Mokslo ir tikėjimo dialogai

The article analyzes the Christian Church in the first centuries of controversy about the divine mercy and understanding of the operation in the believer’s life. Briefly reviewing the biblical teaching about the divine grace. Highlights the key terms in the Old and New Testaments. It reviews the doctrines of grace in the origins of Gnostic Manichean sects. Discussion about the operation of the grace of one of the greatest the echoes reached the Pelagius and St. Augustine teachings. Their doctrine, especially Augustine, centuries later influenced the development of the Catholic doctrine of grace for the individual man and for the whole Church. Augustine understood the divine grace of anthropological perspectives as a new relationship with God through Jesus Christ’s saving event. This relationship is just a pure gift from God, given to everyone who has faith in the Savior. By their nature the man deserves such a gift, so it is in vain received grace, leads man to the justification, and thus to eternal salvation.

A person is a sexual being expressing oneself as a man or a woman. People exercise relationships and possess a certain gender identity. However, as a result of the sin and damaged sexuality, there is an incentive to use oneself and others as instruments whereas it becomes difficult, if not impossible, to build and maintain relationships and to experience sexuality (femininity or masculinity) and one’s gender the way that the Creator has planned for the human nature. Restoration of these sin-damaged abilities of relationships, sexuality and gender identity is possible by turning to God, recognizing His plan for people and believing in His power and willingness to restore within a person what has been ruined. Different practices of Christian faith, psychotherapy or self-help groups serve this purpose. One of the ways to render assistance is programs of “Living Water”. In Lithuania there are two active programs: “Living Water” and “In the Beginning”. In a number of cases these programs have a positive impact on personal relationships, sexuality and gender identity.This article focuses on God’s plan, personal relationships, sexuality and gender identity, which were all corrupted by the sin, discusses possible solutions to restore what has been damaged by the sin, as well as presents the analysis of the outcomes of the research on the influence of the programs of “Living Water” on women’s personal relationships, sexuality and gender identity.

Der Artikel ist vorbereitet auf Grund der in den letzten Jahren erschienener und leicht erreichbarer fülle der verschiedenen Erinnerungen die sind geschrieben von der ehemaligen Einwohnern des Memellandes – genau litauischen wie deutschen Herkunft. Das Ziel dieser Forschung ist erkennen wie durch die Entwicklung des regionalen Selbstbewusstseins verwirklichten sich die Ideen und Modellen des nationalen und konfessionellen Bewusstseins die waren entwickelt von den Stellvertretern der selber Nation aber in den Verschiedenen historischen und konfessionellen umständen.

The article analyses the historical context of the life and activities of Jesus of Nazareth, and includes the person of Pontius Pilate. At the centre of the Christian faith has always been and is the figure of Jesus Christ. Therefore, Christology occupies an important place in theological studies. No theological study will be complete without a deeper look at Jesus Christ. Christology has received particular attention throughout the centuries, but studies over the last few decades, especially in the second half of the twentieth century, place particular emphasis on the historical person and context of Jesus Christ. In this context, various historical figures are found. This includes Pontius Pilate. This deputy of the Roman emperor ruled Palestine at the very time when Jesus Christ lived and acted in it. He entered history as one of his participants in the trial, initially trying to justify Jesus, but eventually condemning him and perishing with the “Jewish hands”.

The Ark of the Covenant, Blessed Virgin Mary and the Tabernacle are visible signs of God’s presence. In the era of the Old Testament, God, who surpasses all that is on Earth, descends to the sacred tent with the Ark of the Covenant. At the time of the New Testament, the closeness and holiness of God was carried within Blessed Virgin Mary. And in the period of the Church Jesus stays with the mankind in the Holy Eucharist which is kept in the Tabernacle. This article presents the continuity of the Holiest Place, which expresses God’s visible presence, throughout three time periods: the Ark of the Covenant at the time of the Old Testament, Blessed Virgin Mary at the time of the New Testament and the Tabernacle at the time of the Church. While reviewing the development of the Holiest Place we can see God’s desire to manifest and present Himself to the man. “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us ... full of grace and truth” (John 1: 14).

In the modern technologized XXI century, the man, surrounded by advancing medicine and improving conditions of life, stumbles upon the disease and the suffering it causes. In such a world full of disease and pain, the Church shows care for the sick in various spiritual ways. On February 11, 1992 St Pope John Paul II officially introduced the annual commemoration of the World Day of the Sick, when the Catholic Church celebrates the liturgy of Our Lady of Lourdes. The World Day of the Sick was first commemorated on 11 February, 1993. John Paul II pronounced thirteen world days of the sick (1993–2005) and addressed them with special letters-messages. Also, John Paul II introduced the tradition of celebrating the World Day of the Sick every year in an important shrine dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary of a chosen country. The choice of such shrines dedicated to Mary reveals that the Church is attentive to all suffering physically and spiritually, that the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary is called upon in the prayers for health for the sick, and the Mother Mary of Jesus is shown to those caring for the sick as an example of the perfect love of God and neighbour. This article reviews the places of commemoration of the day of the sick associated with the Blessed Virgin Mary in the letters of Pope John Paul II. Discussing the marianism of the places of commemoration of the world days of the sick, the care of Pope John Paul II for the sick and those who perform the service of love for the sick is revealed.

The 21st century is proclaimed to be the era of enhancement of quality of human life. Providing of social assistance plays an important role in the improvement of the quality of human life. In order to ensure the appropriate social assistance its providers have to be guided by ethical norms. Adherence to the principles of ethics is the basis of social assistance which makes it even more effective. The ability to behave ethically while providing social assistance is the main qualitative aspect of the service for its clients. This article highlights those ethical principles which are connected to respect, justice and protection.

In diesem Artikel, auf Grund der systematisch durchgeführten Forschungen und zusammengebrachten Archivalien, erforscht man die Wirkung und die Geschichte der Evangelisch theologischen Fakultät der Universität Vytautas der Magnus in Kaunas als Beispiel den konfessionellen Politik die war geführt von der Seite der Litauischen Regierung in dem Gebiet Klaipėda / Memel in der zwischenkrieg Zeit. Das ist die Forschung derer Ziel ist zu erforschen wie durch die Entwicklung der Fakultät waren verwirklicht die Ideen und Modellen des nationalen litauischen Bewusstseins die waren entwickelt von den Stellvertretern der selber Nation aber in den Verschiedenen historischen und konfessionellen umständen. Dieser Artikel ist vorbereitet im Jahre 2014 in Rahmen des Nationalen Projektes „Transfer der Ideen in dem Kontexte der nationalen Wiedergeburt. Dialog zwischen Preußisch Litauen und Litauen.“ – Förderung des Wissenschaft Rates Litauens. Projekt MIP-14122.

The first part of the article is intended to reveal theoretical assumptions for a parish priest’s andragogical functions and possibilities for expansion thereof within a community. The second one – empirical research – is intended to present the approach of X community members towards the andragogical functions exercised by the parish priest within the community as well as competencies required for exercising thereof. The article supports andragogical functions exercised by religious denomination leaders – parish priests, possibilities for expansion thereof, in cooperation with adult educator and andragogists, through sharing of experience and collaborating for the benefit of community. The developed empirical research methodology might be helpful to priests of other parishes, too, in exercising the andragogical functions within the community. This article provides recommendations to andragogists and leaders of religious denominations – parish priests, in terms of improvement of the andragogical functions exercising process.

The article examines the Lutheran liturgy in a theological and historical context. It analyzes its structure, surveys the criteria for liturgical reforms in the sixteenth century, considers the possible classification of a wide variety of Lutheran agendas as well as the influence of pietism and the Enlightenment on the liturgical life of the church. Particular attention is given to the Prussian Union and its agenda which has awakened a new liturgical sensibility among the Lutheran Churches and prompted them to re-appreciate their confessional and liturgical heritage, leading to the preparation of new agendas that more clearly reflected their confessional identity. The influence of liturgical movements on the sacramental life of the church and the results of the liturgical reforms carried out by the Lutheran churches of the United States, Germany, and Scandinavia in the twentieth century are also considered.