other information
Contact details:
Lisel Joubert [BA (hons); MA; BTh; DTh (US)]
Tel: 028 3880185
Cell/Sel: 0828504182
Email: lisel@kingsley.co.za
PO Box 491 Gansbaai 7220
introduction
To all who desire to deepen their knowledge of the Bible, those of you with inquiring
minds, those who have leadership roles in their congregations and parishes, to all who
seek greater understanding of some of the more challenging issues of our times.
The Caritas Bible School will begin in 2007, presenting courses in the Overstrand and
Overberg areas. The Caritas Bible School is interdenominational and will present courses
in English and Afrikaans.
Caritas Bible School aims to
- guide participants to integrate Biblical knowledge and theological understanding with their own daily living. This will be done from a sound and responsible theological basis.
- to teach participants about the Bible and the history of Christianity
- to teach participants guidelines for reading, interpreting and applying the Bible in their own social context.
- to offer a comfortable and safe space for interaction, growth and learning - to help participants grow in understanding of self and others.
- to guide participants in their own theological growth helping them to formulate their own opinions (to develop critical minds regarding some of the more difficult issues confronting us in the world around us and through the media).
- to prepare people who play leading roles in their congregation.
- to prepare and guide people who are responsible for the religious education of children.
- to provide a space where those who seek and question can explore the richness of our different faith traditions.
Why Caritas?
Thomas Aquinas, the medieval scholastic theologian, commented that one cannot do
theology without caritas. Caritas is the Latin word for "love", but as with the Greek
agape it has a much deeper meaning than the English word. It describes divine love,
compassion, an active commitment. In English the word charity is also used as a translation.
Another medieval scholar and mystic, Bernard of Clairvaux, saw the monastery as a place
where one learns how to become caritas, a goal motivated by the fact that God is caritas.
Caritas, therefore, describes the atmosphere in which teaching and learning ought to take
place. A space where a growing love for God and respect for each other can be nurtured
while studying God's Word and the history and traditions of Christianity.
"We are people from different backgrounds. The Caritas Bible School respects that
and would like to facilitate and nurture a growing understanding of the Bible,
Christian traditions and differences of views. Please feel free to participate,
query and ask questions, but in the atmosphere of respect, love and caritas."