This research investigates the teaching and practice of moral formation at three theological education institutions in South Africa. The theological institutions, while acknowledging moral formation in their aims and teaching ethical theory, have difficulty developing and implementing a moral formation programme. Among the reasons for this are the complex nature of moral formation and the numerous and wide ranging expectations placed on the institutions. In this research, morality is described in terms of relationship with God, with self, with others in the Church and society and with the environment. The findings of the research suggest that the teaching and practice at the institutions that involve relationships are most effective for moral formation. Hence it is recommended that the institutions find ways to foster the students‟ relationship with God, with themselves, with others and with the environment. Modes of moral formation that involve thinking and knowledge are important, but so are those modes that encourage emotional development and character and spiritual formation. Through projects and assignments, students can be exposed to the harsh realities of life and opportunities created to reflect on these experiences in the light of faith. Practical suggestions such as encouraging students to pray, meditate, reflect, journal and study are made. Other suggestions are that lecturing staff make more use of participative teaching methods such as discussions, case studies and stories, including the stories of the students. The mentoring role of staff and the importance of the faith community are affirmed. These relational teaching methods and activities are easier to implement in a residential seminary than in a distance learning situation. In order to fully implement the relational aspects of a programme for moral formation, it would be helpful for the theological institutions to explore various forms of blended education and to develop partnerships and work with local churches. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / D. Th. (Ethics)

German text / Die vorliegende Arbeit schlägt eine Brücke über den Graben zwischen dem normativ-ethischen Anspruch an die Lebenslänglichkeit einer Ehe und Gottes gnädigem Handeln gegenüber dem scheiternden Menschen. Anhand des Umgangs der Kirchen und Glaubensgemeinschaften mit Ehescheidung und Wiederheirat wird dieser Graben aufgezeigt. Es ergibt sich, dass die bestehende Spannung jeweils durch die einseitige Betonung von Norm oder Gnade aufgelöst wird. Die Grundlage für die Diskussion bilden das massgebende Eheverständnis sowie die Bestimmung des Verhältnisses zwischen theologischer Ethik und dem Konzept der Gnade als Handlungsprinzip Gottes. Darum werden in dieser Forschungsarbeit zuerst die theologiegeschichtlich gewachsenen Eheverständnisse und die unterschiedlichen Normen- und Gnadenverständnisse der römisch katholischen Kirche, der evangelischen Kirchen und der evangelikalen Gemeinschaften in Bezug auf den Umgang mit Scheidung und Wiederheirat untersucht. Aufgrund der herausgearbeiteten Übereinstimmungen und Unterschiede wird anschliessend anhand eines von der Vergebung ausgehenden Denkansatzes der Graben zwischen normativer Ethik und dem Konzept der Gnade überbrückt, die Spannung aber nicht aufgehoben. Daraus werden mögliche Auswirkungen im Umgang mit Scheidung und Wiederheirat für die Kirchen und Gemeinschaften abgeleitet. / The present thesis bridges the gap between the normative-ethical standard of lifelong marriage on the one hand and God’s grace for men‘s failures on the other hand. Considering the practices of churches and communities with regard to divorce and remarriage, this gap is demonstrated. It is found that the associated tension is eliminated by an unilateral choice of either the normative aspect or the principle of grace. The basis for the discussion is provided by the relevant understanding of marriage and the determination of the relationship between theological ethics and grace as the principle of God's action towards mankind. Therefore, this thesis investigates the evolution of the theological understanding of marriage during history and the different understandings of norms and grace in the Catholic Church, the Protestant Church and the Evangelical Free Communities with regard to their handling of divorce and remarriage. Considering the resulting similarities and differences, I propose – building on the fact of God’s forgiveness – how to bridge the gap between normative ethics and the concept of grace without eliminating the obvious tension. Finally, possible consequences for how to handle divorce and remarriage by churches and communities are drawn. / Philosophy & Systematic Theology / M. Th. (Theological Ethics)

This paper attempts to evaluate Training for Trainers (T4T) as an aid for developing healthy and sustained church planting movements (CPMs). The thesis is that Training for Trainers (T4T) can enable and sustain (by the Spirit’s power) healthy church planting movements because a discipleship process is built into the methodology that develops believers in their personal and communal growth and equips them to repeat the process with other individuals they reach. The very format of the T4T process provides a context for developing disciples inwardly and training disciples to minister outwardly. The T4T process continues over the course of months and years to systematically move believers through the essential stages of sustained church planting movements: Bridges in conversations with the lost from non-spiritual topics to the gospel in order to find those God is preparing (knowing whom to talk to and how to start) • Reproducible evangelism methods that are effective in the local context and can be learned by any new believer • Reproducible discipleship that addresses both short-term and long-term spiritual growth in a manner appropriate to the local worldview and able to be passed on by a new believer • Reproducible church models appropriate to the local context and able to be led and passed on by new believers • Leadership development and multiplication patterns that develop leaders rapidly in the context of ministry and enable the number of leaders to keep pace with the number of new churches. T4T moves each new generation of disciples (trainers) and churches through this process because it casts vision for and gives loving accountability for disciples to truly become trainers of others. It does this primarily through a three-thirds training process. T4T is training for trainers who will train trainers who will train trainers. T4T attempts to initiate movements of God in which at least four generations of new disciples and churches emerge. This paper evaluates T4T is based on case studies, survey instruments and biblical principles and then offers recommendations for CPM practitioners. / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / D. Th. (Missiology)

The following thesis investigates the British punk movement of the mid-late seventies and suggests that, by performing acts of imaginative re-identification, we may gain greater insights into both the phenomenon of punk and aspects of Jesus’ life, ministry, and teaching despite their axiomatic and sometimes problematic differences. To do this we explore the power of the sartorial creations that the movement adopted and the way in which they conveyed an oppositional protest message and stance. We explore punk graphics and the way in which they could offer a targeted critique of the nation. We look at punk performances and how they confrontationally engaged with their audiences and what they wanted to elicit in return. We reflect on women in punk, punk in Northern Ireland and the relationship between punk and the black community and the degree to which punk exhibited a counter-cultural attitude to relationships. Concluding our look at punk we investigate how society, the authorities and commerce reacted to the movement, before investigating punk as a trans-historical essence. Having explored punk and established imaginative connections we then revisit aspects of Jesus’ life and consider him as a subversive who negated some of the national symbols of Israel, collided with Jewish national authority and reversed many of the nation’s perspectives. We look at the more confrontational nature of Jesus, his use of symbolic physical statements and his interaction with women, teaching on enemies and the way he related to the outcast. We then conclude by showing the degree to which the present-day church has been absorbed into the surrounding culture and explore two instances in post-war theology where there has been a recovery of the more seditious pattern within Jesus’ life before seeing whether there is anything that the church may learn from imaginatively identifying with punk.

The Church lives in times of change. In times of change Christ builds and equips his Church, through the Holy Spirit, to proclaim the gospel to the world and to make disciples. As part of the congregation, it is important to ask what the role of the youth and youth ministry plays in the building and equipment of the church, which Christ is busy doing. The aim of this dissertation is to examine the possibility that discipleship can be used as a model for ministry for congregation–building to the baptized members (13 to 18 years of age) of the Reformed Churches in South Africa. The following working method was used in order to reach this particular aim: * Firstly, a basis–theoretical investigation was conducted ascertaining the subject, object, aim and nature of congregation–building. * Secondly, a basis–theoretical investigation focused on discipleship was done. In this investigation the aim was to find a workable definition for 'disciple' and 'discipleship' as well as the aim and nature of discipleship. This investigation concluded by showing the relation between congregation–building and discipleship. * Thirdly, an empirical study was launched to determine the situation in the Reformed Churches in South Africa pertaining to youth and youth ministry. In this study the first priority was to determine the aim for youth ministry as determined by the Deputies for Catechesis and Youth nurture of the Reformed Churches in South Africa. The second priority is to determine the present tendencies under the youth in classis KwaZulu–Natal–North of the Reformed Churches in South Africa. The findings of this study were then weighed against the perception of the teachers of Catechesis in this particular classis. * Lastly, the findings of the basis–theoretical investigation and the empirical study was synthesised into a practical theory for discipleship as `n ministry model for church–building for the baptized members (13 to 18 years of age) in the Reformed Churches in South Africa. The finding of this study is that discipleship can indeed be applied as a ministry model for church–building for the baptized members (13 to 18 years of age) in the Reformed Churches in South Africa. Through this ministry model the baptized member can be equipped in a contextual–relevant manner to bring the gospel to the world, through his or her love for God to his or her neighbour, as a member of the faith community of the church. / Thesis (M. Th. (Pastoral))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

The Church lives in times of change. In times of change Christ builds and equips his Church, through the Holy Spirit, to proclaim the gospel to the world and to make disciples. As part of the congregation, it is important to ask what the role of the youth and youth ministry plays in the building and equipment of the church, which Christ is busy doing. The aim of this dissertation is to examine the possibility that discipleship can be used as a model for ministry for congregation–building to the baptized members (13 to 18 years of age) of the Reformed Churches in South Africa. The following working method was used in order to reach this particular aim: * Firstly, a basis–theoretical investigation was conducted ascertaining the subject, object, aim and nature of congregation–building. * Secondly, a basis–theoretical investigation focused on discipleship was done. In this investigation the aim was to find a workable definition for 'disciple' and 'discipleship' as well as the aim and nature of discipleship. This investigation concluded by showing the relation between congregation–building and discipleship. * Thirdly, an empirical study was launched to determine the situation in the Reformed Churches in South Africa pertaining to youth and youth ministry. In this study the first priority was to determine the aim for youth ministry as determined by the Deputies for Catechesis and Youth nurture of the Reformed Churches in South Africa. The second priority is to determine the present tendencies under the youth in classis KwaZulu–Natal–North of the Reformed Churches in South Africa. The findings of this study were then weighed against the perception of the teachers of Catechesis in this particular classis. * Lastly, the findings of the basis–theoretical investigation and the empirical study was synthesised into a practical theory for discipleship as `n ministry model for church–building for the baptized members (13 to 18 years of age) in the Reformed Churches in South Africa. The finding of this study is that discipleship can indeed be applied as a ministry model for church–building for the baptized members (13 to 18 years of age) in the Reformed Churches in South Africa. Through this ministry model the baptized member can be equipped in a contextual–relevant manner to bring the gospel to the world, through his or her love for God to his or her neighbour, as a member of the faith community of the church. / Thesis (M. Th. (Pastoral))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

[pt] A escolha do tema Relação pessoal com Jesus Cristo provém, não só da possibilidade de ser um assunto investigado, com cunho científico, marcado pela inovação e em discussões acadêmicas, mas também do fato de que, embora a vida humana seja dinâmica relacional, o ser humano está sempre inclinado ao Absoluto, à plenitude de vida, com o desejo de alcançar o sentido de sua vida, numa relação com Aquele que é o sentido da sua vida. Os objetivos foram não só o de propiciar reflexão sobre esse verdadeiro encontro, do qual ninguém pode sair da mesma forma, pois ele gera o testemunho do que foi vivido, bem como ratificar que esta Relação advém da iniciativa do próprio Deus que oferece a Si mesmo, em Jesus Cristo, através de diversas realidades. Para buscar fundamentação teórica filosófico-teológica de reforço à argumentação proposta, aborda-se, na metodologia, a pesquisa bibliográfica, como efeito também da revisão do material distribuído nas aulas, e a documental, com as normas técnicas e Documentos do Magistério. Os resultados obtidos, a partir da observação e análise dos textos permitem concluir que é possível o homem fazer uma profunda experiência de encontro com Ele para transformar a vida no hoje da existência humana. Basta que esta esteja atenta à Sua presença marcante no mundo contemporâneo. / [en] The choice of the theme Personal relationship with Jesus Christ comes, not only from the possibility of being a subject investigated on a scientific aspect, marked by innovation and in academic discussions, but also on the fact that, although human life is relational dynamics, the human being is always inclined to the Absolute, to the fullness of his life with the desire of achieving the sense of his life, in a relationship with the One who is the meaning of his life. The objectives were not only to provide a reflection about this true meeting, which no one can leave the same way he or she was before, because it generates the testimony of what was lived, and to ratify that this relationship comes from the initiative of the proper God who offers Himself in Jesus Christ, through different realities. To seek for philosophical-theological theoretical basis as a support for the argument proposed, we discuss, in the methodology, the bibliographic research, as effect also of the review of the material distributed in class, and the documentary, with the technical standards and the Documents of the Magisterium. The results obtained, from the observation and analysis of texts allow us to conclude that man can make a profound experience of meeting with Him to transform life in the today of human existence. It must be just attentive to His strong presence in the contemporary world.

This study is an exploration into female discipleship. Its primary aim is to compare and contrast Mark's portrayal of male and female followers of Jesus respectively, while its secondary aim is to establish what lessons there may be for the social status of Christian women in the kingdom of Swaziland. These ends will be pursued by looking at Mark's portrayal of male disciples and the contrast he draws between them and the female followers of Jesus. This study then concludes that Mark has a more positive view of female followers than he has of male disciples, and this may stem from the conduct of male disciples he has observed in the Church of his time. / New Testament / M.TH. (New Testament)

The contention of this study is that missiological cell group praxis is an appropriate vehicle to mobilize the local church for world evangelization - centrifugally reaching from "Jerusalem" and "Judea and Samaria" to the "ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). Methodologically it follows the pastoral circle of Holland & Henriot and investigates the missiological praxis of various small faith communities. The principles of the cosmological framework of Calvisnism (Kuyper, Dooyeweerd) are brought to bear on the missionary endeavours of the local church, with reference to the Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa. It argues for a missiologically integrated Cell Church, based on a definition of mission and evangelism, which is aimed at overcoming the fragmented missiological situation in mainline churches. This study argues that these small groups function as the basic cells of the local and universal Church, and shows how these communities come into existence and function as missiological outreach groups. / Christian Spirituality Church History and Missiology / M. Th. (Missiology)

The modern world is experiencing a spiritual and moral cns1s. Associated with this, Christian spirituality and ethics have become separated in the life of the individual Christian and the community of the church. The Christian understanding of human beings and the integrated nature of spirituality and ethics provides a solution to this crisis. Christian spirituality and morality both originate in the character and purposes of God as revealed in the biblical record. The value and effects of the integral relationship between spirituality and morality can be traced throughout scripture and the history of the church. The. encounter and relationship with God, in Jesus Christ and through the presence and power of God's Spirit, transforms the disciple of Christ, which means that spirituality is the basic framework and motivation for morality. Integrated spiritual and moral formation creates moral character and moral communities which enable believers to act with love and justice. / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / M.Th. (Christian Spirituality)