Hegemony and the internalisation of homophobia caused by heteronormativity

The aim of the article is to focus on hegemony as it relates to the issue of sexuality and the trauma imposed on sexual minorities. A point of departure is that social identity theories can shed light on homophobia. The article argues that an empathic approach to those traumatised by internalised homophobia calls for a gay-friendly psychotherapy/analysis. The article reflects particularly on how heteronormativity maintains homophobia. It also illustrates the relationship between homophobia and social scientific insights regarding personality types and gender. The concepts homophobia and the internalisation of homophobia are discussed by focusing on aspects such as personality types and violence. The article finds that blind submission to heteronormativity, an outdated social construct, traumatises those who do not conform to the hetero norm, in two ways: hegemony is one consequence, and internalised homophobia is another. HTS Theological Studies Vol. 63 (1) 2007: pp. 1-1

Reading the New Testament from the perspective of social theory of institutionalization

The objective of this article is to approach the interpretation of the Christian Bible from the perspective of the sociological process of the development from authority to power. Firstly, a hypothesis with regard to a postmodern, demystifying reading of the Christian Bible will be posed. Secondly, the use of terms and concepts will be clarified. Thirdly, the focus will be on the development from authority to power. Exposing the ideological interests underlying social processes is called demystification. In the article the social theory of Max Weber with regard to institutionalization, power and authority will be discussed and applied in a heuristic model for the interpretation of the New Testament within the framework of social processes. The model focuses on the Jesus movement as a process of revitalization within Judaism

Multidissiplinêre beskouinge op veroudering vanuit ‘n pastorale perspektief

Multiprofessional aspects of ageing seen from a pastoral perspectiveThis article describes existing research on gerontology, and explores the role of pastoral care. When focusing on gerontology from a pastoral care point of view, certain multiprofessional aspects need to be considered. The article aims to highlight insights on the subject from the fi eld of sociology,and to enable pastors to engage meaningfully with elderly persons. Refl ection on the changing social environment emphasises the diffi culties that retirement and the resulting loss of authenticity pose to the older person. The article considers how pastoral care as part of a multidisciplinary teamcould fulfi l a positive role in gerontology

Intrapersoonlike transformasie by pastors – Die paradoks van emosionele verwonding as bron tot genesing

Interpersonal transformation of pastors – the paradox of emotional trauma as source to healing This article refl ects upon the way in which the interplay between reason and emotion infl uences pastors’ lives and ministry. It studies the process of inner transformation as a meaningful way for pastors to become ‘healed healers’. Inner transformation is described in terms of Aristotle’s phronesis and Paul Ricoeur’s movement from mimesis1 to mimesis3. The article agrues that‘healing’ in no way purports that pastors are able to heal others in a literal sense, but merely that by being conscious of their own wounds, pastors can experience the paradox that their own wounds could become a source of healing. This approach to woundedness is interpreted from two distinct perspectives. Firstly, it is seen from the perspective of Jesus as the human face of God. Jesus’ emotional disposition towards the nobodies of his time is seen as paradigmaticfor pastors’ relationships with others. Secondly, woundedness is seen within the context of the metaphor of the wounded healer as narrated in ancient Greek mythology, and used by Carl Jung in a psychiatric setting. It is not only pastors’ knowledge of the Bible, theological tradition and different pastoral and other therapeutic theories, models and methods that facilitates meaningful interaction between themselves and others. Central to pastors’ role as wounded healers is theirconscious acknowledgement of their own humanity and therefore their own woundedness

Domestic abuse in the household of God

The article compares the victimization that takes place in a dysfunctional abusive household and that which takes place in the household of God (Eph 2:9) where the bride of Christ (2 Cor 11:2) is abused at the hands of individuals that constitute what we know as the church system. This is often directed at the poor, individuals belonging to minority groups or those who for various reasons are unable to stand up against a system such as the Christian Church. The “analogical-familial theology” of Stephen Post is used as starting point. This “theology” involves four sequential, but nonlinear, stages: covenant, grace, empowering, and intimacy. The article broadens the spectrum of the theory beyond the family unit and to apply it to the broader family that belongs to God, the church. The aim of the article is to use these components from the analogical familial theology as framework and also as the criteria by which the experiences of those who see themselves as victims of abuse in the church are investigated. HTS Theological Studies Vol. 63 (2) 2007: pp.805-83

Demistifikasie van die metafoor “diekerk as bruid”

Because of the important role language, imagery and metaphors plays in the lives of human beings, it is necessary to explore the origins and implications of metaphors that could be potentially harmful to the quality of women\'s lives. The metaphor that is the focus of this article, is that of “the church as bride”. This metaphor is an example of how metaphors and language have an impact on women\'s self-understanding and subject quality of their lives. It is an example of how patriarchal structures, culture and language affect the lives of women. In a follow-up article the way in which this metaphor is used in the marriage formulary of the Nederduitsch Hervormde Church of Africa is investigated. This formulary is specifically based on Ephesians 5:21-33 in which the metaphor of “the church as bride” is found. HTS Theological Studies Vol. 63 (3) 2007: pp. 1239-127

\'n Feministiese narratief-pastorale perspektief op die huwelikbevestigingsformuliere van die

This article is the second which focuses on the metaphor “the church as bride”. Its aim is to demystify this metaphor\'s use in the marriage formulary of the Nederduitsch Hervormde Church of Africa from the perspective of an ideological-critical analysis of the formulary. This formulary is specifically based on Ephesians 5:21-33 and Hosea 1 and 2 as “intertext”. In light of a narrative pastoral model within the context of feminist hermeneutics the article argues that the patriarchal ideology behind the metaphor constitutes the wording of the formulary and that this ideology contributes to negative experiences of women in marriage relationships. HTS Theological Studies Vol. 63 (3) 2007: pp. 1275-129

The Paradox of Being a Wounded Healer: Henri J.M. Nouwen’s Contribution to Pastoral Theology

This article is the first in a series of two dealing with Henri Nouwen’s contribution to pastoral care. The present article focuses on the impact of cognitive dissonance and the role it plays in pastors becoming constrained in their ministry. The point of departure is that during the past two decades, pastors have been subjected to profound changes. While pastors view their involvement with people in the social and faith communities in which they live and work as guiding people towards a life of wholeness and integrity, they themselves, because of their own inner woundedness, struggle to live a life of wholeness. This article investigates how pastors can act congruently and with integrity in a world that has been profoundly changed by a shift from a modern to a postmodern paradigm. This reflection explores the ancient Greek mythological origins of the concept ‘wounded healer’. It also shows that, in its utilisation by the Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung, the concept became a metaphor. This insight leads to a discussion of how Henri Nouwen applied the significance of the metaphor to pastoral ministry. The discussion takes on the form of certain relevant biographical side notes on Nouwen’s contribution to pastoral theology. The article concludes with an exposition of Nouwens’s use of the metaphor in his book, The wounded healer: Ministry in contemporary society.Keywords: Pastoral care; Henri J.M. Nouwen; wounded healer; Carl Jung and mythological origins; cognitive dissonanc