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College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University

2018

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Articles 1 - 30 of 31

Full-Text Articles in Religion

Catholic Social Teaching And The Christian Responsibility To The Poor, Rose Aspholm Oct 2018

Catholic Social Teaching And The Christian Responsibility To The Poor, Rose Aspholm

School of Theology and Seminary Graduate Papers/Theses

This paper examines the development of the Catholic Church’s understanding of the Christian responsibility to people who are poor through papal and conciliar documents, Scripture, and the writings of patristic authors.


Ecumenical Ecclesiology In Its New Contexts: Considering The Transformed Relationship Between Roman Catholic Ecclesiology And Ecumenism, Kristin Colberg Sep 2018

Ecumenical Ecclesiology In Its New Contexts: Considering The Transformed Relationship Between Roman Catholic Ecclesiology And Ecumenism, Kristin Colberg

School of Theology and Seminary Faculty Publications

The quest for Christian unity is entering a new phase amidst the movement’s many voices, perspectives and tensions. Christians are witnessing the advent of an emerging ecumenical paradigm, which, because it is not fully realized, is still realizing its full definition. The paradigm operates in a global context rather than a Eurocentric one, and even as it is more global, it is simultaneously more local. It cultivates shared praxis while being less concerned with the comparison of dogmas. Ecclesiology is also entering a new paradigm which shares many features with its ecumenical counterpart, particularly its global perspective and interest in …


Review Of Buddhism & Political Theory By Matthew J. Moore, Charles W. Wright Aug 2018

Review Of Buddhism & Political Theory By Matthew J. Moore, Charles W. Wright

The Journal of Social Encounters

Buddhism & Political Theory, by Matthew J. Moore, proposes to extract a political theory from the Pali language texts of the Buddhist religious tradition that is palatable to Western academic sensibilities so that it might be ushered into the company of contemporary political and ethical philosophy. "Let me introduce you," the book in essence says to the world of Western philosophy, "to a long overlooked, unusual, and interesting perspective on political and ethical theory that you really ought to include in your conversations."


Review Of Flourishing: Why We Need Religion In A Globalized World By Miroslav Volf., Jon Armajani Aug 2018

Review Of Flourishing: Why We Need Religion In A Globalized World By Miroslav Volf., Jon Armajani

The Journal of Social Encounters

Dr. Miroslav Volf is the Henry B. Wright Professor of Systematic Theology at Yale University and the Founding Director of the Yale Center for Faith and Culture. His works have spanned several subfields within the discipline of theology -- from a book, published in 1988, on Karl Marx’s concept of labor and its theological value, to a book published in 1996, which is a theological exploration of identity, otherness, and reconciliation, to a book published in 2012 on Jews, Christian, and Muslims in dialogue. In Volf’s Flourishing: Why We Need Religion in a Globalized World, he attempts to shed …


An Overview Of Four Traditions On War And Peace In Christian History, Joseph J. Fahey Aug 2018

An Overview Of Four Traditions On War And Peace In Christian History, Joseph J. Fahey

The Journal of Social Encounters

This essay examines four traditions on war and peace that have developed in Christian history. They are: Pacifism, Just War, Total War, and World Community.Pacifism characterized the earliest Christians; Just War appeared in the late fourth and fifth centuries; Total War in the eleventh century; and World Community began in the sixteenth century. All four positions continue today and are held by people who sincerely call themselves Christian.


Cotidie Ante Oculos: On The Cornerstones Of Saint John’S Churches, Old And New, Martin Connell May 2018

Cotidie Ante Oculos: On The Cornerstones Of Saint John’S Churches, Old And New, Martin Connell

Headwaters

Drawing from the Bible and the Rule of Saint Benedict, campus inscriptions on the Saint John’s campus were set in place at times when all Roman Catholic worship and art was in Latin. Because we pass them every day often without appreciating their significance and potential inspiration, Cotidie ante oculos takes two of the most unseen articles of campus art—the cornerstones of the former and current abbey churches, unrejected by builders and set in place in 1879 and 1958— and places them in the cultures, societies, and beliefs of Christian and Benedictine life in those years. The essay aims to …


Life Or Death And Other False Dichotomies: A Theology Of Hospice, Kayla Stock May 2018

Life Or Death And Other False Dichotomies: A Theology Of Hospice, Kayla Stock

School of Theology and Seminary Graduate Papers/Theses

Feelings of fear and failure are often ascribed to death and dying; hospice offers a new way forward. This paper considers fear of death from a personal and evolutionary psychological perspective, then branching into the ways fear of death and death anxiety are made manifest in the health care system. Within the health care system, in particular the biomedical model of health care, death is construed as the enemy, the ultimate mark of failure. In one sense, death is fundamentally unknown, and is therefore naturally fear-inducing. Simultaneously, death is also both singularly and universally knowable; it is the only thing …


Wedding Bans: Why Do Parishes Turn Young Catholic Couples Away?, Michael Leonard Hahn May 2018

Wedding Bans: Why Do Parishes Turn Young Catholic Couples Away?, Michael Leonard Hahn

School of Theology and Seminary Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.


The Liberating Christ: From The Gospel Of Matthew To Modern Day Liberation, Matthew Nelson May 2018

The Liberating Christ: From The Gospel Of Matthew To Modern Day Liberation, Matthew Nelson

Obsculta

The author of the Gospel of Matthew, staying true to the usage of the word in Greek and Hebrew culture, uses the word shepherd as a direct critique of the Roman social structures that oppressed and marginalized the majority of the Empire during the time of Christ and the time of the writing of the Gospel. This direct confrontation is a timeless call, present in modern day liberation theology, as Christians are called to confront unjust social structures and distill hope in the lives of the oppressed and marginalized members of society by making God’s promises of Gustavo Gutiérrez’ utopia …


Contributors, Obsculta Editors May 2018

Contributors, Obsculta Editors

Obsculta

No abstract provided.


Nothing New In Spiritual Direction?, Albrecht Nyce O.S.B. May 2018

Nothing New In Spiritual Direction?, Albrecht Nyce O.S.B.

Obsculta

No abstract provided.


Clericalism: Advancing The Theological Basis For Vatican Ii's Call For An Active Laity, William Orbih May 2018

Clericalism: Advancing The Theological Basis For Vatican Ii's Call For An Active Laity, William Orbih

Obsculta

It is the purpose of this paper to echo the Second Vatican Council’s call for a more active laity by, on the one hand, drawing atten-tion to the theological basis of this call (baptism), and, on the other hand, identifying and denouncing clericalism as the biggest obstacle to a more active laity in the church.


A Startling Injustice In The Protestant Reformation: The Contrasting Theologies Of Martin Luther And Thomas Muntzer As Seen In Their Responses To The Reformation Of The Common Man, 1525, Tonya Toutge May 2018

A Startling Injustice In The Protestant Reformation: The Contrasting Theologies Of Martin Luther And Thomas Muntzer As Seen In Their Responses To The Reformation Of The Common Man, 1525, Tonya Toutge

Obsculta

Compares the theologies of reform held by Thomas Müntzer and Martin Luther specifically as their theologies played out in re-sponse to the Peasants’ War of 1525. Müntzer and Luther. This comparison places Müntzer over and against Luther.


"Today This Scripture Is Fulfilled In Your Hearing" : The Practice Of Sustained Lectio Divina, Kathleen A. Cahalan May 2018

"Today This Scripture Is Fulfilled In Your Hearing" : The Practice Of Sustained Lectio Divina, Kathleen A. Cahalan

Obsculta

Nota Bene This paper is modified from a lecture delivered at Saint Paul Monastery, Saint Paul, Minnesota, on October 27, 2017.


Amazonian Reform, Alyssa Maty May 2018

Amazonian Reform, Alyssa Maty

Obsculta

This paper intends to show how Pope Francis’ ecclesiology and environmental consciousness are intimately related. Pope Francis calls on the church as a community to come together to preserve important environments like the Amazon rainforest from human devastation. This communal call is similar to how Pope Francis uniquely calls on the local church to be involved in general ecclesial matters.


From Putrefecation To Sanctification: John Wesley's Understanding Of Original Sin And Theology Of Grace, John Scheuer May 2018

From Putrefecation To Sanctification: John Wesley's Understanding Of Original Sin And Theology Of Grace, John Scheuer

Obsculta

John Wesley’s sermons and writings about Original Sin are filled with lengthy and extreme descriptions of the depravity of humanity. This essay will explore examples from Wesley’s writings that use Scripture to describe humanity’s condition, and whose interpretation is supported by the tradition of the church. This exploration will layout Wesley’s unique theology of grace which provides a remedy for Original Sin by arguing humanity’s only path to redemption is through accepting the resistible grace of God.


Homily Given On The Solemnity Of The Epiphany, Reginald Udouj Osb May 2018

Homily Given On The Solemnity Of The Epiphany, Reginald Udouj Osb

Obsculta

No abstract provided.


Homily: On The Transfiguration, James Voeller Ofm May 2018

Homily: On The Transfiguration, James Voeller Ofm

Obsculta

The glorious event of the Transfiguration prepared the apostles in advance for the passion of Christ. This Gospel narrative in Mark has implications for vocational service. The present reflection is an exhortation for those who preach to “wake up the world”.


Welcome By Way Of A Proem, Obsculta Editors May 2018

Welcome By Way Of A Proem, Obsculta Editors

Obsculta

No abstract provided.


The Intimacy Of The Cross: Kenotic Love In Hans Urs Von Balthasar And Sufjan Stevens, Kellen Troxell May 2018

The Intimacy Of The Cross: Kenotic Love In Hans Urs Von Balthasar And Sufjan Stevens, Kellen Troxell

Obsculta

This essay discusses how von Balthasar describes the relationship between the Father and the Son and how this has implications for the relationship between Christ and the Church. In addition, the author uses “To Be Alone With You” by Sufjan Stevens in order to further examine the implications of this relationship.


Instruments Of The Soul: Oikonomia And Bodily Asceticism, Aiden Putnam May 2018

Instruments Of The Soul: Oikonomia And Bodily Asceticism, Aiden Putnam

Obsculta

One strength of the monastic model as presented in the early desert literature is the pastoral responsiveness to individual needs, while one weakness of this model is the apparent divide between body and spirit. The current image many of today’s readers might have of the monastic desert is of wizened, brittle hermits continuously at war with their bodies in an attempt to subjugate the flesh. Rather, I would propose that the early monks can offer us a refreshing view of psychosomatic integrity, one that can speak to current discussions of pastoral accompaniment.


The Art Of Dying As The Art Of Living: Exploring Buddhist Death Meditation As A Path To Human Flourishing, Kayla Stock May 2018

The Art Of Dying As The Art Of Living: Exploring Buddhist Death Meditation As A Path To Human Flourishing, Kayla Stock

Obsculta

Can spiritual practices that inform our ideas about death alleviate fear of death? Can they lead to human flourishing? To explore these questions, I will examine the Buddhist practice of death meditation, assessing the practice both theologically and scientifically, then discussing the merits of this practice toward the purposes of human flourishing. I will end with an exploration of the potential ministerial applications of Buddhist death meditation.


Hospitality And Contemplative Presence: A Local Reflection, Cindy Gonzalez May 2018

Hospitality And Contemplative Presence: A Local Reflection, Cindy Gonzalez

Obsculta

Nota Bene During an age of people not knowing their neighbors and of hurtful racial division throughout the United States, I find myself living in a small town. This reflection is a plea for people to look up from their smart-phones and welcome those who need hospitality. This is also a plea for all to become community-building advocates through contemplative presence.


The Community God Intended For His Children, Andrew Remick May 2018

The Community God Intended For His Children, Andrew Remick

Obsculta

This essay reviews the design and context of Rachel Ellis’s portrayal of the Communion of Saints created in 2003-2004 as part of the rebuilding and expansion of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral in Parramatta, Australia, in suburban Sydney. Her contemporary rendition of this ancient Christian tradition invites pilgrims visiting the Cathedral to contemplate the universal call to holiness anew through its depiction of an intergenerational and multicultural assembly journeying together as a holy community toward Christ's light. A virtual tour of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral is available at https://parracatholic.org/st-patricks-cathedral-virtual-reality/ and https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=Zxh9H7REqwb&play=1&utm_source=4&utm_source=4


Married Love And Responsible Parenthood: Changing The Discussion On The Ethics Of Birth Control, Hannah Renner Apr 2018

Married Love And Responsible Parenthood: Changing The Discussion On The Ethics Of Birth Control, Hannah Renner

Celebrating Scholarship and Creativity Day (2018-)

The current framework in which The Catholic Church discusses birth control originates within a sexual ethic based on rules Christians are obligated to follow. After a careful, internal critique of the encyclical, there needs to be a change in this framework so that Christian sexual ethics is less focused on the rules and more focused on the values which Humanae Vitae embodies. These values are presently described as the unitive and procreative ends of marriage. However, with a transition from a rule-based sex ethic to a value-based sex ethic, these ends of marriage can be redefined in terms of married …


Christians, Pagans, And Death, Erin Baumer Apr 2018

Christians, Pagans, And Death, Erin Baumer

Celebrating Scholarship and Creativity Day (2018-)

It is commonly believed that Christianity was a new and original religion, but in fact, many pagan religions contributed to Christianity's ideology. In my talk, I will focus on how these religions influenced Christian views of the afterlife, and with that, their views on what the soul is and what it means to be a "good" person.


The Craftsman Mirroring The Creator: Explorations In Theatrical Theology, Andrew Noah Apr 2018

The Craftsman Mirroring The Creator: Explorations In Theatrical Theology, Andrew Noah

Celebrating Scholarship and Creativity Day (2018-)

This will be my presentation given to theology faculty on Scholarship and Creativity Day required for the Theology Capstone course. I will be discussing the idea that when doing theology in a theatrical mode, it becomes a way to focus on God working in the world and our call as the audience to take part in the performance. Because God does not just exist in the abstract, but makes Godself known through the senses, theatre, as a sensual art, becomes the perfect mode to explore and make relevant God’s divine revelation.


Not Quite Calvinist: Cyril Lucaris A Reconsideration Of His Life And Beliefs, Stephanie Falkowski Mar 2018

Not Quite Calvinist: Cyril Lucaris A Reconsideration Of His Life And Beliefs, Stephanie Falkowski

School of Theology and Seminary Graduate Papers/Theses

Cyril Lucaris is primarily remembered as an Eastern Orthodox patriarch who held Calvinist beliefs. A more nuanced view is gained from often ignored facets of his life and times, the extant letters he wrote, and in recognition of various possible interpretations of the existing evidence. This paper, challenging common misconceptions about Lucaris, explores three main areas relevant to this discussion: his biographical influences, his beliefs and their development, and his own intentions and self-understanding of his relationships with Protestants. The result shows a man engaged in a world influenced by Western theological developments from the Reformation, fostering friendships as he …


Ecclessiology Today And Its Potential To Serve A Missionary Church, Kristin Colberg Jan 2018

Ecclessiology Today And Its Potential To Serve A Missionary Church, Kristin Colberg

School of Theology and Seminary Faculty Publications

This article engages the theme of the 2017 meeting of the American Society of Missiology: “Missiology’s Dialogue Partners: Practitioners and Scholars Conversing about the Future of Mission.” It seeks to contribute to that conversation by providing a survey of the discipline of ecclesiology with an eye towards how it might learn from the field of mission and how it might inform it. This exploration begins by defining some of the goals, methods, and boundaries of the field of ecclesiology. It then considers three critical issues at the forefront of ecclesiological work today: 1) questions emanating from the ecumenical sphere; 2) …


Informed And Formed By Theological Education, Kathleen A. Cahalan Jan 2018

Informed And Formed By Theological Education, Kathleen A. Cahalan

School of Theology and Seminary Faculty Publications

This essay explores the author’s experiences of both the contributions and the limits of the varied ways in which the meaning and purpose of theological education have been understood: as a habitus, as liberating praxis, as faith seeking understanding, as the clerical paradigm, as scholarship for the church, as spiritual practice, and as practical knowing. With appreciation for each, she concludes that theological education is a disciplined way of life in search of wisdom for our times.