Bringing methodology and theory closer: Development and challenges in South African homiletics. The homiletic landscape in South Africa is rich and varied. In this contribution, we attempt to paint with broad brushstrokes this landscape. We write as practical theologians with a shared love for homiletics, but also with an interest in doing what we preach in terms of research and teaching. Put differently, we argue in the light of existing literature that there should be congruence between theories we advance, and methodologies we employ. We dwell on themes such as decolonisation, justice and reconciliation, poverty and inequality that are characteristic of our homiletical landscape. We conclude with the thought that as Christianity in South Africa grows and preachers increase in number, so do the opportunities for empirical academic involvement in preaching. However, the occasion also poses a challenge for academics engaged in homiletics, namely, to practise what they preach by bringing theory and method in a closer relationship.Contribution: The article engages current homiletical research in South Africa by means of a literature study, specifically highlighting the challenges and opportunities posed to the discipline of Homiletics within a postcolonial South African context, and at ecumenical faculties of Theology. These challenges and opportunities are especially important for a discipline such as Homiletics in South Africa with its strong Protestant and Reformed roots, to reflect on future methodologies pertaining to research and teaching.
{"title":"Doen metodologies wat akademies verkondig word: Ontwikkelings en geleenthede vir homiletiek in SA","authors":"Cas Wepener, Ian A. Nell","doi":"10.4102/ids.v56i1.2895","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4102/ids.v56i1.2895","url":null,"abstract":"Bringing methodology and theory closer: Development and challenges in South African homiletics. The homiletic landscape in South Africa is rich and varied. In this contribution, we attempt to paint with broad brushstrokes this landscape. We write as practical theologians with a shared love for homiletics, but also with an interest in doing what we preach in terms of research and teaching. Put differently, we argue in the light of existing literature that there should be congruence between theories we advance, and methodologies we employ. We dwell on themes such as decolonisation, justice and reconciliation, poverty and inequality that are characteristic of our homiletical landscape. We conclude with the thought that as Christianity in South Africa grows and preachers increase in number, so do the opportunities for empirical academic involvement in preaching. However, the occasion also poses a challenge for academics engaged in homiletics, namely, to practise what they preach by bringing theory and method in a closer relationship.Contribution: The article engages current homiletical research in South Africa by means of a literature study, specifically highlighting the challenges and opportunities posed to the discipline of Homiletics within a postcolonial South African context, and at ecumenical faculties of Theology. These challenges and opportunities are especially important for a discipline such as Homiletics in South Africa with its strong Protestant and Reformed roots, to reflect on future methodologies pertaining to research and teaching.","PeriodicalId":44312,"journal":{"name":"In die Skriflig-In Luce Verbi","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.2,"publicationDate":"2022-12-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"86841493","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}
In Christian theological history, reflecting on the relationship between intellect and the will is an ongoing process. Roughly speaking, in Medieval Christianity, two concepts were employed to clarify the relationship between intellect and the will: intellectualism defended the primary role of the intellect, and voluntarism promoted the human will as decisive. These were represented respectively by Aquinas and Duns Scotus. After presenting these concepts as interpretive frameworks, the author examines Calvin. It appears that Calvin’s metaphysical structure of the human being can be characterised as intellectualistic. Richard Muller agrees with this, but he suggests that Calvin’s soteriology was influenced by voluntarism. From the fiducial character of faith, he argues the importance of the will in the fall from grace and suggests that Calvin placed himself in the voluntaristic tradition of Scotus. In this article, Muller’s arguments are investigated and evaluated, and the conclusion is drawn that there is no ground for soteriological voluntarism in Calvin. This conclusion led the author to question whether intellectualism can be spoken of in Calvin’s soteriology. His research into this question is answered affirmatively, leading to the conclusion that Calvin is best understood from an intellectualistic point of view in both his metaphysics and his soteriology.Contribution: Firstly, this article contributes to a historical-theological discussion of the relationship of will and reason in Calvin. Secondly, this discussion is important for a reformed anthropology. Thirdly, this historical insight is important for contemporary anthropological reflection, for example in relation to neuroscience.
{"title":"Calvin’s human being: Intellect and will in Calvin","authors":"Willem van Vlastuin","doi":"10.4102/ids.v56i1.2890","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4102/ids.v56i1.2890","url":null,"abstract":"In Christian theological history, reflecting on the relationship between intellect and the will is an ongoing process. Roughly speaking, in Medieval Christianity, two concepts were employed to clarify the relationship between intellect and the will: intellectualism defended the primary role of the intellect, and voluntarism promoted the human will as decisive. These were represented respectively by Aquinas and Duns Scotus. After presenting these concepts as interpretive frameworks, the author examines Calvin. It appears that Calvin’s metaphysical structure of the human being can be characterised as intellectualistic. Richard Muller agrees with this, but he suggests that Calvin’s soteriology was influenced by voluntarism. From the fiducial character of faith, he argues the importance of the will in the fall from grace and suggests that Calvin placed himself in the voluntaristic tradition of Scotus. In this article, Muller’s arguments are investigated and evaluated, and the conclusion is drawn that there is no ground for soteriological voluntarism in Calvin. This conclusion led the author to question whether intellectualism can be spoken of in Calvin’s soteriology. His research into this question is answered affirmatively, leading to the conclusion that Calvin is best understood from an intellectualistic point of view in both his metaphysics and his soteriology.Contribution: Firstly, this article contributes to a historical-theological discussion of the relationship of will and reason in Calvin. Secondly, this discussion is important for a reformed anthropology. Thirdly, this historical insight is important for contemporary anthropological reflection, for example in relation to neuroscience.","PeriodicalId":44312,"journal":{"name":"In die Skriflig-In Luce Verbi","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.2,"publicationDate":"2022-12-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"73313028","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}
In this article is examined the now famous political slogan particularly in the South-Western region of Nigeria: àwa l’ókàn [it is our turn] as grounded on political injustice and not resonating with competence as claimed. This has become critical, because it has generated heated debate among Christians across denominational lines. I traced the popularity of the slogan to Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who claimed that, in the 2023 elections, the office of the president of Nigeria should be zoned to the South-Western geo-political zone, and then to him personally; hence Emi l’ókàn [it is my turn]. The theoretical argument in this article is that, although Christians are saved to live differently from the world, they still have critical roles to play in political affairs in ways that are consistent with their faith. The article used both primary and secondary sources that consist of books, articles, personal interviews and the social media. It discovered that the South-Western region has had at least a 15-year stint in the Nigerian presidency since 1999, the South-Southern region, eight years and the South-Eastern region, zero years. In addition, the article found out that the slogan, Emi l’ókàn, has resulted in theological disagreements which are not healthy for Christian unity and purpose in a multi-religious society such as Nigeria. It concluded that ‘àwa l’ókàn politics is based on ethnic solidarity rather than oneness in Christ. This position has implications for the Christian body, because preference for ethnicity over justice and fairness, which are Christian principles, challenges sound Christian theo-political theory.Contribution: This article is interdisciplinary in nature. It brings together theology, ethnicity and politics, and argues that these disciplines are dynamic. But in a situation in which conflict of interest arises, it is argued that Christian ethics should guide in taking a moral decision to abide by the principle of oneness in Christ (Eph 2:11–22).
在这篇文章中，我们检视了现在著名的政治口号，特别是在奈及利亚西南地区:àwa l ' ókàn[轮到我们了]，这是建立在政治不公正的基础上，而不是与声称的能力产生共鸣。这一点已经变得至关重要，因为它在不同教派的基督徒之间引发了激烈的争论。我把这个口号的流行追溯到全进步大会(APC)的总统候选人博拉·艾哈迈德·蒂努布(Bola Ahmed Tinubu)，他声称，在2023年的选举中，尼日利亚总统的办公室应该划分到西南地缘政治区，然后再划分到他个人;因此Emi l ' ókàn[轮到我了]。这篇文章的理论论点是，尽管基督徒得救是为了过与世界不同的生活，但他们在政治事务中仍然扮演着与他们的信仰相一致的关键角色。这篇文章使用了主要和次要来源，包括书籍、文章、个人采访和社交媒体。调查发现，自1999年以来，尼日利亚西南部地区至少担任了15年的总统，南部地区担任了8年，东南部地区担任了0年。此外，文章还发现，“Emi l ' ókàn”的口号导致了神学上的分歧，这对尼日利亚这样一个多宗教社会的基督教团结和目标是不健康的。它的结论是，“àwa l”ókàn政治是基于民族团结，而不是在基督里的合一。这一立场对基督教团体有影响，因为对种族的偏好超过了正义和公平，这是基督教的原则，挑战了健全的基督教神权政治理论。投稿:本文属跨学科性质。它将神学、种族和政治结合在一起，并认为这些学科是动态的。但在出现利益冲突的情况下，有人认为基督教伦理应该引导人们做出道德决定，遵守基督合一的原则(以弗所书2:11-22)。
{"title":"Àwa L’ókàn: When the blood of Jesus is not thick enough to bond his body","authors":"B. O. Igboin","doi":"10.4102/ids.v56i1.2899","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4102/ids.v56i1.2899","url":null,"abstract":"In this article is examined the now famous political slogan particularly in the South-Western region of Nigeria: àwa l’ókàn [it is our turn] as grounded on political injustice and not resonating with competence as claimed. This has become critical, because it has generated heated debate among Christians across denominational lines. I traced the popularity of the slogan to Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who claimed that, in the 2023 elections, the office of the president of Nigeria should be zoned to the South-Western geo-political zone, and then to him personally; hence Emi l’ókàn [it is my turn]. The theoretical argument in this article is that, although Christians are saved to live differently from the world, they still have critical roles to play in political affairs in ways that are consistent with their faith. The article used both primary and secondary sources that consist of books, articles, personal interviews and the social media. It discovered that the South-Western region has had at least a 15-year stint in the Nigerian presidency since 1999, the South-Southern region, eight years and the South-Eastern region, zero years. In addition, the article found out that the slogan, Emi l’ókàn, has resulted in theological disagreements which are not healthy for Christian unity and purpose in a multi-religious society such as Nigeria. It concluded that ‘àwa l’ókàn politics is based on ethnic solidarity rather than oneness in Christ. This position has implications for the Christian body, because preference for ethnicity over justice and fairness, which are Christian principles, challenges sound Christian theo-political theory.Contribution: This article is interdisciplinary in nature. It brings together theology, ethnicity and politics, and argues that these disciplines are dynamic. But in a situation in which conflict of interest arises, it is argued that Christian ethics should guide in taking a moral decision to abide by the principle of oneness in Christ (Eph 2:11–22).","PeriodicalId":44312,"journal":{"name":"In die Skriflig-In Luce Verbi","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.2,"publicationDate":"2022-12-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"81054597","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}
The problematic use of ‘sacrificial and purifying love’ in the metaphor of the bride and bridegroom (Eph 5:22–33). The sacrificial love expected of the bridegroom in Ephesians 5:22–33 is a totally foreign idea in the culture of the first-century Mediterranean world in which the first Christians lived. An argument can be made that the working of the Holy Spirit within the believing men infiltrated the cultural boundaries and expectations with new values such as sacrificial love. However, ‘cleansing love’ as expressed in Ephesians 5:25–28 is an unfamiliar idea, even in our contemporary culture. How can the husband’s love cleanse his wife as Christ cleanses the church? To what extent can the metaphor of the bride and bridegroom be applied to the marital relationship between the present-day man and woman? This article examines the problematic ‘cleansing love’ as portrayed in the metaphor of the bride and bridegroom in Ephesians 5:22–33. A critical investigation is done into the symbolic importance of the bride and bridegroom metaphor for contemporary culture. Schüssler Fiorenza’s (2001) application of the approach of suspicion is followed to interpret the cultural roles assigned to female and male believers from a feminist point of view. The critical feminist approach and its meaning and application to the ancient context of the early Christians in Ephesus serve as the hermeneutical model of this article. Although certain aspects of the bride and bridegroom metaphor, representing Christ as bridegroom and the church as bride, can be applied to the relationship between a Christian bride and bridegroom, there are also aspects of Christ’s relationship with the church, such as his ‘cleansing love’, which cannot realistically apply to the Christian marriage. The husband’s love cannot purify and sanctify the wife (Eph 5:27). Everyone is responsible for his or her own salvation and sanctification. The wife does not need the love of her husband to be in a relationship with Christ, her heavenly bridegroom. Christ’s love cleansed the church, which consists of male and female believers. The love that Jesus demonstrated on the cross, should result in equality among all people.Contribution: The sacrificial and cleansing love of the bridegroom as portrayed in the metaphor of the bride and bridegroom in Ephesians 5 is problematic regarding the gender roles in contemporary marriages. A critical interpretation of the relevant metaphor respects the integrity of the text, but also sees the underlying message of gender inequality.
{"title":"Problematiek rakende ‘opofferende en reinigende liefde’ in die bruid-en-bruidegom-metafoor (Ef 5:22–33)","authors":"Aletta Vrey","doi":"10.4102/ids.v56i1.2878","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4102/ids.v56i1.2878","url":null,"abstract":"The problematic use of ‘sacrificial and purifying love’ in the metaphor of the bride and bridegroom (Eph 5:22–33). The sacrificial love expected of the bridegroom in Ephesians 5:22–33 is a totally foreign idea in the culture of the first-century Mediterranean world in which the first Christians lived. An argument can be made that the working of the Holy Spirit within the believing men infiltrated the cultural boundaries and expectations with new values such as sacrificial love. However, ‘cleansing love’ as expressed in Ephesians 5:25–28 is an unfamiliar idea, even in our contemporary culture. How can the husband’s love cleanse his wife as Christ cleanses the church? To what extent can the metaphor of the bride and bridegroom be applied to the marital relationship between the present-day man and woman? This article examines the problematic ‘cleansing love’ as portrayed in the metaphor of the bride and bridegroom in Ephesians 5:22–33. A critical investigation is done into the symbolic importance of the bride and bridegroom metaphor for contemporary culture. Schüssler Fiorenza’s (2001) application of the approach of suspicion is followed to interpret the cultural roles assigned to female and male believers from a feminist point of view. The critical feminist approach and its meaning and application to the ancient context of the early Christians in Ephesus serve as the hermeneutical model of this article. Although certain aspects of the bride and bridegroom metaphor, representing Christ as bridegroom and the church as bride, can be applied to the relationship between a Christian bride and bridegroom, there are also aspects of Christ’s relationship with the church, such as his ‘cleansing love’, which cannot realistically apply to the Christian marriage. The husband’s love cannot purify and sanctify the wife (Eph 5:27). Everyone is responsible for his or her own salvation and sanctification. The wife does not need the love of her husband to be in a relationship with Christ, her heavenly bridegroom. Christ’s love cleansed the church, which consists of male and female believers. The love that Jesus demonstrated on the cross, should result in equality among all people.Contribution: The sacrificial and cleansing love of the bridegroom as portrayed in the metaphor of the bride and bridegroom in Ephesians 5 is problematic regarding the gender roles in contemporary marriages. A critical interpretation of the relevant metaphor respects the integrity of the text, but also sees the underlying message of gender inequality.","PeriodicalId":44312,"journal":{"name":"In die Skriflig-In Luce Verbi","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.2,"publicationDate":"2022-12-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"72715657","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}
{"title":"The scope and influence of Public Theology in Africa","authors":"M. Kotzé","doi":"10.4102/ids.v56i1.2904","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4102/ids.v56i1.2904","url":null,"abstract":"No abstract available.","PeriodicalId":44312,"journal":{"name":"In die Skriflig-In Luce Verbi","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.2,"publicationDate":"2022-12-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"75972419","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}
Faith formation during the Reformation: A historical exploration. This article investigates the way in which faith formation was seen and understood during the 16th-century Reformation. The emphasis falls especially on the insights of John Calvin, as someone to whom faith formation was of the utmost importance. The article begins by discussing, with the question of faith formation in mind, the run-up to the Reformation. Here it is seen how the church of the time, as a result of certain developments in the Middle Ages, paid less and less attention to the faith formation of ordinary believers. Next, how the Reformation in general, and Calvin in particular, responded to this situation, is viewed. Finally, the Reformation and Calvin’s legacy regarding faith formation, is briefly discussed. It is asked why, if faith formation was so important to Calvin and other Reformers, this focus was not always reflected in the history of different Reformed and Protestant churches.Contribution: This article contributes to contemporary discussions on faith formation by exploring John Calvin’s theology and practice in this regard against the background of the 16th-century Reformation. By retrieving and contextualising insights from the tradition, it provides ideas that could help inform, invigorate and ground both scholarly and practical work that is currently being done on the topic.
{"title":"Geloofsvorming tydens die Reformasie: ’n Historiese verkenning","authors":"Marthinus J. Havenga","doi":"10.4102/ids.v56i1.2900","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4102/ids.v56i1.2900","url":null,"abstract":"Faith formation during the Reformation: A historical exploration. This article investigates the way in which faith formation was seen and understood during the 16th-century Reformation. The emphasis falls especially on the insights of John Calvin, as someone to whom faith formation was of the utmost importance. The article begins by discussing, with the question of faith formation in mind, the run-up to the Reformation. Here it is seen how the church of the time, as a result of certain developments in the Middle Ages, paid less and less attention to the faith formation of ordinary believers. Next, how the Reformation in general, and Calvin in particular, responded to this situation, is viewed. Finally, the Reformation and Calvin’s legacy regarding faith formation, is briefly discussed. It is asked why, if faith formation was so important to Calvin and other Reformers, this focus was not always reflected in the history of different Reformed and Protestant churches.Contribution: This article contributes to contemporary discussions on faith formation by exploring John Calvin’s theology and practice in this regard against the background of the 16th-century Reformation. By retrieving and contextualising insights from the tradition, it provides ideas that could help inform, invigorate and ground both scholarly and practical work that is currently being done on the topic.","PeriodicalId":44312,"journal":{"name":"In die Skriflig-In Luce Verbi","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.2,"publicationDate":"2022-12-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"84173646","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}
The proliferation of New Prophetic Churches within the broader Pentecostal movement in South Africa has come with the challenge of the abuse of religion and people’s beliefs. These abuses have attracted the attention of the government through the Cultural, Religious, and Linguistic Communities (CRL) commission with calls for the regulation of religion to deal with the abuses. This article worked within the context of Christian ecumenism and explored the role of ecumenical bodies in curbing the abuses in New Prophetic Churches as opposed to the regulation by the government. In this article the ecclesiastical freedom theory is used to argue that ecumenical bodies are better positioned to deal with these challenges facing churches than the government and its commissions. It is suggested that, for New Prophetic Churches to be active in national ecumenical bodies such as the South African Council of Churches, they should be allowed to establish their own bodies to assure accountability. This will be achieved by defining the theory of ecclesiastical freedom, a discussion of the ecumenical bodies in South Africa and their relationship with New Prophetic Churches. In the last section the role of ecumenical bodies in dealing with abuses in New Prophetic Churches will be explored and recommendations made.Contribution: This article makes a valuable contribution to the ongoing discourses on the regulation of religion in South Africa through an ecclesiastical freedom theory. It is argued that churches can self-regulate and therefore suggests that instead of regulating churches, the government should rather rely on ecumenical bodies in dealing with abuses in New Prophetic Churches in South Africa. In addition, New Prophetic Churches should be allowed to establish their bodies that will ultimately become part of national ecumenical bodies to assure accountability.
{"title":"The role of ecumenical bodies in curbing abuses in New Prophetic Churches in South Africa","authors":"M. S. Kgatle","doi":"10.4102/ids.v56i1.2901","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4102/ids.v56i1.2901","url":null,"abstract":"The proliferation of New Prophetic Churches within the broader Pentecostal movement in South Africa has come with the challenge of the abuse of religion and people’s beliefs. These abuses have attracted the attention of the government through the Cultural, Religious, and Linguistic Communities (CRL) commission with calls for the regulation of religion to deal with the abuses. This article worked within the context of Christian ecumenism and explored the role of ecumenical bodies in curbing the abuses in New Prophetic Churches as opposed to the regulation by the government. In this article the ecclesiastical freedom theory is used to argue that ecumenical bodies are better positioned to deal with these challenges facing churches than the government and its commissions. It is suggested that, for New Prophetic Churches to be active in national ecumenical bodies such as the South African Council of Churches, they should be allowed to establish their own bodies to assure accountability. This will be achieved by defining the theory of ecclesiastical freedom, a discussion of the ecumenical bodies in South Africa and their relationship with New Prophetic Churches. In the last section the role of ecumenical bodies in dealing with abuses in New Prophetic Churches will be explored and recommendations made.Contribution: This article makes a valuable contribution to the ongoing discourses on the regulation of religion in South Africa through an ecclesiastical freedom theory. It is argued that churches can self-regulate and therefore suggests that instead of regulating churches, the government should rather rely on ecumenical bodies in dealing with abuses in New Prophetic Churches in South Africa. In addition, New Prophetic Churches should be allowed to establish their bodies that will ultimately become part of national ecumenical bodies to assure accountability.","PeriodicalId":44312,"journal":{"name":"In die Skriflig-In Luce Verbi","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.2,"publicationDate":"2022-12-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"86660128","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}
The high poverty levels in Malawi are a cause of concern resulting in many questions being asked. Among these questions is what role the faith communities can play to meaningfully contribute towards addressing this. Importantly, these high poverty levels challenge the church to reflect on the following questions: Beyond the clerical paradigm, what role can the church play in poor communities? How can the church effectively contribute to addressing the challenge of poverty? Thus, using the case of Malawi, in this article is considered the role that the church can perform to address public social issues. It reflects on literature and empirical data that were collected from the Zambezi Evangelical Church in Malawi to assess the role that the church has been playing to address poverty in the country. The article concludes by suggesting ways that the Malawian church could consider strengthening its role in addressing poverty.Contribution: Through using an empirical approach, this article provides insight into the contribution that churches can make to address poverty. It locates such a ministerial approach as an endeavour in public practical theology that could be employed effectively on congregational level.
{"title":"Zambezi Evangelical Church’s role in addressing poverty in Malawi: A public practical theological reflection","authors":"V. Magezi, Patrick Nanthambwe","doi":"10.4102/ids.v56i1.2894","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4102/ids.v56i1.2894","url":null,"abstract":"The high poverty levels in Malawi are a cause of concern resulting in many questions being asked. Among these questions is what role the faith communities can play to meaningfully contribute towards addressing this. Importantly, these high poverty levels challenge the church to reflect on the following questions: Beyond the clerical paradigm, what role can the church play in poor communities? How can the church effectively contribute to addressing the challenge of poverty? Thus, using the case of Malawi, in this article is considered the role that the church can perform to address public social issues. It reflects on literature and empirical data that were collected from the Zambezi Evangelical Church in Malawi to assess the role that the church has been playing to address poverty in the country. The article concludes by suggesting ways that the Malawian church could consider strengthening its role in addressing poverty.Contribution: Through using an empirical approach, this article provides insight into the contribution that churches can make to address poverty. It locates such a ministerial approach as an endeavour in public practical theology that could be employed effectively on congregational level.","PeriodicalId":44312,"journal":{"name":"In die Skriflig-In Luce Verbi","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.2,"publicationDate":"2022-12-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"81544511","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}
Economic justice is a global issue; and in many areas of the world, it is a life-or-death issue. It is well known that the biblical prophets address economic inequities, poverty, and oppression; but the book of Psalms has not been viewed as a resource for promoting economic justice. The purpose of this article is to examine relevant texts in the Psalter that speak to a theology of economic justice. The objective is to construct an initial framework for talking about the Psalms and economics in the context of today’s church. Texts from the Psalms that mention the poor, the weak, the orphan, the widow, the alien are identified and examined exegetically and theologically. These texts are classified and outlined logically according to the following topics that emerged from the texts themselves: the poor and the covenant community, the nature of poverty in the psalter, God’s vindication of the poor, worship and justice, and the psalter’s encouragement of the poor. Results of the research showed that God created Israel to be a community of justice and equity; therefore, God acts on behalf of the poor, and God makes the worshipping community accountable to care for the poor. The study concluded further that privileged leaders who wield power in the community are responsible to care for the disadvantaged members of the community who lack the resources to fend for themselves. The Psalms also encourage the poor to cry out to God whenever they experience oppression and injustice. Potential implications of this article were offered that challenge modern individualism and the theology of private spirituality that is detached from concrete communal ethics.Contribution: This article contributed to a biblical theology of economic justice. It demonstrated that the book of Psalms challenges God’s people to engage in redemptive activities that minister to the poor and to the marginalised.
{"title":"The Psalms and economic justice","authors":"L. Martin","doi":"10.4102/ids.v56i1.2869","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4102/ids.v56i1.2869","url":null,"abstract":"Economic justice is a global issue; and in many areas of the world, it is a life-or-death issue. It is well known that the biblical prophets address economic inequities, poverty, and oppression; but the book of Psalms has not been viewed as a resource for promoting economic justice. The purpose of this article is to examine relevant texts in the Psalter that speak to a theology of economic justice. The objective is to construct an initial framework for talking about the Psalms and economics in the context of today’s church. Texts from the Psalms that mention the poor, the weak, the orphan, the widow, the alien are identified and examined exegetically and theologically. These texts are classified and outlined logically according to the following topics that emerged from the texts themselves: the poor and the covenant community, the nature of poverty in the psalter, God’s vindication of the poor, worship and justice, and the psalter’s encouragement of the poor. Results of the research showed that God created Israel to be a community of justice and equity; therefore, God acts on behalf of the poor, and God makes the worshipping community accountable to care for the poor. The study concluded further that privileged leaders who wield power in the community are responsible to care for the disadvantaged members of the community who lack the resources to fend for themselves. The Psalms also encourage the poor to cry out to God whenever they experience oppression and injustice. Potential implications of this article were offered that challenge modern individualism and the theology of private spirituality that is detached from concrete communal ethics.Contribution: This article contributed to a biblical theology of economic justice. It demonstrated that the book of Psalms challenges God’s people to engage in redemptive activities that minister to the poor and to the marginalised.","PeriodicalId":44312,"journal":{"name":"In die Skriflig-In Luce Verbi","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.2,"publicationDate":"2022-12-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"84197787","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}
Public theology or kingdom theology? Thoughts on the social relevance of Reformed Theology. This article investigated the metatheoretical assumptions of the contemporary discourse about Public Theology. The investigation attended to the historical roots of the movement to understand the notion of defining theology as a mere social programme where the principles are sought in a contextual reading from the context of the reader – thus a reading ‘from below’. Although a clear definition of Public Theology is not possible at this stage of the discourse due to a variety of fundamental ideas promoted by the various exponents of Public Theology, certain dualisms can be discerned in the presentations by public theologians. This investigation presented Kingdom Theology, developed in the classic Reformed tradition as a corrective to the dualisms in Public Theology. The research found that Kingdom Theology is better equipped to address social wrongs and to seek socio-political justice.Contribution: The investigation presented the Kingdom Theology of the classic Reformed tradition as a corrective to the notion of Public Theology and indicated that the ethic Kingdom Theology can address the totality of life and the social order fundamentally, and is not inhibited by contexts, temporality and historic spaces.
{"title":"Publieke teologie of koninkryksteologie? Gedagtes oor die sosiale relevansie van Gereformeerde Teologie","authors":"J. M. Vorster","doi":"10.4102/ids.v56i1.2868","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4102/ids.v56i1.2868","url":null,"abstract":"Public theology or kingdom theology? Thoughts on the social relevance of Reformed Theology. This article investigated the metatheoretical assumptions of the contemporary discourse about Public Theology. The investigation attended to the historical roots of the movement to understand the notion of defining theology as a mere social programme where the principles are sought in a contextual reading from the context of the reader – thus a reading ‘from below’. Although a clear definition of Public Theology is not possible at this stage of the discourse due to a variety of fundamental ideas promoted by the various exponents of Public Theology, certain dualisms can be discerned in the presentations by public theologians. This investigation presented Kingdom Theology, developed in the classic Reformed tradition as a corrective to the dualisms in Public Theology. The research found that Kingdom Theology is better equipped to address social wrongs and to seek socio-political justice.Contribution: The investigation presented the Kingdom Theology of the classic Reformed tradition as a corrective to the notion of Public Theology and indicated that the ethic Kingdom Theology can address the totality of life and the social order fundamentally, and is not inhibited by contexts, temporality and historic spaces.","PeriodicalId":44312,"journal":{"name":"In die Skriflig-In Luce Verbi","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.2,"publicationDate":"2022-10-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"80321308","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}
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