Bøger af Ibolya Balla

The papers of the 12th Comenius Conference titled »Imago Dei« (20-23 April 2022, Pápa Reformed Theological Seminary, Hungary) discussed especially the question what it means to be human. Are we just biological beings, not substantially different from other living beings? Or are we created in the image of God, having a special value and dignity over all creatures? The special place of humankind in creation is often recognized in the ability of (abstract) thinking, speaking, creativity. However, can rationality define humans and set them apart from other creatures? How can we communicate the rule of God, or the responsibility and accountability of humankind toward the Creator and the people of modern ages? [Imago Dei. Die zwölfte Comenius-Konferenz] In den Vorträgen der 12. Comenius-Konferenz mit dem Titel "Imago Dei" (20.-23. April 2022, Reformiertes Theologisches Seminar Pápa, Ungarn) ging es insbesondere um die Frage, was es bedeutet, ein Mensch zu sein. Sind wir nur biologische Wesen, die sich nicht wesentlich von anderen Lebewesen unterscheiden? Oder sind wir nach dem Bilde Gottes geschaffen und haben gegenüber allen Geschöpfen einen besonderen Wert und eine besondere Würde? Die besondere Stellung des Menschen in der Schöpfung wird oft in der Fähigkeit zum (abstrakten) Denken, Sprechen und zur Kreativität erkannt. Kann Rationalität jedoch den Menschen definieren und ihn von anderen Lebewesen unterscheiden? Wie können wir die Herrschaft Gottes oder die Verantwortung und Rechenschaftspflicht der Menschheit gegenüber dem Schöpfer und den Menschen der Moderne vermitteln?

The book investigates Ben Sira's attitudes toward all matters pertaining to sexuality in the context of family relations and gender issues. The author's seemingly negative attitude to women, the anxiety expressed in the discussions of marital and extramarital relations, and the disciplining of children can lead to the assumption that the work has a negative attitude toward sexuality. Ben Sira's book is a combination of carefully composed wisdom poems and of teachings on everyday issues, including marriage, family life, self-control, desires, and sexual promiscuity. The sage dedicates a greater number of passages than other wisdom books to the discussion of social relations especially in regard to family. In so doing his regular point of departure seems to be what benefits or damages these relations mean, and whether they bring disgrace to a person, especially through sexuality. In addition, we have to make a distinction between the attitudes of the writer of the original Hebrew text of the book and that of the Greek translator. The two texts, produced in different social settings, times and places, differ at times in regard to sexuality.This book examines the wisdom poems, some characterized by openness about issues of eroticism, and all sayings that concern matters pertaining to sexuality found in discussions of passions, family relations and gender issues, and warnings against sexual wrongdoing. All this is done with a special regard to the differences between the Hebrew original text and the Greek translation.