Missional theology and social development

The article describes a theological paradigm shift taking place in congregations in South Africa that empower them to become  involved in development work as a way of serving their neighbor. It also opens the possibility of working interdisciplinary without compromising theological and faith values. The perspectives and assumptions of the new paradigm are outlined and the basic  methodology of doing theology is described. The new paradigm is a missional one, taking the focus on God as its point of    departure and describing the identity and purpose of the church by looking at God’s identity and plan or mission with creation and humankind. Social development is seen as being in line with God’s mission and as such the church should not have difficulty in working with those who pursue the same goals

Contextualising theological education in Africa by doing theology in a missional hermeneutic

This article originated at curriculum development workshops for seminaries at different venues in sub-Saharan Africa. Its goal was to provide guidelines towards finding a hermeneutic key to practising theology contextually as a response to a process of spiritual discernment which would lead to a contextualised, missional theological curriculum and training. It briefly described elements of the history and context of theological training in the Christendom paradigm. It has little faith in the future of this paradigm, and argued that the southern shift of the heartland of Christianity points us in a new direction. The article said: look at the changing context, the influence of globalisation and the information revolution and revisit key theological parameters in Scripture. Observe what is happening in missional congregations and let all of these developments guide us on a journey to discover a new hermeneutic to do and teach theology in Africa

Missional theology and social development

The original publication is available at http://www.hts.org.zaThe article describes a theological paradigm shift taking place in congregations in South Africa that empower them to become involved in development work as a way of serving their neighbor. It also opens the possibility of working interdisciplinary without compromising theological and faith values. The perspectives and assumptions of the new paradigm are outlined and the basic methodology of doing theology is described. The new paradigm is a missional one, taking the focus on God as its point of departure and describing the identity and purpose of the church by looking at God’s identity and plan or mission with creation and humankind. Social development is seen as being in line with God’s mission and as such the church should not have difficulty in working with those who pursue the same goals.Publisher's versio

Who do you want : Barabbas or Jesus? Power and empowerment in theological education

CITATION: Hendriks, H. J. 2015. Who do you want : Barabbas or Jesus? Power and empowerment in theological education. Stellenbosch Theological Journal, 1(2):427–446, doi:10.17570/stj.2015.v1n2.a20.The original publication is available at http://ojs.reformedjournals.co.zaThe article deals with theological education and leadership and questions the way power and empowerment functions in the church. It argues that theologically we follow the Barabbas choice and reject Jesus by not choosing the way of the cross and weakness. Our true identity needs to be, in following Philippians 2 and other passages, cruciform kenotic. The implications of such an identity for theological education and leadership are then put forward.http://ojs.reformedjournals.co.za/index.php/stj/article/view/1268Publisher's versio

AIDS, curricula and gender in twelve African theological schools

CITATION: Hendriks, H. J. 2013. AIDS, curricula and gender in twelve African theological schools. Nederduitse Gereformeerde Teologiese Tydskrif, 54(1-2):1-19, doi:10.5952/54-1-2-309.The original publication is available at http://ngtt.journals.ac.zaThe article deals with the three related issues mentioned in the title in twelve theological schools that formed a network called NetACT. A questionnaire on these matters was answered by al the institutions. The article discusses the answers to three basic questions: did they implement the HIV and AIDS curricula that their network developed; what was the influence and place of these programs in their curricula and what is the gender equity situation and attitudes like at their institution? The data reveals that by addressing the issue forcefully ever since 2000 the NetACT network has decidedly changed the culture of silence and stigmatisation prevalent in the surrounding society. The article thus gives one an insider view of how African seminaries struggle with HIV and AIDS issues. As to gender it is clear that in the network’s schools female lecturers overwhelmingly feel accepted and treated as equals. They are taken seriously and listened to in classes by the students and in staff meetings by their male colleagues. However, the plight of women in African society is not an easy one. What this entails is spelled out in the answers.http://ngtt.journals.ac.za/pub/article/view/309Publisher's versio

Networking theological education in Africa : the NetACT story

Publication of this article was funded by the Stellenbosch University Open Access Fund.The original publication is available at http://ngtt.journals.ac.za/pubThis article, first, relates the story of the founding and growth of NetACT, a network of African theological schools. It furthermore shows how the member schools’ desire be part of efforts to address issues related to HIV&AIDS on the African continent led them to focus, amongst other things, on curriculum development and gender equality. As a logical first step, a detailed questionnaire had to be completed by all member schools. Data collected in this way was statistically quantified in order to show the existence or not of unequal gender representation in the participating theological schools and the churches that are their clients. Finally, in light of the results of this research, the work done by NetACT is highlighted, as well as its positive outcome as experienced by the individual schools.Stellenbosch UniversityPublishers' versio

Juridical aspects of the marriage metaphor in Hosea and Jeremiah

Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 1975.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: no abstract availableAFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: geen opsommin

Theological education in Africa : messages from the fringes

Hendriks, H.J. 2014. Theological education in Africa: messages from the fringes. Nederduitse Gereformeerde Teologiese Tydskrif, 55(1): 61-80, doi:10.5952/55-1-2-516.The original publication is available at http://ojs.reformedjournals.co.zaThe article asserts that the quest for power is one of the debilitating cultural impediments that keep theological education caught in an outdated paradigm. It uses case studies to illustrate the hypothesis as well as the journey to escape the stranglehold of the colonial heritage. Philippians 2:1-18 posits the normative theological principle of kenosis that should guide us in passing through the needle of an old paradigm. An experience in Kampala and research from the Anglican Church in Kenya illustrate the problem while case studies from Angola, Malawi and South Africa illustrate the paradigm shift from an institutional to a missional paradigm in theological education.http://ojs.reformedjournals.co.za/index.php/ngtt/article/view/459Publisher's versio

Are we wasting theology in our continent

Publication of this article was funded by the Stellenbosch University Open Access Fund.The original publication is available at http://www.hts.org.za/index.php/HTS/article/view/2610/4746CITATION: Hendriks, H. J. 2014. Are we wasting theology in our continent? HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies, 70(2), doi:org/10.4102/ hts.v70i2.2610The 2014 conference theme of the society for Practical Theology in South Africa was ‘Practical Theology in Africa and human waste’. The article asks the question whether we can do theology in Africa in such a way that the kingdom of God is realised, notwithstanding the feeling that the seed that is sown is often wasted. The growth of Christianity and southern shift of the majority of Christians to amongst others Africa, is described, discussed and questioned: Is this seed falling on fertile ground or is it wasted if one considers all the calamities of the African continent? Taking its cues from the parable of the sower the epistemological revolution and paradigm shift are outlined stating that unless doing theology within a new paradigm the kingdom of God cannot be served. It calls for new paradigm labourers who are trained to be on the marketplace, who reach out to where people are suffering and struggling and serve their needs thus following the example set by Christ in training his disciples.Publishers' versio