Bonhoeffer,Christ and Culture

Abstract

The aim of this article is to reflect theologically on recent research into the changing nature of civil society with a view to exploring the implications of these changes for the way churches and other faith communities might contribute to civil society in the future. The article looks at the mismatch between government rhetoric concerning the role of churches and faith communities in building up civil society, and the actual experience of faith communities becoming engaged in formal civil society activities such as regeneration and social cohesion which has often felt disempowering and awkward. The article then looks at the growth of non-institutional society (i.e. broad-based organizations and direct action campaigns) which tends to lie outside government control and raises the theological and strategic question as to whether more liquid and flexible forms of political participation have something to offer churches seeking to become more appropriately engaged in postmodern flows of society and the increasing marginalization within them.     

Implementing Work Programs for Poor Men

How might work levels among low‐income men be raised, as they were for welfare mothers in the 1990s? This study expands the relevant literature on both social policy and implementation. Low‐skilled men owing child support and ex‐offenders returning from prison are already supposed to work but often fail to do so. The reasons include both the recent fall in unskilled wages and the confusion of men's lives. Existing work programs in child support and criminal justice appear promising, although evaluations are limited. A survey covering most states shows that half or more already have some men's work programs, usually on a small scale. Field research in six states suggests the political and administrative factors that shape wider implementation of these programs. Work programs should preferably be mandatory, stress work over training, and be combined with improved wage subsidies. The federal government should provide more funding and evaluations.     

Jesus and the Ideal of the Manly Man in New Zealand after World War One

This article investigates attempts to portray Jesus as a “manly Man” for “manly men” in the wake of World War One. The Jesus that emerged as a result of this enterprise was a heroic personality formed through interplay between ideals about soldiers and Christ. Whilst only some military virtues were valued — and only in particular forms — even these proved problematic in certain respects. In particular, attempts to integrate soldierly and moral manliness, especially through resurgent use of notions like chivalry and crusade, failed to connect with soldiers’ actual experiences. Nonetheless, the manly Jesus represented an important religious response to World War One. It illuminated much about New Zealand religion and religious interaction with visions of ideal manhood. In particular, visions of a manly Jesus highlighted that ideals of moral and domestic manhood and more assertive ones coexisted in a state of tension.     

北京基督教会按立牧师圣职礼拜观礼己

2004年3月28日,这天对于北京基督教会来说是一个重大的日子.因为今天,将有13位副牧师或传道员将被按立为牧师或副牧师.前辈牧师们将通过按手礼的形式,将主持圣礼、牧养信徒、推行圣工的神圣权力传递给新立的牧师们.对于投身于"福音事业"的年轻人来讲,按牧礼拜无疑是他们在圣职阶梯上获得的又一次神圣的晋升.     

《斜阳》与太宰治的基督情结

昭和22年太宰治发表的《斜阳》在描写二战战败后的日本社会的同时,融入了《圣经》思想来歌颂女性的解放,并结合了《圣经》来塑造人物形象。本文将深入考察《斜阳》这部作品与《圣经》的关系,并进一步探讨太宰治对《圣经》的独特理解,以及所受的影响。     

Christ as a pharmacist,according to Martin Luther

This condition has been stimulated by the latest study written by Fitz Krafft concerning the motif "Jesus Christ as a pharmacist", which was frequently used in Christian art. It is shown that this motif, fully developed in the first third of the 17th century, originated in the theology of Martin Luther.     

Men and masculinities

Sullerot, E., Quels Pères? Quels Fils? (Fayard, 1992), 381pp., 130F., ISBN 2 213 02515 0

Badinter, E., XY: De L'Identité Masculine (Odile Jacob, 1992), 314pp., 130F., ISBN 2 738 10179 8