Christocentric preaching in the AP Church – a practical theological study, is a dissertation wherein Christocentric preaching from the patriarchal narratives by AP Church preachers, is being investigated to determine to what extend it complies with the basic principles of Christocentric preaching. This research found that the preaching from the patriarchal narratives by participating preachers of the AP Church, does not truly answer to the basic principles of Christocentric preaching. A clearly defined Christocentric approach which set out the basic principles for responsible Christocentric preaching, would improve the Christocentricity of Old Testament preaching, more specifically the patriarchal narratives, in the AP Church. A modified version of Osmers’ practical-theological model was utilized as method of research. It entails hermeneutical and normative, empirical and interpretative, as well as strategic aspects. The following goals are set for the study: Hermeneutical and normative i) To determine perspectives from Scripture for the research concept Christocentric preaching regarding passages from Genesis 12-50. Empirical and interpretative ii) To determine to what extend sermons in the AP Church based on passages from Genesis 12-50, are truly Christocentric. iii) To determine to what extend preachers of the AP Church consciously make use of a base theory regarding Christocentric preaching when preaching on passages from Genesis 12-50. Strategically To provide effective, yet Biblical guidelines for Christocentric preaching on passages from Genesis 12-50. In order to reach the above mentioned goals, the following aspects are discussed in the course of the study: Perspectives from Scripture for the research concept Christocentric preaching are determined by, among others, illuminating the unique nature and specific characteristics of the Hebrew narrative. The focus on the hermeneutical challenge offers perspectives on decisive considerations when handling Scripture, an exegetical method conducive to Christocentric preaching, as well as perspectives on a meaningful transition to Christ from the Old Testament text. The focus on the homiletic challenge indicates expository preaching as the most appropriate vehicle for responsible Christocentric preaching. From the hermeneutical and normative perspectives, a certain criteria is derived which served as a guideline for the evaluation of sixteen sermons and devotions by AP Church preachers in order to determine their Christocentricity. Flowing from this, six themes are determined on the basis of which unstructured interviews with five preachers of the AP Church are conducted. These analyses and interviews show the absence of a clearly formulated base theory regarding Christocentric preaching at participating AP Church preachers. Christocentric preaching in the AP Church – a practical theological study offers guidelines for responsible Christocentric preaching from the patriarchal narratives by concentrating on certain points of departure in respect of the Old Testament, key hermeneutical aspects, a meaningful transition from the Old Testament to Christ as well as important homiletic aspects. / Thesis (MTh (Homiletics))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

This thesis reports on a study on human rights education and values of the girl–child in the Eastleigh community in Nairobi Kenya. The investigation indicated that her right to education is marginalised and that in the many cases cultural and religious beliefs dominate the need to equal access to education. This research identified perceived factors that may influence the infusion of human rights education and values in the teaching–learning practice of selected secondary schools in the Eastleigh community, and propose possible curriculum guidelines that are feasible to foster the education of the girl–child. The researcher explores the perception of teachers and students in four selected schools (code named A, B, C, D) in the community and analyses the extent of gender–equality in the school curriculum. Using a qualitative research approach that employed the phenomenological method of enquiry, face–to–face interviews were conducted with 20 teachers in four secondary schools, five in each school. Questionnaires were served on 200 girl–students of Grades 11 and 12, fifty per school selected using a purposeful sampling method. The curriculum in selected subjects of the secondary schools was analysed. The analyses of all the research instruments led to the discovery of the factors influencing the infusion of human rights education and values in the teaching–learning of the selected schools. Top on the list of these factors are the problems of teacher–student ignorance of human rights education and values. Other factors are gender–fair deficiency in the school curriculum, school–slum environments and combined religio–cultural dilemmas that place constraints on the educational environment of girl–children in the multicultural community. To foster the education of the girl–child, thirteen curriculum guidelines clustered under three broad groups are proposed. Firstly, under the modified curriculum content, subjects that project human rights education and values need to be made compulsory for all students, though at different class levels. Subjects with low or no gender–fair objectives need to be modified in order that human rights education and values could be taught across the school curriculum. Secondly, there is the need for context–relevant curriculum planning that embraces cultural and religious issues and communicating values in the schooling system. Thirdly, a democratic school atmosphere is the product of curriculum efforts that is geared towards training genderresponsive teachers, ensuring gender equality and promoting extracurricular activities favouring multicultural awareness and respect among students. This research contributes to the development of a curriculum engaged in advancing human rights education and values of the girl–child especially in patriarchal urban settings of East–Africa. It draws attention to the often neglected educational empowerment of the girl–child to foster her role and to provide opportunities in a contemporary global environment. / Thesis (PhD (Teaching and Learning))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

This thesis reports on a study on human rights education and values of the girl–child in the Eastleigh community in Nairobi Kenya. The investigation indicated that her right to education is marginalised and that in the many cases cultural and religious beliefs dominate the need to equal access to education. This research identified perceived factors that may influence the infusion of human rights education and values in the teaching–learning practice of selected secondary schools in the Eastleigh community, and propose possible curriculum guidelines that are feasible to foster the education of the girl–child. The researcher explores the perception of teachers and students in four selected schools (code named A, B, C, D) in the community and analyses the extent of gender–equality in the school curriculum. Using a qualitative research approach that employed the phenomenological method of enquiry, face–to–face interviews were conducted with 20 teachers in four secondary schools, five in each school. Questionnaires were served on 200 girl–students of Grades 11 and 12, fifty per school selected using a purposeful sampling method. The curriculum in selected subjects of the secondary schools was analysed. The analyses of all the research instruments led to the discovery of the factors influencing the infusion of human rights education and values in the teaching–learning of the selected schools. Top on the list of these factors are the problems of teacher–student ignorance of human rights education and values. Other factors are gender–fair deficiency in the school curriculum, school–slum environments and combined religio–cultural dilemmas that place constraints on the educational environment of girl–children in the multicultural community. To foster the education of the girl–child, thirteen curriculum guidelines clustered under three broad groups are proposed. Firstly, under the modified curriculum content, subjects that project human rights education and values need to be made compulsory for all students, though at different class levels. Subjects with low or no gender–fair objectives need to be modified in order that human rights education and values could be taught across the school curriculum. Secondly, there is the need for context–relevant curriculum planning that embraces cultural and religious issues and communicating values in the schooling system. Thirdly, a democratic school atmosphere is the product of curriculum efforts that is geared towards training genderresponsive teachers, ensuring gender equality and promoting extracurricular activities favouring multicultural awareness and respect among students. This research contributes to the development of a curriculum engaged in advancing human rights education and values of the girl–child especially in patriarchal urban settings of East–Africa. It draws attention to the often neglected educational empowerment of the girl–child to foster her role and to provide opportunities in a contemporary global environment. / Thesis (PhD (Teaching and Learning))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

Summaries in Afrikaans and English / Seksuele misbruik is 'n brutale vorm van kindermishandeling wat kommerwekkende afmetings in Suid-Afrika aanneem. Hierdie traumatiese gebeurtenis het emosioneel 'n geweldige negatiewe impak op die kinderslagoffer. Hierdie studie is gerig deur die uitgangspunt dat terapeute, deur middel van Gestaltspelterapie, hierdie kinderslagoffers moet lei in die hantering van hierdie trauma en die gevolge daarvan. Die gebrek aan riglyne vir die terapeut om die seksueel misbruikte kind in die middelkinderjare te hanteer is as navorsingsprobleem geformuleer. Die doel van die studie was dus om vanuit 'n Gestaltspelterapeutiese benadering riglyne vir terapeute daar te stel in die hantering van die seksueel misbruikte kind in die middelkinderjare ten einde die kind te bemagtig. Om hierdie doel te bereik, is die navorsingsproses deur kwalitatiewe navorsing gerig en individuele gevallestudies voltooi deur die terapeutiese proses met drie kinderslagoffers te deurloop. Die data wat bekom is kon deur middel van data-analise en literatuurkontrole aangewend word om riglyne saam te stel. Daar is dus in die doel van die ondersoek geslaag, naamlik die daarstelling van riglyne vir die hantering van die seksueel misbruikte kind in die middelkinderjare. / Sexual abuse is a brutal form of child abuse that has reached exasperating proportions in South Africa. This traumatic event has an enormously negative emotional impact on the child victim. This study is directed by the premise that therapists', by means of Gestalt play therapy, should guide these victimized children in dealing with this trauma and its consequences. The research problem for the study was formulated as the lack of guidelines for the therapist to deal with the sexually abused child in middle childhood. The aim of the study was to provide therapists' with guidelines designed from the approach of Gestalt play therapy for dealing with and empowering the sexually abused child in middle childhood. In order to achieve this goal, qualitative research was employed, while individual case studies were carried out by applying the therapeutic process to three victimized children. The data obtained was analyzed, checked against existing literature, and used to compile the guidelines. Thus, the goal of the research was achieved, namely to provide guidelines for dealing with the sexually abused child in middle childhood. / Social Work / M. Diac. (Play Therapy)

Afrikaans text / Met hierdie studie is beoog om leerders se persepsies van skool vas te stel en om riglyne vir ouers daar te stel om leerders met negatiewe persepsies van skool te hanteer. Daar is beoog om hierdie riglyne deur middel van praktiese modelle en werksvelle te implementeer sodat ouers begrip vir kinders se persepsies kan verkry en dat konflik opgelos kan word deur middel van positiewe kommunikasie. In die literatuurstudie word ondersoek ingestel na persepsievorming en die oorsake vir die vorming van negatiewe persepsies van skool. ‘n Persepsie word gevorm deurdat betekenis aan ‘n ervaring, op grond van die persoon se verwysingsraamwerk gegee word. Interne- sowel as eksterne faktore speel ‘n rol wanneer persepsies gevorm word. Eksterne faktore behels die verhouding met rolspelers soos: die ouers, die skool en onderwysers, die portuurgroep en die leerder se verhouding met homself. Interne faktore wat in hierdie studie ondersoek is, behels: lokus van kontrole, motivering, emosionele probleme, kognitiewe probleme en gedragsprobleme.Die navorsingsprobleem is verken met behulp van ‘n loodsondersoek as ‘n voortoets en diagnostiese vraelys wat deur die navorsingsgroep van 50 leerders voltooi is. Onderhoude is met vyf leerders gevoer oor hulle ervaringe en behoeftes met betrekking tot hulle persepsies van skool. Bevindinge dui aan dat ongeveer ‘n vyfde van die skool se leerders oor ‘n negatiewe persepsie van skool beskik. In die vraelys is leerders se persepsies ten opsigte van verskeie rolspelers vasgestel. Daar bestaan behoefte by leerders dat ouers betrokke en ondersteunend sal wees en dat ouers begrip vir hulle persepsies sal toon. Deur middel van praktiese diagramme en werksvelle is begrip en positiewe kommunikasie tussen ouer en kind bewerkstellig. In Hoofstuk 6 word praktiese riglyne aan ouers gegee oor hoe om sy kind, met ‘n negatiewe persepsie van skool, te hanteer. Op hierdie wyse is gepoog dat leerders positiewe ervaringe sal geniet; ‘n positiewe verwysingsraamwerk sal vorm en sodoende positiewe persepsies van skool sal vorm. ‘n Bydrae is ten opsigte van ouerleiding gelewer. Ouers word toegerus om ‘n kind met negatiewe persepsies van skool met begrip te hanteer. / The aim of this study was to determine learners’ perceptions of school and to provide guidelines for parents to deal with negative perceptions of school. These guidelines were implemented using practical models as well as work sheets. These were specifically aimed at enhancing parents’ understanding of the negative perceptions and resolving conflict through positive communication. In the literary study, the constitution of perceptions as well as the causes of the constitution of negative perceptions was investigated. A perception is established when a person gives meaning to an experience based on that person’s frame of reference. Internal and external factors play a part when perceptions are constituted. External factors in this study entail the relationship with parents, school and teachers, peer group and the learner's relationship with himself. Internal factors referred to in this study are locus of control, motivation, emotional problems, cognitive problems and behavioural problems. vii The research problem was explored using a pilot investigation as pre-test. A diagnostic questionnaire was also completed by 50 learners. Five learners were interviewed about their experiences and needs specifically in relation to their perceptions of school. Findings show that approximately one fifth of the learners of the school have negative perceptions of school. In the questionnaire, the learners’ perceptions with respect to a variety of role players were determined. There is a definite need for parents to be involved and supportive. Learners also need them to show understanding for their perceptions. Positive communication and understanding between parents and learners were established through practical diagrams and work sheets. In Chapter 6 practical guidelines are given to equip parents to understand how to handle the child with negative perceptions. The aim of this was to encourage learners to enjoy positive experiences, to form a positive frame of reference and therefore develop positive perceptions of school. A contribution towards parental guidance was made. Parents are left equipped to deal with a child with negative perceptions of school. / Educational Studies / D. Ed. (Sielkundige Opvoedkunde)

Multinational enterprises have been widely accused of using aggressive tax planning schemes to avoid paying tax all over the world. The purpose of this study is to analyse the methods used by multinational enterprises in the context of business restructurings to shift profits from high to low tax jurisdictions. Transactions between associated entities have generally been manipulated by applying non-arm’s length prices to these transactions, as well as devising agreements where the economic substance varies from the form of the transaction. The study aims to investigate some of the practical challenges faced by tax administrators in the application of the arm’s length principle. The study was conducted based on a literature review, as well as analysing specific examples reported in newspapers where multinational enterprises have used aggressive tax planning schemes to shift profits. International case law was also analysed to evaluate some of the factors considered by the courts in the determination of the arm’s length price. It was found that multinational enterprises definitely use aggressive tax planning schemes to shift profits. The practical challenges in the determination of arm’s length prices, complexity of the transactions involved, as well as a lack of resources, especially in the developing nations, are some of the factors that cause tax administrators to battle to find a solution to deter and detect these schemes. Other methods such as the unitary taxation method and the country by country reporting concept have been brought forward as alternatives to the arm’s length principle. These alternatives have been proposed in an effort to find a solution to the challenges posed by the arm’s length principle. Specific measures have also been recommended for developing nations’ tax administrators to resolve the issues that they currently experience in this context. / Thesis (MCom (South African and International Taxation))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

Multinational enterprises have been widely accused of using aggressive tax planning schemes to avoid paying tax all over the world. The purpose of this study is to analyse the methods used by multinational enterprises in the context of business restructurings to shift profits from high to low tax jurisdictions. Transactions between associated entities have generally been manipulated by applying non-arm’s length prices to these transactions, as well as devising agreements where the economic substance varies from the form of the transaction. The study aims to investigate some of the practical challenges faced by tax administrators in the application of the arm’s length principle. The study was conducted based on a literature review, as well as analysing specific examples reported in newspapers where multinational enterprises have used aggressive tax planning schemes to shift profits. International case law was also analysed to evaluate some of the factors considered by the courts in the determination of the arm’s length price. It was found that multinational enterprises definitely use aggressive tax planning schemes to shift profits. The practical challenges in the determination of arm’s length prices, complexity of the transactions involved, as well as a lack of resources, especially in the developing nations, are some of the factors that cause tax administrators to battle to find a solution to deter and detect these schemes. Other methods such as the unitary taxation method and the country by country reporting concept have been brought forward as alternatives to the arm’s length principle. These alternatives have been proposed in an effort to find a solution to the challenges posed by the arm’s length principle. Specific measures have also been recommended for developing nations’ tax administrators to resolve the issues that they currently experience in this context. / Thesis (MCom (South African and International Taxation))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

Generational ritual abuse within satanic or fertility (abusive witchcraft) cults is a controversial subject. This study shows that, while not all reported memories may be true, False Memory Syndrome is not an intrinsic scientific reality of generational ritual abuse. Recent publications under the editorial pens of Noblitt and Perskin Noblitt (2008), as well as Sachs and Galton (2008), describe the types of abuse and torture perpetrated in various forms of ritual abuse (including the results of a worldwide survey), together with the psychological, interpersonal and spiritual damage it caused survivors. It also speaks of the legal difficulties of survivors, the motives of perpetrators and the difficulties experienced with disappearing evidence (sometimes deliberately, otherwise because it does not fit the known legal paradigm). Survivors of generational ritual abuse suffer from what can be described under DESNOS (Disorders of Extreme Stress - Not Otherwise Specified), which is supported by research whilst not yet a formal DSM diagnostic category. Prolonged interpersonal trauma, involving multiple events lead to alterations of affect and impulses: in attention or consciousness; in self-perception; in relationships with other; in systems of meaning; as well as somatisation. Most often it results in dissociative disorders of which the most common is DID (Dissociative Identity Disorder) in which a person exhibits two or more distinct identities or personality states which recurrently take control of his or her behaviour. Various other diagnostic-related factors are discussed in this study, together with major paradigms for considering DID. These paradigms include the ego-state theory (referred to briefly), structural dissociation and attachment theory. These models' intervention strategies are also discussed. Models from three Christian psychologists are discussed - those of Joubert, Friesen and Wilder (a community model) - and Hawkins and Hawkins' pastoral model is reviewed as well. "The fear of the Lord" is found to be the reverential awe with which a believer approaches God; linked closely to the love of God; a fear that is advocated over the fear of human enemies or circumstances and which then dispels the latter; an emotion of fear that is experienced when confronted, as sinful human being, with God's presence and attributes such as his holiness; advocated by Jesus and Paul as based upon God's judgment, after which he may cast one into hell - and thus, one is not to fear what man could do unto one, or should not depart from God and continue in wilful sin. Ps. 86 contains a prayer for a united heart that the psalmist may fear God, linked to walking in his truth and praising God for deliverance from the grave. While "the fear of the Lord" is not a healing model in and of itself (various models of intervention can be used in the healing journey as found in the literature study), it guides the stance of the community, the pastoral counsellor (or other helper) as well as the survivors of generational ritual abuse who turn to God. It was found to form a doorway into the covenant relationship (or intimate relationship) with God in Scripture, and it is argued that, as such, it will help to lead survivors away from negative or destructive fear-bonded relationships (in Wilder's terms) into love-bonded relationships with God and others, thus leading to fulfilment of the command 'to love God with all one's heart, soul and strength and others as oneself' (Dt. 6; Mrk. 12:29-31). To this end, it aids the pastoral healing goal of a growing relationship with God and increasing maturity. Using the models of Heitink, Osmer and Hurding, the insights gained in this study are applied to the guidelines and proposed model for pastoral intervention. / Thesis (M.A. (Pastoral)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

The aim of this study was to establish to what extent the post graduate theological students of the RCSA experience emotional burnout and what their perceptions of burnout are. A combination of quantitative and qualitative empirical research was conducted to establish the levels of burnout and co–responding perceptions of the phenomenon. The study found that 75% of the post graduate students had experienced burnout to some extent. Out of these 75% participants, 35% experienced acute burnout, and a further 15% could be classified as being in the breakdown phase of burnout. The study indicated that the post graduate students of the RCSA generally had a positive perception towards burnout in the sense that they had a fair understanding of the causes of the phenomenon. The research has also shown that the post graduate theological students identified a balanced lifestyle as the most important preventative measure to combat burnout. To attain such a lifestyle, post graduate theological students need to attend to their spiritual, emotional, social and physical needs in a balanced way. Despite the fact that the majority of the participating students have a positive perception regarding the treatment and prevention of burnout, it is however clear that they do not address the problem effectively. It became clear from the research that additional guidance in the prevention, management and treatment of burnout is required. Various factors were identified that may contribute to the post graduate theological students' experiencing of burnout. These factors include the following: the effective management of the academic work load, their experiencing of overload and a lack of control over the amount of academic work, perceptions that they are not rewarded sufficiently for their contributions, that they feel excluded from experiencing a sense of belonging to a common group and having communion as a group, a lack of work satisfaction, a lack of effective interpersonal relationships, personal problems in their private lives, the degree of Type A–behaviour amongst some participants, a lack of emotional development and growth and a need for interpersonal skills training in their curriculum for them as future ministers, a lack of maintaining healthy emotional boundaries, structuring and ordering of the post graduate theological students-' own spiritual life, a lack of fulfilment of goals and their inability to keep up with the accelerating tempo of socio–domextic change in society. Other contributing factors to burnout amongst post graduate theological students are that they have certain misperceptions about burnout with regard to their calling as a minister. These misperceptions include the following: false feelings of guilt, complying with unrealistic high moral standards as person, that burnout is seen as a sign of 'weakness' and 'sin' and that treatment is only intended for 'sick people'. It has been established that burnout has definite negative consequences in the lives of the post graduate theological students. These consequences affect students' entire lives on physical, spiritual and emotional levels. The following consequences of burnout were identified: depressive disorders, loss of vision, bitterness, psychosomatic symptoms such as headaches, stomach ulcers, muscle spasms, etc. and their experience of burnout as generally being traumatic. Exegesis on 1 Kings 19:1–18 was normatively applied as a guide to address burnout to the post graduate theological students' experience of the phenomenon. Elijah's experience of burnout and how God led him to healing and also looked after his physical, spiritual and emotional needs was evaluated and guidelines were identified and formulated that could serve as an effective means of addressing burnout. Because burnout influences the post graduate theological students on a physical, spiritual and emotional level, the management and treatment thereof should also consist of the addressing of all three these elements in a balanced way. Pastoral guidelines were thus formulated to address these three elements of burnout - physical, spiritual and emotional in an effective manner. / Thesis (M.A. (Pastoral))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

Generational ritual abuse within satanic or fertility (abusive witchcraft) cults is a controversial subject. This study shows that, while not all reported memories may be true, False Memory Syndrome is not an intrinsic scientific reality of generational ritual abuse. Recent publications under the editorial pens of Noblitt and Perskin Noblitt (2008), as well as Sachs and Galton (2008), describe the types of abuse and torture perpetrated in various forms of ritual abuse (including the results of a worldwide survey), together with the psychological, interpersonal and spiritual damage it caused survivors. It also speaks of the legal difficulties of survivors, the motives of perpetrators and the difficulties experienced with disappearing evidence (sometimes deliberately, otherwise because it does not fit the known legal paradigm). Survivors of generational ritual abuse suffer from what can be described under DESNOS (Disorders of Extreme Stress - Not Otherwise Specified), which is supported by research whilst not yet a formal DSM diagnostic category. Prolonged interpersonal trauma, involving multiple events lead to alterations of affect and impulses: in attention or consciousness; in self-perception; in relationships with other; in systems of meaning; as well as somatisation. Most often it results in dissociative disorders of which the most common is DID (Dissociative Identity Disorder) in which a person exhibits two or more distinct identities or personality states which recurrently take control of his or her behaviour. Various other diagnostic-related factors are discussed in this study, together with major paradigms for considering DID. These paradigms include the ego-state theory (referred to briefly), structural dissociation and attachment theory. These models' intervention strategies are also discussed. Models from three Christian psychologists are discussed - those of Joubert, Friesen and Wilder (a community model) - and Hawkins and Hawkins' pastoral model is reviewed as well. "The fear of the Lord" is found to be the reverential awe with which a believer approaches God; linked closely to the love of God; a fear that is advocated over the fear of human enemies or circumstances and which then dispels the latter; an emotion of fear that is experienced when confronted, as sinful human being, with God's presence and attributes such as his holiness; advocated by Jesus and Paul as based upon God's judgment, after which he may cast one into hell - and thus, one is not to fear what man could do unto one, or should not depart from God and continue in wilful sin. Ps. 86 contains a prayer for a united heart that the psalmist may fear God, linked to walking in his truth and praising God for deliverance from the grave. While "the fear of the Lord" is not a healing model in and of itself (various models of intervention can be used in the healing journey as found in the literature study), it guides the stance of the community, the pastoral counsellor (or other helper) as well as the survivors of generational ritual abuse who turn to God. It was found to form a doorway into the covenant relationship (or intimate relationship) with God in Scripture, and it is argued that, as such, it will help to lead survivors away from negative or destructive fear-bonded relationships (in Wilder's terms) into love-bonded relationships with God and others, thus leading to fulfilment of the command 'to love God with all one's heart, soul and strength and others as oneself' (Dt. 6; Mrk. 12:29-31). To this end, it aids the pastoral healing goal of a growing relationship with God and increasing maturity. Using the models of Heitink, Osmer and Hurding, the insights gained in this study are applied to the guidelines and proposed model for pastoral intervention. / Thesis (M.A. (Pastoral)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.