Please note: This degree was awarded by the North-West University. Permission was granted to archive it in this database for teaching purposes Over the past eight years I have been engaged in researching the way in which the Bible has been brought to bear on a number of frameworks within the South African socio-historical context. It is of course not at all surprising that the Bible would become a part of the dialogues of the church; the Bible remains the source of the Christian identity of the churches in South Africa in a very particular way. Nor is it really unexpected that the Bible would be influential in discussions on broader societal issues in South Africa. With ± 80% of the South African populace subscribing to the Christian faith, and with the most prominent strands of Christianity found in South Africa making so much of the role of the Bible in their lives of faith, it would be perplexing if the Bible had indeed not been a major feature in these debates. The Bible spoke and speaks to church and country in South Africa. Put differently, as a phenomenological formulation: the Bible is brought to speech, that is, is brought to communication within the closer ecclesiological precincts as well as the broader socio-political environment of South Africa, precisely because of the particular religious configurations that characterise church and culture locally. The following could be posed as a general research question, albeit retroactively, as running centrally through all the research essays under review here: How was the Bible brought to communication within different spheres of the South African society? A total of nine publications are listed below, although in fact they represent seven research outputs. Note, thus, that number 5 below is a re-publication in somewhat altered form of number 9, and number 6 is, similarly, a re-publication of number 8. In both these cases the research was first published as chapters in books, and was then re-published in article format. The publications are listed in reverse chronological order, that is, starting with the most recent publication: <li> “The Old Testament in Christian spirituality: perspectives on the undervaluation of the Old Testament in Christian spirituality”. HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies 59/2, June 2003, pp 433-450.</li> <li> “Elke vertaling is ‘n vertelling. Opmerkings oor vertaalteorie, geïllustreer aan die hand van die chokmatiese ratio interpretationis”. Old Testament Essays. 15/3, December 2002, pp 754-765. </li> <li> “The Bible in the apartheid debate”, in Hofmeyr, JW, Lombaard, CJS&Maritz, PJ (eds) 2001: 1948 + 50 years. Theology, apartheid and church: Past, present and future (Perspectives on the Church / Perspektiewe op die Kerk, Series 5: Vol. 1), pp 69-87. Pretoria: IMER (Institute for Missiological and Ecumenical Research), University of Pretoria. </li> <li> “The left governing hand and the right governing hand: begging for a church without public hands?” Journal of Theology for Southern Africa 109 (March 2001), pp 17-24. (From paper read at 2000 conference of the Southern African Society for Biblical and Religious Studies). </li> <li> “ ‘n Woord vir ons wêreld. Kontekstuele prediking met behulp van kommentaarjoernalistiek”. Praktiese Teologie in Suid-Afrika 16(1), 2001, pp 19-39. </li> <li> “The Bible and ecumenism”. Ekklesiastikos Pharos 83/1&2 (2001; New Series 12), pp 149-160. </li> <li> “Oortuiging” en prediking - woordspel op ‘n “hartsaak”. Skrif en Kerk 21 (3, 2000), pp 607-620. (Paper read at the 1999 Lewende Woorde sermon seminar, Dept. Greek&Latin Studies, R.A.U.) .</li> <li> “Ecumenism and the Bible”, in Lombaard, C (ed.) 1999. Essays and exercises in ecumenism, pp 26-41 (29 contributors). Pietermaritzburg: Cluster Publications. </li> <li> “ ‘n Woord vir ons wêreld: Kontekstuele prediking met behulp van kommentaarjoernalistiek”, in Lombaard, C (red.) 1999. "...in die wêreld..." Vyf bydraes tot kontekstuele prediking, pp 22-46. Johannesburg: Lewende Woorde. </li> These are the publications taken into consideration for the PhD in Communication Studies (specific discipline: Religious Communication) based on research publications. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2005. / Church History and Church Policy / Unrestricted

This thesis reflects research undertaken over the past eight years about the way in which the Bible has been brought to bear on a number of frameworks within the South African socio-historical context. It is argued that it is not at all surprising that the Bible would become a part of the dialogues of the church; the Bible remains the source of the Christian identity of the churches in South Africa in a very particular way. Nor is it really unexpected that the Bible would be influential in discussions on broader societal issues in South Africa. With ± 80% of the South African populace subscribing to the Christian faith, and with the most prominent strands of Christianity found in South Africa making so much of the role of the Bible in their lives of faith, it would be perplexing if the Bible had indeed not been a major feature in these debates. The Bible spoke and speaks to church and country in South Africa. Put differently, as a phenomenological formulation: the Bible is brought to speech, that is, is brought to communication within the closer ecclesiological precincts as well as the broader socio-political environment of South Africa, precisely because of the particular religious configurations that characterise church and culture locally. The following is thus, albeit retroatively, posed as a general research question running centrally through all the research essays under review here: How was the Bible brought to communication within different spheres of the South African society? A total of nine scholarly publications are included, although in fact they represent seven research outputs. In two cases the research was first published as chapters in books, and was then re-published in article format. The most important conclusions reached, are: that the Old Testament is a vastly under-utilised source for communicating Christian spirituality, a state of affairs for which ten reasons can been indicated; that literal Bible translations are more effective in engaging Bible readers, because they invite active, interpretative participation by the intended receivers; that the use of the Bible for political purposes, even for opposing political causes, always reduces the Bible to a rhetorical tool, namely to substantiate views being propagated; that the present government's communication on religious matters has been rhetorically ambivalent: while continued funding for university programmes of - by name - Biblical Studies, has been questioned in Parliament and elsewhere, the churches (for whom the Bible is central to their identity and as a motivational force) are called upon to support government's social relief programmes; that the editorial and other comment columns of newspapers offer a substantial, yet vastly under-utilised resource for preachers in their attempts to deliver contextually relevant sermons; that deliberate consideration given to persuasive variables are of substantial importance to preachers; most important, though, for the long term effectiveness of the Gospel message, is the perceived integrity of the preacher; that both the Old and New Testaments offer substantial resources for the enhancement of communication and the building of relationships between different church denominations, with the caveat, though, that texts should not be misinterpreted, as has been the case, since this undermines the integrity of such processes. The ways in which the Bible has been used in these different societal spheres are, thus, varied, yet seldom satisfactory. By indicating the problems and perspectives that have come to light through these research projects, a contribution may be made towards a more mature society in which religion plays a constructive role, and is, as a corollary, respected for what it is in its own right. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Communication Studies))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2004.

This thesis reflects research undertaken over the past eight years about the way in which the Bible has been brought to bear on a number of frameworks within the South African socio-historical context. It is argued that it is not at all surprising that the Bible would become a part of the dialogues of the church; the Bible remains the source of the Christian identity of the churches in South Africa in a very particular way. Nor is it really unexpected that the Bible would be influential in discussions on broader societal issues in South Africa. With ± 80% of the South African populace subscribing to the Christian faith, and with the most prominent strands of Christianity found in South Africa making so much of the role of the Bible in their lives of faith, it would be perplexing if the Bible had indeed not been a major feature in these debates. The Bible spoke and speaks to church and country in South Africa. Put differently, as a phenomenological formulation: the Bible is brought to speech, that is, is brought to communication within the closer ecclesiological precincts as well as the broader socio-political environment of South Africa, precisely because of the particular religious configurations that characterise church and culture locally. The following is thus, albeit retroatively, posed as a general research question running centrally through all the research essays under review here: How was the Bible brought to communication within different spheres of the South African society? A total of nine scholarly publications are included, although in fact they represent seven research outputs. In two cases the research was first published as chapters in books, and was then re-published in article format. The most important conclusions reached, are: that the Old Testament is a vastly under-utilised source for communicating Christian spirituality, a state of affairs for which ten reasons can been indicated; that literal Bible translations are more effective in engaging Bible readers, because they invite active, interpretative participation by the intended receivers; that the use of the Bible for political purposes, even for opposing political causes, always reduces the Bible to a rhetorical tool, namely to substantiate views being propagated; that the present government's communication on religious matters has been rhetorically ambivalent: while continued funding for university programmes of - by name - Biblical Studies, has been questioned in Parliament and elsewhere, the churches (for whom the Bible is central to their identity and as a motivational force) are called upon to support government's social relief programmes; that the editorial and other comment columns of newspapers offer a substantial, yet vastly under-utilised resource for preachers in their attempts to deliver contextually relevant sermons; that deliberate consideration given to persuasive variables are of substantial importance to preachers; most important, though, for the long term effectiveness of the Gospel message, is the perceived integrity of the preacher; that both the Old and New Testaments offer substantial resources for the enhancement of communication and the building of relationships between different church denominations, with the caveat, though, that texts should not be misinterpreted, as has been the case, since this undermines the integrity of such processes. The ways in which the Bible has been used in these different societal spheres are, thus, varied, yet seldom satisfactory. By indicating the problems and perspectives that have come to light through these research projects, a contribution may be made towards a more mature society in which religion plays a constructive role, and is, as a corollary, respected for what it is in its own right. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Communication Studies))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2004.

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Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / A tese tem como objetivo principal demonstrar, a partir de argumentos que emergem do entrecruzamento Evangelização-Comunicação, que a Comunidade Canção Nova representa um Novo Jeito de ser Igreja dentro do catolicismo romano. Os argumentos que denotam, balizam e sustentam tal afirmação são: os novos jeitos de comunidades, os novos jeitos de famílias e os novos jeitos de identidades que convivem nesse fenômeno religioso-carismático-midiático. Esses argumentos afloraram na pesquisa do cotidiano da Comunidade, especificamente no entrecruzamento contínuo e único entre evangelização e comunicação. Com essa demonstração, propõe-se que, na atualidade, o entrecruzamento Evangelização-Comunicação representa um fator importante para manter a igreja em movimento, em sintonia com seu tempo. A estrutura, composta de quatro capítulos, reflete o percurso investigativo seguido na pesquisa. Apresentando a gestação, o surgimento e posterior desenvolvimento da Comunidade como um trajeto no qual o contexto desempenha um papel determinante, o primeiro capítulo realiza o levantamento histórico, corrobora que Canção Nova representa um fenômeno religioso, carismático e midiático novo na contemporaneidade e pergunta se tal fenômeno poderia ser considerado uma nova igreja. O segundo capítulo procura responder essa questão apoiando-se no estudo do entrecruzamento evangelização-comunicação que caracteriza a Comunidade. O terceiro capítulo, embasado na pesquisa bibliográfica, demonstra que o entrecruzamento gera um novo jeito de ser igreja e não uma nova igreja; trabalha, ademais, alguns elementos que definiriam esse novo jeito: o gênero, a liturgia e a ênfase pneumatológica. No entanto, reconhece que tais elementos não conferem uma particularidade peculiar à Comunidade. O quarto capítulo, ao narrar parte das observações da pesquisa de campo e fazer uma analise dos dados à luz das bibliografias antes trabalhadas, afirma que Canção Nova representa um novo jeito de ser igreja em função da dinâmica com que constrói e recria comunidades, da forma com que fomenta e vivencia o convívio familiar e da singularidade e criatividade com que define sua identidade. / The main goal of this thesis is to show, from arguments that emerge from the crossing of Evangelization and Communication, that the Community Canção Nova is a New Way of being the Church within Roman Catholicism. The arguments that denote, assess and sustain such a claim are the new ways of communities, new ways of families and new ways of identities, living in this religious-charismatic-mediatic phenomenon. These arguments emerged in the daily life research of the Community, specifically in the continuous and unique crossing between evangelization and communication. The thesis also intends to prove that, in fact, the crossing of Evangelization and Communication is an important factor for keeping the Church in line with its time. The structure of this work, consisting of four chapters, reflects the analytical route followed in the search. With an introduction to origins, rise and subsequent development of that Community, as a path in which the context plays a crucial role, the first chapter conducts a historical study, confirms that the Nova Canção Community is a new religious, charismatic and mediatic phenomenon in contemporary times and asks if this phenomenon could be considered a new way of being Church. The second chapter intends to answer that question, based on the study of the crossing of evangelization and communication, which characterizes the Community. Based on the bibliographic literature, the third chapter shows that this crossing creates a new way of being church and not a new church. Moreover, this present work deals with some elements that defined that new way such as: genre, liturgy and pneumatologic emphasis. However, it acknowledges that these elements do not confer any peculiar feature to the Community. By describing part of the observations made at the field of research and analyzing data in the light of bibliographic references that were used before, the fourth chapter affirms that Nova Canção represents a new way of being church according to the dynamics that builds and recreates communities, the way in which it promotes and experiences familiar coexistence and the creativity and uniqueness by which its identity is defined.

Text in Afrikaans / Die Jeugbediening binne die Nederduitse Gereforrneerde Kerk verkeer tans in 'n stroomversnelling, en roep om vemuwing en verandering. Onderliggend aan bierdie krisis wat ontstaan het, le die tydsgees van die postmodemisme. Laasgenoemde het 'n beslissende invloed op die wyse waarop die jongmense vandag die evangelie hoor en leer. Dit het ook 'n deurslaggewende invloed op geloofskommunikasie. Pierre Babin beredeneer in sy boek The New Era in Religious Communication vyf konsepte wat lig werp op die nuwe era wat aangebreek het in geloofskommunikasie en spreek daarrnee die krisis in hierdie nuwe era bevredigend aan. Hy benadruk die volgende hoofkonsepte, naamlik: • Die verskuiwing van die Gutenberg-era na die Oudiovisuele era • Die impak van die elektroniese media op geloof • Die weg van skoonheid • Die simboliese weg • Stereo-kategese. Die skrywer is van mening dat die hoofkonsepte, soos uitgewerk deur Babin, die basis le vir 'n effektiewe, kontemporere jeugbedieningsmodel vir die Suid-Afrikaanse konteks. / The ministering of the gospel to the youth within the Dutch Reformed Church finds itself in a rapid at present and is calling for rejuvenation and change. Underlying to this crisis, is the spirit of the times known as Post Modernism. The latter has a decisive influence on the way the youth of today hear and learn the gospel. It also has a conclusive impact on communicating religion. Pierre Babin argued in his book The New Era in Religious Communication five concepts which cast light on the new era which has arrived in the communication of religion. These address the crisis of the new era effectively. He emphasizes the following main concepts: • The shift from the Gutenberg era to the audiovisual era • The impact of the electronic era on faith • The way of beauty • The symbolic way • Stereo catechesis. The author is of the opinion that these concepts, as formulated by Babin, pave the way for an effective, contemporary model for ministering the gospel to the youth within the South African context. / Practical Theology / M. Diac. (Youth work)

Die Arbeit untersucht die parlamentarische Diskussion im Deutschen Reichstag um die (Bismarckschen) Sozialversicherungsgesetze 1881-1889 hinsichtlich ihrer Beeinflussung durch christlich-religiös motivierte Standpunkte. Sie weist nach, dass die Prägekräfte religiöser Überzeugungen und Argumentationsmuster nicht nur auf einer kirchlichen oder theologischen Ebene wirksam sind, sondern beispielsweise mit der Sozialversicherung bis in die unmittelbare Gegenwart wirksam sind. Die Arbeit enthält einen umfassenden Überblick über die sozialreformatorische Diskussion des 19. Jahrhunderts sowie über die sozialpolitischen Maßnahmen bis zur Einführung der Sozialversicherung.

Text in Afrikaans / Die Jeugbediening binne die Nederduitse Gereforrneerde Kerk verkeer tans in 'n stroomversnelling, en roep om vemuwing en verandering. Onderliggend aan bierdie krisis wat ontstaan het, le die tydsgees van die postmodemisme. Laasgenoemde het 'n beslissende invloed op die wyse waarop die jongmense vandag die evangelie hoor en leer. Dit het ook 'n deurslaggewende invloed op geloofskommunikasie. Pierre Babin beredeneer in sy boek The New Era in Religious Communication vyf konsepte wat lig werp op die nuwe era wat aangebreek het in geloofskommunikasie en spreek daarrnee die krisis in hierdie nuwe era bevredigend aan. Hy benadruk die volgende hoofkonsepte, naamlik: • Die verskuiwing van die Gutenberg-era na die Oudiovisuele era • Die impak van die elektroniese media op geloof • Die weg van skoonheid • Die simboliese weg • Stereo-kategese. Die skrywer is van mening dat die hoofkonsepte, soos uitgewerk deur Babin, die basis le vir 'n effektiewe, kontemporere jeugbedieningsmodel vir die Suid-Afrikaanse konteks. / The ministering of the gospel to the youth within the Dutch Reformed Church finds itself in a rapid at present and is calling for rejuvenation and change. Underlying to this crisis, is the spirit of the times known as Post Modernism. The latter has a decisive influence on the way the youth of today hear and learn the gospel. It also has a conclusive impact on communicating religion. Pierre Babin argued in his book The New Era in Religious Communication five concepts which cast light on the new era which has arrived in the communication of religion. These address the crisis of the new era effectively. He emphasizes the following main concepts: • The shift from the Gutenberg era to the audiovisual era • The impact of the electronic era on faith • The way of beauty • The symbolic way • Stereo catechesis. The author is of the opinion that these concepts, as formulated by Babin, pave the way for an effective, contemporary model for ministering the gospel to the youth within the South African context. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / M. Diac. (Youth work)

Die Arbeit untersucht die parlamentarische Diskussion im Deutschen Reichstag um die (Bismarckschen) Sozialversicherungsgesetze 1881-1889 hinsichtlich ihrer Beeinflussung durch christlich-religiös motivierte Standpunkte. Sie weist nach, dass die Prägekräfte religiöser Überzeugungen und Argumentationsmuster nicht nur auf einer kirchlichen oder theologischen Ebene wirksam sind, sondern beispielsweise mit der Sozialversicherung bis in die unmittelbare Gegenwart wirksam sind. Die Arbeit enthält einen umfassenden Überblick über die sozialreformatorische Diskussion des 19. Jahrhunderts sowie über die sozialpolitischen Maßnahmen bis zur Einführung der Sozialversicherung.