Professor Adrianus van Selms

Professor Adrianus van SelmsAn eulogy in honour of the late Professor A van Selms (1906-1984), who filled the chair of Semitic Languages at the University of Pretoria from 1948 to 1971. It is an introduction to Volume 41, 2 (1985) of the Hervormde Teologiese Studies, journal of the Faculty of Theology (Section A) at the University of Pretoria. The specific Number is entitled Dedicata Adrianus van Selms. The articles concerned are contributions of some of his postgraduated students who lecture Semitic Languages or Old and New Testament at South African universities. The eulogy contains a review of the life and work of Professor Van Selms as well as a complete list of his publications

Philipp Melanchthon

Philipp Melanchthon (1497–1560) was, with Martin Luther, the most influential reformer of the church during the 16th century. He was also a reformer of university education, especially theological studies, as well as the school system in Germany. He was responsible for a theological curriculum that included Greek, Hebrew, and philosophy. He, as a professor of Greek at the University of Wittenberg since 1518, was the author of the first generally accepted Protestant confession, known as the Confessio Augustana (1530). He also wrote the first Protestant commentaries on Paul’s letter to the Romans (1519), as well as the first Protestant handbook in systematic theology (1521). He was the main negotiator of the Protestant movement during the diets and religious discussions with the Roman Catholic Church. He is known as the ‘teacher of Germany and Europe’ and is respected as the father of the ecumenical movement. Yet, Melanchthon is not known to South Africans and especially Afrikaans-speaking people who, traditionally, have close links with the reformational tradition. There is not yet one single publication on Melanchthon in Afrikaans or by a South African scholar, making this book, therefore, the first by an Afrikaans-speaking scholar on Melanchthon

Die barmhartige God, regverdiging en goeie werke deur Luther Ignatius

No Abstrac

Voorwoord

No Abstrac

Die kusiete in Amos 9:7

No abstract available

Die verhouding tussen die ou en nuwe testament in die hermeneutiek

No abstract available

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

Luther and Calvin on predestination: A comparison

Alexander Schweizer propagated the thesis that predestination is a central theme of Calvin’s theology and that later Calvinism had to defend his teaching as the distinguishing point between the Lutheran and reformed traditions. In this article it is shown that election is also an important element of Luther’s theology. The historic development of the two reformers’ thinking about election is presented. In spite of different nuances, the difference between the two are minimal. The main reason why the differences could be underplayed is because it is shown that Calvin’s thesis of ‘double predestination’ only forms one part of Calvin’s doctrinal thinking on this subject. Calvin has actually two sets of statements on predestination. When the unacceptable statements about ‘double predestination’ are not emphasised, but rather his early works and sermons, he and Luther share the same opinions on election in Christ through grace. Both of them understand election as the final word on justification

Wolfhart Pannenberg se ekumeniese bydrae tot die debat oor kerkeenheid en die regverdigingsleer

Wolfhart Pannenberg would have been 90 years old in 2018. This article is a tribute to his excellent contribution to the ecumenical debate on church unity and the importance to reach an agreement on the doctrine of justification. The first step is to explain Pannenberg’s Lutheran understanding of church unity. Secondly, Pannenberg’s contribution to mobilise understanding for the ecumenical efforts in coming to an agreement on the doctrine of justification is discussed. His efforts in convincing theologians that one cannot work towards church unity while churches continue to condemn one another for having different views on doctrinal matters, receive special attention. Pannenberg’s effort to convince his colleagues that one should approach these sensitive ecumenical matters from the perspective of present-day historical-critical thinking is also mentioned. The article concludes with a judgement on his approach and his success in these matters

Martin Luther se veelkantige verhouding tot die filosofie

Martin Luther lectured moral philosophy in Wittenberg. He was therefore a well-trained philosopher in the tradition of Willem Ockham. Throughout his academic career, he respected the important contribution of philosophy to life. Without philosophy, the world cannot function properly! He, however, rejected the idea that Aristotelian philosophy should be the guiding principle of theology. A philosophy that concentrates on what man could and should do, cannot be the cradle of the New Testament notion of justification without works. The God of the New Testament could therefore not be discovered by philosophical reflexion, but should rather be discovered by the preaching of the gospel. Theology, for Luther, is ‘science of conflict’ – it is in conflict with human logic and science. Theology offers a truth that is not scientifically intelligible. This truth is a matter for faith and not reason. By saying this, the importance of human reasoning is not denied