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In this paper we will study the impact of marriage on the social status of three women from the Jewish community of the island of Elephantine during the 5th century B.C. We will see that through the marriage bond, manumission is achieved, social status is maintained, and patrimony is protected. Certainly, only in the case of our first protagonist does her marriage result in a clear social promotion. In the other two cases, marriage serves as protection against the detriment of one's own status. Although, obviously, the primary purpose of the institution of marriage is not to reinforce or maintain social status, a study of the ketuboth (marriage contracts) of our protagonists will show us the clauses that allow room for maneuver in order to achieve the objectives of promotion or protection of status alluded to above. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At the end of the 19th century, Cardinal Mercier founded the Higher Institute of Philosophy (HIPh) in Louvain, an academic centre that sought to harmonise Thomistic doctrine with both modern science and philosophy. The Vasque priest Juan Zaragüeta Bengoechea was trained in the HIPh and occupied a prominent place in Spanish academic life during the first half of the 20th century, making important contributions to philosophy, pedagogy, psychology, and Spanish culture in general. This paper presents a portrait of Zaragüeta and briefly outlines some of the key aspects of his conception of psychology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After situating the encyclical Spe salvi in the double context of the theology of hope and the thought of Joseph Ratzinger-Benedict XVI, the paper deals with two particularly important topics of the encyclical. The first concerns the profound relationship between faith and hope, taking into account the two biblical texts that are used as a reference by Benedict XVI, namely: Eph 2:12 and Heb 11:1. The second topic dealt with in the paper relates to the places where hope is learned (prayer, action, suffering). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the encyclicals Fides et Ratio (1998) and Lumen Fidei (2013), the mysteries appear as key elements when analysing the relationship between faith and reason. Fides et Ratio deals with the mysteries as a formal category (without forgetting the content); in Lumen Fidei it is the content of the mysteries that is important. In the article, first of all, the basic texts of the two encyclicals on mystery are presented. It then examines the relationship betwen mysteries and rationality. Negative theology and its expression in paradoxes are also considered. The incarnate mystery and liturgical celebration of mysteries are the final points of the paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the thought of Pope Francis on the nature of the university and its mission as expressed in Veritatis gaudium and proposes a reading of Fides et ratio and Lumen fidei in its light. The starting point is the situation of the university in the liquid modernity as described by Bauman, whose reflections partly inspire Francis’ sociological analyses. According to the Pope, the university must contribute to the rooting of persons by building a true community of study and research. This requires a science free from the temptation of sophistry (a form of domination) and inspired by concern for the other: friendship is thus the context in which the rationality proper to a new humanism can develop. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper deals with CELAM's II Conference (Medellín, 1968) reception of collegiality and communion, and shows that, even if the Conference did not talk about synodality, it anticipated the idea. It assumes that synodality is a way of being and operating in the Church that defines pastoral work. Thus, it explains that Medellín was original in the use of an enlarged notion of collegiality, which would lead to the actual use of the term synodality. The paper stresses the importance of the main speakers at the Conference for the correct assimilation of such ideas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The "School of Salamanca", as a historiographical concept, has been discussed in relation to its dating, the members who would be part of it and its characteristics. This paper analyzes the emergence and the origin of this concept in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries with the purpose of knowing if the characteristics that were given to this group of thinkers when for the first time they were spoken of as a school, can clarify some of the debates that are taking place today. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reviews the five General Conferences of the Latin American Episcopate held over the course of half a century, from the first one, held in Rio, until the most recent one in Aparecida. To facilitate the understanding of these Conferences, the theological context of each is recalled and some of the main points of their "Conclusions" are indicated. These Episcopal Assemblies prove that there is a specifically Latin American pastoral theology. Nonetheless, if before one had to prevent Eurocentric exaggerations, it is currently necessary that one avoid excessive Latin Americanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper I analyze the concept of Church presented by Danish theologian Nicolai Grundtvig (1783-1872) in the document known as «The Church's Rejoinder». In this text, published in 1825, Grundtvig denounces the rationalist theology of Henrik Nicolai Clausen, particularly his claim that the Bible is the only valid source of Christian revelation; the Scriptures, Clausen adds, ought to be interpreted by professional exegetes. Grundtvig will argue instead that the essence of the Church is the assembly of believers who embraces the message of Christ through the acceptance of the Creed, baptism and communion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aesthetic concept of revelation helps to better understand the internal dynamics of the theological concept of revelation. In German Idealism the study of aesthetic experience acquired, from the beginning, an extraordinary importance. Schelling’s approach in System of Transcendental Idealism (1800) marks a particularly outstanding point of reference in relation to the philosophy of art. In this paper we want to rescue the valid insights of the aesthetic concept of revelation, separating them from the limits of the philosophy of identity, the elitism of genius, the Spinozist pantheism and Schelling’s theology of Absolute. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims at establishing and describing the main Newman's friends both during the Oxford Movement years and as a Catholic and Oratorian. The outlook has been prosopographic, but in connection with Newman's affectivity, and bearing very much in mind his early and staunch decision to remain celibate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is not uncommon to find many penitential brotherhoods in Spain which are officially named after an image of Our Father Jesus of Nazareth. This invocation could seem strange, especially in Theology. Is this some kind of Patripassianism revival? Actually, this does not seem to be the case. In this paper we aim to set the historical moment in which this Christological tittle begins to be used, in the 17th century, searching for it in spiritual authors and in sacred preaching both prior to this time as well as in contemporary dates. Finally, we offer some lines of interpretation of this peculiar Christological tittle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relevance of the Gospel of Thomas is a question that also affects Christology. The question about its independent character remains unresolved, and the Parable of the Wicked Tenants has been frequently used to defend one or the other position. The paper presents this apocryphal writing and exposes a panoramic view of the discussion concerning its relationship with the synoptic gospels. By examining comparatively the versions of the parable in Mark and in Thomas, I point out the characteristic elements of the apocryphal version and assess whether these differences allow us to affirm that it is effectively closer to the historical Jesus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the method of intertextuality conceived not in a general manner, but in its application to the biblical texts. After the concept of intertextuality is defined, the way of utilizing it in the biblical studies is explained, and its main types are pointed out (citations, echoes, allusions), the paper takes the so-called formula of grace that appears in Ex 34:6-7 as an example to which the method of intertextuality has been fruitfully applied, due to its recurrent presence through the entire Old Testament. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taking into account the suggestions offered in the Encyclical «Fides et Ratio» (1998) and in the «Decree on the reform of ecclesiastical studies of philosophy» (2011), this paper presents some arguments in order to show the importance of philosophy in the priestly formation. Philosophy helps in the search for the truth, forms the critical sense, and structures the mind. Furthermore, the paper underlines the fact that human reason is the faith's condition and constitutive moment and explains why philosophy is indispensable for the theological formation. Finally, the paper highlights the importance of philosophy in the life of the priest as a shepherd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prayer of Jesus is a privileged place to know the mystery of his being and redemptive work. It constitutes, therefore, a suitable path for Christological reflection. In his prayer, he shows himself as a true man, heir of the piety of Israel. At the same time, the originality of his prayer reveals the mystery of the Father and of himself as Son sent: true God and true man. Both dimensions serve as the basis for the uniqueness of Christ’s mediation. This paper delves into these issues and considers some their consequences for the Christian prayer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work shows the hermeneutic and salvific turning point found in the Second Vatican Council Ecciesioiogy, mainly in the Lumen gentium Constitution. The paper compares the Ecclesiologies before the Council -from Belarmino to Mystici Corporis- to the new conciliar vision. The development of LC is very significant in this respect, highlighted through the concept «mystery» applied to the Church. The paper concludes that the Council accomplished a hermeneutic turn, the main characteristic of which was to start from a more universal point of view, that is, Cod's economy, which does not exclude anybody, and - for this reason- is Good News for all. That starting point is truly a catholic one. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper attempts to present the main results of theological research on ecclesiastical celibacy in the last ten to fifteen years. It especially studies recent developments of the main motive for celibacy proposed today by the Magisterium and theology, namely, the so-called spousal motive. The possible vital consequences of this research, particularly on priestly spirituality, will also be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marko I. Rupnik is one of the leading artists in the Catholic Church today. Initially characterized by a strong expressionism, he achieves, after an inner conversion, a symbolic synthesis between the early Christian and byzantine art and the avant-garde art. This paper focuses on the aesthetic and theological meanings of the logo of the Year of Mercy, made by Rupnik under the aspect of an unconventional image of Christ the Good Shepherd, but which has to, in point of fact, with an «anastasis», that has clear precedents in the work of the Slovenian Jesuit artist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pope Francis' words, pronounced on October 17, 2015 on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of the institution of the Synod of Bishops, constitute a good starting point to consider the diocesan and parochial organisms that best express the Church's synodality. This paper will especially study the organisms in which lay participation takes place in a particular way: the diocesan synod, the diocesan finance committee, the diocesan pastoral council, the parochial pastoral council, and the parochial finance committee. After the significant advance brought about by Vatican II with regards to laymen's participation in the life of the Church, many authors expressed their concerns about the possible deadlock of this dynamic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author presents a state of the research in the last 30 years about the Interpretation of the OT in the apostle Paul. He focuses his effort on two fields: 1. the different methods used by Paul in the Interpretation of the OT (midrash, historical reading, typology, allegory, rhetorlcism); and 2. the theological Implications of his interpretation (Chrlstological, Ecclesiological and Eschatological). The enormous work done during the last decades on the interpretation of the OT in Paul runs the risk of losing perspective and a common broad vision from which to go forward. The paper tries to offer an outline of the different possibilities of study, and propose scholars researching on the field the need to acknowledge and to ground firmly the principles of their research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

«Altruism studies», as a sub-discipline has produced in the last 20 years a considerable amount of research in the attempt to better know that human behavior, often seen as «enigmatic». Theology applied to understand neighbor's love can make good use of such research in order to update its own approach. The present paper tries to offer a systematic review of essays and articles published since 2010 in order to answer central questions still looming in the scientific study of altruism and of great importance for Christian anthropology. Concluding remarks will make the point on the impact that these series of studies has for a theology of love engaged on interdisciplinary dialogue with humanities and sciences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines whether, according to V. E. Frankl, human access to Cod is rational or only experiential, cognitive or merely affective, natural or exclusively supernatural, innate or only acquired, conscious or only unconscious. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to explain how Elizabeth Anscombe understands the principle of double-effect proposed by Thomas Aquinas in order to solve issues such as the legitimacy of killing in self-defense or of defensive war. The basis of this principle in Aristotle's philosophy is analyzed, especially the difference between willing per se and willing per accidens. Finally, some difficulties o f implementing the principle of double effect are highlighted: particularly the distinction between intended and unintended but expected consequences of action, and the importance of distinguishing the harm caused by oneself and the harm caused by somebody else. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]