Conspectus

Permanent URI for this communityhttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14194/2580

Aims, Scopes, and Values

Conspectus is the journal of the South African Theological Seminary. Like the Seminary, the values of the journal are encapsulated in the phrase, “Bible-based, Christ-centred, and Spirit- led.” Launching from an appreciation of interdisciplinary discourse, the journal publishes from across the broad spectrum of theological studies (Biblical Studies, Practical Theology, Systematic Theology, Studies in Church and Society), while establishing links with extra- theological disciplines where appropriate. Like the Seminary, Conspectus invites contributions from the broad spectrum of denominations while showcasing academic research from a broadly evangelical perspective. The journal seeks contributions from authors who subscribe to a high view of Scripture, as is consistent with evangelical tenets.1 Publishing articles that employ reader-centered methodologies for exegesis does not lie in Conspectus’s purview.2 Additionally, as SATS is based on the African continent, the journal foregrounds contributions from the Majority World. To be published in Conspectus an article must go beyond a summary of secondary sources and present the results of sound theological research valuable to the church, including scholars, pastors, students, missionaries, and/or other Christian practitioners. Conspectus is an open-source journal, catalogued under ATLA (American Theological Library Association), Logos Bible Software, Galaxy Software, Sabinet, the Directory of Open Access Journals, African Journals Online (AJOL), and the SATS website.3


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    Mindfulness and the Brain : A Christian Critique of Some Aspects of Neuroscience Conspectus : The Journal of the South AfricaTheological Seminary, Volume 12, Issue 09, Sep 2011, p. 59 - 87
    (South African Theological Seminary Press Johannesburg, South Africa) Joubert, Callie W. T.
    The aim in this paper is to critique some aspects of neuro-scientific studies on mindfulness and mindful practices. Firstly, because of the often mistaken assumption that it is something totally new; its roots in fact lie in religious and philosophical views which are the antithesis of a Christian worldview. Secondly, because of opposing views of what the mind is, and how the mind relates to the brain, Christians have come under pressure to show how their claims about God are different from those of epileptics and atheists. In order to deal with these issues, this study commences with a brief introduction to the concept of mindfulness, its historical roots and the scientific claims in support of mindful practices. A philosophical critique of physicalism and panpsychism is then offered from a biblical perspective, followed by a discussion of some of the dangers lurking in the neighbourhood of mindful practices. The conclusion is that the philosophical and religious assumptions that underlie scientific views of ourselves and spiritual growth matter enormously; they deserve continual scrutiny.
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    Una Eclesiología de Cuidado en la Misión Urbana: La Capellanía de Prisión y los Derechos Humanos Según el Evangelio de Cristo (An ecclesiology of care in the urban mission : the prison chaplaincy and the human rights according to the Gospel of Christ) Conspectus : The Journal of the South African Theological Seminary, Volume 18, Issue 09, Sep 2014, p. 137 - 153
    (South African Theological Seminary Press Johannesburg, South Africa) Durigan, Angela
    Esta disertación hace un estudio analítico de los derechos humanos en la vida de los encarcelados, que son cuidados a través de la Capellanía de Prisión del Proyecto SOS Dramas Familiares, bajo dos diferentes dimensiones: el humanismo y el cristianismo. Involucrando los derechos humanos en Brasil, la iglesia como lugar de refugio e seguridad, la realidad de la evangelización en las prisiones brasileñas y lo qué hacen las iglesias en ese contexto. Este proyecto, con visión de misión urbana y el discipulado, se involucró en la misión de cuidar de la vida de otros y siempre que posible, ayudarlos con sus derechos. En el caso de los encarcelados, sus derechos humanos son respetados cuando se les trata como ciudadanos y no como escoria de la sociedad. Todo ser humano tiene derechos y deberes, pero debe ser consciente de ellos a vivir en paz en la sociedad donde está ubicado. An ecclesiology of care in the urban mission : the prison chaplaincy and the human rights according to the Gospel of Christ This dissertation makes an analytical study of the human rights in the life of the prisoners, who are cared through the Prison Chaplaincy of SOS Family Dramas Project, under two different dimensions: the humanism and the Christianity. Involving the human rights in Brazil, the church as a place of refuge and safety, the reality of evangelization in Brazilian prisons and what churches do in this context. This project, with a vision of urban mission and discipleship, became involved in the mission of taking care of the life of others and whenever possible, help them with their rights. In the prisoner's case, their human rights are respected when they are treated as citizens and not as scourge of the society. All human being has rights and duties, but must be aware of them to live in peace in the society where it is located.
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    Destruction of the Human Embryo in Stem Cell Research and the Moral Status of the Unborn in the South African Regulatory Framework - A Christian Assessment Conspectus : The Journal of the South African Theological Seminary, Volume 15, Issue 03, Mar 2013, p. 175 - 206
    (South African Theological Seminary Press Johannesburg, South Africa) Joubert, Callie W. T.
    One of the most prominent controversies of the last decade has been human embryo research, as obtaining stem cells typically requires the destruction of the embryo. The South African Bill of Rights excludes the embryo from the right to life, yet, in legislation, it is acknowledged that the unborn can suffer harm. The aim of this paper is to help Christians make sense of this state of affairs. First, it highlights a few anomalies in the South African regulatory framework. It then turns to the scriptures, followed by a clarification of crucially important metaphysical concepts and distinctions without which no position on the moral status of the embryo can be adequately assessed and critiqued. The final section comprises a brief response to three objections to the view that the human embryo is in fact a human person.
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    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