The early years : the quest for a free space in a restricted environment
Date
2020
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch University, Faculty of Theology
Abstract
This article discusses the considerations which led to the establishment of Scriptura in 1980. Against the backdrop of a looming social and political transformation, the intellectual, political and ecclesial climate was restrictive in many ways and on various levels. The strict adherence to disciplinary boundaries in academe, the dominant political ideology of oppression and exclusion, and the inertia caused by hierarchical systems of ecclesial control all contributed to the need to find spaces where alternative approaches could be explored and tested. In the process, fortunate co-incidences or instances of serendipity played an important role. The intention of this article is neither to provide a historical account of these developments nor an overview of the contents of the journal, but rather to explore the forces which influenced the course of events, often behind the scenes and on a meta-level. After the first decade, the journal was established enough to pursue more conventional objectives.
Description
CITATION: Lategan, B. 2020. The early years : the quest for a free space in a restricted environment. Scriptura, 119(3):1-12, doi:10.7833/119-3-1766.
The original publication is available at http://scriptura.journals.ac.za
The original publication is available at http://scriptura.journals.ac.za
Keywords
Scriptura (Journal), Freedom of information -- South Africa, Theology -- Research, Church discipline, Social change
Citation
Lategan, B. 2020. The early years : the quest for a free space in a restricted environment. Scriptura, 119(3):1-12, doi:10.7833/119-3-1766