also utilizing the context of a Christian community as an indispensable source of Christian theology’ (p. xi). The first chapter lays the theoretical foundations for the rest of the book. Ezigbo explains that all theologies have ‘a contextual accent: an identity marker that points to the historical, social, political, and religious currents of the context from and for which they are produced’ (p. 4). Not all theologies, however, consider context as a source of Christian theology. Instead, some prefer to draw on Scripture, church tradition, and reason. Ezigbo contests this approach, arguing that ‘theology should be an art of formulating responses to the theological needs of a community with theological materials harvested and harnessed in Scripture, church traditions, and changing human contexts’ (pp. 7–8). In particular, he seeks to move from an explanatory genre of contextual theology, which sees the context of the Christian community as merely shaping the form of Christian theology, to a constitutive genre that sees the context as ‘an essential theological source that should contribute both to the form and content of Christian theology’ (p. 11). Furthermore, Ezigbo seeks to move from a ‘precedence–subsequence’ approach to the sources of theology, which arranges them hierarchically in order of importance, to what might be called a functional approach, which arranges them complementarily according to the role that each one plays in the construction of theology (p. 15). He argues that Scripture, church tradition, and the context of a Christian community are sources of theology in that they generate theological materials, provide principles and categories for interpreting these materials, and are used to assess the identity and utility of a theology (pp. 16–17).
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TL;DR: In this article , the authors focus on the study of the formal church, that is, ecclesiology, and present a review on the liberation theology and on gender and ecclesology before outlining the agenda for the ecclesiological and ethnography conversation that follows from the review of systematic ecclesiologies.
Abstract: This chapter focuses on the study of the formal church, that is, ecclesiology. This ecclesiological tribalism is mirrored on ecclesiology referring to the wide range of confessional traditions. Webster derived ecclesiology as the doctrine of the church from the doctrine of God. The heuristic goal provides norms for evaluating the life of the church, because systematic ecclesiology must be not only empirical and critical, but also normative and evaluative. Modern ecclesiology presents perfect “blueprint” models of the church which do not acknowledge the realities of the church. The chapter reviews on the liberation theology and on gender and ecclesiology before outlining the agenda for the ecclesiology and ethnography conversation that follows from the review of systematic ecclesiologies. Liberation ecclesiology is “a positive antidote to any world-renouncing ecclesiologies, particularly those that shun dialogue with the social sciences”.
10 Aug 2022
TL;DR: In this article , Biggar argues that the transcendence and immanence of the Good should rather be understood in terms of the creative yet incomprehensible presence of God in the world.
Abstract: In his paper, Nigel Biggar argues for moral realism on the basis of the Christian conviction of the unity of God and the consistency of the world the one God created. Therefore, in spite of moral pluralism in the world, it is likely to find shared ground between different ages and cultures. In this paper, the author argues for another approach to the presence of the good in the world. On the basis of Augustine’s view of the Trinity, he argues that the transcendence and immanence of the Good should rather be understood in terms of the creative yet incomprehensible presence of God in the world. From there, he develops an anthropology in which human beings find their happiness in being directed to God as the highest Good, loosing this happiness through being directed towards themselves. Thus, true happiness and goodness depends on grace for fallen human beings. This opens up an account of moral pluralism which leaves space to genuine moral disagreements even apart from sin, as we always have our own partial perspective on God as the Good, but also a common sensitivity to the Good through grace and thus common ground for moral reflection.
TL;DR: The ideal of the Emden Synod of 1571 was to ensure a degree of autonomy for local Reformed churches as mentioned in this paper , which affirmed the principle that those who did not belong to the traditional elite in church and society still could actively take part in church leadership.
Abstract: The ideal of the Emden Synod of 1571 was to ensure a degree of autonomy for local Reformed churches. Three hundred years later, Emden was still remembered by the Secessionist churches in the Netherland. They affirmed the principle that those who did not belong to the traditional elite in church and society, still could actively take part in church leadership. This ‘bottom up’-principle maintains its relevance for ‘churches of the poor’, anywhere in the world.
12 Jun 2022
TL;DR: Moehn et al. as discussed by the authors discuss regeneration in the context of academic studies and propose a framework for debating regeneration in terms of citation length and citation length, which is similar to our approach.
Abstract: No Access14. Debating RegenerationWim MoehnWim MoehnSearch for more papers by this authorhttps://doi.org/10.13109/9783666560569.211SectionsPDF/EPUB ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack Citations ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail About Previous chapter Next chapter FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Download book coverRefo500 Academic Studies (R5AS)Volume 84 1st editionISBN: 978-3-525-56056-3 eISBN: 978-3-666-56056-9HistoryPublished online:June 2022 PDF download
10 Aug 2022
TL;DR: In this article , the importance of the transcendent nature of the good is explored in the context of moral debate and discussion, and the value of attention to this good is probed in two current moral issues, euthanasia and family.
Abstract: This chapter explains the urgency of the central topic of this volume: the transcendent nature of the good. The current western, moral situation is ambiguous. Pluralism and aggressiveness lead to avoidance of moral debate. At the same time, morality is ubiquitous as evidenced in the interest in sexual (mis)behavior, racism, or climate shame. Polarization exists alongside indifference. In this climate, attention to the transcendent nature of the good can generate positive impulses for new moral conversations. This chapter first explores transcendence through the metaphor of a compass, in a double sense: affirmatively as a stimulus to find a shared intuition of the good, critically as an indication that achieving the absolute good is impossible. Subsequently, the following chapters are analyzed as to their contribution to exploring the metaphysical and epistemological issues related to the transcendent understanding of the good. Relevant key concepts from the history of Christian theology and philosophy such as conscience, natural and divine law, moral order, virtue, and grace are examined for their potential to express the relationship and critical tension between the transcendent and concrete goods. Finally, the value of attention to the transcendent good is probed in two current moral issues, euthanasia and family.
11 Aug 2022
TL;DR: A number of caveats need to be addressed in order to have realistic expectations about con ducting collaborative research with communities of practitioners as discussed by the authors , but they are likely to enhance the utility of theological research and there are other rationales too.
Abstract: Over the past decade, collaborative research approaches such as action research, participatory action research, and theological action research have become familiar to theologians engaging with qualitative research. Collaborative research originally matured in a variety of fields including health, ecology and environmental sciences, rural sociology, social work. In collaborative research in theology, processes of engagement with practitioners in religious practices are challenging, but they are likely to enhance the utility of theological research and there are a number of other rationales too. Walton's professional research communities, lies in the extensive time allowed for the preparation of the project, and in the collaboration between the teachers and chaplains in the preparation stage. A number of caveats need to be addressed in order to have realistic expectations about con ducting collaborative research with communities of practitioners.
10 Aug 2022
TL;DR: In this article , a comparison of the three approaches shows how attention to the transcendent dimension can stimulate moral debate beyond current impasses, and the connections to this mystery character in everyday family life are elaborated in the last section.
Abstract: The family is an “ideologically and politically charged” theme, especially when morality and religion are involved. This chapter joins Cristina L.H. Traina’s search for new approaches. Her proposal to characterize the family as responding to the call of our shared human precarity is examined for its ability to illuminate both the specificity of the family and its current controversial nature. To this end, a comparison is made with two alternative approaches. Jean-Philippe Pierron points to the symbolic nature of speaking about the family. Contrary to reified language, symbols allow expression of the ambiguous experiences that characterize family ties as both given and actively formed or ‘made.’ A second alternative, inspired by Gabriel Marcel, is to approach the family as mystery. This assumes not the naming of a core problem like the ambiguity between given and made, but the recognition of the unnameable but strong moral significance of the family. Marcel’s use of mystery, moreover, is spiritual; it points to a transcendent dimension. There are clear connections to this mystery character in everyday family life, which are elaborated in the last section. The comparison of the three approaches shows how attention to the transcendent dimension can stimulate moral debate beyond current impasses.
19 Dec 2022
TL;DR: In this paper , the authors discuss the prospects and pitfalls for Christian witness and public engagement as well as confronting multiple secularisms, and scrutinize the thesis that mission and secularism can become mutual exorcists, liberating each other from various evils.
Abstract: Abstract This chapter elucidates the prospects and pitfalls for Christian witness and public engagement provoking as well as confronting multiple secularisms. It disputes the claim of secularism to be a progressive, urban, gender-equal, non-colonial principle of statecraft and personal conviction. It questions mission theories that either neglect or deny contemporary secularism by overemphasizing the persistence of Christianity in ethics and new spirituality, or by a retreat into fundamentalism. The chapter scrutinizes the thesis that mission and secularism can become mutual exorcists, liberating each other from various evils. The endeavor to understand—and not merely denounce—different secularisms, is imperative for any contextualized Christian mission. Witness and public engagement may seek varying encounters with secularism, striving to overcome demeaning attitudes and prejudice on both sides. Communication by faith communities and mass media on the science–religion dichotomy, on religion–state relations, and on both colonial mission as well as colonial secularism, is crucial.