Acta Theologica is an accredited South African journal publishing independently refereed research articles on religion and theology. The Editorial Board will consider articles in English, Afrikaans, German and Dutch, written from any responsible point of view on subjects in any applicable field of scholarship. Before publication all contributions are refereed anonymously by at least two other scholars who are recognised as experts in the particular subject area.

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The Globethics library contains articles of Acta Theologica as of vol. 29(2009) no. 2 to current.

Recent Submissions

  • Shall we dance? Choreographing hospitality as key to interpersonal transformation

    Marchinkowski, G.W. (Faculty of Theology and Religion, University of the Free State, 2023-12-13)
    The icon of the Holy Trinity by Andrei Rublev (1425) is a celebration of hospitality. This article contemplates the icon through Henri Nouwen’s eyes, using his methodology, and shows how the spiritual practice of hospitality is key to interpersonal transformation. The article considers Nouwen’s proposition that hospitality involved creating a space of true freedom in which the stranger can become a friend. It discusses Beatrice Bruteau’s view that such a free space required a communion paradigm in interpersonal relations, before investigating Nouwen’s unique metaphor for interpersonal transformation, a movement from hostility to hospitality. Finally, the article formulates principles for the spiritual practice of hospitality for ordinary people in everyday life, by considering the contributions of contemporary spiritual writers, Barbara Brown Taylor and Christine Pohl. Brown Taylor believes that the practice of hospitality began with paying attention, and Pohl warns against the challenges associated with its practice.
  • Jeremiah 29:5-7 reread through the lens of posttraumatic growth

    Li, X. (Faculty of Theology and Religion, University of the Free State, 2023-12-13)
    Jeremiah 29:5-7 is well known for exhorting the exiles to settle down and pray for the welfare of Babylon. The idea of settling down conflicts with the prophecy of returning home in the book of Jeremiah, and it sounds odd to encourage prayer for the enemy. Typical solutions focus on the strategy of survival. However, these solutions are not convincing enough because the language used in Jeremiah 29:5-7 indicates that the exhortation involves not survival but restoration. Given the background of national trauma behind the book of Jeremiah, this article proposes rereading Jeremiah 29:5-7 from the perspective of posttraumatic growth (PTG). Accordingly, the exhortation to settle down reflects the domain of appreciation of life in PTG, and the exhortation to pray for Babylon indicates the belief in a just world for self (BJW-self), which is closely related to PTG and entails forgiving others.
  • An Afro-Christian contextual analysis of presidential pardon in post-colonial African politics

    Igboin, B.O. (Faculty of Theology and Religion, University of the Free State, 2023-11-30)
    Presidential or royal pardon is an age-long practice in precolonial Africa as well as in biblical times. This practice has never been without criticisms because of how, and on whom the pardon is granted. The trial of Jesus has been vastly studied within an African theo-interpretive model. However, the demand for the release of Barabbas rather than Jesus has not been adequately studied in a contextual or comparative theo-political manner in Africa. This is the thrust of this article. Using the desktop method, the article argues that presidential pardon granted to convicted criminals who are not allowed to serve judicial punishment is a stimulant for inveterate corruption in the polity. The theoretical argument of this article is that many African political leaders often resort to this kind of pardon that has adversely affected the polity. The significance of this is that this behaviour emboldens political leaders to continue to corrupt the system with dire consequences for the people.
  • Faith formation in the tension interplay of tools, processes and the course for social transformation

    Moyo, M; Pali, K.J. (Faculty of Theology and Religion, University of the Free State, 2023-12-13)
    Theological commentators indicate that the church in Africa faces the challenge of converting the Christian faith into practice. This calls for reconsidering the practice of forming faith among African churches. According to Astley (2018:16), in Christianity, faith formation is more than learning about Christ; it is about “learning” Christ. Learning Christ as Christian formation constitutes the shaping of the dimensions of faith, namely orthopraxis, orthopatheia, and intelligentia (Maddix et al. 2020:6). This article discusses Gadamer’s conversation theory as the means to inform and form these dimensions of faith. This entails that, for faith to be informed and formed in its dimensions, there is a need for an effective conversation among tools, processes, and contexts. The discussion revolves around the following question: How can the tools and processes of faith formation effectively converse with context in order to facilitate the learning of Christ in terms of informing and forming these dimensions of faith? Using conversation theory and literature review, this article discusses the tension interplay of tools, processes, and discerning contexts for a holistic approach to informing and forming the dimensions of faith.
  • Interview with Prof. Piet Meiring

    Laubscher, M (Faculty of Theology and Religion, University of the Free State, 2023-12-13)
    Professor Piet Meiring was born in Johannesburg in 1941. He studied at the University of Pretoria, and at the Free University, Amsterdam. He was ordained to the ministry of the Dutch Reformed Church (DRC) in 1968 and served in three congregations in Pretoria. His academic career includes the chair in Missiology and Church History, University of the North (Turfloop); a parttime lectureship at the University of South Africa.
  • Semiotics of alterity and the cultural dimensions of Bible translation

    Naudé , J.A.; Miller-Naudé , C.L.; Obono, J.O. (Faculty of Theology and Religion, University of the Free State, 2023-12-13)
    Translated sacred writings from various religious traditions often retain a few selected cultural terms borrowed from the incipient sign system, while other cultural dimensions are translated in ways that can broadly be construed as domestication. By contrast, many Bible translation agencies eschew translation strategies in which cultural terms are borrowed, advocating in stead for wholesale domestication. In this article, we develop a theoretical framework for representing the alterity, but not the foreignness, of the Bible in translation. Alterity involves the incipient sign system, namely the biblical languages and their cultural contexts ranging from Iron Age Israel within the context of the Ancient Near East for the Old Testament to Roman Palestine in the first century for the New Testament. Examples from African contexts, including Afrikaans (South Africa), Lokaa (Nigeria) and Tira (Sudan), illustrate multiple approaches to representing alterity and provide an important corrective to current practice in many Bible translation projects.  
  • “If I forget you Jerusalem” (Ps. 137:4). The Transmission of Sacred Discourse in the Bible and in African Indigenous Sacred Texts

    Mensah, M.K. (Faculty of Theology and Religion, University of the Free State, 2023-11-30)
    African biblical scholars have long advocated a shift in existing exegetical and hermeneutical approaches. The reasons include not simply the inadequacy of these approaches in dealing with the existential questions of contemporary African societies, but also their lack of effectiveness in transmitting the results of the exegetical process to receptor cultures in Africa, partly to be blamed on their colonialist legacy. One pathway to resolving the above challenge, which remains insufficiently explored, is to engage in a dialogue between the biblical text and African indigenous sacred texts. This paper, using a dialogical approach of African biblical hermeneutics, brings Psalm 137 into dialogue with the Adinkra amammere (tradition), an indigenous text of the Akan of Ghana. It argues that reading these texts together uncovers their complementary views on the preservation and transmission of sacred discourse and could facilitate reception of the biblical message in contemporary Ghanian society.
  • Acting queerly: Jonah as the implicated subject and vulnerability

    Snyman, G.F. (Faculty of Theology and Religion, University of the Free State, 2023-11-30)
    The article poses the following question: how is queerness implicated in the Book of Jonah? Queerness is viewed more in the light of politics than identity, defining the term more in relation to power and the questioning of power than in the light of gender and sexuality. A decolonial turn is incorporated into Queer Hermeneutics. After a brief presentation of the story, the article looks at specific points of departure involved in the reading of the book: a double ethics of interpretation, vulnerability, and an implicated subject. With these in mind, the question about queerness in the Book of Jonah is discussed. The essay concludes that the spectacle of the conversion of the Ninevites constitutes a drag performance whilst Jonah’s watching of this drag performance queers himself in as much as he suffers the heat and wind while remaining silent. The article poses the following question: How is queerness implicated in the Book of Jonah? Queerness is viewed more in light of politics than identity, defining the term more in relation to power and the questioning of power than in light of gender and sexuality. A decolonial turn is incorporated into Queer Hermeneutics. After a brief presentation of the story, the article examines specific points of departure involved in the reading of the book, namely a double ethics of interpretation, vulnerability, and an implicated subject. With these in mind, the question about queerness in the Book of Jonah is discussed. The article concludes that the spectacle of the conversion of the Ninevites constitutes a drag performance, whereas Jonah’s watching of this dragperformance queers himself in as much as he suffers the heat and wind while remaining silent.
  • Adaptive translation of medieval morality plays for contemporary African audiences: A case study of the morality play Everyman in Sesotho

    Makutoane, T.J. (Faculty of Theology and Religion, University of the Free State, 2023-12-13)
    Morality plays such as Everyman were first produced in England during the latter half of the 15th century. Their fictional nature, however, clothed moral truths in line with Catholic doctrines. The main aim of these plays was to teach audiences lessons in Christian living and salvation. Although these plays initially have a Catholic background, this does not exclude them from providing valuable lessons in Christian teaching to Protestant believers of the 21st century. The major problem with these plays is their interpretation of theological concepts such as “saints”, “Adonia”, and “priests”, making it difficult for Protestant believers, the Sesotho audience, in this case, to understand Everyman translated in Sesotho and written from a Catholic perception of such concepts. This article seeks to address the most important question: How can a better translation of the morality play Everyman be offered to Sesotho-speaking Protestant believers? The answer to this question is that an adaptative translation of the morality play Everyman into Sesotho better addresses the needs of these Protestant believers. In addition, this kind of translation should also be performative. The study uses the research methodologies of translation adaptation, performance criticism, and the functionalist skopos theory within the broader theoretical framework of a complexity approach to translation.
  • Reviewers of articles received for publication in 2023

    Hoffman, L. (Faculty of Theology and Religion, University of the Free State, 2023-12-13)
    Reviewers of articles received for publication in 2023
  • Inequalities within Uniting Reformed Church in Southern Africa on gender, with special reference to lGBTQIA+: Imago Dei

    Modise, L. (Faculty of Theology and Religion, University of the Free State, 2023-12-13)
    This article consists of five parts on equality within faith communities. First, the focus is on the creation of human beings as the image of God on an equal basis. The premise is that LGBTQIA+ people are created as human beings in the image of God, deserving to be welcomed in faith communities. Second, the article focuses on the way in which missionaries have taught African converts to interpret the Bible on many serious human rights issues. Third, the position of the Uniting Reformed Church in Southern Africa (URCSA) is discussed, utilising the contents of the General Synods, spanning from Pietermaritzburg (2005) to Stellenbosch (2022). Fourth, this study reflects on the challenges faced by denominations who accept LGBTQIA+ people regarding marriage and their ordination. The challenge seems to be about the fundamental reading of the Bible, confession, and Church Order articles, which are discussed here. Fifth, recommendations are proposed to address this inequality. This article is approached from an anthropological-missional viewpoint when addressing this inequality within communities of faith.
  • The dialogical theology of Hans Küng: Clash between the Catholic Mission and Islamic Da’wah in Indonesia

    Riyanto, W.F.; Galle’, P.T. (Faculty of Theology and Religion, University of the Free State, 2023-12-13)
    This article explains the clash between the Catholic mission and Islamic Da’wah in Indonesia, as viewed from the theological perspective of Hans Küng (1928-2021). Küng was neither an orientalist nor an Islamologist; he was a Catholic theologian who contributed to interreligious dialogue for world peace. The primary source of data in this study is Küng’s work. The study findings assert that Küng proposed a dialogical-theological concept that is established on three pillars, namely autocritique of religion, global ethic, and dialogue among civilisations. Küng’s “dialogue among civilisations” is an antithesis to “clash of civilisations” proposed by S.P. Huntington (1927-2008). The findings indicate relevance in the Indonesian context. The three pillars are in line with the concept of Rational Islam, universal values in Pancasila, and the presence of the Center of Religious Harmony ofthe Republic of Indonesia. 
  • Resilient religion: What good is religion for?

    Hermans, C.A.M. (Faculty of Theology and Religion, University of the Free State, 2023-12-13)
    Good refers to the intrinsic value or telos (purpose) of religion. The author starts with the claim that religion keeps alive, in thinking, the awareness of ultimate meaning (“truth”); in actions, the focus on human dignity and the common good, and, in the heart of man, the longing for fulfilling happiness, peace of heart, and love. As spiritual beings, human beings transcend the given towards the telos or purpose of life. At the same time, human beings experience being thrown in the limits of time and space. When the synthesis between the self as open to the ultimate and the self as limited is not realised, human beings experience a heartbreaking adversity. The intrinsic value of religion is the promotion of this synthesis. The author analyses three mediating processes of resilience that promote the possibility of a synthesis: the recognition of contingency, the experience of fulfilling happiness, and the wonder of possibilisation (new beginnings). Finally, the author links resilience to the concept of God as creator.
  • Have we lost touch with the Prophet Amos's warning? Church leaders and blood money rituals among youths in Nigeria

    Uroko, F.C. (Faculty of Theology and Religion, University of the Free State, 2023-12-13)
    This article reviews the literature on how religious leaders in Nigeria have become complacent and conspire in thecorrupt activities of members of their congregations. Church leaders, who are meant to be guardians of ethics and morality, have lost it and are now dining with and covering people of dubious character. Some of these young people who engage in money rituals give money to these pastors, who accept it without inquiry. These young people are revered in the church and receive special prayers and honours. Others, who aspire to the same honours, seek ways to generate quick cash. This study investigates the role of church leaders in the growing ritual activities among Nigerian youths. It concludes by admonishing church leaders to emulate the life of Jesus, who was not afraid to speak the truth to the people whomhe was shepherding.  
  • Toward a reinterpretation of sacramental theology in the context of pandemics: The case of the Methodist Church in Zimbabwe

    Mujinga, M. (Faculty of Theology and Religion, University of the Free State, 2023-12-13)
    The advent of Covid-19 and the subsequent closing of religious institutions through lockdowns created a pandemonium that saw churches not being able to meet physically for worship. Covid-19 lockdowns diluted the traditional meaning of sacramental theology for mainline churches. The effects of the pandemic were bad that, churches in Zimbabwe were closed towards lent season in 2020. Mainline churches that used to shun the technologisation of religion were forced to embrace technology in order to be relevant. Unfortunately, sacraments that demanded face to face administration remained a theological dilemma. Using the Methodist Church in Zimbabwe as a case study, the aim of this paper was to challenge the church’s traditional sacramental theology and propose a theological treatise that has relevance in the context of pandemics like Covid-19. The paper proposed a reinterpretation of sacramental theology that makes the rite sacredness to the lives of the parishioners even during pandemics.
  • Moving methodologies. Doing practical and missional theology in an African context

    Schoeman, W.J. (Faculty of Theology and Religion, University of the Free State, 2023-12-13)
    Moving methodologies is an edited volume with the focus on doing practical and missional theology within an African context. The volume is written by scholars from the Department of Practical and Missional Theology at Stellenbosch University. The authors of the different chapters are from different races, genders, and denominations, as well as from different sub-disciplines within the department. The diversity of different voices from various angles in this volume should be appreciated.
  • A post-colonial political theology of care and praxis in Ethiopia’s era of identity politics: Reframing hegemonic and fragmented identities through subjective in-betweenness

    Terefe, N.A. (Faculty of Theology and Religion, University of the Free State, 2023-12-13)
    This book is a revised version of the author’s PhD thesis that was submitted to Denver University and the Iliff School of Theology. In the introductory section, the author discusses how her social location motivated her to research the topic of identity politics in Ethiopia. She argues that identity politics has been a major factor in Ethiopia’s political instability and violence. Ethiopia experiences frequent identity-based violence. Molla indicates that identity politics has divided Ethiopian society and eliminated in-between spaces where people can coexist in equality, solidarity, and justice. She proposes a post-colonial political theology of care and practice to reframe hegemonic and fragmented identities and create new in-between spaces for dialogue and cooperation. She contends that post-colonial discourse and the praxis of in between pastoral care can disrupt and challenge hegemonic definitions of culture, identity, home, and subjectivity.
  • Nkunimdie Christology: An Akan contextual expression of the Christus Victor motif of atonement

    Boaheng, I. (Faculty of Theology and Religion, University of the Free State, 2023-12-13)
    The Akan community of Ghana has a large Christian following. Nonetheless, many Akan believers still consult traditional priests for protection, wealth, and power. This happens not because these Christians doubt the theological fact that Christ offered an atonement, but because they do not consider the atonement as providing them with adequate protection against evil forces. This situation makes the quest to closely investigate their concept of Christ fairly urgent and useful. To address the issue, there is the need to project Christ’s power over evil forces. One of the models of atonement that is helpful in this regard is the Christus Victor which emphasises the victory that Christ won over Satan and his host through his death on the cross. This research, therefore, aims to give contextually express the Christus Victor motif of Christ’s atonement from an Akan Christian perspective. This research is based on literature involving theological and ethical analyses of, and reflections on the Christus Victor model of atonement and how it can address the Akan Christian need for spiritual protection and economic liberation. The resulting theology is a contextual theology that incorporates the biblical world view, the Akan world view, and the Christus Victor model of atonement. Thus, the article seeks to bring about positive reforms in Akan religio-ethical beliefs and practices, and hence empower Akan Christians not only to discontinue their reliance on traditional powers, but also to have complete trust in Christ’s atonement alone as means of providing them with all their physical and spiritual needs.
  • Daar is méér. ’n Outobiografiese reisverhaal deur Amper-Stamperland en Metaversum

    Hoffman, L. (Faculty of Theology and Religion, University of the Free State, 2023-12-13)
    Die eeue-oue menslike vraag – Wat is die sin van die lewe? Wat is die sin in lyding? Daniël Louw gaan op ’n reis om hierdie vrae vanuit Amper-Stamperland en die “nuwe wêreld”, die Metaversum, te belig. Die boek wil nie kitsantwoorde gee nie – daarvoor is dit te lywig. Op hierdie vrae is daar immers nie vinnige antwoorde nie. ’n Pragtige voorblad wat herinner aan iets uit die (’n) ruimte met die uitdagende woorde in groot rooi letters: “Daar is méér”. Die taalgebruik is kreatief – keurig deur ’n kunstenaar aangewend vanaf ’n palet van Afrikaanse teologiese en filosofiese taal. Konsepte soos “Wat en waar is die middel C van die Christelike geloof?”; “Die misterie van verwondering: ’n Libretto met die titel ‘Daar is méér!’”; “Klopdisselboom met ’n pedonkiekar in Amper-Stamperland”; “Pikkewouters: Amperkaraktertjies in die Wilde Weste van stamper”; “bewolkte rekenarisering” (“computer clouding”); “blokkettings” (“block chains”). Die boek is deurspek met illustrasies en verduidelikings van dit wat in die teks bespreek word. Dit skep die indruk van ’n reis oppad iewers heen, maar langs die pad is allerlei ter saaklike “afdraaipaadjies” wat die reis letterlik en figuurlik inkleur.
  • Astrotheology: The natural interface between hyperspace and the Trinity

    Pieterse, A.C. (Faculty of Theology and Religion, University of the Free State, 2023-12-13)
    Over the past few decades, physicists are seeking a unifying theory that could encapsulate the theories of general relativity and quantum mechanics, our understanding of the very big and the infinitesimal small, into one all-inclusive theory. This quest led to a renewed interest in the proposal of hyperspace, which states that the structure of space and time are folded into one another, creating multiple dimensions. The author believes that the biblical confession about the resurrected Christ could be beneficial to science and theology in this respect. Biblical testimony provides insight into the apparent natural and effortless movement of Christ between the different dimensions in nature. Astrotheology, as a nexus between the different disciplines, is well equipped to describe themeaning and implications of the resurrection with regard to the fabric of space-time. The author opines that it could facilitate as a natural interface between hyperspaceand the Trinity. This proposal aims to accentuate, from a scriptural point of view, that reality indeed comprises more than four dimensions and that astrotheology could make a significant epistemological contribution in the dialogue about hyperspace and God’s agency in creation.  

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