Research Articles (Africa Institute of Missiology)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://hdl.handle.net/2263/2912

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Now showing 1 - 11 of 11

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.
Hellenisties-Romeinse wereld en die ontstaan van apokaliptiek en gnostisisme
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2002) Nel, Malan
The world view and culture created by the oikoumene of the Hellenistic-Roman era (331 BC to early fourth century AD) was conducive to the rise of several philosphico-religious movements, like Mithraism and other mystery religions; Stoicism, Epicureanism and Middle Platonism; apocalypticism and wisdom literature in Hellenistic Judaism and Gnosticism. These movements have in common that they originated in a world defined by change and insecurity, leading to an attitude of alienation, despair and agony amongst many people. These people looked for a soter, and the philosophico-religious movements offered such soteria, salvation from an alien and evil world and entrance to a new world. Jewish apocalypticism flourished during the period from the third century BC to the first century AD, when orthodox rabbi's started purifying Jewish religion from all foreign hellenistic elements like the dualistic views of apocalypticism. When this happened Christianity had already adopted the essence of Jewish apocalypticism. During the second century AD some Christians were disappointed that the parousia had not realised as expected imminently, and from their disappointment grew their involvement in gnostic Christian movements, centered around strong leaders (guru's). Our age is also characterised by change and insecurity, just as the case was during the Hellenistic-Roman age, and the hypothesis of the article concludes with the assertion that the phenomenal growth in the New Age movement and neo-paganism can be explained in the same terms as apocalypticism and gnosticism.
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.
Versoening in Joodse apokaliptiese literatuur
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2005) Nel, Malan
Before the discussion of the subject of reconciliation in apocalyptic literature can be researched it is necessary to answer preliminary questions: What is apocalyptic literature? Where, how and why did it originate? Is it in continuity with the other genres represented in the Old Testament? Were there apocalyptic movements, and what was their function? Apocalyptic writers did not discuss reconciliation as such because in their socio-historical circumstances the issue was not raised. In the different writings allusions are found. Reconciliation with God is interpreted as a property of the chosen righteous, the maskilim or chasidim, the particular apocalyptic group.Reconciliation between people and groups are interpreted within the larger context of the regulations of the Mosaic Torah.
Apologie vir die Christelike lewenswyse en etiek
(Reformed Theological College, Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2008-03) Van Wyk, I.W.C. (Ignatius William Charles)
Many young Afrikaners have turned their backs on the Calvinistic churches in South Africa. Many of them have difficulty with the Christian morality. Works of by "Boetman" and Koos Kombuis are analysed in order to get acquainted with present-day thinking of the critics of the Afrikaans churches. This article proposes a positive reception of the moral tradition of the Early Church. A short overview of the basic aspects of the ethics of the early church fathers and apologists is given. Whether the critics would embrace a morality of caring, remains an open question. The author is convinced that this morality is the better one. The critics are invited to rethink Christian morality and ethics.
Verantwoordelike evangelisasie in die teenwoordigheid van God : 'n teologiese refleksie
(Society for Practical Theology in South Africa, 2007) Nel, Malan
Evangelism never was a popular concept or ministry. Two of the critical reasons for this might be the lack of real theological reflection on Evangelism from a holistic missional perspective on the one hand and, on the other hand, the way in which it has often been done. This research only mentions and summarises some of these approaches. The purpose is to explore a theological approach from the vantage point of the incarnation. A second departure point is taken about the important role that discipleship, within a Kingdom perspective, plays in the making of disciples as evangelism. While the implications for methodology are not spelt out in any detail, such implications are in a sense logically implied.
"God and the gods" : faith and human-made idols in the theology of Karl Barth
(Reformed Theological College, Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2007-11) Van Wyk, I.W.C. (Ignatius William Charles)
The First Commandment played an important role in the theology of Karl Barth. His personal obedience to this commandment contributed to his realization that one cannot be comfortable with the Liberal theology of the early twentieth century and accept the theological thinking that supported National Socialism. The First Commandment opened his eyes to see the idols, worldviews, ideologies and evil of his lifetime. The First Commandment is always in the background of his theology that concentrates on God's revelation in Jesus Christ. Only two of his lectures specifically concentrated on the First Commandment, only one of which was published. Barth, understood the First Commandment as an axiom of theology. It is self-evident; a cornerstone and critical guideline for any theology that is built upon the biblical message. The article argues that if this aspect of Barth's theology received attention in the Nederduitsch Hervormde Church, we would most probably have been saved from the conflicts concerning the ideology of apartheid and the "people's church".
Etiek en teologie - 'n aktuele bespreking van Marinus Schoeman se "Generositeit en lewenskuns" : grondtrekke van 'n post-Nietzscheaanse etiek
(Reformed Theological College, Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2007-09) Boshoff, Piet B. (Petrus Benjamin)
This article grew from a review on Schoeman's book to a review article in which an actual presentation is given of some of the most important issues in comparison to a Christian viewpoint. The following topics are discussed: Resentment; Revaluation of all values; Purpose driven universe; Critique of moral values; The aristocrat; Hannah Arendt's view on the public political realm and private sphere; Plurality and conformity.
The final judgment in African perspectives
(Reformed Theological College, Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2006-06) Van Wyk, I.W.C. (Ignatius William Charles)
African churches show little interest in the notion of the final judgment. Various reasons for the lack of interest in this important aspect of biblical faith are discussed. Special attention is given to the problems of time and history as they manifest in African thinking. The idea of punishment as it is perceived in Africa also receives attention. The article looks at the biblical texts on the final judgment from an African perspective. African philosophy and spirituality facilitate a rediscovery of the joyful dimensions of this notion. One of the main arguments is that Africa should not experience insurmountable problems in embracing this aspect of the gospel. On the contrary: Africa can assist the ecumenical world to discover aspects of this message not yet disclosed. The article concludes with a discussion on the fate of the African ancestors.
Akkommodering en bestuur van diversiteit in gemeenteverband
(Reformed Theological College, Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2006-11) Dreyer, T.F.J. (Theunis Frederik Jacobus), 1946-
Diversity is becomming a prominent phenomenon of our society within a postmodern context. Many clergy and church members believe it threatens the peace and stability of churches and local congregations. Seemingly, diversity contributes to the escalation of conflict and the stress levels church leaders are experiencing. This article attempts to analize and describe the phenomenon of diversity from the angles of postmodernity, personality preferences and systems thinking. The research is based upon the hypothesis that diversity does not necessarily threaten the unity of local congregations. The manifestation of unity within diversity is only possible if leaders are sensitized to manage the challenges of pluriformity.
Teologie van godsdienste : 'n perspektief op die verhouding tussen Christendom en tradisionele Afrika godsdienste
(Reformed Theological College, Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2006-06) Beyers, Jaco
In this discussion the relationship between Christianity and the traditional African religion is critically evaluated. The relationship is viewed from the perspective of the understanding of revelation and from the understanding of divinity. The possibility of a true African Christology is investigated and the understanding of sin and redemption from an African perspective is highlighted. The goal of the article is to identify important elements in the dialogue when bringing the gospel to people belonging to the traditional African religion.

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