Verbum et Ecclesia Volume 26 Issue 3 (2005)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://hdl.handle.net/2263/7617

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Now showing 1 - 13 of 13

The resurrection of Jesus : do extra-canonical sources change the landscape?
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2005) Viljoen, Francois P.; Buglass, A.E.
The resurrection of Jesus is assumed by the New Testament to be a historical event. Some scholars argue, however, that there was no empty tomb, but that the New Testament accounts are midrashic or mythological stories about Jesus. In this article extra-canonical writings are investigated to find out what light it may throw on intra-canonical tradition. Many extra-canonical texts seemingly have no knowledge of the passion and resurrection, and such traditions may be earlier than the intra-canonical traditions. Was the resurrection a later invention? Are intra-canonical texts developments of extra-canonical tradition, or vice versa? This article demonstrates that extra-canonical texts do not materially alter the landscape of enquiry.
Human dignity and sexual behaviour - a theological perspective
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2005) Vorster, Nico
This article compares the sex ethic of Scripture with the anthropological values that underlie modern sexual morality and gives guidelines for a responsible sex ethics that can safeguard human dignity. As point of departure it states that the biblical view of sexuality must be understood from the perspective of creation and re-creation and not the fall. The creation narratives teach that humanity possesses qualities of sameness and difference that constitutes our being. Sexuality forms the dynamic which bonds the dialectic of sameness and difference into a unity of persons. The article concludes that the African concept of gender, the radical freedom concept of secular society, the utilitarian view of sex, and the postmodern view that sexual behaviour and marriage are social constructs, aggravate sexual promiscuity. In order to fight HIV / AIDS and preserve human dignity the exclusiveness of the sex act, the importance of faithfulness and the sanctity of marriage must be proclaimed.
Ecocide, the integrity of creation and the rights of the next generation
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2005) Vorster, J.M. (Jakobus Marthinus)
Environmental Ethics is currently a highly important theme in Christian Ethics. This is due to the disturbing results of the current ecological research. Scholars today speak of "ecocide" - a term which describes the on-going destruction of ecosystems by means of pollution, deforestation, modern warfare, toxic waste and the increase in poverty. Of special concern is the accusation that Christianity with its emphasis on the dominium terrae is partly to blame for this state of affairs. This article investigates the magnitude of ecocide as well as the historical influences of Christianity. It focuses on a re-assessment of the Christian approach as well as the responsibilities of governments, educators, churches and corporations to take care of creation and the rights of the future generation.
A rhetorical analysis of Philippians 1:27-2:18
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2005) Snyman, A.H. (Andreas Hartman), 1943-
A new trend in rhetorical analysis is to reconstruct Paul's rhetorical strategy from the text itself, rather than applying ancient or modern rhetorical models to his letters. A proposal for such a text-centred approach, in which the focus shifts from the formal to the functional, is briefly summarised in this article, followed by a discussion of the rhetorical situation that Paul wants to address in this letter. Spiritual problems, especially internal unrest and opposition from outside, called forth the letter. In order to address these problems, Paul tries to persuade his audience to persevere in living and proclaiming the gospel. This dominant rhetorical strategy of 1:27 - 2:18 can be divided into four phases: 1:27-30 (exhorting the Philippians to persevere in proclaiming the gospel); 2:1-11 (exhorting them to persevere in living the gospel); 2:12-13 (exhorting them to persevere in living the gospel), and 2:14-18 (exhorting them to persevere in proclaiming the gospel). In order to persuade his audience, Paul uses various rhetorical strategies and techniques. In analyzing these, the focus is on exegetical issues with rhetorical impact, on the types of arguments used, on the way Paul argues and on the rhetorical techniques used to enhance the impact of his communication. I hope to prove that Paul's persuasive strategy in Philippians could be constructed fairly accurately from the text itself, provided that it is read carefully and systematically.
Waarheids- en Versoeningskommissie as "Simulacrum" en die rol van belydenis, vergifnis en versoening
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2005) Nothling-Slabbert, Melodie
This paper examines the relevance and validity of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Christian leitmotiv in relation to the victim hearings. It is suggested that the Commission's emphasis on religious themes such as the search for truth, the confession of guilt, forgiveness by victims and in the final instance the promise of redemption, reconciliation and transformation may facilitate the emergence of "moral elitism" or lead to the erroneous belief that a consensus morality dictating the transformation discourse exists. In this role, it can be said that the Commission has become simulacrum for the only way through which the truth about apartheid and redemption could be found. The religious "authority" assumed by the Commission provided the necessary legitimacy to dictate to perpetrators and victims on a very personal level. The author warns that the Commission's religiously inspired transformation rhetoric hides ambitious political motives that try to accomplish too much, too soon.
Theological-mythological viewpoints on divine sonship in Genesis 6 and Psalm 2
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2005) Usue, Emmanuel Ordue
This article describes theological and mythological scholarly viewpoints concerning the motif of divine sonship in Genesis 6:1-9 and Psalm 2:1-12. The author, admitting the complex and problematic nature of the inquiry, discusses some of the popular interpretations of both texts and attempts to discern the pros and cons of each reading. Ultimately he points out certain similarities and differences between the two texts. He contends that the motif of divine sonship in Genesis 6 differs in a certain sense from that of Psalm 2. One of the reasons for this difference is that the eschatological expectation of the reign of the Son of God seems to lie behind the text of Psalm 2, whereas, in Genesis 6, it does not.
The infancy Gospel of Thomas : allegory or myth - Gnostic or Ebionite?
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2005) Van Aarde, A.G. (Andries G.)
The aim of this article is to show that scholars assess the Infancy Gospel of Thomas disparagingly as "illogical", "un-Christian" and "banal". A more positive judgment is that it is either "Gnostic" or "purified of Gnosticism", or merely one of many ancient tales in the form of a historical allegory about Jesus as a child. The article argues that the author of the Greek version of the Infancy Gospel of Thomas in Codex Sinaiticus (Gr 453) describes the miracles of Jesus in a positive and negative light as if he were an adult. This phenomenon should be understood against the background that this second-century gospel is presented not so much in the genre of a Gnostic redeemer myth, but rather as a god-child myth that has neither an Orthodox nor a Gnostic orientation. Its context is rather early Ebionite Christianity.
The social context of the Book of Job
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2005) Roper, Leon A.
Although much has been written about the Book of Job, no consensus exists among scholars with regard to issues such as the dating and origins of this book. In this article the controversies surrounding the social context of the book of Job are discussed. This is followed by an attempt to reconstruct a possible socio-theological context for this book. In doing this, special attention will be given to the writer's possible relationship with the mainstream theological tradition of his day. This will be done by considering the possible aim of the "implied" author in constructing the book as well as the ways in which he has gone about achieving this aim. It is concluded that the implied author aimed to critically comment on the way in which the orthodox wisdom teachers of his time had clung to the traditional dogma of divine retribution. In doing this, this author seems to have employed various indirect techniques such as the use of a dramatic narrative to convey his message.
Called into the freedom of Christ in a postmodern age
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2005) Meylahn, Johann-Albrecht
Within Postmodernity we are facing tremendous ethical challenges while upholding a strong sense of freedom. In this essay I argue that this freedom is often still interpreted within a modern paradigm as an essential freedom of presence which has its roots in Neo-Platonic thinking. In Paul's letter to the Galatians there are insights to a different interpretation of the freedom we have in Christ as an eschatological freedom of calling and promise. This freedom can only be grasped in faith and is never the possession of any one individual or community, but rather a continuous challenge. It is a freedom that creates space for the other (for that, that seemed impossible) to become present (possible) and therefore it finds itself between justice (dike) and mercy - justice, as that which creates space for those who do not have space (presence), the unheard voices and the marginalised voices; and mercy which brings these unheard voices (the non-present) into being. This is the freedom to which the Cross beckons and the Resurrection inspires.
The controversial universality of individual human rights
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2005) Graf, Friedrich Wilhelm
Human rights is currently a very relevant but also very controversial issue in international politics in the aftermath of some of the events that occurred during the twentieth century. In this article, the author puts the present issues in perspective by initiating the discussion with a look at aspects of the historical development of the concept of human rights. He then moves on to take a closer look at how the concept of human rights feature and function in the Christian religion and follows that up with an overview of how human rights are perceived and are operative in the religion of Islam. The article concludes with a focus on inter-cultural discourse.
From Christianity to African Religion and back again
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2005) Meiring, Arnold Maurits
This article passes from Christianity to African Religion and back again, in order to gain new insight on reconciliation. Traditional Christian reconciliation models are valuable but also contextual and limited; thus new models should be sought. African myths of community, acceptance and rebellion offer alternative ways of understanding reconciliation. When evaluated according to the principles of integration and transcendence, these myths meet the criteria of better religion and emphasise Christian notions that are often ignored in tradition Christianity. These new African-inspired insights can be used in Christian liturgy as a number of examples prove.
YHWH and the God of philosophical theology
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2005) Gericke, Jacobus Wilhelm
In popular orthodox Christian philosophical theology, it is often taken for granted that the divine philosophised about is none other than the Hebrew deity YHWH himself. Moreover, it is often assumed that the Old Testament depicts YHWH as being, inter alia, single, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, and eternal. Now while it is to be admitted that there are indeed depictions of YHWH in the Old Testament in which his profile might be thought of as corresponding more or less to the popular philosophical ideal, it is also true that there are many representations that contradict it. In this article, the author looks at how the popular profile of YHWH in the Old Testament as reconstructed by some philosophical theologians claiming to be 'biblical' is deconstructed when it is juxtaposed with alternative renderings of the divine in the same texts.
Behoort Praktische Theologie tot de "Cultural Studies"?
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2005) Barnard, Marcel
In this article the author looks at the relation between Practical Theology and Cultural Studies. After an introductory section in which it is demonstrated how theology could be seen as an inextricable part of what we call culture itself, the main discussion focuses on a number of fundamental theological remarks regarding the ways and borders between culture, faith and theology. Secondly, a closer look is taken at just what exactly culture is supposed to be. Finally, the place of Practical Theology amidst other scientfic disciplines is considered.

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