A Church with the Poor – Lessons From Scripture and From Congregations in Informal Settlements

The church has an essential role to play in communities riddled with poverty, disease, and despair. Communities in informal-settlement areas suffer a great deal. Churches in these communities are often small and have few means for alleviating poverty. In the Bible, the community of God is a community of love. Although there are instances of retribution in the Old Testament, there are clear instances where the community of God experiences the implications of love for one’s neighbour. In the New Testament, the essence of the church is to be the community of love. Congregations in Mangaung’s informal settlements bring a message of hope by being the community of love in their area. The church can become the true messenger of God’s hope in informal areas

Die liefde van god as aanknopingspunt vir ’n gesprek met moslems: die rol van joh. 3:16.

Christian and Muslim relations are under tremendous strain. The political situation makes it very difficult to proclaim the love of God to Muslims. It is, however, possible to reach out to Muslims from the explanation of the love of God. John 3:16 is of utmost importance in this regard. In this article the love of God for the whole world is portrayed and in his love He reaches out to all and not only to Israel. The difficult concept of “Son of God” must, however, be explained to Muslims who often are offended by the conceptbecause of a biological understanding of it. The confession of the Trinity is of importance to fully explain the love of God and must be proclaimed in the dialogue with and the proclamation of the Gospel to Muslims

Die bemagtiging van die armes

The issues addressed in this article is whether the poor can be empowered to change their own situations without becoming revolutionary. Poverty comprises lack of the most basic life-sustaining goods. However, the poor as people before God, can be empowered to change their situation. Although poverty is an all-inclusive problem, the possibility of helping the poor to realise that they are called to take possession of their own destiny is important. In Jesus Christ a new way of hope and change is offered. With the realisation of their own situation comes the responsibility to become involved. By means of an important ministry the poor should be helped to regain self-respect and to act accordingly. Initiatives on the part of the poor are therefore of the utmost importance

The implications of nonauthentic questions in Galatians

A new classification of non-authentic questions is helpful in understanding the way in which Paul uses persuasion in Galatians. Paul uses many non-authentic questions, and the implications thereof are evident in the type of question used. The way in which he violates the maxims identified by Grice also entails certain implications which can be used to establish the meaning of certain passages. Questions used in Galatians include statements, empty statements, emphatic rhetorical interrogatives, ironical interrogatives and appeal questions. Paul often violates the rule of politeness in order to emphasise his point

Respek vir die lewe en die doodstraf volgens die perspektief van Genesis 9:5-6

There are different views on the application of Genesis 9:5-6 in the debate on the value of life and the death penalty. In postmodern society it is considered inhumane to execute persons who committed murder. In this article different views are discussed and it is suggested that, according to Genesis 9:5, respect for life is absolute and that, although the death penalty is not explicitly mentioned, it provides an argument for upholding respect for life. Article text is in Afrikaan

Die persoon van vrede in die sending

The concept of the “person of peace” plays an important role among evangelicals. To reach a community, such a “person of peace” is often identified. This person can then expose the community to mission. From a theological perspective it is possible to acknowledge the importance of such a “person of peace”. In this instance the concept should be expanded to include the notion of the church’s task to bring about peace. This peace must visibly elicit people in need to bring about harmony in all spheres of life

“And Africa will be saved!”? nadenke oor die kerk, die sending en die Nood van Sub-Sahara-Afrika

Die kerk in Afrika beleef ’n moeilike tyd, wat die vraag laat ontstaan hoe ’n mens moet reageer op hierdie krisisse en uitdagings waarvoor die kerk in Afrika, en veral Afrika suid van die Sahara, te staan kom. Reeds aan die begin van grootskaalse Westerse betrokkenheid by Afrika het die vraag hoe die Westerse wêreld en ook veral die kerk by Afrika betrokke moet wees, sterk na vore gekom. Een van die eerste essensiële vrae was dan ook of die Westerse betrokkenheid tot totale nuwe ontwikkeling in Afrika moes lei, en of Afrika eintlik steeds op homself aangewese moes bly. Hierdie artikel wil die verskillende benade

Contextualisation of the gospel among muslims

Contextualisation is considered crucial in relating the gospel to culture. However, when reaching Muslims by means of the Christian gospel it is also important to evaluate the concept of contextualisation, as different approaches enable one to understand the mission to Muslims in different ways. There are still divergent views ranging from total rejection of any aspect of the Muslim culture and beliefs to full acceptance of the Muslim religious culture. Various exponents have attempted in different ways to deal with the issue. Phil Parshall is regarded as a leader in this field. This article suggests a holistic Scriptural view rather than accepting contextualisation as a means to relate the gospel to Muslims. This view is intrinsically bound to Scripture and the acceptance of Scripture as the revelation of God. It is argued that Muslims should be approached with great respect while emphasising the true revelation of God in Christ

A biblical, cultural and missiological critique of traditional circumcision among Xhosa-speaking Christians

Among the Xhosa of South Africa, male circumcision remains a very important ritual. The question as to whether Christians should accept these rites and continue to send their children to traditional schools practising it is very important. In this article the implications of the ritual and the way in which proponents use the Bible are evaluated. It is argued that there should be an honest encounter with the rite from a biblical perspective. Solutions should be evaluated and explained. From a Christian perspective total rejection is not possible, but the church should remain faithful to the truth of the gospel

Lidmate se houding teenoor kerkvereniging in die ngkfamilie: \'n kruiskulturele ondersoek na enkele veranderlikes*

The unity of the church of Christ is a spiritual reality, which finds its origin in the triune God. Although unity is a spiritual reality given by God himself, a comprehensive, visible expression of this essential unity must be achieved. The family of Dutch Reformed Churches in South Africa is currently struggling to achieve visible unity. In this study, two research questions were posed. Firstly, what is members of the family of Dutch Reformed Churches\' attitude towards church unification? Secondly, are there statistically significant differences among members of the family of Dutch Reformed of Churches\' attitude towards church unification when home language, level of education and monthly income are taken into account? A total of 223 respondents were included, which consisted of 104 (46,6%) Dutch Reformed Church members, 72 (32,3%) DRC in Africa members and 47 (21,1%) Uniting Reformed Church members. The Attitude towards Church Unification Questionnaire was utilized. Statistical analysis concluded that members of the Dutch Reformed Churches in all the different denominations have a positive attitude towards church unification. The variable found to have the greatest influence on the attitude of church members was home language. Monthly household income was also significant at the 5% level, while level of education did not have a statistically significant influence on people\'s attitude towards church unification. Acta Theologica Vol. 1 2007: pp. 60-8