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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]

A practical theology case study of transforming lives of the poor in the
Amalinda Forest Community, East London
- Authors: Gordon Ernest Dames, Mandah Khuthaza Mazantsana
  Abstract: How can the problem of poverty be addressed by those concerned about the transformational development of the poor in South Africa' The church, as a community of faith and the bearer of the Christian witness cannot be left behind when responding to this question. This article reflects on a practical theological intervention where a church moved beyond its walls to help those in need. The active role played by the church in addressing this problem and the response of the community will be brought to light. However, this is a challenge that does not affect a local church only: research findings undergird the transformative engagement of the entire church community and calls for local social and political institutions to form a multipurpose partnership to deal with poverty in affected communities.
  PubDate: 2024-07-10
  DOI: 10.17570/stj.2024.v10n2.1
  Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 2 (2024)
Amelioration of a liturgical ethos mindful of anamnesis and its
convergence with environmental justice
- Authors: Ferdi Petrus Kruger
  Abstract: This article deals with the problematic praxis of life in the Anthropocene amidst the urgent calls for environmental justice. Normally, people are confused and misled by this concept due to a political ringtone. However, the article argues that justice or righteousness should always be integral to a faith community’s outlook on life. Among numerous other ministry manifestations, liturgical praxeology offers unique opportunities to establish a deep-rooted liturgical ethos. Contemplation about the harmful effects of injustices on a meaningful life provides the opportunity to reconsider how liturgy can enhance or ameliorate a liturgical ethos grounded in moral principles. The concept of ethos touches on the persuasive or performative essence of liturgical enactment. If this is the case, surely a hunger for destruction, wars, and devastating acts that limit opportunities for a liveable life in the environment should be considered essential. The liturgical ethos must remind people to remember the precious memories of what should be done regarding righteousness (justice) and wardship. In laying the foundation for a deep-rooted ethos, responsibility takes centre stage. Faith communities, by emphasizing this sense of responsibility, can contribute towards a renewed hunger for justice and righteousness in their environments. The research question guiding this exploration is articulated as follows: How can liturgical ethos, with explicit reference to anamnesis and its convergence with the gravity of environmental justice, contribute to fostering responsibility for the environment among participants of the liturgy' This question is addressed through a qualitative literature study. Browning (1996:34), for example, is interested in practical wisdom’s (phronesis) purpose of understanding human action and defines a research activity as a process that starts with a description and then moves to the endeavour of systemization. Eventually, strategizing perspectives will offer liturgical perspectives on a liturgical ethos or praxeology that could promote moral responsibility among the liturgy participants.
  PubDate: 2024-07-09
  DOI: 10.17570/stj.2024.v10n2.2
  Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 2 (2024)
Paedagogia Homiletica Viatorum.
- Authors: Cas Wepener
  Abstract: The four movements of the “Lukan liturgy” on the road to Emmaus, specifically the gathering, word, table and sending, are used to develop route markers for a homiletical pedagogy of the road for Africa. An argument is advanced for a special kind of contact between lecturer and students that takes seriously a variety of epistemologies and ontologies; for prioritising listening to speaking; for a pedagogy that serves a postcolonial imagination; and lastly, for a teleological orientation that works with an anthropology of desire and preaching as a Christopraxis event.
  PubDate: 2024-07-09
  DOI: 10.17570/stj.2024.v10n2.5
  Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 2 (2024)
Hope as a restoration of power within a neighbourhood of poverty
- Authors: Kasebwe Timothee Luc Kabongo
  Abstract: This article is a reflection on hope. It understands hope as the willpower that makes it possible for human beings to overcome the difficulties of any given here and now and to believe that the improvement of their quality of life is possible. This research uses the grounded theology methodology to wrestle with the concept of willpower in the context of a South African township. Townships are peri-urban communities of poverty that are renowned for crime from within. The researcher lives in the township of Soshanguve and he is aware of a section of his township called Jukulyn that is renowned for its bad reputation in terms of criminal activities. He has also met several residents of Jukulyn who also think poorly of their area and wish they could move to a safer area. This research reflects on how the church could participate in restoring the hope of residents so that a bad reputation could be converted into an agency to catalyse a good quality of life for all. It discovered that disappointment in the government’s ability to provide safety and security has led to a lack of hope. It, also, discovered that a lack of communal solidarity African communities are known for has led known criminals to not be held accountable. It also discovered that joblessness and materialistic desires have led some neighbours to seek answers to their problems from their neighbours. It finally discovered that some local churches are involved in the local community as tangible signs of the restoration of hope. The research concludes that local churches could be prophetic witnesses in places like Jukulyn and proactively educate ordinary people to be agents of their good quality of life.
  PubDate: 2024-07-09
  DOI: 10.17570/stj.2024.v10n2.4
  Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 2 (2024)
A reformed theology critique of public health policies and practices in
KwaZulu-Natal
- Authors: Nkosinathi Lawrence Mbatha
  Abstract: Churches are currently successfully involved in community development and empowerment, providing health workers and agencies with support and helping meet tangible needs of the people. Four fundamental areas are undertaken in responding to the reformed critique of public health policies and practices in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), namely: public health policies and practices in light of Reformed theology, public health policies and practices in KZN, the role of religion and religious entities in contributing to health in communities and to investigate the possibilities of collaboration between church and state to improve the public health system in KZN. The article aims to establish a common framework of strengths, barriers, and make recommendations for positive church responses to public health issues in order to inform an improved collaborative strategy.
  PubDate: 2024-07-09
  DOI: 10.17570/stj.2024.v10n1.7
  Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 2 (2024)

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