Made available in DSpace on 2017-06-01T18:12:30Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 pre-textuais.PDF: 4722933 bytes, checksum: e9276d8b798978cc4a0fb4cf7374e495 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-04-06 / In this work, we exanimated the meaning of "poor" in The Principle of Mercy, from Jon Sobrino, according to Pierre Bourdieu. The idea of poor of God's Sacrament has been transmitted for a long tradition. This tradition appears again in the Prophetic Christianism of the Theology of Libertation, especially in Jon Sobrino. We tried to put some aditional informations for a new hermeneutic of "poor" not as a sociological category, but as a Sacrament. The symbolic reason, in Jon Sobrino, is characterized for the gratuity; his symbolic fight tries to change the categories of observation and cares of the social world, the cognitive and evaluates structures. This work is based in four moments. The first one has the focus on some questions about methodology and theory of research, mainly in the Theory of symbolic power, social space and symbolic violence in Pierre Bourdieu, that will be used to understand the "poor" in Jon Sobrino. In the second moment we will check as many as possible the word "poor" in the symbolic theory of domination according to Pierre Bourdieu. In the third moment, we will try to analyze the representations about poverty based on some representants of Theology's Libertation, in Latin America, connecting them with Jon Sobrino. Finally, we will check the semantic transformation of the word "poor" in Principle on Mercy / Examinamos, neste trabalho, o sentido do termo "pobre" na obra O princípio misericórdia de Jon Sobrino, a partir do pensamento do sociólogo Pierre Bourdieu. A ideia do pobre como sacramento de Deus vem sendo transmitida por longa tradição. Essa tradição volta a aparecer no cristianismo profético da teologia da libertação especialmente em Jon Sobrino. Procurei inferir subsídios para uma nova hermenêutica do pobre, não mais como uma categoria sociológica, porém como sacramento. A razão simbólica em Jon Sobrino se caracteriza pela gratuidade, sua luta simbólica tenta mudar as categorias de percepção e apreciação do mundo social, as esruturas cognitivas e de avaliação. Quatro momentos dão estrutura a esta dissertação. O primeiro enfocará as questões de ordem teórico-metodológica da pesquisa, especificamente a teoria do poder simbólico, espaço social e violência simbólica em Pierre Bourdieu, que serão utilizadas para compreender o conteúdo da categoria "pobre" em Jon Sobrino. O segundo momento verificará os possíveis sentidos do termo pobre a partir da teoria da dominação simbólica em Pierre Bourdieu. No terceiro momento, analisaremos as diversas representações sobre a pobreza, na produção de alguns teólogos da libertação na América latina, articulando com o sentido dado por Jon Sobrino. E, por fim, no quarto momento, verificaremos as transformações semânticas do termo pobre em O Princípio Misericórdia

Thesis (DTh (Practical Theology and Missiology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This dissertation aimed to ascertain, in a practical theological way, how to bridge the gulf between the congregation and the AIDS community using home based care as the vehicle of change. The initial hypotheses of the research were based upon a model initially developed by World Vision in Nkhotakota, Malawi. The research question, which the study address, is as follows: 1. Can the negative attitudes, prejudices and behaviours which are held and demonstrated by many in the church towards those suffering with HIV/AIDS, be changed by using deliberate attempts to alter their perspective of this pandemic by providing accurate information, in juxtaposition with the demonstration of Christ’s love and compassion to this community? 2. In conjunction to this first question comes a second: Can the compassionate outreach of the church, as it follows Christ’s mandate to love change the perspective of those in the HIV/AIDS community so that instead of viewing the church (as a whole) as cold and unloving, their perception will change with the demonstration of such love and compassion by its membership that they begin to see the church as a source of hope and love? To describe the contextual situation in which this study takes place, the historical background concerning the church’s response to the issue of the HIV/AIDS pandemic was explored in chapter two. The third chapter discusses the cultural paradigmatic focuses, unique to the African situation, with attention to the role in the church as it seeks to comply with its mandated mission. Chapter four then examines the cultural practices found, specifically in the Malawian context, that promote the spread and transmission of the HIV/AIDS virus amongst the Chewa people and the surrounding tribes. Over and against the identified traditional practices and their interrelationship with the worldviews of the people of Malawi, chapter five focuses on the practical theological implications of the church seeing to find identity in Christ. The ramifications of the praxis process regarding this hermeneutic, in consideration with the response of the Church as it seeks to reflect the character of the God, as represented primarily by the attribute of love towards those who are suffering from being infected or affected by this disease are explored in this chapter. It deals with the theological ramifications concerning the faith community as it represents the body of Christ by providing eschatological hope to this suffering world. The remaining chapters describe the methodology and praxis process utilizing the research hypothesis developed from the Nkhotakota model. Final conclusions were then drawn in order to provide understanding as to how to obediently participate in God’s witness to the world as the faith community addresses the problem of the HIV/AIDS pandemic in very poor areas in Malawi. Although the initial optimistic goals of this research were not met as anticipated, essential discoveries that illuminate the faulty paradigms associated with critical issues such as the effects of abject poverty were exposed. Difficulties that were initially considered secondary to the main thrust of this research, whose complexities are generally misunderstood by the western paradigm came to light as the praxis process unfolded. Attempts to sidestep stark issues such as poverty, in order to address the ‘real’ issues under study served to highlight these problems as their magnitude forced their recognition and consideration. This research has exposed is the necessity for further exploration into the intricate ramifications of issues such poverty by demonstrating the unfortunate fact that for those struggling to survive at the lowest levels of Maslow’s hierarchy, the luxury of benevolent service is simply not possible. For these, there is no other issue but survival. Calling on these sufferers to act as ‘the church’ when their need is so dire is not only unrealistic, it borders on sacrilege. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie tesis beoog om op ‘n prakties-teologiese wyse vas te stel hoe om die kloof tussen ‘n gemeente en ‘n Vigs-gemeenskap te oorbrug met tuisversorging as medium van verandering. Die aanvanklike hipoteses van die navorsing is gebaseer op ‘n model wat oorspronklik deur World Vision by Nkhotakota, Malawi, ontwikkel is. Die navorsingsvraag waarop dié studie gerig word, is die volgende: 1. Kan die negatiewe houding, vooroordele en optrede van baie kerklidmate teenoor MIV/Viglyers verander word deur die gebruik van doelgerigte pogings om hul siening van hierdie pandemie te wysig deur die verskaffing van die korrekte inligting, tesame met blyke van Christus se liefde en medelye aan hierdie gemeenskap? 2. Tesame met hierdie eerste vraag, volg ‘n tweede. Kan die kerk se deernisvolle uitreik, met die betoning en uitvoer van Christus se opdrag om liefde te gee, die siening van mense in die MIV/Vigs gemeenskap só wysig dat, in plaas dat hulle die kerk (as ‘n geheel) ervaar as koud en liefdeloos, hulle hierdie begrip wysig deur die lidmate se betoning van dié liefde en deernis, dat hulle begin om die kerk te beskou as ‘n bron van hoop en liefde? Die beskrywing van die kontekstuele situasie waarin hierdie studie plaasvind, sowel as die historiese agtergrond ten opsigte van die kerk se respons tot die vraagstuk van die MIV/Vigs pandemie, is in hoofstuk twee ondersoek. Die derde hoofstuk bespreek die kulturele paradigmatiese fokusse, uniek aan toestande in Afrika. Dit gee aandag aan die rol van die kerk in sy doelwit om sy sendingmandaat uit te voer. Hoofstuk vier ondersoek die kulturele praktyke wat, spesifiek in die Malawiese konteks, die verspreiding en transmissie van die MIV/Vigs virus onder die Chewa bevolking en omliggende stamme bevorder. Bo en behalwe die geïdentifiseerde tradisionele praktyke en hul betrekking op die Malawiërs se lewens- en wêreldbeskouing, fokus hoofstuk vyf op die prakties-teologiese implikasies van die liefdesgebod. Die uitgangspunt van die hoofstuk is dat die kerk in haar uitreik tot hulle wat ly, iets van die (liefde) karakter van God moet weerspieël. Die praxis proses het dus liefde as hermeneutiese sleutel. Teologies gesproke moet die geloofsgemeenskap, as die liggaam van Christus, eskatologies hoop aan hierdie lydende wêreld verskaf. Die res van die hoofstukke beskryf die metodologie, proses en navorsingshipotese wat ontwikkel is uit die Nkhotakota model. Die finale gevolgtrekkings spreek die probleem aan van hoe om die MIV/Vigs pandemie onder mense wat in uiters arm stedelike areas in Malawi woon, aan te spreek en ‘n Christelike getuienis te lewer. Al is die aanvanklike optimistiese doelwitte van hierdie navorsing deels bereik, is wesenlike ontdekkings gemaak wat die foutiewe paradigmas in verband met kritieke vraagstukke, soos die invloed van volslae armoede, blootgelê. Probleme wat aanvanklik sekondêr beskou is tot die hoofmikpunt van die navorsing het aan die lig gekom in die navorsingsproses. Dit was duidelik dat die ingrype in die gemeenskap die vervreemding tussen die kerk en vigslyers positief verander het. Veel meer waardering en aanvaarding het ontwikkel. Maar: die kompleksiteit van die probleem word in die algemeen deur die westerse paradigma oppervlakkig verstaan. Die navorsing het bepaalde implikasies van armoede en blootgelê. Vir mense wat op die laagste vlakke van Maslow se behoeftes-rangorde ‘n stryd het om te bestaan, is die luukse van vrywillige diens aan ander eenvoudig nie moontlik nie. Vir hulle is een saak oorheersend: oorlewing. Om vanuit ‘n lewe vol sekuriteite hierdie armes op te roep om op te tree as onbetaalde dienswerkers, terwyl hul eie nood so groot is, is nie net onrealisties nie, maar ongevoelig.

Thesis (M. A. (Biblical Studies)) -- University of the North, 1989 / Refer to the document

South Africa is a country of great natural resources yet suffers from high levels of poverty. This study looks at the relationship between the environment and poverty in South Africa and the role of the church in this context. There is a focus on the Church of the Province of Southern Africa (CPSA) and on one of its dioceses, the Diocese of Umzimvubu. While the church in South Africa has been conscious of its responsibility in eradicating poverty, it has not expressed a strong concern for the environment, less still has it been conscious that this concern is closely connected to the task of eradicating poverty. The metaphor of the oikos (or household) of God is explored as a metaphor that may be usefully employed to help describe the relationship between the environment and poverty. It is proposed that an oikotheology be constructed to enable the church to engage with both the ecological and the economic aspects of the environment. This study asserts that the preservation and enhancement of the environment impacts positively on the alleviation of poverty. What is also needed, and often neglected, is to ensure that the resources of the environment are accessible to all and equitably distributed. Theological resources that articulate an oikotheology for the South African context are explored, and possible actions for the church promoted. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2005.

Tanzania is one of the poorest countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. Since independence Tanzania has implemented different development policies, but the gap between the rich and the poor has increased despite the government's and NGOs' efforts of development programmes for poverty reduction being implemented. This research has analysed the approach of the Anglican Church to development programmes for poverty reduction in the Diocese of Morogoro. It has defined poverty as a lack access to resources, together with a lack of power, dignity and vocation. Because of this challenge of poverty, the Church has been involved in community development programmes for poverty reduction. These programmes have sought to empower the poor, offering dignity and enabling them to realise their God-given vocations in their communities. The aim of these programmes is to improve the living standard of poor people and to raise their social and economic welfare regardless of their religious beliefs. The research has identified the two main weaknesses in these church programmes as (1) a lack of a theoretical vision, and (2) a lack of strategic vision. Because of the first weakness it has consolidated a theoretical vision for development programmes focusing on theology of development, the definition of development and community development, and Asset Based Community Development as an approach to community development in connection with Ujamaa, and particularly Kujitegemea. In tackling the second weakness it has consolidated a strategic vision for the diocese making use of such as PRA/PLA, ADPs to take forward the theoretical vision for development programmes in the diocese of Morogoro. The thesis concludes by recommending that the relevant diocesan leaders engage with this research and proposals, so as to provide a way forward. / Thesis (M.Th.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2005.

This thesis concerns the relationship between poverty and the environment in Mozambique, and the response that is required from the Church. It is a way to describe and analyse the situation, and also to provide possible strategies for the Church. The thesis begins by providing a general overview of the environmental crisis in Africa at present. Then, drawing on field-work in the Matutuine District of Mozambique, and making considerable use of the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework, it provides an indepth description and analysis of people's livelihood strategies, noting the strong link between poverty and the environment, and how there is a cause and effect relationship between them. In order for the Church to respond in an adequate fashion, the thesis provides theological resources for caring for the environment, and then ends with a range of strategies which the Church can be engaged in. The key findings of the thesis are that, given the immense vulnerability of the poor in Mozambique, households have very little access to human, social, financial and physical capital, and so are forced to rely upon the existing natural capital for survival. Livelihood strategies involve subsistence farming, charcoal production and hunting, all of which deplete the natural resource base, and yet there is no commitment to restore the base which provides these things. Thus these strategies are unsustainable and require a response from the church. The thesis concludes with a range of practical strategies for the Church including awakening people to their obligations as creatures on earth, being involved in holistic mission, responding to pollution, deforestation and land degradation, contributing to and enhancing existing livelihood strategies, contributing to food security, and supporting people in small scale farming practices. / Thesis (M.Th.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2005.

The HIPC debt relief initiative is a controversial IMF/World Bank program. This thesis examines whether the HIPC initiative in Ghana is "pro-poor". The concept of the "poor" and what this means for pubic policy is discussed in the framework of the biblical concept of shalom, that is the promotion of human wellbeing, within the context of Northern Ghana. To enable a fair assessment of the HIPC program in Northern Ghana, a review of Ghana's debt crisis is provided alongside a brief economic history. The origin of the debt crisis is traced to the first republic. A review of HIPC is undertaken from the perspectives of both theory and its practical implication. In the implementation process, particularly in Northern Ghana, the research identifies a number of infrastructural projects being accomplished by the HIPC funds and evaluates their usefulness and relevance. The thesis argues that there are three strengths to HIPC in Northern Ghana, namely, political accountability, social participation and infrastructure development; and that there are six weakness, namely, dependency syndrome, cultural relevance, ethnic conflict, adult capability development, personnel provision and economic distribution. It concludes that problem of human development that has been lacking in Ghana's economic policies, and the crisis of skilled personnel could undermine the provisions of HIPC in Northern Ghana to contribute meaningfully to shalom, or some measure of real development in people's life. / Thesis (M.Th.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2005.

This thesis deals with the Harambee as an indigenous lived philosophy and its capacity of empowering the poor in the Kenyan Anglican Church. From a historical perspective, it explores and scrutinises the origins, the definition and the philosophy behind Harambee. The thesis shows how Harambee was incorporated in the Kenyan Anglican Church and how it has been used as a survival strategy in the midst of the dominant development models which have failed to address the social-economic and political issues in Kenya. The thesis notes that even though Harambee is promoted in Kenya as a cultural, socio-economic and political philosophy its basic orientation is in harmony with the Christian theology. In this regard, the thesis offers a theological understanding of Harambee in the light of themes such as creation, imago Dei, incarnation, justice, redemption, love and solidarity. In undertaking this task, the thesis attempts to shed more light on how Harambee is in harmony with the principles and values of the Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) model. It argues that Harambee shares many concerns with ABCD even though Harambee has a Kenyan cultural flavour. Therefore, it affirms that Harambee as a lived philosophy is likely to empower the poor in the community, and the Kenyan Anglican Church should consider enhancing Harambee to mobilise the local resources. In view of this, the study highlights various projects initiated by the church through Harambee and it concludes by proposing that the Church needs to go beyond humanitarian programmes and initiate sustainable projects that can address the causes of poverty thus striving to make the twenty-first century a century of hope for millions of people who are walking through the valley of the shadow of death. / Thesis (M.Th.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2007.

This dissertation examines the contribution that the Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Republic of Namibia (ELCRN) can make to poverty alleviation at local community level, through research in the Otjimbingwe rural community two hundred kilometers north-west of Windhoek, the capital of Namibia. It is clear from the historical background and current situation that the impact of poverty is severe on the lives of indigenous people. The question posed by the research is: How can the Church contribute to poverty alleviation in a rural community such as Otjimbingwe? To answer this question, this thesis analyses the real life situation that the people of Otjimbingwe experience daily. It further looks at the coping strategies of the people. The thesis identifies the capacities, skills and assets that the Church can develop and build on in its poverty alleviation process. The study argues that the Church has a vital contribution to play as both an 'insider' and an 'outsider' to the community at Otjimbingwe. It then suggests some strategies that the Church can utilize to ensure maximum participation of the local people and to mobilize and encourage co-operation of all concerned individuals and organizations in the process of development. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2001.

This research project concerns the role that local Anglican Churches can play in alleviating poverty in rural Nigeria. After a brief overview of the political, economic and social background of Nigeria, the first chapter considers the causes and impact of rural poverty in Nigeria. The paper then defends a theological vision for rural development, identifying four key elements, namely stewardship, empowerment, self-reliance and the mobilization of local assets. In the final chapter, the paper argues that a combination of agriculture and micro-enterprise, in the form of small agricultural business, provides the most practical contribution the Church can make. A number of such business opportunities such as garri processing and livestock farming are considered. / Thesis (M.Th.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2002.