Koers (E-Journal)
Not a member yet
2282 research outputs found
Sort by
Antheunis Janse of Biggekerke (1890–1960). Morning star of a 20th-century reformation
Get PDFAntheunis Janse of Biggekerke (1890-1960). Morning star of a 20thcentury reformation This first biography is the result of research on the life and work of the Dutch thinker, Antheunis Janse (1890-1960) of Biggekerke conducted at intervals in South Africa and in the Netherlands during the past 35 years. The stimulus for the research was the fact that Janse has never been acknowledged for his contribution to Christian philosophy – especially anthropology – which originated in the thirties of the previous century in the Netherlands. The aim of this article is to demonstrate that he should be regarded (with Professors D.H. Th. Vollenhoven and H. Dooyeweerd) as a founding father of Christian- Reformational philosophy, also known as the philosophy of the Cosmonomic Idea or simply as the Amsterdam philosophy. No biography on this important thinker exists; the historical information provided is thus needed. The biographical details are intertwined with the following systematic aspects: Why reformation was required during Janse’s lifetime; Janse’s contribution to the development of Reformational philosophy; a more detailed discussion of his anthropological viewpoints; the secret of his reformational endeavours; and in conclusion, some suggestions are given about much needed research to be done to be able to fully profit from the rich heritage of this “morning star of a 20th-century reformation”. An addendum of his most important publications are also provided
Godsdiensregte in die regspraak: uitlegmetodes in die CESA-beslissings
Get PDFReligious rights in case law: Methods of interpretation in the CESA judgments In this article an investigation is conducted into the methods of interpretation followed by specific courts in the adjudication of disputes concerning rights pertaining to religion. This inquiry takes place against the backdrop of an exposition of the protection of the rights concerning religion in the Constitution, 1996. The divergent methods followed by the High Court and the Constitutional Court in deciding the application and appeal of Christian Education South Africa respectively are analysed, characterised and compared. The merits and weaknesses of the methods followed by the courts in this case are highlighted. This assessment is made against the background of the question whether persons who take their religious convictions seriously may have the expectation that their rights concerning religion will be effectively protected by South African courts
Discipling scholars and teaching teachers – towards a Biblically-based understanding of faculty development
Get PDFFaculty development is often a life-long process which does not bear fruit in one tenure-track term. Christian colleges and universities need to recognise that more factors contribute to faculty development than only those added to faculty development programmes on university campuses. Challenging university lecturers and academic teachers to change, even to cumulative change over the span of a lifetime, is what faculty development is all about. In order to achieve this goal we need, however, to develop an atmosphere and an ethos on campus that is conducive to such growth and change. Such an ethos should be rooted in an integral Biblical view of the world, but primarily in a world view that sees both professors, lecturers and students as gifted and unique beings called to be followers of Christ – also in an academic environmen
’n Skande- versus ’n skuldgeoriënteerde gewete: ’n Verklaring vir die botsing tussen die Afrikakultuur en die Westerse kultuur?
Get PDFA shame-oriented versus a guilt-oriented conscience: An explanation of the conflict between African and Western cultures? Not only mutual intercultural enrichment but also intercultural misunderstanding, frustration and even conflict are daily realities in the ten year old “new” South Africa. Thus it is important not merely to acknowledge that the cultures of Africa and the West are different, but it is of even greater importance to understand why they differ. This article deals with a model taking two kinds of conscience as starting point of an analysis. A good conscience according to the West requires justice (obedience to norms), while a bad conscience is the result of guilt (transgression of norms). Guilt requires restitution and retribution. By contrast, a good conscience according to African reasoning is the result of honour and acceptance by one’s community as a outcome of one’s compliance with its ideals. A bad conscience results from one’s failure to comply with one’s responsibility towards one’s fellowmen. In such a case the offender experiences shame – the consequence of exclusion and rejection. Reconciliation and reinclusion in society is of utmost importance. Because the aim of this article is to provide theoretical insight and practical guidance, it starts with a number of practical problems experienced in everyday life in the encounter between African and Western culture. This is followed by a brief overview of seven existing models describing the differences between the two cultures. Subsequently the typology of “shame versus guilt” is described and evaluated in the light of Scripture. The concluding section is an effort to solve, in the light of this new approach to the two cultures, the practical, day-to-day problems mentioned at the beginning
Die uitdagings van MIV/VIGS-opvoeding vir die \u27gewone\u27 klas- en vakonderwyser: ’n prinsipiële besinning
Get PDFThe challenges of HIV/AIDS education for the \u27ordinary\u27 class and subject teacher: A principial reflection HIV/AIDS has become a wide-spread epidemic. It has already claimed thousands of lives and many others are infected daily. HIV/AIDS education forms an important facet in the struggle against the disease, also in schools where ‘ordinary’ teachers (i.e. not professional AIDS practitioners) find themselves having to deal with classes of students in which learners infected by HIV or suffering from full-blown AIDS might be present. HIV/AIDS education confronts these teachers with several challenges. Feedback from an empirical survey in a province of South Africa where HIV/AIDS has assumed rampant proportions revealed that, while these ‘ordinary’ teachers were quite prepared to become involved in the struggle against HIV/AIDS, they did not see themselves as adequately equipped and prepared for the task. A number of recommendations are made to deal with this shortcoming in their training
Kennis- en leerbehoeftes van ouers met kleuters
Get PDFThe knowledge and learning needs of parents with toddlers Knowledge and insight regarding the child and his/her particular developmental phase improve the prospects of a successful parentchild relationship. This prerequisite is considered to be a proactive approach to parenthood. Proactive parents with the necessary insight and knowledge are more capable of anticipating the possible nature of their children’s behavioural phases and seek ways and means to satisfy their children’s needs in an appropriate manner. Parents are, however, often ignorant or confused regarding their children’s behaviour. They may thus express the need for knowledge from a perspective that can be reconciled with their particular view of reality. This article reports on an investigation into the knowledge needs of Christian parents with toddlers. In order to reach this aim applied research was undertaken by means of the method of intervention research. Data collection was done through focus group interviews; subsquently these data were analysed by means of descriptive analysis as described by Tesch. The principles and topics identified as a result of the analysis are discussed and the article ends with conclusions regarding the possible design of a proactive parent guidance programme for Christian parents with toddlers
Skepping en ewolusie. Konkurrensie of kongruensie?
Get PDFCreation and evolution. Competition or congruence? In this article the author investigates the relation between creation and evolution. This issue, however, has to be discussed within the much wider framework of the relation between faith and science, or, more precisely, faith and reason. The author emphasises that a correct view of Scripture, as well as a correct interpretation, especially of Genesis 1-3, is of vital importance. It is also imperative to avoid simplistic answers and to distinguish between the different views in creationism and evolutionism. No final conclusion is reached, and the reader is invited to rethink the following question: would it be responsible to make use of ‘evolution as a working hypothesis’ (not ‘evolutionism as dogma’) within a Christian perspective
Vriendskap: waarom is dit so skaars en hoe kan dit in ere herstel word?
Get PDFFriendship: Why is it so rare and how should it be restored to a place of honour? Different authors mention the fact that nowadays friendship is ignored and rarely celebrated. In trying to improve this sad state of affairs, this article proceeds through the following steps: A brief historical review which reveals that in the past friendship was confused with other relationships and its real value was not acknowledged by Christians. From the perspective of a Christian philosophy of society, it is indicated that friendship is a unique relationship of love, which should be clearly distinguished from other forms of love, for instance the love of marriage partners, brotherly love and neighbourly love in general. This discussion is followed by a structural analysis of the relation of friendship, indicating what real friendship entails. In the light of the preceding, it becomes possible to discern between acceptable forms of friendship and unacceptable “friendships”. The next section provides, apart from the already mentioned historical causes, different reasons for the rareness of friendships in contemporary Western societies. In conclusion, the special value of friendship is emphasised as being a unique gift of God and simultaneously an important human obligation
Islamic marriages in South Africa: Quo vadimus?
Get PDFDue to their potentially polygamous nature, Islamic marriages are not recognised in terms of South African law. The consequences of this non-recognition have been particularly unfair to Muslim women. Until 2000 a Muslim woman had no claim for loss of support if her husband was unlawfully killed. Even today she cannot claim maintenance from her husband after a divorce; she is not an intestate beneficiary after the death of her husband; can be compelled to give evidence against her husband in criminal proceedings and can not claim financial support during the course of her marriage. Since early times there have been calls for the recognition of Islamic marriages. The 1996 Constitution of South Africa protects, among other rights, cultural and religious rights and makes provision for the recognition of cultural and religious marriages by means of legislation. This article gives a brief historical overview regarding the position of Islamic marriages in South Africa. Thereafter the current position of Islamic marriages will be discussed, and finally a few comments regarding the future of Islamic marriages will be given