scholarly journals Toward justice and social transformation? Appealing to the tradition against the tradition

2017 ◽  
Vol 73 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Piet J. Naude
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
21St Century ◽  
Social Transformation ◽  
Public Life ◽  
Karl Barth ◽  
John Calvin ◽  
Christian Life ◽  
Reformed Tradition ◽  
The Poor

This article starts with a brief statement on the well-known contradictory nature of the Reformed tradition in South Africa, defending injustice and struggling for justice in the name of the same tradition. By following the work of Reformed systematic theologian D.J. Smit, it argues that the justice-affirming potential of the Reformed tradition is a hermeneutical task built on three specific re-interpretations: (1) the reinterpretation of Scripture from the perspective of the weak, the poor and the oppressed (against a hermeneutic of creation orders and God-willed division of people) (2) a rereading of John Calvin to affirm the dignity and freedom of all humans (against the grain of neo-Calvinist interpretations) (3) a rereading of Karl Barth with a focus on God’s inclusive grace, Christian confessions and the nature of the Christian life (against the limitation of his influence because of his perceived actualistic view on Scripture or unscientific, foundational methodology). The article closes with a brief look into the agenda for social transformation faced by us in the second decade of the 21st century, and under what conditions the  Reformed faith will be able to make an enduring contribution to public life in (South) Africa.

scholarly journals An exploration of the idea of ecodomy in Calvin's view of God and the world: Its implications for churches in South Africa today

2015 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jerry Pillay
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
John Calvin ◽  
Church Transformation ◽  
The Poor ◽  
The World ◽  
Theological Foundation

The Faculty of Theology chose as its theme oikodome, which speaks about the fullness of life for all. This article explored this theme by looking at John Calvin�s understanding of God and the world. In this article, working from the premise of the sovereignty of God, the author attempted to show that undergirding Calvin�s theology is the idea of oikodome. The author showed that for Calvin everything in life is connected to God and thus the idea of oikodome is deeply rooted in Calvin�s theology. The author illustrated this by examining significant themes in Calvin�s teachings on the Trinitarian God, creation, humanity and providence, state and church, transformation of society, concern for the poor, and education. The author used this information to show what implications the idea of oikodome has for churches in South Africa today, especially in the context of poverty and struggle. The author calls on churches to embrace the theological foundation explicated by Calvin in their endeavour to work toward the fullness of life for all people.

Bonhoeffer and Reformation Ecclesiology

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 164-189
Author(s):  
Javier Garcia
Keyword(s):  
Karl Barth ◽  
John Calvin ◽  
Reformed Tradition ◽  
The Common

AbstractThis article offers a threefold engagement with Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s ecumenically oriented ecclesiology. First, it proposes a new avenue of understanding Bonhoeffer’s ecclesiology in relation to the Reformed tradition by comparing him with John Calvin instead of with Karl Barth, which is the common route of Bonhoeffer scholarship. Second, it identifies points of convergence between Bonhoeffer and Calvin that have been neglected in the literature, notably in the areas of ecclesial participation and sanctification. Third, it calls for a return to Bonhoeffer’s primary goal in ecumenism—to discern God’s concrete commandment to the churches in history—in the Trump era.

A “Dordtian Philosophe”: Jonathan Edwards, Calvin, and Reformed Orthodoxy

2011 ◽  
Vol 91 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 241-253
Author(s):  
Kenneth P. Minkema
Keyword(s):  
John Calvin ◽  
Jonathan Edwards ◽  
Christian Life ◽  
Divine Sovereignty ◽  
Reformed Tradition ◽  
The Enlightenment ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship

The relationship of the thought of Jonathan Edwards (1703–1758) to that of John Calvin and Reformed tradition has been frequently assumed and asserted but seldom detailed. Edwards, the “last American Puritan,” influential theologian of revival, and “Dordtian Philosophe,” worked within a generally Calvinist framework of divine sovereignty but also, within the context of the Enlightenment, experimented with that framework, pushing categories such as love, beauty, and personal affections to the epicenter of Christian life. His innovative conservatism is seen first in his espousal of idealism, as enunciated in aesthetics, the relationality of being, and occasionalism; secondly, in experientialism, involving a “new sense of the heart,” delineation of the signs of grace, typology, and prophecy; and thirdly, through historicism, including millennialism, anti-Catholicism, and an emphasis on revivals, integral to his view of the Work of Redemption through guiding concepts of the “happy fall,” cessationism, and covenantalism.

The use of ICT by SMMEs in a Digital Economy: A case study in Buffalo City Metropolitan in South Africa [Abstract]

10.28945/4314 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Technology Acceptance ◽  
21St Century ◽  
Common Knowledge ◽  
Digital Economy ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Wealth Creation ◽  
Underdeveloped Areas ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Set Up

Aim/Purpose: The goal of this study is to advance understanding of ICT utilization by SMMEs by checking access, ability (in terms of technological skills) and usage of ICT among some SMMEs entrepreneurs operating their businesses in an underdeveloped areas to enhance their business activities in order to utilizes the digital opportunities 21st century digital economies present. Background: In today’s world no nation or region is untouched by the forces of globalization and digital economy. One of the key pioneering forces of globalization is the advances of ICT like internet, social networks, etc. In the sphere of business, this pioneering force has also altered the way businesses and organizations communicate and interact with customers and society at large. Such alternation presents obvious opportunities for wealth creation and growth for businesses and organizations that are well-equipped to take advantages of them. But for those that are less-equipped, particularly SMMEs, globalization can easily lead to fore-closures and marginalization. It is a common knowledge that SMMEs entrepreneurs mostly rely on ICT gadgets like mobile phone, Laptops, Tablets to conduct their business activities as many of them don’t have enough capital to set up offices with necessary equipment. Therefore, using various ICT functions/programs on these ICT devices to enhance their business activities are critical to their businesses in the 21st century digital economies. Methodology: Purposeful sampling was used to approach fifty-four SMMEs entrepreneurs operating their businesses in underdeveloped areas locally called Townships in Buffalo City Metropolitan. Microsoft excel was used in the descriptive statistics. Contribution: This research will add to the growing knowledge ICT usage in SMMEs in the 21st century digital economies. Findings: The results indicate that the participating SMMEs entrepreneurs need to be educated, trained and supported in the use of the ICT applicable to enhance their business activities in order for them to take advantages of 21st century digital economies present. Recommendations for Practitioners: The agencies tasked with looking after SMMEs in South Africa needs to consider the lacked of utilisation of ICTs by SMMEs entrepreneurs operating their businesses in underdeveloped areas as one of the barrier to growing of their businesses and take necessary steps to address it. Recommendation for Researchers: Since age and gender have been proven to be key-moderating variables in many technology acceptance models. There is a need to explore in depth whether the factors of gender and age also act as barriers. Impact on Society: The research will assist stakeholders, policy makers and agencies tasked with looking after SMMEs to identify the barriers hindering SMMEs to grow and address them accordingly. Future Research: More work needs to be done to check whether gender, age of the SMMEs entrepreneurs have some effects on their attitude towards the integration of ICT into their business activities.

MILITARY GEOGRAPHY IN SOUTH AFRICA AT THE DAWN OF THE 21ST CENTURY

2002 ◽  
Vol 84 (2) ◽  
pp. 195-198 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. JACOBS ◽  
H. S. JANSE VAN RENSBURG ◽  
H. A.P. SMIT
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
21St Century ◽  
Military Geography

Investment in South Africa

2021 ◽  
pp. 912-934
Author(s):  
Ciaran Driver ◽  
Laurence Harris
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Interest Rates ◽  
Social Transformation ◽  
Empirical Literature ◽  
Private Business ◽  
Business Investment ◽  
Industrial Policies ◽  
Evidential Support ◽  
Fixed Capital Formation ◽  
Low Interest Rates

Abstract: Since the achievement of democracy, high levels of gross fixed capital formation have been required for the economic and social transformation of South Africa. Public-sector investment has risen, particularly since 2008, but private-business investment has not grown enough, while manufacturing’s share of the capital stock has declined substantially. Common explanations for low investment in manufacturing are examined in the light of empirical literature and are judged to have inadequate evidential support. Industrial policies derived from these views, such as maintaining low interest rates to promote investment, need to be based on stronger evidence. An argument is put forward for a system-based approach to research on the determinants of investment.

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