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This book is meant for academics in the fields of theology and ecclesial management, for business leaders and governmental authorities in the private and public domain. This collected work by mainly practical theologians reflects on the phenomenon of corruption in the liberal democracy of post-apartheid South Africa. Liberal democracy has considerable salience in the contemporary world. Not only is it the form that many of the world’s most powerful and influential nations approve of, but it is a political system that is being tried – and used – by many formerly developing countries. South Africa is described as predominantly Christian. In such a context corruption is not to be expected. However, it is strongly prevalent. It undermines the values of both democracy and Christianity. Not only does corruption promote a general lack of trust in institutions and leadership, but it stimulates a perpetual culture of corruption that invades all spheres of life. The research is based on a qualitative empirical study. Its aim is to stimulate discourse in theology and related disciplines. Data were collected by means of interviews with political, business, church, and labour union managers and leaders in South Africa’s Gauteng area, who have experienced corruption. This area is the hub of economic, executive political and public office activities in South Africa. Respondents were specifically asked how their experience of corruption was informed by their norms, which in turn were influenced by their religious convictions and cultural conventions. The book suggests strategies for redressing the current ‘culture of corruption’. Although the chapters represent different perspectives, the shared objective is to emphasise that corruption is unethical, to describe and explain why it is taking place and how the situation should appear. The explanation focuses on the negative consequence of corruption: it does not respect human dignity – the ‘otherness’ of others; it exacerbates poverty; it weakens religious values and norms; it is not conducive to social cohesion in the country. The authors also share the theological premise that God is present in this world. In the kingdom of God, believers are encouraged to participate in the ‘clean-up’ process which includes combating the phenomenon of corruption. This book roots theological research and reflection in the real life of both believers and non-believers who consider a ‘clean’ world without corruption as an absolute necessity for a country characterised by the ideals of liberal democracy. The book will stimulate on-going transdisciplinary research focusing on unethical lifestyles, and it will also encourage church leaders to engage with managers in other spheres of society, such as politics and economics in order to counter the evil of corrupt practices. The research outcomes are relevant not only in the South African context, but also globally.

Corruption --- Political corruption --- Ethics --- Christianity and politics --- Moral and ethical aspects. --- Religious aspects --- Christianity. --- Christianity --- Church and politics --- Politics and Christianity --- Politics and the church --- Political science --- Deontology --- Ethics, Primitive --- Ethology --- Moral philosophy --- Morality --- Morals --- Philosophy, Moral --- Science, Moral --- Philosophy --- Values --- Boss rule --- Corruption (in politics) --- Graft in politics --- Malversation --- Political scandals --- Politics, Practical --- Misconduct in office --- Corrupt practices --- Political aspects --- corruption --- democratic context --- christian leaders --- countering corruption --- pastoral directives --- Ezekiel --- God --- Jesus --- South Africa

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Die Studie unterzieht die üblichen literarkritischen Prozeduren einer kritischen Sichtung, die Schwächen literarkritischer Argumentation im Alten Testament sichtbar macht. Mit einem an modernen Literaturtheorien orientierten Textverständnis und einem stilstatistischen Verfahren erkundet sie neue Wege für die Literarkritik. This study subjects the conventional processes of literary criticism to a critical analysis which shows up the weaknesses of arguments from literary criticism in the Old Testament. It explores new ways for literary criticism using a concept of text derived from modern literary theories together with statistical procedures for the examination of style.

Bible as literature --- Bible comme littérature --- Bijbel als literatuur --- 221.015 --- Oud Testament: literaire kritiek; authenticiteit; bronnenstudie; Formgeschiche; Traditionsgeschichte; Redaktionsgeschichte --- 221.015 Oud Testament: literaire kritiek; authenticiteit; bronnenstudie; Formgeschiche; Traditionsgeschichte; Redaktionsgeschichte --- Bible. Old Testament --- Language, style --- Criticism, interpretation, etc --- Hermeneutics --- Statistical methods --- Bible. O.T. Ezekiel --- Bible. O.T. Kings, 1st --- Bible. Old Testament. Jeremiah --- Bible. --- Criticism, interpretation, etc. --- Ezechiel (Buch). --- Jeremia (Buch). --- Könige (Buch), I. --- Literarkritik. --- Sprachstatistik. --- RELIGION / General. --- Antico Testamento --- Hebrew Bible --- Hebrew Scriptures --- Kitve-ḳodesh --- Miḳra --- Old Testament --- Palaia Diathēkē --- Pentateuch, Prophets, and Hagiographa --- Sean-Tiomna --- Stary Testament --- Tanakh --- Tawrāt --- Torah, Neviʼim, Ketuvim --- Torah, Neviʼim u-Khetuvim --- Velho Testamento