scholarly journals The Word of the Cross and Christian Theology: Paul’s Theological Temperament for Today

2018 ◽  
Vol 75 (1) ◽  
pp. 64-76
Author(s):  
R. David Nelson

In this article I explore the uneasy relationship between Paul’s word of the cross and the work of Christian theology today. I show that Paul’s understanding of the cross challenges the way we conceive the time of Christian theology. Paul’s own biography illustrates the sense in which theological existence is an intellectual journey that is fundamentally interrupted and radically shaped by the encounter with the crucified Christ. What we learn from Paul’s word of the cross, I argue, is that the cross stands over against our theological work as crisis and judge. Paul’s witness urges us to advance in theological knowledge while never moving our gaze from the cross as the original mystery of faith.

Author(s):  
Kaitlyn Barton

Rapid advancements in radical life extension technologies contribute to humanity’s ever-changing world. The normalization of radical life extension technologies would signify that the present era in which biology and evolution act as dictators of human life and health would come to an end, thereby ushering in the age of the post-human. The purpose of this paper is to engage in a theological analysis of how and to what degree the ways in which humanity speaks about God could be changed or influenced if radical life extension becomes normative within society. . It is likely that this powerful technology would have a significant impact on many facets of culture, including the way in which humanity engages with religion, in particular Christianity. To accomplish this, the technology that could potentially support radical life extension, namely nanotechnology and cybernetic immortality, will be explained in terms of their relevance and function. Subsequently, the affects of radical life extension for human life will be addressed. Specifically, the implications of the partial or full eradication of human biological and psychological suffering and death through the use of cybernetic immortality and nanotechnology and will be considered. From there, the core theological concepts and narratives will be analyzed in the context of the potential actualization of radical life extension technology. A focus will be placed on the ethic of loving thy neighbour, Christ’s suffering on the cross, the hope of salvation and the Christian hope of entrance into heaven after death. 


2011 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Terrence W. Tilley

This article addresses three problems and suggests ways to address these problems. First, Christian theology has often been supersessionist, especially in Christology and Mariology. Claims about Jesus and Mary being exceptional (in different ways) often involve forms of supersessionism. I report on two theological works that attempt to be orthodoxly Catholic and to avoid supersessionism. Second, I address the conflict between affirming the irrevocable covenant God made with Israel and the universality of salvation God wrought in Jesus. I argue herein that the key problem is logical, not theological. Hence, we should not seek to resolve this problem theoretically, but to dissolve it logically in a manner analogous to the way philosophers of religion have dissolved the logical problem of evil. Third, some have suggested that a commitment to true interreligious dialogue should weaken our commitment to our own tradition. I disagree and show that interreligious dialogue can, in practice, strengthen, not weaken, our commitments to our home tradition. 


Author(s):  
Helena Lorencová ◽  
Marcela Gotzmannová

This article deals with how the residents of the town Rosice perceive the surrounding landscape in aesthetic terms, how it affects them and which of the landscape components they find the most valuable and necessary to preserve for the next generations. This article briefly describes the essential characteristics as well as the landscape composition of the area in question. It summarizes the results of a sociological survey which was carried out in April 2015. The majority of respondents considered the town of Rosice to be a good place to liveand agreed that what they liked most were visual percepts of the area and the sites where panoramic views could be enjoyed. Those components which the residents of Rosice wished to preserve in the town of Rosice for the next generations is Chateau Rosice, Nejsvětější Trojice (the Holy Trinity) chapel, the Stone bridge, St. Martin’s church, and the way of the Cross leading to the Holy Trinity chapel. The natural components that the respondents frequently mentioned included Rosická Obora (deer‑park) wooded land, the park and garden adjacent to the Chateau, the way of the Cross lined with linden trees leading to the Holy Trinity chapel, and the river Bobrava. One of the most significant problems and threats to the countryside is, according to many respondents, the usurpation of land in the form of residential and commercial development.


Kairos ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 195-205
Author(s):  
Teofil Stanciu

For Metropolitan Anthony Bloom, the kenosis of Christ climaxes with his God-forsakenness on the cross. It is this aspect of kenosis that the present article tries to explore and build upon. One key element will be the meaning of the concept of “a-theist” Christ – coined by Bloom – and how this status of the incarnated Son can function as a basis for our identification and solidarity with today’s atheists. By the way of kenosis, the incarnation brings together in one hypostasis the divine and human nature. This reality endowed both our nature and created order with significant dignity. This paper explores the possibilities from this dignity and how it can serve as a bridge for dialogue with humanists and materialists. As Bloom suggests, this can open the discussion towards the secular world and Christians could take some responsibility for the process of secularization. The objective of this article is to demonstrate that Anthony Bloom’s controversial idea of “a-theist” Christ can become a connection point with the other and a mirror in which western Christians might look at some of their anthropological shortcomings that hamper their solidarity and dialogue with those who do not share the faith in God.


MELINTAS ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 77-94
Author(s):  
Joko Umbara

An experience of the cross of Jesus Christ in Christian theology brings the sense of paradox. Christ’s death on the cross reflects the fate of humanity within the context of Christian faith. The cross is also seen as a mystery that tells the tragic story of humans who accept their punishment. However, the cross of Jesus Christ also reveals meanings that challenge Christians to find answers in their contemplation of the cross. The cross becomes a stage for human tragic drama, which might also reveal the beauty of death and life. It is the phatos of humanity, for every human being will die, but it is also seen as the tree of life hoped for by every faithful. On the cross is visible God’s self-giving through the love shown by the crucified Christ. God speaks God’s love not only through words, that is, in the teachings of Jesus Christ, but also through Christ’s loving gesture on the cross. The cross of Christ is the culmination of God’s glory and through it, God’s glory is shown in the beauty of divine love.


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