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The far right is on the rise across Europe. In Germany, the political party Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) has had striking success in several elections, establishing itself in parliaments across the country. Although Christianity comes up in the programmes and the politics of this party, theologians in Germany have been hesitant to engage the rise of the far right. In this review, I present two publications that put an end to this hesitation. Although I cannot cover each and every chapter, I aim to showcase the key concerns and the key concepts of both publications in order to stress the contrast between them. Both theologically and politically, the stakes are high. The question of how to respond to the rise of the far right, I suggest, cuts to the core of the conceptualization of the identity of Christianity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Samoan election of 2021 provoked a constitutional crisis. It brought to an end sixty years of political stability that had been determined by the interweaving of democratic ideals with indigenous cultural values and Christian principles. The election had led to a tie on the night and led to various legal appeals, protests and the reluctance of the Prime Minister of more than twenty years refusing to stand down. With one exception – the Roman Catholic Archbishop – the churches were silent, 'lost for words'. The crisis happened at a time when the first wave of localized and contextual public theologies were beginning to appear in theological research. Their particular focus was on a range of other issues (mainly due to timing). Their emergence, nevertheless, invites a consideration of what such a public theology might look like in a society where there is no history of a prophetic voice and the cultural system of fa'aSamoa relies upon a principle of respect (which was violated during the crisis). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Kenyan post-election violence of 2007 deepened the ethnic differences that have been growing for the past decades after independence. While the August 2022 elections revealed political maturity, the October 2017 re-elections indicated that the hostility was not a settled issue. Kenyan churches in the post-democratic space have courted with political alliances along ethnic blocs. Additionally, some of the protestant churches in Kenya such as Presbyterian, Methodist and Friends, are largely monoethnic despite their long history. To what extent can these churches follow the biblical vision of a multi-cultural and multi-ethnic church? This topic has generated theological interest yet few have assessed the role of the youth in ethnic reconciliation. This article will 1) survey the issue of ethnicity and the church; 2) offer a biblical-theological reflection on ethnicity, and 3) suggest how an inclusive-congregational youth ministry model can revitalize ethnic reconciliation in the church and by extension, society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article addresses how trauma might inform the way Mark's account of the haemorrhaging woman is read, and what a Christology derived therefrom might offer to Christians who wish to witness to people's traumatic and posttraumatic realities. If Christians and theologians are called to witness to others' suffering and their attempts to make sense of it, then they need to be able to inhabit a space that draws forth stories of those disempowered and traumatized. In particular, this article explores these issues by addressing inter-related facets of Jesus the Christ in Mark 5:24–34 as he responds to the haemorrhaging woman and is involved in her healing. It is Jesus's shift to witness – as he loses power and cognition – that brings about the hope of ongoing restoration of the woman's body and spirit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Development has become a central topic in theological discussions on a global scale. Poverty and underdevelopment have been the subject of ongoing discussion in theological circles over the role of the churches in addressing these issues. Hence, the controversy regarding theology and progress has emerged. While it has been widely understood in theological discussions that theology must confront public challenges, few works have evaluated the grounds that compel a theological reflection on development. To this purpose, there is a crucial point that must be investigated about theology and development: how substantial are the arguments for the theology and development debate? Furthermore, how are such arguments biblically supported? This essay evaluates the arguments for a theology of development through the lens of public practical theology in order to provide answers to the problems posed above. Through literary analysis, the study proceeds to analyse the basis for theology and development from a biblical perspective, so demonstrating that God's aim for his creation is development that strikes a balance between economic, environmental, and social elements. This article contributes to the conversation of the necessity of theological reflection on development. Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: This article contributes to the discussion between theological disciplines and development studies to provide a greater understanding of the significance of this debate to the church's engagement with public issues such as development. The findings of this study are unquestionably valuable for churches in developing a public practical theology and enriching theological thought and church practice through community development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presented the Nigerian neo-Pentecostal political activism (NNPA) in the last two decades and its impact on good governance. A brief historical analysis shows that pulpit political activism (PPA) may have catalysed some civil actions by civil society, socio-cultural groups, adherents, and the masses; however, the resistance from the government may imply that the struggle is counterproductive. Subsequently, the situation calls for a theological examination of the activists' praxis through the lens of three sub-theological disciplines, namely social gospel, political and public theologies. It is argued that the NNPA is neither based on any of the three theological sub-disciplines nor any other specific theology. Thus, this article upheld that where a struggle for good governance from a Christian perspective lacks a solid theological foundation, its approach may be counterproductive. The article then recommended the need for NNPA to evolve through a constructive theology with the adoption of some concepts from the three theological sub-disciplines, especially public theology. Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: This article aligns with the scope of Verbum et Ecclesia as it created a conversation around dogmatic and historical theologies, socio-political interaction and African neo-Pentecostalism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Notably, in his first work he identifies Schleiermacher as a "metaphysician of spirit."[28] The second main reason for Bonhoeffer's criticism is Schleiermacher's Christology, a doctrine related to the ecclesiology of both authors. First, Bonhoeffer acknowledges Schleiermacher's robust view of human sociality, as shown in Schleiermacher's depiction of the primal state. In particular, I show how Bonhoeffer's resistance is animated by Luther's two-kingdoms thinking, a tradition that also informs Schleiermacher's own argument against the king's claim to Luther's authority. In its place, Schleiermacher became "the builder of the temple of I Humanität i ", while I religio i took the place of faith as the "final and finest possibility for human beings."[21] In the next section of the lecture, Bonhoeffer observes that "Schleiermacher established the proper territory of religion by localizing religion in the religious province of the s[oul]. [Extracted from the article]

Copyright of Protestantismo em Revista is the property of Nucleo de Estudos e Pesquisa do Protestantismo and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista Internacional de Pensamiento Político is the property of Revista Internacional de Pensamiento Politico - Universidad Pablo de Olavide and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper represents a critical analysis of Eastern Orthodox perspective on Human Rights in two important official documents issued by some of the most prominent patriarchates: Moscow and Constantinople. They are compared and looked at from a public theology's point of view as outlined by Max Stackhouse. At the same time, in this article it will be emphasized the fact that the same Eastern Orthodox theological tradition is to be credited for two significantly different approaches on the topic at hand. The recorded differences are to be interpreted in such a manner as to account for a possible paradigm shift in Orthodox 'rights talk'. But this shift is more evident in contact with Western environment where the Eastern Orthodox Christian tradition is just one of the religious and public voices in a pluralist, globalized and secularized society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract. This study discussed pastoral activities during the Covid-19 pandemic through WhatsApp group as pastoral space. It investigated group-based communication in WhatsApp based on a survey toward the Catholic Family Ministry in the Diocese of Malang. The result was that the conversations in the WhatsApp group in form of reflections, shared links, inspiration, prayers, and information showed that the ecclesiastical community has the courage to be present and involved in human life today. Conversations in WhatsApp groups taught and shared Christian values that opposed to individualism, consumerism, and hedonism, as well as to be a space to proclaim the values of Christian life, namely: love, care, fellowship, justice, peace, solidarity, sharing and living hopefully to God the source of life. Abstrak. Penelitian ini mendiskusikan aktivitas pastoral selama masa pandemi Covid-19 yang menggunakan WhatsApp group sebagai ruang pastoral. Metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah metode survey. Studi ini mensurvey percakapan yang terjadi di Whatsapp group komunitas Catholic Family Ministry Keuskupan Malang. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa percakapan dalam WhatsApp group berupa renungan, share link, inspirasi, doa, dan informasi menunjukkan bahwa komunitas gerejawi berani hadir dan terlibat dalam hidup manusia pada masa kini. Percakapan dalam WhatsApp group menampilkan nilai Kristiani yang melawan individualisme, konsumerisme dan hedonism di ruang digital, dan sebaliknya, menjadi ruang menyuarakan nilai-nilai kehidupan Kristiani, yaitu: cinta kasih, perhatian, persekutuan, keadilan, perdamaian, solidaritas, berbagi serta hidup penuh pengharapan kepada Allah Sang Sumber Hidup.

No abstract available.

For most readers, myself included, the views and opinions on the Russian attack and consequent war in Ukraine are dependent on the main media houses, who present the situation in a certain language. In this article, Badiou’s understanding of democratic materialism (languages and bodies) will be explored within the context of the war, and how language is used to order bodies into categories of good and evil. In democratic materialism, there are only bodies and languages, but no truth. The question that will be explored in these few pages is, is there a way beyond democratic materialism via truth towards a materialist dialectic? Contribution: The paper contributes to the current discussion on the war in Ukraine and tries to make sense of the geopolitical context of the war. It then seeks to engage with these discourses from a theological perspective.

The German sociologist, Max Weber, argued that politics has to be taken as a vocation just like other fields of academic and professional engagements. He did this by reconsidering his earlier view on ethics of conviction, which he thought does not hold sufficient promise to address the political atmosphere of his day. To consolidate this proposal, Weber proposed an ethic of responsibility which, for him, carries some great promise to advance politics as a vocation. In this article, however, I engage with these thoughts and proposals by Weber in order to deduce some lessons on how politics could be considered as vocation. This was thought to carry some promise in the African context of political engagement in reducing misappropriation, mismanagement, and wastefulness of both human and material resources. This article concludes that taking politics as a vocation would enhance the placement of value on human lives over things as it is the case in the African context. Contribution: This contribution would ensure that individuals intending to take politics as a vocation have a different view of politics other than amassing wealth, but to render service to humanity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article seeks to contribute to the discourse from the perspective of opinion editorials (op-eds). We searched and collected a large sample of op-eds (N=110) from three major national newspaper archives to achieve this purpose. A thematic content analysis captured the central theme of the data related to the research question. There is a pressing need for the leaders of the Church to reform in three specific areas of its institution that can enable them to generate actions suitable to the changing social conditions. The results of this study have application potential for identifying the factors that could influence the reception or non-reception of the Church's social and moral teachings in Philippine society with all its dynamic problems and challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Communitarians and public theologians alike tend to discuss the church's identity as a clearly demarcated community separated from the world or public life, each defining publicness as something that is found outside the church. It is a more likely argument that publicness is already present in the congregation as a place of difference: it is possible for the particulars of the community to interact, engage, and mutually benefit the various social realms present in and through the congregants. This public identity renders engagement with the public an unavoidable reality and provides an opportunity for the congregation to become a fruitful space for the work of public theology by embracing this reality through the development of a public posture of openness, accessibility, and accountability, which would improve both the church's internal ministry and its ministry in the world beyond its community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates African American protests with particular interest in major movements of the civil rights and hip-hop eras. While scholars argue over the comparisons between the two eras, this work searches for underlining philosophical strands that may locate black protest as intimately cultural-theological. It considers Bourdieu's habitus as ideological framework to understand philosophical and even more so theological dynamics of black protest. Cultural-theological conclusions inform contemporary protests of their ideological roots in philosophical underpinnings crucial to identity and more rigorous intergenerational effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While traditionally predicated of the individual's will, sin seems to become enmeshed in our social structures and woven within the very fabric of our societies. The analysis of these social structures requires greater precision as does the manner in which the call to Christian charity conditions the response to them. This article seeks to extend the conceptual tool developed by Daniel Daly wherein social structures are evaluated in light of their vicious or virtuous nature with the help of nineteenth century abolitionist David Ruggles. Through this lens it becomes possible to see the vicious nature of a social structure that is concretized in the manner in which it shapes participants and, by extension, the manner in which it perverts the Christian community. Ruggles provides a helpful re-articulation of Christian charity as embodied resistance that seeks the progressive freedom of those in bondage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Historians have held that colonialism and Western missionary enterprise were two distinct and unrelated entries to pre-colonial Kenya. How then did Christianity for decades live side by side with colonialism? The impact of that unholy relationship is felt and sustained in contemporary forms of violence. Whiteness realizes that is hard to enter into something that is in harmony. Therefore, separation needs to happen for Whiteness to succeed. Unfortunately, much of our theological understanding today is tempered with a neocolonial mindset that separates the soul from the body for Christian triumphalism. This paper will analyze the impact of Whiteness in Kenya during and after colonialism to demonstrate how the British explorer-settler-missionary alliance oiled the religious and economic disenfranchising of African people. Secondly, it proposes a political theology that will restore 'Shalom' in a socially, economically, and spiritually broken country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peace building in our societies should be central to Christian theology. In a postcommunist culture as is the case of Romania, part of the task of Christian theology is to construct the proper trajectories to peace building by looking back at the time when the Church was trapped in dictatorial clutches. Referring to the Pentecostal Church in Romania, we will see that the best way of bringing to light the possible contributions towards peace building is by making use of the category of "imaginary". This category helps us both to uncover the decisive identity markers of a given spirituality and to find those much-needed contributions towards peace building. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article responds to Robert Tally, For a Ruthless Critique of All that Exists. It relates his ideas to practical and public theology. Tally bemoans the negative attitude towards critical theory within the humanities. This tendency, away from theory towards surface reading of contexts, phenomena, and texts, is something that the theological disciplines in practical and public theology also need to take cognisance of, but it is also clearly visible in the public debate. I specifically focus on public and practical theology as these are the disciplines that directly engage with contemporary public discourses. Surface reading of texts and contexts might be the only option left if one understands the world as a capitalist world without any alternatives, or a universe of technical images, and yet in this article, I will seek to argue with Tally that there is more, namely that which calls these texts forth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Politica y Sociedad is the property of Universidad Complutense de Madrid and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Policy decisions in healthcare inherently involve value choices, but these are rarely made explicit. As a health economist participating in policy debates, I have become increasingly concerned about the profession's implicit values and began to explore – through a PhD in theology – what a theologically informed basis for health economics, and healthcare funding in particular, might comprise. The result is articulation of a set of principles derived from the parable of the 'Good' Samaritan – compassion, social justice and stewardship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The contributions of the church to the social, economic and political growth of Ghana have been locally and internationally recognized. There is the need therefore, to subject the nature, prospects and challenges of the Christian advocacy of the church in Ghana to intellectual scrutiny to identify the issues that must be addressed for the church to perform its advocacy effectively. The study is an examination of the Christian advocacy ministry of the church in Ghana. It used both primary and secondary materials to generate data. Minutes and reports were examined for some primary information. The analysis of the available information points to the fact that the church must pay attention to niche management, capacity building of church leaders, enhance its public theology, creation of platforms for reflections, address the attacks on voices of wisdom, and direct attention to the role of the non-clergy in the advocacy ministry for its future Christian advocacy ministry. The study has added to knowledge in the disciplines of Church and Society and Public Theology.

Faith in public life can be associated with Christianity in Ghana from the days of the early Western missionaries. Christian faith perspectives on matters of public concerns however, assumed a wider scope with the practice of regular issuance of communiques to governments and the people of Ghana by the churches. Christian ministry is expected to be holistic. A holistic approach in Christian ministry is considered to lead to the holistic development of the nation for the common good and the glory of God. Church leaders subsequently, bring their faith perspectives to matters of public concerns as a ministerial mandate to be in pilgrimage with the people. The study is a reflection on how the churches’ communiques are done and the factors that make the communiques theological in the public space. It further seeks to identify the contribution of the construction of communiques to public theology in Christianity in Ghana. The study as qualitative, examines both available primary and secondary sources. Copies of communiques of some selected churches, ecumenical bodies and joint communiques by ecumenical bodies are examined to appreciate insights of communiques by the churches. The study seeks to make a contribution to the theological construction of public theologies in Ghana and African Christianity.