Religion Commons^™

A Story Of Identity In The Christian East, Manya Gustafson

School of Theology and Seminary Graduate Papers/Theses

A survey of the division of the Christian Church in the East which also led ultimately to schism with the Church in the West. Supplying a context by introduction of the two biblical interpretive schools of Alexandria and Antioch, the essay frames the reconstruction of Christian identity in the territories of the East catalyzed by conflict between the leading ecclesial figures of St. Cyril and Nestorius, and traces efforts to negotiate unity. A closing reflection on possible lessons from the struggle considers how historical objective, interpretive consensus, right relationships, or recognition of present unity may assist the work to find …

Matthew's Least Brothers And It's Application In The Catholic Church, Runbao Zhang

School of Theology and Seminary Graduate Papers/Theses

The The paper, paper, paper, paper, MatthewMatthew Matthew Matthew’s “Least BrothersLeast BrothersLeast Brothers Least Brothers Least Brothers ” and Its Application in and Its Application in and Its Application in and Its Application in and Its Application in and Its Application in and Its Application in the Catholic ChurchCatholic Church Catholic Church Catholic ChurchCatholic Church Catholic ChurchCatholic Church, exams who exams who exams who exams who exams who “the least brothers the least brothers the least brothers the least brothers the least brothers the least brothers” are in the Gospel of Matthew. are in the Gospel of Matthew. are in …

Jude's Enochian Apocalypse, Lucian López Osb

School of Theology and Seminary Graduate Papers/Theses

Jude’s was an apocalyptic imagination much like that of the writer of Revelation, but he had no need to write his own apocalypse. In his brief epistle, written sometime before 62 CE, Jude revealed that the apocalyptic imagery fueling his own mythos was none other than that of Enoch and various other ancient stories of the Hebrew people.

Why 1517 Matters: On The Relevance Of The Commemoration Of The 500th Anniversary Of The Reformation, Benjamin Durheim

Forum Lectures

This Fall begins a year-long commemoration of the Reformation's 500th anniversary. Based as this number is on the 1517 date of Martin Luther's 95 theses, one might expect the commemoration to center on Luther's contributions, or carry significant tones of Lutheran triumphalism. However, much of the official planning and documents have formed the commemoration into a present- and future-looking exercise. This presentation traces some of those avenues of discussion, and argues that the relevance of 1517's legacy has at least as much to do with popular ecclesial self-understanding as it does with official ecumenical or theological advances.

The discussion begins …

Interfaith Youth Core: Theology And Religious Commitment In One Of America’S Most Prominent Youth Interfaith Organizations, Megan A. Weiss

All College Thesis Program, 2016-2019

This thesis project explores the role of faith and theology in the Interfaith Youth Core (IFYC), one of the most prominent youth interfaith organizations in North America in order to determine whether this organization is aptly titled. Through the lens of Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel’s assertions about the role of faith in interfaith dialogue and relations, and in light of Diana Eck’s definition and explication of religious pluralism, it analyzes IFYC’s methodology and programs in terms of whether they the foster personal religious commitment and engender the deeper theological dialogue that Heschel and Eck believe are necessary in interfaith work. …

The Relational Ontology Of Augustine's And Lacugna's Trinity, Alex Juguilon O.S.C.

Obsculta

Unfolding the nature of the Trinity within a monotheistic framework posed a challenge for the Fathers of the Church. Augustine’s approach prioritizes divine unity and shared essence as the primary principle of the Godhead. Catherine LaCugna, on the other hand, asserts a Cappadocian view that begins with divine personhood as the primary ontological category. This essay places the relational ontology of Augustine’s doctrine of the Trinity in colloquy with LaCugna’s appropriation of Cappadocian Trinitarian theology.

Cyril Lucaris: The Calvinist Of Constantinople - Even When In Conflict With Calvin, Stephanie Falkowski

Obsculta

Cyril Lucaris (Patriarch of Alexandira 1601-1620, Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople 1620-1638, intermittently) is best known for his controversial Confession of Faith which propounds Calvinist thought. This paper explores the extent of the Calvinisms of this Confession by examining his take on the procession of Spirit and on icons, both of which seem un-Calvinist on the surface, but actually show how similar his thought is to that of Calvin.

A Church Built On Charity: Augustine's Ecclesiology, Michael J. Clinger Jr

School of Theology and Seminary Graduate Papers/Theses

This thesis will undertake the mission of articulating the ecclesiological thought of Augustine with particular emphasis on charity as the fundamental component to church unity. Hopefully, this will further demonstrate his inclusivity, not exclusivity. The beginnings of this thesis will simply show his influences, and thus serve as a background to understanding the mind of Augustine. The next step will take the reader into the world of Augustine’s theology of charity. Charity in the Christian life is the result of being gifted with God’s grace; how charity works and how proper, authentic charity appears will be the topic of the …

Jude's Enochian Apocalypse, Lucian Lopez O.S.B.

Obsculta

Jude’s was an apocalyptic imagination much like that of the writer of Revelation, but he had no need to write his own apocalypse. In his brief epistle, written sometime before 62 CE,¹ Jude revealed that the apocalyptic imagery fueling his own mythos was none other than that of Enoch and various other ancient stories of the Hebrew people.

¹. Simon J. Joseph, “’Seventh from Adam’ (Jude 1:14-15): Re-examining Enochic Traditions and the Christology of Jude.” The Journal of Theological Studies, NS, Vol. 64, Pt. 2 (2013): 464. Simon J. Joseph is Adjunct Professor of Religion at California Lutheran …

Welcome By Way Of A Proem, Obsculta Editors

Obsculta

No abstract provided.

Asian New Year Reflection, Maho Morishita

Obsculta

What follows is the transcript of a reflection given by Maho on the occasion of a Convivuim fellowship, here at Saint John’s School of Theology and Seminary on February 4, 2016.

A Garden Enclosed, A Fountain Sealed Up: Paradoxical And Generative Metaphors Of Enclosure In Medieval Female Anchoritism, Cody E. Maynus Obl.S.B.

Obsculta

In addition to monastic and eremitic vocations, medieval women embraced with great fervor the anchoritic life. This unique method of separation produced a multiplicity of metaphorical language to describe the experience of the anchoress and her enclosure. This essay examines a cross section of that metaphorical language, focusing on those which are principally generative and paradoxical.

Hymn To The Holy Spirit, Mary Abigail Coleman

Obsculta

No abstract provided.

A Biblical Hermeneutic For Dominion: Domination Vs Stewardship, Nancy Opstad Weldon

Obsculta

In his encyclical, Laudato Si’, Pope Francis argues that modern anthropocentrism has contributed to the valuing of technical thought over the dignity of the natural world with grave environmental consequences. Over a half-century earlier, Lynn White Jr. offered a similar criticism, stating that the dualism existing between humans and nature allows Christians to exploit nature for their own end. This paper turns to scripture to explore how an intertextual understanding of the original Hebrew may help reframe what it means for humans to have dominion over the natural world.

My Sacred Space, Maho Morishita

Obsculta

Nota bene - Maho Morishita is an MA student from Japan. The following is her personal reflection on a particular sacred space, the Horyuji Temple, demonstrating how this Buddhist site can be recognized as sacred to those who encounter it, inclduing Christians such as the author.

The Place Of Psalms In Liturgy, Elizabeth Pike

Obsculta

The General Instruction to the Roman Missal calls psalms particularly “suited to the liturgy,” and the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops acknowledges the Psalter as being “the basic songbook of the liturgy.” However, in churches today, aside from the Responsorial Psalm, hymns are generally substituted for the other places for psalmody normative to the liturgy. This paper examines biblical, historical, liturgical, and theological arguments for making greater use of the psalms in liturgical music today .

Ethic Vs. Kerygma: Exploring Vulnerability And Empowerment In The Philippians Hymn, Karen Mcclain Kiefer

Obsculta

Paul’s cruciform theology of self-emptying as modeled by Christ is radically displayed in the hymn of kenosis referenced in his letter to the Philippians; and scholars have disagreed as to whether this hymn serves as a moral imperative to follow Christ’s example, or a celebration of the soteriological act of God. Both are credible interpretations, yet it is argued that it brings too much to bear on the marginalized who seemingly have little or nothing left to self-empty. However, Paul and theologians throughout the ages offer this message as applicable to all, and recent scholarship suggests this kind of kenotic …

Millennials Of The Church, Joel S. Kumro

Obsculta

Over the last two decades, Catholic millennials have become increasingly attracted to traditional and orthodox views on liturgy and ecclesiology. Several factors play a role for this increasing trend. Though some Catholics view it with skepticism, the movement towards traditional expressions of faith remains a strong force in the Catholic Church. This paper attempts to explore this phenomena.

Morality And The Extra-Medical Use Of Drugs, Jerry Schik O.S.C.

Obsculta

Nota bene - The following is one of three major papers written forty-five years ago as a requirement for the Master of Arts in Theology degree. The author has revisited the topic in an addendum attached to this article to consider how the moral theologian can view extra-medical marijuana use in the twenty-first century. Originally written in 1971 at http://digitalcommons.csbsju.edu/sot_papers/594/

Contributors, Obsculta Editors

Obsculta

No abstract provided.

The Evolution Of The U.S. Catholic Hospital: From Sisters In Habits To Men In Suits, Michael Greenstein

Celebrating Scholarship & Creativity Day (2011-2017)

In today’s ever-changing healthcare landscape, Catholic U.S. hospitals have undergone a change in their mission and thus their identity. This paper argues that Catholic hospitals need to rediscover the origins of their ministry. This can be accomplished by refocusing their efforts away from mergers with secular entities that deal strictly with life and death issues to mergers that more fully engage the care for the poor and vulnerable. To provide the context for this paper, Part One will present an overview of Jesus’ ministry, which is the foundation for Catholic health care. Part Two will address the history of the …

Understanding Religious Leaders’ Motivations For And Perceptions Of Interfaith Collaboration, Michelle Hansmann

All College Thesis Program, 2016-2019

This thesis presents the results of an exploratory study examining reasons why religious leaders participate in interfaith collaboration. I conducted in-depth interviews with religious congregational leaders in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, in an attempt to identify their professional and personal motivations, and the organizational pressures influencing participation. Interfaith collaboration consists of intentional constructive cooperation and positive interactions among individuals or institutions of different religious traditions. Interfaith initiatives occur throughout the world at the local, national, and international level. Despite the growing increase in faith-based collaborations, there has been little research examining why religious leaders and congregations choose to participate …