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Item Open Access Pastorale begeleiding van die emosioneel verwonde tiener(Faculty of Theology, University of the Free State, 2014) Coetzer, W.; De Klerk, T. C.Pastoral counseling of the emotionally wounded teenager Many teenagers struggle with the consequences of emotional injuries. Simultaneously they are moving through the difficult phase of adolescence which may complicate their situation. In this article the first focus is the typical factors which compound the difficulties in this phase. Secondly we focus on a variety of possible causes of emotional injury. The results and consequences of such injuries form the third issue investigated. In the last instance attention is given to some pastoral-theological points of departure concerning counselling of emotionally injured young people. To these young people their frame of reference is influenced by amongst other things their families, school, church and friends. To experience real meaning in life the teenager's relationship with God has to be healed, for this relationship determines all other inter-personal relationships. The spiritual deepening accompanying this process often also significantly contributes to the eventual handling of unprocessed hurt from the past.Item Open Access Cyril of Alexandria speaks for God in his interpretation of the Holy Bible(Faculty of Theology, University of the Free State, 2014) Artemi, E.Cyril of Alexandria is known more for his defence of Alexandrian Christology than for his accomplishments as an interpreter of the Old and New Testaments. Although the fathers were aware that the Old Testament's idiom differed from that of the New Testament, they considered the Bible to be one book and that each part thereof complemented the other. Cyril emphasises that "[t]he entire Scripture is one book, and was spoken by the one Holy Spirit" (Isaiah PG 70, 656A). The unity of the Bible is based on Christ; without him, it is difficult to view Leviticus, Proverbs, Ezekiel, Mark's gospel, the Acts of the Apostles or the first epistle of John as part of one Holy Book, the Bible.Item Open Access The garden of love: some orthodox perspectives on the spirit and the church(Faculty of Theology, University of the Free State, 2014) Dumitraşcu, D.In contemporary cultures, we often observe a strong shift of values. Traditional religious ones are being replaced with "worldly" - at times petty - values. Within this context, notion and understanding of "paradise" takes a central place. Indeed, this is frequently regarded as a consolation for failed ambition on earth, rather than as recognition of true communion with God. In fact, in paradise, human beings existed in a state of harmony with their Creator and the rest of creation, as well as with themselves. Due to the fall, human beings have been deprived of Grace. However, God sent the gift of His Son to recreate cosmic unity through His body, the Church. This article explores the manner in which the Church mysteriously shapes paradise life on earth.Item Open Access Biblical metaphor: the cosmic garden heritage(Faculty of Theology, University of the Free State, 2014) Green, B.An inquiry into the nature of metaphor, as it has evolved since Aristotle and particularly in the late twentieth century, allows fresh consideration of biblical texts. Using as a sample trope the ancient Near Eastern and biblical figure of the cosmic garden where humans live with the gods until they are exiled, the article works out the implications of the image, using prophetic texts and cognitive theory. Briefly and generally, then, three other texts are considered: Genesis 2-3, Deuteronomy, Song of Songs, where the figure is present but signifying differently. The article closes with a consideration of how moderns may be addressed by this biblical metaphor.Item Open Access Gender and Jewishness: a Greimassian analysis of Susanna(Faculty of Theology, University of the Free State, 2014) Kanonge, D. M.This article investigates the possible gender agenda of Susanna. Gender is one of the most debated issues in the study of the story. A frequently asked question is: "does Susanna reinforce or undermine patriarchy?" Most scholars, mainly feminists, are pessimistic and suspicious about the subversive programme of Susanna. This study addresses the above concern using the Greimassian approach to narratives, as refined by Everaert-Desmedt. The approach comprises three levels of analysis: the figurative, the narrative and the thematic. Results from preliminary analysis appear to highlight "Jewishness" as the main concern here. True Jewishness seems to depend exclusively on the commitment to the Law, regardless of gender. A woman such as Susanna, committed to the Law even to the cost of her life, is a true Jew (θνγάτπρ Ϊούδας). Men like the elders, opposing the Law, are corrupt and corrupting strangers (θττέρμα Χαναάν). Accordingly, Susanna undermines rather than reinforces patriarchy.Item Open Access Communities facing disruption: the need to shift from individual to community paradigms in pastoral care(Faculty of Theology, University of the Free State, 2014) Mouton, D. P.In a country regarded as one of the most violent and unequal in the world, no community in South Africa is spared the intrusive, disruptive and traumatizing effects of a seemingly well-established culture of violence. Although people are affected by these in an individual capacity, the well-being of entire communities is at risk. This presents us with the question of whether our pastoral care orientations are adequately aligned with the needs of the communities affected by disruptive phenomena. In response to this question the article sets out to present a pleading case for pastoral theologians and care givers to become aware of the traumatizing contexts within which our communities exist. It further provides Biblical and theological motivation for a (w)holistic understanding of health, well-being, healing and restoration that is only fully understood when such understanding is undergirded by an acute awareness of the relational and communal dimension of each of these.Item Open Access A hundred years of theological training in the Apostolic Faith Mission of South Africa(Faculty of Theology, University of the Free State, 2014) Nel, M.The AFM started as an interracial mission with a strong emphasis on the "anointing of the Holy Spirit" and the ministry of each member of the assembly. Leadership was developed through the local church as the body of Christ and there were no distinctions between clergy and laity. All who were saved were expected (and trained) to witness; no theological training was required for the different levels of ministry, not even for preachers. There was a hierarchy starting with church members being witnesses, but with the opportunity to develop into a deacon, elder, local preacher, and finally an overseer. In this article the development of training for the ministry along separate lines for different racial groups in accordance with the ruling Apartheid policy of the Nationalist government is discussed. After a hundred years the AFM has one training structure with a new centralized seminary and one curriculum for all.Item Open Access The problem of cultural stereotyping in the pastoral care of a suicidal person(Faculty of Theology, University of the Free State, 2014) Ogbuanu, J. N.Suicide is a complex phenomenon; attempts to reduce or prevent it remain a challenge. Completed suicide has a deep negative impact on society. Suicidologists estimate that suicide will negatively affect at least ten times as many people as an accidental death or sudden death from illness. This article attempts to contribute to the prevention of suicide. It explores the future of pastoral care for a suicidal person using European and African contexts. It identifies cultural stereotyping as a problem that has influenced pastoral care. It argues that an objective challenge to the stereotypes and a possible dialogue of cultures and approaches is needed. Particular reference to the culture and spirituality of the suicidal person could be proactive to pastoral care of suicidal persons in our multicultural society.Item Open Access Christ as once for all sacrifice: a cultural reading of Hebrews(Faculty of Theology, University of the Free State, 2014) Pali, K. J.The practice of sacrifices to the ancestors is still prevalent among some African Christians and it is inspired by various factors such as religious considerations or political aspirations through African renaissance. Furthermore, scholars argue as to whether this practice of sacrifices to the ancestors is Biblical or not. This article aims to determine that, from Hebrews, the demise of Old Testament sacrifices brings an end to ancestral sacrifice.Item Open Access Interpretations of the Tower of Babel narrative in the African context(Faculty of Theology, University of the Free State, 2014) Rathbone, M.Biblical scholarship from the African context provides possible new and creative perspectives for the interpretation of the Tower of Babel narrative because of uniquely African questions that structure the interpretative process. These unique questions relate to the cultures of African people, the injustice of colonialism, apartheid and so forth. The problem is that some of these new perspectives are influenced by rationalism that may result in reductionist interpretations of the Tower of Babel narrative. This is clear in the African cultural hermeneutics of Solomon Avotri and Black African hermeneutics of emeritus arch-bishop Desmond Tutu. The contemporary move among some biblical scholars from the African context that focus on the interaction between scholarly and non-scholarly interpreters of the Bible is an attempt to address the problems associated with rationalism. The art of Azaria Mbatha will be used to illustrate the potential of this contemporary move.Item Open Access Enkele treë tot 'n moontlike re-konfigurasie van pastorale terapie? Perspektiewe op ontwikkelende praktyke(Faculty of Theology, University of the Free State, 2014) Van den Berg, J. A.; De Beer, A.; Fourie, M.Some steps in a possible re-configuration of pastoral therapy? Perspectives on developing practices In this article perspectives regarding the development and transformation of pastoral care from being only the responsibility of individual ordained professionals towards a model of care for and by the community and its members, are described. In this development the emphasis is placed on pastoral care as a public theological endeavour with a strong strategic component resonating with the character of practical theology. A specific case study derived from the postgraduate program in pastoral therapy in the Department of Practical Theology, Faculty of Theology, University of the Free State, is portrayed. A lecturer and two former students reflect on certain developments in the program using a model of narrative research and reflection. In this description developing and possible alternative perspectives are sketched for possible future developments in the teaching and providing of pastoral therapy.Item Open Access Hosea 6:6 and identity formation in Matthew(Faculty of Theology, University of the Free State, 2014) Viljoen, F. P.Matthew uses Hos. 6:6 in two scenes of conflict between Jesus and the Pharisees. He defines the differences between Jesus and the Pharisees in terms of adherence to the Law with focus on the mercy that God desires. Matthew depicts Jesus as one who teaches and enacts Hos. 6:6 in continuity with the original prophetic intention of this statement. Jesus teaches by example by enacting mercy towards the marginalized and people in need. He loves the way Hosea announces that God intends his people to love. Jesus Himself becomes the presence and source of mercy. Jesus forms the central focus and prototype of the Matthean community. The community should follow his example.Item Open Access Religion and conflict resolution: Christianity and South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Megan Shore: book review(Faculty of Theology, University of the Free State, 2014) Haron, Muhammed"Religion and conflict resolution", as field of study, may be viewed as a relatively new area of specialization in contemporary international studies and more specifically in political studies. This may be attributed to the fact that religion has made a dramatic comeback into the public arena after decades of marginalization, and that it has gradually played a positive role in developmental affairs internationally. In the light of these developments, Megan Shore - who is a staff at the University of Western Ontario in Canada - decidedly paid attention to this area by giving particular attention to the way Christianity influenced the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) and the general outcomes in this post-conflict nation-state.Item Open Access Met die oog op God. Voorveronderstellings van die reformatoriese invalshoek op Praktiese Teologie, B.J. de Klerk en F.W. de Wet (Reds.): boekresensie(Faculty of Theology, University of the Free State, 2014) Laubscher, MartinAfrikaans: Die verskyning van 'n plaaslike (prakties) teologiese vakboek - en dan nog in Afrikaans! - is beslis nie iets wat ongesiens verby kan gaan nie. Siende die Suid-Afrikaanse akademiese sisteem veel meer artikels as boeke beloon, was daar vanuit meet 'n nuuskierigheid en waardering by die leser vir hierdie bydrae. Nie net spreek dit die behoefte aan boeke op plaaslike front in vaktaal aan nie, maar dit probeer so ook om weliswaar 'n meer omvattende en indringende bydrae te lewer. Of die boek egter daarin slaag om waarlik as boek oor te kom was deurentyd by my 'n vraag. Afgesien van die laaste opsommende hoofstuk (elf) bestaan die boek uit artikels wat tussen 2010 en 2012 in plaaslike vakjoernale verskyn het. Uiteraard is daar voor- en nadele daaraan verbonde. Aan die een kant belig dit die die bos teenoor die bome, versterk dit die vloei en ordening van die groter argument in die besonder, maar aan die ander kant was daar herhaling asook 'n gevoel by die leser dat ek dit reeds vroeër en elders onder oë gehad het. Die spanning tussen nuut en tweedehands was inherent deurgaans teenwoordig. Ter inleiding dus kan die leser opmerk dat die boek beslis 'n onmiddellike toevoeging tot die Suid-Afrikaanse prakties-teologiese boekrak lewer, maar vanweë sy duidelik artikel-georiënteerde geskiedenis is dit ongelukkig 'n beperkte bydrae. Dalk is dit 'n te hoë verwagting, maar wat as die boek in plaas van te versamel eerder waarlik kon groei vanuit die vorige publikasieproses?