Voorvrae rondom die geloofwaardigheid van die Bybel in ’n “postmoderne tyd”

Authors

  • DFM Strauss

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17570/ngtt.2002.v43n3.a22

Abstract

Although many people assume that the so-called post-modern era in which we live has succeeded in transcending the notion of universality, this very statement is implicitly supposed to hold universally. The way in which Ben du Toit works out the distinction between a pre-modern, modern and post-modern era in his recent work does not satisfy the test of thorough historical criteria. His own orientation still evinces the after-effect of the medieval dualistic motive of nature and grace. Whereas he largely identifies science with the modern period, its authority is projected both into the pre-modern era as well as the so-called post-modern era. This article focuses upon some neglected basic questions and issues within the work of Du Toit as well as two of the prominent thinkers who exerted an influence upon this mode of thinking, namely Pannenberg and Van Huyssteen. Ambiguities regarding the nature of language surface frequently. As a scholarly discipline, theology belongs to the modern era; as a pre-scientific book it belongs to the pre-modern era. The distinction between theology and faith is also blurred in this discussion. Issues regarding the nature of Biblicism and worldview are also handled. The subtle distinction between law and lawfulness paved the way for an argument regarding the acknowledgement of creational normativity. The pantheistic philosophy of energy underlying Du Toit’s understanding of the relationship between God and creation receives particular attention. Before an alternative characterisation of post-modernity is given, some logical implications of relativism are examined. In conclusion, the key statement of Dilthey is presented in order to demonstrate that this method of historicism indeed materialised already more than one hundred years ago.

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Published

2015-07-31

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Section

Articles | Artikels