Verbum et Ecclesia Volume 23 Issue 1 (2002)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://hdl.handle.net/2263/10481

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Now showing 1 - 14 of 14

Paulus se retoriese strategie in Galasiers 3:1-14
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2002) Tolmie, D.F. (D. Francois)
The aim of this article is to demonstrate an approach to the rhetorical analysis of Paul's Letter to the Galatians that differs from the typical approach followed by researchers, namely the forcing of ancient rhetorical categories on the letter. Instead it is proposed that Paul's rhetorical strategy should be analysed in terms of a grounded theoretical approach. This is demonstrated by a systematic analysis of the Paul's basic rhetorical strategy, as well as of all the supportive persuasive techniques, in Galatians 3:1-14 (subdivided as Galatians 3:1-5 and 3:6- 14).
Hoe dink vandag se mense oor die Bybel?
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2002) Spangenberg, I.J.J. (Izak J.J.)
Not all members of the Dutch Reformed Church cherish the same view about Scripture. The letters in the Afrikaans newspapers on religious issues clearly reflect this. There are two groups of scholars in the church whose views on Scripture impact on church members' views. They are (1) systematic theologians and (2) biblical scholars. A large number of systematic theologians adhere to the view which was formulated during the heydays of Protestant Orthodoxy, i.e. that the Bible reflects a double authorship. They prefer to use the Latin words "auctor primaries" and "auctores secundarii" when writing about Scripture. A large number of biblical scholars, however, work with the idea that the Bible reflects single authorship. God did not write. Humans wrote the books of the Bible. It goes without saying that ordinary church members do not always understand the differences and are often perplexed by these differences. It is of utmost importance to discuss these differences and to try and find some middle ground in the church.
Homosexuality in Botswana and in the Hebrew Bible : an impression
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2002) Stiebert, Johanna
This paper has two parts : the first offers an impression of how homosexuality is being discussed in the public in Botswana; the second outlines the main theological positions in contemporary debates. From here it goes on to explore the social circumstances that could have given rise to those texts of the Hebrew Bible that allude to some form of sexual activity between members of the same sex. The argument developed in this paper is that the Hebrew Bible does not explicitly or unambiguously condemn either homosexual orientation, or most homosexual behaviour, and indicates that the complexities of the ongoing theological debate on this topic are very much in evidence in Botswana.
The question of Calvin's involvement in the trial of Servetus at Vienne (1553)
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2002) Ra, E.S.
This article considers the extent of John Calvin's involvement in the trial of Michael Servetus at Vienne (1553). Calvin is held responsible for Servetus' arrest and the accusations against him at the trial of Vienne. During this trial Servetus was convicted of heresy and was burned in effigy, since he had escaped. The letter of de Trie, the period preceding the trial, and the proceedings of the trial of Vienne are looked at to determine whether the allegations of Calvin's unjust involvement in the trial of Vienne are justified. This article contends that Calvin did not play any direct role in the conviction of Servetus at the trial of Vienne.
Predikante opleiding : roeping, keuring en legitimering
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2002) Nel, Malan
The profession of being a pastor is under pressure. The challenge for churches and seminaries is to rediscover what it means to be called, and more specifically to be called for full time ministry in a local church. Such a calling needs to be secularised in order to be recovered. In this process the "job" of the called one needs to be determined, at least to a larger extent, by the congregation or parish. The point in question here is the fact that such "functions" as pastors are being given by God for equipping the body (Eph 4:7-16). When this is a reality, testing for such a call asks for a commitment to what the call, training for the profession and retaining status imply. Such testing leads to new freedom and the discovery of the complex nature of ministry on the one hand, and giftedness for specific ministries on the other. While further research is needed, the intermediate questions are whether there are seminaries that are willing to partner with churches to find an answer to the growing gap between professional training and church-based-training, and whether there are churches with the courage to take recruitment, testing, and ongoing training more serious.
The New Testament and homosexuality? Part 1: The social system behind Romans 1
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2002) Malina, Bruce John
In this, the first of two parts of a continuous argument, the focus falls on what Paul meant by his statement in Romans 1 about same-gender sexual relations. The social system within which and from which his statements had meaning is considered. The second part of this argument, to appear in Verbum et Ecclesia 23 (2) 2002, looks more closely at the various traditions that could have influenced Paul's thinking, and draws conclusions to the developed argument on the prevalence of homosexuality in the New Testament era.
Geheim van die prediking : om na die stem van die teks te luister
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2002) Cilliers, Johan
This paper concentrates on the function of the Biblical text in preaching, contending that there can in fact be no preaching in the true sense of the word if the text is not honoured both in its content and form. It argues that a significant percentage of contemporary preaching has lost its Biblical integrity because (a) it does not understand the basic need for and character of meditation, (b) it has lost the art of reading the text, (c) it does not utilize the text as source of creative structuring, and (d) it fails to understand the very nature of the text as Biblical text. Albeit an introduction, it tries to combine the contributions of the communication and literary sciences with classical homiletical approaches, for example those of Augustine and Luther, in answering the question: when can preaching be called Scriptural?
Seksuele reinheid voor die huwelik in Korinte in die eerste eeu nC
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2002) Botha, P.H.; Van Rensburg, Fika J. (Johan Jacob Janse)., 1951-; Janse van Rensburg, F.J.
A socio-historical overview on the ethical codes within Judaism, Hellenism, and early Christianity shows that very definite codes were in place. Sexual purity within Judaism was based on two aspects, namely a property code and an ethical code. Early Christianity inherited its sexual ethics from Judaism and has reinterpreted it in the light of the Gospel. The moral status of Corinth was to a great extent the outcome of its religious and social history. The Christian community existed within these circumstances, but experienced problems in coping with the moral situation of its time. The Jewish, Graeco-Roman and Christian communities existed alongside each other in the city of Corinth and each of these groups had a code of conduct for sexual purity. It would seem that the different ethical codes for sexual purity had much in common. Virginity was a prerequisite, especially for unmarried females. Within all three groups the parqevno~ (virgin) was of utmost importance. The perception each group had of the parqevno~ was however informed from various origins, for example culture, religion, social influences and history. Porneiva (sexual immorality) was duly defined within each group and all sexual activity outside of marriage was regarded as porneiva. The conclusion is reached that the first hearers would probably have understood sexual purity as excluding all physical contact before marriage.
Drange van hulle hart... (Rom 1:24-27)
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2002) Botha, Pieter J.J.
Aspects of ancient sexuality are summarised to provide a background to the New Testament texts mentioning homoerotic behaviour. An exposition of Rom 1:18-32 leads to a discussion of the problem about how Scripture informs our lives. The emphasis is on understanding the historical embeddedness of these texts and the challenge to find expression of religious conviction for our own time with our concepts and perspectives.
Godsredes in die boek Job : ideologie en eko-teologie
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2002) Maarschalk, R.; Viviers, Hendrik
The ecological crisis has sensitised many to ask seriously how eco- just are we towards the earth and its inhabitants? A "green"-awareness obviously also influences our reading of texts, like all readings which are never value free. A "green"-ideological focus on the divine speeches of Job, lays bare its subtext of eco-justice. Creation, in its intimate relationship with God, has intrinsic value and worth, and becomes - to a certain extent - even "holy". Nature should be seen in a theocentric and not in a anthropocentric way. It does not exist for the sake of humans alone, in fact, it seems better off without human intervention. Humans are not above nature, but co-subjects of the earth community and should utilize its inhabitants as role models in the mastering of the art of life. Both school and church can play key roles in promoting a universal environmental ethics, as witnessed in Job. Within education circles, a new discipline, Environmental Education, has surfaced in the past few decades to do just this. Within Outcomes-based Education this discipline has ample opportunity to establish not only scientific knowledge on the environment, but eco-just values as well. The Job text, as one of many from the Christian tradition, along with ecological insights from the other mainstream religions, can aid in this laudable endeavour. The church as traditional partner of the school, although guilty of neglegence in the past, should also place the cause of eco-justice much higher on the agenda. The divine addresses in Job is a timely warning against the anthropocentrism in the church that threatens to annihilate God's creation
"Today salvation has come to this house..." (Lk 19:10)
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2002) Alana, O.E.
In this article, the story of the conversion of Zacchaeus in Luke 19:1-10 is studied against the background of Nigerian society. The importance of Zacchaeus' story lies in the fact that it remains a paradigm of how wealthy Christians are to make use of their wealth. His example will be advanced for emulation by many a Nigerian wealthy Christian as a way of wealth redistribution.
"Hemel vertel die eer van God" : natuur, skriftuur en die bidder in Psalm 19
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2002) Kruger, Paul Albertus
This article investigates the relationship between the different parts of Psalm 19, viz. v 2-7, 8-11 and 12-15. After a translation and colometric analysis, observations are made on the structure of the poem, the wordplay, and the other literary strategies that keep the different parts together, and on the characteristics that mark this composition as a wisdom psalm. Special attention is devoted to the sun imagery which runs like a golden thread through the whole poem.
Johannese "Logos" kom opnuut tuis in Afrika
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2002) Du Rand, J.A.
In many parts of Africa people are still staggering under the burden of colonialism, civil wars, illnesses, drought, famine, poverty and corruption, to name but a few. On the other hand, one should also take notice of the warmth of its variety of peoples, the family and community values and the promotion of mutual care. Who is Jesus in the midst of all this? Jesus has many faces in Africa, like being the master of initiation, the chief, the ancestor and elder brother, the healer and the liberator from suffering, to name some.
Passionate theology - desire, passion and politics in the theology of J.B. Metz - Part 1
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2002) Hofmeyr, H.M. (Henry Murray)
The author argues that a theory of concupiscence (desire), the subject of much of Metz's early work (during his "transcendental phase") implicitly plays a decisive role in his Political Theology. The implied concept of concupiscence is explicated with the aid of the major categories of a theory of reification as developed by Luk cs, Benjamin and Adorno. The main categories of Metz's Political Theology (notably asceticism, theodicy, negative theology and praxis) are linked to the (implied) central concept of concupiscence, eventually described as the might of what is. As this might seems to be absolute, the problem of the praxis of the believer becomes acute. Metz calls for a theology that integrates into its concepts societal, historical and cultural contexts. His notion of praxis as privation is interpreted in terms of longing and resistance.

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