Thesis (MTh (Practical Theology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The aim of this thesis is to encourage the renewal of Korean preacher‘s piety and spirituality within the Reformed tradition. Although a large number of studies have been carried out on Christian prayer, little is known about the connection between prayer and preaching in Reformed theology. In the Korean context, most preachers have been trained in the Pentecostal tradition. Therefore, the Reformed churches Korea have requested that instructions on prayer from notable theologians in history be introduced to preachers to help restore spiritual balance to the biblical preaching of Korean Reformed ministers. Reformed preachers should not follow the secular mind and worldly academic style; therefore, the study is concerned with recovering the biblical spirituality of the preacher and the congregation in Korean Christianity. It is argued that the Korean church needs to strive to rediscover and recover the Reformed church‘s long tradition of communication and prayer. The revival in the Korean church was not a Reformed theological revival because it was characterized by the Pentecostal movement and for a long time the Korean church has had a concept of traditional religious spirituality. For true revival to take place in the Reformed Church in Korea, the church needs to forge a new agenda that is rooted in and that emphasizes biblical prayer. To accomplish the aforementioned goal, it is suggested that the prayers of Jesus and an exposition of the Lord‘s Prayer in the Reformed theological traditions be given greater attention. Jesus emphasized the importance of the Lord's Prayer to his disciples and it stands as the capstone of Jesus' prayer life, which he shared with us. Accordingly, a preacher must pray enthusiastically and communicate with God continually. The spirituality of both the preacher and the congregation is crucial in modern churches. Therefore, our spiritual foundation must be organized on biblical, historical, theological research in a way that would encourage not only the preachers but also the congregation members to be enthusiastic in prayer before God. Today‘s theological discourse should be able to engage with classical (Reformed theological) literature or instructions on prayer, and the present investigation is an attempt to look back to those classical instructions as a most meaningful starting point to overcome the spiritual difficulties in Korean churches. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie tesis is om hernuwing van Koreaanse predikers se godsdienstigheid en spiritualiteit binne die Gereformeerde tradisie aan te moedig. Hoewel vele studies reeds onderneem is oor Christelike gebed, bly kennis oor die konneksie tussen gebed en prediking binne die Gereformeerde teologie, gebrekkig. In die Koreaanse konteks is die meeste predikers opgelei in die Pinkster-tradisie. Daarom het die Gereformeerde kerke in Korea 'n pleidooi gelewer dat opleiding in gebed deur gerekende teoloë, toegevoeg word in hul opleiding, om predikers te help om 'n geestelike balans te handhaaf in hul bybelse prediking. Gereformeerde predikers behoort nie die sekulêre gedagtegang en wêreldse akademiese styl aan te hang nie; hierdie studie is gemoeid met die herwinning van bybelse spiritualiteit van die prediker en die gemeente in die Koreaanse Christendom. Daar word geargumenteer dat die Koreaanse kerk moet streef om die Gereformeerde kerk se lang tradisie van kommunikasie en gebed te herontdek en herwin. Die oplewing in die Koreaanse kerk was nie 'n Gereformeerde teologiese oplewing nie maar is gekenmerk deur die Pinkster-beweging, wat vir 'n lang tyd die Koreaanse kerk se opvatting omtrent tradisionele religieuse spiritualiteit onderlê het. Die kerk benodig 'n nuwe agenda, gewortel in bybelse gebed vir ware herlewing om plaas te vind in die Gereformeerde kerk in Korea. Om hierdie doel te bereik, word dit voorgestel dat die gebede van Jesus en 'n uiteensetting van die Ons Vader-gebed in die Gereformeerde teologiese tradisies dieper bestudeer word. Jesus het die belang van die Ons Vader-gebed beklemtoon teenoor sy dissipels, en dit verteenwoordig 'n hoeksteen van sy gebedslewe, wat ook ons nalatenskap is. Vervolgens moet 'n prediker geesdriftig kan bid en voortdurend in kommunie kan tree met God. Die spiritualiteit van beide die prediker en die gemeente staan sentraal binne moderne kerke. Daarom moet ons spirituele fondasie onderleg word deur bybelse, historiese, teologiese navorsing op 'n manier wat beide predikers en gemeentes sal lei tot geesdriftige gebed teenoor God. Hedendaagse teologiese diskoerse moet in gesprek tree met klassieke (Gereformeerde teologiese) literatuur of gebedsopleiding, en die huidige studie bied 'n poging om terugskouend te besin oor die klassieke opleiding, as die mees beduidende vertrekpunt om spirituele vraagstukke in Koreaanse kerke op te los.

Thesis (MTh (Practical Theology and Missiology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The Korean Protestant Church has witnessed some conflicting views regarding theological issues as well as important socio-political events between conservatism and liberalism from the early mission era up to recent times. This discord has obviously been reflected in their preaching. Specifically, their application in preaching has shown a tendency of practicing eisegesis on the text under the influence of social and political ideologies, and traditional religions. In its method of application, the Korean Protestant Church has made use of the imperative, indicative, and instructive styles. The purpose of this thesis is to suggest the use of various relevant applications, which take into account the biblical literary form to overcome eisegesis. This task would be accomplished by a balanced exegesis process through the historical-critical perspective. Chapter 1 of this thesis comprises the introduction, which deals with the research background, motivation, problems in research, hypothesis, delimitations of the research, and proposed outline of the study. Chapter 2 describes the characteristics and phenomena of preaching in each period through the historical overview of the Korean preaching. The history of Korean preaching can be divided into four different periods: firstly, the era of the early missionaries; secondly, the form of the sermon of the Korean Church under Japan’s rule; thirdly, the Korean sermon after the liberation and fourthly the sermon in the midst of a military dictatorship and the rapid growth of the Korean economy. Chapter 3 analyzes the causes of the characteristics and phenomena of the Korean preaching mentioned in Chapter 2. In brief, before the liberation, Korean preaching was strongly influenced by the fundamentalist theology of the early missionaries, the church leaders’ view on the Bible, and political circumstances under colonial rule (the problem of the Shinto shrine worship). After liberation, preaching in the Korean church has been influenced by the prevailing socio-political ideology (the perspective of a separation of the church and state), kibok sinang (belief in prayers for blessings) which was rooted in the traditional religions, and the rise of the Minjung theology which promoted the indigenization of theology. This chapter also examines how these causes influenced the application of preaching in the midst of a conflict between conservative and liberal churches. Chapter 4 deals with the purpose, necessity, principle, and method of application in preaching. Chapter 5 examines the sermonic approach considering the biblical literary form that was suggested by Thomas Long and how it plays a role in application of preaching as a solution to the problems of application that both the conservative and liberal church have. To illustrate this I have highlighted two examples, namely the method of application through imagination in poetry as a genre and the identification of characters in the narrative genre. In conclusion, chapter 6 summarizes the features of Korean preaching and suggests the benefit of application taking into account the literary form in the circumstances of Korean preaching. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die Protestantse Kerk in Korea het, sedert die begin van sendingwerk tot mees onlangs, uiteenlopende gesigspunte sowel as belangrike sosio-politiese gebeure tussen konservatisme en liberalisme aanskou. Die onenigheid is begryplikerwyse in hul prediking gereflekteer. Veral hul aanwending in die prediking het 'n neiging tot eisegese van die teks onder die invloed van sosiale en politiese ideologieë en tradisionele godsdienste getoon. In sy wyse van aanwending het die Koreaanse Protestantse Kerk van die imperatiewe, indikatiewe en instruktiewe metodes gebruik gemaak. Die doel van hierdie tesis is om die gebruik van verskeie relevante aanwendings, wat die literêre vorm van die Bybel in ag neem ten einde eisegese te oorkom, voor te stel. Hierdie taak kan verrig word deur 'n gebalanseerde eksegese proses vanuit die histories-kritiese perspektief. Hoofstuk 1 van hierdie tesis bevat die inleiding wat fokus op die agtergrond van die navorsing, die motivering, navorsingsprobleme, hipotese, afbakening van die navorsing en die voorgestelde profiel van die studie. Hoofstuk 2 beskryf, deur middel van die historiese oorsig van Koreaanse prediking, die karaktertrekke en verskynsels van prediking gedurende elke periode. Die geskiedenis van Koreaanse prediking kan in vier verskillende periodes verdeel word: Eerstens, die era van die vroeë sendelinge; tweedens, die vorm van die preek in die Koreaanse Kerk tydens Japanese beheer; derdens, die preek in Korea na bevryding en vierdens, die preek te midde van militêre diktatorskap en die snelle groei van die Koreaanse ekonomie. Hoofstuk 3 analiseer die oorsake van die kenmerke en verskynsels van Koreaanse prediking soos vermeld in Hoofstuk 2. In kort, voor bevryding was Koreaanse prediking sterk beïnvloed deur die fundamentalistiese teologie van die vroeë sendelinge, die kerkleiers se beskouinge omtrent die Bybel en die politieke omstandighede gedurende die koloniale tydperk (die probleem van die Shinto heiligdom aanbidding). Na bevryding is prediking in die Koreaanse kerk beïnvloed deur die heersende sosio-politiese ideologie (die perspektief van 'n skeiding tussen kerk en staat), kibok sinang (geloof in gebede vir seëninge) wat gewortel was in die tradisionele godsdienste en die opkoms van die Minjung teologie wat die verinheemsing van teologie bevorder het. Hierdie hoofstuk ondersoek ook die invloed van dié oorsake op die aanwending van prediking te midde van 'n konflik tussen konserwatiewe en liberale kerke. Hoofstuk 4 fokus op die doel, noodsaaklikheid, beginsel en metode van aanwending in prediking. Hoofstuk 5 ondersoek die predikingsbenadering met inagneming van die literêre vorm van Bybel soos voorgestel deur Thomas Long en die rol wat dit vervul in die aanwending van prediking as 'n oplossing vir die probleme van aanwending wat deur beide die konserwatiewe en liberale kerk ondervind word. Ten einde hierdie aspek te illustreer het ek twee voorbeelde, naamlik die metode van aanwending deur verbeelding in poësie as genre en die identifikasie van karaktertrekke in die narratiewe genre uitgelig. Ter afsluiting, hoofstuk 6 vat die hoofeienskappe van Koreaanse prediking saam en stel die voordele van aanwending met inagneming van die literêre vorm in die omstandighede van prediking in Korea voor.

Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The ministry of preaching is related not only to speaking, but also to hearing, as faithful preaching is dependent on faithful listening, which means listening to both the Scripture and a sermon. Although faithful listening is very important, the field of homiletics seems to focus more on the study of speaking than on the study of listening. However, through the rapid development of the communication technology, contemporary hearers’ way of hearing is changing as never before. Thus, contemporary preachers need to consider the changed way of hearing and faithful listening to the ministry of the Word. The new hearing or contemporary people’s new way of communication is caused by the secondary orality or audiovisual culture. Contemporary people, especially the younger generation, are affected by the secondary orality culture rather than by the Gutenberg system or the print culture. However, most Korean preachers belong to print culture era as regards communication because of a synergy between the Korean authoritarian context and the characteristics of cognitive propositional preaching. On the other hand, contemporary hearers’ patterns of thought and ways of communication belong to the secondary orality culture. Consequently, hearers struggle to listen to a sermon. The contemporary church, especially the Korean Church, has undergone a crisis because of the problem of the hearkening to a sermon. Nevertheless, the secondary orality culture can offer contemporary preachers a good opportunity for preaching because there is a greater resemblance to the aural orality culture of the early Christian community than to the Gutenberg era. According to Romans 10:17, “Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God,” but many preachers have overlooked the importance of this “hearing.” As a result, preachers’ readings of Scripture concentrate on self-centred information and human selfish experience. Preachers would preach without hearing the Word of God, thus, from time to time, hearers cannot hear the word of God in the preaching. In order to solve the problem, the preachers’ text readings need to move toward a hermeneutics of hearing so that they can learn from the early Christian community and the Reformation. Moreover, contemporary hearers, as individual consumers, need to change from hearers of a sermon to hearers as disciples, who have Christopraxis in the community of Christ. Hearers, as disciples, need to be trained in holistic small groups as the framework of cultural linguistic preaching, so that they may listen faithfully to a sermon as the words of God. Furthermore, hearers’ faithful listening can lead to good preaching, so that the listening and preaching mutually edify each other. Thus, contemporary preachers need the integration of preaching and discipling for faithful listening to the words of God. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die preekbediening staan nie slegs in verband met die spreek van woorde nie, maar ook met die hoor daarvan, want gelowige prediking is afhanklik van ‘n gelowige gehoor, wat beteken die luister na die Woord asook na ‘n preek. Alhoewel gelowige luister baie belangrik is, blyk dit dat die veld van die hermeneutiek meer op ‘n spreek van woorde fokus as op ‘n studie van luister. Maar, deur die snelle ontwikkeling van die kommunikasie-tegnologie, verander vandag se luisteraars se manier van hoor soos nog nooit tevore nie. Dus, hededaagse predikers moet die gewysigde manier van luister, asook die gelowige luister na die bediening van die Woord, in ag neem. Die nuwe luister, of huidige mense se nuwe manier van kommunikeer, word veroorsaak deur die sekondêre oraliteit, of audiovisuele kultuur. Moderne mense, veral die jonger geslag, word eerder geraak deur die sekondêre oraliteitskultuur as deur die Gutenberg stelsel of die drukkerskultuur. Die meeste Koreaanse predikers behoort egter tot die drukkers-kultuur in soverre dit kommunikasie behels vanweë ‘n sinergie tussen die Koreaanse autoritêre konteks en die eienskappe van kognitiewe, voorskriftelike prediking. Daarenteen, hoort moderne luisteraars se patrone van denke en wyses van kommunikeer by die sekondêre oraliteitskultuur. Dus sukkel toehoorders om na ‘n preek te luister. Vandag se kerk, veral die Koreaanse Kerk, beleef ‘n krisis as gevolg van die probleem van die luister na ‘n preek. Nietemin, die sekondêre oraliteitskultuur kan aan predikers ‘n goeie geleentheid bied vir prediking, want daar is ‘n groter ooreenkoms met die gehoorkultuur van die vroeë Christen gemeenskap, as met dié in die Gutenberg era. Romeine 10:17 lees: “Die geloof kom dus deur die prediking wat ‘n mens hoor, en die prediking wat ons hoor, is die verkondiging van Christus,” maar baie predikers misken die belangrikheid van hierdie “hoor.” Gevolglik konsentreer predikers se lees van die Woord op self-gesentreerde inligting en ervaring. Predikers preek dus sonder om die Woord van God te hoor; daarom kan toehoorders soms nie die Woord van God in die prediking hoor nie. Om dié probleem op te los, moet die predikers se lees van ‘n teks beweeg na ‘n hermeneutiek van hoor, sodat hulle kan leer van die vroeë Christengemeenskap en die Hervorming. Verder, moet moderne hoorders, as individuele verbruikers, verander van luisteraars na ‘n preek, na hoorders as dissipels wat die Christen praktyk in die gemeenskap van Christus beoefen. Hoorders, as dissipels, moet in holistiese klein groepe opgelei word om as die raamwerk van kultureel-linguistiese prediking te dien, sodat hulle gelowig kan luister na ‘n preek, as God se woorde. Bowendien, hoorders se gelowige luister kan lei tot goeie prediking, sodat die luister en prediking mekaar opbou. Dus, vandag se predikers benodig die integrasie en ook navolging van prediking vir die gelowige luister na God se woorde.

Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Although there has been a significant improvement in terms of the quality of life for many South Africans since 1994, the reality for a significant portion of the population is still that of abject poverty. The South African government has made giant strides in terms of protecting the most vulnerable members of South African society through the Department of Social Development, the Department of Human Settlements, etc. The Church too, as a serious change-agent in civil society, continues to partner the government, the corporate world, and other institutions in helping to improve the quality of life for those who struggle with a daily poverty experience. In spite of the best efforts of many role-players, and the upward mobility of many people in the country, it would appear as though poverty is still a defining status for millions of South Africans. Accordingly, this study seeks to investigate the critical need for understanding the importance of the root causes of poverty as opposed to simply considering the consequences of poverty. This study therefore aims to understand how the actions of individuals (poor and non-poor) and also economic, social and political systems contribute to either poverty, or poverty eradication. The methodological framework of the study is guided by the practical theological methodology of Robert Osmer and the correlational-hermeneutic approach proposed by Jurgen Hendriks. Chapter 1 introduces the research, conceptualization and methodological orientation. Chapter 2, by means of the hermeneutical question, what is going on?, investigates and describes the socio-economic conditions in the world, Africa, South Africa, and the community of Factreton-Kensington in Cape Town, within a “quadrant” framework of economics, politics, religion and the natural environment. Chapter 3 builds on Chapter 2 and again asks the question: what is going on in the world of development? Chapter 3 also asks the question: why is it going on? Given the dialogical nature between theology and contemporary development discourse of this study, Chapter 4 asks the questions, what do the Bible and theological commentators say about poverty? and what ought to be going on? Chapter 5, building on the human rights approach of Chapter 3 and the ethic of love for one’s neighbour of Chapter 4, seeks to dialogically unlock the results that flow from Chapters 3 and 4. In Chapter 5, the questions are asked, Why is it going on? What ought to be going on? and How might we respond? Chapter 6 concludes with the researcher’s perspectives, shared themes in the theological-contemporary development discourse, and recommendations and conclusions based on the study. The central question here is around: How might we respond to poverty in South Africa? Findings indicate that a theological-contemporary development approach based on human rights and the ethic of “concrete” love for one’s neighbour, has much to offer concerning the eradication of poverty in not only South Africa, but in all poverty contexts around the world. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hoewel daar 'n beduidende verbetering in terme van die kwaliteit van die lewe vir baie Suid-Afrikaners sedert 1994 is, is die werklikheid vir 'n beduidende gedeelte van die bevolking nog steeds dié van uiterste armoede. Die Suid-Afrikaanse regering het reuse-vordering gemaak in terme van die beskerming van die mees kwesbare lede van die Suid-Afrikaanse samelewing deur die Departement van Maatskaplike Ontwikkeling, die Departement van Menslike Nedersettings, ens. Die Kerk as 'n ernstige verandering-agent in die burgerlike samelewing, werk ook as ‘n vennoot van die regering, die korporatiewe wêreld, en ander instellings om te help om die kwaliteit van lewe vir diegene wat sukkel met 'n daaglikse armoede ervaring te verbeter. Ten spyte van die beste pogings van baie rolspelers sowel as die opwaartse mobiliteit van baie mense in die land, wil dit voorkom asof armoede nog steeds 'n bepalende status vir miljoene Suid-Afrikaners inhou. Gevolglik poog hierdie studie om die belangrikheid van die oorsake van armoede aan te spreek eerder as om net die oorweging van die gevolge van armoede te ondersoek. Hierdie studie het dus ten doel om te verstaan hoe die optrede van individue (arm en nie-arm) en ook die ekonomiese, sosiale en politieke stelsels bydra tot armoede, of die uitwissing van armoede. Die metodologiese raamwerk van die studie is gelei deur die prakties-teologiese metodologie van Robert Osmer en die korrelatiewe-hermeneutiese benadering voorgestel deur Jurgen Hendriks. Hoofstuk 1 stel die navorsing, konseptualisering en metodologiese oriëntasie voor. Hoofstuk 2, deur middel van die hermeneutiese vraag, wat gaan aan?, ondersoek en beskryf die sosio-ekonomiese toestande in die wêreld, Afrika, Suid-Afrika, en die gemeenskap van Factreton-Kensington in Kaapstad, binne “n "kwadrant" raamwerk van die ekonomie, politiek, godsdiens en die natuurlike omgewing. Hoofstuk 3 bou voort op Hoofstuk 2 en word die vraag gevra: wat gaan aan in die wêreld van ontwikkeling? Hoofstuk 3 vra ook die vraag: Hoekom is dit aan die gang? Gegewe die dialogiese aard tussen teologie en kontemporêre ontwikkeling diskoers van hierdie studie, vra Hoofstuk 4 dus die vrae, wat sê die Bybel en teologiese kommentators oor armoede? en wat behoort aan die gang te wees? Hoofstuk 5, wat bou op die menseregte benadering van Hoofstuk 3 en die etiek van die liefde vir die naaste van Hoofstuk 4, soek om dialogiese die resultate te ontsluit wat van Hoofstukke 3 en 4 uitvloei. In Hoofstuk 5, word die vrae wat gevra, wat is die rede waarom dit aangaan? wat behoort aan die gang te wees? en hoe kan ons reageer? Hoofstuk 6 word afgesluit met die navorser se perspektiewe, gedeelde temas in die teologiese-hedendaagse ontwikkeling diskoers, en aanbevelings en gevolgtrekkings gebaseer op die studie. Die sentrale vraag hier is dus: Hoe kan ons reageer op armoede in Suid-Afrika? Bevindinge dui daarop dat 'n teologiese-hedendaagse ontwikkeling benadering gebaseer op menseregte en die etiek van "konkrete" liefde vir die naaste, het baie om aan te bied met betrekking tot die uitwissing van armoede nie net in Suid-Afrika nie, maar in alle armoede kontekste regoor die wêreld.

Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The aim of this study is to develop outlines for preaching which is serious about the reality of some people’s experiences of powerlessness within a success‐driven society in which the preaching occurs. These outlines were developed by means of a practical‐theological investigation which took into account some tendencies that were identified during the analyses of a number of sermons and daily devotions. These analyses were done by utilising a theory which was developed by taking into account the experiences of powerlessness of some people. Correlations between the relevant tendencies and the presuppositions and consequences of certain strategical approaches in the church were sought to establish whether possible causes for such tendencies in response to sermons may be found in the strategical approaches. The relevant strategic approaches can be traced back to the American context which is influenced by the success motive of the American dream and the corporate ideology. The presuppositions and consequences of the relevant strategical approaches which correlate with the tendencies that were identified during the analyses of sermons, concern images of God, conceptions about the congregation, ways of using Scripture and preachers’ understanding of their identity. A search was done, in the light of the gospel, to find alternatives for the relevant presuppositions and consequences in order to develop the desired outlines. These alternatives that the gospel offer are of such a nature that the outlines have preaching in mind which comfort, confront and invite to new perspectives in the light of God’s acts and his involvement with people, and are less concerned with controlling or establishing means of controlling, than is the case with the sermons and daily devotions that were analysed. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie het ten doel om rigtingwysers te ontwikkel vir prediking wat die realiteit van sommige mense se ervarings van magteloosheid ernstig opneem te midde van ’n suksesgedrewe samelewing waarbinne die prediking plaasvind. Die rigtingwysers is ontwikkel deur middel van ’n prakties‐teologiese ondersoek waartydens rekening gehou is met sekere tendense wat geïdentifiseer is tydens die analise van ’n aantal preke en dagstukkies. Die analises is gedoen aan die hand van ’n teorie wat ontwikkel is met inagneming van sommige mense se ervarings van magteloosheid. Daar is verder gepoog om raakpunte te identifiseer tussen die betrokke tendense en die voorveronderstellings en konsekwensies van sekere strategiese benaderings binne die kerk om sodoende aan te dui dat die betrokke strategiese benaderings moontlike oorsake van sekere tendense by preke inhou. Die betrokke strategiese benaderings kan in ’n meerdere of mindere mate teruggevoer word na die Amerikaanse konteks waar hulle deur die sukses‐gedrewenheid van die Amerikaanse droom en die korporatiewe ideologie beïnvloed is. Die voorveronderstellings en konsekwensies van die betrokke strategiese benaderings wat raakpunte toon met die tendense wat by preke geïdentifiseer is, het te doen met Godsbeelde, opvattings oor die gemeente, maniere van Skrifgebruik en predikers se verstaan van hulle identiteit. Daar is verder, in die lig van die evangelie, gesoek na alternatiewe vir die betrokke voorveronderstellings en konsekwensies ten einde die verlangde rigtingwysers te ontwikkel. Die alternatiewe wat deur die evangelie gebied word, is sodanig dat die rigtingwysers prediking in gedagte het wat tot ’n groter mate troos, konfronteer en uitnooi tot nuwe perspektiewe in die lig van God se handelinge en sy betrokkenheid by mense en minder daarop ingestel is om beheer uit te oefen of om maniere te probeer bied waardeur beheer verkry kan word as wat die geval was by die preke en dagstukkies wat geanaliseer is.

Thesis (MTh)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Preaching is a very important part of church ministry. The Reformed church has devoted their efforts and endeavors to the Word and preaching that delivers the Word. Therefore, homiletics has developed again and again. In classical preaching, homiletics has developed from traditional homiletics to new homiletics, even until postliberal homiletics. In these developments of homiletics, there are many parts to be dealt with regarding preaching, such as the communication between the preacher and the audience, narrative approaches in preaching, and so on. Worship as the context of preaching, however, has not been dealt with adequately in homiletics. Preaching is a part of worship and almost all preaching occurs within worship. Preaching is closely connected with worship as a whole, as well as with other parts of worship. Moreover, worship is the context of preaching. Yet, worship as the context of preaching has not been considered in homiletics in many cases. Therefore, in this study the writer indicated that worship is the important context of preaching that we should pay attention to. The relationship between worship and preaching was also dealt with. Worship affects preaching because worship as a whole is the context of preaching, which in turn is a part of that whole. In other words, worship should affect preaching and furthermore, the direction and focus of worship should affect the direction and content of preaching. Besides, preaching is defined in the worship service and clarified in the consideration of the relationship between worship and preaching. The focus of worship is God. Not only worship in the Reformed church, but also all other worship services focus on God and God‘s works. Worship is the place to reveal the glory and greatness of God, and the way that God is revealed is through preaching. Preaching, affected by the direction and focus of worship, should be God-centered. The content and purpose of preaching should be God and the glory of God. The consideration of the relationship between worship and preaching not only defines the content and focus of preaching, but can also show a new perspective about preaching. Through this consideration, the importance of the content of preaching is stressed and the importance of the form and style of preaching can be changed. Moreover, the concern of worship as the context of preaching can give a new method to criticize homiletics theories. Thus, worship is an important element as the context of preaching. Worship should always be considered in homiletics. In addition, the relationship between worship and preaching should be continually considered and studied in homiletics. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Prediking is ‘n baie belangrike gedeelte van kerklike bediening. Die Gereformeerde kerk het baie moeite gedoen met die sentraliteit van die Woord en prediking wat die Woord verkondig. Daarom het homiletiek telkens weer en weer ontwikkel. In klassieke prediking het homilitiek ontwikkel van tradisionele homilitiek tot nuwe homilitiek, selfs tot postliberale homilitiek. In hierdie ontwikkeling van homilitiek is daar verskeie aspekte waaraan aandag gegee kan word in verband met prediking, soos die kommunikasie tussen die prediker en die gehoor, narratiewe aanslagte in prediking, ensovoorts. Aanbidding as die konteks van prediking is egter tot ‘n groot mate nog nie behandel in homilitiek nie. Prediking is ‘n gedeelte van aanbidding en byna alle prediking vind plaas binne aanbidding. Prediking hou verband met aanbidding as ‘n geheel, sowel as met die ander aspekte van aanbidding. Bowendien is aanbidding die konteks van prediking. Tog is aanbidding as die konteks van prediking in vele gevalle nog nie oorweeg in homilitiek nie. Daarom het die skrywer in hierdie studie aangedui dat aanbidding die belangrike konteks van prediking is waaraan ons aandag behoort te gee. Die verhouding tussen aanbidding en prediking is ook aangespreek. Aanbidding beïnvloed prediking aangesien aanbidding as ‘n geheel die konteks van prediking is, wat deel van die geheel uitmaak. In ander woorde, aanbidding behoort prediking te beïnvloed en verder, die rigting en fokus van aanbidding behoort die rigting en inhoud van prediking te beïnvloed. Prediking word omskryf in die erediens en maak die oorweging van die verhouding tussen aanbidding en prediking duidelik. Die fokus van aanbidding is God. Nie slegs aanbidding in die Gereformeerde kerk nie, maar ook alle ander eredienste fokus op God en God se werke. Aanbidding is die plek om die glorie en grootheid van God te openbaar en die manier waarop God openbaar word is deur prediking. Prediking, beïnvloed deur die rigting en fokus van aanbidding, behoort God-gesentreerd te wees. Die inhoud en doel van prediking behoort God en die glorie van God te wees. Die oorweging van die verhouding tussen aanbidding en prediking definieer nie slegs die inhoud en fokus van prediking nie, maar kan ook ‘n nuwe perspektief aangaande prediking bied. Deur hierdie oorweging word die belangrikheid van die inhoud van prediking beklemtoon en die belangrikheid van die vorm en styl van prediking kan verander. Verder, die kommer oor aanbidding as die konteks van prediking kan ook ‘n nuwe metode bied om homilitiese teorieë te kritiseer. Aanbidding is dus ‘n belangrike element as die konteks van prediking. Aanbidding behoort altyd in ag geneem te word in homilitiek. Verder, die verhouding tussen aanbidding en prediking behoort voortdurend in ag geneem en bestudeer te word in homilitiek.

Thesis (MTh)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: DRC Grasvoëlkop is a small urban congregation that can, in the light of Galatians 6:4, be proud of its involvement in local and global missions as a partner in the proclamation of God’s Word. Demographic and cultural changes have, however, forced the congregation to look afresh at its identity and calling as declining membership, financial pressure, and self-questioning of its relevance within its immediate context arise. The researcher has been a minister of this congregation for 24 years. The researcher undertakes an empirical study of the congregation, together with a description of the changing context, that aims to expose the impotence of an institutional hermeneutic to move the congregation forward into growth and fruitful ministry. Part I will describe additionally the changes that have taken place in Western culture and how these cultural shifts have unwittingly influenced the church. Rather than being merely missions-minded, a congregation needs to be missional. This requires the church to recognise false accommodations to Western culture, and to transition from an institutional to a missional hermeneutic. The research aims to show how an understanding of missional theology can assist the congregation in moving to a more biblical understanding of culture, calling and identity; and how a fruitful future lies in rejecting self-preservation to embrace the missio Dei. This is undertaken in Part II, which distinguishes three key aspects of missional theology: 1. The Trinity, with the possibilities that a fuller and more faithful view of God may bring to bear on a struggling congregation through a renewed faith; 2. The Kingdom of God, and what it means in terms of salvation and hope, showing how a struggling congregation can interact fruitfully with the world; and 3. The call to discipleship, and how love can help the congregation rediscover identity and calling. The study fleshes out these three aspects by describing how missional theology corrects an unbiblical accommodation to Western culture (secularisation, spiritual escapism and individualism) and supplies a healthy corrective. The study shows how the church can err through a reactionary response to these errors that then swings to an opposite, equally unbiblical pole. Together with an appreciation of missional thought, the study endeavours to offer a fresh contribution to the missional conversation by highlighting the important place of proclamation (and how missionmindedness can be developed further) and the vital but underappreciated role that vocation can play as a missional calling. The growing mystical emphasis within the denomination is questioned and an alternative, found in Puritan spirituality, is advocated. This study underlines the inadequacy of a missions-focus that does not spring from a missional ecclesiology and finds in missional theology the parameters to transform the congregation as a participant in the missio Dei, able to minister and thrive within a changed context. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die NGK Grasvoëlkop is 'n klein stedelike gemeente wat, in die lig van Galasiërs 6:4, trots kan wees op haar betrokkenheid in plaaslike en globale sending deur vennoot te wees in die uitdra van God se Woord. Demografiese en kulturele veranderings het egter die gemeente gedwing om nuut te kyk na haar identiteit en roeping soos 'n dalende lidmaattal, finansiële druk en die bevraagtekening van haar eie relevansie binne haar onmiddellike konteks ontstaan. Die navorser is die afgelope 24 jaar leraar van hierdie gemeente. Hierdie navorsing onderneem ʼn empiriese studie van die gemeente en 'n beskrywing van die veranderende konteks wat ten doel het om die onmag te beskryf van die heersende institusionele hermeneutiek om die gemeente na groei en ʼn vrugbare bediening te neem. Deel I beskryf die veranderings wat in Westerse kultuur plaasgevind het, en hoe die kerk onbewustelik deur hierdie kulturele kenmerke gevorm is. Eerder as om bloot ʼn sendingbetrokkenheid te hê, is dit nodig dat 'n gemeente missionaal moet wees. Dit vra dat die gemeente sal herken waar daar onskriftuurlike akkommodasie gemaak is vir Westerse kultuur en om te skuif van 'n institusionele na 'n missionale hermeneutiek. Die navorsing wys hoe 'n begrip van missionale teologie die gemeente kan begelei na 'n Bybelse begrip van kultuur, roeping en identiteit, en hoe 'n vrugbare toekoms ontdek word deur weg te beweeg van selfbehoud na deelname in die missio Dei. Dit word onderneem in Deel II, wat drie sleutelaspekte van missionale teologie onderskei: 1. Die Drie-eenheid, met die moontlikhede wat 'n voller Godsbegrip bring vir 'n sukkelende gemeente deur ʼn hernude geloof; 2. Die Koninkryk van God, en wat dit in terme van verlossing en hoop beteken, soos dit vir die gemeente toon hoe sy in die wêreld vrug kan dra; 3. Die roeping tot dissipelskap, en hoe liefde die gemeente kan help om haar roeping en identiteit te herontdek. Die studie beskryf hierdie drie aspekte en hoe missionale teologie dien as korrektief op die foutiewe akkommodasies van Westerse kultuur (sekularisasie, wêreldversaking en individualisme) en bied 'n nodige korrektief. Die studie wys verder hoe die kerk kan fouteer deur, in reaksie op hierdie misvattings, oor te hel na 'n teenoorgestelde en ewe onbybelse pool. Saam met 'n waardering van missionale teologie wil hierdie navorsing ook 'n vars bydrae tot die missionale gesprek maak deur klem te lê op die belang van verkondiging (en die plek wat sendingbetrokkenheid binne die gemeente behoort te hê), asook die belangrike maar onderwaardeerde rol van roeping (“vocation”) in die daaglikse lewe van die lidmaat. Die groeiende klem op mistiek binne die denominasie word ondersoek en 'n alternatief vanuit Puriteinse spiritualiteit word voorgestel. Die studie onderstreep die onvermoë van 'n sendingbewustheid wat nie gebore is uit ʼn missionale ekklesiologie nie, en vind in missionale teologie die nodige parameters vir die gemeente om te transformeer as 'n deelnemer in die missio Dei, en om te bedien en te groei binne 'n veranderde konteks.

Thesis (MTh)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The main theme of this thesis deals with young victims in sex trafficking who end up with serious emotional consequences during their developing years. The young victim trapped in the sex trade, has to deal with problems that other youths who are not in these situations do not face. Sex trafficking is a phenomenal problem world-wide. Literature study shows that up to 50% of victims are juveniles. Chapter 1 is an overview of this problem, while chapter 2 defines the conceptual understanding of slavery, human trafficking and prostitution. These concepts are then applied to sex trafficking. The agreements are also highlighted and then the causes and consequences of sex trafficking are discussed. Chapter 3 focuses on the discussion of the development of adolescent sexuality, including a reference to the development of the youth’s identity. The effect on the sex trade victims is shown by the victims’ stories. This is particularly relevant to the developmental phases of the adolescent when he/she is still trying to find out who they are and where they fit in, in life. After hearing these stories, there is a factor which cannot be denied. This factor is that trauma is a part of a victim’s life even after he/she is saved. This should be addressed in various ways for any healing to take place. Chapter 4 emphasises human dignity and sex trafficking. The researcher also seeks to provide a theological perspective of this problem. Therefore, a theological response to human dignity is offered. Chapter 5 focuses on human rights with regard to human dignity. President Zuma signed a new law in 2013 that focuses on combating trafficking specifically. The rights of the adolescent are emphasised. Recent events in Africa, where adolescent girls were kidnapped from their hostel by soldiers, are highlighted. An outcry, “Bring back our girls”, from the general public and the political arena arose from this incident. This research has shown the impact of sex trafficking, not only on the victim, but also on families, friends, churches, communities and governments. The quest for peace, hope, equality and human dignity in the context of sex trafficking is highlighted. Based on the literature review and findings, the researcher makes some conclusions and recommendations in chapter 6. Following the recommendations, it should be the objective of governments, communities, churches, families and friends to take action and get actively involved to combat sex trafficking that destroys youths’ lives. / AFRIKKANSE OPSOMMING: Die sentrale tema van hierdie literatuurstudie handel oor jeugslagoffers wat in sekshandel beland, met regstreekse emosionele gevolge tydens hulle ontwikkelingsjare. Die jeugslagoffer wat in sekshandel vasgevang is, het derhalwe te doen met probleme wat ander jeugdiges wat nie in sodanige situasies vasgevang is nie, vryspring. Sekshandel is wêreldwyd ʼn fenominale probleem. Literatuurstudie toon dat tot 50% van slagoffers jeugdiges is. In hoofstuk 1 word ʼn oorsig oor hierdie problematiek gegee, terwyl hoofstuk 2 die konseptuele en omskrywende verstaan van slawerny, mensehandel en prostitusie uiteensit. Hierdie konsepte word dan toegepas op sekshandel. Die ooreenkomste word voorts uitgelig en vervolgens word die oorsake en gevolge van sekshandel bespreek. Hoofstuk 3 fokus op die ontwikkeling van die adolessent se seksualiteit met onder meer ʼn verwysing na die jeug se identiteitsontwikkeling. Verhale van slagoffers word aangebied wat die effek toon wat sekshandel op die slagoffers het. Dit is veral van toepassing op die ontwikkelingsfases van die adolessent, wanneer hy/sy nog probeer uitvind wie hulle is en waar hulle in die lewe inpas. Na aanleiding van hierdie verhale word ʼn faktor beklemtoon wat nie vermy kan word nie. Hierdie faktor is dat trauma deel van ʼn slagoffer se lewe is selfs nadat hy/sy gered is. Dit moet aangespreek word op verskeie wyses indien daar enige vorm van heling kan plaasvind. Die literatuurstudie plaas in hoofstuk 4 klem op menswaardigheid en sekshandel. Die navorser poog dan ook om ʼn teologiese perspektief op hierdie hele problematiek te bied. Derhalwe word ʼn teologiese respons op menswaardigheid aangebied. Hoofstuk 5 fokus op menseregte met betrekking tot menswaardigheid. Die nuwe wet wat in 2013 onderteken is deur President Zuma en wat spesifiek fokus op die bekamping van mensehandel, word bespreek. Die regte van die adolessent waarop hy/sy kan aanspraak maak, word ook beklemtoon. Onlangse gebeure wat in Afrika plaasgevind het waar soldate adolessente meisies uit hulle koshuise ontvoer het word uitgelig. ʼn Kreet, ʺBring back our girlsʺ het as gevolg van hierdie insident, wêreldwyd by die algemene publiek en in die politieke arena ontstaan. Hierdie navorsing sluit ten nouste aan by hierdie ontsteltenis en wys daarop dat nie net die slagoffers se lewe verwoes word nie, maar ook dié van families, virende, gemeentes,gemeenskappe en regerings. Daar is dus ʼn soeke na vrede, hoop, regverdigheid, gelykheid en menswaardigheid. Op grond van die literatuurstudie en bevindinge, maak die navorser in hoofstuk 6 ʼn paar gevolgtrekkings en aanbevelings. Na aanleiding van die aanbevelings, behoort dit die doelwitte van die regering, gemeenskap, gemeentes, kerke, families en vriende te word om aktief op te tree en betrokke te raak om sekshandel te bestry wat die jeug se lewe verwoes.

Thesis (MDiv (Practical Theology and Missiology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: According to the researcher, there is a crisis in the faith formation of the adolescent within the family. He is of the opinion that the crisis is a faith identity crisis that is the result of the sucking effect of a secular democracy that manifest in a materialistic orientation of Christian parents. That in turn, influences the faith formation of and the “passing of the faith” to the adolescent negatively, through the fact that they also get caught up in this materialistic culture. The aim of the research is therefore to determine the extent and depth of the crisis of the Christian family’s spirituality in post apartheid South Africa. The researcher thereby wishes to present certain principles for a new partnership between the church and the family. The researcher firstly studies the true nature and composition of the family by gaining a theological perspective on it. He also tries to show that covenant education is also faith formation. To prove this assumption that nuclear families are in an identity crisis, a study is undertaken about the nature of culture and how a change in culture also changes the present worldview of Christians. These changes also give rise to a youth culture that is maintained by the mass media, which influences adolescents’ faith formation further. The empirical research aims to validate the literature study, by investigating the material contexts and orientation of adolescents and parents, as well as their spiritual growth. From the empirical study the inferences are made that parents doesn’t take full responsibility for the faith formation of adolescents. In stead, parents model their vulnerability against a materialistic secular culture that works negatively in on adolescents’ faith formation. To address this problem, a holistic, comprehensive partnership between the church and the family is necessary. This will also contribute to the fact that the church will be healthier and more faithful in her witness to the world.

Thesis (MTh (Practical Theology and Missiology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / The traditional parenting practices of the Shona people in Buhera District were premised upon the extended family system. Children grew up among relatives who, together with own parents would direct the child along the parts the child should go. Grand parents, uncles and aunts, elder brothers, sisters, cousins and nephews would all make an input in the upbringing of the child. This was such a strong support base that even when parents would go on extended visits, or go to work in the gold mines of South Africa for years, or in the event of the death of one or both parents, the child will still have parents to support and direct its parts in the family network.