Die huishouding van God as helende en bevrydende ruimte in 'n tydperk van liminaliteit : die ontwikkeling van 'n teologiese basisteorie

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The patriarchal and hetero-normative structures in the church have the potential tohurt and alienate people. According to the population census of 2001, there has been adecrease in the number of people belonging to churches within the white and coloredchurch groups in South Africa. In the Independent African churches the numbers aregrowing. These churches can be described as conservative in their understanding ofgender issues and sexual diversity (Jenkins 2002).The church today exists in a liminalphase as a result of globalization and availability of information, which create anopportunity for reformation.According to Castells (2004) the development of a contra-culture identity is the mostconsequential way of bringing about change in society, because it does not simplyoffer resistance against oppressive structures, but also question the ideologies at theheart of dominating structures.Throughout the ages, church structures were developed with reference to thepatriarchal family, of which examples can be found in the letters to Timothy andTitus. Patriarchy is characterized by the institutionally sanctioned authority of menover women and their children. The primary relationships within the householdinfluence all subsequent relationships – also in the church. This conjecture definesthe opportunity for the household to be a key to transformation.To form an image of the household of God – which can be viewed as ideal forbelievers – the life and teachings of Jesus as well as the slavery-images in the NewTestament, should be explored. To interpret this image for the church, the book ofJames is used, because James was writing to a community of believers. Thiscommunity is not viewed as having been made up out of family members all familiarwith their established positions, but as a family of God, cared for within households.An interwoven community such as this corresponds with the eco-feministicunderstanding of the interdependence of all things.The theme of friendship with God is dominant in the book of James. Withinfriendship relationships, people exist as equal partners – even in the household.Nobody is requested to relinquish ownership of their bodies – even in marriage. Toevery person room for individualization is allowed – even to children, by parents.Hospitality as central value of friendship invites the stranger to enter into joyfultogetherness and mutual provision of care. Friendship with God brings completion,and liberates people from envy and competitive actions. People who have been madewhole, can live in simplicity and in this way leave room for all people to have enoughto satisfy their needs, as well as take responsibility for God's recreation. The key toliving in friendship relationships, is the release of awarded power.This new understanding of relationships within the church and household, can beestablished through the understanding of God as Mother, Lover and Friend, through'unmaking and 'merrymaking. As the interpretation of the household as healingand liberating space, described in the letter of James, find substance in the reality ofministry, it will offer for all believers, but in particular for the oppressed andmarginalized ones, a home for their faith and a place of healing.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University