Peer-reviewed journal articles by Nina Müller van Velden
Neotestamentica, 2019
The Johannine Gospel continues to be of interest to biblical scholars
who are attuned to the mann... more The Johannine Gospel continues to be of interest to biblical scholars
who are attuned to the manner in which gender is constructed and
performed by means of characterisation in its narratives, and is
interpreted from a vast range of social locations. For some, the end-
result is the promotion of gender equality and gender-transgressive
behaviour, whereas others deem the Fourth Gospel narratives to
merely reinforce the all-too-familiar patriarchal social structures and
hegemonic masculine ideals. Central to interpretative judgments on
the gendered dimension of the Fourth Gospel narratives is the manner
in which Jesus is characterised. I suggest that the foot-washing
narrative of John 13:1–11, when read with a gender-critical lens
against the background of the first-century cultural script of honour
and shame, resists simplistic categorisation as being solely a liberating
or a restrictive gendered narrative. Rather, by taking into consideration
the complex intersections of honour, shame, gender and class, a
gender-ambiguous picture emerges—one in which the
characterisation of Jesus both affirms and transgresses ancient
gendered ideals. The unresolved gender ambiguity depicted in the
narrative could potentially offer possibilities for theologically
engaging gender and sexuality by means of a hermeneutical
framework that can explore the discomfort of constructivism, instead
of jumping perhaps too hastily to oft-preferred essentialist
understandings of gender and sexuality.
Journal of Gender and Religion in Africa, 2014
The uncritical, ahistorical use of central Christian faith-narratives, such as the narrative of t... more The uncritical, ahistorical use of central Christian faith-narratives, such as the narrative of the crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth, have the potential to threaten meaningful and dignified lives of both men and women. From the perspective of gender and sexuality, the Christian church has often abused the crucifixion narrative as a means to uphold unequal and oppressive heteronormative (male) power that have had harmful effects on men and women on all levels of their existence. Within contexts of gender-based discrimination, abuse and violence, such type of interpretations of the crucifixion narrative are in dire need of deconstruction and reimagining. Within the first century AD Mediterranean context of the Roman Empire, a crucifixion was an event of utter shame and degradation that deliberately casted serious doubt on one's gender-a socially-constructed entity that was to be asserted and defended at all times. However, measured against the cultural script of honour and shame and the socially-constructed nature of masculinity in this context, the narration of the crucifixion in the Gospel of Luke seems to lend support to the image of a hypermasculine Jesus on the cross. Thus, socio-historically speaking, the Lukan crucifixion narrative offers an unexpected portrayal of Jesus of Nazareth in the events leading to and on the cross. I propose that contemporary readers of this specific crucifixion narrative might be able to take up the position of "queer reimaginers" by reclaiming the shameful and deconstructive effect of the crucifixion event for what it was socio-historically, particularly with regards to gender. Such a queer reimagining opens up the possibility to reinterpret the Lukan crucifixion narrative as a narrative of the crucifixion of hypermasculinity, rather than the affirmation thereof. Accordingly this may start paving the way towards life-giving and healing teachings, rituals and practices within the Christian church that embraces the worth of all persons.
Book chapters by Nina Müller van Velden
Breaking the Master's S.H.I.T. Holes. Doing Theology in the Context of Global Migration (ed. Musa W. Dube and Paul L. Leshota), 2020
25 years after the end of apartheid rule in South Africa, the impact of systemic racism continues... more 25 years after the end of apartheid rule in South Africa, the impact of systemic racism continues to be deeply felt by particularly poor, Black persons living in townships and informal settlements. The forced relocations of Coloured, Indian and Black persons under the Group Areas Act of 1950 dictates up to this day who is allowed to have the most advantageous access to physical space, basic services, resources, hygiene, safety and security, education, transport, and economic opportunities – a divide which runs firmly along the divides of race, ethnicity, class, and gender, and which continues to be of most benefit to the minority, White population. Given the specific type of geographical spaces in which the majority of South Africans were and continue to be forced to live in, I contend in this chapter that a very particular form of racism remains, despite the dawn of democracy in 1994, i.e. environmental racism. This implies that there is not only discrimination and oppression based on race (which, in the South African context is inextricably related to ethnicity, class and gender), but that this racism also dictates discrimination and oppression in relation to the environment. It is especially poor, Black communities who are forced to live in undesirable, environmentally unsafe and even hazardous locations, and habitation of these locations negatively impact their existence. Moreover, these communities have little or no say in decision-making processes, policies, and laws, which dictate what may or may not happen in and to these locations – also from an environmental perspective. The lived experiences and daily realities of injustice experienced by poor, Black people in South Africa, thus involve a deliberate historical and contemporary disregard for the delicate relationship between Earth and humanity – one fuelled by the greed and accumulation of wealth by the privileged minority in South Africa. I propose that a post-apartheid ecofeminist reading of Genesis 2 and 3 is one way of engaging critically with this ongoing intersectional expression of domination in the South African context. Such a reading questions the patriarchal and anthropocentric assumptions of the narratives, and highlights the human need of power over which has existed from the beginning of the human existence – even in the oft portrayed paradise of the Garden of Eden. This reading, I suggest, could be a means toward earth-healing praxis by communities of the Christian faith – a method in which the intersectional expressions of power and domination within the post-apartheid, South African context, may be resisted.
Reconceiving Reproductive Health: Theological and Christian Ethical Reflections, 2019
Reading Writing Right. Essays presented in honour of Prof Elna Mouton (ed. Marius J. Nel and Jeremy Punt), 2018
Popular publications by Nina Müller van Velden
Die hart van God. Verhale van vroue in sending., 2017
Gedurende die Victoriaanse tyd, die agtergrond vir die meerderheid van die stories wat in hierdie... more Gedurende die Victoriaanse tyd, die agtergrond vir die meerderheid van die stories wat in hierdie bundel vertel word, was die vrou hoofsaaklik gesien as tuis by die huis en indien sy enigsins in die publiek sou optree, dan slegs as ’n tipe hulp vir die man. Gevalle, soos deur die karakters in hierdie boek geïllustreer, waar vroue aktiewe en dikwels onafhanklike agente in die sendingkonteks was, is uiteraard nie net noemenswaardig nie, maar selfs ongehoord binne konserwatiewe Protestantse kulture van die tydperk waaruit hulle kom. Gegewe die langdurige inpak van ’n heersende kultuur wat vroue gering geskat het, is dit verstaanbaar dat die stories wat wel die dominante diskoers van hulle tyd uitgedaag het, al te maklik verswyg is. Wat in hierdie boek gebeur vorm dus deel van ’n uiters noodsaaklike korreksie ten opsige van geskiedskrywing oor die algemeen en die kerk- en sendinggeskiedenis in die besonder. Soveel te meer is dit van belang vir die Afrikaanssprekende Christelike gemeenskap in Suid-Afrika. Geen wonder dus dat vir die meerderheid lesers die stories wat hier vertel word, geheel en al onbekend sal wees. Selfs mense wat hulself as sending-belangstellendes beskou en dus reeds vertroud is met familiename soos Murray en Pauw sal dalk verras wees deur die betrokkenheid van ook vrouesendelinge binne die kring van sulke bekende families. Hierdie boek is ’n skatkis van verhale oor vroue in die sending. Die lesers wat hulself daarin gaan verdiep kan voorbereid wees op ’n wonderlike ontdekkingsreis na die verlede.
Retief Müller Senior Lektor – Kerkgeskiedenis: Universiteit van Stellenbosch
Sewe Stories en 'n stock cube. Die Heidelbergse Kategismus se troos vir vandag., 2013
OPSOMMING: Baie (gereformeerde) Christene lees selde of ooit die Heidelbergse Kategismus (HK). Me... more OPSOMMING: Baie (gereformeerde) Christene lees selde of ooit die Heidelbergse Kategismus (HK). Mense weet dit is ’n woord wat hulle al in die kerk gehoor het. Hulle het ook ’n vae vermoede dat daar al van hulle verwag is om te weet wat dit is. Vir baie is dit ’n dokument wat bewaar en oor beloof word, en slegs deur ’n klein groepie geleerdes of belangstellendes gelees word.
Dit is steeds teenwoordig in al die formuliere van die amptelike inisiasierites van die kerk – daardie geleenthede van plegtige belofte: doop, belydenisaflegging, legitimasie, kerkraadsbevestiging – maar tydens hierdie geleenthede kom die inhoud van die HK feitlik nooit ter sprake nie.
As jy in enige gereformeerde kerk in Suid-Afrika belydenis van geloof afgelê het, jou kind laat doop het, as ’n kerkraadslid bevestig is, of as ’n teologiese student gelegitimeer is, dan het jy definitief ’n belofte oor die HK (saam met die ander gereformeerde belydenisskrifte) afgelê.
INHOUD
Inleiding
Wat is die mens dan? – Helené van Tonder
Onmisbare werklikheid – Nina Müller van Velden
God in die detail – Helgard Pretorius
Om te soek na sekerheid – Wouter van Velden
Die dissonante drinkwater van ’n bedwelm(en)de dokument – Calvyn du Toit
Dankbaarheid in skoonheid en gebrokenheid – Janine Williams
Wat sou Jesus doen? ontmoet Wat is jou enigste troos in lewe en in sterwe? – Cobus van Wyngaard
Nawoord
Papers by Nina Müller van Velden
Acta theologica, Jun 6, 2024
The articles in this Supplementum are dedicated to our colleague Professor Francois Tolmie to mar... more The articles in this Supplementum are dedicated to our colleague Professor Francois Tolmie to mark the occasion of his retirement in 2024. In the Faculty of Theology and Religion at the University of the Free State, Prof. Tolmie is regarded as the historical memory of the Faculty as he dedicated his life to this institution – both as a student and as a professor. In later years of his career, he also led the Faculty as Dean. He is notorious for being an excellent editor, focusing on detail and precision. Internationally, he is acclaimed as both a Johannine scholar and a Pauline scholar, a feat few scholars can claim. Those who know him will testify that he treats people with the utmost respect, and that it is hard to find a humbler person.
Bible in Africa studies, 2021
Amidst the worst ongoing drought that parts of South Africa have experienced in decades, the real... more Amidst the worst ongoing drought that parts of South Africa have experienced in decades, the reality of dependence on clean, running water has come to the fore anew. In a country where the gap between rich and poor is exceptionally high, with unacceptably high levels of poverty and unemployment, and innumerable instances of gender-based violence, this situation has impacted most severely those already most vulnerable: poor, black women. In dialogue with this South African context of racialised and gendered poverty, further aggravated by the toxicity of gender-based violence as well as the suffering of Mother Earth, the narrative of John 4:5-42 will be read: a narrative in which Jesus, a Jewish man, meets a Samaritan woman at a well and reveals Himself in ecological terms -as the One who provides Living Water. Such reading takes as a point of departure the contours of ecotheology, ecofeminism and gender criticism, and attempts to recognise the multiple binary categories which are represented in this narrative. Measured against the patriarchal prescriptions and expectations of the ancient narrative context, I suggest that there are particular 1 This chapter is devoted to Mercy Amba Oduyoye, the founding member of the Circle of Concerned African Women Theologians. It is through her courage in transgressing patriarchal protocol that the Circle of Concerned African Women Theologians was founded in 1989, and that a profound legacy of 30 years of transformation in African theological scholarship could take place. 2 Nina Müller van Velden is a postdoctoral research fellow at the North-West University, South Africa, and an ordained minister of the Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa. This chapter is based on the paper delivered at the Pan-African Conference of the Circle of Concerned African Women Theologians, hosted at the University of Botswana on 1-5 July 2019. A word of appreciation goes to respondent Rev Georgina Kwanima Boateng as well as the peer reviewers, for their constructive feedback toward finalising this essay. 201 UBP 2021 | Mother Earth, Mother Africa and Biblical Studies | BiAS 29 instances of transgression which take place, and that it is these transgressive acts -by both the Samaritan woman and Jesus -which culminate in transformation of the life of this woman and an entire community. For contemporary readers, specifically those who find themselves in privileged settings, this narrative may provide a means by which to challenge and be challenged: moving from deeply rooted racist, sexist, classist and anthropocentric convictions and practices, toward transgressive and transformative alternatives, whereby all who thirst may have access to living water in its fullest sense.
Reformed theology in Africa series, Dec 31, 2022
Prayer from the cross (Lk 23:34) Jesus' last words on the cross (Lk 23:46) Jesus blesses bread (L... more Prayer from the cross (Lk 23:34) Jesus' last words on the cross (Lk 23:46) Jesus blesses bread (Lk 24:30-31) The disciples worship Jesus and bless God (Lk 24:52-53) Summary Conclusion Theocentric prayer Jesus as an example and teacher Relationship with God as Father Individual and corporate prayers Continuous prayer, especially at decisive moments Continuity with Old Testament piety The temple as a house of prayer Persistence and eschatological expectation Participating in God's work The Holy Spirit inspires and promised Humility Jesus worshipped Contents x
Biblical Theology of Life in the New Testament, 2021
This publication deals with 'A Biblical Theology of Life' based on the New Testament. It forms th... more This publication deals with 'A Biblical Theology of Life' based on the New Testament. It forms the second of a two-volume publication on A Biblical Theology of Life. These two volumes trace the concept of life throughout the Protestant canon, working with the final form of the biblical books in Hebrew and Greek Scripture. This is done by providing the reader with a book-by-book overview of the concept of life. The introductory chapter of the first volume elucidates the scope for this two-volume publication followed by 12 chapters dealing with Old Testament corpora. The second volume proceeds with 10 chapters dealing with New Testament corpora. This volume concludes with a final chapter synthesising the findings of the respective investigations of the Old and New Testament corpora in order to provide a summative theological perspective of the development of the concept of life through Scripture. Although much has been published on the concept of life in the biblical text, it seems that up to date no comprehensive biblical theology in which the concept of life is traced throughout the different corpora of the Old and New Testament has been published. The current publication intends to fill this research gap. It is assumed that such an approach can provide a valuable contribution to the theological discourse on life and related concepts. From this investigation, it is clear that life forms a central and continuous theme throughout the biblical text. The theme begins with the living God who creates life but is shortly followed by death that threatens life. Despite this threat, God sustains life and awakens life from death. The text concludes with the xvii
Reformed Theology in Africa Series, 2021
This publication deals with 'A Biblical Theology of Life' based on the New Testament. It forms th... more This publication deals with 'A Biblical Theology of Life' based on the New Testament. It forms the second of a two-volume publication on A Biblical Theology of Life. These two volumes trace the concept of life throughout the Protestant canon, working with the final form of the biblical books in Hebrew and Greek Scripture. This is done by providing the reader with a book-by-book overview of the concept of life. The introductory chapter of the first volume elucidates the scope for this two-volume publication followed by 12 chapters dealing with Old Testament corpora. The second volume proceeds with 10 chapters dealing with New Testament corpora. This volume concludes with a final chapter synthesising the findings of the respective investigations of the Old and New Testament corpora in order to provide a summative theological perspective of the development of the concept of life through Scripture. Although much has been published on the concept of life in the biblical text, it seems that up to date no comprehensive biblical theology in which the concept of life is traced throughout the different corpora of the Old and New Testament has been published. The current publication intends to fill this research gap. It is assumed that such an approach can provide a valuable contribution to the theological discourse on life and related concepts. From this investigation, it is clear that life forms a central and continuous theme throughout the biblical text. The theme begins with the living God who creates life but is shortly followed by death that threatens life. Despite this threat, God sustains life and awakens life from death. The text concludes with the xvii
Bible in Africa Studies, 2021
Climate change and its global impact on all people, especially the marginalized communities, is w... more Climate change and its global impact on all people, especially the marginalized communities, is widely recognized as the biggest crisis of our time. It is a context that invites all subjects and disciplines to bring their resources in diagnosing the problem and seeking the healing of the Earth. The African continent, especially its women, constitute the subalterns of global climate crisis. Can they speak? If they speak, can they be heard? Both the Earth and the Africa have been identified with the adjective “Mother.” This gender identity tells tales in patriarchal and imperial worlds that use the female gender to signal legitimation of oppression and exploitation. In this volume, African women theologians and their female-identifying colleagues, struggle with reading and interpreting religious texts in the context of environmental crisis that are threatening life on Earth. The chapters interrogate how biblical texts and African cultural resources imagine the Earth and our relationsh...
By submitting this dissertation electronically, I declare that the entirety of the work contained... more By submitting this dissertation electronically, I declare that the entirety of the work contained therein is my own, original work, that I am the sole author thereof (save to the extent explicitly otherwise stated), that reproduction and publication thereof by Stellenbosch University will not infringe any third party rights and that I have not previously in its entirety or in part submitted it for obtaining any qualification.
Neotestamentica, 2019
An efficient process for the recovery of palladium from waste printed circuits boards (PCBs) is d... more An efficient process for the recovery of palladium from waste printed circuits boards (PCBs) is detailed. Palladium is employed as an electrode material in multi-layer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs). These components can be easily removed from PCBs by desoldering. As palladium is alloyed with silver, its dissolution is readily achieved using dilute nitric acid. As a result, a solution containing palladium along with base metals, mostly copper and iron, is obtained. This solution is then processed through solvent extraction (SX) with a solvent based on N,N'-dimethyl,N,N'-dibutyltetradecylmalonamide (BDMA), a robust extracting molecule previously developed in the frame of the reprocessing of waste nuclear fuel. The volume of effluents generated during the SX sequence is limited: iron scrubbing is operated with a very low aqueous to organic phase volume ratio, no specific metal chelator is required for palladium stripping, and no shift from acidic to basic media is required. Finally, a ca 1 g/L Pd(II) aqueous solution with 99,4% purity is obtained, from which palladium is directly isolated as dichlorodiammine palladium(II) salt (Pd(NH 3) 2 Cl 2) after precipitation with ammonia. Overall, palladium is quantitatively recovered from the leaching solution, and no palladium was detected in the remaining solid residue. Purity is high, as no contaminating metal could be detected in the final palladium salt. The proposed approach is simple and complementary to existing hydrometallurgical processes dedicated to gold and copper recovery.
Reformed Theology in Africa Series, 2019
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.
Reconceiving Reproductive Health: Theological and Christian Ethical Reflections, 2019
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.
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Peer-reviewed journal articles by Nina Müller van Velden
who are attuned to the manner in which gender is constructed and
performed by means of characterisation in its narratives, and is
interpreted from a vast range of social locations. For some, the end-
result is the promotion of gender equality and gender-transgressive
behaviour, whereas others deem the Fourth Gospel narratives to
merely reinforce the all-too-familiar patriarchal social structures and
hegemonic masculine ideals. Central to interpretative judgments on
the gendered dimension of the Fourth Gospel narratives is the manner
in which Jesus is characterised. I suggest that the foot-washing
narrative of John 13:1–11, when read with a gender-critical lens
against the background of the first-century cultural script of honour
and shame, resists simplistic categorisation as being solely a liberating
or a restrictive gendered narrative. Rather, by taking into consideration
the complex intersections of honour, shame, gender and class, a
gender-ambiguous picture emerges—one in which the
characterisation of Jesus both affirms and transgresses ancient
gendered ideals. The unresolved gender ambiguity depicted in the
narrative could potentially offer possibilities for theologically
engaging gender and sexuality by means of a hermeneutical
framework that can explore the discomfort of constructivism, instead
of jumping perhaps too hastily to oft-preferred essentialist
understandings of gender and sexuality.
Book chapters by Nina Müller van Velden
Popular publications by Nina Müller van Velden
Retief Müller Senior Lektor – Kerkgeskiedenis: Universiteit van Stellenbosch
Dit is steeds teenwoordig in al die formuliere van die amptelike inisiasierites van die kerk – daardie geleenthede van plegtige belofte: doop, belydenisaflegging, legitimasie, kerkraadsbevestiging – maar tydens hierdie geleenthede kom die inhoud van die HK feitlik nooit ter sprake nie.
As jy in enige gereformeerde kerk in Suid-Afrika belydenis van geloof afgelê het, jou kind laat doop het, as ’n kerkraadslid bevestig is, of as ’n teologiese student gelegitimeer is, dan het jy definitief ’n belofte oor die HK (saam met die ander gereformeerde belydenisskrifte) afgelê.
INHOUD
Inleiding
Wat is die mens dan? – Helené van Tonder
Onmisbare werklikheid – Nina Müller van Velden
God in die detail – Helgard Pretorius
Om te soek na sekerheid – Wouter van Velden
Die dissonante drinkwater van ’n bedwelm(en)de dokument – Calvyn du Toit
Dankbaarheid in skoonheid en gebrokenheid – Janine Williams
Wat sou Jesus doen? ontmoet Wat is jou enigste troos in lewe en in sterwe? – Cobus van Wyngaard
Nawoord
Papers by Nina Müller van Velden
who are attuned to the manner in which gender is constructed and
performed by means of characterisation in its narratives, and is
interpreted from a vast range of social locations. For some, the end-
result is the promotion of gender equality and gender-transgressive
behaviour, whereas others deem the Fourth Gospel narratives to
merely reinforce the all-too-familiar patriarchal social structures and
hegemonic masculine ideals. Central to interpretative judgments on
the gendered dimension of the Fourth Gospel narratives is the manner
in which Jesus is characterised. I suggest that the foot-washing
narrative of John 13:1–11, when read with a gender-critical lens
against the background of the first-century cultural script of honour
and shame, resists simplistic categorisation as being solely a liberating
or a restrictive gendered narrative. Rather, by taking into consideration
the complex intersections of honour, shame, gender and class, a
gender-ambiguous picture emerges—one in which the
characterisation of Jesus both affirms and transgresses ancient
gendered ideals. The unresolved gender ambiguity depicted in the
narrative could potentially offer possibilities for theologically
engaging gender and sexuality by means of a hermeneutical
framework that can explore the discomfort of constructivism, instead
of jumping perhaps too hastily to oft-preferred essentialist
understandings of gender and sexuality.
Retief Müller Senior Lektor – Kerkgeskiedenis: Universiteit van Stellenbosch
Dit is steeds teenwoordig in al die formuliere van die amptelike inisiasierites van die kerk – daardie geleenthede van plegtige belofte: doop, belydenisaflegging, legitimasie, kerkraadsbevestiging – maar tydens hierdie geleenthede kom die inhoud van die HK feitlik nooit ter sprake nie.
As jy in enige gereformeerde kerk in Suid-Afrika belydenis van geloof afgelê het, jou kind laat doop het, as ’n kerkraadslid bevestig is, of as ’n teologiese student gelegitimeer is, dan het jy definitief ’n belofte oor die HK (saam met die ander gereformeerde belydenisskrifte) afgelê.
INHOUD
Inleiding
Wat is die mens dan? – Helené van Tonder
Onmisbare werklikheid – Nina Müller van Velden
God in die detail – Helgard Pretorius
Om te soek na sekerheid – Wouter van Velden
Die dissonante drinkwater van ’n bedwelm(en)de dokument – Calvyn du Toit
Dankbaarheid in skoonheid en gebrokenheid – Janine Williams
Wat sou Jesus doen? ontmoet Wat is jou enigste troos in lewe en in sterwe? – Cobus van Wyngaard
Nawoord