The Lutheran Confessions in Korea

Abstract: Although Christianity has been active in Korea for two centuries, the church of the Lutheran confessions was planted only a half century ago, in 1958, by the Lutheran Church‐Missouri Synod. With an ecumenical face, Korean Lutherans provide a dynamic leaven in wider society and the church is growing. Even though other Korean church bodies have engaged in writing new confessional statements, Lutherans are finding the richness of the Lutheran Confessions in the Book of Concord sufficient for self‐understanding and expansion.     

The Lutheran Confessions and Popular Religiosity in Latin America

Abstract: The early history of European missions in Latin America led to a close identity between Confessional Lutheranism and German culture. Following World War II that connection has been all but broken, and Lutherans now swim in the sea of Latin American pluralism, including popular religiosity or the people's religion. Constitutive of the latter is devotion to the saints; and the emphasis on “remembering the saints” in Martin Luther and Philip Melanchthon may become valuable resources in contextualization.     

The Usefulness of the Lutheran Confessions in the African World

Abstract: The Malagasy Lutheran Church is one of the fastest growing churches in Africa. Maturing after having been seeded by Western missionaries, the confessional bond to Lutheran history is flowering differently within (1) the development of African contextual theologies and (2) ecumenical dynamics involving Lutherans and other Christian traditions.     

西方哲学在中国:过去、现在与未来--西方哲学三人谈

从本期始,本刊新辟的“学术沙龙”栏目正式与读者见面了。该栏目主要发表学者们以私人交流或座谈的形式,对哲学研究中一些具有方向性的热点问题或重大问题进行对话的成果,包括对哲学研究方式的反思和学术伦理的探讨。众所周知,私人交流不同于公共话语,它更多地保存了思想的原生形态,形式和语言也更加新鲜活泼。公共空间的会议报道,本刊已有“学术活动”栏目担当;私人交流空间的开掘,相信会与之相互补充,相得益彰。热诚欢迎学界有识之士踊跃向本栏目投稿,帮助我们把这个栏目办好。     

The Future of Lutheran Confessional Studies: Reflections in Historical Context

Abstract: The Augsburg Confession of 1530 inaugurated a new form of ecclesial self‐definition: confession binds the church together. The compilation of confessional documents that make up the Book of Concord of 1580 bind Lutherans around the world today, even though the historical paths from the 16^th to the 21^st century have been quite various. As Lutherans face the future, they find themselves in a pluralistic world where they enjoy no cultural privilege, or even shared understanding of fundamental theological commitments. The task of confession and apologetic mission will be most challenging.     

Calvin in the Context of Lutheran Consolidation1

Abstract

This study investigates the perception of Calvin and his theology in the polarizing domain of confessional reinforcement, and what image of him was formed and conveyed by the heirs of Wittenberg theology and later Lutheranism respectively. Historical circumstances and associated theological issues are taken into account, with a three-phase model emerging. Its interfaces are marked by the Zurich Consensus (1549) and by the experience of electoral Saxon ‘crypto-Calvinism’ in the 1570s. Drawing on the relevant sources, the article highlights issues specific to Lutherans in the interaction with Calvin and his doctrine. It shows how Calvin, who in the pre-confessional period was regarded as a distant kindred spirit, became increasingly discredited on the issuing of the Zurich Consensus and by the interventions of Joachim Westphal; how, apart from heated discussion between both sides on the doctrine of the Lord's Supper, christology increasingly took centre stage, accentuating the lines of demarcation; and finally how relatively late on admittedly, the person of Calvin himself (if not his personal integrity) also became the focus of polemics and apologetics.     

Creative Thinking Processes: The Past and the Future

For more than one hundred years, students of creativity, including seminal efforts published in the Journal of Creative Behavior , have sought to identify the key processes people must execute to produce creative problem solutions. In recent years, we have seen a consensual model of key creative thinking processes being accepted by the field. In the present effort, we review the evidence bearing on the eight core processes proposed in this consensual model. Subsequently, directions for future research on creative thinking processes are discussed.     

The Careers Service: Past, Present and Future

The history of the Careers Service is divided into a number of phases: pre-1919, the inter-war years, the early post-war phase, and 1973 onwards. The latter period is analysed in particular detail. External influences upon the service-including developments in the education sphere, theories of vocational guidance, and legislative changes are reviewed. Changes in economic orthodoxy which have influenced developments in economic policy and thereby the operation of the labour market are emphasised. The potential future role of the Careers Service is considered.     

The Lutheran Church and Lutheran Theology in Korea1

Abstract : Lutheranism came to Korea with the American military chaplaincy of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod in conjunction with the Korean War. The initial aim of these chaplains was to help the Koreans to improve their living conditions and to further their acquaintance with the Christian message. The main proponent of Lutheranism was Won Yong Ji, who for many years held a dual appointment at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri, and at the Luther Seminary in Korea. His brother, Won‐Sang Ji, was the first president of the Lutheran Church in Korea. Though the church has fewer than fifty congregations—most Protestant Christians are Presbyterians—its theological influence is significant.     

The study of religion(s) in Western Europe III: Further developments after World War II

This essay discusses main features and developments of the study of religion(s) in Western Europe. It attempts a historical, geographical, and thematic synthesis. Part III outlines post-World War II developments with regard to journals, textbooks, and survey works. It looks at national figureheads, disciplinary boundaries and the changing fortunes of the phenomenology of religion. The series concludes by addressing selected key areas of scholarly work and current issues and concerns.     

Decolonizing the Language of Lutheran Theology: Confessions,Mission, Indians,and the Globalization of Hybridity

Abstract : Christianity as we know it in the United States is essentially a european ethnic religious movement, one that has necessitated decolonizing processes as it has spread into the formerly euro‐colonized global world. In many ways, lutheranism has been and continues to be even more discretely ethnocentric, based largely in the thinking, the cultures, and the languages of the germanic north. This essay challenges lutheran theologians to begin a dedicated process of decoding the narrowly ethnic and implicitly colonizing language of lutheran theology.     

The Albert Ellis Institute: Past,Present and Future

The Albert Ellis Institute founded in 1959 by Dr. Albert Ellis is the bedrock where Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT) was born. During these 55 years the Institute has become the neuralgic center from where REBT develops and disseminates trough the affiliated international centers all over the world. Nowadays it is chartered by the University of the State of New York and it has a professional team directed by Dr. Kristene Doyle deeply committed to promote emotional health spreading REBT, a short-term therapy with long-term results. Dr. Kristene Doyle talks about her experience in the Institute under Dr. Ellis mentorship and also about the current activities in the Institute and the plans for the future.     

The pan-European approach in the fight against corruption: The council of Europe

This paper addresses the work of the Council of Europe in the fight against corruption. It presents briefly the Council of Europe’s organisation, activities and priorities and goes on to introduce its work in the fight against corruption. Activities in this field are carried out by the Multidisciplinary Group on Corruption (GMC) which is made up of governmental representatives of the forty Member States of the Organisation and in accordance with a Plan of Action against Corruption. Following work by the GMC, the Committee of Ministers, the decision-making body of the Council of Europe, adopted in 1997 ‘The 20 Guiding principles for the Fight against Corruption’ and in 1998 ‘The Agreement establishing the Group of States against Corruption-GRECO’ which will be called upon to monitor States’ compliance with their international commitments in the fight against corruption. Three international legal instruments are currently under preparation by the GMC, namely: a convention on corruption (dealing with the criminal aspects of the problem), a convention on civil remedies resulting from corruption and a European model code of conduct for Public Officials. Work on these instruments is well advanced and it is expected that they will be adopted before the end of 1998. An earlier version of this paper was presented at the Engineering Foundation Conference on “Ethics for Science and Engineering Based International Industries”, Durham, NC, USA, 14–17 September 1997. The views expressed in this paper are those of the author and do not necesarily reflect the vews of the Organisation. Information about the Council of Europe can be obtained at 〈http://www.coe.fr〉. Science and Engineering Ethics is published by Opragen Publications, POB 54, Guildford GU1 2YF, UK. 〈http://www.cableol.co.uk/opragen/〉.     

REBT: Past,Present and Future

In this article, I reflect on what I believe are Albert Ellis’ important contributions to the field of psychotherapy. Having worked closely with Albert Ellis for 32 years, I offer my opinions on some misconceptions of Albert Ellis.     

The Vatican and Europe: Political Theology and Ecclesiology in Papal Statements from Pius XII to Benedict XVI

The article examines the origins and evolution of the Vatican's political theology and ecclesiology for Europe from Pius XII (especially after the Second World War) and including the pontificates of John XXIII, Paul VI, John Paul II and Benedict XVI. It seeks to examine the continuities of the ‘Idea of Europe’ in papal thought against a background of changing political context – the end of the Second World War, the Cold War, the fall of the communist state system, the emergence of a united but diverse Europe after 1989. The political structures of the continent now include within its geographic sweep Western and Eastern Christian churches which, divided by tradition and modern history, find their relationship a key marker in the contemporary religious identity of Europe. This reality is a significant framework for Vatican thinking on Europe especially for John Paul II and Benedict XVI.