HTS Volume 63, Number 4 (2007)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://hdl.handle.net/2263/11013

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Tambach remixed : "Christians in South African society"
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2007) Senokoane, B.B. (Tumi); Kritzinger, J.N.J. (Johannes Nicolaas Jacobus), 1950-
This article flows from the previous one, which analysed Karl Barth’s Tambach lecture in its original German context. It uses the musical metaphor of “remixing” to describe the recontextualising of Barth’s Tambach approach in contemporary South African society. After recontextualising the theological foundations of the Tambach lecture, Barth’s three viewpoints (regnum naturae, regnum gratiae, regnum gloriae) are recontextualised for South Africa, addressing the issue of poverty as an example.
"Was sollen wir tun?" Theological reflections on aspects of the ethics of Karl Barth
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2007) Van Wyk, J.H. (Amie)
The author investigates some aspects of the ethics of the wellknown Swiss theologian Karl Barth. The article focuses on to the coherence between dogmatics and ethics, aspects of theocentricity and christocentricty, followed by an exploration of Barth’s views on (homo-)sexuality and politics. Before concluding, a final question is discussed: did Barth practice what he preached? – that is the question regarding integrity. Although the author may not agree with some facets of Barth’s theology, he has and shows appreciation on many of Barth’s views on ethics.
On reading Karl Barth in South Africa today : Karl Barth as public theologian?
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2007) Laubscher, Martin
This article investigates the specific nature by which Karl Barth could be considered as a public theologian in post-apartheid South Africa. The aim is to enrich the debate in the current field of public theology in post-apartheid South Africa, and to demonstrate especially how it is understood and practiced at the Beyers Naudé Centre for Public Theology at Stellenbosch theological faculty.
Doing classical theology in context
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2007) Neven, Gerrit Willem
This article is about doing classical theology in context. The weight of my argument is that classical text of Karl Barth’s theology is great intellectual text means: being addressed by this text in the context in which one lives. The basic keywords that constitute a rule for reading those texts are “equality”, “event” and “recontextualisation”. The article contains two sections: The first section elaborates statements about the challenge of the event and the project of rereading classics by way of recontextualisation. The word “event” refers to true and innovating moments in history which one can share, or which one can betray. Classical texts always share in those liberative moments. The question then is in what sense do they present a challenge to the contemporary reader. The second section elaborates the position of man as central and all decisive for doing theology in context now. In this section, the author appeals for a renewal of the classical anthropology as an anthropology of hope. This anthropology contradicts postmodern concepts of otherness.
Some Barthian perspectives on the present science-religion debate : what is the place of "natural theology" today?
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2007) Du Toit, Cornel W. (Cornelius Willem), 1953-
As an example of the context-relatedness of Barth’s work, this article compares his crisis theology with Heidegger’s philosophy of Being. Further examples are Barth’s reaction to the modernism of his time, with its accent on rationalism (see his critique of Kant), and the influence of subjective theology. In spite of his condemnation of natural theology, Barth could make a unique contribution to the current science-theology debate. His reading of the creation story and the way he views (transcends) the literal text in order to experience the Word of God as an event through that text, is a case in point. This approach, too, is comparable with certain aspects of Heidegger’s work. Barth’s reaction to the natural theology of his day was equally tied to that context. His particular target was the theology of that era which he interpreted as “natural theology”. To Barth, natural theology is metaphor for self-assertive, autonomous human beings who, via reason, manipulate the church, the Word and tradition.
"The Christian in society" : reading Barth's Tambach lecture (1919) in its German context
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2007) Kritzinger, J.N.J. (Johannes Nicolaas Jacobus), 1950-
This article analyses Karl Barth’s 1919 Tambach lecture on “The Christian in society” in the context of post World War I Europe. After describing Barth’s early life and his move away from liberal theology, the five sections of the Tambach lecture are analysed. Barth’s early dialectical theology focussed on: Neither secularising Christ nor clericalising society; Entering God’s movement in society; Saying Yes to the world as creation (regnum naturae); Saying No to evil in society (regnum gratiae); respecting God’s reign as beyond our attempts (regnum gloriae).
"God and the gods": Faith and human-made idols in the theology of Karl Barth
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2007) 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”.
Karl Barth’s understanding of mission : the Church in relationship
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2009) Bentley, Wessel
As the Church is moving towards its 21st century of existence, it is confronted by challenges it has never known before. This changing world demands self-reflection within the Church. It has to consider its place, identity and function, thereby giving rise to the exploration of its mission. In this article, the ecclesiology of Karl Barth is explored. By considering Barth's understanding of the Church's relationship with different parties such as God, other religions, those outside the Christian faith, the State and its own inner dynamics, the Church will be reminded of its missionary function in the world.
Interpreting the theology of Barth in light of Nietzsche's dictum "God is dead"
(Reformed Theological College, Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2007-12) Groenewald, Andre Johannes
Karl Barth responded with his theology to Nietzsche’s dictum “God is dead” by stating that God is the living God. God does not need the human race to exist. God reveals God self to humankind whenever God wills. Barth agreed with Nietzsche that the god of the nineteenth century was a “Nicht-Gott”. The article aims to discus Karl Barth’s respons to Nietzsche’s impulse towards the development of a concept of God that would lead to neither atheism nor theism. The article argues that Barth paved the way for talking about God by defining God as the “communicative God”.
Historical consciousness and existential awareness in Karl Barth's hermeneutics
(Reformed Theological College, Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2007-11) Pelser, G.M.M. (Gerhardus Marthinus Maritz); Van Aarde, A.G. (Andries G.)
Karl Barth's hermeneutic legacy prolonged Western Christian tradition, especially influenced by Hegelian philosophy of history. This led to Barth's "theological exegesis" instead of a historic-critical exegesis. In a preceding article Barth's understanding of the notion "hermeneutic circle" is discussed against the background of the Enlightenment and its counter-movement in Romanticism. In this article Barth's attitude to the place and role of historical criticism is explained in light of his dialectic distinction between "scientific" and "practical" interpretation. The article aims to show that Barth, with his dialectics, continues Schleiermacher's realism. In conclusion, the positivistic traits in the Barth legacy are raised once again, in order to open the door to Jürgen Habermas and other deconstructionist thinkers of the postmodern era in hermeneutics.
Karl Barth's role in church and politics from 1930 to 1935
(Reformed Theological College, Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2007-11) Groenewald, Andre Johannes
Karl Barth saw in natural theology a threat to the church of Christ. He was convinced that the so-called "German Christians" under the influence of the National Socialist Party practised natural theology. He advocated the need for the church of Christ to be church according to the Word of God. The church can be true church of Christ when it listens to and obeys the true calling of God. Barth's critique of an exclusive "Volkskirche" can serve as a corrective for the definition of the Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk as a "volkskerk".
Karl Barth's male-female order as asymmetrical theoethics
(Reformed Theological College, Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2007-11) Dreyer, Yolanda
This article is to argues that Karl Barth's revelation-based theology represents male bias entrapped within patriarchal Christian tradition. The rigid way of using the revelation-based model in exegesis and theology goes against the grain of Barth's otherwise flexible epistemology. It is particularly evident in the connection between Barth's theoetics and his view on the subordination of women. In two articles written from a gender critical perspective the focus of the first article is on Barth's asymmetrical theoethics and that of the second on the disparity in his dogmatics. The aim of the first article is to trace the influence of the Christian tradition (including early Christianity) on his theology. The aim of the second article is to explain Barth's dogmatic disparity as the product of his neoorthodox understanding of Reformed tradition.
Karl Barth's male-female order : a kingpin of dogmatic disparity
(Reformed Theological College, Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2007-11) Dreyer, Yolanda
Karl Barth's gender perspective is often analysed with reference to his so-called "theoethics" or "creational theology". This perspective perpetuates an asymmetry in gender relations that was prevalent in Biblical times, throughout Christianity and to some extent still is visible today. He based his view on the subordination of women on an exegesis of Genesis 1:27 as "intertext" of Ephesians 5:22-23. Barth's asymmetrical gender perspective is a product of his embedment in Western Christian tradition which in turn, is rooted in early Christian patriarchal theology. The aim of this article is to focus on Barth's ontological reframing of the traditional understanding of the Biblical notion of human beings as created in the "image of God". The article consists of four sections: (a) Luther's and Calvin's gender perspectives; (b) the Enlightenment failure to achieve emancipation; (c) gender disparity in Reformed theology; and (d) a feminist alternative.
Karl Barth as a homilist
(Reformed Theological College, Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2007-11) Dreyer, T.F.J. (Theunis Frederik Jacobus), 1946-
Any tribute to Karl Barth as the most important theologian of the 20th century must show an awareness of the many facets of his work. He will long be remembered for his monumental contribution to church dogmatics. The inspiration for his dogmatics was his dilemma in preaching the Word of God. Preaching and proclaiming the Word of God were his main interests. This article attempts to analyse his homiletic stance, not only as an academic theory, but in relation to his own sermons. Finally, the importance of Barth's theology for preaching in a postmodern society is outlined.
Karl Barth's epistemology : a critical appraisal
(Reformed Theological College, Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2007-11) Veldsman, D.P. (Daniel Petrus), 1959-
Can the great 20th century systematic theologian Karl Barth justify the fundamental beliefs he holds regarding the priority of God's revelation in Jesus Christ as put forward in his impressive and comprehensive Kirchliche Dogmatik? Is it enough and thus theologically justifiable to simply state in the words of Barth that the best theology would need no advocates: it would prove itself? In my appraisal of Barth's epistemological stance, I would like to argue in this article that his stance in the first place, does not only lead to a total isolation of theological reflection, but secondly through his highly exclusive claim, takes on the character of a personal religious credo expanded into a comprehensive doctrine beyond any form of control, and ultimately thirdly, becomes methodologically in essence a specifically Barthian theology from below.
Who is the sinner? The view of Karl Barth
(Reformed Theological College, Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2007-11) Van Zyl, F.J. (Francois Jacobus)
This article focuses on Karl Barth's view of the human being as sinner. In accordance with his christological approach to all theological matters, the article aims to argue that Barth describes the image and character of the sinner as mirrored by the obedient suffering and vicarious death of Jesus Christ on the cross in the place of all sinners of all times - past, present and future. According to Barth, the price that God paid in surrendering God's only Son to such suffering indicates the enormous guilt and existence of every sinner. All human beings are hopelessly in debt and can only be delivered from sin through God's graceful remission of sin.
The historical-hermeneutical prelude to the legacy of Karl Barth
(Reformed Theological College, Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2007-11) Pelser, G.M.M. (Gerhardus Marthinus Maritz); Van Aarde, A.G. (Andries G.)
The article aims to explain Karl Barth's hermeneutical legacy against the background of the influence of the Enlightenment in philosophy and theology during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. It consists of a discussion of a "hermeneutic chart", mapped by Schleiermacher, Dilthey, Bultmann, Ebeling, and Ricoeur. This "map" is introduced in the foreword by outlining mileposts and concluded by pointing to the so-called postmodern "hermeneutic critique against hermeneutics". The cord that keeps the fragments of individuals' contributions together in the article is the function of the notion "hermeneutic circle" and, especially, how this notion had been adapted since the Enlightenment through Romanticism until Dialectic Theology, conducing to present-day Postmodernity.
Karl Barth's definition of church in politics and culture : growth points for the church in South Africa
(Reformed Theological College, Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2007-11) Bentley, Wessel
The article describes briefly Karl Barth's views on church, its role in politics and how it relates to culture. This is done by identifying the way in which the church participates in the social realm through its relationship with the State. The historic religious question asks whether there is a natural mutual-determining relationship between church and State. The church may ask whether faith and politics should mix, while a secular state may question the authority which the church claims to speak from. To a large extent culture determines the bias in this relationship. History has shown that church- State dynamics is not an either / or relationship, whereby either the authority of the church or the authority of the State should function as the ruling norm. Karl Barth describes the dynamics of this relationship very well, within the context of culture, in the way his faith engages with the political status quo. Once the relationship is better understood, Barth's definition of the church will prove to be more effective in its evangelical voice, speaking to those who guide its citizens through political power.

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