Academic theology as the yardstick of being Reformed in South Africa today: an appreciative critique of Calvin on the occasion of his 500th birthday
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Authors
Tshaka, Rothney S. (Rothney Stok)
Issue Date
2009
Type
Article
Language
en
Keywords
Academic theology
Alternative Title
Abstract
The 500th birthday of John Calvin provides us with an opportunity of revisiting the
legacy of this great theologian and teacher of the church. While there is no doubt that the
reformed legacy which is characterised as Calvinist has been controversial in South
Africa, Calvin’s legacy provided a platform of questioning certain half truths that were
made out to be the truth. This article notes that literature increasingly indicates that
Christianity is gravitating towards the global South. This poses significant questions
about how we continue to do theology in Africa today. This article bemoans the fact that
Reformed theology with its emphasis on academic theology has not done enough to
contribute towards the appropriation of this faith in Africa and in South Africa in
particular. As such many African Reformed Christians have at best become estranged
from the very communities which it is expected they must serve. The article provides an
appreciative critique of Calvin and therefore of the Reformed church tradition in South
Africa.
Description
Peer reviewed
Citation
Tshaka, R. 2009,'Academic theology as the yardstick of being Reformed in South Africa today : an appreciative critique of Calvin on the occasion of his 500th birthday',Studia Historiae Ecclesiasticae, vol. XXXV, pp. 1-16.
Publisher
Church History Society of Southern Africa
License
Journal
Volume
Issue
PubMed ID
DOI
ISSN
1017-0499