Scholasticism, the dilemma for a radical reformation of our educational thought and practice

P.J Helberg

doi:10.4102/koers.v40i4-6.843

Abstract

Those who have acquainted themselves with the work of Prof J.A.L. Taljaard will undoubtedly agree as regards the following two issues. First of all, Taljaard, theoretically and practically, reveals a special interest in education in general as well as in the furtherance of Christian educational thought and practice). On the other hand, Taljaard has set himself the aim in his philosophical work of attaining a radical biblical approach and a radical biblical philosophy. This implies not only a profound ‘No’ to Humanism, but also an effort to get ‘reformed’ philosophy disentangled from the shackles of Scholasticism which still persists as an active power that must never be underestimated. This leads him, naturally, more than once, to a confrontation with authors of reformed philosophy and theology, who, aware of it or not, did not succeed in freeing themselves from old Scholastic influences). To fight Scholasticism, in our ‘reformed’ Christian society, demands moral courage as well as a firm belief in one’s calling. It also includes the risk of becoming alienated by those who, usually or naturally, (should) stand very close to you. This, however, is sad when viewed in terms of the confession which Taljaard never gets tired to accentuate, namely, that life is to be a religious worship of our Lord , the Creator and Redeemer in Jesus Christ.

Highlights

Those who have acquainted them selves w ith the w ork of Prof J A L T aljaard w ill undoubtedly agree as regards the follow ing two issues
T h is im p lie snoton ly a p ro fo u n d ‘N o’ to H u m an ism, but a lso an effo rt to g e t ‘re fo rm e d ’ p h ilo sophy disentangled from the shackles of Scholasticism which still persists as an active pow er that m ust never be underestim ated
From the above it m ust be clear th at a radical biblical con cept of n u rtu re can only be built on a radical concept of man

Summary

INTRODUCTION

Those who have acquainted them selves w ith the w ork of Prof J A L T aljaard w ill undoubtedly agree as regards the follow ing two issues. The Bible says th at m an is created by God a s a “liv in gsoul” , w h ich is an illu s tr a tio n of h is in te gral unity th at ought to be m anifested in h is entire life From the above it m ust be clear th at a radical biblical con cept of n u rtu re can only be built on a radical concept of man. The latter, in its turn, is dependent on a radical bibli cal co n cep t of relig io n a s th e s e rv ic e of G od w ith m a n ’s whole h eart and his entire m odal life in all relationships on earth

RELIGION RESTRICTED TO THE SPHERE OF GRACE’

CONCLUSION