A presente dissertação é fruto da pesquisa de campo realizada com o grupo musical Family Soul na cidade de Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul. Negros evangélicos, eles desenvolvem há mais de dez anos a prática musico-performática de pertencimento étnico-racial na liturgia dos cultos de diferentes denominações evangélicas da capital e região metropolitana. Com uma abordagem qualitativa e método etnográfico refletimos sobre os processos de construção étnico-racial, mediados pela música, no contexto evangélico. Este trabalho foi desenvolvido através da vivência em campo, percebendo através da música as conexões que estabelecem as dinâmicas do grupo e as interações em cultos evangélicos. O trânsito dos interlocutores em diferentes denominações evangélicas, a comunicação com a cultura musical afro-americana e com os universos da música gospel, mediado pelos meios de comunicação, forjaram novas formas de se relacionar com a música e atuar com esta musicalidade no contexto evangélico. / This ethnomusicological study is the result of a research carried out with the Family Soul group in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. Black Christians develop a performance-musical practice of ethnic-racial belonging the liturgy of cults of different evangelical denominations. With a qualitative approach and ethnographic method, we reflect on the processes of ethno-racial construction mediated by music in the evangelical context. This work was developed through the experience in the field, perceiving musical connections that establish the dynamics of the group and the interactions in evangelical cults. The flow of interlocutors in different evangelical denominations, communication with Afro-American musical culture and the universes of gospel music, mediated by the media, forged new ways to relate to music and to act with this musicality in the evangelical context.

The United House of Prayer was established by Marcelino Manuel da Graça (1881-1960), who is also known as Charles Manuel “Sweet Daddy” Grace, or “Daddy” Grace. He founded and developed the use of the shout bands which are charismatic gospel trombone ensembles within this church. This study explores the importance of shout bands and examines them from multiple perspectives focusing in particular on worship practices. Additionally, it examines rhythmic elements as the most important characteristic of music performed by these unique ensembles, rhythms that reflect the preacher’s personal timing and inflections that the trombones then imitate. The approach used here supports a deeper understanding of the United House of Prayer and of the trombone in church services of this denomination. Indeed, it ultimately establishes the trombone’s role in the United House of Prayer.

The genre of apocalypse has an irresistible draw. The concepts of beginning and end to humankind as well as the cosmos situate themselves in our daily stories, microcosmic narratives that repeat through time, placing the footprint of humankind a little more firmly into the earth, a place we have called our home from beginning and, naturally, to the end. In a world that constantly pushes forward to the next piece of technological equipment, reducing mass pandemics to mere over the counter solutions, and extending its hand into the abyss of the unknown universe, humanity craves the elusive next chapter in the novel of the world. But what is to be attained when we reach the climax? When we are situated in the denouement? And finally, what happens when all is at an end? There is a universal truth of birth, and a universal truth of death (despite our advances to elude it). By that logic there must exist a macrocosmic version, a global scale birth, termed creation by many, and thus a large scale death. But since death of the individual remains a complete mystery, many diverse factions exist. This extends to the global picture then, not only seeking inquiry into what happens after we (as in the individual) but when the entire world ceases to exist. This thesis is an attempt to explore the genre of apocalypse for a deeper understanding of these questions and notions. With various systems in place, such as those put forth by John J. Collins and other apocalypse scholars, there exists a possibility to examine various iterations of apocalypses. By examining paradigm traits and tiers and the complications that arise with systemization, this thesis develops a methodology in which to include the functional take on various case studies of apocalypse. Generally reserved for examinations of sacred text, the expanded methodology presented here will seek to not only look at an example of said text, but also a secular text, two examples of ‘sacred function’, and one ideological example of a secular function. This study is not about changing the makeup of the paradigm, nor is it an effort to disprove criteria, nor tack on additional items. The goal is to use the paradigm to identify a more well-rounded view of the genre, and then see what can be gleaned from those categories and their prototypes. In doing so, the definition of the apocalypse genre will be more comprehensive, and thus beneficial for any avenue of study to which it is applied.

Judas Iscariot has been and remains to this day one of the most hated persons in human history. The goal of this project is to examine the evolution Judas as he appears, first within the pages of the Christian canon, then moving over to literature outside the canon, into Apocrypha. Moreover, consulting ancient and modern sources allows for the ability to raise questions regarding the possibility of redemption for Judas as well as an analysis on whether this person was real or simply a literary construct by ancient authors in order to strengthen the core of the Christian belief system. With the inclusion of a clear and present villain in the narrative, the early Christians or proto-Orthodox were able to separate themselves from the initial Jewish community and labelled Judas as the ultimate example of what not to do when it came to being a “true” Christian. The discovery of the Gospel of Judas and its subsequent publication brought mainstream attention to the early years of Christianity, with its many different structures. The exploration of its pages reveal an entirely different message in which Judas Iscariot is a central figure, amidst a more “gnostic” tradition. The character of Judas Iscariot has since travelled through the centuries and it is this project’s mission to demonstrate the evolution of this character, showing how he first appears as merely one of twelve men who follow Jesus to a personification of evil. The project will also demonstrate how a possible misunderstanding of literature could have created a literary scapegoat, resulting in Judas Iscariot’s use as a tool to foster hatred and animosity towards the Jews. The end result leaves the reader with the question of whether Judas deserves absolution for his actions, who may have been an important part of God’s plan for humanity’s salvation.

The aim of the diploma thesis is to impart a comprehensive view of the topic of "wealth," as presented by Luke in his gospel. The first chapter provides a general view of the notion of property and wealth, as passed on to us first by the Old Testament (OT) and subsequently by the New Testament (NT). The following chapter deals with a narrower selection of texts followed in the third chapter by the main part of this thesis - a detailed linguistic and literary analysis ("exegesis"). The selected texts comprise a set of several parables that touch upon the theme of "property" (as well as attitudes towards it). These are, in particular, the parable of the rich man and the barns (L 12,13-21), the parable of the lost coin. (L 15,8-10), the parable of the prodigal son (L 15,11-32), the parable of the dishonest steward (L 16,1-9) and also the parable of the rich man and Lazarus (L 16,19-31). The fourth chapter not only encapsulates Luke's view of wealth, but also mentions the antithesis of wealth, namely poverty. The following chapter focuses on the term "God's kingdom" and its relationship to the material goods of this world. As the Gospel of Luke is often combined with the Acts of the Apostles to coalesce into one great composition, the last chapter is devoted to the relationship of the first Christian...

Peter's faith in the context of Jesus's epiphany on the sea. Analysis of an excerpt from the gospel according to Matthew 14, 22 - 33 with respect to the experience of faith of the Apostle Peter. The study deals with the analysis of an excerpt from the gospel of Matthew about Jesus's epiphany on the sea (Mt. 14, 22 - 33) with regard to actions of the Apostle Peter. The first part is dedicated to the text of the pericope itself, its origin, placement and function in the gospel of Matthew. Literary and textual analysis is performed mainly by comparison with analogical excerpts from other gospels, especially the gospel of Mark. Due to this, the unique message of Matthew's gospel, which is Peter's behaviour as the answer of faith to the manifestation of Jesus's divinity, is revealed. The evangelist thus unravels a vast composition about the church. The figure of the Apostle Peter, his role and meaning within the whole text of the gospel is the subject of the second part of the thesis. The picture of the first disciple is characterized not only by an exemplary faith, but also by a failure and an example of human weakness. This fact leads to the question about what was the goal that the evangelist followed by describing the negative aspects of Peter's actions. The third part deals with the fundamental...

The city of Philippi was founded as a Roman military colony in 42 BC, directly following one of the largest battles of antiquity, the civil war battle of Philippi. This study shows that one hundred years later, at the time of writing of Paul’s letter to the Philippians, the identity of the city was still deeply connected to its military history. The apostle Paul found in the historical and sociological ties of the Philippians with the military reasons for drafting his letter in a rhetorical arrangement similar to the historical reports of commander’s speeches to his assembled troops before battle. Not only does the vocabulary of Paul’s ethical commands parallel the general’s harangues, as has been previously pointed out by Biblical scholarship, but in Paul’s letter one also finds correspondences to the three largest motifs of the general’s speeches: the objective of the war, the confidence for victory and the rewards for courage and obedience. The major unified theme of Philippians is the mutual military-partnership for the advance of the gospel in a hostile context (Phil. 1:7-12; 1:20; 2:19-24; 2:25-30; 3:12-15; 4:3; 4:10-19). Paul in his letter to the Philippians uses consistently military imagery – and not once athletic imagery, as typically assumed by exegetical scholars – to demonstrate that the courageous sharing of the faith will always result in victory for the one who proclaims Christ. This victory is guaranteed through the unsurpassable abilities of the supreme general, Jesus Christ, whose death on the cross and whose resurrection is portrayed as a military victory and whose exaltation by God the Father acknowledges Christ as the victorious general in an universal extent (Phil. 2:8-11). The victory of the gospel campaign is further guaranteed by the LORD’s initiation of the war for the spread of the faith and by His presence with those who fight in His behalf for the spread of the good news (Phil. 1:5-7; 2:12-13; 2:14-15; 3:1; 4:4). Victory in the Philippian context means either the reception of the gospel by unbelievers or the death of the messenger on account of rejection of and opposition to the gospel; the suffering of the emissary of the gospel serves to glorify Christ and it is compensated by the superior enjoyment of Christ at the resurrection (Phil. 1:19-25). The reward, which God promises to the messenger of the gospel is several times stated in Philippians to be the exalted experience of fellowship with Christ at the resurrection (Phil. 1:21; 3:8-11; 3:20-21; 4:3). The reading of Philippians in light of the appropriation of military terminology confirms that Paul’s main purpose in writing Philippians is to encourage his partners to continue to take risks, to be unafraid of suffering and to make sacrifices in order to boldly testify about Christ and to continue to financially contribute to the mission of spreading the faith. The book of Philippians challenges the contemporary self-centred prosperity culture of the church to take risks and make sacrifices for the proclamation of Christ to unbelievers, sacrifices, which are supremely compensated by a life for the glory of Christ and the surpassing promise of the enjoyment of the glory of God in His Son Christ Jesus. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / gm2014 / New Testament Studies / unrestricted

The question this paper attempts to answer is: “Does God base his blessings to church members solely on giving”. The research investigated prosperity gospel from a missiological perspective, a gospel that promises material wealth, health and happiness to faithful Christians who sow “faithful seed to the ministers”. A Collection of literatures relating to the subject matter coupled with citations from interviewees was reviewed and analysed, in making judgment in answering the research question. To accomplish the objective of the study the biblical foundation of giving and prosperity were examined, the background, history and synonymous features to prosperity gospel were evaluated, coupled with the views of respondents. A comparison was made, and a conclusion was reached, based on the findings. Thus, grounded on the result obtained from the research the researcher attempts to establish that though God blesses humanity for obeying his command to give, it does not mean that giving is his prerequisite of blessing humankind. The claim that God wants everyone to be rich contradicts the Bible. For no one can instruct God on who to bless and curse, therefore the claim that man of Rhema can decree blessing on humankind per our giving power is unbiblical. / Dissertation (MA Theol)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / gm2014 / Science of Religion and Missiology / unrestricted

This study’s focus is Jesus’ significant representation of the kingdom of God utilizable for mission today – a topic of importance for contemporary Christianity’s sustainable reaction to a globalizing world. Christianity should not have to be a spectator to globalization but one of its agents, one of the forces at work by extending interconnection between peoples, shared ideas and promoted social, political and cultural links. How should Christian churches conceive of their mission within the context of a globalizing world? It is remarkable that after two millennia of Jesus’ life, ‘mission in the kingdom of God’ is still of great importance for human life on earth. Indeed, contemporary secularists might not commend religion with the custody of such a fundamental burden of responsibility. Yet, considering the times we live in, a foundation of sustainable values for earth are inescapably important. Nevertheless, from what foundational values does Christianity draw to bear witness of the divine in a secular age? When considering all the factors mentioned, what foundational ethics and virtues of Christianity that we bear witness to are still believable in a secular age? The purpose of this study is not to provide a complete response to the question of mission of the church in a globalizing world, but to establish a framework within which answers may be sought. The study is informed from a variety of disciplines such as politics, cultural theory and politics, which are not the usual fields of New Testament Studies. Therefore, this study presents itself in five chapters informing one another. Chapter 1 addresses the issues that surface from current missional reaction and the broader implications that globalization has on changing social and institutional realities and the churches’ response to it. Chapter 2 identifies indispensable characteristics of the early twentieth century Social Gospel movement to implement those values as essential building blocks in globalized mission. In Chapter 3 investigates the potential use of Postcolonial Theory for categorizing postcolonial characteristics of marginalization, oppression, neo-imperialism and neocolonialism. Chapter 4 applies the outcomes of Chapter 1 through 3 with which Richard Horsley’s proposed perspective on Jesus’ mission in Roman Palestine as the ‘renewal of Israel’ is considered to discern about the first century world and the implications it has for the third millennium. The Christian faith, among others, has marginalizing practices derived from centuries old traditions and biased interpretations of Scripture. We see examples of it strewn over two millennia. Chapter 5 concludes this cursory study by summarizing the valuable and constructive characteristics in mission, globalization, postcolonial studies and the Social Gospel. These characteristics can inform the Christian faith in its responsibility of living, and letting others participate, through ‘mission’, in the kingdom of God. Because if we do not, what is still believable today about the significant life of Jesus? / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / tm2015 / New Testament Studies / PhD / Unrestricted

Summary This study deals with Jesus and the outsiders in John 4, with particular focus on John 4:1-42. Methodologically, the study focuses on social identity theory, and asks the question of how Jesus gets the Samaritan woman, who is a member of the outside group, into the insider group. The focus of the study is thus what the behaviour and attitude of the historical and non-conventional Jesus, in the strongly hierarchical social structure of his day, was toward outsiders. John 4:1-42 is often used in works that focus on missional tendencies in the church. This research attempts to place the missionary responsibility of the church on the table in a new light, resulting from the research results. Firstly, the inter-relational connection between identity, ethos and ethics with regard to Jesus’ attitude toward the outsiders in John 4:1-42 is researched. Secondly, the interpretation history of John is described, whereafter the social-scientific approach and the way in which social identity theory can be applied to John 4:1-42, is described. The purpose of the study is to suggest a new missional approach for the church, based on the research results of the study. In John 4:1-42 Jesus did not only repair the relationship between Him as a Jew and the Samaritan woman, but also the broken relationship between the Samaritans and the Jews - two previously conflicting ethnic groups who are now born into the new family of God (John 1:12). In the narrative, the Samaritan woman becomes a μαρτυρούσης (John 4:39). The result of the Samaritan woman’s testimony (John 4:39) becomes a personal testimony that eventually convinces the others of Jesus’ true identity (John 4:39). The woman’s testimony provided the initial impetus for them to come to Jesus, but now they have heard for themselves and have drawn their own conclusion. Many had believed in Jesus on account of the Samaritan woman’s testimony. Many more believed on account of Jesus’ word. Jesus’ harvest among the Samaritans therefore signals the return of a part of the unbelieving world to God as a first sign of the universal scope of Jesus’ saving mission. / Thesis (PhD)-- University of Pretoria 2017. / New Testament Studies / PhD / Unrestricted