A dynamic interpretation of the Prayer of St. Benedict provides a methodology for understanding and explicating Christian faith consistent with enduring elements in the theological tradition and meaningful to the contemporary milieu. Within the overarching structure of the Prayer as a meta-paradigm, are three subsidiary paradigms that describe characteristics of approaches to faith. The structure, content, and intention of the Prayer reveal these to be experiential, critical, and transcendental. Wisdom is asserted as integrating and orienting the discussion, which is a constructed on a Personalist foundation and is a postcritical reflection on faith. Faith is grounded in the affirmations and assumptions of faith, discerned in the enfolding appeals, and the supplications, a basis for an expository discourse on the dimensions of faith. / Systematic Theology & Theological Ethics / M. Th. (Systematic Theology)

This research investigates and discusses missionary education in South Africa in general, and in the Bushbuckridge (BBR) area in particular, during the period 1910-1973. It also investigates and highlights how missionaries from various church denominations from Europe and the United States of America, spread the Word of God in South Africa. This research reveals that they founded and provided educational assistance to illiterate Black people. in order to enable thein to read the Bible, as effective means of realising their goals of Christianisation, evangelisation and civilisation. This study also finds that mi.ssionaries in the BBR offered Black people education in matters of industry. manual skills and farming, at their mission stations and mission schools, as a strong means of not only providing them with job skills and knowledge, but also preparing them for possible future self-employment and promoting their economic development and that of the community at large. This investigation indicates that missionary education removed out Black culture and traditional religious beliefs, and inculcated Western culture and Christian religious belief. Missionary education atso inculcated civilised habits of cleanliness, obedience, loyalty, patience, punctuality, tidiness, subordination, submissiveness, trustfulness and a sound attitude to work, industriousness, perseverance, respect and a sense of humour amongst Black people, as characteristic of Christianisation, and Christian evangelisation and civilisation. After a thorough investigation and discussion of missionary education, in South Africa· in general, and in the BBR area in particular, several recommendations and proposals are formulated, in order to advance the purpose of this research. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (History of Education)

The integration and evangelisation of the minority groups in Zimbabwe in general, and in the Seventh-day Adventist Church in particular poses a challenge. The situation has become more acute after independence. Evidently, the socio-political atmosphere in Zimbabwe has not ameliorated the condition. Certainly, challenges stem from issues concerning racial prejudice, finances, cultural differences, as well as worship styles. While the efforts of the current multicultural ministries are appreciated, the results of the survey indicate that a lot still needs to be done. First, the organizational structure of the ministry needs to be reviewed. Such a review is relevant in order to check and regulate the balance and distribution of power, control and authority. Second, the need for the recruitment of leaders from within the minority groups themselves especially from the white population was clearly articulated. Third, it may be necessary to approach the whole issue from a social standpoint, so as to formulate theological strategies. Apparently, the social distance is more pronounced than the theological one. In addition, integration and evangelisation specifically among the Coloured population is further compounded by the split, which occurred in the early 1990s. Most of the Sabbath-Keeping Adventists from this group anticipate challenges if they would opt to merge with the national Conference. Some of the major barriers to such a step revolve around issues of properties, finances, and positions as well as the general upkeep of the workers. Unless, these apprehensions are clarified and the fears are allayed, integration seems enigmatic. Ecclesiological unity and theological unity in diversity seem to be eclipsed by racial solidarity and socio-economic and political expediency. Similarly, the reconciliation among the black majority itself, also needs a close and deliberate attention from both the church and society in Zimbabwe. For that reason, tribalism, racism, ethnicity, nepotism and any other discrimination should not be tolerated, first and foremost by the church and second, by all peace loving Zimbabweans (Gal 3:28). The reconstruction of the cultural landscape in Zimbabwe demands an affirmation of the common destiny for all Zimbabweans. / Christian Spirituality, Church History & Missiology / D. Th. (Missiology)

This study tries to investigate the extent of inculturation in African Churches in general and in Zimbabwe in particular. Some mission churches, like the Catholic, the Anglican and the Methodist Churches were selected for the study. The main areas of investigation are baptism, the Eucharist:, marriage, burial and healing. The study discovered that there is some inculturation going on in all the churches under discussion, especially in the celebration of the Eucharist. On the other hand, it was also discovered that the African Independent Churches, such as Vapostori and the Aladura, churches are much more at home with the implementation of inculturation especially in the area of healing. We concluded that Christianity is not yet deeply rooted in African soil, in particular in Zimbabwe. This is because not much inculturation has taken place in the mission churches. Some recommendations are made to help facilitate the implementation of inculturation and to enable Christianity to take flesh in Africa so as to become an authentic African Christianity. / Philosophy, Practical & Systematic Theology / M. Th. (Systematic Theology)

A dynamic interpretation of the Prayer of St. Benedict provides a methodology for understanding and explicating Christian faith consistent with enduring elements in the theological tradition and meaningful to the contemporary milieu. Within the overarching structure of the Prayer as a meta-paradigm, are three subsidiary paradigms that describe characteristics of approaches to faith. The structure, content, and intention of the Prayer reveal these to be experiential, critical, and transcendental. Wisdom is asserted as integrating and orienting the discussion, which is a constructed on a Personalist foundation and is a postcritical reflection on faith. Faith is grounded in the affirmations and assumptions of faith, discerned in the enfolding appeals, and the supplications, a basis for an expository discourse on the dimensions of faith. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / M. Th. (Systematic Theology)

This research investigates and discusses missionary education in South Africa in general, and in the Bushbuckridge (BBR) area in particular, during the period 1910-1973. It also investigates and highlights how missionaries from various church denominations from Europe and the United States of America, spread the Word of God in South Africa. This research reveals that they founded and provided educational assistance to illiterate Black people. in order to enable thein to read the Bible, as effective means of realising their goals of Christianisation, evangelisation and civilisation. This study also finds that mi.ssionaries in the BBR offered Black people education in matters of industry. manual skills and farming, at their mission stations and mission schools, as a strong means of not only providing them with job skills and knowledge, but also preparing them for possible future self-employment and promoting their economic development and that of the community at large. This investigation indicates that missionary education removed out Black culture and traditional religious beliefs, and inculcated Western culture and Christian religious belief. Missionary education atso inculcated civilised habits of cleanliness, obedience, loyalty, patience, punctuality, tidiness, subordination, submissiveness, trustfulness and a sound attitude to work, industriousness, perseverance, respect and a sense of humour amongst Black people, as characteristic of Christianisation, and Christian evangelisation and civilisation. After a thorough investigation and discussion of missionary education, in South Africa· in general, and in the BBR area in particular, several recommendations and proposals are formulated, in order to advance the purpose of this research. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (History of Education)

Consecrated life or religious life as it is sometimes called within the Catholic Church is almost as old as Christianity. All baptised persons are consecrated persons by virtue of their baptism, but the consecrated life to which some people feel called, is a special and fruitful deepening of the consecration received in baptism and confirmation.. This dissertation explores Christian spirituality as it is manifested in consecrated life with relation to inculturation and religious life. The scope has been limited to a study of one congregation, the Companions of St Angela as a case study. / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / M.Th. (Christian Spirituality)

This study tries to investigate the extent of inculturation in African Churches in general and in Zimbabwe in particular. Some mission churches, like the Catholic, the Anglican and the Methodist Churches were selected for the study. The main areas of investigation are baptism, the Eucharist:, marriage, burial and healing. The study discovered that there is some inculturation going on in all the churches under discussion, especially in the celebration of the Eucharist. On the other hand, it was also discovered that the African Independent Churches, such as Vapostori and the Aladura, churches are much more at home with the implementation of inculturation especially in the area of healing. We concluded that Christianity is not yet deeply rooted in African soil, in particular in Zimbabwe. This is because not much inculturation has taken place in the mission churches. Some recommendations are made to help facilitate the implementation of inculturation and to enable Christianity to take flesh in Africa so as to become an authentic African Christianity. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / M. Th. (Systematic Theology)

The integration and evangelisation of the minority groups in Zimbabwe in general, and in the Seventh-day Adventist Church in particular poses a challenge. The situation has become more acute after independence. Evidently, the socio-political atmosphere in Zimbabwe has not ameliorated the condition. Certainly, challenges stem from issues concerning racial prejudice, finances, cultural differences, as well as worship styles. While the efforts of the current multicultural ministries are appreciated, the results of the survey indicate that a lot still needs to be done. First, the organizational structure of the ministry needs to be reviewed. Such a review is relevant in order to check and regulate the balance and distribution of power, control and authority. Second, the need for the recruitment of leaders from within the minority groups themselves especially from the white population was clearly articulated. Third, it may be necessary to approach the whole issue from a social standpoint, so as to formulate theological strategies. Apparently, the social distance is more pronounced than the theological one. In addition, integration and evangelisation specifically among the Coloured population is further compounded by the split, which occurred in the early 1990s. Most of the Sabbath-Keeping Adventists from this group anticipate challenges if they would opt to merge with the national Conference. Some of the major barriers to such a step revolve around issues of properties, finances, and positions as well as the general upkeep of the workers. Unless, these apprehensions are clarified and the fears are allayed, integration seems enigmatic. Ecclesiological unity and theological unity in diversity seem to be eclipsed by racial solidarity and socio-economic and political expediency. Similarly, the reconciliation among the black majority itself, also needs a close and deliberate attention from both the church and society in Zimbabwe. For that reason, tribalism, racism, ethnicity, nepotism and any other discrimination should not be tolerated, first and foremost by the church and second, by all peace loving Zimbabweans (Gal 3:28). The reconstruction of the cultural landscape in Zimbabwe demands an affirmation of the common destiny for all Zimbabweans. / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / D. Th. (Missiology)

Die vorliegende Forschungsarbeit untersucht den Zusammenhang zwischen theologischer Ausbildung und missionarischer Herausforderung im deutschsprachigen Europa. Dabei steht die Forschungsfrage im Zentrum, was der sich verändernde Kontext und die damit verbundene missionarische Herausforderung der Kirche für eine Reform der theologischen Ausbildung bedeuten. Zu dieser Fragestellung werden aus ökumenischer und evangelikaler Perspektive Stimmen laut, welche eine Reform hin zu einer missionalen theologischen Ausbildung fordern, welche somit in Wesen und Funktion von der Missio Dei her zu verstehen sei. Die vorliegende Untersuchung geht der Frage nach, was eine solche Forderung bedeuten könnte und welche grundsätzlichen Implikationen sich für die theologische Ausbildung ergeben. In einem ersten Teil werden ökumenische, evangelische und evangelikale Impulse zur Reform der theologischen Ausbildung und dem Zusammenhang der missionarischen Herausforderung dargestellt, theoretische Sensibilität und Kernkategorien für die empirische Untersuchung entwickelt. Im Hauptteil der Forschungsarbeit wird die obige Fragestellung mittels einer qualitativ-empirischen Untersuchung unter Leitern von evangelikalen theologischen Ausbildungstätten im deutschsprachigen Europa untersucht. Mit halbstandardisierten Experten-Interviews werden nach Grounded Theory und mittels Typologienbildung vier Handlungsmuster als mögliche Reaktionen theologischer Ausbildungsverantwortlicher dargestellt. Abschließend werden die Ergebnisse der empirischen Untersuchung unter Einbezug der Literatur evaluiert und eine missionswissenschaftliche Auswertung hinsichtlich der Theologie, der Lerntheorie und der Kompetenzorientierung einer missionalen theologischen Ausbildung vorgenommen. Die vorliegende Forschungsarbeit leistet somit einen dreifachen Beitrag. Erstens stellt sie ökumenische, evangelische und evangelikale Beiträge und empirisch erarbeitete Handlungsmuster zum Thema Reform theologischer Ausbildung im Hinblick auf die missionarische Herausforderung dar. Zweitens bietet sie aus missionswissenschaftlicher Perspektive einen Diskussionbeitrag zu einer möglichen Reform theologischer Ausbildung. Drittens werden konkrete Impulse zu Theologie, Lerntheorie und Kompetenzorientierung einer missionalen theologischen Ausbildung für den deutschsprachigen Kontext erarbeitet / This dissertation examines the relationship between theological education and missionary challenges in German-speaking Europe. The central research question is what the changing context and related missionary challenges of the church signify for a reform of theological training. Voices from an ecumenical and evangelical perspective are demanding a reform of theological education towards a missional approach, an approach defined in its identity as well as its function from the Missio Dei. The following study pursues the question as to what such demands entail and what implications follow for theological education in general. The first part presents the ecumenical, evangelical and evangelic impulse towards a reform of theological education and a link with missionary challenges; theoretic sensibilities and key categories are developed for the empirical examination. The main section of the study examines the abovementioned question through a qualitative-empirical study of the leadership of evangelical theological educational establishments in German-speaking Europe. With the help of half-standardised interviews of experts, four action samples were presented as possible reactions, according to grounded theory and by means of typology development. Finally, the results of the empirical examination were evaluated in the light of the literature and a missional-empirical evaluation was made regarding the theology, the learning theory and the competence orientation of a missional-theological education. This dissertation thus makes a threefold contribution. Firstly, it constitutes ecumenical, evangelical and evangelic contributions and an empirically developed plan of action on the theme of the reform of theological education in light of missionary challenges. Secondly, it offers a contribution from a missional- empirical perspective to the discussion of a possible reform of theological education. Thirdly, it develops a concrete impetus towards the theology, learning theory and competence orientation of a missional theological education in the German-speaking context / Practical Theology / D. Th. (Missiology)