Verbum et Ecclesia Volume 25 Issue 2 (2004)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://hdl.handle.net/2263/8359

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Teologie kroniek/Theology chronicle : the politics of salvation: values, ideology, and the South African National Curriculum
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2004) Jansen, J.
The South African experience offers dramatic examples of how the curriculum remains a lightning rod for the values contestation in divided societies. Despite its overwhelming election mandate, the ruling party found that changing the curriculum required the consent of powerful and less powerful sections of society-whose opposition extended across racial lines. This essay reports on research into attempts by the post-apartheid state to introduce values explicitly into the school curriculum, and how communities - mobilised primarily on the common front of religious values -combined to decelerate if not reverse radical curriculum reforms. The most important finding from this work is that underestimating the power of faith-based communities is likely to undermine curriculum reforms that touch on matters of values, conscience and religious commitment.
Psalm 2 as lied teks - 'n literere en teologiese evaluering
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2004) Vos, C.J.A. (Casparus Johannes Adam), 1945-
The publishing of the Liedboek (2001) emphasizes the importance of the psalms for liturgy and hymnology. All 150 psalms in the Liedboek were versified by T T Cloete. In this article Psalm 2 is analysed from different perspectives. This leads to a literary and theological evaluation of its versification by Cloete.
Trinity and mission : challenges to a reformed witness in Africa today
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2004) Venter, R.
The paper explores the possibility of a Reformed missional response to the present moment in Southern Africa. The basic thesis is that two of the Reformed tenets - theo-centrism and intellectual reflection as part of a holistic vocation - are especially suitable for a missional response, but stand in need of radicalising. The renaissance of trinitarian thinking and the ramifications for missiology and ecclesiology are discussed. Finally attention is given to quality improvement of theological school and the articulation of a comprehensive Reformed theology for Africa. The conviction is that these emphases will simultaneously be a turn to the material world and its challenges.
"Toward a full fledged action theory from a perspective of musical transcendence"
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2004) Hess, Lisa Maguire
Practical theology as a discipline has struggled historically in the gaps between theory and practice, academy and church. A recognized scholar recently urged pursuit of "a full-fledged action theory" with a "perspective of transcendence" to move the discussion forward. Additionally, global conditions are such that we need practical reflection and action that reconciles communities and cultures. Accordingly, a neo-Parsonian action theory is sketched and music as a practical bridge between theory / practice is argued. Music offers a lens into the empirical faith life of a religious community even as it transcends and pulls that community into new ways of critically experiencing God in an intimate and possibly intercultural relationship of embodied song.
Understanding the role the Bible Society of South Africa played in the development of missions in South Africa
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2004) Sieberhagen, F.
This article argues that the development of missions in South Africa could be directly linked to the founding of Bible Society work in South Africa. The article focuses on the development of missions and how the availability of Scriptures in the vernacular enhanced this work. The unique relationship between Mission development, the Church and the Bible Society will be discussed as to highlight and fully understand this unique influence and partnership. This partnership is an ongoing relationship and with the new challenges arising this will have to be developed even further.
Jung, the Pentateuch and ethics
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2004) Scheffler, Eben
This article reflects on the contribution that can be made to the interpretation of the Bible by employing the analytical psychology of Carl Jung. After some relevant biographical considerations on Jung, his view of religion and the Bible is briefly considered, followed by a look into Genesis 1-3 in terms of his distinction of archetypes. It is suggested in the conclusion that Jungian psychological Biblical criticism can lead to a changed, but fresh view on the 'authority' or influence of the Bible in the lives of (post)modern human beings and their (ethical) behaviour.
Franciscus van Assisi : sy betekenis vir vandag!
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2004) Van Aarde, R.B. (Botha)
St. Francis' views on religious life, as explained in a previous article in this journal, had its foundations in a well-founded theology of compassionate ministry. This origin of all compassion according to St. Francis is God himself. In this article St. Francis' significance for the church also in South Africa is discussed in detail. It is concluded that a well-balanced theology of service in many ways provide an answer.
The earliest Jesus group in Jerusalem
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2004) Van Aarde, A.G. (Andries G.)
Church formation in the history of early Christianity emanated from the kerygma about Jesus after his death. The kerygma was based on memories of Jesus which were used in the Christian cult as both explanation and apology for the encountering of God through the traditions about the crucified, buried, resurrected, and ascended Jesus. The aim of the article is to argue that the term "the Twelve" served as a self-reference of the earliest Jesus group in Jerusalem. They regarded themselves as "apostles" and "prophets" of the "new Israel", analogous to the twelve patriarchs in the Hebrew Scriptures. Reconstructing a trail from Jesus to the earliest group in Jerusalem to Paul, the article demonstrates a fundamental difference between Paul and the Jerusalem group. They understood the notion of "the Twelve" as exchangeable for "all of Israel", represented by "all the apostles". For Paul the concept "apostles" is an expansion of "the Twelve" in Jerusalem.
De Rationaliteit van de Religieuze ervaring fideisme en geloofsverantwoording
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2004) Stoker, W.
This article defends the rational nature of the religious experience of Transcendence. This is done by replacing the notion of the intentionality of experience advocated in Husserl's phenomenology by that of the trans- intentionality of experience suggested by authors like Schleiermacher, Levinas and Marion and by refuting the accusation of fideism levelled against this latter approach.
Politische Theologie in den Konigspsalmen zwischen Agypten und Assyrien. Die Herrscherlegitimation in den Psalmen 2 und 18 in ihren altorientalischen Kontexten
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2004) Otto, Eckart
This article deals especially with Psalm 2* and Psalm 18* and they are understood against a neo-Assyrian context. During the latter part of the eight and the first half of the seventh century the neo-Assyrian power was especially felt in Judah and the influence of its royal ideology can clearly be detected in these two psalms. Psalm 89* and Psalm 72* were also influenced by the Assyrian royal theology but these motifs were used in a subversive way. In Psalm 2* and Psalm 18* the neo-Assyrian motifs were employed to elaborate the Jerusalem royal ideology.
Towards a narrative theological orientation in a global village from a postmodern urban South African perspective
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2004) Meylahn, Johann-Albrecht
This article was motivated by two of the major challenges which I believe congregations are facing within the context of ministry, namely postmodernity and globalization. After seeking a fuller description of these two challenges I sought a theological orientation within such a context (postmodern global village) as well as an ecclesiological praxis that could be transformative and redemptive within such a context. I believe to have found in the narrative orientation an appropriate way for doing theology in the postmodern context. The climax of this journey (story) is in the fusion of horizons between the theory-laden questions of descriptive theology and the historical texts of the Christian faith within the narrative orientation. I discovered that truly transformative and redemptive praxis is only possible within language communities (narrative communities). These narrative communities cannot exist in isolation, but are continuously confronted and relativised by the stories of other communities in the global village and therefore these language communities need to be open to the fragmentation and pluralism of the global village, otherwise they will not be able to respond to the reality of the globalization and postmodernity. The narrative communities needed a story (sacred story) that did not deny the reality of fragmentation and pluralism, but could incorporate this reality into its story. I found this story in the story of the cross and therefore refer to the narrative communities as communities of and under the cross of Christ. These ideas formed the basis for a transformative praxis within a specific congregation, namely Pastoral Redemptive Communities. These narrative communities are not an answer to the postmodern global village, but they do offer a way of proclaiming Christ crucified and allowing the deconstruction of the cross to create a community which is a redemptive alternative to the reality of the postmodern global village. This journey was a critical journey in dialogue with other disciplines (economics, philosophy, psychology and sociology) thereby opening it up for further dialogue within these other sciences as well as dialogue with other religious communities.
Truth and reconciliation in South Africa : Jewish voices and perspectives
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2004) Meiring, Piet (Pieter Gerhard Jacobus), 1941-
The author who served on the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) focuses on the Jewish experience in South Africa during the apartheid years. At a special TRC Hearing for Faith Communities (East London, 17-19 November 1997) Chief Rabbi Cyril Harris submitted a statement on behalf of his community. Two earlier documents were also put at the TRC's disposal: a statement on Reconciliation presented by Gesher (a Jewish movement for social action) as well as a comprehensive volume containing 27 interviews with Jewish activists (Cutting Through the Mountain). Taking his cue from both the Chief Rabbi's presentation and the earlier documents, the author discusses the role of the Jewish community in overtly and covertly supporting the apartheid regime, as well the experiences of many Jews in struggling against apartheid. Finally the contribution of the Jewish community towards healing and reconciliation in South Africa comes under the spotlight.
Publieke pastorale leiers 1 : roeping, werwing, keuring, opleiding, ordening
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2004) Nel, Malan
In ecclecial circles it is a commonplace to say that the profession of the pastor is under pressure. Pastors know that and congregations know that. Knowing it in itself does not change much. However change starts with coming to understanding. In this sense change is in itself a hermeneutical function. This article is the first of two in which I will explore a way to change the way local churches should assist in the discernment of a call by a member to become officially involved in public ministry within a congregation and, if it exists, a denomination. In this article the background of this research, the corporate nature of 'calling', and ministerial perspectives on calling, recruitment and reviewing will be explored. The second article will explore the implications for theological education as it relates to the teleological core of theological education and recruitment, reviewing (screening), and training respectively.
The role of the personality of the preacher in preaching
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2004) David, C.S.L.
In this article preaching and the personality of the preacher are considered as being dialectically related to one other. Preaching, particularly, is the act of the preacher that makes the words meaningful. It seems that congregations often seem closer to the preacher than to the gospel. The real danger for the preacher is not the gospel, but his / her personality. Good preaching comes from a good personality.
Veranderingen in samenleving en kerk en de gevolgen voor het beroep van pastor
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2004) Heitink, Gerben
This article is an attempt to open up a new perspective on the crisis of christianity and church in the context of Western Europe, especially The Netherlands. Since half a century the secularisation paradigm has been the dominant perspective to explain this development. But a long-term historical perspective offers a wider horizon. Through the ages there have been different types of christianity (E.Troeltsch): the public church in relation to the civil society, the free church emphasizing church membership (the priesthood of the believers) and the more individualized mystic type of faith. Since the separation of church and state untill totday the second type had been the dominant one. A consequence of the cultural shift from modernity to postmodernity is the rise of 'wild devotion' conform the third type of a more individualized way of life. This article pays attention to the challenges of these developments to the practice of church life and the pastoral profession
Christian sexual ethics in a time of HIV/AIDS - a challenge for public theology
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2004) Haspel, Michael
HIV / AIDS poses an enormous challenge for the Christian church in Africa. Though many congregations engage in practical social programmes addressing the medical and social problems related to HIV / AIDS often there is no adequate theological concept dealing with HIV / AIDS. This article argues that starting from biblical insights and Christian anthropology in the current situation a contextual theology adressing HIV / AIDS and a respective sexual ethics have to be developped which enables Christians to live responsibly in a time of HIV / AIDS without demonising sexuality. This, in turn, could contribute to the ethical discourse in civil society and thus foster the development of a public theology.
Kerkbegrip van Balthasar Hubmaier
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2004) Endres, E.T.
Balthasar Hubmaier strives to restore the Urgemeinde as originally recorded in the book of Acts. He founded a congregation which consisted only of believers. The sacrament of baptism is exclusively intended for believers, as a confirmation of their belief in Jesus Christ. Believers are allowed to partake of Holy Communion as a supper / sacrament symbolizing remembrance and love. Hubmaier also introduced disciplinary measures to maintain Christian standards. Hubmaier moved through various phases of development, both as a human being and as a theologian. This development of Hubmaier is studied with particular reference to the Cognitive Dissonance Theory of Leon Festinger.
Anders dink anders doen. Op soek na 'n eko-teologiese perspektief op kloning
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2004) Buitendag, Johan
The article's departing point is the conviction that contemporary micro-biology and gene-technology have confronted Christian ethics with a reality for which it is not sufficiently equipped. The whole debate on human cloning and human stem cell research has raised the challenge of a fresh understanding of man and humanity as well as an ethic that takes the creation as a whole seriously. The question posed is whether the zygote or even the embryo in the Petri-dish, is already a human person. It is suggested that the organic and cultural environment is essential to our understanding of man. Seeing that man is the product of a bio-cultural background together with individual choices, it is by definition impossible to clone man. The responsibility of man towards the rest of creation has to be understood against the background of a socio-linguistic framework which constitutes our ethics, perhaps as virtue ethics. The implication is that morality is intrinsically connected to reality.
Ancestor worship in Korea and Africa : social function or religious phenomenon?
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2004) Bae, Choon Sup
Ancestor worship is a dilemma for Christian communities in Korea and Africa, who have difficulty adapting Western theology to their Third World cultures. Allan Culpepper calls ancestor worship a cultural phenomenon, not a hindrance to the Gospel message, which this article refutes. Ancestor worship is religious rather than social in function. Common features of ancestor worship in Africa and Korea are 1) conventional superstition (shamanism in Korea, animism in Africa), 2) belief in immortality, and 3) ancestor veneration / filial piety. Theological assessment reveals the incompatibility of ancestor worship with Christianity. 1) Fear of ancestors is replaced by liberation in Christ. 2) The dead exist in a mode completely different to earthly existence and have no power in the world. 3) Ancestors cannot fulfil the intermediary role reserved for the Holy Spirit. Ancestor worship should be viewed as idol worship. Contextualisation of kerygma becomes distorted when religious pluralism is tolerated.
Kerk wat getuig, is 'n kerk wat leef. 'n Ekklesiologiese perspektief op die missionere karakter van die kerk - Deel ll
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2004) Dreyer, D.J. (Daniel)
In the first of these two articles we focused on the Biblical perspective of the missionary church. The focus in the second article is on the ecclesiology. It is essential to remember that the church is rooted in the kingdom of God. Jesus Christ himself and his ministry was the beginning of the kingdom of God (Mark 1:15). The church exists not for her own sake, but for the world for whom Jesus was crucified. This is the vantage point for a missionary church at the end of the Christendom paradigm. The missionary character of the church (the church as an apostolic church) and eschatology were not always in die focus of the theology of the reformed churches in the Western world. Of the four notes or marks of the church as one, holy, catholic and apostolic, apostolic is the norm for the other three. Apostolicity is a precondition and a result for the church as a missionary church. The message of a missionary church is the only real answer in the search for meaning in this world.

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