scholarly journals FROM DIVINE COMMAND AND PROPHETIC GOALS TO SAPIENTIAL CHARACTER FORMATION: A SURVEY OF OLD TESTAMENT ETHICAL REFLECTION INFORMED BY PHILOSOPHICAL ETHICS

Scriptura ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 113 (0) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Hendrik Bosman
Keyword(s):  
Old Testament ◽  
Divine Command ◽  
Ethical Reflection ◽  
Character Formation ◽  
Philosophical Ethics

scholarly journals ‘Be fruitful and multiply’: Examining Genesis 1:28 as a basis for the adoption of polygamy as a solution to childlessness amongst Nigerian Christians

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Solomon O. Ademiluka
Keyword(s):  
Old Testament ◽  
Target Population ◽  
Christian Ethics ◽  
Divine Command ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Genesis 1 ◽  
Western Civilisation ◽  
Christian Men ◽  
The Church

In spite of Christianity and western civilisation, polygamy remains a major issue in Christian marriage in Africa. In Nigeria, most of the mainline churches officially adopt monogamy, whilst many of the African Initiated Churches (AICs) practise polygamy. Because Africans consider procreation as the primary purpose of marriage, some childless Nigerian Christians engage in polygamy in order to have children. But apart from the factor of traditional passion for children, some engage in polygamy to have children because they take the phrase ‘Be fruitful and multiply’ in Genesis 1:28 as a divine command to everyone to produce children. Therefore, this article examines the text with a view to ascertain whether it is appropriate to exploit the passage as a basis for the adoption of polygamy as a solution to infertility. The target population is those Nigerian Christian men and women who engage in this practice. The article employs descriptive and exegetical methods. It found that, although couched as an imperative, the phrase ‘Be fruitful and multiply’, rather than being a command to procreate, should be simply understood as a saying that God blessed the humankind with offspring, just as he did the fish that are not expected to obey or disobey (Gn 1:22). It therefore does not provide a basis for adoption of polygamy as a solution to infertility. The article recommends that apart from assisting childless Nigerian Christians to realise their dream of childbearing, the church should make them understand the biblical position that every individual and couple need not have children.Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: This research involves the disciplines of the Old Testament and Christian Ethics. It examines Genesis 1:28 with regard to the adoption of polygamy as a solution to infertility amongst Nigerian Christians. The article postulates that the passage is not a command for procreation but is simply a saying that God blessed the humankind with offspring; hence, it does not provide a basis for the adoption of polygamy to solve the problem of infertility.

scholarly journals Social ethics in South Africa: Initiating a dialogue between its relevance and current status

2013 ◽  
Vol 69 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Willem Fourie
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Old Testament ◽  
Political Institutions ◽  
Social Ethics ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Ethical Reflection ◽  
Academic Field ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Traditional Area

South African biblical scholars – particularly those who focus on the Old Testament – are known for their engagement with themes that can be termed social ethical. This impulse is used as starting point to investigate the relevance of social ethics in South Africa and its current status. It is argued that social ethical reflection is of particular relevance for South Africa. This thesis is investigated in two ways. Firstly, the applicability of social ethics as academic field is examined and it is shown that post-apartheid South African political institutions, systems and processes themselves are subjected to major changes and developments – a traditional area of focus of social ethics. Secondly, the current status of social ethical reflection in theological journals based in South Africa is investigated. The article concludes by showing that the current status of social ethical reflection in South African academic theology does not reflect the perceived need for social ethical reflection.

Programmed Teaching for Old Testament

1967 ◽  
Vol 62 (5) ◽  
pp. 511-517
Author(s):  
Hugh Barbour
Keyword(s):  
Old Testament
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