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Item Open Access Obituaries and predictions: a sociological perspective on the future of religion(Faculty of Theology, University of the Free State, 2013) Beyers, J.Religion is a social phenomenon. Society and, therefore, religion will continue to exist as long as human beings exist. This article explores this syllogism, by analysing two 19th-century social theories on the future of religion. Weber was not positive as to the future of religion and foresaw that religion would die out at the hands of rationality and modernisation. Durkheim predicted that religion would suffer at the hands of rationality and modernisation, but that it would not die out completely. It would disappear from the public domain and become a private matter. As private matter, religion might even grow, according to Durkheim. These theories became the framework for all theories on religion and secularisation. Berger, Luckmann and others followed along these lines. A new appraisal of where we currently stand with the effects of secularisation on religion is necessary. At present, religion is perceived as being vibrant and active. There are reasons why religion did not disappear or become invisible as was predicted. The article investigates certain key characteristics of current society in order to determine the nature of religion in the future. It examines the role of pluralism, individualism and the effect of uncertainty. The result as to the future of religion is a dichotomy of continuity and discontinuity.Item Open Access A practical-theological perspective on corruption: towards a solution-based approach in practice(Faculty of Theology, University of the Free State, 2013) Coetzer, W; Snell, L. E.This article aims to delineate the basis-theoretical and meta-theoretical perspectives on the phenomenon of corruption. It defines solution-based pastoral markers should the research indeed establish a definitive role for pastoral theology in addressing this serious societal ill. Thus it attempts to scrutinize the dynamic factors associated with the phenomenon of corruption in general and as it pertains to South Africa. It also examines the views of both Scripture and related disciplines on corruption, then compare some of the current solutions proposed in the literature on dealing with it. Furthermore, it determines and practically delineate the role and parameters of practical theology in an attempt to address the issue of corruption. Finally, one of the following hypotheses is accepted: Firstly, Practical Theology has a distinct role to conduct in rooting out corruption within society. Secondly, Practical Theology has no defined role in assisting with the eradication of corruption within society.Item Open Access Passive-aggressive resistance against apartheid at the federal theological seminary of Southern Africa(Faculty of Theology, University of the Free State, 2013) Duncan, G.The passive aggressive behaviour theory of de Angelis (2009) combined with the "hidden transcript" theory of Scott (1985, 1990) and the racial conflict theory of Himes (1971) provide a theoretical framework for understanding resistance to apartheid in South Africa as a protective mechanism. The specific focus of this paper is passive-aggressive resistance centred at the Federal Theological Seminary of Southern Africa (Fedsem). This was demonstrated in both overt and covert forms of behaviour in the educational approach developed at Fedsem, its worship life and spirituality and demonstrations.Item Open Access An architectonics of desire: the person on the path to Nada in John of the Cross(Faculty of Theology, University of the Free State, 2013) England, F.The strenuous ascetic that is established in The Ascent of Mount Carmel and The Dark Night by John of the Cross, frequently, and not illegitimately, is viewed as the purging of desire, but often to the extent that desire exclusively is perceived as a detrimental and negative quality. With a modest shift in perspective, this article attempts to read John through the lens of desire, rather than against it. It employs the notion of 'desireless desire', in order to describe John's final position of waiting as one that neither dispenses with an authentically human and desiring subject, nor compromises the final aim of union with God.Item Open Access Contours of pacificism Ramsden Balmforth's advocacy of peace in the union of South Africa and beyond(Faculty of Theology, University of the Free State, 2013) Hale, F.Among the many dimensions of Christian pacifism in South Africa which remain underexplored is the ministry of the Unitarian minister Ramsden Balmforth (1861-1941). For approximately four decades beginning shortly after his arrival in Cape Town in 1897, this Christian socialist devoted part of his time to efforts to promote peace both in southern Africa and on a broader, almost global, scale. It is argued that Balmforth was not at any time an absolute pacifist, and that the distinction between "pacifism" and "pacificism'' which was advanced by inter alia the British historians A.J.P. Taylor and Martin Ceadel is particularly useful for interpreting Balmforth and placing him on the spectrum of positions with regard to the ethical defensibility of taking up arms.Item Open Access Not by order, nor by dialogue: the metanoetic presence of the Kingdom of God in a fluid new world and church(Faculty of Theology, University of the Free State, 2013) Joubert, S.Fluid modernity favours new forms of individualism, complexity and non-linear change. Therefore, the emphasis on order, predictability and open dialogue in religious circles, as preferred ways of responding to change and problems, must be augmented by a metanoetic understanding of the kingdom of God. As a subversive, upside-down new reality, God's kingdom is relationally driven, open-ended and in constant flux. Through "metanoia", as the urgent boundary-crossing call of Jesus, individuals become part of this subversive new world where selfless love for God and others dominates. As an ongoing process of personal metamorphosis, "metanoia" simultaneously facilitates new forms of "complexity leadership", where religious leaders turn into sages who create fluid new structures to facilitate familial relationships and a new culture of respect in which believers are allowed to thrive in their Spirit-induced flow states.Item Open Access Post-foundational practical theology as correlational hermeneutic(Faculty of Theology, University of the Free State, 2013) Macallan, B.; Hendriks, H. J.The article argues that Practical Theology has moved from the uncertainty of simply being applied theology to a point where its methodology, described as the pastoral cycle in this instance, has gained such confidence that it is viewed as the natural way of doing theology. This shift in confidence occurred because the inherent theological and epistemological fault lines in foundationalism are no longer obscure. The article defines foundationalism and then focuses on describing the local and global dimensions of the pastoral cycle as well as the importance of doing it in an interdisciplinary manner.Item Open Access Chronicler's women - a holistic appraisal(Faculty of Theology, University of the Free State, 2013) Olojede, F.This article attempts to fill, in part, the gap in scholarship on the role of women in the book of Chronicles by providing data to show that the Chronicler succeeded in highlighting the roles and status of women in ancient Israel, as he copiously employed materials that are otherwise unknown in the biblical text and modified his Vorlage. A relentless focus on kinship and familial ties is discernible in the analysis of the roles and positions of the women who are presented in a way that shows their affinities to the people (or land) of Israel. It is argued that the Chronicler was intent on showing that women – all kinds of women – were a solid part of Israel’s story and of its identity that was being redefined and reconstituted. Besides affirming his concept of laer'f.yI-lk', the Chronicler’s presentation clearly reflects the changing sociocultural patterns of his time, especially in relation to exilic/post-exilic Israelite women.Item Open Access "Sacherklärungen" in biblischen Texten - vorkommen und bedeutung für die Bibelübersetzung(Faculty of Theology, University of the Free State, 2013) Stenschke, C.In several places in the Old and New Testament narratives we find different explanatory notes. Through them, the biblical authors provide the necessary background information so that the readers can better understand the actions or words of the protagonists or geographical locations. On the one hand these notes indicate that at least some of the intended readers were not familiar with all aspects of the environment of the biblical events. Therefore such notes allow some indirect conclusions concerning the readers. On the other hand these notes show the intention of the biblical authors to communicate effectively. They wanted to communicate in detail with their readers and in order to do so they "brought" the world of the narrated events to the readers. Their texts should be understood without further information. These explanatory notes carry several implications for present day Bible translation and the content of modern Bible editions. These notes also indicate that that the biblical authors did not universalise their message for the sake of easier communication. Rather they left their message in its geographical, historical and cultural context and added the necessary information so that it nevertheless could be understood. This underlines God's revelation to concrete people in history.Item Open Access Divine exultation and agony in the face of evil, a creation theodicy of divine restraint(Faculty of Theology, University of the Free State, 2013) Potgieter, R.Horrendous evil describes the anthropological view of excessive evils which devastate and dehumanise both victim and perpetrator, casting doubt as to whether life is worth living. Divine exultation and divine agony are viewed from the perspective of divinity, whose initial creation brought God pleasure and its fall an offence so deep that, though he considered its total destruction, God instead opted for divine restraint.Item Open Access Die ouderling in twee kerkordes in die Dordtse tradisie(Faculty of Theology, University of the Free State, 2013) Strauss, P. J.This article concentrates on what the mandate or task of the church elder in the tradition of the church order of Dordt (DCO) is. It calls this tradition as being Calvinistic and Dordt orientated. It argues that the influence of John Calvin on the topic of the elder and it's mandate can be seen in the DCO and works through in the recent church orders of the Christian Reformed of North America and the Dutch Reformed Church. In essence the elder is seen as an office that governs the church through the Word of God. This is why the elder in the Calvinistic-Dordt tradition is a worthy and winning opponent of the Roman Catholic pope.Item Open Access The spirit of the body of Christ: the Holy Spirit's indwelling in the church(Faculty of Theology, University of the Free State, 2013) Van de Beek, A.Contrary to present-day tendencies in theology, the author argues that the church is the exclusive place of the work of the Holy Spirit, with reference to early church fathers such as Cyprian and Augustine, and to the New Testament. The Spirit is the presence of Christ who indwells his body. Therefore, the concept of social Trinity is rejected. As the Spirit of the Crucified, the Spirit displays the same strength in weakness : a pneumatologia cruces is the consequence of a crucis as aspects of a theologia crucis. Specific attention is paid to I Corinthians.Item Open Access Towards relevant theological education in Africa: comparing the international discourse with contextual challenges(Faculty of Theology, University of the Free State, 2013) Wahl, W. P.During the past five decades the heartland of global Christianity has shifted to the Southern hemisphere. This places the responsibility of future Christianity predominantly in the hands of church leaders in these regions. It is therefore crucial to critically reflect on how effective theological education is to produce competent church leaders, especially in Africa. This article aims to give an overview of the challenges theological education in Africa is currently facing, and then to provide a macro vision of the major moments in the development of the international discourse on theological education over the past five decades. This comparison will inform practitioners about the relevance of current models used for theological education in Africa. By highlighting the relevance of these various models and how they relate to challenges in Africa, this article contributes to research on the development of new and alternative frameworks for theological education in an African context.Item Open Access Spiritualiteit in het Lucasevangelie. Verwachting en volharding(Faculty of Theology, University of the Free State, 2013) Welzen, H.This article focuses on Luke's expectation of the parousia. The intended readers live in the time after the destruction of Jerusalem, but before the coming of the Son of Man. The isomorfism of these events is important for the impact of the gospel to its readers. In Luke's view Jerusalem's rejection of Gods liberation has led to the destruction of the city. In a similar way the positive or negative response of the intended readers will determine whether they will or will not experience liberation at the coming of the Son of Man. A positive reaction is characterized by perseverance, prayer and faith. Luke's gospel is part of a tradition initiated by the transition of the eyewitnesses to the servants of the word. In the last chapter of the gospel this transition is realized completely. The transformation of the disciples is also the transition to Acts.Item Open Access De Bijbel theologisch. Hoofdlijnen en thema's, K. Spronk & A. van Wieringen (Eds.): boekresensie(Faculty of Theology, University of the Free State, 2013) Snyman, S. D. (Fanie)Abstract not availableItem Open Access An emerging grounded theory for preaching on poverty in South Africa with Matthew 25:31-46 as sermon text(Faculty of Theology, University of the Free State, 2013-06) Pieterse, H. J. C.Since 2009, I am researching sermons on Matthew 25:31-46 by preachers of the Uniting Reformed Church and the Dutch Reformed Church (Nederduitse Gereformeerde Kerk). The sermons are collected in South Africa's eight provinces. This is an empirical-homiletic study with a grounded theory methodology. The open coding and selective coding cycles are already completed. This article presents the results of the last cycle, namely theoretical coding. The theory for practice describes the concepts which emerged from the data and shows the relationships between the concepts. This is a theory for the practice of preaching on Matthew 25:31-46 in the South African context of poverty. It has a bearing only on the qualitative analysis of the texts of the sermons on this text in Matthew, and does not address the entire process of the preaching event from the sermon text, the rhetorical and communicative process. It only covers the sermon analyses and the effects on the listeners' actions on the sermons mentioned in the sermons.