Militant Islamism is a phenomenon that has received significant attention during the lastdecades. Security scholars and policymakers have attempted to cope with the growingconcern of sympathizers willing to carry out terrorist attacks, but until today the need for afurther understanding of circumstances motivating this violence still remains. This causesdifficulties in effective policy responses to tackle militants as well as it strengthens hatredand equivocal perceptions on Islamic practices. This thesis is constituted on the idea that charismatic leadership partakes in the motivationalforces behind militant sympathizers. The aim of this thesis is to explore the relationship ofself-concepts provided by charismatic leadership theory towards the contents exposed bymilitant leaders within Islamism. This relationship is examined in an analytical study ofspeeches through the cases of two former representative and inspirational leaders of militantIslamism: Osama Bin Laden and Anwar Al Awlaki. The idea is to contribute with a motivational account that is also sensitive to the context ofthis specific leadership based on past research. Remarks are thus exposed through aframework of concepts by Boas Shamir in charismatic leadership and the assisting tools of aqualitative content analysis. A deeper comprehension of how charismatic leadershipfunctions is significant for the future of policies in Islamist militancy and leadership.Following results indicates to pursue the joint study of Islamist militancy in relation tocharismatic response for more conclusive research.

Den här uppsatsen använder hederskulturbegreppets teorier för att undersöka hederskultur inom det pentekostal-karismatiska fältet i Sverige. Materialet består av intervjuer med personer som växt upp i en pentekostal-karismatisk miljö samt av predikningar, litteratur och inlägg i sociala medier. Jag finner att materialet delvis innehåller sådant som kan sägas vara en annan i forskning belagd hederskultur, enkelt uttryckt »traditionell hederskultur« – det vill säga att leva med hedersrelaterade normer och begränsningar. Jag kallar denna variant av hederskultur för »kristen hederskultur«, ett begrepp jag gör ett försök att definiera. Uppsatsens ärende är att granska relationen mellan hederskulturen och kyrkosynen i dessa församlingsmiljöer. Jag finner att renhetsidealen i kyrkosynen – som jag bland annat kallar »fromhetsheder« – bidrar till hederskulturen. Dessa ideal tar i sin tur utgångspunkt i en föreställning om Bibelns auktoritet som rättesnöre för livet vilket gör föräldrarnas uppfostran av barnen i min studie strängare. Den karismatiska förståelsen av världen kan också leda till en alternativ barnuppfostran. Vikten av helighet komplicerar och begränsar även de ungas liv i mitt material. Jag avslutar med att föreslå begreppet »hedersrelaterad ecklesiologi«, en kyrkosyn som jag menar karakteriseras av en ortodox lära, en gemenskap som kräver Guds renhet, en stark församlings-identitet som missionerande, samt en karismatisk praktik.

Syftet med studien är att utforska psykoterapeuters syn på hur psykoterapi kan svara på lidande hos patienter som upplevt förtryck i kristen hederskultur i frikyrkliga miljöer, samt att bidra till ökad kunskap om målgruppen så att psyko­terapeutkåren bättre kan möta dessa patienter. I studien intervjuas tolv psykoterapeuter med erfarenhet av målgruppen. Studiens resultat visar att terapeuterna beskriver att patient­målgruppens gudsbilder som dualistiska, att patienternas inre konflikter innehöll en negativ självbild och rädsla. Den stora stötestenen verkade konflikten kring en laddad sexualitet vara i relation till teologi, familj och församling. Många terapeuter tyckte att det var viktigt med kulturkompetens i mötet med målgruppen, särskilt de terapeuter som hade egen kultur­kompetens. Uppsatsen ställer frågan om psykoterapeut­kårens beredskap att möta målgruppen.

Submitted by Johnny Rodrigues (johnnyrodrigues@ufcg.edu.br) on 2018-10-04T17:11:30Z No. of bitstreams: 1 RONALDO JOSÉ DE SOUSA - DISSERTAÇÃO PPGCS 2004..pdf: 56776943 bytes, checksum: 2656591e07c3b4c6de03329299e01680 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-10-04T17:11:30Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 RONALDO JOSÉ DE SOUSA - DISSERTAÇÃO PPGCS 2004..pdf: 56776943 bytes, checksum: 2656591e07c3b4c6de03329299e01680 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2004-04-05 / CNPq / Este estudo apresenta uma análise do pentecostalismo católico no Brasil a partir do interior, ou seja, em suas relações de poder internas, no confronto com a hierarquia católica e, por extensão, com a Teologia da Libertação. O problema fundamental consiste em desvelar e interpretar o intricado universo de relações de poder em articulação no movimento. Parte-se do pressuposto de que a Renovação Carismática desenvolve uma espécie de autonomia sutil que lhe outorga dinamicidade e capacidade de expansão, em razão da introdução de elementos religiosos não tradicionais e do desenvolvimento de mecanismos de poder e de práticas que se contrapõem ao primado da hierarquia na Igreja Católica. Esses elementos são os dons carismáticos, que denotam uma possibilidade de contato com Deus sem intermediação sacerdotal. A autonomia carismática significa uma contestação à estrutura de poder da Igreja. Ela investe tanto contra o clero conservador quanto contra o progressista. A Renovação Carismática nunca obteve a adesão hegemônica da hierarquia católica brasileira, apesar de receber, desde cedo, o apoio formal do Vaticano. A classificação como "neoconservador" é atribuída ao movimento em referência direta ao catolicismo das CEBs. Trata-se, portanto, de uma interpretação de pesquisadores identificados com a chamada ala progressista da Igreja Católica brasileira. E é a partir dessa mesma visão, que o carismatismo é considerado como reação ao pentecostalismo protestante e à Teologia da Libertação. Tal classificação é inadequada e não se justifica quando confrontada com os fatos. A relação propriamente institucional entre a Renovação Carismática e a Conferência Nacional dos Bispos do Brasil, tem sido marcada por tensões inerentes à relativa autonomia do movimento. A CNBB demorou mais de vinte anos para pronunciar-se oficialmente a respeito da RCC. porque tinha prioridades vinculadas ao projeto da Igreja Progressista. Quando enfim publicou o Documento 53, suscitou diversas críticas por causa da inconsistência do texto e de seu caráter essencialmente disciplinar. A índole do Documento reflete claramente o nível das relações de poder em articulação entre os dois segmentos. / This study presents an internal analysis of the Catholic Pentecostalism in Brazil, that is, an analysis of its power relations with the Catholic hierarchy and, by extension, with the Theology of Liberation. The main difficulty found in this work was in terms of how revealing and interpreting the intricate universe of power relations existing in the movement. Our findings are based on the assumption that the Charismatic Renewal has developed a kind of subtle autonomy that gave it dynamism and the ability to expand, because of the introduction of non-traditional religious elements as well the development of power mechanisms and practices that oppose to the primacy of the Catholic Church hierarchy. These religious elements are the charismatic gifts that represent a possibility of contact with God without the intermediation of priests. The Charismatic autonomy represents a contestation to the structure of power in the Church. The said autonomy contests both the conservative and the progressive clergy. The Charismatic Renewal has never obtained a hegemonic adhesion of the Brazilian Catholic hierarchy, although it has received, from the beginning, the formal support from the Vatican. The classification of the movement as "neoconservative" is directly related to the Catholicism of the CEBs and is, therefore, an interpretation of researchers that are identified with the so-called progressive wing of the Brazilian Catholic Church. This same view considers charismaticism as a reaction to the protestant Pentecostalism and the Theology of Liberation. Such classification is inadequate and cannot be justified when compared to facts. As for the institutional relationship between the Charismatic Renewal and the National Conference of Bishops in Brazil, it has always been marked by tensions that are directly related to the autonomy of the movement. It took CNBB (National Conference of Bishops in Brazil) more than twenty years to give their formal opinion about RCC (Catholic Charismatic Renewal), because of other priorities concerning the projects of the Progressive Church. When, at last, the Conference of Bishops published the Document 53. critics claimed that the document showed text inconsistency and had a disciplinary approach, basically. This Document clearly reflects the level of power relations existing between the two segments of the church.

A dynamic movement known as wealth creation education attracts many thousands of people seeking education for the vocation of an entrepreneur in the UK. Entrepreneurship education in these collectives includes venturing know-how but also co-constructs existential meaning and purpose for adherents, a role traditionally fulfilled by religion. This emergent sectarian movement is identified as wealth creationism. Led by charismatic entrepreneurs this newly identified research domain represents rich opportunities to study entrepreneurs in naturally arising settings, but has been neglected and understudied. While publicly subsidised educational support for small-business owners has suffered from low uptake, this study provides new knowledge about the kind of education that is engaged with in large numbers, despite being more expensive. This inquiry critically examines the attraction of these educational collectives and evaluates the social processes of eight wealth creation education providers in England. Teaching content and methods were also investigated. This qualitative study takes an interpreted approach through a social constructionism perspective. Using grounded theory methodology the providers were initially researched through participative observation in the educational settings followed by theoretically sampling data with various collection methods. Interdisciplinary theories, including the sociology of religion, accounted for findings, which were analysed at the meso-group level. The movement teaches entrepreneurship know-how and 'mindset' - ways of thinking and being. Insulating directives of behaviour and the construction of stigmatised out-groups maintain social boundaries. Employing similar narrative features and resources as religious sects, the socially constructed co-extensive nomos and cosmos privileges esoteric knowledge and is closely identified with modern Gnosticism. Participants do not acknowledge religious interpretations of their activities, yet three North American authors provide plausible canonical works that legitimise the movement. Wealth Creationists display entrepreneurial chauvinism, which equates employment with bondage, viewing the employed as slaves. Adherents choose educators with perceived entrepreneurial credibility to lead them on a purposeful mission for the type of knowledge that promises emancipation. This study is significant for both researchers of entrepreneurs and the sociology of religion. It offers participating entrepreneurs critical insights into the charismatic settings, which can be both enabling and disabling for venturing. This study has implications for academics engaged in outreach to small-business owners who may learn from the marketing tactics of these groups, although academics may still lack perceived credibility. Insights into business group formation will be of interest to business group researchers. A map of educational provision may interest researchers and educators of small and microbusiness owners, and those from the fields of entrepreneurial learning.

This thesis is an historical analytical investigation and theological analysis of the fundamental trends of the ‘Third Wave’ Religious Right Movement and the growth of Zimbabwean Christianity. In an attempt to understand the appealing and growth factors of this religious movement in the Zimbabwean Church scene, the research focuses on the trends and behaviour of the Third Wave Religious Right Movement in Zimbabwe and the critical aspect of how this religious movement communicates the Christian faith to its audience. A critical thrust of the study is the question of whether the disciples of the charismatic movement are motivated by faith or economic factors which may ultimately not be the authentic summons of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The research addresses fears and suspicions of many Christians who are caught up between faith and fear response to the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ by the New Religious Right Movements, particularly in Zimbabwe. The hypothetical statement of this work is that there seems to be a subtle reconstruction identity in the theology of the “Third Wave” Religious Right Movement as is clearly manifested through the maneuverings of Christians from the ‘traditional churches’ to these ‘newer charismatic churches in trends which reflect the changing religious geography and the face of African Christianity in general and Zimbabwean Christianity in particular. The research explores the nature, impact and significance of the post – modern ‘Third Wave’ Religious Right Movement in Zimbabwean society in particular. The identity and nature of the ‘Third Wave’ Religious Right Movement in its historical perspective discussed by means of identifying and analyzing the characteristics of this movement and its theological perspectives as well as discussing the factors that promote the growth of the movement in the context of Missio Dei (God’s Mission) and the society in general. Critical to this type of Christianity are the images of power and prosperity which are understood as signs of faith. The impact and effects of this type of faith expression in the socio-political landscape is fully explored. The primary methodology in this study is the historical critical method complimented by oral historiography. Both primary and secondary sources are utilized in this research in a holistic framework for analyzing the historical trends as they unfold in the context of religious declarations and transformations that are part of the phenomenon under investigation. The study observes the translation model of evangelization in the unfolding discourse of the ‘Third Wave’ Religious Right Movement. The study ultimately reveals how people’s economic fears and hopes in the midst of life’s challenges draw them toward religious movements which promise to positively promote a glorious life with practical results being realized “here and now”. This study has clearly exposed how religion, specifically charismatic Christianity, is seen as a package of an abundant life in the context of humanity’s needs and challenges. There is a clear obsession, in the charismatic New Religious Right Movement, with wealth and health as pedestals of salvation and a faithful Christian life. Surprisingly, there is very little reference to moral and ethical issues from the charismatic prophets who are the founders of these New Right Movements. The research notes that the interests of these newer right movements are in prosperity and health: “signs of being saved and blessed”. Lack of economic success is blamed on demons which also causes poor health hence the need to denounce the powers of Satan and engage on “the heavenly gear”. Such teachings have conditioned the prospective converts to seek after material benefits and values as critical aspects of the meaning of salvation and the mission of Christ. The study further reveals that the ‘Third Wave Religious Right Movement promotes a subtle way of making disciples instead of the traditional way of faith response to the gospel proclamation. But does this charismatic religious life have any relevance to our human situation today? The seven compelling chapters of this study have tackled this question and many others, pointing the way to an authentic Christian mission that is alive and relevant to the meaning of salvation in the context of orthodox Christianity. This study concludes that the Church is a catalyst which carries the keys of salvation to bring meaning and solutions to the varied human fears and failures that characterise the temporary nature of human existence. But in doing so; the Church must act in spirit of orthodox Christianity which is the sine qua non of salvation. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / gm2014 / Church History and Church Policy / unrestricted

East Africa, with Nairobi at its hub, is currently experiencing unprecedented rates of urban population growth. Much of this growth is absorbed into informal settlements which, in the case of Nairobi, house over 55% of the city's population. The largest of these settlements is Kibera with a population totaling approximately 700,000. The thesis focuses on Pentecostal churches in Gatwikera, one of the twelve urban villages which together make up Kibera. It is argued that what is emerging within these communities is a distinctive type of church which is defined as informal Pentecostal. Consideration is given to why mainline churches appear to struggle within the informal sector while these churches appear to thrive. The explanation for this is given in the way the Pentecostal churches emerge along the same lines as the informal economy. The thesis sets out to identify the distinctive nature of the churches and the way in which they exemplify a different form of Christian presence in the settlements to that of mainline churches and Roho churches. The study offers an analysis of their ministry and their pastors and considers their relationship to the flows of the rural urban continuum and the liminality of informal settlements. The study seeks to identify the contribution these churches make to mission within the community particularly looking at their role in social transformation. It concludes that while the churches provide an important Christian presence within the community and social capital to enable people to better survive and retain hope within the settlements they offer little towards the much needed social transformation within the settlements. It is further argued that for this to be achieved, attention needs to be given to the development of appropriate forms of training and the facilitation of higher degrees of networking and collaboration. The thesis is structured around the pastoral cycle which forms both the theoretical framework and the research methodology. The suitability of the pastoral cycle as a research method is explored within the thesis. / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / D.Th. (Missiology)

This study explores how gay Christian men in the pentecostal/charismatic movement reinterpret their spirituality as a reaction to the discourse about homosexuality in this movement. The spiritual experience of gay men is contextualized within the particular emphasis on individual experience found in pentecostal/charismatic spirituality. Practical theological research is conducted within a postmodern discourse set in context of a Participatory Action Research project. A narrative therapeutical approach served to identify harmful discourses and encourage the continuing deconstruction of such discourses. The extent to which power/knowledge relationships affect gay Christians' spiritual relationships became apparent. Conflict between the church's discourse about homosexuality and the gay Christian appears to start a process of deconstruction of fundamentalist pentecostal/charismatic hermeneutical approaches to the Bible. The research process facilitated a process of reconstruction of gay spirituality and created opportunities for spiritual and social growth. This research may inspire gay Christian voices in pentecostal/charismatic circles to become heard. / Practical Theology / M.Th.

Spirituality is a word in frequent use in contemporary society. In a broad sense it refers to the 'raison d'etre' of our existence, the meaning and values to which we ascribe. Everyone embodies a spirituality in this wider sense, whether it be nihilistic, materialistic, humanistic or religious. The present study evaluates the phenomenon of the Toronto Blessing in the light of spirituality in general and Christian spirituality in particular. By means of a broadly-based phenomenological methodology, the manifestations accompanying the Toronto Blessing are evaluated firstly, with respect to the Bible; secondly, with respect to the Hindu experience of 'Kundalini awakening'; and thirdly, in terms of neuroscience and certain psychological processes, such as hypnosis, mass hysteria, and the role of body and mind in creating spiritual experiences. Although Charismatics claim that the Toronto Blessing has a sound biblical foundation, no evidence to support this claim has been found. However, striking similarities are found between the manifestations of the Toronto Blessing and the techniques used in the 'Kundalini awakening' for the transference of energy. Finally, the major findings of this study support the conclusion that the Toronto Blessing is largely the result of psychological techniques. The possibility of Godly intervention is not totally excluded, but caution is urged, so as to be aware of extraneous factors that create similar manifestations. While it is agreed that the Toronto Blessing can be seen as an expression of spirituality in a broad sense, nevertheless it cannot be viewed as an expression of Christian spirituality in the Charismatic Movement. / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / D. Th. (Christian Spirituality)

Text in Afrikaans / Die kerk, in sy bree gesien, is tans in 'n 'nie-groei-kultuur' vasgeval. Daar is by min gemeentes 'n opregte las vir verlorenes te bespeur. Leiers het 'n gemaksone van professionalisme en instandhouding betree waar die groei van gemeentes me hoog op hul agenda geplaas word nie. Hierdie instandhoudingsingesteldheid en derhalwe 'n uitsluitlik na-binne-gerigte bedieningsfilosofie, het grootliks tot geringe groei en soms ook agteruitgang bygedra. Die omvangryke veranderinge in die samelewing gaan nie deur die kerk vrygespring word nie. Vandag kan kerke nie meer vanselfsprekend op die tradisionele ondersteuning en lojaliteit van mense sowel as die samelewing aanspraak maak nie. Die kerk is in 'n groot mate uitgeskuif en geniet nie meer dieselfde kollig as in die verlede nie. Groot 'kerklike grondgebied' is reeds afgestaan. Leiers is deel, en gevolglik ook 'n produk, van die huidige kerklike situasie waar belangeloosheid ten opsigte van gemeentegroei dikwels 'n algemene verskynsel is. Vanwee strukture soos die herder-kudde-model, is lidmate vir jare buite bedieningsgeleenthede gehou. Die bediening was as die verantwoordelikheid van leiers beskou. Die rol van lidmate is tans besig om groot veranderinge te ondergaan, aangesien gewone lidmate toenemend in dienswerk opgeneem word. Vrae wat reeds gevra word, is: Wat gaan die unieke rol van leiers in die toekoms wees? Wie is vir groei-inisiatief verantwoordelik? Die probleem waarmee leiers tans te make het, is hul behendigheid om die uitdagings en eise van 'n nuwe kerklike paradigma te ontmoet, veral in 'n mondering wat vir 'n uitgaande paradigma bedoel is. Baie kritiek word teen opleidingsmodelle gerig, maar wesenlik is die probleem in 'n gevestigde "mind-set" gesetel. Groeiende gemeentes wereldwyd toon dat hul leiers 'n sleutelrol in die groeipotensiaal van die gemeente speel en leiers van hierdie gemeentes het die voortou geneem om nuwe moontlikhede en modelle van leierskap uit te stal. Daar sal totaal nuut oor leierskap gedink moet word indien ons die groei van gemeentes ten doel het. In hierdie navorsing word leierskaptendense in die algemeen, asook leierskaptendense spesifiek in groeiende gemeentes, ondersoek. 'n Teorie vir 'groei-leierskap' word dan hieruit ontwikkel en aangebied. / The church is not experiencing a lot of growth at the moment. A number of congregations have no urge to find the lost ones. Growth is not a priority, due to leaders maintaining instead of expanding the congregation. This philosophy to maintain resulted into an inward practice which contributed to little growth, more seriously even a decline in total membership. The numerous changes experienced by the community at large will also fall the church to victim. The church has lost support simply because of a total lack in the so-called traditional loyalty and support. The church is no more the focus as in the past, it has been side-lined. The church has already lost greatly. Church leaders, as such products of the present day situation in the church, have been part of this culture of non-interest in the growth of the congregation. The typical evangelistic model of shepherd and flock left the ordinary members of the congregation out in the cold. The ministry was the responsibility of the church leaders, however the role of the ordinary members of the congregation is changing as they too are becoming more involved in ministry. Questions such as the following come to the fore: What is the unique role of church leaders going to be in future? Who's going to be responsible for growth inisiatives in the church in future? The problem facing church leaders of the day, is their total lack to meet the challenges and demands. The new evangelistic paradigm especially calls for an outgoing approach. Criticism has been given against the training of leadership but most probably the problem lies within their established mind-set". Globally, congregations which are experiencing large growth, has proved their leaders to play a paramount role in exploiting their growth potential. Such leaders were in the forefront of new leadership exhibiting the same qualities. If the growth of the various congregations is of importance, then the whole issue around leadership will have to be adapted and renewed. This research contains leadership tendencies in general, as well as leadership tendencies in growing congregations. A theory for "growth-leadership" will be developed and presented from this. / Practical Theology / Th.D. (Practical theology)