This article explores the theological question, “If man had not sinned, would Christ still be incarnate?”, by comparing the thought of John Duns Scotus and Francis Turretin. It first traces the influence and reinterpretation of Scotus’ Christological ontology within Reformed orthodoxy, highlighting scholarly debates over his legacy. For Scotus, incarnation was about Christ serving as the ontological foundation and ultimate mediator between God and creation. By contrast, Turretin appropriates epistemological distinctions from Scotus but reframes them through the lens of covenant theology. For Turretin, the incarnation is necessitated by the fall, and Christ’s role as mediator is soteriological, focused on restoring the covenantal bond. Through a comparative analysis of ontology, epistemology, and Christology, this article demonstrates a theological shift from Scotus’ Christcentred ontology to Turretin’s covenantal ontology. It concludes that, for Turretin, the incarnation is a redemptive response to human sin, marking Christ’s fundamental office as mediator between creator and creature.
Reaching and discipling non-church-affiliated emerging adults in a post-COVID-19 Alberton, Johannesburg, South Africa, requires a multifaceted approach. This article employs Osmer’s practical theological reflection approach to develop a strategy, using data collected from selected fifteen churches. Interviews with ministry leaders and a survey among emerging adults determine the potential to reach non-church-affiliated emerging adults. Sources were consulted to identify factors to increase this potential, namely: involvement, discipleship, relationship, sound doctrine, leadership, excellence, a missional focus, and an online presence. Scripture and theological tradition reveal an understanding of the universal church, missio Dei, decentralised leadership, and discipleship to develop a strategy for discipling emerging adults. The strategy proposes that the local church should set a standard of doctrine, excellence, and focus, while emerging adult leaders are trained to disciple others, thus increasing their involvement in church and influence among their peers. Further research remains to be conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the strategy.
This article develops a theological-ethical framework for the Anthropocene, by bringing Philip Hefner’s concept of the created co-creator into dialogue with Donna Haraway’s post-humanist ethics of making kin. It proposes co-creating kinship as a model for understanding humanbeings as relational agents embedded in ecological and evolutionary life. While Hefner grounds human vocation in divine co-creation, Haraway decentres human agency and emphasises multispecies responsibility. Their dialogue yields a planetary theological ethic shaped by relationality, conditioned freedom, socio-ecological justice, and eschatological hope. In this way, the article reimagines Christian anthropology as a call to humility, care, and shared flourishing within a damaged world. It offers a constructive vision for theology that is ecologically attentive, ethically responsible, and responsive to the challenges of planetary life.
As South Africa and the global community confront the changing dynamics of cannabis decriminalisation and legalisation, this article examines the intricate nexus between Cannabis sativa and religious belief and practice. With evolving societal perspectives and legal paradigms, the overview probes into the historical underpinnings of and its chemical structure, criminalisation, medicinal uses, industrial applications, and its connections to various religions. The article illuminates the ancient origins of Cannabis sativa, its cultural diffusion, and introduction to Southern Africa. It discusses the complexities in assessing the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) effects, due to legal constraints. The article explores the plant's historical medicinal uses from ancient China to contemporary health applications. It scrutinises the criminalisation of cannabis, questioning the constitutional adherence of existing legal frameworks. It thus explores the use of cannabis within the larger ambits and debates on legislation, health ethics, and religious freedoms. Finally, the article suggests future research directions, particularly investigating the interplay of religious beliefs and attitudes toward cannabis through a comprehensive questionnaire.
African and Christian spiritualities have, over the years, posed a challenge to themselves and Africans. In some instances, they have disagreed with the doctrines and theologies of churches such as Christian churches, which often become too over-prescriptive by dictating how things should be done, and African indigenous churches, which have a rich history within the African context. At the centre of this challenge is the understanding of, and the approach to ancestry that is embedded in African spirituality and worship. This, in turn, is embedded in Christianity. To understand why such challenges and conflicts exist, one must understand the parallel existence of the two spiritualities. This article uses ancestry and worship to investigate these challenges and conflicts of African and Christian spiritualities. In order to understand such challenges and conflicts, relevant literature on African and Christian spiritualities is consulted, with the aim of examining different authors and different comments and standpoints of various churches on the subject. This article concludes, by making recommendations that will seek to synchronise African and Christian spiritualities for harmonious co-existence.
