Faith and reality : the role and contributions of the ecumenical church to the realities and development of South Africa since the advent of democracy in 1994

This paper was presented at the Third Joint Conference of Academic Societies in the field of Religion and Theology, 11–15 July 2016 at the University of Pretoria, South Africa.Much has been written about the role and contributions of the church in the struggle against, and the dismantling of, apartheid in South Africa (e.g. De Gruchy & De Gruchy 2004; Hofmeyer, Millard & Froneman 1991; Plaatjies-Van Huffel & Vosloo 2013). However, very little has been written from a church historical point of view about the role of the church in the development and shaping of democracy in South Africa since 1994. This article attempts to provide a historical survey of the role and contributions of the church, specifically, in building the new democratic South Africa. It pays particular attention to the struggles of the South African council of churches (SACC), the split in the ecumenical movement and the efforts of the church to impact on the realities in South Africa since 1994 until the present. In spite of all the challenges, the church has contributed to the building of the democratic South African nation. I shall illustrate this by examining archival material and information extracted from mainly the primary sources such as statements, pronouncements, press releases, events, minutes and actions undertaken by the church within the period mentioned.http://www.hts.org.zaam2017Church History and Church Polic

Apartheid in the holy land : theological reflections on the Israel and/or Palestine situation from a South African perspective

I first attempt to draw a comparison between the Israel-Palestine conflict and the South African experience of apartheid. Drawing on other established sources and personal experience, I conclude that, while there may be some differences between the two contexts, in essence, the similar experiences of colonialisation and racialisation makes the apartheid comparison compellingly relevant. I then proceed to theologically explore the themes of justice and reconciliation and what it may mean in the context of Israel-Palestine whilst extracting from the South African experience. The article also offers some reflections on the role of the Church in addressing the Israel-Palestine conflict.This research is part of the project, ‘African Christianity and Development’, directed by Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay, Department of Church History and Church Polity, Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, South Africahttp://www.hts.org.zaam2017Church History and Church Polic

The missional renaissance : its impact on churches in South Africa, ecumenical organisations, and the development of local congregations

This article focuses on three matters pertaining to the conversation of missional churches. Firstly, it looks at the impact of missional awareness in South Africa and Africa. Here the article explores what is meant by missional congregations in the South African context. Secondly it looks at the ecumenical understanding and development of the missional church and how this has started to shape ecumenical organisations and, thirdly it concludes with some suggestions of how missional congregations and denominations can be developed. In this final section the article offers some strategic principles for developing missional churches.http://www.hts.org.zaam201

An exploration of the idea of ecodomy in Calvin's view of God and the world : its implications for churches in South Africa today

The Faculty of Theology chose as its theme oikodome, which speaks about the fullness of life for all. This article explored this theme by looking at John Calvin’s understanding of God and the world. In this article, working from the premise of the sovereignty of God, the author attempted to show that undergirding Calvin’s theology is the idea of oikodome. The author showed that for Calvin everything in life is connected to God and thus the idea of oikodome is deeply rooted in Calvin’s theology. The author illustrated this by examining significant themes in Calvin’s teachings on the Trinitarian God, creation, humanity and providence, state and church, transformation of society, concern for the poor, and education. The author used this information to show what implications the idea of oikodome has for churches in South Africa today, especially in the context of poverty and struggle. The author calls on churches to embrace the theological foundation explicated by Calvin in their endeavour to work toward the fullness of life for all people.This article represents a theological reflection on the Faculty Research Theme (FRT) of the Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, entitled ‘Ecodomy – Life in its fullness’. The theme is portrayed from the perspective of various theological disciplines. A conference on this theme was held on 27–28 October 2014.http://www.ve.org.zaam201

The Accra Confession as a response to empire

The Accra Confession was formulated and adopted by the World Alliance of Reformed Churches in Accra, Ghana, in 2004. This article traces the historical development of the Accra Confession and its continued impact on the present. It aims to show the confession as a Reformed response to ‘empire’. The article explores the content, debates and challenges the Accra Confession offers to the notion of empire

Wither black theology of liberation? Perspectives from the late Professor Vuyani Vellem

The future of a black theology of liberation (BTL) has been in question since the demise of apartheid in South Africa. The constitution of democracy in the country has raised questions about the relevance and purpose of such a theology in the wake of a new dispensation. Can we continue to promote the idea of ‘blackness’ in a democratic South Africa? Extracting from the contributions of the late Professor Vuyani Vellem, and as a tribute to his work, this article aims to show that BTL definitely has a valid role for relevance and continuity. The author conducts a literature review of the material produced by Vuyani Vellem and identifies the emerging trends in which BTL continues to be alive and relevant. CONTRIBUTION: The scholarly contribution of this article is its focus on the systematic and practical reflection, within a paradigm in which the intersection of religious studies, social sciences and humanities generate an interdisciplinary contested discourse.http://www.hts.org.zapm2021Church History and Church Polic

An exploration of the idea of ecodomy in Calvin's view of God and the world : its implications for churches in South Africa today

The Faculty of Theology chose as its theme oikodome, which speaks about the fullness of life for all. This article explored this theme by looking at John Calvin’s understanding of God and the world. In this article, working from the premise of the sovereignty of God, the author attempted to show that undergirding Calvin’s theology is the idea of oikodome. The author showed that for Calvin everything in life is connected to God and thus the idea of oikodome is deeply rooted in Calvin’s theology. The author illustrated this by examining significant themes in Calvin’s teachings on the Trinitarian God, creation, humanity and providence, state and church, transformation of society, concern for the poor, and education. The author used this information to show what implications the idea of oikodome has for churches in South Africa today, especially in the context of poverty and struggle. The author calls on churches to embrace the theological foundation explicated by Calvin in their endeavour to work toward the fullness of life for all people.This article represents a theological reflection on the Faculty Research Theme (FRT) of the Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, entitled ‘Ecodomy – Life in its fullness’. The theme is portrayed from the perspective of various theological disciplines. A conference on this theme was held on 27–28 October 2014.http://www.ve.org.zaam201

The significance of social justice and diakonia in the Reformed tradition

Special Collection: Agenda 2063 – The Africa We Want – Religious Perspectives, sub-edited by Jerry Pillay (University of Pretoria).The Reformed tradition, emerging in the 16th-century Reformation, consists of a variety of sources that often lead to complex and differing views about beliefs, doctrines and ethics. However, this tradition and theology have always stressed the significance of social justice and diakonia as important aspects of faith and ministry, even though its great sense of diversity has often nuanced and stressed different levels of understanding and engagement of social justice. This article aims to show that social justice and diakonia are integral to Reformed tradition and practice. Using mainly the methodologies of literature review and contextuality (the author's context), this article establishes that social justice is grounded in the history, theology, spirituality, confessions and polity of the Reformed faith. The latter aspects are also contained in the notion that to be Reformed is to be ecumenical. In this sense, Reformed tradition is concerned about the whole world and all creation. CONTRIBUTION : The diverse and complex nature of Reformed tradition and theology often creates a sense of confusion on how Reformed Christians understand social justice and diakonia. This article offers a significant contribution to establishing that social justice is an integral aspect of Reformed tradition. By firmly grounding social justice in the history, theology, spirituality, confessions and polity of the Reformed faith, the author makes a significant contribution to a debate that has pervaded Reformed churches over many centuries.http://www.hts.org.zaam2023Church History and Church Polic

Reformation and transformation today : essentials of reformation tradition and theology as seen from the perspectives of the South

This article was delivered as a paper at the Church History Society Conference on 17 August 2017, University of Stellenbosch, under the broad theme of ‘Turning Points in the history of Christianity’.The Protestant Reformation is one of the greatest turning points in the history of Christianity. In some senses, it is described as a ‘theological revolution’ which led to the emergence of the Protestant movement and the separation of the Church. This research explores some of the theological themes that became the turning point of Christianity. These themes are sola scriptura, sola fide, sola gratia, solus Christus and Soli Deo Gloria. This article attempts to briefly explore these essential theological principles of the Reformation and assess its relevance for today in light of new realities, encounters and theological developments. It pays particular attention to the realities of the Global South, mainly South Africa, and shows how these can form a basis for renewal and transformation of Reformed theology and practice today. In this sense, the article establishes that the ‘theological revolution’ continues into the 21st century bringing about ecclesiastical, social and cultural change.http://www.hts.org.zaam2018Church History and Church Polic

Mission in the context of the poor with special reference to the Isipingo farm community, Durban.

Thesis (M.Th.)-University of Durban-Westville, 1991.Mission is an ongoing process. It is essentially God's task of bringing the world unto Himself. Hence, mission must not come to a halt. However, the forms, principles and methods of approach in mission must be constantly assessed and re-evaluated. The changes in society will obviously warrant new missiological methodologies. The old way of "doing" missiology must become resilient enough to adopt itself to a new and changed situation. The change might be either positive or negative, either way the missiological approach must seek relevance. This is what this study hopes to achieve by paying particular attention to the situation of the poor. The central thesis of this dissertation is given in its title: "Mission in the context of the poor with special reference to the Isipingo Farm Community, Durban". It is our claim that Mission is an ongoing process. It is essentially God's task of bringing the world unto Himself. Hence, mission must not come to a halt. However, the forms, principles and methods of approach in mission must be constantly assessed and re-evaluated. The changes in society will obviously warrant new missiological methodologies. The old way of "doing" missiology must become resilient enough to adopt itself to a new and changed situation. The change might be either positive or negative, either way the missiological approach must seek relevance. This is what this study hopes to achieve by paying particular attention to the situation of the poor. The central thesis of this dissertation is given in its title: "Mission in the context of the poor with special reference to the Isipingo Farm Community, Durban". It is our claim that we come to understand the Kingdom as we hear God's call to us in the people and events of human history - in the critical and prophetic moments, the Kiaros of the now. Thus we recognise God's word in the poor who cry out for saving action on their behalf. We hear the message better when we find our place beside the poor, when we share the good news together. These people and events give us the message of the Kingdom today. The poor are the ones who suffer injustice through exploitation and oppression and bondage. Life is literally taken from them as they experience the concrete impact of sin. The poor are without recourse, and their resources are nonexistent. This world judges them to be beggars, destitute, burdens to the state. But the poor and weak of both the Old and New Testament are the referred of God and His justice; they receive the attention and compassion of Jesus. The poor are the persons open and receptive to God's gifts, dependent as they are on Him as the psource of life. On the basis of this biblical insight and the fact that the majority in South Africa are poor, it is our view that the church in South Africa should direct its mission efforts towards the poor. However, if the church is to do this then it is required to redefine its nature and structure. It has to bring itself in line with the ideals of the Kingdom of God (Chapter Five). Moreover, in this dissertation we argue the need for contextual analysis. We point out that we should not engage mission without first analysing the mission context. We then proceed to analyse the economic, social, political and religious conditions in Isipingo Farm, a poor sub-economic Indian community in Durban. Our intention here is to show how we can offer relevant ministry in Isipingo Farm after having determined the needs within the community. Our eventual aim is to posit some principles for mission amongst the poor in general. The intent of this study can be made even clearer in the purpose of each chapter: Chapter One attempts to do two things: Firstly, to present a broad view of mission, and secondly to argue for the need of the "contextualization" of mission. In Chapter Two we choose to look at a context. The context we choose is that of the poor. In this chapter we attempt to provide biblical justification for our choice. In Chapter Three we attempt to provide a socio-economic, political and religious analysis of a poor community (Isipingo Farm). Our aim is to show how one can relevantly minister in such a context after having ascertained the community's needs. In Chapter Four we attempt to look at the principles required for ministry in this poor community Isipingo Farm. How can we make our ministry effective and relevant? In the final chapter (Five) we attempt to redefine the role of the church in South Africa today, pointing out how such a view influences our strategies and methods of mission to the country's poor majority. What we attempt to present here is some new ways of looking at the mission of the church in South Africa in the perspective of the Kingdom, especially if we are to take the poor seriously