In the virtual world elaborated in Marvel’s movies (the “Marvel Cinematic Universe” or MCU), “science” is creatively, strategically confused with “magic” and/or “religion.” Key supernatural/magical elements of the franchise’s comic-book source material are “retconned” (retroactively granted new narrative coherence and continuity) as advanced…[Read more]

This article considers several instances of biblical reception in the science-fiction role-playing game Horizon Zero Dawn (Guerrilla Games/Sony, 2017). The game’s characterisation of technology, science, and religion has led some commentators to understand Horizon Zero Dawn as presenting a firm rejection of religious narratives in favour of s…[Read more]

Introduction, Greek text, and English translation of 3 Apocryphal Apocalypse of John, a Byzantine question-and-answer dialogue between Abraham and John set after Jesus’s ascension.

Introduction, Greek text, and English translation of 3 Apocryphal Apocalypse of John, a Byzantine question-and-answer dialogue between Abraham and John set after Jesus’s ascension.

Introduction, Greek text, and English translation of 3 Apocryphal Apocalypse of John, a Byzantine question-and-answer dialogue between Abraham and John set after Jesus’s ascension.

Introduction, Greek text, and English translation of 3 Apocryphal Apocalypse of John, a Byzantine question-and-answer dialogue between Abraham and John set after Jesus’s ascension.

This study examined the communication avenues for combating breast cancer in Orba, a rural community of Enugu State, Nigeria. To accomplish this goal, 200 women from the community were sampled. The results revealed that 87% of the respondents were aware of media messages on breast cancer; however, 74.5% and 65% respectively, claimed that they had…[Read more]

Representation, primarily understood as ‘presence’ or ‘appearance’ with an implied
visual component, is a critical concept in the cultural milieu. Conceived as images,
performances, and imitations, representations propagate through various media:
films, television, photographs, advertisements, and other forms of popular culture.
As such, r…[Read more]

The earliest medical descriptions of anorexia occurred in 1689 with Richard
Morton’s Phthisiologia, Or, A Treatise of Consumptions, however, it took another
century for medical science to accept anorexia nervosa as a medical condition.
Later on, it was Hilde Bruch who initiated the first public discussion on anorexia
in the latter half of t…[Read more]

This study examined such issues as social media in personality development
and their influence on the development of public activism among young people.
We also estimate the efficiency that various forms of information exchange
have (shared or anonymous). The empirical base of the research includes
sociological surveys held in Kazakhstan. We…[Read more]

This paper examines the collaborative project to preserve and interpret Har Hasetim, the Gladwyne Jewish Memorial Cemetery. In fall 2015, Villanova University professor Craig Bailey approached the Friends of the Cemetery, an organization affiliated with the local Beth David Reform Congregation, about jointly restoring Har Hasetim. The ensuing…[Read more]

Reading the biblical conquest stories in light of the UN Declaration on the rights of Indigenous peoples and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.

This note examines the use of the term “daric” in 1 Chr 29:7 for its ideological purposes, concluding that the anachronism was deployed purposely to signal resistance to imperial rule.

[This draft is for the Oxford Handbook of Apophatic Theology.] This chapter identifies an apophatic theology common to the three Cappadocian Fathers—Basil of Caesarea, Gregory of Nazianzus, and Gregory of Nyssa. The central theme of their apophatic theology is the incomprehensibility of God. God, they argue, is known under multiple concepts and n…[Read more]

This chapter presents a comparative analysis of four Lebanese films in order to understand how they portray Muslim and Christian coexistence in midst of war.

This essay explores the persistent scholarly desires and motivations that structure the historical study of conversion in religious studies. Most “conversion studies” take a phenomenological approach, which acknowledges the diverse processes, contexts, and meanings of conversion but nonetheless sees the phenomenon as a way to access the con…[Read more]

This essay explores the persistent scholarly desires and motivations that structure the historical study of conversion in religious studies. Most “conversion studies” take a phenomenological approach, which acknowledges the diverse processes, contexts, and meanings of conversion but nonetheless sees the phenomenon as a way to access the con…[Read more]

This is the fifth episode of a five-part podcast series exploring the theology of prayer through a historic lens. The episode explores Dietrich Bonhoeffer and his theology of prayer through select excerpts from his work “Life Together”. The complete five-part series includes a theology of prayer in the works of: Saint Augustine, Saint Francis of…[Read more]

This is the fourth episode of a five-part podcast series exploring the theology of prayer through a historic lens. The episode explores Jonathan Edwards and his theology of prayer as seen in both an essay he authored as well as a sermon, “The Most High, A Prayer Hearing God” preached in 1735. The complete five-part series includes a theology of…[Read more]

This is the third episode of a five-part podcast series exploring the theology of prayer through a historic lens. The episode explores Martin Luther and his theology of prayer from select excerpts of his Large Catechism and Small Catechism. The complete five-part series includes a theology of prayer in the works of: Saint Augustine, Saint Francis…[Read more]