Review Article

’n Teologie van Hoop vir die NG Kerk: ’n Vergete versugting?

Pieter Kruger
Verbum et Ecclesia | Vol 45, No 1 | a3136 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/ve.v45i1.3136 | © 2024 Pieter Kruger | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 29 February 2024 | Published: 07 June 2024

About the author(s)

Pieter Kruger, Department of Systematic and Historical Theology, Faculty of Theology and Religion, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa

Abstract

A theology of hope for the Dutch Reformed Church. A forgotten yearning? During Prof. Piet Meiring’s discussion of the Dutch Reformed Church’s ‘Year of Hope’ in 2001, he argued that the societal issues of reconciliation, poverty and moral regeneration on which the church focused that year, necessitated a theology of hope towards which theologians of different disciplines should contribute. In this article is explored whether to pursue such an endeavour more than two decades since the Year of Hope. Therefore, from a church historiographic viewpoint, aspects of Jürgen Moltmann’s ideas on a theology of hope within a context of injustices are revisited to assert their current relevance. In addition, more recent theological developments concerning the horizontal dimension of Christological hope within society are considered as well. In this regard reference is made to relevant ideas of the Emergent Church movement and its historical continuance. Reflecting on the current South African context and its socio-political, economic and environmental challenges, the need for a theology of hope is considered relevant to the church in order to establish credible relationships and engage strategically with society in need of hope itself.

Interdisciplinary implications: This article contains reviewed material of historical relevance and is, therefore, conducted within the field of Church Historiography. In further consideration of a Theology of Hope the opportunity arises for interdisciplinary collaboration of theological disciplines such as Systematic Theology and Practical Theology.


Keywords

Theology of Hope; Dutch Reformed Church; Jürgen Moltmann; emerging church; South Africa; social justice

Sustainable Development Goal

Goal 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions

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