Naturalizing Christians: A Response to Joel Marcus, John the Baptist in History and Theology

Abstract This essay examines the conceptual framework that informs Marcus’s distinction between history and theology, and considers what stands to be gained by this manner of classification. The essay observes that Marcus’s classification hinges upon a theory of religion that views gospels as artifacts expressive of sincere belief and, further, suggests this approach serves to mystify the origins of the Christian theological metanarrative by replicating the explanation asserted within the gospels themselves. By reversing the conceptual framework and the explanatory priority, one could deploy a theory of religion that sees gospels as artifacts of persuasion and thereby argue that they aim to naturalize the initially unnatural truth claim that Jesus was the christ by connecting him to a known social type: John. From this approach, it would not be belief in Jesus as the christ that explains the modified constructions of John the Baptist; rather, modifications of John the Baptist would be precisely what construct belief in Jesus as the christ.

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Towards a Narrative Theory of Religious Education: A study of teacher’s aims in Catholic primary schools

International Journal of Education and Religion ◽

10.1163/1570-0623-90000002 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

pp. 217-247 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Patrick Altena ◽

Chris A.M. Hermans ◽

Johannes van der Yen

Keyword(s):

The Netherlands ◽

Empirical Study ◽

Institutional Theory ◽

Conceptual Framework ◽

Religious Education ◽

Primary Schools ◽

Narrative Theory ◽

Narrative Identity ◽

Theory Of Religion ◽

Religious Narrative

The article examines the aims of education as they relate to the construction of religious-narrative identities of children. The concept of religion is taken from Claire Disbrey’s institutional theory of religion, which is examined in association with Paul Ricoeur’s concept of narrative identity. The construction of the religious-narrative identity is characterized by an interaction between individual and culture. On the basis of this conceptual framework the authors formulate six aims for the construction of religious-narrative identity in children. The teachers reported five of these six aims in an empirical study of teachers in Catholic primary schools in the Netherlands. The article concludes with a reflection on the results of the study.

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A conceptual framework for advanced practice: an action research project operationalizing anadvanced practitioner/consultant nurse role

Journal of Clinical Nursing ◽

10.1046/j.1365-2702.1997.00143.x ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 6 (3) ◽

pp. 179-190 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

Kim Manley

Keyword(s):

Action Research ◽

Conceptual Framework ◽

Advanced Practice ◽

Action Research Project ◽

Research Project ◽

Nurse Role

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Evaluating research in developmental disabilities: a conceptual framework for reviewing treatment outcomes

Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology ◽

10.1017/s0012162299000110 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 41 (1) ◽

pp. 55-59 ◽

Cited By ~ 51

Author(s):

Charlene Butler ◽

Henry Chambers ◽

Murray Goldstein ◽

Susan Harris ◽

Judy Leach ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Developmental Disabilities ◽

Conceptual Framework ◽

Treatment Outcomes

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Understanding Why Older People Develop a Wish to Die

Crisis ◽

10.1027/0227-5910/a000078 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 32 (4) ◽

pp. 204-216 ◽

Cited By ~ 52

Author(s):

M. L. Rurup ◽

H. R. W. Pasman ◽

J. Goedhart ◽

D. J. H. Deeg ◽

A. J. F. M. Kerkhof ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older People ◽

Cohort Studies ◽

Conceptual Framework ◽

Life Events ◽

Traumatic Life Events ◽

Quantitative Studies ◽

Wish To Die ◽

Open Coding ◽

Death Wishes ◽

Depth Interviews

Background: Quantitative studies in several European countries showed that 10–20% of older people have or have had a wish to die. Aims: To improve our understanding of why some older people develop a wish to die. Methods: In-depth interviews with people with a wish to die (n = 31) were carried out. Through open coding and inductive analysis, we developed a conceptual framework to describe the development of death wishes. Respondents were selected from two cohort studies. Results: The wish to die had either been triggered suddenly after traumatic life events or had developed gradually after a life full of adversity, as a consequence of aging or illness, or after recurring depression. The respondents were in a situation they considered unacceptable, yet they felt they had no control to change their situation and thus progressively “gave up” trying. Recurring themes included being widowed, feeling lonely, being a victim, being dependent, and wanting to be useful. Developing thoughts about death as a positive thing or a release from problems seemed to them like a way to reclaim control. Conclusions: People who wish to die originally develop thoughts about death as a positive solution to life events or to an adverse situation, and eventually reach a balance of the wish to live and to die.

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