Original Research
Oorvloedige liefde en konflikhantering: basisteoretiese perspektiewe uit Filippense
In die Skriflig/In Luce Verbi | Vol 36, No 3 | a515 |
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/ids.v36i3.515
| © 2002 J. Pretorius, B.J. de Klerk
| This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 06 August 2002 | Published: 06 August 2002
Submitted: 06 August 2002 | Published: 06 August 2002
About the author(s)
J. Pretorius, Skool vir Kerkwetenskappe, Potchefstroomse Universiteit vir CHO, South AfricaB.J. de Klerk, Skool vir Kerkwetenskappe, Potchefstroomse Universiteit vir CHO, South Africa
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Abundant love and conflict management: Basis-theoretical perspectives from Philippians
The management of conflict in the process of building the Lord’s church remains an issue in need of basis-theoretical guidelines based upon Scripture. The rhetorical analyses of Philippians during the past decade have brought about a better understanding of the structure and theme of the letter, but have failed to point out the performative effect of the paradigm “behind” the compilation of the letter. This paradigm (here referred to as “the abundant love of Christ”) is not only mentioned in the letter itself, but the method of discourse analysis used in this article also reveals the impact of this love illustrated by the way that Pauls deals with various kinds of conflict. A more detailed analysis of the introduction of the letter (1:3- 11, esp. v. 9-11) clearly underscores the existence and importance of Christ’s love in Paul’s writings and for the Philippians. Although the members of the Philippian congregation were partners in the furthering of the gospel, they missed Paul’s mindset of love to a great extent. Through excellent rhetorical techniques this letter inspires the reader of today to use Paul’s mindset in contemporary conflict management. The existence of such a mindset can be evaluated by means of empirical questions for the purposes of practical theology.
The management of conflict in the process of building the Lord’s church remains an issue in need of basis-theoretical guidelines based upon Scripture. The rhetorical analyses of Philippians during the past decade have brought about a better understanding of the structure and theme of the letter, but have failed to point out the performative effect of the paradigm “behind” the compilation of the letter. This paradigm (here referred to as “the abundant love of Christ”) is not only mentioned in the letter itself, but the method of discourse analysis used in this article also reveals the impact of this love illustrated by the way that Pauls deals with various kinds of conflict. A more detailed analysis of the introduction of the letter (1:3- 11, esp. v. 9-11) clearly underscores the existence and importance of Christ’s love in Paul’s writings and for the Philippians. Although the members of the Philippian congregation were partners in the furthering of the gospel, they missed Paul’s mindset of love to a great extent. Through excellent rhetorical techniques this letter inspires the reader of today to use Paul’s mindset in contemporary conflict management. The existence of such a mindset can be evaluated by means of empirical questions for the purposes of practical theology.
Keywords
Abundant Love; Building Up Of A Congregation; Conflict Management; Rhetorical Criticism
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