Verbum et Ecclesia Volume 26 Issue 1 (2005)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://hdl.handle.net/2263/7615

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Now showing 1 - 17 of 17

"Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate..." (Jl 2:13). A prophetic perspective on reconciliation and restoration
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2005) Wessels, W.J. (Wilhelm Joseph)
In this article the Old Testament prophetic literature will be the focus of discussion with regard to the matter of restoring broken relationships, be it between God and humans or between humans as such. The relationship between Yahweh and his people was formally established by means of a covenant. The presentation of the prophetic material is done with a narrow focus on the issues of reconciliation and restoration. Prophets and prophetic texts are selected with the mentioned focus in mind and presented as the results of research done on the chosen texts. It is therefore done with a real awareness of the complexity of the prophetic material and the historical embedding of prophetic material. A detailed discussion of introductory and theological issues are therefore not presented, but taken into account. What result in this paper is a focussed presentation on the mentioned topics in some of the prophetic material. Although the word reconciliation is not an Old Testament concept, it is clear that the idea of re-establishment and renewal of the relationship between God and people was ever present. The prophets had the duty to address the reasons for damage to this covenant relationship and to warn the people of the consequences if they continue to disobey the stipulations and ethical demands of this relationship.The prophets not only served as witnesses of the efforts of Yahweh to reconcile with his people, but also as instruments to bring it about.
Drivers for the writing of a sermon about reconciliation
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2005) Vos, C.J.A. (Casparus Johannes Adam), 1945-
This article focuses on the energy that must fill the homiletic space, in order for an effective sermon about reconciliation, to be created. Of concern is the liturgical situation in which, sermons about reconciliation take place - the homiletic process through which a homiletic theory is established, the sermon as a work of art and its structure. All these liturgical and homiletic motivators release energy, which enables preaching about reconciliation to take place in a way that moves the listener. Reconciliation means to overcome the divide between the rich and the poor and looking at other people the other person through different eyes.
Atonement through blood in Leviticus
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2005) Venter, P.M. (Pieter Michiel), 1947-
In the book of Leviticus the notion of reconciliation is used in a cultic context. Sacrifice and blood are the main means in the cult for reconciling man with God. This study investigates reconciliation in Leviticus in terms of concepts like sacrifice, purity, atonement, apropiation, expiation and substitution. This is done against the background of the book's contents, the ideas of its probable priestly authors and the ideology in these circles of the cult in Israel.
Geloof as antwoord op versoening - 'n Pauliniese perspektief
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2005) Van Aarde, A.G. (Andries G.)
The aim of this article is to critically assess Friedrich Nietzsche's accusation of Paul that he replaced the "gentle gospel" of Jesus with an ideology of punishment, forgiveness, and reward. The article argues that the Pauline perspective on reconciliation has not the purport to satisfy either divine wrath or human needs - whether born from particularistic ethnocentrism or liberal globalism. Besides a discussion of the expressions used by Paul to articulate his kerygma about redemption the article demonstrates that for Paul, faith functions as response to God's act of reconciliation. God's righteousness is the most prominent result of being reconciled. Faith as response to God's salvation implies therefore that transformation and ethics are two sides of a responsive conduct which follows when God, as a gift, expiates the inequities of human beings.
Reconciliation in Deuteronomy
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2005) Van Rooy, Harry F.
The Book of Deuteronomy holds a central position in the Old Testament, and indeed in the Bible as a whole. It provides a summary of what the faith of Israel in the Old Testament is all about. It speaks about the covenant God made between himself and his people, about faithfulness to that covenant and of the implications of breaking the covenant. This covenant had implications not only for the way the people of Israel had to live as God's people in God's land, but also for the relationship among the members of the covenant. This article discusses the structure of the book of Deuteronomy, and then the way in which reconciliation appears in each of the different parts. The theme of reconciliation is not dealt with explicitly in all the passages discussed, but it does form a part of the subtext of the book of Deuteronomy. The people could only experience the Lord's blessings in the promised land after He had brought about reconciliation between Himself and them. To keep on experiencing the Lord's blessings, they had to remain faithfull to Him, obey his commandments and live within the boundaries He prescribed.
Reconciliation as the functional integration of complex systems
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2005) Van Niekerk, A.S. (Attie)
Reconciliation is usually seen in connection with the relationships between God and his people, and the mutual relationships between people, especially believers in Christ. In Col 1, however, Paul relates reconciliation to all things in heaven and on earth. The implications of this statement for the life and work of the church and her members need further reflection. In this article, attention is given to the dysfunctional interactions between socio-cultural, ecological, economical, political and other systems in the Southern African context. These dysfunctional interactions cause widespread poverty, ecological degradation and social disruption. Church members can see it as their calling to work for the functional integration of these systems, in their own lifestyles as well as in society in general, in order to promote the wellbeing of society.
Reconciliation : a way of life for the world
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2005) Masango, Maake J.S.
This article deals with the issue of reconciliation as a new way of life for the world. It focuses on scriptural passages that support the topic. It also examines the spiritual aspect of reconciliation which is forgotten by many writers. It seeks to restore harmony in relationships, especially where there are broken relationships. It challenges people to seek the truth as South Africans did, through the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC).
God accepts a broken spirit and a contrite heart - thoughts on penitence, forgiveness and reconciliation in Psalm 51
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2005) Human, Dirk J.
A concern with reconciliation amidst broken relationships permeates the religious discourse of human spirituality. In addition, in the history of Christian spirituality in particular, the role of penitence has been considered to be an integral part of authentic faith in a fallen world blighted by sin. With this as background, the present article discusses the biblical text of Psalm 51, a poignant and dramatic rendering of a sinner's penitence in his quest for forgiveness and reconciliation. Acutely aware of his transgressions, the psalmist confesses his own sinfulness whilst acknowledging the divine requirement of genuine repentance and complete dependence on God's grace. With these thoughts, Psalm 51 also allows the reader to discover for him/ herself the process of repentance - penitence - forgiveness - renewal and, ultimately, reconciliation.
Truth and reconciliation in South Africa : the role of the faith communities
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2005) Meiring, Piet (Pieter Gerhard Jacobus), 1941-
Ten years after the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission commenced with its work (1995), the author - using the statements made by representatives of the different faith communities in South Africa - analyses the role the communities played in the past: as agents of oppression, as victims of apartheid, as opponents of apartheid, as well as their role in the country's transition to a new democratic society. Finally, the contribution of the faith communities in the process of reconciliation and nation building is discussed.
Reconciliation in the General Epistles?
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2005) Steyn, Gert Jacobus
Although the customary technical terms for reconciliation are not to be found frequently and explicitly in the General Epistles, the concept or motif is certainly not absent at all. The following contribution investigates the theological dimensions of this motif by using the striking image of a spiritual house, or temple, of which the believers are seen as bricks being built into the walls (1 Pet 2:4-10). Reconcilation takes shape on Christ as the cornerstone (1 Peter) with vertical pillars representing a restored relationship between God and humanity (Hebrews). This enables the horizontal dimension of the building to take shape too. In light of the restored relationship between God and humanity, a restored relationship amongst people ought to become a reality. Certain expectations (James), consequenses (1 Peter), dangers and purposes (2 Peter and Jude) facing Christians who find themselves within a reconciled relationship with God are forming the framework for reconciliation with each other. "Forgiveness is a catalyst creating the atmosphere necessary for a fresh start and a new beginning" (Martin Luther King).
Privilege, shame and new choices towards reconciliation. An autobiographical approach
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2005) Muller, Julian C.
A narrative and autobiographical approach is taken in this article in order to explore and explain reconciliation. In the process the concepts of privilege, shame and new choices, within a specific story, are taken as the guiding beacons on the road to reconciliation in the South African situation. There are all kinds of stories. Some are born with the telling: their substance is language, and before someone puts them into words they are but a hint of an emotion, a caprice of mind, an image, or an intangible recollection. Others are manifest whole, like an apple, and can be repeated infinitely without risk of altering their meaning. Some are taken from reality and processed through inspiration, while others rise up from an instant of inspiration and become real after being told. And there are secret stories that remain hidden in the shadows of the mind; they become covered with excrescences and parasites, and with time are transformed into the matter of nightmares. To exorcise the demons of memory, it is sometimes necessary to tell them as a story (Allende 1988:158). I share my own story in this article not because it is extraordinary or special. To the contrary! I write it because it is so very ordinary and shared by many Afrikaans speaking people of my age. And I am glad for the opportunity because I am convinced that there is an urgent need in our society to exorcise "the demons of memory". The way to do that is to remember and to tell the stories. Therefore, the assumption with which I operate in this article is that reconciliation is a narrative construct and can only be achieved on a narrative basis. I grew up as a farm boy and the only son of Christian parents.
Beyond reconciliation - monistic Yahwism and the problem of evil in philosophy of religion
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2005) Gericke, Jacobus Wilhelm
Reconciliation is a central concern in the religious discourse of biblical Yahwism. However, one frequently overlooked part of the equation for reconcilement is the insistence in many Old Testament texts that YHWH is ultimately the necessary cause of metaphysical, natural and moral evil in the world. In this article, the author aims to demonstrate why any biblical theology of reconciliation will be problematic, given the inextricable presence of a monistic ontology underlying the relation between YHWH and evil in many biblical texts. Taken seriously, these trajectories in Old Testament Yahwism deconstruct the so-called 'Problem of Evil' along with virtually every popular theodicy constructed in the philosophy of religion.
H R Trevor-Roper vs. Arnold Toynbee : a post-Christian religion and a new Messiah in an age of reconciliation?
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2005) Hale, Frederick
That the twentieth century witnessed massive secularisation in Europe and certain other parts of the world is beyond dispute, as is the fact that the general phenomenon of religion and its role as a factor shaping history remain potent on a broad, international scale. There is no consensus, however, about the future place or status of Western Christian civilisation or "Christendom" in a shrinking and pluralistic world also struggling with the challenge of reconciliation. During the 1950s two controversial giants of British historiography, Arnold Toynbee and H R Trevor-Roper clashed on this issue. Their severe differences of opinion were conditioned in part by the Cold War, general retreat of imperialism from Africa and Asia, and the growth of the economic, military, and political power of previously colonised or otherwise subjugated nations.
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.
Reconciliation through church union in post-Apartheid South Africa : the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2005) Duncan, Graham A.
This paper will argue that the union which brought the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa into being was based on an inadequate view of reconciliation in a Christian context. While lip service may have been paid to the authentic concept, flawed views have led to many misunderstandings concerning the mission and vision of the new church, and despite attempts at reformation and renewal, reconciliation as justice restored still evades the ethos of the young denomination.
New politics, new stories, new history : the Chronicler as historian for a new generation
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2005) Boshoff, Willem Sterrenberg
The Chronistic History, consisting of I and II Chronicles, Ezra and Nehemiah, constitutes a new history for the post-exilic Judaean community. These people faced new social and political relities and had to make sense of their history and situation. Central features of the Chronistic History are (in I and II Chronicles) the review of king David's genealogies, the centrality of David's reign and cultic arrangements, which resulted in Solomon's building of the temple, and the history of the kingdom of Judah, with the reigns of Hesekiah and Josiah as focal points. In Ezra and Nehemiah the focal points are the Persian king Cyrus' decree, allowing the Judaeans to return to Jerusalem, the conflict with the people of the land, and the rebuilding of the city walls and temple. The Chronicler's use of history to constitute a new reality for its readers, helped them to visualise a new Judaean community by inclusion and exclusion. This process was not only healing and reconciliatory, but also entailed conflict and animosity.
Vergewe en vergeet : 'n pastorale perspektief
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2005) Dreyer, Yolanda
This article focuses on pastoral care concerning people who have been victimised by others. The aim is to highlight the theological dilemma created for such people by the Christian imperative to forgive. The article argues that pastoral care goes beyond this imperative. The focus is rather on healing and wholeness. After this has been achieved, true compassion toward others who are down-trodden and have been hurt, becomes possible. In this way forgiveness can be internalised. This pastoral approach is theoretically substantiated by the philosophy of Paul Ricoeur and the practical theology of Donald Capps.

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