Abstract
M.A.
The problem addressed by the research is that Christians seem to be more threatened
by socio-religious change than other members of society. This has resulted in believers following the world in most instances instead of leading. Since some of the changes have socio-religious origins and/or implication, the situation may be rectified if the Church in the new South Africa will accept responsibility and commit itself to using every opportunity effectively by anticipating, initiating and managing change. Thus the task of this research is to understand from the book of Jonah, what the attitude of believers today should be towards socio-religious change. Analysis of the Book of Jonah by means of the socio-rhetorical approach of VK Robbins (1996) is employed. The aspects that were investigated were Social and Cultural Texture, Inner Texture and Sacred Texture. Particularism and universalism were respectively identified as the dominant and counter-culture of Israel in the postexilic era. The most basic social and cultural value influencing these cultures was honor while the religious attitudes towards life included conversionism,
introversionism, revolutionism and thaumaturgicalism. A pattern of Challenge-Response Contest was discovered through the progressive texture of Inner Texture. This contest mainly reflects Jonah's preoccupation with his honor in the face of a change required by God. By exploring the Sacred Texture, God and Jonah are characterized to disclose their attitudes particularly as they relate to socio-religious change. The present day socio-religious situation in South Africa was also analyzed on the basis of the relevant literature.
Jonah is characterized by inconsistency due to his preoccupation with his honor. He became disobedient to God, insensitive, indifferent and irresponsible. On the other hand, God is portrayed as being involved in all of life and even initiating, undertaking and enforcing a socio-religious change He wants to implement through the person He chooses. In implementing a change, He deals with our own lives, attitudes and conduct.
Jonah's honor compares to the human rights in our day, in the new South Africa. The Scriptural understanding of human rights implies a three-legged pot consisting of human dignity, human equality and human responsibility. Due to misconceptions and insufficient understanding of this concept the pursuit for human rights has often resulted in an increasing loss and damage to life and property. I, therefore, propose that believers take responsibility to help the general populace bring the balance, to broaden and deepen their understanding of human rights by first allowing God to deal with their individual lives, attitudes and 'conduct. They should anticipate change by seeking to progressively understand God; initiate it by developing a Christlike attitude of acceptance towards outgroups without condoning sin; and manage it by example in tolerance, by openness to learn from unbelievers and by being constant in prayer and hope in God. God's intention that a socio-religious change should always be to the benefit of those involved in it (the self and the other) and in relationship with God is a reality that can only be achieved as we follow his directives. The world could be a better place if the church would wake up and care for the "sleeping world" as God leads and guides.