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Pieter Botha

University of South Africa, Biblical and Ancient Studies (UNISA), Faculty Member

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Full Professor of Biblical and Ancient Studies at the University of South Africa. My research publications deal with the ethnography of ancient communication, the redescription of historical developments by means of social history and cross-cultural comparison, and the contemporary relevance of traditions and philosophies. Currently researching the history of disability in early Christianity, developing a hermeneutics of body criticism.

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Johannes Zachhuber

University of Oxford

Australian Catholic University

Cristiana Facchini

Università di Bologna

Armando Marques-Guedes

UNL - New University of Lisbon

Lorenzo Verderame

Università degli Studi "La Sapienza" di Roma

Macquarie University

Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul

Jeffrey Stackert

University of Chicago

Paul N Anderson

George Fox University

Jan N . Bremmer

University of Groningen

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Papers by Pieter Botha

Albert Schweitzer se etiese gesigseinder: Eerbied vir en dankbaarheid teenoor die lewe

STJ | Stellenbosch Theological Journal, Jan 22, 2016

Albert Schweitzer's ethical horizon: reverence and gratitude for life In the search for relevant ... more Albert Schweitzer's ethical horizon: reverence and gratitude for life In the search for relevant theology, especially in the context of the ethical and moral challenges facing contemporary South Africa, the theology/philosophy of religion of Albert Schweitzer can play an important role. Aspects of Schweitzer's deliberations are briefl y discussed under three topics: ethical mysticism, the centrality of life and the responsibility associated with living. Th e famous statement, "reverence for life" as summary for Schweitzer's thinking is embedded in profound and comprehensive refl ection, and properly understood can provide meaningful support to contemporary theologies struggling with the faith-action divide.

Jesus vandag: Moontlikhede van Ernst Troeltsch se Christologie

Theological Studies/Teologiese Studies, Jan 23, 1988

Jesus today: Possibilities of the Christology of Ernst Troeltsch The significance of the historic... more Jesus today: Possibilities of the Christology of Ernst Troeltsch The significance of the historical Jesus for faith is a major issue in the debate concerning the value of theology. Ernst Troeltsch constructed a meaningful answer to both questions in terms of what he called Glaubenslehre. A discussion of his views on the value of Jesus for faith is placed in the context of his theological system. Although Troeltsch sees Jesus' significance in symbolic terms he emphasises the need for historical study, without which a symbol becomes empty. A short critical discus sion of Troeltsch's significance to the contemporary debate on Christo logy concludes the essay. * D aar is gelukk ig in te re ssa n te u itso n d e rin g s, soos bv Fuller & P erk in s 1983; Kiing 1976: 1 1 9-1 7 2 en O g d e n 1982 (kyk ook V an A ard e 1987: 3 3 1-3 3 2) .

I am writing this with my own hand�': Writing in New Testament times

Verbum Et Ecclesia, Sep 4, 2009

When the New Testament and early Christian writings are considered as situated, culturally mediat... more When the New Testament and early Christian writings are considered as situated, culturally mediated and historically functional events, the pitfall of a binary contrast between literacy and orality should be avoided. Focus should be on the physical and experiential aspects of ancient writing. Discussions of posture, education, cost and the amount of time involved in physical writing in Greco-Roman times are concluded by an analysis of the disposition of subservience that surrounded writing. 115 Vol. 30 No. 2 Page 1 of 11 'Writing on one's knees' is quite unlike how a modern scholar works. In antiquity scribes were, typically, not accustomed to writing on tables or desks, as is shown by a wide range of artistic, archaeological, and literary evidence (Parássoglou 1979; Turner & Parsons 1987:5-6). When a scribe was making relatively brief notes on a wax tablet or on a sheet of papyrus or parchment, he would usually stand and write while holding the writing material in his left hand. In the case of a more extensive task, such as the copying of a lengthy manuscript, a scribe would sit, occasionally on the ground but sometimes on a stool or bench, supporting the scroll or codex on his knees (Metzger 1968:123). Scribes wrote their scrolls or sheets by holding, shifting and balancing their writing materials on their thighs (Metzger 1968:125-126). An illustration of this is the colophon (scribe's mark, signature or note) at the close of a papyrus scroll containing portions of the third and fourth books of the Iliad (third century), which mentions the cooperation of the stylus, the right hand and the knee in writing: kav lamoṽ mAE e[ graye dexia; cei; r kai; gov nu. 1

Herodes - die Grote?

Theological Studies/Teologiese Studies, Jan 11, 1995

Herod-The Great? The claim to historical understanding is more than simply quoting from ancient s... more Herod-The Great? The claim to historical understanding is more than simply quoting from ancient sources. Not only must anachronism and ethnocentrism be dealt with in order not to make the ancients mere instruments of modem preferences, but the sources themselves must be carefully interpreted so that we do not become victims of their propaganda. The challenge of historical understanding with sincerity and fairness is illustrated in this study of Herod the Great, king of the Judaeans. Studying history is not to aim at the discovery of.final truth, but to participate in the conversation about truth, and therefore the self-reflection and self-discovery implied by historical exploration.

The Gospel of Matthew and women

In die skriflig, Aug 2, 2003

The Gospel of Matthew and women Matthew obviously reveals no concern with gender roles and issues... more The Gospel of Matthew and women Matthew obviously reveals no concern with gender roles and issues about female leadership. This Gospel simply perceives such issues from the perspective of conventional patriarchal terms within the Roman household ideology, at best believing "collegiality" to be proper for his community. In order to avoid biblicistic and/or fundamentalistic theological reflection these issues should be acknowledged in our "wrestling" with Scripture. At the same time Matthew's vision of God and the abundant righteousness demanded allow us to go beyond Matthew's treatment of women and radicalise not only the implicit call to equity in our tradition but even our own context's emphasis on equality.

Authorship in Historical Perspective and Its Bearing on New Testament and Early Christian Texts and Contexts

Scriptura : international journal of bible, religion and theology in southern Africa, Jun 12, 2013

Authorship' in Greco-Roman times must be understood as an interpretive, cultural construct. Writi... more Authorship' in Greco-Roman times must be understood as an interpretive, cultural construct. Writing activities were collective and participatory, and ranged, depending on the location and period, from courtiership to editorial, translation and facilitation work to entertainment to legal practice to education, embedded in pre-print contexts without the judicial and social institution of copyright. Whatever it was that ancient authors did when they wrote down and diffused thought, 'authorship' in antiquity must not be seen along the lines of modern, romanticist projections of the solitary, brilliant individual.

Die lyf: fasette van die erotiese en seksuele in die Romeinse Ryk

Verbum Et Ecclesia, Nov 17, 2006

The body: aspects of eroticism and sexuality in the Roman empire An introduction to aspects of th... more The body: aspects of eroticism and sexuality in the Roman empire An introduction to aspects of the erotic and sexuality in Greco-Roman antiquity requires some understanding of how people saw their bodies. What is considered erotic is related to the "ideal" body: sexuality manifests itself as culturally and historically determined. In this article relevant parts of the Greco-Roman cosmology is briefly discussed and concepts of the body analysed before an overview of love relations between women and men is presented. In the final section the shift in views about the body among the early Christians, is specified. As 'n mens in die jaar 72 by die huis van Achilles-adres: Via di Nola, 10.5, Pompeije-ingestap het, sou mens soos te wagte, verskeie muurskilderye gesien het.

Gelykenisse in konteks: Aantekeninge oor Matteus 24:45–25:30

Verbum Et Ecclesia, Apr 21, 1996

Parables in conte:d: some comments on Matthew 24:45-25:30 The three parables in Matthew 24:45-25:... more Parables in conte:d: some comments on Matthew 24:45-25:30 The three parables in Matthew 24:45-25:30 are usually read as advice to the church on how to behave while waiting for the return of the Lord. An alternative reading is proposed in this article: Matthew discusses the relationship between various Jewish groups, explaining who the disciples of the Kingdom are and why fonnative Judaism, competing for the allegiance of Jews of the late first century, is not a viable option for the future of Israel's inheritance.

Blood sacrifice and moral formation: violence as a facet of Christian traditions

Hts Teologiese Studies-theological Studies, Dec 1, 2008

Blood sacrifice and moral formation: Violence as a facet of Christian traditions Is it possible t... more Blood sacrifice and moral formation: Violence as a facet of Christian traditions Is it possible that the discourse (and the corresponding assumptions) of blood sacrifice contribute to violent behavior? After a brief review of the pervasive presence of blood sacrifice language in formative Christianity, some theoretical perspectives on the concept of sacrifice are discussed. Attention is given to traditional views emphasizing sacrifice as transaction and communication, as well as to the theories of René Girard and Walter Burkert. These theoretical reflections remind us of how interwoven sacrifice and our cultural histories; sacrifice is rooted in coping strategies for powerful and dangerous emotions and events. Some connections between blood sacrifice imagery and sacrificial talk and the possible substantiation and naturalization of violent actions and values are indicated. Sacrifice language is not the only cause of violent behavior, but it does contribute to the cultural scripts of communities, promotes egocentric values, maintains magical components in worldview and facilitates the perception of violence as a commodity.

Radiokoolstofdatering en teologiese refleksie

Radio-carbon dating and theological reflection A brief description of radio-carbon and its implic... more Radio-carbon dating and theological reflection A brief description of radio-carbon and its implications serves as the context for a plea to extensively and radically revise "orthodox" Reformed theological discourse as practised in South Africa. Faith within a worldview determined by the atomic hypothesis is briefly explored by emphasising God-talk as moral discourse. 1. INLEIDING Die meeste van ons weet van radiokoolstofdatering. 'n Geval wat heelwat belangstelling gaande gemaak het, is die ondersoek na die moontlike egtheid van die Kleed van Turyn. Juis op gronde van 'n koolstof-14 datering is dit as 'n lap wat in die Middeleeue geweef is, gei'dentifiseer en kon dit dus nie aan Jesus se Iyf gesit het nie. Alhoewel ek eintlik iets wil se oor die behoefte aan 'n relevante en egte geloofsdiskoers,1 wil ek my aanloop maak met 'n kort bespreking van radiokoolstof. Om te begryp wat ek wil se en hoekom ek dit juis so wil se, moet ek eers uitwy oor atome, isotope en radio-aktiwiteit. 2. KOOLSTOF-14 Die proses van koolstof-14 datering het te doen met die natuurlike verskynsel genaamd "isotope". Die atome van 'n element is nie noodwendig almal dieselfde nie. Al die atome van 'n element het dieselfde aantal protone, maar sommige atome van 'n element kan verskillende hoeveelhede neutrone he. 'n Isotoop van 'n element is die atome met 1 Professor Gert Pelser beklemtoon dikwels dat die kerklike boodskap geloofivaardig vir moderne mense vertolk moet word (vgl Boshoff 1992:200). Wat ons glo, moet 60k eietyds wees (kyk, bv Pelser 1999:431-434) HTS 57(1&2) 2001 281 Digitised by the University of Pretoria, Library Services Radiokoolstofdatering en teologiese refleksie dieselfde atomiese getal (aantal protone) maar met verskillende hoeveelhede neutrone. Vir alle praktiese doeleindes word 'n element se atomiese gewig bepaal deur die aantal protone en neutrone van die atoom. Suurstof se atomiese getal is agt (d w s, daar is 8 protone in die kern van 'n suurstofatoom), maar daar kan 8, 9 of 10 neutrone wees: atomiese gewigte van 16, 17 of 18; beskryf as suurstof-16, suurstof-17 en suurstof-18. Isotope is meestal skaars. Daar is, byvoorbeeld, omtrent twintig suurstof-18 atome vir elke 9 976 suurstof-16 atome (en net vier van 10 000 suurstofatome is suurstof-17). 2 Sommige isotope is "stabiel" en ander is nie: die atoomkems van "onstabiele" isotope breek af, en in die proses vind radioaktiewe uitstraling plaas. Die atome van so 'n isotoop se kerns transmuteer van een atomiese getal na 'n ander (dit word dus 'n ander element).3 Die atome se kerns wat 'n stabiele rangskikking van protone en neutrone vestig, doen dit deur alfa-partikels (heliumkerns) of beta-partikels (hoe-spoed elektrone) of gammJ-strale (elektromagnetiese strale met golflengtes van omtrent 10 pikometer) uit te straal. Hierdie proses kan blitsvinnig plaasvind of baie lank duur. Die term waarmee hierdie proses beskryf word is "halflewe": die tydperk wat dit duur vir helfte van die onstabiele nukleons van die betrokke isotoop om te disintegreer. Sommige isotope breek af in miljoenstes van 'n sekonde, vir ander kan die proses biljoene jare duur. Plutonium-239 se halflewe is omtrent 24 000 jaar. Dit beteken dat van 'n kilogram plutonium-239 ongeveer die helfte met die verloop van 24 000 jaar sal afbreek. Helfte van die oorblewende helfte sal nog 24 000 jaar nodig he, waarvan helfte van daardie kwart radioaktief sal wees vir 'n verdere 24 000 jaar en so-aan. Dit neem 'n radioaktiewe element sewe halfleeftye om te disintegreer tot een persent van die 00[spronklike hoeveelheid; na tien halfleeftye is slegs 'n duisendste oor. Van elke kilogram 2 Hierdie-en volgende-berekeninge kan maklik met behulp van naslaanwerke gekontroleer word (bv: Isaacs 1996; Sharp 1990; Keller 1988). Ek gebruik atomiese "gewig" hier in die sin van atomiese massagetal. 3 Daar is baie goeie uiteensettings van die struktuur van die atomiese en subatomiese wereld en radioaktiewe uitstraling beskikbaar; 0 a,

Memory and identity in early Christianity : introduction : editorial

Journal of Early Christian History, 2011

In the NT writings and even more so in other early Christian literature, we have the memory of no... more In the NT writings and even more so in other early Christian literature, we have the memory of not only Jesus but also of those participating in remembering. Understanding those memories require study of the relationships among these early Christians as well as the cultural complexes they were negotiating with their memories.

The Greco-Roman book : contextualising early Christian documents : research article

Acta patristica et byzantina, 2009

Online Journal Abstract Information - Sabinet Online.

�Wat sal hierdie kindjie eendag word?� Kindwees in die w�reld van Jesus (Deel 2)

Verbum et Ecclesia, 2000

�What will this child become?� Childhood in the world of Jesus (Part 2) This is the second part o... more �What will this child become?� Childhood in the world of Jesus (Part 2) This is the second part of an historical investigation into the conditions and experiences of childhood in first century Palestine. Aspects of early childhood, socialisation and education are discussed. The issue, �Jesus and the children� is explored briefly.

Die Menigte rondom Jesus

Verbum et Ecclesia, 1998

The crowds around Jesus This article is an exercise in historical imagination. By employing an in... more The crowds around Jesus This article is an exercise in historical imagination. By employing an interdisciplinary approach some facets of the appearance and daily experiences of first century Galilean peasants are discussed. The question, how we should picture Jesus� crowds, thereby becomes a powerful way of opening a window onto the world of the historical Jesus.

The task of understanding the Gospel traditions: Werner Kelber’s contribution to New Testament research

HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies, 1990

The research of WH Kelber on the Gospel traditions have important implications. His main emphases... more The research of WH Kelber on the Gospel traditions have important implications. His main emphases are summarized and certain aspects briefly commended. A critical discussion concerning the aims of interpretation, the issue of conflicting traditions, the immense problem of orality and the interpretation of Mark is concluded with an argument on the necessity and pitfalls of multidisciplinary research.

Orality and Literacy in Early Christianity

Biblical Theology Bulletin: Journal of Bible and Culture, 2014

This review essay engages Pieter Botha's Orality and Literacy in Early Christianity in a wide... more This review essay engages Pieter Botha's Orality and Literacy in Early Christianity in a wide-ranging discussion of the ancient and early Christian communications culture. It reviews and seeks to carry forward some of the author's principal ideas about voice and chirographic practices, oral-scribal interfaces, compositional processes and performative activities, authorship, and memory both as an individual and as a social force. The first part draws a stark difference between the modern typographic media world and the oral-scribal-memorial communication processes of antiquity, and it exposes a tendency in biblical studies to project key features of the former upon the latter. The second part focuses on two major issues. One is the development of the Jesus traditions with an emphasis on rumor transmission, an unofficial, uncontrollable, interactional process. The second issue concerns the compositional identity of Mark, posing a sharp alternative between Mark as autograph of ...

Blindness in early Christianity

Anti-Judaism and Anti-Semitism

Encyclopedia of the Bible Online

The Spelling Eye Versus the Listening Ear: Oral Poetics and New Testament Writings

Scriptura, 2018

Concepts such as orality, media criticism, manuscript culture, oral reading and performance have ... more Concepts such as orality, media criticism, manuscript culture, oral reading and performance have been introduced to New Testament scholarship since the 1980s, but their impact on and contribution to mainstream research are still in question. A resurgent interest in these socio-cultural notions is raising fundamental questions about approaches to and conclusions about early Christian texts. Some of the implications and possibilities of these developments are reviewed and briefly illustrated. Rather than emphasising another method or 'criticism' that could be 'added' to the repertoire of biblical scholarship, it is proposed that a multifaceted conceptualising of 'speaking-hearing-remembering', an 'oral poetics', inform NT scholarship.

Paul and gossip: a social mechanism in early Christian communities

Neotestamentica, 1998

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Albert Schweitzer se etiese gesigseinder: Eerbied vir en dankbaarheid teenoor die lewe

STJ | Stellenbosch Theological Journal, Jan 22, 2016

Albert Schweitzer's ethical horizon: reverence and gratitude for life In the search for relevant ... more Albert Schweitzer's ethical horizon: reverence and gratitude for life In the search for relevant theology, especially in the context of the ethical and moral challenges facing contemporary South Africa, the theology/philosophy of religion of Albert Schweitzer can play an important role. Aspects of Schweitzer's deliberations are briefl y discussed under three topics: ethical mysticism, the centrality of life and the responsibility associated with living. Th e famous statement, "reverence for life" as summary for Schweitzer's thinking is embedded in profound and comprehensive refl ection, and properly understood can provide meaningful support to contemporary theologies struggling with the faith-action divide.

Jesus vandag: Moontlikhede van Ernst Troeltsch se Christologie

Theological Studies/Teologiese Studies, Jan 23, 1988

Jesus today: Possibilities of the Christology of Ernst Troeltsch The significance of the historic... more Jesus today: Possibilities of the Christology of Ernst Troeltsch The significance of the historical Jesus for faith is a major issue in the debate concerning the value of theology. Ernst Troeltsch constructed a meaningful answer to both questions in terms of what he called Glaubenslehre. A discussion of his views on the value of Jesus for faith is placed in the context of his theological system. Although Troeltsch sees Jesus' significance in symbolic terms he emphasises the need for historical study, without which a symbol becomes empty. A short critical discus sion of Troeltsch's significance to the contemporary debate on Christo logy concludes the essay. * D aar is gelukk ig in te re ssa n te u itso n d e rin g s, soos bv Fuller & P erk in s 1983; Kiing 1976: 1 1 9-1 7 2 en O g d e n 1982 (kyk ook V an A ard e 1987: 3 3 1-3 3 2) .

I am writing this with my own hand�': Writing in New Testament times

Verbum Et Ecclesia, Sep 4, 2009

When the New Testament and early Christian writings are considered as situated, culturally mediat... more When the New Testament and early Christian writings are considered as situated, culturally mediated and historically functional events, the pitfall of a binary contrast between literacy and orality should be avoided. Focus should be on the physical and experiential aspects of ancient writing. Discussions of posture, education, cost and the amount of time involved in physical writing in Greco-Roman times are concluded by an analysis of the disposition of subservience that surrounded writing. 115 Vol. 30 No. 2 Page 1 of 11 'Writing on one's knees' is quite unlike how a modern scholar works. In antiquity scribes were, typically, not accustomed to writing on tables or desks, as is shown by a wide range of artistic, archaeological, and literary evidence (Parássoglou 1979; Turner & Parsons 1987:5-6). When a scribe was making relatively brief notes on a wax tablet or on a sheet of papyrus or parchment, he would usually stand and write while holding the writing material in his left hand. In the case of a more extensive task, such as the copying of a lengthy manuscript, a scribe would sit, occasionally on the ground but sometimes on a stool or bench, supporting the scroll or codex on his knees (Metzger 1968:123). Scribes wrote their scrolls or sheets by holding, shifting and balancing their writing materials on their thighs (Metzger 1968:125-126). An illustration of this is the colophon (scribe's mark, signature or note) at the close of a papyrus scroll containing portions of the third and fourth books of the Iliad (third century), which mentions the cooperation of the stylus, the right hand and the knee in writing: kav lamoṽ mAE e[ graye dexia; cei; r kai; gov nu. 1

Herodes - die Grote?

Theological Studies/Teologiese Studies, Jan 11, 1995

Herod-The Great? The claim to historical understanding is more than simply quoting from ancient s... more Herod-The Great? The claim to historical understanding is more than simply quoting from ancient sources. Not only must anachronism and ethnocentrism be dealt with in order not to make the ancients mere instruments of modem preferences, but the sources themselves must be carefully interpreted so that we do not become victims of their propaganda. The challenge of historical understanding with sincerity and fairness is illustrated in this study of Herod the Great, king of the Judaeans. Studying history is not to aim at the discovery of.final truth, but to participate in the conversation about truth, and therefore the self-reflection and self-discovery implied by historical exploration.

The Gospel of Matthew and women

In die skriflig, Aug 2, 2003

The Gospel of Matthew and women Matthew obviously reveals no concern with gender roles and issues... more The Gospel of Matthew and women Matthew obviously reveals no concern with gender roles and issues about female leadership. This Gospel simply perceives such issues from the perspective of conventional patriarchal terms within the Roman household ideology, at best believing "collegiality" to be proper for his community. In order to avoid biblicistic and/or fundamentalistic theological reflection these issues should be acknowledged in our "wrestling" with Scripture. At the same time Matthew's vision of God and the abundant righteousness demanded allow us to go beyond Matthew's treatment of women and radicalise not only the implicit call to equity in our tradition but even our own context's emphasis on equality.

Authorship in Historical Perspective and Its Bearing on New Testament and Early Christian Texts and Contexts

Scriptura : international journal of bible, religion and theology in southern Africa, Jun 12, 2013

Authorship' in Greco-Roman times must be understood as an interpretive, cultural construct. Writi... more Authorship' in Greco-Roman times must be understood as an interpretive, cultural construct. Writing activities were collective and participatory, and ranged, depending on the location and period, from courtiership to editorial, translation and facilitation work to entertainment to legal practice to education, embedded in pre-print contexts without the judicial and social institution of copyright. Whatever it was that ancient authors did when they wrote down and diffused thought, 'authorship' in antiquity must not be seen along the lines of modern, romanticist projections of the solitary, brilliant individual.

Die lyf: fasette van die erotiese en seksuele in die Romeinse Ryk

Verbum Et Ecclesia, Nov 17, 2006

The body: aspects of eroticism and sexuality in the Roman empire An introduction to aspects of th... more The body: aspects of eroticism and sexuality in the Roman empire An introduction to aspects of the erotic and sexuality in Greco-Roman antiquity requires some understanding of how people saw their bodies. What is considered erotic is related to the "ideal" body: sexuality manifests itself as culturally and historically determined. In this article relevant parts of the Greco-Roman cosmology is briefly discussed and concepts of the body analysed before an overview of love relations between women and men is presented. In the final section the shift in views about the body among the early Christians, is specified. As 'n mens in die jaar 72 by die huis van Achilles-adres: Via di Nola, 10.5, Pompeije-ingestap het, sou mens soos te wagte, verskeie muurskilderye gesien het.

Gelykenisse in konteks: Aantekeninge oor Matteus 24:45–25:30

Verbum Et Ecclesia, Apr 21, 1996

Parables in conte:d: some comments on Matthew 24:45-25:30 The three parables in Matthew 24:45-25:... more Parables in conte:d: some comments on Matthew 24:45-25:30 The three parables in Matthew 24:45-25:30 are usually read as advice to the church on how to behave while waiting for the return of the Lord. An alternative reading is proposed in this article: Matthew discusses the relationship between various Jewish groups, explaining who the disciples of the Kingdom are and why fonnative Judaism, competing for the allegiance of Jews of the late first century, is not a viable option for the future of Israel's inheritance.

Blood sacrifice and moral formation: violence as a facet of Christian traditions

Hts Teologiese Studies-theological Studies, Dec 1, 2008

Blood sacrifice and moral formation: Violence as a facet of Christian traditions Is it possible t... more Blood sacrifice and moral formation: Violence as a facet of Christian traditions Is it possible that the discourse (and the corresponding assumptions) of blood sacrifice contribute to violent behavior? After a brief review of the pervasive presence of blood sacrifice language in formative Christianity, some theoretical perspectives on the concept of sacrifice are discussed. Attention is given to traditional views emphasizing sacrifice as transaction and communication, as well as to the theories of René Girard and Walter Burkert. These theoretical reflections remind us of how interwoven sacrifice and our cultural histories; sacrifice is rooted in coping strategies for powerful and dangerous emotions and events. Some connections between blood sacrifice imagery and sacrificial talk and the possible substantiation and naturalization of violent actions and values are indicated. Sacrifice language is not the only cause of violent behavior, but it does contribute to the cultural scripts of communities, promotes egocentric values, maintains magical components in worldview and facilitates the perception of violence as a commodity.

Radiokoolstofdatering en teologiese refleksie

Radio-carbon dating and theological reflection A brief description of radio-carbon and its implic... more Radio-carbon dating and theological reflection A brief description of radio-carbon and its implications serves as the context for a plea to extensively and radically revise "orthodox" Reformed theological discourse as practised in South Africa. Faith within a worldview determined by the atomic hypothesis is briefly explored by emphasising God-talk as moral discourse. 1. INLEIDING Die meeste van ons weet van radiokoolstofdatering. 'n Geval wat heelwat belangstelling gaande gemaak het, is die ondersoek na die moontlike egtheid van die Kleed van Turyn. Juis op gronde van 'n koolstof-14 datering is dit as 'n lap wat in die Middeleeue geweef is, gei'dentifiseer en kon dit dus nie aan Jesus se Iyf gesit het nie. Alhoewel ek eintlik iets wil se oor die behoefte aan 'n relevante en egte geloofsdiskoers,1 wil ek my aanloop maak met 'n kort bespreking van radiokoolstof. Om te begryp wat ek wil se en hoekom ek dit juis so wil se, moet ek eers uitwy oor atome, isotope en radio-aktiwiteit. 2. KOOLSTOF-14 Die proses van koolstof-14 datering het te doen met die natuurlike verskynsel genaamd "isotope". Die atome van 'n element is nie noodwendig almal dieselfde nie. Al die atome van 'n element het dieselfde aantal protone, maar sommige atome van 'n element kan verskillende hoeveelhede neutrone he. 'n Isotoop van 'n element is die atome met 1 Professor Gert Pelser beklemtoon dikwels dat die kerklike boodskap geloofivaardig vir moderne mense vertolk moet word (vgl Boshoff 1992:200). Wat ons glo, moet 60k eietyds wees (kyk, bv Pelser 1999:431-434) HTS 57(1&2) 2001 281 Digitised by the University of Pretoria, Library Services Radiokoolstofdatering en teologiese refleksie dieselfde atomiese getal (aantal protone) maar met verskillende hoeveelhede neutrone. Vir alle praktiese doeleindes word 'n element se atomiese gewig bepaal deur die aantal protone en neutrone van die atoom. Suurstof se atomiese getal is agt (d w s, daar is 8 protone in die kern van 'n suurstofatoom), maar daar kan 8, 9 of 10 neutrone wees: atomiese gewigte van 16, 17 of 18; beskryf as suurstof-16, suurstof-17 en suurstof-18. Isotope is meestal skaars. Daar is, byvoorbeeld, omtrent twintig suurstof-18 atome vir elke 9 976 suurstof-16 atome (en net vier van 10 000 suurstofatome is suurstof-17). 2 Sommige isotope is "stabiel" en ander is nie: die atoomkems van "onstabiele" isotope breek af, en in die proses vind radioaktiewe uitstraling plaas. Die atome van so 'n isotoop se kerns transmuteer van een atomiese getal na 'n ander (dit word dus 'n ander element).3 Die atome se kerns wat 'n stabiele rangskikking van protone en neutrone vestig, doen dit deur alfa-partikels (heliumkerns) of beta-partikels (hoe-spoed elektrone) of gammJ-strale (elektromagnetiese strale met golflengtes van omtrent 10 pikometer) uit te straal. Hierdie proses kan blitsvinnig plaasvind of baie lank duur. Die term waarmee hierdie proses beskryf word is "halflewe": die tydperk wat dit duur vir helfte van die onstabiele nukleons van die betrokke isotoop om te disintegreer. Sommige isotope breek af in miljoenstes van 'n sekonde, vir ander kan die proses biljoene jare duur. Plutonium-239 se halflewe is omtrent 24 000 jaar. Dit beteken dat van 'n kilogram plutonium-239 ongeveer die helfte met die verloop van 24 000 jaar sal afbreek. Helfte van die oorblewende helfte sal nog 24 000 jaar nodig he, waarvan helfte van daardie kwart radioaktief sal wees vir 'n verdere 24 000 jaar en so-aan. Dit neem 'n radioaktiewe element sewe halfleeftye om te disintegreer tot een persent van die 00[spronklike hoeveelheid; na tien halfleeftye is slegs 'n duisendste oor. Van elke kilogram 2 Hierdie-en volgende-berekeninge kan maklik met behulp van naslaanwerke gekontroleer word (bv: Isaacs 1996; Sharp 1990; Keller 1988). Ek gebruik atomiese "gewig" hier in die sin van atomiese massagetal. 3 Daar is baie goeie uiteensettings van die struktuur van die atomiese en subatomiese wereld en radioaktiewe uitstraling beskikbaar; 0 a,

Memory and identity in early Christianity : introduction : editorial

Journal of Early Christian History, 2011

In the NT writings and even more so in other early Christian literature, we have the memory of no... more In the NT writings and even more so in other early Christian literature, we have the memory of not only Jesus but also of those participating in remembering. Understanding those memories require study of the relationships among these early Christians as well as the cultural complexes they were negotiating with their memories.

The Greco-Roman book : contextualising early Christian documents : research article

Acta patristica et byzantina, 2009

Online Journal Abstract Information - Sabinet Online.

�Wat sal hierdie kindjie eendag word?� Kindwees in die w�reld van Jesus (Deel 2)

Verbum et Ecclesia, 2000

�What will this child become?� Childhood in the world of Jesus (Part 2) This is the second part o... more �What will this child become?� Childhood in the world of Jesus (Part 2) This is the second part of an historical investigation into the conditions and experiences of childhood in first century Palestine. Aspects of early childhood, socialisation and education are discussed. The issue, �Jesus and the children� is explored briefly.

Die Menigte rondom Jesus

Verbum et Ecclesia, 1998

The crowds around Jesus This article is an exercise in historical imagination. By employing an in... more The crowds around Jesus This article is an exercise in historical imagination. By employing an interdisciplinary approach some facets of the appearance and daily experiences of first century Galilean peasants are discussed. The question, how we should picture Jesus� crowds, thereby becomes a powerful way of opening a window onto the world of the historical Jesus.

The task of understanding the Gospel traditions: Werner Kelber’s contribution to New Testament research

HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies, 1990

The research of WH Kelber on the Gospel traditions have important implications. His main emphases... more The research of WH Kelber on the Gospel traditions have important implications. His main emphases are summarized and certain aspects briefly commended. A critical discussion concerning the aims of interpretation, the issue of conflicting traditions, the immense problem of orality and the interpretation of Mark is concluded with an argument on the necessity and pitfalls of multidisciplinary research.

Orality and Literacy in Early Christianity

Biblical Theology Bulletin: Journal of Bible and Culture, 2014

This review essay engages Pieter Botha's Orality and Literacy in Early Christianity in a wide... more This review essay engages Pieter Botha's Orality and Literacy in Early Christianity in a wide-ranging discussion of the ancient and early Christian communications culture. It reviews and seeks to carry forward some of the author's principal ideas about voice and chirographic practices, oral-scribal interfaces, compositional processes and performative activities, authorship, and memory both as an individual and as a social force. The first part draws a stark difference between the modern typographic media world and the oral-scribal-memorial communication processes of antiquity, and it exposes a tendency in biblical studies to project key features of the former upon the latter. The second part focuses on two major issues. One is the development of the Jesus traditions with an emphasis on rumor transmission, an unofficial, uncontrollable, interactional process. The second issue concerns the compositional identity of Mark, posing a sharp alternative between Mark as autograph of ...

Blindness in early Christianity

Anti-Judaism and Anti-Semitism

Encyclopedia of the Bible Online

The Spelling Eye Versus the Listening Ear: Oral Poetics and New Testament Writings

Scriptura, 2018

Concepts such as orality, media criticism, manuscript culture, oral reading and performance have ... more Concepts such as orality, media criticism, manuscript culture, oral reading and performance have been introduced to New Testament scholarship since the 1980s, but their impact on and contribution to mainstream research are still in question. A resurgent interest in these socio-cultural notions is raising fundamental questions about approaches to and conclusions about early Christian texts. Some of the implications and possibilities of these developments are reviewed and briefly illustrated. Rather than emphasising another method or 'criticism' that could be 'added' to the repertoire of biblical scholarship, it is proposed that a multifaceted conceptualising of 'speaking-hearing-remembering', an 'oral poetics', inform NT scholarship.

Paul and gossip: a social mechanism in early Christian communities

Neotestamentica, 1998

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