Abstract
A Reformational social philosophy: systematic exposition, critical evaluation and practical application The problem to be discussed in this contribution is that many Christians, churches and theologians are often guided by no or merely a very vague (worldviewish) perspective on social life. Sometimes they are even inspired by unbiblical methods (e.g. earlier Marxism and contemporary neocapitalism or postmo- dernism) in their social analysis. This may be an important con- tributing factor for the sad fact that Christians often have very little impact on the broader social domain (the “public square”) outside their personal and church life. Therefore this article looks at a possible solution in the following steps: It begins with a comparison between the three basic philosophies of society, viz. individualism, collectivism and pluralism. Then it provides a systematic exposition of a Christian-reformational, pluralistic social philosophy as a possible candidate. To indicate that a reformational social philosophy neither wants to pretend, nor wants to be regarded as a static dogma or ideology, the next section reviews some points of critique voiced by its sym- pathetic proponents. The fourth section investigates how this social view may inspire social change. Following the preceding, more theoretical exploration, it discusses possibilities for its practical application. In this way a complete answer (both theoretical and practical) is given to the urgent problem indicated at the beginning, viz. the little influence of Christians on the so-called public sphere.
Highlights
Die probleem wat hier onder die loep geneem word, is dat Christene, kerke en teoloë dikwels deur geen of ’n baie vae lewensbeskoulike perspektief op die sosiale lewe gelei word
Omdat die Reformatoriese samelewingsfilosofie redelik onbekend is in kerklike en teologiese kringe, en ook om dit vir ’n so groot moontlike leserspubliek toeganklik te maak, sal by hierdie uiteensetting onnodige tegniese/ingewikkeldheid vermy word
Die individu is die mees reële werklikheid, die fundamentele bousteen van die samelewing en die setel van gesag
Summary
Die probleem wat hier ondersoek word, is dat Christene en Christelike teoloë dikwels oor geen of ’n baie elementêre, onomlynde samelewingsbeskouing beskik, wat as (teoretiese) leidraad kan dien om (prakties) in die breë samelewing buite hulle kerke betrokke te wees. Ander Christene werk soms wel vanuit ’n sistematiese visie, maar omdat hulle van sekulêre metodes gebruik maak In die verlede die Marxisme en vandag samelewingsanalises deur die neokapitalisme of die postmodernisme geïnspireer) kan dit moeilik as integraal-Christelike samelewingsfilosofieë kwalifiseer Ander Christene werk soms wel vanuit ’n sistematiese visie, maar omdat hulle van sekulêre metodes gebruik maak (bv. in die verlede die Marxisme en vandag samelewingsanalises deur die neokapitalisme of die postmodernisme geïnspireer) kan dit moeilik as integraal-Christelike samelewingsfilosofieë kwalifiseer
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