http://reflections.eeit-edu.info/issue/feedTheological Reflections: Eastern European Journal of Theology2023-12-22T21:11:13+02:00Роман Соловійroman.s@eeit-edu.infoOpen Journal Systems<p><em>Theological Reflections: Eastern European Journal of Theology</em> is a peer-reviewed, open-access scholarly journal that aims to establish itself as an open platform for discussing diverse theological issues, primarily in the context of the Evangelical-Protestant tradition. The journal publishes original articles in biblical studies, systematic, historical, and practical theology, and related areas of study.</p>http://reflections.eeit-edu.info/article/view/292815Hennadii Khrystokin, Paradigms of Orthodox Thought – in the Focus of the Research Optics of a Ukrainian Religious Scholar and Theologian2023-12-09T01:49:55+02:00Oleksandr Brodetskyio.brodetskyi@chnu.edu.ua2023-12-22T00:00:00+02:00Copyright (c) 2023 Oleksandr Brodetskyihttp://reflections.eeit-edu.info/article/view/292821Christiane Tietz, Karl Barth: A Life in Conflict2023-12-09T02:26:09+02:00Andrii Shymanovychschimanovich@ukr.net2023-12-22T00:00:00+02:00Copyright (c) 2023 Andrii Shymanovychhttp://reflections.eeit-edu.info/article/view/292957Sarah Shortall, Soldiers of God in a Secular World: Catholic Theology and Twentieth-Century French Politics2023-12-12T00:54:51+02:00Myroslava Mostepaniukmmostepaniuk@orientale.it2023-12-22T00:00:00+02:00Copyright (c) 2023 Myroslava Mostepaniukhttp://reflections.eeit-edu.info/article/view/292959Volodymyr Vakin, The Way to Christ through Ministry to the Neighbour2023-12-12T02:14:31+02:00Andriy Dudchenkoa.dudchenko@gmail.com2023-12-22T00:00:00+02:00Copyright (c) 2023 Andriy Dudchenkohttp://reflections.eeit-edu.info/article/view/293015George Kalantzis, Caesar and the Lamb. Early Christian Attitudes on War and Military Service2023-12-12T23:35:16+02:00Daniel Kuchuriandaniel.kuchurian@gmail.com2023-12-22T00:00:00+02:00Copyright (c) 2023 Daniel Kuchurianhttp://reflections.eeit-edu.info/article/view/293017John D. Caputo, Specters of God: An Anatomy of the Apophatic Imagination2023-12-13T00:14:42+02:00Mahomed Rubanenkomagomedrubanenko@gmail.com2023-12-22T00:00:00+02:00Copyright (c) 2023 Mahomed Rubanenkohttp://reflections.eeit-edu.info/article/view/293018Winn Collier, A Burning in My Bones: The Authorized Biography of Eugene H. Peterson, Translator of The Message2023-12-13T00:22:38+02:00Mykhailo Kozakovm.kozakoff@ukr.net2023-12-22T00:00:00+02:00Copyright (c) 2023 Mykhailo Kozakovhttp://reflections.eeit-edu.info/article/view/293076Bungishabaku Katho, Reading Jeremiah in Africa: Biblical Essays in Sociopolitical Imagination2023-12-13T22:04:56+02:00Roman Soloviyroman.s@eeit-edu.info2023-12-22T00:00:00+02:00Copyright (c) 2023 Roman Soloviyhttp://reflections.eeit-edu.info/article/view/293066Glenn Butner Jr., Trinitarian Dogmatics: Exploring the Grammar of the Christian Doctrine of God2023-12-13T20:51:12+02:00Fedir Stryzhachuktedandgalina@gmail.com2023-12-22T00:00:00+02:00Copyright (c) 2023 Fedir Stryzhachukhttp://reflections.eeit-edu.info/article/view/293058Bohdan Zavidnyak, The Concept of Transcendence in the Thought of Philo of Alexandria2023-12-13T19:55:43+02:00Mariia Yakubovskammamariat92@gmail.comMykola Zymomryazimok@ukr.net2023-12-22T00:00:00+02:00Copyright (c) 2023 Mariia Yakubovska, Mykola Zymomryahttp://reflections.eeit-edu.info/article/view/292807Concepts of “Trauma” and “Memory” in W. G. Sebald’s Book Luftkrieg und Literatur (On the Natural History of Destruction)2023-12-09T00:42:45+02:00Anatoliy Denysenkoanatoliy.denysenko@gmail.com<p>This year, the second year of the Russian-Ukrainian war, a book by the German author W. G. Sebald (1944-2001), <em>On the Natural History of Destruction</em>, was published in Ukrainian translation by IST Publishing. I must say that reading Sebald's works translated by Roman Osadchuk is a distinct pleasure. This is the third book by Sebald translated into Ukrainian by R. Osadchuk. Before this one, <em>Austerlitz</em> and <em>The Rings of Saturn</em> were published by Komubook. Sebald is one of the few authors I discovered for myself during the war. His <em>Austerlitz</em> was a breath of fresh air at a time when I couldn't bring myself to read or write.</p>2023-12-22T00:00:00+02:00Copyright (c) 2023 Anatoliy Denysenkohttp://reflections.eeit-edu.info/article/view/292809Theology of Community-Nurturing2023-12-09T01:07:37+02:00Nadiyka Gerbishnadiyka@rigginsrights.com2023-12-22T00:00:00+02:00Copyright (c) 2023 Nadiyka Gerbishhttp://reflections.eeit-edu.info/article/view/293071Viacheslav Khalanskiy, On Fire but Not Burning Out. How to End the Stress Cycle, Work to Your Heart’s Content, and Live Happily2023-12-13T21:25:52+02:00Oksana Matlasevychoksana.matlasevych@oa.edu.ua2023-12-22T00:00:00+02:00Copyright (c) 2023 Oksana Matlasevychhttp://reflections.eeit-edu.info/article/view/293090David Bentely Hart, Kenogaia (The Gnostic Tale)2023-12-13T23:41:10+02:00Denis Kondyukdenrep2002@yahoo.com2023-12-22T00:00:00+02:00Copyright (c) 2023 Denis Kondyukhttp://reflections.eeit-edu.info/article/view/293082Clive Staples Lewis, Learning in War-Time, Mere Christianity, The Great Divorce, The Screwtape Letters, The Problem of Pain2023-12-13T23:11:41+02:00Oleh Demchukreflections@eeit-edu.info2023-12-22T00:00:00+02:00Copyright (c) 2023 Oleh Demchukhttp://reflections.eeit-edu.info/article/view/293094Richard Holloway, A Little History of Religion2023-12-13T23:55:12+02:00Andrii Kulykreflections@eeit-edu.info2023-12-22T00:00:00+02:00Copyright (c) 2023 Andrii Kulykhttp://reflections.eeit-edu.info/article/view/293098Renos K. Papadopoulos, Involuntary Dislocation: Home, Trauma, Resilience, and Adversity-Activated Development 2023-12-14T00:20:17+02:00Yuriy Kryvoruchkoreflections@eeit-edu.info2023-12-22T00:00:00+02:00Copyright (c) 2023 Yuriy Kryvoruchkohttp://reflections.eeit-edu.info/article/view/293101Charles A. Schaefer, Trauma and Resilience2023-12-14T00:42:56+02:00Viktoriia Veretennikovareflections@eeit-edu.info2023-12-22T00:00:00+02:00Copyright (c) 2023 Viktoriia Veretennikovahttp://reflections.eeit-edu.info/article/view/293102Michell Dean, Political Theology Today. 100 Years after Carl Schmitt2023-12-14T00:52:32+02:00Anatoliy Denysenkoanatoliy.denysenko@gmail.com2023-12-22T00:00:00+02:00Copyright (c) 2023 Anatoliy Denysenkohttp://reflections.eeit-edu.info/article/view/293103Andrew T. Walker, God and the Transgender Debate: What Does the Bible Actually Say about Gender Identity?2023-12-14T01:06:11+02:00Igor Dimovskiigor.dimovski@gmail.com2023-12-22T00:00:00+02:00Copyright (c) 2023 Igor Dimovskihttp://reflections.eeit-edu.info/article/view/292764Reintegration and Anamnesis: Theological Tools for Wartime Harms 2023-12-08T20:06:25+02:00Helen Paynterpaynterh@bristol-baptist.ac.uk<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">War is a complex phenomenon, which both results from and produces intersecting forces of power, trauma and reaction. This paper uses the story of Cain and Abel, found in Genesis 4, to open up the exploration of two particular harms which war causes: the silencing of victims and the moral injury of combatants and civilians. Scripture provides tools for helping to heal these harms. In place of silence, the Old Testament offers the outcry, the inarticulate cry of the afflicted which rises to heaven and causes God to come down to investigate and respond. For the soul-wound of moral injury, Scripture offers rituals of confession and lament, and preeminently, re-integration, which is not only the healing of communities but of fractured souls. Both of these are found at the Lord’s Table, where the outcry of the groaning world is held in the wounded heart of the Saviour, and where communities and souls find their healing through the Cross.</span></p>2023-12-22T00:00:00+02:00Copyright (c) 2023 Helen Paynterhttp://reflections.eeit-edu.info/article/view/292770Reintegration and Anamnesis: Theological Tools for Wartime Harms2023-12-08T21:18:08+02:00Helen Paynterpaynterh@bristol-baptist.ac.uk<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">War is a complex phenomenon, which both results from and produces intersecting forces of power, trauma and reaction. This paper uses the story of Cain and Abel, found in Genesis 4, to open up the exploration of two particular harms which war causes: the silencing of victims and the moral injury of combatants and civilians. Scripture provides tools for helping to heal these harms. In place of silence, the Old Testament offers the outcry, the inarticulate cry of the afflicted which rises to heaven and causes God to come down to investigate and respond. For the soul-wound of moral injury, Scripture offers rituals of confession and lament, and preeminently, re-integration, which is not only the healing of communities but of fractured souls. Both of these are found at the Lord’s Table, where the outcry of the groaning world is held in the wounded heart of the Saviour, and where communities and souls find their healing through the Cross.</span></p>2023-12-22T00:00:00+02:00Copyright (c) 2023 Helen Paynter; Eastern European Institute of Theologyhttp://reflections.eeit-edu.info/article/view/292773Trauma and The Growth of Love in Children2023-12-08T21:37:52+02:00Keith J. Whitekeith@millgrove.org.uk<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This paper aims at all those seeking to understand, respond to, and help children suffering trauma because of the full-scale War of Russia against Ukraine that began in 2022. It draws from three main sources: personal experience of living alongside children and young people who have suffered the trauma of separation and loss; studies, reflections, and practice of those have sought to understand children in a holistic way: biological; emotional/psychological; social and spiritual; Christian faith and tradition, including the Bible, human resources and activity, and theology. The paper is based on the conviction that “it takes a village to raise a child,” not least in a time of war, and that all villagers who have the well-being of that child at heart have a potential role to play in the process. The author points that “parenting” in its widest sense is not restricted to biological relatives or designated carers. The paper seeks to imagine the context from outside the war zone, acknowledging the complicated, secretive, messy, and unpredictable nature of conflict. In its conclusion it brings a message of hope, based not on wishful thinking or utopian dreams, but on experience and evidence collected from around the world, and close to hand, that demonstrates how the trauma of children can and has been overcome.</span></p>2023-12-22T00:00:00+02:00Copyright (c) 2023 Keith J. Whitehttp://reflections.eeit-edu.info/article/view/292775Trauma and the Growth of Love in Children2023-12-08T22:02:58+02:00Keith J. Whitekeith@millgrove.org.uk<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This paper aims at all those seeking to understand, respond to, and help children suffering trauma because of the full-scale War of Russia against Ukraine that began in 2022. It draws from three main sources: personal experience of living alongside children and young people who have suffered the trauma of separation and loss; studies, reflections, and practice of those have sought to understand children in a holistic way: biological; emotional/psychological; social and spiritual; Christian faith and tradition, including the Bible, human resources and activity, and theology. The paper is based on the conviction that “it takes a village to raise a child,” not least in a time of war, and that all villagers who have the well-being of that child at heart have a potential role to play in the process. The author points that “parenting” in its widest sense is not restricted to biological relatives or designated carers. The paper seeks to imagine the context from outside the war zone, acknowledging the complicated, secretive, messy, and unpredictable nature of conflict. In its conclusion it brings a message of hope, based not on wishful thinking or utopian dreams, but on experience and evidence collected from around the world, and close to hand, that demonstrates how the trauma of children can and has been overcome.</span></p>2023-12-22T00:00:00+02:00Copyright (c) 2023 Keith J. White; Eastern European Institute of Theologyhttp://reflections.eeit-edu.info/article/view/292782The God of the Child: Encouraging Children’s Spiritual Development During Times of Trauma2023-12-08T22:18:08+02:00Esther ZimmermanEZimmerman@lbc.edu<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Children are born as spiritual beings, created for relationship with God. However, their spiritual development is shaped by many factors — including their experience of trauma. Sadly, since ancient times, many children have experienced significant trauma and the Bible deals with this topic openly and honestly. This article presents an overview of how trauma may impact children’s overall development and especially their spiritual development. While many of these impacts may be negative, the Bible also offers significant hope for children growing up in the midst of trauma. This article will also suggest practical ways that Christian parents and ministry leaders can seek to join children on the spiritual journey during times of trauma.</span></p>2023-12-22T00:00:00+02:00Copyright (c) 2023 Esther Zimmermanhttp://reflections.eeit-edu.info/article/view/292787The God of the Child: Encouraging Children’s Spiritual Development During Times of Trauma2023-12-08T23:01:00+02:00Esther ZimmermanEZimmerman@lbc.edu<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Children are born as spiritual beings, created for relationship with God. However, their spiritual development is shaped by many factors — including their experience of trauma. Sadly, since ancient times, many children have experienced significant trauma and the Bible deals with this topic openly and honestly. This article presents an overview of how trauma may impact children’s overall development and especially their spiritual development. While many of these impacts may be negative, the Bible also offers significant hope for children growing up in the midst of trauma. This article will also suggest practical ways that Christian parents and ministry leaders can seek to join children on the spiritual journey during times of trauma.</span></p>2023-12-22T00:00:00+02:00Copyright (c) 2023 Esther Zimmerman; Eastern European Institute of Theologyhttp://reflections.eeit-edu.info/article/view/292798Roman Sword for the Traumatized Community: A Sociolinguistic Approach to Rom. 13:42023-12-08T23:25:59+02:00Yevgeny Ustinovichyevgeny.ustinovich@gmail.com<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The article deals with the experience of first-century Christians traumatized by persecution, displacement, and other trials mentioned in the Epistle to Romans. Special attention is given to their expectations and the problem of justice. It is argued that the Apostle Paul’s pastoral approach to this problem has a strong eschatological aspect: he encouraged the suffering Roman believers to expect some expressions of God’s vengeance to be revealed during their lifetime. The Roman sword, mentioned in 13:4, can be seen as an instrument of God’s righteous wrath. This perception of human agency may be applicable (with some limitations) in the 21st-century context of Ukraine’s war for independence.</span></p>2023-12-22T00:00:00+02:00Copyright (c) 2023 Yevgeny Ustinovichhttp://reflections.eeit-edu.info/article/view/292803Boethius and (Post-)Traumatic Historical Theology: The Processing of Trauma and Theologizing in The Consolation of Philosophy2023-12-09T00:18:06+02:00Rostislav Tkachenkorostislavtkachenko@gmail.com<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Contemporary discussions about the theology of trauma include a very limited array of texts from the history of Christian theology. In order to broaden and deepen the scope of theological reflections on the traumatic experience, the article proposes to analyze Boethius’ </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Consolation of Philosophy</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> (с. 475–c. 526) from the perspective of (post)traumatic theology and to consider the work through the prism of the key question: how and about what does Boethius theologize in the context of his traumatic experience, which was the prerequisite and motivation for his writing this treatise?</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Boethius’s thoughts are considered as a step-by-step processing of the traumatic experience (verbalization, rationalization, and theologization), which is carried out through different genres he employs (poetry, narrative, and philosophical prose). In this way, he integrates a number of philosophical and theological ideas in his reflection on trauma and considers the process of rethinking his experience in intellectual, emotional, spiritual, and practical dimensions.</span></p>2023-12-22T00:00:00+02:00Copyright (c) 2023 Rostislav Tkachenkohttp://reflections.eeit-edu.info/article/view/288884Leadership in the Face of Trauma: A Qualitative Study of Forced Ukrainian Christian Migrants2023-10-11T16:12:51+03:00Alexander Negrovanegrov@hodosinstitute.orgOleksandr Malovanegrov@hodosinstitute.orgDina Polishchuk-Prokopchukanegrov@hodosinstitute.org<div class="page" title="Page 1"> <div class="layoutArea"> <div class="column"> <p>This article delves into the leadership experiences of Ukrainian Christian forced migrants amidst the ongoing aggressive war against Ukraine. Drawing from theoretical frameworks related to trauma and forced migration, as well as leadership models, this research seeks to comprehend the intricacies of leadership exhibited by Ukrainian displaced individuals. Based on qualitative data from 130 participants, the study identifies key themes concerning leadership during wartime. It contributes to the development of a trauma-sensitive theology of leadership and offers insights into the leadership development requirements of Ukrainians post-war. The insights gathered from these refugees reveal that wartime leadership is dynamic and multifaceted. It encompasses values, adaptability, compassion, and Christian spirituality, extending beyond traditional models to prioritize the well-being of individuals and communities. The experiences and perspectives of these refugees offer valuable lessons for understanding leadership in the most challenging of circumstances, emphasizing the enduring importance of empathy, resilience, and faith in guiding individuals and communities through times of war.</p> </div> </div> </div>2023-12-22T00:00:00+02:00Copyright (c) 2023 Alexander Negrov, Oleksandr Malov, Dina Polishchuk-Prokopchuk