Faculty of Theology
The Faculty of Theology is a faculty of Stellenbosch University. We are a faculty for theology, and through research, teaching and learning and community action we are a knowledge partner for other academic communities, various church denominations and institutions of broader society.
Sub-communities within this community
Recent Submissions
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Justice and the missional framework document of the Dutch Reformed Church
(AOSIS Publishing, 2017)This article engages with the Missional Framework Document of the Dutch Reformed Church (DRC) from the perspectives of solidarity with the poor and justice for South African society. The democratic South Africa continues ...
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Ekhaya : human displacement and the yearning for familial homecoming. from Throne (Cathedra) to home (Oikos) in a grassroots ecclesiology of place and space : Fides Quaerens Domum et Locum [faith seeking home and space]
(AOSIS Publishing, 2017)The classical definition of theology is ‘faith-seeking understanding’ (fides quaerens intellectum). The focus is on the understanding/interpretation of the object of Christian faith: God. There is another root for the quest ...
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Seeing, sighing, signing : contours of a vulnerable homiletic
(Stellenbosch University, Faculty of Theology, 2017)In this article the many in-between spaces of paradox that characterise the society of South Africa, up to this day, are seen as liminal breeding grounds for what could be called a vulnerable homiletic. Three key concepts ...
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Waiting for the Lord : the fulfilment of the promise of land in the Old Testament as a source of hope
(Stellenbosch University, Faculty of Theology, 2017)This article examines the fulfilment of the land promise in the OT as a source of hope. This is particularly significant in our contemporary context in which land has become a contested issue. The question this article ...
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Integrating graduate attributes into a Master of Divinity programme at a South African university
(HESA, 2017)Stellenbosch University promotes generic graduate attributes (GAs) as an integral part of its teaching and learning strategy en route to curriculum renewal. The Faculty of Theology targeted the Master of Divinity programme ...
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Missio Dei as embodiment of Passio Dei : the role of God-images in the Mission-outreach and pastoral caregiving of the church – a hermeneutical approach
(Southern African Missiological SocietyPublisher's version, 2016)It is argued that the paradigmatic notion of imperialistic expansion and its unfortunate association with the traditional understanding of the missio Dei in the discipline of missiology, should be transformed. Rather than ...
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Why ethics?
(Pieter de Waal Neethling Trust, 2015)In this address, the author explores the necessity of ethical reflection on our moral responsibility regarding the challenges of today’s globalized world and the future of humankind in the midst of God’s creation. In this ...
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Who do you want : Barabbas or Jesus? Power and empowerment in theological education
(Pieter de Waal Neethling Trust, 2015)The article deals with theological education and leadership and questions the way power and empowerment functions in the church. It argues that theologically we follow the Barabbas choice and reject Jesus by not choosing ...
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Where have all the prophets gone? : perspectives on political preaching
(Pieter de Waal Neethling Trust, 2015)This article takes a brief look at the notions of voice, event, and experience within the communal paradigm of South African societies. This is followed by a description of different ways in which political and eschatological ...
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Triniteit, mannelijkheid en vrouwelijkheid : een kritische analyse en zoektocht naar een verantwoordelijke methode
(Pieter de Waal Neethling Trust, 2015)Regarding the relationship between the Trinity and gender, theologians differ radically. This article first show how the Trinity is seen as a model for gender relationships from an immanent and economic point of view. ...
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The struggle against poverty, unemployment and social injustice in present-day South Africa : exploring the involvement of the Dutch Reformed Church at congregational level
(Pieter de Waal Neethling Trust, 2015)This article is based on an exploration of the involvement of the Dutch Reformed Church (DRC) at congregational level in the struggle against poverty, unemployment and social injustice in present-day South Africa. The ...
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Reading the Bible in the African context : assessing Africa’s love affair with prosperity Gospel
(Pieter de Waal Neethling Trust, 2015)The aim of this article is to examine Bible reading in the African context and the willingness and enthusiasm to embrace prosperity gospel in Africa. To achieve this objective, a discussion on the developments in biblical ...
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Reading for the dignity of all : overcoming the troubling legacy of the Old Testament
(Pieter de Waal Neethling Trust, 2015)In light of the numerous instances in the Hebrew Bible in which the dignity of its characters are threatened, violated or potentially violated, this article seeks to identify a number of strategies that may be used to read ...
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Learning, changing and doing : critical citizenship through ecumenical exposure
(Pieter de Waal Neethling Trust, 2015)Critical citizenship is becoming a very significant part of the educational pedagogy at Stellenbosch University relating to the vocational, personal and civic lives of the students and lecturers, focusing on critical and ...
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Investigating John 13-17 as a missional narrative
(Pieter de Waal Neethling Trust, 2015)This article investigates the Farewell Discourse in John 13-17 from the perspective of missional theology. A narrative approach is followed to ascertain how John’s Gospel establishes a basis for the Father sending the Son, ...
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Happiness : a primer for theological engagement
(Pieter de Waal Neethling Trust, 2015)This essay discerns themes in the interdisciplinary study of happiness. We distinguish between the concepts of hedonic and eudaimonic happiness, as well as the concepts of well-being and quality of life. We also discuss ...
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God en armoede in die Karoo : ’n besinning oor ’n teologie van transformasie
(Pieter de Waal Neethling Trust, 2015)The Karoo is an outstretched arid area characterised by poverty and underdevelopment. This article focuses on the poverty of the Karoo people and the effect of their faith in God on social development and transformation. ...
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Cities, corporeality and consciousness
(Pieter de Waal Neethling Trust, 2015)This article seeks to explore the connections between our ability to live and work with symbols, our nature as a symbolic species, our physiologies, and our theologies, by examining the phenomenon of the (modern) city. It ...
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Biblical happiness and baptismal identity
(Pieter de Waal Neethling Trust, 2015)In this essay the author makes a theological contribution to the happiness discourse, by i) exploring the etymology of some terms used for happiness in the Old and New Testament, by ii) valuing the contribution of Ellen ...
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Between separation and celebration : perspectives on the ethical-political preaching of Desmond Tutu
(Pieter de Waal Neethling Trust, 2015)Recognising the complexity of a pluralistic South African society, this article attempts to identify four ethical movements in preaching in the past, as well as the present. These movements are from silence to struggle, ...
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An ethos of hospitality as public morality in the face of the disorderly process in Nigeria today?
(Pieter de Waal Neethling Trust, 2015)Nigeria, a highly populated country in West Africa, has for the past five years been embroiled in turmoil. Agitation arising from displacement of a large number of people coupled with alienation in their own ancestral lands ...
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A perspective on marriages and civil unions in South Africa (part two) : civil unions
(Pieter de Waal Neethling Trust, 2015)The article argues that churches/religions ought to fully accept homosexuals as full members with all the rights that go with that, and treat them with Christian love, compassion and respect. But it also argues that if ...
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"Making history for the coming generation" – on the theological logic of Russel Botman’s commitment to transformation
(Pieter de Waal Neethling Trust, 2015)The late rector of Stellenbosch University, Russel Botman, was widely known for his commitment to transformation. In the first Memorial Lecture to commemorate his legacy, it is argued that he had already been committed ...
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African urbanims : reinterpreting the marks of the church
(Pieter de Waal Neethling Trust, 2015)This essay presents a broad analysis of African “cityness” and brings this analysis in relation to an ecumenical interpretation of the marks of the church. The aim is to construct an “urban ecclesiology” where the realities ...
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The prophetic voice of the ecumenical church in South Africa and the role of the Volkskerk van Afrika
(Pieter de Waal Neethling Trust, 2015)In this essay the author briefly wants to state the historical events that led to the spirit of Ecumenism. Secondly the article wish to give an overview of the early history of the Volkskerk van Afrika and state the church’s ...
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The Bible and the justification of apartheid in Reformed circles in the 1940's in South Africa : some historical, hermeneutical and theological remarks
(Pieter de Waal Neethling Trust, 2015)This article focuses on the way the Bible was used in the 1940s in some Reformed theological circles in South Africa as part of the discourse to justify apartheid. Attention is also given to some voices critical of this ...
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Reading the Bible through the ages? : historical and hermeneutical perspectives
(Pieter de Waal Neethling Trust, 2015)In this contribution the seemingly straightforward slogan espoused by Biblica, namely, “Transforming lives through God’s Word” is complicated by placing it within the context of the rich, multi-layered and complex history ...
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Meeting the challenge of poverty and inequality? : ‘hindrances and helps’ with regard to congregational mobilisation in South Africa
(AOSIS Publishing, 2017)The findings of an empirical study entitled ‘Meeting the challenge of poverty and inequality in the Cape Metropole: Factors impacting the mobilisation of congregations in their response to poverty and injustice’ reaffirm ...
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The Torah and community formation : a comparative study of Romans 13:8-14 and Matthew 22:34-40
(2017-03)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Previous studies on Romans 13:8-14 and Matthew 22:34-40 have indicated the centrality of love therein while downplaying the role of the Law in the two documents. These studies also did not consider the ...
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Church and Culture? : exploring the reception of women’s ministries in the Reformed Church in Zambia in view of 1 Corinthians 14:26-40
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2017-03)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The Reformed Church in Zambia (RCZ) was established in 1899 through the missionary work of the Dutch Reformed Church of the Orange Free State in South Africa. After its establishment, the church maintained ...
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