Showing papers in "Hts Teologiese Studies-theological Studies in 1990"
TL;DR: Holism as a post-modern philosophy in the light of the modernity-postmodernity debate has been discussed in this paper, where it has been argued that holism is a departure from theology in the modern sense of the word and thus has serious consequences.
Abstract: Holism as a postmodern philosophy in theological light Postmodernity is defined primarily as advocacy for holistic thinking as against the alleged fragmentation in epistemology in the Modern Time. The aim of this article is to describe holism in terms of the modernity-postmodernity debate. It is approached from a theological perspective. Since the Kantian revolution in the Modern Time, metaphysical knowledge has been articulated by influential theologians in the language of analogy. It is shown here that holism as a postmodern philosophy is a departure from theology in the modern sense of the word and, as monistic-metaphysical thinking, it thus has serious consequences. However, holism should not be defined as a paradigm-shift in epistemology.
10 citations
TL;DR: Holism: Recovering an old wisdom in a modem context The modern epoch can be described as a progressive disenchantment of the world, leaving heavy traces in the structure of society and the psychological constitution of man as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: Holism: Recovering an old wisdom in a modem context The modern epoch can be described as a progressive disenchantment of the world, leaving heavy traces in the structure of society and the psychological constitution of man. The Scientific Revolution of the 17th century and the rise of the mechanistic world view led to the destruction of the holistic, animistic tradition which viewed man as a participant in the cosmos, not as an isolated observer. Arguing that the holistic world view must be revived in some credible form before we destroy ourselves and our environment, this essay explores some possibilities for a holistic, participating consciousness appropriate to the modern era. Ecological rather than animistic, this new world view would be grounded in the real and intimate connection between man and nature.
8 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors describe John 13 as a structured narrative in which a specific ideological perspective is reflected, and the modem reader is challenged to seek for deeper significance in the narration of the footwashing.
Abstract: The text of John 13 as a literary phenomenon is taken as narrative communication. Emphasis is laid on the pragmatic dimension, in which the relation between the sign and the recipient is highlighted. This article describes John 13 as a structured narrative in which a specific ideological perspective is reflected. Retrospectively viewed, John 13 provides an interpretative framework for meaningful discipleship. The modem reader is challenged to seek for deeper significance in the narration of the footwashing.
7 citations
TL;DR: The Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk and its ministry in a future South Africa: The vision of Kerk en wereld 2000 (Church and world 2000) as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: The Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk and its ministry in a future South Africa: The vision of Kerk en wereld 2000 Kerk en wereld 2000 (Church and world 2000) served as a report to the General Synod of the Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk in 1986 on the future socio-economic and political scenario in South Africa and the Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk’s role in the changing situation. This article consists of a cursory discussion of the report and some concluding remarks. The book is found to offer a frank analysis of future developments and a rare insight into the Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk and its understanding of its ministerial role within the new situation. The book displays a pastoral rather than a missionary slant.
7 citations
TL;DR: The introvertive view of Kerk en wereld 2000 as mentioned in this paper is a critical review of the official document of the Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk, which discusses the choice of this church to be a 'Volkskerk' (church of the people) and the implication which it has on the unity of the church.
Abstract: The introvertive view of Kerk en wereld 2000 This article is a critical review of the official document Kerk en wereld 2000 of the Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk. It discusses the choice of this church to be a ‘Volkskerk’ (church of the people) and the implication which it has on the unity of the church. It concludes by highlighting the responsibilities of the church in practicing theology according to its own confessions.
6 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a new reconstruction of Ephesians 1:3-14 is presented based on principles of form and content of the eulogy of the Ephesian prophet.
Abstract: Since Eduard Norden’s (1913) statement concerning the awkward length and construction of Ephesians 1:3-14, a flood of studies have been devoted to the analysis of this Greek sentence. In this paper I have firstly given an overview of those studies representative of the structure of the eulogy of Ephesians 1:3-14, and secondly presented a new reconstruction of this passage based on principles of form and content.
5 citations
TL;DR: The Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk van Afrika as discussed by the authors has a specific paradigm of the relation between the church and society within which this matter neither corresponds to that of Luther nor to the one of Calvin, although traces of both are being recognised.
Abstract: The paradigms of Kerk en wereld 2000 This important publication of the Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk van Afrika deals with the relationship between the Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk and its society within the next decade. It gives an expanded view of the address of the church’s kerygma . The author of this article tries to identify a specific paradigm of the relation between church and society within which this matter neither corresponds to that of Luther nor to that of Calvin, although traces of both are being recognised. The author sees the reason for this in the fact that the Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk, according to this publication, is willing to take the situation in which he works and lives seriously into consideration. The following paradigm shift can thus be noted: the more the church gets worried about the present situation, the less he is Lutheran and the more he is Calvinis-tic.
5 citations
TL;DR: P J Hoedemaker 150 years ago, was celebrated in the Netherlands during 1989 as mentioned in this paper, and it became more and more evident that Hoedmaker was himself a very perspicacious, independent theologian.
Abstract: P J Hoedemaker ‘What I aim at, is the conservation of the church’ The birthday of the wellknown Dutch Reformed theologian P J Hoedemaker 150 years ago, was celebrated in the Netherlands during 1989 In his struggle against the formidable dr Abraham Kuyper, it became more and more evident that Hoedemaker was himself a very perspicacious, independent theologian His dramatic struggle for the unity and the wholeness of the church against every schismatic action is really unique in the history of the church The theological concepts of Hoedemaker strongly influenced the thoughts of Dutch theologians like Th L Haitjema and A A van Ruler, and consequently also a large number of South African theologians in the Dutch Reformed Churches
4 citations
TL;DR: In this scheme metaphysics and ethics are interwoven and culminate in a religion exclusively based on and conditioned by pure reason, usually known as Kant's moral theology or rational religion as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: The philosophy of Immanuel Kant and Protestant theological structures Kant’s critical epistemology destroyed the idea of scientific metaphysics (valid up to Wolff) as the foundation of theology. Kant, however, reconstructed his own metaphysics on the basis of practical reason. In this scheme metaphysics and ethics are interwoven and culminate in a religion exclusively based on and conditioned by pure reason, usually known as Kant’s moral theology or rational religion. The purpose of this paper is, firstly, to give a very short exposition of the basic concepts of Kant’s moral theology, and secondly, to show its decisive influence on post Kantian protestant view of religion.
4 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a survey of developments in the interpretation of the nature and understanding of religious experience, spanning Aristotle to modern German theologians, is presented, emphasizing the fundamental importance for theology of reflection on religious experience.
Abstract: Religious experience: Cinderella of theological Reflection How is the concept ‘experience’ to be understood, a concept frequently used but which defies clearcut definition? How is religious experience, which is not a terminus technicus, to be understood? These questions are addressed from a historic survey of developments in the interpretation of the nature and understanding of religious experience, spanning Aristotle to modern German theologians Stressing the fundamental importance for theology of reflection on religious experience, this article describes religious experience as feeling plus a religious conceptual framework, constituted by recollection and embodied in hope
4 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk van Afrika needs to rethink the organisation of its mission councils, and a plea is made for fundamental reorientation at membership level.
Abstract: A considering on the apostolate of the Nederduitsch Hervormde Church In spite of spending large sums on missions, the Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk van Afrika needs to rethink the organisation of its mission councils. A plea is made for fundamental reorientation at membership level in both the Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk van Afrika as the ‘missionary church’ and the Hervormde Kerk in Suidelike Afrika as the ‘mission church’ in respect of their mission structures.
TL;DR: The authors argued that systematic theology's obligation to rationality must at least include a dialectic interplay of interpretative schemes, events and experience, which is the essence of Schleiermacher's faith.
Abstract: This article deals with the essence of religion proposed by Schleiermacher, namely ‘the feeling of absolute dependence upon the Infinite’. In his theory of religious experience, and the language he used to express it, he claimed his work to be independent of concepts and beliefs. Epistemologically this is incompatible. In our century, where Christianity needs to be reinterpreted in the light of modern science, Schleiermacher has left us with a hermeneutical challenge to communicate the dynamic experience of a relationship with God in an intelligible way. The author argues that systematic theology’s obligation to rationality must at least include a dialectic interplay of interpretative schemes, events and experience.
TL;DR: The possibility and even appropriateness of respecting the relationship between these verses is explored and an ironic symphony is created by a central metaphor of procreation and counterpointed radial metaphors of sexual abuse and childbirth.
Abstract: The paradoxical juxtaposition of the statements ‘Sing to Jahweh!... Cursed be the day on which I was born!’ in Jeremiah 20:13 and 20:14 creates a tension which can be avoided if these two verses are isolated from each other by way of redaction criticism. In this article, the possibility and even appropriateness of respecting the relationship between these verses is explored. The segment 7-12 is regarded as a double lament. The segments 13 and 14-18 constitute two contrasting conclusions. This segmentation coincides with time-honoured divisions of the text. Verses 7-18 can be defined as an integral unit where an ironic symphony is created by a central metaphor of procreation and counterpointed radial metaphors of sexual abuse and childbirth.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigated the role of anti-Judaism in the hymns of the fourth-century Syrian theologian Ephrem and found that it was a way of expressing the concepts of theological balance and reciprocity.
Abstract: In this paper, the polarity Jews :: Christians in the hymns on Easter of the fourth-century Syrian theologian Ephrem is investigated. This polarity is found to be polemical against the Jews. But since polarity is a constant feature in the work of Ephrem which serves to communicate his theological frame of mind, the question is asked whether anti-Judaism does not also serve to convey theological ideas. An attempt is made to demonstrate that anti-Judaism indeed had a theological function for Ephrem: Anti-Judaism seems to have been an aspect of Christian self-definition. It was also a way of expressing the concepts of theological balance and reciprocity.
TL;DR: In this paper, the threat to the body of elders, as the prime governing ministery, from both the ministers and the deaconate in different governing bodies of the Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk is discussed.
Abstract: The elder in the governing bodies of the Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk The purpose of this article is to discuss the threat to the body of elders, as the prime governing ministery, from both the ministers and the deaconate in the different governing bodies of the Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk. This is done in view of the decision of the General Synod in 1989 to reformulate, rearrange and, if necessary, adapt the Church order.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors trace the original Reformed view of Sunday on the basis of Calvin's exposition of the Fourth Commandment, and formulate certain guidelines concerning sport on Sunday and its broadcasting, which conflicts with this view.
Abstract: The Calvinistic view of Sunday with reference to sport on Sunday and the broadcasting of it The purpose of this article is to trace the original Reformed view of Sunday on the basis of Calvin’s exposition of the Fourth Commandment, and to formulate certain guidelines concerning sport on Sunday and its broadcasting, which conflicts with this view. The Reformed view of Sunday wants to strike a balance between the two extremes of the Pharisaic-legalistic view of Sunday on the one hand, and the libertine freedom and conformity to the world on the other hand. In view of this, the set of directives used to rate sport on Sundays and its broadcasting must be the same as those used to rate any other activity on Sunday.
Journal Article•
TL;DR: The first minister of the Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk in the Transvaal is commonly seen as a schismatic and it is said that the consequences of his actions are still felt today in the South African Churches as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: Dirk van der Hoff: A schismatic? Dirk van der Hoff, the first minister of the Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk in the Transvaal is commonly seen as a schismatic and it is said that the consequences of his actions are still felt today in the South African Churches. This article aims to give a very short and synoptic view of the accusations and their tenability.
TL;DR: Prophets in Israel: Stating a problem The writing prophets have, in Christian circles, traditionally been painted in a fairly romantic light as the giants of faith as discussed by the authors, which raises several questions regarding the office of the prophets, their social role and the notion of the church's "prophetic calling".
Abstract: Prophets in Israel: Stating a problem The Writing Prophets have, in Christian circles, traditionally been painted in a fairly romantic light as the giants of faith. A comparison between the superscriptions of the prophetic books and the historical literature of the Old Testament as well between the Jewish, Samaritan and Christian traditions’ views of the prophets raises several questions regarding the ‘office’ of the prophets, their social role and the notion of the church’s ‘prophetic’ calling. In the light of these questions the article calls for a fresh historical look at the Writing Prophets and identifies a few problem areas that may warrant further investigation.
TL;DR: In this paper, the exegetical methodology of the Old Testament is entering a post-critical phase which has implications for the diversity of Old Testament texts and theologies, as well as the interconnection between text, exegetic method and scientific theory.
Abstract: Epistemology, exegetic methodology and Old Testament theology Scientific and theological statements are deeply rooted in the socio-cultural context of the individual researcher. Different exegetical methods must be evaluated each according to its epistemological paradigm. Historical and structural elements in biblical texts should not be seen in terms of a clash between historical and structural paradigms. Exegetical methodology of the Old Testament is entering a post-critical phase which has implications for the diversity of Old Testament texts and theologies. Historical understanding bridges the gap between today, Word and event respectively by means of a horizon convergence and forms part of a holistic approach. The Old Testament theology cannot achieve its task, for today, without the interchange between text, exegetical method and scientific theory.
TL;DR: In this paper, a pneumatological word event in which a person who is a believer himself, leads people, via a communication experience with a text of Scripture, to an encounter with and a life before the living God is defined.
Abstract: Old Testament perspectives on the definition of preaching The Old Testament antecedents to Christian preaching are considered briefly. It is found that the hymnic situation, that is the realisation of thanksgiving for salvation, in the Psalms comes closest to what is understood as preaching in the New Testament. The following amended definition of preaching is proposed for consideration: ‘A pneumatological word event in which a person who is a believer himself, leads people, via a communication experience with a text of Scripture, to an encounter with and a life before the living God.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors construct a context for the Marcan community by synthesizing results of previous scholars, who have used redaction critical, literary, and socio-historical methods to achieve this aim.
Abstract: Mark 16:1-8 in the context of a construed Marcan setting The purpose of this article is to construct a context for the Marcan community. Results of previous scholars, who have used redaction critical, literary, and socio-historical methods are synthesized to achieve this aim. Time and place, intra-, inter-, and extra- community relations are in turn considered in theses. Expositions of pro and contra arguments for the theses emphasise the relativity of the proposed construction. In the second part of the article an attempt is made to understand Mark 16:1-8 in the imagined community context.
TL;DR: In this article, it is argued that the child is totally part of the church of Christ, and therefore he must assemble regularly with the congregation in public worship, and that special attention should be given to him.
Abstract: Children in public worship From a biblical and historical point of view, it is clear that the child is totally part of the church of Christ, and therefore he must assemble regularly with the congregation in public worship. From an anthropological perspective, it is clear that the child, especially in the first three phases of his life, differs so greatly from the adult, that special attention should be given to him. Consequently the liturgist should bear the child in mind in every church service. From time to time special church services should be held where he focuses on the child in the first phases of his life, that is the child between five en twelve years of age.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors apply the philosophical concepts of "exigence" and "rhetorical situation" to the question of what Jesus himself really said and what was attributed to him by tradition during later stages.
Abstract: Let us vote: What did Jesus really say? Since 1985 the study of the Jesus tradition has taken interesting new directions in the USA A Jesus Seminar was initiated by the well-known RW Funk and some other leading American New Testament scholars The question of what Jesus himself really said and what was attributed to him by tradition during later stages, was tackled anew with the explicit additional aim of ‘popularizing’ the results of this research Since its inception the Jesus Seminar has grown into an academic institute, Westar Institute, with a whole range of research activities In addition to this, a new publishing house for biblical and related subjects, Polebridge Press, was launched In this article all these developments are discussed, with special attention to the Jesus Seminar Finally, by applying the philosophical concepts of ‘exigence’ and ‘rhetorical situation, the article gives a possible ‘explanation’ for these new stimuli in some circles of American biblical scholarship
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors focus on the hermeneutical point of departure of Cullmann and Von Rad, and their starting point for a theology of the New Testament is not found in a general easier 'kerygma' but in the unfolding of Jesus' words and deeds.
Abstract: Points of departure for a theology of the New Testament: Oscar Cullmann and Leonhard Goppelt Both Cullmann and Goppelt offer alternative positions to an existential approach to New Testament theology. After a consideration of Oscar Cullmann’s position in the history of New Testament theology, special attention is given to his concept of salvation history, as well as a critical evaluation of this concept. Goppelt associates himself with the hermeneutical point of departure of Cullmann and Von Rad. Salvation history is, however, filled with new content through reflection on the earthly Jesus. Goppelt’s starting point for a theology of the New Testament is not found in a general easier ‘kerygma’, but in the unfolding of Jesus’ words and deeds.
TL;DR: The research of WH Kelber on the Gospel traditions have important implications as mentioned in this paper, and his main emphases are summarized and certain aspects briefly commended. But their main focus is on the aims of interpretation, the issue of conflicting traditions, the immense problem of orality and the interpretation of Mark.
Abstract: The research of WH Kelber on the Gospel traditions have important implications. His main emphases are summarized and certain aspects briefly commended. A critical discussion concerning the aims of interpretation, the issue of conflicting traditions, the immense problem of orality and the interpretation of Mark is concluded with an argument on the necessity and pitfalls of multidisciplinary research.
TL;DR: Paradigm change, relativism, rationality and paradigm change are discussed in this article with reference to the HSRC Studies in Research Methodology's publication: Paradigms and progress in theology.
Abstract: Paradigm-change, relativism and rationality The impact of Kuhn’s account of science is profound. This is also evident in the theological sciences. This could be seen by the importance given to problems like epistemological relativism, rationality and paradigm-change. The purpose of this paper is to give attention to these problems with reference to the HSRC Studies in Research Methodology’s publication: Paradigms and progress in theology. It is edited by J Mouton, A G van Aarde and W S Vorster.