https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/4306 Wed, 06 May 2026 11:53:31 GMT 2026-05-06T11:53:31Z https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/4587 Aucklandpark Teologiese Seminarium : die hartseer verlede en uitdagings in die nuwe millennium Putter, Andries This article entails an investigation of the history of Auckland Park Theological Seminary (ATS) and a future plan. ATS history can be divided into four periods: The early Bible School period, (1924-1949); the Bible School period (1950- 1969) and the third period was that of the Theological College (1970-1995). From 1996-2008, ATS was part of the broader AFM decision to bring about unity within the respective AFM theological colleges, but to no avail. Questions arising from the article include the following: What were the reasons why the unity within the respective AFM theological colleges was not made possible? Can ATS function more effectively without the AFM influence, and if so, what will the effect be? The purpose of this article is to provide a better understanding for the reader about theological training within the AFM that influenced ATS and guidelines for students, pastors and role players about the future of ATS. Peer reviewed Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/4587 2009-01-01T00:00:00Z https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/4586 United Theological College : a centre for ecumenical education in Zimbabwe? Matikiti, Robert This article seeks to explore the meteoric rise of the United Theological College as a centre for ecumenical education in Zimbabwe. Since its inception in 1956, the college has grown to be the epicentre of inter-denominational theological education. The college is run by the Methodist Church in Zimbabwe, the United Methodist Church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Zimbabwe, the United Church of Christ in Zimbabwe, the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa, the Uniting Presbyterian Church and the African Methodist Episcopal Church. The college recognises and values the different traditions of worship and doctrines of the participating churches and believes that individuals and communities can be transformed through the witness of a united church of Jesus Christ. In the framework of ecumenism and Christian unity, matters related to doctrinal and liturgical issues, the interpretation of the Bible, social thought and social action of different Christian communities are studied and discussed. Despite their different doctrinal approaches, a strong ecumenical awareness within the churches drives them to train their pastors at this ecumenical college. This article will argue that in this ecumenical process, however, the college has experienced not only dynamic growth, but also limitations. The article is intended as a contri- 1 Co-Researcher for the Research Institute for Theology and Religion, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa. United Theological College: a centre for ecumenical … 2 bution to the ongoing ecumenical dialogue and inter-church relations among students of different denominations. Peer reviewed Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/4586 2009-01-01T00:00:00Z https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/4585 Academic theology as the yardstick of being Reformed in South Africa today: an appreciative critique of Calvin on the occasion of his 500th birthday Tshaka, Rothney S. (Rothney Stok) The 500th birthday of John Calvin provides us with an opportunity of revisiting the legacy of this great theologian and teacher of the church. While there is no doubt that the reformed legacy which is characterised as Calvinist has been controversial in South Africa, Calvin’s legacy provided a platform of questioning certain half truths that were made out to be the truth. This article notes that literature increasingly indicates that Christianity is gravitating towards the global South. This poses significant questions about how we continue to do theology in Africa today. This article bemoans the fact that Reformed theology with its emphasis on academic theology has not done enough to contribute towards the appropriation of this faith in Africa and in South Africa in particular. As such many African Reformed Christians have at best become estranged from the very communities which it is expected they must serve. The article provides an appreciative critique of Calvin and therefore of the Reformed church tradition in South Africa. Peer reviewed Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/4585 2009-01-01T00:00:00Z https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/4572 The history and future of training faith leaders to participate in employee assistance programmes Modise, Leepo Johannes; Landman, C.(Christina) This article consists of three parts. Firstly, the history of Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs) in the South African workplace is traced briefly, and historical reference is made to the involvement, or lack thereof, of faith care in these programmes. Secondly, empirical research done in rural and semi-rural working environments is presented to ascertain the need to incorporate a faith perspective into these EAPs. A case is made out for enriching EAPs by means of a “wholesome” African-Christian sensemaking model that replaces the classic dualist view of soul and body with a theanthropocosmic view on employee job satisfaction. Thirdly, recommendations are made on the multi-faceted training of faith leaders – and eventually theological students – to empower them to participate in the formulation and execution of EAPs. The article argues that faith, belief and trust as fields of experience, and especially the skills engendered by faith and belief, are intrinsically part of a professional’s experience of “job satisfaction”. The article furthermore argues that faith and belief do not belong to the realm of the “soul” as opposed to “the body”; the article evaluates and considers a faith, belief and trust-based dimension of EAPs within their overall collective and institutional context in terms of a dynamic approach carried forward by a theanthropocosmic view on human wellness Peer reviewed Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/4572 2009-01-01T00:00:00Z