M.A. (Social Work : Clinical) / Please refer to full text to view abstract.

AFRIKAANS: Die nuwe biotegnologiese konteks waarin in vitro bevrugting, die kartering van die menslike genoom, stamselnavorsing en –terapie, realiteite geword het, rig unieke uitdagings aan die samelewing en ook die teologie. Hierdie realiteite vereis dat ons weer sal besin oor die etiese vrae rondom menslike lewe. Die ontdekking van stamselle het nuwe insigte op die fisiologie van die mens gebring en daarmee saam beloftes van hoop vir die potensiële genesing van verskeie siektes. Die praktyk van stamselnavorsing veral ten opsigte van navorsing op embrionale stamselle, konfronteer ook die samelewing met ernstige en komplekse etiese dilemmas. Iewers tussen die uiterstes van oordrewe optimisme oor stamselnavorsing en radikale verwerping daarvan, moet daar gesoek word na gebalanseerde perspektief op hierdie praktyk. Die debat binne die politieke sfeer maak dit ook duidelik dat daar nog geen algemene konsensus in verband met wetgewing bestaan nie. Christelik-etiese perspektiewe kan vanuit ‘n Eko-teologiese benadering ook sinvol bydrae tot die politieke debat en etiese vrae na riglyne vir besluitneming. Die huidige teologiese debat getuig van uiteenlopende standpunte. Vanaf strenge konserwatisme wat stamselnavorsing en terapie ongekwalifiseerd veroordeel as sonde, tot by totale liberale en pragmatiese argumente wat stamselnavorsing en terapie ongekwalifiseerd aanvaar en voorhou as wonderkuur. Tussen hierdie uiterstes is daar ook stemme wat versigtiger dink en praat oor die kompleksiteit van hierdie fenomeen. Die eis na antropologiese herbesinning sal vanuit ‘n eko-teologiese benadering ook die kosmologiese dimensies van relasionele eksistensie moet verdiskonteer. Binne eko-etiese refleksie behoort die natuurlike en kosmiese aard van menslike eksistensie in terme van ruimte en tyd ‘n inklusiewe waardering van die kompleksiteit rondom menslike denke, emosies en gedrag teweeg te bring. Die bedoeling van hierdie studie is om vanuit ‘n Post-fondamentalistiese vertrekpunt ‘n bydrae te lewer binne die transversale ruimte van Christelike etiek, natuurwetenskap en biotegnologiese ontwikkeling. Die navorsings-resultate van hierdie studie poog nie om bloot etiese reëls as absolute waarhede daar te stel nie, maar eerder om te reflekteer oor verskillende benaderingsmoontlikhede, waardes, karaktereienskappe, deugde, morele narratiewe en perspektiewe op hierdie komplekse etiese vraagstukke. Die hermeneutiese proses van krities-realistiese nadenking en refleksie word op sistematiese wyse weergegee. Daar word beweeg vanaf die feitlike aspekte in verband met bio-tegnologiese ontwikkeling na die ontwikkeling van begrip oor die kompleksiteit van die etiese problematiek wat hierdie ontwikkeling meebring binne die sosiale, godsdienstige en politieke sfeer van die huidige etiese debat. Daarna word perspektief op refleksie-moontlikhede vanuit die Christelike-etiek gebied met besinning oor die verskillende benaderingsmoontlikhede tot die komplekse etiese vraagstelling en gefokus op ‘n eko-teologiese benadering asook die waardes wat daaruit ontwikkel. Laastens word krities gereflekteer oor die toepassing van etiese waardes vanuit ‘n eko-teologiese perspektief ten einde teologies-antropologiese perspektiewe wat uit die stamseldebat voortvloei te herwaardeer en basiese riglyne vir etiese besluitneming vanuit ‘n eko-teologiese perspektief te bied. Die verbreding van morele narratiewe en waardering van relasionele Christelik-antropologiese perspektiewe word aangebied as alternatief teenoor streng monolitiese begrippe van waarheid, objektiwiteit en rede. ENGLISH: The new biotechnological context wherein in vitro fertilization, the human genome project and stem cell research have become realities, confronts society and also theology with unique challenges. These realities compel us to revisit ethical questions considering human life. The main aim of this study is to make a contribution in the transversal debate among Christian ethics, natural sciences and biotechnological development, from a post-foundationalistic perspective. The research results do not aim to set ethical rules as absolute truths, but rather to reflect on different viewpoints, values, characteristics, virtues, moral narratives and perspectives on these complex ethical dilemmas. The hermeneutical process of critical-realistic reflection is being presented systematically. Starting from the factual aspects in relation to bio-technological development we move towards constructing an idea of the complexity of the ethical dilemma this development brings to social, religious and political spheres as well as the ethical debate. Perspectives on different reflection possibilities are then given form a Christian-ethical viewpoint with evaluation of different viewpoints on this complex ethical question. I then focus on an eco-theological perspective and the values it presents. Lastly, a critical reflection on the implementing of these values is presented, from an eco-theological viewpoint, revaluing theological-anthropological perspectives and providing basic guidelines for ethical decision-making from an eco-theological perspective. The broadening of moral narratives and revaluing of relational Christian-anthropological perspectives are being presented as an alternative against the strict monolithically orientated ideas of truth, objectivity and reason. / Thesis (DD)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Dogmatics and Christian Ethics / unrestricted

The central theoretical statement of this study stated that fathers have an active and effective role as mentors in transmitting values to the family and should be equipped for taking up this role, which may be applied in a pastoral-theological model. The idea of values for the father with regard to his role as mentor is defined and investigated in this study. The article format has been used in this thesis so that it consists of five articles which form a unity. In article one Scriptural pointers for the leaders and fathers being mentors to their followers (mentees) in the Old Testament are discussed. From the information summarized from the article, it is deduced that the leaders and fathers from the Old Testament served as mentors to their followers (mentees) with regard to values. Any leader or mentor can apply the principles and guidelines from the Old Testament to fathering, mentoring and transmitting values to a situation in everyday life. Article two deals with scriptural pointers for the leaders and father-figures as mentors to their followers (mentees) in the New Testament. From the information summarized from the article, it is deduced that the leaders and father figures from the New Testament served as mentors to their followers (mentees) with regard to values. Discipleship indicated the importance and significance of followers (mentees). Any leader or mentor can apply the guidelines and principles from the New Testament about leading, fathering, mentoring, discipling with regard to values even today. In article three the literature study on the fields of psychology, social work, psychiatric nursing and education were investigated in terms of family, fathering, mentoring and values. With regard to values those values according to Joubert (1986) and Heenan (2004) were used and integrated with values for the role of the father as mentor in the family context. The complexity of families and family structures in the real world were identified and discussed. The recommendations from this article are used to direct the empirical research on the role of the father as mentor with regard to values. The broader aim is to show how society may be impacted positively. Article four (chapter 5) deals with the empirical research that found that mentoring is needed and fathers should be mentors to their families. They should also be equipped with Christian values (the co-researchers consistently referred to Christian values which will serve as recommendation for further studies) in order to show that they can effect positive change to influence society. In article five (chapter 6) contours of a pastoral-theological model for the father as mentor in the transmission of Christian values are formulated. This model could possibly be applied to other spheres of life such as institutions (schools, colleges and universities), churches, societies and businesses to raise the effectiveness of these organizations through the mentoring of values. Topics for further research: * Equipping the mother as mentor in the transmission of Christian values. * Equipping children with Christian values so that they may be mentors to their peers. * Equipping children with Christian values so that they can be resistant to bad and inappropriate behaviour. * Equipping the family with Christian values so that they can be a mentor unit to other families in society. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Pastoral))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

The central theoretical statement of this study stated that fathers have an active and effective role as mentors in transmitting values to the family and should be equipped for taking up this role, which may be applied in a pastoral-theological model. The idea of values for the father with regard to his role as mentor is defined and investigated in this study. The article format has been used in this thesis so that it consists of five articles which form a unity. In article one Scriptural pointers for the leaders and fathers being mentors to their followers (mentees) in the Old Testament are discussed. From the information summarized from the article, it is deduced that the leaders and fathers from the Old Testament served as mentors to their followers (mentees) with regard to values. Any leader or mentor can apply the principles and guidelines from the Old Testament to fathering, mentoring and transmitting values to a situation in everyday life. Article two deals with scriptural pointers for the leaders and father-figures as mentors to their followers (mentees) in the New Testament. From the information summarized from the article, it is deduced that the leaders and father figures from the New Testament served as mentors to their followers (mentees) with regard to values. Discipleship indicated the importance and significance of followers (mentees). Any leader or mentor can apply the guidelines and principles from the New Testament about leading, fathering, mentoring, discipling with regard to values even today. In article three the literature study on the fields of psychology, social work, psychiatric nursing and education were investigated in terms of family, fathering, mentoring and values. With regard to values those values according to Joubert (1986) and Heenan (2004) were used and integrated with values for the role of the father as mentor in the family context. The complexity of families and family structures in the real world were identified and discussed. The recommendations from this article are used to direct the empirical research on the role of the father as mentor with regard to values. The broader aim is to show how society may be impacted positively. Article four (chapter 5) deals with the empirical research that found that mentoring is needed and fathers should be mentors to their families. They should also be equipped with Christian values (the co-researchers consistently referred to Christian values which will serve as recommendation for further studies) in order to show that they can effect positive change to influence society. In article five (chapter 6) contours of a pastoral-theological model for the father as mentor in the transmission of Christian values are formulated. This model could possibly be applied to other spheres of life such as institutions (schools, colleges and universities), churches, societies and businesses to raise the effectiveness of these organizations through the mentoring of values. Topics for further research: * Equipping the mother as mentor in the transmission of Christian values. * Equipping children with Christian values so that they may be mentors to their peers. * Equipping children with Christian values so that they can be resistant to bad and inappropriate behaviour. * Equipping the family with Christian values so that they can be a mentor unit to other families in society. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Pastoral))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

This study begins with the question: "Is there a place for a Christian ethical code of conduct in the diverse and complex business world of today?" In chapter 2 I explain the context wherein one should understand this question. If you look at the history of South Africa you will see that there was discrimination that took place over a long period of time on the basis of race, religion and gender and that makes this issue a very sensitive one. The reason why it is so sensitive is if there were to be a Christian ethical code of conduct in the workplace could it lead to discrimination again? That is not allowed to happen under the current Constitution of South Africa. But the other side is also true, if you don?t have a Christian ethical code won?t you loose the beautiful things Scripture gives us on how to treat all people equally and fairly within the workplace? This study will show that according to the Constitution of South Africa it is possible to have a Christian ethical code of conduct as long it does not exclude any employee. In chapter 3 we have a look at Scripture that gives us guidelines on how to treat all people and also people in the workplace. Here are some examples: * the way employees should be handled; * the number of working hours the employees should be working; * the remuneration of the employees – is it fair; * how the Shareholders? / Stakeholders? interests are looked after; * the manner in which the business is being managed; * the Constitutional business environment; * the international law that transcends borders where macrobusinesses do business. In chapter 4 we look at the Christian ethical perspective in the business. We look at the role of the economy and the core values to manage a business. In chapter 5 we end with an example of a workable Christian ethical code of conduct and we compare two large business codes of conduct. / Thesis (Th.M. (Ethics))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

This study begins with the question: "Is there a place for a Christian ethical code of conduct in the diverse and complex business world of today?" In chapter 2 I explain the context wherein one should understand this question. If you look at the history of South Africa you will see that there was discrimination that took place over a long period of time on the basis of race, religion and gender and that makes this issue a very sensitive one. The reason why it is so sensitive is if there were to be a Christian ethical code of conduct in the workplace could it lead to discrimination again? That is not allowed to happen under the current Constitution of South Africa. But the other side is also true, if you don?t have a Christian ethical code won?t you loose the beautiful things Scripture gives us on how to treat all people equally and fairly within the workplace? This study will show that according to the Constitution of South Africa it is possible to have a Christian ethical code of conduct as long it does not exclude any employee. In chapter 3 we have a look at Scripture that gives us guidelines on how to treat all people and also people in the workplace. Here are some examples: * the way employees should be handled; * the number of working hours the employees should be working; * the remuneration of the employees – is it fair; * how the Shareholders? / Stakeholders? interests are looked after; * the manner in which the business is being managed; * the Constitutional business environment; * the international law that transcends borders where macrobusinesses do business. In chapter 4 we look at the Christian ethical perspective in the business. We look at the role of the economy and the core values to manage a business. In chapter 5 we end with an example of a workable Christian ethical code of conduct and we compare two large business codes of conduct. / Thesis (Th.M. (Ethics))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.