Digital Commons Network^™

Reflections On A Pandemic, Leah Wakefield

Obsculta

This provides a personal ethical reflection on issues raised during the Covid-19 pandemic and racial justice movements and how these themes connect to the themes of hope, destruction, chaos, and resurrection as depicted in the Synoptic Gospels, particularly the Gospel of Mark.

Homiletical Exegesis On John 21:15-19, Toni Marie Nichols

Obsculta

This is a homiletical exegesis on John 21:15-19. It brings together Peter's denial of Jesus during the Passion and Jesus' restoration of Peter, revealing an important message of John's Gospel--victory is achieved in remaining faithful to the end. In 1944 from the Ravens Bruck concentration camp, Corrie ten Boom and her sister, Betsy left us with an example of how to live into this Gospel message.

The Glory Of The Lord Whose Likeness Is As The Appearance Of A Human Being/Adam: A Study Of Ezekiel’S Son Of Man/Adam Anthropology, Timothy R. Schmeling

School of Theology and Seminary Graduate Papers/Theses

Ezekiel has often been criticized as a dehumanizing book. Still it is alternative humanisms that have done so much to dehumanize mankind with the totalitarianism of self-deifying individualism or the totalitarianism of collectively-imposed manmade metanarratives. Far from being a dehumanizing book, the objective of the son of man/Adam is certainly to purge his hearers of all anthropologies of autonomy and license, but this Adamic priestly prophet does this to eschatologically resurrect in them an anthropology of dependence and true freedom. Reasserting the creation theology and anthropology of Genesis, Ezekiel insists that authentic humanism, Edenic humanism (i.e., the original humanism), is …

Battle For The Bible, Battle For The Soul Of Humanity, Patricia M. Mische

The Journal of Social Encounters

No abstract provided.

The Boldness Of Fratelli Tutti, Guadalupe “Adie” R. Isidro

The Journal of Social Encounters

No abstract provided.

“What Is That To You?”: The Johannine Community’S Beloved Disciple, Molly Kluever

Obsculta

Considering his significance within the Fourth Gospel, the Beloved Disciple’s absence within the synoptic gospels is puzzling. And as modern biblical scholars continue to challenge his traditional identification as John, Son of Zebedee, the question looms ever greater: Who – or, perhaps what – is the Beloved Disciple? Though his name may be lost to history, the character’s role within the gospel narrative still informs our understanding of the Christian community that sprung up around his testimony. This paper seeks to articulate how this unnamed disciple influenced the development of the Johannine Community’s unique theological identity

Ezekiel's Priestly Imaginary: A Symbolic Or Idolatrous Reality?, Dale Launderville Osb

School of Theology and Seminary Faculty Publications

The images and genres as well as the structure of the Book of Ezekiel aim to promote symbolic thinking in which the reader receives the word of Yhwh as an engagement with the divine Other. Such engagement fosters a priestly imaginary in which the Judean exiles are called to look beyond appearances as they wrestle with the contradictions generated by the exile and the destruction of the Jerusalem temple. The readers, like Ezekiel and the exiles, can become living symbols of Yhwh. Such symbolic thinking will be illustrated through a focus on chaps. 17-20 in which the tensions between individual …

Review Of Essential Catholic Social Thought, William J. Collinge

The Journal of Social Encounters

Bernard V. Brady titles his textbook Essential Catholic Social Thought to indicate that his focus extends beyond documents of the Church’s magisterium, usually designated “Catholic social teaching” (CST), but his emphasis is on those documents nonetheless. I will comment on this book from my perspective as a teacher for twenty years of a course called “Catholic Social Teaching.” My course is addressed to upper-level undergraduates in a Catholic university and specifically to those majoring in international studies (though it is open to others), but I hope these comments will be helpful to anyone who is considering Brady’s book for teaching …

Converting Consumerism: A Liturgical-Ethical Application Of Critical Realism, Benjamin Durheim

Theology Faculty Publications

Critical realism as a lens of thought is not new to theological inquiry, but recently a growing number of theologians have been using its conceptual frameworks to guide their thought on how social structures function theologically, and how ethics might function in light of its insights. This article pulls these developments into the nexus of liturgy and ethics, applying critical realist categories to contemporary understandings of how liturgical celebration (and the structures thereof) form, inform, and/or malform Christian ethical imaginations and practices. The article begins with a brief survey of the main tenets of critical realism and their histories in …

A Non-Dualistic Reading Of Body And Soul In The Gospel Of Matthew: Focusing On Matthew 10:39 In The Context Of Discipleship, Alexander Blechle

School of Theology and Seminary Graduate Papers/Theses

The aim of this paper is to suggest a non-dualistic reading of σωμα and ψυχή in the Gospel of Matthew, which will reveal a better understanding of ψυχή in Matthew 10:39, especially in the context of discipleship. Three perspectives of body and soul will be considered: The Platonic, Middle-Platonic, and Matthean.

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

Obsculta

No abstract provided.

"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.

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”.

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 …

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) …

Interpretations Of Jesus And The Virgin Mary In The Quran And The Bible: A Possible Contribution To Muslim-Christian Cooperation?, Jon Armajani

The Journal of Social Encounters

This essay explores Muslim and Christian understandings of Jesus and his mother Mary, which may provide a basis for possible cooperation between the two religious communities. The similarities and differences in views are discussed, with an understanding that there are differences in views not only between but also within the two religious communities. The essay concludes with a discussion of seven types of interreligious dialogue as articulated by Sallie B. King, and how they apply to Muslim-Christian dialogue related to Jesus and Mary.

Fostering Cultures Of Encounter: Framing Papal Teaching On Dialogue As Multi-Track Peacebuilding, Maria Power, Christopher Hrynkow

The Journal of Social Encounters

This article demonstrates that there is a rough parallel between (1) Diamond and McDonald’s (1996) notion of multi-track diplomacy and (2) the four levels of inter-religious dialogue identified by the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, along with two other levels discerned within papal teaching by the authors. Diamond and McDonald expanded the political science concept of dual-track diplomacy and, in the process, helped to buttress the legitimacy of peace studies discourse in that discipline. Comparably, this article seeks to introduce papal teaching on dialogue framed in terms of multi-track peacebuilding. As a result, it solidifies a latent resonance between Catholic …

"Dwelling Together" And Descending To Ascend: Yachad, Yashab, And Yarad In Psalm 133, Aidan J. Putnam Osb

Obsculta

No abstract provided.

The Midianite Connection: An Exploration Of Suggestive Hints, Albrecht Nyce Osb

Obsculta

No abstract provided.

Allegory And Authority: An Exegetical Analysis Of Matthew 13, Lucian López Osb

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.

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 …

My Brother's A Jerk And Dad's Gonna Spank Him: Roles And Relations In Obadiah, Aletta Stumo

School of Theology and Seminary Graduate Papers/Theses

This paper presents research and analysis on the use of violence in the Book of Obadiah to make claims of a restored strong masculinity for God, the nation of all-Israel, and the author. The paper finds that these claims can only partially be validated due to the violent nature of the threats and due to how the exile ended.

"Review Of The ‘Grammar Of Sacrifice’: A Generativist Study Of The Israelite Sacrificial System In The Priestly Writings With A ‘Grammar’ Of Σ", Dale Launderville Osb

School of Theology and Seminary Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Gifting Freedom To The Samaritan: Considerations On Access To Both The Sacramental Event And Salvation For Those Who, For Whatever Reason, Find Themselves Outside The Church, And The Consequences Of Identity For The Church In Gifting Such Access, C. A. Chase

School of Theology and Seminary Graduate Papers/Theses

This thesis gives consideration to issues surrounding the question of access to salvation, and to sacramental event, for contemporary ‘Samaritans’ – those persons who, for whatever reason, find themselves outside the Church. To chart such access, attention must be afforded, not only to the historical pronouncements of the Church, but also, most importantly, to the voiced laments and insights of these Samaritans themselves, enduring their dissonance and respecting their critique, both theological and ecclesiastical. Through such colloquy, a return to the Samaritan in Luke who offers hope to the exigencies of access, and leaves to linger an ecclesiastical question of …

"Review Of L’Ultimo Nemico Didio: Il Ruolo Deltanticristo Nel Cristianismo Antico E Tardoantico", Michael Patella Osb

School of Theology and Seminary Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

"Review Of La Vetus Syra Del Vangelo Diluca: Trasmissione E Recezione Del Testo", Michael Patella Osb

School of Theology and Seminary Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Arrival At Perfect Love And The Steps Of Humility, Jeana Visel Osb

Obsculta

No abstract provided.

Jesus In The Shadows: Healing The Gerasene Demoniac In Mark's Gospel, An Existential Christology, Justin Campbell

Obsculta

No abstract provided.

Silent Liberation: Navigating Feminist Theology Through The Christological Lens Of Mary Of Bethany, Karen M. Kiefer

Obsculta

Standing in the midst of confusion among disparate views within feminist theology, a woman in the church can feel torn between honoring her dignity as a person and honoring her faith. She hears a cacophony of voices screaming for liberation and reform that have risen from the oppression of misogyny, omission and amputation from the Christian tradition and Scripture as the result of an androcentric church history and structure. The division among these feminist voices, ranging from reform to dismantling or vacating the Christian faith altogether, can leave a woman in the church questioning Scripture, tradition, roles, and even Jesus …