Koers (E-Journal)
Not a member yet
2282 research outputs found
Sort by
The first outline of Calvin’s theology – the preface to the New Testament in the Olivétan Bible of 1535
Get PDFThe prefaces which Calvin wrote for the Bible translation of Olivétan (1535) conform to the general custom during the Reformation to translate the Bible into the vernacular and to publish these translations simultaneously with interpretation aids. In the preface published in the Olivétan Bible and preceding the New Testament translation, Calvin wants to indicate to the reader (in this case the heathen) the correct way to approach the Bible. Although no captions or headings are included, the preface is structured very precisely, thus also presenting Calvin’s systematic kind of exposition. In order to show the heathen the way to salvation, Calvin indicates a way via prehistory (Gen. 1-11; Rom. 1-2; Acts 14 and 17), the Ten Commandments (Decalogue) to the New Testament witness about Christ. The focus and goal of this path are the fulfilment of the law. Clearly the most noticeable result of the analysis of this preface is the “system of corresponding doctrines” found between creation and salvation. This specific approach of Calvin is a key to understanding his later theology. In the second part of the preface Calvin explains the main Biblical concepts of “Testament”, “Evangelium” and “Messiah”. Regarding this his view corresponds to Luther’s writing, “De captivitate Babylonica ...” (1520), and is perhaps dependent on it. The third part of the preface contains admonitions to Christians who are persecuted to assure them of their salvation. Admonitions to kings, princes, rulers, bishops and pastors are also included
’n Analise van geselekteerde mediaberigte se uitbeelding van rassisme in Suid- Afrikaanse skole
Get PDFAn analysis of the portrayal of racism in South African schools in selected media reports The influence of the printed media on the establishment of perceptions and as a source of information must not be underestimated. Although it is generally accepted that no editor will publish a report containing false information, there are many journalistic tricks of the trade that can be used in support of a specific political and/or economic view. In this article an attempt was made to find out how and with what purpose in mind the printed media, accused of perpetuating racism in the South African society, report on racial conflict and tension in education, a social relationship that also seems to be interlarded with racism
Calvin in word and deed: A communicological appreciation
Get PDFJohn Calvin’s views on the role of the preacher, as well as the manner in which he applied these views in practice, are examined by using a simplified linear model of communication. Firstly, Calvin’s view on the role of the preacher is examined – as expressed in the Institutes, his letters and commentaries. From a communication perspective, it is clear that, from what Calvin said, he thoroughly saw himself as a servant, relying on the Word of God – a servant who had to execute his assignment in obedience to what God (communicator in the model) expected from him as an instrument in His hands. Secondly, in addition to Calvin’s views on his role as a preacher, it was also established how he acted in some demanding situations. The consistency of his thinking was illustrated by comparing what he did to what he said. The examination revealed that Calvin’s action was to bring the Word. Calvin’s actions were therefore consistent with the views articulated in his writings. Thirdly, from his letters to persecuted followers, we can deduce Calvin’s views on the practical application of the ideas which he stated in the Institutes and other publications. The article concludes that, if measured against the simplified linear communication model, it can be assumed that Calvin saw himself as a communication medium or channel used by God to convey His message and not as a communicator following his own agenda
Work-family spillover revisited: Is there hope for marital happiness in the dual-earner family?
Get PDFIn the past few decades social scientists have increasingly become aware of the dynamic qualities of gender and marital roles in the family. The changes taking place in terms of both the role contents and role behaviour of especially dual-earner couples have been identified as aspects affecting family life to a large extent. The increasing interface between the work and family spheres, based on the so-called work-family spillover model, has led to the conventional thesis that the non-traditional role behaviour of dualearner spouses and marital dissolution are causally related. The strenuous lifestyle associated with the dual-earner family may therefore have a detrimental effect on marital and familial relationships. This article gives, in the first place, an overview of the dilemmas the dualearner family may be confronted with. In the second place, possible intervening or mediating variables that may come into play in the process of facilitating a work-family fit in the dual-earner family are discussed. Recent research suggests that these intervening variables may not only help dualearner families to cope successfully with strenuous dilemmas, but may even contribute to the experience of higher levels of marital integration and happiness
The Triune God who speaks: Calvin’s theological hermeneutics
Get PDFThe purpose of this article is to make a contribution to the theme of “Calvin as servant of the Word” by exploring some hermeneutical implications of Calvin’s theological commitment to the doctrine of God as Triune. In doing so, it seeks to follow a hermeneutical principle Calvin himself held, that Biblical interpretation had to pass through three distinct but related phases; exegesis (represented by his commentaries), dogmatics (represented by the Institutes), and preaching (represented by his sermons). For Calvin, if any of these phases were omitted, the text would not be interpreted properly, and the message of Scripture would not rightly be applied to the life of the church. The place and importance of the doctrine of the Trinity in Calvin’s theology (often neglected in Calvin scholarship) are first explored, followed by displaying the importance Calvin attached to the integration of doctrine into the hermeneutical process (often disregarded by modern-day exegetes), and finally, all three phases of the interpretational process are brought to bear on Calvin’s sermonic treatment of John 1:1-5. Through expository preaching of the Scriptures, hermeneutics finds its completion, and believers will have a personal encounter with God. As such, Calvin will be shown to be a most excellent servant of the Word
The ministry of the Word – the concept of doctrina as used by Calvin in his first Institutes (1536)
Get PDFAmong other important theological concepts (e.g. religio or iustificatio, etc.) the concept of doctrina and its usage concern the heart of Reformational theology – especially in the theology of John Calvin. In spite of some important investigations that have already been undertaken in this regard, there is still a deficiency in respect of a comprehensive theological investigation of this theme. The fact that some well-known contemporary scholars nevertheless do not pay attention to the respective and different cardinal usages of doctrina by Calvin, underlines the need for further research. It is of considerable importance to analyse the way Calvin used the concept of doctrina, not only in a dogmatic and dogmen-historical sense but also with regard to homiletics, catechetics and pastoral care. In this article the focus is on the 1536 edition of the Institutes of Calvin. Using an adequate method to analyse Calvin’s usage, the results of such an analysis are presented in order to emphasise the importance of a careful dealing with concepts in general and in dealing with Calvin’s usage of doctrina in particular. This investigation shows that Calvin used doctrina in such an active and dynamic way that one often has to translate it with a verb, a verbalised noun or even with a verbal phrase. It is of utmost importance to distinguish between Calvin’s lexical usage and his discourse-analytical usage of the concept. Calvin’s bond to Scripture and his stressing of doctrina as proclamation accentuate his “Word-of-God-theology”
John Calvin – Verbi Divini Minister
Get PDFMinistering the Word of God was a first priority for John Calvin. Through researching his frequent references to the ministry in his sermons and Bible commentaries, it was possible to arrive at a better understanding of his views on the office of pastor and teacher (pastor et doctor). Although the ministry is no imperium, the people of God should honour the servants of Christ on the ground of the dignity of their Master. The ministry is a servitude, but not without authority, so that by it the glory of God may excel among his people and in the world. This is also the ultimate goal of the minister’s preaching, and to this end it should be clear and to the point. This article particularly pursues Calvin’s views on the requirements for a sound proclamation of the Gospel. It is argued that Calvin’s particular consideration of the broader context of a biblical passage in his exegesis points to the fact that he had already established the sound hermeneutic rule of ascertaining the intention of the author and the understanding of the first readers to get to the true meaning. Thus, in his preaching the application of Biblical truths was topical and to the point
Geborgenheid as ’n sine qua non vir opvoedende onderwys
Get PDFSecurity as a sine qua non for education Learner security is an imperative for education. Whereas an environment of security is conducive to learning, the absence of it is destructive of effective learning. Some of the factors that are to be taken into account in order to create a sound environment of security for the learner are the following: • the physical well-being of the learner; • the mental well-being of the learner liberated from anxiety and fear and • the competence and proficiency of the teacher. In many respects contemporary South African education is characterised by an absence of security and surity. Some of the reasons for this situation are instances of physical and mental insecurity such as a prevailing culture of physical violence, drug abuse and an alarming rise of contagious diseases in schools. This article focuses on these and other factors responsible for instances of an insecure learning environment in South African education. This article also seeks to find possible solutions towards securing the learning environment of the learner
Management modelling behaviour: An important prerequisite for the implementation of business ethics
Get PDFResearchers agree that ethics and ethical behaviour have become two of the most important topics of the new millennium. Reasons for this can include changing business conditions as well as the growing public demand for quality services, reasonable prices and honest treatment. Furthermore, the present wave of corruption in South African business makes it important to focus on management-related factors that seem to influence employees’ decisions to behave ethically at work. These phenomena will be used as a basis to make practical suggestions on how to improve the situation
De/re/centring of subjective power
Get PDFThe centred self is the self in the centre of the universe with an underlying inner centre; that is, with one of the human abilities as the core power of the human being. I apply this distinction to the meta-psychological theories of Kenneth Gergen and Charles Taylor. Gergen liquidates the autonomous individual only to revert to a centring of the social side of the human condition. It is, according to Gergen, the postmodern condition of advanced transport and communication technologies that will be the end of the authentic self. Gergen rejects the possibility of resisting these postmodern technologies. The upshot of Gergen’s socio-technological determinism is totalitarianism as well as agonism between individual and social aspects. Taylor seemingly steers away from centring one aspect. He nevertheless partially centres intention (interpretation). This gives his de/centring also an undecided and agonistic picture; that is a self in a never-ending conflict with itself and surroundings. I suggest that only a re-centring of all human abilities will avert the final failure of the decentring of the centred self