Reformed Theological College

ABSTRACTIntroductionThere is currently limited guidance on how to codesign digital mental health programs in collaboration with end‐users. As a result, common barriers often prevent codesign initiatives from achieving their full potential in enhancing the effectiveness of digital mental health supports. These barriers include the exclusion of end‐users from the early stages of design, a lack of attention to diversity in user experiences and needs, failure to use tools that facilitate creative and egalitarian collaboration, and prioritisation of usability over robust research methods. To address this gap, this article aims to present a novel conceptual framework, called ‘Design Mapping’, for developing digital mental health programs.MethodsThe Design Mapping framework was developed through a three‐stage process. First, industry experts were consulted, and a review of relevant literature was conducted to identify current best practices for user collaboration in product/service development. Second, the initial conceptual development framework was created, drawing on the strengths of different approaches. Third, the framework was applied to develop a novel early childhood parenting program (called ‘Active Play’), enabling the approach to be tested and refined.ResultsDesign Mapping is a three‐phase framework that integrates tools from Design Thinking that emphasise meaningful and creative user collaboration, within a robust and systematic methodology inspired by Intervention Mapping. The framework also considers factors pertinent when developing both mental health and digital support programs. Preliminary findings from pilot testing of the Active Play program suggest that Design Thinking may support the development of programs that are feasible, effective and engaging.ConclusionDesign Mapping offers a novel conceptual codesign methodology for developing robust, evidence‐based support programs that are responsive to diverse user needs and preferences. The next step is to evaluate its effectiveness in comparison to existing methodologies.Public ContributionThis article presents Design Mapping, a novel conceptual framework that offers a systematic approach to developing evidence‐based digital mental health programs, emphasising meaningful and creative collaboration with end‐users throughout. The primary aim of this article is to explore and address current limitations in codesign practices in the healthcare industry, consider best practice for user collaboration in the development of digital mental health programs, and provide clear and pragmatic descriptions of suggested methods, with sufficient detail to support real‐world utilisation. The Design Mapping framework was conceptualised, tested and refined via the development of a novel early‐childhood parenting support smartphone‐app, called ‘Daily Growth’ (Figure 2). End‐users were involved throughout the development of Daily Growth, from initial program inception through to prototype testing and refinement. This article presents an overview of the development of Daily Growth to illustrate the application of Design Mapping, with other publications providing an in‐depth account of the methodology.

The concept of zeal is a complex one in Scripture. It is often linked in the Old Testament to physical violence against those who opposed God and his covenant with Israel. This is the kind of zeal demonstrated by Saul the Pharisee in his persecution of the infant church. The zeal of Paul the apostle, on the other hand, had been transformed by the cruciform zeal of Christ. An appreciation of this transformation sheds new light on some exegetical cruxes in Paul’s writings. It also highlights key differences between the old and new covenants and between proper and misplaced religious zeal.

Prof. Dr Piet Geyser is participating in the research project, ‘Contextualized Reformed Theology in South Africa’, directed by Dr Andre Ungerer of the Reformed Theological College, Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria.

The discovery of a new homonin species called Homo naledi evoked unprecedented interest, even outside the scientific disciplines who are researching extinct homonin species. The reason for this is that Prof. Lee Berger, attached to the University of the Witwatersrand and his team, known as the Rising Star-expedition, came to the conclusion that the fossils that were discovered in the Dinaledi cave room in Sterkfontein outside Johannesburg in 2013, were placed there deliberately. The theory postulates the possibility of symbolic or ritual behaviour by a species that lived and later became extinct approximately 1 to 2 million years ago. If this is indeed the case, it also offers theologians the opportunity to join the conversation with regard to the evolvement of our spirituality and religiousness. This article is an attempt to render a contribution, with the data available to us, about the value of the prehistoric signs of spirituality with specific reference to the so-called cemetery theory. Together with this, other usable theories will be employed to consider the possible signs of ritual and symbolic behaviour by Homo naledi. The condition for a meaningful discussion about the evolvement of our spirituality and religiousness is that epistemological contours be clearly drawn. With the first part of the article these contours are drawn and with the second part the possible implications of the cemetery theory are reviewed.

No abstrac available.

In die Skriflig/In Luce Verbi is a theological and acclaimed Open Access journal that serves as the official journal of the Reformed Theological Society (Gereformeerde Teologiese Vereniging). It has a broad coverage that promotes multidisciplinary, religious and biblical aspects of studies in the international theological arena, aiming to further Reformational Theology on a scientific basis. It encourages research that challenges traditional discourses within and between the fields of biblical, religious, social and human sciences as well as the constructive engagement with the natural sciences where applicable. The editorial board welcomes discussion articles related to the promotion and furtherance of reformational theology. All contributions are refereed anonymously by at least three other scholars who are recognised as specialists in the particular field of study and the comments of the referees are held in high esteem. English, Afrikaans and Dutch are the general languages of publication and articles in German will also be considered.

This article focuses on the exposition of the first commandment in the Heidelberg Catechism (HC). Reconstructions of the original German and Latin texts are presented. Zacharias Ursinus, the primary author of the HC, was a student of Philipp Melanchthon in Wittenberg. Two important publications of Melanchthon have been revisited in search of the theological background and context behind the HC. Ursinus’ expositions of the first commandment in his Small and Large Catechisms, as well as some of the insights into his dogmatic lectures are explained in an effort to create a better understanding of the exposition of the HC.Die artikel fokus op die uitleg van die eerste gebod in die Heidelbergse Kategismus (HK). Rekonstruksies van die oorspronklike Duitse en Latynse tekste word voorgelê. Zacharias Ursinus, die primêre outeur van die HK, was ’n leerling van Philipp Melanchthon in Wittenberg. Twee belangrike publikasies van Melanchthon is nagevors in die soeke na die teologiese denkwêreld as agtergrond tot die HK. Ursinus se uitleg van die eerste gebod in sy Klein en Groot Kategismusse, asook sommige van die insigte wat in sy die dogmatieklesings vervat is, word verduidelik in ’n poging om ’n beter begrip van die uitleg van die HK teweeg te bring.

This article deals with Luther and Calvin’s efforts to preserve and promote church unity. Attention is given to their role as leaders of the reformational movement who self-evidently had to unite people from different countries. Special attention is given to Calvin’s ecumenical activities. Information is given about his letters, pastoral advice and mediation efforts. Short notes are also provided on their dogmatic explications for the unity of the church.