ORIGINAL RESEARCH

 

Probleme rondom die verklaring van die Bybel in die gereformeerde teologie: 'n Christelik-filosofiese besinning

 

Problems in interpreting the Bible in reformed theology: A Christian-philosophical reflection

 

 

B.J. van der Walt

Skool vir Filosofie, Potchefstroomkampus. Noordwes-Universiteit. Potchefstroom. E-pos: hannah@intekom.co.za

 

 

---

OPSOMMING

Dit wil lyk asof vroeëre oortuigings oor die aard van die Skrif, asook die maniere waarop dit uitgelê behoort te word, nie meer so vas staan en so oortuigend is nie. Die gevolglike onseker-heid veroorsaak verdeeldheid en selfs spanning onder gereformeerde teoloë en kerke in Suid-Afrika. Die Christelik-filosofiese besinning in hierdie artikel is 'n poging om 'n verheldering ten opsigte van sekere probleme te probeer bied. 'n Vorige artikel (vgl. Van der Walt, 2008d) het veral gefokus op die moontlike bydrae van die reformatoriese filosofie tot 'n Skrifbeskouing. Hierdie artikel sal veral op probleme rondom Skrifverklaring konsentreer. Om die Bybel egter reg te kan lees, moet 'n mens eers weet watter soort boek dit is - hoe dit gekwalifiseerd is.
Die eerste afdeling handel dus oor die betekenis daarvan om die Bybel as 'n geloofsboek te beskou. Die volgende gedeelte bied 'n oorsig oor die tradisionele hermeneutiese metodes, insluitende die mees populêre onder gereformeerde geleerdes. In die derde deel word aandag geskenk aan die "hermeneutiese revolusie" vanaf die laaste gedeelte van die vorige eeu. Aan-gesien die antieke Bybelteks sowel as die huidige leser van toe af as belangrik beskou word, het 'n mens se lewensvisie en filosofie belangrike, bepalende elemente in die lees van die Skrif geword. Die laaste gedeelte bespreek daarom die verhouding tussen lewensvisie en eksegese. Aangesien 'n mens se lewensvisie jou verklaring van die Bybel beïnvloed kan 'n mens nie jou lewensbeskoulike vooronderstellings ontken of probeer wegsteek nie. Terselfdertyd moet 'n mens egter bewus wees van die gevare verbonde aan 'n Christelike lewensvisie. Daarom word ten slotte 'n paar kriteria genoem om die korrektheid van 'n lewensvisie te help beoordeel.

---

ABSTRACT

It is becoming evident that previous convictions about the nature of the Bible as well as the ways in which it should be interpreted, are not convincing anymore. The resulting uncertainty is causing division and tension among reformed theologies and churches in South Africa. This Christian-philosophical reflection intends to help clarify some of the issues. A previous article (cf. Van der Walt, 2008d) was focused mainly on a view of Scripture itself, while the present article concentrates on its interpretation. However, to be able to read the Bible correctly, one has to know exactly what kind of book it is - how it is qualified.
The first main section, therefore, discusses what it means to view the Bible as a book of faith. The following section provides an overview of the traditional hermeneutical methods, including the most popular among reformed scholars. In the third part attention is given to the "hermeneutical revolution" since the last part of the previous century. Since not only the ancient Bible text, but also the present-day reader are regarded as important today, one's worldview and philosophy have become vital determining elements in reading Scripture. The last section, therefore, discusses the relationship between worldview and exegesis. As one's worldview influences one's exegesis, one can not deny or try to hide one's worldviewish presuppositions. At the same time, however, one should be aware of the dangers associated with a Christian worldview. Thus, a few criteria forjudging the correctness of a worldview will be mentioned in conclusion.

---

 

 

“Full text available only in PDF format”

 

 

Geraadpleegde bronne

CHAU, W.S. 1995. The letter and the Spirit: a history of interpretation from Origen to Luther. New York: Peter Lang.         [ Links ]

COLSON, C. & PEARCEY, N. 1999. How now shall we live? Wheaton: Tyndale.         [ Links ]

DERKSEN, L.D. 1983. On universal hermeneutics: a study in the philosophy of Hans-Georg Gadamer. Amsterdam: VU Boekhandel.         [ Links ]

DUVENAGE, B. 1985. Christelike wetenskap as Woordgebonde wetenskap. Potchefstroom: PU vir CHO.         [ Links ]

FLOOR, L. & COETZEE, J.C. 1990. Die Skrif en die wetenskap. Potchefstroom: PU vir CHO.         [ Links ]

GADAMER, H.-G. 1965. Warheit und Methode: Grundzüge einer philosophishen Hermeneutik. Tübingen: Mohr.         [ Links ]

GREIJDANUS, S. 1946. Schriftbeginselen ter Schriftverklaring: een historish overzicht over theorieën en wijzen van Schriftuitlegging. Kampen: Kok.         [ Links ]

GREIJDANUS, S. 1988. The modern preacher and the ancient text: interpreting and preaching Biblical literature. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans.         [ Links ]

GROSHEIDE, F.W. 1929. Hermeneutiek ten dienste van de bestudering van het Nieuwe Testament. Amsterdan: Van Bottenburg.         [ Links ]

HART, H. 1989. Setting our sights by the Morning Star: reflections on the role of the Bible in post-modern times. Toronto: Patmos.         [ Links ]

HART, H. 2006. Reading sacred texts. Tydskrif vir Christelike wetenskap, 42(1):65-74.         [ Links ]

JONKER, W.D. 1977. Die Bybel en Gods wil vir ons lewe. Kaapstad: NG Kerk-Uitgewers.         [ Links ]

LONGMAN, T. 1987. Literary approaches to Biblical interpretation. Grand Rapids: Zondervan.         [ Links ]

NAUGLE, D.K. 2002. Worldview: the history of a concept. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans.         [ Links ]

OLTHUIS, J.H. 1976. The Word of God and Biblical authority. Potchefstroom: Institute for the Advancement of Calvinism. (Study pamphlet, no. 101.         [ Links ])

OLTHUIS, J.H. 1979. Towards a certitudinal hermeneutic. (In Kraay, J. & Tol, A., eds. Hearing and doing: philosophical essays dedicated to H.E. Runner. Toronto: Wedge Publication Foundation. p. 65-86.         [ Links ])

OLTHUIS, J.H. 1987. A hermeneutics of ultimacy: peril or promise? New York: University Press of America.         [ Links ]

POYTHRESS, V.S. 1988. Science and hermeneutics: implications of scientific method for Biblical interpretation. Grand Rapids: Zondervan.         [ Links ]

ROSSOUW, H.W. 1981. Filosofiese perspektiewe op die hermeneutiese probleem. (In Rossouw, H.W. Wetenskap, interpretasie, wysheid. Port Elizabeth: Universiteit van Port Elizabeth. p. 17-56.         [ Links ])

SEERVELD, C.G. 2003. How to read the Bible to hear God speak: a study in Numbers 22-24. Sioux Center: Dordt College Press.         [ Links ]

SILVA, M. 1987. Has the church misread the Bible? The history of interpretation in the light of current issues. Grand Rapids: Zondervan.         [ Links ]

SINNEMA, D. 1975. The uniqueness of the language of faith with special reference to the language of Scripture. Toronto: Institute for Christian Studies. (Student paper.         [ Links ])

SNYMAN, G. 2007. Om die Bybel anders te lees: die etiek van Bybellees. Pretoria: Griffel Media.         [ Links ]

SNYMAN, G. 2008. Grammaties-historiese benadering is nie omvattend nie. Die Kerkblad, 111(3218):31.         [ Links ]

SPYKMAN, G.J. 1973a. Scripture, faith and science. International reformed bulletin, 16(54):19-31.         [ Links ]

SPYKMAN, G.J. 1973b. A confessional hermeneutic: alternative to the historical-critical method. Reformed Ecumenical Synod theological bulletin, 1(3):1-14.         [ Links ]

SPYKMAN, G.J. 1985. Biblical hermeneutics. (In Spykman, G.J. Spectacles. Biblical perspectives on Christian scholarship. Potchefstroom: PU for CHE. p. 48-69.         [ Links ])

SPYKMAN, G.J. 1992. Reformational theology: a new paradigm for doing dogmatics. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans.         [ Links ]

STOTT, J. 1988. Understanding the Bible. London: Scripture Union.         [ Links ]

TROOST, A. 2004. Vakfilosofie van de geloofswetenschap: prolegomena van de theologie. Budel: Damon.         [ Links ]

VAN DER WALT, B.J. 2006. The liberating message. Potchefstroom: Institute for Contemporary Christianity in Africa.         [ Links ]

VAN DER WALT, B.J. 2008a. Die historiese agtergronde van die postmoderne visie op normatiwiteit en op 'n Christelike lewensvisie. Koers, 72(4):549-581.         [ Links ]

VAN DER WALT, B.J. 2008b. Die gewildheid, geskiedenis, struktuur, waarde en gevare van 'n lewensvisie. Tydskrif vir Christelike wetenskap, 44(1e & 2e kwartaal):39-64.         [ Links ]

VAN DER WALT, B.J. 2008c. How to view and read God's revelation. (In: Van der Walt, B.J. The eye is the lamp of the body: worldviews and their impact. Potchefstroom: Institute for Contemporary Christianity in Africa. p. 13-48.         [ Links ])

VAN DER WALT, B.J. 2008d. Probleme rondom die Bybel in die gereformeerde teologie: die bydrae van 'n Christelike filosofie. In die Skriflig, 42(4):635-663.         [ Links ]

VAN DER WALT, B.J. 2009a. Die gevare van 'n moralistiese Skrifgebruik. Word gepubliseer in Tydskrif vir Christelike wetenskap, 45.         [ Links ]

VAN DER WALT, B.J. 2009b. Die voor- en nadele van die histories- en literêrkritiese hermeneutiek. Word gepubliseer in Tydskrif vir Christelike wetenskap, 45.         [ Links ]

VAN DEVENTER, H. 2008. 'n Wonderende weerwoord. Die Kerkblad, 111(3218):30, 40.         [ Links ]

VAN WYK, J.H. 1989. Die Woord is waardevol: 'n dogmatiese besinning oor die reformatoriese Skrifbeskouing. Potchefstroom: PU vir CHO.         [ Links ]

VAN WYK, J.H. 2008. Oor die Bybel, Bybellees en etiek: in gesprek met Gerrie Snyman. In die Skriflig, 42(4):685-708.         [ Links ]

WALSH, B.J. 2000a. Transformation: dynamic worldview or oppressive ideology. Toronto: University of Toronto. (Unpublished paper.         [ Links ])

WALSH, B.J. 2000b. Regimes of truth and the rethoric of deceit. Pro Rege, 28(3):10-17.         [ Links ]

WALSH, B.J. & MIDDLETON, J.R. 1984. The transforming vision: shaping a Christian worldview. Downers Grove: InterVarsity.         [ Links ]

ZUIDEMA, S.J. s.a. Van Bultmann naar Fuchs. Franeker: Wever.         [ Links ]

ZUIDEMA, S.U. 1971. Hermeneutics in contemporary theology. (In Zuidema, S.U. Communication and confrontation. Assen: Van Gorcum. p. 346-376.         [ Links ])