Bøker av John W. de Gruchy

Kairos is used in the New Testament to signify a pivotal moment in history: a critical time of judgement and opportunity where chaos must be faced and one must change their ways before it becomes irreparable. Confronted by the Covid-19 pandemic and mandatory isolation, John de Gruchy felt a similar need to adapt and respond. In doing so, he found a deepening in his desire for authentic humanity, genuine community, and the opportunity affirm his conviction that true humanity is rooted in God, wisdom, and the struggle for justice.Mixing theology, history, anecdote, spirituality, social commentary, and practical suggestions, This Monastic Moment reflects on this period, and argues that now is the opportune time to embrace the opportunity God has given to receive the coming kingdom in greater fullness. This urgency echoes St Benedict of Nursiäs call to ¿listen¿, ¿wake up¿, and ¿run¿ while there is still light before ¿the darkness of death¿. With consideration given both to contemplation and action, to prayer and justice, de Gruchy¿s own personal pilgrimage provides the tools to embark upon, or aid, your own.

In this book, John W. de Gruchy explores the core questions Dietrich Bonhoeffer asked during his life and how each lead to further questions as part of an ongoing conversation with himself, with others, and with us today.

The title of this book comes from Matthew's Gospel: "You will hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that you are not alarmed; for this must take place, but the end is not yet. . . . There will be famines and earthquakes in various places: all this is but the beginning of the birth pangs." (24:6-8). This locates The End Is Not Yet within popular religious rhetoric about the "end time" and more sophisticated theological discourse on eschatology or Christian hope for a better world premised on faith in God. But is such faith still justified? And if so, how are we to describe and embody it in the life of the world? The framework of the book is the current global historical context with a particular focus on the West, and especially the political and social issues that have been highlighted by the election of Donald Trump. Among these are totalitarianism and democracy, right-wing nationalism, apocalypticism and patriotism, globalization and economic injustice, terrorism and warmongering, and political and prophetic leadership.

2009 is the 500th anniversary of the birth of Calvin, the Reformed theologian whose legacy has played such an important role in the shaping of modern South Africa. The popular understanding of him as grim moralist, proponent of predestination and a tyrannical God is a caricature, but one that does spring from aspects of Calvin's legacy. In this book, De Gruchy attempts to restate the Reformed tradition as a transforming force, one that opposed slavery and apartheid and that participated in the struggle for liberation and transformation in this country. De Gruchy considers Christian humanism to be an alternative to both Christian fundamentalism and secularism, as ""being a Christian is all about being truly human in common with the rest of humanity"", and has come to the conclusion that there is much to retrieve and celebrate in the Reformed tradition that is of importance for the ecumenical church and global society in the 21st century. The ""evangelical"" element in the title refers to the literal meaning of the word - ""good news"" - which is at the heart of being both Christian and human.

Reconciliation is a theme of major contemporary interest, especially in a world engaged in a "war on terror". John de Gruchy is wary of false or complacent notions of reconciliation and argues that reconciliation depends in the end on the restoration of justice.

Previously unpublished letters and essays presented in this volume that is key reading for students of Holocaust studies, as well as interfaith, social historical studies and theology.

John W. de Gruchy entangles the complex story of the South African church, reviewing its history of past divisions. present positions on social issues and reflecting on the church's significance for the future.

Despite Dietrich Bonhoeffers prior theological achievements and writings, it was his correspondence and notes from prison that electrified the postwar world six years after his death in 1945. The materials gathered and selected by his friend Eberhard Bethge in Letters and Papers from Prison not only brought Bonhoeffer to a wide and appreciative readership, especially in North America; they also introduced to a broad readership his novel and exciting ideas of religionless Christianity, his open and honest theological appraisal of Christian doctrines, and his sturdy faith in face of uncertainty and doubt.