Articles
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14194/2895
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Item The Prophetic Witness of Amos and its Relevance for Today's Church in African Countries for Promoting Social Justice, Especially in Democratic South Africa Conspectus : The Journal of the South African Theological Seminary, Volume 16, Issue 09, Sep 2013, p. 79 - 100(South African Theological Seminary Press Johannesburg, South Africa) Woodbridge, Noel B.; Semmelink, WillemThe purpose of this article is to show that the prophetic witness of Amos is relevant for today's church in African countries for promoting social justice, because of the growing corruption in African societies, especially in democratic South Africa. Firstly, relevant concepts relating to the prophetic witness of the church for promoting social justice are defined. Secondly, an attempt is made - using three theological arguments - to demonstrate that the church is called upon by God to be a prophetic witness for social justice in secular society. Thirdly, a biblical examination of the prophetic witness of Amos is presented, especially relating to the context, the call and the message of Amos. Fourthly, a discussion on the relevance of the prophetic witness of Amos for African churches today, especially in South Africa, is provided. Sixthly, recent developments and challenges for today's church in African countries like South Africa to revive their prophetic witness are described. Finally, the article proposes certain practical guidelines - based on the prophetic witness of Amos - for today's church on how to promote social justice in African countries, especially in democratic South Africa.Item Let the People Sing : a Blueprint for Hymn Singing Conspectus : The Journal of the South African Theological Seminary, Volume 2, Issue 09, Sep 2006, p. 23 - 39(South African Theological Seminary Press Johannesburg, South Africa) Woodbridge, Noel B.Using the acronym BLUEPRINT, the authors offer practical guidance for selecting and presenting hymns in a way that maximises the power of Christian worship as both an expression of praise to God and a vehicle of instruction for His people.Item An Evaluation of Contemporary Challenges to Evangelical Orthodoxy Posed by Toon's Four Basic Types of Theology : a Christian Response Conspectus : The Journal of the South African Theological Seminary, Volume 12, Issue 09, Sep 2011, p. 217 - 240(South African Theological Seminary Press Johannesburg, South Africa) Woodbridge, Noel B.Abstract Contemporary theology is a maze of conflicting beliefs and approaches. The present situation poses unique challenges to evangelical orthodoxy. Using typology (as developed by social scientists), this article surveys a limited variety of intellectual constructs around which the greater variety of contemporary theologies are built The article analyses Toon’s four basic types of theology and evaluates their dangers, especially when their research methods are applied in a total manner. The article concludes with an appropriate Christian response to the contemporary challenges to evangelical orthodoxy posed by these approaches to theologyItem Review The End Times Made Simple: How Could Everybody Be So Wrong About Biblical Prophecy, S.E. Waldron Conspectus : The Journal of the South African Theological Seminary, Volume 16, Issue 09, Sep 2013, p. 101 - 110(South African Theological Seminary Press Johannesburg, South Africa) Woodbridge, Noel B.Nowadays there is much confusion in the field of eschatology. On the one hand, believers are being advised to 'follow the unbiblical, complex and bizarre scheme of Dispensationalism with its "Secret Rapture," political Anti-Christ and worldly Millennium' (WTS Books 2013). On the other hand, the 'full preterists' inform us 'that all biblical prophecy has been fulfilled', and they say that we ought not to expect Christ to descend from the sky in judgment and triumph. However, in his book, The end times made simple, Waldron claims that both of these end-time schemes are incorrect and that the Bible teaching on the end-times is actually quite straightforward (WTS Books 2013).Item Christian Ethics as an Adequate Ethical System in the Context of Modern Culture: A Theological Analysis and Critical Evaluation(South African Theological Seminary Press Johannesburg, South Africa) Woodbridge, Noel B.; Morris, Russell A.Abstract The aim of this article is to analyse the theological basis of Christian ethics and to evaluate Christian ethics in terms of criteria for an adequate ethical system. The article draws attention to the moral crisis facing modern culture, hence the need for an adequate ethical system. Several contemporary ethical systems are evaluated and found to be lacking in many important areas. In spite of the challenge of contemporary ethical systems and ethical dilemmas confronting Christian ethics today, and some problematic areas in Christian ethics, the article finds that Christian ethics is a valid ethical system with a sound theological basis. Finally, an evaluation of Christian ethics in terms of six specific criteria clearly reveals that Christian ethics is an adequate ethical system, which is far superior to the contemporary ethical systems of modern culture