Shifting Contexts
Asynchronous Session
Featured Tri-Kinesis: The Three Movement Theological Anthropology of Dionysius the Areopagite View Digital Media
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Noah Karger
Theological anthropology has often revolved around questions of parts, like how many (e.g.: monism, dichotomism, trichotomism) and which (e.g.: soul, body, spirit). While these questions are essential, they tend to evince a metaphysical prioritization of space over time. However, as creaturely beings, we know no such thing as space without time, substance sans event. This reality, I argue, is apt for theological anthropology, and invites an approach to the problem of human persons by way of space and time. I therefore propose the category of movement—along with the classical categories of soul, body, and spirit—as germane to the work of defining humans’ basic composition. Dionysius the Areopagite enumerates three soul-movements which I demonstrate as aptly organizing the human person’s event, so to speak: inner, lateral, and vertical. According to Dionysius, these soul-movements are caused by the Good and Beautiful, “the source, the origin, the preserver, the goal, and the objective of rest and motion,” (705B) and are akin to that of divine intelligences, which are like that of God. In this way, the soul-movements are part and parcel of the imago Dei. Locating human identity not only in her parts but also in these movements—which are spheres of relation—we rightly elevate the telos of the imago Dei to its proper place: not only in her likeness with God but by way of and for the sake of communion with God.
Imploring the Aid of Almighty God: An Integration of Theology and Constitution for the Voter Education Curriculum in the Philippines View Digital Media
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Brian James Rodriguez
This paper provides an integration of theology and constitution in the voter education program of Bawat Isa Mahalaga (B1M) Movement, a faith-based movement in the Philippines that advocates for justice, human dignity, and righteous governance. The study explores the theological position of the B1M movement that every human person is created in God’s image to govern as stated in the creation narrative in the book of Genesis and the constitutional identity of the Filipino people as sovereign and thus, governmental authority emanates from them. In addition, this paper provides the processes as to how the program is being implemented. Lastly, this study contributes to a greater degree of understanding of the power dynamics in the Philippines which assumes that God is still involved in the process while upholding the freedom of religion and the free exercise of worship.
The Sword and the Sitar: Exploring Violence and Non-Violence in the Bhagavad Gita View Digital Media
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Shweta Goyal
This paper explores the complex interplay between religiously inspired violence and non-violence within the context of the Bhagwad Gita. By analysing the arguments between Prince Arjuna and Lord Krishna, the research advocates that violence are sometimes necessary in upholding righteousness action (dharma), balanced with the virtues of non-violence rooted in compassion and spiritual wisdom. The method employs textual analysis and philosophical interpretation of the relevant verses on dharma, karma (action and its consequences). Additionally, real life examples and case studies are presented where violence is motivated by religious beliefs. The implications are this paper shed light on the relevance of ancient teachings in addressing ethical dilemmas, particularly those related to religiously inspired violence. The study aims to promote non-violence, compassion and pursuit of peace.
