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Besit waardes rigtinggewend-normatiewe waarde? ’n Beoordeling van die Noordwes-Universiteit se waardeprojek
Get PDFDo values contain directional-normative value? A review of the value project of the North-West University As indicated in the title, the aim of this article is to determine the value (if any) of values, especially as expressed by a valuedriven institution. To avoid abstract reflection, the article (cf. the subtitle) focuses on a specific institution, viz. a university. To concretesise the investigation even more, the North-West University (which came into existence in 2004) is taken as a case study. The investigation develops as follows: by way of introduction, attention is first given to the popularity of present value thinking, followed by the problem statement: Are such values really capable of indicating a normative direction? Secondly, the development of a university with a normative foundation (the erstwhile Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education) towards a value-driven one (the new North-West University) is briefly described. In the third place a brief description of the NWU as a value-driven institution is given. Fourthly, attention is given to some practical problems which surfaced during the implementation of the value project. Fifthly, six theoretical-philosophical problems regarding the NWU’s value system are discussed. The next main point consists of a brief description from a reformational perspective (of structure, direction and relevance) of what an academic institution ought to be. Apart from expressing doubt about the real value of values to give a solid foundation and clear direction to a university, the preliminary conclusion also suggests further philosophical reflection on the real nature, status and authority of values
Mentoring to develop research selfefficacy, with particular reference to previously disadvantaged individuals
Get PDFThe development of inexperienced researchers is crucial. In response to the lack of research self-efficacy of many previously disadvantaged individuals, the article examines how mentoring can enhance the research self-efficacy of mentees. The study is grounded in the self-efficacy theory (SET) – an aspect of the social cognitive theory (SCT). Insights were gained from an in-depth study of SCT, SET and mentoring, and from a completed mentoring project. This led to the formulation of three basic principles. Firstly, institutions need to provide supportive environmental conditions that facilitate research selfefficacy. This implies a supportive and efficient collective system. The possible effects of performance ratings and reward systems at the institution also need to be considered. Secondly, mentoring needs to create opportunities for young researchers to experience successful learning as a result of appropriate action. To this end, mentees need to be involved in actual research projects in small groups. At the same time the mentor needs to facilitate skills development by coaching and encouragement. Thirdly, mentors need to encourage mentees to believe in their ability to successfully complete research projects. This implies encouraging positive emotional states, stimulating self-reflection and self-comparison with others in the group, giving positive evaluative feedback and being an intentional role model
The formation of Christian leaders: a Wesleyan approach
Get PDFThe problem of leadership is that it is defined according to a very narrow understanding. It postulates that all people can be divided into two categories. People are either leaders or followers. This article explores the formation of Christian leaders using the model offered by the Wesleyan revival of eigteenthcentury England. It asks what leaders would look like when we use the Wesleyan definition instead of the leader-follower understanding to which we have grown accustomed
When western leadership models become a mixed blessing
Get PDFRussia plunged into a deep leadership crisis after the collapse of the Soviet Union. The attempt to implement western leadership models only deepened the crisis. With the take over of power by Vladimir Putin a new leadership theory evolved, which looked critically at western models. Totalitarianism, contextuality, cultural sensibility and pragmatism are issues being investigated with respect to leadership. This article includes these themes whilst reflecting on the critical dialogue between the American leadership expert Stephen R. Covey and his Russian critic Vladimir Tarassenko
Personal messages to Professor B.J. van der Walt
No full textProfessor B.J. van der Walt: a very complex and dynamic configuration of a variety of functions centrally religiously directed in all his actions Voor Bennie en Hannetjie van der Walt: herinneringen aan meer dan 40 jaren vriendschap B.J. van der Walt: consummate educato
Die sentrale plek van ’n lewensen wêreldbeskouing
Get PDFThe central place of a life- and worldview While taking into account the difference between a worldview and a lifeview this article focuses on the important foundational role of a life- and worldview – precisely because Professor Bennie van der Walt dedicated so much of his scholarly output to the implications of the Christian world- and lifeview. Within the latter context we find an important pillar safeguarding us against a biblicistic (or fundamentalist) misapprehension of the scope of the biblical message. God’s law-Word for being a creature must be distinguished from the written Word which refers us to the former. An important outcome of the Christian life- and worldview is particularly found in the ideal of Christian scholarship – a theme with which Professor Bennie van der Walt continuously occupied himself. Because the after-effect of the Roman Catholic split of reality – in a sacred supernatural and a natural “secular” sphere – with the accompanying oppositions (such as church and world, faith and reason, sacred and secular, soul and body, and so on) – is still found within our protestant legacy, the rest of this article focuses on a perspective that can help us to transcend this dichotomy. The basic conception is that the directional antithesis between good and evil (redemption and sin) ought not to be twisted into a structural opposition within the good creational order of God for creatures
Professor Bennie van der Walt: a bridge between white Afrikaners and black Africans
Get PDFThis article honours Professor Bennie van der Walt as a bridge builder between white Afrikaners and black Africans as well as a renowned Christian scholar. Historical Western colonialism in South Africa divided its citizens against each other by means of white racism and apartheid. The whites in general were pitched against the blacks on the basis of white racism and its doctrine of apartheid. This doctrine of separation of races kept the white Afrikaners from the Bantu Africans. However, apartheid as a form of political, social, cultural and religious racism is now history in South Africa. The role which Professor Van der Walt played in bridging the gap between this racial divide is highly commendable and needs to be acknowledged and appreciated, hence the primary objective of this article in honour of his 71st birthday. Furthermore, the article discusses the immense contributions of Professor Bennie van der Walt to Christian scholarship in Africa
Religion in education: is there yet another solution?
Get PDFAs colleague and co-worker of Professor Bennie van der Walt, the author has been in a position for several decades now to apply some of Bennie van der Walt’s philosophical and theological insights in the field of education. Professor Van der Walt’s recent discussion and critique of secularism and of religious tolerance enables the author to analyse the educational situation in South Africa and elsewhere with particular emphasis on policies about religion in/and education. These investigations lead him to conclude that most education systems seem to resort to secular public-private and worldly-sacral dualistic policies for addressing the problem of potential religious conflict in schools. After considering the Dutch policy of (increasing) pillarisation and the South African policy of banning confessional aspects of religious education to the private spheres of citizens’ lives, he proposes a solution based on the concept of institutional religious and life-conceptual identity. This approach can also lead to religious tolerance among learners in schools (as mooted by Bennie van der Walt and others) while circumventing the pitfalls of secularism
Traces of neo-Calvinism in France and Italy
Get PDFThis article deals with the history of the neo-Calvinist movement in France and Italy. The efforts of the Dutch Reformational movement to communicate with French (mainly reformed) Christians are highlighted. A brief overview of the achievements of the few French scholars involved in this development is sketched and their publications are mentioned, together with a few conferences and organisations. Neo-Calvinism reached Italy as well, via the input of French lecturers and publications. The few developments of neo-Calvinism in Italy are recorded as well. Also, the gradual drift towards vantilian and reconstructionist positions (in both countries) is detected and discussed. An evaluation of these developments is provided, together with a few final considerations and questions which should help learning lessons from the past and preparing better strategies for the future
Leadership style in Swiss evangelical churches in the light of their historically shaped leadership culture
Get PDFThis article is a sociological-historical study of the inter-relation between the historically developed leadership culture of democracy and leadership practice in the evangelical churches of Switzerland. Contemporary Swiss leadership style is based on the cultural inheritance of the Celts, the Romans and the Germanic tribes, the foundation of the Confederation, as well as the history of Christianity. The core values that shaped Swiss leadership culture are the idea that not too much power should vest in the individual, that there should be a democratic right of co-determination, that there should be federal freedom, and that work and achievement are very important. These same basic values still affect leadership in Swiss evangelical congregations today