Showing papers in "Hts Teologiese Studies-theological Studies in 1991"
TL;DR: In this paper, a social-scientific study of Luke-Acts advances the thesis that the Temple and the Household represent opposed types of social institutions and economic relations, only one of which, the Household, is capable of embodying socially, symbohcally and ideologically the structures, values and goals of an inclusive gospel of universal salvation.
Abstract: This social-scientific study of Luke-Acts advances the thesis that in the Lucan economy of salvation, the Temple and the Household represent opposed types of social institutions and economic relations, only one of which, the Household, is capable of embodying socially, symbohcally and ideologically the structures, values and goals of an inclusive gospel of universal salvation.
61 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors argue that Mark's gospel can be seen as an example of oral traditional composition, which provides an alternative to the tradition-redaction stalemate, current in Marcan studies.
Abstract: The interpretation of Mark’s gospel is inextricably linked to a conception of the gospel’s genesis. By basing his argument on an aspect of the ‘oral formulaic theory’ the author of this paper argues that Mark’s gospel can be seen as an example of oral traditional composition. The primary asset of this perspective is that it provides an alternative to the tradition-redaction stalemate, current in Marcan studies. Some general implications are briefly discussed in conclusion.
26 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a social-scientific study of the office of the elder in the New Testament is presented, based on two pillars: first, the fact that the Jesus-movement in New Testament happened to exist as house churches, and secondly, the terms used to describe the pater familias are also used for describing the function of the "elder".
Abstract: A social-scientific study of the ‘office’ of the elder in the New Testament After discussing the state of the current debate concerning the ‘office’ of the elder is given, the author presents his own hypothesis, namely that the position of the ‘eld er’ in the New Testament must in the first place be seen as a paier familias . This hypothesis is based on two pillars: firstly on the fact that the Jesus-movement in the New Testament happened to exist as house churches, and secondly on the fact that the terms in the New Testament used to describe the pater familias are also used to describe the function of the ‘elder’.
16 citations
TL;DR: The authors survey the major works of several of the leading exponents of this type of study in terms of the extent to which they make use of the social sciences and make a comparative assessment of the importance allocated by different authors to the role of the text as a deliberate construction.
Abstract: Recent interest in the social aspects of the first-century Mediterranean world reflected in the texts of the New Testament has taken primarily two directions. The one approach concentrates on social description, and the oth er on social-scientific interp re tatio n . This article surveys the major works of several of the leading exponents of this type of study in terms of the extent to which they make use of the social sciences. It differs from existing surveys by having an in-depth look at the elements of social-scientific theory and method actually employed, and by making a comparative assessment of the importance allocated by different authors to the role of the text as a deliberate construction.
11 citations
TL;DR: In contrast to the Temple and the exclusivist purity and legal system it represents, Luke has used occasions of domestic dining and hospitality to depict an inclusive form of social relations which transcends previous Jewish purity regulations and which gives concrete social expression to the inclusive character of the gospel, the kingdom of God, and the Christian community as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: In Luke-Acts the social codes and concepts associated with food and meals replicate and support the contrasting social codes, interests, and ideologies associated with the Jerusalem Temple, on the one hand, and the Christian household, on the other. In this study the thesis is advanced that in contrast to the Temple and the exclusivist purity and legal system it represents, Luke has used occasions of domestic dining and hospitality to depict an inclusive form of social relations which transcends previous Jewish purity regulations and which gives concrete social expression to the inclusive character of the gospel, the kingdom of God, and the Christian community.
10 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors attempted to understand developments in biblical scholarship in the Dutch Reformed Church in the period 1930 to 1990 from the perspective of epistemology and methodology, and that of socio-political history.
Abstract: Objective interpretation of Scripture? Marginal notes to the interpretation of Scripture in the Dutch Reformed Church 1930-1990 This article seeks to understand developments in biblical scholarship in the Dutch Reformed Church in the period 1930 to 1990 from the perspective of epistemology and methodology, and that of socio-political history. It also tries to explain developments on the epistemological level from the perspective of socio-political history. An explanation is thus attempted for the sometimes confusing fact that apartheid, which was once presented as a ‘biblical’ imperative by the Dutch Reformed Church has recently, on ‘biblical’ grounds, been proclaimed a sin by the same church.
10 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors try to guide students to exercise practical theology from the perspective of empirical theology by pointing out possible pitfalls in implementing this method of re-search without theological reservations.
Abstract: First steps in practical theology A new title, First steps in practical theology , has recently been released. This publication addresses the problem of the scientific base and methodology of this discipline. In accordance with the viewpoints of Zerfass, Firet, Van der Ven and others, the authors try to guide students to exercise practical theology from the perspective of empirical theology. This paper is an attempt to point out possible pitfalls in implementing this method of re search without theological reservations. It is an aim to modify students’ views in such a way as to overcome these dangers.
10 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigated the ideological perspective of the narrator on the topographical level in Mark's narrative and concluded that the way from Galilee to Jerusalem is the most important focal space in the Gospel.
Abstract: The ideological function of space in the narrative of Mark: A survey The aim of this article is to investigate the ideological perspective of the narrator on the topographical level in Mark’s narrative. Emphasis is placed on Galilee, Jerusalem, the way, house, town, synagogue and temple, as well as space that is put by the narrator into the mouth of Jesus as focal space in the Gospel. The conclusion is made that the ‘way’ (from Galilee to Jerusalem) must be seen as the most important focal space in the Gospel, which also gives expression to the ideological perspective of the narrator as following Jesus in suffering.
7 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a survey of the relationship between the church and the Afrikaner nation is presented, focusing on the situation in the Cape colony in the period 1625-1800.
Abstract: Church and nation 1835-1900: A survey The question of the relationship between church and nation is the subject of this historical investigation. Initially, the situation in the Cape colony in the period 1625-1800 is discussed, as well as the emergence of the Afrikaner nation. After the Great Trek and the establishment of Afrikaner republics in the north, church and nation accross the Vaal encompassed the same people. Through the teaching of the Nadere reformaiie, a mainly theocratic society was built and maintained till the war of 1899-1902.
6 citations
TL;DR: The authors argued that the unity of the Bible, so important to (Reformed) theology, ethics and life, is inevitably the result of constructions on the part of reader communities.
Abstract: What does ‘the Bible says’ mean? A typology of reader constructs It is argued that the unity of the Bible, so important to (Reformed) theology, ethics and life, is inevitably the result of constructs on the part of reader communities. A typology of such constructs is suggested, organising of ‘the Bible’ in diverse ways, in order to facilitate discussion between systematic theologians and biblical scholars.
5 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a summary of the position of the child in the ancient times and more specifically biblical times is given, and suggestions are made concerning the way in which the child should be given an acceptable position in the church.
Abstract: A New Testament perspective on children A summary of the position of the child in the ancient times and, more specifically, biblical times is first given. After this attemion is focussed upon covenantai theology pertaining to the Reformation, and the position of the child in terms of it. Then follows an exposition of the Sitz im Leben of the so-called Kinderevangelium in Mark 10:13-16 and other corresponding passages. Lastly, suggestions are made concerning the way in which the child should be given an acceptable position in the church.
TL;DR: The first in a series of two articles making a plea for the continued utilisation and application of this theory to the text of the New Testament, offers a brief discussion of the basic principles of the theory as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: Exegetes and biblical scholars are increasingly utilising the precepts of modern literary and linguistic theories in dealing with the text of the Bible. Speech act theory as well offers New Testament exegesis some additional ways and means of approaching the text of the New Testament. This first in a series of two articles making a plea for the continued utilisation and application of this theory to the text of the New Testament, offers a brief discussion of the basic principles of the theory.
TL;DR: The logic of James 1:2-4 is examined in this article, with the demonstrandum: "The believer who experiences trials must be happy." The proof of the argument runs as follows: ''If there are trials, then there is testing ( = refining) of faith. ''If the believer is to receive the crown of life, he will be happy''.
Abstract: The logic of James 1:2-4 is examined. The argument is viewed as a syllogism, with the demonstrandum: ‘The believer who experiences trials must be happy.’ The proof of the argument runs as follows: »If there are trials, then there is testing ( = refining) of faith. » If there is testing ( = refining) of faith, then there is endurance in faith. It there is endurance in faith, then there must be perfect works. »If there are perfect works, then a perfect character develops. If there is a perfect character, then each virtue is possessed and each fully developed. »If each virtue is possessed and each fully developed, then the believer will receive the crown of life. »If the believer is to receive the crown of life, he will be happy.
TL;DR: In this paper, it is argued that the Holy Spirit is indeed involved as the agent of man's ethical responsibility; this is seen as exciting, but, in 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, the alarming danger in ecumenical pneumatology is indicated.
Abstract: Modern man experiences a crisis which manifests itself across a wide spectrum: ecologically, sociologically and politically. Seen from a holistic perspective, this crisis, caused by the so-called mechanical worldview, calls for a radical change to a new worldview, the so-called postmodern or holistic view. In ecumenical theology, emphasis is also laid on the world in crisis, which calls for renewal on the same levels as in holistic thought. This change and renewal is to be brought about by the Holy Spirit, who is the agent of change in thought, and of involvement in creating a ‘new creation’. It will be argued that the Holy Spirit is indeed involved as the agent of man’s ethical responsibility; in Romans 8:1-17 this is seen as exciting, but, in 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, the alarming danger in ecumenical pneumatology is indicated.
TL;DR: The Louw/Nida dictionary as discussed by the authors is one of the most authoritative dictionaries in the English language and has been used extensively in the field of lexical semantics. But it suffers from several shortcomings.
Abstract: This essay deals with four factors which make the Louw/Nida dictionary authoritative. These include the presentation of lexical meanings in semantic domains, the definition of meanings, the distinction that is made between meaning and reference, and the layout of the dictionary. All factors a re discussed critically and examples of where the dictionary fails are given.
TL;DR: In this paper, a reinterpretation of 23:5-6 and 33:15-16 is presented as an attempt both to explain the non-fulfilment of the first three readings and to resolve the dissonance it creates.
Abstract: There are striking similarities between Jeremiah 23:5-6 and Jeremiah 33:15-16. A comparison, however, also shows interesting differences and 33:14-26, furthermore is lacking in the Septuagint tradition. Jeremiah 33:15-16 seems to be a reinterpretation of 23:5-6. This is done by generalising the content, widening the perspective and shifting the emphasis, for instance, from the king to the city, and adding a legitimate heir of David and a legitimate priest. As fa r as social context is concerned, Jeremiah 33:15-16 should perhaps be linked to the conflict between the disen franchised Levites and the Zadokites who displaced them. The reinterpretation process is an attempt both to explain the non-fulfilment of 23:5-6 and to resolve the dissonance it creates.
TL;DR: Protest marches and the role of the Nederduitsch Hervonnde Church are discussed in this paper, where it is argued that protest marches are not a magic formula for bringing about justice.
Abstract: Protest marches and the role of the Nederduitsch Hervonnde Church This artic le deals with the phenomenon of protest against the state. The fact that resistance and protest have always been part of social reality is pointed out. For this reason the state, particulary a democratic state, should provide scope for legitimate protest and protest marches. However, protest marches are not a magic formula for bringing about justice. Protest marches themselves are an extremely ambivalent matter. It is the responsibility of the church to guide the people and the nation in such a way that they will strive for attainable ideals within the bounds of possibility.
TL;DR: The use made of the Sodom and Gomorrah theme by the pre-exilic prophets is investigated first in the book of Osiah, where most of the ‘Sodom passages' occur, after which oth er eighth-century prophets as well (as later pre exilic prophets) a re in corporated into the investigation.
Abstract: The use made of the Sodom and Gomorrah theme by the pre-exilic prophets is investigated first in the book of Osiah, where most of the ‘Sodom passages’ occur, after which oth er eighth-century prophets as well (as later pre-exilic prophets) a re in corporated into the investigation. Finally, the complex of prophetic motifs is related to the Sodom story in Genesis 18-19. It is argued that the narrative is a unit, dating from the seventh century BCE, about a crisis in social values and about punishment which does not jeopardise God ’s righteousness towards individuals. Far from being at variance with the prophetic perspective, its tru st is thoroughly compatible with th e way in which th e prophets used the Sodom theme during the eighth and in subsequent centuries.
TL;DR: The negative reports on multicultural education received from various countries are disquieting for the Dutch Reformed Church of Africa (Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk van Afrika) as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: Christian national education in the new South Africa The Dutch Reformed Church of Africa (Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk van Afrika), as a People’s Church, according to Scripture takes an intense interest in the education of the nation’s youth. According to educational principles, the best school is one in own cultural milieu. The negative reports on multicultural education received from various countries are disquieting for the Church. Consequently, it is necessary to contemplate different options for maintaining Christian national education in a new era.
TL;DR: The second of a series of two essays on Jesus the Galilean as mentioned in this paper addresses the question whether he was an eschatological prophet or a wisdom teacher, or perhaps a combination of both.
Abstract: The words and works of Jesus the Galilean can be interpreted against the background of different possible roles. These include prophet, teacher, magician and healer. This essay addresses the question whether he was an eschatological prophet or a wisdom teacher, or perhaps a combination of both. The implications of placing Jesus in these roles are worked out in the essay, which is the second of a series of two essays on Jesus the Galilean. Attention is also paid to the nature of the sources which make it possible to fit Jesus into different roles.
TL;DR: In this article, three recent South African books on Scripture from various theological trad itio n s and social circles (one Reformed, one Dutch Reformed and one Methodist, two by white authors and one by a black author) are discussed in order to evaluate their arguments and ascertain their points of difference, with a view to enhancing a meaningful South African dialogue on Scripture.
Abstract: Three recent South African books on Scripture from various theological trad itio n s and social circles (one Reformed, one Dutch Reformed and one Methodist, two by white authors and one by a black author) are discussed in order to evaluate their arguments and ascertain their points of difference, with a view to enhancing a meaningful South African dialogue on Scripture.
TL;DR: The humanistic understanding of man and the influence it has on the Church is discussed in this article, where the main purpose of the essay is to reflect on the humanistic understand of man, and on the influence of this understanding on the church.
Abstract: The humanistic understanding of man The main purpose of this essay is to reflect on the humanistic understanding of man, and on the influence it has on the church. For the humanist man’s understanding of himself actually determines his own being. On the other hand, what man experiences of his own being and the world he has created for himself occupies his mind, and this again determines his thoughts.
TL;DR: A review of the contributions of the sociological and the cultural anthropological approaches to the New Testament is undertaken before the social-scientific approach as a whole is evaluated in this paper.
Abstract: A broadened perspective to the past? The social scientific approach to the New Testament This paper focuses on the possibilities that the social scientific approach holds out for the understanding of the New Testament. A review of the contributions of the sociological and the cultural anthropological approaches to the New Testament is undertaken before the social-scientific approach as a whole is evaluated. The use of social-scientific models, in particular, in the construction of the possible social contexts of the New Testament documents, is evaluated in terms of the ability of these contexts to establish ‘new’ systems of meaning.
TL;DR: The lack of consensus concerning the structure of 1 John applies to the division in main sections and the subdivisions of each main section, as well as to the proposed themes for the various sections as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: The lack of consensus concerning the structure of 1 John applies to the division in main sections and the subdivisions of each main section, as well as to the proposed themes for the various sections. In this paper the opinions of some of the most prominent scholars are shortly discussed and assessed. In this procedure the scholar’s proposals for the different transitions of the main sections and subsections are critically scrutinised. In the new proposal that follows, the view is expressed that, if certain literary features such as chiasms and parallelisms are duly taken in consideration, it can be asserted that 1 John does display a coherent structure of some sort.
TL;DR: The catechetical instruction of the children of the faithful, that Calvin introduced in Geneva, is described in this paper, where the role played by the parents, school and ministers in the religious education of children is discussed.
Abstract: Catechesis, catechisms, and the confession of faith in Geneva during the life of Calvin In this article the catechetical instruction of the children of the faithful, that Calvin introduced in Geneva, is described. In the first place attention is given to the catechetical instruction as Calvin and Farel practised it during the years 1536-1538. On his return to Geneva in 1541 Calvin reorganised the catechetical instruction and expanded it. Attention is given to the catechetical material that was used and the role played by the parents, school and ministers in the religious education of the children. Finally the quality of Calvin’s work is briefly discussed.
TL;DR: The broad general principles upon which his educational philosophy is based, from three sources: these are data on his educational activities in Geneva, the educational opinions that appeared in his writings, and the implications of his theological views for education as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: John Calvin as pedagogue Calvin was not only a theologian, but a competent pedagogue as well. He set a high value on education, and promoted it actively, but never systematically committed his views on it to paper. His educational views were not purely educational, but connected to a particular theological view. It is nevertheless possible to construct the broad general principles upon which his educational philosophy is based, from three sources: these are data on his educational activities in Geneva, the educational opinions that appeared in his writings, and the implications of his theological views for education.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors argue that a critical interpretation of the meaning of the dogma is essential to keep the dogma relevant and alive in the face of contemporary temptations and attacks.
Abstract: The meaning of the dogma Because dogmatic decisions of the past are not guaranteed to remain relevant for contemporary temptations and attacks, and because the dogma is by intrinsically relative to the Word of God, this article argues that a critical interpre tation of the dogma is essential. The purpose of such a critical interpretation must be to keep dogma relevant and alive. Therefore questions like the origin of the dogma, the essence of the dogma, the hermeneutics of the dogma and the task of dogmatics, should be answered.
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TL;DR: In this article, the question "Who was Jesus?" is investigated and the answer given to the question is explained in the context of a first-century Galilean historical context, and the phrase "Jesus the Galilean" is discussed in an attempt to situate Jesus in a first century historical context.
Abstract: One of the most challenging problems in New Testament research concerns the question, ‘Who was Jesus?’ In the first part of this essay attention is paid to why there is so much confusion in the answers given to the question. Then the phrase ‘Jesus the Galilean’ is discussed in an attempt to situate Jesus in a first-century Galilean historical context.
TL;DR: Holistic interpretation compared to analytical interpretation in biblical hermeneutics is discussed in this paper, where the relevance of Christianity in a changing vision of reality is discussed as well as the possible advantages and disadvantages of the holistic approach.
Abstract: Holistic interpretation compared to analytical interpretation in biblical hermeneutics In recent years there has been growing interest in a holistic approach to biblical hermeneutics. If this holistic approach leads us to a new, post-critical, macro-paradigmatic model, the concequences for hermeneutics - indeed for theology as a whole - should be examined. Mechanism and holism should be explained in terms of each other, to compare their possible advantages and disadvantages. Finally, the relevance of Christianity amid changing visions of reality is discussed.
TL;DR: In this paper, an intertextual reading program is proposed which should include the literature of Proverbs to enable one to form a theological viewpoint on holism, and this summary is used to define on a comparative basis the viewpoint on totality found in the didactic poems in Proverbs 1-9.
Abstract: Holism and totality As a contribution to the debate on postmodernism and holism, the viewpoint of J C Smuts is firstly summarised in this paper. Next, this summary is used to define on a comparative basis the viewpoint on totality found in the didactic poems of Proverbs 1-9. In conclusion an intertextual reading programme is proposed which should include the literature of Proverbs to enable one to form a theological viewpoint on holism.