"Hope for even the most wretched"? On remembering the Reformation

Commemorating the Reformation, the paper reflects on the distinction (by Assmann and Welker) between forms of cultural memory, some weaker, more fluid and fading, and some stronger, longer lasting, with the potential of suddenly becoming alive again, providing new orientation and inspiration. One pa...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Smit, Dirk J. 1951- (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Stellenbosch University [2018]
In: Stellenbosch theological journal
Year: 2018, Volume: 4, Issue: 2, Pages: 703-725
IxTheo Classification:KAG Church history 1500-1648; Reformation; humanism; Renaissance
KAJ Church history 1914-; recent history
KBN Sub-Saharan Africa
Further subjects:B Reformed doctrine of election
B cultural memory
B Russel Botman
B Allan Boesak
B Herman Bavinck
Online Access: Volltext (doi)
Volltext (kostenfrei)
Description
Summary:Commemorating the Reformation, the paper reflects on the distinction (by Assmann and Welker) between forms of cultural memory, some weaker, more fluid and fading, and some stronger, longer lasting, with the potential of suddenly becoming alive again, providing new orientation and inspiration. One particular fragment of the Protestant tradition that became alive during late 20th century South African theological discourses is pursued as illustration, namely the Dutch theologian Herman Bavinck's claim that election is a source of inexpressibly great comfort since it promises hope for even the most wretched. The paper shows how these forms of cultural memory may inspire new generations to reclaim what they regard as the heart of their tradition against dominant historical understandings; can form new histories of interpretation finding new expressions of embodiment, different from anything past; and may surprise and even shock those standing in the tradition, offering a rich new surplus of possibilities.
ISSN:2413-9467
Contains:Enthalten in: Stellenbosch theological journal
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.17570/stj.2018.v4n2.a32