The Components of the Truth of Du’a (Prayer) from the Perspective of Shi'a and Catholicism; Similarities and Differences

Mohajer Mahdavirad / MA in Religions & Mysticism, Imam Khomeini Institute of Education and Research                                                                                                                       ali1945reza@gmail.com

Seyyed Ali Hasani / Associate Professor of Religions & Mysticism Department, Imam Khomeini Institute of Education and Research

Received: 2018/02/04 - Accepted: 2018/06/28

Abstract

"Du’a" (prayer) has a special status in Shi'ism and Catholicism; in Shi'ism, it is regarded as worship and the essence of worship, and in Catholicism, as the bearer of the secret of Passover. Using an analytical and comparative approach, this paper seeks to compare the components of the truth of prayer in these two religions, and express their similarities and differences in this regard. Turning to God and seeking are the two “main” subjects, and whole-hearted attention and the innateness of goodness and worship are among the "complementary" components of the truth of prayer in Shia. The ascent of the mind to God and the seeking are the two “main” components, and the bearer of the secret of Passover, the movement of affection, the inspiration of the Holy Spirit are among the "complementary" components of the Truth of prayer in Catholicism. It can be argued that in the main components, the truth of prayer between Shi'a and Catholicism is somehow similar. Whole-hearted attention, turning to God and regarding God as witness are among the "complementary" components common in Shiite and Catholic. The foundation of Shiite prayer on pure monotheism and the Catholic prayer on the Trinity, the focus of the Catholic prayer on affection and the emphasis of the Shiite prayer on fear and hope, the question of inspiration through prayer by the Holy Spirit and prayer’s being a response to faithfulness are some of the differences between the “complementary" components of the truth of Shi'i and Catholic prayer.

Keywords: the components of prayer, the truth of prayer, Shiite, Catholicism.

The Reflection of the Bible's Narrations in the Qur'an from the Perspective of Angelika Neuwirth: A Case Study of the Prophet Moses (AS)

Seyyed Hamed Alizadeh Mousavi / PhD in Comparative Studies of Religions, the University of Religions and Denominations                                                                                                             hamed.moosavi2@gmail.com

Mehrab Sadeghinia / Assistant Professor at the Department of Abrahamic Religious Studies, the University of Religions and Denominations

Mohammad Javad Eskandarlou / Assistant Professor of Jame’at Al-Mustafa Al-Alamiyah

Received: 2018/11/26 - Accepted: 2019/04/14

Abstract

The relationship between the Qur'an and the Bible is one of the topics that has always been of interest to the Orientalists and the Qur'anic scholars. Meanwhile, Angelika Neuwirth has provided a perspective which is different from that of her predecessors. From the perspective of Angelika Neuwirth, the Biblical narrations have been reflected in the Qur'an in various ways, all of which are due to the epistemic context in which the Qur'an was revealed. Neuwirth has called this epistemic context Late Antiquity, which has inherited many of the theological and religious teachings of the antiquity, and the Qur’an, as an oral and dynamic collection, has been interacting and debating with these traditions. The story of Moses is one of the issues that Neuwirth has examined, and has attempted to explain her point of view in the form of case studies. This paper tries to examine the viewpoint of Neuwirth in studying the story of Moses. The reflection of Bible narratives without its influence on the Quran is a view that can be obtained from the study of Angelika Neuwirth's research.

Keywords: Angelika Neuwirth, the Qur'an, the Bible, reflection, Late antiquity.

"Freedom in the Holy Spirit" from the Standpoint of Pentecostal Christianity; an Original Doctrine or an Evangelical Means?

Yaser Abozadeh Gatabi / PhD Student of Religions and Mysticism, Imam Khomeini Institute of Education and Research                                                                                                                                       y.a.g@chmail.ir

Mohammad Hossein Taheri Akerdi/ Assistant Professor of Religions, Imam Khomeini Institute of Education and Research

Received: 2018/01/15 - Accepted: 2018/06/23

Abstract

Pentecostal Christianity is a Protestant sect created at the beginning of the twentieth century on the basis of believing in a direct personal experience of God through baptism with the Holy Spirit. Pentecostals believe that all the classes of society have the ability to receive the Holy Spirit. Therefore, from the perspective of the Pentecostals, freedom in the Holy Spirit is a doctrine that has led to the extreme flexibility of this movement in adopting evangelical and devotional strategies, receiving gifts and etc., but the Pentecostals’ selective viewpoint about this teaching and their innovations in this doctrine, along with serious criticisms leveled at the Bible over the principle of a direct personal experience of God through baptism with the Holy Spirit are among the criticisms directed at this doctrine. Therefore, this research aims to carry out an extensive study on this subject through a scientific investigation of this doctrine.

Keywords: salvation in the Holy Spirit, Pentecostal Church, evangelism, the Bible.

The Role of Action in the "Shari’a (Divine law) of Faith", with Emphasis on Paul's Pastoral Epistles

Mohammad Reza Asadi / PhD Student of Religions and Mysticism     reza.shaer@gmail.com

Received: 2018/08/14 - Accepted: 2018/12/19

Abstract

On his pastoral mission to promulgate the message of the Bible, Paul, who is known as the founder of the present Christianity, sent letters to different people and groups, noting that salvation is achieved not through the practice of the divine law, But only through faith. He called his discourse "the (shari’a) divine law of faith" and introduced it as the Shari’a of Jesus. By denying the divine law and arguing that salvation is possible only through faith, will there be any difference between doing good or evil? Using the descriptive-analytical method, this paper has sought to answer this question by reviewing Paul's epistles, and has concluded that Paul intends to prevent Christians from committing evil acts through his fairly incoherent discourse on morality, and make them understand that Although action has nothing to do with salvation, a true Christian should not allow himself/herself to commit sins, since he/she has been created for important duties.

Keywords: Paul, divine law, faith, action, the divine law of faith, Pastoral Epistles, Paul's letters.

Reviewing the Gospel of John Based on William Led Sessions’ Model: Belief as Personal Relationship

Mojtaba Zarvani / Associate Professor at the Department of Religions and Mysticism, The University of Tehran        

Milad A'zami Maram / PhD student of Religion and Mysticism, The University of Tehran

delara. miladazamimaram@gmail.com

Received: 2018/09/24 - Accepted: 2019/01/30

Abstract

Faith is both the subject of philosophical and theological investigations and the actual behavior of believers. But what is faith itself? By reflecting on the concept of faith itself, it is possible to distinguish three inner and interrelated concepts: (1) the belonging of the faith; (2) the believer; (3) the faith. Without believers, faith has no meaning; and believers show their faith in different ways. Hence, we are faced with different representations of faith, and this shows the necessity of presenting models of faith. The history of Christianity shows that the church fathers considered the Gospel of John as the "spiritual gospel" and regarded personal spiritualism as its main characteristic. Using William Led Sessions’ faith model, and adopting a personal relationship model, this paper seeks to review the personal spiritualism model of the gospel of john. The study and analysis of the sayings, allegories, and signs in the Gospel of John shows that this Gospel emphasizes a personal, mutual, affectionate, dynamic, and vibrant relationship between the individual Christians and Jesus Christ.

Keywords: faith, models of faith, Christianity, personal relationship.

A Comparative Study of the Great Flood and the Character and Function of the First Saviors in Iran and Mesopotamia

Hamid Kavyani Pooya / Assistant Professor, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman

kavyani@uk.ac.ir

Tayebeh Khajeh / MA Student of Iranology, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman

Received: 2019/01/13 - Accepted: 2019/05/18

Abstract

Given the fact that myths are not unrealistic and illusory, and are rooted in reality, the myth is said to be a response to human’s inability to cope with his frustrations; a response to his weaknesses in achieving his aspirations and his fears of unexpected accidents. Meanwhile, one of the important events in the ancient human societies was horrible natural events that sometimes led to the destruction of the foundation of life, and regardless of how it was faced, the reason and cause of these unfortunate events was an important issue that produced different reactions in different civilizations and was influenced by different factors. Therefore, given the existence of a great flood narration in some myths of ancient nations, this research seeks to explain the similarities and differences among the narratives and beliefs about the Flood and the formation and development a life-saving myth in the civilizations of Iran and Mesopotamia by investigating the narrations about the flood and nature of the saviors of human life. Therefore, using an analytical approach, important historical sources and mythological narratives were collected and reviewed. The results suggest that the issue of rescuing and delivering human beings from disasters and agony has always been considered by some ancient civilizations and cultures like Iran and Mesopotamia, and narrations about the great flood have many similarities. However, due to the fact that these civilizations have somehow dealt with these narrations based on their cultural and biological conditions, there are, in some cases, notable differences in these narratives (in the reason behind the incident and the attribute of the saviors).

Keywords: flood, saviors, Iran, Mesopotamia.