Verbum et Ecclesia Volume 27 Issue 2 (2006)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://hdl.handle.net/2263/6755

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Rehabilitating Judas Iscariot in French literature
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2006) Hale, Frederick
During the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, numerous French literary artists, like their counterparts in several other countries, attempted to probe the personality and motives of Iscariot. Among the most prominent were Ernest Renan, François Mauriac, Paul Raynal, and Marcel Pagnol. They evinced noteworthy literary imagination but failed to answer adequately the questions they had posed in their efforts to rehabilitate their long-despised subject. Invariably, such factors as the sparsity of information about Judas in the gospels and inadequate authorial research militated against the success of their experiments. Moreover, the varying portrayals of Judas and the multiplicity of incompatible theories which were advanced to explain his underlying motive underscores the extreme difficulty of discovering what kind of man Judas was and what prompted him to betray Jesus.
Role of worship and ethics on the road towards reconciliation
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2006) Muller, Bethel A.
Reconciliation in a divided society, like the South African one, is in dire need of a new moral discourse and praxis. This article argues that this moral discourse must also be conducted on an often forgotten level, namely in the worshipping praxis of the Church. The article describes the renewed interest of ethicists and liturgists in the relationship between liturgy and ethics and especially the role of rituals. The article then focuses on the renewal of basic Cristian rituals like preaching and sacraments, prayer and praise to serve this much needed moral discourse.
Zion, beautiful city of God - Zion theology in the book of Jeremiah
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2006) Wessels, W.J. (Wilhelm Joseph)
From the time of king David, Zion (Jerusalem) became not only a focal point in the history of Israel, but a key component in the theological thinking of Judah. The importance of Zion and in particular the theological mindset surrounding this city became a crucial issue in prophetic discourses, never so crucial as in the time of the prophet Jeremiah. Jeremiah's ministry took place in the final years of the existence of the southern kingdom Judah. The circumstances which lead to the fall of Jerusalem and the resulting exile in Babel had a strong impact on Jeremiah's life and ministry. In this period in history the importance of Zion surfaced as a dominating issue affecting the actions, reasoning and theology of the leadership in Judah. This view on Zion was linked to a very definite interpretation of Davidic kingship and the centralisation of worship at the temple in Jerusalem. This resulted in a distinct theological interpretation of Zion and its importance with regards to Judah's relationship with Yahweh.
A discourse analytical view of two South African case studies on the effects on HIV/AIDS in marriage
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2006) Van den Berg, Jan-Albert; Nichol, R.; De Klerk, B.; Van den Berg, J.
South Africa is the country with the highest incidence of HIV / AIDS in the world. In order to understand the complex phenomenon experienced by people infected and affected by HIV / AIDS in South Africa, the diverse cultural landscape, amongst other factors, needs to be explored. In a qualitative study, the authors explore the impact of this phenomenon on marriage. Using psychiatric texts and by employing the method of Discourse Analysis on two case studies, different ways of dealing with HIV / AIDS in marriage and the way it dramatically influences marriage are analysed. The impact of these previously untold stories of HIV / AIDS in marriage is seen especially in the lives of spouses who respond differently when managing this problem. In coping with the trauma of HIV / AIDS, spirituality plays a role. Using the biopsychosocial / spiritual-model within a post-modern view of therapy, the role of spirituality is described. The research, viewed through a culture-sensitive lens, acknowledges the different ethical dilemmas involved. Certain limitations in the research methodology are discussed and the need for further research is highlighted.
"Friends becoming foes" : a case of social rejection in Psalm 31
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2006) Basson, Alec, 1973-
The supplicant of Psalm 31 bemoans the fact that his neighbours and companions treat him like an outcast. What is even more disturbing is the fact that one would expect this from the enemies, as is the case in so many laments. The friends and family who were supposed to provide the necessary support in times of affliction, however, deserted the psalmist. The line between friend and foe became blurred. The plaintiff faces rejection on two fronts: attacked by his enemies and ostracised by his friends. Through the marginalisation the poet no longer feature as a member of the social group that embodies his identity. Instead of being in the centre, he now operates on the periphery, thus bearing the full brunt of social rejection in ancient Israel. This form of rejection is tantamount to life on the "outskirts" of society. Focusing on the notion of spatiality, this paper aims at illustrating that the image-schema of centre-periphery underlies the behaviour of the companions in Psalm 31. The neighbours and companions reside in the centre (important and honourable), whereas the psalmist exists on the periphery (unimportant and disgraced). Indexed by Sabinet Online.
Waarheid en betekenisgelaagdheid
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2006) Du Toit, D.A.
An evaluation of an individual's contribution towards theology needs to be placed against the backdrop of the story of faith and theology. In this case it would be the story of religious and theological truth, taking it up in the early Christian Church with the example of the descensus. That showed a plurality of fundamental expressions of faith, as well as a plurality of the forms in which truth is expressed and layered reality of meaning which progressively became unveiled in history. Although this diversity and process was halted by the modern rationalistic intermezzo of the Enlightenment which reduced it to logical, rational and verifiable eternal truths, it gradually reappears in various forms of post-modern thought. It is part of the exciting story of faith and theology in our own time.
Reading backwards from the beginning : my life with the Psalter
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2006) De Claisse-Walford, N.L.
The Psalter is more than the sum of its individual parts. The book is indeed the collected hymns of ancient Israel and its designation as "the hymnbook of second temple period" is appropriate. But, in addition, the Psalter is a narrative within a poetic text. Contemporary interest in the Psalter includes the desire to flesh out, give breath to, and stir the nephesh ("the inmost being") of the text of the book of Psalms. But are scholars making any progress? In this article the author answers positively and is intended to provide a summary of this same learning experience.
The ethic of the free : a walk according to the Spirit! A perspective from Galatians
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2006) Loubser, Gysbert Matthys Hendrik
The article argues that Galatians does not distinguish between soteriological and ethical freedom. Freedom encompasses the believer in Christ's entire salvation. However, he not only possesses freedom in Christ, but has to equally live it fully as a vocation. In as much as law has no salvational role in his life, it also has no ethical roll. The believer receives the Spirit by faith in Christ. The Spirit who quickens new life in him, orientating him to Christ, also guides and enables him to do God's will according to Christ's faithfulness. The latter is illustrated in His giving of Himself in loving service, even unto a cross, and so doing the will of our God and Father. The believer also glorifies God by doing his will in the loving and serving faithfulness of Christ, by the guidance of the Spirit. Thus, the believer's ethic of freedom is fully christological-pneumatological and anomistic without being libertinistic at all. Believers should not fear their God-given freedom by reverting to any form of law observance, but rather celebrate it by trustingly and freely walking in step with the Spirit.
Postmodern epistemology and the Christian apologetics of C.S. Lewis
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2006) Wilson, Donald Neil
Evangelicalism at the turn of this century finds itself facing a challenge that undermines its very validity. This challenge is generally referred to as postmodernism. Within the contemporary evangelical paradigm, the context in which this term is generally used refers to epistemology - the structure and limitations of human self-consciousness. The gist of the popular post-modernist argument is that human consciousness always develops inductively - from the inside, outward - utilising a particular linguistic and cultural frame of reference in order to construct conceptions of reality. Human self- consciousness, as understood from this context, is therefore always ultimately, something that can only be referred to as insulated. In the light of this, human self-consciousness can have no direct access to what may be commonly referred to as, an absolute truth.
Spreken is zilver, horen is goud - over de preek als Woord van God
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2006) Ganzevoordt, Reinder Ruard, 1965-
The connection of the sermon and the word of God has been a topic of much debate. This paper explores the significance and problematic aspects of the understanding of the sermon as a word of God. The Barthian notion that we have to speak God's word yet are unable to do so offers a dialectic interpretation that leaves the preacher and the congregation vulnerable. The problem lies, according to this paper, not so much in connecting the sermon and the word of God, but in the fact that this connection is sought in the act op speaking. The act of hearing the sermon might be a much more suitable category of understanding the connection.
Psalm 150 according to the Septuagint : integrating translation and tradition criticism into modern Septuagint exegesis
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2006) Dafni, Evangelia G.
The attempt to detect Theology in the linguistic deviations and divergencies of the Septuagint (LXX) with the Massoretic Text (MT), presupposes the use of certain exegetical methods. Of course, this implies methods to be used by the modern Septuagint scholar and not the hypothetical translation technique(s) used by the LXX-translators. Therefore, I suggest the scholar should integrate the historical critical method - in a balanced manner, without the incriminating questioning of long outdated historicism - into the modern LXX-exegesis. In this way, I think, we have the opportunity to verify or falsify hypothetical exegetical practices probably used by the LXX-translators and to discover where we are really able to talk about genuine Theology in the LXX - in contrast to the MT. The LXX-Psalm 150, in comparison to other related Old Testament texts, was chosen to exemplify this suggestion.
Psalm 74 : myth as the source of hope in times of devastation
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2006) Baumann, Gerlinde, 1962-
The reference to mythical traditions in Psalm 74 is not just an allusion to a common set of motifs. It is an essential strategy to gain hope in desperate times, when the country is completely destroyed. The article shows this mainly by working on the structure and the metaphors of the psalm. The authors of Psalm 74 created hope in a hopeless situation by referring to a dimension beyond the visible sphere. The deeds of YHWH / Elohim in the mythical traditions cannot be reached by the enemies: the God-established orders of time and space cannot be destroyed by their violence.
Prospects of a Christian ethics of responsibility (part 1) : an assessment of an American version
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2006) De Villiers, D.E. (Dawid Etienne); etienne.devilliers@up.ac.za
In his book Das Prinzip Verantwortung, published in 1979, the philosopher Hans Jonas argued that all existing approaches in philosophical ethics are inadequate, because they do not effectively address the serious issues caused by the rapid expansion of modern technology. He proposed a completely new approach to ethics based on the principle of responsibility. His book - among others - inspired a number of theologians in Germany and the USA to develop their own versions of a Christian ethics of responsibility. In this article Jonas's version of an ethics of responsibility and the attempt of the American theologian William Schweiker to develop a Christian version of such an ethics in close proximity to Jonas's are critically discussed. It is pointed out that Jonas does not succeed in making out a convincing case for elevating responsibility to the fundamental principal of ethics. It is also argued that Schweiker's ambivalent stance in this regard does not support his claim that Christian ethics, in order to adequately respond to the serious ethical issues of our time, should be developed as an ethics of responsibility. The question "Can and should Christian ethics today be developed as ethics of responsibility?" is therefore left open.
James Cone's legacy in Africa : confession as political praxis in the Kairos Document
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2006) Kalu, O.U. (Ogbu U.)
This reflection sets out to achieve three goals: the key is to show the legacy of James Cone from a global perspective, specifically his contributions to the development of African theology. The second is the irony that Cone was influenced by Karl Barth's Barmen declaration in his response to the outrage against blacks in the United States in the violent late 1960s. This dimension has escaped scholarly attention. Thirdly, both Cone and the Barmen declaration influenced South African theologians who scripted the Kairos Document. Each party contextualized the use of the strategy; but for all, confession served as a form of political praxis.
An oral reading of Romans 8:31-34
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2006) Shields, B.E.
This article introduces the reader to the study of oral communication in primarily oral cultures and its application to biblical studies and then goes on to illustrate the value of such study by looking at Romans 8:31-34 from the vantage point of its signs of orality. Such a study should open us to new insights into texts and also lead us to helpful understandings of preaching in our own cultures.
14 Predigerporträts und 26 Predigtkonzepte? Überlegungen zur homiletischen Retrospektive in den Göttinger Predigtmeditationen
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2006) Grozinger, E.
Im vorliegenden Aufsatz wird die "homiletische Retrospektive" der Göttinger Predigtmeditationen auf ihre impliziten Schwerpunkte hin untersucht. Ziel der Untersuchung ist auch, nach den aktuellen homiletischen Konsequenzen zu fragen, die sich aus der Darstellung der ausgewählten Prediger ergeben könnten. Der Aufsatz siedelt sich im Kontext der von Wilhelm Dilthey initiierten und von Hans Jörg Gadamer in seinem Buch "Wahrheit und Methode" weiterentwickel-ten Methode der geisteswissenschaftlichen Hermeneutik an. Gadamers Ansatz wurde in der deutschsprachigen Theologie breit diskutiert und ist dort von prägender Wirkung. Der Aufsatz verfährt nach der oben erwähnten hermeneutischen Textanalyse, um das Profil der homiletischen Retrospektive und deren aktuelle Relevanz ausleuchten zu können.
An exegetical-theological consideration of the hardening of the Jewish religious leaders' hearts in Mark 3:1-6
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2006) Lee, Sug-Ho
The goal of this article is to look at the literary-theological function of the Jewish religious leaders hardening in Mark 3:1-6. In this text, the concept of "hardness of heart" is used in order to indicate their continued unbelief and rejection. The hardening may also be signaling their presumed end, namely divine judgment (cf. 12:1-2). Although Jesus proclaims the arrival of the kingdom in his authoritative teaching and miracles, the Jewish religious leaders refuse to Jesus' message, as Pharaoh, whose heart is hardened, refuses to obey God's commend. Just as his hardening and rejection allows the plagues to be multiplied as a great judgment (Ex. 7:3) and the catastrophe at the sea (Ex. 14:4, 8, 14), the Jewish religious leaders' unbelieving rejection by their hardening will allow God's judgment. Thus, with regard to the Jewish religious leaders, the concept of "hardness of heart" identifies their unbelief and hostility. It is not simply innocent incomprehension, but an intended rejection.
Ontwikkeling van monoteïsme in Israel as agtergrond vir die verstaan van die JHWH-mlk-psalms
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2006) Snyman, Deon Wilhelm
The YHWH-mlk-psalms (Pss 47, 93, 96-99) are some of the best-known psalms in the Old Testament. The terminology, themes, images and ideas within these psalms suggest the existence of a strong common link. Since the beginning of the last century the YHWH-mlk-psalms were the focus of a lot of research. A variety of different backgrounds for the interpretation of these psalms have been suggested. Despite the large quantities of research done on the YHWH-mlk-psalms, there is still no consensus on how these psalms should be interpreted. The YHWH-mlk-psalms show various monotheistic characteristics of which the YHWH-mlk-reference (Pss 47:3; 93:1; 96:10; 98:6; 99:1, 4) forms only one example. This article proposes that the YHWH-mlk-psalms be studied against the background of the development of monotheism in Israel. The results of such a study would contribute to the better understanding of these psalms.
Augustine and manichaeism : new discoveries, new perspectives
(Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, 2006) Van Oort, Johannes (Hans)
The subject 'Augustine and Manichaeism' is a very extensive one. In this article the author confines himself to some main lines and argues that the subject is of central importance in the history of Christianity. He shows how the theology of the most important Western Church Father was influenced by Manichaeism and suggests that without Manichaeism Western theology cannot really be comprehended.

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