The thesis examines the interface between theology and development by a careful examination of the Holy Spirit as presented in the third article of the Nicene Creed with reference to how that interacts with some of the foremost development thinkers. It shows that there is indeed considerable overlap between the Missio Dei and the (secular) field of development and that they share a common end. The Holy Spirit is shown to be a primary tool in development as well as the eschaton of development both on a personal and a global social level. The thesis aims to make a contribution to the development of a theology for development by suggesting and investigating areas of our faith, that can be emphasised, interpreted and reinterpreted in the formation of a theology for development. We must begin to discover new understandings and possibilities as approaches to theology that while consistent with the faith of the church, are also able to take their place in the world as tools of development. This thesis hopes to make a contribution to setting out in a anew way of thinking by returning to the fore Christianity's original and inherent focus of transforming this world and its involvement and coherence with development. / Thesis (M.Th.)-University of KwaZulu- Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2005.

This dissertation is an evaluation of the programme of World Vision Tanzania. It examines the work of the Mpunguzi Area Development Programme (ADP) in the Dodoma region in two ways. Firstly it looks at it from the perspective of WVT itself, through reading the reports and minutes of the organisation and interviewing key informants. Secondly it looks at it from the perspective of the local people in Mpunguzi, through a series of interviews and group discussions. It is clear that the ADP has made a good contribution that is appreciated by local inhabitants in the areas of primary health, primary education, agriculture and animal husbandry, water and sanitation, the environment, gender inequity, income generating activities, spiritual development, advocacy on child rights and leadership development. However, there were concerns expressed about a range of on-going life and livelihood struggles that the ADP is not able to address. These issues include housing, storage and marketing of agricultural produce, conditions of loan facilities, lack of other skills and employment, drought, lack of alternative livelihoods, gender issues and the impact of HIV/AIDS. The dissertation argues that World Vision Tanzania and the ADP approach will need to make some changes to the development approach in order to meet these concerns. Four important issues are then identified and explored. These are:(i)participation of the poor in shaping their livelihoods; (ii) promotion of Asset Based Community Development; (iii) advocacy in terms of public policy; and (iv) a deeper theological understanding of development. The hope of the research and dissertation is to enable World Vision and other Christian groups continue to make a lasting difference in the lives of the poor in Tanzania. / Thesis (M.Th.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2005.

The absence of an Evangelical African theology of Development has highly motivated me to embark on this study. Through this study, one hopes that more writings from many evangelicals who are committed to the church's involvement in the process of community empowerment, will come forth. The study reflects an underlying philosophy which is fundamental to the work of ministry that I have been involved with for more than twenty years. The thesis has focussed on the most effective form of development, the empowerment of people rather than technological advancement and economic growth. The thesis advocates that those who are beneficiaries must be involved in all stages and aspects of their empowerment activity, both as individuals and communities. This enables them to own and contribute greatly to their own community's development. Too often development programmes have been designed on the basis of planning and management carried out by professionals without the beneficiaries' participation. Here the Thesis is trying to look for empowerment principles in John Mbiti's Theology, which could involve the poor and marginalized in the process of their empowerment. Finally it also looks at how African theology can empower people within their cultural situation, using their known values as valuable means of empowerment. Therefore, what is reflected in this thesis is an African Theological contribution to the empowerment of the people within their African experience. / Thesis (M.Th.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2000.

In South Africa, as in many other developing nations, scholars seek to explain the persistence of poverty and inequality, and to find out enduring responses to overcoming poverty. The contemporary interest in the idea of social capital has focused on the role that local level organizations and associational life may play in poverty alleviation. This study examines the extent to which burial societies and church groups in KwaZulu-Natal help households move out of poverty. In the face of widespread poverty and inequality, are organizations a vehicle which disadvantaged households make use of to help them move out of poverty and prevent them from moving into poverty? This study made use of qualitative data from the Socio Economic Study of the Persistence of Poverty and Inequality (SEPPI). One component of this study interviewed 50 households in the province of KwaZulu-Natal (households which had previously been part of the samples of both the SALDRU study and the KIDS study). One of the aims was to investigate the role that non-economic factors play in household poverty movements. The data was analyzed after being entered by SEPPI researchers into Hyper Research (Copyright © 1999 by Research Ware, Inc.). A literature review of the role of organizations, the relationship between organizations and well-being, the gender dynamics within organizations, the barriers to joining organizations, and the motivations for joining organizations led to the identification of four main research questions for investigation. These related to the impact of organizational membership on ability of households to "get ahead", differences between male and female membership in organizations, reasons for joining organizations, and barriers to joining organizations. The findings suggest that burial societies and church groups help households move out of poverty and prevent households from moving into poverty by providing them with skills, resources, and assistance (financial and emotional). Furthermore, these organizations act as a space where women can acquire leadership skills. However, both burial societies and church groups face problems related to poor management, leadership and discrimination, among other matters. These types of problems within organizations can lead to a negative impact on participating households. Moreover, people with few or no financial resources are excluded from joining organizations that can potentially prevent them from moving into poverty and enable them to "get ahead". Thus, the study indicates that participating in local community organizations can have both positive and negative impacts on households' ability to "get ahead". The limitations of the study relate to sampling limitations, interview conditions, second hand information, authenticity of household interviews, over-researched communities, and investigating motivation for joining organizations. This study suggests the relevance for policy involves issues such as: the need for addressing material barriers faced by those wishing to join local burial organizations, the need to enable poorer people to access legitimate financial institutions, and the need to address the role of women within and outside their communities. The study strongly suggests that studies of social capital should investigate both the way that organizational life can promote well-being as well as the way that poverty itself acts as a barrier to an individual's access to organizations. Both the positive and negative impacts should be explored. Moreover, future research would benefit from exploring men's participation in organizations, combining quantitative and qualitative methods, investigating motivations for joining, and exploring the sustainability of burial societies in the face of HIV/AIDS. / Thesis (M.Dev. Studies)-University of Natal, Durban, 2002.

Thesis (D. Min.)--Boston University, 2002. / Abstract. Date on title page differs from degree date. Degree awarded, 2002. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 147-[152].

Based on the author's Thesis (MTh)--Theological College of Northern Nigeria. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 120-126).

No abstract available. / Dissertation (MA (Theology))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Practical Theology / unrestricted

The central theme of this study involves an ethical examination of the issues of justice and poverty in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Chapter one deals with the methodology of the research. It also provides an overview of the DRC. Chapter two shows that justice occupies a special place in society. It represents a fundamental aspect of human beings that illustrates one’s humanity. In the biblical perspective, justice is considered as a chief attribute of God. Chapter three discusses the phenomenon of poverty in the world, particularly in developing nations where people are unable to meet their basic needs. The chapter explores different causes of poverty on the African continent, as well as the crisis of underdevelopment, which to some extent is attributed to the exploitation of African nations by the Western powers. In chapter four, the researcher deals with the situation of poverty in the DRC. It is argued that regardless of its apparent wealth, the DRC remains one of the poorest countries in the world. The chapter explores the period of economic growth in the DRC, as well as its economic decline. Certain reasons for this economic decline are evoked, of which the most important are the economic policies of Zairianisation and radicalisation In chapter five, research steers toward the role that the Church could play in the areas of justice and poverty in the DRC. The Church is challenged to promote justice and the struggle against poverty in all its forms. It is also challenged to fully play its prophetic role. Chapter six explores poverty in relation to theological reflections. Poverty is considered as being evil. The responsibility of theologians and Christians in general is to promote a fair and just society in which the poor will be empowered in such a manner that they can contribute to the development of their community. In chapter seven, the researcher makes some recommendations to both Church and government and concludes that patriotism, justice, moral values and commitments to African solidarity are pillars on which Congolese citizens should build their nation. / Theological Ethics / D.Th. (Theological Ethics)

The Church social missions have undergone different paradigm shifts whilst trying to respond to challenges faced by the poor in the society. It seems that at the beginning the Development paradigm was the one used by churches in designing their social mission strategies. According to this paradigm, help for the poor in the society was to come from the Western countries’ development initiatives; in the process of implementing such strategies the local people’s cultural aspirations were often neglected. On the other hand, the poor were not given a chance to take destiny into their own hands in order to define the solutions to their problems. However, this paradigm was later declared a failure and a need to move to the Post Development Paradigm was advocated. This study argues that most churches in Mankweng still base their social missions strategies on the Development paradigm and therefore they fail to adequately respond to the challenges faced by the poor in that community. The study therefore looks at a possibility of developing a new social mission strategyin Mankweng that is based on the Post Development Paradigm. Though the title is about Mankweng, the focus of the study is on the Western part of the Township called Ntshitshane. Observations and interviews were conducted amongst the community members in that area. After a thorough analysis of the findings it was established that the poor in that context relies among other things on their cultural ethic of bothoas a means of addressing their social challenges. This study concludes that the same cultural ethic of botho used by the poor there can be a viable point of departure in defining a social mission strategy within that context. / Christian Spirituality, Church History & Missiology / M. Th. (Missiology)

published_or_final_version / Chinese Historical Studies / Master / Master of Arts