Experiential theology and spiritual desertion on the borders : the historical and theological contextualisation of the pioneer woman Hester Venter’s (c1750-c1830) Experiential Way to Conversion

摘要

Theological experience is a multi-facetted reality. In experiential theology the emphasis is on the resurrection of and communion with Christ. It is the acceptance of Christ to salvation and has both internal and external dimensions. As such it has a unique position in Reformational theology. Hester Venter’s Experiential Way to Conversion has significant value by illuminating the “Dopper”-trekboers’ puritan theology. Furthermore, it casts light on the national implications of this Reformed strand of theology at a key-phase of the “Dopper”-trekboer movement into the interior of Africa. The article argues that a contemporary value of Reformed theology is that it provides an alternative to the current growth of Eastern mysticism. Reformed pietism can serve as a legitimate theological experiment for adherents to the Reformed faith who strive to live from the faith.