scholarly journals Missional theology and social development

2007 ◽  
Vol 63 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Jurgens Hendriks
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Social Development ◽  
Paradigm Shift ◽  
Development Work ◽  
New Paradigm ◽  
Missional Theology ◽  
God's Mission ◽  
Point Of Departure ◽  
The Church

The article describes a theological paradigm shift taking place in congregations in South Africa that empower them to become involved in development work as a way of serving their neighbor. It also opens the possibility of working interdisciplinary without compromising theological and faith values. The perspectives and assumptions of the new paradigm are outlined and the basic methodology of doing theology is described. The new paradigm is a missional one, taking the focus on God as its point of departure and describing the identity and purpose of the church by looking at God’s identity and plan or mission with creation and humankind. Social development is seen as being in line with God’s mission and as such the church should not have difficulty in working with those who pursue the same goals.

scholarly journals Strome van lewende water: Nuwe-Testamentiese perspektiewe op die missionêre karakter van die kerk

2013 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Flip P.J. Buys
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
North America ◽  
Missional Church ◽  
The World ◽  
God's Mission ◽  
Reformed Churches ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Missional Churches ◽  
The Church ◽  
International Phenomenon

Oor ’n wye front word besorgdheid uitgespreek oor die stagnering en kwynende getallegroei van hoofstroom-reformatoriese kerke in Suid-Afrika. Die besorgdheid word egter ook uitgespreek dat predikante en kerke in hulle ywer om kerklike vernuwing teweeg te bring, soveel kompromieë maak dat die kerk sy eie aard as heilge volk van God in die wêreld verloor. Daar is ’n internasionale tendens te bespeur by reformatoriese kerke, in Suid-Afrika, Noord Amerika, Australië, Nederland, Duitsland en die Verenige Koninkryk om die na-binne-gerigtheid van kerke om te draai om werklik missionêre kerke te kan wees. Daar is ook tekens van ’n groeiende ontwakende passie om die onbereikte taalgroepe tot by die uithoeke van die aarde te bereik met die evangelie. Daar is oor ’n wye front lewendige debatte aan die gang wat vra vir ’n herevaluering van oorgeërfde ekklesiologiese tradisies en gebruike en ’n herbesinning oor Bybelse beginsels. In die lig van hierdie ontwikkelings is die doel van hierdie artikel om Nuwe-Testamentiese beginsels op te som en te onderstreep en as boustene aan te bied om die profiel van ’n missionêre kerk te skets. Grave concerns are expressed about the decline of mainline reformed churches in South Africa, especially the Reformed Churches in South Africa. At the same time fears are expressed that efforts to facilitate renewal in churches in order to become healthy and more effective missional churches, are making too many compromises with the gospel, so that the church is in danger of losing its very character as God’s holy people in the world. There is also an international phenomenon of reformed and evangelical type churches in North America, the Netherlands, Germany, the UK and Australia endeavouring to outgrow their ingrown vision and become part of God’s mission to reach unreached people groups in every corner of the world. There are lively debates on reviewing and rethinking inherited ecclesiological theological traditions and practices in churches. This article endeavours to gather basic building bricks by summarising and emphasising the most basic New Testament principles for outlining the profile of a missional church.

scholarly journals ’n Waarskynlike bedieningsmilieu vir die GKSA in die dekades na 2000

1999 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
J. M. Vorster
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Paradigm Shift ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
The Future ◽  
Broad Framework ◽  
Reformed Churches ◽  
Biblical Principles ◽  
The Church

This article focuses on the possible milieu for the ministry of the Reformed Churches in South Africa in the decades beyond 2000. From a church- historical and futurological point of view the paradigm shift from modernism to postmodernism is investigated. The effect of the paradigm shift as well as the emerging megatrends is analysed and proposals for the focus of the future ministry of these churches are formulated. These proposals are outlined within the broad framework of Biblical principles for the ministry of the church.

scholarly journals Migration history in South Africa as a lens for interpreting God’s mission: Towards a challenge for churches to embrace migrants

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Magezi
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Slave Trade ◽  
Forced Migration ◽  
Church History ◽  
Early Church ◽  
The Earth ◽  
Migration History ◽  
God's Mission ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Church

This article challenges the church to embrace migrants by presenting migration history in South Africa during the era of European explorers as a lens for interpreting God’s mission. In avowing the aforementioned, it argues for migration history of the European explorers to South Africa as the way God has used in establishing the church in South Africa. However, in view of the subsequent colonialism and slave trade in South Africa that emerged from the period of European explorers, this article recognises the conception of slave trade and colonialism during the era of European explorers as an evil act. Notably, in bringing Joseph’s forced migration to Egypt as a theological lens to interpret some sinful acts that were embedded in the migration of European explorers to South Africa that also resulted in the establishment of the early church in South Africa, it contends that God’s purpose and plans are not frustrated or thwarted by human sin. God, in his grace and love to reach his remnant people with the gospel, utilises various migrations of European explorers to South Africa (regardless of how sinful they are) to advance his kingdom to South Africa. The notion of migration history in South Africa as a lens for interpreting God’s mission is utilised to challenge the churches to embrace migrants because God uses migration or migrants to advance his kingdom to all the earth. The article concludes by calling the church to embrace all migrants because humankind are usually unacquainted with the particular migrants that God is utilising to advance his kingdom.Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: This article outlines theological research agenda for migration history in South Africa as a lens to interpret God’s mission. It considers migration history in South Africa during the era of European explorers as a tool that God used to advance his kingdom. As such, it is a theological interdisciplinary article integrating church history and mission. The contribution of this article lies in establishing the emergence of the early church in South Africa as a result of migration, which it utilises as a challenge for churches to embrace migrants.

scholarly journals Where is the church on Monday? Awakening the church to the theology and practice of ministry and mission in the marketplace

2015 ◽  
Vol 49 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dion A. Forster ◽  
Johann W. Oosterbrink
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Missio Dei ◽  
The South ◽  
Theology Of Work ◽  
The World ◽  
Missional Theology ◽  
The Church

Recent research by the Call42 group has shown that South African Christians experience that they are not adequately prepared or equipped for Christian living and discipleship in the world of work – here called the marketplace. This article has argued for the importance of a rediscovery of a theology of work that can empower and equip the church and individual Christians for ministry in the marketplace. The article traces why such a theological deficiency exists in the South African church by considering areas such as an inadequate theology of work and mission, a dualism between faith and work, and an unbalanced emphasis on the role of clergy and a lesser focus on the role of the laity in themissio Dei. Having considered these challenges to the mission and theological identity of the church, the article discusses the three general theological views of the church in South Africa as presented by Smit and adapted by Forster. It considers how the church could become an agent of mission and transformation in the marketplace in each of these three forms. The article comes to the conclusion that the church will need to revisit its missional theology, refocuses its efforts on broader society, and empowers and equips its members for ministry in the marketplace in order to be faithful in partnering with God in the missio Dei.Waar is die kerk op Maandag? Ontwaking van die kerk tot die teologie en praktyk vanbediening en sending in die markplein. Onlangse navorsing deur die Call42 groep het bevind dat Suid-Afrikaanse Christene ervaar dat hulle nie voldoende voorbereid en toegerus is vir die Christelike lewe en dissipelskap in die arbeidsmark - hier genoem die markplein – nie. Hierdie artikel poog om aan te toon dat ’n herontdekking van ’n teologie van werk belangrik is ten einde die kerk in die algemeen asook individuele Christene te bemagtig en toe te rus vir die bediening in die markplein. Hierdie artikel poog dus om die kwessie van die sodanige teologiese leemte in die Suid-Afrikaanse kerk na te vors. Terreine soos onvoldoende teologie van werk en sending word ondersoek, ’n dualisme tussen geloof en werk word uitgewys, en daar word aangetoon dat ’n oorspeling van die predikant se rol en ’n onderspeling van gewone kerklidmate se rol die kerk se betrokkenheid by die missio Dei benadeel. Met inagneming van hierdie uitdagings aan sending en die kerk se teologiese identiteit, bespreek die artikel drie algemene teologiese standpunte van die kerk in Suid Afrika, soos deur Smit aangebied en deur Forster aangepas. Die artikel besin hoe die kerk in elk van hierdie drie bestaansvorme ’n agent van sending en transformasie in die markplein kan wees. Die gevolgtrekking word gemaak dat die kerk die missionale of sendingteologie moet heroorweeg, opnuut moet fokus op die uitreik na die breër gemeenskap en lidmate vir bediening in die markplein moet bemagtig en toerus. Sodoende sal die kerk getrou wees aan die medewerking met God in die missio Dei.

scholarly journals Anomalieë in die Gereformeerde standpunt oor die rol van die vrou in die kerk

2002 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
W.C. Vergeer
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
New Paradigm ◽  
The Status ◽  
Role Of Women ◽  
Reformed Churches ◽  
The Church

Anomalies in the Reformed understanding of Scripture concerning the role of women in the church Theories of T.S. Kuhn on the progress of science are applied in this study of the changing position of women in the Reformed Churches in South Africa (RCSA). From this perspective, the resolutions and appendices of the 1988 Synod of the RCSA concerning the issue of women in office, are seen as a “governing paradigm” on the status and role of women in the church. This paradigm has, however, in recent times been increasingly challenged by a number of anomalies that can no longer be adequately explained. Anomalies in ecumenical, hermeneutic and exegetic levels, as well as anomalies in the application of Scripture are pointed out and discussed. These anomalies are seen as evidence of an era of revolution concerning the views on women in the RCSA. According to the theories of Kuhn, this revolution will continue until a new paradigm capable of explaining all the relevant phenomena, becomes prominent.

scholarly journals Regional Hegemonic Power, Integration and Governance: An Appraisal of Post-Democratization South Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel N. Mlambo ◽  
◽  
Toyin Cotties Adetiba
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Foreign Policy ◽  
Southern Africa ◽  
Paradigm Shift ◽  
Global Economy ◽  
Transition To Democracy ◽  
Policy Agenda ◽  
New Paradigm ◽  
Apartheid Regime ◽  
First Time

This article addresses the question of what drives the character and orientation of South Africa’s foreign policy post the apartheid era. The shift from apartheid to democracy in 1994 brought with it a new paradigm shift in both South Africa’s domestic and foreign policy agenda. This was also driven by the need to redress the destabilization policies of the apartheid regime. The demise of apartheid in 1994 brought with it immense jubilation both continentally and abroad and South Africa was now for the first time in years reintegrated into the global economy. By undertaking this enquiry, the study attempts to draw a nuanced evaluation of South Africa’s foreign policy, particularly in Southern Africa since its transition to democracy in 1994.

scholarly journals “Anthropological rabbits” and “positivistic ducks”: An experiential reflection on Pieter Craffert’s “shamanic Jesus”

2008 ◽  
Vol 64 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andries Van Aarde
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Paradigm Shift ◽  
Critical Analysis ◽  
Historical Perspective ◽  
Historical Jesus ◽  
States Of Consciousness ◽  
Alternate States ◽  
The University ◽  
Point Of Departure ◽  
Made In

This article aims at conversing with aspects of the contribution Pieter Craffert (New Testament scholar from the University of South Africa) has made in his book on the historical Jesus, The life of a Galilean shaman: Jesus of Nazareth in anthropological-historical perspective (2008). In the book traits of the “shamanic complex” are heuristically used to explain the layering of traditions as reconfigurations of each other within the same cultural area and to argue for continuity from the cultural constitution of a social personage to the communication and enscripturation of that social personage within the same cultural system. Jesus’ healings and his encountering of spirits are understood in terms of the notion of alternate states of consciousness as polyphased consciousness. The book’s point of departure is the conviction that an anthropological- sensitive reading scenario represents an epistemological alternative to that of scholars who emphasize the historical-critical analysis of strata in the development of the Jesus tradition. The article consists of an appraisal and a critique. It argues for a different judgment rather than posing a thesis of a paradigm shift. The approach of some scholars who consider the investigation into the stratification of overlays in the Jesus tradition as central to historical Jesus studies is evaluated as complementary to a cultural-sensitive reading scenario.

scholarly journals Missional ecclesiology as basis for a new church order: A case study

2013 ◽  
Vol 69 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wim A. Dreyer
Keyword(s):  
21St Century ◽  
Paradigm Shift ◽  
Transformation Process ◽  
Missio Dei ◽  
Missional Ecclesiology ◽  
Church Polity ◽  
The Creation ◽  
Point Of Departure ◽  
The Church

In this contribution the author looks at the ecclesiology and church polity of the Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk van Afrika (NHKA) as a case study. Different approaches to ecclesiology and church polity by different NHKA theologians are examined. The conclusion is reached that a paradigm shift is required, to assist the church in the process of transformation. Part of the transformation process, is the creation of a church order with a stronger missional orientation. It is argued that, in the context of the 21st century, the missio Dei paradigm and missional ecclesiology could be a suitable point of departure in the creation of a new church order for the NHKA.

scholarly journals MISSION COUNCILS – A SELF-PERPETUATING ANACHRONISM (1923-1971): A SOUTH AFRICAN CASE STUDY

2017 ◽  
Vol 42 (3) ◽  
pp. 22-32
Author(s):  
Graham Duncan
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
The South ◽  
Church Of Scotland ◽  
Presbyterian Church ◽  
God's Mission ◽  
Black Christians ◽  
The Church

If ever mission councils in South Africa had a purpose, they had outlived it by the time of the formation of the Bantu Presbyterian Church of South Africa (BPCSA) in 1923. However, autonomy in this case was relative and the South African Mission Council endured until 1981. It was an anachronism which served little purpose other than the care of missionaries and the control of property and finance. It was obstructive insofar as it hindered communication between the BPCSA and the Church of Scotland and did little to advance God’s mission, especially through the agency of black Christians. During this period blacks were co-opted on to the Church of Scotland South African Joint Council (CoSSAJC) but they had to have proved their worth to the missionaries first by their compliance with missionary views. This article will examine the role of the CoSSAJC in pursuance of its prime aim, “the evangelisation of the Bantu People” (BPCSA 1937, 18), mainly from original sources.

scholarly journals Justice and the Missional Framework Document of the Dutch Reformed Church

2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaco Botha ◽  
Dion A. Forster
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Dutch Reformed ◽  
African Society ◽  
South African Society ◽  
Reformed Church ◽  
Missional Theology ◽  
Framework Document ◽  
The Church ◽  
Dutch Reformed Church

This article engages with the Missional Framework Document of the Dutch Reformed Church (DRC) from the perspectives of solidarity with the poor and justice for South African society. The democratic South Africa continues to face significant socio-economic problems and an increasingly dissatisfied population. In the light of this, the article presents an introductory conversation with the Missional Framework Document in order to ask whether it offers an adequate response to South Africa�s current contextual challenges. The lens through which this article will engage the Framework Document is the theological paradigm of justice, specifically the theory of justice presented by Nicholas Wolterstorff as well as some important contributions from contemporary South African scholars who advocate for a theology from the margins of society. It is contended that the DRC remains a predominantly white middle-class church. This social, economic and political location has an impact on the missional theology of the church as expressed in the Framework Document. Hence, we engage with the Missional Theology of the DRC by means of a paradigm that operates from the �underside� or the economic, political and social �margins� of South African society. We argue that any missional theology aimed at furthering God�s Kingdom in South Africa at present must develop in community with the marginalised majority of the nation. The critical engagement with the Framework Document will be done by sketching a theological landscape where current contextual realities are brought into relief against a kairos moment on which the efficacy of this church�s mission, indeed its public work and witness, is being called into question.Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: This interdisciplinary study in Systematic Theology and Ethics engages the missional theology found in the Missional Framework Document of the Dutch Reformed Church. Methodologically, the research advocates for a contextual engagement with the missional theology proposed by this important document. The outcome of this contextual theological consideration is an invitation for the Church to consider the ethics of justice as an important aspect of their approach to faithful Christian mission in the South African social, economic and political context.

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