SUNScholar - Browsing by Author "Jonker, Louis C."

Browsing by Author "Jonker, Louis C."

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Anything new under the sun? : exploring further avenues for writing another commentary on Chronicles
(University of the Free State, Faculty of Theology, 2018) Jonker, Louis C.
Over the past two decades, there has been an explosion of new commentaries on Chronicles. Scholars may justifiably ask whether there is anything new under the sun to investigate in another commentary on this book. Having been contracted to produce a commentary for the Old Testament Library series (as follow-up to Japhet's majestic commentary), I am investigating some new avenues for this endeavour. Three potential areas are discussed: utilizing Achaemenid royal inscriptions and written records for the interpretation of Chronicles; revisiting theories on the composition of Chronicles, and bringing Chronicles and Pentateuchal studies into conversation with one another.
The biblical legitimisation of ethnic diversity in apartheid theology
(Department of Old and New Testament, Stellenbosch University, 2001) Jonker, Louis C.
Please see full-text for abstract.
Crossing boundaries : the transformative potential of intercultural Bible reading in secular/post-secular contexts
(Department of Old and New Testament, Stellenbosch University, 2021-11) Jonker, Louis C.
Intercultural biblical hermeneutics is a fairly recent development in biblical scholarship in general. It emphasises that biblical interpretation almost always takes place in contexts where an array of cultural values and beliefs determine the outcome of the interpretative process. Although this branch of biblical hermeneutics emerged from the need to reflect theoretically on how Christians from different socio-cultural and socio-economic contexts engage the biblical texts, and one another on account of those texts, this approach may also be widened to include the interpretation of the Bible in non-Christian contexts (including the contexts of other religions and secular contexts) or even to engage in discourse on the interpretation of authoritative texts of different traditions (such as the Qur’an in Islam, in addition to the Tenakh of Judaism, and the Old and New Testament of Christianity). In research on intercultural biblical hermeneutics, it has been noticed that intercultural interpretation holds enormous transformative potential. My paper will examine how this could be of use in engagements between religious, secular and post-secular contexts.
Exclusivity and variety : a typological study towards the integration of exegetical methodologies in Old Testament studies
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 1993-02) Jonker, Louis C.; Olivier, J. P. J.; Van der Kooij, A.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Theology. Department of Old and New Testament.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The present state of the exegetical discipline is characterized in this dissertation by the exploration of the concepts exclusivity and variety. There is variety not only in the numerous methods and approaches, but also in variants in methodological application, hermeneutical presuppositions, confessional and dogmatic views, specialization areas and the increasing volume of scholarly literature. To escape the abyss of variety, exegetes often turn to making exclusivistic claims, sometimes deliberately. The main interest of this dissertation is a methodological one, with the implication that the discussion is limited to the variety of exegetical methodologies. The working hypothesis is that a multidimensional and/or integrational approach to exegesis can evade the dangers of exclusivity and variety. Various theoretical guidelines, which should be taken into consideration in this discussion, are filtered out from previous attempts in this regard. Two methodologies, namely a historical-critical one and a narrative one, are used as examples in this investigation. In order to investigate the implementation of these methodologies in practice, the Samson Cycle (Judges 13-16) is analyzed. Subsequently, both methodologies are evaluated according to the theoretical guidelines which are formulated earlier. The multidimensional and/or integrational possibilities of these methodologies are then scrutinized. The investigation leads to the formulation of three models which may serve as guidelines for further discussion on this topic. Preference is given to an adapted communication model which serves as a hermeneutical framework in which exegetical methodologies function multidimensionally and interactively. It is proposed that the operative factor of such a communication model is a reading strategy which consists of two components, namely (i) a specialized reading and (ii) a competent reading of the text.
Guarding the mystery and majesty of God : reflections on the hermeneutical implications of the second commandment
(Stellenbosch University, Faculty of Theology, 2011) Jonker, Louis C.
The early post-exilic period in Israel’s history saw a radical reinterpretation of Yahweh’s presence among his people. This re-orientation was prompted by the significantly changed socio-religious conditions during the Persian era. Yahwism had to be defined in the absence of the luxurious sanctuary of the monarchic era, as well as in the context of a diversity of religions. Within this context the radical shift which is witnessed in the second commandment took place. A movement away from cult images to the strong prohibition of images (aniconism) was concluded. This movement is a reflection of the hermeneutical altercation on the mystery and majesty of God. The present paper investigates the hermeneutical implications of the second commandment for reflecting on human dignity in an African context. An overview will be provided of the history of research on the second commandment and the religious-historical circumstances that prompted it. Thereafter, the results of the overview will be brought into interaction with one particular Africentric interpretation of the Second Commandment.
Herinnering & verlange : gesprekke oor mag, geskiedenis en die Bybel
(AFRICAN SUN MeDIA, 2019) Jonker, Louis C.
‘n Nostalgiese reis styg uit die pen van prof. Louis C. Jonker oor sy eie herinnering aan en verlange na die leermeesters wat hom help vorm het, sy eie ontwaking as bybelwetenskaplike, en sy bediening in die NG kerk. Hy verken ook sy innerlike stryd in hierdie verskillende tydperke. Die uitvloeisel hiervan is ‘n mengsel van historiese novelle, biografie, persoonlike memoires en die akademiese skryfsels van prof. Ferdinand Deist, Biskop John Colenso, prof. Johannes du Plessis en ook dié van Jonker. Die vertellings – wat soms aan speelse fantasie grens – word in die boek afgewissel met toegeligte uittreksels uit vakliteratuur deur, en oor, die vier gespreksgenote. Uiteindelik lewer Jonker hiermee belangrike kommentaar oor die huidige stand van Bybelinterpretasie in Suid-Afrika.
Huldah’s oracle : the origin of the Chronicler’s typical style?
(AOSIS Open Journal, 2012-10) Jonker, Louis C.
Scholars of Chronicles normally emphasise that the Chronicler used typical words and phrases in those parts that belong to his Sondergut. Amongst these are phrases like ‘to humble yourself’, ‘to seek Yahweh’, and ‘not to forsake Yahweh’. The writer’s typical changes to the burial notices of the royal narratives also belong in this category. Something which is often overlooked, however, is that many of these features already occur in the narrative about Huldah’s oracle (2 Chr 34:19–28) which was taken over with only minor changes from the Deuteronomistic version (2 Ki 22:11–20). My paper investigates whether or not the Huldah oracle could have served as theological paradigm according to which the Chronicler developed his own unique style. If so, the investigation will prompt me to revisit the issue of how continuity and discontinuity, with the older historiographical tradition, characterise the identity negotiation process that we witness in this literature.
Human dignity and the construction of identity in the Old Testament
(Stellenbosch University, Faculty of Theology, 2010) Jonker, Louis C.
The status of Israel changed dramatically as a result of the Babylonian exile and its aftermath during the Persian era. Whereas the self-understanding of the people was closely linked to the Davidic monarchy during the pre-exilic time, the post-exilic community had to face the reality of their provincial existence under Persian imperial rule. The sociopolitical and socio-cultural environment changed dramatically because of these events, resulting in renewed processes of identity negotiation in Israel. We witness different attempts at verbalizing these processes in the biblical writings. The impact of the Persian imperial context on the self-understanding of the community in Jerusalem will be investigated with special reference to the Books of Chronicles. In these books – different to from e.g. Ezra-Nehemiah – a tendency towards inclusivism can be detected in the process of identity negotiation. This paper will show how this tendency relates to the qualified tolerance that was characteristic of the Persian (Achaemenid) era.
The influence of social transformation on the interpretation of the Bible : a methodological reflection
(Stellenbosch University, Faculty of Theology, 2000) Jonker, Louis C.
See full text for abstract.
Om as familie in Suid-Afrika te leef : interkulturele Bybelstudie as transformatiewe krag in die samelewing
(Pieter de Waal Neethling Trust, 2014) Jonker, Louis C.
This contribution describes a research project in empirical hermeneutics which departed from the hypothesis that a development of hermeneutical skills among Christian communities for reading the Bible together with “the Other” could contribute significantly towards the fostering of interculturality in the broader South African society.1 Additionally, it was hypothesized that the studying of the dynamics of intercultural Bible reading could provide us with better insight into the dynamics of a shift from multiculturality to interculturality.2 The present article reports on the results achieved in the investigation. It has been established that fear for and a lack of knowledge of “the Other” are important reasons for the lack of interculturality in society. It has also been confirmed that the Bible – as liminal “meeting place” for people from different cultures – can foster a sense of family and hospitality in the South African nation.
Op soek na diepgang in prediking : die bydrae van die literêre geskiedenis van die Bybel
(Pieter de Waal Neethling Trust, 2019) Jonker, Louis C.
Preaching the Old Testament: Why the literary history mattersIt is generally accepted that the genre of an Old Testament text (or, for that matter, of any biblical text) should be taken into consideration when planning a sermon on such a text. The literary form should be respected in the re-communication of the contents of a text. An aspect which is often neglected in preaching, however, is not literaryform, but literary history. Why would it be important to pay attention to the formation processes which brought about the final form of the particular Old Testament text? Does it bring any further value for sermon-making when the history of growth of a text is taken into consideration? This contribution will be a plea for involving the literaryhistory of Old Testament texts into the process of preaching. It will emphasise that this historical aspect could enrich the hermeneutical processes that are inevitable for preparing a sermon.
Ou-Testamentiese tekste in die gesprek oor homoseksualiteit
(Stellenbosch University, Faculty of Theology, 2006) Jonker, Louis C.
This article starts with two introductory remarks: the first concerns the role of exegesis in this dialogue, while the second sheds some light on the different views about the locus of meaning. The next section deals with the three Old Testament texts (Gen 19:5; Lev 18:22; Lev 20:13) in which mention is made of homo-erotic deeds. Each text is discussed with reference to different translations, some grammatical and semantic information, as well as exegetical results. The article closes with a few conclusions from the exegetical results, as well as a plea for the involvement of (inter alia) the biblical wisdom traditions in the dialogue.
Playing with peace : Solomon as the man of peace and rest, and the temple as the house of rest
(MDPI, 2021) Jonker, Louis C.
It is well‑known that the notions of peace, rest and order belonged to the royal Achaemenid ideology, particularly from the time of Darius I onwards. This can be witnessed in Achaemenid ar‑ chitecture, iconography and royal inscriptions. However, although the relations between the Persian Empire and the Greek city‑states were never completely peaceful, the diplomatic relations between Persia and particularly Sparta emphasised the value and importance of peace for international pol‑ itics. How did this international discourse influence the literature formation in Yehud at the same time? In addition, can one read the Chronicler’s portrayal of King Solomon of old as playful (and un‑ dermining) irony and polemic against the imperial masters? In this article, I revisit an earlier study in which I have started investigating the rhetorical locus of the Chronicler’s portrayal of this king.
The rhetorics of finding a new identity in a multi-religious and multi-ethnic society : the case of the book of Chronicles
(AOSIS OpenJournals, 2003-02) Jonker, Louis C.
Scholars generally agree that the Books of Chronicles are the products of certain Israelite (Levitical) groups in the Persian province of Jehud who struggled with the dissonance between their older historical and theological traditions on the one hand, and their present reality on the other hand. Within the totally different conditions under Persian rule (a multi-religious and multi-ethnic society) they had to find a new identity. The primary focus of this article is to examine the rhetorics of the intense struggle for a new identity presented to the reader in the Books of Chronicles. It is argued that this new identity represented a shift from a historically-defined identity that lasted from the monarchical period to the early postexilic phase, to a cultic identity during the Persian era. The article also endeavours to relate the identity forming discourse of these biblical books to the present processes in post-apartheid South African society. The question is asked whether a similar shift can be observed in this modern situation.
Satan made me do it! : the development of a Satan figure as social-theological diagnostic strategy from the late Persian imperial era to early Christianity
(Old Testament Society of South Africa, 2017) Jonker, Louis C.
The purpose of this article is, first of all, to provide a short overview of the socio-religious development to personalise evil into a Satan figure alongside God. Thereafter, I will provide one biblical example which stands at the beginning of this development, namely 1 Chr 21. This text analysis will merely serve as one example to illustrate the relationship between the socio-religious developments in the Second Temple period and biblical textual formation through the reinterpretation of earlier traditions. In a last section, I will reflect on how our awareness of this relationship between socio-religious development and reinterpretation affects how Christian theology participates in social-theological diagnostics today.
'n Sintakties-semantiese studie na die partisipium aktief in I Konings
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 1986) Jonker, Louis C.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of . Dept. of .
Text in a multidimensional exegetical approach
(Stellenbosch University, Faculty of Theology, 1993) Jonker, Louis C.
The quest towards a multidimensional exegetical approach arises from the present state of the exegetical discipline. Presently, this discipline is characterized by an overwhelming variety of methodology, but also by exclusivistic claims made by exegetes. In developing a multidimensional approach, various theoretical issues should be taken into account. One of these important issues is the development which took place in literary and biblical studies with regard to the concepts ‘text’ and meaning. A short overview of this development is provided. Thereafter, a proposal towards a multidimensional exegetical approach, namely that of Daniel Patte, is described and evaluated. The article ends with the formulation of guidelines for research towards a multidimensional exegetical approach, and with a short discussion of the author’s own proposal.
Why history matters : the place of historical consciousness in a multidimensional approach towards biblical interpretation
(AOSIS OpenJournals, 2013-09) Jonker, Louis C.
Since the linguistic turn of New Criticism and the advent of reader-response approaches in the previous century, the category of history has come under pressure in biblical interpretation. New developments in general historiography have also emphasised that the past is forever past, and that only constructions of the past remain. These developments bring many to the conclusion that the past offers no assistance in the interpretation process. In my paper I would like to re-emphasise that ‘historical consciousness’ does not mean an anachronistic clinging to something which no longer exists, but rather refers to the ability to sense the multidimensionality of interpretation, particularly in the case of ancient biblical texts.

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