Religion Commons^™

Contributor Bios, Obsculta Editors

Obsculta

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.

Come And See, Denise Lyon

Obsculta

No abstract provided.

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.

Sister Helen Prejean And The Death Penalty: Decades Of Fighting Capital Punishment, University Marketing And Communications, Helen Prejean

DePaul Download

Sister Helen Prejean has dedicated her life to opposing the death penalty after she witnessed an execution in her home state of Louisiana. Her efforts have sparked a national dialogue on capital punishment and she has helped shape the Catholic Church’s position on the topic. In 2011, she donated her personal archives to the university to help the DePaul community continue to learn from her work. On this episode of DePaul Download, Sister Helen talks about life’s work and what keeps her going.

From Environmental Activism To Environmental Education A Historical Overview, Evaluations And A Suggestion For A Path Forward For The Religious Institutions As Partners For A Global Green Shift, Tom Sverre Tomren

Consensus

In this article, the author shows how all the major world religions have engaged in climate and environmental activism by developing theology and practical projects for more than fifty years. Using metadata from the European Social Survey, he shows that members of all religious traditions in Europe have become increasingly positive to the environment and nature. Especially noticeable is the increased engagement of Protestant Christians. Tomren uses a case study from the Lutheran Church in Norway to show how religious actors have a great influence on their own members. Against this background, the author argues that religious institutions should see …

Adam, Dust Of The Earth: A Paradise Received And Incomplete In The Biblical Accounts Of Creation. Some Philological Observations On The Creation Accounts, Jean Koulagna

Consensus

In Christian thinking about climate and environment issues, Dogmatic theology has often seemed to precede the exegesis of biblical texts. And when it is suggested, this exegesis is usually based on previously formulated theological conclusions. In other words, exegesis is there to support ethical stands that are no doubt laudable, but have been already established. Under these conditions, it becomes difficult to analyze those texts as they are and to understand them within the historical and anthropological contexts in which they were produced. This article attempts to break this trend by suggesting philological observations concerning the creation accounts in Genesis. …

World Environment Day, Rachel Mash

Consensus

No abstract provided.

Fetishized Nature Or Life-Giving Breath? Religion As Skill In Climate Change, Sigurd Bergmann

Consensus

Anthropogenic climate change and unsustainable modes of production, consumption and lifestyles represent one of the most demanding challenges facing Earth, our home and humanity. Therefore religious belief, faith communities and spiritual commitment are highly needed to prepare the ground for what has been described as the necessary “great transformation”. To achieve this transformation, we need a new climate narrative and iconography, supported by a broad alliance of local and trans-local social forces. Religion has a significant role to play in this mobilization. This article begins by depicting several reasons that religion is a crucial driving force in the needed great …

Introducing A Comparative Ecotheology: Islamic Concept Of Basmalah And Luther’S Commentary On The Ten Commandments, Sayed Hassan Akhlaq

Consensus

In our trying time of the COVID-19 pandemic, this paper discusses current environmental concerns in light of critical questions about the relationship between God and Mother Earth. This paper addresses this question in an inter-religious context. In order to fulfil its original duty of inculcating spirituality, faith can build a bridge between God and people on a constructive understanding of the Earth. To this end, Christianity and Islam offer notions of divine grace and divine lutf to do this duty. In this paper, I examine two inspiring sources: the Islamic motto of Basmalah, and Luther’s commentary on the Ten Commandments …

Religious Environmental Stewardship, The Sabbath And Sustainable Futures In Africa: Implications For Sustainability Discourse, Ben-Willie Kwaku Golo

Consensus

In terms of goals and approaches, the potentials of religion and faith communities have had a prolonged marginalisation from the rather intense academic and political engagements in the suitability discourse with a consensus on the concept of sustainability as both an approach and a goal. In this paper, I argue that the highly religious African context would require a religiously inspired and phrased recourse towards a comprehensive sustainability, rather than a solely secular concept of environmental sustainability. This is much more so when environmental sustainability is largely a secular vision of a religious one – environmental stewardship. Ignoring the beliefs, …

Towards A Green Diapraxis: Experiences And Reflections From An Interfaith Journey, Einar Tjelle

Consensus

The article explores the increased cooperation and dynamic learning between religions during the last decades, on the themes of climate, environment and sustanability. Examples are given from a Norwegian interfaith context, but with global links as well. This cooperation has broadened the scope and perspectives of churches and religions. Contextual and holistic approaches have emerged as fruits of this mutual learning and exchange, the author claims. Pope Francis` encyclical Laudato Si` has captured important parts of this development with its strong message of interconnectedness and moral responsibility. It has also stimulated a wider religious and interfaith global commitment to Mother …

God And The Earth, Michael Hooghiem

Consensus

No abstract provided.

Mindfulness, Empathy, Contentment And Communication; Five Buddhist Perspectives And Five Solutions To Five Unsdgs, Gunaketu Bjørn Kjønstad

Consensus

No abstract provided.

The Ecumenical Promise Of Eco-Theology, Chad Rimmer

Consensus

No abstract provided.

When Environmental Obligations Collide With State Sovereignty: An International And Sharia Law Perspective, Seyed Masoud Noori, Soheila Ebrahimi Louyeh

Consensus

This article critically reviews the notion of State sovereignty under international law and argues that to achieve eco-justice as well as sustainable development goals, a restrictive and ecological approach needs to be taken toward the principle of states’ permanent sovereignty over natural resources. Environmental sustainability requires states’ environmental obligations to be identified as erga omnes so they can be addressed toward the international community as a whole and fall within the scope of article 48 of the ILC Articles on States Responsibility. Interestingly, in complete alignment with this progressive interpretation, sustainable utilization of natural resources has a longstanding foundation in …

Sustainability And Religion, Chad Rimmer, Mary (Joy) Philip

Consensus

No abstract provided.

Ecology And Christian Education: How Sustainability Discourse And Theological Anthropology Inform Teaching Methods, Chad Rimmer

Consensus

This paper will sketch theoretical synergies between sustainability discourse and a Christian ecotheological approach to religious education, and point to pedagogical possibilities for bridging the two disciplines. Theology and natural science operate with certain anthropological assumptions. Those underlying anthropologies inform the teaching methods of environmental and religious education. Anthropologies that conceive of human being outside of ecological relationships are a root problem of our current ecological crisis. Many economic, political and social discourses colonize people from the land, particularly children, exacerbating the root causes of sustainability. This paper affirms that linking sustainability discourse and religious education is a way to …

Sustainability And Climate In Religion: A Case Of Study Of The Green Churches Network In Africa (Toile Des Églises Vertes En Afrique) Teva, Marcel Ngirinshuti

Consensus

Faced with the ecological crisis, many churches are involved in the search for concrete solutions. Since 2016, the Green Churches Network in Africa (TEVA), a network of churches, denominational structures and associations, which are committed to caring for the "common home" (planet-earth) in Africa. This organization currently has (as of 2019) 1,808 parishes grouped into 19 churches in 12 African countries. The vision of TEVA is to reach 2020 green parishes by the end of 2020. Starting with the fact that ecological questions are often perceived as utopian and very complex, TEVA aims to promote knowledge of African ecological issues …

Responsibility For Creation, Sarah E. Brown

Consensus

No abstract provided.

There Was A Man Who Had Two Sons, David Schnasa Jacobsen

Consensus

No abstract provided.

Women, Climate Change And Eco-Theology, Mary (Joy) Philip

Consensus

The impact of climate change is not proportionate to the ones that contribute to it. It is the world’s poorest and those in vulnerable situations, especially women and children, who bear the brunt of environmental, economic and social shocks. This paper highlights the fact that women are disproportionately affected by climate change, when they are primarily the ones that have been caring for and preserving the earth. This paper also argues for the need for eco-consciousness and the increased participation of women in climate initiatives, as women have a theology and spirituality undergirded by eco-consciousness.

And The First [Could] Be Last: Gillian Genser’S ‘Adam’ And The Case Against Dominion, Theresa Klaver

Consensus

No abstract provided.

Trying To Understand Memorial Day, Howard Schaap

Faculty Work Comprehensive List

"On Memorial Day, we need to also consider the profound complexity—and sorrow—of any war."

Posting about ­­­­­­­­a patriotic holiday from In All Things - an online journal for critical reflection on faith, culture, art, and every ordinary-yet-graced square inch of God’s creation.

https://inallthings.org/trying-to-understand-memorial-day/

Faqs For Administrators And Leaders At Community- And Faith-Based Organizations, Centers For Disease Control And Prevention

Pandemic Response and Religion in the USA: Health

This is the Frequently Asked Questions webpage from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention designed to help places of worship prevent the spread of COVID-19 in their congregations. The FAQ page includes prevention strategies, community outreach strategies, and how to decide if services should be in person or virtual. Issues such as discrimination and marginalized populations are discussed on the FAQ page.

St. Francis Borgia Deaf Center Church Bulletin, May 24, 2020

Saint Francis Borgia Deaf Center Church Bulletin

A newsletter published for Deaf Catholics in Chicago, IL

Saint Francis Brogia Deaf Center Church Bulletin Finding Aid

Community And Faith-Based Organizations: Plan, Prepare, And Respond, Centers For Disease Control And Prevention

Pandemic Response and Religion in the USA: Law and Public Policy

No abstract provided.

St. Benedict Parish For The Deaf Church Bulletin, May 24, 2020

Saint Benedict Parish for the Deaf Church Bulletin

A newsletter published for Deaf Catholics in San Francisco, CA

Saint Benedict Parish for the Deaf Church Bulletin Finding Aid

Interim Guidance For Communities Of Faith, Centers For Disease Control And Prevention

Pandemic Response and Religion in the USA: Health

This article from the CDC offers guidelines for religious groups and organizations that are beginning to reopen and hold in-person services as stay-at-home orders are lifted. Guidelines include hygiene tips, disinfecting practices, the use of face masks, and other safe practices designed to keep houses of worship safe as they reopen. Other guidelines include policies for houses of worship to put in place for their congregants upon reopening, such as the use of worship materials.

Foreign Missionary Program Of The Seventh-Day Adventist Church, David J. B. Trim

Journal of Adventist Mission Studies

No abstract provided.