Gereformeerde mistiek en die neerslag daarvan in piëtistiese ego-tekste van manlike gelowiges in die Suid-Afrikaanse pionierslewe

Résumé 0

The manifestation of Reformed mysticism in the pioneering communities of the South African interior was not limited to women-believers only. Although less frequent, Reformed mysticism contained in the pietistic ego-texts of male-believers also surfaced in early pioneering communities of South Africa. This essay considers the mystical ego-text of Francois Retief (1773-1838), the brother of Piet Retief who was massacred with other Voortrekkers by the Zulu king Dingaan in February 1838. Francois Retief's ego-text reflects typical elements of Jesus-centred bridal mysticism. Although it does not contain the radical features of bridal mysticism prevalent among women-believers on the frontier, it reflects intense levels of spiritual consciousness associated with the energetic levels of faith among Reformed believers under dire circumstances on the frontier.