The author of dissertation considers that dependence of behavior of people on their attitude toward God the Creator is perhaps the first and the most important topic that comes to mind during the study of the present passage of the most fundamental Paul's epistle. We believe it is necessary to explore "false foundations" as we see as Paul opposes to them his ideology - ideology of worship to God the Creator. We affirm that Paul sees the main reason of immoral behavior in such area of man's activity as thinking that, in its tum, denies the Creator of every living thing of Earth and because of its incapability to rule over human passions is forced to look for an ideological basis for its acts. This thesis has also practical meaning because it demonstrates Paul's methodology of disproval of false theories of that time revealing their illogicality and senselessness. / Biblical and Ancient studies / M. Th (New Testament)

Thesis (MDiv (Old and New Testament))--University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / In present day society and the context within which we find ourselves, the word “marginalised” is not altogether uncommon, therefore the marginalised is on the rise. It is precisely the marginalised that feel the need to hide their true identity. Finding refuge in this option offers them some degree of protection against discrimination/discriminatory practices. This is all too common-place for homosexuals who often find themselves existing only on the fringes of society. Homosexuality is a highly contentious and emotional issue within most denominations, because it goes against most people’s beliefs. This begs investigation into how the homosexual person is dealt with/treated within society as well as how accommodating the Church of Christ is towards them. This dissertation deals with the “hermeneutics of inclusivity” – the acceptance of the homosexual person within the faith-communities, and the ethics surrounding “hospitality”. Acts 15: 1-29, the text which is being dealt with/studied, does not deal with homosexuality, rather it deals with the inclusion of the other/others. Many Christians today long to experience the munificent power of God, this is precisely why Acts is used in this discussion as it is a book that vibrates with life – God’s new life that He bestows upon His people through the Holy Spirit. Looking at Acts 15: 1-29, which speaks about Christian leaders’ meeting in Jerusalem, will aid me in discussing inclusivity and how to incorporate lesbigays, who are seen as “different”, into the extended family within God’s church. By virtue of the text and stories that Paul, Barnabas and Peter had shared with their followers, they had convinced the church that heathens that were not circumcised could still be included within the faith-community. These apostles delivered personal testimonies about the “signs and wonders” and how they also occurred and succeeded amongst the non-believers. This is precisely the type of testimony that the church needs for, and by its lesbigay followers. It is important that we create room for each other to truly live out our Christianity, to be receptive and open to each other, to accept each other as Jesus Christ and God loves and accepts each and every one of us – basically a space where we include everyone in the covenant with God, and the Word of God that asks us to love our neighbour as we love ourselves, as Christ loves us. This love is witnessed in the crucifiction of Christ. We all have a stake in this be it Jew or non-Jew, slave or free man, man or woman, heterosexual or homosexual. If God can include everybody in His love, then that should be the role of the Church, and of each Christian. We should be able to live as one big, happy family whilst serving our God. God’s love and grace excludes no-one.

The author of dissertation considers that dependence of behavior of people on their attitude toward God the Creator is perhaps the first and the most important topic that comes to mind during the study of the present passage of the most fundamental Paul's epistle. We believe it is necessary to explore "false foundations" as we see as Paul opposes to them his ideology - ideology of worship to God the Creator. We affirm that Paul sees the main reason of immoral behavior in such area of man's activity as thinking that, in its tum, denies the Creator of every living thing of Earth and because of its incapability to rule over human passions is forced to look for an ideological basis for its acts. This thesis has also practical meaning because it demonstrates Paul's methodology of disproval of false theories of that time revealing their illogicality and senselessness. / Biblical and Ancient studies / M. Th (New Testament)

Esse trabalho consiste numa abordagem analítica do tema subjacente ao texto de Romanos 1.26-27, em consonância com as perspectivas dos principais pressupostos hermenêuticos elaborados na contemporaneidade. No desenvolvimento dessa análise, há um encontro inevitável com os elementos filosóficos da linguagem, os quais sugerem novos rumos para as teorias de interpretação, sobretudo no tocante a temas complexos que emergem das sociedades ocidentais. Em contato com vias de mãos duplas, interpõe-se a visão interpretativa de Kevin Vanhoozer, que realça o aspecto canônico-linguístico das Escrituras, por um lado; mas ressalta, por outro lado, a relevância da dialogicidade das vozes que reverberam na interpretação dos textos bíblicos. Busca-se entender como a filosofia contribuiu para o avanço de questões da vida social e religiosa; bem como saber lidar com as situações novas. Diante de um cenário cultural cada vez mais plural, a homossexualidade é uma questão que suscita leituras desafiadoras do texto de Rm 1.26-27 e, nesse quesito, estuda-se a correlação entre os Testamentos da Bíblia; a realidade do contexto do autor de Romanos com as situações que se apresentam na atualidade. Vanhoozer sugere que os temas bíblicos sejam inseridos nas disposições do teodrama, mediante o qual as condições humanas possam ser melhor compreendidas e clarificadas de modo dialógico. Pretende-se, assim, estabelecer uma condição de ajustes de mundo às palavras, conforme a ação comunicativa do enunciado indique a direção de um andar em continuidade com as Escrituras. / This work consists of an analytical approach of the underlying theme of the text from Romans 1.26-27, in line with the prospects of significant assumptions made hermeneutical in the contemporary world. In developing this analysis, there is a meeting inevitable with the philosophical elements of language, which suggest new directions for the theories of interpretation, particularly with regard to complex issues that emerge from western societies. Contact tracks of hands, takes the view of interpretative Kevin Vanhoozer, which emphasizes the aspect, canon-language of Scripture, on the one hand; but points out, on the other hand, the relevance of the dialogical voices that reverberate in the interpretation of biblical texts. We seek to understand how the philosophy has contributed to the advancement of life issues - social and religious; as well as to know how to deal with new situations. In the face of a cultural setting ever more plural, homosexuality is an issue that raises challenging readings of the text of Romans 1.26-27 and, in this sense, the correlation between the Testaments of the Bible; the reality of the context of the author of Romans with the situations that present themselves today. Vanhoozer suggests that the biblical themes are included in the provisions of the teodrama, upon which the human condition can be better understood and clarified such dialogical. The aim is to establish a condition of world adjustments to the words, as the communicative action of the wording indicates the direction of a cycling in continuity with the Scriptures.

Made available in DSpace on 2017-06-01T18:14:25Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 edivaldo_ferreira_arruda.pdf: 831462 bytes, checksum: cf56e16eca66dc53e9e6f22f2195149c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-01-13 / This work consists of an analytical approach of the underlying theme of the text from Romans 1.26-27, in line with the prospects of significant assumptions made hermeneutical in the contemporary world. In developing this analysis, there is a meeting inevitable with the philosophical elements of language, which suggest new directions for the theories of interpretation, particularly with regard to complex issues that emerge from western societies. Contact tracks of hands, takes the view of interpretative Kevin Vanhoozer, which emphasizes the aspect, canon-language of Scripture, on the one hand; but points out, on the other hand, the relevance of the dialogical voices that reverberate in the interpretation of biblical texts. We seek to understand how the philosophy has contributed to the advancement of life issues - social and religious; as well as to know how to deal with new situations. In the face of a cultural setting ever more plural, homosexuality is an issue that raises challenging readings of the text of Romans 1.26-27 and, in this sense, the correlation between the Testaments of the Bible; the reality of the context of the author of Romans with the situations that present themselves today. Vanhoozer suggests that the biblical themes are included in the provisions of the teodrama, upon which the human condition can be better understood and clarified such dialogical. The aim is to establish a condition of world adjustments to the words, as the communicative action of the wording indicates the direction of a cycling in continuity with the Scriptures. / Esse trabalho consiste numa abordagem analítica do tema subjacente ao texto de Romanos 1.26-27, em consonância com as perspectivas dos principais pressupostos hermenêuticos elaborados na contemporaneidade. No desenvolvimento dessa análise, há um encontro inevitável com os elementos filosóficos da linguagem, os quais sugerem novos rumos para as teorias de interpretação, sobretudo no tocante a temas complexos que emergem das sociedades ocidentais. Em contato com vias de mãos duplas, interpõe-se a visão interpretativa de Kevin Vanhoozer, que realça o aspecto canônico-linguístico das Escrituras, por um lado; mas ressalta, por outro lado, a relevância da dialogicidade das vozes que reverberam na interpretação dos textos bíblicos. Busca-se entender como a filosofia contribuiu para o avanço de questões da vida social e religiosa; bem como saber lidar com as situações novas. Diante de um cenário cultural cada vez mais plural, a homossexualidade é uma questão que suscita leituras desafiadoras do texto de Rm 1.26-27 e, nesse quesito, estuda-se a correlação entre os Testamentos da Bíblia; a realidade do contexto do autor de Romanos com as situações que se apresentam na atualidade. Vanhoozer sugere que os temas bíblicos sejam inseridos nas disposições do teodrama, mediante o qual as condições humanas possam ser melhor compreendidas e clarificadas de modo dialógico. Pretende-se, assim, estabelecer uma condição de ajustes de mundo às palavras, conforme a ação comunicativa do enunciado indique a direção de um andar em continuidade com as Escrituras.

This dissertation describes efforts to facilitate participation in deconstructing gay discourse in the Dutch Reformed Church (DRC). Gay discourse is challenged through the sharing of gay Christians' stories. While serving on the task team on homosexuality of the General Synod of the DRC a DVD on which gay people share their stories was produced and employed in order to facilitate participation. In reflecting on my research journey I have learnt that participation, prejudice, dogma and context as dimensions of gay discourse lie on a continuum. These dimensions, and the two extreme positions on the continuum: radical exclusion/antagonist and radical inclusion/protagonist, are represented in my model of deconstructing gay discourse. In the process of discourse change, various positions on the continuum become possible. Shifts happened in the task team and General Synod (DRC), resulting in a more gay inclusive decision on the position of gay people in the DRC. / Practical Theology / M. Th. (Practical Theology)

This dissertation describes efforts to facilitate participation in deconstructing gay discourse in the Dutch Reformed Church (DRC). Gay discourse is challenged through the sharing of gay Christians' stories. While serving on the task team on homosexuality of the General Synod of the DRC a DVD on which gay people share their stories was produced and employed in order to facilitate participation. In reflecting on my research journey I have learnt that participation, prejudice, dogma and context as dimensions of gay discourse lie on a continuum. These dimensions, and the two extreme positions on the continuum: radical exclusion/antagonist and radical inclusion/protagonist, are represented in my model of deconstructing gay discourse. In the process of discourse change, various positions on the continuum become possible. Shifts happened in the task team and General Synod (DRC), resulting in a more gay inclusive decision on the position of gay people in the DRC. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / M. Th. (Practical Theology)