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The interplay between the Christian story and the public story: in search of commonalities for moral formation under democratic rule
Abstract
This research investigates whether The Christian story or The Public story is most appropriate for moral formation under democratic rule. The research draws from six well-known theologians who make valuable contributions to the enquiry. Each of the writings of William John Everett, Rosemary Radford Ruether, Geoffrey Wainwright, Stanley Hauerwas, Robin Gill and Desmond Tutu represents an approach for moral formation. In all the approaches there are major contributions that are pointed out. However, the first five approaches neglect the consistent relationship between the Christian story and the Public story, the inclusiveness of community and the role of God for moral formation. After careful analysis of the six approaches it is found that Desmond Tutu's theology and Ubuntu is the most appropriate approach for moral formation under democratic rule. Tutu's approach gives meaning to the fundamentals of the Public story, namely, reason, individual freedom, universal principles and laws, in Ubuntu community. He also draws from Genesis and the biblical description of the cross event to illustrate how God gives meaning to humanity through creation and redemption. This research finally concludes that Tutu's approach presents an interplay between the Christian story and the Public for moral formation under democratic rule. Thesis (DTh (Systematic Theology and Ecclesiology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2008.
... My own employment of stories started in 2008 when I published my doctoral dissertation entitled, 'The interplay between the Christian story and the public story: In search of commonalities for moral formation under democratic rule' (Klaasen 2008 The basic presupposition is that the manner in which we view human beings will determine how we treat human beings. One can argue that anthropology provides the paradigms … that determine the attitudes of people (habitus)and their position within the realm of human relationships. ...
This article represents the scholarly journeys of two emerging researchers who are greatly indebted to the scholarship and personhood of Professor Nico Botha. Professor Nico Botha's narrative approach to life in general and the academy had a lasting impact on many emerging and some now established scholars. John and Demaine's own ecclesial and academic journey has been inspired by the person and work of Professor Nico Botha. Our interest in missiology developed into our academic careers, and more specifically when we joined the Southern African Mis-siological Society. In this article they fuse their journeys with that of Nico. They draw out the similarities and differences of some common themes that seem to inform our academic scholarship and our own commitment to nurture the "other" with care and compassion. Three themes have captured our imagination in our interaction with the person and work of Nico. Firstly, Nico had a strong commitment towards the poor and marginalised. Secondly, over the past decade or so, Nico has been developing a narrative theology, or, at least, a narrative approach to theology. Stories include both biblical accounts and contemporary narration of real-life situations. This second theme will be correlated with a narrative approach to theology that includes critical engagement with reason, tradition and community. The third theme is the pastoral and praxis cycle approach to development that Nico has employed throughout his academic career. The pastoral and praxis cycle approach has four interactionist stages: insertion, social analysis, biblical interpretation, and strategic planning. The pastoral and praxis cycle approach will be compared and contrasted with the four-stage interactionist approach of Don Browning. Finally, they will offer some contours and markers for further development of Nico's theology of missiology.
This paper is concerned with the role of personhood in development. I will be looking at the extent to which the influential model of development proposed by Amartya Sen does justice to the category of personhood. I will provide an overview of the work of Sen in the area of development and then provide some critical engagement. Drawing from the work of Sen this article provides some pointers or markers towards an approach to development as missionary role. Bosch's phrase "creative tension" provides a key principle for an approach to development.
Stanley Hauerwas is Gilbert T. Rowe Professor of Theological Ethics at Duke University. He is the author of Christians among the Virtues, In Good Company, A Community of Character, and Character and the Christian Life, all published by the University of Notre Dame Press. Reviews "This is a work that demands to be taken seriously as a constructive proposal for how one is to do and understand Christian Ethics."-The Review of Politics