Did Mark intend to end the Gospel with verse 16:8? Arguments «for composition»

Pavel Alexandrovich Khramov master of theology (STM), lecturer, the Theological Seminary of the Siberian Evangelical Lutheran Church (3 Lykova str., Νvosibirsk, Russia, 630058)
pkhramov@gmail.com

Khramov P. A. Did Mark intend to end the Gospel with verse 16.8? Arguments «for composition», 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, 2023, vol. 12, pp. 46–57.

doi: 10.24412/2308-0698-2023-12-46-57

Language: Russian

There is no serious doubt that the so-called «long ending» of the Gospel of Mark, i.e. verses 16:9–20, is not original. But there are still different opinions about why the Gospel ends with the eighth verse of the sixteenth chapter. It is widely believed that, for some reason, the author’s ending was lost. The article presents arguments in favor of the point of view that the suddenly ending narrative corresponds to the character and composition of the second Gospel and is the author’s intention.
The disciples in the Gospel are shown to be incomprehensible, fearful, and of little faith. They, as well as other people who encounter Christ, are amazed, perplexed and ask questions that are not answered. In this way, Mark seeks to involve his listeners in the story being told, to get them to answer these questions. In addition, he leads them to understand that «a sign will not be given to this generation», they only need to rely on the word of Christ. Thus, the «open ending» of the Gospel invites listeners to continue the Gospel by themselves, with their lives, «walking by faith, not by vision».

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Key words: Mark’s Gospel, long ending, listener, faith, unbelief, sign

URL: //rcs-almanac.ru/en/en-khramov-2023/

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Space of meanings of the biblical drama «The Sacrifice of Abraham» by Theodore de Beza

Zinaida Andreevna Lurie PhD in History, assistant lecturer, Institute of foreign modern languages, St. Petersburg State University (Universitetskaia nab., 7/9, Saint-Petersburg, Russia, 199034)
z.lurie@spbu.ru

Lurie Z. A. Space of meanings of the biblical drama «The Sacrifice of Abraham» by Theodore de Beza, 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. 10, pp. 158–183.

doi: 10.24412/2308-0698-2022-10-158-183

Language: Russian

The article examines the tragedy «The Sacrifice of Abraham» (1550) by Theodore de Beza, the reformer of Lausanne and Geneva, that was one of the first tragedies in French. This text was republished many times and influenced other evangelical Biblical dramas of the 16–17th centuries. Potentially, using the example of the Old Testament patriarch, many moral and social topics can be revealed. However, de Beza focuses on the most important issue in the life of a Christian, i.e. fight against temptation. This spiritual test, the struggle of the Spirit with the Flesh and victory over sin and devil are the signs of a true believer, who has been chosen for Salvation. Thus, the plot about the Old Testament righteous man who decided to violate the Commandment and trampled his natural attachment to his son actualizes the doctrine of predestination. This aspect of the confrontation between the individual and society was very important for de Beza himself. Besides, in the visual layer of tragedy — which we can be reconstructed in parts — the importance of Satan, who has lost part of his comic persona in comparison with the folk theater, the lack of imagery of God and other elements of confessional propaganda can be marked out.

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Key words: patriarchs, Biblical drama, humanism, Calvinism, predestination, faith, the Apostle Paul, Isaac, Sarah, urban stage space

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

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Luther on infant Baptism: «On Rebaptism» (1528) and «Large Catechism» (1529)

Charles Lloyd CortrightPhD in Theology, The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod (St. Louis, MO 63166-6861, P.O. Box 66861)
charles.cortright@lcms.org

Cortright Ch. L. Luther on infant Baptism: «On Rebaptism» (1528) and «Large Catechism» (1529), 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. 68–90.

doi: 10.24411/2308-0698-2018-00004

Language: English

Martin Luther’s two primary writings concerning the baptism of infants — «On Rebaptism» (1528) and the Excursus on Infant Baptism contained in «Large Catechism» (1529) — are presented and reviewed in this article. In the 1528 tractate written in response to a letter asking for assistance in answering the Anabaptist rejection of infant baptism, Luther lays out the evangelical defense of «one baptism» for all — young, old, male, female, etc. — from Scripture and history. Luther’s defense remains a primary answer to the same questions today. Likewise, the Excursus in «Large Catechism» is developed by Luther in this same time period and is a confessional statement for the Lutheran Church concerning the sacrament of Holy Baptism and its blessings for all the baptized.

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Key words: sacraments, Augustine, faith, John Chrysostom, Anabaptists

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

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The gnosiological aspect of religion

Alexey Igorevich Ivanenko, PhD in Philosophy, assistant professor, Theological Institute of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ingria (der. Kolbino, 25a, Leningrad region, Vsevolozhsk district, Russia, 188680)
iwanenkoalexy@hotmail.com

Ivanenko A. I. The gnosiological aspect of religion, 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. 78–86.

DOI: 10.24411/2308-0698-2013-00016

Language: Russian

The article is devoted to epistemological aspects of religion. Following Hegel, the author maintains that religion in one of spiritual form as well as art and science. This method allows to keep distance between clericalism and atheism. Extreme positions are the following: religion is the only expression of truth; religion is a false form of consciousness. The first position denies rational investigation of religion. The second position denies the object of investigation. On the base of contradiction between science and religion, the author maintains that religion has non-scientific truth, which suggest other form of verification. Religion expresses itself in faith and worship, but more necessary are its moral components, which are based on so called Revelation. However, religion is not only moral teaching. But moral component is a normative foundation of society, culture and civilization, which can be studies rationally. Law bases on normative foundation and regulates connection between people. Religious truth has civil aspect, because of question of access to cultural monuments and of mass celebrations. Religious truth correlates with cultural effects, which it expresses. This truth can make a difference between churches and sects.

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Key words: religion, gnosiology, truth, faith

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

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