The World Lutheran Federation (LWF) is worldwide organization gathering Churches of the Lutheran ... more The World Lutheran Federation (LWF) is worldwide organization gathering Churches of the Lutheran tradition. Having global reach, the Federation is influenced by different processes and tendencies, including secularism in the Western world, theological and cultural syncretism in many countries from outside the Euro-Atlantic space, interreligious and ethnic conflicts and a dynamic growth of many Churches in Africa and Asia. The last General Assembly of the LWF held in Krakow in September 2023 was a particular opportunity for observing how Lutheranism, regarded as a Christian denomination, operates in various social, political, geographical and cultural contexts, and how the Lutheran Churches are an instrument of global unity, even despite internal conflicts, especially because of ethical problems. The article discusses the most important subjects of the Assembly, considering them in light of the assumed globalisation of Lutheranism. It aims to describe the most significant processes occurring in global Lutheranism, reflected in the Assembly's works. It also discusses the Federation's global commitment, considering particular example of its partaking in the tax justice movement.
Propheticness understood as a Christian interpretation of the world's spiritual, ideological and ... more Propheticness understood as a Christian interpretation of the world's spiritual, ideological and social challenges, is the primary dimension of ecumenical social thought. History of the ecumenical movement has many times confirmed this prophetical vision which often ran counter to or preceded dominant political and socioeconomic orders. The World Council of Churches' model of responsible society has exemplified such a vision. Although today forgotten, a prophetical voice of ecumenism sounded at the conference of the Life and Work movement held in Oxford in 1937. The gathering, even though it took place in a gloomy time of political totalitarianism and socioeconomic crisis and in the shadow of the oncoming world war, produced a theological interpretation of the state and the economy, which later became an abundant source of ideas for the next decades of the ecumenical social teaching. The article aims to manifest the comprehensiveness and freshness of the Oxford concepts and, thereby, to demonstrate the Propheticness of ecumenical social thought. Eventually, it wishes to prove the relevance and significance of ecumenical teaching about society today. A survey of the subject literature and literary analysis is the primary method employed in the article.
Katedra ta była dedykowana i nadal potrzebna jest dla badań nad katolickim udziałem w ruchu ekume... more Katedra ta była dedykowana i nadal potrzebna jest dla badań nad katolickim udziałem w ruchu ekumenicznym, zasadami ekumenizmu, historią ruchu ekumenicznego i dialogami ekumenicznymi. Pracownikami poszczególnych katedr w omawianym okresie sprawozdawczym byli: − w Katedrze Teologii Prawosławnej: prof. dr hab. Krzysztof Leśniewski, kierownik Katedry, ks. prof. dr hab. Marek Jagodziń ski, prof. nadzw. oraz ks. dr hab. Sławomir Pawłowski SAC, prof. KUL.
Theological Studies/Teologiese Studies, Dec 21, 2022
Background The conditions, scope and definition of the welfare state are continuously central to ... more Background The conditions, scope and definition of the welfare state are continuously central to political concern. Already, at the turn of the 1970s and 1980s, the economists held that: [W]ill be little or no room for increasing the scope of the welfare state and the share of social spend of the gross national product should not be allowed to increase; otherwise, it could conflict with the aim of sustained economic growth. (OECD 1985:7) Growing public expenses converging with the repeated financial crises, the observations of social idleness and apathy, the global economic and political concurrence, to mention only a few factors, have challenged the welfare idea and become a crucial point of the political divisions. Nevertheless, on the other hand, many unexpected events, like the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, have diluted the criticism and again demonstrated the significance of social politics. The global break brought about by the virus, and the social upheavals in its aftermath, raise new questions and new approaches to the welfare idea. The welfare reflection considers economic and sociopolitical aspects, focusing on such problems as the scope and type of benefits or wider, sociopolitical schemes. Nevertheless, behind such technical concerns, there is an axiological and ethical debate on systems of values that stipulate a welfare state. Moreover, welfare is an ideological concept, referring to the very foundations of current dominant political discourse, human rights and the principle of social justice. Some discussions also touch on religious and theological approaches to welfare. In many cases, such opinions evoke Weber's and Sombart's tradition of linking economic systems with religious foundations. Establishing the aims and objectives of a welfare state is an integral part of the political, economic and cultural debate, in particular, the repercussions of a welfare state on economic systems and social institutions; the sociopsychological consequences of a welfare state; and the scope, conditions and definitions of welfare. Some discussions address a theological and religious approach to the issue, specifically the Churches' teaching on welfare and the Churches' influence on the birth and development of the welfare state. The Evangelical Church in Germany (Evangelische Kirche in Deutschland [EKD]) has also joined the global discussion. The EKD advocates the welfare institutions; moreover, it stresses the contribution of the Protestant theology and culture to the emergence of the social state in Germany. This article aims to outline the Protestant approach to welfare axiology. Following a brief sketch of the welfare theory, it examines the previous and current Protestant influences on the welfare state and system. It also presents significant attempts to distinguish crucial values and the most serious challenges of the welfare state. The primary sources of the reflection are the recently published documents of the EKD (Denkschrifts), and the source literature. Contribution: The theological proposals of the Evangelical Church in Germany contribute to the axiological and ethical debate on welfare and the social state. The research addresses the focus and scope of the journal of the promotion of multidisciplinary aspects of studies in the general theological area.
Even though the article is rather a fragmentary insight into consumer theory, it pays attention t... more Even though the article is rather a fragmentary insight into consumer theory, it pays attention to the essential theological perspective of consumerism, often omitted in the debate on the consequences of consumer culture. It also nicely illustrates some specific features of consumerism. However, it is a little lacking important references, such as an appeal to the prominent theorists of consumerism, such as Baudrillard, Bauman, Rifkin, and others and some crucial theological sources, such as Evangelii Gaudium by Pope Francis. The text is well-written and composed.
Theologically on the criticism of capitalism: the Approach of John Milbank and the radical Orthod... more Theologically on the criticism of capitalism: the Approach of John Milbank and the radical Orthodoxy Movement. The critique of capitalism increasingly has attracted much interest from theologians in the last decades. The topic is also the official teaching of both the Churches and ecumenical organizations. Contemporary capitalism is frequently regarded as a threat to societies and environment and, simultaneously, as a serious cause of secularization and dechristianization. The article presents selected concepts of John Milbank's reflection that refers to the criticism of capitalism and shows it in the perspective of a summary of the crucial theological points of the Radical Orthodoxy movement. The text is an analytical commentary on the selected works of Milbank that have been compiled in order to achieve the intended goals.
The World Lutheran Federation (LWF) is worldwide organization gathering Churches of the Lutheran ... more The World Lutheran Federation (LWF) is worldwide organization gathering Churches of the Lutheran tradition. Having global reach, the Federation is influenced by different processes and tendencies, including secularism in the Western world, theological and cultural syncretism in many countries from outside the Euro-Atlantic space, interreligious and ethnic conflicts and a dynamic growth of many Churches in Africa and Asia. The last General Assembly of the LWF held in Krakow in September 2023 was a particular opportunity for observing how Lutheranism, regarded as a Christian denomination, operates in various social, political, geographical and cultural contexts, and how the Lutheran Churches are an instrument of global unity, even despite internal conflicts, especially because of ethical problems. The article discusses the most important subjects of the Assembly, considering them in light of the assumed globalisation of Lutheranism. It aims to describe the most significant processes occurring in global Lutheranism, reflected in the Assembly's works. It also discusses the Federation's global commitment, considering particular example of its partaking in the tax justice movement.
Propheticness understood as a Christian interpretation of the world's spiritual, ideological and ... more Propheticness understood as a Christian interpretation of the world's spiritual, ideological and social challenges, is the primary dimension of ecumenical social thought. History of the ecumenical movement has many times confirmed this prophetical vision which often ran counter to or preceded dominant political and socioeconomic orders. The World Council of Churches' model of responsible society has exemplified such a vision. Although today forgotten, a prophetical voice of ecumenism sounded at the conference of the Life and Work movement held in Oxford in 1937. The gathering, even though it took place in a gloomy time of political totalitarianism and socioeconomic crisis and in the shadow of the oncoming world war, produced a theological interpretation of the state and the economy, which later became an abundant source of ideas for the next decades of the ecumenical social teaching. The article aims to manifest the comprehensiveness and freshness of the Oxford concepts and, thereby, to demonstrate the Propheticness of ecumenical social thought. Eventually, it wishes to prove the relevance and significance of ecumenical teaching about society today. A survey of the subject literature and literary analysis is the primary method employed in the article.
Katedra ta była dedykowana i nadal potrzebna jest dla badań nad katolickim udziałem w ruchu ekume... more Katedra ta była dedykowana i nadal potrzebna jest dla badań nad katolickim udziałem w ruchu ekumenicznym, zasadami ekumenizmu, historią ruchu ekumenicznego i dialogami ekumenicznymi. Pracownikami poszczególnych katedr w omawianym okresie sprawozdawczym byli: − w Katedrze Teologii Prawosławnej: prof. dr hab. Krzysztof Leśniewski, kierownik Katedry, ks. prof. dr hab. Marek Jagodziń ski, prof. nadzw. oraz ks. dr hab. Sławomir Pawłowski SAC, prof. KUL.
Theological Studies/Teologiese Studies, Dec 21, 2022
Background The conditions, scope and definition of the welfare state are continuously central to ... more Background The conditions, scope and definition of the welfare state are continuously central to political concern. Already, at the turn of the 1970s and 1980s, the economists held that: [W]ill be little or no room for increasing the scope of the welfare state and the share of social spend of the gross national product should not be allowed to increase; otherwise, it could conflict with the aim of sustained economic growth. (OECD 1985:7) Growing public expenses converging with the repeated financial crises, the observations of social idleness and apathy, the global economic and political concurrence, to mention only a few factors, have challenged the welfare idea and become a crucial point of the political divisions. Nevertheless, on the other hand, many unexpected events, like the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, have diluted the criticism and again demonstrated the significance of social politics. The global break brought about by the virus, and the social upheavals in its aftermath, raise new questions and new approaches to the welfare idea. The welfare reflection considers economic and sociopolitical aspects, focusing on such problems as the scope and type of benefits or wider, sociopolitical schemes. Nevertheless, behind such technical concerns, there is an axiological and ethical debate on systems of values that stipulate a welfare state. Moreover, welfare is an ideological concept, referring to the very foundations of current dominant political discourse, human rights and the principle of social justice. Some discussions also touch on religious and theological approaches to welfare. In many cases, such opinions evoke Weber's and Sombart's tradition of linking economic systems with religious foundations. Establishing the aims and objectives of a welfare state is an integral part of the political, economic and cultural debate, in particular, the repercussions of a welfare state on economic systems and social institutions; the sociopsychological consequences of a welfare state; and the scope, conditions and definitions of welfare. Some discussions address a theological and religious approach to the issue, specifically the Churches' teaching on welfare and the Churches' influence on the birth and development of the welfare state. The Evangelical Church in Germany (Evangelische Kirche in Deutschland [EKD]) has also joined the global discussion. The EKD advocates the welfare institutions; moreover, it stresses the contribution of the Protestant theology and culture to the emergence of the social state in Germany. This article aims to outline the Protestant approach to welfare axiology. Following a brief sketch of the welfare theory, it examines the previous and current Protestant influences on the welfare state and system. It also presents significant attempts to distinguish crucial values and the most serious challenges of the welfare state. The primary sources of the reflection are the recently published documents of the EKD (Denkschrifts), and the source literature. Contribution: The theological proposals of the Evangelical Church in Germany contribute to the axiological and ethical debate on welfare and the social state. The research addresses the focus and scope of the journal of the promotion of multidisciplinary aspects of studies in the general theological area.
Even though the article is rather a fragmentary insight into consumer theory, it pays attention t... more Even though the article is rather a fragmentary insight into consumer theory, it pays attention to the essential theological perspective of consumerism, often omitted in the debate on the consequences of consumer culture. It also nicely illustrates some specific features of consumerism. However, it is a little lacking important references, such as an appeal to the prominent theorists of consumerism, such as Baudrillard, Bauman, Rifkin, and others and some crucial theological sources, such as Evangelii Gaudium by Pope Francis. The text is well-written and composed.
Theologically on the criticism of capitalism: the Approach of John Milbank and the radical Orthod... more Theologically on the criticism of capitalism: the Approach of John Milbank and the radical Orthodoxy Movement. The critique of capitalism increasingly has attracted much interest from theologians in the last decades. The topic is also the official teaching of both the Churches and ecumenical organizations. Contemporary capitalism is frequently regarded as a threat to societies and environment and, simultaneously, as a serious cause of secularization and dechristianization. The article presents selected concepts of John Milbank's reflection that refers to the criticism of capitalism and shows it in the perspective of a summary of the crucial theological points of the Radical Orthodoxy movement. The text is an analytical commentary on the selected works of Milbank that have been compiled in order to achieve the intended goals.
Studia Oecumenica 18 (2018) 41-52. Five files: English original + 4 long abstracts; please choose first your preferred langauge.
One of the crucial observations of contemporary Christianity states a shift of its centre to the ... more One of the crucial observations of contemporary Christianity states a shift of its centre to the "global South". Such a transition is reflected in the demand of the "epistemological break", the one that stresses the need for applying endemic notions and categories while theologising. The shift is becoming important for the ecumenical movement as a more major role is being played by the Churches and organisations outside the Western world. An assessment of this change would seem to be ambiguous. On the one hand, it increases an ecumenical dynamism, on the other it brings the danger of an inclusive understanding of ecumenism. The article presents some of the main theological reflections developed within the Ecumenical Association of the Third World Theologians, an organisation that clearly exemplifies the discussed ambiguity. This presentation focuses on the criticism of the socalled "post-religious paradigm" promoted by the association.
Studia Oecumenica 18 (2018) 41-52. English original and 4 long abstracts; please, select the language you want.
One of the crucial observations of contemporary Christianity states a shift of its centre to the ... more One of the crucial observations of contemporary Christianity states a shift of its centre to the "global South". Such a transition is reflected in the demand of the "epistemological break", the one that stresses the need for applying endemic notions and categories while theologising. The shift is becoming important for the ecumenical movement as a more major role is being played by the Churches and organisations outside the Western world. An assessment of this change would seem to be ambiguous. On the one hand, it increases an ecumenical dynamism, on the other it brings the danger of an inclusive understanding of ecumenism. The article presents some of the main theological reflections developed within the Ecumenical Association of the Third World Theologians, an organisation that clearly exemplifies the discussed ambiguity. This presentation focuses on the criticism of the socalled "post-religious paradigm" promoted by the association.
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Papers by Piotr Kopiec