Nico Vorster
Biographic Data
| ID | 3071529 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Nico Vorster |
| GIVEN NAMES | Nico |
| FAMILY NAME | Vorster |
| SIGNATURE | VORSTER N |
| AFFILIATIONS | North-West University |
| ORCID | 0000-0003-2989-2877 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 20 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 6 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 20 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2005 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 1 |
The Creed of Nicaea after 1700 years
In die Skriflig/In Luce Verbi is a theological and acclaimed Open Access journal that serves as the official journal of the Reformed Theological Society (Gereformeerde Teologiese Vereniging). It has a broad coverage that promotes multidisciplinary, religious and biblical aspects of studies in the international theological arena, aiming to further Reformational Theology on a scientific basis. It encourages research that challenges traditional disc…
Divine power, justice, and reconciliation
This contribution seeks to provide a plausible answer to the question as to whether the biblical concepts of justice and reconciliation are compatible with the notion of an omnipotent God. Justice presupposes conditions of injustice, while reconciliation presupposes situations of enmity. This give rise to questions about theodicy: If God is an omnipotent and good being, why would he in the first place have allowed a dysfunctional situation where …
Theological perspectives on the Presbyterial church governance system
No abstract available
The theodicies of Hans Jonas and Jürgen Moltmann
Auschwitz had a profound impact on the theological landscape. It led to God’s lordship, goodness and power being put on trial. If God exists and if he is a good and powerful God, why did he not intervene to stop the atrocities committed during the Holocaust? The theologies of the Jewish philosopher Hans Jonas and the Christian theologian Jürgen Moltmann were decisively structured by these questions. Contribution: This article compares the theodic…
Reflections on the human spirit and divine spirit
No abstract available
Christian hermeneutics in South Africa
Hermeneutics remains a divisive and polarizing topic within scholarly and ecclesiastical communities in South Africa. These tensions are not limited to theoretical differences but often crystallize on a grassroots level when local churches and church assemblies have to make important decisions on controversial ethical topics such as ordaining women in church offices, assessing the ethics of gay marriages, and taking a stance on the land debate in…
Human action and social structures. A Reformed theological critique of conflict theory and micro-interactionist theory
People’s understanding of the origins of social structures and their relatedness, or lack thereof, to human actions and divine providence has a bearing on the moral significance they attach to the rules of structures. Within sociology, both structural-conflict theory and micro-interactionist theory has provided theories on the interplay between human actions and structures. Although both strands attempt to ground their ideas in empirical evidence…
Life in transit
Migration is an issue that is under discussion worldwide and affects South Africa, the United States of America and Germany in a distinctive way. This book reflects academically on this significant and topical subject of migration from the often neglected perspective of the fields of theology and Christian ethics. While the majority of contributions are from the South African context, there are also chapters reflecting on the topic from the other…
Defining harm
This article asks whether the harm principle, as originally formulated by John Mill and applied in religious rights discourse, is sufficiently coherent to be used as a criterion for the limitation or protection of religious rights. The philosophical and legal plausibility of the concept is discussed against the setting of the South African Cultural, Religious and Linguistic (CRL) Commission’s recent recommendations with regard to regulation of re…
Reformed identity revisited
This article commences by reflecting on the evolving nature of traditions. In order to pass the continual test of plausibility and authenticity, traditions need to be flexible enough to incorporate new insights into its core intellectual matrix. Implausible elements need to be re-articulated or dispensed with. This rationale is subsequently applied to the reformed tradition who considers the necessity to continually reform itself (Ecclesia Semper…
Navigating Plural Identities in the South African Participatory Democracy
Participatory democracies find it increasingly difficult to navigate the diverse voices within the public realm because of the rapid pluralisation of modern societies. Contemporary political discourses in South Africa on issues such as land redistribution are a vivid reminder of this. This essay asks, how do we ensure that public discourse between civil groups and governmental agencies remains constructive and conducive to the framing of good pol…
Human Identity, Political Recognition and Social Symbiosis
Muslim radicalization has forced western states to rethink policies on integrating minority communities into their societies. As a result, some European countries are in the process of replacing the traditional multiculturalist state paradigms with a civic integration model. This article warns against integration policies that: i) create parallel societies; ii). impose the identity of the majority group on minority groups; iii). or impose a diffe…
Calvin’s theology of childhood
The purpose of this book is to combine perspectives of scholars from Africa on Child Theologies from a variety of theological sub-disciplines and provide some theological and ministerial perspectives on this topic. The book disseminates original research and new developments in this study field, especially as relevant to the African context. In the process, it also addresses the global need to hear voices from Africa in this academic field. This …
United but not Confused
There is confusion among scholars on the exact nature and structure of Calvin's societal doctrine. Some believe that Calvin's theology and societal doctrine is determined by a sharp dualistic distinction between the spiritual and material realms. Brian Edgar1 argues that the structure of Calvin's theology is characterized by an anthropological dualism and a “fundamental dualism of grace” that “reflects a broader dualism of the physical and spirit…
Symbiotic Anthropology and Politics in a Postmodern Age
Postmodern societies are increasingly characterized by a hyperpluralism that coincides with an interdependence between social spheres and structures. Actions in one sphere of life often impinge on other spheres of life. This leads to a consistent and endemic conflict between the social dynamics of plurality and the need for social unity. The symbiotic political theory of Johannes Althusius (1557–1638), which attempts to preserve unity through org…
Just war and virtue
The rise of armed conflict around the world begs for renewed reflection on what constitutes just war. Modern just war discourse is characterised by a very formal approach to war ethics. Issues of character, internal disposition and virtue are rarely addressed, while the Augustinian tradition's ad bellum criterion of right intention is no longer accepted as a necessary requirement for going to war. It is argued that notions that belong to the asse…
Sola Scriptura and Western Hyperpluralism
This paper discusses Brad Gregory’s claim that the Reformation era’s principle of sola scriptura is the ‘most important distant historical source of Western hyperpluralism’. After an explication of Gregory’s argument, the paper employs three counter arguments to Gregory’s claim. Firstly, it is argued that late medieval Europe was not a unified institutionalised society as Gregory suggests, but was characterised by doctrinal controversy, power str…
Christianity and Secularisation in South Africa
The secularisation theory of Max Weber states that modernisation inevitably leads to the decline of religion. This theory has in recent years been challenged by the desecularisation theories of various sociologists and philosophers. This article probes the possible link between modernisation and secularisation through a case study of the Republic of South Africa. South Africa is an important case study because it went through a rapid process of m…
A theological perspective on human dignity, equality and freedom
Human dignity has proven to be a vague term in liberal rights discourse because of its broad range. This article attempted to provide a Christian definition of human dignity that is helpful in resolving tensions between equality and freedom. Firstly, it addressed the question of whether religious understandings of human dignity ought to be considered in the public domain. Secondly, it provided a theological perspective on dignity, equality and fr…
Human dignity and sexual behavious – A theological perspective
This article compares the sex ethic of Scripture with the anthropological values that underlie modern sexual morality and gives guidelines for a responsible sex ethics that can safeguard human dignity. As point of departure it states that the biblical view of sexuality must be understood from the perspective of creation and re-creation and not the fall. The creation narratives teach that humanity possesses qualities of sameness and difference tha…
A theological perspective on human dignity, equality and freedom
Human dignity has proven to be a vague term in liberal rights discourse because of its broad range. This article attempted to provide a Christian definition of human dignity that is helpful in resolving tensions between equality and freedom. Firstly, it addressed the question of whether religious understandings of human dignity ought to be considered in the public domain. Secondly, it provided a theological perspective on dignity, equality and fr…
Navigating Plural Identities in the South African Participatory Democracy
Participatory democracies find it increasingly difficult to navigate the diverse voices within the public realm because of the rapid pluralisation of modern societies. Contemporary political discourses in South Africa on issues such as land redistribution are a vivid reminder of this. This essay asks, how do we ensure that public discourse between civil groups and governmental agencies remains constructive and conducive to the framing of good pol…
Human Identity, Political Recognition and Social Symbiosis
Muslim radicalization has forced western states to rethink policies on integrating minority communities into their societies. As a result, some European countries are in the process of replacing the traditional multiculturalist state paradigms with a civic integration model. This article warns against integration policies that: i) create parallel societies; ii). impose the identity of the majority group on minority groups; iii). or impose a diffe…
Christianity and Secularisation in South Africa
The secularisation theory of Max Weber states that modernisation inevitably leads to the decline of religion. This theory has in recent years been challenged by the desecularisation theories of various sociologists and philosophers. This article probes the possible link between modernisation and secularisation through a case study of the Republic of South Africa. South Africa is an important case study because it went through a rapid process of m…
Human dignity and sexual behavious – A theological perspective
This article compares the sex ethic of Scripture with the anthropological values that underlie modern sexual morality and gives guidelines for a responsible sex ethics that can safeguard human dignity. As point of departure it states that the biblical view of sexuality must be understood from the perspective of creation and re-creation and not the fall. The creation narratives teach that humanity possesses qualities of sameness and difference tha…
A theological perspective on human dignity, equality and freedom
Human dignity has proven to be a vague term in liberal rights discourse because of its broad range. This article attempted to provide a Christian definition of human dignity that is helpful in resolving tensions between equality and freedom. Firstly, it addressed the question of whether religious understandings of human dignity ought to be considered in the public domain. Secondly, it provided a theological perspective on dignity, equality and fr…
Sola Scriptura and Western Hyperpluralism
This paper discusses Brad Gregory’s claim that the Reformation era’s principle of sola scriptura is the ‘most important distant historical source of Western hyperpluralism’. After an explication of Gregory’s argument, the paper employs three counter arguments to Gregory’s claim. Firstly, it is argued that late medieval Europe was not a unified institutionalised society as Gregory suggests, but was characterised by doctrinal controversy, power str…
Christianity and Secularisation in South Africa
The secularisation theory of Max Weber states that modernisation inevitably leads to the decline of religion. This theory has in recent years been challenged by the desecularisation theories of various sociologists and philosophers. This article probes the possible link between modernisation and secularisation through a case study of the Republic of South Africa. South Africa is an important case study because it went through a rapid process of m…
Symbiotic Anthropology and Politics in a Postmodern Age
Postmodern societies are increasingly characterized by a hyperpluralism that coincides with an interdependence between social spheres and structures. Actions in one sphere of life often impinge on other spheres of life. This leads to a consistent and endemic conflict between the social dynamics of plurality and the need for social unity. The symbiotic political theory of Johannes Althusius (1557–1638), which attempts to preserve unity through org…
Just war and virtue
The rise of armed conflict around the world begs for renewed reflection on what constitutes just war. Modern just war discourse is characterised by a very formal approach to war ethics. Issues of character, internal disposition and virtue are rarely addressed, while the Augustinian tradition's ad bellum criterion of right intention is no longer accepted as a necessary requirement for going to war. It is argued that notions that belong to the asse…
Calvin’s theology of childhood
The purpose of this book is to combine perspectives of scholars from Africa on Child Theologies from a variety of theological sub-disciplines and provide some theological and ministerial perspectives on this topic. The book disseminates original research and new developments in this study field, especially as relevant to the African context. In the process, it also addresses the global need to hear voices from Africa in this academic field. This …
United but not Confused
There is confusion among scholars on the exact nature and structure of Calvin's societal doctrine. Some believe that Calvin's theology and societal doctrine is determined by a sharp dualistic distinction between the spiritual and material realms. Brian Edgar1 argues that the structure of Calvin's theology is characterized by an anthropological dualism and a “fundamental dualism of grace” that “reflects a broader dualism of the physical and spirit…
Human Identity, Political Recognition and Social Symbiosis
Muslim radicalization has forced western states to rethink policies on integrating minority communities into their societies. As a result, some European countries are in the process of replacing the traditional multiculturalist state paradigms with a civic integration model. This article warns against integration policies that: i) create parallel societies; ii). impose the identity of the majority group on minority groups; iii). or impose a diffe…
Reformed identity revisited
This article commences by reflecting on the evolving nature of traditions. In order to pass the continual test of plausibility and authenticity, traditions need to be flexible enough to incorporate new insights into its core intellectual matrix. Implausible elements need to be re-articulated or dispensed with. This rationale is subsequently applied to the reformed tradition who considers the necessity to continually reform itself (Ecclesia Semper…
Navigating Plural Identities in the South African Participatory Democracy
Participatory democracies find it increasingly difficult to navigate the diverse voices within the public realm because of the rapid pluralisation of modern societies. Contemporary political discourses in South Africa on issues such as land redistribution are a vivid reminder of this. This essay asks, how do we ensure that public discourse between civil groups and governmental agencies remains constructive and conducive to the framing of good pol…
Life in transit
Migration is an issue that is under discussion worldwide and affects South Africa, the United States of America and Germany in a distinctive way. This book reflects academically on this significant and topical subject of migration from the often neglected perspective of the fields of theology and Christian ethics. While the majority of contributions are from the South African context, there are also chapters reflecting on the topic from the other…
Defining harm
This article asks whether the harm principle, as originally formulated by John Mill and applied in religious rights discourse, is sufficiently coherent to be used as a criterion for the limitation or protection of religious rights. The philosophical and legal plausibility of the concept is discussed against the setting of the South African Cultural, Religious and Linguistic (CRL) Commission’s recent recommendations with regard to regulation of re…
Christian hermeneutics in South Africa
Hermeneutics remains a divisive and polarizing topic within scholarly and ecclesiastical communities in South Africa. These tensions are not limited to theoretical differences but often crystallize on a grassroots level when local churches and church assemblies have to make important decisions on controversial ethical topics such as ordaining women in church offices, assessing the ethics of gay marriages, and taking a stance on the land debate in…
Human action and social structures. A Reformed theological critique of conflict theory and micro-interactionist theory
People’s understanding of the origins of social structures and their relatedness, or lack thereof, to human actions and divine providence has a bearing on the moral significance they attach to the rules of structures. Within sociology, both structural-conflict theory and micro-interactionist theory has provided theories on the interplay between human actions and structures. Although both strands attempt to ground their ideas in empirical evidence…
Reflections on the human spirit and divine spirit
No abstract available
Divine power, justice, and reconciliation
This contribution seeks to provide a plausible answer to the question as to whether the biblical concepts of justice and reconciliation are compatible with the notion of an omnipotent God. Justice presupposes conditions of injustice, while reconciliation presupposes situations of enmity. This give rise to questions about theodicy: If God is an omnipotent and good being, why would he in the first place have allowed a dysfunctional situation where …
Theological perspectives on the Presbyterial church governance system
No abstract available
The theodicies of Hans Jonas and Jürgen Moltmann
Auschwitz had a profound impact on the theological landscape. It led to God’s lordship, goodness and power being put on trial. If God exists and if he is a good and powerful God, why did he not intervene to stop the atrocities committed during the Holocaust? The theologies of the Jewish philosopher Hans Jonas and the Christian theologian Jürgen Moltmann were decisively structured by these questions. Contribution: This article compares the theodic…
The Creed of Nicaea after 1700 years
In die Skriflig/In Luce Verbi is a theological and acclaimed Open Access journal that serves as the official journal of the Reformed Theological Society (Gereformeerde Teologiese Vereniging). It has a broad coverage that promotes multidisciplinary, religious and biblical aspects of studies in the international theological arena, aiming to further Reformational Theology on a scientific basis. It encourages research that challenges traditional disc…
Philosophy (15 works) · Sociology (15 works) · Political science (14 works) · Law (13 works) · Epistemology (11 works) · Law (8 works) · Theology (7 works) · Environmental ethics (6 works) · Religion, Society, and Development (6 works) · Philosophy (5 works)