Koers (E-Journal)
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’n Prakties-teologiese ondersoek na die uitwerking van afwesige vaders: ’n verkennende kwalitatiewe ondersoek in die Promosa-gemeenskap
Get PDFA practical theological investigation into the effect of absent fathers: an exploratory qualitative investigation in the Promosa community In this article it is shown that empirical research can be used to confirm important findings in literature studies about the understanding of absent fathers and the devastating conse-quences such as social problems, socio-economic problems and psychological problems. A literature study was done on the role of the father and all the relevant aspects are viewed in a broader context. The results obtained through a qualitative investigation of eight women from Promosa (Potchefstroom) as a focus group confirmed the trends found in the preliminary literary research. The outcomes may have important implica-tions in the field of practical theology and pastoral guidance for absent fathers, the women involved with those fathers and fatherless children. Some guidelines are proposed towards an effort to help fathers to become more involved
Narrating spiritual well-being in relationship to positive psychology and religion
Get PDFConstructed as new and located in the discourse of positive psychology, “spiritual well-being” is a signifier with a (his)story in which one possible reading is highlighted in this postmodern (de)constructive narrative. The construction of “spiritual + well-being” could be narrated as a secularisation of the religious by positivist psy-complex knowledges, where spiritual well-being is reconstructed as a measurable outcome. Or it could be nar-rated as a “spiritualisation” of the psy-complex by religious knowledges, with measurable well-being becoming dependent on the pursuit of the postmodern, multiple-storied spiritual/ religious features. As the psy-complex has followed medicine from a focus on pathology to a focus on holistic wellness, it has found itself in the religious realm which it has simultaneously centred and marginalised. Additionally, as the psy-complex has moved from measuring illness to measuring wellness, it could be described as having constructed new categories of non-well-being or ill-being
Using reflexive photography to study a principal’s experiences of the impact of professional development on a school: a case study
Get PDFThe changing social and economic environment has a direct impact on schools and their effective management. School principals have to deal with issues hitherto unknown to them in historical school cultures. This article attempts to describe a South African principal’s experience of the way in which professional development (PD) impacted on the development of the school and the way in which his PD – and that of his staff – manifests itself in the functioning of the school. An exploratory qualitative study employing visual ethnography was deemed appropriate for the study. Convenient and selective sampling was used in the study, identifying a school principal who proved to be an exemplar of a principal placing a high premium on his own continuing professional development and that of others. Data were collected by means of reflexive photography, the principal’s writings and a photo-elicitation interview. The fol-lowing categories emerged from the data: the commitment and attitude of the principal to professional development; the head start: receiving the inviting school award; be positive (B+); a focus on client service (doing more than is expected; the blue and orange card system for learners; and inculcating a value system); and what do we do differently
Calvin between facilis brevitas, confessio, and institutio: instruction of faith in Geneva
Get PDFThis article focuses on catechetical instruction in Geneva under Calvin, taking the 1537 “Instruction” and the 1545 “Catechism” as objects of study. The relationship among three key notions – Calvin’s own ideal of striving for brevity and simplicity on the one hand, the notions of “confessio” and “institutio” on the other hand – serves as catalyst to approach the nature of this cate-chetical instruction. After a historical overview of the circum-stances amidst which the above-mentioned writings were produced, a comparative study of their internal organisation leads to the assessment of Calvin’s method of theological exposition when dealing with the law and the Apostle’s Creed
Die belang van onderrig in die beginfase van die kerk: Johannes Calvyn as kategeet in sy kommentaar op die Handelinge van die apostels
Get PDFThe importance of education in the early stages of the church: John Calvin as catechist in his commentary on the Acts of the apostles Part of Calvin’s development as a catechist is his struggle against the Roman Catholic sacrament of confirmation (“Inst.” 4.19.4-13). Confirmation is seen by Rome as the necessary addition to baptism. For Calvin, however, this sacrament is a man-made ritual that can not function as the Scriptural com-plement to baptism. According to him, catechesis is the most Scriptural complement to baptism. Indeed, in baptism one receives Christ and all his promises. No addition is needed, and therefore one is not half a Christian without the confirmation (“Inst.” 4.19.8). What is needed, is that a person will get to know Christ and his promises. For that purpose catechesis (Christian education) is necessary, whereby children and young people are brought to confession of faith before the church (“Inst.” 4.19.13). Both Calvin’s struggle against the Roman Catholic confirmation, and his accompanying emphasis on Christian education are discussed in several places in his commentary on the Acts of the apostles. Especially in two places (Acts 8:15-17 and 19:6) Calvin criticises the Roman Catholic confirmation as an in-vention of men. Against this he emphasises in his commentary the importance of catechesis – on the one hand as the task of the officebearers, on the other hand as the task of individual believers and their families
Can Calvin provide a golden thread in the labyrinth of catechisms available in the church today?
Get PDFA congregation can easily get lost in the labyrinth of catechism syllabi available for an educational ministry today. Calvin’s wish was that the church would have one catechism common to all churches. However, he consented to different churches developing different catechisms. He also warned about the power of catechesis, as it has the potential to influence the church for decades to come, and as the body of Christ can be strengthened or wounded through catechesis. Can Calvin provide a golden thread to navigate the labyrinth of catechisms available in the church today? Different models of catechesis are discussed briefly. The similarities and differences with Calvin’s approach to catechism are highlighted, and the article concludes with guidelines for contemporary catechesis
The didactic nature of Calvin’s De Scandalis
Get PDFIn this article the author explores the didactic nature and value of Calvin’s “De Scandalis” (1550). The reformer’s clear intention was to provide guidelines for strengthening those believers grappling with all kinds of stumbling blocks on the Christian’s path towards sanctification. Moreover, the questions that he attempted to answer are questions of faith even in the 21st century. It is argued that sound didactic principles are found throughout this publication of Calvin’s. For that reason it was – and still is – a powerful aid to those belonging to the church of Christ in dealing with the obstacles and temptations that they may experience in their spiritual lives: Biblical truths that the world may regard as foolishness; offensive and scandalous conduct by people within the church; and calumnies brought forward by adversaries of the gospel. In this context Calvin proves himself to be the catechist par excellence and an enduring example of the conscientious teacher living by the principles of Holy Scripture
Wolterstorff’s critique of the reformational view of scholarship in his essay On Christian learning
Get PDFIn this article I analyse Wolterstorff’s criticism of aspects of the reformational approach to science and scholarship as expressed in his essay “On Christian learning” (Wolterstorff, 1989). I argue that those allegations by Wolterstorff are not always well-founded, fully justified or supported by rigorous arguments. In particular, I examine Wolterstorff’s complaints concerning the “connection between religion and scholarship”, religious “totalism”, expressivism and the issue of a “uni-directional” view of science and religion. The purpose of this article is to remove obstacles that would hamper dialogue and cooperation between scholars in the traditions of reformational philosophy (Dooyeweerd et al.) and reformed epistemology (Wolterstorff et al.)
A critique of social marketing in the non-profit development sector
Get PDFIn its struggle to find funding, non-profit organisations world-wide are increasingly using social marketing strategies. This approach potentially influences non governmental organisations (NGOs) and community based organisations (CBOs) in their communication with their “clients”, i.e. those persons and com-munities in need of development. Marketing strategies con-sequently become instruments in achieving social development, with as main premise that behaviour could be changed by means of persuasive, top-down communication. Social marketing, with its roots in marketing, has a strong focus on persuasion and favours top-down communication rather than dialogical communication strategies suggested by the par-ticipatory development communication approach. It is also questionable whether social marketing can be equated with the principles of a Biblically informed approach to communication. With these questions in mind, this article discusses Biblical views on communication and the participatory development communication approach. A critique of the social marketing approach is then offered. It is argued here that there is no clear-cut answer as to whether social marketing could be described as participatory. What is clear is that there are many different views on social marketing, as is the case with participatory approaches. It would thus seem more correct to place social marketing on a participation continuum, rather than to define it as being participatory and thus per definition ethical or not. Finally, a number of suggestions are made which could bring it more in line with the participatory communication approach as well as Biblical principles on com-munication
Education and the role of the church in Africa: three relevant aspects
Get PDFIn this article an attempt is made to provide a grounded basis for expanded church involvement in the provision of formal education, HIV and AIDS education and leadership education in Africa. This is done on the basis of a fundamental reflection on the role of the church in education, as well as a brief analysis of the formal education challenge, the HIV and AIDS challenge and the leadership challenge in Africa