Research Articles (Church History and Church Policy)
http://hdl.handle.net/2263/2449
2024-03-19T05:27:03ZNewman, Wesley and the logic of unity : an inductive approach to ecumenism
http://hdl.handle.net/2263/92914
Newman, Wesley and the logic of unity : an inductive approach to ecumenism
Morris-Chapman, Daniel John Pratt
It is a privilege to be invited to contribute to the Festschrift dedicated to Professor Johan Buitendag, Emeritus Dean, Faculty of Theology and Religion at the University of Pretoria, South Africa. While his own work often examined the relationship between theology and natural science, he was also passionate about ecumenism and, in that spirit, the present essay utilised what might be described as an inductive approach to an important ecumenical question, the unity between
Methodists and Catholics. Ecumenical dialogue is often undertaken from a theological and dogmatic perspective. This essay took a different approach in that it sought to inductively examine what might be described as the inner logic of two ecclesial systems (Methodist and Catholic). In doing so, it was premised upon an Aristotelian philosophical principle, epistemic fit, in that it presupposed that both these ecclesial bodies possess an intrinsic logic that can be brought to the surface in order to exhibit parallel contours in the wider ecclesial terrain.
This research is part of The research project ‘Understanding Reality (Theology and Nature)’, directed by Prof. Dr Johan Buitendag, Department of Systematic and Historical Theology, Faculty of Theology and Religion, University of Pretoria.; DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT: Data sharing is not applicable to this article as no new data were created or analysed in this study
2023-03-01T00:00:00ZWomen’s statement at the 1990 Rustenburg Church Conference : still an important voice from the past
http://hdl.handle.net/2263/91669
Women’s statement at the 1990 Rustenburg Church Conference : still an important voice from the past
Van der Merwe, J.M. (Johan Matthys)
The Rustenburg Conference of churches that took place in 1990 was a critical turning point for Christianity in South Africa. Besides the important declaration at the end of the conference, a statement was also made by the women at the conference. Although this statement is lesser known, it was and still is of utmost importance because it addresses the plight of women in South Africa. The focus of this article is the relevance of the statement made by the women more than 30 years later. The article is written from a church historical perspective. To achieve this objective, the research in this article is based on qualitative literature search. It focuses on relevant literature that includes books, scholarly articles, online articles and scientific data provided by Statistics South Africa. It starts with a brief overview of the conference and important events that took place; it then moves on to the statement by the women at the conference before arguing that the content of the statement still is an important voice from the past that reminds us of the plight of women in South Africa. The role of the church as an important agent of change is then discussed briefly before concluding with an example of a programme by the South African Council of Churches (SACC) that is aimed at change in society.
CONTRIBUTION : In the conclusion, the author proposes a South African conference for women where current programmes can be synchronised and planning for the future can be done.
Special Collection: Women Theologies, sub-edited by Sinenhlanhla S. Chisale (Midlands State University, Zimbabwe) and Tanya van
Wyk (University of Pretoria).
2022-11-21T00:00:00ZA Note on "substomachans" (Augustine, conf. 3.21)
http://hdl.handle.net/2263/90420
A Note on "substomachans" (Augustine, conf. 3.21)
Van Oort, Johannes (Hans)
This brief note explains the curious word “substomachans” in conf. 3.21 from the Manichaean background of both Monnica’s bishop and Augustine. Based on this explanation, the note proposes a new translation of the phrase in which “substomachans” occurs. The interpretation offered seems to be backed by Julian of Eclanum’s use of “substomachans”. In essence, “substomachari” refers to the “ructare” during the Manichaeans’ daily ritual meal: “to belch (out)”.
2023-06-01T00:00:00ZYesterday, today, and tomorrow : Grey college in Bloemfontein as living legacy of Andrew Murray as educationalist
http://hdl.handle.net/2263/89878
Yesterday, today, and tomorrow : Grey college in Bloemfontein as living legacy of Andrew Murray as educationalist
Van der Merwe, J.M. (Johan Matthys)
Rev. Dr Andrew Murray Jr became a well-known theologian in the history of South
Africa. He wrote many books and played a founding role in establishing the Huguenot
College in Wellington in the Cape Colony. A lesser-known fact is the important role
that he played in the founding of one of South Africa’s top schools – Grey College in
Bloemfontein. Hy did not only play a founding role but was also the first rector of the
school. When looking back at the role that Andrew Murray played as an educationalist,
Grey College serves as an important part of his living legacy, which did not only
contribute to the history of the country but will also do so in the future. The focus of
this article is to describe how Andrew Murray contributed to the founding of Grey
College and how he became the first rector. To do justice to his legacy, the article will
also explore how the roots of education in South Africa go back to the Reformation and
how that influenced Murray while he was educated in Scotland and the Netherlands.
Cooperation between church and state to serve the purpose of education was therefore
nothing new to Murray. It was his collaboration as Dutch Reformed minister with Sir
George Grey, governor of the Cape Colony, that made the founding of Grey College
possible.
2022-01-01T00:00:00Z