Thesis (MPhil (Ancient Studies))--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Although St Augustine of Hippo (354–430 C.E.) was raised as a Christian, he refuted Catholicism as a youth in his search for divine wisdom and truth. Like the biblical prodigal son, he first had to realise the error of his aversion (turning away from the Catholic Church) before he could experience conversion (returning to the Catholic faith). Augustine narrates certain central events of his life in the Confessiones as a series of conversions, leading him from his native Roman North Africa to his conversion to Catholic Christianity in the Imperial City of Milan. Philosophy, especially Neo-Platonic thought, played a crucial role in his conversion process, as did the influence of St Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, and other Neo-Platonic intellectuals in Milan. Neo- Platonism also influenced Augustine's conception of the imago Dei (image of God). Although Augustine’s teaching of the concept of the imago Dei is found in all his works (but mainly in De Trinitate), a survey of the literature has shown that the way in which this concept is used to inform, structure and advance his conversion narrative in the Confessions, has not yet been investigated in a structured manner. In order to address this gap in scholarly knowledge, the thesis attempts to answer the following research question: How did the concept of the imago Dei inform and structure Augustine's conversion narrative, as recounted in his Confessiones, taking into account the theological and philosophical influences of Ambrose and the Neo-Platonists of Milan on his spiritual development? The investigation was conducted by an in-depth study and analysis of the Confessiones and relevant secondary literature within the historical, philosophical and religious framework of the work. An empirical approach, by means of textual analysis and hermeneutics, was used to answer the research question. The analysis of the Confessions is limited to its autobiographical part (Books 1 to 9). In order to carry out the analysis, a theoretical and conceptual framework was posited in Chapters 1 to 4, discussing the key concepts of conversion and of the imago Dei, as well as explaining the influence of Neo-Platonism and Ambrose on Augustine. In Chapter 5, this conceptual framework of the nature of the imago Dei is complemented by a literary framework for the Confessions to form a metaframework. The textual analysis was done within the meta-framework with reference to certain endowments (attributes) imprinted in the image, namely personality, spirituality, rationality, morality, authority, and creativity. The main conclusion is that Augustine's personal relationship with God had been harmed by the negative impact of sin on these endowments of the divine image in him. His gradual realisation that God is Spirit, his growth in faith, and his eventual acceptance of the authority of Scripture and of the Catholic Church, brought about the healing of the broken image of God in Augustine and also the restoration of God’s likeness in him. This enabled Augustine to be reconciled to God through Christ, who is the perfect Image of God, and helped to convert him to the Catholic Church, which is the Body of Christ. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Alhoewel die Heilige Augustinus, Biskop van Hippo (354–430 n.C.), as Christen grootgemaak is, het hy as jong man die Katolisisme verwerp in sy soektog na goddelike wysheid en waarheid. Soos die verlore seun van die Bybel, moes hy eers die fout van sy afkerigheid (wegdraai van die Katolieke Kerk) insien voordat hy tot bekering (terugkeer tot die Katolieke geloof) kon kom. Augustine vertel sekere kerngebeure van sy lewe in die Confessiones (Belydenisse) as ‘n reeks van bekeringe, wat hom gelei het van sy geboorteplek in Romeins-Noord-Afrika tot sy bekering tot die Katolieke Christendom in die Keiserstad Milaan. Filosofie, veral Neo-Platoniese denke, het ‘n deurslaggewende rol gespeel in sy bekeringsproses, soos ook die invloed van die Heilige Ambrosius, Biskop van Milaan, en ander Neo- Platoniese intellektuele in Milaan. Neo-Platonisme het ook Augustine se begrip van die imago Dei (Godsbeeld) beïnvloed. Alhoewel Augustinus se leer oor die begrip imago Dei in al sy werke aangetref word (maar veral in De Trinitate), het ‘n literatuurstudie uitgewys dat die manier waarop hierdie begrip gebruik word om sy bekeringsverhaal in die Confessions toe te lig, vorm te gee en te bevorder, nog nie op gestruktureerde wyse ondersoek is nie. Om hierdie leemte in vakkundige kennis te vul, poog hierdie tesis om die volgende navorsingsvraag te beantwoord: Hoe het die begrip imago Dei Augustinus se bekeringsverhaal toegelig en vorm gegee, soos vertel in sy Confessiones, met inagneming van die teologiese en filosofiese invloede van Ambrosius en die Neo-Platoniste van Milaan op sy geestelike ontwikkeling? Die ondersoek is uitgevoer deur middel van ‘n grondige studie en ontleding van die Confessiones en toepaslike sekondêre literatuur binne die historiese, filosofiese en godsdienste raamwerk van die werk. ’n Empiriese benadering, by wyse van teksontleding en hermeneutika, is gebruik om die navorsingsvraag te beantwoord. Die ontleding van die Confessiones is beperk tot die outobiografiese deel (Boeke 1 tot 9). Om die ontleding uit te voer, is ’n teoretiese en konseptuele raamwerk vooropgestel in Hoofstukke 1 tot 4, waar die sleutelbegrippe bekering en imago Dei bespreek is, asook die invloed van Neo-Platonisme en Ambrosius op Augustinus. In Hoofstuk 5 word hierdie konseptuele raamwerk vir die aard van die imago Dei aangevul deur ’n literêre raamwerk vir die Confessions om sodoende ‘n metaraamwerk te vorm. Die teksontleding is gedoen binne die metaraamwerk met verwysing na sekere geestesgawes (eienskappe) wat in die beeld neerslag vind, naamlik persoonlikheid, spiritualiteit, rasionaliteit, moraliteit, outoriteit, en kreatiwiteit. Die hoofgevoltrekking is dat Augustinus se persoonlike verhouding met God geskaad is deur die negatiewe impak van sonde op hierdie geestesgawes van die Godsbeeld in hom. Sy geleidelike besef dat God Gees is, sy groei in sy geloof, asook sy uiteindelike aanvaarding van die gesag van die Bybel en van die Katolieke Kerk, het meegebring dat Augustinus se gebroke Godsbeeld en -gelykenis herstel is. Daardeur is Augustinus met God versoen deur Christus, wat die volmaakte Godsbeeld is, en sodoende is hy bekeer tot die Katolieke Kerk, wat die Liggaam van Christus is.

Christian life today has been influenced by countless influences from the external world. Although these external factors have a significant bearing on the church of Christ, the greatest challenge however manifests itself from within the latter. Where the core doctrine of the church constitutes issues of theological and Christian importance, they seem to slowly dissipate and the practices of the secular world seem to take ownership of the church of Christ. The Reformed church has within its confines the three marks of the church whose sole purpose is to ensure that the church of God remains and continues to be the true church of Christ. These Three Marks are: (a) the proclamation of the Word; (b) the correct administration of the sacraments, and (c) the correct exercise of discipline. Among the three marks, discipline acts as a catalyst that enables the survival and proper continuance of the other two marks and thus the true church of Christ. These Three Marks prescribe the basic fundamentals of the Uniting Reformed Church in Southern Africa (URCSA) as a Reformed Church and thereby serve as a primary tool for this church. Discipline, therefore, forms an intrinsic part of this church. However, as a controlling mechanism, its influence and/or instillation appears to be neglected. This quagmire may very well be attested to the overemphasis of democracy (of/or relating to majority rule doctrine) in preference to theocracy (God as the ultimate authority in our lives), where even matters of high religious stature are being compacted to human decision-making processes. These influences needless to say are key in the regression and/or progression of Christian life and life in general. However, their inclusion within the Christian doctrine should not be cumbersome to the latter. The Christian way of life and doctrines should be holistically adhered to without fear or favour. The main purpose behind the formation of these marks by the Reformed church was to sustain the true church of Christ and the only way to ensure this sustainability, was to be consistent in exercising these marks. The church therefore has an obligation towards God and its members to be consistent in carrying out its mandate from God through the scriptures as the creator and father of the church and the world at large. The premonition that forms the basis of this research is that within the three prevalent marks of the church, there appears to be certain discrepancies in that they are not all carried out in unison and are not consistent with each other. With the over-emphasis of one above the other, the church of God could be heading towards vanity, and all its efforts could be fruitless. It is also my conviction that the starting point for rolling out these three marks lie with the leadership of the church by the General Synod, Regional Synods, Presbyteries, Ministers and their church councils. If found that any of these key adherents are not protagonists of these marks, then they would have neglected their God-entrusted responsibilities and their accountability towards the entire community of believers. It is in this regard that this research seeks to implement a litmus test of where the URCSA stands in terms of executing its mandate with relation to the three marks of the church viz; proclaiming the word, administering the sacraments and more importantly, exercising exercising discipline as these marks form the sinew that binds the entire church together. The church of Christ as an entity is engaged in service, which is not to be haphazard in nature, but must be structured. This service begins with serving God, serving one another and finally serving the world at large. This will ensure that the church of God maintains its holiness. For this holiness to be ensured, the church of God has to be open to discernment and allow God take charge of His church. Such uncertainties can be verified only by looking into discipline as the sinew that brings these three marks together. The reason for this approach is that, the first two marks are prescriptive with more parameters than discipline has, whereas discipline can be easily influenced. It is to the benefit of this task that much attention be given to discipline as the last mark of the three, as it is prone to abuse, because it relies mainly on human behaviour, attitude and/or approach to the Christian life. Therefore, the purpose of this dissertation is to outline the possible disintegration of discipline as the sinew that binds the three marks of the Reformed Church in general and URCSA in particular within the Southern Synod. important to note that discipline in the lower strata of the church is carried out religiously without question. The notion that prompted this topic is that contrarily, those who occupy the highest echelons of the church (leadership in the church, ministers and evangelists) do not appear to be enjoying the same reception regarding discipline. The challenge that faces the URCSA is how to maintain equal treatment of the three marks of the true church in a democratic society in the light of the service of God, one another and the world. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / M. Th.(Systematic Theology)

Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-10T11:07:08Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 MARIO CARLOS CORTEZ NOGUEIRA.pdf: 272388 bytes, checksum: ae968d9ef481a5726630cf10b9f5faac (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-05-18 / This study aims to conduct a search through a critical approach of the artwork Ralfo Confessions, (a fictional autobiography) of the Brazilian writer Sérgio Sant Anna, first published in 1975, considered in the context of Brazilian literature contemporary, as a memory book which features a multiplicity of writing faces itself such as: Imaginary Autobiography, memory, daily and epistle (letter). To develop this study, we used the aesthetic concepts and phenomenological on various theories on the subject, focusing on phenomenology and hermeneutics, on the interpretation of a life in the work of contemporary art. Therefore, were selected authors of works who have developed and still develop researches that underlie the subject studied in order to ground theoretically every study. Among them are: HAMBURGER (1975), FOUCAULT (1985 - 2006), BAUDRILLARD (1991), WOLFGANG ISER (2002), BARTHES (2004), CAMPOS (2004), ROBERTS (2007), LEJEUNE (2008), BAKHTIN (2010 - 2013), PAREYSON (1993), among others, which undoubtedly will contribute significantly to the understanding and critical analysis of this study. This study belongs to the field of Literary Theory, which proposes a new way of looking at the memory speech and simulation in the context of contemporary Brazilian literature. / O presente estudo tem como objetivo realizar uma pesquisa por meio de uma abordagem crítica da obra de arte Confissões de Ralfo, (uma autobiografia imaginária) do escritor brasileiro Sérgio Sant Anna, publicada pela primeira vez em 1975, considerada, no contexto da literatura brasileira contemporânea, como um livro de memórias, o qual apresenta uma multiplicidade de faces da escrita de si tais como: Autobiografia imaginária, memória, diário e epistola (carta). Para o desenvolvimento deste estudo, recorreu-se às concepções de estética e fenomenológica em diversas teorias sobre o tema, focando na fenomenologia e hermenêutica, sobre a interpretação de uma existência na obra de arte contemporânea. Assim sendo, foram selecionadas obras de autores que desenvolveram e que ainda desenvolvem pesquisas que perpassam a temática estudada, a fim de embasar, teoricamente, todo estudo. Entre eles estão: HAMBURGER (1975), FOUCAULT (1985 2006), BAUDRILLARD (1991), WOLFGANG ISER (2002), BARTHES (2004), CAMPOS (2004), RODRIGUES (2007), LEJEUNE (2008), BAKHTIN (2010 - 2013), PAREYSON (1993), entre outros, que, sem dúvida, contribuíram, significativamente, para a compreensão e análise crítica deste estudo. Tal estudo se insere no campo da Teoria Literária, a qual propõe um novo modo de olhar para o discurso da memória e do fingimento no contexto da literatura brasileira contemporânea.

A presente dissertação consiste na comparação dos romances Memórias póstumas de Brás Cubas e Confissões do impostor Felix Krull. Procuramos analisar os aspectos que os aproximam, apesar do afastamento temporal e cultural entre eles existente, partindo dos elementos que imitam o texto autobiográfico e suas respectivas implicações. Tanto as vidas representadas nos dois romances afastam-se do que se entende por uma biografia normal, como também a particular tarefa autobiográfica realizada por Felix e Brás foge do padrão de confissões e de memórias. A confiabilidade dos narradores pode ser ainda questionada, haja vista suas singulares condições enquanto narradores: um, impostor, e outro, defunto. Esta dissertação é composta por seis partes, nas quais se discutirão os seguintes aspectos: introdução à análise comparativa, os romances e os narradores, a intertextualidade inserida na forma e na temática, o decurso de vida de Brás e Felix, suas condições como autobiógrafos e o papel do leitor. No que diz respeito a este último aspecto, podemos afirmar que como o romance em geral, Memórias póstumas e Confissões, que simulam o relato autobiográfico, se preocupam com a função do público. Nos dois livros em questão, essa preocupação reflete-se nos papéis do leitor inseridos nas narrativas. Nossa dissertação ocupar-se-á desse aspecto como último e com particular atenção, visando analisar as reflexões metanarrativas realizadas pelos narradores diante de seus respectivos leitores no horizonte da autobiografia ficcional. / The following degree thesis consists in comparing the novels Memórias póstumas de Brás Cubas and Confissões do impostor Felix Krull. We attempted to analyse the aspects, which approach them, despite of the temporal and cultural distance between them, initiating from the elements, which imitate the autobiographical text and its respective implications. The lives represented in both novels diverge from what usually can be understood as a normal biography. In a similar way the autobiographical function assumed by Felix and Brás diverges from the ideal standard of the confession and the autobiographical memory. The reliability of the narrators can be also questioned if we considerate their singular conditions as narrators: one, as impostor, the other, as a dead person. This thesis is composed of six parts, in that we will discuss the following aspects: an introduction to the comparative analysis, the novels and their narrators, the intertextuality introduced in the form and in the subject, Brás and Felix life events, their condition as autobiographers and the readers role. Like the novels in general, Memórias póstumas e Confissões, that simulate the autobiographical narrative, attend to the role of the attendance. In both analised books this concern is reflected on the the readers inserted in the narratives. This dissertation handles this aspect lastly, trying to analyse the Felix and Brás metanarrative considerations according to their respective readers in the horizon of the fictional autobiography.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-25T19:20:34Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Adailson Nascimento Souza.pdf: 786423 bytes, checksum: 41b0fcf10d370e2d25783a689ad8263e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-12-05 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The current dissertation investigates the knowledge of God as My Innermost Self in the memory, having as reference the Confessions, book X. Following the Augustinian view, here we intend to analyze which is the type of knowledge possible to men, and where to find it. For the Bishop of Hippo, only through the foundation of the christian faith a knowledge of God would be accessible. Considering the studied book, that access will be possible when a path in the memory is traversed, based in three actions - one exterior, another interior, and finally a superior. It is through these actions that the human being could know God in his most intimate place that we do not know of, but that exists inside every single men. By making use of authors such as Johannes Brachtendorf, Peter Brown, Philoteus Boehner and Joel Gracioso, this research seeks to concentrate in the referred question, tracing in an objective way all biographic influences that inspired Saint Augustine to achieve his conviction that God is more Intimate of me than I am of Him / A presente dissertação investiga o conhecimento de Deus como Íntimo Meu na memória, tomando como referência o livro X das Confissões. Seguindo a visão agostiniana, aqui pretendemos analisar qual o tipo de conhecimento possível ao homem, e onde encontrar tal conhecimento. Para o bispo de Hipona, somente através da fundamentação da fé cristã seria acessível um conhecimento de Deus. De acordo com o livro referido, esse acesso será possível quando for realizada uma trajetória na memória pautada em três ações - uma exterior, uma interior, e uma superior. Fazendo uso dessas ações é que o ser humano poderia conhecer a Deus no lugar mais íntimo e que desconhecemos, mas que existe dentro de cada um. Acolhendo como norte teórico autores como Johannes Brachtendorf, Peter Brown, Philoteus Boehner e Joel Gracioso, esta pesquisa procura se concentrar na referida questão, traçando de forma objetiva as influências biográficas que contribuíram para que Santo Agostinho pudesse chegar à sua convicção de que Deus é mais Íntimo de mim, do que eu sou d‟Ele

Popular culture scholar Henry Jenkins chronicles the intellectual and emotional labor of being an “aca/fan” – or an academic, trained in media criticism, who also operates as a media consumer. This panel explores aca/fan identity through Joss Whedon’s media narratives, such as The Avengers, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Cabin In the Woods, Dollhouse, Dr. Horrible’s Sing Along Blog and Fire

Habilitacijos procedūrai teikiamoje mokslo darbų apžvalgoje „Reformacija ir religinės minties plėtra Lietuvos Didžiojoje Kunigaištystėje“ aptariama monografija Maištininkų katedros. Ankstyvoji reformacija ir lietuvių-italų evangelikų ryšai (2008) bei mokslo straipsniai, nagrinėjantys LDK reformacijos ir protestantų literatūros problemas. Pagrindinis mokslinės analizės chronologinis objektas – ankstyvojo LDK reformacijos etapo kultūros procesai (XVI a. 5-6 dešimtmetis), tačiau analizuojami ir kai kurie vėlesni, XVI a. antros pusės – XVII a. pirmos pusės protestantų literatūros ir kultūros raidos ypatumai. Tai tarpdalykinis tyrimas, integruojantis LDK kultūros, bažnyčių ir konfesijų bei literatūros istorijos tyrimų užduotis. Pagrindinės analizuojamos temos: reformacijos pradžia Lietuvoje ir Lietuvos evangeliškosios minties pradininko Abraomo Kulviečio intelektualinė biografija; du ankstyvieji LDK evangelikų išpažinimai (Kulviečio Confessio fidei, 1543) bei Mikalojaus Radvilos Juodojo atsakymas popiežiaus nuncijui Aloisijui Lippomanui (Duae epistolae, 1556); lietuvių ir italų evangelikų ryšiai bei Italijos protestantizmo vaidmuo ankstyvojoje LDK reformacijoje; Italijos disidentų Bernardino Ochino ir Piero Paolo Vergerijaus ryšiai su Lietuva; Lietuvos evangelikų konfesinio identiteto raida ir santykiai su Vakarų liuteronų ir kalvinistų ortodoksija; LDK evangelikų oficialiosios bažnytinės literatūros (katekizmų, giesmynų) šaltiniai ir raidos bruožai; trinitoristinės polemikos... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / The review of the scholarly publications by Dainora Pociūtė „Reformation and the Development of the Confessional Thought in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania“, which has been submitted for the habilitation procedure, discusses the monograph of the said author titled Rebellious Cathedrals. Early Reformation and the contacts between Lithuanian and Italian Evangelicals (2008) as well as her various scholarly papers on the topic of Reformation and Protestant literature of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania (GDL). The main subject of her study deals with the cultural processes of the early Reformation of GDL (the first two decades of the Reformation); however some aspects of the later development of Protestant literature and culture at the second half of the 16th century and the first half of the 17th century have also been taken into consideration. This interdisciplinary research integrates the issues and concerns of the history of culture, churches, confessions and literature of GDL. The main issues of the research are: the beginning of the Reformation in Lithuania and the reconstruction of the intellectual biography of Abraomas Kulvietis (Abraham Culvensis Gynvilionis), the pioneer of Lithuanian Evangelical thought; the two early Lithuanian confessions of Evangelical faith: Confessio fidei by Culvensis (1543) and Radziwiłł the Black’s answer to the Papal Nuncio Aloisio Lippomano (Duae epistolae, 1556); the links between Lithuanian and Italian Evangelicals and the role of the Italians in... [to full text]

How should Australian criminal trial courts treat evidence deriving from illegally or improperly obtained evidence? The fact that derivative evidence gives rise to factors distinct from primary evidence makes it deserving of an examination of its peculiarities. In doing so, the assumption may be put aside that derivative evidence falls wholly within the established general discourse of illegally or improperly obtained evidence. Just as the judicial response to primary evidence must be intellectually rigorous, disciplined and principled, so must be the response to derivative evidence. As such, a principled analysis of how Australian courts should approach derivative evidence can significantly contribute to the discourse on the law with respect to the exclusion of illegally or improperly obtained evidence. This thesis provides that principled analysis by arguing that the principles which underpin and inform the discretionary exclusionary frameworks within Australia require an approach which is consistent as between illegally obtained derivative evidence and illegally obtained primary evidence.

A presente dissertação consiste na comparação dos romances Memórias póstumas de Brás Cubas e Confissões do impostor Felix Krull. Procuramos analisar os aspectos que os aproximam, apesar do afastamento temporal e cultural entre eles existente, partindo dos elementos que imitam o texto autobiográfico e suas respectivas implicações. Tanto as vidas representadas nos dois romances afastam-se do que se entende por uma biografia normal, como também a particular tarefa autobiográfica realizada por Felix e Brás foge do padrão de confissões e de memórias. A confiabilidade dos narradores pode ser ainda questionada, haja vista suas singulares condições enquanto narradores: um, impostor, e outro, defunto. Esta dissertação é composta por seis partes, nas quais se discutirão os seguintes aspectos: introdução à análise comparativa, os romances e os narradores, a intertextualidade inserida na forma e na temática, o decurso de vida de Brás e Felix, suas condições como autobiógrafos e o papel do leitor. No que diz respeito a este último aspecto, podemos afirmar que como o romance em geral, Memórias póstumas e Confissões, que simulam o relato autobiográfico, se preocupam com a função do público. Nos dois livros em questão, essa preocupação reflete-se nos papéis do leitor inseridos nas narrativas. Nossa dissertação ocupar-se-á desse aspecto como último e com particular atenção, visando analisar as reflexões metanarrativas realizadas pelos narradores diante de seus respectivos leitores no horizonte da autobiografia ficcional. / The following degree thesis consists in comparing the novels Memórias póstumas de Brás Cubas and Confissões do impostor Felix Krull. We attempted to analyse the aspects, which approach them, despite of the temporal and cultural distance between them, initiating from the elements, which imitate the autobiographical text and its respective implications. The lives represented in both novels diverge from what usually can be understood as a normal biography. In a similar way the autobiographical function assumed by Felix and Brás diverges from the ideal standard of the confession and the autobiographical memory. The reliability of the narrators can be also questioned if we considerate their singular conditions as narrators: one, as impostor, the other, as a dead person. This thesis is composed of six parts, in that we will discuss the following aspects: an introduction to the comparative analysis, the novels and their narrators, the intertextuality introduced in the form and in the subject, Brás and Felix life events, their condition as autobiographers and the readers role. Like the novels in general, Memórias póstumas e Confissões, that simulate the autobiographical narrative, attend to the role of the attendance. In both analised books this concern is reflected on the the readers inserted in the narratives. This dissertation handles this aspect lastly, trying to analyse the Felix and Brás metanarrative considerations according to their respective readers in the horizon of the fictional autobiography.

This study concluded that the Three Forms of Unity does not give the same meaning to the word “church” all the way through, since the word is used to describe both the visible and invisible sides of the church. When these different uses of the word “church” are left out of consideration in discussions concerning the church and only one of the two sides of the church is emphasised, it leads to the large degree of confusion and indistiction which these days is experienced in ecclesiastical debates. Before there can be any meaningful progress in these discussions, it is therefore necessary to establish which view of the Bible as well as concept of the church, is being taken as starting point of the discussion. Reformed academics have already done many studies concerning the Biblical usage of the word “church”. This study has taken the research a step further and shown that the use of the word “church” in the Three Forms of Unity agrees with the Biblical usage of the word. The Bible and the Three Forms of Unity mean, with the word “church”, both sides of the church of Christ. This church is on the one side invisible, seeing that is spans time and place and in doing so is the sum total of all the elect. On the other side, this church is made visible in a defined place and time and bears the stamp of its own time and culture in which it took its shape. Confusion arises when it is assumed that whatever the Bible and confessions state as indicative of the invisible church is necessarily indicative of the church`s visible side also. This is particularly valid, for example, in the doctrine concerning the attributes and characteristics of the church. This study has brought the old truths about the church from the Bible and confessions freshly to the fore in a time when very little attention is being paid to them. Yet it is precisely these truths concerning the concept of the church that can bring progress in ecclesiastical discussion. It was further demonstrated that the concept of the church held by the Afrikaans Protestant Churches stands on solid Biblical and confessional grounds. / Dissertation (MA (Research in Practical Theology))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Practical Theology / MA / unrestricted