Radical changes during the past century not only effected the broad global society, but also church life. Dwindeling numbers of membership and lesser church attendance show that worldwide secularization has put the church in a tight position. On the other hand, there is currently renewed interest in spiritual life. This tendency gives Christianity and the church as such the opportunity to come forward with new and creative ways to convey the message of the gospel. One of the focus points should be to rediscover and renew the worship service, as it is still the main function of the church. Post modern ways of life and thinking should together with the eternal Word of God be the prime factors of rethinking worship. With mainly these arguments in mind, this study attempts to develop a design by which creative and effective worship services can be planned. Because the Bible as Gods Word is central in reformed theological thinking as well as in the whole spectrum of such church life, that will be the basis. As far as the worship service is concerned, the text for the sermon is held to be not only the focus point but actually the source from which all the liturgical elements develop. The study starts off with an overview of current tendencies. Chapter 2 deals with the research work being an empirical survey as well as a literature study. Results of the empirical survey is dealt with throughout the study. Chapter 3 discusses the whole issue of the presence of God in the church service. After an overview of this phenomenon in different eras of church history, it concludes with the outcome that God’s presence is firstly a historical fact and secondly a means of communication during a certain event. This can be experienced because the worshiper is a person with a certain human makup who lives in a particular time and space. In Chapter 4 the issue of the hermeneutical process comes into view. It deals with the Word in context and feels in the end at home in the presence of the textual communicative approach of a person such as Paul Ricoeur. The tendencies of the post modern time is also discussed. Chapter 5 focuses on liturgy itself and leads to the point where liturgy is actually the merging of Gods message with the message of the congregation. The final chapter develops the liturgical model which we can call the liturgical design where the text for the sermon is the viewpoint. / Dissertation (MA(Teologie))--University of Pretoria, 2005. / Practical Theology / unrestricted

The problem investigated in this study is the following: “What is the nature and function of the theme of God’s speech in the book of Hebrews and within the whole of the revelation in Scripture?”. This problem can only be solved if the unfolding nature of God’s speech from the Old to the New Testament is taken into account (cf. Heb 1:1-2), the theme is researched grammatical-historically, and then placed revelational-historically within the whole of Scripture. The introductory questions of the book of Hebrews are investigated for the potential light that answers to these questions can shed on the appearance, function and interpretation of references to God’s speech in the book. Subsequently, the structure of Hebrews is investigated and analysed to determine the position which the theme of God’s speech assumes within the sermon. This goal is achieved through a literature study on suggestions for Hebrews’ structure, followed up by an independent thought structure analysis of Hebrews according to the method of Coetzee (1988a:19-37). From the position of the theme of God’s speech within the structure of the sermon the nature and content of the author of Hebrews’ references to the theme of God’s speech as introductory formulae, and as part of Old Testament quotations themselves, are determined. This is done by examining the 38 introductory formulae in Hebrews in detail on the basis of a literature and independent study. Subsequently, eleven pericopes in Hebrews where keywords of the theme of God’s speech come together as part of the argumentation of the sermon are researched grammatical-historically using a combined method of Coetzee (1997), Tolar (2002), Jordaan (2004a) and Fee (2009). Ultimately it is determined how the theme of God’s speech unfolds in the book of Hebrews regarding manner, nature and content by giving an overview of the collected material by means of analysis, interpretation and synthesis. From this overview it is determined how the author of Hebrews’ theme of God’s speech fits into the whole of God’s revelation in Scripture. This is achieved by doing a cursory revelational-historical study using a combined method of Coetzee (1995) and Jordaan (2003) on six topics that form the overview of the theme of God’s speech in Hebrews. Finally, a general conclusion is reached by answering the problem of this study by way of enumeration: The revelational-historical importance of the theme of God’s speech in Hebrews is that the author shares the presupposition of other biblical authors that the Old Testament is divinely inspired and therefore absolutely authoritative, but then with the explicit emphasis that God is presently still speaking directly and urgently with man through it. The unfolding of God’s revelation also has a specific accentuation in Hebrews by means of the author’s emphasis that God revealed Himself superior and finally in his Son. The author of Hebrews’ emphasis on the greater responsibility of the hearers to listen faithfully and obediently because of God’s superior revelation in his Son, is also unique. For these reasons alone Hebrews has an indispensable role within the Canon. / PhD (New Testament), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

The problem investigated in this study is the following: “What is the nature and function of the theme of God’s speech in the book of Hebrews and within the whole of the revelation in Scripture?”. This problem can only be solved if the unfolding nature of God’s speech from the Old to the New Testament is taken into account (cf. Heb 1:1-2), the theme is researched grammatical-historically, and then placed revelational-historically within the whole of Scripture. The introductory questions of the book of Hebrews are investigated for the potential light that answers to these questions can shed on the appearance, function and interpretation of references to God’s speech in the book. Subsequently, the structure of Hebrews is investigated and analysed to determine the position which the theme of God’s speech assumes within the sermon. This goal is achieved through a literature study on suggestions for Hebrews’ structure, followed up by an independent thought structure analysis of Hebrews according to the method of Coetzee (1988a:19-37). From the position of the theme of God’s speech within the structure of the sermon the nature and content of the author of Hebrews’ references to the theme of God’s speech as introductory formulae, and as part of Old Testament quotations themselves, are determined. This is done by examining the 38 introductory formulae in Hebrews in detail on the basis of a literature and independent study. Subsequently, eleven pericopes in Hebrews where keywords of the theme of God’s speech come together as part of the argumentation of the sermon are researched grammatical-historically using a combined method of Coetzee (1997), Tolar (2002), Jordaan (2004a) and Fee (2009). Ultimately it is determined how the theme of God’s speech unfolds in the book of Hebrews regarding manner, nature and content by giving an overview of the collected material by means of analysis, interpretation and synthesis. From this overview it is determined how the author of Hebrews’ theme of God’s speech fits into the whole of God’s revelation in Scripture. This is achieved by doing a cursory revelational-historical study using a combined method of Coetzee (1995) and Jordaan (2003) on six topics that form the overview of the theme of God’s speech in Hebrews. Finally, a general conclusion is reached by answering the problem of this study by way of enumeration: The revelational-historical importance of the theme of God’s speech in Hebrews is that the author shares the presupposition of other biblical authors that the Old Testament is divinely inspired and therefore absolutely authoritative, but then with the explicit emphasis that God is presently still speaking directly and urgently with man through it. The unfolding of God’s revelation also has a specific accentuation in Hebrews by means of the author’s emphasis that God revealed Himself superior and finally in his Son. The author of Hebrews’ emphasis on the greater responsibility of the hearers to listen faithfully and obediently because of God’s superior revelation in his Son, is also unique. For these reasons alone Hebrews has an indispensable role within the Canon. / PhD (New Testament), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Notre Dame, 2007. / Thesis directed by Nathan D. Mitchell for the Department of Theology. "April 2007." Includes bibliographical references (leaves 274-287).

Thesis (MA (Theol.)-University of Pretoria, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (S.T.M.)--Concordia Theological Seminary, Ft. Wayne, 2000. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 175-179).

Thesis (S.T.M.)--Concordia Theological Seminary, Ft. Wayne, 2000. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 175-179).

Thesis (S.T.M.)--Concordia Theological Seminary, Ft. Wayne, 2000. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 175-179).

A missão do diácono permanente como servidor da mesa da Palavra e sua contribuição à atual demanda missionária da ICAR no campo da Evangelização. A investigação, que parte dos textos exarados pelo Concílio Vaticano II e alcança os documentos magisteriais pós-conciliares, tem por objetivo valorizar o exercício do munus docendi ecclesiae conferido ao diácono permanente em virtude de sua ordenação sacramental. Baseia-se na pesquisa bibliográfica das fontes indicadas nas referências e se apresenta em três capítulos. O primeiro capítulo trata do ministério do diácono permanente como restaurado pelo Concílio Vaticano II. Examina a similaridade e a distinção entre os ministérios ordenados e os nãoordenados na ICAR. Verifica as funções conferidas pela ordenação nas áreas da Palavra, da liturgia e da caridade. Investiga elementos do serviço à pregação desde a origem do ministério diaconal no Novo Testamento e apresenta a essência do ministério dos antigos diáconos. O segundo capítulo é dedicado ao serviço do diácono permanente à mesa da Palavra de Deus. Investiga o significado prático da recuperação conciliar da noção de unidade das duas mesas Palavra e Eucaristia, com a decorrente revalorização do lugar reservado à Palavra de Deus na liturgia e na vida dos fiéis católicos. Busca pela presença da expressão pão da Palavra de Deus na Tradição eclesial. Investiga o ministério diaconal da Palavra no Magistério eclesial pós-conciliar e nos documentos das Congregações vaticanas, da CNBB e do CELAM. Analisa os elementos do rito de ordenação diaconal e suas implicações práticas para a missão da qual o diácono é investido na ICAR. O terceiro capítulo propõe caminhos para que o diácono permanente possa contribuir no campo da Evangelização, interpretando os resultados das investigações procedidas nos capítulos anteriores. Apresenta a realidade pastoral do ministério diaconal na ICAR e sugere um lugar sustentável e, ao mesmo tempo, relevante para o diácono permanente. Apresenta o diaconato no contexto do ministério ordenado a partir do que o autor denomina chave simbólica. Traz um apanhado geral do que foi levantado na pesquisa com relação a funções na esfera da evangelização e pregação da Palavra de competência do diácono permanente. Elege quatro áreas onde o ministério diaconal pode colaborar na atual demanda missionária da ICAR: catequese renovada, evangelização das famílias e pequenas comunidades, ecumenismo e dimensão pública da Igreja. Conclui que o encargo diaconal no campo da evangelização tem sido muito pouco aproveitado, incentivado ou valorizado na Igreja e na sociedade. Sendo assim os diáconos devem assumir a parcela do serviço que lhes cabe como mensageiros da Palavra, pois certamente têm mais funções no âmbito da pregação e do ensino do que atualmente exercem, haja vista que tudo quanto se refere à pregação do Evangelho, à catequese, à difusão da bíblia e sua explicação ao povo lhes foi conferido ordinariamente. / The mission of the permanent deacon as Server of the table of the Word and his contribution to the current missionary demand of the Roman Catholic Church in the field of Evangelization. The investigation, which stems from texts written by the II Vatican Council and reaches to post-council magisterial documents, has as its goal to value the exercise of the munus docendi ecclesiae conferred to the permanent deacon upon his sacramental ordination. It is based on bibliographical research of the sources cited in the references and is presented in three chapters. The first chapter deals with the ministry of the permanent deacon as reinstated by the II Vatican Council. It examines the similarities and differences between the ordained and non-ordained ministries in the Roman Catholic Church. It verifies the functions conferred by ordination in the areas of the Word, of liturgy and of charity. It investigates elements of service to preaching since the origin of diaconal ministry in the New Testament and presents the essence of the ministry of the ancient deacons. The second chapter is dedicated to the service of the permanent deacon to the table of the Word of God. It investigates the practical meaning of the councils recovery of the notion of the union of the two tables Word and Eucharist, with the consequent revalorization of the place of the Word of God in the liturgy and in the life of the Catholic faithful. It seeks the presence of the expression Bread of the Word of God in the ecclesial Tradition. It investigates the diaconal ministry of the Word in the postcouncil ecclesial Magisterium and in the documents of the Vatican Congregations, of the CNBB and of CELAM. It analyzes the elements of the rite of diaconal ordination and its implications for the mission with which the deacon is invested in the Catholic Church. The third chapter proposes ways in which the permanent deacon can contribute in the field of Evangelization, interpreting the results of the preceding investigations from the prior chapters. It presents the pastoral reality of the diaconal ministry in the Church and suggests a sustainable and at the same time relevant place for the permanent deacon. It presents the diaconate in the context of the ordained ministry based on what the author calls a symbolic key. It puts forth a general summary of what was brought up in the research with regards to the functions in the sphere of evangelization and the preaching of the Word that are of the competence of the permanent deacon. It selects four areas where the diaconal ministry can collaborate in the current missionary demand of the Church: renewed catechesis, evangelization of the families and small communities, ecumenism and the public dimension of the Church. It concludes that the diaconal role in the field of evangelism has not been well used, encouraged or valued in the Church and in society. Being thus, the deacons should assume their share of the service that behooves them as messengers of the Word, since, there are certainly more tasks in the areas of preaching and teaching than they currently carry out, since all that refers to the preaching of the Gospel, to catechesis, to spreading the Bible and its explanation to the people was ordinarily conferred upon them

Vivemos tempos de mudança na relação do homem com o Evangelho. Este estudo tem por objetivo mostrar algumas distorções que tem se proliferado nos meios chamados evangélicos, mostrado, para tanto, alguns dos elementos que vêm colaborando paulatinamente para o esvaziamento prédico e homilético dos púlpitos. Nesse sentido, o Movimento Neopentecostal é marcado pela ausência de características doutrinárias ou hermenêuticas, as quais são influenciadas por práticas estranhas à Palavra de Deus. Não se pode dizer que a culpa da falência homilética dos púlpitos seja apenas atribuída aos Neopentecostais, no entanto, estes, possuem uma visão reducionista de Deus, que o limitam a três aspectos: prosperidade financeira, saúde e realizações pessoais, de forma que se prioriza a busca pelo prazer humano, por uma horizontalização das conquistas terrenas. Nesse contexto, contudo, ainda há exemplos de indivíduos que continuam abrindo mão de tudo para dedicarem a vida ao Senhor e à causa do Evangelho, dos quais, grande parte, são anônimos. São estes que mantém a integridade e a lisura do Evangelho através dos tempos. Conclui-se, então, que o Evangelho não definhará enquanto pessoas imbuídas da verdadeira missão continuarem doando suas vidas em prol de almas que ainda não se curvaram ou sequer ouviram do verdadeiro Cristo. / We live in times of change in man's relationship with the Gospel. This study aims to show some distortions that have proliferated in the media called evangelicals, shown for both, some of the elements that have worked together to gradually emptying and homiletic preaching from the pulpits. In this sense, the Pentecostal Movement is marked by the absence of doctrinal or hermeneutical characteristics, which are influenced by unfair foreign to the Word of God. You cant say that the blame for the failure of homilies from the pulpit is only given to Neopentecostais, however, they possess a reductionist view of God, that limit to three areas: financial prosperity, health and personal achievements, so we prioritize the search for human pleasure, a flattening of earthly achievements. In this context, however, there are still examples of individuals who continue giving up everything to devote his life to the Lord and the Gospel, of which mostly are anonymous. These are maintaining the integrity and fairness of the Gospel through the ages. It follows, then, that the Gospel does not wither away as people imbued with the true mission to continue giving their lives for the sake of souls who have not bowed or even heard of the true Christ.