Theological Studies/Teologiese Studies, Nov 28, 2017
Die verhouding tussen godsdienste was nog altyd problematies. Vir 'n theologia religionum, die ve... more Die verhouding tussen godsdienste was nog altyd problematies. Vir 'n theologia religionum, die verhouding tussen die Christendom en nie-Christelike godsdienste, is daar sedert die begin van die Christendom verskeie pogings gewees om die verhouding te verwoord. Die eerste pogings om oor die verhouding tussen godsdienste gesprek te voer, was aanvanklik 'n intragodsdienstige debat om die verhouding tussen die ware en die vals leer Hoofstuk 10
The artworks produced at the Evangelical Lutheran Church Art and Craft Centre at Rorke’s Drift, K... more The artworks produced at the Evangelical Lutheran Church Art and Craft Centre at Rorke’s Drift, KwaZulu-Natal, have been highly appraised and appreciated in South African art-historical circles, not in the least so as African expressions of postcolonial and anti-apartheid resistance. The work of Namibian artist John Muafangejo (1943–1987) is prominent amongst these. In this article, while borrowing generously from the methods of art historical research, our interest is primarily in works of art as objects of material religion. Erwin Panofsky introduced iconology as a way of determining the meaning of art. Iconology wants to enable the seeing of the unseen; seeing the transcendence—making it most applicable to the study of religion as a cultural practice. This article investigates in a critical way how iconology can assist in the study of material religion, especially as applied to the study of religious art. Because meaning is contextual, the conditions under which religious objects...
How to cite this article: Ngcobo, E.T. & Beyers, J., 2013, ‘Is it still possible to study religio... more How to cite this article: Ngcobo, E.T. & Beyers, J., 2013, ‘Is it still possible to study religion religiously today? Mircea Eliade’s religious apologetic account’, Verbum et Ecclesia 34(1), Art.
How subject and object relate is perceived differently. This has been identified and discussed by... more How subject and object relate is perceived differently. This has been identified and discussed by philosophers. Hegel built on Plato’s notion that true reality only exists in ideas and is, therefore, objectively true. Hegel argued that the world we encounter is the objectification of the divine mind. Empiricists argue that material things can be engaged through the senses and are, therefore, real. But how do we know that spiritual things are real since they cannot be engaged through the senses? Feuerbach reacted against the Enlightenment thoughts of his time by postulating that god is not real since it is a projection of human qualities. Feuerbach inverted Hegel’s theory by stating that the divine is an abstraction and reification of human thought. With this theory, Feuerbach stated that religion is human-made and redundant. Feuerbach’s theory of the non-existence of god was created during the 19th century and corresponds with post-theism. De Botton also denies the existence of god,...
Migration is viewed as a natural social phenomenon. Reasons for migration and responses to migrat... more Migration is viewed as a natural social phenomenon. Reasons for migration and responses to migration may vary. Much research in recent times has been done on migration. This contribution approaches migration from a theological perspective and tries to emphasize the way Christian communities should view the entry of migrants into a community. The way the church should respond to migrants entering a community is discussed by way of three possible perceptions of migrants, either perceived as a threat, an asset or an opportunity. Migration may result in the continuation or discontinuation of beliefs by the migrant. The discontinuation of religion may be expressed as syncretism or secularization. Christian communities ought not to perceive the presence of the migrant as an entity needing assistance or object of conversion. Christian communities should also see migration as an opportunity for indigenous Christian communities to reflect on their own identity and attitude towards expressing...
Journal for The Study of Religions and Ideologies, 2016
This paper was presented at the ASRSA (Association for the Study of religion in Southern Africa) ... more This paper was presented at the ASRSA (Association for the Study of religion in Southern Africa) conference in Cape Town April 2014.
The biggest single threat to ecology and biodiversity is human-induced climate change. This study... more The biggest single threat to ecology and biodiversity is human-induced climate change. This study assesses ethics and attitudes in an African context for coping with climate change. This assessment takes place within an ethical-practical framework functioning within the mutuality model of interreligious dialogue. Christianity and Shona religion are brought into dialogue with one another to create a conversation on how to deal with ecology. As the main source of livelihood in Zimbabwe and the whole of Africa, agriculture has been affected by climatic changes. Disease outbreaks, floods, and droughts are on the rise since the world is experiencing severe temperature rise. In addressing the ecological crisis religious considerations must be taken into account. The pivotal role of religion in issues of climate change and environmental conservation hinges on religious ethics and religion’s ability to inspire its adherents to have environmentally friendly attitudes. Christianity and Shona ...
opinion in this work. Links by third party websites are provided by AOSIS in good faith and for i... more opinion in this work. Links by third party websites are provided by AOSIS in good faith and for information only. AOSIS disclaims any responsibility for the materials contained in any third party website referenced in this work. Every effort has been made to protect the interest of copyright holders. Should any infringement have occurred inadvertently, the publisher apologises and undertakes to amend the omission in the event of a reprint.
Lord (Kyrios), Rabbi and Messiah. These are some of the names used by Christians today and even b... more Lord (Kyrios), Rabbi and Messiah. These are some of the names used by Christians today and even by the people from the era of Jesus Christ to address him or to communicate with him. Others use them because they were taught that this is the way you talk about him or to him. People use all these different names to describe Jesus Christ according to their understanding, knowledge, trust and belief in him. This article will describe how the Sotho, who are African Christians, from the township of Mohlakeng in Randfontein, know, understand, trust and believe in Jesus Christ according to the title of Great Ancestor. Views of the inhabitants of Mohlakeng are used to describe the complexity of the issue. This article discusses what the meaning of the concept of ancestor entails and determines whether Jesus can indeed be referred to as Ancestor. There are different answers to this question.
, contributed to the formation of a whole new generation of academics and clergy. His wisdom and ... more , contributed to the formation of a whole new generation of academics and clergy. His wisdom and insight into the relations of religions contributed hugely to the way in which theology of religions is still practised today at the University of Pretoria. His knowledge on matters relating to religions and society influenced theological reflection on interreligious relations.
This study investigates the use of traditional medicine by traditional healers in a South African... more This study investigates the use of traditional medicine by traditional healers in a South African context in the fight against Covid-19. Appropriating spiritual help in fighting the symptoms of the virus would be part of the treatment prescribed by traditional healers. This is not an evaluative study to judge whether traditional healing methods are valid or not. This is a descriptive exercise to show how traditional healers appropriate the help of the spiritual realm in the process of healing. Two different worldviews are discussed to indicate under which conditions the help of the spiritual realm is required in the healing process. The discussion of the porous and buffered worldviews provides insight into how people perceive their reality, and the influence of the spiritual realm in it. By describing how healing functions in an African (porous) worldview by adopting help from the spiritual realm, the importance of rituals as mediating actions, are emphasised. A porous worldview is ...
Against the backdrop of the introduction and analysis of Foucault’s Iran writings in the fi rst o... more Against the backdrop of the introduction and analysis of Foucault’s Iran writings in the fi rst of two articles, this second article attempts to contribute to an understanding of Foucault’s involvement in the revolution in Iran (1978–1979) by 1) employing the concluding suggestions in the fi rst article as premises for 2) an analysis of three explicit contributions (Janet Afary and Kevin Anderson, Ian Almond, and Danny Postel) that have been made recently on this traditionally neglected issue in Foucault scholarship, 3) and, via the notion of an ‘ethics of Self-discomfort’, arguing for an acknowledgement of the philosophical signifi cance of Foucault’s involvement in Iran and his writings from that period. Author: Johann Beukes1 Affi liation: 1Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, South Africa
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, Son of Man, Son of David, Lord (Kyrios), Rabbi and Messiah. These a... more Jesus Christ, the Son of God, Son of Man, Son of David, Lord (Kyrios), Rabbi and Messiah. These are some of the names used by Christians today and even by the people from the era of Jesus Christ to address him or to communicate with him. Others use them because they were taught that this is the way you talk about him or to him. People use all these different names to describe Jesus Christ according to their understanding, knowledge, trust and belief in him. This article will describe how the Sotho, who are African Christians, from the township of Mohlakeng in Randfontein, know, understand, trust and believe in Jesus Christ according to the title of Great Ancestor. Views of the inhabitants of Mohlakeng are used to describe the complexity of the issue. This article discusses what the meaning of the concept of ancestor entails and determines whether Jesus can indeed be referred to as Ancestor. There are different answers to this question.
Human consciousness instinctively tries to make sense of reality. Different human interpretations... more Human consciousness instinctively tries to make sense of reality. Different human interpretations of reality lead to a world consisting of multiple realities. Conflict occurs when differing realities (worldviews) encounter one another. Worldviews are socially created and determine human behaviour and, as such, most often find expression in religion. The discussion of conflict and the role of religion in civil society take place within the discourse of the sociology of religion. Religion is socially determined. Peter Berger’s insight into the sociology of religion therefore plays an important role in establishing the relationship between religion and civil society as one that takes on different forms. Thus, a clear definition of both civil society and religion was needed to understand the nature of these relationships. The role of religion in civil society with regard to the presence of conflict in society was further investigated in this article. The conditions under which conflict ...
A Comparison between an excerpt from the Samaritan Liturgy and corresponding texts in the Pentate... more A Comparison between an excerpt from the Samaritan Liturgy and corresponding texts in the Pentateuch. The text of the Samaritan Liturgy is alrrwst unknown arrwng scholars of the Old Testament. The value of the Samaritan Liturgy lies in its correspondence with the Old Testament. The way in which the Samaritan Liturgy makes use of the Old Testament texts brings to mind the question, 'What is the relationship between the Samaritan Liturgy and the Old Testament?' This article discusses a randomly chosen prayer in the Samaritan Liturgy. The prayer is analysed in terms of its relatedness to corresponding Old Testament texts. This study tries to point out that the text of the Samaritan Liturgy can be helpful when studying Old Testament traditions.
Religion is a social phenomenon. Society and, therefore, religion will continue to exist as long ... more Religion is a social phenomenon. Society and, therefore, religion will continue to exist as long as human beings exist. This article explores this syllogism, by analysing two 19 th-century social theories on the future of religion. Weber was not positive as to the future of religion and foresaw that religion would die out at the hands of rationality and modernisation. Durkheim predicted that religion would suffer at the hands of rationality and modernisation, but that it would not die out completely. It would disappear from the public domain and become a private matter. As private matter, religion might even grow, according to Durkheim. These theories became the framework for all theories on religion and secularisation. Berger, Luckmann and others followed along these lines. A new appraisal of where we currently stand with the effects of secularisation on religion is necessary. At present, religion is perceived as being vibrant and active. There are reasons why religion did not disappear or become invisible as was predicted. The article investigates certain key characteristics of current society in order to determine the nature of religion in the future. It examines the role of pluralism, individualism and the effect of uncertainty. The result as to the future of religion is a dichotomy of continuity and discontinuity.
Western thought has influenced the way that religion is understood. Western philosophy supported ... more Western thought has influenced the way that religion is understood. Western philosophy supported the separation between the sacred and the profane. Modernism, focusing on human rationality, reduced religion to a set of correctly formulated dogmas and doctrines. Western thought, dominated by Christianity, created a hierarchical structure of world religions through a theology of religions. Can an African understanding of religion make a contribution to the understanding of what religion is? Such a question requires an African understanding of religion, as well as an understanding of African religion. From an African perspective, religion emphasises the human effort to systematise, in society, the continuation of a religious experience relevant to a specific context. Tradition, expressed in rituals and ethics, becomes the social expression of these religious experiences. African religion tends not to differentiate the transcendental from the earthly. African scholars do not present one...
Theological Studies/Teologiese Studies, Nov 28, 2017
Die verhouding tussen godsdienste was nog altyd problematies. Vir 'n theologia religionum, die ve... more Die verhouding tussen godsdienste was nog altyd problematies. Vir 'n theologia religionum, die verhouding tussen die Christendom en nie-Christelike godsdienste, is daar sedert die begin van die Christendom verskeie pogings gewees om die verhouding te verwoord. Die eerste pogings om oor die verhouding tussen godsdienste gesprek te voer, was aanvanklik 'n intragodsdienstige debat om die verhouding tussen die ware en die vals leer Hoofstuk 10
The artworks produced at the Evangelical Lutheran Church Art and Craft Centre at Rorke’s Drift, K... more The artworks produced at the Evangelical Lutheran Church Art and Craft Centre at Rorke’s Drift, KwaZulu-Natal, have been highly appraised and appreciated in South African art-historical circles, not in the least so as African expressions of postcolonial and anti-apartheid resistance. The work of Namibian artist John Muafangejo (1943–1987) is prominent amongst these. In this article, while borrowing generously from the methods of art historical research, our interest is primarily in works of art as objects of material religion. Erwin Panofsky introduced iconology as a way of determining the meaning of art. Iconology wants to enable the seeing of the unseen; seeing the transcendence—making it most applicable to the study of religion as a cultural practice. This article investigates in a critical way how iconology can assist in the study of material religion, especially as applied to the study of religious art. Because meaning is contextual, the conditions under which religious objects...
How to cite this article: Ngcobo, E.T. & Beyers, J., 2013, ‘Is it still possible to study religio... more How to cite this article: Ngcobo, E.T. & Beyers, J., 2013, ‘Is it still possible to study religion religiously today? Mircea Eliade’s religious apologetic account’, Verbum et Ecclesia 34(1), Art.
How subject and object relate is perceived differently. This has been identified and discussed by... more How subject and object relate is perceived differently. This has been identified and discussed by philosophers. Hegel built on Plato’s notion that true reality only exists in ideas and is, therefore, objectively true. Hegel argued that the world we encounter is the objectification of the divine mind. Empiricists argue that material things can be engaged through the senses and are, therefore, real. But how do we know that spiritual things are real since they cannot be engaged through the senses? Feuerbach reacted against the Enlightenment thoughts of his time by postulating that god is not real since it is a projection of human qualities. Feuerbach inverted Hegel’s theory by stating that the divine is an abstraction and reification of human thought. With this theory, Feuerbach stated that religion is human-made and redundant. Feuerbach’s theory of the non-existence of god was created during the 19th century and corresponds with post-theism. De Botton also denies the existence of god,...
Migration is viewed as a natural social phenomenon. Reasons for migration and responses to migrat... more Migration is viewed as a natural social phenomenon. Reasons for migration and responses to migration may vary. Much research in recent times has been done on migration. This contribution approaches migration from a theological perspective and tries to emphasize the way Christian communities should view the entry of migrants into a community. The way the church should respond to migrants entering a community is discussed by way of three possible perceptions of migrants, either perceived as a threat, an asset or an opportunity. Migration may result in the continuation or discontinuation of beliefs by the migrant. The discontinuation of religion may be expressed as syncretism or secularization. Christian communities ought not to perceive the presence of the migrant as an entity needing assistance or object of conversion. Christian communities should also see migration as an opportunity for indigenous Christian communities to reflect on their own identity and attitude towards expressing...
Journal for The Study of Religions and Ideologies, 2016
This paper was presented at the ASRSA (Association for the Study of religion in Southern Africa) ... more This paper was presented at the ASRSA (Association for the Study of religion in Southern Africa) conference in Cape Town April 2014.
The biggest single threat to ecology and biodiversity is human-induced climate change. This study... more The biggest single threat to ecology and biodiversity is human-induced climate change. This study assesses ethics and attitudes in an African context for coping with climate change. This assessment takes place within an ethical-practical framework functioning within the mutuality model of interreligious dialogue. Christianity and Shona religion are brought into dialogue with one another to create a conversation on how to deal with ecology. As the main source of livelihood in Zimbabwe and the whole of Africa, agriculture has been affected by climatic changes. Disease outbreaks, floods, and droughts are on the rise since the world is experiencing severe temperature rise. In addressing the ecological crisis religious considerations must be taken into account. The pivotal role of religion in issues of climate change and environmental conservation hinges on religious ethics and religion’s ability to inspire its adherents to have environmentally friendly attitudes. Christianity and Shona ...
opinion in this work. Links by third party websites are provided by AOSIS in good faith and for i... more opinion in this work. Links by third party websites are provided by AOSIS in good faith and for information only. AOSIS disclaims any responsibility for the materials contained in any third party website referenced in this work. Every effort has been made to protect the interest of copyright holders. Should any infringement have occurred inadvertently, the publisher apologises and undertakes to amend the omission in the event of a reprint.
Lord (Kyrios), Rabbi and Messiah. These are some of the names used by Christians today and even b... more Lord (Kyrios), Rabbi and Messiah. These are some of the names used by Christians today and even by the people from the era of Jesus Christ to address him or to communicate with him. Others use them because they were taught that this is the way you talk about him or to him. People use all these different names to describe Jesus Christ according to their understanding, knowledge, trust and belief in him. This article will describe how the Sotho, who are African Christians, from the township of Mohlakeng in Randfontein, know, understand, trust and believe in Jesus Christ according to the title of Great Ancestor. Views of the inhabitants of Mohlakeng are used to describe the complexity of the issue. This article discusses what the meaning of the concept of ancestor entails and determines whether Jesus can indeed be referred to as Ancestor. There are different answers to this question.
, contributed to the formation of a whole new generation of academics and clergy. His wisdom and ... more , contributed to the formation of a whole new generation of academics and clergy. His wisdom and insight into the relations of religions contributed hugely to the way in which theology of religions is still practised today at the University of Pretoria. His knowledge on matters relating to religions and society influenced theological reflection on interreligious relations.
This study investigates the use of traditional medicine by traditional healers in a South African... more This study investigates the use of traditional medicine by traditional healers in a South African context in the fight against Covid-19. Appropriating spiritual help in fighting the symptoms of the virus would be part of the treatment prescribed by traditional healers. This is not an evaluative study to judge whether traditional healing methods are valid or not. This is a descriptive exercise to show how traditional healers appropriate the help of the spiritual realm in the process of healing. Two different worldviews are discussed to indicate under which conditions the help of the spiritual realm is required in the healing process. The discussion of the porous and buffered worldviews provides insight into how people perceive their reality, and the influence of the spiritual realm in it. By describing how healing functions in an African (porous) worldview by adopting help from the spiritual realm, the importance of rituals as mediating actions, are emphasised. A porous worldview is ...
Against the backdrop of the introduction and analysis of Foucault’s Iran writings in the fi rst o... more Against the backdrop of the introduction and analysis of Foucault’s Iran writings in the fi rst of two articles, this second article attempts to contribute to an understanding of Foucault’s involvement in the revolution in Iran (1978–1979) by 1) employing the concluding suggestions in the fi rst article as premises for 2) an analysis of three explicit contributions (Janet Afary and Kevin Anderson, Ian Almond, and Danny Postel) that have been made recently on this traditionally neglected issue in Foucault scholarship, 3) and, via the notion of an ‘ethics of Self-discomfort’, arguing for an acknowledgement of the philosophical signifi cance of Foucault’s involvement in Iran and his writings from that period. Author: Johann Beukes1 Affi liation: 1Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, South Africa
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, Son of Man, Son of David, Lord (Kyrios), Rabbi and Messiah. These a... more Jesus Christ, the Son of God, Son of Man, Son of David, Lord (Kyrios), Rabbi and Messiah. These are some of the names used by Christians today and even by the people from the era of Jesus Christ to address him or to communicate with him. Others use them because they were taught that this is the way you talk about him or to him. People use all these different names to describe Jesus Christ according to their understanding, knowledge, trust and belief in him. This article will describe how the Sotho, who are African Christians, from the township of Mohlakeng in Randfontein, know, understand, trust and believe in Jesus Christ according to the title of Great Ancestor. Views of the inhabitants of Mohlakeng are used to describe the complexity of the issue. This article discusses what the meaning of the concept of ancestor entails and determines whether Jesus can indeed be referred to as Ancestor. There are different answers to this question.
Human consciousness instinctively tries to make sense of reality. Different human interpretations... more Human consciousness instinctively tries to make sense of reality. Different human interpretations of reality lead to a world consisting of multiple realities. Conflict occurs when differing realities (worldviews) encounter one another. Worldviews are socially created and determine human behaviour and, as such, most often find expression in religion. The discussion of conflict and the role of religion in civil society take place within the discourse of the sociology of religion. Religion is socially determined. Peter Berger’s insight into the sociology of religion therefore plays an important role in establishing the relationship between religion and civil society as one that takes on different forms. Thus, a clear definition of both civil society and religion was needed to understand the nature of these relationships. The role of religion in civil society with regard to the presence of conflict in society was further investigated in this article. The conditions under which conflict ...
A Comparison between an excerpt from the Samaritan Liturgy and corresponding texts in the Pentate... more A Comparison between an excerpt from the Samaritan Liturgy and corresponding texts in the Pentateuch. The text of the Samaritan Liturgy is alrrwst unknown arrwng scholars of the Old Testament. The value of the Samaritan Liturgy lies in its correspondence with the Old Testament. The way in which the Samaritan Liturgy makes use of the Old Testament texts brings to mind the question, 'What is the relationship between the Samaritan Liturgy and the Old Testament?' This article discusses a randomly chosen prayer in the Samaritan Liturgy. The prayer is analysed in terms of its relatedness to corresponding Old Testament texts. This study tries to point out that the text of the Samaritan Liturgy can be helpful when studying Old Testament traditions.
Religion is a social phenomenon. Society and, therefore, religion will continue to exist as long ... more Religion is a social phenomenon. Society and, therefore, religion will continue to exist as long as human beings exist. This article explores this syllogism, by analysing two 19 th-century social theories on the future of religion. Weber was not positive as to the future of religion and foresaw that religion would die out at the hands of rationality and modernisation. Durkheim predicted that religion would suffer at the hands of rationality and modernisation, but that it would not die out completely. It would disappear from the public domain and become a private matter. As private matter, religion might even grow, according to Durkheim. These theories became the framework for all theories on religion and secularisation. Berger, Luckmann and others followed along these lines. A new appraisal of where we currently stand with the effects of secularisation on religion is necessary. At present, religion is perceived as being vibrant and active. There are reasons why religion did not disappear or become invisible as was predicted. The article investigates certain key characteristics of current society in order to determine the nature of religion in the future. It examines the role of pluralism, individualism and the effect of uncertainty. The result as to the future of religion is a dichotomy of continuity and discontinuity.
Western thought has influenced the way that religion is understood. Western philosophy supported ... more Western thought has influenced the way that religion is understood. Western philosophy supported the separation between the sacred and the profane. Modernism, focusing on human rationality, reduced religion to a set of correctly formulated dogmas and doctrines. Western thought, dominated by Christianity, created a hierarchical structure of world religions through a theology of religions. Can an African understanding of religion make a contribution to the understanding of what religion is? Such a question requires an African understanding of religion, as well as an understanding of African religion. From an African perspective, religion emphasises the human effort to systematise, in society, the continuation of a religious experience relevant to a specific context. Tradition, expressed in rituals and ethics, becomes the social expression of these religious experiences. African religion tends not to differentiate the transcendental from the earthly. African scholars do not present one...
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