„…az evangélium, amelyet én hirdettem, nem embertől származik, mert én nem embertől vettem…” (Gal 1,1–2,10)

Author(s): Zoltán Adorjáni / Language(s): Hungarian Issue: 5/2019

Dieser Vortrag wurde 2019 im Rahmen der Pfarrerweiterbildung zum Thema „Auch der Pfarrer ist ein Mensch“ gehalten. Es wird auf Grund Galater 1,2–2,10 erörtert, was hinter fol-genden Worten des Apostels verborgen ist: „…das Evangelium, das von mir gepredigt ist, nicht von menschlicher Art ist. Denn ich habe es nicht von einem Menschen empfangen oder gelernt, sondern durch eine Offenbarung Jesu Christi.“ (11–12) Der Vortrag möchte auch auf zwei Fragen Antwort geben: a) Wie sich Saulus’, d. h. Paulus’ persönliches Gotterlebnis, seine Bekehrung und der Traditionsinhalt des verkündigten Evangeliums zueinander verhalten? b) Wie Paulus die Gewißheit seiner Berufung durch die beweisende Haltung der kirchlichen Gemeide erhält?

„…hogy a halandót elnyelje az élet”. 1Kor 15,54c és 2Kor 5,4c összevetése

Author(s): Géza Pap / Language(s): Hungarian Issue: 1/2011

„Eu sunt Cel ce sunt” sau Alteritatea Absolută

Author(s): Marius Adrian Bolbos / Language(s): Romanian Issue: 06/2019

God is revealed to the world through His words and actions, but what He is in His Being remains unknown for the creation. An act of the revelation of His Godhead, as far as the created being might understand, is the name that God Himself reveals: “I Am Who I Am.” The name of God has spiritual and eschatological value. Uttering the Divine Name means asserting the presence and work of God in creation; re-asserting and renewing the work and purpose of man: his deification and transfiguration of the entire creation. The Divine Name - Yahweh - defines He Who is undefined, represents. He Who is unrepresented because His Name is indissolubly connected to His Person.

„Eunuchowie ze względu na królestwo niebios”: biblijne podstawy celibatu – analiza literacko-egzegetyczna Mt 19,10–12

Author(s): Dawid Napiwodzki / Language(s): Polish Issue: 28/2021

The content of the article is a literary-exegetical analysis of Mt 19:10–12. This pericope deals with the subject of celibacy. When Jesus speaks of the unmarried, he uses the word “eunuchs”. He distinguishes three groups of eunuchs, the first two of which do not raise any doubts. However, the most surprising is the third group, as they are the ones who made themselves “eunuchs” for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. We are dealing here with a metaphorical approach to the celibate. It is emphasized that this state of life is not understandable for everyone, but only for the chosen ones, for those who do it for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. In Jesus’ speech, we find traces of typically Semitic literary structures and figures. We are dealing here with the spiral structure of the phrase (Mt 19:12a–c), which is typical of the Semitic form of mashal, which confirms that we are dealing with ipsissima verba Jesu. The researched pericope constitutes its own material, characteristic only for the Gospel of Matthew. It perfectly fits the structure and editorial concept of chapters 19 and 20. The study shows the biblical, evangelical rooting of celibacy, the source of which is Jesus himself.

„Glorie poporului Tău Israel [sau binecredincios?]” (Luca 2, 32). Dilema orală a unei exprimări liturgice problematice

Author(s): Cătălin Varga / Language(s): Romanian Issue: 02/2021

“Glory to Your people Israel [or faithful people?]” (Luke 2:32). The oral dilemma of a problematic liturgical expressionIt is well known that the radical leftist ideology of Marxism and real socialism constitute not only a fragment of world history, but also a chapter of Jewish history. Ordinary Jews were also victims of communism. The most serious problem is posed by the quasi-religious character of the communist party in Romania. Our thesis aims at demonstrating that the oral mistranslation of the final part of “The Hymn of Simeon the God-receiver” from the Romanian Orthodox Vespers is due to an anti-Semitic involvement of the clergy, under the pressure of Soviet agents. They changed the phrase: “...a light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of Your people Israel” into the following simulacrum: “...a light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of Your faithful people”. This amendment gave birth to the idea that only Christians could be saved and that the Jewish people would go to hell. The good news is that the amendment of the biblical text in Luke 2:32 was done only at the level of oral communication in the Orthodox Cult; the texts for Liturgical Services kept the biblical mention of “people Israel”. However, the consequences of this intervention still subsist: an article published on January 31st, 2012 in “Lumina newspaper”, the official daily publication of the Romanian Patriarchy, repeated the mistranslation of “people Israel” from the Oral Tradition. Therefore, we must solve this huge liturgical error in order to uproot anti Semitism, as it endangers human rights, tolerance and freedom, which are specific to the Covenant that God made with peoples around the world and especially with the people of Israel.

„Gyertek, nézzétek meg!”

Jézus motiváló ereje, különös tekintettel Szent János evangéliumára

Author(s): Levente Balázs Martos / Language(s): Hungarian Issue: 1/2021

The concept of motivation is related to the encouraging effect on others on the one hand and the reasons for our own actions on the other. Motivation always reflects a specific set of values and tools, as well as behavior. In our short study, some of the fundamental values characteristic of the Bible will be presented, and then we observe the motivating presence of Jesus for his disciples in the narration of the fourth gospel, the Gospel of John.

„Házát a sziklára építette...” (vö. Mt 7,24)

Az építkezés metaforái a Bibliában

Author(s): Levente Balázs Martos / Language(s): Hungarian Issue: 2/2021

Biblische Grundmotive verknüpfen oft wichtige Lebensfelder: konkreter, alltäglicher Gebrauch bestimmter Wörter bereitet einer anderen, symbolischen Sprache Platz. In dieser Studie werden einige biblische Geschichten und Konzepte im Zusammenhang mit Bauen auf ihren möglichen symbolischen Wert hin durchsucht. Es reicht ein Hinweis auf den Bau von Städten, Haüsern, Tempeln, bzw. auf den „Bau“ des menschlichen Körpers oder von Gemeinschaften, um diesen Tatbestand einzusehen. Dem Spruch Jesu vom auf Felsen gebauten Haus wird näher nachgegangen, um dann durch einige sehr konkrete Beispiele eine hermeneutische Anwendung auf unser eigenes Leben vorzubereiten.

„Ismertesd meg azokat fiaiddal és unokáiddal is” 5Móz 4,9. Továbbadott hit a Deuteronomiumban

Author(s): Szabolcs Ferenc Kató / Language(s): Hungarian Issue: 1/2019

Protestáns hagyományunkban hangsúlyos tantétel a sola scriptura elve, azaz, hogy mind az egyházi tanításunknak mind a tanítás tettekbe átültetett megnyilvánulásainak bibliai alapja kell hogy legyen. Nem lehet ez másként a hitvallás esetében sem. Annak, hogy megvalljuk a hitünket nyilvánosan, pontokba szedetten kinyilvánítjuk az álláspontunkat vallási és abból kiindulva más, társadalmi téren, bibliai gyökere kell hogy legyen. Nemcsak a tartalomnak kell a Bibliából kiindulnia, hanem a a megvallott hit gyakorlatának is. A kutatásban konszenzus, hogy e téren a deuteronomista mozgalom csúcspontot képvisel, éppen ezért kézenfekvő innen kiindulva vizsgálni a kérdést. E tanulmány az Ószövetségben keresi a hitvallásosság bibliai gyökereit.

„Jei kas tave užgautų per dešinį skruostą...“ - Kūrybiškumas kuriant pozityvius tarpasmeninius santykius

Author(s): Remigijus Oželis / Language(s): Lithuanian Issue: 104/2020

The article discusses the words of Jesus Christ: “If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also” (Mt 5:39), “If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them” (Lk 6:29), “If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles” (Mt 5:41). Analysis of Jesus radical call to forgive reveals that forgiveness is neither unlimited tolerance nor approval of evil. The act of forgiveness is directed towards the person and not the bad deed. Therefore, the analysed part of the scripture in this article is one of the frequently misinterpreted quotes about the connection to other people, about benevolent acceptance of others, about forgiveness and mercy. These quotes are commonly interpreted outside the circumstances when they were used and understood as promotion of humble and meek behaviour only. Indeed, Jesus said these words to teach to forgive creatively and to be active. He also provided guidelines for creative behaviour to build positive interpersonal and international relationships.

„Kantor Chrystusa eucharystycznego” – św. Tomasz z Akwinu w przepowiadaniu do dzieci z okazji uroczystości Pierwszej Komunii Świętej

Author(s): Hubert Łysy / Language(s): Polish Issue: 58/2021

John Paul II in the encyclical Ecclesia de Eucharistia mentions St. Thomas Aquinas as an excellent theologian and at the same time zealous cantor of Christ in the Eucharist. This term “cantor” poetically and figuratively reflects the entire Eucharistic devotion of Thomas Aquinas. His Eucharistic devotion consists of: the testimony of the Eucharistic life contained in the Summa Theologiae; Treatise on the Eucharist, the words of Eucharistic songs and prayers related to the Eucharist. For many years the parish of Saint Joseph the Worker in Opole-Wrzoski has carried out a project in which the traditional First Holy Communion celebration is proposed in a new form. The theme of the celebration is primarily determined by the history of the Eucharist. Saint Thomas Aquinas occupies an important place in this history. In the Church in Poland, the following slogan was proposed for the pastoral year 2019/2020: The Great Mystery of Faith. Saint Thomas fits very well in getting to know this mystery as the cantor of Eucharistic Christ. This dissertation first presents the abovementioned components of Saint Thomas Aquinas’ Eucharistic piety and thus constitutes the theoretical part of the discussion. It is followed by the practical part in which the theoretical considerations are “transferred” to the First Communion celebration, which is one great proclamation of Jesus Christ. The art of effective First Communion proclamation is based on a pictorial, simple, and understandable message of what has been conveyed in theological and poetic language. The richness of the theological thought of Saint Thomas describing the Eucharist, could become an inspiration for many First Communion celebrations. In this article, on the example of one celebration, the attempt has been made to convey all this richness, with an emphasis on the words of a song by Saint Thomas “Sight, touch, taste are all deceived in their judgment of you, but hearing suffices firmly to believe”.

„Laboratorium dialogu” czyli o dialogowaniu w katechezie

Author(s): Mieczysław Polak / Language(s): Polish Issue: 2/2020

Dialogue is one of the fundamental human relationships. It is also of particular importance in the life of the Church. The article tries to answer the question whether catechesis is a space for dialogue. It first shows the dialogue of salvation as a relationship between God and man. Then it presents the relationship of the Church to the world, which is a relationship of dialogue. Since catechesis is at the service of God’s dialogue of salvation and is an ecclesial ministry, it is therefore also dialogical. There is, however, a specificity of this dialogue, which is based on the spirituality of dialogue. This vision of catechesis is contained in the new Vatican Directory for Catechesis, which describes it as a „laboratory for dialogue”.

„Micsoda új tudomány ez?” Mk 1,23–28. Magyarázat az olvasói szemlélet felhasználásával

Author(s): István Márton Bekő / Language(s): Hungarian Issue: 1/2011

„Mieszkańcy Sodomy byli źli...” (Rdz 13,13). Na czym polegał występek mieszkańców Sodomy?

Author(s): Krzysztof Napora / Language(s): Polish Issue: 1/2021

The article deals with the issue of the transgression(s) of the inhabitants of Sodom in Genesis 19. While focusing his attention on Genesis 19:1-11, the author points out the complex character of the biblical portrait of the sinful city. Among the main features of this picture, the motifs of sinful sexual relations (including homosexual acts), violence and rape, as well as the motif of the violation of the law of hospitality come to the fore.

„Psy i okaleczeńcy”

Tłumacząc Pawłowe inwektywy wymierzone w judaizantów (Ga 3,3; Flp 3,2)

Author(s): Anna Rambiert-Kwaśniewska / Language(s): Polish Issue: 48/2020

Insults (contumelia) and invectives (invectiva oratio) were known to inspired authors, but their overtones in modern translations usually lose their strength. Should a translator avoid harsh words contained in the original invectives, or should he remain faithful to them? It is shown by analyzing Paul’s invectives in Phil. 3:2 and in Gal. 3:1.3. The author claims that: 1) avoiding the invectives in the translation weakens a message of the original text (Gal. 3:1.3); 2) the translational consistency (“źli pracownicy”; Phil. 3:2) favors understanding of the invectives; 3) the invectives that exist in Polish, when their scope deviates from the Greek original, require clarification in footnotes (“psy”; Phil. 3:2); 4) the multitude of hapax legomena in the Bible justifies the use of neologisms, as long as they accurately reflect the content of the original (“przerzezanie”; Phil. 3:2).

„Remember” – un posibil cod „mistic” al lecturii

Author(s): Nicoleta Elena Chira (Mîrza) / Language(s): Romanian Issue: 11/2020

In function of the reading code, the messianic construct can be understood either as a manifestation of the religious or as a function of the unconscious. The Messiah and his Archetype do not differ much in the process of construction which, as the case may be, becomes a text with a collective sacred charge or literary prose. Personal religion is revealed in the last aspect. Our research starts from the premise that the messianic archetype “embodied” in the male avatar, Aubery, is a projection of the author's anime. Their relationship materializes in the text Remember, a sacred text for Mateiu Caragiale, prose for the profane reader.

„Święta, wielka i trudna robota”. Uwagi o kontekstach gatunkowych Nowego zaciągu Wacława Potockiego

Author(s): Agnieszka Czechowicz / Language(s): Polish Issue: 3 (52)/2019

In this paper, an attempt is undertaken to determine the genre of Wacław Potocki’s Nowy zaciąg, a meditative poem about the Passion of Christ, one of the numerous works that belong to the seventeenth-century biblical epic. In the literature on the subject, this poem is traditionally called a “messiad” or “biblical epic”, but in the epic tradition, there are no models for such a structure, stylistic and rhetorical conventions of narrative, and the way in which the epic action is developed in this work. The aim of this study is, therefore, to prove that classifying Nowy zaciąg as an epic is a mistake and to indicate the appropriate literary frame of reference, that is the group of texts which significantly influenced Potocki’s poetic thinking about the Passion of Christ. This referential frame consists of texts that represent not only meditative literature but also ecclesiastical oratory prose.

„Trâmbița a cincea și primul «vai» (Apocalipsa 9, 1-11) – o profeție care se împlinește în zilele noastre?”

Author(s): Alexandru Moldovan / Language(s): Romanian Issue: 2/2020

The book of the Revelation has always caused its readers to have comprehension difficulties and especially to feel a certain fear because of the repeated allusions the author makes “to the end times”, but also because of its affecting and impressive scenes, with a catastrophic tendency. This is the source of the negative meanings acquired by the word “apocalypse” in almost all modern languages and in the common thinking of people. At the same time, nevertheless, the text of this book continues to fascinate and attract the exegetes and the readers through its mysterious language, imbued with symbols, as well as through its numerous visions with a prophetic character. A testimony of this is that this book had a decisive influence on art, culture, universal literature and cinematography.We aim in this study at reading, but especially at analysing in depth one of the pericopes of this book – Revelation 9, 1-11 – and its theological message and we attempt to relate it to the times we are living, to our concrete life: ecclesial and social.The religious message of the Revelation addresses primarily the faithful, as the one who approaches God must first believe that God exists, because one cannot approach something which does not exist (Hebrews 11, 6), but under no circumstance does this mean that the people who believe in God have “exclusivity” in understanding this book. Nonbelievers, free-thinkers and agnostics are also “welcome”, however, the questions they will ask the book will receive various answers, depending on each one’s perspective.

„Troszczysz się o wszystko, bo to wszystko Twoje, Panie, miłośniku życia” (Mdr 11,26) – afirmacja życia na kartach Pisma Świętego

Author(s): Joanna Nowińska SM / Language(s): Polish Issue: 2/2021

Life is one of the main subject in Bible, because God describe Himself as Living, Alive, and create life and enables it’s various forms to development, and bring out from nonexistence. At the basis of that is God’s love, reachable for people in the relationship with Him. In this article the life’s affirmation is analysed in the key of continuity, growth and transposition, according to generally accepted ideas of the time of Bible’s books redaction. It’ll be taken into account texts, where is described the subject by using word “life”.

„Μορφή Θεού” (Php 2.6) and „μορφή δούλου” (Php 2.7).

An Orthodox Exegesis

Author(s): Hrisostom (Liviu) Ciuciu / Language(s): English Issue: 2/2019

The present article aims two major goals. Firstly, this paper will mainly cover the issue of the term μορφή (Php 2, 6-7), a term with decisive importance in the understanding of the fragment Php 2, 5-11, known under the name of the Christological Hymn (or Carmen Christi). Secondly, this academic endeavor tries to propose an exegetic methodology specific to the orthodox space that doesn't yet suggest, within modern exegesis, any well-defined approach method. Our endeavor starts from the lack of such presentation in specialized articles from our country, but also from the need to present the Orthodox point of view along with the Western one. This term will be analyzed in the two phrases used in the hymn, ‘μορφή Θεού’ (Php 2, 6) and ‘μορφή δούλου’ (Php 2, 7). We thus suggest the use of a methodology that combines the historical-critical method with the resort to the Holy Fathers’ theology.

„ДАНАС ЈЕ ИСТОРИЈА” Хроми хијазам Амона Гета и превладање стилистике

Author(s): Oleg Soldat / Language(s): Serbian Issue: 180/2021

We have tried to open some new and possibly undisclosed vistas on the famous scene in the movie Schindler’s List, by Steven Spielberg, by probing the famous question: can and should the Holocaust be represented. To the best of my knowledge, the famous speech of the main antagonist of the movie, Amon Goeth, “Today is history”, has not to this moment been treated in this manner, as the bearer of the insightful theories of style and philosophy. This is what we tried to remedy in this paper. We try to accomplish this by broadening the conceptual frames of the classical stylistics coming from structuralism of De Saussure, and by applying Mikhail Bakhtin’s philosophy of the speech genre, to this particular scene. Starting hypothesis, relating to the gap between Western and Russian semioses, was that classical semiosis, best represented by Peirce and Umberto Eco, would not tolerate this broadening of the diegetic script towards the biblical levels of the meaning, which are absent in this capacities of Western semiosis. We assumed that this was the subconscious plan of the director, namely, to represent the German plan: to make Holocaust not only reach the biblical proportions, but biblical style and meaning as well, and thus to immortalize itself. During the analysis we have encountered certain similarities in the distribution and the behavior of the figure of speech asyndeton, in the diegetic script of the movie, and the attitudes of the modernity, as they are represented in Catherine Pickstock’s book After Writing: Liturgical Consummation of the Philosophy. Together with Bakhtins’ work, Pickstocks’ analyses served as our guiding and starting point of the observation and manipulation of the deigetic text. After having discovered the aborted patterns of the stylistic reconfiguration, towards which Nazi propaganda unsuccessfully aimed at, in order to accomplish the paschal rite de passage through controlling of the historical necessity, we moved toward the pictures of history, harboured in the depos of the Nazi understanding of what Jews and Germans are. We have found essential contradictions in this respect with the Nazis, stemming from the serious ontological error of confusing ancient Roman ancestral history and very deformed and reduced Judeo-Christian perspectives, which represent the only possible epistemological interface which can manouvre the Holocaust into description. Thus, we conclude, that this description is not only possible, but it is necessary, just like its counterpart, representation.