Money matters in Pentecostal circles

Peer reviewedThis article focuses on a number of different but interrelated issues concerning Pentecostalism. Noteworthy, in terms of money matters, are references to the fact that Pentecostalism started among mostly poor people. However, it is clear that right from the start the Movement grew phenomenally in terms of adherents and in its ability to acquire large sums of money. Gradually the Movement also gained respect among people from other levels of society. These developments caused changes in the way money matters were dealt with. A new theology – not accepted by all Pentecostals – was developed. Within some variations of the "Prosperity Gospel", God's blessings as well as success in life are measured along monetary lines. This article tries to explore these developments. It also refers to a research report on the importance of the money power of Pentecostals in South Africa, showing how this Movement has become an important factor in the lives of millions of South Africans. Specific references are made to the financial buying power of Pentecostals and the megachurch buildings that are being erected at present. At the end, comments are presented on how new theologies closely related to money issues will influence Pentecostalism as well as other churches theologically and in practical terms in the future.Research Institute for Theology and Religio

Die monargale tydvak in die geskiedenis van Israel

Text in AfrikaansHierdie verhandeling dek oor die algemeen die groter geheel van die Monargale Tydvak in die geskiedenis van Israel en Juda. Daar word egter meer spesifiek gefokus op die koningskap van Josia, `n merkwaardige koning van Juda, en sy godsdienstige hervormings wat van stapel gestuur is na aanleiding van die vonds van die wetboek in die Tempel. Die verhaal van Josia word geskets teen die agtergrond van die politieke klimaat in die antieke Nabye Ooste voor- en tydens sy koningskap. Aandag word dus gegee aan ander nasies en die invloed wat hulle op Juda gehad het. Daar word ook gekyk na daardie profete wat moontlik `n invloed op Josia kon gehad het, hetsy profete wat aktief was tydens sy koningskap of in die jare onmiddellik daarvoor. Laastens word ook na die Deuteronomistiese Geskiedenis gekyk ten einde die moontlike verband daarvan met Josia en sy hervormings te bepaalThis dissertation covers, in generaL the topic of the Monarchial Period in the history of Israel. More specific attention is given to Josiah. a remarkable king of Judah, and his program of religious refonn, that was set in motion with the discovery of the Book of the Law in the Temple. The story of Josiah is told against the background of the political climate in the ancient Near East prior to and also during Josiah's reign. Other nations and their influence on Judah is carefully considered in this regard. Attention is also given to those prophets that could possibly have influenced Josiah. Some of these prophets were active during Josiah's reign and others in the years preceding his reign. Lastly the Deuteronomistic History is considered to determine the possible links to Josiah and his refonn programBiblical and Ancient StudiesM.Th. (Old Testament

Rethinking the Crusades

The study focuses on the unique phenomenon of society’s changing attitudes towards the Crusades. Right from its inception the Crusades made a lasting impact on history, an impact which is still evident in the present day. Several aspects contributed to the start of the Crusades, among them the world and ideology of the eleventh century, the era in which the Crusades began. In current times there have been calls demanding an apology for the Crusades, while at the same time some within Christianity have felt the need to apologise for the atrocities of the Crusades. The Crusades are often blamed for the animosity between Christians and Muslims, a situation worsened by the fact that leaders on both sides misuse the word ‘crusade’ for their own agendas. The thesis is written within a historiographical framework making use of both critical enquiry and historical criticism.Christian Spirituality, Church History and MissiologyM. Th. (Church history

Distribution and abundance of rodents, millipedes and trees in coastal dune forests in northern KwaZulu-Natal

A widely observed pattern in nature is a positive relationship between local abundance and spatial distribution. This study investigates this relationship amongst three taxa namely rodents, millipedes and trees on regenerating and unmined coastal dune forests at Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal. No sensible analyses were possible on the rodent data. Both millipedes and trees had a positive relationship between local abundance and distribution (measured as species incidence). Millipedes showed no changes in the relationship with changes in habitat regeneration time. For trees, the regression slope decreased with time due to changes in abundance and incidence of Acacia karroo. Lack of bimodality in incidence frequency distributions ruled the core-satellite metapopulation hypothesis out as a mechanism producing the positive abundance-incidence relationship. The resource availability hypothesis was a most likely mechanism. This study confirmed that rare species tend to be restricted in both abundance and incidence.Dissertation (MSc (Zoology))--University of Pretoria, 2007.Zoology and Entomologyunrestricte

Virus uncoating is required for apoptosis induction in cultured mammalian cells infected with African horse sickness virus

Infection of cultured mammalian cells with African horse sickness virus (AHSV) is known to induce cell death. To date, the trigger(s) of this response, the apoptotic pathways activated during AHSV infection and the functional consequences of apoptosis on the virus replication cycle have yet to be characterized. This study demonstrated that extracellular treatment of BHK- 21 cells with both of the AHSV4 outer capsid proteins, VP2 and VP5, was sufficient to trigger apoptosis. Whether steps in AHSV4 replication subsequent to viral attachment were required for AHSV4-induced apoptosis was also investigated. Apoptosis was induced in BHK-21 cells infected with UV-inactivated AHSV4 and in ribavirin-treated cells infected with AHSV4. However, both AHSV4- and VP2/VP5-stimulated apoptotic responses were inhibited in the presence of the endosomal acidification inhibitors ammonium chloride and chloroquine. These results indicated that uncoating of AHSV4 virions, but not viral transcription or subsequent steps in viral replication, was required for AHSV4 to induce apoptosis in BHK-21 cells. Furthermore, this study showed that both the extrinsic (caspase-8) and intrinsic (caspase-9) apoptotic pathways were induced following AHSV4 infection. The inhibition of caspase activity in AHSV4-infected cells did not diminish AHSV4 replication, but reduced the release and dissemination of progeny viral particles. Taken together, the data indicated that uncoating of AHSV virions was required for apoptosis induction, and that apoptosis enhanced virus spread and release.National Research Foundation and the University of Pretoria’s Institutional Research Theme Programme.http://vir.sgmjournals.orghb201

The 'classic faith' roots of the modern 'word of faith' movement

Peer reviewedSome proponents of the ‘modern faith movement’ claim that their faith teachings are fresh revelation or newlyrevealed truths from God; others believe they are heretical or cultic because of apparent similarities of teaching to New Thought metaphysics. In this article: the evangelical roots of some of the faith teachings will be identified. Some criticisms of their opponents will be evaluated and the possibility of bringing the opposing viewpoints nearer to each other will be investigated. Not all principles taught by the faith teachers are found to be suspect. However, many of the controversies could have been prevented if the principles at stake had been communicated in a better way. A more discerning understanding of the evangelical faith heritage common to both polarities should be accentuated.Research Institute for Theology and Religio

The relationship between the state and the church during the early history of Pretoria

Peer reviewedIn this article, I shall be discussing the development of the church in the Transvaal and the South African Republic – with specific reference to the situation during the early history of Pretoria. Although I shall highlight the situations within different communities, the main focus of this article is on the relationship between the state and the church in the period 1839 until 1902. As we shall see, during this time, the two institutions protected each other and actually consisted of the same group of leading and influential people. Although these people followed some of the same principles practised in other regions (Cape Colony, Europe), this close relationship between the church and the state harmed the development of both the church and, in many ways, the development of the state in South Africa.Research Institute for Theology and Religio

From Hatfield Baptist Church to Hatfield Christian Church : perspectives on some historical developments during the ministry of Pastor Ed Roebert

Peer reviewedThis article tries to uncover some of the factors that led to the phenomenal growth of the Hatfield Christian Church in Pretoria. The documentation starts with the relatively unknown early history of the church. Specific attention is given to the years between 1963 and 1984 until the separation from the Baptist Union – part of the period during which Ed Roebert pastored the church. Influences of some of the features of the charismatic movement at the time and their impact on the church are discussed. Relationships of this church with surrounding churches and specifically with Afrikaansspeaking students and communities are highlighted. The tension that arose between the church (later known as the Hatfield Christian Church) and the Baptist Union as well as the eventual division between the two bodies are also touched upon. The discussion is followed by topics suggested for further research.Research Institute for Theology and Religio

Can charismatics be Calvinists? New trends within charismatic circles with special reference to the situation in South Africa

Peer reviewedCalvin’s cessationist theologies had an enormous influence within Reformed theology with regard to the operation of spiritual gifts. The article describes how his notion has been challenged by authors from various quarters during the last two centuries. The eroding of the Reformed position on this issue is discussed with specific reference to the situation in South Africa. A small qualitative research project is reported on, indicating that a new trend is to be seen in which more and more people see themselves as Reformed but also unashamedly charismatic.Research Institute for Theology and Religio