M.A. / This work is aimed at dealing with the demand for the new ethos as proclaimed by the New Testament synoptic in view of the African context or perspective. The synoptic give a code of values by which the Christian church should live. The synoptic ethos is Jesus' ethos. Every nation and community is characterised by certain values of conduct. As a church we are also confronted by moments of decision making. This script is therefore attempting to answer or question the level of credibility taken at some point in life. Ethics which is a science of moral behaviour and principles of conduct , tells us that there is an expected way of behaviour from every individual in society. The question is when , when do we say that this is right , and when do we say this is wrong ? However, this script is not aimed at necessarily dealing with ethics in general. I have narrowed my subject to focus on the Kingdom ethos reflected in the synoptic. The only issue that one need to take into consideration is that all ethics have sources. The problem that existed in proclaiming Kingdom ethics has been religion. This script shows that religion and ethics are so interwoven that one cannot separate them. It is impossible for one to speak about one's moral behaviour and not include his religion. Religion tells people what to say and what not, what to eat and what not , where to go and what people to associate with and not. Religion and ethics are integrated in such w way that one cannot do without the other. One cannot speak about ethics outside religion. The ethos of the Jews came from their monotheistic religion, with the Law of Moses. Jesus' ethics came from His focus on the Kingdom which was both present and future. This shows again the problem of religion in Africa. African ethics have been drawn mostly from their own cultures , customs and religion. Jesus' Kingdom ethics, which is God centred, helps to show that all other sources are not relevant sources. Many church leaders in Africa are calling for an African religion and criticising the missionaries for having brought Western religion. The Kingdom ethics show how that it is not Western or African religion that matters much , all we need is the Christian religion and Jesus' ethos of the Kingdom. Finally the church is expected to play its role of reconciling this divided world. The purpose of the church is man, his human dignity and his right to develop himself in freedom. Jesus commanded the church to love, hence it is the duty of the church to be the prophetic voice of God in this confused generation. The ethics demanded by Jesus are practical and possible. We need God's mercy and grace to be real ambassadors of the Kingdom of God. As a church we have a responsibility. We need to move away from syncretism and serve God alone.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:uj/uj:3054 |
| Date | 22 August 2012 |
| Creators | Makukule, Nelson Gabangaye |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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