Religions

14 pages, 326 KB

Open AccessArticle

Priestly and Post-Priestly Voices on Bethel: A Diachronic Analysis of Genesis 28:10–22 and 35:9–15

by Itzhak Amar

Religions 2026, 17(2), 274; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel17020274 - 23 Feb 2026

Viewed by 522

This article re-examines Gen 28:10–22 through a diachronic analysis informed by its close literary and thematic parallels with Gen 35:9–15. In light of recent developments in Pentateuchal scholarship that question the traditional dating of supposedly pre-Priestly texts, the study adopts a method grounded [...] Read more.

This article re-examines Gen 28:10–22 through a diachronic analysis informed by its close literary and thematic parallels with Gen 35:9–15. In light of recent developments in Pentateuchal scholarship that question the traditional dating of supposedly pre-Priestly texts, the study adopts a method grounded in detailed textual, linguistic, and literary observation rather than reliance on fixed source-critical models. The analysis argues that Gen 28:10–22 is not a unified narrative but a composite text consisting of an early narrative core overlaid by a post-Priestly addition. Particular attention is given to the ritual acts of pillar erection, anointing with oil, and Jacob’s vow, which exhibit strong affinities with Priestly and Deuteronomistic idioms. A comparison with the Priestly account in Gen 35 suggests that the post-Priestly expansion in Gen 28 responds polemically to a Priestly tendency to neutralize Bethel’s sanctity. The article situates this literary development within the religious landscape of Persian-period Yehud. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Texts, Language, and Style in Biblical Literature, the Semitic Literatures of the Ancient Near East, and Post-Biblical Literature)

11 pages, 217 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Image of Mary in Conversations with Her Son in the Przemyśl Mediation

by Zofia Bryłka-Baranowska

Religions 2026, 17(2), 273; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel17020273 - 23 Feb 2026

Viewed by 467

Abstract

This article examines the conversations between Mary and Jesus included in the Przemyśl Meditation—the most extensive Old Polish narrative work recounting the lives of Christ and His Mother. The analysis reveals a complex, dual image of Mary: on the one hand, she [...] Read more.

This article examines the conversations between Mary and Jesus included in the Przemyśl Meditation—the most extensive Old Polish narrative work recounting the lives of Christ and His Mother. The analysis reveals a complex, dual image of Mary: on the one hand, she appears as a humble and helpless woman; on the other, as a powerful intercessor endowed with profound theological awareness. This duality is also reflected in her attitude toward her Son. In some passages, Mary identifies Jesus with the Father, emphasizing the unity of the Trinity, while in others, she clearly contrasts them, seeing in Jesus the suffering Son, obedient to a stern and relentless Father. The article explores the causes of these ambivalences, focusing on the narrative functions of the dialogues, their place within the structure of the work, and relevant extratextual contexts. The findings highlight the richness of medieval Marian thought and the theological tensions that shaped its expression in Polish religious literature. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Revealing the Hidden: Apocryphal Texts and the Shaping of Religious Thought)

11 pages, 211 KB

Open AccessArticle

Word, Sacrament, and the Public Life of Christians: Calvin’s Worship-Formed Ethics in Institutes IV

by Shinhyung Seong

Religions 2026, 17(2), 272; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel17020272 - 23 Feb 2026

Viewed by 610

Abstract

This article argues that John Calvin’s account of the church in Institutes of the Christian Religion IV is best read through the formative logic of worship. Calvin famously identifies preaching the Word and administering the sacraments as the marks of the visible church. [...] Read more.

This article argues that John Calvin’s account of the church in Institutes of the Christian Religion IV is best read through the formative logic of worship. Calvin famously identifies preaching the Word and administering the sacraments as the marks of the visible church. Rather than regarding these marks merely as identifiers, this study interprets them as worship practices that shape Christian life “in-between” church and society. First, the preached Word is not simply received as information but functions as the medium through which faith is generated and sustained, forming a community tasked to bear truth publicly. Second, the sacraments operate as embodied theology: baptism initiates believers into ecclesial belonging through cleansing, renewal, and confession, while the Lord’s Supper repeatedly schools the church in remembrance, thanksgiving, unity, and mutual love. Finally, by situating the Word and sacrament within the church’s maternal nurture and the ministry of reconciliation, the article shows how worship extends beyond the sanctuary, cultivating conscience and communal practices oriented toward public peace and responsibility. In Calvin’s Reformation vision, worship is thus the hinge that links ecclesiology to social ethics without collapsing the distinction between the church and civil society. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Worship in the 16th-Century Reformation: Theology and Practice)

15 pages, 290 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Construction of Ignatian Spirituality in France: 1954–1966: The Case of the Journal Christus

by Carlos Álvarez

Religions 2026, 17(2), 271; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel17020271 - 23 Feb 2026

Viewed by 595

Abstract

This contribution examines the key aspects of the aggiornamento of Ignatian spirituality promoted by French Jesuits through the journal Christus between 1954 and 1967. The founding of the journal can be understood as a response to a sense of identity crisis among French [...] Read more.

This contribution examines the key aspects of the aggiornamento of Ignatian spirituality promoted by French Jesuits through the journal Christus between 1954 and 1967. The founding of the journal can be understood as a response to a sense of identity crisis among French Jesuits, likely provoked by the Fourvière crisis and the abrupt end of the worker-priest movement, which was eventually prohibited by Rome. In this context, the call to reconnect with Ignatian sources became imperative to foster theological and spiritual reflection capable of shedding light on the tensions of the present. The generation led by Maurice Giuliani, Michel de Certeau, and François Roustang—who spearheaded this editorial project—distanced itself from the hermeneutics of their predecessors, particularly Joseph de Guibert, as regards the spiritual history of the Society of Jesus. Instead, they emphasized a mysticism of action, the necessary integration of spirituality and apostolic works, the ecclesial implications of Ignatian service, and a bold, increasingly open dialogue between Ignatian tradition and the human sciences. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Theological Underpinnings of Ignatian Spirituality: From Historical Context to Contemporary Relevance)

28 pages, 381 KB

Open AccessArticle

At the Head of the Circle: Women Facilitators and Forms of Authority in Pluralistic Jewish Learning

by Tidhar Gutman and Tanya Zion-Waldoks

Religions 2026, 17(2), 270; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel17020270 - 23 Feb 2026

Viewed by 506

Abstract

This article explores the construction of women’s authority in Israeli pluralistic Batei Midrash (houses of learning). Drawing on qualitative interviews with experienced women facilitators, it examines how they enact a form of authority that differs significantly from traditional models. Beyond deriving legitimacy from [...] Read more.

This article explores the construction of women’s authority in Israeli pluralistic Batei Midrash (houses of learning). Drawing on qualitative interviews with experienced women facilitators, it examines how they enact a form of authority that differs significantly from traditional models. Beyond deriving legitimacy from institutional position or textual mastery, their authority is built through professional vulnerability and relational work. The article develops the concept of Transformative Pedagogical Authority: a stance grounded in ‘power-to’ rather than ‘power-over.’ It argues that facilitators utilize active contraction (Tzimtzum) not as a retreat, but as a deliberate pedagogical strategy to create a ‘hall of Mirrors’, a site of multivocal engagement and interpretive resonance for learners. By analyzing how women navigate questions of legitimacy and authority, the study contributes to broader conversations about gender and pedagogy, offering a model in which authority is reframed not as hierarchical control but as the capacity to enable collective ownership of the knowledge and its production. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renewal, Innovation, and Transformation: The Changing Face of Judaism in Modern Times)

22 pages, 372 KB

Open AccessArticle

Ontological Culture and the Divergent Trajectories of Christianity in Modern East Asia: A Comparative Historical Analysis of China and Korea

by Fang Du and Zhen Sun

Religions 2026, 17(2), 269; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel17020269 - 23 Feb 2026

Viewed by 1026

Abstract

This article offers a comparative historical analysis of the transmission of Christianity in China and Korea from the nineteenth century to the formation of modern nation-states. Although the two societies were incorporated into the global order under broadly similar conditions of Western imperial [...] Read more.

This article offers a comparative historical analysis of the transmission of Christianity in China and Korea from the nineteenth century to the formation of modern nation-states. Although the two societies were incorporated into the global order under broadly similar conditions of Western imperial expansion and modernization, Christianity followed markedly different trajectories in each context. This study examines how Christianity interacted with dominant ideological traditions in China and Korea and how these interactions shaped distinct patterns of religious localization. To explain these divergent outcomes, the article introduces the analytical concepts of ontological culture and cultural inertia and employs them as a culturally grounded framework for comparison. It argues that differences in the sources of normative legitimacy and the strength of cultural inertia played a decisive role in conditioning whether Christianity remained marginal or became socially embedded. While Christianity in China was largely contained and selectively absorbed within a resilient indigenous ontological culture, its development in Korea was facilitated by a weakening cultural order that allowed Christianity to function as an alternative source of moral authority. By foregrounding cultural structure as a mediating mechanism in religious transmission, this study moves beyond institution-centered or missionary-centered explanations and contributes a comparative East Asian perspective to broader debates on religious diffusion, localization, and globalization. It also highlights the value of non-Western historical experiences for developing more generalizable theories of religious change. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chinese Religious Cultures: Historical Traditions and Modern Interpretations)

17 pages, 313 KB

Open AccessArticle

Living Out, Redeeming Together: An Ethico-Theological Reconsideration of Protestant “Calling” in the 21st-Century Korean Context

by Soyoung Baik

Religions 2026, 17(2), 268; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel17020268 - 23 Feb 2026

Viewed by 419

Abstract

From the winter of 2024 through the spring of 2025, public plazas in Seoul, particularly Yeouido and Gwanghwamun, became major sites of anti-martial law political mobilization. A striking feature of these protests was the visible leadership and participation of young women, who transformed [...] Read more.

From the winter of 2024 through the spring of 2025, public plazas in Seoul, particularly Yeouido and Gwanghwamun, became major sites of anti-martial law political mobilization. A striking feature of these protests was the visible leadership and participation of young women, who transformed civil resistance into a festive and affective form of collective action through cheering sticks and performative solidarity. The main driving force behind the political mobilization of young women was the increased influence of feminism after the “feminism reboot” in Korea since 2016. During the civil resistance, they were also active in solidarity with various minorities. The resistance was successful, and Korea has regained the order of a democratic society. However, young women who had experienced autonomous protest and mutual solidarity found themselves, upon returning to their everyday lives, still facing the remaining task of struggling against patriarchal cultures and institutions. Among them, Christian women confronted an even more inhospitable sphere—that of the Korean Protestant church, which remains largely constrained by patriarchal norms, a Christian–Confucian mixture. A representative example is the emphasis on “women’s calling” based on fundamentalist/sexist readings of the Bible. The huge gap between current social change and the church situation is reflected in the recent phenomenon of many young female Christians’ de-churching. In confronting the incongruous realities of young Christian women, this study seeks to provide an ethico-theological basis for a feminist reinterpretation of the Protestant concept of “calling”. After analyzing the social/existential topos of young Korean Christian women in the recent Korean context, this work considers a feminist reinterpretation of the “creation order” and “calling” in the process of an intersubjective dialog between the Bible and pre-patriarchal Korean cultural resources of “Mago-affiliated” myth, Seolmundaehalmang (the Great Grandmother Seolmun) narratives in particular. By providing sociological, ethical, and theological resources to construct new norms of “calling”, this research contributes to enabling young Christian women in Korea to overcome their existential fragmentation and to seek forms of women’s calling that are attuned to their historical moment and identity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Reimagining Protestant Theology: The Asian Experience and Christian Tradition)

15 pages, 218 KB

Open AccessArticle

Worship Perceptions and Future Directions in Korean Conservative Presbyterian Churches: A Liturgical-Theological Reflection Based on Surveys of Pastors and Laity

by Hwarang Moon

Religions 2026, 17(2), 267; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel17020267 - 23 Feb 2026

Viewed by 499

Abstract

This study examines worship perceptions in conservative Korean Presbyterian churches through a liturgical-theological interpretation of nationwide survey data collected from pastors, lay congregants, and the next generation within a major conservative Presbyterian context in Korea. Analyzing programmatic priorities, preaching emphases, expected outcomes of [...] Read more.

This study examines worship perceptions in conservative Korean Presbyterian churches through a liturgical-theological interpretation of nationwide survey data collected from pastors, lay congregants, and the next generation within a major conservative Presbyterian context in Korea. Analyzing programmatic priorities, preaching emphases, expected outcomes of worship, and patterns of participation, the study identifies both enduring strengths and structural tensions in contemporary worship practice. While worship remains strongly Word-centered and oriented toward personal faith formation, items related to liturgy and sacrament are largely absent, reflecting a sermon-centered and programmatic understanding of worship. Interpreted within their historical and cultural formation, these patterns are examined as liturgical-theological structures rather than merely empirical trends. In response, the article proposes five future directions for worship renewal, emphasizing a more integrated relationship between Word and sacrament, participatory engagement, worship education, and generational and multicultural inclusivity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Reimagining Protestant Theology: The Asian Experience and Christian Tradition)

21 pages, 277 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Original Sin of Writing and Reading

by Kristián Benyovszky

Religions 2026, 17(2), 266; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel17020266 - 21 Feb 2026

Viewed by 457

Abstract

This study examines the possible points of connection between crime and reading on the basis of genre-typical roles and motifs in detective fiction. I aim to identify characteristic reading methods, strategies, locations, events, and professions with regard to the detective, the perpetrator and [...] Read more.

This study examines the possible points of connection between crime and reading on the basis of genre-typical roles and motifs in detective fiction. I aim to identify characteristic reading methods, strategies, locations, events, and professions with regard to the detective, the perpetrator and the victim. Following a general introduction with a focus on genre theory and thematic concerns, I proceed with an analysis of P. D. James’s crime novel Original Sin. This novel not only offers the posing and solving of a criminal puzzle, but also reflects powerfully on moral questions about sin, original sin and violent death. In my analysis, I follow the method of close reading, and as part of this approach, I also explore traces of biblical intertextuality. As a result of theoretical reflection and interpretation, I draw two important conclusions: (1) For investigators, reading texts constitutes an effective and indispensable instrument for reconstructing the past, thus uncovering the truth and revealing the perpetrator. (2) The reading events depicted in the novel refer to experiences and conceptual connections that justify discussing a kind of theology of reading: reading appears in the story as an intellectual activity that forms part of certain religious practices (penance, prayer, confession). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Peccata Lectionis)

25 pages, 6047 KB

Open AccessArticle

Restoring Faith and Form: Challenges and Strategies in the Preservation of Lord Guan Temples in Southern Shanxi

by Ye Tian and Xiaohuan Zhao

Religions 2026, 17(2), 265; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel17020265 - 20 Feb 2026

Viewed by 810

Abstract

Guan Yu (d. AD 220), better known by his posthumous title as Guan Gong or Lord Guan, was a prominent military general in the late Han dynasty (AD 206–220). For centuries, Lord Guan has been widely worshipped as both a god of war [...] Read more.

Guan Yu (d. AD 220), better known by his posthumous title as Guan Gong or Lord Guan, was a prominent military general in the late Han dynasty (AD 206–220). For centuries, Lord Guan has been widely worshipped as both a god of war and a god of wealth throughout China. His worship is particularly prevalent in southern Shanxi, which is celebrated as his birthplace. This region features a notable array of temples dating from the late imperial period, many of which are specifically dedicated to his cult. As tangible heritage, Lord Guan temples represent a significant facet of Chinese architectural and religious history. Today, they continue to serve as religious spaces, where pilgrims and devotees come together to honour the deity through ritual practices and theatrical performances. These activities not only reinforce the community’s religious beliefs but also help to perpetuate the cultural and historical traditions associated with Lord Guan’s worship. Based on fieldwork conducted between 2023 and 2025, the study scrutinises the restoration, preservation and conservation challenges faced by these sacred spaces and structures, emphasising the ongoing tension and collaboration between grassroots religious practices and state-led restoration initiatives. Through this examination, the paper sheds light on the multifaceted nature of tangible and intangible heritage conservation and its implications for Lord Guan’s cult in contemporary society. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Temple Art, Architecture and Theatre)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

22 pages, 8110 KB

Open AccessArticle

Cinema of the Desert: The Fight of the Ascetic Women

by Milja Radovic

Religions 2026, 17(2), 264; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel17020264 - 20 Feb 2026

Viewed by 604

Abstract

This paper examines the cinematic portrayals of ascetic women within contemporary film. Historically, the early desert fathers and mothers are venerated figures who embody a life of ascesis—spiritual discipline amidst the deserts of Egypt, Palestine, and Syria. Renowned as spiritual mentors and referred [...] Read more.

This paper examines the cinematic portrayals of ascetic women within contemporary film. Historically, the early desert fathers and mothers are venerated figures who embody a life of ascesis—spiritual discipline amidst the deserts of Egypt, Palestine, and Syria. Renowned as spiritual mentors and referred to as Abba (father) for men and Amma (mother) for women, they exemplify a way of Christian life rooted in ascetic practice. Their teachings, preserved in texts such as The Sayings of the Desert Fathers, offer profound insights into Christian spiritual praxis. This spiritual praxis has been vividly depicted through iconography and asceticism continues to hold reverence, particularly within Eastern Orthodox Christianity, where it serves as the basis of spiritual–liturgical life. While the core goal and meanings of asceticism have been conveyed through ascetic iconography and aesthetics, cinematic portrayals of ascetic life and ethos remain a relatively under-researched area. The focus of this study is on the film A Cross in the Desert, adapted from a literary source, which dramatises the hagiography of St. Paraksevi the New, also known as Sveta Petka and St. Paraskevi of the Balkans (Epivates 944–1012). Through the analysis of film language, this paper aims to shed new light on the ways in which iconographic language has been translated into cinematic language, assessing the ways in which women ascetics have been depicted from a contemporary perspective. The film’s representation of a woman ascetic offers valuable insights into the conceptualisations of the notion of gender as a virtue—embodying sanctity—and potential site of desecration—representing iniquity—as these are experienced as both embodied and spiritual realities. The study offers an analysis of how cinematic language operates, focusing on the visual techniques used to depict the intersection of gender, holiness, and spiritual discipline, thereby contributing to a deeper understanding of how film functions as a medium for engaging with complex religious and gendered identities. The analysis of film will provide novel understandings of how cinema depicts and challenges gender within the context of asceticism, exploring how these representations influence contemporary perceptions of women’s spirituality. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Religion and Film in the 21st Century: Perspectives and Challenges)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

19 pages, 390 KB

Open AccessArticle

“Dual Moral Authority”: Negotiating Christian Ethics Within Confucian Kinship Frameworks in Rural China

by Kun Xiang and Jianbo Huang

Religions 2026, 17(2), 263; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel17020263 - 20 Feb 2026

Viewed by 713

Abstract

The relationship between rural Christianity and the Chinese ethical conception of interpersonal relationships has long been a central concern in scholarly research. Existing studies often frame the two as antagonistic or argue that the Christian configuration of interpersonal relationships is a mere continuation [...] Read more.

The relationship between rural Christianity and the Chinese ethical conception of interpersonal relationships has long been a central concern in scholarly research. Existing studies often frame the two as antagonistic or argue that the Christian configuration of interpersonal relationships is a mere continuation of the traditional differential mode of association (chaxu geju). However, these perspectives often neglect local Christians’ own ethno-theology and its praxis, rendering the cultural transformations brought about by conversion invisible. Focusing on the ordinary ethics of rural Christians and based on long-term fieldwork in Shui County (a pseudonym), a rural region at the junction of Jiangsu, Shandong, Henan and Anhui provinces in China, this study reveals that Christianity instantiates a dual moral authority system within believers’ daily practices: “centripetal authority” and “centrifugal authority”. The former emphasizes inner sincerity, granting believers a degree of moral autonomy. The latter establishes a divine foundation for believers’ social relations. Employing anthropologist Marcel Mauss’s theory of gift to analyze the interaction between two types of authority in the ordinary ethics of believers, this study finds that rural Christianity both consolidates and expands pre-existing, local relational configurations. The extent of this cultural transformation is closely correlated with the depth of the divine–human relationship. Consequently, Christianity’s relationship with traditional Chinese ethics transcends binary oppositions between antagonism and continuity, instead enacting a creative reconfiguration. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Transformations in East Asia Religious Diversity: Technology, Hybridity, Equality)

3 pages, 139 KB

Open AccessEditorial

Christology: Christian Writings and the Reflections of Theologians

by Robert Fastiggi

Religions 2026, 17(2), 262; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel17020262 - 20 Feb 2026

Viewed by 450

Abstract

Christology can be defined as theological reflection on the person and mission of Jesus Christ [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Christology: Christian Writings and the Reflections of Theologians)

14 pages, 220 KB

Open AccessEssay

Spirituality, Meaning, and Well-Being: A Role in the University Classroom

by Mark Thurston

Religions 2026, 17(2), 261; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel17020261 - 20 Feb 2026

Viewed by 581

Abstract

In recent years, for higher education—especially in the United States—spirituality has emerged as a prominent topic on campus, both in curricular and co-curricular formats. Historically, religion has played a large role in the foundations and even missions of many universities, but in the [...] Read more.

In recent years, for higher education—especially in the United States—spirituality has emerged as a prominent topic on campus, both in curricular and co-curricular formats. Historically, religion has played a large role in the foundations and even missions of many universities, but in the modern era, especially for public universities, personal spirituality has become the frequent way in which topics such as meaning, values, compassion, and mindfulness are addressed. Meaning is an especially prominent theme—not only “the meaning of life” but also “meaning in life” and the individual student’s experience of “the search for meaning.” This essay explores not only previous research and theoretical proposals on the links between spirituality and meaning, but it also proposes ways in which spirituality and well-being can be relevant topics for curriculum offerings in modern universities. The essay provides one illustrative example of a way to create learning structures to support students’ exploration of practices from personal spirituality (e.g., mindfulness practices, values clarification, reflective journaling, and dream study) and how such practices can promote an enhanced sense of meaning in one’s life. The essay concludes with thoughts regarding ways in which interested faculty might collaborate to share best practices on the modern university campus to support students’ spiritual growth and their search for meaning in life. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Religion, Spirituality, Well-Being and Positive Psychology)

18 pages, 316 KB

Open AccessArticle

“Six Days You Shall Labour”: Seventh-Day Adventist Cereal and Religious Restrictions on Contemporary Secular Work Practices in Australia

by Zoe Alderton and Craig Anthony Gilliver

Religions 2026, 17(2), 260; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel17020260 - 19 Feb 2026

Viewed by 759

Abstract

This paper examines the cultural and theological dimensions of Weet-Bix, an iconic Australian cereal produced by the Sanitarium Health Food Company, a department of the Seventh-day Adventist Church (SDA). It argues that Weet-Bix simultaneously embodies SDA principles of health and holiness while concealing [...] Read more.

This paper examines the cultural and theological dimensions of Weet-Bix, an iconic Australian cereal produced by the Sanitarium Health Food Company, a department of the Seventh-day Adventist Church (SDA). It argues that Weet-Bix simultaneously embodies SDA principles of health and holiness while concealing these religious origins through secular branding. Drawing on historical and doctrinal foundations of SDA dietary reform, the study shows how Sanitarium’s commitment to plant-based nutrition reflects a theology of bodily purity and moral discipline. At the same time, marketing strategies recast these spiritual imperatives as national virtues of health, sport, and family life. Through analysis of corporate culture and a case study of the Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon, the paper explores the tension between Sanitarium’s public-facing secularity and its religious roots, revealing how SDA foodways persist beneath the surface of Australian consumer culture. This research contributes to understanding the hidden influence of religion on everyday food practices and the construction of national identity. Full article

21 pages, 462 KB

Open AccessArticle

Three Iranian Intellectual Icons of the 1960s and Their Attitudes Toward the Bahá’ís

by Mina Yazdani

Religions 2026, 17(2), 259; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel17020259 - 19 Feb 2026

Viewed by 1111

Abstract

This article examines the works of three iconic Iranian intellectuals of the 1960s—the Muslim thinker Jalál Ál-i-Aḥmad, the Islamist ideologue ‘Alí Sharí‘atí, and the Marxist theorist Iḥsán Ṭabarí—and argues that their shared underlying assumption is the claim that the Bahá’í religion has foreign [...] Read more.

This article examines the works of three iconic Iranian intellectuals of the 1960s—the Muslim thinker Jalál Ál-i-Aḥmad, the Islamist ideologue ‘Alí Sharí‘atí, and the Marxist theorist Iḥsán Ṭabarí—and argues that their shared underlying assumption is the claim that the Bahá’í religion has foreign roots and that its leaders maintain clandestine ties with foreign powers. By uncritically accepting the master narrative of Bahá’í espionage—shaped in large part by The Confessions of Dalgurúkí in the 1940s—these intellectuals, contrary to their role as agents of change and critics of authority, helped further consolidate and perpetuate this narrative. In doing so, and given their significant influence, they contributed to the distancing of their readers from their Bahá’í compatriots. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Bahá’í Faith: Doctrinal and Historical Explorations—Part 2)

22 pages, 306 KB

Open AccessArticle

Authenticity, Fragilization, and Cross-Pressure in Charles Taylor’s A Secular Age

by Spyridon Kaltsas

Religions 2026, 17(2), 258; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel17020258 - 19 Feb 2026

Viewed by 991

Abstract

This paper critically examines Charles Taylor’s analysis in A Secular Age, with a focus on the concepts of authenticity, fragilization and cross-pressure. I explore the ethic of authenticity in relation to the ontological instability produced by exclusive humanism and consider how fragilization [...] Read more.

This paper critically examines Charles Taylor’s analysis in A Secular Age, with a focus on the concepts of authenticity, fragilization and cross-pressure. I explore the ethic of authenticity in relation to the ontological instability produced by exclusive humanism and consider how fragilization and cross-pressure reflect the fragmentation of our relation to the spiritual. At the same time, I engage with critical responses to Taylor that challenge his claims about authenticity and question the coherence and universality of fragilization and cross-pressure as social and cultural phenomena. I conclude that Taylor’s account of authenticity is fundamentally ambivalent, as it reproduces the rigid distinction between immanence and transcendence that the ethic of authenticity itself seeks ostensibly to destabilize. Full article

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

15 pages, 251 KB

Open AccessArticle

Forgiveness and Reconciliation Through Mimetic Theory: A Girardian Perspective from Post-War Croatia

by Zoran Turza, Antun Pavešković, Amabilis Kata Jurić, Miriam Mary Brgles, Bruno Matos, Ivan Karlić, Stjepan Radić and Marinko Tomić

Religions 2026, 17(2), 257; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel17020257 - 19 Feb 2026

Viewed by 736

Abstract

Forgiveness and reconciliation pose significant challenges in post-conflict societies, especially for those directly affected by violence. While legal frameworks of transitional justice are often discussed, the personal and religious dimensions of forgiveness receive less attention. This article seeks to address this gap using [...] Read more.

Forgiveness and reconciliation pose significant challenges in post-conflict societies, especially for those directly affected by violence. While legal frameworks of transitional justice are often discussed, the personal and religious dimensions of forgiveness receive less attention. This article seeks to address this gap using René Girard’s mimetic theory to analyze the relationship between religious motivation and the processes of forgiveness and reconciliation. The study’s empirical findings stem from qualitative interviews with 22 individuals who were victims during the Homeland War (1991–1995) in Croatia. Girard’s theory posits that humans imitate not just behavior, but the desires of others, leading to mimetic rivalry that can escalate into violence—a concept known as “negative mimesis.” However, concept of “positive mimesis” is also achievable when individuals emulate Jesus Christ’s model of self-giving love, facilitating a pathway towards reconciliation. The primary research question guiding this inquiry asks how individuals affected by violence navigate forgiveness and reconciliation, especially the role of religion in this process. In this context, forgiveness is conceptualized as a deeply personal and spiritual journey, whereas reconciliation is defined as the restoration of interpersonal relationships within a societal framework that requires forgiveness. Consequently, this research prioritizes exploring individual narratives and personal accounts from participants rather than addressing broader societal implications. Insights from interviews reveal participants’ understanding of both negative and positive mimesis, indicating that mimetic mechanisms can foster tendencies towards violence as well as forgiveness. In this framework, Jesus Christ serves as a vital external mediator, providing a transformative route away from cycles of violence. Most participants indicated that their faith, prayer practices, and the example set by Christ significantly influenced their forgiveness decisions. This paper contributes original insights into the theological and anthropological aspects of forgiveness, demonstrating that Girard’s mimetic theory effectively illuminates the complexities of reconciliation in post-conflict settings. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Ethics of War and Peace: Religious Traditions in Dialogue)

26 pages, 342 KB

Open AccessArticle

God the Almighty and the Tenacity of Onto-Theology: Impasse in Merold Westphal’s God-Talk

by Dongkyu Kim

Religions 2026, 17(2), 256; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel17020256 - 19 Feb 2026

Viewed by 765

Abstract

This paper argues that Westphal’s attempt to overcome onto-theology paradoxically collapses back into it—not through conceptual inconsistency but through a structural reinscription of the very hierarchy he seeks to escape. The argument begins by examining Westphal’s understanding of onto-theology and critically assessing his [...] Read more.

This paper argues that Westphal’s attempt to overcome onto-theology paradoxically collapses back into it—not through conceptual inconsistency but through a structural reinscription of the very hierarchy he seeks to escape. The argument begins by examining Westphal’s understanding of onto-theology and critically assessing his appropriation of Augustine and Kierkegaard (the latter via Levinas), culminating in his affirmation of “God the Almighty.” This critique is particularly warranted given that Westphal elevates Kierkegaard as the paradigmatic figure for overcoming onto-theology. Subsequently, by drawing on Derrida and Caputo, the study introduces an expanded understanding of onto-theology—encompassing the critique of theocentrism and the obsession with purity—to expose the lacunae in Westphal’s approach. While Westphal successfully avoids the production of a God to whom one cannot pray or offer praise, his project nonetheless remains entrapped within the orbit of onto-theology as theocentrism. The paper concludes by indicating that such attempts to overcome onto-theology risk regressing into a theocentric structure, with significant implications for how religious discourse shapes ethical and political life. Ultimately, it highlights that his hermeneutical approach to God remains firmly theological—indeed, all too theological—and unable to transcend the hermeneutics of religious life. Full article

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

15 pages, 278 KB

Open AccessArticle

Hunting the Haunting: Searching for Orbs, Specters, and Ghostly Creatures Through Digital Technologies

by Lionel Obadia

Religions 2026, 17(2), 255; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel17020255 - 19 Feb 2026

Viewed by 879

Abstract

The development of digital technologies had a profound impact on religions, bringing about resistance and adaptations of traditional, theistic systems to this new technological and mediated environment, and on the dynamics of invention and creativity, as demonstrated by the wave of new digital [...] Read more.

The development of digital technologies had a profound impact on religions, bringing about resistance and adaptations of traditional, theistic systems to this new technological and mediated environment, and on the dynamics of invention and creativity, as demonstrated by the wave of new digital religious movements. Scholars’ attention has mainly been put on the modalities of Searching God on the Net. This emphasis on “traditional” religions led to overlooking another dimension, the resurgence and innovative dynamics of beliefs and practices that fall under the category of “paranormal” or “alternative” forms of thinking, believing and acting—magical, witchcraft, occult, esoteric, spirit, and “spiritual” beliefs (understood in a broad sense)—are indeed also spreading and changing by means of new digital technologies. In this regard, digital technologies are not only “religious” or “sacred”, but they are also “haunted”. Departing from a particular topic of primary importance in this field, the ghost, i.e., the different ways by which spectral forms manifests themselves in the new ecosystems of digital technologies, and the way in which technologies reshape the ghost figure, this paper intends to shed light on the logics of this less considered facet of the digital revolution: the ways it participates in a reinvention of the paranormal and a hauntology of technologies. And in parallel to the quest for God online, it is also possible to engage in virtual ghost hunting. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Digital Religion in the Age of the Metaverse)

12 pages, 225 KB

Open AccessArticle

Connecting Amid the Chaos: Gary Snyder’s Vision of the ‘Great Earth Sangha’ in the Anthropocene

by Sadhna Swayamsidha and Swarnalatha Rangarajan

Religions 2026, 17(2), 254; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel17020254 - 18 Feb 2026

Viewed by 726

Abstract

Gary Snyder’s vision of the ‘great earth sangha’ articulates a philosophy of ecological awakening in which spiritual, ethical, and affective relationships connect all forms of life into a cohesive and sacred web of interbeing. The concept of the ‘great earth sangha’ embodies a [...] Read more.

Gary Snyder’s vision of the ‘great earth sangha’ articulates a philosophy of ecological awakening in which spiritual, ethical, and affective relationships connect all forms of life into a cohesive and sacred web of interbeing. The concept of the ‘great earth sangha’ embodies a profound sense of ‘oneness,’ in which the dichotomy between the self and the other dissolves, leading to a realisation of the Earth as a sentient, experiential, and pulsating entity. Inspired by the holistic perspectives of Buddhism and the resonances of Indigenous cosmologies, Snyder’s idea of the ‘great earth sangha’ represents a heightened consciousness and an “emotional intelligence” that fosters compassion, love, care and empathy for all beings in the world. For Snyder, the great earth sangha is a practice—a way of living in mindful ecological engagement. It is embedded with the principles of sila (morality), which foregrounds visions of harmonious coexistence and ecological kinship. This article argues that Snyder’s idea of the ‘great earth sangha’ offers a counter-anthropocentric perspective that subverts entrenched human-centred hierarchies by situating human identity within a communal web of existence. The article discusses how Snyder redefines the notion of ‘community’ as an inclusive, interdependent network that transcends human boundaries and embraces all planetary beings. Finally, the article explores how Snyder’s holistic vision propounds a restorative path that centres on ideas of ethics, affect, justice, responsibility and stewardship. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mysticism and Nature)

16 pages, 404 KB

Open AccessArticle

“Life and Death Are Subject to Fate”: A Study Centered on Mou Zongsan’s Interpretation of Ming in Confucian Thought on Life and Death

by Hongxing Lin

Religions 2026, 17(2), 253; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel17020253 - 18 Feb 2026

Viewed by 897

Abstract

According to Mou Zongsan, ming 命 (fate) in the Chinese context is not an empirical concept or a concept of knowledge, but a “notional concept” (xu gainian 虛概念) perceived through life practice, which manifests as the uncontrollable contingencies and limitations an individual [...] Read more.

According to Mou Zongsan, ming 命 (fate) in the Chinese context is not an empirical concept or a concept of knowledge, but a “notional concept” (xu gainian 虛概念) perceived through life practice, which manifests as the uncontrollable contingencies and limitations an individual encounters in time and space. This inexplicable and inescapable ming is often regarded as a kind of “malevolent force” (e shili 惡勢力), readily inducing a sense of powerlessness and even the abandonment of moral efforts. However, Confucianism does not lead to passive fatalism; instead, it emphasizes “rectifying ming” (zhengming 正命) and “establishing ming” (liming 立命) on the basis of “knowing ming” (zhiming 知命). By distinguishing between “seeking in oneself” (qiuzai wozhe 求在我者) (the original heart-mind of morality) and “seeking externally” (qiuzai waizhe 求在外者) (external circumstances), Confucianism advocates that one should exhaust one’s effort in the moral realm, while calmly “awaiting ming” (siming 俟命) when it comes to external limitations such as life and death, success and failure. Mencius proposed “cultivating oneself to await one’s ming, thereby establishing one’s ming (修身以俟之，所以立命也)”, emphasizing the transcendence of the limitations of ming through moral practice, showcasing the proactive spirit of “knowing that what one does is impossible and yet persists anyway (知其不可而為之)”. However, while Confucianism promotes “transcending” the constraints of fate, its potential lack of reflection on the “liberation” aspect might lead one to reconsider the theoretical efficacy of Confucianism in confronting the ultimate fate. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Multiple Images and Forms of Classical Confucian and Daoist Ethics for Living)

19 pages, 552 KB

Open AccessArticle

The “Jiaoxiecheng” Narrative and Cultural Exchange Between Asia and Europe in the Tang Dynasty

by Jiaxing Feng

Religions 2026, 17(2), 252; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel17020252 - 18 Feb 2026

Viewed by 672

Abstract

The “Jiaoxiecheng” narrative, compiled on the basis of the Japanese monk Ennin’s experiences in Tang China, began circulating in society from the late Heian period. Continuously evolved and adapted by later generations, it became a famous Buddhist setsuwa (anecdotal tale) in ancient [...] Read more.

The “Jiaoxiecheng” narrative, compiled on the basis of the Japanese monk Ennin’s experiences in Tang China, began circulating in society from the late Heian period. Continuously evolved and adapted by later generations, it became a famous Buddhist setsuwa (anecdotal tale) in ancient Japan, yet it was not a Japanese original. The compilation and evolution of the “Jiaoxiecheng” narrative were products of Eurasian cultural exchange during the Tang Dynasty. Its ideological origins lie in the excessive alienation of the Huichang Persecution of Buddhism and the constructed image of Emperor Wuzong among certain groups in Central China at that time. Furthermore, the nostalgia for the homeland revealed in the story’s depiction of Ennin’s experiences in Tang China is actually a microcosm of the homesickness felt by Japanese scholars who traveled to Tang for study and Buddhist teachings, set against the broader context of Sino-Japanese cultural exchange. The cross-cultural perspective presented by the “Jiaoxiecheng” narrative provides an important reference for studying the openness of Tang culture and offers new textual evidence and dimensions for contemplating the relationship between ancient China and Eurasian cultures. Full article

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

10 pages, 236 KB

Open AccessArticle

Reason, Authority and Theology in Francisco de Vitoria’s Concept of Magic

by Francisco Castilla Urbano

Religions 2026, 17(2), 251; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel17020251 - 18 Feb 2026

Viewed by 361

Abstract

The analysis of knowledge derived from the relection of De magia distinguishes between science, magic, and religion. The first is the result of an investigation based on natural causes. The mystery and solitude that surround the scientist in pursuit of their objectives not [...] Read more.

The analysis of knowledge derived from the relection of De magia distinguishes between science, magic, and religion. The first is the result of an investigation based on natural causes. The mystery and solitude that surround the scientist in pursuit of their objectives not only constitute a context of discovery in which not everyone is capable of operating but also allow Vitoria to intuit that people of very different backgrounds are present within it. However, what is important here is not so much the intention that guides them, but rather that the resources employed depend on nature and are available to anyone and, therefore, do not imply any reprehensible action. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Catholic Propaganda on the Frontiers: Evangelizing Pagans, Protestants, and Non-Believers in the 16th and 17th Centuries)

19 pages, 2115 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Marian–Guanyin Nexus in China, Japan, and the Philippines: Interreading, Boundaries, and Comparative Pathways

by Nan Ma

Religions 2026, 17(2), 250; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel17020250 - 18 Feb 2026

Viewed by 729

Abstract

Focusing on China, Japan, and the Philippines, this article examines how Marian–Guanyin cross-reading takes shape in images, stories, and ritual practice within different legal and political regimes. Rather than presuming doctrinal equivalence, the analysis treats cross-reading as a practice-driven process structured by five [...] Read more.

Focusing on China, Japan, and the Philippines, this article examines how Marian–Guanyin cross-reading takes shape in images, stories, and ritual practice within different legal and political regimes. Rather than presuming doctrinal equivalence, the analysis treats cross-reading as a practice-driven process structured by five variables: dominant–subaltern relations, legal regime, media, theological thresholds, and intergenerational transmission. Three findings follow. First, analogy and transfer occur mainly in images and devotional practice, rather than doctrine. Second, social context determines both direction and limit: in China, plural traditions allow for devotional coexistence without doctrinal merger; in Tokugawa Japan, Marian–Guanyin likenesses serve as protective cover within underground devotion and take the form of small, portable image types; in the Philippines, Buddhist and folk religions join Catholic social rhythms through functional equivalence in imagery and rite. Third, these patterns lead to three outcome types: intericonic coexistence, type-formation under repression, and inculturation driven by practice and emotion. By distinguishing functional and perceptual equivalence from doctrinal change, and by separating official theology from community narration, the article narrows the scope of “syncretism” and proposes a transferable framework for explaining how images and ritual procedures simultaneously mark boundaries and enable boundary-crossing in unequal religious fields. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Transformations in East Asia Religious Diversity: Technology, Hybridity, Equality)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

22 pages, 364 KB

Open AccessArticle

Interreligious Dialogue in Haifa: Challenges and Prospects of Religious Leadership Engagement in the Shadow of War

by Uriel Simonsohn and Maayan Karen Raveh

Religions 2026, 17(2), 249; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel17020249 - 18 Feb 2026

Viewed by 1686

Abstract

The Hamas attack of 7 October 2023 and the ensuing war profoundly destabilized Jewish–Arab relations within Israel, intensifying fear, mistrust, and intercommunal tensions. Focusing on the mixed city of Haifa, this article examines the potential and limitations of interreligious dialogue under conditions of [...] Read more.

The Hamas attack of 7 October 2023 and the ensuing war profoundly destabilized Jewish–Arab relations within Israel, intensifying fear, mistrust, and intercommunal tensions. Focusing on the mixed city of Haifa, this article examines the potential and limitations of interreligious dialogue under conditions of acute conflict. It analyzes the Haifa Multi-Religious Initiative, convened by the University of Haifa shortly after the outbreak of war, which brought together Jewish, Muslim, Christian, and Druze religious leaders in a series of facilitated encounters. Drawing on participant observation and qualitative analysis, the study proposes a three-dimensional model of dialogue—structural, relational, and transformative—to assess how religious leadership operates within institutional constraints, power asymmetries, and identity negotiations. The findings highlight both the capacity of religious leaders to foster trust and civic solidarity at the local level and the significant limits imposed by political pressures and communal accountability. The article argues that interreligious dialogue can contribute to urban peacebuilding, not by resolving conflict, but by sustaining shared civic life amid protracted violence. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Religions and Health/Psychology/Social Sciences)

19 pages, 13621 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Genealogy of a Creative Anomaly: Tracing the Conflated Iconography of Mañjuśrī and Samantabhadra from Dunhuang to Late Imperial Folk Prints

by Qi Zhang

Religions 2026, 17(2), 248; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel17020248 - 18 Feb 2026

Viewed by 807

Abstract

This article investigates a unique iconographic anomaly in late medieval Dunhuang silk paintings: the conflation of the bodhisattvas Mañjuśrī and Samantabhadra. Focusing on two key artifacts from the 9th and 10th centuries and tracing their legacy to later folk prints, this study argues [...] Read more.

This article investigates a unique iconographic anomaly in late medieval Dunhuang silk paintings: the conflation of the bodhisattvas Mañjuśrī and Samantabhadra. Focusing on two key artifacts from the 9th and 10th centuries and tracing their legacy to later folk prints, this study argues the phenomenon is not a scribal error but a creative Anomaly—a deliberate ritual synthesis. The analysis reveals this synthesis was driven by two forces: a phonetic re-semanticization in the local dialect and a theological logic born from the integration of Huayan School doctrines with Esoteric ritual practice. The paper demonstrates how Huayan metaphysics were operationalized through condensed Esoteric invocations, turning the inscription into a functional ritual shorthand. Crucially, this study demonstrates the genealogical survival of this Silk Road variant in Ming and Qing dynasty woodblock prints. It uncovers a parallel, non-canonical lineage of visual piety, sustained through workshop copybooks rather than elite textual discourse. This trajectory challenges the linear narrative of Buddhist art history, highlighting the generative power of localized adaptations existing outside the purview of the written canon. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Buddhist Art Along the Silk Road and Its Cross-Cultural Interaction)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 483 KB

Open AccessArticle

Altering Solomon’s Alternative Altar: Chronicles’ Revision of Kings in Light of Priestly Tradition

by Hananel Shapira

Religions 2026, 17(2), 247; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel17020247 - 18 Feb 2026

Viewed by 702

Abstract

This paper examines the relationship between the Book of Kings and the Book of Chronicles through a focused case study: the depiction of the altar(s) in Solomon’s temple. While scholarly models vary—some positing a shared source, others viewing Chronicles as a revision of [...] Read more.

This paper examines the relationship between the Book of Kings and the Book of Chronicles through a focused case study: the depiction of the altar(s) in Solomon’s temple. While scholarly models vary—some positing a shared source, others viewing Chronicles as a revision of Kings—this analysis supports the view, associated with Wellhausen, that Chronicles reinterprets the Deuteronomistic History in line with the Pentateuch, particularly its Priestly layer. In Kings, Solomon’s two altars function within a hierarchical system that distinguishes between the royal and communal spheres. Chronicles, by contrast, aligns the temple’s cultic architecture with the Tabernacle model, presenting a single sacrificial altar alongside a golden altar with a different function. The Chronicler’s account reveals its secondary nature through both expansion and abbreviation of the Kings narrative, shaped by a theological agenda to harmonize Israel’s cultic past with the normative framework of priestly law. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interpreting the Bible: Re-Reading Texts, Characters, and Images from Scripture)

20 pages, 321 KB

Open AccessArticle

From Port-Royal to the “Philosophical Society”: Revisiting the Religious Origins of the French Revolution

by Benoît Vermander

Religions 2026, 17(2), 246; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel17020246 - 17 Feb 2026

Viewed by 937

Abstract

From an early stage of research on the subject, the question of the religious origins of the French Revolution has been focused on the influence exerted by Jansenism on the transformation that political doctrines, social practices, and popular emotions underwent, particularly between 1710 [...] Read more.

From an early stage of research on the subject, the question of the religious origins of the French Revolution has been focused on the influence exerted by Jansenism on the transformation that political doctrines, social practices, and popular emotions underwent, particularly between 1710 and 1770. This influence is even said to have extended till the time of the adoption of the Civil Constitution of the Clergy (1790), although this timeframe remains greatly controverted. Within this explanatory outline, one of the points still to be clarified is that of continuity between 18th-century Jansenism and that of the preceding century, a question which in turn relates to the nature and channels of the movement’s impact in pre-revolutionary France. After reviewing the theoretical and methodological issues related to the question addressed here, this contribution attempts to reinterpret the role played by the Port-Royal circle, which, it suggests, was a matrix of the type of sociability manifested much later in the “philosophical society” whose importance was emphasized by Augustin Cochin and then François Furet. The demonstration is based on a threefold analysis: that of the epistemic changes that took shape around Port-Royal; that of the discursive positioning operated by this circle; and that of the type of sociability that its thought and practices helped to establish. Full article

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

20 pages, 295 KB

Open AccessArticle

Creative Thought and the Divine Word: An Examination of the Mythological Expression of Cosmic Consciousness

by Merve Günaltay Başak and Aynur Koçak

Religions 2026, 17(2), 245; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel17020245 - 17 Feb 2026

Viewed by 822

Abstract

This article adopts a comparative mythology framework in order to situate creation myths within a broad cultural context. It examines how different societies conceptualize the emergence of the universe through the interconnected notions of thought and word. The study demonstrates that, despite cultural [...] Read more.

This article adopts a comparative mythology framework in order to situate creation myths within a broad cultural context. It examines how different societies conceptualize the emergence of the universe through the interconnected notions of thought and word. The study demonstrates that, despite cultural diversity, these narratives articulate shared principles concerning the mental and linguistic foundations of existence while preserving tradition-specific expressions. The analysis is based on qualitative content analysis of primary mythological texts drawn from Hindu, Maori, Maya, Maiana, Dogon, Polynesian, Ancient Egyptian, and Turkish traditions, encompassing sources ranging from the Rig Veda and the Popol Vuh to the theology of Ptah and Dogon doctrines of word-based creation. These materials were examined through hermeneutic reading practices and comparatively evaluated using concept-oriented analytical categories. The findings indicate that cosmogonic myths operate beyond mere narrative description by structuring coherent models of creation in which cognitive intention and verbal articulation play constitutive roles. Full article

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Religions, Volume 17, Issue 2 (February 2026) – 148 articles

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI