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Volume 16
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Religions, Volume 16, Issue 1 (January 2025) – 100 articles

Cover Story (view full-size image): This research, situated in the geographical and historical context of the Tangut Empire and East Java, uncovers a significant aspect of the evolution of Buddhist art styles. A thangka of the goddess Vajravārāhī found in Khara Khoto, from the late 12th century, shows the bodhisattva decorated with a pearl chain girdle and upper arm bands. This form of pearl chain jewellery, appearing on Vajravārāhī and other Sino-Tibetan-style bodhisattvas, also appears on stone statues of the goddess Prajñāpāramitā in East Java and at Muara Jambi in Sumatra, all depicting a similar use of this pearl chain ornamentation. The commonality of such motifs in China and Java may highlight convergence of cultural forces and perhaps shared styles originating from the maritime realm and traded via maritime routes. View this paper
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12 pages, 243 KiB  
Article
The Paradox of Religiosity–Secularism in Formal Religious Education
by Meryem Karataş
Religions 2025, 16(1), 99; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16010099 - 20 Jan 2025
Viewed by 837
Abstract
Creating a conceptual unity is an important starting point for understanding a subject. It is more difficult to find a common definition if the concept in question is ‘religion, religiosity, secularism’, which can vary according to the field of the person making the [...] Read more.
Creating a conceptual unity is an important starting point for understanding a subject. It is more difficult to find a common definition if the concept in question is ‘religion, religiosity, secularism’, which can vary according to the field of the person making the definition, where he/she positions himself/herself in relation to religion, the characteristics of the religion he/she believes in (or does not believe in), and many other parameters. In order to draw the boundaries of this research correctly, it is necessary to clarify the development and changes in the concept of ‘religion’ and the related concepts of ‘religiosity and secularism’ in the historical process. Among the places where the effectiveness of these concepts at the theoretical level can be examined are the textbooks taught in Anatolian Imam Hatip High Schools. The nature or content of the fiqh textbooks taught in Imam Hatip High Schools, which can be exemplified as an educational institution of religious culture reinforcement in Turkey, is within the scope of this study. In connection with this subject, the aim of this study is to analyse the fiqh and fiqh reading textbooks taught in Anatolian Imam Hatip High Schools from the perspective of religiosity and secularism. Fiqh, from the perspective of Islamic theology, contains normative principles that govern personal and social practices. As textbooks, fiqh and fiqh readings were chosen because they are likely to provide data on the subject. This research employs a qualitative approach, utilising document analysis as its primary method to investigate these textbooks. The analysis is based on textbooks that were approved by the Ministry of National Education and taught during the 2023–2024 academic year. For the purposes of this study, only explicit verbal content was considered, while implicit messages were excluded. As a result of this study, it is understood that both books have a religiosity-centred perspective and that there are chapters in which changes are taken into consideration rather than secularism. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Theological Traditions of Politics: Tracing History and Its Continuity)
13 pages, 266 KiB  
Article
Turbat al-Ḥusayn: Modern Presentation of an Early Shīʿī Practice
by S. M. Hadi Gerami and Zinab Aghagolizadeh
Religions 2025, 16(1), 98; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16010098 - 20 Jan 2025
Viewed by 531
Abstract
This article explores the historical and contemporary evolution of turbat al-ḥusayn, the sacred soil of Karbala, as a central element in shaping Shīʿī identity and ritual practices. From the early Islamic centuries, turbat al-ḥusayn has served not only as a symbol of [...] Read more.
This article explores the historical and contemporary evolution of turbat al-ḥusayn, the sacred soil of Karbala, as a central element in shaping Shīʿī identity and ritual practices. From the early Islamic centuries, turbat al-ḥusayn has served not only as a symbol of healing and blessing but also as a key component of Shīʿī collective memory. The paper examines the development of turbat rituals across three significant periods: pre-Safavid, post-Safavid, and post-revolutionary Iran. During the pre-Safavid period, including the medieval Islamic centuries, the sanctification of turbat evolved through the efforts of Shīʿī Imams such as al-Bāqir and al-Ṣādiq, who integrated it into the theological framework of wilāyah (guardianship) and Shīʿī ritual practices. This period also witnessed the gradual codification of its ritualistic and medicinal uses in foundational Shīʿī texts. During the Safavid era, turbat became institutionalized as a marker of Shīʿī identity, with its economic significance expanding through the production of prayer tablets and rosaries. Following the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran, turbat was reinterpreted as a symbol of martyrdom and resistance, aligning with revolutionary ideologies and narratives that paralleled the sacrifices of Karbala with contemporary struggles. The COVID-19 pandemic introduced new dimensions to turbat’s role, with its promotion as a medicinal remedy by religious figures, despite lacking historical precedent in traditional Shīʿī teachings. These developments illustrate how turbat al-ḥusayn continues to be dynamically recontextualized in response to modern challenges. The study concludes that turbat al-ḥusayn transcends its ritualistic and spiritual origins, serving as a flexible and enduring symbol of Shīʿī identity. Its evolving interpretations underscore the interplay between tradition and modernity, highlighting its ongoing relevance in both devotional life and socio-political discourse. Full article
37 pages, 2012 KiB  
Article
Making Maoshan Great Again: Religious Rhetoric and Popular Mobilisation from Late Qing to Republican China (1864–1937)
by Qijun Zheng
Religions 2025, 16(1), 97; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16010097 - 20 Jan 2025
Viewed by 2155
Abstract
This study investigates how religious rhetoric and popular mobilisation contributed to the preservation and propagation of Daoist traditions at the mountain Maoshan 茅山 from late Qing to Republican China (1864–1937), focusing particularly on the corpus of religious texts related to Maoshan and its [...] Read more.
This study investigates how religious rhetoric and popular mobilisation contributed to the preservation and propagation of Daoist traditions at the mountain Maoshan 茅山 from late Qing to Republican China (1864–1937), focusing particularly on the corpus of religious texts related to Maoshan and its tutelary gods, the Three Mao Lords 三茅真君. Through a detailed analysis of primary sources, including editions of the Maoshan Gazetteer, liturgical manuals such as the scripture (jing 經), litany (chan 懺), and performative texts such as the precious scroll (baojuan 寶卷) of the Three Mao Lords, this study identifies six key rhetoric strategies employed by Maoshan Daoists, using the acronym IMPACT: (1) Incorporation: Appending miracle tales (lingyan ji 靈驗記) and divine medicine (xianfang 仙方) to address immediate and practical needs of contemporary society; (2) Memory: Preserving doctrinal continuity while invoking cultural nostalgia to reinforce connections to traditional values and heritage; (3) Performance: Collaborating with professional storytellers to disseminate vernacularized texts through oral performances, thereby reaching broader audiences including the illiterate. (4) Abridgment: Condensing lengthy texts into concise and accessible formats; (5) Canonization: Elevating the divine status of deities through spirit-writing, thereby enhancing their religious authority; (6) Translation: Rendering classical texts into vernacular language for broader accessibility. Building upon J.L. Austin’s speech act theory, this study reconceptualizes these textual innovations as a form of “text acts”, arguing that Maoshan texts did not merely transmit religious doctrine but actively shaped pilgrimages and devotional practices through their illocutionary and perlocutionary force. Additionally, this study also highlights the crucial role of social networks, particularly the efforts of key individuals such as Zhang Hefeng 張鶴峰 (fl. 1860–1864), Long Zehou 龍澤厚 (1860–1945), Jiang Daomin 江導岷 (1867–1939), Wang Yiting 王一亭 (1867–1938) and Teng Ruizhi 滕瑞芝 (fl. 1920–1947) who facilitated the reconstruction, reprinting and dissemination of these texts. Furthermore, this study considers pilgrimages to Maoshan as a form of popular mobilisation and resistance to anti-clerical and anti-superstition campaigns, illustrating how, against all odds, Maoshan emerged as a site where religious devotion and economic activity coalesced to sustain the local communities. Ultimately, despite the challenges identified in applying speech act theory to textual practices, the findings conclude that the survival and revival of Daoist traditions at Maoshan was not only a result of textual retention and innovation but also a testament to how religious rhetoric, when coupled with strategic social engagement, can fuel popular mobilisation, reignite collective devotion, and reshape cultural landscapes in transformative ways. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Transformations in Daoist Ritual Texts and Other Daoist Literature Since the Ming and Qing Dynasties)
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16 pages, 238 KiB  
Article
Navigating Civic Agency and Civic Space Amid Authoritarian Realities in Myanmar: Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Concept of Divine Mandate as Public Theology
by Lap Yan Kung
Religions 2025, 16(1), 96; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16010096 - 20 Jan 2025
Viewed by 924
Abstract
In recent years, civic space has been deteriorating in many countries in Southeast Asia, and there is an urgent need for a more proactive and mindful civic agency to foster a humane society. Drawing inspiration from Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s concept of divine mandate, this [...] Read more.
In recent years, civic space has been deteriorating in many countries in Southeast Asia, and there is an urgent need for a more proactive and mindful civic agency to foster a humane society. Drawing inspiration from Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s concept of divine mandate, this paper proposes a public theology within an authoritarian regime, namely Myanmar. It explores divine mandates as essential for protecting civic space, advocates for Christian discipleship as a means of civic agency, and sparks moments of possibility by recognizing the hidden God in times of suffering. This paper highlights that an ethic of responsibility towards others lies at the core of divine mandate. It encompasses being an agent of direction, memory, linguistic self-consciousness and transformation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Theology ‘In Exit’ for a Better World: Consolidating the Intersecting Features of Public Theology)
18 pages, 1391 KiB  
Article
“I Have Worn No Shoes upon This Holy Ground”: Hebrew and Religious Authority in Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s Poems (1838, 1844)
by Gal Manor
Religions 2025, 16(1), 95; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16010095 - 20 Jan 2025
Viewed by 751
Abstract
This paper will delineate Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s (EBB) allusions to Hebrew in her writing, both personal and public, and her ambivalent attitude towards the Hebrew language and how it is related to her views on poetry and religious identity. Although most critics have [...] Read more.
This paper will delineate Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s (EBB) allusions to Hebrew in her writing, both personal and public, and her ambivalent attitude towards the Hebrew language and how it is related to her views on poetry and religious identity. Although most critics have focused on EBB’s knowledge of Greek, her use of Hebrew, whether translated, transliterated, or presented in the original Hebrew characters, reveals her concept of poetic language and her core religious beliefs. In her collections of poems published in 1838 and 1844, EBB reiterates her concept of Hebrew as a sacred language, a language endowed with what Bourdieu would term symbolical capital, and superior to other languages. However, her correspondence reveals an ambivalence towards Hebrew: it is a “primitive” language that she does not wish to be associated with on the one hand and revered in relation to Spiritualism and the medium George Bush on the other. Finally, the appearances of Hebrew in her works constitute what Derrida terms a poetic Shibboleth, meant to define who is to be accepted into the realm of sacred poetry and who is to be left out. Ironically, it is the anxiety around this double-edged Shibboleth that ultimately brings about the disappearance of Hebrew letters from EBB’s poems written after 1844. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Religions and Humanities/Philosophies)
7 pages, 188 KiB  
Editorial
Introduction of the Special Issue “Incorporating the Sacred in Counselling”
by Kelvin F. Mutter
Religions 2025, 16(1), 100; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16010100 - 20 Jan 2025
Viewed by 495
Abstract
It is understandable if readers of this Special Issue of Religions ask the following: “Why this topic [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Incorporating the Sacred in Counselling)
27 pages, 494 KiB  
Article
Rethinking the Unio Mystica: From McGinn to Ibn ʿArabī
by Arjun Nair
Religions 2025, 16(1), 94; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16010094 - 19 Jan 2025
Viewed by 828
Abstract
Research into the unio mystica has revealed what seems to be an area of “real discussion” between scholars of different traditions of mysticism, particularly those of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Although this research serves as a promising start to the dialogue among scholars, [...] Read more.
Research into the unio mystica has revealed what seems to be an area of “real discussion” between scholars of different traditions of mysticism, particularly those of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Although this research serves as a promising start to the dialogue among scholars, it has also raised many questions about a “shared moment” that is nevertheless expressed in “irreducibly diverse” and distinct ways in each tradition. What purpose, for instance, can generic cross-cultural categories serve when they mean little or nothing to scholars in each tradition? By contrast, tradition-specific vocabularies are profuse and often difficult to represent in interlinguistic contexts without significant explanation. The challenge of translating mystical texts, imagery, and ideas across cultures and linguistic traditions raises obvious concerns about the misrepresentation and distortion of traditions in an environment of post-colonial critique. Nevertheless, the continued promise of dialogue calls for specialists of these traditions—particularly non-western and non-Christian traditions—to approach, assess, re-formulate, and even challenge the categories of mysticism from within the conceptual and theoretical horizons of the traditions that they research. The present study models such an approach to scholarship in mysticism. It offers a (re)formulation of the unio mystica from within the theoretical frame of the 12th/13th-century Muslim/Sufi mystic, Ibn ʿArabī (d. 638/1240) and early members of his school of thought. By unpacking the primary terms involved in such an account—“God”, the “human being/self”, and “union”—from within the conceptual and theoretical horizons of that tradition, it problematizes the prevailing understanding of the unio mystica constructed from the writings of specialists in Christian mysticism. More importantly, it illustrates the payoff in terms of dialogue (incorporating the critique of existing theories) when each tradition operates confidently from its own milieu, developing its own theoretical resources for mysticism rather than prematurely embracing existing ideas or categories. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mysticism Reloaded: Innovative Approaches, Methods, and Theories to Study Mysticism)
28 pages, 873 KiB  
Article
The Evolution of Venezuelan Evangelical Involvement in Politics: The Case of the 2024 Presidential Elections
by Fernando Adolfo Mora-Ciangherotti
Religions 2025, 16(1), 93; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16010093 - 19 Jan 2025
Viewed by 779
Abstract
After his questionable re-election in 2018, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro Moros (NMM) began a campaign to attract the attention of evangelical leaders, apostles, prophets, pastors, and church members to secure their votes for the 2024 campaign. The main reason for this move was [...] Read more.
After his questionable re-election in 2018, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro Moros (NMM) began a campaign to attract the attention of evangelical leaders, apostles, prophets, pastors, and church members to secure their votes for the 2024 campaign. The main reason for this move was the surprising growth of the evangelical population in the country, which reached almost 30% by the end of 2023. Several independent churches and denominations accepted NMM’s invitation to meet and participate in government programs specifically targeted at evangelical churches. Despite allegations of human rights abuses, corruption, and violations of the Venezuelan constitution, some evangelicals created a narrative about NMM as the “protector of families” and as God’s chosen one to usher in a new era of prosperity for the nation. Through acts of “identificational” repentance staged at the Miraflores Palace, a contrite NMM received prophetic declarations and prayers from apostles and pastors, and the country was cleansed of curses and satanic influences. This article seeks to document, analyze, and situate these discourses in relation to contemporary theological trends, as an important case of evangelical alignment with left-wing politics in Latin America. Moreover, the article also seeks to show how these events relate to the evolution of Venezuelan evangelical involvement in national politics, particularly under 25 years of socialist governments of Hugo Chávez Frías and Nicolás Maduro Moros. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Religion and Politics: Historical Developments and Contemporary Transformations)
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15 pages, 230 KiB  
Article
Origen and Plato on the Superiority and Perfection of the Soul
by Zhimeng Lin
Religions 2025, 16(1), 92; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16010092 - 17 Jan 2025
Viewed by 491
Abstract
Origen’s theology is fundamentally rooted in the question of whether he upheld the pre-existence of the soul or focused more on the soul’s superiority over the body and its perfection. While inheriting many ideas from Plato, Origen adapted them in accordance with Christian [...] Read more.
Origen’s theology is fundamentally rooted in the question of whether he upheld the pre-existence of the soul or focused more on the soul’s superiority over the body and its perfection. While inheriting many ideas from Plato, Origen adapted them in accordance with Christian doctrine. Both Origen and Plato emphasized that the soul governs the body and is superior to it in both status and importance. The image of God resides in human soul, not the body, guiding individuals toward the perfection of the soul and the attainment of the whole virtues. Origen’s tripartite distinction of spirit, soul, and body is intrinsically connected to Plato’s tripartite theory of the soul, with the intermediary of the incarnate soul corresponding to the ambiguous role of thumos (spiritedness) in Plato’s dialogue. This suggests that humans are capable of both good and evil, a potential grounded in free will rather than the sin of the body. Nevertheless, Origen assigned the body a more important role, asserting that the Incarnation not only depended on the body but also facilitated the practice of virtue, positioning the body as central to his theory of resurrection. Origen also adopted Plato’s epistemology, teleology of knowledge, and theory of participation. He emphasized that the perfection of the soul requires liberation from the dominance of the senses, using Plato’s dialectical method and drawing inspiration from the Holy Spirit to achieve comprehensive knowledge and spiritual maturity. Origen should not be viewed as merely a Platonist or an anti-Platonist. Both he and Plato shared concerns about the correct way of life and perfect knowledge, and both sought to bridge the gap between the majority and the minority, avoiding both elitism and populism. Full article
14 pages, 311 KiB  
Article
Jewish Law-Observance in Paul
by Paul T. Sloan
Religions 2025, 16(1), 91; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16010091 - 17 Jan 2025
Viewed by 586
Abstract
Several statements in Paul’s letters have led scholars to conclude that Paul was not Law-observant and that he was at best indifferent, if not antagonistic, to Jewish Law-observance. This article challenges these views by situating supposedly “negative” statements on the Law within Paul’s [...] Read more.
Several statements in Paul’s letters have led scholars to conclude that Paul was not Law-observant and that he was at best indifferent, if not antagonistic, to Jewish Law-observance. This article challenges these views by situating supposedly “negative” statements on the Law within Paul’s discourse on justification (Gal 2) and freedom from the Law of sin and death (Rom 7), and argues that aspects of 1 Cor 7, Gal 2–3, and Rom 3–4 imply Paul expected even believing Jews to remain Law-observant. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Paul among Jews and Christians: Redescribing the “Jewishness” of Paul and His Receptions)
16 pages, 469 KiB  
Article
The New Normal in Pastoral Care: The Enduring Legacy of Media Appropriation in the Post-Pandemic Roman Catholic Church
by Giulia Isetti, Michael de Rachewiltz and Harald Pechlaner
Religions 2025, 16(1), 90; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16010090 - 17 Jan 2025
Viewed by 654
Abstract
By leveraging 20 semi-structured interviews conducted in 2020 and 2024 with parish priests and laypeople with an office in the Diocese of Bolzano-Bressanone (Italy), this paper explores the enduring legacy of the pandemic in terms of digital engagement in Roman Catholic pastoral activities. [...] Read more.
By leveraging 20 semi-structured interviews conducted in 2020 and 2024 with parish priests and laypeople with an office in the Diocese of Bolzano-Bressanone (Italy), this paper explores the enduring legacy of the pandemic in terms of digital engagement in Roman Catholic pastoral activities. Additionally, it investigates the impact of ICT and AI on religious authority. A comparison of the two waves of interviews shows that in the new normal, there has been an acceleration of the adoption of ICT and AI, primarily for internal communication purposes. However, faithful engagement and interaction through new and old media have remained one-way, reinforcing current ecclesiastical power hierarchies. Despite some inherent theological limitations to a more participatory use of ICT, the presence of pockets of innovation in extra-sacramental activities points to future possibilities for empowering laypeople and engaging with the faithful without compromising Church doctrine. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Institutional Innovation and Tradition: Understanding Changes and Continuities in Religious Leadership, Communication, and Technology Ethics)
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11 pages, 5285 KiB  
Article
Exploring the Characteristics of Modern Korean Buddhist Education: Focusing on the Religious Studies Lecture Notes from the Buddhist Central Seminary (Pulgyo Chungang Hangnim, 佛敎中央學林)
by Eunyoung Kim
Religions 2025, 16(1), 89; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16010089 - 16 Jan 2025
Viewed by 563
Abstract
This study examines the identity and characteristics of modern Korean Buddhist education through an analysis of the religious studies lecture notes of a student from the Buddhist Central Seminary (Pulgyo Chungang Hangnim, 佛敎中央學林), preserved at Songgwang-sa Temple. Established in 1915 and [...] Read more.
This study examines the identity and characteristics of modern Korean Buddhist education through an analysis of the religious studies lecture notes of a student from the Buddhist Central Seminary (Pulgyo Chungang Hangnim, 佛敎中央學林), preserved at Songgwang-sa Temple. Established in 1915 and operating until 1919, the seminary introduced a significant shift from traditional scripture-centered monastic education to a modern academic system. Western and Japanese academic traditions, religious studies, philosophy, and the general educational system influenced its curriculum. The lecture notes provide insight into the adoption of modern academic disciplines within Korean Buddhist education, revealing the influence of Japanese religious studies and Western comparative religion. They also demonstrate the possibility of early introduction of religious studies as an educational field in Korea. The seminary played a dual role as a hub for national education and reflection of the colonial context, embodying the complexities of nationalism and colonial influence during Japanese occupation. This study underscores the need for further scholarly exploration to understand the multifaceted nature of modern Korean Buddhist education and its unique role within the broader historical context of East Asian Buddhist history. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Un-glossing East Asian Buddhism: Gender, Sangha and the State in the Early-Modern Era)
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14 pages, 261 KiB  
Article
Believing and Willing Within the Correlation Between the Willing and the Willed in Blondel’s Action: A Reinterpretation of Immanentism and Transcendence
by Francesco de Nigris
Religions 2025, 16(1), 88; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16010088 - 16 Jan 2025
Viewed by 489
Abstract
The neglected correlation between willing and believing has prevented an understanding of the acting function of consciousness and the meaning of truth in Blondel’s philosophy of action, leading to its immanentist interpretation. To the extent that the intimate willing intention is revealed in [...] Read more.
The neglected correlation between willing and believing has prevented an understanding of the acting function of consciousness and the meaning of truth in Blondel’s philosophy of action, leading to its immanentist interpretation. To the extent that the intimate willing intention is revealed in the work that factually transcends the willed ends, in view of a single necessary end, thinking shows itself in ideas as principles of action that must come to be believed in their own willing and to make every act an act of faith. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Systematic Theology and Social Ethics: On the Unity of Theory and Praxis)
24 pages, 40039 KiB  
Article
The Sacred Architecture of Josep Lluís Sert
by Iñigo Ugalde-Blázquez, Ricardo Gómez-Val, Cinta Lluis-Teruel and Pilar Moran-García
Religions 2025, 16(1), 87; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16010087 - 16 Jan 2025
Viewed by 517
Abstract
An unknown aspect of Josep Lluís Sert (Barcelona, 1902–1983) is his deep engagement with Christian spirituality, particularly following his American exile. This perspective is beautifully reflected in his religious-themed projects, among which historiography has highlighted the church of Puerto Ordaz (Venezuela, 1951), the [...] Read more.
An unknown aspect of Josep Lluís Sert (Barcelona, 1902–1983) is his deep engagement with Christian spirituality, particularly following his American exile. This perspective is beautifully reflected in his religious-themed projects, among which historiography has highlighted the church of Puerto Ordaz (Venezuela, 1951), the Chapel of St. Botolph (Boston, 1963–1968), and the Carmel de la Paix Chapel (Mazille, 1967–1972), designed, respectively, before, during, and after the Second Vatican Council. Using these three well-known projects as a starting point, our aim is to expand the discussion around this topic to encompass the entirety of Sert’s sacred architecture. The contributions of Sert to the design of modern religious architecture are analyzed in this study, firstly through the distinctive aspects of his architecture, such as its urban scale and interactions between various plastic arts, and secondly through his theological references. This study is based on Sert’s original drawings, as well as specific bibliographic sources and articles from specialized journals. At the same time, it seeks to highlight an aspect of the architect that, despite the significance and brilliance of his designs, has received little attention until now. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Religion, Public Space and Society)
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25 pages, 362 KiB  
Article
Music Drama as a Christian Parable: Mozart’s Idomeneo
by Nils Holger Petersen
Religions 2025, 16(1), 86; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16010086 - 16 Jan 2025
Viewed by 553
Abstract
This article discusses Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s opera Idomeneo: Re di Creta (1781, to a text by Giambattista Varesco) as a Christian parable in the historical context of its genesis. Mozart’s Idomeneo is based on a short episode in François Fénelon’s Télémaque, but [...] Read more.
This article discusses Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s opera Idomeneo: Re di Creta (1781, to a text by Giambattista Varesco) as a Christian parable in the historical context of its genesis. Mozart’s Idomeneo is based on a short episode in François Fénelon’s Télémaque, but also on Antoine Danchet’s adaptation of this episode for the theater in his tragédie lyrique Idoménée (1712; set to music by André Campra). In important aspects, Mozart’s Idomeneo changed the narrative with a marked independence of Fénelon as well as Danchet. In recent scholarship, important new information has come to light concerning Mozart’s composition of the Oracle scene, constituting the dénouement of the music drama. Based partly on these new insights, I attempt to provide a picture of a basic spiritual intention governing Mozart’s composition of the opera for the Carnival season of 1781 at the Munich court. Mozart’s Idomeneo is a Christian sacrifice drama modeled on the Aqedah (the sacrifice of Isaac; Gen 22: 1–14), which, in Christian traditions, is understood typologically as pointing to the Passion of Christ. Oppositely, Fénélon’s and Danchet’s versions rather correspond to the biblical story of Jephthah (Judges 11: 29–30). In a brief concluding section of this article, I also discuss the contemporary cultural importance of reading a classical opera such as Mozart’s Idomeneo as a conscious product of Enlightened Christianity. In modern times, ecclesiastical boundaries and religious doctrines often seem to matter little in the music and theater culture of the Western world; classical opera is often staged more in order to respond to contemporary political or social issues than to communicate the original intentions of its creators (the so-called Regieoper). I argue that Idomeneo, with its historical intention, potentially can have an impact in a cultural theology (or a theologically informed modern worldview), and further, in dialogue with a recent volume discussing the “music of theology”, that such a role for a piece of music must be developed in concrete musical (or music dramatic) contexts, not as a general philosophical contention. Mozart’s Idomeneo may work in a modern cultural context because it functions as a parable, easily understandable also in a modern political or social context, because of its deep human (psychological) insight and the empathy brought to bear on all the characters of the opera. Full article
15 pages, 2609 KiB  
Article
Generation Z Identification of the Concept of Authority and the Process of the Management of Media Messages in the Catholic Church
by Zbigniew Widera, Wiktor Widera and Grzegorz Polok
Religions 2025, 16(1), 85; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16010085 - 15 Jan 2025
Viewed by 531
Abstract
The growing importance of the influence of the media on the Catholic faithful calls for an answer to the question of to what extent the church’s activity in initiating messages of faith is subordinated to the logic and pragmatics of the media, which [...] Read more.
The growing importance of the influence of the media on the Catholic faithful calls for an answer to the question of to what extent the church’s activity in initiating messages of faith is subordinated to the logic and pragmatics of the media, which change the forms of the presence of religion in the lives of Catholics and the contexts in which it is positioned? As a result, it should force reflection: how to form and distribute religious messages using the tools of the media and, more generally, to manage the process of building relationships with the faithful. In this process, it is crucial to identify the factors influencing the faithful and especially the validity of existing values in their lives. The authors of this article focus on the concept of authority, identifying it in the research process conducted in Generation Z, aiming to form a conclusion as to whether it can constitute a value in the initiated media messages. The conducted study and its conclusions are considered from a Catholic perspective, referencing the importance of authority as one of the Church’s fundamental values. This value strengthens the building of a community of believers, as religious authorities, their behaviors, and views reinforce the transmitted ideas. The authority, which serves to enhance the conveyed messages, frequently appears in media transmissions. The concept of authority is explored in the theoretical section of the article. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Theological Studies on Youth: Family, Education and Religion)
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26 pages, 25931 KiB  
Article
Vajravārāhī in Khara Khoto and Prajñāpāramitā in East Java: Connected by Pearl Ornaments
by Lesley S Pullen
Religions 2025, 16(1), 84; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16010084 - 15 Jan 2025
Viewed by 707
Abstract
This research, situated in the geographical and historical context of the Tangut and East Java, uncovers a significant aspect of the evolution of Buddhist art styles. A thangka of the goddess Vajravārāhī found in Khara Khoto, dated to the late 12th century, shows [...] Read more.
This research, situated in the geographical and historical context of the Tangut and East Java, uncovers a significant aspect of the evolution of Buddhist art styles. A thangka of the goddess Vajravārāhī found in Khara Khoto, dated to the late 12th century, shows the bodhisattva decorated with a pearl-chain girdle and upper-arm bands. This form of pearl-chain jewellery, which appears on Vajravārāhī and other Sino-Tibetan-style bodhisattvas, also appears on three stone statues of the goddess Prajñāpāramitā in East Java, all of which depict a near identical use of this pearl-chain ornamentation, as well as on a statue of Prajñāpāramitā at the Muara Jambi Buddhist site in Sumatra. Maritime trade between the regions of China and Java was extensive. The commonality of such motifs in China and Java may highlight a convergence of cultural forces and perhaps shared styles originating from the maritime realm and traded via maritime routes; however, a direct or indirect influence of Sino-Tibetan styles on thangka paintings featuring this depiction of the jewellery perhaps occurred following dynamics of north–south exchange, highlighting the interrelated links along maritime and overland routes through the Pāla Buddhist kingdom in eastern India. Thus, I propose that the connection between the Vajravārāhī and other Tibetan thangka paintings was inspired by Northeast Indian influence from the Hexi corridor, eventually reaching East Java. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Beyond the “Spice Routes”: Indic and Sinitic Religions across the Asian Maritime Realm)
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13 pages, 293 KiB  
Article
Responsive Harmony in the Zhuangzi
by Luyao Li
Religions 2025, 16(1), 83; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16010083 - 14 Jan 2025
Viewed by 524
Abstract
This paper adopts a post-comparative approach to explore the concept of harmony in the Zhuangzi, moving beyond traditional comparative frameworks. It examines how Zhuangzian harmony offers a solution to the potential risks of domination that harmony may pose to individual freedom. It [...] Read more.
This paper adopts a post-comparative approach to explore the concept of harmony in the Zhuangzi, moving beyond traditional comparative frameworks. It examines how Zhuangzian harmony offers a solution to the potential risks of domination that harmony may pose to individual freedom. It first challenges Chenyang Li’s distinction between Confucian “active harmony” (主动和谐) and Daoist “passive harmony” (被动和谐), arguing that the “passive” label fails to capture the characteristic of Zhuangzian harmony. Instead, Zhuangzian harmony is better understood as “responsive harmony” (随动和谐), a unique form of harmony that is neither passive nor merely the opposite of Confucian active harmony. Responsive harmony shares similarities with active harmony, yet it offers distinct features that address certain challenges to harmony, such as the risk of domination, which Confucian harmony may not fully resolve. This perspective provides a fresh philosophical resource from Daoism for addressing contemporary concerns about harmony in ethical contexts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Going Beyond Comparative Ethics: Post-Comparative Ethics in Philosophic and Religious Traditions)
16 pages, 268 KiB  
Article
Secular-Believing Diasporic Jews: The Grassroots Theology of Paul Simon and Leonard Cohen
by Hagar Lahav
Religions 2025, 16(1), 82; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16010082 - 14 Jan 2025
Viewed by 570
Abstract
By analyzing the musical works of Paul Simon and Leonard Cohen, this study examines the theological expressions of secular Jews in the diaspora who retain elements of belief. Drawing on contemporary theories of lived religion and post-secular spirituality, it explores how their lyrics [...] Read more.
By analyzing the musical works of Paul Simon and Leonard Cohen, this study examines the theological expressions of secular Jews in the diaspora who retain elements of belief. Drawing on contemporary theories of lived religion and post-secular spirituality, it explores how their lyrics articulate distinctive forms of Jewish spirituality outside traditional frameworks. Through a close textual analysis of their final albums, this study reveals complex theological narratives that intertwine Protestant-oriented individual spirituality with collective Jewish religious and cultural memory. The findings indicate that Cohen and Simon demonstrate distinct approaches to divinity. Cohen adopts a more traditional theistic stance, whereas Simon develops a pantheistic theology. These narratives offer viable and meaningful models for secular-believer Jewish identity and suggest possible foundations for a contemporary secular Jewish existence in the diaspora. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Anthropological Perspectives on Diaspora and Religious Identities)
16 pages, 300 KiB  
Article
Deconstructing Theology or Prophetic Theology? A Comparative Protestant and Eastern Orthodox Christian Perspective
by Nathanael Neacșu
Religions 2025, 16(1), 81; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16010081 - 14 Jan 2025
Viewed by 501
Abstract
The purpose of this paper is twofold: first, to depict, in its main elements, the conception of a Protestant “deconstructive theology”, and, secondly, to present the prophetic aspect of Eastern Christian Orthodox theology in comparison with it. According to the method of “deconstructive [...] Read more.
The purpose of this paper is twofold: first, to depict, in its main elements, the conception of a Protestant “deconstructive theology”, and, secondly, to present the prophetic aspect of Eastern Christian Orthodox theology in comparison with it. According to the method of “deconstructive theology” as a method, the Scripture must be dismantled in order to be fresh and new. In the Orthodox understanding, the work of theology is understood to be, in the first place, a personal relationship with and experience of God, both from a mystical and sacramental perspective, and, through this, an actualisation of the work and message of God’s Revelation, making it present in the context of each historical and cultural circumstance. As will be presented below, this achievement could be completed only within the Church. Thus, Orthodox theology must deliver the eternal word and life of Jesus Christ, addressed to the contemporary context, in order to guide the Church and the Faithful toward the Kingdom of God. It is hoped that this comparative endeavour may be beneficial for general understanding between Christians, through placing in conversation two different perspectives regarding theology, which seldom encounter one another. Full article
21 pages, 405 KiB  
Article
Impurity, Moral Substantiality, and Social Control: A Gender Perspective
by Alice Van den Bogaert
Religions 2025, 16(1), 80; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16010080 - 14 Jan 2025
Viewed by 583
Abstract
The notion of impurity is identified in numerous belief systems, ranging from certain religions to nationalisms. Understanding its nature and functioning beyond its concrete objects is therefore a fundamental anthropological question. This work is grounded in anthropology, though it may be of interest [...] Read more.
The notion of impurity is identified in numerous belief systems, ranging from certain religions to nationalisms. Understanding its nature and functioning beyond its concrete objects is therefore a fundamental anthropological question. This work is grounded in anthropology, though it may be of interest to scholars from other disciplines. Impurity has been highlighted by numerous authors in ethnographic and theoretical texts, but a comparison of these various works indicates a lack of theoretical development. We will therefore begin by presenting the various explanations attributed to it, before proposing that the notion of impurity is primarily a knowledge of natural laws causing illness, death, and misfortune, based on the observation of contagion and implying an ontology of moral substantiality. I propose this concept to designate an ontology in which everything is a substance (bodily fluids and food, but also glances, words, and thoughts) and at the same time a moral value, without distinguishing between materiality and symbolism, a proposal inspired by McKim Marriott’s substance-codes (1976). This knowledge has then become a tool of social control, aiming to protect reproduction (social, cosmic, and ontological), through its effective language combining a somatopsychological aspect (disgust reaction) and social rejection. Full article
16 pages, 198 KiB  
Article
Disclosing the Spirit in Evangelical Leadership Discourse
by Hadley Bennet
Religions 2025, 16(1), 79; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16010079 - 14 Jan 2025
Viewed by 414
Abstract
This article offers a theological reflection on the leadership discourse of four senior evangelical leaders in the Church of England. The justification for a discourse-led approach within the discipline of practical theology is that discourse is itself a socially informed practice. Discourse is [...] Read more.
This article offers a theological reflection on the leadership discourse of four senior evangelical leaders in the Church of England. The justification for a discourse-led approach within the discipline of practical theology is that discourse is itself a socially informed practice. Discourse is constructive for meaning-making and has ongoing constituting effect for practice. Thus, any theological bias found in evangelical discourse is of interest since that discourse has a practice-shaping effect. Using the method of content analysis, I undertake an audit of four leadership texts to find out how often God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are referenced. The content analysis reveals a quantitative disparity. The Person of the Spirit is referenced far less, and any references to Spirit are qualitatively limited. These quantitative results offer evidence to suggest that a full account of the Divine Move that is Spirit, and the leading activity of the Spirit, fails to be disclosed in these texts. I suggest that these findings indicate an imbalance in the discourse which I hope prompts evangelicals to further reflect on, and explore, the place of the Spirit in their theology and practice. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Disclosing God in Action: Contemporary British Evangelical Practices)
15 pages, 307 KiB  
Article
Displacing the Christian Theodicy of Hell: Yi Kwangsu’s Search for the Willful Individual in Colonial Modernity
by Jun-Hyeok Kwak and Mengxiao Huang
Religions 2025, 16(1), 78; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16010078 - 14 Jan 2025
Viewed by 555
Abstract
This article aims to offer Yi Kwangsu’s The Heartless (Mujŏng, 1917), the first modern Korean novel, as an emblem of hybrid religiosity in colonial modernity that sheds light on an ambivalent alterity in the problem of hell in non-Western cultures. To [...] Read more.
This article aims to offer Yi Kwangsu’s The Heartless (Mujŏng, 1917), the first modern Korean novel, as an emblem of hybrid religiosity in colonial modernity that sheds light on an ambivalent alterity in the problem of hell in non-Western cultures. To the extent that the problem of hell in Christianity pertains to the question of why God allows evil to exist eternally, God’s omnipotent authority with justice and fairness beyond the grave is placed at the center of the inquiry into the ultimate standard of moral goodness the religious feasibility of which justifies the existence of sinners suffering eternal damnation in hell. But the co-existence of the omnipotent God and unrepentant sinners is not always questioned in the religiosity of hell in non-Western cultures. The Christian imaginary of hell in non-Western cultures often demarcates the question of God’s sovereignty from the sufferings of sinners in the problem of hell. Based on these observations, this article will investigate Yi’s narratives of hell in The Heartless, which are associated with Christianity but intertwined with his ethical demands for shaping a new individuality beyond the traditional hybrid religiosity of hell. Specifically, first, we will show that Yi’s Christian imaginary of hell is reformulated through the traditional imaginaries of hell in which, regardless of the existence of God’s sovereignty over the created order, the sufferings of sinners in hell function to secure social norms and orders. In doing so, we claim that the Christian imaginary of hell in The Heartless is relegated to a rhetorical means to beget the need for the self-awakening of the inner-self through which individual desires can be freed from the influences of Confucian morality as well as Christian theodicy. Second, in comparison with Lu Xun’s sympathetic relocation of Christian spirituality within the traditional Chinese imaginaries of hell in his longing for modern subjectivity, we explore Yi’s hybrid religiosity within colonial modernity, the vitality of which cannot be confined within the simple dichotomy between Western and non-Western cultures. At this juncture, the upshot of Yi’s hybrid religiosity within colonial modernity is that the theodicy of hell in Christianity can be displaced and thereby disenfranchised from the centrality of the search for a new individuality. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue On the Problem of Hell: Comparative Historical and Philosophical Perspectives)
12 pages, 206 KiB  
Article
Saving Souls and ‘Trees’: An Emerging Model of Pentecostal-Charismatic Eco-Missions in the Church of Pentecost, Ghana
by Christian Tsekpoe and Emmanuel Awudi
Religions 2025, 16(1), 77; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16010077 - 14 Jan 2025
Viewed by 1023
Abstract
The emergence of Pentecostal-Charismatic Christianity in Ghana has historically been characterized by a perceived schism between faith and science. This schism was particularly evident in some Ghanaian Pentecostal-Charismatic Churches (PCCs), where the use of both orthodox and herbal medications was prohibited. The rift [...] Read more.
The emergence of Pentecostal-Charismatic Christianity in Ghana has historically been characterized by a perceived schism between faith and science. This schism was particularly evident in some Ghanaian Pentecostal-Charismatic Churches (PCCs), where the use of both orthodox and herbal medications was prohibited. The rift between the two domains within the African Pentecostal-Charismatic tradition, which persisted until recent times, highlights significant implications for the intersection of religious beliefs and scientific practises within various African contexts. This traditional one-dimensional approach adopted by PCCs in Africa influenced their interpretation of the Great Commission and has resulted in the oversight of important aspects of their mission, particularly the lack of attention to the well-being of the natural environment and other non-human entities. However, there is a noticeable shift in this narrative in Ghana, as shown in the case of the Church of Pentecost, which is increasingly becoming involved in initiatives aimed at preserving the earth and its inhabitants. This article utilizes document reviews, a survey, and personal observations to examine the extent to which this emerging eco-mission is embraced within the Church of Pentecost and explores its potential as a model for PCCs in Ghana and beyond. The article proposes strategies for reimagining traditional doctrines to enable the full integration of eco-missions within the broader mission of the church. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Christian Missions and the Environment)
20 pages, 3177 KiB  
Article
Towards a Holistic Approach to Sustainable Development: Inner Development as a Missing Link for Sustainability Transformation
by Julia Blanc and Annekatrin Meißner
Religions 2025, 16(1), 76; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16010076 - 13 Jan 2025
Viewed by 621
Abstract
The discourse on understanding and implementing sustainable development has so far focused primarily on the external aspects, neglecting the internal dimension of people. The main purpose of our paper is to contribute to addressing this research gap. Therefore, we intend to (1) substantiate [...] Read more.
The discourse on understanding and implementing sustainable development has so far focused primarily on the external aspects, neglecting the internal dimension of people. The main purpose of our paper is to contribute to addressing this research gap. Therefore, we intend to (1) substantiate existing aspects of the Inner Development Goals (IDGs), (2) complement them, and (3) link the concept of the IDGs to normative discourses in Christian Social Ethics and Social Philosophy. Our results show that the dimensions of Being, Relating, and Collaborating in the IDG Framework can be substantiated by the normative discourse on spirituality and by reference to the social principle of personality in Christian Social Ethics, as well as by the Indian Social Philosophical Perspective of Vimala Thakar which focuses on a value-based approach. This paper suggests that the concept of the IDGs will be strengthened by adding the dimension of Caring—understood as the concern and responsibility for the wholeness in the combining of the inner and outer dimensions. By linking the concept of the Inner Development Goals to the existing normative discourses in Christian Social Ethics and Social Philosophy, our research contributes to making the concept connectable and deepens the discussions on a practical and theoretical level. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Development: The Normative Contribution of Theology)
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22 pages, 533 KiB  
Article
(De)Globalization, the Global Imaginary, and Religious Narratives: A Theoretical Framework and the East Asia Litmus Test
by Beilei Bai
Religions 2025, 16(1), 75; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16010075 - 13 Jan 2025
Viewed by 678
Abstract
Faced with the twin challenges of globalization and de-globalization, do religions exercise agency in these trends? In other words, do they give shape to them, or are they rather shaped by them? If the influence is reciprocal, how should the process behind this [...] Read more.
Faced with the twin challenges of globalization and de-globalization, do religions exercise agency in these trends? In other words, do they give shape to them, or are they rather shaped by them? If the influence is reciprocal, how should the process behind this be described? This article sets itself two tasks. Firstly, it endeavors to develop a theoretical framework by which to conceptualize the question just posed. Secondly, it applies this framework to the case of China and, more cursorily, to the East Asian context in general. I start my analysis by approaching “globalization” as a shared vision of the world, referred to, in this article, as the “global imaginary”. The recent erosion of the latter has led to “deglobalization”, a set of narratives that remain correlated to the globalist storyline they confront. Central to the topic is that fact that the crisis experienced by the global imaginary affects the interplay between its secular and religious dimensions. The secular imaginary had fostered a homogenous narrative that has caused both ontological and epistemological crises. The resurgence of religious discourse within the narratives of deglobalization is to be understood as part and parcel of competing interpretations of the global modernization process, since the latter obeys both secular and religious forces. Focusing in the second part of this article on trends and representations proper to China in its regional context enables us to better assess how the globalization and deglobalization narratives intermingle in religious and secular dimensions in a way that reshapes each of them. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Religious and Theological Interactions in East Asia: Issues, Channels and Impact)
13 pages, 217 KiB  
Article
The Missionary-Colonial Forms of Marriages and Sexualities Within African Pentecostalism: A Sankofa-De-Colonial Perspective
by Themba Shingange
Religions 2025, 16(1), 74; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16010074 - 13 Jan 2025
Viewed by 577
Abstract
Looking retrospectively at pre-colonial African marriages and sexualities is critical in the urge to transform the contemporary narratives about marriage and sexuality within African Christian spaces. In Africa, marriage and sexuality had cultural, spiritual, and religious intersectionality. However, the advent of the missionary-colonial [...] Read more.
Looking retrospectively at pre-colonial African marriages and sexualities is critical in the urge to transform the contemporary narratives about marriage and sexuality within African Christian spaces. In Africa, marriage and sexuality had cultural, spiritual, and religious intersectionality. However, the advent of the missionary-colonial enterprise reconstructed the concepts of marriage and sexuality by imposing the supremacy of Christianity and Civilization agendas. Thus, Africans were compelled to discard their views of marriage and sexuality to comply with the prescripts of Christianity, baptism, and church membership. This paper used the Sankofa and Decolonial theories to investigate the perpetual influence of the 19th-century missionary-colonial enterprise within the contemporary African Pentecostal views of marriage and sexuality. It debunked the heterotopias of the born-again experience which propels the supremacy of Christianity and civilization agendas. The findings indicated that these agendas manifest in the form of hetero-monogamous aspirations of missionaries that undermined the African views of marriage and sexuality, thus, rendering them as demonic, backward, barbaric, and something to be forgotten. Lamentably, the same narrative has shaped the views of Pentecostal Christians within the contemporary African context. However, this has created a myriad of problems for both Africans and Christianity in Africa. In conclusion, the study emphasized the need to delink from Western conceptualizations by rethinking African marriages and sexualities. This could be done by revisiting pre-colonial African marriage systems and sexualities to challenge the current distorted narrative while embracing the positive elements of Christianity. Full article
24 pages, 3089 KiB  
Article
A Qualitative Study of Digital Religious Influence: Perspectives from Christian, Hindu, and Muslim Gen Y and Gen Z in Mumbai, India
by Clyde Anieldath Missier
Religions 2025, 16(1), 73; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16010073 - 13 Jan 2025
Viewed by 859
Abstract
This study addresses how religious affective content in digital media influences epistemic authority, social imaginaries, and religious beliefs. It draws on data from 64 in-depth interviews with Generation Y and Generation Z individuals with a higher-education background who identified as Christian, Muslim, or [...] Read more.
This study addresses how religious affective content in digital media influences epistemic authority, social imaginaries, and religious beliefs. It draws on data from 64 in-depth interviews with Generation Y and Generation Z individuals with a higher-education background who identified as Christian, Muslim, or Hindu, conducted in Mumbai, India. While influencers are increasingly playing a significant role in the daily lives of the respondents, the impact of family on religious behavior appears to be more substantial than the epistemic sources on social media. In this context, accrued social capital can help individuals develop resilience or resistance to online disinformation, hate speech, and radicalization. Furthermore, while individuals exhibited animosity toward politicians and journalists, they also expressed nationalist attitudes, e.g., a shared Indian identity and common cultural capital, which may serve as ‘superglue’ for living peacefully in the current climate shaped by religious fundamentalist movements. In general, this field study contributes to the ongoing scholarly growth of the interdisciplinary focus of digital religion studies, and particularly on the impact of the social media domain on fundamentalist beliefs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Religions and Humanities/Philosophies)
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19 pages, 407 KiB  
Article
The Pre-Dawn of the Three Caverns Thought: An Examination Based on Shangqing taiji yinzhu yujing baojue
by Ling Cao
Religions 2025, 16(1), 72; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16010072 - 13 Jan 2025
Viewed by 457
Abstract
The emergence of the “Three Caverns” 三洞 thought was a critical step in the formation of medieval Daoism. It proposed the first viable approach to integrating emerging Daoist scriptural traditions, enabling the creation of the first canonical Daoist catalog, and laying the foundation [...] Read more.
The emergence of the “Three Caverns” 三洞 thought was a critical step in the formation of medieval Daoism. It proposed the first viable approach to integrating emerging Daoist scriptural traditions, enabling the creation of the first canonical Daoist catalog, and laying the foundation for the compilation of the Daozang and the establishment of the Ordination Ranks 法位 system. Scholars generally agree that the Shangqing taiji yinzhu yujing baojue 上清太極隱注玉經寶訣 played a significant role in the development of the Three Caverns thought. However, research on the formation of this scripture remains lacking. This study fills this gap by confirming the composition of the scripture through two independent lines of evidence. Then, based on new insights into its composition, this study discusses the historical context of the Three Caverns concept in this scripture and its direct impact on Lu Xiujing 陸修靜 (406–477)’s cataloging work. These discussions illustrate that, when confronted with the challenge posed by the newly composed Shangqing scriptures, the authors of the Shangqing taiji yinzhu yujing baojue employed the integrative approach commonly found in the Ancient Lingbao Scriptures to propose a more inclusive scriptural system. This approach played a crucial role in providing a theoretical foundation for the formation of medieval Daoism. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The History of Religions in China: The Rise, Fall, and Return)
18 pages, 386 KiB  
Article
Prohibited Mountains and Forests in Late Imperial China
by Vincent Goossaert
Religions 2025, 16(1), 71; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16010071 - 11 Jan 2025
Viewed by 641
Abstract
This essay explores the various types of spaces, primarily montane forested areas, where human access was restricted, either conditionally or entirely, during late imperial times. The range of restrictions always included felling trees, but often also encompassed other forms of extraction from local [...] Read more.
This essay explores the various types of spaces, primarily montane forested areas, where human access was restricted, either conditionally or entirely, during late imperial times. The range of restrictions always included felling trees, but often also encompassed other forms of extraction from local ecosystems. Based on the motivations for setting up and regulating such zones, it proposes a typology that includes imperial parks and graves, sacred sites, military exclusion zones, and certain forested commons. Based on some commonalities between these types, it concludes by reflecting on the place of notions of sacrality in local policies that directly impacted forested areas. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modeling Lifeworlds on the Rhythms of Nature: Perspectives on Daoism and Ecology in East Asia)
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