Applying Biblical Wisdom to Trying Times: 10 Leadership Lessons for Nurses.

ABSTRACT: In the post-COVID era, examining nursing and pastoral leadership experiences with biblical examples offers helpful perspectives on how to lead in times of crisis and adversity. Reflecting on men and women of the Bible who led during crisis can encourage nurses to view our ministries through God's lens and motivate us to become stronger leaders.

The chronology of Gezer from the end of the late bronze age to iron age II: A meeting point for radiocarbon, archaeology egyptology and the Bible.

The ancient southern Levantine city of Gezer is well-known from Egyptian, Biblical and Assyrian sources, associated with power struggles, conquests, and intriguing tales involving figures such as Milkilu and Amenhotep III, Merneptah, the Philistines, Solomon and his unidentified pharaonic father-in-law, and Shishak / Sheshonq I. Since the identity of Gezer with "Tell Jezer" is quite literally 'set in stone' by some dozen boundary inscriptions, along with impressive Bronze and Iron Age remains, research at this site provides a unique opportunity to compare text and archaeology, as well as bring to light the undocumented everyday lives of the city's inhabitants. In this endeavour, independent scientific dating is crucial for anchoring the remains chronologically. This paper presents the first substantial radiocarbon dataset and Bayesian chronological analysis for Gezer spanning the last part of the Late Bronze Age (LBA; LB IIB) through Iron Age II. The dataset derives from an essentially continuous stratigraphic sequence exposed in recent years by the Tandy expedition along the central-southern edge of the site. The results allow us for the first time to independently determine the site chronology, test the viability (from a chronological perspective) of proposed historical correlations, and contribute to debates on Philistine and Iron Age chronology.

Physical Violence and Scapegoating Within the Family: An Exploration of Biblical Texts and Contemporary Psychology.

To understand physical violence in the family, it is important to define the role of the victim. The term "scapegoat" is a universal anthropological concept, often used in sociological theories, where a certain group of people and/or minorities are often victimized or blamed (e.g., social ills). We may note that the phenomenon of scapegoating is most clearly expressed in the Bible. Therefore, we will use relevant biblical texts that refer to parental use of corporal punishment in which a child is scapegoated and/or victimized by parental violence. In this sense, the Bible is the most profound explanation and manifestation of the cultural, social, and especially religious development of humanity. At the same time, the concept of scapegoating is also demonstrated in psychology and therapy, where it also serves as a basis for understanding, for example, physical violence in the family, and where it is also crucial to define the role of the victim. In this article, therefore, we will explain the biblical background of this concept and highlight two basic dynamics of violence against children in the family: when the child is the "scapegoat" for unresolved tensions in the family and when the child becomes the "sacrifice" or victim of the dysregulated emotional response of his or her parents.

2000 Years of Clinical Trials: The Evolution of Evidence-Based Practice.

ABSTRACT: Although the first documented clinical trial as described in the biblical book of Daniel dates to 606 BC, the prophet Daniel's nutrition study is contemporary in both approach and topic and could be considered the first comparative effectiveness research (CER) trial. This article summarizes the historical evolution of clinical trials and associated regulatory legislation. Ethical considerations foundational to nursing and evidence-based practice (EBP) in the 21st century are examined. Distinguishing features of CER, various study designs and checklists, and EBP are detailed. Biblical foundations for research and the Bible's relevance to modern research methods are discussed.

The Christian Nurse's Role in Antibiotic Stewardship.

ABSTRACT: Antibiotic resistance is a growing health threat globally. Nurses can play key roles in combatting antibiotic resistance through participation in antibiotic stewardship programs and educating colleagues, other healthcare professionals, and the public. Improved education is necessary for nurses and healthcare institutions to effectively improve antibiotic use and reduce resistant organisms. Biblical elements of stewardship are described in this article.

Growing Old in the Bible Belt: Resources for Aging LGBT Adults Living in the South.

There has been an increase in the literature about LGBT older adults in recent years; however, there is a need for further sociological quantitative research examining the impact of geographic region on LGBT aging. Utilizing data from a nationwide survey, this study focuses on the availability of LGBT-specific resources for LGBT aging adults living in the South. We examine the effects of community type and sociodemographics on the availability of LGBT-specific resources as well as the type of resources available. Findings reveal that in the South, community type, having a partner, household income, and education affect the LGBT-specific resources available. Of particular interest, LGBT-affirming faith organizations are identified as the resource most frequently available for LGBT aging adults in this region often referred to as the Bible Belt. Overall, this study sheds light on the LGBT-specific resources that are available to provide social support and help meet the unique needs of LGBT adults aging in the South.

The Biblical Job Against Zeno the Stoic: Living Purposively Versus Dying for Meaning.

Zeno the Stoic and the biblical Job react very differently to stressors in their lives. While Zeno succumbs to a relatively minor accident and takes his life, Job withstands cataclysmic losses, survives, and ultimately is restored. While Zeno's search for meaning ends in his suicide, Job's sense of purpose enables him to survive and ultimately thrive. The essential difference is that while Zeno greatly catastrophizes a relatively minor stressor in a desperate search for meaning, Job lives a life of purpose which gives his life intrinsic meaning. This distinction may be most relevant in today's chaotic world, with so many young people striving to "find themselves" in often the most destructive ways. While Job is resilient, Zeno is not. Job's biblical faith provides the grounding for his self-knowledge. Zeno the Stoic does not seem to have this foundational self-knowledge and is searching for signs that he is not adrift in an indifferent world. For some people, at least, biblical religion seems to provide a healthy foundational view which gives life essential purpose.

[Pain in the world of the Old Testament : Linguistic images, cultural concepts, literary conceptions]. / Schmerz in der Welt des Alten Testaments : Sprachliche Bilder, kulturelle Kontexte, literarische Konzeptionen.

BACKGROUND: For a long time, biblical views of pain were used to relieve and legitimize suffering. Nowadays, however, pain is seen as an evil to be fought. Despite this difference, it is worth researching the variety of images of pain in the Old Testament in order to include them in current debates. OBJECTIVES: 1) To reveal pain as a complex experience of physical, spiritual and social aspects in the Old Testament texts and 2) to search for correspondences and differences between biblical and contemporary approaches to pain. METHODS: A phenomenology of pain in the times of ancient Israel is based on analysis of the Old Testament texts in the original Hebrew language. Even if native speakers are no longer available for comparison, the written language expresses an authentic attitude towards pain. RESULTS: In the Bible there are neither clear terms nor theoretical treatises on pain but linguistically coded patterns of processing complex painful experiences. Because, according to the biblical body image, feelings do not exist in human beings, pain is often experienced as an alien destructive force. Images of pain developed with a view to the individual are used as metaphors for collective situations of suffering that last over a long period of time. CONCLUSION: Social and political upheavals played a crucial role in the development of Old Testament images of pain. That is why the ultimate cause of pain is only partially attributed to the divine, but more to human violence structures. The texts focus their hope on God as a deliverer from distress because he allows himself to be affected by pain.

Reconstructing biblical military campaigns using geomagnetic field data.

The Hebrew Bible and other ancient Near Eastern texts describe Egyptian, Aramean, Assyrian, and Babylonian military campaigns to the Southern Levant during the 10th to sixth centuries BCE. Indeed, many destruction layers dated to this period have been unearthed in archaeological excavations. Several of these layers are securely linked to specific campaigns and are widely accepted as chronological anchors. However, the dating of many other destruction layers is often debated, challenging the ability to accurately reconstruct the different military campaigns and raising questions regarding the historicity of the biblical narrative. Here, we present a synchronization of the historically dated chronological anchors and other destruction layers and artifacts using the direction and/or intensity of the ancient geomagnetic field recorded in mud bricks from 20 burnt destruction layers and in two ceramic assemblages. During the period in question, the geomagnetic field in this region was extremely anomalous with rapid changes and high-intensity values, including spikes of more than twice the intensity of today's field. The data are useful in the effort to pinpoint these short-term variations on the timescale, and they resolve chronological debates regarding the campaigns against the kingdoms of Israel and Judah, the relationship between the two kingdoms, and their administrations.

Encouragement for the Christian Nurse.

ABSTRACT: In today's difficult and chaotic time, nurses are reminded that their work is a calling from God. When overwhelmed and discouraged, biblical truths in this article may serve as reminders that God is present, carries burdens, comforts, and provides hope. God gives multiple spiritual resources for encouragement and enablement to do his work.

[The formation of endocrinology in the ancient times].

The formation of endocrinology as an independent medical discipline was preceded by the accumulation of medical experience during many centuries. The medicine of the ancient times was developing on the basis of continuity according to the basic principle «relata refero¼ (I tell what I have been told). Medicine and pharmacy in the countries of the ancient world had many similarities, but at the same time each civilization had its own geographical, cultural and historical particularities. The pathology of the thyroid was among the most studied pathologies in Ancient world. There are frequent mentions of the endemic goiter in the works of doctors from Ancient China, Ancient India and Ancient Greece.Although the link between iodine and the thyroid was not known, algae and dried sea sponges were using for treating swollen neck.There are many descriptions of neuroendocrine pathologies in historical sources, for example the Bible describes gigantism and the Talmud - hypoprolactinaemia.Special attention was paid to the study of diabetes mellitus, although the pathogenesis and treatment of the disease remained unknown until the 20th century.

Does the Belief in Biblical Literalism Matter for Mental Health? Assessing Variations by Gender and Dimensions of Religiosity.

Although biblical literalism is one of the most powerful ideological indicators of religiousness in the sociological study of religion, we know very little about its role vis-à-vis mental health. This is a surprising oversight, given the centrality of the Bible to both public and private religious practice in the USA. This study considers whether the belief in biblical literalism is associated with general mental health and anxiety, and whether this relationship is moderated by gender and two dimensions of religiosity: attendance and attachment to God. Data are drawn from the 2010 Baylor Religion Survey (N = 1360). Regression results suggest that stronger beliefs in biblical literalism are associated with better mental health and lower anxiety, but only among women who attend religious services weekly. However, women holding strong literalist views but falling short of weekly attendance norms reported worse mental health. There was no evidence that the relationship between biblical literalism and mental health differed by attachment to God. The implications of these results for the broader study of religion and health are discussed in light of prior research on the "dark side" of religion, recognizing that causal claims cannot be made due to the cross-sectional nature of the data.

In search of traces of the mandrake myth: the historical, and ethnobotanical roots of its vernacular names.

BACKGROUND: Mandrake (Mandragora spp.) is one of the most famous medicinal plant in western cultures since Biblical times and throughout written history. In many cultures, mandrake is related to magic and witchcraft, which is said to have a psychosomatic effect (especially when mandrake contains narcotic compounds) in addition to the pharmacological influence, as occurs with other narcotic magical plants. Due to its unique properties and related myths, it is not surprising that this plant has many names in many languages. METHODS: This paper presents an attempt to reconstruct the historical, ethnobotanical, and folkloristic roots of 292 vernacular names of Mandragora spp. in forty-one languages. We used the plant's morphological data, philology, myths and legends, medicinal properties and uses, as well as historical evidence and folkloric data, to explain meaning, origin, migration, and history of the plant's names. RESULTS: The names were classified into the following main categories: Derivatives of mandragora (19 languages), alraun (7) and of yabroukh (5). The salient groups of the plant's vernacular names are related to: Anthropomorphism (33 names in 13 languages); Similarity to other plants (28/9); Supernatural agents (28/9); Narcotic effects (21/8); Leaves, fruits, and seeds (21/8); Aphrodisiac properties (17/10); Use of a dog (15/9); Gallows (14/5); Black magic, sorcery, witchcraft (13/8), and Medicinal use (11/7). CONCLUSIONS: This frequency distribution of the mandrake's vernacular names reflects its widespread reputation as related to the doctrine of signatures, beliefs in its supernatural, natural, and mythic powers, and to a lesser extent, its uses in magic and medicine. A spatiotemporal analysis of the mandrake's names supports the old idea that the pulling ceremonies for this plant originated in the Near East and that various other myths related to this plant may have originated in different places and periods.

Ensino do Criacionismo e da Bíblia nas Escolas Brasileiras: Análise de Proposições Legislativas Atuais / Teaching Creationism and the Bible in Brazilian Schools: Analysis of Current Legislative Proposals / La Enseñanza del Creacionismo y la Biblia en las Escuelas Brasileñas: Análisis de las Propuestas Legislativas Actuales

Nesta pesquisa, analisamos projetos de lei, apresentados à Câmara Legislativa Federal, que propõem o ensino da Bíblia e do criacionismo na educação brasileira. A partir da reflexão sobre fundamentalismo religioso e ultraconservadorismo, discutimos como a laicidade se fragiliza por meio da incidência de propostas pretensamente seculares, mas baseadas em fé religiosa. Foram analisados quatro projetos de lei apresentados no período de 2014 a 2018, selecionados por meio de busca ativa no site da Câmara dos Deputados, utilizando-se os descritores "ensino da Bíblia", "estudo da Bíblia" e "criacionismo". Por meio de análise qualitativa dos argumentos adotados em tais projetos, os resultados deste estudo indicam que há uma disputa em torno da legitimidade epistêmica, bem como por legitimidade ético-moral e política nas proposições legislativas em tramitação no Congresso Nacional. Concluímos ser importante reafirmar a laicidade na educação para a formação de subjetividades democráticas, recusando a superioridade moral cristã diante da diversidade moral e cultural. (AU)

In this research, we analyzed bills, presented to the Brazilian Federal Chamber, which propose the teaching of the Bible and creationism in public schools. Based on the reflection on religious fundamentalism and ultra-conservatism, we discuss how secularism is weakened due to the incidence of supposedly secular rhetoric, but based on religious faith. Four bills submitted from 2014 to 2018 were analyzed, selected through an active search on the Chamber of Deputies website, using the descriptors "Bible teaching", "Bible study" and "creationism". Through qualitative analysis of the arguments adopted in such projects, the results of this study indicate that there is a dispute over epistemic legitimacy, as well as for ethical-moral and political legitimacy in the legislative proposals under discussion in the National Congress. We conclude that it is important to reaffirm secularity in education for the formation of democratic subjectivities, refusing Christian moral superiority in the face of moral and cultural diversity. (AU)

En esta investigación, se analizan proyectos de ley presentados a la Cámara de Diputados que proponen la enseñanza de la Biblia y del creacionismo en la educación brasileña. Con base en una reflexión sobre el fundamentalismo religioso y el ultraconservadurismo, se discute cómo el secularismo se debilita a partir de la incidencia de propuestas supuestamente seculares, pero basadas en la fe religiosa. Se analizaron cuatro proyectos de ley presentados desde 2014 hasta 2018, seleccionados mediante una búsqueda activa en el sitio web de la Cámara de Diputados, utilizando los descriptores "enseñanza bíblica", "estudio bíblico" y "creacionismo". En cuanto al análisis cualitativo de los argumentos adoptados en dichos proyectos, los resultados de este estudio indican que existe una disputa sobre la legitimidad epistémica, así como sobre la legitimidad ético-moral y política en las propuestas legislativas en discusión en el Congreso Nacional. Concluimos que es importante reafirmar la secularidad en la educación para la formación de subjetividades democráticas, rechazando la superioridad moral cristiana frente a la diversidad moral y cultural. (AU)

Lições de um xamã Yanomami para a construção de uma identidade pós-antropocêntrica / Lessons from a Yanomami shaman for the construction of a post-anthropocentric identity / Lecciones de un chaman Yanomami para la construcción de una identidad post-antropocéntrica

O imaginário da cultura ocidental reserva à figura do humano um lugar excepcional e identificado com a totalidade cosmológica: a "humanidade" é dada como certa na construção da identidade, ao mesmo tempo em que se atribui aos seres não-humanos um estatuto de não-sujeitos. Este trabalho parte do pressuposto de que esta visão de mundo se ancora sobre uma estrutura fundamentalmente mítica, que tem como um importante representante a narrativa de criação do mundo da Bíblia Hebraico-Cristã. Sendo assim, este trabalho propõe uma análise das relações entre humanidade e animalidade expressas no Gênesis, primeiro livro da Bíblia, comparando-as com a forma como essas mesmas relações são expressas em um mito de criação ameríndio: A Queda do Céu: palavras de um xamã Yanomami, de autoria do xamã e líder indígena Davi Kopenawa. Os resultados são interpretados a partir de um diálogo entre antropologia do imaginário e psicologia cultural e sinalizam que, diferentemente do que ocorre na narrativa adotada pela cultura ocidental, na ameríndia a animalidade e humanidade figuram como partes de um mesmo todo, imanentemente presentes em todos os seres, de tal modo que o contato com ancestrais espirituais somente é considerado possível com a mediação animal - o que faz da "natureza" uma dimensão fundamental do "divino" na cosmologia Yanomami. Discutese as implicações destes achados com relação a um pressuposto fundamental do pensamento psicológico: a noção de humanidade.

Western culture's imaginary positions human figure as exceptional and identified with cosmological wholeness: "humanity" is taken for granted in the construction of people's identity, while non-human beings are assigned a condition of non-subjects. This paper departs from the assumption that this worldview is supported by a fundamentally mythical structure, which has, as an important representant, world creation narrative expressed in the Hebrew-Christian Bible. Thus, this paper proposes an analysis of the relations between humanity and animality that are expressed in The Book of Genesis, first book of the Bible, comparing them with the way those same relations are expressed in an Amerindian creation myth: The Falling Sky: Words from a Yanomami shaman, from indigenous leader and shaman David Kopenawa. The results are interpreted from a dialogue between anthropology of the imaginary and cultural psychology and show that, unlike Western narrative, in Amerindian animality and humanity figure like parts of the same whole, immanently present in all beings: the contact with spiritual ancestors is only possible through animal mediation, which makes "nature" a fundamental dimension of the "divine" in Yanomami cosmology. I discuss the implications of these findings for a fundamental assumption of psychological thought: the notion of humanity

El imaginario de la cultura occidental reserva a la figura humana un lugar excepcional y identificado con la totalidad cosmológica: la "humanidad" se dá por certo en la construcción de la identidad de las personas, mientras que los seres no humanos están relegados a una condición de no sujetos. Este artículo parte del supuesto de que esta cosmovisión anclas en una estructura fundamentalmente mítica, que tiene como importante representante la narrativa de la creación del mundo presente en la Biblia Hebreo-Cristiana. Por ello, este trabajo propone un análisis de las relaciones entre humanidad y animalidad expresadas en Génesis, el primer libro de la Biblia, comparándolas con la forma en que estas mismas relaciones se expresan en un mito de la creación amerindio: La Caída del Cielo: palabras de un chamán Yanomami, de autoría del líder indígena y chamán David Kopenawa. Los resultados son interpretados desde un dialogo entre la antropología del imaginário y la psicología cultural y señalan que, a diferencia de la narrativa occidental, en la amerindia la "animalidade" y la "humanidade" figuran como partes del mismo todo, inmanentemente presentes en todos los seres, tal que el contacto con los antepasados espirituales solo se considera posible a través de la mediación animal, lo que hace de la "naturaliza" una dimensión fundamental de lo "divino" en la cosmología Yanomami. Las implicaciones de estos hallazgos se discuten en relación con un supuesto fundamental del pensamiento psicológico: la noción de humanidad.

Leprosy review.

Leprosy (Hansen's disease) can affect multiple organs and body structures. Skin signs are typically observed in the early phase of the disease, hence being the first identifiable signs to propel clinical suspicion. Leprosy predominantly affects the skin and peripheral nerves. The disease has been documented many centuries preceding the biblical era. Over many decades, the classification of Hansen's disease has changed as modern medical science evolved. Patients with leprosy are usually subjected to discrimination, rejection from society and can suffer from social stigma, poor quality of life (QoL), low self-esteem and permanent disfigurements. Studies have shown that leprosy has a significant negative impact on the patients' QoL. Leprosy is often not suspected by practicing clinicians because it is no longer emphasised in the medical curricula. In modern years, attention has gradually shifted from leprosy to tuberculosis (TB) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

The Pain of Infertility.

ABSTRACT: Infertility, the inability to conceive and/or carry a baby to term, is an agonizing experience for many. Both the experience and pain of infertility are ancient, shared by women and men of the Bible and by couples today. An insider's look into infertility can help nurses understand the suffering that occurs, suggest what can be said and done that can be helpful as well as hurtful, and offer insight into what can be gained personally and spiritually through the experience of infertility.

"In the Bible Belt:" The role of religion in HIV care and prevention for transgender people in the United States South.

Within the United States South, the socio-religious norms that shape life for many residents may have public health implications. Drawing from 12 key informant interviews, this study explores the role of religious institutions in HIV care and prevention access among transgender people of color in Southern cities. Findings suggest that while religious anti-transgender stigma is pervasive, the regional importance of faith-based beliefs and institutions necessitates targeted faith-based initiatives for the population. Broadly, findings suggest regional environments may demand interventions that negotiate historically marginalizing relationships between at-risk groups and dominant cultural institutions.

"An automatic Bible in the brain": Trauma and prayer among Acholi Pentecostals in northern Uganda.

This article examines the role of prayers for traumatized survivors of war within a Pentecostal-charismatic community in post-conflict northern Uganda. It argues that becoming part of a church group and learning certain regimes of prayer can work toward symptom relief and recovery for people suffering from traumatic experiences. The study builds on 13 months of ethnographic fieldwork in rural northern Uganda, with extensive participant observation of religious practices and interviews with rural church congregants. The article attempts to show, through a single case narrative, how individual prayer practices are trained and learned and to identify features of prayer that may alter the individual experience of distress. Analytically, the article builds on Tanya Luhrmann's scholarship on prayer and applies this conceptual framework to a post-conflict context. The study expands on Luhrmann's concepts of prayer as an emotional technology in order to understand how psychiatric symptoms are managed within a Pentecostal-charismatic community. The article further argues that a conceptual focus on training of skills can contribute to debates on the universal versus particular characteristics of psychiatric expression and concepts of mind. This argument contributes to current debates on non-clinical ways of managing traumatic experiences and to debates about models of mind in different cultural settings.

The Psychology of the Pursuit for a Sense of Power and Structural Patterns of Biblical Social Relations.

This article attempts to reconstruct some important features (structural patterns) of social relations in biblical discourse, which is the most significant source of regulation in the social world of not only Christian communities but also outside of them in both the public and private lives of believers. An analysis was conducted on the basis of the striving for power theory by Alfred Adler and Wladyslaw Witwicki, and on the linguistic category model by Gun Semin and Klaus Fiedler. The focus was mainly on the analysis of the concept of power and domination, preferred emotions, and a sense of social closeness as important variables regulating the social world of biblical time. The obtained results are primarily important for pastoral psychology, religious education, and psychotherapy.