bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Regulatory and legal support of occupational health of public servant
Authors: Гнітько І. В.
Published: February 2020

The article deals with the need for official understanding and recognition of the simple, at first glance, and the harsh facts of life, that public health needs to maintain a high level of occupational health.The article deals with the need for official understanding and recognition of the simple, at first glance, and the harsh facts of life, that public health needs to maintain a high level of occupational health.The priority is given to such measures as the implementation of the Concept of reforming the medical and social sector; development and adoption of qualitatively new amendments to the Constitution of Ukraine on health care; adoption of priority laws of Ukraine or their new revisions on the revival of sectoral structures, early prevention of the occurrence of occupational diseases, legislative approval of state programs for the implementation of reform of the industries that have a direct or indirect impact on the maintenance of occupational health in the public administration. It is determined that in order to successfully solve problematic situations in terms of professional activity, there is a need to develop, implement and maintain a legislative framework, which is a guarantee of ensuring the social-psychological and moral-ethical well-being of public servants, which enable them to perform professional duties with the least cost and the highest efficiency, when influenced by any factors that accompany their professional activities.
Apuntes sobre la relación Estado-Policía
Authors: Baltazar Edgar
Published: February 2020

Con el propósito de hacer una revisión teórica sobre la vigencia del Estado como institución política preponderante y en particular sobre su función policial, este ensayo expone los elementos del Estado desde la propuesta del Enfoque Estratégico-Relacional de Bob Jessop, deudor de los aportes de Gramsci y Poulantzas. Dicho enfoque identifica cuatro elementos sustantivos del Estado: población, aparato, territorio e “idea de Estado”. El texto describe la relación entre dichos elementos y su vinculación con la función policial; entendida esta en sentido amplio, como control poblacional y territorial a través del aparato gubernamental y sus bases hegemónicas, no solo como función de fuerza pública uniformada o “baja policía”. Desde esta perspectiva, se concluye que el Estado es una relación social que instituye provisionalmente un orden de dominación soportado por la función policial de controlar cuerpos, ideas y territorios.
El FMLN de El Salvador y las restricciones sobre el gobierno de izquierda
Authors: Young Kevin A.
Published: February 2020

Los acuerdos de paz de 1992 en El Salvador trajeron una versión superficial de la democracia que seguía sin responder en gran medida a la población. En el 2009, el partido de oposición de izquierda, el FMLN, ganó las elecciones presidenciales. Sin embargo, a pesar de ganar algunas reformas progresivas notables, no buscó, ni mucho menos logró, una ruptura radical de las políticas neoliberales de las administraciones anteriores. Con base en entrevistas personales y una revisión de fuentes periodísticas, encuestas, estudios académicos e informes oficiales y no gubernamentales, sostengo que el alejamiento del FMLN del socialismo revolucionario es atribuible a varios factores: un terreno político y mediático que todavía favorece a la derecha, la influencia continua del gobierno de los Estados Unidos y el control de los inversionistas privados sobre la economía. Estas fuerzas también ayudan a entender las limitaciones de gobiernos progresistas en otros países.
Del arte abstracto a la neofiguración en la pintura costarricense (1970-1978). Manuel de la Cruz González, “Felo” García y Lola Fernández
Authors: Montero Rodríguez Daniel
Published: February 2020

El estudio del proceso de transición del arte abstracto a la neofiguración en la pintura costarricense (1970-1978) a partir de los trabajos pictóricos de Manuel de la Cruz González, Rafael “Felo” García y Lola Fernández se realiza a través del análisis de la semiótica y el método hipotético deductivo, para lo cual se emplean tres niveles semiológicos: sintáctico, semántico y pragmático. Esto permite determinar tanto la finalización de la pintura abstracta, como los inicios de la neofiguración en el país para, finalmente, valorar cómo fue el cambio de estilos en el contexto socio-cultural costarricense. En una primera instancia, se analizan las obras Blanco interrumpido (1971) de Manuel de la Cruz González, Ola creciente (1967) de “Felo” García y Supervivencia (1971) de Lola Fernández, las cuales representan la abstracción geométrica, el expresionismo abstracto y el informalismo, respectivamente, en Costa Rica. De esta forma, se observa que el arte abstracto no solo significó ruptura en el medio plástico nacional, sino que implicó una revolución pictórica, al posibilitar nuevas formas de trabajo artístico en el país. Por otra parte, el análisis de los niveles semióticos en las obras Desnudo rojo (1978) de Manuel de la Cruz González, Tugurios (1970) de “Felo” García y Segunda etapa: cuarta escalera de la serie: Arquetipo (1976) de Lola Fernández, con las cuales se establece los inicios del estilo neofigurativo en la pintura costarricense. De este modo, se confirma esa postura revolucionaria del arte abstracto, pues la nueva figuración representa ese cambio artístico que se consigue gracias al rompimiento generado por la abstracción. Finalmente, la transición del estilo abstracto al neofigurativo en el contexto artístico, cultural y social de Costa Rica, se evidencia al contrastar las obras de ambos estilos en los artistas y al compararlas entre ellas. Con esto, la ruptura de la abstracción y la evidencia de una neofiguración costarricense, con sus particularidades, permiten confirmar no solo la existencia de esta última en el país, sino la revolución plástica producida, la cual abrió nuevas posibilidades artísticas a la pintura nacional costarricense.
Effects of far-field boundary conditions on the simulation of hydrate production
Authors: Zhang Yi , Luo Hao , Zhou Haizuo , Qi He , Feng Tao , Jiang Mengyan , Sun Xiang
Published: February 2020

The world’s first offshore methane hydrate extraction was conducted in 2013 at the Daini-Atsumi Knoll located in the eastern Nankai Trough. The results indicated that the gas production rate of a single vertical well cannot meet the requirement for commercialisation of methane hydrate production. Therefore, a trial multi-well system has been considered for future hydrate production. Understanding the ‘influence distance’ of extraction wells within methane hydrate turbidite reservoir formations, such as that of the Nankai Trough, is significant to the design of the proposed multi-well system. In this study, the boundary effects are examined for cases involving different values of permeability and initial hydrate saturation for the modelled turbidite formations. A relationship is proposed to predict the longest simulation time for a given set of lengths and parameters. The two concepts of critical production time (CPT) and turbidity/homogeneity coefficient ratio (THCR) are introduced to analyse the interaction between the effects of model size and heterogeneities. It is found that the CPT can be normalised by the radius of the model; the THCR is affected by the relative thickness of the sand and clay layers.
The arching effect in rubber–sand mixtures
Authors: Khatami H. , Deng A. , Jaksa M.
Published: February 2020

Arching effect in geomaterial refers to the stress redistribution as a result of induced displacements. It is most likely to occur in different situations such as retaining walls, piled foundations, tunnelling, and so on. The arching effects that occur in rubber–sand layers are examined in this paper. The digital image correlation technique and a series of pressure sensors were employed to capture the deformation characteristics and stress evolution developed in the sand and rubber–sand layers, which were subjected to active arching with and without a central surcharge in a trapdoor apparatus. A range of deformation measures, including horizontal and vertical displacements and strains, shear strains, and volume change variables were obtained and compared for different backfill materials. Ground response curves for sand and rubber–sand mixtures were developed using the stress measurement data. From the deformation data, an arch of equal displacement was introduced. It was observed that the use of rubber particles reduced the surface settlement of the sand layer and the arch heights, and higher stress reduction was obtained in the rubberised backfills.
Prolonged Disorders of Consciousness
Authors: Kim Daeyoung
Published: February 2020

Prolonged disorders of consciousness comprise a spectrum of impaired consciousness where arousal is preserved with impaired awareness, which last more than 4 weeks. Vegetative state is a prototype of the prolonged disorders of consciousness. A patient in the vegetative state has no signs of awareness. The minimally conscious state is characterized by inconsistent but reproducible signs of awareness and is regarded as a transitional state of recovery of consciousness. Differentiating patients in minimally conscious state from those in vegetative state is still challenging. Utilizing standardized neurobehavioral assessment tools could improve diagnostic accuracy. Recent advances in neuroimaging and electrophysiologic tools may aid the diagnosis and prognostication. Treatment for recovery of consciousness is still limited. More research on the diagnosis and treatment of prolonged disorders of consciousness is needed not only for improved care of patients with prolonged disorders of consciousness but also a greater understanding of human consciousness.
A Patient with Spinocerebellar Ataxia 2 Presenting with Multiple System Atrophy
Authors: Kim Youg Sung , Lee Sangjin , Shin Hae-Won
Published: February 2020

Spinocerebellar ataxia type-2 (SCA2) is an autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia that occurs due to expanded CAG trinucleotide repeats in the ATXN2 gene. Clinical features of parkinsonism in SCA2 vary from phenotypes of levodopa-responsive parkinsonism to multiple system atrophy. We described a patient with SCA2 presenting typical clinical manifestations of multiple system atrophy-c type with levodopa responsive parkinsonism whose dopamine transporter (DAT) image showed atypically reduced DAT uptake in in the striatum.
Characteristic Neuroimaging Findings in a Patient with Acute Metabolic Encephalopathy, Lactic Acidosis and Stroke-Like Episodes Syndrome Distinguishable from that of Acute Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Kim Hyodong , Lee Jung-ju , Kim Byung-kun , Kwon Ohyun , Park Jong-moo , Kang Kyusik , Lee Woong-woo
Published: February 2020

Metabolic encephalopathy, lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) syndrome is characterized by encephalopathy mimicking acute stroke, which is rarely observed in adulthood. We present a case of a female who presented with several neurologic deficits and diagnosed with MELAS syndrome. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed acute lesions mimicking stroke, which were not compatible with specific vascular territories. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy showed lactate peaks in both symptomatic and asymptomatic area. Single proton emission computed tomography (SPECT) shows hyperperfusion in the same area. On follow-up image, MRI lesion nearly disappeared and hyperperfusion on SPECT changed into hypoperfusion. We discuss the clinical characteristics and image findings of our patient.
Cervical Spinal Cord Infarction Presenting as Chest Pain in Patients with Acute Cerebellar Infarction
Authors: Kim Yong-Won , Hwang Yang-Ha
Published: February 2020

Spinal cord infarction is rare, especially cervical cord infarction is lesser than thoracic and lumbar level. We describe two cases of cervical cord infarction following cerebellar infarction with vertebral artery occlusion, which initially presented with chest pain and dyspnea. Blood supply for the cervical cord comes from anterior and posterior spinal artery, which originated from the distal vertebral or posterior inferior cerebellar arteries. Therefore, occlusion of unilateral vertebral artery could cause a cervical cord infarction.
HİPOTANSİYON TEDAVİSİ : DOĞRU BİLİNEN YANLIŞLAR ve VAZOPRESSÖR AJANLARIN GÜNCELLEMESİ
Authors: ULU Sena , KAZAN Sinan , GÜNGÖR Özkan
Published: February 2020

Hipotansiyon hızlı bir şekilde düzeltilmediğinde şok tablosu dediğimiz ve doku perfüzyonunda bozulma, multiorgan yetmezliği ve ölüm görülebilir. Vazopresörler, vazokonstrüksiyonla Kan basıncını artıran ajanlardır ve etkilerini adrenerjik sistem reseptörleri üzerinden gösterirler. Bu reseptörlerin yeri ve vazoaktif ajanlara cevapları değişkendir. Önceki yıllarda hipotansiyonda, ilk tercih olarak dopamin kullanılırken, son yıllarda yapılan çalışma ve metaanalizlerde dopaminin yüksek aritmi ve iskemi riski ile immün sistem üzerine olumsuz etkilerinin tespit edilmesiyle, dopaminin güvenliği ile ilgili ciddi endişeler ortaya çıkmıştır. Yine eskiden hipotansiyonda ikinci seçenek olarak düşünülen norepinefrin, son yıllarda birçok çalışmada, şokta sıvı desteği sağlandıktan sonra, ilk tercih edilecek ajanlardan biri olarak önerilmektedir. Son yılarda popülarite kazanmış bir ajan olan Vazopresin de, güçlü vazopressör etkisi ve düşük yan etki profili ile son klavuzlarda, etkin vazopressör ajanlardan biri olarak yerini almıştır. Bu gelişmelerin yanında, yoğun bakım dışındaki anesteziye bağlı hipotansiyon hastalarında da tercih edilmesi gereken ajanlarla ilgili güncel gelişmeler olmuştur.
Bu derlemede, hipotansiyon ve şok tedavisinde, elimizde bulunan güncel veriler ve klavuzlar eşliğinde, vazopresör ajanlar incelenmiş, doğru bilinen yanlışlara da yer verilerek, hipotansiyon tedavisi derlenerek, pratik yaklaşıma değinilmiştir.
Research priorities in Evidence-Based Nursing Cares: A Delphi Technique
Authors: Hosseinzadeh Touba , Ghanbari Atefeh , Paryad Ezzat , Maghsoudi Shahrokh , Pour Alizadeh Moluk
Published: February 2020

Introduction: Determining the research priorities in Evidence-Based Nursing Care is considered as a regular method to provide substantive information for developing the nursing science and taking evidence-based practical steps but such research is currently minimal. Therefore, a Delphi survey was conducted to determine the research priorities in Evidence-Based Nursing Care in the North of Iran.

Methods: A three-round Delphi study was conducted to identify research priorities in Evidence-Based Nursing Care. The study comprised of research nurses, who have attended a Research Methodology course and did have published research. A Delphi expert panel consists of a group of credible experts within the field attending in consensus meetings to determine the nursing research top priorities. Open-ended questions were analyzed using thematic content analysis. Analysis of questionnaires 2 and 3 entailed an examination of the mean scores for each priority ranked on the five-point Likert scale.

Results: Round 1 had 42 themes across 174 topics, identiﬁed by analyzing the data. In Round 2, respondents ranked all themes and 30 themes were selected. Finally, in Round 3, the top five research priorities emerged as the following: Assurance in health care, nurse-patient communication, pain management, taking care of the patients under mechanical ventilation and drug care.

Conclusions: Determining research priorities in the Evidence-Based Nursing Care would optimize the level of utilization of the results of the studies by nurses and subsequently could improve the delivery of evidence-based nursing services; Prioritization will also help in directing resources to the essential research needs.
Editorial Oveja Negra: Del auge del libro de izquierda a la masificación del libro en Colombia
Authors: Cardona Aguirre Maria Camila
Published: February 2020

el texto reconstruye dos etapas de la editorial Oveja Negra que van desde su fundación, en 1968, hasta la década de 1980. A partir de las prácticas editoriales de cada una de dichas etapas, se observa la relación de la editorial con la configuración del campo literario del momento y, de manera específica, con dos fenómenos de la historia de la edición en Colombia: el llamado “auge del libro de izquierda”, en las décadas de 1960 y 1970, y la masificación del libro en la década de 1980.
Living through the fire: Bonhoeffer’s thoughts on a credible church for today
Authors: Anthonissen Carel
Published: February 2020

This article offers a brief excursion into Bonhoeffer’s ecclesiology, arguing that Bonhoeffer’s struggle throughout his life to render the church of his day more credible and authentic, was at the very heart of his theology. In this regard the article will highlight three characteristics of what a credible church meant for Bonhoeffer. After unpacking Bonhoeffer’s theological arguments in this regard, they will then be applied to our own context.
The ethics of the penultimate in a situation of ambiguity: A possible and relevant interpretation of Bonhoeffer in Brazil today
Authors: Von Sinner R
Published: February 2020

This article explores Bonhoeffer’s ethics of the penultimate in view of his poem “Christians and heathens” in dialogue with the Brazilian movie “God is Brazilian”, a picture of reality in North-eastern Brazil with all its ambiguities, including religious ambiguities. While religion seeks God´s help and in one way or another receives it, the real difference between Christians and heathens is that the former stand by God in God’s suffering as represented in human suffering. Bonhoeffer realized that in the penultimate there cannot be purity in real life. Latin American theologians Rubem Alves and Jon Sobrino, among others, followed the same line. For them as for Bonhoeffer, God is not a deus ex machina to fill in the gaps left by humans, but a God who is effective right in the centre and indeed the entirety of life. God is, then, present right in the midst of the ambiguities of life, in clear contrast with contemporary tendencies to shun such ambiguity.
Reading Galatians 6:16 in line with Paul’s contrast between the new aeon in Christ and the old aeon before the Christ event
Authors: Du Toit Philip la G
Published: February 2020

This contribution argues for viewing ‘the Israel of God’ in Galatians 6:16 as pointing to God’s people in the previous aeon before the Christ event. Prevalent interpretations of Galatians 6:16 are critiqued in view of the prevalent connotations to the terms Ἰσραὴλ and Ἰουδαῖος in the post-exilic period, Paul’s understanding of the fulfilment of Israel’s messianic hope, and the way in which Paul redefines identity in Christ and the Spirit. Galatians 6:16 is read with the third καί as a normal copulative (not epexegetically), constituting a contrast of the old aeon before or outside of Christ in the “flesh’” under the law with the new aeon in Christ and the Spirit in Galatians and beyond.
Broken wholeness: A critical analysis of Henri JM Nouwen’s spirituality of vulnerability and its possible value for the current discourse on health and wholeness.
Authors: Van der Merwe Riaan
Published: February 2020

This essay investigates whether the counter-cultural spiritual formation theology of Henri Nouwen could make a significant contribution to the current discourse on an inclusive, gender-equitable, spirituality-based approach to holistic health. Three main relationships feature in the majority of Nouwen’s works: the relationship to self, the relationship to others and the relationship to God. This foundational framework of Nouwen is used to structure this inquiry into the possible enduring value of certain core concepts that Nouwen developed within his triad of ‘movements’ toward wholeness. In his thinking about the movement of Reaching Out to our Fellow Human Beings, the concept of Vulnerability emerges as a key component of his theology and it will be the focus of this article. In a second article the value of Nouwen’s seminal thinking on Embodiment (the movement of Reaching Out to our Innermost Self) and in a third his lifelong engagement with Mystery (the movement of Reaching Out to our God) will also be brought into discussion with current thinking.
How environmental stewardship is viewed and evidenced in the Uniting Reformed Church of Southern Africa: An appraisal of students’, lecturers’ and ministers’ perceptions
Authors: Le Roux Cheryl S
Published: February 2020

To care for the environment as part of a Christian believer’s Christian stewardship duty is biblically founded. The Church is consequently well-positioned to make a significant contribution in addressing the environmental crisis by developing, preaching and practising a holistic spirituality that promotes a custodial ethic towards the natural world. The research report discusses how seminary students, lecturers and practicing ministers in the Uniting Reformed Church of Southern Africa perceive and practise this custodial ethic as environmental stewardship. There is consensus amongst respondents that Christian stewardship and environmental stewardship are biblically mandated and should be addressed and practised in the Church. However, the findings provided evidence that the realisation of environmental stewardship is tentative, both within the ministry and within seminary programmes. It is concluded that the teaching and practice of environmental stewardship is generally neglected in the Church. Areas for improvement in the ministry and seminary training curricula to support environmental stewardship are suggested.
‘Off with their heads!’ The imagery of the head in the trilogy of Psalms 108–110 (Part 1)
Authors: Sutton Lodewyk , Human DJ
Published: February 2020

A social-scientific analysis of the word ‘head’ in Psalms 108–110 indicates from another theme (war) and perspective (honour), how the imagery of the head communicates warfare, develops and establishes a connection between Psalms 108–110. In this two-part article, this is established by indicating in the first article that the imagery of the head can be considered as part of warfare imagery. The value system of honour and shame as expressions of the function and purpose of the warfare imagery is made through a social-scientific analysis of the head. The iconography of different ancient Near Eastern contexts is used as an extra-textual source to elucidate the concept of the head as an aspect of warfare imagery, expressed through honour and shame. Part two (the second article) of this article examines and applies the use of the imagery of the head in Psalms 108–110 by integrating the deductions made in this first part of this article. This helps to indicate the development and connection between Psalms 108–110 through the imagery of the head.
The Word and the Spirit – Michael Welker’s theological hermeneutics Part 2
Authors: Van der Westhuizen Henco
Published: February 2020

In the first part of the essay it will be argued that Welker‘s differentiated understanding of the Word allows him to make sense of the relation between the Spirit and the Word. In the light of the unbreakable interrelation between the Word and the Spirit, it is possible to understand why Welker finds the biblical traditions to be the primary witness to the Spirit of God. It will also become clear why he understands the biblical traditions to be convincing in pluralistic societies. The second part of the essay focuses on the deep polemical foundations of Welker’s theology of the Spirit. Welker, it is argued, who wants to write a ‘realistic theology’, develops his thoughts on the Spirit against the background of what he conceives to be the captivity of a theology of the Spirit in metaphysical and abstract theories, dialogical two-way thinking, and social moralism. These forms of thought serve as the negative background against which Welker then further develops his thoughts on theology.
Protestantism and economic ethics:An example for the interaction of faith and fabric?
Authors: Huber Wolfgang
Published: February 2020

This text addresses a specific religious and ethical tradition, namely the protestant version of Christianity, and a specific field of what is currently referred to as ‘applied ethics,’ specifically economic ethics, in order to find out in which way this tradition and this field of applied ethics are interwoven and it does so in a situation in which both parts of this pair seem to be in trouble.
The cinematic hidden Christ – His invisible divinity and his visible humanity
Authors: Brinkman Martien E
Published: February 2020

If we want to reflect upon the impact of the many ‘hidden Christ’-images in modern films at a theologically responsible way, we need to incorporate that reflection into our doctrine of revelation. That will imply that we have to re-open the classical Gospel-Culture discussion. Especially in the United States we can recognize a lot of original approaches to this issue in Reformed circles (Wolterstorff, Dyrness, Begbie, Seidell, etc.). The main question to be put in this article will be: How can we develop criteria to assess the depiction of the divine in these films?
Eucharistic symbols: Other emerging meanings in the Anglican Church of Kenya
Authors: Kiarie George
Published: February 2020

This article is set to argue that for a long time Eucharistic symbols have been interpreted in different contexts, with a universal understanding as the body and blood of Jesus Christ. However, recent studies in the Anglican Church of Kenya, diocese of Thika, reveal other emerging meanings of these symbols among Christians. Such meanings include foreign food product, prohibited product, symbol of modernity and finally symbol of neo-colonialism. This article is informed by qualitative data obtained from adherents in the diocese of Thika between 2013 and 2014.
Understanding Draupadi as a paragon of gender and resistance
Authors: Motswapong Pulane Elizabeth
Published: February 2020

In this article Draupadi will be presented not only as an unsung heroine in the Hindu epic Mahabharata but also as a paragon of gender and resistance in the wake of the injustices meted out on her. It is her ability to overcome adversity in a venerable manner that sets her apart from other women. As a result Draupadi becomes the most complex and controversial female character in the Hindu literature. On the one hand she could be womanly, compassionate and generous and on the other, she could wreak havoc on those who wronged her. She was never ready to compromise on either her rights as a daughter-in-law or even on the rights of the Pandavas, and remained ever ready to fight back or avenge with high handedness any injustices meted out to her. She can be termed a pioneer of feminism. The subversion theory will be employed to further the argument of the article. This article, will further illustrate how Draupadi in the midst of suffering managed to overcome the predicaments she faced and continue to strive where most women would have given up.
Empathy and imagination: Nurturing children’s and adolescent’s spiritual well-being in the digital environment
Authors: Apostolides Anastasia
Published: February 2020

Recently, there has been a flurry of publications on children and adolescents turning into “digital junkies”, those addicted are said to be using “electronic cocaine”, or being diagnosed with Internet Addiction Disorder (IAD) or Pathological Internet Use. This article discusses the emerging disorders in children and adolescents who spend too many hours online and how it may affect their spiritual well-being. This article makes a contribution by making a start on specifically looking at how the spiritual well-being of children and adolescents may be affected by too much screen time. Apart from the clinical side effects described by the recent research, it is imperative that the spiritual lives of “digital junkies” be carefully examined.
The Kairos of karos: Revisiting notions of temporality in Africa
Authors: Cilliers Johan
Published: February 2020

Historically speaking, many Christian traditions have been influenced in their liturgy and preaching by Western understandings of time, i.e. as a linear progression from past, to present, to future. Africans do have a strong sense, not only of the past, but also of the future – in contrast to what some scholars would advocate. But African notions of time also harbour a particular understanding of the present, as the experience of social events. In Africa, time is not so much duration as it affects the fate of the individual, as it is the rhythm of the breathing of the social group. Perhaps the image of a spiral depicts best what Africans understand as time – a spiral that includes both linear and cyclical dimensions, as it reflects the rhythms of life. In this paper, an attempt is made to reflect on the contribution of a decolonised understanding of time on preaching in Africa, in dialogue with keywords like memory, present, community, event, and movement.
Die NG Kerk se profetiese stem teenoor die Suid-Afrikaanse owerheid in die dekade na 1994 – vanuit kerklike perspektief en op kerklike wyse
Authors: Strauss Piet
Published: February 2020

The prophetic voice of the Dutch Reformed Church to the South African Government in the decade after 1994When referring to the viewpoints of the Dutch Reformed Church as a whole, one should look for the decisions of its general synod. In trying to be a church and a prophet, this General Synod should speak out according to the Bible and in the way of a church or an institution of faith.The Dutch Reformed Church indeed spoke as a prophet to the government in the decade after 1994. However, it was done with a certain reluctance and not from an overall perspective. Two main factors contributed to this. There is a difference in worldview between this church and the government. The Dutch Reformed Church had the experience that a little came of its efforts.In the meantime the Dutch Reformed Church remains convinced that it should promote the kingdom of God in South Africa as a church and through its individual members.
The End is not yet: Standing firm in apocalyptic times
Authors: Huggins Jonathan
Published: February 2020

The End is not yet: Standing firm in apocalyptic timesby De Gruchy, John W.2017, Minneapolis: Fortress Press.ISBN 9781506431574
Difficult tolerance: A Ricoeurian account and some practical theological reflections
Authors: Dreyer Jaco
Published: February 2020

The aim of this article is to present Ricoeur’s view on tolerance, and to reflect on some implications of his view for practical theology in South Africa. I start with a very brief introduction of tolerance as a key principle of liberal democracy and refer to the political use of tolerance in the transition to a democratic South Africa. After clarifying the aims and location of this article, I present Ricoeur’s view on tolerance as an ongoing and challenging task for a capable subject. The last section is a brief reflection on some implications of Ricoeur’s view of difficult tolerance for practical theology as an academic discipline in (South) Africa. “Tolerance is a tricky subject: too easy or too difficult” (Ricoeur 1996b:1)
Translation and a politics of forgiveness in South Africa? What black Christians believe, and white Christians do not seem to understand
Authors: Forster Dion Angus
Published: February 2020

Why would white South Africans want to be forgiven? Is it in order to secure their future, or to escape from their past? Why is it that some black South Africans find forgiveness to be impossible in the current social and political reality? Forgiveness, as a theological and social discourse in South Africa, is deeply contested. This research shows that black and white South Africans understand notions, and processes of forgiveness in very different ways. This is a significant problem that is compounded by the legacy of ongoing structural injustice as a result of Apartheid. Un-reconciled persons in South Africa seldom have contact with each other since the apartheid system separated persons racially, according to economic class and geographically. In at least one sense this makes a shared understanding of, and approach to, forgiveness impossible. To some extent, South Africans do not truly encounter one another in meaningful engagement, or in spaces of shared meaning. In other words, there is both a hermeneutic and a social barrier to forgiveness in South Africa. Paul Ricoeur’s notion of translation can help to engage the complexities that exist in language and the very nature of the difference between the self and the other in what is termed a “politics of forgiveness”.
Prophecy and the prophetic as aspects of Paul’s theology
Authors: Hogeterp Albert
Published: February 2020

As the earliest documents of Christianity, Paul’s Letters include extensive evidence on prophecy and the prophetic, most particularly in 1 Corinthians 12–14. In view of the influential hypothesis on “the cessation of prophecy” in Ancient Judaism on the one hand and early Jewish and Christian versatility on prophecy on the other, this essay addresses the question what prophecy meant in Paul’s days and how it may be situated as a spiritual gift in Paul’s theology. It reconsiders the cessation hypothesis vis-à-vis Early Judaism, providing caveats on its application to the Dead Sea Scrolls and Flavius Josephus, thereby redressing the Second Temple Jewish context of Christian origins in this respect. The essay provides a contextual reading of key passages (1 Cor 12:4–11, 13:8–13, 14:1–5, 14:20–33a), offering new insights about communal parameters of prophecy by comparing Paul’s ideas with contexts of Judaism, Jewish Hellenism and the Corinthians’ Greek environment.
The God of glory: Explicit references to God in discourses in the Acts of the Apostles (7:2–53; 14:15–18; 17:22–31)
Authors: Jantsch Torsten
Published: February 2020

This essay offers insight into Luke’s concept of God by analysing three sections in which God is explicitly a topic of discussion. These sections are Stephen’s apology (Acts 7:2–53), the account of Paul’s and Barnabas’ mission in Lystra (Acts 14:8–18), and the Areopagus speech (Acts 17:22–31). Because these texts share similar motifs, they can be said to constitute an argumentative series. In these sections, Luke provides a coherent concept of God comprised of many motifs from Luke-Acts. The central motif is that God created the world, which results in God’s self-sufficiency. Therefore, a worship with neither sacrifices nor temple is the appropriate response to God as a selfsufficient, transcendent, spiritual, and perfect being that is completely different from every mortal being on earth.
When God alters our fate: Relational freedom in Romans 5:1–11 and 8:18–39
Authors: Joubert Stephan
Published: February 2020

Fate played an enormous role in the Ancient Mediterranean world. Fate was personified in numerous ancient deities such as the Keres, the Moirae, and Fortuna. At the same time Stoic views on fate, as a chain of causes, impacted hugely on the ancients’ general view on fate as an inexorable force which cannot be opposed, or whose direction and eventual outcomes cannot be changed. Against the backdrop, Paul’s understanding of the nature of God’s presence, actions and influence in the lives of believers in Romans 5:1–10 and 8:18–39 is discussed. Fate, in the sense of that which has been predetermined and written into the lives of individuals before birth, and which comes into existence in many different, fixed forms, or fate as a chain of causes, is never on Paul’s mind. God’s foreordained plan is not a predetermined, unalterable fate for each and every person over which they have no control or say whatsoever. Rather, God’s πρόθεσις (prothesis) relates to the salvation of all believers. God refuses to surrender his people to their fate, namely death and eternal destruction. He changes fate into destiny for all who believe in Christ.
“Hope for even the most wretched”? On remembering the Reformation
Authors: Smit Dirk J
Published: February 2020

Commemorating the Reformation, the paper reflects on the distinction (by Assmann and Welker) between forms of cultural memory, some weaker, more fluid and fading, and some stronger, longer lasting, with the potential of suddenly becoming alive again, providing new orientation and inspiration. One particular fragment of the Protestant tradition that became alive during late 20th century South African theological discourses is pursued as illustration, namely the Dutch theologian Herman Bavinck’s claim that election is a source of inexpressibly great comfort since it promises hope for even the most wretched. The paper shows how these forms of cultural memory may inspire new generations to reclaim what they regard as the heart of their tradition against dominant historical understandings; can form new histories of interpretation finding new expressions of embodiment, different from anything past; and may surprise and even shock those standing in the tradition, offering a rich new surplus of possibilities.
Re-appreciating the significance of historical perspectives and practices on reformed pastoral theology and care today
Authors: Van der Watt Stéphan
Published: February 2020

This article investigates the issue of Reformed pastoral theology and care, from a historical perspective. Contemporary literature on this topic is not always informed by the actual pastoral care practices of historical church leaders, specifically up until and including the Reformation era. Consequently it can sometimes lack an important dimension needed to foster more theological depth and clarity, which is essential for sound pastoral care. Thus, it is necessary to clearly establish the connections between Reformed theology and practice in historical view, and pastoral care ministries in the church today. Despite huge societal changes that have taken place since the Reformation era, the core focus on the compassionate “care of souls” has remained unchanged. Can leading Reformers’ pastoral theological ethos and practices still be deemed relevant, whilst considering fresh issues in our contemporary pastoral care ministry contexts?
A politics of forgiveness? Engaging the ontological and the structural in the dialogical theology of John de Gruchy
Authors: Forster Dion
Published: February 2020

Forgiveness is a deeply contested theological notion in contemporary South African theology and society. The same could be said for South African theologies of reconciliation, of which forgiveness is considered to be a part. Some claim that these concepts have been weakened, abused, and corrupted. In particular, there are doubts whether forgiveness holds any theological or social value at present. John de Gruchy has devoted a great deal of time and effort to developing a theologically subtle, and politically robust, understanding of forgiveness that links justice and reconciliation. This article will consider how John de Gruchy’s dialogical theology, which takes account of both the ontological and the structural aspects of forgiveness, facilitates an understanding of political forgiveness that can address some of the critiques of this notion in contemporary South African theologies.
In search of the grain
Authors: Momberg Marthie
Published: February 2020

In this article I investigate the scientific grounds for reflecting on Palestine-Israel in light of other struggles, particularly those against Nazism and South African apartheid. Keeping in mind the distinction between simplistic comparisons and the use of analogies when events are not exact replications of one another, I evaluate John de Gruchy’s intersectional approach to Israel and the Palestinians. Likewise, I reflect on the cross-contextual reasons for Jewish Israeli and South African activists’ impression of the Palestinian struggle being part of a broad moral struggle against othering that transcends the boundaries of the geo-political context. The article concludes that critical scientific discussions and responsible moral discernment on Israel’s relation with the Palestinians cannot ignore the meta-narratives of systemic injustices such as state-sanctioned violence, apartheid, colonialism or ethnic cleansing that gave rise to resistance movements and prophetic theology in the contexts of Nazism and South African apartheid.
Moral Majority redivivus
Authors: Tengatenga James
Published: February 2020

John de Gruchy’s 1995 work Christianity and Democracy: Theology for a Just World Order was published at a heady time, not only in society but in the ecumenical churches, who were prominent as “midwives of democracy.” While the changes in Eastern Europe and South Africa were in the foreground, the book also covered emerging movements for democracy in sub-Saharan Africa outside South Africa. Sadly, De Gruchy’s optimism was not borne out in the decades that followed. Partly, this was due to internal problems within the movements themselves; partly, it was a transformation in the identity of Christianity away from the role of an enabling midwife to that theocratic master. A new kind of Christian politics asserted itself, modelled on and enabled by conservative Christianity in the United States. Moreover, it asserted itself in rivalry to a new “other”: fundamentalist Islam, which succeeded communism as America’s global enemy. This article traces the emergence of this new assertive religious politics, criticizing both its theologically problematic “Christian nationalism” and its lack of concern for sustaining the human rights gains of the early 1990s.
“Not peace but a sword” (Mt 10:34)
Authors: West Gerald
Published: February 2020

An unexpected outcome of the work of the Ujamaa Centre for Community Development and Research with marginalised sectors is their sense that Contextual Bible Study resources provide them with an interpretive resilience that enables them to return to the churches that have marginalised them because they are unemployed, HIV-positive, or queer. This article explores the notion of ‘interpretive resilience’ and reflects on its capacity to reintegrate those who have been marginalised by dominant theologies. “Interpretive resilience” may have the capacity to construct forms of communal peace, but the article asks, what if what is required is ‘interpretive resistance’, which puts the sword to dominant interpretations in the quest for a more just peace? A particular case study, to do with issues of homosexuality, gives shape and substance to the theoretical reflections.1
Is Yahweh a divine Delilah
Authors: Malan Morné
Published: February 2020

It is commonly accepted that God is loving, honest, and would not purposefully deceive us to secure a harmful result or any result for that matter. 1 Kings 22:20, 22 and Jeremiah 20:7, 10 seem to represent texts that would suggest otherwise. The first is a text wherein a prophet (Michaiah ben Imlah) states to his king that God has facilitated the deception of four hundred of his other prophets, so that he (the king) may be enticed (or deceived) into his death. The second presents us with a text in which a prophet (Jeremiah) accuses God of enticing (or deceiving) him into the vocation of prophet. Finally, another text which seems to be related to these two is Judges 16:5, whilst this text would appear to have little to do with the others at first glance, after discussing the various connections between all three, a relationship between them will become more plausible. In this paper a literary (and descriptive) rather than a theological (normative) approach to the texts is proposed. It will address such matters as the juxtaposition of the words יכל and פתה as well as similarities in content both narratologically and formally. In doing so, it is theorized that a greater understanding of the specific terminology will be gained. Having discerned the meaning of the terms used, it is hoped that it will provide us more insights into what is happening, and the implications thereof within each text as a literary unit within a greater whole will be gained.
Ampsherstel as ’n bedienaar van die Woord – ’n Gereformeerd-kerkregtelike benadering
Authors: Strauss Piet
Published: February 2020

The restoration of a preacher or minister in church – a Reformed approachThe article is looking into the history and present practice in reformed churches with a connection to the Dutch Reformed Church of the 16th and 17th century, on the restoration of deposed preachers or ministers in the church office. Out of the Dutch Reformed history comes a tendency to list certain sins in church orders as serious enough to make it impossible for the relevant church assemblies to restore someone in office, regardless of the specific context. This list prevents assemblies from using their own discretion when a matter of restoration as a minister is attended to. It thereby kills the pastoral-judicial character of church affairs. Against this stoned approach, writers and churches opt for room for the said assemblies to decide in their own pastoral orientated discretion over matters of restoration in the office as a minister. A room to which a certain framework of broad guidelines is applied.
LIFE AS DAMAGE: COMPENSATION OF NON-PECUNIARY DAMAGE FOR STAYING ALIVE (THE INTERPRETATION OF CIVIL LAW IN THE LIGHT OF THE CONSTITUTION)
Authors: Kravchenko Kateryna , Schloer Bernhard
Published: February 2020

This article presents a decision of the German Federal Court of Justice dealing with the question, whether life can be considered as damage which entitles to claim compensation of non-pecuniary and pecuniary damage. The question concerns the case of a person, whose state of health does not permit any communication; this person was kept alive by medical treatment, even if the person suffered from many diseases and it was evident, that the treatment will only shift the dead ahead. The court referred to the Constitution, dealing with the question, whether life can be considered in civil law as a damage.

The decision and the background will be presented as well as the two previous decisions and a comparative description of the legal questions according German and Ukrainian Law. The purpose of article is to present a decision of the German Federal Court of Justice, which – as the Court states – deals with an unprecedented issue. Due to the fact, that situations, which were the background of the Court’s decision have no national limits, it is worthto present this topic also for a professional public outside Germany.

The article is based on a method of comparative analysis of constitutional and civil law.The presentation of a Court’s decision and the comparative legal background has logically only the result of information for further discussion. However, the comparative presentation shows parallels on the level of the functions of rights and freedoms in a Constitution: they have the function to protect the individual against the interference of the state. But the rights and freedoms also create a system of values on the level of constitutional law which has to be considered in all spheres of national law – also in relations between private persons ruled by civil law.
Analysis of Subject Gateways with Special Emphasis on ‘Jute-Gate’
Authors: Sanyal Surojit , Bandyopadhyay Ratna , Panigrahi Pijushkanti
Published: February 2020

A detailed survey of 166 subject gateways across the world was conducted to check for existence of any subject gateway on Jute fibre. In addition to that, 54 websites on Jute were also examined for assessing the volume and quality of jute-related information. A comparative analysis of 15 jute-related databases, information systems and subject gateways was also conducted for assessing the uniqueness of prototype subject gateway on Jute (i.e. ‘Jute-Gate’) in disseminating qualitative Jute information to stakeholders. It was found that, out of 166 subject gateways that existed between 1996 and 2017, 102 were active and 64 were closed as on 31.03.2017. Average age of the active gateways was 14.52 years though 5 gateways were found to have existed for 21 years and 3 gateways lasted for only 1 year. It was concluded that number of gateways is dependent on the subject category but average age of subject gateways is independent of subject category. It was also found that no dedicated subject gateway for jute fibre is available and the proposed prototype ‘Jute-Gate’ is a pioneering effort.