Summary: | Influenced by the postmodernist views of the early 21st century, the so-called New
Reformation Movement pleads for a changed view of Scripture and a new way of
Scriptural understanding for theology in South Africa. This movement demands that
the Bible should no longer be viewed as the word of God, but as human words about
God; it calls for an intellectually based re-appraisal of the Bible in which the modem
reader's context, especially the knowledge-explosion of the information-era, becomes
the key factor. The result of such a "reformation" is an over-estimation of knowledge
and an under-evaluation of faith. This "new model" of Scriptural understanding brings
to the attention that the question regarding the relation between faith and knowledge
is relevant for modem-day theology in South Africa. Hence it is important that also
reformed theology should re-think the relation between faith and knowledge. Within
the reformed theological paradigm such a reflection should take the Bible itself as
basic point of departure.
When discussing the matter of faith and knowledge, the reformed confessions
frequently refer to the pericope Hebrews 10:38-11:3. The important place which this
pericope takes within the confessional writings, gave rise to the central theoretical
argument of this study. The argument is that Hebrews 10:38-11:3 gives a unique
perspective on the relation between faith and knowledge. It is also argued that a
thorough and scientifically sound study of this pericope can make an important
contribution to describing the relation between faith and knowledge. Consequently the
purpose of this study is to determine the perspectives which Hebrews 10:38-11:3
provides regarding the relation between faith and knowledge. This study is conducted
by means of an exegetical and revelational-historical investigation of the pericope.
Chapter two of this study is an exegetical investigation of Hebrews 10:38-11:3, with
focus on its textual aspects. These aspects include the structure of the book as a
whole and the thought-structure of the pericope, as well as the semantic analysis of
words which are relevant to this thesis. This chapter leads to the conclusion that faith
forms a main thread throughout the book and pericope. From the pericope analysis it
becomes clear that there is a close link between faith and the life of the believer. Faith
not only forms the framework of life, but gives a framework in which knowledge of
the unseen reality is being noted. The semantic analysis of the words "faith" and
"knowledge" reveals that these two concepts are indeed interdependent.
In chapter three, the exegetical investigation of Hebrews 10:38-11:3 is continued by a
study of the socio-historical context in which Hebrews spoke about faith and
knowledge. This chapter concludes that Hebrews was written to Christianized Jews.
The purpose of the book was to exhort the first readers not to fall back into Jewish
religious traditions. It teaches its readers that regardless of suffering, faith empowers
believers to look forward to a wonderful future that is promised to them by God.
In chapter four a revelational-historical study is conducted of the broad lines within
which the Scriptures speak about faith and knowledge. Thereupon the teaching of
Hebrews 10:38-11:3 on this topic is placed within the broad revelational-historical
lines of the Bible. This chapter concludes that Hebrews' teaching links up with the
entire Bible's teaching about faith and knowledge. The substance of faith is
knowledge of the revelation of God in Christ, which is also the realization of the
promised future for those who believe.
Chapter five compares the results of the exegetical investigation of Hebrews 10:28-
11:3 with the reformed confessions regarding the subject at hand. This chapter
concludes that there is an unbreakable bond between faith and knowledge, as depicted
by the confessions and as continued by Hebrews 10:38-11:3. Both faith and
knowledge begins and ends with God.
Chapter six explores the rise of postmodernism and the New Reformation, comparing
their views to the results of the exegetical investigation of Hebrews 10:38-11:3. This
chapter concludes that the current theological debate in South Africa is characterized
by an overestimation of knowledge and degradation of faith. However, in reaction to
this, there are tendencies in the South-African theology towards an overestimation of
faith and an degradation of knowledge. The results of this exegetical study of
Hebrews 10:38-11:3 could possibly restore the balance.
In Chapter seven the conclusion is formulated that, in the light of Hebrews 10:38-
11:3, it is imperative that faith and knowledge should not be superimposed over each
other, but should be regarded as providing indispensable mutual support. Both faith
and knowledge should be discounted in the process of forming theories within the
theological science. === Thesis (Ph.D. (New Testament))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2005.
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