Wholeness and Healing In Community is a study that seeks to understand what are the effective interventions, which the African church has made and is able to make in bringing healing to a community gripped by violent conflict. In this study it is assumed that the church is an existent and potentially effective institution with infrastructure that stretches from the smallest community to an international web. In the midst of Africa's social, political, and economic turmoil there lie both causes and consequences, which are the brokenness of body and mind, emotions and choices. This woundedness, which is both individual and collective, needs to be made whole or the next generations are likely to continue a cycle of violence, hate and mistrust. The biblical concept of shalom is developed and used as the vision toward which interventions must attempt to move. The qualitative methodology and process of this work sought to not only study church interventions but to assist in the transformation of church leader thinking about their role. This study has three primary strands: 1) the individual background and experiences of the researcher who has spent nearly thirty years in the midst of conflict on the African continent, 2) a literature review that surveys literature from several disciplines and, 3) a field research. The field research consisted in the filming (or securing already made films) of nine situations in which there was a claim made that community healing had either occurred or had been assisted through a specific set of interventions. The film from these nine situations in five countries (eight in Africa) were then edited into nine 15-30 minute film documentaries which were screened in their entirety to four different focus groups of African church leaders for their evaluation and reflection. Their evaluations are reported and evaluated in this study. In order to comprehend the study and its findings, it is strongly recommended that the films be viewed even though they are summarized here in written form. A list of effective interventions is the outcome of this study. This is perhaps the most comprehensive listing of holistic healing interventions. A potential use for this catalogue is suggested. It is recommended for church leaders as well as Non Governmental Organizations, which seek to work in situations of violence on the African continent. / Thesis (PhD (Science of Religion and Missiology))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Science of Religion and Missiology / unrestricted

This series of guides to material on Africa in selected German-language mission archives began as a pilot project of the Universities of Bayreuth and Leipzig with support from the Volkswagen Foundation (1998-2000). The guides make it easier for anthropologists, historians, linguists and others interested in Africa to find written (unprinted) or photographic material before visiting the archive concerned. Those covered so far include Basel, Bremen, Herrnhut, Leipzig, Neuendettelsau, Nuremberg and St. Ottilien, as well as Moshi in Tanzania. The series also includes two collections of papers relating to the history and archives of German missions.

This thesis has been written at a time when sub-Saharan African people are facing great religious and socio--political challenges in their history. These challenges have been such since 1960. Many questions regarding identity, religion and socio-political situations have been raised. This includes questions relating to God and the oppressive religious and socio-political leadership class and the oppressed people of sub-Saharan Africa. Indeed this thesis tries to face the question of God's pathos, making connections or looking for resemblance between Hosea's time and the religious and socio-political situations of sub-Saharan Africa. Therefore the main purpose is not to go back to the large already explored debate about the question of God's pathos over centuries, but to see how God's, Hosea's and sub-Saharan African people's pathos interact each with other, and how such an interaction could be used for the religious and socio-political transformations of the sub-Saharan Africa. In terms of methodology, we introduce a new paradigm called tautegory in place of the typical allegorical, holistic, literal, typological, inculturation or liberation approaches used by most of African scholars. This new paradigm warrants the creation of a new theological framework. We think this new framework could correspond to sub-Saharan culture. This new paradigm could also be used to throw new light on how to resolve some theological contradictions that classic theism has brought through the missionaries' work in the sub-Saharan African context. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2002. / funding from the African Theological Initiative, Prof Kwame Bediako, Dr. Anthony Balcomb and Dr. Andreia Solomon.

Thesis (M.A.)--Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, 1994. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 69-73).

Made available in DSpace on 2014-07-29T16:17:48Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 PDF EDUARDO DISSERTACAO.pdf: 559168 bytes, checksum: 5905abc7c41c0183fc5fd74c58a1d4b8 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-12-14 / This study aims to analyze the subject from the sacrifice the issue of martyrdom, and in particular, as the construction and influence. Tertullian, this apologist African city of Carthage, which present as the largest and most influential Christian center in Africa, is presented as a critic and champion of African Christians, from his works Ad Martyras and Apologeticum objectives of this study. African Christianity has greatly developed during the transition period between the II and III century d. C., in Africa Romanized. The works in question are present in the moment of confrontation between the new religion, Christianity, and traditional religious expressions Roman paganism. This confrontation is the persecution of Christians, the latter having a role in the emergence force and expansion of the Christian martyrs during the reign of the Roman Empire in Africa. / O presente trabalho visa analisar a partir do tema sacrifício a questão martirial, e em especial, como se da sua construção e influência. Tertuliano, este apologista africano da cidade de Cartago, que se apresenta enquanto o maior e o mais influente centro cristao da África, se apresenta enquanto um crítico e defensor dos cristãos africanos, especialmente a partir de suas obras Apologeticum e Ad Martyras objetos deste trabalho. O cristianismo africano tem grande desenvolvimento no período de transicão entre o II e o III Séc. d. C., na Africa romanizada. As obras em questão se apresentam dentro do momento de confronto entre a nova religião, o cristianismo, e as tradicionais expressoes religiosas romanas, o paganismo. Deste confronto surgirá as perseguições aos cristãos, tendo estas um papel fundamental no surgimento, fortalecimento e expansão dos mártires cristãos durante o domínio do Império Romano na África.

The Christian faith in God is undergirded by the good news of God's intervention in human life. This intervention of God is good news because the sin of humankind has resulted in alienation with God as well as rendering humankind incapable of restoring fellowship with God. This good news of God's intervention in human affairs through the act of His son Jesus Christ is the centre of Christian kerygma. One outstanding feature of this proclamation is celebration. Salvation offered and given to ailing humankind is cause for celebration for God has paved the way for reconciliation. In Black preaching this note of celebration is remarkably achieved in the extravagant use of figures of speech and imagery drawn from traditional African religiosity, for the African human life in whatever state and condition is cause for celebration. The African responds to life at all levels of encounter with celebration. In sorrow and joy, in sad moments and moments of delight, in want and in plenty, the voice of the African will always rise up in spontaneous acts of celebration. In normal human conversation the use of the African idiom and allegory drawn from their cultural worldview creates unique style. In the use of these the African past is expressly drawn into the present to emphasize the belief in life as a gift from God, a gift to be acknowledged and celebrated. Therefore living through all sorts and conditions of life sharpens the deep feeling and expression of this celebration. The song, praise and dance for the African therefore flows from this spiritual engagement with God in life. The biblical message and the daily experience of life is for the African preacher a stage from which the human drama with God is understood. The nature of God is seen in relation to God's encounter with sinful humankind. God's mercy and grace inspires humans to live their life in confident trust in God. The vicissitudes of life for the African have no dampening effect for life rather they sharpen the awareness of God's surpassing mercy and sustaining steadfastness upon his creatures. Thus in similar vein with the African moroki, the Black preacher calls and inspires his/her audience to celebrate, to engage with life in perfect African celebration.

African encounter with the Bible is different from their encounter with Christianity. This thesis looks at different stages of African reception and appropriation of the Bible in African prophecy. The appropriation of the Bible by Africans is important to look at because it allows them to use their own thought pattern in order to understand the Word of God. Isaiah Shembe (1870-1935) is one of the AlC's prophets who sought to revitalize his Zulu community after the dispossession of their cultural identity in the name of Christianity. He did .. this through his different hermeneutical interpretation of imibhalo eNgcwele (Holy Scriptures) and through his maintenance and revival of social customs. When missionaries came with the Bible in Africa there also came with them colonialists and it is evident that the two went together. Africans did not only see the Bible as a tool for western colonialism but also as a book of numinous powers. However, it was not long before Africans realized that there was nothing wrong about the "Book" because when they could read it for themselves they realized that the Book portrays a life that is similar to theirs. The researcher sought to separate the Bible from Christianity in order to understand different stages of the reception of the Bible in Africa. This thesis, then looks at the appropriation of the Bible in African prophecy. It argues that in African prophecy the Bible is used to renew African society. This is done by examining and contrasting the material of two Zulu prophets Isaiah Shembe and George Khambule. These two prophets who emerge in the time of the destruction of the Zulu society have a religious experience that sought to restore and renew Zulu community. This is seen in the way they interpreted and enacted the promise of the New Jerusalem in the Book of Revelation among their communities. / Thesis (M.Th.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2006. / Draper, Jonathan A.

This study explores the dynamics at play in the nineteenth century interaction between European mission Christianity and the peoples and cultures of West Africa with Akan (Gold Coast) and Yoruba (Nigeria) lands serving as the model theatres of the interaction. It appreciates the fact that in a context such as West Africa, where religious consciousness permeates every aspect of life, the coming of the Gospel to its peoples impacted every aspect of the social and religious lives of the people. Chapter one sets the agenda for the study by exploring the dynamics involved in the transmission of the Gospel as it spread from Palestine to the Graeco-Roman world, medieval Europe, Enlightenment Europe and, later, Africa in the nineteenth century. It also defines the limits of the study to the period 1820-1892. Chapter two explores the religious and the cultural environments that gave shape to the modem European missionary movement. It highlights the features of the European Reformation that were factors in defining missionary methods in West Africa. It also emphasizes the subtle infiltration of Enlightenment ideals-the primacy of Reason, the way of Nature, and the idea of Progress-into missionary consciousness about Africa and its peoples. Chapter three delineates the religious and the cultural milieus of West Africans in contrast to that of European missionaries. It underscores the integral nature of religion to the totality of life among West Africans. It also contrasts the socio-political conditions of Akan land and Yoruba land in the nineteenth century while appreciating the rapid changes impinging on their peoples. Chapter four explores how the prevailing realities in Akan and Yoruba lands defined the fortunes and the prospects of the missionary message among the people. In doing this, it draws from four model encounters of mission Christianity with West African peoples and cultures. In Mankessim, the deception associated with a traditional cult was exposed. At Akyem Abuakwa, the contention between missionaries and the royalty for authority over the people led to social disruption. The resistance of the guild of Ifa priests to Christian conversion and the assuring presence of missionaries to the warrior class created ambivalence at Abeokuta. Ibadan offers us an irenic model of interaction between mission Christianity and West African religions as Ifa, the Yoruba cult of divination, sanctioned the presence of missionaries in the city. Chapter five reflects on the issues that are significant in the interaction of the Gospel with West African cultures. It appreciates the congruence between the Gospel and West African religious worldview. It assesses the impact of missionary methods on the traditional values of West Africans, appreciating the strength and the weaknesses of the school system, the value of Bible translation into mother-tongues, and the contextual relevance of the mission station method of evangelization. It also explores the meaning of Christian conversion in West Africa using the models of A.D. Nock, John V. Taylor and Andrew F. Walls. Chapter six concludes with Andrew Walls' three tests of the expansion of Christianity. The conclusion is that in spite of the failures and weaknesses of some of the methods adopted by European missionaries in evangelizing West Africa, their converts understood their message, domesticated it according to their understanding and appropriated its benefits to the life of their societies. / Thesis (M.Th.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2002.

This dissertation re-examines Christ's hospitality from the perspective of inculturation/contextualisation, which is a common trend in African Theology today. It starts on the premise that Christ is the ideal model of hospitality that African Christianity ought to draw some lessons from as we embark on a theology of reconstruction. In so doing, it has sought to trace the concept of hospitality from the ancient times to the present times thereby relating it with the contemporary issues. The work is divided into six chapters and a conclusion that serves as a seventh chapter. The Introduction chapter sets the argument, describing the background to and motivation of the research, the review of relevant literature, the research problem, the theoretical framework and the research methodology. Chapter two defines the concept of hospitality tracing its linguistic roots, its ancient interpretations and practices; the Old and New Testament version of hospitality and concludes the chapter by assessing the characteristics of hospitable places with regard to Christ's hospitality. Chapter Three which is a continuation of chapter two continues with the survey of hospitality from Christian monasticism to post-reformation period where Rev. John Wesley emerges as a great beacon of hospitality after the Industrial revolution that took place in Europe. Chapter four revisits the concept of hospitality in Africa from the ancient times to the present times. It cites the general features of African hospitality and examines its uniqueness by comparing it with the Western hospitality. It also looks at the abuse of African hospitality through the ages citing some cases such as slavery, colonialism and neo-colonialism. The chapter is premised on the conviction that African hospitality is compatible with Christ's hospitality hence the need to harness it through inculturation. Chapter five examines the faces of Christ in African Christian hospitality. It is based on the premise that Christ is in each and every one of us when we extend love to one another; for he is in the faces of the suffering and all the afflicted peoples of Africa and beyond. In this chapter, Christ is examined as one who cares and is therefore concerned, thereby challenging us to seek Christ in our day today lives. He is thus examined as a liberator, a reconstructor, a healer, a guest, a host, and a unique ancestor. Chapter six is the climax of our study, which specifically examines Christ as a model worth imitating as we grapple with the concerns of the twenty first century. Christ is portrayed as a model in terms of liberation, reconstruction, family level, cultural level, and rural ministry. As an area that has not been exhaustively done in African Theology, the chapter, in some sections, allows the various contributors to give their interpretations on Christ thereby coming very close to chapter five where we were looking at the faces of Christ. A good example is Christ as the model of liberation where the contribution of African Women Theologians (otherwise called the Circle of Concerned African Women Theologians) is given prominence as a case in point where women in Africa, have to look at Christ as the model of liberation from patriarchal structures and as one who supersedes all genders. The chapter concludes by a passionate appeal that even if Africa may be walking through the valley of the shadow of death, we need not fear for Christ the ideal model in every sphere of life is with us. He will make us lie down in greener pastures, restore our souls, guide us in the paths of righteousness and lead us beside quite waters (Psalm 23). We must therefore seek to learn from him hence the caution, "my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge" (Hosea 4:6). The chapter therefore acts as a conclusion of the study in spite of the fact that we have chapter seven that concludes the whole study. Chapter seven concludes the study by an appeal to Africa of the twenty first century to swim into action and face the challenges such as sexism, tribalism, regionalism, HIV/Aids and corruption, with confidence knowing that the hospitable Christ is with us and will be there to guide us in our undertakings till the end of the age (Matthew 28: 1820). / Thesis (M.Th.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2003.

Thesis (MTh)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The story of the role of women in peace-making with a view to a Community development perspective is as old as the existence of the first human God created. The Bible shows that since the beginning of creation, a woman was given to man as a helper (Gen. 1:20-22). They both have responsibility to work, to bring change in the community and to make it a safe place to live. However, around the world women are among the most vulnerable when it comes to oppression, marginalization, injustice and all kinds of violence. Rwanda is a country in the process of recovering from the genocide of 1994 which destroyed the country, cost many lives and left other people in unstable conditions physically, psychologically and spiritually. As a result, all Rwandans are victims of violence inflicted by this war and many Rwandans are still living with painful memories, trauma, poverty, HIV/AIDS, fear and continuing violence. There is a need to rebuild peace and bring justice and reconciliation. Women, despite being the most vulnerable, have many assets which could assist in the process of peacemaking. For this reason they should be included in the process of peace-making with the purpose of finding adequate ways to avoid the repetition of the genocide and reshape the country into a safe environment for all – Rwandans, foreigners and all vulnerable groups. In this study, we will explore the concepts of peace, development and violence. These definitions will help us to understand that these three, influence the role of women in development. This means that, for women to be effective in development, they need a safe place to live, freedom to be involved according to their abilities in order to become positive life changers. It is proposed that Rwandan women will take up this challenge and continue to play a positive role in Rwandan community. They will speak out until their voices are heard and violence in the country is uprooted and until all Rwandans come back together again as a nation. Based on this study, recommendations will be given that may assist women to be more effective in their attempts to bring peace and develop the community as well as be effectively responsive to the needs of other vulnerable groups in Rwanda. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die verhaal van die rol van vrouens in vrede-maak met die oog op 'n Gemeenskaps-ontwikkeling perspektief is so oud soos die bestaan van die eerste mens wat God geskep het. Die Bybel dui aan dat sedert die begin van die skepping, 'n vrou aan die man gegee is as 'n helper (Gen. 1:20-22 ) . Hulle het albei die verantwoordelikheid om te werk, verandering in die gemeenskap te bring en dit 'n veilige plek te maak om te woon. Oor die wêreld heen is vrouens egter onder van die mees kwesbares wanneer dit kom by onderdrukking, marginalisering, onreg en allerhande vorme van geweld. Rwanda is 'n land wat in die proses is om te herstel na die volksmoord van 1994 wat die land vernietig het, baie lewens gekos het en ander mense in onstabiele toestande, fisies, sielkundig en geestelik, gelos het. As gevolg hiervan, is alle Rwandese slagoffers van geweld wat deur die oorlog toegedien is en baie Rwandese leef nogsteeds met pynlike herinneringe, trauma, armoede, MIV/VIGS, vrees en voortgesette geweld. Daar is 'n behoefte om vrede te herbou en geregtigheid en versoening te bring. Vrouens, ten spyte daarvan hulle dat die mees kwesbares is, het baie bates wat sou kon help in die proses van vredemaak. Om hierdie rede moet hulle ingesluit word in die proses van vrede maak met die doel om voldoende maniere te vind om die herhaling van die volksmoord te voorkom en die land in 'n veilige omgewing te hervorm vir almal – Rwandese, buitelanders en alle kwesbare groepe. In hierdie studie sal ons die konsepte van vrede, ontwikkeling en geweld verken. Hierdie definisies sal ons help om te verstaan dat hierdie drie konsepte die rol van vrouens in ontwikkeling beïnvloed. Dit beteken dat, vir vroue om effektief in ontwikkeling te wees, het hulle nodig om op 'n veilige plek te woon, vryheid te hê om volgens hulle vermoëns betrokke te wees om positiewe lewensveranderaars te word. Daar word voorgestel dat Rwandese vrouens hierdie uitdaging sal opneem en voortgaan om 'n positiewe rol te speel in die Rwandese gemeenskap. Hulle sal praat totdat hulle stem word gehoor en geweld in die land ontwortel is en totdat alle Rwandese weer bymekaar kom as 'n nasie. Op grond van hierdie studie sal aanbevelings gegee word wat vrouens kan help om meer effektief te wees in hul pogings om vrede te bring en die gemeenskap te ontwikkel, sowel as om doeltreffend te reageer op die behoeftes van ander kwesbare groepe in Rwanda.