Skrif en Kerk Volume 18 Issue 1 (1997)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://hdl.handle.net/2263/20852

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Stil van my verlange na God: oor Johann Wilhelm Herrmann se verstaan van die ervaring van God (deel II)
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 1997) Veldsman, D.P. (Daniel Petrus), 1959-
Quenching my thirst for God: On Johann Wilhelm Herrmann's understanding of the experience of God (part II): This article, which is divided into two parts, focusses on the concept of the "experience of God" as understood by the German systematic theologian Wilhelm Herrmann (1846 - 1922) of Marburg in his "Der Verkehr des Christen mit Gott" (1886). The first part of the article which was published in the previous edition, explained the historical and theological context of Hernnann's "Der Verkehr ... " as well as the theological frontiers overagainst which he responded in his understanding of the experience of God, characterized as a "search-jind-experience". This second part elaborates on this "search-find-experience" by humans of God as understood by Herrmann, and indicates the influence it had on Herrmann's two greatest pupils, namely Karl Barth and Rudolf Bultmann. It is argued that Herrmann's understanding of the experience of God makes up the kernel of their theological vantage points, and in this respect, is critically evaluated.
Trends in the history of research on the problem of violence in the Old Testament
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 1997) Snyman, S.D. (Stephanus Daniel), 1954-
Violence as theological problem is a relative newcomer to the scene of Old Testament studies. It was only during the 1970's that violence was given major attention by Old Testament scholars. In a number of studies the main focus was on Yahweh and his relation to violence. By the late 1970's the theories of Rene Girard on violence were applied to the Old Testament and played an important role in the thinking of Old Testament scholars on violence. In the last part of the article proposed solutions to the problem of violence in the Old Testament are discussed.
Context and violence in individual prayers for protection
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 1997) Firth, D.G. (David Graham)
The individual prayers for protection within the Psalter are marked by a consistency in terms of the context supposed and the nature of violence experienced by the psalmists. Consistently, these psalms also assert that the right to retributive violence against the enemies belongs to Yahweh alone. Such a consistent pattern indicates that those responsible for assembling the Book of Psalms intended to model this as the appropriate response for the faithful.
Religion without fear: Plutarch on superstition and early Christian literature
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 1997) Klauck, H-J.
After some introductory remarks on the role of fear in religious discourse and on the vocabulary, Plutarch's treatise On Superstition is analysed according to its rhetorical outline. Questions of authenticity are discussed and answered by locating The essay in Plutarch's early career. Then we ask for the place of ''fear of God" in biblical teaching and theology, compare it to Plutarch and show some limits in Plutarch's youthful thinking, which doesn't yet pay due respect to the life values of myth. We conclude with two New Testament passages, Romans 8:15, masterfully interpreted by Martin Luther, and 1 John 4:17f, excellently explained by 20th century's Swiss theologian and psychologian Oskar Pfister, and we show that these texts are propagating "belief without fear".
Staatsvakken en kerkelijke vakken aan openbare universiteiten
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 1997) Vroom, Hendrik M., 1945-
Theology at the state universities in the Netherlands since 1876: State disciplines and church disciplines: In three contributions the organisation of (protestant) theology in the Netherlands since 1876 has been described. In this first part the Dutch law on higher education (1876) is dealt with, its background (especially separation of state and church and equal treatment of religious traditions). This law has established a dual system ("duplex ordo"): "state professors" and "church professors", all paid by the government. Various evaluations of this arrangement are discussed and its recent modification and the motifs thereof are given. In practice, the theological faculties at the state universities have been mostly reformed faculties.
Eksegeties-hermeneutiese ondersoek van die Jonagegewens in Matteus 12:38ev
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 1997) Thirion, Willem Gabriel
An exegetic-hermeneutical research on the Jonah evidences in Matthew 12:38ff: The New Testament interpretation of the "sign of Jonah" (Math 12:38ff) cannot be applied as a criterion to legitimate the historical authenticity of the story about Jonah and the great fish in the Old Testament. it is, however, possible to recognise the authority of Jesus' citation in Matthew 12:38ff and simultaneously quash the historical authenticity of the evidence about Jonah and the great fish. Matthew created a new authoritative text with an exegitical method inherent in his own context and never tried to verify the historical authenticity of the evidence about Jonah and the "three days and three nights" in the belly of the fish. Matthew 12:38ff as well as the story about Jonah in The Book of Jonah should each be expounded in its own historical, literary and theological context.
Enkele opmerkings oor Christologiese skrifinterpretasie as hermeneutiese sleutel van die Nuwe Testamentiese skrywers
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 1997) Steyn, Gert Jacobus
Some remarks on the Christological interpretation of Scripture as hermeneutical key of New Testament authors: Some remarks are made in the following article regarding the christological use of Scripture by the early christian writers. It is argued that the origin of this approach was found by the New Testament writers in Christ's own interpretation of these Scriptures. Acts 8:26-40 is used as an example of how a "different" meaning was given. It is further stated that the early christian writers could easily bridge the gap to Jesus of Nazareth being the Lord and Messiah with terminology in the LXX which lends itself to this purpose. After indicating personal preferences for and/or accessibility of some of these Scriptures, the article concludes that the early christian writers continued the tradition that these Scriptures were God's word and authoritative, but they interpreted them christologically.
Nuwe-Testamentiese perspektiewe op die Sabbat en die Sondag
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 1997) Joubert, Stephan Jacobus, 1958-
New Testament perspectives on the Sabbath and the Sunday: In order to come to terms with New Testament views on the Sabbath and the Sunday, an investigation of Jewish schematizarions of time and of the Sabbath in particular, around the first century A.D. is undertaken. This is followed by a discussion of relevant New Testament texts on the Sabbath and the Sunday. Finally, the available information from the New Testament is placed within the interpretative framework of the "Christ event" which inaugurated the eschaton, and which also replaced the strong emphasis on specific holy days within early Christianity. However, the Sunday was probably chosen by some early Christian groups as the most suitable day to commemorate the resurrection of Christ.
Verhouding van die Siriese Psalm 151 tot die Griekse en Hebreeuse weergawes
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 1997) Van Rooy, Harry F.
The relation between the Syriac Psalm 151 and the Greek and Hebrew versions: This article studies the apocryphal Psalm 151, with special reference to the Syriac version in its relation to the versions of this psalm in the Septuagint and at Qumran. Four different sources of this psalm in Syriac can be distinguished, namely, a commentary on the psalms by Athanasius, a number of manuscripts of the Peshitta and the Syrohexaplar, the manuscript 12t4 (containing the five Syriac apocryphal psalms as an addendum to the canonical psalms) and a number of other manuscripts with these apocryphal psalms. This psalm existed in more than one version in Hebrew. One version is reflected at Qumran in the psalms Scroll from cave 11 and another one in the Septuagint. The Syriac is dependent on the Greek, but clear signs of an inner-Syriac development can be discerned.
Joodse religieuse uitbreiding in die Nuwe-Testamentiese tydvak: was die Judaisme 'n missionere godsdiens? (deel II)
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 1997) Du Toit, A.B. (Andreas B.); Du Toit, Andrie B. (Andreas B.)
Jewish religious expansion in the New Testament era: was Judaism a missionary religion? (part II) In the first part of this article five factors were identified which would have contributed to the significant numerical increase of Jews towards the end of the Second Temple period. Here six others are discussed: Jewish slaves in non-Jewish households, adoption of children, the universalistic tendency in certain circles, the role of the synagogue, the attractiveness of Judaism in spite of a negative cross-current and the influence of apologetic-propagandistic literature. In weighing the evidence for a full-scale centrifugal missionary movement a mostly negative conclusion is reached. In this sense first century Judaism cannot be described as a missionary religion. We could, however, speak of an indirect mission in the sense that non-Jews were attracted to Judaism mainly through the quality of Jewish belief and life-style and that they were encouraged to do so.
The contribution of Arthur Peacocke to the science- theology debate
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 1997) Du Toit, C.
The work of Arthur Peacocke may be considered to be a good example of the effort to link the findings and theories of new cosmology to the world of theology and religious thinking in a consistent and credible way. Highlights of Peacocke's theology pertaining to this venture are discussed. Smile of the issues that are dealt with include his anti-reductionist approach, his critical realist stand, and his use of metaphor. Attention is also given to God's interaction with the world, the interaction of law and chance, God's self-limited omnipotence and omniscience, God and tinle, the suffering of creation and kenosis. The article concludes with some critical questions posed to Peacocke.
Unity in John 17 and in lQS I-IX: a comparative study
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 1997) De Wet, Burgert Wynand
The unity theme as it is found in John 17 and in lQS I-IX provides sufficient comparative material to give an indication of the extent to which John's theology flourished within the contemporary Jewish context. It is argued that the events surrounding Christ constituted for John the central point of orientation according to which the typical Jewish ideas could be interpreted and reformulated. It is finally concluded thar, according to this radical and exclusive Christian dynamic approach, certain elements within Judaism, also found among members of the Qumran community, were reinterpreted, while others were either continued or discontinued.
Religiee van mense en die verlossende kennis van God
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 1997) Crafford, D.
Human religions and the saving knowledge of God: It has become an accepted practice to speak of the relationship of Christianity to other religions in terms of exclusivism, inclusivism and pluralism. These categories are actually not very helpful. The emphasis must not be on the question of excluding or including people from salvation but rather on a saving knowledge of God. Human religions have a limited or distorted knowledge of the supreme Reality. It is only through selfrevelation of God that a true saving knowledge of the ultimate Reality can be attained. This happens through the self-revelation of God in Scripture and especially in the incarnation and saving acts of God in Christ and through the enlightening work of the Holy Spirit.
Denkbeelde oor God by Hosea
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 1997) Boshoff, Willem Sterrenberg
Conceptions of God in Hosea: The book Hosea could be characterised as a polemic against particular traits of Israelite religion. According to the book's message Yahweh was deeply involved in Israel's everyday existence. His involvement is presented in tenns of three critically important aspects of His being as the only God: He is God of history, God of nature and He is the High God. The basic premise that Yahweh was the God of Israel's past is common ground between Hosea and his contemporaries, but the prophet's message is that Yahweh also governs the present and future. The Israelites are moreover accused that they depend on the 'baalim' for their natural and agricultural needs. Now Yahweh is proclaimed as the God in command of every aspect of nature and fertility. Although He is a High God, Yahweh is not remote, but close by. He does make a difference and He is very relevant to Israel's everyday existence.

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