Papers by Jean Francesco A . L . Gomes
Revista Teológica Jonathan Edwards, 2021
Este ensaio explora a influência das noções teológicas nos discursos de Kuyper como político. Arg... more Este ensaio explora a influência das noções teológicas nos discursos de Kuyper como político. Argumenta que a teologia de Kuyper se localiza como princípio arquitetônico que impulsiona seu raciocínio sociopolítico na batalha por uma educação plural holandesa. Em primeiro lugar, apresenta a noção de raízes religiosas da cultura humana e como isso levou Kuyper a desvendar os motivos espirituais do sistema educacional secular de sua época. Em seguida, examina o conceito de esferas soberanas. Embora essa fosse uma noção teológica, para Kuyper ela foi trabalhada como uma teoria social para estabelecer os direitos e deveres do Estado em matéria educacional. Finalmente, explora a doutrina da graça comum, sua contribuição para a pedagogia e o lugar dessa doutrina na formação de coalizões com outras religiões e filosofias.
Themelios, 2022
This article offers a reading of Nicholas Wolterstorff’s objections to the doctrine of divine sim... more This article offers a reading of Nicholas Wolterstorff’s objections to the doctrine of divine simplicity, which has seen a kind of rebirth amongst both Catholic and Protestant theologians in recent decades. For some, Wolterstorff denies divine simplicity because it might rule out all distinctions in God and thereby be inconsistent with the variety of divine attributes. Others locate Wolterstorff’s position as part of the modern philosophical movement that rejects divine simplicity because of a conflict between essentialist and actualist ontologies. Although the above criticisms are fair, there is more to Wolterstorff that prevents him from accepting divine simplicity. From a liturgical point of view, he argues that divine simplicity entails confusions for people attending worship, such as the notion that divine interaction with human beings would be merely metaphorical language. Although this last argument by Wolterstorff should be appreciated given its pastoral appeal, this article proposes to demonstrate that none of Wolterstorff’s arguments compels us to deny divine simplicity, not even his most significant liturgical critique.
Credo Magazine, 2021
In this brief article, I am pleased to introduce the Genevan Catechism (1542/1545), the culminati... more In this brief article, I am pleased to introduce the Genevan Catechism (1542/1545), the culmination of John Calvin’s concern to reach the unlearned audience of Geneva, and propose that the catechetical practice still stands as a useful strategy for training youth in the faith and incorporating them into the liturgical life of the church.
Link to read the article: https://credomag.com/article/the-genevan-catechism/
Journal of Reformed Theology, 2021
The aim of this paper is to investigate how Abraham Kuyper and some late neo-Calvinists have addr... more The aim of this paper is to investigate how Abraham Kuyper and some late neo-Calvinists have addressed the doctrine of creation in light of the challenges posed by evolutionary scientific theory. I argue that most neo-Calvinists today, particularly scholars from the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU), continue Kuyper's legacy by holding the core principles of a creationist worldview. Yet, they have taken a new direction by explaining the natural history of the earth in evolutionary terms. In my analysis, Kuyper's heirs at the VU today offer judicious parameters to guide Christians in conversation with evolutionary science, precisely because of their high appreciation of good science and awareness of the non-negotiable elements that make up the orthodox Christian narrative.
Unio cum Christo, 2021
This essay proposes that the Reformed theology of ordinary life has promising principles that can... more This essay proposes that the Reformed theology of ordinary life has promising principles that can be applied to the recent challenges of the digital age. It first examines how contemporary scholars have grappled with the challenges posed by virtual life, highlighting their advantages and disadvantages. Then, it suggests that the Reformed attitude for sanctifying ordinary life leads Christians inevitably to embrace discipline in their use of technology. The author recommends digital resistance and digital intentionality as judicious parameters for Christian engagement in a digital age.
Revista Teológica de Campinas, 2020
What is apocalyptic literature and what are its implications for the interpretation of Revelation... more What is apocalyptic literature and what are its implications for the interpretation of Revelation of John? This article suggests that while Jewish apocalyptic literature influenced early Christian thought, the Old Testament was the main factor that forged the mindset of the writers of the New Testament, particularly the Apocalypse of John. It critically presents the historical and conceptual developments of recent contributions in apocalyptic literature. It then analyzes how this apocalyptic mindset was judiciously adopted by the New Testament authors. Finally, and taking into account the sui generis characteristics of Revelation of John, it highlights some hermeneutic landmarks for the ease of understanding of its message. Therefore, a reading proposal for the Revelation of John must contemplate not only the discoveries of apocalyptic literature, but eminently the literary resources of the Hebrew canon itself.
Fides Reformata, 2019
Este artigo tem como objetivo responder a seguinte pergunta: como cristãos devem se engajar com a... more Este artigo tem como objetivo responder a seguinte pergunta: como cristãos devem se engajar com as tecnologias digitais? O autor argumenta que a doutrina da vida comum desenvolvida pelos reformadores continua sendo promissora se aplicada aos recentes dilemas da era digital. Em primeiro lugar, o artigo introduz a doutrina reformada de vocação destinada a uma santa interação no mundo. Em seguida, o autor define o conceito tecnologia digital e apresenta os desafios impostos por ela. Por fim, o autor sugere algumas disciplinas digitais para orientar o uso cristão intencional de tais tecnologias. Em linhas gerais, o autor reconhece a utilidade das tecnologias digitais como expressões da criatividade humana, sem ser ingênuo diante do potencial perigoso e idólatra que elas possuem.
Fides Reformata XXIV, 1, 2019
This essay explores the Genevan Catechism of 1542/1545 in order to present how it was used and in... more This essay explores the Genevan Catechism of 1542/1545 in order to present how it was used and influenced the Reformation in Calvin's Geneva. Various scholars have emphasized Calvin's educational agenda for Geneva, but they seem to overlook the strategic role of catechesis in that process. The author argues that catechesis had a strategic role in Geneva's religious education because of its threefold implementation at church services, home instruction, and school classes. He first presents the use and context of catechesis in the churches of Geneva. Then, he discusses how the catechism was used in the households of that city. Finally, he sheds light on the catechetical use of the Apostle's Creed, the Ten Commandments, and the Lord's Prayer in the literacy method of the schools in Geneva. In conclusion, the author suggests that Calvin's catechetical threefold approach to Christian education , adequately contextualized, remains challenging for the church today.
Revista Teológica (Campinas), 2019
This article aims to evaluate two pastoral approaches of renowned authors in popular and academic... more This article aims to evaluate two pastoral approaches of renowned authors in popular and academic circles, each representing a specific theological view regarding the problem of suffering. The first approach to be analyzed will be Rob Bell’s version of universalism. The second is known as open theism endorsed by Gregory Boyd. This study briefly presents each author’s views, their assumptions, pastoral applications, and possible misinterpretations of biblical texts. At the end of this article, the author offers a theodicy from the Scripture and following Reformed theological tradition.
Revista Teológica (Campinas), 2018
A doutrina e prática pedocomunialista tem crescido nos últimos anos dentro das igrejas protestant... more A doutrina e prática pedocomunialista tem crescido nos últimos anos dentro das igrejas protestantes, especialmente entre aquelas que abraçam a tradição reformada. Por quais razões isso tem acontecido? Este artigo tem como objetivo fornecer um traçado histórico da prática pedocomunialista, apresentar os principais argumentos teológicos pró e contra e, ao final, elaborar uma posição em relação ao assunto que seja coerente com a Escritura e a teologia da aliança.
Book Reviews by Jean Francesco A . L . Gomes
Calvin Theological Journal, 2021
1905) and most significantly a new education bill, finally passed in 1920, that established three... more 1905) and most significantly a new education bill, finally passed in 1920, that established three types of publicly funded schools, namely, Catholic, Calvinist, and "neutralist." Because such achievements have gained little traction in the Americas, many scholars have been rereading Kuyper as a guiding light that could redirect current educational policy choices. He advocated the principle that neither the church nor the state should take the primary responsibility for children's education out of parents' hands. While developing a pluralist educational system informed by Kuyper's approach, one still needs to have access to his writings on education. After a long wait, it is a genuine joy to English-speakers to see among the twelve volumes of "Kuyper's Collected Works in Public Theology," a specific book titled On Education. This anthology begins with three introductions. The first broadly presents the shared conviction of the series editors, Jordan J. Ballor and Melvin Flikkema, that Kuyper's views on education are a significant resource for Christian public witness and hold great potential to build intellectual capacity within the church worldwide (vii-x). The second, written by volume editor Wendy Naylor, gives an overview of the main concepts involving Kuyper's theology and educational policy, such as freedom of conscience, social justice, sound pedagogy, and parental rights (xi-xli). Finally, Charles L. Glenn, in the third introduction, tries to discern the benefits and applications of Kuyper's theory in the current American context (xlii-lxi).
Calvin Theological Journal, 2020
Calvin Theological Journal, 2020
Book Review
Calvin Theological Journal, 2020
Book Review
Calvin Theological Journal, 2019
Book Review
Calvin Theological Journal, 2019
Book Review
Calvin Theological Journal, 2019
Book Review
Uploads
Papers by Jean Francesco A . L . Gomes
Link to read the article: https://credomag.com/article/the-genevan-catechism/
Book Reviews by Jean Francesco A . L . Gomes
Link to read the article: https://credomag.com/article/the-genevan-catechism/