The purpose of this study was to show the effect of creativity on adults as a means of coming to terms with parental rejection experienced in childhood. The study was done according to a practical theological interpretation of the three-phase hermeneutical model of Ricoeur, namely: ? understanding according to Scriptural perspectives (basis-theoretical), as well as on a metatheoretical level by means of a literature study; ? interpreting by means of an empirical research in the form of interviews with respondents; ? change by means of practical theoretical guidelines for the creative adult who processed parental rejection experienced in childhood by the pursuing of person-directed creativity. Understanding on the basis-theoretical level showed the following: With the fall in paradise, man rejected God and tried to fulfil his / her own needs independently. The arts were also contaminated and artists moved away from God, the Creator and Source of their creativity, to pursue their art in a self-centred and arrogant way. Creativity is being used with wrong motives as a method of selfhealing to process unresolved pain from the past. The honour which God deserves is lost and without Him mankind, as well as art, deteriorates. Art does show therapeutic value if it is directed towards God, but otherwise the success is temporary and superficial. The literature study of ten well known creative individuals showed that the therapeutic effect of the pursuit of creativity to process parental rejection in childhood, failed sadly and ended in disillusionment for all of them. Their lives were a continuous search for healing and wholeness, as well as peace, meaning and happiness, whereas their personal relationships were destructive and / or broken and unhappy. The empirical research with creative adults who experienced parental rejection in childhood, and used their creativity as a means of processing it, provided an explanation for the effect of this on these creative adults. Their creativity was directed at the self instead of at God and failed to process the hurt of childhood, as well as bringing about inner peace for a healthy relationship with God, the self and others, especially loved ones.. To effect change, practical theoretical guidelines were established to guide the creative man or woman, who experienced parental rejection in childhood, by the use of their creative medium, to embark on the road to recovery and healing with God?s help. The main goal of the practical guidelines is bringing redemption to the creative person through Jesus Christ so that he / she will use his or her creativity in future to honour and praise God, as well as to serve the fellowman. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Pastoral))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

The purpose of this study was to show the effect of creativity on adults as a means of coming to terms with parental rejection experienced in childhood. The study was done according to a practical theological interpretation of the three-phase hermeneutical model of Ricoeur, namely: ? understanding according to Scriptural perspectives (basis-theoretical), as well as on a metatheoretical level by means of a literature study; ? interpreting by means of an empirical research in the form of interviews with respondents; ? change by means of practical theoretical guidelines for the creative adult who processed parental rejection experienced in childhood by the pursuing of person-directed creativity. Understanding on the basis-theoretical level showed the following: With the fall in paradise, man rejected God and tried to fulfil his / her own needs independently. The arts were also contaminated and artists moved away from God, the Creator and Source of their creativity, to pursue their art in a self-centred and arrogant way. Creativity is being used with wrong motives as a method of selfhealing to process unresolved pain from the past. The honour which God deserves is lost and without Him mankind, as well as art, deteriorates. Art does show therapeutic value if it is directed towards God, but otherwise the success is temporary and superficial. The literature study of ten well known creative individuals showed that the therapeutic effect of the pursuit of creativity to process parental rejection in childhood, failed sadly and ended in disillusionment for all of them. Their lives were a continuous search for healing and wholeness, as well as peace, meaning and happiness, whereas their personal relationships were destructive and / or broken and unhappy. The empirical research with creative adults who experienced parental rejection in childhood, and used their creativity as a means of processing it, provided an explanation for the effect of this on these creative adults. Their creativity was directed at the self instead of at God and failed to process the hurt of childhood, as well as bringing about inner peace for a healthy relationship with God, the self and others, especially loved ones.. To effect change, practical theoretical guidelines were established to guide the creative man or woman, who experienced parental rejection in childhood, by the use of their creative medium, to embark on the road to recovery and healing with God?s help. The main goal of the practical guidelines is bringing redemption to the creative person through Jesus Christ so that he / she will use his or her creativity in future to honour and praise God, as well as to serve the fellowman. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Pastoral))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.