scholarly journals Die eise aan die gereformeerde prediking in die teenswoordige kultuur van verandering

1992 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
J. M. Vorster
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Broad Spectrum ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Christian Faith ◽  
Modern Life ◽  
Process Of Change ◽  
Modern Culture ◽  
Moral Standards ◽  
New Challenges ◽  
The Church

Modern culture has been defined as a culture of change. In South Africa the present process of change across the broad spectrum of modern life is evident. This reality poses new challenges for Reformed preaching. In this article the major aspects of the new challenges are analysed from a futurological and sociological point of view. Attention is paid to changes in moral standards, secularization, the emancipation of Christian faith in the post-apartheid era, the loss in function and authority of the Church and the decline in ecclesiastical commitment of Christians. The severe influence of the cybernetic revolution and future shock is also discussed with reference to their effect on Christian faith and Reformed preaching.

Human Dignity: Experience and History, Practical Reason and Faith

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Hollenbach
Keyword(s):  
Human Dignity ◽  
Practical Reason ◽  
Catholic Church ◽  
Historical Development ◽  
Human Experience ◽  
Social Contexts ◽  
Christian Faith ◽  
New Challenges ◽  
Reason And Faith ◽  
The Church

This chapter argues that human dignity can be grounded in historical experiences of the violation and attainment of dignity, and through arguments based on practical (as opposed to theoretical) reason about how to advance respect for dignity and reduce its violation. It also presents theological warrants for human dignity based on Christian faith, and argues that reflection by practical reason on human experience interacts with these Christian religious beliefs in ways that have led the Catholic community to become an important advocate of human dignity in recent decades. Continued interaction of practical reason, human experience, and faith can enable the Catholic Church to work with other communities on behalf of human dignity in addressing new challenges today, perhaps leading the church to further historical development of its understanding of human dignity and rights in new technological and social contexts.

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 Die moderne belydenisbeweging in Suid-Afrika - en Calvyn

1993 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
W. D. Jonker
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Christian Faith ◽  
The People ◽  
Political Tension

Starting with the Barmen Declaration of 1934, a new desire to confess the Christian faith in situations of political tension erupted worldwide, resulting in the formulation of new confessional statements. In South Africa a number of declarations and testimonies emanated from the struggle against apartheid. Not all these confessional statements had the same character and impact. The author of this article concentrates on the three most important documents which may have been influenced by Barmen: The Message to the People of South Africa (1968), the Belhar Confession (1982) and the Kairos Document (1985/6. He also refers to several other statements, including the document Geloof en protes (1987), which subscribes to apartheid as a matter of faith. The author concludes with a few critical remarks from a Calvinist point of view.

scholarly journals Understanding the role the Bible Society of South Africa played in the development of missions in South Africa

2004 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 676-690
Author(s):  
F Sieberhagen
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
The Bible ◽  
Ongoing Relationship ◽  
New Challenges ◽  
The Church ◽  
Unique Relationship

This article argues that the development of Missions in South Africa could  be directly linked to the founding of Bible Society work in South Africa. The article focuses on the development of missions and how the availability of  Scriptures in the vernacular enhanced this work. The unique relationship between Mission development, the Church and the Bible Society will be discussed as to highlight and fully  understand this unique influence and partnership. This partnership is an ongoing relationship and with the new challenges arising this will have to be developed even further.

scholarly journals The role of the church in the #FeesMustFall movement in South Africa: Practical Theological reflection

2018 ◽  
Vol 74 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mookgo S. Kgatle
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Theological Reflection ◽  
Poor Students ◽  
Practical Theological ◽  
Number Of Publications ◽  
The Moment ◽  
The Many ◽  
The Church

In 2015 and 2016, South Africa experienced one of the unique student-led protests since the dawn of democracy that touched the world, the #FeesMustFall movement. Out of the many demands that the students made in the movement, one is outstanding, fee-free higher education. A large number of publications have been written on the movement from an economical and educational point of view. Most of these publications argue that a fee-free higher education for all students is not an affordable or sustainable option for South Africa at the moment. What is new in this article is a practical theological reflection on the movement in general and the demand for a fee-free higher education by students in particular. The article looks at the possibilities of fee-free higher education for the poor students in South Africa by exploring the roles of the church in the #FeesMustFall movement.

scholarly journals The rediscovery of the role of the laity in the mission of the Church � with reference to the Baptist Union of Southern Africa (BUSA)

2012 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Christofides ◽  
Piet G.J. Meiring
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Southern Africa ◽  
Cutting Edge ◽  
Christian Faith ◽  
Christian Missions ◽  
The World ◽  
The Status ◽  
Missional Churches ◽  
The Church

The role of the laity is at the cutting edge of Christian missions today. The author conducted a number of interviews and questionnaires to determine the status of the laity across denominations of the Christian faith in South Africa. His findings are in a number of instances startling: The picture of the laity, and what lay Christians in South Africa believe, run against general expectations. Some suggestions and proposals on how to empower the laity in general, and the churches of the Baptist Union in Southern Africa (BUSA) in particular, are made. The underlining motive for the research is to encourage the BUSA churches to become truly missional churches that make a difference in the world in which we live.

scholarly journals The political responsibility of the church: On the necessity and boundaries of the theory of the two kingdoms

2005 ◽  
Vol 61 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
I.W.C. Van Wyk
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
The Political ◽  
Dutch Reformed ◽  
Political Responsibility ◽  
Reformed Church ◽  
New Challenges ◽  
Two Kingdoms ◽  
The Church ◽  
Dutch Reformed Church

The political responsibility of the church: On the necessity and boundaries of the theory of the two kingdomsThe voice of the church has fallen silent in the new political dispensation in South Africa. Many people in the Dutch Reformed Church in Africa (Nederduitsch Hervormde Church) argue that the church should keep its distance from politics. They are of the opinion that they could defend this position with the “Lutheran twokingdoms theory”. This article shows that the theory of the two kingdoms is not a uniquely Lutheran, but also a Calvinistic interest. It furthermore shows that this theory is not only interested in separating the two kingdoms, but also in bringing these kingdoms in relationship with one another. A plea is made for loyalty to both the Lutheran and Calvinistic traditions. The article also calls for a concentration on the three new challenges in South Africa, namely democracy, pluralism and Africanisation.

scholarly journals Het die kerk 'n politieke verantwoordelikheid? Oor die noodwendigheid en grense van die twee-ryke-Ieer

1996 ◽  
Vol 52 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
I. W.C Van Wyk
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
New South ◽  
Political Responsibility ◽  
New Challenges ◽  
Two Kingdoms ◽  
The Church

Does the church have a political responsibility? On the necessity and boundaries of the theory of the two kingdoms. The question is asked whether the Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk van Afrika has a political responsibility in the new South Africa? It is often heard that the church has no political responsibility - especially in the new circumstances. In defending this  viewpoint, theologians in South Africa argue that they are in line with Luther's theory of the two kingdoms. This article shows that the theory of the two kingdoms is not a unique Lutheran, but also a Calvinist interest. It is further shown that this theory is not only concerned with separating the two kingdoms, but also with bringing these kingdoms into relationship with one another. A plea is made for loyalty towards both the Lutheran and Calvinist traditions. Attention is also given to three new challenges namely democracy, pluralism and Africanisation.

scholarly journals Teologies-etiese perspektiewe op die 1996 - grondwet van die Republiek van Suid-Afrika

1997 ◽  
Vol 31 (1/2) ◽  
Author(s):  
J. M. Vorster
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Fundamental Rights ◽  
Historical Event ◽  
Ethical Point ◽  
Principles Of Justice ◽  
The Republic ◽  
First Time ◽  
Democratic Constitution ◽  
The Church

The acceptance of the 1996 Constitution of the Republic of South Africa must be seen as a historical event. For the first time in its history this country is governed by a widely accepted democratic Constitution. The chapter on fundamental rights is also a new contribution to government in South-Africa. Although the final draft of the Constitution was endorsed by the vast majority of political parties and communities, criticism from various groups was also heard. This article is an attempt to evaluate the Constitution from a Reformed theological-ethical point of view. Attention is paid to the principles of justice, order and religious freedom, and the way in which these principles manifest in the Constitution. The task of the Church in the promotion of a culture of democracy and human rights is also emphasised.

scholarly journals Kan die GKSA na 150 jaar beskou word as ’n stagnante kerkgemeenskap? Ekumenies beoordeel

2009 ◽  
Vol 43 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
C. J. Smit
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Church Community ◽  
Church Unity ◽  
The World ◽  
Specific Meaning ◽  
To Come ◽  
The Church ◽  
Very High ◽  
Three Phases

Should the RCSA after a period of 150 years be considered as a stagnated church community? Evaluated from the point of view of ecumenicism The question is whether the Reformed Churches in South Africa (RCSA) should be considered as an isolated and thus a stagnated church community. To answer this question the de- velopment of ecumenicism in the RCSA should be traced. This could only be done after an examination of the Scriptural and historical meaning of the term “ecumenicism”. From the acts of the synods of the RCSA it is very clear that during the three phases of half a century each in the existence of the RCSA, from 1859 onwards, a very high premium was put on ecume- nical relations. The goal of these ecumenical relations was always pointed out as church unity.  In this contribution the conclusion is made that the RCSA does not see herself as a church community who disposes ex- clusively of the truth of the Word. Church isolation – and there- fore church stagnation – is clearly not part of the RCSA’s agen- da; on the contrary, church isolation was always firmly con- tested by the RCSA on the basis of the Scriptures. The in- centive to bring together churches of reformed origin, in the interior and abroad, was always part of the RCSA’s view on what the church really stands for.  However, there is a significant deficiency that should be noted. The specific meaning that Jesus adds to the concept “oikou- mené” (Matt. 24:14), namely the proclamation to “all the na- tions” of the whole world (“oikoumené”) regarding the world to come (Heb. 2:5) is not sufficiently emphasised but in actuality it is downplayed.

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