International Journal of New Perspectives in Christianity

Thirst for Spirits? Thirst for Spirit? Two Models to Explain Alcohol's Impact

Steven W. Thompson — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 23:31:49 PDT

Two main models, the spiritual and the physiological, have been put forward to explain the cause of drunkenness. While the spiritual model was dominant prior to the rise of modern science and medicine, it has been largely replaced during the past two centuries by the physiological model. This paper summarises both models, traces their history, and notes a contemporary new perspective and re-emergence of the older spiritual model. The paper suggests that theorists and therapists who remain unwilling to consider a spiritual cause of drunkenness in favour of a strictly physiological one, do so at the risk of adopting an inadequate working model of drunkenness and alcohol addiction.

An Analysis of Romans 14:5-6 via the New Perspective on Paul

Norman H. Young — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 23:31:49 PDT

The Apostle Paul has often been held responsible for transforming the teachings of Jesus the Jew into an anti-Semitic religion of hate. The recent emphasis on Paul’s essential Jewishness and his positive attitude to the Law has given a more historically nuanced picture of the Apostle. This “new perspective” on Paul is somewhat affirmed in this paper’s examination of Romans 14:5-6. Contrary to the opinion of numerous New Testament scholars, a careful analysis of Romans 14:5-6 reveals that Paul is not opposing the Jewish Sabbath. Indeed, it argues that the passage is about a group of festive days, and is not dealing with just a single day (the Sabbath) in contrast with no holy day at all. Furthermore, the dispute over foods is to be related to the festive days discussed in vv. 5-6. However, Paul’s main concern is not when the Roman churches gather for fellowship meals, nor indeed the nature of the viands. His prime, perhaps his only, desire is that these fellowship meals be inclusive of Jew and gentile alike in the unity of Christ.

Christianity and Darwinism

Kevin C. de Berg — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 23:31:48 PDT

Since the publication of On the Origin of Species in 1859, some have viewed Christianity and Darwinism as bitter enemies, and others as useful partners in the process of understanding the nature of reality. Current scholarship suggests that Christianity has much to gain from a serious dialogue with Darwinism, particularly in relation to the doctrines of Creation, the Sabbath, Death and Suffering, Christology, and Eschatology. Given the fact that the year 2009 is the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin and the 150th anniversary of the publication of On the Origin of Species, it is rather fitting to examine Darwinism from the perspectives of both the nature of science and theology. This paper suggests that there may be a case for a more open encounter with the claims of Darwinism, even if Darwinism still fits uncomfortably within a conservative Christian framework.

Overcoming Tribal Violence: A Challenge for Contemporary Christianity

Eric A. Magnusson — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 23:31:48 PDT

From a selected survey of some recent scientific findings from archaeology and ancient history, the paper draws two main conclusions. First, we who now know enough to follow the Bible story back from Roman Palestine into prehistory can see humanity’s most obvious and tragic fault: tribal violence. Second, studying the Old Testament from this (new) perspective provides a lens to see inside one particular tribe how each tribe’s hand has always turned against its neighbours. Against this background, the New Testament prophetically projects the only remedy – the Gospel of Jesus - and presents a challenge to contemporary Christianity to find non-violent ways to meet the future.

Christians in a Pluralistic Society: Papyrus Evidence from the Roman Empire

Alanna M. Nobbs — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 23:31:48 PDT

Christian sources allow readers to gain the impression that the Christians were especially sensitive to, or even exaggerated for apologetic purposes, the Roman government’s hostility towards them. However, by using the often neglected papyrus documents which are contemporary with the events described, we now can gain direct evidence, from the official side, of the initiative of Decius in AD 250 which, at the time, provoked this sense in our surviving Christian literary tradition of a comprehensive attack. In the light of this evidence, we can perceive the emotional and intellectual realism of the literary accounts of this Christian response.

A New Perspective Concerning Place, Reconciliation, and Judgment via a Consideration of the Nexus between Christianity and Indigenous Spirituality

Graham Fletcher — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 23:31:47 PDT

The paper first offers a brief overview of some key concepts of Native Title, inclusive of key dates and events significant to the current native title issues in Australia. It then proffers a new perspective concerning three key issues relevant to the nexus between Christianity and Indigenous spiritualities, namely (a) the importance of place, (b) reconcilitation, and (c) the judgment.

Christianity's Potential Contribution to Australian Society

Vivienne J. Watts — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 23:31:47 PDT

The proportion of Christians in the Australian population continues to decline. Internationally, the proportion of Christians in developing countries is tending to increase, whereas the proportion of Christians in developed countries generally is decreasing. This paper first provides a brief overview of the current Australian demographic data and trends in relation to Christian denominations and other religious groups over the past 100 years. Based on Christianity’s past contribution to Australian society, it then posits a framework for a way forward to contribute to the current and future issues and problems confronting Christianity in Australian society.

Environmental Spirituality

David Tacey — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 23:31:47 PDT

It is difficult to address the crises of ecology and relevance in religion where the culture is increasingly secular, disbelieving, and unable to ground itself in local experience. This paper proposes that church leaders have the opportunity to change perspective from one that is “other-worldly” to one which focuses on the environment as earth-based, sacred, and which ultimately requires our respect. Indigenous Australians led the way in this regard. Only by making the world sacred, by turning the earth into creation, can we approach the problem of the environmental crisis and work toward repair.

Editorial

Vivienne J. Watts — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 23:31:46 PDT