Studia Pastoralne
Rocznik Wydziału Teologicznego UŚ

FAITH IN THE ORDER OF RATIO
Summary
When in 1977, in a book entitled At the root of modern atheism, French philosopher Marcel Neusch formulated the thesis about the coming of postatheistc age, he probably did not think, that at the beginning of the twenty-first century, atheistic thought reborn in the form of a so-called „new atheism”. Its main representatives: Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens, Daniel C. Dennett and Sam Harris, taking the position of scientific scientism, attack with a renewed vigor not only all forms of religion, but also skepticism, relativism and epistemological agnosticism. Their main efforts focus on trying to argue that all faith is an act completely irrational, and the non-existence of God can be confirmed by scientific methods. This article is a polemic with the main theses of the new atheists. It shows the actual place of faith in the order of ratio and discusses the problem of possibility of proving the existence or the non-existence of God.
Keywords: faith, God, new atheism, religion, science, scientism

David’s dance – marriage and faith
Summary
The first marriage of David had been eventful from the very beginning. It reached a dramatic climax when Michal despised her husband because of his dance during transportation of the Ark to Jerusalem. This article examines how an act of devotion (David’s dance) may influence the relationship between spouses.

PSYCHOLOGICAL AND SOCIAL CONDITIONS IN PREACHING THE WORD OF GOD.
Summary
God speaks to a man and at the same time speaks to him through the other person. We are, therefore, within the realm of interpersonal relations. Hence while talking about preaching the Word of God one has to pay attention to circumstances and rules of interaction of the preached Word of God on a listener’s reason, will and emotions as major receptors of the content of the church preaching and at the same time as factors of the act of a personal faith. Such a preaching of the Word of God results from its purpose, securing both the personalistic and ecclesiastical character of the preaching. Therefore in the preaching of the Word of God a vital role is performed by a social community. Experience shows that even a solid intellectual and religious formation does not suffice for a proper shaping of the attitude of faith, if one does not have a proper support in an environment of one’s life. Hence the preaching cannot escape sociological conditions and be restricted only to transmitting an orthodox Christian teaching. Preaching the Gospel in the community of the faithful should be supported and intensified by a communal experience of this church community of faith.

COMMUNICATING FAITH THROUGH CATECHESIS
Summary
Whereas each generation certainly needs an education in faith, the present moment in history is particular in this respect, since the education in question must be in a way provided anew. When faith is communicated as an experience, it grows rapidly and systematically. Thus, it is essential that education in faith should stress the dimension of experience conceived of as continuous existential involvement, as the acceptance of truth by an entire person, and as volitional adherence to values one has recognized as a result of the intimacy with God in Christ. Therefore, while passing on truths of faith, catechists needs to consider all human factors, as well as the process of growth and maturation of faith, in order to combine the experience of human life with the salvific message.
Keywords: catechesis, communicating, experience, faith, person

Baptism as the Sacrament of Faith in statements of John Paul II
Summary
John Paul II often emphasized the role of baptismal spirituality. Some of his state¬ments about baptism were referred to in the study. The Pope reminded us of the meaning of baptism as a covenant of faith. It is closely related to the conversion of man. Faith and conversion are personalistic, because they result from a personal decision of man recognizing Jesus Christ as his Savior and Lord and giving Him his life. Parents and godparents directly influence the upbringing of children and play an important role in the process of forming the life of faith. Evangelization is carried out in the name of the Church, therefore it is directed towards baptism that includes the Church community. Infused with the spirit of the gospel culture becomes an important means of evangelization. Baptism creates a common sacramental plane for all Christ’s followers. It has ecumenical consequences not only in relations between the Churches, but also within many families.

TRANSMISSION OF FAITH TO THE YOUNG GENERATION IN THE PERIOD OF II^ND REPUBLIC OF POLAND – „CATECHETICAL AND EDUCATIONAL MONTHLY MAGAZINE” 1918–1939
Summary
The articles published in the Catechetical and Educational Monthly Magazine present the pastoral activity in Polish schools in the interwar period of the 20th century. Proclaiming of faith to students took place during religious education classes within school pastoral care, in parishes and in church organizations. In the twenties, differences in the way of teaching as well as in its level were clear what resulted from historical conditions. Discussions on the curricula of religious education placed in the magazine prove priests’ commitment to the pastoral care of youth. The insight on the Bible was one of the elements, but it is the Catechism that formed the basis of faith contents passed. During religious education classes, the attention was paid not only to religious knowledge, but also to the formation of faith attitudes among children and young people.
Keywords: catechism, children, Church, faith, Miesięcznik Katechetyczy i Wychowawczy (Catechetical and Educational Monthly Magazine), pastoral, teaching program, youth

MYSTICAL SYNCRETISM AS A THREAT TO FAITH
Summary
Mystical syncretism is a form of religious syncretism. The criticism of Christian mysticism from the dominance of liberal Protestantism, and the thesis of the identity of any mystical experiences substantially contributed to the formation of mystical syncretism. The dynamic development of the phenomenon seen in many countries of Western Europe, raises a reasonable dispute with the idea of a mystical syncretism on the part of Catholic theology. The main areas of controversy center on threats such as: the loss of their own religious identity, the danger of creating fertile ground for the spread of so-called new religion” and the threat of further development of interreligious dialogue.
Keywords: dialogue, faith, mysticism, religion, syncretism, theology

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE FAITH OF PARENTS IN RELIGIOUS EDUCATION OF CHILDREN
Summary
The faith of parents is an important factor to be taken into account while weighing the problem of educating children. The parent’s part in religious upbringing of their children is constant meeting the challenges which are the consequence of the sacrament of baptism and the tasks it imposes. The problem is vital, because in the process of religious upbringing the parents should be witnesses, not only instructors. The child’s faith is built on the faith of his parents, who, in their lives, should be authentic witnesses of their faith. They should create appropriate situations that may stimulate their children’s willingness to meet God. Simultaneously, they should observe their children’s spiritual development, without using any forms of pressure. The parent’s faith is an example for a young growing person how to get to know God. Christian parents should not only talk about Christ, but also let their children know Him through their own testimony of life and love.
Keywords: children, faith, parents, religious upbringing, witnesses of faith

THE TRANSMISSION OF THE ESSENCE OF FAITH AS AN AREA OF RELIGION TEACHER’S WORK IN SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT
Summary
The transmission of the essence of faith takes an important place in teaching religion. It is directly connected with the task of developing the knowledge of faith on every level of children’s and teenagers’ education. People involved in teaching and catechetical education, also religion teachers, are responsible for accomplishing this task. Today, after twenty two years of teaching religion at school, the transmission of the essence of faith is being critically discussed in school environment. The objections concern difficulties and limitations relating to the transmission of the essence of faith in school environment. Catechists and religion teachers unanimously claim that the transmission of the essence of faith is not possible without the grace of God in sacraments. They seldom pay attention to the teacher’s role in the process of transmitting the essence of faith.
The author of this article makes an attempt to show the tasks that a religion teacher should fulfill as far as transmitting the essence of faith in school environment is concerned. Not only strategies of development and experiencing faith but also limitations and difficulties relating to it were mentioned. At first, the term „transmission of faith” was explained. Next, a short characterization of teaching religion at school was made. The basic tasks of religion teachers in transmitting the essence of faith were depicted in this context. Apart from catechetical activities directed at pupils, the attention was also paid to teaching staff, school staff and parents. This is because a religion teacher is qualified to have influence on all members of catechetical interaction in school environment. Finally, the most important, crucial to religion teaching and parish catechesis, open issues were described. They require further theoretical research and empirical verification. Searching the new model of catechetical priesthood is also essential.
Keywords: faith, religion teacher’s, school environment, the transmission of the essence