عنوان

South African New Age Prophets:

LA126860

انگلیسی

South African New Age Prophets:

[Article]

Past and Present

H. Christina Steyn

Leiden

Brill

This article explores the visions, beliefs and prophecies of three remarkable South Africans. Johanna Brandt, Jan Smuts, and Joseph Busby espoused ideas that are central to New Age thought today. All three may be seen as Prophets': Brandt as the messenger of God who receives visions and is compelled to proclaim it to the nation; Smuts as the visionary with remarkable insight into the nature of reality; and Busby as the mouthpiece of an Ascended Master of the Spiritual Hierarchy who conveys important messages to the South African people. Brandt and Smuts were ahead of their time and their work was not at all well received by the local community. Brandt was eventually censored by her church and although Smuts was honoured in many circles for his statesmanship, his scientific theories with their metaphysical implications were spurned in this country. Busby, on the other hand, was not a particularly well-known person outside New Age circles, but he had a following among whom his work was welcomed and honoured. From this short review, it is clear that the central concepts of New Age philosophy have been taught in South Africa for many years and today it has penetrated the minds and beliefs of many South Africans. This article explores the visions, beliefs and prophecies of three remarkable South Africans. Johanna Brandt, Jan Smuts, and Joseph Busby espoused ideas that are central to New Age thought today. All three may be seen as Prophets': Brandt as the messenger of God who receives visions and is compelled to proclaim it to the nation; Smuts as the visionary with remarkable insight into the nature of reality; and Busby as the mouthpiece of an Ascended Master of the Spiritual Hierarchy who conveys important messages to the South African people. Brandt and Smuts were ahead of their time and their work was not at all well received by the local community. Brandt was eventually censored by her church and although Smuts was honoured in many circles for his statesmanship, his scientific theories with their metaphysical implications were spurned in this country. Busby, on the other hand, was not a particularly well-known person outside New Age circles, but he had a following among whom his work was welcomed and honoured. From this short review, it is clear that the central concepts of New Age philosophy have been taught in South Africa for many years and today it has penetrated the minds and beliefs of many South Africans.

2002

282-296

Religion and Theology

9/3-4

1574-3012

H. Christina Steyn

10.1163/157430102X00151

p

[Article]

275578

a

Y