This study investigates the Christology of E.W Kenyon, the forefather of the Word Faith Movement (WFM). His theological system forms the foundation of the WFM’s doctrine as promoted by its many pastors and leaders all over the world. The Bible is the point of departure for this work: therefore a representative Reformed understanding of the Scriptures is established in order to conduct a Biblical evaluation of Kenyon’s Christology. Kenyon did not document his beliefs in a systematic manner. Therefore, in chapter two, selected volumes of his writings were minutely examined and organised in order to arrive at a representative statement of his Christology. Chapter 3 is a summary statement of Christology from a Reformed perspective. The writers scrutinised are of a more recent era in order to increase the likelihood of their responding to Kenyon’s theological construct, which dates from the first half of the twentieth century. Scriptural backing for all points of view is noted so as to build a Biblical basis for the representative Reformed definition. In chapter 4 the problematic areas of Kenyon’s Christology are assessed. The statements from chapters two and three are compared and Kenyon’s Christology is critically evaluated from a Biblical standpoint in order to arrive at a statement of conclusion. Chapter 5 is a concluding statement. It also gives recommendations for future study. There is considerable scope for an ongoing investigation of Kenyon’s theology. / Thesis (M.Th. (Dogmatics))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

This study investigates the Christology of E.W Kenyon, the forefather of the Word Faith Movement (WFM). His theological system forms the foundation of the WFM’s doctrine as promoted by its many pastors and leaders all over the world. The Bible is the point of departure for this work: therefore a representative Reformed understanding of the Scriptures is established in order to conduct a Biblical evaluation of Kenyon’s Christology. Kenyon did not document his beliefs in a systematic manner. Therefore, in chapter two, selected volumes of his writings were minutely examined and organised in order to arrive at a representative statement of his Christology. Chapter 3 is a summary statement of Christology from a Reformed perspective. The writers scrutinised are of a more recent era in order to increase the likelihood of their responding to Kenyon’s theological construct, which dates from the first half of the twentieth century. Scriptural backing for all points of view is noted so as to build a Biblical basis for the representative Reformed definition. In chapter 4 the problematic areas of Kenyon’s Christology are assessed. The statements from chapters two and three are compared and Kenyon’s Christology is critically evaluated from a Biblical standpoint in order to arrive at a statement of conclusion. Chapter 5 is a concluding statement. It also gives recommendations for future study. There is considerable scope for an ongoing investigation of Kenyon’s theology. / Thesis (M.Th. (Dogmatics))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

The topic of this study is: The logic of faith: prayer as the link between rationality and experience in a study of Karl Rahner and John Calvin. The term ‘logic of faith’ refers to the correct way of reasoning about faith. Why do a study about the theology of Rahner? Firstly because Rahner is known as the theologian who emphasises a unity between theology and spirituality. In exploring Rahner’s theology, the question that does arise is: is Rahner a philosopher or a theologian? Rahner endeavours to question the logic of theology. In his philosophical, theological and spiritual works one discovers the ‘heart’ of modern man. Rahner connects the logic of faith with the everyday experience of man. This experience is his point of departure in presenting the case for Christianity. In relation to this, Rahner sees prayer as a common human experience and the key in discovering the unity between rationality and experience. Prayer implies experiencing God in ordinary everyday life. Through prayer the lost unity between God and man is restored. Although Rahner’s definition of experience may be vague and therefore subject to criticism, he gives a positive interpretation of the concept of experience in the sense of acceptance of the ‘self’. To him, the logic of faith is closely related to the acceptance of the ‘self’. Rahner’s view give rise to the following question: Does the truth of a theological statement present itself in experience or in faith only? This question is also put to the reformed tradition of which Calvin is a representative. Both Rahner and Calvin stress the unity between theology and spirituality. Knowing God and understanding man are inseparable concepts. Yet we a find an emphasis in Calvin’s theology, that we do not see in Rahner’s theology. Calvin accepts, unconditionally, the revelation of God in Jesus Christ as the source of faith. True understanding of human nature is dependant on God’s revelation in Scripture. To Calvin, the logic of faith goes against common human experience and rationality. We ask the question about the logic of faith; prayer directs us to the source of the answer: the Word of God. This is the truth that the reformers rediscovered. The logic of faith implies a living relationship with Jesus Christ through His Word and Spirit and prayer is the main exercise of this relationship. In this sense prayer is the Urakt of Christian ethics, the first step in becoming a disciple. This we see in Calvin’s exegesis of the Lord’s Prayer. The logic of faith and therefore faith itself become mysticism without God’s revelation through Scripture. This study concludes that prayer is a neglected theme in the reformed tradition. Rahner and Calvin give us a new appreciation for the logic of faith and prayer as an integral part thereof. / Thesis (DD (Dogmatics and Christian Ethics))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Dogmatics and Christian Ethics / unrestricted

After suffering heavy losses at the hands of the warriors of Zulu King Dingane (c. 1795-1840), a Voortrekker commando advanced against the former in December 1838. As it was evident that they would be faced by superior enemy numbers, the Voortrekkers were induced by A.W.J. Pretorius (1798-1853) and S.A. Cilliers (1801-1871), to enter into a covenant with God. Its exact words were not recorded, but eyewitnesses' later versions concurred that God had been requested to assist them in vanquishing the Zulu Army. Should they be victorious, the Voortrekkers undertook that they and their descendants would annually dedicate the day of the conquest to the glory of God alone. The Battle of Blood River took place on 16 December 1838, marking the Voortrekkers' desired victory. On the same day, the Covenant was fulfilled for the first time on the very battlefield. Thus the oldest Afrikaner national celebration, later known as Dingaan's Day or Day of the Covenant, came about. Initially the Covenant was commemorated in a small way by families and religious associates. In 1864 the General Synod of the Afrikaners' Natal Churches agreed that 16 December would henceforth be celebrated as ecclesiastical day of thanksgiving by all its congregations. This was the result of the efforts of two Dutch clergymen and supporters of Revival Theology, namely Revs. D.P.M. Huet (1827-1895) and F.L. Cachet (1835-1899). In 1865 the Executive Counsel of the South African Republic declared 16 December to be a public holiday in this Boer Republic. During the Anglo Transvaal (1880-1881) and Anglo Boer Wars (1899-1902), the commemoration of the Covenant inspired Afrikaners. The celebrations acquired a deeply nationalistic significance. A growing number of Covenant ceremonies were annually being organised throughout the Boer Republics and northern Natal. In 1894 the Government of the Free State also declared 16 December to be a public holiday. English-speaking compatriots and members of other races in general attached little importance to the Covenant, normally utilising 16 December for recreational purposes only. In 1910 an act was passed by Parliament according to which 16 December would be celebrated as a national holiday (Dingaan's Day) throughout the Union of South Africa, as of 1911. The celebration of the Covenant of 1838 has had an inestimable influence on Afrikaner and even South African cultural history. It played an important religious, national, social and educational role in everyday life, stimulating and shaping the Afrikaner's creativity, historical consciousness, ethics and intercultural relations. In 1952 the name of the day was changed from Dingaan's Day to Day of the Covenant. After 1994, in post-apartheid South Africa, it has still remained a public holiday, even though it is now known as Day of Reconciliation. The fact that it has been retained as a holiday is regarded as a significant gesture of goodwill towards Afrikaners. A study of South Africans' diverse attitudes towards the celebration of the Covenant of 1838, starting with the earliest commemorations between 1838 and 1910, may contribute towards mutual understanding and harmony. / Dissertation (MHCS)--University of Pretoria, 2004. / Historical and Heritage Studies / unrestricted

Until recently, the health professions have largely followed a medical model, which seeks to treat patients by focusing on medicine and surgery, and gives less importance to beliefs and to the faith in healing, in the physician, and in the doctor-patient relationship. This reductionist view of patients being only material body is no longer satisfactory. Patients and healthcare professionals have begun to value the role of elements such as faith, spirituality, hope and compassion in the healing process. The effect of such spiritual elements in health and quality of life has led to research in this field in an attempt to move towards a more holistic view, which included the non-material dimension. The goal of this study was to explore the understanding of spirituality among healthcare professionals and patients at the CHBAH. The primary research question, which this study attempted to answer, was: What is the understanding of spirituality among the healthcare professionals and patients at CHBAH? In view of this primary research question, the following secondary research questions were formulated: * What does a literature review produce regarding spirituality in healthcare and what are the current practices related to spirituality in healthcare. * What are the views of healthcare professionals and patients concerning the relevance of spirituality in their day-to-day lives and healthcare interventions? * What are the spiritual needs of patients and to what extent does spirituality contribute towards their coping with health-related issues? * Which practical and scientific recommendations can be offered to healthcare professionals regarding including/incorporating spirituality in healthcare services in CHBAH? In view of the aim, the researcher identified the following specific objectives for this study: * To explore spirituality in healthcare by means of a literature review; * To explore and describe the views of medical social workers and other healthcare professionals about the relevance of spirituality in a healthcare setting; * To explore and describe the understanding of spirituality among healthcare professionals and patients in CHBAH; * To propose a protocol as an organizational framework on the incorporation of spirituality in healthcare at CHBAH. This protocol should be implemented during social workers‟ and other healthcare professionals‟ interactions with patients. Chapter 1 provides an introduction, problem formulation, goal, research question and the objectives of this study and a brief overview of the methodology. Chapter 2 focuses on the description of research methodology that was utilised in this study. Chapter 3 is composed of a literature study on spirituality and the religions identified and explored in CHBAH, as well as existing practices related to spirituality in health care. In Chapter 4, the data generated through narratives from focus-group discussions and healthcare professionals‟ spiritual journey is processed and reported. In Chapter 5 a proposed protocol for inclusion of spirituality in healthcare services in CHBAH is presented and discussed in detail Chapter 6 consists of the conclusions and summary of this study. / PhD (Social Work), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014