The theme of this dissertation, Jewish music and Jewish musical thinking, suggests a specific Jewish way of thinking about music that cannot be separated from cult and religion.The Tanakh, Mishnah... Show moreThe theme of this dissertation, Jewish music and Jewish musical thinking, suggests a specific Jewish way of thinking about music that cannot be separated from cult and religion.The Tanakh, Mishnah and Talmud, provide much information about music and musical thinking in general and culture and liturgy in particular. Answers are given to what Jewish music is not, but from what is meant by Jewish music clear answers are missing.In this dissertation, the focus is on seeking and finding answers to synagogue music—the hazzanut—from which all Jewish music originates. Attention is given to how the construction and use of synagogue organs and synagogue organ music indirectly answer what Jews may mean by Jewish music.My research demonstrates that we can only speak of Jewish musics. The term musics is used as a collective term for musical expressions within one culture and/or within the diversity of cultures in Judaism.In the Haskalah period, all questions concerning Jewish music merge. The result is a fierce debate about the subject of music and a fiery search for consensus on the views on Jewish music, which is reflected, among other things, in polemic articles about 'die Orgelfrage'. Show less
Wat doet meertaligheid met je geloofsbeleving? We zijn ons er vaak niet zo van bewust welk effect een specifieke taal kan hebben op de manier waarop je denkt, voelt en gelooft. Elke taal draagt een... Show moreWat doet meertaligheid met je geloofsbeleving? We zijn ons er vaak niet zo van bewust welk effect een specifieke taal kan hebben op de manier waarop je denkt, voelt en gelooft. Elke taal draagt een eigen wereld met zich mee die een ander verhaal vertelt. In dit artikel laat ik zien hoe complex meertaligheid eigenlijk is, en waarom we het in het geloof juist moeten vieren. Show less
The purpose of this thesis is to articulate a theological metaethic which accepts the nature of ethics as understood under the rubric of evolutionary theory. It will be argued that such a... Show moreThe purpose of this thesis is to articulate a theological metaethic which accepts the nature of ethics as understood under the rubric of evolutionary theory. It will be argued that such a theological methaethic can be interpreted as hopeful and optimistic given the apparent evolution of the moral from the amoral. The relationship between theology and evolutionary theory is presented here not as dichotomic but as dialectic – this is not to suggest that the two fields are mutually communicative, but rather that both can contribute to a cohesive, overarching worldview. In this respect, this thesis threads together the theological presupposition of a God of values with the naturalistic and material presuppositions of the modern scientific worldview (being cognizant of the fact that science may not necessarily be presented with these presuppositions). This dialectic occurs between two different but intertwined levels. One is the level of ethical systems; in this work, a particular understanding of Western Christian ethics. This level is framed by another, broader level of metaethics; in this thesis, an overarching understanding of the character of ethics will emerge from reflections on evolutionary theory and its naturalistic context. This will be a naturalistic view, though one which is understood to fit within a theological framework. Show less
In vier case studies wordt onderzocht hoe het ethische beginsel in de theologie in het denken en doen van D. Chantepie de la Saussaye en J.H. Gerretsen uitwerkte
This study tries to answer the question of what we can learn from four works by the Egyptian polymath, Jalal al-Din al-Suyuti (d. 911/1505) about the history of Islamic condemnation of logic and... Show moreThis study tries to answer the question of what we can learn from four works by the Egyptian polymath, Jalal al-Din al-Suyuti (d. 911/1505) about the history of Islamic condemnation of logic and theology, in addition to the light shed on this subject by modern scholarship. Al-Suyuti's works used in this study are (1) al-Qawl al-Mushriq (QM) (2) Jahd al-Qariha, (3) Sawn al-Mantiq (SM), and (4) his Fatwa against logic. In these works, al-Suyuti invites us to take a fresh look at the much debated issues of the origins and status of theology and logic in Islam. As a staunch defender of the prophetic sunna, he discussed these issues at several stages of his intellectual development. The result was a rich documentation of the history of the opposition to theology and logic in Islam, which deserves to be taken into account fully by modern scholars studying these issues. In his four works, al-Suyuti endeavors to persuade his readers that logic was opposed by 68 prominent scholars. An analysis of the contents of these four works indicates that hostility to logic did become a predominant feature of Sunni traditionalism, especially during the 13th, 14th, and 15th centuries. A prosopographical study of the opponents of logic mentioned by al-Suyuti shows that logic was condemned by distinguished Sunni scholars in Valencia, Fez, Aleppo, Iraq, and Mecca, and especially also in Egypt and Syria. Thus, the study of a newly-discovered QM manuscript and of al-Suyuti's fatwa confirms the veracity of al-Nashshar's reference, in 1947, to one of al-Suyuti's works discussed here, SM, explaining that al-Suyuti's SM constitutes the most complete encyclopaedia dealing with the (Islamic) criticism of Greek logic. Show less
The main focus of this dissertation is exploring the position of people with disabilities within two Islamic sciences, namely, Islamic Theology and Islamic Jurisprudence as reflected in the early... Show moreThe main focus of this dissertation is exploring the position of people with disabilities within two Islamic sciences, namely, Islamic Theology and Islamic Jurisprudence as reflected in the early and modern writings of Muslim scholars. Within Islamic Theology, attention is paid to the opinions of early and modern Muslims theologians and philosophers on the existence of disability in this life, the wise purposes behind the existence of this phenomenon in addition to the efforts of these scholars in order to reconcile between the existence of this phenomenon on one hand and specific divine attributes such as the Mercy of God. Within Islamic Jurisprudence, the contentions of early and modern Muslim specialists in Islamic law have been probed into concerning a broad scope of topics with modern relevance such as the human dignity of people with disabilities, their employability, medical treatment, social life with main focus on marriage-related issues, financial life and means of living for this group of people. Show less
D. Z. Phillips is a leading figure in advocating a Wittgensteinian approach to the philosophical study of religion. His writings exert an important influence on contemporary philosophy of religion,... Show moreD. Z. Phillips is a leading figure in advocating a Wittgensteinian approach to the philosophical study of religion. His writings exert an important influence on contemporary philosophy of religion, giving a new direction to the philosophical discussion of religious belief and practice. Although his work has prompted much – often critical – comment, a thorough investigation has not been forthcoming. Grammars of Faith fills that gap. The book pays close attention to Wittgenstein's own remarks on religious belief, arranging them against the background of his broader philosophical methodology, as well as to the efforts of the early Wittgensteinians at providing a more comprehensive Wittgensteinian philosophy of religion. Central to this study are Phillips's understanding of philosophical enquiry as a form of contemplation, and his descriptive accounts of religious belief. By means of a careful and methodical examination of Phillips's oeuvre, the study seeks to present a fair assessment of Phillips's position, showing not only its weaknesses, but also its strength Show less
