Thesis (M.A.)--Harding University Graduate School of Religion, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 171-187).

Habilitationsschrift--Universität Göttingen, 1980. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 207-221).

Thesis (M.A.)--Harding University Graduate School of Religion, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 171-187).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University. / Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 271-298). Available online via OhioLINK's ETD Center.

Thesis (D.D.)(Science of Religion and Missiology))--University of Pretoria, 2001. / Summary in English. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.M.)--Bowling Green State University, 2005. / Document formatted into pages; contains vii, 96 p. : music. Includes bibliographical references.

Afrikaans: Tradisioneel wanneer na 'n saak as sinkretisties verwys word, is so 'n verwysing gevul met pejoratiewe konnotasies. Die grootste probleem met die bestudering van sinkre¬tisme was nog altyd en is steeds 'n definisieprobleem. Daar bestaan verskillende benaderingswyses tot die bestudering van sinkretisme. Sinkretisme kan vanuit 'n teologiese, fenomenologiese of godsdienshistoriese perspek¬tief benader word. Hierdie studie onderneem vanuit 'n teologiese vertrekpunt die bestu¬dering van sinkretisme om tot 'n beter verstaan daarvan binne die godsdienswetenskap en sendingwetenskap te kom. Dit is dus nodig om eers uit te klaar met watter definisie van sinkretisme gewerk word. Binne hierdie studie word sinkretisme verstaan as die resultaat van 'n proses van pluralisering, wat onder andere die proses van sekularise¬ring kan behels, en aanleiding gee tot die herinterpretasie en eklektiese hersakralise¬ring van elemente. Daar word op grond van Bybelse gegewens gewys hoe daar voorbeelde bestaan van hoe godsdienste weens interaksie met mekaar groei en verander. Sommige ge¬leerdes verwys na die prosesse as sinkretisme, alhoewel sommige na die prosesse as die normale ontwikkeling van godsdienste verwys. Dit bevestig weer die vermoede dat nie aile godsdiensvermenging as sonder meer sinkretisme tipeer kan word nie. Vir die verstaan van sinkretisme, wil hierdie studie aandui, is 'n grondige verstaan van wat openbaring en godsdiens is, nodig. Die verstaan van openbaring bepaal hoe godsdienste evalueer word. Sodra klarigheid verkry is oor wat godsdiens is, kan die interaksie tussen godsdienste evalueer word. Interaksie tussen godsdienste geskied egter nie in 'n lugleegte nie, maar vind plaas in samehang met 'n verskeidenheid van faktore. Daar is meer wat op die vorming en verandering van godsdienste inspeel as bloot net die kontak tussen godsdienste. Die godsdiens word volgens bepaalde prosesse in 'n kultuur ingedra. Hierdie proses van inkulturasie moet ook teologies evalueer word. In 'n veranderende tydsgees is dit ook noodsaaklik om opnuut te besin oor tradisio¬nele denke. In die Iig van die postmoderne is dit nodig om die saak van sinkretisme weer nuut te beskou. Sodoende kan nuwe antwoorde op nuwe vrae formuleer word en tot 'n beter verstaan van sinkretisme gekom word. English: Traditionally when something is referred to as syncretistic, such an etiquette is filled with pejorative connotations. The most complex part of studying syncretism was and still remains the problem of definition. A specific definition determines the uses of the term as well as the attitude with which the term will be used. There are different points of departure for studying syncretism. Syncretism can either be looked at from a theological, phenomenological or religio-historical perspecti¬ve. This study is undertaken from a theological point of reference to come to a better understanding of syncretism within religion and Missiology. Therefore it is necessary to first of all declare with which definition is worked here. In this study, syncretism is un¬derstood as the result of a process of pluralizing, which could also consist of the proc¬ess of secularising and could result in the re-interpretation and eclectic re-sacralising of elements. With reference to Biblical situations some examples are pointed out where religions grow and change due to interaction with one another. Some scholars refer to these processes as syncretism, while others indicate these processes as normal ways in which religions develop. This emphasises the fact that not all mixing of religions can be labelled as syncretism. For the understanding of syncretism, this study endeavours to indicate, that a thor¬ough knowledge of what revelation and religion is, is required. The way in which revela¬tion is understood, determines how religion is evaluated. The moment there is clarity on what religion is, the interaction between religions can be evaluated. Interaction among religions however never takes place in a void. It always takes pla¬ce in coherence with a variety of factors. There are more to the formation and change of religions as merely the contact between religions. Religion is introduced into a cultu¬re through certain processes. Therefore the process of inculturation also needs to be theologically evaluated. In a changing paradigm, it also becomes necessary to reconsider traditional thought patterns. In the light of the post-modern, it is necessary to reconsider syncretism. By doing so there can be new answers to new questions in order to arrive at a better un¬derstanding of syncretism. / Thesis (DD (Science of Religion and Missiology))--University of Pretoria, 2001. / Science of Religion and Missiology / unrestricted

This dissertation examines Insider Movements, a missiological strategy where adherents of a high-religious system retain their socio-religious birth identity as a means of preventing extraction, thereby aiding the evangelistic and church planting task by keeping the social and family network intact. The strategy has produced a significant amount of controversy related to appropriate degrees of contextualization and the dangers of syncretism. The purpose of this dissertation is to identify the strengths and weaknesses of an Insider approach, critique the theological and methodological elements of Insider Movements, and evaluate its ability to produce orthodox, Bible-believing, and Christ-exalting believers and churches. This dissertation takes the position that Insider methodology as currently articulated is biblically weak and methodologically unwise. Chapter 1 introduces a short history of the development of the Insider conversation, identifies the central problems surrounding the conversation, defines terminology, and outlines the trajectory of the study. Chapter 2 traces the development of Insider methodology in an attempt to present a clear and complete picture of the arguments raised by Insider proponents. The relationship of Insider Movements to People Movements and Church Planting Movements is investigated. This investigation is followed by an identification of the missiological problems in evangelism and church planting in high-religious contexts. The literature and conferences proposing the missiology that led to the C-Continuum are identified. Chapter 3 deals with the biblical and theological foundation of Insider methodology. Kraft's concept of revelation and the Bible as "God's inspired case-book" is proposed as an unstated presupposition of Insider methodology. Moreover, the theological concepts of fulfillment theology and the kingdom of God are identified as the central arguments supporting Insider methodology. Chapter 4 introduces the central missiological concepts supporting Insider strategy, starting with the model of critical contextualization and followed by a critical interaction with the central missiological proposals utilized in Insider strategy. Chapter 5 is an attempt to assess the "wait and see" proposal of Insider advocates through an historic case study of Sadrach Surapranata's community in central Java, Indonesia. In addition to providing an example for how one particular community developed in terms of identity, orthodoxy, and orthopraxy, a number of helpful lessons related to contextualization and missionary partnership are presented as balancing comments for the Insider conversation. The final chapter concludes with summary thoughts, proposals, and areas of future research and dialogue.

Thesis (M.S.)--Oregon State University, 2010. / Printout. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 119-125). Also available on the World Wide Web.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Chicago, 1923. / Church union in Canada: its history, motives, doctrine and government. "The dissertation comprises chapters I-IV of this volume." Includes bibliographical references (p. 398-402) and index.