The influence of communication on theological understanding and cultural formation of theodicy with reference to the Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa

Abstract

The transformative potential of effective communication within the church, especially regarding complex theological concepts such as theodicy, cannot be overstated. It can potentially create various pastoral problems related to understanding God's nature. When communicated, our understanding of these concepts can shape the church's dominant practices and create a culture that positively or negatively impacts the church and broader societal community. These micro-actions, over time, can significantly alter cultural norms, shaping our lived reality and, ultimately, our behaviour. How theology is communicated, particularly from pulpits, can significantly impact society and our understanding of God's character. This is evident in the influence of the Dutch Reformed Church on Afrikaner culture in South Africa. The collective cultural understanding of theodicy, shaped by both verbal and non-verbal communications from the pulpit, suggests that these individuals associated with the Dutch Reformed Church often possess a somewhat limited grasp of the church's theology. Their understanding of various theological issues is typically influenced more by a broad cultural interpretation derived from church communications than by the specific doctrines of Dutch Reformed Church's theology. Consequently, it is important to consider whether this approach to theological communication has contributed to the prevailing cultural image of God, which in turn influences how individuals confront more challenging questions, such as theodicy. When theology is not adequately understood or effectively communicated, it can create societal norms that people mindlessly follow based on personal experiences or perceived common knowledge.

Throughout history, the way theology was communicated profoundly influenced our comprehension of specific events in real-time. Given the significance of how communication shapes our understanding of theology and its impact on society, it becomes imperative to think of ways to recreate a new picture of God that activates a new knowledge and experience when these words are heard. The connection of myth and metaphor with human cognition and cultural consciousness profoundly shape our understanding of the world. Myths and metaphors are more than mere storytelling devices; they are fundamental mechanisms by which societies encode and communicate collective values, beliefs, and norms. These mythopoetic systems provide frameworks for understanding, guiding metaphors that shape both individual and societal worldviews. It creates white space for thinking, creativity, unexpected discoveries and new learning experiences, which are all micro-actions that bring about understanding and transformation. While modern science offers a factual basis, it needs this white space as it often fails to fully address the emotional, psychological and spiritual dimensions of human experience- aspects that myths and metaphors capably navigate. The transformational role of mythopoetic language is evident in its ability to bring together familiar and unknown realities.