scholarly journals The Secularization of the Church

Kairos ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 7-18
Author(s):  
Daniel G Oprean
Keyword(s):  
Theological Education ◽  
Central And Eastern Europe ◽  
Transformation Model ◽  
Christian Life ◽  
Evangelical Churches ◽  
Spiritual Abuse ◽  
Theology Of Mission ◽  
Ecclesial Identity ◽  
Negative Identity ◽  
The Church

The aim of this paper is to explore a few factors that contribute to the tendency towards secularization in the evangelical churches in Central and Eastern Europe. It further suggests theological remedies to address the causes of secularization. The thesis of this paper is that there are three causes for the tendency towards secularization. First is the secularization of theological education, second is the crisis of ecclesial identity, and third is the secularization of leadership. The first proposal of this paper is that the remedy for the secularization of theological education is redefining theology as communion, theological education as transformation, and theological formation as discipleship. Second, the remedy for the crisis of ecclesial identity that leads to negative identity markers is the replacement of the external conformation model of Christian life (which leads to social isolation, subculturality, and spiritual abuse) with the internal transformation model, which leads to a healthy spirituality and a meaningful theology of mission. Third and finally, the remedy for the secularization of leadership is the rediscovery of the kenotic model of Christian life and ministry.

scholarly journals Repositioning the use of the Bible towards a mission-oriented theological education

2013 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Adekunle O. Dada
Keyword(s):  
Theological Education ◽  
Biblical Hermeneutics ◽  
The Bible ◽  
Theology Of Mission ◽  
Primary Basis ◽  
Proper Interpretation ◽  
The Church

It is an undeniable fact that mission remains the cardinal essence of the Church. However, in Africa and in Nigeria, the Church seems to have lost focus regarding the main reason for its existence, namely mission. One of the factors responsible for this may be the form of theological education in vogue. In view of this anomaly, this paper reflects on how the study of the Bible, which serves as the primary basis for theological education in some institutions, can be repositioned to enhance a mission-oriented theological education. The importance of proper interpretation of the Bible in enhancing missions can be premised on the fact that a sound biblical hermeneutics is prerequisite to the formulation of an effective and functional theology of missions. If our theology of mission is faulty, the practice cannot be anything but flawed. In view of this, the paper explores ways in which the Bible can be meaningfully studied in order to promote a mission-oriented theological education.

scholarly journals The 1988–1989 transformation in Poland. The authorities, the opposition, the Church

2020 ◽  
pp. 133-146
Author(s):  
Paweł Stachowiak
Keyword(s):  
Eastern Europe ◽  
Catholic Church ◽  
Social Transformation ◽  
Central And Eastern Europe ◽  
Historical Context ◽  
Transformation Model ◽  
Soviet Bloc ◽  
The Political ◽  
Unique Element ◽  
The Church

The events that took place in Poland in 1988–1989 established a transformation model of which various elements tended to be replicated in other countries of the Soviet Bloc. Nevertheless, certain elements of the Polish transformation model were specific and unique, having sprouted from a specific historical context. The author of the paper proposes that the triad formed by “the authorities, the opposition and the Church” be considered a uniquely Polish aspect of the political and social transformation that took place after August 1980. The goal of this paper is to present this transformation with respect to each of the above three actors. An analysis of their concepts and actions leads to the conclusion that Poland should be considered an exceptional model of transformation in Central and Eastern Europe. The Polish transformation model featured a key and unique element, the Catholic Church – an institution that played a considerable role in making the 1988–1989 transformation non-confrontational.

THEORIES OF THE MISSIONARY VOCATION OF THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION IN POST-SOVIET PROTESTANTISM

2020 ◽  
pp. 78-92
Author(s):  
Valentyn Syniy
Keyword(s):  
21St Century ◽  
Theological Education ◽  
Educational Activity ◽  
Spiritual Education ◽  
General Recognition ◽  
The Church ◽  
The Trinity ◽  
Formal Construction

It is emphasized that the involvement of missionary theology in the discussion of ways to develop spiritual education allowed post-soviet Protestantism to successfully overcome differences in the vision of the formal construction of education, and then move on to discussions about its content. There was a gradual overcoming of modern individualism, the growing role of communities, the replacement of monologue models of mission with dialogical ones. The idea of the seminary as a community that is not self-sufficient, but serves the church as a community, has gained general recognition. The church also came to be understood as serving an eschatological ideal community similar to the Trinity community. The formation of community and dialogical models of missionary and educational activity allows Ukrainian Protestantism to effectively adapt to the realities of the beginning of the 21st century and to be proactive in today's society.

Mission and Theological Education ‐ Berlin, Athens, and Tranquebar: A North American Perspective

2010 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 176-193 ◽  
Author(s):  
Craig L. Nessan
Keyword(s):  
Special Reference ◽  
Theological Education ◽  
Contemporary Debate ◽  
American Perspective ◽  
South Indian ◽  
Theology Of Mission ◽  
Theological School ◽  
Contemporary Work ◽  
Education Today ◽  
North American Perspective

AbstractAn intense discussion of the nature and purpose of theological education has insufficiently regarded the vital importance of the missionary perspective. This article reviews the contemporary debate about theological education with special reference to the contributions of Edward Farley and David Kelsey. The prevailing paradigms of “Berlin” and “Athens” need to be complemented through the perspective of “Tranquebar.” Through a critical appreciation of the work of Bartholomaeus Ziegenbalg (1682‐1719), the retrieval of a fresh and urgently needed missionary paradigm can be facilitated for the contemporary work of theological education. Ziegenbalg demonstrated attentiveness to local culture, collected and cataloged perspectives on South Indian deities, respected the dignity of the Tamil people, and embodied a vibrant theology of mission. The implications of his contribution are translated into an agenda for theological education today and are illustrated through the example of one particular theological school.

The Awakening of a New Form of Christianity? Catholicism in the Cariri Region (Brazil)

Exchange ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 383-397
Author(s):  
Jan Joris Rietveld
Keyword(s):  
Catholic Church ◽  
Cultural Context ◽  
The Awakening ◽  
Evangelical Churches ◽  
Rural Zone ◽  
New Form ◽  
Short Time ◽  
The Church ◽  
The Catholic Church

AbstractThe Cariri region is the most isolated and poor part of the rural zone of the diocese of Campina Grande in the Paraiba state of Brazil. The Catholic Church has been present here for a relatively short time: 335 years. Moreover the region has an isolated context and this favors conservatism so that only fundamental changes have an impact. These facts make the Cariri an interesting region for a case study about how Catholicism develops. I distinguish five periods, which are described with religious key words and situated in the socio-cultural context. This classification is a schematization: different types of Catholicism often exist together. It is obvious that the dominant features of Catholicism change with time, but in the mainstream of the fifth period we see a small revolution. Now there are not only influences in the socio cultural context and factors in the Church itself that cause changes, but there are also influences of powerful newcomers, the evangelical churches. Their main impact is that many people have left the Catholic Church and are going to live their old faith in a new form. The Catholic Church is searching for adequate ways to respond to this phenomenon.

scholarly journals Urban social movements in South Africa today: Its meaning for theological education and the church

2017 ◽  
Vol 73 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephan F. De Beer
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Social Movements ◽  
Theological Education ◽  
Cape Town ◽  
Urban Social Movements ◽  
Gustavo Gutierrez ◽  
The Poor ◽  
The Social ◽  
The City ◽  
The Church

In the past decade, significant social movements emerged in South Africa, in response to specific urban challenges of injustice or exclusion. This article will interrogate the meaning of such urban social movements for theological education and the church. Departing from a firm conviction that such movements are irruptions of the poor, in the way described by Gustavo Gutierrez and others, and that movements of liberation residing with, or in a commitment to, the poor, should be the locus of our theological reflection, this article suggests that there is much to be gained from the praxis of urban social movements, in disrupting, informing and shaping the praxis of both theological education and the church. I will give special consideration to Ndifuna Ukwazi and the Reclaim the City campaign in Cape Town, the Social Justice Coalition in Cape Town, and Abahlali baseMjondolo based in Durban, considering these as some of the most important and exciting examples of liberatory praxes in South Africa today. I argue that theological education and educators, and a church committed to the Jesus who came ‘to liberate the oppressed’, ignore these irruptions of the Spirit at our own peril.

scholarly journals Fulfilling the Mission of the Church in Ghana in the 21st Century: Lessons from India in the 16th and 17th Centuries

2020 ◽  
pp. 243-252
Author(s):  
Seth Asare-Danso
Keyword(s):  
21St Century ◽  
Theological Education ◽  
Cultural Transformation ◽  
Historical Study ◽  
Secondary Source ◽  
Christian Churches ◽  
The People ◽  
Transformation Approach ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
The Church

This historical study examines the spread of Christianity in India in the 16th and 17th centuries, and lessons to be drawn by Christian churches in Ghana in the 21st century. Personal interview and content analysis of primary and secondary source documents were used for data collection. The grounded theory design was used to develop four theories, namely: “cultural rejection approach”, “cultural replacement approach”, “cultural sharing approach” and “cultural transformation approach” to mission. The research findings revealed that Christianity was introduced in India to liberate the people from ignorance. The Jesuit understood the motives of mission to be cross-cultural, international, co-operative and holistic in nature. It further revealed that the Jesuit used the “cultural transformation approach” to mission, which required the use of “radical identification”, “culture transfer”, “indigenization”, “inculturation” and “primal religion” as evangelistic methods to fulfil the mission mandate. The study recommended that churches in Ghana adapt the “cultural transformation approach” to mission to suit their cultural environments, so that the use of “radical identification” and “culture transfer” will reduce inequality, in fulfilment of UN SDG 10; while the use of “indigenization”, “inculturation” and “primal religion” will provide inclusive and equitable quality (theological) education, in fulfilment of UN SDG 4.

scholarly journals Church as a factor in the self-determination of a nation in a cultural and civilized environment

1999 ◽  
pp. 43-52
Author(s):  
Olga Nedavnya
Keyword(s):  
The Self ◽  
Self Determination ◽  
Christian Life ◽  
Biblical Texts ◽  
The Church

At the end of the second Christian millennium, Christians united in the church of different denominations and ceremonies. The most devoted ones are looking for ecumenical paths, "that all be one." However, every person is free in his own way to build ties with the Lord. But, as emphasized by the first Metropolitan Rusich Ilarion in the "Word of Law and Grace," every person and the whole people are responsible before God. This statement is based on the authority of biblical texts. Therefore, Christians must worry not only about their own salvation, but also about the best, most natural and most useful arrangement of the Christian life of their nation.

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