Church – RCS

Messianic Jews – Who Are They and Why Do We Need Them?

Sanna Erelä master of Theology, Sower International
sanna.erela@flom.fi

Erelä S. Messianic Jews — Who are they and why do we need them?, Religiya. Tserkov’. Obshchestvo. Issledovaniya i publikatsii po teologii i religii [Religion. Church. Society: Research and publications in the field of theology and religious studies], pp. 62–85.

doi: DOI

Language: English

This article explores the role of Messianic Jews in the worldwide body of believers in Jesus and their significance in understanding the relationship between the Church and Israel. Christianity began as a Jewish movement, but the Church distanced itself from its Jewish roots early on, especially after the Council of Nicaea. Supersessionist theology, which sees the Church as replacing Israel, has shaped Christian thought and contributed to anti-Jewish attitudes for centuries.
Messianic Jews — Jewish believers in Jesus who maintain their Jewish identity — challenge this tradition. They build their identity on the promises God made to Israel in the Old Testament. In the New Testament, they rely on Paul’s teachings, especially in Romans 9–11, emphasizing Israel’s enduring election and the unique role of the Jewish people in God’s plan. Messianic Jewish theology blends Christian and Jewish perspectives, aiming to build bridges between the Church and the synagogue.
This article argues that the Messianic movement is an eschatological sign, calling the Church to reevaluate its stance toward Israel. The visible presence of Jewish believers within the Church is essential to its identity and future. Their calling is to be a blessing to both the Church and the nations, preparing the way for the return of the Messiah.

Key words: Messianic Jews, Supersessionism, Israel, Church, Election, Eschatology, Identity, Torah, Jewish-Christian relations, Ecclesia ex circumcisione

URL: https://rcs-almanac.ru/erela2025-en/

Auf der Suche nach einheimischen Kategorien. Was leitet die bildungsorientierte arbeit mit Kindern in Kirchgemeinden?

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Martin Steinhäuser Dr. habil., Professor für Gemeindepädagogik und kirchlicher Arbeit mit Kindern an der evangelischen Hochschule Dresden, Campus Moritzburg (Poetenweg 51, 04155 Leipzig)
martin.steinhauser@ehs-dresden.de

Steinhäuser M. Auf der Suche nach einheimischen Kategorien. Was leitet die bildungsorientierte arbeit mit Kindern in Kirchgemeinden?, Religiya. Tserkov’. Obshchestvo. Issledovaniya i publikatsii po teologii i religii [Religion. Church. Society: Research and publications in the field of theology and religious studies], Saint-Petersburg, 2024, vol. 13, pp. 90–121.

doi: 10.24412/2308-0698-2024-13-90-121

Language: Russian

In the article «Looking for native categories. What guides the educational-oriented work with children in church parishes?» I present the results of an empirical research project on a certain format of religious education for children in a church parish context (Gemeindepädagogik). To this end, I first outline the problem and then outline the scientific prerequisites and research procedures. On this basis, the results can then be outlined, whereby it will become apparent that and to what extent they are by no means limited to the specific format of community work with children from which they were developed. However I think that the leading categories identified in the research are of fundamental relevance for community education and can therefore be put up for discussion beyond the researched format.

Key words: children, religious education, parish, faith formation, church, empirical research

URL: https://rcs-almanac.ru/steinhauser-2024-en/

Church schisms in World Orthodoxy of the 20–21th centuries: geographical and religious studies review

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Anatoliy Nikolaevich Leschinskiy Doctor of philosophy, professor, Institute of Social and Philosophical Sciences and Mass Communications, Kazan Federal University (420111, Kazan, Kremlevskaya ulitsa, 35)

Anatoliy Kirillovich Pogasiy Doctor of Philosophy, professor, Institute of Social and Philosophical Sciences and Mass Communications, Kazan Federal University (420111, Kazan, Kremlevskaya ulitsa, 35)
kazan_prihod@mail.ru

Leschinkskiy A. N., Pogasii A. K. Church schisms in World Orthodoxy of the 20–21th centuries: geographical and religious studies review, Religiya. Tserkov’. Obshchestvo. Issledovaniya i publikatsii po teologii i religii [Religion. Church. Society: Research and publications in the field of theology and religious studies], Saint-Petersburg, 2024, vol. 13, pp. 160–188.

doi: 10.24412/2308-0698-2024-13-160-188

Language: Russian

The article studies schisms in the Orthodox tradition that have taken place since the late 1910s and up to this day. The dynamics of their spread is expressed in all indicators: schisms are increasing in number and geographically. The schisms that have survived to this day have transformed, moving into a new qualitative state. At the same time, in the religious world, church divisions have always been recognized as a purely negative phenomenon, and in opposition to them, there has been and continues to be a call for a single and monolithic Church.
So, the universal preaching of Christian unity — and a huge number of religious divisions throughout the history of the Church. How to reconcile these contradictory trends? Are church schisms a consequence of the sinful nature of man, or is there perhaps God’s providence in this? Why is the same schism considered, on the one hand, as an absolute evil, and, on the other, as a progressive phenomenon? This article will attempt to answer these and some other questions.

Key words: church, Orthodoxy, unity, schisms

URL: https://rcs-almanac.ru/pogasii-2024-en/

Review on the monograph by V. I. Guerrier «Blessed Augustine»

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Nikita Dmitrievich Lakhtinen Bachelor of History, bachelor of Theology, Theological Institute of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ingria (der. Kolbino, 25a, Leningrad region, Vsevolozhsk district, Russia, 188680)
niko.lahtinen18@gmail.com

Lakhtinen N. S. Review on the monograph by V. I. Guerrier «Blessed Augustine», Religiya. Tserkov’. Obshchestvo. Issledovaniya i publikatsii po teologii i religii [Religion. Church. Society: Research and publications in the field of theology and religious studies], Saint-Petersburg, 2022, vol. 11, pp. 288–303.

doi: 10.24412/2308-0698-2022-11-288-303

Language: Russian

The review deals with the monograph by V. I. Guerrier «Blessed Augustine», which is devoted to the study of his personality, works and activities. The life path, worldview and ideas of Augustine as a fighter against heresies, an advocate for the offended, an opponent of the arbitrariness of the authorities and a spiritual mentor are described. Guerrier highlights the struggle of Augustine with pagans and Donatists, his works concerning world history, the teachings of Christ and the position of the Church, as well as his ideas, which not only largely determined the activities of the Church for centuries to come, but also had significance for the entire European Christian culture. The main idea is the doctrine of the «City of God».

Key words: St. Augustine, paganism, donatism, heresy, state, church, philosophy of history, City of God

URL: //rcs-almanac.ru/en/en-lahtinen-2022/

Church in defense of Family Strategies: Vidimus Nicolas de Ripemont, Abbot Gembloux,from the collection of N. P. Likhachev

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Ekaterina Igorevna Nosova, PhD in History, scientific researcher, Saint-Petersburg Institute of History of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Petrozavodskaja ulitsa, dom 7, Saint-Petersburg, 197110, Russia)
katerinanossova@gmail.com

Nosova E. I. 1, Religiya. Tserkov’. Obshchestvo. Issledovaniya i publikatsii po teologii i religii [], Saint-Petersburg, 2013, vol. 2, pp. .

DOI:

Language: Russian

The article presents the publication and commentary of the vidimus of Nicolas de Ripemont, abbot of Gembloux (Namur). The diploma is kept in the archives of the Saint-Petersburg Institute of History of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The document belonged to the collection of Nikolai Likhachev (1862–1936).
Vidimus dated by 1389 confirms the earlier donation made in 1358 byRobert of Namur, lord of Beaufort-sur-Meuse and Ronay. According to hischarter, he obliged to pay the rent paied previously by one of his vassalsWalter de Seilles. The article reviews the historical content and physicalparticularities of the document, and attempts to answer the question whythe abbot of Gembloux acts as guarantor of the authenticity of the charter.This may be due to the fact that abbot Nicolas de Ripemont came fromthe same family as the rent holders. Thus, by confirming the letter of Robert of Namur, Nicolas de Ripemont not only consolideted the traditionalrole of the Church as a center of power and literacy, but he also protectedfamily interests.
The study was supported by a grant from the Russian Foundation for BasicResearch 18-00-00292 (as part of COMFI № 18-00-00429 (K)).

Key words: Abbey Gembloux, vidimus, Church, N. P. Likhachev (1862–1936), Robert of Namur

Permanent link: //rcs-almanac.ru/nosova-2020-en/

The abdication of Margrave George Friedrich of Baden-Durlach — an act of «political prudence»?

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Michael Roth assistant lecturer, Department of History, Heidelberg University (Grabengasse 3–5, aud. 229, Heidelberg, Germany, 69117)
michael.roth@zegk.uni-heidelberg.de

Roth M. The abdication of Margrave George Friedrich of Baden-Durlach — an act of «political prudence»?, Religiya. Tserkov’. Obshchestvo. Issledovaniya i publikatsii po teologii i religii [Religion. Church. Society: Research and publications in the field of theology and religious studies], Saint-Petersburg, 2019, vol. 8, pp. 254–269.

doi: 10.24411/2308-0698-2019-00013

Language: Russian

The study focuses on territories outside the Kurpfalz border. The first decades of the 17th century were in fact very turbulent not only for Kurpfalz, but also for the small duchy of Baden-Durlach: this time was coloured by religious confrontations, and especially the Thirty Years War. The fate of the famous Heidelberg «winter king» and his family prevails in the images of the first years of the war, although other rulers of lands in the south-west of the Empire was also forced to accept the challenge of war. An example is the fate of Margrave George Friedrich, who ruled the Baden-Durlach Margrave and sought, being a strictly Lutheran prince, to influence the outcome of the just begun Thirty Years War. Militarily, during the Battle of Wimpfen, he was as unsuccessful as his Heidelberg associate, however, is a wonderful example of political farsightedness. Having renounced the power given to him in favour of his son, he tried to keep Baden out of the war until the moment when he personally entered into it. The act of princely renunciation of power is unusual in itself, so the author in addition to external circumstances and the process of renunciation, also investigates the issue of theological premises that explain this renunciation, as well as political prudence in the framework of modern political theorizing about the resignation.

Key words: political act, Baden, confessionalization, Protestant union, power, church

URL: //rcs-almanac.ru/en/roth-2019-en/

Who are the judges? Charter of the King of France John II Good in favor of the ca thedral of Laon (1352)

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Ekaterina Igorevna Nosova PhD in History, Saint-Petersburg Institute of History of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Petrozavodskaja ulitsa, 7, Saint-Petersburg, Russia, 197110)
katerinanossova@gmail.com

Nosova E. I. Who are the judges? Charter of the King of France John II Good in favor of the Cathedral of Laon (1352), Religiya. Tserkov’. Obshchestvo. Issledovaniya i publikatsii po teologii i religii [Religion. Church. Society: Research and publications in the field of theology and religious studies], Saint-Petersburg, 2018, vol. 7, pp. 232–259.

doi: 10.24411/2308-0698-2018-00012

Language: Russian

The article deals with relationships between secular and ecclesiastical powers in medieval France in the 14^th century. The king’s John II letter to the Cathedral of Laon served as a basis for this case study. This document is kept in the archives of the Saint-Petersburg Institute of History of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The document comes from the collection of Nikolai Petrovich Likhachev (1862–1936). The article gives a detailed analysis of its content and form. The problem which considered in the article, was spread throughout over medieval Europe. The form of the letter corresponds to the traditions of the French royal chancellery of the Late Middle Ages except the combination of languages — Latin and French. Generally, coexistence of the two languages was quite normal during 14–15^th centuries. But in most cases one charter was entirely cited in the other. In the charter from Likhachev’s collection one part does not exist without the other: the Latin part has no content, and the French part has no legal force. Ecclesiastical authority is represented by the catholic chapter of Laon, in whose favor a dispute was settled. The decision of royal Parliament based rather on principles of a relationship between the bishop and the cathedral developed in this city, than on royal own ordinances. It should be stressed that the analyzed document shows the multifaceted relationship between the spiritual and ecclesiastical authorities in medieval France, and puts out the low efficiency of using of same sources in juridical practice.

Key words: France, law, conflict of jurisdictions, Church, cathedral (Laon), chapter, N. P. Likhachev (1862–1936)

URL: //rcs-almanac.ru/nosova-2018-en/

Review on: “Contemprorary religious problems of the region of specialization. Religion and Church in the Nordic countries: A learner’s guide” (Saint-Petersburg, 2013) by V. I. Musaev

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Pavel Valentinovich Krylov, PhD in history, leading researcher, Russian Academy of Sciences, Institute of History (Petrozavodskaya ulitsa, 7, Saint-Petersburg, 197110)
pavel_kryloff@mail.ru

Krylov P. V. Review on: “Contemprorary religious problems of the region of specialization. Religion and Church in the Nordic countries: A learner’s guide” (Saint-Petersburg, 2013) by V. I. Musaev, Religiya. Tserkov’. Obshchestvo. Issledovaniya i publikatsii po teologii i religii [Religion. Church. Society: Research and publications in the field of theology and religious studies], Saint-Petersburg, 2013, vol. 2, pp. 296–302.

DOI: 10.24411/2308-0698-2013-00003

Language: Russian

The recent work by V. I. Musaev on Church history of Nordic countries is critically reviewed. The text comments on the author’s methodology, views and logic, markering out positive as well as negative point of the leaner’s guide. Having done several critic comments, the reviewer, however, describes the book as worth reading.

Key words: Nordic countries, confession, Church

Permanent link: //rcs-almanac.ru/krylov-2013-en/

On the question of several religious terms

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Anatoliy Kirillovich Pogasiy, PhD in history, professor, Kazan Institute, Eastern Academy of Economics, Law and Humanities (ulica Jurnalistov, dom 6a, Kazan, Republic of Tatarstan, 420029)
kazan_prihod@mail.ru

Pogasiy A. K. On the question of several religious terms, Religiya. Tserkov’. Obshchestvo. Issledovaniya i publikatsii po teologii i religii [Religion. Church. Society: Research and publications in the field of theology and religious studies], Saint-Petersburg, 2012, vol. 1, pp. 35–49.

DOI: 10.24411/2308-0698-2012-00007

Language: Russian

Specifics of religious terminology is that it is called in the field of human consciousness and the world comprehended by human intelligence to fix concepts phenomenal that can’t be realized by human reason. The article is devoted to a problem of interpretation of some Christian terms.

Key words: religion, Christianity, term, theology, Church

Permanent link: //rcs-almanac.ru/pogasiy-a-k-2012-en/

John Bergius, a prominent figure of the Brandenburg Reformation

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Mihkail Petrovich Beliaev, PhD in history, assistant professor, Russian University of cooperation, Faculry of Law (ulitsa Very Voloshinoy, 12/30, Mytishchi, Russia, 141014)

babek-han@mail.ru

Beliaev M. P. John Bergius, a prominent figure of the Brandenburg Reformation, Religiya. Tserkov’. Obshchestvo. Issledovaniya i publikatsii po teologii i religii [Religion. Church. Society: Research and publications in the field of theology and religious studies], Saint-Petersburg, 2017, vol. 6, pp. 260–283.

doi: 10.24411/2308-0698-2017-00013

Language: Russian

The Second Reformation in Brandenburg seriously differed from similar transformations in the other subjects of the Empire. The subjects of the Elector, John Sigismund, being Lutherans, were not compelled to switch to Calvinism, because Hohenzollern led tolerant policy. The article studies the role of John Bergius, who was a prominent ideologue of Calvinism and the leading court preacher of the Brandenburg Electors. Having received good education abroad, he laterly wrote many works on theology as an adherent of Irenism. The young theologian took part in the struggle against the Lutheran theologians and become the closest adviser of the Electors on religious matters. He defended the ideas of common root of Protestan theology and was for coorepation between the Lutherans and the Evangelists before the face of the Counter-reformation. The Brandenburg preacher developed the «constitutional theory of resistance», which justified the Emperor’s action in cooperation with the Catholic League as unleagel. The author shows that in these circumstances Lutheran theologians agreed to meet with Calvinist colleagues in Leipzig, during the Protestant princes convention. At this colloquium, thanks to the position of Bergius, it become possible to reach agreement on the most of issues. His late activity is also of high interest, because in 1630s he participated in the development of a new structure for the Brandenburg Church. Since 1640 Bergius being an adviser of th Elector Frederick William and participates in the colloquium in Thorne. He also was one of the authors of the final documents of the conferences in Leipzig and Thorne, which together with Confessio Sigismundi formed the official position of the Reformed Church of Brandenburg.

Key words: Brandenburg, Calvinists, Reformed, Lutheran, Preacher, Church, Reformation

URL: //rcs-almanac.ru/beliaev-2017-en/