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Browsing by Author "Louw, D. J. (Daniel Johannes), 1944-"

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The aesthetics of Covid-19 within the pandemic of the corona crisis. From loss and grief to silence and simplicity : a philosophical and pastoral approach
(2020) Louw, D. J. (Daniel Johannes), 1944-
Within the corona-crisis, the core question to be posed is: What is the impact of Covid-19 on paradigms applied to interpret the pandemic; i.e. on the spiritual realm of meaning-giving, hoping and pastoal caregiving? How does it affect the realm of habitus and religious convictions, specifically where pastoral caregivers become involved? Information technology and the social media, for example, WhatsApp and News Bulletins, focus predominantly on information and prevention measurements. With reference to the human quest for wholeness in healing and helping, existing paradigms are critically analyzed. Three soulful movements are proposed, namely, from loneliness to solitude; from loss and grief to silence and contemplation; from the ugliness of the pandemic to the beauty of the virus. It is argued that instead of an ethical approach, an aesthetic approach can become most helpful in the reframing of the pandemic. The beautification of the virus is about the challenge to grow and revisit the meaning dimension of life and the value of compassion. In this regard, the God-image of divine companionship as framed by the ugliness of a ‘suffering God’ is discussed within the parameters of the praxis of hope care in pastoral ministry.
The aesthetics of ‘manhood’ within the paradigmatic framework of theopaschitic theology. From Brett Murray’s painting ‘The Spear’ and the opened fly to the iconic view of ‘The Anchor’ and the spiritual art of male genitals
(Stellenbosch University, Faculty of Theology, 2012-12) Louw, D. J. (Daniel Johannes), 1944-
The Brett Murray painting of president Zuma with an opened fly probes into the realm of manhood. It reveals the so called ‘masculinity crisis’ in the gender discourse. From a practical theological point of view it poses the question whether one can exclude male genitals from a holistic anthropology that views corporeality and sexuality as essential elements of the ‘human soul’. The following question is posed: To what extent can the theopaschitic paradigm and Christian iconic view on life contribute to the transformation of existing images on being male and masculinity? Can such a theological approach change existing paradigms determined by domination and patriarchal power? It is accepted that masculinities are products of social and cultural images. In this regard manhood is a social and cultural construct. The Brett Murray painting emphasizes the fact that the penis is still a phallic symbol and as a ‘public’ subjected to the gaze of social media. The public reactions on Brett Murray’s ‘The Spear’ are scrutinized by a Christian spiritual hermeneutics. The objective of the article is to emphasize the role of aesthetics in the establishment of a poetic gaze on manhood. It is an attempt to transform thrusting manhood into ‘compassionate intimacy’. It is argued that male genitals should be viewed as sacred and ‘soulful’ parts of human embodiment.
"Anatheism" within the framework of theodicy : from theistic thinking to theopaschitic thinking in a pastoral hermeneutics
(University of the Free State, 2016) Louw, D. J. (Daniel Johannes), 1944-
The Syrian and refugee crises, the violent radicalisation in Europe, and global xenophobia stir up anew the link between the human quest for meaning and hope within the realm of human misery and destructive acts of severe evil. The article focuses on the problem of theodicy and its link to God images. It discusses both inclusive and exclusive approaches to the theodicy issue, and proposes a paradigm shift from threat power to intimate, vulnerable power. A diagram is designed in order to identify different metaphors for God in pastoral caregiving. With reference to a pastoral approach, lamentation is viewed as an appropriate variant for theodicy. In the attempt to return to 'God after God' (anatheism), lamentation could help reinterpret the hesed of God in terms of our human predicament of 'undeserved suffering'.
Black Pain is a White Commodity : moving beyond postcolonial theory in practical theology : #CaesarMustFall!
(AOSIS Publishing, 2017) Louw, D. J. (Daniel Johannes), 1944-
Postcolonialism and decolonising campaigns are expressions of human pain on the level of identity confusion (inferiority), ideological abuse (cultural discrimination) and structural oppression (imperialistic exploitation). The slogan ‘Black Pain is a White Commodity’ in the #MustFall campaigns is critically analysed within the framework of postcolonial theory and imperialistic power categories. The basic hypothesis of the article is that in early Christianity, pantokrator images of God were influenced by iconography stemming mostly from the Roman Emperor cult and Egyptian mythology. The power (omnipotence) and dominiumship of God directly and indirectly played a role in Christian imperialistic thinking regarding the expansion of the Kingdom of God and missio Dei strategies during times of European and colonial expansionism. In order to address the quest for ‘moving beyond’ in postcolonial theory, the impact of pantokrator-images of God on ecclesial thinking is researched. In order to contribute to sustainability and stability within the complexity of cultural diversity and current civil unrest on campuses in South Africa, the paracletic notion of compassionate being-with is developed within the framework of practical theological thinking. Instead of a Caesar-depiction, the theological notion of passio Dei is proposed: the decolonialising (post-imperialising) God.
Black-White polarisation in #MustFall campaigns : towards a practical theological diagnostics of peaceful coexistence
(AOSIS Publishing, 2017) Louw, D. J. (Daniel Johannes), 1944-
At stake in South Africa is the very eminent demands within #MustFall campaigns. Due to sharp schisms, harming and intimidating speech, the polarisation of white – black have become anew a threat to unity and cooperative collaboration in order to manage cultural diversity in a meaningful and peaceful way. In a practical and theological approach to life issues, fides quaerens viviendi (faith seeking lifestyles), an attempt is being made to address the civil societal schism of racial polarisation and the public degeneration of civilised reasoning, viz. hate speech. Within the framework of pastoral hermeneutics, a diagnostic chart for the assessment and analysis of intercultural dynamics within the paradoxical tension of differentiation (particularity) and integration (cohesiveness) is developed. The notion of coexistence is critically researched and supported by the pastoral notion of compassionate being-with. It is argued that a diagnostic approach should be directed by theological ethos of xenophilia.
Care to the human "soul" in contemporary theological theory formation. From "kerygmatics" to "fortigenetics" in a pastoral anthropology
(Pieter de Waal Neethling Trust, 2010) Louw, D. J. (Daniel Johannes), 1944-
The core problem: whether a theological paradigm in theory formation for a pastoral anthropology, derived from, and coming from the very positivistic stance of orthodoxy, is appropriate for counselling people within processes of change, transformation, deconstruction and relativity? The question to be posed is whether the traditional kerygmatic model for a pastoral anthropology (cura animarum; the human soul as substance), or the psychotherapeutic model of self-analyses (the human soul as a psychic phenomenon to be observed empirically) can deal effectively with existential life issues within the new global context of post modernity? A spiritual hermeneutical approach is proposed. In this regard the notion of habitus and parrhesia can play a decisive role in a constructive and realistic pastoral care model.
Compassion fatigue : spiritual exhaustion and the cost of caring in the pastoral ministry. Towards a ‘pastoral diagnosis’ in caregiving
(AOSIS Publishing, 2015) Louw, D. J. (Daniel Johannes), 1944-
The pastoral ministry of caregiving inevitably implies a cost. The spiritual ethos in the Christian ministry implies a huge sacrifice. Dietrich Bonhoeffer (see footnote 9 in the article) described this ethos as ‘the cost of discipleship’. Very specifically in the case of unexpected and the so-called ‘undeserved modes of suffering’, the meaning framework of the caregiver is being interpenetrated, causing a kind of ‘depleted sense of being’. It is argued here that an appropriate diagnosis, and a description of the phenomenon of compassion fatigue, can help caregivers to better understand their sense of being depleted. Instead of leaving the pastoral ministry, this can help them to attend anew to their spiritual capacity. In this regard, a theology of compassion, framed by theopaschitic theology, can help pastors to become ‘healed’ in order to re-enter the pastoral ministry and regain a sense of parrhēsia.
Cura animarum as hope care : towards a theology of the resurrection within the human quest for meaning and hope
(AOSIS OpenJournals, 2014-04) Louw, D. J. (Daniel Johannes), 1944-
The following critical questions are posed: is hope the antidote of dread and despair or a kind of escapism from the harsh realities of anguish and suffering? What is meant by hope in Christian spirituality and how is hope connected to a theology of the resurrection? Is resurrection hope merely a kind of cheap triumphantalism and variant of a theologia gloriae? The basic assumption is that the notion of the resurrection can contribute to ‘the thickening of alternative stories of faith’. A theologia resurrectionis is about the reframing of life by means of a radical paradox: ‘Where, O death is your victory? Where, O death is your sting?’ If pastoral caregiving is indeed about change and hope, the resurrection describes an ontology of hope by which human beings are transformed into a total new being. Beyond the discriminating and stigmatising categories of many social and cultural discourses on our being human, resurrection theology defines hope as a new state of mind and being. The identity of human beings is therefore not determined by descent, gender, race or social status, but by eschatology (new creation.) Hope care is primarily about a new courage to be. It opens up different frameworks for meaningful living within the realm of human suffering.
Cura vitae : the hermeneutics of spiritual healing and the beautification of life
(Stellenbosch University, Faculty of Theology, 2013) Louw, D. J. (Daniel Johannes), 1944-
In the social and healing sciences the notion of a holistic approach in human health is a well-established concept. In care-giving an interdisciplinary model is inevitable. However, what is the contribution of a Christian spiritual approach to human health and healing? It is argued that the human soul (nephesh) is a relational concept embedded in the concrete existential realities of life. The methodological background is an existential philosophical analysis of our being. A pastoral hermeneutics is developed that takes the unique dimension of an eschatological approach to healing into account. In order to help pastoral caregivers to ‘see’ the bigger picture, a diagram is designed that could assist the pastor to make a pastoral diagnosis in order to understand better the spiritual dimension of human health. Spiritual healing is in the first place an aesthetic category (the meaning, purpose, value, destiny and quality of life) and not a moral issue about good and bad, benevolence and evil.
Dum spiro – spero (terwyl ek asemhaal, hoop ek). Op reis met Elsa Joubert oor die "naakte waarheid" van die "menslike siel"
(LitNet, 2020) Louw, D. J. (Daniel Johannes), 1944-
Die tergende vraag in ’n spirituele en religieuse benadering tot die betekenis van menswees is nie bloot die vraag na identiteit (wie is ek?) nie, maar die vraag na die wesenskern van die mens. Wat word met siel bedoel? Hierdie vraag word veral deur die feit van menslike broosheid, lyding, verganklikheid en ’n wete van die dood onderstreep. Dit is dan ook die vraag waarmee die skrywer Elsa Joubert nie net in haar reisverhale nie, maar veral in haar laaste boek Spertyd geworstel het. Die vraag na ’n mens se siel is ten diepste die vraag na die gehalte en sin van die lewe. In die lig van die stelling dat ’n mens nie ’n siel hét nie, maar jou siel ís, word die verband tussen liggaamlikheid en die wesenskern van die mens, die hóé van menswees (so-syn) ondersoek. Wat word bedoel met die “naakte waarheid” van ’n be-sielde lewe? Die naakte waarheid van siel doem vir Joubert op toe sy die beplooide agterstewe van ’n bejaarde pasiënt sien oopwaai onder ’n hospitaaljurk en die weerloosheid van ’n verskrompelde lyf aanskou. Die waarheid van siel is gekoppel aan die werklikheid van houding en hoe ons mekaar aanraak en in verhoudinge beleef. Maar dan moet ons wegbeweeg van ’n etiese hermeneutiek van suspisie (hoe groot is ons sonde en ellende en die dualisme tussen siel en stof) na ’n estetiese hermeneutiek van verrykte doksa (sinvolle roepingsbestemming binne die integrale faktor van omgee, sorg, medelye en integriteit).
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) Louw, D. J. (Daniel Johannes), 1944-
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 for understanding, namely the praxis situation of faith. People live in particular historical contexts that have their own distinctive problems and possibilities; thus, the focus on place and space in a theology of home. A praxis approach is to learn life and the gospel from below, thus the emphasis on a grassroots ecclesiology that is structured like an oikos, a familial dwelling place. This understanding of the dynamics of the fellowship of believers as oikodomein is captured by the Zulu notion for the yearning for home (home sickness): Ekhaya. It is argued that Ekhaya thinking is an alternative route for an operative ecclesiology that caters for the need of marginalised, oppressed, displaced and homeless people. Practical theology is thus described as fides quaerens domum et locum [faith-seeking home and place], namely to inhabit. An Ekhaya approach to practical theological ecclesiology is about critical reflection through the eyes of those who are weak and who don’t count for much by the standards of successful people and institutions.
Die estetika van 'n skreeu-lelike, "weerlose God". Skilderkuns as medium in prosesse van teologiesparadigmatiese transformasie – ver-beeld-ende stank (skúbalon) vir skandalige on-dank (skandalon)
(LitNet, 2020) Louw, D. J. (Daniel Johannes), 1944-
Die Christelike tradisie het dikwels in die Godsvraagstuk op die vraag gekonsentreer: Wie is God? Die Godskonsep, veral die al-mag van God, is in verskillende tradisies omskryf in statiese “omni”- of “almag”-kategorieë wat met ’n oorsaak-gevolg-denkskema werk. Die lydingsvraagstuk, asook huidige prosesse van sosiaal-politieke transformasie, het my genoop om na ’n ander invalshoek te soek. Daar word na die paradigma van estetika gekyk om weg te skuif van omni-kategorieë (God as pantokrator; Almagtige) na omgee-kategorieë (passio Dei). In dié verband word twee skilderye uit die Cross-Roads-reeks wat God se solidariteitsdeernis in ’n plakkerskamp uitbeeld, teologies aan die orde gestel. ’n Prakties-teologiese hermeneutiek van kyk (estetiese optiek) word voorgestel met behulp van begrippe vanuit ’n Pauliniese perspektief soos stank (skúbalon) en vloek – skandalige on-dank en verwerping (skandalon). ’n Dergelike hermeneutiek beweeg weg van die “wie” van God na die “hoe” van God. Die implikasie en argument is dat skilderkuns ’n medium is om God se wese nie te probeer definieer nie, maar slegs esteties te “infinieer” – die sosyn van God in terme van solidariteitsmedelye. Vandaar die teologiese perspektief van ’n skreeu-lelike God: “My God, my God, waarom het u my verlaat?”
The 'Frail Researcher' in dialogue with existential phenomenology : the threat of empiricism within the quest for sound methodology in practical theological research
(AOSIS, 2018) Louw, D. J. (Daniel Johannes), 1944-
Within an academic environment and context of higher education, the question of disciplinary differentiation and research methodology are burning issues to adhere to the quest for scientific and sound epistemological based knowledge. While dealing with the dual tension: wisdom (sapientia) and reason (scientia), it is difficult for practical theology to identify and maintain its theological character. Under the pressure of human sciences, research in practical theology tends to turn to phenomenology so to gain clarity on the philosophical framework or paradigm for performing research projects in a systematic and methodological way. In this regard, existential phenomenology probes into the meta-realm of meaning-giving; it describes the frailty of life in terms of being (Dasein) as exposed to anxiety, dread, despair and fear of death. Due to the demand for empirical research, the threat of empiricism and the danger of Platonification (the ‘causation trap’) is discussed. To maintain both its spiritual-theological character (ministerial and ecclesial context), and its relevancy for the dynamics of life events (contextuality), a ‘spiritual empiricism’ is proposed by means of a praxis of practical theological verbing, namely understanding and interpreting, communicating and verbalising, acting, hoping, imagining, seeing, beautifying and living. It is argued that the notion ‘praxis of God’ could serve as theological paradigm in theory formation. The passio Dei is both a spiritual matter and existential-experiential entity within the encounter of God–human beings. It refers to both the reason or logic of God (hesed) and the wisdom of grace (compassion).
The hermeneutics of intercultural pastoral care : from 'psyche' to 'position' (Habitus) within the healing dynamics of life (Cura vitae)
(Stellenbosch University, Faculty of Theology, 2010) Louw, D. J. (Daniel Johannes), 1944-
n a systemic approach to life care (cura vitae), position and habitus becomes more predominant as guiding constructs in theory formation for a pastoral anthropology than personality and behaviour and their relatedness to psychoanalyses. It is argued that habitus is directly connected to the Biblical principle of wisdom (sapientia), as well as to the spiritual dimension of meaning. In a praxis approach habitus should play a decisive role in intercultural care. In this regard paradigms and the analyses of the appropriateness of constructs containing dominant life views and belief systems become extremely important in the making of a pastoral diagnosis. In this regard an existential approach for an intercultural pastoral hermeneutics is proposed.
Hoop in lyding : pastoraat in eskatologiese perspektief
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 1983-12) Louw, D. J. (Daniel Johannes), 1944-; De Villiers, D. W.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Theology. Dept. of Practical Theology and Missiology.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Geen opsomming beskikbaar.
Human displacement as challenge to pastoral caregiving : towards a hermeneutical design for an existential and diagnostic approach to ecclesial welcoming
(Pieter de Waal Neethling Trust, 2019) Louw, D. J. (Daniel Johannes), 1944-
The current refugee and migrant crisis are closely connected to a kind of global fear and paranoia: The fear for the outsider and stranger (xenophobia). The basic dilemma of displacement and the quest for home, fuel the spiritual question of the meaning and significance of life. It is argued that an existential approach to the predicament of displacement can help to understand the complexity of the crisis. The article is an attempt to design a diagnostic model for a hermeneutical approach that deals with the importance of place and space. In this regard, the notion of hospitality should be introduced as a basic pastoral category in the attempt to address the threat of xenophobia. A diagnostic chart is designed as hermeneutical tool for a practical ecclesiology of home and compassionate understanding of the crisis of displacement and dislocation.
Identity and dignity within the human rights discourse : an anthropological and praxis approach
(AOSIS OpenJournals, 2014-08) Louw, D. J. (Daniel Johannes), 1944-
The theological discourse mostly focuses on the moral and ethical framework for human rights and human dignity. In order to give theological justification to the value and dignity of human beings, most theologians point to the imago Dei as theological starting point for the design of an anthropology on human dignity. Within the paradigmatic framework of democracy, human dignity and human rights have become interchangeable concepts. This article aimed to focus not on ethics but on aesthetics: man as homo aestheticus, as well as the praxis question regarding the quality of human dignity within the network of human relationships. It was argued that human dignity is more fundamental than human rights. Dignity as an anthropological construct should not reside in the first place in the imago Dei and its relationship to Christology and incarnation theology. Human dignity, human rights and human identity are embedded in the basic human quest for meaning (teleology). As such, human dignity should, in a practical theological approach to anthropology, be dealt with from the aesthetic perspective of charisma, thus the option for inhabitational theology. As an anthropological category, human dignity should be viewed from the perspective of pneumatology within the networking framework of a ‘spiritual humanism’. In this regard, the theology of the Dutch theologian A.A. van Ruler, and especially his seminal 1968 work Ik geloof, should be revisited by a pneumatic anthropology within the parameters of practical theology.
Die ikoniese waarde van kuns : estetika en die poetiese faktor van spiritualiteit in ver-beeld-ende kunste en ver-beeld-ingryke teologisering
(Suid-Afrikaanse Akademie vir Wetenskap en Kuns, 2014-03) Louw, D. J. (Daniel Johannes), 1944-
Die hipotese dat kuns meer behels as ’n soort kunsvlyt of meganiese handvaardigheid, (maakmoontlikheid), en dat estetika ten diepste ’n spirituele kategorie is wat verwys na die mens se soeke na transendente raamwerke (en aldus ’n ikoniese dimensie besit), word met behulp van die metodologie van ’n poëtiese hermeneutiek ondersoek. In die lig van Sokrates se stelling dat kuns ’n spirituele, siel-saak is (Gombrich 2006:85), en die tese dat die mens wesenlik homo aestheticus is, word gekyk na die spirituele dimensie in veral die visuele en beeldende kunste. As kernfaktor word die wisselwerkende verband tussen verbeelding, inspirasie, verwondering, ekstase, entoesiasme, sin-duiding en kwalitatiewe waardering ondersoek binne die breë verband van die vraagstuk van estetika in kuns. Vanweë die skynbare verband tussen materie en ’n “utopiese bewussyn”, word die spirituele dimensie in estetika gebruik om opnuut die betekenis van Godsbeelde teologies te ontsluit. Binne ’n soort religieuse estetika word die Pauliniese uitspraak oor die astheneia, of weerloosheid, swakheid van God, teologies gekombineer met die skreeu-snaakse (bespotlike), maar dwase, kruis-kreet: My God, my God waarom het u my verlaat (derelictio, verlatenheid en verworpenheid).
The infiniscience of the hospitable God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob: re-interpreting trinity in the light of the Rublev icon
(AOSIS, 2019-11-27) Louw, D. J. (Daniel Johannes), 1944-
Because of the impact of church doctrine and many documents explaining the official confession of many denominations in Christianity, Trinity was mostly defined in terms of static and substantial categories (the impassibility of God). The undergirding research assumption is that the latter reflects, in most cases, more abstract and rather positivistic metaphysical speculation than representing the vividness of God’s compassionate being-with as explained and revealed in the narratives of the biblical account on God’s graceful intervention with the frailty of human life. The relational dynamics between the Father, the Son and the Spirit should be revisited. In this respect, the Rublev icon on Trinity could help establish the circular and spiral thinking of divine perichoresis as modes of God’s unpredictable, but faithful, covenantal and redemptive encounter with human misery. Trinitarian thinking should be directed by hospice-categories rather than by personhood-categories representing ‘substance’. It is argued that the trinitarian interplay should be re-interpreted in terms of compassionate categories stemming from the passio Dei in theopaschitic theology. This approach should be supplemented by the bowel categories of ta splanchna in order to qualify the infiniscience of the JHWH-Godhead: the being of divine interventions in terms of verbing terminology.
Masculine identity and the projection of ‘male images’ in mass media : towards a pastoral hermeneutics in theory formation
(Stellenbosch University, Faculty of Theology, 2013-02) Van der Watt, J. S.; Louw, D. J. (Daniel Johannes), 1944-
Human identities in general - including gender and sexual identities – have recently become more diverse and malleable. This is to a great extent because of the pervasive influence of the mass media and popular culture, which proposes to offer important tools to help men (and women) adjust to contemporary life. Some parts of popular culture are reasserting traditional forms of masculinity, whilst others are challenging them - telling men what they are now ‘supposed to’ look like, act like, be like. Media representations can be viewed as influencing our socialised schemata of interpretation for gender identities. This is also applicable to theological schemata of interpretation concerning commercialised men and masculinities. We drew upon work in variety of disciplines, such as cultural and media studies, sociology, theology and psychology, in order to examine issues concerning masculinities within this information era, influenced by the prescriptive role of mass media. In this way more insight was gained in terms of the dominating discourses reflected by images of men and masculinities in the global mass media, and how this can be investigated critically, from a pastoral hermeneutical perspective. Magazines were also viewed as crucial media to analyse in order to understand male identity in a more comprehensive way. Therefore we chose our own South African cultural context within which we suggest the critical assessment of the influence of certain mass media representations – particularly displayed in magazines - on various expressions of masculinity. This was suggested in order to promote and co-create men and masculinities that focus on life-giving intimacy, vitality and human dignity.

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