Department of Practical Theology and Missiology

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Browsing Department of Practical Theology and Missiology by Subject "Act (Philosophy)"

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    'n Prakties-teologiese rekonstruksieteorie vir transformatiewe handelinge binne die samelewing
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 1998-12) Slabbert, Neil; Louw, D. J. (Daniel Johannes), 1944-; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Theology. Dept. of Practical Theology and Missiology.
    The aim of the research is to analyse and describe the function of the church in a context of radical social change. In so far as this function takes place in the South African process of transformation and democratisation, the research wishes to establish in which way the church can promote a theory of communicative action. This needs to be achieved in order to transform the deep-rooted structures of alienation and separation that have been caused by apartheid. The research has a predisposition towards a theory of communicative action since the conflict that have been caused by apartheid is primarily perceived as a contention of speech-worlds. A lack of a common language makes it necessary therefore to analyse the confusion of speech-acts. It is argued that a common rational language is required in order to understand one other, act together and therefore live together with the realities of ethnic and social diversity. A few conclusions are reached. In the first instance the research utilises the theory of communicative action of Jürgen Habermas. It is established that a critical theory, which is directed at social praxis, generates a process that may result in transformation. This theory of communicative action displays a stubbornly transcending power that is embedded in everyday speech structures and harbours the emancipatory goal of mutual understanding. Secondly, a social analysis is made by utilising the rational validity claims of Habermas's action theory. These validity claims are comprehensibility, truth, rightness, and sincerity. An analysis of conflict is achieved by way of a thematic execution of these different elements of communicative rationality. As an example of the character of this confusion, an analysis is made of the features of church involvement in the South African context. The benefit of an analysis of this nature is that it explains where misapprehension originates. In order to appropriate differences through a process of communicative rationality it is therefore argued that dialogical communities need to be cultivated. In a certain sense the transformation process needs the criteria of assessment so that it can generate communicative action in society. These criteria can play a positive role as our deeply divided society seeks a grammar of living together; it can be seen and understood as ideals to be followed, as important issues to be considered. In the third place it is established that an action-theory approach in practical theology can persuade the church to be constructively concerned with projects of reconstruction. Such a model extends the object of practical theology, therefore including the analysis of transformative acts as a component of practical theological ecclesiology. Such an ecclesiology is regulated by rational intention and is bent on eradicating the danger of alienation through communicative action. This is accomplished by concretising a comprehensive concept of rationality in a practical-theological ecclesiology, entailing the following requirements: contextual (truth), public (comprehensibility), ethical (rightness), and epistemological (sincerity). Practical theology in South Africa will have to inquire about the rational stature of the church in order to advance from a theoretical awareness to a praxis-orientated approach.