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Towards a Reconciling Church in South Africa

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Towards a Reconciling Church in South Africa Towards a Reconciling Church in South Africa by Ralph Pieter du Plessis Duke Divinity School Duke University Date: 8/3/2017 Approved: William H. Willimon, Supervisor Paul R. Alexander, Second Reader J. Warren Smith, D.Min Director Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Ministry in the Divinity School of Duke University 2017 ABSTRACT Towards a Reconciling Church in South Africa by Ralph Pieter du Plessis Duke Divinity School Duke University Date: 8/3/2017 Approved: William H. Willimon, Supervisor Paul R. Alexander, Second Reader J. Warren Smith, D.Min Director An abstract of a thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Ministry in the Divinity School of Duke University 2017 Copyright by Ralph Pieter du Plessis 2017 Abstract This paper seeks to locate the church as a role player in the ongoing discussion around reconciliation within the South African context. Seeing as reconciliation is understood and applied in different ways by different sectors of society, the paper starts by establishing a Biblical understanding on the subject. This is done by identifying central New Testament texts which it sees as primarily occurring in the Pauline corpus (2 Corinthians 5:17-21, Romans 5:8-11, Ephesians 2:13-16, and Colossians 1:15-23). The paper then turns to consider the possible contributions Pentecostal theology makes available to this discussion, focusing on eschatology, the empowerment of the Spirit, and social concern. The paper then contextualizes the conversation by considering the South African context, with focus given to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of 1996. These thoughts are then brought together in a discussion on the Church, and how through the Spirit, it finds itself uniquely positioned as a witness to inclusivity and reconciliation. The Biblical understanding of reconciliation is affirmed, as is the centrality of the Church, but that this still needs to be realized in local congregational gatherings is noted. As the paper takes a Pentecostal approach to reconciliation, the inclusivity of the community that emerged from the outpouring of the Spirit in Acts is considered, and parallels drawn to similar occurrences in the origins of Pentecostalism. iv It is therefore the premise of this paper that the Spirit empowers the Church, positioning it uniquely as an inclusive and reconciling community. v Dedication To my gracious wife, Kirstin, and my two boys, Joel and Timothy, for being just who you are. vi Contents Abstract ......................................................................................................................................... iv Contents ....................................................................................................................................... vii Acknowledgements ..................................................................................................................... xi Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 12 1. Theological Considerations ............................................................................................... 25 1.1 A Pauline Understanding of Reconciliation ........................................................... 28 1.1.1 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 ............................................................................................. 30 1.1.1.1 A New Creation ............................................................................................. 32 1.1.1.2 Reconciliatory Inversion .............................................................................. 34 1.1.1.3 Amnesty or Justice ........................................................................................ 35 1.1.1.4 Personal Volition ........................................................................................... 37 1.1.2 Romans 5:8-11 ......................................................................................................... 39 1.1.2.1 Motivated by Love ........................................................................................ 41 1.1.2.2 Reconciled through Sacrifice ....................................................................... 42 1.1.3 Ephesians 2:13-16 ................................................................................................... 47 1.1.4 Colossians 1:15-23 .................................................................................................. 51 Conclusion .............................................................................................................................. 55 2. Pentecostal Contributions .................................................................................................. 57 2.1 An Eschatological Community ................................................................................ 58 2.1.1 The Development of Pentecostal Eschatology ................................................... 59 vii 2.1.2 Kingdom Theology ................................................................................................ 61 2.1.3 A Synthesis of Paul’s Teachings .......................................................................... 64 2.2 The Community of the Spirit .................................................................................... 68 2.2.1 Baptism in the Holy Spirit .................................................................................... 69 2.2.2 Baptism into the Body of Christ ........................................................................... 72 2.2.3 The Spirit Realizing the Image of God in the Believer ..................................... 75 2.3 Towards a Pentecostal Social Missiology ............................................................... 76 2.3.1 The Kingdom and Pentecostal Social Concern .................................................. 79 2.3.2 Empowered for Social Witness ............................................................................ 80 Conclusion .............................................................................................................................. 81 3. Religion and Reconciliation in the South African Context ........................................... 83 3.1 The Truth and Reconciliation Commission ............................................................ 85 3.1.1 How Christian Was the TARC? ........................................................................... 88 3.1.2 Christian Elements of Reconciliation .................................................................. 89 3.1.2.1 Remember ...................................................................................................... 90 3.1.2.2 Forgive ............................................................................................................ 93 3.1.2.3 Apologize ....................................................................................................... 98 3.1.2.4 Repair ............................................................................................................ 102 3.1.2.5 Embrace ........................................................................................................ 106 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................ 107 4. The Reconciling Church ................................................................................................... 110 4.1 The Christocentric Community .............................................................................. 111 viii 4.1.1 The Eschatological Community ......................................................................... 113 4.1.2 Ordinances of the Reconciling Community ..................................................... 119 4.1.2.1 Baptism ......................................................................................................... 121 4.1.2.2 The Lord’s Supper ....................................................................................... 124 4.1.3 The Missional Community ................................................................................. 128 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................ 134 5. Practical Applications for the Local Church ................................................................. 136 5.1 Practical Applications .............................................................................................. 142 5.1.1 Intentional Preaching and Teaching ................................................................. 143 5.1.2 A Renewed Emphasis on the Spirit of Pentecost ............................................ 145 5.1.3 Reconciliatory Community Practices ................................................................ 149 5.1.3.1 Communal Meals ........................................................................................ 150 5.1.3.2 Narratives and Storytelling ....................................................................... 152 5.1.3.3 An Inclusive Alternate Community ......................................................... 156 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................ 160 Conclusion .................................................................................................................................
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