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The teaching and educational mission of the Church requires authority. The authority of the Church influences the effectiveness of its educational activities. The study presents the results of the research of questionnaire surveys and focus interviews conducted among students and academics of a Catholic university concerning their opinions about the foundations of the authority of the Church in Poland, the nature of this authority, the change (decrease) of the Church authority and the causes of this process, as well as opinions on how the Church can build her authority in order to be able to educate more effectively. Research has shown that in the opinion of the respondents, there has been a decrease in the authority of the Church and the reasons for that are complex. Young believers would like to deepen their relationship with the Church, but they expect the Church to be more open and respectful of their freedom.
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Wikipedia enjoys huge popularity and internet users consider it a great authority. In 2016, its Polish version was visited daily by the average of 1.1 million viewers. People read it looking for information on a variety of subjects, including the doctrine of the Church. The author of the article proposes a thesis that Wikipedia belongs to popular culture and represents authentic, although exceptional virtual entertainment. The author asks about the attitude of the Church to Wikipedia. He also looks for an answer to the question of whether or not Catholic teaching authorities (the bishops forming the Magisterium Ecclesiae, and, subsequently – under the authority of their Holy Orders or canonical mission – priests, deacons, theologians, and catechists) should become Wikipedians and edit articles in Wikipedia.
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The text aims to show that authority and obedience are essential within Catholic education. In fact, Faith is “obedience” to the Truth as says the Second Vatican Council and the Truth is endowed with “authority” because God Himself is embodied in Jesus Christ. It is necessary to stress that – according to the Christian faith – this dependence upon God is not a kind of slavery but rather a loving relationship to the Father which sets humans free. This happens because man has an original dignity coming from his creation “in God’s image”. Catholic education must make people able to practice self-dominion (through the experience of authority) in order to choose only what is good so as to obey to the truth of human identity.
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RESEARCH OBJECTIVE: The scientific goal of the article is to analyze the studies of textbooks for teaching religion in terms of used methodology, and to understand the nature of the sociological content analysis in the perspective of teaching materials used in religious education. THE RESEARCH PROBLEM AND METHODS: The problem and research methods are based on the paradigm of constructionism, which describes the social reality as a “network of meanings.” The analysis of the textbooks studies is based on content analysis of research results and research problem concerns the understanding of the specifics of this research technique with respect to the religious educational materials. THE PROCESS OF ARGUMENTATION: The process of reasoning runs from the outline of the methodological assumptions, definition of the specificity of school textbooks, the analysis of the religious education textbooks studies, to the presentation of the specifics of the content analysis focused on coding and constant comparison procedures. RESEARCH RESULTS: The results of scientific analysis boils down to the assertion of the superficial treatment of the content analysis of school textbooks to religious education and the possibilities of improving this research technique. CONCLUSIONS, INNOVATIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS: The conclusions, innovations, and recommendations focus on the formulation of methodological postulates: a deeper, semantic and sociological approach to content analysis of religious education textbooks, which can contribute to the empirical-based understanding of the social meaning of religion.
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RESEARCH OBJECTIVE: Account of religious education in the perspective of the morphogenetic approach, formulated by Margaret Archer on the assumptions of critical realism. THE RESEARCH PROBLEM AND METHODS: Research problem: what is the understanding of religious education from the perspective of formulated by Archer morphogenetic approach; method: hermeneutics. THE PROCESS OF ARGUMENTATION: In the following points are shown: 1) the controversy regarding the interpretation of religious education; 2) the theory of socialization formulated by Archer; 3) the analysis of religion from the perspective of morphogenesis; 4) the account of religious education in the light of morphogenesis. RESEARCH RESULTS: The independent from education experience of transcendental reality should be perceived as the source of religious development; religious education is a help in the interpretation of this experience and in the search for a modus vivendi in relation to the concerns from different orders: natural, practical, social and transcendent. CONCLUSIONS, INNOVATIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS: Because religious education refers to an independent experience, lack of religious education may result in difficulties in interpreting the experience of the Transcendence and formulating a modus vivendi or taking over the irrational or fundamentalist proposals present in culture.
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This paper explores the ‘crossing of border lines’ between the textual traditions of the Jainas (oral and written) and the corresponding representations in works of art, serving also as a kind of introduction to Jaina art and its idioms for a broader public. It concentrates on three stages of pictorial representation of most eminent Jinas: it touches upon images that are possibly pre-textual (starting with sculptures from Mathurā dating back to the first centuries AD), proceeds to more narrative illustrations found in manuscripts of Bhadrabāhu’s Kalpasūtra, and concludes with a more recent specimen of the depiction of Jinas in miniature painting, as presented in a rather late illuminated version of the Bhūpālastotra, a text praising the 24 Jinas, which shows the efforts made to translate parts of the eulogies into the visual medium.
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RESEARCH OBJECTIVE: The aim of the article is to present the complicated relations between the Messianic Jews and the contemporary Israeli state. THE RESEARCH PROBLEM AND METHODS: The problem raised concerns the religious discrimination of members of the Messianic Movement and the influence of biblical ideas on the formation of their attitude towards the modern state of Israel. A research method was used to analyze texts and synthesize conclusions about the problem. THE PROCESS OF AGRUMENTATION: It consists of several parts. The introduction provides a proper definition of the Messianic Movement. In the further part of the article the process of its origin is described, indicating important historical aspects leading to its creation. Then the attitude of believers in Jesus Jews towards the modern state of Israel is shown, taking into account its biblical context. The last chapters present the issue of religious discrimination taking place in Israeli society and its further implications. THE RESEARCH RESULTS: The process of analysis concludes that the Messianic Jews are loyal citizens of the State of Israel, and at the same time are subject to constant religious discrimination. Changing this situation is a long and slow process. CONCLUSIONS, INNOVATIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS: 1. The main conclusion is that the Israeli law needs to be amended to enable Jews who believe in Jesus to acquire citizenship under the Return Law. 2. Due to the changes in the Israeli media concerning the presentation of the Messianic Jews in a more objective way, it is possible to improve their reception in society in the long term. 3. The Messianic Jews have an unwavering loyalty to the State of Israel due to their strong religious beliefs.
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RESEARCH OBJECTIVE: The aim of the article is to consider contemporary culture of the words in the family, that is the foundation of the spiritual family culture and intra-family relationships, which, in turn, appear to be a model of references and relations between the child and the surrounding world and with others, as well. THE RESEARCH PROBLEM AND METHODS: A research problem was posed: how the words, which are the elements of spiritual family culture, are presented nowadays in this environment and how do they shape relationships. The method of analysis and synthesis of the subjective literature was used and an overview of selected studies was done. THE PROCESS OF ARGUMENTATION: The article focuses on the dimension of the spiritual family culture. Among its essential elements related to upbringing there are “the words.” The words’ culture is present in the form of interactions between people at different levels and in different areas of family life. It determines the quality of existence and development of individual members of the family and the family seen as an entity. RESEARCH RESULTS: The words in the context of family life are considered as one of the basic factors influ encing the development of love and proximity, as well as mutual relationships and tie. Word’s cul ture includes verbal and non-verbal communication and the “written word.” Its quality depends on family members. Contemporary threats to “words” is the development of new media, where the picture (visually) dominates. CONCLUSIONS, INNOVATIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS: The words are one of the most common means which culture applies; they can support or stop human development. Therefore, it ought to become the object of contemporary man’s concern. The family plays an important role here, that is revealed in introducing words into the world, teaching ways of communication, where dialogue plays role.
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The sacral space, so important in the life of Medieval people, is of decisive importance in the study of inscription culture. The vast majority of epigraphic monuments come from this environment. We find them on sepulchral monuments, wall paintings, liturgical utensils, church bells and altars. Graffiti inscriptions, which are characterized by the spontaneity of their creation, represent a specific type in sacral inscription culture. The opposite is characteristic of all other epigraphs, i.e. the inscriptions are created as representative artefacts that have a clearly formulated ideological intention. This means that the emphasis was put not only on the formal decorative function of the artefact on which the text was written, but also the content of the text was supposed to express the worldview of the person ordering the monument. With the help of epigraphic research methods, these texts become an important source for the church history of the given locality or region. In a broader context, however, they provide an opportunity for religious or theological considerations that extend to the present day.
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The Czech Congregation of Dominican Sisters was founded in Řepčín near Olomouc in 1889. The mission of the congregation was primarily to educate and bring up young girls in the spirit of St. Dominic. As the congregation was increasingly popular with the Czech population, the nuns had to rebuild and enlarge their monastery several times. The last reconstruction planned for autumn 1930 involved a new three‑storey building that was supposed to be situated next to the monastery. The Olomouc builder Jan Valihrach undertook the construction, however, shortly before its completion the building suddenly collapsed. The builder Valihrach, along with the designer Josef Derrich, was accused of the collapse. While Valihrach was found guilty of the collapse of the building, Derrich’s prosecution was stopped due to his death. Valihrach denied his guilt, however, and subsequently brought a lawsuit against the Dominican Convention of Řepčín. He demanded a payment of the agreed sum for the building and also a payment of other debts from the past that had not been paid by the nuns. The nuns counter-sued and demanded compensation from Valihrach for damages caused by the collapse of the building. After examining the evidence and questioning the witnesses of both involved parties the courts concluded that both the builder Valihrach and the deceased designer Derrich were guilty of the collapse. In the case of the designer Derrich, the court recognized him as the implicit representative of the Řepčín convent of Dominican nuns at the construction. The judges ruled that the Dominican nuns should pay Valihrach just half of the requested compensation, which amounted to 333,300 crowns.
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Review of: William McCormick: The Christian Structure of Politics. On the De Regno of Thomas Aquinas (Washington: Catholic University of America Press, 2022, 272 stran, ISBN 978 ‑0813234472)
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BOOK REVIEW: Philip Jenkins. 2018. Istoria pierdută a creștinismului - The Lost History of Christianity, The Thousand-Year Golden Age of the Church in The Middle East, Africa, and Asia – and How It Died. Translated by Maria Moroiu. Scientific consultant hieromonk Agapie Corbu. Baroque Books & Arts. 185 pp.
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This paper attempts to analyse how Sophie de Ségur (1799–1874) performed the mission of spreading the Catholic faith through children’s literature. The biography of this Russian woman who converted to Catholicism is presented at the beginning, together with her connections with the Ultramontane environment being active in nineteenth-century France. This is to prove that de Ségur’s writing activities were part of a planned programme aimed at shaping society in the spirit of Catholicism. The analysis is carried out on the examples of how she presented scenes of a good Catholic death in three novels for children: "Les vacances, Jean qui grogne et Jean qui rit and La sœur Gribouille". The study is divided into three parts: the death of the mother, the death of the child, and the death of the sinner, according to the criterion whose death was described. It is shown that in de Ségur’s perspective, a good death is a reward for a good and pious life. The social aspect of death and good preparation for it are also important.
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What if our spiritual beliefs make us a negative character? What if we hurt ourselves and our loved ones by clinging too tightly to what we believe? What if, at the end of life, when we meet God, He asks: "How was Heaven"? What if we are wrong? There are so many spiritual paths now, so much information, so much Knowledge to absorb, and so much fake knowledge to differentiate. Each time the inner barometer of discrimination gets overwhelmed, the current beliefs become stronger, even if they are flawed. The lack of mental and spiritual flexibility can slowly take the shape of ignorance and somatization. The physical body is the meeting point between the spiritual and the material and as a result, symptoms of confusion may occur in the physical body. This paper aims to emphasize the connection between spiritual beliefs, relationship with God, and somatoform disorders using a narrative review. By accepting the unacceptable and opening the belief system, one may be able to relieve the somatic symptoms and regain control of the body.
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Human beings have will, but is it free? According to Sufism, which finds its grounds in religious texts and dominantly the Quran, the body is a cage, and the spirit is like a bird in it. Therefore, free will has dimensions. Sufism suggests going beyond the limits of senses with an effort to know the self and thus become one with the Divine to reach real freedom. This article aims to explain consciousness in terms of Sufism and science.
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Creation groans from humankind’s fall into sin and the curse placed on it, and from humankind’s mistreatment of it, contrary to what God envisioned when he brought the universe into existence. This article seeks to show that God intended a harmony in his creation between humans and nonhumans right from the beginning. Even when sin brough chaos into God’s good creation, God continued to work towards bringing creation to its intended purposes. Thus, God chose Israel and the Promised Land to do with them what he desired for the whole creation. When history repeated itself and Israel went into exile, God announced the renewal of creation. This plan that God has had all along for his creation betrays a particular value he attributes to it. It is only natural that we, as stewards of creation, be equally interested in the protection of God’s creation.
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Creation is not what it was intended by God to be. It has been suffering the effects of the curse over humankind. Yet, God has not abandoned his plan for his creation to make it glorify him, but sent his Son into creation in order to redeem it. This article seeks to explain Jesus’ central role in inaugurating and consummating the renewal of rebellious creation. We see the first signs of redemption in Jesus’ victory over Satan in the wilderness temptation, in his authority over the rebellious nature, and supremely on the cross. His departure from earth meant that the second stage of consummation will follow later. Thus, Paul explains in what ways reconciliation of all things to God have an “already” dimension and a “not yet” one. Presently, redemption through Jesus’ death and resurrection is limited to spiritual salvation, but it anticipates the physical redemption of the human bodies and the material redemption of the natural world. At Jesus’ return, “all things will be made new,” meaning not a replacement of the first creation but a renewal of it. This biblical understanding of the new creation, that Jesus first inaugurated but will eventually consummate, shows that creation has value to God and therefore should have value to those who love God and their neighbor.
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The study is devoted to the activity of Bishop dr Simeon Stanković atthe Faculty of Orthodox Theology, from 1922 to 1932. The archival materials of the Faculty of Orthodox Theology and the Holy Synod of Bishops were analyzed. The goal of the research is to present the academic and polemical activity of Bishop Simeon in the period covered by this paper, based on archival material and literature.
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