Thesis (M.A.)--Trinity International University, Deerfield, Ill., 1997. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 99-104).

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Dissertação (mestrado)—Universidade de Brasília, Instituto de Ciências Sociais, Departamento de Antropologia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Antropologia Social, 2014. / Submitted by Ana Cristina Barbosa da Silva (annabds@hotmail.com) on 2014-11-14T13:34:01Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2014_AlexandreJorgedeMedeirosFernandes.pdf: 5903020 bytes, checksum: a4c4261fdb0391c1fa598d1842a3928e (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Patrícia Nunes da Silva(patricia@bce.unb.br) on 2014-11-19T11:39:02Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 2014_AlexandreJorgedeMedeirosFernandes.pdf: 5903020 bytes, checksum: a4c4261fdb0391c1fa598d1842a3928e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2014-11-19T11:39:03Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2014_AlexandreJorgedeMedeirosFernandes.pdf: 5903020 bytes, checksum: a4c4261fdb0391c1fa598d1842a3928e (MD5) / Essa dissertação é um esforço de imaginação etnográfica para entender dimensões da ação missionária católica promovida pela Diocese de Díli no Timor Português durante o período pós-segunda guerra mundial. Tal esforço foi estimulado pela leitura dos números do periódico “Seara”. A partir da contextualização dos processos que levaram à emergência da Diocese de Díli e dos objetivos a ela atribuídos, argumenta-se que uma das principais funções de tal instituição e do periódico “Seara” consistia em harmonizar as ações dos missionários em Timor com as diretivas vindas do Vaticano e do Estado Português. Com base em análise etnográfica, sugere-se uma ampliação da ideia antropológica de “conhecimento missionário”, argumentando-se que os missionários também especulam, como objeto de interesse das missões, reflexões sobre como gerir relações com diversos atores que direta ou indiretamente estão envolvidos nas práticas de missionação. Algumas regularidades e mudanças dos discursos veiculados em Seara no que diz respeito aos timorenses e às técnicas de missionação são correlacionadas com regularidades e mudanças a dinâmicas institucionais na Igreja Católica (Concílio do Vaticano II) e do Estado Português (abandono do Estatuto do Indigenato), no contexto de descolonização característico do Pós-II Guerra Mundial. A partir de uma perspectiva diacrônica, essa dissertação ressalta mudanças nas formas de representar os nativos leste-timorenses e nas técnicas de missionação voltadas a cristianizá-los. _________________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACT / This dissertation is an effort of ethnographic imagination to understand the dimension of the catholic missionary action performed by the Diocese of Díli in Portuguese Timor during the post-Second World War time. Such effort was stimulated by the readings of the "Seara" journal editions. From the contextualization of the processes that made the Diocese of Díli emerge and the objectives attributed to it, it is argued that one of the main functions of such institution and of the "Seara" journal consisted in harmonizing the missionaries' actions in Timor with directives coming from both the Vatican City and the Portuguese State. Through ethnographic analysis, an amplification of the anthropologic idea of "missionary knowledge" is suggested, by arguing that missionaries also speculate, as an object of interest of missions, on how to manage relations with distinct subjects that are directly or indirectly involved in missionary practices. Some regularities and changes in the discourse appearing in Seara with regards to Timoreses and the missionary techniques are correlated with regularities and changes in institutional dynamics in the Catholic Church (Second Vatican Council) and in the Portuguese State (the repeal of the Statute of Indigenous Peoples – Estatuto do Indigenato) in the context of decolonization typical from the post-Second World War time. From a diachronic perspective, this dissertation highlights changes in the way of representing the East-Timorese natives, and in the techniques used to Christianize them.

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This essay examines the Swedish missionary association Bible Faithful Friends’ (Bibeltrogna Vänner, BV) ecclesiological development between the years 1911 – 1986 and their relation to the Church of Sweden. This essay’s three main questions are: - How did the ecclesiology of BV develop during the years 1911 – 1986, with certain focus on 1967-1986? - In what way was this ecclesiology imprinted by a) the structure of the missionary association? b) and the ecclesiological standpoint of the leader Axel B. Svensson? As regards the first question, the study shows that BV's ecclesiology, particularly in the years 1967 – 1986, is characterized by a church debate between BV's board and the promoters and founders of the Lutheran Confessional Church (Lutherska Bekännelsekyrkan, LBK). The latter was founded due to what they identified as confessional deviations in the Church of Sweden. Their view of church fellowship was that the invisible and the visible church should be uniform in doctrine, faith and confession. Accordingly, they argued that the lack of church discipline had led the Church of Sweden to deviate from the word of God and the apostles' doctrine. In the 1980’s, a proposal to allow Evangelical Lutheran congregations to form within BV, initiated a theological work by the board. The annual meeting of 1986 resolves not only to permit the emergence of free Evangelical Lutheran congregations within BV, but rather to encourage such a transition. In the second question, this study shows that the varying local church conditions among missionaries in northern Skåne in the 1870’s, resulted in the formation of "Communion fellowships". The historical explanations to the formation of these fellowships vary. However, essential to this study is the explanation given in BV’s internal historiography. This reveals that these fellowships were founded out of a need to receive Holy Communion as they had been excommunicated from the parish church. In other areas, missionaries were welcomed and encouraged by the church; hence Holy Communion was not here an issue. These varying local conditions in the grassroots movement BV contributed most likely to the association's pragmatic position in the church issue. Furthermore, one was united in the focus of mission, both near and abroad. In the third question, the study shows that Axel B. Svensson's ecclesiology had an essential impact on BV's official position in the church issue. Moreover, the absence of his voice after his death in 1967 makes clear that his ecclesiology was considered indicative to both BV and LBK. Both used him as legitimizing their own position but perceived him quite differently. However the dominating position among BV members was to remain within the Church of Sweden by working for spiritual revival in her midst. Being an ecclesiola in ecclesian, and thereby promote revival. At the same time one was open towards a relationship change towards the Church of Sweden if this would be considered necessary. 1986 is the year when one could regard this statement to be put to test: through encouraging the formation of Evangelical Lutheran congregations within BV, the association proves to stay true to its pragmatic ecclesiological standpoint were collaboration on the mission field, home and abroad, is superior to union in church issues. My analysis of these results comes to the conclusion that BV was once and is still founded in the identity of being "ecclesiola in ecclesia". Therefore, during the 1967 – 1986 debate, this identity is challenged by certain BV members wanting to be ecclesia instead of ecclesiola. The pragmatic ecclesiological standpoint, which has long been practiced in the northern Skåne example, in the work of Axel B. Svensson and in the decision of 1986, was hence the reason to why BV was able to stay true to their particular mission: being ecclesiola in ecclesia.

Several years ago the writer became interested in a study of the New Testament concept of the church. Since the major part of the New Testament collection dealing with this concept is made up of the writings of the apostle Paul he felt that the study should begin with these writings. In making a preliminary study it was found that the apostle's concept would be too extensive and too inclusive to incorporate in its entirety within the scope of a thesis written as partial requirement for the Master of Arts Degree. Consequenty this work is limited, being primarily foundational. In order to maintain this foundational character the writer decided to make a study of a representative passage of each variant shade of Paul's concept, and, that only where some form of the term (ecclesia) appears in the text. So that Paul's usage of the term might be more fully understood the first and second chapters are designed to serve as a background. These chapters will show that Paul, when he had become a Christian, had inherited a word that was potent with vital significance for him and for others like him in the new religion. The remainder of the thesis is divided according to the major emphases which Paul makes upon the term 'ecclesia'. This has caused a shift of the Galatian letter from its traditional date of composition which places it shortly after the writing of the Corinthian letters into a closer proximity with the Thessalonian letters. The concept of 'ecclesia' in Galatians is more in accord with that found in the Thessalonian letters than with that in Corinthians and Romans.

This dissertation is a critical study of the paradigm of Liturgical Theology. Focus in this systematic inquiry has been on the Russian school with the focal point in the works of Alexander Schmemann, who was active in the late 20th century. The main question of the thesis concerns the relation between theory and practice in Liturgical Theology.                       It is claimed that the relation between theory and practice corresponds to the relation between ritual action and communicative action. The former concerns the identity founded on the unavoidable alterity immanent in life, but also transcending life through a holistic encounter with life, which enables us to express a holistic attitude to life and the entire world. The latter concerns the equally unavoidable rationalization of life which gives rise to a continuous atomization of life through science and the process of acquiring facts and data.                       The thesis makes use of different theories for the reaching of an explanatory theory in connection to theory and practice. Foremost the Theory of Communicative Action in the works of Jürgen Habermas and the re-interpretation of disclosure by Nikolas Kompridis is used. It is claimed tthat ritual action is connected to a primary disclosure attached to otherness with the intention of revealing the identity of the Ecclesia. Without identity, we are left with a never-ending debate and a continuous atomization where every answer exponentially provokes more questions. Communicative action then is connected with a secondary co-disclosure with the intention for the reaching of mutual understanding, making subjects accountable and responsible. Without communicative action we are bound on a long walk into the never ending sea of being. The missionary imperative in the Ecclesia is dependent on the co-existence of ritual action and communicative action.

Les réflexions de Jean-Paul II consacrées à Marie occupent une place particulière parmi les travaux qui ont voulu renouveler la théologie mariale après le concile Vatican II. La présente recherche explore le concept inédit de «femme "eucharistique"» par lequel Jean-Paul II qualifie Marie au chapitre VI de l'encyclique, Ecclesia de Eucharistia. Inscrite en théologie spirituelle, la démarche permet, à même l'analyse du texte, de mettre en évidence le rôle de Marie dans la vie des disciples du Christ. Le rapport entre Marie et l'Eucharistie tient, selon les méthodes d'analyse langagière utilisées (rhétorique et narrative), dans l'attitude intérieure de Marie. Christocentrée, cette attitude ouvre, pour le disciple du Christ, un itinéraire spirituel dont la mère de Jésus serait la maîtresse par excellence. N'étant pas une fin en elle-même, cette étude s'inscrit comme un maillon dans une réflexion plus vaste, aux ramifications théologiques multiples : spirituelles, pastorales, ecclésiologiques et même fondamentales puisque, incidement, l'acte théologique lui-même y est revisité.

Christ has entrusted mysteries to his church which are essential for its life, teaching and mission and are to be explored in their meaning. One of it is “the glory of the Lord”. In a variety of ways the biblical testimony speaks of “the glory of the Lord”, which has revealed itself diversely and at all times. It has played a central role in God’s encounter with man in the Old and New covenant. God in his glory took his abode in the temple in order to establish worship. For this reason he let his glory become man in Jesus and let his glory live in man and in his church by his spirit up to its completion. The church has been called to the glory of God revealed in Christ. In spite of the broad biblical basis this term has played only a marginal role in many ecclesiologies until today. In present churches the glory of the Lord still remains an abstract term for many. It is not differentiated in any way or recognized in its meaning for the church. For this reason some of the most important ecclesiologies of the 20th century in German language are examined regarding the meaning and importance of the glory of the Lord. They are checked regarding its impact for ecclesiology and church-development. Its role will be compared with that in the bible. The conclusions are meant to be inspirations and impulses for ecclesiology and for church growth, for church life and community and for its mission in the world. / Christian Spirituality, Church History & Missiology / M. Th. (Systematic Theology)

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)