JournalTOCs

Stellenbosch Theological Journal
Number of Followers: 2

This is an Open Access Journal

Open Access journal
ISSN (Print) 2413-9459 - ISSN (Online) 2413-9467
Published by Stellenbosch University

[12 journals]

Cura vocalis.
- Authors: Cas Wepener, Clara Wepener
  Abstract: In this article the fields of speech and language pathology and of homiletics join hands to explore the theological and spiritual aspects of preaching in combination with the aspects influencing voice production in the (South) African context; this is done to highlight the importance of reflexivity/self-awareness and the self-care of preachers. The main aim of the article is to promote the need for a distinctly (South) African cura vocalis by exploring factors that influence preaching and use of voice in this context. This aim is pursued by firstly describing preaching as a performance that involves the whole human body. The article then describes and discusses the challenges that preachers face in the (South) African context. These homiletical and contextual insights are augmented with insights from the domain of speech and language pathology, which includes a brief description of the main organs involved in voice production and how voice works, along with factors that have an impact on voice production and vocal quality. The final section presents the need for a cura vocalis in the service of a cura homiletica, which promotes early intervention to deal with voice pathologies related to the practice of preaching as well as methods to prevent such pathologies from developing.
  
  PubDate: 2023-09-12
  DOI: 10.17570/stj.2023.v9n2.a06
  Issue No: Vol. 9, No. 2 (2023)
Character formation and emerging adulthood
- Authors: Prof Shantelle Weber
  Abstract: Adolescence and emerging adulthood are characterized by developing owned values, ideas, lifestyle habits, etc. Character expresses values and virtues we consider to be important, relates to goals we aim at and deals with both emotions (desires) and cognitions, it is about attitudes in concrete practices. Moral conversion refers to the process through which this character is formed. It includes one’s faith, identity, and moral journey. Amid a diversity of social contexts, spiritual resources, and communities; people demonstrate how they respond to situations and whether character is indeed demonstrated. Character could also be formed in these varying contexts and situations. We develop further knowledge about emerging adults and character (formation) and would like to know how young people live out any specific values, grow and change in their moral attitude through participating in certain practices. We assume the intention of our acts, show moral considerations, and is for Christians somehow connected to the gospel, but this truth remains to be evidenced empirically. Through empirical research conducted with emerging adults studying theology in South Africa and Netherlands, this article investigates how these emerging adults consider character formation through their lenses of religious beliefs and in the midst of certain practices or situations, in particular crises.
  PubDate: 2023-08-23
  DOI: 10.17570/stj.2023.v9n2.a4
  Issue No: Vol. 9, No. 2 (2023)
Exploring attributes for an authentic Christian spirituality in an age of
growing secularization and scepticism
- Authors: Glenda Alma Dames
  Abstract: The focus of the article is to highlight authentic exponents of the Christian faith and to elicit the attributes of Christian spirituality. The first goal is to provide a backdrop of current notions and applications of spirituality and its impact on Christian spirituality. Secondly, to conceptualise spirituality in a universal sense. Thirdly, to examine spirituality within a Christian framework. With reference to the Christian context, biblical and theological resources such as the theology of Thurneysen (1963), Chmielewski (2017) and Ridderbos (1962), amongst others, will be applied. Biblical texts and leading authors on Christian spirituality will also be consulted. From these conceptualisations an analysis will be made regarding the different attributes of spirituality generically, and Christian spirituality, specifically. The methodological approach will be from a Christian hermeneutic perspective. Finally, conclusions will be made to highlight the findings regarding the features of authenticity and its link to attributes of Christian spirituality today.
  PubDate: 2023-08-16
  DOI: 10.17570/stj.2023.v9n2.a07
  Issue No: Vol. 9, No. 2 (2023)
War on women
- Authors: Daniel Andrew
  Abstract: South African men have declared war on women, a statement expressing the fight against gender-based violence (GBV). Some argue that such a statement is unfair towards men who still respect the right to health and safety of women in society, while others argue that the roots of this war find their basis in disaster patriarchy. Disaster patriarchy is a process whereby men exploit a crisis to reassert control and dominance, erase women’s rights, women lose their safety, economic power, autonomy, and education and are pushed to the frontlines unprotected. The question is, what does the term “war” have to do with the fight against GBV; how does it find its roots in patriarchy; what can be done to bring this war to an end; and what are the practical theological tools needed to fight and end this war' The study is done from a Classical Pentecostal perspective, focusing specifically on the position of the Apostolic Faith Mission on war, their deliberations on patriarchy and GBV, and what role Pentecostal congregations can play to end this war. The study offers an analysis of patriarchy that serves as a basis for the war on women, engagement with the national GBV plan and its implementation by religious actors, especially Pentecostal congregations, and proposes a humanizing pneumatological approach that recognizes the human rights of those affected by the war and how to strengthen their agency and resilience. The study follows a comparative literature approach and is done using an interdisciplinary lens, consulting literature from the fields of theology, sociology, law and philosophy.
  PubDate: 2023-08-07
  DOI: 10.17570/stj.2023.v9n2.a5
  Issue No: Vol. 9, No. 2 (2023)
Wit issie 'n colour nie (it is a "sermon"!)'
- Authors: martin laubscher
  Abstract: There is a growing need to critically engage the three loaded key concepts in our title – preaching, faith formation, and whiteness – within the contemporary South African context. In doing so, I propose a reflective reading on the following three primary texts, namely Nathan Trantraal’s Wit issie ’n colour nie (2018), Johan Cilliers’ God for us' An analysis and assessment of Dutch Reformed preaching during the apartheid years (2006 [1994]), and Willie James Jennings’ After whiteness – A theological education in belonging (2020). The background for this discussion is to recognise the “(white) elephant in the room”, confess that it is not simply a mere matter of “(just) white noise”, or telling “secret little (white) lies”, and examine how whiteness in our sermons may be transformed and more transformative of more colourful and imaginative Christian witness.
  ess.
  PubDate: 2023-08-02
  DOI: 10.17570/stj.2023.v9n2.a3
  Issue No: Vol. 9, No. 2 (2023)
Mortality Salience and Cemetery Memorialization
- Authors: C Lynn Gibson
  Abstract: The investigation focuses on two previously unrelated thanatological concepts that support pastoral care when facing the loss of a loved one to death: mortality salience and cemetery memorialization. Two research questions are explored: (a) What positive psychological structures from mortality salience buffer existential death anxiety' and (b) How may pastoral deathcare providers reframe modern cemetery memorialization practices to influence the outcomes of mortality salience among the bereaved' Findings from current literature discuss the priming of worldview defenses, self-esteem, and nostalgia as important buffering mechanisms to strengthen psychosocial and spiritual well-being. To assist in the healthy adaptation of loss, the investigation examines the contemporary practices of cremation and permanent placement of dead human bodies and the interplay between mortality salience and cemetery memorialization within the death-avoidant context of deritualization. The investigation elucidates how deathcare practitioners may assuage grief and support active mourning among the bereaved.
  PubDate: 2023-08-02
  DOI: 10.17570/stj.2023.v9n2.a2
  Issue No: Vol. 9, No. 2 (2023)
Speaking truth to power
- Authors: Ian Nell
  Abstract: Scholars believe that we are amid one of the greatest cultural revolutions since the mass production of books in Gutenberg around 1450. The art of book printing, which originated in Central Europe, turned the world on its head within 10 years. The mass production of books resulted in most people in Europe learning to read in less than one generation, which has led to major changes in all areas of social life and has affected the lives of millions of people for over a hundred years. According to these same scholars, we currently find ourselves in a similar position through what is known as the AI (artificial intelligence). In this article, the researcher wants to come to a better understanding of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) and AI as part of it and the way they challenge preachers. The central research question is: In our pursuit to speak truth to power, what are the challenges and opportunities that the 4IR is posing to preachers'
  PubDate: 2023-07-19
  DOI: 10.17570/stj.2023.v9n2.a1
  Issue No: Vol. 9, No. 2 (2023)