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Item A grammatical exposition of 2 Timothy 3:16-17 Conspectus : The Journal of the South African Theological Seminary, Volume 9, Issue 03, Mar 2010, p. 95 - 105(South African Theological Seminary Press) Smith, Kevin G.The most definitive biblical text on the nature, function, and purpose of scripture, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, contains several difficulties that have made it the subject of much scholarly debate. The purpose of this article is to examine the Greek text phrase by phrase, exploring the difficulties and evaluating possible solutions. Concerning the nature of scripture, the first three words are best translated 'all scripture is God-breathed', although 'every scripture is God-breathed' remains possible. The inspired nature of the scriptures is presupposed by both these translations, and even by other interpretive options. Furthermore, it is proper to consider both copies and translations as inspired scriptures, while recognizing that in so doing we are referring to their true character rather than their absolute character. The function of scripture is represented by four prepositional phrases, which portray its functions as guiding believers towards correct belief and behaviour, while exposing wrong beliefs and behaviours. The ultimate purpose of scripture, however, is conveyed not by the four prepositional phrases in verse 16, but by the hina clause in verse 17 - the word of God is given to prepare the man of God for every good work.Item Review of Roger E Olson, Arminian Theology : Myths and Realities Conspectus : The Journal of the South African Theological Seminary, Volume 11, Issue 03, Mar 2011, p. 203 - 216(South African Theological Seminary Press Johannesburg, South Africa) Smith, Kevin G.From the perspective of an Arminian, the publication of Roger Olson's Arminian Theology is most welcome. It is welcome because of two trends that are powerfully evident in churches across South Africa, and no doubt, in other countries too.Item Review of Richard Osmer, Practical Theology : An Introduction Conspectus : The Journal of the South African Theological Seminary, Volume 10, Issue 1, Jan 2010, p. 99 - 113(South African Theological Seminary Press Johannesburg, South Africa) Smith, Kevin G.Osmer's primary purpose is to equip congregational leaders to engage in practical theological interpretation of episodes, situations, and contexts that confront them in ministry. A secondary purpose is to equip theological educators to train students in the skills of practical theological reflection.Item Reconciling the personal and social dimensions of the gospel Conspectus : The Journal of the South African Theological Seminary, Volume 13, Issue 03, Mar 2012, p. 137 - 155(South African Theological Seminary Press Johannesburg, South Africa) Scarborough, Thomas OliverHistorically, there has been considerable awkwardness and difficulty in harmonising the personal and social dimensions of the gospel. The purpose of this article is to develop an integrative motif through which it may be possible to set these dimensions on the same conceptual footing. In terms of this motif, our world is fundamentally relational. Further, it contains an infinity of relations. Within this infinity of relations, we employ thematic perspectives to trace finite microcosms of relations. However, thematic perspectives, both personal and social, are ontologically flawed, and drive us to despair. This is interpreted theologically in terms of sin and repentance.Item A grammatical exposition of 2 Timothy 3:16-17 Conspectus : The Journal of the South African Theological Seminary, Volume 9, Issue 03, Mar 2010, p. 95 - 105(South African Theological Seminary Press Johannesburg, South Africa) Smith, Kevin G.The most definitive biblical text on the nature, function, and purpose of scripture, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, contains several difficulties that have made it the subject of much scholarly debate. The purpose of this article is to examine the Greek text phrase by phrase, exploring the difficulties and evaluating possible solutions. Concerning the nature of scripture, the first three words are best translated 'all scripture is God-breathed', although 'every scripture is God-breathed' remains possible. The inspired nature of the scriptures is presupposed by both these translations, and even by other interpretive options. Furthermore, it is proper to consider both copies and translations as inspired scriptures, while recognizing that in so doing we are referring to their true character rather than their absolute character. The function of scripture is represented by four prepositional phrases, which portray its functions as guiding believers towards correct belief and behaviour, while exposing wrong beliefs and behaviours. The ultimate purpose of scripture, however, is conveyed not by the four prepositional phrases in verse 16, but by the hina clause in verse 17 - the word of God is given to prepare the man of God for every good work.Item Stage Development Theory and the Use of Elementary Exegesis in Bible Teaching to Children : A Child-focused and Bible-Orientated Pedagogical Approach Conspectus : The Journal of the South African Theological Seminary, Volume 14, Issue 09, Sep 2012, p. 57 - 80(South African Theological Seminary Press Johannesburg, South Africa) Brodie, RobertThis paper advocates the use of a child-focused and Bible-orientated stage development approach to the teaching of the Bible to children. Piaget's theories on the cognitive development of children and the adaptation of those theories to religious education by Goldman and others provide the overall framework for an evaluation of aspects of a presentation of a Bible story compiled from assignments submitted by South African theological students. The evaluation identifies several shortcomings in the presentation. The article then considers two major difficulties in teaching the Bible to children before proposing how the shortcomings in the students' presentation can be addressed.Item Defining Christian Transformational Leadership Conspectus : The Journal of the South African Theological Seminary, Volume 10, Issue 1, Jan 2010, p. 58 - 87(Johannesburg, South Africa Johannesburg, South Africa) Scarborough, Thomas OliverChristian Transformational Leadership is a major leadership theory whereby the Christian leader, most simply, seeks to influence (or transform) followers on the basis of his or her vision and character. However, definitions of the theory remain sketchy, and in their present form do not offer an adequate basis for research. This article details how a suitable body of Christian Transformational Leadership literature was selected and a definition extracted from the literature. It further suggests ways in which a definition of Christian Transformational Leadership may serve to advance research in the field.Item Review of Linton and Mowat, Qualitative Research and Practical Theology Conspectus : The Journal of the South African Theological Seminary, Volume 10, Issue 1, Jan 2010, p. 88 - 98(South African Theological Seminary Press Johannesburg, South Africa) Smith, Kevin G.John Linton and Harriet Mowat state their purpose as follows: 'The primary purpose of this book is to address the question: How can we faithfully use qualitative research to provide accurate data for theological reflection?' (vii). In other words, the book is about the use of qualitative research for practical theology. To be more specific, their objective is to show how practical theologians can use qualitative research to form or transform practices which are faithful to the gospel.Item Deconstructing 'transformational' in Christian Transformational Leadership Conspectus : The Journal of the South African Theological Seminary, Volume 11, Issue 03, Mar 2011, p. 167 - 186(South African Theological Seminary Press Johannesburg, South Africa) Scarborough, Thomas OliverChristian Transformational Leadership is a major Christian leadership theory. This article, on the basis of a definition of Christian transformational leadership, applies a semantic (or deconstructionist) critique to three core features of the theory, namely influence, persuasiveness, and the ability to strategize. It does so by seeking to identify conflict or difference which attaches to these terms in twenty-two Christian transformational leadership texts. It reveals that the theory may make extraordinary demands on the leader, and exact a heavy emotional toll.Item The Secret, R. Byrne : Book Review Conspectus : The Journal of the South African Theological Seminary, Volume 6, Issue 09, Sep 2008, p. 133 - 135(South African Theological Seminary Press Johannesburg, South Africa) Pretorius, MarkAt the writing of this review, it is even reported to have outsold the latest Harry Potter book by JK Rowling's. Clearly, this book is attracting much attention, and people are prepared to spend money to read it.