Pub Date : 2024-01-09DOI: 10.17570/stj.2023.v9n1.at6
Wessel Bentley
It has been well documented that there is a correlation between the (over) use of social media and the rise of mental health disorders, especially dependency, depression, anxiety, narcissism, and other behaviour- and mood disorders. The use and functionality of personal mobile devices seized the opportunity to offer individualised and personalised therapeutic services such as applications for mindfulness, exercises to manage depression and anxiety and even to facilitate meditative practices (spirituality). One is then left undecided whether the use of personal mobile devices can be counted as a vice or a blessing. This article will explore impact the use of personal mobile devices have on mental health and the question of being human. It does so within the science and religion discourse.
{"title":"Personal mobile devices and mental health: A double-edged sword?","authors":"Wessel Bentley","doi":"10.17570/stj.2023.v9n1.at6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.17570/stj.2023.v9n1.at6","url":null,"abstract":"It has been well documented that there is a correlation between the (over) use of social media and the rise of mental health disorders, especially dependency, depression, anxiety, narcissism, and other behaviour- and mood disorders. The use and functionality of personal mobile devices seized the opportunity to offer individualised and personalised therapeutic services such as applications for mindfulness, exercises to manage depression and anxiety and even to facilitate meditative practices (spirituality). One is then left undecided whether the use of personal mobile devices can be counted as a vice or a blessing. This article will explore impact the use of personal mobile devices have on mental health and the question of being human. It does so within the science and religion discourse.","PeriodicalId":42487,"journal":{"name":"Stellenbosch Theological Journal","volume":"53 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.1,"publicationDate":"2024-01-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139442080","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-01-09DOI: 10.17570/stj.2023.v9n1.at5
Ernst M. Conradie
This contribution takes as a point of departure an assessment of the impact of the digital divide with specific reference to the education sector in the South African context. A core problem is clearly that such a large proportion of learners drop out of secondary schools, while the pass rates at Bachelors level are also alarming. Does this imply that education takes place with a view to expected failure? This contribution explores the question what perspective Christianity and Christian theology can bring to this social reality. It suggests that this perspective is related to the perplexing question what education is there for in the first place. It surveys various options in this regard (knowledge, skills, virtues, values, worldviews) and then argues that education is also about developing interpretative and integrative frameworks, learning to see the world around us in a way that makes sense. On this basis various strategies to cross the deep divides in the South African education system are suggested. However, it is argued that “crossing” the digital divide should not be reduced to offering soteriological answers to questions regarding the nature of education that are primarily ontological in nature.
{"title":"Educating for expected failure?","authors":"Ernst M. Conradie","doi":"10.17570/stj.2023.v9n1.at5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.17570/stj.2023.v9n1.at5","url":null,"abstract":"This contribution takes as a point of departure an assessment of the impact of the digital divide with specific reference to the education sector in the South African context. A core problem is clearly that such a large proportion of learners drop out of secondary schools, while the pass rates at Bachelors level are also alarming. Does this imply that education takes place with a view to expected failure? This contribution explores the question what perspective Christianity and Christian theology can bring to this social reality. It suggests that this perspective is related to the perplexing question what education is there for in the first place. It surveys various options in this regard (knowledge, skills, virtues, values, worldviews) and then argues that education is also about developing interpretative and integrative frameworks, learning to see the world around us in a way that makes sense. On this basis various strategies to cross the deep divides in the South African education system are suggested. However, it is argued that “crossing” the digital divide should not be reduced to offering soteriological answers to questions regarding the nature of education that are primarily ontological in nature.","PeriodicalId":42487,"journal":{"name":"Stellenbosch Theological Journal","volume":"29 17","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.1,"publicationDate":"2024-01-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139443263","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-01-03DOI: 10.17570/stj.2023.v9n3.a13
Ian Nell
Each congregation has its own spirituality. Within the Reformed tradition, it is usually linked to faith formation. The purpose of this contribution is to address the following research question: How does faith formation take place in and through congregations? In answer to this question, attention will be paid to the following: Firstly, the function and purpose of faith formation will be looked at. Secondly, we will focus on some of the challenges that faith formation faces. Thirdly, the embodiment of faith formation is discussed. Fourthly, the connection between faith formation and desires is examined and finally the focus is on faith formation in and through congregations.
{"title":"Congregational spirituality","authors":"Ian Nell","doi":"10.17570/stj.2023.v9n3.a13","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.17570/stj.2023.v9n3.a13","url":null,"abstract":"Each congregation has its own spirituality. Within the Reformed tradition, it is usually linked to faith formation. The purpose of this contribution is to address the following research question: How does faith formation take place in and through congregations? In answer to this question, attention will be paid to the following: Firstly, the function and purpose of faith formation will be looked at. Secondly, we will focus on some of the challenges that faith formation faces. Thirdly, the embodiment of faith formation is discussed. Fourthly, the connection between faith formation and desires is examined and finally the focus is on faith formation in and through congregations.","PeriodicalId":42487,"journal":{"name":"Stellenbosch Theological Journal","volume":"49 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.1,"publicationDate":"2024-01-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139450997","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-01-02DOI: 10.17570/stj.2023.v9n1.a23
Henry Mbaya
This study discusses the theological framework of John Mbiti’s African theology. It has identified Konrad Raiser’s “Ecumenical paradigm” as a framework within which to conceptualize and understand Mbiti’s theological works, approach, and perspectives. The study argues that Mbiti works with an ecumenical paradigm and framework of African religion(s) and culture. Raiser’s metaphor of “One Household of Life”, is an important theological conceptual tool to try to grasp Mbiti’s approach and methodology. Taking an ecumenical approach, Raiser argues the importance of religions and faith confessions of engaging in dialogue and communication. Behind dialogue, lies the more critical question of the authority of the local context and religions, in relations to Western Christianity. Mbiti wrestles with the question: what authority does African Tradition Religion (ATR) have in relation to Western Christianity, and other religions? Further the study, highlights that there are two principles that are at work in Mbiti’s theological framework and approach, namely, the local in relation to the universal, and the normative in relation to the relative, which can also be understood as the absolutizing in relation to the relativizing.
{"title":"ecumenical framework in Mbiti’s African theology","authors":"Henry Mbaya","doi":"10.17570/stj.2023.v9n1.a23","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.17570/stj.2023.v9n1.a23","url":null,"abstract":"This study discusses the theological framework of John Mbiti’s African theology. It has identified Konrad Raiser’s “Ecumenical paradigm” as a framework within which to conceptualize and understand Mbiti’s theological works, approach, and perspectives. The study argues that Mbiti works with an ecumenical paradigm and framework of African religion(s) and culture. Raiser’s metaphor of “One Household of Life”, is an important theological conceptual tool to try to grasp Mbiti’s approach and methodology. Taking an ecumenical approach, Raiser argues the importance of religions and faith confessions of engaging in dialogue and communication. Behind dialogue, lies the more critical question of the authority of the local context and religions, in relations to Western Christianity. Mbiti wrestles with the question: what authority does African Tradition Religion (ATR) have in relation to Western Christianity, and other religions? Further the study, highlights that there are two principles that are at work in Mbiti’s theological framework and approach, namely, the local in relation to the universal, and the normative in relation to the relative, which can also be understood as the absolutizing in relation to the relativizing.","PeriodicalId":42487,"journal":{"name":"Stellenbosch Theological Journal","volume":"27 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.1,"publicationDate":"2024-01-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139452220","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-12-20DOI: 10.17570/stj.2023.v9n3.a12
Annette Potgieter, André F. Du Toit
Theological education has come all the more under the scope as economic challenges and pressures of a changing society calls for renewed thinking on what theological education should entail. As Reformers, the quest is constantly realigning and adapting to communicate the gospel as effectively as possible. Within the broader purview of Reformed theological institutions in South Africa, Hugenote Kollege offers a unique BTh degree. The degree is fully online and follows an integrated curriculum with the main aim of educating lay ministers. This article explores the online BTh Hugenote Kollege as well as the benefit of online integrated education.
{"title":"Exploring online theological education at Hugenote Kollege","authors":"Annette Potgieter, André F. Du Toit","doi":"10.17570/stj.2023.v9n3.a12","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.17570/stj.2023.v9n3.a12","url":null,"abstract":"Theological education has come all the more under the scope as economic challenges and pressures of a changing society calls for renewed thinking on what theological education should entail. As Reformers, the quest is constantly realigning and adapting to communicate the gospel as effectively as possible. Within the broader purview of Reformed theological institutions in South Africa, Hugenote Kollege offers a unique BTh degree. The degree is fully online and follows an integrated curriculum with the main aim of educating lay ministers. This article explores the online BTh Hugenote Kollege as well as the benefit of online integrated education.","PeriodicalId":42487,"journal":{"name":"Stellenbosch Theological Journal","volume":"57 14","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.1,"publicationDate":"2023-12-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139169884","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-12-20DOI: 10.17570/stj.2023.v9n3.a7
Wynand Fourie
Despite the Spirit-nature of Calvin’s hermeneutic, he does not provide the reader with either explanations or concrete examples of the way in which the Spirit is involved in the interpretation process (Nel 2020:8). In this article, I present a contribution to the ways in which the hermeneutical process of communal spiritual discernment during the council of Jerusalem, as recorded in Acts 15:1–35, can engage wit this aperture in Calvin’s hermeneutic. As an integral part of this communal spiritual discernment process, the engagement of the council, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, with the biblical text is also highlighted. Reformed hermeneutics can, from the perspective of a process of communal spiritual discernment, be described as a hermeneutic that fits the occasion. [1] Keener (2016:33 of 44) indicates that a Pentecostal hermeneutic is simply a Christian hermeneutic. Ultimately, a Christian hermeneutic is a Spirit hermeneutic.
{"title":"Reformed Hermeneutics","authors":"Wynand Fourie","doi":"10.17570/stj.2023.v9n3.a7","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.17570/stj.2023.v9n3.a7","url":null,"abstract":"Despite the Spirit-nature of Calvin’s hermeneutic, he does not provide the reader with either explanations or concrete examples of the way in which the Spirit is involved in the interpretation process (Nel 2020:8). In this article, I present a contribution to the ways in which the hermeneutical process of communal spiritual discernment during the council of Jerusalem, as recorded in Acts 15:1–35, can engage wit this aperture in Calvin’s hermeneutic. As an integral part of this communal spiritual discernment process, the engagement of the council, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, with the biblical text is also highlighted. Reformed hermeneutics can, from the perspective of a process of communal spiritual discernment, be described as a hermeneutic that fits the occasion. [1] Keener (2016:33 of 44) indicates that a Pentecostal hermeneutic is simply a Christian hermeneutic. Ultimately, a Christian hermeneutic is a Spirit hermeneutic.","PeriodicalId":42487,"journal":{"name":"Stellenbosch Theological Journal","volume":"254 16","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.1,"publicationDate":"2023-12-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139170642","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-12-20DOI: 10.17570/stj.2023.v9n3.a11
Nelus Niemandt
Hierdie navorsing fokus op missionale mobiliteit. Missionale mobiliteit verwys in die algemeen na ’n missionale grondhouding wat dui op openheid, die vermoë om grense te oorskry en die bereidwilligheid om nuwe terreine te verken. Gestuurdes (sendelinge) is uit die aard van die missionale opdrag eerder handelaars as hekwagters, eerder mobiel as staties. Gestuurdes reik uit na ander, verwelkom vreemdelinge, eet wat aan hulle voorgesit word en skuif grense. Hierdie missionale grondhouding word in dié navorsing in verband gebring met die werk van predikante, die gereformeerde kerkregtelike verstaan van die verhouding tussen ’n predikant en ’n gemeente en die waarde van mobiliteit. Daar word aandag gegee aan die verband tussen missionale ekklesiologie en mobiliteit deur te verwys na die volgende aspekte: (1) Stephan Paas se kritiek op beweging en mobiliteit by geïnstitusionaliseerde kerke; (2) die belang van innovasie en grensverskuiwing as missionale grondhouding; (3) die rol van veerkragtigheid en aanpasbaarheid; (4) die wisselwerking tussen liminaliteit en stagnasie en (5) die rol van roeping in ’n predikant se koppeling aan ’n spesifieke gemeente. Die Protestantse Kerk in Nederland (PKN) se insigte en praktyke m.b.t mobiliteit van predikante word as ’n gevallestudie van ’n gereformeerde benadering tot mobiliteit voorgehou. Die navorsing word afgesluit deur die insigte te integreer en toe te pas op die situasie in die NG Kerk. Daar word aandag gegee aan die missionale fokus in die NG Kerk, die beroepstelsel en die uitdagings met betrekking tot die vestiging van ’n mobiliteitskultuur.
本研究的重点是宣教流动性。宣教流动性一般是指一种宣教的基本态度，注重开放性、跨越边界的能力和探索新领域的意愿。从宣教使命的性质来看，哨兵是商人而不是围观者，是流动的而不是站立的。管理者向他人伸出援手，欢迎陌生人，吃别人给的东西，并设定界限。在本研究中，这种基本的宣教态度与牧师的工作、改革派教会对牧师与会众之间关系的法律理解以及流动性的价值有关。本研究通过以下几个方面关注传教折衷主义与流动性之间的联系：(1) 斯蒂芬-帕斯（Stephan Paas）对制度化教会中的流动性的批判；(2) 创新和跨界作为传教基本态度的重要性；(3) 复原力和适应性的作用；(4) 边缘性与停滞之间的互动；(5) 天职在牧师与特定会众联系中的作用。Die Protestantse Kerk in Nederland (PKN) se insigte en praktyke met betrekking tot mobiliteit van predikante wordt as 'een gevallestudie van 'n gereformeerde benadering tot mobiliteit voorgehoud.调查结束时，将内容整合并应用于 NG 教会的情况。其中关注了 NG 教会的传教重点、上诉制度以及建立流动文化所面临的挑战。
{"title":"Missionale mobiliteit","authors":"Nelus Niemandt","doi":"10.17570/stj.2023.v9n3.a11","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.17570/stj.2023.v9n3.a11","url":null,"abstract":"Hierdie navorsing fokus op missionale mobiliteit. Missionale mobiliteit verwys in die algemeen na ’n missionale grondhouding wat dui op openheid, die vermoë om grense te oorskry en die bereidwilligheid om nuwe terreine te verken. Gestuurdes (sendelinge) is uit die aard van die missionale opdrag eerder handelaars as hekwagters, eerder mobiel as staties. Gestuurdes reik uit na ander, verwelkom vreemdelinge, eet wat aan hulle voorgesit word en skuif grense. Hierdie missionale grondhouding word in dié navorsing in verband gebring met die werk van predikante, die gereformeerde kerkregtelike verstaan van die verhouding tussen ’n predikant en ’n gemeente en die waarde van mobiliteit. Daar word aandag gegee aan die verband tussen missionale ekklesiologie en mobiliteit deur te verwys na die volgende aspekte: (1) Stephan Paas se kritiek op beweging en mobiliteit by geïnstitusionaliseerde kerke; (2) die belang van innovasie en grensverskuiwing as missionale grondhouding; (3) die rol van veerkragtigheid en aanpasbaarheid; (4) die wisselwerking tussen liminaliteit en stagnasie en (5) die rol van roeping in ’n predikant se koppeling aan ’n spesifieke gemeente. Die Protestantse Kerk in Nederland (PKN) se insigte en praktyke m.b.t mobiliteit van predikante word as ’n gevallestudie van ’n gereformeerde benadering tot mobiliteit voorgehou. Die navorsing word afgesluit deur die insigte te integreer en toe te pas op die situasie in die NG Kerk. Daar word aandag gegee aan die missionale fokus in die NG Kerk, die beroepstelsel en die uitdagings met betrekking tot die vestiging van ’n mobiliteitskultuur.","PeriodicalId":42487,"journal":{"name":"Stellenbosch Theological Journal","volume":"77 16","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.1,"publicationDate":"2023-12-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138957858","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-12-20DOI: 10.17570/stj.2023.v9n3.a10
Heinrich Niehaus
A tradition concept that does not sufficiently reckon with the problem of transformation, opens itself to two opposite dangers: the loss of openness through refusing any change; and the loss of integrity through surrendering assertibility to relativism. This article examines Alasdair MacIntyre’s tradition concept and brings it into conversation with a selection of Reformed scholars, hoping to instil, by its integration, a philosophical robustness in in the Reformed tradition’s thinking about tradition per se and its transformation, so that both integrity and catholicity might be maintained. This article ultimately argues for a congruence between MacIntyre’s tradition concept and the Reformed dictum ecclesia reformata semper reformanda est secundum verbum Dei and shows that the vitality of the tradition is not tied to an absence of argumentation, but rather to the presence of its virtues in these disputations. This may potentially alleviate anxieties in the South African Reformed churches about current arguments and transformations, and help guard against losses of integrity and openness, holiness and catholicity.
一个没有充分考虑到变革问题的传统概念，会给自己带来两种相反的危险：拒绝任何变革，从而丧失开放性；向相对主义屈服，从而丧失完整性。本文研究了阿拉斯戴尔-麦金太尔（Alasdair MacIntyre）的传统概念，并将其与部分改革宗学者进行了对话，希望通过整合，为改革宗传统关于传统本身及其转变的思考灌输一种哲学上的稳健性，从而保持完整性与天主教性。本文最终论证了麦金太尔的传统概念与改革宗的 "ecclesia reformata semper reformanda est secundum verbum Dei "之间的一致性，并表明传统的生命力并不在于没有争论，而是在于其美德在这些争论中的存在。这有可能减轻南非改革宗教会对当前争论和变革的焦虑，并有助于防止完整性和开放性、圣洁性和天主教性的丧失。
{"title":"Tradition navigating transformation","authors":"Heinrich Niehaus","doi":"10.17570/stj.2023.v9n3.a10","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.17570/stj.2023.v9n3.a10","url":null,"abstract":"A tradition concept that does not sufficiently reckon with the problem of transformation, opens itself to two opposite dangers: the loss of openness through refusing any change; and the loss of integrity through surrendering assertibility to relativism. This article examines Alasdair MacIntyre’s tradition concept and brings it into conversation with a selection of Reformed scholars, hoping to instil, by its integration, a philosophical robustness in in the Reformed tradition’s thinking about tradition per se and its transformation, so that both integrity and catholicity might be maintained. This article ultimately argues for a congruence between MacIntyre’s tradition concept and the Reformed dictum ecclesia reformata semper reformanda est secundum verbum Dei and shows that the vitality of the tradition is not tied to an absence of argumentation, but rather to the presence of its virtues in these disputations. This may potentially alleviate anxieties in the South African Reformed churches about current arguments and transformations, and help guard against losses of integrity and openness, holiness and catholicity.","PeriodicalId":42487,"journal":{"name":"Stellenbosch Theological Journal","volume":"45 12","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.1,"publicationDate":"2023-12-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138957301","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-12-18DOI: 10.17570/stj.2023.v9n1.a26
Dieter De Bruin
Central to the question of evangelism in the Southern African context is to “begin again at the beginning” of what exactly the gospel is and what it entails. This article contends that any formulation of the gospel of “the living Lord Jesus Christ …” that envisions even the possibility of the notion of hell as eternal separation from God, annihilation, or punishment for anyone is not “good” news at all, but is in fact, as one writer in the South African context puts it: “the bad news of the Gospel.” Moreover, holistic, or missional conceptions of eschatology, such as that of the influential New Testament Scholar N.T. Wright, inasmuch as they reject or do not explicitly accept universal salvation, lack theological coherence, and cannot be inculcated and shared as good news in the Southern African context. The Dutch Reformed Church and the ecumenical church urgently need to (re)discover the doctrine of ??????????????? for its rediscovery of evangelism not to be in vain.
{"title":"That all shall be saved","authors":"Dieter De Bruin","doi":"10.17570/stj.2023.v9n1.a26","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.17570/stj.2023.v9n1.a26","url":null,"abstract":"Central to the question of evangelism in the Southern African context is to “begin again at the beginning” of what exactly the gospel is and what it entails. This article contends that any formulation of the gospel of “the living Lord Jesus Christ …” that envisions even the possibility of the notion of hell as eternal separation from God, annihilation, or punishment for anyone is not “good” news at all, but is in fact, as one writer in the South African context puts it: “the bad news of the Gospel.” Moreover, holistic, or missional conceptions of eschatology, such as that of the influential New Testament Scholar N.T. Wright, inasmuch as they reject or do not explicitly accept universal salvation, lack theological coherence, and cannot be inculcated and shared as good news in the Southern African context. The Dutch Reformed Church and the ecumenical church urgently need to (re)discover the doctrine of ??????????????? for its rediscovery of evangelism not to be in vain.","PeriodicalId":42487,"journal":{"name":"Stellenbosch Theological Journal","volume":" 18","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.1,"publicationDate":"2023-12-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138964361","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-12-18DOI: 10.17570/stj.2023.v9n1.at4
D. Forster
Developments in Strong Artificial Intelligence (AI) raise important questions about human identity. Of particular interest is how AI challenges the idea that human identity can be collapsed, without remainder, into the individual. In African theological anthropology there is an emphasis upon intersubjective relationality as a key aspect in the formation and understanding of human identity and uniqueness. This article explores the intersections of some of the claims of Strong AI in relation to some southern African notions of relational identity. This article argues that Strong AI invites us to reconsider some dominant individualized approaches to theological anthropology in relation to the doctrine of creation. It does so by decentring the locus of theological reflection from the individual human person and invites some reflection on what it might mean for theology if forms of AI begin to reflect on their own subjectivity, creation, and broader relationships with human and non-human creation.
{"title":"African theological perspectives on intersubjective identity","authors":"D. Forster","doi":"10.17570/stj.2023.v9n1.at4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.17570/stj.2023.v9n1.at4","url":null,"abstract":"Developments in Strong Artificial Intelligence (AI) raise important questions about human identity. Of particular interest is how AI challenges the idea that human identity can be collapsed, without remainder, into the individual. In African theological anthropology there is an emphasis upon intersubjective relationality as a key aspect in the formation and understanding of human identity and uniqueness. This article explores the intersections of some of the claims of Strong AI in relation to some southern African notions of relational identity. This article argues that Strong AI invites us to reconsider some dominant individualized approaches to theological anthropology in relation to the doctrine of creation. It does so by decentring the locus of theological reflection from the individual human person and invites some reflection on what it might mean for theology if forms of AI begin to reflect on their own subjectivity, creation, and broader relationships with human and non-human creation.","PeriodicalId":42487,"journal":{"name":"Stellenbosch Theological Journal","volume":"92 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.1,"publicationDate":"2023-12-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139173684","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
京公网安备 11010802042870号
京ICP备2023020795号-1
扫码关注我们
求助内容：
应助结果提醒方式：