Koers - Bulletin for Christian Scholarship
Koers is an accredited scholarly journal that strives to promote foundational reflection in science. This research includes contemplation of the philosophical presuppositions of scientific disciplines, as well as reflection on the role of worldview in science. The Koers Association, as the official body, has been in existence since 1926. The Koers: Bulletin for Christian Scholarship is the association’s interdisciplinary and peer-reviewed journal which has appeared quarterly since 1935. Koers promotes the development of Christian scholarship/science in all fields of science and publishes original (mainly reflective) research contributions with an integrated worldview as the foundation. We provide a platform for authors to engage constructively and critically with Christian scholarly/scientific points of view in all fields of science. Editor-in-Chief: Professor Annette Combrink, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, South Africa. Financial support and affiliation: Koers Association (South Africa).
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De deugdzame onderzoeker: een Christelijk deugdethisch perspectief op wetenschappelijke integriteit
Samenvatting In dit artikel wordt onderzocht hoe vier deugden – nieuwsgierigheid, bescheidenheid, dienstbaarheid en zorgvuldigheid – onderzoekers kunnen helpen om weerstand te bieden aan de verleidingen en risico’s van de moderne wetenschapspraktijk. Door toenemende concurrentie, prestatiedruk en institutionele verwachtingen komen onderzoekers onder sterke druk te staan, wat kan leiden tot twijfelachtige of zelfs frauduleuze onderzoekspraktijken. Regels en protocollen blijken hiervoor onvoldoende bescherming te bieden; werkelijke onderzoeksintegriteit vraagt om innerlijke vorming. Het artikel stelt daarom de persoon van de onderzoeker centraal: wetenschap is geen mechanisch proces, maar een menselijke praktijk waarin karakter, overtuigingen en intenties bepalend zijn voor betrouwbaarheid en geloofwaardigheid. Een christelijk-deugdethische benadering biedt volgens de auteurs een vruchtbaar kader om deze morele dimensie te begrijpen. In dit perspectief vindt wetenschap plaats coram Deo en wordt het gezien als deelname aan het verstaan van Gods schepping. De vier besproken deugden worden verbonden met de klassieke kardinale deugden van Aristoteles en vervolgens vanuit reformatorisch perspectief uitgewerkt als wetenschappelijke karaktereigenschappen. Nieuwsgierigheid richt zich op waarheidsliefde; bescheidenheid bewaart voor zelfoverschatting; dienstbaarheid oriënteert wetenschap op het gemeenschappelijke goed; en zorgvuldigheid waarborgt precisie, eerlijkheid en respect voor mens en werkelijkheid. Gezamenlijk vormen zij een morele habitus die onderzoekers helpt om verleidingen te weerstaan en wetenschap te beoefenen als een roeping: niet ter meerdere eer van zichzelf, maar tot welzijn van mens en schepping en uiteindelijk tot eer van God. Kernwoorden: bescheidenheid, christelijke deugdethiek, dienstbaarheid, nieuwsgierigheid, onderzoeksintegriteit, zorgvuldigheid Abstract The virtue-led researcher: a Christian virtue-ethical perspective on scientific integrity This article examines how four virtues – curiosity, humility, servitude, and diligence – can assist researchers in resisting the temptations and risks of modern scientific practice. Increasing competition, performance pressure and institutional expectations place researchers under significant pressure, which may lead to questionable or even fraudulent research practices. Rules and protocols provide insufficient protection; genuine research integrity requires inner moral development. The article, therefore, places the person of the researcher at the centre: science is not a mechanical process, but a human practice in which character, convictions and intentions determine reliability and credibility. A Christian virtue-ethical approach offers a fruitful framework for understanding this moral dimension. From this perspective, science takes place coram Deo and is seen as participation in understanding God’s creation. The four virtues are linked to Aristotle’s classical cardinal virtues and then elaborated from a reformational perspective as scientific character traits. Curiosity directs the researcher toward a love of truth; humility guards against overestimating one’s knowledge; servitude orients science toward the common good; and diligence ensures precision, honesty and respect for human beings and reality. Together, these virtues form a moral habitus that enables researchers to resist temptations and to practice science as a calling: not for their own glory, but for the well-being of humanity and creation, and ultimately for the glory of God. Keywords: Christian virtue ethics; curiosity; diligence; humility; research integrity; servitude Opsomming Die deugsame navorser: ’n christelik deug-etiese perspektief op wetenskaplike integriteit In hierdie artikel word ondersoek hoe vier deugde – nuuskierigheid, beskeidenheid, diensbaarheid en noukeurigheid – navorsers kan help om weerstand te bied teen die versoekings en risiko’s van die moderne wetenskapspraktyk. Deur toenemende kompetisie, druk om te presteer en institusionele verwagtinge kom navorsers onder groot druk te staan, wat kan lei tot twyfelagtige of selfs bedrieglike navorsingspraktyke. Reëls en protokolle bied onvoldoende beskerming hierteen; ware navorsingsintegriteit vereis innerlike vorming. Die artikel plaas daarom die persoon van die navorser sentraal: wetenskap is nie ’n meganiese proses nie, maar ’n menslike praktyk waarin karakter, oortuigings en bedoelings bepalend is vir betroubaarheid en geloofwaardigheid. Volgens die outeurs bied ’n christelik deug-etiese benadering ’n vrugbare raamwerk om hierdie morele dimensie te verstaan. In hierdie perspektief vind wetenskap plaas coram Deo en word dit gesien as deelname aan die verstaan van God se skepping. Die vier deugde word verbind met die klassieke kardinale deugde van Aristoteles en daarna vanuit reformatoriese perspektief uitgewerk as wetenskaplike karaktereienskappe. Nuuskierigheid is gerig op waarheidsliefde; beskeidenheid beskerm teen selfoorskatting; diensbaarheid oriënteer wetenskap op die gemeenskaplike goed; en noukeurigheid waarborg nougesetheid, eerlikheid en respek vir mens en werklikheid. Saam vorm hulle ’n morele habitus wat navorsers help om versoekings te weerstaan en wetenskap as ’n roeping te beoefen: nie tot eer van hulself nie, maar tot voordeel van mens en skepping en uiteindelik tot eer van God. Kernbegrippe: beskeidenheid; christelike deug-etiek; diensbaarheid; navorsingsintegriteit; noukeurigheid; nuuskierigheid
Copyright (c) 2026 Prof NA Broer, Prof JL van der Walt, Prof CC Wolhuter https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
A Critical Assessment of the South African Intelligence Agency
This article analyses the state of the intelligence community (IC) in the South African context to determine whether the IC is a failure or whether it is a total disaster. Due to a failed, insufficient intelligence system, the current world order has been severely disrupted by two wars. In this regard, the focus is in particular on the situation in the Middle East, where Israel and the Palestinian group HAMAS are currently involved in a war. According to a Reuters report (Nakhoul & Saul, 2023), Israel was caught off guard by the HAMAS attack on 7 October 2023, and several people have died since then. These types of violent incidents recall the violent riots/protests in South Africa in July 2021, where the severe action of the people involved overpowered the South African Police Service (SAPS) and South African intelligence services. These protest actions / riots inflicted billions of rand in infrastructure damage, and hundreds of people died. The Expert Panel, appointed by the President of South Africa in July 2021, commented as follows on this protest action: “The question, many argue, is not if and whether more unrest and violence will occur, but when it will occur.” (Presidency, 2021) A conceptualised intelligence risk management framework (IRMF) is used to analyse the IC of South Africa, with a specific focus on the State Security Agency (SSA). The article aims to explore, describe, and analyse the status and activities from a democratically based framework. Furthermore, the article aims to evaluate the failures of the past decades and draw conclusion regarding the current status of intelligence agencies or services in South Africa. This analysis will determine whether the IC is ready and capable of addressing these types of threats and risks in the future. Opsomming Hierdie artikel ontleed die stand van die intelligensiegemeenskap (IM) in die Suid-Afrikaanse konteks om te bepaal of die intelligensiegemeenskap ŉ mislukking of ŉ volslae ramp is. Vanweë ŉ mislukte, ondoeltreffende intelligensiestelsel is die wêreldorde deur twee onlangse oorloë ontwrig. In hierdie verband is die fokus veral gerig op die situasie in die Midde-Ooste, waar Israel en die Palestynse groep HAMAS tans in ’n oorlog gewikkel is. Volgens ŉ Reuters-verslag (Nakhoul & Saul, 2023) is Israel onkant betrap deur die HAMAS-aanval op 7 Oktober 2023, en sedertdien het duisende mense gesterf. Hierdie soort gewelddadige voorvalle herinner aan die gewelddadige onluste/protesaksies in Suid-Afrika gedurende Julie 2021, waartydens die ernstige protesoptrede van die betrokke mense die Suid-Afrikaanse Polisiediens (SAPD) en Suid-Afrikaanse intelligensiedienste oorweldig het. Hierdie protesoptrede het infrastruktuur ter waarde van miljarde rande beskadig, en honderde mense het gesterf. Die Deskundige Paneel, wat in Julie 2021 deur die President van Suid-Afrika aangestel is, het soos volg kommentaar gelewer op sodanige protesaksie: “Die vraag, betoog baie, is nie óf en ás onlus en geweld weer sal voorkom nie, maar wánneer dit sal voorkom.” (Presidency, 2021) ŉ Gekonseptualiseerde intelligensie-risikobestuursraamwerk (IRBR) word gebruik om die intelligensiegemeenskap te ontleed, met spesifieke toespitsing op die Staatsveiligheidsagentskap (SVA). Die artikel beoog om die stand en aktiwiteite vanuit ŉ demokraties gebaseerde raamwerk te verken, te beskryf en te ontleed. Voorts het die artikel ook ten doel om die mislukkings oor die afgelope dekades te evalueer en tot ŉ gevolgtrekking oor die stand van die intelligensie-agentskappe/-dienste in Suid-Afrika te kom. Hierdie ontleding sal aandui of die intelligensiegemeenskap (IG) gereed en in staat is om hierdie tipe bedreigings en risiko’s in die toekoms te hanteer. https://doi.org/10.19108/KOERS.90.1.2640
intelligence risk management framework (IRMF)
Copyright (c) 2025 Rudolf Loubser, Andre Duvenhage https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
'n Reformatoriese benadering tot die Opvoedingsfilosofie: Uitdagings vir nou en vir die toekoms
Hierdie artikel beliggaam die outeur se perspektief op die ontwikkeling van die reformatoriese benadering tot die opvoedingsfilosofie in Suid-Afrika, vanaf die middel van die 19de eeu tot en met 2024. Dit begin deur die grondleggende werk van baanbrekersfigure soos professore J Chr Coetzee en HJJ Bingle uit te lig. Die oorsig volg dan die gestadigde agteruitgang van hierdie benadering vanaf ongeveer 1969, toe Suid-Afrikaanse opvoedingsfilosowe hulle toenemend na alternatiewe paradigmas soos pragmatisme, fenomenologie en postmodernisme begin wend het. Hierdie ideologiese skuif het gelei tot ’n afname in die invloed van die reformatoriese tradisie onder beide universiteitsdosente en studente. Deur op drie sleutelstudies te steun, elk met ’n unieke perspektief, spoor die artikel na hoe hierdie transformasie oor ses dekades ontvou het. Die koms van ’n volledig-demokratiese Suid-Afrika in 1994 wat tot grootskaalse hervormings in skool- en universiteitsopvoeding gelei het, het die wending na sekulêre humanisme verder versnel. As gevolg hiervan is die reformatoriese opvoedingsfilosofie in die praktyk na die privaat sfeer verplaas. Hierdie verwikkeling plaas die verantwoordelikheid op opvoedingsfilosowe in private hoëronderwysinstellings om die reformatoriese opvoedingsfilosofiese nalatenskap voort te dra waar vorige geslagte daarmee opgehou het. This article examines the author’s perspective on the development of the reformational approach to the philosophy of education in South Africa, from the mid-19th century through to 2024. It begins by highlighting the foundational work of early pioneering educationists such as Professors J Chr Coetzee and HJJ Bingle. The overview then follows the decline of this approach from around 1969, as South African philosophers of education increasingly turned to alternative paradigms, such as pragmatism, phenomenology, and postmodernism. This ideological shift led to a noticeable decrease in the influence of the reformational tradition among both university lecturers and students. Drawing on three key studies, each providing a unique perspective, the article traces the transformation that has unfolded over the last six decades. The establishment of a fully democratic South Africa in 1994, coupled with major reforms in school and university education, further accelerated the turn toward secular humanism. As a result, the reformational philosophy of education has effectively been relegated to the private sphere. This shift places the responsibility on philosophers of education within private higher education institutions to continue the reformational education philosophical legacy where previous generations stopped. https://doi.org/10.19108/KOERS.90.1.2635
Copyright (c) 2025 Prof JL vd Walt https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Adrio König oor die doel van die openbaring van die wederkoms
Hierdie artikel ondersoek of die vraag na die telos (doel) van die openbaring van Christus se wederkoms in die Nuwe Testament as ’n dogmatiese kwessie beskou moet word. Vorige navorsing deur Van Rhyn (2017) het die telos vanuit ’n eksegeties-openbaringshistoriese perspektief behandel. Hierdie studie fokus egter op die teologie van Adrio König, veral soos in The eclipse of Christ in eschatology (1989) uiteengesit, om vas te stel of sy teologiese raamwerk ’n dogmatiese uitleg van die vraag ondersteun. König se Christosentriese eskatologie, wat hy as ’n “teleologiese Christologie” beskryf, beeld Christus uit as die eschatos en telos van die geskiedenis. Sy verwoording van die drie wyses van Christus se koms (vir ons, in ons, met ons) integreer die wederkoms met God se verbondsmatige verlossingsdoelwitte. Die artikel kom tot die gevolgtrekking dat König se teologie, wat hy self as teleologies of doelgedrewe tipeer, duidelik impliseer dat God se telos met die openbaring van die wederkoms sake soos vermaning, vertroosting, hoop, waarskuwing en verbondsvervulling op die oog het. Hierdie teloi funksioneer sowel kerugmaties as pastoraal ten opsigte van gelowiges en ongelowiges. Die studie bevestig dat die openbaring van Christus se wederkoms nie bloot informatief is nie: Dit is diep teologies van aard, en daarom vorm dit ’n geldige onderwerp van dogmatiese besinning. Abstract This article explores whether the question regarding the telos (goal) of the revelation of Christ’s second coming in the New Testament should be regarded as a dogmatic issue. Previous research by Van Rhyn (2017) addressed the telos from an exegetical-revelatory historical perspective. This study, however, engages the theology of Adrio König, especially as presented in The eclipse of Christ in eschatology (1989), to determine whether his theological framework supports a dogmatic interpretation of the question. König’s Christocentric eschatology, described as “teleological Christology”, frames Christ as the eschatos and telos of history. His articulation of the three modes of Christ’s coming (for us, in us, with us) integrates the second coming into God’s covenantal and redemptive purpose. The article concludes that König’s theology, which he himself denotes as teleological or purpose-driven, clearly implies that the revelation of the second coming serves divine purposes such as exhortation, comfort, hope, warning and covenantal fulfilment. These purposes function both kerugmatically and pastorally for believers and unbelievers. The study affirms that the revelation of Christ’s return is not merely informational but profoundly theological, and thus a valid subject of dogmatic reflection. https://doi.org/10.19108/KOERS.90.1.2631
Copyright (c) 2025 H.P. Malan Van Rhyn https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Die Heidelbergse Kategismus as ’n Geloofsbelydenis en die Voortrekker-Gelofte van 1838:
Verskeie bronne huldig die oortuiging dat die korrekte viering vandag van die Gelofte van 16 Desember 1838 in Natal deur die Voortrekkers ’n Christelike en godsdienstige gebeurtenis behoort te wees: ’n godsdienstige gebeurtenis as deel van die lewe in sy geheel, wat op die eer van God gerig is. President Paul Kruger – die laaste president van die Boererepubliek in die ou Transvaal (1883–1900), oftewel die Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek (ZAR) – was ’n voorstander van hierdie oortuiging oor die gevolge van die verbond. Hy het sy toespraak op 16 Desember 1886 by Paardekraal, Krugersdorp, begin met ’n verwysing na vraag 1 in die Heidelbergse Kategismus. Hy het sy gehoor, as Christelike gelowiges of Christelike Afrikaners wat in die reël die Gelofte herdenk, aangespoor om hul lewens in geheel aan God toe te wy as ’n antwoord in gehoorsaamheid aan hul verlossing in Christus. Kruger het die gereformeerde belydenisse van die kerk waarvan hy ’n lid was, beskou as oortuigings wat die lewe in totaliteit beïnvloed. In sy toespraak van 1886 het hy ook daadwerklik op probleme in sy republiek gewys. Hy het egter sy mense aangespoor om as Christelike burgers van hierdie republiek op te tree. Hierdie siening van Kruger word tot vandag toe deur baie Christelike Afrikaners en Afrikaner-instellings ondersteun. Abstract: The Heidelberg Catechism as a confession of faith and the Voortrekker Covenant of 1838: The speech of Paul Kruger on 16 December 1886 Various sources believe that the correct commemoration today of the covenant of 16 December 1838 in Natal by the Voortrekkers, should be a Christian and religious event; a religious event as part of life as a whole aimed at the honour of God. President Paul Kruger, the last President of the Boer Republic in the old Transvaal (1883-1900), the South African Republic, was a supporter of this conviction about the consequences of the covenant. He started his speech on 16 December 1886 at Paardekraal, Krugersdorp, with a reference to the Heidelberg Catechism question one. His urged his audience as Christian believers or Christian Afrikaners who normally undertake a commemoration of the vow, to dedicate their lives as a whole as an answer in obedience to their redemption in Christ. Kruger saw the reformed confessions of the church of which he was a member as beliefs with an influence on life as a whole. In his speech of 1886, he also paid attention to problems in his Republic. However, he appealed to his people to behave as Christian citizens of this republic. This view of Kruger is supported up to today by many Christian Afrikaners and Afrikaner institutions.
Copyright (c) 2026 Prof Piet Strauss https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Developing Spiritually Grounded Lecturers through Supportive Higher Education Environments
Abstract Integrating faith and learning in higher education presents significant challenges for lecturers. This task often involves integrating secular content with biblical principles, creating tension when attempting to deliver content from a Christian perspective. As a result, many Christian lecturers opt to present material pedagogically without critically evaluating it through a Christian worldview. Consequently, Christian higher education institutions may lack a coherent framework aligned with the Great Commission outlined in Matthew 28:19-20. Christian higher education institutions can support lecturers in integrating faith and learning within their subject content. This study employs a qualitative research design to conduct a thematic analysis of documents on the integration of faith and learning. The study revealed that faith integration in Christian higher education institutions is most effective when institutionally scaffolded and spiritually embodied. Key institutional support structures such as reformed biblical frameworks, reflective practice, academic staff, academic staff development, and communal accountability enable lecturers to align their academic teaching with the transformative mission of the Great Commission.” Therefore, this article argues that Christian higher education institutions should provide institutional support to lecturers through clear policies, dedicated resources, and targeted training. Such support can help reduce tensions and foster greater coherence in educational approaches. Moreover, when teaching is aligned with the Great Commission, a holistic environment is created, which leads to a supportive community of lecturers who can share practices and strategies for effective faith integration. This research highlights the role of institutional support in overcoming the challenges of faith integration in Christian higher education. It also provides a framework for faith-learning integration, which Christian higher education institutions can explore to equip their lecturers better to fulfil their educational purpose while staying true to biblical foundations. Opsomming Die ontwikkeling van geestelik gegronde dosente deur middel van ondersteunende hoëronderwysomgewings Die integrasie van geloof en leer in hoër onderwys skep unieke uitdagings vir dosente. Hierdie proses vereis die koppeling van sekulêre inhoud met bybelse beginsels, wat dikwels spanning veroorsaak wanneer inhoud vanuit ’n Christelike perspektief aangebied word. Juis hierom verkies heelwat dosente om materiaal pedagogies aan te bied sonder om dit krities vanuit ’n Christelike wêreldbeskouing te evalueer. Gevolglik beskik Christelike hoëronderwysinstellings nie altyd oor ’n samehangende raamwerk wat die Groot Opdrag weerspieël wat in Matteus 28:19–20 gegee word nie. Hierdie studie gebruik ’n kwalitatiewe navorsingsontwerpe ten einde die integrasie van geloof en leer te ondersoek. Dit geskied deur ’n tematiese analise van dokumente. Die bevindinge toon dat geloofsintegrasie die doeltreffendste plaasvind wanneer dit institusioneel gestruktureer en geestelik beliggaam word. Belangrike ondersteuningsmeganismes sluit in: gereformeerde bybelse raamwerke, reflektiewe praktyke, ontwikkeling van akademiese personeel en gemeenskaplike aanspreeklikheid. Hierdie strukture stel dosente in staat om hul onderrig met die transformerende missie van die Groot Opdrag te belyn. Die studie voer dus aan dat Christelike hoëronderwysinstellings institusionele ondersteuning behoort te verskaf deur middel van duidelike beleide, toegewysde hulpbronne en toegespitste opleiding. Sodanige ondersteuning kan help om spanning te verminder, en dit kan samehang tussen opvoedingsbenaderings versterk. Bowendien, wanneer onderrig met die Groot Opdrag belyn word, word ’n holistiese gemeenskap geskep, wat tot ’n ondersteunende akademiese gemeenskap bydra. Sodanige gemeenskap kan praktyke en strategieë met die oog op doeltreffende geloofsintegrasie deel. Hierdie navorsing beklemtoon dus die rol van institusionele ondersteuning. Dit bied ook ’n raamwerk vir geloof-leerintegrasie wat Christelike hoëronderwysinstellings kan gebruik om hul dosente beter toe te rus om hul roeping in die onderwys te vervul terwyl hulle getrou aan Bybelse grondslae bly. https://doi.org/10.19108/KOERS.91.1.2627
Copyright (c) 2026 Marga Botha https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Lecturers as redemptive change agents supporting students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) at higher educational institutions
Teaching diverse students, including those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), embodies the biblical call to nurture each individual as made in the image of God. This study focused on the lecturer as a redemptive change agent to meet the needs of students with ASD in higher education from a Reformational Christian perspective. Higher education institutions have increasing numbers of students with ASD due to a greater focus on inclusivity, thus necessitating attention to lecturers’ roles to support these students. The study adopted a qualitative approach utilising document analysis. Purposive sampling was used to select documents appropriate and relevant to this study. Thematic content analysis was used to analyse the data. Three themes emerged from the findings: lecturers as prophets, priests, and kings. Theme one focused on lecturers and their institutional preparedness as prophets to support students with ASD. Theme two included lecturers’ teaching approaches and adaptation in their roles as priests to support students with ASD. Finally, theme three focused on the institutional support system, where lecturers assume the role of kings to support students with ASD. Based on the findings, the following conclusion is made: As redemptive agents of change, lecturers’ teaching approaches should be empathetic, flexible, and adaptable in order to support students with ASD successfully. Lecturers’ faith should inspire them to emulate Christ’s compassion and grace. Putting Christ at the centre of each lecturer’s life will positively influence students with ASD and assist in creating a more supportive and inclusive environment. The findings, obtained by means of a thorough document analysis, can help develop Christ-centred guidelines for supporting lecturers on how to become redemptive change agents in higher education. Dosente as verlossende veranderingsagente ter ondersteuning van studente met outismespektrum-versteuring (OSV) in hoëronderwysinstellings Om diverse studente, insluitend dié met outismespektrum-versteuring (OSV) te onderrig, vergestalt die Bybelse oproep om elke individu, wat na die beeld van God geskape is, te koester. Hierdie studie het gefokus op die dosent as ’n verlossende veranderingsagent om in die behoeftes van studente met OSV in hoër onderwys vanuit ’n Gereformeerd-Christelike perspektief te voorsien. Tans neem die aantal studente met OSV by hoëronderwysinstellings toe weens ’n verhoogde fokus op inklusiwiteit. Dit noodsaak ’n toegespitste aandag op die ondersteuningsrol wat dosente teenoor hierdie studente vervul. Die studie het ’n kwalitatiewe benadering gevolg deur dokumentanalise te gebruik. Doelgerigte steekproefneming is aangewend om dokumente te kies wat geskik en toepaslik vir die studie is. Tematiese inhoudsanalise is gebruik om die data te ontleed. Uit die bevindings het drie temas na vore gekom: dosente as profete, priesters en konings. Tema een het gefokus op dosente en hul institusionele gereedheid as profete om studente met OSV te ondersteun. Tema twee het dosente se onderrigbenaderings en aanpassing in hul rol as priesters ingesluit om studente met OSV te ondersteun. Tema drie het ten laaste op die institusionele ondersteuningstelsel gefokus, waar dosente die rol van konings vervul ten einde studente met OSV te ondersteun. Op grond van die bevindings word daar tot die volgende gevolgtrekking gekom: Dosente se onderrigbenaderings moet empaties, buigsaam en aanpasbaar wees ten einde suksesvolle ondersteuning van OSV-studente te verseker. Dosente se geloof moet hulle inspireer om Christus se mededeelsaamheid en genade na te volg. Die sentraalstelling van Christus in elke dosent se lewe sal ’n positiewe invloed op studente met OSV uitoefen en sal tot ’n meer ondersteunende en regverdige omgewing bydra. Die bevindings, wat deur ’n deeglike dokumentanalise verkry is, kan tot die ontwikkeling van Christosentriese riglyne bydra ter ondersteuning van dosente oor hoe om verlossende veranderingsagente in hoër onderwys te word. https://doi.org/10.19108/KOERS.90.1.2626
Copyright (c) 2025 Danette Loubser https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Establishing ethical workplaces: Insights from independent school leaders and educators
The researchers viewed and analysed the data through a Christian lens. A qualitative ethnographic case study approach was used within an interpretivist paradigm to investigate how school leaders and educators understand and practise ethical leadership to foster an ethical working environment. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with principals, deputy principals, and educators from two independent schools, presenting rich insights into participants’ lived experiences of their school environment. The conclusions from the data indicate that ethical leadership is most effective when grounded in values such as integrity, accountability, and servant leadership, which are associated with Christian principles. Such leadership is a prerequisite to fostering an ethical work environment typified by trust, respect, and a shared moral purpose. The study also exposed trepidations within faith-based schools, specifically where institutional Christian identities overlap with managerial or market-driven imperatives. In addition, there was an unwillingness to raise discontent with leadership conduct, which underlines concerns about voice, agency, and the presence (or absence) of a “speak-up” culture. Opsomming Die skep van etiese werksomgewings: Insigte van onafhanklike skoolleiers en opvoeders Die navorsers het die data vanuit ’n Christelike perspektief bestudeer en geanaliseer. ’n Kwalitatiewe, etnografiese gevallestudiebenadering is binne ’n interpretivistiese paradigma gebruik om te ondersoek hoe skoolleiers en opvoeders etiese leierskap verstaan en beoefen ter bevordering van ’n etiese werksomgewing. Data is ingesamel deur middel van semigestruktureerde onderhoude met skoolhoofde, adjunkhoofde en onderwysers van twee onafhanklike skole, wat waardevolle insigte bied ten opsigte van die deelnemers se beleefde ervarings en leierskapspraktyke. Die bevindings toon aan dat etiese leierskap die doeltreffendste is wanneer dit gegrond is in waardes soos integriteit, aanspreeklikheid en dienende leierskap, dit wil sê waardes wat in ooreenstemming met Christelike beginsels staan. Sodanige leierskap is ’n voorvereiste ter bevordering van ’n etiese werksomgewing wat deur vertroue, respek en ’n gedeelte morele doel gekenmerk word. Die studie het ook bekommernisse binne geloofsgebaseerde skole aan die lig gebring, veral daar waar institusionele Christelike eienhede met bestuurs- of markgedrewe imperatiewe oorvleuel. Verder was daar ’n onwilligheid om ontevredenheid oor leierskapsgedrag te opper, wat kommer oor seggenskap, agentskap en die teenwoordigheid (of afwesigheid) van ’n laat-jou-stem-hoor”-kultuur benadruk.
Copyright (c) 2026 Sicelo Bhengu, Siphiwe Mthiyane, Johan Kruger https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Is it possible to apply Catholic doctrine to the common good of the company?
The rationale for this article lies, on one hand, in the need to address the perennial organisational problems of companies. On the other hand, the rationale of this article lies in the fact that the Catholic Church has not yet explicitly dealt with aspects related to the function, structure, and management of companies (Kennedy, 2002), despite having an extensive doctrine applicable to this field. All the published evidence to date shows that Catholic doctrine contains more than sufficient judgment elements to tackle the complex problems of the business world. This article proposes an approach to Catholic doctrine in formulating the common good within the company, considering its different dimensions (economic, social, cultural) and various forms of unity: origin, organisation, and action. This must be applied in a way that helps strengthen it as a human institution, given its prominent role in contemporary societies. At the same time, this article has also been written with the purpose of finding alternative principles, procedures, and attitudes that contribute to the survival, balance, and improvement of businesses in their social role. This should always be from the perspective of the Church’s social doctrine and from a justified conception of the company as a political community belonging to larger communities. Opsomming Is dit moontlik om die Katolieke leerstellings op die algemene beswil van die maatskappy toe te pas? Die rasionaal vir hierdie artikel lê, aan die een kant, in die behoefte om op die voortdurende organisatoriese probleme van maatskappye te fokus. Aan die ander kant lê die rasionaal van hierdie artikel daarin dat die Katolieke Kerk nog nie uitdruklik aandag gegee het aan aspekte wat met die funksie, struktuur en bestuur van maatskappye verband hou nie (Kennedy, 2002), al beskik dit oor uitgebreide leerstellings wat op hierdie veld van toepassing is. Al die gepubliseerde bewyse tot op hede toon dat die Katolieke leer meer as voldoende beoordelingsgronde bevat om die komplekse probleme van die sakewêreld aan te pak. Hierdie artikel stel ’n benadering tot die Katolieke leer voor in die formulering van die algemene beswil binne die maatskappy, met inagneming van sy verskillende dimensies (ekonomies, sosiaal, kultureel) en verskillende vorme van eenheid: oorsprong, organisasie en handeling. Dit moet toegepas word op ’n wyse wat help om die maatskappy as ’n menslike instelling te versterk, gegewe sy prominente rol in hedendaagse samelewings. Terselfdertyd is hierdie artikel ook geskryf met die doel om alternatiewe beginsels, prosedures en houdings vas te stel wat tot die oorlewing, balansering en verbetering van ondernemings in hul sosiale rol bydra. Dit behoort altyd te geskied vanuit die perspektief van die Kerk se sosiale leer en vanuit ’n geregverdigde opvatting van die maatskappy as ’n politieke gemeenskap wat deel van groter gemeenskappe uitmaak.
Copyright (c) 2026 Eduardo Gómez Melero, José Torres Remírez https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
ŉ Reformatoriese perspektief op die ouer se rentmeesterskaplike roeping tot die handhawing van ordelike kinderdissipline in Suid-Afrika
Kinders is ‘n geskenk van God wat aan ouers toevertrou is om as die primêre opvoeders en bewaarders van die kind op te tree. Verskeie vorme van oortredings en wangedrag is egter hedendaags aan die toeneem onder kinders. Dit is ‘n Goddelike opdrag en verantwoordelikheid van ouers om hul kinders te dissiplineer, maar daar is tans heelwat faktore en omstandighede wat ouers verhoed om hul rentmeesterskapsplig en verantwoordelikheid teenoor hul kinders na te kom. Onder hierdie faktore tel die Westerse wegbeweging van Bybelse waardes, hoë egskeidingsyfers en vaderlose gesinne. Deur middel van die toepassing van die interpretivisties-konstruktivistiese metode word hierdie faktore uitgepluis en word ‘n omskrywing van ouers (sorggewers) se rentmeesterskapstaak en -verantwoordelikheid gegee. Laasgenoemde is gefundeer in beginsels soos die feit dat ouers die primêre opvoeders van die kind is, dat tug en dissiplinering verantwoordelik behoort te geskied, dat alle handelinge met die kind in ‘n Skriftuurlike kinderantropologie gefundeer behoort te wees en dat ouers ‘n goeie begrip behoort te hê van wat opvoeding behels. Abstract A Reformed perspective on parents’ stewardship calling to uphold orderly child discipline in South Africa Children are a gift from God, entrusted to parents to serve as the child’s primary educators and guardians. However, various forms of transgressions and misconduct among children are increasingly prevalent in contemporary society. It is a divine command and a parental responsibility to discipline their children. Yet, many factors and circumstances currently prevent parents from fulfilling their stewardship task and responsibility toward their children. Among these factors are the Western departure from Biblical values, high divorce rates, and fatherless households. Using the interpretivist–constructivist method, these factors are examined, and a description of parents’ (caregivers’) stewardship tasks and responsibilities is provided. The latter is grounded in principles such as parents being the child’s primary educators, that correction and discipline should be exercised responsibly, that all interactions with the child should be grounded in a Scriptural child anthropology, and that parents should have a sound understanding of what education entails.
Copyright (c) 2026 Louis J. Oosthuizen, Johannes L van der Walt, Izak J Oosthuizen https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Reformed Confessionalism and the Belhar Confession
The Belhar Confession is a modern confession that addresses issues of race, culture and socioeconomics. It originated from the Dutch Reformed Mission Church’s rejection of apartheid theology and has been adopted by other Reformed denominations, in and beyond Africa, alongside the historical Reformed confessions of the Three Forms of Unity and the Westminster Standards. This article examines whether the Belhar Confession can be subscribed without conflict alongside these historical Reformed confessions. Three common positions taken on confessional subscription are outlined: non-, quia and quatenus subscription. Then, the propositional compatibility of Belhar with the historical confessions is analysed, and potential conflicts in ecclesiology, as well as the doctrines of reconciliation and poverty, are identified. These potential conflicts are realised with quia subscription but are avoidable with quatenus subscription. Opsomming Die Belydenis van Belhar is ’n moderne belydenisskrif wat kwessies rakende ras, kultuur en sosio-ekonomiese geregtigheid aanroer. Hierdie belydenis het ontstaan uit die Nederduitse Gereformeerde Sendingkerk se verwerping van die apartheidsteologie en is deur verskeie gereformeerde denominasies, binne en buite Afrika, aanvaar, naas die histories gereformeerde belydenisskrifte van die Drie Formuliere van Eenheid en die Westminster Standaarde. Hierdie studie ondersoek of die Belydenis van Belhar sonder konflik saam met die histories gereformeerde belydenisskrifte onderskryf kan word. Drie algemene benaderings tot konfessionele onderskrywing word onderskei: nie-onderskrywing, quia onderskrywing en quatenus onderskrywing. Vervolgens word die proposisionele versoenbaarheid van die Belydenis van Belhar met die historiese belydenisskrifte ontleed, en potensiële konflikpunte rakende ekklesiologie, betreffende die leerstellings oor versoening sowel as armoede, word geïdentifiseer. Hierdie konflikte kom na vore by quia onderskrywing, maar kan vermy word by quatenus onderskrywing. https://doi.org/10.19108/KOERS.90.1.2614
Copyright (c) 2025 Roy S. Bartle https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Buiten belangrike mylpale ten opsigte van Calvyn en Suid-Afrika in die eerste helfte van die 20ste eeu (die stigting van die Calvyn Jubileum Boekefonds (CJBF) in 1909, die oprigting van die Koers-vereniging in 1926 gepaardgaande met Koers bulletin sedert 1935, enkele studies oor Calvyn en sy werk, die vestiging van ‘n Calvinistiese filosofie deur bv. HG Stoker en andere en die drie bande Koers in die krisis deur die Federasie van die Calvinistiese Studenteverenigings in Suid-Afrika) was dit veral tydens die tweede helfte van die 20ste eeu wat ‘n opbloei in Calvyn-belangstelling geblyk het. Dié opbloeiing is die fokus van hierdie bydrae. Hierdie toenemende aandag wat op Calvyn toegespits was, het op drie maniere tot uitdrukking gekom: eerstens deur akademiese studies, insluitend proefskrifte oor Calvyn en sy werk; tweedens deur inisiatiewe vir die bevordering van amptelike Calvynnavorsing (soos kongresse), veral as resultaat van die momentum wat gekry is na aanleiding van die Internasionale Calvynnavorsingskongres (eers gehou in 1974 en 1978), wat sedert 1980 tot reëlmatige Suid-Afrikaanse kongresse gelei het; en derdens deur die aanpak van ‘n groot, omvattende projek om Calvyn se werke in Afrikaans vertaal. Daarmee het Suid-Afrika – spesifiek die Afrikaanse Calvynwerke – deel geword van die wêreldgemeenskap van Calvynvertalings langs groot taalgroepe soos Engels, Nederlands, Duits en Koreaans, om enkeles te noem. Calvinus Africanus. Calvin and Calvin Research in South Africa in the late 20th century – A Chronicle Apart from significant milestones regarding Calvin and South Africa in the first half of the 20th century—such as the establishment of the Calvin Jubilee Book Fund (CJBF) in 1909, the founding of the Koers association in 1926 along with the Koers Bulletin since 1935, some studies on Calvin and his work, the development of a Calvinist philosophy by figures like H.G. Stoker and others, and the three-volume Koers in die Krisis published by the Federation of Calvinist Student Associations in South Africa – it was especially during the second half of the 20th century that a resurgence of interest in Calvin became evident. This resurgence is the focus of this contribution. The increasing attention to Calvin was expressed in three main ways: 1. Academic studies, including dissertations on Calvin and his work. 2. Initiatives to promote official Calvin research, such as congresses, particularly as a result of the momentum generated by the International Congress on Calvin Research (first held in Amsterdam in 1978), which led to regular South African congresses from 1980 onward. 3. A major, comprehensive project to translate Calvin’s works into Afrikaans. This endeavour integrated South Africa – particularly the Afrikaans Calvin translations – into the global community of Calvin translations, alongside major language groups such as English, Dutch, German, and Korean, to name a few. https://doi.org/10.19108/KOERS.90.1.2613
Copyright (c) 2025 Victor D’Assonville https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
This article reviews works published in the English language in 2021 and 2023 by or about the Dutch polymath Abraham Kuyper (1837-1920). The works under review here illuminate Kuyper’s continuing influence across a number of disciplines. These works testify to Kuyper's ongoing relevance to modern discourse, furthering investigation and research into his multifaceted contributions to theology and public life. The reviewed works remark on how relevant Kuyper's writings remain, addressing issues such as poverty, wealth, and the social question, while drawing connections to modern problems such as the sciences, globalization, pluralism, public theology, and the disenchantment of art. OPSOMMING Hierdie artikel gee 'n oorsig oor werke wat in 2021 en 2023 in Engels deur of oor die Nederlandse veelweter Abraham Kuyper (1837-1920) gepubliseer is. Die werke wat hier behandel word, werp lig op Kuyper se voortgesette invloed op verskeie dissiplines. Hierdie werke getuig van Kuyper se deurlopende relevansie in die moderne diskoers en voer ondersoek na en navorsing oor sy veelsydige bydraes tot teologie en die openbare lewe verder. Die werke meld hoe relevant Kuyper se geskrifte steeds bly; hy bespreek kwessies soos armoede, rykdom, en die sosiale vraag, en hy bring dit in verband met moderne probleme soos die wetenskappe, globalisering, pluralisme, openbare teologie en die ontgogeling van kuns. https://doi.org/10.19108/KOERS.90.1.2606
Copyright (c) 2025 Steve Bishop https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Gelykheid as rewolusionêre begrip by die ANC en Groen van Prinsterer:
Gelykheid is sedert die ontstaan van die ANC ’n kernbegrip in die party se ideologiese raamwerk. Hierdie strewe na gelykheid kom duidelik na vore in verskeie sleuteldokumente, maar die vraag oor hoe die ANC gelykheid teoreties verstaan en in die praktyk toepas, bly kompleks en onvoldoende nagevors. ’n Ondersoek na hierdie bronne dui daarop dat die party gelykheid nie net in die klassieke sin van die woord, as gelykheid voor die reg, verstaan word nie, maar eerder as ’n rewolusionêre gelykheid wat beslag moet vind op sosio-ekonomiese gebied. Die ANC se konsep van gelykheid moet geplaas word binne ’n breër historiese debat oor die aard van gelykheid, wat sy oorsprong in die Verligting het. Hierdie rewolusionêre idee, met wortels in die denke van Jean-Jacques Rousseau en Karl Marx, is in diepte bekritiseer deur die Nederlandse staatsman Guillaume Groen van Prinsterer. Hy het gewaarsku dat hierdie soort gelykheid samelewingsverbande kan ondermyn, sosiale samehorigheid kan skade doen en eiendomsregte kan skend. Hierdie kritiek beklemtoon die belangrikheid daarvan om af te sien van ’n ideologiese raamwerk wat teenproduktief op samelewings inwerk, ten einde burgerlike vryhede en sosiale vooruitgang te beskerm – ook in Suid-Afrika se hedendaagse politieke konteks. https://doi.org/10.19108/KOERS.90.1.2604
Copyright (c) 2025 Paul Maritz, Dr Jan Adriaan Schlebusch https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Egbert Schuurman: Reformational Philosopher of Technology
The life and work of Egbert Schuurman (b. 1937), a prominent figure in the field of the Reformational philosophy of technology, is examined. The article briefly discusses Schuurman’s background, academic journey, and key works before highlighting key themes of his approach. These themes include the problems of the Enlightenment, particularly its religious dogma of progress and human autonomy, technicism, and an ethics of responsibility. The reception of Schuurman’s work is examined, and his Reformational approach is highlighted. OPSOMMING Die lewe en werk van Egbert Schuurman (geb. 1937), ’n bekende figuur in die veld van Reformatoriese filosofie van tegnologie, word ondersoek. Hierdie artikel bespreek kortliks Schuurman se agtergrond, akademiese reis en sleutelwerke voordat die hooftemas van sy benadering uitgelig word. Sodanige temas sluit die probleme van die Verligting in, veral die godsdienstige dogma van vordering en menslike outonomie, tegnisisme en ’n verantwoordelikeheidsetiek. Die ontvangs van Schuurman se werke word ondersoek, met die klem op sy Reformatoriese benadering. https://doi.org/10.19108/KOERS.90.1.2599
Die Volkeregtelike Status van die Afgevaardigdes dan die Boererepublieke by die Vrede van 31 Mei 1902
OPSOMMING Die Anglo-Boereoorlog van 1899-1902 met sy kern Boer teen Brit betree teen middel 1900, met die Britse anneksering van die Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek en die Republiek van die Oranje Vrystaat, ’n tyd van guerrilla-oorlogvoering deur die Boere. Hierdie oorlog eindig met vredesluiting op 31 Mei 1902. Die “nagenoeg” 20 779 Boere (vgl. Pretorius, 2001:21) wat in hierdie fase aan Boerekant geveg het, dra die naam Bittereinders. Hierdie Boere wat tot die einde van die oorlog – hulle het onder mekaar gepraat van die bittereinde – met verset teen die Britse imperialisme sou volhard, sou daarna ŉ aantoonbare invloed op die historiese verloop van staatkundige sake in Suid-Afrika hê. In oorleg met lord Kitchener, opperbevelhebber van die Britse magte in Suid-Afrika, het die Boere ’n beraad van 60 vegtende Boere of Bittereinders vir die laaste twee weke van Mei 1902 op Vereeniging gereël wat oor ’n vrede onder omstandighede vir die Boere moes besluit. Die verteenwoordigers op hierdie Boereberaad is deur die vegtende burgers as stemvolk aangewys. Aan die begin van die beraad het die 60 Boere aanvaar dat hulle uit ’n volkeregtelike hoek die status van gevolmagtigde verteenwoordigers van die burgers “te velde” gehad het wat namens die twee republieke oor vrede met Brittanje moes besluit. Dit het beteken dat hulle die gees onder hulle genote moes verreken, maar ook eie insig kon gebruik in die hantering van dit wat hulle by medeafgevaardigdes, kommando’s en ander mense in die oorlog gehoor het. Hulle was gevolmagtigde gesante wat op ’n sinvolle vrede vir die Boere in die omstandighede moes besluit. Sekere faktore sou hierdie status bevestig. Die beraad moes finaal oor die moontlikheid van vrede vir die Boere besluit. ŉ Kommissie van 10 uit die 60 wat die regerings van die twee republieke verteenwoordig het, het die Vrede van Vereeniging soos deur die beraad aanvaar, geteken. Daardeur het die vredesverdrag wat op die Britse voorstelle gebaseer was, ’n bindende ooreenkoms vir Boer en Brit geword: ŉ ooreenkoms wat die republieke deur die beraad van 60 aanvaar het en hulle deur handtekening en erewoord gebind het. Die aard van die vredesverdrag was betekenisvol. Milner het die ooreenkoms soos aanvaar deur die Britse regering in Londen vir die tien Boere wat sou teken as ŉ “Act of surrender” aangebied. Generaal Jan Smuts het hierdie opskrif by ontvangs gesien en onmiddellik gewysig na “Act of peace”. Kitchener en Milner het nie hierteen beswaar gemaak nie. Die republieke het selfstandig oor die vrede besluit en was daarvoor nie van Brittanje se goedkeuring afhanklik nie. As gevolmagtigde verteenwoordigers was die 60 Boere as ’n wettige en verkose liggaam instrumenteel in die republieke se aanvaarding van die ooreenkoms. Die Vrede van Vereeniging is aanvaar deur die 60 Bittereinderboere wat dit met ŉ meerderheid van 54 – 6 goedgekeur het. Die Britse anneksasie van die Republiek van die Oranje-Vrystaat op 24 Mei 1900 en die Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek op 1 September 1900, het geen rol op konferensie gespeel nie. Die Bittereinderboere het selfstandig besluit oor – op hulle voorwaardes – die einde van die bittereinde. ABSTRACT The status of the Boer delegates according to the law of nations at the peace talks in May 1902 after the Anglo-Boer War Peace talks after in the Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902) between Great Britain, the South African Republic (ZAR) and the Republic of the Orange Free State (Rep. OVS), took place in the final two weeks of May 1902. At that stage, the Anglo-Boer War had been lasting for about two years and eight months. The British High Commissioner in South Africa, sir Alfred Milner, who is on record for precipitating the war, anticipated that the Anglo-Boer War would last only three months and end in a British victory. The war started on 11 October 1899 after Britain had refused an ultimatum of the ZAR, which felt threatened by the movement of British troops to its borders. The war ended, however, nearly three years later, on 31 May 1902. In the middle of 1900, after Britain successfully invaded the republics, the Boers took to guerilla warfare. They used this until May 1902, whereafter the peace treaty was signed in Pretoria on 31 May 1902. During the period of guerilla warfare, the Boers were represented by the so-called Bittereinders or die-hard Boers. They believed that an imperialistic Britain threatened to terminate the independence of the republics and was committing a grave injustice to the Boers by doing so. The Bittereinders were convinced that the republics, by defending their cause in taking up arms as their final option, acted according to God’s will, which gives states the right to defend their independence when necessary. God, they believed, gave them this right in His providence. The President of the Orange Free State, M.T. Steyn, who was named the “Bittereinder van die Bittereinders” (die-hard of the die-hards), promoted this view and added that the republics might lose the military side of the war, but win the fight for spiritual values. He propagated the defence of oneself and of independent states in situations of need as a holy God-given right and visualised the spiritual superiority of Boer women and children in British concentration camps. When peace talks between Britain and the republics became a reality, it was clear that the “Bittereinders” – at that stage their fighting group – would be delegated by the republics to the peace conference. Lord Kitchener, the officer in command of the British soldiers in South Africa, accepted a proposal from the republics that the Boers hold a conference with 30 delegates from each of the ZAR and the Rep. OVS to participate in the peace talks on behalf of the Boers. They would be chosen by the fighting Boers who were Bittereinders. The British cabinet appointed Kitchener and Milner to represent them in the peace talks and report back to the British government for the final decision. Britain annexed the ZAR and the Rep. OVS in 1900 after an invasion and the establishment of a military government in both. These military governments meant to replace the republican governments. This arrangement, however, played no role in the peace talks of 1902. The two sides, Britain and the republics, met as equals. Decisions in these talks were not taken by a majority of individuals, but by an agreement between the parties. Kitchener and Milner followed the talks to reach a proposal, which they sent to London for a final decision to act on. In the end the Boers accepted the British proposals, but after the consent of the conference of 60 Boer delegates, who fully represented their states in this situation. In fact, at the beginning of the meeting of 60 at Vereeniging, the delegates accepted that they could decide according to their own convictions in the negotiations on behalf of the two countries they represented. At the end of the talks, Milner presented the Boers with the final British proposal under the heading of an “Act of surrender”. However, upon receiving it, the Boer Bittereinder general J.C. Smuts, replaced this heading with a more appropriate wording according to the Boers, namely an “Act of peace”, that is an act of equal parties. Kitchener and Milner let this change pass in silence. Kitchener was eager to reach an agreement that would end the war and differences of minor importance could damage it. The influence of the Bittereinders could also be seen in South Africa after 1902. An important example was the establishment of the Republic of South Africa in 1961: an ideal of the Bittereinders. Another example was the implementation of the policy of apartheid, which ended finally and formally with the general election in 1994. https://doi.org/10.19108/KOERS.90.1.2596
volkeregtelike status van Boereverteenwoordigers in Mei 1902
ZAR en die Rep. OVS verteenwoordig deur Bittereinders
Copyright (c) 2025 Prof P.J. Strauss https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
The environmental crisis: A religious solution?
The earth and its inhabitants are facing an impending environmental catastrophe. Despite remarkable technological advancements and sophisticated economic strategies, the situation continues to worsen at an alarming rate. The growing demand for higher living standards exacerbates the exploitation of resources, contributing to environmental degradation. Human greed and interpersonal competition drive the rapid extraction of natural resources, leading to the degradation of the planet’s ecological foundation. Therefore, the solution does not lie in enhanced or restrained technological progress, educational programmes or new economic theories but in transforming human attitudes and aspirations, profoundly shaped by socio-economic and cultural-historical contexts. In this context, religion plays a crucial role in shaping individuals’ worldviews. Most religious teachings advocate for the responsible use of resources, together with love and respect towards other human beings. If these core principles of environmental stewardship and care for others, along with the warnings against greed and the dangers of wealth, were more actively embraced, the current environmental crisis could have been avoided. https://doi.org/10.19108/KOERS.90.1.2581
Copyright (c) 2025 Leon Hugo, Jean Hugo https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
’n Reformatoriese Kindbeskouing: In watter mate kom dit tot sy reg in die Suid-Afrikaanse Onderwysreg en -Jurisprudensie?
'n Opvoedingsfilosoof en ’n onderwysregskundige span kragte saam om vas te stel tot welke mate die kernaspekte van ’n Reformatoriese kindbeskouing tot hul reg in die internasionale en Suid-Afrikaanse onderwysregsbestel kom. Die eerste deel van die artikel verskaf ’n filosofies-Reformatoriese kinderantropologie as prinsipiële grondslag, tesame met rigtingwysers vir die daaropvolgende (onderwys)regtelike ondersoek. Die ondersoek bring aan die lig dat Reformatoriese opvoeders in die huidige tydsgewrig nog taamlik rustig en tevrede kan wees met hoe die (onderwys)reg en -regspleging in Suid-Afrika ten opsigte van die belange van kinders behartig word. Daar was egter in die onlangse verlede verwikkelinge wat op gevaar dui, tesame met sake wat in die toekoms meer aandag sal moet geniet. A Reformational view of the child: To what extent is justice done to it in international and South African pedagogical jurisprudence? ABSTRACT A philosopher of education and an education law expert join forces to establish to what degree justice has been done to the core aspects of Reformational child anthropology in the current international and South African education jurisprudence system. The first part of the article provides a philosophical Reformational child anthropology as a foundational basis, together with guidelines for the subsequent (education) legal investigation. The investigation reveals that Reformational educators could be relatively content, for the time being, about how (education) law and jurisprudence in South Africa concerning children are administered. However, there have been recent developments indicating danger, along with matters that will require more attention in the future.
Copyright (c) 2024 Hannes van der Walt, Izak J Oosthuizen https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
“The poor man’s son” and Adam Smith’s theory of beauty
The article's novelty is its focus on the role of Smith’s theory of beauty and its implications for utility in the narrative of ‘The Poor Man’s Son’. From this point of view, the narrative contains Smith’s criticism of the misguided view of the beauty of utility and affirmation of harmonious systems. Adam Smith’s narrative of ‘The Poor Man’s Son’ in his book The Theory of Moral Sentiments [1759] has received significant attention from scholars. Recently, three modes of interpretation can be distinguished. The first group follows a mode of interpretation from the world of the text, which is literal and regards the narrative as Smith’s support of beneficence. The narrative is perceived as Smith’s criticism of commerce and consumerism in pursuing happiness. Secondly, reading from the world behind the text, others pay more attention to historical and material aspects and argue that the narrative warns against misplaced ambition and affirms the virtue of commerce. Thirdly, when reading from the world in front of the text, the reception of the text is focal, and the emphasis shifts to the tension between beneficence and commercial prowess in Smith's work. The problem with all three interpretations is that the nature of beauty, utility and commerce is not explored. In this article, a discourse analysis of the narrative in its wider context reveals an alternative interpretation based on Smith’s theory of beauty that has important implications for contemporary digital technology and systems. https://doi.org/10.19108/KOERS.90.1.2594
Copyright (c) 2025 Mark Rathbone https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Forming Learners Through Citizenship Education to Recognise and Counter Lawlessness in their Surroundings
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.
Copyright (c) 2024 Johannes Lodewicus Van der Walt, Ferdinand J Potgieter, Charl C Wolhuter https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Spirituality in the workplace in South Africa:
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
Copyright (c) 2024 Prof Marita Heyns, Dr Tessa De Wet, Dr Vasti Marais-Opperman https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Emma Renzi: Van operasangeres tot sangpedagoog:
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
outobiografiese navorsings-ondersteunde onderrig
Copyright (c) 2024 Antoinette Olivier https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
The challenges of principals' dual roles in South African public schools
Principals play a central role in the implementation of educational policies, functioning as intermediaries between the Department of Basic Education and school governing bodies. In their dual capacities as representatives of the head of department and ex-officio members of governing bodies, principals significantly influence the operationalisation of both national and local policies within schools. These responsibilities shape their interactions with both the employer and the governing body. This study explores the challenges that principals encounter in fulfilling their dual roles in policy implementation, particularly as they navigate and attempt to reconcile often conflicting expectations. Employing a qualitative research methodology and an exploratory case study design, data were systematically collected and analysed through coding techniques. The findings reveal the complex landscape principals navigate, characterised by tensions between directives from the Department of Basic Education and the advocacy of school governing bodies, which reflect parental interests. The study further underscores the importance of integrating democratic principles and Christian values into the implementation of educational policies, advocating for inclusive participation, shared decision-making, and mutual respect – principles deemed essential for fostering just and effective governance within schools. ABSTRAK Skoolhoofde vervul ’n sentrale funksie in die implementering van onderwysbeleide deur as intermediêre gesagsfigure tussen die Departement van Basiese Onderwys en skoolbeheerliggame op te tree. In hul dubbele rolle as verteenwoordigers van die hoof van die provinsiale departement van onderwys, sowel as ex officio-lede van skoolbeheerliggame, speel skoolhoofde ’n bepalende rol in die implementering en operasionalisering van beide nasionale en plaaslike onderwysbeleide binne skole. Hierdie verantwoordelikhede beïnvloed skoolhoofde se interaksies met sowel die werkgewer as die skoolbeheerliggaam. Hierdie studie ondersoek die uitdagings waarmee skoolhoofde gekonfronteer word in die uitvoering van hul dubbele rolle in die implementering van onderwysbeleide, veral in konteks van die behoefte om dikwels teenstrydige verwagtinge te balanseer en te versoen. Deur gebruik te maak van ’n kwalitatiewe navorsingsbenadering en ’n eksploratiewe gevallestudie-ontwerp, is data op sistematiese wyse ingesamel en ontleed met behulp van koderingstegnieke. Die bevindings beklemtoon die kompleksiteit van spanningsgevulde verhoudings waarin skoolhoofde hulle bevind, aangesien hulle nie slegs verantwoordelik is vir die implementering van opdragte vanaf die Departement van Basiese Onderwys nie, maar ook vir die bevordering van die belange van skoolbeheerliggame. Die studie onderstreep verder die noodsaaklikheid van die integrasie van demokratiese beginsels en Christelike waardes in die implementeringsproses van onderwysbeleide. Daar word gepleit vir inklusiewe deelname, kollektiewe besluitneming en wedersydse respek—kernbeginsels wat as fundamenteel beskou word vir die bevordering van regverdigheid en doeltreffende onderwysbestuur binne skole. https://doi.org/10.19108/KOERS.90.1.2577
Copyright (c) 2025 Dr. Johan H.C. Kruger, Prof Andre Du Plessis https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Die histories-teoretiese verband tussen postmodernisme en marxistiese epistemologie: ’n Christelike perspektief
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
Copyright (c) 2024 M. Diedericks https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Collaborative conversations with teachers about hope: during and after Covid-19
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.
Copyright (c) 2024 Nadia Swanepoel, Dr Joyce West https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
This article looks at new works published in 2022 by or about the Dutch polymath Abraham Kuyper (1837-1920). https://doi.org/10.19108/KOERS.88.1.2554
Copyright (c) 2023 Steve Bishop https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Gereformeerde pietisme, neoplatonisme en pre-Romantieke teodisee in die Voortrekkervrou Susanna Smit (1799-1863) se godsdienstige dagboeke
Reformed Pietism, neo-Platonism and pre-Romantic Theodicy in the spiritual diaries of the Voortrekker woman Susanna Smit (1799-1863) The first half of the eighteenth century witnessed a resurgence of Platonism in literature generally and in theology in Germany en Holland in particular, because of the appeal Plato’s ideas held for the distinction between immanent and transcendental reality, man’s quest for unity with the Good, and the human soul as the vehicle for uniting with God. Because most human beings are preoccupied with material things, Plato believed they need to have their thoughts turned to the immaterial reality behind the material world, and thus to be weaned away from the objects of their passions. To Plato the world is more than a world of appearances. Behind each particular thing is the idea or form of the thing. Moreover, the ideas or forms are all ultimately related to the Form of the Good. Plato believed that the soul is an immaterial entity, which in some ways is like the Forms. Particularly revealing to the emerging trend of Romanticism was Plato’s philosophical transcending of sceptical and materialistic views of reality, the notion that those who know what is good will love and desire it, and that moral virtue is of itself a prerequisite to knowing the good. The problem presented itself as to how sinful man and chaos in the world can be brought in accordance with God’s perfect and sinless nature. Because Plato’s view of human improvement by means of education and salvation through personal virtue is far removed from the Christian message of redemption by a loving, personal God, Pietists reverted to the neo-Platonism legacy of love mysticism to resolve the dualism inherent to the Romantic juxtaposition of the immanent and the transcendent. The Voortrekker woman Susanna Smit reflected these influences in her Reformed Pietistic spirituality and re-interpreted the Christian conviction of the love of God and man’s salvation by relying on neo-Platonism love spirituality in the works of James Hervey, Rutger Schutte, Hieronymus van Alphen, Rhijnvis Feith and other pietistically inclined authors. This research investigates the impact of the idea of experiential numinous love mediating between the Good and the human soul and neo-Platonism love sentimentality in Susanna Smit’s diaries and the effect of these influences in her Reformed Pietistic spirituality from 1843 to 1863. https://doi.org/10.19108/KOERS.88.1.2551
Copyright (c) 2023 AWG Raath https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Die rapportering van beserings in Meganiese Tegnologie-skoolwerkswinkels met die oog op die skep van `n geborgenheidsruimte vir die leerders.
Artikel 24 van die Wet op Beroepsgesondheid en -veiligheid (85 van 1993) bepaal dat alle beserings in werkwinkels gerapporteer moet word. Tegnologie-onderwysers het ook volgens die gemenereg ŉ regsplig om sulke beserings aan te meld. Sorgvuldige rekordhouding van ongelukke is een van die maniere wat gebruik kan word om ongelukke te voorkom en sodoende ŉ veilige werksomgewing te skep. Hierdie artikel doen verslag oor bevindings van ŉ ondersoek waartydens gebruik gemaak is van gemengde navorsingsmetodes by 220 tegniese skole in Suid-Afrika wat Meganiese Tegnologie as vak aanbied. Die doel van die studie was om die huidige stand van veiligheidsbestuur in werkswinkels in terme van die aanmelding van beserings en die rekordhouding daarvan kwantitatief en kwalitatief te bepaal. Die ondersoek het getoon dat daar nog ‘n aansienlike mate van onkunde by die deelnemende onderwysers bestaan oor die voorgeskrewe aanmeldingsprosedures van beserings en die rekordhouding daarvan. In die lig van hierdie bevinding word aanbeveel dat Meganiese Tegnologie-onderwysers groter kennis behoort te dra van hulle wetlike verpligtinge en verantwoordelikhede ten opsigte van die veiligheid van die leerders in die werkswinkels. Sodanige verdiepte kennis behoort hulle ook in staat te stel om hulle werkswinkels te omskep tot geborgenheidsruimtes vir hulle leerders. ABSTRACT Section 24 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (85 of 1993) stipulates that all injuries in workshops must be reported. Technology teachers also have a legal duty under common law to report such injuries. Meticulous record keeping of accidents is one of the strategies that can be employed to prevent accidents, thereby creating a safe working environment. This article reports on the findings of an investigation using mixed research methods at 220 technical schools in South Africa that offer Mechanical Technology as a subject. The aim of the study was to quantitatively and qualitatively determine the current state of safety management in workshops in terms of the (lack of) reporting of injuries and of record keeping. The investigation showed that there is still a considerable degree of ignorance among the participating teachers about (adherence to) the prescribed reporting procedures of injuries and their record keeping. In light of this finding, it is recommended that Mechanical Technology teachers should become more aware of their legal obligations and responsibilities regarding the safety of the learners in the workshops. Such in-depth knowledge could also enable them to transform their workshops into safe spaces for their learners. https://doi.org/10.19108/KOERS.88.1.2549
Copyright (c) 2023 Coenraad Jurgens, Marius H Smit, Johannes L Van der Walt https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
A public health ethics framework for the older community
An ethical framework for dealing with geriatric communities is mostly absent in developing countries. This article presents an ethics framework for public health that can be used to address older persons' communities and their associated vulnerability. A mixed methods approach was used for the design of this framework. A principal component analysis was employed to summarise the information content. The rotated component matrix identified nine determinants from the survey outcome. A five-point Likert scale rated fifty statements relevant to care for older persons. The rating of the mentioned statements confirmed that social determinants influence older persons' health. Furthermore, such statements' ratings also highlighted the role of government and support systems in the care of older persons. The evident link between social determinants and ethics was noteworthy, as well as the fact that social determinants contribute towards ethical challenges. It was further confirmed that an ethical framework could contribute towards health and judgements concerning older communities. Opsomming ‘n Etiese raamwerk met die oog op die hantering van ouer gemeenskappe is meestal nie beskikbaar in ontwikkelende lande nie. Hierdie artikel bied ‘n etiek-raamwerk vir openbare gesondheid wat gebruik kan word om ouerpersone-gemeenskappe en hul gepaardgaande broosheid te hanteer. Vir die ontwerp van hierdie raamwerk is ’n gemengdemetode-benadering gebruik. ‘n Hoofkomponentanalise is aangewend om die inhoud van die inligting op te som. Die gedraaide komponentmatriks het nege faktore geïdentifiseer wat op die uitkoms van die opname/dataversameling gebaseer is. ‘n Vyfpunt-Likertskaal is gebruik om stellings wat op die sorg van ouer persone betrekking het te takseer. Die taksering van die genoemde stellings het bevestig dat sosiale faktore ’n invloed op die gesondheid van ouer persone uitoefen. Voorts het die taksering van die sodanige stellings ook die owerheid en ondersteuningstelsels se rol in ouer persone se versorging beklemtoon. Die voor die hand liggende skakel tussen sosiale faktore en etiek was opmerklik, asook die feit dat sosiale faktore tot etiese uitdagings bygedra het. Daar is verder bevestig dat ’n etiese raamwerk tot die gesondheid van ouer persone en hul versorging kan bydra.
Copyright (c) 2024 Laetus Lategan, Prof Gert J van Zyl, Prof. Willem Kruger https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
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
Copyright (c) 2024 Steve Bishop, David Kristanto https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/