DOCSLIB.ORG

MBS Texte 56 Martin Bucer Seminar Website: E-Mail: [email protected]

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
MBS Texte 56 Martin Bucer Seminar Website: E-Mail: Info@Bucer.De 2. Jahrgang MARTIN MBS TEXTE 56 BUCER 2005 SEMINAR Thomas Schirrmacher Do We Need a Special Ethics for the Last Days? BUCER IN S T E M R A I N M A R 2 1 : E P 4 H EthicsErgänzungen zur Ethik TableInhaltsverzeichnis of Contents In hard times we recognize the urgency of God’s unchanging will ...................................... 3 God can repeal or at least postpone the proclaimed judgment if people repent ................................ 5 Examples for the repeal of a proclaimed judgment ................... 6 The Church has hope in the face of judgment .......................... 8 Iniquity may be full, but the Church can delay the judgment ............................................... 8 The Parable of the Wheat and the Tares (Matt. 13:24-30 and 36-43) ................................... 10 Annotation ............................................................................. 12 The Author ............................................................................ 12 Impressum ............................................................................. 13 1. Aufl. 2005 Do we need a special ethics for the Last Days? Do We Need a Special Ethics for the Last Days? Thomas Schirrmacher In hard times we God‘s will, as revealed in Scripture, recognize the urgency always applies, whether the situation is of God‘s unchanging will worsening or improving. Isn‘t it really contradictory for Chris- Churches, evangelists and even poli- tians to claim to adhere to the Bible ticians love to base their imperatives while calculating a program for the on the argument that we are living in Return of Christ, even though Scrip- the Last Days. Is that biblical? Must ture and the Lord Jesus Christ Himself we really know that whether God is very clearly insist that no one except intending to inflict judgment or bestow God the Father knows the time or the grace, when we develop evangelistic hour (Acts 1:7; Matt 24:36.43.44.50; strategies? No! On the contrary, we Mark 13:32; Luke 12:39.40.46)! If we must continue to proclaim the Gospel believe in the principle of using Scrip- as we have always done in order to pre- ture to interpret Scripture, we should vent judgement! The Bible preaches no apply Christ‘s warning to every escha- special eschatological ethics. tological text. Still, let us participate in To express it in other words: the spe- the discussion: what would be the con- cific ethics for the Last Days are the very sequences for our ethics, if we did know same ethics of the Kingdom of God that the world were to end soon? which commenced with the Coming The apostle Paul gives one of the most of Christ (Luke 10:9.11.; 21:31–32). In dramatic descriptions of the ‚perilous view of the approaching judgement and times‘ of the last days (2 Tim 3:1–4:8). the return of Christ (Acts 17:31; 1Thess We could ask why Paul would require 5:1–3), this ethical system has applied Timothy to act in a concrete manner in for centuries and will not suddenly difficult times that lay in a far distant change in the twenty-first century. future, but let us ignore that problem Do we really need a new ethical and assume that this text indeed refers system for the Last Days? Must we to the end of human history. Men will locate our epoch on a prophetic time become selfish, slanderers, seducers line in order to do God‘s will? No, for „ever learning, and never able to come ERGÄNZUNGEN ZUR ETHIK Thomas Schirrmacher to the knowledge of the truth“ (vs. and its norms „that the man of God 7), clinging to a powerless superficial may be perfect, thoroughly furnished Christianity (vs. 5). Persecution will be unto all good works,“ (2 Tim 3:17). In an everyday affair (3,11–12), and things the Great Commandment, Jesus admo- will continue to get worse (vs. 13): „For nishes the disciples to work: „Teaching the time will come when they will not them to observe all things whatsoever endure sound doctrine; but after their I have commanded you: and, lo, I am own lusts shall they heap to themselves with you alway, even unto the end of teachers, having itching ears. And they the world,“ (Matt 28:20). Jesus‘ ethics shall turn away their ears from the suffice – from the Crucifixion until his truth, and shall be turned unto fables“ return. (2 Tim 4:3–4). The principles described here for What conclusion does Paul draw evangelization apply equally for the rest from these predictions? Rather than of Biblical-Christian ethics. Whether developing a special ethical system, he we are living in the Last Days or not, confirms the fundamental principles the commandment to love and the of the Christian lifestyle which have Ten Commandments are other central always applied and continue to apply in ethical principles such those defined the future: „Preach the word; be instant in Romans 12:1–2 or 2 Tim. 3:16–17 in season, out of season; reprove, remain untouched. God‘s assistance rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and directions for our lives apply and doctrine. ... But watch thou in all whether we live in the best of times or things, endure afflictions, do the work the worst, and whether judgement or of an evangelist, make full proof of thy revival are pending. ministry.“ (2 Tim 4:2.5). In 1 Thessalonians 5:1–11, Paul dis- Speaking specifically of ethical cusses the lives of the believer facing the norms for difficult times, Paul admo- „Day of the Lord“ (vs. 2), a completely nishes Timothy: „But continue thou unexpected time which will come like in the things which thou hast learned a thief in the night. The Christian can and hast been assured of, knowing of only watch rather than sleep. Paul‘s whom thou hast learned them,“ (2 Tim ethical system for the Return of Christ 3:14), i. e. Timothy is to live according consists in being sober, in watching, in to Scripture. The basic significance of admonishing and deifying one another Scripture, which was inspired by God (vs. 11), in putting on the breastplate through his Spirit, for salvation, doc- of faith and love and the helmet of the trine and ethics (2 Tim 3:14–17), is hope of salvation (vs. 8). No one who emphasized in the context of future dif- lives this way will be unprepared for ficulties and judgment. Timothy does the Day, and nothing indicates that we not need any special knowledge of the require any sort of special eschatologi- future, only familiarity with the Bible cal ethics. MBS TEXTE 56 Do we need a special ethics for the Last Days? In his sermons on the Last Days, best known example. The prophet pre- Jesus exhorts the disciples to watch ached that Nineveh would be destro- (Matt 24:32–35–25:13). he uses the yed in forty days (Jonah 3:4), but the metaphor of the unexpected thief in Assyrians‘ repentance reverted God‘s the night (Mat 24:43.50), whose time judgment. Jonah, angry as he was, had is unknown to the master of the house already known how God would act: „I (Matt 24:44.50; 25:13). The only pre- knew that thou art a gracious God, and ventive is to wake and not become lazy. merciful, slow to anger, and of great Jesus expects his disciples only to live kindness, and repentest thee of the watchfully, whether in the first century evil,“ (Jonah 4:2). Jonah would have or the twenty-first. Nothing indicates preferred God to judge Nineveh, just as that he preached any sort of rules for many modern Christians prefer to pre- the Last Days other than those he proc- ach judgment and devastation rather laimed to his first century audience. than the Gospel. The Church Father Similar texts which associate the Last Chystostomos, speaking of Jonah in Days with basic exhortations applicable his ‚Homily on Repentance‘, empha- to all believers appear frequently in the sizes that Christian proclamation often New Testament. seems to devastate hope, but never truly disintegrates it, for the Gospel points to the true hope which lies only in God. God can repeal or at least post- Prophetic announcements which pone the proclaimed judgment God had not confirmed by oath could if people repent always be reverted or changed. Only when he had sworn to destroy, was the Is the promise given in 2 Chroni- judgment irreversible. When he swears cles 7:14 no longer valid for the Last to punish Eli‘s family, then the High Days? „If my people, which are called Priest‘s family is lost: „I said indeed that by my name, shall humble themselves, thy house, and the house of thy father, and pray, and seek my face, and turn should walk before me for ever: but now from their wicked ways; then will I hear the LORD saith, Be it far from me; for from heaven, and will forgive their sin, them that honour me I will honour, and will heal their land.“ Of course it and they that despise me shall be lightly is always valid, even when a nation or esteemed“ (2 Sam 2:30). The original even the whole world is ripe for judg- promise depended on conditions, but ment (The judgment is described in the oath formula „Be it far from me“ verse 13). makes his pronouncement irrevocable. The Old Testament gives us many examples of judgments announced by In Jonah 1:2, God commands the pro- prophets but postponed due to repen- phet to preach the message in Nineveh. tance. The Book of Jonah provides the The command is repeated after Jonah ERGÄNZUNGEN ZUR ETHIK 5 Thomas Schirrmacher is liberated from the whale‘s belly (3:2) generation, and shall condemn it: for and carried out with the classical missi- they repented at the preaching of Jonas; onary methods: Jonah preaches and the and, behold, a greater than Jonas is citizens of the city believe.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Bonner Querschnitte Bonn Profiles – Press Reports
    Bonner Querschnitte Bonn Profiles – Press Reports Phone: +49 / 4106 / 804806; Fax: +49 / 4106 / 804807 E-Mail: [email protected]; http://www.bucer.org/bq.html Released for free complete or partial reproduction A joint platform for the following Bonn organiza- Martin Bucer Seminary says Good Bye to tions of the Evangelical Alliance: Student Necati Aydin Institute for Prolife and Family (Bonn, 27.04.2007) “Rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” This text from Studies Luke 10:20 set the tone for the funeral of Necati Aydin on April 21, 2007, in Izmir, Tur- www.bucer.de/ilfw key. He was one of three Christians murdered by Islamic extremists in Malatya, Tur- Institute for Emergency Coun- key, on April 18, 2007. Ugur Yüksel and Tilmann Geske died with him. seling, Terminal Care and Great applause broke out when the coffin was carried into the church yard at the be- Grief Counseling www.bucer.de/ist ginning of the worship service. Spontaneously the roughly 500 mourners belted out the chorus “The compassion of the Lord never fails; his mercy never ceases,” taken Committee for Religious from the biblical text of Lamentations 3:22, 23. Freedom of the German and the Austrian Evangelical Shemza, Necati’s wife, spoke in very moving but comforting words about the tremen- Alliance dous meaning of her husband’s death. “He died for Jesus, because he loved Jesus.” www.ead.de/akref In spite of her great love for her husband, and while she looks forward to seeing him International Institute for again in eternity with God, she said Jesus must be the highest priority in every per- Religious Freedom son’s life.
    [Show full text]
  • Oberammergau: Passion Play Problems 2010
    7. Jahrgang MBS TEX T E 156 2010 John Warwick Montgomery Oberammergau: Passion Play Problems 2010 BUCER IN S T E M R A I N A M R 2 1 : E P 4 H Pro mundisPro mundis TableInhaltsverzeichnis of Contents Oberammergau: Passion Play Problems 2010 ........................... 3 Annotation ............................................................................... 6 The Author ............................................................................... 6 Impressum ............................................................................... 7 1. Aufl. 2010 Oberammergau: Passion Play Problems 2010 Oberammergau: Passion Play Problems 2010 John Warwick Montgomery The decennial Passion Play season at Sanhedrin is shown to be a ghastly trav- Oberammergau will soon come to an esty of justice. The text is based chiefly end. Of course this author attended: he on the Gospel of John and its message is a Passion Play groupie, having been is taken with complete seriousness. The present at no less than six productions music is deeply moving and occasion- (1970, 1980, the special anniversary ally (for example, during the tableaux of season in 1984, 1990, 2000, and 2010), Daniel in the lions’ den and the mock- and having shepherded Christian groups ing of Job, and accompanying the Way to three of those productions. In 2000 of the Cross) rises to truely remarkable and 2010, my wife and I attended with heights. So what is the problem? International Academy of Apologetics The actors have a tendency toward colleague Craig Parton and his spouse; histrionics, but that may be inevitable readers of the Global Journal of Classical considering the nature of the produc- Theology (www.phc.edu) will recall Pro- tion. The English translation of the fessor Parton’s article, “Why Liberals German text leaves something to be Didn’t Understand Passion Play 2000” desired: Judas to Jesus: “How are you (Vol.
    [Show full text]
  • MBS Texte 173 MARTIN
    10. Jahrgang EXTE MARTIN MBS T 173 BUCER 2013 SEMINAR Thomas K. Johnson The First Step in Missions Training: How our Neigh- bors are Wrestling with God’s General Revelation (Part 1) BUCER IN S T E M R A I N M A R 2 1 : E P 4 H TheologicalTheologische Accents Akzente TableInhaltsverzeichnis of Contents The Human Condition ........................................................................ 8 The Content of General Revelation .................................................... 10 The Normal Human Response to God’s General Revelation .............. 11 Internal Contradictions Resulting from Simultaneously Accepting and Rejecting God’s General Revelation............................ 13 Religious Reversals ............................................................................. 16 Missions Training .............................................................................. 17 Annotation ......................................................................................... 18 The Author ......................................................................................... 21 Study Centers ..................................................................................... 22 Imprint .............................................................................................. 23 1. Aufl. 2013 2 The First Step in Missions Training … (Part 1) The First Step in Missions Training: How our Neighbors are Wrestling with God’s General Revelation (Part 1)1 Thomas K. Johnson If you very seriously want to fulfill What is truly astonishing
    [Show full text]
  • Islam and Democracy (Book)
    Christine Schirrmacher Islam and Democracy The WEA Global Issues Series Editors: Bishop Efraim Tendero, Philippines Secretary General, World Evangelical Alliance Thomas Schirrmacher Director, International Institute for Religious Freedom, Associate Secretary General for Theological Concerns, World Evangelical Alliance Volumes: 1. Thomas K. Johnson – Human Rights 2. Christine Schirrmacher – The Islamic View of Major Christian Teachings 3. Thomas Schirrmacher – May a Christian Go to Court? 4. Christine Schirrmacher – Islam and Society 5. Thomas Schirrmacher – The Persecution of Christians Concerns Us All 6. Christine Schirrmacher – Islam – An Introduction 7. Thomas K. Johnson – What Difference does the Trinity Make 8. Thomas Schirrmacher – Racism 9. Christof Sauer (ed.) – Bad Urach Statement 10. Christine Schirrmacher – The Sharia: Law and Order in Islam 11. Ken Gnanakan – Responsible Stewardship of God’s Creation 12. Thomas Schirrmacher – Human Trafficking 13. Thomas Schirrmacher – Ethics of Leadership 14. Thomas Schirrmacher – Fundamentalism 15. Thomas Schirrmacher – Human Rights – Promise and Reality 16. Christine Schirrmacher – Political Islam – When Faith Turns Out to Be Politics 17. Thomas Schirrmacher, Thomas K. Johnson – Creation Care and Loving our Neighbors: Studies in Environmental Ethics 18. Thomas K. Johnson (Ed.) – Global Declarations on Freedom of Religion or Belief and Human Rights 19. Thomas Schirrmacher, David Schirrmacher – Corruption 20. Christine Schirrmacher, Thomas Schirrmacher – The Oppression of Women: Violence – Exploitation – Poverty 21. Christine Schirrmacher – Islam and Democracy “The WEA Global Issues Series is designed to provide thoughtful, practical, and biblical insights from an Evangelical Christian perspective into some of the greatest challenges we face in the world. I trust you will find this volume enriching and helpful in your life and Kingdom service.” Christine Schirrmacher Islam and Democracy: Can They Be Reconciled? Translated by Richard McClary Edited with a foreword by Thomas K.
    [Show full text]
  • Christianity & Society—58 Vol. Xix, No. 1, Summer 2009
    Christianity & Society—58 Vol. xix, No. 1, Summer 2009 Book Reviews AUTHORITY NOT MAJORITY: THE LIFE AND a major role in Prussia—in the academic world, in politics, TIMES OF FRIEDRICH JULIUS STAHL in the press and in the State Church. by Ruben Alvarado Stahl’s enormous influence is due to the fact that he was a brilliant academic, an influential member of parliament Aalten, Netherlands: WordBridge Publishing, 2007, and co-founder of a major political party (the Conservatives) 134 pages, ISBN: 978-90-76660-04-2 and at the same time co-founder and editor of a leading newspaper. Stahl held several leadership positions in the Reveiwed by Thomas Schirrmacher Protestant State Church in Prussia. He was also one of the two presidents of the yearly All-German-Protestant-Meeting, the only organisation enclosing all Protestant Churches in This new book is the best introduction into Friedrich Julius all German States at that time. Stahl’s (1802–1861) ideas and work in print. Stahl was a As chief editor of the New Prussian Times (Neue Preußische nineteenth century German State philosopher. This is not only Zeitung) he was the public face of those conservatives who the best publication about Stahl in English, but there is also fought for a Christian State with a strong constitutional no better work on Stahl in German, as all German books on monarchy. He was also fighting for the establishment of a Stahl of the last decades are extensive dissertations covering representative parliament, advocating freedom and human certain important aspects of this thought, but not presenting rights, at least to a certain extent.
    [Show full text]
  • Bonner Querschnitte Bonn Profiles – Press Reports
    Bonner Querschnitte Bonn Profiles – Press Reports Phone: +49 / 4106 / 804806; Fax: +49 / 4106 / 804807 E-Mail: [email protected]; http://www.bucer.org/bq.html Released for free complete or partial reproduction A joint platform for the following Bonn organi- BQ 387 – No. 51/2015 zations on the basis of the Evangelical Alliance: th Commission for Religious Classic Study on Libraries of France in 17 Freedom of the German and the Austrian Evangelical Century Published in English Translation Alliance www.ead.de/akref (Bonn, 21.11.2015) Louis Jacob de Saint-Charles offered a primary-source th description of the libraries of France when Mazarin dominated 17 -century politics and Culture and Science Publ. France was the cultural capital of Europe. Here, for the first time, Jacob’s work is www.vkwonline.com made available in English translation, with an introduction placing the book in the Giving Hands – context of western intellectual history and accompanied by a detailed scholarly International Charity commentary. Both library historians and students of French culture in the early www.gebende-haende.de modern period will find this book indispensable. Help Worldwide – Professor John Warwick Montgomery International Charity served in the Reference Department of www.hilfe-weltweit.de the Library of the University of California Institute for Prolife and Family at Berkeley before becoming Head Studies Librarian of the Swift Library of Divinity www.bucer.de/ilfw and Philosophy at the University of International Institute for Chicago. He holds three degrees in Islamic Studies of the World library science and bibliographical Evangelical Alliance history: the B.L.S.
    [Show full text]
  • WEA Theological News
    WEA Theological News Published Quarterly ISSN 0260-3705 January 2009 Vol 38 No 1 http://www.worldevangelicalalliance.com/commissions/tc Theological Commission Sees Transition at Bangkok Meeting The World Evangelical Alliance Theological Commission saw a significant transition when it met for its annual session in Bangkok, Thailand, Oct 22–25 with the resignation of Dr Rolf Hille as chairman. He was appointed to the position in 1996, and for most of the time since then he was also the Executive Director. Warm words of appreciation were expressed for Dr Hille who initially joined the Executive Committee in 1986. In the dual position of “Executive Chairman”, he played a vital role in steering the TC through a major re-organisation and re-focusing of its vision, while at the same time carrying a heavy load in his full time ministry as head of an important theological institution in Tuebingen, Germany. This significant achievement was all the more noteworthy because he was deeply Int. Director, G Tunnicliffe, congratulates involved in church, theological and Evangelical Alliance work in Germany Dr R Hille at the WEA General Assembly for 20 and Europe, and had heavy family responsibilities. His years’ service to TC theological insights, gracious Christian spirit and foresight enabled the TC to pull through difficult times and its continuing ministry is a tribute to the sacrifice and vision of Dr Hille. Dr Justin Thacker (EA UK) was appointed acting-chair and has since accepted the position permanently. Dr James Nkansah (Nairobi Evangelical Graduate School of Theology) was appointed Vice-Chair. Dr David Parker’s term as Executive Director was extended.
    [Show full text]
  • Racism Through Is Racism Not Includes Slavery, National Socialism in Germa Are (Bonn, Cape Town, Colombo)
    Are “white” people more intelligent than “black” people? Are Jews devious and grabby? Intolerance and violence through racism includes slavery, national socialism in Germa- Thomas Schirrmacher ny, apartheid in South Africa, or the genocides in Rwanda and Bosnia. But racism is not only wrong theologically, it is not only against the dignity of humans, that guarantees their human rights, but newer genetic research also proves that the whole classification into races is without foundation. Biologically speaking all humans belong to one race. E.g., when you need a blood transfusion, you should not look for a blood donor from your “race”, but someone with the same blood group transcending all “races”. Thomas Schirrmacher (*1960), Dr. theol. Dr. phil., PhD, Racism ThD, is Chair of the Theological Commission of the World Evangelical Alliance, which represents 600 mio. Christians in 129 countries, professor of ethics at Martin Bucer Euro- pean Theological Seminary and Research Institutes (Bonn, With an essay on Caste in India by Zurich, Innsbruck, Prague, Istanbul), as well as professor of the sociology of religion at the State University of the Richard Howell West in Timisoara in Romania and Distinguished Professor of Global Ethics and International Development at William Carey University in Shillong (Meghalaya, India). As an in- ternational human rights expert he is spokesperson for human rights of the World Evangelical Alliance and director of the International Institute for Religious Freedom (Bonn, Cape Town, Colombo). Richard Howell resides in Delhi, India, and was born in Howell / Richard Racism Schirrmacher Thomas 1954 in Firozpur, state of Punjab in India. He received his B.A.
    [Show full text]
  • BULLETIN EDITION: English | Englisch
    ISSUE 5 | OCTOBER 2019 BULLETIN EDITION: English | Englisch Thomas K. Johnson Martin Luther King and Those Wonderful Old Names! This essay is a revised version of a speech given at the first annual International Human Rights Conference in Prague, Czech Republic, March 7 & 8, 2019, hosted by Anglo-American University, Norwich University, and Post Bellum. The theme of the conference was “Key Moments of the 20th Century and Their Legacy.” Many of the participants were professors and students from the two universities, along with researchers from Post Bellum. The participation by members of the anti-communist Charter 77 movement set the his- torical background for the event. Other keynote speakers included: • Dr. Alexandr Vondra – politician and diplomat, former dissident and signatory of Charter 77 • Dr. Daniel Kroupa – philosopher, former dissident and signatory of Charter 77, politi-cian and university educator • Kelly Adams-Smith – Chief of Mission, U.S. Embassy in Prague • Prof. Dr. et Dr. Thomas Schirrmacher – President of the International Society for Hu-man Rights; Asso- ciate Secretary General for Theological Concerns and Religious Free-dom, World Evangelical Alliance Issue 5 WEA DTC Bulletin Page 3 Martin Luther King and Those Wonderful Old Names! The “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” and Christian Human Rights Resources 5 The Prophets 5 The Jewish Diaspora in Exile 7 Thomas Aquinas and the Higher Moral Law 8 Conclusion 9 Links to related materials written or edited by Prof. Johnson: 10 Issue 5 WEA DTC Bulletin Page 4 Dr. Johnson giving this speech Thomas K. Johnson is one of the foremost evangel- In December 2016, the Sovereign and Imperial ical voices in the world today on behalf of human House of Ghassan, the only Christian royal family rights and religious freedom, as well as a crucial in the Middle East, honored Dr.
    [Show full text]
  • Bonner Querschnitte Bonn Profiles – Press Reports
    Bonner Querschnitte Bonn Profiles – Press Reports Phone: +49 / 4106 / 804806; Fax: +49 / 4106 / 804807 E-Mail: [email protected]; http://www.bucer.org/bq.html Released for free complete or partial reproduction A joint platform for the following Bonn organi- BQ 238 – No. 02/2013 zations on the basis of the Evangelical Alliance: Commission for Religious WEA spokeswoman on Islam to teach at Freedom of the German and the Austrian Evangelical Bonn State University Alliance www.ead.de/akref (Bonn, 08.01.2013) The World Evangelical Alliance congratulates Dr. Christine Schirrmacher on completion of her professoral thesis on ‘Apostasy in Muslim Culture and Science Publ. Theology’ and the beginning of her teaching career at the Islam department of the www.vkwonline.de Friedrich Wilhelms State Giving Hands – University in Bonn, one of International Charity the leading universities in www.gebende-haende.de Germany. Help Worldwide – Dr. Geoff Tunnicliffe, International Charity Secretary General of the www.hilfe-weltweit.org WEA, said: “This is a very Institute for Emergency significant appointment at Counselling, Terminal Care a prestigious institution. It and Grief Counselling is a recognition of Dr. www.bucer.de/ist Schirrmacher’s academic Institute for Prolife and Family credentials in the public Studies square. We are very www.bucer.de/ilfw grateful for her witness in International Institute for the marketplace of ideas.” Islamic Studies of the World Dr. Schirrmacher is Evangelical Alliance www.islaminstitute.net spokeswoman on Islam of Christine Schirrmacher during her inaugural lecture at the University WEA and Executive of Bonn (© IIRF) International Institute for Director of WEA’s Religious Freedom of the International Institute of Islamic Studies, a global network of professors of Islamic World Evangelical Alliance www.iirf.eu studies, that focuses on presenting researched and reliable information to governments, universities, media and churches.
    [Show full text]
  • How to Heighten Awareness of the Place of Missions and Evangelism
    16. Jahrgang • 2019 MBS TEXTE 191 Thomas K. Johnson Is Human Dignity Earned or is Human Dignity a Gift? A Contribution of the Evangelical Faith to Human Rights Discourse BUCER IN S T E M R A I N M A R 2 1 : E P 4 H TheologicalTheologische Accents Akzente TableInhaltsverzeichnis of Contents Is Human Dignity Earned or is Human Dignity a Gift? .................................................... 3 Annotation ............................................................................... 9 Bibliography ............................................................................. 9 The Author ............................................................................. 14 Imprint ...................................................................................15 1. Aufl. 2019 Is Human Dignity Earned or is Human Dignity a Gift? Is Human Dignity Earned or is Human Dignity a Gift? A Contribution of the Evangelical Faith to Human Rights Discourse Thomas K. Johnson This is a lightly revised version of a of the different academic disciplines: human rights lecture that Thomas K. law, psychology, economics, sociology, Johnson originally delivered in May 1996 art, philosophy, and theology. And the with the title “Why Is Human Life Valu- answers we find to this question are very able?” at a symposium of Russian- and important not only for our personal life English-speaking professors at the Liva- but also for our life together in society, dia Palace in Yalta, Crimea—the palace as neighbors. We need to understand where Stalin, Churchill, and Roosevelt the peculiar dignity and “humanness” met at the end of World War II. From of humanity, as we also need to under- 1994 to 1996 Johnson served as visiting stand the peculiar inhumanity of man professor of philosophy for the European to man. Humanities University (EHU) in Minsk, In this essay I want to explore one Belarus.
    [Show full text]
  • Bonner Querschnitte Bonn Profiles – Press Reports
    BonnerQ uerschnitte Bonn Profiles – Press Reports Phone: +49 4106 804806 · Fax: +49 4106 804807 Email: [email protected]· http://www.bucer.de/bq.html Released for free complete or partial reproduction. A joint platform for the following Bonn organi- zations on the basis of the Evangelical Alliance: Business Coalition of the World Evangelical Alliance (Bonn, BQ 665 – No. 47/2020 Hamburg) Commission for Religious Freedom of the German and the Cottbus Declaration on GDR Forced Labor of Austrian EvangelicalAlliance www.ead.de/akref September 13, 2020: “Serious injustice has Culture and Science Publ. (VKW) been done to these people” www.vkwonline.com Department of Theological Concerns of the World (Bonn, 16.10.2020) The Union of Victims’ Associations of Communist Tyranny e.V. Evangelical Alliance (UOKG), the Human Rights Center Cottbus (MRZ), the International Society for Human www.worldevangelicals.org/ Rights (IGFM) and the Memorial Foundation Victims of Communism (VIC) organized a pdf/TN-47-1-Jan-2018.pdf tribunal on “Forced Labor in Political Prison in the GDR”. The top-class international jury Giving Hands –International listened to expert lectures for two days and interviewed 14 witnesses. In the end the jury Charity www.gebende-haende.de wrote the “Cottbus Declaration on GDR Forced Labor”. International Institute for Islamic Studies (IIIS) of the World Thomas Schirrmacher, President of the International Council of the International Society Evangelical Alliance for Human Rights, summarized his experience to the press: “Almost all applications for www.islaminstitute.net recognition of post-trau- International Institute for Religious matic disorders resulting Freedom (IIRF) of the World from forced labor have been Evangelical Alliance (International Headquarter, EU-Office Brüssel) and are still being rejected, www.iirf.eu and many former political International Information Centre prisoners of the GDR are in for Religious Freedom Germany despair.
    [Show full text]