HTS Volume 55, Number 4 (1999)

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Homo reciprocus : Seneka, Paulus en weldoenerskap
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 1999) Joubert, Stephan Jacobus, 1958-
Reciprocity was basic to most forms of social interaction in the ancient Mediterranean world. Any exchange of services/gifts was based on the principle that the obligations incurred between two parties required an adequate response. In his ethical treatise on benefit exchange, "De beneficiis, " Seneca presents an idealistic reinterpretation of the basic tenets of benefaction by providing a "lex vitae!", a law of conduct, according to which the giving of benefits becomes an intrinsically rewarding experience in itself. On his part, the apostle Paul conceptualises his "ecumenical" collection for the Jerusalem church in terms of the principles inherent to benefit exchange in the Graeco-Roman world. He involves his communities as beneficiaries in the reciprocal relationship between himself and Jerusalem. In Romans 15:25-31, when the acceptance of the collection hangs in the balance, Paul reinterprets the reciprocal relationship with Jerusalem in terms of altruistic Christian principles. From this new angle of incidence his churches are presented as having successfully completed the collection since they unselfishly fulfilled their moral duties towards the latter.
The search for the true self in the Gospel of Thomas, the Book of Thomas and the Hymn of the Pearl
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 1999) Hartin, Patrick J.
At the heart of the Gospel of Thomas lies the call to achieve an understanding of one's self(Logia 67-70). This call focuses the struggle of Thomas Christians by turning it inward as a challenge to understand their own true identity. Through this struggle they come to a knowledge of the Father. The significance of this theme of the search for the true self is examined further in the context of the Gospel of Thomas (Logia 3; 58; 111). From this study, it emerges that Thomas Christians experienced that they were strangers in a hostile world. Feeling alienated, they wished to escape from the world. The positive outcome of this experience was a deeper self-understanding. This study culminates in an examination of this theme of the search for one's self in two other writings at home within early Syrian Christianity. In the Hymn of the Pearl (Acts of Thomas 108-113) the theme emerges in the allegory of the soul's quest for self-knowledge. The path to salvation is a search that ultimately takes one from the world. In the Book of Thomas the Contender the same search for one's identity is emphasised (138: 15-20 and 145:1-15). Finally, it is argued that this search for one's true identity is appropriate to the historical and sociological context of the Syrian Church in Edessa.
The magi : Gentiles or Jews?
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 1999) Sim, David C.
From the second century onwards the Christian tradition has almost without exception accepted that the magi in Matthew's infancy narrative were Gentiles, and this view also completely dominates modern Matthean studies. Yet this identification of the magi as Gentiles is built upon a number of unconvincing arguments, which fail to stand up to closer scrutiny. A re-assessment of the evidence reveals that the evangelist did not stipulate the racial origins of the magi. They may have been Gentiles, but it is equally plausible that they were Jews.
The unity of Luke-Acts
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 1999) Verheyden, Jozef (Joseph)
The article contains a summary of contributions delivered at the 47th Colloquium Biblicum Lovaniense (1998) held at the Catholic University, Leuven on the subject: "The unity of Luke-Acts". The opening address was delivered by J Verheyden (Leuven) on "The Unity of Luke and Acts: What are we up to?". The contributors were: J Kremer (Vienna) - "Die dreifache Wiedergabe des Damaskuserlebnis Pauli in der Apostelgeschichte: Eine Hilfe fur das rechte Verstandnis der lukanischen Osterevangelien"; D Marguerat (Lausanne) - "Jusqu' oil faut-il parler d'une "uniti". Luc-Actes? Continuiti et ruptures dans l'oevre de Luc"; J Delobel (Leuven) - "The text of Luke-Acts: A confrontation of recent theories"; R L Brawley (Chicago) - "Abrahamic covenant traditions and the characterization of God in Luke-Acts"; F W Horn (Mainz.) - "Die Haltung des Lukas zum romischen Staat im Evangelium und in der Apostelgeschichte"; J A Fitzmyer (Washington) - "The role of the Spirit in Luke-Acts"; M Rese (Munster) - "The Jews in Luke-Acts: Some second thoughts"; J Taylor (Jerusalem) - "La fraction du pain en Luc-Actes"; W Radl (Augsburg) - "Die Beziehungen der Vorgeschichte zur Apostelgeschichte, dargestellt an Lk 2:22-39; F Neirynck (Leuven) - "Luke 4:16-30 and the unity of Luke-Acts"j C M Tuckett (Oxford) - "The Christo!ogy of Luke-Acts"; 0 Mainville (Montreal) - "Le Messianisme de Jesus: Le rapport announce/accomplissement entre Lc 1,35 et Ac 2,33"; A Lindemtann (Bethel-Bielefeld) - "Form und Funktion von Reden und Wundererzahlungen im Lukasevangelium und in der Apostelgeschichte", A Denaux - The theme of divine visits and human (in)hospitability in Luke-Acts and its Old Testament and Graeco-Roman antecedents.
Refleksie op twee pastorale modelle, Deel 1 : Die pastor as vertolker - die ontmoetingsmodel
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 1999) Dreyer, Yolanda
This article focuses on models for pastoral care. Two aspects of the so-called "model of encountering" are discussed, namely the role of the pastor in pastoral interaction, and Scripture as the basis for pastoral care and counselling. The article concludes with a critical reflection on pastoral care in a postmodern society. The method known as the hermeneutical model ("vertolkingsmodel") is evaluated in the light of pastoral care and counselling with women. Daniel J Louw's "Pastoraat as ontmoeting: Ontwerp vir 'n basisteorie, antropologie, metode en terapie", is used as basis for this reflection.
Biblical perspectives on the ministry and mission of the church - with special reference to human rights
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 1999) Botha, Jan
Christianity is the religion of the majority of the South African population (between 60%-70%) and has great influence within South African society. Unfortunately, as in the case of any great power and source of such tremendous influence, its effect can be ambiguous. It can not only do good but also bad. In this paper this ambiguity is addressed with specific reference to the role of the Bible in public life. It is argued that, on the one hand, the use of the Bible as well as the Bible itself can be a serious stumbling block in the way of the promotion of respect for human rights, and, on the other hand, that the Bible can play an important role in the promotion of a culture of human rights in South Africa. In the first part of the paper four preliminary issues are discussed, namely, (i) important general distinctions in our understanding of human rights, (ii) the complexity of the Bible, (iii) the complexity of the contemporary interpretation of the Bible and (iv) the issue of the use of the Bible in public discourse. Following this, the paper deals with the dark side of the use of the Bible with regard to human rights issues and possible strategies to deal with this dark side. The paper concludes with a few remarks about the bright side of human rights and the Bible.
For whom were Gospels written?
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 1999) Bauckham, Richard J.
This article challenges the current consensus in Gospels scholarship that each Gospel was written for a specific church or group of churches. It argues that, since all our evidence about the early Christian movement shows it to have been a network of communities in constant, close communication, since all our evidence about early Christian leaders, such as might have written Gospels, shows them to have been typically people who travelled widely around the churches, and since, moreover, the evidence we have about early Christian literature shows that it did in fact circulate rapidly and widely, the strong probability is that the Gospels were written for general circulation around all the churches.
Verby die geweld van die metafisika : die Christelike erfenis en sekularisasie
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 1999) Schoeman, Marinus J.
This essay reinterprets Christian faith in terms of the contemporary philosophical discourse on nihilism and the "end" of metaphysics, especially Heidegger's ontology of "decline." If Christianity is to regain its relevance in the contemporary world, it should purge itself from remnants of the natural religions as well as metaphysical beliefs, because they are instrumental in concealing (and thereby perpetuating) the arbitrary violence on which communities and their moral systems are founded. Christianity can play a meaningful role in unmasking these beliefs, thus paving the way for a "healthy" secularism and an ethics of love and non-violence.
Historicity and theology, and the quest for historical Jesus
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 1999) Geyser, Piet A.
The issue of history and historicity is reviewed in this article. The efforts of New Historicism is brought to bear on this question in an effort to find a way out of the impasse created by the modernist demand for objectivity and the postmodern resignation to radical relativism. The possibility of historiography is explored in conjunction with the pragmatic approach and leads to the conclusion that a kind of historical knowledge is attainable which can be described as useful even if not perfect. The author concurs with Crossan and his working definition of history as the past reconstructed interactively by the present through argued evidence in public discourse. The intersubjective nature of any historical enterprise leads the author to the conclusion that the search for the historical Jesus can only be done in the dialectical approach of a both ... and: both the historical Jesus and the kerygmatic Christ.
Etiese vrae oor en perspektiewe op die mediese beëindiging van die lewe
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 1999) Lategan, Laetus O.K., 1965-
A thorny issue in medical ethics is the medical ending of life. This article looks into the phenomena of abortion and euthanasia as examples of the medical ending of life. For the purposes of this article attention is paid to the theological criteria for abortion and euthanasia. Medical examples are then provided which illustrate the ethical difficulty in dealing with situations in which one has to make a decision whether a life should be medically ended or not. The article concludes with pastoral perspectives on dealing with the issues of abortion and euthanasia.
Sun and moon grinding to a halt : exegetical remarks on Joshua 10:9-14 and related texts in Judges
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 1999) Kruger, H.A.J.
Attempts to solve the enigma of the extended day may be classified into two groups. Several interpretations are based on the natural sciences. Recently, however, as far as the construction of the passage is concerned, renewed attention has been given to the possible role of religious customs, mythology and omens in connection with ancient military strategy. Against this background, the sun and moon are viewed as deities and told to remain passive in the battle. Omen texts from Mesopotamia related to warfare, and based on the "favourable" or "unfavourable" position of the sun and moon, seem to have impacted on the passage as well. Others have interpreted the sun in terms of mythical and/or theological categories. This paper avers that an interpretation in terms of the mythical millwheel may help to explain the meaning of the passage.
The historicity of the circle of the Twelve : all roads lead to Jerusalem
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 1999) Van Aarde, A.G. (Andries G.)
The article consists of five argumentative sections. The first deals with the textual evidence with regard to the expressions "disciples", "the Twelve" and "apostles". In the second section it is argued that Jesus did not create the idea of "the Twelve". Firstly, the argument focuses on a discussion of the differences and similarities in the lists of twelve names found in the synoptic gospels, Acts and the Sayings Gospel Q and, secondly, of the so-called "minor agreement" between Matthew (19:18) and Luke (11:30) with regard to the expressions the "twelve thrones" and the "twelve tribes of Israel". The investigation concludes that all roads lead to Jerusalem with regard to the historicity of the circle of the Twelve. Section three discusses the situation in pre-70 CE Jerusalem where the earliest Jesus faction linked the idea of "the Twelve" with the resurrection of Jesus and the appearances tradition. It is argued that the appearances tradition coincides negatively with an endeavour among leaders of the Jesus movement to seek positions of power and, positively, with the spread of the gospel to people who were previously considered to be excluded from being children of God.
Patronage avoidance in James
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 1999) Kloppenborg Verbin, J.S.; Kloppenborg, John S., 1951-
James 2:1-13 takes the form of a rhetorical "elaboration on a theme" described in Ps-Cicero's Rhetorica ad Herennium 2.18.28, and is directed not merely at the abstract issue of partiality or the issue of rich versus poor, but at the practice of patronage and its attendant effects on social interaction. James attacks the practice of patronage and reliance on the stereotypes of patronage as demeaning pseudo-friendship as well as the client, and contrasts this with true friendship from God.
Kerklik-akademiese portret van B J van der Merwe (1926-1968) : Deel twee - predikant en dosent
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 1999) Venter, P.M. (Pieter Michiel), 1947-
This second part deals with Van der Merwe's years as minister in Johannesburg and Magaliesburg (1956-1964) and his years as lecturer at Unisa (1964-1968). The socio-historic conditions in the country as well as in the church during this time are sketched. Van der Merwe's publications are also discussed.
Were women, too, allowed to offer sacrifices in Israel? Observations on the meaning and festive form of sacrifice in Deuteronomy
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 1999) Braulik, Georg
Although the question whether women in Israel were also allowed to present offerings stands in accordance with modern ways of thought and speech, it is not self-evident at all. This is immediately proved in the example of the sacrificial hermeneutics of the early church and of a precise semantics of biblical statements on sacrifice. The view on sacrifices and their presenters thus gained, is then illustrated by means of the pilgrimage feast which was conducted by the family of Elkanah at the sanctuary in Shiloh (1 Sm 1). The function which was given to women in the ancient Israelite sacrificial cult was also taken up by the centralisation of the cult by king Josiah and by Deuteronomy. It is now to be found in the pilgrimage schema of the Deuteronomic festal theory. Moreover, the meal proves itself to be the structure of meaning of the sacrifice. The right of women, too, can only be determined within the framework of this liturgical communal meal.
The rise and nature of Feminist Spirituality
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 1999) De Villiers, P.G.R. (Pieter Gideon Retief)
This article discusses the growth and nature of Feminist Spirituality as a phenomenon in its own right and in juxtaposition to Feminist Theology. After attempting a definition of Feminist Spirituality, its links with doctrine are investigated and it is then placed within the framework of Contextual Theologies. As such, attention is drawn to seminal characteristics of Feminist Spirituality, namely its analytical approach, its rejection of a privatised spirituality and its emphasis on receiving as a form of spirituality.
Wetenschappelijk onderzoek op het gebied van het Nieuwe Testament en grensgebieden in Nederland en Nederlandstalig België, 1993 - 1999
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 1999) De Jonge, M. (Marinus), 1925-; Jonge, Marinus de, 1925-
The article gives an overview of recent and current New Testament research in the Netherlands and Belgium. The institutions and circumstances within which research is done, are discussed. The article points out that theological faculties function within an increasingly secularising society. In spite of this, and the problems the churches are experiencing, there still is a remarkable interest in religion and theology both within and outside of church and university circles. Research trends include a focus on the cultural environment of early Christianity, the history and literature of Christianity after the first century and a linguistic and literary approach. The interest in Biblical theological issues is much more limited. These trends and the researchers working in the various fields are discussed in detail. The article concludes that much has been done in the field of New Testament research in the Dutch-speaking world in spite of fairly unfavourable circumstances.

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