Title in English and Afrikaans / Summaries in English and Afrikaans / In this dissertation an attempt has been made to investigate the means by which God is at work in our world. The researcher has acted on the assumption that God rules in our world, but investigates the content of such a belief The question whether God acts in our world from a basis of control, or from a motivation of shared interest is currently brought to the surface. Instrumental is the use of Critical Theory to investigate the above mentioned problem. With this instrument oppressive perspectives (paternalistic views) are identified and unmasked as well as new perspectives (stewardship) implemented. Biblical stewardship seems to be a perspective on how God wants to use the local church to assist in his plan of salvation for those in need. Authority with others rather over others seems to be the stewardship strategy God wants us to participate in. / In hierdie verhandeling word ondersoek ingestel na die wyse waarop God in die wereld betrokke is (Missio Dei). Daar word uitgegaan van die veronderstelling dat God in die wereld regeer en wil hierdie navorsing poog om te verstaan hoe God in die wereld regeer. Die problematiek wat deurgaans in hierdie studie hanteer word, hou verband met die vraag of God vanuit 'n beheerstelsel (pantokratiese stelsel) in die wereld betrokke is en of sy werksaamhede eerder vanuit 'n bestuurstelsel (oikonomos) verstaan moet word. In 'n poging om bogenoemde probleem op te los word gebruik gemaak van die Kritiese Teorie. Met hierdie instrument word enersyds gepoog om onderdrukkende perspektiewe (soos God as Pantokrator) te weerle, wat onderdrukkende ideologie instand hou. Andersyds word die Kritiese Teorie as instrument gebruik om alternatiewe te ondersoek (soos God as bestuurder van ons heil) wat nuwe perspektiewe daar kan stel. Bybelse rentmeesterskap hou gevolglik daarmee verband dat God die mens/kerk medeverantwoordelik maak in bogenoemde bestuursproses ten einde God se Missio Dei deelnemend te bestuur. / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / M.Th.(Missiology)

One of the presuppositions of the present research is that readers and their contexts play a significant role in the interpretation of biblical texts. The key text of this thesis is Proverbs 31: 10-31 and the main readers are African women in a kyriarchal South African (Northern Sotho) context. Given their context of a multiplicity of oppressive forces ( racism, sexism, classism and African culture), how can these women read Proverbs 31: 10-31 appropriately with a view to their liberation? The researcher proposes a new woman's liberationist perspective, a Bosadi perspective, a perspective committed amongst others, to the African-ness of the African woman in South Africa. The question is: If Proverbs 31:10-31 is read from a Bosadi (Womanhood) perspective, how will the Northern Sotho women in a South African context find the text - a text emerging from a kyriarchal Hebraic culture? Will they find it to be oppressive or liberative or will it be found to be containing both elements? The present researcher, like many reformist women liberation biblical scholars (cf some feminists and womanists ), argues that though the Bible emerged from patriarchal cultures, and contains elements oppressive to women, it also has liberative elements. Through the use of socio-critical hermeneutics, reception criticism and historical-criticism, evidence supporting this came to light as the present researcher re-read Proverbs 31:10-31 from a Bosadi critical perspective. It is therefore argued that when the Bible was used by the previous proponents of apartheid to subordinate people of other races, Black Theologians re-read the Bible from a Black perspective and used it for the racial liberation of Black South Africans. Likewise, an average South African woman, particularly an African woman, is basically a victim of male interpreters who use the Bible to subordinate women. It is the task of all African women to take the responsibility upon themselves to use appropriate tools in re-reading the Bible in order to discover that the Bible does not only alienate them, it is also the liberating word; the word which makes more sense to them because of their relationship with the Word which became flesh (Jn 1:1). / D. Litt. et Phil. (Biblical Studies)

Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-03T12:20:53Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Alberto Kenji.pdf: 1345658 bytes, checksum: a894d094c40383dd25ee21ee2c8f7f29 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-03-09 / The present work analyzed relations and conflicts of gender and power observed during the debate regarding the origins of Baptist work in Brazil; a debate between Pastor José dos Reis Pereira, the official leader of the Brazilian Baptist Convention during the years 1960-1980, and the Baptist researcher Betty Antunes de Oliveira. The analysis of the conflict was realized principally via the mediation of gender as principal hermeneutic tool, following the presuppositions of Joan Wallach Scott. In this manner, the research had as its principal proposal, based on an analysis of the debate, to give visibility to the conflict of gender in the places of power in the Brazilian Baptist Convention during the period 1960-1980, and dissimulated by Baptist discourses on the rights of liberty and social equality. This research was based on the following hypotheses: the dynamic of the debate was strengthened by the sociopolitical context of those years, which favored the emergence of women s and feminist movements in Brazil, whose influences were also felt in other Christian traditions; and the final result of the debate depended more on questions of gender and power than technical and academic discussions regarding the historical date of the commencement of Baptist work in Brazil. The original contribution of this research is in offering a new perspective regarding the origins of Baptist work in Brazil, based on the category of gender as the instrument of analysis, which, as such, compliments academic research already published regarding the theme.(AU) / O presente trabalho analisou as relações e os conflitos de gênero e poder observados durante o debate sobre as origens do trabalho batista no Brasil, debate esse entre o Pastor José dos Reis Pereira, líder oficial da Convenção Batista Brasileira durante os anos 1960-1980 e a pesquisadora batista Betty Antunes de Oliveira. A análise do conflito foi realizada principalmente com a mediação de gênero como instrumento hermenêutico, conforme os pressupostos de Joan Wallach Scott. Desse modo, a pesquisa teve como propósito principal, a partir da análise do debate, dar visibilidade ao conflito de gênero nos lugares de poder da Convenção Batista Brasileira dos anos 1960-1980, conflito dissimulado pelos discursos batistas sobre direitos de liberdade e igualdade sociais. Esta pesquisa trabalhou basicamente com as seguintes hipóteses: a dinâmica do debate foi fortalecida pelo contexto sociopolítico daqueles anos, que favoreceu a emergência dos movimentos de mulheres e feminista no Brasil, cujas influências foram também sentidas em outras tradições de fé cristã; e o resultado final do debate dependeu mais das questões de gênero e poder do que das discussões técnicas e acadêmicas sobre o acerto histórico do marco inicial do trabalho batista no Brasil. O ineditismo desta pesquisa está em oferecer uma nova perspectiva do debate sobre as origens do trabalho batista no Brasil, a partir do uso da categoria de gênero como instrumento de análise, o que complementará, desse modo, a pesquisa acadêmica já publicada sobre o tema.

[pt] O feminismo, como movimento político e cultural de emancipação e libertação das mulheres, na sua pluralidade de realizações, emerge como lugar de nova inculturação. A experiência salvífica, interpretada na perspectiva cultural do feminismo, provoca mudanças em todas as dimensões da prática e da linguagem da fé. A Teologia Feminista, como uma expressão dessa inculturação, não só critica o passado e o presente da Igreja patriarcal, como também colabora para recuperar hoje os mananciais de vida plena da tradição cristã, influindo para o desenvolvimento de uma nova configuração histórica do cristianismo. Os caminhos bíblicos da Sabedoria, reapropriados numa perspectiva feminista, são marcos teológicos referenciais de uma vida cristã mais integradora, centrada em relações mais igualitárias e recíprocas. Também se tornam fonte de nova linguagem religiosa e teológica. Inspiram o uso de imagens femininas de Deus de forma equivalente, em relação às imagens masculinas, partindo de uma nova visão da experiência humana das mulheres. O novo paradigma lingüístico se torna uma mediação histórica necessária para uma compreensão menos inadequada da presença salvífica de Deus, que suscita e afirma caminhos de plena humanização de mulheres e homens, e de um mundo mais igualitário. No atual contexto de reforço de uma instituição eclesial centrada no clero masculino hierárquico, o processo de inculturação no contexto do feminismo colabora para manter na Igreja uma experiência da fé, que visibilize Cristo entre nós gerando comunidades cristãs e sociedades mais inclusivas. / [en] Feminism as a political and cultural movement of emancipation and women freedom emerges as a place of new inculturation. The salvific experience, when interpreted on cultural perspective, evokes changes in all dimension of faith practice and language. As an expression of this inculturation the feminist theology not only criticizes the past and of the patriarchal church. It also cooperates to recover the source of full life of Christian tradition influencing on the development of a new historical configuration of christianism. The wisdom set forth by the biblical message from a feminist perspective, suggests theological concepts that promote a Christian life that is centered on relationships that are bases on mutual respect and equality. This message becomes a way to communicate religious and theological new language. It inspires feminine images of God that represent the counterpart of the male images of God, but that are based on the experience of the women. This new linguistic paradigm becomes a historic mediation to increase the understanding of God`s salvifc experience that causes and confirms ways of complete humanization of men and women and of a more equalitarian world. In this present religious context where church hierarchy is centered on a male hierarchy, the inculturation process on the feminism context cooperates to expand the experience of faith within the church and generates Christian communities that are including as they present Christ to the world.

Jarmila Jelínková - Self-devotion women motive showed on the "Breaking the waves" scenerply Abstract The article analyzes the character of Bess in the script of Lars von Trier and Vivian Nielsen's drama Breaking the Waves. The portrayal of Bess' behavior, life, and relationships to her husband, the church and God are interpreted from the perspective of feminist theology as introduced by Isabel Carter Heyward. The main message of the play is the parallel to Jesus' sacrifice of pure altruism leading towards physical self-destruction; other possible interpretations offered in the article are the images of self-sacrifice as a type of mystical obsession or as a type of internalized manipulation conveyed by means of discursive power. Keywords: faith in God, self-sacrifice, power, freedom, feminist theology, Lars vor Trier, Vivian Nielsen.

The thesis constitutes the gender analysis of the Ann Belford Ulanov's work, particularly the qualitative content analysis of publications which are explicitly focused on gender problems. Ulanov as the Jungian psychologist and Protestant theologian deals with the concept of the "feminine mode of being" (feminine principle) which perceives as one of the key elements of human soul, and the manner by which it is possible to be connected with the world and god. Outcomes of the thesis are constructivist, anchored in critical theory paradigm. From this point of view, the chapters of the theoretical part are addressed. These chapters deal with issues linked to the feminist theology and Jungian psychology. The aim of the research part is to analyse concept of the "feminine mode of being" and its implications for the construction of gender concerning the divinity and humanity. Ulanov perceives the "feminine mode of being" within the framework of symbolic approach as the part of the masculine-feminine polarity. While she does not link this principle only to women, she perceives it essentialisticly. For instance, she strongly associates "the feminine" with biological maternity. It is possible to classify many motives and archetypes which Ulanov develops as non- stereotypical and subversive. However, her...

The master thesis Reflection of gospels from the view of choosen feminist theological texts is situated do the context of christian feminist theology, specifically in the framework of feminist theology of liberation. It's focused especially on the texts of feministic protestant theologists Jana Opočenská and Dorothee Solle, mainly on texts which are related to the choosen parts of the gospels. The theoretical part is aimed especially on the theoretical and methodological basics which includes besides others the major concepts of feminist theories of gender stereotypes and the sex-gender system. The attention is also paid to the concepts of feminist theology with main focus to the thesis of relatedness and mutuality exercised in the field of exegesis of Biblical texts, anthropology nad christology. In this part of thesis is also mentioned the biographical context of the canonical gospels origin including its follow-up interpretation by the prism of texts written by feminist-theological authors mentioned above. The analytical part of the thesis is aimed on two concrete moments of gospels and their interpretation through the texts of Jana Opočenská and Dorothee Solle, considering the theoretical and methodological basis. Through the gender focused method of qualitative content analysis is subsequently...

God is not a he, yet “he” is by far the most common pronoun for God. This qualitative study looks at how some priests from the Church of Sweden preach about God in a non-masculine way. The study was done through interviews and analysis of sermons from four priests who all work with non-masculine language concerning God.  Question: How can a non-masculine language about God look like, in sermons and in the preparations of sermons, in the Swedish church today? Sub-questions:  What types of words, pronouns and imagery of God are used in the sermons that were studied?What were the reflections of the priests in the study regarding non-masculine language in the preparation of sermons? From the interviews and sermons, a list has been compiled with words about God that are gender neutral and gender balanced. Although the importance of theological anchoring in the Bible is important there are also forgotten traditions and the congregations of the living folk church to anchor into.

no abstract available / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / M. Th. (Pastoral Therapy)

The statement and the title of the thesis "Towards an intercultural mission" is the starting point for the essay's purpose and examination. Interculturalism is an ideal in which equality and re-ciprocity are characterized by cross-cultural relationships, which is also an objective of international mission. For an intercultural mission, it is therefore necessary to examine which factors may hinder an intercultural approach, which, for this study, justifies searching for underlying unequal structures. The theoretical frame of reference for the analysis is postcolonial theory and feminist theology, which makes it possible to visualize such structures. The purpose of the thesis is therefore to analyze the intention of the international mission work in the Uniting Church in Sweden based on postcolonial feminist theology, and to propose criteria that need to be found for the mission work to be characterized by an intercultural approach. In order to achieve the purpose, it is necessary to answer the following general questions: 1. Is there an awareness of unequal power structures in the culture-crossing relationships in the intentional discourse on mission in the Uniting Church in Sweden? 2. How does interculturalism appear in the international mission in the Uniting Church in Sweden?And; 3. What criteria need to be found for the mission work to be characterized by an intercultural approach?With the help of qualitative content analysis of the Church's public text material, which constitutes the study object; six thematic areas have emerged; gender equality, woman's vulnerability, patriarchal structures, mission and worldview, postcolonial structures, and cooperation and reciprocity. The result has been analyzed on the basis of the concept of interculturality and a proposal for criteria for an intercultural approach has been prepared, among other things, with proposals for clarification of unequal power structures and a critical self-awareness about their own history and cultural values.