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Item Open Access In pursuit of the millennium: Judeans and their land*(Faculty of Theology, University of the Free State, 2007) Cromhout, M.English: This article aims to indicate the importance of the concept “land” with regard to the nature of Judean ethnic identity. It shows from evidence in the Bible and contemporary literature how Yahweh, the people, and the land belonged together.In this article events from the Maccabean Revolt onwards are recounted to illustrate how much was based on the Judean claim and attitude to the land. The article also illustrates that the concept “land” had been the central focus of eschatological expectations as witnessed by the investigation of the relevant documents.Item Open Access The critique of Gĩkũyũ religion and culture in S.N. Ngũbiah's A curse from God(Faculty of Theology, University of the Free State, 2007) Hale, F.English: The relationship between missionary Christianity and traditional African cultures was a prominent theme in post-colonial literature during and for many years after the era of decolonisation.In contrast to the nostalgic defensiveness of many Kenyan and other post-colonial African writers, perhaps most notably Ngugi wa Thiong’o, the Gikuyu novelist S.N. Ngubiah found not salvation but a burden in certain aspects of his precolonialist indigenous culture. In his novel A curse from God (1970) Ngubiah challenges obliquely but unmistakably the long-accepted position of his fellow Gikuyu (and first national leader of independent Kenya) Jomo Kenyatta, particularly as argued in Facing Mount Kenya , that a return to tribal folkways was a precondition to economic and social upliftment.This clash between a traditionalist and a modernist exemplifies the larger predicament facing African societies as they undergo rapid religio-cultural transformation. At least as early as the 1950s, and seen perhaps most vividly in Chinua Achebe’s Things fall apart , African littérateurs began to use fiction as a forum in which to challenge the tribulations resulting from the impact of European cultures on their own.In general terms, this soon became a recurrent theme in postcolonial African literature in English, French, and other languages. A minor counter-current developed, however, when some African writers began to emphasise their conviction that at least part of the genesis of the woes they saw around them came from within and criticised the facile use of foreign cultural intrusions as scapegoats, particularly when that practice distracted from what they regarded as a need for internal reform.In the present article I shall examine how one such writer, Kenyan novelist S.N. Ngubiah, crossed verbal swords with the internationally renowned champion of Gikuyu culture and first post-independence leader of Kenya, Jomo Kenyatta, in his novel of 1970, A curse from God .Item Open Access Johannine metaphors/symbols linked to the Paraclete-Spirit and their theological implications(Faculty of Theology, University of the Free State, 2007) Joubert, J.English: The Johannine author uses metaphors and symbols to enable the primary and secondary readers to come to a better understanding of the Paraclete-Spirit.The study of particular Johannine metaphors is valuable in understanding the message and theology of John.The use of the dove, water and wind metaphors in the Johannine Gospel definitely has functional and theological implications for the Pneumatology of John. The Johannine author uses imagery freely in expressing his Pneumatological message. He does not express his message regarding the Paraclete-Spirit merely in the form of a theological discourse, but by using the metaphors dove, water and wind.By exploring the relationship between the various Paraclete-Spirit metaphors, a larger and more coherent picture emerges, which opens the view to the interrelatedness of various theological themes.Such a metaphorical description of the Paraclete-Spirit in the Johannine Gospel has genuine potential and deserves to be explored.Item Open Access Lidmate se houding teenoor kerkvereniging in die NGK-familie: 'n kruiskulturele ondersoek na enkele veranderlikes(Faculty of Theology, University of the Free State, 2007) Jonck, P.; Le Roux, A.; Verster, P.English: The unity of the church of Christ is a spiritual reality, which finds its origin in the triune God.Although unity is a spiritual reality given by God himself, a comprehensive, visible expression of this essential unity must be achieved. The family of Dutch Reformed Churches in South Africa is currently struggling to achieve visible unity.In this study, two research questions were posed. Firstly, what is members of the family of Dutch Reformed Churches’ attitude towards church unification? Secondly, are there statistically significant differences among members of the family of Dutch Reformed of Churches’ attitude towards church unification when home language, level of education and monthly income are taken into account? A total of 223 respondents were included, which consisted of 104 (46,6%) Dutch Reformed Church members, 72 (32,3%) DRC in Africa members and 47 (21,1%) Uniting Reformed Church members.The Attitude towards Church Unification Questionnaire was utilized.Statistical analysis concluded that members of the Dutch Reformed Churches in all the different denominations have a positive attitude towards church unification.The variable found to have the greatest influence on the attitude of church members was home language.Monthly household income was also significant at the 5% level, while level of education did not have a statistically significant influence on people’s attitude towards church unification.Item Open Access Metateoretiese perspektiewe op liggaamlike probleme as moontlike uitbloeisel van onverwerkte trauma(Faculty of Theology, University of the Free State, 2007) Coetzer, W.; Kotzé, H.English: This article focuses on the close relationship between unresolved trauma and some physical problems.For most persons, the initial response to trauma is that of denial.However, emotional pain that is suppressed on a continued basis could result in physical problems.With regard to this aspect, attention is also paid to the contribution by research in the field of psychoneuroimmunology.In this regard, special emphasis is placed on the intimate relationship between body and emotions, as well as the role of the immune system.The role of unresolved trauma with regard to some specific diseases is also discussed.In conclusion, a number of specific guidelines regarding a holistic approach in the pastoral counselling of traumatized persons are presented.Item Open Access Die sinodale verband van die Nederduitse Gereformeerde Kerk in die Vrystaat: enkele tendense by die ontstaan daarvan in 1864-1865(Faculty of Theology, University of the Free State, 2007) Strauss, P. J.English: In the Reformed tradition the basic documents of a church, apart from the Bible on which it should be based, are its confessions of faith and its church order.These documents show tendencies which indicate the orientation point and belief of such a church.If one investigates the way in which the Dutch Reformed Church in the Free State approached its confessions and church order at the church conference in 1864 where it was founded, and at its first Synod in 1865, three points emerge.Firstly this Synod was historically close to the Dutch Reformed Church in the Cape;secondly it was Reformed in its government, but mixed it with elements of collegialism;and thirdly it was focused on the Orange Free State, the country in which it originated. Elements of the same approach can still be seen in this synod today.It still wants to be Reformed;it still has a stability and tendency not to be radical — it very often stays in calm waters — and it can be convinced of the merit of an issue if it can be shown that it corresponds to the Scriptures and the confessions.Apart from that, there are indications that it clearly sees itself as a synod in the Free State Province.Item Open Access Kom ons skryf 'n Psalm!(Faculty of Theology, University of the Free State, 2007) Snyman, S. D.English: This article is a report on an exercise in Psalm writing performed by theological students in a course on the introduction, exegesis and theology of the Psalms.What was interesting and surprising was that, without a thorough knowledge ofthe literary genres used in the canonical Psalms, the students made use of genres like the individual lament, wisdom and psalms of trust.Little could be gained from the student-psalms of the setting in life ( Sitz im Leben ) of the psalms.Due to the personal nature of the psalms, the exact setting in life was even deliberately obscured.This should caution modern day researchers of the canonical Psalms to be mindful of the fact that the reconstruction of the setting in life of canonical psalms is indeed only a reconstruction of what we think might have been the setting in life.Item Open Access Strategiese bakens vir die wisselwerking tussen eenheid, verskeidenheid en roepingsvervulling in die plaaslike kerk(Faculty of Theology, University of the Free State, 2007) Van Wyk, G.; De Klerk, B. J.English: Every local church, although part of a greater denomination, finds itself in a unique context with unique ministerial needs.It is of the utmost importance for every local church to be contextual in its ministry.To make this possible a Scriptural view of the interplay between the unity of the church, the diversity of the church and the fulfilment of the calling of the church, currently not existing, is a key factor.The primary goal of this article is to provide guidelines to churches to assure the contextualisation of their calling and ministerial strategy.Beacons were developed in the light of the Scriptural interplay and presented as guidelines for the local church.The beacons are,in short:1.Identifying the unique context;2.Ascertaining of the current interplay;3.Ascertaining of the Scriptural interplay;4.Breaking through traditions;5.Creating balance in the interplay;6.Ensuring unity in communal interest;7.Ensuring diversity, not in own interest;8.Accommodating each other.