Thesis (DTh)--University of Stellenbosch, 1995. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: A number of theories aimed at more effective ways of religious education have seen the light in recent years. They are all characterized by a holistic approach which emphasises the fact that we should try to utilise more than just the cognitive and verbal potential of man. This study does not merely accept this view but would also like to go further and look for practical means to implement these ideas. The central hypothesis of the study is that symbols and rituals are eminently suitable instruments if one opts for a holistic approach towards religious education. Various shifts which have recently occurred in modern society are highlighted in the study. These include a new outlook on life, new behavioural patterns, new ways of communication and new theories on communication. The complexity of our society is described because it has a major influence on the functioning of symbols and rituals. Secondly, symbols and rituals are defined and their functioning is described. Issues like the interplay between symbol and ritual and society, the way in which order and identity are given to society by symbols and rituals, the way in which symbols and rituals communicate without the use of a multitude of words, the pastoral function that symbols and rituals can fulfil and the gradual disappearance of symbols and rituals from our society are discussed. Attention is also paid to the concepts "liminality" and "commullitas", as described by the anthropologist Victor Turner. These two concepts are central to the understanding of the way in which rituals function. Thirdly, symbols and rituals are viewed from a Biblical and theological angle. The study shows that man was created as a symbol, but also underlines the importance of seeing man's body and soul as a unity. This has special implications for the manner in which we ritualize. It is also pointed out that symbols and rituals have played a major role in worship since the earliest times. The important role which kerugmatic and cultic acts, as well as the sacraments have played and can still play in the life of a believer is also described. Fourthly, the study concludes that symbols and rituals can indeed play a vital role in the process of religious education and the deepening and expansion of faith. The argument is supported in a deductive manner by the insights of people like H. Westerhoff, P. Babin, C.R. Foster, S. McLean and others. It is stressed that symbols and rituals should be used in a nuanced manner. Finally a number of proposals are made as to how these principles could be implemented in practice, together with some suggestions for further study. We believe that this should stimulate both the utilisation of symbols and rituals and further discussion and research in this regard. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Daar het die afgelope aantal jare 'n hele aantal teoriee rakende die effektiewe oordrag van geloofsinhoude die lig gesien. Die teoriee word feitlik deurgaans gekenmerk deur 'n holistiese benadering wat beklemtoon dat meer as die kognitiewe en verbale potensiaal van die mens benut behoort te word. Hierdie studie sluit daarby aan, maar soek verder na praktiese instrumente vir geloofsvorming wat aan hierdie vereiste sal voldoen. Die sentrale hipotese van die studie is dat simbole en rituele by uitnemendheid geskik is om geloofsinhoude op 'n holistiese wyse oor te dra en so mee te werk aan 'n proses van geloofsvorming. Daar word in die studie gewys op skuiwe wat die afgelope aantal jare binne die moderne samelewing plaasgevind het en die mens se gedrag, lewens- en wereldbeskouing, asook kommunikasie en teoriee ten opsigte van kommunikasie daadwerklik beinvloed het. Die kompleksiteit van die samelewing word uitgelig omdat dit sowel positiewe as negatiewe implikasies vir die funksionering van simbole en rituele het. Tweedens word simbole en rituele gedefinieer en die funksionering daarvan beskryf Sake soos die wisselwerking tussen simbole en ritue1e en die gemeenskap, die wyse waarop simbole en rituele orde en identiteit aan die gemeenskap gee, die wyse waarop simbole en rituele sonder 'n omhaal van woorde kommunikeer, die pastorale funksies wat deur simbole en ritue1e vervul kan word en die wyse waarop simbole en rituele algaande uit die samelewing verdwyn het, word bespreek. Aandag word ook aan die begrippe "liminaliteit" en "communitas" gegee. Daar word veral aangesluit by die werk van die antropoloog Victor Turner. Hierdie twee begrippe word as wesenlik vir die verstaan van die funksionering van rituele beskou. Derdens word simbole en rituele deur 'n teologiese en Bybelse bril beskou. Ten aanvang word daarop gewys dat daar aan die mens die kwaliteit gegee is om as lewende simbool te funksioneer. Vervolgens word aangetoon hoe be1angrik dit is om die liggaamlikheid van die mens ernstig op te neem en daarna hoedat simbole en rituele vanaf die Bybelse tye 'n sentrale rol gespeel het in die aanbiddingswereld van gelowiges. Die besondere rol wat kerugmatiese en kultiese handelinge, asook die sakramente, in die geloofslewe van mense gespeel het en steeds speel, word bespreek. Vierdens word die gevolgtrekking gemaak dat simbole en rituele inderdaad 'n belangrike rol kan speel in die proses van geloofsvorming. Die argument word verder op deduktiewe wyse ondersteun deur insigte van persone soos J.H. Westerhoff, P. Babin, R. Osmer, C.R. Foster, S. McLean e.a. Daar word veral gewys op die belangrikheid van 'n genuanseerde gebruik van simbole en rituele. Ten slotte word enkele bedieningsvoorstelle en aanbevelings vir verdere navorsing gemaak wat as stimulering van die bedieningspraktyk behoort te dien.

Thesis (DTh) -- Stellenbosch University, 2007. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study is an endeavour on the cutting edge of the field of practical theology. It engages in a pastoral assessment of contemporary men and masculinities in their manifold representations and embodiments. An in-depth assessment of current schemata of interpretation (on the issue of masculinity), is done within different cultural contexts, aiming to hermeneutically put this into dialogue with a pastoral-anthropological view on masculinity. This dialogue is initiated in order to gain deeper insight into diverse masculinities and the challenges they face in their search for meaning, intimacy and vitality. The point of the dialogue here is rather to describe than to prescribe. The dissertation analyses ‘masculinities as experienced and enacted’ in life and ‘masculinities as represented’ in the mass media as well as in other forms of pop culture, through a multidisciplinary perspective. It is further aimed at the contextual, theological deconstruction of these cultural representations and the establishment and furthering of meaningful connections between male identity, human dignity and Christian spirituality. The focus in contemporary (sociological and psychological) research on masculinity is on enactment of masculinities or ‘doing’ masculinities rather than ‘being’ masculine. The dominant cultural images of masculinity within a globalising life-order suggest and promote materialistic values such as efficiency, performance, mechanisation and functionality. These images are assessed and the interplay between it (the cultural images) and conceptualisations of God (God-images) are explored. This study asserts that men’s identity, self-understanding and spirituality is shaped in many ways by these images, but that the image of the crucified and risen Christ can indeed serve as a meaningful and normative-critical counter-image to the macho-images portrayed by most postmodern masculinities (which many men presently experience as confusing). This counter-image of Christ can transcend the abuse of power, the focus on performance and the commodification of male embodiment, in men’s lives, as they engage in a spirituality of vulnerable courage. A pastoral-anthropological perspective is employed in order to shift the emphasis on male identity in terms of gender and sexuality, towards a spiritual understanding of male identity in terms of human dignity and human destiny (i.e. the quest for meaning). The important question of the relationship between power, masculinity and male embodiment is addressed. Essentialist ideas about masculinity are deconstructed, and a re-interpretation thereof is introduced within a view of reality that affirms and embraces an earth-centred and embodied spirituality. Masculinity and male identity is in that sense “saved” from a commercial reduction by means of an eschatological and pneumatological perspective. This theological re-interpretation of masculinity presents a critical factor on the cultural notion that manhood is something that must be validated by means of performance (especially on the terrain of sexuality). Masculinity, viewed from an eschatological perspective, is thus more than virility that has to be manifested by doing functions. The culturally-determined understanding of masculinity - in terms of brutal power and control – is in this sense ‘emasculated’ in this study. In the light of Christ’s resurrection, there is new hope for the re-interpretation of masculinity. The postmodern man’s resurrection is therefore not guaranteed by the “Viagra-magic blue pill”, but in actual fact by the resurrection of Christ who daily unleashes and affirms new meaningful dimensions of hope in the globalised life-matrix. The power of masculinity thus lies in embodying vulnerability and mutual relationality, contesting unilateral and hierarchical relations. Within this context manhood is not equal to the size of achievement or success, nor performances or powerful penetration, but it rather denotes the capacity for lovingly hospitable relationships and the measure of the soul’s depth of character, i.e. its capacity to embody and affirm the courage to be. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie is ‘n navorsingsreis op die snykant van die veld van praktiese teologie. Dit neem deel aan ’n pastorale ondersoek van hedendaagse mans en manlikhede in die verskeie opsigte waarop hul verteenwoordig en beliggaam word. ’n In-diepte assessering van huidige interpretasie-skemas - oor die onderwerp van manlikheid - word gedoen binne verskillende kulturele kontekste, met die doel om dit hermeneuties in dialoog te bring met ’n pastoraal-antropologiese perspektief op manlikheid. Hierdie dialoog word geïnisieër ten einde dieper insig te verkry in diverse manlikhede en die uitdagings wat hulle die hoof moet bied in hul soeke na sin, intimiteit en vitaliteit. Die punt van hierdie dialoog is eerder om te beskryf as om voor te skryf. Die dissertasie analiseer – deur ’n multi-dissiplinêre invalshoek - ‘manlikhede soos dit ervaar en uitgeleef word’ in die lewe asook ‘manlikhede soos dit verteenwoordig word’ in die massa media sowel as in ander vorme van populêre kultuur. Dit is verder gemik op die kontekstuele, teologiese dekonstruksie van hierdie kulturele verteenwoordigings, asook die tot stand bring en bevordering van betekenisvolle verbande tussen manlike identiteit, menswaardigheid en Christelike spiritualiteit. Die fokus in hedendaagse (sosiologiese en sielkundige) navorsing oor manlikheid val op die uitleef van manlikhede oftewel die ‘doen’ van manlikhede, eerder as om manlik te ‘wees’. Die dominante kulturele beelde van manlikheid binne ’n geglobaliseerde lewensbestel suggereer en bevorder materialistiese waardes soos effektiwiteit, prestasie, meganisasie en funksionaliteit. Hierdie beelde word ge-evalueer en die interaksie tussen dit (die kulturele beelde) en moontlike konseptualiserings van God (Godsbeelde) word verken. Hierdie studie voer aan dat mans se identiteit, selfverstaan en spiritualiteit op velerlei maniere gevorm word deur hierdie beelde, maar dat die beeld van die gekruisigde en opgestane Christus inderdaad kan dien as ’n betekenisvolle en normatief-kritiese kontra-beeld tot die “macho”-beelde wat deur meeste postmoderne manlikhede versinnebeeld word (maar wat baie mans huidiglik as verwarrend ervaar). Hierdie kontra-beeld van Christus kan die misbruik van mag, asook die fokus op prestasie en die kommodifisering van manlike beliggaming oorstyg in mans se lewens – deurdat hulle deelneem aan ’n spiritualiteit van weerlose moed. ‘n Pastoraal-antropologiese perspektief word dus hier benut ten einde die klem op manlike identiteit in terme van gender en seksualiteit te verskuif, in die rigting van ‘n spirituele verstaan van manlike identiteit in terme van menswaardigheid en menslike bestemming (d.i. die soeke na sin). Die belangrike vraagstuk van die verhouding tussen mag, manlikheid en manlike beliggaming word aangeraak. Essentialistiese idees oor manlikheid word gedekonstrueer, en ’n herinterpretasie daarvan word voorgestel binne ’n werklikheidsverstaan wat ’n aards-gesentreerde en beliggaamde spiritualiteit bevestig en waardeer. Manlikheid en manlike identiteit word in hierdie opsig “gered” van ’n kommersiële verskraling deur middel van ’n eskatologiese en pneumatologiese perspektief. Hierdie teologiese herinterpretasie van manlikheid bied ’n kritiese faktor op die kulturele opvatting dat manwees iets is wat gevalideer moet word deur middel van prestasie (veral op die gebied van seksualiteit). Manwees, gesien vanuit ‘n eskatologiese perspektief, is dus meer as viriliteit wat gemanifesteer moet word deur doen-funksies. Die kultureel-bepaalde verstaan van manlikheid – in terme van brutale mag en beheer - word in hierdie opsig ‘ontman’ binne hierdie navorsingstuk. In die lig van Christus se opstanding is daar nuwe hoop vir die herinterpretasie van manlikheid. Die postmoderne man se opstanding word daarom nie gewaarborg deur die “Viagra tower blou pil” nie, maar eintlik deur die opstanding van Christus, wat daagliks nuwe sinvolle dimensies van hoop in die geglobaliseerde lewensmatriks vrystel en bevestig. Die krag van manlikheid lê dus in die beliggaming van weerloosheid en wederkerige relasionaliteit, tesame met die weerstand bied teen unilaterale en hiërargiese verhoudings. Binne hierdie konteks is manwees nie gelyk aan die grootte van doelwitte wat bereik is of sukses, prestasie of kragtige penetrasie nie. Nee, manwees omvat eerder die kapasiteit vir liefdevolle, gasvrye verhoudings asook die afmeting van die siel se diepte van karakter, d.i. die kapasiteit daarvan om die ‘moed om te wees’ te beliggaam.

Thesis (DTh)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study examines the relationship between koinonia and diakonia. Where koinonia and diakonia are in proximity, an opportunity arises to draw individuals from different context together. This leads to an inter-cultural space where individuals from different contexts are encouraged to welcome and support each other in a mutual way. Chapter 3 presents a hermeneutical Scriptural and a theological framework illustrating the important relationship between koinonia and diakonia. It is argued that such a “full koinonia” is embodied in the life of Jesus Christ. Not only did Christ came to live among human beings (koinonia ) but He also gave his life to us (diakonia). In chapter 4 the early Christian Church is evaluated as a community that exemplified a form of “full koinonia”. Within the cultural diverse community in the Roman Empire, the church was able to reach out to the so called “other” by their positive approach to the many crises and challenges of the day. Christian help and support presented itself as a unique support network. In chapter 5 “ full koinonia” is evaluated through an interdisciplinary approach by listening to sociology and community development. Both disciplines argue for a more personal or holistic approach in rendering service to communities. This calls for the addressing of greater societal issues over and above individual interests. In chapter 6 “full koinonia” is discussed from a missional perspective. A cross-cultural or intercultural framework for servanthood is explored. Six principles for a “full koinonia” is outlined: openness, acceptance, trust, learning, understanding and serving. With this hermeneutical framework as point of departure, the empirical component of the research is discussed in the following chapters. The research focuses on three Christian community projects, Shiloh Synergy, Sarfat Community Projects and the Elsiesrivier Care Centre exploring how they dealt with “full koinonia.” The design of the empirical study in chapter 7 is presented in the form of a comparative study for the discernment of: 1) The processes and structures within inter-cultural Christian community projects; and 2) an evaluation of the level of a transformation in relationships. The qualitative data is analysed and discussed in chapter 8. The study concludes in chapter 9 by establishing a meaningful interpretation of “full koinonia” in faith based involvement within a context full of societal challenges. The literature study as well as the empirical component of the research proved the hypothesis that stated that faith based personal involvement leads to holistic growth for all concerned and contributes to social transformation. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie ondersoek die relasie tussen koinonia en diakonia. Waar koinonia en diakonia nader aan mekaar gebring word, ontstaan ʼn geleentheid om individue vanuit verskillende kontekste byeen te bring. Dit baan die weg tot ʼn inter-kulturele ontmoeting waarbinne individue vanuit verskillende kontekste mekaar wedersyds verwelkom en versorg. In hoofstuk 3 van hierdie studie is ʼn hermeneutiese raamwerk vir die noue relasie tussen koinonia en diakonia vanuit die Skrif en die teologie verskaf. Daar is geargumenteer vir “volle koinonia” wat beliggaam is deur Jesus Christus. Nie net het Christus onder die mensdom kom woon nie (koinonia), maar het Hy sy lewe vir ander afgelê (diakonia). In Hoofstuk 4 word die vroeë Christelike kerk bespreek as ʼn gemeenskap wat gestalte wou gee aan “volle koinonia”. In die kultureel diverse samelewing van die Romeinse Ryk, was die kerk in staat om die “ander” te verwelkom deur positief te reageer op bepaalde krisisse en uitdagings. Christelike hulp en ondersteuning het na vore getree as ʼn unieke ondersteunings-netwerk. In hoofstuk 5 is daar aan die hand van ʼn interdissiplinêre benadering vanuit die sosiologie en gemeenskapsontwikkeling ondersoek ingestel na die verstaan van “volle koinonia” binne samelewingsverband. Beide dissiplines argumenteer vir ʼn meer personalistiese of holistiese benadering, waar dit nie net gaan om individuele belange nie, maar die aanspreek van dieperliggende oorsake. In hoofstuk 6 is daar vanuit ʼn missionêre perspektief gesoek na ʼn teologiese raamwerk wat so ʼn “volle koinonia” bevorder. ʼn Kruis-kulturele of inter-kulturele raamwerk vir diens word voorgestel. Ses belangrike beginsels is in die bevordering van “volle koinonia” uitgelig, naamlik die bevordering van openheid, aanvaarding, vertroue, lering, verstaan en diens. Met hierdie hermeneutiese raamwerk as uitgangspunt, is die empiriese komponent van die studie in die volgende hoofstukke beskryf. Aan die hand van drie Christelike gemeenskaps-projekte, naamlik Shiloh Synergy, Sarfat Community Projects en die Elsiesrivier Care Centre is die ervaring van “volle koinonia” prakties getoets. Die ontwerp van die empiriese deel van die studie (hoofstuk 7), was in die vorm van ʼn vergelykende studie ter onderskeiding van: 1) Die prosesse en strukture van die inter-kulturele ontmoeting by Christelike gemeenskapsprojekte; en 2) ʼn evaluering van die vlak van transformasie in verhoudinge. Die kwalitatiewe data is in hoofstuk 8 geanaliseer en bespreek. Die gevolgtrekking van die studie, in hoofstuk 9, bied ʼn interpretasie van wat “volle koinonia” in geloofsgebaseerde betrokkenheid behels en bereik. Die literatuurstudie en die empiriese komponent van die navorsing het die hipotese bewys. Dit toon aan dat geloofsgebaseerde betrokkenheid op ʼn persoonlike vlak ruim geleentheid bied vir die holistiese groei van die betrokkenes en die weg baan tot sosiale transformasie.

Thesis (DTh)--Stellenbosch University, 2003 / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This dissertation aims to evaluate the Audience Oriented Preaching (AOP) methods of Fred Craddock and Eugene Lowry. Though no one can deny that AOP provides a new and creative method for participation of the audience in the whole sermon process, in my view, it has many theological and homiletic problems. But before asking how we can use their method skillfully in our preaching ministry, it is necessary to scrutinize their theories with theological reflection. Chapter 2 explores the relation between the text and the listener (context) in the light of contextualization and rhetoric, in which we can find the present place of AOP, as developed by Craddock and Lowry. This chapter functions as a guide map for the direction and argument of subsequent chapters. In Chapter 3 we review the inductive preaching theories of Craddock, and the narrative preaching theories of Lowry. Here our concern is first to find the theological, historical and cultural background of AOP. Following this, we examine AOP theories themselves, which propose preaching methods that differ radically from the more traditional ones. In Chapters 4 and 5 this dissertation considers and evaluates both positive and negative aspects of AOP. AOP provides several benefits that have so far been ignored in traditional preaching methods. Primarily, it is closely related to active participation of the audience in the sermonic process. A less favourable view of AOP is that it fails to proclaim the identity of Jesus Christ and as a result of this, to build up the community of Jesus in the church. Campbell's Christological-ecclesiological approach, based on post-liberal theology, has been one of the most important theological critiques of AOP theories and their roots in western individualism. Although Campbell argues persuasively in his criticism of AOP, his arguments are not wholly adequate in addressing the issue of congregation-oriented preaching. Chapter 6 is mainly focused on an alternative congregation oriented preaching method. I argue that this can be accomplished in a vision of collaborative preaching, which incorporates the guidance of the Holy Spirit. This dissertation suggests Bohren's pneumatological-ecclesiological approach as the most effective method for congregation oriented preaching beyond the individualistic trend of AOP. Where Campbell's critique, though articulate, overlooks the pneumatological perspective, Bohren's is significantly more comprehensive than Campbell's. Therefore, the approach that I develop in this thesis acknowledges the contributions of both Campbell and Bohren in shaping a truly congregation-oriented preaching. If we are to overcome the limitation of AOP, my argumentation is that AOP must be interrogated and complemented by both the Christological-ecclesiological approach of Campbell and the pneumatological-ecclesiological approach of Bohren. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie proefskrif het ten doel die evaluering van die gehoor georienteerde prediking (GGP) metodes van Fred Craddock en Eugene Lowry. Hoewel dit nie betwyfel kan word dat GGP 'n nuwe en kreatiewe metode vir die deelname van die gehoor in die hele preekproses bied nie, het dit myns insiens heelwat teologiese en homiletiese probleme. In hierdie opsig is dit noodsaaklik dat hulle metodes d.m.v. teologiese refleksie ondersoek word, voordat daar gevra word na hoe hulle metodes op 'n gepaste wyse binne die bediening van prediking aangewend kan word. Hoofstuk 2 ondersoek die verhouding tussen die teks en die hoorder (konteks) in die lig van kontekstualisering en retoriek, waarbinne ons die huidige plek kan vind van GGP - soos ontwikkel deur Craddock en Lowry - binne die hele teologiese en homiletiese vloei. Hierdie hoofstuk dien as 'n gids vir die rigting en argument van hieropvolgende hoofstukke. In hoofstuk 3 word die induktiewe preekteoriee van Craddock, sowel as die narratiewe preekteoriee van Lowry van nader beskou. In hierdie hoofstuk is die primere fokus om die teologiese, historiese en kulturele agtergrond van GGP te vind. Daarna word die GGP teoriee self - wat metodes van prediking voorstel wat radikaal verskil van meer tradisionele metodes - ondersoek. In hoofstukke 4 en 5 word beide die positiewe en negatiewe aspekte van GGP oorweeg en geevalueer, GGP bied veskeie voordele wat tot dusver geignoreer is deur tradisionele metodes van prediking. Van primere belang is dat GGP nou verbind is tot die aktiewe deelname van die gehoor in die preekproses. 'n Minder gunstige beskouing van GGP is dat dit nie daarin slaag om die identiteit van Jesus Christus genoegsaam te verkondig nie en as 'n resultaat, ook nie om die gemeenskap van Christus binne die kerk op te bou nie. Campbell se christologies-ekklesiologiese benadering, gebasseer op post-liberale teologie, bied een van die belangrikste vorme van teologiese kritiek op GGP teoriee, sowel as die gewortelheid daarvan in westerse individualisme. Hoewel Campbell oortuigend argumenteer in sy kritiek op GGP, is sy argumente nie in aIle opsigte voldoende in die aanspreek van gemeente georienteerde prediking nie. Hoofstuk 6 se primere fokus is op 'n altematiewe gemeente georienteerde metode van prediking. Ek argumenteer dat dit bereik kan word binne die visie van samewerkende prediking, onder leiding van die Heilige Gees. Hierdie proefskrif stel voor Bohren se pneumatologies-ekklesiologiese benadering as die mees effektiewe metode vir gemeente georienteerde prediking, wat strek verby die individualistiese neiging van die GGP. Waar Campbell se kritiek, hoewel geartikuleerd, die pneumatologiese perspektief ignoreer, is Bohren se benadering aansienlik meer omvattend as die van Campbell. Die benadering wat ek in hierdie proefskrif ontwikkel gee erkenning aan beide Campbell en Bohren in die vorrning van 'n ware gemeente-georienteerde prediking. My argument is dus dat, indien die beperkinge van die GGP oorkom wil word, GGP ondersoek moet word deur beide die christologies-ekklesiologiese benadering van Campbell, sowel as die pneumatologies-ekklesiologiese benadering van Bohren.

Thesis (DTh)--Stellenbosch University, 2003 / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study alms to investigate the function of imagination for faith formation of the child aged 7-11 years. Chapter one proposes the problems, proposition and significance of this dissertation, and sketches a brief overview of the further chapters. Chapter two provides a general understanding of the children, aged 7-11, in terms of their developmental stages and using a holistic approach. To encourage them to have faith, this chapter primarily investigates the character of faith in dimensions: the cognitive dimension (knowledge and mystery), the affective dimension (trust and community), and the behavioural dimension ( word and deed). In this holistic perspective, the imagination as the affective dimension, is placed in the centre through which the cognitive aspects and the behavioural aspects can be drawn together. Chapter three deals with the Bible as the source of Christian child education in which the Bible is defined as story and image. Through this new understanding of the Bible, the purpose of this chapter is to present the relevance of the Bible itself for the 7-11 year age- group children. The Bible as story has a plot structure that process from conflict to resolution, through which children can participate in the Bible with wonder and mystery. The Bible as image is an appropriate form to explain transcendent God to children who are living in perceived reality and can therefore engage with the Bible via feeling and seeing. Chapter four explores the significance and function of imagination by defining it as 'the anthropological point of contact for divine revelation.' From Green's definition, this chapter develops three functions of imagination for 7-11 year-old children. These are: holistic imaginationhelping towards the balanced faith development of children; incarnational imagination-incorporating God's revelation into the present situation of children; and alternative imagination-shaping the biblical word in the present world. Finally, chapter five investigates the most effective method of enabling the child to imagine God and His world described in the Bible. For the answer, this chapter suggests the storytelling method which evokes and appeals to the imagination of children. Thus, I strongly propose that the alternative way for the effective teaching of children teaching, which overcomes the shortcomings of the traditional cognitive teaching is imaginative- narrative or imaginative- storytelling education. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie studie is om ondersoek in te stel na die funksie van verbeelding in die geloofsvorming van die 7-11 jarige kind. In Hoofstuk 1 word die probleem, hipotese en belang van die proefskrif bespreek en 'n bree oorsig van die verdere hoofstukke geskets. Hoofstuk 2 bied 'n algemene verstaan van die 7-11 jarige kind, in terme van sy ontwikkelingsfases deur gebruik te maak van 'n holistiese benadering. Hierdie hoofstuk ondersoek primer die karakter van geloof in drie dimensies, naamlik die kognitiewe dimensie (kennis en misterie), affektiewe dimensie ( vertroue en gemeenskap) en die gedragsdimensie (woord en daad). Binne hierdie holistiese perspektief word verbeelding, as die affektiewe dimensie, III die sentrum geplaas waardeur die kognitiewe sowel as die gedragsaspekte mekaar kan ontmoet. Hoofstuk drie stel ondersoek in na die Bybel as 'n bron vir Christen kinders se opvoeding, waarin die Bybel gedefinieer word as verhaal en beeld. In terme van hierdie nuwe verstaan van die Bybel wil die hoofstuk die relevansie van die Bybel self vir die 7-11 jarige kind voorstel. Die Bybel as storie het 'n bepaalde struktuur om van konflik na resolusie te beweeg, waardeur kinders deel kan he in die Bybel, met wonder en misterie. Die Bybel as beeld is 'n geskikte vorm om 'n transendente God aan kinders te verduidelik wat in 'n waarneembare realiteit leef, deurdat kinders die Bybel kan betrek deur te sien en te voel. Hoofstuk vier ondersoek die belang en funksie van verbeelding deur dit te definieer as die "antropologiese kontakpunt vir goddelike openbaring." Na aanleiding van Green se definisie ontwikkel hierdie hoofstuk drie funksies van verbeelding vir die 7-11 jarige kind naamlik: holistiese verbeelding - wat bydra tot 'n gebalanseerde geloofsontwikkeling van kinders. inkarnerende verbeelding - wat God se openbaring inkorporeer binne die huidige situasie van kinders: en alternatiewe verbeelding - wat lei tot die skep van 'n bybelse wereld binne die teenwoordige wereld. Hoofstuk 5 ondersoek die mees effektiewe metode wat die kind in staat stel om God en Sy wereld, soos beskryf in die Bybel, voor te stel. In hierdie hoofstuk word 'n verhalende metode (die vertel van stories) wat die verbeelding van kinders aanspreek en appel daarop maak, voorgestel. Daar word geargumenteer dat die alternatiewe wyse vir die effektiewe onderrig van kinders, wat verskeie van die tekortkominge van tradisionele kognitiewe onderrig oorkom, verbeeldingryke en verbeeldingryke en verhalende onderrig is.

Thesis (DTh (Practical Theology and Missiology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The aim of our study was not merely to recount the ethical problems of the Korean Protestant Church and its members, but to suggest a new ethical preaching mode for resolving these problems. Thus, in order to research the subject of our study, we used two methodologies: Dingemans’s practical theological methodology and the Heidelberg method of sermon analysis. In chapter one, we stated the question why the Korean Protestant Church’s growth is declining, and described the current social situation in which the Korean people are starting to turn their backs on the Korean Protestant Church, and also mistrusting the morality of this Church as its members do not seem to act in accordance with their stated beliefs. Their ethical behaviour does not correspond with the content of their confession. In order to show exactly the practical and problematic phenomenon of the Korean Protestant Church and its members, we used the results of six surveys conducted recently by several institutes. Furthermore, in order to expose exactly the Korean Protestant Christian’s ethical problems in terms of homiletics, we suggested that our study focuses on the following three issues: political, triumphal and narrative, as these three sermon patterns flow like rivers into the Korean Protestant Church and its American theological connection. By doing so, our study hoped to contribute ultimately towards the rediscovery and revalidation of ethical preaching in contemporary Korea. From chapter two to chapter seven, we thus strived to explain the content of, and relationship between, the three preaching modes as described above (political, triumphal, and experiential), and we analysed the sermons of three representative Korean Protestant preachers in detail, by using the framework of the Heidelberg method. In chapter eight, we evaluated the ethical situation of the Korean Protestant Church and its members in contemporary Korea as follows: “Consequently, in contemporary Korea, the Koreans no longer believe and trust the Korean Protestant Church. Thus, since the 1990s, the present Korean Protestant Church is experiencing a decline in the attendance of its members because the present Korean Protestant Church has lost its dignity due to its ethical problems. In our opinion, it is true that the Korean Protestant Church needs to discover Christian ethics; thus, the Church must especially focus on its lack of social ethics and political responsibility in the Reformed theological views. In order to promote the public’s trust in the Korean Protestant Church and its members, it is inevitable that Korean Protestant ministers must focus more on Christian ethics than on the outward development of the Church in contemporary Korea. Thus, in order to establish Christian ethics in Korea, the Korean Protestant preachers must consider ethical preaching, through which naturally, Christians will try to follow Jesus’ life and teachings before God by faith in the world.” In chapter nine, we explained in detail what ethical preaching is, i.e. we introduced the necessity for ethical preaching, and defined it as well as components thereof. In particular, we emphasized that the world’s position and function are unique, as evil controls the world in terms of ethical preaching because human beings have been captured by the multiplicity of the powers or related them to contemporary social realities, and they cannot but produce Christian ethical problems in the world. Furthermore, we suggested the following: “We obviously need the harmony of Campbell and Long’s homiletical views in order to create the best framework for ethical preaching for contemporary Korea.” In chapter ten, we critically compared and reflected on the homiletical views of Campbell and Long in terms of ethical preaching. Furthermore, we created a new ethical preaching mode for contemporary Korea. In chapter eleven, we introduced some suggestions as regards the way ethical preaching could be done in contemporary Korea, i.e. we strived to compose a sermon’s synopsis of ethical preaching with the newly formed framework. Thus, with Luke 8:22-39, we dealt with “the division of Korea into North and South” and, with Luke 10:25-37, “racial prejudice toward coloured foreign workers” by using the newly formed ethical preaching mode. In chapter twelve, we summarized and concluded our dissertation. As regards the homiletical field of Korea, we introduced four benefits our study can offer. On the other hand, we pointed out the shortcomings of our study as follows: “Jesus Christ and ethical issues from the Old Testament” and “the relationship between our ethical preaching mode and Christian worship, especially liturgy.” In this chapter, thus, we emphasized the abovementioned points as suggestions for future research. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van ons studie was nie ʼn blote weergee van die etiese probleme van die Koreaanse Protestantse Kerk en sy lidmate nie, maar om ʼn nuwe metode van etiese prediking ter oplossing van hierdie probleme voor te stel. Gevolglik het ons, ten einde navorsing oor ons onderwerp te doen, twee metodologiee aangewend: Dingemans se prakties-teologiese metodologie en die Heidelbergse metode van prediking analise. In hoofstuk 1 het ons die vraag gestel waarom daar ʼn afname was in die groei van die Koreaanse Protestantse Kerk en die huidige sosiale situasie waarin die Koreaanse bevolking die Koreaanse Protestantse Kerk die rug keer en ook die moraliteit van die kerk aangesien sy lidmate nie handel volgens hul verklaarde oortuigings nie beskryf. Hul etiese gedrag stem nie ooreen met die inhoud van hul belydenis nie. Ten einde die praktiese en problematiese verskynsel van die Koreaanse Protestantse Kerk en sy lidmate juis te beklemtoon, het ons die resultate van ses opnames wat onlangs deur verskeie institute gedoen is gebruik. Verder, om die etiese probleme van die Koreaanse Protestantse Christen in terme van homilitiek noukeurig bloot te le, het ons voorgestel dat ons studie op die volgende drie aspekte fokus: politiese, triomferende en narratiewe aangesien hierdie drie erediens patrone soos riviere in die Koreaanse Protestantse Kerk en sy Amerikaanse teologiese verbintenis vloei. Sodoende hoop ons studie om uiteindelik ʼn bydrae te lewer tot die herontdekking en herbekragtiging van etiese prediking in hedendaagse Korea. Vanaf hoofstuk twee tot hoofstuk sewe het ons dus daarna gestreef om die inhoud van en die verhouding tussen die drie metodes van prediking, soos hierbo beskryf (politiese, triomferende en narratiewe), te verduidelik en het ons deur middel van die Heidelbergse metode die preke van drie verteenwoordigende Koreaanse Protestantse predikers breedvoerig geanaliseer. In hoofstuk ag (t) het ons die etiese situasie van die Koreaanse Protestantse Kerk en sy lidmate soos volg geevalueer: “Gevolglik glo en vertrou die Koreane in hedendaagse Korea nie meer die Koreaanse Protestantse Kerk nie. Dus, sedert die 1990’s beleef die huidige Koreaanse Protestantse Kerk ʼn afname in die bywoning van sy lidmate omdat die Koreaanse Protestantse Kerk sy waardigheid verloor het as gevolg van sy etiese probleme. Volgens ons is dit waar dat die Koreaanse Protestantse Kerk Christelike etiek moet ontdek; dus, die Kerk moet spesifiek fokus op sy gebrek aan sosiale etiek en politieke verantwoordelikheid in die gereformeerde teologiese gesigspunte. Ten einde die publiek se vertroue in die Koreaanse Protestantse Kerk en sy lidmate te bevorder, is dit onvermydelik dat die predikante van die Koreaanse Protestantse Kerk meer moet fokus op Christelike etiek as op die uiterlike ontwikkeling van die kerk in hedendaagse Korea. Dus moet Koreaanse Protestantse predikers etiese prediking, waardeur Christene in die wereld sal probeer om Jesus se lewe en onderwysings voor God deur geloof te volg, oorweeg ten einde Christelike etiek in Korea te vestig.” In hoofstuk nege het ons breedvoerig verduidelik wat etiese prediking behels, d.w.s. ons het die noodsaaklikheid van etiese prediking ingelei en dit tesame met die komponente daarvan gedefinieer. Ons het in besonder die uniekheid van die wereld se posisie en funksie beklemtoon aangesien boosheid die wereld in terme van etiese prediking beheer omdat mense gevange geneem is deur die veelvoudige magte of eietydse, met hul verbonde sosiale werklikhede en hulle nie anders kan as om Christelike etiese probleme in die wereld voort te bring nie. Verder het ons die volgende voorgestel: “Ons het duidelik die harmonie van Campbell en Long se homiletiese standpunte nodig ten einde die beste raamwerk vir etiese prediking vir hedendaagse Korea te skep.” In hoofstuk tien het ons die kritiese vergelyking getref tussen en gereflekteer op die homiletiese uitgangspunte van Campbell en Long in terme van etiese prediking. Voorts het ons ʼn nuwe metode van etiese prediking vir hedendaagse Korea ontwikkel. In hoofstuk elf het ons sekere voorstelle betreffende die manier waarop etiese prediking in hedendaagse Korea gedoen sou kon word aangebied, d.w.s. ons het daarna gestrewe om ʼn prediking se oorsig van etiese prediking met ʼn nuutgevormde raamwerk saam te stel. Dus, met Lukas 8:22-39 het ons gefokus op “die verdeling van Korea in Noord en Suid” en met Lukas 10:25-37, “rassistiese vooroordeel teenoor gekleurde buitelandse arbeiders” deur van die nuutgevormde metode van etiese prediking gebruik te maak. In hoofstuk twaalf het ons die dissertasie saamgevat en afgesluit. Ons het, betrekking tot die homiletiese landskap in Korea, vier voordele wat ons studie kan bied voorgestel. Enersyds het ons sekere tekortkominge van ons studie soos volg uitgewys: “Jesus Christus en die etiese kwessies van die Ou Testament” en “die verhouding tussen ons etiese predikingswyse en Christelike aanbidding, veral liturgie”. In hierdie hoofstuk het ons dus die bogenoemde punte as voorstelle vir toekomstige navorsing voorgestel.

Thesis (DTh (Practical Theology and Missiology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study is descriptive research and a practical theological study of the schisms in the Reformed Church in Zambia (RCZ) that took place between 1996 and 2001 and led to the formation of the Christian Reformed Church (CRC) and the Bible Gospel Church in Africa (BIGOCA). It aims to analyse the historical, global and local contexts as regards these schisms in the RCZ. The research questions are: What led to these splits, how did they happen and how can they be prevented? No measures have been put in place to educate or guard against further schisms. The goal of this study is to propose informed precautionary measures to the RCZ to prevent a recurrence of schisms in future. Chapter 2 describes the faith tradition of the RCZ. Various historical perspectives from the colonial period to those of the current Zambia are discussed in order to provide an understanding of this denomination's identity. It also tries to determine whether her political and missionary legacy has influenced the RCZ's leadership style and structures. Chapter 3 is an attempt to understand the contextual influences that globalization have brought about. The correlation between the global and religious trends affords a perspective on the "why" question of the schisms. Various global and local developments are the major focus of this chapter. It also discusses three levels of influence: macro (the global society), meso (the Zambian society), and micro (faith communities at congregation level). In Africa, the Pentecostal/charismatic oriented Christian prosperity movements have caused one of its endemic problems, i.e. the tension. Within the context of the RCZ tradition and faith practices, the Pentecostal/charismatic tendencies have challenged the long inherited autocratic church leadership styles. Pentecostal/charismatic prosperity movements flew in the faces of the denominationally organized churches with their Western origin, such as the RCZ. Subsequently, Pentecostal/charismatic movements have caused intense conflict in the church between the pro-conservatives and pro-Pentecostals. The police even had to close certain RCZ congregations because of skirmishes. At this stage of the study, a hypothesis became clear: The one-party state, with its autocratic presidential powers, continued the missionary legacy of autocratic rule in the independence and post-independence era, which had a direct impact on church leadership. Rutoro (2007) came to the same conclusion in his research on leadership in the Reformed Church in Zimbabwe. Chapter 4 is descriptive and provides a survey of what the documental sources of the RCZ and the printed media reveal about the schisms. The Synod's recommendations and resolutions from 1996 to 2001 give a clear picture of what occurred, as well as the intensity of the conflict. This chapter also reveals how the RCZ interpreted and handled the situation. Chapter 5 discusses the empirical data-gathering methods and the pilot study. Chapter 6 deals with the interpretation of the gathered data and compares it with the findings of Chapter 4. It is an exercise in triangulation - done after the first five chapters were written and affirmed what Chapter 4 concluded but, because of the narrative part of many of the answers supplied in the open-ended questionnaire, more was learned from it than was expected. From this study, it is clear that the church leadership should focus on understanding the *winds of change* in order to discern the way forward and adapt to leadership styles and challenges. Making theologically informed decisions are an absolute priority for the RCZ. This study recommends that church leadership, at least all the ministers, should be trained in conflict resolution and management and should stay abreast of God's missional praxis in this fast and ever-changing world. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie is beskrywend van aard en is 'n prakties-teologiese evaluering van die skeurings in die Reformed Church in Zambia (RCZ) wat tussen 1996 en 2001 plaasgevind het, en wat tot die stigting van die Christian Reformed Church (CRC) en die Bible Gospel Church in Africa (BIGOCA) gelei het. Dit beoog om die historiese, globale en plaaslike kontekste met betrekking tot hierdie skeurings in die RCZ te ontleed. Die navorsingsvrae is: Wat het tot hierdie skeurings gelei, hoe het hulle gebeur en hoe kan hulle voorkom word? Geen maatreëls is getref vir opleiding of waaksaamheid teen verdere skeurings nie. Die doel van hierdie studie is om ingeligte voorkomende maatreëls aan die RCZ voor te stel om 'n toekomstige herhaling van skeurings te verhoed. Hoofstuk 2 beskryf die geloofstradisie van die RCA. Vir 'n begrip van hierdie denominasie se identiteit word verskeie historiese perspektiewe vanaf die koloniale tydperk tot dié van die huidige Zambia bespreek. Daar word ook gepoog om vas te stel of die RCA se politieke en missionêre nalatenskap die RCZ se leierskapstyl en strukture beïnvloed het. In Hoofstuk 3 word gepoog om die kontekstuele invloede wat globalisasie mee-gebring het, te verstaan. Die korrelasie tussen die globale en geloofstendensies verleen 'n perspektief op die skeurings se "waarom" vraag. Verskeie globale en plaaslike ontwikkelinge is die hoof fokus van hierdie hoofstuk. Drie vlakke van invloed: makro (die globale samelewing), meso (die Zambiese samelewing), en mikro (die geloofsgemeenskap op gemeentevlak) word ook bespreek. In Afrika het die Pinkster-/charismaties-georiënteerde Christelike welvaartsbewegings een van sy endemiese probleme veroorsaak, naamlik spanning. Binne die konteks van die RCZ tradisie en geloofspraktyke, het die Pinkster/ charismatiese tendensie die lank-oorgelewerde outokratiese kerkleierskapstyle uitgedaag. Die Pinkster/-charismatiese welvaartsbewegings het gestaan teenoor die denominasioneel georganiseerde kerke met 'n Westerse oorsprong, soos die RCZ. Daarna het die Pinkster/charismatiese bewegings intense konflik in die Kerk tussen die pro-konserwatiewes en die pro-Pinkstergesindes veroorsaak. As gevolg van skermutselings moes die polisie selfs sekere RCZ gemeentes sluit. Op dié stadium van die studie het 'n hipotese duidelik geword. Die eenparty staat, met sy outokratiese presidensiële mag, het die missionêre nalatenskap van outokratiese beheer in die onafhanklike en post-onafhanklike era voortgesit, wat ‘n direkte impak op kerkleierskap gehad het. Rutoro (2007) kom tot dieselfde slotsom in sy navorsing op leierskap in die Reformed Church in Zimbabwe. Hoofstuk 4 is beskrywend van aard en bevat 'n oorsig van wat die dokumentêre bronne van die RCZ en die gedrukte media oor die skeurings openbaar. Die Sinode se aanbevelings en besluite van 1996 tot 2001 verskaf 'n duidelike prent van die gebeure, sowel as die intensiteit van die situasie. Hoofstuk 5 bespreek die metode van empiriese dataversameling en die loodsstudie. Hoofstuk 6 handel oor die interpretasie van die versamelde data en vergelyk dit met die bevindings van Hoofstuk 4. Dit is 'n oefening in triangulering – wat gedoen is na die skryf van die eerste vyf hoofstukke. Dit bevestig Hoofstuk 4 se afleidings maar, vanweë die narratiewe deel van baie van die antwoorde wat in die vraelys verskaf is, is meer as wat verwag is hiervan geleer. Deur hierdie studie word dit duidelik dat kerkleierskap op die verstaan van die *winde van verandering* gefokus moet wees om die weg vorentoe te bepaal en die leierskapstyle en uitdagings aan te pas. Om teologies-ingeligte besluite te neem is 'n absolute prioriteit vir die RCZ. Hierdie studie beveel aan dat kerkleierskap, of minstens al die predikante, in konflik-oplossing en –bestuur opgelei moet word, en tred moet hou met God se missionêre praksis in hierdie snelle en steeds veranderende wêreld.

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 (DTh (Practical Theology and Missiology))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This work is about a missiological praxis for the creation of 'Circles of Hope' as an entry point for faith based organisations and, particularly, local churches in Zambia for an effective battle in the fight against HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus). The HIV pandemic is one of the worst tragedies to have befallen humankind in the 21st century. Lost to many people is the fact that it does not affect all regions of the globe equally. Figures show that over 70% of PLWHA (people living with HIV) are in sub Saharan-Africa while most affected are young and therefore, in theory, energetic. With an overall HIV prevalence rate of 16% and a life expectancy of 34 years, HIV has severely impacted the lives of Zambians across the country. Stigma remains one of the most significant challenges in Zambia across the prevention-to-care continuum. The wider environment of these effects and statistics has provided for us the wider contextual situation. The Church in Zambia and, indeed, in the entire sub-Saharan African region cannot afford to hide its head in the sand anymore. The impact of HIV is being felt at all levels of society. This has posed a threat to economic progress and human development by attacking the most economically productive age group and reversing gains in life expectancy and child survival. The increasing burden on health budgets has stretched national and community resources to the limit, leaving no room for complacency or pretence about the magnitude of the problem. Since some members of the Church are positively infected, we can safely say of the Church: the body of Christ has HIV. HIV is a national disaster. It cannot be managed without mobilising all the sectors within a nation. The Church in Zambia needs to make HIV prevention a matter of compelling priority. The Church is an instrument for the missional praxis of the triune God. Theology in this work is not so much a scientific endeavour that begins and ends with analysing contexts and texts, rather it is an imaginative way of finding new answers to the new situation brought about by the presence of HIV (Hendriks, 2004: 30). In this work the researcher contends that measures are required to develop strong theological reflections and education which would result in the establishment of Circles of Hope in all local congregations. These Circles of Hope would act as a fountain for promoting behavioural change, support action for safer sexual behaviour, and combat stigmatisation and discrimination against people with known HIV infection. There must be appropriate theological reflections that touch on the work of the reign of God. A relevant HIV theology will necessarily involve the laity, will watch out for fundamentalist views, will be biblical in nature and will draw from Trinitarian understanding. The basis of moving from a theology of punishment to that of care, truth, freedom, justice and peace is the theology of community and companionship. This reflection is an attempt to have constructive interpretation of the present realities brought about by a time of HIV. One can only discern God‘s will for the present situation through critical and sensitive leadership in order to bring about genuine healing. The role of the local church and networking activities are essential commodities to realise a vision of a Zambia that is HIV competent. This then is the new ministerial strategy being spearheaded by the 'Circles of Hope' programme of the Council of Churches in Zambia. It is a challenge for Zambian churches. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die navorsing handel oor ʼn missiologiese begronde praksis vir die skepping van 'Kringe van Hoop' as 'n beginpunt vir geloofsgebaseerde organisasies en spesifiek die plaaslike kerk in Zambië in hulle stryd teen MIV (Menslike Immuniteits Virus). Die MIV pandemie is een van die ergste tragedies wat die mensdom in die 21ste eeu getref het. Wat baie mense nie altyd besef nie, is dat dit nie oral in die wêreld dieselfde impak het nie. Statistiek wys daarop dat meer as 70% van alle MIV positiewe mense Suid van die Sahara woon. Die meerderheid van die geïnfekteerdes is jonk met baie potensiaal. 16% van die bevolking in Zambië is MIV positief en het 'n lewensverwagting van 34 jaar. Die uitwerking hiervan raak die land en al sy mense. Naas voorkoming en versorging bly een van die grootste uitdagings wat die gemeenskap in Zambië moet aanspreek stigmatisering. Die groter konteks Suid van die Sahara vorm die agtergrond van elke land se spesifieke probleme. Ook Zambië en met name die kerk in Zambië sal die feite in die oë moet kyk. Die pandemie is 'n bedreiging vir ekonomiese vooruitgang en menslike ontwikkeling omdat dit die ekonomies mees produktiewe ouderdomsgroep afmaai, lewensverwagting verlaag en kindersterftes laat toeneem. Die toenemende las op die gesondheidsbegroting het die nasionale en gemeenskapshulpbronne grootliks uitgeput. Die omvang van die probleem kan op geen manier meer ontken en negeer word nie. Aangesien baie lidmate MIV positief is, kan 'n mens goedskiks verklaar dat die liggaam van Christus MIV het. Dit is ʼn nasionale tragedie. Die pandemie kan nie bestry word sonder dat al die sektore van die samelewing daarteen gemobiliseer is nie. Die kerk in Zambië moet die voorkoming van MIV as 'n uiters noodsaaklike prioriteit beskou. Die Kerk is 'n instrument vir die missionêre praksis van die drie-enige God. Die navorsing beskou teologie nie as 'n wetenskaplike onderneming wat bloot handel oor 'n analise van kontekste en tekste nie. Teologie is iets waarin jy handelend en verbeeldingryk toetree tot die aanspreek van 'n veelbewoë situasie en antwoorde probeer vind op die probleme (Hendriks, 2004: 30). Die navorsing werk met die hipotese dat die probleem vanuit 'n teologiese hoek benader moet word sodat teologiese beginsels die praktykteorie van Kringe van Hoop in plaaslike gemeentes sal onderskraag. Die studie voorsien dat die Kringe van Hoop die hoof dryfveer sal wees wat gedragsverandering sal bevorder, veiliger seksuele gedrag sal aanmoedig, en die stryd teen die stigmatisering en diskriminasie sal voer. Gepaste teologiese refleksie oor die heerskappy van God is noodsaaklik. 'n Revelante HIV teologie sal gewone lidmate insluit, sal bedag wees op fundamentalistiese sieninge, sal bybels wees en sal gebaseer wees op ʼn trinitariese godsbegrip. Die teologiese basis vir die wegbeweeg van 'n teologie van straf/oordeel na een van versorging, waarheid, vryheid, geregtigheid en vrede, is geleë in gemeenskap en kameraadskap. Hierdie refleksie is 'n poging om in 'n tyd van HIV 'n konstruktiewe interpretasie te gee van die huidige realiteite. Kritiese en sensitiewe leierskap behoort in die huidige situasie te poog om God se wil te soek om die gebrokenheid van 'n MIV siek gemeenskap aan te spreek. Die rol van die plaaslike kerk en netwerkingsaktiwiteite is onontbeerlik vir die realisering van die visie van ʼn Zambië sonder MIV. Die 'Kringe van Hoop'-program van die Zambiese Raad van Kerke is 'n bedieningstrategie wat die MIV pandemie wil aanspreek en wat die kerk in Zambië uitdaag om mee te doen.

Thesis (DTh (Practical Theology and Missiology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This dissertation examines racial transition toward heterogeneity in three Seventh-day Adventist congregations in South Africa. This dissertation aims to uncover social factors involved in this change as well as to set forth a theological direction with application to the local faith community. The first section examines recent studies and literature on multiracial congregations, indicating a possible breakdown between theory and practice. Using insights from Kuhn, Gadamer, Habermas, and Geertz, a critical correlational approach is proposed using narrative, community-based praxis, dialectical thinking, and eschatological vision. The theological methods of Groome and Browning are combined to suggest a four-phase approach to practical theological research. The second section undertakes an ethnographic study of three Seventh-day Adventist congregations on the outskirts of Durban, Cape Town and Johannesburg. Congregations are examined through the fourfold lens of history, identity, process and program. All three congregations are then compared and analysed from both an etic and emic perspective. Differences between various racial groups are examined and congregational challenges and resources identified. It is shown that while positive racial attitudes exist, underlying black distrust, white fears and other reconciliation issues need to be addressed. Common challenges include continuing racial change, mission and identity issues, evangelism issues, leadership issues and worship issues. Helpful resources in the congregations include an accepting culture, a common language, strong leadership, members with previous multicultural experience and an attractive worship service. Cultural adaptation is analysed through a psychological model ('W-Model') and a congregational model, both of which indicated tensions between assimilationist and integrationist patterns. The third section critiques the sociological approach through a theological hermeneutic. Hospitality to the stranger is proposed as an alternative narrative for handling transition to diversity, and is compared with existing narratives of difference and unity. The witness of Scripture shows both the need to embrace otherness as well as how central hospitality is to God‘s mode of interaction with His created order. The implications of this embrace are explored in terms of other theological models of identity and otherness, reconciliation, the missio Dei and the kingdom of God. In the final section a model of showing hospitality to the stranger is examined in terms of the following movements: (a) the invitation or welcome, (b) providing the gift, (c) feasting at the table, (d) sharing stories, (e) providing a room, and (f) becoming part of the household. The goal is to show how to grow in intimacy without destroying identity. Tensions in the practice of hospitality to the stranger are examined: risk is balanced against opportunity, identity against otherness; boundaries are worked out in a context of sacrifice. Nevertheless, in spite of these paradoxical tensions, it is seen that in this narrative there is potential for bringing diverse communities together based on an ethic of self-giving and mutual acceptance. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie proefskrif ondersoek die transformasieproses van homogene na heterogene gemeentes ten opsigte van ras in drie Sewendedag Adventiste gemeentes in Suid-Afrika. Die tesis beoog om sosiale faktore wat die transformasieproses beïnvloed te bespreek sowel as om in die verband teologies rigting te gee aan plaaslike geloofsgemeenskappe. Die eerste afdeling ondersoek onlangse studies en literatuur in verband met veelrassige gemeentes en toon 'n moontlike uiteensetting van teorie en praktyk. Deur gebruik te maak van die insig van Kuhn, Gadamer, Habermas, en Geertz word 'n kritiese korrelatiewe benadering voorgestel wat gebruik maak van narratiewe, gemeenskap gebaseerde praxis, dialektiese denke, en eskatologiese visie. Die teologiese metodes van Groome en Browning word gekombineer ten einde 'n vier-fase benadering tot praktiese teologiese navorsing voor te stel. Die tweede afdeling onderneem 'n etnografiese studie van drie Sewendedag Adventiste gemeentes aan die buitewyke van Durban, Kaapstad en Johannesburg. Gemeentes word bestudeer onder die viervoudige lens van geskiedenis, identiteit, proses en program. Al drie die gemeentes word dan vergelyk en ontleed van beide 'n lokale en globale (etic en emic) perspektief. Verskille tussen rasse word ondersoek en gemeenskaplike uitdagings en hulpbronne word geïdentifiseer. Hierdie ondersoek toon aan dat alhoewel positiewe rassehoudings bestaan, onderliggende Swart wantroue, Blanke vrese en ander versoeningskwessies aangespreek behoort te word. Algemene uitdagings sluit die hantering van voordurende verandering, missie- en identiteitsproblematiek, evangelisasie problematiek, leierskap problematiek en aanbiddingsproblematiek in. Nuttige benaderings tot die problematiek behels 'n kultuur van aanvaarding, gemeenskaplike taal, sterk leierskap, lidmate met multikulturele ervaring en besielende eredienste. Kulturele aanpassing word ontleed met behulp van 'n sielkundige model ('W-Model') en 'n gemeentelike model. Beide modelle toon spanning tussen assimilasie- en integrasiepatrone. Die derde afdeling kritiseer die sosiologiese benadering deur middel van 'n teologiese hermeneutiek. Gasvryheid teenoor die vreemdeling word voorgestel as 'n alternatiewe narratief in die plek van bestaande narratiewe van verskil en eenheid om die transisie na diversiteit te verwerk. Die getuienis van die Skrif wys op die noodsaaklikheid om die verskille tussen mense te versoen binne die konteks van God se 'gasvryheid' wat sentraal staan in Sy interaksie met Sy skepping. Die implikasies van hierdie versoening word ondersoek in terme van die aanvullende teologiese modelle van identiteit en andersheid, versoening, die missio Dei en die koninkryk van God. In die laaste afdeling word 'n model van gasvryheid teenoor die vreemdeling ondersoek in terme van die volgende bewegings: (a) uitnodiging of verwelkoming, (b) bereidheid tot opoffering, (c) viering rondom die tafel, (d) deel van verhale, (e) verskaffing van eie ruimtes, f) eenwording van die huishouding. Die doel is om aan te toon hoe om in intimiteit te groei sonder om identiteit prys te gee. Spanning in die praktiese beoefening van gasvryheid teenoor die vreemdeling word ondersoek: risiko moet gebalanseer word met geleentheid, identiteit met verskil en grense word in die konteks van opoffering uitgewerk. Ten spyte van hierdie paradoksale spannings, het die narratief van die vreemdeling en gasvryheid die potensiaal is om diverse gemeenskappe bymekaar te bring deur middel van 'n etiek van opofferende en gemeenskaplike aanvaarding.