Natural Theology and Reasonable Faith of the Christian Community in the Theological Work of Dumitru Staniloae

Author(s): Gheorghe Petraru / Language(s): English Issue: 2/2010

Natural theology has a basis in the way of being of the Romanian people rooted deeply in a philosophy of space and time conceived as a divine order. (E. Bernea, C. Nicolescu) Specific to Romanian thinking is the deep link between nature as cosmic order divinely brought to being and humankind. This is a cosmic vision which integrates God, man and nature in a specific way, in a religious philosophy. Some Romanian thinkers (S. Mehedinti, C. Rădulescu-Motru) even created a split between Church and popular Christianity, based on cultural reasons, but D. Stăniloae rejects this vision. Drawing on Eastern Orthodox theology, his approach is a deep theological one, including popular spirituality (R. Gaillardetz) and cosmic vision in a intimate triangle which includes God who reveals his smiling and bright face, man in his opened faith, in fact a rational relation to otherness, be it transcendent or immanent, and nature as a space and time for the world existence of human beings. God and nature are very close to the human being, in a real and actual communion expresed in a warm, sensible poetical language. There is an intimate and powerful involvement between the three factors, i.e. God, man and nature, inviting not only to surpass the mind and the limits of the the human being and the nature, but also to a commitment to contemplative exercise act and to an eucharistic manner of living, as permanent gratitude in a large sense for the life and joy of man. It might be said that Stăniloae’s vision is a holistic one, surpassing the subjective philosophy of the Western world, the gap between man and nature, the rejection of the divine in an atheist, scientist or secular sense. His theology is also a way to wisdom in our cultural and Christian Tradition, opening to theist ecology and a theological anthropology in the Church as way of being in communion with God in our world. To be religious, to witness the faith, to participate in the liturgical service is normal, natural (W. Kasper), but is also beyond nature because this is the gift of God in Christ even to the mind of the man in this scientific era.

The Bible on Faith

Author(s): Petre Semen / Language(s): English Issue: 2/2010

By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command. By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did and by faith he was commended as a righteous man. Without faith, man cannot discover God and cannot approach him either. Paul Marie de la Croix says that faith is God’s or a path to God. Without faith no religion can exist, including Christian religion, who has its grounds in God’s revelation and who offers the promise of eternal life as the prophet states by saying: but the righteous will live by his faith (Habakkuk 2,4). It is also true the term emunah is also used as denoting faith in its traditional meaning of faith trust The faith in God, meaning trust, it is fundamental in the biblical monotheism. Also one should not mistake faith for devotion. The word faith most often suggests a purely religious valence. To accept the divine revelation they transmitted, man need faith. Without the healing and redeeming faith of the Old Testament, not even the saving faith of the New Testament would be solid. If sometimes faith seems to overlap the mentality because someone’s way of thinking or acting is profoundly marked by faith. Faith can influence persons, communities, ages and cultures but the issue is that faith should not remain a mere theory or ancient tradition.

Varlaam and Ioasaf – the Novel and its Influences in Romanian Culture and Spirituality

Author(s): Marcel Cojocaru / Language(s): English Issue: 2/2010

Among the multitude of apocryphal and popular works that appeared and circulated in the entire Christian world, a place apart is occupied by the popular novel Varlaam and Ioasaf. To us, the presence of a manuscript with this work is deeply anchored in history, somewhere in the 14th century. Lecturing such a book left marks, especially in the monastic space Therefore, more monarchs received in the moment of monkhood the names of the characters in the novel, and the image of the pious saints Varlaam and Ioasaf was represented on the walls of some churches and monasteries. At the same time, the local cultural productions among which a place apart is occupied by Învăţăturile lui Neagoe Neagoe Basarab către fiul său Theodosie, took fragments and parables from the popular work. Even in official court documents, were used some fragments from the novel Varlaam and Ioasaf, the boyars and probably the princes thinking that they are an excess of beauty to their decisions. For all these, the novel Varlaam and Ioasaf is an example of the happy and fertile circulation of the manuscripts to us.

Secularity: dogma meets diversity in Europe

Author(s): Robert Calvert / Language(s): English Issue: 2/2010

Religion appears to have a special role in reinforcing individual and community identity. In this age of migration, religion has become a key factor in global change and the creation of transnational societies. As with deism led to atheism, many abandon faith in God. Churches in atheistic societies are bearing witness to the Gospel through community building. The challenge of secularity is to make the case for the truth of Christ in societies that are pluralistic and globalized and to make the peace of Christ in societies that are broken and divided.

Between love and hate, in a Christian world

Author(s): Cezar-Paul Hârlăoanu / Language(s): English Issue: 2/2010

Everybody knows that love is the main teaching of Christianity. The world had always fluctuated between love and its opposite, hate. Violence, as a fruit of hate, was present in Christian society during ancient times. Christians tried to lie God, Christians hated each other and Christians hated the others. Persecutions and crusades are examples of a failure. And torture of 20th century is also a failure.

The Autocephaly – an Ecclesiastical Reality

Author(s): Emilian-Iustinian Roman / Language(s): English Issue: 2/2010

In this study, the author approaches the concept of autocephaly both from a historical point of view and as an ecclesiastical reality. The autocephaly is an ongoing issue in the ecclesiastical life, having always demanded a canonical approach as well. The autocephaly is a trait of the universal Orthodoxy that relies on the ecclesiastical teaching as it has been passed on to us. It can only be achieved within the fundamental canonical principles that provide cohesion and coherence to the ecclesiastical organization of the Church.

Al. I. Cuza’s 1864 Decree and the Decree No. 410 of 1959 – comparative overview : context, content, consequences

Author(s): Ion Vicovan / Language(s): English Issue: 2/2010

Romanian monasticism is one of the oldest in Orthodoxy. Its value lies not only in its old age, but also in its complex work. Concretely, it gave birth to many saints, it brought a priceless contribution to the religious-moral formation of the Romanian people, it had an invaluable contribution to the cultural development of the nation, it carried a social-philantropical work in the midst of the people, it has been involved in the important achievements of the country’s history, it helped the Holy Places, etc. However, its history has not known only accomplishments, but has had aso great moments, of trial. Among these we will name only two of the most important: The Organic Decree for the Regulation of the Monastic Order, signed by the ruler Alexandru Ioan Cuza, on the 30th of November 1864, and The Decree No. 410 of the totalitarian communist regime, of the 28th of October 1959. Although they were established and enforced in diferent periods, at almost a century apart, and although they apparently had totally opposite influences, the first from the West, the second from the East, they both wanted to limit monasticism: to reduce the number of those who wanted to adopt a monastic life, as well as to close some of the monastic settlements. The enforcement of the two decrees lead, on the one hand, to the drastic decrease of the number of monks and nuns, to the closing and trasformation of some monasteries and hermitages into parish churches, but also to the reduction of the cultural and social-philantropical activities or the believers’ depriving of confessors over the course of many decades. However, despite the mentioned negative consequnces, we have the certainty that they were allowed by God, with an educational purpose, for the strengthening of monasticism, for us to realise its importance and to be fully aware of the “cross” it representes. Their history brings us, however, something to reflect upon: if in the XIX-th century the decree was influenced by the West, if in the XX-th century the decree was marked by the influences from the East, we must pray a lot so that in the XXI-st century, marked by secularization, God takes care of the monasticism; may He help all the monks and nuns fulfill with diligence the promises made to the One Who gave all the evangelical advise.

Przesłanie do uczestników V Światowego Kongresu Filozoficznego „Wolność w kulturze współczesnej”

Author(s): Pope John Paul II / Language(s): Polish Issue: 9/1997

Néhány szempont a katolikus ökoteológia kérdéseihez

Author(s): Szabolcs Orbán / Language(s): Hungarian Issue: 1/2012

Il problema dell'ecologia diventa una questione che sempre di più, ed in una maniera sempre più profonda, tocca e coinvolge tutti i livelli della società odierna. Negli anni 60 alcuni studiosi hanno fatto l'affermazione, che i radici di questo problema sono collegati con “l'arroganza giudeo-cristiana” che ha avvelenato la mentalità umana e ha portato ai risultati che possiamo scoprire nelle tragedie del mondo di oggi. Nel nostro articolo mettiamo in evidenza i problemi di questa affermazione, e cerchiamo di presentare l'apporto della Chiesa cattolica alla ricerca degli radici di questa questione, e nello stesso momento di abbozzare una via di uscita da questa crisi. Una via che prima di tutto necessità una conversione ecologica, per il quale mostriamo un modello in San Francesco di Assisi e nella spiritualità francescana.

Svédországi szent Birgitta és az olasz „költőkirályok”

Author(s): Zoltán Rokay / Language(s): Hungarian Issue: 1/2012

In einigen katholischen Gemeinden scheint die Fröm¬migkeit der heiligen Birgitta wieder aktuell zu sein. Es ist immer vorteilhaft, die Heiligen auch in ihrem historischen Rahmen kennenzulernen. Diese Ar¬beit hat schon Günther Schiwy in seinem Werk: „Birgitta von Schweden”, 2007 (Beck, München) geleistet. Er vergleicht dabei das Frauenbild der Heiligen mit jenem ihrer Zeitgenossen: Dante, Petrarca und Bocaccio. Meiner Meinung nach besteht die geistige Nähe zu den „Dichterkönigen” eher in der Schilderung der kirchlichen Missstände, wobei sie seitens Birgitta eine Ermahnung aufgrund ihrer Privatoffenbarungen darstellt.

Plázakultúra és egyház. Az olcsó „sikerstratégiák” hiábavalóságáról

Author(s): Dávid Diósi / Language(s): Hungarian Issue: 1/2012

Die Einkaufszentren sind heutzutage zu Erlebnis¬zentren, zu Kathedralen des Konsums geworden. Es ist zweifellos eine Welt des subtilen Transzendenz-Surrogats. In diese verschönerte, geschminkte Welt darf nichts Störendes hineinkommen. Hier wird das in sich an¬scheinend stimmige, geschlossene Universum zelebriert. Oft gerät selbst die Kirche in die Versuchung, dass eine solche, schmeichelhafte Weltins¬zenierung auch für sie viel Erfolg verheißen kann. So versucht sie sich möglichst dadurch „menschennah“ zu präsentieren, dass sie einen freundlichen, nur harmlosen, kumpelhaften Gott verkündigt: einen Gott, dem alles gut und schön ist, einen Gott, der die Menschen so annimmt, wie sie sind. Keiner muss sich ändern, sondern im Leben alles genauso weiterlaufen lassen, wie bisher. Wenn einer sich überhaupt ändern soll, dann ist dies Gott. Dieses inzwischen weit verbreitete Verhaltensmuster der Kirche in der Seelsorge und Liturgie wird in der folgenden Studie näher analysiert und bloßgestellt.

Instrumentum egy vitához. Fogarasy Mihály könyve az erdélyi püspökök kormányszéki tanácsosságáról

Author(s): István Nemes / Language(s): Hungarian Issue: 1/2012

The following paper deals with the book on the political status of Transylvanian bishops written by Mihály Fogarasy issued in 1837, the year of a great political debate on this topic in the Parliament of Grand Duchy of Transylvania. During the 18th century and the first half of 19th century, Transylvanian bishops held a very important position in the government of the country, which was a part of Habsburgic Empire at that time. They were a kind of vice prime ministers. But protestant orders considered their status as being illegal and discriminatory, since Transylvanian laws guaranteed equal religious and political liberty for all politically suitable agents, members of the four accepted denominations acknowledged in the country. Starting with year 1791 the position of catholic bishops was highly disputed in the Parliament of the province. Once with the apparition of early liberalism in Transylvania in the thirties of 19th century, the topic came in question again. The last important debate focused on the matter took place in 1837. Both counterparts were preparing themselves carefully for the battle. Mihály Fogarassy, a young and talented catholic priest of the time, later bishop of Transylvania, intended his book entitled On the Civil Status of the Bishop of Transylvania, to be an instrument and source for conservative politicians that decided to defend the post of bishop Miklós Kovács. The book summarizes the whole set of arguments for and objections against the bishop`s position, and so, gives a quite accurate picture over the essential issues emerged in the Parliament.

A börtönpasztoráció tanulságai és távlatai

Author(s): László Koncsag / Language(s): Hungarian Issue: 1/2012

Prisons are a special area of pastoral life. Pastoral care in prisons is special by the nature of the institution itself. The limitations of personal freedom reduces the possibility of movement, and the rigid routine of prison life keeps the prisoners in constant tension. This is further compounded by the reduced decision-making facilities and a lack of responsibility and challenges. The prison chaplain has to be the witness of God's free mercy, forgiving love, of goodness and tenderness in an environment where there is hardly any forgiveness. The importance of a prison chaplain consists in continually strengthen the faith and the hope of the closed ones.

A jövő egyházának „kényelmetlen” atyánkfiai

Author(s): Dávid Diósi / Language(s): Hungarian Issue: 1/2012

Laut „Spiegel online“ zeigen die Ergebnisse einer neu¬en Studie des Forschungsteams der Berliner Humboldt-Universtät, der Universität von British Columbia in Vancouver sowie der Partnerver¬mittlung eDarling, dass heutzutage diejenige Menschen, die Wert auf Unab¬hängigkeit und Eigensinn legen, sich immer mehr von ihrer Kultur unter¬scheiden wollen. Sie vertreten Ansichten, die nicht der gängigen Norm der Gesellschaft entsprechen. Wer sich heute von der Masse unterscheiden will, kann möglicherweise das Christentum entdecken. Es wäre aber falsch zu glauben, dass in der Kirche alles so bleibt, wie es ist. Denn gerade diese Menschen, die für sich die Kirche neu entdecken, werden kritische Fragen an die Kirche haben. Sie werden „unbequem“ sein: durch ihre Fragen und Erwartungen. Doch gerade diese „Unbequemen“ werden die Kirche verändern und mit neuer schöpferischen Kraft erfüllen. Durch ihr Fargen und ihre Lebensweise werden sich die Horizonte der zukünftigen Kirche weiten und eröffnen. Ihr Fragen bereitet die Zukunft der Kirche.

A lélek töredelme. Hogyan mélyül el a hit útján a krízisben lévő ember?

Author(s): László Czikó / Language(s): Hungarian Issue: 1/2012

Oggi giorno parliamo molto sulle crisi e dobbiamo costatare che quasi sempre questo concetto viene usato in un modo negativo, ma tuttavia dobbiamo sottolineare che la crisi non è soltanto un pericolo, una negatività, ma è anche un chance.(opportunità) (su questo parla anche il filosofo contemporaneo Gianni Vattimo, quando presenta il mondo postmoderno come il mondo del chaos, come un mondo della crisi, ma secondo Vattimo questo crisi diventa la nostra chance. naturalmente non parla sul piano spirituale come TU) In questa breve opera (scritto) vorrei presentare e sottolineare questa chance, cioè che le crisi che accadono nelle nostre anime, portano con loro la possibilità di una profonda metanoia (conversione). La nostra anima deve distruggersi, o deve essere distrutta per poter sbocciare in una radicale conversione che prende l’aria di Dio e rivestirsi delle figura di Dio. Così escono fuori energie senza le quali diventa impensabile una fede profonda. Usare la crisi è il nostro compito cristiano per ritrovare noi stessi, per essere capaci di avvicinarsi a Dio, per essere capaci di dionizzarsi (diventare Dio).

Ideje van a vált(oz)ásnak (Paradigmaváltások az Ószövetségben)

Author(s): György Kocsi / Language(s): Hungarian Issue: 4/2010

Based on Thomas S Kuhn's ''The Structure of Scientific Revolutions'' (1962) the essay analyses the paradigms and their shifts in the Old Testament. The first of these paradigms is that the world was created by the one God only, meaning that polytheism is abolished. Epitomized by the figure of Abraham and his quest for the fulfilment of God's promise, the second paradigm offers a new approach: every religion originates from Abraham, thus, Judaism, Christianity and Islam have the same desire for universality. The main figure of the third paradigm is Moses, who unifies the sons of the wandering patriarchs into God's people. The fourth paradigm deals with the establishment of the kingdom as the beginning of statehood. Then, the fifth paradigm is about the Babylonian captivity, the place of prolific literary production. Each paradigm has its symbolic place: paradise, the oak of Mamre, the tent, the temple and the synagogue. Interestingls, the latter two live together in harmony.

Tradition and Modernity. Tasks for Contemporary Theology and Theologians

Author(s): Frans Hoppenbrouwers / Language(s): English Issue: 1/2007

Modernity challenges contemporary faith in various ways. In this context, this article wants to provide an outline of the tasks for modern theology and theologians. There are some underlying assumptions. First, the transmission of faith in the 21st century cannot do without an active appropriation by the believers themselves. Second, theologians, among others, should facilitate this process of appropriation by providing a large variety of different ‘products’. To that extent, a critical yet constructive and sympathetic dialogue with modernity remains an essential notion. The Thomistic perspective on nature and grace, adopted here, facilitates this much needed attitude of dialogue which may take place on many different levels. Furthermore, participation in the public debate, feminisation and themes relating to the social question are identified as important Church issues. They challenge modern theology and theologians to develop activist, world open spiritualities next to quietist, contemplative versions thereof. Meanwhile, Christian tradition provides many examples.

Theologische Tagung (9–12 November 2006): „Theologie in Siebenbürgen: gestern, heute und in der Zukunft“

Author(s): Author Not Specified / Language(s): German Issue: 1/2007

Die Römisch-Katholische Theologische Fakultät der Babeş-Bolyai Universität feierte 2006 das zehnjährige Jubiläum ihres Bestehens. Diese Feier war Anlass für die Organisation einer Theologischen Tagung, die dem Thema „Theologie in Siegenbürgen: gestern, heute und in der Zukunft“ gewidmet war. Im Folgenden sind einige, von den an dieser Tagung gehaltenen Ansprachen publiziert.

Facts and Perspectives on the Role of Religion

Author(s): Árpád Czirják / Language(s): English Issue: 1/2007

The address focuses on the changing role of religion in contemporary society and its implications for theological education. The analysis departs from a symbolic representation of this change, the Ernst Seler-case. Christianity seems to gradually loose its importance in society. Attention is given to the phenomena of de-sacralisation, elimination of Christian symbols, denial of Christian origins. Most of these phenomena are understood to be rooted in the thinking of the Enlightenment. Theological education needs to be aware of these challenges and to be able to look for appropriate answers.

The History of Roman Catholic Theological Education in Transylvania

Author(s): József Marton / Language(s): English Issue: 1/2007

This essay offers an overview of the development of Roman Catholic theological education in Transylvania up to the twentieth century. During the Middle Ages theological disciplines were taught in some places in the chapter schools of at Csanád, Nagyvárad, Gyulafehérvár. The Transylvanian theological education started at Kolozsvár (today Cluj-Napoca, Romania) in 1585, with the foundation of the Jesuit academy by Prince István Báthory. The institution had a thorny history in the 16–17th century, especially during the Reformed Principality, but contributed immensely to the development of higher education. In the 18th century Empress Maria Theresa had a major role in the enlargement of the University of Kolozsvár (Cluj) and in the promotion of Catholic theological edu¬cation. Due to the foundation of the seminary in Gyulafehérvár (Alba Iulia), and later on due to the educational policy of Joseph II, theological education in Kolozsvár (Cluj) came to an end. Up to the end of the 20th century the main centre for theological formation was Gyulafehérvár (Alba Iulia). The establishment of the Faculty of Roman Catholic Theology at the Babeş-Bolyai University inaugurated a new phase in the theological education.