DOGMATIC SENSES OF ST. GEORGIY (KONYS’KYJ’S) DRAMA “RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD PEOPLE”

Analyzing the old Ukrainian didactic drama “Ressurection of the dead people”, written in the middle of the 18th century by Kyiv-Mohyla Academy professor Georgiy (Konys’kyj), scientists very often pay attention to its expressive social and ethical dimension. At the same time, this well-known monument of literature must be regarded as a work, which possesses remarkable dogmatic senses as well. The aim and the tasks. The aim of the article is exploring of the connection of the drama “Ressurection of the dead people” text with sphere of the Orthodox dogmatic theology. It`s necessary to mention such tasks of the study as pointing out the different dogmatic senses of the drama and making analysis of them. Research methods. Exploring the text of the didactic drama by Georgiy (Konys’kyj), the author of the article uses 1) the cultural and contextual method, 2) the method of psychology of artistic creation and such general scientific methods as 3) the comparative method, 4) the method of systematization and 5) the method of generalization. Research results. As one can understand easily after acquaintance with the name of the drama, its central dogmatic ideas are naturally connected with the Christian eschatology: Georgiy (Konys’kyj) preaches the future resurrection of all dead people and reminds both his contemporaries and future generations of the Final Judgment. Moreover, we find the manifestation of author’s strong belief in the Holy Trinity, in the Divine and the Human Natures of Christ, in the majesty and the great role of the Atoning Sacrifice, in the immortality of human souls, in the Providence, etc. in the text. Conclusion. The text of Georgiy (Konys’kyj`s) didactic drama “Ressurection of the dead people” is regularly influenced by the important constituents of the Orthodox dogmatic doctrine (eschatology, Triadology, Christology, etc.). Taking into consideration the research results helps us to get better understanding of philosophical and theological views of such a famous hierarch as saint Georgiy (Konys’kyj) and to overcome some wrong interpretations of his works.

Frame approach towards studying cultural phenomena

  The object of this research is the religious sphere, apprehended as a fragment of the cultural worldview. The unit, which allows conducting the analysis and studying the structure of cultural worldview alongside other, is the frame of cultural phenomenon. Cultural invariants are referred to as basic frames. The subject of this research is one of the major cultural phenomena, the basic frame of the Christian culture – “sin”. The author focuses on the structure of cultural phenomenon, analyzing its levels, vertex nodes (slots) and optional nodes (terminal slots). The key research method is the frame analysis. The commonly used in sociological, linguistic, and cognitive research frame analysis is a universal tool, effective and adequate to the goals and tasks of culturology. The novelty of this study is define by the lack of works on the frame analysis of cultural phenomena in the context of its relevance for the scientific community. This article is a contribution to the discussion that has unfolded in recent years on the capabilities of frame analysis in culturology. The conducted analysis demonstrates that the frame correlated with the concept of sin has a multi-level structure. The main attributes of the frame are the slots or vertex nodes – quality inherent to human, grounds for punishment, enemy, evil, evil spirit, illness, mistake, and misfortune. The terminal (optional) slots include the atoning sacrifice and forgiveness.  

The Narrative of Epiphany in the Novels by François Mauriac and Iris Murdoch

The article develops the concept of “narrative epiphany”, which goes back to V.I. Tyupa’s narratology. This narrative is described as a variant of a narrative intrigue – the enigmatic intrigue of revelation with a particular “chain of clarifications, approximations, touching the content of life that is beyond human experience”. The author analyses the work of two writers – F. Mauriac and I. Murdoch to describe the religious and non-religious (secular) varieties of the narrative of epiphany. Besides typological similarities, The Sea, the Sea and Maltaverne: A Novel About a Young Man of Long Ago demonstrate genetic affinity. The comparative analysis allows the narrative of epiphany at all levels of the structure. Compositionally, it is characterized by the I-narrator of a twofold architectonic organization, when the work seems to be being written in plain view of the reader and appears to have already been completed, with the hero making his way to become a writer. Among other fundamental characteristics of the hero-storyteller are his confidence in his ability for insights and his power over souls and even the fate of other people, which is described as a kind of “witchcraft”. In terms of motives, the narrative of epiphany is characterized by the theme of the relationship between imagination and reality: the motives are verbal formulas of a cave, a tunnel, a crack, darkness, on the one hand, and light, the sun, an exit from darkness, on the other. There is also a motif of the atoning sacrifice, related to the turning point in the hero’s consciousness. The main plot collision can be described as self-deception of the protagonist, his false ideas about the meaning of his own life, and about relationships with others. The main event is related to the realization of previous illusions. The principal feature of the plot deployment of the narrative epiphany is the impossibility of “putting an end”, because the course of life appears as unstoppable, in spite of all the shocks and insights experienced by the hero, thus in the finale the horizon moves back again.

Jesus as Interceding High Priest and Sacrifice in Hebrews: A Response to Nicholas Moore

Is Jesus’ perpetual intercession for his people in Hebrews (Heb. 7.25) understood as a constitutive part of his atoning, high-priestly ministry? Nicholas Moore argues that Jesus’ act of sitting at God’s right hand is the decisive end of Jesus’ atoning sacrifice and so also of Hebrews’ Yom Kippur analogy. Among other points, I argue in response that Jesus’ ongoing absence from his people, status as high priest and current location in the heavenly holy of holies imply that Hebrews’ Yom Kippur analogy extends beyond Jesus’ act of sitting to include his present ministry of intercession. Not only were prayer and atoning sacrifice closely correlated for Second Temple Jews, Hebrews presents Jesus as the high priest who, in his resurrected humanity, is always also the sacrifice in the Father’s presence. Jesus presented himself to the Father once, but he is perpetually the high priest and sacrifice who ministers in God’s presence. For Hebrews, the Yom Kippur analogy (and so also Jesus’ atoning ministry) ends when, like the earthly high priests, Jesus leaves the heavenly holy of holies to return to and again be present with his people (Heb. 9.28). Only then will his followers receive the salvation for which they are waiting. Until that approaching day arrives, Jesus’ ongoing intercession with his Father ensures that his people will be saved completely.

Atonement and Martyrdom in the Gospel of John

Does the Gospel of John portray Jesus’ death as an atoning sacrifice? This paper offers a new approach to the revelation vs. sacrifice impasse in scholarship, arguing that Jesus’ atoning death in John should be understood with reference to the non-cultic atoning deaths of the Jewish martyrdom traditions. After critically engaging scholarship, I contextualize John within post-biblical debates regarding sacrificial martyrdom, focusing on the competing reconfigurations of non-cultic atonement in the Maccabean literature. I subsequently show how Jesus’ atoning martyrdom reveals his anti-violent way of the cross as the true martyrdom and atoning sacrifice accepted by God, thereby resolving key tensions within Johannine scholarship. I then demonstrate how this vision of atonement addresses John’s understanding of sin as ignorance and addresses an audience itself facing threats of martyrdom (John 16:2). I conclude with some reflections on how John’s vision of atonement critically differs from later theological theories, particularly penal substitution.

Impact of F. M. Dostoyevsky’s novel “The Idiot” upon the F. Mauriac’s novella “The Lamb”: the problem of an atoning sacrifice

The subject of this research is the F. Mauriac’s novella “The Lamb” viewed from the perspective of impact of Dostoevsky’s novel “The Idiot” upon it. The goal is to establish and describe the coincidences and similarities between the texts on the level of poetics of the plot and literary details, as well as methods of creating the characters and psychologism, interpreted by Mauriac as conscious borrowings. The author attempts to determine the key points of the religious-philosophical polemics between Dostoevsky and Mauriac. The focus of this research is the central for Mauriac’s novel and just one of the difficult themes in Dostoevsky’s novel question of the atoning sacrifice of a beautiful, “Christ-like” person. The main conclusion consists in the fact that Mauriac structures the protagonist’s storyline leans on the impossibility for Dostoevsky’s heroes to resolve the question on reasonableness of the atoning sacrifice: if “The Idiot” ends with a tragedy and total fiasco of a positive and beautiful character, whose sacrifice became deleterious, the sacrifice of Xavier became salvific and filled with sacred meaning. At the same time, the visible artistic reality and harmoniousness of Mauriac’s creation is possible due to simplification and unification of problematic of the Russian precedent text.

English Reformer John Frith on Catholic Theology of Purgatory

The Catholic theology of purgatory and its refutation in the works of the ideologists of Protestantism in the first third of the XVI century is analyzed in the article. The works of the little-known in the domestic historiography of the English reformer John Frith (1503-1533) are investigated. Frith’s commitment to Protestant dogmas on justification by faith and the exceptional authority of Holy Scripture is shown. It is noted that Frith, following them, denied the existence of purgatory, since it cannot be confirmed by the Holy Scriptures, and he interpreted the “cleansing fire” mentioned in the New Testament texts symbolically as torment of conscience and repentance. It is claimed that the theologian considered faith to be the atoning sacrifice of Christ the only means of salvation. It is concluded that the denial of purgatory naturally led Frith to a refutation of the Catholic practice of papal acts of grace and their theological justification, for which he was arrested and sentenced to be burned. It is emphasized that J. Frith called purgatory "creation" of the Roman pontiff and saw purely material reasons for the emergence and existence of faith in purgatory. It is noted that criticism by the English reformer of the Catholic faith in purgatory was subsequently reflected in the Anglican creed.

Sin in Hebrews, James, and 1 and 2 Peter

Hebrews presents Jesus as God’s perfect sinless savior, through whom forgiveness of sins may be obtained by those who maintain their steadfast faith and do not fall away amidst persecution and suffering. Hebrews presents Jesus as the ultimate high priest who alone makes the necessary once-for-all atoning sacrifice of himself as the perfect victim in the heavenly temple, thus replacing temporal sacrifice. 1 Peter also presents Jesus as the sinless sacrificial victim, through whom salvation is attained, drawing heavily on Isaiah 53. Both 1 and 2 Peter warn against giving in to sinful human desires, especially sins of the flesh. If Christians should suffer, they should suffer for their faith and not because of any sinfulness that warrants punishment. James also warns of the dangers of human desires as the seat of human sinfulness, which can only be held in check by demonstrating one’s faith through righteous works.

Menerapkan Prinsip Rekonsiliasi Menurut Roma 5:10-11

Reconciliation in the New Testament is an important and interesting topic to discuss. Reconciliation is one of the important doctrines that Christians should understand, how God reconciles humans with Himself. This is believed by many people to lack understanding, due to the lack of books that specifically discuss reconciliation. In the Old Testament man reconciles himself to God, by offering atonement sacrifices to God. Thus humans are at peace with God. While the concept of reconciliation in the New Testament, God provides the atoning sacrifice through Jesus Christ. The importance of reconciliation for believers is to restore their relationship with the creator after being separated by sin, and to enjoy a beautiful fellowship with God without having to offer burnt sacrifices again. Abstrak: Rekonsiliasi dalam Perjanjian Baru merupakan topik yang penting dan menarik untuk dibahas. Rekonsiliasi merupakan salah satu doktrin penting yang semestinya dimengerti oleh orang Kristen, bagaimana Allah merekonsiliasi manusia dengan diriNya. Hal ini banyak orang percaya kurang memahami, disebabkan karena kurangnya buku yang membahas secara khusus tentang rekonsiliasi. Dalam Perjanjian Lama manusia merekonsiliasi dirinya dengan Allah, dengan mempersembahkan korban pendamaian kepada Tuhan. Dengan demikian manusia berdamai dengan Allah. Sedangkan konsep rekonsiliasi dalam Perjanjian Baru, Allah yang menyediakan korban pendamaian melalui Yesus Kristus. Pentingnya rekonsiliasi bagi orang percaya adalah memulihkan relasinya dengan sang pencipta setelah dipisahkan oleh dosa, dan menikmati kembali persekutuan yang indah bersama Tuhan tanpa harus mempersembahkan korban bakaran lagi.

Eucharistic Themes in Ukrainian Art of the XVII-XVIII centuries: A Review of the Monuments

Статья посвящена изучению евхаристической тематики в украинском искусстве XVII-XVIII вв. Впервые сделан обзор памятников украинского изобразительного искусства на тему символико-аллегорического изображения темы Евхаристии. В статье приведены примеры икон и картин из собрания Национального музея в Львове, Музея волынской иконы (г. Луцк, Украина), Национального художественного музея Украины (г. Киев), Национального Киево-Печерского историко-культурного заповедника. Анализ композиций позволил выделить и систематизировать символические сюжеты евхаристического содержания. В статье подробно рассматриваются иконы: «Христос Виноградная Лоза», «Христос в точиле», «Христос в чаше», «Недреманное око»; картины: «Пеликан», «Соглядатаи земли Ханаанской», а также другие памятники изобразительного искусства, которые раскрывают христианский догмат Евхаристии, искупительную жертву Христа. Эти сюжеты были широко распространены в иконописи, скульптуре, лицевом шитье, гравюре, резьбе, керамике. Также описаны редкие случаи использования символических сюжетов «Недреманное око» и «Христос Виноградная Лоза» в стенописи. В статье отмечены иконографические особенности каждого сюжета, подробно описаны и проанализированы изображения, проведён сравнительный анализ разных икон с изображением одинакового сюжета, изучен контекст и значение некоторых композиций. The article is devoted to the study of the Eucharistic theme in the Ukrainian art of the XVII-XVIII centuries. For the first time made the review of the monuments of Ukrainian art on the theme of symbolic and allegorical image of the Eucharist theme. The article presents examples of icons and paintings from the collection of the National Museum in Lviv, the Museum of Volyn Icon (Lutsk, Ukraine), the National Art Museum of Ukraine (Kiev), the National Kiev-Pechersk Historical and Cultural Reserve. The analysis of the compositions made it possible to identify and systematize the subjects of the Eucharistic content. The article describes in detail the: “Jesus Christ the Grape-Vine”, “Christ in the winepress”, “Christ in the bowl”, “Undreaming Eye”; pictures: “Pelican”, “The Spies of the land of Canaan” and other monuments of the fine arts, that reveal the Christian dogma of the Eucharist, the atoning sacrifice of Christ.These subjects were widely distributed in icon painting, sculpture, sewing, engraving, carving, and ceramics. The rare instances of the use of the symbolic plots “Undreaming Eye” and “Jesus Christ the Grape-Vine” in murals are described. The iconographic features of each subject are also noted in the article, images are described and analyzed in detail, a comparative analysis of different icons with the image of the same subject was carried out, the context and meaning of some compositions were studied.