Missiology

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Browsing Missiology by Subject "Apartheid -- South Africa"

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    The SADF conscript generation and its search for healing, reconciliation and social justice
    (University of the Free State, 2015) Bezuidenhout, Pieter Hendrik Schalk; Verster, P.
    𝑬𝒏𝒈𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒉 The former (Afrikaner) SADF-conscript generation is to a large extent experiencing an identity crisis. This crisis is due to two factors. First of all, there is a new dispensation where Afrikaners are a minority group. They feel alienated and even frustrated and confused. Secondly, their identity has been challenged and some would say defeated. What is their role and new identity in the current SA? They fought a war and participated internally in operations within a specific local, regional and global context. This identity had been formed through their own particular history as well as certain theological and ideological worldviews and frameworks. The Tempe shooting incident in Bloemfontein in 1999 was the clash of two ideological worlds. It showed how fragile peace and relationships between different diverse groupings still are. The responses to a questionnaire completed by this generation indicate a certain degree of confusion, woundedness, ignorance and an unwillingness to embrace the changes taking place in this country. This Afrikaner identity (beliefs, attitudes, worldview), as argued in this study, should be Biblically and Christologically reoriented. The Church as an agent is in the unique position to facilitate a spiritual process of taking responsibility of its part in the past and present, to confess to it and thus starting the process of being healed of the scars of the past, experiencing forgiveness and being in the position to bring a positive contribution to our country. It is the only way to adapt, survive and to make meaningful contributions towards the new South Africa. A spiritual process, their own ‘TRC’ can contribute to real reconciliation in the country. ___________________________________________________________________