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Festivals

Shabbat Shalom: A Journal for Jewish-Christian Reconciliation

No abstract provided.

Humanism And Religion: How To Use One To Understand The Other, Manar Darwish

Verbum

In lieu of an abstract, below is the essay's first paragraph.

"Humanism is a concept that was more realized than discovered during the Renaissance era (cultural awakening) in Europe during the fourteenth century. Since then, it has developed in the way we look at, not only the arts and architecture, but also the way we view religion. It helps incorporate ideas and ethics of human action to how we focus on the belief, values, and morals we derive from religion. If anything, humanism has helped the spiritual form of religion to grow. However, it is not in any way, shape, …

Orthodoxy Vs. Compassion, Jayme C. Wintish

Verbum

In lieu of an abstract, below is the essay's first paragraph.

"Antonia Bird’s 1995 film “Priest” illuminates the significance of the humanity of Jesus, as does The Gospel of Luke. The controversial issues of homosexuality, the seal of confession, and the oath of celibacy are examined from a human perspective throughout “Priest.” This film makes it apparent that when we apply the humanity of Jesus to these issues, there is a revelation that the Catholic Church acts in opposition to the Jesus represented in Luke. The Gospel of Luke depicts Jesus as a man with compassion for all human beings. …

Sikhism: The Religion Of The Gurus, Megan Tiernan

Verbum

In lieu of an abstract, below is the essay's first paragraph.

"The understanding of the scriptures within a religion is often imperative to the understanding of that religion as a whole. The content of the scriptures, as well as their origin and the message that they represent, are all very important aspects of learning about a religion. The religion of Sikhism is no exception to this idea. The understanding of this Indian religion derives from the comprehension of the complex sequence of development and current usage of its scriptures, commonly known as the Adi Granth."

A Look At The Life And Teachings Of St. Augestine, Jodi Rowland

Verbum

In lieu of an abstract, below is the essay's first paragraph.

"After deciding to research St. Augustine, a long process of digging through the multiple books in the library and the vast amount of articles on the Internet was needed. Sifting through the voluminous load of information was a great task. However, this task supported the reason I initially chose Augustine: to learn about the man who converted, the convert who became a bishop, the bishop who became a saint, and the saint who became how we know Augustine today—as a great theologian and devoted Christian. Within his many writings, …

Full Issue, No Author

Verbum

This is the full issue of Volume 1, Issue 1 of Verbum, published in Fall 2003 by the REST Club at St. John Fisher College. Articles from this issue are available as separate PDFs at http://fisherpub.sjfc.edu/verbum/vol1/iss1/

Présupposés Idéologiques Et Discours Critique Dans Présence Francophone, Lydia Martel

Présence Francophone: Revue internationale de langue et de littérature

This paper illustrates the way Humanities’ categories have allowed us to read traces of cultural crossing in African fiction since the 70s. Many articles published in Présence Francophone turn the 19th century’s anthropological model around, whilst others oppose Judeo-Christian and African myths. Some propose a monolithic vision of identity, until in-between positions appear, revealing the many elements of identity in a much easier way. Among these components, the Western and African modes of knowing are pointed out by studies relying on the works of Lévi-Strauss, Bachelard and Bakhtine.

Mongolia: Religious Freedom Oasis?, Geraldine Fagan

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

No abstract provided.

Religion In Estonia, Research In English, Janis Cakars

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

Estonian is one such understudied language, but Estonia is of no smaller importance to Eastern Europe than any other country. To understand the whole, all the parts must be considered. Therefore, scholars without a command of Estonian by necessity must turn to work published in other languages, most commonly English. This article is meant to serve as an aid to those interested in religion in Eastern Europe without a command of Estonian. It provides a bibliographical and historiographical review of the literature within an outline of religious development in a less commonly studied country. The religious history of Estonia, although …

The Cat-And-Mouse Chase: Moonies In Bulgaria, Archimandrite Pavel Stefanov

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

No abstract provided.

Theology And Religious Studies In Post-Communist Ukraine: Historical Sources, Modern Status, And Perspectives Of Cooperation, Lyudmyla Filipovych, Anatoly M. Kolodny

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

No abstract provided.

Communism And Religion - Telling The Story For The 21st Century, Mark Pargeter

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

No abstract provided.

Qualitative Church Growth: An Overview And Evaluation Of Selected Writings Of Dallas Willard, Larry S. Mcdonald

Journal of the American Society for Church Growth

Even though leaders have acknowledged the need for qualitative growth, few address it. This writer believes it is time for the Church Growth Movement to access the literature available that can assist in developing a healthy qualitative growth.

8 Passions Needed For Church Planting And Church Renewal Impressions From A Church Planting Tour In Australia, Edgar Machel

Journal of the American Society for Church Growth

In April 2002 I had the opportunity to be part of a church planting tour in Australia. How are young churches in Australia able to reach secular and a-religious people? How are they different from traditional churches? How much is transferable and how much is culture bound? Those questions accompanied us while we were planning our excursion. The churches we attended and/or studied were Independent, Charismatic, Baptist and Seventh-day Adventist.

Introduction, Gary L. Mcintosh

Journal of the American Society for Church Growth

No abstract provided.

1990-2003 Index Of The Journal Of The American Society For Church Growth, Gary L. Mcintosh

Journal of the American Society for Church Growth

No abstract provided.

What Is Wrong With The Homogeneous Unit Principle?: The Hup In The 21st Century Church, Skip Bell

Journal of the American Society for Church Growth

If you find the homogeneous unit principle to be controversial, credit Donald McGavran, who launched the church growth movement with his important work, Understanding Church Growth, first published in 1970. McGavran describes this principle: “Men like to become Christians without crossing racial, linguistic, or class barriers.” What exactly did McGavran and other key church growth researchers mean by this principle?

Big Picture Curricula For Multiethnic Ministry, Tom A. Steffen

Journal of the American Society for Church Growth

This article will propose a storied, big-picture approach to multiethnic ministry. It will advocate curriculum that builds a cathedral rather than isolated rooms. Before considering story-based, big-picture curricula I will first look at how the multiethnic church, and other types of churches, relates to the dominate theological themes of unity and diversity.

When The Church Was A Family: Revisioning Christian Community In Light Of Ancient Social Values, Joe Hellerman

Journal of the American Society for Church Growth

Some might attribute the relational crises characterizing our churches solely to individual sin and selfishness. Sin and selfishness, however, have been around since Adam. Why the radical increase in relational breakdown in our society and in our churches today? Something bigger is in the works, and it has to do with the unique orientation of modern Western culture, especially contemporary American society. Ours is a culture which insists to its own destruction that the dreams, goals, and personal fulfillment of the individual deserve a higher priority than the well-being of any group (natural family or church body) or relationship (friendship …

Orthodox-Protestant Relations In The Post-Soviet Era, Mark R. Elliott

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

No abstract provided.

A Strategy For Social Reconciliation In The Ethnic Conflict In Transylvania, Cristian G. Romocea

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

No abstract provided.

Glanzer's "The Quest For Russia's Soul: Evangelicals And Moral Education In Post-Communist Russia" - Book Review, Dr. Donald Fairbairn

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

No abstract provided.

From Just War To Just Intervention, Susan J. Atwood

New England Journal of Public Policy

What is Just War? What is Just Intervention? This paper examines the evolution of the criteria for Just War from its origins in the early Christian church to the twenty-first century. The end of the Cold War era has expanded the discussion to include grounds for intervention. Indeed, in the 1990s, a number of multilateral interventions took place on humanitarian grounds. But the debate is ongoing about whether the criteria applied in the Just War theory — proper authority, just cause, and right intent — remain valid in an era of Just Intervention. The author examines as case studies some …

Introduction, Castellano Turner

Trotter Review

This issue of the Trotter Review continues a tradition of focusing on a topic to which diverse perspectives can be brought together. The central role of the church in Black communities throughout the United States is widely acknowledged. That role goes well beyond providing a venue for worship and individual spiritual development. The role of the Black church in the Civil Rights Movement was a clear demonstration of its commitment to a broader mission. Although movements may fade away, the Black church has consistently redefined itself to attend to the real and current problems facing its membership and the broader …

Democracy Through An Undemocratic Institution? The Church As Part Of Civil Society, Anne Gathuo

Trotter Review

With the resurgence of civil society in the last two decades, the church has risen in importance as an agency for democracy, campaigning for government reform and conducting civic education among citizens. Yet the church remains internally undemocratic and rigidly traditional. Can an institution that refuses to embrace democratic practices help enhance democracy in the wider society in which it operates? The author discusses the advantages and disadvantages that the church has in democratization, relative to other groups in civil society.

Towards Understanding The Emergence Of African-American Church Schools: Early Hypotheses And A Research Agenda, Georgia A. Persons

Trotter Review

A survey of the Atlanta metropolitan area reveals a growing trend in African-American church sponsored schools. The emergence of these schools is curious in that it is counterintuitive to the protection of the public school system on which the majority of African-Americans rely; the schools are mainly in the suburbs where the public schools offer relatively high standards of education; and there seems to be no public debate accompanying a trend that is likely to have far-reaching public policy implications. In this article, the author discusses the possible reasons for the emergence of these schools and the potential public policy …

Nation Of Islam In Civil Society: An Interview With Minister Don Muhammad, Castellano Turner

Trotter Review

From Castellano Turner: It was a genuine pleasure to interview Minister Don Muhammad on the topic, "The Nation of Islam in civil society." The reader will be struck, as I was, by the detail and historical reach in his analysis of the Nation of Islam's consistency and evolution as a movement among Black Americans. Those who remember the Black activist rhetoric of the 1960s and 1970s will hear echoes of those volatile times. Many of the most radical groups of those times have faded into history; but like the Black church, the value and commitment of the Nation of Islam …

Delivering Social Services Through Faith-Based Organizations: Case Of United Way Of Massachusetts Bay, Kevin Peterson

Trotter Review

As deliverers of social services, faith-based organizations have been stereotyped as being inefficient and focused on spiritual outcomes alone, and have therefore been largely ignored by funding agencies. The United Way of Massachusetts Bay, realizing the importance of such organizations, particularly in communities of color, has actively sought to dispel these stereotypes and work with faith-based organizations to enhance service delivery to needy Black communities in Massachusetts. Through training and participatory research, faith-based organizations have begun to appreciate the importance of measurable outcomes.

The Enduring Black Church And Its Critics: A Book Review Of Omar Mcroberts's Streets Of Glory, Kenneth D. Johnson

Trotter Review

This review examines several theses and methodologies regarding Black Church activism and contribution to community economic development in an economically depressed inner city neighborhood as presented in Omar McRoberts's Streets of Glory (University of Chicago Press, 2003). It finds the questions of interest, but empirical support for many of the author's theses lacking when considered from a cross-comparative national perspective.

The Elusive Search For The Truth: A Book Review Of Peter Gomes's Strength For The Journey: Biblical Wisdom For Daily Living, Devonya N. Havis

Trotter Review

Through his collection of sermons, published in his book Strength for the Journey: Biblical Wisdom for Daily Living (HarperCollins Publishers, 2003), Peter Gomes sets out to evoke a transformation in the reader by offering meditations on questions that often arise when we contemplate how to lead the "good life". He offers biblical wisdom as a practical means in which to achieve happiness. Ultimately however, his solution to life's complexities is abstract and he fails to provide a roadmap with which to negotiate the complexities.