Philosophy
Religion. - Tbilisi: Samshoblo - 2002 - NN 1-2-3 - 96 p. - Bibliography at the end of each article.
The paper of Z. Kiknadze "The Book of Numbers" (16-21) deals with four main episodes of the chapters 16-21 of Numbers:
The article of D. Danelia "The Building of New Hearths of Spirituality in Georgia" presents the establishment of the new hearths of spirituality in Georgia. In 1977 the XII Church council chose the Metropolitan of Tskhum-Abkhazia - Ilya Gudushauri-Shiolashvili as a Patriarch of Georgia. The new epoch of the history of Georgian Church was started - the epoch of new-church building. During this period there were built more than 100 new churches and several old churches which were closed for a long time, were reconstructed in Georgia.
The article of M. Rapava "Literary school of Gelati and Armenian Translators" considers the translations of Armenian Chalkedonian priests and concludes, that Armenian diophizits of that time were much interested in the production of the literary school of Gelati. The Georgian translation had been made there. The mentioned fact, thinks the author, gives us possibility to imagine clearer the bounds of functionary of Gelati school and the ways of its influence.
The article of M. Ghlonti "Upbringing of the son of King" ("The Good Shepherd") presents the attempt of analysis of educational conception of Leon which is allegorically given in the "Wisdom of Fiction" by Sulkhan-Saba Orbeliani. In this conception claims the author, according to the Gospels is reflected the face of Christ - Son of Man and Son of God - "The Good Shepherd" as a right King-patron in the sight of God.
The article of D. Betkhoshvili "Religious belief of the author of "The Knight in the Panther's Skin", according to the outlook of Korneli Kekelidze" is discussed the opinion of well-known Rustvelologist, who has continued the research of the problem, of Rustaveli's belief. K. Kekelidze regards, that the only religion, the believer of which was Rustaveli - is the Christianity. This all is proved by the quotation which are quoted by the author from the Holy Scripture. This is also expressed in the struggle between good and evil, light and darkness, - thinks the author of the article.
The paper of G. Kuchukhidze "Biblical Joseph and the tale "Sizmara" presents the comparative study of the Bible story of beautiful Joseph and Georgian tale "Sizmara". Author claims that Georgian tale is composed under the influence of the Biblical story. The dream is the main point for the both story. Biblical influence is realized as a matter for composing the tale.
The article of V. Rtskhiladze "Short review of the opinions on the essence of music" describes the view on the essence of music since the epoch of Romanticism including A. Shering and I. Stravinski. The author shares the ideas of romanticists, that "true, pure music shows us our soul's celestial origin".
G. Ghvinjilia's paper "Comprehensive analysis of Bach's "Passions of John and Matthew" is an attempt to analyze the connection between the New Testament and Bach's music. Bach's "Passions" represents the work of non-canonical genre, claims the author, but undoubtedly it reflects the essence of the Christian divine service, liturgy emblematic point, that reveals in musical symbolism. Just the Evangelic symbolism determines the stylistics and the form of the work, subjects the musical development.
The article of V. Rtskhiladze "Political provocation counted on the ignoramuses" is controversial, because the author criticizes the Russian Orthodox priest Raphael Karelin, who lives and works as a priest in Tbilisi.
The author concerns that R. Karelin, in his publishing articles, often criticizes the Catholicism. Being a priest, he, instead of objective debating on theological topics in his writings, sometimes steps out of his realm and the tone of his works is politically driven at times, one gets the impression that his writings are intentionally set to create tension between Georgia and Western Christianity.
Religion. - Tbilisi: Samshoblo - 2002 - NN 4-5-6 - 96 p. - Bibliography at the end of each article.
In Z. Kiknadze's paper "The Book of Numbers" (22-24) are discussed the following events of the chapters 22-24 of Numbers: Balak, king of Moab, being alarmed by appearance of the Israelites, hires Balaam, the Mesopotamian prophet, to curse them. Balaam, instead of cursing Israelites, blesses them. Eventually the prophet pronounces the judgment on the Israel's enemies, even on Moab itself. Balaam's oracles are considered as the earliest example of the Hebrew poetry, the most obvious feature of which is so called "parallelismus membrorum".
The article of O. Kakhidze "The Bible and Love" presents love as mostly important thing of religion. The world is managing by power of love. With this phenomenon the man can harmonize with the Universe. It's mentioned in the Bible, that the top of every kind of love is the love of God, that's why the Old Testament demands to love our God. Origen does not right interpret the Solomon's "Praise of all Praises", where the great love is presented.
The article of L. Osepashvili "The Iconography of St. John Chrysostomos in the miniatures of the Georgian Manuscripts" deals with the iconography of St. John Chrysostomos presented in the two Georgian manuscripts. The first is a odex "Life of St. John Chrysostomos (H-2124, 968 year), and the second is a liturgical roll " St. John Chrysostomos" (XIII, I page, A-922).
After the discussion author came to the conclusion, that the iconography of St. John is distinguished by a special nobleness. Both manuscripts are executed in a magnificent art manner.
In the article of V. Makhniashvili "The Vector of the Irony" is argued, that "antirepresantationalism" of R. Rorty is not a term for positive explication of his epistemological intentions. The article describes Rorty's view of the "first rate discourse" ("Parmenidean" one) and the "second rate discourse" ("poetic" one). According to the author this distinction has a specific relation with Rotry's liberalistic intentions.
The paper of M. Ghlonti "Vizier Sedrak - "Father of the Law" deals with analysis of extraordinary artistic function of Vizier Sedrak in "Wisdom of Fiction" by Sulkhan-Saba Orbeliani. This artistic person reflects the bible-allegorical motives of "conclusions under the law". Vizier Sedrak is a father, tutor of the "Law" for a person under the "Law". He is the guide of person under the law to the God for getting the promised heritage (comp. The Epistle of Paul to the Galatians. 3, 24-26; 4,2).
In the article "Prayer of Queen Ketevan" by Teimuraz I" Dali Bethoshvili claims, that Queen Ketevan prayer to God her soul is seen. It contains national feelings with religious ones. The chief motive of the Queen's prayer, thinks the author, is her entreaty to God to protect her native country from invasion of the enemy.
The article of A. Zakariadze "The Mythical Paradigms in the Modern State Theories" analyses those modern tendencies in the philosophy of religion, history of religion and sociology, which have stimulated the appearance of a new field of knowledge, dedicated to the investigation of political mythology. The foundation of mythical element in politics, usage of mythical paradigms in the state ideology is very dangerous.
The article of V. Rtskhiladze "Reply to the "Orthodoxes" repulses the attacks of the priest Raphael Karelin. According to the author the base of Karelin's view is not a theological interest, but the Russian chauvinism, that always considered Georgia as a part of Russia.
The paper of A. Kiknadze "Great Britain: Religion and Politics" presents that in the beginning of the XXI century Great Britain appeared to be the society of different confessions. The influence of Religion on the people's political behaviour is differently displaied in the various regions of the country. Today for the most of English people the activity of the church is limited by the problems of religion and has no connections with any kind of political party.
Religion. -Tbilisi: Samshoblo - 2002 - NN 7-8-9 - 96 p. - Bibliography at the end of each article.
The author of the article "Evil and Political Ethics" V. Rtskhiladze declares basing on the German philosopher Fridrich Gogarten's book "Political Ethics" (1932), that if there is no knowledge of evil, there is no knowledge of State as well. Because the purpose of the State's existance is to defeat evil.
The work of Z. Kiknadze "The Book of Numbers" (25-30) analyses the three main episodes (chapters 25-30) of above-mentioned book:
The article of O. Kakhidze "The Bible and love" presents, that the New Testament continues the tradition of the Old Testament. The first commandment for both is the love of God. In comparison with the Old Testament teaching of Christ is the step made forward. None of the religious teachings could have dared to get raised to the commandment - love one's enemy.
The article of M. Kobakhidze "The phenomenon of prayer in Christianity" analyses a concept and role of prayer in Christian's faith. There are conceptual difficulties. Namely, if God is All-wise and All-powerfull, a prayer is apparently superfluous and futile, claims the author - classic answer to this problem is given by St. Thomas Aquinas: in prayer man is not trying to force God's will; he is submitting his desires to Him.
In the paper of S. Vardosanidze "Interrelation between Georgian and Armenian Churches in 1917-2000" is showed, that after restoration of the Autocfalia of Georgian Church which was illegally abolished by Russian Tsarism (March 25, 1917) relations between Georgian and Armenian clergy began to improve. These contacts make the interrelation and friendship between these two old nations stronger.
The work of L. Osepashvili "The Composition - "Apostles Communion" of Svetitskhoveli Liturgical Roll by St. Basil the Great" is studied the unique composition of "Apostles Communion" from Liturgical Roll by St. Basil the Great (S-4980, XII century). Though the composition has reached fragmentary, claims the author, but it is possible to discuss much, what is given in the article.
The Calvary Cross with the archangels on the title page of roll and Eucharist on the IX page, by opinion of the author, is the main link, the center in the compositional body and architectonic of the roll.
L. Tsitskhvaia's paper "Zoomorphic Theme in Georgian Fasade Decoration (by the example of Ishkhani little chapel)" is discussing the point, that Ishkhani little chapel is the best example of Tao-Klarjethi architecture by the using of the animals or birds relief representations. The zoomorphic compositions of Ishkhani chapel, claims the author, are schematic and abbreviated versions of the quite popular Paradise themes used in the Early Christian mosaics.
The article of M. Ebanoidze "Poststructuralism and Orthodoxality" presents, that the main subjects of Poststructuralists are the text, overview, behind which there are no person, not pointed reality, depth. The border between the inner and outer worlds is not visible. By author's opinion, unlike the Western speculative theology, which by any chance is concentrated on the relation of a man towards God, Eastern, Orthodox Church is based on the idea of Teozis.
In the article "The Faith and Ideology" G. Rukhadze concludes, that religion indifference and the lack of firm faith are the main danger for the way of the new state construction. If the Georgian society is able to reach consensus on the concrete issue whether the idea of national religious unity (mother land, native language, faith) is the corner-stone on which the whole political, social and cultural achievements are based, it will be possible to solve any problem.
The dialogue of I. Siluianova and A. Zakariadze - "The Problems of Bioethics and the Values of Christianity" analyses the most acute problems of bioethics from the position of orthodox anthropology. The model determined by orthodox culture is the unique and valuable achievement of the whole world community.
In the paper "Bioethics on the threshold of millennia: Christian aspects of transplantology" V. Akhaladze puts the purpose to show the bioethical outlook based on Christian values as alternative to postmodernist type of thinking. In this article the choice has fallen on transplantology not casually: all spectrum of the most essential philosophical-axiological and spiritual problems of modern biomedicine, in author's opinion, was reflected in this branch of medicine as in a mirror, research, studying and analysis became a problem of a new science - bioethics.
The article of I. Jalaghania "For the Issue of Secularization" presents the condition for religion was extremely severe in the Soviet Union, because of social-economic and political reasons. Process of active secularization resulted in the logical exclusion of religion and church from a social life. The processes of the last period generally changed the condition of religion in Georgia.