Koers - Bulletin for Christian Scholarship

Forming Learners Through Citizenship Education to Recognise and Counter Lawlessness in their Surroundings

Johannes Lodewicus Van der Walt — 2024-08-30

Due to various conditions, countries such as Venezuela, Nigeria, and South Africa suffer from lawlessness (disregard of norms and rules of society) today, threatening their social fabric. It is contended on the basis of the situation in South Africa that citizenship education is arguably a suitable vehicle (in combination with, for instance, religion education, moral education, and forgiveness education) for offering tolerance, forgiveness, hospitality, and reconciliation education in schools, all of these as means for counteracting lawless (deviant, errant) behaviour. Thus far, reflection on citizenship education has, however, been characterised by conceptual uncertainty, controversy, and a wide range of applications in practice. The paper reports on theoretical interpretive-constructivist research. This research is aimed at the question of how citizenship education could be employed to form (equip, educate) young people so that they can be able to display morally justifiable behaviour and recognise and counteract lawlessness wherever they encounter it in their lifeworld.

https://doi.org/10.19108/KOERS.89.1.2458

Opsomming

Te wyte aan verskeie omstandighede is die burgers van ‘n hele aantal lande regoor die wêreld - insluitend Venezuela, Nigerië en Suid-Afrika – aan die een of ander vorm van wetteloosheid blootgestel (die verontagsaming van die gangbare wette of norme van die land en die samelewing), en dit kan uiters nadelig wees vir die welsyn van die samelewing. Op grond van ‘n ontleding van die situasie in Suid-Afrika word aangevoer dat burgerskapsonderwys - in kombinasie met byvoorbeeld godsdiensonderwys, morele onderwys en vergifnisonderwys - ‘n bruikbare instrument in skole kan wees om wetteloosheid (afwykende en normverontagsamende gedrag) teen te werk. Tot dusver was die besinning oor burgerskapsonderwys egter gekenmerk deur konseptuele onsekerheid, meningsverskille en ‘n wye verskeidenheid toepassings in die praktyk. Dié artikel doen verslag oor teoretiese interpretivisties-konstruktivistiese navorsing. Hierdie navorsing is gerig op die vraag hoe burgerskapsonderwys ingespan sou kon word om jongmense te vorm (toe te rus, op te voed) om hulle in staat te stel tot moreel-regverdigbare gedrag, die herkenning van wetteloosheid en die bestryding daarvan waar hulle dit ook al in hul leefwêreld teëkom.

Pascal’s Wager and Its Postmodern Counterpart

Bill Nyman — 2024-04-04

Pascal’s Wager is probably the most analyzed apologetic argument in the history of apologetics. What has often been the case, however, is that this piece of Pascal’s Pensées has often been misinterpreted and taken out of the Pascal’s total apologetic work. For that reason, the Wager has been misappropriated and has undergone a battery of misplaced criticism. Taken in its proper context, the Wager is a beautiful vindication of the Christian faith, cleverly constructed to make the skeptic re-think his position and contemplate the importance of the Christian faith. Much confusion exists about the placement of this particular Pensées, and where it is situated in his overall apology (Pensées 418) lends itself to the challenge of what has become “the Many Gods Objection.” For that reason, I would suggest that Pascal’s Wager belongs at the very beginning of his Pensées, where the rest of the Pensées are an explanation for the reason Christianity is the most attractive belief. Postmodern philosophers have re-appropriated the Wager and made it fit their own philosophical and theological presuppositions playing in the hands of the “Many-Gods-Objection.” This paper describes the beauty of Pascal’s Wager in its proper context and expresses the erroneous postmodern appropriation of the Wager.

The Contribution and philosophical development of the reformational philosopher Herman Dooyeweerd

Jeremy Ive — 2024-03-27

Herman Dooyeweerd and Dirk H. Th. Vollenhoven played complementary roles in the development of Reformational philosophy. This paper examines the role that Dooyeweerd had to play and examines the development of his philosophy.

https://doi.org/10.19108/KOERS.89.1.2512

Collaborative conversations with teachers about hope: during and after Covid-19

Nadia Swanepoel — 2024-08-30

The concept of hope, from both a secular and Christian perspective, has been debated in many disciplines for centuries. Ideas around the phenomenon of hope have recently expanded in the field of education, owing to the major changes and challenges teachers had to face during the COVID-19 pandemic. Contemplating the concept of the source or existence of hope, especially during challenging times, requires careful investigation into how people interpret and experience hope. Therefore, this qualitative study focuses on teachers’ interpretations and experiences of hope during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. This study was conducted through two collaborative conversations held with teachers as part of a community engagement project stretching across the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic. Deductive data analysis was done through ATLAS.ti. The findings revealed that the teachers had a similar understanding of hope. Furthermore, it was also found that hope cannot be described solely from a secular or Christian perspective. However, the participants’ beliefs regarding the source of hope differed. These beliefs provided insight into whether participants’ understanding of hope was based on a secular or Christian perspective. From a secular perspective, hope was understood from the hope theory of Snyder et al. (1991). According to this theory, hope results from pathways thinking (planning various routes to a given goal), agency to reach a goal, and goal setting. In contrast, from a Christian perspective, hope views God as the source of hope owing to his promises. The invisible force of hope, whether agency-based or faith-based, was found to be central to teacher agency; therefore, the term “faith-based, purpose-driven hope” emerged from the data. Recommendations are made regarding the importance of nurturing teachers’ hope to improve educational outcomes.

https://doi.org/10.19108/KOERS.89.1.2573

Daar is al eeue lank in baie dissiplines oor hoop as konsep, uit ‘n sekulêre sowel as ‘n Christelike perspektief, gedebatteer. Idees oor hoop as verskynsel het onlangs in die onderwysveld toegeneem weens die groot veranderinge en uitdagings wat onderwysers gedurende die Covid-19-pandemie moes trotseer. Besinning oor die bron of bestaan van hoop as konsep, veral in uitdagende tye, vereis ‘n noukeurige ondersoek na hoe mense hoop vertolk en beleef. Daarom is hierdie kwalitatiewe studie toegespits op onderwysers se interpretasies en belewings van hoop tydens en ná die Covid-19-pandemie. Hierdie studie is uitgevoer deur middel van twee samewerkende gesprekke met onderwysers as deel van ‘n gemeenskapsbetrokkenheidsprojek wat oor die duur van die Covid-19-pandemie gestrek het. Deduktiewe dataontleding is met behulp van ATLAS.ti gedoen. Die bevindinge het aan die lig gebring dat die onderwysers ‘n soortgelyke begrip van hoop gehad het. Voorts is daar ook bevind dat hoop nie slegs vanuit óf ‘n sekulêre óf ‘n Christelike perspektief beskryf kan word nie. Die deelnemers se oortuigings aangaande die bron van hoop het egter verskil. Hierdie oortuigings het insig gebied in die vraag of die deelnemers se begrip van hoop op ‘n sekulêre of Christelike perspektief gebaseer was. Vanuit ‘n sekulêre perspektief is hoop vanuit die hoopteorie van Snyder et al. (1991) verstaan. Volgens hierdie teorie spruit hoop uit sogenaamde roetedenke (om ‘n verskeidenheid roetes na ‘n gegewe doelwit te beplan), werksaamheid/agentskap om ‘n doelwit te bereik en doelwitstelling. Daarteenoor word God vanuit ‘n Christelike perspektief as die bron van hoop beskou weens sy beloftes. Daar is gevind dat hoop se onsigbare krag, hetsy dit op werksaamheid/agentskap of geloof gebaseer is, sentraal tot onderwyserswerksaamheid/onderwysersagentskap staan; daarom het die term “geloofsgebaseerde, doelgedrewe hoop” uit die data te voorskyn gekom. Aanbevelings word gemaak oor die belangrikheid van die koestering en versterking van die hoop wat onderwysers het om opvoedkundige uitkomste te verbeter.

Die histories-teoretiese verband tussen postmodernisme en marxistiese epistemologie: ’n Christelike perspektief

M. Diedericks — 2024-10-04

Postmodernisme se epistemologie, wat vir die bevordering van antimetanarratiewe, se kernintelligentsia bekend is, toon duidelike marxistiese vooronderstellings. Akademici het al verskeie pogings aangewend om ‘n verband tussen postmodernisme en marxisme aan te toon. Postmodernisme se bevordering van antimetanarratiewe en die positiewe gesindheid wat teenoor die marxistiese metanarratief in sommige van hierdie denkrigtings sigbaar is, skep ‘n anomalie. Binne die historiese ontwikkeling van marxisme kan elemente van hierdie anomalie beter verstaan word. Die artikel toon aan hoe die mislukkings van kommunisme histories bygedra het tot sommige aspekte wat binne postmodernistiese epistemologie ontwikkel het. Hieruit blyk dit dat hoewel die postmodernistiese epistemologie antimetanarratief ingestel is sommige postmodernistiesgesinde akademici dit as ‘n tegniek gebruik om absolutisties-marxistiese idees te bevorder. Hierby is sosialegeregtigheidsbewegings waaraan sommige Christelike groeperinge deelneem, ingesluit.

The historical-theoretical connection between postmodernism and marxist epistemology: A Christian perspective

Abstract

Postmodernism, known for its epistemology that promotes anti-metanarratives, has a core intelligentsia that shows explicit marxist assumptions. Academics have made various attempts to demonstrate a connection between postmodernism and marxism. The promotion of anti-metanarratives within postmodernism and the positive attitude towards the marxist metanarrative visible in some of these schools of thought create an anomaly. Within the historical development of marxism, elements of this anomaly can be better understood. The article illustrates how the historical failures of communism contributed to certain aspects that developed within postmodernist epistemology. It becomes evident that although postmodernist epistemology is anti-metanarrative in nature, it is used by some postmodernist-inclined academics as a technique to promote absolutist marxist ideas. This includes the social justice movements that some Christian groups participate in.

https://doi.org/10.19108/KOERS.89.1.2574

Emma Renzi: Van operasangeres tot sangpedagoog:

Antoinette Olivier — 2024-06-21

OPSOMMING
Hierdie artikel is in ‘n sekere sin ŉ outobiografie oor Emma Renzi, wat op 8 April 2023 97 jaar oud geword het. Renzi was ‘n internasionaal erkende Suid-Afrikaanse operasangeres wat in die tweede fase van haar roemryke loopbaan ook ‘n pedagoog en rolmodel vir talle sangers was. Die oorgang van sangeres tot besonder begaafde pedagoog was ŉ doelbewuste besluit wat sy geneem het om volgens haar oortuigings haar lewe en haar talente op die mees doelmatige wyse te kon uitleef. Dit is hierdie lewensloop wat in hierdie artikel onder die loep geneem en ontleed word.

Vanweë die aard van ons verbintenis gaan die gesprekke in hierdie artikel oor Renzi se professionele loopbaan, haar herinneringe aan ‘n spesifieke era, tegniese aspekte in die onderrig van sang en uitdagings van ‘n professionele sangloopbaan. Die rykdom van Renzi se eerstehandse ervaringe en kennis van style in verskillende genres van sang is van onskatbare waarde vir die ontwikkeling van jong sangers en dosente. Dit is ook van historiese belang vir Suid-Afrikaners om die nalatenskap van ‘n sanger te vereer wat tydens haar loopbaan internasionale roem verwerf het en dit haar lewenstaak gemaak het om die insigte wat sy verwerf het aan haar studente oor te dra. Op hierdie wyse het sy hulle dus gevorm met professionaliteit, deernis en insig om self roemryke en vervullende loopbane te volg.

Outobiografiese navorsing sluit narratiewe asook die siening van ander gesaghebbendes in oor die geleefde ervaringe en die betekenis daarvan vir sangers en sangpedagoë. In hierdie studie was dit daarom moontlik om studente te lei en te vorm en nie bloot te onderrig nie.

‘n Raamwerk vir die artikel is gebou deur situasies asook spesiale ervaringe en uitdagings te beskryf. Probleme, lewensomstandighede en die informele interaksie tussen Renzi en die gehoor, dirigente, medesangers, agente en studente word uitgelig. Uiteindelik word daar op die betekenis van Renzi se loopbaan vir Suid-Afrikaners gewys. Renzi se geleefde ervaringe as internasionale sanger en erkende pedagoog bied ŉ waardevolle agtergrond vir sangers en onderwysers om sangers te help om hul volledige menswees te verwesenlik.

Trefwoorde: betekenis vir sangonderwysers; Emma Renzi; outobiografiese navorsingsondersteunde onderrig; professionele sangloopbaan; sangpedagogiek

Emma Renzi: From opera singer to singing pedagogue: A philosophical perspective
ABSTRACT
In one sense, this article is an autobiography about Emma Renzi, who turned 97 on 8 April 2023. Renzi was an internationally celebrated South African opera singer who was also a pedagogue and a role model for many singers during the second phase of her illustrious career. The transition from singer to exceptionally gifted pedagogue was a conscious decision that she made to express her convictions that she should live her life and her talents in the most positive and focused way. It is thus this odyssey that is investigated and analysed in this article.
Due to the nature of our bond, the discussions in this article focus on Renzi’s professional career, her memories of a specific era, the technical aspects of singing instruction, and the challenges of a professional singing career. The wealth of Renzi’s first-hand experiences and her knowledge of styles in various singing genres are invaluable for the development of young singers and instructors. It is also of historical importance for South Africans to honour the legacy of a singer who achieved international fame during her career and made it her life’s mission to pass on the insights she gained to her students. In this way, she shaped them with professionalism, compassion, and understanding, enabling them to pursue illustrious and fulfilling careers of their own.

Autobiographical research includes narratives as well as the views of other authorities about lived experiences and their significance for singers and singing pedagogues. In this study, it was possible to lead and shape students and not merely teach them.

A framework for the article was constructed by describing special experiences and challenges. Problems, life conditions and the informal interaction between Renzi and the audience, conductors, co-singers, agents, and students are highlighted. Ultimately, the meaning of Renzi’s career is underlined for South Africans. Her lived experiences as an international singer and renowned pedagogue offer a valuable background for singers and teachers to help singers realise their full human capacity.

Key terms: autobiographical research-supported training; Emma Renzi; meaning for singing lecturers; pedagogy of singing; professional singing career

https://doi.org/10.19108/KOERS.89.1.2589

Spirituality in the workplace in South Africa:

Marita Heyns — 2024-06-21

Background: Spirituality is a multi-dimensional concept that involves a person’s pursuit of well-being through connections with oneself, others, nature, and the transcendent. Spirituality in the workplace encompasses the integration of spirituality into organisational and work dynamics.

Purpose: This systematic literature review sourced and synthesised empirical research evidence to explore the influence and experience of perceived spirituality in the workplace on workers in the South African workplace.

Methodology: The systematic literature review plan was registered on the Open Science Framework. Keyword searches were conducted, and studies were screened following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) process and checklist. Specific inclusion and exclusion criteria informed the second screening and review of articles. Thirty-one articles fit the specific criteria for inclusion in the review. Relevant data was extracted using thematic analysis.

Findings/results: The respondents in the various studies spanned public and private sectors, encompassing various professions and ethnicities. The articles reviewed indicated that the perception of spirituality in the workplace manifested in a variety of constructs and concepts, positively influencing and impacting individual, group, and organisational levels. The review indicated that nuanced contextual differences may play a role in the experience of spirituality in the South African workplace.

Practical implications: The literature review suggests potential constructs for understanding workplace spirituality in South Africa, with future research potential for constructing a framework fostering a pluralistic model of spirituality at work.

Originality/value: Understanding spirituality in the South African work context could assist in bringing about more productive and healthy organisations. Provided data also forms a basis for developing a potential framework for implementing spirituality in South African organisations.

OPSOMMING
Agtergrond: Spiritualiteit is ‘n multidimensionele konsep wat die nastrewing van ‘n persoon se algemene welsyn en gesondheid omvat, wat geïntegreerdheid met die self, ander, natuur en die bomenslike insluit. Spiritualiteit in die werkplek sluit die integrasie van spiritualiteit in organisatoriese en werksdinamika in.
Doel: Hierdie sistematiese literatuuroorsig het empiriese navorsingsbewyse verkry en gesintetiseer om die invloed en ervaring van waargenome spiritualiteit by die werk op werkers in die Suid-Afrikaanse werkplek te verken.

Metodologie: Die sistematiese literatuurstudieplan is op die Open Science Framework geregistreer. Sleutelwoordsoektogte is gedoen, en studies is gesif met behulp van die Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses- (PRISMA) proses en -kontrolelys. Spesifieke in- en uitsluitingskriteria het die tweede sifting en keuring van artikels gelei. Een-en-dertig (31) artikels pas by die spesifieke kriteria vir insluiting in die oorsig. Relevante data is onttrek deur tematiese analise te gebruik.

Bevindinge/resultate: Die respondente in die verskillende studies het oor openbare en private sektore gestrek en verskeie beroepe en etnisiteite ingesluit. Die artikels wat nagegaan is, het aangedui dat die persepsie van spiritualiteit in die werkplek gemanifesteer het in ‘n verskeidenheid konstrukte en konsepte, wat individuele, groeps- en organisatoriese vlakke positief beïnvloed. Die oorsig het aangedui dat genuanseerde kontekstuele verskille ’n rol in die ervaring van spiritualiteit in die Suid-Afrikaanse werkplek kan speel.

Praktiese implikasies: Die literatuuroorsig stel potensiële konstrukte voor om werkplekspiritualiteit in Suid-Afrika te verstaan, met toekomstige navorsingspotensiaal vir die bou van ‘n raamwerk wat ‘n pluralistiese model van spiritualiteit by die werk bevorder.

Oorspronklikheid/waarde: Begrip van spiritualiteit in die Suid-Afrikaanse werkskonteks kan daartoe bydra om produktiewer en gesonder organisasies tot stand te bring. Data wat voorsien is, skep ook ‘n basis vir die ontwikkeling van ‘n potensiële raamwerk vir die implementering van spiritualiteit in Suid-Afrikaanse organisasies.

https://doi.org/10.19108/KOERS.89.1.2590

Abraham Kuyper and Natural Theology

Steve Bishop — 2024-10-04

This paper explores Kuyper’s approach to natural theology and general revelation. Kuyper’s view of natural theology was that it is important but limited. Kuyper rejected the view that general revelation provides the foundations for special revelation as it results in the autonomy of reason. Furthermore, he rejected natural theology as rational proof or argument for the existence and nature of God. He distinguished but did not separate general and special revelation from each other. Kuyper also accepted “creational revelation”, which is a better term for his view of general revelation.

OPSOMMING
Hierdie artikel ondersoek Kuyper se benadering tot natuurlike teologie en algemene openbaring. Kuyper se siening van natuurlike teologie was dat dit belangrik maar beperk is. Kuyper het die siening verwerp dat algemene openbaring die grondslag vir spesiale openbaring bied, aangesien dit tot die outonomie van die rede lei. Verder het hy natuurlike teologie as rasionele bewys of argument vir die bestaan en aard van God verwerp. Hy het tussen algemene en spesiale openbaring onderskei, maar dit nie van mekaar geskei nie. Kuyper het ook “skeppingsopenbaring” aanvaar, wat ‘n meer gepaste begrip vir sy siening van algemene openbaring is.

https://doi.org/10.19108/KOERS.89.1.2547