 NEWS ARCHIVE
19-01-2010
Theology, Economy and our Globalising World
THEOLOGICAL DAY 2010, FACULTY OF THEOLOGY, STELLENBOSCH UNIVERSITY
The academic year of the Faculty of Theology, Stellenbosch University will kick off with the Theological Day on Monday 25 January from 09:00 – 13:00 at the Attie van Wijk Auditorium at the Faculty of Theology. The theme will be Theology, Economy and our Globalising World.
Since the Industrial Revolution, the meaning of the word “economy” has been increasingly reduced to a mere monetary meaning. However, we can claim a richer meaning of the term “economy” today. According to the gospel there is another type of accountancy, another type of wealth, another economic logic. Theologically speaking, one can argue that there is only one economy, God’s economy, in which markets and money are subjected to more merciful governance.
The programme will include Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm from the University of Bamberg, Germany. His lecture will be on Public Theology and the Economy in a Globalising World. Prof Ernst Conradie from the University of the Western Cape will do a presentation on The Church, Consumerism and Globalisation. The programme will be concluded with a panel discussion on the meaning of the Accra declaration for today. The Accra Declaration of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) also relates the ecological crisis with economic factors – specifically within the context of globalisation. Panel members will include Dr Puleng LenkaBula (UNISA), Prof Piet Naudé (NMMU), Rev Malcolm Damon (Economic Justice Network) and Prof Stan du Plessis (Department of Economics, US).
Contact Dr Robert Vosloo, Tel: 021 808 3256 with any enquiries.
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16-10-2009
Charter of Religious Rights and Freedoms
How it Came About and Where We Are:
A few lines to about the proposed Charter Religious Rights and Freedoms for South Africa.
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Round about the beginning of the new millennium a few conferences on the relationship between religion and the state and freedom of religion took place at the Faculty of Theology of the University of Stellenbosch. Through the conferences it became clear that we need to think on what freedom of religion entails for the people of South Africa
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A few individuals started drafting a Charter of Religious Rights and Freedoms for South Africa. The Charter was officially presented and discussed on 14 February 2008 at a meeting of various religious groups in South Africa. Twenty one Christian denominations were present, also representatives from various local congregations and African Independent churches; There were also representatives from the Jewish and Muslim religions and the SA Tamil Federation as well as representatives from various academic institutions and statutory bodies. The draft Charter was thoroughly discussed and then referred to a Continuation Committee that was appointed by those present. The Continuation Committee consisted of Prof P Coertzen (chairperson and theologian), prof Rassie Malherbe (Constitiutional jurist University of Johannesburg; dr Chris Landman and dr Willem Langeveldt (Commissioners of the Commission for Cultural, Religious and Language Rights); Sjeik Achmat Sedick and Rabbi Fox; and Mr Eric Jackson of the Church of the Latterday Saints and Dr Iain Benson (Center for Cultural Research Canada). Dr Nskosasana Mdende (African Indigenous Religions) were later co-opted as member of the Continuation Committee. At the moment the the same people are still members of the Continuation Committee while the Rev A Knoetze (Commissioner of the CRL-Commission) has also been co-opted as a member.
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On 29th May 2008 the Continuation Committee met in Stellenbosch to discuss comments and suggestions received since 14th February. Some amendments were made and in the beginning of June the amended document was circulated very widely amongst religious communities and other involved groups calling for further comments and also asking that, if possible, religious communities approve of the document, even if only in principle.
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In addition to the circulation of the document members of the Continuation Committee have embarked on a program of meetings with various groups and organizations. Thus far we have discussed the document with representatives of –
- The African traditional religions
- The Human Rights Commission
- The National House of Traditional Leaders
- The Buddhist religion
- The Rastafarians
- The Religious Editorial Board of the SABC.
- the Executive of the National Religious Leaders’ Forum
- The General Secretary of the South African Council of Churches.
- The Chairperson and members of the CRL-Commission
- We have also formulated the Charter in terms of proposed legislation
- After a discussion of comments and proposals which were received the Charter was again circulated. In April 2009 it was also circulated amongst the members of the International Consortium for the Study of Law and Religion – valuable comments were received.
- On 6 August 2009 all the comments and proposals received were discussed. The revised document will be circulated during October 2009.
- The Continuation Committee is planning further meetings with church and religious leaders in the next few months, after which a conference will be called where the document again can be discussed and religious leaders be called upon to sign it in public.
- We also propose that a representative Council for the Promotion and Protection of Religious Rights and Freedoms (Constitution s185(1)(c)) be established at the conference to take the Charter forward and bring it before Parliament.
- We understand that each religious community has its unique decision-making processes, which sometimes may be time consuming. We ask for your co-operation to bring the process to a conclusion as soon as possible. We think South Africa is in dire need of a Charter of this nature.
- The Draft Charter and Charter Motivation can also be found at the following links:
Thank you for your attention. I end with a quote from Judge (retired) Albie Sachs “Ideally in South Africa, all religious organisations and persons concerned with the study of religion would get together and draft a charter of religious rights and responsibilities … it would be up to the participants themselves to define what they consider to be their fundamental rights.” (Albie Sachs, 1990, Protecting Human Rights in a New South Africa. Contemporary South African Debates. Oxford University Press, Cape Town. (pp 46+47).
Kind regards
Pieter Coertzen
(On behalf of the Continuation Committee)
16 October 2009
01-03-2009
Stellenbosch Theology 150+
The year 2009 is a unique year of remembrance for Theology in Stellenbosch. Not only does this anniversary act as a reminder of 15 decades of theological training, spiritual formation and social involvement, but it also offers the opportunity for creatively questioning the challenges the future may hold. In the Christian tradition the art of remembering is related to the ability to retell various stories in such a manner that they become everyone’s story – tales of joy and pain, freedom and loss, courage and lament. For Theology (how we talk about God in today’s world) it means to interact with times, place and people via the healing lens of God’s love and mercy.
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01-03-2009
Calvin09 Conference 30 August - 2 September 2009
The Calvin09 Conference 30 August - 2 September 2009 at Stellenbosch University, South Africa is hosted by the Faculty of Theology. The planning committee cordially invites you to a conference celebrating the 500-year anniversary of the birth of John Calvin in 1509, to be held 30 August – 2 September 2009 in Stellenbosch, South Africa.
The broad theme of the conference is “John Calvin’s relevance for today”. Speakers who have confirmed their participation include Nicholas Wolterstorff, Setri Nyomi, Katie Cannon, Rachel Baard, Dirkie Smit, Allan Boesak, John de Gruchy, Coenie Burger, Piet Naudé, Russel Botman, Eddy van der Borght, Robert Vosloo and Ernst Conradie.
01-03-2009
Joint Conference of Academic Societies in the Fields of Religion and Theology
In the 1990s the South African Academy of Religion (SAAR) hosted a number of conferences where various academic societies in the field of religion and theology participated. This initiative could not be sustained for various reasons. Following extensive consultations a significant number of societies decided to host a joint conference again in 2009. A planning committee was established for this purpose with representatives from each society. This conference is organized on an ad hoc basis and in such way that the normal annual meeting of each society takes place in the same venue and during the same time. The Faculty of Theology at Stellenbosch University offered to host this conference to coincide with its celebrations of 150 years of teaching theology in Stellenbosch.
The History of the Faculty of Theology and Theology Stellenbosch 150+
On 1 November 2009 it will be exactly 150 years since the old Drostdy building in Stellenbosch was ceremonially inaugurated as a seminary for the training of ministers and missionaries of the DR Church. Until 1859 most ministers of the DR Church received their theological training at the University of Utrecht; later many Stellenbosch students continued their studies at the Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. For many years the "Kweekskool" (as the Seminary became known) trained ministers, many of whom became spiritual leaders in the church and society. The inauguration of the Kweekskool led to the founding of various other educational institutions in Stellenbosch, and ultimately Stellenbosch University in 1918. In 1963 the Kweekskool became the Faculty of Theology of this university. Since 2000 the Faculty trains ministers for other churches and denominations besides the DR Church, with specific agreements with the Uniting Reformed Church in Southern Africa and the Uniting Presbyterian Church of Southern Africa.
The Faculty of Theology will host a conference with the theme The History of the Faculty and Theology Stellenbosch 150+ from 16 – 19 March 2009. This theme will guide us as we review theological training during the past 150 years, but also consider the opportunities and possibilities the future holds.
VENUE
Attie van Wijk Auditorium, Faculty of Theology, Stellenbosch University
For more information download the brochures:
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09-02-2010
Research and Development Workshop: 5 March 2010
“Developing a Research Proposal”
Whether you see it as a problem or a challenge, developing a research proposal is a reality to be embraced for the necessary results in postgraduate studies…! In this workshop you will be introduced to the process, components and content of a research proposal for a successful thesis or dissertation.
The workshop is conducted by Dr Clint Le Bruyns and takes place in the Hofmeyrsaal in the Faculty of Theology, Stellenbosch University (171 Dorp Street, Stellenbosch). Cost R20. Please ensure that you indicate your availability to attend by March 3rd via e-mail (clb@sun.ac.za) as participation is strictly limited. All current and prospective postgraduate students are encouraged to attend. Those presently working on a research proposal are requested to bring along a copy of their research question and/or proposal.
For facebook users, you may join the “Research Development Forum” group, and sign up on the “Developing a Research Proposal” event site.
Download brochure (pdf, 94.5 kb)
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