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[German Version] I. History of Religions – II. Old Testament – III. New Testament – IV. Church History – V. Practical Theology and Liturgy I. History of Religions Many magical and religio-cultic rituals are associated with rubbing, spreading, sprinkling, or dousing persons and objects with fats, oils, or salves, but also with special waters. In addition to the cosmetic and medical uses of salves, the various cultures and religious tradition…

[German Version] I. Concept – II. New Testament – III. Practical Theology I. Concept The term “apostasy” – like faith a specific of the Judeo-Christian tradition – is rarely used today, although it has greater significance in Catholic sacramental practice and communion (Excommunication). Apostasy indicates the departure from the teaching and life of the faith community; heresy refers to the rejection of binding doctrine without renouncing the faith entirely. Idolatry, historically the veneration of other gods, can also refer to secular forms of de facto adherence. While these terms reflect the internal perspective of a faith community, conversion describes the external perspective; breaking with tradition does not indicate a conscious apostasy from the faith, but the loss of its lifestyle. Because the identity of a faith community is linked to the observance of certain teachings, the term can be relinquished only if a more precise term can be produced that does not suppress the fact that a capacity for criticism also belongs to faith. Ingrid Schoberth II. New Testament Early Christianity, for which faith was an identity concept, was aware of the endangerment of Christian existence to the point of apostasy in the period before the awaited final fulfillment (cf. Matt 6:13 par.; 1 Cor 10:13; 1 Thess 3:5; Rev 3:10; Did. 16:5). Luke 8:13 and Heb 3:12 warn Christians against failing to sustain their initial faith and ending in unbelief if they “fall away” (from…

[German Version] I. Philosophy and Religious Studies – II. Christianity – III. Practical Theology – IV. Church Law – V. Judaism – VI. Islam I. Philosophy and Religious Studies The word “heresy” derives f…

[German Version] (Jan 26, 1857, Falkenberg – Aug 2, 1938, Marburg), professor of New Testament and church history in Marburg (1889–1923). Jülicher established the modern field of parable research with his methodical (1886) and exegetical (1899) twin studies: he drew a historical-critical distinction between the allegories (Allegory: III) of the Gospels and the parables of Jesus o…