Skepping en ewolusie. Konkurrensie of kongruensie?

Creation and evolution. Competition or congruence? In this article the author investigates the relation between creation and evolution. This issue, however, has to be discussed within the much wider framework of the relation between faith and science, or, more precisely, faith and reason. The author emphasises that a correct view of Scripture, as well as a correct interpretation, especially of Genesis 1-3, is of vital importance. It is also imperative to avoid simplistic answers and to distinguish between the different views in creationism and evolutionism. No final conclusion is reached, and the reader is invited to rethink the following question: would it be responsible to make use of ‘evolution as a working hypothesis’ (not ‘evolutionism as dogma’) within a Christian perspective

Hermeneia: ’n teologiese gesprek oor hermeneutiese vrae met drie Suid- Afrikaanse teoloë

Hermeneia: a theological discourse on hermeneutical issues with three South African theologians There is an interdenominational Council among the Afrikaans churches that meets from time to time to discuss topical matters. This article contains a revision of a presentation on hermeneutics given during such a meeting in 2009. In the article some introductory remarks are made on hermeneutics and subsequently the author critically investigates – for the sake of discussion – the hermeneutical models set up by three theologians from three churches. Right through it is apparent what a great role hermeneutics plays in the interpretation of Scripture – and should play. Since it is particularly topical and significant one theme from theology, namely Christology, is subjected to a more thorough investigation. Finally the author proposes some guidelines which in his opinion could contribute to a better understanding of Scripture. The polemic nature of the article has to be understood against the background of the history of its origin

Christelik-nasionaal? Op soek na ’n omvattender en indringender konsepsie

Die konsep van Christelik-nasionaal (CN) wortel in die dubbele oortuiging dat ’n nasie erken moet word maar terselfdertyd gekersten moet word. Dit gaan uit van die gedagte dat ’n nasie nie ’n irrelevante en terloopse gegewenheid is nie maar deur God vir ’n bepaalde tyd en situasie gewil is en met ’n bepaalde roeping of opdrag beklee is

Besinning oor die twee ryke-leer

Reflections on the theory of the two kingdomsThe question concerning the so-called two kingdoms, the kingdom of God/heaven and the kingdom of the devil/earth is as old as the history of humanity itself. Does not Christ himself refer to what belongs to Ceasar and what belongs to God (Matt 22: 21)? In this article the author first of all tries to summarise the six great theological models, with modifications, and thereafter briefly researches the South African context. He comes to the conclusion that there is only one King, one kingdom, one Word and one life; distinctions may be drawn but divisions are confusing

Die mens en God in ons tyd — ‘n Uitdaging!

Dit is met opset dat die woord „mens” in die opskrif hierbo voor die woord „God” geplaas is. Die mens met sy tegniese prestasies, verstandelike vermoëns, magsontplooiing op soveel terreine, maar ook met sy nood, hulpbehoewendheid en magteloosheid staan vandag in die brandpunt van die diskussie op velerlei gebiede. Hy het die middelpunt van filosofiese, teologiese, maatskaplike, politieke, sedelike en opvoedkundige besinning geword

The responsibility of the state and the calling of the church in the South African context of crime and violence – a theological investigation

This article investigates not only the complex relation between church and state, but also the general and particular responsibilities of the state towards crime and violence. In this regard attention is also paid to the calling and task of the church. The conclusion arrived at is rather alarming in that the moral situation in South Africa has reached a nadir such that the state and the church – each in its own way – has to broach the challenge with great urgency. On the one hand crime and violence should be brought back to “normal” proportions, while on the other hand, South Africa is in desperate need of a new moral orientation and a new culture of respect for human life and the possessions of others

350 jaar gereformeerd: gestaltes en uitdagings – ’n blik vanuit die Gereformeerde Kerke in Suid-Afrika (GKSA)

350 years reformed: Configurations and challenges – a perspective from the GKSA In this presentation the author aims at an explanation and evaluation of the contribution the GKSA has made over a period of more than 100 years. Positive as well as negative configurations are examined, followed by an elaboration of the great challenges facing the church of Christ today. The author concludes with a reminder that the church can only function meaningfully and fulfil its call in South Africa if this is done within the broad paradigm of the kingdom of God

Die Nuwe Hervorming: verwagting of verydeling?

The New Reformation: Expectation or frustation? In the Reformed-Christian tradition the idea of a continuing reformation is – and should never be questioned: “ecclesia reformata semper reformanda”. The relevant question should be: what kind of reformation should be expected? In this article the author critically investigates the claims of the so-called New Reformation that were widely discussed in daily newspapers during 2002. The views of the New Reformation as far as the doctrines of God, Christology, ecclesiology, eschatology and Scripture are concerned, are scrutinised and evaluated in this article. The author discovers a very close relationship – in many ways – between the views of the New Reformation and that of Rudolf Bultmann, who was strongly influenced by the Aufklärung of the eighteenth century. The author concludes that the New Reformation, although there are some aspects that should be appreciated, cannot (in totality) be typified as a “new reformation” – it is not “new” and does not represent a “reformation”