Thesis (J.C.L.)--Catholic University of America, 1999. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 62-68).

Thesis (J.C.L.)--Catholic University of America, 1999. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 62-68).

Thesis (J.C.L.)--Catholic University of America, 1999. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 62-68).

Many contemporary theologians and political thinkers find in the life and writings of Reinhold Niebuhr the strong critique of complacency and evidence of an unrelenting quest for social justice. Others, however, interpret Niebuhr in the light of neoconservative tenets, and see him as one father of American political realism with its appreciation for stable community life and tradition. These two polarities of interpretation highlight the split between left-liberal sympathies for a theology and politics of liberation and the right-liberal disposition toward values expressed most fully in a democratic capitalism. That thoughtful people of both political and/or theological stripes can trace their intellectual roots back to Niebuhr is witness to the complexity of Niebuhr's thought. Within the broad agenda suggested by these observations, this study seeks to develop and analyze Niebuhr's position on 20th century liberal pacifism. Specifically, it is concerned to trace Niebuhr's reaction against older styles of liberal theology which lent credibility and theoretical support to, among other things, the liberal pacifism which achieved some status in the political and theological debates of wartime North America. The concluding section of the thesis attempts to draw from the study of Niebuhr's criticism of liberal pacifism certain principles which hint at the resolution of the polarities of interpretation of Niebuhr's corpus.I would not deny, however, that although I should not have been among the crucifiers of Jesus, I should also have not been among his supporters. For I cannot help withstanding evil when I see that it is about to destroy the good. I am forced to withstand the evil in the world just as the evil within myself. I can only strive not to have to do so by force. But if there is no way of preventing the good, I trust I shall use force and give myself up into God's hands ... If I am to confess what is truth for me, I must say: There is nothing better for a man than to deal justly -unless it be to love; we should be able even to fight for justice -but to fight lovingly. Martin Buber (1939) In a perfect world we'd all sing in tune, But this is reality so give me some room. Billy Bragg ("Waiting for the Great Leap Forwards", 1988) / Thesis / Master of Arts (MA)

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<p>The thesis examines developments in Swedish theological scholarship during the 20th century, focusing especially on the polarization that manifested itself between the two subject fields theology and religious studies. The main purpose of the study has been to show how this polarization arose, but it also discusses ways of avoiding this polarization and considers how theology relates to society today. The thesis consists of an introduction, two parts and seven chapters. The introductory chapter provides a background in which the orientation and modus operandi of theology during the 20th century are examined from various points of view. The background description presents three tendencies which give starting points for a detailed understanding of Swedish theological scholarship in the 20th century. These three tendencies are the historical orientation of theology, an emphasis on prolegomena (reflections on the subject’s theoretical assumptions) and the fragmentation of theology. These serve as a backdrop for the subsequent study.</p><p>PART ONE “The assumptions of theology” gives a broad understanding of the external assumptions of theology and religious studies in 20th century Sweden. It is divided into two chapters, one of which examines the role of theology in the modern university while the other presents criticism of theologians. This part contains a description and discussion of the external assumptions of theology and how the theological institutions, together with the theology presented there, have been treated by critics.</p><p>PART TWO “Theological approaches” examines some important theological approaches, the main focus being on how theologians have approached questions pertaining to theology’s scholarly credentials and its role in society, a treatment which sheds further light on the various aspects of the issue of the polarization of theology and religious studies. Thus in this study the theologians’ texts will contribute to an understanding of the events of the 20th century. This part is divided into three chapters. The thesis shows that during the 20th century, the question of the scholarly credentials of theology became more important than that of theology’s role in society. The study concludes by gathering together aspects of the orientation of theological scholarship and the picture of theology and religious studies in 20th century Sweden. The polarization of theology and religious studies is discussed from the standpoint of late modern assumptions. The thesis shows that the polarization between theology and religious studies which manifested itself in Swedish theological scholarship during the 20th century arose out of the postulation of simplistic contradictions between the scholarly and the confessional dimensions. Finally, I offer a discussion of the relevance of theology today and what scope it has for connecting with society.</p>

The thesis examines developments in Swedish theological scholarship during the 20th century, focusing especially on the polarization that manifested itself between the two subject fields theology and religious studies. The main purpose of the study has been to show how this polarization arose, but it also discusses ways of avoiding this polarization and considers how theology relates to society today. The thesis consists of an introduction, two parts and seven chapters. The introductory chapter provides a background in which the orientation and modus operandi of theology during the 20th century are examined from various points of view. The background description presents three tendencies which give starting points for a detailed understanding of Swedish theological scholarship in the 20th century. These three tendencies are the historical orientation of theology, an emphasis on prolegomena (reflections on the subject’s theoretical assumptions) and the fragmentation of theology. These serve as a backdrop for the subsequent study. PART ONE “The assumptions of theology” gives a broad understanding of the external assumptions of theology and religious studies in 20th century Sweden. It is divided into two chapters, one of which examines the role of theology in the modern university while the other presents criticism of theologians. This part contains a description and discussion of the external assumptions of theology and how the theological institutions, together with the theology presented there, have been treated by critics. PART TWO “Theological approaches” examines some important theological approaches, the main focus being on how theologians have approached questions pertaining to theology’s scholarly credentials and its role in society, a treatment which sheds further light on the various aspects of the issue of the polarization of theology and religious studies. Thus in this study the theologians’ texts will contribute to an understanding of the events of the 20th century. This part is divided into three chapters. The thesis shows that during the 20th century, the question of the scholarly credentials of theology became more important than that of theology’s role in society. The study concludes by gathering together aspects of the orientation of theological scholarship and the picture of theology and religious studies in 20th century Sweden. The polarization of theology and religious studies is discussed from the standpoint of late modern assumptions. The thesis shows that the polarization between theology and religious studies which manifested itself in Swedish theological scholarship during the 20th century arose out of the postulation of simplistic contradictions between the scholarly and the confessional dimensions. Finally, I offer a discussion of the relevance of theology today and what scope it has for connecting with society.

This research proceeds from the premise that Okullu was a significant church leader in Kenya. His significance relates to his outspokenness on issues of social justice including the struggle for political liberation from the oppressive one party system and issues of human rights. The purpose of this dissertation is to reconstruct Okullu's Christian political theology through establishing what motivated him and the biblical basis for his socio-political activities. An attempt is made to reconstruct the socio-political environment, which gave birth and necessitated Okullu's prophetic ministry and to investigate the social and spiritual factors, which shaped him. The findings of the research reveal that Okullu spoke out of conviction. His theology of development and participation had its roots in evangelical and ecumenical perspectives emerging between the 1960's and early 1980's. For Okullu the mission of the church was the total liberation (salvation) of the whole person body, soul and spirit. Evangelism and social concern were mutually inclusive. The major sources of his theology were African socialism and the Bible. The ideals of African socialism, which he incorporated in his theology, which are in harmony with biblical principles were: the high value placed on the individual, the principle of equality and the central place of the community in development. He argued for a people-centred holistic development, which took account of the whole human person- body, soul and spirit. For Okullu, the biblical basis upon which Christians should act in a non- Christian society is the prophetic role of the church, founded upon the justice of God as illustrated in the writings of the Old Testament and continued in the concept of the 'kingdom of God' and the concept of 'God as judge in the teachings of Jesus Christ in the New Testament. Although Okullu affirmed the validity of the doctrine of separation in church-state relations, the concept of separation according to him does not fully explain the relationship. The separation is only institutional but at value level the two are bound together in the realm of ethics owing to their common origin in God. It is this integrated whole that gives the church its mandate for involvement in politics. Okullu's significance is demonstrated historically, by the literary out-put containing his socio-political challenges that faced Kenyan society in his time, testimony of others expressed in condolence letters and the views of groups of persons interviewed for this work. Okullu spoke out against injustices. He fought for human rights. His most significant contribution was spearheading the multi-party debate and the repeal of the section of the constitution of Kenya, which had made Kenya a single party system. His prophetic ministry was hammered out in the public arena. He was an Amos of his time. / Thesis (M.Th.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2003.

Abstract not available. / Thesis (M.A)-University of Durban-Westville, 1986.

Thesis (M.A.)--Acadia University, 1999. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 136-139). Also available on the Internet via the World Wide Web.