HTS Volume 53, Number 3 (1997)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://hdl.handle.net/2263/17396

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Belief in God among South African youth and its relation to their religious socialization and praxis
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 1997) Van der Ven, Johannes A.; Dreyer, Jaco S.; Pieterse, Hendrik J.C. (Hennie)
This article investigates belief in God among 538 students from standard 9 who attend Anglican and Catholic schools in the Johannesburg/ Pretoria region, and relates this belief to the students' religious socialization and praxis. The students' belief in God appears to correlate strongly with their religious praxis in the present and less so with their religious socialization. However, some elements within this religious socialization play a rather important role, namely the parents' religious modelling, communication, and transfer. Two elements do not appear to have any influence at all, namely the parents' church participation and the parents' religious steering of students in the past and present.
Fictional transfiguration of Jesus : images of Jesus in literature
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 1997) Du Toit, C.W.
Over the years the literary world has been one of the most productive and creative sources of Jesus interpretation. This article gives an overview of some aspects of developments in this field with reference to the African and Afrikaner contexts. The way in which Jesus is fictionally transformed may reflect the influence of scholarly research, popular and innovative Jesus interpretations, existential questions, and cultural fluctuations, or simply a celebration of imagination. The relationship between theology and literature is vital to both fields. Theology is challenged by the freedom of the novel and the novel stimulated by theological findings. After dealing with some categories of fictional narratives, a few examples are discussed. The article gives attention to Jesus in postmodern novels and in postcolonial literature. An African novel is referred to and then Jesus is dealt with more extensively in Afrikaans poems. Examples are given from the work of Sheila Cussons, Breyten Breytenbach and Adam Small. The article closes with the sentiment that Jesus interpretations remain a critical and creative comment on humankind and its religion.
Jesus and cultural values : family life as an example
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 1997) Osiek, Carolyn
'Family values' is a set of traditional images that most cultures collect, images drawn mostly from an idealized picture of family life in the recent past. For Christians, the popular image of Jesus gets included: the Holy Family as a nuclear family unit, Jesus blessing children, Jesus as advocate of traditional family life. A closer reading of both contemporary family life and the Gospels reveals that things are not what they seem. Contemporary family life in Western societies is structured quite differently than the ideal. Jesus' family life was spent in a peasant village surrounded by relatives and neighbours, with little privacy and strong social pressure towards conformity. The gospel records indicate that he did not conform, and paid the price: rejection and misunderstanding by his extended family. The Synoptic Gospels consistently portray not only an estrangement between Jesus and his family, but Jesus' encouragement of his disciples to break family ties in favour of the surrogate family of the circle of disciples. In a culture in which kinship loyalty was essential, this message caused deep problems for early Christians which the authors of the household codes of Ephesians, Colossians, the Pastoral Epistles, and 1 Peter tried to alleviate.
Voorstellings van Batseba : intertekstualiteit in literêre kuns, beeldende kuns en werklikheid
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 1997) Bezuidenhout, L.C. (Louis Christiaan)
Interesting parallels between literary and visual arts exist. A text may possess visuality, while visual arts may possess textuality. In this paper, the interrelations between the literary description of the story of David and Bathsheba (2 Sm 11) and depictions of this story in the visual arts are explored. For some reason, this story possesses exceptional creative potential. Particular attention is given to the painting 'The Toilet of Bathsheba (1654)' by Rembrandt. An analysis of this painting sheds light on the subtle dynamics of the story. Its haunting beauty succeeds in communicating the complex implications of the story. Sexuality serves as an interface between the story and reality, luring the reader into this intrigue. The reader finds himself unexpectedly in David's position. By acknowledging this kind of intertextuality, new dimensions of meaning can be explored.
Liefde in die familie van God. 'n Beskrywende uiteensetting van familiale liefdesverhoudinge in die Johannesevangelie
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 1997) Van der Watt, J.G. (Jan Gabriel), 1952-
Love is the central ethical term in John's Gospel. The meaning of the term is often misunderstood. This article investigates the use of the term in John's Gospel, especially within its familial context. It is established that, reverentially, love includes loyalty towards members of the community and the acceptance of responsibility. This implies that love is expressed in actions. It works reciprocally. The Father sets the example which should be followed in obedience by the children. The nature of love depends on the situation. In the case of the Father love is expressed by giving his Son to die on the cross. In the case of the disciples, love is expressed by them obediently following the commands of the Father and the Son. In both cases it involves giving something, whether it is your Son or life, or in the case of the disciples, themselves.
Verkenning van postmodernisme en 'n ekskurs op Daniel 7-12
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 1997) Venter, P.M. (Pieter Michiel), 1947-
This orientation to the contents and meaning of postmodenism, investigating its relation to poststructuralism and its literary implications for exegesis, proposes that Daniel 7-12 can be read as sub- or minor narratives.
Aposunagogos se invloed op die geskrifte van die Nuwe Testament volgens Walter Schmithals
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 1997) Boshoff, Piet B. (Petrus Benjamin)
The essay puts the view of Schmithals of the historical circumstances behind a great part of the writings of the New Testament. He makes 'aposunagogos' the terminus technicus referring to what happened in the background. 'Aposunagogos' refers to the exclusion of Christians, confessing Jesus as the Messiah, from the synagogue in the years following the destruction of the temple in 70 A D by the Romans. Several texts are being discussed reflecting the power of Schmithals' exegesis.
Interpreting the Bible in the 'new' South Africa : remarks on some problems and challenges
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 1997) Human, Dirk J.
The Bible plays an important role in South African society. The interpretation of this book within or outside the Christian community has become an increaslingly major source of debate. It has been used and misused in several spheres of society. This article does not intend providing an extensive and composite picture of the problems and character of biblical hermeneutics. Nor will it attempt to elaborate on or explain the origins, development and influences of all the different hermeneutical approaches. Rather, it poses to be an introduction to a few of the problem(s) encountered in the attempt to understand the Bible, especially in terms of the 'new' South Africa. Within the framework of this scope, remarks will be made regarding the challenges involved in interpreting the Bible, the role of the interpreter in the interpretation process, the varied forms of literature to be found in Scripture, and in the last instance, to take cognisance of a few methodological approaches to the text analysis of the Bible.
Teologieë as gevaarlike mensemaaksels : Burton Mack se evaluasie van vroeg-Christelike mites
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 1997) Strijdom, Johan (Johannes Matthys)
After an introductory explication of the social approach to myths/theologies and a consideration of the ethical urgency for such a humanistic strategy, this article offers a systematic survey of Burton Mack's incisive criticism of early Christian mythology and its influence on Western (specifically American) civilization. His cynical reading, which claims to take its cue from deconstruction, is assessed under three headings (which are inevitably interrelated): (1) The evangelical meaning of Jesus' death: the victimization of Jews; (2) The apocalyptic myth as social nightmare: the collusion of innocence and power, and (3) From diverse origins to reduced end product and back: the decanonization of the Christian Bible as ethical necessity. As a programmatic suggestion of how Mack's contribution can be taken further, the essay concludes by juxtaposing Mack's myth criticism with that of a selection of scholars (Crossan, Voltaire) and Polish poets (Zagajewski, Szymborska), whose points of view may serve not only to corroborate, but especially, to critically refine Mack's perspective.
'Einde is hier!' tekstuele strategie en historiese verstaan in die Judasbrief
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 1997) Joubert, Stephan Jacobus, 1958-
After a brief discussion of the performative functions of persuasive discourse in general, the socio-historical context of the letter of Jude is constructed. This is followed by a literary analysis of the rhetorical strategies in the letter in order to persuade the intended readers to reject a group of teachers in their midst with conflicting perceptions of reality. In this regard, the author's transtextual reinterpretation and contextual application of well-known motifs, persons and groups from Jewish history, who all serve as types of divine intervention and punishment, receive particular attention. Jude applies the principles of identification and association to villify his opponents. By hermeneutically shifting the emphasis from his present context to the past, Jude, through various textual strategies, identifies the opponents with the notorious 'archetypes of sinners' from history who defined the nature of sin and disobedience to God. But, at the same time, the present 'chaos' caused by these teachers are also related to the final eschatological events in the divine calender.
Tomasevangelie : inleidende opmerkings
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 1997) Van Eck, Ernest
The aim of this article is to present to South-African theologians, ministers and believers, in fairly popular fashion, the current debate in regard to some aspects of the non-canonical Gospel of Thomas. Attention is given to the discovery, text and publication of the Gospel of Thomas, the question of its dependence on or independence from the Synoptic gospels, the possible date of the Gospel, as well as to its theology (being either gnostic or non-gnostic). Finally, a few remarks in regard to the value of the studying of the Gospel of Thomas, in terms of theological debates in the church, are made.
Transformerende riglyne vir die kerk uit Lukas 14 : mense is belangriker as reels en grense
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 1997) Van Staden, Piet
It has been shown by scholars that Mediterranean culture of the first century exhibits certain distinctive characteristics in personality type and in concomitant social behaviour. Generally speaking, Mediterranean people can be described as of the interdependent personality type as opposed to the independent type of the modern Western world. The New Testament as a collection of documents reflects the values that prevailed at the time of writing. More importantly, each of these documents reflects an interpretive evaluation of past events for contemporary society, and at the same time intrinsically contains a vision for the future. In this article I wish to explore the implications of the Gospel of Luke's transformational guidelines for the church leaders of his day. His vision for the future of the church, I believe, can be presented in the form of the conviction: People are more important than rules and boundaries.
Kerkleiding in die een en twintigste eeu
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 1997) Beukes, M.J. du P. (Mattheus Johannes du Plessis)
The view of church members relating to the roll of the church, roll overloading and different roll expectations have caused new thinking in the church leadership with a view on the twenty first century. This new thinking is further extended (enlarged) by the nature of post-modernism and various systems of thought. The mission of the church, the priesthood of the laity and the above mentioned factors have resulted in a specific spirituality, knowledge and various skills in regard to the church leaders with a view on the twenty first century.
Akademiese protokol in die teologiese wetenskap
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 1997) Steenkamp, L.J.S.
Academic protocol in theological science determines the guidelines according to which the theologian applies theology as science. There is an inevitable interaction between the theological practice of science and Christian existence. It isn't in the nature of theological science to communicate within an empty space, ignoring the contextual relevance of the Christian community. In this respect, theology should be practiced in a critically inquisitive manner, keeping scientific integrity as well as the context of the believing community in mind.
Missionêre gerigtheid van die kerk
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 1997) Beukes, M.J. du P. (Mattheus Johannes du Plessis); Van der Merwe, J.C. (Jacobus Christiaan)
Statistics show that the Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk van Afrika is not growing. The basic cause of this situation seems to be that the Church is not spending enough of its efforts and energy on being a missionary church, but on maintaining itself. The negative tendencies of the institutional and the preaching models seem to prevail. This study is an attempt to show that church-method and being-church are indissolubly tied to each other. Being-church means, in the light of this study, being God's missionary in the world for the glory of God - being a missionary church.
Oorspronge van die belydenis 'Jesus is God' in die vroegste Christendom : 'n ondersoek na metodes en kriteria
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 1997) Van Wyk, D.J.C. (Daniel Johannes Cornelius) (jr)
In this study an argument is made for reopening the debate on one of the most central and crucial confessions of Christianity, namely 'Jesus is God'. In current Christological research there is an apparent discepancy concerning the divinity of Jesus if the results of recent historical Jesus research is compared with the Constantine Confessions (Nicea and Chalcedon). Moreover, prominent scholars today point out that there are traces of a process of development within the writings of the New Testament that can boil down to a possible 'process of divinization' of Jesus in early Christianity. No conclusions concerning these matters are drawn in this study. The research problem is identified and it is shown that the theme is highly relevant. Examples are given of multiple and discordant conclusions of scholars who dealt with this problem in the past. Against this background, it is argued that sound methodology and criteria are necessary in trying to reach a justifiable conclusion.
'Sondaars' in die tyd van Jesus
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 1997) Pienaar, Henk
The hypothesis which is investigated in this article is that the expression 'sinners' is to be seen as a label for those people who were not socially accommodated within Israelite society in the time of Jesus. This ostracism was religiously legitimated by means of purity regulations with regard to people, places and calendar. The confirmation of the hypothesis provides the historical context of the inscription in Louw & Nida's semantic dictionary of New Testament Greek with regard to one of the meanings of the word 'sinner' (aILcxpTw}",O<;) as 'social outcast'.
Continued importance of Jesus
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 1997) Van Aarde, A.G. (Andries G.)
The different aspects of the influential nature of Jesus' life were handed down only after his death by those who met God on the basis of the traditions with regard to Jesus. The historical Jesus is therefore to be distinguished from the kerygmatic Christ. This article aims at arguing that Jesus' call upon God as 'Abba' can be regarded as a dialectic material link between the historical Jesus and the kerygmatic Christ. It is also shown that this dialectic has divergently been articulated in the New Testament writings and thereafter as time has changed. Today the historical Jesus' message of the all-inclusiveness and already-presence of God's domain is to be taken seriously by the church in pursuing the kerygma in the New Testament. However, the category 'kerygmatic Christ' seems to be increasingly loosing its explanatory and heuristic power in the secular and postmodern religious age.
Herfsfees en die koningsrite by Bet-El as interteks van Amos 7: 1 0-8: 14 en Hosea 9: 1-9
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 1997) Breytenbach, A.P.B. (Andries Petrus Bernardus), 1944-
It is argued that a text from the Samaritan Liturgy which describes a royal rite at Bethel on the last day of the autumnal festival, represents a reliable tradition. This text, as well as Deuteronomy 26:2-15 to which it is closely related, is used as the basis for a reconstruction of a royal rite at Bethel during the time of the monarchy. Amos 7:10-8:14 and Hosea 9:1-9 are read against this background. The said prophecies state exactly the opposite of what was expressed and intended by the royal rite. This accounts for the vehement reaction against Amos and Hosea from the side of the priests.
Ecclesiastical situation of the first generation Roman Christians
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 1997) Bible -- N.T. -- Romans 16; Du Toit, Andrie B. (Andreas B.)
Forming part of a trilogy about the first generation Roman Christians, this aricle concentrates on the ecclesiastical aspect. From some scattered and relatively small groups, the numbers of Roman Christians increased markedly in the second half of the first century. According to Romans 16, Jewish Christians played a significant role in the initial period, although Gentile Christians were in the majority. Friction between these groups may have been a problem, but was not Paul's main concern. The Gentile Christians were mainly from a foreign background. Thus the first Christian community had a strongly cosmopolitan character. The plurality of house-churches was mainly due to practical factors, but social differentiation might have played a role. Meetings most probably took place in the ordinary rented apartments of insulae. Romans 16 renders a vivid picture of the leadership activities of Christian women and of Paul's enlightened position in this regard.

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