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1. In the History of Religion 1.1. Perspectives on Creation Philosophy and natural science trace the origin of the world and humanity back to impersonal, law-governed causes. Religion, however, finds a suprahuman plan behind life and its foundations. In addition to the elementary language of confession (Confession of Faith), reflection on creation also can draw on philosophical and scientific argumentation, which makes use of elements and general concepts familiar from the world around us. It may also use the language of myth, which presents creation ¶ in the story of a one-time,…

“Quietism” is the term used for a mystically oriented, transdenominational movement in the 17th and 18th centuries (Mysticism 2). Two of its main features find expression in 18th-century Protestant poetry (Devotional Literature), namely, silence and simplicity, as in G. Tersteegen’s “Gott ist gegenwärtig … alles in un…

1. The term “humanity” is used in different ways: (1) in distinction from animality, (2) as a collective term for the human race (humankind), and (3) as a norm of human existence—for example, in distinguishing the person from the animals, as in (1), or relating the individual to humankind, as in (2). In the third sense it relates both to everyday activities and to ethical reflection on human enterprises. Such things change, which makes it always necessary to test them against Christian belief. 2. Humanitas was a fixed term in the Ciceronian rhetorical tradition. Rhetoricians ref…

Probabilism is the casuistic view that, in disputed moral issues, any course may be followed that is “solidly” probable. It is an attempt to answer a question of normative ethics, namely, should a moral norm that is of dubious validity to reason be binding on those to whom it is given? Roman Catholic moral theology debated this question in the early modern period. The context of the battle of contending schools as to the right answer was penitential casuistry, as well as spiritual direction. At issue was the individual moral conviction that takes a norm seriously in a given situation.…