NGTT | Nederduitse Gereformeerde Teologiese Tydskrif

From the Editor / Van die Redakteur

2015-08-23T22:58:13+00:00

â€œRise up and walkâ€: Tracing the trajectory of the Carnegie discourse and plotting a way forward

2015-08-23T22:58:18+00:00

This article will provide a comparative analysis of the findings of the first Carnegie Commission on the Poor White Problem, 1932, and the second Carnegie second Carnegie Inquiry into Poverty and Development in Southern Africa, 1982, with regards to the role of the church as an agent of change. It also seeks to navigate the tension inherent in the â€œdouble legacyâ€ of the churchâ€™s historical engagement with issues of poverty and inequality in order to reflect on its current praxis. The article, therefore, highlights both the challenges and opportunities for the churchâ€™s role as we celebrate 20 years of democracy.

â€œAlle kaarte op die preek?â€

2015-08-23T22:58:25+00:00

In hierdie artikel word kortliks gelet op drie grondlyne van die Reformasie, naamlik die vertroosting van die beangste mens tydens die laat Middeleeue, die hunkering na vryheid en die behoefte aan fundamentele verandering. Dit word opgevolg met â€™n uiteensetting van die sakramentele verstaan van die reformatoriese prediking, en die bevraagtekening hiervan in die huidige tydvak. Aan die hand van â€™n sakramenteel-profetiese perspektief op die prediking, word drie homiletiese kontoere vir prediking in ons tyd getrek, naamlik sakramenteel-profetiese prediking as bevestiging, onderbreking en pro-formasie. Ten slotte word enkele suggesties gemaak oor die vraag of ons (nog) â€œalle kaarte op die preekâ€ kan of moet plaas.
â€œAll cards on the sermon?â€
This article briefly discusses three key notions of the Reformation, namely the comforting of anxious people during the late Middle Ages, the longing for freedom, and the need for fundamental transformation. This is followed by an exposition of the sacramental understanding of preaching within the Reformation, and the contemporary critique thereof. By means of a sacramental-prophetical perspective on preaching, three homiletical contours are drawn for preaching in our times, namely affirmation, interruption, and pro-formation. The article is concluded with some suggestions on the question whether we should or could still place such a decisive emphasis on preaching.

â€œTrampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored.â€ Assessing the legacy of â€œThe Battle Hymn of the Republicâ€

2015-08-23T22:58:30+00:00

â€œThe Battle Hymn of the Republic,â€ written in 1861 by Julia Howe in the context of the American Civil War, indeed has a rich reception history in American public discourse and popular culture. So this hymn was cited by Martin Luther King in his last speech before being assassinated in 1968; it was sung at the memorial service for 9/11 at the National Cathedral in Washington DC and most recently at Barack Obamaâ€™s inauguration service in January 2013. This hymn moreover has served as inspiration for John Steinbeckâ€™s novel, The Grapes of Wrath as well as John Updikeâ€™s novel In the Beauty of the Lilies.
And yet, this hymn is steeped in violence as it draws on biblical imagery that imagines God as a violent warrior who will deal decisively with Godâ€™s enemies. The first stanza in particular utilizes imagery of God trampling the wine press in Isaiah 63 in which the blood of the enemies are staining Godâ€™s robes red, which in turn is picked up by the author of the book of Revelation. This violence at the heart of the â€œBattle Hymnâ€ is problematic indeed. As Dominic Tierney writes in an article in The Atlantic, â€œthe â€˜Battle Hymnâ€™ is a warriorâ€™s cry and a call to arms. Its vivid portrait of sacred violence captures how Americans fight wars, from the miniÃ© balls of the Civil War to the shock and awe of Iraqâ€ (Nov 4, 2010).
In this paper, I will investigate the complex reception history of this popular hymn in (American) public discourse as well as its biblical origins in the portrayal of God and violence in prophetic literature of the Old Testament. I will ask whether the violent origins of the divine metaphor hamper its applicability to just causes such as the fight for gender and racial justice.
This question is particularly important to consider as we are faced globally with the question of how God is invoked in public discourse â€“ most recently in my South African context by President Jacob Zuma, who famously has said that the ANC would rule until Jesus will come again. In an address to the 33rd Presbyterian Synod in Giyani, Limpopo in October 2013, Pres Zuma is reported to have invoked the wrath of God upon those individuals who do not respect his leadership, raising disconcerting questions regarding the link between divine violence and violence in political discourse.

A perspective on marriages and civil unions in SouthÂ Africa (Part one)

2015-08-23T22:58:36+00:00

The aim of this article to take a look at and assess the current situation in South Africa regarding marriages and civil unions from a Christian theological and historical perspective. The question to be answered is: Where do churches stand with regard to marriages and civil unions? Are they merely to accept the way current laws on face value arguing that the state has the right to make laws and to enforce them and churches just have to obey the laws of the state or does the human rights of freedom of religion and freedom of association as part of state legislation give churches the options to exercise their faith identity in the matters of marriage and civil unions?

The relevance of Galatians 5:16-26 in the modern â€œspiritual intelligenceâ€ debate

2015-08-23T22:58:42+00:00

It is not acceptable for Christians to live their lives in isolation. It is important, especially for Christians to participate in, to influence and to hold an opinion regarding the relevant issues in the world. When our magazines and newspapers report something new, Christians should become actively engaged and position themselves. When a womenâ€™s magazine published an article about spiritual intelligence being a demand of the twenty-first century, I wondered whether Christians could view themselves as spiritually intelligent. Therefore, this article seeks to offer an exploration of what spiritual intelligence entails and a determination of the relevance of Galatians 5:16-25 in this debate. The list of virtues in this passage offers a clear picture of what a Spirit-filled life should be. The latter appears to be synonymous with a spiritually mature life, as demanded by our modern world. Being a Christian improves the way one manages everyday problems in the world. It alters the way one conducts business. Christian spirituality (like many other forms of spirituality) can contribute to a successful and whole person, family, company, and nation.

Die karakterisering van Natanael in die Johannesevangelie

2015-08-23T22:58:47+00:00

The characterization of Nathanael in the Gospel of John
In this article the characterization of Nathanael is investigated by taking into account both historical concerns and literary aspects. After a brief discussion of questions pertaining to Nathanaelâ€™s identity and historicity, his basic characterization is discussed. Following this, a number of important issues are investigated in more detail, namely the way in which the introduction of this character on the fourth day can be related to the cosmological setting in the Gospel; the suggestion that Nathanael is portrayed as a follower of the Baptist and gift of God; an exploration of the intercharacterizational relationship of Nathanael and Simon Peter; and, finally, an investigation of the intertextual relationships between the Nathanael episode and Zechariah 3:10 (in particular, the notions of the â€œBranchâ€ and â€œunder the fig treeâ€).

Theology and the building of civilizing democracy in South Africa

2015-08-23T22:58:52+00:00

This paper discusses the contribution of theology to the building of a civilizing democracy, i.e. a democratic society where a life of justice to all is advanced. A society is only â€œcivilizedâ€ where justice to especially the most vulnerable is advanced. Justice rests in dignity and co-exists with equality and equity, as well as with freedom. Theology makes a threefold contribution towards a society of justice. Theology reveals the deeper meaning-giving framework, and forces of social cohesion and moral living without which a liberal democracy cannot flourish. Theology offers richer descriptions of notions like justice, which advance the implementation and fulfilment of these features. Theology makes a contribution towards the mobilization of an activist civil society and citizenship in search of a civilizing society of justice.

Die invloed van sekularisasie op die NG Kerk: â€™n kerkhistories-sosiologiese perspektief

2015-08-23T22:58:57+00:00

The influence of secularisation on the DR Church: A church historical and sociological perspective
The influence of religious discourses and institutions in South Africa, as elsewhere, diminishes because of structural secularisation. Social secularisation as another form of secularisation compromises the 'necessityâ€™ for religion in modern day social culture. Humanistic Western Individualism is the dominant social meaning system (also in South Africa) best associated with this process. The actualisation of its priorities (personal freedom, privacy, emancipation of the self, freedom of choice and to strive for personal affluence) plays a significant role in the lives of the Dutch Reformed Churchâ€™s congregants. Social secularisation liberates people from ecclesiastical doctrine as regulatory for personal life and reason and marks the growing indifference to the official church. This leads to a legitimacy crisis concerning established religious meaning systems. Ironically religion doesnâ€™t disappear altogether because of secularisation. It does however, transposes traditional forms of collective religion because the sustainment of religion as phenomenon depends increasingly on religiosities in the private sphere. Consequently, the proliferation of different personal, religious beliefs and practices also increases religious pluralism within the Dutch Reformed Church, challenging its reformed identity.

The role of medical humanities, ethical coaching and global bioethics in addressing the ethical vulnerability of health care practitioners

2015-08-23T22:59:03+00:00

This paper outlines the many ethical challenges faced today by health care practitioners. These challenges are not limited to the conventional bioethical challenges of life and death, informed consent, palliative care or research on human subjects only. The literature review suggests that complex matters such as a weakening health care system, health care research supported by the medical industry, socio-economic and socio-political circumstances, communication, and the globalization of bioethics contribute to the already numerous ethical challenges that presently intensify the ethical vulnerability of health care practitioners. Given this context, the aim of this paper is to unpack what the ethical challenges as experienced by health care practitioners entail and how health care practitioners can be supported to deal with these challenges. Aspects such as the medical humanities, ethical coaching and an integrated bioethical model to support health care practitioners are discussed. Ultimately, the discourse is based on the values of Christian ethics.

Divine Presence, then the covenants. AnÂ essayÂ onÂ narrative and theological precedence (PartÂ three)

2015-08-23T22:59:08+00:00

Blessed? A critical analysis of salvation in Denise Ackermann that portrays human flourishing as liberation, grace and the goodness of life

2015-08-23T22:59:14+00:00

Happiness and human flourishing has increasingly become a theological research focus in a variety of theological disciplines, including systematic theology (cf Charry, 2012), practical theology (cf Long, 2012) and biblical theology (cf Strawn, 2012). In systematic theology the focus of such research often is often creation, salvation and eschatology. The doctrine of salvation has particularly interesting (including etymological) connections with the notions of well-being and health. This paper, which forms part of PhD research on human flourishing, proposes to do a critical analysis of renowned Circle theologian Denise Ackermannâ€™s understanding of salvation, since (1) feminist theology (and feminist theologians) has a particular concern for the â€˜flourishing of allâ€™, and (2) African theological voices on human flourishing should contribute to the emerging theological thinking on human flourishing. In this paper, it will be argued that salvation in Ackermannâ€™s thought is infused with the vision for â€˜abundant life for allâ€™, which culminates with the notion of â€˜blessingâ€™.

The presence of religious virtuosi and non-virtuosi in the Matthean community

2015-08-23T22:59:19+00:00

This article analyses the Gospel according to Matthew in the light of Max Weberâ€™s social-scientific model of virtuoso religion. It attempts to determine if the Matthean community reflected in the Gospel had a two-tier social structure comprised of followers who strictly obeyed the demanding commands of Jesus to renounce both their families and their possessions (virtuosi) and more temperate members who did not (non-virtuosi). The article firstly attempts to clarify what is understood by the Matthean community, before giving a brief overview of Weberâ€™s understanding of virtuoso religion that is then utilised to analyse the Gospel according to Matthew. The article comes to the conclusion that the Matthean community was comprised of both virtuosi and non-virtuosi followers of Jesus.

An exploration of fresh expressions as missional church: Some practical-theological perspectives

2015-08-23T22:59:23+00:00

The mainline churches in Europe and North America are on the decline. Mainline denominations are struggling to reach the unchurched in a fast changing world. New ways of being church and doing mission are on the rise all over the world. Fresh Expressions is one of the ways that mainline congregations (especially in the Anglican Church in England) are seeking to be missional in contemporary culture. This study seeks to give a practical theological analysis of Fresh Expressions through some empirical and reflective work. A research team visited some Fresh Expressions initiatives in London and found a pattern of practice that can be described as inviting, accepting and challenging. Secondly, the researchers explore these findings by using a perspective from New Testament ethics, evaluating Fresh Expressions through the lenses of community, cross and new creation. Lastly, a synthesis of the data is made and the researchers also look at possible applications of some aspects of the movement within mainline denominations in South Africa.

Teodisee vraagstuk in Job as uitdaging aan die grense tussen samelewing (rein) en wildernis (onrein)

2015-08-23T22:59:28+00:00

The question regarding theodicy in Job as a challenge in regard to the borders between society and wilderness
This article focuses on the first divine speech in Job (38-39:33). In this regard the first divine speech serves as polemics against the ruling Zeitgeist in post-exilic Israel. A message of hope, that urges Israel to focus her attention on the one sovereign God sprouts forth from it, morphing the first divine speech into a radical message of cultic and religious encouragement. The animals listed in Job 38-39:33 show similarities when their habitat is taken into account. Habitat outside of society and death as a conceptual location is linked to each other in various ways. The article attempts to show that concepts such as being clean or unclean is created through cultural processes of thought that links being clean with cosmic order and the presence of God. Cultic cleanness is linked with â€˜societyâ€™. The antitheses of â€˜societyâ€™ is â€˜wildernessâ€™. In Job 38-41 God cares for animals that live in the â€˜wildernessâ€™. The negative associations that Israel have towards â€˜wildernessâ€™ now stands in direct contrast towards Godâ€™s love and care.
In this regard Israelâ€™s perception of true cleanness and uncleanness is placed in the spotlight. Clean, unclean and right and wrong seems to be redefined and God claims authority over it all. Suffering, deserved or not and our negative feelings towards suffering is redefined, seeing that what we once thought was wrong and had negative feelings towards, just like uncleanness, now seems to be a part of the one sovereign God.

Will all be saved? A discussion on the theme of universal deliverance in the song in Revelation 15

2015-08-23T22:59:33+00:00

The so-called â€œSong of Mosesâ€ in Revelation 15 is a song of which its Old Testament background is highly debated in modern scholarship. There is, however, no disagreement on the fact that the song does contain lots of Old Testament themes. This paper aims to discuss one of these themes that appear to be present in the song namely the theme of universal deliverance. The paper discusses the different points of view in modern scholarship on the theme and attempts to determine which view carries most weight; taking into account the possible Old Testament texts alluded to in the song.

Romeine 10:5-21 in retoriese perspektief

2015-08-23T22:59:39+00:00

This article is an attempt to reconstruct Paulâ€™s rhetorical strategy from the text itself, rather than applying ancient or modern rhetorical models to his letters. A proposal for such a text-centred approach is briefly summarised, followed by a discussion of the rhetorical situation that Paul wants to address in this letter. It is argued that the section 10:5-21 forms an integral part of his rhetorical strategy, aimed at persuading his audience in Rome to support his view on Godâ€™s plan of salvation, as well as his forthcoming mission to Spain. In the process of persuasion Paul uses various types of argument and rhetorical techniques to enhance the impact of his communication.
The conclusion is that a text-centred approach (with its focus on the functional aspects of the text) provides a better alternative to existing approaches (which focus on the formal aspects of the text). A few remarks on the 2014 Afrikaans translation Nuwe Testament en Psalms: â€™n Direkte Vertaling might also be of interest to Bible translators.

Die diaken in twee kerkordes in die Dordtse tradisie

2015-08-23T22:59:46+00:00

The deacon as prescribed in two church orders in the line of the order of Dordt
The question is whether the church orders of the Christian Reformed Church in North America and the Dutch Reformed Church are in line with the church order of Dordt of 1619 on the character of the office of deacon in church. It is established that all three of them concentrate of the deacon as a ministry of mercy. These words are used by the order of the Christian Reformed Church, but also give a summary of the meaning of the other two church orders on the subject. A distinction is made between the focus of an office in church and the specific office as a practical means to achieve that focus.

Die vraag is of die kerkordes van die Christian Reformed Church in North America en die Nederduitse Gereformeerde Kerk ten opsigte van hulle bepalings oor die aard van die diakenamp in die Dordtse tradisie of dieselfde lyn as die Dortse Kerkorde van 1619 beweeg? Die antwoord is dat al drie ordes na die bediening van die diaken as â€™n diens van barmhartigheid verwys. Die Kerkorde van die Christian Reformed Church praat letterlik van hierdie diens as â€™n â€œministry of mercyâ€. â€™n Onderskeid word getref tussen die fokus van â€™n amp en die amp as die praktiese gestaltegewing daarvan.

Spirit, vulnerability and beauty â€“ aÂ pneumatologicalÂ exploration

2015-08-23T22:59:53+00:00

Vulnerability is for most people a problematic concept. However, there are several theological discourses revealing an exciting reinterpretation of vulnerability. The recent attention to vulnerability opens novel and vital perspectives on human life in relation to God. The first part of this article is an overview of constructive Reformed theological proposals that offer a promising hermeneutics of vulnerability. The second part presents an additional constructive proposal: a pneumatological exploration of vulnerability. The pairing of Spirit and vulnerability leads to the understanding that vulnerability is the realm of the Holy Spirit. Notions such as quality, transformation, vulnerability dialectics, beauty and danger turn out to be critical constituents of the bond between Spirit and vulnerability.

Power games: Using Foucault to shed light on the inherent power dynamics of intercultural Bible study groups. Discussion of a qualitative research project

2015-08-23T22:59:59+00:00

In theory the process of intercultural Bible reading should create a safe space where the voice of the individual can be heard in community with others. It should be a space where the individual is not only free to speak, but also to have the innate experience of truly being heard. In this respect the intercultural Bible reading experience becomes a space that promotes human dignity and has the inherent capacity to facilitate social transformation. Although these Bible study groups can ideally be a safe space with the potential for social transformation, the practical reality shows a more complicated dynamic. An important factor that contributes to the complexity is the underlying power dynamic in the social interaction. To bring the concept of power in intercultural Bible reading into focus, an empirical study was conducted. After briefly discussing the scope of the empirical research project, the main focus of the paper will shift to Michel Foucaultâ€™s seminal theory on power. Conversation analysis was used in the research project as a qualitative data analysis tool to identify the main trends functioning in the observable power dynamic. Foucaultâ€™s theory will be used to shed light on the inherent power dynamic that functions in the intercultural Bible reading space. The paper will show that the intercultural Bible reading space cannot escape the functioning of an inherent power dynamic, but by using Foucaultâ€™s theory, a greater understanding can be obtained and observed trends and patterns can be better understood, predicted and managed.

Missiology: Rise, demise and future at the university

2015-08-23T23:00:06+00:00

Although a latecomer as discipline, missiology had an impressive rise in the history of theology. Gustav Warneckâ€™s â€œEvangelische Missionslehre (1897-1903)â€ resulted in missiology being regarded as an extremely influential discipline. This was not at all strange as Christian mission was a worldwide endeavour and accepted as the most important calling of the church. Throughout the 1900s missiology and missiological conferences continued to be the centre of theological discussions. With the political emancipation of Africa and the East, the whole concept of missions was challenged and this led to the demise of missiology as a discipline at universities. Influential missiologists, such as Johannes Verkuyl and David Bosch, published works of high theological value, but it seemed as if sociological, cultural and interreligious studies displaced missiology at university. Many seminaries are still putting up a brave fight to save missiology, but at university level it seems that classical missiology as discipline is being displaced. The future of missiology must, however, not be regarded as obsolete, but rather as an irreplaceable part of theology and faith.

Ecology and structural violence: The South African reception of Lutheran voices from North America

2015-08-23T23:00:11+00:00

This review essay offers an assessment of two recent monographs by Larry Rasmussen and Cynthia Moe-Lobeda in the field of ecotheology. It focuses on the category of moral vision that both authors employ. It shows how the notion of critical moral vision helps to identify and assess the root causes of economic inequalities and ecological destruction in terms of structural violence, structural evil and the very nature of sin. It also explains why such moral vision forms the key but by itself remains insufficient for social transformation. The influence of such insights in the South African context is illustrated with reference to teaching and research done at the University of the Western Cape and, more specifically, the category of transfiguration in Desmond Tutuâ€™s theology.

The rising prominence of John Owen: A research article of â€œThe Ashgate Research Companion to JohnÂ Owenâ€™s Theologyâ€

2015-08-23T23:00:19+00:00

Scholars are only recently beginning to note the importance of John Owen as a seventeenth-century reformed orthodox theologian. The Ashgate Research Companion to John Owenâ€™s Theology is the first book of its kind. This fact should flag this work as an important benchmark in Owen studies. Kelly Kapic and Mark Jones have assembled a wide array of scholars to treat aspects of Owenâ€™s theology from the standpoint of his relevance both to historical theology and to contemporary reflection. While all of the essays in this volume will attract those interested in Owen and in the theological topics treated, they are not all of equal quality. This work is not only important for historical theology. It has the potential to bring Owenâ€™s theology to bear on many areas of contemporary theology. Because of the importance of this book, each chapter merits careful analysis.