Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Theological society'

A la suite de l'Incarnation du Fils de Dieu, l'Église, analogie du Corps mystique du Christ, est enracinée dans une géographie historique transitoire. C'est la foi professée par l'Eglise catholique romaine. Sa mission ne peut donc se restreindre aux réalités spirituelles entendues comme immatérielles. Si l'État a vocation première à assumer les réalités temporelles selon le plan divin, cela ne signifie pas que l'Église doive renoncer à sa part de responsabilité éthique et politique. Au service de la vocation ultime de l'être humain, c'est "l'homme considéré dans son unité et sa totalité" (Gaudium et Spes 3) que l'Eglise catholique aussi doit conduire au salut.La canonicité de l'engagement ecclésial dans les réalités temporelles affronte le pouvoir politique et sa tendance hégémonique à imposer une doctrine soit étatiste ou régalienne, soit séparatiste et parfois discriminatoire.Quels sont les arguments juridiques dont cette Église dispose pour justifier, devant son interlocuteur politique, d'une légitimité de prise de parole dans des domaines de la res publica qui relèvent premièrement de l'État et de ses structures ? Dans cette tâche, elle ne peut se présenter ni comme une institution associative, ni comme un simple lobby. Les XIXe et XXe siècles ont été le lieu d'un travail doctrinal et d'une expression magistérielle très riche en ce domaine. En rappelant son fondement divin dont la forme juridique prend celle d'une Société parfaite théologique, l'Église a affirmé un statut de société religieuse, la distinguant d'une puissance séculière de machine de prise de pouvoir, et définissant le proprium d'une parole d'éthique internationale. L'organisation canonique de la souveraineté vient, non d'une concession de la sphère profane, mais d'une volonté divine. L'Eglise se disant Société parfaite, ou encore société externe devant l'organisation internationale, ces notions sont nécessairement théologiques
Following the Incarnation of the son of God, the Church, analogy of mystical Body of Christ, is rooted in a transitional historical geography. This is the faith professed by the Roman Catholic Church. Its mission can not therefore be limited to spiritual realities understood as immaterial. If State has primary vocation to assume temporal realities according to the divine plan, that does not mean that the Church should give up its share of ethical and political responsability. Serving the ultimate vocation of human being it's "man seen in its unity and totality" (Gaudium et Spes 3) that the Church must also lead to salvation.Canonicity of the ecclesial commitment in temporal realities confronts political power and its hegemonic tendency to impose a doctrine either statist or regal, either separatist and sometimes discriminatory.What are legal arguments which the Church has to justify, before his political interlocutor, legitimacy of speaking in areas of "res publica" that fall firstly to the state and its structures ? In this task, it can occur either as an associative institution nor a simple lobby. The nineteenth and twentieth centuries were the scene of a doctrinal work and a magisterial speech rich in this area. Recalling its divine foundation which takes the legal form of a Theological perfect Society, the Church has affirmed the status of a religious society, distinguishing it from a secular machine to gain power and defining the proprium of an international ethics. The canonical organization of sovereignty is not a concession to the secular sphere, but a divine will. The Church is called perfect company or external company to the international organization, these concepts are necessarily theological

ABSTRACT This study centres on the activities of the African Pentecostal movement in Nigeria and its contribution to national development by bringing to light its perceived role in creating a better society and improved governance in the country between 1970 and 2016. The objectives of the study are to identify and critically evaluate the main socio-political and economic challenges confronting the Nigerian society, with particular emphasis on Southwestern Nigeria; assess the contributions of some Nigerian Pentecostal churches to the socio-political and economic well-being of the people of Southwestern Nigeria; examine Pentecostal churches’ motivation for participating in the delivery of social services in Southwestern Nigeria and the larger Nigerian society; and determine the challenges confronting Pentecostal churches as they undertake essential social services in addition to the spiritual activities that they are reputed for. Data were gathered through participant observation, interview sessions and the administration of questionnaire to pastors, members and non-members of three Pentecostal Churches namely: Redeemed Christian Church of God, Deeper Life Bible Church and the Living Faith Church. The research gives primacy to sociological analysis of African Pentecostalism in Southwestern Nigeria while at the same time understands the movement as an inevitable religious development. Secondary data was sourced from both published and unpublished research materials on Pentecostalism in Africa in general and Southwestern Nigeria in particular. The results revealed that there is positive contribution of the Pentecostal movement to the socio-political and economic lives of the people of the Southwestern Nigeria. Though not very significant, the contribution cannot be dismissed. The results also showed that Pentecostal churches partnered with the government to provide essential social services through the establishment of secondary schools and universities, the provision of social amenities like boreholes, repair of roads, rehabilitation of destitute persons, organising seminars on building a good family system, empowerment of youth and scholarship to less-privileged students in the society. The study further established that Pentecostal churches played economic roles through the provision of funds for small scale businesses, partnering with some micro-finance banks to provide loans for entrepreneurship, distribution of food items to the less-privileged in the communities, and connecting youths to gain employment in the society. Politically, the study revealed that the Pentecostals churches engage in the political system of the communities through engaging in public debates, encouraging their members to exercise their voting rights, and if led by God, seek for elective positions. These involvements of the Pentecostals informed the submission that the movement has positive impact in the lives of the people. The study concluded that the Church, especially the Pentecostal movement, can be relied upon to partner with the government in making life better, and there can only be significant transformation in the society with the involvement of the Church exemplified by the Pentecostal movement in Nigeria.
Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2017.
Science of Religion and Missiology
PhD
Unrestricted

In this study, I have focused on the process for an eventual reunification of North and South Korea. In this process, Korean political, economic, cultural and religious issues are necessarily present. My study focuses on cultural and religious factors. I adopt the German reunification as a case study. The German reunification process provides Koreans with lessons about the negative changes in the status of German women since the German reunification caused extreme instances of the loss of status and economic opportunity for women. German reunification shows that the unequal situation and systems in society were not only due to political positions. Strong religious factors deeply influenced the German mentality. A similar religion-factor is at work in North Korean society which is influenced by Confucianism and in South Korean society which is influenced by Confucianism and conservative Christianity. I argue that religion is one of the major factors in the political culture of Korea, and religion can either assist a fair and equal process for both women and men or it can in a biased way maintain a male-oriented form of reunification. Consequently, the cultural and religious factors in this process of reunification must include an equalization of women and men. This can only take place if Korean women are major participants in the entire reunification process. There is a serious need for a reunification theology which incorporate gender into Korean theology, thus providing a 'feminist reunification theology.' A 'feminist reunification theology' presents basic theological principles that will help build an egalitarian community. There are three important ways to include women's concern for true reunification: 1) The creation of an egalitarian community in work, family and society; 2) The restoration of humanity by healing love and forgiveness through the power of Cross; and 3) The need for religion to be reformed in which a women can be a co-leader in family, church and nation.

Jürgen Moltmann suggests that where liberal market welfare policies are introduced people with learning disabilities are disadvantaged, whereas Christian communities provide a more favourable environment. This hypothesis is investigated by assessing the social capital available to two groups of people with a learning disability. The members of one group are being supported to live independent lives as ‘citizen consumers.’ The second group are members of a Roman Catholic parish community supported by their families. The results suggest that both groups have few resources of bridging or linking capital. The second group have larger and richer resources of bonding capital which comes largely through family networks. They also had significant resources of spiritual capital but not religious capital. In the light of the results, a theological critique is undertaken of some aspects of contemporary social policy and consumer culture. A distinction is made between human relationships as transactions and as gifts. Insights from the theology of gift relationships are offered. The question is raised whether it is appropriate to consider gift relationships as a form of capital and Churches as a form of social capital. Liturgy is considered as a form of liberative praxis.

This thesis contends that the image of fire is a multivalent and theologically valuable image for application in British Christian communities. My research offers an original contribution by contextualising the image of fire for Christian practice in Britain, and combining critical observation of several contemporary fire rites with theological analysis. In addition, I conduct original case studies of three Scottish fire rituals: the Stonehaven Fireball Ceremony, the Beltane Fire Festival, and Up-Helly-Aa in Lerwick, Shetland. The potential contribution of fire imagery to Christian practice has been overlooked by modern theological scholarship, social anthropologists, and Christian practitioners. Since the multivalence of the image has not been fully recognised, fire imagery has often been reduced to a binary of ‘positive' and ‘negative' associations. Through my study of non-faith fire rituals and existing Christian fire practices, I explore the interplay between multivalence, multiplicity, and liminality in fire imagery. I demonstrate that deeper theological engagement with the image of fire can enhance participation, transformation, and reflection in transitional ritual experience. I argue that engaging with the multivalence of the image of fire could allow faith communities to move beyond dominant interpretive frameworks and apply the image within their own specific context. First, I orientate the discussion by examining the multivalence of biblical fire imagery and establishing the character of fire within the British social imagination. Second, I use critical observation of community fire practices in non-faith contexts to build a new contextual framework for the analysis of fire imagery. Finally, I apply my findings to a contextual analysis of existing Christian fire practices in Britain. Throughout, I argue that sensory and imaginative interaction with the image of fire provides a way to communicate and interact with theological ideas; experience personal and communal change; and mediate experience of the sacred.

This thesis aims to examine the Fellowship of St Alban and St Sergius, an ecumenical body that promotes relations between various Christian denominations. Despite being founded on the grounds to promote relations and dialogue between the Anglicans and the Orthodox, it has widened this scope, introducing new churches in its life, conferences, publications and history. In the first and second chapters of this thesis the first eighty five years (1927-2012) of its history are explored, identifying the Society’s strengths and weaknesses in achieving its objectives, whilst studying its theological approaches to the reunion work, understanding that this body has been a progressive fellowship, theologically and ecclesiastically. The third chapter investigates the life and the theological, philosophical and historical views of Nicolas Zernov, who had as a life goal to foster relations between the churches, whilst also promoting Orthodox and Russian topics to a Western audience. The final chapter examines two themes by two important members of the Fellowship, Metropolitan Kallistos of Diokleia’s ideas on deaconesses and women priests and former Anglican Archbishop Rowan Williams’ views on icons. These two topics are interesting and current for the continuation of the relations between the Orthodox Church and the Anglican Communion, trying to further understand each other in order to eventually achieve what many in the Fellowship profess and what the Bible promotes, ‘that they all may be one’ (John 17:21). The conclusion of the thesis assesses the work of the Fellowship, whilst also looking into the post 2012 objectives and achievements of the Fellowship and the future goals of the Society. Therefore, this paper is a quest for truth, a quest for theology and a quest for unity.

In May 1856 the EFS (the Swedish Evangelical Mission Society), influenced by the new evangelism-movement, was established as an “internal mission” within the Church of Sweden. During the same period the “new evangelism” revival movement established regional organizations in order to coordinate the movement in different parts of the country. These regional organizations consisted of the movement’s local mission societies in a province or part of a province of Sweden. This study will focus on democracy and theological identity in the EFS through an analysis of how the regional organizations acted, what role they played, how the EFS was influenced by them and how the EFS decided to establish its own regional organization. One result of the earlier tensions between the regional mission organizations and the EFS was the establishment of the independent organizations Mission Covenant Church of Sweden (Svenska Missionsförbundet) (1878-) and Mission Society of Bible faithful Friends (Missionssällskapet Bibeltrogna Vänner) (1911-). This investigation looks into 17 of 36 regional mission organizations that existed. The time frame of the investigation is from the establishment of the EFS in 1856 to the establishment of the regional structure of the EFS in 1922. The EFS changed over time. The change of society and wishes from the movement’s local mission societies and regional mission organizations were agents in this transformation. An important result of this research is that this transformation of the EFS proceeded at a slow pace and with the preservation of the EFS’s theological identity.

This dissertation deals with the encounter between Lutheran orthodoxy and conservative pietism 1720–1730. The aim has been to compare their views on society and man.

In the pietistic conflict, orthodoxy gave rise to attitudes which proved to be key to its view on society and man. It was a deeply rooted traditionalism, patriarchal order of society, demand for confessional uniformity and a corporativistic view on society. The above mentioned contained a specific view on the relationship between the church, state and individual. By using the Organism Metaphor, i.e. society depicted as a body, orthodoxy made visible the church’s collective unity. This body was also identical to the Swedish kingdom. If uniformity in faith and ceremonies was to be dissolved, it implied a disintegration of the social body and breaking of the bonds which held together both church and country. Uniformity was upheld through confessionalism and the partiarchal order of the church. The priests’ monopoly on official functions, and the legal calling created a barrier protecting this relationship to power. Where the views on society and man intersected, one specific theme can be identified – conscience. This spiritual function connected man to law, society’s patriarchal order and God.

I have emphasised five distinct traits of pietism: its polarizing tendencies, strong emotionalism, its reformist attitude towards church and social life, its egalitarianism and religious individualism. All of these traits collided with orthodoxy’s view on society and man. Pietism can be described as a massive christianization project, which included moral and ethic education of the people on an individual and collective level. Where pietism and religious individualism coincided with egalitarianism, a new discourse for conscience was established, where conscience became both an internal court of law – with God acting as judge – and a spiritual authority whose integrity grew in proportion to authority and church.

Le champ disciplinaire qui occupe cette recherche est l'anthropologie théologique dans l'œuvre de Gérard Siegwalt et la question de l'identité humaine, plus particulièrement ses moyens de vie, moyens au sens moral et existentiel. Cette question repose sur la problématique suivante : a priori, on ne naît pas humain, on le devient. L'identité humaine ne se découvre qu'après un cheminement intellectuel, spirituel, parfois douloureux, résumé dans l'œuvre de Gérard Siegwalt par la notion de " mourir pour devenir ". Dans cette thèse, nous essayons d'analyser l'angle sous lequel Siegwalt développe son anthropologie. Nous voulons voir en particulier dans quelle mesure il reprend le schéma développé par Luther : " simul peccator, simul justus, semper penitens ". Une fois ce schéma mis en évidence dans l'anthropologie siegwaltienne, nous essayons de voir comment il l'applique ou l'actualise. Cette actualisation implique l'utilisation de la méthode de corrélation, méthode reprise au théologien Paul Tillich. Siegwalt estime que la théologie doit travailler en dialogue avec les autres disciplines et il essaye d'établir un système qui est à la fois compte rendu de la foi chrétienne et analyse du vécu humain.L'anthropologie de Siegwalt se veut à la fois sapientiale (dans la mesure où elle se concentre sur la réalité de la vie humaine en invoquant le large éventail que constituent les sciences humaines ainsi que les sciences dures) et prophétique (dans la mesure où Siegwalt part de la révélation biblique pour répondre aux grandes questions existentielles de l'être humain).En partant de là, nous pouvons dégager un plan en trois parties : un premier chapitre sur la question de la réalité de la vie humaine (à savoir la vie humaine dans le monde et devant le monde) qui se traduit en termes d'aporie, d'ouverture et de devenir, un second chapitre sur la question de la vérité de la vie humaine (à savoir la vie humaine devant Dieu) qui se traduit en terme de péché, de rédemption et de " pénitence " et enfin une troisième partie où nous tenterons de voir où se situe la méthode de Gérard Siegwalt par rapport à la question de la nature et de la grâce.

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD
The relationship between church and state in the history of the Kingdom of Lesotho is an important yet neglected study. This thesis explores how this relationship has played itself out with particular interest in contributions made by Catholic and Reformed traditions. These particular approaches to Church and State relations are of particular interest because of the closeness of both churches to the state in Lesotho during different eras and how they influenced the politics and shaped the history of Lesotho as a country. Sesotho culture and tradition versus western tradition and Christianity also comes under the microscope as investigation into the effects of Christianity and Culture. To accomplish the aims of the thesis, viz. a survey of the history of church and state from the time of King Moshoeshoe until the newest situation of an emerging democracy under the monarchy, with conclusions about the road into the future, a literature survey of Lesotho’s history from 1833-2007 has been used. The thesis also places the history of the church in Lesotho within the “mainstream history” of Lesotho as a country. A comparison of traditional approaches to church and state relationships from leading Catholic and Reformed theologians and an assessment of how they played out in the history of Lesotho if they were applied at all. Furthermore, the thesis suggests a new way in which the Church and State can work together in the future so that mistakes of the past do not hinder either party from actively staying relevant and unhindered by the other in carrying out its duties.

This dissertation presents a practical theological evaluation of Bible study materials which incorporate the video medium as part of their package. I begin by establishing a focus of practical theology which emphasises the importance of the development of an active reflective sojourning of the practical theologian. I conclude that:

Practical theology is concerned with establishing and cultivating the rhythm of action and reflection within the experience of the Christian community of faith. This is a process of listening to the Word of God and discerning to address the community of faith through proposing change, with all these tasks operating within a current context of the Christian faith and for the purpose of maintaining and perfecting the Christian community.

Following this, I present the established rhythm of action and reflection by drawing on a narrative of my experience and arrive at a perceived problem with the current development of Bible study materials that incorporate the video medium. The following thesis is proposed:

The Church has a responsibility to train and equip believers within the context of the relational community interacting with the Word of God so the community may grow in discernment and maturity. The Church has, and continues, to utilise different media to provide teaching and training on a mass scale. The current products being developed as Bible study materials (especially those incorporating the video medium) are failing to meet this responsibility.

From this position the study then presents a continuing sojourning through a theoretical and empirical investigation to explore the validity of the thesis and cultivate further my active reflection. The theoretical investigation provides three complimentary perspectives for evaluation: Cultural Value Systems; Communication Theories; and Pedagogical Approaches. The empirical exploration includes a Qualitative Document Analysis of the Bible Study Products which is supplemented by Qualitative Interviews of small group leaders from a local church setting. In conclusion, the thesis is re-evaluated against the outcomes of the study and a proposed change is presented for the purpose of maintaining and perfecting the Christian community. This draws attention to the tension between established cultures and the introduction of new technologies; the importance of a production focussed informed by a theology of small groups; the need for new media to be continually evaluated in their utilisation; and the need to recognise the dominant ‘message’ communicated by the combination of content and the medium. A closing narrative reflection of my experience is also included to illustrate the ongoing cultivation of the rhythm of action and reflection which this study has encouraged. Copyright
Dissertation (MA(Theol))--University of Pretoria, 2013.
Practical Theology
unrestricted

Text in English
With the start of democracy in South Africa and the end of the legal Apartheid rule, it became apparent to those who identified the church with the liberation struggle that Christian communities had lost their significance in society today. This feeling, although not popular among theologians, became widely held by those who thought that we had arrived politically. This feeling was also supported by views which felt that democracy was the ultimate human form of governance. In this light, it is conceivable for churches to abandon the struggle because of the irrelevance of agitating a form of government that is affirmed and celebrated globally. Also, it became justified to abandon the struggle, if indeed the struggle was against Apartheid, because the enemy had been defeated. Consequently, this meant a withdrawal from siding with those whose rights were marginalised. Such an abrupt withdrawal from championing the rights of those who are marginalised (especially as displayed by the church during the Apartheid era) also raises many concerns pertaining to the role that the churches ought to be playing in the current democratic dispensation. It is also conceivable that the initiative to struggle against Apartheid was motivated only by the fact that the Apartheid regime was unjust and that it discriminated against certain groups of South African citizens. The attainment of liberation in South Africa has plunged churches into an illusion that democratic states are capable of good governance and that when such a government exists, churches can safely concern themselves with their primary ecclesiastical duties—of preaching the Word of God and administering the sacraments and leave the socio-economic and political affairs to those who are governing. It seems that this view is especially prevalent among the constituency of the church that brought forward a theological confession against the theological legitimacy granted to the Apartheid ideology. To unapologetically declare its association with those on the margins, and to defy Apartheid for the evil that it was, this church brought about the Belhar Confession as proof of its allegiance to those on the margins. This study shall confine itself to the realm of the Christian community. It will look to the historicity of the URCSA precisely because it has been bold enough to pen a confession that chastised Apartheid.
Philosophy & Systematic Theology
D. Th. (Theological ethics)

God is ontologically omni-present, yet he is spoken of as being present or even being absent. The presence and the absence of God are relational concepts. His presence generally shows his favor and is for the benefit of his people; and his absence indicates his disfavor. But sometimes his presence was for judgment too. The people of God are his people precisely because he is favorably present with them. God’s presence with his people bestows upon them a special position in relation to him, and a blessed future for them. God is Spirit, and his presence is not limited to visible forms. Many times God’s presence is simply indicated by divine speech. We have seen that God chose at times to reveal himself through theophanies, and these appearances related to humans in different ways. God’s presence in Exodus comes in various ways, and his presence has particular significance. Finally, God revealed himself in the person of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. For the Christian, Christ dwells with us and within us by his Spirit and through him we have access to the Father (Eph.1:18). The presence of God is redemptive. Israel was redeemed by the present God, Yahweh; and the Christian has been redeemed by the present God, the Lord Jesus Christ. As Evangelicals we believe that they are one and the same person, and the method of redemption is metaphorically equated in the New Testament. The Christian is empowered by the Holy Spirit and a new creation; two inseparable concepts that give us our identity. While Israel was redeemed as a nation, we are a redeemed people who are individually united in the Church of Jesus Christ; and in our local assemblies we are to maintain and reflect our unity by being a community. As Israel was a nation for the nations, so the Church is a community of witnesses to God’s righteousness and rule for the nations. Humans are to relate to God as Creator and as Redeemer, because they are accountable to him according to his creation and redemption (or re-creation) principles. Accountability is meaningful only in an ethical context. Man relates to God by acts of obedience to his creation and redemption principles. The chief duty of the Church is to make known the available person, purpose and power of God. God’s loving expression is his availability for a relationship with man. His self-revelation and gifts are for our benefit. His creation and creative intentions are for our benefit. His redemption and redemptive intentions are for our benefit. More so, we are accountable for the imperative to perpetuate God’s creation and redemption intentions. If they are expressions of love and intended to benefit, then they are ethical in nature. Our response to God and to creation at large must therefore also be ethical in nature. Our concern in this dissertation is to realize the socio-ethical significance of the Presence in redemption for the people of God, and in particular for the Evangelical Church. Having explored the Exodus texts from a synchronic approach, we have used the final canonical Exodus-narrative of Presence through socio-rhetorical exegesis and theological reflection to derive socio-ethical principles for our contemporary application. These principles are applied for specific contemporary contexts and questions in order to posit ethical social proposals, social responsibility, and social action. We are able to see how our Exodus pericopes were employed in the biblical Old and New Testaments. Their use in the Psalms, the Prophets and the New Testament reflected an authoritative theological interpretation of these Exodus texts for Evangelicals, merely because they are in the Bible. These Scriptural theological interpretations were a warrant for us to seek a theological interpretation of the canonical texts as the platform for socio-ethical interaction. Because we are so far removed temporarily, socio-ethical transfer from then to now was by no means cut-and-dried. Only through theological reflection are we able to derive socio-ethical principles for contemporary application, at least within an Evangelical Ecclesiology. Presence is applied theologically under the categories revelation, redemption and relationship. We are able to show how the principles of revelation, redemption and relationship related God and his people in ways that gave them a special identity as a community that must respond in a special and particular way to God and within itself. The people had to be monotheistic. Their response had monotheistic, ethical implications and social implications. Presence is also applied socially under the categories derived naturally from the Exodus narrative:

• Israel’s Self-Consciousness as a Community.
• Yahweh’s Presence and the Community’s Redemption.
• Yahweh’s Agent in the Redemption of the Community.
• Counter Forces to the Creation of the Redeemed Community.
• Covenant and Redemption Undergirds Social Identity.
• The Socio-ethical Response of the Redeemed Community.
• Redemption as Social Dialogue.
• Covenant as Societal Establishment.
• Covenant and Societal Conflict.
• Covenant and Societal Self-conscientiousness.

Each of these categories is discussed under the same sub-categories, namely, revelation, redemption and relationship. We are able to derive socio-ethical principles in this way; principles which could be applied in an Evangelical ecclesiology. Indeed, the Church is the best social context in which these principles are to be applied, and within that context we are able to derive socio-ethical proposals. The Church is posited as a multiplicity of microcosmic communities, all related to God through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. We are able to make social proposals for the kind of social responsibilities and actions required within the church community. These socio-ethical proposals must emanate from the social vision of the Church, which is theological and eschatological in nature. The Church, as an eschatological community, must serve as an example and vision for society at large, recognizing that society at large also has a different and more complex make-up, and that socio-ethical transfer of Christian principles is not simplistically cut-and-dried. We have to find creative ways to translate the biblical imperative in a contemporary social context. This, we will conclude is only possible because we are able to apply it from and in a narratological context. We can however not simply use the same categories of revelation, redemption and relationship in a socio-ethical application. Ethics in general and social ethics in particular needs to be considered according to categories that were naturally conducive to ethical discourse. But these categories are also to be integrated with the theological categories in such a way that does not strain the ethical discourse. Surprisingly, the ethical categories of God (theological), man (social/political) and land (economic) easily lends itself to be discussed with the sub-categories of revelation, redemption and relationship. In fact, while it is fairly easy to do so under the theological and social/political categories, it is not so easy to distinguish the sub-categories for discussion under economy. We are forced to blur the lines between revelation and redemption on the one hand, and between redemption and relationship on the other. We can obviously not make proposals dealing with every socio-ethical issue. This is not our intention. We are, however, able to provide a socio-ethical vision for the Church, and thus, to a limited extent, for society at large. Because of our socio-ethical vision, it has become necessary for us to sketch the Church as an eschatological people which is a blessing to the world by its functioning in particular roles; as example (salt and light), evangelist, prophetic voice, teacher, agent, facilitator, negotiator, and partner. As example the Church is meant to be a pattern for society. The Church, which founds its indicative and imperative values upon the biblical text, can be a blessed pattern to society. As evangelist, the Church alone has the message of redemption, and it needs to share it with society. The best way for society to change is through regeneration. Our first priority is to extend the Kingdom of God in this world through the message of Jesus Christ and then through our godly influence. As prophetic voice, the Church must make known God’s will and ways. It is mainly a voice that speaks to issues of social justice, social responsibility and social reconstruction. Aspects of oppression, exploitation and other injustices must be condemned, and proposals for redress and reconstruction must be made. The Church must entrench democratic values and be the voice that calls for integrity and accountability. As teacher, the Church’s first place of teaching must be on a theological plane. Theological awareness encourages moral and ethical awareness. In short, they can teach on a whole range of issues that encourages good relationship, both vertically and horizontally. The Church can train leaders of integrity. As agent, the Church can act in society on behalf of Government, business and other organizations who have projects that aim at Christian-likeminded outcomes. Conversely, they can also act as agent for the people and community interests. The Church must be the redemptive agent in society. As facilitators, the Church facilitates important co-operations; with Government, business and other organizations. The Church can facilitate socio-ethical debates, forums, workshops, economic pro-active and ecological and environmental projects. As negotiators and partners, the Church can act on behalf of the poor and the marginalized. The rich and the poor are to act according to the tenets of love and justice. The Church can help inculcate these tenets, and to teach tenets of good work-ethic. The Church must be a redeemed people with redemptive aims; all for the glory of their redeeming God.
Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2011.
Old Testament Studies
unrestricted

Evangelicals have been characterized as a people committed to the Bible with historical roots to the fundamentalists who were engaged in controversy with liberals in North America at the beginning of the twentieth century. Harold Lindsell's book, The Battle For The Bible (1976), led to a great deal of discussion about inerrancy among evangelicals which resulted in major conferences and the publication of a number of books and articles discussing inerrancy in the subsequent decade. The principal doctrinal statement of the Evangelical Theological Society (ETS) has been from its inception a statement on inerrancy. The inerrancy debate among evangelicals took a new direction with the publication of R H Gundry's commentary on Matthew (1982). This sparked a debate concerning redaction criticism and the compatibility of using the historical-critical methodology while maintaining a commitment to the doctrine of inerrancy. Just when the debate appeared to be dying down the publication of the results of the Jesus Seminar (1993) led to several responses from evangelicals. The most controversial publication was The Jesus Crisis (1998) which accused evangelicals and some within the ETS of embracing the same methodology as those of the Jesus Seminar, refueling the debate again. Consequently this debate amongst evangelicals, particularly those associated with the ETS has continued for almost two decades. The debate has ranged over a variety of issues related to historical criticism and the study of the Gospels, including presuppositions, the Synoptic Problem, the role of harmonization, and whether the Gospels provide a strict chronology of the life of Jesus. The role of form and tradition criticism and the criteria of authenticity and whether the Gospel writers were faithful historians or creative theologians have also been points of contention in the debate. The languages that Jesus spoke and whether the Gospels preserve the ipsissima verba or vox have highlighted the differing views about the requirements of inerrancy. The redaction criticism debate has proven to have a significant role in exposing differences in methodology, definitions, presuppositions, and boundaries among evangelicals and members of the ETS.
New Testament
D.Th. (New Testament)

German text
Die gesellschaftliche Relevanz des diakonischen Handelns eines regionalen deutschen Gemeinschaftsverbandes wird in dieser Forschungsarbeit qualitativ erforscht. Diese explorative Studie soll die Gesellschaftsrelevanz diakonischen Handelns, Entwicklungen diakonischer Praxis und ganz grundlegend das Verständnis von Diakonie in diesem Gemeinschaftsverband erschließen. Nach einer auf praktisch-theologische und kirchengeschichtliche Aspekte fokussierten Einleitung werden mittels des empirisch-theologischen Praxiszyklus sowohl Planung und Durchführung, als auch die Ergebnisse qualitativer Interviews dargestellt. Zehn Experteninterviews waren Teil der Hauptforschung. Unter Anwendung der Grounded Theory ließen sich nach mehreren unterschiedlichen Codiervorgängen sechs Typologien diakonischer Gesellschaftsrelevanz herausarbeiten. Die sechs herausgearbeiteten Typen wurden in einer 3x3-Matrix angeordnet, mit den Koordinaten Diakonische Gesellschaftsrelevanz (minimal - zunehmend - profiliert) und Eschatologie (negativ - neutral - positiv). Impulse zur Weiterentwicklung der diakonischen Grunddimension in diesem Gemeinschaftsverband werden abschließend auf Grundlage der Forschungsergebnisse gegeben.
This research analyses the relevance of diaconal action of a regional German community association in its social environment. The explorative study aims to give insight into the social relevance, developments in diaconal practice and the general understanding of diaconia prevalent in this brethren association. After an introduction focusing on practical theology and church history, the study concentrates on the planning, implementation and results of interviews applying the empirical-theological practice cycle. These interviews with ten experts were part of the main research. Through applying the grounded theory, six typologies of diaconal relevance in society emerged from several coding processes. These types were arranged in a 3x3 matrix showing diaconal relevance for society (minimal – increasing – prominent) and eschatology (negative – neutral – positive) as coordinates. The research results formed the basis of ideas presented for further development of the sphere of diaconal action in this community association.
Practical Theology
M. Th. (Practical Theology)

Text in German
Am Beginn der Menschheit steht das von Gott erschaffene Paar, in der Postmo­ derne ist es das aufgeklarte, autonome Individuum. Eine Diskrepanz zwischen ursprunglicher Schopfungsintention und der postmodernen Lebenswelt wird deutlich. Denn Mann und Frau wurden auf eine ganzheitliche Lebensgemein­ schaft hin erschaffen, die nicht nur den trinitarischen Gott widerspiegeln soli, sondem fur einen gelingenden Lebensvollzug urn die konstitutive Notwendigkeit der Gebundenheit des GeschOpfes an seinen Schopfer weiss. Das Bewusst­ sein, dass der Mensch nur in dieser existentiellen Verankerung zum wahren Mann- oder Frausein befahigt wird, ist in der aufgeklarten Postmoderne, primar durch deren zentrales Merkmal, der Absolutsetzung von Freiheit, abhanden ge­ kommen. Erschwerend kommt die Ablehnung der (ontologischen) Sundhaftig­ keit hinzu, was nicht nur das Heilsgeschehen per se obsolet werden lasst,son­ dern zugleich die Wiederherstellung der Beziehung zu Gott als Quelle allen Le­ bens a priori verunmoglicht. Damit verschliesst sich das postmoderne Indivi­ duum aber gleichzeitig die Meglichkeit zur Annaherung an die Schopfungs­ intention von Beziehung und Abhangigkeit der Geschlechter durch die in Jesus erlangte,endgultige Oberwindung der Sunde und deren Konsequenzen. Das Wissen urn die Intention Gottes mit Mann und Frau ist deshalb so entscheidend, weil vom Vorhandensein eines schopfungsbedingt angelegten anthropologischen Grundskriptes ausgegangen wird, welches die Beziehung und Abhangigkeit der Geschlechter entscheidend pragt.1 Das Geschlechterver­ haltnis ist also nicht beliebig und Folgen los veranderbar, resp. den sozio-kul­ turellen Vorgaben und Erwartungen anpassbar, eben weil dessen Kern unver­ anderbar ist. Dem steht jedoch das postmoderne Verstandnis gegenuber, wel­ ches die Geschlechteridentitat des evolvierten Primaten als reine sozio-kulturel­ le Konstruktion und damit als beliebig modellier- und veranderbar versteht. Ge­ nau in dieser Diskrepanz zwischen unaufhebbarem anthropologischem Grund­ skript einerseits und der vermeintlich ganzlichen Beliebigkeit des Geschlechter­ verhaltnisses andererseits liegt ein zentraler Grund fOr die Heute stark Problem belasteten Ehen. At the beginning of humanity we find man and woman as a couple created by God; in post-modern society, however, this place is taken by the enlightened individual. The discrepancy is evident. Man and woman were created for a lifelong marriage which was not only to reflect the triune creator but which was anchored in the dependence on the creator as a constitutive necessity for building a solid, successful and lifelong marriage. This awareness of the fundamental necessity of God as the creator of man has been lost in post-modern society. Instead we find the claim for absolute freedom, linked to the negation of the ontological sinfulness of man. It is obvious that such negation makes the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ by which sin is finally overcome superfluous, rending the re-establishement of the relationship between God and man impossible. But it is by this grounding in God the creator and redeemer alone that man and woman will unterstand marriage in its originally intended depth and fullness. The present study has resulted in discerning a fundamental, God-given anthropological script which defines both relation and dependence of man and woman; this implies that these fundamental elements cannot be deliberately transformed and/or adapted to various socio-cultural norms and expectations. However, the post-modern understanding of gender presents itself in clear opposition to this creational view. Nowadays, gender identity is seen solely as a socio-cultural structure and therefore subject to unlimited changes and modifications. In this study, one main reason for the instability of marriages in postmodern society has been discerned in the discrepancy between the permanent anthropological basic script and the apparent variability of the relation and dependence between man and woman. The negation of God the creator and redeemer proves to be of equal importance, as it is only through and in him that the basic script for marriage can be realized in its originally intended allembracing dimension.
Systematic Theology and Theological Ethics
D. Th. (Systematic Theology)