Skrifgebruik in prakties-teologiese spanningsvelde

Abstract

In this article the author makes a case for a Sola Scriptura point of departure as an adequate instrument for shining the light of the Word of God not only on the surface level of a practical theological research field, but also on its depth level. It is argued that a Sola Scriptura point of departure does not only involve the biblical text on its own, but also a living relationship with The God who reveals Himself in Scripture. This point of departure entails that the researcher will not only deploy Scripture on the surface level as a mere formal prescriptive source for what ought to happen in the research field. Scripture will also be utilized at the depth level of the research field as a means by means of which the underlying motifs that may be present in the tension field of a particular practical-theological research area are unlocked. This method of using Scripture works with the following faith-expectations: That motifs and actions in a particular tension field will – under the guidance of the Spirit - be brought into living contact with the One in whom the fullness of the Word of God is revealed, namely Jesus Christ; that disintegrative forces at work in the tension field will be brought into contact with the integrative presence of Jesus Christ, unlocking the reformational power of the Word of God in the process. OPSOMMING: In hierdie artikel beredeneer die outeur die waarde van `n Sola Scriptura-vertrekpunt as toereikende instrument om die lig van die Woord van God nie alleen op die oppervlakte van `n prakties-teologiese ondersoekveld te laat skyn nie, maar ook tot in die dieptevlak daarvan. Dit word beredeneer dat die Sola Scriptura-vertrekpunt nie alleen die bybelse teks opsigself behels nie, maar ook `n lewende verhouding met die God van die Woord by die ondersoekproses betrek. Hierdie benaderingswyse impliseer dat die navorser nie die Skrif bloot op die oppervlakte van die ondersoekproses sal betrek as `n formele voorskriftelike bron van wat behoort te gebeur in die ondersoekveld nie. Die Skrif sal ook op die dieptevlak van die ondersoekveld gerig word as `n ontsluitingspunt vir onderliggende motiewe wat in die prakties-teologiese ondersoekveld teenwoordig mag wees. Hierdie metode van Skrifgebruik werk met die volgende geloofsverwagtings: Dat motiewe en handelinge wat waargeneem word in `n bepaalde spanningsveld onder leiding van die Gees in lewende kontak gebring word met die Een waarin die volheid van die Woord van God geopenbaar word, naamlik Jesus Christus; dat disintegrerende kragte wat aan die werk is in die spanningsveld in kontak gebring word met die integrerende teenwoordigheid van Jesus Christus, sodat die reformerende krag van die Woord in die proses ontsluit kan word.