ENDORSEMENTS
"FAITH: FULL CIRCLE is the fascinating life story of how and why the author cultivated an intense religious conviction and, slowly and hesitantly, grew out of that conviction again. Characteristics of a creative mind are at play here: an inquisitive nature and a persistent desire to explore limits and test boundaries. It could be seen as two stories, brilliantly interwoven as a métissage. The religious journey's full circle is completed and confirmed by thrilling evolutionary and scientific observations."
Antoinette le Roux, PhD
Wife of a former minister of the Dutch Reformed Church.
"A personal goal of enlightenment, a pursuit of knowledge to understand the human condition and reason for existence, is often left unexplored by the unquestioning nature of the Afrikaner. As the author traces his history and outlines his exploration of different ideas, he breaks with this Afrikaner tradition. In his search for the truth about his God and religion, he embraces personal growth, enthusiasm, and acceptance of his journey of self-exploration. He may be criticised for casting himself into another role as an atheist at the conclusion of the book. However, such criticism would be unfounded since he has left his unquestioning roots behind and has explored and acquired a role of his own choice. "
Maylene Swiegers, PhD
Academic.
"An Afrikaner recalls episodes in his life, questions and analyses doctrine and invokes thought. A thoroughly researched, lucid and fascinating read."
Mark Manthe, PhD
Academic.
"There are bags full of wisdom and humour in this narration."
Professor Izak Spangenberg, PhD
Emeritus Professor (Old Testament), University of South Africa.
"‘n Geloofwaardige reis van gelowige tot ateïs.
Dit verg moed om vanuit ‘n tradisionele, konserwatiewe Afrikaans-Christelike konteks as voorheen oortuigde, toegewyde Christen in die openbaar te verklaar dat jy die geloof agter jou gelaat het (kom ek noem dit by die naam: ‘n ateïs geword het). Maar dit verg meer as net blote moed – ‘n helder, deurdagte, intelligente insig in waarom jy daardie stap geneem het, is boonop noodsaaklik. Dit verwoord Bruwer Swanepoel by uitnemendheid in sy boek, Faith FULL CIRCLE – The Religious Journey of a Baby-boomer Afrikaner (2021).
Dit is veral sy eerlike worsteling wat tref – dit was nie ‘n maklike reis nie, en beslis nie aangenaam nie. Dit maak sy tog van gelowige tot ateïs meer geloofwaardig as enige iets anders. Op sy eie, unieke manier ontmasker hy, as nie-teoloog, op ‘n geloofwaardige manier die religieuse indoktrinasie wat kerke deur die eeue heen vervolmaak het en wat hom (en so baie ander mense soos hy) vir so lank mislei het.
Swanepoel se argumente is nie bloot uit die duim gesuig nie. Hy het behoorlik kennis geneem van wetenskaplike teorieë oor onder meer die oorsprong van die mens – en wend dit geloofwaardig aan om by sy slotsom uit te kom. Hy raak onder meer aan die vraag waar religie vandaan kom, en meld die (ongemaklike, vir gelowiges) feit dat religie nie die oorsprong van moraliteit is nie.
Sy uiteindelike gevolgtrekking, waarmee ek volmondig saamstem: “Daar is geen sin in die lewe nie – die sin wat daar is, is die sin wat jy aan jou lewe gee.”
‘n Bonus is die boeiende trant van sy storie – dit was moeilik om die boek neer te sit as iets anders my aandag geverg het. Hoe jammer tog dat die oorgrote meerderheid van Afrikaanse lesers nooit hierdie boek sal, of wil, lees nie. (In Engels geskryf, ja, maar verwoord as “Afrikaner”). ‘n Afrikaans-Christelike kokon is immers ‘n veilige oord om aan tergende vrae en uitdagings te ontkom..."
Johan Retief, PhD (Teologie)
Johan Retief is voormalige predikant van die NG Kerk en kerksake-verslaggewer by Die Burger. Hy verwerf sy doktorsgraad aan die Universiteit Stellenbosch. Johan is die outeur van Die Slegte Nuus van die Evangelie: My Reis na Verlossing, Naledi Uitgewers, 2022.
"A believable journey from born-again Christian to atheist.
It takes courage to publicly declare, as a formerly convinced and devout Christian in a traditional, conservative Afrikaans-Christian society, that you have left your faith behind (let me call it what it is: became an atheist). But it requires a great deal more than courage - a clear, deliberate, and intelligent understanding of why you took that step is essential. And this is articulated most eloquently by Bruwer Swanepoel in his book FAITH: FULL CIRCLE – The Religious Journey of a Baby-boomer Afrikaner (2021).
It is especially his honest struggle that is striking - it was not an easy journey and certainly not pleasant. That makes his journey from believer to atheist more believable than anything else. In his own unique way, as a non-theologian, he unmasks credibly the religious indoctrination that churches have perfected over the centuries and that has misled him (and so many other people like him) for so long.
Swanepoel's arguments are everything but sucked out of his thumb. He takes proper note of scientific theories about, among other things, the origin of man - and credibly applies them to reach his conclusion. Among other things, he touches on the question of the origins of religion and mentions the (uncomfortable, for believers) fact that religion is not the source of morality.
His ultimate conclusion, with which I wholeheartedly agree:
"There is no meaning/purpose in life - the meaning/purpose that there is, is the meaning/purpose you give to your life."
A bonus is the engaging and captivating nature of his story - it was difficult to put the book down when something else demanded my attention. It is a great pity that the vast majority of Afrikaans readers will never, or even want to, read this book. (Written in English, yes, but pronounced as "Afrikaner"). After all, an Afrikaans-Christian cocoon is a safe place to escape from teasing questions and challenges..."
Johan Retief, PhD (Theology)
A former minister of the Dutch Reformed Church and church affairs reporter at Die Burger.