<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> The purpose of this paper is to analyse the reception of the missio Dei paradigm in the Eastern Orthodox theology of mission. We will start with a short presentation of the genesis of the concept, and we will continue with its reception in the Protestant and Roman Catholic theology, as well as in the Eastern Orthodox thinking. The paper attempts to demonstrate that the contemporary way to understand the missionary theology and practice is in accordance with the Orthodox traditional missionary theology. At the same time, the article emphasizes the fact that the reception of missio Dei is connected with the view that different ecclesiastical bodies have about church itself. The conclusion includes some practical remarks about ways of applying the concept in the contemporary ecumenical missiology and in the field of spiritual missiology.</abstract>

Missio Dei – the contemporary missionary paradigm and its reception in the Eastern Orthodox missionary theology

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> The study focuses on the historical dogmatical analysis of the three waves of spiritual renewal which started in the early twentieth century and affected most Christian denominations by focusing on the manifestation of the spiritual gifts. The author will identify the major historical dogmatical influences of the Pentecostal-Charismatic movement, the characteristics and the leaders of the movement, as well as the directions of development on the personal and on the community level.</abstract>

The Three Waves of Spiritual Renewal of the Pentecostal-Charismatic Movement

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>In this article, I intend to survey the reception of versions of the Old Testament in the Orthodox churches, focusing on the Greek, Russian and Romanian Church, respectively. While Western biblical scholars gave precedence to the Hebrew text over the Septuagint, in the Orthodox world one can see a tension in the relationship between the two textual witnesses and sometimes, even recently, there are voices which tend to give the Septuagint total authority in the Church. Orthodox scholars in the field of Old Testament studies usually resort to the Hebrew text, but especially scholars from outside this field tend to promote the Septuagint as the Old Testament of the Orthodox Church. I shall use the argument of authority, which is improper for scientific argumentation, but it suits my research, as I try to understand the confessional positions held within Eastern Orthodoxy. Consequently, if a certain saint, acknowledged as such by a national Orthodox Church or by the entire Eastern Orthodox communion, embraces a particular view on this subject, this bears significantly on the issue.</abstract>

The Septuagint and the Masoretic Text in the Orthodox Church(es)

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>This study is a synthesis of the author’s long-term pursuits which were completed by a doctoral thesis. He has a twofold objective: on the one hand, the first part of the study he will offer a brief review of the main names (respectively works) related to the renewal of Orthodox theology in the 20th century; on the other hand, for a better understanding of the sources of this direction of theological revival, in the second part he will analyse the idea of Sacred Tradition as ecclesial way of life. In the end, he will describe the contributions, in various theological chapters, by Orthodox neo-patristic theologians; he will also signal a series of adverse aspects.</abstract>

The Orthodox Neo-patristic Movements as Renewal of Contemporary Orthodox Theology: An Overview

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
In the 20th century, both in the East, but mostly in the West, a genuine movement of patristic and liturgical renewal took shape, aiming to establish as to what degree the theological discourse and the liturgical life of the Church today corresponds to the spirit and the practice of the Church of the first centuries. In this spirit, the question was often asked if the generalization of infant baptism in the West (5th century), but also in the East (6th century), was influenced by the theory of “original sin” and the Augustinian “bogeyman” concerning the inevitable condemnation to hell of all who die unbaptized. In his book “Of Water and the Spirit”, Father Alexander Schmemann briefly touches, but does not fully develop the subject, and fails to reach any clear conclusions. In the current study we tried, as much as was possible, to follow the roots and dogmatical consequences of this theory, and also to discern its ensuing consequences on baptismal rites and texts, as well as other practical and canonical implications, like the importance of baptismal immersion.
</abstract>

The Doctrine of Original Sin and its Influence on the Theology and Practice of Baptism

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> This article aims to compare and analyse two different perspectives of pneumatology: within the Pentecostal and the Evangelical perspective. In spite of many doctrinal tangents with the Evangelical theology, the Pentecostal has its own spirituality and theological accent, especially in the field of pneumatology. The two differences centre on baptism in the Spirit and the gift of prophecy. From a Pentecostal practical perspective, the spiritual gifts continue to play an important role for the contemporary church. Although there are differences in their theological approaches, the Pentecostals and the Evangelicals found the common ground in forming the Evangelical Alliance of Romania and working together for about a quarter of Century.</abstract>

Two distinct perspectives on pneumatology – similarities and differences between The Romanian Pentecostal and Evangelical theology

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
This article analyses the range of positions among Evangelicals in the context of Russia’s attack on Ukraine. The “silence” characterizes evidence of the evangelicals’ strategies that had long been developed in the context of continued marginalization of religious minorities by the Russian authorities, with the state’s determination to create a loyal contingent of religious leaders. Some of the Evangelical leaders who were close to the centres of power were caught in a so-called trap of patriotism and have been compelled to demonstrate their support and solidarity to officials. However, public silence is far from heterogeneous and has many shades and nuances. This article analyses the anti-war statements of Evangelical leaders and shadow communication strategies in different evangelical communities. Particular attention is paid to a “guide” who suggested that Evangelical Christians-Baptists in Russia should take a consistent position, based on theological and political arguments, in Russia’s war against Ukraine.
</abstract>

Diversity of Shades of Silence: Russian Evangelicals during the War in Ukraine

Editorial RES 3/2023: The War in Ukraine and the Religious Communities

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
This article examines the processes of transformation in the Ukrainian Muslim community since the outset of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, and also delves into shifts in the state’s policy towards Muslims during this time. Since the conflict began in 2014, the state’s stance towards Muslims has steadily improved. The main reason for this is the unequivocal pro-Ukrainian position taken by nearly all Muslim communities in Ukraine amidst the Russian invasion. The paper assesses the impact of Russian military aggression and the occupation of part of Ukraine’s territory on the country’s Muslim communities. It also highlights the ambiguous role of a number of Islamist movements taking an active part in the armed resistance to the invasion
</abstract>

Ukrainian Muslims in the Context of the Russo-Ukrainian Conflict

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
The present study aims to analyze the similarities found between two biblical pericopes in chapter 1 of the Gospel of John, namely the description of the baptism of Jesus by St. John the Baptist and the call to the apostolate of the first disciples. The two pericopes are analyzed from the perspective of the concept of indwelling, which is found in both texts, the first which speaks about the indwelling/location of the Spirit upon Jesus from the Baptism onwards, and the second which presents the indwelling/location of the first disciples at the place where Jesus lived. Both texts demonstrate a similar structure, consisting of five elements: introduction, ignorance or limited knowledge about Jesus, hints about knowing more, success in reaching this higher stage of knowledge, and testimony about what has been achieved.
</abstract>

Fortschreibungen des Wohnens. Ein Vergleich zwischen dem Taufzeugnis und der Berufung der ersten Jünger in Joh. 1

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
The Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 has prompted a critical examination of the church’s role as a social institution during times of war. During such circumstances, national and global religious leaders are typically expected to spearhead peacebuilding initiatives focused on saving civilians, protecting critical infrastructure, and mitigating the potential for widespread destruction and humanitarian crises. In this case, however, the Kremlin has actively used the Russian Orthodox Church as well as an array of religious figures to justify Russian aggression and legitimize actions that amount to genocide against the Ukrainian people. In contrast, the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations has assumed the role of a moral guide during the war by condemning, with remarkably unity, Russian war crimes and the destructive ideology of Russkiy mir (the Russian world), and instead advocating for a humane approach and proposing peacebuilding initiatives. This paper details the scope and character of the Council’s activities carried out in wartime, providing numerous illustrative examples.
</abstract>

Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations as a Voice for Justice and Humanity during the Russian Invasion

Die Kyiver Juden im Jahr 2023: eine Innen- und Außenperspektive

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>Father André Scrima emphasized in his works the unanimous and universal duty of discovering the necessity of otherness or alterity as the exigency of our own path to God. He often spoke of the encounter and “askesis of the dialogue” that consists of the effort to open completely and without reserve to the other. From this point of view, we could consider André Scrima the visionary who intermediates the unveiling and the Revelation that, regardless of confession and religion, every human being has the chance to develop an authentic relationship with the divinity. Also, he advocates an indispensable condition or the most basic ethical argument required to get closer to God, namely recognizing the universal quality of all humankind as equally capable to be vessels of God’s grace, and hence they should be appreciated as such.</abstract>

Epiphany and Otherness in the Vision of Father André Scrima

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>This study aims to capture the dynamics of the recent biblical studies in the Orthodox and Western, especially Protestant, theological areas. Both the Orthodox biblical theology and the Western biblical theology are streamlined by research, which can be inspired by each other´s experience. Thus, the Orthodox biblical studies are recently shaped in receiving and developing an exegetical method, and in this sense may appeal to the Western experience, especially the historical-critical method. On the other hand, the Western biblical scholars are concerned with bringing into the present the meaning of biblical texts or their update, in a direction close to the Orthodox biblical experience. The solution to these concerns can be rediscovered in the mutual completion with ecumenical connotations.</abstract>

The Historical-Critical Method and the Holy Fathers

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>Rather than lamenting a crisis of the Ecumenical movement the author suggests that the reader look at promising paradigms that become apparent within the present changes and challenges of World Christianity. He identifies six promising trends, as Christians of different traditions recognize partners in common witness beyond their own church traditions (1), evangelical and Pentecostal churches rise in significance (2), ecumenism becomes increasingly shaped by biographical experience and personal encounter (3), a spiritual ecumenism for the witness in the world emerges (4), the reality of martyrdom deepens the sense of Christian unity (5) and the search for the truth of the Gospel is not given up (6). In their overlapping and sometimes contradictory evidence these paradigms prove Ecumenism to be alive and, therefore, changing its face.</abstract>

Unity to the Greater Glory of God. Promising Paradigms in Current Ecumenism

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>In debates over the Christological doctrine proclaimed at the Council of Chalcedon, two different Christological stances took shape that in fact carried not only significant theological consequences, but also profound philosophical ones. In the present paper, I shall reflect upon the philosophical premises and arguments employed by both the defenders of Chalcedon and their adversaries. As I shall seek to show, both sides differed, among other things, in regard to their understanding of the individual entity as such. The Miaphysite adversaries of the Chalcedonian Horos adopted what was, from a philosophical point of view, a quite traditional elucidation of individual entities in terms of particular essence. On the other hand, the Neo-Chalcedonian defenders of the Horos developed an original interpretation of the individual entity as explicable in terms of its existence.</abstract>

The Miaphysite and Neo-Chalcedonian Approaches to Understanding the Nature of the Individual Entity: Particular Essence vs. En-Hypostasized Essence

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Review of Ecumenical Studies Sibiu

The Journal of Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu

 Publishing House and Owner: Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, Romania  The Ecumenical Journal Sibiu (RES) is the academic journal of the Ecumenical...

MNiSW

 Publishing House and Owner: Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, Romania  The Ecumenical Journal Sibiu (RES) is...

Review of Ecumenical Studies Sibiu

The Journal of Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu

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