Verbum et Ecclesia Volume 24 Issue 1 (2003)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://hdl.handle.net/2263/9770

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Micah 7:8-20 : an apt conclusion to the book of Micah
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2003) Wessels, W.J. (Wilhelm Joseph)
It is argued in this article that Micah 7:8-20 forms an apt conclusion to the book of Micah. As was the case with Micah 1, the concluding section also focusses on Yahweh and his dealings with the people of the earth. There is a universal tendency to be detected in this section as well. An important aspect to notice is the liturgical nature of chapters six and seven, especially 7:8-20. There is a vagueness, almost a timelessness, imbuing this section. This could be intended allowing later generations of believers to apply these words to their own circumstances. With Micah 7:8-20 as the concluding section of the book, one is left with a sense of well-roundedness, of completeness. The collection of oracles attributed to Micah in general has a sombre tone. For this very reason Micah 7:8-20 seems to change the mood. It breathes hope into a negative atmosphere of judgment. It ends with a strong emphasis on the power of Yahweh, the power of forgiveness.
Digoevre van Cas Vos : die beliggaming van 'n lewensvreugdespel
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2003) Buscop, J.
Since 1999 Cas Vos has produced three books of poetry; Vuurtong (1999), Gode van Papier (2001) and Enkeldiep (2003). These works are all written from the perspective of a particular Weltanschauung or Zeitgeist which may be defined as La joie de vivre. Joy of life manifests itself on a number of levels, including the Greek, pneuma, psuche and soma. La joie de vivre is also a crucial dimension of the gameplay that is love. Vos writes and lives love as a gift of God and identifies three stages of love, the Greek, eros, phileo and agape love. Whilst the joy of life has many sides, Vos also indicates the opposite manifestations of joie de vivre in pain, sickness, loss and death. Vos is a new inspiration in Afrikaans literature and has created an idiolectic voice which, in his own words, can be summarized as the coitus between different language signs.
Leiers wat dien en bedien. 'n Pauliniese beskrywing van kerkleiers en hulle funksies in 1 & 2 Korintiers
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2003) Vermeulen, J.
What constitutes the functions and the essence of Pauline church leadership? How functional, relevant and useful is the huge amount of secular and religious literature published annually regarding leadership, for the church of Jesus Christ? In an effort to answer these and other questions, this essay studies portions of First and Second Corinthians, and comes to two conclusions. Firstly, that Pauline church leaders were characterised by service and servanthood, and secondly, that they also functioned as the mediators of pneumatological realities. Both of these dimentions function wholly within the paradigm of humility and dependance upon God, who is shown by Paul to be the source, as well as the focus of the superlative glory that characterises the ministry of the new covenant. The effects of the Pauline ministry functions simultaneously as the fruits, as well as the criteria of Pauline ministry in the new covenant.
The "book of life" (Psalm 69:29) - a question of life or death?
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2003) Groenewald, Alphonso, 1969-
The image “book of life” is mentioned expressis verbis in Psalm 69:29a. The supplicant appeals to God to erase his enemies from the “book of life”. The aim of this paper is to elaborate on this image. Quite varied notions can be distinguished in this regard: firstly, the idea of the lists of the citizenry and secondly, the image of the heavenly book. Furthermore, three types of “heavenly books” can be distinguished, namely (1) the book of fate; (2) the book of works; and (3) the book of life. The conclusion is drawn that “life” here implies “life” under the protection of God which is sustained by his righteousness (69:28). The supplicant’s enemies will be excluded from this privilege when God erases them from the “book of life”. This reference to life is primarily a reference to ordinary earthly life.
Sendingpraktyk van die Nederduitse Gereformeerde Kerk : enkele tendense vanaf 1952 tot met die eeuwenteling
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2003) Van der Watt, G.
In this past half century the Dutch Reformed Church was continuously building on the tradition of extended missionary involvement within South Africa as well as in several countries in Southern Africa. During the fifties and sixties there were a flourishing of activities, driven by, amongst other reasons, an idealism and optimism concerning the homeland-policy or grand apartheid. The seventies and eighties were therefore characterised by resistance; the DRC had to reconsider its approach. While the church had to largely withdraw from the traditional fields, it found alternative areas for involvement, mainly abroad. In the nineties a whole new world dawned and the church once again had to adapt. The emphasis shifted to local congregations and a variety of approaches. World mission came into the focus. The way ahead for the Dutch Reformed Family of Churches could only be as one united church, fulfilling it's calling to mission within the African and especially South African context, while staying true to its reformed tradition.
Nuwe horison - verkenning ten opsigte van 'n sosiale geskiedenis van die Nederduitse Gereformeerde Sending
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2003) Saayman, W.
The author chooses to write a social mission history of the DRC in order to relate important mission events properly to the developing political economy in South Africa. He chooses to follow the methodology described especially by Grundlingh and Hobsbawm. He sees mission history and church history as interchangeable, and views Christian history as an important rubric of general human history. He analyses the period 1934- 1961 in this article, and starts with the DRC mission policy established in 1935. The author points out a close entwinement of mission policy and political culture, in that "the solution of the native question" formed the central pivot in both mission and political policy. He analyses events around the publication of the Tomlinson Report to illustrate the link between mission policy and political culture (segregation/apartheid). There were also voices of protest against these developments, especially from people with missionary involvement. The author is convinced that there are various important areas for further research (which explains why he subtitled his article: "A reconnaisance in terms of social mission history"). Some of these areas are the relationship between mission and financial ability and the DRC's late involvement in urban mission. The author concludes with an ambivalent evaluation of DRC mission from a social historical perspective, but stresses that much more research is needed before any conclusive evaluation can be attempted.
A word with the rich (Ja 5:1-6) - Part 1
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2003) Alana, O.E.
The rich are apostrophised by the author of the Letter of James for their disregard for and exploitation of the poor who, ironically, are the "elect" of God. A social scientific study of the apostrophe is undertaken with a view to approximating the challenge, which the author offers the rich in the face of his (the author's) perceived imminent Parousia and its accompanying judgement. The study provides insights for the examination of the implications of the challenge of the author of James to the rich, for Christians in Nigeria, in particular, and perhaps also for Christians in Africa, in general. This part examines the gulf between the rich and the poor in the Nigerian society as well as some existing works on the problem of wealth and poverty with regard to the Letter of James.
Hierargiese funksionering van God, mans en vroue in die brief aan die Efesiers
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2003) Nortje-Meyer, L.
Since the fourth century before the Christian era has the household been considered as the most basic unit of society. Furthermore, this micro cosmos is reflecting the pyramidal structure of the whole society (meso cosmos) and even the universe (macro cosmos). In this article I point out how the author of the letter to the Ephesians uses this idea to portray the hierarchical functioning of God the Father of fathers in the universe. The Christian community is portrayed as a reflection of this hierarchy and therefore the household should also reflect this order. The best way of maintaining the power in society, namely the Christian community, is to make sure that the head of the household, namely the man/father/boss holds to his rightful place as head of his wife and household. The author advices women to submit to their husbands and therefore they should meet the cultural requirements of the public order rather than to live up to the Christian principles of faith.
The theological coherence between the Belhar confession and some antecedent church witnesses in the period 1948-1982
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2003) Naude, P.J.
This article explores the historical and theological relation between the Confession of Belhar (1982) and some significant antecedent church witnesses from 1948 onward. After identifying these witnesses, a coherence is sought in the confessional interpretation of the SA situation, and core theological themes linked to ecclesiology, Christology and anthropology that served as basis for the vision of an alternative society. Although Belhar is no “summary” of these witnesses, an interpretation of the confession is enhanced by reading it against the ecumenical history of the time.
A social-constructionist, narrative understanding of the church's morality on sex
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2003) Muller, Julian C.; Pienaar, Hendrik Elmo
This article can be described as a social constructionist, narrative understanding of a group of selected South African white Christians' experience and perceptions regarding sexual morality in the context of heterosexual couples. In this article we will encounter alternative descriptions of sex, sexuality and marriage. The assertion is made that sexual morality should be understood within a relational contextual view of human interaction. This entails a shift away from act-centred, universally right or wrong sexually moral behaviour. These contentions are grounded in a thickened description of sex, sexuality and marriage, through which the thin, act-centred discourse of sex as coitus and marriage as ceremonial consent is deconstructed. A few guidelines are also being made in view of the church and parents. The authors use the metaphor of the board game "snakes and ladders" to enlighten the underlying worldview and findings, thereby situating sexual morality within the sphere of human social interaction and reality.
Een ecclesiologie van de kleine gemeente
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2003) De Roest, H.P.
The birth of the small congregation involves the calling of people, who are touched and are taken up in a mystical way into a movement that follows Jesus. In this way, members are introduced to another dimension underlying day to day life. With regard to the postnatal development, the quantitative increase or decrease of the congregation is considered. There are many reasons why people may join or sever themselves from a congregation but, in this regard, the relationship with God is fundamental. The qualitative development of a congregation relates to the interplay between context and calling on the one hand, and on the other, context and Christian tradition. Questions from own ranks as well as from outsiders may refer to the realization of the congregation's calling and the meaning of tradition in a particular context. These questions may lead to renewal. An ecclesiological meditation is incomplete if factors retarding the growing and learning process are disregarded. Attention to factors promoting such a process gives ground thereto. In this regard group dynamic analyses are helpful.
Von Harnack, Marcion en die Ou Testament
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2003) Le Roux, J.H. (Jurie Hendrik), 1944-
This article focusses on Adolf Von Harnack's profound study of Marcion, a theologian of the second century. He was amongst other things fascinated by Marcion's view of the Old Testament. Marcion rejected the Old Testament because it depicted the creator-god as a mean figure who humiliated human beings. Jesus was in no way related to this god. He came from the good God who is described in the New Testament. Marcion compiled his own Bible which had no Old Testament and only a few books from the New Testament which he purged from all Jewish or Old Testament influence. According to Marcion the newness of the Christ event made the Old Testament superflous.
Karl Heim se verstaan van "tyd" in die debat tussen teologie en natuurwetenskap
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2003) Buitendag, Johan
Whereas a preceding article focused on Heim's understanding of "space", this article focuses on "time". It is believed that Heim made an enormous contribution to the debate between theology and natural sciences and that time and space form the fabric of understanding reality. The author interprets Heim's concept of time as a trajectory of time which means that a network of linear, cyclical and punctual time is envisaged. Tribute is paid to Moltmann who was a later successor of Heim in Tübingen, and has applied and developed these insights of time in theology.
Ervaringsgeorienteerde geloofsoordrag : geloofwaardige waarheid
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2003) Kloppers, Wilhelm C.
The central question in a theological communication theory is the mediation between tradition and experience. How can the reality of God and the reality of human beings be connected on the level of experience? The transmission of the Christian faith is about the mediation of a symbolic reality, meant to bring about spiritual experience and experience of meaning. Not only the cognitive dimension, but the affective, emotive, conative, aesthetic and social dimensions have to play an active role. The communication of faith on all levels of experience is thus a sine qua non for theologians and educators of religion. The challenge for theology is to recognize ways in which experience-driven religious education can be practised.
Konkrete uitdagings vir die kerk vandag
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2003) Kritzinger, J.J. (Johan Jakob)
In a recent publication No Quick Fixes a number of knowledgeable people dealt with some contemporary challenges to the church in its mission in the South African context. In this article the reader is introduced to these, but the focus is on those aspects of the challenge which arise from the two main influences in the spiritual sphere: on the one hand the overwhelming secularising influence of the modern western worldview, and on the other hand the increasing emphasis on the return to the values of traditional Africa, as formulated in the movement for the African Renaissance.
Perspektiewe vanuit die psigologie en sosiale wetenskappe vir kerklike bediening aan die adolessent. Deel 2 : Ondersoek na die leefwereld van die adolessent
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2003) Erasmus, J.A.; De Klerk, Barend Jacobus, 1945-
In this article meta-theoretical perspectives for youth ministry are obtained specifically from the fields of psychology and sociology. In the first place, the various psychological development phases of the adolescent are determined, as well as how they have to be accounted for in youth ministry. In the second place, the characteristics of the world in which the adolescent lives are indicated together with their influence on the adolescents.
Teologie kroniek : Skrifverstaan en die Nuwe Hervorming
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2003) Human, Dirk J.
During the last decade a group of South African theologians have stirred a part of the Afrikaans ecclesiastical community with statements and arguments on several faith issues, including the interpretation of the Bible. Adherents of the movement call themselves the New Reformation ("Nuwe Hervorming"). This theology chronicle is an attempt to touch on some hermeneutical challenges for understanding Scripture. To the Church the Bible is the norm and source of faith. Paradigm shifts have been caused by the Enlightenment and influenced the understanding of Scripture. Historical Criticism, for example, has brought multiple perspectives to the reading of biblical texts. More approaches to biblical understanding originated. For the ordinary Bible reader and believer these approaches sometimes seem to be confusing. This explanation is an attempt to create better understanding for Bible reading in our times. It concludes with a short assessment of the current role the New Reformation movement plays in the hermeneutical debate.
Forensic metaphors in Romans and their soteriological significance
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2003) Du Toit, Andreas B.
Previous studies on legal references in Paul concentrated almost exclusively on matters of civil law. A study of five important passages in Romans and an overview of the rest of Romans indicate that this letter contains an unusual number of forensic metaphors and that Paul, in Romans, packaged his soteriology within a forensic setting. This suggests that he deliberately created an implicature, inviting his readers to compare the iustitia Dei with the iustitia romana. Contrary to the latter, which was expected to function on the basis of equity and with which Paul's addressees were all too well acquainted, the iustitia Dei proves to be astonishingly unconventional. This judge operates with grace. Ironical as it may seem, exactly by using forensic imagery, Paul completely delegalized the Christian message.

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