bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Tidal forces as a regulator of star formation in Taurus
Authors: Ballesteros-Paredes Javier , Gómez Gilberto C. , Loinard Laurent , Torres Rosa M. , Pichardo Bárbara 
Published: March 2009

Abstract
Only a few molecular clouds in the solar neighbourhood exhibit the formation of only low-mass stars. Traditionally, these clouds have been assumed to be supported against more vigorous collapse by magnetic fields. The existence of strong magnetic fields in molecular clouds, however, poses serious problems for the formation of stars and of the clouds themselves. In this Letter, we review the three-dimensional structure and kinematics of Taurus – the archetype of a region forming only low-mass stars – as well as its orientation within the Milky Way. We conclude that the particularly low star formation efficiency in Taurus may naturally be explained by tidal forces from the Galaxy, with no need for magnetic regulation or stellar feedback.
Jianshe Theology: Reflections about the Process of Theological Reconstruction in China
Authors: Brandner Tobias 
Published: March 2009

AbstractThe article introduced the process of theological reconstruction (jianshe) which has been at the centre of the theological reflection of the Chinese church in the past five years, and continues to be do. The article also describes the historical context of an extraordinary church growth in which this reflection has taken and is taking place. The author analyses how this process links ecumenical and hermeneutical interests: theological reconstruction in China today tries to overcome traditional theology which was shaped by Western missionaries, and to find a framework for a genuinely contextual theology that is relevant to society.The goal of the process of theological reconstruction is to identify a contextual theology which builds bridges between Christian faith and the world. Accordingly, those elements of Christian faith are emphasized which facilitate an openness to the world. Contextual theology as encountered in the process of theological reconstruction reflects the importance that harmony has in the context and historical experience of China. The introduction of hermeneutical categories in the theological reflection makes it possible to overcome a narrow biblicism as well as a non‐historical application of one's own principles of biblical interpretation.The article contains a discussion about the possible misunderstandings that the term “theological reconstruction”can evoke, and suggests leaving the term untranslated. It also critically examines the challenges that the enormous speed of modernization in China poses.
MISSION TO “SET THE CAPTIVES FREE”: HEALING, DELIVERANCE, AND GENERATIONAL CURSES IN GHANAIAN PENTECOSTALISM
Authors: Ajatnoah‐Gyadu J. Kwabena 
Published: March 2009

AbstractThe rue of the Pentecostal/Charismatic movement in African countries like Ghana had inspired new ways of dealing with the challenges of life. A critical area of operation for the movement is the “healing and deliverance” ministry, through which supernatural evil is confronted in order that Christians may be freed to enjoy the abundant provision,) of God in Christ. Systems of “shrine slavery” in Ghana, also found in various forms among certain sub‐Saharan African peoples, offer examples from traditional religions of how such institutions may stigmatize victims and generations after them, sometimes perpetually. In keeping with the prophetic declaration by the prophet Ezekiel that, “The sins of the fathers shall be no more be visited on their children”, the Pentecostal/Charismatic ministry of “healing and deliverance” provides a Christian ritual context in which the enslaving effects of generational curses resulting from the sins of one's ancestry may be dealt with. This is in order that those born‐again in Christ, in keeping with the objective of Christian mission, may experience fullness of life in Christ. The phenomenon of “healing deliverance”, discussed here from a Ghanaian perspective, serves as a ministry of restoration in the hands of Africa's new Pentecostal/Charismatic movements and churches as they seek to provide holistic pastoral care to their followers.
THE SPIRIT, HEALING AND MISSION: AN OVERVIEW OF THE BIBLICAL CANON*
Authors: Thomas John Christopher 
Published: March 2009

AbstractThis article examines the relationship in the biblical canon between healing, the Spirit, and the mission of the church. The piece begins with a section devoted to the author's Pentecostal context, and his theological and ministerial interest in this topic. Relying primarily upon a literary reading of the relevant texts, this study seeks to hear the distinctive voices in the biblical canon, from the torah to the book of Revelation, before assembling the biblical choir in order to hear its rich, textured and dissonant sound on this topic. This careful reading of the biblical texts suggests that the healing ministry of Jesus and the church does not simply “confirm” the proclamation of the gospel, but is itself gospel proclamation. The preponderance of the evidence indicates that there is an intricate and significant connection between the ministry of healing and the mission of the church.
The Global Health Situation in the 21st Century: Aspects from the Global Forum on Health Research and the World Health Organization in Geneva1
Authors: Currat Louis J. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractThe objective of this paper is, in a first part, to give an overview of the main health problems in the world today and of their main causes. Then an attempt is made to compare the financial and human resourced available today to solve these problems with the resources which would be needed if we are to achieve the Health Millennium Development Goals by 2015. Given the fact that the available resources are limited, the question is then raised as to the selection of the strategies which would contribute the most to an improvement of the health situation in the world. To conclude on a positive note, a few examples are then given of great achievements in the health field over the past 50 years, but attention is drawn to the tremendous challenges remaining if the health MDGs are to be reached by 2015, particularly in Africa.
Faith and Health: Leadership Aligning Assets to Transform Communities
Authors: Kiser Miriam , Jones Deborah L. , Gunderdon Gary R. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractBeginning in 1992, the Interfaith Health Programme (IHP) has worked nationally and internationally as a catalyst to foster both partnerships and the capacity to align the strengths of the faith community with those of the health sector. Key to this role is identifying and developing relationships with strategic leaders and structures with whom the IHP can advance the learning and practice of community scale health improvement. Two programmes represent this role and the contributions being made to understand the strengths of the faith community in creating healthy whole communities. This paper describes the background of the IHP and two programmes, the African Religious Health Assets Programme and the Institute for Public Health and Faith Collaborations. Both demonstrate the potential impact of innovations in interdisciplinary conceptual frameworks that undergird leadership action needed to close the widening gaps of the burden of unnecessary disease and suffering.
The new Quest for Healing: when Therapy and Spirituality Intermingle*
Authors: Ugeux Bernard 
Published: March 2009

AbstractFor some decades one has noted an increased interest in spirituality outside the traditional religions of the West, viz. the three monotheisms. New spiritual quests often develop on the fringes of the churches, and sometimes even as a reaction to the churches' vision of what it means to be human. In this regard, those interested in spirituality often see their spiritual search as something linked to a general care for wellbeing or health, and reproach Christianity for being too disembodied. The association of the spiritual with the therapeutical leads to a certain permeability between the spiritual and therapeutical in terms of the claims each makes. It also leads to the creation of new alternative proposals. This porousness runs the risk of bringing confusion to everything, and using the spiritual and religious to serve therapeutic needs.However, the way in which the claims of the spiritual and therapeutical realms evolve presents a challenge to Christianity. This can be put in terms of, ‘What place does Christianity attribute to the body, affectivity, pleasure, and legitimate personal development?’ Some individuals and groups in the Christian churches, rather than trying to justify existing approaches, propose more “incarnated” ones that will respond to the new audience in a Christian way. From a theological, pastoral and missiological viewpoint, Christian communities are thus intended to become communities of healing and reconciliation, although not at any price. If Christian spirituality also has to favour the empowering and development of a person — for Christ has assumed everything of humanity, except sin — one should not reduce salvation to healing or ignore the paschal mystery as a way of avoiding the element of pain that this mystery contains. In short, Christianity is invited to do a work of inculturation that not only keeps in mind contemporary developments but also is accompanied by an authentic interdisciplinary discernment.
Of Lions and Rabbits: the Role of the Church in Reconciliation in South Africa*
Authors: Maluleke Tinyiko Sam 
Published: March 2009

AbstractThis essay uses an old African fable about lions and rabbits in order to launch, illustrate, probe and explore the role of the churches in the complex South African process of reconciliation since the end of apartheid, and the election, thirteen years ago, of Nelson Mandela as the first democratic president of the Republic of South Africa. It is argued that both the challenges encountered and the solutions sought in the search for reconciliation have been and remain far from simple. Nor has the role of the churches been simple and straightforward. The author thematically traces the complex role of the church in the equally complex processes that have catapulted South Africa from tyranny to democracy. He argues that the question of reconciliation has always been on the agenda of the South African church. Sometimes this has been overtly present, sometimes covertly, sometimes directly and sometimes indirectly. Even when reconciliation was absent in the discourse and proxy of the church, it was nevertheless present through its absence.
Beyond the Text: Revisiting Jacques Dupuis‘ Theology of Religions
Authors: Sydnor Jon Paul 
Published: March 2009

AbstractJacques Dupuis (1923–2004) was a Belgian Jesuit and one of the Roman Catholic Church's leading theologians of religion. Dupuu‘ magnum opus remains “Toward a Christian Theology of Religious Pluralism”. In that work Dupuis attempts to reconcile the particularity of Jesus with the universality of the divine Logos. In order to do so, he utilizes the classical logos ensarkos/logos asarkos distinction. Although he is the Son of God and represents the sacrament of God's salvific will, Jesus Christ is limited by time and space, and cannot exhaust the mystery of God. The surplus of mystery, as well as God's universal intention to save are carried by the logos asarkos, or Holy Spirit, who is also the Spirit of Christ. The Holy Spirit points to and culminates in the ‘Christ‐event’ but is not limited to it, because the Holy Spirit is found in all that is agapic in the world religions.Dupuis' controversial theology of religions has been much discussed in its theoretical aspect. However, it has been largely neglected in its practical, evaluative aspect. This essay will attempt to answer two related questions. First, how helpful is Dupuis' theology of religions if applied to a certain religion (in this case, Islam)? Second, what can we learn from the successes and failures of application? The questions are important. The theology of religions exists as a discipline in order to assist Christians in their interactions with and inevitable evaluations of other faiths. Therefore, the success or failure of an applied theology of religions is one of the main determinants of its value.The essay will conclude that the application of Dupuis' theology of religions reveals several problems. Chief among them are an excessive irenicism and a flawed hermeneutic of religions. Nevertheless, these flaws are rectifiable and Fr Dupuis has made a magisterial, invaluable, and perhaps permanent contribution to the discipline.
Theses on Christian Self‐Understanding and Religious Plurality
Authors: Franz Andreas 
Published: March 2009

AbstractOn the one hand, Christians have hem commissioned to work for peace, justice and the preservation of creation. On the other hand, the identity of Christians is firmly rooted in Christ's “Great Commission”. Can one reconcile these two commissions in a religiously pluralistic world?In the last few decades our world has become increasingly religious. All world religions have experienced spiritual awakenings, and at times significant ones. Now, more than ever, the different faiths and ideologies have direct encounters.Christian representatives have repeatedly suggested interfaith dialogue as the key to dealing with other religions. This approach has its merits but also holds certain dangers. Dialogue undoubtedly occupies an important place in interpersonal encounters but is it also an appropriate means for the implementation of the Great Commission? The author believes it is so only in a very limited sense.In the following theses, the author will therefore introduce an additional key that is a non‐negotiable component of the Christian identity, viz. witness. For Christians, this key is the bearing of witness to how they know and have personally experienced God working. It also has its merits and dangers. This is why a clearly defined field has to be allocated to each key.In what follows, the author will distinguish between two God‐given mandates. All humans, whether Christians or non‐Christians, have the mandate to “work the garden and take care of it”. This is impossible without human co‐operation and common ethical values. For this first mandate, dialogue is a helpful means.In addition, Christians have a Christ‐given second mandate to proclaim the gospel to all people(s) by means of witness (martyria). Two prerequisites for carrying out this mandate are mutual respect and freedom (of choice). Otherwise, d could well mean martyrdom as exemplified by Jesus.The following theses aim to introduce this complementary key into the discussion and stake out its scope.
Why do They do it? Lessons on Missionary Mobilization And Motivation From Indian Indigenous Missionaries
Authors: Fox Frampton F. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractNon — Western mission agencies provide lessons for the global mission community in how to motivate and recruit cross‐cultural missionaries. India, ad the largest non‐ Western producer of cross‐cultural missionaries, has a mobilization story that needs to be given voice. Survey research was done among a sample of indigenous Indian missionaries from one well‐respected, inter‐denominational organization. Candidates were found to be most influenced toward missions during their youth years, and by a variety of mostly para‐church factors. Key among these were the influence of missionaries, specific scriptures which had spoken to the young people, and the mentoring of them by mission agency personnel Often, this influence was felt in the spiritual context of youth camps and prayer gatherings. Notably, the role of local churches and Bible schools in motivating people toward mission careers was nominal Corrective suggestions are made for the local churches and theological institutions.
Struggle and Reconciliation: Some Reflections on Ecumenism in Chile1
Authors: Gros Jeffrey 
Published: March 2009

AbstractTo engage in ecumenism and common witness is always a challenge when one church predominates in a society. In the case of many Latin American countries, the Catholic Church is both historically and demographically dominant, and often has a history of special relations with the states. Protestants, on the other hand, come mostly from evangelical and Pentecostal traditions with little ecumenical history or motivation. This article outlines some of the 20th century history of the churches in Chile against the background of the reception of Vatican II, and especially its leadership on religious freedom and ecumenism. Social and political events in Chile, as well as the particular demography and history of its Christianity, make this a unique context for ecumenical development. Some of these factors and the churches' responses are outlined as resources for global Christian reflection on mission, unity and society.
Conversion to Coloniality: Avoiding the Colonization of Method1
Authors: Heaney Robert S. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractCaution should be exercised when any defence of mission tends towards a universalizing of a theologically ideal definition of conversion. Such a defence may theologically justify mission against the charge of colonizing minds, while resulting in the colonizing of method. Bruin Stanley assumes that the perspective of converts can he mentally occupied by the scholar, who can then simultaneously speak for the converted and justify mission incursion. In response, this article argues for the importance of the category of “coloniality”. First, the theological significance of coloniality is demonstrated in relation to context, critical awareness and liberative purpose. Second, three methodological characteristics are identified. Particularism is the acknowledgement that understandings of conversion are affected by the existential as well as theological tradition. Subject‐positioning results in a scepticism towards universalized definitions and attempts to bermeneutically occupy the perspective of others. Consequently, transformation in the form of theological decolonization is sought.
Whose Kingdom? Which Context? Ecumenical and Contextual Theology in the World Alliance of YMCAS
Authors: Fretheim Kjetil 
Published: March 2009

AbstractConsidering the mission statements of the World Alliance of YMCAs, this article discusses how contextual ecumenical theology can and should be done. The main part of the article is an interpretative analysis of the international YMCA movement, and the way ecumenical theology is done in this context. The analysis shows how the ecumenical theology of the World Alliance of YMCAs seems to be based on the reaffirmation of the Paris Basis, the unity of the movement, its non‐doctrinal, non‐ecclesiastical and non‐political character, and the priority given to the various member movements' different contexts. In the last section, I reflect on how contextual ecumenical theology should be done. I argue that ecumenical theology must welcome and include in its reflections a wide range of expressions of faith, and that ecumenical minimalism seems like a promising starting point for such endeavours. However, ecumenical theology in a globalized world needs also to be a contextual theology, and must consider the realities of a wide range of contexts in its ongoing reflections. A contextual ecumenical theology cannot only include voices from a number of denominations; it intuit also be conscious of a number of contexts, and their differences, challenges, hopes and despairs. Ecumenical minimalism must, therefore, be combined with contextual maximalism.
Paradigm Shift in Theological Education in Southern and Central Africa and its Relevance to Ministerial Formation
Authors: Amanze James Nathaniel 
Published: March 2009

AbstractTheological education is of crucial importance in the mission of the Church in Southern and Central Africa. This paper discusses the changes that have taken place in theological education in post‐independence Africa. The author argues that theological education during the colonial period was Euro‐centric. As a result, it did not respond adequately to the pressing problems faced by the African people such as colonial oppression, poverty, patriarchy and others. However, the situation has changed dramatically in modern times. Theological educators have realized the significance and importance of context in theological education. They are, thus, seriously taking into account the political, social, economic and religious context in which the African people live today. This has led to the creation of different theologies that are in line with modern and post‐modern challenges facing the African people thereby making the church both relevant and necessary.
Methods and Reliability of Tissue Doppler Imaging for Assessment of Left Ventricular Radial Wall Motion in Horses
Authors: Schwarzwald C.C. , Schober K.E. , Bonagura J.D. 
Published: March 2009

Background:Noninvasive assessment of left ventricular (LV) function is incompletely studied in horses.Objectives:The goals of this study were to investigate the feasibility, techniques, and reliability of tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) for characterization of LV radial wall motion in healthy horses.Animals:Three Standardbreds, 3 Thoroughbreds; age 8–14 years; body weight 517–606 kg.Methods:Repeated echocardiographic examinations were performed by 2 observers in unsedated horses using TDI. Test reliability was determined by estimating measurement variability, within‐day interobserver variability, and between‐day interobserver and intraobserver variability of all echocardiographic variables. Variability was expressed as coefficient of variation (CV) and the absolute value below which the difference between 2 measurements will lie with 95% probability.Results:Assessment of LV radial wall motion by TDI was feasible in all horses. Measurement variabilities were very low (CV < 5%) to low (CV 5–15%) for most variables. Within‐day interobserver variability as well as between‐day interobserver and intraobserver variabilities were low to moderate (CV 16–25%) for most variables. All pulsed‐wave TDI variables of systolic LV function showed very low to low variability, whereas some of the variables of LV diastolic and LA function showed moderate to high (CV > 25%) variability. Pulsed‐wave TDI variables appeared more reliable than color TDI variables.Conclusions and Clinical Importance:Measurement of TDI indices of LV function is feasible and reliable in adult Standardbred and Thoroughbred horses. The clinical relevance of LV function assessment by TDI remains to be determined.
Lack of Detectable Equine Herpesviruses 1 and 2 in Paraffin‐Embedded Specimens of Equine Sarcoidosis
Authors: White S.D. , Foley J.E. , Spiegel I.B. , Ihrke P.J. 
Published: March 2009

Background: Equine sarcoidosis is a rare, multisystemic, noncaseating, granulomatous and lymphoplasmacytic disease of unknown etiology. A recent report described a horse with granulomatous skin disease displaying histologic, electron microscopic, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) findings consistent with equine herpesvirus 2 (EHV‐2).Objective: To investigate the presence of EHV‐2 and equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV‐1) in 8 horses with sarcoidosis.Animals: Eight horses with sarcoidosis, reported previously.Methods: Retrospective study. PCR assays of the tissues were performed to detect DNA associated with EHV‐1 and EHV‐2. For both herpesviruses the target was their respective glycoprotein B gene. Positive controls consisted of DNA from viral cultures of culturettes from naturally occurring respiratory infections of EHV‐1 and EHV‐2.Results: The PCR analyses for both equine herpesviruses' DNA were negative in all 8 horses.Conclusion: The failure to detect DNA from EHV‐1 and EHV‐2 in paraffin‐embedded skin of these 8 horses does not discount EHV‐1 or EHV‐2 as causing some cases of ES, but lends support to the presumably multifactorial etiologic nature of the disease.