engleski

Hope as a virtue of the periphery? Can the Churches in Eastern Europe still be Generators of Hope?

Starting from the biblical concept of hope as a theological virtue, and than referring to the theory of space by Michel Foucault, role of the Churches in the society in fomer communist European countries is examined. Hope as a Christian virtue is confidence that God will keep his promise and give future. As theological virtue hope has its origin in faith, and its fulfillment in love. Hope maintains faith alive in times of crisis, of blurred vision of God and God's presence. At the time of communism, Christian Churches were carriers of hope in the face of dictatorship, of freedom and human rights restrictions. The Churches were marginalized, controlled, on the periphery, in the underground. At the same time, they were the guardians of freedom and the bearer of hope. After the collapse of communist regimes, Churches came from the periphery into the center of social events and occupied an important role in building society. They have become a part of the establishment, institutionally visible and materially supported. Have they lost their freedom, the possibility of critical speech and prophetic action? Churches are today exposed to further transformation processes. How they can become Churches of the Periphery (EG), of recognition and acceptance, as places of lived spirituality, of practice of human values, taking part for the weaker, rightless, threatened? How Churches can become "creative minorities", transforming themselves, the societies in which they live and the world as a whole?

Churches in Eastern (Middle) Europe ; Michel Foucault ; Power ; Churches of the periphery ; Hope

See more: https://iapt- cs.org/ojs/index.php/iaptcs/article/view/60