Kimbanguism: Its Present Christian Doctrine and the Problems Raised by it

Exchange ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 227-247 ◽  
Author(s):  
Léon Nguapitshi Kayongo
Keyword(s):  
21St Century ◽  
The Other ◽  
Christian Doctrine ◽  
The World ◽  
Doctrine Of The Trinity ◽  
In The Beginning ◽  
Participant Observer ◽  
The Church ◽  
The Trinity

AbstractAlthough the present publication does completely meet the requirements for an academic article, we have decided to publish it because of the insights it provides into the latest developments within the Kimbanguist Church in Congo. The author is a theologian who was Dean of the Kimbanguist Faculty of Theology in Lutendele near Kinshasa until mid 2003. He was deeply involved in the problems that arose in the beginning of the 21st century. He is also a person who is able to explain diligently the views of the different parties in the Kimbanguist Church. However, due to his own involvement in these developments the article has rather the character of a document written by a well-educated participant observer, who is very familiar with his subject, than that of a publication authored by a scholar who does his utmost to remain neutral.The document explains the theological, religious and contextual backdrops of the doctrine of the Trinity developed in the Kimbanguist Church, for in this church the persons of the Trinity are narrowly connected with the founder of the church and his family. Since 2001 these connections were even made more intense. Interestingly there are some Biblical reasons for it as well, but nonetheless the church seems to loose doctrinal familiarity with the other churches in the world through these new evolutions.

Christology—a Jewish view

1971 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 184-200
Author(s):  
Steven Katz
Keyword(s):  
New Testament ◽  
Old Testament ◽  
Holy Spirit ◽  
The Other ◽  
Christian Doctrine ◽  
The World ◽  
The New Testament ◽  
The Holy Spirit ◽  
Doctrine Of The Trinity ◽  
The Trinity

In this paper I would like to discuss what the Old Testament has to say about the Christian doctrine of the Trinity. I take it as agreed that this task is both important and necessary for a real understanding of the New Testament, which by itself, is neither complete, meaningful nor self-authenticating. I do not make any claims to completeness on this crucial topic, but wish only to suggest what I feel are some important points for consideration. I want to discuss the three persons of the Trinity separately, beginning with the Father, then proceeding to the Holy Spirit and then to the Son. My remarks about the Father will be brief. I only wish to make the point that the Old Testament as well as the new Testament is fully aware of God's Fatherhood and alive to the reality that God loves mankind. It is clear that Israel has a special place as indicated by such passages as Exod. 4.22 where God addresses Israel saying: ‘Israel is my first born son.’ Yet at the same time it is basic to an understanding of Old Testament thought that God is the Father of the other nations of the world, though they are not the ‘first born’. This is a cardinal position of Old Testament theology and is based on the belief, given expression in Genesis, that all belongs to and was created by God.

scholarly journals „Jak to się stało, że masz syna z nowym Bondem?” – kobiece, męskie i boskie w poezji Justyny Bargielskiej

2018 ◽  
pp. 29-40
Author(s):  
Jarosław Fazan
Keyword(s):  
21St Century ◽  
The Other ◽  
Cultural Stereotypes ◽  
Value System ◽  
Ordinary Life ◽  
Independent Form ◽  
The World ◽  
The One ◽  
In The Beginning ◽  
The Trinity

The paper applies to the work of one of the most important Polish writers of the last decade. Bargielska combines bold poetic experiments with a keen testimony of an ordinary life of a young woman, who experiences life in the beginning of the 21st century in Poland. On the one hand, the poet declares a conservative worldview (her value system is based on the “trinity”: Catholicism, heterosexuality, motherhood), on the other hand, she brutally and mercilessly uncovers the subjugation of a woman in the world of a male-dominated language. Her writing deconstructs this system, as it discovers the literature as a space for the practice of personal freedom beyond the slogans and ideological divisions; she manages to create her own independent form of existence. The poet renews feminine way of being through the deconstruction of religious myths and cultural stereotypes, confronted with the physiological and social reality.

scholarly journals Trinitology towards Challenges of Pluralistic Theology of Religion Systematical, Moral and Theological Reflection

2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (2(16)) ◽  
pp. 167-181
Author(s):  
Ignacy Bokwa
Keyword(s):  
Immanuel Kant ◽  
Jesus Christ ◽  
Practical Importance ◽  
Far East ◽  
Theological Reflection ◽  
Christian Theology ◽  
The World ◽  
Doctrine Of The Trinity ◽  
The Church ◽  
The Trinity

Nowadays pluralistic theology of religion is rightly regarded as one of the greatest threats to Christianity. It specifically concerns Christology. A threat to the Christian belief in the Trinity, which is created by pluralistic theology of religion, is seen more rarely. Many scholars consider pluralistic theology of religion as a further step of the modern fight against Christianity and the Church. The increasing spread of religions of the Far East plays a significant role. Pluralistic theology of religion refers to the basic ideas of Buddhism, trying to create a universal religion of the world. Pluralist theology of religion treats every religion of the world with affection- with the exception of Christianity. It is Christianity that is supposed to be tolerant and to adapt to other religions by means of losing its own identity. Pluralistic theology of religion relativizes the Person of Jesus Christ, undermining the uniqueness of the incarnation of God. Jesus of Nazareth was only a prominent man standing near Reality itself (God). Since Jesus Christ was not an ontological Son of God, the doctrine of the Trinity is being undermined. Representatives of pluralistic theology of religion reject the idea of a personal God, at the same time hitting in all monotheistic religions. From their point of view, God is for the human mind unattainable reality which no revelation is able to bring. Various religions are only stages of searching for the final Reality itself. Father, Son and Spirit are nothing more than a projection of human yearnings and religious pursuits. Faced with such claims, Christian theology cannot remain silent. One should be reminded of development of faith in the Triune God in the life of the Church. This is a theoretical- scientific dimension of the problem. It also has its practical and existential meaning. Although Immanuel Kant claimed that the doctrine of the Trinity has no practical importance, contemporary theological reflection presents a new aspect of this problem. Communio- theology comprehends the mystery of the Trinity as an event of constant communication in which Father gives Himself to the Son and so they create the Holy Spirit. The mystery of diversity reconciled in the unity stands at the beginning of every reality. The mystery of the Holy Trinity has its significance not only inside (life of the Church) but also outside (life of the secular, political and economic community). Nowadays the latter has a special meaning in particular. It is a theological and moral surface of the reflection, showing that one should not be afraid of multiplicity and diversity but treat them as an opportunity. In the era of new conflicts and divisions that are increasing and the renewal of the old traumas, it turns out that appeals of the representatives of pluralist theology of religion are fake and are supposed to challenge the principles of Christianity, whereas Christian theology offers modern societies interesting proposals acceptable not only for those who believe.

The Trinity as Transforming Symbol: Exploring the Trinitarian Theology of Two Roman Catholic Feminist Theologians

1994 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 273-294
Author(s):  
Patricia Fox
Keyword(s):  
Recent Work ◽  
Roman Catholic ◽  
First Century ◽  
Trinitarian Theology ◽  
Christian Tradition ◽  
The World ◽  
Doctrine Of The Trinity ◽  
Twenty First Century ◽  
The Church ◽  
The Trinity

The article explores the Trinity as a transforming symbol for the twenty—first century. It focuses on the recent work of Catherine Mowy LaCugna and Elizabeth Johnson who offer analyses for the “defeat” of the doctrine of the Trinity and also seek to retrieve core understandings of the mystery from Scripture and Christian tradition. The article suggests that the Church today is being challenged to reform itself in the image of the trinitarian God, to become a community for the world.

Horace Bushnell: Orthodox or Sabellian?

1964 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-59
Author(s):  
Fred Kirschenmann
Keyword(s):  
The Bible ◽  
Yale College ◽  
Horace Bushnell ◽  
The World ◽  
Doctrine Of The Trinity ◽  
In Christ ◽  
First Time ◽  
The Church ◽  
The Trinity

In 1848 Horace Bushnell delivered a lecture at Yale College entitled “The Divinity of Christ,” in which he set forth, for the first time, his views on the doctrine of the Trinity. A year later, this lecture and two others (“The Atonement” and “Dogma and Spirit”) appeared in a book entitled God in Christ. The book was prefaced with a preliminary dissertation on language. Almost immediately the critics assailed Bushnell for his Sabellian views on the Trinity. The Christian Observatory charged him with rejecting the “… commonly received doctrine of a proper Trinity in the Godhead, substituting for it a Pantheistic form of Sabellianism.” The Bible Repertory and Princeton Review, concurring in this judgment, indicated that “This, true enough, is the Sabellianism of Schleiermacher—a threefold revelation of God in the world, in Christ, and in the church.”

scholarly journals Preaching the Trinity today

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Johannes P Deetlefs
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Christian Faith ◽  
South African Context ◽  
Christian Doctrine ◽  
Daily Lives ◽  
Doctrine Of The Trinity ◽  
African Context ◽  
The Church ◽  
The Trinity ◽  
Practical Implications

While the twentieth century has witnessed renewed interest in the doctrine of the Trinity, in their daily lives Christians are mostly unaffected by it. The reason for this lack of knowledge and the negligence of this vital Christian doctrine could be blamed partly on a lack of preaching the doctrine of the Trinity. Considering the fact that the doctrine of the Trinity is the distinguishing doctrine of the Christian faith, such neglect in the homiletical ministry of the church is truly lamentable. This article is aimed at discussing some of the possible reasons for this regrettable situation and offering some guidelines for preaching the Trinity. Considering the practical implications of this foundational Christian doctrine for the ecclesial community, as well as for society at large, the church can no longer afford the neglect of the preaching of the Trinity. While I am writing from within the South African context, the issues raised here are relevant to the church internationally.

The Trinity

2020 ◽  
pp. 141-169
Author(s):  
Michael C. Rea
Keyword(s):  
Philosophical Problem ◽  
The Other ◽  
Material Constitution ◽  
Christian Doctrine ◽  
Other Hand ◽  
Doctrine Of The Trinity ◽  
Greek Tradition ◽  
The One ◽  
The Trinity

The Christian doctrine of the Trinity poses a serious philosophical problem. On the one hand, it seems to imply that there is exactly one divine being; on the other hand, it seems to imply that there are three. There is another well-known philosophical problem that presents us with a similar sort of tension: the problem of material constitution. After an examination of two classificatory schemes (the Latin tradition which traces its historical roots through the western church. and the Greek tradition which traces its roots through the eastern church) this chapter argues that a relatively neglected solution to the problem of material constitution can be developed into a novel solution to the problem of the Trinity.

scholarly journals Three I know not what:The influence of Greek philosophy on the doctrine of Trinity

2013 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aleksandar S. Santrac
Keyword(s):  
Greek Philosophy ◽  
Church Fathers ◽  
Christian Doctrine ◽  
Doctrine Of The Trinity ◽  
The Church ◽  
The Trinity

This article examines the origins of the traditional or orthodox Trinitarian formula. The main objective is to clarify to what extent the traditional Christian doctrine of the Trinity (Nicene formula) has been influenced by Greek philosophy. Through contemporary theological dialogue on this issue, the research focuses on the comparison between the traditional formulation of the doctrine of Trinity, influenced by Greek philosophy and the biblical revelation of the godhead. The conclusion is that the trinitarian formula might not be a dogmatic teaching, but a mystery (a dehellenisation of the concept of Trinity) and that the Church fathers and the post-Nicene church used the Greek philosophical-theological expressions for Trinity, already present in Scriptures in its doxological and liturgical form, primarily for the purpose of contextualisation.Hierdie artikel ondersoek die oorsprong van die tradisionele of ortodokse trinitariese leerstuk. Die hoofdoel is om uit te vind tot watter mate die tradisioneel Christelike leer oor die Drie-eenheid (Niceense formule) deur die Griekse filosofie beïnvloed is. Deur die hedendaagse teologiese debat oor hierdie onderwerp na te gaan, fokus die navorsing op ’n vergelyking tussen die tradisionele formulering van die leer van die Drie-eenheid soos beïnvloed deur die ortodokse Griekse filosofie en deur die bybelse openbaring van die godheid. Die slotsom waartoe gekom word, is dat die trinitariese formule moontlik nie ’n dogmatiese leerstuk was nie, maar ’n misterie (’n dehellenisering van die Drie-eenheidsbegrip). Die kerkvaders en die post-Niceense kerk het die Griekse filosofies-teologiese uitdrukkings vir die Drie-eenheid, wat alreeds in die Skrif in sy doksologiese en liturgiese vorm voorgekom het, moontlik slegs vir die doel van kontekstualisering gebruik.

Are Mormons Theists?

1996 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 357-370
Author(s):  
A. A. Howsepian
Keyword(s):  
Jesus Christ ◽  
Latter Day Saints ◽  
Christian Doctrine ◽  
Holy Ghost ◽  
Doctrine Of The Trinity ◽  
Mormon Church ◽  
The Universe ◽  
The Church ◽  
The Trinity

It is widely believed to be a fundamental tenet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (hereafter the LDS, or Mormon, Church) that a plurality of divine beings inhabits the universe. It has often been pointed out, for example, that according to Mormon doctrine Elohim (the Father), Jesus (the Son), and the Holy Ghost are three distinct Gods.1 The traditional Christian doctrine of the Trinity is, thereby, unambiguously rejected. In light of this, it has become commonplace among Christian apologists2 to infer

scholarly journals Some Recent Books on Theology

1908 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 513-517
Author(s):  
W. W. Fenn
Keyword(s):  
Religion And Medicine ◽  
Christian Doctrine ◽  
Christian Science ◽  
Christian Mysticism ◽  
The World ◽  
Doctrine Of The Trinity ◽  
The Will ◽  
The Trinity

Illingworth, J. R., The Doctrine of the Trinity.Hall, F. J., Introduction to Dogmatic Theology.Ritchie, W. B., Revelation and Religious Certitude.Bowne, B. P., Personalism.Rogers, A. K., The Religious Conception of the World.Lloyd, A. H., The Will to Doubt.Drummond, James, Studies in Christian Doctrine.Peile, J. H. F., The Reproach of the Gospel.Nash, H. S., The Atoning Life.The Christ that is to Be.Worcester, McComb, Coriat, Religion and Medicine.Powell, L. P., Christian Science, its Faith and its Founder.Campbell, J. M., Paul the Mystic.Scott, W. M., Aspects of Christian Mysticism.Inge, W. R., Personal Idealism and Mysticism.

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