Auckland Park Theological Seminary Blog

The voice of the Church

Dr Pieter Oldewage / 0 Comments

The address given at the 2025 graduation ceremony of Auckland Park Theological Seminary.

My Journey from Non-religious to Pastoral Ministry

I was raised in an atheistic home without any exposure to the Bible or church life. Six months after my conversion, I applied to this seminary to pursue training as a full-time pastor. My application posed challenges for the screening committee due to my complete lack of biblical and church knowledge. Ultimately, my acceptance came with a clear caution: I was instructed to remain silent in class, listen attentively, and learn, mindful that I would represent God in pastoral ministry. This caution profoundly shaped my ministry and prompted a persistent self-reflection: Am I certain that what I proclaim truly represents Jesus Christ? Is the content of my preaching, teaching, and counselling congruent with the authentic voice of the Church? This led me on the path of enquiry in understanding what the voice of the Church is. By the voice of the Church, I do not mean the voice of any particular denomination but rather the voice of Jesus Christ—the voice of the Gospel.

The importance of our teaching at Auckland Park Theological Seminary and in the church of Jesus

Prof Kobus de Smidt / 0 Comments

In His last commission to His disciples, Jesus said: Mt. 28:19…

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations… teaching (didaskale) them to observe everything that I have commanded you…..”

Introduction

C.S. Lewis once wrote that there are two equal and opposite errors into which we can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe and feel an unhealthy interest in them. Both these perspectives can be dangerous. But Scott Hubbard says it is important to articulate that the church of Jesus, near and far, at home and abroad, is in a global war against the gates of hell. There is a battle for Christian minds, as Paul says in 2 Corinthians 4:4-6. Satan has “blinded the minds of the unbelieving” (v. 4), and he tries to put Christians in the “fog” whenever he can. I believe this fog begins to disappear significantly through our teaching when our students and their communities are transformed out of the spiritual darkness into the light of the new creation.

Ascension Day

Prof Kobus de Smidt / 4 Comments

A reflection on Revelation 12 (verses 5-6, 13-14)

5 And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.
6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.

13 And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.
14 And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent. (KJV)

1. Introduction: Struggle in our world

We should not be so surprised and upset about the never-ending struggle in our world and the turmoil across the globe. We should not be so worried about all the depressing and concerning news reports we see and hear every day.

Introducing: online “Preaching & Liturgy” short course

Dr Rene Hattingh-Rust / 4 Comments

In today’s world, with the rapid advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Biblical concept from 1 Corinthians 1:21 that God uses the “foolishness” of preaching to save believers may seem outdated. However, true Biblical preaching cannot be replicated by AI, despite some preachers relying on AI-generated sermons. Such reliance indicates a lack of understanding of the essence of preaching and the spiritual benefits it brings to the preacher.

Artificial Intelligence and the future of the pastor

Dr Rene Hattingh-Rust / 1 Comment

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly becoming one of the most disruptive technologies of all time, with the potential to changing life as we know it. This discussion aims to explore the profound impact AI is having on employment, society and human cognition. It will then look at the unique job that AI cannot take over—the role of a pastor as described in the Bible.

For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight

Dr Rene Hattingh-Rust / 0 Comments

“For the first time in the 400 years’ history of South Africa, our country does not have one single political block that forces its views on the rest of society” – Dr Frans Cronje.

The majority of all South African voters were happy with the initial formation of the GNU (government of national unity).

I think it is safe to say that neither the ANC nor the DA’s first choice was to enter into the GNU agreement. We have public statements that confirm this idea. I am pretty sure that each of them would have much preferred to have the majority vote so that they could govern South Africa on their own. But this privilege, the South African voter, did not give them.

The question now is: will they put their own preferences and ambitions aside and work together (as the moderate majority instructed them to do) for the good of our country?

The Christian and Politically correctness

The ATS Team / 1 Comment

Political correctness involves upholding basic human rights by ensuring that language, principles, values, and actions are not offensive, discriminatory, or dehumanizing to any specific culture or society. While these principles, norms, and values sometimes align with those of the Bible, they are not always in agreement and are often shaped by a particular elite group (not necessarily the majority) who attempt to impose their personal beliefs on society.

These opinions and values are often considered fairly “neutral,” as they are intended to be normative for everyone, regardless of race, gender, gender preference, religion, or belief systems within a specific society. They reflect a kind of “world spirit or attitude” and are inherently humanistic. The values of a certain elite—mainly because of their prominence in the media and entertainment world—determine what is deemed politically correct or incorrect, valid or invalid. This is primarily expressed through verbal or written communication, music, lifestyle, fashion, and various forms of broadcast media. Whether politically correct conduct aligns with Biblical teachings is generally seen as irrelevant.

2025 – The God Factor

The ATS Team / 0 Comments

As we leave the New Year’s festivities behind, we find ourselves facing a world that increasingly appears ‘crazy’ in many respects. The pace of change and its global scale are unprecedented in human history. Feeling overwhelmed by fear and anxiety is not an unreasonable reaction. From a rationalistic (relying solely on reason and knowledge) and mechanistic (viewing issues purely in physical terms) worldview, humanity seems to be in trouble. To borrow a Biblical metaphor, rationally it seems that “our boat is going to sink in the storm.”

A war against the truth of the Bible

Dr Rene Hattingh-Rust / 0 Comments

There is a war against the truth of the Bible. People resist the message of the Bible, and for years there has been a relentless battle against it.

Initially, the strategy was subtle, but it has escalated, and now it is evident that this is a war – a war to undermine the Bible. The well-known Jewish professor and best-selling author Yuval Noah Harari has even suggested that the Bible be rewritten by Artificial Intelligence. The assault on the Bible has become blatant, no longer hidden, but with “all guns blazing.”

The war is not merely about a book. It concerns Jesus Christ and our salvation through Him. Jesus is not just one of the messages of the Bible. If you think Christ-centred, then Jesus is the message of the Bible! If Jesus is removed from Scripture, the heart of the Bible is removed. The attack is on the Bible because it is precisely the Bible that brings us the core truth of Jesus.

Authority and Power in a power crazy world

The ATS Team / 0 Comments

People tell us that there are pastors who consult sangomas to help them obtain authority and power. We do not know if this is true. What we however have experienced ourselves is church-people who have tried to intimidate us by telling us how powerful and politically connected they are, so that we would give in to their demands.

Power and authority are important. Won’t you read, listen to, or watch Prof Möller’s address about authority and power of God in your life. It is a Christ-centered perspective with significant implications.

I trust you will enjoy this Biblical perspective especially in our power crazy world.