Search

Preaching was an important medium for disseminating images of Jews and Judaism during the Reformation, but scholars have neglected the reliance of preachers on classical histories, particularly those of Josephus, to construct these images. By examining postil sermons delivered annually on the Tenth Sunday after Trinity and printed in German-speaking lands between 1514 and 1622, this study argues that histories were central to the portrayal of Jews and Judaism by Lutheran, Catholic, and Reformed preachers. This clerical portrayal explained the Christian understanding of Jews and Judaism and sociopolitical status of early modern Jews, but in the context of the Reformation the image further served the doctrinal and moral programs of the clergy and built confessional identity. This research illustrates the importance of non-biblical sources in Reformation preaching and the application of clerical learning for cultural and historical instruction of the broader population in addition to religious teaching. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article compares recent disparate hermeneutical proposals in order to draw out essential elements of a Christian hermeneutic of wisdom, which involves the tension of the gift and call of the gospel and recognizes Christ as the essential point of orientation. This approach is applied to 1 Corinthians, (re)reading chs. 1–4 in light of ch. 13 and thereby demonstrating that Paul's view of wisdom is a qualitative, holistic integration of devotions, convictions, and actions. For Paul, the gospel of Christ is not just Christocentric in content and focus, but also Christomorphic in form and effect. On this basis, this article argues that in 1 Corinthians Paul portrays true wisdom as the Christomorphic edification of the church toward the eschatological telic revelation of the wisdom of Jesus Christ, which involves an essential tension between what is known and what is unknown yet will be revealed in Christ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It may appear odd to write a review article focused on two books that are fundamentally different in intention and scope. The first is a self-conscious attempt by a moral theologian of conservative inclinations to contribute a Christian ethical perspective to the culture wars currently raging on both sides of the Atlantic on empire, race, and slavery. Its author, Nigel Biggar, is the Emeritus Professor of Moral and Pastoral Theology at the University of Oxford. The second book is a collection of papers by imperial and mission historians given at a workshop at the Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand, in July 2018. Its brief is more limited, namely to explore the professed commitment of nineteenth-century Christian missions to bringing a gospel of peace into contexts that were frequently sites of violence, not least between indigenous peoples and European settlers and other colonial actors. Its geographical remit is limited to Africa and the Pacific. Biggar's book has provoked a predictable storm of criticism, both within the historical academy and beyond it. The Journal of Imperial and Commonwealth History , for example, rapidly published a 15,000–word rebuttal of Biggar's arguments by Alan Lester, Professor of Historical Geography at the University of Sussex, together with an almost equally lengthy reply by Biggar. In contrast, Geoffrey Troughton's edited volume, extremely valuable though it undoubtedly is, seems unlikely to attract notice beyond the limited constituencies of professional historians and scholars of mission studies. Although obviously differing in character, these two books, when set in juxtaposition, bring into focus some of the most pertinent issues raised for Christianity by the imperial past and the ambiguous role played within it by Christian missions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some Anglican Churches have adopted permissive acceptance of abortion while expressing the hope it will be rare. This presumes competition between the welfare of the woman and that of her unborn child. In this article, I will critique statements from the Church of England and The Episcopal Church, United States through a feminist-pastoral perspective. I will look principally at early abortions which are often a response to unintended pregnancy. I will discuss abortion alongside miscarriage challenging pro-natal assumptions inherent in the Christian tradition. I will also discuss the costs of pregnancy. In doing so, I will draw on the pragmatic and pastoral strengths of Anglican theology to argue for a position that respects and supports women's moral decision to not bring a new life into being, recognizing this can be a considered response for the welfare of a potential child as well as for the woman. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the intersection of societal realities, religious convictions, and pastoral care within the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT), focusing on unwed mothers. The article, rooted in John 8:1-11 which depicts Jesus’ encounter with the adulterous woman, aims to address the unique challenges faced by unwed mothers within the ELCT. It employs a multidisciplinary approach, including biblical exegesis, pastoral theology, and sociocultural analysis, to explore these complexities and highlight the compassionate aspects of Jesus’ response. The objectives are to examine societal and cultural influences impacting unwed mothers, analyse current pastoral practices within the ELCT, and propose a pastoral care framework that integrates biblical principles with cultural sensitivity. Ultimately, the article seeks to promote an inclusive and compassionate pastoral framework within the ELCT, enhancing the well-being of unwed mothers in the church community.

The editorial in the Journal of Medical Humanities expresses gratitude to past editors and highlights the contributions of key figures in the field. The author, Nathan Carlin, shares his personal journey into medical humanities and emphasizes the importance of the field in medical education. Carlin aims to continue the legacy of his mentors by promoting critical approaches and encouraging contributions from clinicians. The editorial reflects a growing interest in medical humanities and the journal's commitment to publishing high-quality material. [Extracted from the article]

This document is an editorial from the International Journal of Practical Theology, reflecting on the author's twelve-year tenure as managing editor. The author discusses the submissions received during their time, noting that approximately 25% were published after a rigorous peer review process. The author highlights the diverse range of topics and methodologies in practical theology, including pastoral theology and public theology. They also acknowledge the challenges of internationalization, such as language barriers and different academic cultures. The editorial concludes by introducing the articles featured in the current issue, covering topics such as religious education, liturgics, and piety research. The text discusses the challenges and benefits of internationalizing Practical Theology. It highlights the diversity and breadth of the field, which ranges from public theological and religious matters to pastoral theological approaches. The author emphasizes the need for readers to engage with unfamiliar details, understand different perspectives, and be tolerant of solutions that may not apply in their own context. The text also acknowledges the difficulties faced by editors in evaluating submissions from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds. The article concludes by expressing curiosity about the future of the journal and the dynamics of internationalizing Practical Theology. It also provides a brief overview of the articles included in the current issue, which cover topics such as church education policy, liturgy and autism, baptism practices, experiences of grace, and the longing for social connection in a church community. [Extracted from the article]

Enarrationes in Psalmos are an important source for understanding the Augustinian theology of desire, linking it to his systematic theology and his pastoral practice. In this paper I illustrate by overviewing the expositions on Psalms 10 (11 in the Masoretic numbering), 11 (12), 12 (13), 23 (24), and 26 (27). These Psalms teach us to love, trust, and seek God only, a failure to do which marks the Donatist schism. Augustine mingles ideas from pagan philosophy’s quest for eudaimonia or beata vita-the good, happy, and blessed life-with biblical ideas. We want a stable happiness, and we must pursue wisdom; we can find stability in the rock that is Christ, to follow whom is to pursue wisdom rightly. Our desires must be converted to God, the only complete and perfect good and the source of eternal happiness, whom we must single-mindedly pursue with prayer and faith. While we must desire the eschaton and look to no earthly satisfaction, earthly goods may be received as gifts from God. One thing we can learn from studying the Enarrationes is how closely connected are the ideas of right love, the right church, and the right end; all three go together in Augustine’s theology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identifying variables that impact students' grades is a constant concern but also a challenge for teachers in the field of educational sciences. The study investigates the association between selfefficacy, positive affect, anxiety, and students' expected grades before the final exam of bachelor university studies. The study is based on Pekrun's (2006) control-value theory, and it aims to investigate the relationship between self-efficacy, anxiety, positive affect, and students' expected grades. Specifically, the study seeks to understand how anxiety mediates the relationship between self-efficacy and expected grades and how positive affect mediates the positive relationship between self-efficacy and anxiety levels. The study was conducted on 170 students from Primary and Preschool Education Pedagogy and Orthodox Pastoral Theology studying at a state university in Romania. The students completed the assessment tools that assess the research variables: general self-efficacy, positive affect, anxiety - as a self-regulated learning strategy - and the student's expected grade in the bachelor exam. The results of the structural equation modeling indicate that the level of self-efficacy has an impact on student anxiety levels. This anxiety, in turn, negatively influences the expected grades that students predict before taking the assessment tests required to complete their bachelor's studies. Therefore, anxiety acts as a mediator between self-efficacy and expected grades. Additionally, the results show that the relationship between selfefficacy and anxiety is mediated by positive affect. These findings emphasize the importance of effective teaching and learning methods that promote academic success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the reconsideration of clerical clothing among Evangelicals, exploring its potential as meaningful symbols of pastoral duty and office. Topics include the historical roots of clerical attire in the Old Testament, the cultural significance of clothing as an art form, and proposals for Evangelical pastors to adopt traditional clerical clothing as part of their sartorial repertoire, guided by an understanding of the beauty of Christ.

This article aims to trace the history of hiv/aids in Central America, with particular attention to El Salvador. Its first section presents a periodization that details the evolution of the response and understanding of the region in the social context. The second section focuses on a detailed periodization of how faith communities reacted to the presence of hiv/aids, especially highlighting their responses to the affected people. The third section of the article provides a biblical, theological, and pastoral perspective from the early days to the current response of faith communities to hiv/aids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores a tension between Francis's openness to 'liminality' and certain papal statements condemning transness that reproduce the ways in which people are marginalised as trans. It seeks to make sense of these tensions, reading them back through Francis's theology of history, and suggesting a place for trans people to locate ourselves within the Church in spite of them. It argues that Francis's failings around transness can be viewed as 'limitations' to be overcome in a redemptive movement. It then argues that Francis's theology of history is reflected in his 'dialogical' use of authority, which admits a space and role for us as pastorally accompanying the Church beyond these limitations. Finally, it argues that Francis's pastoral theology is founded on a theology of encounter which suggests that this process is an expression of divine love that draws people to God through a loving encounter with others. Trans people are thus called to put ourselves at the service of this love, and can take hope in its powers even amidst our own weakness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article provides a critical overview of African American pastoral theology. It documents the discipline’s history, developments, major themes, sources, and methods. Particular focus is given to the unique contributions African American pastoral theology, within the liberal protestant tradition, has made and will continue make to pastoral theology at large. African American pastoral theology has exposed how normative pastoral theological paradigms – such as shepherding – fail to address the various challenges facing the African American community. As a corrective, African American pastoral theology draws upon the communal experiences of the African American community itself to develop theologically derived and culturally relevant perspectives and strategies for effective pastoral care. Particularly in response to the call for liberation in African American contexts, African American pastoral theology utilizes cognate sources that speak, prophetically, to the African American community’s fight against oppression. And yet, because the experiences in the African American context are so diverse, African American pastoral theology must remain committed to the ongoing process of theological revision. The interrogation of prevailing pastoral theological paradigms requires ongoing reflection on an important question: where is a word (or the Word) that speaks life to African Americans today?

The article "Between a Gift and das Gift: How to Fulfill our Call in a New Age of AI" explores the linguistic origins of the words "gift" and "das Gift" in English and German, highlighting the shift in meaning of "das Gift" from "gift" to "poison." It discusses the potential impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on theological education, emphasizing the need for librarians to guide users in discerning credible information from AI-generated content. The article also addresses the importance of bridging the digital divide, considering the environmental impact of AI, and collaborating with AI developers to maximize the benefits of this technology while mitigating potential risks. [Extracted from the article]

Engelhardt's critiques of "generic chaplaincy" rely on the argument that chaplains are secular; however, professionally certified chaplains must maintain ordination with an ecclesial body. Engelhardt's concerns are better directed at the academic subfield that supports and trains chaplains: pastoral theology. That field is somewhat guilty of forced ecumenism because it attempts a universal theology rooted in experience and the social sciences rather than the authority of creeds, ecclesial bodies, or traditions. Pastoral theology makes too many sacrifices to the authority of the behavioral sciences without sufficient appreciation for sacramental theology and the spiritual bonds that rituals effect in communities of shared belief. In this model, ritual is reduced to its instrumental value in addressing the emotional needs of patients rather than viewed as efficacious spiritual care. Chaplains should take a holistic approach to theology so that they can better identify the duties and scope of interfaith spiritual care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

University chaplaincy has undergone significant change in recent times as universities have been impacted by global events as well as cultural shifts and forces in the tertiary education sector. This article reflects on my experience as a Christian chaplain in two large civic universities in New Zealand and Scotland. It explores the disruptions and opportunities of this period of instability in those contexts and how these might concretely inform the practise of ministry with students and staff. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the theology of Tradition of the Dominican Yves Congar was highly influential in drafting the Dogmatic Constitution Dei Verbum at the Second Vatican Council, postconciliar debates neglected some of the most original aspects of this theology. This article proposes a retrieval of the notion of Tradition as ' milieu éducatif ', advanced by the theologian in Tradition and Traditions , as a valuable resource for contemporary discussions on Christian formation. It intends to highlight how Congar connected the theological realities of revelation and its transmission by the Church with the concrete practice of Christian life. This notion is, then, put in conversation with contemporary Christian thinkers who have reflected on the practical aspects of Christian formation, chiefly James K.A. Smith. This dialogue aims to show the relevance of Congar's notion to current discussions. While the theology of Tradition exposed by the French Dominican can be completed and specified by current proposals, it can also offer a new theological depth to those proposals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Theological/spiritual reflection in psychotherapeutic practice has increased in recent years. Approaches for reflection and integration vary depending on the practitioner's spiritual and theoretical beliefs. The integrative approach utilized in this paper is derived from a phenomenological perspective of the author, who was schooled in pastoral theology and later family therapy. Considering the pastoral theologian Seward Hiltner's perspectival approach, this integrative approach creates a conversational method, integrating the client's concerns with specific narrative therapy interventions or practices and the theological/spiritual concepts of immanence–transcendence. Finally, this case study's methodology offers constructive questions that clinical practitioners can apply to specific psychotherapy approaches as well as theological concepts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For over one hundred years, scholars have argued that there was a ban on presbyterial preaching in southern Gaul throughout the fifth century. This ban was purportedly lifted at the Council of Vaison (529) at the behest of Caesarius of Arles in order to preach the gospel in the countryside. While scholars have called the effectiveness of the ban into question, this article makes a stronger critique, arguing that there was neither a ban nor a unified local preaching tradition. It further suggests that presbyterial preaching was a critical and highly regulated component of the church's power in fifth‐century Gaul. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This essay examines the connectedness between cultural trauma theory and decolonial studies in pastoral theology, demonstrating the denotation of collective trauma in South Korea and Korean Christianity from past colonial and war experiences. Although cultural trauma theory is well established in studying the case of the Holocaust and Western context, it has not yet explored the trauma of the Third World in a fully fledged manner. Rather, it still employs a Western-centered discourse that is unable to explain the disparity of power dynamics based on colonial values. Therefore, a critical analysis is essential to develop a decolonial discourse between cultural trauma theory and pastoral theology. The case of Korean cultural trauma and its relation to Korean Protestantism is a good starting point for addressing decolonial pastoral care in that the Korean church is still complicit in the colonial religious inheritances concerning its colonized ways of thinking and psyche. Throughout this essay, I argue that Korean social identity and Protestantism are reproducing the harmful reaction of in-group exclusion under the impact of cultural trauma. Finally, I provide a pastoral theological analysis of this discussion in order to suggest a new possibility of decolonial pastoral care for the traumatized Korean society and Christianity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the face of rising secularization and the waning influence of the Church, contemporary pastoral theology encounters both a formidable challenge and an enticing opportunity in the postmod­ern era. This article explores how enhanced interdisciplinary engagement of pastoral theology can fos­ter a renewed approach to evangelization aligned with contemporary sensibilities. Through a compre­hensive literature review, we shed light on the experiences of the postmodern individual. By applying the analogy method and anchoring the concepts of “Logos Spermaticos” and “Influence and Vulnerabil­ity” in pastoral theology, we reveal its potential contribution to the interdisciplinary evolution of the con­cept of universal fraternity. The analysis shows that interdisciplinary collaboration in pastoral theology unfolds developmental prospects on two levels – learning from and learning with other disciplines. The “Logos Spermaticos” concept underscores the importance of acquiring new skills, empowering pastoral workers to communicate Christian doctrine more effectively. Simultaneously, the “Influence and Vulner­ability” concept fosters a dialogical approach, positioning pastoral theology as a respected interlocutor in contemporary interdisciplinary dialogues. Collaborative efforts with other disciplines empower pastoral theology to foster dialogue and deepen the idea of universal fraternity, both in academic discourse and practical application. The interdisciplinary and global development of fraternal humanism represents the necessary “loosening of the soil” for the seed of the Word of God to sprout in the future. Therefore, it becomes imperative for pastoral theology to transcend its conventional role, actively engaging in inter­disciplinary dialogue, thereby charting a course toward an elevated societal role and innovative avenues for proclaiming the Gospel.

Spousal abuse is one of the foremost threats to peaceful coexistence in families the world over. In Ghana, stakeholders, particularly Christian leaders, have raised concerns about the increasing violence associated with spousal abuse, which sometimes results in the death of victims. Although both men and women suffer abuse in marriages, those meted out to women are prevalent. While substantial effort has been made by biblical scholars to discuss these problems in the light of the New Testament teachings on marriage, a gap still remains on what light the Hebrew Bible could shed on these matters. This article, using the distinctive interest approach of African biblical hermeneutics, examines Psalm 45 as a text of Hebrew Poetry intended to accompany the marriage ritual. It argues that the portrayal of the bride and groom, and the admonitions offered in the psalm contain some of the same disturbing elements present in contemporary Ghanaian marriage celebrations, elements that engender spousal abuse. The article proposes both a theological and cultural review of these elements as a way of attenuating their combined negative effect on the marriage institution in contemporary Ghana. Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: This brings African biblical hermeneutics into dialogue with issues in gender studies, World Christianity, Pastoral Theology and the Exegesis of the Hebrew Psalter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article is a concise rendition of the author's inaugural lecture and tracks his academic journey with the contextualisation of practical theology and pastoral care in an African context. It latches onto the inter-contextual dialogue between Western and African notions of practical theology and pastoral care, and positions it in a post coronavirus disease (COVID-19) glocal African context. It is argued that the post COVID-19 era signalled significant changes that will influence the path of future endeavours in the subject field, especially when it strives to be relevant in both the local and global contexts. A preliminary agenda for future deliberations is presented which focusses on the consequences of intensified pre-COVID-19 socio-economic realities, the implications of the disruption of traditional religious culture, and post COVID-19 challenges to higher education. The article concludes that the hallmark of contextualised practical theology and pastoral care in the African context is to be sought in being mindful of the challenges of the immediate local context as well as that of the global context. Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: By engaging a post COVID-19 glocal African context from a practical theological and pastoral stance, the research engages social, economic and educational sciences to come to its findings. The resultant view that post COVID-19 practical theology and pastoral care should be mindful of both local and global contexts has implications for both academic practical theology and theological higher education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intimate, a-rhythm autobiographical experiences, originating from my own life text, serve as initial rhetorical spaces in which possible melodies of persuasion can be heard. In this regard, polyphony serves as the central metaphor in this article. Initially, this musical metaphor acquired theological meaning in the Christological reflection of the well-known German theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Four idiomatic soundtracks, namely tonedeaf, rhythm, polyphonic narratives, and dance determine the structure of the article. Although each of these soundtracks represents a unique story, together they create a harmonious melody, as in the central metaphor of polyphony. In this newly composed polyphonous melody, my own voice is audibly and rhetorically integrated with the resonant tone of development within practical theology and pastoral care. The new contribution offered by this article is found in the autobiographical pastoral reflections of persuasion on the newly composed polyphonic melody, creating a harmonious rhythm within identity and praxis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pastoral theology is seeking new forms of evangelisation to address people in the postmodern socio-cultural context and help them recognise the richness of the spiritual tradition. According to the principle of 'logoi spermatikoi', theology must open itself to the insights of some other disciplines, implement them and enrich them with its own content. Pastoral theology may find an important interlocutor in psychotherapy, which has developed working methods that are very attractive for people nowadays, addressing their individuality, putting their personal experience at the centre, strengthening their sense of autonomy and ability to form good relationships, and helping them use and regulate their emotions in their daily lives. We propose attachment theory as the starting point for the application of psychotherapeutic interventions in pastoral practice. Attachment theory is having a major impact on the development of contemporary psychotherapy and is also increasingly finding expression in contemporary Christian anthropology. The application of psychotherapeutic interventions in pastoral practice can make an important contribution to establishing a secure relationship between the pastoral worker and the believer, creating a foundation for sincere dialogue and spiritual accompaniment. In this article we present some basic psychotherapeutic interventions, their potential application in pastoral practice, and the expected effects of their use. We draw attention to some ethical dilemmas, to the importance of the safe transfer of interventions in pastoral care, and to the need for research to show the real effects of the use of these interventions in practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the pastoral theology of John Knox during his time at St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh. It discusses the practical aspects of Knox's ministry, including church finances, property ownership, and church governance, which he believed were crucial for the church's well-being. The article also provides historical context on the Scottish Reformation and Knox's experiences in St Andrews before his ministry in Edinburgh. It concludes with an analysis of the pastoral emphases found in Knox's work. Additionally, the text explores the challenges faced by Knox in Edinburgh, such as conflicts with Mary, Queen of Scots, and the death of his wife. It also discusses the introduction of the office of superintendent in the First Book of Discipline to address the shortage of ministers and further evangelization efforts. The text delves into Knox's personal grief and the political landscape of the time, including concerns about the Protestant cause in Scotland due to Mary, Queen of Scots potentially remarrying. It highlights the emergency Convention of Estates called in January 1561, which presented a revised version of the First Book of Discipline to establish the Church of Scotland. The General Assembly of the Church of Scotland was formed, addressing issues such as suppressing idolatry and managing church finances. While the nobility accepted the theological aspects of the Church's organization, they rejected some financial proposals. Despite Knox's pessimism, the nobility's actions aimed to maintain stability during the transition from the Roman Catholic Church to the Scottish crown. The text also discusses Knox's concerns and [Extracted from the article]

This article is an interview with Prof. Julian Müller, a prominent scholar in practical and pastoral theology. The interview explores Prof. Müller's transition from ministry to academia, his research interests, and his insights on the future of practical and pastoral theology in South Africa. Prof. Müller's reflections offer valuable perspectives on the dynamic nature of practical theology and its relevance in addressing contemporary challenges. His research trajectory has evolved from homiletics and liturgy to pastoral care, narrative, and interdisciplinary studies. He emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and the use of metaphorical thinking in practical theology and pastoral care. Prof. Müller's work blurs the boundaries between practical theological research and pastoral theological research, emphasizing a holistic mindset and interconnectedness. The text discusses the development of practical theology and its interdisciplinary nature, outlining a seven-movement structure for research in the field. It also highlights the role of student engagement in practical theological research and the changing landscape of practical and pastoral theology in South Africa. The author refrains from identifying a single greatest practical or pastoral theologian and instead emphasizes the continuous evolution and renewal of the field. The highlight of the author's academic career is being invited to present an expert lecture at the University of Pretoria. [Extracted from the article]

Fr Adrian Budica reflects theologically on the pastoral ministry of a chaplain from on Orthodox perspective. It reflects the author's personal journey through Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) towards chaplaincy, connecting the insights about this ministry gathered in this training with his own Orthodox faith in connecting points such as: extending Christ's presence to others, Christ's ministry in the three unctions/roles (Prophet, King/Leader and Priest), Christ's presence in suffering (St Silouan's testimony) and the Sacrament of Repentance/Confession. The author draws basic distinctions while trying to hold both roles in his work (priest and chaplain). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Considering the intermingling of problems in today's multi-crisis environment, this text explores the possibilities of intertwining social work and pastoral care. In the search for effective approaches, we find dynamic patterns in the activities of the Royová (Roy) sisters. Their diaconal work is an important source for social work history illustrating how social work took the form of diaconal (charity) work with a rich pastoral reach at the time. Their activities represent a natural link between Christian anthropology and social work. This study mainly investigates the Christian (spiritual) basis of the social and charitable activities of the Royová sisters, the beginnings of the institutionalisation of social and charitable work in Slovakia and Serbia through the organisations founded by the Royová sisters, the Christian-social interpersonal contribution of the Roy sisters to the development of Slovak and European social work personified by their cooperation with several personalities of social and charitable work at the international, national, and local levels, and the contribution of the Roy sisters in the creation of women's, volunteer, and international roots of social and charitable work in Slovakia and Europe. In their responses to the needs of their environment, we find significant stimuli for pastoral theology, which is supposed to respond to the needs of the multi-crisis environment of today. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pastoral theological scholarship on moral injury has not yet fully metabolized the liberative trajectory of pastoral theological discourse. To date, the care of those who come home from war remains largely depoliticized. This article argues that the wounds of war are personal and political and that care requires attending to the political dimension. The first section of the article sets the current pastoral theology conversation around moral injury within the historical context of the field around the care of veterans and the depoliticized nature of the clinical literature. The second section of the article argues the liberative trajectory of the field provides not only a basis for a robustly political response but also sets of relevant conceptual categories and care resources for veterans. The third section takes up Ryan LaMothe's concept of "unconventional warriorism" as a basis for reimagining the political agency of soldiers and veterans. The article concludes by sketching out a broad proposal for the integration of politics and care for veterans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article speaks to the relationship between social action and mission. It argues that mission at church-based, intercultural initiatives is better understood and enabled when principles and practices of pastoral care are applied. A study of four church-based intercultural initiatives in Melbourne demonstrated that the development of intercultural pastoral care practices offers a way to understand mission that is relevant for local-church-based community initiatives. Pastoral care and mission have a confused relationship in the literature and are brought into conversation with these four case studies, demonstrating that pastoral theology has insights to offer mission. In particular, this article explores themes of compassion and empathy, formation for hospitality, and the need for deeper spiritual formation in local, church-based, intercultural community initiatives. This is an important understanding at a time when many Western Christians seem at a loss to know how to effectively engage with others in a rapidly changing and often indifferent society. It is suggested that mission is framed as pastoral care at similar church-based initiatives. Pastoral formational practices of reflective practice, spiritual engagement and supervision are recommended for all engaged in church-based, intercultural mission and this has broader relevance to all engaged in mission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An editorial is presented on the renaming of the organization from Christian Education Journal to the Society of Professors in Christian Ministry (SPCM) and its continued commitment to Christian education. Topics include the historical background of the organization, the rationale behind the name change, and the emphasis on the ministry of teaching in ecclesial and church-adjacent contexts.

The Church in Nigeria, like the Church in many parts of the world, is faced with the challenge of pastorally and practically applying the teachings of the Church to the lived- life experience of the faithful. One of the areas we believe she should pay attention to is the question of exorcism. From every indication, there is no clear pastoral plan in this regard. This situation exposes the faithful to all manner of dangerous possibilities when faced with issues they consider to border on the demonic. Already in Nigeria, there is a plethora of people who claim to cast out demons: priests without their bishops' permission, some lay people and charismatic groups, Protestant and Pentecostal pastors, even witch doctors. When the faithful fail to get help and clear directives from the Church, they are left with no option than to turn to any of these groups, depending on the level of one's faith and one's understanding ofthe faith. But this state of affair really endangers the faith of the faithful. Our submission is that the Church in Nigeria should work out a pastoral plan that would take care of the needs of the demon-possessed and demon-tormented. We proffered solutions like the bishops appointing exorcists for their dioceses and the seminaries incorporating demonology into their curriculum or extracurricular studies. We also suggested that seminarians be helped to have some experience of real exorcism before their diaconate or priestly ordination. The bishop should find out which of his priests are disposed to this special ministry of exorcism and from the pool choose those to understudy the experienced exorcists in view of their eventual appointment as full-fledged exorcists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The essay aims to develop the nature of pastoral theology through orienting the Christian life of faith through a Jewish sense of otherness as the little goodness. In particular, together Pope Francis's Apostolic Exhortation, Gaudete et exsultate (Rejoice and Be Glad), and Emmanuel Levinas's ethical metaphysics will be a significant inspiration. Perseverance through adversity in the hope of joy and gladness is both a Jewish and a Christian biblical theme giving light to the mysteries and practice of faith. There is much to reflect about holiness and the mystery of God that Christians can learn from Jewish experience, thought, and writings. In pursuit of care for others, God's presence in the Other reveals an invincible little goodness evidencing a paschal and maternal character. Here, in the unity of prayer and responsibility, the voice and song of a Good Shepherd comes to mind, with stories of faith that impart hope for a little goodness to stir and bless life with joy and gladness from the heart. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gregory of Nazianzus is known for his role in the Pneumatomachian debates of the fourth century and the resultant Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed. He is less well known for his Oration 2, which was simultaneously a personal defense of his initial flight from the pastorate and also a pastoral theology which highlighted the dangers, difficulties, and duties of those called to the ministry. The oration is long, containing 170 sections, and so the focus will be on a smaller portion, highlighting the theme of the pastor as the physician of souls. After dealing with a few preliminary matters-- such as the setting for the oration and other introductory issues--the article moves to an analysis of sections 16-34 of Gregory's Oration 2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, the scholarly consensus that certain passages weighing in upon Papal Primacy in the letters of Pope Adrian I to the Ecumenical Council of Nicea II (JE 2448 and 2449) were originally missing in the Greek, and thereby not read out during the council, has been called into question. Though the aforementioned passages are missing from every Greek manuscript, they are found in the Latin retroversion of the Greek made by Anastasius the Librarian and in an independent Latin witness, the Collectio Britannica. While one may infer that Anastasius faithfully preserved the renderings of the Greek before it was allegedly corrupted, the weight of evidence inveighs against this as the aforementioned Papal Primacy passages lack any sign of retroversion. Furthermore, they contain fingerprints of forgery, including anachronisms and unattested Papal quotations whose words are borrowed to devise new, advanced jurisdictional claims similar to another contemporary forgery, the Pseudo- Isidorian Decretals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The subtitle to the conference upon which this journal issue is based invited us to 'follow Crowter'. This paper does so primarily by following the person and only thereby attends to the legal judgment. In particular, it will attend to her comment that When mum told me about the discrimination against babies like me in the womb, I felt like a knife had been put into my heart. It made me feel less valued than other people. The argument is that (I) there are strong reasons for such an approach from the field of theological ethics and that this is valuable for pastoral theology and for bioethics. With this case made, the argument proceeds (II) by following and building on three elements of Heidi Crowter's words concerning (a) the knife (b) the heart and (c) the person. The argument concludes (III) with theological reflection and deliberation regarding institutions, practices and actions which will make for 'ethical society', principally focussed on ecclesial life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article argues that pastoral insights into the dynamics of forgiveness are also relevant for pastoral care in post-secular society. While receiving forgiveness has been the raison d'etre of the sacrament of penance (a historical precursor to modern pastoral care), contemporary post-secular societies accentuate the problem of forgiving others. This article explores several paths for forgiving others that care seekers can walk, guided by pastors who provide maps and signposts. Methodologically, this article analyzes two pastoral care conversations about forgiving others, published in a Danish podcast series on the official homepage of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Denmark. These two conversations present a highway of unconditional forgiveness, in contrast to the dead end of not being able to forgive. This article explores how pastors can care for care seekers along these diametric roads, and along several byways, through surveys of relevant (theological) philosophy, systematic theology, and theology of pastoral care. The two care seekers are neither religious nor simply secular; they are post-secular, moving in and out of secular and religious discourses as appears relevant. The article concludes with reflections on pastoral care in different intercultural settings, specifically in post-secular societies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]