Theological Reflections: Eastern European Journal of Theology: Announcements

Call for Papers: Call for Papers 2026 Fall Issue: The Role of Christian Imagination in Resisting Injustice and Violence

2026-03-31T01:01:17+03:00

The editorial board of Theological Reflections: Eastern European Journal of Theology invites authors to submit articles for the Fall 2026 issue (vol. 24.2). This issue will explore the role of imagination in shaping a theology that is attentive to socio-political challenges and capable of resisting systems that stir up violence and social injustice.

Although discussions about the formative power of imagination have been ongoing for centuries, theology today is rediscovering its potential, particularly for understanding the political sphere. This raises the question of how images that surround us – and our perception of reality – influence not only theological reflection but also the formation of political thought.

The hermeneutical turn in the second half of the twentieth century renewed interest in imagination across the humanities. It emphasized that human existence in the world is inseparable from interpretation. Because being itself is a mystery, interpretation of the world always grapples with the ambiguous, contradictory, and ineffable – elements we creatively integrate into a coherent picture of the world. For this reason, our interpretation of the world is always intertwined with our capacity to imagine it.

In this context, the Christian worldview emerges as a unique way of perceiving reality. It enables us to see not only the intangible “depth” of the present world, but also the “depth” of its future, which we cannot yet see – that is particularly evident in eschatological imagery. Christian imagination interprets and portrays the world and the divine presence within it, which inspires a vision of a future filled with hope and love.

At the same time, it challenges us to imagine possible forms of communal life “here and now” that respond attentively to people’s needs and confront political injustices.

Historical experience also shows that Christian imagery has often been used to justify injustice, contributing to the development of “unhealthy theologies” that legitimize socio-political systems of violence and oppression. For this reason, one of the tasks of theology is to foster a Christian imagination capable of critically rethinking such images and resisting these systems. In doing so, theology can contribute to the formation of a more just social order.

We invite authors to submit academic papers that turn to the experience of Eastern Europe. We also welcome research relevant to the Eastern European context.

Suggested topics for submission are listed below; however, authors are encouraged to submit papers on other topics that relate to the issue’s theme – the interconnection between theology and imagination:

Contemporary Christian Art in Political Life: Between Testimony and Prophetic Critique
Theological Deconstruction of Images of Imperial and Quasi-Christian Nationalism
The Kingdom of God and Christian Resistance to Empire
The Role of Apocalyptic Imagery in Undermining and Sustaining Democracy
Tradition and Imagination in the Self-Formation of the Christian Community and Their Socio-Political Responsibility
Imagination and Ecotheology: Images of the Creator and the Christian Attitude Toward the Natural World
Biblical Imagination and the Advocacy for Social Justice
Liturgical Practices as a Formative Factor in Civil Society
Visual Theology for Evangelical Theology: In Search for an Image of Hope for the New Century

The editorial board invites submissions of original articles, essays, and book reviews on this topic. Articles should not exceed 7,000 words (including references and bibliography). Book reviews should be up to 1,500 words for extended critical reviews and up to 500 words for shorter descriptive reviews.

The submission deadline is September 1, 2026. The issue will be published online on December 15, 2026.

To submit an article or review, please upload it to the journal’s website at http://reflections.eeit-edu.info/about/submissions. Guidelines for authors are available here: http://reflections.eeit-edu.info/guidelines. For additional questions or suggestions, please contact us via email at reflections@eeit-edu.info.

NB! The Spring 2027 issue will focus on the role of AI in theology.

Call for Papers: Call for Papers for 2026 Spring Issue "Hermeneutics of Ethical Life: Christian Responsibility During a Crisis"

2025-10-13T19:10:48+03:00

Theological Reflections: Eastern European Journal of Theology invites researchers to submit scholarly articles for publication in the spring 2026 issue (24:1) titled “Hermeneutics of Ethical Life: Christian Responsibility During a Crisis.” The spring issue will focus on the core principles of church doctrine, Christian ethical values, and the role of believers during socio-political upheavals. In this context, it is important to explore how church teachings have shaped understandings of crises and how these crises have prompted a reevaluation of those teachings, leading to the renewal of traditional principles and practices.

German historian Reinhart Koselleck analyzed the concept of crisis and described it as a “structural feature of modernity.” He argued that it represents a process where a system fails because of the accumulating effects of multiple conflicts, resulting in the development of a new post-crisis state. As the boundary between life and death or between salvation and destruction, a crisis requires action and decisions. However, without a thorough theological interpretation, it is impossible to make ethical decisions and lead a responsible Christian life in new circumstances. In this sense, a crisis can be described as a situation in which we cannot move forward without fundamental changes. Therefore, a crisis is not only destruction but also a catalyst for progress, which becomes an opportunity only for those who understand its meaning and are willing to reflect on established theological views in the face of new challenges. Periods of crisis reveal problems, forcing the church to rethink the purpose, content, and form of its existence in the world.

The editorial board accepts articles that cover the following topics:

The effect of crises on Biblical hermeneutics.
The concept of crisis in secular and theological interpretations: convergences and differences.
Traditional church doctrines on social ethics in light of traumatic experiences caused by a crisis.
Christian communities amid the challenges of globalization and isolation.
The church’s ethical stance in the face of challenges caused by military aggression and existential crises.
War as a catalyst for a rupture in the church's historical consciousness and its ethical paradigms.
The digital crisis and ethical considerations in the information realm: the Christian responsibility.
Ethical dilemmas of Christian leadership in conditions of uncertainty.
Socio-political instability and the rise of populism as a challenge for Christian churches.
The cultivation of ecological virtues as a response to the environmental crisis.
Theological and ethical responses to the crisis: isolationism, confrontation, adaptation, or creative tension.
Crisis as a catalyst for the creative development of theology and ethical thought.
Ethical responsibility in light of eschatology: the connection between the doctrine of last things and the formation of daily ethical behavior and responsibility.

The editorial board welcomes original articles and reviews that explore this complex topic. Articles should not exceed 7,000 words (including references and bibliography).

The submission deadline is February 15, 2026. The publication date is May 15, 2026.

To submit an article or review, please upload it to the journal's website at http://reflections.eeit-edu.info/about/submissions. Recommendations for authors can be found at http://reflections.eeit-edu.info/guidelines. If you have any additional questions or suggestions, don't hesitate to contact us by email at reflections@eeit-edu.info.

Call for Papers: Call for Papers: Issue 23.2 (2025) on Diaspora Theology

2025-04-04T19:38:34+03:00

The Eastern European Journal of Theology is pleased to announce a call for papers for the issue on Diaspora Theology, exploring the theological implications of the global movement of peoples, cultures, and religious identities. We invite scholars to submit original research that engages with diaspora communities and examines how migration, displacement, and cultural exchange shape religious practices, beliefs, and theological reflections.

Topics may include, but are not limited to:

Biblical perspectives on migration and exile
Identity, religion, and belonging in diaspora communities
Migration and mission: practical challenges and theological responses
Intersection of culture, ethnicity, and religion in shaping theological expressions in diaspora settings
Diaspora Christians and theological education
Diaspora and postcolonial theological readings
In/Hospitality in times of migration: theological and philosophical insights
The role of diaspora churches for interreligious dialogues and ecumenical relationship
Russian aggression against Ukraine and the theological and ethical challenges for the Ukrainian evangelical diaspora

Submission Guidelines:

We accept papers in English and Ukrainian languages.
A paper must include a title, abstract, keywords, list of references, and the author’s full name and affiliation.
Abstracts 200 words.
Full papers 5,000-6,000 words without references.
We accept articles in the Chicago Manual of Style 18 ed. The first time a source is cited, provide a full footnote citation; for subsequent citations of the same source, use a short version.
Please submit papers via the website http://reflections.eeit-edu.info/login. If you need help with submission, contact us reflections@eeit-edu.info. Please note that the system accepts article metadata in both Ukrainian and English. If you cannot submit it in both languages. Use one language for both fields.

For further details, please see http://reflections.eeit-edu.info/guidelines.

The deadline for submitting materials is Sep 15, 2025.

We look forward to receiving your contributions on this timely and important topic.