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Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14194/2895
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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 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 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 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 Adultery, Divorce, and Eldership Conspectus : The Journal of the South African Theological Seminary, Volume 16, Issue 09, Sep 2013, p. 47 - 78(South African Theological Seminary Press Johannesburg, South Africa) Smith, Kevin G.This article applies the methodology of Integrated Theology (Smith 2013) to attempt to answer this question: 'Can a man who has committed adultery and thus caused the failure of his marriage later serve as an elder, meeting the biblical requirements for eldership?' After surveying various pieces of evidence, including biblical and historical evidence, the author concludes the requirements for eldership would generally exclude such candidates, but that the biblical evidence falls short of an absolute prohibition and leaves the door open for the rare exceptions that prove the rule. Therefore, a church can defend either of two positions: an exclusion position or an exception position.Item Integrated Theology: A Key to Training Thinking Practitioners Conspectus : The Journal of the South African Theological Seminary, Volume 12, Issue 09, Sep 2011, p. 185 - 216(South African Theological Seminary Press Johannesburg, South Africa) Smith, Kevin G.African Conspectus is a refereed theological e-journal published biannually by the South African Theological Seminary (www.sats.edu.za). The journal is a scholarly theological publication in the fields of Biblical Studies, Systematic Theology and Practical Theology.Item Family Requirements for Eldership Conspectus : The Journal of the South African Theological Seminary, Volume 1, Issue 03, Mar 2006, p. 27 - 43(South African Theological Seminary Press Johannesburg, South Africa) Smith, Kevin G.The New Testament contains two lists of requirements for elders. While is it well-known that the lists focus on character issues, this article demonstrates that the candidate's family life holds pride of place amongst the character requirements for eldership. Then it analyses interpretations of the family requirements in the two lists, drawing conclusions as to what it means to be a blameless husband and a blameless father.Item An Examination of the Consistency of the New World Translation with the Stated Philosophy of the Translators Conspectus : The Journal of the South African Theological Seminary, Volume 6, Issue 09, Sep 2008, p. 25 - 42(South African Theological Seminary Press Johannesburg, South Africa) Smith, Kevin G.The purpose of this article is to evaluate the extent to which the The New World Translation of the Christian Greek Scriptures' (NWT) rendering of selected Christologically significant texts is consistent with its own philosophy of translation. To test the NWT's consistency with its own philosophy of translation, the authors selected nine Christologically significant texts, namely, John 1:1, 1:18, 20:28, Acts 20:28, Romans 9:5, Titus 2:13, Hebrews 1:8-9, 2 Peter 1:1 and 1 John 5:20. Each of these nine texts arguably uses the Greek term θεóς in reference to Jesus Christ. The authors conclude that in seven of the nine sample texts, the NWT violates one or more of its stated translation values and principles. The most common violation is its pervasive tendency to subvert the most natural understanding of the Greek text in favour of a 'preferred religious view'.Item A Letter to Africa About Africa, K. Munza : Book Review Conspectus : The Journal of the South African Theological Seminary, Volume 5, Issue 03, Mar 2008, p. 207 - 208(South African Theological Seminary Press Johannesburg, South Africa) Smith, Kevin G.The objective of this short book is to argue that the root cause of the social evils that afflict Africa have their roots in an unbiblical worldview, and the appropriate treatment is ""theotherapy"", helping African Christians to embrace a biblical worldview.