The MThA Biblical Studies Department held an interuniversity scientific seminar

On October 26, 2022, the MThA Biblical Studies Department hosted the Community of Teachers and Researchers of the Holy Scripture at the interuniversity scientific seminar the "Soteriological Approach to Biblical Studies".

The participants were students and teachers of the Biblical Studies Departments at the Moscow Theological Academy, the St. Petersburg Theological Academy, the Sretenskaya Theological Academy, the St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Humanitarian University, the Russian State Social University, the Far Eastern Federal University and the Omsk State University, theological seminaries in Perervin, Kursk, Vitebsk, Yekaterinburg, Novosibirsk, Saratov, Kaluga, Tula, Ryazan, Don, Kolomna, Nikolo-Ugresh, Voronezh, Omsk, Yekaterinodar, Orenburg and Tauride as well as members of the Biblical History and Archeology Department at the Russian Orthodox University named after St. John the Theologian.

The seminar took place in a blended format and was attended by more than 50 representatives of religious and state Russian universities.

Oleg A. Sukhanov, a senior lecturer and Assistant Vice-Rector for Educational Work at the Moscow Theological Academy, gave a report on «“War and the Bible” by St. Nicholas of Serbia in the Light of Military Anthropology».

In his report, Oleg Anatolyevich attempted to comprehend the biblical view of war interpreted by St. Nicholas of Serbia within the framework of military anthropology. The speaker noted some provisions that the saint singled out when discussing the war.

First, from St. Nicholas’ point of view, war is a natural consequence of a human sin. As long as human society is infected by sins, war is inevitable. This idea can be traced in all patristic writings. However, St. Nicholas especially focused on it.

That is why, if a country pursues peaceful policy, but its people sin, the state won’t be able to avoid war.

St. Nicholas sees the cause of all subsequent confrontations in humanity. The first crime in history was committed by Cain. It rooted from the sin of his parents, Adam and Eve, who had already fallen away from God. Thus, one first sin caused another, which, in turn, is retribution and vengeance. God puts a seal on Cain to break the chain of rewards, to stop the revenge.

Secondly, St. Nicholas points out that any war does not take place without God’s participation. In addition to two fighting sides, there is a third one, the Lord. At the same time, war starts by human, but its outcome depends on God. The victory is on the side of those who maintains a pious life in the time of peace and strives to be with God in war. At the same time, war does not always happen by the will of a man, but it never happens without his fault.

Thirdly, St. Nicholas names one of the biggest sins during the war, which is robbery and debauchery committed by soldiers. 

For example, some episodes in the Old Testament illustrate how those sins affected a person and predetermined an outcome of a battle.

So, a personal inner struggle with sins and an attempt to live with God can be a reason for peace. Interestingly, heroism in war is seen as an act of overcoming selfishness. Giving a life on the battlefield for his neighbor, a person makes spiritual redemption.

Saint Nicholas wrote his work at the time of the World War II. So, for him these reflections were extremely relevant and vivid. 

During the discussion, the speaker touched upon some modern concepts of military philosophy and analyzed some trends in modern Russian and Western societies.

To finish his report, Oleg Anatolyevich pointed out on some aspects that concern not only the biblical doctrine of war, but also the whole understanding of Holy Scriptures. To be able to grasp the meaning of Scriptures and assimilate its divine truths, it is necessary to understand people who tried to apply the Scripture in their lives.

What is more, analyzing human life experience allows us to apply biblical texts in our lives, to make them familiar and close to us. All this serves the main goal, which is a salvation in Christ. 

The presentation aroused a lively discussion. Everyone could ask the speaker questions and express their points of view.

The current situation in the world, aroused many questions about a military operation in Ukraine and the military policy of Russia and the United States.

Teachers taking part in the discussion were Archpriest Oleg Mumrikov, Head of the MThA Biblical Studies Department, Archpriest Alexander Timofeev, Head of the Bible Study Cabinet, M.V. Kovshov, Associate Professor at the Moscow Theological Academy and the Perervin Theological Seminary, R. M. Rupova, Professor of the MThA Biblical Studies Department, and A. A. Gorbachev, a senior lecturer at the Theology and Biblical Studies Department of the Tula Theological Seminary.

The next workshop will take place on November 30. Archpriest Andrey Rakhnovsky, a senior lecturer of the MThA Biblical Studies Department, announced a topic of his report on “The commandment “Thou shalt not kill” and its actual exegesis”.

MThA Press Office