Arts and Humanities Commons^™

Minarets Of Kazan, Francisco Plata

Verbum

No abstract provided.

Preliminary Pages, No Author

Verbum

No abstract provided.

The Davidic And Sinaitic Covenants, Katie Kreutter

Verbum

In lieu of an abstract, below is the essay's first paragraph.

"Although the books contained in the Old Testament are extensive and diverse, it remains difficult to argue that the covenants created between God and Moses and God and David are central pieces upon which the subsequent writings in their entirety are based. The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church defines the term covenant as ―[a] bond entered into voluntarily by two parties by which each pledges himself to do something for the other."¹ This basic definition did not derive theological connotations until it was utilized by Old Testament …

Mid-Autumn Reverences, Michael Czarnecki

Verbum

No abstract provided.

“Coexistence”, Sule Yilmaz

Verbum

In lieu of an abstract, below is the essay's first paragraph.

"I had a dream a couple of weeks ago, where I was at the mosque that I usually attend; it seemed enormous and filled with spiritual light, which we refer to as ―Noor‖. I could feel the profundity in the atmosphere as I wondered around. Then I found myself baffled by the fact there were Christian congregations as well as Jewish, along with Muslims, each group gathered around their religious leaders and praying and singing. However, to my astonishment they all were singing the same religious song. As I …

Rosary Beads, Dee (Geraldine) Hogan

Verbum

No abstract provided.

Leap Of Love, Zac Barry

Verbum

No abstract provided.

"Love Without Limits", Sarah Guarnere

Verbum

No abstract provided.

The Immoral Sati Ritual, Andy Skyprek

Verbum

In lieu of an abstract, below is the essay's first paragraph.

"On September 4^th of 1987, Roop Kanwar died in the flames of her husband‘s funeralpyre. She, like other Hindu women before her, made this self sacrifice in the customary act of sati to prove her devotion to her husband, and to honor his life. Sati is a controversial topic. It is prohibited by the Indian government for its inhumanity, but there are people who find it critical to the Hindu faith."

An Investigation Of Feral Children And Original Sin, Christina Regelsberger

Verbum

In lieu of an abstract, below is the essay's first paragraph.

"The subject of feral children has often been explored from a variety of viewpoints and angles. Frequently, such topics as education, language acquisition, emotional stability, mental stability and behavioral patterns are reviewed. However, the motive of actions or the inherent tendency of feral children to behave one way or another is often overlooked. The question remains whether feral children (prior to their integration into society), are in possession of original sin. Many maintain that all humans are born with an inherent desire to do evil. However, is it the …

The Alchemist In My Life, Rebecca Finch

Verbum

In lieu of an abstract, below is the essay's first paragraph.

"A wise former professor of mine recently recommended I read Paulo Coelho‘s The Alchemist. When I came across the above section of the story, I was floored. Coelho‘s description was exactly what I felt the day I met my future husband. It‘s a strange feeling that I couldn‘t quite put my finger on at the time, but in retrospect, Coelho‘s words are a perfect description of the odd (but wonderful) feeling I had that day in 2000.

"If Only They Could Know", Thomas J. Jewel

Verbum

In lieu of an abstract, below is the essay's first paragraph.

"Teenager. Like most of the developmental stages of our young – the stage of ―teenager‖ can be described but never really understood until one travels that stretch of road for oneself with their teen. During a recent trip down a particularly tumultuous part of that path I recall wishing, yet again, ―If only they could understand and know the depth of the love we have for them – one they can so apparently not see at this point in their lives." A reflection that leads only to deeper thoughts …

Mixed Martial Arts As A Way To God?, Emily Dane

Verbum

In lieu of an abstract, below is the essay's first paragraph.

"Jay Coakely, a prominent sport sociologist, has explored the links between religion and sport. Many avid sports fans insist that sport participation or viewing is their religion, and Coakley explores how this concept may not be far from the truth. Both have places for communal gatherings – religions have churches, temples, and mosques, sports have stadiums, ball fields, and arenas. Both have rituals before, during, and after events – religions have baptisms, opening hymns, and processions, sports have national anthems, initiations, and tailgating. The use of organizing structures, the …

Good And Evil: What's The Problem?, Jeremy P. Backal

Verbum

In lieu of an abstract, below is the essay's first paragraph.

"In the world as we know it, God gave people free will. So He could create a free universe where man has to live for himself. In this and in this only, can God create a world where people are like God, because He has free will, He can do whatever He pleases and in His effort to create man in His likeness, He was forced to give free will to man. In doing so, God gave man the choice to be evil. ―The problem of evil‖ suggests that …

Num3ers, Vincent J. Amuso

Verbum

In lieu of an abstract, below is the essay's first paragraph.

"Both Dianne and I are engineers. I guess you could say we like numbers. So here we go. 46: The number of years we have been alive. 1964: Both born in Utica, New York. 2: The number of parents we are each blessed to still have with us. My parents are of Italian descent. Dianne’s are of Polish heritage. Both sets of parents are very proud of their ancestry. 5: The number of siblings I have plus 3, the number of siblings I have in heaven. 1: The number …

Evolution And Faith: Clarified Terminology And Reasonable Debate, Donald J. Lococo

Verbum

In lieu of an abstract, below is the essay's first paragraph.

"In recent years the news media have characterized the theory of evolution as contentious and that science and religion are incompatible. The so-called debate is fomented self-labeled scientist/believers who claim that the theory of evolution is scientifically ambiguous at best, contending that intelligent design is a viable alternative ―scientific‖ theory. What follows below is an attempt to illustrate how the contentiousness of the issue follows from a misuse of language the ignorance of which falsely enables the so-called debate to continue. At issue is the ambiguous meaning of the …

Pekaresque Adventures: Aesthetics And Identity In "American Splendor", Tim Madigan

Verbum

In lieu of an abstract, below is the essay's first paragraph.

"When considering the ontological status of the comic book, it was once natural to think of superheroes battling all-powerful villains, Archie and Jughead battling wits with Principal Weatherbee, or Bugs Bunny and Porky Pig battling Elmer J. Fudd in the forest. In short, the assumption was that comic books were kids‘ stuff, and not to be taken seriously by world-weary adults. Much has changed in the last 20 or so years, with the rise of the so-called graphic novel, but many of these – including such seminal works as …

A Reminder From The Past, Elise Roy

Verbum

In lieu of an abstract, below is the essay's first paragraph.

"Nearly forty-six years ago to the day, Martin Luther King Jr. accepted the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts in trying to eradicate African American discrimination by using non-violence. Dr. King accepted this prize whilst racial injustice was still prominent in the United States. He did this with the hope that someday people would find a way to live along side each other in peace. “If this [peace] is to be achieved, man must evolve for all human conflict a method which rejects revenge, aggression and retaliation. The foundation …

Full Issue, No Author

Verbum

This is the full issue of Volume 8, Issue 1 of Verbum, published in Fall 2010 by the REST Club at St. John Fisher College. Articles from this issue are available as separate PDFs at http://fisherpub.sjfc.edu/verbum/vol8/iss1/

I Knew Sister Thea Bowman, Cyprian Davis O.S.B.

Journal of the Black Catholic Theological Symposium

The year 2010 marks another anniversary, this one more somber than the others. Sister Thea Bowman, F.S.P.A., Ph.D., after a great deal of suffering, finally lost her battle to cancer in 1990. Her zest for living, her profound spirituality, and her joy marked all those who had the honor of knowing her. Here are two reflections on her life and influence, the first by Cyprian Davis, O.S.B. who worked with Sr. Thea at the Institute for Black Catholic Studies, and the second by one of her former students, Maurice Nutt, C.Ss. R., D.Min.

A Year Of Commemorations, Kimberly Flint-Hamilton

Journal of the Black Catholic Theological Symposium

The year 2010 is a very special one for the BCTS. This year we commemorate a number of very significant events, all of which have contributed to making our organization what it is today.

Thea Bowman: The Courage To Keep On Keeping On!, Maurice J. Nutt C.Ss.R.

Journal of the Black Catholic Theological Symposium

The year 2010 marks another anniversary, this one more somber than the others. Sister Thea Bowman, F.S.P.A., Ph.D., after a great deal of suffering, finally lost her battle to cancer in 1990. Her zest for living, her profound spirituality, and her joy marked all those who had the honor of knowing her. Here are two reflections on her life and influence, the first by Cyprian Davis, O.S.B. who worked with Sr. Thea at the Institute for Black Catholic Studies, and the second by one of her former students, Maurice Nutt, C.Ss. R., D.Min.

Cover And Front Matter, Black Catholic Theological Symposium

Journal of the Black Catholic Theological Symposium

Cover, table of contents, administrative information

Cyprian Davis’S Contributions To The Study Of African American Catholic History: Articles In The U.S. Catholic Historian, Christopher J. Kauffman

Journal of the Black Catholic Theological Symposium

In celebration of Father Cyprian Davis’s eightieth birthday, the BCTS invited his friend and fellow historian, Dr. Christopher Kauffman to reflect on the meaning of Father Cyprian’s articles published in the U.S. Catholic Historian from 1986 to 2006. Dr. Kauffman pays special attention to the relationship of these articles to Father Cyprian’s 1990 study The History of Black Catholics in the United States, to his inspirational writings, and to his ongoing research and writing of Black Catholic history.

A Thirty Year Collaboration In Uniquely Black And Catholic Mission, Kathleen Dorsey Bellow

Journal of the Black Catholic Theological Symposium

The Institute for Black Catholic Studies arose out of a passion for authentically Black and truly Catholic theology and ministry in 1980. It continues to inspire its students, its faculty, and all those who are touched by its unique approach and identity. Kathleen Dorsey Bellow and C. Vanessa White reflect on the history and mission of the IBCS.

Thirty Years Of Impact: The Institute For Black Catholic Studies, C. Vanessa White

Journal of the Black Catholic Theological Symposium

The Institute for Black Catholic Studies arose out of a passion for authentically Black and truly Catholic theology and ministry in 1980. It continues to inspire its students, its faculty, and all those who are touched by its unique approach and identity. Kathleen Dorsey Bellow and C. Vanessa White reflect on the history and mission of the IBCS.

The Role Of The Black Catholic Theologian And Scholar In Today’S Context, M. Shawn Copeland

Journal of the Black Catholic Theological Symposium

Based on her keynote address delivered during the 2009 Annual Meeting at Atlanta University’s Lyke Center, Copeland takes a look back at the nearly forty-year history of black theological scholarship, reminding us of the intimate link between culture, history, and the ongoing and critical need for a theology that is authentic and responsive to the needs of the poor and marginalized. She reminds us of the urgency for the pursuit of truth and freedom, especially for black scholars and theologians. However, the quest for authenticity comes with a price.

“Righteous Discontent:” Black Catholic Protest In The United States Of America, 1817-1941, Diane Batts Morrow

Journal of the Black Catholic Theological Symposium

In this essay, based on a paper delivered at the 2009 Annual Meeting at the Atlanta University Center, Morrow shows the awareness of black Catholics about their position within the Catholic Church between the years 1817 and the 1940s and their struggle to improve their situation. Black Catholics from this period show a strong desire to function as agents of positive change in their Church, and to challenge discrimination within their parishes.

Cyprian Davis, O.S.B.: To Walk A Path, To Be Transformed, And To Transform, Cecilia Moore, Kimberly Flint-Hamilton

Journal of the Black Catholic Theological Symposium

This essay is Part One in a BCTS archival project to record, preserve, and publish the life stories of the senior members of our organization.

Redemptive Suffering And Christology In African American Christian Theology, Nathaniel Holmes Jr.

Journal of the Black Catholic Theological Symposium

In this paper, based on a presentation delivered at the 2009 Annual Meeting at the Atlanta University Center, Holmes engages the debate over the redemptive nature of suffering in Christianity. Are evil, suffering, and oppression redemptive, thereby bringing us closer to the divine? Or, are suffering and oppression detrimental to the salvific nature of Christ’s liberation? Holmes explores the religious and philosophical literary tradition of redemptive suffering, especially as interpreted in African American religious thought, and shows us that the answers to these questions are complex and multifaceted.