Koers (E-Journal)
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Perceptions of teacher education students at a South African university on the relationship between culture and education: implications for social justice
Full text linkThe Constitution of South Africa envisions a socially just society. However, realising this requires an education context that amongst other things, celebrates and promotes cultural diversity. Widely known as the rainbow nation, South Africa is home to diverse cultures, both from within and from all over Africa and the rest of the world. This fact poses particular challenges to education, which is not only required to provide a multi-cultural educational context conducive to effective teaching and learning, but also to promote social justice. However, indications are that SA education fails dismally to achieve both ends. We argue that part of the reason for this failure is the inability of (pre-service) education students to understand, acknowledge and validate the intrinsic relationship that exists between culture and education. As such, they hamper efforts to realise social justice through education. In this paper we report on the perceptions regarding the relationship between culture and education of third- and fourth-year education students at a university in South Africa. We conducted quantitative research amongst a culturally diverse group of students; 266 in total. Findings suggest that students have a limited understanding of this relationship, in spite of the efforts both this university, as well as the education authorities’ attempts. The paper concludes with recommendations for enhancing sensitivity amongst education students about the relationship between culture and education, and the possible implications for social justice as a result of ignorance of this issue. https://doi.org/10.19108/KOERS.82.3.233
Re-visiting the relevance of John Calvin’s values of self-denial and calling for new Learning Organisations
Full text linkModern organisations are subjected to increasing demands for the space employees and members need to find purpose, meaning and sense in what they do every day. This article aims to connect John Calvin’s ideas related to calling and self-denial with the needs of organisations to accommodate staff members’ wishes for meaningful engagement with the work they do in the context of the concept of Learning Organisations.
This connection between Calvin and the aim of organisational renewal is made by briefly pointing to the disillusionment of postmodern society with modernistic forces of rationalism, linear thinking, bureaucratisation and standardisation which have led to the dehumanisation of organisations and, ultimately, the world of work. The argument is also made that the development of the Learning Organisation as concept is a new trend in organisational thinking. The Learning Organisation represents a break with modern bureaucratic and hierarchical thinking.
The aim is to link these relatively new two organisational trends with the principles which John Calvin articulated about the calling or vocation of the faithful and their relationship with their fellow humans.
The conclusion is that, for Christian (Reformed) faithful, the Learning Organisation and acknowledgement of their spiritual contribution is an opportunity to claim the workplace as territory to be in the service of others (as explained in Chapter 7 of Book 3 of the Institutes of the Christian Religion) and, effectively in service of God, experience work as a true vocation and calling.
Opsomming
Herbesinning van die relevansie van Johannes Calvyn se waardes van selfverloëning en roeping vir bereiking van Lerende Organisasies se doelwitte.
Moderne organisasies kry te doen met toenemende eise om ruimte te voorsien vir werknemers en lede van die organisasies waarin hulle doel, betekenis en waarde kan sien waarin hulle elke dag doen. Hierdie artikel poog om Johannes Calvyn se idees van roeping en selfverloëning as beginsel te verbind met die behoefte van organisasies om werknemers betekenisvol betrokke te maak in die werk wat hulle doen in die konteks van die idee van Lerende Organisasies.
Die verband tussen Calvyn en die doel van organisatoriese vernuwing word getrek deur kortliks te wys op die teleurstelling van die postmoderne samelewing met die modernistiese kragte van rasionalisme, liniêre denke, burokratisering en standaardisering wat gelei het tot die ontmensliking van organisasies en uiteindelik die wêreld van werk. Die argument word ook aangebied dat ?n nuwe beweging in organisatoriese denke ontstaan het wat die ontwikkeling van die idee van die Lerende Organisasie voorstaan. Die Lerende Organisasie verteenwoordig ?n breuk met moderne burokraties en hiërargiese denke.
Die doel is om hierdie relatief nuwe idees oor vernuwing in organisasies te verbind met die sienings wat Johannes Calvyn uitgedruk het oor die roeping van gelowiges in die werkplek en hulle verhouding met die medemens.
Die gevolgtrekking is dat Christelike (Gereformeerde) gelowiges die Lerende Organisasie en erkenning van hulle geestelike bydrae as ?n geleentheid kan gebruik om die werkplek as terrein op te eis waar die naaste gedien kan word (soos verduidelik in Hoofstuk 7 van Boek 3 van Calvyn se Institusie van die Christelike Godsdiens) in diens van God. Op hierdie manier kan werk ervaar word as ?n ware uitlewingsgeleentheid van hulle roeping.
https://doi.org/10.19108/KOERS.82.2.235
DE CALVIN À ALTHUSIUS L’importance du modèle ecclésiologique réformé pour la pensée fédérale
Full text linkIn this article, the relationship between Johannes Althusius’ federal views of civil government – as expressed in his Politica methodice digesta – and John Calvin’s conception of the role and function of public authorities, is examined in the light of three sermons on Deuteronomy 17 preached by Calvin in 1555. The discussion takes its starting point in the consideration of the kind of politico-theological connection denied or ignored in today’s secularized France, with a particular historical reference to the regime of the Terreur in 1793-1794. The question of the influence which Calvin’s ecclesiology as well as subsequent Calvinistic ecclesiological developments in the Netherlands may have had on Althusius’ theory of government and of political life is raised in the light of the fact that Althusius not only held a degree in civil law, but also in Church law (both obtained in Basel the same year, under strong Luthero-Calvinist influence). If elements of a relation do indeed appear, they still remain to be established with more precision. Still, in their views both Calvin and Althusius clearly point towards a unified vision of society under the norm of God’s rule. With Althusius, this norm – embodied in the Decalogue – is refracted in the various spheres constitutive of human activity associated with each other in a federative way, each one retaining its own mode of operating.https://doi.org/10.19108/KOERS.82.2.2355
Editorial: KOERS Volume 82, No 2, 2017
Full text linkCALVYN EN 500 JARE REFORMASIEHierdie leerstuk, die regverdigmaking uit die geloof, was die hart (samevatting) van die godsdiens …(Calvyn in sy brief aan Kardinaal Sadoletus, 1539.) CALVIN AND 500 YEARS REFORMATIONThat doctrine, then, justification by faith, was the highest part of the religion ...(Calvin in his letter to Cardinal Sadolete, 1539.) https://doi.org/10.19108/KOERS.82.2.235
Gereformeerde pietisme, Hieronymus van Alphen (1746-1803) en die Hemelse versugting in Susanna Smit (1799-1863) se godsdienstige dagboeke
Full text linkHieronymus van Alphen\u27s pious poetry saw the light at a time Dutch pietism had reached its zenith. Van Alphen\u27s poetry comprise both poetic literature and hymns. Acting as co-author with Pieter Leonard van de Kasteele, Van Alphen was responsible for Proeve van stichtelijke mengel-poesij [Proofs of pious mixed poems] (1771). This source had a warm reception in religious circles at the Cape. His Proeve van stichtelijke gesangen [Proofs of pious hymns] (1802) had a similar impact in Holland and in Cape Reformed circles. Both works played a significant role in the Voortrekker woman Susanna Smit\u27s religious mentality profile. Particularly the quest to be united to Jesus in heaven served as a significant point of reference in Susanna\u27s spirituality. In this essay the impact of Van Alphen\u27s pietistic poetry in Susanna\u27s religious diaries and the effects thereof on her religious mentality profile are investigatedKey terms: Hieronymus van Alphen, mysticism, poems, Pietism, Susanna SmitHieronymus van Alphen se stigtelike poësie sien die lig op \u27n tydstip wat die Nederlandse piëtisme \u27n hoogtepunt bereik. Van Alphen se poësie val in twee kategorieë uiteen: poëtiese verse en digsange. Saam met Pitere Leonard van de Kasteele, was Van Alphen verantwoordelik vir die Proeve van stichtelijke mengel-poesij wat in 1771 verskyn het. Dié bron het ook in die Kaapse geloofsgemeenskap neerslag gevind. Sy Proeve van liederen en gezangen (1802 [1801]) het eweneens groot effek in Nederlandse gereformeerde kringe en aan die Kaap gehad. Beide werke speel in die Voortrekkervrou Susanna Smit se geloofsprofiel \u27n belangrike rol. Dit is egter veral die sug na die hemelse vereniging met Christus wat in dié verband by Susanna sterk na vore tree. In hierdie artikel word die neerslag van Van Alphen se piëtistiese poësie in Susanna se godsdienstige dagboeke en die effek daarvan op haar godsdienstige mentaliteitsprofiel ondersoek.Sleutelterme: Gedigte, Hieronymus van Alphen, mistiek, piëtisme, Susanna Smithttps://doi.org/10.19108/KOERS.82.1.228
Calvin’s reply to Sadolet as an extension of his pastoral ministry
Full text linkIn his concise autobiography in the dedication to the Psalms commentary Calvin made it plain that his role was primarily as a pastor; he compared his role in the church to that of King David in Israel: “And yet, as he [David] was elevated from the sheepfolds to the highest position of authority, so God took me [Calvin] also from obscure and small beginnings and honored me with the office of herald and minister of the gospel.” (Calvin, 1958:51.) Beza (1564:9), Calvin’s contemporary biographer, in Life of John Calvin also described Calvin as primarily engaged in pastoral ministry. This paper will investigate and analyse the theological acumen and the pastoral tone in Calvin’s treatise, Reply by John Calvin to the Letter by Cardinal Sadolet to the Senate and People of Geneva. This reply to Sadolet exudes outstanding intellectual brilliance and an unwavering pastoral concern that characterised Calvin’s entire ministry and literature. A study of this treatise reveals that even in this theological work, Calvin was practising his pastoral ministry.https://doi.org/10.19108/KOERS.82.2.234
Editorial: KOERS Volume 81, No 2, 2016
Full text linkKoers 81(2) contains a wide range of articles, with quite a few articles coming from other African countries.The first intriguing article comes from Ghana, with an investigation into the use of social media in the missional field. Given the wide use of cellphones in Africa, it is a timely investigation to determine the extent to which social media can be used in this field – the penetration of these media throughout the world has been revolutionary, and putting these media to the use that the author has done opens up other kinds of possibilities. Elijah Baloyi investigates the reality and background to sex as an expression of hospitality within a theological context. It raises important issues about patriarchy among other things, and is thought-provoking. He says in the abstract that “ … this paper will attempt to unveil how thinking of sexual intercourse as extending a form of hospitality has encouraged the domination and abuse of women in the African context. The study will also unveil how the gift of sex has been misunderstood and misinterpreted in order to subject women to sexual violence and harassment”. Koers has seen a growth in contributions coming from the field of education, with articles ranging from the philosophical to theological to more practical issues. With three articles in this issue dealing with education, one can see a definite trend, and having an African perspective as well as the two South African perspectives makes for interesting reading. The importance of education, especially within a wide philosophical perspective, has been underlined persuasively.At the other end of the spectrum, Daleen Kruger writes on the Hymn Book of the church – an issue that has seen a fair amount of heated discussion. Her discussion is more technically slanted, and provides good insights – she points out in the abstract of the article that “ … the contrafactum-practice which utilises secular melodies and/or texts as sources in the creation of sacred hymns, is an age-old tradition. This practice generated amongst others a few Protestant hymns (particularly in the German Reformed context), which are viewed today as important hymns in the hymn corpus”. The final contribution of this issue is the article by Danie Strauss, deals with boundaries and contains an intriguing exploration, within a philosophical context, of the boundaries that people have to experience to feel cherished and safe – “ … the experience and awareness of boundaries form an integral part of being human. This article investigates the systematic philosophical underpinnings of our understanding of the nature of boundaries, in some instances supported by historical considerations. It stands to reason that boundaries are related to our awareness of spatial relationships, even though this awareness cannot avoid incorporating the distinction between entities and properties, reflected in the distinction between the concrete what and the how of reality”.The third issue of 2016 will contain a number of fairly contentious articles, some dealing with the current problems in the country, notably the student unrest and the whole matter of dealing with public symbols such as statues. The Marikana massacre within the context of the complex societal realities of South Africa is also placed under the microscope. It is felt that it would be fitting to fill the final volume of 2016 with articles dealing with such topical and thought-provoking issues. There will also be a review article by Steve Bishop about Kuyperania 2015.https://doi.org/10.19108/KOERS.81.2.227
Teachers\u27 perceptions of education support structures in the implementation of inclusive education in South Africa
Full text linkInclusive education forms the ethos of the education system in South Africa and resonates with the Constitution of the country, which recognises diversity and resists exclusivity. Inclusive education is also reflected in education policies such as the Education White Paper 6: Special Education – Building an Inclusive Education and Training System and the Screening, Identification, Assessment and Support (SIAS) document. Pivotal to inclusive education is the provision of support for all learners and teachers. The focus of this paper is on the functionality of all the formal support structures that are in place for teachers and learners from the teachers’ viewpoints. These support structures include District-Based Support Teams (DBSTs), Institutional-Level Support Teams (ILSTs), Full-Service Schools (FSS), Special Schools as Resource Centres (SSRC), Learning Support Educators (LSEs) and the community. An interpretive research paradigm was chosen, using convenience sampling and data was collected by means of focus group interviews. Constant comparative data analysis was employed. Peer review and member checks were used to ensure trustworthiness. The themes that emerged were: support provided by teachers; the role of official support structures and special schools and community collaboration. It was evident, from the teachers’ point of view, that the formal support structures are not as effective, as proposed by policy and educational authorities, and that the policy needs serious re-consideration. https://doi.org/10.19108/KOERS.81.3.224
Persepsies oor die sinodebesluite en aard van die psalms binne die GKSA
Full text linkPerceptions regarding synod decisions and the nature of psalms in the RCSA. Since its inception in 1859, the Reformed Church in South Africa has been singing only psalms, scriptural hymns and Biblical songs. Currently, there are two official versifications of the psalms in use within the Reformed Church, namely the so-called Totius versification of 1936 and the 2001 rhymed version of psalm texts, mainly by T.T. Cloete. A study of members’ perceptions of synod decisions and the nature of the psalms in the Reformed Church shows that the psalms are not fully utilised. Synods decide what type of songs, including hymns, are approved for use. Members believe that many psalms are no longer suitable for the 21st-century churchgoer, that synod decisions appear out of touch with members’ musical needs and that synods oppose musical innovation. The purpose of this article is to give an overview of ministers, organists/music leaders and parishioners’ perceptions regarding the nature and use of psalms during worship in the Reformed Church of South Africa as well as synod decisions pertaining to the psalms. https://doi.org/10.19108/KOERS.81.3.226
Boundaries: an Interdisciplinary (Hi)Story
Full text linkAbstractThe experience and awareness of boundaries form an integral part of being human. This article investigates the systematic philosophical underpinnings of our understanding of the nature of boundaries, in some instances supported by historical considerations. It stands to reason that boundaries are related to our awareness of spatial relationships, even though this awareness cannot avoid incorporating the distinction between entities and properties, reflected in the distinction between the concrete what and the how of reality. Differences between the original (mathematical) meaning of space and other contexts within which we encounter analogies of spatial boundaries are considered by paying attention to the problem of accounting for physical space (which is neither continuous nor infinitely divisible), biotic and sensory space (compare notions such as Umwelt, ambient and environment) as well as the significance of closed and open systems also for inter-human relationships displaying a solidary unitary character, analogous to thermodynamic open systems. Boundaries between different modes of explanation finally underscore the typical on-going task of philosophy, namely to investigate boundary questions. It will be argued that the problem of the multivocal nature of the term boundary only finds a satisfactory solution if it is embedded in a non-reductionist ontology.Key concepts: boundaries, analogical contexts, irreducibility, uniqueness (primitive terms), non-reductionist ontologyGrense: \u27n Inter-Dissiplinêre VerhaalDie ervaring van grense vorm \u27n integrale deel van menswees. Hierdie artikel ondersoek die sistematies-wysgerige onderbou van ons verstaan van die aard van grense. In sommige gevalle word hierdie ondersoek ondersteun deur oorwegings uit die geskiedenis van die filosofie en die vakwetenskappe. Dit spreek vanself dat grense verband hou met ons besef van ruimteverhoudinge, selfs al kan hierdie besef nie ontkom aan die onderskeiding tussen entiteite en hul eienskappe, soos wat dit gereflekteer word in die onderskeid tussen die konkrete wat en die hoe van die werklikheid nie. Verskille tussen die oorspronklike (wiskundige) sin van ruimte en ander kontekste waarin analogieë van die aard van ruimtelike grense ter sprake kom, word in oënskou geneem deur die problem aan die orde te stel van hoe ons rekenskap moet gee byvoorbeeld van fisieke ruimte (wat nie kontinu en oneindig verdeelbaar is nie), biotiese en sensitiewe ruimte (bedink terme oos Umwelt, “ambient” en omgewing), asook die betekenis van geslote en oop sisteme, ook vir die aard van inter-menslike relasies wat oor \u27n solidêre eenheidskarakter beskik, analoog aan termodinamiese oop sisteme. Die grense tussen verskillende verklaringsmodi belig die voortgaande taak van die filosofie om rekenskap van grensvrae te gee. Die argument wat gevoer word loop uit op die gevolgtrekking dat die probleem van \u27n meersinnige gebruik van terme soos grense slegs tot \u27n bevredigende oplossing gebring kan word indien hierdie probleem in \u27n nie-reduksionistiese ontologie ingebed word.Kernbegrippe: grense, analogiese kontekste, onherleibaarheid, uniekheid (primitiewe terme), nie-reduksionistiese ontologie https://doi.org/10.19108/KOERS.81.2.227