By Marcel Werner

In cooperation with the Bible Institute Belgrade the international summit with the topic „Christian values in Europe“ took place at the Faculty of Theology in Belgrade from May 31 till June 3, 2018.

The event addressed young researchers and emphasized the role the Christian conception of man had for the development of a European society as well as the Biblical sources of this specific understanding. Throughout a joint discourse we explored a distinctive view and understanding of Europe. At this conference Christians of every orientation, Orthodox, Catholic as Protestant were taking part as well as members of the Muslim community.

All participants emphasized the importance of interreligious dialogue for peace and mutual understanding.

Karl-Wilhelm Niebuhr, PhD, underlined that the common Christian fundament of religion shows itself in the adoption of biblical ideals. According to that, Christian values define as well European values and mentation until today. Tobias Nicklas emphasized the meaning of Biblical reception, because the entire history shows, that the word of god could also be misused for propagandistic means. To prevent such a negative way of adoption it is crucial to have a critical and open debate about the bible. The possibility of negative receptions of biblical texts further shows, that the interpretation of the bible is in no way a benign matter and incorporates a certain danger for abuses.

A careful reception of the bible supports the dialogue of religious communities and helps to create a better mutual understanding because it emphasizes the common fundament of all religions. This kind of rapprochement is also a significant part of reconciliation and consolidation of peace and stability as well as it creates a possibility for reappraisal of the past.

Nenad Božović and Vladan Tatalović, both PhD at the Theological Faculty of the University of Belgrade:

"The conference connected different receptions of the Christian (biblical) legacy in European culture, it revealed as well the horizons of socio-political possibilities which are based on a conscious of the importance of this heritage. The participation of representatives of different Christian communities and people contributed in a very special way, based on the contemporary socio-political context, to the reception of the common Christian legacy."

(Translation: Lucas Maximilian Schubert)