In many cultures and religions of the world the belief in transcendental realities, like God, the Devil and other benevolent and malevolent spirits are widespread. These realities are constructed in different ways, depending upon context. In light of the development Western industrial societies have undergone, it follows that the belief in transcendental realities may have given way to beliefs that are steeped more, in empiricism. However, understanding the belief in transcendental realities seems to be gaining renewed interest in various social science disciplines in light of the fact that claims of experiences of spirit possession are escalating. The implication this understanding has on the treatment a patient receives is likely to depend upon the training of the practitioner consulted. It follows that the experiences of patients who believe they are possessed by a spirit is as equally important to practitioners of psychology as it is to theologians. Psychologists would likely ascribe a spirit possession to a psychological experience; while theologians will attest to the presence of a spiritual illness. This project focussed on Free Church pastors in Germany and their perceptions of spirit possession and mental illness. To explore Free Church pastors understanding of spirit possession and mental illness is critical in light of the overlap of symptoms. Misdiagnosis may result in a client receiving treatment which may not be appropriate. Interviews with Free Church pastors were conducted. The results were analysed and 4 themes were identified. Based on these interviews conclusions could be drawn which ultimately made it clear that the German free church pastors’ theological training needs to be supplemented in the area of psychology and that the pastors are unable to cope in the area of ‘spirit possession or mental illness’ / Psychology / D.Litt. et Phil. (Psychology)

Text in German with English and German summaries / Viel Stress und mangelnde Stressbewältigung beeinflussen das gesamte Leben von interkulturellen Mitarbeitern, wie Gesundheit, geistliches Leben, Arbeitsleistung und Beziehungen. Langjährige und umfangreiche Information über Stress und Stressbewältigung zeigte nur wenig positive Veränderung. Diese Untersuchung beschreibt und reflektiert das Erleben und den Umgang mit Stress interkultureller Mitarbeiter, um eine Grundlage für bessere Möglichkeiten zum Stressmanagement im interkulturellen Kontext zu schaffen und damit authentisches geistliches Leben zu fördern. Ziel dieser Studie ist es, aufzuzeigen, wie die Pastoraltherapie interkulturelle Mitarbeiter in ihrem Stressmanagement unterstützen kann. Die Untersuchung über Stress und Stressmanagement von christlichen Mitarbeitern im interkulturellen Kontext soll interkulturelle Mitarbeiter, ihre sendenden Organisationen und Seelsorger informieren und eine Grundlage für Workshops und pastoral-therapeutische Gespräche über Stressmanagement werden. Diese Arbeit zeigt auf, dass Pastoraltherapie einen wichtigen Beitrag in der Verbesserung der Stressbewältigung von christlichen interkulturellen Mitarbeiterinnen und Mitarbeitern leisten kann. / Cross-cultural workers often experience very stressful conditions yet often lack appropriate coping mechanisms. Too much stress over a long period of time influences every aspect of life, like health, spiritual life, work performance and relationships. Continuous and extensive information about stress and stress management have not brought the desired changes. This research analyses stressful conditions and stress management strategies of intercultural workers in order to show the reasons for this lack of stress management. The outcome of this research will be used as a foundation to help intercultural workers to find ways how to manage their stress more effectively and to foster authentic spiritual life.The goal of this study is to highlight how pastoral therapy can support intercultural workers in their stress management. This research will show that pastoral therapy can make a significant contribution to improve stress management for Christian cross-cultural workers. / Practical Theology / M.Th. (Practical Theology (Pastoral Therapy))

Die vorliegende Masterarbeit ist ein erster Versuch, den Beitrag Reinhold Ruthes für die biblisch therapeutische Seelsorge in Deutschland wissenschaftlich zu untersuchen. Sie erforscht, wie der christliche Psychotherapeut Reinhold Ruthe in deutschen protestantischen Gemeinden prägte. In seinem integrativen und zugleich selektiven Ansatz macht Ruthe Erkenntnisse aus der Individualpsychologie und weiterer psychologischer Schulen für die christliche Seelsorge fruchtbar. Diese Quellen werden vorgestellt. Um seine Person und sein Werk besser zu verstehen, untersucht diese Arbeit Ruthes Biografie und zeigt den zeitgeschichtlichen Kontext auf. Dies wird durch ein Interview ergänzt, das Ruthe selbst zu Wort kommen lässt. Ein Überblick seiner Publikationen wird durch die Analyse ausgewählter Werke erweitert. Neben seiner Tätigkeit als Autor, prägte Ruthe die Seelsorgepraxis durch seinen Dienst als Lehrer und Seelsorger sowie indirekt durch seine Schüler. Aus all dem stellt diese Arbeit den besonderen Beitrag von Reinhold Ruthe für die Laienseelsorge und die Integration von Psychologie und Seelsorge im Gemeindealltag heraus This master dissertation is the first attempt to academically investigate Reinhold Ruthe’s shaping and influence on biblical therapeutical counseling in Germany. It explores how the Christian psychotherapist Reinhold Ruthe shaped German Protestant churches. Through his integrative and at the same time selective approach, Ruthe identifies insights, which he obtained from the individual psychology and other psychological schools, and makes them fruitful for Christian counseling. Such sources are presented. In order to better understand his person and his work, the dissertation examines Ruthe's biography, also giving insights on his historical context. This is enriched by an interview, which gives voice to Ruthe himself. An overview of his publications is also enhanced by the analysis of selected works. Besides his work as an author, Ruthe shaped the practice of pastoral care through his activities as teacher and counsellor and indirectly through his students. The dissertation presents through all this Reinhold Ruthe’s peculiar contribution for the laymen counseling and his efforts in the integration of psychology and pastoral care in daily church life / This master dissertation is the first attempt to academically investigate Reinhold Ruthe’s shaping and influence on biblical therapeutical counseling in Germany. It explores how the Christian psychotherapist Reinhold Ruthe shaped German Protestant churches. Through his integrative and at the same time selective approach, Ruthe identifies insights, which he obtained from the individual psychology and other psychological schools, and makes them fruitful for Christian counseling. Such sources are presented. In order to better understand his person and his work, the dissertation examines Ruthe's biography, also giving insights on his historical context. This is enriched by an interview, which gives voice to Ruthe himself. An overview of his publications is also enhanced by the analysis of selected works. Besides his work as an author, Ruthe shaped the practice of pastoral care through his activities as teacher and counsellor and indirectly through his students. The dissertation presents through all this Reinhold Ruthe’s peculiar contribution for the laymen counseling and his efforts in the integration of psychology and pastoral care in daily church life / Practical Theology / M. Th. (Pastoral Theology)