Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion Commons^™

Contrasting Two Ideas Of The Human Person, Social Constructionism And Realism, By Their Similarities In Idolatry And Iconography, Mary Daher

Aristos

This essay will seek to contrast two ideas of human person, social constructionism and realism, through assessing similarities found in their aesthetic notions of idolatry and iconography, respectively.

The essay will explore Michel Foucault’s social constructionism and Aristotle’s realism; in particular, how their ontological conclusion stems from their epistemological framework. The essay will consider what is meant by iconography and idolatry, relying on Jean-Luc Marion’s God Without Being[1] to show how idolatry mirrors social constructionism and how iconography mirrors realism, evincing the contrast between them.

In Defence Of Moral Realism: Examining Harry J. Gensler’S Critique Of Cultural Relativism And Subjectivism, Anja Yousif

Aristos

This paper will explore the nature of morality by providing a critique of cultural relativism and subjectivism and then arguing that moral realism provides a more coherent account of the nature of morality.

The claim that moral realism provides a more coherent account of the nature of morality than cultural relativism or subjectivism is based on the arguments from moral progress, moral disagreement and moral semantics; and moral experience.

The Taste And Perfume Of The Virgin: Mary And The Nuptial Meaning Of Eucharistic Sacramentality, Noel Custodio

Aristos

If we are to understand the Eucharist as the Body of Christ, it is necessary to explore how Mary’s own body participates in the Eucharistic mystery. Such a discussion was prominent during the Middle Ages, but today there is very little attention given to the relationship between Mary and the the Eucharist.

This paper will explore this subject through the lens of a theology of the sacramental principle. By examining recent papal documents as well as John Paul II’s Theology of the Body, this paper will argue that Mary is the perfect fulfilment of the sacramental principle. The sacramental principle …

Why Is Love Considered The Greatest Of The Theological Virtues?, Harry Mcclifty

Aristos

This paper will, after providing a succinct yet necessary definition of Christian caritas, offer three reasons for why love is considered to be the greatest of the theological virtues. First, upon attainment of eternal beatitude in heaven, caritas is not abandoned like faith and hope, but finds it fulfillment. Secondly, caritas is the only theological virtue which is chiefly concerned with the salvation of one’s neighbour. And thirdly, caritas enables man to live out the commandments of God in their fullness, thereby beginning the process of his divinization.

Kuhn The Contextualist?, Iñaki Xavier Larrauri Pertierra

Aristos

According to Kuhn’s account of the nature of scientific paradigms, how one experiences the world varies drastically from one context to another depending on the accepted paradigm of the context in question. In other words, one’s pre-existing conceptual structure concerning the world not only acts as an epistemological framework for its possible understanding, but also fundamentally affects the phenomenological observations of the world as something; this latter function of the conceptual structure motivates the view that mature scientific paradigms/theories and the data of scientific observation/experimentation are essentially two sides of the same coin.

What is interesting, then, is that even …

Divine Impassibility: A Comparison Of Weinandy's And Culpepper's Perspectives On Whether God Suffers, Elizabeth Flynn

Aristos

From being generally regarded as a philosophical and theological impossibility, since the late nineteenth century the idea that God suffers has become popular and attractive among a vast array of Christian theologians. Due to this shift, many theologians no longer see the need to argue for it and divine passibility has even been called the ‘new orthodoxy.’ The matter has not yet been laid to rest and is made more complex because the terms ‘suffering’ and ‘impassibility’ are used with a variety of connotations.

At the heart of the debate is the desire to assert God’s personalised love for all …

An Examination Of The Significance Of The Trinitarian Theology Of St. Augustine, Zolt Salontai

Aristos

Despite the noble efforts of modern Christian theologians in attempting to revive popular level interest in the classical Christian doctrine of the Trinity, there has been within the everyday praxis of the individual Christian a discernible neglect and ignorance of this cardinal doctrine. However, with the 20^th century advent of Freudian and Jungian psychology, a new opportunity has arisen for a Trinitarian revival in the popular consciousness of the faithful.

Due to an increasing level of interest in the notion of understanding the conscious and unconscious cognitive processes that govern the human psyche, there arose an indubitable opportunity for …

Two Prosōpa, One Prosōpon; The Christology Of Nestorius Of Constantinople, Danijel Uremovic

Aristos

This paper will outline the controversy of Nestorius versus Cyril concerning the enumeration of persons in the Incarnate Christ. Key terms of the debate will be identified with the aim of establishing their meaning according to Nestorius. It will then be argued that Nestorius of the Bazaar remained committed to the basic tenets of orthodox Christianity as his commitment to true and complete natures (fully God, fully man), a single unified subject (a single Person in Christ), and a mutual use of attributes formed the basis of his Christology, even if their theological reconciliation came short of a complete and …

Applying Deontology To Determine What Ought To Be Done, Thalia Raymond

Aristos

This paper will broadly outline the theory of deontology with a specific focus on how the categorical imperative can be applied in moral decision making.

The theory will then be applied to an issue to determine what course of action is consistent with the theory.

Two strengths and two weaknesses that can be found in the literature will be considered and how the theory of deontology can be applied in a future teaching career to make ethical decisions will be discussed.

Church Planting, Humanitarian Services, And Christian Holiness In Central India : A Study Of The Life And Mission Of Ernest And Phebe Ward, Shivraj Kumar Mahendra

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

In Search Of Trojan Horses: The United Nations Culture War, Patricia Ackerman

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

This dissertation examines the expanding influence of the religious Right at the UN, building on extant scholarship on the role of the culture war at the UN. This scholarship has tracked the increasing presence of the religious Right following the Beijing World Conference on Women and the Cairo Conference of Population and Development. Since that time, there has been a systematic and strategic movement against LGBT human rights and sexual and reproductive health and rights. The religious Right influence UN discourse, documents, and global policy in favor of their agenda. This conflict manifests in a frenzied media and policy battle …

An Interoperative Phenomenological Analysis Of Hindu Psychologists And The Impact Of Hinduism On Their Clinical Work, Kinjal Panchal

Dissertations

This study was an exploration of spirituality, cultural upbringing, and deeply rooted Eastern philosophy and their conscious and unconscious impact on the way Hindu psychologists practice in the field. The purpose was to take into consideration the four major theories of Hinduism and to assess whether psychologists of Hindu origin integrated them into their clinical work. The study used qualitative methods, specifically interpretative phenomenological analysis, as the main strategy of inquiry for data collection and analysis. The goal was to broaden the understanding of how spiritual beliefs can inform a psychologist’s clinical approach and lead to a better understanding of …

Philosophy Of History, Historical Jesus Studies, And Miracles: Three Roadblocks To Resurrection Research, Benjamin C. F. Shaw

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Jesus’ resurrection is considered by many to be a historical event, but objections are often raised regarding to such inquiry into the past. Philosophy of history is thus an important field in which various roadblocks to resurrection research have been raised. These philosophical questions related to the study of the Jesus’ resurrection have become more prominent recently and seek to undermine the very act of historical inquiry into Jesus’ resurrection specifically and the past more generally. Accordingly, the issues addressed here have implications beyond resurrection research. This work seeks to identify and assess three common roadblocks to such research. The …

Strategies And Biblical Principles To Keep Church Plants From Closing Its Doors Within The First Three Years, Damian Billups

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Christians are commissioned to disciple the nations. Many attempts to fulfill this commission encounter variables that hinder the fulfillment of this dictum. Statistics indicate significant proportions of church planting endeavors are challenged to survive beyond one year. This project will expose reasons church planting efforts struggle to thrive and will provide strategies and biblical principles to remedy the identified obstacles. The data will be utilized for current and future church planting efforts. The goal of this project is to reduce factors that cause church plants to close prematurely. Church laity and clergy will be surveyed for their perspectives regarding church …

Scientific Quranic Exegesis Via Internet: A Comparative Analysis Of Abdul Daem Alkaheel And Zaghloul El-Naggar Approaches In Their Websites, Afandi Lukman

Student Works (2020-2029)

With the rapid progress and development of information and communication technology (JCT), teaching and learning of the Quranic exegesis can be enhanced through the web page. Nevertheless, this does not mean a person can interpret it according to their own thinking. They are still bound by principles and rules which were suggested by well known scholars in this field. Likewise, scholars have put general guidelines of the scientific Quranic exegesis to ensure that those in this line will not go beyond their capability in understanding the Quranic texts. To relate the Quranic verses with scientific findings has its own guidelines …

An Unpleasant Little Jolt: Flannery O’Connor’S Creation Ex Chaos, Thomas Wetzel

Theology: Faculty Publications and Other Works

This collection of essays places Flannery O’Connor’s work in constructive and collaborative dialogue with Spanish literature and literary aesthetics. The international scholars who contributed to this volume explore the ways in which O’Connor’s literary and religious vision continues to work in the imaginations of both American and European—mostly Spanish—authors. The subtitle of the collection— From Andalusia to Andalucía—is a play on the name of O’Connor’s family farm in Milledgeville, Georgia—Andalusia—where she spent the last sixteen years of her life living with her mother. It is said that the farm’s name was chosen because its location in Milledgeville was the …

The Second Vatican Council And The Culture Of Dialogue: The Role Of Christian-Muslim Dialogue In Saint John’S School Of Theology And Seminary, Janice Kristanti

Obsculta

In the light of an increased population of Muslim communities in the United States and the long history of animosity between Islam and West Christianity, the essay notes the necessity for Christian-Muslim dialogue for world peace. Using Saint John’s School of Theology and Seminary, Collegeville as the case study, the author explains the need for incorporating courses in Islam in Saint John’s School of Theology and Seminary’s curriculum. Interfaith theology would prepare the students to engage in interreligious dialogue and be agents for world peace.

Mechthild Of Magdeburg, Hadewijch Of Brabant, And Marguerite Of Porete: The Annihilation Of The Soul And The Challenge To Church Authority, Ashley Odebiyi

Medieval Feminist Forum: A Journal of Gender and Sexuality

No abstract provided.

Gregory Of Nazianzus’ Concept Of “Knowable” Transcendence, William Orbih

Obsculta

This paper outlines Gregory of Nazianzus’ thought on the knowability of transcendence and according to the Cappadocian Father, what knowing God entails. Beginning with a critical appraisal of what William Placher means by the domestication of Transcendence and his expressed dismay over “trivial images of God” in contemporary theology arising from overconfidence in the human capacity to understand God’s nature and the human ability to talk clearly and precisely about God after the seventeenth century. Arguing that Gregory articulated this problem long before Placher, this paper is an appraisal of Gregory’s response to an issue previously well articulated by Placher.

Charity And Dialogue Towards Ecumenical And Inter-Religious Communion, Jason Horstman

Obsculta

How something is said matters as much as what is said. Open dialogue and charity in debate is vital for proper Christian conduct. Vatican II documents are put forward as a standard of conduct. The fallout between Rome and Luther in the early 16th c. is put forward as a cautionary tale showing the stakes of failure to engage in debate with open-mindedness and charity. Writings from Augustine are put forward as a model and exemplar for how to engage in debate.