Verbum Vitae

Various Methods of Introducing a New Character in Hebrew Bible Stories

Barbara Rzepka — 2025-12-19

The introduction of a character in a biblical narrative is intimately linked to that character’s narrative function, a connection that is reflected in the stylistic strategies employed by the biblical authors. This study aims to identify the primary stylistic techniques used by biblical writers to bring new characters onto the “stage” of their narratives. The first part of the study, employing narrative analysis, explores the various modes of introducing the protagonist in relation to the plot structure, the stylistic constructions adopted by the authors, and the presentation, characterization, and narrative function of the protagonist’s name at the moment of their entrance into the narrative. The second part of the research focuses on the entrance of secondary characters in relation to the plot, and on how they are presented and characterized at the moment of their appearance into the narrative. The analysis reveals that protagonists are typically introduced at the very beginning of the narrative, generally through one of three principal methods: narration, plot exposition, or in medias res. In contrast, secondary characters, as the analysis demonstrates, appear at various points in the narrative, depending on their narrative function. Unlike protagonists, they are not usually given an extensive narrative introduction; rather, they are allotted limited space within the exposition or are inserted directly into the dramatic action through their activity. Their introduction is typically accompanied by minimal descriptive elements and is often connected to an already-present character within the narrative plot.

The "Place of God": Biblical Exegesis and Spirituality in Evagrius Ponticus

Daniel Jugrin — 2025-12-19

This article examines Evagrius Ponticus’s spirituality, centering on the metaphor of “the place of God” (τόπος Θεοῦ). It argues that Evagrius defines this “place” not as a geographical location but as the “formless state” of the intellect (νοῦς), attainable through practices such as “pure prayer” and the acquisition of impassibility (ἀπάθεια). The analysis employs close textual and biblical exegesis (Exod 24:10–11; Ezek 1:26; 10:1) to demonstrate how Evagrius’s thought highlights the inner transformation of the intellect. This purification, in turn, facilitates a direct, contemplative encounter with God, illustrating the profound integration of lived spiritual experience with his method of interpreting Scripture.

Navigating Moral Relativism: The Catholic Church’s Response in Contemporary America

Grzegorz Rozborski — 2025-12-19

The aim of the article is to show how moral relativism has become a defining feature of contemporary American culture, influencing individuals’ attitudes toward ethics, marriage, family, and social order. Additionally, the article aims to highlight the challenges facing the Catholic Church in fulfilling its mission in a society immersed in moral relativism. The problem of this study can be expressed through the following questions: What impact does moral relativism have on the moral beliefs of the people of the United States? What challenges does it pose to the Catholic Church in the 21st century? How is the Church to fulfill its mission in American society? The answers to these questions will be based on an analysis of the content of the documents of the universal Church and the Church in the United States, as well as publications by American theologians and sociologists. After a short introduction, the impact of moral relativism in the sphere of sexual ethics will be analyzed. Subsequently, the effects of moral relativism on marriage and family will be examined, along with relativism in the sphere of social order and organization. The final section of the article will analyze proposals for the pastoral activity of the Church in the United States in response to the challenges posed by moral relativism. The conclusion of this study is as follows: the more a society moves away from traditional norms and belief in God, the less happy individuals become. The Church must navigate the moral complexity of modern society while offering a compelling vision of human life rooted in the Truth.

Bible, Psychology, and Social Studies: Interdisciplinary Project "The Relevance of the Bible for the Development of Religious and Spiritual Resources," KUL, Lublin

Marcin Kowalski — 2025-12-19

The article reflects on the possible areas of cooperation between the Bible, psychology, and social studies. Introduction presents a methodological basis and a fresh dialog carried on in recent decades between biblical and psychological studies. In addition to the analysis of psychological phenomena in biblical texts from the classical, historical-critical perspective, scholars increasingly turn to positive psychology, neuroscience, and social studies, examining emotions, communication strategies, relationships, values and development of individuals and communities. The authors go on to indicate the topics and biblical texts that open up to a fruitful dialog with diverse psychological approaches. The second part of the paper describes an original project developed at the John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin (KUL) titled “The Relevance of the Bible for the Development of Religious and Spiritual Resources,” which uses two tools for studying changes in religious and spiritual resources: Religious Resources Scale and Spiritual Resources Scale. They are employed to study the impact of biblical texts on people who differ in terms of developmental conditions (e.g., age) and/or situational factors (including experience of existential emptiness, loneliness, bereavement, migration, and war conditions). The paper describes the methodology and the psychometric indicators of the above-mentioned measurement tools. The Religious Resources Scale and the Spiritual Resources Scale are used to detect religious and spiritual changes under the influence of biblical texts. They constitute the methodological basis for a pioneering interdisciplinary research conducted at KUL, which promotes a cooperation between biblical studies and psychology.

Spirit(s), Angels, and Virtues: The Reception of Isaiah 11:2–3a in Early Judaism

Simon Johansson — 2025-12-19

This article examines the reception history of Isa 11:2–3a in Second Temple Judaism, as it relates to pneumatological perceptions and uses of the words for “spirit” in Hebrew and Greek (rûaḥ and pneuma). Isaiah 11 plays an important role in messianic expectations in both Judaism and Christianity, but its reception in early Judaism sheds light also on early pneumatological developments and forms the background to later, early Christian interpretations of this text. Via close readings and analyses of (1) The Septuagint translation of Isa 11:2–3a; and relevant texts from (2) Qumran; (3) the Jewish Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha; and (4) the Targum Isaiah this study demonstrates different interpretative lines and uses of “spirit.” The main conclusions are that there are both royal or messianic and more “democratized” interpretations and applications of the original “royal charisma” in Isa 11:2; furthermore, that “spirit” can be used to denote the spirit of God, human dispositions, charismatic gifts or virtues, and angelic beings—and, sometimes, the distinctions between these categories are blurry and overlap.

Theotokos and Unity in the Context of the Theological Image of God: A Hypothesis of Dependence

Kazimierz Pek — 2025-12-19

This article addresses the presence of the Theotokos within the mystery of unity, analyzed in light of the theological image of God. It examines the hypothesis that the image of Mary is shaped by the theological image of God. Through an analysis of three Marian titles—Mater unitatis, Mater unionis, and Mater communionis—the study reveals how each reflects a distinct understanding of unity: as absolute oneness, reconciled diversity, and Trinitarian communion. The research confirms a dynamic and dialogical character of this dependence: the image of God conditions the development of Mariology, yet it is also Mariology—through its sensitivity to relationship, communion, and participation—that may inspire a deeper theological vision of God, especially in its Trinitarian dimension. Reflection on Mary in the context of unity not only enriches the doctrine of the Theotokos but also contributes to a renewed vision of both God and humanity.

The Doctrine of the Infinity of God and Its Implications: Clement of Alexandria and Gregory of Nyssa

Damian Mrugalski — 2025-12-19

This article aims to demonstrate that the concept of God’s infinity, as developed by Gregory of Nyssa in many of his works, may have been influenced by earlier Christian theology, rather than solely by Plotinus’ philosophy, as many contemporary scholars believe. One of the theologians who introduced this concept before Plotinus was Clement of Alexandria, who not only defined God as the infinite One, but also, like Gregory, drew important anthropological conclusions from the notion of infinity. After an introduction describing the history of research on the presence of a positively understood concept of the infinity of God in Christian theology before Plotinus, the article compares the doctrine of Clement of Alexandria with that of Gregory of Nyssa in the following three thematic sections: (1) the infinity of the incorporeal being; (2) the infinity of the Good; and (3) the infinity of the process of human assimilation to God. The method adopted in the article is a comparative analysis of ancient texts. The research carried out leads to the conclusion that both Clement and Gregory understand the nature of the infinite God similarly, use similar metaphors and argumentation, and believe that the process of human assimilation to God extends into infinity.

Ukrainian religious migration as a challenge to ecumenism in Poland

Oleksandr Dobroier — 2025-12-19

This article analyzes how military migration from Ukraine has changed the religious field in Poland. The author examines the impact of a large number of Ukrainian Christians of different denominations on the transformation of interchurch relations in Polish churches and their rethinking of confessional identity and pastoral approaches. The article examines the church environment of the three main denominations: Catholicism, Orthodoxy, and Protestantism. The research method used includes eleven semi-structured interviews with clergy and theologians of different denominations, as well as discourse analysis of church documents and media. As a result, new modes of ecumenical interaction have been identified: from institutional dialogue to practical concelebration and humanitarian cooperation. Military migration has become a catalyst for changes in Polish ecumenism from formal diplomacy to solidarity action. This experience demonstrates that in times of war, ecumenism ceases to be only a theological concept and becomes a tool for responding to social challenges.

Concern for the Identity of the Priest in Light of Benedict XVI’s Teaching

Łukasz Plata — 2025-12-19

In the article, the author reflects on the issue of priestly identity, being experienced in a mature way, in light of the teachings of Pope Benedict XVI. Based on an analysis of the Pope’s selected statements addressed to the clergy, three fundamental, internal dimensions of priestly identity have been identified: spiritual, psychological, and intellectual. They should find expression in the priest’s external ministry as a shepherd and minister of the sacraments, a witness to the world, as well as a teacher and evangelizer. The juxtaposition of these two dimensions—internal and external—illustrates their mutual complementarity, which determines the need for their integral development. The article demonstrates the formative potential of Benedict XVI’s teaching for the renewal of priestly life in the contemporary Church.

Out of Justice or Charity? The Fulfillment of the Vow to Serve the Poor in the Company of the Daughters of Charity in the Case of Servant of God Sister Barbara Samulowska, D.C.

Szczepan Szpoton — 2025-12-19

The author of the study reveals the nature and thus the richness of the vows lived out in the Company of the Daughters of Charity. Their specificity comes from the fact that these vows are non-religious, annual, and renewable. Furthermore, they are rooted in the mystery of Christ and the Church. An essential element of the promises made to God by the Daughters of Charity is that these promises are lived by in the light of the vow to serve the poor. The other vows are understood and lived by the sisters in relation to this very vow. Saint Vincent de Paul was convinced that serving the poor was doing justice. In turn, this had to be associated with charity. An example of living by the vow to serve the poor is Sr. Barbara Stanisława Samulowska, D.C. Her just service intertwined with mercy came not so much from the privilege of Marian revelations, which she experienced at Gietrzwałd, but rather from the fulfillment of the charism and aim of the congregation to which she belonged.

In Search of a Universal Landmark of Hermeneutic Reflection

Vaja Vardidze — 2025-12-19

The aim of the present article is to identify a universal landmark of hermeneutics in order to discern what is involved in the act of cognition and the object towards which the process of understanding is directed. The focus is placed on a paradigmatic shift from the horizon of dialogue between inner and outer speech to a perspective of freedom, which ultimately confers meaning upon the act of dialogue itself. In this context, reference is made to Hermann Krings’ transcendental analysis of freedom, which does not provide a direct answer to the hermeneutical question, but rather thematizes the preconditions for the realization of freedom. This thematization elucidates the substantive dimension of cognition, engages its point of origin and its teleological orientation, and substantiates the phenomenological perspective. However, in order to ensure that transcendental analysis is not construed as an absolutist claim regarding the determination of consciousness, the present article also points to the need for defining the status of the hermeneutical process itself. The process of transcendental analyses presupposes factuality, revisits the historical-critical method, and aims to “regulate” the inherent dynamics and laws of understanding. Such an approach gestures toward the horizon of the possibility of understanding, which, although shaped by a regulative concept (a worldly mediation) and situated within a framework of epistemic reference or a particular system of thought—may also be determined by the creative act of the Absolute. As such, this act transcends the existing epistemic frameworks and cognitive systems, thereby opening a theological perspective that does not negate rational categories but rather integrates them into the quest for an order oriented toward the Absolute.

The Acts of the Apostles as a Portrayal of the Synodal Church?

Krzysztof Mielcarek — 2025-12-19

This article explores the concept of synodality in the Acts of the Apostles. Although the term σύνοδος is absent from the New Testament, potentially leading to premature negative assumptions, an etymological analysis of its components (the preposition σύν and the noun ἡ ὁδός) yields more positive insights. Drawing on synodal documents and selected passages from Luke’s second volume, the study establishes certain connections between the modern notion of synodality and the practices of the early Church, delineating essential criteria for the attitudes of members within today’s synodal Church.

The Christological Interpretation of the Psalms in the Confraternity Book The Royal Throne by Jakub Paweł Radliński: Theological, Historical, and Spiritual Dimensions in the Context of the Era

Piotr Kot — 2025-12-19

The authors of the article address the question of the originality and significance of the Christological interpretation of five psalms (Ps 2; 20[19]; 45[44]; 99[98]; 110[109]) included by Fr. Jakub Paweł Radliński in his work titled The Royal Throne, published in 1735 for the needs of the Priestly Confraternity in Sanok. The book was prepared as a formation manual. For this reason, its reading prompts questions about the criteria for selecting the texts, the purpose of the Christological interpretation of the psalms, the originality of the edition in relation to other works of this type, as well as the specific theological and spiritual message it conveys. Due to the interdisciplinary nature of the research, the authors employ various methods and approaches. They begin by presenting the particular features of Radliński’s translation of the psalms in comparison with other Polish translations of the Psalter from the 14th–18th centuries. This contextual study is also important from a hermeneutical perspective, as it allows one to assess the theological correctness and the legitimacy of the Christological criterion in the translation of the psalms. Next, the psalm texts are subjected to an exegetical analysis that takes the canonical approach into account. In the next stage, the confraternity book is compared with other similar texts discovered in various libraries and archives in Poland for the purposes of the study. The use of the comparative method makes it possible to determine its historical value, biblical and theological distinctiveness, and ultimately to indicate the purpose of applying the Christological criterion in the translation of the psalms with reference to the formation of priests, who were the intended recipients of the book. The fruit of the thoughtful selection of psalms and their interpretation is the presentation of Jesus Christ as High Priest and King, an encouragement for the clergy to adopt an attitude of adoration toward Him and, as a consequence, to imitate His virtues. The emphasis on the dignity of Christ and His authority over the entire world was particularly important in the post-Reformation context, which had significantly diminished the value of the sacrament of Holy Orders.

The Fermentum in the Historical Context of the Roman Liturgy

Łukasz Celiński — 2025-12-19

This contribution is a historical study of the ancient Roman practice of fermentum, which was already established and attested in the city of Rome at the beginning of the 5th century. Despite the scarcity of documentation relating to this liturgical practice, a critical study of the sources, together with their broader context, offers a more complete view of the phenomenon. Our study offers a critical re-evaluation not only of the liturgical sources themselves, but also of the opinions of leading scholars of the past regarding the Roman practice of fermentum.

Intergenerational Transmission of Values Among Three Generations of Polish Women: The Moderating Role of Religiosity

Julia Gorbaniuk — 2025-12-19

This article examines the intergenerational transmission of values in Polish families, focusing on three generations of women: grandmothers, mothers, and daughters. The point of departure is the axiological transformations observed in European societies, particularly the processes of secularization and individualization. The study involved 417 women from 139 three-generational families, in which the hierarchy of values was analyzed using Max Scheler’s theory. The findings reveal an increase in the importance of hedonistic and esthetic values across successive generations, accompanied by a decline in the significance of religious and secular sacred values. In religious families, however, the pace of these changes proved slower, with greater intergenerational similarity in value systems. Religiosity emerged as a significant moderator in the dynamics of axiological transformation. On this basis, the article draws pastoral conclusions that emphasize the need to support families in the process of religious and moral education. The results contribute to the broader discourse on value change in post-traditional societies, providing both a foundation for pastoral reflection and a point of departure for further interdisciplinary research.

"No One Will Say Anymore: The Ark of the Covenant of YHWH." Jeremiah 3:16 and Its Significance for the Tradition of the Ark of the Covenant

Janusz Lemański — 2025-12-19

The statement in Jer 3:16–17 about the loss of the Ark of the Covenant and the assertion that there is no further need to think about it is unique in the prophetic texts. Its significance, however, is not the result of this uniqueness, but pf the contents contained in it. The article compares the statistical interest in Ark in various theological circles from the times of the Old Testament. This data, along with an analysis of the potential roles assigned to the Ark, revealed a process in which it gradually lost its significance. The analysis of the potential historical circumstances allowed us to conclude that the statement of the prophet Jeremiah does not provide any information about how and when the Ak was lost. Diachronic analysis allows us to classify it as an editorial addition from the late period after the Babylonian exile. As such, it contains information about a significant change in Old Testament covenant theology. In the spirit of the post-exilc tradition of patriarchal promises, to the current vision of return of the diaspora and the renewal of the Kingdom of Israel (Jer 3:14–15, 18), there is now added the announcement of the pilgrimage of the nations to Zion and the inauguration of the universal Kingdom of God on earth.

Media Competencies in the Communication of Faith in Pope Francis' Messages for World Communications Day (2014–2025)

Mirosław Chmielewski — 2025-12-19

The article offers partial results of research on media competencies in the communication of faith, reconstructed on the basis of Pope Francis’ Messages for the World Communications Day (2014–2025). The research problem focuses on identifying the competencies deemed essential for the Christian proclamation within the digital culture and on analysing their theological and anthropological grounds in the face of such contemporary challenges as disinformation, social polarisation, and the development of artificial intelligence. A three-stage qualitative content analysis (exploration— categorisation—interpretation) was supported by contextual validation through comparison with the relevant literature and the teaching of the Church. The analysis helped to define five equivalent categories of media competencies: cognitive, ethical, relational, technical, and spiritual (each with four subcategories). This article discusses the first two of them, i.e. cognitive competencies (related to the search for truth, critical discernment, and reflection) and ethical competencies (responsibility, the culture of encounter, the ethics of technology, resistance to disinformation). Their mutual complementarity and deep grounding in Christian anthropology and Francis’ theology of communication were demonstrated. The messages show communication of the faith as an act of love, witness, and community-building, in which cognition and ethics constitute two inseparable dimensions of the mature presence of Christians in the media. The article concludes with seven findings and formative recommendations for media education and pastoral ministry in the context of digital culture. The remaining categories (relational, technical, and spiritual) will be discussed in a separate publication.