In this article, the concept of inclusivity in the Old Testament is investigated and the theology of ‘Otherness’ is discussed broadly. Various authors discuss the ‘Otherness’ in biblical Israel. These views are critiqued and a conclusion is reached that an inclusive reading in the Old Testament, specifically of the known exclusive texts in the Hebrew Bible, is a possibility. To argue for inclusivity in the Old Testament, a view of hospitality is considered and a literary review of inclusive texts is conducted, namely the Books of Ruth, Jonah, Ecclesiastes, Esther and some Deuterocanonical texts.
In this study, the development of faith communities is investigated in different texts and contexts. The socio-religious understanding of various communities, from the time of the Old Testament, to today, has the potential to provide an understanding of ecclesiology and perceptions about what ‘church’ entails. In this study it is not suggested that there is one ideal faith community, nor can the approach of one faith community be adopted by another community. Every community exists within a certain socio-historical context and must be understood as functioning within that framework. Yet it is possible to learn from history by reinterpreting key elements in new contexts.
INLEIDINGSedert die vroegste jare kan 'n sekere patroon in die Kerkgeskiedenis waargeneem word w at voorkom in die vorm van 'n onreëlmatige wisselw erking tussen twee uiterstes, naam lik verw ikkelinge w aar ó f die intellek ó f die emosie 'n prom inente rol gespeel het. Robert C W alton (1986:78) dui hierdie tendens skem aties aan deur daarop te wys hoe die pendulum in die tweede eeu geswaai het in die rigting van die M ontanism e, m et sy klem op die emosie. Van daar a f swaai dit oor na die G nostisism e (tweede en derde eeu) en w eer terug na die Monastisisme v an af die derde tot tiende eeu. In die elfde tot veertiende eeu word die klem w eer op die rede geplaas deur die invloed van die Skolastiek en in die veertiende en vyftiende eeu tree die emosie van die ' Hierdie artikel is gebaseer op 'n proefskrif wat gedurende 1998 ingedien is by die Departement Kerkgeskiedenis, Fakulteit Teologie, Afdeling B, Universiteit van Pretoria.
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