Thesis (DTh)--University of Stellenbosch, 1995. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: A number of theories aimed at more effective ways of religious education have seen the
light in recent years. They are all characterized by a holistic approach which emphasises
the fact that we should try to utilise more than just the cognitive and verbal potential of
man. This study does not merely accept this view but would also like to go further and
look for practical means to implement these ideas. The central hypothesis of the study is
that symbols and rituals are eminently suitable instruments if one opts for a holistic
approach towards religious education.
Various shifts which have recently occurred in modern society are highlighted in the
study. These include a new outlook on life, new behavioural patterns, new ways of
communication and new theories on communication. The complexity of our society is
described because it has a major influence on the functioning of symbols and rituals.
Secondly, symbols and rituals are defined and their functioning is described. Issues like
the interplay between symbol and ritual and society, the way in which order and identity
are given to society by symbols and rituals, the way in which symbols and rituals
communicate without the use of a multitude of words, the pastoral function that symbols
and rituals can fulfil and the gradual disappearance of symbols and rituals from our
society are discussed. Attention is also paid to the concepts "liminality" and
"commullitas", as described by the anthropologist Victor Turner. These two concepts are
central to the understanding of the way in which rituals function.
Thirdly, symbols and rituals are viewed from a Biblical and theological angle. The study
shows that man was created as a symbol, but also underlines the importance of seeing
man's body and soul as a unity. This has special implications for the manner in which we
ritualize. It is also pointed out that symbols and rituals have played a major role in
worship since the earliest times. The important role which kerugmatic and cultic acts, as
well as the sacraments have played and can still play in the life of a believer is also
described.
Fourthly, the study concludes that symbols and rituals can indeed play a vital role in the
process of religious education and the deepening and expansion of faith. The argument is
supported in a deductive manner by the insights of people like H. Westerhoff, P. Babin,
C.R. Foster, S. McLean and others. It is stressed that symbols and rituals should be used
in a nuanced manner.
Finally a number of proposals are made as to how these principles could be implemented
in practice, together with some suggestions for further study. We believe that this should
stimulate both the utilisation of symbols and rituals and further discussion and research in
this regard. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Daar het die afgelope aantal jare 'n hele aantal teoriee rakende die effektiewe oordrag
van geloofsinhoude die lig gesien. Die teoriee word feitlik deurgaans gekenmerk deur 'n
holistiese benadering wat beklemtoon dat meer as die kognitiewe en verbale potensiaal
van die mens benut behoort te word. Hierdie studie sluit daarby aan, maar soek verder na
praktiese instrumente vir geloofsvorming wat aan hierdie vereiste sal voldoen. Die
sentrale hipotese van die studie is dat simbole en rituele by uitnemendheid geskik is om
geloofsinhoude op 'n holistiese wyse oor te dra en so mee te werk aan 'n proses van
geloofsvorming.
Daar word in die studie gewys op skuiwe wat die afgelope aantal jare binne die moderne
samelewing plaasgevind het en die mens se gedrag, lewens- en wereldbeskouing, asook
kommunikasie en teoriee ten opsigte van kommunikasie daadwerklik beinvloed het. Die
kompleksiteit van die samelewing word uitgelig omdat dit sowel positiewe as negatiewe
implikasies vir die funksionering van simbole en rituele het.
Tweedens word simbole en rituele gedefinieer en die funksionering daarvan beskryf
Sake soos die wisselwerking tussen simbole en ritue1e en die gemeenskap, die wyse
waarop simbole en rituele orde en identiteit aan die gemeenskap gee, die wyse waarop
simbole en rituele sonder 'n omhaal van woorde kommunikeer, die pastorale funksies wat
deur simbole en ritue1e vervul kan word en die wyse waarop simbole en rituele algaande
uit die samelewing verdwyn het, word bespreek. Aandag word ook aan die begrippe
"liminaliteit" en "communitas" gegee. Daar word veral aangesluit by die werk van die
antropoloog Victor Turner. Hierdie twee begrippe word as wesenlik vir die verstaan van
die funksionering van rituele beskou.
Derdens word simbole en rituele deur 'n teologiese en Bybelse bril beskou. Ten aanvang
word daarop gewys dat daar aan die mens die kwaliteit gegee is om as lewende simbool
te funksioneer. Vervolgens word aangetoon hoe be1angrik dit is om die liggaamlikheid
van die mens ernstig op te neem en daarna hoedat simbole en rituele vanaf die Bybelse
tye 'n sentrale rol gespeel het in die aanbiddingswereld van gelowiges. Die besondere rol
wat kerugmatiese en kultiese handelinge, asook die sakramente, in die geloofslewe van
mense gespeel het en steeds speel, word bespreek.
Vierdens word die gevolgtrekking gemaak dat simbole en rituele inderdaad 'n belangrike
rol kan speel in die proses van geloofsvorming. Die argument word verder op
deduktiewe wyse ondersteun deur insigte van persone soos J.H. Westerhoff, P. Babin, R.
Osmer, C.R. Foster, S. McLean e.a. Daar word veral gewys op die belangrikheid van 'n
genuanseerde gebruik van simbole en rituele.
Ten slotte word enkele bedieningsvoorstelle en aanbevelings vir verdere navorsing
gemaak wat as stimulering van die bedieningspraktyk behoort te dien.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:sun/oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/15577 |
| Date | 12 1900 |
| Creators | Hanekom, Abraham Rochelle |
| Contributors | Hendriks, H. J., University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Theology. Dept. of Practical Theology and Missiology, A-6024-2012 |
| Publisher | Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | Afrikaans |
| Detected Language | Unknown |
| Type | Thesis |
| Rights | University of Stellenbosch |
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