HTS Volume 57, Number 1&2 (2001)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://hdl.handle.net/2263/15178

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Radiokoolstofdatering en teologiese refleksie
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2001) Botha, Pieter J.J.
Brief description of radio-carbon and its implications serves as the context for a plea to extensively and radically revise "orthodox" Reformed theological discourse as practised in South Africa. Faith within a worldview determined by the atomic hypothesis is briefly explored by emphasising God-talk as moral discourse.
"Sit u hier maar gaan staan jy daar" : kantaantekeninge by Jakobus 2:1-4
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2001) Van der Watt, J.G. (Jan Gabriel), 1952-
The question is what the speaker in James 2:2-3 intended when he said that the rich man may sit "here" on a good place, but that the poor man must stand over "there" or may sit "under" his footstool. It is argued that this episode should be located within a larger ancient house which was used as a gathering place for the Christian community. The poor man is asked to stand in the courtyard or may sit on the ground in the sittingroom. The rich man gets a place on the couches, common pieces of furniture in these rooms.
Kanon in die kanon
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2001) Venter, P.M. (Pieter Michiel), 1947-
The reductionist trend of the notion of a canon in the canon is radically changed in a postmodern era. A modernist hegemonic notion of canon shifted towards a contextually based inter subjective dialogue between reader and text. Canon criticism shifted the focus of attention from the text towards the process in which the text operates as canon. Issues in this process are the actions of discrimination and of formal selection. These should be seen as the canon in the canon process. Such a view is not reductionist, but rather pluralistic. Canon in the canon can no longer be a reductionist and static choice from Biblical materials, but is a dynamic and ongoing process of endless combinations, even of contradictory passages, to meet the demands of each new situation.
Monoteisme en geweld : 'n perspektief op die standpunt van J. Assmann
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2001) Breytenbach, A.P.B. (Andries Petrus Bernardus), 1944-
The problem of monotheism and violence, as put forward by Assmann in a recent article "Monotheismus und Ikonoklasmus als politische Theologie", is addressed. Violence in a religious context more often than not emanates from a paradigm of exclusive monotheism. The origin of this kind of violence can be traced back to people in position of power who held the opinion that the truth was entrusted to them alone and that their enemies were also the enemies of their god. This also held true for interest groups in Judah. Old Testament literature promoting violence should be read critically within the broader context of books like Genesis, Ruth, Jonah and New Testament writings.
Paraatmaking teen immoraliteit in 'n post-modernistiese samelewing : 'n hermeneuse van 2 Petrus 1:12-15
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2001) Breed, Douw G.; Van Rensburg, Fika J. (Johan Jacob Janse)., 1951-; Janse van Rensburg, F.J.
Under the influence of postmodernism the moral autonomy of man is at present strongly accentuated and society more and more evinces the characteristics of this perspective. This article on 2 Peter 1:12-15 argues that it is important to make believers' aware of the consequences of an immoral lifestyle and to prepare them against it. Believers must be equipped with fresh and clear knowledge of the teachings of the apostles. In these teachings the believers possess authoritative guidance that will help them to distinguish between true and false teachers of Jesus Christ and that will lead them to sanctification. The teachings of the apostles will also teach them to call lovingly upon other people to live a life true to God and one that speaks of high moral values and self control.
Drie probleemareas in gebed : 'n perspektief vanuit die Nuwe Testament
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2001) Van Zyl, Hermie C. (Hermias Cornelius)
Three problem areas that may cause prayer to be experienced as futile, are discussed. The areas are: the omniscience, will and omnipotence of God. Several texts in (primarily) the New Testament are treated. The article concludes that these areas do not lead to futility in prayer, but rather invite the believer to - through prayer - rest in the providence of God, and to share in his peculiar dealings with individual believers and the cosmos, dealings which are grounded in God's kindness.
Kommunikasie van die gelykenis van die barmhartige Samaritaan in konteks
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2001) Scheffler, Eben
In this article the communication of the parable of the good Samaritan is investigated with regard to various readers and contexts. Emloying narratological categories the parable is firstly considered as story at face value (without any specific context), whereafter its communication for its first audience (context of Jesus), its position in the literary context of Luke-Acts, its communication in the context of Luke's community and, finally, post-New Testament Christianity is scrutinised. It will be argued that the meaning of the parable depends on the context in which it communicates.
The dichotomization of the christological paradox in the history of Christian thought and critical biblical scholarship
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2001) Waetjen, Herman C.
Again and again throughout the history of Christian thought theological apologetics has dissolved the great ironic paradox of Jesus Christ into binary oppositions. In these historical contexts cultural relevancy has prevailed, and the underlying philosophical ideology has generated a disastrous subversion of the apologetic formulations of Christology in the New Testament. By calling this dichotomization into question, this essay intends to promote a postmodern hermeneutics that preserves the christological paradox and orients the constituting consciousness of theologians and scholars to both a spirituality of "being-affected-by" the biblical witness to Jesus Christ and a faith that will initiate action toward the transformation of society.
Son-of-God traditions in the Synoptic Gospels : Ferdinand Hahn's diachronic perspective
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2001) Dreyer, Yolanda
This study makes use of Ferdinand Hahn's insights (with Son of God as case study) to indicate how the naming of Jesus developed in stages. It is shown that the name Son of God was not used by Jesus. It functioned within the context of the cultic activities of early Christianity, was taken over from the surrounding religious, political and cultural world while its referential meaning shifted in the various layers. Hahn focuses on the multi-stage development of the Jesus tradition from an Aramaic "Judaism", through a Hellenistic "Judaism" to a Gaeco-Roman stage. First the possible historical origins of the title Son of God are discussed, after which Hahn's view is taken into consideration.
Swyggebod van 1 Korintiers 14:34-35 weer eens onder die loep
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2001) Du Toit, Andreas B.
Discussions of the role of women in the church's ministry, as well as feminist attacks on Paul, require that the debate on 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 should continue. The latest attempt to solve the clash between 1 Corinthians 11:2-16 and 14:34-35 by text-critical means is discussed and various harmonizing efforts are criticized. Also the expedient of putting the taceat in the mouth of an opposing party is found unconvincing. Paul's theology and especially his view of women in the ministry, indicate that 1 Corinthians 14:33b-36 should be viewed as a post-Pauline interpolation. The development of the different textual traditions was quite complex and includes various kinds of redactional activity. Ironical as it may seem, the identification of 1 Corinthians 33b-36 as a post-Pauline insertion brings us nearer to the original Pauline text than mere external text-critical considerations. However, the always imminent danger of subjectivity requires that this procedure be applied with great circumspection and only as a last option.
The "cause of Jesus" (Sache Jesu) as the Canon behind the Canon
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2001) Van Aarde, A.G. (Andries G.)
God, and not the Bible as such, is the church's primary authority. Jesus of Nazareth is the manifestation of God in history. In a post-Aufkllirung environment one cannot escape the demand to think historically. To discern what could be seen as the "ground" of faith, one needs to distinguish the "proclaiming Jesus" from the "proclaimed Jesus", though these two aspects are dialectically intertwined. This dialeclic can be described as the "Jesus kerygma" or the "cause of Jesus". The aim of this article is to argue that if Christians focus only on the church's kerygma they base their ultimate trust upon assertions of faith, rather than upon the cause of faith. The dictum that the cause of Jesus is the canon behind the canon is explained in terms of the distinction between ''fides qua creditur" and "fides quae creditur", and postmodern historical Jesus research.
Acts 17:27 - "that they might feel after him and find ... "
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2001) Van Tilborg, Sjef; Tilborg, Sjef van
The aim of this article is to investigate the allusion to the possibility of touching God (t/RlAatPacu) in Paul's Areopagus speech (Acts 17:27). The article aims at assessing the Lukan notion of God's nearness in space and time. The Areopagus discourse is investigated against the background of its imbeddednes in the holistic context of Acts. God's nearness is studied in light of common Hellenistic parallel epiphanies. It focuses on dream types in Acts, epiphanies of Jesus, epiphanies of God, and in conclusion the expression "filled with the Spirit".
The mystery of the missing core in Pauline theology : the case for a multi-dimensional interpretation with reference to J H Roberts and J C Beker
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2001) Loubser, J.A. (Johannes Albertus), 1949-
This article analyses features concerning the search for a centre for Pauline theology and indicates why such an endeavour is better carried out within the context of multi-dimensional scriptural exegesis. The text theory used for this purpose is that of A J Greimas as developed by D Patte and originally elaborated by the author of this article (J A Loubser).
Oop en vry teologiese debat met werklike diepgang
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2001) Pelser, G.M.M. (Gerhardus Marthinus Maritz); Van Aarde, A.G. (Andries G.)
This article reflects a conversation between Andries G van Aarde and Gert Pelser. G M M Pelser was professor of New Testament at the University of Pretoria from 1972 to 2001. The following issues were discussed: the influence of the Reformation and Aufklarung on Biblical interpretation; methodology of exegesis; the role of extra-canonical writings; a canon in the canon; the use of the Bible at the university and in the church; Bible translation; the interrelationship between theology and culture; a critical evaluation of the ''peoples' church" {"volkskerk"}; "the church as corpus permixtum; ministry rather than office; confessionalism; Pauline themes; the theological heritage of Rudolf Bultmann.
Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk in 1899
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2001) Botha, S.J. (Schalk Jacobus), 1936-
The question is posed what the situation of the Nederduitsch Hervormde Church was at the eve of the second Anglo-Boer War 1899-1901. To be able to answer this question, attention is focused on certain aspects of the history of the Church during the preceding ten to fifteen years.
Godsdienshistoriese agtergrond van die Nuwe Testament : kommentaar op 'n onlangse publikasie
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2001) Thom, Johan C.
The religio-historic background of the NT is of cardinal importance for its interpretation; however, it is far from easy for New Testament scholars to attain a thorough knowledge of this background. What is needed is not only a broad, general orientation, but also first-hand interaction with texts in which GraecoRoman religious traditions themselves appear and are expressed. But available introductions are either too general or do not offer a satisfactory theoretical framework for understanding textual materials within context. Hans-Josef Klauck's recent introduction to the religio-historical context of the NT, by presenting not only an "external", theoretical but also an "internal" perspective emanating from close interaction with the ancient texts themselves, satisfies to an exceptional degree the requirements mentioned above.
The social setting of the Matthean community : new paths for an old journey
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2001) Sim, David C.
The scholarly debate about the social setting of the Matthean community has largely focused on the single but complex issue of the relationship between the Matthean community and the Jewish world. In the last decade, there has been strong support for the view that Matthew's conflict with the scribes and Pharisees was taking place within the sphere of Judaism; the conflict was between two types of Judaism, formative Judaism and Christian Judaism, rather than between Judaism and Christianity. But if this view is correct, and the Matthean community did indeed comprise followers of Jesus who observed the Torah and identified their religious tradition as Judaism, then it raises questions concerning the relationship between Matthew's community and other groups, notably the Gentiles and other Christians who did not observe the Jewish Law (e g Pauline Christians).
John the purifier : his immersion and his death
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2001) Chilton, Bruce J.
This article aims at arguing that John the Baptist's role in the Synoptic Gospels is both catechetical and christological. John points the way forward to believers' baptism after the manner of Jesus. John's preaching of repentance in Q is cast within the needs of Christian catechesis and addressed to hearers who are at the margins of Judaism. Likewise, the advice to relative prosperous converts in Luke 3: 10-14 is not part of the historical John's message. In evaluating John the Baptist one should not consider his allegedly prophetic status but the fact that he immersed people and purified them.
Jesus van die geskiedenis : hermeneutiese uitgangspunte in die ondersoek van J P Meier
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2001) Geyser, Piet A.
The aim of this article is to reflect on the hermeneutical premises in the historical Jesus research of JP Meier. Of the intended three volumes two of Meier's books on Jesus have been published: A marginal Jew: Rethinking the historical Jesus, Vol 1: The roots of the problem and the person (1991); Vo1 2: Mentor, message, and miracles (1994). The article is structured along the following lines: first, Meier's points of departure are discussed according to certain hermeneutical criteria; second, Meier's views on the importance of historical Jesus research, the sources that he utilizes, and the criteria for historical discernment are discussed. A critical assesment of Meier's Jesus profile will be discussed in another article.
Apokaliptiek en millennialisme : die relevansie van die begrip "duisendjarige vredesryk" vir vandag
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2001) Groenewald, Jonanda; Van Aarde, A.G. (Andries G.)
With the turn of the century it once again became clear that apocalypticism and millennialism are important themes. At the dawn of a new millennium the expectancy arises that the end of the world is at hand. Apocalypticism deals with the end time and millennialism with the thousand-year reign. The purpose of this study is to look at the relevance of the "thousand year reign" for a postmodern person. The "thousand year reign ", described in Revelation 20:1-10, is a concept that originated in the premodern time. Since there is a difference between how a premodern and a postmodern person understands time, it is important first to understand what this theme meant for the first readers of Revelation and then asking the question as to the relevance of this theme for today.

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