Thesis (MTh)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The goal of this thesis is to present a historical-theological inquiry regarding secular
humanism in Malawi. Some Christians have tried to respond, but there has been no detailed
historical-theological response from the Church or theologians, nor has there been any critical
investigation into the philosophy and underlying assumptions of secular humanism
(understood as a specific movement and a broader intellectual current). (SHOULD BE
REMOVED)
The study is both historical and theological in perspective. It is historical, in that secular
humanism is dealt with from a historical dimension, whereby its development over centuries
is traced and lessons are learnt on how to respond to this movement in Malawi today. This
study is also theological, in that it explores whether Christian humanism can engage
constructively with concerns raised by secular humanists. It describes secular humanism on
the level of its underlying assumptions, which are laid bare and their possible weaknesses
exposed. The researcher holds that a critique of the assumptions is of greater merit than that
which ends only on the level of specific arguments. Such a method of critiquing is borrowed from Klaus Nürnberger, who in his book Richard Dawkins’ God Delusion: A Repentant
Refutation, critiqued Dawkins on the level of assumptions as well as Alister and Joanna
McGrath who, in their book The Dawkins Delusion? Atheist Fundamentalism and the Denial
of the Divine, challenged Dawkins at representative points, leaving it to readers to judge the
overall reliability of his evidence and position. This is not to throw away specific arguments
for it is through such arguments that we discern assumptions. This study is a critical
engagement with the assumptions of secular humanism in Malawi, with the goal of
responding to the challenges posed by their critique of religiosity.
The study seeks to offer a constructive and adequate way of engaging Secular humanists and
at the same time, explores whether Christian humanism is ideal in engaging concerns raised
by secular humanists. The Christian humanist John W. de Gruchy is studied. He drew from
John Calvin and Dietrich Bonhoeffer and the study also shows how he made use of their
insights. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie tesis is om ‘n histories-teologiese ondersoek aangaande Sekulêre
humanisme in Malawi in te stel. Sommige Christene het probeer reageer, maar tot dusver was
daar nog nie ‘n georganiseerde en sistematiese histories-teologiese reaksie van die Kerk of
teoloë nie, daar was ook nog nie enige kritiese ondersoek na die filosofie en onderliggende
aannames van Sekulêre humanisme (hier verstaan as ‘n spesifieke beweging en ‘n breër
intellektuele stroming). (SHOULD BE REMOVED)
Hierdie studie is sowel histories as teologies in perspektief. Dit is histories, in dat Sekulêre
humanisme vanuit ‘n historiese dimensie benader word, waardeur die ontwikkeling oor eeue
heen gevolg word en lesse geleer word oor hoe om te reageer op hierdie beweging tans in
Malawi. Die studie is ook teologies, in die sin dat dit van die aanname uitgaan dat Christelike
humanisme konstruktief met die vraagstelling wat Sekulêre humaniste op die tafel plaas, kan
omgaan. Dit beskryf Sekulêre humanisme op die vlak van die onderliggende aannames, wat
uitgelig word en waarvan die moontlike swakhede ontbloot word. Die navorser voer aan dat
‘n kritiek van die aannames van groter meriete is as een wat eindig op die vlak van spesifieke
argumente. Hierdie metode van kritisering word geleen van Klaus Nurnberger, wat is sy boek
Richard Dawkins’ God Delusion: A Repentant Refutation, Dawkins kritiseer op die vlak van
aannames, asook Alister en Joanna McGrath, wat in hulle boek The Dawkins Delusion? Atheist Fundamentalism and the Denial of the Divine, Dawkins op verteenwoordigende punte
uitdaag, wat dit aan die lesers oorlaat om die oorhoofse geloofwaardigheid van sy bewyse en
standpunt te bepaal. Dit is nie om spesifieke argumente weg te gooi nie, aangesien dit deur
sulke argumente is wat ons aannames onderskei. Die studie is ‘n kritiese omgaan met die
aannames en filosofie van Sekulêre humanisme in Malawi, met die doel om te reageer op die
uitdagings wat deur hulle kritiek van godsdiens gebied word.
Hierdie studie poog om op ’n konstruktiewe manier met Sekulêre humaniste om te gaan en
bied terselfdertyd Christelike humanisme aan as die ideaal in die omgaan met die
vraagstellings wat Sekulêre humaniste opper. Die Christelike humanis John W. de Gruchy is
‘n voorbeeld van hoe ‘n Christelike humanitiese veldtog uitgevoer kan word. Hy bou op
Johannes Calvyn en Dietrich Bonhoeffer en die studie dui ook aan hoe hy van hulle insigte
gebruik maak.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:sun/oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/86417 |
| Date | 04 1900 |
| Creators | Phiri, Michael John Jonifani |
| Contributors | Vosloo, Robert, Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Theology. Dept. of Systematic Theology and Ecclesiology. |
| Publisher | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | en_ZA |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | viii, 131 p. |
| Rights | Stellenbosch University |
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