“God and the gods”: Faith and human-made idols in the theology of Karl Barth

The First Commandment played an important role in the theology of Karl Barth. His personal obedience to this commandment contributed to his realization that one cannot be comfortable with the Liberal theology of the early twentieth century and accept the theological thinking that supported National Socialism. The First Commandment opened his eyes to see the idols, worldviews, ideologies and evil of his lifetime. The First Commandment is always in the background of his theology that concentrates on God’s revelation in Jesus Christ. Only two of his lectures specifically concentrated on the First Commandment, only one of which was published. Barth, understood the First Commandment as an axiom of theology. It is self-evident; a cornerstone and critical guideline for any theology that is built upon the biblical message. The article argues that if this aspect of Barth’s theology received attention in the Nederduitsch Hervormde Church, we would most probably have been saved from the conflicts concerning the ideology of apartheid and the “people’s church”

Nog steeds geslote eredienste? Deel 1

This paper - in two parts - deals with the question of whether the NederduitschHervormde Church should continue being a church for white persons only. The author argues that this practice is not according to biblical teachings, and at the same time, that it will be unwise to continue it under the future sociopolitical circumstances in South Africa. He therefore calls on the Nederduitsch Hervormde Church to abandon this practice as it will bring the church into conflict with its own theologicaltradition

The development of a fuzzy controller for tractive effort of a resistor technology locomotive

The application of a rule based fuzzy controller, implementing human skill and experience to control tractive effort of a resistor technology locomotive, is presented. The fuzzy controller aims to smoothly and safely accelerate the train from standstill. The controller provides the operational consistency and feedback functions required for improved protection of the traction motors, locomotives, rails and load. A simulation model for the locomotive and load is included

An investigation into the prescribing of analgesics

CITATION: Truter, I. & Kotze, T. J. v. W. 1996. An investigation into the prescribing of analgesics. South African Medical Journal, 86(11):1394-1397.The original publication is available at http://www.samj.org.zaTo investigate the prescribing of analgesic agents in a defined South African patient population. Design: Retrospective drug utilisation study. Setting: Prescribing behaviour of a sample of 50 dispensing doctors in Port Elizabeth. Data were obtained from a medical aid which used a formulary system. Percentage of central nervous system drugs that analgesics comprised; proportion of patients using combination analgesics; cost of analgesics. On average, 83.3% of all central nervous system drugs dispensed were analgesic agents. These agents represented 70.9% of the total cost of central nervous system drugs. A high percentage (82.2%) of the analgesic agents dispensed were combination or polycomponent analgesics. The combination analgesic tablet, consisting of paracetamol, meprobamate, caffeine and codeine phosphate, was the most frequently prescribed central nervous system drug. This product accounted on average for 40.4% of all analgesics dispensed. Nearly half (46.0%) of all the analgesics dispensed by the sample of doctors were available without a prescription. The high prescribing rate of combination analgesic prescription was a cause for concern, given the dependence-producing potential of some of the ingredients, e.g. meprobamate. The prescribing and use of analgesics should be carefully monitored by further drug utilisation studies in light of the serious adverse effects, such as analgesic nephropathy, associated with the long-term use of these agents.Publisher’s versio

The role of information flow and technology in supply chain collaboration – a case study of Logwin logistics

Abstract: Owing to the challenges of today’s hyper-competitive business environment firms are increasingly realising that greater focus should be placed on collaboration across the supply chain, especially with respect to costs, information and technology. The positivism research philosophy was used in case approach to determine the role of information flow and technology in supply chain collaboration of a logistics services provider. The unit of analysis of the study was LOGWIN Logistics. The results reveal that that LOGWIN is dependent on technology to boost supply chain collaboration. In addition, the benefits derived from technology and information flow included increased end customer satisfaction, shorter lead times, improved information from between LOGWIN, its suppliers and its customers, as well as internal information flow. The findings suggest that technology and information flow does have a positive effect on supply chain collaboration. Management should invest in implementing technology and training of employees to enhance information flow and to boost supply chain collaboration

Local edge detectors: A substrate for fine spatial vision at low temporal frequencies in rabbit retina

Visual acuity is limited by the size and density of the smallest retinal ganglion cells, which correspond to the midget ganglion cells in primate retina and the beta- ganglion cells in cat retina, both of which have concentric receptive fields that respond at either light- On or light- Off. In contrast, the smallest ganglion cells in the rabbit retina are the local edge detectors ( LEDs), which respond to spot illumination at both light- On and light- Off. However, the LEDs do not predominate in the rabbit retina and the question arises, what role do they play in fine spatial vision? We studied the morphology and physiology of LEDs in the isolated rabbit retina and examined how their response properties are shaped by the excitatory and inhibitory inputs. Although the LEDs comprise only similar to 15% of the ganglion cells, neighboring LEDs are separated by 30 - 40 mu m on the visual streak, which is sufficient to account for the grating acuity of the rabbit. The spatial and temporal receptive- field properties of LEDs are generated by distinct inhibitory mechanisms. The strong inhibitory surround acts presynaptically to suppress both the excitation and the inhibition elicited by center stimulation. The temporal properties, characterized by sluggish onset, sustained firing, and low bandwidth, are mediated by the temporal properties of the bipolar cells and by postsynaptic interactions between the excitatory and inhibitory inputs. We propose that the LEDs signal fine spatial detail during visual fixation, when high temporal frequencies are minimal

Etiek in die nuwe Suid-Afrika

Ethics in the new South Africa This paper was read at a symposium where the calling of the church in the  'New South Africa' was discussed by delegates of twe churches, the Nederduitsch Hervomuie Kerk van Afrika and the Hetvomuie Kerk in Suidelike Afrika. The 'New  South Africa' will oblige the NHKA van Afrika as well as the HKSA to develop a new orientation in ethical mat-ters. The churches will have to concentrate on a wider range of ethical problems that were not in focus in the 'Old  South Africa '. The new situation is going to force White and Black Christians to work together harmoniously. Suggestions are made as to how the churches can concentrate more effectively on ethical questions

Het die kerk 'n politieke verantwoordelikheid? Oor die noodwendigheid en grense van die twee-ryke-Ieer

Does the church have a political responsibility? On the necessity and boundaries of the theory of the two kingdoms. The question is asked whether the Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk van Afrika has a political responsibility in the new South Africa? It is often heard that the church has no political responsibility - especially in the new circumstances. In defending this  viewpoint, theologians in South Africa argue that they are in line with Luther's theory of the two kingdoms. This article shows that the theory of the two kingdoms is not a unique Lutheran, but also a Calvinist interest. It is further shown that this theory is not only concerned with separating the two kingdoms, but also with bringing these kingdoms into relationship with one another. A plea is made for loyalty towards both the Lutheran and Calvinist traditions. Attention is also given to three new challenges namely democracy, pluralism and Africanisation

Verset en rewolusie

Resistance and revolution. The communion formulary of the Nederduitsch Hervonnde Kerk states clearly that a church member may not take part in revolutionary activities and that he should obey governmental authorities. Two questions are asked: 1. Does this statement imply that a Christian should obey goverments, even when they are oppressive? Can a Christian do something about his fate, or is he obliged to suffer injustice?  2. How can and must we interpret this principle today in a democratic state where resistance and rebellion are integral elements of the political process? It is argued that in  Biblical Reformed theology not only the duty to obey but also the right to resist are justified. Although civil disobedience is allowed, violence is strongly condemned. This article asks the church to adhere to the communion formulary, but simultaniously to realise the vast differences between the  sixteenth and the twentieth centuries