Why minds are changed: an inquiry into the decisions by the Gereformeerde Kerke in Suid-Afrika (GKSA) on the role of women in the church

Abstract

Reading a text presupposes, at least to some extent, an attempt on the part of the reader to understand the text. This process is not always a smooth one, especially not when the text dates from a time and place very foreign to the reader. This article investigates one of the ways in which these “rough places”, that inevitably limits the understanding of an ancient text, can to some extent be overcome. It takes as point of departure a modern-day contribution to literary theory. This is placed within the framework of a discussion in the GKSA with regard to the role of women in the church. It is suggested that the continuation of an interpretative tradition depends on the interaction between such a tradition and society.