Beginning with the assumption that HIV and AIDS is a “gendered pandemic,” and that the church is central to the lives of many people in Africa, particularly Tanzania, this study sought to assess the HIV and AIDS intervention programmes of the church. The study used the HIV and AIDS programmes and policy of the Northern Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania as a case study, and the central question of this study was: “To what extent have the theological beliefs which under-gird the HIV and AIDS policy and programmes encouraged these programmes to adequately respond to the gender challenges posed by the pandemic?” The hypothesis of this study was that the HIV and AIDS programmes of the ELCT Northern Diocese have not responded adequately to the gender challenges posed by the pandemic among its church members, and that therefore a more gender-sensitive theological response is needed. As such the objectives of this study were: To describe and analyze the HIV and AIDS policy and programmes of the ELCT Northern Diocese; To investigate whether the HIV and AIDS programmes are gender sensitive; To examine to what extent the theological beliefs under-girding the HIV and AIDS programmes and policy encourage gender sensitivity in these programmes; To develop theologies that encourage a more gender sensitive response to HIV and AIDS. The data for the study was collected through in-depth interviews, participant observation, case studies and documentary sources such as primary health education programme annual reports and policy document. From sketching the context of the HIV and AIDS pandemic in Tanzania in general, the study proceeds to describe and analyze the prevailing HIV and AIDS programmes of the ELCT Northern Diocese, which range from HIV and AIDS education awareness, to the provision of medical care, physical and spiritual care. It then assesses the theological beliefs underpinning the diocese‟s HIV and AIDS programmes/policy, and examines how the Lutheran Church understands and involves itself in the mission of God, pointing to a way forward in this regard by underlining Luther‟s practical response to the bubonic plague in relation to HIV and AIDS programmes. Three theoretical frameworks of analysis were used to assist in the analysis of the data collected. These were: a) the gendered conceptual framework for assessing HIV and AIDS interventions as pioneered by Geeta Rao Gupta; b) Luther‟s theologies of suffering, healing and gender; c) African feminist cultural hermeneutics as pioneered by Musimbi Kanyoro. The study concludes that as long as the church does not consider the gender nature of HIV and AIDS, its efforts to overcome the pandemic will bear little fruit. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2011.

The thesis describes the use of stories and metaphors in pastoral counseling with orphans and vulnerable children (future: OVC) affected by HIV and AIDS in Mbeya.. It is a narrative approach study which examines and explores stories and other metaphors for the children’s resilience. A narrative approach helps pastoral counselors to use stories and metaphors such as life stories, proverbs, biblical narratives, plays, art, songs, riddles, poems, symbols and images for the healing and coping mechanism with OVC. The OVC in the midst of challenges of HIV and AIDS crisis can find a healing and coping mechanism in Mbeya. A narrative approach with the use of stories and metaphors in pastoral counseling and in practical theology can be used and applied in responding to issues surrounding the OVC. It is an approach that can help the OVC find their resilience and grow into a more meaningful life, the life of wholeness. Methodologically, case studies, focus groups and interviews have been used to collect the data which was analyzed and interpreted in detail to reach the objectives of the study. I explored and discussed in detail the use of narratives, stories, and metaphors in case studies and focus groups with OVC in Mbeya. Finally, an integrative narrative model was established to build up a practical method for practical theology and counseling in dealing with the challenges which the OVC are facing. The model came as a result of the analysis and interpretation of the case studies, focus groups and interviews conducted in the field research. It describes a life cycle of a person, the events and experiences one passes through, which will ultimately help a person to grow and mature to become whole or an integrative being. / Practical Theology / D. Th. (Practical Theology, Specialisation Pastoral Therapy)

It is arguably clear that the AIDS epidemic has infected and affected our world in radical ways. Although every sector, including Biblical Studies, has come to its ‘senses’, by realising the urgency to respond; there still appears to be inadequate contextual engagement with the biblical text to stimulate empowering and transformative readings of the Bible. This case study is aimed at contributing to scholarship by determining the extent to which the church, the academy and Persons with HIV have adhered to stigmatising interpretations. The theoretical framework used, was the reader response method as applied within the context of African theology because it is socially located. The data was collected through focus groups and personal interviews. The purposive sampling included 70 participants, who were divided into three key categories: academic theologians, university students and persons with HIV. All participants in the study re-read 2 Samuel 13:1-14:33 in order to ascertain if the characters therein could be relevant to the context of AIDS. The overall findings showed that characters from 2 Samuel 13:1-14:33 can provide an empowering message in the context of AIDS. Although this biblical text has often been misused to promote stigma, this study confirmed that it was nonetheless possible to use the same text to unearth redemptive and empowering interpretations. Therefore the study recommends that the move towards an HIV/AIDS Biblical Hermeneutics invites socially engaged scholars along with ordinary readers to read the text together for transformative purposes. / Old Testament and Ancient Near Eastern Studies / D. Div. (Old Testament)

The thesis describes the use of stories and metaphors in pastoral counseling with orphans and vulnerable children (future: OVC) affected by HIV and AIDS in Mbeya.. It is a narrative approach study which examines and explores stories and other metaphors for the children’s resilience. A narrative approach helps pastoral counselors to use stories and metaphors such as life stories, proverbs, biblical narratives, plays, art, songs, riddles, poems, symbols and images for the healing and coping mechanism with OVC. The OVC in the midst of challenges of HIV and AIDS crisis can find a healing and coping mechanism in Mbeya. A narrative approach with the use of stories and metaphors in pastoral counseling and in practical theology can be used and applied in responding to issues surrounding the OVC. It is an approach that can help the OVC find their resilience and grow into a more meaningful life, the life of wholeness. Methodologically, case studies, focus groups and interviews have been used to collect the data which was analyzed and interpreted in detail to reach the objectives of the study. I explored and discussed in detail the use of narratives, stories, and metaphors in case studies and focus groups with OVC in Mbeya. Finally, an integrative narrative model was established to build up a practical method for practical theology and counseling in dealing with the challenges which the OVC are facing. The model came as a result of the analysis and interpretation of the case studies, focus groups and interviews conducted in the field research. It describes a life cycle of a person, the events and experiences one passes through, which will ultimately help a person to grow and mature to become whole or an integrative being. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / D. Th. (Practical Theology, Specialisation Pastoral Therapy)

It is arguably clear that the AIDS epidemic has infected and affected our world in radical ways. Although every sector, including Biblical Studies, has come to its ‘senses’, by realising the urgency to respond; there still appears to be inadequate contextual engagement with the biblical text to stimulate empowering and transformative readings of the Bible. This case study is aimed at contributing to scholarship by determining the extent to which the church, the academy and Persons with HIV have adhered to stigmatising interpretations. The theoretical framework used, was the reader response method as applied within the context of African theology because it is socially located. The data was collected through focus groups and personal interviews. The purposive sampling included 70 participants, who were divided into three key categories: academic theologians, university students and persons with HIV. All participants in the study re-read 2 Samuel 13:1-14:33 in order to ascertain if the characters therein could be relevant to the context of AIDS. The overall findings showed that characters from 2 Samuel 13:1-14:33 can provide an empowering message in the context of AIDS. Although this biblical text has often been misused to promote stigma, this study confirmed that it was nonetheless possible to use the same text to unearth redemptive and empowering interpretations. Therefore the study recommends that the move towards an HIV/AIDS Biblical Hermeneutics invites socially engaged scholars along with ordinary readers to read the text together for transformative purposes. / Old Testament and Ancient Near Eastern Studies / D. Div. (Old Testament)