Research Articles (Reformed Theological College)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://hdl.handle.net/2263/3168

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Observing systemic conflict : the emotional affect on pastors in the Netherdutch Reformed Church of Africa
(AOSIS, 2023-11-24) Labuschagne, Frederik J.; Steenkamp, P.L. (Petrus Leonard)
The Netherdutch Reformed Church of Africa (NRCA) did not escape this existential crisis of conflict. It manifests in various ways resulting in the bleeding of congregations, the exodus of congregants and the closure of congregations, as many congregants that declare themselves as members of the Church do not attend worship services or participate in the Holy Communion and exit the church. The study was conducted in the NRCA to determine the effect and response formation of observed conflict by ministers in their respective congregations. The results of the study indicate that pastors and/or ministers do suffer emotional trauma because of the conflict in the congregation which, according to their own statements results in a loss of role performance. We provide an overview of the problem statement and methodology of the study. We discuss an abbreviated, theoretical perspective on conflict as a social phenomenon. We present the findings of our study and conclude with an abbreviated process to equip pastors with the necessary emotional maturity and self-management. CONTRIBUTION : This study uncovers emotional trauma experienced by ministers, affecting their role performance. We offer a succinct problem statement, research methodology, and propose a scientifically informed process to enhance ministers’ emotional resilience within the NRCA.
Eerherstel aan Cas Labuschagne - goed genoeg, betyds genoeg?
(AOSIS, 2023-12-01) Ungerer, Andre Gerhardus; andre.ungerer@up.ac.za
During the General Church Assembly of 2010, the Netherdutch Reformed Church of Africa (NRCA) confessed her previous justification of apartheid as wrongdoing. It led to serious dissatisfaction in the more conservative part of the Church, eventually ending in the painful church schism of 2011. Afterwards, the leadership had to handle several related issues. And then, out of the blue, an outstanding matter arose from the past’s nebulae – unfinished business between the Church and prof. Cas Labuschagne. He was a dissident with prof. Albert Geyser who acted against the church’s justification of apartheid during the sixties. After a fierce struggle and much desperation, he left South Africa for the Netherlands in 1967. Almost 40 years later, in 2008, correspondence occurred between the NRCA and Labuschagne to see if reconciliation was possible, but without any positive results. Labuschagne distrusted the Church’s motives and argued that only a public excuse would settle matters. Due to the run-up to the decision in 2010 and the church schism in 2011, the case gathered some cyber dust. Professors A.G. van Aarde, J. Buitendag and W.A. Dreyer played a prominent role in bringing the outstanding matter of Cas Labuschagne to the attention of the author of this article. It led to a visit in 2017 and more correspondence to clarify issues. Eventually, reconciliation had occurred only a few months before he died in 2019. CONTRIBUTION : This article contributes to revealing an untold story in which different leaders of the NRCA played a prominent role. It is about a struggle for reconciliation, events behind the scenes, and a story with a good end – events the church and the academic community should know about.
Homo disruptus and the future church
(AOSIS Open Journals, 2019-11-21) Ungerer, Andre Gerhardus; ndre.ungerer@up.ac.za
The Fourth Industrial Revolution is a phrase that is frequently heard in the media. This study explores the major changes that this revolution has installed for us. The Fourth Industrial Revolution is an umbrella term for many aspects, and the study takes note of the concepts like the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, artificial general intelligence, artificial superintelligence, transhumanism and Homo digitalis. The spin-off effect of this revolution may cause possible disruptive effects on Homo sapiens by creating greater numbers of Homo disruptus. The term Homo disruptus is not a frequently used term, although it can be used in conjunction with the disruption that will be part of our future. Disruption may occur because of emerging technology, robotics, unemployment, digital dictatorships and exploitation, the side effects of Homo digitalis and transhumanism. The church will be part and parcel of this world, although the church does not have to be a victim and can play a significant role in anchoring Homo disruptus with the timeless message of the gospel and finding innovative ways to deal with their disruptive world.
Adrianus van Selms as reformatoriese teoloog
(AOSIS Open Journals, 2017) Boshoff, Piet B. (Petrus Benjamin)
Adrianus van Selms as protestantse Teoloog. Van Selms het in 1938 vanaf Nederland na Suid- Afrika toe gekom om Semitiese Tale te doseer in die Fakulteit Lettere en Wysbegeerte aan die Universiteit van Pretoria. Hy het ook deeltyds in die Fakulteit Teologie doseer. Die Universiteit van Pretoria het hom as een van denkleiers van die 20ste eeu aan die universiteit erken. Hy het geslagte van teologiese studente beïnvloed tydens sy amptelike dienstydperk aan die universiteit, vanaf 1938 tot 1971. Meer as 300 publikasies staan agter sy naam. Behalwe vir werk wat hy op die terrein van die Semitiese Tale gelewer het, het hy ook verskeie kommentare oor Ou-Testamentiese boeke geskryf. Verder was hy ook aktief as prediker in die kerk en het ook ’n uitsonderlike bydrae tot die kategesemateriaal van die Kerk gelewer. As teoloog het Van Selms aansluiting gevind by die reformatoriese tradisie van die 16de eeu. As eksegeet het hy die uitdaging aanvaar om die Bybelse tekste te lees in die erkenning van die historiese afstand wat die hedendaagse leser van die oorspronklike tekste skei. Hy is sodoende gekonfronteer met die knaende probleem van die benadering tot die Bybelse tekste: dogmaties of histories-krities? Deur as eksegeet sy eie dogmatikus te word, het hy die twee benaderings nie apart gehou nie, maar tot ’n eenheid gebring en op die manier ’n hervorming in die beoefening van die teologie verteenwoordig. Hy aanvaar met hierdie werkswyse die verantwoordelikheid vir die erfenis van die Kerkhervorming vir die kerk van sy dag. Die hoofstuk ontwikkel langs die verwagtinge wat aan die amp van predikant in die reformatoriese tradisie gestel word: teologie, prediking, kategese en herdelike sorg.
Verdien Homo naledi ‘n plek in ons familie-album? ‘n Teologiese besinning oor die evoluering van spiritualiteit met spesifieke verwysing na die begraafplaasteorie van Lee Berger en die ‘Rising-Star’-ekspedisie
(AOSIS Open Journals, 2017-12-06) Pienaar, J.J. (Kobus)
The discovery of a new homonin species called Homo naledi evoked unprecedented interest, even outside the scientific disciplines who are researching extinct homonin species. The reason for this is that Prof. Lee Berger, attached to the University of the Witwatersrand and his team, known as the Rising Star-expedition, came to the conclusion that the fossils that were discovered in the Dinaledi cave room in Sterkfontein outside Johannesburg in 2013, were placed there deliberately. The theory postulates the possibility of symbolic or ritual behaviour by a species that lived and later became extinct approximately 1 to 2 million years ago. If this is indeed the case, it also offers theologians the opportunity to join the conversation with regard to the evolvement of our spirituality and religiousness. This article is an attempt to render a contribution, with the data available to us, about the value of the prehistoric signs of spirituality with specific reference to the so-called cemetery theory. Together with this, other usable theories will be employed to consider the possible signs of ritual and symbolic behaviour by Homo naledi. The condition for a meaningful discussion about the evolvement of our spirituality and religiousness is that epistemological contours be clearly drawn. With the first part of the article these contours are drawn and with the second part the possible implications of the cemetery theory are reviewed.
Theo-genetiese kodes van die APEHL, soos afgelei uit Efesiërs 4, beliggaam
(AOSIS Open Journals, 2017-11-29) Van der Merwe, J.C. (Jacobus Christiaan); christo.vandermerwe@up.ac.za
The focus of this article is on the incarnation of Jesus Christ, the Word become flesh, as a way of talking about and understanding mission and addresses at least two concerns in the contemporary debate about the missional church. Many missionary methods and strategies have contradicted both the teaching and actions of Jesus as he trained his disciples to continue his ministry. The message may have been the gospel, but the way the message was made known was often not congruent with the gospel. The attempt to interpret mission in terms of the incarnation of Jesus suggests that the earlier forms of mission strategies should be replaced by a theology and praxis rooted in and defined by the life and ministry of Jesus. Ephesians 4 provides the key to the theology and praxis by giving us a direct link backward into the ministry that infused and led the early church in the life and the ministry of Jesus.
Institusioneel vasgeloop? Die Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk van Afrika
(AOSIS Open Journals, 2017-11-17) Steenkamp, P.L. (Petrus Leonard)
The Netherdutch Reformed Church (Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk van Afrika) finds itself in a precarious situation. It could be described as a watershed moment in the life of this denomination. The impasse developed due to various factors such as the loss of membership, the economic situation, ecumenical isolation and various other influences, which eventually resulted in a strong institutionalised organisation. Institutionalisation necessarily resulted in a shift of focus from the essence of being Church towards institutional continuation. As a result, the organic growth of the church suffered. This article investigates the institutionalism of the Netherdutch Reformed Church from an open (living) systems perspective, thereby identifying the dysfunctionality between form and function and ending with certain perspectives in respect of a change in focus by the church to realise the true essence of being Church of Jesus Christ.
Fresh Expression beweging en die Hervormde Kerk – ’n nuwe manier van kerkwees?
(AOSIS Open Journals, 2017-12-05) Ungerer, Andre Gerhardus; andre.ungerer@up.ac.za
The Fresh Expression movement is well-known in Great Britain and other Western countries like the USA, Australia and lately South Africa. During 2013, a task team launched two pilot courses in Cape Town and George that marked the beginning of Fresh Expressions in South Africa. The Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk van Afrika (Netherdutch Reformed Church of Africa – NRCA) exposed 125 of her pastors to the Fresh Expression movement by means of the annual continuous theological training program during 2015. Three of the pastors underwent the ‘Train the Trainer’ course and are currently involved in the presentation of courses in the Pretoria region. The Fresh Expression movement hold the possibility for pioneers in church planting to reach the people who have no ties with the established church. By entering a certain context, faith communities are established by means of listening to the people in their context, serving them in a loving way, creating a community, evangelise and discipling them and starting their own unique way of worshipping. The new faith communities are not in competition with the established church but it is rather a question of a mixed economy where different types of church exists alongside each other in mutual respect and support. This study tries to establish basic criteria to distinguish a Fresh Expression from random missional outreaches by a congregation. Two potential Fresh Expressions in the NRCA were evaluated by the set criteria.
Hervormde hermeneutiese perspektiewe op skrifverstaan en die Nuwe Testament
(AOSIS Open Journals, 2017-09-22) Geyser, Piet A.
This article reflects on hermeneutics in the widest sense of the concept and not on the detailed technicalities from philosophical and other perspectives. Hermeneutics will be taken to refer to the whole act and process of understanding. It is done with special reference to how the understanding of Scripture and specifically the New Testament of theologians of the Netherdutch Reformed Church over the past seven decades, is reflected in the work in the HTS Theological Studies journal. It is clear that their approach to the understanding and concretisation of the message of the New Testament was one of greatest respect for Scripture. The basic tenet throughout was that the Word of God was to be found in the Bible. There was no assumption that Bible and Word of God were identified on one and the same level. Taking the Bible as literature seriously implied that the best scientific methods had to be found and implemented in this search for the meaning of the Word of God for the Church’s message and practice in the world.
Third A.S. Geyser Commemorative Lecture on 30 March 2017 : welcoming address by the moderator of the executive of the General Assembly of the Netherdutch Reformed Church of Africa
(AOSIS Open Journals, 2017) Ungerer, Andre Gerhardus; andre.ungerer@up.ac.za
With the wisdom of hindsight, I briefly want to reflect on some events in the past. Of course, there are many good things to say about the past, but given that the lecture of Dr Wim Dreyer is about Albert Geyser, it is also necessary to reflect on some regrettable actions of the Hervormde Kerk [Netherdutch Reformed Church] in this regard. The Hervormde Kerk is the Church I have known from childhood and the Church I love dearly in spite of her shortcomings.
Hervormde voetspore op die Tukkie-kampus : ’n kroniek van die eerste 50 jaar
(AOSIS Open Journals, 2017-07-31) Ungerer, Andre Gerhardus; andreungerer@up.ac.za
In 2017 the Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk van Afrika (NHKA) celebrates its centenary of theological education at the University of Pretoria (UP). In this article the focus is on the buildup to setting up the first 50 years 1917– 1967 at UP. From as early as 1909 there was a yearning for our own theological seminary; however, some of the church leaders expressed their desire for theological education at a university. At the dawn of 1916 everything was in place for the NHKA and the Presbyterian Church of South Africa, as the first two partners, to start a faculty of theology at the Transvaal University College (TUC). On 01 April 1917 the Faculty of Theology commenced its work with prof. J.H.J.A. Greyvenstein of the NHKA and prof. E. MacMillan from the Presbyterian Church. The Presbyterian link with the faculty was broken in 1933. From 1938 the Nederduitse Gereformeerde Kerk (NGK) joined the NHKA and two independent sections were established: Section A for the NHKA and Section B for the NGK. There was a steady growth in the number of students and professors and on 13 June 1967 the NHKA filled its sixth professorship in the person of prof. I.J. de Wet. This era was also characterised by a lot of political tension in the heyday of the policy of apartheid. The NHKA was known for Article III in its constitution that propagates that church membership was for whites only. The NHKA support of the policy of apartheid was the cause of a dispute between the Church and prof. A.S. Geyser. In the end the matter was settled in favour of Geyser. There was also a dispute between professors A.G. Geyser and A.D. Pont that ended up in court in 1967. Pont was accused of defamation against Geyser. The court ruled against Pont and Geyser was granted the largest amount of compensation up till then.
Hervormde spore op die Tukkie kampus – ’n kroniek van die tweede 50 jaar
(AOSIS Open Journals, 2017-09-30) Ungerer, Andre Gerhardus; andreungerer@up.ac.za
This article is about the 2nd half (50 years) of the centenary of the Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk van Afrika (NHKA) at the University of Pretoria (UP). The NHKA was the first church to join the Faculty of Theology at UP in 1917. The previous article ‘Hervormde footprints on the Tukkie campus – a chronicle of the first fifty years’ contains the humble beginnings, the steady growth, the political background during the apartheid years, and the NHKA’s role in justifying apartheid. The 70s and the 80s was a flourishing time for the Church with a steady growth in membership, an increase in the number of lecturers and students, and more or less enough money to sustain theology education at UP. During the nineties there was a decrease in membership numbers with the pivot point in 1992: from thereon there was a steady decline which was accelerated by the church schism in 2011 and onward. The two Sections of the NHKA and the Nederduitse Gereformeerde Kerk (NGK), Section A and B, became one in 2000. The Reformed Theology College (RTC), with the aim of church specific education for students of the NHKA, was also established in 2000 with prof. T.F.J. Dreyer as the first head. In November 2015 a student protest action #FeesMustFall rocked the foundation of higher education in South Africa. The issue of language and curriculum as aftermath of the protest actions was also at stake during 2016. During 2017 the centennial celebration of the Faculty of Theology at UP will take place. It coincides with REFO 500 – the commemoration of 500 years of the Reformation.
‘Wat jy ook op die aarde mag bind, sal in die hemel gebonde wees, en wat jy ook op die aarde mag ontbind, sal in die hemel ontbonde wees’ (Matt 16:19)
(AOSIS Open Journals, 2011-06-07) Dreyer, Theuns F.J.; theuns.dreyer@up.ac.za
This article has been a homiletic reflection on the well-known words in Matthew 16:19. The explication and application of these words have been theologically contextualised with respect to current debates amongst theologians in the Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk. The original meaning of this verse relates to the rabbinical tradition of interpretation of the Torah. Matthew pictures Jesus as the new teacher (like Moses), who gave a new interpretation of the law. In rabbinical language, his teachings are ‘binding’ and ‘loosening’, or, as translated in the Good News Bible (1933), they permit and prohibit. In the history of the reformed tradition, this verse was mostly interpreted from a judicial perspective as the authority to excommunicate or to include. To a great extent and especially in certain circles, the tradition of interpretation became static because of the authority of a ‘final’ interpretation attached to the creeds of the church. However, the original meaning of this verse is the authority, and commands us continuously to interpret the meaning of the gospel in the context of the present-day situation.
Hou Christus die Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk van Afrika in stand?
(OpenJournals Publishing, 2016-07) Ungerer, Andre Gerhardus
The Netherdutch Reformed Church of Africa (NRCA) that is situated in South-Africa is currently experiencing a serious decline in numbers. The question arises whether Christ will sustain the NRCA in the words of the Afrikaans Hymn 477 in the ‘Liedboek van die Kerk’ (Hymnbook of the Church): ‘Christ will maintain his church …’ Is it a matter of faith, or even more – a matter of obedience? The membership of the NRCA mainly consists of white Afrikaans-speaking people. Apart from the situation in the NRCA there is also a serious decline in the number of white people in South Africa. It raises the question about the sustainability of the NRCA if it continues to maintain a membership of predominately white Afrikaans-speaking people. The NRCA is very much institutionalised with a history that lacks missional intention and involvement in the community. This study investigates the possibility for a more applicable missional curriculum in the training of theology students to counter the lack of missional involvement. It also investigates new ways to reach the unchurched society with a missional approach. The Fresh Expression Movement that originated in the UK provides a new paradigm for the NRCA that will hopefully lead to a new way of thinking and doing. Will Christ sustain the NRCA? The answer lies in the willingness of the NRCA to show a missional heart for all the people of Africa, especially those in Southern Africa.
Christus ongedaan – 'n evaluering van die betekenisverlies van die term gesalfde
(LitNet, 2015-12) Van Staden, Piet
Die naam Jesus Christus vorm die kern van een van die prominente gelowe in die wêreld vandag. Dit is 'n beweging wat ontstaan het rondom die lotgevalle en lering van 'n man met die naam Jesus, wat afkomstig was van die dorpie Nasaret in Israel en ongeveer 2 000 jaar gelede geleef het. Vanuit 'n onbedui dende groepie volgelinge het die beweging gegroei tot een van die grootste gelowe wat die wêreld tot nog toe geken het. Die naam Jesus was 'n bekende Joodse naam, maar waar kom die naam Christus vandaan? Die meeste mense gebruik vandag die saamgestelde naam Jesus Christus as 'n eienaam. Tog is Christus nie oorspronklik 'n eienaam nie, maar 'n appellatief, dit wil sê 'n soortnaam, benaming of titel. Die woord christus is die Latynse vorm van die Griekse christós, wat op sy beurt 'n vertaling is van die Hebreeuse mashiach (Messias). Die feit dat christus met verloop van tyd tot 'n eienaam omvorm is, verberg die kulturele en godsdienstige oorsprong en inhoud daarvan. Dit lei tot 'n vervaging van die vroeë identifiserende en belydenismatige aspekte van die term in die verbintenis met die persoon van Jesus van Nasaret. Die doel van hierdie artikel is om aan te dui dat die grammatikalisering van die item christós, tesame met die harmonisering van verskillende Christologiese interpretasies in ooreenstemming met die regula fidei, gelei het tot die omvorming van 'n belydenis tot 'n eienaam, en dat die belydenis self vandag 'n rol speel in die voortsetting van die harmoniserende proses. Sodoende gaan die oorspronklike belydenismatige aspek van die woord verlore. Deur die aandag hierop te vestig, word die aanvanklike kragtige inhoud van die woord herwin deur Jesus met die appellatief Christus te identifiseer as die Een deur wie God se verlossing van die wêreld beslissend deurgevoer is.
Verhouding tussen Kolossense en Efesiërs as ’n sinoptiese probleem
(OpenJournals Publishing, 2015-09-30) Van Wyk, B.J. (Barend Jacobus), 1946-
Research by different scholars concluded that some letters traditionally ascribed to Paul were probably not written by him and drew a distinction between Pauline and Deutero-Pauline letters. The majority of scholars nowadays are of the opinion that the letters to the Colossians and the Ephesians are Deutero-Pauline and that Ephesians, at least, was surely not written by Paul. The results of research on the synoptic problem can be used and applied to the two letters under discussion because a comparison shows that there are striking similarities between the two. The most recent research shows that Ephesians made use of the letter to the Colossians but not without redactional changes to suit the author’s literary purpose. This method is exegetically known as redaction-criticism, linked to the social-science viewpoint that the author of the letter to the Ephesians acted as a change agent on behalf of a change agency.
Changing things around : dramatic aspect in the Pericope Adulterae (Jn 7:53–8:11)
(OpenJournals Publishing, 2015-09-29) Van Staden, Piet
In this article the transactional model of narrative as expounded by Louise Rosenblatt, supported by an analysis in terms of dramatic aspect, is employed to show how the interpolated scene in John 7:53–8:11 (known as the Pericope Adulterae and hereafter referred to as PA) functions as a pivot of power in the gospel. The content of the scene, as well as its placement within the gospel, serves to promote an aesthetic reading that focusses attention on the experience during the reading event. Awareness of sensations, images, feelings and ideas from past experiences, as well as the sounds and rhythms of the words become important. The reader responds to the aesthetic transaction, the various elements of total experience, rather than simply to the text, during and after the reading event.
Martin Luther en teologiebeoefening in die toekoms
(OpenJournals Publishing, 2015-09-28) Van Wyk, I.W.C. (Ignatius William Charles)
The Netherdutch Reformed Church of Africa prides itself for the fact that she has always appreciated the German-Lutheran tradition. The Reformed Theological College has for 15 years contributed to the appreciation of this tradition. This article wants to encourage the new leadership to keep this legacy alive. The main aspects of Luther’s theology are explained. These aspects are: prayer (oratio), meditation (meditatio), constitation (tentatio), grace of the Spirit (gratia Spiritus), exegesis (sedulalectio), and the use of other sciences in understanding the Bible (bonarum atrium cognitia). Attention is also given to the subject-matter of Theology as well as the notion of humbleness.
Rudolf Bultmann – Evangelie en geloof
(OpenJournals Publishing, 2015-09-25) Van Wyk, G.M.J. (Gafie)
Although the name Rudolf Bultmann is well known in South African ecclesiastical circles, many South Africans distrust his theology because of prejudice and the suspicion that it is not faithful to scripture. A synopsis of Bultmann’s own theological description of faith is presented here with the focus on its historical development and with the aim in mind to serve as an apology for a better understanding of his point of view within the context of his life as a confessing Lutheran. The essay ends with a concise critical evaluation of Bultmann’s understanding of Christian faith pointing out its continual value for the current theological debate on the meaning of faith, as well as some minor conditional reservations on his arguments.
Inkarnering van die missio Dei as praktykmodel vir die Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk van Afrika
(OpenJournals Publishing, 2015-09-21) Van der Merwe, J.C. (Jacobus Christiaan); christo.vandermerwe@up.ac.za
The decline of the church in the West is of great concern to many today. The Netherdutch Reformed Church of Africa (NRCA), experiences the same tendency. We are living in a time when survival is on the mind of most mainline congregations and denominations. The question is what shall we do to turn this situation around? The answer is to be found in the rediscovery of what it means for the church to be missional. The knowledge about how the early church functioned helps us to rediscover the character of early Christian mission, much of what is drawn together in the concept of incarnational mission. This article examines incarnational mission as the understanding and practise of Christian witness that is rooted in and shaped by the life, ministry, suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus. Understanding mission incarnationally in this manner is an integrative way to approach the church’s missionary vocation and to avoid the typical Western reduction of mission to one of the many programms of the church. The article, by exploring the meaning of incarnational mission, endeavours to be both constructive with regard to the biblical and theological understanding of the message, and polemical with regard to the context and history of mission, especially in the Western tradition. This article follows Darrell Guder in arguing that the historical ‘happenedness’ of Jesus’ life both enables and defines Christian witness. In exploring the missional significance of the incarnation, the article tries to avoid any dilution of the centrality of the incarnation event.

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