According to the Promise

This article analyses Paul’s argument regarding the reception of the Spirit and the creation of a new covenantal identity in Galatians 3:1–6:10 so as to illumine the provocative declaration in Gal. 3:28. Some scholars (e.g., Douglas Campbell) read Paul’s words in Gal. 3:28 as a pronouncement of the dissolution of ethnic, social, or gender categories. However, the pneumatological framework spanning from Gal. 3:1–6:10, within which Gal. 3:28 appears, suggests that Paul’s proclamation is concerned with the new covenantal identity forged through the reception of the Spirit which, rather than abolishing, relativises these categories. Thus, when we consider the structure of Paul’s polemic surrounding Gal. 3:28, we find that Paul’s primary concern is the new identity shared in Christ by all believers through the Spirit, not the removal of distinction or dissolution of ethnic, social, or gender categories.

Missional Discipleship in the Public Sphere: With Special Reference to Lordship, Followership and Christlikeness in the Concept of Public Discipleship

Missional discipleship is more than a movement seeking a new methodological and strategic mission paradigm. Missional discipleship is the essence of Christianity concerning the ontological foundation for the prime reason for existence as believers and the epistemological lens to see the world from the perspective of transformed values in Christ. In other words, missional discipleship requires acknowledging the lordship of Christ by demonstrating the ontological embodiment of who Christ is and epistemological resemblance by perceiving the reality as Christ does. These radical transformations in both ontological and epistemological areas can enable believers to authentically follow Christ as disciples and demonstrate Christlikeness in all spheres of their existence as missionaries. Christlike attributes and qualities are progressively cultivated in believers lives as they conform to the image of Christ, and the most profound nature of Christlikeness is holiness. Missional discipleship provides a platform to expand the concept of Christlikeness as holiness from the personal dimension to the public dimension to overcome the privatisation of discipleship and Christian religious dualism polarising things into the categories of the sacred and secular.

Beyond East and West: What ‘Ladder’ Did John Wu Use Towards This Goal? (Part Two)

John Wu Jingxiong (1899-1986) was a diplomat, scholar, and authority on international law. He was also a prominent Chinese Catholic convert. His spiritual autobiography Beyond East and West (1951) reminds us of the Confessiones of St. Augustine for its moving description of John Wu’s conversion to Catholicism in 1937 and his early years as a Catholic. The very title of Wu’s autobiography points to his spiritual ideal which let humanity go beyond cultural particularities (be they Western, Chinese, or other). John Wu found wisdom in China’s great traditions, i.e., Confucianism, Daoism and Buddhism, pointing to their universal truths that come ultimately from, and are fulfilled in, Christ. The author of this contribution has searched for John Wu’s universal traits which go beyond any culture and calls them, metaphorically, a “ladder”. He has found a threefold ladder, i.e. that of the Christian faith, of human friendship and human and divine love, and that of natural law.

Christianity as “True Religion” According to Karl Barth’s Theologia Religionum: An intercultural Conversation with Selected Asian Christian Theologians

This article orchestrates an intercultural theological conversation between Karl Barth’s theology of religions and selected Asian Christian theologians. The latter rightly stress that Barth’s criticism of religions is mainly concerned with Christian religion, although it does allow for the recognition of “other true lights.” Yet, insufficient attention is paid to the fact that Barth considers Christianity in particular “the true religion.” In critical conversation with these Asian reflections, it becomes clear that we need to move beyond Barth because (1) his Christocentrism neglects God’s presence as Creator and Spirit in other religious traditions, (2) Barth’s actualism does not allow him to properly distinguish between the word of God in the Christian Scriptures and in the “other lights,” and (3) this actualism stands in the way of a full recognition of the historical nature of revelation and salvation in Christ.

The Work of Memory

Chapter 6, on the work of memory and the life of grace, shows how remembering and forgetting form a binary construction that images and supplies language for Augustine to hold together any number of oppositions in Christ. Highlighting how Augustine applies remembering and forgetting, imagery, concepts, and language, the chapter revisits four central Augustinian binaries that emerged in chapter 1: lyre and psaltery (Christology from below and above), labor and rest, solitude and communion, and praising and groaning. The work of memory, for Augustine, extends to all created reality and structures the life of grace within the body of Christ.

Hasrat transhumanisme di tengah pandemi Covid-19: sebuah upaya memahami identitas diri melalui pendekatan teologi interkultural

This writing attempts to reread the ambitious dreams of transhumanism about the super civilization of humankind in future development, such as longevity, intelligence, and wellness. These super-thinks are now running into a formidable challenge of pandemic COVID-19 reality. Reflecting on Anthony Gittins’ thought of a new identity of believers, the author will develop this writing in some features. First, the urgency of critical reading toward the dreams of transhumanism. Second, how the COVID-19 pandemic turned into an enormous challenge for transhumanism concepts? Third, referring to the Gittins, how significant of his intentions could bring alertness to the transhumanists and believers in a new identity thought in Christ? In his explorative research, the author will employ a descriptive qualitative method. The last part is a result and suggestions for further exploration and also for readers to find out a dynamic of human self-identity.AbstrakTulisan ini berupaya untuk membaca ulang mimpi besar transhumanisme tentang suatu peradaban super agung manusia mengenai masa depan dalam aspek kekekalan, kejeniusan, dan kebahagiaan. Hasrat super tersebut menghadapi tantangan super besar pula melalui kenyataan pandemi Covid-19. Berefleksi dari konsep Anthony Gittins tentang identitas baru komunitas orang-orang percaya, tulisan dikembangkan sebagai berikut: Pertama, urgensi membaca ulang secara kritis mimpi super kalangan transhumanis. Kedua, bagaimana pandemi Covid-19 menjadi tantangan super bagi konsep transhumanime? Ketiga, merujuk pada pemikiran Anthony Gittins, sejauh mana konsep Gittins dapat menyadarkan kaum transhumanis, dan kelompok orang percaya tentang identitas baru dalam Kristus. Studi literatur dengan metode deskriptif kualitatif menjadi pilihan dalam upaya mengeksplorasi. Pada bagian akhir, akan disimpulkan serta disuguhkan beberapa saran bagi para peneliti selanjutnya, dan para pembaca untuk terus melakukan upaya dinamis dalam memahami identitas diri manusia.