Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Christianity - comparative studies'

This dissertation is a qualitative study of how femininities are shaped by religion and culture. Since religion and culture is a very broad field, this study attempts to examine how femininities are shaped by notions of 'pollution' during menstruation and childbirth. These beliefs about pollution are thought to be part of religion and culture. This comparative study examines how beliefs on pollution differ in two groups of women namely Christian and Hindu women. The sample of women for this study was chosen purposefully using the snowball sampling technique. A sample of six Hindu and six Christian women who were relatively similar in terms of education and income was chosen from the Rylands/Athlone area in the Western Cape. The limited size and nature of this sample makes generalizations difficult. Individual interviews using in-depth, open-ended questions were conducted. The questions were aimed at providing insight into women's experiences of menstruation, menarche, sexual intercourse during menstruation and pregnancy, childbirth and the religious restrictions and taboos these experiences entailed. The aim was to describe women's subjective experiences of 'pollution'. The interviews were conducted in the homes of the women as this was likely to be an environment that respondents would feel comfortable in. Interviews were tape-recorded and then transcribed in order to present the findings in the respondent's own words as far as possible. It was found that Hindu women faced religious and cultural restrictions where menstruation was concerned. They did not light the lamp in their shrines at home or attend temple services until the cessation of menstruation whereupon a ritual bath was taken. During childbirth Hindu women were seen as being 'most polluted' during the first ten days after giving birth. This period of ritual impurity ended forty days after giving birth. During this time, all the women in this study did not leave the house, cook, attend temple or light the lamp as a result of this ' impure' state. After performing a ritual bath and shaving the newborn's hair, these women were reintroduced into the community. In contrast, the Christian women in this study did not face any religious or cultural restrictions during menstruation and childbirth. The Christian women were actually encouraged to attend church as soon as possible after giving birth. Beliefs about 'pollution' during menstruation and childbirth were analyzed using structural-functional theory. It was argued that 'pollution beliefs' serve various functions in society, mostly to ensure gender inferiority and male dominance. There were also differences in the Hindu and Christian respondent's views on marriage and the sex of their children. It was found that the women's experiences of menstruation and childbirth were shaped to a large extent by religion and culture. Femininities were linked to religion and culture as attitudes on 'pollution' stemming from culture affect the way women view themselves and their bodies.

Palestine is known as the birthplace of Christianity. However the Christian population of this land is relatively insignificant today, despite the continuing institutional legacy that the 19th century Western missionary focus on the region created. Palestinian Christians are often forced to employ politically astute as well as theologically radical means in their efforts to appear relevant within an increasingly Islamist-oriented society. My thesis focuses on two ecumenical Christian organisations within Palestine, the Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Centre in Jerusalem (headed by the Anglican cleric Naim Stifan Ateek) and Dar Annadwa Addawliyya (the International Centre of Bethlehem-ICB, directed by the Lutheran theologian Mitri Raheb). Based on my field work (consisting of an in-depth familiarisation with the two organisations in Palestine and interviews with their directors, office-staff and supporters worldwide, as well as data analyses based on an extensive literature review), I argue that the grassroots-oriented educational, humanitarian, cultural and contextual theological approach favoured by the ICB in Bethlehem is more relevant to the Palestinian situation, than the more sectarian and Western-oriented approach of the Sabeel Centre. These two groups are analysed primarily according to their theological-political approaches. One, (Sabeel), has sought to develop a critical Christian response to the Palestine-Israel conflict using the politico-theological tool of liberation theology, albeit with a strongly ecumenical Western-oriented focus, while the other (ICB), insists that its theological orientation draws primarily from the Levantine Christian (and in their particular case, the Palestinian Lutheran) context in which Christians in Israel-Palestine are placed. Raheb of the ICB has tried to develop a contextual theology that seeks to root the political and cultural development of the Palestinian people within their own Eastern Christian context and in light of their peculiarly restricted life under an Israeli occupation regime of over 40 years. In the process, I argue that the ICB has sought to be much more situationally relevant to the needs of the Palestinian people in the West Bank, given the employment, socio-cultural and humanitarian-health opportunities opened up by the practical-institution building efforts of this organisation in Bethlehem.

This thesis is a comparative study that focuses on the writings of an Oxford-trained Indian Christian theologian, priest and Bishop named A.J. Appasamy (1891-1975), and his theological interaction with the texts and tradition of the Srivaiṣṇava reformer Rāmānuja (1017-1137). For my doctrinal focus I have chosen to explore Appasamy’s four-fold Johannine application of the ‘Body of God’ analogy - the ‘Universe’, ‘Incarnation’, ‘Eucharist’ and ‘Church’ being his four divine embodiments. Post-Independence, Appasamy faced criticisms from expatriate theologians who described his theological project as ‘bold heresies’, a ‘synthesis of Christianity and Vedanta’ that has ‘shifted the axis’ from Christianity to ‘Hindu religion’. By following the leads in Appasamy writings back to his devotional tradition, I argue that such charges are, in fact, baseless and that his application of the analogy is rooted, rather, in the sacramental theology of his own Anglican tradition. To do so I demonstrate how his views on divine embodiment closely reflect the theological developments that took place in the first half of the last century between the time of Charles Gore and William Temple. Methodologically, I am arguing for the need to understand theological discourse as being semiotically and traditionally situated, embedded in mythic narrative and embodied in ritual practice. In doing so, however, I further argue that just as Appasamy’s detractors have failed to read him in the context of his devotional tradition, so, too, has Appasamy done with Rāmānuja. By reading Rāmānuja more as a Vedāntic philosophical theologian than as a sectarian practitioner, he has abstracted the Ācārya from his tradition - a tradition that is undoubtedly temple-based. On this basis I challenge Appasamy’s use of Rāmānuja’s terms and propose what I believe to be a better reading of John’s Gospel for future comparative interaction with the Srivaiṣṇava tradition.

Religion
Ph.D.
This study brings excerpts from the Acts of Thomas (Act 1.11-16 and Act 3.30-33) together with two Buddhist jātakas (Udaya Jātaka - #458 and Visavanta Jātaka -#69) to consider how stories might have been transmitted in the early centuries of the common era in a milieu of mercantile exchange on the Indian Ocean. The Acts of Thomas is a 3rd century CE Syriac Christian text concerned with the apostle Thomas proselytizing in India. The jātakas are popular didactic narratives with a pronounced oral dimension that purport to be accounts of the Buddha’s previous lives. Syriac Christians possessed knowledge about Indian religious practices linked to renunciation, and it is plausible that they adapted Buddhist jātakas to convey Christian ideas in the account of Thomas journeying to India and converting people there. Epigraphic evidence from the western Deccan in India attests to yavana, or Greek, patronage of Buddhist institutions in cosmopolitan settings where ideas and commodities circulated. Against the grain in scholarship on early Christianity that tends to privilege Latin and Greek sources, this project moves the lens of analysis eastward to consider Indian influence on early Christianity as expressed in the Acts of Thomas. A literary comparison of the texts under consideration with reference to the historical and cultural context of exchange reveals similar models of renunciant practices in Buddhism and Christianity that establishes new grounds for consideration of interconnectivity across ‘East’ and ‘West.’
Temple University--Theses

Background: This thesis aims to show that the narratives of the Nag Hammadi Apocalypse of Pauland First Apocalypse of James are written for a Valentinian audience. The purpose is to broaden the field of research on Valentinianism by showing how the authors and their implied readers composed and perceived the texts in question. Method: Comparing the mythological language of the two narratives and their description of a hero’s journey in a transcendent reality it is possible to disentangle the Valentinian material from the imaginative world of the reader, a world consisted of ancient Egyptian and Greek mythology as well as Jewish apocalypticism and early Christian legends and traditions. The texts are also compared with new research in the field, other related Valentinian scriptures, the New Testament, and Christian Apocrypha. Results: The texts are pseudepigraphic and written within a Jewish apocalyptic genre sometime during the late second or early third century. The symbolism and the diverse metaphors of the narratives indicate that the texts incorporate a specific soteriological message through embedded Valentinian mythology. The implied reader is to understand that the material world is an illusion and that the purpose of the initiate is to awaken the mind and acquire knowledge about the truth. By doing so the redemption of the believer’s spirit from its human body and soul leads to the spirits reunion with God. Conclusion: The analysis of the texts points toward the fact that the narratives could very well have been used for catechetical or other educational purposes within a Valentinian community. The language and form of the two narratives fit to serve this purpose. In many ways, the reader has to be initiated within a Valentinian context in order to grasp the intended message.

Godkännande datum 2019-06-10

This thesis is concerned with the hypothesis that an intellectual conversation between Christian and Hindu traditions on questions of aesthetic concern may not only prove mutually illuminating as such but also touch obliquely upon matters of religious and theological concern without exciting the defensive response often posed by more familiar strategies of inter-faith ‘dialogue'. It seeks to establish the existence of sufficient conditions for such a conversation within the respective traditions. The Introduction considers the relevant model of ‘conversation' distinguishing it from other forms of encounter between religious traditions. It proceeds by identifying three shared concerns: freedom and constraint, aesthetic experience and religious encounters, and the relationship between the material artwork and its significance. The first three chapters address them by examining various elements in Hindu traditions, including a detailed treatment of the Śilpaśāstras, a comprehensive consideration of the concept of rasa and its relation to religious experience, and an exploration of the role of the senses in scriptural traditions, the importance of Form and the value of the art object as a devotional aid. Finally it outlines the notion darśan, of seeing and being seen by a deity through a material image. The last three chapters address them by examining the work of Christian theologians including Dorothy Sayers on Art as Idea, exploring bequeathed traditions in iconography and the music of John Tavener, and expounding Tolkien's category of ‘sub-creation'. It considers the work of David Brown, Richard Viladesau, John Ruskin, Frank Burch Brown and Abraham Kuyper who span a putative spectrum of equating aesthetic and religious experience at one end and strictly demarcating between them at the other end. It explores the relationship of the physical art object with its spiritual significance in the work of Dorothy Sayers, John Carey, Rowan Williams, David Brown and Trevor Hart.

During June of 2015, an anthropological and sociological study was conducted in the Dominican city of Bani. On the surface, the banilejo people appear to be devout Catholics. However, having had access to their personal lives, it was evident that their peculiar family traditions and folklore hinted at their liminal identities. This study involved interviewing 23 female subjects with questions found in the Spanish and Portuguese inquisitorial manuals. In addition, their mitochondrial DNA sequences were analyzed and demonstrated a high percentage of consanguinity and inbreeding within Bani's population. The genetic analysis of their mitochondrial DNA yielded genetic links with Jewish women from worldwide Jewish communities. Victor Turner's communitas theory and Geertz's thick description were used as the methodology. Ultimately, the sociological and anthropological analysis of their way of life evidenced how their ancestors preserved Jewish identity covertly throughout the inquisition time period (1481-1834) and how they continue to perpetuate it in contemporary times through consanguinity, and the power of superstition and taboo.

Thesis (DTh)--Stellenbosch University, 2001
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The dissertation aims to establish to what extent the Old Testament could be interpreted from an African perspective, using the scapegoat sacrifice in Leviticus 16 and the Nefo'o ritual of the Bafut of Cameroon as relevant examples. Because sacrificial practice was a normal occurrence in the religions of the Israelites (Old Testament) and those of other nations - and African society in particular - questions are raised that require urgent answers, namely: Is it possible to identify any elements of sacrifice from the African background, and specifically the Nefo'o ritual of the Bafut of Cameroon, which may facilitate the theological interpretation and understanding of the Old Testament. The approach employed is a qualitative methodology with the sub-category of participant observation. We also used a socio-rhetorical interpretation approach to the Old Testament text of Leviticus 16. When the above-mentioned two rituals are compared, they portray aspects of both similarities and dissimilarities. The work has been divided into the following seven chapters: Chapter one introduces the topic through the identification and the development of the problem. Some concepts and keywords from the title are discussed in the contexts of the Bafut of Cameroon and ancient Israel. Chapter two provides the background to the Nefo'o ritual of the Bafut of Cameroon, tracing both the origins of the Bafut people and the Nefo'o ritual. The Bukari people, the aborigines of the tribe and the seat of the Nefo'o shrine are highlighted. Chapter three presents a survey of sacrifices in West Africa, the ancient Near East and Israel. Special attention is reserved to the sacrificial systems of the ancient Israelites. Chapter four gives a brief introduction to the Pentateuch with special treatment of the modern trends in the study of the pentateuchal sources and the theologies of the authors. This is to situate the book of Leviticus in the Pentateuch with which we are concerned. Chapter five presents an introduction to the book of Leviticus and examines its significance among the other pentateuchal books. Attention is given to certain recurrent theological themes in the book and its implication for Leviticus chapter 16. Chapter six provides a socio-rhetorical interpretation of the text of Leviticus 16, with special attention to the establishment of the Day of Atonement and the scapegoat sacrifice. Specific attention was paid to the significance of atonement in Lev. 16. Chapter seven compares the scapegoat sacrifice of Leviticus 16 and the Nefo'o ritual of the Bafut of Cameroon. This is followed by a theological interpretation of the Nefo'o ritual and a summary of the results and conclusions. African theologians - whose own cultures possess a great deal of ritual practices - have not given enough attention to a contextual interpretation of the Scriptures of the Old Testament. The biblical faith has to exist among African Traditional Religions and other cultural practices. Some contextual interpretation of the Scriptures of the Old Testament is being suggested. Such aspects as the Nefo'o shrine, which is situated in the midst of the Bafut community, could be seen to explain the Tent of Meeting among the Israelites. Other aspects include the priest, the community, the ancestors and the release of the live goat into the woods, bearing the sins of the people. Thus the Nefo'o ritual can be used as an analogy to explain the biblical understanding of atonement in an African context. Leviticus 16 is not only the centre of the book of Leviticus but also the centre of the Pentateuch (Torah). Atonement can also be seen to be the theological heart of the Old Testament and of the whole Bible. Thus it is crucial to communicate this in an African environment using all the hermenuetical tools available.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie dissertasie is daarop gemik om te bepaal tot watter mate die Ou Testament vanuit In Afrika-perspektief geinterpreteer kan word met gebruikmaking van die sondebokofferande, soos beskryf in Levitikus 16 en die Nefo'o ritueel van die Bafut bevolking van Kameroen as betrokke voorbeelde. Omdat die bring van offerandes normale praktyk in die godsdienste van die Israeliete (soos beskryf in die Ou Testament) en van ander nasies - en spesifiek van Afrika-gemeenskappe - is, ontlok dit vrae wat dringend beantwoord behoort te word. Is dit moontlik om daardie elemente van offerande vanuit In Afrika-perspektief - en spesifiek vanuit die oogpunt van die Nefo'o ritueeI van die Bafut van Kameroen - te identifiseer wat kan bydra tot die teologiese interpretasie en begrip van die Ou Testament? Die benadering wat gevolg word, is 'n kwalitatiewe metodologie, met die sub-kategorie van deelnemende waarneming. Ons het ook In sosio-retoriese interpretasie benadering tot die Ou Testamentiese teks van Levitikus 16 gevolg. Wanneer die bovermelde twee rituele met mekaar vergelyk word, openbaar hulle aspekte van sowel ooreenkomste as van verskille. Die werk is die volgende sewe hoofstukke verdeel: Hoofstuk een lei die onderwerp in deur die identifisering en die ontwikkeling van die probleem. Sekere begrippe vervat in die sleutelwoorde van die titel word bespreek in die kontekste van die Bafut van Kameroen en van anti eke Israel. Hoofstuk twee bied In agtergrond aan tot die Nefo'o ritueel van die Bafut bevolking van Kameroen, waarin die oorsprong van sowel die Bafut bevolking as van die Nefo'o ritueel nagegaan word. Die Bukari bevolking, wat die oorspronklike inwoners was en die setel van die Nefo'o altaar word beskrywe. Hoofstuk drie bevat In oorsig van offerandes in Wes-Afrika, die anti eke Nabye Ooste en Israel. Spesiale aandag word geskenk aan die offerande stelsels van die anti eke Israeliete. Hoofstuk vier is In kort inleiding tot die Pentateug, met spesiale verwysing na die moderne tendense in die studie van Pentateugverwante bronne en die teologiese uitgangspunte van die skrywers. Dit word gedoen om die posisie van die boek van Levitikus, waarmee ons bowenal gemoeid is, in die Pentateug te bepaal. Hoofstuk vyf bied In kort inleiding tot die boek van Levitikus en gaan sy betekenis na teen die agtergrond van die ander boeke Vall die Pentateug. Aandag word geskenk aan sekere herhalende teologiese temas in die boek en die implikasies daarvan vir Levitikus 16. Hoofstuk ses bevat 'n sosio-retoriese interpretasie van die inhoud van Levitikus 16, met spesiale verwysing na die instelling van die Versoendag en die offerande van die sondebok. Spesifieke aandag word geskenk aan die rol van boetedoening in Levitikus 16. Hoofstuk sewe vergelyk die sondebok offerande van Levitikus 16 en die Nefo'o ritueel van die Bafut van Kameroen. Dit word gevolg deur 'n teologiese interpretasie van die Nefo'o ritueel, 'n 'n opsomming van die praktyke en ook gevolgtrekkings. Afrika-teoloe, wie se eie kulture oor 'n ryke mate van rituele praktyke beskik, het tot dusver nie voldoende aandag aan 'n kontekstuele interpretasie van die Ou Testament geskenk nie. Die Bybelse geloof moet steeds in naasbestaan met die tradisionele Afrika-gelowe en ander kulturele praktyke staan. 'n Sekere kontekstuele interpretasie van die Ou Testamentiese geskrifte word aan die hand gedoen. Seker aspekte, soos die Nefo'o altaar, wat midde in die Bafut gemeenskap gelee is, kan met die ontmoetingstent van die Israeliete vergelyk word. Ander punte van ooreenkomste en verskille tussen die Bafut en die anti eke Israeliete, sluit in priesters, die gemeenskap, voorouers, en die vrylating in die woud van die lewendige bok wat die sondes van die bevolking dra. Dus kan die Nefo'o ritueel as 'n analogie vir die verduideliking van die Bybelse begrip van versoening in 'n Afrika-konteks aangewend word. Levitikus 16 is nie slegs die kern van die hele boek van Levitikus nie, maar inderdaad ook van die hele Pentateug (Torah). Versoening kan ook as die teologiese kern van die Ou Testament van die hele Bybel gereken word. Daarom is dit noodsaaklik om hierdie begrip in 'n Afrika-konteks te kan kommunikeer met die aanwending van aile beskikbare hermeneutiese hulpmiddele.

Thesis (MTh)--Stellenbosch University, 2000
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In South Africa and the rest of the world research is being conducted on the growth and decline of the Christian church and specific denominations. Most congregations keep record of their membership. These data are very useful. However national census data on religion, when available, bring a neutral dimension to the statistics. Census data in most cases provide the only reliable means of establishing religious affiliations of the population at a certain point in time or over a certain period. Since the 1911 national census respondents are being asked to state their religious affiliation. It is essential that the data of these censuses are available in a database. This basic data can then be used to make different combinations and do certain calculations. Different denominations can be combined into families to compare their percentage markets hare of the total population and of the Christian church. If all census data are made compatible with each other it is possible to establish trends over a longer period. When the Census '96 data was made available by Stats SA it was important to prepare the data so that it could be studied en compared with previous census data. This study attempts to do this. It seems that the biggest determining factor in the religious topography of South Africa is the religious shifts that happen amongst the Black population. The biggest percentage Christians belong to the mainline denominations while the Africa Independent Churches have the second most. To compare different denominations with one another over a longer period of time is a difficult task. Inconsistencies with which data are treated as well as the political instability in South Africa are two important factors that hamper the research. The fact that the question regarding religious affiliation was made optional since 1991 complicates the issue even further. The Christian church in South Africa grew from 1911 to 1980 and then started to decline. Membership of both the African Independent Churches and Pentecostal/Charismatic churches are growing. Since 1991 respondents who indicate that they have no religion are growing amongst all population groups.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Wereldwyd en spesifiek in Suid-Afrika word navorsing gedoen oor die groei- en kwyntendense van die kerk in die algemeen asook van verskillende denominasies. Meeste denominasies hou rekord van hulle eie lidmaatskap. Hierdie data is baie waardevol. Nasionale sensus data ten opsigte van geloof, aan die ander kant, bring 'n neutrale dimensie aan die statistiek. Sensus data verskaf dikwels die enigste betroubare inligting oor 'n bevolking se geloofsorientasie op 'n spesifieke stadium of oor 'n langer periode. In Suid-Afrika word sedert die 1911 sensus aan respondente gevra om, as deel van die vraelys, hulle geloofsaffiliasie te verskaf. Dit is dus essensieel dat hierdie data van die nasionale sensusse in 'n databasis beskikbaar sal wees. Die basiese data kan gebruik word om verskillende groeperings en berekenings te maak. Verskillende denominasies kan saam gegroepeer word en hulle persentasie markaandeel van die totale bevolking sowel as van die Christelike kerk kan met mekaar vergelyk word. Indien al die vorige sensusse se data op dieselfde manier verwerk word, kan vergelykings oor 'n langer termyn gemaak word ten einde tendense vas te stel. Toe die data van Sensus '96 beskikbaar word, moes dit verwerk word sodat dit enersyds opsigself bestudeer kan word en andersyds met vorige sensusse se data vergelyk kon word. Dit is wat hierdie studie poog om te doen: Om Sensus '96 se data ten opsigte van geloof te verwerk en te vergelyk met vorige nasionale sensusse se data. Dit blyk dat die grootste bepalende faktor in die godsdienstige topografie van Suid-Afrika die godsdienstige verskuiwinge van die Swart bevolking is. Die grootste persentasie Christene behoort aan die Gevestigde Kerke terwyl die Onafhanklike Afrika Kerke die tweede grootste aanhang geniet. Om verskillende denominasies met mekaar oor 'n langer peri ode te vergelyk, is geen rnaklike taak nie. Data wat nie konsekwent hanteer word nie en politieke onstabiliteit sedert die 1960's in Suid-Afrika is maar twee van die problerne. Die feit dat die vraag sedert 1991 opsioneel is, kornpliseer navorsing verder. Die Christelike Kerk het 'n periode van groei van 1911 tot 1980 beleef en daarna begin kwyn. Die lidmate van die Onafhanklike Afrika Kerke sowel as van die Pinkster/Charismatiese Kerke toon 'n stygende tendens. Sedert 1991 styg die respondente wat aangedui het dat hulle aan geen geloof behoort nie, onder al die bevolkingsgroepe.

The popularization of academic spaces that combine Buddhist philosophy with the literature of the Romantic period – a discipline I refer to as Buddhist Romantic Studies – have exposed the lack of scholarly attention Samuel Taylor Coleridge and The Rime of the Ancient Mariner have received within such studies. Validating Coleridge’s right to exist within Buddhist Romantic spheres, my thesis argues that Coleridge was cognizant of Buddhism through historical and textual encounters. To create a space for The Rime within Buddhist Romantic Studies, my thesis provides an interpretation of the poem that centers on the concept of prajna, or wisdom, as a vital tool for cultivating the mind. Focusing on prajna, I argue that the Mariner’s didactic story traces his cognitive voyage from ignorance to enlightenment. By examining The Rime within the framework of Buddhism, readers will also be able to grasp the importance of cultivating the mind and transcending ignorance.

This dissertation is a missiological evaluation of the challenges presented to Christian faith by reincarnation. Owing to the far-reaching theological implications of reincarnation, I have made use of an analytical grid to structure the research. It consists of seven sections, namely God, anthropology, ethics, hamartiology, soteriology, theodicy and history. This grid has been used to examine reincarnation as espoused in the Bhagavad-Gita (chapter 2) , as propounded by the well-known Hindu Swamis Vivekananda and Prabhupada (chapter 3) , and in the responses of four Christian theologians (Geddes MacGregor, John Hick, Vishal Mangalwadi and Edmond Robillard) to reincarnation (chapter 4) . There are many individuals within Western society who are attracted to reincarnation. My concern is to evaluate whether the Christian church can incorporate reincarnation in its religious worldview. In chapter 5, I give an evaluation of this question from a Reformed theological perspective.
Hierdie verhandeling is 'n missiologiese beoordeling van die uitdagings wat die leerstelling van reinkarnasie aan die Christelike geloof hied. As gevolg van die verreikende implikasies van reinkarnasie, gebruik ek 'n analitiese raamwerk om vorm te gee aan die· ondersoek. Hierdie raamwerk bestaan uit sewe onderafdelings, naamlik die beskouings oor God, mens, etiek, sonde, verlossing, teodisee en geskiedenis. Hierdie raamwerk word gebruik om die leerstelling van n!inkarnasie te ondersoek soos wat dit aan die orde kom in die Bhagavad-Gita (hoofstuk 2), in die geskrifte van die twee bekende Swamis Vivekananda en Prabhupada (hoofstuk 3) , en in die reaksies van vier Christenteoloe (Geddes MacGregor, John Hick, Vishal Mangalwadi en Edmond Robillard) op reinkarnasie (hoofstuk 4). Daar is heelwat mense in die Westerse samelewing wat aangetrokke is tot reinkarnasie. My vraagstelling is om te evalueer of die Christelike kerk re'inkarnasie in sy godsdienstige wereldbeeld kan opneem. In hoqfstuk 5, gee ek 'n beoordeling van hierdie vraag uit 'n Gereformeerde teologiese gesigspunt.
Christian,Spirituality, Church History and Missiology
M.Th. (Missiology)

In order to further explore the significance of McFague's thoughts, this thesis will compare her theology with some other theologians with quite different ideas on ecological theology or understandings of the relationship between feminism and Christianity. Furthermore, this thesis will also adopt McFague's approach to metaphorical theology to evaluate the merits and shortcomings of the theories advocated by the contemporary Sino-Christian theologians such as Liu Xiaofeng and He Guanghu, especially their approaches to the relationship between the Christian tradition and the contemporary Chinese context.
McFague believes that all Christians may have their own working theologies one that can actually function in their personal, professional, and public lives. Hers is merely one of the possible options. Again and again she expresses that what she has done is merely to share her theological model with the others and see if it can help others to work out their own.
McFague defines her theology as a post-modem theology because its assumptions are radically different from those of the Enlightenment or Modernity. For her, the traditional language of Christianity that supported the hierarchical, dualistic and deterministic ways of thinking is no longer appropriate for our time. However, this does not mean that one should totally deny the Christian tradition or our religious heritage. What we have to do is to "revitalize" the religious language through employing new metaphors which may become gestures to the unknown God. This approach of employing metaphor as a means to convey theological truth is not only in line with Jesus' own way of communication and the Protestant tradition of anti-idolatry, but also appropriate for the postmodern sensibility and capable to address the contemporary issues.
McFague proposes that Christian theology should adopt "mother," "lover," and "friend" as the key metaphors for the doctrine of God and "the body of God" as the central metaphor for the model of God-world relationship. This metaphor or model, which highlights the interdependence and unity between us and everything else on earth, represents McFague's rather distinctive contribution to ecological theology and her imaginative attempt to contribute to the rescue from nuclear nightmare or ecological disaster.
Sallie McFague (1933- ) is one of the most famous eco-feminist theologians. Her theology is very influential within the theological circle of liberal Protestantism in North American. She regards her metaphorical theology as thought experiment in response to the challenges Christianity encounters in the modem world, including particularly the criticisms of Christianity from the perspectives of feminist liberation movement and ecological concern. When facing these challenges or criticisms, whereas some Christians may attempt to repeat the same traditional expressions of Christianity or abandon the Christian tradition entirely, McFague attempts to employ some new metaphors to express the Christian tradition in order to make Christian theology meaningful and appropriate for the contemporary context.
The thesis will conclude with a summary of the significance of McFague's metaphorical theology for the critical reflection and positive construction of contemporary Sino-Christian theology, including: (1 ) being respectful to the Christian history and orthodox tradition; (2) being sensitive to the contexts, including spatial, temporal and cultural contexts, of theology; (3) being methodologically sound in theological thinking; (4) being open to the non-Christian resources and affirmative to the adoption and integration of the resources in the Chinese language.
高健群.
Advisers: Pan Chiu Lai; Chi Tim Lai.
Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 73-06, Section: A, page: .
Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2011.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 114-133).
Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web.
Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [201-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web.
Abstracts in Chinese and English.
Gao Jianqun.

This dissertation deals with Futurist Eschatologies in Africa and Europe: Pannenberg, Moltmann, Mbiti and Kato. It therefore engages with intercultural hermeneutics and theologies of different contexts. It is set on the premise that Christianity as worldwide community of believers depends on the reasoning from different cultures and contexts. The dissertation engages with the four theologians individually at first and then brings their positions into a dialogue. The individual engagement serves the purpose of determining the context of each of the theologians. The context is found in the biographies of Kato, Moltmann, Mbiti and Pannenberg. Even though the four theologians are born within a timespan of eleven years their life circumstances differ greatly. But the dissertation also engages with context referring to the way Mbiti, Kato, Pannenberg and Moltmann relate their eschatologies to the rest of their theology and how they determine the importance of eschatology for life in time. The dissertation furthermore compares the writings of the four theologians. Therefore, special attention is given to Hermeneutics, the understanding of time and certain eschatological topics such as death, resurrection and judgement. Similarities and differences in different approaches of the four theologians are described and analysed. In conclusion, the dissertation stresses the importance of theological context. The term theological context refers to the correlation between different perspectives of theology. The dissertation opts for an eschatology that is founded solidly in Christology.
Thesis (M.Th.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2008.

保羅和親鸞分別是基督宗教和淨土真宗的開創式人物，他們的思想為基督教神學和淨土理論的進一步發展奠定了基礎，拯救思想就是其中一個十分重要的方面。從某種程度上來說，宗教的終極關懷是讓世人從罪惡的現實社會中獲得拯救，不同的宗教對於實現拯救的途徑和拯救的結果有著不同的描述。對此，保羅和親鸞的拯救思想也主要是從這兩個方面展開的。儘管兩人處於不同的時代和社會背景當中，但是面對如何獲得拯救這樣同一個問題，兩人之間存在著很大的對話空間。因此，本文以保羅和親鸞的拯救思想為研究對象，嘗試進行有效的宗教對話。
從研究方法上看，本文採取的是文本研究與社會歷史研究相結合的方法，從宗教對話的角度入手，比較分析保羅和親鸞的拯救思想。也即是說，本文在分析保羅和親鸞具體文本內容的同時，也考察了兩人各自的社會歷史處境，從一個思想發展的動態過程中進行比較研究。
從具體內容上看，本文的主體由三大部分構成。
第一部分以“拯救的途徑為主題，重點分析保羅和親鸞對於信心這一概念的理解。在兩人的拯救思想中，信心是尤為重要的，被認為是獲得拯救的途徑。然而，在對於信心的來源和本質的理解以及信心與行為的關係等其他問題上，兩人也有各自不同的詮釋。從思想發展的角度來看，保羅和親鸞關於信心的思想都針對自身處境的需要，從不同的方面對於傳統信心理論進行了更新。
第二部分以“拯救的結果為主題，即保羅和親鸞期望達致的天國和淨土。首先分別概述保羅和親鸞對於天國和淨土概念的使用情況，然後從天國和淨土實現的時間、方式和對象等方面展開具體的比較。同時也發現，兩人對於天國和淨土的表達和詮釋有著各自獨特的理解和諸多創新之處，這也正是兩人對於傳統思想的一種繼承和發展。
第三部分重點考察拯救思想與社會場景之間的互動關係。通過前文的比較研究我們發現，保羅和親鸞的拯救思想是一個不斷更新和發展的過程。事實上，這個過程也是一種處境化的結果，與兩人各自的宗教經驗以及宗教社會處境有著密切的聯繫。保羅和親鸞拯救思想上的種種創新正是為了適應信仰群體和社會場景的需要而進行的變革，而這也對基督教和淨土真宗的持續發展起到了巨大的推動作用。
總的來說，本文不但從思想內容上對於保羅和親鸞的拯救思想進行比較研究，更重要的是，從思想發展的角度來看，本文將兩人拯救思想的發展與各自具體的生活場景相結合進行對話。由此發現，保羅和親鸞的拯救思想都經歷了拯救模式的轉變，而這種轉變從根本上來說是將信仰群體擴大化，實現普世的拯救。因此，通過本文的比較研究，也期望從宗教對話的角度豐富對於保羅和親鸞拯救思想的理解。
Religion involves having an ultimate concern, which is to achieve a condition of permanent well-being, salvation. Focusing on the concept of salvation advocated respectively by the Apostle Paul, one of the pioneers of Christianity and by Shinran, the founder of Jōdo Shinshū, in particular with their fundamental contribution to the development of Christian theology and the Pure Land theory, this cross-religious comparative study examines their teachings on the way of salvation and the results of salvation for the purpose of creating spaces for inter-religious encounter, understanding and dialogue.
Textual analysis and social-historical analysis are the methods used in this comparative study to explore the dynamics and transformations in the development of the Apostle Paul’s and Shinran’s concept of salvation, which involve a systematic close-reading of texts against the backdrop of their different social, historical and cultural values.
This study is divided into three parts. Part one focuses on the concept of “Faith. Both the Apostle Paul and Shinran preach the message that the salvation is through/by faith. However, they understand differently from each other regarding what sources of faith are, what faith is and what the relationship between faith and practice is. Indeed, the Apostle Paul’s and Shinran’s teachings on “Faith are born out of their personal circumstances in their social, historical and cultural contexts, which enrich and develop the concept of “Faith within and along their different religious traditions.
Part two reviews the two different results of salvation proposed by the Apostle Paul with “inheriting the Kingdom of God and by Shinran with “reborning in the Pure Land. I detail their differences in their usage of the terms of “the Kingdom of God and “the Pure Land and their discussions on how, when and who could finally achieve the salvation. I argue that both the Apostle Paul and Shinran further the development of Christian theology and the Pure Land theory with their specific explanations and understandings through inheritance and renovation.
Part three situates the Apostle Paul’s and Shinran’s concept of salvation in their own social, historical and cultural contexts. Indeed, the dynamics and transformations in the development of their concepts of salvation are closely related to their personal religious experiences and the social-religious backgrounds in which they were located. Their transformations and renovations instead satisfied the needs and values of their followers, and moreover, enhanced the development of Christian theology and the Pure Land theory.
This cross-religious comparative study is therefore an inter-religious dialogue by focusing on the analysis of the Apostle Paul’s and Shinran’s salvation with an emphasis on their theoretical developments against the backdrop of their specific social, historical, and cultural contexts. In fact, the Apostle Paul and Shinran increased followers with an offer of universal salvation with their theoretical transformations and renovations.
Detailed summary in vernacular field only.
Detailed summary in vernacular field only.
Detailed summary in vernacular field only.
Detailed summary in vernacular field only.
Detailed summary in vernacular field only.
Detailed summary in vernacular field only.
Detailed summary in vernacular field only.
陳曦.
Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2012.
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 138-151).
Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web.
Abstracts in Chinese and English.
Chen Xi.
中文摘要 --- p.I
Abstract --- p.III
致謝 --- p.V
Chapter 第一章 --- 緒論 --- p.1
Chapter 第一節 --- 研究解題 --- p.1
Chapter 第二節 --- 研究回顧 --- p.3
Chapter 第三節 --- 問題的提出 --- p.15
Chapter 第四節 --- 研究方法 --- p.16
Chapter 第五節 --- 資料選取與學術意義 --- p.20
Chapter 第二章 --- 拯救的途徑：信心 --- p.22
Chapter 第一節 --- 世人的困境 --- p.22
Chapter 1.1 --- 對於人的理解 --- p.22
Chapter 1.2 --- 對於世界的理解 --- p.25
Chapter 1.3 --- 小結 --- p.27
Chapter 第二節 --- 信心的內容 --- p.27
Chapter 2.1 --- 文本分析 --- p.27
Chapter 2.2 --- 信心的來源 --- p.41
Chapter 2.3 --- 信心的本質 --- p.42
Chapter 2.4 --- 信心和行為的關係 --- p.45
Chapter 2.5 --- 其他方面 --- p.60
Chapter 第三節 --- 信心的繼承和發展 --- p.62
Chapter 3.1 --- 保羅 --- p.62
Chapter 3.2 --- 親鸞 --- p.73
Chapter 第四節 --- 總結 --- p.79
Chapter 第三章 --- 拯救的結果：天國和淨土 --- p.81
Chapter 第一節 --- 世人被拯救 --- p.81
Chapter 1.1 --- 天國 --- p.82
Chapter 1.2 --- 淨土 --- p.83
Chapter 1.3 --- 小結 --- p.84
Chapter 第二節 --- 天國和淨土的內容 --- p.84
Chapter 2.1 --- 文本分析 --- p.84
Chapter 2.2 --- 時間上：現在或者將來 --- p.97
Chapter 2.3 --- 方式上：主動或者被動 --- p.98
Chapter 2.4 --- 對象上：善人或者惡人 --- p.99
Chapter 2.5 --- 其他方面 --- p.101
Chapter 第三節 --- 天國和淨土的繼承和發展 --- p.102
Chapter 3.1 --- 保羅 --- p.102
Chapter 3.2 --- 親鸞 --- p.106
Chapter 第四節 --- 總結 --- p.109
Chapter 第四章 --- 拯救思想與社會場景的互動關係 --- p.111
Chapter 第一節 --- 個人宗教信仰的轉變 --- p.111
Chapter 1.1 --- 保羅：從基督信仰的迫害者到傳揚者 --- p.111
Chapter 1.2 --- 親鸞：從天臺修行者到淨土信仰者 --- p.114
Chapter 1.3 --- 小結：宗教信仰的重新選擇 --- p.117
Chapter 第二節 --- 信仰群體的狀況 --- p.117
Chapter 2.1 --- 保羅：猶太人和外邦人 --- p.117
Chapter 2.2 --- 親鸞：僧侶和凡夫 --- p.120
Chapter 2.3 --- 小結：信仰群體擴大化 --- p.122
Chapter 第三節 --- 宗教社會處境 --- p.123
Chapter 3.1 --- 保羅：羅馬帝國統治時期 --- p.123
Chapter 3.2 --- 親鸞：日本社會轉型時期 --- p.126
Chapter 3.3 --- 小結：宗教社會生活中的罪惡 --- p.128
Chapter 第四節 --- 總結 --- p.128
Chapter 第五章 --- 結論 --- p.131
Chapter 第一節 --- 內容歸納 --- p.132
Chapter 第二節 --- 方法反思 --- p.135
參考書目 --- p.138
Chapter 一、 --- 有關保羅研究 --- p.138
Chapter 二、 --- 有關親鸞研究 --- p.145
Chapter 三、 --- 有關宗教比較研究 --- p.149

Detailed summary in vernacular field only.
Detailed summary in vernacular field only.
Detailed summary in vernacular field only.
As most of the attentions as well as criticisms to Radical Orthodoxy are focused on the theology of John Milbank, the possible existence of alternative voice(s) within the school of Radical Orthodoxy has been ignored. This thesis attempts to suggest that the theology of Graham Ward, though sharing similar theological sensibility with Milbank and other theologians identified as advocates of Radical Orthodoxy, is different from Milbank's theology in various ways. In order to have a better understanding of the varieties within Radical Orthodoxy as a theological program or school, and for its future development in postmodern context, Ward's theology deserves to be further explored.
Through contrasting the theologies of Ward and Milbank, this thesis argues that Ward's theology can avoid most of the criticisms of Milbank's theology and offers a better alternative within the framework of Radical Orthodoxy. Furthermore, in terms of future development of Radical Orthodoxy, as Ward's theology is more open and compatible with other disciplines, including particularly Cultural Studies, and other religious worldviews, it may be able to provide as a more persuasive and competitive Christian narrative than that of Milbank when engaging in public discourses in a pluralistic society and non-western context. In comparison with the theology of John Milbank, the theology of Graham Ward is arguably a more promising alternative way for the better development of Radical Orthodoxy.
本論文主要指出，對於激進正统的關注與評論，大部分皆集中於米爾班的激進正统神學，這明顯是無視於在激進正统的神學運動內，成員間在有著共同的感識下、也是有著多元的聲音。在這理解下，本文提倡以沃德的神學作為理解這神學運動內的多元聲音的起點，更重要是以此作為這神學運動在後現代處境中可進一步發展的方向。沃德的神學作為激進正统的殊途，不單提出一種非米爾班式的激進正统神學，更能避免種種對於米爾班式的激進正统神學的批判。
再者，就激進正统神學的未來發展而言，沃德的神學對於其他理論及宗教都較為開放並予以對話的空間，這尤令其作為一套走向公共領域，尤其在多元社會及非西方的文化處境中的故事，比米爾班式神學更有說服及競爭力。總結而言，本文討論並主張，作為激進正统神學內的殊途，沃德的神學是比米爾班式的激進正统神學會有更理想的發展。
李天鈞.
Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2012.
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 164-181).
Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web.
Abstracts in Chinese and English.
Li Tianjun.
導論 --- p.1-11
論文的結構
Chapter 第一章 --- 走出第三條路的後現代神學：「激進正統」的概論 --- p.12-49
Chapter 1. --- 「激進正統」的發展背景及對其研究的進路
Chapter 2. --- 「激進正統」神學所建構的宏大敘事
Chapter 3. --- 學界對「激進正統」的評論
小結
Chapter 第二章 --- 激進正統的殊途：沃德的神學 --- p.50-90
Chapter 1. --- 沃德神學的發展
Chapter 2. --- 沃德神學中的兩個主要關心的問題及當中相關的神學討論
Chapter 3. --- 沃德的「激進正统」神學：以城市作起點
Chapter 3.1 --- 從《上帝的諸城》作開始
Chapter 3.2 --- 城市對神學研究的重要性
Chapter 3.3 --- 沃德對城市的閱讀
Chapter 3.4 --- 沃德對城市作出的回應
Chapter 3.5 --- 沃德的城市神學對「激進正统」神學議程的論述
Chapter 3.6 --- 沃德在《上帝的諸城》之後的神學發展
小結
Chapter 第三章 --- 對沃德「激進正統」神學的延伸與發展的研究 --- p.91-135
Chapter 1. --- 結合文化研究之路
Chapter 1.1 --- 文化研究對文化理解的新觀點
Chapter 1.2 --- 神學與文化研究結合發展的概況
Chapter 1.3 --- 文化研究對神學研究的意義
Chapter 1.4 --- 神學研究對文化研究的意義
Chapter 2. --- 對處境神學的啟廸
Chapter 2.1 --- 史卓德的本土神學
Chapter 2.2 --- 史卓德本土神學中的處境分析
Chapter 2.3 --- 沃德理論中可作補足的研究成果
Chapter 3. --- 沃德神學發展中應考慮的方向：聖靈論
Chapter 3.1 --- 文化視界中的聖靈
Chapter 3.2 --- 聖靈的課題對神學與文化的互動上有何啟迪
小結
Chapter 第四章 --- 沃德與米爾班作為「激進正统」神學上的殊途 --- p.136-160
小結
總結 --- p.161-163
參考書目 --- p.164-181

Summaries in English and Afrikaans
Die verhoudings tussen Christene en Moslems word dikwels vertroebel deur wantroue, misverstand en kultuurverskille. Hierdie studie behandel gebed as 'n moontlike brug van begrip tussen Moslems en Christene. Die motivering vir die studie le egter dieper as die soeke na goeie wedersydse verhoudings. Dit vloei voort uit deelname aan die "God se sending" in die wereld. Hoofstuk 2 gee 'n noukeurige beskrywing van Moslemgebed (salat), deur te kyk na die oproep tot gebed, voorneme, wassing, gebedshoudings, asook die plek en rigting van gebed. Hoofstuk 3 bevat 'n Christelike interpretasie van Moslemgebed. Di t bestudeer die aanroep ("In die naam van God"), die Moslem-geloofsbelydenis en salat as ritueel. Hoofstuk 4 tref 'n vergelyking tussen die eerste Soerah (Al-Fatihah) en die "Onse Vader". Beide verskille en ooreenkomste word aangetoon. Hoofstuk 5 trek dan 'n paar missiologiese konklusies, met die klem op gebedshoudings en die verhouding tussen dialoog en getuienis.
Relations between Christians and Muslims have often been strained due to mistrust, misunderstanding and cultural differences. This study focuses on prayer as a possible bridge to mutual understanding between Muslims and Christians. However, the motivation for this study goes deeper than a search for good neighbourliness. It stems from participating in the ''mission of God" in society. Chapter 2 gives a detailed description of Muslim prayer (salat), looking at the call to prayer, intention, ablution, prayer postures, the place and the direction of salat. Chapter 3 contains a Christian interpretation of Muslim prayer. It examines the invocation ("In the name of God"), the Islamic Creed, and salat as ritual. Chapter 4 draws a comparison between the opening Surah (Al-Fatihah) and the Lord's Prayer. Both the common and distinguishing features are highlighted. Chapter 5 draws some missiological implications, focusing on prayer postures and the relationship between dialogue and witness.
Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology
M. Th. (Missiology)

The aim of this thesis is to compare the concept of sin in the theologies of Ellen G. White and Leonardo Boff. Chapter 1 examines Ellen G. White's concept of sin. White's historical and theological backgrounds coupled with her use of the "great controversy" motif provide a better grasp of her understanding of sin. White defines sin as the transgression of God's Law. She views sin to comprise at least two dimensions, namely, the individual and the social. White regards these two aspects of sin to have equal significance. White's detailed treatment of the sanctuary teaching also highlights the two dimensions of sin. In Chapter 2 Boff' s idea of sin is investigated. Boff' s historical background, which exposed him to the poor, influenced his perception of sin. Boff's theological background together with his familiarity with Karl Marx's social analysis prompted Boff to define sin as the negation of God's love in a human history bedevilled by class conflict. Boff views sin to have the individual and social dimensions. Yet, in terms of importance, Boff believes that the social dimension of sin is more consequential than the individual one. In Chapter 3 White's and Boff s views on sin are compared. From this comparison it is evident that both White and Boff recognize the bipolarity of sin. Both seem to agree that christians should take an active role in correcting social evils because love for God is manifested by how we relate to our neighbor. Boff devotes less space to the individual aspect of sin than White. Chapter 4 shows that White's theological tradition has a lot to learn from Boff and his tradition and also vice versa. An awareness of the current priestly ministry of Christ evident in White's theology could help Boff to bring some balance to his stance on the social and the individual dimension of sin. Boff' s use of Marx's social analysis should also help Seventh-day Adventists, the inheritors of White's theology, not to interpret White's theology of sin only along individualistic lines while overlooking its social dimension.
Philosophy, Practical & Systematic Theology
D.Th. (Systematic Theology)

The French Benedictine monk Henri Le Saux (Abhishikt.ananda) sought to establish an Indian Christian monasticism, emphasizing Hindu ad1•aitic experience. He understood advaita as both nondual and non-monistic. Using phenomenology and comparative philosophy. this thesis explores his understanding and experience of advaita, comparing it to both traditional Hinduism and neo-Vedanta, as well as to Christianity and Zen Buddhism. Abhishiktananda's description of his experience is examined in relation to perception, thinking, action. ontology and theology. Special attention is given Lo comparing the views of the Hindu sages RamaQa Maharshi and Gnanananda, both of whom influenced Abbishiktananda. Abhishiktananda believed that advaita must be directly experienced; this experience is beyond all words and concepts. He compares Christian apophatic mysticism and Hindu sannyiisa. This thesis examines his distinction between experience and thought in relation to recent philosophical discussions. Abhishiktananda radically reinterprets Christianity. His affirmation of both nonduality and non-monism was influenced by Christian Trinitarianism, interpreted as an emanation of the Many from the One. Jesus' experience of Sonship with the Father is an advaitic experience that is equally available to everyone. Abhishiktananda believes that the early Upanishads report a similar experience. A monistic interpretation of advaita only developed later with the "dialectics" of Shankara's disciples. In non-monistic advaita, the world is not an illusion. Using ideas derived from tantra and Kashmir Saivism, Abhishiktananda interprets mayii as the .fakti or power of Shiva. He compares .fakti to the Holy Spirit. Abhishiktananda distinguishes between a pure consciousness experience (nirvikalpa or kel•ala samudhi) and a return to the world of diversity in sahaja samiidhi. Ramar:ta and Gnanananda make a similar distinction. Sahaja samadhi is the state of the jf11anmukti, the one who is liberated while still in the body; it is an experience that is referred to in tantra and in Kashmir Saivi.\'m . Abhishiktananda never experienced nin•ikalpa samiidhi, but he did experience sahaja sam&lhi. The appendix provides one possible synthesis of Abhishiktananda's understanding of advaita using the ideas of C. G. Jung.
Religious Studies
Thesis (D.Litt. et Phil.)

Ancient Egypt has long been a place of intrigue and mystery, being held in high esteem during ancient times. In modern times ancient Egypt has once again risen to such a position with many ancient Egyptian-based symbols and iconology being used in modern culture since its birth in the renaissance. Three easily identifiable and commonly used symbols are identified: the ankh, sun-disk and Wadjet Eye. This study attempts to evaluate and explore the extent of the influence of ancient Egyptian symbols and iconography on modern culture as a whole. This is achieved through emic analysis and comparative studies, comparing the context of the original ancient Egyptian symbols (in terms of their symbolic form, origins and meanings/usage) to the modern usage of the same symbols. A comparison between the contexts and usage of these three symbols in ancient Egypt and modern society shows that they are part of a wider trend of “romanticising” ancient cultures to “enchant” our modern culture.
Old Testament and Ancient Near Eastern Studies
M.A. (Ancient Near Eastern Studies)

This project seeks to determine, to what extent the culture of early Israel (1250-1000 BC) is similar to African cultures, more specifically, to that of the Lemba. However, a comparison between the cultures of early Israel and those of certain African tribes is not the primary objective in this case. This project is neither an anthropological study nor does it intend to mainly focus on the Lemba as such -though this may appear to be the case. This endeavour primarily fits into the ambit of Old Testament Studies. The investigation into the Lemba is meant to be subsidiary to the point of contingence between their culture and Old Testament customs and traditions, and how this information affects the interpretation of the Old Testament and its teaching in Africa. A number of comparisons between the early Israelite religion as reflected in the Old Testament and the Lemba are drawn. Though the qualitative research (inductive approach) is employed in the field work, the greatest part of the data on religious perspectives and practices is mediated by the theory of a phenomenological approach as advocated by Ninian Smart on matters of experience, mythology, ritual, and ethical/judicial dimensions. Therefore, the approach is also deductive. The Lemba is a very specific group with claims about Israelite/Judaic origins. Their early departure from Israel (according to them ca 586 BC) can mean that there are remnants of a very ancient type oflsraelite religion, now valuable when juxtaposed to that of early Israel. This study takes Lemba traditions seriously, but finally does not verify or falsify Lemba claims - but the outcomes in this thesis may take this debate a step further. Their claims make them special and extremely interesting to study from the point of view of oral cultures. Their oral culture is constitutive of their world-view and self-understanding or identity. It incorporates the role of oral traditions, history and historiography and parallels are drawn between orality in early Israelite and Lemba religions. The reciprocity between orality and inscripturation of traditions, yielding valuable information on what may have happened in the developent of traditions in Israel, are also attended to in this project. Nevertheless, this project is primarily a search for the understanding and relevance of the Old Testament in Afiica and is, therefore, a selective and not an exhaustive comparison between the Lemba and early Israel. And so, taking cognisance of the hermeneutic of contextualisation in Africa in particular, a teaching module syllabus for Old Testament Studies is developed, of which the very strands of religion among the Lemba and early Israel are constitutive for teaching Old Testament Studies in present-day African cultures (and perhaps elsewhere).
Biblical and Ancient Studies
D. Litt. et Phil. (Biblical Studies)

This project seeks to determine, to what extent the culture of early Israel (1250-1000 BC) is similar to African cultures, more specifically, to that of the Lemba. However, a comparison between the cultures of early Israel and those of certain African tribes is not the primary objective in this case. This project is neither an anthropological study nor does it intend to mainly focus on the Lemba as such -though this may appear to be the case. This endeavour primarily fits into the ambit of Old Testament Studies. The investigation into the Lemba is meant to be subsidiary to the point of contingence between their culture and Old Testament customs and traditions, and how this information affects the interpretation of the Old Testament and its teaching in Africa. A number of comparisons between the early Israelite religion as reflected in the Old Testament and the Lemba are drawn. Though the qualitative research (inductive approach) is employed in the field work, the greatest part of the data on religious perspectives and practices is mediated by the theory of a phenomenological approach as advocated by Ninian Smart on matters of experience, mythology, ritual, and ethical/judicial dimensions. Therefore, the approach is also deductive. The Lemba is a very specific group with claims about Israelite/Judaic origins. Their early departure from Israel (according to them ca 586 BC) can mean that there are remnants of a very ancient type oflsraelite religion, now valuable when juxtaposed to that of early Israel. This study takes Lemba traditions seriously, but finally does not verify or falsify Lemba claims - but the outcomes in this thesis may take this debate a step further. Their claims make them special and extremely interesting to study from the point of view of oral cultures. Their oral culture is constitutive of their world-view and self-understanding or identity. It incorporates the role of oral traditions, history and historiography and parallels are drawn between orality in early Israelite and Lemba religions. The reciprocity between orality and inscripturation of traditions, yielding valuable information on what may have happened in the developent of traditions in Israel, are also attended to in this project. Nevertheless, this project is primarily a search for the understanding and relevance of the Old Testament in Afiica and is, therefore, a selective and not an exhaustive comparison between the Lemba and early Israel. And so, taking cognisance of the hermeneutic of contextualisation in Africa in particular, a teaching module syllabus for Old Testament Studies is developed, of which the very strands of religion among the Lemba and early Israel are constitutive for teaching Old Testament Studies in present-day African cultures (and perhaps elsewhere).
Biblical and Ancient Studies
D. Litt. et Phil. (Biblical Studies)

Text in Afrikaans
Die kerklike diens van genesing bet deur die geskiedenis uitgestaan as een van die aktiwiteite van die kerk van Jesus Christus wat vanwee verskillende redes voortdurend in die brandpunt was. Die afgelope dekades is gekenmerk deur die toename van gelowiges uit verskillende denominasies en groepe wat by die nadenke oor en beoefening van die diens van genesing in die kerk betrokke geraak bet. Die toename bet meegebring dat die kerklike diens van genesing op verskillende wyses (praktyke) beoefen is en dat verskillende redes as regverdiging daarvoor aangebied is. Onderliggend hieraan le bepaalde teoriee waarvan die beoefenaars soms bewus was, en soms nie. Die huidige navorsing ondersoek die teoriee en praxes van verskillende genesingsbedienings binne 'n bepaalde akademiese en kerklike raamwerk. In die verband is 'n vergelykende studie deur middel van 'n kwalitatiewe ondersoek na die werk van twee uiteenlopende instansies gedoen, naamlik die London Healing Mission ( wat onder toesig van die Anglikaanse kerk funksioneer en daarom 'n vaste tradisie bet), en die Vineyard Christian Fellowship van Boise, in die VSA, wat 'n jong gemeente is, en by die sogenaamde 'Third Wave' beweging inpas. Die teoriee en praktyk van elke bediening word in die studie ge!dentifiseer en met mekaar vergelyk. Uit hierdie vergelyking word verskillende gevolgtrekkings gemaak, onder andere oor die bestaansreg van die kerklike diens van genesing en die formaat wat dit behoort aan te neem. Sekere opmerkinge word op grond van die navorsingsresultate gemaak wat in die Pinkster, Charismatiese en Gerefonneerde kerke asook vir die kerk in die algemeen, van waarde kan wees. Die navorsingsresultate word gebruik om 'n bedieningsmodel vir die genesingsbediening in die kerk te ontwerp. Die ondersoek word afgesluit met aanbevelings met die oog op moontlike toekomstige navorsing.
Throughout history the healing ministry has been one of the outstanding activities of the church of Jesus Christ which remained continuously and for various reasons the focal point of attention. The past decades were characterized by an escalation of believers from different denominations and groups who became involved in the meditation and practicing of the healing ministry in the church. This escalation has resulted in the healing ministry being practiced in multiple ways and various reasons being given as justification for doing so. This was done in the presence of underlying theories of which the practitioners were either consciously or subconsciously aware or unaware of. The present research explores the theories and practices of the healing ministry within a particular academic and ecclesiastical context. A comparative study was undertaken by means of a qualitative investigation covering the work of two divergent institutions namely: The London Healing Mission (which is supervised by the Anglican Church and therefore has a specific tradition) and the Vineyard Christian Fellowship, Boise, USA, which is a 'new' congregation and fits in with the so called Third Wave movement. The theories and practices of both these ministries are identified and compared with one another. Various conclusions are reached through this comparison, referring amongst others to the healing ministry's right of existence and the format in which it should be practiced. Remarks that are being·made with regard to the results of the research should be of value to the Pentecostal, Charismatic and Reformed churches in particular, but to the Church in general as well. These results are also used to design a ministering model for the healing ministry. The study concludes with certain recommendations for possible future research.
Philosophy, Practical & Systematic Theology
Th. D. (Praktiese Teologie)