scholarly journals Radiokooistofdatering en teoiogiese refleksie

2001 ◽  
Vol 57 (1/2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pieter J.J. Botha
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Moral Discourse ◽  
Theological Reflection ◽  
Carbon Dating ◽  
Atomic Hypothesis ◽  
Theological Discourse

Radio-carbon dating and theological reflection. A brief description of radio-carbon and its implications serves as the context for a plea to extensively and radically revise "orthodox" Reformed theological discourse as practised in South Africa. Faith within a worldview determined by the atomic hypothesis is briefly explored by emphasising God-talk as moral discourse.

Deepened Monotheism. Philosophical Reasoning on the Trinity in Western Early Medieval and Classic Arabic Theology

2020 ◽  
Vol 62 (2) ◽  
pp. 233-264
Author(s):  
Katrin König
Keyword(s):  
Theological Reflection ◽  
Early Medieval ◽  
Religious Context ◽  
Latin West ◽  
Syrian Orthodox ◽  
Anselm Of Canterbury ◽  
Theological Discourse ◽  
Doctrine Of The Trinity ◽  
The Trinity ◽  
Rational Arguments

SummaryChristian theologians can explain the Trinitarian faith today in dialogue with Islamic thinkers as “deepened monotheism”. Therefore it is important to widen the systematic-theological discourse in an ecumenical and transcultural perspective and to retrieve resources from Western and non-Western traditions of Trinitarian thought (I).In this paper I will first work out historically that the Trinitarian creed of Nicea and Constantinople was originally an ecumenical but non-Western creed (II). Afterwards, I investigate the philosophical-theological reflection on the Trinity by Anselm of Canterbury (1033–1109) in the context of early interreligious encounters in the Latin West. Based on biblical, augustinian and Greek sources, he developed an approach to understand the mystery of the Trinity by rational arguments as “deepened monotheism” (III). Then I will proceed to explore the philosophical-theological dialogues on the Trinity from the Arabic philosopher and Syrian-orthodox theologian Yaḥyā ibn ‘Adī (893–974). Much earlier he developed rational arguments for the Triunity of God with reference to Aristotle. Thereby he answers to anti-trinitarian arguments from Islamic thinkers like al-Kindī and al-Warrāq. He intends that the Trinitarian faith of Christian minorities can thereby be understood and tolerated by Islamic thinkers as rationally founded “deepened monotheism” (IV).In the end I will evaluate what these classics from the Western and non-western traditions of Trinitarian thought contribute to explicate the doctrine of the Trinity today in a pluralistic religious context as “deepened monotheism” (V).

Public Theology as Christian Witness: Exploring the Genre

2007 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
John de Gruchy
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Common Good ◽  
Religious Diversity ◽  
Good Practice ◽  
Theological Reflection ◽  
Public Theology ◽  
The Political ◽  
Specific Context ◽  
The Common ◽  
Christian Witness

AbstractThis article explores the genre of public theology from the specific context of South Africa, while looking for the points of commonality set out by Duncan Forrester. Since the phrase 'public theology' refers to an engagement between theology and politics in specific locations, its content will be diverse and, yet, there is much that diverse public theologies share. Moreover, good practice in public theology requires that secularity and religious diversity are taken seriously. Consequently, Christian witness in secular democratic society means promoting the common good by witnessing to core values rather than seeking privilege for the Christian religion. In particular, this article offers the anti-apartheid and other activities of Joseph Wing and Douglas Bax, as well as the academic work of Denise Ackermann and the political service of Alex Boraine as examples of good practice in public theology in South Africa. The article concludes with the affirmation that public theology implies engagement in matters of public importance either through debate or action and always with self-critical theological reflection.

scholarly journals Die doodstraf: ’n teologiese standpunt

2005 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 341-356 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan A Du Rand
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Old Testament ◽  
Structural Transformation ◽  
Jesus Christ ◽  
Capital Punishment ◽  
Theological Reflection ◽  
Relationship With God ◽  
Crucial Issue ◽  
Cultural Frameworks ◽  
Biblical Texts

The recent process of structural transformation on all levels of society in South Africa urges theological reflection to participate. In this instance the crucial issue of capital punishment is at stake. After a brief survey of viewpoints and arguments concerning the issue, prominent and mostly debated Biblical texts are analysed. Genesis 9:6 and Exodus 21:24, for example are read within their cultural frameworks and theological contexts. The same is done with Matthew 5:21-22; 15:4; 26:52; John 7:53-8:11 and Romans 13:1-7. The conclusion is that Old Testament references to capital punishment are to be understood contextually. A final theological decision rests on the meaning of  the incarnation of Jesus Christ which put man in a new relationship with God but also to each other . That does not mean that punishment has to be is abolished as such, but any punishment has to be executed through the new God given ethos of love, demonstrated in the meaning of the incarnation of Jesus Christ. 

scholarly journals Party political chaplaincy? – Methodist ministry to political parties

2018 ◽  
Vol 74 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ndikho Mtshiselwa ◽  
Simphiwe S. Mthembu
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Political Parties ◽  
Southern Africa ◽  
Party Politics ◽  
Theological Reflection ◽  
The Political ◽  
Methodist Church ◽  
Political Sphere ◽  
Prophetic Voice ◽  
The Church

The debate on church and party politics is far from being exhausted in South Africa. Although the Methodist Church of Southern Africa discourages the participation of clergy persons in political parties, it is becoming critical that the church offers a prophetic voice in the political sphere. Issues of morality and spirituality within the political parties necessitate a careful involvement of the Church in politics. This article therefore sets out to offer a theological reflection on the (possible) ministry of Methodist clergy persons to political parties in South Africa.

Liturgies of creativity: A dialogue between secular music performance and Christian liturgical performance

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 125-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebekah Hanson
Keyword(s):  
Creative Process ◽  
Contemporary Music ◽  
Music Performance ◽  
Theological Reflection ◽  
Public Theology ◽  
Human Flourishing ◽  
Theological Discourse ◽  
Christian Worship ◽  
Theological Orientation ◽  
The University

This is a modified version of an essay originally submitted as an assignment (entitled: ‘Bodies together: Creativity, sensuality, discovery’) during my MA in public theology at the University of Chichester. Theological reflection on contemporary music performance created a dialogue between the ‘secular’ and ‘religious’ to explore the concept of ‘liturgy’ in contemporary theological discourse. Drawing from largely Protestant and Catholic sources, I argue that while Christian worship is unique in its theological orientation, it shares with non-Christian ‘liturgies’ participation in a creative process through the ways in which the human imagination is enacted and performed. This invites further dialogue between different liturgies of creativity for human flourishing.

“We’re not liberated yet in South Africa”

2014 ◽  
Vol 21 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 173-206 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elina Hankela
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Inner City ◽  
Theological Reflection ◽  
The Core ◽  
Core Category ◽  
Flexible Framework ◽  
The Times ◽  
Changing Society

This article makes a case for employing the concept of humanity as the core category in the struggle(s) for liberation in the context of the Central Methodist Mission (CMM) in inner-city Johannesburg. It does so through engaging with the praxis of the leader of the CMM and, in particular, analysing his theological reflection. The concept of humanity offers a flexible framework for an on-going liberationist ministry in a changing society; it also allows the ministry to retain a liberationist edge while it addresses the complex manifestations of inhumanity in actual communities. Moreover, the case of the CMM shows that the content and method of grassroots liberationist ministry overlap: as much as the concept of humanity defines the content, it also has methodological implications for reading the signs of the times.

scholarly journals Poetically Africa dwells: A dialogue between Heidegger�s understanding of language as the house of Being and African Being-with (ubuntu) as a possible paradigm for postfoundational practical theology in Africa

2010 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Johann-Albrecht Meylahn
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Southern Africa ◽  
Practical Theology ◽  
Mother Tongue ◽  
Theological Reflection ◽  
Western Thought ◽  
Middle Europe ◽  
African Context

The search for new paradigms and perspectives for practical theology in South Africa begins with the context, South Africa. What perspectives are given and what perspectives respond to the call of this context when this African context is brought into dialogue with the thoughts of a thinker who has to a large extent determined the paradigm of postmodern Western thought? This article was inspired by the hope that such a dialogue will reveal unique outcomes that could offer perspectives and possible paradigms for doing postfoundational practical theology in South Africa. I specifically brought into dialogue Heidegger�s understanding of language and the poetics of Being, with ubuntu, interpreted as Being-with [mit-Sein] and how African ubuntu can be interpreted as being of language � poetically Africa dwells-with-others. This dialogue in Africa with Africa, on and of the house of Being, can only but �gift� practical theology with new perspectives and paradigms, because practical theology can be understood as a critical theological reflection on the word event (language event) in the various sub-disciplines of practical theology (homiletics, pastorate, liturgics and diaconical ministry), responding to the Word event of Scripture as the written said in answer to the Divine saying.I have reflected on this dialogue, not as an outsider objectifying Africa or postmodernism, but as one born in Africa (as-one-in-Africa) whose mother tongue (house of Being) is that of middle Europe. Theology has always been most creative at the intersection or intercessions of paradigms of thought, that is, Jerusalem�Athens, Jerusalem�Athens�Alexandria, Jerusalem�Athens�Alexandria�Rome, et cetera. The time has come for southern Africa to be part of this intersection and these intercessions, to offer perspectives and paradigms for practical theology.

scholarly journals The causes and nature of the June 2016 protests in the city of Tshwane: A practical theological reflection

2017 ◽  
Vol 73 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mookgo S. Kgatle
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Committee Member ◽  
African National Congress ◽  
Theological Reflection ◽  
Public Works ◽  
Common Element ◽  
Patronage Politics ◽  
Executive Committee Member ◽  
Practical Theological ◽  
The City

South Africa has recently experienced a series of public protests. The common element is that violence is becoming evident in these protests. This article uses the June 2016 protests in the city of Tshwane as an example to address the root causes of such protests. On 20 June 2016, the African National Congress (ANC) announced that the city of Tshwane mayoral candidate for the 3 August 2016 municipal elections in South Africa is the former public works minister and ANC National Executive Committee member, Thoko Didiza. Consequently, public protests in the city of Tshwane emerged immediately after this announcement. These public protests were very violent, such as protesters killed one another, burned buses, looted shops and barricaded roads. The root causes of these violent protests are identified as factionalism, tribalism, sexism, economic exclusion and patronage politics. The purpose of this article is a practical theological reflection on the root causes of June 2016 protests in the city of Tshwane. The main aim of this article is a practical theological solution to the general problem of violent protests.

scholarly journals From the tower to the pews: A call for academic theology to re-engage with the local context

2019 ◽  
Vol 75 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan M. Womack ◽  
Jerry Pillay
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Theological Education ◽  
Current Problem ◽  
Theological Reflection ◽  
Local Context ◽  
Original Research ◽  
Guiding Principle ◽  
Primary Focus ◽  
Academic Theology ◽  
The Church

This article assesses the shortcomings and the disconnectedness of the current academic theological education in South Africa. It offers a brief history to provide a guiding principle for academic theology. It then proceeds to show the current disconnect and challenges between academic theology and the church, with its primary focus on academic theology. Drawing on original research and reflection on these responses, commodification, euro-centricity and rankings are seen as three traps of modern academics. These three areas have distorted the true content of theological reflection. This article thus clearly highlights the current problem and motivates the need for academic theology and the local church to reconnect with each other. With this article focussing on academic institutions, it calls for the academy to change not in nature but in content, and to draw its content for the local context.

scholarly journals Die dialektiek tussen leser en teks: �n Gesprek oor hermeneutiese homiletiek

2010 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hennie J.C. Pieterse
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Empirical Research ◽  
Paul Ricoeur ◽  
Biblical Text ◽  
Sermon Preparation ◽  
Theological Discourse ◽  
Paul Ricœur ◽  
Creative Tension

Dialectics between reader and text: A discussion on hermeneutical homiletics The fundamentalist reaction to contemporary theological discourse in South Africa expresses the need for homiletics to give serious attention to the pre-understanding of our existential situation in order to understand the Biblical text for preaching. Empirical research shows that most preachers concentrate on exegesis in sermon preparation, but do not succeed in actualising the message of the text in their own context. In homiletics, the question still remains whether the own context of the reader of a Biblical text should be seen as an integral part of the hermeneutical-homiletical theory. This article argues that there is a creative tension between reader and Biblical text in the hermeneutical process of sermon preparation, provided the two are treated equally. Because either the text or the reader sometimes dominates the process of understanding, a choice is made for an equal dialectical weight of reader and text in hermeneutical-homiletics, referring to H-G. Gadamer and Paul Ricoeur as sources. This approach opens up the possibility of topical preaching as a result of a creative tension between reader and text in sermon preparation.

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