This dissertation is an exploration of the relationship of wisdom to salvation history in the book of Psalms. The notional starting point of this thesis is a conviction that there might be a juncture at which the two themes converge because in certain psalms such as Psalm 78, the Israelite concept of salvation appears to have a close relationship with the wisdom theme. In the history of Psalm interpretation so far, the concept of wisdom psalm has not been properly dealt with due to scholastic difficulty in ascertaining the clear criteria of a genre. The process of scrutinizing the history of interpretation showed that the Psalms in their final form were far more purposeful than were previously understood. The major guiding principles of the method employed are: (1) 'the canonical approach' of Brevard Childs; (2) 'the canonical criticism' of James Sanders; (3) 'the canonical process approach' of Bruce Waltke; (4) 'the Christo-canonical approach' of Jerry E. Shepherd; and (5) 'the communito-canonical approach' of deClaissé-Walford. This thesis made use of these methodological principles by attempting to read the Psalter from the beginning to the end, and by focusing mainly on the final stage of the Psalter proposed by B. Waltke as the third stage, or the final and complete Old Testament canon associated with the Second Temple, and by purposefully limiting the scope of our study to around the post-exilic period. Having dealt with the issue of classifying the wisdom psalm, the presence of the wisdom motif in many psalms which do not fall into the wisdom category serves to add a didactic dimension to the entire Psalter. In so doing, we reach a conclusion that what we are dealing with is not merely the wisdom psalms within the Psalms, but 'the wisdom Psalter' as a literary unit. Then, it can be said that the Psalter is not merely an anthology of individual psalms used for cult, but was meant to be read also as a source of min , an instruction. This means that every psalm in the Psalter has pedagogical potential, which may have been the ostensible intent of the editor(s) at the final stage of the formation of the Psalter. On this premise, this study attempts to set up a strategy to read the Psalms from the beginning to the end from book I up to book V as a wisdom Psalter, with a particular focus on how the wisdom motif relates to the salvation history motif. The question did not merely concern their interpretation as disjointed pieces, but also what their presence in the book of Psalter meant in terms of the relationship between wisdom and salvation history. This means that the study is influenced less by a historical and form critical approach, but more from a literary and canonical perspective. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Old Testament))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2008.

Text in Afrikaans / Die Nimsiede het gedurende die laat 9de en vroeë 8ste eeue oor Israel geregeer. Psalm 15 is waarskynlik gedurende die 8ste eeu, tydens die regering van koning Jerobeam II geskryf. ’n Mondelinge tradisie het in die tyd van die Omriede ontstaan en is gedurende die Nimsiede-periode voortgesit . Psalm 15 reflekteer iets van die sosio-ekonomiese konteks van hierdie tydperk. ’n Analise word gedoen om ’n moontlike verbinding met die regering van die Nimsiede te bevestig. ’n Analise word ook gedoen van die emosies wat in die psalm uitdrukking vind. / Old Testament and Ancient Near Eastern Studies / M. Th. (Old Testament)

The thesis of this dissertation is to explore the importance of Hebrew as contained in the Old Testament or Hebrew Canon, for a grasp of the spirituality or spiritualities of the people we encounter in these texts. Furthermore, to gauge the continued and extended importance of this language knowledge as it pertains to contemporary spirituality or spiritualities based upon these scriptures. This will be done with the laity and academia in mind and hence we will study these spiritualities as they pertain both to experience and academic enquiry. We will also explore the possible personal and societal transformation, which could result from such an investigation. In view of this, we will limit our scope to three test psalms all from Book I of the Psalter; and our assessment of the importance of Hebrew for Biblical Spirituality will be based on only three key areas, namely language, exegesis and continued meaning. / Christian Spirituality / M. Th. (Christian Spirituality)

Hymns are handed down from generation to generation, from country to country, and from church to church. In every time in history, hymns and songs are needed that are new for that time and generation – hymns through which the timeless message can be voiced in a new and unique way. The historical binding, as well as the ecumenical tie, are thus indispensable features for the church, her liturgy and her music. In the processes of creating new hymns and liturgical forms, the una sancta ecclesia always needs to be in focus. In this study the ecumenical and liturgical movements of the twentieth century, their goals, and the influence they exerted on liturgical renewal and hymn singing, are investigated. The ecumenical meaning of new hymns and liturgical forms is evaluated in terms of these goals. To determine the functionality of new hymns, a theoretical grounding for the various functions of hymns is given. Renewal in the form of contemporary material, new styles and ecumenical-liturgical forms is reflected in the Liedboek van die Kerk (2001), the new hymnal for the Afrikaans-speaking churches. The hymnal is discussed with regard to the content, and the processes of compilation. The versification of the psalms, fundamentalist views, and the resistance to transformation in the processes of canonization, also comes under scrutiny. Documentation, motivation and report of about sixty new hymns and liturgical forms in the Liedboek van die Kerk (2001) are given. Hymns, songs and liturgical forms are researched from hymnological perspectives, by relevant musical and textual analysis, and by exploring their origin, history, working history, and liturgical function. The functionality of the hymns is assessed, and their hymnological, liturgical, contextual and ecumenical significance determined, with regard to the theoretical grounding in the preceding chapters. The conclusion is that ecumenicity is a sine qua non for the hymns and songs of a new generation. History and tradition, but also the contemporary church as a whole, should co-determine processes. The future of liturgical singing depends on the way in which theological, liturgical, hymnological, ecumenical and anthropological fields of tension could be kept in balance. Balance thus needs to be found between functionality, ethics, and aesthetics; between tradition and creativity; historical fidelity and contemporary embodiment; individualism and community; between the individual church and ecumenism; quality and popularity; between Christian/confessional identity, and general religiosity; between orthodox expressions of faith, and the poetical-symbolical shifting of boundaries. Boundaries are exceeded through the singing of hymns – boundaries of language, of confession, of time and space, and boundaries between individuals and groups. Liturgical singing can be the singing of believers of all times and all places only by preserving the traditional ecumenical heritage on the one hand, and on the other hand, through ecumenical cooperation when creating new hymns and forms – thus the one faith in many languages, the audible sign of the una sancta ecclesia. / Thesis (DMus)--University of Pretoria, 2005. / Music / DMus / Unrestricted

Text in Afrikaans / Die lied en musiekinstrumente speel 'n baie belangrike rol in die Bybel. Die Moseslied (Eks 15) word in die Psalms aangehaal en kulmineer in die 11 nuwe 11 lied van Openbaring - die lied van die "nuwe" hemel en die 11 nuwe 11 aarde wat verlostes saam sal sing. Die brandende vraag wat "reg" of hoegenaamd standpunt ingeneem moet perspektief (die Woord van God) "verkeerd" is en of daar word, word uit 'n Bybelse beantwoord, gegrond op die beginsel van die Reformasie: ecclessia reformata semper reformandum. Die geskiedenis van die lied van die vroee kerk tot by die Ref ormasie word kursories behandel. Die lied wat in die geskiedenis uit die mond van die gelowige, die lidmaat gehaal is en aan die priesters oorgelaat is, word deur Luther weer teruggeplaas in die mond van die gelowige. Dit blyk dat Calvyn, tsv die Ref ormasie slagspreuk, in sommige aspekte van sy beskouing van die kerklied, steeds 'n Roomse standpunt bly handhaaf en net tot by die vroee kerk "gereformeer" het. Slegs sgn "heilige" liedere, direk uit die Bybel, musiek sender instrumentale begeleiding, kon gebruik word. Saam met ons voorsate, wat van oa Nederland gekom het, het ons liederebundels gekom. Van Riebeeck het met die Datheense Psalter (die amptelike Nederlandse kerklied) wat later deur die 1805- "Evangelische Gezangen" aangevul is, geland. Agv die "cuius regio eius religio"-beginsel het die Hollandse kerklied voorkeur bo Lutherse ea kerkliedere gekry. Die 1805-"Evangelische Gezangen", alhoewel dit hartlik verwelkom is, het gelei tot misnoee in Colesberg en later in Rustenburg, wat op sy beurt gelei het tot kerkskeuring. Die "Evangelische Gezangen" was ook, naas die Bybel en die Psalmboek die metgesel van die Trekkers, kommandolede (Anglo-Boereoorlog) en die krygsgevangenes in die konsentrasie- en krygsgevangenekampe. In die kampe was daar baie tyd vir die sing en skep van gewyde liedere. Nie-goedgekeurde bundels en die vertaling van die Bybel in Afrikaans (1933) het aanleiding gegee dat liederebundels hersien moes word. Die 1937 (Totius-beryming), die 1944 Gesangboek, die 76/78-Psalmboek en die 1978 Gesangboek was die resultaat. 'n Dualistiese standpunt, dat sekere liedere geskik is vir kerkgebruik en ander slegs vir buite-kerkgebruik (die 1984- Jeugsangbundel) het aanleiding gegee tot die publikasie van SOM en Jeugsangbundel 2, 1993. Huidig gebruik talle gemeentes 'eie' bundels tsv sinodale besluite dat slegs SOM en JSB2 naas die Psalm- en Gesangboek gebruik mag word. Die verskyning van die Proefsangbundel 1998 (IKSA) lei 'n nuwe fase van die kerklied in SA in as die Ned Herv Kerk ook begin om "nuwe" liedere op die proef te stel. Vos, Strydom, Huisamen, Konig, Kloppers, ea het in resente jare evaluerings oor die kerklied gedoen. Die "ou", die "nuwe" en die kontemporere kerklied (veral met verwysing na die NG Kerk) m6et almal plek kry in die musiekskat van die 21ste eeu. / The hymn and musical instruments play a cardinal role in the Bible. The Song of Moses (Ex 15) is used in Psalms and in Revelation 15:3. The question with regards to what is acceptable and unacceptable and whether it is at all imperative to take a defendant stance, is clarified from a Biblical point of view. It is based on the Reformation-principle: ecclesia reformata semper reformandum. The History of the 'Song' Hymn in the early church up to the Reformation is shortly mentioned. The "songs" (Hymns) of the believer were in the course of history transferred to the priests and were only in the Reformation once again bestowed on the believer by Luther. It would appear that Calvin, despite the slogans of the Reformation continued to postulate a Catholic point of view with regard to the Hymns and that the Reformation was restricted to the early church. Only socalled holy songs, direct from the Bible and songs without instruments/accompaniment could be usedo The collection of 'songs' (Hymns) of the Dutch Reformed Church is an inheritance from the Netherlands. It was Van Riebeeck who brought in the ''Datheense Psalter'' . Later, the 1805 - "Evangelishe Gezangen" were added to it. Owing to the cuius regio eius religio-principle, the Dutch Church Hymn was given preverance. Although heartily welcomed, the "1805-Evangelische Gezangen" lead to a split in the Church. The "Evangelische Gezangen" (Hymns), and the Psalmbook were used by the 'Trekkers' , the 'Kommando' s' , (Anglo Boer war) and in the Consentration and prisoners of war camps. In the camps was ample time for singing and composing new sacred songs. 'Non-approved' song books and the translation of the Bible in Afrikaans (1933) gave rise to the birth of various Hymn and Psalter books. Youth Praise and Worship books were also published. The Dutch Reformed Church opinion that certain songs in the formal Church inappropriate and should gatherings. struggles with the dualistic are suitable for worshipping service while other are only be used at informal / Theology / D.Th. (Theology)

Today, some twelve million immigrants are unlawfully present in the United States. What response to this situation does Christian theology suggest for these immigrants and those who receive them? To this question about the status of immigrants before the law, the theological literature lacks an understanding of how federal U.S. immigration law developed, and it lacks a robust theological account of the governance of immigration. To fill this gap, the thesis presents three stages in the formation of the laws that designate some immigrants as aliens unlawfully present or illegal aliens, drawing out the moral argumentation in each phase and responding with moral theology. In the first stage, non-citizens were called aliens in U.S. law. In response to the argument that aliens exist as a consequence of natural law, Christian teaching indicates that immigrants are not alien either in creation or for the church. In the second stage, the authority of the federal government to exclude and expel aliens was established, leaving those who do not comply to be designated illegal aliens. To the claim that the federal government has unlimited sovereignty over immigration, interpretations of the Christian Scriptures respond that divine sovereignty limits and directs civil authority over immigration. In the third stage, legal reforms that were intended to end discrimination between countries allowed millions from countries neighboring the U.S. to become illegal aliens. These reforms turn out to be unjust on philosophical grounds and unneighborly on theological grounds. While federal law classes many as aliens unlawfully present in the United States, Christian political theology indicates that immigrants are not alien, the government of immigration is limited by divine judgment, and nationals of neighboring countries deserve special regard.

No description available.

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Text in Afrikaans / Die lied en musiekinstrumente speel 'n baie belangrike rol in die Bybel. Die Moseslied (Eks 15) word in die Psalms aangehaal en kulmineer in die 11 nuwe 11 lied van Openbaring - die lied van die "nuwe" hemel en die 11 nuwe 11 aarde wat verlostes saam sal sing. Die brandende vraag wat "reg" of hoegenaamd standpunt ingeneem moet perspektief (die Woord van God) "verkeerd" is en of daar word, word uit 'n Bybelse beantwoord, gegrond op die beginsel van die Reformasie: ecclessia reformata semper reformandum. Die geskiedenis van die lied van die vroee kerk tot by die Ref ormasie word kursories behandel. Die lied wat in die geskiedenis uit die mond van die gelowige, die lidmaat gehaal is en aan die priesters oorgelaat is, word deur Luther weer teruggeplaas in die mond van die gelowige. Dit blyk dat Calvyn, tsv die Ref ormasie slagspreuk, in sommige aspekte van sy beskouing van die kerklied, steeds 'n Roomse standpunt bly handhaaf en net tot by die vroee kerk "gereformeer" het. Slegs sgn "heilige" liedere, direk uit die Bybel, musiek sender instrumentale begeleiding, kon gebruik word. Saam met ons voorsate, wat van oa Nederland gekom het, het ons liederebundels gekom. Van Riebeeck het met die Datheense Psalter (die amptelike Nederlandse kerklied) wat later deur die 1805- "Evangelische Gezangen" aangevul is, geland. Agv die "cuius regio eius religio"-beginsel het die Hollandse kerklied voorkeur bo Lutherse ea kerkliedere gekry. Die 1805-"Evangelische Gezangen", alhoewel dit hartlik verwelkom is, het gelei tot misnoee in Colesberg en later in Rustenburg, wat op sy beurt gelei het tot kerkskeuring. Die "Evangelische Gezangen" was ook, naas die Bybel en die Psalmboek die metgesel van die Trekkers, kommandolede (Anglo-Boereoorlog) en die krygsgevangenes in die konsentrasie- en krygsgevangenekampe. In die kampe was daar baie tyd vir die sing en skep van gewyde liedere. Nie-goedgekeurde bundels en die vertaling van die Bybel in Afrikaans (1933) het aanleiding gegee dat liederebundels hersien moes word. Die 1937 (Totius-beryming), die 1944 Gesangboek, die 76/78-Psalmboek en die 1978 Gesangboek was die resultaat. 'n Dualistiese standpunt, dat sekere liedere geskik is vir kerkgebruik en ander slegs vir buite-kerkgebruik (die 1984- Jeugsangbundel) het aanleiding gegee tot die publikasie van SOM en Jeugsangbundel 2, 1993. Huidig gebruik talle gemeentes 'eie' bundels tsv sinodale besluite dat slegs SOM en JSB2 naas die Psalm- en Gesangboek gebruik mag word. Die verskyning van die Proefsangbundel 1998 (IKSA) lei 'n nuwe fase van die kerklied in SA in as die Ned Herv Kerk ook begin om "nuwe" liedere op die proef te stel. Vos, Strydom, Huisamen, Konig, Kloppers, ea het in resente jare evaluerings oor die kerklied gedoen. Die "ou", die "nuwe" en die kontemporere kerklied (veral met verwysing na die NG Kerk) m6et almal plek kry in die musiekskat van die 21ste eeu. / The hymn and musical instruments play a cardinal role in the Bible. The Song of Moses (Ex 15) is used in Psalms and in Revelation 15:3. The question with regards to what is acceptable and unacceptable and whether it is at all imperative to take a defendant stance, is clarified from a Biblical point of view. It is based on the Reformation-principle: ecclesia reformata semper reformandum. The History of the 'Song' Hymn in the early church up to the Reformation is shortly mentioned. The "songs" (Hymns) of the believer were in the course of history transferred to the priests and were only in the Reformation once again bestowed on the believer by Luther. It would appear that Calvin, despite the slogans of the Reformation continued to postulate a Catholic point of view with regard to the Hymns and that the Reformation was restricted to the early church. Only socalled holy songs, direct from the Bible and songs without instruments/accompaniment could be usedo The collection of 'songs' (Hymns) of the Dutch Reformed Church is an inheritance from the Netherlands. It was Van Riebeeck who brought in the ''Datheense Psalter'' . Later, the 1805 - "Evangelishe Gezangen" were added to it. Owing to the cuius regio eius religio-principle, the Dutch Church Hymn was given preverance. Although heartily welcomed, the "1805-Evangelische Gezangen" lead to a split in the Church. The "Evangelische Gezangen" (Hymns), and the Psalmbook were used by the 'Trekkers' , the 'Kommando' s' , (Anglo Boer war) and in the Consentration and prisoners of war camps. In the camps was ample time for singing and composing new sacred songs. 'Non-approved' song books and the translation of the Bible in Afrikaans (1933) gave rise to the birth of various Hymn and Psalter books. Youth Praise and Worship books were also published. The Dutch Reformed Church opinion that certain songs in the formal Church inappropriate and should gatherings. struggles with the dualistic are suitable for worshipping service while other are only be used at informal / Theology / D.Th. (Theology)

This thesis examines the missiological writings of Orlando E. Costas (1943-1987), particularly The Church and Its Mission: A Shattering Critique from the Third World (1974); Theology of the Crossroads in Contemporary Latin America (1976); Christ Outside the Gate (1982); and Liberating News: A Theology of Contextual Evangelization (1989). From the early 1970s until his death in 1987 he wrote over 130 articles and 12 books in both Spanish and English that addressed key missiological concerns. A careful reading of a selection of Costas's texts oriented around a hymn, a gospel song, a psalm, and a poem provides the shape of this thesis. This thesis argues that Costas formulated a Third World evangelical missiology. Chapter one investigates what Costas's autobiographical material expressed about his positions on conversion, Protestant evangelicalism, missiology, and those living on the ‘periphery' of life. Chapter two recognises his commitment to the peoples of Latin America and the Caribbean in particular and the Third World in general. Chapter three explores Costas's analysis of the Latin American Protestant Church in a revolutionary situation in the continent and chapter four examines his survey and critical appraisal of Latin American liberation theology. Chapter five recognizes the pastoral shape of Costas's missiology. Chapter six explores his critical interaction with two more conservative evangelical missiological positions, the Church Growth Movement and Peter Beyerhaus and the Frankfurt Declaration, and chapter seven surveys the discussion within the international evangelical community regarding the relationship between evangelism and social responsibility. Chapter eight examines Costas's Liberating News as an expression of Third World evangelical missiology. Chapter nine considers the theological issue of penal substitutionary atonement and his missiology. The thesis concludes with an appraisal of the issues and contributions of Costas's Third World evangelical missiology to current missiological discussion.