Naturalistic theism on general divine action within the framework of the levels of analysis model

Author(s): Piotr Bylica / Language(s): English Issue: 4/2016

The model of levels of analysis (MLA) is used to describe naturalistic theism and compare statements describing divine action accepted within traditional Christian theism and naturalistic theism. The empirical/non-empirical character of the statements is the main criterion behind the division of the statements within the model. Naturalistic theism is divided into strong and weak, with the former being analyzed in more detail. Strong naturalistic theism is characterized as trying to avoid the conflict with science by only accepting statements describing general divine action in nature. Such statements belong to the metaphysical levels of analysis.

Naturalistic theism on special divine action within the framework of the model of the levels of analysis

Author(s): Piotr Bylica / Language(s): English Issue: 1/2017

The model of the levels of analysis (MLA) is used to present a form of naturalistic theism where certain statements on special divine action (SDA) in nature are accepted. The SDA statements found within naturalistic theism ‘hide’ God’s action in certain aspects of nature or actions beyond the reach of scientific endeavors in order to avoid interventionism. From the perspective of the MLA, the essence of intervention is its empirical recognizability, rather than a particular causal joint or the violation of the laws of nature. Rejection of interventions in the above sense means substantial reinterpretation of Christian theism.

Olasz és angol nyelven is megjelent Szent László életrajza

Author(s): Author Not Specified / Language(s): Hungarian Issue: 01/2018

Párbeszéd Ferenc pápával

Author(s): Author Not Specified / Language(s): Hungarian Issue: 04/2018

Teremtés vagy/és evolúció

Author(s): István Gábor Cselényi / Language(s): Hungarian Issue: 07/2018

Religia i duchowość: fałszywy podział?

Author(s): Jakub Bohuszewicz / Language(s): Polish Issue: 774/2019

Syntheses on the Social-Philanthropic Activity of the Romanian Orthodox Church. A Grounded Theory Research

Author(s): Polixenia Nistor / Language(s): English Issue: 4 Sup1/2019

The article contributes to the development of knowledge on the social-philanthropic activity of the Romanian Orthodox Church. The article gives a secondary analysis of the data obtained in the doctoral research, with the purpose of creating a specific framework of the charitable activity and of the social work in Romanian Orthodox Church in the professionalization process. The article is based on a qualitative Grounded Theory methodology. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with several social actors that have a direct connection with the institutionalized practices (Hunea et al. 2017: 17-25) or not institutionalized of social work: priests offering professional services licensed and accredited; priests and abbots who offer institutionalized charitable and social work services and who are not licensed or accredited, but who possess all the operating notices; social workers who work in the social work programs carried out by the Church. The research has as aim the study of social work and charitable activities carried out in institutional regime (accredited or uncredited) and those informally implemented which are not institutionalized, in the Archdiocese of Iasi. As a result of the analysis we could conclude that the social work carried out by the Romanian Orthodox Church respects the quality standards of the social services and, respectively, the ethical norms specific to the social work in general, to which is added a spiritual dimension related to the values of the love and of carring for the others. The characteristics of the social-philanthropic activity of Romanian Orthodox Church they are still under construction and customization, as long as part of the services are already licensed and part is in the intermediate stage between licensing and traditional philanthropy.

Fasting, a Means to Spiritual, Bodily and Social Health

Author(s): Traian Alexandru Miu / Language(s): English Issue: 2/2019

In Eastern spirituality fasting has both a physical and a spiritual side. Physical fast involves refraining oneself from consuming certain types of food and reducing the amount of food allowed to be consumed. The spiritual fast implies the spiritualization of the human being by avoiding hollow thoughts, facts that are against moral laws, inappropriate words. Both physical and spiritual fast create the proper conditions that lead to spiritual and bodily health.The purpose of fasting is the spiritual ascension, the bodily health being only a side effect of the ascetic endeavors of the human being. A person can only be declared healthy if both his/her soul and his body are in good health. Of course, the medical aspects of fasting should not be forgotten either, the Christian having the duty of properly taking care of his body, by not neglecting or disregarding it. Having a dichotomous nature, the human being must be concerned with the soul, but also with the body, fasting being the means by which the soul manages to dominate the passionate impulses of the body.Fasting has an important religious-moral value, it is a welcome act to God, a means of removing passions and sins, an instrument of lust control, a separation from the materialism of the present world. Fasting is a way to acquire the moral order within society, being a means of Christian philanthropy, an instrument of helping people, a way through which society can progress.

Review on Repere ale autobiografiei spirituale din spaţiul ortodox în secolele XIX şi XX - Ioan de Kronstadt, Siluan Athonitul şi Nicolae Berdiaev, authored by Iuliu-Marius Morariu

Author(s): Antonio Sandu / Language(s): English Issue: 2/2019

The volume Highlights of the spiritual autobiography in the orthodox space in the 19th and 20th centuries – John of Kronstadt, Silouan the Athonite and Nikolai Berdyaev – (Repere ale autobiografiei spirituale din spaţiul ortodox în secolele XIX şi XX - Ioan de Kronstadt, Siluan Athonitul şi Nicolae Berdiaev -), of the author Iuliu-Marius Morariu, published at LUMEN Publishing House, presents a theological - metaphysical and stylistic analysis of autobiographical writings of three Christian thinkers and spiritual experiencers of whom at least two have attained holiness.

THE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND THE PROMOTION OF CULTURE THROUGH THE PROCESS OF EVANGELIZATION

Author(s): Grozoiu Marian,Mihail Florin Sabin / Language(s): English Issue: XX/2019

In our paper, we will focus on the relationship between worship, community and mission, who are fundamental dimensions for our Church in direct relation with the Revelation of the Father through His Son Jesus Christ – logou antropou – Word was made flesh. From the perspective of the evangelization of the culture, the transfer of the Scripture into vernacular languages is a part of the process of conversion but also a challenge for the actual languages who are more and more reduced to a materialistic view, yet secularized by different factors. One of our research question of this paper will ask the high culture but also the culture of the poor in search for a critical analysis of the post-modern culture. The process of enculturation should bring change and hope, a Christian perspective of life, justice, and above all the presence of God among us in local Churches. Our paper will be developed on these documents: Mission of the Orthodox Church in Today’s World Document (MOCT); Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Nuntiandi; the documents issued within the Lausanne movement.

Combating Depression in Parkinson’s Disease with Melotherapy

Author(s): Any Docu-Axelerad,Silviu Docu Axelerad,Alina Zorina Stroe / Language(s): English Issue: 1/2019

The purpose of this study was to identify the connection between the depressions in Parkinson’s disease and the possible benefit that melotherapy can induce in patients’ depressive states, the improvement in the patients’ quality of life and the differences between using melotherapy as an instrument for the Parkinson’s disease patients compared to the control group of patients.

How religiosity affects Parkinson’s disease symptoms

Author(s): Daniel Docu-Axelerad,Silviu Docu Axelerad,Alina Zorina Stroe / Language(s): English Issue: 1/2019

The importance of religion in people's lives is due to the fact that religiosity is a very used mechanism to cope with all kinds of problems and especially those related to health, religion and therefore praying is a veridical mechanism for coping with stress. In Parkinson’s disease, the patients experience a wide variety of symptoms that address both the physical and the psychic and also a large variety of subsidiary diseases that can greatly influence the course of the basic disease and the quality of patients' lives. Experiencing the effects of religiosity and more precisely, the power of prayer in the life of patients with Parkinson's disease to test the desirable beneficial outcomes becomes an interesting alternative in the possibility of discovering a non-pharmaceutical method that changes the symptoms of the disease.

The Distinction between Science and Christian Orthodox Theology in Cosmology

Author(s): Eugen Ganţolea / Language(s): English Issue: 1/2019

Science and theology are covering two distinct domains of our reality: physics and metaphysics, using two distinct methods of investigation: epistemology and gnoseology, respectively. As such, a conflict between science and theology should not be possible because there is no overlapping area. Science only offers paradigmatic explanations of how the universe works, without having the scope to provide scientific explanations for the cause and purpose of the universe and all beings’ existence. On the other hand, using gnoseology, Christian Orthodox theology, especially the apophatic one, can offer spiritual ontological understanding for the cause and scope of the universe and all beings’ existence, without providing detailed functional explanations for them. Gnoseology is based on the human spiritual cognition, in direct interpersonal collaboration with God. This article is focused on the complementary approach between science and Christian Orthodox theology.

FAMILY AND ECONOMY IN THE PERSPECTIVE OF CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING

Author(s): Adam Zadroga / Language(s): English Issue: 2/2019

The aim of the article is to show the interdependencies that occur between the family and the economic function it undertakes. The author points out and describes the mutual relations between the marriage and family bond, and economic conditions. The healthy state of the conjugal and family bond is generally reflected in the economic well-being of that particular community of people, and in a macro dimension, it provides a strong foundation for the whole society and its economy. On the other hand, economic processes and factors that create an economic and social environment of the family determine the way it functions as a household and also affect (at least indirectly) its inner harmony. The article shows not just the scale and depth of the connections between the family and the economic function it performs, but also how important these connections are in a moral and social sphere.

Un răspuns ortodox la problema maternităţii surogat

Author(s): Philip LeMasters / Language(s): Romanian Issue: 03/2020

Starting from a radio report, the author emphasizes first of all some moral challenges raised by surrogate motherhood and then in the end of the article he presents adoption as a better solution for the families which can’t have a child.

The Ecclesial Perspective in the Dialogue Between Theology and Science

Author(s): Adrian Lemeni / Language(s): English Issue: 1/2019

This material holds that the dialogue between theology and science must take into account the ecclesial experience. This implies the assumption of severa! premises: the Incarnation ofthe etemal Logos and the fallen condition ofthe world, the limitations ofthe discursive theology and science, the Patristic tradition as the genuine pattem of dialogue between theology and science and the need for an ecclesial participation in Christ - the Truth.

THE CHRISTIAN-ORTHODOX FAITH AND CHRISTIAN TRANSHUMANISM

Author(s): Călin Emilian Cira / Language(s): English Issue: 1/2020

The Church has been confronted with various challenges in the recent period. One of these is the transhumanist movement that aims to create a new man by using the means of science and technology. In this context, the “Christian Transhumanist Association” was set up, an organization which proposes a dialogue with Transhumanism and even a way to find compatibilities between Christianity and this new trend. In this essay, having “The Christian Transhumanist Affirmation” as a starting point, we will try to offer a possible perspective from the point of view of Orthodox Christianity in relation to what this association claims.

Paralelă între fenomenele geologice catastrofale şi prezicerile apocalipsei

Author(s): Teofil Gridan,Silviu Gridan / Language(s): Romanian Issue: 3/2010

This study tackles a subject of current interest by discussing the potential natural (i.e. geological, cosmic and climatologic) hazards that terrestrial life, and our civilization in particular, might face at any future moment in time. The scientific approach of the natural phenomena (volcanism, earthquakes, floods, landfalls, extreme meteorological phenomena, geomagnetic field inversions) and cosmic hazards (due to solar activity or collisions with asteroids, comets or meteorites) having the potential to cause some major catastrophes is considered in parallel with religious prophecies. This parallel is based on comparing the scientific knowledge (and its prognoses for the future of humanity) with religious prophecies.

RESTRUCTURING REGARDING THE RELIGIOUS EDUCATION TEACHERS’ PROFESSIONAL SKILLS IN THE INFORMATION SOCIETY

Author(s): Constantin Cucoş / Language(s): English Issue: 2/2020

The teaching authority of the religious education teacher is reflected positively in the students’, parents’ and community’s view of the discipline. It takes time to win it, it is formed, it is practiced in accordance with the content values, the methodological demands, and the various challenges (informatic, technical, cultural, social etc.). Its quality and performance is highly important and revolves positively and negatively around the way in which it is valued, symbolized, accepted as a subject. In this article, we want to emphasise the importance and the dynamics of this skills reference, focusing on recent pedagogic, cultural, social development.

TENSIONS OF CHURCH T(T)RADITION AND THE AFRICAN TRADITIONAL CULTURES IN THE AFRICAN ORTHODOX CHURCH OF KENYA: JUSTIFYING CONTEXTUALIZATION

Author(s): Evangelos Thiani / Language(s): English Issue: 2/2020

The African Orthodox Church of Kenya was formed as an African Instituted Church in 1929, with considerable cultural and liberative connotations, before officially joining the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa in 1956. The journey of being faithful to the rich and ancient Eastern Orthodox tradition, history, and heritage as well as grappling with the local cultures is been an ongoing tension for this church. The tension is better appreciated from the eye view of non-Kenyan Orthodox and young theologians in comparison with that of the locals. Some contextualization practices within this church were ecclesiastically sanctioned, while others have never been reviewed, even though both are practiced with no distinction. This Orthodox Church in Kenya continues to be regarded as one of the staunchest and first growing Orthodox Church in Africa, influencing many upcoming African dioceses and the theologians they form in the main Patriarchal seminary based in Nairobi. This paper seeks to document this tension and struggle of the church and local community traditions and cultures, and with it seek to justify some of the contextualization that is realized and practiced in this church at present.