Nadia Marais teaches Systematic Theology at Stellenbosch University. She is an ordained minister of the Dutch Reformed Church of South Africa and a Mandela Rhodes Scholar.
‘Saving’ language is often employed in relation to animals—both in conservation campaigns and in ... more ‘Saving’ language is often employed in relation to animals—both in conservation campaigns and in animal theology—and therefore the question as to how we speak about animal redemption is arguably of both rhetorical and theological importance. This article considers the rhetorical and hermeneutical dynamics of ‘redemption talk’ in the work of two animal theologians, Andrew Linzey and David Clough. Although language alone may not save animals, cultivating life-giving theological grammars that make for the flourishing of all living beings is arguably a slow and deep and important work that has the capacity to go the distance. Rhetoric could herein become a partner to ethical and practical work that shares the concern for the safety of and care for animals, as well as a resource that could shape how the redemption of animals could be imagined publicly. In short, this article seeks to demonstrate that how we speak about animal salvation matters.
What does beauty have to do with justice, justification, and salvation? Can the world be saved by... more What does beauty have to do with justice, justification, and salvation? Can the world be saved by beauty? In this contribution, some theological and rhetorical convergences and differences between the discourse on human dignity and the discourse on human flourishing are explored. The role of beauty, in these discourses, is a pivotal concern – especially as often justice and human rights shape the theological discourse on human dignity. A key proposed argument in this analysis is that justice is to human dignity what beauty is to human flourishing, and that these shape or mould the theological language with which salvation – the good news of the gospel – is articulated. The argument concludes by proposing that both forensic language and aesthetic language are born from the fold of Christian soteriology, and that not only the more static, forensic language of human dignity is required to speak about salvation, but also the more pliable, artistic language of human dignity.
While reproduction is fairly often touched upon in theological and Christian ethical discussions,... more While reproduction is fairly often touched upon in theological and Christian ethical discussions, reproductive health is not. However, reproductive health is a matter of theological and ethical concern. Discussion pertaining to reproductive health includes a number of debates about, for instance, abortion and the termination of pregnancy, reproductive loss, childlessness, infertility, stillbirth, miscarriage and adoption. Additionally, new reproductive possibilities made available by the development of reproductive technology have necessitated theological and ethical reflection on, for example, surrogacy, post-menopausal pregnancies, litter births, single mothers or fathers by choice, in vitro fertilisation and the so-called saviour siblings. These new developments compel us to reconceive our notions of what reproductive health is or should be. Many of these topics are receiving increasing attention in a variety of theological publications. The focus of this volume is unique, however, and to the best of our knowledge, this is the first volume dealing not only with reproductive issues, but also reflecting theologically and ethically on reproductive health. It makes a contribution by providing a variety of perspectives from different theological fields on this theme, and in many chapters, focussing especially on the South African context. These discussions are also part of urgent debates within churches, which require developing life-giving theological language and imaginative theological alternatives that may speak to experiences of matters relating to reproductive health. The popular books, TV series and films that touch upon these discussionsincluding The Handmaid's Tale and Mother!-strengthen the perception that a more in-depth theological and ethical discussion on the theme may be necessary, particularly towards exploring stories and confessions from our faith tradition that may provide us with a timely opportunity to do the important work of theological 'reconceiving'. The target audience includes academics, professionals and researchers. The methodology utilised by the chapters differ, but all take the form of a type of literature study. No empirical research was conducted and the research, therefore, does not pose any ethical risks. The chapters in this volume are all original research that has not been published elsewhere. It includes a diverse range of perspectives from several disciplines. This volume, we hope, will contribute to scholarly discussion and deeper theological and ethical reflection on reproductive health. It aims to offer a comprehensive view of the theme of reproductive health from theological and Christian ethical viewpoints. This is done by providing new and novel lines of inquiry, new topics for discussion and new insights into established research. At the same time, we are also aware that the theme of reproductive health is much broader than can be (re)conceived in one volume and hope that one of the contributions of this volume will be to spark and become part of a larger conversation and discourse.
This article focuses on the rhetorical interplay between drought, thirst, and the water of life i... more This article focuses on the rhetorical interplay between drought, thirst, and the water of life in a time of drought. The negotiation of meaning that occurs in the interaction between Jesus and the Samaritan woman (John 4) reflects the struggle for meaning that occurs when water is rhetorically ambiguous in a time of water scarcity. This paper argues that the theological rhetoric of water is embedded in soteriological imagination, which requires remembering -through the sacrament of baptism -the significance of the giving God who wills human and ecological flourishing. 2 Moreover, it is argued that the good news of salvation brings rhetoric and ethics, doctrine and life, into a dynamic communicative process, so that water, as that which is freely given by God, has nothing less than abundant life or ecological and human flourishing as its apparent intended focus. 1 Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Theological Society of South Africa in Pretoria, 11-15 July 2016, with the theme: From farm to fork: Theological and ethical reflections on the production, distribution and consumption of food. The meeting formed part of the Third Joint Conference on Religion and Theology, with the overarching theme: Faith and South African realities. See also Marais (forthcoming). 2 For a theological analysis of the rhetoric of human flourishing, including key points of critique raised against the use of the term "flourish", see Marais (2015).
... by Nadia Marais December 2011 Thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for ... more ... by Nadia Marais December 2011 Thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Master of Theology at the University of Stellenbosch Supervisor: Prof. DJ Smit Faculty of Theology Department Systematic Theology and Ecclesiology Page 2. Declaration ...
In Princeton theologian Van Huyssteen’s (2006) major interdisciplinary work, Alone in the World? ... more In Princeton theologian Van Huyssteen’s (2006) major interdisciplinary work, Alone in the World? Human Uniqueness in Science and Theology, human uniqueness is rhetorically coupled with human aloneness. A comparison with a contemporary theological anthropology, namely Yale theologian Kelsey’s (2009) Eccentric Existence: A Theological Anthropology, shows an alternative approach to the notion or concept of the imago Dei, namely a theological shift from viewing human beings as image(s) of God, to viewing human beings as images of Christ, or images of the image of God. This contribution responds to the invitation implied in Van Huyssteen’s book title – are we alone in the world? – by exploring some of the rhetorical implications of a Christological interpretation of the imago Dei. One such implication may imply a different answer to Van Huyssteen’s question – are we alone in the world?; not yes, but no. Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s idea of Christ’s promeity illustrates how the rhetorical dynami...
While reproduction is fairly often touched upon in theological and Christian ethical discussions,... more While reproduction is fairly often touched upon in theological and Christian ethical discussions, reproductive health is not. However, reproductive health is a matter of theological and ethical concern. Discussion pertaining to reproductive health includes a number of debates about, for instance, abortion and the termination of pregnancy, reproductive loss, childlessness, infertility, stillbirth, miscarriage and adoption. Additionally, new reproductive possibilities made available by the development of reproductive technology have necessitated theological and ethical reflection on, for example, surrogacy, post-menopausal pregnancies, litter births, single mothers or fathers by choice, in vitro fertilisation and the so-called saviour siblings. These new developments compel us to reconceive our notions of what reproductive health is or should be. Many of these topics are receiving increasing attention in a variety of theological publications. The focus of this volume is unique, however, and to the best of our knowledge, this is the first volume dealing not only with reproductive issues, but also reflecting theologically and ethically on reproductive health. It makes a contribution by providing a variety of perspectives from different theological fields on this theme, and in many chapters, focussing especially on the South African context. These discussions are also part of urgent debates within churches, which require developing life-giving theological language and imaginative theological alternatives that may speak to experiences of matters relating to reproductive health. The popular books, TV series and films that touch upon these discussionsincluding The Handmaid's Tale and Mother!-strengthen the perception that a more in-depth theological and ethical discussion on the theme may be necessary, particularly towards exploring stories and confessions from our faith tradition that may provide us with a timely opportunity to do the important work of theological 'reconceiving'. The target audience includes academics, professionals and researchers. The methodology utilised by the chapters differ, but all take the form of a type of literature study. No empirical research was conducted and the research, therefore, does not pose any ethical risks. The chapters in this volume are all original research that has not been published elsewhere. It includes a diverse range of perspectives from several disciplines. This volume, we hope, will contribute to scholarly discussion and deeper theological and ethical reflection on reproductive health. It aims to offer a comprehensive view of the theme of reproductive health from theological and Christian ethical viewpoints. This is done by providing new and novel lines of inquiry, new topics for discussion and new insights into established research. At the same time, we are also aware that the theme of reproductive health is much broader than can be (re)conceived in one volume and hope that one of the contributions of this volume will be to spark and become part of a larger conversation and discourse.
Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: This article contributes to a specifical... more Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: This article contributes to a specifically intradisciplinary conversation in Systematic Theology, on reading and interpreting the notion or theological idea of human beings being created in the image of God. This article does this through a close reading and comparison of two interdisciplinary projects on what it means to be human, namely Van Huyssteen's Alone in the World? and Kelsey's Eccentric Existence.
Schleiermacher's essay on election-and the possible theological richness that it may offer-has no... more Schleiermacher's essay on election-and the possible theological richness that it may offer-has not exactly received extensive theological attention. 1 If anything, Schleiermacher's contribution to theological reflection on election is evidently not widely known. Matthias Gockel points out that Karl Barth, for example, regarded Schleiermacher's The Christian Faith as his 'masterpiece', but completely overlooked the essay on election that preceded the publication of The Christian Faith 1.One of the noteworthy exceptions to this analysis is the book by Gockel (2006) titled Barth & Schleiermacher on the Doctrine of Election: A Systematic-Theological Comparison, which is discussed in greater detail throughout this article. Friedrich Schleiermacher's (1768-1834) theological essay on the doctrine of election-in which he claims to stand squarely within the Reformed tradition-was an attempt to aid church unification in the 19th century Prussian church of which he was a member and a minister. In this essay Schleiermacher resists a narrow focus on individual election and particularly on how election was worked out in the direction of double predestination. The gift of God's electing grace is worked out historically and is therefore Christological and communal. He argues that God's will is neither twofold nor divisible-into two parts, concerning the elect and the reprobate-but one, indivisible, unconditional decree governed by the logic of electing grace. This article explores Schleiermacher's doctrine of election as part of a 250th commemoration of Schleiermacher's birth, and suggests how Schleiermacher's essay on election may contribute to theological interpretations and portrayals of the doctrine of election today.
... by Nadia Marais December 2011 Thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for ... more ... by Nadia Marais December 2011 Thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Master of Theology at the University of Stellenbosch Supervisor: Prof. DJ Smit Faculty of Theology Department Systematic Theology and Ecclesiology Page 2. Declaration ...
Friendship is not often associated with citizenship, politics or civil society – and yet this con... more Friendship is not often associated with citizenship, politics or civil society – and yet this contribution proposes that civic friendship(s) may be worth consideration as an expression of peacemaking and peacebuilding: the dynamic interplay between our ‘social’ and ‘individual’ selves working towards peace and countering violence. This theological consideration of friendship deals with the interaction between individuality and sociability in the work and thought of a theologian who was deeply interested in such interplay and which may therefore be helpful in theological reflection on friendship. This contribution draws on two theologians who were involved in higher education themselves – the German theologian Friedrich Schleiermacher, who served as rector of the Humboldt University of Berlin (1815–1816), and the South African theologian Russel Botman, who served as rector of Stellenbosch University (2007–2014) – from whom we may learn about (civic) friendship.
‘Saving’ language is often employed in relation to animals—both in conservation campaigns and in ... more ‘Saving’ language is often employed in relation to animals—both in conservation campaigns and in animal theology—and therefore the question as to how we speak about animal redemption is arguably of both rhetorical and theological importance. This article considers the rhetorical and hermeneutical dynamics of ‘redemption talk’ in the work of two animal theologians, Andrew Linzey and David Clough. Although language alone may not save animals, cultivating life-giving theological grammars that make for the flourishing of all living beings is arguably a slow and deep and important work that has the capacity to go the distance. Rhetoric could herein become a partner to ethical and practical work that shares the concern for the safety of and care for animals, as well as a resource that could shape how the redemption of animals could be imagined publicly. In short, this article seeks to demonstrate that how we speak about animal salvation matters.
What does beauty have to do with justice, justification, and salvation? Can the world be saved by... more What does beauty have to do with justice, justification, and salvation? Can the world be saved by beauty? In this contribution, some theological and rhetorical convergences and differences between the discourse on human dignity and the discourse on human flourishing are explored. The role of beauty, in these discourses, is a pivotal concern – especially as often justice and human rights shape the theological discourse on human dignity. A key proposed argument in this analysis is that justice is to human dignity what beauty is to human flourishing, and that these shape or mould the theological language with which salvation – the good news of the gospel – is articulated. The argument concludes by proposing that both forensic language and aesthetic language are born from the fold of Christian soteriology, and that not only the more static, forensic language of human dignity is required to speak about salvation, but also the more pliable, artistic language of human dignity.
While reproduction is fairly often touched upon in theological and Christian ethical discussions,... more While reproduction is fairly often touched upon in theological and Christian ethical discussions, reproductive health is not. However, reproductive health is a matter of theological and ethical concern. Discussion pertaining to reproductive health includes a number of debates about, for instance, abortion and the termination of pregnancy, reproductive loss, childlessness, infertility, stillbirth, miscarriage and adoption. Additionally, new reproductive possibilities made available by the development of reproductive technology have necessitated theological and ethical reflection on, for example, surrogacy, post-menopausal pregnancies, litter births, single mothers or fathers by choice, in vitro fertilisation and the so-called saviour siblings. These new developments compel us to reconceive our notions of what reproductive health is or should be. Many of these topics are receiving increasing attention in a variety of theological publications. The focus of this volume is unique, however, and to the best of our knowledge, this is the first volume dealing not only with reproductive issues, but also reflecting theologically and ethically on reproductive health. It makes a contribution by providing a variety of perspectives from different theological fields on this theme, and in many chapters, focussing especially on the South African context. These discussions are also part of urgent debates within churches, which require developing life-giving theological language and imaginative theological alternatives that may speak to experiences of matters relating to reproductive health. The popular books, TV series and films that touch upon these discussionsincluding The Handmaid's Tale and Mother!-strengthen the perception that a more in-depth theological and ethical discussion on the theme may be necessary, particularly towards exploring stories and confessions from our faith tradition that may provide us with a timely opportunity to do the important work of theological 'reconceiving'. The target audience includes academics, professionals and researchers. The methodology utilised by the chapters differ, but all take the form of a type of literature study. No empirical research was conducted and the research, therefore, does not pose any ethical risks. The chapters in this volume are all original research that has not been published elsewhere. It includes a diverse range of perspectives from several disciplines. This volume, we hope, will contribute to scholarly discussion and deeper theological and ethical reflection on reproductive health. It aims to offer a comprehensive view of the theme of reproductive health from theological and Christian ethical viewpoints. This is done by providing new and novel lines of inquiry, new topics for discussion and new insights into established research. At the same time, we are also aware that the theme of reproductive health is much broader than can be (re)conceived in one volume and hope that one of the contributions of this volume will be to spark and become part of a larger conversation and discourse.
This article focuses on the rhetorical interplay between drought, thirst, and the water of life i... more This article focuses on the rhetorical interplay between drought, thirst, and the water of life in a time of drought. The negotiation of meaning that occurs in the interaction between Jesus and the Samaritan woman (John 4) reflects the struggle for meaning that occurs when water is rhetorically ambiguous in a time of water scarcity. This paper argues that the theological rhetoric of water is embedded in soteriological imagination, which requires remembering -through the sacrament of baptism -the significance of the giving God who wills human and ecological flourishing. 2 Moreover, it is argued that the good news of salvation brings rhetoric and ethics, doctrine and life, into a dynamic communicative process, so that water, as that which is freely given by God, has nothing less than abundant life or ecological and human flourishing as its apparent intended focus. 1 Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Theological Society of South Africa in Pretoria, 11-15 July 2016, with the theme: From farm to fork: Theological and ethical reflections on the production, distribution and consumption of food. The meeting formed part of the Third Joint Conference on Religion and Theology, with the overarching theme: Faith and South African realities. See also Marais (forthcoming). 2 For a theological analysis of the rhetoric of human flourishing, including key points of critique raised against the use of the term "flourish", see Marais (2015).
... by Nadia Marais December 2011 Thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for ... more ... by Nadia Marais December 2011 Thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Master of Theology at the University of Stellenbosch Supervisor: Prof. DJ Smit Faculty of Theology Department Systematic Theology and Ecclesiology Page 2. Declaration ...
In Princeton theologian Van Huyssteen’s (2006) major interdisciplinary work, Alone in the World? ... more In Princeton theologian Van Huyssteen’s (2006) major interdisciplinary work, Alone in the World? Human Uniqueness in Science and Theology, human uniqueness is rhetorically coupled with human aloneness. A comparison with a contemporary theological anthropology, namely Yale theologian Kelsey’s (2009) Eccentric Existence: A Theological Anthropology, shows an alternative approach to the notion or concept of the imago Dei, namely a theological shift from viewing human beings as image(s) of God, to viewing human beings as images of Christ, or images of the image of God. This contribution responds to the invitation implied in Van Huyssteen’s book title – are we alone in the world? – by exploring some of the rhetorical implications of a Christological interpretation of the imago Dei. One such implication may imply a different answer to Van Huyssteen’s question – are we alone in the world?; not yes, but no. Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s idea of Christ’s promeity illustrates how the rhetorical dynami...
While reproduction is fairly often touched upon in theological and Christian ethical discussions,... more While reproduction is fairly often touched upon in theological and Christian ethical discussions, reproductive health is not. However, reproductive health is a matter of theological and ethical concern. Discussion pertaining to reproductive health includes a number of debates about, for instance, abortion and the termination of pregnancy, reproductive loss, childlessness, infertility, stillbirth, miscarriage and adoption. Additionally, new reproductive possibilities made available by the development of reproductive technology have necessitated theological and ethical reflection on, for example, surrogacy, post-menopausal pregnancies, litter births, single mothers or fathers by choice, in vitro fertilisation and the so-called saviour siblings. These new developments compel us to reconceive our notions of what reproductive health is or should be. Many of these topics are receiving increasing attention in a variety of theological publications. The focus of this volume is unique, however, and to the best of our knowledge, this is the first volume dealing not only with reproductive issues, but also reflecting theologically and ethically on reproductive health. It makes a contribution by providing a variety of perspectives from different theological fields on this theme, and in many chapters, focussing especially on the South African context. These discussions are also part of urgent debates within churches, which require developing life-giving theological language and imaginative theological alternatives that may speak to experiences of matters relating to reproductive health. The popular books, TV series and films that touch upon these discussionsincluding The Handmaid's Tale and Mother!-strengthen the perception that a more in-depth theological and ethical discussion on the theme may be necessary, particularly towards exploring stories and confessions from our faith tradition that may provide us with a timely opportunity to do the important work of theological 'reconceiving'. The target audience includes academics, professionals and researchers. The methodology utilised by the chapters differ, but all take the form of a type of literature study. No empirical research was conducted and the research, therefore, does not pose any ethical risks. The chapters in this volume are all original research that has not been published elsewhere. It includes a diverse range of perspectives from several disciplines. This volume, we hope, will contribute to scholarly discussion and deeper theological and ethical reflection on reproductive health. It aims to offer a comprehensive view of the theme of reproductive health from theological and Christian ethical viewpoints. This is done by providing new and novel lines of inquiry, new topics for discussion and new insights into established research. At the same time, we are also aware that the theme of reproductive health is much broader than can be (re)conceived in one volume and hope that one of the contributions of this volume will be to spark and become part of a larger conversation and discourse.
Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: This article contributes to a specifical... more Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: This article contributes to a specifically intradisciplinary conversation in Systematic Theology, on reading and interpreting the notion or theological idea of human beings being created in the image of God. This article does this through a close reading and comparison of two interdisciplinary projects on what it means to be human, namely Van Huyssteen's Alone in the World? and Kelsey's Eccentric Existence.
Schleiermacher's essay on election-and the possible theological richness that it may offer-has no... more Schleiermacher's essay on election-and the possible theological richness that it may offer-has not exactly received extensive theological attention. 1 If anything, Schleiermacher's contribution to theological reflection on election is evidently not widely known. Matthias Gockel points out that Karl Barth, for example, regarded Schleiermacher's The Christian Faith as his 'masterpiece', but completely overlooked the essay on election that preceded the publication of The Christian Faith 1.One of the noteworthy exceptions to this analysis is the book by Gockel (2006) titled Barth & Schleiermacher on the Doctrine of Election: A Systematic-Theological Comparison, which is discussed in greater detail throughout this article. Friedrich Schleiermacher's (1768-1834) theological essay on the doctrine of election-in which he claims to stand squarely within the Reformed tradition-was an attempt to aid church unification in the 19th century Prussian church of which he was a member and a minister. In this essay Schleiermacher resists a narrow focus on individual election and particularly on how election was worked out in the direction of double predestination. The gift of God's electing grace is worked out historically and is therefore Christological and communal. He argues that God's will is neither twofold nor divisible-into two parts, concerning the elect and the reprobate-but one, indivisible, unconditional decree governed by the logic of electing grace. This article explores Schleiermacher's doctrine of election as part of a 250th commemoration of Schleiermacher's birth, and suggests how Schleiermacher's essay on election may contribute to theological interpretations and portrayals of the doctrine of election today.
... by Nadia Marais December 2011 Thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for ... more ... by Nadia Marais December 2011 Thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Master of Theology at the University of Stellenbosch Supervisor: Prof. DJ Smit Faculty of Theology Department Systematic Theology and Ecclesiology Page 2. Declaration ...
Friendship is not often associated with citizenship, politics or civil society – and yet this con... more Friendship is not often associated with citizenship, politics or civil society – and yet this contribution proposes that civic friendship(s) may be worth consideration as an expression of peacemaking and peacebuilding: the dynamic interplay between our ‘social’ and ‘individual’ selves working towards peace and countering violence. This theological consideration of friendship deals with the interaction between individuality and sociability in the work and thought of a theologian who was deeply interested in such interplay and which may therefore be helpful in theological reflection on friendship. This contribution draws on two theologians who were involved in higher education themselves – the German theologian Friedrich Schleiermacher, who served as rector of the Humboldt University of Berlin (1815–1816), and the South African theologian Russel Botman, who served as rector of Stellenbosch University (2007–2014) – from whom we may learn about (civic) friendship.
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