Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Modern society is plagued by an intense conflict of political ideologies. These conflicts
in many instances reflect very serious religious overtones. Each person or group claims
the right to react to socio-political issues on the basis of their own worldviews that are
shaped by their cultural backgrounds, religious belief systems and political ideals.
Human diversity serve to complicate matters even more and has in many instances found
expression in political and religious intolerance, a fact testified to by the large-scale
abuse of human rights that took place with increased intensity in the 20th century. Many
Christians have failed to challenge the injustices that have resulted from these political
ideologies and have instead opted to become 'apolitical' or simply hiding behind the
argument that politics and religion does not mix. The author through a careful study of
biblical political structures in the ancient Near East attempts to demonstrate the extent to
which political ideologies of communities were influenced by the cultural milieu within
which they existed. The feelings of ambivalence we experience in our faith are a direct
result of these influences. An understanding of political ideology from a biblical
perspective is essential to understand current world conflicts especially those that relate
to the Middle East region. The author also argues for a reconciliation of politics and
religion in the collective psyche of Christians. This would enhance a sense of sociopolitical
responsibility in terms of the biblical mandate. The responsibility of government
structures in terms of this mandate is also important and needs to be emphasised. The
primary responsibility of any government is the welfare of its citizens and the
management of public resources in an orderly, moral and efficient manner. A large
percentage of government officials find it extremely difficult to face up to the challenge.
The perspectives presented not only gives one insight into the historical development of
biblical political worldviews. but presents us with challenges to pursue opportunities for
peace and justice that would recognise and advance human dignity, human equality and
human responsibility. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die moderne samelewing is oorweldig deur konflikte van politieke ideologies. Hierdie
konflikte is in baie gevalle 'n weerspieëling van baie ernstige godsdienstige motiewe.
Elke persoon of groep behou hom die reg voor om te reageer op socio-politiese
aangeleenthede op grond van 'n eie wêreldsiening wat geskep word deur kulturele
agtergronde, godsdienstige geloofsstelsels en politieke ideale. Menslike verskeidenheid
maak hierdie aangeleenthede meer ingewikkeld en het in baie gevalle gelei na politieke
en godsdienstige onverdraagsaamheid. Dit het verder aanleiding gegee tot die
grootskaalse menseregte skendings wat plaasgevind het met groter intensiteit gedurende
die 20ste eeu. Vele Christene het nie daarin geslaag om die uitdagings van
ongeregtighede, wat voortspruit uit hierdie politieke ideologieë, die hoof te bied nie en
het verkies om of hulself as 'apolities' te verklaar of om te argumenteer dat politiek en
die godsdiens nie bymekaar hoort nie. Die skrywer, deur 'n indringende studie van
bybelse politieke strukture van die ou Nabye Ooste te onderneem, poog om te
demonstreer dat politiek ideologies gekleur was deur die kulturele samestelling van die
gemeenskap. Gevoelens van ambivalensie wat ons ervaar in ons geloof is regstreeks as
gevolg van hierdie omstandighede. Politieke ideologie vanuit 'n bybelse perspektief gee
vir ons die geleentheid om huidige wêreldkonflikte beter te verstaan veral dit wat
betrekking het op die Midde Ooste streek. Die skrywer stel ook voor die versoening van
politiek en die godsdiens in die kollektiewe psige van Christene. As gevolg hiervan word
die socio-politiese verantwoordelikheid van die Christen verhef in lyn met die bybelse
mandaat. Die verantwoordelikheid van regerings strukture in terme van hierdie mandaat
is ook belangrik en behoort beklemtoon word. Die primêre doel van enige regering is die
welvaart van sy burgers sowel as die bestuur van sy openbare hulpbronne op 'n ordelike,
sedelike en doeltreffende manier. 'n Groot aantal regeringsbeamptes vind dit moeilik om
hierdie uitdaging die hoof te bied. Hierdie perspektiewe, wat hier aangebied word, gee
nie net vir ons insig tot die historiese ontwikkeling van bybelse politieke wêreldsieninge
nie, maar daag ons uit om geleenthede vir vrede en geregtigheid wat menslike
waardigheid, menslike gelykheid en menslike verantwoordelikheid erken, na te jag.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:sun/oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/53004 |
| Date | 12 1900 |
| Creators | Wax, Kevin P. |
| Contributors | Kruger, P., Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences . Dept. of Ancient Studies. |
| Publisher | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | en_ZA |
| Detected Language | Unknown |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | 55 p. |
| Rights | Stellenbosch University |
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