Skrif en Kerk Volume 17 Issue 2 (1996)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://hdl.handle.net/2263/11394

Verbum et Ecclesia is fulltext available on Open Journals Publishing.

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What makes theological education "theological"? a South African story on the -integrity of theological education
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 1996) Robinson, P.J.; Smit, D.J.
David Tracy claims that the contemporary emergence of a sociological imagination is as crucial for theological self-consciousness as the earlier rise of historical consciousness among theologians. The authors are of the opinion that the rapid and fundamental social changes in South African society over the past few years have accelerated this "emergence of a sociological imagination" amongst South African theologians. In three sections, they point to three clusters of questions that have therefore become increasingly important, namely questions related to the growing awareness of the crucial role of social location or context, questions arising from a growing acknowledgement of public responsibility, and questions concerning the integrity of theological education, i.e. the question on what makes theological education "theological".
Psalm 47: Partikularisme en universalisme. Jahwe is ons koning en koning oor die hele aarde
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 1996) Prinsloo, Willem S. (Willem Sterrenberg), 1944-
Psalm 47: Particularism and universalism. Jahwe is our king and king of all the earth: In this article, Psalm 47 is considered from a text immanent perspective and particular attention is given to the morphological, syntactical, stylistic and semantic facets of the psalm. Although problems of interpretation experienced in respect of Psalm 47 are the same as those for the so-called enthronement psalms, this article concentrates mainly on those research problems that are peculiar to this psalm. Psalm 47 is a hymn comprising of two parallel strophes (w. 2-6 and 7-10). The reason for the exhortations to praise is the fact that in his deeds of salvation towards Israel, Yahweh has also proved himself to be the mighty, universal king. Psalm 47 probably dates from the exilic or post-exilic period.
Politieke mag, die Ou Testament en kerkeenheid
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 1996) Le Roux, J.H. (Jurie Hendrik), 1944-
Political power, the Old Testament and church unity: The family of Dutch Reformed Churches in South Africa are involved in tense discussions on church unity. One aspect which must be discussed thoroughly is the legitimation of political power. Not only in the past but also the present Mandela government is religiously supported. It is argued that this a dangerous venture. Some examples from the Old Testament are used to illustrate this point. It is stated that Israel became disillusioned in political power and therefore reformulated royal theology.
Johan Heyns and the class of '51 - prolegomena to a story of people who got hurt
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 1996) Landman, Christina
This article consists of three parts. In the first part a story is told of Johan Heyns and some of the men who shared with him the final year of theological training at the University of Pretoria in 1951. In the second part prolegomena to the telling of a new story of Johan Heyns are explained. Finally this new story is told by using the voices of six people - students, colleagues and family - who interrupt each other's voice on Johan Heyns, thereby undermining the popular ideal amongst local church historians that religion biography can and should recreate a complete and consistent image of a person's (moral) reality.
A historical survey and critical evaluation concerning discipleship in the fourth gospel
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 1996) Van der Merwe, D.G. (Dirk Gysbert)
The historical survey about discipleship in the Fourth Gospel indicates that the literature of the second half of this century was sketchy about this theme. Up till 1972 a thematic-theological approach highlighted some characteristics of discipleship as they appeared in all four gospels. The study of Jimenez (1972) was the first substantial approach to research about discipleship in the Fourth Gospel and caused a paradigm shift to restrict his study to only the Fourth Gospel. During the 80's the interest about this theme increased, due to Rudolph Bultmann. After Bultmann more attention was paid to the situation and circumstances of the audience which contribute to a greater interest on discipleship and ecclesiology in the Fourth Gospel. Although no constant current influence on discipleship has been observed, most scholars are unanimous that the focal point of discipleship lies in the "Last Discourse".
Stil van my verlange na God: oor Johann Wilhelm Herrmann se verstaan van die ervaring van God
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 1996) Veldsman, D.P. (Daniel Petrus), 1959-
Quenching my thirst for God: On Johann Wilhelm Herrmann's understanding of the experience of God: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 explains the historical and theological context of Herrmann's "Der Verkehr ... " as well as the theological frontiers over against which he responded in his understanding of the experience of God. For Herrmann, this experience can not be justified by means of historical investigation. Neither is this experience a "holding for true" of doctrines nor has it its origin in humans themselves, but is rather a "search-find-experience" of the overwhelming "image of Jesus" in God's revelatory engagement with humanity. If, and only if, we search for the gracious God wholeheartedly, can he himself be found and not one or other doctrine or gift of God. The second part of the article 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.
Moet ons die Belydenis van Belhar (1986) as 'n nuwe Belydenisskrif aanvaar ?
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 1996) Van Niekerk, Andre C.J.
Can we accept the Confession of Belhar (1986) as a new doctrinal confession? The possibility exists that the Dutch Refonned Church (DRC) could stop the process of church unity in its own family due to its refusal to accept The Confession 1986 (Confession of Belhar) as a fourth reformed confession. In this article the question of acceptance is examined from four perspectives and it is concluded that it should be accepted if the DRC wants to gain credibility. First the nature, characteristics and history of confessions oblige the Church in difficult situations to adopt new confessions. Secondly the history of the DRC and its family makes it imperative to overcome the gulf between believers from the same tradition through the "language of confession". Thirdly the main contents of the confession is biblically sound while absolutism of different kinds is avoided. Lastly it is argued that the confession satisfies the requirement for both contextual relevance and universal applicability.
John 21:24-25: a case of failed attestation?
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 1996) Tolmie, D.F. (D. Francois)
In this article the tendency to interpret John 21:24-25 narratologically as a highly sophisticated and effective technique is disputed. Instead it is argued that the Beloved Disciple is identified in these verses as the real author of the Gospel and that the dominating function in John 21 :24-25 is the testimonial function (also known as the function of attestation). It is also argued that the intended effect of this junction is undermined by the awkward manner in which it is fulfilled.
Kerkvereniging en kerkreg : geskiedenis, beginsel en praktyk
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 1996) Hofmeyr, J.W. (Johannes Wynand), 1947-
In this article the need for a clearer focus on the history, principles and practice of church polity in the process of church re-unification is addressed. This is specifically focused on the process currently under way in the Dutch Reformed Church family. After an extensive discussion of issues pertaining to the history, principles and practice of church polity within this church family, it is concluded that the process of re-unification need to be implemented with the necessary urgency, but also with patience.
Wat het Athene met Jerusalem te doen? Enkele histories-sistematiese gesigspunte in verband met die vraag of die teologie aan die universiteit tuishoort
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 1996) Wethmar, Conrad Johannes
This article investigates the question whether theology as an academic discipline should be accommodated at state universities. This question proves to be determined by a complex constellation of historical, philosophical, theological and political issues. In an attempt to give a systematic analysis and evaluation of these issues a brief historical description of the relationship between theology and university is given and the basic characteristics of a university and theology identified. Such an approach seems to provide adequate considerations for motivating an affirmative answer to the question at stake.
Traditional African economies in conflict with western capitalism
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 1996) Pauw, C.M.
Some of the fundamental differences between two economic systems which, by and large, have come into conflict with one another in Africa south of the Sahara are analised, i.e. traditional African economies and western, capitalist oriented economies. The dire economic conditions prevailing in Africa are the result, to a large extent, of a long history of exploitation and economic disempowerment particularly by western powers. Not all the strategies and programs to counter this poverty are equally appropriate or acceptable. In the meantime a unique coping mechanism is developing, particularly within African Independent Churches which may provide some answers.
Responses to violence in some lament Psalms of the individual
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 1996) Firth, D.G. (David Graham)
Lament psalms of the individual that reflect a motif of violence are here examined so as to determine whether or not the editors of the Psalter had a pattern of instruction that they wished to inculcate with respect to the experience of violence. An examination of prayers of the accused and prayers of sickness as sub-groups within the Gattung indicates the presence of such a pattern, and suggests that the editors wished to model a pattern that rejects the right of human retribution. This pattern needs to be tested further through an examination of a third sub-group, the prayers for protection.
Rol van die ouers van Simson in die Simsonsage (Rigters 13-16)
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 1996) Coetzee, J.H. (Johannes Hendrik)
The parents of Samson, Manoah and his wife, play an important literary and theological role not only in Judges 13 where they act as main characters, but also in the rest of the saga where they occur in a diminishing role. By means of the interaction between the characters and the underlying motifs originating from them (especially the parents), Samson's conduct in relationship with his parents becomes an illustration of the tension found in the life of the people of Israel, viz. that between the orderly social institutions on the one hand and the natural non-traditional forces in a developing society on the other hand.
Joodse religieuse uitbreiding in die Nuwe-Testamentiese tydvak : was die Judaisme 'n missionere godsdiens? (Deel I)
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 1996) Du Toit, Andrie B. (Andreas B.)
The dramatic increase in the Jewish population towards the end of the Second Temple period has prompted the theory that Judaism at that stage was an energetic missionary religion. But this phenomenon should rather be ascribed to a variety of factors. In this first article five of these factors are discussed: the Jewish attitude towards procreation, the fact of the Diaspora, forced proselytizing, intermarriage and the "conversion" of nonJewish slaves.
Gelykenisse in konteks : aantekeninge oor Matteus 24:45-25:30
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 1996) Botha, Pieter J.J.
The three parables in Matthew 24:45-25:30 are usually read as advice to the church on how to behave while waiting for the return of the Lord. An alternative reading is proposed in this article: Matthew discusses the relationship between various Jewish groups, explaining who the disciples of the Kingdom are and why formative Judaism, competing for the allegiance of Jews of the late first century, is not a viable option for the future of Israel's inheritance.

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