Browsing by Author "Marais, Jan Frederick"

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    Identiteit en transformasie : 'n prakties-teologiese ondersoek na die verband tussen die identiteit en transformasie van Christelike geloofsgemeenskappe in die teologie van H. Richard Niebuhr
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 1999-12) Marais, Jan Frederick; Muller, B. A.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Theology. Dept. of Practical Theology and Missiology.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study focuses on the relation between the identity and transformation of Christian faith communities, with reference to the theology of H Richard Niebuhr. The research put the hypothesis that identity and transformation, in the thought of H Richard Niebuhr, are in a relation of interdependence, because, in his thought identity has a hermeneutical function. The actuality of the above mentioned theme is discussed in part one (Chapters 1-3) of the study. Five different approaches towards identity are distinguished and discussed according to a specific example. The five approaches are the essensialistic, the functional, the dialogical, the linguistic and the narrative. In the discussion of every approach the focus is on the relation between identity and transformation. The indication is that the essensialistic and functional approaches put identity and transformation in a relation of opposites. The other approaches view this relationship in a more positive way. The concept of transformation is discussed in Chapter 3. Special attention is given to the view of congregational studies on the transformation of faith communities. Part two focuses on the theology of H Richard Niebuhr. After an initial review of his life and thought, a study is made in Chapter 4 of his identity theory. The conclusion is made that Niebuhr views identity as a way of self-knowledge or self-understanding. Niebuhr's hermeneutical identity theory, his radical historical epistemology and his theory on time, lead to a linguistic-narrative structure of identity. For Niebuhr Christian identity is in close relation with the self-revelation of God. In Chapter 4 a survey is conducted on Niebuhr's transformation theory. Transformation as a central theme in his theology is linked with the relational character of his thinking. This is the reason why the ethical metaphor "responsibility" as a dialogical category, is seen as the basic frame for Niebuhr's transformation theory. Three conversations are identified, namely the conversation with the sovereign God as the catalyst for transformation, the conversation with the past and the conversation with the context. The conversation with God holds, for Niebuhr, primate, because "God is acting in all actions ... " Self-value is therefore derived from the self-revelation of God. Transformation, therefore, is not an ethical calling in the first place, but 'n theological reality In the conversation with the past, an ongoing process of reconstruction takes place every time the past is remembered. The revelation enables us to remember the full story of the past. Niebuhr applies the ongoing conversation with the context ecclesiologically. The faith community therefore is unavoidably in conversation with the context. The faith community must be viewed as a dynamic movement, that asks continuously how God is revealing Himself in the context. This is the reason why Niebuhr holds the view that the church defines itself in terms of the context. In the conclusion it is established that the hypothesis is well-founded. The study is concluded with a number of practical theological applications.
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    Oordeelsprediking : riglyne uit die teologie van A.A. van Ruler
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 1989-12) Marais, Jan Frederick; Muller, B. A.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Theology. Dept. of Practical Theology and Missiology.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: