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Tradition and transformation : towards a concept of tradition for reformed theology, in conversation with Alasdair MacIntyre
Thesis (MTh)--Stellenbosch University, 2022.
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
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Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
2022
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| _version_ | 1867613976699863040 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author | Niehaus, Heinrich Frederick |
| author2 | Vosloo, Robert |
| author_browse | Niehaus, Heinrich Frederick Vosloo, Robert |
| author_facet | Vosloo, Robert Niehaus, Heinrich Frederick |
| author_sort | Niehaus, Heinrich Frederick |
| collection | Thesis |
| dc_rights_str_mv | Stellenbosch University |
| description | Thesis (MTh)--Stellenbosch University, 2022. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/124707 |
| institution | Stellenbosch University (South Africa) |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:44:42.460Z |
| license_str | Other — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository |
| publishDate | 2022 |
| publishDateRange | 2022 |
| publishDateSort | 2022 |
| publisher | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| publisherStr | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository |
| spelling | oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/124707 Tradition and transformation : towards a concept of tradition for reformed theology, in conversation with Alasdair MacIntyre Niehaus, Heinrich Frederick Vosloo, Robert Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Theology. Dept. of Systematic Theology and Ecclesiology. Transformation MacIntyre, Alasdair C. Theology, Doctrinal Tradition (Theology) UCTD Thesis (MTh)--Stellenbosch University, 2022. ENGLISH ABSTRACT: There are two significant challenges to thinking about tradition from the perspective of Reformed Christian theology: the historical origins and teachings of Reformed Christianity, which predispose it against tradition; and modernity’s tradition of non-tradition it inherits from the Enlightenment. The danger of a deficiency in thinking about tradition is especially clear with regards to how the transformation of tradition is understood. In this regard, the deficiency might manifest as either a rejection of all change, or conversely as the rejection of all standards of integrity. What is needed is a concept of tradition which reckons with the problem of change and continuity, and allows for a tradition to navigate transformation in such a way that both its integrity as well as its openness is protected. Specifically, this concept must be useful to Reformed churches, and engage with the resources of the Reformed tradition. This essay engages with the work of philosopher Alasdair MacIntyre on the topic of tradition, and adopts as theoretical basis his definition of tradition as a historically extended, socially embodied argument in part about the goods that constitute it, as well as his account of the internal rationalisation of traditions through epistemological crises. This account is then brought into conversation with the Reformed tradition, especially with regards to its two related dicta sola scriptura and ecclesia reformata semper reformanda. The tradition concept constructed thereby suggests that the Reformed tradition’s integrity is maintained through the ceaseless relating of the tradition back to revelation, and the scripture that mediates its access. Additionally, it suggests that openness does not imperil integrity, but tests integrity, and allows for clarification of the tradition’s own identity. Of particular note is the emphasis that this account would place on the cultivation of virtue as the means by which the integrity and openness of the tradition, and therefore its vitality, might be protected. AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Daar is twee beduidende uitdagings vir die nadenking van tradisie vanuit die perspektief van Gereformeerde Christelike teologie: die geskiedkundige oorsprong en leerstellings van Gereformeerde Christendom, wat neig om teen die idee van tradisie gekant te wees; en moderniteit se tradisie van tradisieloosheid wat vanuit die Verligting geërf is. Die gevaar van ‘n tekort in die nadenking oor tradisie is veral duidelik wanneer dit kom by die verstaan van die transformasie van tradisie. Hier mag die tekort manifesteer as óf die afkeur van enige veranderings, óf die laat vaar van enige standaarde van integriteit. Wat benodig word is ‘n tradisiekonsep wat rekening hou met die probleem van verandering en kontinuïteit, en toelaat vir ‘n tradisie om transformasie te navigeer in so manier dat beide die integriteit sowel as die openheid daarvan beskerm word. Hierdie konsep moet ook spesifiek bruikbaar wees vir Gereformeerde kerke, en moet dus met die hulpbronne van die Gereformeerde tradisie skakel. Hierdie opstel spreek die werk van filosoof Alasdair MacIntyre op die onderwerp van tradisie aan, en vestig as teoretiese basis sy definisie van tradisie as ‘n geskiedkundig-uitgebreide, sosiaal-beliggaamde argument gedeeltelik oor die goedere intern daartoe, asook sy uitleg van die interne rasionalisering van tradisies deur epistemologiese krisisse. Hierdie konsep word dan in gesprek gebring met die Gereformeerde tradisie, veral in verband met die twee verwante dicta sola scriptura en ecclesia reformata semper reformanda. Die tradisie konsep wat hierdeur gekonstrueer is, stel voor dat dit die voortdurende terugverwysing van die tradisie na openbaring, en die skrif wat dit bemiddel is wat die integriteit van die tradisie volhou. Verder stel dit voor dat openheid nie ‘n bedreiging tot hierdie integriteit is nie, maar eerder ‘n toets van integriteit is, en toelaat vir die verheldering van die tradisie se eie identiteit. Dit is veral opmerklik hoe hierdie weergawe van ‘n tradisiebegrip klem plaas op die kweek van deugde as die manier waardeur die integriteit en die openheid van die tradisie, en dus die lewenskragtigheid van die tradisie, beskerm mag word. Masters 2022-03-03T07:43:40Z 2022-04-29T09:27:38Z 2022-03-03T07:43:40Z 2022-04-29T09:27:38Z 2022-03-03 Thesis http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/124707 en Stellenbosch University vi, 137 pages application/pdf Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| spellingShingle | Transformation MacIntyre, Alasdair C. Theology, Doctrinal Tradition (Theology) UCTD Niehaus, Heinrich Frederick Tradition and transformation : towards a concept of tradition for reformed theology, in conversation with Alasdair MacIntyre |
| title | Tradition and transformation : towards a concept of tradition for reformed theology, in conversation with Alasdair MacIntyre |
| title_full | Tradition and transformation : towards a concept of tradition for reformed theology, in conversation with Alasdair MacIntyre |
| title_fullStr | Tradition and transformation : towards a concept of tradition for reformed theology, in conversation with Alasdair MacIntyre |
| title_full_unstemmed | Tradition and transformation : towards a concept of tradition for reformed theology, in conversation with Alasdair MacIntyre |
| title_short | Tradition and transformation : towards a concept of tradition for reformed theology, in conversation with Alasdair MacIntyre |
| title_sort | tradition and transformation towards a concept of tradition for reformed theology in conversation with alasdair macintyre |
| topic | Transformation MacIntyre, Alasdair C. Theology, Doctrinal Tradition (Theology) UCTD |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/124707 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT niehausheinrichfrederick traditionandtransformationtowardsaconceptoftraditionforreformedtheologyinconversationwithalasdairmacintyre |