https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/112723 2026-04-12T22:12:51Z 2026-04-12T22:12:51Z Berry, John Anthony https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/113913 2023-10-30T10:45:24Z 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: The spirit of the Reformation 500 years on : proceedings of the Malta International Theological Conference, vol. II Authors: Berry, John Anthony Abstract: The commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation has gone down in history as one of the most important achievements in the ecumenical movement and in the life of the Church at large. A question that remains fundamental up till our very day is the following: “Does Martin Luther’s lived theology have anything to say to us today?” For this reason, academics and ecumenists from a number of distinguished European Universities as well as from the University of Malta came together to interpret anew the theological gifts received through the Lutheran Reformation in their appropriate historical and ecclesial context. The conference proceedings are divided in three parts: the exploration of the historical context, the major theological issues within that context, and an appraisal of the spirit of the reformation today. This endeavour revealed significant insights: a commitment to narrate the story in a different way, a celebration of the return to the sources of the Christian faith that has actually produced a process of regeneration of the faith both for Lutherans and for Catholics, and a mutual recognition can never be underestimated. Whatever its impact on history, the Reformation remains meaningful, first and foremost as a spiritual event focusing on the relationship of the self with God, as an opportunity to bring out the riches in both traditions, as well as a reminder that dialogue opens up fresh avenues of thought.; CONTRIBUTORS:; Beate Bengard, John Anthony Berry (editor), Charlo Camilleri, Rene Camilleri, Pauline Dimech, Damian Dorocki, Dominic Fenech, Ute Gause, George Grima, Oleh Kindiy, Anne Kull, Piotr Roszak, Hector Scerri and Paul Sciberras.

2023-01-01T00:00:00Z Grima, George https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/112903 2023-10-26T10:15:48Z 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Concluding reflections Authors: Grima, George Abstract: After listening to the conference papers, with some discussion in between, there is place only for some general remarks. A rather obvious remark is that whatever reflections we may share with each other at the close of any conference, especially a conference like the one we have just had, can never be final. Our reflections and discussions can perhaps be best understood as a small part of our individual and collective effort to understand afresh the significance of an event that marked so deeply not only the history of Christianity but also so many cultural, economic, political and other social aspects of our life in the past 500 years.

2023-01-01T00:00:00Z Dimech, Pauline https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/112902 2023-10-26T10:14:06Z 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Communio sanctorum communio bonorum von Balthasar and Luther Authors: Dimech, Pauline Abstract: I have chosen not to look at the issue of sainthood and the veneration of the saints, nor at Luther’s arguments concerning indulgences and Purgatory, or the theological concepts of satisfaction, and of merit, or the question of personal sanctification, which are among the more controversial issues between Catholics and Protestants to this day. I have, instead, decided to examine the concept of the Communio Sanctorum itself, convinced that delving into the former topics often serves as an avoidance tactic by theologians, and that, before one delves into the many controversial issues associated with the theme, one ought to try and clarify the concept itself, since it will have to act as the grounding for all further discussion. In carrying out this hermeneutical exercise, I wish to compare the writings of the two great theologians: Martin Luther and Hans Urs von Balthasar. Considering that this paper is being written on the anniversary of the Reformation, Martin Luther was a compulsory choice. However, Luther was not just a central figure in the Reformation, he is also one of the more important theologians where the communio sanctorum is concerned. I chose von Balthasar not only because I am familiar with his writings on the communio sanctorum and on the saints, but also because the communio sanctorum was a very important theological concept for him too.

2023-01-01T00:00:00Z Kindiy, Oleh https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/112901 2023-10-26T10:12:10Z 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: The impact of eschatological differences in Catholic and Lutheran traditions on modern understanding of God’s creation Authors: Kindiy, Oleh Abstract: In his book on the roots of secularisation of Western society, Charles Taylor singled out three main domains in which the category of God, once deeply rooted in the premodern period, lost its essential role. He spoke of the physical world that surrounded people, the social order, such as a kingdom, polis, and Church, and finally the “enchanted” world in its fullness. He noted that in the year 1500 one could hardly imagine anyone who would not have faith in God; however, in 2000 many consider this not only a plausible alternative, but also, in many cases, an inevitable choice.

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