theology – RCS

Martin Luther’s Disputation Against Scholastic Theology (1517): Commentary and Translation

Danil Vladimirovich Andreev Bachelor of Theology, Theological Institute of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ingria (der. Kolbino, 25a, Leningrad region, Vsevolozhsk district, Russia, 188680)
franksandreev@yandex.ru

Andreev D. V. Martin Luther’s Disputation Against Scholastic Theology (1517): Commentary and Translation, 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. 220–241.

doi: 10.24412/2308-0698-2025-14-216-237

Language: Russian

This work analyzes Martin Luther’s early treatise Disputation Against Scholastic Theology (1517) within the context of his intellectual evolution and his polemic with late medieval scholasticism. It examines the structural features of the text, its role in shaping Luther’s theological views, as well as the problems of translating and interpreting scholastic terminology. Particular attention is given to Luther’s critique of Aristotelian logic, the concept of natural love for God, the doctrine of predestination, and preparation for grace. The publication includes a detailed commentary based on contemporary academic research and seeks to address gaps present in the previous translation.

Key words: Luther, Gabriel Biel, scholasticism, Reformation, theology, disputation, medieval philosophy, Aristotelianism

URL: https://rcs-almanac.ru/andreev2025-en/

About the need of theological approach to ethical issues in biomedicine and biomedical technologies

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Dmitry Viktorovich Mikhel,
Oleg Nickolaevich Reznik
Doctor of Philosophy, professor, Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration (Vernadskogo pr. 82, Moscow, Russia, 119571) Leading research fellow, Institute of World History of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Leninsky pr. 32a, Moscow, Russia, 119334)
dmitrymikhel@mail.ru
Doctor of Medicine, professor First St. Petersburg State Medical University (L’va Tolstogo ulitsa, 6–8, St. Petersburg, Russia,197022) St. Petersburg Research Institute of Emergency Medicine (Budapeshtskaya ulitsa, 3, St. Petersburg, Russia, 192242)
onreznik@gmail.com

Mikhel D. V., Reznik O. N. About the need of theological approach to ethical issues in biomedicine and biomedical technologies, 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. 46–79.

doi: 10.24412/2308-0698-2022-11-46-78

Language: Russian

Domestic and foreign experience in the development of biomedicine shows that the practice of using blood, organs and tissues of some people to save others has a long and complicated history, which is invariably accompanied by serious moral questions and the search for ethically acceptable forms of regulation. The emergence of cellular technology and regenerative medicine has once again raised the question of the socially acceptable way of developing this promising field of biomedicine. Is it acceptable for further biomedical progress to use embryonic tissues from which valuable cellular preparations can be derived? Drafting laws regulating we must appeal to the values of Christian morality and the potential of theological knowledge, which returns public consciousness to the higher meanings lost in the previous period of development of Russian society. This is especially relevant for the system of higher secular education, and especially medical education, which in the post-Soviet period of its history has been at the mercy of utilitarianism and other forms of secular ethics.

Key words: stem cells, human embryos, Christian morality, theology, education

URL: //rcs-almanac.ru/en/en-michel-reznik-2022/

Doctrine of justification in Sergius Stragorodsky’s master’s thesis and its critique in the Russian Orthodox church

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Konstantin Yur’evich Subbotin PhD in Philology, bachelor of Religious Studies, lecturer, Theological Institute of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ingria (der. Kolbino, d. 25a, Leningrad region, Vsevolozhsk district, Russia, 188680)
subb_kostya@mail.ru

Subbotin K. Yu. Doctrine of justification in Sergius Stragorodsky’s master’s thesis and its critique in the Russian Orthodox church, 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. 74–93.

doi: 10.24412/2308-0698-2022-10-74-93

Language: Russian

Τhe article is an overview of historiographical nature and attempts to identify the features of the emergence of the «Orthodox doctrine of salvation» by Patriarch Sergius Stragorodsky by Orthodox theologians of the 20–21st centuries. In most cases, it is noted that Stragorodsky’s work is a sharp transitional milestone, marking Orthodox soteriology from a journal of Western and legal justification to an independent organic understanding of justification in Eastern Orthodoxy. However, the assessment of such a transition varies from benevolent recognition to complete rejection. Nevertheless, the interest in Stargorodsky’s legacy is quite large, which is confirmed by the publication and conferences of recent years. The legacy of Stargorodsky is little studied in the Russian-speaking world and it is assumed that this review contributes to the growth of scientific interest in his dissertation and theology

Key words: Orthodox Academy, dissertation, theology, living church, renovationists

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

Preface to the Latin Edition of the Collected Works of Martin Luther (1545): Introduction, Translation, Сomment

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Rodion Valentinovich Savinov PhD in Philosophy, associate professor, Saint-Petersburg State Academy of Veterinary Medicine (ulitsa Chernigovskaya, 5, Saint-Petersburg, Russia, 196084)
savrodion@yandex.ru

Savinov R. V. Preface to the Latin Edition of the Collected Works of Martin Luther (1545): Introduction, Translation, Сomment, 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. 336–356.

doi: 10.24412/2308-0698-2022-10-336-356

Language: Russian

The material is devoted to the problem of interpreting a number of sources on the history of the Reformation, in particular, Martin Luther’s autobiographical texts. These sources have recently become into researchers’ scopus, because they contain unique information about the personality of the author and his worldview, which allows reconstructing the author’s personality. Martin Luther’s personality is inseparable from his theology, and an attempt is made to show that those texts that are traditionally historical are in fact precisely such ego-documents, and they are significant in their subjective definiteness, which makes it difficult for historical comment on these materials. At the same time, the reconstruction of the context, which is possible on the basis of the historical method, makes it possible to identify the fundamental features of ego-documents, which, on the one hand, differ in the specific ranking of events, but vary by linking them to certain concepts that are significant for the author of this text. One of the most famous ego-documents is Martin Luther’s «Preface» to his own collected works of 1545, where he describes the events preceded the beginning of the Reformation and took place at its first stage (1517–1520). It is shown that the text combines a number of key ideas that determine the nature of material grouping and its assessment. It is concluded that this text, although not an artifact for historiography, is an important source of both theological and historical order.

Key words: Reformation, Theology, Early Modern, Luther, History, Eschatology, Biography

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

Сriticism of Рossibility of Natural Theology in William Ames’ «Disputatio theologica adversus ethicam» (Preface to the publication)

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Savinov R.V. Сriticism of Рossibility of Natural Theology in William Ames’ «Disputatio theologica adversus ethicam» (Preface to the publication), 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. 394–424.

doi: 10.24411/2308-0698-2020-00020

Language: Russian

The article analyses English Puritan theologian William Ames’«Disputatio theologica adversus ethicam» which contains criticismof Early Modern theology, in particular, the possibility of building ethicsindependent of both biblical Revelation and religious sources. RabbinicalJudaism and Catholicism are considered by William Ames as representativesof the concept of «traditions», socially established forms of religiosity. Amesseeks to show that these forms of worship are untrue, for they supplementthe biblical command with historically emerged customs, thereby violatingthe principle of sola Scriptura. The second mode of non-religious piety isrepresented by philosophical ethics, in particular, the Aristotle’s moraldoctrine, which was the basis of the ethical teachings of the Early ModernTimes, both Catholic and Protestant. The rationalism of Aristotelian ethicsand its immanent point of view to human morality are considered by Ames asa violation of the principle of sola fide, because ethics is based on the independentnature of man, which makes the principles of Revelation unnecessary. Amesconsiders biblical moral theology (the so-called Ethica Christiana) an alternativefor Scholasticism, which, on the one hand, integrates the basic principlesof philosophical ethics (the concept and varieties of virtues), and, on the otherhand, is based on the theological principle of holiness as the goal of human lifein the eyes of God (coram Deo). Thus, the theology of William Ames became analternative to the scholastic understanding of ethics and theology, and served asthe basis for new forms of describing religious experience in Puritanism of the17th century

Key words: Reformation, Ethics, Theology, Puritanism, William Ames, Early Modern

URL: //rcs-almanac.ru/savinov-2020-en/

Philosophy and Theology in early Puritanism: William Ames’ Criticism of Metaphysic

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Rodion Valentinovich Savinov PhD in Philosophy, senior lecturer, Saint-Petersburg State Academy of Veterinary Medicine (Ulitsa Chernigovskaya, 5, St. Petersburg, Russia, 196084)
savrodion@yandex.ru

Savinov R. V. Philosophy and Theology in early Puritanism: William Ames’ Criticism of Metaphysic, 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. 380–404.

doi: 10.24411/2308-0698-2019-00018

Language: Russian

The article discusses the content of the «Theological Disputation against Metaphysics» by William Ames, one of the creators of Puritan theology. It is shown that Ames’ disputation against metaphysics and the line of his argumentation, firstly, goes back to the scholastic discussions about the content of Corpus Aristotelicum, and secondly, is rooted in the criticism of secular knowledge that was given by the Reformers (Martin Luther, Philipp Melanchthon and others). Besides, it was a moment in the confessional debate with the project of the Catholic «natural theology», presented by Suarez’s treatises. At last, it substantiates a new understanding of human activity, associated primarily with the practical, rather than contemplating meaning of human life that reflects the characteristic of the Post-Reformation culture.

Key words: Reformation, Metaphysics, Theology, Puritanism, Discussions, Early Modern

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

Theological course of Sylvester Kulabka at the Kiyv-Mohyla Academy (1741–1745) and influence of the Lutheran scholastics

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Konstantin Vladimirovich Sutorius PhD in History, Higher School of Economics (naberezhnaya kanala Griboedova, 123, Saint-Petersburg, Russia, 190008)
sutorius@mail.ru

Sutorius K. V. Theological course of Sylvester Kulabka at the Kiyv-Mohyla Academy (1741–1745) and influence of the Lutheran scholastics, 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. 260–283.

doi: 10.24411/2308-0698-2018-00013

Language: Russian

Courses of theology, which were taught in Kiyv-Mohyla College/Academy, are more or less compilations. Parts of theological course, which Sylvester Kulabka taught in 1739–45, are not an exception. What was special, was that Kulabka as a teacher of theology closely followed his sources. Kulabka taught parts of the second half of theological course in 1739–41 and then the whole course in 1741–45. For second half of that course (1743–45) Kulabka used his lectures taught in 1739–41. The latter in turn were based on the second half of theological course, which was taught in Kiyv academy by Joseph Wolczanskj in 1721–25. The part about the law of God, which was taught by Kulabka in academic year 1743/44 and which is not found neither in the first course (1739–41) nor in the course of Wolczanskj, was based on one part of theological course by Hilario Lievicki in 1725–29. Kulabka considerably changed the design of parts of the theological course, which he taught in 1743/44, and added some chapters not present in his lectures of 1739/40. These changes seem to have been influenced by the manual of Lutheran theologian Mattias Hafenreffer.

Key words: theology, manuscripts, Mattias Hafenreffer, Lutheran scholastics, Jesuits

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

Oscillations of love. Relationship of Law and Gospel in the context of the theology of the process (on the example of the theology of Katherine Keller)

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Anton Vladimirovich Tihomirov Doctor in theology, Theological seminary of the Evangelical-Lutheran hurch (derevnya Novosaratovka, 140, Leningradskaya oblast’, Russia, 193149)
tikhomirov@live.com

Tihomirov A. V. Oscillations of love. Relationship of Law and Gospel in the context of the theology of the process (on the example of the theology of Katherine Keller), 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. 18–43.

doi: 10.24411/2308-0698-2018-00002

Language: Russian

The author examines the basic principles of the modern theology of the process inspired by the philosophy of the process of Alfred Whitehead. It is studied on the example of theology of a prominent representative of this trend, our contemporary Katherine Keller. In process theology, the world and God are understood as being in constant interaction that finally remains open. It openly denies the omnipotence of God. In relations with the world, He can act as a suffering and receiving power. The main focus of Keller’s analysis of creativity is the consideration of the dialectic of Eros, as the inspiring and impelling power of God, and Agape, as God’s saving mercy. At the same time, the author analyzes this pair of concepts in the context of the relationship between Law and Gospel in classical Lutheran theology. The author shows that, although some representatives of the theology of the process understand the relationship of Eros and Agape as a reflection of Luther’s distinction between Law and Gospel, it is still difficult to find a direct correspondence between these pairs of concepts. In Luther’s understanding, Law is opposed to Gospel, while Eros and Agape in the theology of the process complement each other and strive to complete fusion. It is noted, however, that Keller does not openly refer to Luther and does not argue with him, focusing her criticism on the teachings of Jean Calvin. Nevertheless, the author emphasizes that the ideas developed in the framework of the theology of the process can have a consoling character in the face of questions and doubts of a modern man, i.e. under certain conditions, to fulfill a purpose similar to the aime of the Martin Luther’s distinction between Law and Gospel.

Key words: Calvin, Luther, Agape, Eros, Theology, God

URL: //rcs-almanac.ru/tihomirov-2018-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/

Review of the monography by V. A. Bachinin «Europeamn Reformation as spiritual war» (Kiev, 2017)

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Sergey Aleksandrovich Isaev PhD in history, senior researcher, Russian Academy of Sciences, Institute of History (Petrozavodskaya ulitsa, 7, Saint-Petersburg, 197110) , isayevsviir@yandex.ru

Isaev S. A. Review on the monography by V. A. Bachinin «European Reformation as spiritual war» (Kiev, 2017), 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. 406–417.

doi: 10.24411/2308-0698-2017-00020

Language: Russian

The book is considered as a product of culturological scholarship created by Russian Calvinist. Vladislav Bachinin is sure that the Roman Catholic Church in the late medieval Europe was infected by Renaissance ideas — paganistic and anti-Christian. According to Bachinin, the Reformation saved the European Christianity from this threat. The main savior, according to Bachinin, was John Calvin. Martin Luther is considered as the great «pathfinder» of Reformation and harbinger of Calvin.

Key words: Luther, Calvin, Jan Huss, theology, culture, Calvinism, Europe

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