The subject of this diploma thesis is comparison of Orthodox and Evangelical churches pneumatology. The main goal is to summarize, compare and evaluate the knowledge acquired from studying various texts from both Orthodox and Evangelical theologians. The first part of the diploma thesis is addressing significant theological topics from the Orthodox Church. The second part focuses on Evangelical pneumatology with special attention to its charismatic and Pentecostal character. A substantial part of this section is devoted to terminologically defining evangelicalism in its historical context. At the same time an attempt was made to capture the breadth and diversity of this modern phenomenon. The starting point that was chosen for the thesis were the works of various Pentecostal and charismatic authors whose main viewpoints are being compared in key points with those of traditional, conservative theologians. The third and at the same time the last part evaluates the acquired knowledge and accentuates the similarities and differences.

This thesis is an attempt to relate the Scriptural revelation of God's nature to the normal Christian life. It analyses the experiential factors that originally gave rise to a triune awareness of God, arguing that a contemporary recovery of those seminal events is requisite for an integration of the trinity into the Christian life. After a theological summation of the biblical revelation, the thesis then explores the nature of the orientation of the trinity within the Christian life. This orientation is brought about by observing the harmonious arrangement of the different Persons within the Godhead. Once this is done we can then ensure that this arrangement finds an echo and corresponding imprint within the Christian life. As the Christian consistently integrates that tripartite relationship into the Christian life, the doctrine of the trinity will be a continual source of sustenance and direction for life and godliness. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / Th. M. (Systematic Theology)

Nesta etnografia, a devoção ao Divino Espírito Santo é abordada por um trilha menos explorada. Em vez de se postar no centro do arraial em homenagem ao Santo, segue-se em viagem com a bandeira e os cantadores da folia do Divino em seu giro peditório de casa em casa na zona rural e urbana. A antropologia da experiência é eleita como princípio de composição para um giro teórico em que a experiência dos devotos e a do Divino Espírito Santo são os principais aspectos a serem discutidos. / In this etnography, the Holy Spirit devotion is approched by a less explored trail. Instead of staying fixed in the center of the festival in honour of the Holy Spirit, the researcher goes into journey with the \"bandeira\" and the singers of the \"folia do Divino\" in their begging peregrination house to house in urban and rural areas. The anthropology of experience is elected as the composition principle for a theoretical journey in which the experience of the devotees and that of the Holy Spirit are the most important aspects to be discussed.

In the vigorous discourse of prophetic preaching in contemporary homiletic fields, especially Brueggemann’s prophetic preaching has strongly influenced preachers, as well as scholars. His work manifests the counteraction between two imaginations – the dominant and alternative imaginations - in the assurance of the transforming and liberating power of the scripture itself, through the conceptualization of imagination and the work of the Holy Spirit. In this context, this study is positioned in the homiletic field of the reformed tradition. In a large sense, it attempts to investigate prophetic preaching in an empirical and interpretive as well as a normative and pragmatic way. The aim of this investigation is to illustrate the interrelationship between imagination and the work of the Holy Spirit in prophetic preaching, and consequently to initiate normative, practical principles in a strategic model for contemporary preaching. To achieve these aims the study explores the ontology and epistemology of prophetic preaching. It identifies problems in the understanding of homiletic praxis, and at the same time examines the definition and history of prophetic preaching. Moreover, to respond to the question of why Brueggemann’s conceptualization regarding imagination has been highlighted, this study conducts an investigation into the available literature relating to Brueggemann’s prophetic imagination. A balanced interpretive and faithful perspective based on a reading of the whole Scripture is consistent throughout Brueggemann's oeuvre and his focus on application based on the transformational message in praxis is remarkable. Normative markers in prophetic preaching, deduced from an exploration and exegesis of specific texts in Luke and Acts, consequently bring about practical principles for application to prophetic preaching. The practical principles are formulated as follows: D (Direction-Diagnosis of the Reality); IEP (Imaginative Embossing of Problems of the Reality); S (Proclamation of the Gospel aiming at Solution); and IP (Imaginative practice). With the use of these principles, example sermons are analyzed and a new sermon for prophetic preaching is written. The results of this study are expected to provide the preacher with a strategic model to bring prophetic preaching into practice. Lastly, the ontological and epistemological exploration attempted in this study has made a contribution in describing a thicker and more developed definition of prophetic preaching. In conclusion, prophetic preaching itself should achieve the following aim: to be a presentation of God’s voice, spoken to the preacher and the listeners with the subjective help of the Holy Spirit's working in message transformation. / MTh (Homiletics), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

In the vigorous discourse of prophetic preaching in contemporary homiletic fields, especially Brueggemann’s prophetic preaching has strongly influenced preachers, as well as scholars. His work manifests the counteraction between two imaginations – the dominant and alternative imaginations - in the assurance of the transforming and liberating power of the scripture itself, through the conceptualization of imagination and the work of the Holy Spirit. In this context, this study is positioned in the homiletic field of the reformed tradition. In a large sense, it attempts to investigate prophetic preaching in an empirical and interpretive as well as a normative and pragmatic way. The aim of this investigation is to illustrate the interrelationship between imagination and the work of the Holy Spirit in prophetic preaching, and consequently to initiate normative, practical principles in a strategic model for contemporary preaching. To achieve these aims the study explores the ontology and epistemology of prophetic preaching. It identifies problems in the understanding of homiletic praxis, and at the same time examines the definition and history of prophetic preaching. Moreover, to respond to the question of why Brueggemann’s conceptualization regarding imagination has been highlighted, this study conducts an investigation into the available literature relating to Brueggemann’s prophetic imagination. A balanced interpretive and faithful perspective based on a reading of the whole Scripture is consistent throughout Brueggemann's oeuvre and his focus on application based on the transformational message in praxis is remarkable. Normative markers in prophetic preaching, deduced from an exploration and exegesis of specific texts in Luke and Acts, consequently bring about practical principles for application to prophetic preaching. The practical principles are formulated as follows: D (Direction-Diagnosis of the Reality); IEP (Imaginative Embossing of Problems of the Reality); S (Proclamation of the Gospel aiming at Solution); and IP (Imaginative practice). With the use of these principles, example sermons are analyzed and a new sermon for prophetic preaching is written. The results of this study are expected to provide the preacher with a strategic model to bring prophetic preaching into practice. Lastly, the ontological and epistemological exploration attempted in this study has made a contribution in describing a thicker and more developed definition of prophetic preaching. In conclusion, prophetic preaching itself should achieve the following aim: to be a presentation of God’s voice, spoken to the preacher and the listeners with the subjective help of the Holy Spirit's working in message transformation. / MTh (Homiletics), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

No abstract available / New Testament / M.Th. (New Testament)

No description available.

This study brings Christian theology and Christian analytic philosophy into dialogue through an examination of the compatibility and complementarity of Karl Barth’s theology of revelation, and Alvin Plantinga’s epistemology of Christian belief. The first two chapters are aimed at elucidating the central features of Karl Barth’s theology of revelation and clarifying his attitude toward the place of philosophy in theology. We establish that, for Barth, human knowledge of God is objective, personal, cognitive knowing, enabled by the Spirit’s transforming gift of participation in revelation. We dispel the notion that Barth is hostile to philosophy per se and chart the boundaries he gives for its interface with theology. In chapters 3 and 4, we focus on Alvin Plantinga’s Christian epistemology of warranted belief, and its relationship to Barth’s theology of revelation. A general alignment emerges in their shared inductive approach and agreed rejection of the necessity and sufficiency of human arguments for warranted Christian belief. Their contributions are complementary, with Barth providing what Plantinga lacks in theological depth, and Plantinga providing what Barth lacks in philosophical clarity and defense. Despite their general compatibility, two areas of significant potential incompatibility are flagged for closer analysis in the final two chapters. In chapter 5, we consider their views on natural theology. We extend our thesis of complementarity with respect to negative apologetics, and argue for a harmonizing interpretation of their views with respect to a potential positive contribution from natural theology. The final chapter addresses the role of faith and the constitution of a genuine human knowledge of God. We conclude that Barth and Plantinga do not disagree about the personal and propositional character of revelation, but may disagree about the possibility of a generically theistic de re knowledge of God independent of the Spirit’s gift of faith.

This study examined the biblical/theological foundations found in the Holy Spirit for leading ecclesial change within the text of Luke-Acts. Chapter 1 describes the purpose, goals, rationale, and research methodology for the study. Chapter 2 is a literature review that examines secular, Christian, and biblical/theological models for leading ecclesial change. Chapter 3 examines the role of the Holy Spirit in the empowered Messiah and demonstrates how the same Spirit that empowered, enabled, and equipped the Messiah is the same Spirit that enables, empowers, and equips believers today. Chapter 4 displays the manifestation of the Spirit’s work not only in the believer but inside the New Testament church. Chapter 5 offers conclusions of this study. Here the purpose and goals of the study are examined and biblical reflections as well as recommendation for practices are offered.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-07-27T13:48:27Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 YASK GONDIM DA SILVA.pdf: 645046 bytes, checksum: 73a08490d6db94443d5ca6a0e5e4ae0f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-06-26 / This article reflects the study of glossollaly as described in the Holy Bible, particularly in the book of the Acts of the Apostles, known as the "speaking in tongues", and it has, as its focus, the same phenomenon and its relationship with the media, in particular, with the Christian communication. The aim is to clarify its importance as an inaugural phenomenon that occurred during the feast of Pentecost in the city of Jerusalem (1 d.C); also to show its role in the dissemination of Christianity worldwide; and finally, inform that this dissemination was only possible because the glossollaly and communication are institutions which maintained a relationship of interdependence and complements between themselves. / Este trabalho é uma dissertação sobre a Glossolalia, acontecida como descrita na Bíblia cristã, especialmente no livro de Atos dos Apóstolos, conhecido como o falar em línguas , e tem, como foco, o fenômeno em si nas suas relações com a comunicação e, em especial, com a comunicação cristã. Busca esclarecer sua importância como fenômeno inaugural da igreja, ocorrido durante a festa de Pentecostes na cidade Jerusalém (séc. I d. C.); pretende também mostrar seu papel na difusão do Cristianismo mundo afora; e, finalmente, informar que essa difusão só foi possível porque a glossolalia e a comunicação são fenômenos que mantêm uma relação de interdependência e complementaridade entre si.