Bogoslovska smotra, Vol. 73 No. 4, 2003.
Izvorni znanstveni članak
Particularism in the Service of Universality Indications of a Global Perspective in the Bible
Ivan Dugandžić
; Katolički bogoslovni fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Sažetak
This paper takes the view that the idea of modern globalisation provides us with a challenge, and furthermore, in the light of the Bible, it considers the correct position that Christians ought to take in relation to the unstoppable process of globalisation. Many Christians are somewhat disturbed by the increasing criticism and rejection of Christianity by representatives of the global idea, due its prominent and absolute advantage in relation to globalisation over and above other religions, an advantage it draws considerably from the Bible. The author attempts to solve these problems by revealing many elements of global thinking in the Bible, which are often not taken into account.
Although Israel considered herself the chosen nation and the people of the covenant, she was conscious from the very beginning that this was deemed on account of other peoples and likewise for other peoples. Here Abraham and his blessing upon all nations plays a particularly important role (Gen 12,2-3), which today three world religions, Judaism, Christianity and Islam accept as common heritage and something to which they are all in one way or another obligated. The pilgrimages of pagans to Zion (Is 2, 2-5) who will travel there »in days to come« on account of the praise of Yahweh’s revealed in Israel, demonstrate a wide perspective of fellowship in the Bible. The same prophet provides a vision of a highway that will connect Assyria, Israel and Egypt. Although Israel remains Yahweh's »heritage«, this does not prevent Him from also calling the other two nations his »own« (Is 19, 23-25).
Although Jesus considered himself Israel's Messiah, from the beginning he reveals an all-encompassing dimension to his mission by alluding to the realisation of the above-mentioned pilgrimages of pagans to Zion in the Old Testament on at least several occasions. Jesus achieves this when he makes mention of the communal feast in the kingdom of heaven (comp. Mat 8,11-12/Lk 13,28-29), in his criticism of the institution of the temple (Mk 11,17,• Mat 21,13; Lk 19,46; comp. Jn 2,17) and by his announcement of a new type of worship in spirit and truth (Jn 4,23).
Paul who did all in his might that the Gospel may win over all pagans, while never rejecting Israel, considered the Church, which derived from pagans and Jews (faithful remnant), the source of hope for all of Israel, maintaining the view that Isaiah's vision of the coming of the Saviour from Zion (Is 59,20-21 - Rom 11,26-27) will be finally realized in Israel. Clearly, Christians and Jews must begin to read the Bible with one other and not one against another, in order to discover the dimensions of the mission to all nations, which they both share together.
Ključne riječi
globalisation: Israel; covenant; Abraham's blessing; the tower of Babylon; pilgrimages of the pagans to Zion; monotheism; polytheism; Jesus; Paul; Church
Hrčak ID:
27347
URI
Datum izdavanja:
10.2.2004.
Posjeta: 2.236 *