The Orthodox Religious Publications in Romania from the Classical Printing to Online Editions

"Abstract A research on the rise and decline of the Romanian Orthodox religious media in the last 30 years cannot ignore the paradigm shifts caused by the emergence of new information and communication technologies and the global Internet network. The theological and spiritual contents do not instantly adapt to technological innovations and, therefore, the printing press remains a space for reflection in religious communication, between the opportunities and risks of rapid change. The transition of religious publications from print editions to online editions is necessary. However, by virtue of spiritual discernment, it requires a balance between tradition and renewal. This balance is kept due to three elements: the respect for the heritage of the printed sacred culture, the pastoral care for the older generations and the awareness of the responsibility for the unaltered transmission of the spiritual content of faith to the generation of digital natives. Keywords: Internet, newspapers, online edition, print edition, religious media"

Personality as a subject of creation in the concepts of Novalis and F. Schlegel

The subject of this research is the doctrine of personality in philosophy of the early German romanticism. As the main source of establishment of the romantic concept of personality, the author examines I. Kant’s doctrine of the genius nature of creation. Detailed analysis is conducted on the artistic-philosophical fragments of Novalis and F. Schlegel, in which the concept of personality as a subject of creation is described most vividly. The article substantiates the fundamental significance of the concept of personality of all elements of the philosophy of romanticism, namely for the romanticists’ theory of understanding. The author analyzes not only the philosophical research on romanticism, but also literary, culturological, and religious publications on the topic. The article systematically substantiates the position, according to which creation in the philosophy of romanticism manifests as a universal substance of human spirit, which finds individual reflection in each person, and becomes the foundation for his growth and knowledge. The peculiarity of semantic theory of creative personality consists in the fact that in cannot be exhaustively cognized by the rational means; only artistic-aesthetic and religious consciousness allows approximating to comprehension of the nature of creation.

Lúther á eylandinu. Viðtökur siðbótar á Íslandi frá sextándu til átjándu aldar

In this article the focus in on the influence of Luther’s works in Iceland from the time of the Reformation to the 18th century. It is maintained that Luther had less impact within Iceland at this particular period of time, than was the case elsewhere within the Danish kingdom, the reason being the isolation of the Icelandic nation, and the small number of educated scholars in the society. An Icelandic Lutheran self-identity was not established, mainly because the country did not have any neighboring states with a different Christian creed. Furthermore, Icelandic authorities did not publish any of Luther’s writings written prior to the Peasant’s revolt (1524–1525), where Luther confronted the established culture, and encouraged people to be independent in their thinking. A list of Luther’s works published in Icelandic, reveals that they are very few compared to numerous other religious publications. The Small Catechism is an exception, because how often it was published. In his Catechism, Luther validated the society’s class structure, and reiterated that each individual should remain obedient to his or her authorities.

What did remain of the worn out editions? The collections of the local and foreign libraries as the base for research of the Polish popular books of the second half of the 19th century (a case study of selected religious and didactic publications)

The paper offers an insight into the poor state of preservation of the Polish popular publications of the second half of the 19th century, based on systematic queries for the new edition of the Estreicher family Bibliografia Polska XIX stulecia (Polish Bibliography of the 19th century). The queries revealed that many of the editions in question are now completely lost, and quite often the only one or two survived copies can be found either abroad or in small local libraries/museums. The discussed examples include several popular books by the Roman Catholic bishop, Szymon Marcin Kozłowski; the commonly used primer for country children (Elementarz dla chłopców wiejskich for boys and Upominek dla dziewcząt wiejskich for girls); and the religious publications of Blessed Father Honorat OMFCap (Florentyn Wacław Koźmiński). Problems with the preservation of popular books from cultural borderlands are illustrated by the case of the Lutheran catechism published by Rev. Karol Kotschy for the local Silesian evangelical community in Ustroń. Finally, a few examples of the 19th-century Polish-American mass publications are discussed.

The American Children’s Bible

Children’s Bibles have been among the most popular and influential types of religious publications in the United States, providing many Americans with their first formative experiences of the Bible and its stories. This chapter explores the variety of ways in which children’s Bibles have adapted, illustrated, and retold Bible stories for children throughout US history. Children’s Bibles served a variety of ends, such as teaching biblical literacy, instilling a fear and respect for God’s power and judgment, calling children to salvation in Jesus Christ, modeling moral virtues, and reframing Bible stories as fun and engaging stories that portray a friendly God who cares for children.

Doing Theology in the Public Sphere

There is nothing more wonderful, or more satisfying, than writing about God and the things of God, and sharing that writing in a public space. Public theological writing—whether it be for a journal of opinion, a catechetical resource, or a blog—responds to the gospel call to “proclaim on the housetops” what you hear whispered (Matt 10:27), and in its own way participates in the Christian calling to “set on a lampstand” that light that gives glory to God (Matt 5:15). There can also be great satisfaction in shaping religious publications and designing and speaking at live events during which people interact around theological subjects. All this is very good.

PROVINCIAL NEWSPAPERS AS A HISTORICAL SOURCE: BÜYÜK CİHAD AND THE GREAT STRUGGLE FOR THE MUSLIM TURKISH NATION (1951–53)

The article argues that to move beyond the standard nationalist narrative of Turkish history, scholars must employ new sources such as the provincial newspaper. Through a study of a religious nationalist provincial newspaper—Büyük Cihad (The Great Struggle)—from the early 1950s, it is possible to appreciate the extent and importance of a vibrant public debate concerning secularism and the place of Islam in Turkish society immediately after World War II. This debate has gone almost completely unnoticed, yet it constitutes an important foundation for understanding the present prominence of political Islam in Turkish society. Central to this debate is the person of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk: ultimately it was criticism of Turkey's founding president rather than any real threat of “religious reaction” that prompted the government's decision to suppress religious publications in early 1953.

Syon Abbey and its Religious Publications in the Sixteenth Century

Syon Abbey was a royal foundation established by Henry v in 1415. It was situated at Isleworth on the Thames, just across the river from the royal palace of Richmond and the Charterhouse of Sheen, and some three hours rowing time upstream from London Bridge. It was the only Bridgettine foundation in England. It was a double house consisting of sixty nuns and twenty-five men, of whom thirteen were to be priests; the abbess ruled over the whole establishment, but the confessor general, one of the priests, had spiritual jurisdiction. From the time of its foundation until its dissolution in 1539, the prestige of Syon stood high. The nuns included daughters of many well-connected families; many of the monks, like William Bonde and John Fewterer, had previously been fellows of Cambridge colleges or, like Richard Whitford, had served as chaplains to prelates and noblemen. The royal foundation and its wealth, the convenient situation close to a royal palace and within easy reach of London, the social status of the nuns and the intellectual calibre of the priests, and its high standard of religious observance all contributed to the abbey's prestige.