HTS Volume 55, Number 2&3 (1999)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://hdl.handle.net/2263/15302

HTS is fulltext available on Open Journals Publishing

Browse

Now showing 1 - 18 of 18

Laerskoolkind in die erediens : 'n evaluering van beskouings in Afrikaanssprekende kerke in Suid-Afrika
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 1999) Beukes, M.J. du P. (Mattheus Johannes du Plessis)
The article investigates the role of the child on the elementary-school level in ecclesiastical worship. Two different points of view are evaluated: the traditional view of complete accommodation and simultaneous but separate meetings for children and adults respectively. The conclusion is that it is not the attendance of a church service as such that is important, but the experience of worshipping, also by children. As with adults, the Holy Spirit plays a prominent role. As far as children are concerned, parents and catechists should be equipped by the church to lead children meaningfully with a view to deepen participation in the service.
Prakties-teologiese begronding vir gemeentebou as kommunikatiewe handeling in diens van die evangelie
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 1999) Van der Merwe, J.C. (Jacobus Christiaan)
The aim of this article is to reflect on a practical theological perspective on the theoretical premises of church growth. This is done within the framework of the postmodern paradigm. Church growth focuses on the analysis, description and explanation of the practical situations of congregations in order to enhance church management. The epistemological framework of this article is the distinction metatheory, basis theory and theory of practice. The focus is on the relationship between basis theory and the theory of the practice of church growth. The article departs from an approach where empirical data form the basis for the construction of a praxis for church growth. The author argues for a biblical foundation by means of which the empirical data should be evaluated in order to devise a model for praxis.
Metafoor "Dag van die Here" in 2 Petrus en die dood as marginale ervaring
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 1999) Malan, Gert Jacobus
The apocalyptical eschatological concept of the day of the Lord as used in 2 Peter 3:10 is an example of analogical or metaphorical language. Within the context of the delay of the parousia, and 2 Peter’s unique depiction of this event, understanding of what this metaphor may mean is of importance. As a metaphor, the expression “day of the Lord” should be understood in terms of its literal (temporal) as well as its figurative meaning (as grand finale). An investigation of the core values present in 2 Peter 3, namely a3gios and a0dikia, sheds further light on the meaning of this metaphor. With it the author makes use of death as a marginal experience that invokes fear and anxiety, in order to encourage opponents to accept the ethics proposed in the text.
Historiese Jesus-navorsing en evangelisasie
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 1999) Schutte, P.J.W. (Philippus Jacobus Wilhelmus)
The aim of this article is to demonstrate that the research results of one subject in the theological curriculum could be used in other subjects as well. In this article the results of historical Jesus research are used to facilitate a reinterpretation of the church’s vision of evangelism. The article focuses on Jesus’ subversion of conventional, cultural values, his pneumatic existence and his interaction with outcasts and elite alike. This interaction implies a redefinition of purity regulations. Specifically, the article elaborates on the work of Marcus Borg and Andries van Aarde as Jesus researchers. The implication for evangelism of Jesus’s subversion of conventional values is that evangelism should not have the aim to socialize people into existing cultural patterns or values under pretense of communicating the gospel message. Evangelism should not be coercive but should rather be an invitation to share a spiritual life. The essence of the church’s message should be that all people have equal, direct and immediate access to God.
Vroue-ervaring en spiritualiteit
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 1999) Dreyer, Yolanda
Spirituality concerns one’s orientation to life. It therefore influences one’s identity. This article recognizes a plurality of spiritualities. It focuses on the relationship between women’s experiences and spirituality within the framework of Christian faith. The concept patriarchaler Entfremdung is illuminated. This is the alienation women experience when they exist as women in male-defined, male-structured and male-dominated ecclesiastical cultures. As far as “identity” is concerned, the problem of women’s spiritual development and maturity as pre-requisite for an authentic life before God is discussed.
Nuwe belydenisskrif vir die Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk van Afrika?
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 1999) Van Wyk, I.W.C. (Ignatius William Charles)
In this article the question is asked whether a new creed or confession is possible and in this point necessary. The answer is that there should always be room for new creeds and confessions. Although there might be many reasons for a new confession, the present time does not really seem to call for such a confession. But we must remain open for a new confession at any time. In the meantime we must actualize the old creeds and confessions, and we must consider subscribing to other Reformed confessions as well as confessions from this age that could be relevant and important to us.
Kerklik-akademiese portret van B J van der Merwe (1926-1968) : Deel een - student en predikant
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 1999) Venter, P.M. (Pieter Michiel), 1947-
The first part deals with van der Merwe’s tertiary education, his year as church minister, as well as his preparation and study as doctoral student at the University of Groningen, Netherlands. The influence of Van Selms, Gemser and Vriezen is discussed, as well as his first publications and his doctoral thesis.
Strack-Billerbeck, Orthodoxy and a Jewish New Testament
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 1999) Loader, J.A. (James Alfred), 1945-
On the basis of the evidence of publications dating from the eighteenth century, this paper argues that the orthodox doctrine of the verbal inspiration of the Bible caused extreme views in the language of the Old Testament which could not be transferred to the “heathen” language of the New Testament. The resulting void was filled by focusing on the Jewish (read “Hebrew”) thought of the New Testament. The work of Christian Schoettgen, available to the author in Vienna, is used in conjunction with the Critica sacra by Johann Gottlob Carpzov to develop the argument for the thesis. Some conclusions are drawn.
Matthew 27:45-53 as the turning of the tide in Israel's history
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 1999) Van Aarde, A.G. (Andries G.)
Matthew considers both the fall of the Jerusalem / the Temple and the coming of the Son of Man as being anticipated in the crucifixion/resurrection of Jesus. This article argues that Matthew places these two events within his description of the history of Israel, that the events are revealed in Scripture, and that the period of the First Testament should not be viewed as concluded time. It is also argued that the so-called tension between “imminence” and “indeterminate future” must be understood from first-century Mediterranean’s perspective on time; that the key of Matthew’s understanding of time is to be found in discerning what is called the turning of the tide; and, finally, that Matthew 27:45-54 is located where, within that discourse in the plot of Matthew, this “eschatological turning of time” is reported.
Rivier van die lewe in Esegiel 47:1-12 : motief, mite en metafoor
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 1999) Bezuidenhout, L.C. (Louis Christiaan)
This article tries to establish the nature and value of the myths and metaphors imbedded in the description of the river of life in Ezekiel 47:1-12. The Biblical context as well as the wider mythological context is taken into account. It communicates God’s saving acts and the spiritual recreation of the people in an extraordinary way. God’s self-communication finds its full expression in an inwardly renewed community. The article includes a reflection on the nature and value of the myth and the metaphor in theology.
Verband tussen doop en lidmaatskap van die kerk
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 1999) Dreyer, Willem Akkerhuys (Wim)
This article examines the relationship between baptism and membership of the church. The author’s main thesis is that baptism signifies the unity with Christ, and as such unity with the body of Christ (the church). Research has shown that baptism exists in different religions, cults and sects as an initiation rite. This forms the background to the New Testament’s presentation of baptism as (inter alia) an initiation rite. This article examines not only these baptism rites, but also the different metaphors in the New Testament concerned with baptism as initiation. The history of baptism in the church and the way baptism functions in the Reformed tradition, in terms of church polity and membership of the church, are also examined.
Pastoraat as vertolking : metaforiese teologie binne die konteks van 'n pastorale hermeneutiek
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 1999) Louw, D.J. (Dirk Jakobus)
A hermeneutics of pastoral care should be viewed as a theological issue. Hence the importance of God-language and the naming of God in pastoral care. The underlying assumption is that inappropriate images of God have a hampering effect on faith experiences. It is, therefore, important that a hermeneutics of pastoral care should probe into the meaning dimension of God-images in order to instil hope and foster spirituality. Four biblical metaphors are discussed: shepherd, servant, paraclete and wisdom. Our choice, within the context of postmodernity, is for the metaphor "God as Friend". It conveys not only the compassion of God, but also the covenantal intimacy and faithfulness of God (God as "Soul Friend" within "koinonia").
Nuwe Testament-geskrifte as kanon : die vraag na 'n uitgebreide databasis vir historiese-Jesus ondersoek
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 1999) Geyser, Piet A.
The aim of this article is to re-establish the disparate traditions concerning the origins and growth of documents that developed into the New Testament canon. The article reflects the insights of Lee McDonald’s book The formation of the Christian Biblical canon. Some of the accepted notions concerning the canon come under scrutiny, for instance that the New Testament canon was completed before the end of the second century. The article concludes with the question whether the New Testament canon should be revised in the light of recent historical Jesus studies. History and tradition plead against an incisive revision. The only option seems to be a scholar’s edition of a revised list for ecclesiastical use.
Heilige Gees en spiritualiteit in teologiese opleiding
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 1999) Koekemoer, J.H. (Johannes Hendrik), 1935-
This article discusses the theme "spirituality" in terms of changing paradigms. The author argues that the present-day holistic perspective of spirituality can be regarded as a phenomenon of postmodernity. Aspects of this paradigm are: the emphasis on the relationship between the work of God's Spirit and human beings' encounter with God, as well as the relationship between human beings and God's creation. This indicates a holistic perspective on reality. The author discusses the question regarding spirituality in the context of the theological training of ministers of the Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk. The shift from modernity to postmodernity demands a rethinking of theological training. In theological training there should also be time for meditation. Theologians who want to speak about God should make time to listen to God.
Dekonstruksie van dogma : 'n eietydse ondersoek na die spore van die leer van die twee nature van Jesus
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 1999) Van Aarde, A.G. (Andries G.)
The article presumes that religious language develops according to four phases: a movement from foundational religious experience to metaphorical language usage to confessional formulae to dogma. It is argued that Jesus’ call upon God as father should be seen as a foundational religious experience which was expressed by means of a familial metaphor. Writers of New Testament books refer also to the followers of Jesus as children of God. Paul and Mark point explicitly to the dual nature of a child of God: being born as human and being born spiritually from God. The confessional formulae in the Nicene Creed about the two natures of Jesus as ontological entities intended to emphasize Jesus’ humanness. The dogma, which originated during sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, continued to convey this tendency. The article concludes that, for Christians today, the metaphor “child of God” is still functional to express a foundational religious experience.
Angels of eschatological punishment in the Jewish and Christian apocalyptic traditions and in the Gospel of Matthew
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 1999) Sim, David C.
In the Jewish and Christian apocalyptic traditions there were two distinct types of angels who were responsible for the punishment of the wicked after the final judgement. One type merely transported the wicked to the place of eternal punishment, while the other resided in the place of punishment and inflicted tortures on the condemned. Most texts reflect one tradition or the other, but in a few instances both are represented. The Gospel of Matthew clearly presents the angels who transport the wicked to the place of condemnation (13:41-42, 49-50; 22:13), but it may also reflect the tradition of the angelic torturers in the parable of the unforgiving servant in Mt 18:23-24. In this periscope, the king hands over the wicked servant to the torturers, and there is good evidence that these characters in the story represent angelic tormenters of the condemned.
Bybelse teologie en skuldbelydenis
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 1999) Venter, P.M. (Pieter Michiel), 1947-
Investigating the probable contents of a confession of guilt, this article pays attention to the contemporary paradigm shift in theology and the viewpoint of Black Theology as interlocutor. The trends in Biblical Theology and the role it played in it by the conversation between Jews and Christians in the post-holocaust era are studied. The prayers in Ezra 9, Nehemiah 9 and Daniel 9 are investigated and it is concluded that confession of guilt is linked to doxology and confession in so far as the righteousness, mercy and grace of God are concerned. Taking these trends in account a proposal is made with regard to the possible contents of a confession of guilt.
Vraag na die noodsaaklikheid van 'n eietydse belydenis : Nuwe Testamenties en hermeneuties beoordeel
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 1999) Pelser, G.M.M. (Gerhardus Marthinus Maritz)
As indicated in the title of this study, what is in essence at issue here is the question as to whether there is a need for a creed to be contemporaneous with the day and age the church finds itself in. It is argued that to produce a creed in accordance with current hermeneutical insights is much more difficult than the way in which the existing creeds were created. It is therefore further argued that, for a creed to function as it ought to, it should in the first place be the result of an interpretation of the Biblical text(s) on the basis of current hermeneutical theory and practice, and in the second place be a means for expressing one’s faith in a meaningful way in every life situation or faith experience. To this end a creed should be contemporaneous with each and every situation encountered by the individual believer or community of faith.

Browse

Recent Submissions