scholarly journals ’n Prinsipiële diskoers oor die epistemologiese fundering van die Pastorale Teologie: ’n Oproep tot reformasie

2015 ◽  
Vol 49 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Johan Janse van Rensburg
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Practical Theology ◽  
Pastoral Theology ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Current Situation ◽  
Practical Implementation ◽  
Communicative Acts ◽  
Need To Evaluate ◽  
Pastoral Counselling

Hierdie artikel is as ’n huldeblyk aan prof. George Lotter by sy aftrede geskryf en uit erkenning vir sy bydrae tot die wetenskapsbeoefening van die Praktiese Teologie. Die artikel ondersoek die huidige konteks van die pastorale teologie. Aangesien epistemologiese keuses die metodiek en uitkoms van die pastoraat bepaal, is daar ’n dringende noodsaak om die epistemologiese invloede op die pastorale teologie te evalueer. Die artikel fokus op die epistemologiese dinamika wat die pastoraat verander het van ’n skriftuurlike fundering na ’n kommunikatiewe handelingsteoretiese en postmoderne narratiewe strategie. Die navorsingsvraag is: Is ’n reformatoriese terugkeer na ’n bybels-gefundeerde pastoraat teen die agtergrond van die epistemologiese invloede nog moontlik?As a tribute to Prof. George Lotter on the occasion of his retirement and to his contribution to practical theology, this article focuses on the current situation of pastoral theology worldwide but mostly in South Africa. Since epistemological choices determine the method and content of research on pastoral theology, as well as the practical implementation thereof, there is an urgent need to evaluate the influences on pastoral theology and the results of these influences. The article focuses on the epistemological dynamics that have changed pastoral theology from a scriptural approach to a discipline of communicative acts and a postmodern strategy of narrative pastoral counselling. The research question is: Is it still possible to have a reformed pastoral theology and pastoral counselling against the backdrop of these epistemological changes?

scholarly journals Karl Rahner and the practical theology

2021 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 70-83
Author(s):  
August Laumer
Keyword(s):  
Pastoral Care ◽  
Practical Theology ◽  
Pastoral Theology ◽  
Current Situation ◽  
The Self ◽  
The Other ◽  
Karl Rahner ◽  
Other Hand ◽  
The Church

It is surprising that Karl Rahner (1904-1984), as a systematic theologian, provided essential impulses for practical theology. But he played an important role in planning and editing the "Handbuch der Pastoraltheologie" (1964-1972). The basis for this work was Rahners view of practical theology as a science of the self-fulfillment of the church in the respective current situation. However, this ecclesial conception of pastoral theology soon encountered opposition. On the other hand, his demand for a “new mystagogy” was often taken up for concepts of mystagogical pastoral care and mystagogical learning.

scholarly journals Public pastoral care as nexus and opportunity for a transformed practical theology within decolonisation discourse in South African higher education

2018 ◽  
Vol 52 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vhumani Magezi
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Pastoral Care ◽  
South African ◽  
Practical Theology ◽  
Current Situation ◽  
African Higher Education ◽  
The World ◽  
South African Universities ◽  
South African Higher Education

The discussion on decolonisation of universities that started in 2015 has been raging in different spaces within South Africa and other parts of the world. The question of the relevance of the curriculum in universities, which is a curriculum that is responsive to South African and African issues, has come to the forefront. The discipline of Theology has also been challenged to reflect on its curriculum. Given these developments, this article considers practical theology within the on-going discussion of decolonisation in South African universities. In doing so, it attempts to address the question: What are some of the issues to consider in decolonisation of practical theology in South Africa universities? Firstly, the article sketches the background to the context of the discussion. Secondly, it provides a synopsis of the discussion of decolonisation in universities. Thirdly, it highlights some colonial entanglements of practical theology evident from the current situation. Fourthly, it proposes pointers for basic steps towards decolonisation of practical theology. Fifthly, it concludes by highlighting the threats to the proposed decolonisation attempts. The article assumes a coloniality and decoloniality framework even though it is not explicitly stated.

scholarly journals The preacher's vulnerable attitudes in naming reality in a neglected society

2015 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ferdi P. Kruger
Keyword(s):  
Social Psychology ◽  
Practical Theology ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Interdisciplinary Approach ◽  
Negative Attitudes ◽  
Communicative Acts ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
The Social ◽  
Pastoral Letters ◽  
Vantage Points

Ecclesiastical studies seem to reveal that the praxis of preaching is often confronted with a stumbling block in the negative attitudes of preachers despite their good intentions and the interdependence between prayer and preaching. In naming reality in society, it seems to be important that preachers first of all examine their own attitudes regarding their hearers and reality in society. In light of this problematic praxis, the research question is: To what extent do preachers with positive attitudes equip their hearers by means of a dialogue to listen profoundly to the content of preaching when the preaching names realities in society? In order to address this research question, the problem is investigated from the present practicaltheological vantage points in the field. The matter is further explored by examining metatheoretical perspectives from the fields of Social Psychology and Communication Sciences. As part of this process, the author seeks to investigate the difficult process of the formation and manifestation of attitudes in behaviour. An investigation into normative vantage points, perspectives from II Corinthians 5 and the Pastoral Letters, indicate that the message and the way in which preachers deliver their sermons are important. The conclusion poses that negative attitudes are indeed dangerous when it forms part of this ecclesiastical praxis and can even cause hearers to abandon all intent to be salt and light in society. Preachers must utilise dialogue in preparation for their sermons. They must focus on the dialogical nature of preaching in the context of the liturgy and must make time to stimulate feedback after they have delivered their sermons to make sure that hearers understand their calling in society. Congregations must become communities that live founded in profound communication.Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: This article recognises the interdisciplinary approach to the social sciences. In Practical Theology, research focuses on communicative acts which bring the field into an overlap with other sciences that have the same focus. This article briefly focuses on an interdisciplinary discourse with the fields of Social Psychology and Communication Sciences regarding the forming and functioning of attitudes, which can possibly influence the sermon delivery of preachers. This article addresses the issue of naming reality in society. In this process, the naming of the attitude of the preacher is very important.

scholarly journals The pandemic of COVID-19: current situation in South Africa

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Shahrokh Hatefi ◽  
Farouk Smith ◽  
Khaled Abou-El-Hossein ◽  
Javad Alizargar
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Current Situation

Post-concussion return-to-play: Perceptions of roles, responsibilities and guideline implementation among community club rugby stakeholders in South Africa

2021 ◽  
pp. 174795412199667
Author(s):  
Wilbur Kraak ◽  
Hanno van Vuuren ◽  
Karen Welman
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Guideline Implementation ◽  
Return To Play ◽  
Practical Implementation ◽  
Administrative Staff ◽  
Western Cape ◽  
Roles And Responsibilities ◽  
Inadequate Knowledge ◽  
And Training ◽  
Inherent Part

Concussions are an inherent part of rugby; however, subsequent concussions can be decreased by following the appropriate post-concussion return-to-play (RTP) protocols. The aim of this study was to compare stakeholders’ perceptions regarding their roles and responsibilities in terms of the implementation of post-concussion RTP in community club rugby in the Western Cape, South Africa. The results of a post-concussion RTP implementation questionnaire revealed limited knowledge of the recommended 6-stage BokSmart™ RTP protocol among players. Although not essential that players have knowledge of this protocol, this can be indicative of coaches’ disregard of the importance of communicating concussion knowledge. Coaches were identified as having a major role to play in post-concussion RTP, being responsible for monitoring matches and training sessions for concussion. They were also considered the most knowledgeable stakeholders on post-concussion return-to-play guidelines. Yet, coaches and administrative staff demonstrated a relatively low ability to advise on when to safely return to play. Only two thirds of coaches and a third of administrative staff were found to implement the recommended protocol, while less than half of medical staff and only a third of coaches demonstrated the ability to implement the protocol correctly, revealing inadequate knowledge. Hence, the study underscored the significance of education focusing on the practical implementation of post-concussion RTP protocols within community club rugby.

scholarly journals Karoo fracking and the Christian faith community

2014 ◽  
Vol 70 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerrit Van Tonder ◽  
Roger Tucker
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Practical Theology ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Environmental Concern ◽  
Faith Community ◽  
Standard Of Living ◽  
Christian Faith ◽  
World Population ◽  
Waste Products ◽  
To Come

One of the challenges for Practical Theology in Africa is to engage with the continent’s concerns and challenges in such a way that the kingdom of God is realised in society and is seen to be relevant to these issues by people who are outside of academia. In our article, which was first presented at the Practical Theology congress in Pretoria in January 2014, the authors seek to demonstrate how this may be accomplished by applying insights to one concern, namely ‘fracking’. The objective is to mobilise the influential Christian faith community in South Africa to begin to exercise prophetic discernment concerning fracking in the Karoo. The fracking debate is a product of the tension between the environmental degradation that its waste products may cause, on the one hand, and, on the other, the greater energy demands of a rapidly increasing world population along with its expectations of an ever-increasing standard of living. Shale gas fracking in the Karoo region of South Africa promises to make vast reserves of oil and gas available to help meet a significant percentage of the country’s energy needs for many years to come, and so thus aid development and contribute to raising the standard of living of many people. Yet the management of the waste products associated with the process is an area of serious environmental concern. The article aims to apprise the South African Christian faith community of the technology and risks involved. Theological guidelines are presented by which fracking’s benefits and dangers can be interrogated so that the community may come to an informed decision as to whether or not to support fracking.

scholarly journals Are South African Speech-Language Therapists adequately equipped to assess English Additional Language (EAL) speakers who are from an indigenous linguistic and cultural background? A profile and exploration of the current situation

2016 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Thandeka Mdladlo ◽  
Penelope Flack ◽  
Robin Joubert
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Cultural Background ◽  
Current Situation ◽  
Assessment Instruments ◽  
Diverse Populations ◽  
Critical Factors ◽  
Material Resources ◽  
Valid Assessment ◽  
Use Of Assessment

This article presents the results of a survey conducted on Speech-Language Therapists (SLTs) regarding current practices in the assessment of English Additional Language (EAL) speakers in South Africa. It forms part of the rationale for a broader (PhD) study that critiques the use of assessment instruments on EAL speakers from an indigenous linguistic and cultural background. This article discusses an aspect of the broader research and presents the background, method, findings, discussion and implications of the survey. The results of this survey highlight the challenges of human and material resources to, and the dominance of English in, the profession in South Africa. The findings contribute to understanding critical factors for acquiring reliable and valid assessment results with diverse populations, particularly the implications from a cultural and linguistic perspective.[PDF to follow]

scholarly journals The diakonia of Practical Theology to the alienated in South Africa in the light of 1 Peter

2014 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gert Breed
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
New Testament ◽  
Practical Theology ◽  
Research Field ◽  
Service Work ◽  
1 Peter ◽  
Word Group ◽  
The Bible ◽  
The People ◽  
Biblical Perspective

This article investigates the role that Practical Theology can play in addressing the problem of alienation amongst the people of South Africa. The investigation is conducted from the viewpoint of the biblical concept of diakonia (service work). This concept as well as the content of Practical Theology as it is found in the first letter of Peter is investigated with the purpose of elucidating the diakonia of Practical Theology with regard to alienation. Four questions are answered in the article:� What may some of the reasons why people in South Africa experience alienation be?� What significance do the results of the most recent research into the diakon word group have for the diakonia of Practical Theology?� What insight can be gained from 1 Peter into the diakonia of Practical Theology for people who may be experiencing alienation in South Africa?� What should the diakonia of Practical Theology in the light of 1 Peter be for people who experience alienation? Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: This article addresses the issue of alienation. This is an issue that also falls within the research field of sociology and psychology. This article wants to make a contribution from a biblical perspective using the exegesis of a New Testament letter (1 Pt) with the focus on 1 Peter 4:10 and the use of the diakon word group in the letter. The article thus also operates on the research field of New Testament Theology. The results of the exegesis are used to give guidelines for the diakonia of Practical Theology in South Africa. The article challenges the way some research in Practical Theology is done, not using the Bible as reference point, thus making the distinction between Practical Theology and sciences like sociology and psychology indistinct.

scholarly journals In good times and in bad: Die stormagtige verhouding tussen kerk en die orrel � is egskeiding onafwendbaar?

2015 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ockie C. Vermeulen
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Current Situation ◽  
Pipe Organ ◽  
Worship Service ◽  
The Future ◽  
Role Players ◽  
Different Cultures ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
The Church

In good times and in bad: The tumultuous relationship between the church and the organ - is divorce inevitable? Through the ages, a delicate relationship has existed between the church and the pipe organ. Since the 10th century, the organ established itself as a unique instrument in service of worship. This relationship was not always a steady one, and this article investigates the tumultuous affair between the two parties. In part one of the article, which is a historic perspective, the relationship is discussed by looking at different cultures and uses of the organ in the worship service. This gives a sense of when and how the relationship came into being and developed or deteriorated. In part two, the current situation in the Afrikaans Reformed service is explored by conducting several unstructured interviews with key role players in the theological and musical world of South Africa. In part three, the study ventures into speculating about the future of the organ in the worship service by briefly looking at the attitude of the organist and spirituality of the postmodern church goer. In essence, this article reflects on whether the marriage between church and music instrument is solid or on its way to the divorce court.Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: The relationship between organ and church has to be reconsidered. The use of the organ in the worship service has to be taken under scrutiny, and a new relationship agreement between the two partners has to be formulated.

scholarly journals Does the Baltic Dry Index predict economic activity in South Africa? A review from 1985 to 2016

2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kurt Sartorius ◽  
Benn Sartorius ◽  
Dino Zuccollo
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Economic Activity ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Share Price ◽  
Series Data ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Baltic ◽  
Baltic Dry Index

Background: The ability of the Baltic Dry Index to predict economic activity has been evaluated in a number of developed and developing countries. Aim: Firstly, the article determines the primary factors driving the dynamics of the Baltic Dry Index (BDI) and, secondly, whether the BDI can predict future share price reactions on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange All Share Index (JSE ALSI), South Africa. Setting: This article investigates the dynamics and predictive properties of the BDI in South Africa between 1985 and 2016. Methods: The article uses a review of a wide range of published data and two time-series data sets to adopt a mixed methods approach. An inductive contents analysis is used to answer the first research question and a combination of a unit root test, correlation analysis and a Granger causality model is employed to test the second research question. Results: The results show that the BDI price is primarily driven by four underlying constructs that include the supply and demand for dry bulk shipping, as well as risk, cost and logistics management factors. Secondly, the results indicate a break in the BDI data set in July 2008 that influences a fundamental change in its relationship with the JSE ALSI index. In the pre-break period (1985 to 2008), the BDI is positively correlated with the ALSI (0.837, α = 0.05) before sharply diverging in the second period from August 2008 to 2016. In the first period, the BDI showed an optimal lag period of 6 months as a predictor of the ALSI index, but this predictive ability ceases after July 2008. The article makes a two-part contribution. Firstly, it demonstrates that the BDI is a useful predictor of future economic activity in an African developing country. Secondly, the BDI can be incorporated in government and industry sector planning models as a variable to assess future gross domestic product trends. Conclusion: The study confirms that the BDI is only a reliable indicator of future economic activity when the supply of shipping capacity is well matched with the demand.

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