bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Looking through the Parental Glasses: Delving into the Management Skills of School Management from the Perspective of Educator Parents
Authors: ERANIL Anıl Kadir
Published: August 2023

This research examines the management skills of school management (SM) from the perspective of educator parents (EP). Examining the SMs’ management skills of the children of EPs, who have both educator and parent roles, is the main focus of the research. The phenomenon of the research, the management skills of SM, and the opinions of an experienced group of educators and parents were taken to investigate this phenomenon in depth. Because of this basic structure of the research phenomenology design was used in the research. The data of the research was collected through a semi-structured interview form. A total of 12 EPs from 10 different provinces of Turkey were interviewed via the internet. The criterion sampling method was used in the selection of the research group and it was aimed to have maximum variation. Interviews were analyzed through content analysis. According to the results of the research, six themes and 46 codes emerged. These themes were school management (f=40), problem solving methods (f=38), student management (f=31), school principal features (f=31), parent management (f=26) and decision processes (f =26) are listed as. As a recommendation, SM should be seen as a professional profession and SPs should be professionally trained. Communication skills, conflict and crisis management, student management, parent management and effective decision-making processes should be taken into consideration in SP education processes.
Job Satisfaction with Profession among Teachers in Türkiye: Perceptions of Social Utility and Educational Policy Influence
Authors: BÜYÜKGÖZE Hilal
Published: August 2023

Teachers’ job satisfaction with their profession can vary depending on a variety of factors encompassing both individual and societal realms. This study delves into teachers' job satisfaction with their profession within the context of Türkiye, focusing on societal-level variables. Specifically, it explores the role of social utility, and perceptions of value and educational policy influence on teachers’ job satisfaction with their profession. Teacher level data collected across Türkiye by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) within the scope of the Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS) 2018 cycle was utilized in the research. The results of the regression analysis revealed that teacher perceptions of social utility and educational policy influence positively predict teachers’ job satisfaction with their profession. The regression model accounted for about 13% of the total variance in teachers’ job satisfaction with their profession. Overall, teachers who believe that their work is valued and meaningful to society are more satisfied with their profession, as are the professional satisfaction of participants who feel that their opinions on educational policies are heard and acknowledged. Thus, it is critical for teachers’ job satisfaction to value and consider their opinions and feedback in the development of education policies. This research suggests that by acknowledging the importance of teachers’ perspectives and involving them actively in policy making processes, their overall job satisfaction can be enhanced.
Pre-service Teachers' Environmental Literacy: The Role of STEM-Based Environmental Education with Microcontrollers
Authors: KOÇAK Edanur , YALÇIN ÇELİK Ayşe , ULUYOL Çelebi
Published: August 2023

The aim of this study is to determine the effect of STEM-based environmental education in which microcontroller sets are integrated on pre-service teachers' environmental literacy. The study was carried out with a one-group pretest-posttest weak experimental design. The sample of the study consisted of 31 pre-service teachers attending biology, science, and chemistry education departments. As the data collection tool, the environmental literacy scale including knowledge, attitude, behaviour and awareness dimensions was applied to the sample group as a pre-test and post-test. The study lasted for 11 weeks in total, including training on microcontroller sets, STEM-based environmental education and application of tests. During the environmental education, the participants were divided into groups of 4-5 and the studies were carried out with the station technique. In the stations, a research problem about air, water, soil, light and noise pollution was posed to the participants. They were expected to propose a solution using microcontroller sets. At the end of the research, a statistically significant difference was determined between the pre-test and post-test scores of the pre-service teachers from the environmental literacy scale. Accordingly, it was concluded that STEM-based environmental education improved pre-service teachers' environmental literacy. Based on these results, it is recommended that experimental/ quasi-experimental studies investigating the effectiveness of STEM-based environmental education and studies determining the advantages and disadvantages of STEM based environmental education using microcontroller sets should be carried out.
VTEA - a tool for 3D tissue cytometry: 7-Click Analysis v1
Authors: Winfree Seth
Published: August 2023

VTEA is a tool for 3D tissue cytometry (3DTC) of large 3D fluorescence light microscopy image volumes ranging from 50-100s of microns thick. The objective was to unify image processing, segmentation, data exploration and analysis in one package. VTEA is a tool that is… …free and easy to get.It utilizes ImageJ/Fiji as the distribution platform. . ...easy to use. VTEA is designed to organize the most common workflow in 3DTC inclusive of image processing (to manage imaging artifacts), segmentation (extensible to bring in multiple approaches into a common framework of analysis) and exploration and analysis with flow cytometry like plots, gating, mapping to image with ROI gating and tools for high dimensionality data. …compatible with mesoscale 3D analysis.VTEA is built to handle massive datasets and to operate seamlessly on an embedded database to enable analysis of 100’s of thousands of cells and will incorporate tools for clustering and dimensionality reduction. …built around referencing the original image.The power of 3DTC in VTEA enables the localization of identified cells in the analysis space in the original image,in situ, and in 3D.
CAMbank: SST Field Processing v1 v1
Authors: G Overbey Eliah
Published: August 2023

Field processing of SST vacutainers for the Cornell Aerospace Medicine Biobank (CAMbank). Instructions for preserving: Serum and RBC Pellets.
Automation Protocol for High-Efficiency and High-Quality Genomic DNA Extraction from Saccharomyces Cerevisiae v3
Authors: Alperovich Nina , Ross David , M Scott Benjamin
Published: August 2023

Here, we describe a protocol for automated extraction of genomic DNA (gDNA) from yeast liquid culture and colonies. The protocol uses a Hamilton NGS-STAR automated liquid handler equipped with thermal-regulated microplate shakers. We have tested this automated protocol with 1.5 mL aliquots of liquid culture (OD600= 1) to demonstrate that it can provide high-quality gDNA at high efficiency. The protocol can also be implemented with manual pipetting, and/or to extract gDNA from larger volumes of culture by proportionally increasing the volumes of reagents and using an appropriate magnet separation rack.
Transformation of Bacillus subtilis with DNA obtained from natural donor cell lysis v1
Authors: P. Finn IV James
Published: August 2023

Natural transformation is a mechanism many bacteria use to acquire free DNA from the environment. Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) can perform natural transformation by entering the physiological state of competence, wherein B. subtilis produces the necessary proteins to acquire DNA and subsequently integrate homologous DNA into its genome. This trait is advantageous to researchers, for competence can be induced and utilized for efficient construction of new bacterial strains. For this purpose, the primary source of donor DNA is typically purified DNA in the form of genomic DNA (gDNA) or plasmid DNA. The benefit of using purified DNA is that a new strain can be constructed efficiently without concern for contamination with the donor cells. This involves growing both a donor and recipient strain, inducing competence in the recipient, extracting donor gDNA, and subsequently mixing the gDNA and recipient cells for the transformation to occur. The downside to using purified DNA is the purification process itself. Bacterial gDNA extraction usually involves phenol and chloroform or a commercial nucleic acid extraction kit. The time and resources involved in preparation of purified donor DNA severely limits the number of donors that are possible to prepare and use in a single experiment. We propose to exploit natural cell lysis as a new method for transforming B. subtilis to bypass the time-intensive gDNA purifications. Described herein, the donor strain is grown to the point of sufficient, natural cell lysis with minimal post-incubation benchwork to obtain a lysate containing the desired donor DNA. This lysate is used as the donor substrate for a subsequent transformation. The growth and handling of the recipient is the same regardless of the donor DNA source. There are a few major advantages of this method. With this protocol, a researcher can obtain sufficient DNA for a transformation with less than 10 minutes of benchwork, affording the researcher more flexibility in scheduling their day. The utility of the application is further realized with its scalability. The natural donor cell lysis can occur in 96-well plates, and the resource cost of this is minimal compared to performing an equivalent number of gDNA extractions. Moreover, previously frozen lysates can be used as the donor DNA to obtain successful transformants with minimal loss of efficiency. By using cell lysate as the donor DNA source instead of purified DNA, we developed a method that reduces the time at the bench and improves scalability.
El sabotaje como intuición filosófica Una perspectiva para la interpretación de América colonial
Authors: Viveros Espinosa Alejandro
Published: August 2023

El objetivo central es proponer un concepto histórico-filosófico-cultural denominado el sabotaje, en tanto instrumento de resistencia cultural y perspectiva crítica de interpretación filosófica respecto de los fenómenos culturales y de la situación histórica de América colonial (siglos XVI - XVIII). El sabotaje desarrolla un aparato teórico capaz de otorgar la operatividad a una perspectiva de interpretación filosófica que implica una lectura crítica y propositiva en el ámbito de la traducción y la mediación cultural presente en las obras de Hernando de Alvarado Tezozómoc: Crónica Mexicana (1598), Crónica Mexicáyotl (1609) y de Felipe Guamán Poma de Ayala: Primer Nueva Corónica y Buen Gobierno (1615/1616). Estas obras funcionan en tanto textos culturales como ejemplos de la configuración político-filosófica e histórico-cultural que inaugura una reflexión hermenéutica americana. Esto significa que nuestra investigación busca demostrar la ejecución de la perspectiva de la resistencia cultural en América colonial y, a su vez, consolida la resignificación del sabotaje como un vehículo conceptual original y explicativo de las posibilidades de la reflexión filosófica desde América colonial.
José de Anchieta: la filología por impulso moral o la primera gramática tupí-guaraní.
Authors: Vega Cernuda Miguel Ángel
Published: August 2023

Con la presente contribución a la revista Mutatis Mutandis pretendemos destacar la labor de una personalidad fundamental de la cultura brasileña, la del jesuita canario P. José de Anchieta, cuya dimensión científica es generalmente ignorada. Tras documentar la presencia de su figura en la vida social del país sudamericano, se analiza su triple labor civilizatoria, filológica y literaria y se le valora como el primer intento de fundar una identidad multicultural brasileña.
La labor científica de Jerónimo de Alcalá, OFM: una etnografía misionera del siglo XVI.
Authors: Perez Blázquez David
Published: August 2023

En el presente artículo revisamos el trabajo etnográfico que un misionero franciscano del siglo XVI, fray Jerónimo de Alcalá, realizó por medio de la traducción. Su principal obra, la Relación de Michoacán, constituye uno de los más valiosos manuscritos coloniales de toda América. Para su elaboración recopiló, tradujo y fijó en el papel la tradición oral purépecha, rescatando del olvido el testimonio histórico y antropológico de la riqueza cultural michoacana. El rigor científico de su trabajo de campo, que acometió humildemente como “fiel intérprete” y con mera intención misional, ha hecho de su obra una fuente documental imprescindible.
Traducir Metadiscurso: Un análisis explicativo de los problemas en el trabajo de los estudiantes
Authors: Williams Malcolm
Published: August 2023

Entre los aspectos de la teoría y el análisis del discurso que todavía deben ser estudiados con mayor profundidad, se encuentra el del metadiscurso, que Hyland define como los medios que utiliza el autor para hacer referencia a sí mismo, al texto o al lector, con el fin de organizar el contenido proposicional del texto, de ayudar al lector a comprender el texto y de persuadir al lector que acepte sus argumentos. El metadiscurso hace parte integral de las herramientas retóricas de las que dispone el autor de un texto. En este artículo, son presentados los diversos elementos metadiscursivos para, seguidamente, analizar la manera como ciertos estudiantes tradujeron (o no) muchos de estos elementos en el marco de trabajos de traducción. Inspirándose en ciertas teorías de la traducción, el autor hace visibles lagunas importantes en el nivel de la traducción del metadiscurso y propone, para solucionarlas, algunas explicaciones provisionales desde la perspectiva de la formación universitaria.
Borges y la traducción. Análisis de su primera incursión práctica: El príncipe feliz de Oscar Wilde
Authors: Lozano Sañudo Belén
Published: August 2023

El presente artículo, pretende presentar de forma sucinta las principales ideas teóricas de Borges en torno a la traducción, y cómo su constante ejercicio práctico de la misma, junto con su vasto conocimiento de la literatura universal, influyeron en gran medida en el desarrollo de su estilo propio. Nos propusimos también dejar constancia, mediante algunos ejemplos significativos, del papel crucial que ha desempeñado también la traducción en la difusión de la obra de este genio de las letras argentinas. Nuestro artículo se cierra con un pequeño análisis de la primera traducción que realizó Borges, a la edad de nueve años: El príncipe feliz de Oscar Wilde, donde ya puede observarse esa tendencia hacia la reproducción más que de las palabras, del sentido estético del original.
Capacidad atrapadora de radicales oxígeno (ORAC) y fenoles totales de frutas y hortalizas de Colombia
Authors: Zapata Sandra , Piedrahita Ana María , Rojano Benjamín
Published: August 2023

Antecedentes: las frutas y hortalizas poseen un alto potencial nutricional y terapéutico, debido a la presencia de diferentes fitoquímicos, como los compuestos fenólicos que han sido relacionados con la actividad antioxidante. Con el fin de determinar la capacidad antioxidante en matrices alimentarias, uno de los métodos más utilizados es la capacidad atrapadora de radicales de oxígeno (ORAC). Objetivo: estimar el contenido de fenoles totales y la capacidad atrapadora de radicales de oxígeno (ORAC) en frutas y hortalizas colombianas. Materiales y métodos: el material vegetal fue liofilizado, seguido de un proceso de extracción para separar la fracción hidrofílica y lipófilica. El contenido de fenoles totales se determinó en la fracción hidrofílica por el método de Folin-Ciocalteu. La actividad antioxidante fue evaluada en la fracción hidrofílica y lipofílica por ORAC. Resultados: el contenido de fenoles totales varió entre 30,5 a 10.584,7 mg/100 g en las frutas y 12,4 a 1.377,2 mg/100 g en las hortalizas. Los valores ORAC obtenidos variaron desde 685,7 a 207.850,4 μmol trolox/100 g en las frutas y 372,3 a 32.047,9 μmol trolox/100 g en las hortalizas. La curuba y espinaca presentaron mejores propiedades antioxidantes de las frutas y hortalizas analizadas, respectivamente; con diferencias estadísticamente significativas frente a los demás alimentos de su grupo (p<0,05). Conclusión: los productos hortofrutícolas colombianos presentan posibles propiedades nutracéuticas por el aporte de compuestos fenólicos con actividad antioxidante.
Velocidad de procesamiento visual / auditivo y ortográfico / fonológico en niños con dislexia y lectores promedio colombianos: un estudio de potenciales relacionados con eventos
Authors: Puertas Céspedes Silvia Angélica , Esteban Pérez Edwar Leonardo , Joshi R. Malatesha , Bonilla Carreño Mauricio , Izquierdo Bello Álvaro Hernando
Published: August 2023

Este estudio examinó las diferencias en la velocidad de procesamiento entre las modalidades visual-auditiva y ortográfica-fonológica, por medio del análisis de potenciales relacionados con eventos en niños con dislexia comparados con un grupo control, siguiendo la hipótesis causal de la dislexia evolutiva basada en la asincronía en la velocidad de procesamiento. Treinta niños de habla hispana que viven en Bogotá, Colombia —quince con diagnóstico de dislexia evolutiva y quince lectores promedio emparejados por edad, sexo, nivel socioeconómico y grado—, participaron en el estudio. A los participantes se les aplicaron cinco tareas conductuales con estímulos auditivos y visuales, lingüísticos y no lingüísticos con registro electrofisiológico simultáneo. Hubo una diferencia de tiempo significativa entre el procesamiento de estímulos visuales lingüísticos y no lingüísticos, el procesamiento de estímulos visuales versus auditivos lingüísticos y no lingüísticos, y el procesamiento de palabras y seudopalabras en niños con dislexia en comparación con los lectores promedio. Las dificultades ortográficas y fonológicas en los niños disléxicos se evidencian en las amplitudes menores de P100 y las desviaciones más profundas de N200 en seudopalabras, así como en las amplitudes menores de P300, tanto en palabras como en seudopalabras.
African principle of reciprocity
Authors: Mligo Elia Shabani
Published: August 2023

The aspect of reciprocity is highly enshrined in the African culture. It is part and parcel of communal life of African people despite their various life predicaments. However, reciprocity is not only found in African culture; it is also a universal aspect found in other cultures and religions of the world. The universality of reciprocity is evident in the universal golden rule. Through surveying the golden rule in the various religious traditions and examining the tenets of the African philosophy of Ubuntu, this article argues that although reciprocity is a universal aspect, it can hardly be fully realized in Africa without considering the African philosophy of Ubuntu. The philosophy of Ubuntu stands not only as a cornerstone for African reciprocal relationships, but also as a distinction between the African and other ways of life.
Mutual Submission, Mutual Respect
Authors: Barron Joshua Robert
Published: August 2023

In Ephesians 5:21, Paul enjoins all Christians to live in mutual submission to each other out of reverence for Christ. In the verses that follow, Paul describes what this mutual submission should look like in practice. Some interpreters neglect the intimate connection which Eph 5:22â€“6:9 shares with the preceding verses in chapter 5. Indeed, the mutual submission of verse 21 is not only the conclusion of the 5:1â€“21 but is the foundation and title of 5:21â€“6:9. Failure to recognize this has led some to mock the very idea of mutual submission between husbands and wives. In the real world, this too often serves to justify unjust oppression and silencing of women within the Church. This paper attempts to correct these errors. It also examines these issues in the context of Maasai culture and the traditional Maasai value of enkanyit (honor, mutual respect). Proper exegesis of Ephesians 5 demonstrates that mutual submission provides the way for relational harmony between husbands and wives.
In the grip of Grace
Authors: Marchinkowski George
Published: August 2023

This article will consider the unitive stage in the mystical path Henri Nouwen lived and wrote about. It will begin by characterising the mystical way, together with its journey motif. Then, it will place Nouwen's spirituality within the context of his life and writing, and finally, it will outline three events which led Nouwen to describe the unitive stage of the mystical journey tentatively. The first "mystical moment" emerges from Nouwen's contemplation of the Divine/Human embrace in Rembrandt's painting, The Return of the Prodigal Son. The second occurs as a result of his reflection on the spiritual significance of attending to the practical needs of a severely disabled man, and the third from his contemplation on a flying trapeze performance at a circus. The article proposes that these encounters were mystical, came as a result of Nouwen's contemplative practice, and shaped Nouwen's perception of the unitive stage in his mystical journey.
experiential-realist Approach to Theology?
Authors: Lange Hans-Christoph Thapelo
Published: August 2023

This interview engages with Prof Klaus NÃ¼rnberger on his experiential-realist approach to Theology. Following biographical engagement with NÃ¼rnberger in order to contextualise his work, the background to the experiential-realist approach is clarified. Furthermore, the significance of the application of the theory of emergence in this approach is outlined, as well as its consequence for Theology in general, but also NÃ¼rnbergerâ€™s theological Anthropology and Ecclesiology. Moreover, NÃ¼rnbergerâ€™s direction for the future of Theology as a discipline is outlined against the background of the challenges of the modern world.
(Post)colonial Theology in South Africa?
Authors: Wessels Wessel
Published: August 2023

This article endeavours a preliminary dialogue with theologies which seriously and explicitly contemplate the decolonial turn. As decolonial and postcolonial become important concepts for framing the context, questions must be asked with regards to the meaning(s), grounds for theologising and undercurrents of the conversations on these subjects. There is no doubt that the current theological direction which seriously consider decolonial and postcolonial thought will influence the future of theology. However, the framing, interpretation, and contextual framing of decolonial and postcolonial thought cannot go without serious interrogation from a wide variety of voices for the future of theology in South Africa. In this sense, this article hopes for endeavours of contemplating the framing of theological discourse within the concepts of decolonial and postcolonial.
On theological aesthetics, decolonisation, and doing theology through the arts
Authors: Havenga Marthinus J.
Published: August 2023

Throughout history, works of art have often served as a prominent mode of theological expression â€“ also, importantly, here in South Africa. In, thus, revisiting the history of theological inquiry in South Africa as part of a larger process of decolonisation, it is important and necessary to also look to the arts, which is what this article will attempt to do. It will begin with an exploration of the relationship between theology and the arts, before looking at the emergence of the field of theological aesthetics. This will be followed by some comments on the relevance of this field for South African theology, especially when it comes to questions of decoloniality. The article will then conclude with a brief discussion of the South Africa sculptor Jackson Hlungwani as an example of someone who did theology through the arts.
Reconstructing the history of doing Systematic Theology at UWC
Authors: Conradie Ernst M
Published: August 2023

On the basis of a companion article on reconstructing the history of doing theology at UWC, this article offers several qualifications on how to approach and not to approach doing systematic theology at UWC before eight soteriological themes that have been prominent in theological discourse at UWC are outlined, namely conversion / transformation, unity / ecumenicity, reconciliation, justice, human dignity, liberation, reconstruction / development, and the integrity of creation. It is suggested that the remarkable reception of Gustaf AulÃ©nâ€™s Christus Victor typology at UWC is indicative of the always uneasy counter-intuitive attempt to hold together liberation, evangelical / reformed and liberal theologies â€“ that is perhaps epitomised by UWC.
Pandemic homiletics?
Authors: Nell Ian
Published: August 2023

The Covid-19 pandemic confronted the world and South Africans with the challenges of health care and â€œZoomificationâ€. From the 29th of March 2020 it was, because of the restriction and ban on gatherings, expected from ministers and faith leaders in South Africa to use online technology to preach their sermons. Many preachers had to rethink the format and content of their preaching. The question arose as to what sermons may look like during these times, and specifically the content and God images of the sermons. This chapter examines the sermon content of a purposive sample of ministers from the combined Stellenbosch circuit of the Dutch Reformed Church and the Uniting Reformed Church in Southern Africa. Twenty-four sermons were analysed, making use of a combination of the Heidelberg method of sermon analysis and grounded theory in order to identify the core themes of their preaching and the God images used at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. Based on the sermons, the researcher asked three questions: Which texts did the preachers choose? What themes emerged from the sermons? With which God images did the preachers work? Using ATLAS.ti, the sermons were coded, topics were identified, and God images were discerned.When I began writing these linesit was not, to be sure, inspiration but desperation,to be alive, to believe again in the love of God.The love of God is not a thing one comprehendsbut that by whichâ€”and only by whichâ€”one is comprehended.It is like the childâ€™s time of pre-reflective being,and like that time, we learn from its lack.Christian Wiman, Survival is a Style
Odes of Solomon, the LXX Odes and worship
Authors: Potgieter Annette
Published: August 2023

The LXX Odes or the so-called Biblical odes are often overlooked in LXX studies. It is easy to confuse the LXX Odes with the pseudepigraphal Odes of Solomon. Both are collections of hymns that illuminates the early Christian reception of hymns and prayers. A distinction needs to be drawn between these collections. The LXX Odes consists of 14 songs and prayers which were transmitted by the Greek (Eastern) Church. It was from its inception used in liturgy. This article offers some remarks for orientation in the LXX Odes, but also explores whether the Odes can shed some light on early Christian worship and how it applies to our modern setting. It is the aim of this article to investigate the value of the Biblical Odes, particularly Ode 2, the Song of Moses, for our understanding of worship.
Ubuntu Justice and African Truth and Reconciliation Commission
Authors: White Peter , Ntlapo Headman S
Published: August 2023

This article examines some of the missiological problems of the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), taking into consideration the theological and missiological concepts of forgiveness, reconciliation, and justice. The article proposes the Ubuntu Justice conceptâ€™s viability as a missiological framework with which to respond to the activities of the TRC. The article further explores the methodology and the goal of public hearings and uses the â€œGugulethu Sevenâ€ and the â€œPEBCO Threeâ€ cases to highlight the sacrosanctity of truth, remorse, and forgiveness in the process of reconciliation. This inquiry considers that as an African understanding and a strategy of upholding justice and maintaining peaceful relations, Ubuntu recognises the importance of the process of rehabilitating both the victim and the perpetrator. For the process of reconciliation to be genuine, the perpetrator must genuinely commit to treating the victim as an equal, affirming both the humanity and the dignity of the victim.
Future of Nothingness
Authors: Ullrich Calvin D.
Published: August 2023

Tentatively emerging from a global pandemic, we are confronted with a horizon of immanent adversities: (1) the closing window for altering the trajectory of our climate crisis, (2) the political antagonisms that exacerbate greater polarization, and (3) the effects of late-stage capitalism that service these first two interconnected configurations. Far from indulging a doomsday pessimism or comfortable misanthropy, this article pursues two continental philosophers, situating them within the tradition of â€˜negative political theologyâ€™ to think through a future of nothingness. Developing and then distinguishing between what is called the â€˜plastic apocalypticismâ€™ of the philosopher Catherine Malabou, which thinks the end of the world as such, and an â€˜insistent messianicâ€™ of the radical theologian, John D. Caputo, which takes the end of the world as the condition for saving it, an argument is made in favour of a mutual compatibility â€“ recognizing the passing away of this world, its absolute contingency, but also the â€˜eventâ€™ of Godâ€™s insistence. This messianic insistence and plastic revelation both resist divine intervention and instead look toward the formation of a new future, just as such a future (of nothingness) is the condition for the persistent interrogative of all concrete political arrangements.
abuse of spiritual authority among some African Neo-Pentecostals and its impact on human rights
Authors: Orogun Daniel , Pillay Jerry
Published: August 2023

As a part of the newer versions of the Pentecostal movement that evolved from the 1980s to date, the African Neo-Pentecostals (ANP) are characterised by the practice of spiritual authority (SA). Through the explanatory sequential model of mixed research method which involves juxtaposing a few qualitative pieces of evidence with quantitative empirical results from 414 respondents, this article investigated the existence of human rights violations among the ANP. The quantitative result showed that 82% of the total respondents on all questions agree that human rights abuse exists among the ANP. Subsequently, the article critiqued the practices using New Testament Theology and related human rights treatises on religious freedom. It then opined that when spiritual authority is misappropriated, spiritual authoritarianism becomes the practice, and the abuse of human rights is inevitable. In the end, recommendations were made for the sustainability of human rights irrespective of religious affiliation.
“Priests are obliged to be turbulent”
Authors: Field David N
Published: August 2023

Charles Villia-Vicencio's theology developed in the context of the struggle against Apartheid is interpreted as a transposition of key themes from the Methodist theological tradition into a liberative key. This is takes place through Villa-Vicencio's expansion of the notion of salvation and his affirmation of the preferential option for the poor. The article exams the significance of this in relation to the themes of grace and responsibility, the renewal of the church, and resistance to oppression. It argues that this transposition continues to have significance for contemporary Methodist theology and needs to be critically and constructively recovered.
Following Job's feet
Authors: Van der Zwan Pieter
Published: August 2023

The feet are the base of the body but suggest mobility at the same time. As such an important corporeal part to be expected is that figurative language would develop around it hinting at unconscious associations to feet which might not be consciously logical. In the Book of Job the protagonist’s feet are mostly referred to as metaphors and then mainly with negative connotations. This is both because of the Satan’s attack on a man whom he suspects of having moral feet of clay and because of Job’s internal feuds with the feminine. Job experiences this as a sense of falling. A psychoanalytic perspective on metaphors for behaviour and especially on sexual euphemisms could penetrate through the façade of possible political correctness to add to a deeper understanding than the traditional exegesis has rendered thus far and give a glimpse of an underlying body-image.
Exploring a missional pedagogy for transforming discipleship:
Authors: Smith Thomas J , Niemandt Nelus
Published: August 2023

Within the international discourse on missional theology a recovery of a transforming discipleship has taken place to bring about a synchronicity between mission and discipleship. In the Dutch Reformed Churchâ€™s (DRC) missional turn, there was a shift in church polity and discipleship was added to the description of the roles and responsibilities of ministers and elders in the Church Order. In this article, this transforming discipleship will be researched in terms of a missional discipleship wherein a pedagogy for the cultivation of a transforming discipleship is proposed. Different elements of a missional pedagogy will be described as habitus, habitat, habituation, and habits. The research concludes with a proposal regarding the formation of missional habits by means of a missional rhythm of life and eight rhythms are proposed. This missional rhythm of life provides a discipleship imagination for embodiment. A missional rhythm of life may be a useful model for the DRCâ€™s engagement of a transforming discipleship.
Where are my brothers?
Authors: Kondemo Maleke
Published: August 2023

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been called the â€œrape capitalâ€ of the world. For almost two decades, people in the east of Congo have suffered violent abuses including killings, mass rape, mutilations, sexual slavery, and abductions, committed by local armed forces, rebels, and civilians. Helpless women and girls are raped, while the society looks on. Rape culture is upheld by the absence or lack of enforcement of laws addressing violence against women and discriminatory laws. In Genesis 34, while Dinahâ€™s brothers are concerned and sympathise with their sister who has been raped by killing the rapist, Jacob kept silent. Approaching the text from a context of rape and sexual violence impunities against women, one is given the impression by the narrator that Jacob does not seem to be much concerned about his daughterâ€™s rape but is obsessed by his own reputation, while Dinahâ€™s two blood brothers desire for vengeance turns into excessive violence. If read from a bosadi womanhood perspective, Genesis 34 should stimulate the Congolese society to seek law enforcement strategies that would help reduce violence and end rape and sexual assault impunity against women. This article interrogates and examines the motives behind Jacobâ€™s inaction and Levi and Simeonâ€™s violent actions to challenge and outline the failures of the DRC system to support and care for women.
Between cathedral and monastery: Creating balance between a pastor’s personal faith and public role
Authors: Langerman Peter David
Published: August 2023

The ordained ministry has a public component which links the ordained person to Christ as prophet, priest, and king. So, the ordained person has a prophetic role, a priestly role and a royal servant role that is defined incarnationally: the ordained person is a disciple who is called to incarnate hope in their prophetic role, incarnate love in their priestly role and incarnate faith in their royal servant role. In order to not neglect their own spiritual formation, ordained persons should use prayer, scripture, and spiritual direction as a means by which to maintain balance between their own personal faith and their public role.
Mary of Nazareth as leader?
Authors: Oberholzer Ninnaku
Published: August 2023

Traditionally women are valued for their ability to bear children and often regarded as mere vessels for reproduction. This patriarchal view of women is notably encountered in the portrayal of the Virgin Mary, who throughout history has been regarded as a “vessel” for God’s message and therefore portrayed as a perpetual virgin, shrouded in servanthood and suffering. The aim of this article is to distinguish Mary from this tradition and the way the early church perpetuated the patriarchal custom of equating womanhood with motherhood. Instead, an exploration of Mary as occupying a leadership role is offered. This exploration will take place by way of a consideration of early Christian art that depicts Mary as a figurehead of the early church - which indicates that this depiction predates Mary’s assigned role as pious mother and the “vessel” of God. Ultimately, this contribution critiques the manner in which womanhood and motherhood are equated with one another and highlights the embeddedness of patriarchal influences in Christianity’s traditions.
Science Fiction Theology
Authors: Delport Khegan
Published: August 2023

This is quite simply a marvellous book. In Science Fiction Theology, Alan Gregory has given a model for responsible theological engagement with both literature and pop culture. His vast knowledge and patient exposition of science fiction (SF) and his ability, moreover, to weave deep readings of SF within a sophisticated account of Christian metaphysics are certainly enviable. Those who attempt similar projects of comparison should definitely take notice; reverse-engineering its composition would be worthwhile for any author in the genre.
Theological reflections on Ubuntology and African township Pentecostal Charismatic pastors during the Covid-19 pandemic
Authors: Mzondi Modisa
Published: August 2023

Globally, the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019â€“nCoV) also known as Covid-19 affected every facet of human life. Everyone had to find new ways of doing things, as many nations introduced lockdown regulations as a means of curbing the spread of the corona virus that causes Covid-19. Included in the regulations was the closure of places of worship, which challenged the clergy from different denominations in South Africa to imagine how to do ministry in this new context called the â€œnew normalâ€. Not only that, African township Pentecostal-Charismatic pastors, like other members of the clergy, were also expected to guide and encourage church members in these times of uncertainty. In addition, they were also expected to care for church members, the community and for themselves and their families. This article reflects on how African township Pentecostal-Charismatic pastors may minister in the Covid-19 context by applying the modified theologies of Mashau and Kgatleâ€™s Ubuntology.
Endleleni: Political activism of Winnie Madikizela-Mandela as pastoral caregiving
Authors: Penxa-Matholeni Nobuntu
Published: August 2023

Winnie Madikizela-Mandela is one of the most contentious figures in South African history. Some viewed the ex-wife of President Mandela affectionately as the â€œmother of the nationâ€ for her leadership during the apartheid era, and for her work in the townships of Soweto. Others viewed her as a villain connected to the controversial death of 14-year-old Stompie Seipei Moeketsi. Scholars write about her role as an activist, usually from the perspective of her social work career. This article seeks to adopt a totally different stance, where the focus shifts to her life as an activist mother, particularly in relation to caregiving. It uses a pastoral theological lens in combination with the endleleni metaphor. The latter, which is the amaXhosa metaphor meaning â€œon the roadâ€, will be explored in more detail in the article. The indigenous storytelling methodology will be employed using the lived experiences of Nomzamo Madikizela-Mandela and my own story to answer the question: â€œConsidering the metaphor of endleleni, to what extent is the role of Winnie Madikizela-Mandela as an activist mother an attribute of pastoral caregiving?â€ It is noteworthy to mention that a strong communal sense has an influence on the telling and writing of stories in black communities. If one comes from a background where the individual is inherently part of the communal, that perspective will affect how one tells the story.
The interface between liturgy and moral decision-making in defiance of cognitive distortions that underlie corruption
Authors: Kruger Ferdi Petrus
Published: August 2023

The central theme of the present argument is the matter of church participantsâ€™ engagement in liturgy and how this could enhance their capacity for making moral decisions. First, one should acknowledge that participants in the liturgy and faith communities have to cope with the reality that people should make moral decisions within the public domain. Liturgy has inevitably enabled participants to see things they do not or may not want to. The functioning of cognitive distortions in corruption is evident in systemic political corruption and micro-levels of community and culture. Furthermore, people are confronted with different kinds of understandings about corruption. In this article, it is argued that moral decision-making should be enhanced and communicated by liturgy. It embarks on descriptive, systemising, and strategizing perspectives to delineate faith communitiesâ€™ responsibility regarding peopleâ€™s duty to act morally within their environments. First, this article offers a descriptive section of the currently concerning aspects to be found under this rubric. Second, systemising perspectives based on the philosophy of religion and cognitive psychology are examined as centred on the intimate interplay with ethics and liturgy. Finally, the following research question is formulated and briefly discussed: Could participation in the liturgy offer a new understanding to people confronted with moral decision-making in a praxis of cognitive corruption? The methodological approach of Browning has been carefully identified to arrange the research into coherent phases and reflect on the research question.
Contribution: The article concludes with one or two practical theological perspectives that could lead to a follow-up discussion around how cognitive corruption could be addressed within a liturgical praxis.
Indigenous, biomedicine and faith healing ambiguity in Tanzania
Authors: Ngugi Eberhardt
Published: August 2023

Treatment of diseases was known in Africa long before the coming of modern scientific medicine. The Africans had their own traditional folk healers who treated both organic and functional diseases. Knowledge of plants, soils and water with special properties have enabled them to deal with infections, bacteria, and diseases. Different kinds of plants, large and small, terrestrial, and lacustrine, constitute about 75% of traditional medicine. Animal products make up about 20%, and minerals constitute the remaining 5% (Alves and Rosa 2005:77). However, with the coming of missionaries some developments took place. Western medicine was introduced in dispensaries and hospitals with a natural explanation for all sickness and healing. Missionaries treated indigenous healing as superstition, and unworthy of belief by promoting biomedicine and faith healing through prayers. Hence, there is a need of bridging the trio gaps through pastoral counselling in order to make sustained efforts to foster collaboration among them.
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Community development as an embodiment of pastoral care in Africa
Authors: Nanthambwe Patrick , Magezi Vhumani
Published: August 2023

The pursuit of a fulfilling existence is a common goal among all human beings. As a result, promoting and sustaining quality humanhood or personhood (quality life) is the ultimate goal that international institutions, continental and regional bodies, and nations strive for. From a religious standpoint, theology and Christian religion need to contribute to helping people achieve the quality of life that humanhood aspires to. Consequently, pastoral care as a frontline ministry is positioned to play a leading role in fulfilling this function within church settings. Due to the public nature of this responsibility, the pastoral ministry should acquire a public pastoral care dimension in which community development is enhanced. Therefore, this article argues for public pastoral care as a solution to meeting the challenges faced by communities in Africa.
Covid-19 in Congregations and Communities
Authors: Joynt Shaun
Published: August 2023

Covid-19 in Congregations and Communities explores the influence of the coronavirus pandemic on congregational and community life from a predominantly South African perspective, with the inclusion of one chapter on Covid-19â€™s influence in Ghana. The chapter authors hail from the Department of Practical Theology and Missiology at Stellenbosch University, South Africa, and offer â€œa theological response to the collective trauma we experienced as a result of the pandemicâ€ (p. 1). Chapters include a variety of topics, namely, â€œspirituality, liturgy, homiletics, pastoral care, community development, ecclesiology, child ministry, interreligious dialogue, ritual studies, and missional theologyâ€ (p. 1). Methodologies include literature engagement, participant observation, interviews, Grounded Theory, and more. Each author offers original research focusing on the first lockdown in South Africa.
A Sense of Belonging
Authors: Cones Bryan
Published: August 2023

The challenges of bridging the cultures and differences of church members are among the most pressing concerns congregations face in urban pluralistic cultures. Add to this a history of oppression and injustice based on race, as one might find in the author’s country of South Africa or in this reviewer’s home in United States of America, and the work becomes decidedly more urgent. One hopes the common prayer that unites congregations, sustained by the personal spiritual practices of members, might support bridges to cross that divide. But how?
love affair in the Dutch Reformed Church
Authors: De Jongh Erik
Published: August 2023

As a community of silence, solitude and prayer, and a place of learning and formation the Andrew Murray Centre for Spirituality (AMCS) is a remarkable institution in the Dutch Reformed Church (DRC). In this article it will be studied from the perspective of spirituality, understood as an academic discipline. The leading question is how the AMCS can find its own way of learning as distinct from the learning in seminaries and local communities of the DRC. The chapter starts with an insiderâ€™s perspective of the AMCS which provides the context for the research question. Based on Waaijmanâ€™s distinction of three main forms of spirituality, the AMCS will be considered as a school of spirituality in the Reformed tradition. The connection between Andrew Murray and Bernard of Clairvaux will guide the further exploration of a truly authentic way of learning of the AMCS within the Reformed tradition.
Andrew Murray Jr and the practice of spiritual reading
Authors: Joubert Lisel
Published: August 2023

In the writing of letters to his children Andrew Murray Jr gives the reader a glimpse in his understanding of reading not only of Scripture but of other books and texts. In his letters he teaches his children â€œhow to readâ€ using terminology that can be traced back to the Desert Fathers and the Benedictine tradition. This way of spiritual reading can be used fruitfully in dialogue with literary studies especially Reader Response theories in an age where reading, especially Bible reading, has become problematic.