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Van vyandigheid na versoening: Kolossense as narratief van kosmologiese verhuising
In die Skriflig/In Luce Verbi | Vol 41, No 3 | a316 |
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/ids.v41i3.316
| © 2007 J. J. Fritz Krüger
| This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 27 July 2007 | Published: 27 July 2007
Submitted: 27 July 2007 | Published: 27 July 2007
About the author(s)
J. J. Fritz Krüger, Navorser: Skool vir Kerkwetenskappe, Potchefstroomkampus, Noordwes-Universiteit, South AfricaFull Text:
PDF (155KB)Abstract
From animosity to reconciliation: Colossians as narrative of cosmologic migration
Ethical discussion concerning the phenomenon of animosity can gain a lot in depth and effectiveness if a strategy is followed of uncovering the cosmological narratives on which worldviews are based. Each worldview generates its own ethical system on the basis of fundamental metaphysical matrices in the form of cosmological narratives. In this article, the letter to the Colos- sians is used to demonstrate how a cosmological narrative of cosmic estrangement results in an ethic of animosity, while a cosmological narrative of reconciliation in Christ results in an ethic of peace and reconciliation. Three cosmological narratives are compared for this purpose: a popular pagan, a Jewish apo- calyptic mystical and a Christ-centred cosmological narrative are read together. In this way it is demonstrated that a new ethic – which ends the common animosity of our world – is only possible if a cosmic migration occurs, from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of the beloved Son, Jesus Christ. In the discussion, the church will play a prominent role as exem- plary community of the new creation, because it is in the church that the peace of Christ, the result of his victory over the powers, rules over and in people, in this way establishing new relationships of peace and justice.
Ethical discussion concerning the phenomenon of animosity can gain a lot in depth and effectiveness if a strategy is followed of uncovering the cosmological narratives on which worldviews are based. Each worldview generates its own ethical system on the basis of fundamental metaphysical matrices in the form of cosmological narratives. In this article, the letter to the Colos- sians is used to demonstrate how a cosmological narrative of cosmic estrangement results in an ethic of animosity, while a cosmological narrative of reconciliation in Christ results in an ethic of peace and reconciliation. Three cosmological narratives are compared for this purpose: a popular pagan, a Jewish apo- calyptic mystical and a Christ-centred cosmological narrative are read together. In this way it is demonstrated that a new ethic – which ends the common animosity of our world – is only possible if a cosmic migration occurs, from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of the beloved Son, Jesus Christ. In the discussion, the church will play a prominent role as exem- plary community of the new creation, because it is in the church that the peace of Christ, the result of his victory over the powers, rules over and in people, in this way establishing new relationships of peace and justice.
Keywords
Animosity; Christ As Cosmic Lord; Church As Exemplary Community; Cosmological Narratives; Ethics; Reconciliation; Worldview
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