bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Die morele verantwoordelikheid van internetdiensverskaffers: ‘n Christelik etiese perspektief
Authors: Britz J J , De Villiers D E 
Published: November 2012

The article deals with the moral responsibility of Internet Service Providers (ISPs) concerning the distribution of information in the virtual world, seen from the perspective of Christian Ethics. A number of case studies are discussed to illustrate some of the typical problems of responsibility experienced in this regard and the inadequacy of international legislation regulating internet services is pointed out. To adequately deal with specifically the moral responsibility of ISPs contemporary shifts in the concept of responsibility as a result of the process of modernisation are discussed. It is argued that the moral responsibility of ISPs is at least equivalent to that of other distributors of information. Nonetheless the moral responsibility ascribed to ISPs on the basis of liberal values would be different from that ascribed on the basis of Christian values. Liberals would tend to underplay the moral responsibility of ISPs to control the flow of information on the internet, while Christians would tend to emphasise their prospective responsibility to bar harmful information from the internet. However, in contemporary liberal democracies only ISPs serving Christians can be expected to exercise the moral responsibility that is regarded as ideal from a Christian perspective. From all ISPs the exercise of an optimal moral responsibility can nonetheless be expected.
Oor die inspirasie van die Bybel – ’n Perspektief van ’n Ou Testamentikus
Authors: Snyman S. D. 
Published: November 2012

This article is an attempt to engage in a onversation between biblical scholars and their dogmatic colleagues on the issue of the inspiration of the Bible. It is argued that current theories on the inspiration of the Bible can no longer be maintained in the light of our knowledge of the origin and growth of especially the Old Testament. Because of the fact that the Old Testament came into being over a considerable period of time, the idea of inspiration should be broadened to include the whole process of canonization. The idea of inspiration should be broadened ever further to include the translation and preaching of the Bible. In the end it is stated that the inspiration of the Bible is something that cannot be captured in a theory, it can only be confessed as part of the faith of believers.
Christian nominality in methodism
Authors: Bester A 
Published: November 2012

The paper explores “discipleship” in the discipline of “Building up the local church”. The empirical research indicates a perceived difference in what it means to be a disciple and what it means to be a Christian with the increasing belief that discipleship is an optional extra to the Christian calling and even a “higher form” of Christian development. The causes of nominal Christianity within Methodism and how this has resulted in a misunderstanding of true discipleship are considered. The paper opens a way forward for the local church to overcome nominal Christianity and to enable the process of making disciples and practising discipleship.
War, religion, and white supremacy in comparative perspective: South Africa and the American South
Authors: M R 
Published: November 2012

The southern states of the United States of America and South Africa share a number of analogous historical realities. One of these, which is the main subject of this article, is the way in which the memory of a lost war had fused cultural mythology and religious symbolism to provide a foundation for the formation and maintenance of attitudes of white supremacy in both contexts. This article seeks to achieve a historical understanding of the complex interrelationship between the development of cultural identity and Protestant Christianity by focusing on these issues in the histories of the Afrikaner and the white American Southerner in comparative perspective.
The interpretation of the revelatory events in John 17:24-26: An exegetical exercise
Authors: Van der Merwe D J 
Published: November 2012

John 1:18 spells out the purpose of the incarnation of the Son of God (to make God known - ejxhgei`sqai) and functions as the transition from the prologue to the rest of the Fourth Gospel. With verse 18 the Evangelist signals that the revelation of God, through his Son, is intrinsic to the composition of the Fourth Gospel. This is particularly evident in chapter 17(:24-26), where we find an explicit reference to a triadic revelation: revelation during Jesus’ ministry, post-resurrection revelation, and future eschatological revelation. The aim of the investigation of Jn 17:24-26 is to gain an understanding of what Jesus (and the Fourth Evangelist) tries to emphasize and to communicate to his disciples (and the readers) concerning his revelatory (-salvific) mission. In the exposition of this text it is pointed out what each phase in the triadic revelation comprises, and how these phases of revelation link to one another.
The poetic structure and strategy of Psalm 79
Authors: Botha Phil J 
Published: November 2012

This paper endeavours to analyse Psalm 79 as a poetic composition and an ideological document. From the analysis, it seems that the psalm primarily served a Judaean community of believers as a means of coping with their feelings of indignation, shame, and frustration some time after the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem. The argument used is that Yahweh’s efforts to exact punishment from his people for their contravening stipulations of the covenant have become detrimental to his honour. It suggests that it is time for Yahweh to act on behalf of his honour. The psalm simultaneously seems to have served as a confession of the community’s faith that Yahweh can and will intervene on their behalf.
Christian Sexual Ethics in a Time of HIV/AIDS – A Challenge for Public Theology
Authors: Haspel Michael 
Published: November 2012

HIV/AIDS poses an enormous challenge for the Christian church in Africa. Though many congregations engage in practical social programmes addressing the medical and social problems related to HIV/AIDS often there is no adequate theological concept dealing with HIV/AIDS. This article argues that starting from biblical insights and Christian anthropology in the current situation a contextual theology adressing HIV/AIDS and a respective sexual ethics have to be developped which enables hristians to live responsibly in a time of HIV/AIDS without demonising sexuality. This, in turn, could contribute to the ethical discourse in civil society and thus foster the development of a public theology.
Towards a narrative theological orientation in a global village from a postmodern urban South African perspective
Authors: Meylahn Johann-Albrecht 
Published: November 2012

This article was motivated by two of the major challenges which I believe congregations are facing within the context of ministry, namely postmodernity and globalization. After seeking a fuller description of these two challenges I sought a theological orientation within such a context (postmodern global village) as well as an ecclesiological praxis that could be transformative and redemptive within such a context. I believe to have found in the narrative orientation an appropriate way for doing theology in the postmodern context. The climax of this journey (story) is in the fusion of horizons between the theory-laden questions of descriptive theology and the historical texts of the Christian faith within the narrative orientation. I discovered that truly transformative and redemptive praxis is only possible within language communities narrative communities). These narrative communities cannot exist in isolation, but are continuously confronted and relativised by the stories of other communities in the global village and therefore these language communities need to be open to the fragmentation and pluralism of the global village, otherwise they will not be able to respond to the reality of the globalization and postmodernity. The narrative communities needed a story (sacred story) that did not deny the reality of fragmentation and pluralism, but could incorporate this reality into its story. I found this story in the story of the cross and therefore refer to the narrative communities as communities of and under the cross of Christ. These ideas formed the basis for a transformative praxis within a specific congregation, namely Pastoral Redemptive Communities. These narrative communities are not an answer to the postmodern global village, but they do offer a way of proclaiming Christ crucified and allowing the deconstruction of the cross to create a community which is a redemptive alternative to the reality of the postmodern global village. This journey was a critical journey in dialogue with other disciplines (economics, philosophy, psychology and sociology) thereby opening it up for further dialogue within these other sciences as well as dialogue with other religious communities.
Politische Theologie in den Königspsalmen zwischen Ägypten und Assyrien Die Herrscherlegitimation in den Psalmen 2 und 18 in ihren altorientalischen Kontexten
Authors: Otto Eckart 
Published: November 2012

This article deals especially with Psalm 2* and Psalm 18* and they are understood against a neo-Assyrian context. During the latter part of the eight and the first half of the seventh century the neo-Assyrian power was especially felt in Judah and the influence of its royal ideology can clearly be detected in these two psalms. Psalm 89* and Psalm 72* were also influenced by the Assyrian royal theology but these motifs were used in a subversive way. In Psalm 2* and Psalm 18* the neo-Assyrian motifs were employed to elaborate the Jerusalem royal ideology.
Trinity and mission: challenges to a reformed witness in Africa today
Authors: Venter Rian 
Published: November 2012

The paper explores the possibility of a Reformed missional response to the present moment in Southern Africa. The basic thesis is that two of the Reformed tenets – theo-centrism and intellectual reflection as part of a holistic vocation – are especially suitable for a missional response, but stand in need of radicalising. The renaissance of trinitarian thinking and the ramifications for missiology and ecclesiology are discussed. Finally attention is given to quality improvement of theological school and the articulation of a comprehensive Reformed theology for Africa. The conviction is that these emphases will simultaneously be a turn to the material world and its challenges.
Verseëling met die Heilige Gees as element in die kerklike kategese: Basisteoretiese perspektiewe
Authors: Venter C J H , Van der Merwe C N 
Published: November 2012

Too often the emphasis in catechetic instruction falls on objective cognitive content. This aspect of instruction should rather be complemented by ascertaining whether young catechumens subjectively internalise God’ s salvation and grace and make it their own by living out their confessed faith in concrete deeds of faith. The point of departure in catechetic instruction should be that the sealing of the Spirit is primarily an act of God, guaranteeing catechumens that the Spirit’ s indwelling presence is a guarantee of an ultimate and final inheritance. This promise and guarantee should be repeatedly communicated in catechetic instruction by inter alia highlighting the embedded and related meanings of the concept “sealing”. In addition related concepts complementary to “sealing” should be discussed. The process of instruction should also concentrate on explaining these concepts by applying concrete language and images on the cognitive level of children and young adults.
The infancy Gospel of Thomas: Allegory or myth – Gnostic or Ebionite?
Authors: Van Aarde A G 
Published: November 2012

The aim of this article is to show that scholars assess the Infancy Gospel of Thomas disparagingly as “illogical”, “un-Christian” and “banal”. A more positive judgment is that it is either “Gnostic” or “purified of Gnosticism”, or merely one of many ancient tales in the form of a historical allegory about Jesus as a child. The article argues that the author of the Greek version of the Infancy Gospel of Thomas in Codex Sinaiticus (Gr 453) describes the miracles of Jesus in a positive and negative light as if he were an adult. This phenomenon should be understood against the background that this second-century gospel is presented not so much in the genre of a Gnostic redeemer myth, but rather as a god-child myth that has neither an Orthodox nor a Gnostic orientation. Its context is rather early Ebionite Christianity.
The Resurrection of Jesus: do extra-canonical sources change the landscape?
Authors: Viljoen F P , Buglass A E 
Published: November 2012

The resurrection of Jesus is assumed by the New Testament to be a historical event. Some scholars argue, however, that there was no empty tomb, but that the New Testament accounts are midrashic or mythological stories about Jesus. In this article extra-canonical writings are investigated to find out what light it may throw on intra-canonical tradition. Many extra-canonical texts seemingly have no knowledge of the passion and resurrection, and such traditions may be earlier than the intra-canonical traditions. Was the resurrection a later invention? Are intra-canonical texts developments of extra-canonical tradition, or vice versa? This article demonstrates that extra-canonical texts do not materially alter the landscape of enquiry.
Waarheid en betekenisgelaagdheid
Authors: Du Toit DA 
Published: November 2012

An evaluation of an individual’ s contribution towards theology needs to be placed against the backdrop of the story of faith and theology. In this case it would be the story of religious and theological truth, taking it up in the early Christian Church with the example of the descensus. That showed a plurality of fundamental expressions of faith, as well as a plurality of the forms in which truth is expressed and layered reality of meaning which progressively became unveiled in history. Although this diversity and process was halted by the modern rationalistic intermezzo of the Enlightenment which reduced it to logical, rational and verifiable eternal truths, it gradually reappears in various forms of post-modern thought. It is part of the exciting story of faith and theology in our own time.
Can a major religion change? Reading Genesis 1–3 in the twenty-first century1
Authors: Spangenberg IJJ 
Published: November 2012

Ever since the fourth century Christian theologians read Genesis 1–3 as a historical account about creation and fall. Augustine (354–430), one of the Latin fathers of the Church, introduced the idea of “original sin” on account of his reading of these chapters. According to him God created a perfect world which collapsed because of the sin of Adam and Eve. This idea became a fixed doctrine in the Roman Catholic and Protestant Churches. The doctrine holds that every human being, by the very fact of birth, inherits a “tainted” nature in need of regeneration. Since the paradigm shift in Biblical Studies which occurred towards the end of the nineteenth century, the doctrine has come under severe criticism by Old Testament scholars. In recent years even systematic theologians are questioning the interpretation of Augustine and proclaim: “There is no fall in Scripture.” This issue is discussed in detail and an answer is given to the question whether Christians can accept other readings and whether Christianity can change.
Is intelligent design science, and does it matter?
Authors: Bateman P W , M-Ellis J M 
Published: November 2012

The debate between evolution and intelligent design is usually presented by evolutionary biologists as a clash between science and non-science (creationism and religion) and therefore as a sterile argument which science wins by default. Countering this is intelligent design (ID) and irreducible complexity (IC) which posit that the diversity and complexity of life on earth indicates the hand of a designer, although the nature of that designer is not speculated on. In doing so, proponents of ID and IC bring the argument squarely into the scientific camp and fulfil the requirements of being science, although this is difficult to define. Here, we discuss the claims of ID and IC to provide an alternative to evolution and propose that science can adequately deal with and refute these claims. At the same time, ID and IC fulfil an important role as foils to ‘scientism’ – the belief that science is the best way of answering all questions. In the final analysis, however , despite their value in the debate, ID and IC are not found to be robust or reliable enough to replace evolution as the best way of explaining the diversity of life on earth.
Does the church deliver? Perceptions amongst South Africans about the role of the church in the HIV/AIDS field
Authors: Van Dyk PJ , Van Dyk AC 
Published: November 2012

The aim of this study was to investigate the perceptions of South Africans regarding the church and their attitudes towards HIV-positive people and condom usage. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to investigate participants’ perceptions and attitudes towards the church, HIV-positive people and condom usage. The questionnaire was completed by 1352 participants from diverse religious and other backgrounds. Results showed that 67.2% of participants (mostly active church goers) were prepared to go to their minister for support (if they were HIV-positive). Views that HIV/AIDS is God’ s punishment, that HIV-infection is the result of a ‘sinful lifestyle’ and the condemnation of condom usage were more prevalent among certain categories of people (eg. those who had not been tested for HIV before, men, persons from rural areas, people of lower education level, the unemployed and in some cases the more active members of the church). A third (33.5%) of the participants believed that religious people would be less prone to HIV-infection than non-religious people. 59.1% participants (mostly women and active church goers) believed that the church is doing its best to support HIV-positive people.
Boekresensies/Book reviews
Authors: Office Editorial 
Published: November 2012

Pesch, Rudolf. Das Weihnachtsevangelium: Neu über-setzt und ausgelegt von Rudolf Pesch (Freiburg, Basel, Wien: Herder, 2007).Reiser, Marius, Bibelkritik und Auslegung der Heiligen Schrift: Beiträge zur Geschichte der biblischen Exegese und Hermeneutik.Schröter, J. 2007. Von Jesus zum Neuen Testament: Studien zur urchristlichen Theologiegeschichte und zur Entstehung des neutestamentlichen Kanons.Von Lengerke, G 2007. Die Begegnung mit Christus im Armen. Würzburg: Echter Verlag (SSSTh 43).Alston, W A & Welker, M (eds) 2007. Reformed Theology. Identity and Ecumenicity II. Biblical Interpretation in the Reformed Tradition.Stoker, Wessel 2006. Is Faith Rational? A Hermeneutical-phenomenological accounting for Faith.Fiedrowicz, Michael. Theologie der Kirchenväter: Grundlagen frühchristlicher GlaubensreflexionGrözinger, A 2008. Homiletik. Lehrbuch Praktische Theologie. Band 2. Gütersloh: Gütersloher Verlagshaus.
Un martyr canadien de la Révolution française
Authors: Oury Guy-Marie 
Published: November 2012

Henri-François de Noyelle (1763-1794) est né à Loches dans une famille canadienne rentrée en France après la capitulation du pays. Il conserva toujours un lien avec le « pays » où vivaient toujours des membres de sa famille. Il fit partie de la marine française et fut envoyé aux Antilles pendant la Guerre d’indépendance américaine. Revenu en France il devint moine à l’abbaye bénédictine de Saint-Florent de Saumur. Quand la Révolution ferma ce couvent en 1790, il alla rejoindre ses frères à Marmoutier. Mais les ecclésiastiques réfractaires étaient pourchassés par la justice révolutionnaire. Arrêté à Amiens en décembre 1793, il fut guillotiné au mois d'août suivant.
Mgr Plessis et le journal de son voyage en Europe
Authors: Gallichan Gilles 
Published: November 2012

En 1819 et 1820, l’évêque de Québec, Mgr Joseph-Octave Plessis, entreprend un voyage en Europe pour régler en Angleterre, en France et à Rome diverses affaires de son diocèse. Mission à la fois diplomatique, politique et religieuse, ce voyage s’avère une étape importante pour le statut de l’Église catholique romaine dans l’Amérique britannique de l’époque. Au cours des dernières années de sa vie, Mgr Plessis a rédigé ses souvenirs de voyage qui furent publiés en 1903. À travers ce journal, l’évêque s’y révèle par ses valeurs, ses points de vue et ses goûts. Mais surtout, ce document apparaît comme une riche source d’histoire et d’ethnologie.
Increased risk of osteoporosis and fracture in women with systemic sclerosis: A comparative study with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Avouac Jérôme , Koumakis Eugénie , Toth Emese , Meunier Marine , Maury Emilie , Kahan André , Cormier Catherine , Allanore Yannick 
Published: November 2012

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate whether women with systemic sclerosis (SSc) have an increased risk of osteoporosis (OP) and related fractures compared to a high‐risk population with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and also healthy controls, and to determine putative specific OP and fracture risk factors.MethodsWe performed a cross‐sectional study with successive inclusion of age‐matched healthy women and women with SSc and RA. Risk factors for OP and fracture were collected for all patients. Bone mineral density (BMD) was systematically measured at the lumbar spine and total hip region with dual x‐ray absorptiometry.ResultsWe included 71 women with SSc, 139 women with RA, and 227 healthy women. The prevalence of OP and fracture was similar in SSc and RA, and was for both diseases higher than in healthy controls (OP: 30% in SSc, 32% in RA, and 11% in controls; fracture: 35% in SSc, 33% in RA, and 10% in controls). Multivariate analysis identified age as a risk factor of OP in SSc. Age and low 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) levels were recognized as risk factors of fracture in SSc. In comparison, age and corticosteroid treatment were associated with OP in RA. Multivariate analysis confirmed age, OP, and low 25(OH)D levels as independent risk factors of fractures in RA.ConclusionThe prevalence of OP and fracture in SSc was increased compared to healthy women and reached the high prevalence associated with RA. Age and vitamin D deficiency were identified as risk factors of fracture in SSc. Therefore, increasing the awareness and performance of BMD measurements together with the vitamin D supply in patients with SSc is warranted.