Verbum et Ecclesia Volume 31 Issue 1 (2010)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://hdl.handle.net/2263/14353

Verbum et Ecclesia is fulltext available on Open Journals Publishing.

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A critical assessment of Anton Szandor LaVey’s philosophy of indulgence as a dogma based assault on Scripture
(OpenJournals Publishing, 2010-12) Muwowo, Simon; Buitendag, Johan; johan.buitendag@up.ac.za
The aim of this article has been to critically assess and unmask Anton Szandor LaVey’s Philosophy of Indulgence reflected in The Satanic Bible (1969) as a dogma based assault on Scripture. The main task of this article has been to expose some contemporary ethical and dogmatic utterances used to express disagreements which LaVey alludes to in The Satanic Bible against Scripture. The debate in which these disagreements are expressed is their interminable character of the concept of what defines human morality. The philosophy under review has been assessed according to its effects on humanity. Does it create a just world and a set of values in the same way Scripture does or does it create unity of purpose or divergent views that put the world and the church on crossroads? The conclusion of this work posits a challenge towards evaluating the theology of nature, which now appears to be the main theological framework of the 21st century debate.
Kreatiewe prediking : die noodsaak van kreatiwiteit in die preekgebeure
(OpenJournals Publishing, 2010-11) Botha, Johan S.
Using the limited resources for proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ in a rapidly changing world presents problems for preachers. Preaching in the reformed tradition is based primarily upon the Bible and the tradition of the church. Given the limitations of the age of the source, the preacher runs the risk of boring the congregation with sermons irrelevant to their living conditions, by repeating the same basic message. Preachers may run out of ideas and ways of presenting a fresh, relevant message on a weekly basis. They start employing all kinds of tricks and gimmicks in order to stay relevant. Creative preaching is suggested as an answer to this dilemma. Creative preaching is developed and described as a process in which the preacher, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, employs creative methods like observation, association, imagination and creative thinking when creating a sermon. The sermon is structured to be creative and to stimulate the creativity of the listeners. Creative preaching could be described as stimulating preaching based on Scripture, imagination and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
Poetically Africa dwells : a dialogue between Heidegger's understanding of language as the house of being and African being-with (ubuntu) as a possible paradigm for postfoundational practical theology in Africa
(OpenJournals Publishing, 2010-11) Meylahn, Johann-Albrecht
The search for new paradigms and perspectives for practical theology in South Africa begins with the context, South Africa. What perspectives are given and what perspectives respond to the call of this context when this African context is brought into dialogue with the thoughts of a thinker who has to a large extent determined the paradigm of postmodern Western thought? This article was inspired by the hope that such a dialogue will reveal unique outcomes that could offer perspectives and possible paradigms for doing postfoundational practical theology in South Africa. I specifically brought into dialogue Heidegger’s understanding of language and the poetics of Being, with ubuntu, interpreted as Being-with [mit-Sein] and how African ubuntu can be interpreted as being of language – poetically Africa dwells-with-others. This dialogue in Africa with Africa, on and of the house of Being, can only but ‘gift’ practical theology with new perspectives and paradigms, because practical theology can be understood as a critical theological reflection on the word event (language event) in the various sub-disciplines of practical theology (homiletics, pastorate, liturgics and diaconical ministry), responding to the Word event of Scripture as the written said in answer to the Divine saying. I have reflected on this dialogue, not as an outsider objectifying Africa or postmodernism, but as one born in Africa (as-one-in-Africa) whose mother tongue (house of Being) is that of middle Europe. Theology has always been most creative at the intersection or intercessions of paradigms of thought, that is, Jerusalem–Athens, Jerusalem–Athens–Alexandria, Jerusalem–Athens– Alexandria–Rome, et cetera. The time has come for southern Africa to be part of this intersection and these intercessions, to offer perspectives and paradigms for practical theology.
How 'religious' is religion and how 'natural' is naturalness? On the question of the naturalness of religion
(OpenJournals Publishing, 2010) Veldsman, D.P. (Daniel Petrus), 1959-; danie.veldsman@up.ac.za
The problem addressed in this article is twofold: firstly, how can a question be posed (on the naturalness of religion) consisting of two concepts (naturalness and religion) that are both somewhat vague and secondly, what are the implications of the preceding semantic mappings (or labelling) that determine the sense-making process (i.e. the conceptual problems that follows in the wake of the labelling). The aim of the article is to reflect from a historical perspective on the two concepts that make up the question, namely natural and religion and finally to indicate what is meant by semantic mappings that determine conceptual problems. From this indication it is argued that 'scientific foul play' is the order of the day, that is, that both theology and science are as it were playing 'off-side', thus making the question in the contemporary discourses an emotionally messy endeavour and that, in the author's opinion, the question has therefore to be rephrased.
Dating the Priestly text in the pre-exilic period : some remarks about anachronistic slips and other obstacles
(OpenJournals Publishing, 2010-11) Meyer, Esias E.; sias.meyer@up.ac.za
This article engages with the work of scholars such as Jacob Milgrom and Avi Hurvitz on dating the Priestly text (P) in the pre-exilic period. In response to Wellhausen’s argument that P is guilty of archaising, Milgrom and Hurvitz have always maintained that there would be some ‘anachronistic slips’. In this article the author points out a few examples from Leviticus which could be understood as ‘anachronistic slips’. The author also shows the difficulties one encounters when attempting to interpret a text such as Leviticus 26 in the pre-exilic period.
Dialektiek tussen leser en teks : 'n gesprek oor hermeneutiese homiletiek
(OpenJournals Publishing, 2010) Pieterse, Hendrik J.C. (Hennie)
The fundamentalist reaction to contemporary theological discourse in South Africa expresses the need for homiletics to give serious attention to the pre-understanding of our existential situation in order to understand the Biblical text for preaching. Empirical research shows that most preachers concentrate on exegesis in sermon preparation, but do not succeed in actualising the message of the text in their own context. In homiletics, the question still remains whether the own context of the reader of a Biblical text should be seen as an integral part of the hermeneuticalhomiletical theory. This article argues that there is a creative tension between reader and Biblical text in the hermeneutical process of sermon preparation, provided the two are treated equally. Because either the text or the reader sometimes dominates the process of understanding, a choice is made for an equal dialectical weight of reader and text in hermeneutical-homiletics, referring to H-G. Gadamer and Paul Ricoeur as sources. This approach opens up the possibility of topical preaching as a result of a creative tension between reader and text in sermon preparation.
Literêre komposisie van Josua 3:1–17
(OpenJournals Publishing, 2010-11) Wildenboer, J.M. (Johannes Michael)
Joshua 3 and 4 confront the attentive reader with several literary problems, especially with regard to chronology. This article attempts to provide a solution to the problems in Joshua 3. The author reconstructed narratives, namely a Deuteronomistic and a post-priestly narrative. The Deuteronomistic narrative forms part of the original narrative of the Jordan crossing. It also forms part of an exilic Deuteronomistic History. The aim of this exilic Deuteronomistic History is to explain the loss of the land during the Babylonian exile. The post-priestly narrative of Joshua 3 and 4 most probably came into being when the priestly material (Gen–Num) was linked with the Deuteronomistic History. Thus, the post-priestly narrative of Joshua 3 and 4 elaborates on and expands the original Deuteronomistic narrative of the Jordan crossing. The merging of these two narratives is the cause of the chronological and other literary problems in Joshua 3.
Opname van 'n Jobgedig in enkele eietydse gedigte
(OpenJournals Publishing, 2010-10) Vos, C.J.A. (Casparus Johannes Adam), 1945-; cas.vos@up.ac.za
This article investigates the intertextual influence of an ancient poem on a few modern-day poems. Other literary creations on which ancient poems have left their mark also come to the fore. The ancient poem under discussion here is a Job poem. This study reveals the remarkable creative influence that Job has exerted on literature. In Afrikaans poetry, a range of poets have concerned themselves with Job in their work. This article explores one such unpublished Afrikaans poem and an English translation thereof in order to point out how contemporary and relevant the Job poem really is.
Deconstructing the body : body theology, embodied pastoral anthropology and body mapping
(OpenJournals Publishing, 2010-10) Meiring, J.J.S. (Jacob Johannes Smit); Muller, Julian C.; julian.muller@up.ac.za
This article is an effort to deconstruct narratives regarding the body. Body theology as developed by James B. Nelson forms the basis for a literature study as well as an exploration of an embodied pastoral anthropology, within the context of a postfoundationalist practical theology and an openness to interdisciplinary dialogue. Qualitative interviews and the body-mapping process were used within the context of narrative research to narrate people’s stories regarding their bodies in relation to their spiritual journey as well as to increase an awareness of a holistic, embodied spirituality.
The impact of evangelical revivals on global mission : the case of North American evangelicals in Brazil in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries
(OpenJournals Publishing, 2010-09) Smither, Edward L.
The aim of the current article is to show that an important element behind the establishment of evangelical missions to Brazil – particularly during the pioneering stages – was evangelical revival, especially that which occurred in North America during the nineteenth century. Following a brief introduction to the general relationship between eighteenth- and nineteenth century revivals and evangelical missions, I shall endeavour to support historically the commonly accepted, yet often unsubstantiated, correlation between such movements of revival and mission. Firstly, I will show the significant paradigm shift in missional thinking, which took place in the nineteenth century, as North American evangelicals began to regard Roman Catholic countries in Latin America as mission fields. Secondly, I shall argue that the influence of nineteenth-century revivalist evangelicalism (particularly that sourced in North America) on missions to Brazil and Latin America can best be observed in the Brazilian evangelical identity that emerged in the twentieth century, which has, in turn, propelled the Brazilian evangelical church into its own significant involvement in global missions (Noll 2009:10).
Verhouding tussen Christologie en etiek in Kolossense - praxis vir die postmoderne gelowige en kerk
(OpenJournals Publishing, 2010-10) Pienaar, Johannes P.; Van Eck, Ernest; ernest.vaneck@up.ac.za
In Colossians, there is a close relationship between Christology and ethics. This relationship provides answers to the many questions that face the postmodern believer and the church in the current secular world. Believers constantly battle to apply their faith in a practical way. The reason for this is that believers do not have a reference point from which to apply their faith in practice. The relationship between Christology and ethics in the letter to the Colossians presents such a reference point, namely the believer’s identity in Jesus Christ. This identity in Christ, and not nomalism, should determine all ethical decisions of the believer.
Rol van die etiek in die prediking : nuwe navorsing in Nuwe Testamentiese etiek en die implikasie daarvan vir die prediking
(OpenJournals Publishing, 2010-11) Kok, Jacobus (Kobus); kobus.kok@up.ac.za
To the Reformers, legalism was one of the greatest dangers that threatened the heart of preaching and Christian life in general. Luther argued that where preaching solidifies and degenerates into legalism, the essence of the gospel of grace is lost. Therefore, the dynamic relationship between identity, ethics and ethos in the New Testament has to be rediscovered. It is argued that the classical Bultmanian distinction between indicative and imperative does not do justice to the implicit ethical dimension of Biblical texts. New research into ethics, represented by Zimmermann's heuristic categories, may help us in rediscovering the implicit ethical dimensions in the New Testament. Those who want to speak of the theology of ethical preaching should also take the new research in New Testament ethics into consideration.
Snert : ritual-liturgical measurements and recipes for social capital
(OpenJournals Publishing, 2010-11) Wepener, Cas; cas.wepener@up.ac.za
The questions of how social capital is measured and how it is generated have received ample attention in recent years. This article is an attempt at making a modest contribution towards addressing these issues and specifically also as a contribution from the fields of Liturgical and Ritual Studies. It is argued that commensality can be taken as both lens/barometer with regard to the presence or absence of social capital, as well as being a potential generator of social capital. In order to arrive at this conclusion regarding food and the eating habits of humankind, the phenomenon of commensality and its relation to social capital is approached here from three different angles, namely Social Anthropology, New Testament Studies and Ethnography.
Een wat sal kom : ‘Messiaanse tekste’ in die Ou Testament en ander Joodse geskrifte
(OpenJournals Publishing, 2010-11) Groenewald, Alphonso, 1969-; alphonso.groenewald@up.ac.za
According to the New-Testament authors, the life of Jesus, as Christ, should be seen in light of the Old-Testament texts. It seems that all the messianic texts in the Old Testament had been fulfilled in Jesus. The Messiah, who had been expected for a long time, was born in Bethlehem. This interpretation by the New-Testament authors has caused the church and Christians throughout the centuries to read the Old Testament as a prophecy, which is fulfilled in Jesus Christ. This interpretation has caused impatience with Jews, who did not accept Jesus of Nazareth as the Messiah. This article addresses the question: How did ancient Israel understand the concept ‘messiah’? It seems that the term is much more complex than a single meaning would allow the reader to believe. This article thus focuses on the theological functioning of the term within the Hebrew Bible as well as in other Jewish writings.
Prejudice as moral action in Christian ethical decision-making
(OpenJournals, 2010) Myburgh, S.J. (Stephanus Jacobus)
Given the many approaches regarding the use of the Bible, the ethical work in biblical interpretation and the work of being concerned with an ethical issue affecting the Christian as a moral agent cannot be separated from one another. This article deals with that affinity between the approach of the interpreter as moral agent, using the Bible in his or her ethical decision-making and aspects that constitute fundamental starting points for him or her in this ethical decision-making, with regard to the liberation of prejudices as that which makes understanding for moral action possible. It is maintained in the article that prejudices that are conformable to the ways in which responsibility should qualify Christian ethics in general make for responsible use of the Bible in Christian ethical decision-making. Prejudices (pre-understanding) that are grounded in an ethics of responsibility allow for the interpreter to adhere to the truth claim of a text, which can only be had from hermeneutical work that promotes prejudices in an intentional and critical way as the link between past text and current interpreter.
Eerder anders as elders : Gerrie Snyman se bydrae in die konteks van die Gereformeerde teologie
(OpenJournals, 2010) Van Deventer, Hans J.M.
Prof Gerrie Snyman’s book 'Om die Bybel anders te lees: ‘n etiek van Bybellees' (2007) attracted considerable attention in Afrikaans-speaking reformed circles in South Africa. In this article, some of the responses to and reviews of the book are studied in order to assess the publication’s impact. Moreover, the article aims to determine whether the book will contribute to future reflections and discussions on the use of the Bible in this context. It is concluded that the preferred method of interpretation in the Reformed Church in South Africa calls for a thorough revision. The socalled ‘grammatical-historical method’ of interpretation can no longer be regarded as the most appropriate and sole ‘Reformed method’ of interpretation.
Some more translation headaches in Romans
(OpenJournals Publishing, 2010-09) Du Toit, Andreas B.
Following on a previous article, three more problematic lexical items which occur repeatedly in Romans are discussed: summarturewv , ta; eq[ nh/eq[ nh and logizv omai. Typical of the old, etymological approach, translators are often inclined to attach too much weight to the preposition sunv in summarturewv . In Romans 8:16, for instance, it would be more appropriate to translate summarturewv in the sense of ‘affirm’: ‘[t]he Spirit of God affirms to our spirit that we are God’s children’. Despite all objections, rendering ta; eq[ nh as ‘Gentiles/Gentile nations’ still remains the best option. In certain contexts in Romans, it would be advisable to translate logizv omai as ‘I realise/am convinced’. Thereafter some ad hoc problems in Romans 12:6–8; 14:4 and 15:17 are discussed.
Johannese perspektief op die huwelik, geslagsrolle en seksualiteit in 'n postmoderne konteks
(OpenJournals Publishing, 2010-03) Le Roux, Elritia
The hypothesis offered in this study is that the Johannine texts are authoritative, canononical documents with the inherent potential that is applicable to the practical lives of the faithful. Since Biblical texts are the product of the patriarchal culture within which they originated, a hermeneutic of suspicion becomes essential. In the interaction between the Biblical text and the contemporary context, a creative space is being created which requires a humble attitude from the exegetes to acknowledge the temporary nature of their findings. We need to look past the patriarchal nature and language towards a more inclusive paradigm. The Bible does not bind us to a rigid way of living, but liberates us for the appreciation of the healing power of God’s grace in our context. We need to move past stereotypes and to see others through the eyes of Christ. Jesus took a radical stance against the culture of his day. From the beginning of his public ministry, we find in him the tension between his prophetic role and the dominant culture of day. This tension leads to Jesus becoming a marginalised Jew, who stands outside the Jewish inner circle. He does not fit into the conventional social roles of his day. Jesus rather associates himself with the marginalised. This illustrates Jesus’ radical commitment to God and his passionate commitment to the truth of the Gospel.
Lukas 10:1–16 as begronding van die kerk se sending in Lukas-Handelinge
(OpenJournals Publishing, 2010) Nel, Marius Johannes
The sending out of seventy-two disciples by Jesus in Luke 10:1–16 provides both a theological justification and a modus operandi for the church’s participation in God’s mission to the world as described in Luke-Acts. Participating in the Missio Dei, the church must be willing to cross all economic and ethnic boundaries. Luke emphasises that the mission of the church is the result both of God’s initiative and the influence of Jesus’ continuing presence through his church. The primary focus of the church’s mission is to establish a new household-based community in which all are welcome. For those who reject the message of peace of the seventy-two, however, the eschatological ramifications will be dire.

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