This article responds to Middle Eastern Christian positions concerning the Other, which have been... more This article responds to Middle Eastern Christian positions concerning the Other, which have been dominant in most Christian–Muslim relations in the past, through the centuries , and is still prevailing in the Middle East through several Christian voices. As these positions, directly or indirectly, endeavor to appropriate the tradition of the Other and make it fit within the boundaries of one's own theological heritage, the present article suggests the need for a genuine turn to the Other, in order to make the true perception and the understanding of the tradition of the Other possible. Hence, a method of rejuvenation is proposed, which implies first a critical consideration of one's own tradition and then a genuine turn to the Other, making the meeting and the reading of the holy texts together possible with the Other in terms clarified through the post-critical method of scriptural reasoning.
On the topic of Open Theism, which is a theological stand within Evangelicalism, this article pre... more On the topic of Open Theism, which is a theological stand within Evangelicalism, this article presents first its major themes, in contrast to the position of Classical Theism, some indications of the present discussions on the topic will follow. Then, some critical remarks and finally concluding statements toward a possible movement from a conservative and classical position to a more open and free theological stand within Evangelicalism, will conclude the article. The article argues mainly that since Evangelicalism, throughout history and by the nature of its reality, has not insisted on the metaphysical and speculative dimension in theology and has not been the victim of institutionalized systems; Evangelicalism remains a potential field for reception of the open views on God and the Christian faith. In this sense Open Theism persists as a challenge within Evangelicalism, and for it, in order that it might move beyond all constrainment and limitation.
In this article I argue that Christian spirituality of the early centuries sets a challenge to co... more In this article I argue that Christian spirituality of the early centuries sets a challenge to contemporary Christian thought and spirituality. Christian spirituality by its very nature is about bringing one’s own will into harmony with the will of God. This calls for humbleness, sacrifice and even suffering. However, this is also a liberating process, during which the person is freed from confinements, and first of all the confinement within the self. In order to elucidate this, first I refer to several theological foundations of Orthodox spirituality of Maximus the Confessor, the theologian of the seventh century. Then I consider critically different contemporary trends of churches in the Middle East in the light of the contribution of the master of Christian spirituality.
This book contains the proceedings of the International conference, “Shifting Identities: Changes... more This book contains the proceedings of the International conference, “Shifting Identities: Changes in the social, political, and religious structures in the Middle East”, which was held in Cyprus in July 2015. The conference brought together around 50 professors, historians, theologians, social scientists and researchers from over 15 countries including Europe, the USA, and the Middle East. Case studies from Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, Iran, and Sweden were presented. Some of these case studies focused on particular community like the Armenians, Syrian orthodox, or Protestants while others studies chose to tackle issues like feminism or Arabism in the Middle East. Several of the articles struggled theologically to find a meaning to what is happening in the aftermath of the so-called Arab Spring showing a way forward. Shifting identities is not a pure theoretical exercise but are related to shifts that were experienced by several of the authors in the course of their biographical journeys.
This article responds to Middle Eastern Christian positions concerning the Other, which have been... more This article responds to Middle Eastern Christian positions concerning the Other, which have been dominant in most Christian–Muslim relations in the past, through the centuries , and is still prevailing in the Middle East through several Christian voices. As these positions, directly or indirectly, endeavor to appropriate the tradition of the Other and make it fit within the boundaries of one's own theological heritage, the present article suggests the need for a genuine turn to the Other, in order to make the true perception and the understanding of the tradition of the Other possible. Hence, a method of rejuvenation is proposed, which implies first a critical consideration of one's own tradition and then a genuine turn to the Other, making the meeting and the reading of the holy texts together possible with the Other in terms clarified through the post-critical method of scriptural reasoning.
On the topic of Open Theism, which is a theological stand within Evangelicalism, this article pre... more On the topic of Open Theism, which is a theological stand within Evangelicalism, this article presents first its major themes, in contrast to the position of Classical Theism, some indications of the present discussions on the topic will follow. Then, some critical remarks and finally concluding statements toward a possible movement from a conservative and classical position to a more open and free theological stand within Evangelicalism, will conclude the article. The article argues mainly that since Evangelicalism, throughout history and by the nature of its reality, has not insisted on the metaphysical and speculative dimension in theology and has not been the victim of institutionalized systems; Evangelicalism remains a potential field for reception of the open views on God and the Christian faith. In this sense Open Theism persists as a challenge within Evangelicalism, and for it, in order that it might move beyond all constrainment and limitation.
In this article I argue that Christian spirituality of the early centuries sets a challenge to co... more In this article I argue that Christian spirituality of the early centuries sets a challenge to contemporary Christian thought and spirituality. Christian spirituality by its very nature is about bringing one’s own will into harmony with the will of God. This calls for humbleness, sacrifice and even suffering. However, this is also a liberating process, during which the person is freed from confinements, and first of all the confinement within the self. In order to elucidate this, first I refer to several theological foundations of Orthodox spirituality of Maximus the Confessor, the theologian of the seventh century. Then I consider critically different contemporary trends of churches in the Middle East in the light of the contribution of the master of Christian spirituality.
This book contains the proceedings of the International conference, “Shifting Identities: Changes... more This book contains the proceedings of the International conference, “Shifting Identities: Changes in the social, political, and religious structures in the Middle East”, which was held in Cyprus in July 2015. The conference brought together around 50 professors, historians, theologians, social scientists and researchers from over 15 countries including Europe, the USA, and the Middle East. Case studies from Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, Iran, and Sweden were presented. Some of these case studies focused on particular community like the Armenians, Syrian orthodox, or Protestants while others studies chose to tackle issues like feminism or Arabism in the Middle East. Several of the articles struggled theologically to find a meaning to what is happening in the aftermath of the so-called Arab Spring showing a way forward. Shifting identities is not a pure theoretical exercise but are related to shifts that were experienced by several of the authors in the course of their biographical journeys.
Uploads
Papers by Sylvie Avakian
The article argues mainly that since Evangelicalism, throughout history and by the nature of its reality, has not insisted on the metaphysical and speculative dimension in theology and has not been the victim of institutionalized systems; Evangelicalism remains a potential field for reception of the open views on God and the Christian faith. In this sense Open Theism persists as a challenge within Evangelicalism, and for it, in order that it might move beyond all constrainment and limitation.
Books by Sylvie Avakian
The article argues mainly that since Evangelicalism, throughout history and by the nature of its reality, has not insisted on the metaphysical and speculative dimension in theology and has not been the victim of institutionalized systems; Evangelicalism remains a potential field for reception of the open views on God and the Christian faith. In this sense Open Theism persists as a challenge within Evangelicalism, and for it, in order that it might move beyond all constrainment and limitation.