The doctrine of theosis, or deification, is a distinctive feature of Eastern Orthodoxy. In recent centuries, it has also become a pursuit across various Christian traditions. Although theosis was historically associated with humanity, modern theology has not adequately explored its cosmic dimension, which concerns both human and non-human beings as well as the cosmos as a whole. This article draws on elements of the Orthodox tradition, including the Logos–logoi theory of St. Maximus the Confessor and the Essence–Energies distinction of St. Gregory Palamas. It also engages with insights from contemporary Orthodox thinkers relevant to the discussion. The aim is to outline the theological foundations for a more inclusive and holistic understanding of theosis, particularly in light of the current climate crisis and issues of animal welfare.
Current school safety frameworks in South Korea concentrate on physical and infrastructure-related risks (e.g., natural disasters, traffic accidents, and facility management), overlooking safety challenges that emerge from the gradual multicultural transition of Korean society. This work attempts to address this critical gap in school safety frameworks. To do so, we first examine how issues related to increasing religious diversity in South Korea create safety challenges. Through our examination of specific cases in university settings, we demonstrate not only that these issues manifest as sociocultural challenges extending beyond the physical risks that current frameworks prioritize, but also that higher education institutions lack adequate institutional responses. Based on this analysis, we develop a curriculum framework for teaching about world religions in general education as an institutional approach to these challenges. By engaging with the concept of religion alongside various religious traditions and discourses, this curriculum aims to develop students’ religious literacy—a competency for better understanding and navigating complex religious and cultural dynamics in daily life. With this curriculum, we suggest an effective way to enhance current school safety frameworks through religious education that is essential for addressing the challenges entwined deeply with the sociocultural transition in South Korea. In doing so, we also highlight that religion continues to maintain significant influence in contemporary Korean society, contrary to widespread assumptions that undermine its ongoing roles and impact.
From its inception, Orientalism employed the method of critical textual analysis , which later become foundational to Islamic studies, as they developed in parallel with biblical studies. As a natural consequence of vertical historiography, scholars have focused on tracing the historical origins of narratives, concepts and theories in the Qur'an and other classical Islamic texts by seeking them in older traditions. The primary theme that orientalist scholars have emphasised in the study of Islam is the question of origin and foreign influence. Sufism has also been regarded as one of the most important subjects of the inquiry into its origins, due to the practical and theoretical diversity it encompasses. Originally rooted in Europe, Orientalism was later adopted by the American academy, which developed in the 20th century through its scholars and narratives and became the dominant factor shaping American Islamic and Sufi studies. As a result of the transfer of prominent Orientalists such as Joseph Schacht (d. 1969), Hamilton A. R. Gibb (d. 1971), Gustave E. von Grunebaum (d. 1972) and Franz Rosenthal (d. 2003) from European universities to North American universities during and after the Second World War, the centre of Islamic studies in the West gradually shifted. After taking up positions in the fields of theology and history of religions at American universities, these names became the founding heads of centres such as Middle Eastern Studies, Near Eastern Studies and Islamic Studies, and introduced the knowledge and methods of the orientalist tradition into the American academy. In this context, this study evaluates the influences of the European Orientalist tradition on Sufi studies in the American academy, focusing on the question of origins and foreign influences. Focusing on the works of prominent scholars affiliated with the American academy who authored texts on the general history of Sufism such as William C. Chittick, John Renard, Carl W. Ernst, Alexander D. Knysh, and Nile Green, this study analyses both methodological continuities and divergences in their approaches. This study investigates how the claims of the Orientalist tradition—that Sufism derived from Christianity and was shaped by Indian, Persian, and Greek influences—were evaluated, reproduced, or transformed in the American academy. The study demonstrates that Sufi studies in the American academy generally followed Western historicist and philological methods in its early stages.Over time, however, influenced by contemporary approaches, it made extensive use of social sciences and turned to address Sufism within the framework of the internal dynamics of Islam. The study’s findings offer novel perspectives on the evolution of Sufi studies in the American academy.
Philosophy of religion. Psychology of religion. Religion in relation to other subjects
Nyazbekov Serik, Lifanova Tatyana, Tasybekova Maya
et al.
The article discusses possible ways and prospects for the use of digitalization in the field of religion. The purpose of the study is to provide an overview of the digital content of traditional religions in the context of the expansion of digitalization processes as an integral component of the development of modern Kazakhstani society. The theoretical and methodological basis of the
article is the theory of alienation and social ediatization of religion. The authors note that information technologies in religious practices contribute to the restructuring of religious life in accordance with the changing social and cultural circumstances of the modern world. There is a radical transformation of traditional models of social relations and management, an integral artificial world is being formed, created by modern information technologies, ranging from
augmented reality to virtual reality, and operating in real time. The article summarizes information about the features of the development of digital content of traditional religions, including official websites, representation in social networks, the development of specialized applications, etc. The methodology employed in this study encompasses a multi-faceted approach, combining qualitative and quantitative research methods. Qualitative analysis involves the examination of digital religious content, including textual, visual, and interactive elements, to discern trends, symbolism, and the impact on religious practices. Quantitative analysis encompasses data
collection through surveys and analytics of online engagement with religious platforms and applications.
Darlan Aurélio de Aviz, Luís M. Figueiredo Rodrigues
This paper discusses the importance of fraternity in building more fair and humane societies. The globalised world poses new challenges to the understanding of fraternity, especially when it is seen as an attack on the dignity of each person. Religions are considered to have an important role to play in responding to the dehumanisation that a certain type of globalisation can promote. To this end, we reflect on the threats and opportunities that the globalised world offers and how religious thought can make a positive contribution. Based on Pope Francis’ challenges, we will respond to what the “something greater” is that fraternity has to offer the world. The answer is developed using sources from the sacred scripture and the patristics to understand Christianity, where it is concluded that the model of relationships between people, in the thought of the magisterium in the light of sacred scripture, aims to awaken the awareness of a social friendship, which will grow to the extent that one offers what is best for the other, simply by loving them and being who they are.
Irena A. Balzhyk, Serhii M. Skurikhin, Valeriya S. Lychko
et al.
Relevance of Christian theological grounds of jurisprudence stems from the fact that a religion in general and Christianity in particular, remains one of the main regulators of social behavior, whereby the question of the connection between the law and religion as well as the
question of the relationship between the Christian theology and jurisprudence arises. The purpose of this study is to reveal historical and contemporary aspects of the similarity, difference and interaction of Christian and legal spheres of the social reality. In particular, the
interdisciplinary approach provided the combination of exegesis and hermeneutics, dialectics, dogmatic and historical methodological tools, and was used to retrace the evolution of the law and to disclose various connections between legal and religious prescriptions and the content. The main intersection points of the law and religion, particularly Christianity, such as sacredness, values, morality and axiomatic assertions are disclosed as well as the religious basis of the historical and contemporary law is proved in the article. The outcomes of the study are of practical value for implementating and affirming the rule of law, for strengthening of authorityof the legal system and legal order in Ukraine
with the means of the Christian religion and religious institutions.
Gender-based violence is a widespread type of human rights violation that frequently takes place in academic environments like schools and universities. The prevalence of genderbased violence (GBV) among university students is shockingly high. Many survivors of campus sexual abuse experience academic difficulties in addition to the emotional and psychological impacts of the assault, which in some cases may necessitate them taking a leave of absence or even dropping out of school altogether. Many students entering South African HEIs would have already been exposed to or experienced violence because of South Africa's alarmingly high rate of sexual assault against children. GBV in Universities, has many causal factors, including age, societal norms, masculinity, and social media. This paper utilized
secondary data as a methodology to collect data. This paper proposes that universities combine the assistance of psychologists and pastoral caregivers in the healing of those
affected by GBV, because people who have experienced GBV may benefit from pastoral counselling in focusing their attention on finding purpose and meaning in their lives despite adversity.
Coordination is an essential tool for an organisation's surviving and smooth running. Christian ministry needs proper administrative functions for the effectiveness of church business and human and financial resources. To achieve this noble goal, the chief administrator and a
pastor need to acquaint himself or herself with the knowledge of administration. This paper attempts to provide a study of Nehemiah as the biblical model of volunteer workers for effective church administration. The name Nehemiah in the Hebrew language "nechemyah" or "NehemYah" means the comfort of Jehovah or Jehovah's comforts, and the paper argues that Nehemiah’s models and the pattern used by him are an archetype or perfect examples for the volunteer workers to embrace in the realisation of effective church administration. The authorial intention and motive for this study is to affirm the value and contributory efforts of the local Church's volunteer workers and the necessity for effective administration in managing
human resources by the church administration. The efficiency of volunteer workers in church
administration connotes the proper concept within the Church that volunteer workers and leaders exist and are needed in the Church. It is stated in this paper that in the Church, the word volunteer is considered in the light of Christian stewardship. The required significant
parameters for efficient volunteer services as inferred in this study are organisation and management, recruitment, screening, and training and re-training of volunteer workers, which is the church pastor's primary task. To this end, the paper submits that volunteer workers are needed in church business, yet, the functionality of viable volunteer workers hinges on effective church administration; the pastor is supposed to be a coach-player and not the sole player in the field of Christian ministry. The paper recommends that Christian leaders should do their best to avoid distractions and make themselves available for the godly task by
incorporating Nehemiah's models of leadership into their system of administration.
The main purpose of education is generally expressed as raising strong, visionary and qualified generations who will transfer the social and cultural heritage from generation to generation. In today's world, where global problems have the same effect even in the farthest corners of the world, establishing and maintaining a quality education system has become a phenomenon that almost all societies dream of. In multi-religious and multi-cultural societies with individuals who belong to different religions, languages, sects, races, genders and ethnic origins having different beliefs, morals and thoughts, it is an extremely important issue to be able to form and develop a sustainable common life skill. Nowadays, from an educational perspective this issue is accepted as "an indispensable situation and an indisputable fact". There is no doubt that the emphasize on the holistic approach, which has inspired so many effective and popular education systems around the world in terms of the scientific competence, gives a special meaning to the original value of the subject. The holistic approach according to scope, adequacy and conformity criteria reveals the basic universal principles of education thanks to its innovative tendencies and attitudes, and thus makes significant contributions to the realization of the qualified education.
Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General), Social Sciences
Through the studies of Braudel and Morin, the essay intends to present the Mediterranean as the physical, as well as geographical, place of the encounter between cultures, peoples, religions and identities that characterise our common humanity. Retracing the Mediterranean Colloquies – commissioned by Giorgio La Pira between 1958-1964 – the mare nostrum is defined as an authentic pathway to peace; the centre of a project for the unification of the world that through intracultural dialogue builds relational bridges and breaks down the walls of indifference.
Jurisprudence. Philosophy and theory of law, Political theory
Olúse ̩̩̩̩̩́ ̩̩̩̩̩́ ̩̩̩̩̩́ ̩̩̩̩̩́ ̩̩̩̩̩́ gun Peter Ó̩̩̩̩̩ ke ̩̩̩̩̩́ Ph.D
Crime and its attendant fatalities has become a burning issue in Nigeria in recent times. It is a phenomenon that is bedeviling the nation and steps taken by government to prevent it seem inadequate as it continues to spread like a dry season fire. Existing studies on crime and its control have focused mainly on the use of modern methods which are at variance with the cultures of the
various societies, while little attention is also paid to the crime control mechanisms of the traditional Yoruba society. The inability of government to tackle the menace of crime has led to palpable fears among the people as security of lives and property is perpetually threatened. This has impacted negatively on the country that is striving to be among the developed nations in the world. A qualitative method of research was adopted for this brief study. The paper argues that crime that has become the order of the day in Nigeria, came as a result of inter alia unemployment, poverty, selfishness and greed. This paper proffers a solution by proposing the use of traditional
Yoruba crime control mechanisms with the modern one, side by side, to fight crime in Nigeria in order to foster the rapid economic and social development that everybody is longing for.
Uno de los temas que más controversia ha planteado en la historiografía moderna es el estudio de la Augustalidad, término con el que se engloba a dos organizaciones con una función religiosa y social similar, si bien en el ámbito peninsular no ha dado lugar a demasiados estudios. En este sentido, partiendo del desarrollo de tres ideas metodológicas expresadas por otros tantos autores, el objetivo de la presente comunicación es completar alguna de estas carencias abordando el análisis de su labor colegial a través de las fuentes epigráficas peninsulares.
Directed by Ryan Coogler, the film Black Panther portrays the heroes of the fictional African kingdom of Wakanda as godlike. They possess otherworldly sophistication by virtue of their blackness, in contrast to longstanding tendencies in mainstream film toward tokenism, stereotyping, and victimhood in depictions of people of African descent. The superhero the Black Panther, a.k.a. King T’Challa, learns to stand in solidarity with the oppressed, even those in whose oppression he has been unwittingly complicit, such as the children of the African diaspora. As a result, the film can function as catalyst for reflection on the part of viewers in terms of how they might perceive more clearly the complexity, variety, and ambiguity represented by blackness, whether others’ or their own, and how they, too, might identify with the Other.
In this article, rational arguments and religious teachings that underlie the necessity of peaceful coexistence with the followers of other religions will be discussed. Moreover, the core impediments to coexistence, such as lacking self-knowledge and being ignorant about the others, will be examined, and practical ways for effectively interacting with the followers of other religions will be suggested. Without a doubt, being rational and following the instructions of the Holy Quran and the teachings of the Holy Prophet and his family can result in the prevalence of peace for all human beings in the world. In this essay, we will present rational arguments for, and religious teachings on, peaceful coexistence, taking into account the conditions of the contemporary world.
Article is devoted to a role of world religions in the modern international relations and world politics. The phenomenon of world religious revival, his connection with globalization processes, formation of the multi-polar, polycivilization world is investigated. A research objective is the analysis of tendencies of a desecularization of the world community, the reasons and possible consequences of this process in global measurement. Article includes Introduction, three analytical sections and the Conclusion. In Introduction the phenomenon of world religious revival and approaches to his studying is presented. It is asked about a desecularization of the world community as a possible subject of the new direction of the international political researches – the international religious studies. The thesis about crisis of secular bases of modern political system of the world is proved in the first section. Revision of bases of a world order and standards of belonging to the world community from positions of the reviving religious fundamentalism, the cultural and political and social and economic bases of this process are considered. In the second section the role in a desecularization of the world community of political Islam (Islamism) is analyzed. It is noted that the greatest danger of politicization of Islam consists in emergence of difficult surmountable civilization break in the world community between the Western world (still confident in universality of the values) and the world of Islam. In the third section the possibilities of prevention of disintegration of the existing system of the international relations and collision of the cultural worlds are considered. The main attention is paid to processes of a global political institutionalization of such dialogue and its justification in the concept of global ethics – purposeful coordination and gradual connection of the basic moral and ethical values concluded in great religious and cultural traditions of the world. In the final section of article the conclusion is drawn that process of an institutionalization of civilization dialogue (civilization communication) it isn’t finished yet and didn’t become irreversible.
One of the main issues in explaining the phenomenon of diversity of religions in the world is the issue of religions ranking; i.e. the question of whether religions are essentially comparable or not! And if it is comparable, what is the criterion and criterion of this comparison? It seems that the border between two different positions in explaining the phenomenon of religious plurality, namely relativism and religious pluralism, comes from the accuracy of the issue of religions ranking. In this article, we will speak of two main representatives of these two trends by proposing and examining this problem and among the religious relativists we refer to Ernest Troeltsch and to John Hick from religious pluralism. This article seeks to put these two theories together and remind them of their similarities and reveal their fundamental differences. Briefly, it can be noted that the major similarity between Troeltsch and Hick is to rely on cultural categories in the consistency of religious awareness, while the fundamental difference between them is the observation of objectivity or subjectivity in their grading criteria. In the end, Hick claims that although religions are comparable in principle, but practically the result of this comparing is the equivalence of religion’s Truth-claims, while Troeltsch says it's basically impossible to compare religions, اowever, in his original statements, he clearly states that in practice, Christianity is superior to other religions. Of course, in his later remarks, he reviews this result and claims that religions are only relative in absolute terms and he claims absolute religions are relative only.
Los títulos y cualidades morales del Gran Rey de Persia, los rasgos de la realeza aqueménida, nos revelan que nos hallamos frente a un monarca absoluto que gobernaba un gran imperio, un soberano par excellence. Títulos absolutos e hiperbólicos como “Rey de reyes”, “Gran Rey”, “Rey de los países”, “Rey de los países que contienen todas las razas”, “Rey de esta gran tierra”, “Rey del Universo o de los cuatro extremos de la tierra”, su deber como rey guerrero de paz y de justicia (ap. dāta-), de defender la verdad (ap. ṛta-) y disipar la mentira (ap. drauga-), de garantizar el orden de la sociedad civil frente al caos, entre otros, nos inclinan a pensar que nos hallamos frente a un soberano divino, frente a un rey y un dios a la vez, ante un dios entre los hombres. Sería, no obstante, erróneo considerar que las cualidades del Gran Rey y algunos de los gestos y deferencias rituales de la realeza aqueménida y del protocolo real, en especial la proskýnesis, nos permitan defender que nos encontramos frente a un soberano divino. El Gran Rey de Persia no fue un rey y un dios, sino únicamente un monarca que gobernaba con el apoyo y por la gracia de dios, el dios supremo Ahura Mazda, el Sabio Señor, a saber, un mediador entre los dioses y los hombres.
This essay explains different patterns demonstrating how medieval Europe was situated in global visions of the world. Concerning medieval concepts of integration, entanglements, and migrations, three different perspectives are highlighted: (1) Europe was considered, together with Asia and Africa, to be an integral part of the whole world and covered a quarter of its surface. (2) Medieval sources contributed to Europe becoming a destination of immigration of peoples, cultures, and religions of Asian roots. (3) In the second half of the fifteenth century, previous memories of origin changed. The article outlines conflicting opinions about whether European peoples were shaped by migrations or by remaining on their own patch of soil. Just when Europeans began to conquer the world, they realised the geographical limitations of their continent. At the same time, however, they stylised Europe as an exceptional queen ruling the world.
The essay was translated from the German by Malcolm Green.
Translation and Hermeneutic Phenomenology
The problem of translation has been reflected since the antiquity but it became a special field of research
only later within the "traductorolgie" and the translation studies. Applying Paul Ricoeur's hermeneutic phenomenology,
the author suggests that translation in the narrow sense (from one language to the other language)
is felt also at the level of translation in a broader sense, that is, of mutual understanding within the
same linguistic community; thus, it could serve as a model par excellence for the European community. In
accordance of Paul Ricoeur's conception of "originary affirmation" and language hospitality, he argues that
translation has not only ethical but also political implications: Matured by its century-long history of conflicts
and wars, Europe is called to become a translator and mediator of the world and to promote the encounter
between cultures, religions and nations with an active peace-policy, especially in the Mediterranean region
and the Balkans.