An appreciation of the correlation between academic theology and the local church : John Calvin as a vision for contemporary South Africa

Abstract

This work, inspired by the concept of the Pastor-Theologian, explores the correlation between academic theology and the local church in contemporary South Africa and the person of John Calvin. It is motivated by the assumption that academic theology and the local Church need each other but, within South Africa, these two institutes are struggling to correlate to each other. As such this research elicits an appreciation of the historical correlation between the local Church and academic theology. This appreciation aims to start to reawaken the need for a correlation between academic theology and the local Church within contemporary South Africa. This research works mainly from a method of critical correlation to establish how academic theology and the local church function in their own right but also correlate in a mutually beneficial way. In line with this methodology, a historical overview of the tradition is given providing the background to the debate. This history proves the longevity of the tradition, making it normative, while also outlining its demise. In the analysis of contemporary South Africa, the demise of the tradition is explored specifically in relation to the South African context. Here it is discovered that the correlation between academic theology and the Local church is in a state of disconnect which is detrimental to both. Academic theology is becoming isolated and commercialised. This had created a mix reaction among various churches. Some denominations have separated from theological education, while those still positive towards the academy experience its works to be irrelevant. In response to this Calvin is presented as a Pastor and a Theologian over two chapters, demonstrating the benefit of a correlation between academic theology and the Local Church. This in-depth historical analysis works to provide a vision for today. It shows the importance of the Pastor and the Theologian in its own right, as well as the essential need for the two vocations to correlate. In closing, this research brings all the lines of investigation together to prove how the vision of the Pastor-Theologian, as demonstrated through Calvin, is beneficial for today and in need of appreciation.