Abstract. This study discusses the problem of the incompatibility between ethnocentric tendencies within the national Orthodox churches and the New Testament teaching on nonviolence. The three main parts outline the relevant New Testament teaching (1) in the four Gospels and the book of Acts, (2) in the Pauline epistles, and (3) in John’s Revelation. The study concludes that in the New Testament texts, there is no room for the justification of violence on the part of Christ-followers against their opponents. Quite on the contrary, the New Testament views the world as having the potential to become ecclesia, and the “other” as a possible sister or brother in Christ. Unfortunately, this fundamental New Testament teaching is often forgotten in modern-day Orthodoxy, notwithstanding its claims for unbroken continuity with the apostolic tradition. As an example, the Greek-Orthodox church oftentimes emphasizes national identity and heroism over ecclesial faith and ethos. Although understandable, such ethnocentric tendencies clearly contradict the New Testament witness and should be abandoned.

Abstract CHRISTOS KARAKOLIS: The Preexistence of Jesus in Mark’s Gospel from an Old Testament Perspective Despite the fact that the Gospel of Mark does not clearly refer to the pre-existence of Jesus Christ, there are significant indications that it is both implied and presupposed. Among the various theories relevant to this issue one can discern the interpretation of Mark 1:2-3 as a passage referring to a heavenly dialogue between God and His Son prior to the beginning of John the Baptist’s preaching in the world, the preaching that will prepare the course of the Son of God in the world. Following the interpretation of Mark 1:1-3 a translational deficit is highlighted that comes from the non-clarification of the identity of these two heavenly discussants. Although, some translations highlight the fact that in v.2 the conversing subject is indeed God, there is no translation that names the other conversant. This is, indeed, a necessary aspect that should be presented in a dynamic translation so that the reader will be able to un- derstand from the onset the Christological teaching of the Gospel of Mark.

Romans 6,1-14 is central to Pauline thought, both in the letter to the Romans and in the Apostle’s theology as a whole, and this is the reason for its multifaceted history of interpretation, influence, and reception. While this text has many interpretative and hermeneutical dimensions, in this essay we will select an exegetical approach, with emphasis on the detailed examination of its structure, flow, terminology, and theo- logical content. Due to its particular theme, we will mainly focus on the interplay between the terms and theological ideas relating to the concepts of death, life, and resurrection, while also linking christology, ethics, and soteriology to each other.

Die Programmschrift Sola Scriptura Ökumenisch ist weltweit der erste Versuch, Ökumene konsequent aus dem gemeinsamen Bezug auf die Bibel als wegweisender Richtschnur für individuellen Glauben und institutionelle Gestaltung von Kirchen im Kontext offener gesellschaftlicher Konflikte der Gegenwart zu denken. Erstmals werden 10 Thesen zum Verständnis und zur Funktion einer Schriftauffassung im Zeichen von Sola Scriptura publiziert, die gemeinsam von einem evangelischen, einem römisch-katholischen und einem orthodoxen Bibelwissenschaftler formuliert wurden. Sie sind sich darin einig, dass allein die Schrift richtig verstanden eine frohe Botschaft für alle bezeugt und nur die gemeinsame, erwartungsvolle wie kritische Hinwendung zur Schrift tragfähige Ökumene ermöglicht. Diese ist die Basis dafür, biblische Einsichten in die Ermöglichungsbedingungen gemeinschaftlichen Lebens in die globalen und lokalen kirchlichen und gesellschaftlichen Konflikte der Gegenwart einzubringen.