THE ETHICS OF INTERPRETATION - AND SOUTH AFRICA

  • D J Smit University of the Western Cape
Keywords: Ethos, Socio-political role, South African New Testament scholarship, Period of biblical scholarship

Abstract

This article looks at the ethos and socio-political role of South African New Testament scholarship during the last four decades, in an attempt to see whether any real paradigm shifts have taken place. Three periods are distinguished: the period of biblical scholarship and the legitimation of apartheid, when a deliberate movement was started in Afrikaner Reformed circle to read the Bible with socio-political purposes; a period during which methodology became all-important, and hardly any attention was given to ecclesial, theological and socio-political issues; and a period during which a new wave of socio-political interpretation can be seen. Reacting to several analysis by WS Vorster, the question is discussed whether this new social awareness represents a paradigm shift in scholarly methods and ethos, or not.

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Author Biography

D J Smit, University of the Western Cape
Theological Faculty
Published
2020-09-04
Section
Articles