scholarly journals Androcentric language in 1 Thessalonians and its implications for South African women today

2000 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
E.M. Cornelius
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
New Testament ◽  
Modern Society ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
African Women ◽  
Inclusive Language ◽  
Patriarchal Culture ◽  
The New Testament ◽  
South African Women ◽  
The Church

The focus of this article is the use of androcentric language in 1 Thessalonians. The questions asked in this regard are: does the author of 1 Thessalonians use sexist-exclusive language, thus gender-specific language or does he use gender-inclusive language as used within a patriarchal culture? And what are the implications of this situation for South African women today? In order to answer these questions, the background of ancient authors’ use of androcentric language is given as seen from a socio-historical point of view. Then the use of androcentric language by the author of 1 Thessalonians is evaluated. Against this background and in the light of this evaluation, the implications of this kind of language in 1 Thessalonians for contemporary South African women are discussed. It is found that Paul’s use of androcentric language in 1 Thessalonians is possibly a result of the prescriptions of the roles of a patriarchal culture and that the church needs to reconsider its prescriptions of the roles of women in the church. The question to be answered is whether the church prescribes the roles of women in church because of a Biblical view of women or because of its negligence to let God’s Word speak to women in societies. In the light of a changed attitude towards women in our modern society, translators of the New Testament need to consider a fresh interpretation and translation of 1 Thessalonians (and the rest of the New Testament) in which women are addressed and considered to be an active part of God’s church.

The Church Service and Music

1959 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 243-256
Author(s):  
Gerhard Kappner
Keyword(s):  
New Testament ◽  
Special Function ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Brass Instruments ◽  
The New Testament ◽  
Church Service ◽  
The Church ◽  
Lutheran Liturgy

Reflection on Divine Service from the ecumenical point of view has brought us to the realisation that the question of reform of the Order of Service is not a matter of what is effective, or beautiful or reverend within that Service. These traditional standards originating from psychology, aesthetics and history may be considered as outdated. It is rather a question of what is right and fitting as to the details pertaining to the Service. The standard for the ritual ordering of Church Service is the testimony in the Holy Scriptures to the truth of Christ and to His reality. Hence we shall examine, firstly, the essence of the Service as we find it in the Scriptures, and above all in the New Testament. Then, secondly, we shall inquire into the nature of music as we encounter it in the performance of its own special function. And finally, in a third section, we shall clarify the task which faces music in its performance in the Services of the Church. By these means we shall attempt to define the contents of the Lutheran liturgy, and the responsibilities which present themselves to the choir, the organ and the ensemble of brass instruments.

Experiences of Exclusion: a Study Conducted Among Catholic Women in the Johannesburg Diocese1

2003 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 166-191
Author(s):  
Louise Kretzschmar ◽  
Mary Ryan Ralphs
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
African Women ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Structural Forces ◽  
Catholic Women ◽  
Ordination Of Women ◽  
South African Women ◽  
The Church ◽  
Local Research

AbstractMuch has been written to critique the Catholic church's position on the ordination of women based on arguments from scripture and tradition. However, there has been little local research on how South African women experience the consequences of this exclusion from ministry. In this article Ralphs and Kretzschmar set out, from an ethical and feminist theological position, to show the effects of this exclusion both on women and on the church. Through a study of the literature and interviews with 60 Catholic women from the diocese of Johannesburg, they attempt to explain what lies behind the Catholic church's position on women, and to describe it's negative consequences. The authors conclude that whilst many women are aware of the negative effects of exclusion, they are unable to name the structural forces which reinforce this exclusion, and that theological and pedagogical processes are required to shape a different consciousness among women.

Scripture and Tradition

1953 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 113-135
Author(s):  
Oscar Cullmann
Keyword(s):  
New Testament ◽  
Jesus Christ ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
The Other ◽  
Knowing How ◽  
The New Testament ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
The Church

The problem of the relationship between Scripture and Tradition is in the first place a problem of the theological relationship between the apostolic period and the period of the Church. All the other questions depend on the solution that we give to this problem. The alternatives—co-ordination or subordination of Tradition to Scripture—derive from the question of knowing how we must understand the fact that the period of the Church is the continuation and unfolding of the apostolic period. For we must note right away that this fact is capable of divergent interpretations. That is why agreement on the mere fact that the Church continues the work of Christ on earth does not necessarily imply agreement on the relationship between Scripture and Tradition. Thus in my thesis developed in Christ and Time as well as in my studies on the sacraments in the New Testament I came considerably nearer to the ‘Catholic’ point of view. In fact I would affirm very strongly that through the Church the history of salvation is continued on earth. I believe that we find this idea throughout the New Testament, and I should even consider it the key for the understanding of the Johannine Gospel. I would maintain, moreover, that the sacraments, Baptism and Eucharist, take the place in the Church of the miracles performed by Jesus Christ in the period of the Incarnation. And yet I am going to show in the following pages that I subordinate Tradition to Scripture.

scholarly journals A re-reading of John 8:1–11 from a pastoral liberative perspective on South African women

2010 ◽  
Vol 66 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elijah M. Baloyi
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Pastoral Care ◽  
South African ◽  
African Women ◽  
Christian Community ◽  
Gender Oppression ◽  
Jewish Society ◽  
South African Women ◽  
The Church

The inception of democracy in South Africa faced the oppression of women as one of the challenges. The duty to improve women’s position in society is not the responsibility of a few people alone, but of everyone. According to the researcher, the church has not done enough pastorally in this regard. In denouncing the oppression of women, the Christian community should also support the victims of abuse. This article intends to unmask collusion with patriarchal societies including the Jewish society in Jesus’ time by mapping out the forms of harassment and embarrassment inflicted upon women. The study shows how pastoral care can help victims of oppression. A re-reading of John 8:1–11 will inform the, how can the verses above be used in counselling the victims of gender oppression. This study will formulate pastoral guidelines from Jesus’ response to the Pharisees, the Scribes and the woman.

scholarly journals P. G. Lindhardt: Konfrontation. Grundtvigs prædikener i kirkeåret 1854-55 på baggrund af Kierkegaards angreb på den danske kirke og den »officielle« kristendom. Akademisk forlag. 1974

1975 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-73
Author(s):  
William Michelsen
Keyword(s):  
Nineteenth Century ◽  
New Testament ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
The Future ◽  
The New Testament ◽  
Way Of Thinking ◽  
The Moment ◽  
The Church

P. G. Lindhardt: Confrontation. Grundtvig’s Sermons for the Church Year 1854-55 in the light o f Kierkegaard’s attack on the Danish Church and »Official« Christianity. (Akademisk Forlag, Copenhagen, 1974).Reviewed by William Michelsen.In 1961, when Lindhardt published Kierkegaard’s The Moment, he attempted in the Preface to show the »point« at which he found Kierkegaard’s attack not only meaningful but also necessary. A corresponding preface is not required for this book, which can be read independently, as Lindhardt describes in a commentary and an epilogue the confrontation with Kierkegaard which he rightly finds in the previously unpublished sermons of Grundtvig. If Grundtvig had had the opportunity to re-edit them, they would most likely have lost their present freshness as well as their value as documents. Of course they are not all good; but they are all real - as a preacher’s response to the gospel in a particular situation. They are what a sermon should always be, and as such these sermons are, from a non-theological point o f view, as they should be.It may be that Grundtvig did not read or understand all that Kierkegaard wrote. But he knew the situation in which he wrote, though from another viewpoint since he belonged to an older generation. This situation has now changed, inasmuch as the Danish Church has become more accomodating and at the same time more shapeless. To regard the Danish people as Christian was for Kierkegaard an illusion that he considered scandalous. But it is only scandalous if w e allow ourselves to be deluded by it. That is hardly the case today. At that time it was normal to go to church; it is not so today. And yet people want their children christened and called Christian. It is just as difficult now as then to infer anything from outward conduct.Lindhardt emphasizes that in his sermons Grundtvig made the admission that Kierkegaard demanded; but even so he does not think that Grundtvig understood Kierkegaard. It is reasonable to ask whether Lindhardt has understood Grundtvig. Lindhardt stresses quite rightly that whereas Kierkegaard wished to hold people to their time (or moment), Grundtvig referred always to the future, which alone could decide the dispute over Christianity. This future, according to Grundtvig, will not come until the end of all time. But is such a faith in the future identical with nineteenth century theology?However, Grundtvig had another concept of »development«, different from contemporary theologians. He did not subject his Christian outlook on life to an idealist philosophy, such as Protestant theologians after Kant considered it necessary to maintain as modem people. But it was exactly this idealist way of thinking that was the startingpoint for Kierkegaard’s philosophy.The man who refers to the future risks more than the man who holds himselt and others to what they believe at the moment. For Kierkegaard (as for Nietzsche) history was reduced to an existential, irrelevant past. To take up a religious committal to the future is from a Christian point of view to believe that the Christianity of the New Testament will remain the truth - not just for me at the moment (and in a possible, transcendental world) but also after my death in this world. This was what Grundtvig - troubled perhaps but unshakable - believed and preached in this welcome publication of his sermons.

scholarly journals Three perspectives on the Sabbath

2019 ◽  
Vol 53 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Francois P. Möller
Keyword(s):  
New Testament ◽  
Focal Point ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
The Other ◽  
The New Testament ◽  
In Christ ◽  
The Creation ◽  
The Law ◽  
The One ◽  
The Church

There is still confusion in theology and especially among members of the church concerning the fourth commandment and its observance. The following questions could be asked: What is the meaning of the Sabbath? What is the intention of rest on this day? Ought this commandment still be honoured like the other nine commandments of the Law? Does it still have any meaning for the church, or is Sunday a replacement for the Sabbath? The objective is to obtain greater clarity concerning the meaning, contents and application of the Sabbath as presented in both the Old and the New Testament. This is done from a dogmatic emphasis by dividing the Sabbath into three perspectives: The Creation Sabbath (God’s identification with it), the Covenant Sabbath (Israel’s identification with it), and the Atonement Sabbath (the church’s identification with it). This division does not assume three separate Sabbaths, but they are perspectives on the one Sabbath of God. The threefold perspective will contribute to a universal view on the Sabbath as presented in the creation narrative, the nation of Israel, and the church of the New Testament. This universal view is grounded in Christ who is the focal point, contents and connection between the three given perspectives. It is a Christocentric point of view that gives perception on the meaning, observance, application and message of the Sabbath for the church and every believer of our day.

South African Christian Experiences: From colonialism to democracy

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelebogile Thomas Resane
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
African Women ◽  
History Of Christianity ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Rich ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Context Specific ◽  
The Church

Theologically and historically sound, Resane’s South African Christian Experiences: From Colonialism to Democracy, envisions a robust Christianity that acknowledges itself as “a community of justified sinners” who are on an eschatological journey of conversion. This Christianity does not look away from its historical sins and participation in corruption and evils such as Apartheid. Resane argues that failing to adhere to Jesus’ teachings is not a reason for Christianity to recede from public life. Rather, doing so further pushes Christianity away from Jesus who emphatically called for the Church to engage in the liberation of society. By framing how the Christian must engage with his/her community as a component to belief – that saying must mean doing for belief to happen – Resane frames his theology as an eschatological clarion call for internal and social renewal, an interplay between the individual Christian, the communal churches of Christ, and society at large. Dr J. Sands – Northwest University “Drawing from our own wells” is a prophetic call for theologians to develop context specific liberation theologies drawn from their own contexts, history, experiences, and different types of knowledge. This book locates its loci in the historical and contemporary context in South Africa, as well as drawing from the rich legacy of liberation theologies including African, Kairos, Black, Circle and many other theologies to address contemporary issues facing South Africa. Resane’s book contributes towards enhancing the much needed local theologies of liberation based on contextual realities and knowledges. Dr Nontando Hadebe – Circle of Concerned African Women Theologians South African Christian Experiences: From Colonialism to Democracy captures the societal binaries that are part and parcel of Christianity, especially in the African context. The definition of God is also affected by these binaries, such as, is God Black or White? The book proposes both the non-binary approach, and the process of inculturation. The work also shows how not to have one theology, but different theologies, hence references and expansions on the Trinity, Pneumatology, Christology, etc. Furthermore, this work portrays Christ as seen from an African point of view, and what it means to attach African attributes to Christ, as opposed to the traditional Western understanding. Rev. Fr. Thabang Nkadimeng – History of Christianity, University of KwaZulu Natal Resane has dug deep into the history of the church in South Africa, and brought the experiences of Indigenous people and Christians, including theologians, to the attention of every reader. The author demonstrates an intense knowledge of the history of Christianity. He also portrays that there is still more to be done, both from the Christian historical perspective and the theological perspective for the church to be relevant to all the contexts in which it finds itself. Prof. Mokhele Madise – Department of Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology, University of South Africa

The Predicament of Women in a Postmodern World

Matatu ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 182-200
Author(s):  
Dele Bamidele ◽  
Blessing Abuh
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Gender Roles ◽  
South African ◽  
African Women ◽  
Mutual Understanding ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Patriarchal Culture ◽  
The Family ◽  
South African Women ◽  
Difficult Situations

Feminism has no unanimous acceptance in Africa, so women who are associated with it are regarded as deviants or radicals who have chosen to kick against the norms and traditions of traditional Africa. This study explores the plight of suppression and exploitation experienced by women and also revealed the dangerous and difficult situations that often reduce women to mental wrecks. Njabulo Ndebele’s The Cry of Winnie Mandela is the focus of this essay, as the novel accounts for the entrapment and subjugation of women caused by traditional laws and customs, as well as their determined effort to survive in a patriarchal culture. Njabulo examined the lives of five South African women in post-apartheid South Africa, who had to wait indefinitely for their absent husbands. This essay attempts to create awareness of the need for societal reforms in order to improve the lot of women in patriarchal societies and encourage cooperation between women in order to stand up to the challenges of life and assert their individual worth and value, as espoused in the novel. This study concludes that the subjugation of women by patriarchal societies is to the detriment of the family and society at large. Thus, there is a need to re-evaluate and redefine gender roles in African societies in order to establish mutual understanding and relationships between the genders.

scholarly journals A S Geyser, teologiese dosent 1946-1961

1992 ◽  
Vol 48 (1/2) ◽  
Author(s):  
A. G. Van Aarde
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
New Testament ◽  
Practical Theology ◽  
Academic Role ◽  
University Of Pretoria ◽  
The New Testament ◽  
New Testament Studies ◽  
The University ◽  
The Church

A S Geyser, lecturer in theology 1946-1961 In this article the academic role of Professor A S Geyser is briefly discussed. He lectured in New Testament Studies and Practical Theology at the University of Pretoria from 1946. He resigned in 1961, after a period of strife. His publications show a consistence in exegetical approach and theological description. His historical-critical investigation was aimed beyond the New Testament into the pretexts which evidenced the commencement of the universal apostolate at Antioch. Inferred from his exegetical results he propounded the unity of the church as an imperative for today. However, against the background of the South African political history from 1948 to 1961, the political and ecumenical implications of Geyser’s theological convictions were not acceptable to the Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk.

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