scholarly journals The Practice of Assertion under Conditions of Religious Ignorance

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-39
Author(s):  
Aaron Rizzieri

The knowledge and attendant justification norms of belief and assertion serve to regulate our doxastic attitudes towards, and practices of asserting, various propositions. I argue that conforming to these norms under conditions of religious ignorance promotes responsible acts of assertion, epistemic humility, and non–dogmatic doxastic attitudes towards the content of one’s own faith. Such conformity also facilitates the formation of the religious personality in a healthy direction in other ways. I explore these ideas in relation to the Christian faith tradition, but my reflections generalize.

2020 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 33-49
Author(s):  
Bonni Goodwin ◽  
Angela Pharris ◽  
Dallas Pettigrew

Caring for the orphan is a biblical mandate for those who follow the Christian faith tradition. Yet, far too often, this charge has led to coercion and exploitation of marginalized populations. This manuscript will examine this phenomenon through the adoption of Indigenous people starting in colonial America, when Christian missionaries from Europe believed it was their spiritual obligation to “save” young Indigenous children from their “heathen” culture. This belief still shapes many adoption practices today. The Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) is presented as a step towards legal reparations for the harm done to Indigenous people during this time period. The idea of reparations is discussed as a vital step towards another Christian biblical mandate calling for active repair of broken relationships. Ultimately, this manuscript concludes with an application of the model of praxis from liberation theology to reframe how Christian social workers may approach caring for the orphan.


Ecclesiology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 91-107
Author(s):  
Yusak Budi Setyawan

Abstract Given the ecological crisis in Indonesia, the churches must implement an ecclesiological reconstruction based on the church as an ecological community and on the understanding that the churches are an inseparable part of Indonesian society and cultures which emphasise respect for nature, while at the same time reconstructing their identity in the Christian faith tradition rooted in the Triune God, faith in Christ as Saviour, and an eschatological dimension. Ecclesial praxis will promote ecological awareness among church members, involvement in conservation efforts and in making public policies related to ecological issues.


2016 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 59
Author(s):  
Sinivaldo Silva Tavares

Resumo: Pressuposta a relevância da Laudato Si’, o artigo analisa alguns de seus elementos nodais com o intuito de salientar o caráter orgânico e coerente de seu conteúdo. No primeiro momento, são perscrutadas as entrelinhas da Laudato Si’: gratuidade como horizonte e esperança como tom da encíclica, apelo contundente à aliança entre os distintos saberes como sua intencionalidade e círculo virtuoso (ver, julgar e agir) como sua metodologia. No segundo momento, ocupa-se da tessitura propriamente dita do texto da encíclica que se dá em torno a três nós: o evangelho da criação; a ecologia integral e, por fim, a conversão ecológica como condição para uma conversão integral. Ao final do percurso, e a partir da insistência do papa na integralidade como marca distintiva da fé cristã e, ao mesmo tempo, das eventuais alternativas à crise atual, conclui-se que desafios complexos demandam saberes e práticas integrais.  Portanto, a partir da integralidade constitutiva de sua própria tradição de fé, o cristão discerne e reconhece a complexidade inerente à vida, e a ela corresponde mediante propostas e iniciativas igualmente integrais.Abstract: The article analyzes some of the crucial nodal points of the relevant Encyclical Laudato Si’ in order to emphasize the organic and coherent character of its content. In the first place, the main lines of Laudato Si ' are scrutinized: gratuitousness as its horizon and hope, as its driving force, a strong appeal to the alliance between the many knowledges, as its intentionality, and the virtuous circle (see, judge and act), as its methodology. The second moment deals with the weaving of the encyclical text itself that revolves around three nodes: the gospel of creation; integral ecology and, finally, the ecological conversion as a condition for an integral conversion. Finally, from the pope's insistence on integrity as being the hallmark of the Christian faith and, at the same time, from the possible alternatives to the current crisis, it is concluded that complex challenges require integrative knowledge and practices. Therefore, from the constitutive completeness of their own faith tradition, Christians discern and recognize the inherent complexity of life to which they respond with full proposals and initiatives.


2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 103-143
Author(s):  
Norbert Feinendegen

Although Lewis describes his intellectual journey to the Christian faith in Surprised by Joy and The Pilgrim's Regress, the actual steps of his progress from Atheism to Theism are still a matter of controversy. Based on Lewis' letters, his diary All My Road Before Me and recently published sources (in particular ‘Early Prose Joy’), this paper gives an outline of the main steps of Lewis' philosophical progress during the 1920s. The first part sketches the five main stages Materialism, Realism, Absolute Idealism, Subjective Idealism, and Theism, and submits a proposal for their dating. The second part describes these stages in greater detail and discusses the reasons that urged Lewis to adopt a new philosophical position at a particular time. It will become apparent that a thorough philosophical understanding of these stages is an indispensable prerequisite for any serious effort to establish a chronology of Lewis' intellectual progress during these years.


2017 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 237-256
Author(s):  
Joseph Bosco Bangura

Sierra Leone has seen the rise of Charismatic movements that are bringing about greater levels of co-operation with the state. This new church development aims at renewing the Christian faith and projecting a more proactive role towards public governance. This ecclesial development shows that African Pentecostal/Charismatic theology appears to be moving away from the perceived isolationist theology that once separated the church from involvement with the rest of society. By reapplying the movement's eschatological beliefs, Charismatics are presenting themselves as moral crusaders who regard it as their responsibility to transform public governance. The article probes this relationship so that the Charismatic understanding of poverty, prosperity, good governance and socio-economic development in Sierra Leone can be more clearly established.


Author(s):  
Thomas C. Berg

By now, it is a commonplace of the American religious scene that the majority of the nation's white Protestant Christians are split into “two parties.” The ideological dividing line runs between “mainline” denominations—Methodists, Presbyterians, Episcopalians—and a bevy of conservative denominations and groups, but it also cuts through the mainline itself, which contains a substantial contingent of conservatives.Among the two parties' numerous disagreements, theological and political, few have run deeper and longer than their difference over the meaning and importance of evangelism, the activity of “proclaiming the gospel” to those outside the Christian community. Is the church's prime call in this regard to seek conversions to the Christian faith, or is it to show the love of Christ by working for charitable goals and social justice? A well-known 1973 study of Presbyterian clergy found that the greatest polarization between self-described “conservatives” and “liberals” came over the relative priority of evangelism and social action. Indeed, the fight over these goals was an important (though by no means the only) factor precipitating the “split” early in this century.


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