scholarly journals Apologetika Imajinatif: Sebuah Proposal bagi Apologetika dalam Konteks Pascamodern

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-20
Author(s):  
Abel Kristofel Aruan ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Christian Faith ◽  
Christian Life ◽  
Long Time ◽  
Verification Tools ◽  
The Church ◽  
Rhetorical Tools

Setelah sekian lama pendekatan apologetika klasik dan evidensial kokoh sebagai cara mempertahankan iman Kristen, pascamodernisme muncul untuk mengkritik penggunaan alat verifikasi absolut terhadap klaim-klaim iman. Kendati demikian, James K. A. Smith dan Alister McGrath melihat pascamodernisme sebagai kawan ketimbang lawan, kesempatan ketimbang tantangan. Karena itu, memperhatikan kritik-kritik penting dari semangat pascamodernisme justru akan menolong gereja menjawab tuntutan pascamodernisme itu sendiri. Artikel ini mengusulkan pendekatan apologetika imajinatif sebagai solusi untuk menjawab kritik tersebut. Berbeda dengan apologetika klasik/evidensial, apologetika ini bertendensi menggunakan imajinasi lebih daripada sebelumnya dalam upaya-upaya mempertanggungjawabkan iman Kristen. Di kala apologetika menerima tuduhan kering dan terkesan mengesampingkan aspek eksistensial yang nyatanya berdiam dalam diri manusia, apologetika imajinatif dapat menjadi usulan solusi untuk menghindari tuduhan ini. Dua implikasi muncul dari penalaran ini. Pertama, dalam dialog-dialog apologetika, seorang apologist harus lebih banyak menggunakan alat-alat retoris imajinatif. Kedua, gereja harus menolong pendengar untuk mendapatkan presentasi imajinatif tentang bagaimana rasanya hidup menjadi seorang Kristen, dengan cara menampilkan kisah kehidupan Kristen sehari-hari kepada mereka. Dengan demikian, alih-alih gereja menggunakan apologetika, gereja adalah apologetika itu sendiri. For a long time, classical and evidential apologetics have been firmly established as a way of defending the Christian faith. However, postmodernism appears to criticize the use of absolute verification tools for faith claims. Nevertheless, James K.A. Smith and Alister McGrath see postmodernism as friend rather than foe, opportunity rather than challenge. Therefore, paying attention to important criticisms of the spirit of postmodernism will actually help the church to answer the demands of postmodernism itself. This article proposes an imaginative apologetics approach as a solution to answer this criticism. In contrast to classical/evidential apologetics, this apologetics tends to use imagination more than before in efforts to account for the Christian faith. When apologetics accepts dry accusations and seems to override existential aspects that actually dwell in humans, imaginative apologetics can be a proposed solution to avoid these accusations. Two implications emerge from this reasoning. First, in apologetic dialogues, an apologist must use more imaginative rhetorical tools. Second, the church must help listeners get an imaginative presentation of what it’s like to live as a Christian, by presenting them with stories of everyday Christian life. Thus, instead of the church using apologetics, the church is apologetics itself.

The Idea of the Church in Christian History

1952 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 191-214 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wilhelm Pauck
Keyword(s):  
Social Context ◽  
Special Kind ◽  
Church History ◽  
Christian Faith ◽  
Special Importance ◽  
Christian Life ◽  
History Of Christianity ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Church ◽  
Christian History

It is customary to describe and interpret the history of Christianity as church history. To be sure, most church historians do not emphasize the special importance of the “church” in the Christian life they study and analyse; indeed, they deal with the idea of the church, with ecclesiological doctrines and with ecclesiastical practices as if they represented special phases of the Christian life. But, nevertheless, the fact that all aspects of Christian history are subsumed under the name and title of the “church” indicates that the character of Christianity is held to be inseparable from that of the “church”; the very custom of regarding Christian history as church history indicates that the Christian mind is marked by a special kind of self-consciousness induced by the awareness that the Christian faith is not fully actualized unless it is expressed in the special social context suggested by the term “church.”

An Eighth-century Poem on St. Ninian

Antiquity ◽  
1940 ◽  
Vol 14 (55) ◽  
pp. 280-291 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wilhelm Levison
Keyword(s):  
Church History ◽  
Eighth Century ◽  
Fifth Century ◽  
Christian Faith ◽  
Northern Province ◽  
Ecclesiastical History ◽  
Spiritual Instruction ◽  
Long Time ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Church

Whithorn in Galloway and Kirkmadrine nearby are famous to the archaeologist and historian as the homes of the oldest Christian monuments in Scotland, namely the memorial stones still to be found there. They were erected in a district where the church history of Scotland originated through the efforts of St. Ninian. A few lines in Bede’s Ecclesiastical History, III, 4, contain the earliest traditions about him which have come down to us. According to this late record, ‘Nynia’ was a British bishop who brought the Christian faith to the southern Picts (australes Picti). He had got his spiritual instruction in Rome, and had his episcopal see and his last resting-place amidst other saints-at Whithorn, Ad Candidam Casam, so called after the church dedicated to St. Martin which he built of stone, a fashion unusual to the Britons. As to his age, Bede merely says that he was at work a long time before St. Columba came to the northern Picts in 565. The intercourse with Rome can hardly have been later than the fifth century; a dedication to St. Martin who probably died in 397, cannot have been made before the same century. When Bede finished his History in 731, Whithorn was under Northumbrian rule, belonging to the northern ‘province’ of Bernicia. An English episcopal seat had been erected there shortly before, having Pecthelm as first bishop (Hist. eccl v, 23); he had been a long time deacon and monk in Wessex with Aldhelm, the abbot of Malmesbury and bishop of Sherborne, famous for his writings, who died in 709. Pecthelm was one of Bede’s authorities (ib., v. 13, 18); so it has been suggested that the latter was indebted to Pecthelm for his knowledge of Ninian. Pecthelm was one of the correspondents of St. Boniface who also came from Wessex, and who wrote him a letter on a question of canonical law shortly before he (Pecthelm) died in 735. It must also be noted that Bede distinguishes clearly between Whithorn, situated amongst the British, and the Pictish country, the scene of Ninian’s missionary efforts.

scholarly journals From Theocentric to Theopraxis: Renegotiating Theology in the Context of the Plurality of Traditions in Asia

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Clarence Devadass
Keyword(s):  
Good News ◽  
Christian Faith ◽  
Colonial Era ◽  
Post Colonial ◽  
Political Landscape ◽  
Colonial Expansion ◽  
The Gift ◽  
Long Time ◽  
The Church

The Church in Asia received first the gift of the Christian faith through missionary activity, starting with the Apostles and then later through the colonial expansion. For a long time, the good news has been spread through various means – conversion, persuasion and sometimes compulsion, primarily when most of Asia was colonized by the ‘Christian West’. The post-colonial era (in Asia) has seen a revival in the Christian faith and many other Asian traditions and religions. Does this now call for a reimagining of what it means to be a ‘Church in Asia’?  The Church in Asia has to “redefine” her mission in the light of the changing socio-economic-political landscape, and for this to happen, there is a need also to look at the merging theology that brings ‘uniqueness’ to the Church in Asia. Here I propose to look at emerging theology as put forward by the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC) and discover the changing landscape of doing theology from theocentric towards the direction of being theopraxis.

The Bible in the spiritual culture of Kievan Rus

1998 ◽  
pp. 46-52
Author(s):  
S. V. Rabotkina
Keyword(s):  
Full Text ◽  
Spiritual Life ◽  
The Bible ◽  
Spiritual Culture ◽  
Slavonic Language ◽  
Long Time ◽  
The Church

A huge place in the spiritual life of medieval Rusich was occupied by the Bible, although for a long time Kievan Rus did not know it fully. The full text of the Holy Scriptures appears in the Church Slavonic language not earlier than 1499.

Charismatic Movements, State Relations and Public Governance in Sierra Leone

2017 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 237-256
Author(s):  
Joseph Bosco Bangura
Keyword(s):  
Economic Development ◽  
Sierra Leone ◽  
Good Governance ◽  
Christian Faith ◽  
Church Development ◽  
Public Governance ◽  
Socio Economic Development ◽  
State Relations ◽  
New Church Development ◽  
The Church

Sierra Leone has seen the rise of Charismatic movements that are bringing about greater levels of co-operation with the state. This new church development aims at renewing the Christian faith and projecting a more proactive role towards public governance. This ecclesial development shows that African Pentecostal/Charismatic theology appears to be moving away from the perceived isolationist theology that once separated the church from involvement with the rest of society. By reapplying the movement's eschatological beliefs, Charismatics are presenting themselves as moral crusaders who regard it as their responsibility to transform public governance. The article probes this relationship so that the Charismatic understanding of poverty, prosperity, good governance and socio-economic development in Sierra Leone can be more clearly established.

Reform oder Papstwahl: das Konzil in der Zerreißprobe. Eine innerkonziliare Auseinandersetzung zwischen ‘Mehrheit’ und ‘Minderheit’ auf dem Konstanzer Konzil

2020 ◽  
Vol 49 (2) ◽  
pp. 281-308
Author(s):  
Ansgar Frenken
Keyword(s):  
Limited Extent ◽  
Long Time ◽  
Key Events ◽  
The Church ◽  
Broad Consensus ◽  
National Borders

Abstract Reform or Papal Election – the Council and its Ordeal: An Inner-Conciliar Dispute between ‘Majority’ and ‘Minority’ at the Council of Constance. The broad consensus that prevailed among the Fathers at the beginning of the Council of Constance gave way to a climate of tension, at the latest after the resurgence of the English-French conflict in mid-1415, which made the inner tensions among the participants of the Council more and more apparent. The front that arose between ‘majority’ and ‘minority’ only followed ‘national’ borders to a limited extent, and for a long time it had not been firmly established, hence shifts and overlaps were still possible. The arrival of the Spaniards – first the Aragonese, later the Castilians – and the outbreak of the conflict of nations can be interpreted as key events in this development, which led to the formation of the two blocs. The national tensions between the English and the French were overlaid by the question of how the Council should proceed further: to proceed to the election of a new Pope first or to prioritize the reform of the church. For a long time both sides were in balance, but after the Castilians’ accession to the Council in the summer of 1417, the situation changed rapidly. The predominance of a coalition of Cardinals, Italica, Gallicana and the Castilians grew, while the group assembled around Sigmund, Germanica, Anglicana and the Aragonese increasingly eroded and became a ‘minority’. A finally negotiated compromise, in which both sides were able to save face, rendered a successful conclusion of the council possible.

All His Father’s Sins

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy Larsen
Keyword(s):  
Christian Faith ◽  
Christian Identity ◽  
Jeremy Bentham ◽  
Church Of Scotland ◽  
Parting Ways ◽  
The Church ◽  
Critique Of Religion

This chapter explores the life and thought of John Stuart Mill’s father, James Mill. It seeks to unravel his journey from pursuing the calling of an ordained Christian minister in the Church of Scotland to parting ways with the Christian faith altogether. It will also seek to understand James Mill’s mature critique of religion, as well as that of his friend the Utilitarian philosopher Jeremy Bentham, the author of several works critical of traditional Christianity. The unhappy marriage of John Stuart Mill’s parents is presented as a vital background for understanding his future choices and convictions. The Christian identity of his mother and siblings are also presented.

Kristus Sebagai Pusat Misi Pendidikan Kristen Untuk Mewujudkan Murid Kristus Dalam Gereja Lokal

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-63
Author(s):  
Hardi Budiyana
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Christian Education ◽  
Local Church ◽  
Christian Faith ◽  
Disciples Of Christ ◽  
Literature Study ◽  
Teaching Process ◽  
The Church

Abstrak Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menggambarkan dan mengetahui Misi Pendidikan Kristen dalam Mewujudkan Murid Kristus, yang tentunya Murid Kristus yang memiliki karakter Kristiani dalam jemaat melalui proses pengajaran di gereja lokal. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian bersifat kualitatif dengan cara studi pustaka yakni mengkaji tentang Misi Pendidikan Kristen yang berpusat pada Kristus akan mewujudkan Murid Kristus yang memiliki wewenang untuk membangun karakter jemaat sesuai dengan ajaran iman Kristiani. Hasil penelitian ini memberikan pemahaman bahwa Misi Pendidikan Kristen berperan baik dalam Mewujudkan Murid Kristus yang memiliki pembentukan karakter kristiani dalam jemaat. Oleh karena itu, disarankan agar Para hamba Tuhan dalam hal ini Gembala Jemaat memiliki loyalitas yang tinggi dalam melaksanakan tugas dan tanggung jawab sebagai rekan kerja Allah yang bukan hanya berkotbah semata, tetapi juga menyampaikan pengajaran dengan hasil terwujud adanya murid Kristus yang memiliki karakter Kristiani nyata dalam diri Jemaat, sehingga jemaat mau melibatkan diri dalam pelayanan maupun dalam penginjilan baik dalam gereja maupun di luar gereja. Kata Kunci: Misi Pendidikan Kristen, Murid Kristus, Gereja Lokal. AbstractThis study aims to describe and know the Mission of Christian Education in Realizing Christ's Disciples, which is certainly Christ's Disciples who have Christian character in the congregation through the teaching process in the local church. This research is a qualitative study by means of literature study that examines the mission of Christian Education centered on Christ will realize Christ's Disciples who have the authority to build the character of the church in accordance with the teachings of the Christian faith. The results of this study provide an understanding that the Christian Education Mission plays a good role in realizing Christ's disciples who have the formation of Christian character in the congregation. Therefore, it is recommended that the pastors of the Church of the Church Shepherd have a high loyalty in carrying out their duties and responsibilities as partners of God who not only preach, but also deliver teaching with the results of the realization of disciples of Christ who have a real Christian character in themselves Congregation, so that the congregation wants to be involved in ministry and in evangelizing both in the church and outside the church. Keywords: Christian Education Mission, Christ Disciples, Local Church

Mengkaji Bahaya Sinkretisme dalam Konteks Gereja

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-54
Author(s):  
Yesri E. Talan
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Jesus Christ ◽  
Research Method ◽  
Spiritual Growth ◽  
Christian Faith ◽  
Absolute Truth ◽  
In Christ ◽  
True Knowledge ◽  
The Church

Syncretism is not just phenomenology in the church but is a real and serious problem. Syncretism is a mixture of Christian faith and culture that results in the congregation losing its identity as a believer, blurred beliefs and do not have absolute truth. Syncretism in the church is a real and serious problem in the life of the church because it negatively impacts spiritual growth.The church cannot grow in true knowledge about Jesus Christ because of the dualism of belief, so Jesus Christ is not the only way of truth and life. The method used in this paper is theological qualitative research. Qualitative is a research method that emphasizes an in-depth understanding of a problem with the process of observation and interview. Conducting literature review and exposition of verses related to the discussion material. This research is descriptive. The results obtained are found the danger of syncretism to the church, namely: the absence of absolute truth in Christ because of the dualism that affects the spiritual growth of the church. Abstrak Sinkretisme bukan hanya fenomenologi di gereja tetapi menjadi masalah nyata dan serius. Sinkretisme adalah percampuran antara iman Kristen dengan budaya yang mengakibatkan jemaat kehilangan identitasnya sebagai orang percaya, kepercayaannya kabur dan tidak memiliki kebenaran absolut. Sinkretisme adalah masalah serius dalam kehidupan gereja karena memiliki dampak negatif pada pertumbuhan rohani. Gereja tidak dapat bertumbuh dalam pengenalan yang benar akan Yesus Kristus karena dualisme kepercayaan, sehingga Yesus Kristus bukanlah satu-satunya jalan kebenaran dan kehidupan. Metode yang dipakai dalam peulisan ini adalah kualitatif teologi. Kualitatif adalah metode penelitian yang menekankan pada suatu pemahaman secara mendalam terhadap suatu masalah dengan proses observasi dan wawancara. Melakukan kajian pustaka dan eksposisi ayat-ayat yang berkaitan dengan materi pembahasan. Penelitian ini bersifat deskriptif. Hasil yang diperoleh adalah ditemukan adanya bahaya sinkretisme terhadap jemaat, yaitu: tidak adanya kebenaran mutlak di dalam Kritus karena adanya dualisme yang mempengaruhi pertumbuhan rohani jemaat.

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