TY  - BOOK
AU  - Singh, Lorraine
TI  - A Rhetorical Analysis of 1 Peter 2:11–17: Implications for Faithful Christian Educators under the National Policy on Religion and Education in South Africa
PY  - 2024///
CY  - Johannesburg
PB  - South African Theological Seminary
KW  - Education
KW  - Africa
KW  - Congresses
KW  - Christian moral exhortation
KW  - Christian educators
KW  - Sociological jurisprudence
N2  - The adaptation and acquiescence of religious beliefs in South African public schools has been a perpetual conundrum. In 2003, the National Policy on Religion and Education was published that endorsed religious diversity within public schools. The policy enhances cooperation between the state and religions. Notably, the policy does not allow educators to promote a particular religion or religious view points in the teaching and learning environment. This could serve as a hindrance to Christian educators from being faithful witnesses to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Furthermore, this research maintains that a rhetorical analysis of the ethos of Christian believers under potentially-hostile authority structures in a New Testament epistle, and in this instance 1 Peter 2:11–17, can unveil new avenues for further research that will provide helpful conduits that will advance in the interpretation and understanding of an ancient text. A noteworthy observation is that the alienation that modern-day believers encounter within an unbelieving society is not a novel quandary. First-century Jesus followers experienced ostracism and disparagement from the pagan society. The adherents of Jesus were maligned and persecuted because of their allegiance to Christ. The new found identity and the pledge of the Jesus movement to observe moral standards of the one God gave the impression that they were antisocial. The unbelieving society attempted to coerce the followers of Christ to return to a more acceptable culture and lifestyle. It was against this backdrop that Peter penned the epistle to counteract these tensions by exhorting the hearers to continue in their commitment and faith in Christ. Peter’s strategy is to shape the behaviour of the recipients by reminding them that their obedience to government authority emanates from their obedience to Jesus Christ since it is God’s will for Christian believers to do good and silence false accusations raised against them. The objective of this study is not to argue for the institutionalisation of Christianity in South African public schools, but to explore how Christian believers can make ancient transcripts relevant to faithful Christian teachers functioning under v unfavourable authority structures. It is evident that Peter presented his argument (1 Pet 2:11–17) by using Classical Greco-Roman rhetorical strategies to persuade his hearers to submit to civil authorities because it is pleasing unto the Lord. A rhetorical analysis of the text reveals that the followers of Christ in Peter’s world manoeuvred as outcasts in a hostile milieu where they suffered well and worked on a good rapport with outsiders, thereby giving them an opportunity to share about the hope that is within them. In Peter’s world, the adherents of Christ are instructed to live winsome and beautiful lives. Essentially, Peter commanded his hearers to live respectful and submissive lives in a slandering and unbelieving milieu, emphasising that governing authorities are appointed to maintain law and order. In analogy to what Peter instructs the Jesus followers in the first-century, faithful Christian educators under the National Policy of Religion and Education in South Africa are instructed to conduct themselves in gracious submission to governing authorities by obeying willingly, honouring all men, loving the brothers and sisters in Christ, and fearing God with awe and reverence. A noteworthy aspect is that Peter is anticipating that his hearers in the first-century and Christ adherents today, to suffer well, as παροίκους καὶ παρεπιδήμους in a world that rejects the message of Christ
ER  -