https://hts.org.za/index.php/hts/issue/feedHTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies2024-03-15T10:54:42+01:00AOSIS Publishingsubmissions@hts.org.zaOpen Journal Systems<a id="readmorebanner" href="/index.php/hts/pages/view/journal-information" target="_self">Read more</a> <img style="padding-top: 2px;" src="/public/web_banner.svg" alt="" />https://hts.org.za/index.php/hts/article/view/9296Ambivalence and the unsettling aftershocks: Postcolonial perspectives on Vellem’s spirituality2024-03-15T10:54:42+01:00Buhle Mpofubuhlem202@yahoo.co.uk<p>Addressing a myriad of complex social, economic and political issues in the South African context requires that we draw from a variety of voices. This postcolonial reflection draws on the work of Vuyani Vellem’s African spirituality to highlight how it can help Africans conceptualise race epistemologically. The contribution emerged out of an article presented at a conference themed ‘unthinking West. The article employed the concepts of liminality and threshold to discuss the ambivalence encountered by Vuyani Vellem and highlights how his theological convictions still present unsettling ideological aftershocks within the unjust structures of society.</p><p><strong>Contribution:</strong> This contribution is a black liberation theological reflection, which laments how Vellem did not live to witness the full realisation of his dreams regarding the liberation of the black masses. The article identifies racial discrimination and misconceptions on African spirituality as some examples of the ‘unsettling aftershocks’ regarding challenges, which Vellem confronted within the unjust structures of South African society.</p>2024-03-14T10:00:00+01:00Copyright (c) 2024 Buhle Mpofuhttps://hts.org.za/index.php/hts/article/view/9369Religious moderation of Islamic university students in Indonesia: Reception of religious texts2024-03-13T10:54:38+01:00Benny Afwadziafwadzi@pai.uin-malang.ac.idUmi Sumbulahumisumbulah@uin-malang.ac.idNur Alinurali@uin-malang.ac.idSaifuddin Z. Qudsysaifuddin.zuhri@uin-suka.ac.id<p>Religious moderation has been popular and widely promoted to students as a countermeasure to radicalism. However, it runs across several challenges. Not to mention that radicalism has extended its influence within Islamic universities in Indonesia. Many research organisations have found that Indonesian students tend to be radical. Hence, the discussion around religious moderation among students highlights its urgency. With emphasis on the reception of Islamic university students to religious texts, this study proposed the appropriate approach to religious moderation in the context of plural Indonesian society with the reception of Qur’anic verses and hadiths that promoted moderation. It employed a qualitative approach with a purposive sampling technique involving 81 students of Islamic Religious Education of UIN Maulana Malik Ibrahim Malang as the research subjects. They were students from four semester IV and VI classes. This study revealed several key findings: firstly, the majority of students equate religious moderation with religious tolerance; secondly, students draw from a range of verses and hadiths that emphasise religious moderation, primarily on tolerance promotion; and thirdly, students’ application of religious moderation based on religious texts manifests through verbal, written and practical approaches. This study presents a model for developing religious moderation rooted in students’ comprehension of religious texts advocating moderation. This study implies using religious texts to promote moderate thought to lessen radicalism and intolerance in the world.</p><p><strong>Contribution:</strong> This study introduces a religious text-oriented approach to enhance the development of religious moderation, thereby refining strategies and methods that have predominantly emphasised aspects of social reality. The religious texts that advocate for moderation are accepted and applied by students in their lives. This contribution is crucial to lessening radicalism and intolerance in Indonesia.</p>2024-03-13T06:00:00+01:00Copyright (c) 2024 Benny Afwadzi, Umi Sumbulah, Nur Ali, Saifuddin Z. Qudsyhttps://hts.org.za/index.php/hts/article/view/8965Anti-Semitic thought and defense: Ptolemaic Egyptian writers’ rewriting of Exodus narrative2024-03-14T10:54:38+01:00Shuai Zhang1130200019@cnu.edu.cn<p>In 1879, Wilhelm Marr coined the term ‘Antisemitismus’, which aroused extensive discussion in academic circles. With the deepening of research, scholars’ research on anti-Semitism gradually traced back to the ancient world. Texts with anti-Semitic thought appeared as early as Ptolemaic Egypt. Essentially, the main purpose of these words were self-justification, a response to the sinful image of the Egyptians in the narrative of Exodus. The early Ptolemaic Egyptian writers got rid of the charges against the Egyptians by rewriting the narrative of Exodus and shifting responsibility for the entire event to the Jews. It is obvious that in the process, the image of the Jewish people has been severely vilified. Although the writers did not express a strong anti-Semitic tendency subjectively, they all expressed a certain degree of anti-Semitic thought objectively. The anti-Semitic thought was inherited by later writers in the Roman world and had a profound impact. This article focuses on the works of three Ptolemaic Egyptian writers and discusses their reasons and influences for rewriting the narrative of the Exodus in combination with their historical background.</p><p><strong>Contribution:</strong> This article discusses the origin and spread of anti-Semitic thought in the ancient world. It has important reference value for the study of ancient writers’ understanding of the Old Testament. At the same time, it has important academic value for the study of Jewish history.</p>2024-03-13T05:05:00+01:00Copyright (c) 2024 Shuai Zhanghttps://hts.org.za/index.php/hts/article/view/9016Catalysts or antidotes to downward social mobility? Critique of the ‘Big Three’ in Zimbabwe2024-03-13T10:33:10+01:00Nyasha Madzokerenyashamadzokere@gmail.com<p>The fact that Pentecostal Christianity is the fastest growing form of Christianity in Africa can no longer be a subject of debate. Christianity, one of the major religions in the world, has been growing at unprecedented rates in sub-Saharan Africa. What is being observed on the religious atmosphere is the Pentecostalisation of African Christianity in Africa in general and Zimbabwe in particular. From 2009 onwards, Zimbabwe has experienced a mushrooming spree of contemporary Pentecostalism. Though conglomerate in nature, three ecclesiastical figures overshadow the rest, namely Emmanuel Makandiwa’s United Family International Church, Uebert Angel of Good News Church and Walter Magaya of Prophetic, Healing and Deliverance Ministries. The three Pentecostal figures became highly popular through the propagation of the Gospel of Prosperity with vigour and vitality. Their presence in the Zimbabwean religious arena has attracted mixed perceptions. Some people view them as rippers of peoples’ hard-earned monies, while others regard them as true prophets – the messengers of God. The million-dollar question remains: Are they catalysts or antidotes to downward social mobility? This article grapples to assess whether the ‘Big Three’ contemporary Pentecostal prophets serve as propellers or dispellers of downward social mobility. The Big Three are antidotes based on three arguments: (1) Propagation of the Gospel of Prosperity, (2) miracle performances and (3) societal empowerment champions. On the other hand, the prophets are catalysts based on three arguments: white-collar prophecy, negation of social justice and preferential option for the Powerful. Through the application of the <em>justitia pro-povo oprimido</em> liberation hermeneutics, the study argues that the ‘Big Three’ ecclesiastical clergymen serve more as catalysts to downward social mobility than antidotes to downward social mobility. The <em>justitia pro-povo oprimido</em> liberation hermeneutics is a new methodological approach invented by the author based on liberation theology that sees Christianity as seeking the justice of the oppressed.</p><p><strong>Contribution:</strong> The article critically reflects on rise of contemporary Pentecostalism in Zimbabwe focussing on the three outstanding prophets – Emmanuel Makandiwa, Uebert Angel and Walter Magaya. While the three clergymen contributed immensely, both positively and negatively to the rise and development of African Pentecostalisation of Zimbabwe, the <em>justitia pro-povo oprimido</em> liberation hermeneutics reveals the contemporary Pentecostal figures as propellers of downward social mobility.</p>2024-03-12T06:00:00+01:00Copyright (c) 2024 Nyasha Madzokerehttps://hts.org.za/index.php/hts/article/view/9772Cross-cultural religious studies2024-03-12T10:54:34+01:00Chen Yuehuachenyuehua@zju.edu.cnIshraq Aliishraq.ali@zju.edu.cnNot Applicable2024-03-11T14:00:00+01:00Copyright (c) 2024 Chen Yuehua, Ishraq Alihttps://hts.org.za/index.php/hts/article/view/9721Erratum: ‘Living God, renew and transform us’ – 26th General Council of the World Communion of Reformed Churches, in Leipzig, Germany, 29 June to 07 July 20172024-03-09T10:54:22+01:00Jürgen Moltmannprofjbuitendag@gmail.com<p>No abstract available.</p>2024-03-07T12:00:00+01:00Copyright (c) 2024 Jürgen Moltmannhttps://hts.org.za/index.php/hts/article/view/9217The Church of Nazarene in Khayelitsha: Developing a missional spatial consciousness with special reference to COVID-192024-03-08T10:54:21+01:00Ntandoyenkosi N.N. Mlambontando.mlambo@gmail.comHenry Mbayahmbaya@sun.ac.za<p>The legacy of apartheid spatial planning can still be seen in the dynamics of spaces in South Africa today. The elite (according to research is racialised and mostly white people) lives in well-located city areas, close to economic activity and rule social life that defines cities as stated in 2016 by the Socio Economic Rights Institute of South Africa (SERI). Alternatively, mostly black South Africans are confined to urban margins in densified and poorly serviced areas, with low rates of home ownership. The effects of these policies extend beyond the urban nature, as spaces on the margin by design tend to have fewer opportunities for education compared to urban areas, and there are spatial limits to black business ownership. This article seeks to discuss a case study on a church’s use of space during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), to show an inclusionary spatial dynamic that may be used in South African spaces. Firstly, it presents an overview of the unequal spatial dynamics in South Africa, particularly Cape Town, and dynamics during COVID-19. Secondly, it provides a historical overview of the Church of the Nazarene and its foundational beliefs. Moreover, it discusses a case study of renewed spatial dynamic in church using the Church of the Nazarene in Khayelitsha. Furthermore, the case study will be used to show the innovative way they reached their community during this time. The final part will discuss how this inclusive spatial dynamic reveals an innovative dynamic in the concept of the missional church, one that goes beyond the going out contextually, but allowing the outside in as well.</p><p><strong>Contribution:</strong> This article discusses the new spatial dynamic of the missional church which inspires inclusivity. The article uses literature around space, COVID-19, mission studies and church history. Furthermore, a semi-structured interview with a church leader at the Church of the Nazarene in Khayelitsha is used for a contextual case study.</p>2024-03-07T08:00:00+01:00Copyright (c) 2024 Ntandoyenkosi N.N. Mlambo, Henry Mbayahttps://hts.org.za/index.php/hts/article/view/9527Jesus, the personified temple in Lukan ‘L’2024-03-07T10:54:20+01:00Armand Barusarmand_barus@sttaa.ac.idDany Christopherdany_christopher@sttaa.ac.id<p>Prayer and the temple were two of the most prominent themes in the Third Gospel and they have garnered scholarly interest. However, the discussion about prayer vis-à-vis the temple in Luke’s special source (L) has gone unnoticed. Using source criticism and narrative criticism, the research shows a connection between prayer and the temple in L. The relationship between the two reflects the development from a belief in the temple as a place for praying and receiving an answer, to Jesus who intercedes for the people. This article argues that the prayer in Luke’s special source revealed Jesus as the new, personified temple through whom the L communities prayed and received answers to their prayers. Based on this finding, this article then shows the possible reconstruction of the separation between Judaism and Christianity from the perspective of L communities.</p><p><strong>Contribution:</strong> This article contributes to the discussion on Lukan Christology by proposing that Jesus is the new personified temple as understood by the L communities. Such a depiction lends new support to Dunn’s reconstruction of the parting of the ways between Jews and Christians.</p>2024-03-06T06:00:00+01:00Copyright (c) 2024 Armand Barus, Dany Christopherhttps://hts.org.za/index.php/hts/article/view/9258Meaning of life and death during COVID-19 pandemic: A cultural and religious narratives2024-03-06T10:54:18+01:00Wonke Buqabuqawonke@gmail.com<p>The sudden arrival of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in South Africa drastically changed the normal way of life in all sectors. It compelled everyone to look at the meaning of life and death differently and more painfully than before. This article investigates the cultural theories and religious narratives on the meaning of life and death, associated with the pervasiveness of the COVID-19 pandemic. The coronavirus affected individuals, families and communities, some directly or indirectly, no one is or was immune to the virus. The article argues that due to COVID-19 restrictions and lockdowns, culture, religious practices and protocols have been upended. The COVID-19 pandemic challenged <em>inkcubeko nenkolo yabantu</em> [culture, people’s religious belief systems and practices]. This article consists of in-depth qualitative interviews with four religious leaders from the Christian and Muslim faiths. Because of the interviews with persons, oral historians conduct open-ended interviews, as a form of social inquiry. Oral history narratives thus connect the individual and the social, drawing on cultural and religious expressions to tell one’s story.</p><p><strong>Contribution:</strong> The scholarly contribution of this article adds value and significance to oral history research, as a way of collecting and interpreting human memories and experiences on the meaning of life and death during the COVID-19 crisis. It discusses the dreadfulness of the COVID-19 scourge concerning religious and cultural effects, social sciences and people’s narrative reflections.</p>2024-03-05T07:00:00+01:00Copyright (c) 2024 Wonke Buqahttps://hts.org.za/index.php/hts/article/view/9020Spiritual gifts in Romans 11:29–32: Critiquing revocation of ordination at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa2024-03-05T10:54:13+01:00Mogomme A. MasogaMasogaMA@ufs.ac.za<p>The case of the revocation of ordination from the two pastors by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa (hereafter, ELCSA) in the Gauteng Province, Pretoria, South Africa has motivated the present conversation. In order to respond appropriately to the scenario mentioned earlier, the research will dialogue with Paul’s teaching on spiritual gifts in Romans 11:29–32. The document released by the High Court of South Africa, Gauteng Division, Pretoria (hereafter, HCoSAP) ruled that ELCSA acted against the law and ordered that the revocation of the ordination be reversed (Case No: 62810/2018). The study comprises three main layers as follows: (1) analysis of ordination in the biblical text, including a dialogue with Paul’s view of calling and spiritual gifts in 11:29–32, (2) a ruling by the HCoSAP, and (3) a critique of ELCSA. Documentary analysis, ethnography, and participant observation are employed as methodological approaches.</p><p><strong>Contribution:</strong> The contribution of this research is two-fold. Firstly, the readership in general and believing communities in particular should adhere to the rules of the game as prescribed by the biblical text so that they will mitigate both conflict and confrontation with other congregants. Secondly, the study aims to educate societies that no one is above the law. Members of the sacred institution can appear at the high court either when their constitutional right is violated or as suspects of crime.</p>2024-03-04T07:00:00+01:00Copyright (c) 2024 Mogomme A. Masoga