Christian thought in the New-style Fiction “GwangYa”(1912): Focusing on the Christian faith of Baek Sa-kyum through a comparison with “Sumeun Bobae”(1938)

Among the many scholars who promoted the revival of learning in western Europe in the early twelfth century, Abelard stands out as a consummate logician, a formidable polemicist and a champion of the value of ancient pagan wisdom for Christian thought. Although he worked within the Aristotelian tradition, his logic deviates significantly from that of Aristotle, particularly in its emphasis on propositions and what propositions say. According to Abelard, the subject matter of logic, including universals such as genera and species, consists of linguistic expressions, not of the things these expressions talk about. However, the objective grounds for logical relationships lie in what these expressions signify, even though they cannot be said to signify any things. Abelard is, then, one of a number of medieval thinkers, often referred to in later times as ‘nominalists’, who argued against turning logic and semantics into some sort of science of the ‘real’, a kind of metaphysics. It was Abelard’s view that logic was, along with grammar and rhetoric, one of the sciences of language. In ethics, Abelard defended a view in which moral merit and moral sin depend entirely on whether one’s intentions express respect for the good or contempt for it, and not at all on one’s desires, whether the deed is actually carried out, or even whether the deed is in fact something that ought or ought not be done. Abelard did not believe that the doctrines of Christian faith could be proved by logically compelling arguments, but rational argumentation, he thought, could be used both to refute attacks on Christian doctrine and to provide arguments that would appeal to those who were attracted to high moral ideals. With arguments of this latter sort, he defended the rationalist positions that nothing occurs without a reason and that God cannot do anything other than what he does do.

Download Full-text

The Science of Life

10.1093/oxfordhb/9780198718406.013.28 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Donovan O. Schaefer

Keyword(s):

Biological Sciences ◽

Nineteenth Century ◽

William James ◽

Natural Theology ◽

Life Sciences ◽

Christian Theology ◽

Christian Faith ◽

New Developments ◽

Starting Point ◽

Christian Thought

This chapter examines broad transformations in Christian thought that came to pass over the course of the nineteenth century through exposure to new developments in the life sciences. Taking William Paley’s Natural Theology (1802) as a starting point, it shows how a conception of an unchanging God that could be demonstrated through rational proof was affected by the new emphasis on change in the biological sciences, especially in the aftermath of Charles Darwin’s Origin of Species in 1859. Rather than suggesting that these new themes weakened Christian faith, however, a close examination of Christian thought in the latter half of the nineteenth century shows that encounters with science energized Christian theology, philosophy, and practice. This trajectory culminated with the development of the psychology of religion, as exhibited by the American pragmatists William James and Charles S. Peirce. George Eliot’s Middlemarch serves as a guide to the complexity of these transformations.

Download Full-text

Xu Guangqi’s Thought On Supplementing Confucianism With Christianity

Lingua Cultura ◽

10.21512/lc.v6i1.398 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. 108

Author(s):

Anna Seo

Keyword(s):

Ming Dynasty ◽

Christian Faith ◽

Christianity In China ◽

The Core ◽

Late Ming ◽

Christian Perspective ◽

Chinese Scholars ◽

Late Ming Dynasty ◽

The Late Ming Dynasty ◽

Christian Thought

Xu Guangqi is one of the most influential Chinese scholars who accepted Christian faith during the late Ming dynasty. His idea of “supplementing Confucianism and replacing Buddhism by Christianity” had great impact on the development of Christianity in China. His idea, however, has often been accused of syncretism, and genuineness of his Christian faith has been put into question. Some argue that his theology lacks Christology. Others suggest that his ultimate goal was to achieve the Confucian political ideals through adopting some of the Christian moral teachings. Through the analysis of Xu Guangqi’ works and life, we find that he accepted all the essential Christian doctrines and Christology is the core of his understanding of “Tianzhu”. His view on Confucianism itself istransformed through Christian perspective. In his new understanding, the ultimate goal of Confucianism is to serve and to worship “Tianzhu”，same as Christianity. The ultimate problem of life is to save one’s soul.Xu Guangqi considered his scientific works as a way to propagate Christian faith,since science was seen as an integral part of Christian thought and practice. His idea of “supplementing Confucianism by Christianity” integrated Confucianism into the overarching framework of Christian thought.

Download Full-text

A LAUDATO SI’ NA PERSPECTIVA DO MÉTODO: “VER, JULGAR E AGIR”

Perspectiva Teológica ◽

10.20911/21768757v48n1p145/2016 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 48 (1) ◽

pp. 145

Author(s):

José Neivaldo Souza

Keyword(s):

Primary Source ◽

Central Place ◽

Christian Faith ◽

Anthropological Perspective ◽

Pope Francis ◽

The Earth ◽

The Creation ◽

Christian Thought ◽

Integral Ecology

Resumo: O objetivo deste artigo é fazer uma análise da Carta Encíclica Laudato Si' apresentada pelo Papa Francisco sob o método “ver, julgar e agir”. A Carta é uma reflexão ampla, de perspectiva antropológica, em que a questão ecológica ocupa o lugar central. O Pontífice pretende alcançar, não só o público católico, mas a todos os cidadãos da terra para que tomem consciência da exploração desmedida e predatória do ser humano em relação ao planeta e, com isso, à luz das Escrituras e do pensamento cristão, encontrem novas saídas para a solução dos problemas. Além de ressaltar o pensamento do Papa esta reflexão quer revelar o método que, de forma singela, aparece nas entrelinhas do texto: “ver, julgar e agir”. Assim, na mesma metodologia de Francisco, este artigo aborda três tópicos diversos: 1) Um olhar sobre “nossa casa comum”; 2) Pensar a Criação à luz dos princípios da fé cristã; 3) Ação: por uma ecologia integral. A fonte primária deste estudo é a Carta Encíclica “Laudato si”, porém, consideram-se também outras referências que ajudam a aprofundar algumas questões levantadas por Francisco nesta Carta Encíclica.Abstract: The purpose of this article is to analyze the Encyclical Letter "Laudato Si" presented by Pope Francis under the "see, judge, act" method. The Letter is a broad reflection of the anthropological perspective in which the ecological question occupies the central place. The Pope intends to reach not only the Catholic public, but all citizens of the earth so that they become aware of man’s uncontrolled, predatory exploitation as regards the planet, in order to find, in the light of both the Scriptures and Christian thought, new solutions to solve the problems. This reflection, besides emphasizing Pope Francis’ thought in this Encyclical, wants to reveal the method which appears, beneath the surface, in the text: "see, judge, act". Thus, using the same methodology as the Holy Father, this article discusses three topics: 1) the renewed look at "our common home"; 2) thinking the creation in the light of the Christian faith; 3) action for an integral ecology. Although the primary source of this study is the Encyclical Letter "Laudato Si", other references are also considered that help to deepen some issues raised by Francis in this Encyclical Letter.

Download Full-text

Apologetika Prasuposisional Triperspektivalisme John M. Frame dan Aplikasinya terhadap Pemikiran Kristen Pluralis tentang Pluralisme Agama di Indonesia

Veritas : Jurnal Teologi dan Pelayanan ◽

10.36421/veritas.v17i1.306 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

pp. 61-80

Author(s):

Andry Setiawan

Keyword(s):

Jesus Christ ◽

Religious Pluralism ◽

The Other ◽

Christian Faith ◽

Ultimate Truth ◽

General Similarity ◽

Christian Thought

Pluralisme menjadi kesadaran baru yang menganggap bahwa semua keyakinan memiliki kesamaan secara umum satu dengan yang lain. Implikasinya, tidak ada satu pun agama yang boleh mengklaim bahwa ia adalah satu-satunya keyakinan yang paling benar di antara agama-agama lainnya. Indonesia sebagai negara pluralis juga menghadapi problematika pluralisme agama. Dalam menghadapi ini, muncul pemikiran Kristen pluralis yang menekankan persamaan di antara agama-agama sehingga meniadakan keunikan kekristenan: Kristus dan karya keselamatan-Nya benar sedangkan agama lainnya salah. Tulisan ini akan mengenalkan model berapologetika yang membela keunikan iman Kristen di tengah tantangan pemikiran Kristen yang pluralis tentang pluralisme agama di Indonesia: apologetika prasuposisional triperspektivalisme John M. Frame yang diuraikan melalui apologetika konstruktif (normatif), defensif (eksistensial), dan ofensif (situasional). Kata-kata kunci: Apologetika, Prasuposisional, Triperspektivalisme, John M. Frame, Aplikasi, Pluralisme Agama Pluralism exhibits a new awareness that assumes that all beliefs have general similarity when compared one with another. As a result, there is no religion that can claim that it has the claim to ultimate truth when compared with a host of other options. Indonesia, as a pluralistic nation, exhibits the challenges of religious pluralism. Because of that reality, there are frameworks of Christian thought that have arisen that emphasize the similarity of several religions which erodes and ultimately eliminates the uniqueness of Christianity. However, Jesus Christ and his work of salvation is absolutely true and the other religions are false. This article will introduce an apologetic model that can be used to defend the uniqueness of the Christian faith among the challenges of religious pluralistic thought in Indonesia. John M. Frame’s triperspectivalism presuppositional apologetics is proferred and developed through constructive apologetics (normative), defensive apologetics (existential), and offensive apologetics (situational). Keywords: Apologetics, Presuppositional, Triperspectivalism, John M. Frame, Application, Religious Pluralism

Download Full-text

The Judgement on Athanasius in the Historiography of Christian Dogma (Mosheim—Baur—Harnack)

Church History and Religious Culture ◽

10.1163/18712411-0x542400 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 90 (2-3) ◽

pp. 277-286 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Eginhard Meijering

Keyword(s):

Present Article ◽

Christian Faith ◽

Internal Dynamics ◽

Christian Thought ◽

The Trinity

The present article studies the attitude of three prominent historiographers of Christian dogma towards Athanasius, viz., Johann Lorenz von Mosheim (1693–1755), Ferdinand Christian Baur (1792–1860), and Adolf von Harnack (1851–1930). Their different theological backgrounds resulted in different judgements on his expositions on the Trinity. Mosheim’s evaluation of Athanasius is positive, but he thinks Athanasius speculates too much about the mystery of the Trinity, which cannot be understood by reason. Baur considers his theology to reflect a crucial moment within the development of Christian thought, a moment that shows the internal dynamics of this development. Harnack is of the opinion that Christians owe it to Athanasius that Christian faith did not end up as moralism and cosmology. He also thinks that in Athanasius’views on Christ we can hardly find anything of the Jesus of the gospels.

Download Full-text

A Wholesome Agnosticism and Christianity's Coming Dialogue with the World Religions

Pacifica Australasian Theological Studies ◽

10.1177/1030570x9300600302 ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 6 (3) ◽

pp. 265-277

Author(s):

John Thornhill

Keyword(s):

Cultural Transformation ◽

Christian Faith ◽

World Religions ◽

Religious Traditions ◽

World Community ◽

The World ◽

Christian Thought ◽

Unique Status

This article argues that the cultural transformation of our times, and the world-community it is bringing into being, compel Christian thought to re-assess the “exclusivist” position which has made genuine dialogue with non-Christian religions almost impossible. It is suggested that the two basic axioms of Christian faith (affirming the unique status of Christ in the plan of God and the universality of the salvation which he has brought) can retain their absolute character without impeding a dialogue in which Christians have much to learn from other religious traditions. This will mean that the healthy agnosticism demanded by Christian faith itself is to be taken seriously.

Download Full-text