Abstract
The anticipated A.I.D.S. crisis in Southern Africa presents an opportunity for the Christian church to respond positively rather than merely to react negatively. This requires both a theological understanding and a pastoral response. Theologically, A.I.D.S. may be seen as an object lesson in the interrelation of natural, personal and historical evil. Although both the Old Testament and the New Testament warn against a simplistic doctrine of individual retribution, there are also several different ways in which the A.I.D.S. crisis may indeed in some particular cases be seen as a judgement of God while in other cases it is rather a horrifying event. Other relevant issues include matters relating to justification and sanctification and the wider ethical issues of discrimination and human rights, of "public" and "private" morality. The Church's pastoral response should include both "corrective" education to remove irrational and fearful ignorance and also "preventative" education to encourage a monogamous lifestyle. Pastoral ministry must be "redemptive", appropriate to the varying needs of persons with A.I.D.S., of their families and friends and of professional care-providers. The Church cannot ignore the A.I.D.S. crisis, but must respond to it both Biblically and pastorally.
Highlights
A.I.D.S. may be seen as an object lesson in the interrelation of natural, personal and historical evil. Both the Old Testament and the New Testament warn against a simplistic doctrine of individual retribution, there are several different ways in wich the A.I.D.S. crisis may in some particular cases be seen as a judge ment o f God while in other cases it is rather a horrifying event
The Christian church has som etimes been criticised for being the last to respond to developments in society, for merely reacting rather than taking the lead in some of the pressing needs of the day
In what ways may the A.I.D.S. crisis be seen as evidence of the activity of G od? Jerry Falwell and Charles Stanley, spokesmen for the "Moral Majority" in the United States, have called A.I.D.S
Summary
The Christian church has som etimes been criticised for being the last to respond to developments in society, for merely reacting rather than taking the lead in some of the pressing needs of the day. The anticipated A.I.D.S. crisis in S outhern A frica may hopefully be one a re a where there is still an opportunity for the churches to respond timeously and positively, drawing on the costly experience of others in this issue which is only really making its impact felt locally. O ur churches cannot avoid but must rather face up to the particular Biblical, theo logical and ethical questions raised, since "as the number of people with A.I.D.S. grows, it will become increasingly unlikely that individual congregations throughout the nation will remain untouched" (Shelp, et al, 1986:179). The question should be considered on two different but related levels: (1) Biblical - theological and (2) pastoral ministry
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