Issue 104/4 (2023) of the magazine “Gregorianum” is available, quarterly published by the Gregorian University.

 

 

ARTICULI

 

Boris Paschke, Fürbittengebete für einen Verstorbenen? Eine kritische Auslegungsgeschichte zu 2Tim 1,18 

Abstract - With regard to the apostle Paul’s faithful co-worker Onesiphorus it is stated in 2 Tim 1:18: “May the Lord grant that he will find mercy from the Lord on that day!”. This Pauline wish has often been understood in terms of a New Testament proof text for the practice of intercessory prayer for the dead. Repeatedly, this exegetical position has been labeled typically Catholic. However, as the history of research carried out in the present article demonstrates, intercessory prayer for the dead is practiced in almost all church denominations. Accordingly, not only Catholic exegetes interpret 2 Tim 1:18 in terms of a prayer for an already deceased Onesiphorus. At the same time, however, in most Christian traditions, including the Catholic Church, there are also exegetes who are reasonably hesitant with regard to such an interpretation (and application) of the verse. While 2 Tim 1:18 does refer to a future judgment day, it is not clear if this verse views Onesiphorus as being already dead. One should, thus, be careful to refer to 2 Tim 1:18 as a Biblical proof text for intercessory prayer for the dead.

Keywords: All Souls’ Day ­­– Eternity Sunday — Intercession — Judgment Day — Onesiphorus — Paul — Prayer for the Dead — Prayer to Jesus Christ — Requiem Mass

 

 王振江 Wang Zhenjiang, San Giuseppe tra AT e NT. Analisi a partire dall’infanzia di Matteo (Mt 1:1-2:23)

Abstract - The entire research mainly revolves around the literary figure of Joseph in the narrative of Infancy narrative according to Matthew. First, the author proposes to study the characteristics of Joseph of the OT, in fact, the rich meaning of this personage provides us with greater possibilities of comparison with the same Joseph in Matthew. Not only that, some similarities and familiarities shared by both characters complement each other and help readers discover the novelty of Joseph in the NT. In the last part of the essay, the author analyzes the image of Joseph on the basis of Mt 1-2. The foster father of Jesus not only reflects the invisible divine face of the Heavenly Father, that is, the fatherhood of God; but also the virtues of this righteousman fit perfectly with the ideal image of a gentleman emphasized by classical Chinese culture.

Keywords: Joseph – Jacob/Israel – Infancy – Genealogy – Fatherhood – Sonship – Image (צלם) – Likeness (דמות) – Dreams (ὄναρ, ὕπνος)

 

Gaetano Piccolo, S.I., Autobiografia e Identità: un esempio di costruzione del Sé mediante la narrazione

Abstract - Writing an autobiography is an exercise nowadays recognized as a contribute for the construction of own identity. In Time and Narrative, Ricoeur reads Augustine’s Confessions as a paradigmatic example of this process. In this article, I inquire if, in the light of Ricoeur’s theory about threefold mimesis, it is possible to read Ignatius of Loyola’s Autobiography as a pattern in order to the construction of identity not only for the author, but also for the readers of any time.

Keywords: autobiography – Ignatius of Loyola – Augustine – narrative – identity

 

Roberto Di Ceglie, Essere parziali promuove il sapere?

Abstract - May epistemic partiality be promoted, at least in some cases? By ‘epistemic partiality’ we mean the disposition to not be ready to change one’s mind even when the available evidence requires that one must abandon one’s convictions. Epistemic partiality obviously opposes that which is usually taken for granted, that is, the disposition — which we call ‘epistemic impartiality’ — to accept every belief is adequately supported by evidence, no matter how irreconcilable with one’s convictions such belief may be. Based on Aquinas’s reflection, we intend to argue that epistemic partiality should be promoted, at least in some cases that regard faith and religion. We intend to show that from this follows a wider perspective than the one which emerges from the assumption of the epistemic impartiality; moreover, some problems, which affect the latter, can be solved.

Keywords: Thomas Aquinas – faith and religion – evidence – epistemic impartiality

 

Ľuboš Rojka, S.I., Pierre Teilhard de Chardin: la creazione evoluzionistica della coscienza umana e il suo futuro

Abstract - Three approaches to human consciousness can be distinguished in Pierre Teilhard de Chardin’s Human Phenomenon. The first is the paleontological search for a «missing link» between the australopithecines and modern humans. The second describes the more general characteristics of evolution and the «folding» of human consciousness onto itself. The third is holistic and assesses the importance of this «absolute parameter» within the universe. The «vertical» direction of «radial» energy toward and beyond the «reflection» of psychic energy becomes a new foundation of a possible unity of humanity. One of the possibilities toward which evolution is heading and which, on closer inspection, constitutes the only real possibility of survival for the human species, is that which aims to achieve, within increasing diversity, ever greater unity. In line with the same evolutionary dynamism, the latest types of artificial intelligence (AI) extend our cognitive capabilities to the point of making them autonomous, universally accessible, adaptable, versatile, and far more powerful than human intelligence. An «all-knowing» mind devoid of consciousness is created. Consequently, the responsibility for its works remains attributable solely to its creators and users. With the input of Christian reflection, AI can become an important tool for evangelization and the promotion of greater unity of humanity directed toward the Omega point envisioned by Teilhard de Chardin.

Keywords: human evolution – human consciousness – artificial intelligence – Teilhard de Chardin

 

Aude Suramy, Aux plus petits d’entre les miens. A la lumière de Fratelli tutti, considérations sur la fraternité universelle

Abstract - With every man of good will and mainly by means of philosophical discipline, we wish, by some considerations on “universal fraternity”, to advance in the light of Fratelli tutti in the direction indicated therein. I’s a question of progressing on a political path all the more complex since the extension of the expression fore-quoted beyond the borders of the family where it “takes flesh”, could make it lose its meaning. But from the smallest communities to the entire human community to which they are – among other things – ordered, our incarnation manifests that“universal brotherhood”can only be born with the birth of a smaller one and can only be accomplished by ordering oneself to him in whom it finds its meaning.

Keywords: Fratelli tutti – universal fraternity – brother – universal – analogy – little one – the least – smaller – politics – love – mercy – incarnation – spousal – family – fatherland – nation – covenant – eternal wisdom

 

Beáta Tóth, The Sphinx of Providence and the Darkness of Suffering in Ottokár Prohászka’s (1858-1927) Wartime Essays

Abstract - The riddle of the relationship between human suffering and divine providence becomes even more perplexing during a time of war experience. This essay explores the theological and existential answers developed by a prominent figure of the Catholic renewal in Hungary: bishop, theologian, and a prolific writer Ottokár Prohászka (1858 1927). Prohászka’s intellectual stance towards the dreadful events and experience of the First World War may give food for thought even in our day despite the considerable distance of time and the obvious fact that there is no once and for all solution to the problem of suffering. The essay first surveys Prohászka’s intellectual background and the main tenets of his critique of intellectualism. Next, I outline his thought contained in the wartime essays. Third, I present what may be termed as Prohászka’s renewed idea of providence which is strongly related to his doctrine of God. Finally, his project is assessed from a current perspective.

Keywords: Ottokár Prohászka – suffering – First World War – Hungarian Catholic Renewal – providence

 

 

ADAMO, DOVE SEI? LA QUESTIONE ANTROPOLOGICA OGGI (PARTE II)

 

Vittorio Conti, Dalla psicodinamica alla dinamica dell’esistere. Rilevanza pratica di un rilancio ontologico-fondamentale

Abstract - With this study work we want to show some practical implications of the ideas formulated in the book Il chi della storia where we studied how it is possible to relaunch the anthropological vision of Rulla. Here we show that what we exposed in the Il chi della storia is not merely an abstract anthropological speculation but the source of a practical method useful in the formation and therapeutics. More precisely, this article is dedicated to the instrument called Interpretazione psicodinamica, developed by the Institute of Psychology of the Pontificia Università Gregoriana. We study some limitations of this instrument, and we formulate some proposals coherent with the content developed in Il chi della storia and, at the same time, respectful of the instrument itself. Therefore, in the framework of the meeting dedicated to the anthropology at in the 50th anniversary of the foundation of the Institute of Psychology, the present study shows a possible and fruitful research path that comes from the anthropological vision of Rulla.

Keywords: emotions – narrative – identity – history – experience – attitudes – anthropology – phenomenology

 

Luis María García Domínguez, S.I., «Discernir valores y virtudes cristianas. La primera dimensión de la antropología de la vocación cristiana»

Abstract - The anthropology of the Christian vocation offers us a panoramic view of all

Christian vocations, through a structural gaze developed through the three dimensions. This presentation offers us the opportunity to evaluate the “first dimension”, which we analyze structurally in the subject by means of theocentric self-transcendent values, which must be known, experienced and lived consistently in daily life. To make a correct assessment of this vocational dimension, it is insufficient to note only the experience of values (in the form of virtues); but we also need to glimpse the possible consistency or inconsistency of this dimension due to the influence that natural (not properly vocational) motivations may have in them, whether they are conscious or subconscious.

Keywords: Anthropology of the Christian vocation – vocational consistency – vocational Discernment – First Dimension – values – virtues

NOTAE

Apostolicam Actuositatem. ¿Qué pasó en el vaticano II con el decreto Apostolicam Actuositatem? (S. Pié-Ninot), 881-888; L’ambiguità religiosa dei primi cristiani: P. Banna, L’ambiguità religiosa dei primi cristiani. Una rilettura critica della teologia delle religioni alla luce delle fonti cristiane dei primi secoli (I. Morali), 888-893; Un’intima familiarità: C. Falchini, Ruperto Di Deutz: Un’intima familiarità. Antologia, Padri della chiesa: volti e voci (E. Caroleo), 894-898; From Ignatius to Francis: M. J. Walsh, From Ignatius to Francis: the Jesuits in History (R. Pinto), 898-900.

 

RECENSIONES

 

Biblia: J. Jeon, From the Reed Sea to Kadesh. A Redactional and Socio-Historical Study of the Pentateuchal Wilderness Narrative (F. Ficco), 901-902; A. Laato, Message and Composition of the Book of Isaiah. An Interpretation in the Light of Jewish Reception History (M. Settembrini), 903-904; S. Pinto, Interpretare la Bibbia: ricchezza o confusione? La Parola di Dio tra le parole umane (N. Calduch-Benages), 905-906; A. Pitta – F. Filannino, L’officina del Nuovo Testamento. Retorica e stilistica (J.-N. Aletti), 907-908; E. Ramón Ruiz, El libro del Eclesiastés. Comentario y propuestas de lectura (Á. Fernández-Fidalgo), 908-909; M. J. Schultz Montalbetti, La estrategia misionera de la Primera carta de Pedro. Edificar una “casa espiritual” por medio de la buena conducta (P. Rocca), 910-912; J. Stromberg – J. T. Hibbard, ed., The History of Isaiah. The Formation of the Book and its Presentation of the Past (M. Settembrini), 912-913.

Theologia: J. Ernesti – M. Lintner – M. Moling, ed., Braucht es die Theologie? Überlegungen zu ihrer gesellschaftlichen Relevanz. C'é bisogno della teologia? Considerazioni sulla rilevanza sociale (M. Vicentini), 914-915; N. H. Minnich – M. Root, ed., Martin Luther and the Shaping of the Catholic Tradition: Proceedings of the International Conference Held in Washington, DC May 30 to June 1, 2017 (W. Henn), 915-917.

Ius Canonicum: A. Foderaro – P. Palumbo, ed., Diritto e tutela dei minori. Profili interdisciplinari (M. Visioli), 918-919; K. Otieno Mwandha – A. Farina, ed., La tutela dei minorenni e adulti vulnerabili contro gli abusi sessuali. Un approccio interdisciplinare (M. Visioli), 919-920.

Philosophia: M. Alfano – C. Klein – J. Ridder, de, ed., Social Virtue Epistemology (J. Stoffers), 920-922; L. Gaudemard, Rethinking Descartes’s Substance Dualism (S. D’Agostino), 922-924; N. Levy, Bad Beliefs: Why They Happen to Good People (J. Stoffers), 924-926.

Missiologia: M. V. Cerutti, Allo specchio dell’altro. Strategie di resilienza di “pagani” e gnostici tra-II e IV secolo d. C. (I. Morali), 926-929.

Historia Ecclesiae: J. Lánícek – J. Lambertzand, ed., More than Parcels: Wartime Aid for Jews in Nazi-Era Camps and Ghettos (A. Belletti), 929-931; M. R. Salzman, The Falls of Rome: Crises, Resilience, and Resurgence in Late Antiquity (C. A. Sáenz), 932-933.

Spiritualitas: G. Pasquale, Introduzione alla teologia e al mistero di Cristo (E. Rotundo), 934-935; J. Servais, ed., Hans Urs von Balthasar. Texte zum ignatianischen Exerzitienbuch (A. Witwer), 935-936.

 

LIBRI NOSTRI

G. M. Rogelio, Dios en el mundo y para el Mundo. La mística trinitaria de Ignacio de Loyola, 937-939.

OPERA ACCEPTA

(940-941)