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)

No abstract available / Systematic Theology / D. Th. (Systematic Theology)

In this Master's dissertation, I would like to explore a symbolic reading of John 11 (The raising of Lazarus) from the perspective of the church's mission to bring about the liberation of the poor. I believe that as one does so, one might discover that in the Gospel writer's original intention, the figure of Lazarus may never have been intended as a literal historical person, but rather as a symbolic representation of the poor, the marginalized and the oppressed. Such a reading of John 11 might throw new light on the Fourth Gospel's understanding of Jesus and his mission. In doing so, I believe that John 11 might become a foundational text to guide and motivate committed Christian mission in favour of the poor. / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / M. Th. (Missiology)

A intenção deste estudo é relacionar o bispo Óscar Romero (sua atuação pública, sua prática pastoral e seu coração, elementos que transparecem na palavra de suas homilias) com o teólogo Jon Sobrino. Representantes de carismas eclesiais complementares, ambos só podem ser compreendidos no horizonte do povo salvadoreño crente e pobre, particularmente o povo cristão das Comunidades Eclesiais de Base (CEBs), terceiro elemento de um tríptico. Sobrino é representante da teologia latino-americana da libertação e privilegiado intérprete teológico de Romero. Entre ambos se verificam coincidências de fundo (temáticas e epistemológicas) que se iluminam reciprocamente. Dos escritos de Sobrino, recolhemos tanto as alusões diretas a Romero quanto a presença implícita deste permeando o pensar do teólogo. Ao valorizar a dimensão histórica e a memória, nossa pesquisa não se propõe a tarefa do historiador. E refletindo sobre temas teológicos, não se constitui num estudo sistemático. A atenção está dirigida à discussão de como uma significativa experiência de um passado recente e tão denso pode seguir iluminando nosso presente e nosso futuro. Localizamo-nos, portanto, num limiar, de modo que este trabalho pode ser inserido na linha de uma teologia fundamental para a América Latina no século XXI, uma vez que põe a pergunta por algumas das condições para o pensar teológico em nosso continente nas próximas décadas. Preocupação constante é a questão da atualidade de Romero. Para além das enormes diferenças, identificamos importantes semelhanças entre o nosso contexto e o seu, particularmente no tocante à realidade dos pobres. A prática de Romero se revela como uma concreção histórica do que há de permanente no Evangelho. O encontro com Deus no encontro com os pobres expressa o âmago da sua experiência (espiritual e pastoral) cristã. Esta vem consignada na expressão sempre o bem dos pobres, um metaparadigma que ultrapassa as contingências de cada época e precisa ser constantemente reafirmado. Esse pressuposto de que a opção pelos pobres é algo que permanece sintetiza uma faceta também nuclear da teologia de Jon Sobrino. Nesse entrecruzar do retrospectivo e do prospectivo, buscamos recolher uma herança, e inquirir pela sua pertinência para novas circunstâncias históricas. Emergem, assim, perguntas: que significado tem para os pobres as grandes transformações de hoje, a propalada mudança de época? Como continuar assumindo a realidade da pobreza injusta, o clamor e a vida mesma das pessoas e povos empobrecidos, crucificados (ainda que com novos rostos), como fato maior, mediação central e eixo estruturante de uma teologia que se propõe a acompanhar a caminhada das vítimas? Como elaborar uma reflexão consistente que dê conta da nova situação do mundo, mas que o faça em diálogo com a tradição libertadora e a herança da irrupção dos pobres? Reconhecemos, desse modo, a relevância da dimensão libertadora para hoje, sem localizá-la num passado supostamente já superado (o que equivaleria a um esquema substitutivo: antes, a libertação; agora, os novos paradigmas). Nosso estudo permitiu entrever também uma sutil disputa pela imagem e identidade de Romero, pela interpretação do seu legado. Nossa convicção é que estar historicamente comprometido com a causa dos pobres é a melhor chave de leitura para adentrar no espírito de Romero. Afastando-se dessa perspectiva, o intérprete distancia-se do próprio Romero. Por fim, da experiência de Romero é ressaltada a dimensão da proximidade com os pobres. Desde aí se postula a possibilidade de uma teologia marginal que, sem renunciar ao rigor reflexivo, busque acompanhar mais de perto o cotidiano de quem habita as periferias de nosso mundo / The intention of this study is to relate the bishop Oscar Romero (his public performance, his practice and his pastoral heart, elements which are reflected in the words of his homilies) with the theologian Jon Sobrino. Representatives of complementary ecclesial charisms, both can only be understood against the background of Salvadoreño believer and poor people, particularly the people of the Christian Base Communities (Comunidades Eclesiais de Base, or CEBs), third element of a triptych. Sobrino is representative of the Latin American theology of liberation and a privileged interpreter of Romero. Deep coincidences occur between both (substantive and epistemological issues) that enlighten each other. From Sobrino's writings, we collect both direct allusions to Romero as the implicit presence of this pervading the thinking of the theologian. By valuing the historical dimension and memory, our research does not propose the task of the historian. And reflecting on theological themes, does not constitute a systematic study. Attention is directed to the discussion of how significant experience of the recent and so dense past can follow illuminating our present and our future. We found ourselves, as a threshold, so that this work can be inserted into the line of a fundamental theology for Latin America in the XXI century, since it put the question for some of the conditions for theological thinking in our continent in the next decades. Constant concern is the issue of timeliness of Romero. Apart from the enormous differences, we identify important similarities between our framework and his own, particularly regarding the reality of the poor. The practice of Romero reveals itself as a historical concretion of what is permanent in the Gospel. Encountering God in the encounter with the poor expresses the core of his Christian experience (spiritual and pastoral). This is enshrined in the expression always the good for the poor, a metaparadigm that exceeds the contingencies of every age and need to be constantly reaffirmed. This assumption that the option for the poor is something that remains synthesizes a facet also in the nuclear theology of Jon Sobrino. In this interlacing of retrospective and prospective, we seek to collect an inheritance, and ask for its pertinency to new historical circumstances. Questions thus emerge: what does it mean for the poor the great transformations of today, the vaunted change of epoch? How to continue assuming the reality of unjust poverty, and the cry and life itself of the impoverished people, crucified (albeit with new faces), as larger fact, central mediation and structural axis of a theology that purports to follow the walk of victims? How to develop a consistent reflection that takes account of the new situation in the world, but to do so in dialogue with the liberating tradition and the heritage of irruption of the poor? We recognize thereby the relevance of the liberating dimension for today, without locating it in a supposedly already surpassed past (which would amount to a replacement scheme "before the liberation, and now the new paradigms"). Our study also allowed a glimpse of a subtle struggle for image and identity of Romero, by the interpretation of his legacy. Our belief is that being historically committed to the cause of the poor is the best reading key to enter into the spirit of Romero. Moving away from this perspective, the interpreter distances himself from Romero himself. Finally, from the experience of Romero is highlighted the dimension of the proximity to the poor. Since then we postulate the possibility of a marginal theology that, without renouncing reflexive rigor, seeks to more closely follow the daily life of those who inhabit the peripheries of our world.

Esta dissertação analisa, enquanto fenômeno do campo religioso brasileiro, a trajetória eclesiástica e a ação pastoral de Dom José Brandão de Castro junto aos camponeses, índios, sem-terra, pescadores e quilombolas que constituíam o segmento mais pobre da população do Estado de Sergipe, no período de 1960 a 1987, acentuando a sua opção preferencial pelos pobres organizados nas Comunidades Eclesiais de Bases (CEB‟s), à luz da Teologia da Libertação, e as consequências advindas dessa mesma opção. Foi usado o método da CEHILA na reconstrução historiográfica, por sua dupla valência: enquanto metodologia histórica especialmente desenvolvida para resgatar a história dos que, normalmente, não têm voz na História e, enquanto atitude teológica, visto que se trata da história da caminhada de fé de um povo excluído que, com um pastor que finalmente os escuta, organiza-se num processo de libertação. As pesquisas reconstruiram parte dos caminhos percorridos por Dom José Brandão, desde seu núcleo familiar, passando por sua formação, ministério sacerdotal e episcopal como missionário redentorista, até sua renúncia como Bispo de Propriá. Elas retratam como evoluiu sua sensibilidade para com os pobres, passando progressivamente de uma atitude afetivo-assistencialista a uma atitude afetivo-libertária, cuja coerência o levou a pagar um preço alto: a renúncia forçada. Os testemunhos revelam que ele deixou um legado de libertação que persiste na memória, nas expressões de fé e nas atitudes de várias comunidades e grupos organizados na região do Baixo São Francisco, até os dias atuais. / This dissertation analyzes, as a phenomenon of the Brazilian religious field, the ecclesiastical trajectory and the pastoral action of Dom José Brandão de Castro, in the period from 1960 to 1987, regarding the peasants, natives, landless workers, fishermen and quilombolas, who form the poorest population segment of the State of Sergipe, emphasizing his option for the poor who were organized in the Ecclesiastic Base Communities (EBCs),considering the Theology of Liberation, and the consequences which followed his option. The CEHILA method was the one used in the historiographical reconstruction, because of its double utility: as an historical methodology specially designed to rescue the history of those who normally have no voice, and as theological stance, since this is the story of the faith journey of an excluded people who after finally finding a pastor that listens to them, organized themselves in a process of liberation. The researches rebuilt part of the paths taken by Dom José Brandão, starting with his family, through his education, priestly and Episcopal ministry as a Redemptorist missionary, until his renunciation of the position of Bishop of Propriá. They portray how he improved his sensitivity towards the poor, moving progressively from an affective-assistance -based attitude to an affective-libertarian attitude, whose consistency made him pay a heavy price: the forced renunciation. The testimonies reveal that he left a legacy of liberation that remains in the memory, the expressions of faith and in the attitudes of several communities and organized groups in the Lower São Francisco, until the present day.

Made available in DSpace on 2017-06-01T18:12:36Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 dissertacao_completa_isaias.pdf: 3278360 bytes, checksum: 51811aeaaebab4edb738cbf124d0c816 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-04-03 / This dissertation analyzes, as a phenomenon of the Brazilian religious field, the ecclesiastical trajectory and the pastoral action of Dom José Brandão de Castro, in the period from 1960 to 1987, regarding the peasants, natives, landless workers, fishermen and quilombolas, who form the poorest population segment of the State of Sergipe, emphasizing his option for the poor who were organized in the Ecclesiastic Base Communities (EBCs),considering the Theology of Liberation, and the consequences which followed his option. The CEHILA method was the one used in the historiographical reconstruction, because of its double utility: as an historical methodology specially designed to rescue the history of those who normally have no voice, and as theological stance, since this is the story of the faith journey of an excluded people who after finally finding a pastor that listens to them, organized themselves in a process of liberation. The researches rebuilt part of the paths taken by Dom José Brandão, starting with his family, through his education, priestly and Episcopal ministry as a Redemptorist missionary, until his renunciation of the position of Bishop of Propriá. They portray how he improved his sensitivity towards the poor, moving progressively from an affective-assistance -based attitude to an affective-libertarian attitude, whose consistency made him pay a heavy price: the forced renunciation. The testimonies reveal that he left a legacy of liberation that remains in the memory, the expressions of faith and in the attitudes of several communities and organized groups in the Lower São Francisco, until the present day. / Esta dissertação analisa, enquanto fenômeno do campo religioso brasileiro, a trajetória eclesiástica e a ação pastoral de Dom José Brandão de Castro junto aos camponeses, índios, sem-terra, pescadores e quilombolas que constituíam o segmento mais pobre da população do Estado de Sergipe, no período de 1960 a 1987, acentuando a sua opção preferencial pelos pobres organizados nas Comunidades Eclesiais de Bases (CEB‟s), à luz da Teologia da Libertação, e as consequências advindas dessa mesma opção. Foi usado o método da CEHILA na reconstrução historiográfica, por sua dupla valência: enquanto metodologia histórica especialmente desenvolvida para resgatar a história dos que, normalmente, não têm voz na História e, enquanto atitude teológica, visto que se trata da história da caminhada de fé de um povo excluído que, com um pastor que finalmente os escuta, organiza-se num processo de libertação. As pesquisas reconstruiram parte dos caminhos percorridos por Dom José Brandão, desde seu núcleo familiar, passando por sua formação, ministério sacerdotal e episcopal como missionário redentorista, até sua renúncia como Bispo de Propriá. Elas retratam como evoluiu sua sensibilidade para com os pobres, passando progressivamente de uma atitude afetivo-assistencialista a uma atitude afetivo-libertária, cuja coerência o levou a pagar um preço alto: a renúncia forçada. Os testemunhos revelam que ele deixou um legado de libertação que persiste na memória, nas expressões de fé e nas atitudes de várias comunidades e grupos organizados na região do Baixo São Francisco, até os dias atuais.

Abstracts in English and Tsonga / This study explored the lack of integrating a scientific imagination and rationality in the hermeneutic and theological practices of neo-Pentecostal churches in the town of Livingstone, Zambia. Although the vantage point of the study was primarily practical theology, the researcher adopted both an interdisciplinary and a multidisciplinary approach. This assisted the researcher in understanding the different theoretical nuances that inform neo-Pentecostal theological practices as propagated by its proponents. An in-depth scientific analysis premised on the critical theory approach was conducted to find out whether or not neo-Pentecostal communicative practices contribute positively to the economic conditions of local church members in Livingstone. The theological framework for this study was based on the “pastoral cycle”, which ought to be at the very heart of any contemporary practical theology (Ballard & Pritchard 2006). The research methodology consisted of data collection, interpretation and analysis (comparing and contrasting primary sources in the light of the data collected). Research participants' personal narratives of their experience of neo-Pentecostal practices were heard in a semi-structured format. These aided in establishing ecclesiastical views on the causes of the lack of integrating a scientific imagination and rationality in neo-Pentecostal spiritual experience; and consequently informed the study on whether the current theological orientations of neo-Pentecostal congregations in Livingstone have a positive or negative impact on the economic conditions of members. Two forms of data collection were employed, namely qualitative interviews and observation instruments. / Ndzavisiso lowu wu langutisa ku pfumaleka ka vuanakanyi hi vuntshwa bya xisayense na ku va na ngqhondo eka mamfambiselo ya vulavisisi na vuxopaxopi ku hlamusela matsalelo na mafambiselo ya swa vugandzeri eka tikereke ta Pentakosta leyintshwa edorobeni ra Livingston, eZambia. Hambileswi masungulo ya ndzavisiso a ku ri mafambiselo ya vugandzeri, mulavisisi u tirhise fambiselo ra interdisciplinary na multidisciplinary. Leswi swi pfunete mulavisisi ku twisisa ku hambana eka swa thiyori leyi yi nga xiseketelo xa Pentakosta leyintshwa ya swa vugandzeri na mafambiselo ya kona tanhilaha swi endliwaka hi lava nga vachumayeri va yona pentakosta leyintshwa. Vuxopaxopi bya xisayense byi seketeriwe hi thiyori yo xopaxopa leyi nga endliwa ku kuma leswo xana mafambiselo ya Pentakosta leyintshwa ya pfuneta eka swiyimo swa ikhonomi eka swirho swa kereke swa yona eLivingston. Rimba ra swa vugandzeri eka ndzavisiso lowu wu seketeriwe hi ndzhenzheleko wa vurisi bya kereke ku nga "pastoral cycle", lowu wu faneleke ku va mbilu ya mafambiselo wahi na wahi ya vugandzeri (Ballard & Pritchard 2006). Methodoloji ya ndzavisiso a yi katsa ku hlengeletea vutivi, ku byi toloka no byi xopaxopa (ku kotlanisa na ku pimanisa swihlovo swa vutivi hi ku landza data leyi yi nga hlengeletiwa). Lava a va ri na xiavo eka ndzavisiso, va endle marungula ya vona na ntokoto wa vona hi mafambiselo ya Pentekosta leyintshwa ya yingiseriwile hi fomati yo ka yi nga kunguhatiwangi swinene ku nga semi-structured format. Leswi swi pfunete ekusunguleni mianakanyo ya kereke ya vukreste hi swivangelo swa ku pfumaleka ka ku hlanganisa na ku anakanya hi vuntshwa mavonelo na ntokoto eka swa moya hi swa Pentekosta leyintshwa; hi ku landza swona leswi, swi pfunete ndzavisiso hi leswo xana mavonelo yo hambana hi swa vugandzeri bya Pentakosta leyintshwa eka nhlengeletano eLivingston leswo xana yi na vuyelo lebyinene kumbe lebyi nga ri ku lebyinene eka swiyimo swa ikhonomi ya swirho. Ku tirhisiwe minxaka mimbirhi ya nhlengeleto ya vutivi, ku nga qualitative interviews na xitirho xa ku languta kunene leswi endlekaka (observation instruments). / Practical Theology / D. Th. (Practical Theology)

Working in a township is a challenging but also rewarding way of living. In this dissertation the researcher, in collaboration with the co-searchers, explore ways to mentor one another as they learn how to deal with trauma, either by experiencing trauma directly or witnessing secondary trauma. This leads to new ways of being 'in the moment', coping with trauma, forming a community of care and learning to be in an aware and empowered position. The responsibility of practical theology and the commitment to pastoral care are explored in the context of theology, and spesifically feminist theology, contributing to 'do hope' in Mamelodi. / Philosophy, Practical & Systematic Theology / M.Th. (Pastoral Therapy)

"The Response of African Religion to Poverty with specific reference to the Umzimkhulu Municipality" is a particular effort of the wider world that researches the ways and means for combating the scourge of poverty in society aiming at securing a better future for the future generations. In as much as African traditional religion is part of the culture, tradition and custom of its tenants, and as such aims at the wellbeing of its tenants, it is able to offer a response to poverty. It teaches about the importance of the values of community, meaningful and life-affirming relationships and the value of ubuntu. All these clamour for extended sharing and extended participation which are essential if society will continue to exist. African traditional religion maintains an ethic that says: `Real poverty results from the blockage of the vital links'. Celebrating economic achievements in food must be preceded by the celebration of people. `Batho pele': is the contemporary Democratic South Africa's slogan that suggests putting people in the center of life. It does not only call us to serve the poor, but also to allow them to champion the courses of the kind of service they desire. African traditional religion teaches that, together with the other institutions that govern the lives of people, religion and politics should have among other things a concern about production and distribution of the resources, hence the claim: `Food is also politics'. In their dealing with the problem of poverty, religion, politics and other social institutions ought to dedicate a special place to instilling positive attitudes towards the concept of work among their tenants. In this way the slogan `Batho pele' or people first, does not merely mean waiting to be served, but it also means that every body to the best of their ability ought to be doing something towards the production of the items of service. The inclusiveness of African religion in terms of what it calls `community' cautions society about the importance of the other beings in its consideration of poverty alleviation. Our economic wellbeing depends mostly on our attitude towards the other non-personal neighbours, prominent among which is our common abode, the earth, the land. / Religious Studies & Arabic / D.Th. (Religious Studies)

The study describes the counselling journey undertaken with 270 patients at the Family Medicine Clinic at Kalafong Hospital in Atteridgeville, Tshwane, between June 2000 and December 2003. Of these patients 75% were women, 74% were black and 97% Christian, with half of them belonging to born-again churches. A majority of the patients (52%) were unemployed and the others employed in minimum salary jobs. A third of the patients had attemped suicide at least once before, and a third had lost at least one close family member. With these patients a narrative pastoral counselling practice was established. Narrative counselling was practised as a MEET process in which the patients' problem-saturated stories were mapped and their problems externalised; they were empowered through the deconstruction of religious problem discourses, and their alternative stories were thickened by means of religious practices. This was a pastoral practice with a focus on religious discourses as problem discourses, and on the deconstruction of these discourses towards alternatives stories of faith. The first aim of the study was to describe the faces of religious problem discourses. They are (1) power discourses that hold patients captive in divinely sanctions hierarchies of gender and class, (2) body discourses that alienated patients from their bodies, (3) identity discourses that placed the religious identities of patients in conflict with their other identities, and (4) otherness discourses that created barriers between patients and God. The second aim of the study was to describe the externalised faces of the problems ruining the patients' lives. Here Losses, Loneliness and Lack of money were described as problems causing amongst patients feelings of worthlessness, depression, paralysis, body aches and many more. The third aim of the study was to describe the characteristics of the narrative pastoral counselling practice that has been established. This practice (1) negotiates healing between binaries such as Western/African, culture and dogma/lived experience; patient passivity/patient agency; (2) respects the indigenous knowledge of patients as it is embodied in township spiritualities; and (3) aims at introducing patients to a community of care as well as a new community of discourse where they can experience spiritual healing. / Practical Theology / D. Th. (Practical Theology)