The Spirituality of the Evangelical Reformers

The notion of spirituality in the Evangelical Reformed Churches is seldom used because it is associated with the teaching and religious observances of the Roman Catholic Church. Instead, the word “piety” tends to be used. With reference to the Reformers’ spirituality, such terms as Calvinistic spirituality should not be used, owing to the fact that many theologians besides John Calvin had an influence on its formation. The most important features of the Reformers’ spirituality are: 1) underlining the qualitative difference between God and God’s creatures; 2) the teaching that God may only be recognised by His Word included in the Bible, not in natural or mystical ways; 3) the conviction that humans are not able to establish any doctrine unerringly; 4) an aspiration for the utmost simplicity of the Liturgy; 5) the thesis that a tangible proof of the Christian faith authenticity is work, performed in a solid way and service, rendered for the sake of the political and economic propitiousness of the society.

Amalgam: Poland as Christ of Nations

This article applies the conceptual blending theory designed by Gilles Fauconnier and Mark Turner to an analysis of Adam Mickiewicz’s early messianic ideas, presented in Dziady (Forefathers’ Eve) and Księgi narodu i pielgrzymstwa polskiego”(The Book and the Pilgrimage of the the Polish Nation). The article concentrates on the influences from christian concepts of passion and the messianism presented in the bible which is understood as one of the input spaces. The author claims that messianism created by Mickiewicz is not poetic fiction, but rather a religious statement about the true nature of Polish nation. Furthermore the fate of Poland has an eschatological meaning for the history of the world because Poland is seen as an agent completing the eschatological work of Jesus Christ. Therefore creating a millenaristic kingdom within history is Poland’s final destination.

Australian Fire Ceremonies. Fire in the Warlpiri Religion

During fire ceremonies in various Australian communities, long torches constructed from poles wrapped in flammable leaves are used. For the Warlpiri, their significance is associated with the symbolism of fire, contrasted with water represented by the form of the rainbow serpent. The founding myths of the ceremony are based on using fire to limit the power of water by way of bloodshed. Various forms of the use of fire and the connected symbolism for the Warlpiri point to reference to dancers, and the torches they hold to the Milky Way (Yiwarra). The main symbol of this in the ritual is a sacred construction in the form of a cross, known as wanigi.

The Post-War Metaphor of Stalin-God as Presented in the Journal of the Moscow Patriarchate

Until the end of 1980s, the Journal of the Moscow Patriarchate was the only legitimate press organ of the Russian Orthodox Church. The publication of this journal was resumed after a break of nearly eight years on 12 September 1943, the day of the enthronement of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Sergius (Stragorodsky). Stalin’s consent to publish the religious journal showed the Church’s limited capacity to function in the political space of the Soviet state, assured to it at the end of World War II. Appreciating this gesture, the Orthodox clergy published several articles devoted to Stalin in the Journal. No other communist ever received such praise and interest from the Church either earlier or later.