Exploring the interplay between God and the self, this book presents a critical examination of how the symbol of God shapes personal identity. It introduces the concept of play as a crucial metaphor, advocating for a dynamic understanding of religion that transcends mere cognitive claims and doctrinal orthodoxy. By emphasizing this nuanced perspective, the work challenges traditional views of religion, encouraging readers to consider the relational aspects of faith and self-formation.
Research is directed by normative standards which need to be transparent in order to secure the quality of the scholarly discussion. The aim of this book is to contribute to such transparency in relation to research on religion and theology representing a combination of empirical and normative claims themselves. What does this combination of empirical and normative claims imply for the normative standards of research? The contributions in this volume discuss different normative dimensions in contemporary research on religion and theology. Presenting articles from systematic theology, practical theology, sociology of religion, ethics, religious studies and missiology it covers a wide range of issues that are relevant for PhD students of theology and religious studies as well as for others who are involved in research on these topics.
In this book, Jan-Olav Henriksen presents an argument for understanding religion as an expression of different types of practices: those of orientation, transformation, and reflection. Instead of understanding religion first and foremost on the basis of doctrine and propositionally articulated belief, he argues that religions should be seen primarily as practices that mediate symbolic resources for orientation and transformation. The meaning of doctrine and reflection is constituted by its relation to such practices. Thus, doctrine does not constitute religion. This approach allows for a maximalist understanding of religion, i. e. seeing religions as a variety of phenomena relating to all dimensions of human experience. This is not possible to understand from a reductionist perspective. The volume offers a concrete, practice-orientated and pragmatistic understanding of the role of religion in different realms of human life.
Healings and miracles play a prominent role in the New Testament accounts of Jesus' life and ministry. In the Western Christian tradition, however, Jesus' works of healing tend to be downplayed and understood as little more than a demonstration of his divine power. In this book Jan-Olav Henriksen and Karl Olav Sandnes draw on both contemporary systematic theology and New Testament scholarship to challenge and investigate the reasons for that oversight. They constructively consider what it can mean for Christian theology today to understand Jesus as a healer, to embrace fully the embodied character of the Christian faith, and to recognize the many ways in which God can still be seen to have a healing presence in the world.
Focusing on the philosophical perspectives of G. E. Lessing, Soren Kierkegaard, and Friedrich Nietzsche, this work examines their distinct approaches to the interplay between religion and modernity. It delves into how these thinkers grapple with the challenges posed by contemporary society and the evolving nature of faith, offering insights into their lasting impact on religious thought.
On Splitting and Loss of Orientation
Focusing on the intersection of psychology and religion, this book explores Friedrich Nietzsche's critical insights through the lenses of attachment theory and self-psychology. Jan-Olav Henriksen analyzes Nietzsche's views on individualism, God, morality, and emotions, revealing how his critiques of religion stem from psychological fragmentation and a significant loss of the guidance that religion offered him in his youth. This fresh perspective enhances the understanding of Nietzsche's philosophical contributions and their deeper psychological implications.
Reconsidering Human Agency and its Limits
The book explores the unique challenges posed by the Anthropocene era to theology and theological anthropology. It highlights the absence of direct resources within the theological tradition to address contemporary human experiences in this context. The author advocates for a contextually grounded theological reflection on the meaning of humanity in light of these unprecedented circumstances, encouraging a re-examination of human identity and existence.
Kniha podává úvod do profesní etiky v povoláních, orientovaných na práci s lidmi. Je rozdělena na dvě části a v celkem osmnácti kapitolách dává ucelený přehled různych etických směrů zaměřených na práci v sociální oblasti.
