Testimonies

Part of the work of the Members of the EEC during the Congress of Celje consisted in reading and studying narrations of conversions to the faith today. In the months prior to the Congress, 4 testimonies of conversion were gathered. These 4 testimonies are by Alessandro, Monia, Florence and Octavia. The four persons from whom the testimonies were gathered asked EEC to remain anonymous. This is the reason why only the first names are used here.peer-reviewe

The Relationship between God and Israel as a Biblical Portrayal of the Bond between God and the Person in the Light of Deuteronomy 1:1–4:43

As the fifth book of the Pentateuch, Deuteronomy depicts a panoramic synthesis of the entire history of Israel. Consequently, its message is very important for Old Testament theology. Deuteronomy had its origin as a book of God’s Law, communicated to the Israelites by Moses, giving them in a certain way the best guidance possible through the course of their history. The Book of Deuteronomy raises important issues in the life and faith of the Israelites just as they prepare to enter the land of promise. The most important of them is the relationship between God and Israel; that direct connection of Israel’s obedience to the divine law that should be treated as ‘rule of life’ in the Promised Land. Moses’ first address to Israel (Deut 1:1–4:43) allows us to capture generally the essential elements that influence both positively and negatively on forming the vital relationship with God: the only One who can provide for every person a happy life – lived to the full.As the fifth book of the Pentateuch, Deuteronomy depicts a panoramic synthesis of the entire history of Israel. Consequently, its message is very important for Old Testament theology. Deuteronomy had its origin as a book of God’s Law, communicated to the Israelites by Moses, giving them in a certain way the best guidance possible through the course of their history. The Book of Deuteronomy raises important issues in the life and faith of the Israelites just as they prepare to enter the land of promise. The most important of them is the relationship between God and Israel; that direct connection of Israel’s obedience to the divine law that should be treated as ‘rule of life’ in the Promised Land. Moses’ first address to Israel (Deut 1:1–4:43) allows us to capture generally the essential elements that influence both positively and negatively on forming the vital relationship with God: the only One who can provide for every person a happy life – lived to the full

Call of Lay People to the Mystical Life

The subject of this article is the call of lay people to the mystical life. The topic under consideration indicates two poles, around which the main reflection revolves: the mystic and the lay state of life. The call of lay people to mysticism is not just a hypothesis, but a real experience, researched and decribed by theologians. So reflecting on the call to the mystic life of lay people is not so much a matter of ‘whether’, but of ‘how’. In the light of the above, four issues are fundamental: the impossibility to provoke the mystical experience, its dependence on the spirituality of the baptism, the relation of contemplation to action and the relation to the world. It occurs however, that every Christian, together with God’s life of grace bestowed in baptism, receives the basis for the mystical life. Neither an active life in the world, nor work or marriage, hinders the development of this gift

John Paul II’s Theology of the Suffering Body

This article evaluates the experience of suffering and its redemptive value in the light of St. John Paul II’s Theology of the Body. It begins by exploring how man was created in “the beginning,” before the experience of evil and sin. Man’s “original experiences” of solitude, unity and nakedness help man to understand himself as a being who is always in relation and is called to transcendence. These experiences continue to resonate within man, though sin can blind him from interpreting them correctly. Instead of man’s body opening him to relations and receiving the love of God and neighbor as a gift, he often experiences shame for his disordered desires, which enclose man within himself. While shame can be a negative experience, it is also a “boundary experience,” in that it points man to an original goodness that is now lacking due to the experience of evil. Suffering, likewise, can be a boundary experience that opens man, through his vulnerability, to recognizing his need for communion with God and neighbor. Christ, therefore, does not eliminate suffering but redeems it, transforming it into a revelation of God’s love. Suffering has become a path to conversion, to rebuilding goodness in man’s heart, and to liberation from evil. Redemption occurs when man freely opens himself to Christ’s love in the midst of suffering, making up for what is “lacking” in Christ’s suffering: our participation. Suffering isn’t a problem to be solved so much as a mystery to enter into. Through participation in Christ’s suffering, not only is man able to experience his own redemption, he can also offer his body with Christ for the redemption of the world.This article evaluates the experience of suffering and its redemptive value in the light of St. John Paul II’s Theology of the Body. It begins by exploring how man was created in “the beginning,” before the experience of evil and sin. Man’s “original experiences” of solitude, unity and nakedness help man to understand himself as a being who is always in relation and is called to transcendence. These experiences continue to resonate within man, though sin can blind him from interpreting them correctly. Instead of man’s body opening him to relations and receiving the love of God and neighbor as a gift, he often experiences shame for his disordered desires, which enclose man within himself. While shame can be a negative experience, it is also a “boundary experience,” in that it points man to an original goodness that is now lacking due to the experience of evil. Suffering, likewise, can be a boundary experience that opens man, through his vulnerability, to recognizing his need for communion with God and neighbor. Christ, therefore, does not eliminate suffering but redeems it, transforming it into a revelation of God’s love. Suffering has become a path to conversion, to rebuilding goodness in man’s heart, and to liberation from evil. Redemption occurs when man freely opens himself to Christ’s love in the midst of suffering, making up for what is “lacking” in Christ’s suffering: our participation. Suffering isn’t a problem to be solved so much as a mystery to enter into. Through participation in Christ’s suffering, not only is man able to experience his own redemption, he can also offer his body with Christ for the redemption of the world

The History of Editing Literary and Theatrical Works of Karol Wojtyła – John Paul II

The article is devoted to the history of the edition of literary and theater works of Karol Wojtyla – John Paul II. Based on the surviving materials in the archives, often unknown facts were presented showing the subsequent phases of discovery of Wojtyła as a poet, playwright, and actor.The article is devoted to the history of the edition of literary and theater works of Karol Wojtyla – John Paul II. Based on the surviving materials in the archives, often unknown facts were presented showing the subsequent phases of discovery of Wojtyła as a poet, playwright, and actor

Between the Syriac heritage and the Papacy. The cultural influence and contribution of the Maronite Church to the growth of the Middle East in the 14ᵗʰ–19ᵗʰ centuries

Taking into account the Maronites connections with the West the article rises aquestion: in what areas did the Syriac Christian community constitute a bridge between the East and the West? Although not all critical remarks of Kamāl Ṣalībī (b. 1929) on the Maronite view of history are accepted without reservation, his remark that “the awareness of the historic truth constitutes the ultimate foundation for the possibility to build a healthy society” seems valuable. The postulate of the verification of over-interpretation is always valid, nevertheless the discussion: what is a myth and what is the truth in the history of Lebanon continues.Taking into account the Maronites connections with the West the article rises aquestion: in what areas did the Syriac Christian community constitute a bridge between the East and the West? Although not all critical remarks of Kamāl Ṣalībī (b. 1929) on the Maronite view of history are accepted without reservation, his remark that “the awareness of the historic truth constitutes the ultimate foundation for the possibility to build a healthy society” seems valuable. The postulate of the verification of over-interpretation is always valid, nevertheless the discussion: what is a myth and what is the truth in the history of Lebanon continues

Henryk Rzewuski – on the way to Polish national philosophy

The purpose of this article is to present original philosophical concept by Henryk Rzewuski. This nineteenth century Polish thinker was (and still is) extremely controversial person, accused of national “apostasy” for the Tsarist Russia and the spread of beliefs about the irrevocable end of the Polish state. In this text reveals the complexity and ambivalence Rzewuskiego attitude towards the Polish cause. This philosopher believed that indeed the Polish state will not be standing free himself from the Russian political sovereignty. At the same time, however, was an ardent supporter of building the Polish national philosophy, which would illustrate Polishness and develop in the sphere of the ideal and spiritual. Polish history has to be – within its concept – the material from which the philosopher sees that these thoughts and ideas around which crytallized Polish spirit, and that reflect the basic idea of moral. The spirit of the nation and its moral idea meet, according to this philosopher, the functions analogous to that of the soul to the body – is a condition of life and the unity of its geopolitical “body.”The purpose of this article is to present original philosophical concept by Henryk Rzewuski. This nineteenth century Polish thinker was (and still is) extremely controversial person, accused of national “apostasy” for the Tsarist Russia and the spread of beliefs about the irrevocable end of the Polish state. In this text reveals the complexity and ambivalence Rzewuskiego attitude towards the Polish cause. This philosopher believed that indeed the Polish state will not be standing free himself from the Russian political sovereignty. At the same time, however, was an ardent supporter of building the Polish national philosophy, which would illustrate Polishness and develop in the sphere of the ideal and spiritual. Polish history has to be – within its concept – the material from which the philosopher sees that these thoughts and ideas around which crytallized Polish spirit, and that reflect the basic idea of moral. The spirit of the nation and its moral idea meet, according to this philosopher, the functions analogous to that of the soul to the body – is a condition of life and the unity of its geopolitical “body.

Contemplation and rationality. The sacred dimension of theology

This article raises the question of the mutual relation between theology and prayer. Theology is knowledge about God – the Holiest – and should carry out research in a holy manner, contributing to the holiness of the person who is connected with theology as a teacher or a student. The question of the relation between theology and prayer belongs to the most fundamental issues concerning the method of theology to which we should constantly refer as to an important source of guidelines for today. This article first focuses on certain statements which appeared in the past centuries and which discussed the relation between theology and prayer, trying to find the adequate approach to the spiritual and scientific situation in the field of theology in those times. After this introduction, it presents the view that prayer may be used in service of theology. Theology, on the other hand, in its full and traditional sense, is total and complete only then, when it constitutes the foundation of piety and leads to prayer. Theology through prayer can permeate the inner life opening itself to the state when we belong to God who resides in our heart.This article raises the question of the mutual relation between theology and prayer. Theology is knowledge about God – the Holiest – and should carry out research in a holy manner, contributing to the holiness of the person who is connected with theology as a teacher or a student. The question of the relation between theology and prayer belongs to the most fundamental issues concerning the method of theology to which we should constantly refer as to an important source of guidelines for today. This article first focuses on certain statements which appeared in the past centuries and which discussed the relation between theology and prayer, trying to find the adequate approach to the spiritual and scientific situation in the field of theology in those times. After this introduction, it presents the view that prayer may be used in service of theology. Theology, on the other hand, in its full and traditional sense, is total and complete only then, when it constitutes the foundation of piety and leads to prayer. Theology through prayer can permeate the inner life opening itself to the state when we belong to God who resides in our heart

The Problem of the Beginning of the World in the Interpretation of Saint Thomas Aquinas

This paper deals with Saint Thomas’s view of the problem of the world’s beginning, which consists in an alleged contradiction between religious truth about the creation of the world by God and Aristotle’s concept of the eternal existence of the world. According to Aquinas, such a contradiction is apparent, because the idea of creation is fundamentally different from the idea of beginning. The discussion of this issue is divided into three parts. At first, the historical background of the whole problem is presented. Then, Saint Thomas’s solution of the difficulty – included in his book De aeternitate mundi – is briefly discussed. Finally, it is argued that this solution can be inspiring for ­contemporary ­theologians.This paper deals with Saint Thomas’s view of the problem of the world’s beginning, which consists in an alleged contradiction between religious truth about the creation of the world by God and Aristotle’s concept of the eternal existence of the world. According to Aquinas, such a contradiction is apparent, because the idea of creation is fundamentally different from the idea of beginning. The discussion of this issue is divided into three parts. At first, the historical background of the whole problem is presented. Then, Saint Thomas’s solution of the difficulty – included in his book De aeternitate mundi – is briefly discussed. Finally, it is argued that this solution can be inspiring for ­contemporary ­theologians