Cover image: This cover design was created by Natascha Olivier/Coco Design with the use of an ill... more Cover image: This cover design was created by Natascha Olivier/Coco Design with the use of an illustration {45839} obtained from Freepik.com, titled 'Free vector africa map logo template', available from silhouette&position=2&from_view=search&track=ais, under the Freepik.com licensing terms.
This article contributes to an interdisciplinary discussion between pastoral theology, practical ... more This article contributes to an interdisciplinary discussion between pastoral theology, practical theology, and systematic theology from a Reformed perspective with a focus on the practical participation of members of the church congregation in pastoral care as the 'family of God'.
Wie is Jesus? Leer ken die ware aard van Jesus in 40 studies, is 'n Bybelstudie geskryf deur ... more Wie is Jesus? Leer ken die ware aard van Jesus in 40 studies, is 'n Bybelstudie geskryf deur die bekende skrywer, Adrio Konig. Met die eerste beskouing van die tema kom die vraag onmiddellik in jou gedagtes : "Wie is Jesus?". Wanneer 'n mens die 40 studies deurwerk, besef jy dat dit waarlik 'n ontdekkingstog is wat jou 'n ryker kennis en belewing van ons Here Jesus Christus bied.
Darwin se evolusieteorie wat in die 18e eeu gepubliseer is, was 'n elegante, sinvolle en logi... more Darwin se evolusieteorie wat in die 18e eeu gepubliseer is, was 'n elegante, sinvolle en logiese verklaring van waangenome data. Hierdie teorie is deur die destydse wetenskaplike gemeenskap aangegryp, omdat dit vir die eerste keer 'n alternatief gebied het vir die skeppingsverhaal in die Bybel. Voorstanders van die teorie was oortuig daarvan dat die ontstaan en verskeidenheid van lewe op aarde volledig deur evolusie en natuurlike seleksie verklaar kon word. Die evolusieteorie het mettertyd normatiewe status verwerf, wat daartoe gelei het dat die totaliteit van die menslike kennis deur 'n filter van ewekansige toeval geïnterpreteer is. Teenstanders van hierdie materialistiese praktyk is in baie gevalle gebrandmerk as randfigure. Sedertdien het die natuurwetenskap en die tegnologie egter dramaties ontwikkel en nuwe waarnemings op die makro-, sowel as op die mikrovlak, het gelei tot 'n groeiende aantal vrae wat nie deur 'n onbegeleide, willekeurige meganisme verklaa...
guilt and shame can be traumatic, self-conscious experiences which have an impact on sexually abu... more guilt and shame can be traumatic, self-conscious experiences which have an impact on sexually abused adolescents' physical, psychological, social, emotional, moral and religious development. It can determine the adolescents' behaviour, their views of themselves and their interpersonal relationships. guilt and shame arouse feelings of helplessness, anger, blame, bitterness and the need for retaliation, while forgiveness can relieve these impulses effectively and be utilised as a source for a recovering experience. through the use of forgiveness as a coping mechanism, abused adolescents can be guided to handle unresolved emotional experiences (unfinished business) and break free from guilt and shame. A pastoral gestalt theory can assist abused adolescents with the necessary awareness to focus on their foreground in order to reach self-regulation of their emotional experience.
Wie is Jesus? Leer ken die ware aard van Jesus in 40 studies, is 'n Bybelstudie geskryf deur ... more Wie is Jesus? Leer ken die ware aard van Jesus in 40 studies, is 'n Bybelstudie geskryf deur die bekende skrywer, Adrio Konig. Met die eerste beskouing van die tema kom die vraag onmiddellik in jou gedagtes : "Wie is Jesus?". Wanneer 'n mens die 40 studies deurwerk, besef jy dat dit waarlik 'n ontdekkingstog is wat jou 'n ryker kennis en belewing van ons Here Jesus Christus bied.
Spiritual coping has been defined as an individual’s ability to utilise faith in God combined wit... more Spiritual coping has been defined as an individual’s ability to utilise faith in God combined with certain Christian beliefs and religious practices to appraise, understand, and effectively cope with stress. We aimed to show the Christian how specific spiritual coping strategies and religious practices could be used to effectively assess and handle chronic stress from a faith perspective amid the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and beyond. A literature study was conducted to identify positive and negative coping strategies during the COVID-19 era and highlighted the adverse effects of chronic stress and defensiveness. Recent findings on religion, the validated bio-engineered chronic stress phenotype, the Coping Strategy Indicator (CSI), Africultural Coping Systems Inventory (ACSI) and the effect of spiritual coping skills were assessed. In addition, certain Bible passages and theological perspectives regarding spiritual coping were explored to identify traces of...
Spiritual coping has been defined as an individual’s ability to utilise faith in God combined wit... more Spiritual coping has been defined as an individual’s ability to utilise faith in God combined with certain Christian beliefs and religious practices to appraise, understand, and effectively cope with stress. We aimed to show the Christian how specific spiritual coping strategies and religious practices could be used to effectively assess and handle chronic stress from a faith perspective amid the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and beyond. A literature study was conducted to identify positive and negative coping strategies during the COVID-19 era and highlighted the adverse effects of chronic stress and defensiveness. Recent findings on religion, the validated bio-engineered chronic stress phenotype, the Coping Strategy Indicator (CSI), Africultural Coping Systems Inventory (ACSI) and the effect of spiritual coping skills were assessed. In addition, certain Bible passages and theological perspectives regarding spiritual coping were explored to identify traces of...
The human dilemma of displacement: Towards a practical theology and ecclesiology of home, 2021
Chapter 1: On becoming a 'streetwise home-church' within the dynamics of social coexistence: Refo... more Chapter 1: On becoming a 'streetwise home-church' within the dynamics of social coexistence: Reforming ' cathedral ecclesiologies' within the migrant dilemma of human displacement 1
Overwhelming feelings of resentment and revenge by individuals in emotionally wounded and traumat... more Overwhelming feelings of resentment and revenge by individuals in emotionally wounded and traumatised communities inflicted by injustice, violence and oppressive systems, often become a way of life, and people seldom deal with forgiveness in their healing process. Too often, the story of traumatic experiences surfaces as an indication of societies struggling to achieve lasting peace. This article explored a process of spiritual healing and life fulfilment that relates to a forgiveness process which includes koinonia and diakonia as indispensable elements on the road to reconstructing communities and individuals following conflict and violence. The point of departure in this article was taken from scriptural and academic literature to provide a forgiveness process to contain revenge and violence without resorting to it, and to protect individuals, communities and the social order within larger systems in society. The imperative to forgive could raise a persistent attitude and a way o...
The invocation and necessity of a forgiveness process have become complicated and multifaceted wi... more The invocation and necessity of a forgiveness process have become complicated and multifaceted within the South African society with its realities of crime, poverty, racism, injustice and abuse. The rhythms of forgiveness compel us to identify our present situation. Individuals, as well as larger social groups, should begin to reflect on the importance of forgiveness to deal with transgression, violence, revenge and bitterness. I suggest that forgiveness within the Christian doctrine needs to be situated and embodied in specific habits and practices of Christian life within the South African society. In response, people in South Africa are called to remember past transgressions while pursuing the repairing and healing of the brokenness and separations in relationships by embodying forgiveness. It directs the importance of the Church’s prophetic task to proclaim the boundless gift of a constructive and transformative relationship with God, one another and God’s creation. Practising f...
The healing power of just forgiveness, without excusing injustice. Justice is closely related to ... more The healing power of just forgiveness, without excusing injustice. Justice is closely related to forgiveness and the extent of the injustice gap experienced depends on how much or how little personal justice a wounded person desires. The experience of forgiveness includes two diverse forms of forgiveness: decisional and emotional forgiveness. Decisional forgiveness is controlling humans’ behavioural intentions, while emotional forgiveness replaces negative, unforgiving emotions with positive, other-orientated emotions. A victim may make a decision to forgive, but never feels emotional peace about the decision to forgive. Both decisional and emotional forgiveness are experienced internally within a wounded person and depends on the social context of the transgression and the response to it. Justice can narrow the injustice gap, but rarely closes it, while forgiveness can heal the pain within the injustice gap. The sense of desired justice is to some degree justifiable, but by grantin...
The article describes the dialogue between Thomas Groome’s approach to faith formation and Gestal... more The article describes the dialogue between Thomas Groome’s approach to faith formation and Gestalt theory in order to develop a practice approach to faith formation. The transversal model of cross-disciplinary dialogue, developed by Wentzel van Huyssteen, is utilised to develop a practice approach to faith formation. The process of faith formation, according to Thomas Groome’s Shared Christian Praxis approach, encompassing five movements, is described first. This is followed by a literature study on Gestalt theory. The philosophical roots of Gestalt theory as well as specific Gestalt concepts are explored in order to explain the process of human growth and change. Gestalt theory’s paradoxical theory of change, as well as the contact cycle are utilised in order to explain the process of integration and assimilation of faith. The transversal dialogue is continued by relating the insights gained from Groome’s approach and Gestalt theory. The context of missional ecclesiology, in which ...
Overwhelming feelings of resentment and revenge by individuals in emotionally wounded and traumat... more Overwhelming feelings of resentment and revenge by individuals in emotionally wounded and traumatised communities inflicted by injustice, violence and oppressive systems, often become a way of life, and people seldom deal with forgiveness in their healing process. Too often, the story of traumatic experiences surfaces as an indication of societies struggling to achieve lasting peace. This article explored a process of spiritual healing and life fulfilment that relates to a forgiveness process which includes koinonia and diakonia as indispensable elements on the road to reconstructing communities and individuals following conflict and violence. The point of departure in this article was taken from scriptural and academic literature to provide a forgiveness process to contain revenge and violence without resorting to it, and to protect individuals, communities and the social order within larger systems in society. The imperative to forgive could raise a persistent attitude and a way of life to encourage communities’ and individuals’ resilience.
Cover image: This cover design was created by Natascha Olivier/Coco Design with the use of an ill... more Cover image: This cover design was created by Natascha Olivier/Coco Design with the use of an illustration {45839} obtained from Freepik.com, titled 'Free vector africa map logo template', available from silhouette&position=2&from_view=search&track=ais, under the Freepik.com licensing terms.
This article contributes to an interdisciplinary discussion between pastoral theology, practical ... more This article contributes to an interdisciplinary discussion between pastoral theology, practical theology, and systematic theology from a Reformed perspective with a focus on the practical participation of members of the church congregation in pastoral care as the 'family of God'.
Wie is Jesus? Leer ken die ware aard van Jesus in 40 studies, is 'n Bybelstudie geskryf deur ... more Wie is Jesus? Leer ken die ware aard van Jesus in 40 studies, is 'n Bybelstudie geskryf deur die bekende skrywer, Adrio Konig. Met die eerste beskouing van die tema kom die vraag onmiddellik in jou gedagtes : "Wie is Jesus?". Wanneer 'n mens die 40 studies deurwerk, besef jy dat dit waarlik 'n ontdekkingstog is wat jou 'n ryker kennis en belewing van ons Here Jesus Christus bied.
Darwin se evolusieteorie wat in die 18e eeu gepubliseer is, was 'n elegante, sinvolle en logi... more Darwin se evolusieteorie wat in die 18e eeu gepubliseer is, was 'n elegante, sinvolle en logiese verklaring van waangenome data. Hierdie teorie is deur die destydse wetenskaplike gemeenskap aangegryp, omdat dit vir die eerste keer 'n alternatief gebied het vir die skeppingsverhaal in die Bybel. Voorstanders van die teorie was oortuig daarvan dat die ontstaan en verskeidenheid van lewe op aarde volledig deur evolusie en natuurlike seleksie verklaar kon word. Die evolusieteorie het mettertyd normatiewe status verwerf, wat daartoe gelei het dat die totaliteit van die menslike kennis deur 'n filter van ewekansige toeval geïnterpreteer is. Teenstanders van hierdie materialistiese praktyk is in baie gevalle gebrandmerk as randfigure. Sedertdien het die natuurwetenskap en die tegnologie egter dramaties ontwikkel en nuwe waarnemings op die makro-, sowel as op die mikrovlak, het gelei tot 'n groeiende aantal vrae wat nie deur 'n onbegeleide, willekeurige meganisme verklaa...
guilt and shame can be traumatic, self-conscious experiences which have an impact on sexually abu... more guilt and shame can be traumatic, self-conscious experiences which have an impact on sexually abused adolescents' physical, psychological, social, emotional, moral and religious development. It can determine the adolescents' behaviour, their views of themselves and their interpersonal relationships. guilt and shame arouse feelings of helplessness, anger, blame, bitterness and the need for retaliation, while forgiveness can relieve these impulses effectively and be utilised as a source for a recovering experience. through the use of forgiveness as a coping mechanism, abused adolescents can be guided to handle unresolved emotional experiences (unfinished business) and break free from guilt and shame. A pastoral gestalt theory can assist abused adolescents with the necessary awareness to focus on their foreground in order to reach self-regulation of their emotional experience.
Wie is Jesus? Leer ken die ware aard van Jesus in 40 studies, is 'n Bybelstudie geskryf deur ... more Wie is Jesus? Leer ken die ware aard van Jesus in 40 studies, is 'n Bybelstudie geskryf deur die bekende skrywer, Adrio Konig. Met die eerste beskouing van die tema kom die vraag onmiddellik in jou gedagtes : "Wie is Jesus?". Wanneer 'n mens die 40 studies deurwerk, besef jy dat dit waarlik 'n ontdekkingstog is wat jou 'n ryker kennis en belewing van ons Here Jesus Christus bied.
Spiritual coping has been defined as an individual’s ability to utilise faith in God combined wit... more Spiritual coping has been defined as an individual’s ability to utilise faith in God combined with certain Christian beliefs and religious practices to appraise, understand, and effectively cope with stress. We aimed to show the Christian how specific spiritual coping strategies and religious practices could be used to effectively assess and handle chronic stress from a faith perspective amid the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and beyond. A literature study was conducted to identify positive and negative coping strategies during the COVID-19 era and highlighted the adverse effects of chronic stress and defensiveness. Recent findings on religion, the validated bio-engineered chronic stress phenotype, the Coping Strategy Indicator (CSI), Africultural Coping Systems Inventory (ACSI) and the effect of spiritual coping skills were assessed. In addition, certain Bible passages and theological perspectives regarding spiritual coping were explored to identify traces of...
Spiritual coping has been defined as an individual’s ability to utilise faith in God combined wit... more Spiritual coping has been defined as an individual’s ability to utilise faith in God combined with certain Christian beliefs and religious practices to appraise, understand, and effectively cope with stress. We aimed to show the Christian how specific spiritual coping strategies and religious practices could be used to effectively assess and handle chronic stress from a faith perspective amid the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and beyond. A literature study was conducted to identify positive and negative coping strategies during the COVID-19 era and highlighted the adverse effects of chronic stress and defensiveness. Recent findings on religion, the validated bio-engineered chronic stress phenotype, the Coping Strategy Indicator (CSI), Africultural Coping Systems Inventory (ACSI) and the effect of spiritual coping skills were assessed. In addition, certain Bible passages and theological perspectives regarding spiritual coping were explored to identify traces of...
The human dilemma of displacement: Towards a practical theology and ecclesiology of home, 2021
Chapter 1: On becoming a 'streetwise home-church' within the dynamics of social coexistence: Refo... more Chapter 1: On becoming a 'streetwise home-church' within the dynamics of social coexistence: Reforming ' cathedral ecclesiologies' within the migrant dilemma of human displacement 1
Overwhelming feelings of resentment and revenge by individuals in emotionally wounded and traumat... more Overwhelming feelings of resentment and revenge by individuals in emotionally wounded and traumatised communities inflicted by injustice, violence and oppressive systems, often become a way of life, and people seldom deal with forgiveness in their healing process. Too often, the story of traumatic experiences surfaces as an indication of societies struggling to achieve lasting peace. This article explored a process of spiritual healing and life fulfilment that relates to a forgiveness process which includes koinonia and diakonia as indispensable elements on the road to reconstructing communities and individuals following conflict and violence. The point of departure in this article was taken from scriptural and academic literature to provide a forgiveness process to contain revenge and violence without resorting to it, and to protect individuals, communities and the social order within larger systems in society. The imperative to forgive could raise a persistent attitude and a way o...
The invocation and necessity of a forgiveness process have become complicated and multifaceted wi... more The invocation and necessity of a forgiveness process have become complicated and multifaceted within the South African society with its realities of crime, poverty, racism, injustice and abuse. The rhythms of forgiveness compel us to identify our present situation. Individuals, as well as larger social groups, should begin to reflect on the importance of forgiveness to deal with transgression, violence, revenge and bitterness. I suggest that forgiveness within the Christian doctrine needs to be situated and embodied in specific habits and practices of Christian life within the South African society. In response, people in South Africa are called to remember past transgressions while pursuing the repairing and healing of the brokenness and separations in relationships by embodying forgiveness. It directs the importance of the Church’s prophetic task to proclaim the boundless gift of a constructive and transformative relationship with God, one another and God’s creation. Practising f...
The healing power of just forgiveness, without excusing injustice. Justice is closely related to ... more The healing power of just forgiveness, without excusing injustice. Justice is closely related to forgiveness and the extent of the injustice gap experienced depends on how much or how little personal justice a wounded person desires. The experience of forgiveness includes two diverse forms of forgiveness: decisional and emotional forgiveness. Decisional forgiveness is controlling humans’ behavioural intentions, while emotional forgiveness replaces negative, unforgiving emotions with positive, other-orientated emotions. A victim may make a decision to forgive, but never feels emotional peace about the decision to forgive. Both decisional and emotional forgiveness are experienced internally within a wounded person and depends on the social context of the transgression and the response to it. Justice can narrow the injustice gap, but rarely closes it, while forgiveness can heal the pain within the injustice gap. The sense of desired justice is to some degree justifiable, but by grantin...
The article describes the dialogue between Thomas Groome’s approach to faith formation and Gestal... more The article describes the dialogue between Thomas Groome’s approach to faith formation and Gestalt theory in order to develop a practice approach to faith formation. The transversal model of cross-disciplinary dialogue, developed by Wentzel van Huyssteen, is utilised to develop a practice approach to faith formation. The process of faith formation, according to Thomas Groome’s Shared Christian Praxis approach, encompassing five movements, is described first. This is followed by a literature study on Gestalt theory. The philosophical roots of Gestalt theory as well as specific Gestalt concepts are explored in order to explain the process of human growth and change. Gestalt theory’s paradoxical theory of change, as well as the contact cycle are utilised in order to explain the process of integration and assimilation of faith. The transversal dialogue is continued by relating the insights gained from Groome’s approach and Gestalt theory. The context of missional ecclesiology, in which ...
Overwhelming feelings of resentment and revenge by individuals in emotionally wounded and traumat... more Overwhelming feelings of resentment and revenge by individuals in emotionally wounded and traumatised communities inflicted by injustice, violence and oppressive systems, often become a way of life, and people seldom deal with forgiveness in their healing process. Too often, the story of traumatic experiences surfaces as an indication of societies struggling to achieve lasting peace. This article explored a process of spiritual healing and life fulfilment that relates to a forgiveness process which includes koinonia and diakonia as indispensable elements on the road to reconstructing communities and individuals following conflict and violence. The point of departure in this article was taken from scriptural and academic literature to provide a forgiveness process to contain revenge and violence without resorting to it, and to protect individuals, communities and the social order within larger systems in society. The imperative to forgive could raise a persistent attitude and a way of life to encourage communities’ and individuals’ resilience.
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