https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/11835 Tue, 12 May 2026 16:53:46 GMT 2026-05-12T16:53:46Z https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/11859 Victorian biblical scholarship in twentieth-century South Africa: Ramsden Balmforth's advocacy of New Testament higher criticism Hale, Frederick Debates in South Africa over Biblical scholarship have often been a subject of historical inquiry. John Colenso’s challenges to the Mosaic authorship of the Pentateuch are well known, and in the Dutch Reformed tradition significant work has been done on such topics as the controversial Stellenbosch theologian Johannes du Plessis. The present article deals with central themes in the New Testament scholarship of a very liberal, Oxford-educated transplant, Ramsden Balmforth, who served as minister of the Unitarian Church in Cape Town from 1897 until 1937 and wrote several books about the Bible. The focus is on his advocacy of higher criticism (or historical criticism) of the New Testament and, within this, his emphasis on agapeist ethics of Jesus as the essential core of Christianity. This is historically contextualised by, inter alia, considerations of his reactions to the “fundamentalism” of the 1920s and the heresy trial of the said Dutch Reformed theologian, Johannes du Plessis Peer reviewed Thu, 01 Aug 2013 00:00:00 GMT https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/11859 2013-08-01T00:00:00Z https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/11858 The centenary of Amadodana in the Methodist Church of Southern Africa: development and influence of this movement Madise, Mokhele The establishment of the mining industry in South Africa gave birth to a new movement in the Methodist Church, a movement that was mainly made up of men. This movement emerged as a result of men in the mining compounds who found themselves with nothing to do during the weekends. Some felt the need to be creative and to ensure that their spiritual needs were met. They thought of a solution: a new way of worshipping and praising God in a unique form. A group of young men came together and discussed how they could go about mobilising men in the mines to be part of this initiative. This article investigates the history of Amadodana in the Methodist Church: their struggle to be recognised and accepted, the first meetings which led to the establishment of the regular conventions, and further developments which kept the movement growing far beyond initial expectations. The adoption of their uniform was a significant event for the Band (later the Young Men’s Guild, also abbreviated as YMG), known popularly as ‘Amadodana’, as was the development of the constitution. At the end of this article, I come to certain conclusions based on my discussion in the main body of the article. Peer reviewed Thu, 01 Aug 2013 00:00:00 GMT https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/11858 2013-08-01T00:00:00Z https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/11857 Meeting the Cowboy Turned Renegade Missionary: William Cullen Wilcox Kumalo, Simangaliso The Rev. William Cullen Wilcox is a relatively unknown missionary of the American Board Mission. He left an indelible legacy in South Africa as an initiator of mission stations, a land activist, and mentor to John Langalibalele Dube, the first president of the African National Congress. He lived and worked in South Africa for over 40 years after which he returned home to California with nothing to show for his work among the poor black people of South Africa whom he had served. It was only seventy years later that his story was brought to the attention of the South African church and government, which led to President Zuma bestowing on him the order of the Companions of Oliver Tambo. This article offers a brief profile of Rev Wilcox as a progressive political missionary and highlights his contribution to the struggle of the African people for self-determination. In recognition for such support, the new democratic government of South Africa regularly bestows the highest honor; the government of KwaZulu-Natal has nominated Reverend Wilcox for the Grand Order of Oliver Tambo, as a mark of respect upon a worthy individual. I have now been informed that President Zuma has assented to bestowing this honor on Reverend William Wilcox, and the Chancery of National Orders has today delivered me a notice that invites the Wilcox family to receive the National Order posthumously on 11 December 2009, in Pretoria, South Africa. I now formally inform you of this by handing the letter to the eldest and youngest generations of the Wilcox family. 1 This article was first published as a chapter in my book titled Pastor and politician: essays on the legacy of John L Dube, first president of the African National Congress (Pietermaritzburg: Cluster Publications, 2012). Simangaliso Kumalo This further cements the relationship of the American people with those of South Africa. Our prayers as the people of South Africa, the beneficiaries of William and Ida Belle Wilcox’s ministry, are that their spirit and that of JL Dube will live long and continue to guide us (Premier Zwelini Mkhize 2009). Peer reviewed Thu, 01 Aug 2013 00:00:00 GMT https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/11857 2013-08-01T00:00:00Z https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/11856 The journey of South African women academics with particular focus on women academics in theological education Naicker, Linda The aims of this article are twofold. Firstly, in this article, I shall examine the historical experiences of discrimination against women academics in higher education in South Africa, which will include discussing their experiences of discrimination in the present dispensation. Secondly, I shall hone in on a specific area within higher education – the historical experiences of women academics within faculties of theology in institutions of higher education in South Africa. I shall argue that their experiences constitute a dynamic narrative that challenges conventional understandings of the “breeding ground” of race, class and gender discrimination in South African institutions of higher education. I shall also propose two areas of concern which, if addressed, would make possible the creation of environments that would support, rather than hinder and prejudice, those most marginalised under apartheid. Peer reviewed Thu, 01 Aug 2013 00:00:00 GMT https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/11856 2013-08-01T00:00:00Z