Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1971. / Typescript. Vita. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 361-392). "Published articles and books of Roy A. Suelflow": leaf [394].

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Illinois, 1931. / Vita. Published also without thesis note and as Augustana library publications, no. 14, under title: T.N. Hasselquist; the career and influence of a Swedish-American clergyman, journalist and educator. Bibliography: p. 233-256.

The primary question which this study endeavors to answer is: How are achievement, intelligence and personality tests results used in the elementary schools of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod? This study will investigate only the use of standardized tests. As each school and each teacher would use different types of teacher-made tests for different purposes, it was felt that no general conclusions could be reached in the use of that type of instrument were included in this study. Limiting the study to standardized tests provides for a common basis on which to evaluate all schools. Another reason for selecting standardized tests is that the publishers of such instruments generally outline the uses for which the test is to be employed. By utilizing the most commonly suggested uses of these tests, standards can be set up. The success of a testing program can then be measured against this standard.

No abstract available. / Dissertation (MA(Theol))--University of Pretoria, 2011. / Church History and Church Policy / unrestricted

No description available.

Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This dissertation aims at recording, evaluating and analysing sermons of the lay preachers in the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian Nkhoma Synod in Central Malawi. Basically, these preachers have an oral culture. This analysis reveals the inherent ability of the oral lay preachers to communicate effectively using their indigenous knowledge system and modes of communication which are characteristic of an oral culture. Secondly, the analysis also reveals some lack in these sermons in terms of biblical understanding. Therefore, the purpose of this dissertation is to develop a homiletical theory and praxis which will regard the biblical text and the people’s context - Word and world – as serious. Finally, the research proves that, if the strategy of implementing a training process in the congregations for all lay preachers, in order to empower them to use both their traditional modes of communication and an understanding of the Bible, could be realised, the spirituality of the people would improve and Christianity would have a greater impact in the society. To achieve the foregoing, we use Osmer’s practical theological interpretation methodology and the Heidelberg method of sermon analysis. Chapter two provides a general overview and description of the historical context, and cultural worldview of the people. The contextual challenges that affect the Church and the phenomenon of oral lay preacher are also described. In Chapter three, we analyse lay preachers’ sermons using the Heidelberg method of sermon analysis which has a strong Reformed foundation. The rhetorical strategy of using stories, retelling, parables, myths, fables and other strategies are exemplified. The critical evaluation of the context and detailed analysis of the sermons are done as we try to answer the question: “What is going on?” Chapter four uses the findings of the analysis and begins to develop the homiletical theory, theology and praxis of the oral lay preaching context. In so doing we explain why the oral culture understands, arranges and communicates indigenous knowledge in preaching. We also ask why the lay preachers preach the way they do and react to this question: “Why is this going on?” In Chapter five we develop an oral hermeneutics within the lay preaching context of the Malawian Church (CCAP); the art of doing theology in context is demonstrated using several examples of sermons. The Process of Reading and Re-reading of Texts as a means of interpretation is suggested. Furthermore, in this section, we respond to the question, “What ought to be going on?” And finally in chapter six, we make recommendations and suggestions for the implementation of lay leadership development using a model of the indigenous knowledge system found in the context. A strategy of training pastors who in turn will train local preachers is exemplified. Finally, we answer the question, “How may we respond?” The researcher believes that through this study many lay leaders will be trained in the CCAP Nkhoma synod and that there will be transformation in people’s lives. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie proefskrif het ten doel die opname, evaluering en ontleding van preke van die lekepredikers in die Kerk van Sentraal-Afrika Presbyterian Nkhoma Sinode in Sentraal Malawi. Hierdie predikers het basies 'n mondelinge kultuur. Hierdie analise toon die inherente vermoë van die lekepredikers om effektief mondelings te kommunikeer met behulp van hul inheemse kennis stelsels en vorme van kommunikasie wat kenmerkend is van 'n mondelinge kultuur. Tweedens, uit die analise blyk ook 'n paar gebrek in die preke in terme van Bybelse begrip. Daarom is die doel van hierdie verhandeling om 'n homiletiese teorie en praktyk te ontwikkel wat die Bybelse teks en die mense se konteks - Woord en die wêreld - as ernstig beskou. Ten slotte bewys die navorsing dat, indien ‘n strategie vir die implementering van 'n opleidingsproses in die gemeentes vir alle lekepredikers verwesenlik kan word, ten einde hulle te bemagtig om beide hul tradisionele vorme van kommunikasie en 'n begrip van die Bybel, te gebruik, die spiritualiteit van die mense sal verbeter en die Christendom 'n groter impak in die samelewing sou kon uitoefen. Om die voorafgaande te bereik, gebruik ons Osmer se metode van praktiese teologiese interpretasie, asook die Heidelberg metode van preek analise. Hoofstuk twee gee 'n algemene oorsig en beskrywing van die historiese konteks, en kulturele wêreldbeskouing van die mense. Die kontekstuele uitdagings wat die kerk in die oë staar, asook die verskynsel van mondelinge lekepredikers word beskryf. In hoofstuk drie analiseer ons lekepredikers se preke deur middel van die Heidelberg metode van preek-analise wat 'n sterk Gereformeerde basis het. Die retoriese strategie van die gebruik van stories, oorvertellings, gelykenisse, mites, fabels en ander strategieë word onder oë geneem. Die kritiese evaluering van die konteks en gedetailleerde ontleding van die preke word gedoen as ons probeer om die vraag te beantwoord: "Wat gaan aan?" Hoofstuk vier gebruik die bevindinge van die analise en begin om die homiletiese teorie, teologie en praktyk van die mondelinge konteks te ontwikkel. Deur dit te doen verduidelik ons waarom die mondelinge kultuur inheemse kennis verstaan, reël en kommunikeer in die prediking. Ons vra ook waarom die lekepredikers verkondig op die manier waarop hulle wel doen en reageer ons op die vraag: "Hoekom is dit aan die gang?" In hoofstuk vyf ontwikkel ons 'n mondelinge hermeneutiek binne die konteks van die Malawiese Kerk (CCAP), asook die kuns van teologie doen in konteks met behulp van verskeie voorbeelde van preke. Die proses van die lees en weer lees van tekste as 'n middel van die interpretasie word voorgestel. Ons reageer dus hier op die vraag: "Wat behoort aan te gaan?" En uiteindelik in hoofstuk ses, maak ons aanbevelings en voorstelle vir die implementering van leierskaps-ontwikkeling met behulp van 'n model van inheemse kennis stelsels, soos gevind in die konteks. 'n Strategie vir die opleiding van predikante wat op hulle beurt plaaslike predikers sal oplei word voorgestel. Ten slotte beantwoord ons dus die vraag: "Hoe kan ons reageer?" Die navorser hoop dat deur middel van hierdie studie baie leiers opgelei sal word in die CCAP Nkhoma Sinode en dat daar transformasie in mense se lewens sal plaasvind.

Christian life today has been influenced by countless influences from the external world. Although these external factors have a significant bearing on the church of Christ, the greatest challenge however manifests itself from within the latter. Where the core doctrine of the church constitutes issues of theological and Christian importance, they seem to slowly dissipate and the practices of the secular world seem to take ownership of the church of Christ. The Reformed church has within its confines the three marks of the church whose sole purpose is to ensure that the church of God remains and continues to be the true church of Christ. These Three Marks are: (a) the proclamation of the Word; (b) the correct administration of the sacraments, and (c) the correct exercise of discipline. Among the three marks, discipline acts as a catalyst that enables the survival and proper continuance of the other two marks and thus the true church of Christ. These Three Marks prescribe the basic fundamentals of the Uniting Reformed Church in Southern Africa (URCSA) as a Reformed Church and thereby serve as a primary tool for this church. Discipline, therefore, forms an intrinsic part of this church. However, as a controlling mechanism, its influence and/or instillation appears to be neglected. This quagmire may very well be attested to the overemphasis of democracy (of/or relating to majority rule doctrine) in preference to theocracy (God as the ultimate authority in our lives), where even matters of high religious stature are being compacted to human decision-making processes. These influences needless to say are key in the regression and/or progression of Christian life and life in general. However, their inclusion within the Christian doctrine should not be cumbersome to the latter. The Christian way of life and doctrines should be holistically adhered to without fear or favour. The main purpose behind the formation of these marks by the Reformed church was to sustain the true church of Christ and the only way to ensure this sustainability, was to be consistent in exercising these marks. The church therefore has an obligation towards God and its members to be consistent in carrying out its mandate from God through the scriptures as the creator and father of the church and the world at large. The premonition that forms the basis of this research is that within the three prevalent marks of the church, there appears to be certain discrepancies in that they are not all carried out in unison and are not consistent with each other. With the over-emphasis of one above the other, the church of God could be heading towards vanity, and all its efforts could be fruitless. It is also my conviction that the starting point for rolling out these three marks lie with the leadership of the church by the General Synod, Regional Synods, Presbyteries, Ministers and their church councils. If found that any of these key adherents are not protagonists of these marks, then they would have neglected their God-entrusted responsibilities and their accountability towards the entire community of believers. It is in this regard that this research seeks to implement a litmus test of where the URCSA stands in terms of executing its mandate with relation to the three marks of the church viz; proclaiming the word, administering the sacraments and more importantly, exercising exercising discipline as these marks form the sinew that binds the entire church together. The church of Christ as an entity is engaged in service, which is not to be haphazard in nature, but must be structured. This service begins with serving God, serving one another and finally serving the world at large. This will ensure that the church of God maintains its holiness. For this holiness to be ensured, the church of God has to be open to discernment and allow God take charge of His church. Such uncertainties can be verified only by looking into discipline as the sinew that brings these three marks together. The reason for this approach is that, the first two marks are prescriptive with more parameters than discipline has, whereas discipline can be easily influenced. It is to the benefit of this task that much attention be given to discipline as the last mark of the three, as it is prone to abuse, because it relies mainly on human behaviour, attitude and/or approach to the Christian life. Therefore, the purpose of this dissertation is to outline the possible disintegration of discipline as the sinew that binds the three marks of the Reformed Church in general and URCSA in particular within the Southern Synod. important to note that discipline in the lower strata of the church is carried out religiously without question. The notion that prompted this topic is that contrarily, those who occupy the highest echelons of the church (leadership in the church, ministers and evangelists) do not appear to be enjoying the same reception regarding discipline. The challenge that faces the URCSA is how to maintain equal treatment of the three marks of the true church in a democratic society in the light of the service of God, one another and the world. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / M. Th.(Systematic Theology)

Thesis (MTh)--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: ABSTRACT This paper presents a proposal of carrying out sustainable relief and development activities from the church perspective. With reference to the Nkhoma Synod Relief and Development Project, the paper suggests that awareness brings about self-reliance; and forms a concrete foundation for any community project. The first chapter gives an introduction to the whole presentation. This includes research problem statement, hypothesis, motivation, and possible value of the study. Chapter 2 looks at meaning of development and what role should the church take in order to empower and improve the life of the local community. Chapter 3 analyses the relief programme initiated by Nkhoma Synod. The chapter looks at some problems that made the projects initiated by the church and government in Malawi not to work. Chapter 4 looks at some steps of how the church of Nkhoma Synod can initiate her programmes in order to be successful. The chapter first looks at the meaning of church and mission, then it goes to look at what do we mean when we talk of self-reliance of the local community. Eventually, chapter suggests how best can the church in Nkhoma Synod approach relief and development programme to bring about self-reliance. The chapter looks at the role of the change agents and the community. The final part that is chapter 5 contains some concluding remarks. The paper concludes with remarks that the people themselves must see that coming together to work in small groups is not only to their own advantage but also leads to increase solidarity and strengthens the people as a group.

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This research reviewed the neglect of cities in the mission work of the Reformed Churches in Southern Africa with a special reference to churches of Synod Soutpansberg. The biblical passage, Jeremiah 29:1-14 was used, as a representative of other biblical passages, to shed light on the role of cities in mission work of the church while addressing misconceptions and false theology about the cities and the role they played and still play in the mission work of the church. The same biblical message is confirmed by many missiology literature, including, "Cities, Missions' New Frontier" by R.S. Greenway and T.M. Monsma (1989); "City of God - City of Satan" by R.C. Linthicum(1991) and "Discipling the City" by R.S. Greenway (1992). The biblical message and the missiology literature mentioned above were the basis from which the neglect of the role of the cities in the history of the mission work of the Reformed Churches in Southern Africa was studied. From these basis, the causes, implementations and effects of such neglect in the mission work of the Soutpansberg churches was studied in Chapter 3. The empirical research was conducted using the interview questionnaire in Chapter 4. The empirical results and findings, which were presented in this research, can direct churches towards a remedy of the neglect of the cities in their mission work as far as the strategies is concerned. The neglect of the cities in the history of the mission work of the Reformed Churches in Southern Africa was studied with an aim that churches learn from it and hence avoid the past neglect in their present and future mission plans, strategies and programs. In other words, the lesson is important for churches to view the role of the secular cities as important instruments used by God to speed up not only the planting and growing big holy churches from those secular cities outwards, but also the biblical reformation of the rural - orientated theories, strategies and practice! / Thesis (M.A. (Theology))--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2008.