Browsing by Author "Muller, B. A."

Now showing 1 - 6 of 6
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    Applying grounded theory to data collected through participatory research on African Independent Churches' liturgical rituals : a comparative study
    (AOSIS OpenJournals, 2011-10) Muller, B. A.; Wepener, Cas
    This article reported on two research projects, the first conducted in the early 1990s and the second, a project currently in progress. In essence, the article was an attempt to compare the theology of African Independent Churches in the two respective periods by making use of a grounded theory approach to their worship services. Significant similarities and differences were identified and reported on.
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    A homiletic credo : a firm belief in the preaching event
    (Pieter de Waal Neetlhling Trust, 2013) Muller, B. A.
    From 1981 to 2002 the author, together with Dirkie Smit and Coenie Burger were responsible for the publication of 22 volumes of Sermon Helps, which embodied a specific theological and homiletical approach to the preaching event. The author finds it remarkable that after 30 years these homiletical premisses are still adhered to in what he describes as his homiletical credo regarding the preaching event (event here as translation of what leading German homileticians describe as a “Wortgeschehen”. He concentrates on this event as an encounter between listening to the living voice of God in the text and its modern context. This is in essence a hermeneutical encounter, striving to incarnate the Living Word in the language of the day, taking the text “into the night” of hard exegetical labour – and all consuming prayer. Thereby the preaching event issues in joyous celebration of the glory of God.
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    The role of worship and ethics on the road towards reconciliation
    (AOSIS OpenJournal, 2009-09) Muller, B. A.
    Reconciliation in a divided society, like the South African one, is in dire need of a new moral discourse and praxis. This article argues that this moral discourse must also be conducted on an often forgotten level, namely in the worshipping praxis of the Church. The article describes the renewed interest of ethicists and liturgists in the relationship between liturgy and ethics and especially the role of rituals. The article then focuses on the renewal of basic Christian rituals like preaching and sacraments, prayer and praise to serve this much needed moral discourse.
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    South African radio and television as contexts for exegesis : a case study of interpretive practices in South African public worship
    (Stellenbosch University, Faculty of Theology, 1991) Muller, B. A.; Smit, D. J.
    Religion – especially the Christian religion – has played, and still plays, and extremely important role in the structuring of public life in South Africa (78% of the population regard themselves as Christian; cf the decisive role Afrikaner churches played in the legitimation of apartheid as well as the role played by religion in the struggle against apartheid, HSRC Report 1985; Church and Society 1991; Kairos Document, The road to Damascus: Evangelical Witness in South Africa; Relevant Pentecostal witness.) This social role has obviously been ambivalent: religion either served to perpetuate the socio-political status quo by at least inhibiting, if not opposing, any process of change; or it acted as vanguard in the liberating and democratising process (De Gruchy 1979; Villa-Vicencio 1991). The religious witness was therefore also ambivalent: it acted simultaneously as both a unifying and as a conflict-generating force (Adonis and Smit 1991; Villa-Vicencio 1987; Nolan 1988; The things that make for peace).
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    Teologiese identiteit as missionale gerigtheid
    (AFRICA SUN MeDIA, 2009) Muller, B. A.; Conradie, Ernst; Lombard, Christo
    INTRODUCTION: Die soeke na die ware, Skrifgefundeerde identiteit van die teologie en die kerk bly 'n blywende opdrag, veral in die beoefening van 'n Gereformeerde teologie. Dit is veral noodsaaklik in 'n tyd waarin allerlei sekulariserende modelle, byvoorbeeld van 'n "nuwe" hervorming, ontwerp word om ruimte te skep vir die sogenaarnde "post-modeme" denke. Die gevaar is egter dat hierdie "post" -modeme ontwerpe dreig om vervreemd te raak van die teologiese aard en identiteit van die teologie. Die uiteinde van so 'n teologie is wat Jaap Durand noem die "doodloopstrate van die geloof".
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    Water rituals as a source of (Christian) life in an African Independent Church : to be healed and (re)connected
    (Stellenbosch University, 2013) Wepener, Cas; Muller, B. A.
    African Independent Churches (AICs) are to a large extent paperless churches. This means that for the biggest part liturgical documents do not exist and that a study of their worship must entail a study of their enacted rites which will include recordings and transcriptions of verbal expressions such as sermons. This article focuses on AIC worship in South africa, with special attention to the role of so-called water rituals. In this article the main aim is an attempt to discern what the role of these water rituals are in the worship of this AIC and in the generation of social capital. Thus, after a description of the ritual data, the water rituals are analysed by making use of both anthropological and theological theory, especially the work of Mary Douglas and Gerhardus van der Leeuw.