scholarly journals Them that believe: a postmodern exploration of the contemporary Christian serpent-handlers of Appalachia

2009 ◽  
Vol 21 ◽  
pp. 72-91
Author(s):  
Ralph Hood
Keyword(s):  
Religious Experiences ◽  
Master Narrative ◽  
New Paradigm ◽  
Levels Of Abstraction ◽  
Cultural Perspectives ◽  
The Bible ◽  
Lay Persons ◽  
Contemporary Christian ◽  
No Gold Standard ◽  
Serpent Handling

The call for a new paradigm is loud and clear and consistent with postmodern methods. They are no gold standard to be applied to all investigations; no master narrative to be defended. Interdisciplinary, as the author tries to demonstrate, can mean not only cooperation among disciplines, but also the use of a variety of often discipline favoured methods by a single investigator or a team of investigators whose location within a particular ‘discipline’ is both historically contingent and likely dated in terms of its usefulness. Likewise, the use of multilevel considerations means that the diversity of methods and approaches at various levels of abstraction are necessary to begin any study of religious phenomena in their immense complexity. This study of serpent handlers focuses upon archival research; hermeneutical explorations of textual criticism of the Bible; ethnography linked to videotapes; phenomenological interviews analyzed in terms of a hermeneutical method that reveals the meaningfulness of handling serpents, being anointed, and the experience of near death from serpent bites. The author is committed to exploring the meaning of serpent handling from personal and cultural perspectives, and also takes into account psychological theories to link the symbolic and sign value of serpents that further does justice to the power of the serpent to elicit genuine religious experiences and to serve as an apologetic for a tradition that has been maligned and misunderstood by lay persons and scholars alike. 

scholarly journals Bible Study of Mission and Discipleship in the Great Commission and Its Implications for Today's Christian Life

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 25-42
Author(s):  
Yonatan Alex Arifianto ◽  
Reni Triposa ◽  
Paulus Karaeng Lembongan
Keyword(s):  
Research Question ◽  
Research Work ◽  
Bible Study ◽  
Great Commission ◽  
Christian Life ◽  
The Bible ◽  
Library Research ◽  
Biblical Study ◽  
Contemporary Christian ◽  
Quantitative Descriptive

Abstract Christianity in the spiritual growth and quantity of the church cannot be separated from believers who carry out the mandate of the Great Commission. But in the accompanying journey of God there is not much that can be done by believers in mission and discipleship. So with that focus and purpose of this research is to answer the research question of how the Bible study of mission and discipleship in the Great Commission and its implications for Christian life today. While the problem that occurs in this research work is how Discipleship and mission are not properly understood in the current era so that many prioritize mission but override discipleship or vice versa. But the benefits of this research are: first, the importance of mission in the Great Commission, then the importance of discipleship for believers and continuity and the last implies mission and discipleship as life priorities. To describe the biblical study of mission and discipleship in the Great Commission and its implications for contemporary Christian life, researchers used library research methods with quantitative descriptive approaches.

Merengkuh Bumi Merawat Semesta: Mengupayakan Hermeneutik Ekologis dalam Rangka Menanggapi Kerusakan Lingkungan Dewasa Ini

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 71
Author(s):  
Darius Ade Putra
Keyword(s):  
Biblical Text ◽  
New Paradigm ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Ecological Damage ◽  
The Bible ◽  
The Earth ◽  
The 1960S ◽  
The Universe

Abstract Since the 1960s, started by Lynn White, Christianity has begun to get attacks because it is considered to have triggered ecological damage. Christianity through the teachings of the Bible is accused of legitimizing absolute anthropocentric ideas which then give rise to expansive actions to the environment and nature. In the midst of the massive damage to the environment and in order to fi nd a possible solution to this problem, it is felt necessary to resonance the new approach to the Scriptures that further explores the sound of the earth. One approach that can be developed is ecological hermeneutics. Based on several principles it is possible to see and understand the biblical text from the perspective of the earth. In addittion, this approach will be elaborated with local wisdom so that it can help the text contextualization process. In the end, a new paradigm is expected to encourage awareness of the importance to tend the universe.   Abstrak Sejak tahun 1960an, dimulai oleh Lynn White, Kekristenan mulai mendapat serangan karena dinilai telah menjadi pemicu kerusakan ekologi. Kekristenan melalui ajaran Alkitab dituduh melegitimasi gagasan-gagasan antroposentris absolut yang kemudian melahirkan tinndakan- tindakan ekspansif terhadap lingkungan dan alam. Di tengah masifnya kerusakan lingkungan dan dalam rangka mencari kemungkinan jalan keluar dari persoalan ini, dirasa perlu untuk menggemakan pendekatan baru pada Kitab Suci yang lebih mengeksplorasi suara bumi. Salah satu pendekatan yang bisa dikembangkan adalah hermeneutik ekologi. Berdasarkan beberapa prinsip-prinsipnya memungkinkan untuk melihat dan memahami teks Alkitab dari perspektif bumi. Selain itu, pendekatan ini akan dielaborasi dengan local widom agar membantu proses kontekstualisasi teks. Pada akhirnya diharapkan sebuah paradigma baru yang mendorong kesadaran akan pentingnya merawat alam semesta.

The contours and issues of contemporary apologetics

2014 ◽  
Vol 111 (3) ◽  
pp. 227-237
Author(s):  
Michael Robinson
Keyword(s):  
Historical Context ◽  
Religious Knowledge ◽  
Cultural Contexts ◽  
Faith And Reason ◽  
The Bible ◽  
Contemporary Christian ◽  
Key Issues ◽  
The Trinity

In this article, I examine five important components of the apologetic enterprise. Specifically, based on two biblical examples, I note that apologetics occurs within particular and broad cultural contexts, addresses perennial religious and philosophical concerns, involves defending diverse Christian traditions, and sometimes necessitates clarification or even development of theological insights. I also discuss several key issues facing contemporary apologists, issues arising from our own modern and now postmodern historical context. Among those issues are concerns over how religious knowledge may be accrued, how faith and reason relate, whether God’s existence or nature can be established by reason, whether it is reasonable to believe miracles have happened or are even possible, whether the Bible is trustworthy, how science and Christianity relate, whether core doctrines of Christianity—like the Incarnation or the Trinity—are coherent, why God allows evil, and how Christianity and other religions interrelate. By describing these various features of apologetics, I hope to aid the reader in seeing the complex and intricate nature of the contemporary Christian apologetic task.

scholarly journals Tinjauan Teologis Konsep Hidup Berkelimpahan dalam Perspektif Teologi Kemakmuran

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 61-87
Author(s):  
Sri Lina Betty Lamsihar Simorangkir ◽  
Andreas Marhain Sumarno
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Methods ◽  
Word Of God ◽  
New Paradigm ◽  
The Bible ◽  
Prosperity Theology ◽  
Comprehensive Manner ◽  
Material Things ◽  
Biblical Perspective ◽  
Correct Understanding ◽  
Comprehensive Study

Abstract: The Bible is the word of God which teaches the truth by understanding it through comprehensive study. In following Jesus, believers must return to the correct understanding of materiality and wealth so as not to be trapped. In this study, it was found that living in abundance in the teachings of prosperity theology does not indicate that God's children must be prosperous and abundant in material things. This study uses qualitative methods with exposition and exegesis approaches. Thus, it can be concluded that the theological review of the concept of abundant life in the perspective of prosperity theology. First, it brings the congregation to understand the nature of Abundant Life in prosperity theology by looking at the background and teachings of Prosperity Theology. Furthermore, understanding in a comprehensive manner that a Bible review of several verses that are used as the basis for Abundant Life as a Prosperity Theology Teaching becomes an apologist who brings a new paradigm. And the last Bible review of abundance in a biblical perspective and educating believers' attitudes about wealth according to the Bible. Abstrak: Alkitab adalah firman Allah yang mengajarkan kebenaran dengan memahaminya melalui mempelajarinya secara konprihensif. Dalam mengikut Yesus, orang percaya harus kembali kepada pemahaman yang benar tentang materi dan kekayaan agar tidak terjebak. Dalam penelitian ini di dapatkan bahwa hidup berkelimpahan dalam ajaran teologi kemakmuran tidak menunjukkan bahwa anak Tuhan harus makmur dan berlimpah dalam materi. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode kualitatif dengan pendekatan eksposisi dan eksegesa. Demikian dapat disimpulkan bahwa tinjauan teologis konsep hidup berkelimpahan dalam perspektif teologi kemakmuran. Pertama membawa jemaat dapat mengerti hakikat Hidup berkelimpahan dalam teologi kemakmuran dengan melihat latar belakang berdiri dan Ajaran Teologi Kemakmuran. Selanjutnya memahami secara konfrernhensif bahwa tinjauan Alkitab tentang beberapa ayat yang dipergunakan sebagai dasar untuk Hidup Berkelimpahan Sebagai Ajaran Teologi Kemakmuran menjadi apologet yang membawa paradigma baru. Dan yang terakhir Tinjauan Alkitab tentang kelimpahan dalam perspektif Alkitab dan mengedukasi bagi Sikap orang percaya tentang kekayaan Menurut Alkitab.

Critique of Canaan Banana's call to rewrite the Bible

1996 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 282-288
Author(s):  
S.A. Reed
Keyword(s):  
Present Article ◽  
Biblical Theology ◽  
Biblical Studies ◽  
Religious Experiences ◽  
Canon Formation ◽  
The Bible ◽  
Creative Solutions ◽  
Liberation Struggle ◽  
Liberation Theologian

AbstractCanaan Banana is an African liberation theologian who was prominently involved in Zimbabwe's liberation struggle. He has written an article 'The Case for a New Bible' in which he argues that the Christian Bible should be rewritten so that it can be relevant for people in postcolonial societies. Banana is concerned that there are oppressive texts in the Bible that continue to be used by people to legitimise the oppression of others. He argues that these texts should be removed. Banana is also concerned that the Bible contains revelation which relates to only one people and that religious experiences of other peoples ought to be added to the Bible. Banana has raised important concerns about the Bible which must be addressed by scholars if the Bible is to be relevant in an appropriate way for postcolonial times. Banana boldly makes a proposal to rewrite the Bible to make it relevant and authoritative. Banana has highlighted some important problems that need new and creative solutions. The present article will discuss the problems related to the Bible as seen by Banana, discuss the solutions which Banana proposes for the problems and then critique his proposals. Insights from biblical studies related to hermeneutics, biblical theology and canon formation will be used to propose other solutions to these problems.

Counter-narratives: Rizpah and the ‘comfort women’ statue

2019 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samantha Joo
Keyword(s):  
Japanese Government ◽  
Master Narrative ◽  
Comfort Women ◽  
Current Event ◽  
King David ◽  
Royal Court ◽  
The Bible ◽  
Counter Narratives ◽  
A Current ◽  
Critical Methods

Contextual hermeneutics allows interpreters to read the Bible from their location. However, interpreters not only read meaning into the text, as a number of scholars claim, but in the process, they actually illuminate the original context underlying the text. To demonstrate this point, I will be analyzing the story of Rizpah through the lens of a current event, the Japanese government’s efforts to remove the ‘comfort women’ bronze statues in Korea. The bronze statues embody counter-narratives that challenge and ultimately threaten the master narrative of the Japanese government. Likewise, Rizpah who stands on a boulder also functions as a counter-monument against King David. She resists the royal historian’s effort to whitewash David’s involvement in the murder of the Saulide descendants. However, to understand the specific way in which Rizpah challenges the royal court propaganda, it is necessary to engage critical methods of reading.

The Geography of Mormon Apocalyptic

2020 ◽  
pp. 98-129
Author(s):  
Christopher James Blythe
Keyword(s):  
Nineteenth Century ◽  
American West ◽  
Late Nineteenth Century ◽  
Latter Day Saints ◽  
Master Narrative ◽  
Book Of Revelation ◽  
The Bible ◽  
Late Nineteenth

This chapter documents how Latter-day Saints in the late 1840s and 1850s deployed the faith’s apocalyptic master narrative to make sense of the lands they colonized in the American West. Drawing on the apocalyptic geography of the Bible, Mormons came to believe they resided in the “wilderness” of the Book of Revelation where they would be protected from persecution. They recognized the region’s peaks as the mountain setting for Isaiah’s prophecies of a last days temple and an ensign to the nations. This chapter also examines how in the late nineteenth century Canada and Mexico would also be incorporated into the era’s apocalyptic geography.

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