Koers (E-Journal)
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“The perpetuity of Christ’s reign ...” Calvin’s interpretation of Psalm 110:1
Full text linkThe discussion of the Messiah in the Old Testament has always been very significant. Matters like the relationship between Old and New Testament, the view of Christ, especially regarding his divine nature, revelation, the view of Scripture etc. – all of these aspects are crucial for the confessions of the church. Considering Calvin’s accentuation on Christology in his theology as such and not least bearing his high regard for the Book of the Psalms in mind, a study of his reflections on Psalm 110:1 is most appropriate for getting more insight in his exegesis. In Calvin’s exposition of Psalm 110:1 Calvin emphasises the significance and consequences for the church (as well as for the world) of Yahweh saying to the Lord Christ that He will be raised to the right hand of the Father, and that his enemies will be subjected beneath his feet. An analysis of Calvin’s exegesis shows his respect of the frame Christ Himself provided when He referred to Psalm 110:1 in Matthew 22 and Mark 12. Calvin thus remains faithful to the text being expounded, but – as always – he does so within the context of the whole history of revelation.
Opsomming“Die ewigheid van Christus se heerskappy” – Calvyn se uitleg van Psalm 110:1Die debat oor die Messias in die Ou Testament is deur die loop van die jare van groot betekenis gewees. Temas soos die verhouding tussen die Ou en Nuwe Testament, die beskouing oor Christus, in die besonder ten opsigte van sy goddelike natuur, openbaring, Skrifbeskouing ens. – al hierdie aspekte is wesenlik vir die belydenisse van die kerk. Wanneer Calvyn se klem op die Christologie in die geheel van sy teologie en daarby sy hoë agting van die Psalms in gedagte gehou word, is ’n studie van sy besinning oor Psalm 110:1 meer as gepas om meer insig in sy eksegese te verkry. In sy verklaring van Psalm 110:1 beklemtoon Calvyn die betekenis en konsekwensies vir die kerk (sowel as die wêreld) van Jahweh wat aan die Here Christus sê dat Hy opgeneem sal word tot die regterhand van die Vader en dat sy vyande tot ’n voetbank vir sy voete gemaak sal word. ’n Ondersoek van Calvyn se eksegese toon sy agting vir die raamwerk wat deur Christus self vir die verstaan van hierdie vers verskaf is toe Hy in Matteus 22 en Markus 12 na Psalm 110:1 verwys het. Calvyn bly dus getrou aan die teks in sy verklaring daarvan, maar – soos deurgaans in sy eksegese – doen hy dit binne die konteks van die geheel van die openbaringsgeskiedenis.
https://doi.org/10.19108/KOERS.87.1.253
The The Push and Pull Factors of Teaching as a Profession – the Perceptions and Expectations of Student Teachers
Full text linkResearch has shown that despite the teaching profession being labelled an unattractive career, student teachers’ enrolment in South Africa continues to rise annually. This study seeks to investigate why student teachers enrol for teaching in South Africa today. 222 first year studentteachers enrolled for education in a South African university participated in the study, which looked at the perceptions and expectations of student teachers in South Africa. A 91-item questionnaire was used to collect data, and the results indicate that these student teachers have more positive perceptions and expectations on the teaching profession than expected. The study recommends improvements in the education and training environment in South Africa in the form of introducing tax relief measures for teachers; intensified capacity building, and skillingof educators; re-imagining educators’ professional identity through improved professional virtue; improving safety and security in schooling environments; lessening what the author regard as pure administrative functions of teachers which add to the teaching workload; and having inplace effective and sustainable infrastructure development programmes.
https://doi.org/10.19108/KOERS.87.1.251
Contemporary Orang Lom of Mapur Bangka: Religious Identity and its Transformation
Full text linkThis article investigates the construction of the religious identity of the indigenous Orang Lom of Mapur Bangka, Indonesia, and its transformation during contact with state formal religions of Indonesia. This research is ethnographically based on the observation and separate interviews involving key figures of the tribe, such as the Customary Chairperson, and the numerous members of the tribe. The result of the study indicated that Orang Lom still maintains their beliefs and the tribal cultural practice are still dominant. The contiguity between Orang Lom belief and formal religions particularly Islam has implications for non-sacred cultural practices, while sacred practices are still well preserved.
https://doi.org/10.19108/KOERS.87.1.253
The Trinity, Sexuality, and Gender In Sarah Coakley\u27s Thought
Full text linkThis paper focuses on the thoughts of Sarah Coakley who tried to enter into dialogue with the concepts of the trinity, sexuality, and gender. According to Coakley, the root cause of sexuality and gender lies in desire (eros). Coakley made a strong critique of Sigmund Freud’s thinking. If it was Freud who said the desire for God was really about sex, on the other hand, Coakley asserted, sexual desire was always about the desire for God. Coakley approaches the reality of the Trinity and relates it to the problem of human desire through contemplation. The practice of contemplation provides clues about how one can transcend existing gender and sexuality stereotypes. The contemplation that is at the heart of Coakley’s thinking plays a very important role in approaching the Trinity, and from there he addresses issues of sexuality and gender.
https://doi.org/10.19108/KOERS.87.1.253
Die Bittereindervrede van 31 Mei 1902: ‘n Histories-etiese Perspektief
Full text linkOpsommingDie Bittereinderboere wat die Britte in die laaste deel van die Anglo-Boereoorlog (1899-1902) die stryd aangesê het, het nie ‘n konsensus gehad oor die aard van ‘n bittereinde nie. Onder die – vir hulle – moeilike omstandighede in die laaste fase van die oorlog het vredesamesprekings wat tot die onder tekening van ‘n vredesverdrag op 31 Mei 1902 sou lei, ‘n besef onder die 60 afgevaardigdes van die Boere geskep dat dit nou die einde van die bittereinde is.
Hierdie besef word binne ‘n Christelik-historiese en etiese perspektief bespreek.
AbstractThe die-hard peace of the 31st May 1902: a historical ethical perspective
The remainder of Boers fighting the last part of the Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902), are known as the die-hards. However, the characteristics of a die-hard or bitter end were not defined or uninamously recognized by the Boers. In the circumstances of April-May 1902 peace talks began and led to the signing of a peace treaty on 31 May 1902. In the development of the discussions among themselves a realisation was reached by the vast majority of the 60 Boer delegates that this was inevitably the end of the bitter end: the die-hard end.
This realisation is discussed within a Christian historical and ethical perspective.
https://doi.org/10.19108/KOERS.86.1.249
Factors that influence learners’ performance in grade 12 Accounting: A case study in the Northern Cape
Full text linkThis article explores the elements that contribute to the poor performance of grade 12 learners in Accounting. As far as Accounting as a school subject in South Africa is concerned, there is a growing concern about the underperformance of learners, due to both a decrease in learners who enrol for the subject in grade 12 and the low pass rate in the National Senior Certificate examination. Existing research points out that fewer students elect Accounting as a grade 12 subject and that the performance of these students is below the average pass rate when compared to other subjects. This article employed as research methodology a qualitative case study in which interviews were used to collect data. Based on the case study conducted in the Frances Baard District Municipality in the Northern Cape, this article identifies critical factors that contribute to the underperformance of learners in grade 12 Accounting. Addressing these factors may contribute to the improvement of the performance of learners in Accounting. This is relevant for South Africa, which is experiencing a serious shortage of chartered accountants and other financial and auditing professionals.OPSOMMINGFaktore wat die prestasie van leerders in graad 12-Rekeningkunde beïnvloed: ’n Gevallestudiein die Noord-Kaap Hierdie artikel ondersoek elemente wat bydra tot die swak prestasie van graad 12-leerders in Rekeningkunde. Wat Rekeningkunde as ’n skoolvak in Suid-Afrika betref, is daar toenemende kommer oor die onderprestasie van leerders, as gevolg van die afname in leerders wat in graad 12 vir die vak inskryf, en die lae slaagsyfer in die eksamen vir die Nasionale Senior Sertifikaat. Bestaande navorsing wys daarop dat minder leerders Rekeningkunde as graad 12-vak kies en dat die prestasie van hierdie leerders onder die gemiddelde slaagsyfer is as dit met ander vakke vergelyk word. Hierdie artikel maak van ’n kwalitatiewe gevallestudie gebruik as navorsingsmetode waarin onderhoude gebruik is om data in te samel. Op grond van die gevallestudie wat in die Frances Baard-distriksmunisipaliteit in die Noord-Kaap uitgevoer is, word ’n aantal kritiese faktore geïdentifiseer wat bydra tot die onderprestasie van leerders in graad 12-Rekeningkunde. Die aanspreek van hierdie faktore kan bydra tot die verbetering van die prestasie van leerders in Rekeningkunde. Dit is relevant vir Suid-Afrika wat ’n ernstige tekort aan geoktrooiieerde rekenmeesters en ander finansiële en ouditpersoneel ervaar.
https://doi.org/10.19108/KOERS.86.1.250
Spatial and temporal thresholds in installation art: Jan van der Merwe’s Eclipse
Full text linkThe notion of thresholds and their potential to suggest liminality is usually associated with spatialities. However, I contend this notion can be extended to layered temporal thresholds and temporal liminalities. I present this argument, using postclassical narratological concepts as theoretical framework, with reference to the South African artist Jan van der Merwe’s installation artwork Eclipse (2002). In this work, various spatial thresholds can be distinguished that relate to issues of conflict, mourning, exclusion, surveillance and the suggestion of death. This is achieved by means of a no man’s land experienced when entering the artwork, where the viewer-participant finds him or herself compelled to follow a footpath surrounded by barbed wire on which clothes made of rusted metal are suspended. This journey culminates in a wall that presents three screens showing rose petals being dropped, as if into a grave. Various possible places suggest themselves: refugee camps, concentration camps, war zones and a cemetery. I argue that these spatialities are made possible by temporal thresholds that accompany them. Apart from the patina of the rusted material that suggest the passing of time, the moving flower petals in the screens repeat constantly to create not only liminal temporalities in terms of the artwork at large, but also an iterative sense of the ongoing culmination of these temporalities in death and mourning.
OpsommingDie idee van drempels en hul potensiaal om die liminale te suggereer word tipies met ruimtelikhede geassosieer. Desnieteenstaande voer ek aan dat hierdie gedagte verbreed kan word na gelaagde tydmatige drempels en tydmatige liminaliteite. Ek bied hierdie argument vanuit die kader van postklassieke narratologie as teoretiese raamwerk en met verwysing na die Suid-Afrikaanse kunstenaar Jan van der Merwe se installasiekunswerk Eclipse (2002). In hierdie werk kan ?n aantal tydmatige drumpels onderskei word wat telkens kwessies van konflik, bewening, uitsluiting, dophou en die suggestie van dood aan die hand doen. Dit word bewerkstelling deur die ervaring van ?n niemandsland wanneer die kunswerk betree word, omdat die aanskouer-deelnemer noodgedwonge ?n voetpaadjie moet volg wat deur doringdraad omhul is en waarop klere wat uit geroeste metaal gesuspendeer is. Hierdie reis kulmineer in ?n muur waarop drie skerms gemonteer het wat roosblare toon, asof in ?n graf. Daar word gesinspeel op verskeie moontlike plekke: vlugtelingkampe, konsentrasiekampe, oorloggebiede en ?n begraafplaas. Ek voer aan dat hierdie ruimtelikhede moontlik gemaak word deur tydmatige drumpels wat hand aan hand met die ruimtes gesuggereer word. Benewens die patina van die geroeste materiaal wat verband hou met die verloop van tyd, stel die herhalende beweging van die blomblare in die skerms ook liminale tydsfere aan die orde binne die kunswerk as geheel, en dryf ook – op iteratiewe wyse – hierdie tydsfere op die spits om ?n suggestie van die dood en rou aan die hand te doen.
https://doi.org/10.19108/KOERS.86.1.251
Power and freedom: Reflecting on the relationship
Full text linkThis article contributes to the debate on the relationship between power and freedom. Freedom is currently a burning issue in political discourses. It is therefore important to evaluate the relationship between these two important concepts and present a basis for further critique and cognition about this relationship. The article briefly evaluates certain philosophical perspectives in this regard; particularly the theoretical contributions of Oppenheim, Pettit, Kristjánsson and Morriss. By reflecting on these perspectives it is concluded that human beings’ rational capacities present them with the opportunity to imagine freedom. However the option of freedom to choose one’s own preferences is constrained by a social contract that guarantees and limits freedom. In contrast, power could interfere with freedom by eliminating specific actions or frustrating others from choosing actions or by not suppressing obstacles in this regard. The protection of freedom lies therefore in continuous negotiation, open dialogue and struggle for it.
Opsomming Mag en invloed: Besinning oor die verhoudingHierdie artikel dra by tot die debat oor die verhouding tussen mag en vryheid. Vryheid is tans ‘n brandende saak in politieke diskoerse. Dit is dus belangrik om die verhouding tussen hierdie twee belangrike konsepte te evalueer en ‘n basis te bied vir verdere kritiek en nadenke oor hierdie verhouding. Die artikel evalueer kortliks enkele filosofiese perspektiewe in hierdie verband, en spesifiek die teoretiese bydraes van Oppenheim, Pettit, Kristjánsson en Morriss. In ‘n besinning oor hierdie perspektiewe word die gevolgtrekking gemaak dat mense se rasionele vermoëns hulle kans gee om vryheid te verbeeld. Hierdie opsie van vryheid om eie voorkeure te kies, word egter beperk deur ‘n sosiale kontrak wat vryheid waarborg maar ook beperk. In teenstelling hiermee sou mag wel vryheid kon belemmer deur spesifieke aksies uit te skakel of mense se keuses vir spesifieke aksies te frustreer, of deur nie hindernisse in hierdie verband te onderdruk nie. Die beskerming van vryheid setel dus in voortdurende onderhandeling, oop dialoog en die stryd daarom.
https://doi.org/10.19108/KOERS.86.1.247
[Un] Silencing the Genuine Voices of Young Emerging Scholars on Challenges Facing Young Academics in South African Universities
Full text linkThere is a clear systemic motive to silence and undermine the genuine voices of young academics in comprehensive South African universities. The foregoing manifests in various ways including gate-keeping publishing techniques. Senior academics do not emphasize the significance of ‘publish or perish’ mantra as needed and on time for young emerging academics. This continued invidious practice is further perpetuated by the circulating scholarly reports and the media-alike which intentionally do not pay too much attention to this ongoing injustice. Where such is reported, it is often not given too much attention, or rather side-lined and even critiqued. This research article seeks to revisit all the various challenges facing young emerging scholars in South African universities. Due to complicated ethical reasons, the author does not dwell much on pin-pointing universities one by one. Also, this is because the problem seems to be a country-wide systemic instigation to undermine the new emerging voices of young emerging scholars who were previously marginalized and kicked out of the apartheid research system. I, therefore, adopt Afrocentricity as a theoretical lens to challenge the perpetuation of this continued intentional and discriminatory practice against publishing whilst young.
https://doi.org/10.19108/KOERS.86.1.250
Moral Values and Ethics as Antidotes for Corruption in the South African Public Service and Administration
Full text linkThis paper examines the relationship between morals, ethics, public administration and corruption. The argument advanced is that morals and ethics are antidotes for bureaucratic corruption in public service and administration. Currently there seems to be low ethics and morality in public service and administration in South Africa. The discussions in this paper consider the obligations under the South African National Development plan 2030, African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption, the African Charter on Values and Principles of Public Service and Administration, and the African Charter on the Values and Principles of Decentralization, Local Governance and Local Development for a corruption free and ethical public service and administration.
https://doi.org/10.19108/KOERS.86.1.248