Louvain Studies, a quarterly review of the KU Leuven Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies, aims to promote international dialogue and reflection on contemporary theological, ethical, and pastoral issues. It also provides critical reviews of current theological literature, and a forum for the discussion of issues raised in the journal.
- Apologetic Theology and the Challenge of Rationalism. The Theological Project of Arnold Tits (1807-1851) and Louvain Traditionalism – KENIS, Leo
- Respect for the Proper Value of Each Creature. An Animal-Ethical Rethinking of the Encyclical Laudato si’ – LINTNER, Martin M.
- You Shall Not Take the Label ‘Blasphemy’ in Vain! Revisiting the Theological Nerve of Blasphemy in the Controversial Usages of Christian Imagery – MYKHALIUK, Khrystyna
- Book Reviews
- Books Received
Apologetic Theology and the Challenge of Rationalism. The Theological Project of Arnold Tits (1807-1851) and Louvain Traditionalism
KENIS, Leo
3-25
Abstract:
Arnold Tits (1807-1851) was a theology professor at the Catholic University of Louvain from 1840 to 1851. He became renowned with his design of an apologetic theology based on traditionalist ideas concerning human knowledge and religious faith, which he developed with his colleague, the philosopher G.C. Ubaghs. From the start, this project was increasingly criticized by proponents of classic Catholic theology. In the 1860s it was condemned by the Holy See, and later on replaced by Neo-Thomism that immediately gained prominence in Louvain. This account of Tits and Louvain traditionalism is concluded with some remarks on the significance and representativity of this project of Catholic fundamental theology as a genuine form of apologetic theology.
Respect for the Proper Value of Each Creature. An Animal-Ethical Rethinking of the Encyclical Laudato si’
LINTNER, Martin M.
26-48
Abstract:
The encyclical Laudato si’ (2015) marks an important step for Catholic-theological animal ethics. Pope Francis strongly criticizes various forms of anthropocentrism which fail to consider non-human beings properly, and he speaks of the ‘proper value of each creature’ because – independently of its usefulness for humans – every creature expresses the goodness of divine creation. This papal statement on animals marks not only an increasingly significant topic in Catholic theology, but also presents a paradigm shift in Catholic-theological animal ethics. Notwithstanding this, the document reveals some weaknesses. Laudato si’ does not offer a stringent philosophical and theological argumentation, but refers especially to the Bible as a source of creation spirituality. At the same time it does not clarify the meaning of the ‘proper or intrinsic value’ of each creature and lacks adequate distinctions between different creatures. This article aims to elaborate a possible philosophical foundation of Pope Francis’ position. A second aim of this paper is to bring Francis’ position into conversation with the main current approaches to animal ethics. Moral capacity is the characteristic that distinguishes human and non-human beings, at the same time it does not provide any justification for the denigration of non-human creatures, but, on the contrary, is the real reason for moral duties toward them. Arguing on this basis, the author develops a categorical imperative in animal ethics and combines this with the capabilities approach as follows: ‘Act in such a way that you treat an animal never merely as a means to an end, but that you respect always at the same time its species-specific needs as well as its sensitive, emotional, and cognitive capabilities’. This imperative rejects the reduction of animals to a mere means for human purposes as morally offensive and unacceptable, and demands that one should always respect their striving for a flourishing life that is lived according to their species-specific and individual needs and capabilities.
You Shall Not Take the Label ‘Blasphemy’ in Vain! Revisiting the Theological Nerve of Blasphemy in the Controversial Usages of Christian Imagery
MYKHALIUK, Khrystyna
49-74
Abstract:
The imminent danger of blasphemy laws and the ongoing critique of the ‘offence to feelings’ discourse incentivize many researchers and policy-makers to mistrust any call for more theology in dealing with blasphemy and offence. This article goes against the mainstream and lends more credence to the notion of blasphemy as an offence to God. While contesting overly broad and secularized discourse on blasphemy, it proposes a thicker understanding of blasphemy as a theologically undesirable representation of God as distinct from the notions of politically and morally undesirable. Such a theologically undesirable representation, it is argued, has consequences for believers who have duties before the name of God. The article argues that the inner composition of blasphemy combines elements of theological defectiveness and expressive provocation. Through the analysis of a concrete case where artistic representation of religious imagery was questioned by believers (the controversy surrounding Tom Herck’s exhibition ‘Holy Cow!’), the article puts forward the need for a wider theological literacy on the part of the believing community. The article further outlines some strategies of reacting to the offence more maturely (‘from raw to processed offence’) to enable better engagement with people deemed blasphemers.
Learn More about the Journal and the Publisher
- Journal: Louvain Studies
- Publisher: Peeters Publishers – Visit the publisher’s page…
