The dissertation is a study of the origins, development and contemporary manifestations of Christian retreats. It traces origins from the Biblical record until current retreats. Christian retreat is a period of withdrawal from usual activities to experience encounter with God through Christian prayer. Jesus' pattern of engagement in ministry and withdrawal is a vital basis for retreat. Other Biblical descriptions of retreat are studied. There is an examination of retreat experiences in Church history with a particular focus on monasticism, as a major expression of retreat life, and Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the modern retreat movement. Varieties of subsequent retreat types in the spiritualities of different traditions from the Protestant Reformation onwards are considered. The spectrum of study includes Protestant, Catholic, Eastern Orthodox and Pentecostal spiritualities. The study culminates in focusing on current Ignatian and other retreats in their many forms. This includes private devotions to lengthy periods of retreat. / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / M.Th. (Christian Spirituality)

This dissertation argues that Samuel Davies' theology of and vision for the Christian life were inseparable. Although his contribution to American Evangelicalism was not as original nor as widely remembered as that of his contemporaries, Samuel Davies' insistence on vital Christian piety was far more central to his ministry than was religious toleration or patriotic duty, which are more commonly remembered emphases of his legacy. Chapter 2 recounts the contours of Davies' life and world. Chapter 3 argues that Samuel Davies' vision of the Christian life was grounded in the divine revelation of Scripture. The Bible was essential to a life of godliness. Samuel Davies believed that Jesus Christ communicated and sustained divine life in people and that this life marked the beginning of genuine piety. Chapter 4 shows that Davies' emphasis on conversion is grounded in the Puritan tradition yet evinces an emerging Evangelical theology. Chapter 5 argues that Davies saw gospel holiness as the animating principle of spiritual life, that which separated it from worldly, even religious counterfeits. Chapter 6 demonstrates that Davies believed that spiritual life was maintained through the conscientious practice of various religious duties, especially through private prayer and public communion.

‘Simul sanctification' is a transformational program for sanctification derived from Karl Barth's radical appropriation of Luther's dictum simul iustus et peccator. Barth's simul establishes the Christological link of the Second Adam with every human being. From this emerges what I contend is a ‘Chalcedonian anthropology' built on a double-duality: the original Chalcedonian formulation gives rise to a second duality revealed within Christ's one human person—the duality of a true, iustus humanity and a corrupt, peccator humanity. In order to appreciate the benefits regarding Barth's Spirit-charged epistemological program for sanctification and conversion, it will be imperative to elucidate the comprehensive nature of Barth's actualism as a way of establishing Barth's view of humanity's dynamic and free iustitia in Christ. Central to assessing the threat of the peccatum determination will be an examination of Barth's theology of the cross, especially in regards to his single subject economy derived from the person of ‘Jesus Christ and him crucified.' Through Barth's assessment of the cross I exposit the similarities and the differences between Chalcedonian Christology and ‘Chalcedonian anthropology;' the latter duality is proven by resurrection revelation to be ultimately provisional in nature. From here I probe Barth's position regarding the annulment of the simul as well as its beginning. By investigating Barth's doctrine of creation I argue that Barth's simul is reflective of the original antithesis between God and nothingness, the darkness under which Christ first placed himself so that humans would know both his solidarity in the darkness and his victory over it. Christians continue to dwell in the overlap of the simul's two mutually exclusive determinations, but by looking through Barth's simul to our true, created and redeemed humanity in Christ we are equipped to interpret our lives and the world around us most hopefully.

Orientador: Néri de Barros Almeida / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Filosofia e Ciências Humanas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-18T15:57:27Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 DellaTorre_RobsonMuriloGrando_M.pdf: 2698271 bytes, checksum: f0b68c5e003758f15d45bb8c9ee053c8 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011 / Resumo: Esta dissertação tem por objetivo analisar a atuação pública dos bispos durante o principado de Constantino, sobretudo seus esforços de construir uma relação de proximidade e de diálogo com a corte imperial. O corpus documental principal deste estudo é constituído pelos textos do bispo Eusébio de Cesaréia que lidam especialmente com este imperador, quais sejam: a História Eclesiástica, o Louvor a Constantino e a Vida de Constantino. Tentarei mostrar, através destes textos, como a política de favorecimento imperial ao cristianismo que se verifica no início do século IV deve muito de seu sucesso à participação política dos bispos junto ao imperador e seus altos magistrados, residindo o problema da consolidação da Igreja como instituição política importante no cenário imperial não só em uma mudança de atitude do príncipe frente às comunidades cristãs, mas sobretudo em uma transformação ocorrida nas igrejas, por meio de seus bispos, que cada vez mais interessadas no auxílio de Roma para a resolução de seus conflitos / Abstract: This dissertation has as its main aim to analyze the public role of the bishops during the reign of Constantine, chiefly their efforts to build a relationship of proximity and dialogue with the imperial court. The documental corpus of this study is composed of the texts of the bishop Eusebius of Caesarea that deal specially with this emperor, which are the Ecclesiastical History, the Praise of Constantine and the Life of Constantine. I will try to show how the imperial policy of support to Christianity that occurs in the beginning of the fourth century owes great part of its success to the political involvement of the bishops with the emperor and his magistrates. I will also argue that the problem of the consolidation of the Church as an important political institution within the imperial scenario depends not only of a change of attitude of the emperor towards the Christian communities, but mainly of a transformation occurred within the churches themselves, through their bishops, that were more and more interested in the aid of Rome for the resolution of their own conflicts / Mestrado / Historia Cultural / Mestre em História

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This thesis examines the representation of weeping rulers in early medieval sources, focusing on the Carolingian empire between 790 and 888. The meanings applied to tears are culturally specific: thus, exploring how, why, when and where rulers cried can illuminate the dynamics of power and ideals of kingship in this period. This thesis provides a survey of a poorly understood phenomenon. It also challenges several assumptions about the nature of early medieval power. Rulers wept not only over their own sins (a well-recognised phenomenon), but also over the sins of others and out of a desire for heavenly glory. Thus, they wept in a ‘monastic' or ‘priestly' way. This was something associated more with certain rulers than others. As such, tears can be used as a lens through which developments in ideas about the relationship between secular rulers and the ecclesiastical hierarchy can be traced. The thesis is divided into six sections. The historiographical importance of this topic is discussed in the introduction. Chapter one assesses the understanding of tears in biblical, Roman and Merovingian sources. Chapter two focuses on the representation of tears in texts associated with the court of Charlemagne (d. 814). Chapter three explores how authors loyal to Louis the Pious (d. 840) used tears to respond to criticisms of him and his wife, the Empress Judith (d. 843). Chapter four turns to exegetical material written between 820 and 860 and examines how biblical rulers were represented weeping. In particular, the reception of these previously unrecognised images in royal courts and their influence on narrative sources will be considered. Chapter five explores sources from the later ninth century, focusing particularly on the writings of Hincmar of Reims (d. 882) and Notker of St Gall (d. 912). Chapter six considers tears in three case studies drawn from post=Carolingian sources. Finally the concluding section outlines the significance of this thesis for our understanding of Carolingian and post Carolingian political culture and the history of weeping in the middle ages.

My doctoral thesis focuses on the Christian Kabbalah and its relationship with its Jewish counterpart during the seventeenth century. I work especially on a Christian Kabbalist of the late 17th century, Christian Knorr von Rosenroth and his anthology of Christian Kabbalah called the "Kabbala Denudata." The work reflects the philosophical and religious debates of the 17th century (through Knorr’s collaboration with Henry More and the Belgian alchemist Francis Mercury van Helmont), includes many translations of works of Lurianic Kabbalah and a bilingual edition (Aramaic - Latin) of the Zohar. On one hand, the study of "Kabbala Denudata" sheds light on how the Lurianic Kabbalah was received in Europe in the 17th century. On the other hand, the anthology attests of a practice of "perennial philosophy" which is a continuation of the Renaissance thought. Through the use of symbolism, the author elaborates a new form of relationship with the religious orthodoxy of his time and paved the way to a deeper understanding of religious otherness. My research takes place both in the field of the study of Jewish-Christian relations and of the the study of western esotericism. / <p><p>Ma thèse de doctorat porte sur la kabbale chrétienne et sur ses rapports avec son homologue juive au 17e siècle. Je travaille en particulier sur un kabbaliste chrétien de la fin du 17e siècle, Christian Knorr von Rosenroth et son anthologie de kabbale chrétienne intitulée la "Kabbala denudata". L’œuvre reflète les débats philosophiques et religieux du 17e siècle (avec notamment des collaborations d’Henry More et de l’alchimiste belge François Mercure van Helmont), comporte de nombreuses traductions d’ouvrages de kabbale lourianique ainsi qu’une édition bilingue (araméen - latin) du Zohar. D’une part, l’étude de la "Kabbala denudata" permet de mieux comprendre la manière dont la kabbale lourianique a été reçue en Europe au 17e siècle. D’autre part, l’anthologie atteste d’une pratique de la "philosophia perennis" qui s’inscrit dans le prolongement de la Renaissance. À travers la pratique du symbolisme, l’auteur construit une nouvelle forme de rapports avec l’orthodoxie religieuse de son temps et ouvre la voie à une compréhension approfondie de l’altérité religieuse. Mes recherches s’inscrivent tant dans le domaine de l’étude des relations judéo-chrétiennes que de l’étude de l’ésotérisme. / Doctorat en Philosophie / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

Die Johannese geskrifte (Evangelie en Briewe) word veralgemenend binne die Christendom gelees en die uniekheidsbeklemtoninge ten opsigte van Jesus as enige Verlosser word ook so verstaan. Hierdie hoofsaaklik sosiaal-wetenskaplike ondersoek was gefokus op Johannes se aansprake ten opsigte van Jesus en is gedoen om bewus te maak van die sosiaal-kulturele onderbou van die geskrifte. As sodanig is dit bedoe! om heuristies in te werk ten einde bestaande hermeneuse beter te dien sodat die boodskap van die Nuwe Testament effektiewer oorgedra kan word. Dit is ook gepoog om bevindinge uit die studie deur te trek na die gesekulariseerde samelewing en pluralistiese religieuse standpunt wat te Iande bestaan. Die teksgedeeltes wat eksegeties ondersoek is, bevat die aspekte van aanvaarding of verwerping van Jesus as die unieke Godsagent wat ewige /ewe meedeel. Dit het geblyk dat die begrip in Johannes nie net op oneindigheid in die hiemamaals dui nie, maar veral op kwaliteit in die hede. Johannes se postulaat is dat Jesus konstant hierdie lewe meedeel aan hulle wat in Hom glo. Die vraag na relevansie van 'n religie uit Judaistiese oorsprong in 'n AfroWesterse samelewing en kultuur is vanuit die aspekte van kulturele relatiwisme en relatiwiteit hanteer. Dit word aanvaar dat die ingrype van God deur Jesus Christus binne die Israelitiese volksmilieu en Mediterreense kultuur plaasgevind het, maar dat dit wat Johannes aan sy lesers herbevestig het, vir aile mense relevant is. Jesus is die unieke Godsagent wat ewige lewe meedeel, wat, as sodanig, nie menslike sterflikheid negeer nie, maar dit transendeer. / The social-scientific research for this treatise concentrated on John's assertion of Jesus' uniqueness. The selected Scripture portions for exegesis contain the aspects of receiving or rejecting Him as God's Agent who bestows eternal life. Eternal lifo in John does not so much denote never ending life, but rather excellent quality of life in the present. The relevancy of a religion from a Judaistic origin in an Afro-Western cultural society was treated on the aspects of cultural relativism and cultural relativity. The conclusion accedes to the fact that God's interaction with man in the person of Jesus Christ took place within an Israelite national milieu and Mediterranean culture, but what John reasserted is relevant for all time- the life that Jesus bestows does not negate mortality, but transcends it. / New Testament / M. Th. (Nuwe Testament)

This thesis examines the ideal of the Anglo-Saxon and Irish ciuitas, c. 500-1050, by considering what Anglo-Saxon and Irish ecclesiastics understood a ciuitas to be, how they used the term in their own writings and what terms were its vernacular equivalent. When looking at early Insular history, there can be no doubt that the locations that were called ciuitates by Anglo-Saxon and Irish ecclesiastics are some of the most important sites in forming a better understanding of the time period. Ciuitates like Armagh, Canterbury, Clonmacnoise, Iona, Kildare, London and Winchester were settlements that attracted large numbers of people, as well as being centres of both secular and religious power. These ecclesiastical centres had a diversity of individuals within their boundaries, from the ecclesiastics of the sacred centre to monastic tenants and various types of visitors. The importance of Anglo-Saxon and Irish ciuitates cannot only be seen in the frequency of the term's use in primary sources, but also in the great extent to which these sites are mentioned in secondary sources on the time period. Although these communities are often used by scholars to prove or disprove different points of history, the term ciuitas has not been examined in a study devoted to the subject. This thesis has been divided into three chapters. Chapter one considers biblical inspiration in the ideal of the ciuitas, chapter two analyzes the Anglo-Saxon ciuitas and word usage, while chapter three reviews the Irish ciuitas and word use. By the end of this study it will become clear what Anglo-Saxon and Irish ecclesiastics thought a ciuitas to be, as well as the different definitions they understood to apply to these sites.