Contested body

Within the plenitude of Pauline studies, Contested body: Metaphors of dominion in Romans 5–8 provides a cohesive scholarly investigation into metaphors of dominion employed by Paul. This book advances the understanding that the body is the specific space where forces vie in Romans 5-8

Digitalisation and the church – a corporeal understanding of church and the influence of technology

We live in a digital era, where connection and connectivity move away from physical presence, but find shape in online communities and forums. This trend extends from the secular world into the religious experience, as can be seen from examples such as E-kerk (E-Church). The body is a vehicle through which Paul defines the church and the medium through which Christians live a new life in Christ. Virtual communities, however, lack bodily presence and thus the tactile experience of the Lord’s Supper and the communal aspects of baptism. This raises the question whether it is possible for an individual to participate online in the body of Christ and if so, how?http://ojs.reformedjournals.co.za/index.php/stjpm2020New Testament Studie

Prayerful persistence: Luke 18:1–8 through the lens of resilience

The parable of the widow and the unjust judge is unique to Luke. It forms part of three other parables shedding light on the coming of the Son of Man. It also bears striking resemblances with the parable of the friend at midnight, but unlike the friend of midnight, persistence is a focal point for interpreting the parable. There is an intersection between the parable of the unjust judge and resilience theory. Resilience may be understood as the ability to have positive, better-than-expected outcomes in the face of adversity. The widow persists and manages to persuade the judge to aid her plight. Accordingly, this article explored the intersections between resilience theory and the parable of the unjust judge as an interpretive aid. Contribution: This article explored a multidisciplinary approach to Luke 18:1–8. Resilience theory was incorporated with exegesis, thereby offering another hermeneutical lens to the text that enriches our understanding

Walking wisely : sapiential influence in Psalm 26

Psalm 26 is interpreted by the majority of scholars as a cultic psalm. This has limited research on Psalm 26. There are clear traces of sapiential influence in Psalm 26 concerning its intricately well-thought concentric structure as well as various wisdom connections. This study will however focus on the structure as well as on the core wisdom theme of walking the way of Yahweh. This opens up interpretation possibilities for Psalm 26 and it also indicates that Psalm 26 is a literary creation belonging to the Persian Period.http://www.hts.org.zaam201

Resilience and gender-based violence : an interdisciplinary reflection on shaping stories of resilience from an institutional perspective

During the national lockdown in 2020, President Cyril Ramaphosa voiced concern about the ongoing problem of gender-based violence (GBV) in South Africa, calling it a pandemic alongside the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 intensified the occurrence of gender-based violence within South African communities which consequently highlighted the need for awareness regarding this phenomenon. South Africa is a predominantly Christian culture, yet the actions of community members seem to be defined by patriarchal cultures. There is therefore a need to rethink how we address social issues, especially GBV. This article aims at providing an interdisciplinary reflection on shaping stories of resilience relating to gender-based violence from the perspectives of both theology and social work at Hugenote Kollege.https://ojs.reformedjournals.co.za/stjnf2024New Testament StudiesSDG-05:Gender equalit

Exploring online theological education at Hugenote Kollege

Theological education has come all the more under the scope as economic challenges and pressures of a changing society calls for renewed thinking on what theological education should entail. As Reformers, the quest is constantly realigning and adapting to communicate the gospel as effectively as possible. Within the broader purview of Reformed theological institutions in South Africa, Hugenote Kollege offers a unique BTh degree. The degree is fully online and follows an integrated curriculum with the main aim of educating lay ministers. This article explores the online BTh Hugenote Kollege as well as the benefit of online integrated education.https://ojs.reformedjournals.co.za/stjhj2024New Testament StudiesSDG-04:Quality Educatio

The Day of Atonement as a hermeneutical key to the understanding of Christology in Hebrews

This study contributes to the discussion of the hermeneutics of Hebrews by considering the book's bachground thought and central theme. Specifically, we attempt to show how the worldview(s) and references to the Israelite cult form the décor against which the book’s Christology acts out a new, supreme story of atonement. Crucial to the Christology of Hebrews is the role of Christ as High Priest, found in Hebrews in the context of the Jewish festival, the Day of Atonement. It is precisely this relationship between the Christology of Hebrews and the Day of Atonement that forms the focus of the study. Focusing on both the background and central theme of the book (its Christology), this study proposes that the priesthood and the day of Atonement define the contours within which the Christology of Hebrews should be interpreted. We argue that the Day of Atonement functions as a hermeneutical key to the Christology of Hebrews and – since this is the book’s central theme – to the book of Hebrews as a whole. We propose, furthermore, that references to the Day of Atonement offer an interpreted religious and liturgical space for Christ to function as the superior High Priest. In this capacity, He is able to bring about a new covenant in which perfect atonement is achieved once and for all.http://journals.sabinet.co.za/ej/ejour_patris.htmlnf201

Re-enchanting Paul?

The Galatian community is disrupted with different notions of the gospel than Paul intended. Paul, surprised that this community is confused so easily, sets out in Gal 3 to explain what justification by faith entails. Paul and his letter to the Galatians are products of a first century CE context. The problem when faced with Galatians, particularly Gal 3:1–14, is that research on rhetoric abounds, but the curse language, which is an embedded in Paul’s context is often dismissed or ignored. My focus here is to trace Paul’s meaning, specifically focusing on curse language in the argument of Gal 3 in order to show that Paul is embedded in a apotropaic imaginary as befits his socio-cultural setting and Greco-Roman discursive reality.https://brill.com/view/journals/rt/rt-overview.xmlhj2024New Testament StudiesNon

Contested body

Within the plenitude of Pauline studies, Contested body: Metaphors of dominion in Romans 5–8 provides a cohesive scholarly investigation into metaphors of dominion employed by Paul. This book advances the understanding that the body is the specific space where forces vie in Romans 5-8