Arts and Humanities Commons^™

The (Im)Possibilities Of Levinas For Christian Theology, Glenn J. Morrison

Theology Conference Papers

The paper aims to show how Levinas’ philosophy opens up a style of thinking and suggests a vocabulary of expression that can serve Christian theology, especially by opening the possibility of a language of alterity, or radical “otherness”, in theology. Given our paradox of the (im)possibilities of Levinas for Christian theology and, hence, the very risk of falling into the language of onto-theology, the paper will firstly relate my approach to Levinas writings for the benefit of Christian theology.

My special concern for the talk will be to provide an example of doing theology with Levinas. To this end, I …

An Authentic Human Being With A 17th C. Flair: Fenelon Spiritual Letters And Existentialism, Megan Levy

Theology Conference Papers

This is an invitation for the mind and the heart to cross the threshold into another dimension in time and explore the parallels between Existential Psychotherapy concepts and Fenelon’s Christian Spiritual Letters written 300 years ago. Christianity and Existentialism are “individualistic” approaches focused on self-awareness, self-responsibility, and ownership to facilitate personal change; both ask for commitment, and none of them offer easy ways or painless quests. Christian spiritual letters as a personal growth tool are centred on Jesus, a self-actualizer, who fits every characteristic described by Maslow.

A Pastoral Paradigm Of Catholic Health Care, Mark Shaw

Theology Papers and Journal Articles

Catholic hospitals and other health services provide invaluable care to many in the community. This article accentuates the pastoral nature of Catholic health care, which is definitive to its Catholic identity. Discussing contemporary Catholic health care in conjunction with the works of Henri Nouwen we explore the challenges faced by today’s Catholics in Catholic health care and respond to these issues. In support of the discussion are the results of qualitative research into the perceptions Perth Parishioners have of Catholic health care’s pastoral nature and Catholic identity. This research aims towards understanding the challenges facing catholic health care providing pastoral …

To Nourish Or Destroy?, Clare V. Johnson

Theology Papers and Journal Articles

“Good celebrations foster and nourish faith. Poor celebrations may weaken and destroy it” – this statement from Music in Catholic Worship, sums up well the instinct that many people have about the relationship between liturgy and faith. Those charged with the responsibility of planning and leading liturgical celebrations hold a sacred trust – to do everything in their power to ensure that the celebrations they plan and lead are in fact ‘good’ celebrations from the perspective of the worshipping assembly whose faith can be either nourished or destroyed by those celebrations, and from the perspective of the Church which has …

Towards A Theology Of Liberation, Angus Brook

Theology Papers and Journal Articles

In 1971 Gustavo Gutierrez was the first theologian to pronounce the advent of the theology of liberation. This book received both praise and criticism for its ‘radical new’ approach to theological endeavour. This paper will attempt to provide a broad overview of the complex processes or possibilities which led to the publishing of this book. In doing so, I will focus my discussion upon what has made liberation theology possible; the cultural environment, the intellectual inspiration, and the events that have played an important role in its development. Of course, I cannot hope to give depth to the breadth of …

Humanism, Education And Spirituality: Approaching Psychosis With Levinas, Glenn J. Morrison

Theology Papers and Journal Articles

The article investigates the recent turn towards Emmanuel Levinas’ writings in the philosophy of Education. Engaging this turn, the article sets out to develop an ethical, personal and contemplative approach towards understanding and responding to psychosis. By imagining a Levinasian horizon for understanding the experience of psychosis in the Teaching-Learning environment, Levinas’ thought gives hope to take on the work of justice and offer a gift of friendship especially when faced with students experiencing psychosis. The approach towards people suffering the moods and difficulties of psychosis, the article argues, parallels the very spiritual practice of contemplation.

Constructing Meaning In The Face Of Suffering: Theodicy In Lamentations, Elizabeth Boase

Theology Papers and Journal Articles

This article explores the existence of theodic elements within the book of Lamentations. Drawing on the typology outlined by A. Laato and J. C. de Moor (Th eodicy in the World of the Bible [Leiden, 2003]) it is identified that Lamentations explores both retributive and educative theodicy within its poems. Other theodic solutions are not, however, present. Although these theodic solutions are present, it cannot be argued that Lamentations constitutes a theodicy as such. Rather, the poems raise and in turn subvert a range of possible theodic assertions in response to the existential crisis which emerged in the wake of …

To Imprecate Or Not: Psalm 137 And Its Appropriation In Music, Elizabeth Boase

Theology Papers and Journal Articles

Psalm 137 opens with lament and closes with one of the most strident imprecations in the Psalter. Read against the backdrop of the Babylonian exile, the imprecation incorporates both Edom and Babylon, concluding with the words “Happy shall they be who take your little ones and dash them against the rock.”

The closing verses have proven to be problematic for commentators. The tension is well expressed by R. Clifford, who states “Psalm 137 has the distinction of having one of the most beloved opening lines and the most horrifying closing line of any psalm. If the psalm ended at verse …

The Characterisation Of God In Lamentations, Elizabeth Boase

Theology Papers and Journal Articles

One of the dominant characters within the book of Lamentations is God. God is spoken about and spoken to, although the voice of God is never heard. Various voices within the text speak of God, describing both God’s actions and God’s attributes. These descriptions give rise to various, and at times conflicting images: God is the violent destroyer of the city and her inhabitants; God is an absent God, whose presence is longed for; God is a God of steadfast love and mercy; God is the one in whom future hope lies. This paper analyses the multifaceted portrayal of the …

A Renewed Focus On Lenten Penance: Pope Benedict Vivifies The Lenten Penance, Judith Schneider

Theology Papers and Journal Articles

Historically, lent is the time, in the journay of the catechumen, of repentence in preparation for Baptism at Easter. In solidarity, all the baptised also prepare, through repentance, for the renewal of their baptismal promises toward Easter renewal.¹ This dimension of renunciation has remained integral to Lent, to the present day. ²

Book Review: David Matzko Mccarthy And M Therese Lysaught, Gathered For The Journey: An Introduction To Catholic Moral Theology, London, Scm Press, 2007, Glenn J. Morrison

Theology Papers and Journal Articles

Catholic moral theology is central to understanding the Christian life and its practice in the family, church and society. We are always in the midst of the challenge of finding a way to clearly speak of moral thinking. Gathered for the Journey: An Introduction to Catholic Moral Theology answers this challenge in a remarkably coherent way. It is remarkable because it brings together a number of theologians with expertise in a variety or areas. Embracing the wisdom and riches of the Catholic theological tradition, the authors address our contemporary issues and experiences, producing a horizon of Catholic moral praxis for …

Book Review: Geoffrey Scarre, Death, Chesham, Acumen, 2007, Glenn J. Morrison

Theology Papers and Journal Articles

The question of the meaning of being has led philosophers on towards formulating theories and questions on a variety of subjects such as time, God, personhood, otherness and death. Geoffrey Scarre has chosen the subject of death to explore not only its meaning and truth, but also its relation to life and its effects upon others and the world. Traversing the philosophical tradition of death, Scarre brings into conversation centuries of wisdom and reflection upon the meaning and rationalisation of death. Taking the position of the unlikely occurrence of any form of afterlife, it is not surprising that Scarre re-creates …

Book Review: John Russon, Human Experience: Philosophy, Neurosis And The Elements Of Everyday Life, State University Of New York, 2003, Glenn J. Morrison

Theology Papers and Journal Articles

Traversing the meaning of being and reflecting upon the world of everyday human experience, John Russon has introduced a heartening perspective of neurosis. Providing a rational argument and logic to tear down the cold-hearted and stereotypical view of neurosis (and psychosis), Russon brings to light the normalcy of our neurotic ways. He uncovers the core of identity in the core of our embodiment – family and social life and activities such as walking, eating, sleeping, urinating and defecating. Taking up a Heideggerian and even at times, a Freudian posture, he prioritises the body and its intersubjective relation to the world …