Religions

24 pages, 516 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Reflections on Universal Empathy: The Relevance of Shinran’s Thought for Contemporary Society

by Amy L. Umezu

Religions 2025, 16(7), 924; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16070924 - 17 Jul 2025

Through an examination of his core doctrinal points, I argue that Shinran’s conception of Pure Land Buddhism (Jōdo Shinshū) should not be so readily dismissed as one that is only salvific in an otherworldly sense, with no relevance to contemporary, everyday life, nor [...] Read more.

Through an examination of his core doctrinal points, I argue that Shinran’s conception of Pure Land Buddhism (Jōdo Shinshū) should not be so readily dismissed as one that is only salvific in an otherworldly sense, with no relevance to contemporary, everyday life, nor should it be reduced to a purely ethnic form of Buddhism without any reference to its universal dimension. Through this analysis, we will find that Shinran’s adoption of a unique and honest evaluation of our inner lives through receiving the wisdom and compassion of Amida Buddha can offer people of today’s world a way to embrace a spirit of self-acceptance so that one can live with confidence, integrity, and a modest joy, despite the manifold shortcomings of the human condition. Through the radical transformation of one’s dissatisfaction and suffering, an uncontrived ethical impulse is able to emerge, accompanied by a keen awareness of deep empathy for others, leading to an existence informed by empathy instead of animosity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Contemporary Approaches to Buddhist Philosophy and Ethics)

13 pages, 286 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Contemporary Discourse of Public Theology in the Face of Technological and Socio-Environmental Crises

by Jesús Sánchez-Camacho

Religions 2025, 16(7), 923; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16070923 - 17 Jul 2025

Abstract

This study explores the role of public theology in addressing contemporary societal challenges, emphasizing ethical dialogue in response to secularization, pluralism, technological transformation, and social and environmental issues. It situates pastoral theology in the Christian tradition as an active social practice aimed at [...] Read more.

This study explores the role of public theology in addressing contemporary societal challenges, emphasizing ethical dialogue in response to secularization, pluralism, technological transformation, and social and environmental issues. It situates pastoral theology in the Christian tradition as an active social practice aimed at promoting justice, equality, and the common good. The study highlights the emergence of public theology as a response to the participation of religious discourse in the public arena, considering communication and digital technology, and articulating theological reflection with real-world social issues. Additionally, it examines the profound significance of dialogue within religious discourse and stresses the importance of ethical reflection in technological advancements, particularly concerning AI (Artificial Intelligence). Moreover, Catholic social thought and the concept of integral ecology are analyzed in dialogue with the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals), underlining the potential of public theology to promote socio-environmental justice through a holistic approach. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Religion, Culture and Spirituality in a Digital World)

19 pages, 300 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Ravidassia in Italy: History, Geography, and Identity Politics of the Largest Punjabi Dalit Diaspora in the EU

by Annamaria Laudini

Religions 2025, 16(7), 922; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16070922 - 17 Jul 2025

Abstract

This article discusses caste dynamics within the Punjabi diaspora in Italy—the largest in the EU—by focusing on the case of the Ravidassia community and describing its evolving relations with the local Sikh community. Previous research on Punjabi migration to Italy mainly focused on [...] Read more.

This article discusses caste dynamics within the Punjabi diaspora in Italy—the largest in the EU—by focusing on the case of the Ravidassia community and describing its evolving relations with the local Sikh community. Previous research on Punjabi migration to Italy mainly focused on issues of labor exploitation, intermediation, and Sikh identity, often conflating the entire Punjabi population with its majoritarian—but far from exclusive—Sikh-Jatt component, thereby overlooking its internal heterogeneity of caste, religion, and class. Despite the growing number of Ravidassia-Chamar migrants in Italy—evidenced by the proliferation of Ravidassia temples and associations across the country—their migratory experiences, employment patterns, socioreligious practices, and inter-caste relationships remained unexplored. This article offers, for the first time, an overview of the history, geography, and identity politics of the Ravidassia in Italy. Drawing on data collected with Punjabi migrants during multi-sited ethnographic fieldwork, it illustrates the alternative strategies adopted by the Ravidassia to assert their identity in this diasporic context, focusing on cases in which their relations with the Sikh manifested their complex nature. It concludes by discussing the advantages and drawbacks of each strategy, in light of the history of power relations between the Ravidassia and the Sikh. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sikhi, Sikhs and Caste: Lived Experiences in a Global Context)

16 pages, 421 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Translating Euclid’s Elements into Chinese: Western Missionaries and the Enlightenment for Modern Chinese Mathematics During the Late Ming and Early Qing Dynasties

by Jiyun Huang, Shangqing Hu and Yafeng Li

Religions 2025, 16(7), 921; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16070921 - 17 Jul 2025

Abstract

During the late Ming and early Qing Dynasties, China underwent a period of broad-based economic and societal transformation. Among the cultural forces at play, the Christian culture has significantly impacted the trajectory of Chinese history. At the time, responding to a distinct socio-political [...] Read more.

During the late Ming and early Qing Dynasties, China underwent a period of broad-based economic and societal transformation. Among the cultural forces at play, the Christian culture has significantly impacted the trajectory of Chinese history. At the time, responding to a distinct socio-political environment, Western missionaries employed a variety of religious methodologies to pursue the goal of proselytizing. As part of missionary efforts, they introduced Western scientific and cultural knowledge into China alongside Christian doctrines, coinciding with a period of political and cultural transformation and development in China. Accordingly, this influx of new ideas from the West had a far-reaching impact on Chinese society. This paper focuses on the Chinese translation of Euclid’s Elements, examining the intercultural dissemination of Western mathematical knowledge through missionary activities. Furthermore, the study also elucidates the positive impact of Western mathematics carried with religious efforts on the Chinese traditional mathematical system via presenting a comparison of paradigms in mathematics. Finally, this study argues that the translation practice by Christian emissaries from the West in the natural sciences during the Ming and Qing Dynasties engendered novel intellectual currents, thereby facilitating the development of a contemporary Chinese knowledge framework and a shift in religious research toward comprehensive perspectives. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chinese Christianity and Knowledge Development)

20 pages, 1859 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Disenchantment and Preservation of Monastic Discipline: A Study of the Buddhist Monastic Robe Reform Debates in Republican China (1912–1949)

by Yanzhou Jiang

Religions 2025, 16(7), 920; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16070920 - 16 Jul 2025

Abstract

The Republican era of China witnessed three primary positions regarding Buddhist monastic robe reform. Taixu advocated preserving canonical forms (法服) for ritual garments while adapting regular robes (常服) to contemporary needs; Dongchu proposed diminishing ritual distinctions by establishing a tripartite hierarchical system—virtue-monk robes [...] Read more.

The Republican era of China witnessed three primary positions regarding Buddhist monastic robe reform. Taixu advocated preserving canonical forms (法服) for ritual garments while adapting regular robes (常服) to contemporary needs; Dongchu proposed diminishing ritual distinctions by establishing a tripartite hierarchical system—virtue-monk robes (德僧服), duty-monk robes (職僧服), and scholar-monk robes (學僧服); and Lengjing endorsed the full secularization of monastic robes. As a reformist leader, Taixu pursued reforms grounded in both doctrinal authenticity and contextual responsiveness. His initial advocacy for robe modifications, however, rendered him a target for traditionalists like Cihang, who conflated his measured approach with the radicalism of Dongchu’s faction. Ultimately, the broader Buddhist reform collapsed, with robe controversies serving as a critical lens into its failure. The reasons for its failure include not only wartime disruption and inadequate governmental support, but also the structural disadvantages of the reformists compared to the traditionalists, which proved decisive. This was due to the fact that the traditionalists mostly controlled monastic economies, wielded institutional authority, and commanded discursive hegemony, reinforced by lay Buddhist alignment. These debates crystallize the core tension in Buddhist modernization—the dialectic between “disenchantment” and “preservation of monastic discipline”. This dynamic of negotiated adjustment offers a vital historical framework for navigating contemporary Buddhism’s engagement with modernity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Monastic Lives and Buddhist Textual Traditions in China and Beyond)

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41 pages, 424 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Rationalising the First Crusade (1095–1099): Rupert of Deutz, the Roman Conquest of Jerusalem, and the Twists of Salvation History

by Alexander Marx

Religions 2025, 16(7), 919; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16070919 - 16 Jul 2025

Abstract

Many contemporaries considered the crusader conquest of Jerusalem in 1099 as a significant moment in Salvation History. This article investigates how the reception of the Roman conquest of the city (70 CE) contributed to such an understanding. The important Benedictine exegete Rupert of [...] Read more.

Many contemporaries considered the crusader conquest of Jerusalem in 1099 as a significant moment in Salvation History. This article investigates how the reception of the Roman conquest of the city (70 CE) contributed to such an understanding. The important Benedictine exegete Rupert of Deutz (c. 1070–1129) refers to the Roman conquest in 79 passages within his opus, notably in his various biblical commentaries. This case study shows how the past event provided a rationale, exegetical and providential in nature, to understand three dimensions: (a) the role of the Jews, especially that it had been necessary to deprive them of the Holy Land; (b) the current situation of and purpose of Christians in the Holy Land; and (c) the End of Time, which was expected in Jerusalem, and which Rupert anchored already significantly in his own present. His commentary on John’s Revelation even asserted that the Roman conquest had opened the sixth of seven seals (Rev. 6:12). Therefore, the Apocalypse had been ongoing since 70 CE—but only in the Holy Land, a fact that made it necessary for Christians to travel there. The article thus demonstrates that biblical commentaries are potent sources for both crusade studies and historical research in general. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue University of Konstanz, International Conference (25 October, 31 October, 8 November 2024): Emerging Historical Perspectives on Christian-Muslim Interactions in and Around the Mediterranean (c. 630–1614))

15 pages, 242 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Narrating Conversion in Augustine’s Notes on Job

by Nataliya D. Pratsovyta

Religions 2025, 16(7), 918; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16070918 - 16 Jul 2025

Abstract

This article explores the themes of repentance and conversion in Augustine’s Notes on Job. Despite its fragmentary and often improvisational character, Augustine’s theological vision in the Notes presents Job as an exemplum of ongoing conversion. Though not portrayed as a sinner, Job [...] Read more.

This article explores the themes of repentance and conversion in Augustine’s Notes on Job. Despite its fragmentary and often improvisational character, Augustine’s theological vision in the Notes presents Job as an exemplum of ongoing conversion. Though not portrayed as a sinner, Job undergoes spiritual transformation, embodying the human need for continual repentance and deeper understanding of God. This treatment aligns with Augustine’s depiction of other biblical figures, such as St. Paul and the Prodigal Son, whose stories serve as models of conversion. By closely examining the rhetorical and theological function of Job in the Notes, the article suggests that Augustine’s portrayal was meant to guide readers on the path toward salvation. In doing so, it contributes to a broader understanding of how Augustine constructs conversion narratives within his biblical commentaries. Full article

24 pages, 327 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Pope Francis’s Communication Strategies During His Middle East Pilgrimages: An Analysis of Interreligious Discourse and Pontifical Diplomacy

by Aldona Maria Piwko

Religions 2025, 16(7), 917; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16070917 - 16 Jul 2025

Abstract

This article examines the communication strategies of religious diplomacy used by Pope Francis in his diplomatic relations with the countries of the Middle East from 2013 to 2025. The study identifies and characterizes key elements of papal communication, taking into account both verbal [...] Read more.

This article examines the communication strategies of religious diplomacy used by Pope Francis in his diplomatic relations with the countries of the Middle East from 2013 to 2025. The study identifies and characterizes key elements of papal communication, taking into account both verbal and nonverbal dimensions, in the context of the complex geopolitical and religious situation of the region. Based on the analysis of official documents, speeches, foreign visits and diplomatic initiatives, specific communication patterns are identified that distinguish Francis’ pontificate from that of his predecessors. The research results indicate an innovative approach of the Pope, combining traditional Vatican diplomacy with direct personal engagement, the use of symbolism of gestures and the promotion of interreligious dialogue as a tool for building peace and intercultural understanding. Full article

27 pages, 480 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Navigating the Tension Between Christianity and Confucianism in Walter Henry Medhurst’s Translation of The Shoo King

by Yanlin Zhang and Guilu Ge

Religions 2025, 16(7), 916; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16070916 - 16 Jul 2025

Abstract

Walter Henry Medhurst’s translation of The Shoo King (尚書/書經) represents the first complete English rendering of this classic Chinese text. However, limited attention has been given to how Medhurst navigated the tension between Confucian thought in The Shoo King and his own religious [...] Read more.

Walter Henry Medhurst’s translation of The Shoo King (尚書/書經) represents the first complete English rendering of this classic Chinese text. However, limited attention has been given to how Medhurst navigated the tension between Confucian thought in The Shoo King and his own religious beliefs, as well as his treatment of this tension in comparison to James Legge, Joseph de Prémare, Walter Gorn Old, and his interpretation in contrast to Cai Shen’s annotated edition of The Shoo King. This study adopts a “history of the book” approach to examine how Medhurst, as a Protestant missionary, translated key Confucian anthropocentric concepts, including “Ren” (仁), the Doctrine of Mind-Nature, people-centered governance, and religious ideas related to the divine. Through extensive textual analysis and comparison with other scholars’ translations, this study finds that Medhurst adhered to the principle of textual fidelity, striving to minimize the interference of his religious stance with the original meaning of Confucian philosophy. His translation of terms varied according to the context, especially reflecting the shift in The Shoo King from the idea of “Heaven’s mandate is inviolable” to “Heaven is not trustworthy.” Additionally, he enhanced the communication of the original text’s meanings through paratextual elements such as illustrations and footnotes, while retaining Cai Shen’s historical background interpretations and significantly reducing the philological commentary, presenting a “concise and focused” annotation approach. These findings highlight Medhurst’s unique contribution to the cross-cultural transmission of the Confucian canonical text. Full article

16 pages, 516 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Rebuilding of the Kaʻba During the Period of Sulṭān Murād IV in the Context of the ʻUlamāʼ-Umarāʼ Discussions

by Abdullah Çakmak

Religions 2025, 16(7), 915; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16070915 - 16 Jul 2025

Abstract

The last stop on the Muslim pilgrimage is the Kaʻba. Like all other holy and religious places, the Kaʻba has survived due to the repairs it has undergone since its construction. However, the Kaʻba has been rebuilt at times when it was destroyed [...] Read more.

The last stop on the Muslim pilgrimage is the Kaʻba. Like all other holy and religious places, the Kaʻba has survived due to the repairs it has undergone since its construction. However, the Kaʻba has been rebuilt at times when it was destroyed for various reasons. Since the interruption of the pilgrimage would undermine the legitimacy of the caliph, Muslims attached great importance to rebuilding the Kaʻba in such cases. The Kaʻba was last rebuilt by the Ottoman Sulṭān Murād IV after the flood of 1039/1630. However, the rebuilding process has not been without its controversies. Although the Ottoman Empire attempted to rebuild the Kaʻba out of necessity, some scholars objected to this initiative. Ibn ʻAllān, one of the leading Shafiʻi muftis of Mecca, followed the rebuilding work day by day and did not hesitate to intervene when necessary. Riḍwān Agha, who carried out the rebuilding of the Kaʻba, was able to overcome Ibn ʻAllān’s objections with fatwas from the muftis of the four sects (four Sunni schools of law) and thus completed the building work. After the Kaʻba was rebuilt, Turkish works on its history began to be produced. In this way, the public was informed that the Kaʻba could be rebuilt if necessary, and attempts were made to anticipate and prevent any potential reactions. This study aims to contribute to the history of the Kaʻba by analysing its rebuilding after the flood of 1039/1630 through debates between scholars (ʻulamāʼ) and administrators (umarāʼ) during this period. Access to the details of this issue from the works of the ʻulamāʼ who witnessed the rebuilding makes this paper unique. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pilgrimage: Diversity, Past and Present of Sacred Routes)

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15 pages, 216 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Freedom as Social Practice: Reconstructing Religious Freedom in Everyday Life

by Michele Garau and Giacomo Bazzani

Religions 2025, 16(7), 914; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16070914 - 16 Jul 2025

Abstract

This article examines how religious freedom is enacted and redefined through everyday practices in pluralistic urban settings. Moving beyond the classical notion of negative liberty as non-interference, it explores the social conditions that enable or constrain the practical expression of religious life. Drawing [...] Read more.

This article examines how religious freedom is enacted and redefined through everyday practices in pluralistic urban settings. Moving beyond the classical notion of negative liberty as non-interference, it explores the social conditions that enable or constrain the practical expression of religious life. Drawing on forty-three qualitative interviews with religious leaders and civic actors in Florence, Italy, the study analyses how religious freedom is experienced across institutional contexts such as hospitals, schools, prisons, workplaces, and sport facilities. The findings reveal a persistent tension between formal legal rights and their uneven implementation in daily life. While legal guarantees are generally upheld, structural barriers and discretionary practices often hinder access to religious expression. At the same time, informal interactions, local networks, and dialogical engagement play a key role in supporting the concrete exercise of religious freedom. The article argues that freedom is not simply a legal status but a social process, realized through relational and institutional arrangements. By foregrounding the role of everyday interaction in shaping the conditions of freedom, this study contributes to broader sociological debates on pluralism, normativity, and the social foundations of institutional life. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Governance of Interreligious Dialogue and Freedom of/from Religion)

18 pages, 639 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Predictors of Macro Socio-Ecological Factors Affecting Minority-Muslims and Majority Non-Muslim Anglo Communities’ Perceptions of Each Other

by Abe Ata and David T. Teh

Religions 2025, 16(7), 913; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16070913 - 16 Jul 2025

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine if macro-level factors (namely, demographic and ecological factors) influence self-perceived social distance and actual social practice with individuals of different faith communities among tertiary students in Australian universities. The response drew several critical revelations, including 2 [...] Read more.

This study was carried out to determine if macro-level factors (namely, demographic and ecological factors) influence self-perceived social distance and actual social practice with individuals of different faith communities among tertiary students in Australian universities. The response drew several critical revelations, including 2 key findings: 1. Muslim and non-Muslim respondents largely befriend individuals of similar faith backgrounds, although non-Muslims were far more likely to be indifferent towards the religious beliefs of their immediate social circle. 2. Respondents with highly religious social circles reported a clear preference against befriending individuals of different faiths. Muslims were mainly reluctant to befriend non-Muslims, whereas non-Muslims were slightly less apprehensive. The findings presented in this study demonstrate the complexity and dynamism of intergroup contact, traditionally termed social distance, that has distinct implications for social integration. Whereas negative attitudes provide insight into the affective evaluation of a particular group, measures of social distance directly assess the impact of contact on the structural integration of groups. Given its inherently relational focus, this is an important direction for work on intergroup contact. Full article

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18 pages, 650 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Semiotic Study of Discourses and Urban Practices in Catholic Sacred and Liminal Spaces: The Case of Saint Anthony’s Feast

by Jenny Ponzo and Francesco Galofaro

Religions 2025, 16(7), 912; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16070912 - 16 Jul 2025

Abstract

Descola describes western culture, influenced by the Christian worldview, as “naturalist”. However, semiotic and ethnographic research shows that different perspectives about the relationship between humans and animals coexist with mainstream naturalism. In particular, the introduction of animals in churches is not rare in [...] Read more.

Descola describes western culture, influenced by the Christian worldview, as “naturalist”. However, semiotic and ethnographic research shows that different perspectives about the relationship between humans and animals coexist with mainstream naturalism. In particular, the introduction of animals in churches is not rare in Italy today, even though it fuels an ongoing debate. The relationship with animals is central in Saint Anthony’s figure and feast, which includes the blessing of animals. This article first focuses on the figure of Saint Anthony, finding in its first sources the seeds of a worldview based on love for creation that fully flourishes centuries later with Saint Francis, then it contextualizes the blessing of animals in the context of a changing sensitivity towards animals, which are often considered from an affective perspective and as part of an ecological standpoint that is also expressed in the institutional discourse of the Catholic Church. Then, the patronal feast of Saint Anthony and the blessing of animals in two different urban communities of Turin (Italy) are the subject of an ethnosemiotic analysis highlighting the animals’ position (inside or at the border of the sacred space), the rite’s structure and the relation between the verbal discourse and the performance of celebrants and worshipers. The position of the animals is thus considered as the expression plane of semantic values about their status in relation to the family. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Religions, Cultural Memory and Heritage in the City: Reassembling a Plural Scenario)

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18 pages, 259 KiB

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Religious Pluralism and Identity Among Descendants of Bosnian Migrants in Slovenia

by Ana Ješe Perković

Religions 2025, 16(7), 911; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16070911 - 16 Jul 2025

Abstract

This article examines the religious practices of descendants of Bosnian migrants in Slovenia, a country that stands out as one of the most secular in Europe. While Bosnia and Herzegovina is known for its complex religious pluralism, where religious institutions play a crucial [...] Read more.

This article examines the religious practices of descendants of Bosnian migrants in Slovenia, a country that stands out as one of the most secular in Europe. While Bosnia and Herzegovina is known for its complex religious pluralism, where religious institutions play a crucial role in nation-building, Slovenia presents a contrasting context of secularization. Applying Peter Berger’s theory of religious pluralism, which suggests that pluralism weakens traditional religious authority, this study explores how descendants of Bosnian migrants navigate their religious identities in a secular environment. Although their identities have been shaped by the Yugoslav wars and the post-war redefinition of ethnicity through religion, younger generations are also influenced by broader social processes in Slovenia, including secularization, integration, and exposure to multiple belief systems. Using a qualitative research approach based on semi-structured interviews, this case study investigates the preservation and transformation of religious traditions among Bosnian migrant descendants and how these practices influence their identity. The findings highlight how migration and adaptation to a different socio-cultural environment shape religious practices across generations, contributing to broader discussions on religious choice, identity, and pluralism in contemporary societies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Religious Changes and Challenges in the Wake of Increasing Global Migration)

43 pages, 532 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Study of Practice in the Vehicles of Men and Gods and the Bodhisattva Vehicle: Perspectives from Master Taixu to Master Hsing Yun

by Chienhuang Chen

Religions 2025, 16(7), 910; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16070910 - 15 Jul 2025

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Abstract

This paper explores the perspectives of Master Taixu (太虛, 1890–1947) and Master Hsing Yun (星雲, 1927–2023) on the practice of the Buddhist Five Vehicles (五乘), particularly focusing on the relationship between the Vehicles of Men and Gods (人天乘) and the Bodhisattva Vehicle (菩薩乘). [...] Read more.

This paper explores the perspectives of Master Taixu (太虛, 1890–1947) and Master Hsing Yun (星雲, 1927–2023) on the practice of the Buddhist Five Vehicles (五乘), particularly focusing on the relationship between the Vehicles of Men and Gods (人天乘) and the Bodhisattva Vehicle (菩薩乘). Master Taixu advocated “Buddhism for Human Life” (人生佛教), emphasizing the improvement of real life as the foundation for Buddhist practice in daily life. He proposed the principle of “following the practice and fruition of the Human Vehicle to cultivate the Mahāyāna path” (依人乘行果，趣修大乘行), suggesting a gradual progression from the human vehicle to the Mahāyāna Bodhisattva path. He introduced the concept of “The perfection of human character leads to Buddhahood” (人圓佛即成) and “Present Bodhisattva Practice” (今菩薩行), highlighting the importance of adapting Buddhist practice to contemporary society and actively engaging in social service. Master Hsing Yun’s advocacy of “Humanistic Buddhism” (人間佛教) emphasizes the diversity of practice, asserting that any action aligned with Buddhist teachings, beneficial to human well-being, and conducive to the welfare of all beings constitutes a form of practice, thereby expanding its definition. He elaborated on the Five Vehicles, viewing the Vehicle of Men and Gods as a preliminary stage, advocating a gradual progression towards the Bodhisattva Vehicle, ultimately culminating in Buddhahood. He proposed the principle of “undertaking worldly affairs with an otherworldly mindset” (以出世的思想，做入世的事業), highlighting the importance of practicing the Bodhisattva path in everyday life. With “Buddha Light Pure Land” (佛光淨土) as the ultimate goal, he sought to integrate the essence of various Pure Lands traditions to achieve earthly peace and purification. Both masters highlight the importance of practicing Humanistic Buddhism, advocating for the application of the Bodhisattva practice in daily life, guiding all beings with compassion and wisdom, and actively engaging in society to address real-world issues, ultimately realizing a Humanistic Pure Land. However, their perspectives also differ: Master Taixu focused more on the theoretical construction and an exposition on the order of practice, whereas Master Hsing Yun placed greater emphasis on the diversity and flexibility of practice and the integration of Buddhist teachings into modern life. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Engaged Buddhism for an Engulfed World: New Perspectives on Humanistic Buddhism)

16 pages, 283 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Eucharistic Redemption of the Traumatized Victim

by David Grumett

Religions 2025, 16(7), 909; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16070909 - 15 Jul 2025

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Abstract

In his passion, Jesus Christ was a victim of the intentional violent acts of others, which were highly likely to have been traumatic for him and those around him. In the Eucharist, traumatizing acts and events are represented through symbolism, narrative and action. [...] Read more.

In his passion, Jesus Christ was a victim of the intentional violent acts of others, which were highly likely to have been traumatic for him and those around him. In the Eucharist, traumatizing acts and events are represented through symbolism, narrative and action. Although the body is a common doctrinal and eucharistic trope, particularly in Paul, the flesh, which is prominent in Johannine imagery, is a more distinctively Christian symbol as well as being more generative for a eucharistic theology of the victim. In the eucharistic elements of separated bread and wine, Christ the priest is presented as also the paradigmatic victim. His shed blood, which was not reassimilated into his flesh at his resurrection, indicates an abiding earthly humanity in solidarity with other victims. For traumatized victims, where space in the Eucharist is provided for the acknowledgement of suffering and other negativity, participation in it may be a pathway of transformation. Traumatized victims might themselves continue this priestly transformation in the world, bearing, like Christ, the sins and woundedness of others and contributing to Christian witness, instruction and healing. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Eucharist as the Bread of Life: Phenomenological and Existential Explorations)

13 pages, 296 KiB

Open AccessArticle

“The Blessing” as Prophetic Declaration and Communal Prayer: A Pentecostal Lyrical Analysis of the Contemporary Congregational Song

by Hiwee Leng Toh

Religions 2025, 16(7), 908; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16070908 - 15 Jul 2025

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Abstract

This study investigates the theological function of the contemporary worship song “The Blessing” by addressing the following guiding research question: in what ways does “The Blessing” function as a form of prophetic declaration and communal prayer in contemporary congregational worship? Drawing on frameworks [...] Read more.

This study investigates the theological function of the contemporary worship song “The Blessing” by addressing the following guiding research question: in what ways does “The Blessing” function as a form of prophetic declaration and communal prayer in contemporary congregational worship? Drawing on frameworks from Pentecostal theology, lyrical theology, and performative speech-act theory, this study analyzes how the song’s language, structure, and performance embody Spirit-enabled proclamation and intercession. Engaging Rice’s Evagrian–LAPT grammar, Glenn Packiam’s theology of worship as encounter, and Steven Félix-Jäger’s model of New Testament prophecy, the textual analysis focuses on the song’s present-tense verbs of divine action and its lyrical constructions. Scripturally grounded in Numbers 6:24–26, “The Blessing” operates as a sung benediction that invokes God’s blessing, sanctification, divine favor and protection, covenantal presence, and peace. The repetitive use of “Amen” functions as a communal seal of affirmation, turning passive reception into active, prophetic participation when sung. This study contends that the song exemplifies how contemporary congregational song serves as primary theology—Spirit-inspired, embodied, and sounded—where proclamation and prayer are nurtured in lived worship. Ultimately, “The Blessing” functions as a pneumatological and ecclesial act of sung prophecy and intercession—an instance of primary theologizing that nurtures the worshiping community and mediates a Spirit-empowered encounter with divine hope. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Religions and Humanities/Philosophies)

23 pages, 372 KiB

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Procurators, Priests and Clerics: Male Leadership of the Beguinage of St. Elizabeth of Valenciennes in the Thirteenth and Fourteenth Centuries

by Huanan Lu

Religions 2025, 16(7), 907; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16070907 - 15 Jul 2025

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Abstract

This study examines the distinctive male leadership—comprising procurators, parish priests, and chaplains—of the beguinage of St. Elizabeth in Valenciennes during the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. Contrary to the majority of beguine communities in the southern Low Countries, where leadership appointments were dictated by [...] Read more.

This study examines the distinctive male leadership—comprising procurators, parish priests, and chaplains—of the beguinage of St. Elizabeth in Valenciennes during the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. Contrary to the majority of beguine communities in the southern Low Countries, where leadership appointments were dictated by religious or secular authorities, this community was entitled to elect its male administrators autonomously. The elected were generally influential figures in local religious and secular affairs and maintained a close relationship with the comital family of Hainaut. The analysis will demonstrate how this politically embedded ecclesiastical framework not only ensured doctrinal legitimacy but also mediated conflicts between secular lords and church authorities, thus enabling the community’s survival amid accusations of heresy and institutional repression. By examining the electoral criteria and functional specialization of male leaders, and their interactions with self-governed beguines, this research tries to offer a new perspective on the complex governance strategies of the medieval beguine movement. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Church, Clergy, and Authority: An Exploration of Medieval Religious Life and Culture)

13 pages, 419 KiB

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Ut in his reperias aliquam partem uasorum Dei: Jerome and the Pagan Culture in the CDan

by Daniela Scardia

Religions 2025, 16(7), 906; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16070906 - 15 Jul 2025

Viewed by 141

Abstract

The image of the vasa domus Dei, repeated on two occasions in the book of the prophet Daniel (Dan 1:2 and 5:4), enables Jerome to formulate an explicit judgement on pagan culture. Drawing extensively on a well-established repertoire, he highlights in [...] Read more.

The image of the vasa domus Dei, repeated on two occasions in the book of the prophet Daniel (Dan 1:2 and 5:4), enables Jerome to formulate an explicit judgement on pagan culture. Drawing extensively on a well-established repertoire, he highlights in one case its positive aspects and in the other its negative ones, and so in CDan 1,1,2b, he underlines the presence, at least in philosophy, of some truths drawn from the doctrine of God; in CDan 2,5,4, he discusses the wicked use the heretics make of the saeculares litterae. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Interaction of Early Christianity with Classical Literature)

22 pages, 5984 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Religious Heritage of Vilnius in the Gaze of Tourists on Tripadvisor

by Paweł Plichta and Kamil Pecela

Religions 2025, 16(7), 905; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16070905 - 15 Jul 2025

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Abstract

The subject of this article is the centuries-old religious heritage of Vilnius. The aim of the article is to analyse this heritage and its reflection in the gaze of tourists. In particular, it focuses on selected Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, Jewish, and Karaite sites. [...] Read more.

The subject of this article is the centuries-old religious heritage of Vilnius. The aim of the article is to analyse this heritage and its reflection in the gaze of tourists. In particular, it focuses on selected Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, Jewish, and Karaite sites. The methods used in the empirical study include the analysis of reviews posted on the Tripadvisor website by tourists from different countries who visited five selected sites: (1) St. Anne’s Church, (2) Holy Spirit Orthodox Church, (3) Evangelical Lutheran Church, (4) Vilnius Choral Synagogue, and (5) Kenesa. The authors employed the method of desk research, which involves the analysis of existing data. The selection of objects was made by indicating the most commented sites of a given religious tradition for which the most comments were received. In the light of the pervasive influence of social media, it is noteworthy to observe the contemporary representation of multi-religious Vilnius that is disseminated through this medium. Urban sacred spaces are not only places of worship of interest to religious people, including local and foreign pilgrims. Furthermore, they constitute an attractive urban heritage for a significant number of cultural tourists. Committed tourists, including cultural tourists, meticulously document their impressions in various forms of narrative, offering either endorsement or criticism of a particular object. In this manner, they also interpret elements of the heritage in the local urban space. Full article

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14 pages, 248 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Prayer Intensity, Technological Mediation, and Civic Engagement: Comparing Catholic, Lutheran, and Orthodox Contexts

by Luke J. Buhagiar, Matthew Pulis and Ljiljana Ćumura

Religions 2025, 16(7), 904; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16070904 - 15 Jul 2025

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Abstract

Technological advancements keep influencing religious landscapes in unpredictable ways. This implies changes at the level of personal spirituality and also at the level of community building and civic engagement across different denominations. In this paper, we present survey data (N = 443) [...] Read more.

Technological advancements keep influencing religious landscapes in unpredictable ways. This implies changes at the level of personal spirituality and also at the level of community building and civic engagement across different denominations. In this paper, we present survey data (N = 443) from Malta (Southern Europe), Serbia (Balkans), and Denmark (Northern Europe), which assessed participants’ prayer intensity, Christian identity, Christian belief, and civic engagement behaviors, among other variables. The participants in our sample were all Christians: the participants from Malta were mostly Catholic, those from Serbia were mostly Orthodox, and those from Denmark were mostly Lutheran, reflecting the dominant Christian contexts and denominations in all three countries. We conducted multiple regression analysis showing how prayer intensity predicts civic engagement, even when adjusting for other covariates, notably those tapping Christian identity and Christian belief. The relationship was significant across all three countries. Moreover, we conducted further multiple regression analyses with two prayer intensity sub-indices: one tapping technologically mediated prayer (e.g., using apps or podcasts) and the other tapping non-technologically mediated prayer (e.g., praying directly to God or going to mass). In this model, only non-technologically mediated prayer predicted civic engagement in Malta and Denmark, and no sub-index predicted civic engagement in Serbia. Our discussion focuses on the implications of these patterns for engagement and community building, with a particular focus on religious collectives across denominations and the impact of technology. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Institutional Innovation and Tradition: Understanding Changes and Continuities in Religious Leadership, Communication, and Technology Ethics)

15 pages, 820 KiB

Open AccessArticle

From Sacred to Secular: Daoist Robes as Instruments of Identity Negotiation in Ming Dynasty Literature

by Xiangyang Bian, Menghe Tian and Liyan Zhou

Religions 2025, 16(7), 903; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16070903 - 14 Jul 2025

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Abstract

Daoist robes in the Ming Dynasty literature underwent a marked transformation from exclusive religious vestments to widespread secular attire. Originally confined to Daoist priests and sacred rites, these garments began to appear in everyday work, entertainment, and ceremonies across social strata. Drawing on [...] Read more.

Daoist robes in the Ming Dynasty literature underwent a marked transformation from exclusive religious vestments to widespread secular attire. Originally confined to Daoist priests and sacred rites, these garments began to appear in everyday work, entertainment, and ceremonies across social strata. Drawing on a hand-coded corpus of novels that yields robe related passages, and by analyzing textual references from Ming novels, Daoist canonical works, and visual artifacts, and applying clothing psychology and semiotic theory, this study elucidates how Daoist robes were re-coded as secular fashion symbols. For example, scholar-officials donned Daoist robes to convey moral prestige, laborers adopted them to signal upward mobility, and merchants donned them to impersonate the educated elite for commercial gain. By integrating close textual reading with cultural theory, the article advances a three-stage model, sacred uniform, ritual costume, and secular fashion, that clarifies the semantic flow of Daoist robes. In weddings and funerals, many commoners flaunted Daoist robes despite sumptuary laws, using them to assert honor and status. These adaptations reflect both the erosion of Daoist institutional authority and the dynamic process of identity construction through dress in late Ming society. Our interdisciplinary analysis highlights an East Asian perspective on the interaction of religion and fashion, offering historical insight into the interplay between religious symbolism and sociocultural identity formation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Religious Symbols and Fashion: Identification, Representation and Regulation in Dress)

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16 pages, 353 KiB

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Ziran and Continuous Orderly Transformation: New Interpretation of Ziran in Daodejing

by Yiming Wang

Religions 2025, 16(7), 902; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16070902 - 14 Jul 2025

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Abstract

The term ziran first appears in the Daodejing, yet its precise meaning and attribution remain ambiguous in this book, sparking ongoing scholarly debate. This paper argues that Laozi’s idea of ziran fundamentally pertains to all things and the common people, rather than [...] Read more.

The term ziran first appears in the Daodejing, yet its precise meaning and attribution remain ambiguous in this book, sparking ongoing scholarly debate. This paper argues that Laozi’s idea of ziran fundamentally pertains to all things and the common people, rather than the Dao or the ruler, and its realization depends on the noncoercive action (wuwei, 無為) of the Dao and the ruler. While ziran is commonly understood as “natural” or “free from external force”, Laozi reinterprets it beyond its literal meaning, integrating the notion of order through its relationship with wuwei and thus imbuing it with theoretical significance. In this framework, ziran encompasses orders of internal senses and orders of external activities inherent in all things while simultaneously excluding excessive and disorderly desires. It thereby serves as a criterion for assessing the orderliness of desires. Furthermore, by elucidating ziran as the continuous transformation of things, the standard to which the ideal ruler or the sage resorts to curb the disorderly desires of the common people is established. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Religions and Humanities/Philosophies)

14 pages, 245 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Restless Souls: Emerson and Zhuang Zi on the Path to Self-Transcendence Through Silence and Stillness

by Ercan Kaçmaz

Religions 2025, 16(7), 901; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16070901 - 14 Jul 2025

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Abstract

Why have thinkers like Ralph Waldo Emerson and Zhuang Zi, across different cultures, sought something beyond the self? Whether through God, nature, or abstract ideals, the longing for transcendence has been a recurring theme across philosophical and religious traditions. This impulse reflects what [...] Read more.

Why have thinkers like Ralph Waldo Emerson and Zhuang Zi, across different cultures, sought something beyond the self? Whether through God, nature, or abstract ideals, the longing for transcendence has been a recurring theme across philosophical and religious traditions. This impulse reflects what Aldous Huxley termed the “perennial philosophy”—the idea that all spiritual traditions share a common metaphysical core. Within this framework, Emerson and Zhuang Zi offer remarkably similar insights into the transformative power of silence and stillness. For Emerson, these quiet states connect the individual with the Over-Soul, a universal spirit that transcends the ego. For Zhuang Zi, they enable alignment with the Dao, the natural flow of the universe. In both philosophies, silence and stillness serve as transformative practices that dissolve the boundaries of the self and open it to a deeper, more unified reality. By comparing Emerson’s Over-Soul and Zhuang Zi’s Dao, this essay shows how both thinkers suggest that true peace arises not from striving but from surrendering to the quiet depths of being. Their shared emphasis on contemplative stillness reveals its enduring value as a spiritual practice across diverse philosophical landscapes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Comparative Study of the Concepts of Self-Transcendence, Value and Power in the Works of Emerson and Zhuang Zi)

35 pages, 65580 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Ambitious Itinerary: Journey Across the Medieval Buddhist World in a Book, CUL Add.1643 (1015 CE)

by Jinah Kim

Religions 2025, 16(7), 900; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16070900 - 14 Jul 2025

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Abstract

A Sanskrit manuscript of the Prajñāpāramitā or Perfection of Wisdom in eight thousand verses, now in the Cambridge University Library, Add.1643, is one of the most ambitiously designed South Asian manuscripts from the eleventh century, with the highest number of painted panels known [...] Read more.

A Sanskrit manuscript of the Prajñāpāramitā or Perfection of Wisdom in eight thousand verses, now in the Cambridge University Library, Add.1643, is one of the most ambitiously designed South Asian manuscripts from the eleventh century, with the highest number of painted panels known among the dated manuscripts from medieval South Asia until 1400 CE. Thanks to the unique occurrence of a caption written next to each painted panel, it is possible to identify most images in this manuscript as representing those of famous pilgrimage sites or auspicious images of specific locales. The iconographic program transforms Add.1643 into a portable device containing famous pilgrimage sites of the Buddhist world known to the makers and users of the manuscript in eleventh-century Nepal. It is one compact colorful package of a book, which can be opened and experienced in its unfolding three-dimensional space, like a virtual or imagined pilgrimage. Building on the recent research focusing on early medieval Buddhist sites across Monsoon Asia and analyzing the representational potentials and ontological values of painting, this essay demonstrates how this early eleventh-century Nepalese manuscript (Add.1643) and its visual program document and remember the knowledge of maritime travels and the transregional and intraregional activities of people and ideas moving across Monsoon Asia. Despite being made in the Kathmandu Valley with a considerable physical distance from the actual sea routes, the sites remembered in the manuscript open a possibility to connect the dots of human movement beyond the known networks and routes of “world systems”. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Beyond the “Spice Routes”: Indic and Sinitic Religions across the Asian Maritime Realm)

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23 pages, 3341 KiB

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On Old Uyghur Fragments of the Lotus Sutra in the Berlin Turfan Collection

by Ayixiemuguli Tuersun

Religions 2025, 16(7), 899; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16070899 - 13 Jul 2025

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Abstract

This study provides a comprehensive philological analysis of ten Old Uyghur manuscript fragments of the Saddharmapuṇḍarīka-sūtra (Lotus Sutra) in the Berlin Turfan Collection, while systematically examining all extant Old Uyghur Lotus Sutra manuscripts to establish a complete corpus for comparative analysis. [...] Read more.

This study provides a comprehensive philological analysis of ten Old Uyghur manuscript fragments of the Saddharmapuṇḍarīka-sūtra (Lotus Sutra) in the Berlin Turfan Collection, while systematically examining all extant Old Uyghur Lotus Sutra manuscripts to establish a complete corpus for comparative analysis. By collating this complete corpus with Kumārajīva’s Chinese translation, this research demonstrates a typology of Old Uyghur Lotus Sutra fragments. It identifies at least two distinct translation lineages: (1) early translations (pre-10th century) exhibiting lexical and structural divergences indicative of Sogdian mediation or hybrid source traditions, and (2) late translations (11th–14th centuries) directly derived from the Chinese version, characterized by syntactic fidelity and a standardized terminology. Through comparative textual analysis, orthographic scrutiny, and terminological cross-referencing, this paper aims to reconstruct the historical trajectory of the Lotus Sutra’s transmission. In addition, it discusses some facts indicating linguistic and cultural contact between the Sogdians and the progressive alignment of Uyghur Buddhist texts with Chinese Buddhist traditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Reviving Ancient Wisdom on the Northern Silk Road: Research on Old Uyghur Buddhism and Buddhist Scriptures)

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15 pages, 222 KiB

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Christ the Matter and Form of Justification: A New Solution for Reconciling Imputed and Infused Righteousness

by Sean Eapen Luke

Religions 2025, 16(7), 898; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16070898 - 13 Jul 2025

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Abstract

Writing from a Reformed perspective, I intend to develop a concept of the duplex iustitia. I will argue that it is possible to affirm that infused righteousness is the sole formal cause of justification, while holding that imputation is its material cause. My [...] Read more.

Writing from a Reformed perspective, I intend to develop a concept of the duplex iustitia. I will argue that it is possible to affirm that infused righteousness is the sole formal cause of justification, while holding that imputation is its material cause. My goal in doing so will be to enumerate another possible area of agreement so that areas of disagreement can be stated in sharper dynamic clarity and therefore more precisely addressed. First, I will articulate what precisely is at issue in the disagreement between Roman Catholics and the Reformed on the matter of justification’s cause. Here I will discuss the role union with Christ plays in both Roman Catholic and Reformed concepts of justification. From these foundations, I will then argue that a Reformed perspective on justification coheres with the Tridentine affirmation that the sole formal cause is the “righteousness of God by which he makes us just”, while retaining the affirmation that its proper material cause is the imputed righteousness of Christ. In this section, I will defend a version of the duplex iustitia. Third, I will conclude by analyzing how this proposal might move beyond some of the agreements reached in the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification (JDDF henceforth) of 1999 and the International Catholic-Reformed dialogue document “Justification and Sacramentality” of 2015, while also stating the limitations of my proposal. Finally, I will answer some anticipated objections. Full article

12 pages, 299 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Yhwh’s Unique Speaker: Jeremiah

by Georg Fischer

Religions 2025, 16(7), 897; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16070897 - 13 Jul 2025

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Abstract

In Jer 15:19, Yhwh calls the prophet Jeremiah “my mouth”. This unique designation highlights his importance and finds support in several other features: Jeremiah is portrayed as the promised successor to Moses (Jer 1:7, 9), opposes all other contemporary prophets (e.g., Jer 20; [...] Read more.

In Jer 15:19, Yhwh calls the prophet Jeremiah “my mouth”. This unique designation highlights his importance and finds support in several other features: Jeremiah is portrayed as the promised successor to Moses (Jer 1:7, 9), opposes all other contemporary prophets (e.g., Jer 20; 23; 26–29), and has many additional roles and activities. Furthermore, he shares traits with Yhwh’s servant from Isa 49 and 53. His ‘biography’ is extraordinary and is shown at length, unusual for the Latter Prophets, ranging from before his birth (Jer 1:5) to his disappearance in Egypt (Jer 43–44). His ‘confessions’ in Jer 11–20 testify to immense suffering and have become models for personal prayer. Like the prophet, his scroll is unique, too. No other biblical writing deals so extensively with trauma, exemplified at the downfall of Jerusalem in 587 BC, its roots, and its impact. This even leads to an uncommon structure of the scroll, ending with disaster in Jer 52, whereas all other scrolls of prophets contain hope as conclusions. Jer stands out with the analysis of guilt as cause for the catastrophe, yet it conveys also consolation, especially in Jer 29–33. In these chapters, elements for a renewed society emerge, corresponding to the name of the prophet, which signifies “Yhwh will raise up”. The real source for this change lies in the way Jer conceives the biblical God. No other writing in the Bible tells about his weeping, as a sign of helplessness vis-à-vis the continuing resistance of his people. Many prayers in the scroll, including the confessions, focus on the importance of an intimate, personal relationship with him, going beyond traditional piety in several aspects; Moshe Weinfeld has called them “spiritual metamorphosis”. The singularity of Jer applies also to its literary features. Its mixtures of poetry and prose, of divine and human speaking, of narratives about the prophet in first and third person are a challenge for every reader, as well as the ‘unordered’ chronology and retarded information. Jer excels in the use of other scrolls; the degree of intertextuality and the way of combining motifs from ‘foreign’ sources in a synthetic way are outstanding. To grasp fully its message requires familiarity with more than half of what later became the Hebrew Bible. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Echoes of the Divine: The Historical, Literary, and Theological Dimensions of Prophetism)

14 pages, 286 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Overcoming Violence in Islamic Ethics: Ṭāhā ʿAbd Al-Raḥmān’s Dialogism and Moral Responsibility

by Abdessamad Belhaj

Religions 2025, 16(7), 896; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16070896 - 12 Jul 2025

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Abstract

Ṭāhā ʿAbd al-Raḥmān’s Suʼāl al-ʻunf (The Question of Violence) is perhaps the most extensive philosophical-religious critique of violence in Islamic ethics in the last decade. He distinguishes between the notions of violence, force, and struggle, rejecting violence based on Islamic sources [...] Read more.

Ṭāhā ʿAbd al-Raḥmān’s Suʼāl al-ʻunf (The Question of Violence) is perhaps the most extensive philosophical-religious critique of violence in Islamic ethics in the last decade. He distinguishes between the notions of violence, force, and struggle, rejecting violence based on Islamic sources and critical ethics. He also suggests dialogism and ethics of trusteeship as viable forms of intellectual confrontation along with a toolkit for engagement with Islamist violent groups. This paper offers first an overview of the current perspectives on non-violence in Islamic ethics. Then, I will explore Ṭāhā ʿAbd al-Raḥmān’s background and trajectory in order to contextualize his contribution to the ongoing debates on ethics in the Moroccan context. Subsequently, I will discuss his main theses and arguments on Islamist violence as well as the toolkit he offers to overcome it. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Revisiting Islamic Ethics: Shifting Epistemologies and Boundaries)

18 pages, 349 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Reconsidering the Word–Sacrament and Scripture–Liturgy Debate: A Patristic Perspective

by Ciprian Ioan Streza

Religions 2025, 16(7), 895; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16070895 - 12 Jul 2025

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Abstract

The relationship between Scripture and the Liturgy remains one of the most extensively debated subjects in theological discourse. In the wake of the Protestant Reformation and the Catholic Counter-Reformation, a divided Christendom witnessed the rise of a dichotomy between Scripture and Liturgy, as [...] Read more.

The relationship between Scripture and the Liturgy remains one of the most extensively debated subjects in theological discourse. In the wake of the Protestant Reformation and the Catholic Counter-Reformation, a divided Christendom witnessed the rise of a dichotomy between Scripture and Liturgy, as well as between the Word and the Sacrament. This dichotomy, however, is absent from the patristic thought, which perceives the unity and complementarity between Scripture and Liturgy, owing to their shared belonging to the one life of the Church—broadly defined as Tradition—and to the way they are understood and experienced as interconnected modes through which the singular Mystery of Jesus Christ is communicated to the faithful. The present study aims to demonstrate this unity by drawing on a substantial body of patristic writings, highlighting the fact that the life of the Church is one and is lived both as the rule of faith and the rule of prayer, and that through it, one and the same Christ communicates Himself to the faithful both through the Word and through the Holy Sacraments. For the Church Fathers, the Christian faith is not an abstract doctrine about Christ, but a real and personal encounter and communion with Him in the life of the Church. This patristic approach may offer a starting point for contemporary Christianity in addressing the current liturgical crisis and in rethinking and renewing future ecumenical dialogue. Such renewal presupposes a movement beyond secular formalism and nominalism, which have fostered excessive conceptualization and an antithetical view of Scripture and Liturgy, Word and Sacrament. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Witness of the Orthodox Church in the Political Context of the Secularized Modern State)

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Religions, Volume 16, Issue 7 (July 2025) – 120 articles

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